A new bioinformatics approach identifies overexpression of GRB2 as a poor prognostic biomarker for prostate cancer.

A subset of prostate cancer displays a poor clinical outcome. Therefore, identifying this poor prognostic subset within clinically aggressive groups (defined as a Gleason score (GS) ≧8) and developing effective treatments are essential if we are to improve prostate cancer survival. Here, we performed a bioinformatics analysis of a TCGA dataset (GS ≧8) to identify pathways upregulated in a prostate cancer cohort with short survival. When conducting bioinformatics analyses, the definition of factors such as "overexpression" and "shorter survival" is vital, as poor definition may lead to mis-estimations. To eliminate this possibility, we defined an expression cutoff value using an algorithm calculated by a Cox regression model, and the hazard ratio for each gene was set so as to identify genes whose expression levels were associated with shorter survival. Next, genes associated with shorter survival were entered into pathway analysis to identify pathways that were altered in a shorter survival cohort. We identified pathways involving upregulation of GRB2. Overexpression of GRB2 was linked to shorter survival in the TCGA dataset, a finding validated by histological examination of biopsy samples taken from the patients for diagnostic purposes. Thus, GRB2 is a novel biomarker that predicts shorter survival of patients with aggressive prostate cancer (GS ≧8).

NF-kB signaling in cardiomyocytes is inhibited by sevoflurane and promoted by propofol.

Both inhalational and intravenous anesthetics affect myocardial remodeling, but the precise effect of each anesthetic on molecular signaling in myocardial remodeling is unknown. Here, we performed in silico analysis to investigate signaling alterations in cardiomyocytes induced by inhalational [sevoflurane (Sevo)] and intravenous [propofol (Prop)] anesthetics. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) signaling was inhibited by Sevo and promoted by Prop. Moreover, nuclear accumulation of p65 and transcription of NF-kB-regulated genes were suppressed in Sevo-administered mice, suggesting that Sevo inhibits the NF-kB signaling pathway. Our data demonstrate that NF-kB signaling is inhibited by Sevo and promoted by Prop. As NF-kB signaling plays an important role in myocardial remodeling, our results suggest that anesthetics may affect myocardial remodeling through NF-kB.

Stress-related over-enhancement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis causes experimental neurolathyrism in rats.

Neurolathyrism is a motor neuron disease that is caused by the overconsumption of grass peas (Lathyrus sativus L.) under stressful conditions. The neuro-excitatory ß-N-oxalyl-L-α,ß-diaminopropionic acid present in grass peas was proposed the causative agent of spastic paraparesis of the legs. Historical reports of neurolathyrism epidemics, studies of neurolathyrism animal models, and in vitro studies on the mechanism of ß-N-oxalyl-L-α,ß-diaminopropionic acid toxicity support the hypothesis that stress increases susceptibility to neurolathyrism. To elucidate the role of stress in neurolathyrism-induced motor dysfunction, we focused on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in a rodent model of neurolathyrism. Our results implicated increased glucocorticoid and neuroinflammation in the motor dysfunction (paraparesis) exhibited by the stress loaded rat models of neurolathyrism.

A bioinformatics-to-clinic sequential approach to analysis of prostate cancer biomarkers using TCGA datasets and clinical samples: a new method for precision oncology?

Biomarker-driven cancer therapy has met with significant clinical success. Identification of a biomarker implicated in a malignant phenotype and linked to poor clinical outcome is required if we are to develop these types of therapies. A subset of prostate adenocarcinoma (PACa) cases are treatment-resistant, making them an attractive target for such an approach. To identify target molecules implicated in shorter survival of patients with PACa, we established a bioinformatics-to-clinic sequential analysis approach, beginning with 2-step in silico analysis of a TCGA dataset for localized PACa. The effect of candidate genes identified by in silico analysis on survival was then assessed using biopsy specimens taken at the time of initial diagnosis of localized and metastatic PACa. We identified PEG10 as a candidate biomarker. Data from clinical samples suggested that increased expression of PEG10 at the time of initial diagnosis was linked to shorter survival time. Interestingly, PEG10 overexpression also correlated with expression of chromogranin A and synaptophysin, markers for neuroendocrine prostate cancer, a type of treatment-resistant prostate cancer. These results indicate that PEG10 is a novel biomarker for shorter survival of patients with PACa. Also, PEG10 expression at the time of initial diagnosis may predict focal neuroendocrine differentiation of PACa. Thus, PEG10 may be an attractive target for biomarker-driven cancer therapy. Thus, bioinformatics-to-clinic sequential analysis is a valid tool for identifying targets for precision oncology.

Gene expression in the vascular wall of the aortic arch in spontaneously hypertensive hyperlipidemic model rats using DNA microarray analysis.

AIMS: In recent years, there has been an increase in patients with arteriosclerosis and the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. However, the pathogenesis and medication of atherosclerosis have not been elucidated. We developed a rat model of lifestyle-related diseases by feeding a high-fat diet and 30% sucrose solution (HFDS) to spontaneously hypertensive hyperlipidemic rats (SHHR) and reported that this model is a useful model of early atherosclerosis. In order to elucidate the pathogenesis of early atherosclerosis, we searched for atherosclerosis-related genes by microarray analysis using the aortic arch rat model of lifestyle-related diseases. MAIN METHODS: Four-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats and SHHR were each divided into two normal diet (ND) groups and two HFDS groups. After a four-month treatment, the expression of mRNA in the aortic arch was detected using the oligo DNA microarray one-color method and quantified using real-time PCR. KEY FINDINGS: In this study, we detected 39 genes in microarray analysis. Esm1, Retnlb Mkks, and Grem2 showed particularly marked changes in gene expression in the SHHR-HFDS group. Compared with the SD-ND group, the SHHR-HFDS group had an increase in Mkks gene expression of about 26-fold and an approximately 22-fold increase in the expression of Grem2. Similarly, the expression of Esm1 increased by about 12-fold and that of Retnlg by about 10-fold as shown by quantitative real-time PCR. SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggested that these four genes might be important in early atherosclerosis development.

Proteomic analysis of differential protein expression by brain metastases of gynecological malignancies.

Brain metastases of gynecological malignancies are rare, but the incidence is increasing. Patients with brain metastases have a poor prognosis, therefore early detection and optimal management is necessary. In order to determine a new biomarker, we aimed to identify proteins that associated with brain metastases. We investigated proteins associated with brain metastases of gynecological malignancies in three patients who underwent surgical resection (stage IIb cervical cancer, stage Ib endometrial cancer, and stage IIIb ovarian cancer). Proteomic analysis was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of the primary tumors and brain metastases, which were analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Thereafter, candidate proteins were identified by the Scaffold system and Mascot search program, and were analyzed using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. As a result, a total of 129 proteins were identified. In endometrial and ovarian cancers, western blotting revealed that the expression of alpha-enolase (ENO1) and triosephosphate isomerase (TPI-1) was higher and the expression of Transgelin-2 (TAGLN2) was lower in metastatic tumors than in primary tumors. On the other hand, the expression of TPI-1 and TAGLN2 was lower in metastatic tumors than in primary tumors in cervical cancer. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that ENO1 expression was elevated in the metastatic tumors compared with the primary tumors. In conclusion, the present study showed that FFPE tissue-based proteomics analysis can be powerful tool, and these findings suggested that ENO1, TPI-1, and TAGLN2 may have a role in the development and progression of brain metastasis from gynecological malignancies.

The Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil is involved in p53-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

PURPOSE: Rho kinase is an important factor in tumor progression. We demonstrated that Rho kinase-associated coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) is expressed in hepatic tissues in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and confirmed its roles in cell survival in HCC cells using the ROCK inhibitor, fasudil. METHODS: ROCK protein levels were estimated in hepatic tissues with HCC compared with healthy liver tissues or hepatic hemangioma tissues using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, HepG2 and Huh7 cells were cultured with ROCK inhibitor, fasudil for 24 h in vitro. Cell proliferation was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt assay, and apoptotic cells were detected by cell death ELISA. The expression apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed using Western blotting. RESULTS: Fasudil significantly decreased cell proliferation and induced apoptosis mediated by increases in p53, Bax, caspase-9, and caspase-3 in HepG2 and Huh7 cells. The induction of apoptosis was inhibited in HCC cells precultured with p53 decoy oligodeoxynucleotide. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ROCK inhibits the p53-mediated apoptosis pathway in HCC. Fasudil may thus be a beneficial approach to HCC therapy.

17ß-estradiol prevents reduction of retinal phosphorylated 14-3-3 zeta protein levels following a neurotoxic insult.

Previous studies demonstrated the substantial protective role of 17ß-estradiol (E2) in several types of neuron, although its mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. In this study, we found that the levels of 14-3-3 zeta mRNA and phosphorylated and total 14-3-3 zeta proteins were significantly decreased in the rat retina after intravitreal injection of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). 17ß-E2 implantation significantly inhibited NMDA-induced decreases in phosphorylated but not in total 14-3-3 zeta protein levels in the retina. There was a decrease in both phosphorylated and total 14-3-3 protein levels in RGC-5 cells, a retinal ganglion cell line, after glutamate and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) exposure, and 17ß-E2 treatment significantly inhibited only the decrease in phosphorylated but not in total 14-3-3 zeta protein levels. The cell viability assay showed substantial cell death after glutamate and BSO exposure and that 17ß-E2 treatment significantly protects against this cell death. 17ß-E2 treatment also significantly increased the level of phosphorylated 14-3-3 protein in RGC-5 cells without other treatments. These results suggest that a decrease in 14-3-3 zeta expression may be associated with retinal neurotoxicity induced by NMDA or the combination of glutamate and BSO. The regulation of 14-3-3 zeta phosphorylation is one possible mechanism of the protective effect of 17ß-E2 in the retina.

Individual differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anesthetic agent propofol with regard to CYP2B6 and UGT1A9 genotype and patient age.

Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) is administered intravenously for induction and maintenance of anesthesia; however, cases of progressive myocardial failure (propofol syndrome) related to the use of propofol have been reported. In the present study, the individual differences in pharmacokinetics and/or pharmacodynamics of propofol were investigated in patients who were genotyped for CYP2B6 and UGT1A9. Fifty-one patients treated with propofol in St. Marianna University Hospital were recruited for this study and provided written informed consent. The following parameters were analyzed: awakening time as a pharmacodynamic parameter, duration of propofol infusion, drug concentration in plasma after treatment, genotypes of CYP2B6 and UGT1A9, and age (42-84 years, mean of 65 years). Propofol was rapidly cleared from the blood of the subjects as a result of distribution and elimination. The awakening time after stopping propofol infusion was significantly correlated with the duration of infusion and the maximum concentration of propofol in these subjects. The maximum plasma concentration of propofol after normalizing with the duration of infusion was affected by the CYP2B6 G516T variant (related to impaired function) and was significantly affected by a propofol risk index score that incorporated CYP2B6 G516T and UGT1A9 I399C>T (high expression) genotypes and advanced age. These results provide important information indicating that the genotypes of the two enzymes studied and advanced age are combinative determinant factors of the pharmacokinetics and/or pharmacodynamics of propofol.

Comparison of the effects of omeprazole and rabeprazole on ticlopidine metabolism in vitro.

The thienopyridine derivative ticlopidine (TCL) is an inhibitor of adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation. Combination therapy with a thienopyridine derivative and aspirin is standard after coronary stenting, although more hemorrhagic complications occur with the combination therapy than with aspirin alone. A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is required for prevention or treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in such cases. We examined the effects of PPIs [omeprazole (OPZ) and rabeprazole (RPZ)] on TCL metabolism using pooled human liver microsomes prepared from various human liver blocks and 12 individual human liver microsomes. We calculated the K(i) values of each PPI for TCL metabolic activity and compared the inhibitory effect of each PPI on TCL metabolism. The K(i) values of OPZ and RPZ were 1.4 and 12.7 µM, respectively. The inhibitory effect of OPZ (78.6 ± 0.05%) was significantly greater than that of RPZ (24.2 ± 0.05%) (P < 0.001). Interestingly, a negative correlation existed between the inhibitory effect of OPZ and CYP2C19 activity (r = -0.909, P < 0.001). These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of OPZ is more potent than that of RPZ in vitro. In conclusion, RPZ appears preferable when administering TCL, aspirin, and a PPI in combination.

Orange juice and its component, hesperidin, decrease the expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 in rat small intestine and liver.

We investigated the effects of orange juice (OJ) or hesperidin, a component of OJ, on the pharmacokinetics of pravastatin (PRV) and the expression of both protein and mRNA of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) in the rat small intestine and liver. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. OJ or a 0.079% hesperidin suspension was administered orally for 2 days. Tap water was given as a control. A single dose of PRV at 100 mg/kg p.o. was administered after 2 days of OJ, hesperidin, or tap water ingestion. The AUC, C(max), and t(1/2) values of PRV were significantly increased in OJ group. Mrp2 protein and mRNA levels in the small intestine and liver, respectively, were significantly decreased after the ingestion of OJ. The same results were obtained with hesperidin. These results suggest that the changes in PRV pharmacokinetic parameters and the decrease in Mrp2 expression caused by OJ are due to hesperidin in the juice.

Axonal protection by 17ß-estradiol through thioredoxin-1 in tumor necrosis factor-induced optic neuropathy.

Axonal degeneration often leads to the death of neuronal cell bodies. Previous studies demonstrated the substantial protective role of 17ß-estradiol (E2) in several types of neuron. However, most studies examined cell body protection, and the role of 17ß-E2 in axonal degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) remains unclear. In this study, we showed the presence of thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) in the optic nerve axons and found that the levels of Trx1 protein were significantly decreased in isolated RGC and the optic nerve after intravitreal injection of TNF, which was shown previously to induce optic nerve degeneration and subsequent loss of RGC. These changes were concomitant with disorganization of the microtubules with neurofilament accumulation, which were blocked by 17ß-E2 implantation. 17ß-E2 treatment also totally abolished TNF-induced decreases in Trx1 protein levels in isolated RGC and the optic nerve. The induction of Trx1 by 17ß-E2 in the optic nerve was significantly inhibited by simultaneous injection of Trx1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) with TNF. Up-regulation of Trx1 by 17ß-E2 in RGC-5 cells was prevented by Trx1 siRNA treatment. 17ß-E2 significantly prevented TNF-induced axonal loss, and this axonal-protective effect was inhibited by intravitreal injection of Trx1 siRNA. This finding was also supported by the quantification of microtubules and neurofilaments. These results suggest that a Trx1 decrease in RGC bodies and their axons may be associated with TNF-induced optic nerve axonal degeneration. Axonal protection by 17ß-E2 may be related to its regulatory effect on Trx1 induction.

Comparative study of culture conditions for maintaining CYP3A4 and ATP-binding cassette transporters activity in primary cultured human hepatocytes.

The aim of this study was to determine suitable culture conditions for maintaining the activity of cytochrome p450 (CYP) 3A4 and drug transporters in primary cultured human hepatocytes. Human hepatocytes were isolated using the two-step collagenase perfusion technique and were cultured with four different media, serum-free William's E medium (serum-free WEM), WEM containing fetal calf serum (FCS-WEM), WEM with human serum (HS-WEM), and Lanford's medium. The albumin levels were maintained for 7 days in hepatocytes. Although CYP3A4 mRNA levels gradually decreased from 3 days, CYP3A4 and hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α alpha protein levels and activities were maintained for 7 days in hepatocytes cultured with serum-free WEM and Lanford's but not in those with FCS-WEM and HS-WEM. Furthermore, CYP3A4 protein levels were significantly increased by the addition of rifampicin and dexamethasone to the culture media, indicating that the induction potential was maintained. The protein levels of P-glycoprotein, multi-drug-resistance-2, and breast cancer-resistance protein were maintained for 7 days in all media. Serum-free WEM and Lanford's also maintained protein levels of CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and organic anion transporter polypeptide in the hepatocytes. Serum-free WEM and Lanford's may be appropriate culture media for maintaining CYP3A4 and drug transporter protein levels in primary cultured hepatocytes.

Individual metabolic capacity evaluation of cytochrome P450 2C19 by protein and activity in the small intestinal mucosa of Japanese pancreatoduodenectomy patients.

Some P450 enzymes are expressed not only in the liver but also in the small intestine, and these enzymes play an important role in first-pass drug metabolism in the small intestine. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)2C19 has been confirmed to exist in the small intestine of white people, but not yet in Japanese. We investigated the mRNA level, protein level, and activity of CYP2C19 in the small intestine in a Japanese population. Samples were obtained from the healthy portions of resected small intestines from 18 patients who had undergone pancreatoduodenectomy. The microsomes were extracted from the epithelium of the small intestinal tissues. CYP2C19 mRNA and protein levels were analyzed using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. CYP2C19 activity in the microsomes was evaluated based on the 5-hydroxylation of lansoprazole using HPLC. CYP2C19 mRNA and protein levels and activities in the small intestine showed interindividual differences. CYP2C19 mRNA levels were not correlated with protein levels or its activity. On the other hand, there was significant correlation between CYP2C19 protein levels and its activity. Further, CYP2C19 protein levels and activities in the small intestine were approximately equal to those in liver. These results suggest the metabolic capacity of CYP2C19 in Japanese small intestine may play as important a role as the liver in drug metabolism. Analyses of the protein level or protein activity of CYP2C19 rather than its mRNA level should be required for predicting the individual metabolic capacity of CYP2C19 in the small intestine.

Limited effects of frequent CYP2D6*36-*10 tandem duplication allele on in vivo dextromethorphan metabolism in a Japanese population.

PURPOSE: although CYP2D6*36 was thought to be one of the alleles causing the poor metabolizer phenotype, several in vitro studies clarified that the enzyme produced by CYP2D6*36 showed enzymatic activities. However, the effects of CYP2D6*36 in tandem with CYP2D6*10 on the in vivo CYP2D6 activity have been unclear. In this study, we investigated in vivo metabolic capacities of CYP2D6 among the subjects carrying different numbers of CYP2D6*36 in tandem with CYP2D6*10. METHODS: we measured the metabolic ratio (MR) of dextromethorphan in 98 subjects. We determined the CYP2D6 genotype of these subjects, including allelic copy number of CYP2D6*10 and CYP2D6*36 by direct sequencing, TaqMan assay, and real-time Invader assay. RESULTS: single copies of CYP2D6*10 and tandem duplication of CYP2D6*36-*10 alleles were found at frequencies of 8.7 and 32.7%, respectively. Median dextromethorphan MRs of the subjects carrying CYP2D6*10 and CYP2D6*36-*10 were not significantly different (P = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: CYP2D6*36 in tandem with CYP2D6*10 plays a minor role in interindividual variation of dextromethorphan metabolism in vivo.

Effects of a calcium-channel blocker (CV159) on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats: evaluation with selective NO/pO2 electrodes and an electron paramagnetic resonance spin-trapping method.

Nitric oxide (NO) and the partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)) in the liver were simultaneously quantified in rats with partial hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (PHIRI). Real-time NO/pO(2) monitoring and immunohistochemical analysis for superoxide dismutase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) were performed to evaluate the protective effects of a dihydropyridine-type calcium-channel blocker--CV159--on PHIRI. Serum high-mobility-group box-1 (HMGB-1) was measured to assess cellular necrosis. Moreover, we used in vitro/ex vivo electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping to assess the hydroxyl radical (*OH)-scavenging activity (OHSA) of CV159 and the liver tissue. The NO levels were significantly higher in CV159-treated rats than in control rats throughout the ischemic phase. Immediately after reperfusion, the levels temporarily increased in waves and then gradually decreased in the treated rats but remained constant in the control rats. pO(2) was continually higher in the treated rats. In these rats, hepatic eNOS expression increased, whereas iNOS expression decreased. The treated rats exhibited significantly higher cytosolic and mitochondrial concentrations NOx (NO(2)+NO(3)). The serum HMGB-1 levels significantly decreased in the treated rats. Moreover, CV159 directly scavenged *OH and both mitochondrial and cytosolic OHSA were preserved in the treated rats. Thus, CV159-mediated inhibition of intracellular Ca(2+) overloading may effectively minimize organ damage and also have *OH-scavenging activity and the cytoprotective effects of eNOS-derived NO.

Potential of lansoprazole as a novel probe for cytochrome P450 3A activity by measuring lansoprazole sulfone in human liver microsomes.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A enzymes are responsible for the metabolism of many drugs. It is useful to know CYP3A activity in individual patients undergoing drug therapy so as to predict the efficacies or adverse events. Lansoprazole is metabolized to Lansoprazole sulfone (LS) by CYP3A, while to 5-hydroxylansoprasole by CYP2C19. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether lansoprazole can be used to assess CYP 3A activity in human liver. Lansoprazole sulfoxidation activity in 14 human liver microsomes was determined as the ratio of lansoprazole/LS, measuring these parameters by high-performance liquid chromatography. Testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation (T6beta-OH) activity, a known marker for CYP3A activity was also measured together with lansoprazole sulfoxidation activity. Lansoprazole sulfoxidation activity was also analyzed in microsomes preincubat-ed with anti-CYP2C19 antibody. Interindividual variation was observed in lansoprazole sulfoxidation activity and T6beta-OH activities of those microsomes, respectively. Lansoprazole sulfoxidation activity was significantly correlated with T6beta-OH activity and CYP3A protein level. Lansoprazole sulfoxidation activity in microsomes with anti-CYP2C19 antibody was closely correlated with T6beta-OH activity. In contrast, lansoprazole 5-hydroxylation activity was correlated with the CYP2C19 activity. These results suggest that metabolism of lansoprazole to LS by CYP3A occurs independently of metabolism by CYP2C19. LS can be used as a new marker of CYP3A activity.

Inter-individual variation in flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 in livers from Japanese: correlation with hepatic transcription factors.

Human flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3)-mediated microsomal oxygenation activity, levels of FMO3 protein and FMO3 mRNA and modifications were investigated in Japanese livers genotyped for the FMO3 gene. Significant correlations were observed for benzydamine N-oxygenation or methyl p-tolyl sulfide S-oxygenation activity (in the range of approximately 20- to approximately 40-fold) and FMO3 levels determined immunochemically in liver microsomes (r(2)=0.73-0.75, p<0.0001, n=16). Preincubation with the reducing agent ascorbate revealed that FMO3 activity in some liver samples is suppressed. Microsomal FMO3 protein content (approximately 40-fold) was correlated with FMO3 mRNA levels (r(2)=0.55, p=0.0010, n=16), but FMO3 haplotypes did not affect FMO3 mRNA expression (approximately 100-fold) under the conditions used. FMO3 mRNA levels were multivariately correlated with trans-acting factors, i.e. hepatic nuclear factor 4 (HNF-4) mRNA and nuclear factor Y box-binding protein (NF-Y) mRNA (r(2)=0.31, p=0.0017, n=37). These results suggest that considerable individual differences in FMO3 levels may exist in Japanese livers. The liver-enriched transcription factor HNF-4 appears to be a determinant of FMO3 expression in livers, as well as the ubiquitous factor NF-Y.

Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy increase cardiac alpha-enolase levels in fetus and neonate rats.

AIMS: Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy has been shown to prevent acute diseases including infant respiratory distress syndrome and reduce mortality, although little is known about the effects on cardiac function-related proteins in the fetus or neonate. We investigated whether cardiac function-related proteins were altered in cardiac tissues of fetuses and neonates born to pregnant rats treated by glucocorticoid. MAIN METHODS: Dexamethasone (DEX) was administered to pregnant rats for 2 days on day 17 and 18 or day 19 and 20 of gestation to simulate antenatal DEX therapy, and cardiac tissues of 19- and 21-day fetuses and 1-, 3-, and 5-day neonates were analyzed using a proteomic technique with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. KEY FINDINGS: The identified five proteins; alpha-enolase, creatine kinase-M type, beta-tubulin, troponin T, and ATP synthase beta-chain, were significantly increased in fetal cardiac tissues with DEX administration. We observed that significant increase of alpha-enolase in the 19-day fetuses by DEX using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. ATP and cAMP levels were also increased in the fetal heart tissue. In addition, pyruvate levels were significantly increased in the fetus groups by DEX. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that increased alpha-enolase may contribute to acceleration of glycolysis in the preterm heart.

Axonal and cell body protection by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in tumor necrosis factor-induced optic neuropathy.

Axonal degeneration often leads to the death of neuronal cell bodies. Previous studies have demonstrated the crucial role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis in axonal protection of motor neurons, but the role of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 and NAD in optic nerve degeneration is unclear. Intravitreal injection of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induces optic nerve degeneration and subsequent loss of retinal ganglion cells. We found that the levels of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 mRNA and protein and of NAD were significantly decreased in the optic nerve after intravitreal injection of TNF in rats. The concomitant disorganization of microtubules with vacuoles and neurofilament accumulations in the axons were blocked by exogenous NAD treatment. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide also prevented TNF-induced axonal loss and delayed retinal ganglion cell loss 2 months after TNF injection. Microglia identified by immunohistochemistry were increased in the optic nerves after TNF injection; this increase was inhibited by NAD treatment. These results suggest that axonal nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 and NAD declines are associated with TNF-induced optic nerve axonal degeneration and that axonal protection of NAD may be related to its inhibitory effect on microglial activation.