Unlocking the mysteries of VLDL: exploring its production, intracellular trafficking, and metabolism as therapeutic targets.

Reducing circulating lipid levels is the centerpiece of strategies for preventing and treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Despite many available lipid-lowering medications, a substantial residual cardiovascular risk remains. Current clinical guidelines focus on plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Recent attention has been given to very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), the precursor to LDL, and its role in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. Preclinical investigations have revealed that interventions targeting VLDL production or promoting VLDL metabolism, independent of the LDL receptor, can potentially decrease cholesterol levels and provide therapeutic benefits. Currently, methods, such as mipomersen, lomitapide, and ANGPTL3 inhibitors, are used to reduce plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels by regulating the lipidation, secretion, and metabolism of VLDL. Targeting VLDL represents an avenue for new lipid-lowering strategies. Interventions aimed at reducing VLDL production or enhancing VLDL metabolism, independent of the LDL receptor, hold promise for lowering cholesterol levels and providing therapeutic benefits beyond LDL in the management of ASCVD.

Molecular and physiochemical evaluation of buck semen cryopreserved with antioxidants.

The current study evaluated the physiochemical quality and gene expression profile of post-thawed buck semen after supplementation with antioxidants [melatonin (M), L-carnitine (LC), cysteine (Cys), LC + M, M + Cys, LC + Cys, LC + Cys + M] in comparison with the non-treated control group. Physical and biochemical characteristics of semen were evaluated following freezing and thawing. Transcript abundance of six selected candidate genes was profile using quantitative real-time PCR. The data demonstrated significant enhancement of post-freezing total motility, progressive motility, percentage of live sperm, CASA parameters, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity in all groups supplemented with Cys, LC, M + Cys and LC + Cys compared with the control group. The biochemical analysis of semen indicated that semen groups supplemented with LC and LC + Cys recorded increased levels of GPX and SOD that were coupled with up-regulation of antioxidant genes (SOD1, GPX1 and NRF2) and mitochondrial transcripts (CPT2 and ATP5F1A). Moreover, H2O2 level and DNA fragmentation percentage were reduced compared with other groups. In conclusion, supplementation of Cys alone or in combination with LC positively improved the post-thaw physiochemical properties of rabbit semen through activation of bioenergetics-related mitochondrial genes and cellular antioxidant defence mechanism.

Molecular characterization of alpha subunit 1 of sodium pump (ATP1A1) gene in Camelus dromedarius: its differential tissue expression potentially interprets the role in osmoregulation.

BACKGROUND: Dromedary or one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) is distinctively acclimatized to survive the arid conditions of the desert environment. It has an excellent ability to compete dehydration with substantial tolerance for rapid dehydration. Therefore, it offers an excellent model for studying osmoregulation. Molecular characterization of Na+/K+ ATPase as a central regulator of electrolyte normohemostasis affords a better understanding of this mechanism in camel. Here is the first to resolve the full-length of alpha-1 subunit of sodium pump (ATP1A1) gene with its differential expression in dromedary tissues. RESULTS: The nucleotide sequence for the recovered full cDNA of ATP1A1was submitted to the GenBank (NCBI GenBank accession #MW628635) and bioinformatically analyzed. The cDNA sequence was of 3760 bp length with an open reading frame (ORF) of 3066 bp encoding a putative 1021 amino acids polypeptide with a molecular mass of 112696 Da. Blast search analysis revealed the shared high similarity of dromedary ATP1A1gene with other known ATP1A1genes in different species. The comparative analysis of its protein sequence confirmed the high identity with other mammalian ATP1A1 proteins. Further transcriptomic investigation for different organs was performed by real-time PCR to compare its level of expression among different organs. The results confirm a direct function between the ATP1A1 gene expression and the order of vital performance of these organs. The expression of ATP1A1 mRNA in the adrenal gland and brain was significantly higher than that in the other organs. The noticed down expression in camel kidney concomitant with overexpression in the adrenal cortex might interpret how dromedary expels access sodium without water loss with relative high ability to restrain mineralocorticoid-induced sodium retention on drinking salty water. CONCLUSION: The results reflect the importance of sodium pump in these organs. Na+/K+ ATPase in the adrenal gland and brain than other organs.

Development and validation of a simple solid-phase extraction method coupled with liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of lincomycin, tylosin A and tylosin B in royal jelly.

We have developed an analytical method for the determination of lincomycin, tylosin A and tylosin B residues in royal jelly using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry analysis. For extraction and purification, we employed 1% trifluoroacetic acid and 0.1 m Na2 EDTA solutions along with an Oasis HLB cartridge. The target antibiotics were well separated in a Kinetex EVO C18 reversed-phase analytical column using a combination of 0.1% formate acid in ultrapure water (A) and acetonitrile (B) as the mobile phase. Good linearity was achieved over the tested concentration range (5-50 µg/kg) in matrix-matched standard calibration. The coefficients of determination (R2 ) were 0.9933, 0.9933 and 0.996, for tylosin A, tylosin B and lincomycin, respectively. Fortified royal jelly spiked with three different concentrations of the tested antibiotics (5, 10 and 20 µg/kg) yielded recoveries in the range 80.94-109.26% with relative standard deviations ≤4%. The proposed method was applied to monitor 11 brand of royal jelly collected from domestic markets and an imported brand from New Zealand; all the samples tested negative for lincomycin, tylosin A and tylosin B residues. In conclusion, 1% trifluoroacetic acid and 0.1 m Na2 EDTA aqueous solvents combined with solid-phase extraction could effectively complete the sample preparation process for royal jelly before analysis. The developed approach can be applied for a routine analysis of lincomycin, tylosin A and tylosin B residues in royal jelly.

Differential Glycosylation and Modulation of Camel and Human HSP Isoforms in Response to Thermal and Hypoxic Stresses.

Increased expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) following heat stress or other stress conditions is a common physiological response in almost all living organisms. Modification of cytosolic proteins including HSPs by O-GlcNAc has been shown to enhance their capabilities for counteracting lethal levels of cellular stress. Since HSPs are key players in stress resistance and protein homeostasis, we aimed to analyze their forms at the cellular and molecular level using camel and human HSPs as models for efficient and moderate thermotolerant mammals, respectively. In this study, we cloned the cDNA encoding two inducible HSP members, HSPA6 and CRYAB from both camel (Camelus dromedarius) and human in a Myc-tagged mammalian expression vector. Expression of these chaperones in COS-1 cells revealed protein bands of approximately 25-kDa for both camel and human CRYAB and 70-kDa for camel HSPA6 and its human homologue. While localization and trafficking of the camel and human HSPs revealed similar cytosolic localization, we could demonstrate altered glycan structure between camel and human HSPA6. Interestingly, the glycoform of camel HSPA6 was rapidly formed and stabilized under normal and stress culture conditions whereas human HSPA6 reacted differently under similar thermal and hypoxic stress conditions. Our data suggest that efficient glycosylation of camel HSPA6 is among the mechanisms that provide camelids with a superior capability for alleviating stressful environmental circumstances.

LC-MS/MS characterization, anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant activities of polyphenols from different tissues of Korean Petasites japonicus (Meowi).

The Korean Petasites japonicus is a perennial plant used in folk medicine as a remedy for many diseases and popularly consumed as spring greens. Ten polyphenols were characterized from the leaves, stems and roots of this plant via high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Individual polyphenols were quantified for the first time using calibration curves of six structurally related external standards. Validation data indicated that coefficients of determinations (R2 ) were ≥0.9702 for all standards. Recoveries measured at 50 and 100 mg/L were 80.0-91.9 and 80.3-105.3%, respectively. Precisions at these two concentration levels were 0.7-6.1 and 1.1-5.5%, respectively. The total number of identified components was largest for the leaves and smallest for the stems. The leaf and root polyphenolic extracts showed anti-inflammatory effects by inducing LPS-activated COX-2 and iNOS protein levels in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The antioxidant capacity of the polyphenols, when evaluated for DPPH (α,α-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl)ˑ , ABTS+ [2-2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] and superoxide radical scavenging activities, and in ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assays, was highest in the leaf and lowest in the stem. This trend suggests that the antioxidant capacities depend primarily on polyphenol concentration in each tissue. The current findings suggest that polyphenols derived from P. japonicas tissues could have potential as functional health foods.

Antioxidant activities and liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry characterization and quantification of the polyphenolic contents of Rumex nervosus Vahl leaves and stems.

In the present study, four compounds, viz. chlorogenic acid, catechin, orientin, and apigenin-O-acetylglycoside among 18 polyphenol compounds (17 flavonoids and one hydroxycinnamic acid derivative) were characterized for the first time in Rumex nervosus leaves and stems by using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Method validation in terms of determination coefficient, limits of detection, and quantification were ≥ 0.9979, 0.68-1.61, and 2.27-5.38 mg/L, respectively. Accuracy, expressed as percent recovery for two spiking levels (10 and 50 mg/L), were in the range 78.9-110.6% with the exception of caffeic acid. The relative standard deviations were 1-17%. The total polyphenol content was higher by approximately two times in the leaf (1073 mg/kg fresh sample) than in the stem (519.86 mg/kg fresh sample). The antioxidant effects increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the scavenging activities, investigated by measuring 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging activity, ferrous ions chelating activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power activity, were significant (p < 0.05) using low concentrations of the leaf extract. Overall, the present study suggests that different parts of R. nervosus have great potential for producing a range of extracts with potential applications in medicine.

Mitigation of Acute Hepatotoxicity Induced by Cadmium Through Morin: Modulation of Oxidative and Pro-apoptotic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Inflammatory Responses in Rats.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal with significant environmental health hazards. It enters the body through various routes with tissue accumulation. The relatively longer half-life with slow body clearance significantly results in hepatotoxicity during its liver detoxification. Therefore, researchers are exploring the potential use of herbal-derived phytocomponents to mitigate their toxicity. Here, we investigated, for the first time, the possible ameliorative effect of the phytochemical Morin (3,5,7,29,49-pentahydroxyflavone) against acute Cd-induced hepatotoxicity while resolving its underlying cellular mechanisms in a rat animal model. The study involved 50 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g. The animals were divided into five equal groups: control, Cd, Morin100 + Cd, Morin200 + Cd, and Morin200. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th groups were intraperitoneally treated with Cd (6.5 mg/kg), while the 3rd, 4th, and 5th groups were orally treated with Morin (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days. On the 6th day, hepatic function (serum ALT, AST, ALP, LDH enzyme activities, and total bilirubin level) testing, transcriptome analysis, and immunohistochemistry were performed to elucidate the ameliorative effect of Morin on hepatotoxicity. In addition to restoring liver function and tissue injury, Morin alleviated Cd-induced hepatic oxidative/endoplasmic reticulum stress in a dose-dependent manner, as revealed by upregulating the expression of antioxidants (SOD, GSH, Gpx, CAT, and Nrf2) and decreasing the expression of ER stress markers. The expression of the proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1-ß, and IL-6) was also downregulated while improving the anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-4) expression levels. Morin further slowed the apoptotic cascades by deregulating the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and Caspase 12 markers concomitant with an increase in anti-apoptotic Blc2 mRNA expression. Furthermore, Morin restored Cd-induced tissue damage and markedly suppressed the cytoplasmic expression of JNK and p-PERK immunostained proteins. This study demonstrated the dose-dependent antioxidant hepatoprotective effect of Morin against acute hepatic Cd intoxication. This effect is likely linked with the modulation of upstream p-GRP78/PERK/ATF6 pro-apoptotic oxidative/ER stress and the downstream JNK/BAX/caspase 12 apoptotic signaling pathways.

Engineering bi-layered skin-like nanopads with electrospun nanofibers and chitosan films for promoting fibroblast infiltration in tissue regeneration and wound healing.

This study presents an innovative bi-layered three-dimensional skin-like nanopad (SLN) engineered for skin tissue regeneration. The SLN integrates a mechanically supportive polycaprolactone nanofibrous layer with a functional chitosan hydrogel film, mimicking natural skin. Our SLN exhibits superior flexibility, with a maximum elongation of 751.71 ± 125 % and exceptional porosity of 95 ± 4.5 %, ensuring effective exudate management due to its high water uptake capacity (4393 ± 72 %). FTIR analysis confirmed a distinctive fiber-hydrogel network within the SLN, which serves as a barrier against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infiltration. In vitro cell viability assays with the human fibroblast have consistently demonstrated that 3D bi-layered SLN enhances fibroblast attachment, infiltration, and proliferation by 150 ± 20 %. In vivo studies in a rat model demonstrated significantly faster wound closure, with 60 % on day 7 and 87 % on day 10, compared to the 30 % and 60 % in controls, highlighting the efficacy of SLN. By mimicking the architecture of native skin, this biomimetic bi-layered SLN scaffold provides flexibility and support while accelerating in vivo wound closure by promoting fibroblast proliferation and infiltration. Customizable in size, depth, and shape, the engineered SLN has emerged as a promising platform for advanced wound care and tissue engineering.

Molecular insights into the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of P-coumaric acid against bisphenol A-induced testicular injury: In vivo and in silico studies.

This study investigated the protective effects of p-coumaric acid (PCA) against bisphenol A (BPA)-induced testicular toxicity in male rats. The rats were divided into control, BPA, BPA+PCA50, BPA+PCA100, and PCA100 groups. Following a 14-day treatment period, various analyses were conducted on epididymal sperm quality and testicular tissues. PCA exhibited dose-dependent cytoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, ameliorating the decline in sperm quality induced by BPA. The treatment elevated antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPx, CAT) and restored redox homeostasis by increasing cellular glutathione (GSH) and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. PCA also mitigated BPA-induced proinflammatory responses while reinstating anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels. Apoptotic parameters (p53 and p38-MAPK) were normalized by PCA in BPA-treated testicular tissue. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent analyses confirmed the cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of PCA, evidenced by the upregulation of HO-1, Bcl-2, and Nrf-2 and the downregulation of the proapoptotic gene Bax in BPA-induced testicular intoxication. PCA corrected the disturbance in male reproductive hormone levels and reinstated testosterone biosynthetic capacity after BPA-induced testicular insult. In silico analyses suggested PCA's potential modulation of the oxidative stress KEAP1/NRF2/ARE pathway, affirming BPA's inhibitory impact on P450scc. This study elucidates BPA's molecular disruption of testosterone biosynthesis and highlights PCA's therapeutic potential in mitigating BPA's adverse effects on testicular function, showcasing its cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and hormone-regulating properties. The integrated in vivo and in silico approach offers a comprehensive understanding of complex mechanisms, paving the way for future research in reproductive health and toxicology, and underscores the importance of employing BPA-free plastic wares in semen handling.

A matter of life, death and diseases: mitochondria from a proteomic perspective.

Mitochondria are highly ordered, integrated organelles that energize cellular activities and contribute to programmed death by initiating disciplined apoptotic cascades. This review seeks to clarify our understanding of mitochondrial structural-functional integrity beyond the resolved nuclear genome by unraveling the dynamic mitochondrial proteome and elucidating proteome/genome interplay. The roles of mechanochemical coupling between mitoskeleton and cytoskeleton and crosstalk with other organelles in orchestrating cellular outcomes are explained. The authors also review the modulation of mitochondrial-related oxidative stress on apoptosis and cancer development and the context is applied to interpret pathogenetic events in neurodegenerative disorders and cardiovascular diseases. The accumulated proteomics evidence is used to describe the integral role that mitochondria play and how they influence other intracellular organelles. Possible mitochondrial-targeted therapeutic interventions are also discussed.

Slc9a1 plays a vital role in chitosan oligosaccharide transport across the intestinal mucosa of mice.

The mechanism underlying the intestinal transport of COS is not well understood. Here, transcriptome and proteome analyses were performed to identify potential critical molecules involved in COS transport. Enrichment analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes in the duodenum of the COS-treated mice were mainly enriched in transmembrane and immune function. In particular, B2 m, Itgb2, and Slc9a1 were upregulated. The Slc9a1 inhibitor decreased the transport efficiency of COS both in MODE-K cells (in vitro) and in mice (in vivo). The transport of FITC-COS in Slc9a1-overexpressing MODE-K cells was significantly higher than that in empty vector-transfected cells (P < 0.01). Molecular docking analysis revealed the possibility of stable binding between COS and Slc9a1 through hydrogen bonding. This finding indicates that Slc9a1 plays a crucial role in COS transport in mice. This provides valuable insights for improving the absorption efficiency of COS as a drug adjuvant.

Chitosan-gentamicin conjugate attenuates heat stress-induced intestinal barrier injury via the TLR4/STAT6/MYLK signaling pathway: In vitro and in vivo studies.

Heat stress (HS) has a negative impact on animal health. A modified chitosan-gentamicin conjugate (CS-GT) was prepared to investigate its potential protective effects and mechanism of action on heat stress-induced intestinal mucosa injury in IPEC-J2 cells and mouse 3D intestinal organs in a mouse model. CS-GT significantly (P < 0.01) reversed the decline in transmembrane resistance and increased the FITC-dextran permeability of the IPEC-J2 monolayer fusion epithelium caused by heat stress. Heat stress decreased the expression of the tight binding proteins occludin, claudin1, and claudin2. However, pretreatment with CS-GT significantly increased (P < 0.01) the expression of these tight binding proteins. Mechanistically, CS-GT inhibited the activation of the TLR4/STAT6/MYLK signaling pathway induced by heat stress. Molecular docking showed that CS-GT can bind effectively with TLR4. In conclusion, CS-GT alleviates heat stress-induced intestinal mucosal damage both in vitro and in vivo. This effect is mediated, at least partly, by the inhibition of the TLR4/STAT6/MYLK signaling pathway and upregulation of tight junction proteins. These findings suggest that CS-GT may have therapeutic potential in the prevention and treatment of heat stress-related intestinal injury.

ER Stress in COVID-19 and Parkinson's Disease: In Vitro and In Silico Evidences.

The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) signifies a serious worldwide concern to public health. Both transcriptome and proteome of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells synergize the progression of infection in host, which may exacerbate symptoms and/or progression of other chronic diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Oxidative stress is a well-known cause of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress observed in both SARS-CoV-2 and PD. In the current study, we aimed to explore the influence of PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) stress pathway under SARS-CoV-2-mediated infection and in human cell model of PD. Furthermore, we investigated whether they are interconnected and if the ER stress inhibitors could inhibit cell death and provide cellular protection. To achieve this aim, we have incorporated in silico analysis obtained from gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), a literature review and laboratory data. The neurotoxin, 6-hydroxy dopamine (6OHDA), was used to mimic the biochemical and neuropathological characteristics of PD by inducing oxidative stress in dopamine-containing neurons differentiated from ReNVM cell line (dDCNs). Furthermore, we explored if ER stress influences activation of caspases-2, -4 and -8 in SARS-CoV-2 and in stressed dDCNs. Our laboratory data using Western blot, immunocytochemistry and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) analyses indicated that 6OHDA-induced toxicity triggered activation of caspases-2, -4 and -8 in dDCNs. Under SARS-CoV-2 infection of different cell types, GSEA revealed cell-specific sensitivities to oxidative and ER stresses. Cardiomyocytes and type II alveolar epithelial-like cells were more vulnerable to oxidative stress than neural cells. On the other side, only cardiomyocytes activated the unfolded protein response, however, the PERK pathway was operative in both cardiomyocytes and neural cells. In addition, caspase-4 activation by a SARS-CoV-2 was observed via in silico analyses. These results demonstrate that the ER stress pathway under oxidative stress in SARS-CoV-2 and PD are interconnected using diverse pathways. Furthermore, our results using the ER stress inhibitor and caspase specific inhibitors provided cellular protection suggesting that the use of specific inhibitors can provide effective therapeutic approaches for the treatment of COVID-19 and PD.

Oligosaccharides derived from Lycium barbarum ameliorate glycolipid metabolism and modulate the gut microbiota community and the faecal metabolites in a type 2 diabetes mouse model: metabolomic bioinformatic analysis.

Herein, we assessed the effects of Lycium barbarum oligosaccharides (LBO) on the intestinal microenvironment of a type 2 diabetes (T2D) mouse model through gut microbiome and metabolomics analysis. We set high (300 mg kg-1), medium (200 mg kg-1), and low (100 mg kg-1) doses of LBO for intervention once a day for 4 weeks. The results showed that the intervention effect of the medium-dose group was the most significant. It reduced the symptoms of hyperglycemia, inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipid accumulation in the T2D mouse model. It restored the structure of damaged tissues and cells, such as the pancreas, liver, and kidneys. LBO increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Akkermansia, and maintained intestinal barrier integrity. The faecal metabolic map showed that the contents of glycogen amino acids, such as proline, serine, and leucine, increased. The contents of cholic, capric, and dodecanoic acid decreased. In summary, we may suggest that LBO can be used as a prebiotic for treating T2D.

Cloning of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel alpha-subunits in mouse cardiomyocytes.

Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channels are widely distributed in cellular membranes of various tissues, but have not previously been found in cardiomyocytes. In this study, we cloned a gene encoding the mouse cardiac BK(Ca) channel alpha-subunit (mCardBKa). Sequence analysis of the cDNA revealed an open reading frame encoding 1154 amino acids. Another cDNA variant, identical in amino acid sequence, was also identified by sequence analysis. The nucleotide sequences of the two mCardBKa cDNAs, type 1 (mCardBKa1) and type 2 (mCardBKa2), differed by three nucleotide insertions and one nucleotide substitution in the N-terminal sequence. The amino acid sequence demonstrated that mCardBKa was a unique BK(Ca) channel alpha-subunit in mouse cardiomyocytes, with amino acids 41-1153 being identical to calcium-activated potassium channel SLO1 and amino acids 1-40 corresponding to BK(Ca) channel subfamily M alpha member 1. These findings suggest that a unique BK(Ca) channel alpha-subunit is expressed in mouse cardiomyocytes.

Dose-dependent neuroprotective effect of oriental phyto-derived glycyrrhizin on experimental neuroterminal norepinephrine depletion in a rat brain model.

The dose-dependent neuroprotective role of licorice-derived glycyrrhizin during subacute neuroterminal norepinephrine (NE) depletion was studied in rat brain. Experimental design included thirty 5-week-old male rats randomly divided into five groups. Compared to the saline-injected control group, the group receiving daily intraperitoneal injection of fusaric acid (FA; 5 mg/kg/b.w.) for 30 days showed pharmacological depletion of NE. The neuroprotective effects of three successively increasing oral doses of glycyrrhizin were examined in FA-treated rats. Neurochemical parameters and histo-/immunohistopathological changes in the hippocampus were examined. FA generated global hippocampal stress with altered neurobiochemical parameters, accompanied by immune-confirmed inflammatory tissue damage, and noticeable behavioral changes. Although glycyrrhizin after FA-induced intoxication did not correct the recorded drop in the NE level, it decreased the dopamine levels to control levels. Similarly, glycyrrhizin at a high dose restored the serotonin level to its normal value and blocked the FA-induced increase in the level of its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The FA-induced rise in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and histamine was alleviated after administration of a high dose of glycyrrhizin. This was accompanied by improvements in the bioenergetic status and neuronal regenerative capacity through recovery of ATP and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels to the pre-intoxicated values. High doses of glycyrrhizin also ameliorated the FA-generated behavioral changes and oxidative damage, manifested by the reduction in the expression of cortical pro-apoptotic caspase 3 in the same group. This study suggests that glycyrrhizin can potentially mend most of the previously evoked neuronal damage induced by FA intoxication in the brain of an experimental rat model.

Increased inhibition of inward rectifier K+ channels by angiotensin II in small-diameter coronary artery of isoproterenol-induced hypertrophied model.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels in small-diameter coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (SCASMCs) of control and isoproterenol (Iso)-induced hypertrophied rabbits. METHODS AND RESULTS: Kir current amplitude and Kir channel protein expression were definitely lower in the Iso-induced hypertrophied model than in the control. In a pressurized arterial experiment, 15 mmol/L K+-induced vasodilation was greater in the control arteries than in the arteries of Iso-induced hypertrophied model. Ang II reduced the Kir current in a concentration-dependent manner, and this inhibition was greater in SCASMCs from Iso-induced hypertrophied model than from control. Although, there was no difference in the expression of Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor between SCASMCs of control and Iso-induced hypertrophied model, the expression of Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor and phosphorylated PKC alpha were greater in SCASMCs of Iso-induced hypertrophied model than of control. CONCLUSION: Ang II inhibits Kir channels more prominently in SCASMCs of Iso-induced hypertrophied model owing to increases in the expression of AT1 receptor and the activation of PKC alpha. Our findings about the differential expression of Kir channels and different modulation of Kir channels by a vasoconstrictor (Ang II) in a hypertrophy model are important for better understanding the responsiveness of small-diameter arteries during hypertrophy.

Molecular cloning, cellular expression and characterization of Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) endoplasmin.

Endoplasmin, or GRP94, is an ER-located stress inducible molecular chaperone implicated in the folding and assembly of many proteins. The Arabian one-humped camel lives in an environment of thermal stress, nevertheless is able to encounter the risk of misfolded proteins. Here, the cDNA encoding camel GRP94 was isolated by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The isolated cDNA contained an open reading frame of 2412 bp encoding a protein of 803 amino acids with predicted molecular mass of 92.5 kDa. Nucleotide and protein BLAST analysis of cGRP94 revealed strong conservation between camel and other domestic mammals. Overexpression of cGRP94 in COS-1 cells revealed multiple isoforms including one N-glycosylated species. Immunofluorescence colocalized cGRP94 with the ER resident protein calnexin. Interestingly, none of the cGRP94 isoforms expressed in CHO cells was N-glycosylated, presumably due to folding determinants that mask the N-glycosylation sites as proposed by in silico modelling. Surprisingly, isoforms of cGRP94 were detected in the culture media of transfected cells indicating that the protein, although an ER resident, also is trafficked and secreted into the exterior milieu. The overall striking structural homologies of GRP94s among mammalian reflect their pivotal role in the ER quality control and protein homeostasis.

Site specific differential activation of ras/raf/ERK signaling in rabbit isoproterenol-induced left ventricular hypertrophy.

To understand better the mediating role of ras/raf/ERK signaling pathway in development of cardiac hypertrophy and cerebrovascular events in vivo, the molecular mechanism of the pathway in heart and cerebral arteries after isoproterenol (ISO) induced beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) stimulation was examined in rabbit as animal model. Compared with the heart, our findings indicate that ISO-stimulation results in increase in mRNA levels of ras, raf, and immediate-early genes in the cerebral arteries. Conversely, the ras and raf protein expression levels (determined by Western blot) and the ras-GTP level (determined by pull-down assay) in the heart, but not the cerebral arteries, are markedly elevated after treatment. In addition, despite constant ERK1/2 abundance, phosphorylated ERK (pERK) activity was elevated at both sites with prominent effect on heart following stimulation. Opposing to the PKA and PKC, as upstream contributors in the pathway, which seem to be similarly affected at both sites following ISO-stimulation, the results imply that the downstream candidates ras and raf, as well as immediate-early genes, have different responses at both sites post-stimulation. The results provide an evidence of site-dependent differential response of ras/raf/ERK pathway after cardiac hypertrophy-induced by ISO-stimulation. This varied response may account for underlying mechanisms of development of cardiac hypertrophy and cerebrovascular events in heart and cerebral arteries, respectively.