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Molecular Mechanisms of Obesity-Associated Vascular Disease

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 20082

Special Issue Editor

Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of Yamanashi Hospital, Chuo 4093898, Japan
Interests: diabetes; obesity; atherosclerosis; insulin resistance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research on the high prevalence of obesity throughout the world has increasingly focused on the association between body weight, cardiovascular risk factors, and clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). In particular, obesity is associated with numerous CVD co-morbidities such as atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm, and heart failure, as well as with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality and reduced life expectancy. This Special Issue of IJMS is focused on the molecular mechanisms of obesity-associated vascular diseases. We welcome unique and creative basic researches on the relationship among obesity, inflammation, and CVD and on adipose tissue-derived cytokines known to affect vascular homeostasis. We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Kyoichiro Tsuchiya
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • obesity
  • inflammation
  • cardiovascular disease
  • adipose tissue-derived cytokines

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Review

15 pages, 690 KiB  
Review
The Mechanisms of the Development of Atherosclerosis in Prediabetes
by Yin Liang, Mengxue Wang, Chen Wang, Yun Liu, Keiji Naruse and Ken Takahashi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(8), 4108; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22084108 - 15 Apr 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3957
Abstract
Lifestyle changes, such as overeating and underexercising, can increase the risk of prediabetes. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of atherosclerosis, and recently it became clear that the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis progresses even before the onset of diabetic symptoms. In addition to [...] Read more.
Lifestyle changes, such as overeating and underexercising, can increase the risk of prediabetes. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of atherosclerosis, and recently it became clear that the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis progresses even before the onset of diabetic symptoms. In addition to changes in platelets and leukocytes in the hyperglycemic state and damage to vascular endothelial cells, extracellular vesicles and microRNAs were found to be involved in the progression of prediabetes atherosclerosis. This review discusses the cellular and molecular mechanisms of these processes, with an intention to enable a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of prediabetes and atherosclerosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Obesity-Associated Vascular Disease)
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17 pages, 616 KiB  
Review
The Effects of Dietary Interventions on DNA Methylation: Implications for Obesity Management
by Andrea Maugeri
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(22), 8670; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21228670 - 17 Nov 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2477
Abstract
Previous evidence from in vivo and observational research suggested how dietary factors might affect DNA methylation signatures involved in obesity risk. However, findings from experimental studies are still scarce and, if present, not so clear. The current review summarizes studies investigating the effect [...] Read more.
Previous evidence from in vivo and observational research suggested how dietary factors might affect DNA methylation signatures involved in obesity risk. However, findings from experimental studies are still scarce and, if present, not so clear. The current review summarizes studies investigating the effect of dietary interventions on DNA methylation in the general population and especially in people at risk for or with obesity. Overall, these studies suggest how dietary interventions may induce DNA methylation changes, which in turn are likely related to the risk of obesity and to different response to weight loss programs. These findings might explain the high interindividual variation in weight loss after a dietary intervention, with some people losing a lot of weight while others much less so. However, the interactions between genetic, epigenetic, environmental and lifestyle factors make the whole framework even more complex and further studies are needed to support the hypothesis of personalized interventions against obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Obesity-Associated Vascular Disease)
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26 pages, 817 KiB  
Review
Adipokines, Myokines, and Cardiokines: The Role of Nutritional Interventions
by Pamela Senesi, Livio Luzi and Ileana Terruzzi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(21), 8372; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21218372 - 08 Nov 2020
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 5183
Abstract
It is now established that adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and heart are endocrine organs and secrete in normal and in pathological conditions several molecules, called, respectively, adipokines, myokines, and cardiokines. These secretory proteins constitute a closed network that plays a crucial role in [...] Read more.
It is now established that adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and heart are endocrine organs and secrete in normal and in pathological conditions several molecules, called, respectively, adipokines, myokines, and cardiokines. These secretory proteins constitute a closed network that plays a crucial role in obesity and above all in cardiac diseases associated with obesity. In particular, the interaction between adipokines, myokines, and cardiokines is mainly involved in inflammatory and oxidative damage characterized obesity condition. Identifying new therapeutic agents or treatment having a positive action on the expression of these molecules could have a key positive effect on the management of obesity and its cardiac complications. Results from recent studies indicate that several nutritional interventions, including nutraceutical supplements, could represent new therapeutic agents on the adipo-myo-cardiokines network. This review focuses the biological action on the main adipokines, myokines and cardiokines involved in obesity and cardiovascular diseases and describe the principal nutraceutical approaches able to regulate leptin, adiponectin, apelin, irisin, natriuretic peptides, and follistatin-like 1 expression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Obesity-Associated Vascular Disease)
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14 pages, 413 KiB  
Review
The Association between Excess Body Mass and Disturbances in Somatic Mineral Levels
by Weronika Banach, Karolina Nitschke, Natalia Krajewska, Wojciech Mongiałło, Oskar Matuszak, Józef Muszyński and Damian Skrypnik
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(19), 7306; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21197306 - 03 Oct 2020
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3077
Abstract
Background: Obesity and excess body weight are significant epidemiological issues, not only because they are costly to treat, but also because they are among the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2016, an estimated 40% of the global population was overweight, reflecting the [...] Read more.
Background: Obesity and excess body weight are significant epidemiological issues, not only because they are costly to treat, but also because they are among the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2016, an estimated 40% of the global population was overweight, reflecting the importance of the issue. Obesity is linked to metabolism malfunction and concomitantly with altered mineral levels in the body. In this paper, we review alterations in somatic levels of iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, iodine, chromium, selenium, and zinc in relation to excess body mass. Methodology: An electronic literature search was performed using PubMed. Our search covered original English research articles published over the past five years, culminating in 63 papers included for study. Results: The reviewed papers presented correlation between obesity and hypomagnesemia and hypozincemia. They also indicated that patients with excess body mass present increased body copper levels. Studies have similarly indicated that obesity appears to be associated with lower selenium levels in both blood and urine, which may be correlated with the decline and weakening of defenses against oxidative stress. It has been found that decreased level of chromium is connected with metabolic syndrome. Chromium supplementation influences body mass, but the effect of the supplementation depends on the chemical form of the chromium. It is hypothesized that obesity poses a risk of iodine deficiency and iodine absorption may be disrupted by increased fat intake in obese women. A range of studies have suggested that obesity is correlated with iron deficiency. On the other hand, some reports have indicated that excess body mass may coexist with iron excess. The relation between obesity and body iron level requires further investigation. Calcium signaling seems to be disturbed in obesity, due to the increased production of reactive oxygen species and low level of fast troponin isoform responsible for mediating calcium sensitivity of muscle relaxation. Correlation between excess body mass and calcium levels needs further research. Conclusions: Excess body mass is associated with alterations in mineral levels in the body, in particular hypomagnesemia and decreased selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) levels. Chromium (Cr) deficiency is associated with metabolic syndrome. Obese patients are at risk of iodine deficiency. Excess body mass is associated with elevated levels of copper (Cu). Data on the association between obesity and iron (Fe) levels are contradictory. Obesity coexists with disturbed calcium (Ca) signaling pathways. The association between obesity and body Ca levels has not been investigated in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Obesity-Associated Vascular Disease)
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21 pages, 1066 KiB  
Review
Vascular Homeostasis and Inflammation in Health and Disease—Lessons from Single Cell Technologies
by Olga Bondareva and Bilal N. Sheikh
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(13), 4688; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms21134688 - 30 Jun 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4902
Abstract
The vascular system is critical infrastructure that transports oxygen and nutrients around the body, and dynamically adapts its function to an array of environmental changes. To fulfil the demands of diverse organs, each with unique functions and requirements, the vascular system displays vast [...] Read more.
The vascular system is critical infrastructure that transports oxygen and nutrients around the body, and dynamically adapts its function to an array of environmental changes. To fulfil the demands of diverse organs, each with unique functions and requirements, the vascular system displays vast regional heterogeneity as well as specialized cell types. Our understanding of the heterogeneity of vascular cells and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their function is beginning to benefit greatly from the rapid development of single cell technologies. Recent studies have started to analyze and map vascular beds in a range of organs in healthy and diseased states at single cell resolution. The current review focuses on recent biological insights on the vascular system garnered from single cell analyses. We cover the themes of vascular heterogeneity, phenotypic plasticity of vascular cells in pathologies such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, as well as the contribution of defective microvasculature to the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Further adaptation of single cell technologies to study the vascular system will be pivotal in uncovering the mechanisms that drive the array of diseases underpinned by vascular dysfunction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Obesity-Associated Vascular Disease)
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