Fish consumption is considered health beneficial as it decreases cardiovascular disease (CVD)-risk through effects on plasma lipids and inflammation. We investigated a salmon protein hydrolysate (SPH) that is hypothesized to influence lipid metabolism and to have anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory properties. 24 female apolipoprotein (apo) E−/− mice were divided into two groups and fed a high-fat diet with or without 5% (w/w) SPH for 12 weeks. The atherosclerotic plaque area in aortic sinus and arch, plasma lipid profile, fatty acid composition, hepatic enzyme activities and gene expression were determined. A significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque area in the aortic arch and aortic sinus was found in the 12 apoE−/− mice fed 5% SPH for 12 weeks compared to the 12 casein-fed control mice. Immunohistochemical characterization of atherosclerotic lesions in aortic sinus displayed no differences in plaque composition between mice fed SPH compared to controls. However, reduced mRNA level of Icam1 in the aortic arch was found. The plasma content of arachidonic acid (C20∶4n-6) and oleic acid (C18∶1n-9) were increased and decreased, respectively. SPH-feeding decreased the plasma concentration of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and GM-CSF, whereas plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerols (TAG) were unchanged, accompanied by unchanged mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT)-activity. These data show that a 5% (w/w) SPH diet reduces atherosclerosis in apoE−/− mice and attenuate risk factors related to atherosclerotic disorders by acting both at vascular and systemic levels, and not directly related to changes in plasma lipids or fatty acids.

It is widely recognized that the microorganisms inhabiting our gastrointestinal tract—the gut microbiota—deeply affect the pathophysiology of the host. Gut microbiota composition is mostly modulated by diet, and gut microorganisms communicate with the different organs and tissues of the human host by synthesizing hormones and regulating their release. Herein, we will provide an updated review on the most important classes of gut microbiota-derived hormones and their sensing by host receptors, critically discussing their impact on host physiology. Additionally, the debated interplay between microbial hormones and the development of cardiovascular disease will be thoroughly analysed and discussed.

Abstract. Since 1989, a new method for the production of transgenic animals has been available, namely spermmediated gene transfer (SMGT), based on the intrinsic ability of sperm cells to bind and internalise exogenous DNA molecules and to transfer them into the oocyte at fertilisation. We first described the SMGT procedure in a small animal model, with high efficiency reported in the mouse. In addition, we successfully adapted and optimised the technique for use in large animals; it was, in fact, highly efficient in the generation of human decay accelerating factor transgenic pig lines, as well as multigene transgenic pigs in which three different reporter genes, namely enhanced green fluorescent protein, enhanced blue fluorescent protein and red fluorescent protein, were introduced. The major benefits of the SMGT technique were found to be its high efficiency, low cost and ease of use compared with other methods. Furthermore, SMGT does not require embryo handling or expensive equipment. Sperm-mediated gene transfer could also be used to generate multigene transgenic pigs that would be of benefit as large animal models for medical research, for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications and, in particular, for xenotransplantation, which requires extensive genetic manipulation of donor pigs to make them suitable for grafting to humans.

No abstract

Many functional foods and dietary supplements have been reported to be beneficial for the management of dyslipidaemia, one of the major risk factors for CVD. Soluble fibres and legume proteins are known to be a safe and practical approach for cholesterol reduction. The present study aimed at investigating the hypocholesterolaemic effect of the combinations of these bioactive vegetable ingredients and their possible effects on the expression of genes regulating cholesterol homeostasis. A total of six groups of twelve rats each were fed, for 28 d, Nath's hypercholesterolaemic diets, differing in protein and fibre sources, being, respectively, casein and cellulose (control), pea proteins and cellulose (pea), casein and oat fibres (oat), casein and apple pectin (pectin), pea proteins and oat fibres (pea þ oat) and pea proteins and apple pectin (pea þ pectin). Administration of each vegetable-containing diet was associated with lower total cholesterol concentrations compared with the control. The combinations (pea þ oat and pea þ pectin) were more efficacious than fibres alone in modulating cholesterolaemia (2 53 and 2 54 %, respectively, at 28 d; P,0·005). In rats fed the diets containing oat fibres or apple pectin, alone or in combination with pea proteins, a lower hepatic cholesterol content (P, 0·005) and higher hepatic mRNA concentrations of CYP7A1 and NTCP were found when compared with the control rats (P, 0·05). In summary, the dietary combinations of pea proteins and oat fibres or apple pectin are extremely effective in lowering plasma cholesterol concentrations in rats and affect cellular cholesterol homeostasis by up-regulating genes involved in hepatic cholesterol turnover.

The PLPP3 gene encodes for a ubiquitous enzyme that dephosphorylates several lipid substrates. Genome-wide association studies identified PLPP3 as a gene that plays a role in coronary artery disease susceptibility. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Plpp3 deletion on atherosclerosis development in mice. Because the constitutive deletion of Plpp3 in mice is lethal, conditional Plpp3 hepatocyte-specific null mice were generated by crossing floxed Plpp3 mice with animals expressing Cre recombinase under control of the albumin promoter. The mice were crossed onto the athero-prone apoE−/− background to obtain Plpp3f/fapoE−/−Alb-Cre+ and Plpp3f/fapoE−/−Alb-Cre− offspring, the latter of which were used as controls. The mice were fed chow or a Western diet for 32 or 12 weeks, respectively. On the Western diet, Alb-Cre+ mice developed more atherosclerosis than Alb-Cre− mice, both at the aortic sinus and aorta. Lipidomic analysis showed that hepatic Plpp3 deletion significantly modified the levels of several plasma lipids involved in atherosclerosis, including lactosylceramides, lysophosphatidic acids, and lysophosphatidylinositols. In conclusion, Plpp3 ablation in mice worsened atherosclerosis development. Lipidomic analysis suggested that the hepatic Plpp3 deletion may promote atherosclerosis by increasing plasma levels of several low-abundant pro-atherogenic lipids, thus providing a molecular basis for the observed results.

Cardiovascular disease remains the most common health problem in developed countries, and residual risk after implementing all current therapies is still high. Permanent changes in lifestyle may be hard to achieve and people may not always be motivated enough to make the recommended modifications. Emerging research has explored the application of natural food-based strategies in disease management. In recent years, much focus has been placed on the beneficial effects of fish consumption. Many of the positive effects of fish consumption on dyslipidemia and heart diseases have been attributed to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs, i.e., EPA and DHA); however, fish is also an excellent source of protein and, recently, fish protein hydrolysates containing bioactive peptides have shown promising activities for the prevention/management of cardiovascular disease and associated health complications. The present review will focus on n-3 PUFAs and bioactive peptides effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors. Moreover, since considerable controversy exists regarding the association between n-3 PUFAs and major cardiovascular endpoints, we have also reviewed the main clinical trials supporting or not this association.

Krill oil containing diets were able to reduce cholesterol levels, inhibit plaque development and prevent liver damage. Krill proteins also reduced atherosclerosis development through mechanisms not involving lipid metabolism.