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Browsing by Subject "Atherosclerosis"

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  • Guillon, Melina (2023)
    Faculty: Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences Degree programme: Master’s Programme in Neuroscience Study track: Cell and Systems Physiology Author: Mélina GUILLON Title: Inflammatory activation of Macrophages by Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins in Atherosclerosis Level: Master’s thesis Month and year: August 2023 Number of pages: 38 Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Inflammation, Triglycerides-Rich Lipoproteins, Emulsion Particles Supervisor or supervisors: Dr. Katariina Öörni Where deposited: Helsinki University Library Additional information: Background: Inflammation is a key factor in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and is present at all phases. It has been shown that reducing inflammation by blocking cytokine pathways diminishes the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. Despite the well-established linked between lipoproteins and atherosclerosis, little is known on the specific effect of lipids on inflammation. In this study, we investigated the impact of triglycerides-rich lipoproteins’ (TRLs) lipids on inflammation in the context of atherosclerosis. Methods: TRLs were isolated and purified from pooled plasma of healthy volunteers, and emulsion particles (EPs) generated by sonication using lipids extracted from TRLs. TRLs and EPs were characterized in size, triglycerides, and cholesterol content. THP-1 cells were treated with EPs, TRLs, and modified EPs (oxidation, vortexed, and lipolysis with PLA2), and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) was detected with ELISA. Results: EPs were successfully synthesized by sonication using an ultrasonic probe. EPs induced cytokine secretion from THP-1 cells (N=4). Modified EPs (Oxidized EPs, vortexed EPs, and PLA2-treated EPs) did not increase cytokine secretion (N=4). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that TRLs’ lipids contribute to inflammation and that TRLs may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of ASCVD. Inflammatory properties of TRLs should be extensively investigated in the future for the development of preventive and curative strategies.
  • Bhalke, Monika (2020)
    Lipoproteins are biochemical carriers of the insoluble lipids. They are complexes combining lipids and proteins for the transport of lipids. Amongst the type of lipoproteins are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) which are prevalent in various diseases such as obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that are essential components of lipid metabolism and play a significant role in the human diet. Omega-3 PUFAs such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are derived from fish and are necessary for proper cardiovascular functioning. Because the human body is unable to produce enough quantities of some omega-3, diet is an important source for its availability. When a diet is rich in saturated fats, the above-mentioned diseases transpire. This study investigated how consumption of two fish diets, Lean fish and Fatty fish, influence the lipid species of human LDL particles. The lipid species analysed in this study are phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SM), and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and cholesteryl esters (CE), and triacylglycerols (TAG). A total of 42 volunteers with a history of impaired fasting glucose had randomly been divided into two groups: fatty fish (4 fish meals/week) and lean fish (4 fish meals/week) for 12 weeks. Blood samples had been collected from the volunteers before and after consumption of the fish meals and LDL particles had been isolated from the blood samples by ultracentrifugation. In this study, the lipids were extracted by Folch method, and the extracted lipids were analysed using Triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The lipid class profile did not change due to the two fish type diets. However, the consumption of fatty fish diet increased the levels of lipid species of PC, LPC, and CE containing EPA and DHA acyl chains, while decreasing levels of several TAG species. Lean fish induced minor changes in the lipid composition of LDL particles. Based on these results, fatty fish diet alters the plasma LDL lipidome profile with changes induced to both the surface and the core composition of the LDL particles in a positive way regarding cardiovascular health.