Intestinal Piezo1 aggravates intestinal barrier dysfunction during sepsis by mediating Ca2+ influx.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal barrier dysfunction is a pivotal factor in sepsis progression. The mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 is associated with barrier function; however, its role in sepsis-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction remains poorly understood. METHODS: The application of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) modeling was performed on both mice of the wild-type (WT) variety and those with Villin-Piezo1flox/flox genetic makeup to assess the barrier function using in vivo FITC-dextran permeability measurements and immunofluorescence microscopy analysis of tight junctions (TJs) and apoptosis levels. In vitro, Caco-2 monolayers were subjected to TNF-α incubation. Moreover, to modulate Piezo1 activation, GsMTx4 was applied to inhibit Piezo1 activation. The barrier function, intracellular calcium levels, and mitochondrial function were monitored using calcium imaging and immunofluorescence techniques. RESULTS: In the intestinal tissues of CLP-induced septic mice, Piezo1 protein levels were notably elevated compared with those in normal mice. Piezo1 has been implicated in the sepsis-mediated disruption of TJs, apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells, elevated intestinal mucosal permeability, and systemic inflammation in WT mice, whereas these effects were absent in Villin-Piezo1flox/flox CLP mice. In Caco-2 cells, TNF-α prompted calcium influx, an effect reversed by GsMTx4 treatment. Elevated calcium concentrations are correlated with increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species, diminished mitochondrial membrane potential, and TJ disruption. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, Piezo1 is a potential contributor to sepsis-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction, influencing apoptosis and TJ modification through calcium influx-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.

A generic static headspace gas chromatography method for determination of residual solvents in drug substance.

In order to increase productivity of drug analysis in the pharmaceutical industry, an efficient and sensitive generic static headspace gas chromatography (HSGC) method was successfully developed and validated for the determination of 44 classes 2 and 3 solvents of International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) guideline Q3C, as residual solvents in drug substance. In order to increase the method sensitivity and efficiency in sample equilibration, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was selected as the sample diluent based on its high capacity of dissolving drug substance, stability and high boiling point. The HS sample equilibration temperature and equilibration time are assessed in ranges of 125-150°C and 8-15 min, respectively. The results indicate that the residual solvents in 200mg of drug substance can be equilibrated efficiently in HS sampler at 140°C for 10 min. The GC parameters, e.g. sample split ratio, carrier flow rate and oven temperature gradient are manipulated to enhance the method sensitivity and separation efficiency. The two-stage gradient GC run from 35 to 240°C, using an Agilent DB-624 capillary column (30 m long, 0.32 mm I.D., 1.8 µm film thickness), is suitable to determine 44 ICH classes 2 and 3 solvents in 30 min. The method validation results indicate that the method is accurate, precise, linear and sensitive for solvents assessed. The recoveries of most of these solvents from four drug substances are greater than 80% within the method determination ranges. However, this method is not suitable for the 10 remaining ICH classes 2 and 3 solvents, because they are too polar (e.g. formic acid and acidic acid), or have boiling points higher than 150°C, (e.g. anisol and cumene). In comparison with the previous published methods, this method has a much shorter sample equilibration time, a better separation for many solvents, a higher sensitivity and a broader concentration range.