Activation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 signalling axis can alleviate metabolic syndrome in cardiovascular disease

Ann Med. 2023;55(2):2284890. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2284890. Epub 2023 Dec 1.

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is widely observed in modern society. CVDs are responsible for the majority of fatalities, with heart attacks and strokes accounting for approximately 80% of these cases. Furthermore, a significant proportion of these deaths, precisely one-third, occurs in individuals under 70. Metabolic syndrome encompasses a range of diseases characterized by various physiological dysfunctions. These include increased inflammation in adipose tissue, enhanced cholesterol synthesis in the liver, impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, compromised vascular tone and integrity, endothelial dysfunction, and atheroma formation. These factors contribute to the development of metabolic disorders and significantly increase the likelihood of experiencing cardiovascular complications.Method: We selected studies that proposed hypotheses regarding metabolic disease syndrome and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the role of Nrf2/HO-1 and factor regulation in CVD research investigations based on our searches of Medline and PubMed.Results: A total of 118 articles were included in the review, 16 of which exclusively addressed hypotheses about the role of Nrf2 on Glucose regulation, while 16 involved Cholesterol regulation. Likewise, 14 references were used to prove the importance of mitochondria on Nrf2. Multiple studies have provided evidence suggesting the involvement of Nrf2/HO-1 in various physiological processes, including metabolism and immune response. A total of 48 research articles and reviews have been used to highlight the role of metabolic syndrome and CVD.Conclusion: This review provides an overview of the literature on Nrf2/HO-1 and its role in metabolic disease syndrome and CVD.

Keywords: Metabolic syndrome; Nrf2/HO-1; cardiovascular diseases; mitochondrial; reactive oxygen stress.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / metabolism
  • Cholesterol
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Diseases*
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / complications
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Heme Oxygenase-1
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Cholesterol

Grants and funding

The work was supported by the foundation of Key R&D plan of Sichuan Province (2019YFS0538); The project of 2020 High-level Overseas Chinese Talent Returning Funding; Overseas Famous Teacher Project of Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology (2020A1414010311).