γ-Tocopherol biokinetics and transformation in humans

Background: The uptake and biotransformation of γ-tocopherol (γ-T) in humans is largely unknown. Using a stable isotope method we investigated these aspects of γ-T biology in healthy volunteers and their response to γ-T supplementation.

Methods: A single bolus of 100 mg of deuterium labeled γ-T acetate (d²-γ-TAC, 94% isotopic purity) was administered with a standard meal to 21 healthy subjects. Blood and urine (first morning void) were collected at baseline and a range of time points between 6 and 240 h post-supplemetation. The concentrations of d² and d⁰-γ-T in plasma and its major metabolite 2,7,8-trimethyl-2-(b-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman (-γ-CEHC) in plasma and urine were measured by GC-MS. In two subjects, the total urine volume was collected for 72 h post-supplementation. The effects of γ-T supplementation on α-T concentrations in plasma and α-T and γ-T metabolite formation were also assessed by HPLC or GC-MS analysis.

Results: At baseline, mean plasma α-T concentration was approximately 15 times higher than γ-T (28.3 vs. 1.9 µmol/l). In contrast, plasma γ-CEHC concentration (0.191 µmol/l) was 12 fold greater than α-CEHC (0.016 µmol/l) while in urine it was 3.5 fold lower (0.82 and 2.87 µmol, respectively) suggesting that the clearance of α-CEHC from plasma was more than 40 times that of γ-CEHC. After d²-γ-TAC administration, the d² forms of γ-T and γ-CEHC in plasma and urine increased, but with marked inter-individual variability, while the d⁰ species were hardly affected. Mean total concentrations of γ-T and γ-CEHC in plasma and urine peaked, respectively, between 0–9, 6–12 and 9–24 h post-supplementation with increases over baseline levels of 6–14 fold. All these parameters returned to baseline by 72 h. Following challenge, the total urinary excretion of d²-γ-T equivalents was approximately 7 mg. Baseline levels of γ-T correlated positively with the post-supplementation rise of (d⁰ + d²) – γ – T and γ-CEHC levels in plasma, but correlated negatively with urinary levels of (d⁰ + d²)-γ-CEHC. Supplementation with 100 mg γ-TAC had minimal influence on plasma concentrations of α-T and α-T-related metabolite formation and excretion.

Conclusions: Ingestion of 100mg of γ-TAC transiently increases plasma concentrations of γ-T as it undergoes sustained catabolism to CEHC without markedly influencing the pre-existing plasma pool of γ-T nor the concentration and metabolism of α-T. These pathways appear tightly regulated, most probably to keep high steady-state blood ratios α-T to γ-T and γ-CEHC to α-CEHC.     

Reactivity of Cartilage and Selected Carbohydrates with Hydroxyl Radicals: An NMR Study to Detect Degradation Products

It was investigated to what extent isolated, monomeric and polymeric carbohydrates as well as cartilage specimens are affected by hydroxyl radicals generated by γ-irradiation or Fenton reaction and what products can be detected by means of NMR spectroscopy. Resonances of all protons in glucose and other monosac-charides as well as carbon resonances in ¹³C-enriched glucose were continuously diminished upon γ-irradiation. Formate and malondialdehyde were found as NMR detectable products in irradiated glucose solutions under physiologically relevant (aerated) conditions. In polysaccharide solutions (e.g. hyaluronic acid) γ-irradiation and also treatment with the Fenton reagent caused first an enhancement of resonances according to mobile N-acetyl groups at 2.02 ppm. This indicates a breakdown of glycosidic bonds in polysac-charides. Using higher radiation doses or higher concentrations of the Fenton reagent formate was also detected. The same sequence of events was observed upon treatment of bovine nasal cartilage with the Fenton reagent. First, glycosidic linkages in cartilage polysaccharides were cleaved and subsequently formate was formed. In contrast, collagen of cartilage was affected only to a very low extent. Thus, HO-radicals caused the same action on cartilage as on isolated polymer solutions, inducing a fragmentation of polysaccharides and the formation of formate.     

Epicatechin ameliorates ionising radiation-induced oxidative stress in mouse liver

Abstract

The current study was intended to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Epicatechin (EC) against radiation-induced oxidative stress, in terms of inflammation and lipid peroxidation. Swiss albino mice were administered with EC (15 mg/kg body weight) for three consecutive days before exposing them to a single dose of 5-Gy ⁶⁰Co gamma (γ) irradiation. Mice were necropsied and livers were taken for immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and biochemical tests for the detection of markers of hepatic oxidative stress. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and lipid peroxidation were increased whereas the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) content and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were diminished upon radiation exposure compared to control. Translocation of NF-κB from cytoplasm to nucleus and lipid peroxidation were found to be inhibited whereas an increase in SOD, CAT, GSH and FRAP was observed in the mice treated with EC prior to irradiation. Thus, pre-treatment with EC offers protection against γ-radiation induced hepatic alterations.     

Production of γ-aminobutyric acid in Escherichia coli by engineering MSG pathway

Abstract

The compound γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has many important physiological functions. The effect of glutamate decarboxylases and the glutamate/GABA antiporter on GABA production was investigated in Escherichia coli. Three genes, gadA, gadB, and gadC were cloned and ligated alone or in combination into the plasmid pET32a. The constructed plasmids were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Three strains, E. coli BL21(DE3)/pET32a-gadA, E. coli BL21(DE3)/pET32a-gadAB and E. coli BL21(DE3)/pET32a-gadABC were selected and identified. The respective titers of GABA from the three strains grown in shake flasks were 1.25, 2.31, and 3.98?g/L. The optimal titer of the substrate and the optimal pH for GABA production were 40?g/L and 4.2, respectively. The highest titer of GABA was 23.6?g/L at 36?h in batch fermentation and was 31.3?g/L at 57?h in fed-batch fermentation. This study lays a foundation for the development and use of GABA.     

The effect of substituted thiophene and benzothiophene derivates on PPARγ expression and glucose metabolism

Eighteen substituted thiophene and benzothiophene derivatives were studied for their effects on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in HepG2 cells. Three derivatives (compounds 5, 120.97%; 15, 102.14%; and 17, 113.82%) were found to transactivate PPARγ in vitro. By comparison, the positive control rosiglitazone (Ros) transactivated PPARγ by 311.53%. The three compounds were studied for their effects on glucose metabolism in vivo in KK/Ay diabetic mice. In vivo, the 2-(β-carbonyl/sulfonyl) butyryl-thiophene compounds 5 and 15 significantly decreased blood glucose levels (compounds 5, to?<?15.6?mmol/L; 15, to?<?10?mmol/L), improved glucose tolerance, improved impaired pancreatic islet β-cells, and lowered serum insulin levels.     

Effect of 6-Benzoyl-benzothiazol-2-one scaffold on the pharmacological profile of α-alkoxyphenylpropionic acid derived PPAR agonists

Abstract

A series of nitrogen heterocycles containing α–ethoxyphenylpropionic acid derivatives were designed as dual PPARα/γ agonist ligands for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications. 6-Benzoyl-benzothiazol-2-one was the most tolerant of the tested heterocycles in which incorporation of O-methyl oxime ether and trifluoroethoxy group followed by enantiomeric resolution led to the (S)-stereoisomer 44?b displaying the best in vitro pharmacological profile. Compound 44?b acted as a very potent full PPARγ agonist and a weak partial agonist on the PPARα receptor subtype. Compound 44?b showed high efficacy in an ob/ob mice model with significant decreases in serum triglyceride, glucose and insulin levels but mostly with limited body-weight gain and could be considered as a selective PPARγ modulator (SPPARγM).     

Sphingosine-1-phosphate: A Janus-faced mediator of fibrotic diseases

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a pleiotropic lipid mediator that acts either on G protein-coupled S1P receptors on the cell surface or via intracellular target sites. In addition to the well established effects of S1P in angiogenesis, carcinogenesis and immunity, evidence is now continuously accumulating which demonstrates that S1P is an important regulator of fibrosis. The contribution of S1P to fibrosis is of a Janus-faced nature as S1P exhibits both pro- and anti-fibrotic effects depending on its site of action. Extracellular S1P promotes fibrotic processes in a S1P receptor-dependent manner, whereas intracellular S1P has an opposite effect and dampens a fibrotic reaction by yet unidentified mechanisms. Fibrosis is a result of chronic irritation by various factors and is defined by an excess production of extracellular matrix leading to tissue scarring and organ dysfunction. In this review, we highlight the general effects of extracellular and intracellular S1P on the multistep cascade of pathological fibrogenesis including tissue injury, inflammation and the action of pro-fibrotic cytokines that stimulate ECM production and deposition. In a second part we summarize the current knowledge about the involvement of S1P signaling in the development of organ fibrosis of the lung, kidney, liver, heart and skin. Altogether, it is becoming clear that targeting the sphingosine kinase-1/S1P signaling pathway offers therapeutic potential in the treatment of various fibrotic processes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Advances in Lysophospholipid Research.     

Lysoglycerophospholipids in chronic inflammatory disorders: The PLA2/LPC and ATX/LPA axes

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), the most prominent lysoglycerophospholipids, are emerging as a novel class of inflammatory lipids, joining thromboxanes, leukotrienes and prostaglandins with which they share metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms. Enzymes that participate in LPC and LPA metabolism, such as the phospholipase A₂ superfamily (PLA₂) and autotaxin (ATX, ENPP2), play central roles in regulating LPC and LPA levels and consequently their actions. LPC/LPA biosynthetic pathways will be briefly presented and LPC/LPA signaling properties and their possible functions in the regulation of the immune system and chronic inflammation will be reviewed. Furthermore, implications of exacerbated LPC and/or LPA signaling in the context of chronic inflammatory diseases, namely rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis and hepatitis, will be discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Advances in Lysophospholipid Research.     

Surfactant phospholipid metabolism

Pulmonary surfactant is essential for life and is composed of a complex lipoprotein-like mixture that lines the inner surface of the lung to prevent alveolar collapse at the end of expiration. The molecular composition of surfactant depends on highly integrated and regulated processes involving its biosynthesis, remodeling, degradation, and intracellular trafficking. Despite its multicomponent composition, the study of surfactant phospholipid metabolism has focused on two predominant components, disaturated phosphatidylcholine that confers surface-tension lowering activities, and phosphatidylglycerol, recently implicated in innate immune defense. Future studies providing a better understanding of the molecular control and physiological relevance of minor surfactant lipid components are needed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Phospholipids and Phospholipid Metabolism.     

Development of a multivariate statistical model to predict peroxisome proliferation in the rat,based on urinary 1H-NMR spectral patterns

A previous report of this work (Ringeissen et al. 2003) described the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy coupled with multivariate statistical data analysis (MVDA) to identify novel biomarkers of peroxisome proliferation (PP) in Wistar Han rats. Two potential biomarkers of peroxisome proliferation in the rat were described, N-methylnicotinamide (NMN) and N-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide (4PY). The inference from these results was that the tryptophan-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) pathway was altered in correlation with peroxisome proliferation, a hypothesis subsequently confirmed by TaqMan® analysis of the relevant genes encoding two key enzymes in the pathway, aminocarboxymuconate-semialdehyde decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.45) and quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.19). The objective of the present study was to investigate these data further and identify other metabolites in the NMR spectrum correlating equally with PP. MVDA Partial Least Squares (PLS) models were constructed that provided a better prediction of PP in Wistar Han rats than levels of 4PY and NMN alone. The resulting Wistar Han rat predictive models were then used to predict PP in a test group of Sprague Dawley rats following administration of fenofibrate. The models predicted the presence or absence of PP (above on arbitrary threshold of >2-fold mean control) in all Sprague Dawley rats in the test group.