Ibuprofen alters epoxide hydrolase activity and epoxy-oxylipin metabolites associated with different metabolic pathways in murine livers.

Over the last decade oxylipins have become more recognized for their involvement in several diseases. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are known to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, but how NSAIDs affect oxylipins, in addition to COX products, in animal tissues is not well understood. Oxylipins in livers from male and female mice treated with 100 mg/kg/day of ibuprofen for 7 days were investigated. The results showed that ibuprofen treated male livers contained 7 times more altered oxylipins than ibuprofen treated female livers. In male and female livers some prostaglandins were altered, while diols, hydroxy fatty acids and epoxides were significantly altered in male livers. Some soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) products, such as 9,10-DiHODE were found to be decreased, while sEH substrates (such as 9(10)-EpODE and 5(6)-EpETrE) were found to be increased in male livers treated with ibuprofen, but not in ibuprofen treated female livers. The enzymatic activities of sEH and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) were elevated by ibuprofen in both males and females. Analyzing the influence of sex on the effect of ibuprofen on oxylipins and COX products showed that approximately 27% of oxylipins detected were influenced by sex. The results reveal that ibuprofen disturbs not only the COX pathway, but also the CYP450 and lipoxygenase pathways in male mice, suggesting that ibuprofen is likely to generate sex related differences in biologically active oxylipins. Increased sEH activity after ibuprofen treatment is likely to be one of the mechanisms by which the liver reduces the higher levels of EpODEs and EpETrEs.

Oral 15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid Induces Pulmonary Hypertension in Mice by Triggering T Cell-Dependent Endothelial Cell Apoptosis.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease characterized by increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure. Elevated plasma and lung concentrations of oxidized lipids, including 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), have been demonstrated in patients with PAH and animal models. We previously demonstrated that feeding mice with 15-HETE is sufficient to induce pulmonary hypertension, but the mechanisms remain unknown. RNA sequencing data from the mouse lungs on 15-HETE diet revealed significant activation of pathways involved in both antigen processing and presentation and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Analysis of human microarray from patients with PAH also identified activation of identical pathways compared with controls. We show that in both 15-HETE-fed mice and patients with PAH, expression of the immunoproteasome subunit 5 is significantly increased, which was concomitant with an increase in the number of CD8/CD69 (cluster of differentiation 8 / cluster of differentiation 69) double-positive cells, as well as pulmonary arterial endothelial cell apoptosis in mice. Human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells cultured with 15-HETE were more prone to apoptosis when exposed to CD8 cells. Cultured intestinal epithelial cells secreted more oxidized lipids in response to 15-HETE, which is consistent with accumulation of circulating oxidized lipids in 15-HETE-fed mice. Administration of an apoA-I (apolipoprotein A-I) mimetic peptide, Tg6F (transgenic 6F), which is known to prevent accumulation of circulating oxidized lipids, not only inhibited pulmonary arterial endothelial cell apoptosis but also prevented and rescued 15-HETE-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that (1) 15-HETE diet induces pulmonary hypertension by a mechanism that involves oxidized lipid-mediated T cell-dependent pulmonary arterial endothelial cell apoptosis and (2) Tg6F administration may be a novel therapy for treating PAH.

Gender-specific changes in energy metabolism and protein degradation as major pathways affected in livers of mice treated with ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen, an inhibitor of prostanoid biosynthesis, is a common pharmacological agent used for the management of pain, inflammation and fever. However, the chronic use of ibuprofen at high doses is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal and liver injuries. The underlying mechanisms of ibuprofen-mediated effects on liver remain unclear. To determine the mechanisms and signaling pathways affected by ibuprofen (100 mg/kg/day for seven days), we performed proteomic profiling of male mice liver with quantitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using ten-plex tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling. More than 300 proteins were significantly altered between the control and ibuprofen-treated groups. The data suggests that several major pathways including (1) energy metabolism, (2) protein degradation, (3) fatty acid metabolism and (4) antioxidant system are altered in livers from ibuprofen treated mice. Independent validation of protein changes in energy metabolism and the antioxidant system was carried out by Western blotting and showed sex-related differences. Proteasome and immunoproteasome activity/expression assays showed ibuprofen induced gender-specific proteasome and immunoproteasome dysfunction in liver. The study observed multifactorial gender-specific ibuprofen-mediated effects on mice liver and suggests that males and females are affected differently by ibuprofen.

Improving the sensitivity of traditional Western blotting via Streptavidin containing Poly-horseradish peroxidase (PolyHRP).

Immunoassays such as ELISAs and Western blotting have been the common choice for protein validation studies for the past several decades. Technical advancements and modifications are continuously being developed to enhance the detection sensitivity of these procedures. Among them, Streptavidin-containing poly-horseradish peroxidase (PolyHRP) based detection strategies have been shown to improve signals in ELISA. The use of commercially available Streptavidin and antibodies conjugated with many HRPs (PolyHRPs) to potentially enhance the detection sensitivity in Western blotting has not been previously investigated in a comprehensive manner. The use of PolyHRP-secondary antibody instead of HRP-secondary antibody increased the Western blotting sensitivity up to 85% depending on the primary antibody used. The use of a biotinylated secondary antibody and commercially available Streptavidin-conjugated with HRP or PolyHRP all resulted in increased sensitivity with respect to antigen detection. Utilizing a biotinylated secondary antibody and Streptavidin-conjugated PolyHRP resulted in as much as a 110-fold increase in Western blotting sensitivity over traditional Western blotting methods. Quantification of troponin I in rat heart lysates showed that the traditional Western blotting method only detected troponin I in ≥2 µg of lysate while Streptavidin-conjugated PolyHRP20 detected troponin I in ≥50 ng of lysate. A modified blocking procedure is also described that eliminated the interference caused by the endogenous biotinylated proteins. These results suggest that Streptavidin-conjugated PolyHRP and PolyHRP secondary antibodies are likely to be commonly utilized for Western blots in the future.

Ponceau S waste: Ponceau S staining for total protein normalization.

Normalization of Western blotting data is a critical step that is needed to reduce errors caused by unequal sample loading across lanes in a gel, inconsistent sample preparation, and variations due to experimental errors. Several papers have suggested that total protein normalization may be better than housekeeping protein normalization for Western blotting normalization. Ponceau S is the most commonly used stain for total protein normalization. A review of the literature and commercial websites suggest a multitude of Ponceau S staining protocols for total protein staining of blots. In this study, we explored which Ponceau S staining protocol would result in the highest sensitivity of protein band detection. Unexpectedly, we found that irrespective of the Ponceau S concentration (between 0.001 and 2% (w/v)), acid concentration, and acid type (acetic acid, trichloroacetic acid and/or sulfosalicylic acid), the sensitivity of protein detection remained constant. The most commonly used concentration of Ponceau S is 0.1%, while 0.001% (100-fold less) Ponceau S resulted in the same sensitivity of protein band detection. We suggest the use of the relatively inexpensive 0.01% Ponceau S in 1% acetic acid stain for total protein normalization as it is as effective as all the expensive formulations that are currently used.

Protein purification and analysis: next generation Western blotting techniques.

INTRODUCTION: Western blotting is one of the most commonly used techniques in molecular biology and proteomics. Since western blotting is a multistep protocol, variations and errors can occur at any step reducing the reliability and reproducibility of this technique. Recent reports suggest that a few key steps, such as the sample preparation method, the amount and source of primary antibody used, as well as the normalization method utilized, are critical for reproducible western blot results. Areas covered: In this review, improvements in different areas of western blotting, including protein transfer and antibody validation, are summarized. The review discusses the most advanced western blotting techniques available and highlights the relationship between next generation western blotting techniques and its clinical relevance. Expert commentary: Over the last decade significant improvements have been made in creating more sensitive, automated, and advanced techniques by optimizing various aspects of the western blot protocol. New methods such as single cell-resolution western blot, capillary electrophoresis, DigiWest, automated microfluid western blotting and microchip electrophoresis have all been developed to reduce potential problems associated with the western blotting technique. Innovative developments in instrumentation and increased sensitivity for western blots offer novel possibilities for increasing the clinical implications of western blot.

Therapeutic Interventions for Advanced Glycation-End Products and its Receptor- Mediated Cardiovascular Disease.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are heterogeneous group of molecules formed from nonenzymatic reaction of reducing sugars with amino group of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acid. Interaction of AGEs with its cell-bound receptor (RAGE) results in generation of oxygen radicals, nuclear factor kappa-ß, proinflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules, and is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Circulating soluble forms of RAGE (sRAGE) and endo-secretory RAGE (esRAGE) compete with RAGE for ligand binding and function as a decoy. This paper describes the endogenous and exogenous (high dietary AGEs, and cooking food under high dry heat, elevated pH, and longer period) sources of AGEs. AGERAGE- mediated CVD includes atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease, hypertension, peripheral vascular diseases, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and microangiopathy. The therapeutic interventions with reduction in AGEs and RAGE, and elevation in sRAGE has been reported for the treatment of AGE-RAGEmediated CVD. Reduction in levels of AGEs can be achieved by reduction in consumption of food containing low amount of AGEs, cooking food at low temperature, moist heat, and shorter duration. AGE formation can be reduced with drugs, vitamins and stoppage of cigarette smoking. Statins, telmisartan, and curcumin have been used for suppression of RAGE. Statins, ACE-inhibitors, Rosiglitazone and vitamin D have been used to increase levels of sRAGE. Finally exogenous administration of sRAGE can be helpful in amelioration of CVD. In conclusion, AGE-RAGE-mediated CVD could be attenuated with reduction in consumption of AGEs, suppression of RAGE and elevation of sRAGE.

Featured article: induction of heme oxygenase with hemin improves pericardial adipocyte morphology and function in obese Zucker rats by enhancing proteins of regeneration.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in tissue remodeling, hypertrophy, and organ malfunction. Since heme-oxygenase (HO) is a cytoprotective enzyme with effects against oxidative stress and inflammation, we investigated the effects of upregulating HO with hemin on adipocyte hypertrophy, proteins of repair/regeneration including beta-catenin, Oct3/4 and Pax2 as well as pro-fibrotic/remodeling proteins like osteopontin and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) in pericardial adipose tissue from obese Zucker rats (ZRs). Treatment with hemin significantly reduced pericardial adipose tissue inflammation/oxidative stress, suppressed osteopontin and TGF-ß, and attenuated pericardial adipocyte hypertrophy in obese ZRs. These were associated with enhanced expression of the stem/progenitor-cell marker cKit; the potentiation of several proteins of regeneration including beta-catenin, Oct3/4, Pax2; and improved pericardial adipocyte morphology. Interestingly, the amelioration of adipocyte hypertrophy in hemin-treated animals was accompanied by improved adipocyte function, evidenced by increased levels of pericardial adipose tissue adiponectin. Furthermore, hemin significantly reduced hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesteromia in obese ZRs. The protective effects of hemin were accompanied by robust potentiation HO activity and the total antioxidant capacity, whereas the co-administration of hemin with the HO inhibitor, stannous mesoporphyrin abolished the effects of hemin. These data suggest that hemin improves pericardial adipocyte morphology and function by enhancing proteins of repair and regeneration, while concomitantly abating inflammatory/oxidative insults and suppressing extracellular-matrix/profibrotic and remodeling proteins. The reduction of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesteromia, pericardial adiposity, and pericardial adipocyte hypertrophy with corresponding improvement of adipocyte morphology/function in hemin-treated animals suggests that HO inducers may be explored for the design of novel remedies against cardiac complications arising from excessive adiposity.

Mechanisms by which heme oxygenase rescue renal dysfunction in obesity.

Obesity and excessive inflammation/oxidative stress are pathophysiological forces associated with kidney dysfunction. Although we recently showed that heme-oxygenase (HO) improves renal functions, the mechanisms are largely unclear. Moreover, the effects of the HO-system on podocyte cytoskeletal proteins like podocin, podocalyxin, CD2-associated-protein (CD2AP) and proteins of regeneration/repair like beta-catenin, Oct3/4, WT1 and Pax2 in renal tissue from normoglycemic obese Zucker-fatty rats (ZFs) have not been reported. Treatment with hemin reduced renal histo-pathological lesions including glomerular-hypertrophy, tubular-cast, tubular-atrophy and mononuclear cell-infiltration in ZFs. These were associated with enhanced expression of beta-catenin, Oct3/4, WT1, Pax2 and nephrin, an essential transmembrane protein required for the formation of the scaffoldings of the podocyte slit-diaphragm, permitting the filtration of small ions, but not massive excretion of proteins, hence proteinuria. Besides nephrin, hemin also enhanced other important podocyte-regulators including, podocalyxin, podocin and CD2AP. Correspondingly, important markers of renal dysfunction such as albuminuria and proteinuria were reduced, while creatinine clearance increased, suggesting improved renal function in hemin-treated ZFs. The renoprotection by hemin was accompanied by the reduction of inflammatory/oxidative mediators including, macrophage-inflammatory-protein-1α, macrophage-chemoattractant-protein-1 and 8-isoprostane, whereas HO-1, HO-activity and the total-anti-oxidant-capacity increased. Contrarily, the HO-inhibitor, stannous-mesoporphyrin nullified the reno-protection by hemin. Collectively, these data suggest that hemin ameliorates nephropathy by potentiating the expression of proteins of repair/regeneration, abating oxidative/inflammatory mediators, reducing renal histo-pathological lesions, while enhancing nephrin, podocin, podocalyxin, CD2AP and creatinine clearance, with corresponding reduction of albuminuria/proteinuria suggesting improved renal function in hemin-treated ZFs. Importantly, the concomitant potentiation regeneration proteins and podocyte cytoskeletal proteins are novel mechanisms by which hemin rescue nephropathy in obesity.

Heme oxygenase system and hypertension: a comprehensive insight.

Hypertension is a complex interplay of interrelated etiologies, and the leading risk factor for many cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cardinal pathophysiological features of hypertension include enhanced vascular inflammation, vascular remodeling, vascular contractility and increased oxidative stress. In response to oxidative, inflammatory or other noxious stimuli, many physiological pathways like the heme oxygenase (HO) system are activated in an attempt to counteract tissue insults. However, the pathophysiological activation of the HO system only results to a transient increase of HO activity that fall below the necessary threshold capable of activating the downstream signaling components of the HO system like the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) secondary messenger system. Therefore, a more robust potentiation of the HO system by pharmacological agents such as hemin, heme-arginate, cobalt protoporphyrin or through retroviral HO-1 gene delivery would be needed to surmount the threshold for cytoprotection. The HO system modulates cellular homeostasis. Importantly, the HO system plays a vital role in a wide spectrum of physiologic including the regulation of blood vessel tone. Alterations in the activity and expression of HO has been correlated to pathophysiology of hypertension and related complications such as hypertrophy, myocardial infarction and heart failure. Moreover, the cytoprotection exerted by HO is attributable to its catabolic products namely, carbon monoxide, bilirubin/biliverdin, and ferritin that are known to modulate immune, inflammatory and oxidative insults. The growing incidence of hypertension and associated cardiometabolic complications has prompted the need for the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies like substances capable of potentiating the HO system. This review briefly, highlights the functional significance of the HO system and its downstream signaling molecules including bilirubin/biliverdin, carbon monoxide and ferritin as potential therapeutic modalities for the management of hypertension and its related co-morbid conditions.

The role of obesity in cardiomyopathy and nephropathy.

The growing incidence of obesity and related complications such as cardiomyopathy and nephropathy remains a global health challenge. Many pathophysiological factors including inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are implicated in obesity- induced abnormalities in the heart and kidney. Moreover, obesity and nutrient-overload are associated with the activation of different inflammatory/oxidative signaling pathways such as endoplasmic reticulum stress, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), toll-like-receptor-4 (TLR4) and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). The pathophysiological role of RAAS, TLR4 and NF-κB in perturbing physiological milieu is well acknowledged. Several pharmacological agents have been formulated to target one or more of these pathways. Although significant strides have been made in elucidating mechanisms implicated in obesity-related cardio-renal diseases, much still has to be done. The pathophysiology of cardiomyopathy and nephropathy is complex and multifaceted. Besides NF-κ B, TLR4, RAAS and inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines, a wide spectrum of different factors including, the environment, diets, lifestyles, genetics and epigenetics are also involved. With such multifactorial etiology, it remains a daunting challenge to identify the factor(s) that initiate the activation and propagation of adverse stimuli that eventually lead to cardiomyopathy and/or nephropathy in obese individuals. Similarly, the mechanisms of such activation and propagation should be clearly elucidated. Should these hurdles be overcome, there would be a greater likelihood for the development of more-effective therapeutic strategies for the prevention, treatment and management of obesity-induced cardiomyopathy and nephropathy. The present review examines the role of inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in obesity-induced abnormalities in heart and kidney.

The heme oxygenase system and type-1 diabetes.

Diabetes is a complex endocrine/metabolic disease with many related complications including micro-vascular and macrovascular problems such as cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy. Generally, type-1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune- mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to insulin deficiency. This is usually accompanied by dyslipidemia, enhanced hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress, endothelial-cell dysfunction and apoptosis. For decades, type-1 diabetes has been traditionally known as insulin-dependent, while type-2 as non-insulin dependent diabetes. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that insulin deficiency and insulin resistance are manifested in both forms of diabetes at different stages. Thus, it may be time revisit the nomenclature and adjust it to reflect these observations of insulin deficiency and insulin resistance in both forms of diabetes to avoid ambiguity when discussing forms of diabetes. Emerging evidence indicates that the heme-oxygenase (HO) system and related products including carbon monoxide, ferritin and biliverdin are capable of suppressing immune/inflammatory response, and abate oxidative stress and apoptosis. More importantly, upregulating the HO-system increases pancreatic beta-cell insulin release and reduce hyperglycemia in different diabetic models. Similarly, carbon monoxide, a product of the HO-catalyzed degradation of heme also enhances insulin production and improves glucose metabolism. Since excessive immune/inflammatory responses coupled to elevated apoptosis are among the cardinal pathophysiological features of type-1 diabetes, this review highlights the role of the HO-system and related products such as carbon monoxide and bilirubin in the modulation of apoptosis and immune response, and the beneficial effects of the HO-system in the pathogenesis of type-1 diabetes and related cardiometabolic complications.

The heme oxygenase system rescues hepatic deterioration in the condition of obesity co-morbid with type-2 diabetes.

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing globally. NAFLD is a spectrum of related liver diseases that progressive from simple steatosis to serious complications like cirrhosis. The major pathophysiological driving of NAFLD includes elevated hepatic adiposity, increased hepatic triglycerides/cholesterol, excessive hepatic inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning injury is a common histo-pathological denominator. Although heme-oxygenase (HO) is cytoprotective, its effects on hepatocyte ballooning injury have not been reported. We investigated the effects of upregulating HO with hemin or inhibiting it with stannous-mesoporphyrin (SnMP) on hepatocyte ballooning injury, hepatic adiposity and inflammation in Zucker-diabetic-fatty rats (ZDFs), an obese type-2-diabetic model. Hemin administration to ZDFs abated hepatic/plasma triglycerides and cholesterol, and suppressed several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, macrophage-inflammatory-protein-1α (MIP-1α) and macrophage-chemoattractant-protein-1 (MCP-1), with corresponding reduction of the pro-inflammatory M1-phenotype marker, ED1 and hepatic macrophage infiltration. Correspondingly, hemin concomitantly potentiated the protein expression of several markers of the anti-inflammatory macrophage-M2-phenotype including ED2, IL-10 and CD-206, alongside components of the HO-system including HO-1, HO-activity and cGMP, whereas the HO-inhibitor, SnMP abolished the effects. Furthermore, hemin attenuated liver histo-pathological lesions like hepatocyte ballooning injury and fibrosis, and reduced extracellular-matrix/profibrotic proteins implicated in liver injury such as osteopontin, TGF-ß1, fibronectin and collagen-IV. We conclude that hemin restore hepatic morphology by abating hepatic adiposity, suppressing macrophage infiltration, inflammation and fibrosis. The selective enhancement of anti-inflammatory macrophage-M2-phenotype with parallel reduction of pro-inflammatory macrophage-M1-phenotype and related chemokines/cytokines like TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, MIP-1α and MCP-1 are among the multifaceted mechanisms by which hemin restore hepatic morphology.

The heme oxygenase system selectively enhances the anti-inflammatory macrophage-M2 phenotype, reduces pericardial adiposity, and ameliorated cardiac injury in diabetic cardiomyopathy in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

Cardiac function is adversely affected by pericardial adiposity. We investigated the effects of the heme oxygenase (HO) inducer, hemin on pericardial adiposity, macrophage polarization, and diabetic cardiopathy in Zucker diabetic fatty rats (ZDFs) with use of echocardiographic, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western immunoblotting, enzyme immunoassay, and spectrophotometric analysis. In ZDFs, hemin administration increased HO activity; normalized glycemia; potentiated insulin signaling by enhancing insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS-1), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt; suppressed pericardial adiposity, cardiac hypertrophy, and left ventricular longitudinal muscle fiber thickness, a pathophysiological feature of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy; and correspondingly reduced systolic blood pressure, total peripheral resistance, and pro-inflammatory/oxidative mediators, including nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), cJNK, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (cJNK), endothelin (ET-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, activating protein 1 (AP-1), and 8-isoprostane, whereas the HO inhibitor, stannous mesoporphyrin, nullified the effects. Furthermore, hemin reduced the pro-inflammatory macrophage M1 phenotype, but enhanced the M2 phenotype that dampens inflammation. Because NF-κB activates TNFα, IL-6, and IL-1ß and TNF-α, cJNK, and AP-1 impair insulin signaling, the high levels of these cytokines in obesity/diabetes would create a vicious cycle that, together with 8-isoprostane and ET-1, exacerbates cardiac injury, compromising cardiac function. Therefore, the concomitant reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and macrophage infiltration coupled to increased expressions of IRS-1, PI3K, and PKB may account for enhanced glucose metabolism and amelioration of cardiac injury and function in diabetic cardiomyopathy. The hemin-induced preferential polarization of macrophages toward anti-inflammatory macrophage M2 phenotype in cardiac tissue with concomitant suppression of pericardial adiposity in ZDFs are novel findings. These data unveil the benefits of hemin against pericardial adiposity, impaired insulin signaling, and diabetic cardiomyopathy and suggest that its multifaceted protective mechanisms include the suppression of inflammatory/oxidative mediators.

The risk of heart failure and cardiometabolic complications in obesity may be masked by an apparent healthy status of normal blood glucose.

Although many obese individuals are normoglycemic and asymptomatic of cardiometabolic complications, this apparent healthy state may be a misnomer. Since heart failure is a major cause of mortality in obesity, we investigated the effects of heme-oxygenase (HO) on heart failure and cardiometabolic complications in obese normoglycemic Zucker-fatty rats (ZFs). Treatment with the HO-inducer, hemin, reduced markers of heart failure, such as osteopontin and osteoprotegerin, abated left-ventricular (LV) hypertrophy/fibrosis, extracellular matrix/profibrotic proteins including collagen IV, fibronectin, TGF-ß1, and reduced cardiac lesions. Furthermore, hemin suppressed inflammation by abating macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage-inflammatory protein-1 alpha, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß but enhanced adiponectin, atrial-natriuretic peptide (ANP), HO activity, insulin sensitivity, and glucose metabolism. Correspondingly, hemin improved several hemodynamic/echocardiographic parameters including LV-diastolic wall thickness, LV-systolic wall thickness, mean-arterial pressure, arterial-systolic pressure, arterial-diastolic pressure, LV-developed pressure, +dP/dt, and cardiac output. Contrarily, the HO-inhibitor, stannous mesoporphyrin nullified the hemin effect, exacerbating inflammatory/oxidative insults and aggravated insulin resistance (HOMA-index). We conclude that perturbations in insulin signaling and cardiac function may be forerunners to overt hyperglycemia and heart failure in obesity. Importantly, hemin improves cardiac function by suppressing markers of heart failure, LV hypertrophy, cardiac lesions, extracellular matrix/profibrotic proteins, and inflammatory/oxidative mediators, while concomitantly enhancing the HO-adiponectin-ANP axis.

Optimization of embryo culture conditions for increasing efficiency of cloning in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and generation of transgenic embryos via cloning.

Cloning in bovine species is marred by low efficiency of blastocyst formation. Any increase in the efficiency of blastocyst formation upon nuclear transfer will greatly enhance the efficiency of cloning. In the present study, the effect of various media, protein sources, and growth factors on the development of cloned buffalo embryos was evaluated. Among various combinations tested, culture of cloned embryos in TCM-199 media on the feeder layer of Buffalo Oviductal Epithelial Cells (BOEC) in the presence of bovine serum albumin-free fatty acid (BSA-FFA) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) provided most suitable environment for efficient development of cloned blastocysts. Under these conditions, we achieved a blastocyst formation rate of 43%, which is better than those reported previously. Because preimplantation embryonic development, in vivo, occurs in an environment of oviductal cells, the blastocysts generated by this method may presumably be more suitable for implantation and further development. Additionally, we generated green blastocysts from enucleated oocytes by transfer of nuclei from cells transfected with EGFP transgene, showing possibility of transgenesis via cloning in this species. To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the production of transgenic cloned buffalo embryos and their developmental competence with respect to various media, cocultures, and supplements.