Livan Delgado Roche

Lipofundin-Induced Hyperlipidemia Promotes Oxidative Stress and Atherosclerotic Lesions in New Zealand White Rabbits

Atherosclerosis represents a major cause of death in the world. It is known that Lipofundin 20% induces atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits, but its effects on serum lipids behaviour and redox environment have not been addressed. In this study, New Zealand rabbits were treated with 2 mL/kg of Lipofundin for 8 days. Then, redox biomarkers and serum lipids were determined spectrophotometrically. On the other hand, the development of atherosclerotic lesions was confirmed by eosin/hematoxylin staining and electron microscopy. At the end of the experiment, total cholesterol, triglycerides, cholesterol-LDL, and cholesterol-HDL levels were significantly increased. Also, a high index of biomolecules damage, a disruption of both enzymatic and nonenzymatic defenses, and a reduction of nitric oxide were observed. Our data demonstrated that Lipofundin 20% induces hyperlipidemia, which promotes an oxidative stress state. Due to the importance of these phenomena as risk factors for atherogenesis, we suggest that Lipofundin induces atherosclerosis mainly through these mechanisms.

Protective Effects of Mangifera indica L. Extract Against LipofundininducedOxidative Stress in Rats

Lipofundin is a lipid rich emulsion used in parenteral nutrition. It is known that Lipofundin induces an oxida- tive stress state characterized by an increase of lipid peroxidation and a dramatic depletion of antioxidants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an aqueous extract of Mangifera indica L., on Lipofundin-induced oxidative stress. Male Sprague Dawley rats were treated orally with 200 mg/kg of Vimang®, followed by an intravenous dose of 2 mL/kg Lipofundin, daily, for 8 days. Selected oxidative stress biomarkers were then measured spectrophotometrically. The results showed that Vimang® produced significant (p<0.05) reduction of malondialdehyde, total hydroperoxides and advanced oxidation protein products, while the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were positively modulated. A significant (p<0.05) reduction of peroxidation potential and a preservation of glutathione and total antioxidant status was also observed. Our data demonstrated that Vimang® protects against Lipofundin-induced oxidative stress, which is an important finding that further reinforces the antioxidant properties of this natural product.

New Alternatives for Atherosclerosis Treatment Based on Immunomodulation

Atherosclerosis and its derived cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death in the western world. The treatment of atherosclerosis is currently based on lipid lowering in combination with anti-inflammatory therapies that slow the progression of atherosclerosis. Still, these therapies are not able to fully inhibit the formation or progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Ever since it was first demonstrated that the immunological system plays an important role during atherogenesis, various different immunotherapeutic approaches have been evaluated with promising results. Notwithstanding that, one of the difficulties in developing effective vaccination strategies for atherosclerosis is the selection of a specific target. So far, vaccination strategies have been based on the targeting of lipid antigens, inflammation-derived antigens, and cell-based vaccination strategies. More recently, strategies aimed at blocking the retention of low-density lipoproteins by arterial proteoglycans have emerged as a promising tool. In the study at hand we reviewed the most relevant advances on atherosclerosis immunotherapy cited in the PubMed database from 1980 to 2012.

Medical ozone increases methotrexate clinical response and improves cellular redox balance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Medical ozone reduced inflammation, IL-1β, TNF-α mRNA levels and oxidative stress in PG/PS-induced arthritis in rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the medical ozone effects in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate and methotrexate+ozone, and to compare between them. A randomized clinical study with 60 patients was performed, who were divided into two groups: one (n=30) treated with methotrexate (MTX), folic acid and Ibuprophen (MTX group) and the second group (n=30) received the same as the MTX group+medical ozone by rectal insufflation of the gas (MTX+ozone group). The clinical response of the patients was evaluated by comparing Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated (Anti-CCP) levels, reactants of acute phase and biochemical markers of oxidative stress before and after 20 days of treatment. MTX+ozone reduced the activity of the disease while MTX merely showed a tendency to decrease the variables. Reactants of acute phase displayed a similar picture. MTX+ozone reduced Anti-CCP levels as well as increased antioxidant system, and decreased oxidative damage whereas MTX did not change. Glutathione correlated with all clinical variables just after MTX+ozone. MTX+ozone increased the MTX clinical response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. No side effects were observed. These results suggest that ozone can increase the efficacy of MTX probably because both share common therapeutic targets. Medical ozone treatment is capable of being a complementary therapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.