WISP1 (Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein-1, also known as CCN4) is a member of the secreted extracellular matrix–associated proteins of the CCN family and a target gene of the Wingless-type (WNT) signaling pathway. Growing evidence links the WNT signaling pathway to the regulation of adipogenesis and low-grade inflammation in obesity. We aimed to validate WISP1 as a novel adipokine. Human adipocyte differentiation was associated with increased WISP1 expression and secretion. Stimulation of human macrophages with WISP1 led to a proinflammatory response. Circulating WISP1 and WISP1 subcutaneous adipose tissue expression were regulated by weight changes in humans and mice. WISP1 expression in visceral and subcutaneous fat tissue was associated with markers of insulin resistance and inflammation in glucose-tolerant subjects. In patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, we found no correlation among disease activity score, liver fat content, and WISP1 expression. Insulin regulated WISP1 expression in adipocytes in vitro but had no acute effect on WISP1 gene expression in subcutaneous fat tissue in overweight subjects who had undergone hyperinsulinemic clamp experiments. The data suggest that WISP1 may play a role in linking obesity to inflammation and insulin resistance and could be a novel therapeutic target for obesity.

Objective Endogenous cardiotonic steroids (CTS), including marinobufagenin (MBG), stimulate vascular synthesis of collagen. Because mineralocorticoid antagonists competitively antagonize effect of CTS on the Na/K-ATPase, we hypothesized that spironolactone would reverse the pro-fibrotic effects of MBG. Methods Experiment 1. Explants of thoracic aortae and aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from Wistar rats were cultured for 24 hours in the presence of vehicle or MBG (100 nmol/L) with or without canrenone (10 µmol/L), an active metabolite of spironolactone. Experiment 2. In 16 patients (56 ± 2 yrs) with resistant hypertension (RH) on a combined (Lisinopril / amlodipine / hydrochlorothiazide) therapy, we determined arterial pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), plasma MBG, and erythrocyte Na/K-ATPase before and six months after addition of placebo (n=8) or spironolactone (50 mg/day; n=8) to the therapy. Results In rat aortic explants and in VSMC, pretreatment with MBG resulted in a two-fold rise in collagen-1, and a marked reduction in the sensitivity of the aortic rings to the vasorelaxant effect of sodium nitroprusside following endothelin-1-induced constriction (EC50=480±67 nmol/L vs. 23±3 nmol/L in vehicle-treated rings; P<0.01). Canrenone blocked effects of MBG on collagen synthesis and restored sensitivity of vascular rings to sodium nitroprusside (EC50 = 17±1 nmol/L). RH patients exhibited elevated plasma MBG (0.42 ± 0.07 vs. 0.24 ± 0.03 nmol/L; P=0.01) and reduced Na/K-ATPase activity (1.9 ± 0.15 vs 2.8 ± 0.2 µmol Pi/ml/hr, P<0.01) vs. 7 healthy subjects. Six-month administration of spironolactone, unlike placebo treatment, was associated with a decrease in PWV and arterial pressure, and with restoration of Na/K-ATPase activity in the presence of unchanged MBG levels. Conclusion MBG-induced vascular fibrosis is a likely target for spironolactone.

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A new, large randomized controlled trial is needed to determine the optimal level of BP and LDL-C for the prevention of recurrent stroke and cognitive decline.

Metabolic syndrome and its distinct components were very prevalent in Russian bank office workers. AO was most prevalent component for females with metabolic syndrome, whereas HTN was most prevalent for males. Coexistence of HTN and AO was the most frequent coupling of metabolic syndrome components. Unhealthy lifestyle characterized the selected group and was associated with metabolic syndrome, especially low physical activity.

It has been calculated that 925 patients would reach the primary outcome after a mean 4-year follow-up, and this should provide at least 80% power to detect a 25% stroke difference between SBP targets and a 20% difference between LDL-C targets.

Early-life famine, especially started in the intrauterine period and late childhood, may contribute to accelerated aging with telomere shortening in both sexes, but has no direct effect on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and risk factors after seven decades since exposure.

The international AKTIV register presents a detailed description of out- and inpatients with COVID-19 in the Eurasian region. It was found that hospitalized patients had more comorbidities. In addition, these patients were older and there were more men than among outpatients. Among the traditional risk factors, obesity and hypertension had a significant negative effect on prognosis, which was more significant for patients 60 years of age and older. Among comorbidities, CVDs had the maximum negative effect on prognosis, and this effect was more significant for patients 60 years of age and older. Among other comorbidities, type 2 and 1 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and anemia had a negative impact on the prognosis. This effect was also more significant (with the exception of type 1 diabetes) for patients 60 years and older. The death risk in patients with COVID-19 depended on the severity and type of multimorbidity. Clusters of diseases typical for deceased patients were identified and their impact on prognosis was determined. The most unfavorable was a cluster of 4 diseases, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus. The data obtained should be taken into account when planning measures for prevention (vaccination priority groups), treatment and rehabilitation of COVID-19 survivors.