2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Downregulates Fatty Acid Synthase Gene Expression Via an Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Pathway in HeLa Cells.

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of cellular lipogenesis. FASN expression is upregulated in various types of cancer cells, implying that FASN is a potential target for cancer therapy. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) specifically targets cancer cells by inhibiting glycolysis and glucose metabolism, resulting in multiple anticancer effects. However, whether the effects of 2-DG involve lipogenic metabolism remains to be elucidated. We investigated the effect of 2-DG administration on FASN expression in HeLa human cervical cancer cells. 2-DG treatment for 24 h decreased FASN mRNA and protein levels and suppressed the activity of an exogenous rat Fasn promoter. The use of a chemical activator or inhibitors or of a mammalian expression plasmid showed that neither AMPK nor the Sp1 transcription factor is responsible for the inhibitory effect of 2-DG on FASN expression. Administration of thapsigargin, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducer, or 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF), a site 1 protease inhibitor, mimicked the inhibitory effect of 2-DG on FASN expression. 2-DG did not further decrease FASN expression in the presence of thapsigargin or AEBSF. Site 1 protease mediates activation of ATF6, an ER stress mediator, as well as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), a robust transcription factor for FASN. Administration of 2-DG or thapsigargin for 24 h suppressed activation of ATF6 and SREBP1, as did AEBSF. We speculated that these effects of 2-DG or thapsigargin are due to feedback inhibition via increased GRP78 expression following ER stress. Supporting this, exogenous overexpression of GRP78 in HeLa cells suppressed SREBP1 activation and Fasn promoter activity. These results suggest that 2-DG suppresses FASN expression via an ER stress-dependent pathway, providing new insight into the molecular basis of FASN regulation in cancer.

Identification of protease serine S1 family member 53 as a mitochondrial protein in murine islet beta cells.

The aim of this study was to identify genes that are specifically expressed in pancreatic islet ß-cells (hereafter referred to as ß-cells). Large-scale complementary DNA-sequencing analysis was performed for 3,429 expressed sequence tags derived from murine MIN6 ß-cells, through homology comparisons using the GenBank database. Three individual ESTs were found to code for protease serine S1 family member 53 (Prss53). Prss53 mRNA is processed into both a short and long form, which encode 482 and 552 amino acids, respectively. Transient overexpression of myc-tagged Prss53 in COS-7 cells showed that Prss53 was strongly associated with the luminal surfaces of organellar membranes and that it underwent signal peptide cleavage and N-glycosylation. Immunoelectron microscopy and western blotting revealed that Prss53 localized to mitochondria in MIN6 cells. Short hairpin RNA-mediated Prss53 knockdown resulted in Ppargc1a downregulation and Ucp2 and Glut2 upregulation. JC-1 staining revealed that the mitochondria were depolarized in Prss53-knockdown MIN6 cells; however, no change was observed in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Our results suggest that mitochondrial Prss53 expression plays an important role in maintaining the health of ß-cells.

Long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids improve endothelial function with altering microbial flora.

Fish oil-derived long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (LCMUFAs) with a carbon chain length longer than 18 units ameliorate cardiovascular risk in mice. In this study, we investigated whether LCMUFAs could improve endothelial functions in mice and humans. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-center study, healthy subjects were randomly assigned to either an LCMUFA oil (saury oil) or a control oil (olive and tuna oils) group. Sixty subjects were enrolled and administrated each oil for 4 weeks. For the animal study, ApoE-/- mice were fed a Western diet supplemented with 3% of either gadoleic acid (C20:1) or cetoleic acid (C22:1) for 12 weeks. Participants from the LCMUFA group showed improvements in endothelial function and a lower trimethylamine-N-oxide level, which is a predictor of coronary artery disease. C20:1 and C22:1 oils significantly improved atherosclerotic lesions and plasma levels of several inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α. These beneficial effects were consistent with an improvement in the gut microbiota environment, as evident from the decreased ratio of Firmicutes and/ or Bacteroidetes, increase in the abundance of Akkermansia, and upregulation of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-induced glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) expression and serum GLP-1 level. These data suggest that LCMUFAs alter the microbiota environment that stimulate the production of SCFAs, resulting in the induction of GLP-1 secretion. Fish oil-derived long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids might thus help to protect against cardiovascular disease.

Interferon regulatory factor 7 mediates obesity-associated MCP-1 transcription.

Hypertrophy, associated with adipocyte dysfunction, causes increased pro-inflammatory adipokine, and abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, leading to insulin resistance and obesity-related-health problems. By combining DNA microarray and genomic data analyses to predict DNA binding motifs, we identified the transcription factor Interferon Regulatory Factor 7 (IRF7) as a possible regulator of genes related to adipocyte hypertrophy. To investigate the role of IRF7 in adipocytes, we examined gene expression patterns in 3T3-L1 cells infected with a retrovirus carrying the IRF7 gene and found that enforced IRF7 expression induced the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a key initial adipokine in the chronic inflammation of obesity. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated-suppression of IRF7 significantly reduced MCP-1 mRNA. Luciferase assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR analysis and gel shift assay showed that IRF7 transactivates the MCP-1 gene by binding to its proximal Interferon Stimulation Response Element (ISRE), a putative IRF7 binding motif. IRF7 knockout mice exhibited lower expression of MCP-1 in epidydimal white adipose tissue under high-fat feeding conditions, suggesting the transcription factor is physiologically important for inducing MCP-1. Taken together, our results suggest that IRF7 transactivates MCP-1 mRNA in adipocytes, and it may be involved in the adipose tissue inflammation associated with obesity.

Differential regulation of Actn2 and Actn3 expression during unfolded protein response in C2C12 myotubes.

ACTN2 and ACTN3 encode sarcomeric α-actinin-2 and α-actinin-3 proteins, respectively, that constitute the Z-line in mammalian skeletal muscle fibers. In human ACTN3, a nonsense mutation at codon 577 that encodes arginine (R) produces the R577X polymorphism. Individuals having a homozygous 577XX genotype do not produce α-actinin-3 protein. The 577XX genotype reportedly occurs in sprint and power athletes in frequency lower than in the normal population, suggesting that α-actinin-3 deficiency diminishes fast-type muscle function. Among humans who carry 577R alleles, varying ACTN3 expression levels under certain conditions can have diverse effects on atheletic and muscle performance. However, the factors that regulate ACTN3 expression are unclear. Here we investigated whether the unfolded protein response (UPR) under endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress regulates expression of Actn3 and its isoform Actn2 in mouse C2C12 myotubes. Among UPR-related transcription factors, XBP1 upregulated Actn2, whereas XBP1, ATF4 and ATF6 downregulated Actn3 promoter activity. Chemical induction of ER stress increased Actn2 mRNA levels, but decreased those for Actn3. ER stress also decreased α-actinin-3 protein levels, whereas levels of α-actinin-2 were unchanged. The intracellular composition of muscle contraction-related proteins was altered under ER stress, in that expression of parvalbumin (a fast-twitch muscle-specific protein) and troponin I type 1 (skeletal, slow) was suppressed. siRNA-induced suppression of Actn3 mimicked the inhibitory effect of ER stress on parvalbumin levels. Thus, endogenous expression levels of α-actinin-3 can be altered by ER stress, which may modulate muscle performance and athletic aptitudes, particularly in humans who carry ACTN3 577R alleles.

DNA methylation status influences insulin-induced glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by mediating p53 expression.

Researchers frequently use 3T3-L1 adipocytes as a fat cell line, but the capacity of this line for insulin-mediated glucose transport is lower than that of primary isolated fat cells. In this study, we found that 5-azacytidine (5-aza-C), DNA methyltransferase 1 inhibitor, enhanced insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) transport in 3T3-L1 cells after adipogenic differentiation. We next examined the expression of the genes related to glucose transport and insulin signal transduction. The insulin independent glucose transporter, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), showed lower expression in 5-aza-C pre-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, than in un-treated control adipocytes, while the expression of insulin dependent transporter GLUT4 remained unchanged. In addition, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) was highly expressed in 5-aza-C pre-treated adipocytes. Based on DNA microarray and functional annotation analysis, we noticed that 5-aza-C pretreatment activated the tumor suppressor p53 pathway. We confirmed that in 5-aza-C adipocytes, p53 expression was markedly higher, and the methylation level of CpGs in its promoter region was lower than in un-treated control adipocytes. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of p53 restored GLUT1 and IRS-1 expression to the same level as in un-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and significantly decreased insulin-mediated 2-DG uptake. These results suggest that glucose transport capacity in adipocytes is influenced by DNA methylation status, and demethylation induced by 5-aza-C increased it possibly through the p53 signaling pathway.

Effect of Janus kinase inhibition by tofacitinib on body composition and glucose metabolism.

Tofacitinib is the first Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor to treat moderately to severely active RA. In this study, we investigated whether the effect of tofacitinib have any effects on body composition in mice and female patients with RA. Female C57BL/6 mice fed with a high-fat diet were treated with 30 mg/kg/day tofacitinib or vehicle for 70 days. Following treatment, trunk muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fats were measured using X-ray computed tomography CT scan. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were assessed. In female RA patients treated with biological disease modified anti-rheumatic-drugs (biological DMARDs) or tofacitinib (n=4 per group), we also evaluated the body composition after 3 months from the start of treatment initiation using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Treatment with tofacitinib did not affect the body weight, and body composition in C57BL/6 mice. It also did not affect glucose, and insulin tolerance in mice. In patients with RA, treatment with biological DMARDs did not affect the body composition whereas the muscle mass was unchanged after receiving tofacitinib and the fat mass was significantly increased. J. Med. Invest. 65:166-170, August, 2018.

Host cellular unfolded protein response signaling regulates Campylobacter jejuni invasion.

Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of bacterial foodborne illness in humans worldwide. Bacterial entry into a host eukaryotic cell involves the initial steps of adherence and invasion, which generally activate several cell-signaling pathways that induce the activation of innate defense systems, which leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines and induction of apoptosis. Recent studies have reported that the unfolded protein response (UPR), a system to clear unfolded proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), also participates in the activation of cellular defense mechanisms in response to bacterial infection. However, no study has yet investigated the role of UPR in C. jejuni infection. Hence, the aim of this study was to deduce the role of UPR signaling via induction of ER stress in the process of C. jejuni infection. The results suggest that C. jejuni infection suppresses global protein translation. Also, 12 h of C. jejuni infection induced activation of the eIF2α pathway and expression of the transcription factor CHOP. Interestingly, bacterial invasion was facilitated by knockdown of UPR-associated signaling factors and treatment with the ER stress inducers, thapsigargin and tunicamycin, decreased the invasive ability of C. jejuni. An investigation into the mechanism of UPR-mediated inhibition of C. jejuni invasion showed that UPR signaling did not affect bacterial adhesion to or survival in the host cells. Further, Salmonella Enteritidis or FITC-dextran intake were not regulated by UPR signaling. These results indicated that the effect of UPR on intracellular intake was specifically found in C. jejuni infection. These findings are the first to describe the role of UPR in C. jejuni infection and revealed the participation of a new signaling pathway in C. jejuni invasion. UPR signaling is involved in defense against the early step of C. jejuni invasion and thus presents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of C. jejuni infection.

Readthrough of ACTN3 577X nonsense mutation produces full-length α-actinin-3 protein.

The ACTN3 gene encodes α-actinin-3 protein, which stabilizes the contractile apparatus at the Z-line in skeletal muscle cell fast fibers. A nonsense mutation of the arginine (R) at the codon for amino acid 577 of the ACTN3 gene generates a premature termination codon (PTC) and produces the R577X polymorphism in humans (X specifies translational termination). The ACTN3 577X genotype abolishes α-actinin-3 protein production due to targeted degradation of the mutant transcript by the cellular nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) system, which requires mRNA splicing. In humans, α-actinin-3 deficiency can decrease sprinting and power performance as well as skeletal muscle mass and strength. Here we investigated whether suppression of the in-frame PTC induced by treatment with the aminoglycosides gentamicin and G418 that promote termination codon readthrough could allow production of full-length α-actinin-3 protein from ACTN3 577X. We constructed expression plasmids encoding mature mRNA that lacks introns or pre-mRNA, which carries introns for the ACTN3 577X gene (X and Xpre, respectively) and transfected the constructs into HEK293 cells. Similar constructs for the ACTN3 577R gene were used as controls. HEK293 cells carrying the X gene, but not the Xpre gene, expressed exogenous truncated α-actinin-3 protein, indicating NMD-mediated suppression of exogenous Xpre expression. Cells treated with aminoglycosides produced exogenous full-length α-actinin-3 protein in X-transfected cells, but not in Xpre-transfected cells. The NMD inhibitor caffeine prevented suppression of Xpre expression and thereby induced production of full-length α-actinin-3 protein in the presence of aminoglycoside. Together these results indicate that the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism could be a novel target for readthrough therapy, which may affect athletic and muscle performance in humans.

Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 trans-activates 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 24-hydroxylase gene expression in renal proximal tubular cells.

The physiological activity of the steroid derived hormone vitamin D is regulated by several enzymatic steps. Both 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) modulate blood levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, an activated form of vitamin D. We previously demonstrated that CYP27B1 expression was trans-activated by sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1), although whether SREBP1 also regulates CYP24A1 transcription was unclear. Here we investigated the ability of SREBP1 to affect CYP24A1 transcription. In a luciferase reporter assay, mouse and human CYP24A1 promoter activity was strongly activated by SREBP1 in opossum kidney proximal tubular cells (OK-P). Three putative SREs (pSREs) were found in the mouse Cyp24a1 gene promoter and the SREBP1 protein showed specific binding to the pSRE1 element in EMSAs. Site-directed mutagenesis of the pSRE1 element strongly decreased SREBP1-mediated Cyp24a1 gene transcription. Moreover, siRNA-mediated SREBP1 knock-down repressed CYP24A1 expression in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HKC-8). In animal studies, mice given various doses of thyroid hormone (T3) showed dose-dependent reductions in renal Srebp1c and Cyp24a1 mRNA levels. Taken together, our results suggest that SREBP1 trans-activates CYP24A1 expression through SREBP binding elements present in the promoter.

A novel lipoprotein (a) lowering drug, D-47, decreases neointima thickening after vascular injury.

Although Lp(a) have been thought to be a cardiovascular risk factor, it is unclear whether lowering Lp(a) levels reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. No pharmacological agents which selectively reduce serum Lp(a) levels, and Lp(a) is present in primate but absent in common laboratory animals such as mice and pigs. In the present study we used transgenic mice of human Lp(a) and tested effect a novel Lp(a) lowering drug D-47 on neointima formation after vascular injury. D-47 successfully decreased plasma levels of Lp(a) and possibly inhibited neointima formation in Lp(a) transgenic mice. The results indicate that we can modulate plasma Lp(a) levels by pharmacologic agents and inhibit atherogenic properties of Lp(a) by reducing plasma levels of Lp(a). J. Med. Invest. 64: 64-67, February, 2017.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Mice Increases Hepatic Expression of Genes Carrying a Premature Termination Codon via a Nutritional Status-Independent GRP78-Dependent Mechanism.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) degrades mRNAs carrying a premature termination codon (PTC) in eukaryotes. Cellular stresses, including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inhibit NMD, and up-regulate PTC-containing mRNA (PTC-mRNA) levels in several cell lines. However, whether similar effects exist under in vivo conditions that involve systemic nutritional status is unclear. Here, we compared the effects of pharmacological induction of ER stress with those of nutritional interventions on hepatic PTC-mRNA levels in mice. In mouse livers, the ER stress inducer tunicamycin increased PTC-mRNA levels of endogenous marker genes. Tunicamycin decreased body weight and perturbed nutrient metabolism in mice. Food restriction or deprivation mimicked the effect of tunicamycin on weight loss and metabolism, but did not increase PTC-mRNA levels. Hyperphagia-induced obesity also had little effect on hepatic PTC-mRNA levels. Meanwhile, in mouse liver phosphorylation of eIF2α, a factor that regulates NMD, was increased by both tunicamycin and nutritional interventions. Hepatic expression of GRP78, a central chaperone in ER stress responses, was increased by tunicamycin but not by the nutritional interventions. In cultured liver cells (Hepa), exogenous overexpression of a phosphomimetic eIF2α failed to increase PTC-mRNA levels. However, GRP78 overexpression in Hepa cells increased PTC-mRNA and PTC-mRNA-derived protein levels. ER stress promoted localization of GRP78 to mitochondria, and exogenous expression of a GRP78 fusion protein targeted to mitochondria mimicked the effect of wild type GRP78. These results indicate that GRP78, but not nutritional status, is a potent up-regulator of hepatic PTC-mRNA levels during induction of ER stress in vivo. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3810-3824, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Intracerebroventricular injection of ghrelin decreases wheel running activity in rats.

There is an increasing interest in elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which voluntary exercise is regulated. In this study, we examined how the central nervous system regulates exercise. We used SPORTS rats, which were established in our laboratory as a highly voluntary murine exercise model. SPORTS rats showed lower levels of serum ghrelin compared with those of the parental line of Wistar rats. Intracerebroventricular and intraperitoneal injection of ghrelin decreased wheel-running activity in SPORTS rats. In addition, daily injection of the ghrelin inhibitor JMV3002 into the lateral ventricles of Wistar rats increased wheel-running activity. Co-administration of obestatin inhibited ghrelin-induced increases in food intake but did not inhibit ghrelin-induced suppression of voluntary exercise in rats. Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of SPORTS rats was not difference that in control rats. We created an arcuate nucleus destruction model by administering monosodium glutamate (MSG) to neonatal SPORTS rats. Injection of ghrelin into MSG-treated rats decreased voluntary exercise but did not increase food intake, suggesting that wheel-running activity is not controlled by the arcuate nucleus neurons that regulate feeding. These results provide new insights into the mechanism by which ghrelin regulates voluntary activity independent of arcuate nucleus neurons.

DNA Methylation Suppresses Leptin Gene in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Leptin is a key regulator of energy intake and expenditure. This peptide hormone is expressed in mouse white adipose tissue, but hardly expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Using bisulfite sequencing, we found that CpG islands in the leptin promoter are highly methylated in 3T3-L1cells. 5-azacytidine, an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, markedly increased leptin expression as pre-adipocytes matured into adipocytes. Remarkably, leptin expression was stimulated by insulin in adipocytes derived from precursor cells exposed to 5-azacytidine, but suppressed by thiazolidinedione and dexamethasone. In contrast, adipocytes derived from untreated precursor cells were unresponsive to both 5-azacytidine and hormonal stimuli, although lipid accumulation was sufficient to boost leptin expression in the absence of demethylation. Taken together, the results suggest that leptin expression in 3T3-L1 cells requires DNA demethylation prior to adipogenesis, transcriptional activation during adipogenesis, and lipid accumulation after adipogenesis.

C-terminal region of GADD34 regulates eIF2α dephosphorylation and cell proliferation in CHO-K1 cells.

GADD34 is a member of a growth arrest and DNA damage (GADD)-inducible gene family. Here, we established a novel Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1-derived cell line, CHO-K1-G34M, which carries a nonsense mutation (termed the Q525X mutation) in the GADD34 gene. The Q525X mutant protein lacks the C-terminal 66 amino acids required for GADD34 to bind to and activate protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). We investigated the effects of GADD34 with or without the Q525X mutation on the phosphorylation status of PP1 target proteins, including the α subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) and glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß). CHO-K1-G34M cells had higher levels of eIF2α phosphorylation compared to the control CHO-K1-normal cells both in the presence and absence of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Overexpression of the wild-type GADD34 protein in CHO-K1-normal cells largely reduced eIF2α phosphorylation, while overexpression of the Q525X mutant did not produce similar reductions. Meanwhile, neither wild type nor Q525X mutation of GADD34 affected the GSK3ß phosphorylation status. GADD34 also did not affect the canonical Wnt signaling pathway downstream of GSK3ß. Cell proliferation rates were higher, while expression levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 were lower in CHO-K1-G34M cells compared to the CHO-K1-normal cells. The GADD34 Q525X mutant had a reduced ability to inhibit cell proliferation and enhance p21 expression of the CHO-K1-normal cells compared to the wild-type GADD34 protein. These results suggest that the GADD34 protein C-terminal plays important roles in regulating not only eIF2α dephosphorylation but also cell proliferation in CHO-K1 cells.

Intracerebroventricular injection of adiponectin regulates locomotor activity in rats.

Enhancing exercise motivation is the best way to prevent obesity and diabetes. In this study, we examined whether adiponectin affects locomotion activity in Wister and Spontaneously-Running Tokushima-Shikoku (SPORTS) rats using two types of behavioral assays: home cage and wheel running activity. SPORTS rats were established from an original line from Wister strain that had shown high level of wheel running activity in our laboratory. Injection of adiponectin into the lateral ventricle of Wister rats and SPORTS rats decreased home cage activity, but no change was observed in the food intake and oxygen consumption. This result indicates the possibility that adiponectin can reduce non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) and physical activity via the central nervous system. In contrast, injection of adiponectin did not change wheel running activity in SPORTS rats. We produced hypothalamus-destructed model rat using monosodium glutamate (MSG) to elucidate the regulation site of adiponectin. Injection of adiponectin into MSG-treated SPORTS rats did not change amount of home cage activity and food intake, suggesting that adiponectin action on home cage activity was in the hypothalamic area. These results suggest that adiponectin regulates locomotion activity through mediobasal hypothalamus.

Fluctuating plasma phosphorus level by changes in dietary phosphorus intake induces endothelial dysfunction.

High serum phosphorus (P) impairs endothelial function by increasing oxidative stress and decreasing nitric oxide production. Serum P levels fluctuate due to circadian rhythms or dietary P intake in healthy people and due to dialysis in end-stage chronic kidney disease patients. Here we examined whether fluctuating plasma P caused by changes in dietary P intake may be involved in endothelial dysfunction, resulting in increased cardiovascular risk. Rats were fed a diet containing 0.6% P for 16 days (control group), or a diet alternating between 0.02% P and 1.2% P (LH group) or between 1.2% P and 0.02% P (HL group) every 2 days; the total amount of P intake among the groups during the feeding period was similar. In the LH and HL groups, endothelial-dependent vasodilation significantly decreased plasma 8-(OH)dG level significantly increased, and the expression of inflammatory factors such as MCP-1 increased in the endothelium as compared with the control group. These data indicate that repetitive fluctuations of plasma P caused by varying dietary P intake can impair endothelial function via increased oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Taken together, these results suggest that habitual fluctuation of dietary P intake might be a cause of cardiovascular disease through endothelial dysfunction, especially in chronic kidney disease patients.

Establishment of a model of spontaneously-running-Tokushima-shikoku rats with left atrial thrombosis.

Studies that investigate the underlying mechanisms of disease and treatment options typically require the use of a suitable animal model. Few suitable animal models exist for left atrial thrombosis. Here, we demonstrated that the Spontaneously-Running-Tokushima-Shikoku (SPORTS) rat - a Wistar strain known for its running ability-is predisposed to the development of thrombi in the left atrium. We investigated the incidence of left atrial thrombosis in male (n = 16) and female (n = 17) SPORTS rats and observed organized atrial thrombosis in 57% and 38% of males and female rats, respectively. In the male rats, systolic blood pressures and heart rates were significantly higher in SPORTS rats than in control Wistar rats. We could not find any evidence of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, during electrocardiographic examination of SPORTS rats. We believe that the SPORTS rat could serve as a new research model for left atrial thrombosis; further, it may be suitable for research investigating the development of new antithrombotic approaches for the control of atrial thrombosis or familial thrombophilia in humans.

Enhancement of endothelial function inhibits left atrial thrombi development in an animal model of spontaneous left atrial thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) thrombosis is an important cause of systemic embolization. The SPORTS rat model of LA thrombi (Spontaneously-Running Tokushima-Shikoku), which have a unique characteristic of high voluntary wheel running, was previously established. The aim of the present study was to investigate how SPORTS rats develop LA thrombi. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nitric oxide (NO) produced from cardiovascular endothelial cells plays an important protective role in the local regulation of blood flow, vascular tone, and platelet aggregation. No evidence of atrial fibrillation or hypercoagulability in SPORTS rats regardless of age was found; however, SPORTS rats demonstrated endothelial dysfunction and a decrease of NO production from a young age. In addition, endothelial NO synthase activity was significantly decreased in the LA and thoracic aorta endothelia of SPORTS rats. While voluntary wheel running was able to intermittently increase NO levels, running did not statistically decrease the incidence of LA thrombi at autopsy. However, L-arginine treatment significantly increased NO production and provided protection from the development of LA thrombi in SPORTS rats. CONCLUSIONS: They present study results indicate that NO has an important role in the development of LA thrombus, and endothelia pathways could provide new targets of therapy to prevent LA thrombosis.

Glutamine protects the small intestinal mucosa in anticancer drug-induced rat enteritis model.

Supportive therapy during chemotherapy has become essential, but effective preventive therapies to gastrointestinal mucosal injury are few. We investigated the efficacy of glutamine in rat anticancer drug-induced enteritis model. In this study, we used twenty male SD rats. They were divided into control, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (orally administered at 20 mg/kg day), 5-FU+glutamine (1000 mg/kg/day) and 5-FU+glutamine+fiber and oligosaccharide (GFO(®)) (1000 mg/kg/day) groups. All groups were sacrificed on day 6 and upper jejunums were excised. The jejunal villous height was measured in specimens. IgA level in jejunal washing solution, and serum diamine oxidase activity were also measured. The jejunal villous height was recognized as shorter in the specimen from 5-FU treated rats compared with 5-FU+glutamine treated rats (p<0.001). Serum diamine oxidase activity in 5-FU+glutamine group were significantly superior to that in 5-FU group (p=0.028). IgA level in jejunal washing solution tended to be higher in 5-FU+glutamine group than that in 5-FU group (p=0.076). On the other hand, serum diamine oxidase activity and IgA level in jejunal washing solution showed no significant difference between 5-FU+GFO and 5-FU treatment group. Our results suggest that glutamine showed protective effects on mucosal injury of small intestine in rat anticancer drug-induced enteritis model.