Luteolin Improves Perivascular Adipose Tissue Profile and Vascular Dysfunction in Goto-Kakizaki Rats.

We investigated the effects of luteolin on metabolism, vascular reactivity, and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in nonobese type 2 diabetes mellitus animal model, Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. METHODS: Wistar and GK rats were divided in two groups: (1) control groups treated with vehicle; (2) groups treated with luteolin (10 mg/kg/day, for 2 months). Several metabolic parameters such as adiposity index, lipid profile, fasting glucose levels, glucose and insulin tolerance tests were determined. Endothelial function and contraction studies were performed in aortas with (PVAT+) or without (PVAT-) periaortic adipose tissue. We also studied vascular oxidative stress, glycation and assessed CRP, CCL2, and nitrotyrosine levels in PVAT. RESULTS: Endothelial function was impaired in diabetic GK rats (47% (GK - PVAT) and 65% (GK + PVAT) inhibition of maximal endothelial dependent relaxation) and significantly improved by luteolin treatment (29% (GK - PVAT) and 22% (GK + PVAT) inhibition of maximal endothelial dependent relaxation, p < 0.01). Vascular oxidative stress and advanced glycation end-products' levels were increased in aortic rings (~2-fold, p < 0.05) of diabetic rats and significantly improved by luteolin treatment (to levels not significantly different from controls). Periaortic adipose tissue anti-contractile action was significantly rescued with luteolin administration (p < 0.001). In addition, luteolin treatment significantly recovered proinflammatory and pro-oxidant PVAT phenotype, and improved systemic and metabolic parameters in GK rats. CONCLUSIONS: Luteolin ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes and exhibits therapeutic potential for the treatment of vascular complications associated with type 2 diabetes.

Seaweed Phenolics: From Extraction to Applications.

Seaweeds have attracted high interest in recent years due to their chemical and bioactive properties to find new molecules with valuable applications for humankind. Phenolic compounds are the group of metabolites with the most structural variation and the highest content in seaweeds. The most researched seaweed polyphenol class is the phlorotannins, which are specifically synthesized by brown seaweeds, but there are other polyphenolic compounds, such as bromophenols, flavonoids, phenolic terpenoids, and mycosporine-like amino acids. The compounds already discovered and characterized demonstrate a full range of bioactivities and potential future applications in various industrial sectors. This review focuses on the extraction, purification, and future applications of seaweed phenolic compounds based on the bioactive properties described in the literature. It also intends to provide a comprehensive insight into the phenolic compounds in seaweed.

Diverse Applications of Marine Macroalgae.

The aim of this paper is to review the multiplicity of the current uses of marine macroalgae. Seaweeds are already used in many products and for different purposes, from food products to medicine. They are a natural resource that can provide a number of compounds with beneficial bioactivities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging effects, among others. Despite studies directed in prospecting for their properties and the commodities already marketed, they could, surely, be even more researched and sustainably explored.

Omentin: A novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) locally influences the functioning of blood vessels and promotes vascular complications associated with diabetes and obesity. The aim of this work was to study the impact of omentin-1 on endothelial function and PVAT in a non-obese type 2 diabetes mellitus animal model, Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats with or without high fat diet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Diabetic GK rats were divided into four groups: 1) control group; 2) group treated with omentin-1; 3) group of GK rats fed a high fat diet (GKHFD) and 4) group of GKHFD treated with omentin-1. Several in vivo parameters such as adiposity and Lee indexes, lipid profile, fasting glucose levels, glucose and insulin tolerance tests were determined. At the vascular level, endothelial dependent and independent relaxation and contraction studies were performed in aortic rings in the absence (PVAT-) or in the presence (PVAT+) of thoracic PVAT. We also evaluated vascular oxidative stress and determined the pro-inflammatory status of PVAT. RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine, assessed by wire myography, was impaired in GK and GKHFD rats and improved by the omentin-1 treatment. In addition, vascular superoxide production was increased in the vascular wall of diabetic rats, accompanied by reduced nitric oxide bioavailability and significantly improved by omentin treatment. PVAT anti-contractile action found under physiological conditions was lost in type 2 diabetes, and partially recovered with omentin-1 administration. In addition, omentin-1 treatment significantly improved proinflammatory and pro-oxidant PVAT phenotype (decreasing C-reactive protein and nitrotyrosine levels). Furthermore, it was observed an improvement in various systemic and metabolic biochemical parameters of diabetic animals treated for one month with omentin. CONCLUSIONS: Omentin-1 ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes and presents therapeutic potential for the treatment of vascular complications associated with type 2 diabetes.

Increased inflammation, oxidative stress and a reduction in antioxidant defense enzymes in perivascular adipose tissue contribute to vascular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounds most large blood vessels and plays an important role in vascular homeostasis. The present study was conducted to investigate the contribution of PVAT to vascular dysfunction in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Several in vivo parameters such as lipid profile (total cholesterol and triglyceride systemic levels), fasting glucose levels, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity (through glucose and insulin tolerance tests, respectively) were determined in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) diabetic rats and compared with control Wistar rats. At the vascular level, endothelial dependent and independent relaxation and contraction studies were performed in aortic rings in the absence (PVAT-) or in the presence (PVAT+) of thoracic PVAT. We also evaluated vascular oxidative stress and performed western blots, PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis of cytokines and various enzymes in PVAT. RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine, assessed by wire myography, was impaired in GK rats and improved by the antioxidant TEMPOL and by the TLR4 inhibitor, CLI-095 suggesting an increase in oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, vascular superoxide and peroxynitrite production was increased in the vascular wall of diabetic rats, accompanied by reduced nitric oxide bioavailability. The presence of PVAT had an anticontractile effect in response to phenylephrine in Wistar rats that was lost in GK rats. Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that PVAT phenotype shifts, under diabetic conditions, towards a proinflammatory (with increment in CRP, CCL2, CD36), pro-oxidant (increased levels of aldose reductase, and reduced levels of antioxidant deference enzymes) and vasoconstriction state. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that this rat model of type 2 diabetes is associated with perivascular adipose dysfunction that contributes to oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.

A Comprehensive Review of the Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Applications of Red Seaweeds (Rhodophyta).

The red seaweed group (Rhodophyta) is one of the phyla of macroalgae, among the groups Phaeophyceae and Chlorophyta, brown and green seaweeds, respectively. Nowadays, all groups of macroalgae are getting the attention of the scientific community due to the bioactive substances they produce. Several macroalgae products have exceptional properties with nutraceutical, pharmacological, and biomedical interest. The main compounds studied are the fatty acids, pigments, phenols, and polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are the most exploited molecules, which are already widely used in various industries and are, presently, entering into more advanced applications from the therapeutic point of view. The focuses of this review are the red seaweeds' compounds, its proprieties, and its uses. Moreover, this work discusses new possible applications of the compounds of the red seaweeds.

The Evolution Road of Seaweed Aquaculture: Cultivation Technologies and the Industry 4.0.

Seaweeds (marine macroalgae) are autotrophic organisms capable of producing many compounds of interest. For a long time, seaweeds have been seen as a great nutritional resource, primarily in Asian countries to later gain importance in Europe and South America, as well as in North America and Australia. It has been reported that edible seaweeds are rich in proteins, lipids and dietary fibers. Moreover, they have plenty of bioactive molecules that can be applied in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic areas. There are historical registers of harvest and cultivation of seaweeds but with the increment of the studies of seaweeds and their valuable compounds, their aquaculture has increased. The methodology of cultivation varies from onshore to offshore. Seaweeds can also be part of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), which has great opportunities but is also very challenging to the farmers. This multidisciplinary field applied to the seaweed aquaculture is very promising to improve the methods and techniques; this area is developed under the denominated industry 4.0.

Seaweed's Bioactive Candidate Compounds to Food Industry and Global Food Security.

The world population is continuously growing, so it is important to keep producing food in a sustainable way, especially in a way that is nutritious and in a sufficient quantity to overcome global needs. Seaweed grows, and can be cultivated, in seawater and generally does not compete for arable land and freshwater. Thus, the coastal areas of the planet are the most suitable for seaweed production, which can be an alternative to traditional agriculture and can thus contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. There are evolving studies that characterize seaweed's nutritional value and policies that recognize them as food, and identify the potential benefits and negative factors that may be produced or accumulated by seaweed, which are, or can be, dangerous for human health. Seaweeds have a high nutritional value along with a low caloric input and with the presence of fibers, proteins, omega 3 and 6 unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Moreover, several seaweed sub-products have interesting features to the food industry. Therefore, the focus of this review is in the performance of seaweed as a potential alternative and as a safe food source. Here described is the nutritional value and concerns relating to seaweed consumption, and also how seaweed-derived compounds are already commercially explored and available in the food industry and the usage restrictions to safeguard them as safe food additives for human consumption.

Vascular Oxidative Stress: Impact and Therapeutic Approaches.

Oxidative stress has been defined as an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants and more recently as a disruption of redox signaling and control. It is generally accepted that oxidative stress can lead to cell and tissue injury having a fundamental role in vascular dysfunction. Physiologically, reactive oxygen species (ROS) control vascular function by modulating various redox-sensitive signaling pathways. In vascular disorders, oxidative stress instigates endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, affecting several cells in the vascular wall. Vascular ROS are derived from multiple sources herein discussed, which are prime targets for therapeutic development. This review focuses on oxidative stress in vascular physiopathology and highlights different strategies to inhibit ROS production.

Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en un grupo de mujeres con sobrepeso y obesidad / Cardiovascular risk factors in a group of women with overweight and obesity

Justificación y objetivo: La enfermedad isquémica cardiovascular es definida por la Organización Mundial de la Salud como la incapacidad cardiaca aguda y crónica, resultante de la reducción o suspensión del flujo sanguíneo del miocardio, asociado con procesos patológicos en el sistema arterial coronario. Es una de las principales causas de muerte entre los individuos adultos de Costa Rica y el mundo. El presente trabajo describe los factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular hallados en un grupo de mujeres con sobrepeso y obesidad residentes del área de atracción de salud del programa de Atención Integral en Salud, PAIS, correspondientes a los distritos de La Unión, Curridabat y Montes de Oca. Métodos: Se estudiaron un total de 90 mujeres diagnosticadas con sobrepeso u obesidad, con edades comprendidas entre los 18-49 años, 30 de cada uno de los distritos que conforman el área de cobertura PAIS, Curridabat, La Unión y Montes de Oca, durante 2007. Se evaluaron los factores de riesgo cardiovascular recomendados por el ATPIII establecidos por la Asociación Americana del Corazón. Resultados: Un 75 por ciento de las mujeres del estudio mostraron niveles de LDL colesterol fuera del rango aceptable, el 50 por ciento presentó niveles no deseables del colesterol total y el 51.3 por ciento presentó hipertensión. Los factores de riesgo predisponentes más prevalentes fueron la obesidad, 64 por ciento, y el 61 por ciento gastó menos de 2000 kcal por semana en actividad física que las clasifica como sedentarias. El único factor de riesgo condicionante que se evaluó fue la hipertrigliceridemia, presentada en el 25.3 por ciento de las mujeres. Conclusión: Las mujeres en estudio presentaron al menos dos factores de riesgo cardiovascular; son un grupo de especial atención, de manera que sean sujeto de intervenciones de tipo integral que aborden la promoción de la salud, tanto en las mujeres como en sus familias y comunidades.