The SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin promotes systemic FFA mobilization,enhances hepatic β-oxidation,and induces ketosis

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been shown to increase ketone bodies in patients with type 2 diabetes; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here we examined the effect of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin (1 mg/kg/day, formulated in a water, PEG400, ethanol, propylene glycol solution, 4 weeks) on lipid metabolism in obese Zucker rats. Fasting FFA metabolism was assessed in the anesthetized state using a [9,10-³H(N)]-palmitic acid tracer by estimating rates of plasma FFA appearance (R_a), whole-body FFA oxidation (R_ox), and nonoxidative disposal (R_st). In the liver, clearance (K_β-ox) and flux (R_β-ox) of FFA into β-oxidation were estimated using [9,10-³H]-(R)-bromopalmitate/[U-¹⁴C]palmitate tracers. As expected, dapagliflozin induced glycosuria and a robust antidiabetic effect; treatment reduced fasting plasma glucose and insulin, lowered glycated hemoglobin, and increased pancreatic insulin content compared with vehicle controls. Dapagliflozin also increased plasma FFA, R_a, R_ox, and R_st with enhanced channeling toward oxidation versus storage. In the liver, there was also enhanced channeling of FFA to β-oxidation, with increased K_β-ox, R_β-ox and tissue acetyl-CoA, compared with controls. Finally, dapagliflozin increased hepatic HMG-CoA and plasma β-hydroxybutyrate, consistent with a specific enhancement of ketogenesis. Since ketogenesis has not been directly measured, we cannot exclude an additional contribution of impaired ketone body clearance to the ketosis. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that the dapagliflozin-induced increase in plasma ketone bodies is driven by the combined action of FFA mobilization from adipose tissue and diversion of hepatic FFA toward β-oxidation.     

Effect of redox-responsive DTSSP crosslinking on poly(l-lysine)-grafted-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles for delivery of proteins

Therapeutic proteins are utilized in a variety of clinical applications, but side effects and rapid in vivo clearance still present hurdles. An approach that addresses both drawbacks is protein encapsulation within in a polymeric nanoparticle, which is effective but introduces the additional challenge of destabilizing the nanoparticle shell in clinically relevant locations. This study examined the effects of crosslinking self-assembled poly(l -lysine)-grafted-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles with redox-responsive 3,3′-dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidyl propionate) (DTSSP) to achieve nanoparticle destabilization in a reductive environment. The polymer-protein nanoparticles (DTSSP NPs) were formed through electrostatic self-assembly and crosslinked with DTSSP, which contains a glutathione-reducible disulfide. As glutathione is upregulated in various cancers, DTSSP NPs could display destabilization within cancer cells. A library of DTSSP NPs was formed with varying copolymer to protein (C:P) and crosslinker to protein (X:P) mass ratios and characterized by size and encapsulation efficiency. DTSSP NPs with a 7:1 C:P ratio and 2:1 X:P ratio were further characterized by stability in the presence proteases and reducing agents. DTSSP NPs fully encapsulated the model protein and displayed 81% protein release when incubated with 5 mM dithiothreitol for 12 hr. This study contributes to understanding stimulus-responsive crosslinking of polymeric nanoparticles and could be foundational to clinical administration of therapeutic proteins.     

嗅觉受体在非嗅觉组织和细胞中的作用及其机制

嗅觉受体(olfactory receptor)不仅表达在鼻腔中,还广泛表达在全身其他部位,起着重要的生理作用.本文综述了非嗅觉组织和细胞中表达的嗅觉受体及其功能,这些嗅觉受体通过调控细胞周围的内源性化学物质,维持正常的生理功能,并且能在选定的外源性配体刺激下,表现出特定的功能.在医药领域,大约有40%上市药物的作用靶点都来自于G蛋白偶联受体(GPCR)家族,而嗅觉受体是GPCR中最大的基因家族,鉴于其表现出的重要作用,我们推测这些嗅觉受体可能成为未来重要的药物靶标.本文对非嗅觉组织和细胞中嗅觉受体功能的综述,一方面有利于将其作为潜在药物靶点,开发新的药物,另一方面也为中药中挥发性单体的药理作用提供了新的研究思路.     

Identification of dengue viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor using computational fragment-based approaches and molecular dynamics study

Dengue is a major public health concern in tropical and subtropical countries of the world. There are no specific drugs available to treat dengue. Even though several candidates targeted both viral and host proteins to overcome dengue infection, they have not yet entered into the later stages of clinical trials. In order to design a drug for dengue fever, newly emerged fragment-based drug designing technique was applied. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which is essential for dengue viral replication is chosen as a drug target for dengue drug discovery. A cascade of methods, fragment screening, fragment growing, and fragment linking revealed the compound [2-(4-carbamoylpiperidin-1-yl)-2-oxoethyl]8-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)naphthalene-1-carboxylate as a potent dengue viral polymerase inhibitor. Both strain energy and binding free energy calculations predicted that this could be a better inhibitor than the existing ones. Molecular dynamics simulation studies showed that the dengue polymerase–lead complex is stable and their interactions are consistent throughout the simulation. The hydrogen-bonded interactions formed by the residues Arg792, Thr794, Ser796, and Asn405 are the primary contributors for the stability and the rigidity of the polymerase–lead complex. This might keep the polymerase in closed conformation and thus inhibits viral replication. Hence, this might be a promising lead molecule for dengue drug designing. Further optimization of this lead molecule would result in a potent drug for dengue.     

Detection and side-chain specificity of IgE antibodies to flucloxicillin in allergic subjects

Unlike studies on the antigenicity of penicillins in laboratory animals, limited information is available on the allergenicity of penicillins in man, especially with regard to fine structural allergenic differences between the many different penicillins. Inconsistent with the earlier conclusions of others, our studies suggest that side-chain structures to flucloxacillin-reactive IgE antibodies. Quantitative hapten inhibition studies revealed potent inhibition by flucloxacillin and three structurally related penicillins: oxacillin, cloxacillin and dicloxacillin. Analysis of the results showed that the side-chain group of flucloxacillin, 3-2(-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl, is recognized by some antibodies and that the 5-methyl-3-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl group, with or without halogen substituents, accounts for the reactivity of other antibodies and for the cross-reactions seen with some other penicillins. Since it is the side-chain group that distinguishes the many different types of penicillin, and since IgE antibodies in many of the allergic reactions recognize the side-chain groups, it is becoming clear that specific assays are required for the detection of IgE antibodies to each of the different penicillins.     

The past, present and future of childhood malaria mortality in Africa

During the past few years, there has been a historic series of declarations of renewed commitment to malaria control in Africa. Whether the burden of malaria is increasing in Africa is a moot point. This article attempts to re-construct the evidence for the trends in childhood mortality as a result of Plasmodium falciparum infection over the last century in Africa.     

Prothrombin structure: unanticipated features and opportunities

The structure of prothrombin has eluded investigators for decades but recent efforts have succeeded in revealing the architecture of this important clotting factor. Unanticipated features have emerged outlining the significant flexibility of the zymogen due to linker regions connecting the γ carboxyglutamic domain, kringles and protease domain. A new, structure-based framework helps in defining a molecular mechanism of prothrombin activation, rationalizes the severe bleeding phenotypes of several naturally occurring mutations and identifies targets for drug design.     

Retained platinum uptake and indifference to p53 status make novel transplatinum agents active in platinum-resistant cells compared to cisplatin and oxaliplatin

Despite the clinical success of platinum-containing drugs in the treatment of solid tumors, acquired resistance remains a major obstacle. We previously identified a group of novel transplanaramine or transplatinum compounds based on distinct activity profiles in the NCI-60 panel. In the present study, parental KB-3.1 cells with wild-type p53 and its cisplatin- and oxaliplatin-resistant sublines harboring mutant p53 proteins were used to contrast several transplatinum compounds with cisplatin and oxaliplatin. The transplatinum compounds retained cytotoxic activity in the resistant cell lines. While intracellular accumulation and DNA platination of cisplatin and oxaliplatin was decreased in the resistant cells, the transplatinum compounds both accumulated intracellularly and platinated DNA at comparable levels in all cell lines. Cytoflow analysis confirmed that cisplatin and oxaliplatin alter the cell cycle distribution and result in apoptosis; however, at comparably toxic concentrations, the transplatinum compounds did not alter the cell cycle distribution. Analysis of the cytoplasmic fraction treated with acetone showed that cisplatin and oxaliplatin readily bound to macromolecules in the pellet, whereas a larger percentage of the transplatinum compounds remained in the supernatant. We concluded that, distinct from platinum compounds currently in use, transplatinum compounds accumulate intracellularly in resistant cells at levels comparable to those in drug-sensitive cells, do not affect the cell cycle and thus retain cytotoxicity independent of p53 status and likely have cytoplasmic targets that are important in their activity.