Atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe−/−) mice display poor lipoprotein clearance with subsequent accumulation of cholesterol ester-enriched particles in the blood, which promote the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, the Apoe−/− mouse model is well established for the study of human atherosclerosis. The systemic proinflammatory status of Apoe−/− mice also makes them good candidates for studying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, characterized by pulmonary inflammation, airway obstruction, and emphysema, and which shares several risk factors with cardiovascular diseases, including smoking. Herein, we review the results from published studies using Apoe−/− mice, with a particular focus on work conducted in the context of cigarette smoke inhalation studies. The findings from these studies highlight the suitability of this animal model for researching the effects of cigarette smoking on atherosclerosis and emphysema.

Towards a systems toxicology-based risk assessment, we investigated molecular perturbations accompanying histopathological changes in a 28-day rat inhalation study combining transcriptomics with classical histopathology. We demonstrated reduced biological activity of a prototypic modified risk tobacco product (pMRTP) compared with the reference research cigarette 3R4F. Rats were exposed to filtered air or to three concentrations of mainstream smoke (MS) from 3R4F, or to a high concentration of MS from a pMRTP. Histopathology revealed concentration-dependent changes in response to 3R4F that were irritative stress-related in nasal and bronchial epithelium, and inflammation-related in the lung parenchyma. For pMRTP, significant changes were seen in the nasal epithelium only. Transcriptomics data were obtained from nasal and bronchial epithelium and lung parenchyma. Concentration-dependent gene expression changes were observed following 3R4F exposure, with much smaller changes for pMRTP. A computational-modeling approach based on causal models of tissue-specific biological networks identified cell stress, inflammation, proliferation, and senescence as the most perturbed molecular mechanisms. These perturbations correlated with histopathological observations. Only weak perturbations were observed for pMRTP. In conclusion, a correlative evaluation of classical histopathology together with gene expression-based computational network models may facilitate a systems toxicology-based risk assessment, as shown for a pMRTP.

Numerous inflammation-related pathways have been shown to play important roles in atherogenesis. Rapid and efficient assessment of the relative influence of each of those pathways is a challenge in the era of “omics” data generation. The aim of the present work was to develop a network model of inflammation-related molecular pathways underlying vascular disease to assess the degree of translatability of preclinical molecular data to the human clinical setting.

The resurgence of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) has been propelled by changes in the legal framework governing its cultivation and use, increased demand for hemp-derived products, and studies recognizing the industrial and health benefits of hemp. This has led to the creation of novel high-cannabidiol, low-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol varieties, enabling hemp crop expansion worldwide. This review elucidates the recent implications for hemp cultivation in Europe, with a focus on the legislative impacts on the cultivation practices, prospective breeding efforts, and dynamic scientific landscape surrounding this crop. We also review the current cultivars’ cannabinoid composition of the European hemp market and its major differences with that of the United States.

Cannabis sativa L. exhibits a complex sensory profile governed by a diverse range of volatile and non-volatile compounds. Volatile constituents—such as terpenes, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and sulfur-containing compounds—together with non-volatile taste-active molecules including flavonoids and phenolic compounds, underlie its distinctive aroma and flavor. This review examines how genetic diversity, cultivation practices, and post-harvest processing modulate the synthesis, accumulation, and chemical transformation of these metabolites in the cannabis flower. It discusses recent advancements in the extraction, identification, and quantification of these compounds, highlighting the crucial integration of chemical characterization with sensory evaluation. By synthesizing findings from advanced analytical methodologies, this review addresses the challenges and opportunities involved in defining the sensory profiles of C. sativa L. varieties. Drawing insights from research on other consumer plants, strategies for future innovations are outlined, including the discovery of novel aroma and flavor compounds and the development of a universal cannabis aroma and flavor wheel. This work aims to support advancements in breeding programs, enhance product quality control, and guide future research in cannabis sensory science.

There is an increasingly urgent call to shift industrial processes from fossil fuel feedstock to sustainable bio-based resources. This change becomes of high importance considering new budget requirements for a carbon-neutral economy. Such a transformation can be driven by traditionally used plants that are able to produce large amounts of valuable biologically relevant secondary metabolites. Tobacco plants can play a leading role in providing value-added products in remote areas of the world. In this study, we propose a non-exhaustive list of compounds with potential economic interest that can be sourced from the tobacco plant. In order to optimize extraction methodologies, we first analyzed their physico-chemical properties using rapid solubility tests and high-resolution microfractionation techniques. Next, to identify an optimal extraction for a selected list of compounds, we compared 13 different extraction method–solvent combinations. We proceeded with profiling some of these compounds in a total of six varieties from Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica species, identifying the optimal variety for each. The estimated expected yields for each of these compounds demonstrate that tobacco plants can be a superior source of valuable compounds with diverse applications beyond nicotine. Among the most interesting results, we found high variability of anatabine content between species and varieties, ranging from 287 to 1699 µg/g. In addition, we found that CGA (1305 µg/g) and rutin (7910 µg/g) content are orders of magnitude lower in the Burley variety as compared to all others.