Theodoros Kelesidis's research while affiliated with University of California, Los Angeles and other places

... In addition, these animal models require a genetic variation of the cholesterol processing capacity, which is coupled with extreme changes in diet (e.g., Western-type diet) (Meir and Leitersdorf, 2004;Getz and Reardon, 2012). Moreover, different monocyte biology between humans and mice renders the study on the questions regarding macrophage foam cells to be more difficult (Hilgendorf and Swirski, 2012;Angelovich et al., 2017). ...

... Several pieces of evidence supported a possible relationship between GHD and COVID-19 severity and have also shed light on the potential beneficial effects of treatment with recombinant GH on COVID-19 patients [31]. In this regard, recently published articles showed that among the hormonal changes in long COVID patients are reduced GH levels and possibly reduced insulin/IGF-1 signaling [34,35]. Considering all the above, a close relationship between ferritin metabolism, obesity, hepatic steatosis, and the GH/IGF-1 axis with COVID-19 severity is conceivable. ...

... Given the findings that mtROS is significantly increased compared to extracellular ROS [44], a targeted approach to bringing ROS levels back to normal would be beneficial and hence further studies with mitochondrial antioxidants on infected cells are required. Recent studies exploited other mitochondrially targeted antioxidants like mitoquinone/mitoquinol mesylate (Mito-MES), which showed significant antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and lower viral titre by nearly 4 log units which led to reduced hyper-inflammation in the host as well [130]. Not only might these antioxidants show positive signs as therapeutics, they might also provide greater insight into the role mtROS plays in assisting SARS-CoV-2 infection of host cells. ...

... Briefly, a traditional lipid panel (HDL-c, estimated LDL-c, and triglyceride levels) and measures of glucoregulation (glycemia, insulinemia, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c) were determined by CLIA-certified clinical laboratories (Meriter Labs, Madison, WI and ARUP, Salt Lake City, UT). Oxidized HDL (oxHDL) levels were determined by measuring lipid peroxidation of HDL (23). Plasma fibrinogen and high sensitive C reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured using a BNII nephelometer (Dade Behring Inc., Deerfield, IL). ...

... All participants had refrained from smoking 12 h before the study session. Healthy male and female volunteers with previously described characteristics [11] between the ages of 21 years and 45 years were eligible for enrollment if they were chronic (> 1 year), as follows: (1) active TCIG smokers (regardless of the number of pack-years) or (2) ECIG vapers (no dual users) or (3) non-smokers. Former TCIG smokers were eligible to be included in the nonsmoker group, if greater than 1 year had elapsed since quitting. ...

... The reason for the decrease of sLAG3 in patients with CAD is still unknown. Many factors such as race, and inflammatory factors may influence the sLAG3 level (25, 45). Besides, LAG3 expression may be also regulated by methylation, T cell receptor pathway activation, cytokines, and metalloproteinase (46). ...

... However, the nicotine concentration in e-liquid has shown to be inconsistent to labeling (Girvalaki et al., 2020), and even e-cigarettes marketed as containing 0% nicotine have been found to contain nicotine (Goniewicz et al., 2015). Contrary to what young people may assume, e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless (Kelesidis et al., 2021;Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021;U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016). ...

... CBs leachate appeared to modulate also lipid metabolism in mussels PCTS by the downregulation of acox1. The impairment of fatty acid metabolism has already been observed in different mammalian organs and cell types, with reduced activity of β-oxidation enzymes and increased lipid accumulation after in vivo and in vitro exposure to cigarette smoke or extracts (Gong et al., 2019;Gupta et al., 2021); conversely, other studies reported an increase of the same enzymes, reflecting the high complexity of cigarette butts toxicity on fatty acid metabolism (Li et al., 2021). The low levels of PAHs, measured in CB leachates in this study may account for the lack of transcriptional regulation of cyp3a1, which is not strongly regulated by Ah receptor particularly in invertebrates, but known to be responsive to such chemicals in mussels digestive gland (Cubero-Leon et al., 2012;Giuliani et al., 2013). ...

... Data from the ACTG A5260s and ADVANCE trials indicate that ART-associated weight gain results in greater increases in fat mass including visceral adipose tissue than in lean mass, with women experiencing significantly greater increases in fat mass than men [33,34]. Weight gain after starting ART is associated with an increase in leptin but not adiponectin [49], insulin resistance [50], and with an increased risk of diabetes across all BMI strata [51,52]. A recent NA-ACCORD analysis found a (non-significant) 17% increased risk of incident diabetes with INSTI versus NNRTI which was no longer present when accounting for 12-month weight gain [53]. ...

... FDG, 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose; SUV max , standardized uptake value. in this study. However, in prior studies using the highly sensitive methodology including flow cytometry with fluorescent probes in otherwise healthy young people, we have previously reported differences in oxidative stress and inflammation among the three cohorts (Gupta et al., 2021;Kelesidis et al., 2020Kelesidis et al., , 2021aKelesidis et al., , 2021b. Although, in this report using PET/CT, we did not find differences among nonsmokers, e-cigarette users, and tobacco users in inflammation in the splenocardiac axis, we feel it is best for this investigation to be replicated by other investigators. ...