Pathological involvement of apoptotic and inflammatory molecules in cardiovascular remodeling in rats on high fructose diet-induced metabolic syndrome.

Fructose consumption has been linked to manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MS); an emerging epidemic. The current study attempts to demonstrate fructose overconsumption-mediated cardiovascular disease (CVD) remodeling in Wistar rats. Rats were randomly segregated into control (CON) and high fructose diet (FFR) groups and received customized diets for 20 weeks. Levels of diabetic, lipid, antioxidant, markers, mRNA levels of inflammatory, apoptotic markers, and histopathological changes were assessed in excised hearts of both groups. Significant increase in uric acid, pro-oxidants diabetic, lipid, inflammatory markers, cytosolic cytochrome C, nuclear NF-кB-p65, and decrease in antioxidants was observed in FFR group. Abnormal myocardial architecture was observed in the FFR group along with elevated mRNA levels of inflammatory, apoptotic markers, and MMP-9, -2. The outcomes of the study are suggestive of role of aforementioned molecules in high fructose intake-mediated pathological deterioration of heart and development of MS-associated CVD progression. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Excessive fructose consumption in the form of high fructose corn syrup, sugary drinks, and commonly available fast foods has been shown to be linked with many diseases such as liver malfunction, metabolic syndrome diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. However, delineated pathways and clear mechanisms and their role in cardiovascular remodeling due to excessive fructose consumption are yet to be established. The present study establishes the deleterious effects of foods with high sugar content on progression toward metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular remodeling. It further investigates the role of different pathways involved in the development of high fructose-induced diet-induced metabolic syndrome, and thereby leading to harmful effects on the hearts of rats consuming high fructose diet leading to cardiovascular in Wistar rats. The study suggests the role of immunomodulation and oxidative stress in the remodeling of cardiac muscles and in turn progression toward metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular remodeling. The study, therefore, throws light on the deleterious effects of consumption of foods and easily available fast foods on progression toward numerous non-communicable diseases.

Protein Nanoparticles: Promising Platforms for Drug Delivery Applications.

The development of drug delivery systems using nanoparticles as carriers for small and large therapeutic molecules remains a rapidly growing area of research. The advantages of using proteins to prepare nanoparticles for drug delivery applications include their abundance in natural sources, biocompatibility, biodegradability, easy synthesis process, and cost-effectiveness. In contrast to several particulate systems like nanoparticles from metallic and inorganic/synthetic sources, the protein nanoparticles do not have limitations such as potential toxicity, large size, accumulation, or rapid clearance from the body. In addition, protein-based nanoparticles offer the opportunity for surface modification by conjugation of other protein and carbohydrate ligands. This enables targeted delivery to the desired tissue and organ, which further reduces systemic toxicity. The use of protein nanoparticles for such applications could therefore prove to be a better alternative to maneuver and improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the various types of drug molecules. In this review, while focusing on the properties of a few proteins such as the silk protein fibroin, we attempt to provide an overview of the existing protein-based nanoparticles. We discuss various methods for the synthesis of this class of nanoparticles. The review brings forth some of the factors that are important for the design of this class of nanoparticles and highlights the applications of the nanoparticles obtained from these proteins.