Publications

BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) and phosphatidylcholines (PCs) is linked to endothelial dysfunction and impaired tissue repair. Nevertheless, the organ-specific modulation of lysolecithin remodeling in T2DM remains unexplored. Here, we investigate the LPC/PC remodeling dynamics in a T2DM model and propose a novel therapeutic approach using an orally bioavailable peptide (SP6) derived from Spirulina platensis.

METHODS: LPC/PC levels were analyzed by UHPLC-HRMS. Membrane fluidity, VEGF/API5, LPCAT1, VE-cadherin, and GLUT1 were evaluated by merocyanine assay, qPCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence. In vivo, T2DM was induced by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin, and SP6 was orally administered. Tissue lipidomics, GLUTs expression, and insulin secretion were assessed, with the latter also spatially characterized in pancreatic tissue by MALDI-MS imaging.

RESULTS: High glucose induced LPC/PC imbalance, enhanced membrane fluidity, impaired VEGF/API5 expression, and hindered wound healing and VE-cadherin localization via LPCAT1 downregulation and subsequent impact on GLUT1 translocation. In vivo analysis of diabetic mice revealed a multi-organ influence of SP6 preserving LPCAT1 mRNA levels in pancreas, liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue and a specific pattern of lysolecithin remodeling, with selective modulation of LPC 16:0, 18:0, and 20:4 in plasma. Finally, its effects in T2DM are mediated by preserving insulin secretion and glycemic control through increased ATP production.

CONCLUSION: These findings reveal tissue-specific lysolecithin reprogramming in T2DM development and identify LPCAT1-mediated lysolecithin remodeling as a mechanism involved in T2DM-related endothelial and metabolic dysfunction. SP6 modulates lipid metabolism, vascular integrity, and glucose regulation at the transcript level, suggesting its potential as a new preventive treatment for T2DM and its complications.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a central regulator of cardiovascular function, coordinating involuntary control of heart rate, vascular tone, and blood pressure through its sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) subdivisions. The SNS mediates the "fight or flight" response via catecholamines, increasing heart rate, contractility, and vasoconstriction, whereas the PNS promotes restorative processes through acetylcholine, decreasing heart rate and enhancing vasodilation. Nitric oxide further modulates vascular tone and autonomic balance, serving as a key neuromodulator. Assessment of cardiovascular autonomic function relies on heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, and other physiological tests, which provide insight into the dynamic interplay between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. Dysregulation of the ANS contributes to cardiovascular pathologies, including cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, hypertension, and heart failure, where sympathetic overactivity and impaired parasympathetic modulation exacerbate disease progression. Pharmacologic interventions, such as β-blockers and ivabradine, alongside non-pharmacologic approaches, including structured exercise and respiratory training, aim to restore autonomic balance and improve clinical outcomes. Understanding the exact mechanisms of autonomic neurotransmission is essential for identifying novel therapeutic targets and optimizing cardiovascular care. Future research integrating molecular, genetic, and systems-level analyses will further elucidate autonomic regulation, guiding personalized interventions to mitigate cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Heart failure continues to impose a major global burden, with limited options for reversing progressive contractile dysfunction despite optimized pharmacologic and device therapy. In this context, the first-in-human trial of AB-1002, a cardiotropic adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector encoding a constitutively active form of protein phosphatase-1 inhibitor (I-1c) represents a major innovation. By releasing SERCA2a from phospholamban-mediated inhibition, this strategy seeks to restore calcium cycling and contractile reserve without introducing exogenous pump proteins. In an open-label phase 1 study of 11 patients with advanced nonischemic cardiomyopathy, intracoronary delivery of AB-1002 was well tolerated, with no serious vector-related adverse events and only mild transient hepatic enzyme elevations. Modest but consistent improvements were observed in LVEF, while myocardial tissue from one explanted heart confirmed successful transgene expression and phospholamban phosphorylation. These results demonstrate the feasibility and biological activity of a phosphatase-inhibition gene-therapy approach for human heart failure. The forthcoming phase 2 GenePHIT trial will determine whether these encouraging mechanistic signals can be translated into tangible clinical benefit. AB-1002 thus represents a cautiously optimistic inflection point-suggesting that, with improved vector design and rigorous evaluation, gene therapy may yet deliver on its long-sought promise of molecular restoration in the failing human heart.

Frailty and cardiometabolic disorders are highly prevalent in the aging population and frequently coexist, amplifying each other's adverse effects. Frailty, defined by decreased physiological reserves and heightened vulnerability to stressors, often occurs alongside cardiometabolic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The intersection of these conditions poses substantial clinical challenges, impacting morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Understanding the shared pathophysiological mechanisms underlying frailty and cardiometabolic disorders is critical for guiding effective prevention and management strategies. This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251164236), documents current knowledge on the definitions, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of frailty in the context of cardiometabolic disorders and highlights the main clinical implications of their coexistence. Additionally, we discuss evidence-based strategies for assessment, prevention, and management, emphasizing the importance of an integrated approach to improve outcomes in older adults. These insights aim to inform both clinicians and researchers about targeted interventions that can mitigate risk, enhance resilience, and optimize patient care.