Jianing Wang, Yuetong Li, Yuan Liu, Zihui Zhang, Heng Ma
{"title":"Traditional Chinese Medicine Targeting Ferroptosis in Cardiovascular Diseases: Advances and Perspectives.","authors":"Jianing Wang, Yuetong Li, Yuan Liu, Zihui Zhang, Heng Ma","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10769-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10769-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation and redox imbalance, has recently garnered significant attention for its critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Accumulating evidence suggests that ferroptosis contributes to a range of cardiovascular pathologies by disturbing iron homeostasis, promoting oxidative stress, and impairing mitochondrial function. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its multi-component and multi-target properties and relatively low toxicity, has shown unique therapeutic potential in modulating ferroptosis-related pathways. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of ferroptosis in CVDs and highlights the mechanisms by which TCM and its bioactive constituents influence ferroptosis. We further discuss the therapeutic implications and translational challenges, aiming to provide novel insights into ferroptosis-targeted interventions for CVDs from the perspective of TCM.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147690433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Siti Bazilah Zulkefli, Fathimah Mohamad, Nurul Alimah Abdul Nasir, Ahmad Nazrun Shuid, Nasibah Azme
{"title":"Mechanistic Insights into Therapeutic Strategies for Post- Menopausal Atherosclerosis: Evidence from an Ovariectomized Mouse Model.","authors":"Siti Bazilah Zulkefli, Fathimah Mohamad, Nurul Alimah Abdul Nasir, Ahmad Nazrun Shuid, Nasibah Azme","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10766-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10766-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women is a significant cardiovascular complication that is caused by estrogen deficiency, leading to increased inflammation and oxidative stress, and dysregulated lipid metabolism. The review summarizes the evidence gathered in ovariectomized mice models in order to determine mechanistic associations between different pharmacological therapeutic strategies and their impact on the progression of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal conditions. This review builds on an upstream hormonal signaling framework model of estrogen receptor-mediated pathways and the three main downstream mechanistic pillars: lipid handling, inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, and endothelial homeostasis. In this framework context, downstream consequence mechanisms, including PCSK9 regulation and ferroptosis, are analyzed along with emerging evidence linking estrogen deficiency to modulation of the gut microbiota. The evidence shows the complex interconnections among hormonal, metabolic, and vascular processes underlying postmenopausal atherosclerosis, providing a translational framework for applying therapeutic interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147580970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qi Li, Jiaxin Wang, Yilong Jiang, Fei Wang, Ming Liu, Donghong Yang, Xu Yan, Yue Wang, Haozhen Du, Qingsheng You, Kun Liu
{"title":"Baicalin Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Myocardial Ischemia/reperfusion Injury via Suppression of STING/NLRP3 Pathway.","authors":"Qi Li, Jiaxin Wang, Yilong Jiang, Fei Wang, Ming Liu, Donghong Yang, Xu Yan, Yue Wang, Haozhen Du, Qingsheng You, Kun Liu","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10765-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10765-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ischemic heart disease, as one of the major causes of morbidity worldwide, there is no effective therapy for preventing myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Baicalin, a flavonoid glycoside extracted from the Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, yet its effects in MIRI remain unclear. In the study, pretreatment with Baicalin (100 mg/kg, i.p.) markedly alleviated I/R-induced cardiac dysfunction, as shown by reduced serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and myocardial infarction. Baicalin also improved cardiomyocyte survival by increasing Bcl-2 and decreasing Bax and caspase-3/9 levels. In addition, Baicalin suppressed oxidative stress by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) while elevating glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Moreover, Baicalin inhibited the STING, NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β expression in vivo and in vitro. Crucially, amidobenzimidazole (ABZI), a STING agonist, reversed the cardioprotective effects of Baicalin. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that Baicalin exerted cardioprotective effects by attenuating apoptosis and oxidative stress through suppression of STING/NLRP3 activation.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147529318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yin Zhang, Wenlong Yang, Jinyan Zhang, Jixiang A, Jinye Shen, Zhiyong Qi, Juying Qian, Aijun Sun, Junbo Ge, Shuning Zhang
{"title":"The Gut Metabolite Phenylacetylglutamine Inhibits the Angiogenic Potential of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Via the β-Adrenergic Receptor-LDHA Axis.","authors":"Yin Zhang, Wenlong Yang, Jinyan Zhang, Jixiang A, Jinye Shen, Zhiyong Qi, Juying Qian, Aijun Sun, Junbo Ge, Shuning Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10764-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10764-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite, is associated with enhanced thrombosis. However, its impact on endothelial function and angiogenesis remains unclear. A murine hindlimb ischemia model was used to assess perfusion recovery. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation, migration, and tube formation were evaluated in vitro. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed for pathway enrichment analyses. Furthermore, glycolytic flux and enzyme expression were measured. Lentiviral lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) overexpression was performed both in vitro and in vivo. Elevated PAGln impaired blood flow recovery and inhibited HUVEC proliferation, migration and tube formation. β-receptor blocker zenidolol was able to reverse the adverse effects. PAGln downregulated glycolytic pathways, reduced proton efflux, and suppressed LDHA expression and lactate production. LDHA overexpression rescued PAGln-induced angiogenic impairment. The gut metabolite PAGln may suppress angiogenesis of HUVEC by targeting the β-receptors, subseqeuently inhibiting LDHA expression.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13013128/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147512354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laresh N Mistry, Sumeet Agarwal, Sankalp Dattaram Bhandarkar, Vivek Sharma, Himmat Jaiswal, Saudamini More
{"title":"The Microbial Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Disease: Oral Dysbiosis as a Systemic Instigator.","authors":"Laresh N Mistry, Sumeet Agarwal, Sankalp Dattaram Bhandarkar, Vivek Sharma, Himmat Jaiswal, Saudamini More","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10761-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10761-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oral dysbiosis, particularly through periodontal disease, links strongly to cardiovascular risks by driving chronic inflammation and microbial translocation. Key pathogens invade vascular tissues, triggering systemic cytokines and metabolites that damage endothelial function and promote atherosclerosis. This creates a vicious cycle where oral inflammation worsens heart disease progression. Clinical interventions like intensive periodontal therapy show promise, reducing blood pressure and inflammatory markers in at-risk patients, much like established lifestyle changes. Salivary microbial profiles emerge as early warning signs for vascular issues and poor outcomes. This review bridges epidemiology, mechanisms, trials, biomarkers, and practical strategies, clarifying causal gaps through structured evidence analysis. Future multi-omics research and standardized approaches will refine oral health's role in heart disease prevention, offering actionable public health steps.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147443653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xi-Long Zheng, Hao Yin, Zhihan Tang, Zhixin Shan, Xiaoyan Dai
{"title":"Glutaminase 1 in Vascular Disease: Linking Metabolic Reprogramming to Atherosclerosis Progression and Stability.","authors":"Xi-Long Zheng, Hao Yin, Zhihan Tang, Zhixin Shan, Xiaoyan Dai","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10743-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10743-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Glutaminase-1 (GLS1) converts glutamine to glutamate, fueling anaplerosis, redox defense, and biosynthesis. We synthesize animal, cellular, and human (bulk/single-cell) data to define cell- and stage-specific roles of GLS1 in atherosclerosis and to outline translational opportunities. In early disease, GLS1 drives vascular smooth muscle proliferation, endothelial sprouting, and inflammatory macrophage activation, promoting plaque growth and neovascularization. In advanced plaques, GLS1 sustains fibrous-cap VSMC survival, endothelial barrier function, and macrophage efferocytosis, limiting necrosis and enhancing stability; excessive glutamate may favor calcification. We also connect GLS1 to vascular senescence and ferroptosis. We propose precision use of GLS1 modulation: a proof-of-concept strategy is short-term telaglenastat (CB-839) after angioplasty to curb neointimal hyperplasia, guided by glutamine-PET and biomarkers to avoid destabilizing mature plaques. GLS1 emerges as a tunable metabolic checkpoint whose effects depend on cell state and disease stage; judicious, time-limited modulation could complement lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory therapies in cardiovascular disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147433063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura Florit Gonzalez, Mara Bouwman, Jeroen Bakkers
{"title":"Past, Present and Future of Regenerative Gene Therapy for Ischemic Heart Failure.","authors":"Laura Florit Gonzalez, Mara Bouwman, Jeroen Bakkers","doi":"10.1007/s12265-025-10731-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-025-10731-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite advances in heart failure management, current therapies largely focus on symptom relief and slowing disease progression, without reversing or preventing the underlying condition. As cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality, developing curative treatments is an urgent goal. Advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of heart failure, alongside insights into pathways that drive cardiac regeneration have opened new avenues for gene therapies aimed at restoring cardiac function. While several gene therapy candidates have advanced to clinical trials, their outcomes have been inconsistent, underscoring the challenge to translating preclinical success into clinical efficacy. In this review, we examine the current landscape of gene therapy strategies for ischemic heart failure, emphasize the importance of robust preclinical models in bridging the gap from bench to bedside, and highlight emerging regenerative approaches that aim to repair damaged myocardium and restore cardiac function.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147433086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yongchao Yu, Lan Wang, Tianhui Wang, Ya Zhang, Xiaomeng Su, Xingyang Dai, Xiangang Mo
{"title":"Comprehensive Analysis of Bulk RNA-seq, Machine Learning, Mendelian Randomization, and Single-Cell Sequencing Unravels SLC22A3 as a Solute Carrier Superfamily-Associated Biomarker in Atherosclerosis.","authors":"Yongchao Yu, Lan Wang, Tianhui Wang, Ya Zhang, Xiaomeng Su, Xingyang Dai, Xiangang Mo","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10757-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10757-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Growing evidence implicates solute carrier (SLC) superfamily in atherosclerosis (AS) pathogenesis. This study identified SLC22A3 as a novel AS biomarker and therapeutic target using multi-omics analysis. Integrating WGCNA and machine learning (LASSO, SVM-RFE, XGBoost, Random Forest) on bulk RNA-seq (GSE43292) pinpointed SLC22A3. External datasets (GSE28829, GSE163154) confirmed significant SLC22A3 downregulation in AS (P < 0.001) and high diagnostic accuracy (AUC > 0.9). SMR analysis revealed a causal genetic link between SLC22A3 expression and reduced AS risk (P < 0.05, OR = 0.512 (95% CI: 0.280-0.939))). scRNA-seq showed SLC22A3 specifically expressed in smooth muscle cells (SMCs), significantly reduced in symptomatic patients. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation nominated six FDA-approved drugs as potential SLC22A3-targeting therapeutics. Experimental validation further confirmed the significant downregulation of SLC22A3 at both mRNA and protein levels. SLC22A3 is a promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for AS, functionally linked to SMCs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147433051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ayman Alzu'bi, Ejlal Abu-El-Rub, Ramada R Khaswaneh, Mohammed Al-Zubaidi, Wissam Almomani, Abdelrahman Alenaizat, Adnan H Ayyash, Anas Alragheb, Anas Alshannag, Enas Ahmad, Mai Elaarag, Raed M Al-Zoubi
{"title":"Impact of E-Cigarette Use on Circadian Proteins and Cardiovascular Risk Markers.","authors":"Ayman Alzu'bi, Ejlal Abu-El-Rub, Ramada R Khaswaneh, Mohammed Al-Zubaidi, Wissam Almomani, Abdelrahman Alenaizat, Adnan H Ayyash, Anas Alragheb, Anas Alshannag, Enas Ahmad, Mai Elaarag, Raed M Al-Zoubi","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10762-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10762-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The increasing popularity of E-cigarettes among young adults has raised concerns about their health effects, particularly on the circadian system, which regulates critical physiological processes. This study examined how vaping influences circadian proteins and inflammatory markers, comparing these effects to those in cardiovascular disease patients. Blood samples from 254 participants, non-vaping controls (n = 90), regular vapers (n = 86), and cardiovascular patients (n = 78), were analyzed for circadian proteins (Melatonin, BMAL1, PER1, PER2, CRY1, CRY2) and inflammatory/oxidative stress markers (IFN-γ, MDA). Vaping significantly decreased Melatonin, PER1, PER2, CRY1, and CRY2, while BMAL1 remained unchanged. Elevated IFN-γ and MDA levels indicated increased inflammation and oxidative stress in vapers. Vaping induces circadian disruption patterns similar to cardiovascular disease, suggesting a potential mechanism linking e-cigarette use to increased cardiovascular risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12971915/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147389697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}