Vitamin E intake is inversely associated with NAFLD measured by liver ultrasound transient elastography.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases, whose severe form is associated with oxidative stress. Vitamin E as an antioxidant has a protective potential in NAFLD. Whether dietary intake of vitamin E, supplementary vitamin E use, and total vitamin E have a preventive effect on NAFLD requires investigation. A cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017-2020) was conducted. Vitamin E intake, including dietary vitamin E, supplementary vitamin E use, and total vitamin E, was obtained from the average of two 24-h dietary recall interviews. The extent of hepatic steatosis was measured by liver ultrasound transient elastography and presented as controlled attenuated parameter (CAP) scores. Participants were diagnosed with NAFLD based on CAP threshold values of 288 dB/m and 263 dB/m. The statistical software R and survey-weighted statistical models were used to examine the association between vitamin E intake and hepatic steatosis and NAFLD. Overall, 6122 participants were included for NAFLD analysis. After adjusting for age, gender, race, poverty level index, alcohol consumption, smoking status, vigorous recreational activity, body mass index, abdominal circumference, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and supplementary vitamin E use, dietary vitamin E was inversely associated with NAFLD. The corresponding odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of NAFLD for dietary vitamin E intake as continuous and the highest quartile were 0.9592 (0.9340-0.9851, P = 0.0039) and 0.5983 (0.4136-0.8654, P = 0.0091) (Ptrend = 0.0056). Supplementary vitamin E was significantly inversely associated with NAFLD (fully adjusted model: OR = 0.6565 95% CI 0.4569-0.9432, P = 0.0249). A marginal improvement in total vitamin E for NAFLD was identified. The ORs (95% CIs, P) for the total vitamin E intake as continuous and the highest quartile in the fully adjusted model were 0.9669 (0.9471-0.9871, P = 0.0029) and 0.6743 (0.4515-1.0071, P = 0.0538). Sensitivity analysis indicated these findings were robust. The protective effects of vitamin E significantly differed in the stratum of hyperlipidemia (Pinteraction < 0.05). However, no statistically significant results were identified when the threshold value was set as 263 dB/m. Vitamin E intake, encompassing both dietary and supplemental forms, as well as total vitamin E intake, demonstrated a protective association with NAFLD. Augmenting dietary intake of vitamin E proves advantageous in the prevention of NAFLD, particularly among individuals devoid of hyperlipidemia.

Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Lipid Profiling of Spermadicyton Suaveolens in Streptozotocin (STZ) Induced Diabetic Rats

ABSTRACT Diabetes is a life-threatening disease, and currently available synthetic medicines for treating diabetes are associated with various side effects. Therefore, there is an unmet need to develop herbal remedies against diabetes as an alternative to synthetic medicines. Although local healers use the roots of Spermadicyton suaveolens (SS) to manage diabetes, there is negligible research to validate its antidiabetic properties. The present investigation aims to the assess the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic potential of the ethanolic extract of S. Suaveolen's roots (EESS) on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The extract was screened for in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. The in vivo antidiabetic potential of EESS (at 200 and 400 mg/kg) was studied on STZ-induced diabetic rats for 20 days. The EESS displayed significant (p<0.05) antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. The administration of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg EESS in STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly reduced hyperglycemia, and restored antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile-a high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased by the administration of a single dose of streptozotocin. Thus, EESS could be a promising herbal medicine in the treatment of diabetes and hyperlipidemia

Green synthesized silver nanoparticles for the treatment of diabetes and the related complications of hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

This study was conducted to compare the impact of cinnamon silver nanoparticles (C-Ag-NPs) and cinnamon aqueous extract (CAE) on the total body weight (TBW), body weight gain (BWG), blood count (BC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), low-density (LDL-C) and high-density (HDL-C) lipoprotein cholesterol, liver function enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) of normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. The CAE was administered to rats at different doses (50.0 and 100.0 mg/kg bw), whereas the C-Ag-NPs were ingested at doses of 25.0 and 50.0 mg/kg bw for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, the administration of high or low dosages of CAE or C-Ag-NPs to diabetic rats significantly reduced the FBG, TC, TG, and LDL-C and significantly increased the HDL-C compared with the diabetic control rats. The highest dose (50.0 mg/kg bw) of the C-Ag-NPs was the most efficient at significantly reducing (P < 0.05) the levels of all the analyzed parameters compared with the CAE. However, the treated and normal rats did not show any hypoglycemic activity after ingesting the CAE or C-Ag-NPs. Such effects were associated with considerable increases in their BWG. The diabetic rats that ingested the CAE or C-Ag-NPs showed a gradual decrease in their FBG, TC, LDL, and TG levels, but they were still higher than those in the normal rats. Furthermore, the C-Ag-NPs and CAE considerably enhanced the hepatic (GPT, GOT, ALP, and GGT) and antioxidant biomarker enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GPx) in diabetic rats. Relative to the untreated diabetic control, the C-Ag-NPs were more effective than the CAE in the diabetic rats. The C-Ag-NPs exhibited a protective role against hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in the diabetic rats and modulated their liver function enzyme biomarkers and antioxidant enzyme activities more than the CAE.

Hyperlipidemia management in diabetes: First line or supportive therapy?

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes. Current therapeutic approach has changed from glucocentric to vasculoprotective. This brief review highlights importance of management of hyperlipidemia (raised LDL cholesterol and triglycerides) on CHD outcomes in diabetes. METHODS: Literature seach was done till March 2022 (Pubmed, Google scholar) using following search words; lipids, cholesterol, statins, triglycerides, fibrates, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty (Omega-3 PUFAs) acids, LDL, diabetes, coronary heart disease. RESULTS: Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have reported that LDL cholesterol lowering using moderate to high intensity statins significantly reduces adverse CHD outcomes in diabetes. Evidence of triglyceride reduction using fenofibrate or omega-3 PUFAs is not very robust although a trial of a purified omega-3 PUFAs has shown significant benefit. CONCLUSION: Lipid lowering with statins along with comprehensive lifestyle changes in addition to glucose control is recommended as first-line therapy to reduce CHD mortality and morbidity in diabetes.

[Efficacy of leech powder on hyperlipidaemia-associated erectile dysfunction in male rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of the Chinese medicine leech powder (LP) on hyperlipidaemia-associated ED (HLED) in male rats. METHODS: We randomly divided 50 eight-week-old male SD rats into five groups, blank control, HLED model control, tadalafil and low- and high-dose leech powder. After establishment of the HLED model by high-fat diet, we treated the rats in the latter three groups by intragastric administration of tadalafil at 5 mg/kg/d, LP at 0.3 g/kg/d and LP at 1.8 g/kg/d, respectively, all for 4 weeks. We examined the erectile function of the rats by mating experiment, apomorphine assay, and measurement of intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), obtained the levels of blood glucose, lipid, serum total superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), observed the pathological changes in the rat liver and penile tissue by HE staining, and determined the expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and PDE5A in penile tissue by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the HLED model controls, all the rats in the tadalafil and LP intervention groups showed significantly improved erectile function (P < 0.05), increased erection frequency, ICPmax and ICPmax/MAP ratio, even more significantly in the LP groups; the levels of LDL, TC and TG were remarkably decreased in the three treatment groups (P < 0.05), most significantly in the low-dose LP group; the content of SOD was markedly increased while those of MDA and ox-LDL decreased after intervention (P < 0.05). The results of Western blot revealed that the expressions of NF-κB and MCP-1 in the testis tissue was down-regulated in the tadalafil and high-dose LP groups while that of PDE5A up-regulated in the tadalafil and low-dose LP groups. CONCLUSION: Leech powder can improve erectile function in male rats with hyperlipidaemia-associated ED by reducing blood lipid levels and oxidative stress, which may related to the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effects of Integrated Health Education Combined with Life Intervention on Patients with Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease Complicated with Hyperlipidemia.

Objectives: In this study, we assessed the effects of integrated health education combined with life intervention on patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) complicated with hyperlipidemia. Methods: We selected 96 patients with CHD complicated with hyperlipidemia being treated in our hospital from June 2018 to June 2020, and assigned them to a control group (N=48) or a research group (N=48). Patients in the control group received integrated health education, whereas those in the research group were given integrated health education combined with life intervention. We measured outcomes, including blood lipid levels, electrocardiogram (ECG) recovery times, lengths of hospital stay, compliance with nursing intervention, and satisfaction with nursing care. Results: After intervention, the total effective rate of nursing in the research group was 93.75% which was higher than for the control group 79.17%. In the research group, the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher than those in control group, and the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower than that in control group. The length of hospital stay and ECG recovery time were longer than those in research group. The research group had a higher nursing compliance rate than did the control group (91.67% vs 75.00%), and satisfaction with nursing care also was lower in the control group than in the research group (77.08 % vs 91.67%) (p < .05). Conclusion: Integrated health education combined with life intervention has a better nursing effect on patients with CHD complicated with hyperlipidemia, and can contribute to controlling blood lipid level in the normal range, improve nursing satisfaction and compliance of patients, reduce the occurrence of adverse events, shorten the length of hospital stay, and accelerate recovery of patients.

Gamma-glutamyl carboxylated Gas6 facilitates the prophylactic effect of vitamin K in inhibiting hyperlipidemia-associated inflammatory pathophysiology via arresting MCP-1/ICAM-1 mediated monocyte-hepatocyte adhesion.

Role of growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6), member of vitamin K (VK)-dependent protein family in hyperlipidemia-associated inflammation remains unresolved. To address this, blood samples were collected from hyperlipidemic subjects and age-matched healthy controls and observed that gamma-glutamyl carboxylated Gas6 (Gla-Gas6) but not total Gas6 were significantly lower while pro-inflammatory markers, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 were remarkably higher in hyperlipidemic subjects compared to control. Correlation analyses demonstrated that Gla-Gas6 levels were inversely correlated with MCP-1 and ICAM-1 but positively with plasma VK in hyperlipidemic subjects but not in control. This suggests that boosting VK level might ameliorate the hyperlipidemia-associated inflammatory pathophysiology via augmenting Gla-Gas6. Further studies with high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice demonstrated that VK supplementation (1, 3, and 5 µg/kg BW, 8 weeks) dose-dependently reduced both hepatic and plasma levels of MCP-1 and ICAM-1 while elevating that of Gla-Gas6 but not total Gas6 in HFD-fed mice. Cell culture studies with gamma-glutamyl carboxylase (enzyme causes VK-dependent carboxylation of Gas6) knockdown hepatocytes and monocytes dissected the direct role of Gla-Gas6 in inhibiting high palmitic acid (0.75 mM)-induced inflammation via arresting MCP-1/ICAM-1 mediated hepatocyte-monocyte adhesion. The present study demonstrated an important role of Gla-Gas6 in facilitating the prophylactic effect of VK against hyperlipidemia associated inflammation.

Chinese herbal medicine for hypertension complicated with hyperlipidemia: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension combined with hyperlipidemia (HTN-HLP), as a common clinical chronic disease combination, will increase the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, increase the occurrence of sudden death and other adverse events. At present, the commonly used therapeutic drugs are mainly combined with antihypertensive drugs and lipid-lowering drugs, which not only have poor compliance, but also have adverse reactions. Currently, traditional Chinese medicine, as a traditional medicine in China, has been applied in clinical practice for thousands of years and has rich clinical experience in treating HTN-HLP. However, there is no systematic evaluation of the efficacy, safety and improvement of patients' quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis will assess studies of the effects and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for HTN-HLP patients. METHODS: We will search PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science (ISI), China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan fang Database, Chinese Scientific Journals Full-Text Database (VIP) and China Biological Medicine Database from the time when databases were established to 01, February 2021. After a series of screening, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be included related to CHM for HTN-HLP. Two researchers will assess the RCTs through the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. And the evidence grade of the results will be evaluated by GRADEprofiler software. RESULTS: This study will provide a reliable evidence for the efficiency of antihypertensive and reducing blood lipids of CHM for HTN-HLP. CONCLUSION: We will summarize the methods and provide sufficient evidence to confirm the efficacy and safety of CHM for HTN-HLP. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020110144.

Managing hyperlipidaemia in patients with COVID-19 and during its pandemic: An expert panel position statement from HEART UK.

The emergence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and its severity highly variable. The fatality rate is unpredictable but is amplified by several factors including advancing age, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity. A large proportion of patients with these conditions are treated with lipid lowering medication and questions regarding the safety of continuing lipid-lowering medication in patients infected with COVID-19 have arisen. Some have suggested they may exacerbate their condition. It is important to consider known interactions with lipid-lowering agents and with specific therapies for COVID-19. This statement aims to collate current evidence surrounding the safety of lipid-lowering medications in patients who have COVID-19. We offer a consensus view based on current knowledge and we rated the strength and level of evidence for these recommendations. Pubmed, Google scholar and Web of Science were searched extensively for articles using search terms: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, coronavirus, Lipids, Statin, Fibrates, Ezetimibe, PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, nicotinic acid, bile acid sequestrants, nutraceuticals, red yeast rice, Omega-3-Fatty acids, Lomitapide, hypercholesterolaemia, dyslipidaemia and Volanesorsen. There is no evidence currently that lipid lowering therapy is unsafe in patients with COVID-19 infection. Lipid-lowering therapy should not be interrupted because of the pandemic or in patients at increased risk of COVID-19 infection. In patients with confirmed COVID-19, care should be taken to avoid drug interactions, between lipid-lowering medications and drugs that may be used to treat COVID-19, especially in patients with abnormalities in liver function tests.

Efficacy and safety of Zhibitai in treating coronary heart disease patients with hyperlipemia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhibitai, as a kind of natural lipid-lowering Chinese medicine, in treating coronary heart disease patients with hyperlipemia METHODS: : A systematic literature search for articles up to July 2020 will be performed in following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journals Database Database, Chinese Biomedical Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System, and Wanfang Database. Inclusion criteria are randomized controlled trials of Zhibitai applied on coronary heart disease patients with hyperlipemia. The primary outcome measures will be serum lipid levels (including total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and acute cardiovascular events. The secondary outcome measures will be inflammatory factors (high sensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, etc), safety index (liver function, renal function, etc), and adverse events. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for data synthesis, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression, subgroup analysis, and risk of bias assessment. A funnel plot will be developed to evaluate reporting bias and Egger tests will be used to assess funnel plot symmetries. We will use the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation system to assess the quality of evidence.Trial registration number PROSPERO CRD42018103341.

Treatment of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis with modified Dachengqi decoction combining with conventional therapy based on "six-hollow-organs to be unblocked" theory.

BACKGROUND: The increase of triglyceride (TG) can induce coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, pancreatitis and other diseases and is the most common inducing factor of acute pancreatitis (AP) second only to biliary tract disease and drinking. The pathogenesis of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP) is not exactly clear, but it may be related to the toxic effect of the increase of free fatty acids produced by TG decomposition on the pancreas itself, microcirculation disorder of the pancreas, and calcium overload. At present, non-surgical therapy is the main treatment for HLAP. The key to preventing recurrence is to reduce blood lipids, change the diet structure, and reduce weight. This study aimed to treat HLAP with modified Dachengqi decoction combined with conventional therapy, based on the "six-hollow-organs to be unblocked" theory. METHODS: Forty patients with HLAP who received treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Puding County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2016 to August 2019 were selected and divided into a control group and an intervention group, each with 20 cases, following a random number table. The control group was treated with conventional therapy while the intervention group was treated with modified Dachengqi decoction combined with conventional therapy. RESULTS: After treatment, the cure rate and the total effective rate were 60% and 95% respectively in the intervention group, and 25% and 75% respectively in the control group (P<0.05). The TG, serum amylase, leukocyte count, and neutrophil ratio of the two groups decreased significantly after treatment, and there was a greater decrease in the intervention group than that in the control group, with this being significantly different between the two groups. The gastrointestinal function score, total score of the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), and the pain score of the visual analog scale (VAS) decreased markedly in the two groups after the treatment, with scores in the intervention group being significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Modified Dachengqi decoction combined with conventional therapy has a better therapeutic effect on HLAP than conventional therapy.

Association of Systemic Hypertension With Primary Open-angle Glaucoma: A Population-based Case-Control Study.

PURPOSE: To examine the association between systemic hypertension (HTN) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using Taiwan's nationwide health insurance claims data. DESIGN: A case-control study. METHODS: Data for this case-control study were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for all 112,929 newly diagnosed patients with POAG from January 2010 through December 2015 (cases), and 449,840 propensity score-matched controls from Taiwan's National Health Insurance system. We performed multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds (ORs) of prior HTN among cases vs controls. RESULTS: Of total 562,300 study patients, 296,975 (52.81%) had HTN prior to the index date, 63,528 (56.49%) among cases and 233,447 (51.90%) among controls (P < .001). POAG was significantly associated with prior HTN (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.29-1.33) after adjusting for age, sex, monthly income, geographic location and residential urbanization level, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, coronary heart disease, migraine, hypotension, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: POAG is associated with pre-existing HTN, suggesting that internal medicine/family medicine physicians should refer patients with hypertension periodically for regular ophthalmological examinations and ophthalmologists should alert patients with glaucoma to have their blood pressure regularly monitored.

Chuanxiong (Rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong) Protects Ovariectomized Hyperlipidemic Rats from Bone Loss.

Oxidative stress (OS) is the common mechanism for age-related diseases. The co-occurrence of osteoporosis (OP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in postmenopausal women makes it warranted to find a holistic approach for treatment of multiple diseases or conditions. The rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (CX), which has high anti-oxidant properties and is widely used for CVD treatment in China, might be the potential candidate. In the present study, CX ethanol extract (CXE) was applied to H2O2 induced MG63 cells to study its effects and mechanisms on osteoblastogenesis against OS. CXE was then administered to six-month-old Sprague Dawley sham or ovariectomized (OVX) rats fed either a low saturated fat-sucrose (LFS) or a high fat-sucrose (HFS) diet for 12 weeks, to confirm its anti-osteoporotic effects. The results demonstrated that CXE directly improved proliferation and differentiation in vitro in an H2O2-induced osteoblast cell model by attenuating cellular reactive oxygen species levels and inhibiting osteoblast apoptosis via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. CXE significantly improved bone properties as revealed by the increase in trabecular bone mineral density and decrease in trabecular separation at proximal metaphysis of the tibia (PT) in HFS-fed OVX rats but not in LFS-fed OVX rats. CXE ameliorated dyslipidemia, greatly reduced lipid deposition and malondialdehyde levels, improved activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the livers of HFS-fed OVX rats. In conclusion, CXE could favor osteoblastogenesis against OS. The ability of CXE to reduce bone loss in HFS-fed OVX rats was associated with its abilities to correct dyslipidemia, and reduce lipid deposition and OS levels.

Preventative, but not post-stroke, inhibition of CD36 attenuates brain swelling in hyperlipidemic stroke.

The lack of inclusion of comorbidities in animal models of stroke may underlie the limited development of therapy in stroke. Previous studies in mice deficient of CD36, an immune receptor, indicated its contribution to stroke-induced inflammation and injury in hyperlipidemic conditions. The current study, therefore, tested whether pharmacological inhibition of CD36 provides neuroprotection in hyperlipidemic stroke. The hyperlipidemic mice subjected to stroke showed an exacerbation of infarct size and profound brain swelling. However, post-stroke treatment with CD36 inhibitors did not reduce, and in some cases worsened, acute stroke outcome, suggesting potential benefits of elevated CD36 in the post-stroke brain in a hyperlipidemic condition. On the other hand, chronic treatment of a CD36 inhibitor prior to stroke significantly reduced stroke-induced brain swelling. There was a trend toward infarct reduction, although it did not reach statistical significance. The observed benefit of preventative CD36 inhibition is in line with previously reported smaller infarct volume and swelling in CD36 KO mice. Thus, the current findings suggest that insights gained from the genetic models should be carefully considered before the implementation of pharmacological interventions, as a potential therapeutic strategy may depend on preventative treatment or a post-stroke acute treatment paradigm.

Gypenosides improve the intestinal microbiota of non-alcoholic fatty liver in mice and alleviate its progression.

Gypenosides (GP) are a type of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extracted from plants and commonly applied for treatment of metabolic diseases. This study aims to explore the effects of GP extracts on alleviating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this experiment, C57BL/6 J mice were randomly assigned into normal diet control (ND), HFHC (high-fat and high-cholesterol) and HFHC + GP (GP) groups. Mice in HFHC group were fed HFHC diet combined with fructose drinking water for 12 weeks to induce the animal model of NAFLD, followed by ordinary drinking water until the end of the experiment. In the HFHC + GP group, mice were fed HFHC diet combined with fructose drinking water for 12 weeks, followed by GP-containing drinking water till the end. Mouse body weight was measured weekly. After animal procedures, mouse liver and serum samples were collected. It is shown that GP administration reduced body weight, enhanced the sensitivity to insulin resistance (IR) and decreased serum levels of ALT, AST and TG in NAFLD mice. In addition, GP treatment alleviated steatohepatitis, and downregulated ACC1, PPARγ, CD36, APOC3 and MTTP levels in mice fed with HFHC diet. Furthermore, GP treatment markedly improved intestinal microbiota, and reduced relative abundance ratio of Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes in the feces of NAFLD mice. Our results suggested that GP alleviated NAFLD in mice through improving intestinal microbiota.

Hepatoprotective and Renoprotective Properties of Lovastatin-Loaded Ginger and Garlic Oil Nanoemulsomes: Insights into Serum Biological Parameters.

Background and Objectives: Dyslipidemia is gaining much attention among healthcare professionals because of its high association with the malfunctioning of a number of normal physiological and metabolic processes in the body. Obesity is directly interconnected with dyslipidemia and is said to be a denouement of hyperlipidemia and, if left untreated, may lead to intense damage to organs that are directly involved in fat metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the synergistic antiobesity and anti-hyperlipidemic activities along with hepato- and renoprotective potential of nanoemulsomes (NES) of lovastatin (LTN)-loaded ginger (GR) and garlic (GL) oils. Materials and Methods: LTN nanoemulsomes co-encapsulated with GR oil and GL oil were prepared by a thin hydration technique. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were induced with hyperlipidemia via a high-fat diet (HFD) comprising 40% beef tallow. Body weight, serum biochemical lipid parameters, and those for liver and kidney functions, serum TC, LDL-C, vLDL-C, HDL-C, TG, atherogenic index (AI), ALT, AFT, ALP, γ-GT, total protein (TP), serum albumin and globulin ratio (A/G), serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood urea, and histopathology of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained liver and kidney sections of all aforementioned groups were examined in the treated animals. Results: Nanoemulsomes of LTN-loaded GR and GL oils provided synergistic effects with LTN, exerted better ameliorative actions in reducing serum TC, LDL-C, vLDL-C, triglycerides, and AI, and improved serum HDL-C levels. Serum ALT, AST, ALP, and γ-GT levels were in the normal range for nanoemulsome groups. H&E stained liver and kidney sections of these animals confirmed better hepatoprotective and renoprotective effects than LTN alone. Serum biochemical parameters for renal functions also claimed to be in the moderate range for nanoemulsome-treated groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that nanoemulsomes of LTN-loaded GR and GL oils synergistically provided better antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective effects as compared to LTN alone.

The fucoidan from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum ameliorates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Hyperlipidemia is a major cause of atherosclerosis. Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is believed to attenuate hyperlipidemia and the progression of atherosclerosis. Although fucoidans are reported to have hypolipidemic effects, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Furthermore, few reports have revealed the anti-atherosclerotic effects and the underlying mechanisms of fucoidans. This study was designed to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effect and mechanisms of the fucoidan from seaweed A. nodosum. Our results demonstrated that the fucoidan administration ameliorated atherosclerotic lesion and lipid profiles in a dose-dependent manner in the apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet. In the apoE-/- mice liver, the fucoidan treatment significantly increased the expression of scavenger receptor B type 1 (SR-B1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and ß, liver X receptor (LXR) α, ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC) A1 and ABCG8; and markedly decreased the expression of PPARγ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) 1c, but not low-density lipoprotein receptor, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase A1, LXRß and ABCG1. In the small intestine of the apoE-/- mice, the fucoidan treatment significantly reduced the expression of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) and dramatically improved ABCG8 levels. These results demonstrated for the first time that the fucoidan from A. nodosum attenuated atherosclerosis by regulating RCT-related genes and proteins expression in apoE-/- mice. In summary, this fucoidan from A. nodosum may be explored as a potential compound for prevention or treatment of hyperlipidemia-induced atherosclerosis.

A case report of the successful administration of clozapine in the face of myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism and hyperlipidaemia resulting in the termination of long-term seclusion.

BACKGROUND: Cardiometabolic health significantly impacts on the mortality of people with severe mental illness. Clozapine has the greatest efficacy for Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia (TRS) but the greatest negative impact on cardiometabolic health. Balancing the risks and benefits of treatment, dignity, autonomy, liberty, mental and physical health can be challenging, particularly when imposing interventions with potentially life threatening adverse events, such as clozapine. We describe the successful administration of clozapine in the face of myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism and hyperlipidaemia resulting in the termination of long-term seclusion for a gentleman with TRS in high secure psychiatric services. CASE PRESENTATION: The impact of clozapine on a 44-year-old gentleman with TRS, extreme violence requiring physical restraint and long-term segregation, and numerous other significant physical health complications is described. He had metabolic syndrome; a poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, Body Mass Index (BMI) of 31.5, poorly controlled lipids and had smoked heavily since childhood. During preparations to initiate clozapine, he suffered a myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. His compliance with secondary prevention medications was poor due to paranoid persecutory and somatic delusions. Despite these concerns, nasogastric administration of clozapine was approved and prescribed within nine months of his myocardial infarction and a month from his pulmonary embolism but was ultimately not required. Accepting oral medication, his mental state made a rapid and dramatic improvement. After spending 1046 days in seclusion, this was terminated 94 days after clozapine initiation. He has been compliant with all medications for 24 months, had no incidents of violence or seclusion, and has been transferred to medium secure services. His physical health stabilised despite continuing to lead a sedentary lifestyle and remaining obese (BMI of 35). He developed hypertension, Type II Diabetes Mellitus and his triglycerides rose to 22.2 mmol/L in the same month after clozapine initiation. However, with pharmacological intervention, 24 months later these are controlled, and he has had no further thromboembolic events. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight that despite significant physical health concerns, clozapine can be successfully initiated and safely prescribed with a significantly positive effect on both the psychiatric and holistic care of patients with treatment resistant schizophrenia.

Mitigating effects of antioxidant properties of Artemisia herba alba aqueous extract on hyperlipidemia and oxidative damage in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Chronic hyperglycemia and excess reactive oxygen species overproduced in diabetes were associated with oxidative stress, led to continuous injury and functions damage to different organs: eyes, kidneys, neural and cardiovascular system. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of Artemisia herba alba (AHA) leaf powder against alloxane-induced oxidative damage in diabetic rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group I controls received saline solution 9%; Group II was treated with 150 mg alloxane/(kg body weight) administered by intraperitoneal. Rats of Group III have received saline solution and treated with 400 mg AHA/(kg body weight). Animals of Group IV were treated with alloxane and AHA. Alloxane exposure led to increased blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, malondialdehyde, and a decrease in the antioxidants enzymes activities (catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase). Administration of AHA aqueous extract ameliorated these parameters. These results demonstrate that AHA ameliorates hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative damage in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats.