This study aimed to investigate the effect of 7-day high-salt (HS) and the specific role of oxidative stress on vascular low-grade inflammation initiation in young salt-resistant healthy individuals. 30 young healthy individuals adhered to a 7-day low-salt (LS) diet (3.5 g salt/day), followed by a 7-day high-salt (HS) diet (~14.7 g salt/day) protocol. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, frequencies of peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cells, Th17/Treg ratio, enzymes SGK1, and p38/MAP kinase, as well as biomarkers of endothelial activation and oxidative stress, were measured before and after the 7-day HS diet protocol. Short-term HS diet significantly increased serum level of pro-inflammatory cytokines INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-9, and IL-17A levels, but also of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β1. Relative amount of total SGK1 significantly increased, following the 7-day HS diet. Increased oxidative stress level, following HS diet, was negatively associated with the frequency of Treg cells. The increase in relative amount of total SGK1 in peripheral mononuclear cells following 7-day HS diet suggests lymphocyte (re)activation, in response to HS intake, resulting in enhanced production of pro-inflammatory (IL-17, INF-γ), but also anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β1). Increased oxidative stress, due to HS loading, alters immune regulatory mechanisms, presumably via effects on Treg cells.
This randomized interventional study aimed to investigate the effect of carnosine-enriched chicken meat consumption on systemic endothelium-dependent and -independent micro- and macrovascular reactivity in thirty-five healthy competitive male athletes. Both forearm skin micro- and macrovascular endothelium-independent vasodilation were increased, and diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (BP) were decreased in Carnosine group (n=19) following the 3-week dietary protocol. Microvascular endothelium-dependent response (PORH) was increased in the Carnosine group and significantly associated with decreased mean arterial BP level. Following dietary protocol, Controls (n =16) had substantially higher urate (but still normal) levels than the Carnosine group. Carnosine supplementation in the form of functional food enhances endothelium-dependent and vascular smooth muscle-dependent vasodilation in peripheral micro- and microcirculation. Carnosine's effect on vascular endothelium could be attributed to its blood pressure-lowering effect. Results suggest that carnosine has the potential to resist hyperuricemia in healthy individuals. (NCT05723939)
Poor adherence is the main reason for inadequate blood pressure control. Pharmacists are highly accessible healthcare professionals, and it has been reported that community pharmacist-led interventions improved patients' BP control and outcomes. Some authors reported on the beneficial effects of mobile applications on better drug adherence. The aim of this study was to identify subjects in the general population who may benefit from such interventions.A total of 1228 subjects enrolled in the EHUH 2 study (a random sample, nationwide survey) and 424 participants of the Hunt on the Silent Killer (HSK) (opportunistic screening on islands) were included in this analyses. The same questionnaire was applied containing questions about health issues, therapy, habits, and opinion on pharmacists' and mobile applications' (MA) role in hypertension treatment.The binomial logistic regression analysis showed a significant model when comparing positive and negative answers for the following: the participants were more likely to be in favour of pharmacists' role if they had a positive history of angina pectoris ( = 1.333, p = 0.016), diabetes mellitus ( = 1.125, p < 0.001), dyslipidemia ( = 1.326, p < 0.001), or being treated for hypertension ( = 1.326, p < 0.001) in the HSK, and in the EHUH 2 study if they suffered a stroke (100%). Socio-demographic factors had no impact on the pharmacists' role in the general population. However, at islands significantly enhanced negative responses in case of lower household income (35%), married state (29%) and employed subjects (17%) were observed. The participants were more likely to be in favour of MA if they had a positive history of hypertension, have higher income and were married. Interestingly, the history of cardiovascular diseases indicated more negative responses.The participants were generally in favour of MA, which may confirm the need to digitalise the healthcare system, but it was more enhanced in participants with a higher socio-demographic status. Pharmacists-led interventions (lifestyle support and adherence increasing programs) have to be individualized.
Mediterranean lifestyle is slowly disappearing along the Croatian coast and Croatian islands were supposed to be the last part of healthy living. Unfortunately, healthcare system is poorer on islands than in other parts of Croatia. Our aim was to analyse lifestyle and hypertension (HT) treatment and control among inhabitants of the Croatian islands.HSK was organised by the Croatian Society of Hypertension and conducted by the WG- medical students in hypertension. A screening site was set up at the boat by which students traveled from island to island. Adult volunteers were recruited through opportunistic screening on five Adriatic islands. Trained medical students collected information through an extended questionnaire. HT was defined as blood pressure (BP) > 140/90mmHg (single occasion; an average of 2nd-3rd measurement; Omron M3) and/or self-reported use of drugs for HT. Results were compared with results from the general Croatian population (EHUH 2 cohort).A total of 424 participants were included (196 men, average age 61 years). There were less obese and current smokers at islands than in the general Croatian population (26.5% vs. 33.1%; 21.5% vs. 25%, respectively, p < 0.05). Islanders were more physically active (> 1 time/week), eat more frequently fish (> 1 time/week), and use more frequently olive oil (daily basis) (44.1% vs. 26%, 79.9% vs. 32.5%, 72.6% vs. 14.9 %, respectively; p < 0.01). However, there were no differences in consumption of red meat, processed meat, cookies and cakes (p > 0.05). Less hypertensive patients were treated and control was achieved in less subjects on islands than in the general population (60.7% vs. 72.9%; 27.2% vs. 39.3%, respectively; p < 0.01).Some elements of Mediterranean life are still present on Croatian islands. However, several poor lifestyle habits are equally present on islands and in other Croatian regions. Treatment and control of HT are poorer on islands reflecting inadequate healthcare and lack of physicians. Public health authorities should reorganize health care on islands. In the meantime, such public health actions are warranted and must continue.
Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of enriched hen egg consumption on endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) and the role of cyclooxygenases in EDV in the microcirculation of young healthy individuals. This study hypothesizes that Nutri4 eggs will improve endothelial function, which will be manifested by changes in microcirculatory flow measured by a laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF) during reactive hyperemia in response to vascular occlusion, in which n-3 PUFA plays an important role as well as its degradation pathway by cyclooxygenases. Materials and Methods: Participants consumed three eggs per day for three weeks: The control group (CTRL, n = 14) consumed regular hen eggs (approximately 0.330 mg of lutein, 1.785 mg of vitamin E, 0.054 mg of selenium and 438 mg of n-3 PUFAs daily) and Nutri4 group (n = 20) consumed enriched eggs (approximately 1.85 mg of lutein, 0.06 mg of selenium, 3.29 mg of vitamin E, and 1026 mg of n-3 PUFAs daily). Skin microvascular blood flow in response to EDV (post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) and iontophoresis of acetylcholine (AChID)) and sodium nitroprusside (SNPID; endothelium-independent) was assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry before and after dietary protocol and in a separate group of participants who were administered perorally 100 mg of indomethacin before microvascular response assessment. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, serum lipid, and liver enzymes, anthropometric measurements, protein expression of cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), neuronal nitric oxide synthases (nNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), and endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS) were measured before and after dietary protocol. Results: PORH and AChID were significantly enhanced, and SNPID remained unchanged in the Nutri4 group, while none was changed in the CTRL following a respective diet. PORH decreased after administration of indomethacin in Nutri4 after dietary protocol. Protein expression of COX-2 was significantly higher in the Nutri4 group compared to the CTRL after the dietary protocol. Conclusion: Consumption of enriched eggs improves microvascular EDV in healthy young subjects. Results suggest an element of n-3 PUFAs metabolites via the cyclooxygenases pathway in enhanced reactive hyperemia.
Backgrounds/Objectives: Following previous findings on high-salt (HS)-intake-related increase of oxidative stress, this study explored whether carnosine (CAR; β-alanyl-L-histidine), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, enhanced antioxidative defence and vascular function following HS, potentially via the NRF2 or HIF-1α signalling pathway. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats (64, 8–10 weeks old, both sexes) were divided into four groups (n = 6/group): CTRL (0.4% NaCl), HS (4% NaCl for 7 days), CTRL + CAR (0.4% NaCl and 150 mg/kg/day oral CAR supplementation), and HS + CAR (4% NaCl and CAR). Acetylcholine-induced relaxation (AChIR) and hypoxia-induced relaxation (HIR) were evaluated in norepinephrine-precontracted (NE, 10−7 M) aortic rings. HIR was also tested with NRF2 (ML-385, 5 × 10−6 M) and HIF-1α (LW6, 10−4 M) inhibitors. Gene expression of superoxide dismutases 1, 2, and 3 (SOD1, 2 and 3), glutathione peroxidases (GPx1 and 4), catalase (CAT), NRF2, and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone 1) (NQO1) in aortic tissue was measured by RT-qPCR. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) assays were performed on serum samples. All experimental procedures conformed to the European Guidelines (directive 86/609) and were approved by the local and national Ethical Committees (#2158-61-46-23-36, EP355/2022). Results: HS impaired AChIR and HIR, both preserved by CAR. NRF2 and HIF-1α inhibitors suppressed HIR in the HS and HS + CAR groups. CAR significantly increased SOD1 and 2, NRF2, and NQO1 expression and SOD activity compared to the CTRL and HS groups. GPx1 and GPx4 were upregulated in HS + CAR compared to HS. CAR prevented an increase in AOPPs, which were elevated in HS, while FRAP was highest in HS + CAR. Conclusions: Carnosine enhances antioxidative defence by upregulating antioxidant enzymes and activities and preserves vascular relaxation, likely via NRF2 signalling.
Aim: Determination of antioxidative enzyme glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) serum concentrations after consumption of food which contains different concentrations of selenium (Se). Research subjects and methods: Four-week-old Sprague Dawley rats consumed food containing different concentrations of Se (food Divan) over a period of 10 weeks. The animals were divided into two groups: 1) normal Se (0.363 mg/kg Se) and 2) low Se (0.030 mg/kg Se). Each animal was weighed at the end of protocol, and serum samples were collected for determining GPx3 concentrations. All experimental procedures were in compliance with the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine in Osijek and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia. Results: Different concentrations of Se in food did not cause a change in body weight. Food containing the recommended intake of Se according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization significantly increased GPx3 enzyme concentration (13.96±0.42 mg/ml) when compared to low selective Se (12.04 ± 0.33 mg/ml, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Serum concentration of the antioxidant enzyme GPx3 depends on the concentration of Se in food. It is shown that, in comparison with food with low Se levels, food containing a normal concentration of Se is enriched with the antioxidant GPx3 which, according to numerous studies, has a protective role in the human body. (Kolobaric N, Stupin A, Susnjara P, Baric L, Matic A. Effect of Low Selenium Diet on Glutathione Peroxidase 3 Concentration in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats’ Serum. SEEMEDJ 2019; 3(1); 50-59) KEYWORDS: antioxidative enzymes, glutathione peroxidase 3, Se, Sprague Dawley rats
The effects of consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) enriched hen eggs on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation in microcirculation, and on endothelial activation and inflammation were determined in young healthy individuals. Control group (N = 21) ate three regular hen eggs/daily (249 mg n-3 PUFAs/day), and n-3 PUFAs group (N = 19) ate three n-3 PUFAs enriched hen eggs/daily (1053 g n-3 PUFAs/day) for 3 weeks. Skin microvascular blood flow in response to iontophoresis of acetylcholine (AChID; endothelium-dependent) and sodium nitroprusside (SNPID; endothelium-independent) was assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry. Blood pressure (BP), body composition, body fluid status, serum lipid and free fatty acids profile, and inflammatory and endothelial activation markers were measured before and after respective dietary protocol. Results: Serum n-3 PUFAs concentration significantly increased, AChID significantly improved, and SNPID remained unchanged in n-3 PUFAs group, while none was changed in Control group. Interferon-γ (pro-inflammatory) significantly decreased and interleukin-10 (anti-inflammatory) significantly increased in n-3 PUFAs. BP, fat free mass, and total body water significantly decreased, while fat mass, interleukin-17A (pro-inflammatory), interleukin-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor A significantly increased in the Control group. Other measured parameters remained unchanged in both groups. Favorable anti-inflammatory properties of n-3 PUFAs consumption potentially contribute to the improvement of microvascular endothelium-dependent vasodilation in healthy individuals.