Sex-dependent dysregulation of human neutrophil responses by bisphenol A.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we aimed to investigate selected functions of human neutrophils exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) under in vitro conditions. As BPA is classified among xenoestrogens, we compared its action and effects with those of 17ß-estradiol (E2). METHODS: Chemotaxis of neutrophils was examined using the Boyden chamber. Their phagocytosis and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) oxidase activity were assessed via Park's method with latex beads and Park's test with nitroblue tetrazolium. To assess the total concentration of nitric oxide (NO), the Griess reaction was utilized. Flow cytometry was used to assess the expression of cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens. The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was analyzed using a microscope (IN Cell Analyzer 2200 system). Expression of the investigated proteins was determined using Western blot. RESULTS: The analysis of results obtained for both sexes demonstrated that after exposure to BPA, the chemotactic capacity of neutrophils was reduced. In the presence of BPA, the phagocytic activity was found to be elevated in the cells obtained from women and reduced in the cells from men. Following exposure to BPA, the percentage of neutrophils with CD14 and CD284 (TLR4) expression, as well as the percentage of cells forming NETs, was increased in the cells from both sexes. The stimulatory role of BPA and E2 in the activation of NADPH oxidase was observed only in female cells. On the other hand, no influence of E2 on the expression of CD14 and CD284, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and the amount of NET-positive neutrophils was found for both sexes. The study further showed that BPA intensified NO production and iNOS expression in the cells of both sexes. In addition, intensified expression of all tested PI3K-Akt pathway proteins was observed in male neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the influence of BPA on neutrophil functions associated with locomotion and pathogen elimination, which in turn may disturb the immune response of these cells in both women and men. Analysis of the obtained data showed that the effect of this xenoestrogen on the human neutrophils was more pronounced than E2.

Oxytocin antagonism reverses the effects of high oestrogen levels and oxytocin on decidualization and cyclooxygenase activity in endometrial tissues.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the in-vitro effect of oxytocin receptor (OTR) antagonism on parameters of receptivity in human endometrial explants and endometrial stromal cell lines cultured in oestradiol-rich conditions mimicking ovarian stimulation? DESIGN: Experimental in-vitro study on endometrial tissue explants collected by aspiration biopsy from 30 women undergoing fertility treatment and cultured endometrial tHESC cell line. The study examined the effects of high oestradiol, oxytocin and OTR antagonist on parameters of decidualization (cell viability and prolactin secretion) as well as cyclooxygenase-1/2 (COX-1/2) activity and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) secretion. Changes in expression of OXTR and COX-2 genes were examined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS: In experiments on cultured endometrial cell line, high oestradiol and oxytocin similarly limited the viability of cells. In cultured endometrial explants both also decreased the secretion of prolactin (a marker of decidualization) and augmented endometrial COX-2 activity and formation of PGF2α. Oxytocin antagonist atosiban was confirmed to reverse the above effects, both in the endometrial line and endometrial explants. Addition of atosiban to cultures acted analogously in experiments employing both oxytocin and high oestradiol. CONCLUSIONS: Oxytocin antagonist reversed the effects of high oestradiol and oxytocin on parameters related to endometrial receptivity in conditions mimicking ovarian stimulation. This might point to a novel, endometrium-related mechanism to support embryo implantation achieved by the application of oxytocin antagonist prior to embryo transfer.

Simultaneous analysis of bisphenol A fractions in maternal and fetal compartments in early second trimester of pregnancy.

Background Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic, endocrine-disrupting compound widely used in the industry. It is also a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Its presence was confirmed in human fetuses, which results from maternal exposure during pregnancy. The mechanisms behind maternal-fetal transfer, and relationships between pregnant women and fetal exposures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of maternal exposure to BPA on the exposure of the fetus. Methods Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid samples were collected from 52 pregnant women undergoing amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities. BPA was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The permeability factor - a ratio of fetal-to-maternal BPA concentration - was used as a measure delineating the transplacental transfer of BPA. Results The median concentration of maternal plasma BPA was 8 times higher than the total BPA concentration in the amniotic fluid (8.69 ng/mL, range: 4.3 ng/mL-55.3 ng/mL vs. median 1.03 ng/mL, range: 0.3 ng/mL-10.1 ng/mL). There was no direct relationship between the levels of BPA in maternal plasma and amniotic fluid levels. The permeability factor, in turn, negatively correlated with fetal development (birth weight) (R = -0.54, P < 0.001). Conclusion Our results suggest that the risk of fetal BPA exposure depends on placental BPA permeability rather than the levels of maternal BPA plasma concentration and support general recommendations to become aware and avoid BPA-containing products.

Cellular, transcriptomic and methylome effects of individual and combined exposure to BPA, BPF, BPS on mouse spermatocyte GC-2 cell line.

Environmental factors, particularly xenoestrogens adversely affect reproductive health and their main mechanism is based on steroid-signaling pathway alterations. The presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in the environment has been confirmed and it is about to be replaced by analogues such as bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS). Whether the BPF and BPS exert similar adverse effects to BPA has become the subject of intense scientific scrutiny. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the cellular, transcriptomic and methylome effects of exposure to BPA, BPF, BPS individually and in combination on GC-2 spermatocyte cell line. The results show that all studied compounds affect cell viability, induce apoptosis and cause cellular damage. BPA, BPF and BPS also influence GC-2 cell steroid receptor and steroidogenesis related genes expressions. In addition to specific molecular mechanisms, all studied compounds also increase global DNA methylation. Exposure to a combination of all the studied compounds caused comparable effects on cell culture to each of them examined separately. These data suggest that exposure to BPA and its main substitutes- BPF and BPS induced multitude of effects and hence, BPF and BPS are not safe alternative to BPA in terms of male reproductive health.

Amniotic Fluid Angiogenic and Inflammatory Factor Profiling in Foetal Down Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Angiogenic factors are proteins that can potentially be related to certain foetal chromosomal abnormalities. The goal of this study was to determine the concentrations of 60 angiogenic factors in the amniotic fluid of women carrying foetuses with Down syndrome (DS). METHODS: After analysis of the karyotyping results, for the purpose of this study, we chose 12 women with foetal DS. For the control group, we selected 12 healthy patients with uncomplicated pregnancies (15-18 weeks of gestation) who delivered healthy newborns at term. To assess the concentrations of proteins in the amniotic fluid, we used a protein macroarray, which enabled the simultaneous determination of 60 angiogenic factors per sample. RESULTS: In the amniotic fluid of women with foetal DS compared to patients with healthy foetuses, we reported significant decreases in the concentrations of 14 angiogenic factors, including leptin, angiopoietin 1 (ANG-1), angiostatin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1b), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 12p40 (IL-12p40), monocyte chemotactic protein 2 (MCP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2), and vascular endothelial growth factor 3 (VEGFR3). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, we hypothesise that angiogenic factors may play roles in the pathogenesis of DS. Defining the factors' potential as biochemical factors of DS requires further investigation in a larger group of patients.

Oxythiamine improves antifungal activity of ketoconazole evaluated in canine Malassezia pachydermatis strains.

BACKGROUND: Malassezia pachydermatis is an opportunistic yeast involved in skin and ear canal infections of dogs and cats. Reports suggest that strains of M. pachydermatis resistant to commonly used antifungal agents may be emerging. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies should be explored. OBJECTIVES: The synergistic effect of oxythiamine (OT) and ketoconazole (KTC) was analysed using a reference strain and field isolates (n = 66) of M. pachydermatis. Hydrogel formulations containing these components also were evaluated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of OT, KTC and their mixtures were determined by a broth macrodilution method. The antifungal effects of hydrogel formulations were determined by a plate diffusion method. RESULTS: The MIC and MFC values of OT were in the range 0.08 × 103 to 10 × 103  mg/L. All M. pachydermatis strains showed higher susceptibility to KTC (MICs and MFCs in the range 0.04-0.32 mg/L). Formulations that combined OT and KTC showed a synergistic effect for all tested isolates (n = 66). Hydrogels that contained OT at a concentration of 10 × 103 or 20 × 103  mg/L and KTC at the concentration of 0.1 × 103  mg/L showed a stronger effect than a commercially available product with KTC alone (20 × 103  mg/L). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Synergy of these drugs may allow for successful topical treatment which utilizes lower doses of KTC without changing its therapeutic effectiveness. Hydrogel formulations proved to be attractive drug carriers for potential topical use.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals-Mechanisms of action on male reproductive system.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that can cause disturbances in the endocrine system and have multiple harmful effects on health by targeting different organs and systems in the human body. Mass industrial production and widespread use of EDCs have resulted in worldwide contamination. Accumulating evidence suggest that human exposure to EDCs is related to the impairment of male reproductive function and can interrupt other hormonally regulated metabolic processes, particularly if exposure occurs during early development. Investigation of studies absent in previous reviews and meta-analysis of adverse effects of EDCs on functioning of the male reproductive system is the core of this work. Four main modes of action of EDCs on male fertility have been summarized in this review. First, studies describing estrogen- pathway disturbing chemicals are investigated. Second, androgen-signaling pathway alterations and influence on androgen sensitive tissues are examined. Third, evaluation of steroidogenesis dysfunction is discussed by focusing on the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway, which is targeted by EDCs. Last, the reportedly destructive role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on sperm function is discussed. Spermatogenesis is a remarkably complex process, hence multiple studies point out various dysfunctions depending on the development state at which the exposure occurred. Collected data show the need to account for critical windows of exposure such as fetal, perinatal and pubertal periods as well as effects of mixtures of several compounds in future research.

Morphokinetic parameters as a source of information concerning embryo developmental and implantation potential.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to present the results of time-lapse observation and to verify whether morphokinetic parameters are associated with embryo developmental and implantation potential. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysed data concern the development of 1,060 embryos, 898 of which (84.72%) achieved the blastocyst stage and 307 were transferred into the uterine cavity. As a result, 126 (41.04%) biochemical pregnancies and 109 (35.50%) clinical pregnancies were observed. Time from fertilisation to further divisions into 2-9 blastomeres, first to fourth round of cleavage, second to third synchronisation parameters and the duration of stages after the first, second and third division were analysed. RESULTS: Most of the parameters in the group of embryos developed to the blastocyst stage reached lower values than in the non-developed group. Moreover, parameters in the first group clearly had less dispersion. The differences between the groups with and without a biochemical pregnancy were smaller than the differences in the analysis of development to the blastocyst stage. However, in the case of clinical pregnancy analysis, there were again larger differences between both groups. A strong correlation was found between the majority of absolute morphokinetic parameters. A weaker, but still statistically significant correlation, was established between relative and other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Morphokinetic parameters are associated with embryo developmental and implantation potential and can be considered as predictors of their quality. However, the development of efficient pregnancy prediction models needs further research utilising information from all available parameters and using advanced biostatistical methods.

Structural determinants of specificity and catalytic mechanism in mammalian 25-kDa thiamine triphosphatase.

BACKGROUND: Thiamine triphosphate (ThTP) is present in most organisms and might be involved in intracellular signaling. In mammalian cells, the cytosolic ThTP level is controlled by a specific thiamine triphosphatase (ThTPase), belonging to the CYTH superfamily of proteins. CYTH proteins are present in all superkingdoms of life and act on various triphosphorylated substrates. METHODS: Using crystallography, mass spectrometry and mutational analysis, we identified the key structural determinants of the high specificity and catalytic efficiency of mammalian ThTPase. RESULTS: Triphosphate binding requires three conserved arginines while the catalytic mechanism relies on an unusual lysine-tyrosine dyad. By docking of the ThTP molecule in the active site, we found that Trp-53 should interact with the thiazole part of the substrate molecule, thus playing a key role in substrate recognition and specificity. Sea anemone and zebrafish CYTH proteins, which retain the corresponding Trp residue, are also specific ThTPases. Surprisingly, the whole chromosome region containing the ThTPase gene is lost in birds. CONCLUSIONS: The specificity for ThTP is linked to a stacking interaction between the thiazole heterocycle of thiamine and a tryptophan residue. The latter likely plays a key role in the secondary acquisition of ThTPase activity in early metazoan CYTH enzymes, in the lineage leading from cnidarians to mammals. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: We show that ThTPase activity is not restricted to mammals as previously thought but is an acquisition of early metazoans. This, and the identification of critically important residues, allows us to draw an evolutionary perspective of the CYTH family of proteins.

[Analysis of the demographic profile of patients treated for infertility using assisted reproductive techniques in 2005-2010]. / Analiza profilu demograficznego pacjentów leczonych z powodu nieplodnosci metodami rozrodu wspomaganego w latach 2005-2010.

OBJECTIVES: Analysis of the demographic profile of patients, causes for infertility and effectiveness of infertility treatment methods in the years 2005-2010. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective research was conducted to analyze data of 1705 randomly selected couples who underwent in vitro fertilization procedure at the Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology Medical University of Bialystok, between 2005 and 2010. The analyzed data included mainly causes for infertility age of the female and male subjects, place of residence and final treatment results. RESULTS: The percentage of pregnancy rate increased significantly to approximately 40% in 2007. The contribution of male and female infertility factors remained at a similar level, but the idiopathic factor continued to steadily increase (to 20% in the last years of the study). We observed a greater prevalence of the male factor among couples living in cities compared to inhabitants of rural areas (42.3% vs. 34.3%, p = 0.004), whereas the tubal factor dominated among couples living in the countryside when compared to city dwellers (29.7% vs. 21.6%, p = 0.001). The average age of women entering treatment was significantly higher in cities than the countryside (p < 0.001), thus, consequently treatment efficacy was also lower (33.9% vs. 38.9%, p = 0.04). Comparison of treatment efficacy and cause of infertility revealed statistically significant differences only with regard to the idiopathic factor (p = 0.03). In the group of patients with idiopathic infertility the treatment efficacy was higher than in the rest of patients (40.2% vs. 33.8%). Apart from the idiopathic infertility only the presence of the male factor was associated with a higher (but statistically insignificant) pregnancy rate (36.2% vs. 33.9%). For the other factors, their presence was associated with a lower percentage of pregnancy and the greatest differences (but still statistically insignificant) were observed for the polycystic ovary syndrome (31.5% vs. 35.1%) and for other ovulation disorders (31.3% vs. 35%). CONCLUSIONS: Advances in assisted reproductive techniques led to an increase in the efficacy of infertility treatment. Environmental factors, availability of treatment and level of awareness about womens health proved to have the strongest effect on the distribution of infertility causes between urban and rural areas. Significant efforts should be made, especially in cities, to decrease the average age of women's reproductive decisions and also to shorten the time to the first contact with the specialist after unsuccessful attempts at conception. It is also crucial to initiate the reimbursement of infertility treatment using ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology).

Bisphenol A: Potential Factor of Miscarriage in Women in the Context of the Phenomenon of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.

Humans are exposed to a number of environmental pollutants every day. Among them, endocrine disruptors are particularly harmful to human health. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenoestrogen that has been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and cause reproductive toxicity. In this study, we aimed to verify the potential relationship between BPA and miscarriage involving the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Blood samples were collected from healthy women and women who had miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy. The serum levels of cytoplasmic anti-PR3 antibody and perinuclear anti-MPO antibody were determined using an immunoenzymatic method. The concentrations of key proinflammatory proteins TNF-α and MCP-1, as well as NADPH oxidase subunits NOX1 and NCF2, were also measured in the serum samples. The serum concentration of BPA was determined using gas chromatography. The results showed that the concentrations of BPA were significantly elevated in the serum of women who had miscarriage compared to the control group, with the highest concentration found in the "NETs-positive" group. The levels of MCP-1 and TNF-α were significantly higher in the "NETs-positive" group compared to the "NETs-negative" and control group. The levels of NOX1 and NCF2 were also higher in the "NETs-positive" group compared to the "NETs-negative" group. The study showed that BPA could play a role in the course of miscarriage through the formation of NETs. The results indicate the need to limit the exposure of women planning pregnancy to xenoestrogens, including BPA.

Identification of the Bisphenol A (BPA) and the Two Analogues BPS and BPF in Cryptorchidism.

Objective: to explore the association of plasma concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol F (BPF) with unilateral cryptorchidism. In addition, to analyze selected demographic and intraoperative characteristics. Design: Retrospective analysis to determine plasma concentrations of total BPA, BPS and BPF using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) among prepubertal boys with cryptorchidism and prebupertal male control subjects. During operation, the size, turgor and location of the cryptorchid testes were assessed. Main Outcome Measure: Plasma concentrations of total BPA, BPS and BPF. Results: In children with cryptorchidism, plasma levels of BPA, BPS and BPF were significantly higher compared to the control subjects. For BPA, it was: median value: 9.95 ng/mL vs. 5.54 ng/mL, p<0.05. For BPS, it was: median value: 3.93 ng/mL vs. 1.45 ng/mL, p<0.001. For BPF, it was: median value: 3.56 ng/mL vs. 1.83 ng/mL, p<0.05. In cryptorchid group, BPA was detected in 61.4% samples, BPS in 19.3% and BPF in 19.3%. All the three bisphenols were detected in plasma samples of both the healthy subjects and the study cohort. In the latter group, we found significant higher levels of BPA in boys from urban areas. We found a weak positive correlation between the levels of BPS and BPF and reduced turgor of the testes. Furthermore, results showed weak positive correlations between BPA and BPS levels and the age of the children as well as between BPS and BPF concentrations and the place of residence. Conclusions: Results provide a first characterization of prepubertal boys suffering from cryptorchidism and exposed to different kind of bisphenols. Our study suggests that cryptorchid boys are widely exposed to BPA and, to a lesser extent, also to its alternatives, such as BPS and BPF.

Expression of serine proteases in neutrophils from women and men: Regulation by endocrine disruptor bisphenol A.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor. However, little information is available about its immunological effects. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate cytotoxic activity of BPA on human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) according to gender and examine its effect on the expression of neutrophil serine proteases. Results indicated that exposure to BPA (above 16 µM) leads to a decrease in viability of PMNs and to morphological changes in these cells of both genders. The experiments showed different effects of BPA on the expression of proteinase 3, elastase, and cathepsin G in PMNs of both men and women, depending on the gender and concentration used. Thus, our findings suggest for the first time that through dysregulation of the expression of these enzymes, BPA may lead to disorders of the nonspecific cellular response in people exposed to this xenoestrogen.

Evaluation of Bisphenol A influence on endocannabinoid system in pregnant women.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical widely used in the industry, which may potentially evoke negative effects on human health, especially on reproductive processes and fetal development. BPA has been reported to act on estrogen, estrogen-related, androgen, thyroid hormone, pregnane X, peroxisome proliferation-activated, and aryl hydrocarbon receptors. However, other potential mechanisms of BPA action on pregnancy cannot be excluded. Comprehensive evaluation of BPA effect on pregnant women can be performed by use of metabolomics. In the present study LC-MS-based plasma metabolomics was performed in the group of pregnant women with known concentrations of free, conjugated and total BPA. Significant positive correlations were observed between several endocannabinoids (fatty acid amides) and free (r = 0.307-0.557, p-value = 0.05-0.00002) and total (r = 0.413-0.519, p-value = 0.008-0.00006) BPA concentrations. Palmitoleamide was positively correlated with conjugated (r = 0.348, p-value = 0.05) while lysophosphatidylethanolamine 18:0 with free (r = 0.519, p-value = 0.00006) BPA concentration. The docking calculations of BPA and fatty acid amide hydrolase (enzyme degrading endocannabinoids, FAAH) indicated that it can act as a competitive inhibitor by blocking FAAH catalytic residues. In vitro study showed that BPA moderately inhibits FAAH activity (15% decrease for 200 ng mL-1 and almost 50% for 200 µg mL-1 of BPA). In the present study for the first time inhibitory potential of BPA on FAAH hydrolase is reported. Inhibition of FAAH may lead to a rise of plasma endocannabinoids level. BPA exposure and increased level of endocannabinoids are miscarriage risk factors. Based on obtained results it can be hypothesized that BPA may induce adverse pregnancy outcomes by acting on endocannabinoid system.

Pig tissues express a catalytically inefficient 25-kDa thiamine triphosphatase: insight in the catalytic mechanisms of this enzyme.

Thiamine triphosphate (ThTP) is found in most organisms and may be an intracellular signal molecule produced in response to stress. We have recently cloned the cDNA coding for a highly specific mammalian 25-kDa thiamine triphosphatase. The enzyme was active in all mammalian species studied except pig, although the corresponding mRNA was present. In order to determine whether the very low ThTPase activity in pig tissues is due to the absence of the protein or to a lack of catalytic efficiency, we expressed human and pig ThTPase in E. coli as GST fusion proteins. The purified recombinant pig GST-ThTPase was found to be 2-3 orders of magnitude less active than human GST-ThTPase. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we show that, in particular, the change of Glu85 to lysine is responsible for decreased solubility and catalytic activity of the pig enzyme. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a distribution of the protein in pig brain very similar to the one reported in rodent brain. Thus, our results suggest that a 25-kDa protein homologous to hThTPase but practically devoid of enzyme activity is expressed in pig tissues. This raises the possibility that this protein may play a physiological role other than ThTP hydrolysis.

Expression of 25 kDa thiamine triphosphatase in rodent tissues using quantitative PCR and characterization of its mRNA.

Thiamine triphosphate (ThTP) is found in most organisms, but its biological role remains unclear. In mammalian tissues, cellular ThTP concentrations remain low, probably because of hydrolysis by a specific 25 kDa thiamine triphosphatase (ThTPase). The aim of the present study was to use quantitative PCR, for comparing the 25 kDa ThTPase mRNA expression in various mouse tissues with its enzyme activities. ThTPase mRNA was expressed at only a few copies per cell. The highest amount of mRNA was found in testis, followed by lung and muscle, while the highest enzyme activities were found in liver and kidney. The poor correlation between mRNA levels and enzyme activities might result either from tissue-specific post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA processing and/or translation or from the regulation of enzyme activities by post-translational mechanisms. Purified recombinant human ThTPase was phosphorylated by casein kinase II, but this phosphorylation did not modify the enzyme activity. However, the characterization of the 3'-untranslated mRNA region revealed a unique, highly conserved, 200-nucleotide sequence that might be involved in translational control. In situ hybridization studies in testis suggest a predominant localization of ThTPase mRNA in poorly differentiated spermatogenic cells. This is the first study demonstrating a cell-specific 25 kDa ThTPase mRNA expression, suggesting that this enzyme might be related to the degree of differentiation or the metabolic state of the cell.

Suicidal dephosphorylation of thiamine pyrophosphate coupled with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

Earlier it was noted that purified pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) produced by "Sigma" usually contains almost saturating amounts of thiamine pyrophosphate (ThPP). In this communication we present the observation that the endogenous ThPP coupled to PDC is dephosphorylated while staying at -10 degrees C, because in the enzyme preparation thiamine monophosphate and un-phosphorylated thiamine appear (HPLC determination). Under the same conditions exogenous ThPP is not dephosphorylated despite contact with the PDC preparation. This may suggest that interactions of some active groups of the enzyme with molecules of endogenous ThPP leads to break-up of the phosphoesters bonds, and destruction of the coenzyme. Decrease of PDC activity during storage is not in proportion with the degree of ThPP dephosphorylation. However the observed instability of PDC activity may be a consequence of the spontaneous process of its coenzyme autodestruction.

Thiamine status in humans and content of phosphorylated thiamine derivatives in biopsies and cultured cells.

BACKGROUND: Thiamine (vitamin B1) is an essential molecule for all life forms because thiamine diphosphate (ThDP) is an indispensable cofactor for oxidative energy metabolism. The less abundant thiamine monophosphate (ThMP), thiamine triphosphate (ThTP) and adenosine thiamine triphosphate (AThTP), present in many organisms, may have still unidentified physiological functions. Diseases linked to thiamine deficiency (polyneuritis, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome) remain frequent among alcohol abusers and other risk populations. This is the first comprehensive study on the distribution of thiamine derivatives in human biopsies, body fluids and cell lines. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Thiamine derivatives were determined by HPLC. In human tissues, the total thiamine content is lower than in other animal species. ThDP is the major thiamine compound and tissue levels decrease at high age. In semen, ThDP content correlates with the concentration of spermatozoa but not with their motility. The proportion of ThTP is higher in humans than in rodents, probably because of a lower 25-kDa ThTPase activity. The expression and activity of this enzyme seems to correlate with the degree of cell differentiation. ThTP was present in nearly all brain and muscle samples and in ∼60% of other tissue samples, in particular fetal tissue and cultured cells. A low ([ThTP]+[ThMP])/([Thiamine]+[ThMP]) ratio was found in cardiovascular tissues of patients with cardiac insufficiency. AThTP was detected only sporadically in adult tissues but was found more consistently in fetal tissues and cell lines. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The high sensitivity of humans to thiamine deficiency is probably linked to low circulating thiamine concentrations and low ThDP tissue contents. ThTP levels are relatively high in many human tissues, as a result of low expression of the 25-kDa ThTPase. Another novel finding is the presence of ThTP and AThTP in poorly differentiated fast-growing cells, suggesting a hitherto unsuspected link between these compounds and cell division or differentiation.

Phenotypic flexibility of traits related to energy acquisition in mice divergently selected for basal metabolic rate (BMR).

Theoretical considerations suggest that one of the main factors determining phenotypic flexibility of the digestive system is the size (mass) of internal organs. To test this, we used mice from two lines selected for high and low levels of basal metabolic rate (BMR). Mice with higher BMRs also have larger internal organs and higher daily food consumption (C) under non-stressful conditions. We exposed animals from both lines to a sudden cold exposure by transferring them (without prior acclimation) from an ambient temperature of 23 degrees C to 5 degrees C. Cold exposure elicited a twofold increase in C and a 25% reduction of apparent digestive efficiency. For the same body mass-corrected C, small intestine, kidneys, heart and liver of cold-exposed low-BMR mice were smaller than those of the high-BMR line. Therefore, the internal organs of low-BMR animals were burdened with substantially higher metabolic loads (defined as C or digestible food intake per total mass of a particular organ). The mass-specific activity of citrate synthase (CS) in the liver and kidneys (but not heart) was also lower in the low-BMR mice. The magnitude of phenotypic flexibility of internal organ size and CS activity was strictly proportional to the organ mass (in the case of kidneys and liver, also mass-specific CS activity) prior to an increased energy demand. Thus, phenotypic flexibility had additive rather than multiplicative dynamics. Our results also suggest that variation in BMR positively correlates with the magnitude of an immediate spare capacity that fuels the initial response of internal organs to a sudden metabolic stress.

Comparative study of the activity and kinetic properties of malate dehydrogenase and pyruvate decarboxylase from Candida albicans, Malassezia pachydermatis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Candida albicans and Malassezia pachydermatis cause human and animal infections of the skin and internal organs. We compare the properties of two enzymes, pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), from these species and from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultivated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions to find differences between the enzymes that adapt pathogens for virulence and help us in searching for new antifungal agents. Malassezia pachydermatis did not show any growth under anaerobic conditions, as opposed to C. albicans and S. cerevisiae. Under aerobic conditions, C. albicans showed the highest growth rate. Malassezia pachydermatis, contrary to the others, did not show any PDC activity, simultaneously showing the highest MDH activity under aerobic conditions and a Km value for oxaloacetate lower than S. cerevisiae. Candida albicans and S. cerevisiae showed a strong decrease in MDH activity under anaerobic conditions. Candida albicans shows four different isoforms of MDH, while M. pachydermatis and S. cerevisiae are characterized by two and three isoforms. Candida albicans shows about a twofold lower activity of PDC but, simultaneously, almost a threefold lower Km value for pyruvate in comparison with S. cerevisiae. The PDC apoform share under aerobic conditions in C. albicans was 47%, while in S. cerevisiae was only 26%; under anaerobic conditions, the PDC apoform decreased to 12% and 8%, respectively. The properties of enzymes from C. albicans show its high metabolic flexibility (contrary to M. pachydermatis) and cause easy switching between fermentative and oxidative metabolism. This feature allows C. albicans to cause both surface and deep infections. We take into consideration the use of thiamin antimetabolites as antifungal factors that can affect both oxidative and fermentative metabolism.