Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Chlamydia pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium with a unique biphasic developmental cycle that can cause persistent infections. In humans, Chlamydia causes airway infection and has been implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and atherosclerosis. In addition, recent studies demonstrated that patients with severe periodontitis can harbor C. pneumoniae, which can increase the risk for a host inflammatory response with weighty clinical sequelae. Previous studies have established that periodontal pathogenic bacteria (i.e. Gram-negative bacteria) can induce the synthesis and release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in human gingival fibroblasts. HGF are resident cells of the periodontium that respond to receptor stimulation by producing a variety of substances including cytokines and growth factors. Our results demonstrate that after 48 hr of incubation with viable C. pneumoniae HGF showed a proliferative response, as seen by both colorimetric MTT assay and direct cell count (30% and 35%, respectively). In addition, HGF incubated with viable or UV light-inactivated C. pneumoniae organisms showed an increase in the levels of IL-6 and IL-10, but not IL-4; on the contrary, HGF infected with heat-killed bacteria did not show a significant production of any of the cytokines considered. In conclusion, the present study suggests that C. pneumoniae may modulate the expression of IL-6 and IL-10 by human gingival fibroblasts. Further studies are warranted to clarify the molecular mechanisms of C. pneumoniae in the regulation of cytokine expression by host cells and to elaborate the relevant clinical implications.
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PMID:Chlamydia pneumoniae induces interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in human gingival fibroblasts. 1903 53

It has been reported that oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) involvement with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and foam cell formation play an important role in atherosclerosis (AS). Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) have been identified for some cardiovascular and neurological disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Ox-LDL regulates VEGF expression in human THP-1 monocytes, as well as the effect of EGb 761 on VEGF expression and the formation of foam cells. After exposure to Ox-LDL alone or in combination with EGb 761 for up to 48h, cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. VEGF protein content in the supernatant was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). VEGF mRNA was determined by real-time PCR. To determine the effect of EGb 761 on foam cell formation, an Ox-LDL-induced foam cell model was used. Ox-LDL inhibited the growth of THP-1 cells and EGb 761 increased the cell survival rate. Ox-LDL markedly increased VEGF expression in THP-1 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, which was significantly suppressed by EGb 761. EGb 761 also inhibited monocyte/macrophage-derived foam cell formation. These results suggest that Ox-LDL is involved in the development of human AS through VEGF induction in monocytes, and that EGb 761 prevents in vitro atherogenesis, probably via downregulation of VEGF expression in monocytes and inhibition of monocyte/macrophage-derived foam cell formation. The findings suggest a mechanism for the in vivo anti-AS effect of EGb 761 and support its potential clinical use in AS.
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PMID:Inhibitions of vascular endothelial growth factor expression and foam cell formation by EGb 761, a special extract of Ginkgo biloba, in oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein-induced human THP-1 monocytes cells. 1913 47

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in preventing atherosclerosis. The factors that regulate the function of EPCs are not completely clear. Increased formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) is generally regarded as one of the main mechanisms responsible for vascular damage in patients with diabetes and atherosclerosis. AGEs lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and part of the regenerative capacity of EPCs seems to be due to their low baseline ROS levels and reduced sensitivity to ROS-induced cell apoptosis. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that AGEs can alter functions and promote apoptosis in EPCs through overpress cell oxidant stress. EPCs, isolated from bone marrow, were cultured in the absence or presence of AGEs (50, 100, and 200 microg/ml). A modified Boyden's chamber was used to assess the migration of EPCs and the number of recultured EPCs was counted to measure the adhesiveness function. MTT assay was used to determine the proliferation function. ROS were analyzed using the ROS assay kit. A spectrophotometer was used to assess superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity, and PCR was used to test mRNA expression of SOD and GSH-PX. SiRNA was used to block receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGEs) expression. Apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V immunostaining and TUNEL staining. Co-culturing with AGEs increases ROS production, decreases anti-oxidant defenses, overpresses oxidant stress, inhibits the proliferation, migration, and adhesion of EPCs, and induces EPCs apoptosis. In addition, these effects were attenuated during block RAGE protein expression by siRNA. AGEs may serve to impair EPCs functions through RAGE-mediate oxidant stress, and promote EPCs sensitivity toward oxidative-stress-mediated apoptosis, which indicates a new pathophysiological mechanism of disturbed vascular adaptation in atherosclerosis and suggests that lower levels of AGEs might improve the success of progenitor cell therapy.
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PMID:Advanced glycation endproducts alter functions and promote apoptosis in endothelial progenitor cells through receptor for advanced glycation endproducts mediate overpression of cell oxidant stress. 1975 58

Monocyte/macrophage differentiation is an essential process during atherosclerosis development. The retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, which plays an important regulatory role in many metabolic disorders, including atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of RXR agonist on monocyte/macrophage differentiation in vitro. The THP-1 cell line was differentiated into a macrophage-like phenotype by incubation with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) in the presence or absence of RXR agonist. The viability of adherent differentiated THP-1 cells was determined by MTT assay. Macrophage surface marker CD11b and CD36 was analyzed by flow cytometry. Phagocytosis was measured by fluorescence-labeled latex beads. The production of Cytokine Tunlornecrosisfactor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Interlaken-12p70 (IL-12p70), and Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), each of which was analyzed by ELISA. In the presence of the RXR agonists 9-cis retinoic acid or SR11237, PMA-induced THP-1 cells became less adherent, showed decreased macrophage-like morphological changes, decreased cell surface antigen CD11b and CD36 expression, and down regulated the phagocytosis of latex beads and the production of TNF-alpha and MMP-9. These data suggest that RXR agonists inhibit PMA-induced THP-1 cell differentiation into macrophage-like cells, which may be helpful in understanding the anti-atherosclerotic effect of RXR and its agonists.
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PMID:Retinoid X receptor agonists inhibit phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced differentiation of monocytic THP-1 cells into macrophages. 1978 11

Moderate consumption of natural dietary polyphenolic compounds can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Here we investigated the protective effects of delphinidin against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The MTT assay showed that 2h pre-incubation with delphinidin markedly restored the oxLDL-induced viability loss in HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect was accompanied by a significant decrease in intracellular reactive oxygen species. Moreover, delphinidin imposed preventive effects on suppressing the production of lipid peroxidation, restoring the activities of endogenous antioxidants, and increasing the level of nitric oxide. Pre-incubation of delphinidin with HUVECs led to the reduction of apoptosis. Finally, delphinidin can efficiently prevent the down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein and up-regulation of Bax protein. Together, our findings suggest that delphinidin can effectively protect HUVECs against oxidative stress induced by oxLDL, which may be important for preventing both plaque development and stability in atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Delphinidin attenuates stress injury induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. 1981 42

Previous studies showed that homocysteine (Hcy) reduces endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) numbers and impairs functional activity. Atorvastatin, HMG-CoA inhibition has been showed to have protective effects on EPCs. Recent studies have demonstrated that reduced EPCs numbers and activity are associated with EPCs apoptosis. However, the protective mechanisms of atorvastatin on HHcy-induced EPCs apoptosis remain to be determined. This study was designed to examine the effect of atorvastatin on homocysteine-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis in EPCs. EPCs were isolated from peripheral blood and characterized, then challenged with Hcy (50-500 micromol/L) in the presence or absence of atorvastatin (0.01-1 micromol/L) or various stress signaling inhibitors, including mevalonate (100 micromol/L), antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine (NAC, 10 micromol/L), the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium (DPI 10 micromol/L), the eNOS inhibitor N(G)mono-methyl-l-arginine LNMA (1mmol/L), and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 (10 micromol/L). Apoptosis was evaluated by FACS analysis and cell viability was determined by MTT assay. ROS were detected by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H(2)DCFH-DA). NADPH oxidases were evaluated with lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Expression of Nox4 mRNA and p-p38MAPK protein was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Our data revealed that atorvastatin significantly suppressed Hcy-induced ROS accumulation and EPCs apoptosis. Atorvastatin also antagonized homocysteine-induced activation of NADPH oxidase and overexpression of Nox4 mRNA and p-p38MAPK protein. Similar effects occurred with EPCs transfected with Nox4 siRNA. These findings demonstrated that atorvastatin may inhibit Hcy-induced NADPH oxidase activation, ROS accumulation, and EPCs apoptosis through Nox4/p38MAPK dependent mechanisms, all of which may contribute to atorvastatin-induced beneficial effects on EPCs function.
Atherosclerosis 2010 May
PMID:Atorvastatin inhibits homocysteine-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in endothelial progenitor cells involving Nox4 and p38MAPK. 2001 84

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis. Abnormal VSMC proliferation induces vascular dysfunction and several other pathological processes. The present study investigated the apoptotic effects of genistein on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced proliferation in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). The apoptotic effects of genistein were assessed to determine the mechanism(s) of its antiproliferative activity, including MTT, LDH assay, morphological change of cell, DNA fragmentation, and expression levels of pro- or anti-apoptotic molecules by RT-PCR and Western blots. The results show that genistein significantly reduced cell proliferation in TNF-alpha-induced HASMCs. Genistein also reduced intracellular nuclei staining with DAPI in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, genistein increased nucleosomal DNA fragmentation, increased the expression levels of Bax and c-Myc, and decreased the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL in TNF-alpha-induced HASMCs. Taken together, these findings indicate that genistein regulates the activation of apoptosis-related molecules in TNF-alpha-induced HASMCs, leading to the suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis.
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PMID:Genistein suppresses tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced proliferation via the apoptotic signaling pathway in human aortic smooth muscle cells. 2006 68

Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress is known to play an important role in the development of several diabetic complications, including atherosclerosis. Although a number of antioxidants are available, none have been found to be suitable for regulating the oxidative stress response and enhancing antioxidative defense mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated the effects of magnesium lithospermate B (LAB) against oxidative stress. We also endeavored to identify the target molecule of LAB in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the underlying biochemical pathways related to diabetic atherosclerosis. Modified MTT and transwell assays showed that the increased proliferation and migration of rat aortic VSMCs in culture with high glucose was significantly inhibited by LAB. LAB also attenuated neointimal hyperplasia after balloon catheter injury in diabetic rat carotid arteries. To determine molecular targets of LAB, we studied the effects of LAB on aldose reductase (AR) activity, O-GlcNAcylation, and protein kinase C (PKC) activity in VSMCs under normoglycemic or hyperglycemic conditions and showed the improvement of major biochemical pathways by LAB. Potential involvement of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)--antioxidant responsive element (ARE)-NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) pathway was assessed using siRNA methods. We found that LAB activates the NQO1 via the Nrf2-ARE pathway, which plays an important role in inhibition of the major molecular mechanisms that lead to vascular damage and the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Together, these findings demonstrate that the induction of the Nrf2-ARE-NQO1 pathway by LAB could be a new therapeutic strategy to prevent diabetic atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis 2010 Jul
PMID:Protective effects of magnesium lithospermate B against diabetic atherosclerosis via Nrf2-ARE-NQO1 transcriptional pathway. 2017 24

Two fractions (S1 and S2) of an oregano (Origanum vulgare) extract obtained by supercritical fluid extraction have been used to test anti-inflammatory effects on activated human THP-1 cells. The main compounds present in the supercritical extract fractions of oregano were trans-sabinene hydrate, thymol and carvacrol. Fractions toxicity was assessed using the mitochondrial-respiration-dependent 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) reduction method for several concentrations during 24 and 48 h of incubation. Concentrations higher than 30 microg/mL of both supercritical S1 and S2 oregano fractions caused a reduction in cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Oxidized-LDLs (oxLDLs) activated THP-1 macrophages were used as cellular model of atherogenesis and the release/secretion of cytokines (TNT-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-10) and their respective mRNA expressions were quantified both in presence or absence of supercritical oregano extracts. The results showed a decrease in pro-inflammatory TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 cytokines synthesis, as well as an increase in the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These results may suggest an anti-inflammatory effect of oregano extracts and their compounds in a cellular model of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Supercritical fluid extraction of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essentials oils: anti-inflammatory properties based on cytokine response on THP-1 macrophages. 2033 13

The traditional Chinese medicine, Hong-Qu, also called red mold rice in the United States and Europe, is used for treating blood stasis, a disorder related to hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. In addition to improving metabolic syndrome, extracts from Monascus-fermented rice inhibit the proliferation of various cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The objective was to examine the effect of red mold rice ethanol extract (RMRE) on angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis during tumor progression. RMRE significantly inhibited the proliferation of SW480 and SW620 human colorectal carcinoma cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner by using the MTT assay. A capillary-like network morphology was observed after the addition of 20 ng/mL vascular endothelial growth factor or SW620 culture-conditional medium, which was not seen after RMRE treatment. Moreover, spontaneous intravasation into Matrigel grafts of SW620 cells from the upper to the lower layers in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of human Alu genomic DNA from the lower CAMs in the RMRE-untreated group. Neovascularization increased to 75.3% +/- 11.6% by SW620 cells onplant with Matrigel grafts in the CAM model. However, RMRE significantly reduced CAM neovascularization in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, RMRE effectively decreased the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 as determined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and casein zymography assays. In summary, Monascus-fermented products exert a potent effect on tumor growth and activation, suggesting that they may serve as supplementary agents in adjuvant cancer therapy.
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PMID:Effects of Monascus-fermented rice extract on malignant cell-associated neovascularization and intravasation determined using the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane model. 2035 49


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