AQP3 and AQP9-Contrary Players in Sepsis?

Sepsis involves an immunological systemic response to a microbial pathogenic insult, leading to a cascade of interconnected biochemical, cellular, and organ-organ interaction networks. Potential drug targets can depict aquaporins, as they are involved in immunological processes. In immune cells, AQP3 and AQP9 are of special interest. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that these aquaporins are expressed in the blood cells of septic patients and impact sepsis survival. Clinical data, routine laboratory parameters, and blood samples from septic patients were analyzed on day 1 and day 8 after sepsis diagnosis. AQP expression and cytokine serum concentrations were measured. AQP3 mRNA expression increased over the duration of sepsis and was correlated with lymphocyte count. High AQP3 expression was associated with increased survival. In contrast, AQP9 expression was not altered during sepsis and was correlated with neutrophil count, and low levels of AQP9 were associated with increased survival. Furthermore, AQP9 expression was an independent risk factor for sepsis lethality. In conclusion, AQP3 and AQP9 may play contrary roles in the pathophysiology of sepsis, and these results suggest that AQP9 may be a novel drug target in sepsis and, concurrently, a valuable biomarker of the disease.

Methazolamide Reduces the AQP5 mRNA Expression and Immune Cell Migration-A New Potential Drug in Sepsis Therapy?

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the dysregulated host response to infection. Novel therapeutic options are urgently needed and aquaporin inhibitors could suffice as aquaporin 5 (Aqp5) knockdown provided enhanced sepsis survival in a murine sepsis model. Potential AQP5 inhibitors provide sulfonamides and their derivatives. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that sulfonamides reduce AQP5 expression in different conditions. The impact of sulfonamides on AQP5 expression and immune cell migration was examined in cell lines REH and RAW 264.7 by qPCR, Western blot and migration assay. Subsequently, whether furosemide and methazolamide are capable of reducing AQP5 expression after LPS incubation was investigated in whole blood samples of healthy volunteers. Incubation with methazolamide (10-5 M) and furosemide (10-6 M) reduced AQP5 mRNA and protein expression by about 30% in REH cells. Pre-incubation of the cells with methazolamide reduced cell migration towards SDF1-α compared to non-preincubated cells to control level. Pre-incubation with methazolamide in PBMCs led to a reduction in LPS-induced AQP5 expression compared to control levels, while furosemide failed to reduce it. Methazolamide appears to reduce AQP5 expression and migration of immune cells. However, after LPS administration, the reduction in AQP5 expression by methazolamide is no longer possible. Hence, our study indicates that methazolamide is capable of reducing AQP5 expression and has the potential to be used in sepsis prophylaxis.

The Distinctive Activation of Toll-Like Receptor 4 in Human Samples with Sepsis.

Clinical success of Toll-Like receptor-4 (TLR-4) antagonists in sepsis therapy has thus far been lacking. As inhibition of a receptor can only be useful if the receptor is active, stratification of patients with active TLR-4 would be desirable. Our aim was to establish an assay to quantify phosphorylated TLR-4 using the proximity ligation assay (PLA). HEK293 TLR4/MD2/CD14 as well as THP-1 cells were stimulated with LPS and the activation of TLR-4 was measured using the PLA. Furthermore, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 25 sepsis patients were used to show the feasibility of this assay in clinical material. Activation of TLR-4 in these samples was compared to the PBMCs of 11 healthy individuals. We could show a transient activation of TLR-4 in both cell lines. Five min after the LPS stimulation, the signal increased 6.7-fold in the HEK293 cells and 4.3-fold in the THP-1 cells. The assay also worked well in the PBMCs of septic patients. Phosphorylation of TLR-4 at study inclusion was 2.9 times higher in septic patients compared to healthy volunteers. To conclude, we established a diagnostic assay that is able to quantify the phosphorylation of TLR-4 in cell culture and in clinical samples of sepsis patients. This makes large-scale stratification of sepsis patients for their TLR-4 activation status possible.

Midazolam impacts acetyl-And butyrylcholinesterase genes: An epigenetic explanation for postoperative delirium?

Midazolam is a widely used short-acting benzodiazepine. However, midazolam is also criticized for its deliriogenic potential. Since delirium is associated with a malfunction of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, midazolam appears to interfere with its proper metabolism, which can be triggered by epigenetic modifications. Consequently, we tested the hypothesis that midazolam indeed changes the expression and activity of cholinergic genes by acetylcholinesterase assay and qPCR. Furthermore, we investigated the occurrence of changes in the epigenetic landscape by methylation specific PCR, ChiP-Assay and histone ELISA. In an in-vitro model containing SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, U343 glioblastoma cells, and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we found that midazolam altered the activity of acetylcholinesterase /buturylcholinesterase (AChE / BChE). Interestingly, the increased expression of the buturylcholinesterase evoked by midazolam was accompanied by a reduced methylation of the BCHE gene and the di-methylation of histone 3 lysine 4 and came along with an increased expression of the lysine specific demethylase KDM1A. Last, inflammatory cytokines were not induced by midazolam. In conclusion, we found a promising mechanistic link between midazolam treatment and delirium, due to a significant disruption in cholinesterase homeostasis. In addition, midazolam seems to provoke profound changes in the epigenetic landscape. Therefore, our results can contribute to a better understanding of the hitherto poorly understood interactions and risk factors of midazolam on delirium.

Efficacy of probiotics and nutrients in functional gastrointestinal disorders: a preliminary clinical trial.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of commonly used probiotics and nutrients available for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). Five different combinations of probiotics and nutrients, or placebo, were taken daily over 12 weeks. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, men and women 21 to 72 years of age with FGID symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and abdominal discomfort were assigned to one of six groups, 12 patients per group. Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for GI symptoms, SF-36, lactulose and mannitol test (LMT), and urine indican levels were evaluated. GIQLI, VAS scores, and LMT did not change significantly (P > 0.05). There were clinically notable improvements in two of the combination formulations. While the nonsignificant improvements in GI symptoms could suggest that combination probiotics and nutrients may be beneficial in conditions such as FGID, no conclusive evidence was found in this pilot trial. Further investigations to explore the findings are discussed.

A pilot study to examine a combination botanical for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Hormone replacement therapy has become a controversial treatment for symptoms of menopause, leading many women and their physicians to search for safer, effective alternatives. Certain botanicals are known to contain phytoestrogenic activity, which may be helpful in alleviating menopausal symptoms. We report the results of a study using a combination botanical supplement to treat menopausal symptoms. DESIGN: Prospective pilot study. SETTING/LOCATION: Family practice medical center, Phoenix metropolitan area. SUBJECTS: Eight (8) women with moderate vasomotor and somatic symptoms of menopause. INTERVENTION: Combination botanicals daily for 3 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: Modified Kupperman Index (KI), daily hot flashes severity, and overall quality of life (QoL) using the SF-36 index, which were collected at enrollment, during treatment, and at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Mean KI total symptoms decreased from 30.3 +/- 7.5 to 22.9 +/- 8.4 (95% CI, 25-34), p = 0.0028. Daily hot flashes decreased from 68.1 +/- 14.3 to 39.6 +/- 9.7 (95% CI, 38-46), p = 0.0003, and the overall QoL also improved at the end of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrates the potential benefit of a combination botanical for improving moderate menopausal symptoms in women. The efficacy and role of combination botanicals for long-term use to reduce menopausal symptoms requires further exploration.