Periodontitis promotes bacterial extracellular vesicle-induced neuroinflammation in the brain and trigeminal ganglion.

Gram-negative bacteria derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), also known as outer membrane vesicles, have attracted significant attention due to their pathogenic roles in various inflammatory diseases. We recently demonstrated that EVs secreted by the periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and that their extracellular RNA cargo can promote the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, in the brain. To gain more insight into the relationship between periodontal disease (PD) and neuroinflammatory diseases, we investigated the effect of Aa EVs in a mouse model of ligature-induced PD. When EVs were administered through intragingival injection or EV-soaked gel, proinflammatory cytokines were strongly induced in the brains of PD mice. The use of TLR (Toll-like receptor)-reporter cell lines and MyD88 knockout mice confirmed that the increased release of cytokines was triggered by Aa EVs via TLR4 and TLR8 signaling pathways and their downstream MyD88 pathway. Furthermore, the injection of EVs through the epidermis and gingiva resulted in the direct retrograde transfer of Aa EVs from axon terminals to the cell bodies of trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons and the subsequent activation of TG neurons. We also found that the Aa EVs changed the action potential of TG neurons. These findings suggest that EVs derived from periodontopathogens such as Aa might be involved in pathogenic pathways for neuroinflammatory diseases, neuropathic pain, and other systemic inflammatory symptoms as a comorbidity of periodontitis.

Decrease in HDL-C is Associated with Age and Household Income in Adults from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017: Correlation Analysis of Low HDL-C and Poverty.

A low serum high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDL-C) level is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease and dementia. On the other hand, no study has elucidated the correlation between household income and the HDL-C level in the adult population. In the present study, 5535 subjects (20-80 year-old individuals) were selected from the Korean national health and nutrition examination survey 2017 (KNHANES VII-2, n = 2469 men, n = 3066 women). They were classified into five levels of household income grades ranging from one (the lowest) to five (the highest). They were also classified according to the HDL-C level: category 1 (<40 mg/dL, n = 943), category 2 (40-49 mg/dL, n = 1764), category 3 (50-59 mg/dL, n = 1572), category 4 (60-69 mg/dL, n = 820), and category 5 (≥70 mg/dL, n = 436). Generally, in both genders, a higher HDL-C level is associated with a larger percentage of income grades 4 and 5. Moreover, the lowest HDL-C group showed the largest percentage of income grade 1. In both groups, a significant increase in the average income grade was associated with a concomitant increase in the HDL-C level (men, p = 0.03, women, p < 0.001). In the low HDL-C category, a lower income grade is associated directly with a lower HDL-C level, which suggests that poverty is associated directly with a low HDL-C. Women showed a 3.3-fold higher incidence of dementia than men did at later-life. The sharp decrease in HDL-C in the female group older than 50 was accompanied by a dramatic increase in the incidence of dementia. However, the male group showed a relatively mild decrease in the HDL-C level after mid-life and weak elevation in the incidence of dementia. In conclusion, in both genders, the lower income group showed a larger prevalence of low-HDL-C levels. The decrease in HDL-C after middle age was strongly associated with the considerable increase in dementia in later-life.

Short-Term Consumption of Cuban Policosanol Lowers Aortic and Peripheral Blood Pressure and Ameliorates Serum Lipid Parameters in Healthy Korean Participants: Randomized, Double-Blinded, and Placebo-Controlled Study.

The current study was designed to investigate the short-term effects of policosanol consumption on blood pressure (BP) and the lipid parameters in healthy Korean participants with prehypertension. A total of 84 healthy participants were randomly allocated to three groups receiving placebo, 10 mg of policosanol, or 20 mg of policosanol for 12 weeks. Based on an average of three measurements of peripheral BP, the policosanol 20 mg group exhibited the most significant reduction, that is, up to 7.7% reduction of average systolic BP (SBP) from 136.3 ± 6.1 mmHg (week 0) to 125.9 ± 8.6 mmHg (week 12, p < 0.001). Between group comparisons using repeated measures ANOVA showed that the policosanol 20 mg group had a significant reduction of SBP at 12 weeks (p = 0.020) and a reduction of diastolic BP (DBP) at 8 weeks (p = 0.041) and 12 weeks (p = 0.035). The policosanol 10 mg and 20 mg groups showed significant reductions in aortic SBP of 7.4% and 8.3%, respectively. The policosanol groups showed significant reductions of total cholesterol (TC) of 9.6% and 8.6% and low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C) of 21% and 18% for 10 mg and 20 mg of policosanol, respectively. Between group comparisons using repeated measures ANOVA showed that the policosanol (10 mg and 20 mg) groups at 12 weeks had a significant reduction of TC (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.001) and LDL-C (p = 0.00005 and p = 0.0001) and elevation of %HDL-C (p = 0.048 and p = 0.014). In conclusion, 12-week consumption of policosanol resulted in significant reductions of peripheral SBP and DBP, aortic SBP and DBP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and serum TC and LDL-C with elevation of % HDL-C.

Correction: Cho, K.H., et al. Blood pressure Lowering Effect of Cuban Policosanol is Accompanied by Improvement of Hepatic Inflammation, Lipoprotein profile, and HDL Quality in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Molecules 2018, 23, 1080.

The authors wish to make the following correction to their paper [...].

Correlation among lipid parameters, pulse wave velocity and central blood pressure in young Korean population.

BACKGROUND: Central blood pressure is closely related to the important cardiovascular intermediate end points, such as vascular hypertrophy and extent of carotid atherosclerosis. Therefore it is prudent to study correlation among central aortic blood pressure, body composition, lipid profiles, and pulse wave velocity in population-based study. Consequently, we investigate the correlation between central aortic blood pressure and other risk parameters of hypertension such as body composition and lipid profile. METHODS: We recruited 20 young participants diagnosed with hypertension as well as 30 without hypertension. The study used an X-SCAN PLUS 950 machine for measurement of overall body composition. Measurements of central blood pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were carried out using SphygmoCor XCEL. RESULTS: The hypertensive participants had significantly higher total weight without fat, body moisture mass, muscle mass, body mass index, basal metabolic rate, intracellular and extracellular water contents, protein and mineral contents along with brachial and central aortic blood pressures. In both hypertensive and non-hypertensive participants, central aortic diastolic blood pressure were significantly related to the lipid parameters. CONCLUSION: Overall, the correlations between central blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, and lipid profile in hypertensive and non-hypertensive participants were substantial.

Slim Body Weight Is Highly Associated With Enhanced Lipoprotein Functionality, Higher HDL-C, and Large HDL Particle Size in Young Women.

There has been no information about the correlations between body weight distribution and lipoprotein metabolism in terms of high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDL-C) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). In this study, we analyzed the quantity and quality of HDL correlations in young women (21.5 ± 1.2-years-old) with a slim (n = 21, 46.2 ± 3.8 kg) or plump (n = 30, 54.6 ± 4.4 kg) body weight. Body weight was inversely correlated with the percentage of HDL-C in total cholesterol (TC). The plump group showed 40% higher body fat (26 ± 3 %) and 86% more visceral fat mass (VFM, 1.3 ± 0.3 kg) than the slim group, which showed 18 ± 2% body fat and 0.7 ± 0.2 kg of VFM. Additionally, the plump group showed 20% higher TC, 58% higher triglyceride (TG), and 12% lower HDL-C levels in serum. The slim group showed 34% higher apoA-I but 15% lower CETP content in serum compared to the plump group. The slim group showed a 13% increase in particle size and 1.9-fold increase in particle number with enhanced cholesterol efflux activity. Although the plump group was within a normal body mass index (BMI) range, its lipid profile and lipoprotein properties were distinctly different from those of the slim group in terms of CETP mass and activity, HDL functionality, and HDL particle size.

The Ability of Different Ketohexoses to Alter Apo-A-I Structure and Function In Vitro and to Induce Hepatosteatosis, Oxidative Stress, and Impaired Plasma Lipid Profile in Hyperlipidemic Zebrafish.

In the current study, we have tested the nonenzymatic glycation activities of ketohexoses, such as tagatose and psicose. Although tagatose-treated apoA-I (t-A-I) and psicose-treated apoA-I (p-A-I) exerted more inhibitory activity you cupric ion-mediated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) phagocytosis into macrophage than fructose-treated apoA-I (f-A-I). In the lipid-free state, t-A-I and f-A-I showed more multimerized band without crosslinking. Since t-A-I lost its phospholipid binding ability, the rHDL formation was not as successful as f-A-I. However, injecting t-A-I showed more antioxidant activities in zebrafish embryo under the presence of oxLDL. Three weeks of consumption of fructose (50% of wt in Tetrabit/4% cholesterol) showed a 14% elevation of serum triacylglycerol (TG), while tagatose-administered group showed 30% reduction in serum TG compared to high cholesterol control. Fructose-fed group showed the biggest area of Oil Red O staining with the intensity as strong as the HCD control. However, tagatose-consumed group showed much lesser Oil Red O-stained area with the reduction of lipid accumulation. In conclusion, although tagatose treatment caused modification of apoA-I, the functional loss was not as much severe as the fructose treatment in macrophage cell model, zebrafish embryo, and hypercholesterolemic zebrafish model.

Consumption of Cuban Policosanol Improves Blood Pressure and Lipid Profile via Enhancement of HDL Functionality in Healthy Women Subjects: Randomized, Double-Blinded, and Placebo-Controlled Study.

Policosanol has been reported to improve blood pressure, lipid profile, and HDL functionality via inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) both in vitro and in vivo in zebrafish and human models. However, there are limited reports and randomized, double-blinded trials on policosanol that could advocate the blood pressure-lowering effect in prehypertensive participants. Therefore, we performed in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experiments to provide more substantial and concrete data on the blood pressure-lowering effect of policosanol. Consumption of policosanol for 8 weeks enhanced plasma antioxidant activity. In the policosanol group, plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels were reduced up to 20% and 14%, respectively, and HDL-C level was elevated up to 1.3-fold compared to that at week 0. TG/HDL-C and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activities were reduced up to 36% and 20%, respectively. Uptake of oxidized LDL in macrophages was reduced as oxidized species levels were reduced, and HDL2-associated paraoxonase activities were enhanced by 60% compared to those at week 0. Encapsulation of policosanol into reconstituted HDL (PCO-rHDL) enhanced cholesterol efflux activity and insulin secretion capacity. In conclusion, consumption of policosanol for 8 weeks in healthy female subjects resulted in lowered blood pressure and CETP activity via elevation of HDL/apoA-I contents and enhancement of HDL functionalities, including cholesterol efflux and insulin secretion. These functional enhancements of HDL can contribute to the prevention of aging-related diseases, hypertension, and stroke.

Blood Pressure Lowering Effect of Cuban Policosanol is Accompanied by Improvement of Hepatic Inflammation, Lipoprotein Profile, and HDL Quality in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

We investigated the antihypertensive effect of policosanol on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). For this, we analyzed blood pressure, blood lipid, and lipoprotein properties in male SHR after consumption of Cuban policosanol (PCO). The experimental groups were as follows: normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) control, SHR group fed normal diet (ND), SHR group fed 20 mg of PCO, SHR group fed 100 mg of PCO, and SHR group fed 200 mg of PCO per kg of body weight. After eight weeks, the SHR control group showed gradual increases up to 21% in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) compared with values at week 0. However, policosanol consumption had a dose-dependent reduction effect on SBP and also reduced DBP up to 17% in a dose-dependent manner. Heart rate (HR) bpm increased by six percent in the SHR control, whereas the 20 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg of policosanol groups showed a reduction of 36%, 28%, and 34% respectively. Although serum total cholesterol (TC) level of SHR was not affected by policosanol consumption (70⁻80 mg/dL), serum triglyceride (TG) level significantly decreased in the SHR + 200 mg of PCO group. Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was also significantly elevated by policosanol consumption. The % HDL-C/TC ratio was elevated in the policosanol group up to 67⁻70%, whereas the SHR control group showed a ratio of 58%. Serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity was reduced by policosanol in a dose-dependent manner. Although the serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT)/ glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were similar across all groups, policosanol consumption caused reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in hepatic tissue. The SHR control group showed a 2.1-fold higher serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level than the WKY group, whereas the CRP level decreased in the SHR + 200 mg of PCO group (up to 45%) than SHR control group. Aldosterone level was reduced in the policosanol group (up to 34%) in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control. In conclusion, eight weeks of policosanol consumption in SHR resulted in remarkable reduction of blood pressure, serum aldosterone, and serum TG levels along with the elevation of HDL-C and improvement of hepatic inflammation.

Long-Term Consumption of Cuban Policosanol Lowers Central and Brachial Blood Pressure and Improves Lipid Profile With Enhancement of Lipoprotein Properties in Healthy Korean Participants.

Metabolic syndrome is closely associated with higher risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and stroke. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of policosanol supplementation on blood pressure (BP) and the lipid profile in healthy Korean participants with pre-hypertension (systolic 120-139 mmHg, diastolic 85-89 mmHg). This randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial included 84 healthy participants who were randomly assigned to three groups receiving 10 mg of policosanol, 20 mg of policosanol, or placebo for 24 weeks. The BP, lipid profile, and anthropometric factors were measured pre- and post-intervention and then compared. Based on an average of three measurements of brachial BP, the policosanol 20 mg group showed the most significant reduction in average systolic BP (SBP) from 138 ± 12 mmHg at week 0 to 126 ± 13 mmHg at week 24 (p < 0.0001). The policosanol 20 mg group also showed significant reductions in aortic SBP and DBP up to 9% (p = 0.00057) and 8% (p = 0.004), respectively compared with week 0. Additionally, blood renin and aldosterone levels were significantly reduced in the policosanol 20 mg group up to 63% (p < 0.01) and 42% (p < 0.05), respectively, at week 24. For the blood lipid profile, the policosanol 10 mg and 20 mg groups showed significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC) of around 8% (p = 0.029) and 13% (p = 0.0004), respectively, at week 24 compared with week 0. Serum HDL-C level significantly increased up to 16% and 12% in the policosanol 10 mg (p = 0.002) and 20 mg (p = 0.035) group, respectively. The study results suggest that long-term policosanol consumption simultaneously reduces peripheral BP as well as aortic BP accompanied by elevation of HDL-C and % HDL-C in TC in a dose-dependent manner.

Cadmium exposure exacerbates severe hyperlipidemia and fatty liver changes in zebrafish via impairment of high-density lipoproteins functionality.

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal with several toxicities that have destructive effect on most organ systems. However, its toxic effects on human lipoproteins are largely remained unknown especially in hyperlipidemic zebrafish model. Treatment of human high-density lipoprotein (HDL) with cadmium chloride (CdCl2, final 12 and 24µM) caused spontaneous formation of multimeric apoA-I as well as increased production of glycated extent products. Cd-HDL3 accelerated uptake of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) into macrophages and induced severe senescence in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. Microinjection of Cd-HDL3 into zebrafish embryos resulted in acute embryonic toxicity with high mortality. Exposure of zebrafish embryos to water containing CdCl2 (final 12 and 24µM) caused early embryonic death along with increased production of oxidized products and impairment of skeletal development. Consumption of CdCl2 (12 and 24µM) by zebrafish for 4weeks resulted in severe elevation of plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels as well as cholesteryl ester (CE) transfer activity. Furthermore, consumption of CdCl2 resulted in acceleration of fatty liver changes and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion, CdCl2 caused structural modification of HDL3 and impaired the beneficial functions of HDL3, including anti-oxidation, anti-atherosclerosis, and anti-senescence effects. Consumption of CdCl2 also resulted in exacerbated hyperlipidemia and fatty liver changes in zebrafish via enhancement of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity.

Cord and maternal sera from small neonates share dysfunctional lipoproteins with proatherogenic properties: Evidence for Barker's hypothesis.

BACKGROUND: Fetal growth restriction (GR) is associated with perinatal mortality and subsequent metabolic disorders in adulthood. Until now, there is little information regarding changes in the properties of lipoproteins from growth-restricted fetuses and their maternal sera. OBJECTIVE: To identify unique lipoprotein biomarkers for fetal GR in maternal and cord sera from small neonates, we analyzed lipoprotein compositions and functions. METHODS: Lipoprotein compositions and functions were compared between cord blood and maternal blood among small for gestational age neonates (SGA; n = 15, 2589 ± 50 g) and appropriate for gestational age neonates (AGA; n = 15) in Korea. RESULTS: Cord blood from the SGA group showed 2-fold higher triglyceride (TG) and TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than the AGA group as well as significantly lower (up to 20%) paraoxonase activity and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I content. The SGA group showed the highest cholesteryl ester transfer protein activities in both cord and maternal sera. SGA neonates showed elevated apo-B content in very low-density lipoprotein, 52% reduction of apo A-I content in high-density lipoprotein, and 30% increased glycation (P < .001) compared with AGA neonates. Especially, low-density lipoprotein from the SGA group showed 1.9-fold higher sensitivity to oxidation as well as 3-fold greater uptake into macrophages, suggesting stronger proatherosclerotic properties. Lipoproteins from maternal serum of SGA neonates showed greater oxidation along with TG enrichment and loss of antioxidant ability. On microinjection of cord serum (50 nL) into zebrafish embryos, the SGA group showed the most severe embryonic damage. CONCLUSIONS: Lipoproteins from cord and maternal sera of SGA neonates resulted in severe impairment of functional and structural correlations accompanied by greater pro-oxidant and proatherosclerotic properties.

High Consumption of Iron Exacerbates Hyperlipidemia, Atherosclerosis, and Female Sterility in Zebrafish via Acceleration of Glycation and Degradation of Serum Lipoproteins.

Elevated serum iron level is linked with an increased risk of diabetes and atherosclerosis. However, the pathological mechanism by which iron affects serum lipoprotein levels is unknown. To elucidate the mechanism, a high dose of ferrous ion was applied (final 60 µM, 120 µM) to human serum lipoproteins, macrophages, and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. Iron-treated lipoproteins showed loss of antioxidant ability along with protein degradation and multimerization, especially co-treatment with fructose (final 10 mM). In the presence of fructose, HDF cells showed 3.5-fold more severe cellular senescence, as compared to the control, dependent on the dosage of fructose. In macrophages, phagocytosis of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acLDL) was more accelerated by ferrous ion, occurring at a rate that was up to 1.8-fold higher, than acLDL alone. After 24 weeks supplementation with 0.05% and 0.1% ferrous ion in the diet (wt/wt), serum total cholesterol (TC) level was elevated 3.7- and 2.1-fold, respectively, under normal diet (ND). Serum triglyceride (TG) was elevated 1.4- and 1.7-fold, respectively, under ND upon 0.05% and 0.1% ferrous ion supplementation. Serum glucose level was elevated 2.4- and 1.2-fold under ND and high cholesterol diet (HCD), respectively. However, body weight was decreased by the Fe2+ consumption. Iron consumption caused severe reduction of embryo laying and reproduction ability, especially in female zebrafish via impairment of follicular development. In conclusion, ferrous ion treatment caused more pro-atherogenic, and pro-senescence processes in human macrophages and dermal cells. High consumption of iron exacerbated hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia as well as induced fatty liver changes and sterility along with reduction of female fertility.

Breast Milk from Smokers Contains Less Cholesterol and Protein and Smaller Size of Apolipoprotein A-I Resulting in Lower Zebrafish Embryo Survivability.

BACKGROUND: To determine the quality of breast milk (BM), we compared the functions of BM from ex-smokers and nonsmokers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the contents of lipids, glucose, and protein in BM from ex-smokers (10 cigarettes/day for 13 ± 3 years) as well as infant formula. RESULTS: Nonsmokers' BM showed 2.4- and 1.4-fold higher cholesterol and protein contents, respectively, than BM from smokers. Infant formula contained almost no cholesterol, but did show remarkably higher glucose and triglyceride levels than BM. Microinjection of BM (50 nL) from nonsmokers and smokers into zebrafish embryos resulted in 59% and 44% survival, respectively, whereas formula injection resulted in 31% survival. The higher cholesterol and protein contents of BM were directly correlated with higher embryo survivability, suggesting that cholesterol content is directly and critically associated with growth of neonate infants. Smokers' BM contained smaller-sized apolipoproteinA-I (apoA-I) (24.4 ± 0.2 kDa) than BM from nonsmokers (26.7 ± 0.4 kDa), suggesting that putative modification and cleavage occurred in apoA-I. BM containing higher molecular weight apoA-I resulted in higher embryo survivability. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking before pregnancy can affect the composition and quality of BM, resulting in almost complete loss of cholesterol and protein, especially lactoferrin, lactalbumin, and apoA-I, accompanied by proteolytic degradation. These impairment effects of BM are associated with elevation of oxidative stress and lower embryo survivability.

Nutritional regulation of renal lipogenic factor expression in mice: comparison to regulation in the liver and skeletal muscle.

Regulation of lipogenesis by pathophysiological factors in the liver and skeletal muscle is well understood; however, regulation in the kidney is still unclear. To elucidate nutritional regulation of lipogenic factors in the kidney, we measured the renal expression of lipogenic transcriptional factors and enzymes during fasting and refeeding in chow-fed and high-fat-fed mice. We also examined the regulatory effect of the liver X receptor (LXR) on the expression of lipogenic factors. The renal gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c and fatty acid synthase (FAS) was reduced by fasting for 48 h and restored by refeeding, whereas the mRNA levels of forkhead box O (FOXO)1/3 were increased by fasting and restored by refeeding. Accordingly, protein levels of SREBP-1, FAS, and phosphorylated FOXO1/3 were reduced by fasting and restored by refeeding. The patterns of lipogenic factors expression in the kidney were similar to those in the liver and skeletal muscle. However, this phasic regulation of renal lipogenic gene expression was blunted in diet-induced obese mice. LXR agonist TO901317 increased the lipogenic gene expression and the protein levels of SREBP-1 precursor and FAS but not nuclear SREBP-1. Moreover, increases in insulin-induced gene mRNA and nuclear carbohydrate-responsive element binding protein (ChREBP) levels were observed in the TO901317-treated mice. These results suggest that the kidney shows flexible suppression and restoration of lipogenic factors following fasting and refeeding in lean mice, but this is blunted in obese mice. LXR is involved in the renal expression of lipogenic enzymes, and ChREBP may mediate the response.

Consumption of policosanol enhances HDL functionality via CETP inhibition and reduces blood pressure and visceral fat in young and middle-aged subjects.

It is well-known that policosanol can improve serum lipid profiles, although the physiological mechanism is still unknown. Here, we investigated functional and structural changes in lipoproteins after consumption of policosanol. To investigate the physiological effect of policosanol, we analyzed serum parameters in young non-smoker (YN; n=7, 24.0±2.4 years), young smoker (YS; n=7, 26.3±1.5 years), and middle-aged subjects (MN; n=11, 52.5±9.8 years) who consumed policosanol daily (10 mg/day) for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, systolic blood pressure was significantly lowered to 4% (7 mmHg, p=0.022) from initial levels in the YS and MN groups. Moisture content of facial skin increased up to 38 and 18% from initial levels in the YS and MN groups, respectively. Serum triglyceride (TG) levels decreased to 28 and 26% from initial levels in the YN and MN groups, respectively. The percentage of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in total cholesterol was elevated in all subjects (YN, 36%; YS, 35%; MN, 8%) after 8 weeks of policosanol consumption. All groups showed a reduction in serum glucose and uric acid levels. Serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity was significantly diminished up to 21 and 32% from initial levels in the YN and MN groups, respectively. After 8 weeks, oxidation of the low-density lipoprotein fraction was markedly reduced accompanied by decreased apolipoprotein B (apoB) fragmentation. In the HDL fraction, paraoxonase activity was elevated by 17% along with elevation of apoA-I and cholesterol contents. Electron microscopy revealed that the size and number of HDL particles increased after 8 weeks, and the YS group showed a 2-fold increase in particle size. Daily consumption of policosanol for 8 weeks resulted in lowered blood pressure, reduced serum TG level and CETP activity, and elevated HDL-C contents. These functional enhancements of HDL can prevent and/or attenuate aging-related diseases, hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Methionine sulfoxide reductase B1 deficiency does not increase high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in mice.

Methionine-S-sulfoxide reductase (MsrA) protects against high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance due to its antioxidant effects. To determine whether its counterpart, methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase (MsrB) has similar effects, we compared MsrB1 knockout and wild-type mice using a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique. High-fat feeding for eight weeks increased body weights, fat masses, and plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and triglycerides to similar extents in wild-type and MsrB1 knockout mice. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test showed no difference in blood glucose levels between the two genotypes after eight weeks on the high-fat diet. The hyperglycemic-euglycemic clamp study showed that glucose infusion rates and whole body glucose uptakes were decreased to similar extents by the high-fat diet in both wild-type and MsrB1 knockout mice. Hepatic glucose production and glucose uptake of skeletal muscle were unaffected by MsrB1 deficiency. The high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress in skeletal muscle and liver was not aggravated in MsrB1-deficient mice. Interestingly, whereas MsrB1 deficiency reduced JNK protein levels to a great extent in skeletal muscle and liver, it markedly elevated phosphorylation of JNK, suggesting the involvement of MsrB1 in JNK protein activation. However, this JNK phosphorylation based on a p-JNK/JNK level did not positively correlate with insulin resistance in MsrB1-deficient mice. Taken together, our results show that, in contrast to MsrA deficiency, MsrB1 deficiency does not increase high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in mice.