A Novel, Orally Bioavailable, Small-Molecule Inhibitor of PCSK9 With Significant Cholesterol-Lowering Properties In Vivo

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibits the clearance of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) from plasma by directly binding with the LDL receptor (LDLR) and sending the receptor for lysosomal degradation. As the interaction promotes elevated plasma LDL-C levels, and therefore a predisposition to...

Atorvastatin accelerates clearance of lipoprotein remnants generated by activated brown fat to further reduce hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis

Background and aims Activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) reduces both hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis by increasing the uptake of triglyceride-derived fatty acids by BAT, accompanied by formation and clearance of lipoprotein remnants. We tested the hypothesis that the hepatic uptake of lipoprotein remnants generated by BAT activation...

Anacetrapib reduces progression of atherosclerosis, mainly by reducing non-HDL-cholesterol, improves lesion stability and adds to the beneficial effects of atorvastatin

Background The residual risk that remains after statin treatment supports the addition of other LDL-C-lowering agents and has stimulated the search for secondary treatment targets. Epidemiological studies propose HDL-C as a possible candidate. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl esters from atheroprotective HDL to...

Alirocumab inhibits atherosclerosis, improves the plaque morphology, and enhances the effects of a statin

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition is a potential novel strategy for treatment of CVD. Alirocumab is a fully human PCSK9 monoclonal antibody in phase 3 clinical development. We evaluated the antiatherogenic potential of alirocumab in APOE∗3Leiden. CETP mice. Mice received a Western-type diet and were treated with...

CNTO736, a novel glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, ameliorates insulin resistance and inhibits very low-density lipoprotein production in high-fat-fed mice

CNTO736 is a glucagon-like peptide (GLP) 1 receptor agonist that incorporates a GLP-1 peptide analog linked to the Mimeti-body platform. We evaluate the potential of acute and chronic CNTO736 treatment on insulin sensitivity and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) metabolism. For acute studies, diet-induced insulin-resistant C57BL76 mice...

LXR agonist suppresses atherosclerotic lesion growth and promotes lesion regression in apoE*3Leiden mice: Time course and mechanisms

The aim of this study was to define the anti-atherosclerotic role of liver-X-receptors (LXRs) under lesion progressive and lesion regressive conditions, to establish a temporal line of events, and to gain insights into the mechanisms underlying the anti-atherogenic potency of LXRs. We used apoE*3Leiden (E3L) mice to comprehensively and time...

The dual PPARα/γ agonist tesaglitazar blocks progression of pre-existing atherosclerosis in APOE*3Leiden.CETP transgenic mice

Background and purpose: We have evaluated the effects of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α/γ agonist on the progression of pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions in APOE*3Leiden.cholesteryl ester transfer protein (E3L.CETP) transgenic mice. Experimental approach: E3L.CETP mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet for 11 weeks to...

Dual PPARα/γ agonist tesaglitazar reduces atherosclerosis in insulin-resistant and hypercholesterolemic ApoE*3Leiden mice

OBJECTIVE - We investigated whether the dual PPARα/γ agonist tesaglitazar has anti-atherogenic effects in ApoE*3Leiden mice with reduced insulin sensitivity. METHODS AND RESULTS - ApoE*3Leiden transgenic mice were fed a high-fat (HF) insulin-resistance-inducing diet. One group received a high-cholesterol (HC) supplement (1% wt/wt; HC group). A...

Anti-atherosclerotic effect of amlodipine, alone and in combination with atorvastatin, in APOE*3-Leiden/hCRP transgenic mice

We investigated the pleiotropic effects of a calcium antagonist (amlodipine) on early atherosclerosis development in the presence and absence of an HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitor (atorvastatin) in apolipoprotein E*3-Leiden/human C-reactive protein (E3L/CRP) transgenic mice. Male E3L/CRP transgenic mice were fed a cholesterol-containing diet either...

Metabolomics in the context of systems biology: Bridging Traditional Chinese Medicine and molecular pharmacology

The introduction of the concept of systems biology, enabling the study of living systems from a holistic perspective based on the profiling of a multitude of biochemical components, opens up a unique and novel opportunity to reinvestigate natural products. In the study of their bioactivity, the necessary reductionistic approach on single active...

Amlodipine and atorvastatin in atherosclerosis: A review of the potential of combination therapy

Hypertension and hyperlipidaemia are major risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have been used for decades and have established antihypertensive effects. Statins have been extensively used because of their potent lipid lowering properties. Amongst other factors, inflammation and oxidation are...

On the assessment of adverse drug reactions from spontaneous reporting systems: The influence of under-reporting on odds ratios

A well-known problem in spontaneous reporting systems (SRSs) for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is under-reporting, that is, the problem that not all occurrences of ADRs are reported to the SRS. We look at the question of how to draw statistical conclusions from analyses of SRS data using reporting odds ratios. We will show that certain under...

Therapeutic efficacy of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) against organophosphate intoxication

The objective of the present study was to investigate whether reduction of central acetylcholine (ACh) accumulation by adenosine receptor agonists could serve as a generic treatment against organophosphate (OP) poisoning. The OPs studied were tabun (O-ethyl-N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate), sarin (isopropylmethylphosphonofluoridate), VX (O...

Alpha- and beta-adrenergic influences on the tissue and urokinase plasminogen activator systems

Objective: To study the influence of α- and β-adrenoceptor stimulation in vivo on fibrinolysis in healthy male volunteers. Design: Infusions were given in a single blind fashion and in a randomized order if placebo infusions were included. Setting: University Department (Karolinska Hospital). Subjects: Thirty-four healthy, non-smoking male...

Toxicological evaluation and risk assessment of chemical mixtures

A major objective of combination toxicology is to establish whether a mixture of chemicals will result in an effect similar to that expected on the basis of additivity. This requires understanding of the basic concepts of the combined toxicological action of the compounds of the mixture: simple similar action (dose addition), simple dissimilar...

Increase of fungitoxicity of mercuric chloride by methionine, ethionine and s methylcysteine

The fungitoxicity of mercuric chloride to Aspergillus niger was increased in the presence of D-, L-, DL-methionine, DL-ethionine, DL-S-methylcysteine or sodium methylmercaptide. The same effect was observed with methionine for two other fungi investigated: Cladosporium cucumerinum and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis. It is suggested that this effect...