Browsing by Author "Contreras-Duarte, Susana"

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    Attenuation of atherogenic apo B-48-dependent hyperlipidemia and high density lipoprotein remodeling induced by vitamin C and E combination and their beneficial effect on lethal ischemic heart disease in mice
    (2018) Contreras-Duarte, Susana; Chen, P.; Andía Kohnenkampf, Marcelo Edgardo; Uribe Arancibia, Sergio A.; Irarrázaval Mena, Pablo; Kopp, S.; Kern, S.; Marsche, G.; Busso, Dolores; Rigotti Rivera, Attilio
    Abstract Background and aims Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is highly prevalent and its underlying pathogenesis involves dyslipidemia including pro-atherogenic high density lipoprotein (HDL) remodeling. Vitamins C and E have been proposed as atheroprotective agents for cardiovascular disease management. However, their effects and benefits on high density lipoprotein function and remodeling are unknown. In this study, we evaluated the role of vitamin C and E on non HDL lipoproteins as well as HDL function and remodeling, along with their effects on inflammation/oxidation biomarkers and atherosclerosis in atherogenic diet-fed SR-B1 KO/ApoER61h/h mice. Methods and results: Mice were pre-treated for 5 weeks before and during atherogenic diet feeding with vitamin C and E added to water and diet, respectively. Compared to a control group, combined vitamin C and E administration reduced serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels by decreasing apo B-48-containing lipoproteins, remodeled HDL particles by reducing phospholipid as well as increasing PON1 and apo D content, and diminished PLTP activity and levels. Vitamin supplementation improved HDL antioxidant function and lowered serum TNF-α levels. Vitamin C and E combination attenuated atherogenesis and increased lifespan in atherogenic diet-fed SR-B1 KO/ApoER61h/h mice. Conclusions Vitamin C and E administration showed significant lipid metabolism regulating effects, including HDL remodeling and decreased levels of apoB-containing lipoproteins, in mice. In addition, this vitamin supplementation generated a cardioprotective effect in a murine model of severe and lethal atherosclerotic ischemic heart disease.
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    Cholesterol uptake and efflux are impaired in human trophoblast cells from pregnancies with maternal supraphysiological hypercholesterolemia
    (2020) Fuenzalida, Barbara; Cantin, Claudette; Kallol, Sampada; Carvajal, Lorena; Pasten, Valentina; Contreras-Duarte, Susana; Albrecht, Christiane; Gutierrez, Jaime; Leiva, Andrea
    Maternal physiological (MPH) or supraphysiological hypercholesterolaemia (MSPH) occurs during pregnancy. Cholesterol trafficking from maternal to foetal circulation requires the uptake of maternal LDL and HDL by syncytiotrophoblast and cholesterol efflux from this multinucleated tissue to ApoA-I and HDL. We aimed to determine the effects of MSPH on placental cholesterol trafficking. Placental tissue and primary human trophoblast (PHT) were isolated from pregnant women with total cholesterol <280 md/dL (MPH, n = 27) or >= 280 md/dL (MSPH, n = 28). The lipid profile in umbilical cord blood from MPH and MSPH neonates was similar. The abundance of LDL receptor (LDLR) and HDL receptor (SR-BI) was comparable between MSPH and MPH placentas. However, LDLR was localized mainly in the syncytiotrophoblast surface and was associated with reduced placental levels of its ligand ApoB. In PHT from MSPH, the uptake of LDL and HDL was lower compared to MPH, without changes in LDLR and reduced levels of SR-BI. Regarding cholesterol efflux, in MSPH placentas, the abundance of cholesterol transporter ABCA1 was increased, while ABCG1 and SR-BI were reduced. In PHT from MSPH, the cholesterol efflux to ApoA-I was increased and to HDL was reduced, along with reduced levels of ABCG1, compared to MPH. Inhibition of SR-BI did not change cholesterol efflux in PHT. The TC content in PHT was comparable in MPH and MSPH cells. However, free cholesterol was increased in MSPH cells. We conclude that MSPH alters the trafficking and content of cholesterol in placental trophoblasts, which could be associated with changes in the placenta-mediated maternal-to-foetal cholesterol trafficking.
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    Connexin 43 Hemichannel Activity Promoted by Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and High Glucose Alters Endothelial Cell Function
    (2018) Sáez, Juan Carlos; Contreras-Duarte, Susana; Gomez, Gonzalo I.; Labra, Valeria C.; Santibanez, Cristian A.; Gajardo Gómez, Rosario; Avendano, Beatriz C.; Diaz, Esteban F.; Montero, Trinidad D.; Velarde, Victoria; Orellana Roca, Juan Andrés
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    Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Treatment Schemes Modify Maternal Plasma Cholesterol Levels Dependent to Women's Weight: Possible Impact on Feto-Placental Vascular Function
    (2020) Contreras-Duarte, Susana; Carvajal, Lorena; Jesus Garchitorena, Maria; Subiabre, Mario; Fuenzalida, Barbara; Cantin, Claudette; Farias, Marcelo; Leiva, Andrea
    Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) associates with fetal endothelial dysfunction (ED), which occurs independently of adequate glycemic control. Scarce information exists about the impact of different GDM therapeutic schemes on maternal dyslipidemia and obesity and their contribution to the development of fetal-ED. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GDM-treatments on lipid levels in nonobese (N) and obese (O) pregnant women and the effect of maternal cholesterol levels in GDM-associated ED in the umbilical vein (UV). O-GDM women treated with diet showed decreased total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) levels with respect to N-GDM ones. Moreover, O-GDM women treated with diet in addition to insulin showed higher TC and LDL levels than N-GDM women. The maximum relaxation to calcitonin gene-related peptide of the UV rings was lower in the N-GDM group compared to the N one, and increased maternal levels of TC were associated with even lower dilation in the N-GDM group. We conclude that GDM-treatments modulate the TC and LDL levels depending on maternal weight. Additionally, increased TC levels worsen the GDM-associated ED of UV rings. This study suggests that it could be relevant to consider a specific GDM-treatment according to weight in order to prevent fetal-ED, as well as to consider the possible effects of maternal lipids during pregnancy.
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    Small extracellular vesicles from pregnant women with maternal supraphysiological hypercholesterolemia impair endothelial cell function in vitro
    (2023) Contreras-Duarte, Susana; Escalona-Rivano, Rodrigo; Cantin, Claudette; Valdivia, Pascuala; Zapata, David; Carvajal, Lorena; Brito, Roberto; Cerda, Alvaro; Illanes, Sebastian; Gutierrez, Jaime; Leiva, Andrea
    Maternal physiological hypercholesterolemia MPH, maternal total cholesterol (TC) levels at term of pregnancy <280 mg/dL) occurs to assure fetal development. Maternal supraphysiological hypercholesterolemia (MSPH, TC levels >280 mg/dL) is a pathological condition associated with maternal, placental, and fetal endothelial dysfunction and early neonatal atherosclerosis development. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are delivered to the extracellular space by different cells, where they modulate cell functions by transporting active signaling molecules, including proteins and miRNA.Aim: To determine whether sEVs from MSPH women could alter the function of endothelial cells (angiogenesis, endothelial activation and nitric oxide synthesis capacity).Methods: This study included 24 Chilean women (12 MPH and 12 MSPH). sEVs were isolated from maternal plasma and characterized by sEV markers (CD9, Alix and HSP70), nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and protein and cholesterol content. The endothelial cell line HMEC-1 was used to determine the uptake of labeled sEVs and the effects of sEVs on cell viability, endothelial tube formation, endothelial cell activation, and endothelial nitric oxide expression and function.Results: In MSPH women, the plasma concentration of sEVs was increased compared to that in MPH women. MSPH-sEVs were highly taken up by HMEC-1 cells and reduced angiogenic capacity and the expression and activity of eNOS without changing cell viability or endothelial activation compared to MPH-sEVs. Conclusion: sEVs from MSPH women impair angiogenesis and nitric oxide synthesis in endothelial cells, which could contribute to MSPH-associated endothelial dysfunction.