Effects of various squalene epoxides on coenzyme Q and cholesterol synthesis

2,3-Oxidosqualene is an intermediate in cholesterol biosynthesis and 2,3:22,23-dioxidosqualene act as the substrate for an alternative pathway that produces 24(S),25-epoxycholesterol which effects cholesterol homeostasis. In light of our previous findings concerning the biological effects of certain epoxidated all-trans-polyisoprenes, the effects of squalene carrying epoxy moieties on the second and third isoprene residues were investigated here. In cultures of HepG2 cells both monoepoxides of squalene and one of their hydrolytic products inhibited cholesterol synthesis and stimulated the synthesis of coenzyme Q (CoQ). Upon prolonged treatment the cholesterol content of these cells and its labeling with [³H]mevalonate were reduced, while the amount and labeling of CoQ increased. Injection of the squalene monoepoxides into mice once daily for 6 days elevated the level of CoQ in their blood, but did not change the cholesterol level. The same effects were observed upon treatment of apoE-deficient mice and diabetic GK-rats. This treatment increased the hepatic level of CoQ10 in mice, but the amount of CoQ9, which is the major form, was unaffected. The presence of the active compounds in the blood was supported by the finding that cholesterol synthesis in the white blood cells was inhibited. Since the ratio of CoQ9/CoQ10 varies depending on the experimental conditions, the cells were titrated with substrate and inhibitors, leading to the conclusion that the intracellular isopentenyl-PP pool is a regulator of this ratio. Our present findings indicate that oxidosqualenes may be useful for stimulating both the synthesis and level of CoQ both in vitro and in vivo.     

Phosphorylation mimicking mutations of ALOX5 orthologs of different vertebrates do not alter reaction specificities of the enzymes

5-Lipoxygenase (ALOX5) plays a key role in the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes whereas 15-lipoxygenases (ALOX15) have been implicated in the formation of pro-resolving eicosanoids (lipoxins, resolvins). Recently, it has been suggested that a phosphorylation mimicking mutant (Ser663Asp) of a stabilized variant of human ALOX5 exhibits dominant arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenase activity (> 95%). To test whether similar alterations in the reaction specificity can also be observed for ALOX5 orthologs of other species we expressed wildtype and phosphorylation mimicking mutants (Ser271Asp, Ser523Asp, Ser663Asp, Ser663Glu) of human, mouse and zebrafish ALOX5 in pro- and eukaryotic overexpression systems and characterized their reaction specificities. We found that neither of the phosphorylation mimicking mutants produced significant amounts of 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid and the 5-lipoxygenation/15-lipoxygenation ratio for all wildtype and mutant enzyme species was lower than 100:2. Taken together, this data suggest that phosphorylation of native ALOX5 orthologs of different vertebrates may not induce major alterations in the reaction specificity and thus may not inverse their biological activity.     

Higher level of plasma bioactive molecule sphingosine 1-phosphate in women is associated with estrogen

Both sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and estrogen have been documented to play endothelial protective roles. However, it remains unclear whether estrogen could regulate the anabolism of the bioactive molecule S1P and the underlying mechanisms. In this study, 108 healthy participants were separated into three age groups, and their plasma S1P levels were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results showed that the plasma S1P levels were significantly higher in women than those in men within the age of 16–55 years old and higher in pre-menopausal than post-menopausal women. The experiment in C57 BL/6 mice confirmed the gender difference of plasma S1P level. In vitro study demonstrated that after the stimulation of 17β-estradiol (E2), S1P levels both in EA.hy926 cells and the culture media were increased about 9 and 3 times, respectively; the mRNA expression, the protein level and the activity of sphingosine kinase (SphK) 1, not SphK2, were markedly increased; the mRNA and protein expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC) C1, G2 and S1P transporter spinster homolog 2 (Spns2) were significantly elevated; furthermore, the mRNA and protein expressions of S1P receptors (S1PRs) 1–2 were increased in a time-dependent manner. This study suggests that E2 markedly improves S1P synthesis by activating SphK1 and induces S1P export via activating ABCC1, G2 and Spns2 from endothelium system, which may consequently lead to the gender difference of plasma S1P in adult human and mouse. The results of this study suggest that E2 may exert its vasculoprotective function by activation of the SphK1–S1P–S1PR signaling axis.     

Searching for a successful HDL-based treatment strategy

Despite strong evidence that HDL-cholesterol levels predict atherosclerotic events in a population, attempts at using an HDL-based treatment strategy have not yet been successful. Most of the efforts to date have focused on raising plasma HDL-cholesterol levels. This brief review focuses on a different strategy, which is based on the use of 18-amino acid apoA-I mimetic peptides. The story of these peptides spans decades and illustrates the remarkable complexity of HDL-based treatment strategies, but suggests that such a strategy may still be successful.     

Effects of type of binder and conducting phase on the performance of solid‐state electrochemiluminescence composites

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of tris(2,2‐bipyridyl)ruthenium [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ has received much attention. By immobilizing [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ on an electrode surface, solid‐state ECL has several advantages over solution‐phase ECL, such as reduced amounts of costly reagent and a simplified experimental design. Herein, different types of solid‐state ECL sensors were fabricated and the performances of paraffin oil and two ionic liquids (ILs) as the binders were compared for the construction of solid‐state ECL. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), CCD camera, UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, electrochemistry and ECL were applied to characterize and evaluate the performance of the solid‐state composites. According to the obtained results, Ru–graphite/IL octyl pyridinium hexaflurophosphate (OPPF₆) was introduced as a new solid‐state ECL with excellent properties such as simple preparation, low background current, fast electron‐transfer rate and good reproducibility and stability. Moreover, for a study of the effect of carbon structure on the performance of the electrode, graphite was replaced by multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Ru–MWCNT/OPPF₆ was constructed and its efficiency was compared with Ru–graphite/OPPF₆ composite electrode. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

药用植物栀子的组织培养

栀子(Gardenia jasminoides)为药用木本植物。以栀子果皮、种子团和种子为外植体,研究不同激素配比及不同培养方式对愈伤组织诱导和芽分化的影响。研究结果表明,培养基成分为MS+0.5 mg·L–12,4-D+0.25 mg·L–16-BA较适宜果皮和种子愈伤组织的诱导,诱导率分别为83.3%和88.5%;培养基成分为MS+1.0 mg·L–12,4-D+1.0 mg·L–16-BA较适宜种子团愈伤组织的诱导,诱导率为78.1%。3种外植体诱导的愈伤组织中,只有种子愈伤组织能通过液体培养分化出芽;TDZ对芽分化有明显的促进作用;最佳的芽分化培养基为MS+0.05 mg·L–1NAA+0.10 mg·L–1TDZ,其愈伤组织分化率为8.75%。该研究以栀子种子为外植体,并获得了再生植株,为药用植物栀子转基因体系的建立奠定了基础。     

谷胱甘肽的测定方法进展

谷胱甘肽参与动植物体内的各种代谢活动,起着重要的作用。谷胱甘肽的测定方法有多种,如碘量法、纸层析法、高效液相色谱法等,但目前为止还没有一种快速、简便、准确、经济的方法。本文就谷胱甘肽的测定方法进展进行了简要概述。     

聚焦糖尿病治疗药物

糖尿病药物市场是当前制药行业最具价值和发展最快的市场之一,拥有大量需要药物干预的糖尿病患者。自从胰岛素被发现以来,制药公司研发了一大批具有数十亿美元销售额的药物。由于人们更倾向于久坐的生活习惯,世界卫生组织预测糖尿病患者数量将呈爆炸性增加,也极大地提高了大批新型重磅炸弹级抗糖尿病药物问世的几率。在新型药物（包括传统的胰岛素类似物）稳固地位的驱动下,糖尿病药物市场被预测将在未来5 年内翻倍。本综述分析了当前市场动态,以及越来越不利于市场发展的管理环境对产品发展的影响。当创新药物面临着国家监管部门越来越多的审查,胰岛素类生物仿制药的法规也即将颁布,从长远来看,将在无形中削弱糖尿病市场。此外,还讨论了胰岛素仿制药进入市场带来的重要挑战,并对其治疗作用进行了评价。     

假蜜环菌发酵工艺的优化研究

目前,国内普遍采用亮菌固体发酵工艺生产亮菌制剂。采用小型发酵罐液体深层发酵和液体静置发酵对亮菌发酵工艺进行优化研究。液体深层发酵采用28℃,200 r/min,通气量1∶1 v/v·m,培养7 d,亮菌干重为16.55g/L,其中菌丝体中多糖含量为5.42%,蛋白含量为1.75%;液体静置发酵采用500 mL三角瓶,28℃,150 r/min,摇瓶3 d后静置发酵14 d,亮菌干重可达10.69 g/L,发酵液中多糖含量为1.016 g/L,蛋白含量为0.320 g/L。对液体静置发酵进一步研究发现其发酵液中亮菌甲素含量可达3.118 mg/L。由此可见,两种发酵方式在保证生物量和活性成分的前提下,缩短了发酵周期,均优于传统的固体发酵工艺,值得工业生产借鉴。     

P13K／AKT信号转导通路与人舌鳞癌细胞TCA8113顺铂耐药的相关性研究

目的：探讨P13K特异性抑制剂LY294002逆转顺铂耐药口腔鳞癌细胞TCA8113／CDDP的可行性。方法：采用间歇性加药,逐步递增CDDP药量,体外连续诱导培养TCA8113／CDDP细胞;用不同浓度的LY294002和顺铂处理TCA8113和TCA8113／CDDP细胞;MTT法观察对细胞增殖的影响,Western印迹分析LY294002作用前后p-Akt、Akt、P13K蛋白的表达。结果：建立了舌鳞癌耐药细胞TCA8113／CDDP,耐药指数为7．7;MTT实验显示LY294002对TCA8113和TCA8113／CDDP细胞的抑制作用与浓度及作用时间呈正相关;LY294002联合顺铂对2种细胞的抑制作用比单用顺铂效果好;P13K、Akt、P—AKT蛋白表达明显降低,其中TCA8113／CDDP细胞中P13K、AKT、p-AKT蛋白的表达比TCA8113细胞明显增多（P〈0．05）。结论：LY294002能增加耐药口腔鳞癌顺铂化疗的敏感性。