Alterations in rat lipid metabolism following ecdysterone treatment

The influence of ecdysterone on the lipid metabolism in liver and adipose tissue from rat was investigated using 14C-acetate and 32P-orthophosphate as precursors. Ecdysterone produced an increase in 14C-acetate incorporation into triglycerides. A concomitant decrease in free fatty acids and diglycerides was observed. The effect of ecdysterone on triglyceride lipase activity was investigated and a significant decrease was found. Ecdysterone produced a significant increase in the specific activity of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine in liver. On the contrary, the specific activity of phosphatidylcholine was reduced. In adipose tissue, the most evident effect observed was the increase of specific activity of phosphatidylcholine. These results contribute to knowledge of the heterophylic action of ecdysterone.     

Biosynthesis of the Bacillus intermedius subtilisin-like serine proteinase by the recombinant Bacillus subtilis strain

The effect of certain nutrients on the growth and production of the Bacillus intermedius subtilisin-like serine proteinase by the recombinant strain Bacillus subtilis AJ73(pCS9) was studied. Glucose was found to inhibit the synthesis of proteinase in the early (28 h of growth) but not in the late stationary phase (48 h of growth). The inhibitory effect of the other mono- and disaccharides studied was less pronounced. Casamino acids added to the medium at concentrations of 0.1-1% as an additional carbon and nitrogen source stimulated enzyme biosynthesis. Individual amino acids (cysteine, asparagine, glutamine, tryptophan, histidine, and glutamate) also stimulated enzyme biosynthesis in the early stationary phase by 25-30%, whereas other amino acids (valine, leucine, alanine, and aspartate) were ineffective or even slightly inhibitory to enzyme production. The stimulatory effect of the first group of amino acids on the synthesis of proteinase in the late stationary phase was negligible. In contrast, the bivalent ions Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ stimulated biosynthesis of proteinase in the late stationary phase (by 20-60%) and not in the early stationary phase. The data indicate that there are differences in the biosyntheses of proteinase by the recombinant B. subtilis strain during the early and late periods of the stationary phases.     

C(27)-steroid hormones calcitriol and ecdysterone activates hydrolysis of neutral lipids--cholesterol esters and triacylglycerols--in its early pregenomic phase of action]

We have examined in vivo capacities of two C27-steroid hormones-phytoecdysteroid ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone, 10(-8)M) and calcitriol (1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 10(-12)M), as a modulators of neutral lipids hydrolysis in the brain and heart cells. Severe lines of evidence indicate that both hormones may acts as positive regulators of cholesterol esters and triacylglycerol hydrolysis in early (0.5-30 min) pregenomic phase of its actions, yielding known (DAG, free polyunsaturated fatty acids) and possible (free cholesterol) lipid second messengers.     

Ecdysterone induced protein synthesis in salivary glands and in fat body of Drosophila melanogaster larvae

Salivary glands of 3rd instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster were labeled with ³H-leucine in the presence and absence of ecdysterone. Twentysix ecdysterone inducible proteins were detected. Their induction was correlated with puff stage. Synthesis of fifteen proteins commenced during early puff stage (PS2); synthesis of seven others at late puff stages (PS8–10). Synthesis of four proteins was induced between puff stage 3/4 and 7/8. Thus, the hormonal induction of protein synthesis generally reflected the appearance of early and of late puffs as described by Ashburner (1972). Eleven ecdysterone inducible proteins were detected in larval fat body in vitro. Comparison of the fat body to the salivary gland proteins revealed that one of the ecdysterone induced fat body proteins was identical in molecular weight and charge to one of the proteins induced by ecdysterone in salivary glands.     

Implication of glucocorticoid in anti-inflammatory effects of Ro5-4864 in mouse pleurisy induced by carrageenan

Mouse pleurisy induced by carrageenan is used to determine the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of 7-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2 (Ro5-4864). Pre-treatment with Ro5-4864 inhibits different inflammatory parameters, such as neutrophil influx, MPO activity and NO levels in the early phase (4 h), as well as mononuclear cells and ADA activity in the late phase (48 h) of pleurisy. dl-Aminoglutethimide, inhibitor of steroidal synthesis, reverted the effect of Ro5-4864 on these different inflammatory parameters. Our results suggest that anti-inflammatory action of Ro5-4864 may be partly due to its capacity to inhibit leukocyte migration, as well as leukocyte activation and formation of NO by a mechanism dependent on glucocorticoids.     

Interaction of cyclic nucleotides and ecdysterone in breaking the pupal diapause of the bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata WLK.

Cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP have distinct and opposite effects upon the action of ecdysterone in diapausing pupae of the Bertha armyworm, $\text{Mamestra}$$\text{configurata}$. Cyclic GMP enhanced the effectiveness of suboptimal doses of ecdysterone in breaking diapause; the amount of cyclic GMP required to lower the ED50 of ecdysterone by half was 80 μg/g. Dibutyryl cyclic GMP had no apparent effect on the action of ecdysterone over a wide dose range (0.07 – 70 μg/g). On the other hand, cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP effectively blocked the diapause-breaking action of ecdysterone when administered simultaneously with the steroid hormone. The amount of cyclic AMP required to reduce the incidence of diapause termination from 100% to 50% was 60 μg/g; for dibutyryl cyclic AMP the amount required was only 14 μg/g. No cyclic nucleotide tested in the study could by itself break the pupal diapause of $\text{M.}$$\text{configurata}$. The concept that cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP provide at least different if not opposing regulatory influences in certain insect systems is discussed briefly in the light of these observations.     

Wide spectrum of steroids serving as substrates for the formation of lipoidal derivatives in ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells

Recently, several natural steroids have been found to be esterified to long-chain fatty acids (FAE) in various mammalian tissues. The purpose of the present study was to determine the ability of a series of 3H-labeled steroids to serve as substrates for the formation and accumulation of such non-polar derivatives in intact cells, using the hormone-responsive ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cell line as model. All 14 steroids tested were found to be converted, directly or following further metabolism, to lipoidal ester derivatives. The percentage of intracellular steroids recovered as FAE derivatives was usually substantial (14-90%), especially in the case of C-19 steroids (75-90%). The composition of the lipoidal steroid fractions recovered from the labeled cell extracts was characterized by chromatographic comparison with synthetic steroid FAEs and by saponification of the steroid FAEs and identification of the released steroidal moieties. Following metabolism, most steroid substrates were converted into multiple lipoidal esters. Furthermore, 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, as well as androst-5-ene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol formed lipoidal diesters in addition to the monoester form. The high level of intracellular steroid FAE accumulation reported in this study suggests that these yet poorly known steroid derivatives may play important functions in the regulation of steroid hormone metabolism and action.     

Conditions of the biosynthesis of an extracellular subtilisin-like proteinase by Bacillus pumilus KMM 62

The influence of the cultivation conditions on Bacillus pumilus KMM 62 growth and effectiveness of the production of a subtilisin-like serine proteinase were investigated. Enzyme accumulation in the culture fluid reached the maximum value after 32 and 46-48 h of growth; it depends on the composition of the nutrient medium. The ratio of the concentrations of two main components of the medium, peptone and inorganic phosphate, which was optimal for enzyme biosynthesis was determined by multifactor experiments. Ammonium salts, when introduced as an additional nitrogen source, had different effects on the proteinase biosynthesis at different growth stages: they suppress enzyme production at the early stationary growth phase and stimulate the biosynthesis of the enzyme after 46-48 h of growth. Complex organic substrates (albumin, casein, hemoglobin, and gelatin) have a repressive effect on the biosynthesis of the enzyme. The effect of amino acids on culture growth and enzyme biosynthesis during the early and late stationary growth phase is different. Hydrophilic amino acids, glutamine, and glutamic acid exhibit the most pronounced repressive action on biosynthesis. The activity of different regulatory mechanisms for the synthesis of this proteinase is assumed at the early and late stationary stages of growth.     

Effect of steroid hormones and oxytocin on NO and H2O2 production in the endometrium

The time and concentration regularities of influence of based estrogens (estrone), hystogenes (progesterone) and their analogs (ecdysterone and diethylstilbestrole) on production of NO and H2O2 by endometrium stroma cells. The level of NO2- in the cell suspension was determined on Grees reactive response, and H2O2 by permanganate measurements in paravariation with the use of horse-radisch peroxidase. It is supposed, that the studied steroids in the experiment conditions affect both the constitutive enzyme systems (membrane or nongenomic phase of activity), and the level of a gene expression (actynomycin D sensitive) and their activity is connected with the rising of concentration of cytosolic Ca2+ in cells. It is shown, that progesterone in hormonal concentrations boosts biosynthesis of NO and H2O2, in comparison with estrone, both in real time of signalling events in the cells (5-30 s), and at long-term action (1-3 h) more effectively. The analogs of steroid hormones, ecdysterone and diethylstilbestrole, were considerably by characterized less effect. The obtained results allow to assume a prime role of progesterone in mechanisms of the endometrium-dependent relaxation of the myometrium. Peptide hormone oxytocine reduces NO production by endometrium and destroys the conforming promoting effect of progesterone, that can testify to the important role of endometrium in processes of initiation of contractile activity of a uterus in labors. The form and amplitude of changes of NO and H2O2 concentration specific for each of studied agonists dilate essentially potentialities of the biological information transmission and allow distinguishing more in detail the external signals and to differentiate the response of cells to various external stimulants. Nitrogen oxide plays an essential role in our system both in the real time of signalling events in cells, and under long-term action, whereas hydrogen peroxide--only at the first stage.     

Biosynthesis of the Bacillus intermedius subtilisin-like serine proteinase by the recombinant Bacillus subtilis strain

The effect of certain nutrients on the growth and production of the Bacillus intermedius subtilisin-like serine proteinase by the recombinant strain Bacillus subtilis AJ73(pCS9) was studied. Glucose was found to inhibit the synthesis of proteinase in the early (28 h of growth) but not in the late stationary phase (48 h of growth). The inhibitory effect of the other mono-and disaccharides studied was less pronounced. Casamino acids added to the medium at concentrations of 0.1–1% as an additional carbon and nitrogen source stimulated enzyme biosynthesis. Individual amino acids (cysteine, asparagine, glutamine, tryptophan, histidine, and glutamate) also stimulated enzyme biosynthesis in the early stationary phase by 25–30%, whereas other amino acids (valine, leucine, alanine, and aspartate) were ineffective or even slightly inhibitory to enzyme production. The stimulatory effect of the first group of amino acids on the synthesis of proteinase in the late stationary phase was negligible. In contrast, the bivalent ions Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Mn²⁺ stimulated biosynthesis of proteinase in the late stationary phase (by 20–60%) and not in the early stationary phase. The data indicate that there are differences in the biosyntheses of proteinase by the recombinant B. subtilis strain during the early and late periods of the stationary phases.     

Genetic recombination and steroid metabolism in Drosophila]

A double-species ecologo-genetical model, including Drosophila and yeast, has been used as a new methodological instrument for investigation of the physiological mechanism of recombination. Incubation of Drosophila females in the medium containing yeast of the strain mutant for ergosterol synthesis leads to suppression of temperature-induced crossing over. The mass-spectrum analysis of steroid fraction from Drosophila females has shown that incubation of the yeast medium without ergosterol results in arrest of ecdysterone synthesis. These data are explained by the absence of ecdysterone synthesis precursor in the fly organism. The endocrinal control of crossing over is discussed in the light of hormonal regulation of meiosis.     

Biochemical mechanisms of chromium action in the human and animal organism

Modern data concerning biologic characteristics of chromium (Cr3+) its placement in nature, accessibility and metabolic action of its different forms in humans and animals is presented in this survey. Essentiality of chromium for humans is emphasized, data about consumption norms of this microelement and its use for curing different diseases especially diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis of vessels are presented. The biochemical mechanisms of Cr3+ effect on the metabolism in the human and animal organism are analyzed. It is shown that the organism reacts to chrome additions by the change of some metabolism links. Chrome influences positively growth and development of foetus, stimulates metabolism of glucose and insulin in the humans and animals. However, at the set chromium requirements it is necessary to take into account its low availability in food, high release of Cr3+ from the organism under the influence of stress factors, considerable decline of its level with age, and also in the period of pregnancy and lactation. Therefore experimental researches of introduction of Cr3+ additions to the diet of people and forage of animals taking into account their body mass, age and clinical state, can explain the biochemical mechanisms of biological action of this microelement.     

Ecdysterone and an analogue of juvenile hormone on the autophagy in the cells of fat body of mamestra brassicae.

The effect of ecdysterone and a juvenile hormone analogue (JHa) on autophagy and heterophagy was investigated in the fat body cells of the last larval instar of Mamestra brassicae. In the course of normal development autophagic vacuoles and protein granules of heterophagic origin begin to accumulate in these cells, on the 4th and 5th day of the last larval stage respectively. When ecdysterone (10 mug/g body weight) was administered to the larvae for 24 h either on the 1st or on the 2nd day of the last larval stage, autophagic and heterophagic vacuoles appeared in the cells as early as on the 2nd or 3rd days. Autophagy was also observed in the cells of one-or two-day-old last larval fat body after a 5 h incubation in a medium containing 10 mug/ml ecdysterone, in vitro. Ligation of the last thoracic segment resulted in inhibition of metamorphic changes in the fat body lobules of the isolated abdomen. Injection of 10 mug ecdysterone into the isolated abdomen resulted in an appearence of autophagic vacuoles in these cells, too. JHa treatment, when started on the 2nd or 3rd day of the last larval stage, inhibited both auto- and heterophagy and the fat bodies maintained their larval character. Treatment started on the 4th or 5th day proved either ineffective or lethal. It is concluded that the auto- and heterophagy taking place in the larval fat body cells are stimulated by ecdysterone and inhibited by JHa. Experiments performed in vitro or on ligated animals in vivo provided evidence for a direct action of ecdysterone at the cellular level.     

Glucocorticoid-induced heat resistance in mammalian cells

Chinese hamster ovary cells were incubated for 24 h in a variety of steroid hormones (testosterone, progesterone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, and ecdysterone) to test their effect on the subsequent heat resistance of the cells. Only the glucocorticoids, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone, consistently induced heat resistance. Heat resistance induced by hydrocortisone at 10(-6)M developed after a lag of 2-3 h and was maximal by 20 h. Resistance was expressed in both asynchronous and plateau phase cells and was maintained for several days in medium without added hormone. Incubation of cells with hydrocortisone and a 100-fold excess of progesterone (a glucocorticoid antagonist) partially inhibited the development of resistance. Prior exposure to hydrocortisone did not inhibit the subsequent development of heat induced thermotolerance. However, cells made thermotolerant by prior heat shock did not display further heat resistance with hydrocortisone treatment. There was no evidence for the induction of heat shock proteins (HSP) by these steroid hormones although the 28 kDHSP was further enhanced by combined heat and hydrocortisone. Our results indicate that heat resistance in mammalian cells may be induced by physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids and that the characteristics of this resistance are consistent with a receptor mediated event.     

Effect of oestradiol on catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis

The authors studied the effect of a single in vivo dose of oestradiol (OE) on adrenergic lipolysis in the epididymal adipose tissue of adult and juvenile male rats, and the effect of OE on plasma free fatty acids (FFA), cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein levels at various intervals after its administration. It was found that OE injected 24 h beforehand in vivo (s.c.), in doses of 100 and 200 micrograms X kg-1 body weight, significantly potentiated the lipid-mobilizing action of the catecholamines noradrenaline (NOR) and isoprenaline (ISO) in adult rats (the action of ISO was potentiated more intensively); in addition, the adipose tissue became more sensitive to the action of NOR, but not of ISO. Raising the dose of OE to 400 micrograms X kg-1 did not enhance the potentiation of the lipolytic action of the catecholamines any further; on the contrary, the lipid mobilizing effect of the catecholamines was potentiated less than after half this dose. Following the s.c. injection of an oily OE solution, the lipolytic effect was potentiated after more than 7 h; the potentiation was strongest after 12 h, but only as far as the maximum attainable degree of lipolysis was concerned. Potentiation of adrenergic lipolysis was found only in adult male rats. In male rats weighing 130-150 g the lipolytic effect of catecholamines (in mumol/g adipose tissue) was significantly greater than in adult animals and the pre-administration of OE did not potentiate adrenergic lipolysis any further. Determination of plasma FFA, cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein levels 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after the s.c. injection of OE showed only nonsignificant changes (an increase in FFA and a decrease in cholesterol). The authors consider it important to distinguish between the effect of OE on catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis in depot adipose tissue and its effect on lipid metabolism. In their opinion, the dose-dependent effect of OE on muscular and metabolic adrenergic reactions could be one of the factors co-reversible for certain side reactions to steroid contraceptives.     

Effect of preliminarily administered aspartate to the body and its combination with a vitamin-coenzyme complex on the catabolism of L-[14C]-aspartate in tissues of various mouse organs in hermetically closed space]

Effect of factors of sealed non-aired space on the organism leads to the enhancement of catabolism of L-4-[14C]-aspartate in the mice encephalon to 14CO2. Preliminary administration of L-aspartate to the organism (100 mg/kg) leads to the intensification of these adaptative reactions and prolongs life of animals under these conditions. Accumulation of the introduced aspartate in the liver and encephalon gets more intensive and its supply to the blood is more rapid under these conditions. Simultaneous (together with L-aspartate) administration of the vitamin-coenzyme complex (pentapyruvate) which includes thiamine pyrophosphate, lipoate, sodium 4-phosphopantotenate, nicotinate and riboflavin-mononucleotide and stimulates the function of the key links of the Krebs cycle to animals has induced intensification of the protective effect of L-aspartate and evoked further activation of the L-aspartate catabolism in the encephalon, mainly at late, preagonal stages of the developing pathological state. The data presented confirm that protective effect of L-aspartate, provided the effect of the closed space factors on the organism, is a result of its quick introduction, into energy mebolism of tissues, in particular, of the nervous tissue.