Differences of body composition and physical strength among Japanese and Thai older adults living in Chiang Mai, Thailand: an inter-ethnic cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The number of adults aged over 65 years is rapidly increasing in several Southeast Asian countries. Muscle mass decreases with age, leading to sarcopenia. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether differences exist in the body composition and physical strength, according to ethnicity, among community-dwelling Japanese and Thai older adults living in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. METHODS: A survey was conducted in February and March 2019. Japanese and Thai adults aged ≥ 60 years living in Chiang Mai Province were recruited through community clubs. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that enabled collection of data on age, sex, educational background, marital status, annual income, current medical conditions, smoking and alcohol consumption, and exercise habits. Measurements were collected on height, weight, body composition, blood pressure, hand grip, and walking speed for 6 m. Body composition was measured using a standing-posture 8-electrode multifrequency bioimpedance analysis analyzer. Hand grip of each hand was measured with the patient in the standing position using a digital grip dynamometer. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). RESULTS: Of the total 119 participants, 47 were Japanese (26 men, 21 women) and 72 were Thai (16 men, 56 women). The prevalence of a low SMI was 3/26 (12%), 1/21 (5%), 6/16 (38%), and 5/56 (9%) among Japanese men, Japanese women, Thai men, and Thai women, respectively. The prevalence of low muscle strength was 2/26 (8%), 2/21 (10%), 3/16 (19%), and 13/56 (23%) among Japanese men, Japanese women, Thai men, and Thai women, respectively. There were significant differences between ethnic groups in body mass index for both sexes, percentage body fat in women, SMI in men, and average grip strength in men. Ethnic group, sex, age, and body mass index were independent predictors of SMI. CONCLUSIONS: Ethnicity had a clinically important effect on body composition and physical strength among older Japanese and Thai adults living in a similar environment.

Water-in-CO2 Microemulsions Stabilized by an Efficient Catanionic Surfactant.

To facilitate potential applications of water-in-supercritical CO2 microemulsions (W/CO2 µEs) efficient and environmentally responsible surfactants are required with low levels of fluorination. As well as being able to stabilize water-CO2 interfaces, these surfactants must also be economical, prevent bioaccumulation and strong adhesion, deactivation of enzymes, and be tolerant to high salt environments. Recently, an ion paired catanionic surfactant with environmentally acceptable fluorinated C6 tails was found to be very effective at stabilizing W/CO2 µEs with high water-to-surfactant molar ratios (W0) up to ∼50 (Sagisaka, M.; et al. Langmuir 2019, 35, 3445-3454). As the cationic and anionic constituent surfactants alone did not stabilize W/CO2 µEs, this was the first demonstration of surfactant synergistic effects in W/CO2 microemulsions. The aim of this new study is to understand the origin of these intriguing effects by detailed investigations of nanostructure in W/CO2 microemulsions using high-pressure small-angle neutron scattering (HP-SANS). These HP-SANS experiments have been used to determine the headgroup interfacial area and volume, aggregation number, and effective packing parameter (EPP). These SANS data suggest the effectiveness of this surfactant originates from increased EPP and decreased hydrophilic/CO2-philic balance, related to a reduced effective headgroup ionicity. This surfactant bears separate C6F13 tails and oppositely charged headgroups, and was found to have a EPP value similar to that of a double C4F9-tail anionic surfactant (4FG(EO)2), which was previously reported to be one of most efficient stabilizers for W/CO2 µEs (maximum W0 = 60-80). Catanionic surfactants based on this new design will be key for generating superefficient W/CO2 µEs with high stability and water solubilization.

Maggot debridement therapy in critical limb ischaemia: a case study.

OBJECTIVE: In critical limb ischaemia (CLI), first-line therapy is revascularisation, but alternative treatment options are needed in certain cases. Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is historically considered to be contraindicated in ischaemic ulcers. Wound care in patients with CLI is becoming increasingly diverse with the development of novel revascularisation strategies; therefore, CLI now needs to be reconsidered as an indication for MDT. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed five legs with CLI (five male, one female) treated with MDT between January 2013 and December 2017. Changes in skin perfusion pressure (SPP) around the ulcer before and after MDT were evaluated. One or two cycles of MDT were performed (eight in total). We also evaluated the proportion of necrotic tissue in the ulcer and the presence of exposed necrotic bone. The proportion of necrotic tissue in the ulcer was classified as NT 1+ (<25%), NT 2+ (25-50%), NT 3+ (50-75%) or NT 4+ (>75%). RESULTS: When the proportion of necrotic tissue was >50%, with no exposed necrotic bone in the wound, an increase in SPP was observed after five (62.5%) of eight cycles of MDT. And with a proportion of necrotic tissue of <25% and/or exposed necrotic bone in the wound, a decrease in SPP was observed after three (37.5%) of eight cycles. Wound healing was accelerated in the presence of increased SPP. CONCLUSION: Effective MDT with increased SPP requires an ulcerative state of necrotic tissue grade > NT 3+, with no exposed necrotic bone.

Water-in-CO2 Microemulsions Stabilized by Fluorinated Cation-Anion Surfactant Pairs.

High-water-content water-in-supercritical CO2 (W/CO2) microemulsions are considered to be green, universal solvents, having both polar and nonpolar domains. Unfortunately, these systems generally require environmentally unacceptable stabilizers like long and/or multifluorocarbon-tail surfactants. Here, a series of catanionic surfactants having more environmentally friendly fluorinated C4-C6 tails have been studied in terms of interfacial properties, aggregation behavior, and solubilizing power in water and/or CO2. Surface tensions and critical micelle concentrations of these catanionic surfactants are, respectively, lowered by ∼9 mN/m and 100 times than those of the constituent single fluorocarbon-tail surfactants. Disklike micelles in water were observed above the respective critical micelle concentrations, implying the catanionic surfactants have a high critical packing parameter, which should be suitable for the formation of reverse micelles. Based on visual observation of phase behavior and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic and small-angle neutron scattering studies, one of the three catanionic surfactants tested was found to form transparent single-phase W/CO2 microemulsions with a water-to-surfactant molar ratio of up to ∼50. This is the first successful demonstration of the formation of W/CO2 microemulsions by synergistic ion-pairing of anionic and cationic single-tail surfactants. This indicates that catanionic surfactants offer a promising approach to generate high-water-content W/CO2 microemulsions.

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Boranophosphate DNA by an Oxazaphospholidine Approach and Evaluation of Its Properties.

In this paper, we describe the first stereocontrolled synthesis and properties of boranophosphate DNA (PB-DNA), which contains all of the four nucleobases longer than 10mer. Synthesis was accomplished via an oxazaphospholidine approach combined with acid-labile protecting groups on nucleobases. It was demonstrated that there were significant differences between all-( Rp)- and all-( Sp)-PB-DNA in terms of the duplex-formation ability, nuclease resistance, and ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity. In particular, all-( Sp)-PB-DNA was demonstrated to show a duplex-formation ability with RNA and RNase H activity, both of which are necessary for antisense-type nucleic acid therapeutics.

Efficacy and Safety of a Weekly Cyclophosphamide-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone Regimen as Induction Therapy Prior to Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Japanese Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: A Phase 2 Multicenter Trial.

We assessed the efficacy and safety of weekly cyclophosphamide-bortezomib-dexamethasone (CBD) induction prior to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in newly diagnosed Japanese patients with multiple myeloma (MM). This regimen consisted of four 28-day cycles of once-weekly oral cyclophosphamide (300 mg/m2), subcutaneous bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2), and oral dexamethasone (40 mg). Responding patients underwent stem cell collection followed by ASCT. The primary endpoint was the postinduction rate of achieving a near complete response (nCR) or better. Among the 38 enrolled patients, a complete response (CR), an nCR, a very good partial response (VGPR), and a partial response (PR) were achieved in 10.5, 2.6, 23.7, and 36.8% of cases, respectively. A grade 4 hematological adverse event (AE) was observed in 1 patient. Grade 3-4 infection, including febrile neutropenia, was observed in 4 patients (10.5%). Although 2 patients dropped out due to AE, 94.7% of the patients completed the induction phase. However, because of a poor response to induction chemotherapy (

Identification and Function of GnRH-like Peptide in the Pacific Abalone, Haliotis discus hannai.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is an important regulator of reproductive function in various vertebrates and invertebrates. In the present study, we have identified the GnRH-like peptide cDNA and peptide from the cerebral ganglion (CG) of the Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai. Pacific abalone GnRH-like peptide (hdhGnRH-like peptide) cDNA encodes precursor, which possesses the typical organization of the known mollusk GnRH-like peptide precursors, including a hydrophobic signal peptide, GnRH-like peptide, and a cleavage site followed by a GAP-like peptide region. Three hdhGnRH-like peptides, pQNYHFSNGWHAamide (hdhGnRH-11amide), pQNYHFSNGWHA (hdhGnRH-11OH), and pQNYHFSNGWHAG (hdhGnRH-12OH), were determined from the acid/acetone extract of the CG by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The hdhGnRH-like peptide mRNA expression was detected not only in the CG but also in gonads, and hdhGnRH-11amide was also detected in the extract of gonads. The mRNA expression of hdhGnRH-like peptide in the CG was lower in spawned males than in non-spawned animals, while no change in hdhGnRH-like peptide mRNA expression was shown in both ovulated and non-ovulated abalone. The hdhGnRH-11amide induces spawning and ovulation of both mature males and females in a concentration-dependent fashion following intramuscular injection. These results indicate that three hdhGnRH-like peptides are yielded from a single hdhGnRH-like peptide precursor, and that at least hdhGnRH-11amide is involved in the control of reproduction of the Pacific abalone.

[Follicular lymphoma accompanied by paraneoplastic pemphigus and bronchiolitis obliterans: a case report].

A 54-year-old female complained of oral erosion. A flaccid blister appeared on the trunk 2 months after the onset. The high titer of the anti-desmoglein 1 antibody in the absence of Nikolsky's sign led to the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris. The lymphadenopathy in the mesenteric and para-aortic regions indicated the possibility of paraneoplastic pemphigus. The steroid pulse therapy and therapeutic plasma exchange were ineffective. As CT-guided intraperitoneal lymph node biopsy revealed follicular lymphoma, R-CHOP therapy was performed. Although partial remission was attained accompanied by an improvement in the skin and mucosal findings after four courses of R-CHOP therapy, an occlusive ventilatory disturbance, possibly attributed to bronchiolitis obliterans, appeared 4 months after the treatment initiation. Although the treatment with tacrolimus was attempted, it was not feasible to be continued because of opportunistic infection, and the patient died 9 months after the onset of the skin lesion. Although specific anti-plakin antibodies were negative, this case was diagnosed as paraneoplastic pemphigus due to follicular lymphoma and complicated by obstructive bronchiolitis based on the clinical findings. The accumulation of similar cases is needed to establish effective treatment strategies.

AQP2 in human urine is predominantly localized to exosomes with preserved water channel activities.

BACKGROUND: AQP2 water channel is critical for urinary concentration in the kidney. Interestingly, AQP2 is abundantly excreted in the urine as extracellular vesicles (EVs), which is known to be a useful biomarker for water-balance disorders although the character of AQP2-enriched EVs is poorly understood including water channel function. METHODS: Human urine EVs were obtained by a differential centrifugation method. AQP2-bearing EVs were isolated by immunoprecipitation with an AQP2-specific antibody, and the proteins in the EVs were analyzed by LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis. Osmotic water permeability (Pf) of the AQP2-rich EVs was measured by a stopped-flow method monitoring scattered light intensity in response to outwardly directed osmotic gradient. RESULTS: Sequential centrifugation of human urine showed that AQP2 was present predominantly (80%) in low-density EVs (160,000 g), whereas negligible amount in high-density EVs (17,000 g). Proteomic analysis of the AQP2-bearing EVs identified 137 proteins, mostly in the endosome pathway, including the components of ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required transporter)-I, II, III. Pf value of the 160,000 g EVs was 4.75 ± 0.38 × 10-4 cm s-1 (mean ± SE) with the activation energy of 3.51 kcal mol-1 which was inhibited with 0.3 mM HgCl2 by 63%, suggesting a channel-mediated water transport. Moreover, Pf value showed a significant correlation with the abundance of AQP2 protein in EVs. CONCLUSION: Taken together, AQP2 is localized predominantly to urinary exosomes with preserved water channel activities.

Fibrinogen alpha C chain 5.9 kDa fragment (FIC5.9), a biomarker for various pathological conditions, is produced in post-blood collection by fibrinolysis and coagulation factors.

BACKGROUND: Fibrinogen alpha C chain 5.9 kDa fragment (FIC5.9) is a new serum biomarker for chronic hepatitis that was discovered by proteomics analysis. Previous studies have shown that FIC5.9 is derived from the C-terminal region of fibrinogen alpha chain and the serum levels of FIC5.9 decrease in chronic hepatitis. It also have been reported that FIC5.9 cannot be detected in the blood stream of the systemic circulation and it is released from fibrinogen during blood clotting in collecting tube. However, the mechanism of FIC5.9 releasing from fibrinogen is unclear. METHODS: We formulated a hypothesis that FIC5.9 is released by enzymes that are activated by post-blood collection and may be coagulation and fibrinolysis factors. In this study, we analyzed the mechanisms of FIC5.9 releasing from fibrinogen in healthy blood. RESULTS: Our analysis showed that thrombin acts as an initiator for FIC5.9 releasing, and that mainly plasmin cleaves N-terminal end of FIC5.9 and neutrophil elastase cleave C-terminal end of FIC5.9. CONCLUSION: FIC5.9 reflects minute changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis factors and may be associated with pathological conditions.

Enhanced Autophagy in Polycystic Kidneys of AQP11 Null Mice.

Aquaporin-11 (AQP11) is an intracellular water channel expressed at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the proximal tubule. Its gene disruption in mice leads to intracellular vacuole formation at one week and the subsequent development of polycystic kidneys by three weeks. As the damaged proximal tubular cells with intracellular vacuoles form cysts later, we postulated that autophagy may play a role in the cyst formation and examined autophagy activity before and after cyst development in AQP11(-/-) kidneys. PCR analysis showed the increased expression of the transcript encoding LC3 (Map1lc3b) as well as other autophagy-related genes in AQP11(-/-) mice. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-LC3 transgenic mice and AQP11(-/-) mice, we found that the number of GFP-LC3-positive puncta was increased in the proximal tubule of AQP11(-/-) mice before the cyst formation. Interestingly, they were also observed in the cyst-lining epithelial cell. Further PCR analyses revealed the enhanced expression of apoptosis-related and ER stress-related caspase genes before and after the cyst formation, which may cause the enhanced autophagy. These results suggest the involvement of autophagy in the development and maintenance of kidney cysts in AQP11(-/-) mice.

[Myelofibrosis ameliorated after treatment for nontuberculous mycobacterial infection].

A 42-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of continuous fever, anemia, and immature myeloid cells in peripheral blood. Bone marrow biopsy revealed severe myelofibrosis (MF). We performed computed tomography and identified several swollen mediastinal lymph nodes and nodules in the right upper lung. Lymph node biopsy showed an infection with Mycobacterium intracellulare (M. intracellulare), a nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM). Antituberculosis drugs led to remission of the NTM infection. Bone marrow biopsy revealed marked improvement in MF and red blood cell infusion was not required after therapy. No prior cases of concomitant NTM with M. intracellulare and MF have been reported. This is thus the first reported case showing improvement of myelofibrosis after NTM treatment. This case report offers valuable insights into the pathology of MF.

[Mitral valve replacement after previous coronary artery bypass grafting with functioning left internal thoracic artery graft: effectiveness of the method using a direct vision retrosternal approach; report of a case].

Performing a redo-sternotomy when a mammary artery graft is patent can be rather difficult. We previously reported a redo-sternotomy technique involving direct visualization with a retrosternal dissection (DR) method using a Kent's retractor. The DR method in detail is as follows: 1) A midline skin incision is extended to the abdomen about 5 cm. 2) The bilateral costal arches are divided from the rectal muscle. 3). A pair of retractors is placed under the costal arch. 4) A stainless steel wire is applied to the previous sternal wire at the center of the sternum. 5) The retractor and sternal wire are lifted up using the Kent's retractor to widen the retrosternal space. 6) The sternum and sub-sternal tissue are carefully divided using an electronic scalpel or metal retractor with an entirely sternal length. 7) Routine sternotomy is performed using a Stryker. Herein, we report a patient who had undergone cardiac surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), using a left internal mammary artery and mitral annuloplasty 2 years previously, and then developed mitral regurgitation caused by infectious endocarditis. He successfully underwent redo-sternotomy and mitral valve replacement using the DR method. In a patient with a patent internal mammary artery, the DR method greatly reduces the risk of graft injury.

Enhanced recovery of lyophilized peptides in shotgun proteomics by using an LC-ESI-MS compatible surfactant.

LC-ESI/MS/MS-based shotgun proteomics is currently the most commonly used approach for the identification and quantification of proteins in large-scale studies of biomarker discovery. In the past several years, the shotgun proteomics technologies have been refined toward further enhancement of proteome coverage. In the complex series of protocols involved in shotgun proteomics, however, loss of proteolytic peptides during the lyophilization step prior to the LC/MS/MS injection has been relatively neglected despite the fact that the dissolution of the hydrophobic peptides in lyophilized samples is difficult in 0.05-0.1% TFA or formic acid, causing substantial loss of precious peptide samples. In order to prevent the loss of peptide samples during this step, we devised a new protocol using Invitrosol (IVS), a commercially available surfactant compatible with ESI-MS; by dissolving the lyophilized peptides in IVS, we show improved recovery of hydrophobic peptides, leading to enhanced coverage of proteome. Thus, the use of IVS in the recovery step of lyophilized peptides will help the shotgun proteomics analysis by expanding the proteome coverage, which would significantly promote the discovery and development of new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Cyclic sample pooling using two-dimensional liquid chromatography system enhances coverage in shotgun proteomics.

We report a cyclic sample pooling technique devised in two-dimensional liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) shotgun proteomics that renders deeper proteome coverage; we combined low pH reversed-phase (RP) LC in trifluoroacetic acid in the first dimension, followed by cyclic sample pooling of the eluate and low-pH RP-LC in formic acid in the second dimension. The new protocol has a significantly higher resolving power suitable for LC-ESI-MS/MS shotgun proteomics.

[Usefulness of the axillary artery perfusion in open heart surgery in a patient with severe ascending aortic calcification].

Because of high-aging Japanese society, high-risk patients with multiple co-morbidities have been increasing in regular open-heart surgery. Especially, extensive aortic atherosclerosis with severe calcification that involves the ascending aorta can complicate the choice of sites of cannulations and aortic cross-clamping for cardiopulmonary bypass. To date, the standard peripheral arterial cannulation site in such cases has been the common femoral artery;however, this approach carries the risk of atheroembolism due to retrograde aortic perfusion, or it is undesirable in case of severe iliofemoral disease. Recently, it has been reported that arterial perfusion through the axillary artery provides sufficient antegrade aortic flow associated with fewer atheroembolic complications. In this paper, we report 3 successful cases of valvular surgeries in which axillary artery cannulation was used to avoid complications of brain. In cases of extensive aortic atherosclerosis with severe calcification, arterial perfusion through the axillary artery is a safe and effective method to provide sufficient arterial inflow during cardiopulmonary bypass, and is an excellent alternative to femoral artery cannulation.

Comparison of the effects of high and low levels of solar radiations on exercise capacity in hot outdoor environments.

BACKGROUND: High solar radiation from the sun in the heat outdoor may be impaired exercise capacity. This study aimed to compare the effects of different levels of solar radiation on exercise capacity and evaluate skin temperature responses in the heat. METHODS: Seven male participants performed cycling exercise at 60% of their maximal oxygen uptake until volitional exhaustion in hot outdoor environments (approximately 33-35°C, 40-50% relative humidity) under both clear sky (high solar radiation trial: 1062±50 W/m2) and under thick clouds (low solar radiation trial: 438±52 W/m2). RESULTS: The time to exhaustion of the participants was shorter in the high solar radiation trial (32.0±12.4 min) than in the low solar radiation trial (39.2±18.0 min: P=0.045). Mean skin temperature was significantly higher in the high solar radiation trial than that in the low solar radiation trial (P<0.05); however, the rectal temperature did not differ significantly between the two trials. The high solar radiation trial had narrower core-to-skin temperature gradient, greater the body heat gain from the sun, and higher rating of perceived exertion than the low solar radiation trial. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that high solar radiation during outdoor exercise in the heat causes a greater increase in skin temperature and body heat gain from the sun than low solar radiation and consequently impairs exercise capacity.

Recovery with a fan-cooling jacket after exposure to high solar radiation during exercise in hot outdoor environments.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of body cooling with a fan-cooling jacket on body temperature responses during recovery after exercise when exposed to high solar radiation in a hot outdoor environment. Nine males cycled using ergometer until their rectal temperature increased to 38.50 °C in hot outdoor environments, followed by body cooling recovery in warm indoor environments. Subjects repeatedly performed the cycling exercise protocol, which consisted of one set of 5 min at a load of 1.5 watt/kg body weight and 15 min at a load of 2.0 watt/kg body weight at 60 rpm. Body cooling recovery consisted of cold water ingestion (10°C: CON) or cold water ingestion + wearing a fan-cooling jacket (FAN) until the rectal temperature decreased to 37.75°C. The time for the rectal temperature to reach 38.5°C did not differ between the two trials. The rate of decrease in rectal temperature at recovery tended to be higher in FAN trial than in CON trial (P = 0.082). The rate of decrease in tympanic temperature was higher in FAN trials than in CON trials (P = 0.002). The rate of decrease in mean skin temperature at the first 20 min of recovery was higher in FAN than in CON trial (P = 0.013). Body cooling recovery with a fan-cooling jacket in addition to cold water ingestion may be effective in reducing elevated tympanic and skin temperatures after exercise in the heat under a clear sky, but may be difficult to decrease rectal temperature.

Deep Learning-based Post Hoc CT Denoising for the Coronary Perivascular Fat Attenuation Index.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Coronary inflammation related to high-risk hemorrhagic plaques can be captured by the perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI) using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Since the FAI is susceptible to image noise, we believe deep learning (DL)-based post hoc noise reduction can improve diagnostic capability. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of the FAI in DL-based denoised high-fidelity CCTA images compared with coronary plaque magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) delivered high-intensity hemorrhagic plaques (HIPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 43 patients who underwent CCTA and coronary plaque MRI. We generated high-fidelity CCTA images by denoising the standard CCTA images using a residual dense network that supervised the denoising task by averaging three cardiac phases with nonrigid registration. We measured the FAIs as the mean CT value of all voxels (range of -190 to -30 HU) located within a radial distance from the outer proximal right coronary artery wall. The diagnostic reference standard was defined as HIPs (high-risk hemorrhagic plaques) using MRI. The diagnostic performance of the FAI in the original and denoised images was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Of 43 patients, 13 had HIPs. The denoised CCTA improved the area under the curve (0.89 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-0.99]) of the FAI compared with that in the original image (0.77 [95% CI, 0.62-0.91], p = 0.008). The optimal cutoff value for predicting HIPs in denoised CCTA was -69 HU with 0.85 (11/13) sensitivity, 0.79 (25/30) specificity, and 0.80 (36/43) accuracy. CONCLUSION: DL-based denoised high-fidelity CCTA improved the AUC and specificity of the FAI for predicting HIPs.

Phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide promotes VEGF-induced angiogenesis in endothelial cells and rat aorta ring cultures.

BACKGROUND: Phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PCOOH) is a primary oxidation product of PC, and is markedly accumulated in blood plasma and arterial walls in atherosclerotic animals and humans. The role of PCOOH in the induction of angiogenesis is unknown. METHODS: In this study, we investigated whether PCOOH stimulated angiogenic responses (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, and angiogenesis-related gene/protein expression) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and in an ex vivo rat aorta model. RESULTS: VEGF induced proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVEC, and these angiogenic responses were all enhanced by PCOOH but not by native (nonoxidized) PC. The angiogenic effects of PCOOH are considered to be mediated via generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of both PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways. The angiogenic activities of PCOOH were also confirmed by the rat aortic ring assay. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that PCOOH can elicit several angiogenic responses. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The present study implies an important role of PCOOH in atherosclerosis progression and plaque instability.