Analysis of Helicobacter pylori's Antibiotic Resistance Rate and Research on Its Eradication Treatment Plan.

How to choose the right plan is the key to treatment, and this must take into account the local eradication of Helicobacter pylori and the drug resistance of Helicobacter pylori. In order to better eradicate Helicobacter pylori, in the current clinical treatment process, most of the combined treatments of triple drugs are used, but the therapeutic effect is still not ideal. In addition, many studies have focused on changing the types and dosages of drugs, but they have not yet achieved good results. This paper combines experimental research to analyze the drug resistance rate of Helicobacter pylori and obtains gastric mucosal specimens of patients through gastroscopy to cultivate clinical isolates of H. pylori.. Furthermore, this study used the Kirby-Bauer drug susceptibility disc technique to determine the sensitivity of H. pylori clinical isolates to a range of regularly used clinical antibiotics, as well as a set of instances of H. pylori antibiotic resistance. Finally, this research integrates experimental analyses and various successful eradication treatment plans to provide a unique eradication treatment strategy.

Anthocyanins attenuate endothelial dysfunction through regulation of uncoupling of nitric oxide synthase in aged rats.

Endothelial dysfunction is one of the main age-related arterial phenotypes responsible for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults. This endothelial dysfunction results from decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) arising downstream of endothelial oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of anthocyanins and the underlying mechanism in rat thoracic aorta and human vascular endothelial cells in aging models. In vitro, cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C-3-R) and cyanidin-3-glucoside (C-3-G) inhibited the d-galactose (d-gal)-induced senescence in human endothelial cells, as indicated by reduced senescence-associated-ß-galactosidase activity, p21, and p16INK4a . Anthocyanins blocked d-gal-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and NADPH oxidase activity. Anthocyanins reversed d-gal-mediated inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) serine phosphorylation and SIRT1 expression, recovering NO level in endothelial cells. Also, SIRT1-mediated eNOS deacetylation was shown to be involved in anthocyanin-enhanced eNOS activity. In vivo, anthocyanin-rich mulberry extract was administered to aging rats for 8 weeks. In vivo, mulberry extract alleviated endothelial senescence and oxidative stress in the aorta of aging rats. Consistently, mulberry extract also raised serum NO levels, increased phosphorylation of eNOS, increased SIRT1 expression, and reduced nitrotyrosine in aortas. The eNOS acetylation was higher in the aging group and was restored by mulberry extract treatment. Similarly, SIRT1 level associated with eNOS decreased in the aging group and was restored in aging plus mulberry group. These findings indicate that anthocyanins protect against endothelial senescence through enhanced NO bioavailability by regulating ROS formation and reducing eNOS uncoupling.

Comparison of the Effect of Native 1,4-Naphthoquinones Plumbagin, Menadione, and Lawsone on Viability, Redox Status, and Mitochondrial Functions of C6 Glioblastoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: 1,4-naphthoquinones, especially juglone, are known for their anticancer activity. However, plumbagin, lawsone, and menadione have been less investigated for these properties. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of plumbagin, lawsone, and menadione on C6 glioblastoma cell viability, ROS production, and mitochondrial function. METHODS: Cell viability was assessed spectrophotometrically using metabolic activity method, and by fluorescent Hoechst/propidium iodide nuclear staining. ROS generation was measured fluorometrically using DCFH-DA. Oxygen uptake rates were recorded by the high-resolution respirometer Oxygraph-2k. RESULTS: Plumbagin and menadione displayed highly cytotoxic activity on C6 cells (IC50 is 7.7 ± 0.28 µM and 9.6 ± 0.75 µM, respectively) and caused cell death by necrosis. Additionally, they increased the amount of intracellular ROS in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, even at very small concentrations (1-3 µM), these compounds significantly uncoupled mitochondrial oxidation from phosphorylation impairing energy production in cells. Lawsone had significantly lower viability decreasing and mitochondria-uncoupling effect, and exerted strong antioxidant activity. CONCLUSIONS: Plumbagin and menadione exhibit strong prooxidant, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation uncoupling and cytotoxic activity. In contrast, lawsone demonstrates a moderate effect on C6 cell viability and mitochondrial functions, and possesses strong antioxidant properties.

Mitochondrial uncoupling prodrug improves tissue sparing, cognitive outcome, and mitochondrial bioenergetics after traumatic brain injury in male mice.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in cognitive impairment, which can be long-lasting after moderate to severe TBI. Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapeutics to treat the devastating consequences of TBI and improve recovery. This study utilizes a prodrug of 2,4-dinitrophenol, MP201, a mitochondrial uncoupler with extended elimination time, that was administered after TBI to target mitochondrial dysfunction, a hallmark of TBI. Using a model of cortical impact in male C57/BL6 mice, MP201 (80 mg/kg) was provided via oral gavage 2-hr post-injury and daily afterwards. At 25-hr post-injury, mice were euthanized and the acute rescue of mitochondrial bioenergetics was assessed demonstrating a significant improvement in both the ipsilateral cortex and ipsilateral hippocampus after treatment with MP201. Additionally, oxidative markers, 4-hydroxyneneal and protein carbonyls, were reduced compared to vehicle animals after MP201 administration. At 2-weeks post-injury, mice treated with MP201 post-injury (80 mg/kg; q.d.) displayed significantly increased cortical sparing (p = .0059; 38% lesion spared) and improved cognitive outcome (p = .0133) compared to vehicle-treated mice. Additionally, vehicle-treated mice had significantly lower (p = .0019) CA3 neuron count compared to sham while MP201-treated mice were not significantly different from sham levels. These results suggest that acute mitochondrial dysfunction can be targeted to impart neuroprotection from reactive oxygen species, but chronic administration may have an added benefit in recovery. This study highlights the potential for safe, effective therapy by MP201 to alleviate negative outcomes of TBI.

Characterizations of mitochondrial uncoupling induced by chemical mitochondrial uncouplers in cardiomyocytes.

Induction of mild mitochondrial uncoupling is protective in a variety of disorders; however, it is unclear how to recognize the mild mitochondrial uncoupling induced by chemical mitochondrial uncouplers. The aim of the present study is to identify the pharmacological properties of mitochondrial uncoupling induced by mitochondrial uncouplers in cardiomyocytes. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were cultured. Protein levels were measured by using western blot technique. The whole cell respiratory function was determined by using high-resolution respirometry. The typical types of chemical mitochondrial uncouplers, carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), niclosamide, and BAM15, induced biphasic change of STAT3 activity in cardiomyocytes, activating STAT3 at low dose and inhibiting STAT3 at high dose, though the dose range of these drugs was distinct. Low-dose uncouplers induced STAT3 activation through the mild increase of mitochondrial ROS (mitoROS) generation and the subsequent JAK/STAT3 activation in cardiomyocytes. However, high-dose uncouplers induced inhibition of STAT3, decrease of ATP production, and cardiomyocyte death. High-dose uncouplers induced STAT3 inhibition through the excessive mitoROS generation and the decreased ATP -induced AMPK activation. Low-dose mitochondrial uncouplers attenuated doxorubicin (DOX)-induced STAT3 inhibition and cardiomyocyte death, and activated STAT3 contributed to the cardioprotection of low-dose mitochondrial uncouplers. Uncoupler-induced mild mitochondrial uncoupling in cardiomyocytes is characterized by STAT3 activation and ATP increase whereas excessive mitochondrial uncoupling is characterized by STAT3 inhibition, ATP decrease and cell injury. Development of mitochondrial uncoupler with optimal dose window of inducing mild uncoupling is a promising strategy for heart protection.

The cytotoxic effects of VE-3N, a novel 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, involve the mitochondrial bioenergetic disruption via uncoupling mechanisms.

Several 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives overcome the multidrug resistance in tumors, but their intrinsic cytotoxic mechanisms remain unclear. Here we addressed if mitochondria are involved in the cytotoxicity of the novel 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative VE-3N [ethyl 6-chloro-5-formyl-2-methyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate] towards cancer cells by employing hepatic carcinoma (HepG2) cells and isolated rat liver mitochondria. In HepG2 cells, VE-3N induced mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation, ATP depletion, annexin V/propidium iodide double labeling, and Hoechst staining; events indicating apoptosis induction. In isolated rat liver mitochondria, VE-3N promoted mitochondrial uncoupling by exerting protonophoric actions and by increasing membrane fluidity. Mitochondrial uncoupling was evidenced by an increase in resting respiration, dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibition of Ca2+ uptake, stimulation of Ca2+ release, decrease in ATP synthesis, and swelling of valinomycin-treated organelles in hyposmotic potassium acetate media. Furthermore, uncoupling concentrations of VE-3N in the presence of Ca2+ plus ruthenium red induced the mitochondrial permeability transition process. These results indicate that mitochondrial uncoupling is potentially involved in the VE-3N cytotoxic actions towards HepG2 cells. Considering that hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of liver cancer, our findings may open a new avenue for the development of VE-3N-based cancer therapies, and help to unravel the cytotoxic mechanisms of 1,4-dihydropyridines towards cancer cells.

Manipulation of tumor oxygenation and radiosensitivity through modification of cell respiration. A critical review of approaches and imaging biomarkers for therapeutic guidance.

Tumor hypoxia has long been considered as a detrimental factor for the response to irradiation. In order to improve the sensitivity of tumors cells to radiation therapy, tumor hypoxia may theoretically be alleviated by increasing the oxygen delivery or by decreasing the oxygen consumption by tumor cells. Mathematical modelling suggested that decreasing the oxygen consumption should be more efficient than increasing oxygen delivery in order to alleviate tumor hypoxia. In this paper, we review several promising strategies targeting the mitochondrial respiration for which alleviation of tumor hypoxia and increase in sensitivity to irradiation have been demonstrated. Because the translation of these approaches into the clinical arena requires the use of pharmacodynamics biomarkers able to identify shift in oxygen consumption and tumor oxygenation, we also discuss the relative merits of imaging biomarkers (Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance) that may be used for therapeutic guidance. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Mitochondria in Cancer, edited by Giuseppe Gasparre, Rodrigue Rossignol and Pierre Sonveaux.

Acute administration of 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine to hypothyroid rats stimulates bioenergetic parameters in liver mitochondria.

The role of 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (T2), initially considered only a 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) catabolite, in the bioenergetic metabolism is of growing interest. In this study we investigated the acute effects (within 1 h) of T2 administration to hypothyroid rats on liver mitochondria fatty acid uptake and ß-oxidation rate, mitochondrial efficiency (by measuring proton leak) and mitochondrial oxidative damage (by determining H2O2 release). Fatty acid uptake into mitochondria was measured assaying carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) I and II activities, and fatty acid ß-oxidation using palmitoyl-CoA as a respiratory substrate. Mitochondrial fatty acid pattern was defined by gas-liquid chromatography. In hypothyroid + T2 vs hypothyroid rats we observed a raise in the serum level of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), in the mitochondrial CPT system activity and in the fatty acid ß-oxidation rate. A parallel increase in the respiratory chain activity, mainly from succinate, occurs. When fatty acids are chelated by bovine serum albumin, a T2-induced increase in both state 3 and state 4 respiration is observed, while, when fatty acids are present, mitochondrial uncoupling occurs together with increased proton leak, responsible for mitochondrial thermogenesis. T2 administration decreases mitochondrial oxidative stress as determined by lower H2O2 production. We conclude that in rat liver mitochondria T2 acutely enhances the rate of fatty acid ß-oxidation, and the activity of the downstream respiratory chain. The T2-induced increase in proton leak may contribute to mitochondrial thermogenesis and to the reduction of oxidative stress. Our results strengthen the previously reported ability of T2 to reduce adiposity, dyslipidemia and to prevent liver steatosis.

The nematocysts venom of Chrysaora helvola Brandt leads to apoptosis-like cell death accompanied by uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation.

The present work investigated the effects of the nematocysts venom (NV) from the Chrysaora helvola Brandt (C. helvola) jellyfish on the human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line, CNE-2. The medium lethal concentration (LC50), quantified by MTT assays, was 1.7 ± 0.53 µg/mL (n = 5). An atypical apoptosis-like cell death was confirmed by LDH release assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining-based flow cytometry. Interestingly, activation of caspase-4 other than caspase-3, -8, -9 and -1 was observed. Moreover, the NV stimuli caused a time-dependent loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) as was an intracellular ROS burst. These results indicated that there was uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation (UOP). An examination of the intracellular pH value by a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe, BCECF, suggested that the UOP was due to the time-dependent increase in the intracellular pH. This is the first report that jellyfish venom can induce UOP.

Quantification of adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, and creatine phosphate in sterlet spermatozoa during maturation.

Sturgeon spermatozoa maturation during their passage through the kidney is a prerequisite for initiation of motility. Samples of sterlet () testicular sperm (TS) were matured in vitro by incubation in seminal fluid (SF) or in SF supplemented with carbonyl cyanide -chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP; a respiration uncoupling agent). Sperm was diluted in activation medium (AM) containing 10 m Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.5) and 0.25% Pluronic, and spermatozoon motility was assessed. Samples were taken and fixed in 3 perchloric acid at 3 points in the incubation process. Quantification of ATP, ADP, and creatine phosphate (CrP) was conducted using liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. We observed a significant decrease in CrP during artificial maturation of TS in SF. In contrast, ATP and ADP were not significantly affected. Addition of CCCP to SF halted maturation and led to significantly lower CrP whereas ADP significantly increased and ATP was unaffected. Dilution of matured and immature TS with AM led to a significant decrease of ATP and CrP and an increase of ADP compared with their levels before dilution, although immature TS were not motile. Energy dependency of TS maturation in sturgeon was confirmed, which suggests that mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is needed for maturation of sturgeon TS.

A Screenable In Vivo Assay for Mitochondrial Modulators Using Transgenic Bioluminescent Caenorhabditis elegans.

The multicellular model organism Caenorhabditis elegans is a small nematode of approximately 1 mm in size in adulthood that is genetically and experimentally tractable. It is economical and easy to culture and dispense in liquid medium which makes it well suited for medium-throughput screening. We have previously validated the use of transgenic luciferase expressing C. elegans strains to provide rapid in vivo assessment of the nematode's ATP levels.(1-3) Here we present the required materials and procedure to carry out bioassays with the bioluminescent C. elegans strains PE254 or PE255 (or any of their derivative strains). The protocol allows for in vivo detection of sublethal effects of drugs that may identify mitochondrial toxicity, as well as for in vivo detection of potential beneficial drug effects. Representative results are provided for the chemicals paraquat, rotenone, oxaloacetate and for four firefly luciferase inhibitory compounds. The methodology can be scaled up to provide a platform for screening drug libraries for compounds capable of modulating mitochondrial function. Pre-clinical evaluation of drug toxicity is often carried out on immortalized cancerous human cell lines which derive ATP mostly from glycolysis and are often tolerant of mitochondrial toxicants.(4,5) In contrast, C. elegans depends on oxidative phosphorylation to sustain development into adulthood, drawing a parallel with humans and providing a unique opportunity for compound evaluation in the physiological context of a whole live multicellular organism.

Low micromolar concentrations of the superoxide probe MitoSOX uncouple neural mitochondria and inhibit complex IV.

MitoSOX Red is a fluorescent probe used for the detection of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species by live cell imaging. The lipophilic, positively charged triphenylphosphonium moiety within MitoSOX concentrates the superoxide-sensitive dihydroethidium conjugate within the mitochondrial matrix. Here we investigated whether common MitoSOX imaging protocols influence mitochondrial bioenergetic function in primary rat cortical neurons and microglial cell lines. MitoSOX dose-dependently uncoupled neuronal respiration, whether present continuously in the assay medium or washed following a ten minute loading protocol. Concentrations of 5-10µM MitoSOX caused severe loss of ATP synthesis-linked respiration. Redistribution of MitoSOX to the cytoplasm and nucleus occurred concomitant to mitochondrial uncoupling. MitoSOX also dose-dependently decreased the maximal respiration rate and this impairment could not be rescued by delivery of a complex IV specific substrate, revealing complex IV inhibition. As in neurons, loading microglial cells with MitoSOX at low micromolar concentrations resulted in uncoupled mitochondria with reduced respiratory capacity whereas submicromolar MitoSOX had no adverse effects. The MitoSOX parent compound dihydroethidium also caused mitochondrial uncoupling and respiratory inhibition at low micromolar concentrations. However, these effects were abrogated by pre-incubating dihydroethidium with cation exchange beads to remove positively charged oxidation products, which would otherwise by sequestered by polarized mitochondria. Collectively, our results suggest that the matrix accumulation of MitoSOX or dihydroethidium oxidation products causes mitochondrial uncoupling and inhibition of complex IV. Because MitoSOX is inherently capable of causing severe mitochondrial dysfunction with the potential to alter superoxide production, its use therefore requires careful optimization in imaging protocols.

The cytotoxic effects of brown Cuban propolis depend on the nemorosone content and may be mediated by mitochondrial uncoupling.

Three main types of Cuban propolis directly related to their secondary metabolite composition have been identified: brown, red and yellow propolis; the former is majoritarian and is characterized by the presence of nemorosone. In this study, brown Cuban propolis extracts were found cytotoxic against HepG2 cells and primary rat hepatocytes, in close association with the nemorosone contents. In mitochondria isolated from rat liver the extracts displayed uncoupling activity, which was demonstrated by the increase in succinate-supported state 4 respiration rates, dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, Ca(2+) release from Ca(2+)-loaded mitochondria, and a marked ATP depletion. As in cells, the degree of such mitotoxic events was closely correlated to the nemorosone content. The propolis extracts that do not contain nemorosone were neither cytotoxic nor mitotoxic, except R-29, whose detrimental effect upon cells and mitochondria could be mediated by its isoflavonoids and chalcones components, well known mitochondrial uncouplers. Our results at least partly unravel the cytotoxic mechanism of Cuban propolis, particularly regarding brown propolis, and raise concerns about the toxicological implication of Cuban propolis consumption.

Bioenergetic and proteolytic defects in fibroblasts from patients with sporadic Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex disease and the current interest and focus of scientific research is both investigating the variety of causes that underlie PD pathogenesis, and identifying reliable biomarkers to diagnose and monitor the progression of pathology. Investigation on pathogenic mechanisms in peripheral cells, such as fibroblasts derived from patients with sporadic PD and age/gender matched controls, might generate deeper understanding of the deficits affecting dopaminergic neurons and, possibly, new tools applicable to clinical practice. METHODS: Primary fibroblast cultures were established from skin biopsies. Increased susceptibility to the PD-related toxin rotenone was determined with apoptosis- and necrosis-specific cell death assays. Protein quality control was evaluated assessing the efficiency of the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) and protein levels of autophagic markers. Changes in cellular bioenergetics were monitored by measuring oxygen consumption and glycolysis-dependent medium acidification. The oxido-reductive status was determined by detecting mitochondrial superoxide production and oxidation levels in proteins and lipids. RESULTS: PD fibroblasts showed higher vulnerability to necrotic cell death induced by complex I inhibitor rotenone, reduced UPS function and decreased maximal and rotenone-sensitive mitochondrial respiration. No changes in autophagy and redox markers were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that increased susceptibility to rotenone and the presence of proteolytic and bioenergetic deficits that typically sustain the neurodegenerative process of PD can be detected in fibroblasts from idiopathic PD patients. Fibroblasts might therefore represent a powerful and minimally invasive tool to investigate PD pathogenic mechanisms, which might translate into considerable advances in clinical management of the disease.

Isoflurane modulates cardiac mitochondrial bioenergetics by selectively attenuating respiratory complexes.

Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury but volatile anesthetics (VA) may alter mitochondrial function to trigger cardioprotection. We hypothesized that the VA isoflurane (ISO) mediates cardioprotection in part by altering the function of several respiratory and transport proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos). To test this we used fluorescence spectrophotometry to measure the effects of ISO (0, 0.5, 1, 2mM) on the time-course of interlinked mitochondrial bioenergetic variables during states 2, 3 and 4 respiration in the presence of either complex I substrate K(+)-pyruvate/malate (PM) or complex II substrate K(+)-succinate (SUC) at physiological levels of extra-matrix free Ca(2+) (~200nM) and Na(+) (10mM). To mimic ISO effects on mitochondrial functions and to clearly delineate the possible ISO targets, the observed actions of ISO were interpreted by comparing effects of ISO to those elicited by low concentrations of inhibitors that act at each respiratory complex, e.g. rotenone (ROT) at complex I or antimycin A (AA) at complex III. Our conclusions are based primarily on the similar responses of ISO and titrated concentrations of ETC. inhibitors during state 3. We found that with the substrate PM, ISO and ROT similarly decreased the magnitude of state 3 NADH oxidation and increased the duration of state 3 NADH oxidation, ΔΨm depolarization, and respiration in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas with substrate SUC, ISO and ROT decreased the duration of state 3 NADH oxidation, ΔΨm depolarization and respiration. Unlike AA, ISO reduced the magnitude of state 3 NADH oxidation with PM or SUC as substrate. With substrate SUC, after complete block of complex I with ROT, ISO and AA similarly increased the duration of state 3 ΔΨm depolarization and respiration. This study provides a mechanistic understanding in how ISO alters mitochondrial function in a way that may lead to cardioprotection.

An eudesman derivative from Verbesina persicifolia D.C. as a natural mild uncoupler in liver mitochondria. A new potential anti-obesity agent?

4ß-cinnamoyloxy,1ß,3α-dihydroxyeudesm-7,8-ene (CDE) extracted from Verbesina persicifolia induces bioenergetic collapse in rat liver mitochondria (RLM), monitored as a fall in the respiratory control index and ADP/O values. This fall in energy is accompanied by a protonophore effect and membrane potential (Δψ) collapse, demonstrating that CDE behaves as a typical uncoupling agent. However, when examining the effect of CDE in detail, we found that it acts as a "mild" uncoupler because it drops Δψ and increases respiratory state 4. The proposed mechanism is based on the interaction of CDE with membrane protein cytochrome C oxidase, which is implicated in proton permeability, and with the respiratory chain for the generation of reactive oxygen species which mediate and regulate the activity of the above membrane protein. Considering the energy collapse, "mild" uncoupling, and the fact that CDE is largely used in folk medicines, this extract may be viewed as a potentially effective anti-obesity drug and a natural lead compound for developing new natural uncouplers against obesity.

2,4-dinitrophenol partially alleviates ferrocyanide-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster.

The toxicity of potassium ferrocyanide (PFC) and protective effects of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) under PFC treatment were tested on the Drosophila melanogaster model system. Fly larvae were raised on food supplemented with PFC at concentrations of 1.0 mM and mixtures with DNP in concentrations of 0.50 and 1.25 mM, either alone or in combination with 1.0 mM PFC. Food supplementation with PFC decreased larvae viability or pupation height, whereas when larvae were fed by PFC and DNP combination the decrease was less pronounced. Larval exposure to PFC and mixtures of DNP and PFC lowered activities of aconitase. Larval treatment with PFC resulted in higher carbonyl protein, uric acid, and low molecular mass thiols content and higher activity of thioredoxin reductase in adult flies, while DNP in mixtures with PFC relieved these effects. Furthermore, treatment with PFC/DNP mixtures resulted in higher activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase. It is proposed that PFC toxicity is mainly related to the cyanide and iron ions, released during its decomposition. The potential mechanisms of protective DNP effects against PFC toxicity are discussed.

The mitochondrial uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol attenuates sodium nitroprusside-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster: potential involvement of free radicals.

The toxicity of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (an inducer of oxidative/nitrosative stress) and the attenuation of SNP effects by 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) (that induces mild uncoupling of respiration) were evaluated in the Drosophila melanogaster model system. Fly larvae were raised on food supplemented with 1.0 mM SNP, 0.5 or 1.25 mM DNP, or with mixtures 1.0 mM SNP plus 0.5 or 1.25 mM DNP. Food supplementation with SNP decreased larval viability and pupation height whereas supplementation with DNP substantially reversed these changes. Biochemical analyses of oxidative stress markers and activities of antioxidant and associated enzymes were carried out on 2-day-old flies emerged from control larvae and larvae fed on food supplemented with SNP, DNP, or SNP/DNP mixtures. Larval exposure to SNP lowered activities of aconitase, while the presence of DNP reduced the negative impact of SNP by raising aconitase activity back to near control levels. Larval treatment with SNP also elevated the contents of carbonyl protein, uric acid and low molecular mass thiols and produced higher activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and thioredoxin reductase in adult flies. However, the presence of DNP in the food mixtures prevented SNP-induced changes in thioredoxin reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, as well as uric acid and low-molecular-mass thiol content. The potential mechanisms by which DNP exerts protective effects against SNP toxicity are discussed.

Sensitization of Staphylococcus aureus to methicillin and other antibiotics in vitro and in vivo in the presence of HAMLET.

HAMLET (human alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells) is a protein-lipid complex from human milk with both tumoricidal and bactericidal activities. HAMLET exerts a rather specific bactericidal activity against some respiratory pathogens, with highest activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae, but lacks activity against most other bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococci. Still, ion transport associated with death in S. pneumoniae is also detected to a lower degree in insensitive organisms. In this study we demonstrate that HAMLET acts as an antimicrobial adjuvant that can increase the activity of a broad spectrum of antibiotics (methicillin, vancomycin, gentamicin and erythromycin) against multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus, to a degree where they become sensitive to those same antibiotics, both in antimicrobial assays against planktonic and biofilm bacteria and in an in vivo model of nasopharyngeal colonization. We show that HAMLET exerts these effects specifically by dissipating the proton gradient and inducing a sodium-dependent calcium influx that partially depolarizes the plasma membrane, the same mechanism induced during pneumococcal death. These effects results in an increased cell associated binding and/or uptake of penicillin, gentamicin and vancomycin, especially in resistant stains. Finally, HAMLET inhibits the increased resistance of methicillin seen under antibiotic pressure and the bacteria do not become resistant to the adjuvant, which is a major advantageous feature of the molecule. These results highlight HAMLET as a novel antimicrobial adjuvant with the potential to increase the clinical usefulness of antibiotics against drug resistant strains of S. aureus.

Mitochondrial bioenergetics and drug-induced toxicity in a panel of mouse embryonic fibroblasts with mitochondrial DNA single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been proposed to be involved in idiosyncratic drug reactions. However, current in vitro and in vivo models lack the genetic diversity seen in the human population. Our hypothesis is that different cell strains with distinct mtDNA SNPs may have different mitochondrial bioenergetic profiles and may therefore vary in their response to drug-induced toxicity. Therefore, we used an in vitro system composed of four strains of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with mtDNA polymorphisms. We sequenced mtDNA from embryonic fibroblasts isolated from four mouse strains, C57BL/6J, MOLF/EiJ, CZECHII/EiJ and PERA/EiJ, with the latter two being sequenced for the first time. The bioenergetic profile of the four strains of MEFs was investigated at both passages 3 and 10. Our results showed that there were clear differences among the four strains of MEFs at both passages, with CZECHII/EiJ having a lower mitochondrial robustness when compared to C57BL/6J, followed by MOLF/EiJ and PERA/EiJ. Seven drugs known to impair mitochondrial function were tested for their effect on the ATP content of the four strains of MEFs in both glucose- and galactose-containing media. Our results showed that there were strain-dependent differences in the response to some of the drugs. We propose that this model is a useful starting point to study compounds that may cause mitochondrial off-target toxicity in early stages of drug development, thus decreasing the number of experimental animals used.