Hospital Diet Enriched With Rapeseed or Sunflower Oils Is Associated With a Decrease in Plasma 16:1n-7 and Some Metabolic Disorders in the Elderly.

We recently demonstrated that the prevalence of dysglycemia was high among hospitalized elderly people who were fed a low fat diet (27.7% of energy) and was positively associated with plasma 16:1n-7, an indicator of de novo lipogenesis (DNL). Fatty acids in the DNL pathway have been shown to be associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential beneficial effects of fat enrichment (up to 34.1%en) of the hospital diet in 111 patients (30 men and 81 women, 84 ± 7 years) during 6 weeks. Based on gender, they were randomly given a diet supplemented either with rapeseed oil (RO) or with sunflower oil (SO). Fatty acids of cholesteryl esters and erythrocyte phospholipids and markers of metabolic disorders were evaluated before and after dietary intervention. Both enriched diets significantly, and to a similar extent, decreased (1) the overall prevalence of dysglycemia (by 25-33%) and MetS (by 31-43%) and (2) plasma 16:1n-7 mol% in men and women. Dysglycemia prevalence adjusted by the diets was reduced in men versus baseline; no change was found in women. Enrichment of the diet with RO or SO resulted in a difference in fatty acid compositions, that is, EPA (mol%) and the omega-3 index increased with RO, while proportions of 18:1n-7, 18:1n-9, and EPA decreased with SO. These findings highlight the need for adequate fat intake in the elderly. For supplementation of the hospital diet, RO, which led to a higher proportion of circulating n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and is known to be beneficial, may be preferred to SO.

Effect of rapid desensitization on platelet inhibition and basophil activation in patients with aspirin hypersensitivity and coronary disease.

Aims: To determine antiplatelet efficacy after desensitization in patients with a history of aspirin hypersensitivity. Methods and results: We conducted a case-control study to evaluate the efficacy of aspirin 1 day (D1) and 6-8 weeks (W6-8) after desensitization. We also assessed ex vivo basophil reactivity to aspirin after desensitization. Cases were patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and documented history of aspirin hypersensitivity who underwent rapid successful oral desensitization to aspirin. Controls were patients with stable CAD without hypersensitivity and receiving aspirin. Among 56 cases, 27 received aspirin for acute coronary syndromes and 29 were treated for stable CAD. Aspirin was effective (defined as light transmission aggregometry induced by arachidonic acid ≤20%) at D1 in 86% of cases (P = 0.045 vs. controls) and in 95% at W6-8, vs. 100% of controls (P = 0.39). Urinary excretion of thromboxane B2 diminished substantially in cases (P < 0.0001, D0 vs. W6-8) but remained higher than in controls (P = 0.03). Platelet reactivity (defined by platelet P-selectin expression, activated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and platelet-monocyte aggregates) was similar in cases between D0 and D1 but decreased at W6-8. Basophil activation (quantified by upregulation of CD203c in response to aspirin) was higher in cases at W6-8 than in controls (P = 0.0002). Conclusion: Thus, following rapid desensitization, aspirin achieves rapid biological efficacy, which is slightly lower at D1, but becomes indistinguishable from chronically treated patients at W6-8. Persistent basophil activation several weeks after desensitization suggests infraclinical hypersensitivity and the need to continue aspirin to maintain desensitization.

Glutathione peroxidase-1 gene (GPX1) variants, oxidative stress and risk of kidney complications in people with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) is a class of antioxidant enzymes that catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide to water. GPX1 is the most abundant isoform and is expressed in all kidney cells. Isoprostane and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) were identified as markers of oxidative stress in patients with kidney disease. We investigated associations of GPX1 genotypes with kidney complications, and with plasma concentrations of isoprostane and AOPP in type 1 diabetic patients. METHODS: Four SNPs in the GPX1 gene region were genotyped in SURGENE (n=340; 10-year follow-up); GENEDIAB (n=461) and GENESIS (n=584) cohorts of type 1 diabetic patients. Subsets of GENEDIAB (n=237) and GENESIS (n=466) participants were followed up for 9 and 5years, respectively. Plasma concentrations of isoprostane and AOPP were measured at baseline in GENEDIAB. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated for incidence of kidney complications. RESULTS: In SURGENE, 98 renal events (new cases of microalbuminuria or progression to more severe stage of diabetic nephropathy) occurred during follow-up. The minor T-allele of rs3448 was associated with the incidence of renal events (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.16-2.84, p=0.008). In GENESIS/GENEDIAB pooled study, end stage renal disease (ESRD) occurred during follow-up in 52 individuals. The same variant was associated with the incidence of ESRD (HR 3.34, 95% CI, 1.69-6.98, p=0.0004). The variant was also associated with higher plasma isoprostane concentration in GENEDIAB cohort: 2.02±0.12 (TT+CT) vs 1.75±0.13 (CC) ng/mL (p=0.009), and with higher plasma AOPP in the subset of participants with the baseline history of ESRD (TT+CT 67±6 vs CC 48±6µmol/L, p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The minor T-allele of rs3448 was associated with kidney complications (incidences of microalbuminuria, renal events and ESRD) in patients with type 1 diabetes. The risk allele was associated with higher plasma concentrations of isoprostane and AOPP. Our results are consistent with the implication of GPX1 in the mechanism of renal protection against oxidative stress in type 1 diabetic patients.

Does IV Iron Induce Plasma Oxidative Stress in Critically Ill Patients? A Comparison With Healthy Volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the oxidative stress induced by IV iron infusion in critically ill patients and in healthy volunteers. DESIGN: Multicenter, interventional study. SETTING: Two ICUs and one clinical research center. SUBJECTS: Anemic critically ill patients treated with IV iron and healthy volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: IV infusion of 100 mg of iron sucrose. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-eight anemic patients (hemoglobin, median [interquartile range] = 8.4 g/dL [7.7-9.2]) (men, 25 [66%]; aged 68 yr [48-77]; Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, 48.5 [39-59]) and 39 healthy volunteers (men, 18 [46%]; aged 42.1 yr [29-50]) were included. Blood samples were drawn before (H0) and 2, 6, and 24 hours (H2, H6, and H24) after a 60-minute iron infusion for the determination of nontransferrin bound iron, markers of lipid peroxidation-8α-isoprostanes, protein oxidation-advanced oxidized protein product, and glutathione reduced/oxidized. Iron infusion had no effect on hemodynamic parameter in patients and volunteers. At baseline, patients had much higher interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and hepcidin levels. 8α-isoprostanes was also higher in patients at baseline (8.5 pmol/L [6.5-12.9] vs 4.6 pmol/L [3.5-5.5]), but the area under the curve above baseline from H0 to H6 was not different (p = 0.38). Neither was it for advanced oxidized protein product and nontransferrin bound iron. The area under the curve above baseline from H0 to H6 (glutathione reduced/oxidized) was lower in volunteers (p = 0.009). Eight patients had a second set of dosages (after the fourth iron infusion), showing higher increase in 8α-isoprostanes. CONCLUSIONS: In our observation, IV iron infusion does not induce more nontransferrin bound iron, lipid, or protein oxidation in patients compared with volunteers, despite higher inflammation, oxidative stress, and hepcidin levels and lower antioxidant at baseline. In contrary, iron induces a greater decrease in antioxidant, compatible with higher oxidative stress in volunteers than in critically ill patients.

Platelet and not erythrocyte microparticles are procoagulant in transfused thalassaemia major patients.

The level of circulating platelet-, erythrocyte-, leucocyte- and endothelial-derived microparticles detected by high-sensitivity flow cytometry was investigated in 37 ß-thalassaemia major patients receiving a regular transfusion regimen. The phospholipid procoagulant potential of the circulating microparticles and the microparticle-dependent tissue factor activity were evaluated. A high level of circulating erythrocyte- and platelet-microparticles was found. In contrast, the number of endothelial microparticles was within the normal range. Platelet microparticles were significantly higher in splenectomized than in non-splenectomized patients, independent of platelet count (P < 0·001). Multivariate analysis indicated that phospholipid-dependent procoagulant activity was influenced by both splenectomy (P = 0·001) and platelet microparticle level (P < 0·001). Erythrocyte microparticles were not related to splenectomy, appear to be devoid of proper procoagulant activity and no relationship between their production and haemolysis, dyserythropoiesis or oxidative stress markers could be established. Intra-microparticle labelling with anti-HbF antibodies showed that they originate only partially (median of 28%) from thalassaemic erythropoiesis. In conclusion, when ß-thalassaemia major patients are intensively transfused, the procoagulant activity associated with thalassaemic erythrocyte microparticles is probably diluted by transfusions. In contrast, platelet microparticles, being both more elevated and more procoagulant, especially after splenectomy, may contribute to the residual thrombotic risk reported in splenectomized multi-transfused ß-thalassaemia major patients.

Allelic variations in the CYBA gene of NADPH oxidase and risk of kidney complications in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy, and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase system is an important source of reactive oxygen species in hyperglycemic conditions in the kidney. Plasma concentration of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), a marker of oxidative stress, is increased in patients with diabetic nephropathy. We investigated associations of variants in the CYBA gene, encoding the regulatory subunit p22(phox) of NADPH oxidase, with diabetic nephropathy and plasma AOPP and myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations in type 1 diabetic patients. Seven SNPs in the CYBA region were analyzed in 1357 Caucasian subjects with type 1 diabetes from the SURGENE (n=340), GENEDIAB (n=444), and GENESIS (n=573) cohorts. Duration of follow-up was 10, 9, and 6 years, respectively. Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression analyses were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) or odds ratios (OR) for incidence and prevalence of diabetic nephropathy. The major G-allele of rs9932581 was associated with the incidence of renal events defined as new cases of microalbuminuria or the progression to a more severe stage of nephropathy during follow-up (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.17-2.18, P=0.003) in SURGENE. The same allele was associated with established/advanced nephropathy (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.22-1.92, P=0.0001) and with the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.30-3.24, P=0.001) in GENEDIAB/GENESIS pooled studies. The risk allele was also associated with higher plasma AOPP concentration in subsets of SURGENE and GENEDIAB, with higher plasma MPO concentration in a subset of GENEDIAB, and with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the three cohorts. In conclusion, a functional variant in the promoter of the CYBA gene was associated with lower eGFR and with prevalence and incidence of diabetic nephropathy and ESRD in type 1 diabetic patients. These results are consistent with a role for NADPH oxidase in the pathophysiology of kidney complications of diabetes.

Plasma extracellular superoxide dismutase concentration, allelic variations in the SOD3 gene and risk of myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is involved in development of diabetes complications. Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD, SOD3) is a major extracellular antioxidant enzyme and is highly expressed in arterial walls. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and 8-iso-prostaglandin (isoprostane) are markers of oxidative stress. We investigated association of SOD3 gene variants, plasma concentrations of EC-SOD, AOPP and isoprostane with myocardial infarction and mortality in diabetic patients. METHODS: We studied three cohorts designed to evaluate the vascular complications of diabetes: the GENEDIAB study (469 participants with type 1 diabetes at baseline; follow-up data for 259 participants), the GENESIS study (603 participants with type 1 diabetes at baseline; follow-up data for 525 participants) and the DIABHYCAR study (3137 participants with type 2 diabetes at baseline and follow-up). Duration of follow-up was 9, 5, and 5 years, respectively. Main outcome measures were incidence of myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular and total mortality during follow-up. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms in the SOD3 locus were genotyped in the three cohorts. Plasma concentrations of EC-SOD, AOPP, and isoprostane were measured in baseline samples of GENEDIAB participants. RESULTS: In GENEDIAB/GENESIS pooled cohorts, the minor T-allele of rs2284659 variant was inversely associated with the prevalence at baseline (Odds Ratio 0.48, 95% CI 0.29-0.78, p = 0.004) and the incidence during follow-up of myocardial infarction (Hazard Ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.40-0.83, p = 0.003) and with cardiovascular (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.08-0.74, p = 0.004) and all-cause mortality (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.73, p = 0.0006). The protective allele was associated with higher plasma EC-SOD and lower plasma AOPP concentrations in GENEDIAB. It was also inversely associated with incidence of myocardial infarction (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59-0.94, p = 0.01) and all-cause mortality (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.97, p = 0.008) in DIABHYCAR. CONCLUSIONS: The T-allele of rs2284659 in the promoter of SOD3 was associated with a more favorable plasma redox status and with better cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic patients. Our results suggest that EC-SOD plays an important role in the mechanisms of vascular protection against diabetes-related oxidative stress.

Manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) polymorphisms, plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) concentration and risk of kidney complications in subjects with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy. Manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) catalyses the dismutation of superoxide, regulates the metabolism of reactive oxygen species in the mitochondria and is highly expressed in the kidney. Plasma concentration of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), a marker of oxidative stress, was found to be increased in patients with kidney disease. We investigated associations of SOD2 allelic variations, plasma SOD activity and AOPP concentration with diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic subjects. METHODS: Eight SNPs in the SOD2 region were analysed in 1285 Caucasian subjects with type 1 diabetes from the SURGENE prospective study (n = 340; 10-year follow-up), GENESIS (n = 501) and GENEDIAB (n = 444) cross-sectional studies. Baseline plasma concentration of AOPP and SOD activity were measured in GENEDIAB participants. Hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR) were determined for incidence and prevalence of nephropathy. Analyses were adjusted or stratified by retinopathy stages. RESULTS: In the SURGENE cohort, the T-allele of rs4880 (V16A) was associated with the incidence of renal events (new cases, or the progression to a more severe stage of nephropathy; HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.24-3.12, p = 0.004) and with the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during follow-up. Similar associations were observed for rs2758329 and rs8031. Associations were replicated in GENESIS/GENEDIAB cohorts, in the subset of participants without proliferative retinopathy, and were confirmed by haplotype analyses. Risk allele and haplotype were also associated with higher plasma AOPP concentration and lower SOD activity. CONCLUSIONS: SOD2 allelic variations were associated with the incidence and the progression of diabetic nephropathy, with a faster decline in eGFR and with plasma AOPP concentration and SOD activity in subjects with type 1 diabetes. These results are consistent with a role for SOD2 in the protection against oxidative stress and kidney disease in type 1 diabetes.

Protectin DX, a double lipoxygenase product of DHA, inhibits both ROS production in human neutrophils and cyclooxygenase activities.

Neutrophils play a major role in inflammation by releasing large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by NADPH oxidase (NOX) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). This ROS overproduction is mediated by phosphorylation of the NOX subunits in an uncontrolled manner. Therefore, targeting neutrophil subunits would represent a promising strategy to moderate NOX activity, lower ROS, and other inflammatory agents, such as cytokines and leukotrienes, produced by neutrophils. For this purpose, we investigated the effects of protectin DX (PDX)-a docosahexaenoic acid di-hydroxylated product which inhibits blood platelet aggregation-on neutrophil activation in vitro. We found that PDX decreases ROS production, inhibits NOX activation and MPO release from neutrophils. We also confirm, that PDX is an anti-aggregatory and anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting both cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2, E.C. 1.14.99.1) as well as COX-2 in lipopolysaccharides-treated human neutrophils. However, PDX has no effect on the 5-lipoxygenase pathway that produces the chemotactic agent leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Taken together, our results suggest that PDX could be a protective agent against neutrophil invasion in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Docosahexaenoic acid, protectin synthesis: relevance against atherothrombogenesis.

DHA is an abundant nutrient from marine lipids: its specific biological effects have been investigated in human volunteers, taking into consideration the dose effects. We report herein that, at dosages below 1 g/d, DHA proved to be effective in lowering blood platelet function and exhibited an 'antioxidant' effect. However, this was no longer the case following 1.6 g/d, showing then a U-shape response. The antioxidant effect has been observed in platelets as well as LDL, of which the redox status is assumed to be crucial in their relationship with atherosclerosis. Second, the oxygenated products of DHA, especially protectins produced by lipoxygenases, have been considered for their potential to affect blood platelets and leucocytes. It is concluded that DHA is an interesting nutrient to reduce atherothrombogenesis, possibly through complementary mechanisms involving lipoxygenase products of DHA.

Catalase activity, allelic variations in the catalase gene and risk of kidney complications in patients with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The antioxidant enzyme catalase plays a key role in redox regulation in the kidney. We investigated associations of catalase gene (CAT) polymorphisms and plasma catalase activity with diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic patients. METHODS: We genotyped nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CAT region in participants from the Survival Genetic Nephropathy (SURGENE) (340 French participants, 10 year follow-up) and the Génétique de la Néphropathie Diabétique (GENEDIAB) (444 Belgian and French participants, 8 year follow-up) study cohorts. Replication was performed in a Brazilian cross-sectional cohort (n = 451). Baseline plasma catalase activity was measured in SURGENE (n = 120) and GENEDIAB (n = 391) participants. RESULTS: The A allele of rs7947841 was associated with the prevalence of incipient (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.21, 6.24, p = 0.01) and established or advanced nephropathy (OR 5.72, 95% CI 1.62, 22.03, p = 0.007), and with the incidence of renal events, which were defined as new cases of microalbuminuria or progression to a more severe stage of nephropathy during follow-up (HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.13, 2.81, p = 0.01) in SURGENE participants. The same risk allele was associated with incipient nephropathy (OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.42, 7.24, p = 0.004) and with the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.23, 3.60, p = 0.008) in GENEDIAB participants. In both cohorts, the risk allele was associated with lower catalase activity. Associations with incipient and established or advanced nephropathy were confirmed in the replication cohort. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: CAT variants were associated with the prevalence and incidence of diabetic nephropathy and ESRD in type 1 diabetic patients. Our results confirm the protective role of catalase against oxidative stress in the kidney.

Efficacy and toxicity of intravenous iron in a mouse model of critical care anemia*.

OBJECTIVE: Anemia is common in critically ill patients, due to inflammation and blood loss. Anemia can be associated with iron deficiency and low serum hepcidin levels. However, iron administration in this setting remains controversial because of its potential toxicity, including oxidative stress induction and sepsis facilitation. The objective of this work was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of iron administration using a mouse model mimicking critical care anemia as well as a model of acute septicemia. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, open label controlled animal study. SETTING: University-based research laboratory. SUBJECTS: C57BL/6 and OF1 mice. INTERVENTIONS: Intraperitoneal injection of zymosan inducing generalized inflammation in C57BL/6 mice, followed in our full model by repeated phlebotomies. A dose equivalent to 15 mg/kg of ferric carboxymaltose was injected intravenously on day 5. To assess the toxicity of iron in a septicemia model, OF1 mice were simultaneously injected with iron and different Escherichia coli strains. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: To investigate the effect of iron on oxidative stress, we measured reactive oxygen species production in the blood using luminol-amplified chemiluminescence and superoxide dismutase 2 messenger RNA levels in the liver. These markers of oxidative stress were increased after iron administration in control mice but not in zymosan-treated mice. Liver catalase messenger RNA levels decreased in iron-treated control mice. Iron administration was not associated with increased mortality in the septicemia model or in the generalized inflammation model. Iron increased hemoglobin levels in mice fed with a low iron diet and subjected to phlebotomies and zymosan 2 wks after treatment administration. CONCLUSIONS: Adverse effects of intravenous iron supplementation by ferric carboxymaltose seem to be minimal in our animal models. Furthermore, iron appears to be effective in correcting anemia, despite inflammation. Studies of efficacy and safety of iron in critically ill patients are warranted.

Preoperative iron deficiency increases transfusion requirements and fatigue in cardiac surgery patients: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is the commonest cause of anaemia. It is apparent preoperatively in cardiac surgery patients and may influence transfusion requirements. In addition, iron deficiency per se is associated with fatigue. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of preoperative iron deficiency and its association with perioperative anaemia, blood transfusions and fatigue in cardiac surgery patients. SETTING: Academic hospital in Paris, France. PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive patients without known iron disorder and scheduled for cardiac surgery were prospectively included in this observational study. INTERVENTION: No intervention was performed. MEASUREMENTS: A biological iron profile (transferrin saturation, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor and C-reactive protein) was assessed on the day of surgery. Diagnosis of iron deficiency was defined using a previously published algorithm. Patient fatigue was assessed before surgery and 1 week afterwards (day 7) using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) score that quotes five distinctive dimensions of fatigue. RESULTS: Thirty-seven out of 100 patients were diagnosed with iron deficiency. These patients were younger [median (first-third quartile) 63 (43-70) vs. 70 (59-77) years (P = 0.004)], and more often female (51 vs. 21%, P = 0.003), than no iron deficiency patients. Preoperative iron deficiency was associated with lower preoperative haemoglobin levels (P = 0.006) and higher perioperative transfusion rates during the first week (62 vs. 35%, P = 0.019). Patients with iron deficiency but without anaemia (n = 25) received more packed red blood cells units than those without iron deficiency or anaemia (n = 50) [2 (0-2) vs. 0 (0-0) units, P < 0.05). Preoperative iron deficiency was associated with higher score of physical fatigue on day 7 (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Preoperative iron deficiency is frequent among cardiac surgery patients and is associated with anaemia, higher transfusion requirements and postoperative fatigue.

Diagnostic accuracy of serum hepcidin for iron deficiency in critically ill patients with anemia.

PURPOSE: Inflammation-induced anemia is frequent among critically ill patients and can be aggravated by true iron deficiency (ID) resulting from blood losses. The serum hepcidin level controls the availability of iron for erythropoiesis, and its determination offers new perspectives for the diagnosis of ID in the presence of inflammation. We conducted a prospective observational study to determine the cutoff value and diagnostic accuracy of hepcidin levels for detecting ID in critically ill anemic patients. METHODS: Patients suffering from anemia (hemoglobin <100 g/l) and expected to stay for more than 7 days in intensive care had weekly determinations of hematological and iron parameters, including hepcidin levels (ELISA test). The iron status for each set of measures was determined by the consensus of three experts, blinded to hepcidin values. RESULTS: Of 51 patients (36 male/15 female), 5 had ID at inclusion, while 8 developed ID during their stay. A total of 128 iron profiles were analyzed. Median hepcidin levels were 80.5 (0.05-548.3) and 526.6 (246.7-891.4) microg/l for ID and non-ID profiles, respectively. The onset of ID during the ICU stay led to a progressive decline in hepcidin levels, whereas a persistent inflammatory profile remained associated with high hepcidin concentrations. The optimal threshold for serum hepcidin for ID diagnosis was assessed by building 100 ROC curves using a resampling method and found at 129.5 microg/l [95% CI = (115.5-143.4)]. CONCLUSIONS: Hepcidin levels may be suppressed by ID even in case of inflammation. Serum hepcidin of 129.5 microg/l was the most accurate threshold for ID diagnosis in critically ill patients with anemia.

Punicic acid a conjugated linolenic acid inhibits TNFalpha-induced neutrophil hyperactivation and protects from experimental colon inflammation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophils play a major role in inflammation by releasing large amounts of ROS produced by NADPH-oxidase and myeloperoxidase (MPO). The proinflammatory cytokine TNFalpha primes ROS production through phosphorylation of the NADPH-oxidase subunit p47phox on Ser345. Conventional anti-inflammatory therapies remain partially successful and may have side effects. Therefore, regulation of neutrophil activation by natural dietary components represents an alternative therapeutic strategy in inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of punicic acid, a conjugated linolenic fatty acid from pomegranate seed oil on TNFalpha-induced neutrophil hyperactivation in vitro and on colon inflammation in vivo. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We analyzed the effect of punicic acid on TNFalpha-induced neutrophil upregulation of ROS production in vitro and on TNBS-induced rat colon inflammation. Results show that punicic acid inhibited TNFalpha-induced priming of ROS production in vitro while preserving formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced response. This effect was mediated by the inhibition of Ser345-p47phox phosphorylation and upstream kinase p38MAPK. Punicic acid also inhibited fMLP- and TNFalpha+fMLP-induced MPO extracellular release from neutrophils. In vivo experiments showed that punicic acid and pomegranate seed oil intake decreased neutrophil-activation and ROS/MPO-mediated tissue damage as measured by F2-isoprostane release and protected rats from TNBS-induced colon inflammation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These data show that punicic acid exerts a potent anti-inflammatory effect through inhibition of TNFalpha-induced priming of NADPH oxidase by targeting the p38MAPKinase/Ser345-p47phox-axis and MPO release. This natural dietary compound may provide a novel alternative therapeutic strategy in inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases.

Blood lipids in brain infarction subtypes.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relationship between hypercholesterolaemia and specific aetiological subtypes of brain infarction (BI). METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 492 pairs of patients with a BI proven by MRI and matched hospital controls, we determined the blood levels of triglycerides, total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A(1) and B, in the same centralized laboratory. We performed aetiological BI subtype classification. RESULTS: Except for triglycerides, the risk of BI increased continuously with the lipid levels, without any heterogeneity between the main BI subtypes or the group on lipid-lowering therapy. The adjusted odds ratio per standard deviation in LDL cholesterol (0.93 mmol/l) was 1.74 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.98) in atherothrombotic strokes (n = 109) and 2.71 (95% confidence interval, 1.60-4.55) in lacunar strokes (n = 105). Eighty percent of patients were above the ATP-III guideline threshold LDL cholesterol of 2.59 mmol/l (100 mg/dl), with a major contribution of both atherothrombotic and lacunar stroke subtypes to this group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that blood lipids, particularly total and LDL cholesterol levels, are associated with all subtypes of BI, and that LDL above 2.59 mmol/l is highly prevalent.

Change in C-reactive protein levels and FEV1 decline: a longitudinal population-based study.

Reduced pulmonary function is an important predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms underlying this association are unknown but may involve systemic inflammation. We assessed the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) and its decline in the general population, over a period of 8.5 years. The analyzes were based on 531 subjects (mean age at baseline: 37+/-7 years, 50% women and 42% non-smokers), recruited at two French centers participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Lung function was expressed as a percentage of predicted FEV1. CRP was measured centrally, by means of a highly sensitive assay. In cross-sectional analysis, FEV1 as a % of predicted values was negatively associated with serum CRP concentration (P=0.002). Multivariate adjustment did not alter these results (P=0.002). In longitudinal analysis, annual FEV1 decline tended to increase from the lower to the upper tertile for baseline CRP concentration but the association was borderline significant (P=0.14). Mean values of annual FEV1 decline were 26+/-32, 31+/-32, and 34+/-32 ml/year for the lower, middle and upper tertiles of baseline CRP concentration, respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders (P=0.09). Changes in CRP levels during follow-up were associated with annual FEV1 decline. The mean annual FEV1 declines in subjects with increasing CRP, in those with stable CRP and in those with decreasing CRP were 36+/-31, 30+/-31 and 24+/-31 ml/year, respectively (P<0.001). These findings were not affected by adjustment for potential confounders (P=0.002). In conclusion, increases in CRP levels over time were associated with a steeper FEV1 decline.

Dihydroxyphenylethanol induces apoptosis by activating serine/threonine protein phosphatase PP2A and promotes the endoplasmic reticulum stress response in human colon carcinoma cells.

The search for effective chemopreventive compounds is a major challenge facing research into preventing the progression of cancer cells. The naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidants look very promising, but their mechanism of action still remains poorly understood. Here, we show that 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanol (DPE), a phenol antioxidant derived from olive oil, induces growth arrest and apoptosis in human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells. The mechanisms involve prolonged stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leading to the activation of the two main branches of the unfolded protein response (UPR), including the Ire1/XBP-1/GRP78/Bip and PERK/eIF2alpha arms. DPE treatment led to overexpression of the pro-apoptotic factor CHOP/GADD153 and persistent activation of the Jun-NH2-terminal kinase/activator protein-1 signaling pathway. DPE concomitantly modulated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Akt/PKB pro-survival factors by altering their phosphorylation status as well as inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation by inactivating the phosphorylation of nuclear factor inhibitor-kappaB kinase. These findings prompted us to investigate the possible involvement of phosphatases in DPE-mediated action. Using phosphatase inhibitors and RNA interference to silence the Ser/Thr phosphatase 2A (PP2A) prevented DPE-induced cell death. These findings demonstrate that DPE specifically activates PP2A, which plays a key initiating role in various pathways that lead to apoptosis in colon cancer cells.

Wild-type and mutant ferroportins do not form oligomers in transfected cells.

Ferroportin [FPN; Slc40a1 (solute carrier family 40, member 1)] is a transmembrane iron export protein expressed in macrophages and duodenal enterocytes. Heterozygous mutations in the FPN gene result in an autosomal dominant form of iron overload disorder, type-4 haemochromatosis. FPN mutants either have a normal iron export activity but have lost their ability to bind hepcidin, or are defective in their iron export function. The mutant protein has been suggested to act as a dominant negative over the wt (wild-type) protein by multimer formation. Using transiently transfected human epithelial cell lines expressing mouse FPN modified by the addition of a haemagglutinin or c-Myc epitope at the C-terminus, we show that the wtFPN is found at the plasma membrane and in Rab5-containing endosomes, as are the D157G and Q182H mutants. However, the delV162 mutant is mostly intracellular in HK2 cells (human kidney-2 cells) and partially addressed at the cell surface in HEK-293 cells (human embryonic kidney 293 cells). In both cell types, it is partially associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and with Rab5-positive vesicles. However, this mutant is complex-glycosylated like the wt protein. D157G and G323V mutants have a defective iron export capacity as judged by their inability to deplete the intracellular ferritin content, whereas Q182H and delV162 have normal iron export function and probably have lost their capacity to bind hepcidin. In co-transfection experiments, the delV162 mutant does not co-localize with the wtFPN, does not prevent its normal targeting to the plasma membrane and cannot be immunoprecipitated in the same complex, arguing against the formation of FPN hetero-oligomers.

A physiological model to study iron recycling in macrophages.

Following erythrophagocytosis (EP) of senescent red blood cells (RBCs), heme iron is recycled to the plasma by tissue macrophages. This process is critical for mammalian iron homeostasis but remains elusive. We characterized a cellular model using artificially-aged murine RBCs and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and study mRNA and protein expression of HO-1, ferroportin and ferritin after EP. In vitro ageing of RBCs was obtained by raising intracellular calcium concentration. These RBCs exhibit several features of erythrocyte senescence including externalization of phosphatidyl-serine, specific binding and phagocytosis by BMDMs. During the first hours of EP, we observed a rapid increase of HO-1 and ferroportin mRNAs and proteins, whereas ferritin protein expression was progressively induced with no major changes in RNA levels. At later stages after EP, a different pattern of expression was observed with a net decrease of ferroportin, a sustained high level of HO-1, and a strong increase in ferritins. Taken together, these results suggest that after EP, iron is rapidly extracted from heme and exported by ferroportin. Surprisingly, the gene expression profile at late stages after EP, which is indicative of iron storage, is reminiscent of what is observed in inflammation. However, phagocytosis of artificially-aged red blood cells seems to repress the proinflammatory response of macrophages.