Pectic Oligogalacturonide Facilitates the Synthesis and Activation of Adiponectin to Improve Hepatic Lipid Oxidation.

SCOPE: Adiponectin (ADPN), a kind of adipokines, plays an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. The objective of this study is focused on the ADPN to investigate the functional mechanisms of pectin oligosaccharide (POS) from hawthorn fruit in the improvement of hepatic fatty acid oxidation. METHOD AND RESULTS: High-fat fed mice are used in this experiment. POS is administrated with the doses of 0.25, 0.75, and 1.5 g kg-1 diet, respectively. The results demonstrate that gene and protein expressions of ADPN synthesis regulators involved in PKA/ERK/CREB and C/EBPα/PPARγ pathways are upregulated by POS administration. POS also activates the AdiopR1/AMPKα/PGC1 and AdipoR2/PPARα signaling pathways to improve the fatty acid oxidation in the liver, which is further accelerated by the enhancement of mitochondrial functions. CONCLUSION: POS can act as an ADPN activator to improve lipid metabolism, leading it to the applications of biomedical and functional foods for ameliorating chronic liver diseases resulted from a high-energy diet.

Beneficial Effect of a Multistrain Synbiotic Prodefen® Plus on the Systemic and Vascular Alterations Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Rats: The Role of the Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase and Protein Kinase A.

A high fat diet (HFD) intake is crucial for the development and progression of metabolic syndrome (MtS). Increasing evidence links gut dysbiosis with the metabolic and vascular alterations associated with MtS. Here we studied the use of a combination of various probiotic strains together with a prebiotic (synbiotic) in a commercially available Prodefen® Plus. MtS was induced by HFD (45%) in male Wistar rats. Half of the MtS animals received Prodefen® Plus for 4 weeks. At 12 weeks, we observed an increase in body weight, together with the presence of insulin resistance, liver steatosis, hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension in MtS rats. Prodefen® Plus supplementation did not affect the body weight gain but ameliorated all the MtS-related symptoms. Moreover, the hypertension induced by HFD is caused by a diminished both nitric oxide (NO) functional role and release probably due to a diminished neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activation by protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Prodefen® Plus supplementation for 4 weeks recovered the NO function and release and the systolic blood pressure was returned to normotensive values as a result. Overall, supplementation with Prodefen® Plus could be considered an interesting non-pharmacological approach in MtS.

Coenzyme Q10 Upregulates Platelet cAMP/PKA Pathway and Attenuates Integrin αIIbß3 Signaling and Thrombus Growth.

SCOPE: Platelet integrin αIIbß3 is the key mediator of atherothrombosis. Supplementation of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a fat-soluble molecule that exists in various foods, exerts protective cardiovascular effects. This study aims to investigate whether and how CoQ10 acts on αIIbß3 signaling and thrombosis, the major cause of cardiovascular diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a series of platelet functional assays in vitro, it is demonstrated that CoQ10 reduces human platelet aggregation, granule secretion, platelet spreading, and clot retraction. It is further demonstrated that CoQ10 inhibits platelet integrin αIIbß3 outside-in signaling. These inhibitory effects are mainly mediated by upregulating cAMP/PKA pathway, where CoQ10 stimulates the A2A adenosine receptor and decreases phosphodiesterase 3A phosphorylation. Moreover, CoQ10 attenuates murine thrombus growth and vessel occlusion in a ferric chloride (FeCl3 )-induced thrombosis model in vivo. Importantly, the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in dyslipidemic patients demonstrates that 24 weeks of CoQ10 supplementation increases platelet CoQ10 concentrations, enhances the cAMP/PKA pathway, and attenuates αIIbß3 outside-in signaling, leading to decreased platelet aggregation and granule release. CONCLUSION: Through upregulating the platelet cAMP/PKA pathway, and attenuating αIIbß3 signaling and thrombus growth, CoQ10 supplementation may play an important protective role in patients with risks of cardiovascular diseases.

Regulation of Atrial Fibrosis by the Bone.

MR (mineralocorticoid receptor) antagonists have been demonstrated to provide beneficial effects on preventing atrial fibrosis. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We aim to determine the role of osteoblast MR in atrial fibrosis and to explore the underlying mechanism. Using osteoblast MR knockout mouse in combination with mutant TGF (transforming growth factor)-ß1 transgenic mouse, we demonstrated that MR deficiency in osteoblasts significantly attenuated atrial fibrosis. Mechanistically, MR directly regulated expression of OCN (osteocalcin) in osteoblasts. Both carboxylated and undercarboxylated OCNs (ucOC) were less secreted in osteoblast MR knockout mice. Mutant TGF-ß1 transgenic mice supplemented with recombinant ucOC showed aggravated atrial fibrosis. In cultured atrial fibroblasts, ucOC treatment promoted proliferation and migration of atrial fibroblasts, whereas cotreatment with an antagonist for a GPRC6A (G-protein-coupled receptor, family C, group 6, member A) abolished these effects. Western blotting analysis revealed upregulation of PKA (protein kinase A) and CREB (cAMP-response element-binding protein) phosphorylation after ucOC treatment. Inhibition of PKA with its antagonist reduced ucOC-induced proliferation and migration of atrial fibroblasts. Finally, the impact of osteoblast MR deficiency on atrial fibrosis was abolished by ucOC administration in mutant TGF-ß1 transgenic mice. Taken together, MR deficiency in osteoblasts attenuated atrial fibrosis by downregulation of OCN to promote proliferation and migration of atrial fibroblasts.

Central Role of Protein Kinase A in Promoting Trigeminal Nociception in an In Vivo Model of Temporomandibular Disorders.

AIMS: To investigate cellular changes in the spinal trigeminal nucleus (STN) and trigeminal ganglion (TG) associated with trigeminal nociception mediated by inflammation in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 86) were utilized to investigate cellular and behavioral responses to prolonged TMJ inflammation caused by bilateral injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) in the TMJ capsules. To investigate the cellular effects of protein kinase A (PKA) in the STN, rats were injected intrathecally with the selective PKA inhibitor KT5720 prior to injection of CFA into both TMJ capsules. Levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), active PKA, and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) in the STN and expression of phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinases (p-ERK) in the TG were determined with immunohistochemistry (n ≥ 3 experiments per test condition). Nocifensive head withdrawal responses to mechanical stimulation of the cutaneous tissue over the TMJ were monitored following CFA injection in the absence or presence of KT5720 (n = 7). Statistical analysis was performed using parametric analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests. RESULTS: Intrathecal injection of KT5720 significantly inhibited the stimulatory effect of CFA on levels of CGRP, PKA, and Iba1 in the STN. In addition, administration of KT5720 decreased the average number of CFA-induced nocifensive withdrawal responses to mechanical stimulation and the CFA-mediated increase in p-ERK expression in the ganglion. CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence that elevated PKA activity in the STN promotes cellular events temporally associated with trigeminal nociception caused by prolonged TMJ inflammation.

Increased production of omega-3 fatty acids protects retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve injury in mice.

Injury to the central nervous system causes progressive degeneration of injured axons, leading to loss of the neuronal bodies. Neuronal survival after injury is a prerequisite for successful regeneration of injured axons. In this study, we investigated the effects of increased production of omega-3 fatty acids and elevation of cAMP on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and axonal regeneration after optic nerve (ON) crush injury in adult mice. We found that increased production of omega-3 fatty acids in mice enhanced RGC survival, but not axonal regeneration, over a period of 3 weeks after ON injury. cAMP elevation promoted RGC survival in wild type mice, but no significant difference in cell survival was seen in mice over-producing omega-3 fatty acids and receiving intravitreal injections of CPT-cAMP, suggesting that cAMP elevation protects RGCs after injury but does not potentiate the actions of the omega-3 fatty acids. The observed omega-3 fatty acid-mediated neuroprotection is likely achieved partially through ERK1/2 signaling as inhibition of this pathway by PD98059 hindered, but did not completely block, RGC protection. Our study thus enhances our current understanding of neural repair after CNS injury, including the visual system.

PTH and Vitamin D Repress DMP1 in Cementoblasts.

A complex feedback mechanism between parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25(OH)2D3 (1,25D), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) maintains mineral homeostasis, in part by regulating calcium and phosphate absorption/reabsorption. Previously, we showed that 1,25D regulates mineral homeostasis by repressing dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) via the vitamin D receptor pathway. Similar to 1,25D, PTH may modulate DMP1, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Immortalized murine cementoblasts (OCCM.30), similar to osteoblasts and known to express DMP1, were treated with PTH (1-34). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot revealed that PTH decreased DMP1 gene transcription (85%) and protein expression (30%), respectively. PTH mediated the downregulation of DMP1 via the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the decreased localization of DMP1 in vivo in cellular cementum and alveolar bone of mice treated with a single dose (50 µg/kg) of PTH (1-34). RNA-seq was employed to further identify patterns of gene expression shared by PTH and 1,25D in regulating DMP1, as well as other factors involved in mineral homeostasis. PTH and 1,25D mutually upregulated 36 genes and mutually downregulated 27 genes by ≥2-fold expression (P ≤ 0.05). Many identified genes were linked with the regulation of bone/tooth homeostasis, cell growth and differentiation, calcium signaling, and DMP1 transcription. Validation of RNA-seq results via PCR array confirmed a similar gene expression pattern in response to PTH and 1,25D treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that PTH and 1,25D share complementary effects in maintaining mineral homeostasis by mutual regulation of genes/proteins associated with calcium and phosphate metabolism while also exerting distinct roles on factors modulating mineral metabolism. Furthermore, PTH may modulate phosphate homeostasis by downregulating DMP1 expression via the cAMP/PKA pathway. Targeting genes/proteins mutually governed by PTH and 1,25D may be a viable approach for designing new therapies for preserving mineralized tissue health.

Hypothalamic glucagon signaling inhibits hepatic glucose production.

Glucagon activates hepatic protein kinase A (PKA) to increase glucose production, but the gluco-stimulatory effect is transient even in the presence of continuous intravenous glucagon infusion. Continuous intravenous infusion of insulin, however, inhibits glucose production through its sustained actions in both the liver and the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH). In a pancreatic clamp setting, MBH infusion with glucagon activated MBH PKA and inhibited hepatic glucose production (HGP) in rats, as did central glucagon infusion in mice. Inhibition of glucagon receptor-PKA signaling in the MBH and hepatic vagotomy each negated the effect of MBH glucagon in rats, whereas the central effect of glucagon was diminished in glucagon receptor knockout mice. A sustained rise in plasma glucagon concentrations transiently increased HGP, and this transiency was abolished in rats with negated MBH glucagon action. In a nonclamp setting, MBH glucagon infusion improved glucose tolerance, and inhibition of glucagon receptor-PKA signaling in the MBH enhanced the ability of intravenous glucagon injection to increase plasma glucose concentrations. We also detected a similar enhancement of glucose concentrations that was associated with a disruption in MBH glucagon signaling in rats fed a high-fat diet. We show that hypothalamic glucagon signaling inhibits HGP and suggest that hypothalamic glucagon resistance contributes to hyperglycemia in diabetes and obesity.

Pre-synaptic kainate receptor-mediated facilitation of glutamate release involves PKA and Ca(2+) -calmodulin at thalamocortical synapses.

We have investigated the mechanisms underlying the facilitatory modulation mediated by kainate receptor (KAR) activation in the cortex, using isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes) and slice preparations. In cortical nerve terminals, kainate (KA, 100 µM) produced an increase in 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-evoked glutamate release. In thalamocortical slices, KA (1 µM) produced an increase in the amplitude of evoked excitatory post-synaptic currents (eEPSCs) at synapses established between thalamic axon terminals from the ventrobasal nucleus onto stellate neurons of L4 of the somatosensory cortex. In both, synaptosomes and slices, the effect of KA was antagonized by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, and persisted after pre-treatment with a cocktail of antagonists of other receptors whose activation could potentially have produced facilitation of release indirectly. Mechanistically, the observed effects of KA appear to be congruent in synaptosomal and slice preparations. Thus, the facilitation by KA of synaptosomal glutamate release and thalamocortical synaptic transmission were suppressed by the inhibition of protein kinase A and occluded by the stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. Dissecting this G-protein-independent regulation further in thalamocortical slices, the KAR-mediated facilitation of synaptic transmission was found to be sensitive to the block of Ca(2+) permeant KARs by philanthotoxin. Intriguingly, the synaptic facilitation was abrogated by depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores by thapsigargin, or inhibition of Ca(2+) -induced Ca(2+) -release by ryanodine. Thus, the KA-mediated modulation was contingent on both Ca(2+) entry through Ca(2+) -permeable KARs and liberation of intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Finally, sensitivity to W-7 indicated that the increased cytosolic [Ca(2+) ] underpinning KAR-mediated regulation of synaptic transmission at thalamocortical synapses, requires downstream activation of calmodulin. We conclude that neocortical pre-synaptic KARs mediate the facilitation of glutamate release and synaptic transmission by a Ca(2+) -calmodulin dependent activation of an adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/protein kinase A signalling cascade, independent of G-protein involvement.

Protein kinase A-mediated cardioprotection of Tongxinluo relates to the inhibition of myocardial inflammation, apoptosis, and edema in reperfused swine hearts.

BACKGROUND: Our previous studies have demonstrated that Tongxinluo (TXL), a traditional Chinese medicine, can protect hearts against no-reflow and reperfusion injury in a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent manner. The present study was to investigate whether the PKA-mediated cardioprotection of TXL against no-reflow and reperfusion injury relates to the inhibition of myocardial inflammation, edema, and apoptosis. METHODS: In a 90-minute ischemia and 3-hour reperfusion model, minipigs were randomly assigned to sham, control, TXL (0.05 g/kg, gavaged one hour prior to ischemia), and TXL + H-89 (a PKA inhibitor, intravenously and continuously infused at 1.0 µg/kg per minute) groups. Myocardial no-reflow, necrosis, edema, and apoptosis were determined by pathological and histological studies. Myocardial activity of PKA and myeloperoxidase was measured by colorimetric method. The expression of PKA, phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) (Ser(133)), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), P-selectin, apoptotic proteins, and aquaporins was detected by Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: TXL decreased the no-reflow area by 37.4% and reduced the infarct size by 27.0% (P < 0.05). TXL pretreatment increased the PKA activity and the expression of Ser(133) p-CREB in the reflow and no-reflow myocardium (P < 0.05). TXL inhibited the ischemia-reperfusion-induced elevation of myeloperoxidase activities and the expression of TNF-α and P-selectin, reduced myocardial edema in the left ventricle and the reflow and no-reflow areas and the expression of aquaporin-4, -8, and -9, and decreased myocytes apoptosis by regulation of apoptotic protein expression in the reflow and no-reflow myocardium. However, addition of the PKA inhibitor H-89 counteracted these beneficial effects of TXL. CONCLUSION: PKA-mediated cardioprotection of TXL against no-reflow and reperfusion injury relates to the inhibition of myocardial inflammation, edema, and apoptosis in the reflow and no-reflow myocardium.

Involvement of PKA-dependent upregulation of nNOS-CGRP in adrenomedullin-initiated mechanistic pathway underlying CFA-induced response in rats.

We have previously shown that intrathecal administration of the adrenomedullin (AM) receptor antagonist AM(22-52) produces a long-lasting anti-hyperalgesia effect. This study examined the hypothesis that AM recruits other pronociceptive mediators in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammation. Injection of CFA in the hindpaw of rat produced an increase in the expression of nNOS in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the spinal dorsal horn. An intrathecal administration of AM(22-52), but not the CGRP antagonist BIBN4096BS, abolished the CFA-induced increase of nNOS. Moreover, AM-induced increase of CGRP was inhibited by the nNOS inhibitors L-NAME and 7-nitroindazole in cultured ganglion explants. Addition of AM to ganglion cultures induced an increase in nNOS protein, which was attenuated by the PKA inhibitor H-89. Treatment with AM also concentration-dependently increased cAMP content and pPKA protein level, but not its non-phosphorylated form, in cultured ganglia. In addition, nNOS was shown to be co-localized with the AM receptor components calcitonin receptor-like receptor and receptor activity-modifying protein 2- and 3 in DRG neurons. The present study suggests that the enhanced activity of nitric oxide (NO) mediates the biological action of AM at the spinal level and that AM recruits NO-CGRP via cAMP/PKA signaling in a mechanistic pathway underlying CFA-induced hyperalgesia.

Phytoestrogen genistein protects against endothelial barrier dysfunction in vascular endothelial cells through PKA-mediated suppression of RhoA signaling.

The soy-derived phytoestrogen genistein has received attention for its potential to improve vascular function, but its mechanism remains unclear. Here, we report that genistein at physiologically relevant concentrations (0.1-10 µM) significantly inhibited thrombin-induced increase in endothelial monolayer permeability. Genistein also reduced the formation of stress fibers by thrombin and suppressed thrombin-induced phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) on Ser(19)/Thr(18) in endothelial cells (ECs). Genistein had no effect on resting intracellular [Ca(2+)] or thrombin-induced increase in Ca(2+) mobilization. Addition of the inhibitors of endothelial nitric oxide synthase or estrogen receptor did not alter the protective effect of genistein. RhoA is a small GTPase that plays an important role in actin-myosin contraction and endothelial barrier dysfunction. RhoA inhibitor blocked the protective effect of genistein on endothelial permeability and also ablated thrombin-induced MLC-phosphorylation in ECs. Inhibition of PKA significantly attenuated the effect of genistein on thrombin-induced EC permeability, MLC phosphorylation, and RhoA membrane translocation in ECs. Furthermore, thrombin diminished cAMP production in ECs, which were prevented by treatment with genistein. These findings demonstrated that genistein improves thrombin-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction in ECs through PKA-mediated suppression of RhoA signaling.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ protects against catecholamine-induced ventricular arrhythmia through protein kinase A-mediated regulation of distinct phosphodiesterases.

BACKGROUND: Phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) signaling engaged by ß-adrenergic receptors is pivotal in the regulation of myocardial contractility and remodeling. However, the role of PI3Kγ in catecholamine-induced arrhythmia is currently unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice lacking PI3Kγ (PI3Kγ(-/-)) showed runs of premature ventricular contractions on adrenergic stimulation that could be rescued by a selective ß(2)-adrenergic receptor blocker and developed sustained ventricular tachycardia after transverse aortic constriction. Consistently, fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes revealed abnormal cAMP accumulation after ß(2)-adrenergic receptor activation in PI3Kγ(-/-) cardiomyocytes that depended on the loss of the scaffold but not of the catalytic activity of PI3Kγ. Downstream from ß-adrenergic receptors, PI3Kγ was found to participate in multiprotein complexes linking protein kinase A to the activation of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3A, PDE4A, and PDE4B but not of PDE4D. These PI3Kγ-regulated PDEs lowered cAMP and limited protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of L-type calcium channel (Ca(v)1.2) and phospholamban. In PI3Kγ(-/-) cardiomyocytes, Ca(v)1.2 and phospholamban were hyperphosphorylated, leading to increased Ca(2+) spark occurrence and amplitude on adrenergic stimulation. Furthermore, PI3Kγ(-/-) cardiomyocytes showed spontaneous Ca(2+) release events and developed arrhythmic calcium transients. CONCLUSIONS: PI3Kγ coordinates the coincident signaling of the major cardiac PDE3 and PDE4 isoforms, thus orchestrating a feedback loop that prevents calcium-dependent ventricular arrhythmia.

The phytoestrogen 8-prenylnaringenin inhibits agonist-dependent activation of human platelets.

BACKGROUND: Phytoestrogens are plant-derived polyphenolic compounds that exert beneficial effects on human health, mostly related to their estrogen mimetic activity. In particular a strong correlation between phytoestrogens intake and a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases has been reported. The flavanone 8-prenylnaringenin, extracted from hop flowers, has been identified as a novel phytoestrogen, unique with respect to estrogen receptors specificity and potency. However, to date no investigations on the 8-prenylnaringenin role in modulating platelet function have been undertaken. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of 8-prenylnaringenin on platelet aggregation, intracellular calcium mobilization and protein phosphorylation triggered by thrombin and collagen, and platelet adhesion and dense granule secretion triggered by collagen. RESULTS: 8-Prenylnaringenin inhibited platelet aggregation induced by different agonists and platelet adhesion to collagen matrix. 8-Prenylnaringenin directly increased intracellular cAMP and cGMP levels and thus promoted VASP phosphorylation. However, these molecular events were not responsible for the inhibitory action of 8-prenylnaringenin on platelets. Moreover, 8-prenylnaringenin inhibited the phosphorylation of Pyk2, Akt, and ERK1/2. Finally, 8-prenylnaringenin suppressed the mobilization of calcium and the secretion of dense granules. All these effects were independent of estrogen receptors recruitment. CONCLUSIONS: 8-Prenylnaringenin exerted anti-aggregatory and anti-adhesive effects on human platelets, independently of estrogen receptors, acting as an inhibitor of multiple proteins essential for the morphological and biochemical transformations that occur during platelet activation and aggregation. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: 8-Prenylnaringenin may represent a useful tool in the therapy and prevention of vascular diseases associated with platelet aggregation, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and thrombosis.

Aromatic-turmerone's anti-inflammatory effects in microglial cells are mediated by protein kinase A and heme oxygenase-1 signaling.

Despite data supporting an immune-modulating effect of ar-turmerone in vitro, the underlying signaling pathways are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory properties of ar-turmerone in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, PGE(2), NO and ROS production and MMP-9 enzymatic activity in LPS-stimulated microglial cells was inhibited by ar-turmerone. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that ar-turmerone inhibited LPS-induced JNK, p38 MAPK and NF-κB activation. Furthermore, ar-turmerone decreased the phosphorylation of LPS-induced STAT-1. Additionally, ar-turmerone increased the phosphorylation of STAT-3, an anti-inflammatory transcription factor. We next demonstrated that ar-turmerone induced HO-1 and Nrf-2 activation suppressed the activation of neuroinflammatory molecules in LPS-induced microglial cells, and that down-regulation of HO-1 signals was sufficient to induce the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and ROS production in microglial cells. Interestingly, we found that ar-turmerone induced phosphorylation of CREB by upregulating the cAMP level in microglial cells. Furthermore, HO-1 activation via PKA-mediated CREB phosphorylation attenuated the expression of neuroinflammatory molecules in LPS-induced microglial cells. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that HO-1 and its upstream effectors PKA play a pivotal role in the anti-neuroinflammatory response of ar-turmerone in LPS-stimulated microglia.

Intrathecal PKA-selective siRNA treatment blocks sustained morphine-mediated pain sensitization and antinociceptive tolerance in rats.

Sustained morphine treatment has been shown to produce paradoxical pain sensitization (opioid-induced hyperalgesia) and also causes increase in spinal pain neurotransmitter, such as calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), concentration in experimental animals. Studies have also shown that cyclic adenosine-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) plays a major role in the regulation of presynaptic neurotransmitter (such as CGRP and substance P) synthesis and release. We have previously shown that in cultured primary sensory dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons sustained in vitro opioid agonist treatment upregulates cAMP levels (adenylyl cyclase (AC) superactivation) and augments basal and capsaicin evoked CGRP release in a PKA dependent manner. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo role of PKA in sustained morphine-mediated pain sensitization. Our data indicate that selective knock-down of spinal PKA activity by intrathecal (i.th.) pretreatment of rats with a PKA-selective small interference RNA (siRNA) mixture significantly attenuates sustained morphine-mediated augmentation of spinal CGRP immunoreactivity, thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and antinociceptive tolerance. The present findings indicate that sustained morphine-mediated activation of spinal cAMP/PKA-dependent signaling may play an important role in opioid induced hyperalgesia.

Concerted action of CB1 cannabinoid receptor and deleted in colorectal cancer in axon guidance.

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are retrograde neurotransmitters that modulate the function of many types of synapses. The presence of eCBs, their CB1 receptor (CB1R), and metabolizing enzymes at embryonic and early postnatal periods have been linked to developmental processes such as neuronal proliferation, differentiation, and migration, axon guidance, and synaptogenesis. Here, we demonstrate the presence of a functional eCB system in the developing visual system and the role of CB1R during axon growth and retinothalamic development. Pharmacological treatment of retinal explants and primary cortical neuron cultures with ACEA, a selective CB1R agonist, induced a collapse of the growth cone (GC). Furthermore the application of AM251, a CB1R inverse agonist, to the neuronal cultures increased the surface area of GC. In vivo, intraocular injection of ACEA diminished retinal projection growth, while AM251 promoted growth and caused aberrant projections. In addition, compared with their wild-type littermates, CB1R-deficient adult mice revealed a lower level of eye-specific segregation of retinal projections in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. Finally, we found that pharmacological modulation of CB1R affected the trafficking of Deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) receptor to the plasma membrane in a PKA-dependent manner. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition or genetic inactivation of DCC abolished the CB1R-induced reorganization of the GC. Overall, these findings establish a mechanism by which the CB1R influences GC behavior and nervous system development in concerted action with DCC.

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of ginsenoside Rh1 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglia: critical role of the protein kinase A pathway and hemeoxygenase-1 expression.

Microglia activation plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases, and thus controlling microglial activation has been suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we showed that ginsenoside Rh1 inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia, while Rh1 increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. Suppression of microglial activation by Rh1 was also observed in the mouse brain following treatment with LPS. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that Rh1 inhibited LPS-induced MAPK phosphorylation and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-mediated transcription without affecting NF-κB DNA binding. As the increase of pCREB (cAMP responsive element-binding protein) is known to result in suppression of NF-κB-mediated transcription, we examined whether Rh1 increased pCREB levels. As expected, Rh1 increased pCREB, which was shown to be related to the anti-inflammatory effect of Rh1 because pre-treatment with protein kinase A inhibitors attenuated the Rh1-mediated inhibition of nitric oxide production and the up-regulation of IL-10 and HO-1. Furthermore, treatment of HO-1 shRNA attenuated Rh1-mediated inhibition of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production. Through this study, we have demonstrated that protein kinase A and its downstream effector, HO-1, play a critical role in the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Rh1 by modulating pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules in activated microglia.

alpha-Lipoic acid increases energy expenditure by enhancing adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha signaling in the skeletal muscle of aged mice.

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with aging and diabetes, which decreases respiratory capacity and increases reactive oxygen species. Lipoic acid (LA) possesses antioxidative and antidiabetic properties. Metabolic action of LA is mediated by activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a cellular energy sensor that can regulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. We hypothesized that LA improves energy metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis by enhancing AMPK-PGC-1alpha signaling in the skeletal muscle of aged mice. C57BL/6 mice (24 months old, male) were supplemented with or without alpha-LA (0.75% in drinking water) for 1 month. In addition, metabolic action and cellular signaling of LA were studied in cultured mouse myoblastoma C2C12 cells. Lipoic acid supplementation improved body composition, glucose tolerance, and energy expenditure in the aged mice. Lipoic acid increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis with increased phosphorylation of AMPK and messenger RNA expression of PGC-1alpha and glucose transporter-4. Besides body fat mass, LA decreased lean mass and attenuated phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in the skeletal muscle. In cultured C2C12 cells, LA increased glucose uptake and palmitate beta-oxidation, but decreased protein synthesis, which was associated with increased phosphorylation of AMPK and expression of PGC-1alpha and glucose transporter-4, and attenuated phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6 kinase. We conclude that LA improves skeletal muscle energy metabolism in the aged mouse possibly through enhancing AMPK-PGC-1alpha-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Moreover, LA increases lean mass loss possibly by suppressing protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle by down-regulating the mTOR signaling pathway. Thus, LA may be a promising supplement for treatment of obesity and/or insulin resistance in older patients.

Emodin augments calcium activated chloride channel in colonic smooth muscle cells by Gi/Go protein.

Emodin is a natural anthraquinone in rhubarb. It has been identified as a prokinetic drug for gastrointestinal motility in Chinese traditional medicine. Emodin contracts smooth muscle by increasing the concentration of intracellular Ca(2+). In many smooth muscles, increasing intracellular Ca(2+) activates Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels (ClCA). The study was aimed to investigate the effects of emodin on ClCA channels in colonic smooth muscle. 4 channel physiology signal acquire system was used to measure isometric contraction of smooth muscle strips. ClCA currents were recorded by EPC10 with perforated whole cell model. Emodin contracted strips and cells in colonic smooth muscle and augmented ClCA currents. Niflumic acid (NFA) and 4', 4'-diisothiostilbene-2, 2-disulfonic acid (DIDS) blocked the effects. Gi/Go protein inhibits protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC), and PKA and PKC reduced ClCA currents. Pertussis toxin (PTX, a special inhibitor of Gi/Go protein), 8-bromoadenosine 38, 58-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP, a membrane-permeant protein kinase A activator) and Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA, a membrane-permeant protein kinase C activator) inhibited the effects on ClCA currents significantly. Our findings suggest that emodin augments ClCA channels to contract smooth muscle in colon, and the effect is induced mostly by enhancement of membrane Gi/Go protein signal transducer pathway.