Urolithin A suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species and prevents monosodium urate crystal-induced peritonitis.

The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome triggers the maturation of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and is implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. Urolithin A, a gut microbial metabolite of ellagic acid, reportedly exerts antiinflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. However, whether urolithin A suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation is unclear. In this study, urolithin A inhibited the cleavage of NLRP3 inflammasome agonist-induced caspase-1, maturation of IL-1ß, and activation of pyroptosis in lipopolysaccharide-primed mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. Urolithin A reduced generation of intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restricted the interaction between thioredoxin-interacting protein and NLRP3, which attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Urolithin A administration prevented monosodium urate-induced peritonitis in mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that urolithin A suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation, at least partially, by repressing the generation of intracellular and mitochondrial ROS.

Vascular endothelial growth factor isoforms are expressed in the uterus during estrous cycle of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

We investigated VEGF expression in the uterus during the estrous cycle in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of genes expressed in the uterus revealed the presence of at least three different VEGF isoforms (hamster VEGF188, VEGF164, and VEGF120). They were highly homologous to the respective mouse and human isoforms. Furthermore, VEGF164 and VEGF120 were predominantly expressed in the hamster uterus during the estrous cycle. In situ hybridization revealed that VEGF is expressed only in the luminal and glandular epithelium of the endometrium but not in the stromal cells or myometrium. The positive reaction of luminal and glandular epithelial cells on day 4 of the estrous cycle (day 1 = day of ovulation) was a little stronger than that of other days of the cycle. These findings suggest that VEGF molecules are secreted by endometrial epithelial cells and play an important role in the maintenance of blood vessels in the endometrial stroma. These results also suggest that uterine changes, such as edema, observed from day 4 to day 1 of the estrous cycle, are expected to occur primarily through the action of VEGF secreted by the uterine endometrial epithelium in preparation for subsequent embryo implantation.

Lipid and Bile Acid Dysmetabolism in Crohn's Disease.

Crohn's disease is one of the systemic autoimmune diseases. It commonly affects the small intestine and colon but may involve any portion of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. The most affected area by Crohn's disease is the distal part of the small intestine, in which the bile acid molecules are most efficiently reabsorbed. Bile acids form mixed micelles together with fatty acids, which function as a transport vehicle to deliver fatty acids to the apical membrane of enterocytes for absorption. Therefore, if the terminal ileum is impaired, bile acid malabsorption may occur, which may cause congenital diarrhoea in Crohn's disease. Similarly, the impairment of the terminal ileum also induces fatty acid malabsorption, which may influence the role of fatty acids in Crohn's disease. In contrast, a recent study reported that multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) regulated effector T-cell function in the ileum from bile acid-driven oxidative stress and MDR1 loss of function in a subset of patients with Crohn's disease. However, the role of consumption of fatty acids in Crohn's disease remains to be fully elucidated. This review is aimed at providing an overview of some recent developments in research of Crohn's disease from comprehensive perspective with a focus on the connection between disease location and behaviour, lipid diets, and bile acid malabsorption.

Urolithin A attenuates pro-inflammatory mediator production by suppressing PI3-K/Akt/NF-κB and JNK/AP-1 signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264 macrophages: Possible involvement of NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species.

Urolithin A, a gut microbial metabolite of ellagic acid, is reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. However, complete mechanisms underlying the regulation of inflammatory responses by urolithin A remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of urolithin A and its underlying mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264 macrophages. Urolithin A significantly attenuated the pro-inflammatory mediator production in LPS-stimulated RAW264 and mouse peritoneal macrophages. This compound significantly suppressed the LPS-elicited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation. The phosphorylation of Akt and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was also inhibited by the treatment with urolithin A. Through experiments using kinase inhibitors, urolithin A abolished the LPS-induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt/NF-κB and JNK/AP-1 signaling pathways, resulting in suppression of pro-inflammatory mediator production. Furthermore, treatment with this compound significantly reduced the intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which are known to act as secondary messengers in the activation of redox-sensitive transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1. Urolithin A treatment also diminished the LPS-evoked activation of NADPH oxidase (NOX), which is the main source of reactive oxygen species in activated macrophages. The inhibition of this activity by urolithin A led to the prevention of LPS-elicited NF-κB and AP-1 activation as well as Akt and JNK phosphorylation, resulting in the reduction of pro-inflammatory mediator production. Collectively, these results indicate that urolithin A treatment attenuates pro-inflammatory mediator production by suppressing NOX-derived reactive oxygen species-mediated PI3-K/Akt/NF-κB and JNK/AP-1 signaling pathways in LPS-stimulated macrophages.

Nasunin inhibits the lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory mediator production in RAW264 mouse macrophages by suppressing ROS-mediated activation of PI3 K/Akt/NF-κB and p38 signaling pathways.

Nasunin is a major anthocyanin in eggplant peel. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of nasunin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264 macrophages and to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. We found that nasunin reduced the LPS-induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and nitric oxide, and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in a dose-dependent manner. Nasunin diminished LPS-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation by suppressing the degradation of inhibitor of κB-α and nuclear translocation of p65 subunit of NF-κB. Nasunin also attenuated the phosphorylation of Akt and p38, signaling molecules involved in pro-inflammatory mediator production. Moreover, nasunin inhibited the intracellular accumulation of ROS, leading to the suppression of NF-κB activation, Akt and p38 phosphorylation, and subsequent pro-inflammatory mediator production. These findings suggest that nasunin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect and this effect is mediated, at least in part, by its antioxidant activity.

Detection of Plasmodium knowlesi DNA in the urine and faeces of a Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) over the course of an experimentally induced infection.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic techniques based on PCR for the detection of Plasmodium DNA can be highly sensitive and specific. The vast majority of these techniques rely, however, on the invasive sampling of blood from infected hosts. There is, currently, considerable interest in the possibility of using body fluids other than blood as sources of parasite DNA for PCR diagnosis. METHODS: Urine and faeces were obtained from a Plasmodium knowlesi infected-Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) over the course of an experimentally induced infection. P. knowlesi DNA (PkDNA) extracted from urine and faeces were monitored by nested PCR targeting the P. knowlesi specific cytochrome b (cytb) gene. RESULTS: Urinary PkDNA was detected on day 2, but was not amplified using DNA templates extracted from the samples on day 4, day 5 and day 6. Subsequently, urinary PkDNA was detected from day 7 until day 11, and from day 20 until day 30. PkDNA in faeces was detected from day 7 until day 11, and from day 20 until day 37. Moreover, real-time quantitative PCR showed a remarkable increase in the amount of urinary PkDNA following anti-malarial treatment. This might have been due to the release of a large amount of PkDNA from the degraded parasites as a result of the anti-malarial treatment, leading to excretion of PkDNA in the urine. CONCLUSIONS: The cytb-PCR system using urine and faecal samples is of potential use in molecular epidemiological surveys of malaria. In particular, monkey faecal samples could be useful for the detection of zoonotic primate malaria in its natural hosts.

Effects of habitual perilla (shiso) tea drinking on the incidence of diabetes mellitus in spontaneously diabetic Trii (SDT)rats.

The anti-diabetic effect of perilla (shiso) tea was evaluated in vivo. When shiso tea was given to model rats that spontaneously developed diabetes mellitus (DM), the development of DM was decelerated. In oral glucose tolerance tests, the disappearance of blood glucose in rats administered shiso tea was reinforced. These results suggest that habitual drinking of shiso tea is effective in preventing the onset of diabetes.

The effects of prolactin and gonadotropin on luteal function and morphology in the cyclic golden hamster.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the endocrinological effects of the pituitary on luteal maintenance and regression in the cyclic golden hamster (Mesocritus auratus). After hypophysectomy (Hypox) at 0900 h on day 1 of the estrous cycle (the day of ovulation), the animals received injection of prolactin (PRL) or PRL plus equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). They were decapitated at 1500 h on day 3 of the cycle, and trunk blood was collected for measurement of progesterone (P4). Corpora lutea (CLs) were dissected from one ovary for DNA ladder detection by electrophoresis, determination of DNA fragmentation ratio by fluorometric measurement method and measurement of P4. The other ovary was used for histological observation. After the Hypox, the daily injection of 1 mg ovine PRL restrained the DNA fragmentation ratio and number of apoptotic cell in the CLs. The PRL treatment maintained the luteal morphology and increased the luteal P4 concentration, but not in the plasma P4 concentration. In addition to PRL, injection of 2 IU eCG after the Hypox also restrained the DNA fragmentation ratio and number of apoptotic cells in the CLs to the level of a pregnant animal. The PRL plus eCG treatment maintained the luteal morphology in the same manner as the PRL only treatment and increased not only the luteal but also the plasma P4 concentration. These results suggest that PRL restrains luteal apoptosis and maintains luteal morphology and that the combination of PRL and eCG restrains not only structural but also functional luteal regression in the cyclic hamster.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces apoptosis in cultured porcine luteal cells.

Some studies in mammalian species recently demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha plays an important role for corpus luteum (CL) function by way of apoptosis during the estrous cycle. The objectives of this study were to clarify the induction of apoptosis in cultured porcine luteal cells by TNF-alpha treatment. Luteal cells prepared from porcine ovaries collected from crossbred mature gilts on Days 10-14 of the estrous cycle were isolated and examined as follows: 1) Flow cytometric analysis was carried out to determine apoptosis in cultured luteal cells. 2) Single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) was performed to investigate apoptotic DNA fragmentation in luteal cells. The results of the flow cytometric analysis and comet assay demonstrated coincidentally that TNF-alpha induces DNA fragmentation in luteal cells causing apoptosis. These results revealed that TNF-alpha is an inducing factor of apoptosis in luteal cells.

Acute toxic effects of dioctyltin on immune system of rats.

In the present study, dioctyltin chloride (DOTC: 100mg/kg, BW) was orally administered to immature (30-day-old) male rats, and the acute toxic effects were studied. Di- and monooctyltin (its metabolite) accumulations were mainly detected in the liver, and peaked 48h later. A similar pattern was also found in the kidney, but the levels were low or trace amounts. Significantly low thymus and spleen weights were detected in DOTC-treated animals. Increased apoptotic cell numbers in the thymus and spleen were observed in DOTC-treated animals also. Although the expression of 97 genes involved in apoptosis was studied in the thymus, at least 24h after treatment, we could not detect clearly different expressions between DOTC- and vehicle-treated animals. The present results suggest that DOTC was selectively immunotoxic. One of the mechanisms for its immunotoxicity would be via its stimulation of immune cell apoptosis.

Cyclic changes in messenger RNAs encoding inhibin/activin subunits in the ovary of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

To elucidate changing patterns of inhibin/activin subunit mRNAs in the ovary of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) during the oestrous cycle, inhibin/activin subunit cDNAs of this species were cloned and ribonuclease protection assay and in situ hybridization were carried out. Inhibin alpha-subunit mRNA was localized in granulosa cells of primary, secondary, tertiary and atretic follicles throughout the 4-day oestrous cycle. It was also expressed in luteal cells on days 1 (oestrus), 2 (metoestrus) and 3 (dioestrus). betaA-subunit mRNA was localized in granulosa cells of large secondary (>200 microm) and tertiary follicles throughout the oestrous cycle. betaB-subunit mRNA was confined to granulosa cells of large secondary and tertiary follicles. Both alpha- and betaA-subunit mRNAs were also found in ovarian interstitial cells and theca interna cells of tertiary and atretic follicles in the evening of day 4 (pro-oestrus). A striking increase in betaA-subunit mRNA levels was also observed during the preovulatory period. The expression pattern of betaA-subunit mRNA during the preovulatory period is unique and not found in other species. An i.v. injection of anti-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) serum before the LH surge abolished the expression of alpha- and betaA-subunit mRNAs in ovarian interstitial cells and theca interna cells. The treatment also abolished the preovulatory increase in betaA-subunit mRNA. Furthermore, administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which followed the injection of anti-LHRH serum, restored the expression patterns of alpha- and betaA-subunit mRNAs. The present study revealed that the golden hamster showed a unique expression pattern of betaA-subunit mRNA in response to the LH surge.

Active immunization against inhibin improves superovulatory response to exogenous FSH in cattle.

The effect of active immunization against inhibin on the response to superovulatory treatment by porcine FSH (pFSH) was investigated in cattle. Japanese black cows were sc injected with 1 mg of porcine inhibin alpha-subunit fragment (1-26) conjugated with rabbit serum albumin (inhibin-immunized group; n=14) or rabbit serum albumin alone (control group; n=12) in Freund's complete adjuvant. Booster injections (half the amount of the primary injection) were given 35 and 70 days after the primary injection. All cows were superovulated three times with pFSH. Three days after each injection of the antigen, a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (CIDR-B) was inserted vaginally into all animals and left in place for 10 days. Forty-eight hours before CIDR-B removal, all animals were sc injected with 30 mg pFSH dissolved in 40% polyvinylpyrrolidone, and im injected with 750 microg of PGF2alpha at CIDR-B removal. Cows were artificially inseminated twice during estrus, and ova or embryos were collected 7 or 8 days after estrus. The number of corpora lutea, the number of ova or embryos and the number of transferable embryos in inhibin-immunized cows (12.1+/-1.2, 11.1+/-1.3 and 6.2+/-1.0, respectively) were significantly greater than those in the controls (8.2+/-1.0, 5.7+/-1.1 and 3.1+/-0.7, respectively). These results indicate that active immunization against inhibin enhanced ovarian response to the usual superovulatory treatment in cattle. Therefore, immunization against inhibin may be a useful approach for improving the response to superovulation in cattle.

Trophinin is expressed in the porcine endometrium during the estrous cycle.

We investigated endometrial expression of trophinin mRNA and protein, homophilic cell adhesion molecules, during the estrous cycle of gilts. An immunopositive reaction for trophinin was observed in the luminal and glandular epithelia of the endometrium at all stages of the estrous cycle, but not in endometrial stromal cells or the myometrium. A partial coding sequence of porcine trophinin was similar to sequences in humans and mice, with homologies of 75% and 70%, respectively. As in humans and mice, the trophinin gene is expressed in the endometrium. Trophinin, however, is expressed in the endometrium of the pig throughout the estrous cycle, higher expression levels were observed at some points of the luteal phase, as in humans. These findings suggest that regulation of trophinin gene expression in the pig is different from that in mice, but similar to that in humans. Furthermore, the present results suggest that the pig might be a suitable model for studying the physiological importance of trophinin in early pregnancy in humans.

Inhibin secretion in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) testis during active and inactive states of spermatogenesis induced by the restriction of photoperiod.

Gonadal function in the male golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was investigated during exposure to a short photoperiod condition. Within 3 weeks of exposure to the short photoperiod condition, FSH and testosterone in the plasma significantly decreased, and subsequently immunoreactive (ir)-inhibin significantly decreased. Testicular contents of ir-inhibin and testosterone, and pituitary contents of LH and FSH also significantly decreased by 3 weeks with regression of weight of testes, epididymis and seminal vesicles and sperm head count. Circulating LH varied but not significantly. Thereafter, all reproductive parameters and secretion of LH, FSH, ir-inhibin and testosterone gradually recovered after 17 weeks of exposure even though animals continued to be subjected to the short photoperiod condition. Plasma concentrations of inhibin B and inhibin pro-alphaC were detectable and were significantly decreased after 15 weeks of exposure to the short photoperiod, but their levels were still detectable. Immunopositive reaction of inhibin alpha and betaB subunits was found in Sertoli cells and Leydig cells in the regressed testes of animals subjected to short photoperiod as was also seen in animals before exposure to the short photoperiod. Although the spermatogenic cycle was suppressed like prepubertal animals, the present study showed that the testicular recovery, so-called refractoriness, is functionally different from the developing stage of immature animals, especially with regard to inhibin secretion. The present results showed that changes in FSH preceded changes in inhibin during the regression and recovery phases, indicating that FSH is a major regulatory factor of inhibin secretion in male golden hamsters. The present study also demonstrated that regressed testes still secrete a small amount of bioactive inhibin during exposure to a short-photoperiod condition.

Changes in expression of inhibin subunits in the cyclic golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) and the regulation of inhibin alpha subunit production by luteinizing hormone.

In the present study, changes in localization of each inhibin subunit in the ovary were investigated during the estrous cycle of the golden hamster. The effect of LH surge on changes in localization in inhibin alpha subunit in the ovary was also investigated. Inhibin alpha subunit was localized in granulosa cells of various stages of follicles throughout the estrous cycle. Inhibin alpha subunit was also present in numerous interstitial cells on days 1 and 2 (day 1 = day of ovulation), but the number of positive interstitial cells was fewer on days 3 and almost disappeared on day 4 of the estrous cycle. Newly formed luteal cells were also positive for inhibin alpha subunit on days 1 and 2. On the other hand, positive reactions for inhibin beta A and beta B subunits were only present in the granulosa cells of healthy antral follicles. However, a positive reaction for inhibin beta B subunit in peripheral mural granulosa cells disappeared on days 3 and 4 of the estrous cycle. Treatment with LHRH-AS at 1100 h on day 4 completely blocked the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and ovulation, although relatively high concentrations of plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were maintained throughout the experiment. There were few positive reactions for inhibin alpha subunit in theca and interstitial cells 24 hr after LHRH-AS injection. The effect of LHRH-AS treatment was blocked by a single injection of 10 IU human chorionic gonadotropin. These results suggest that the major source of dimeric inhibin in the cyclic hamster was granulosa cells of healthy antral follicles. Different distribution pattern of inhibin beta A from beta B subunits in large antral follicles on days 3 and 4 of the estrous cycle suggests different secretion patterns of inhibin A from B on these days. Furthermore, the LH surge may be an important factor to induce production of inhibin alpha subunit in interstitial cells of the cyclic hamster.

Regulation of endocytosis of activin type II receptors by a novel PDZ protein through Ral/Ral-binding protein 1-dependent pathway.

Using yeast two-hybrid screening, we have identified a mouse Postsynaptic density 95/Discs large/Zona occludens-1 (PDZ) protein that interacts with activin type II receptors (ActRIIs). We named the protein activin receptor-interacting protein 2 (ARIP2). ARIP2 was found to have one PDZ domain in the NH(2)-terminal region and interact specifically with ActRIIs among the receptors for the transforming growth factor beta family by the PDZ domain. Interestingly, overexpression of ARIP2 enhances endocytosis of ActRIIs and reduces activin-induced transcription in Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells. In addition, immunofluorescence co-localization studies indicated the direct involvement of ARIP2 in the intracellular translocation of ActRIIs by PDZ domain-mediated interaction. Moreover, we have identified that the COOH-terminal region of ARIP2 interacts with Ral-binding protein 1 (RalBP1). RalBP1 is a potential effector protein of small GTP-binding protein Ral and regulates endocytosis of epidermal growth factor and insulin receptors. The studies using deletion mutants of RalBP1 and constitutively GTP and GDP binding forms of Ral indicate that ARIP2 regulates endocytosis of ActRIIs through the Ral/RalBP1-dependent pathway, and the GDP-GTP exchange of Ral is critical for this regulation.