Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare, autosomal recessive, neuromuscular disease caused by biallelic loss of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, resulting in motor neuron dysfunction. In this ...STR1VE-EU study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of onasemnogene abeparvovec gene replacement therapy in infants with spinal muscular atrophy type 1, using broader eligibility criteria than those used in STR1VE-US.
STR1VE-EU was a multicentre, single-arm, single-dose, open-label phase 3 trial done at nine sites (hospitals and universities) in Italy (n=4), the UK (n=2), Belgium (n=2), and France (n=1). We enrolled patients younger than 6 months (180 days) with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 and the common biallelic pathogenic SMN1 exon 7–8 deletion or point mutations, and one or two copies of SMN2. Patients received a one-time intravenous infusion of onasemnogene abeparvovec (1·1 × 1014 vector genomes vg/kg). The outpatient follow-up consisted of assessments once per week starting at day 7 post-infusion for 4 weeks and then once per month until the end of the study (at age 18 months or early termination). The primary outcome was independent sitting for at least 10 s, as defined by the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study, at any visit up to the 18 months of age study visit, measured in the intention-to-treat population. Efficacy was compared with the Pediatric Neuromuscular Clinical Research (PNCR) natural history cohort. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03461289 (completed).
From Aug 16, 2018, to Sept 11, 2020, 41 patients with spinal muscular atrophy were assessed for eligibility. The median age at onasemnogene abeparvovec dosing was 4·1 months (IQR 3·0–5·2). 32 (97%) of 33 patients completed the study and were included in the ITT population (one patient was excluded despite completing the study because of dosing at 181 days). 14 (44%, 97·5% CI 26–100) of 32 patients achieved the primary endpoint of functional independent sitting for at least 10 s at any visit up to the 18 months of age study visit (vs 0 of 23 untreated patients in the PNCR cohort; p<0·0001). 31 (97%, 95% CI 91–100) of 32 patients in the ITT population survived free from permanent ventilatory support at 14 months compared with six (26%, 8–44) of 23 patients in the PNCR natural history cohort (p<0·0001). 32 (97%) of 33 patients had at least one adverse event and six (18%) had adverse events that were considered serious and related to onasemnogene abeparvovec. The most common adverse events were pyrexia (22 67% of 33), upper respiratory infection (11 33%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (nine 27%). One death, unrelated to the study drug, occurred from hypoxic-ischaemic brain damage because of a respiratory tract infection during the study.
STR1VE-EU showed efficacy of onasemnogene abeparvovec in infants with symptomatic spinal muscular atrophy type 1. No new safety signals were identified, but further studies are needed to show long-term safety. The benefit–risk profile of onasemnogene abeparvovec seems favourable for this patient population, including those with severe disease at baseline.
Novartis Gene Therapies.
Doxorubicin (Dox), a widely used chemotherapy drug, can also cause cardiotoxic effects leading to heart failure. The excessive oxidative stress caused by Dox results in the modification of a variety ...of cellular molecules, including phospholipids. In cardiomyocytes, Dox increases oxidation of a species of phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine, which has been associated with increased cell death. Oxidized phospholipids (Ox-PL) are involved in development and progression of various pathologies, including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and tissue inflammation. Moreover, Ox-PL and excess iron are associated with ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death. Neutralizing Ox-PL increases resistance to ischemia-reperfusion injuries which is linked to preservation of the mitochondrial membrane potential. This review aims to discuss the potential role of Ox-PL in Dox-induced pathology and supports the notion that a better understanding of the field could point to new strategies to prevent cardiotoxicity.
•Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is an unfortunate side effect of this drug.•Doxorubicin causes upregulation of oxidized phospholipids in cardiomyocytes.•Oxidization of phospholipids triggers ferroptosis and mitochondrial mediated death.
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury increases the generation of oxidized phosphatidylcholines (OxPCs), which results in cell death. However, the mechanism by which OxPCs mediate cell death ...and cardiac dysfunction is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms by which OxPC triggers cardiomyocyte cell death during reperfusion injury. Adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were treated with increasing concentrations of various purified fragmented OxPCs. Cardiomyocyte viability, bioenergetic response, and calcium transients were determined in the presence of OxPCs. Five different fragmented OxPCs resulted in a decrease in cell viability, with 1-palmitoyl-2-(5'-oxo-valeroyl)-
-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POVPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-(9'-oxo-nonanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PONPC) having the most potent cardiotoxic effect in both a concentration and time dependent manner (
< 0.05). POVPC and PONPC also caused a significant decrease in Ca
transients and net contraction in isolated cardiomyocytes compared to vehicle treated control cells (
< 0.05). PONPC depressed maximal respiration rate (
< 0.01; 54%) and spare respiratory capacity (
< 0.01; 54.5%). Notably, neither caspase 3 activation or TUNEL staining was observed in cells treated with either POVPC or PONPC. Further, cardiac myocytes treated with OxPCs were indistinguishable from vehicle-treated control cells with respect to nuclear high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGBP1) activity. However, glutathione peroxidase 4 activity was markedly suppressed in cardiomyocytes treated with POVPC and PONPC coincident with increased ferroptosis. Importantly, cell death induced by OxPCs could be suppressed by E06 Ab, directed against OxPCs or by ferrostatin-1, which bound the sn-2 aldehyde of POVPC during I/R. The findings of the present study demonstrate that oxidation of phosphatidylcholines during I/R generate bioactive phospholipid intermediates that disrupt mitochondrial bioenergetics and calcium transients and provoke wide spread cell death through ferroptosis. Neutralization of OxPC with E06 or with ferrostatin-1 prevents cell death during reperfusion. Our study demonstrates a novel signaling pathway that operationally links generation of OxPC during cardiac I/R to ferroptosis. Interventions designed to target OxPCs may prove beneficial in mitigating ferroptosis during I/R injury in individuals with ischemic heart disease.
Oxidized phosphatidylcholines (OxPC) generated during reperfusion injury are potent inducers of cardiomyocyte death. Our studies have shown that OxPCs exert this effect through a ferroptotic process that can be attenuated. A better understanding of the OxPC cell death pathway can prove a novel strategy for prevention of cell death during myocardial reperfusion injury.
Flaxseed contains ω-3 fatty acids, lignans, and fiber that together may provide benefits to patients with cardiovascular disease. Animal work identified that patients with peripheral artery disease ...may particularly benefit from dietary supplementation with flaxseed. Hypertension is commonly associated with peripheral artery disease. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of daily ingestion of flaxseed on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in peripheral artery disease patients. In this prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, patients (110 in total) ingested a variety of foods that contained 30 g of milled flaxseed or placebo each day over 6 months. Plasma levels of the ω-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid and enterolignans increased 2- to 50-fold in the flaxseed-fed group but did not increase significantly in the placebo group. Patient body weights were not significantly different between the 2 groups at any time. SBP was ≈ 10 mm Hg lower, and DBP was ≈ 7 mm Hg lower in the flaxseed group compared with placebo after 6 months. Patients who entered the trial with a SBP ≥ 140 mm Hg at baseline obtained a significant reduction of 15 mm Hg in SBP and 7 mm Hg in DBP from flaxseed ingestion. The antihypertensive effect was achieved selectively in hypertensive patients. Circulating α-linolenic acid levels correlated with SBP and DBP, and lignan levels correlated with changes in DBP. In summary, flaxseed induced one of the most potent antihypertensive effects achieved by a dietary intervention.
The aim of this study was to determine the individual oxidized phosphatidylcholine (OxPC) molecules generated during renal ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R) injury.
Kidney ischemia was induced in male ...Sprague-Dawley rats by clamping the left renal pedicle for 45 min followed by reperfusion for either 6h or 24h. Kidney tissue was subjected to lipid extraction. Phospholipids and OxPC species were identified and quantitated using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry using internal standards.
We identified fifty-five distinct OxPC in rat kidney following I/R injury. These included a variety of fragmented (aldehyde and carboxylic acid containing species) and non-fragmented products. 1-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (SLPC-OH), which is a non-fragmented OxPC and 1-palmitoyl-2-azelaoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAzPC), which is a fragmented OxPC, were the most abundant OxPC species after 6h and 24 h I/R respectively. Total fragmented aldehyde OxPC were significantly higher in 6h and 24h I/R groups compared to sham operated groups (P = 0.03, 0.001 respectively). Moreover, levels of aldehyde OxPC at 24h I/R were significantly greater than those in 6h I/R (P = 0.007). Fragmented carboxylic acid increased significantly in 24h I/R group compared with sham and 6h I/R groups (P = 0.001, 0.001). Moreover, levels of fragmented OxPC were significantly correlated with creatinine levels (r = 0.885, P = 0.001). Among non-fragmented OxPC, only isoprostanes were elevated significantly in 6h I/R group compared with sham group but not in 24h I/R group (P = 0.01). No significant changes were observed in other non-fragmented OxPC including long chain products and terminal furans.
We have shown for the first time that bioactive OxPC species are produced in renal I/R and their levels increase with increasing time of reperfusion in a kidney model of I/R and correlate with severity of I/R injury. Given the pathological activity of fragmented OxPCs, therapies focused on their reduction may be a mechanism to attenuate renal I/R injury.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Aims
Myocardial ischaemia followed by reperfusion (IR) causes an oxidative burst resulting in cellular dysfunction. Little is known about the impact of oxidative stress on cardiomyocyte ...lipids and their role in cardiac cell death. Our goal was to identify oxidized phosphatidylcholine-containing phospholipids (OxPL) generated during IR, and to determine their impact on cell viability and myocardial infarct size.
Methods and results
OxPL were quantitated in isolated rat cardiomyocytes using mass spectrophotometry following 24 h of IR. Cardiomyocyte cell death was quantitated following exogenously added OxPL and in the absence or presence of E06, a ‘natural’ murine monoclonal antibody that binds to the PC headgroup of OxPL. The impact of OxPL on mitochondria in cardiomyocytes was also determined using cell fractionation and Bnip expression. Transgenic Ldlr−/− mice, overexpressing a single-chain variable fragment of E06 (Ldlr−/−-E06-scFv-Tg) were used to assess the effect of inactivating endogenously generated OxPL in vivo on myocardial infarct size. Following IR in vitro, isolated rat cardiomyocytes showed a significant increase in the specific OxPLs PONPC, POVPC, PAzPC, and PGPC (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001 for all). Exogenously added OxPLs resulted in significant death of rat cardiomyocytes, an effect inhibited by E06 (percent cell death with added POVPC was 22.6 ± 4.14% and with PONPC was 25.3 ± 3.4% compared to 8.0 ± 1.6% and 6.4 ± 1.0%, respectively, with the addition of E06, P < 0.05 for both). IR increased mitochondrial content of OxPL in rat cardiomyocytes and also increased expression of Bcl-2 death protein 3 (Bnip3), which was inhibited in presence of E06. Notably cardiomyocytes with Bnip3 knock-down were protected against cytotoxic effects of OxPL. In mice exposed to myocardial IR in vivo, compared to Ldlr−/− mice, Ldlr−/−-E06-scFv-Tg mice had significantly smaller myocardial infarct size normalized to area at risk (72.4 ± 21.9% vs. 47.7 ± 17.6%, P = 0.023).
Conclusions
OxPL are generated within cardiomyocytes during IR and have detrimental effects on cardiomyocyte viability. Inactivation of OxPL in vivo results in a reduction of infarct size.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation rTMS is increasingly being used to treat Major Depressive Disorder MDD. Given that not all patients respond to rTMS, it would be clinically useful to have ...reliable biomarkers that predict treatment response. Oxidized phosphatidylcholine OxPC and some oxylipins are important plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Not only is depression associated with oxidative stress, but rTMS has been shown to have anti-oxidative effects.
To investigate whether plasma oxolipidomics profiles could predict treatment response in patients with treatment resistant MDD.
Fourty-eight patients undergoing rTMS treatment for MDD were recruited along with nine healthy control subjects. Plasma OxPCs and oxylipins were extracted and analyzed through high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Patients with a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score Ham-D ≤7 post-treatment were defined as having entered remission.
Fifty-seven OxPC and 32 oxylipin species were identified in our subjects. MDD patients who entered remission following rTMS had significantly higher pre-rTMS levels of total and fragmented OxPCs compared to non-remitters and controls one-way ANOVA, p<0.05. However, no significant changes in OxPC levels were found as a result of rTMS, regardless of treatment response p>0.05. No differences in plasma oxylipins were found between remitters and non-remitters at baseline.
Certain categories of OxPCs may be useful predictive biomarkers for response to rTMS treatment in MDD. Given that elevated oxidized lipids may indicate higher levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, patients with this phenotype of depression may be more receptive to rTMS treatment.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
While snowfall makes a major contribution to the hydrological cycle in the Arctic, state-of-the-art climatologies still significantly disagree.Wepresent a satellite-based characterization of snowfall ...in the Arctic using CloudSat observations, and compare it with various other climatologies. First, we examine the frequency and phase of precipitation as well as the snowfall rates from CloudSat over 2007–10. Frequency of solid precipitation is higher than 70% over the Arctic Ocean and 95% over Greenland, while mixed precipitation occurs mainly over North Atlantic (50%) and liquid precipitation over land south of 70°N (40%). Intense mean snowfall rates are located over Greenland, the Barents Sea, and the Alaska range (>500 mm yr−1), and maxima are located over the southeast coast of Greenland (up to 2000 mm yr−1). Then we compare snowfall rates with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) interim reanalysis (ERA-Interim, herein ERA-I) and Arctic System Reanalysis (ASR). Similar general geographical patterns are observed in all datasets, such as the high snowfall rates along the North Atlantic storm track. Yet, there are significant mean snowfall rate differences over the Arctic between 58° and 82°N between ERA-I (153 mm yr−1), ASR version 1 (206 mm yr−1), ASR version 2 (174 mm yr−1), and CloudSat (183 mm yr−1). Snowfall rates and differences are larger over Greenland. Phase attribution is likely to be a significant source of snowfall rate differences, especially regarding ERA-I underestimation. In spite of its nadir-viewing limitations, CloudSat is an essential source of information to characterize snowfall in the Arctic.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•The first objective measure to enable tracking of respiratory function for type 1.•Scoring system focuses on ventilation, secretion management and subtype.•By month 18 of treatment, stabilisation of ...respiratory score noted for all patients.
Nusinersen (NUS), the first treatment approved for Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 1 (SMA1), was made available in the UK for SMA1 through the Expanded Access Program (EAP) in 2017. The Great Ormond Street Respiratory (GSR) score was developed as an objective respiratory assessment for children with SMA1 during their treatment. Aims: Track respiratory status of SMA1 children over the course of Nusinersen treatment and compare GSR scores amongst SMA1 sub-types. Single centre study on SMA1 patients using the GSR score at set time points: prior to first NUS dose; 2 weeks post end of loading doses; 2 weeks post-subsequent doses. GSR score ranges 1–28, being 1–9 = Stable minimal support, thorough to 23–28 = Poor reserve with maximum support. 20 SMA1 children underwent NUS treatment between January 2017 - November 2018. Median age of diagnosis was 5.0 months. NUS started at median of 9.57 months. From 5th dose onwards, GSR scores were significantly lower for Type 1C patients compared to Type 1B By month 18, irrespective of subtypes, the whole cohort appears to stabilise GSR Scores. As treatment duration increases, an overall stabilisation of respiratory status across the cohort was observed. Further longitudinal studies are needed to validate the GSR.
Dietary flaxseed is being studied as an alternative or complementary therapy to medications for reducing risk factors related to cardiovascular disease progression. The suggested benefits of ...alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) as an antihypertensive agent, of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) derived enterolignans as antioxidants and estradiol mimetics and dietary fiber for its role in cholesterol lowering are just some of the potential benefits of consuming flaxseed. These studies have progressed from dietary studies involving animal models to large-scale clinical trials with the ultimate goal of adopting its consumption by the general public. To promote adherence in long-term clinical trials and encourage its consumption by the general public, flaxseed in one of its various forms or as its isolated bioactive ingredients is either incorporated into food products, called functional foods, or sprinkled onto foods before consumption. The stability of these bioactives in any of these forms becomes crucial for its acceptance by these populations and in order to optimize its biological actions. The effects of the food matrix, food preparation processes and storage conditions are all factors that can influence bioactive stability and are discussed here.
•Flaxseed (FX) has phytochemicals with potential cardioprotective benefits.•ALA and SDG in whole FX are stable during various domestic processes.•Exposed ALA in milled FX and FX oil increases susceptibility of oxidation.•Adding milled FX or FX oil to baked goods may improve oxidative stability.•SDG content in defatted FX flour is influenced by fermentation, but not baking.