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P311 is an 8-kDa intracellular protein that is highly conserved across species and is expressed in the nervous system as well as in vascular and visceral smooth muscle cells. P311-null [...]

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a popular beverage consumed all over the world due to its health benefits. Many of these beneficial effects of green tea are attributed to polyphenols, particularly catechins. The present study focuses on underlying anti-platelet aggregation, anti-thrombotic, and anti-lipidemic molecular mechanisms of green tea in South Indian smokers. Materials and methods : We selected 120 South Indian male volunteers for this study to collect the blood and categorised them into four groups; control group individuals (Controls), smokers, healthy control individuals consuming green tea, and smokers consuming green tea. Smokers group subjects have been smoking an average 16–18 cigarettes per day for the last 7 years or more. The subjects (green tea consumed groups) consumed 100 mL of green tea each time, thrice a day for a one-year period. LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of multiple phytocompounds along with catechins in green tea extract. Increased plasma lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyls, cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol with decreased HDL-cholesterol levels were observed in smokers compared to the control group and the consumption of green tea showed beneficial effect. Furthermore, docking studies revealed that natural compounds of green tea had high binding capacity with 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA) when compared to their positive controls, whereas (−) epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and (−) epicatechin-gallate (ECG) had high binding capacity with sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP1c). Further, our ex vivo studies showed that green tea extract (GTE) significantly inhibited platelet aggregation and increased thrombolytic activity in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, in smokers, catechins synergistically lowered oxidative stress, platelet aggregation and modified the aberrant lipid profile. Furthermore, molecular docking studies supported green tea catechins' antihyperlipidemic efficacy through strong inhibitory activity on HMG-CoA reductase and SREBP1c. The mitigating effects of green tea on cardiovascular disease risk factors in smokers that have been reported can be attributed majorly to catechins or to their synergistic effects. [Display omitted] • Green tea is consumed as a beverage worldwide due to its beneficial effects. • Green tea consumption lowers oxidative stress and normalizes lipid profile in smokers. • Molecular docking studies revealed green tea catechins' inhibitory activity on HMG-CoA reductase and SREBP1c. • In vitro studies revealed that green tea possesses anti-platelet aggregation and anti-thrombotic functions. • The protective effects reported can be attributed majorly to catechins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airway smooth muscle (SM) develops from local mesenchymal cells located around the tips of growing epithelial buds. These cells gradually displace from distal to proximal position alongside the bronchial tree, elongate, and begin to synthesize SM-specific proteins. Mechanical tension (either generated by cell spreading/elongation or stretch), as well as epithelial paracrine factors, regulates the process of bronchial myogenesis. The specific roles of many of these paracrine factors during normal lung development are currently unknown. It is also unknown how and if mechanical and paracrine signals integrate into a common myogenic pathway. Furthermore, as with vascular SM and other types of visceral SM, we are just beginning to elucidate the intracellular signaling pathways and the genetic program that controls lung myogenesis. Here we present what we have learned so far about the embryogenesis of bronchial muscle.