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Abstract Introduction Even after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of mild cases remains high, requiring continuous control. Curcumin, owing to its anti-inflammatory properties, can suppress vital proliferation and cytokine secretion in animal models. We developed a highly absorbable curcumin, curcuRouge® (cR), which is approximately 100 times more orally bioavailable than conventional curcumin. We evaluated the effect of cR on the inhibition of disease progression in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients. Methods This study evaluated the effect of 7-day oral intake of cR (360 mg twice daily). Patients within 5 days of COVID-19 diagnosis were randomly assigned to a placebo or cR group in a double-blind manner. Results Primary endpoint events [body temperature (BT) ≥ 37.5 °C and saturation of percutaneous oxygen (SpO2)

Objectives: Smoking is a significant risk factor for gingivitis and has detrimental effects on both oral health and the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to evaluate the association between cardiovascular biomarkers and gingival bleeding among smokers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study comprising 60 smokers (mean age, 59.9±13.7 years) was conducted at an outpatient smoking cessation clinic. The smokers were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of gingival bleeding, which was assessed by probing. α1-antitrypsin low-density lipoprotein complex (AT-LDL), an oxidatively modified LDL complex, causes progressive atherosclerosis. The clinical characteristics and blood markers including AT-LDL levels were measured in these patients. Results: Significantly higher (p=0.03) levels of AT-LDL, an oxidized LDL complex that promotes atherosclerosis, were observed among smokers with no gingival bleeding on probing when compared to that among smokers with gingival bleeding. The pocket depths in smokers without gingival bleeding were significantly (p=0.04) lower than those among smokers with gingival bleeding. Conclusion: The absence of gingival bleeding among smokers was associated with higher levels of AT-LDL. These findings could indicate reduced blood flow due to atherosclerosis among smokers with no gingival bleeding.

Factor XIa (FXIa) may be involved in thrombus formation, but only to a lesser extent involved in haemostasis. Several novel FXIa inhibitors are under investigation, and Phase II trials demonstrated marked reduction of bleeding compared with standard treatment by factor Xa inhibitors. Asundexian is a small molecule that selectively inhibits FXIa. A large-scale Phase III clinical trial, OCEANIC-AF, has been initiated to compare the efficacy and safety between asundexian and apixaban. However, the OCEANIC-AF study was recently halted due to the inferior efficacy of asundexian versus the apixaban control arm. The present report describes up-to-date evidence of FXIa inhibitors and discusses the future position of FXIa inhibitors for patients with AF.

Abstract Aims Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of heart failure (HF); however, little focus has been placed on the prevention of HF in patients with AF. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is an established echocardiographic parameter in HF patients. We sought to investigate the association of LVEF with HF events in AF patients without pre‐existing HF. Methods and results The Fushimi AF Registry is a community‐based prospective survey of AF patients in Fushimi‐ku, Japan. In this analysis, we excluded patients with pre‐existing HF (defined as having one of the following: prior HF hospitalization, New York Heart Association class ≥ 2 in association with heart disease, or LVEF 0.05). During the median follow‐up period of 6.0 years, 255 patients (10%) were hospitalized for HF (annual incidence: 1.9% per person‐year). Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that lower LVEF strata were independently associated with the risk of HF [mildly reduced LVEF (40–49%): hazard ratio = 2.98, 95% confidence interval = 1.99–4.45 and below normal LVEF (50–59%): hazard ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.44–2.82, compared with normal LVEF (≥60%)] after adjustment by age, sex, type of AF, and CHA2DS2‐VASc score. LVEF 0.05). LVEF had an independent and incremental prognostic value for HF hospitalization in addition to natriuretic peptide levels in AF patients without pre‐existing HF. Conclusions Lower LVEF was significantly associated with the higher incidence of HF hospitalization in AF patients without pre‐existing HF, leading to the future risk stratification for and prevention of incident HF in AF patients.

Abstract Background Smoking and depression are closely related and form a vicious cycle. Yokukansan (YiganSan) is a polyherbal remedy that has the effect of calming neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anger and irritation. To examine the efficacy of Yokukansan during smoking cessation (SC) therapy in smokers with depressive tendencies but without major depressive disorders requiring pharmacotherapy. Methods A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparison trial was conducted between June 2016 and May 2020 at 12 centers of the National Hospital Organization, Japan. This trial targeted smokers who first visited the SC outpatient clinics, did not receive any pharmacological treatment at the psychiatric or psychosomatic department, and scored 39 or more on the self-rating depression scale (SDS). Participants (n = 198) were randomly assigned to either the Yokukansan or placebo groups. The trial drug was initiated with the start of the SC treatment and continued for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the high success rate of the SC treatment, and the secondary outcomes included changes in scores of the SDS and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) instrument. Results The success rate of the SC treatment was similar between the placebo (63%) and Yokukansan (67%) groups (P = .649). The SDS scores (placebo: mean difference [MD] = -3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI][-5.8, -1.2], d = 0.42; Yokukansan: MD = -4.6, 95%CI[-6.8, -2.3], d = 0.55), and the “tension-anxiety” POMS-subscale scores (placebo: MD = -1.6, 95%CI[-2.5, -0.7], d = 0.52; Yokukansan: MD = -1.6, 95%CI[-2.9, -0.3], d = 0.36) showed significant improvement in both groups after the SC treatment. However, “depression-dejection” improved in the Yokukansan group (MD = -1.9, 95%CI[-3.1, -0.7], d = 0.44) but not in the placebo group (MD = -0.1, 95%CI[-1.0, 0.7], d = 0.04). Significant improvement in “fatigue” was noted in the Yokukansan group (MD = -2.1, 95%CI[-3.4, -0.9], d = 0.47) but not in the placebo group (MD = -0.5, 95%CI[-1.8, 0.8], d = 0.11). The time × group interaction on the improvement in “depression-dejection” was significant (P = .019). Conclusions Yokukansan does not increase the SC treatment’s success rate but has additional positive effects on the psychological states due to the SC treatment in smokers with depressive tendencies but without apparent mental disorders. Trial registration ID: UMIN000027036. Retrospectively registered at UMIN on April 18, 2017.

Abstract Aims Endothelial cell vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR‐2) plays a pivotal role in angiogenesis, which induces physiological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via paracrine signalling between endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. We investigated whether a decrease in circulating soluble VEGFR‐2 (sVEGFR‐2) levels is associated with poor prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Methods and results We performed a multicentre prospective cohort study of 1024 consecutive patients with HF, who were admitted to hospitals due to acute decompensated HF and were stabilized after initial management. Serum levels of sVEGFR‐2 were measured at discharge. Patients were followed up over 2 years. The outcomes were cardiovascular death, all‐cause death, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as a composite of cardiovascular death and HF hospitalization, and HF hospitalization. The mean age of the patients was 75.5 (standard deviation, 12.6) years, and 57% were male. Patients with lower sVEGFR‐2 levels were older and more likely to be female, and had greater proportions of atrial fibrillation and anaemia, and lower proportions of diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and HF with reduced ejection fraction (

Fermented tea consumption has been reported to alleviate diabetes and dyslipidemia, inducing an antiobesity effect. Here, we investigated the effects of microbial fermented tea and microbial fermented twig tea, which are made from Camellia sinensis by fermentation with Aspergillus sp., on glucose tolerance and metabolic syndrome in prediabetic subjects in a randomized, double-blind study. They were asked to consume the tea three times a day for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured as primary endpoints. After 12 weeks, fasting blood glucose level was significantly reduced in the microbial fermented twig tea group (n = 19) as compared with that in the microbial fermented tea group (n = 16, p = 0.017). There was no significant difference in the 2-hour OGTT and HbA1c values between the two groups. Triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the microbial fermented tea group than in the microbial fermented twig tea group at 12 weeks (p = 0.049).

Introduction Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) refers to a state in which cognitive functions, such as memory, have diminished but daily activities are largely unhampered. MCI is often overlooked but carries the risk of leading to development of dementia later. Curcumin is the main component of the natural herbal medicine turmeric. Curcumin is widely used as a health food and is an antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloid actions. The current trial was designed to determine the effects of curcumin on indicators of cognitive functioning.Methods and analysis The current trial will be a single-centre randomised placebo-controlled double-blind parallel group trial. The participants will be 60 members of the general public with potential MCI, based on dementia screening using the Japanese version of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE-J). The investigational health food used in this trial will be a recently developed preparation for highly absorbable oral curcumin. This trial will determine the effects of the highly absorbable oral curcumin (brand name: curcuRouge) on the indicators of cognitive functioning, including the scores obtained with the MMSE-J, which is an interview-based measure of cognitive functioning, and the blood biomarkers that have been reported to be associated with dementia.Ethics and dissemination Informed written consent will be obtained from all the participants. The Ethical Review Board of the National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center approved the study protocol.Trial registration number University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000042471).

Background: The risk for thromboembolism depending on the different age subgroups in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been fully elucidated. Methods: The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of patients with AF in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto. Follow-up data were available for 4,466 patients by the end of 2019. Clinical determinants and the description of variables which interact and lead to the incidence of thromboembolism (the composite of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism [SE]) were identified in overall population and in age subgroups (≤64, 65–74, and ≥ 75 years). Results: A total of 314 patients developed thromboembolism during the median follow-up of 1,610 days (1.56 per 100 person-years). The independent determinants were age advance (per 10 years, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–1.86, P

BackgroundCessation of smoking can markedly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, improve health economics, and benefit society. Aromatherapy has the potential to be a novel option as an adjuvant therapy for smoking cessation that may alleviate depressive symptoms. However, research on the efficacy of aromatherapy as an adjuvant therapy for smoking cessation is scarce. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the potential effects of aromatherapy on psychological states in smokers with depressive tendencies and to determine if it is reasonable to proceed to the next step (ie, a phase III trial). MethodsThis is a pre-post single-arm clinical trial. Smokers with depression will be subjected to aromatherapy during smoking cessation treatment for 12 weeks. We will evaluate changes in scores on the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and the Profile of Mood States from pretreatment screening to 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the start of aromatherapy. Moreover, we will compare the group treated with aromatherapy with the group that received standard treatment in our previous randomized controlled trial (ie, the control group in that study). Furthermore, we will compare successful smoking cessation rates after 12 weeks. In addition, we will conduct an exploratory analysis of the efficacy of aromatherapy. The target sample size is 100, which is the number of subjects expected to be enrolled in this study during the 2-year study period. ResultsThis study was approved by the Kyoto Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB approval No. 19-016). Enrollment started on July 1, 2019. As of May 2022, 76 patients have been recruited. In the original plan, recruitment should have been finished on June 30, 2021. However, the number of subjects decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the study inclusion period was extended by 1 year (ie, until the end of June 2022) with the approval of the IRB on May 17, 2021. Analyses of the results will be completed subsequently. ConclusionsThis study has some limitations. This is not a rigorous validation study because it compares the same subjects who received standard treatment in a previous study. Moreover, the sample size and methods of statistical analysis were not fully set with prior consideration of statistical rigor. To address these limitations, we plan to conduct a phase III trial that will reflect the exploratory findings of this study. This is the first study to evaluate the psychological effects of aromatherapy during a smoking cessation program, and it may help improve the quality of treatment for smoking cessation in the future. Trial RegistrationUMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000043102; https://tinyurl.com/tn3hvt9w International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/38626

ObjectiveType 2 diabetes is a risk factor for dementia. We investigated whether serum levels of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 2 (sTREM2), a soluble form of the cell surface receptor TREM2, were predictive of cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes without obesity.MethodsA total of 166 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes without obesity were followed-up for 2 years. We measured clinical parameters, assessed cognitive function using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), quantified and divided serum sTREM2 levels into quartiles, and examined the longitudinal associations.ResultsDuring the follow-up, HbA1c levels were elevated in 98 patients and decreased in 68 patients. In the HbA1c-elevated group, higher sTREM2 levels at baseline showed a significant association with a greater tendency for reduction in MMSE scores (P for trend = 0.015), whereas they were not significantly associated with other examined parameters. In the HbA1c-decreased group, there was no significant association between sTREM2 levels at baseline and changes in MMSE scores, but higher sTREM2 levels at baseline were significantly associated with a greater tendency for reduction in waist circumference (P for trend = 0.027), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P for trend = 0.039), and sTREM2 levels (P for trend = 0.023).ConclusionsGlycemic control is suggested to be important in preventing cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes without obesity. Higher serum sTREM2 levels would be a predictive marker for cognitive impairment in inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes without obesity.

Background The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on the prognostic utility of cardiovascular biomarkers in high‐risk patients remains unclear. Methods and Results We performed a multicenter, prospective cohort study of 3255 patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD) to investigate whether CKD modifies the prognostic utility of cardiovascular biomarkers. Serum levels of cardiovascular and renal biomarkers, including soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1), N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin‐I (hs‐cTnI), cystatin C, and placental growth factor, were measured in 1301 CKD and 1954 patients without CKD. The urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) was measured in patients with CKD. The primary outcome was 3‐point MACE (3P‐MACE) defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. The secondary outcomes were all‐cause death, cardiovascular death, and 5P‐MACE defined as a composite of 3P‐MACE, heart failure hospitalization, and coronary/peripheral artery revascularization. After adjustment for clinical confounders, sFlt‐1, NT‐proBNP, and hs‐cTnI, but not other biomarkers, were significantly associated with 3P‐MACE, all‐cause death, and cardiovascular death in the entire cohort and in patients without CKD. These associations were still significant in CKD only for NT‐proBNP and hs‐cTnI. NT‐proBNP and hs‐cTnI were also significantly associated with 5P‐MACE in CKD. The UACR was not significantly associated with any outcomes in CKD. NT‐proBNP and hs‐cTnI added incremental prognostic information for all outcomes to the model with potential clinical confounders in CKD. Conclusions NT‐proBNP and hs‐cTnI were the most powerful prognostic biomarkers in patients with suspected or known CAD and concomitant CKD.

Previous studies have reported that the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with onset and prognosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Smoking is a major risk factor for CVD and smoking cessation significantly reduces CVD risk. However, the effects of smoking cessation on the NLR remain unknown. Among smokers visiting our smoking cessation clinics, we examined changes in the NLR and CVD biomarkers before and after smoking cessation. A total of 389 individuals (301 men and 88 women) were enrolled in the study. The median NLR was significantly reduced after successful smoking cessation (before: 1.8, interquartile range [IQR] 1.5, 2.5; after: 1.7, IQR 1.3, 2.4). In a linear regression model adjusted for sex, percent change in NLR comparing before and after smoking cessation was significantly and positively correlated with percent changes in C-reactive protein (β = 0.260), α1-antitrypsin-low density lipoprotein (β = 0.151, p

Chronic inflammation plays a significant role in lifestyle-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and obesity/impaired glucose tolerance. Curcumin is a natural extract that possesses numerous physiological properties, as indicated by its anti-inflammatory action. The mechanisms underlying these effects include the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB and Toll-like receptor 4-dependent signalling pathways and the activation of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma pathway. However, the bioavailability of curcumin is very low in humans. To resolve this issue, several drug delivery systems have been developed and a number of clinical trials have reported beneficial effects of curcumin in the management of inflammation-related diseases. It is expected that evidence regarding the clinical application of curcumin in lifestyle-related diseases associated with chronic inflammation will accumulate over time.

Background Whether circulating growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF‐15) levels differ according to smoking status and whether smoking modifies the relationship between GDF‐15 and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease are unclear. Methods and Results Using data from a multicenter, prospective cohort of 2418 patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease, we assessed the association between smoking status and GDF‐15 and the impact of smoking status on the association between GDF‐15 and all‐cause death. GDF‐15 was measured in 955 never smokers, 1035 former smokers, and 428 current smokers enrolled in the ANOX Study (Development of Novel Biomarkers Related to Angiogenesis or Oxidative Stress to Predict Cardiovascular Events). Patients were followed up during 3 years. The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 94 years; 67.2% were men. Never smokers exhibited significantly lower levels of GDF‐15 compared with former smokers and current smokers. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the log‐transformed GDF‐15 level was independently associated with both current smoking and former smoking. In the entire patient cohort, the GDF‐15 level was significantly associated with all‐cause death after adjusting for potential clinical confounders. This association was still significant in never smokers, former smokers, and current smokers. However, GDF‐15 provided incremental prognostic information to the model with potential clinical confounders and the established cardiovascular biomarkers in never smokers, but not in current smokers or in former smokers. Conclusions Not only current, but also former smoking was independently associated with higher levels of GDF‐15. The prognostic value of GDF‐15 on mortality was most pronounced in never smokers among patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease.

Background VEGF‐D (vascular endothelial growth factor D) and VEGF‐C are secreted glycoproteins that can induce lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis. They exhibit structural homology but have differential receptor binding and regulatory mechanisms. We recently demonstrated that the serum VEGF‐C level is inversely and independently associated with all‐cause mortality in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease. We investigated whether VEGF‐D had distinct relationships with mortality and cardiovascular events in those patients. Methods and Results We performed a multicenter, prospective cohort study of 2418 patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease undergoing elective coronary angiography. The serum level of VEGF‐D was measured. The primary outcome was all‐cause death. The secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death and major adverse cardiovascular events defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. During the 3‐year follow‐up, 254 patients died from any cause, 88 died from cardiovascular disease, and 165 developed major adverse cardiovascular events. After adjustment for possible clinical confounders, cardiovascular biomarkers (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin‐I, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein), and VEGF‐C, the VEGF‐D level was significantly associated with all‐cause death and cardiovascular death but not with major adverse cardiovascular events.. Moreover, the addition of VEGF‐D, either alone or in combination with VEGF‐C, to the model with possible clinical confounders and cardiovascular biomarkers significantly improved the prediction of all‐cause death but not that of cardiovascular death or major adverse cardiovascular events. Consistent results were observed within patients over 75 years old. Conclusions In patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease undergoing elective coronary angiography, an elevated VEGF‐D value seems to independently predict all‐cause mortality.

Introduction Treatment using sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) 2 inhibitor and low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) for obesity and type 2 diabetes are similar in terms of carbohydrate limitation. However, their mechanisms of action differ, and the effects on the body remain unclear. We investigated the effects of SGLT2 inhibitor and LCD on body composition and metabolic profile using the db/db mouse model for obesity and type 2 diabetes.Research design and methods Eight-week-old male db/db mice were divided into four groups: mice receiving normal diet and vehicle or canagliflozin (Cana) administration and mice receiving LCD and vehicle or Cana administration for 8 weeks. Consumed calories were adjusted to be equal among the groups.Results Both Cana administration and LCD feeding resulted in significant weight gain. Cana administration significantly decreased plasma glucose levels and increased plasma insulin levels with preservation of pancreatic β cells. However, LCD feeding did not improve plasma glucose levels but deteriorated insulin sensitivity. LCD feeding significantly reduced liver weight and hepatic triglyceride content; these effects were not observed with Cana administration. Combined treatment with LCD did not lead to an additive increase in blood β-ketone levels.Conclusions SGLT2 inhibitors and LCD exert differential effects on the body. Their combined use may achieve better metabolic improvements in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Background Weight gain frequently occurs after smoking cessation (SC); the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus increases for several years after SC. However, no large-scale, randomized controlled trials have examined the effects of nutritional guidance on post-SC cardiovascular risk. The current trial will enroll individuals who successfully quit smoking with the help of a SC clinic and who gain weight, to determine the effects of nutritional guidance on cardiovascular, glucose, and lipid metabolism biomarkers. Methods/design This is a multicenter, prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Some 250 individuals who successfully quit smoking with the help of a SC clinic and who gain weight (an increase of ≥ 1.25% Body Mass Index (BMI) between the first and the fifth visit to the SC clinic) will be enrolled within 1 month of the final (fifth) visit to the SC clinic. These participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group (125 individuals receiving nutritional guidance) or a control group (125 individuals not receiving nutritional guidance). A registered dietitian will provide nutritional guidance once every 3 months for a total of three sessions. The primary endpoint for this trial will be the level of adiponectin, a predictor of cardiovascular risk that reflects weight and smoking status. Secondary endpoints will be levels of cardiovascular, glucose, and lipid metabolism biomarkers, BMI, abdominal circumference, and the percentage of individuals who quit smoking for a prolonged period. Discussion This trial will determine the benefits of nutritional guidance with respect to post-SC weight gain. The findings should provide useful information for devising a quality protocol for SC education to prevent cardiovascular disease. Trial registration The study is registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000030282). Registered on 6 December 2017.

Background: Depending on the characteristics of patients, the blood concentration of apixaban can unexpectedly increase, possibly leading to bleeding events. Anti-FXa activity reflects the apixaban blood concentration; however, measurement of this activity is both time-consuming and expensive. The current study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of routinely measured coagulation indices as future indicators of the efficacy and safety of apixaban. Methods: Eighteen nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients administered apixaban (average, 52.5 days) were prospectively enrolled in our hospital. The prothrombin time (PT) and the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were measured by using the Coagpia® Reagent kits. Results: The PT and the APTT increased significantly after the administration of apixaban (PT: p

The natural compound, curcumin (CUR), possesses several pharmacological properties, including p300-specific histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitory activity. In our previous study, we demonstrated that CUR could prevent the development of cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting p300-HAT activity. Other major curcuminoids isolated from Curcuma longa including demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) are structural analogs of CUR. In present study, we first confirmed the effect of these three curcuminoid analogs on p300-HAT activity and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Our results showed that DMC and BDMC inhibited p300-HAT activity and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy to almost the same extent as CUR. As the three compounds have structural differences in methoxy groups at the 3-position of their phenol rings, our results suggest that these methoxy groups are not involved in the inhibitory effects on p300-HAT activity and cardiac hypertrophy. These findings provide useful insights into the structure–activity relationship and biological activity of curcuminoids for p300-HAT activity and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Keywords: Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin, Bisdemethoxycurcumin, p300, Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

Drug repositioning has recently emerged as a strategy for developing new treatments at low cost. In this study, we used a library of approved drugs to screen for compounds that suppress cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We identified the antiplatelet drug sarpogrelate, a selective serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) receptor antagonist, and investigated the drug’s anti-hypertrophic effect in cultured cardiomyocytes and its effect on heart failure in vivo. Primary cultured cardiomyocytes pretreated with sarpogrelate were stimulated with angiotensin II, endothelin-1, or phenylephrine. Immunofluorescence staining showed that sarpogrelate suppressed the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by each of the stimuli. Western blotting analysis revealed that 5-HT2A receptor level was not changed by phenylephrine, and that sarpogrelate suppressed phenylephrine-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and GATA4. C57BL/6J male mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery followed by daily oral administration of sarpogrelate for 8 weeks. Echocardiography showed that 5 mg/kg of sarpogrelate suppressed TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction. Western blotting revealed that sarpogrelate suppressed TAC-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and GATA4. These results indicate that sarpogrelate suppresses the development of heart failure and that it does so at least in part by inhibiting the ERK1/2–GATA4 signaling pathway.

Objective Smoking is the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Nicotine is most harmful ingredients in cigarettes. Although there are many reports related on the effects of nicotine on cardiomyocytes, some reports showed nicotine induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis and other reports showed nicotine represses cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether nicotine induce/suppress of cardiomyocyte death and hypertrophy. Methods and Results First, we preformed MTT assay to evaluate the toxicity of nicotine in neonatal rat primary cultured cardiomyocytes. Treatment of 1mM nicotine did not damage cardiomyocytes compared to control. Next, cardiomyocytes were treated with nicotine for two hours, after this, stimulated with phenylephrine for 48 hours. Cardiomyocytes were immunostained with α-actinin antibody and measured cell surface area. Nicotine treatment did not induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy compared to control. Moreover, Nicotine did not suppress phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Finally, cardiac fibroblasts from neonatal rat heart were pretreated with 1 mM of nicotine for 2 hours and stimulated with TGF-β for 48 hr. Nicotine treatment did not significantly suppressed TGF-β-induced proline intake. Conclusion These results showed that nicotine did not affect directly cardiomyocyte toxicity and hypertrophy. Other compounds in cigarettes may have significant cardiac toxicity.

Objective Smoking is the world’s leading preventable cause of death. Smoking causes a number of atherosclerosis vascular diseases and contributes to the progression of chronic kidney disease. Serum cystatin C has a low molecular weight of 13 kDa and is produced constantly and is not affected by a decrease in muscle mass. Serum cystatin C is useful in evaluation of early renal dysfunction and serves as a cardiovascular prognostic marker. This study aimed to determine changes in serum cystatin C level after smoking cessation. Methods and Results In this study, patients who visited the smoking cessation clinic for the first time and succeeded in smoking cessation for 1 year were enrolled. Among the entire cohort of 86 patients, body mass index (BMI, P < 0.001) and waist circumference (WC, P < 0.001) increased significantly at 3 months after smoking cessation in comparison to the baseline values. These values were further increased significantly (BMI, P < 0.001; WC, P < 0.001) from 3 months to 1 year after smoking cessation. The serum cystatin C level decreased significantly at 3 months (P = 0.045) after smoking cessation, and remained unchanged (P = 0.482) from 3 months to 1 year after smoking cessation. The percent change from the baseline to 3 months after smoking cessation in serum cystatin C was correlated with the percent change in serum MCP-1 (P = 0.047). Conclusions The present study demonstrates that serum levels of cystatin C, a sensitive marker of atherosclerotic vascular, significantly reduced at 3 months after SC. AT-LDL may lead to the marker of future cardiovascular events in smoker.

Objective COPD is primarily caused by regular smoking and is associated with a high frequency of coronary artery disease. There is growing recognition that the inflammation in COPD is not only confined to the lungs but also involves the systemic circulation and can impact nonpulmonary organs, including blood vessels. α1-antitrypsin-low-density lipoprotein (AT-LDL) complex is an oxidized LDL that accelerates atherosclerosis. Curcumin, one of the best-investigated natural products, is a powerful antioxidant. However, the effects of curcumin on AT-LDL remain unknown. We hypothesized that Theracurmin®, a highly absorptive curcumin with improved bioavailability using a drug delivery system, ameliorates the inflammatory status in subjects with COPD. Methods This is a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. The subjects were men or women (age, 20–85 years) who met the following criteria: 1) patients with COPD at stage 0, I, or II according to the definition by the Japanese Respiratory Society and 2) patients who have never smoked at least for the past 4 months. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive 90 mg Theracurmin® or placebo twice a day for 24 weeks, and changes in inflammatory parameters were evaluated. Results There were no differences between the Theracurmin® and placebo groups in terms of age, male/female ratio, or body mass index in 39 evaluable subjects. The percent changes in blood pressure and hemoglobin A1c and LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels after treatment were similar for the two groups. However, the percent change in the AT-LDL level was significantly (P=0.020) lower in the Theracurmin® group compared with the placebo group. However, LDL-C, IL-6 and TNF-α were not changed. Conclusions Theracurmin® reduced levels of atherosclerotic AT-LDL, which may lead to the prevention of future cardiovascular events in patients with COPD.

Oxidative stress is enhanced by various mechanisms. Serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a useful prognostic marker in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease. To examine the effects of Theracurmin®, a highly absorbable curcumin preparation, on glucose tolerance, adipocytokines, and oxidized LDL, we conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled parallel group randomized trial in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We randomly divided the patients with impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and stable individuals into the placebo group and the Theracurmin® (180 mg daily for 6 months) group. Of the 33 patients analyzed, 18 (14 males and 4 females) were administered placebo and 15 (9 males and 6 females) were administered Theracurmin®. The patient characteristics did not differ between the two groups. The primary endpoint, HbA1c, did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the level of α1-antitrypsin-low-density lipoprotein (AT-LDL), the oxidized LDL, significantly increased (p=0.024) in the placebo group from the beginning of the trial up to 6 months, although there was no such change in the Theracurmin® group. The percentage change in BMI from the beginning of the trial up to 6 months tended to be higher in the Theracurmin® group than in the placebo group. Patients in the Theracurmin® group tended to have a larger percentage change in adiponectin and LDL-C than those in the placebo group. Patients in the Theracurmin® group showed a smaller percentage change in AT-LDL than those in the placebo group. This study suggests that the highly absorbable curcumin could potentially inhibit a rise in oxidized LDL in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. This trial is registered with UMIN000007361.

Background The lymphatic system has been suggested to play an important role in cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular disease. However, the relationships of vascular endothelial growth factor‐C (VEGF‐C), a central player in lymphangiogenesis, with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease are unknown. Methods and Results We performed a multicenter, prospective cohort study of 2418 patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease undergoing elective coronary angiography. The primary predictor was serum levels of VEGF‐C. The primary outcome was all‐cause death. The secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death, and major adverse cardiovascular events defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non‐fatal myocardial infarction, and non‐fatal stroke. During the 3‐year follow‐up, 254 patients died from any cause, 88 died from cardiovascular disease, and 165 developed major adverse cardiovascular events. After adjustment for established risk factors, VEGF‐C levels were significantly and inversely associated with all‐cause death (hazard ratio for 1‐SD increase, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.80) and cardiovascular death (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.53–0.87), but not with major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.72–1.01). Even after incorporation of N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, contemporary sensitive cardiac troponin‐I, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein into a model with established risk factors, the addition of VEGF‐C levels further improved the prediction of all‐cause death, but not that of cardiovascular death or major adverse cardiovascular events. Consistent results were observed within 1717 patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Conclusions In patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease, a low VEGF‐C value may independently predict all‐cause mortality.

Objective The expression level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is increased in atherosclerotic regions, inducing monocyte migration to the blood vessel wall. Although the serum MCP-1 concentration is higher in patients with than without cardiovascular disease, the precise correlations between the serum MCP-1 concentration and factors associated with smoking and atherosclerosis are unknown. Methods The serum MCP-1 concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 207 consecutive smokers who visited our smoking cessation clinic. Results Sex-adjusted analysis of smokers revealed that the MCP-1 concentration was positively correlated with age ( β = 0.311), smoking duration ( β = 0.342), systolic blood pressure ( β = 0.225), and diastolic blood pressure ( β = 0.137) but not with the body mass index. Multivariate regression analysis showed that smoking duration and systolic blood pressure were independent determinants of the MCP-1 concentration. Conclusions The MCP-1 concentration was positively correlated with blood pressure among smokers. Long-term smokers with high blood pressure may be more susceptible to plaque rupture at atherosclerotic lesion sites.

PURPOSE:The blood levels of Adiponectin, anti-inflammatory and anti-arteriosclerotic adipocytokine, decrease due to smoking and obesity. Cigarette smokers are generally known to gain weight after smoking cessation (SC). Nevertheless, precise changes in serum adiponectin levels after SC and specific effects of abdominal obesity on those changes remain unknown. The objective of this study was to elucidate the changes in serum adiponectin levels after SC and the effects of abdominal obesity on those changes. METHODS:In 86 patients (56 males and 30 females) who had successfully quit smoking, serum adiponectin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and 1 year after beginning SC. RESULTS:Body mass index and waist circumference (WC) were significantly increased 1 year after beginning SC. Adiponectin levels, however, did not change after SC. Using the median ΔWC (+2.8%) as the cutoff point, patients were then divided into two groups. The percent change in adiponectin levels from baseline to 1 year was significantly greater in the ΔWC < median group (-1.1%) than in the ΔWC ≥ median group (+8.1%) (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS:Despite weight gain and increased abdominal obesity, serum adiponectin levels did not decrease after SC. Therefore, the beneficial effect of SC may eliminate the adverse effects of subsequent weight gain. Conversely, patients with less abdominal obesity had increased adiponectin levels 1 year after SC. Therefore, in such patients, the beneficial effect of SC on adiponectin levels is apparent.

Abstract.: A natural p300-specific histone acetyltransferase inhibitor, curcumin, may have a therapeutic potential for heart failure. However, a study of curcumin to identify an appropriate dose for heart failure has yet to be performed. Rats were subjected to a left coronary artery ligation. One week later, rats with a moderate severity of myocardial infarction (MI) were randomly assigned to 4 groups receiving the following: a solvent as a control, a low dose of curcumin (0.5 mg∙kg−1∙day−1), a medium dose of curcumin (5 mg∙kg−1∙day−1), or a high dose of curcumin (50 mg∙kg−1∙day−1). Daily oral treatment was continued for 6 weeks. After treatment, left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening was dose-dependently improved in the high-dose (25.2% ± 1.6%, P < 0.001 vs. vehicle) and medium-dose (19.6% ± 2.4%) groups, but not in the low-dose group (15.5% ± 1.4%) compared with the vehicle group (15.1% ± 0.8%). The histological cardiomyocyte diameter and perivascular fibrosis as well as echocardiographic LV posterior wall thickness dose-dependently decreased in the groups receiving high and medium doses. The beneficial effects of oral curcumin on the post-MI LV systolic function are lower at 5 compared to 50 mg∙kg−1∙day−1 and disappear at 0.5 mg∙kg−1∙day−1. To clinically apply curcumin therapy for heart failure patients, a precise, optimal dose-setting study is required. Keywords:: curcumin, heart failure, hypertrophy, dose-dependency, p300

The accumulation of visceral adipose tissue is closely associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is important to identify genes that are required for adipocyte differentiation. To identify genes that are required for the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into mature adipocytes, we used retrovirus insertion-mediated random mutagenesis to generate 3T3-L1 cell lines that lose their ability to differentiate into mature adipocytes. One of the genes identified was TG-interacting factor (TGIF), a DNA binding homeodomain protein that has been demonstrated to suppress Smad-mediated activation of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-regulated transcription. In the TGIF-disrupted clone of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, the rate of differentiation into mature adipocytes was clearly reduced compared with that in the wild-type clone. Suppression of TGIF by lentivirus-mediated RNAi also inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Insulin specifically increased the abundance of TGIF protein, primarily by enhancing its stability. In addition, insulin caused the rapid accumulation of TGIF in the nuclei. Forced expression of exogenous TGIF repressed both endogenous and overexpressed Smad2/3-mediated promoter activity in 3T3-L1. These findings suggest that insulin specifically antagonizes TGF-β signaling in preadipocytes by stabilizing the putative Smad transcriptional corepressor TGIF and regulates adipocyte differentiation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of stroke and death. Data on the predictors for stroke and death in 'real-world' AF patients are limited, especially from large prospective Asian cohorts.The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey designed to enroll all AF patients who visited the participating medical institutions in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Follow-up data were available for 3,304 patients (median follow-up period 741 days). We explored the predictors for 'death, stroke, and systemic embolism (SE)' during follow-up in 1,541 patients not receiving oral anticoagulants (OAC) at baseline.The mean age was 73.1 ± 12.5 years, and 673 (44%) patients were female. The mean CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were 1.76 and 3.08, respectively. Cumulative events were as follows: stroke/SE in 61 (4%) and death in 230 (15%), respectively. On multivariate analysis, advanced age (hazard ratio (HR): 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24-2.29), underweight (body mass index

The mechanism of cardiac energy production against sustained pressure overload remains to be elucidated.We generated cardiac-specific kinase-dead (kd) calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase-β (CaMKKβ) transgenic (α-MHC CaMKKβkd TG) mice using α-myosin heavy chain (α-MHC) promoter. Although CaMKKβ activity was significantly reduced, these mice had normal cardiac function and morphology at baseline. Here, we show that transverse aortic binding (TAC) in α-MHC CaMKKβkd TG mice led to accelerated death and left ventricular (LV) dilatation and dysfunction, which was accompanied by significant clinical signs of heart failure. CaMKKβ downstream signaling molecules, including adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), were also suppressed in α-MHC CaMKKβkd TG mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator (PGC)-1α, which is a downstream target of both of CaMKKβ and calcium/calmodulin kinases, were also significantly reduced in α-MHC CaMKKβkd TG mice compared with WT mice after TAC. In accordance with these findings, mitochondrial morphogenesis was damaged and creatine phosphate/β-ATP ratios assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy were suppressed in α-MHC CaMKKβkd TG mice compared with WT mice after TAC.These data indicate that CaMKKβ exerts protective effects on cardiac adaptive energy pooling against pressure-overload possibly through phosphorylation of AMPK and by upregulation of PGC-1α. Thus, CaMKKβ may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of heart failure.

Cigarette smokers are generally known to gain weight after quitting smoking, and such weight gain is thought to contribute to the worsening of glucose tolerance. While smoking cessation therapy such as nicotine replacement is useful to minimize post-cessation weight gain, substantial gain occurs even during the therapy. The purpose of the present study was to identify factors associated with weight gain during smoking cessation therapy. We evaluated 186 patients(132 males and 54 females)who visited our outpatient clinic for smoking cessation, and successfully achieved smoking abstinence. We performed gender-adjusted regression analysis for the rate of BMI increase from the beginning of cessation to 3 months after initiation. Furthermore, we performed multivariate analysis to investigate factors that determine the BMI increase after smoking cessation. The mean BMI significantly (p

The mechanisms that lead from obesity to atherosclerotic disease are not fully understood. Obesity involves angiogenesis in which vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) plays a key role. On the other hand, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) plays a pivotal role in lymphangiogenesis. Circulating levels of VEGF-A and VEGF-C are elevated in sera from obese subjects. However, relationships of VEGF-C with atherosclerotic risk factors and atherosclerosis are unknown. We determined circulating levels of VEGF-A and VEGF-C in 423 consecutive subjects not receiving any drugs at the Health Evaluation Center. After adjusting for age and gender, VEGF-A levels were significantly and more strongly correlated with the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference than VEGF-C. Conversely, VEGF-C levels were significantly and more closely correlated with metabolic (e.g., fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, immunoreactive insulin, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) and lipid parameters (e.g., triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and non-high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C)) than VEGF-A. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that independent determinants of VEGF-A were the BMI and age, whereas strong independent determinants of VEGF-C were age, triglycerides, and non-HDL-C. In apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a high-fat-diet (HFD) or normal chow (NC) for 16 weeks, levels of VEGF-A were not significantly different between the two groups. However, levels of VEGF-C were significantly higher in HFD mice with advanced atherosclerosis and marked hypercholesterolemia than NC mice. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry revealed that the expression of VEGF-C in atheromatous plaque of the aortic sinus was significantly intensified by feeding HFD compared to NC, while that of VEGF-A was not. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that VEGF-C, rather than VEGF-A, is closely related to dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of heart failure (HF); however, little is known regarding the risk stratification for incident HF in AF patients, especially with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods and results: The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients. From the registry, 3002 non-valvular AF patients with preserved LVEF and with the data of antero-posterior left atrial diameter (LAD) at enrolment were investigated. Patients were stratified by LAD (<40, 40-44, 45-49, and ≥50 mm) with backgrounds and HF hospitalization incidences compared between groups. Of 3002 patients [mean age, 73.5 ± 10.7 years; women, 1226 (41%); paroxysmal AF, 1579 (53%); and mean CHA2DS2-VASc score, 3.3 ± 1.7], the mean LAD was 43 ± 8 mm. Patients with larger LAD were older and less often paroxysmal AF, with a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (all P < 0.001). Heart failure hospitalization occurred in 412 patients during the median follow-up period of 6.0 years. Larger LAD was independently associated with a higher HF hospitalization risk [LAD ≥ 50 mm: hazard ratio (HR), 2.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.75-3.18; LAD 45-49 mm: HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.37-2.46; and LAD 40-44 mm: HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.78, compared with LAD < 40 mm) after adjustment by age, sex, AF type, and CHA2DS2-VASc score. These results were also consistent across major subgroups, showing no significant interaction. Conclusion: Left atrial diameter is significantly associated with the risk of incident HF in AF patients with preserved LVEF, suggesting the utility of LAD regarding HF risk stratification for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Smoking is a significant risk factor for gingivitis and has detrimental effects on both oral health and the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to evaluate the association between cardiovascular biomarkers and gingival bleeding among smokers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study comprising 60 smokers (mean age, 59.9±13.7 years) was conducted at an outpatient smoking cessation clinic. The smokers were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of gingival bleeding, which was assessed by probing. α1-antitrypsin low-density lipoprotein complex (AT-LDL), an oxidatively modified LDL complex, causes progressive atherosclerosis. The clinical characteristics and blood markers including AT-LDL levels were measured in these patients. Results: Significantly higher (p=0.03) levels of AT-LDL, an oxidized LDL complex that promotes atherosclerosis, were observed among smokers with no gingival bleeding on probing when compared to that among smokers with gingival bleeding. The pocket depths in smokers without gingival bleeding were significantly (p=0.04) lower than those among smokers with gingival bleeding. Conclusion: The absence of gingival bleeding among smokers was associated with higher levels of AT-LDL. These findings could indicate reduced blood flow due to atherosclerosis among smokers with no gingival bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]