Attachment styles, self-compassion, and psychological adjustment in long-term breast cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: The increasing numbers of breast cancer survivors highlight the importance of delineating factors that identify women who are at risk of poor psychological adjustment in the long term. In breast cancer survivors, higher attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance have been associated with poorer psychological adjustment. Moreover, there is evidence that self-compassion, a kind manner of treating oneself during difficulties, is associated with psychological adjustment in this population. This study aimed to extend the association between attachment styles and psychological adjustment to the context of long-term breast cancer survivors and to determine whether lower self-compassion underlies this association. METHODS: Participants (N = 82) were recruited through emailed invitations to members of the Review and Survey Group of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Following online consent, participants completed measures assessing attachment styles, self-compassion, psychological stress, and the perceived negative impact of cancer. Bootstrapping analyses using the PROCESS macro were used to test the significance of indirect effects. RESULTS: As hypothesised, correlational analyses revealed that higher attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were significantly and positively associated with stress and perceived negative impact of cancer. Bootstrapping analyses revealed significant indirect effects of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance (on both stress and perceived negative impact of cancer) through lower self-compassion. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that self-compassion training may be useful for enhancing the psychological adjustment of long-term breast cancer survivors. Future longitudinal and experimental studies in more diverse samples are needed to confirm causal directionality of these relationships and to expand upon these findings.

Hepatoprotective effects of secoiridoid-rich extracts from Gentiana cruciata L. against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats.

The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of the methanol extracts of Gentiana cruciata L. aerial parts (GCA) and roots (GCR) against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats. Pretreatment with GCA and GCR, containing sweroside, swertiamarin and gentiopicrin in high concentrations, dose-dependently and significantly decreased the levels of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin, whereas an increase in the level of total protein was found compared with the CCl4-treated group. Moreover, oral administration of extracts significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase), increased the content of glutathione and decreased the content of TBARS. Microscopic evaluations of the liver revealed CCl4-induced lesions and related toxic manifestations that were minimal in the liver of rats pretreated with extracts at the dose of 400 mg per kg b.w. The results suggest that the use of G. cruciata extracts has a merit as a potent candidate in protecting the liver against chemical induced toxicity.

PARP-1 and YY1 are important novel regulators of CXCL12 gene transcription in rat pancreatic beta cells.

Despite significant progress, the molecular mechanisms responsible for pancreatic beta cell depletion and development of diabetes remain poorly defined. At present, there is no preventive measure against diabetes. The positive impact of CXCL12 expression on the pancreatic beta cell prosurvival phenotype initiated this study. Our aim was to provide novel insight into the regulation of rat CXCL12 gene (Cxcl12) transcription. The roles of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) in Cxcl12 transcription were studied by examining their in vitro and in vivo binding affinities for the Cxcl12 promoter in a pancreatic beta cell line by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The regulatory activities of PARP-1 and YY1 were assessed in transfection experiments using a reporter vector with a Cxcl12 promoter sequence driving luciferase gene expression. Experimental evidence for PARP-1 and YY1 revealed their trans-acting potential, wherein PARP-1 displayed an inhibitory, and YY1 a strong activating effect on Cxcl12 transcription. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced general toxicity in pancreatic beta cells was followed by changes in Cxcl12 promoter regulation. PARP-1 binding to the Cxcl12 promoter during basal and in STZ-compromised conditions led us to conclude that PARP-1 regulates constitutive Cxcl12 expression. During the early stage of oxidative stress, YY1 exhibited less affinity toward the Cxcl12 promoter while PARP-1 displayed strong binding. These interactions were accompanied by Cxcl12 downregulation. In the later stages of oxidative stress and intensive pancreatic beta cell injury, YY1 was highly expressed and firmly bound to Cxcl12 promoter in contrast to PARP-1. These interactions resulted in higher Cxcl12 expression. The observed ability of PARP-1 to downregulate, and of YY1 to upregulate Cxcl12 promoter activity anticipates corresponding effects in the natural context where the functional interplay of these proteins could finely balance Cxcl12 transcription.

Decreased O-GlcNAcylation of the key proteins in kinase and redox signalling pathways is a novel mechanism of the beneficial effect of α-lipoic acid in diabetic liver.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the treatment with a-lipoic acid (LA), a naturally occurring compound possessing antioxidant activity, on liver oxidant stress in a rat model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes by examining potential mechanistic points that influence changes in the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and CuZn/Mn superoxide dismutase(s) (SOD). LA was administered for 4 weeks by daily intraperitoneal injections (10 mg/kg) to STZ-induced diabetic rats, starting from the last STZ treatment. LA administration practically normalised the activities of the indicators of hepatocellular injury, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, and lowered oxidative stress, as observed by the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance assay, restored the reduced glutathione:glutathione disulphide ratio and increased the protein sulfhydryl group content. The lower level of DNA damage detected by the comet assay revealed that LA reduced cytotoxic signalling, exerting a hepatoprotective effect. The LA-treated diabetic rats displayed restored specific enzymatic activities of CAT, CuZnSOD and MnSOD. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that LA restored CAT gene expression to its physiological level and increased CuZnSOD gene expression, but the gene expression of MnSOD remained at the diabetic level. Although the amounts of CAT and CuZnSOD protein expression returned to the control levels, the protein expression of MnSOD was elevated. These results suggested that LA administration affected CAT and CuZnSOD expression mainly at the transcriptional level, and MnSOD expression at the post-transcriptional level. The observed LA-promoted decrease in the O-GlcNAcylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, protein 38 kinase, NF-kB, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein and the antioxidative enzymes themselves in diabetic rats suggests that the regulatory mechanisms that supported the changes in antioxidative enzyme expression were also influenced by post-translational mechanisms.

Alpha-lipoic acid upregulates antioxidant enzyme gene expression and enzymatic activity in diabetic rat kidneys through an O-GlcNAc-dependent mechanism.

PURPOSE: The combined hyperglycemia lowering and antioxidant actions of α-lipoic acid (LA) contribute to its usefulness in preventing renal injury and other diabetic complications. The precise mechanisms by which LA alters diabetic oxidative renal injury are not known. We hypothesized that LA through its hypoglycemic effect lowers O-GlcNAcylation which influences the expression and activities of antioxidant enzymes which assume important roles in preventing diabetes-induced oxidative renal injury. METHODS: An experimental model of diabetes was induced in rats by the administration of 40 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally (i.p.) for five consecutive days. LA was applied at a dose of 10 mg/kg i.p. for 4 weeks, starting from the last day of STZ administration. RESULTS: An improved glycemic status of LA-treated diabetic rats was accompanied by a significant suppression of oxidative stress and a reduction of oxidative damage of lipids, proteins and DNA. LA treatment normalized CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in renal tissue of diabetic rats. These changes were allied with upregulated gene expression and lower levels of O-GlcNA glycosylation. The accompanying increase in MnSOD activity was only linked with upregulated gene expression. The observed antioxidant enzyme gene regulation was accompanied by nuclear translocation of Nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), enhanced expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and by reduction in O-GlcNAcylation of HSP90, HSP70, and extracellular regulated kinase and p38. CONCLUSION: α-Lipoic acid administration activates a coordinated cytoprotective response against diabetes-induced oxidative injury in kidney tissue through an O-GlcNAc-dependent mechanism.

Hepatoprotective effects of Gentiana asclepiadea L. extracts against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats.

This study is an attempt to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Gentiana asclepiadea L. against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats. Methanol extracts of aerial parts (GAA) and roots (GAR) of G. asclepiadea at doses of 100, 200, and 400mg/ kg b.w. were orally administered to Wistar rats once daily for 7 days before they were treated with CCl(4). The hepatoprotective activity of the extracts in this study was compared with the reference drug silymarin. In CCl(4) treated animals, GAA and GAR significantly decreased levels of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin, and increased the level of total protein. Treatment with the extracts resulted in a significant increase in the levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione, accompanied with a marked reduction in the levels of malondialdehyde, as compared to CCl(4) treated group. The histopathological studies confirmed protective effects of extracts against CCl(4)-induced liver injuries. No genotoxicity was observed in liver cells after GAA treatment, while GAR showed only slight genotoxic effects by comet assay. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of sweroside, swertiamarin and gentiopicrin in high concentrations in both extracts. It could be concluded that the use of G. asclepiadea extracts in the treatment of chemical-induced hepatotoxicity.

STAT3/NF-κB interactions determine the level of haptoglobin expression in male rats exposed to dietary restriction and/or acute phase stimuli.

Haptoglobin is a constitutively expressed protein which is predominantly synthesized in the liver. During the acute-phase (AP) response haptoglobin is upregulated along with other AP proteins. Its upregulation during the AP response is mediated by cis-trans interactions between the hormone-responsive element (HRE) residing in the haptoglobin gene and inducible transcription factors STAT3 and C/EBP ß. In male rats that have been subjected to chronic 50% dietary restriction (DR), the basal haptoglobin serum level is decreased. The aim of this study was to characterize the trans-acting factor(s) responsible for the reduction of haptoglobin expression in male rats subjected to 50% DR for 6 weeks. Protein-DNA interactions between C/EBP and STAT families of transcription factors and the HRE region of the haptoglobin gene were examined in livers of male rats subjected to DR, as well as during the AP response that was induced by turpentine administration. In DR rats, we observed associations between the HRE and C/EBPα/ß, STAT5b and NF-κB p50, and the absence of interactions between STAT3 and NF-kB p65. Subsequent induction of the AP response in DR rats by turpentine administration elicited a normal, almost 2-fold increase in the serum haptoglobin level that was accompanied by HRE-binding of C/EBPß, STAT3/5b and NF-kB p65/p50, and the establishment of interaction between STAT3 and NF-κB p65. These results suggest that STAT3 and NF-κB p65 crosstalk plays a central role while C/EBPß acquires an accessory role in establishing the level of haptoglobin gene expression in male rats exposed to DR and AP stimuli.

Extract of the plant Cotinus coggygria Scop. attenuates pyrogallol-induced hepatic oxidative stress in Wistar rats.

To examine the protective potential of the Cotinus coggygria Scop. methanol extract, Wistar rats were treated with the hepatotoxic compound pyrogallol, which possesses a potent ability to generate free radicals and induce oxidative stress. The ability of the extract to counteract the oxidative stress was examined in rats that were injected with the extract intraperitoneally (500 mg·(kg body weight)(-1)) either 2 or 12 h before the pyrogallol treatment. The extract possesses a reducing activity in vitro and an ability to chelate the ferrous ion both in vivo and in vitro. Application of the extract prior to pyrogallol treatment led to a decrease in the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase, increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and attenuation of DNA damage, as well as increased Akt activity and inhibition of NF-κB protein expression. Treatment with the extract 12 h prior to pyrogallol administration was more effective in suppressing pyrogallol-induced oxidative damage than the 2 h pretreatment. Extract administration promoted an increase in acute phase reactants haptoglobin and α(2)-macroglobulin that was short of a full-fledged acute phase response. Administration of the extract considerably improved the markers of oxidative stress, thus revealing a potential hepatoprotective activity. Our results suggest that Akt activation, NF-κB inhibition, and induction of the acute phase play important roles in mediating hepatic protection by the extract. The greater effectiveness of the 12 h pretreatment with extract points to the important role that preconditioning assumes in improving resistance to subsequent exposure to oxidative stress.

Proteolytic events in cryonecrotic cell death: Proteolytic activation of endonuclease P23.

Although cryosurgery is attaining increasing clinical acceptance, our understanding of the mechanisms of cryogenic cell destruction remains incomplete. While it is generally accepted that cryoinjured cells die by necrosis, the involvement of apoptosis was recently shown. Our studies of liver cell death by cryogenic temperature revealed the activation of endonuclease p23 and its de novo association with the nuclear matrix. This finding is strongly suggestive of a programmed-type of cell death process. The presumed order underlying cryonecrotic cell death is addressed here by examining the mechanism of p23 activation. To that end, nuclear proteins that were prepared from fresh liver, which is devoid of p23 activity, were incubated with protein fractions isolated from liver exposed to freezing/thawing that possessed a presumed p23 activation factor. We observed that the activation of p23 was the result of a proteolytic event in which cathepsin D played a major role. Different patterns of proteolytic cleavage of nuclear proteins after in vitro incubation of nuclei and in samples isolated from frozen/thawed liver were observed. Although both processes induced p23 activation, the incubation experiments generated proteolytic hallmarks of apoptosis, while freezing/thawing of whole liver resulted in typical necrotic PARP-1 cleavage products and intact lamin B. As an explanation we offer a hypothesis that after freezing, cells possess the potential to die through necrotic as well as apoptotic mechanisms, based on our finding that the cytosol of cells exposed to cryogenic temperatures contains both necrotic and apoptotic executors of cell death.

The organophosphate-induced acute-phase response is characterized by synthesis of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein that exhibits an immunomodulatory effect.

The organophosphorus compounds soman and paraoxon induce the acute-phase (AP) response. All phases of the AP response, from macrophage activation and stimulation of glucocorticoid secretion to AP protein expression appear to be under the control of similar molecular mechanisms to those during the turpentine-induced AP response. The AP protein content in the circulation 24 h after either soman, paraoxon or turpentine administration was injury-specific. Both soman and paraoxon poisoning were characterized by significantly increased synthesis of alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) that displayed an immunomodulatory effect in vitro. This result suggests that after organophosphate poisoning AGP participates in vivo in a negative feedback mechanism that prevents over-activity of the immune system.

STAT3/NFkappaB interplay in the regulation of alpha2-macroglobulin gene expression during rat liver development and the acute phase response.

The synthesis of alpha-2-macroglobulin (alpha(2)M) is low in adult rat liver and elevated in fetal liver. During the acute-phase (AP) response it becomes significantly increased in both adult and fetal liver. In this work, the cross talk of STAT3 and NF-kappaB transcription factors during alpha(2)M gene expression was analysed. Using immunoblotting, their cellular compartmentalization was examined by comparing the cytoplasmic levels of STAT3 and NF-kappaB with their active equivalents, the 86 and 91 kDa isoforms and p65-subunit, respectively, in the nuclear extract and nuclear matrix. Different partitioning dynamics of the transcription factors were observed. At the level of protein-DNA interactions, studied by alpha(2)M promoter affinity chromatography, it was established that different ratios of promoter-binding STAT3 isoforms participated in elevated hepatic transcription in the basal state fetus and the AP-adult, but only the 91 kDa isoform in the AP-fetus. Unchanged levels of DNA-bound p65 in the control and AP-fetus suggest that it participated in constitutive transcription. The promoter-binding of p65 observed in the AP-adult suggests that it was involved in transcriptional stimulation of alpha(2)M expression. The selective enrichment of the AP-adult nuclear matrix with promoter-binding STAT3 disclosed the importance of this association in the induction of transcription. Protein-protein interactions were examined by co-immunoprecipitation. Interactions between the 86 kDa STAT3 isoform and p65 that were observed in the control and AP-fetus and of both the 86 and 91 kDa STAT3 isoforms with p65 in the AP-adult, suggest that protein-protein interactions were functionally connected to increased transcription. We concluded that alpha(2)M gene expression is driven by developmental- and AP-related mechanisms that rely on STAT3/NF-kappaB interplay.