The global population above 60 years has been growing exponentially in the last decades, which is accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of age-related chronic diseases, highlighting cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Aging is the main risk factor for these diseases. Such susceptibility to disease is explained, at least in part, by the increase of oxidative stress, in which it damages cellular components such as proteins, DNA, and lipids. In addition, the chronic inflammatory process in aging “inflammaging” also contributes to cell damage, creating a stressful environment which drives to the development of CVDs. Taken together, it is possible to identify the molecular connection between oxidative stress and the inflammatory process, especially by the crosstalk between the transcription factors Nrf-2 and NF-κB which are mediated by redox signalling and are involved in aging. Therapies that control this process are key targets in the prevention/combat of age-related CVDs. In this review, we show the basics of inflammation and oxidative stress, including the crosstalk between them, and the implications on age-related CVDs.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are bioproducts of cellular metabolism. There is a range of molecules with oxidizing properties known as ROS. Despite those molecules being implied negatively in aging and numerous diseases, their key role in cellular signaling is evident. ROS control several biological processes such as inflammation, proliferation, and cell death. The redox signaling underlying these cellular events is one characteristic of the new generation of scientists aimed at defining the role of ROS in the cellular environment. The control of redox potential, which includes the balance of the sources of ROS and the antioxidant system, implies an important target for understanding the cells’ fate derived from redox signaling. In this review, we summarized the chemical, the redox balance, the signaling, and the implications of ROS in biological aging.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual relations, and aging is one of the main risk factors involved. The D-(+)-Galactose aging model is a consolidated methodology for studies of cardiovascular aging; however, its potential for use with ED remain unexplored. The present study proposed to characterize a new experimental model for ED, using the D-(+)-Galactose aging model. For the experiments, the animals were randomly divided into three groups receiving: vehicle (CTL), D-galactose 150 mg/kg (DGAL), and D-(+)-galactose 150 mg/Kg + sildenafil 1.5 mg/Kg (DGAL+SD1.5) being administered daily for a period of eight weeks. All of the experimental protocols were previously approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals at the Federal University of Paraíba n° 9706070319. During the treatment, we analyzed physical, molecular, and physiological aspects related to the aging process and implicated in the development of ED. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that D-(+)-Galactose-induced aging represents a suitable experimental model for ED assessment. This was evidenced by an observed hyper-contractility in corpora cavernosa, significant endothelial dysfunction, increased ROS levels, an increase in cavernous tissue senescence, and the loss of essential penile erectile components.
Hypertension is a chronic disease and a global health problem. Due to its high prevalence, it constitutes the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fruit peels from Passiflora edulis fo. flavicarpa are rich in bioactive natural compounds that may have action in hypertension. This study aimed to perform a fingerprinting analysis of Passiflora edulis fruit peel extract and evaluate its actions on the cardiovascular system in an in vivo model. The extract was obtained from the dried and powdered fruit peels of Passiflora edulis. Glycoside flavonoids were identified in the extract by HPLC-ESI-MSn. The extract showed a significant hypotensive effect after 28 days of treatment and improved vascular function in the mesenteric artery. This effect was verified by decreased vascular hypercontractility and increased vasorelaxant in response to sodium nitroprusside and acetylcholine. There was also a decrease in endothelial dysfunction, which can be attributed to nitric oxideʼs increased bioavailability. Thus, we hypothesize that all these effects contributed to a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance, leading to a significant hypotensive effect. These results are novel for fruit peels from P. edulis. Also, there was a decrease in plasma and cardiac malondialdehyde levels and an increase in glutathione, suggesting a reduction in oxidative stress, as well as an increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 in the plasma. This study demonstrated that the extract can be a new source of raw material to be applied as food or medicine adjuvant for treating hypertension.
P. edulis is popularly known as yellow passion fruit. The objective of this study was to perform a phytochemical analysis of the hydroethanolic extract of flour of the peels (AFM) and evaluate its cardiovascular properties. The AFM was analyzed by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC-UV-DAD). The total phenolics and flavonoids were quantified by colorimetric methods. The mesenteric artery was utilization for observation of the vascular reactivity. Phytochemical analysis allowed the identification from flavonoids (Orientin and isoorientin) in AFM. The pharmacological study showed that AFM has action in the vascular system causing relaxation not dependent on the endothelium.
Carvacrol, a phenolic monoterpene, has diverse biological activities, highlighting its antioxidant and antihypertensive capacity. However, there is little evidence demonstrating its influence on vascular regeneration. Therefore, we evaluated the modulation of carvacrol on endothelial repair induced by endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in hypertension. Twelve-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated with a vehicle, carvacrol (50 or 100 mg/kg/day), or resveratrol (10 mg/kg/day) orally for four weeks. Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as the normotensive controls. Their systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured weekly through the tail cuff. The EPCs were isolated from the bone marrow and peripherical circulation and were quantified by flow cytometry. The functionality of the EPC was evaluated after cultivation through the quantification of colony-forming units (CFU), evaluation of eNOS, intracellular detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and evaluation of senescence. The superior mesenteric artery was isolated to evaluate the quantification of ROS, CD34, and CD31. Treatment with carvacrol induced EPC migration, increased CFU formation and eNOS expression and activity, and reduced ROS and senescence. In addition, carvacrol reduced vascular ROS and increased CD31 and CD34 expression. This study showed that treatment with carvacrol improved the functionality of EPC, contributing to the reduction of endothelial dysfunction.
Aims: To evaluate the vasorelaxant effect induced by the essential oil of the leaves of O. duckei Vattimo (ODEO) and its main constituent, trans-caryophyllene, in rat superior mesenteric arteries. Methodology: Isolated rat superior mesenteric rings were suspended by cotton threads for isometric tension recordings in Tyrode’s solution at 37ºC, gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2 and different ODEO concentrations (0.1-300 μg/mL) or trans-caryophyllene (1-1000 μg/mL) were added cumulatively to the organ baths. Results: Vasorelaxant effect induced by the essential oil of Ocotea duckei leaves (ODEO) and its main constituent, trans-caryophyllene (60.54 %), was evaluated in this work. In intact isolated rat superior mesenteric rings ODEO (0.1-300 μg/mL, n=6) induced concentration-dependent relaxation of tonus induced by phenylephrine (10 µM) or K+-depolarizing solution (KCl 80 mM) (IC50=31±5, 5±0.4 µg/mL, respectively, n=6). The relaxations of phenylephrine-induced contractions were not significantly attenuated after removal of the vascular endothelium (IC50=25±5 µg/mL). ODEO antagonized the concentration-response curves to CaCl2 (10-6-3x10-2 M) and Bay K 8644 (10-10-3x10-6 M). Furthermore, in nominally without calcium solution, ODEO significantly inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, transient contractions induced by 10 µM phenylephrine or 20 µM caffeine. Trans-caryophyllene induced vasorelaxations, however, this effect was 18.6 times less potent when compared to ODEO-induced vasorelaxations. Conclusion: The relaxant effect induced by ODEO in rat superior mesenteric artery rings is endothelium-independent and seems to be related to both, inhibition of Ca2+ influx through L-type voltage-gated Ca2+-channels sensitive to dihydropyridines and inhibition of the calcium release from intracellular IP3-and caffeine-sensitive stores.
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