Insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 regulates murine embryonic stem (mES) cells self-renewal

Mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells are pluripotent cells that can be propagated in vitro with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and serum. Intracellular signaling by LIF is principally mediated by activation of STAT-3, although additional pathways for self-renewal have been described. Here, we identified a novel role for Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) as a critical factor in mES cells self-renewal and differentiation. IRS-1 is expressed and tyrosyl phosphorylated during mES cells self-renewal. Differentiation of mES cells, by LIF withdrawal, is associated with a marked reduction in IRS-1 expression. Targeting of IRS-1 by si-IRS-1 results in a severe reduction of Oct-4 protein expression and alkaline phosphatase activity, markers of undifferentiated mES cells. IRS-1 targeting does not interfere with LIF-induced STAT-3 phosphorylation, but negatively affects protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3beta) phosphorylation, which are downstream effectors of the LIF-mediated PI3K signaling cascade. Targeting of IRS-1 also results in a marked down regulation of Id-1 and Id-2 proteins expression, which are important components for self-renewal of ES cells. Conversely, over expression of IRS-1 inhibits mES cell differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that expression and activity of IRS-1 are critical to the maintenance of the self-renewal program in mES cells.     

Diazomethane-catalysed rearrangement of α-d-glucopyranosyl esters of N-acylamino acids into 2-O-acylaminoacyl-α-d-glucopyranoses

Both anomers of 1-O-[N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-L-α-glutamyl]-d-glucopyranose (2) were converted into the unprotected 1-esters, characterised as the trifluoroacetate salts 3α and 3β. On esterification with diazomethane and acetylation, the N-acetylated derivative of 3β and 2β gave the peracetylated 1-O-[5-methyl N-acetyl- and -tert-butoxycarbonyl-L-glutam-1-oyl]-β-d-glucopyranoses (4β and 6β), respectively. Similar treatment of 2α and 3β led to acyl migration, to yield 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-O-[5-methyl N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-L-glutam-1-oyl]-α-d-glucopyranose (7α,64%) with traces of 7β, and a mixture (≈2:1:0.2) of the N-acetyl analogue of 7α (8α), 4α, and 8β, respectively. Treatment of 1-O-[5-methyl N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-L-glutam-1-oyl]-α-d-glucopyranose (10) and the corresponding glutam-5-oyl isomer 12 in N,N-dimethylformamide with diazomethane for 1 h resulted in 1 → 2 O-acyl transfer to give, upon acetylation, 7α and the fully acetylated 2-O-[1-methyl N-(tert-butoxy- carbonyl)-L-glutam-5-oyl]-α-d>-glucopyranose in yields of 70 and 90 %, respectively; in the absence of diazomethane, 10 and 12 remained unchanged. Similar experiments with α-d-glucopyranosyl esters of N-acetylglycine, N-acetylalanine, and N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)phenylalanine yielded the 2-O-acyl derivatives in high yields and with high retention of anomeric configuration. The structures of the rearrangement products were proved both spectroscopically and chemically. The results imply that diazomethane functions as a base in the migration process.     

Inhibitors of HIV-1 attachment. Part 9: An assessment of oral prodrug approaches to improve the plasma exposure of a tetrazole-containing derivative

7-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole 3 was found to be a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 attachment but the compound lacked oral bioavailability in rats. The cause of the low exposure was believed to be poor absorption attributed to the acidic nature of the tetrazole moiety and, in an effort to address this liability, three more lipohilic tetrazole analogs, N-acetoxymethyl 4, N-pivaloyloxymethyl 5, and N-methyl 6, were evaluated as potential oral prodrugs in rats. Prodrug 5 was ineffective in improving the plasma concentration of 3 in vivo but compound 4 provided a 15-fold enhancement of the plasma concentration of 3. Most interestingly, oral dosing of analog 6 afforded a substantial increase in the plasma concentration of the parent in rats when compared to dosing of parent. This represents a novel example of a methyl tetrazole that acts as a prodrug for a free NH tetrazole-containing compound.     

Synthesis of 2,3-anhydro- and 3,4-anhydro-hexopyranosides having a methyl branch on the oxirane ring,and their reactions with some lithium methylcuprate reagents

Three 2,3-anhydroaldohexopyranosides having a 2-C-methyl or 3-C-methyl branch, as well as three 3,4-anhydroaldohexopyranosides having a 3-C-methyl (7) or 4-C-methyl branch, were newly synthesized. The reactions of these, together with those of a known 3-C-methyl epoxide (2), with three kinds of lithium methylcuprate were investigated. Except for 2 and 7, the vicinal monodeoxy di-C-methyl derivatives were obtained by attack of the cuprates at the sterically less-hindered site of the oxirane ring, irrespective of the stereoelectronic effect. Formation of a unique, acyclic 1-enitol derivative from 2, and of a 4-enolone derivative from 7, was ascertained. Differences in the reactivity among the cuprates was also observed.     

α-Glucosidase-inhibitory iminosugars from the leaves of Suregada glomerulata

A water extract of the leaves of Suregada glomerulata (Euphorbiaceae) was found to inhibit rat small intestinal α-glucosidase. An examination of the extract afforded 20 iminosugars including one pyrrolidine and 19 piperidines. The structures of the 10 new compounds (11–20) were determined by NMR, and MS spectroscopic data analyses, and chemical correlations. The novelty of the identified compounds mainly stems from the loss of a hydroxy at C-4 and the presence of an 8-hydroxyoctyl side chain. Nine N-alkyl derivatives including N-methyl (1a, 8a, and 13a), N-butyl (1b, 2b, and 9b) and N,N-dimethyl (1c, 2c, and 9c) were synthesized. The compounds were tested for rat small intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. In total, 15 compounds, including compounds 11, 12, 15, and 19 and the three derivatives 8a, 9b, and 13a, showed inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values less than 40 μM. In vivo results showed that total alkaloids of S. glomerulata (10 mg/kg) and four major iminosugars 1, 2, 3, and 9 (10 mg/kg) can lower the postprandial blood glucose level after sucrose and starch load in healthy male ICR mice.     

Asymmetric synthesis and biological evaluation of Danshensu derivatives as anti-myocardial ischemia drug candidates

The synthesis and bioactivities of Danshensu derivatives (R)-methyl 2-acetoxy-3-(3,4-diacetoxyphenyl)propanoate (1a), (R)-methyl 2-acetoxy-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propanoate (1b) and their racemates 7 and 10 were reported in this paper. These derivatives were designed to improve their chemical stability and liposolubility by protecting Danshensu’s phenolic hydroxyl groups with acetyl or methylene which could be readily hydrolyzed to release bioactive Danshensu. The asymmetric synthesis of 1a and 1b were achieved by catalytic hydrogenation of (Z)-methyl 2-acetoxy-3-(3,4-diacetoxyphenyl)-2-propenoate (6a) and (Z)-methyl 2-acetoxy-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-propenoate (6b) in excellent enantiomeric excesses (92% ee and 98% ee, respectively) and good yields (>89%). An unexpected intermediate product, (Z)-2-acetoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylic acid (4c) was obtained with high chemoselectivity in 86% yield by keeping the reaction temperature at 60 °C and its structure was identified by X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. 1a, 1b and their racemates 7, 10 as well as 4c exhibited potent protective activities against hypoxia-induced cellular damage. The in vitro test showed that all these compounds could increase cell viability, and inhibit lipid hyperoxidation. Furthermore, 1a and 4c could inhibit apoptosis by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related molecule in gene and protein levels, up-regulating the expression of bcl-2 and down-regulating bax and caspase-3. The in vivo test indicated that 4c exhibited anti-myocardial ischemic effects featured by reducing infarction size and increasing the level of the intracellular enzymes detectable in serum. Therefore, these Danshensu derivatives may be good drug candidates for anti-myocardial ischemia therapy and merit further investigation.     

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor alters the growth characteristics and genomic imprinting of mouse multipotent adult germline stem cells

This study evaluated the essentiality of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) for in vitro culture of established mouse multipotent adult germline stem (maGS) cell lines by culturing them in the presence of GDNF, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) or both. We show that, in the absence of LIF, GDNF slows the proliferation of maGS cells and result in smaller sized colonies without any change in distribution of cells to different cell-cycle stages, expression of pluripotency genes and in vitro differentiation potential. Furthermore, in the absence of LIF, GDNF increased the expression of male germ-line genes and repopulated the empty seminiferous tubule of W/W^v mutant mouse without the formation of teratoma. GDNF also altered the genomic imprinting of Igf2, Peg1, and H19 genes but had no effect on DNA methylation of Oct4, Nanog and Stra8 genes. However, these effects of GDNF were masked in the presence of LIF. GDNF also did not interfere with the multipotency of maGS cells if they are cultured in the presence of LIF. In conclusion, our results suggest that, in the absence of LIF, GDNF alters the growth characteristics of maGS cells and partially impart them some of the germline stem (GS) cell-like characteristics.     

Tetrahydroquinoline units in flexible heteroarotinoids (Flex-Hets) convey anti-cancer properties in A2780 ovarian cancer cells

SHetA2 (NSC 721689), our lead Flex-Het anti-cancer agent, consists of a thiochroman (Ring A) and a 4-nitrophenyl (Ring B) linked by a thiourea bridge. In this work, several series of new analogs having a tetrahydroquinoline (THQ, Ring A) unit connected by a urea or thiourea linker to a 4-substituted phenyl (Ring B) have been prepared and evaluated relative to SHetA2 in terms of binding affinity with mortalin and inhibition of A2780 ovarian cancer cells. Six of the derivatives equaled or exceeded the efficacy shown by SHetA2. Compounds 1a-d (series 1), lacking a methyl on the Ring A nitrogen and the gem-dimethyls on the adjacent carbon, showed only weak activity. Salt 2, the quaternized N,N-dimethyl iodide salt analog of 1a, also possessed very modest growth inhibition in the cell line studied. Series 3 compounds, which had a C3 ketone and an N-methyl replacing the sulfur in Ring A, were most successful. Compound 3a [Ring A = 1,2,2,4,4-pentamethyl-3-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-6-yl; urea linker; Ring B = 4-nitrophenyl] had slightly lower potency (IC₅₀ 3.8 μM), but better efficacy (94.8%) than SHetA2 (IC₅₀ 3.17 μM, efficacy 84.3%). In addition, 3c and 3d [urea and thiourea linkers, respectively; Ring B = 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] and 3e and 3f [urea and thiourea linkers, respectively; Ring B = 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] were also evaluated since these agents possessed electron-withdrawing groups with H-bonding capability. All displayed good activity. Compounds 3c and 3e showed improvement in both potency and efficacy compared to SHetA2. In general, when the linker group between Rings A and B was a urea, efficacy values slightly exceeded those with a thiourea linker in the carbonyl-containing THQ systems 3a-g. In contrast, when Ring A possessed the 1,2,2,4,4-pentamethyl-3-hydroxytetrahydroquinolin-6-yl unit (4a-f, series 4), very modest potency and efficacy was observed. Model compound 5, an exact N-methyl THQ analog of SHetA2, demonstrated less potency (IC₅₀ 4.5 μM), but improved efficacy (91.7%). Modeling studies were performed to rationalize the observed results.     

N-tert-Butyl and N-methyl nitrones derived from aromatic aldehydes inhibit macromolecular permeability increase induced by ischemia/reperfusion in hamsters

N-Alquil nitrones 1c and 3–6 were prepared from aromatic aldehydes and N-tert-butylhydroxylamine or N-methylhydroxylamine in good yields and soft conditions. Their protective effect against microvascular damages caused by ischemia/reperfusion in ‘hamster cheek pouch’ assay was investigated and compare with that observed for nitrones 1a,b and 2, previously studied. Nitrones 3b, 4b and 4c were the most active ones in inhibiting macromolecular permeability increase induced by ischemia/reperfusion when administered by gavage and intravenous, while 3a and 4a were active only after intravenous administration. N-tert-butylhydroxylamine and Nt-methylhydroxylamine, products of the hydrolysis of these nitrones, were weakly active when administered by gavage or intravenous. Nitrone (4a) was the most potent in inhibiting macromolecular permeability increase induced by histamine. In this case, N-tert-butylhydroxylamine was as active as 4a. The lypophylicity in nitrones, specially in N-methyl nitrones, play an important role on the protective action when compounds were administered by gavage.     

Synthesis of some glycodipeptides containing hydroxyamino acids, and their stabilities to acids and bases

The following new compounds were prepared and characterized: N-benzyl-oxycarbonyl-O-(tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-glycyl-L-serine methyl ester (1) and L-threonine methyl ester (2), N-benzyloxycarbonyl-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-glycyl-L-serine amide (3), N-benzyloxycarbonyl-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-glycyl-L-threonine methyl ester (4) and L-threonine amide (5), N-benzyloxycarbonyl-O-(tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-trifluoroacetamido-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-glycyl-L-serine methyl ester (6), and N-benzyloxycarbonyl-O-(2-deoxy-2-trifluoroacetamido-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-glycyl-L-serine amide (7). Although various modifications of the Koenigs-Knorr synthesis were used, the best, over-all yields of the deacetylated dipeptide derivatives were only 5–10%. Although the products are alkali-labile, deacetylation was accomplished with methanolic ammonia. Of the deacetylated products, the threonine derivatives (4 and 5) were more rapidly hydrolyzed by acids than phenyl β-D-glucopyranoside, which in turn was more rapidly cleaved than the serine derivatives (3 and 7). The stabilities of 3, 4, 5, and 7 to sodium hydroxide and sodium borohydride were similar, and essentially complete β-elimination of the glycosyl residue occurred for the amide derivatives (3, 5, and 7). For the ester derivative 4, pH 9 was optimal; above this pH, ester hydrolysis was more rapid than β-elimination, and the resulting carboxyl derivatives did not undergo β-elimination. Under optimal conditions with sodium borohydride, the β-elimination reaction was complete, but the corresponding alanine and α-aminobutyric acid residues were not formed; presumably reductions to the amino alcohols occurred. A mechanism for the β-elimination is proposed.     

Copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with Schiff-base ligands derived from salicylaldehyde and 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde: Synthesis,crystal structures,magnetic and luminescence properties

The following Schiff bases were employed as ligands in synthesizing copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes: N-[(2-pyridyl)-methyl]-salicylimine (Hsalampy), N-[2-(N,N-dimethyl-amino)-ethyl]-salicylimine (Hsaldmen), and N-[(2-pyridyl)-methyl]-3-methoxy-salicylimine (Hvalampy). The first two ligands were obtained by reacting salicylaldehyde with 2-aminomethyl-pyridyne and N,N-dimethylethylene diamine, respectively, while the third one results from the condensation of 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde with 2-aminomethyl-pyridine. Four new coordination compounds were synthesized and structurally characterized: [Cu(salampy)(H₂O)(ClO₄)] 1, [Cu₂(salampy)₂(H₂trim)₂] 2 (H₂trim^? = the monoanion of the trimescic acid), [Cu₄(valampy)₄](ClO₄)₄ · 2CH₃CN 3, and [Zn₃(saldmen)₃(OH)](ClO₄)₂ · 0.25H₂O 4. The crystal structure of 1 consists of supramolecular dimers resulted from hydrogen bond interactions established between mononuclear [Cu(salampy)(H₂O)(ClO₄)] complexes. Compound 2 is a binuclear complex with the copper ions connected by two monoatomic carboxylato bridges arising from two molecules of monodeprotonated trimesic acid. The crystal structure of 3 consists of tetranuclear cations with a heterocubane {Cu₄O₄} core, and perchlorate ions. Compound 4 is a trinuclear complex with a defective heterocubane structure. The magnetic properties of complexes 1–3 have been investigated. Compound 4 exhibits solid-state photoluminescence at room temperature.     

Anticancer efficacy of p-dodecylaminophenol against high-risk and refractory neuroblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo

Neuroblastoma is an aggressive and drug-resistant refractory cancer. The human high-risk neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-AS (non-amplified N-myc) is derived from stromal cells and it is resistant to treatment with retinoic acid (1, RA), which is a chemotherapeutic agent used to induce neuronal cellular differentiation of neuroblastomas. We have developed p-dodecylaminophenol (3, p-DDAP), based on N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (2, 4-HPR), a synthetic amide of 1, since 1 and 2 are associated with the side-effect of nyctalopia. In order to evaluate the effects of 3 on high-risk neuroblastomas, we employed SK-N-AS cells as well as a second high-risk human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32, which is derived from neuronal cells (amplified N-myc, drug sensitive). Compound 3 suppressed cell growth of SK-N-AS and IMR-32 cells more effectively than 1, 2, p-decylaminophenol (4, p-DAP), N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)dodecananamide (5, 4-HPDD) or N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)decananamide (6, 4-HPD). In SK-N-AS cells, 3 induced G₀/G₁ arrest and apoptosis to a greater extent than 1 and 2. In IMR-32 cells, 3 induced apoptosis to a similar extent as 1 and 2, potentially by inhibiting N-myc expression. In addition, i.p. administration of 3 suppressed tumor growth in SK-N-AS-implanted mice in vivo. Since 3 showed no effects on blood retinol concentrations, in contrast to reductions following the administration of 2, it exhibited excellent anticancer efficacy against high-risk neuroblastoma SK-N-AS and IMR-32 expressing distinct levels of N-myc. Compound 3 may have potential for clinical use in the treatment of refractory neuroblastoma with reduced side effects.     

Fivefold increase in derivation rates of mouse embryonic stem cells after supplementation of the media with multiple factors

The objective of this study was to determine the ability of multiple-factor supplementation to augment derivation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. Three factors, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), Parke-Davis 98059 (PD98059), and 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime (BIO), were added as supplements (individually or in a combination of all three) at two consecutive stages of culture; that is, from the start of blastocyst culture to the outgrowth stage, and from putting disaggregated outgrowth into culture medium to generation of primary mES colonies, respectively. The main outcome measure was the percentage of derivable mES cell lines, based on the number of blastocysts initially cultured. Three experiments demonstrated the following: (1) For the addition of individual single factor, only LIF yielded mES cell lines (6.2%), whereas a combination of all three factors resulted in the greatest number of mES cell lines (31.3%). (2) The advantages of a combination of multiple factors (LIF + PD98059 + BIO) were manifested only when they were used during the first stage of the culture and not during the second stage (31.6% vs. 6.2%, respectively). (3) The quality of the inner cell mass (ICM) outgrowth obtained from first-stage culture was studied. After alkaline phosphatase and Oct-4 staining, which documented pluripotency of the embryonic stem cells, outgrowths cultured in multiple factors (LIF + PD98059 + BIO) stained much stronger and in higher proportions than did those obtained after supplementation only with LIF (80% vs. 30%, respectively).     

Bax inhibitor-1 enhances survival and neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem cells via differential regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases activities

Bax inhibitor-1 (BI-1), a member of the BI-1 family of integral membrane proteins, was originally identified as an inhibitor of stress-induced cell death in mammalian cells. Previous studies have shown that the withdrawal of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) results in differentiation of the majority of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells into various cell lineages, while some ES cells die within 3days. Thus, to investigate the function of BI-1 in ES cell survival and neuronal differentiation, we generated mES cell lines that overexpress BI-1 or a carboxy-terminal BI-1ΔC mutant. Overexpression of BI-1 in mES cells significantly increased cell viability and resistance to apoptosis induced by LIF withdrawal, while the control vector or BI-1ΔC-overexpressing mES cells had no effect. Moreover, overexpression of BI-1 produced significant inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway in response to LIF withdrawal, while activity of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK pathway was increased. Interestingly, we found that BI-1-overexpressing cells showed higher expression levels of neuroectodermal markers (Otx1, Lmx1b, En1, Pax2, Wnt1, Sox1, and Nestin) and greater neuronal differentiation efficiency than control or BI-1ΔC-overexpressing mES cells did. Considering these findings, our results indicated that BI-1-modulated MAPK activity plays a key role in protecting mES cells from LIF-withdrawal-induced apoptosis and in promoting their differentiation toward neuronal lineages.     

C／EBPβ作为LIF的中介维持小鼠胚干细胞于未分化状态

C／EBPβ（CCAAT／增强子结合蛋白β,又称NF—IL6）是一个多功能的转录因子,其主要功能之一是促进细胞分化。白血病抑制因子（LIF）是一个细胞因子．其在不同类型的细胞中具有不同的效应：它诱导前脂肪细胞分化,却抑制小鼠胚多能干细胞（mES）的分化。在mES中,C／EBPβ究竟起什么作用．尚未有报道。本文首次报告在mES中。在LIF蛋白存在下,C／EBPβ的作用是维持mES的未分化状态．即C／EBPβ是LIF的调控对象。主要事实如下。在mES细胞中．内源C／EBPβ蛋白的表达量与加到培养基中的LIF蛋白的量呈正相关。而在未分化的mES细胞中人工高表达的外源C／EBPβ蛋白和其截短形式LIP蛋白。在LIF存在下．也不但不促进反而抑制mES细胞分化,C／EBPβ的大分子异型蛋白还显著促进mES细胞的增殖：而且,在LIF去除后,这种促进mES细胞增殖的效应还能持续一段短时间。当LIF不存在时。C／EBPβ和LIP才如所预期的那样．诱导分化相关基因表达并促进细胞分化。C／EBPβ和LIP所调控的某些分化相关的基因的表达水平．当LIF存在时．也比没有LIF时显著降低。因此,在mES细胞中C／EBPβ是受LIF的调控而作为LIF的中介．维持mES于未分化状态。     

Syntheses of 3-fluoro-, 3-epi-3-fluoro-, and 3,3-difluoro-3-de(methoxy)sporaricin A

3-Fluoro- (4), 3-epi-3-fluoro- (3), and 3,3-difluoro-3-de(methoxy)sporaricin A (5) have been prepared by reaction of diethylaminosulfur trifluoride with the corresponding precursors: 1,2′,6′-tris(N-benzyloxycarbonyl)-4-N, 5-O-carbonyl-3-de(O-methyl)sporaricin B (6), its 3-epi-3-hydroxy isomer (10), and the 3-oxo derivative (9). The structures of 3,4, and 5 were determined by ¹H-, ¹³C-, and ¹⁹F-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

New diacylglyceryltrimethylhomoserines from the marine microalga Nannochloropsis granulata and their nitric oxide inhibitory activity

Chemical investigation of polar lipids from the marine eustigmatophyte microalga Nannochloropsis granulata led to the isolation of six betaine lipid diacylglyceryltrimethylhomoserine (DGTS), namely, (2S)-1,2-bis-O-eicosapentaenoylglyceryl-3-O-4′-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-homoserine (1), (2S)-1-O-eicosapentaenoyl-2-O-arachidonoylglyceryl-3-O-4′-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-homoserine (2), (2S)-1-O-eicosapentaenoyl-2-O-myristoylglyceryl-3-O-4′-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-homoserine (3), (2S)-1-O-eicosapentaenoyl-2-O-palmitoylglyceryl-3-O-4′-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-homoserine (4), (2S)-1-O-eicosapentaenoyl-2-O-palmitoleoylglyceryl-3-O-4′-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-homoserine (5), and (2S)-1-O-eicosapentaenoyl-2-O-linoleoylglyceryl-3-O-4′-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-homoserine (6). Structures of the isolated DGTSs were elucidated based on both spectroscopic technique and degradation methods. This is the first report of isolation of 1 in pure state, and 2–6 are all new compounds. The isolated betaine lipids showed dose-dependent nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Further study suggested that these betaine lipids (1–6) inhibit NO production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells through downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, indicating the possible use as an anti-inflammatory agent. This is the first report of DGTS with anti-inflammatory activity.