Loss and recovery of myocardial mitochondria in mice under different tail suspension time: Apoptosis and mitochondrial fission, fusion and autophagy.

Long-term weightlessness in animals can cause changes in myocardial structure and function, in which mitochondria play an important role. Here, a tail suspension (TS) Kunming mouse (Mus musculus) model was used to simulate the effects of weightlessness on the heart. We investigated the effects of 2 and 4 weeks of TS (TS2 and TS4) on myocardial mitochondrial ultrastructure and oxidative respiratory function and on the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and mitochondrial fission, autophagy and fusion-related signalling. Our study revealed significant changes in the ultrastructural features of cardiomyocytes in response to TS. The results showed: (1) mitochondrial swelling and disruption of cristae in TS2, but mitochondrial recovery and denser cristae in TS4; (2) an increase in the total number of mitochondria and number of sub-mitochondria in TS4; (3) no significant changes in the nuclear ultrastructure or DNA fragmentation among the two TS groups and the control group; (4) an increase in the bax/bcl-2 protein levels in the two TS groups, indicating increased activation of the bax-mediated apoptosis pathway; (5) no change in the phosphorylation ratio of dynamin-related protein 1 in the two TS groups; (6) an increase in the protein levels of optic atrophy 1 and mitofusin 2 in the two TS groups; and (7) in comparison to the TS2 group, an increase in the phosphorylation ratio of parkin and the ratio of LC3II to LC3I in TS4, suggesting an increase in autophagy. Taken together, these findings suggest that mitochondrial autophagy and fusion levels increased after 4 weeks of TS, leading to a restoration of the bax-mediated myocardial apoptosis pathway observed after 2 weeks of TS. NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? What are the effects of 2 and 4 weeks of tail suspension on myocardial mitochondrial ultrastructure and oxidative respiratory function and on the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and mitochondrial fission, autophagy and fusion-related signalling? What is the main finding and its importance? Increased mitochondrial autophagy and fusion levels after 4 weeks of tail suspension help to reshape the morphology and increase the number of myocardial mitochondria.

[Medication experience of TCM Master Academician Wang Qi in the treatment of premature ejaculation: Data mining and analysis].

Objective: To analyze the academic thought, medication experience and prescription rules of Academician Wang Qi in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) using the TCM inheritance support platform (V2.5). METHODS: We collected and sorted out the medical records on the treatment of PE from Academician Wang Qi's Clinic. We established a database of medical records on the TCM inheritance support platform, analyzed the drugs and prescriptions in the database and explored new prescriptions using "statistical reports" and "data analysis" systems on the platform. RESULTS: A total of 91 effective prescriptions were recorded, involving 148 TCM drugs, with Phellodendron, Amomum Villosum, Polygala Tenuifolia, Tuckahoe, Lodestone, Oyster, Acanthopanax Senticosus, Uncaria, Tribulus, and Keel as the top 10 with the highest frequency of use, which were featured mainly by "warm" and "cold" concerning the four natures, "sweet", "bitter" and "pungent" relating to the five flavors, and acting on "kidney meridian", "liver meridian" and "heart meridian" in terms of the meridian tropisms. In addition, 5 new prescriptions were obtained through unsupervised entropy hierarchical clustering. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of PE, Academician Wang Qi employs tranquilizing the mind and consolidating the kidney (An Zhi Gu Shen) as the primary strategy, taking into account the three organs of heart, liver and kidneys, focusing on the phase of calming the mind or regulating the liver or clearing the kidney or controlling fire, and adding or reducing drugs according to different conditions and syndromes, which conforms to his diagnosis and treatment mode of "body differentiation－disease differentiation－syndrome differentiation". The analysis of the potential new prescriptions also accords with Academician Wang Qi's rules of medication, which can provide some ideas for the clinical treatment of and scientific researches on premature ejaculation in the future.

[Academician Wang Qi's medication rules for oligoasthenozoospermia: An analysis based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Auxiliary Platform].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the medication rules for oligoasthenozoospermia (OAZ) observed by Wang Qi, an academician, master of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and initiator of andrology in TCM. METHODS: We collected the outpatient cases of OAZ treated by Wang Qi and established a database of clinical medical records using the TCM Inheritance Auxiliary Platform. Employing the integrated rule-based system for analysis of the software, we modified the mutual information method, complex system entropy clustering analysis and other data mining methods, and summarized the medication rules Wang Qi followed in the treatment of OAZ. RESULTS: A total of 134 prescriptions made by Wang Qi for the treatment of OAZ were collected, involving 110 TCM drugs, which are mainly neutral and warm in nature and taste sweet and mostly act through the liver and kidney meridians. The core formula ingredients of the prescriptions included Morinda officinalis, Cuscuta chinensis, Lycium barbarum, Mulberry, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus mongholicus and Fish Maw, and most frequently Morinda officinalis, Cuscuta chinensis, Lycium barbarum and Mulberry. CONCLUSIONS: Wang Qi holds that kidney deficiency, dampness-heat, blood stasis and toxin are the main pathogenic factors for OAZ. The basic treatment of OAZ is to invigorate the kidney and replenish the essence, and meanwhile activate blood circulation, dissipate stasis and eliminate dampness-heat.

Extraction and preparation of high-aroma and low-caffeine instant green teas by the novel column chromatographic extraction method with gradient elution.

The lack of aroma and natural taste is a critical problem in production and consumption of instant green teas. A method to prepare instant green teas high in-natural-aroma and low-caffeine by the novel column chromatographic extraction with gradient elution is reported. This method simultaneously extracted aroma (or volatile) and non-aroma compounds from green tea. Green tea was loaded into columns with 2.0-fold of petroleum ether (PE): ethanol (8:2). After standing for 3 h until the aroma compounds dissolved, the column was sequentially eluted with 3.0-fold 40% ethanol and 3.5-fold water. The eluant was collected together and automatically separated into PE and ethanol aqueous phases. The aroma extracts was obtained by vacuum-evaporation of PE phase at 45 °C. The ethanol aqueous phase was vacuum-concentrated to aqueous and partially or fully decaffeinated with 4% or 9% charcoal at 70 °C. A regular instant green tea with epigallocatechin-3-gallate: caffeine of 3.5:1 and a low-caffeine instant green tea (less than 1% caffeine) with excellent aroma and taste were prepared, by combining the aroma and non-aroma extracts at a 1:10 ratio. This work provides a practical approach to solve the low-aroma and low-taste problems in the production of high quality instant green teas.

Molecular simulation assisted identification of Ca(2+) binding residues in TMEM16A.

Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) play vital roles in a variety of physiological processes. Transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A) has been confirmed as the molecular counterpart of CaCCs which greatly pushes the molecular insights of CaCCs forward. However, the detailed mechanism of Ca(2+) binding and activating the channel is still obscure. Here, we utilized a combination of computational and electrophysiological approaches to discern the molecular mechanism by which Ca(2+) regulates the gating of TMEM16A channels. The simulation results show that the first intracellular loop serves as a Ca(2+) binding site including D439, E444 and E447. The experimental results indicate that a novel residue, E447, plays key role in Ca(2+) binding. Compared with WT TMEM16A, E447Y produces a 30-fold increase in EC50 of Ca(2+) activation and leads to a 100-fold increase in Ca(2+) concentrations that is needed to fully activate the channel. The following steered molecular dynamic (SMD) simulation data suggests that the mutations at 447 reduce the Ca(2+) dissociation energy. Our results indicated that both the electrical property and the size of the side-chain at residue 447 have significant effects on Ca(2+) dependent gating of TMEM16A.

Baseline HbA1c Level Influences the Effect of Periodontal Therapy on Glycemic Control in People with Type 2 Diabetes and Periodontitis: A Systematic Review on Randomized Controlled Trails.

INTRODUCTION: The question of whether periodontal therapy is an effective strategy for achieving glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis continues to be open to debate. To clarify this issue, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was carried out by searching four electronic databases and four journals up to April 2020. RCTs that evaluated the effect of periodontal therapy on glycemic control in people with T2DM were included. RESULTS: A total of 23 RCTs were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. We found that after 3 and 6 months, periodontal therapy could significantly reduce glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (3-month: weighted mean difference [WMD] - 0.514, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.730, - 0.298, p = 0.000; 6-month: WMD - 0.548, 95% CI - 0.859, - 0.238, p = 0.000). However, huge heterogeneity existed. Further analyses on 11 potential sources of heterogeneity found that baseline HbA1c of the included studies was the most significant factor causing heterogeneity. The benefit of periodontal therapy on glycemic control was much more obvious in studies with a higher baseline HbA1c level than in those with a lower baseline HbA1c level. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal therapy significantly contributed to glycemic control in T2DM patients, especially in patients with higher baseline HbA1c level.

Clinical application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-traumatic stress disorder: A literature review.

The efficacy of traditional treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is still unsatisfactory. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been widely used in the treatment of various types of mental disorders, including PTSD. Although rTMS has been demonstrated to be effective in many cases, there are still arguments regarding its mechanism and protocol. This review aims to summarize the origin, development, principle, and future direction of rTMS and introduce this neuro-stimulation therapy to relevant clinicians.

The protective effect of cordyceps sinensis extract on cerebral ischemic injury via modulating the mitochondrial respiratory chain and inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Cerebral ischemia is a common refractory brain disease, resulting from a reduction in the blood flow to the brain. Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to ischemic stroke and brain injury. Cordyceps sinensis (CS) is an important traditional Chinese medicine, which has been linked to neuroprotection in recent studies. In this study, we investigated the role of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway on the protective effect of Cordyceps sinensis extract (CSE) against cerebral ischemia injury both in vivo and in vitro. In a murine middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, administration of CSE relieved neuronal morphological damage and attenuated the neuronal apoptosis. CSE also reduced neurobehavioral scores and oxygen free radical (OFR), while improving the levels of ATP, cytochrome c oxidase (COX), and mitochondrial complexes I-IV. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of Bax, cytochrome c (Cyt c) and caspase-3 were down-regulated. In brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), CSE prevented OGD-induced cellular apoptosis, and recovered the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Moreover, CSE treatment induced an increase of Bcl-2 protein expression and a decrease of Bax, Cyt c and caspase-3 protein expression. Meanwhile, the caspase-3, -8, and -9 activities were also inhibited. The results indicate that CSE can relieve cerebral ischemia injury and exhibit protective effects via modulating the mitochondrial respiratory chain and inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Simulated weightlessness led to the transformation of glycolipid metabolism in the livers of mice / La antigravedad simulada provocó la transformación del metabolismo de los glicolípidos en el hígado de ratones / Antigravidade simulada levou à transformação do metabolismo de glicolipídios no fígado de camundongos

ABSTRACT Objectives: The effects of weightlessness on the liver were studied using a tail suspension (TS) male mouse model. Methods: The effects of 0-, 2- and 4-week TS (CON, TS2 and TS4 groups) on glycogen and lipid content, as well as on the molecular processes of the synthesis and degradation pathways, were examined. Results: (1) The number of glycogenosomes under ultrastructure and the glycogen content were considerably larger in the TS4 group than in the other two groups. (2) In the TS4 group, glycogen synthase activity remained constant while glycogen phosphorylase activity dropped, indicating that glycogen breakdown was reduced. (3) The livers of the TS2 group had the highest lipid and triglyceride content, indicating lipid buildup in the liver at this time. (4) In the TS2 group, the activities of the fatty acid synthesis-related factors acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase increased, while hepatic lipase decreased, indicating that lipid synthesis increased, while decomposition decreased. (5) In the TS2 group, the protein expression of glucose transporters 1 and 2 increased. Conclusions: From TS2 weeks to TS4 weeks, the main energy consumption mode in the livers of mice transitioned from glucose metabolism to lipid metabolism as glucose use decreased. Level of evidence II; Comparative prospective study.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Se estudiaron los efectos de la antigravedad en el hígado utilizando un modelo de ratón macho en prueba de suspensión de la cola (TS, tail suspension). Métodos: Se examinaron los efectos de la TS a las 0, 2 y 4 semanas (grupos CON, TS2 y TS4) sobre el contenido de glucógeno y lípidos, así como sobre los procesos moleculares de las vías de síntesis y degradación. Resultados: (1) El número de glucogenosomas ultraestructurales y el contenido de glucógeno fueron expresivamente más altos en el grupo TS4 que en los otros dos grupos. (2) En el grupo TS4, la actividad de la glucógeno sintasa se mantuvo constante, mientras que la actividad de la glucógeno fosforilasa disminuyó, lo que indica que la degradación del glucógeno se redujo. (3) Los hígados del grupo TS2 presentaron el mayor contenido de lípidos y triglicéridos, lo que indica la acumulación de lípidos en el hígado en ese momento. (4) En el grupo TS2, la actividad de los factores relacionados con la síntesis de ácidos grasos acetil-CoA carboxilasa y ácido graso sintasa aumentó, mientras que la lipasa hepática disminuyó, indicando que la síntesis de lípidos aumentó mientras que la descomposición disminuyó. (5) En el grupo TS2, la expresión proteica de los transportadores de glucosa 1 y 2 aumentó. Conclusiones: Desde la semana TS2 hasta la semana TS4, el principal modo de consumo de energía en el hígado de los ratones pasó del metabolismo de la glucosa al metabolismo de los lípidos a medida que disminuía el uso de la glucosa. Nivel de Evidencia II, Estudio retrospectivo comparativo.

RESUMO Objetivos: Os efeitos da antigravidade no fígado foram estudados usando um modelo de camundongo macho com a suspensão pela cauda (TS, tail suspension). Métodos: Foram examinados os efeitos da TS em 0, 2 e 4 semanas (grupos CON, TS2 e TS4) sobre o conteúdo de glicogênio e lipídios, bem como nos processos moleculares das vias de síntese e degradação. Resultados: (1) O número de glicogenossomos ultraestruturais e o teor de glicogênio foram expressivamente maiores no grupo TS4 do que nos outros dois grupos. (2) No grupo TS4, a atividade de glicogênio sintase permaneceu constante, enquanto a atividade de glicogênio fosforilase caiu, indicando que a degradação do glicogênio foi reduzida. (3) Os fígados do grupo TS2 tiveram o maior teor lipídico e de triglicérides, indicando acúmulo de lipídios no fígado no momento. (4) No grupo TS2, a atividade dos fatores relacionados com a síntese de ácidos graxos acetil-CoA carboxilase e ácido graxo sintase aumentaram, enquanto a lipase hepática diminuiu, indicando que a síntese de lipídios aumentou, enquanto a decomposição diminuiu. (5) No grupo TS2, a expressão proteica dos transportadores de glicose 1 e 2 aumentou. Conclusões: De TS2 semanas para TS4 semanas, o principal modo de consumo de energia no fígado de camundongos passou do metabolismo da glicose para o metabolismo lipídico, à medida que o uso de glicose diminuiu. Nível de evidência II, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Plasma pharmacokinetics, oral bioavailability, and interspecies scaling of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, zebularine.

PURPOSE: Zebularine is a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor proposed for clinical evaluation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We developed a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry assay and did i.v. and oral studies in mice, rats, and rhesus monkeys. RESULTS: In mice, plasma zebularine concentrations declined with terminal half-lives (t(1/2)) of 40 and 91 minutes after 100 mg/kg i.v. and 1,000 mg/kg given orally, respectively. Zebularine plasma concentration versus time curves (area under the curve) after 100 mg/kg i.v. and 1,000 mg/kg given orally were 7,323 and 4,935 mug/mL min, respectively, corresponding to a total body clearance (CL(tb)) of 13.65 mL/min/kg, apparent total body clearance (CL(app)) of 203 mL/min/kg, and oral bioavailability of 6.7%. In rats, plasma zebularine concentrations declined with t(1/2) of 363, 110, and 126 minutes after 50 mg/kg i.v., 250 mg/kg given orally, and 500 mg/kg given orally, respectively. Zebularine areas under the curve after 50 mg/kg i.v., 250 mg/kg given orally, and 500 mg/kg given orally were 12,526, 1,969, and 7,612 mug/mL min, respectively, corresponding to a CL(tb) of 3.99 mL/min/kg for 50 mg/kg i.v. and CL(app) of 127 and 66 mL/min/kg for 250 and 500 mg/kg given orally, respectively. Bioavailabilities of 3.1% and 6.1% were calculated for the 250 and 500 mg/kg oral doses, respectively. In monkeys, zebularine t(1/2) was 70 and 150 minutes, CL(tb) was 3.55 and 10.85 mL/min/kg after i.v. administration, and CL(app) was 886 and 39,572 mL/min/kg after oral administration of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg, respectively. Zebularine oral bioavailability was <1% in monkeys. Interspecies scaling produced the following relationship: CL(tb) = 6.46(weight(0.9)). CONCLUSIONS: Zebularine has limited oral bioavailability. Interspecies scaling projects a CL(tb) of 296 mL/min in humans.

New function of the Yb3+ ion as an efficient emitter of persistent luminescence in the short-wave infrared.

The trivalent ytterbium (Yb3+) ion has been extensively used as an emitter in short-wave infrared (SWIR) lasers, a sensitizer to activate other lanthanide ions for up-conversion luminescence, and a spectral converter in Ln3+-Yb3+ doubly doped quantum cutting phosphors. Here we report a new function of the Yb3+ ion-as an efficient emitting center for SWIR persistent luminescence. We have developed the first real SWIR persistent phosphor, MgGeO3:Yb3+, which exhibits very-long persistent luminescence at around 1000 nm for longer than 100 h. The MgGeO3:Yb3+ phosphor is spectrally transparent to visible/near-infrared light (~400-900 nm) and is a promising ultraviolet-to-SWIR spectral convertor. The MgGeO3:Yb3+ phosphor also exhibits a photostimulated persistent luminescence capability, where the SWIR persistent emission in an ultraviolet-light pre-irradiated sample can be rejuvenated by low-energy light (white or red light) stimulation. The MgGeO3:Yb3+ phosphor is expected to have promising applications in biomedical imaging, night-vision surveillance and photovoltaics.

Effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on plasma or tissue adenosine levels and renal function.

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcys) is considered an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that hHcys produced glomerular dysfunction and sclerosis independently of hypertension. However, the mechanism mediating these pathogenic effects of homocysteine (Hcys) is poorly understood. Because Hcys and adenosine (Ado) are simultaneously produced via hydrolysis of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), we hypothesized that hHcys may produce its pathogenic effects by decrease in plasma or tissue Ado concentrations. METHODS AND RESULTS: L-Hcys (1.5 micromol/min per kilogram) was infused intravenously for 60 minutes to produce acute hHcys in Sprague-Dawley rats. Plasma Hcys levels increased from 6.7+/-0.4 to 14.7+/-0.5 micromol/L, but Ado decreased from 141.7+/-15.1 to 52.4+/-6.8 nmol/L in these rats with acute hHcys. This hHcys-induced reduction of Ado was also observed in the kidney dialysate. In rats with chronic hHcys, plasma Ado levels were also significantly decreased. By kinetic analysis of the enzyme activities, decrease in renal Ado levels in hHcys was shown to be associated with inhibition of SAH hydrolase but not 5'-nucleotidase. Functionally, intravenous infusion of Hcys was found to decrease renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and sodium and water excretion, which could be blocked by the Ado receptor antagonist 8-SPT. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly suggest that hHcys decreases plasma and tissue Ado concentrations associated with inhibition of SAH hydrolase. Decrease in plasma and tissue Ado may be an important mechanism mediating the pathogenic effects of Hcys.

Is it meaningful to distinguish between generalized and specific Internet addiction? Evidence from a cross-cultural study from Germany, Sweden, Taiwan and China.

INTRODUCTION: It has been hypothesized that two distinctive forms of Internet addiction exist. Here, generalized Internet addiction refers to the problematic use of the Internet covering a broad range of Internet-related activities. In contrast, specific forms of Internet addiction target the problematic use of distinct online activities such as excessive online video gaming or activities in social networks. METHODS: The present study investigates the relationship between generalized and specific Internet addiction in a cross-cultural study encompassing data from China, Taiwan, Sweden and Germany in n = 636 participants. In this study, we assessed - besides generalized Internet addiction - addictive behavior in the domains of online video gaming, online shopping, online social networks and online pornography. RESULTS: The results confirm the existence of distinct forms of specific Internet addiction. One exception, however, was established in five of the six samples under investigation: online social network addiction correlates in large amounts with generalized Internet addiction. DISCUSSION: In general, it is of importance to distinguish between generalized and specific Internet addiction.

One-step column chromatographic extraction with gradient elution followed by automatic separation of volatiles, flavonoids and polysaccharides from Citrus grandis.

Citrus grandis Tomentosa is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and health foods. Its functional components include volatiles, flavonoids and polysaccharides which cannot be effectively extracted through traditional methods. A column chromatographic extraction with gradient elution was developed for one-step extraction of all bioactive substances from C. grandis. Dried material was loaded into a column with petroleum ether: ethanol (8:2, PE) and sequentially eluted with 2-fold PE, 3-fold ethanol: water (6:4) and 8-fold water. The elutes was separated into an ether fraction containing volatiles and an ethanol-water fraction containing flavonoids and polysaccharides. The later was separated into flavonoids and polysaccharides by 80% ethanol precipitation of polysaccharides. Through this procedure, volatiles, flavonoids and polysaccharides in C. grandis were simultaneously extracted at 98% extraction rates and simply separated at higher than 95% recovery rates. The method provides a simple and high-efficient extraction and separation of wide range bioactive substances.

The dissociation rate affects the directed motion of the molecular motor.

Master equation is used in the paper under the condition of dissociation rate to study the directed motion of molecular motor. The drift velocity, the diffusion constant, the dwell time and the mean length of the motor are calculated. We found the dissociation rate affects the directed motion of the molecular motor.

A dynamical model on the network of p53-Mdm2 feedback loop regulated by p14/19ARF.

Base on new experimental results, we give a dynamical model to study the dynamical mechanism of the negative feedback loop composed of p53 and Mdm2 proteins regulated by p14/19ARF. The oscillatory behaviors for the activities of p53 and Mdm2 proteins regulated by p14/19ARF in individual of cells are described in our dynamical model. The results help us build a basal network about oscillatory behaviors among p53, Mdm2 and P14/19ARF. The dynamical model and its numerical results will help us understand the oscillatory behavior among other network of different proteins.

Implications of hyperhomocysteinemia in glomerular sclerosis in hypertension.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcys) has been recognized as a new risk factor for cardiovascular diseases independent of plasma lipid levels or other factors. However, it remains unknown whether hHcys is implicated in the target organ damages associated with hypertension. The present study first examined the possible role of hHcys in the development of glomerulosclerosis in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) hypertensive rats. High-performance liquid chromatography showed that plasma total homocysteine (tHcys) concentration was 7.64 +/- 0.29 micromol/L in conscious DS rats on a low salt (0.4% NaCl) diet, which was higher than 5.23 +/- 0.25 micromol/L in Dahl salt-resistant normotensive rats. When these rats were exposed to a high salt (4% NaCl) diet, plasma tHcys markedly increased in DS rats (14.7 +/-1.31 micromol/L) but not in Dahl salt-resistant rats (5.34 +/- 0.54 micromol/L). An iron chelater, desferrioxamine (0.3 mg/kg IV per day), completely normalized high salt--induced elevations of plasma tHcys and significantly attenuated the sclerotic changes in the glomeruli in DS rats. To further determine whether hHcys has an independent effect in the development of glomerulosclerosis, Sprague-Dawley rats were fed drinking water containing methionine (1 g/kg per day) for 6 weeks to produce hHcys. In these rats, plasma tHcys increased to 12.5 +/- 1.9 micromol/L (versus 6.1 +/- 2.6 micromol/L in control rats), and the aorta exhibited typical sclerotic changes, but arterial pressure was not altered. Urinary protein excretion increased to 52 +/- 2 mg/24 hours (versus 17 +/- 2 mg/24 hours in control rats), and the glomerular mesangium was expanded with glomerular hypercellularity, capillary collapse, and fibrous deposition in the rats with hHcys. These results suggest that elevated plasma homocysteine may be an important pathogenic factor for glomerular damage in hypertension independent of arterial pressure.

Increased H(2)O(2) counteracts the vasodilator and natriuretic effects of superoxide dismutation by tempol in renal medulla.

A membrane-permeable SOD mimetic, 4-hydroxytetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl (tempol), has been used as an antioxidant to prevent hypertension. We recently found that this SOD mimetic could not prevent development of hypertension induced by inhibition of renal medullary SOD with diethyldithiocarbamic acid. The present study tested a hypothesis that increased H2O2 counteracts the effects of tempol on renal medullary blood flow (MBF) and Na+ excretion (UNaV), thereby restraining the antihypertensive effect of this SOD mimetic. By in vivo microdialysis and Amplex red H2O2 microassay, it was found that interstitial H2O2 levels in the renal cortex and medulla in anesthetized rats averaged 55.91 +/- 3.66 and 102.18 +/- 5.16 nM, respectively. Renal medullary interstitial infusion of tempol (30 micromol x min-1x kg-1) significantly increased medullary H2O2 levels by 46%, and coinfusion of catalase (10 mg x min-1x kg-1) completely abolished this increase. Functionally, removal of H2O2 by catalase enhanced the tempol-induced increase in MBF, urine flow, and UNaV by 28, 41, and 30%, respectively. Direct delivery of H2O2 by renal medullary interstitial infusion (7.5-30 nmol x min-1x kg-1) significantly decreased renal MBF, urine flow, and UNaV, and catalase reversed the effects of H2O2. We conclude that tempol produces a renal medullary vasodilator effect and results in diuresis and natriuresis. However, this SOD mimetic increases the formation of H2O2, which constricts medullary vessels and, thereby, counteracts its vasodilator actions. This counteracting effect of H2O2 may limit the use of tempol as an antihypertensive agent under exaggerated oxidative stress in the kidney.

Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion reduce the levels of cyclic ADP-ribose in rat myocardium.

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) is a novel Ca(2+)-mobilizing second messenger in mammalian cells including cardiomyocytes. It is unknown whether myocardial ischemia and reperfusion affect the metabolism of cADPR in the myocardium. The present study therefore examined the effects of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion on the concentrations of myocardial cADPR using high-performance liquid chromatography. Basal levels of cADPR in rat myocardium were 5.3 +/- 1.8 nmol x mg(-1) protein. Myocardial ischemia for 30 min significantly decreased cADPR concentrations to 2.1 +/- 0.4 nmol x mg(-1) protein. During reperfusion, cADPR was maintained at ischemic levels. The activity of ADP-ribosyl cyclase was expressed as the conversion rate of nicotinamide guanine dinucleotide (NGD(+)) to cyclic GDP-ribose. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion did not alter the activity of ADP-ribosyl cyclase. However, cADPR hydrolase activity, as measured by the conversion rate of cADPR to ADP-ribose, was significantly elevated by ischemia and reperfusion. To determine the mechanism resulting in the enhancement of cADPR hydrolase activity, we examined the effects of changes in ADP, ATP, pH, and PO(2) on the conversion rate of cADPR to ADPR. Alterations of ADP, ATP, or pH in myocardial tissue had no effect on the degradation of cADPR, whereas a decrease in tissue PO(2) markedly increased the hydrolysis of cADPR. These results suggest that myocardial ischemia and reperfusion decrease cADPR in the myocardium by increasing its hydrolysis. Tissue hypoxia may be one of the important mechanisms to activate cADPR hydrolase.