Arjil Pharmaceuticals LLC

A high-fat diet (HFD) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Many pure compounds have been demonstrated to be effective in treating cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the alleviating effects of oral ovatodiolide and antcin K (OAK) supplements on HFD-induced cardiovascular dysfunction in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-knockout mice. Cardiovascular dysfunction was induced in ApoE-knockout mice by feeding them an HFD for 12 weeks. The degree of cardiovascular dysfunction was assessed through echocardiography, hematological and biochemical analyses, and immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining. The HFD-fed mice exhibited cardiovascular dysfunction-abnormal blood biochemical index. The arterial wall tissue exhibited the marked deposition of lipids, upregulated expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and CD36 receptors, and downregulated expression of the ABCA1 receptor. Macrophages isolated from the peritoneal cavity of the mice exhibited increased levels of lipid accumulation, reactive oxygen species, and CD11b expression but reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. The expression of superoxide dismutase 2 was downregulated and that of tumor necrosis factor-α was upregulated in the myocardial tissue. Oral OAK supplements twice a day for 12 weeks significantly mitigated HFD-induced cardiovascular dysfunction in the experimental mice. Oral OAK supplements appear to be a promising strategy for treating HFD-induced cardiovascular dysfunction. The underlying mechanisms may involve the reduction of lipid accumulation in the artery and oxidative stress and inflammation in the cardiovascular tissue.

The gut microbiome supports immune health and influences gut and heart functions through the gut-heart axis. Synbiotics (SBT), combining probiotics and prebiotics, help restore microbiome balance. Chemotherapy often disrupts this balance, leading to adverse effects on the gut and heart. This study explores the potential of SBT supplementation in reducing heart and gut inflammation caused by doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy. The gut microbiome plays a vital role in immune health, and metabolites produced by gut bacteria contribute to physiological functions through the gut-heart axis. Chemotherapy drugs often disrupt these processes, leading to adverse effects on internal organs. Using 24 ICR male mice divided into four groups, the experiment assessed the impact of SBT on DOX-induced damage. Results indicated that DOX treatment significantly worsened survival rates, physical performance, heart function, and gut microbiome stability. However, co-treatment with SBT improved these markers, suggesting that SBT may help mitigate chemotherapy-induced side effects in cancer patients.