Influence of the APOE genotype on hepatic stress response: Studies in APOE targeted replacement mice and human liver cells.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a multifunctional plasma protein mainly acting in lipid metabolism. Human APOE is polymorphic with three major isoforms (APOE2, APOE3 and APOE4). Up to 75% of the body's APOE is produced by the liver. There is increasing evidence from studies in brain-derived cells that APOE4 affects mitochondrial function and biogenesis as well as stress and inflammatory responses - processes, whose disturbances are considered hallmarks of the ageing process. However, although the liver is the main production site of APOE, knowledge about the impact of the APOE genotype on hepatic stress response-related processes is rather limited. Therefore, we studied biomarkers of oxidative status (glutathione levels, 3-nitrotyrosine adducts, protein carbonyl concentration), ER stress (XBP1(S), BiP, DDIT3), proteasome activity, mitochondrial function (respiratory complexes, ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential as well as biomarkers of mitochondrial biogenesis, fission and fusion), autophagy (LC3, LAMP2A), apoptosis (BCL2, BAX, CYCS) and DNA damage in the liver of APOE targeted replacement (TR) mice and in Huh7 hepatocytes overexpressing the APOE3 and the APOE4 isoform, respectively. APOE4 mice exhibited a lower chymotrypsin-like and a higher trypsin-like proteasome activity. Levels of protein carbonyls were moderately higher in liver tissue of APOE4 vs. APOE3 mice. Other biomarkers of oxidative stress were similar between the two genotypes. Under basal conditions, the stress-response pathways investigated appeared largely unaffected by the APOE genotype. However, upon stress induction, APOE4 expressing cells showed lower levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and lower mRNA levels of the ATP-generating complex V of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Overall, our findings provide evidence for a rather low influence of the APOE genotype on the hepatic stress response processes investigated in this study.

Metabolic Activity of Radish Sprouts Derived Isothiocyanates in Drosophila melanogaster.

We used Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to study the absorption, metabolism and potential health benefits of plant bioactives derived from radish sprouts (Raphanus sativus cv. Rambo), a Brassicaceae species rich in glucosinolates and other phytochemicals. Flies were subjected to a diet supplemented with lyophilized radish sprouts (10.6 g/L) for 10 days, containing high amounts of glucoraphenin and glucoraphasatin, which can be hydrolyzed by myrosinase to the isothiocyanates sulforaphene and raphasatin, respectively. We demonstrate that Drosophila melanogaster takes up and metabolizes isothiocyanates from radish sprouts through the detection of the metabolite sulforaphane-cysteine in fly homogenates. Moreover, we report a decrease in the glucose content of flies, an upregulation of spargel expression, the Drosophila homolog of the mammalian PPARγ-coactivator 1 α, as well as the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro. Overall, we show that the consumption of radish sprouts affects energy metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster which is reflected by lower glucose levels and an increased expression of spargel, a central player in mitochondrial biogenesis. These processes are often affected in chronic diseases associated with aging, including type II diabetes mellitus.

Effects of the isoflavone prunetin on gut health and stress response in male Drosophila melanogaster.

The traditional Asian diet is rich in fruits, vegetables and soy, the latter representing a significant source of dietary isoflavones. The isoflavone prunetin was recently identified to improve intestinal epithelial barrier function in vitro and to ameliorate general survival and overall health state in vivo in male Drosophila melanogaster. However, the prunetin-mediated health benefits in the fruit fly were ascertained under standard living conditions. As the loss of intestinal integrity is closely related to a reduction in Drosophila lifespan and barrier dysfunction increases with age, effects on prunetin-modulated gut health under oxidative or pathogenic stress provocation remain to be elucidated. In this study, male adult D. melanogaster were administered either a prunetin or a control diet. Gut-derived junction protein expression and pathogen-induced antimicrobial peptide expressions as well as the stem cell proliferation in the gut were evaluated. Furthermore, survival following exposure to hydrogen peroxide was assessed. Prunetin ingestion did not attenuate bacterial infection and did not protect flies from oxidative stress. Intestinal mRNA expression levels of adherence and septate junction proteins as well as the stem cell proliferation were not altered by prunetin intake. Prunetin does not improve the resistance of flies against severe injuring, exogenous stress and therefore seems to function in a preventive rather than a therapeutic approach since the health-promoting benefits appear to be exclusively restricted to normal living circumstances.

The phytoestrogen prunetin affects body composition and improves fitness and lifespan in male Drosophila melanogaster.

Dietary isoflavones, a group of secondary plant compounds that exhibit phytoestrogenic properties, are primarily found in soy. Prunetin, a representative isoflavone, was recently found to affect cell signaling in cultured cells; however, in vivo effects remain elusive. In this study, the model organism Drosophila melanogaster was used to investigate the effects of prunetin in vivo with respect to lifespan, locomotion, body composition, metabolism, and gut health. Adult flies were chronically administered a prunetin-supplemented diet. Prunetin improved median survival by 3 d, and climbing activity increased by 54% in males. In comparison with the females, male flies exhibited lower climbing activity, which was reversed by prunetin intake. Furthermore, prunetin-fed males exhibited increased expression of the longevity gene Sirtuin 1 (Sir2) (22%), as well as elevated AMPK activation (51%) and triglyceride levels (29%), whereas glucose levels decreased (36%). As females are long-lived compared with their male counterparts and exhibit higher triglyceride levels, prunetin apparently "feminizes" male flies via its estrogenicity. We conclude that the lifespan-prolonging effects of prunetin in the male fruit fly depend on changes in AMPK-regulated energy homeostasis via male "feminization." Collectively, we identified prunetin as a plant bioactive compound capable of improving health status and survival in male D. melanogaster.

Epigallocatechin gallate affects glucose metabolism and increases fitness and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster.

In this study, we tested whether a standardized epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) rich green tea extract (comprising > 90% EGCG) affects fitness and lifespan as well as parameters of glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Following the application of the green tea extract a significant increase in the mean lifespan (+ 3.3 days) and the 50% survival (+ 4.3 days) as well as improved fitness was detected. These effects went along an increased expression of Spargel, the homolog of mammalian PGC1α, which has been reported to affect lifespan in flies. Intriguingly, in flies, treatment with the green tea extract decreased glucose concentrations, which were accompanied by an inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. Computational docking analysis proved the potential of EGCG to dock into the substrate binding pocket of α-amylase and to a greater extent into α-glucosidase. Furthermore, we demonstrate that EGCG downregulates insulin-like peptide 5 and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, major regulators of glucose metabolism, as well as the Drosophila homolog of leptin, unpaired 2. We propose that a decrease in glucose metabolism in connection with an upregulated expression of Spargel contribute to the better fitness and the extended lifespan in EGCG-treated flies.

Dietary Tocotrienol/γ-Cyclodextrin Complex Increases Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and ATP Concentrations in the Brains of Aged Mice.

Brain aging is accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial function. In vitro studies suggest that tocotrienols, including γ- and δ-tocotrienol (T3), may exhibit neuroprotective properties. However, little is known about the effect of dietary T3 on mitochondrial function in vivo. In this study, we monitored the effect of a dietary T3/γ-cyclodextrin complex (T3CD) on mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels in the brain of 21-month-old mice. Mice were fed either a control diet or a diet enriched with T3CD providing 100 mg T3 per kg diet for 6 months. Dietary T3CD significantly increased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels compared to those of controls. The increase in MMP and ATP due to dietary T3CD was accompanied by an increase in the protein levels of the mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Furthermore, dietary T3CD slightly increased the mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase, γ-glutamyl cysteinyl synthetase, and heme oxygenase 1 in the brain. Overall, the present data suggest that T3CD increases TFAM, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP synthesis in the brains of aged mice.

Myrosinase-treated glucoerucin is a potent inducer of the Nrf2 target gene heme oxygenase 1--studies in cultured HT-29 cells and mice.

In this study, the effect of myrosinase-treated glucoerucin (GER+MYR), which releases the isothiocyanate (ITC) erucin, on heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) gene expression and Nrf2 signaling was investigated in vitro in cultured cells and in vivo in mice. Treatment of HT-29 cells with GER+MYR resulted in a significant increase in the mRNA and protein levels of nuclear Nrf2 and HO-1. GER+MYR was more potent at enhancing the nuclear Nrf2 levels than were the following myrosinase-treated glucosinolates: sinigrin, glucoraphanin and gluconasturtiin, which are the precursors of allyl-ITC, R-sulforaphane and 2-phenylethyl ITC, respectively. GER+MYR also significantly induced HO-1 gene expression in the mouse intestinal mucosae and liver but not in the brain. Mechanistic studies suggest that GER+MYR induces Nrf2 via ERK1/2-, p38- and JNK-dependent signal transduction pathways. The GER+MYR-mediated increase in HO-1 expression is primarily attributable to p38 signaling.

Food derived microRNAs.

Foods provide fats, carbohydrates, and proteins as well as vitamins, minerals and trace elements. These dietary factors may influence cellular processes by regulating endogenous microRNA expression. MicroRNAs are non-coding regulatory molecules which affect gene expression at the post transcriptional level. It has been shown that plant and animal derived foods also contain microRNA. Yet, it is unclear if and to what extent plant and animal food derived microRNAs are absorbed by mammals. Thus, future studies need to better address absorption, tissue distribution and function of dietary plant and animal derived microRNAs in the context of human health and disease.

Biochanin A and prunetin improve epithelial barrier function in intestinal CaCo-2 cells via downregulation of ERK, NF-κB, and tyrosine phosphorylation.

The single-layered gut epithelium represents the primary line of defense against environmental stressors; thereby monolayer integrity and tightness are essentially required to maintain gut health and function. To date only a few plant-derived phytochemicals have been described as affecting intestinal barrier function. We investigated the impact of 28 secondary plant compounds on the barrier function of intestinal epithelial CaCo-2/TC-7 cells via transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements. Apart from genistein, the compounds that had the biggest effect in the TEER measurements were biochanin A and prunetin. These isoflavones improved barrier tightness by 36 and 60%, respectively, compared to the untreated control. Furthermore, both isoflavones significantly attenuated TNFα-dependent barrier disruption, thereby maintaining a high barrier resistance comparable to nonstressed cells. In docking analyses exploring the putative interaction with the tyrosine kinase EGFR, these novel modulators of barrier tightness showed very similar values compared to the known tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Both biochanin A and prunetin were also identified as potent reducers of NF-κB and ERK activation, zonula occludens 1 tyrosine phosphorylation, and metalloproteinase-mediated shedding activity, which may account for the barrier-improving ability of these isoflavones.

Human colon cell culture models of different transformation stages to assess conjugated linoleic acid and conjugated linolenic acid metabolism: Challenges and chances.

Both cellular transformation status and cell culture conditions affect fatty acid metabolism. Hence, the incorporation and metabolism of c9,t11-CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) and other CFAs (conjugated fatty acids) were compared in colon cells (LT-97, adenoma; HT-29, adenocarcinoma). Growth inhibition by CFA in LT-97 cells was assessed via the DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride) assay. Basal gene expression of desaturases (Δ5, Δ6 and Δ9) and elongases (1, 2, 5 and 6) was determined in LT-97 using PCR. Analysis of cellular fatty acids revealed a 2-fold higher incorporation of c9,t11-CLA (40 and 80µM) in HT-29 cells compared to LT-97 cells. The ß-oxidized and elongated conjugated dienoic (CD) fatty acids differed by 8-fold (CD-C16:2/CD-C20:2; HT-29: 8:1; LT-97: 1:1). Notably, LT-97 cells were shown to convert conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) to CLA. Moreover, LT-97 cells revealed no basal expression of elongase 2. CLnA caused stronger growth inhibition (≤80µM) compared to CLA (200µM). The results indicate that LT-97 cells represent a superior model to carry out elongation and desaturation studies of unsaturated and conjugated fatty acids compared to HT-29 cells. Nevertheless, further in-depth metabolic and transcriptomic analyses are required to confirm this suggestion.

Metabolic and growth inhibitory effects of conjugated fatty acids in the cell line HT-29 with special regard to the conversion of t11,t13-CLA.

Conjugated fatty acids (CFAs) exhibit growth inhibitory effects on colon cancer in vitro and in vivo. To investigate whether the anticancerogenic potency depends on number or configuration of the conjugated double bonds, the effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; C18:2) isomers and conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA; C18:3) isomers on viability and growth of HT-29 cells were compared. Low concentrations of CLnAs (<10µM) yielded a higher degree of inhibitory effects compared to CLAs (40µM). All trans-CFAs were more effective compared to cis/trans-CFAs as follows: t9,t11,t13-CLnA≥c9,t11,t13-CLnA>t11,t13-CLA≥t9,t11-CLA>c9,t11-CLA. The mRNA expression analysis of important genes associated with fatty acid metabolism showed an absence of ∆5-/∆6-desaturases and elongases in HT-29 cells, which was confirmed by fatty acid analysis. Using time- and dose-dependent stimulation experiments several metabolites were determined. Low concentrations of all trans-CFAs (5-20µM) led to dose-dependent increase of conjugated t/t-C16:2 formed by ß-oxidation of C18 CFAs, ranging from 1-5% of total FAME. Importantly, it was found that CLnA is converted to CLA and that CLA is inter-converted (t11,t13-CLA is metabolized to c9,t11-CLA) by HT-29 cells. In summary, our study shows that growth inhibition of human cancer cells is associated with a specific cellular transcriptomic and metabolic profile of fatty acid metabolism, which might contribute to the diversified ability of CFAs as anti-cancer compounds.