Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Mehmet Kanbay, Cem Tanriover, Sidar Copur, Ibrahim B. B. Peltek, Ali Mutlu, Francesca Mallamaci, Carmine Zoccali
Summary: Social isolation and loneliness are often overlooked conditions that have a negative impact on quality of life, overall health, and mortality. This review discusses the health consequences of these conditions, including potential causes, pathophysiological processes, associations with non-communicable diseases, and effects on health-related behaviors. It also explores current and novel management strategies. Healthcare professionals should be knowledgeable about social isolation and loneliness, thoroughly assess patients, and provide education and treatment options through shared decision-making. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and improve treatment strategies for these conditions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arvin Haj-Mirzaian, Kiana Ramezanzadeh, Siavash Shariatzadeh, Michael Tajik, Farima Khalafi, Armin Tafazolimoghadam, Mahla Radmard, Alireza Rahbar, Fardad Pirri, Kiarash Kazemi, Ayda Khosravi, Niloufar Shababi, Ahmad Reza Dehpour
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between chronic stress and atherosclerotic changes, focusing on the involvement of the HPA-axis, TLRs, and M1/M2 macrophage ratio. A novel finding was the potential role of TLR4 inhibitors in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis induced by chronic stress through regulating inflammatory responses and macrophage polarization.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Achamyeleh Birhanu Teshale, Htet Lin Htun, Jessie Hu, Lachlan L. Dalli, Michelle H. Lim, Barbara Barbosa Neves, J. R. Baker, Aung Zaw Zaw Phyo, Christopher M. Reid, Joanne Ryan, Alice J. Owen, Sharyn M. Fitzgerald, Rosanne Freak-Poli
Summary: Social health is closely related to cardiovascular disease, potentially mediated through its shared risk factors. However, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between social health and cardiovascular disease are poorly understood. Further research is needed to determine whether targeting certain social health constructs may directly improve cardiovascular disease risk factors.
ARCHIVES OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xuan Wang, Hao Ma, Xiang Li, Yoriko Heianza, Vivian Fonseca, Lu Qi
Summary: This study aims to investigate the prospective associations between loneliness and social isolation scales with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in diabetes patients and compare their relative importance with traditional risk factors. The results show that loneliness, but not social isolation, is associated with a higher risk of CVD and has an additive interaction with the degree of risk factor control.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Rosanne Freak-Poli, Joanne Ryan, Johannes T. Neumann, Andrew Tonkin, Christopher M. Reid, Robyn L. Woods, Mark Nelson, Nigel Stocks, Michael Berk, John J. McNeil, Carlene Britt, Alice J. Owen
Summary: Poor social health is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with social isolation and low social support being more important predictors than loneliness in healthy older adults. The study suggests that different social health domains should be considered in future cardiovascular risk prediction models.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nine E. Wolters, Lynn Mobach, Viviana M. Wuthrich, Peter Vonk, Claudia M. Van der Heijde, Reinout W. Wiers, Ronald M. Rapee, Anke M. Klein
Summary: Loneliness and social isolation are associated with depression, general anxiety, and social anxiety. Social loneliness is mainly explained by social isolation, while emotional loneliness is most strongly explained by social anxiety and depression. General anxiety is related to loneliness through depression.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jana Lieberz, Simone G. Shamay-Tsoory, Nira Saporta, Timo Esser, Ekaterina Kuskova, Birgit Stoffel-Wagner, Rene Hurlemann, Dirk Scheele
Summary: Loneliness is associated with decreased trust, larger social distances, and lower trustworthiness. Lonely individuals show reduced limbic and striatal activation, as well as weakened functional connectivity between the anterior insula and occipitoparietal regions during initial trust decisions.
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
June J. Pilcher, Logan L. Dorsey, Samantha M. Galloway, Dylan N. Erikson
Summary: This article provides a review of the relationship between social isolation and sleep, examining the impact of COVID-19 quarantines on sleep and sleep habits. The findings suggest that sleep was negatively impacted during the pandemic, although younger individuals were able to adapt their sleep patterns more easily. Understanding the effects of social isolation on sleep is crucial for individuals, work organizations, and governments.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Justyna Mojsa-Kaja, Klaudia Szklarczyk-Smolana, Ewa Niedzielska-Andres, Anna Kurpinska, Joanna Suraj-Prazmowska, Maria Walczak
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in prolonged social isolation and its negative impact on sleep and mental health. This study examines the role of insomnia as a mediator between social isolation and mental health outcomes, showing that insomnia mediates the relationship between social isolation and anxiety and depression.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hala Shokr, Irundika H. K. Dias, Doina Gherghel
Summary: The study found that oxysterol levels are related to retinal microvascular function, and abnormal levels of oxysterols may indicate early risk for cardiovascular diseases as individuals age.
Review
Psychiatry
Aparna Das, Kalpana P. Padala, Christina G. Crawford, Alan Teo, Diana M. Mendez, Olive A. Phillips, Benjamin C. Wright, Samuel House, Prasad R. Padala
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated social isolation and loneliness, with the UCLA 3-item loneliness scale being the most commonly used in research studies on these constructs in the past two decades.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Maria Bove, Adriano Lama, Stefania Schiavone, Claudio Pirozzi, Paolo Tucci, Vladyslav Sikora, Giovanna Trinchese, Gaetano Corso, Maria Grazia Morgese, Luigia Trabace
Summary: Social isolation-induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress may contribute to disturbances in glucose homeostasis and metabolic impairment.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Crystal W. Cene, Theresa M. Beckie, Mario Sims, Shakira F. Suglia, Brooke Aggarwal, Nathalie Moise, Monik C. Jimenez, Bamba Gaye, Louise D. McCullough
Summary: Social isolation and loneliness are associated with worse cardiovascular and brain health outcomes, particularly coronary heart disease and stroke mortality. However, more research is needed to understand the associations with heart failure, dementia, and cognitive impairment, as well as the underlying mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefano Masi, Samuele Ambrosini, Shafeeq A. Mohammed, Sebastiano Sciarretta, Thomas F. Luescher, Francesco Paneni, Sarah Costantino
Summary: The prevalence of obesity and cardiometabolic phenotypes is increasing globally, with epigenetic modifications emerging as a key regulator of gene transcription in vascular diseases. Deciphering the vascular epigenome is challenging but crucial for developing targeted therapies for obesity-related conditions.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreas Daiber, Omar Hahad, Ioanna Andreadou, Sebastian Steven, Steffen Daub, Thomas Muenzel
Summary: Global epidemiological studies highlight the significance of chronic non-communicable diseases like atherosclerosis and metabolic disorders in premature mortality and morbidity, with cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease contributing significantly to the global disease burden and socioeconomic health costs. Research demonstrates a link between oxidative stress markers and major cardiovascular diseases, emphasizing the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in conditions like hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. In vivo redox biomarkers are discussed for their clinical relevance, while the potential prognostic value and limitations of these markers are critically examined.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Andy W. C. Man, Yawen Zhou, Uyen D. P. Lam, Gisela Reifenberg, Anke Werner, Alice Habermeier, Ellen Closs, Andreas Daiber, Thomas Munzel, Ning Xia, Huige Li
Summary: This study investigates the effects of l-citrulline supplementation on a rat model of superimposed preeclampsia. The results show that l-citrulline supplementation reduces maternal blood pressure, proteinuria, and circulating soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 levels, improves maternal endothelial function and placental function, and enhances fetal growth. In addition, l-citrulline down-regulates genes involved in the TLR4 and NF-kappa B signaling pathways.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Martin Karl, Solveig Hasselwander, Yawen Zhou, Gisela Reifenberg, Yong Ook Kim, Kyoung-Sook Park, Dirk A. Ridder, Xiaoyu Wang, Eric Seidel, Nadine Hoevelmeyer, Beate K. Straub, Huige Li, Detlef Schuppan, Ning Xia
Summary: This study suggests that B lymphocytes play both detrimental and protective roles in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The lack of secretion of pathogenic antibodies partially protects from NAFLD, while certain subsets of B cells provide additional protection. Regulatory B cells producing IL-10 may represent a protective subset of B cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ning Xia, Gisela Reifenberg, Christian Schirra, Huige Li
Summary: The dysfunction of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in obese mice is found to be associated with reduced SIRT1 activity, likely due to a deficiency in NAD(+). Restoring NAD(+) levels in PVAT leads to a normalization of vascular function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ksenija Vujacic-Mirski, Matthias Oelze, Ivana Kuntic, Marin Kuntic, Sanela Kalinovic, Huige Li, Jacek Zielonka, Thomas Munzel, Andreas Daiber
Summary: By establishing a protocol for the determination of BH4 levels using HPLC/ECD, we discovered elevated BH4 levels in the heart, kidney, and brain of septic rats. This finding contributes to our understanding of the disease mechanism.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andy W. C. Man, Yawen Zhou, Ning Xia, Huige Li
Summary: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) exerts anticontractile and protective effects on blood vessels through the secretion of adipokines, hormones, and growth factors. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a critical role in vascular protection and is expressed not only in endothelial cells but also in adipocytes and endothelial cells of PVAT.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maoren Wang, Hanhan Liu, Ning Xia, Huige Li, Tim van Beers, Adrian Gericke, Verena Prokosch
Summary: Research on vascular abnormalities in glaucoma pathogenesis has produced controversial conclusions. This study found that elevated intraocular pressure can induce persistent endothelial dysfunction in retinal arterioles and contribute to retinal ganglion cell loss. Factors such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and loss of pericytes may play a role in triggering vascular functional deficits even after intraocular pressure normalization.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Solveig Hasselwander, Ning Xia, Maximilian Mimmler, Stefanie Ascher, Tanja Knopp, Gisela Reifenberg, Susanne Karbach, Wolfram Ruf, Christoph Reinhardt, Huige Li
Summary: This study reveals the important role of B cells in venous thrombosis, showing that B cell-deficient mice develop larger thrombi due to increased neutrophil numbers and elevated fibrinogen levels. It also demonstrates the contribution of neutrophil extracellular traps in thrombus formation.
Review
Physiology
Huige Li, Ning Xia
Summary: Alcohol consumption has a complex relationship with cardiovascular risk, with heavy use and binge drinking harming cardiovascular health, while the effect of light-to-moderate alcohol consumption remains controversial. The type of alcoholic beverage consumed can also have varying effects on cardiovascular health, such as increasing HDL cholesterol and adiponectin levels, and reducing fibrinogen levels.
PFLUGERS ARCHIV-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Panagiotis Chronopoulos, Caroline Manicam, Jenia Kouchek Zadeh, Panagiotis Laspas, Johanna Charlotte Unkrig, Marie Luise Goebel, Aytan Musayeva, Norbert Pfeiffer, Matthias Oelze, Andreas Daiber, Huige Li, Ning Xia, Adrian Gericke
Summary: This study demonstrates that resveratrol has a protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the murine retina, reducing the loss of retinal ganglion cells and endothelial dysfunction of retinal blood vessels. This protective effect may be achieved by suppressing upregulation of nitric oxide synthase 2 and alleviating nitro-oxidative stress.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andy W. C. Man, Yawen Zhou, Ning Xia, Huige Li
Summary: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) adheres to systemic blood vessels and has important roles in cardiovascular and metabolic health. Healthy PVAT secretes adipokines, hormones, and growth factors to regulate vascular homeostasis. However, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to oxidative stress, which is a pivotal pathophysiological process in obesity-related cardiovascular complications. This review summarizes the latest research on various ROS, the sources of ROS, antioxidant defense in PVAT, and potential pharmacological interventions for PVAT oxidative stress in obesity.
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
A. Man, Y. Zhou, U. Lam, G. Reifenberg, A. Werner, A. Habermeier, E. Closs, A. Daiber, T. Muenzel, N. Xia, H. Li
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)