Thromb Haemost
July 2025
ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients display endothelial dysfunction. We investigated whether endothelial glycocalyx thickness is affected in STEMI patients and may predict left ventricular performance post event.We examined 278 STEMI patients and 140 matched controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Sirtuins (SIRTs) play a critical role in redox and metabolic regulation of the myocardium; however, the cardioprotective potential of SIRT5 in terms of infarct size (IS) reduction is still elusive. Herein, we employed the newly synthesized SIRT5-specific agonist, MC3215, developed by our group, to explore for the first time the pharmacological activation of SIRT5 as a target for cardioprotection.
Methods And Results: In in vitro screening experiments, SIRT1 and SIRT5 agonists, namely, MC2606 and MC3215, at 1-20 μΜ were added to cardiomyoblasts (H9c2) and human endothelial cells (EA.
Nat Rev Cardiol
June 2025
The interaction between inflammation and metabolism (immunometabolism) is a crucial factor in the pathophysiology of heart failure, whether the cardiac failure originates from ischaemic injury or systemic metabolic disorders, and whether it is associated with reduced or preserved ejection fraction. Ischaemia, metabolic stress and comorbidity-driven systemic inflammation attract innate and adaptive immune cells to the myocardium and induce their polarization towards pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory phenotypes through cell-intrinsic metabolic shifts involving oxidative phosphorylation and anaerobic glycolysis. These infiltrating immune cells modulate cardiac and systemic metabolism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Empagliflozin (EMPA), a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), is cardioprotective in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) including fewer hospitalizations for heart failure. However, the underlying metabolic and immunomodulatory mechanisms remain incompletely characterized. This study investigates the metabolic effects of EMPA in diabetic and non-diabetic conditions, as well as on AMI-induced immune responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute myocardial infarction (MI) remains a major cause of death and disability worldwide. No adjuvant treatment has yet been fully validated in patients to limit the progression from the initial tissue damage due to acute MI, to the development of heart failure. However, mitochondria have long been demonstrated to be a key target for cardioprotective strategies to reduce cell death that leads to left ventricular dysfunction and ultimately heart failure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimal models offer invaluable insights into disease mechanisms but cannot entirely mimic the variability and heterogeneity of human populations, nor the increasing prevalence of multi-morbidity. Consequently, employing human samples-such as whole blood or fractions, valvular and vascular tissues, myocardium, pericardium, or human-derived cells-is essential for enhancing the translational relevance of cardiovascular research. For instance, myocardial tissue slices, which preserve crucial structural and functional characteristics of the human heart, can be used in vitro to examine drug responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Activation of the transcriptional factor Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is detrimental to chronic heart failure. We explored the involvement of KLF5 in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury.
Methods And Results: Yorkshire pigs underwent 75' of ischaemia, followed by 3 or 24 h of reperfusion.
Although many cardioprotective interventions have been shown to limit infarct size (IS), in preclinical animal studies of acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), their clinical translation to patient benefit has been largely disappointing. A major factor is the lack of rigor and reproducibility in the preclinical studies. To address this, we have established the IMproving Preclinical Assessment of Cardioprotective Therapies (IMPACT) small animal multisite acute myocardial infarction (AMI) network, with centralized randomization and blinded core laboratory IS analysis, and have validated the network using ischemic preconditioning (IPC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Heart Assoc
March 2025
Background: We investigated the effects of the combined treatment with glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) on NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide), GDF-15 (growth differentiation factor 15), and MOTS-c (mitochondrial-derived peptide-c) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and high or very high cardiovascular risk.
Methods: We studied 163 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with insulin (n=40), liraglutide (n=41), empagliflozin (n=42), or their combination (GLP-1RA+SGLT-2i) (n=40) and were matched using propensity score analysis. We measured the following at baseline and 4 and 12 months of treatment: (1) NT-proBNP, GDF-15, and MOTS-c; (2) 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and (3) left ventricular global longitudinal strain, left atrial strain during atrial reservoir phase, and global work index using speckle-tracking imaging.
Empagliflozin treatment before acute myocardial infarction mainly targets the endothelial cell transcriptome. Empagliflozin treatment before and after myocardial infarction decreased no reflow and microvascular injury, leading to reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells, reduced infarct size, and improved cardiac function in mice. In diabetic patients receiving empagliflozin after myocardial infarction, perfused boundary region, flow-mediated dilation, and global longitudinal strain were improved.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRedox Biol
October 2024
Clinical studies have previously established the role of olive products in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, whilst the identification of the responsible constituents for the beneficial effects is still pending. We sought to assess and compare the cardioprotective potential of oleuropein (OL), hydroxytyrosol (HT), oleocanthal (OC) and oleanolic Acid (OA), regarding Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury (IRI) and CVD risk factors alleviation. The scope of the study was to design a potent and safe combinatorial therapy for high-cardiovascular-risk patients on a bench-to-bedside approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndothelial dysfunction often precedes the development of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure. The cardioprotective benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) could be explained by their favorable impact on the endothelium. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the direct in vitro effects of SGLT2is on endothelial cells, as well as the systematic observations in preclinical models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHypertension poses a significant global health burden and is associated with cardiovascular morbidity. Chios mastic gum (CMG), derived from var. , shows potential as a phytotherapeutic agent, due to its multifaceted beneficial effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBasic Res Cardiol
February 2025
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exhibit remarkable antitumor activity and immune-related cardiotoxicity of unknown pathomechanism. The aim of the study was to investigate the ICI class-dependent cardiotoxicity in vitro and pembrolizumab's (Pem's) cardiotoxicity in vivo, seeking for translational prevention means. Cytotoxicity was investigated in primary cardiomyocytes and splenocytes, incubated with ipilimumab, Pem and avelumab.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose Of Review: To provide an overview of (a) protective effects on mitochondria induced by remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) and (b) mitochondrial damage caused by anticancer therapy. We then discuss the available results of studies on mitochondrial protection via RIC in anticancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity.
Recent Findings: In three experimental studies in healthy mice and pigs, there was a RIC-mediated protection against anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and there was some evidence of improved mitochondrial function with RIC.
Heart failure (HF) patients have a significantly higher risk of new-onset cancer and cancer-associated mortality, compared to subjects free of HF. While both the prevention and treatment of new-onset HF in patients with cancer have been investigated extensively, less is known about the prevention and treatment of new-onset cancer in patients with HF, and whether and how guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HF should be modified when cancer is diagnosed in HF patients. The purpose of this review is to elaborate and discuss the effects of pillar HF pharmacotherapies, as well as digoxin and diuretics on cancer, and to identify areas for further research and novel therapeutic strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMonoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant condition characterized by the presence of low levels of a monoclonal protein in the serum and a low percentage of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow. MGUS may progress to multiple myeloma or other plasma cell disorders at a rate of 1% annually. However, MGUS may also have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system independent of its malignant potential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOlive is rich in polyphenols such as hydroxytyrosol (HT) that have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we examined the short-term effects of olive oil extract (OE) enriched with HT on left atrial function, left ventricular (LV) function, and arterial elastic properties in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Sixty-one patients with chronic CAD were enrolled.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Med Chem
November 2023
FF-ATP synthase is the mitochondrial complex responsible for ATP production. During myocardial ischemia, it reverses its activity, hydrolyzing ATP and leading to energetic deficit and cardiac injury. We aimed to discover novel inhibitors of ATP hydrolysis, accessing the druggability of the target within ischemia(I)/reperfusion(R) injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present review summarizes the beneficial and detrimental roles of reactive oxygen species in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardioprotection. In the first part, the continued need for cardioprotection beyond that by rapid reperfusion of acute myocardial infarction is emphasized. Then, pathomechanisms of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion to the myocardium and the coronary circulation and the different modes of cell death in myocardial infarction are characterized.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a highly morbid inflammatory lung disease with limited pharmacological interventions. The present study aims to evaluate and compare the potential pulmonoprotective effects of natural prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) inhibitors namely rosmarinic acid (RA), chicoric acid (CA), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and gallic acid (GA), against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS. Cell viability and expression of pro-inflammatory mediators were measured in RAW264.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF(1) Carfilzomib (Cfz) is an antineoplastic agent indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma. However, its beneficial action is attenuated by the occurrence of cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity as the most common adverse effects. Presently, there is well-established knowledge on the pathomechanisms related to these side effects; however, the research on the metabolic alterations provoked by the drug is limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Hydroxytyrosol reduces low-density lipoprotein oxidation, contributing to prevention of atherosclerosis progression.
Methods: In a prospective, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 30 chronic coronary artery syndrome (CCAS) patients were randomized to 4 capsules/day, containing 412.5 mg olive oil with 2.