Identification of a novel GPR119 agonist, AS1269574, with in vitro and in vivo glucose-stimulated insulin secretion

The G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) is highly expressed in pancreatic β-cells. On activation, this receptor enhances the effect of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) via the elevation of intracellular cAMP concentrations. Although GPR119 agonists represent promising oral antidiabetic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes therapy, they suffer from the inability to adequately directly preserve β-cell function. To identify a new structural class of small-molecule GPR119 agonists with both GSIS and the potential to preserve β-cell function, we screened a library of synthetic compounds and identified a candidate molecule, AS1269574, with a 2,4,6-tri-substituted pyrimidine core. Here, we examined the preliminary in vitro and in vivo effects of AS1269574 on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance. AS1269574 had an EC₅₀ value of 2.5 μM in HEK293 cells transiently expressing human GPR119 and enhanced insulin secretion in the mouse pancreatic β-cell line MIN-6 only under high-glucose (16.8 mM) conditions. This contrasted with the action of the sulfonylurea glibenclamide, which also induced insulin secretion under low-glucose conditions (2.8 mM). In in vivo studies, a single administration of AS1269574 to normal mice reduced blood glucose levels after oral glucose loading based on the observed insulin secretion profiles. Significantly, AS1269574 did not affect fed and fasting plasma glucose levels in normal mice. Taken together, these results suggest that AS1269574 represents a novel structural class of small molecule, orally administrable GPR119 agonists with GSIS and promising potential for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.     

The in vitro and in vivo apoptotic effects of Mahonia oiwakensis on human lung cancer cells

Both the root and stem bark of Mahonia species were popular folk medicines. The plant has several proven biological activities including anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, Mahonia has not been studied for its anticancer effects. In the present study, we made extracts from Mahonia oiwakensis (MOE), a selected species in Taiwan, and investigated their effects on various human lung cells. We found that MOE-induced apoptotic death in human A549 non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment with the extracts also caused an increase in the sub-G1 fraction of cells, chromosome condensation, and DNA fragmentation. The mitochondrial-mediated pathway was implicated in this MOE-induced apoptosis as evidenced by the activation of the caspase cascade, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and release of cytochrome C. A higher ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 proteins and cleavage of Bid were also observed in MOE-induced cell apoptosis. In A549 tumor-xenografted nude mice, MOE also retarded in vivo proliferation (P < 0.05) and induced apoptosis in tumor cells, as shown by a decrease in Ki-67-positive staining (P < 0.05) and increased transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive staining (P < 0.05). In conclusion, MOE inhibits the growth of human lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that it may have therapeutic potential against human lung cancer.     

Quantitative aspects of the interaction between ouabain and (Na + K)-activated ATPase in vitro

The inhibitory effect of ouabain on (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATPase (Mg²⁺-dependent, (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) obtained from rat brain microsomal fraction was re-examined using a modified method to estimate the inhibited reaction velocity. This method involves a preincubation of a ouabain-enzyme mixture in the presence of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP to bring the ouabain-enzyme reaction to near equilibrium. The (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATPase reaction was subsequently started by the addition of a KCl solution.     

cis-Prenyltransferase AtCPT6 produces a family of very short-chain polyisoprenoids in planta

cis-Prenyltransferases (CPTs) comprise numerous enzymes synthesizing isoprenoid hydrocarbon skeleton with isoprenoid units in the cis (Z) configuration. The chain-length specificity of a particular plant CPT is in most cases unknown despite the composition of the accumulated isoprenoids in the tissue of interest being well established. In this report AtCPT6, one of the nine Arabidopsis thaliana CPTs, is shown to catalyze the synthesis of a family of very short-chain polyisoprenoid alcohols of six, seven, and eight isoprenoid units, those of seven units dominating. The product specificity of AtCPT6 was established in vivo following its expression in the heterologous system of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and was confirmed by the absence of specific products in AtCPT6 T-DNA insertion mutants and their overaccumulation in AtCPT6-overexpressing plants. These observations are additionally validated in silico using an AtCPT6 model obtained by homology modeling. AtCPT6 only partially complements the function of the yeast homologue of CPT-Rer2 since it restores the growth but not protein glycosylation in rer2Δ yeast. This is the first in planta characterization of specific products of a plant CPT producing polyisoprenoids. Their distribution suggests that a joint activity of several CPTs is required to produce the complex mixture of polyisoprenoid alcohols found in Arabidopsis roots.     

The effects of rumen fluid on the in vitro aflatoxin binding capacity of different sequestering agents and in vivo release of the sequestered toxin

In an in vitro experiment, aluminosilicates (Atox^® and Novasil™ Plus) and a yeast cell wall derivate (Mycosorb^®) were used as sequestering agents (SAs) to verify their capacity for binding aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in vitro. SAs were individually mixed at three different ratios with AFB1 (1:5000, 1:50,000 and 1:500,000, w/w) in water (CTR), rumen fluid from a lactating cow with a low rumen pH (LRS) or rumen fluid from a dry cow with a high rumen pH (HRS), and then used in a 3 × 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of a completely randomized design. At the 1:500,000 AF:SA ratio Atox^® and Novasil™ Plus sequestered over 0.87 and 0.98 of the AFB1 in the CTR and rumen solutions (LRS and HRS), respectively. This efficacy decreased when the amount of clays was reduced, with higher values (P<0.001) for Atox^® compared with Novasil™ Plus (0.50 vs. 0.28 in CTR; 0.58 vs. 0.16 in LRS and 0.44 vs. 0.27 in HRS). Mycosorb^® had a lower sequestering efficacy (P<0.001) in all of tested experimental conditions, with 0.34 being the maximum value obtained in the CTR solution.     

In vitro and in vivo pharmacology of CP-945,598, a potent and selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist for the management of obesity

Cannabinoid CB₁ receptor antagonists exhibit pharmacologic properties favorable for the treatment of metabolic disease. CP-945,598 (1-[9-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-(2-chlorophenyl)-9H-purin-6-yl]-4-ethylamino piperidine-4-carboxylic acid amide hydrochloride) is a recently discovered selective, high affinity, competitive CB₁ receptor antagonist that inhibits both basal and cannabinoid agonist-mediated CB₁ receptor signaling in vitro and in vivo. CP-945,598 exhibits sub-nanomolar potency at human CB₁ receptors in both binding (K_i = 0.7 nM) and functional assays (K_i = 0.2 nM). The compound has low affinity (K_i = 7600 nM) for human CB₂ receptors. In vivo, CP-945,598 reverses four cannabinoid agonist-mediated CNS-driven responses (hypo-locomotion, hypothermia, analgesia, and catalepsy) to a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist. CP-945,598 exhibits dose and concentration-dependent anorectic activity in two models of acute food intake in rodents, fast-induced re-feeding and spontaneous, nocturnal feeding. CP-945,598 also acutely stimulates energy expenditure in rats and decreases the respiratory quotient indicating a metabolic switch to increased fat oxidation. CP-945,598 at 10 mg/kg promoted a 9%, vehicle adjusted weight loss in a 10 day weight loss study in diet-induced obese mice. Concentration/effect relationships combined with ex vivo brain CB₁ receptor occupancy data were used to evaluate efficacy in behavioral, food intake, and energy expenditure studies. Together, these in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo data indicate that CP-945,598 is a novel CB₁ receptor competitive antagonist that may further our understanding of the endocannabinoid system.     

In vivo assessment of hepatic triglycerides in murine non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using magnetic resonance spectroscopy

In vivo¹H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to examine the progression of fatty liver in two murine models of progressive hepatic steatosis: leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice and mice maintained on a diet deficient in methionine and choline (MCDD). Ob/ob mice displayed high levels of intracellular hepatic triglycerides as early as 9 weeks after birth, as observed with MRS and histopathology. Single voxel spectra of ob/ob liver displayed strong resonances arising from saturated (1.3 ppm) and unsaturated (2.8 and 5.3 ppm) fatty acyl chains that could be resolved in the absence of water suppression. Hepatic inflammation, induced by lipopolysaccharide administration, led to a significant increase in unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acyl chain resonances (P < 0.05), indicating a change in the composition of hepatic triglycerides in lipid droplets. Mice maintained on the MCDD displayed histological evidence of hepatic steatosis as early as two weeks, progressing to macrovesicular steatohepatitis at 10 weeks. The histological changes were accompanied by significant increases in saturated and unsaturated fatty acyl chain resonances and a significant decrease in the lipid/(water + lipid) ratio (P < 0.05). These results indicate that in vivo¹H MRS may be a suitable method to monitor the progression of steatohepatitis.     

1914G variant of BCHE gene associated with enzyme activity,obesity and triglyceride levels

Polymorphisms of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) have been reported to be associated to weight, BMI variance and hypertriglyceridemia in adults and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of −116A (SNP: G/A; rs1126680) and 1914G (SNP: A/G; rs3495) variants of BCHE gene with anthropometric and biochemical variables associated with obesity in population sample of 115 individuals, from Southern Brazil. Participants were grouped in two categories: obese (BMI ≥ 30) and non-obese (BMI < 30). The 1914G allele showed significantly higher frequency in the obese group, and carriers of 1914G allele showed lower mean BChE activity when compared to 1914A carriers (p = 0.006). Higher means of BMI (p = 0.02) and triglyceride (TG; p = 0.01) were found in 1914G carriers (BMI = 27.57kg/m²; TG = 150.8 mg/dL) when compared to 1914A homozygotes (BMI = 25.55 kg/m²; TG = 107.9 mg/dL). Carriers of the −116A allele showed lower mean BChE activity than usual homozygotes, and the −116A variant was found in cis with 1914G (p < 0.0001; D′ = 1). The region of BCHE gene that contains the 1914G mutation site is target of microRNAs (miRs) and the response of BChE to glucocorticoids is especially influenced by these miRs. Therefore, it is possible that the 1914G allele can be interfering in gluconeogenesis, hyperglycemia, lipolysis and body fat distribution. This lower activity may cause an imbalance in lipid metabolism, which may lead to an increased predisposition to obesity and to a lower ability to maintain metabolic homeostasis.     

Effect of a GFOD2 variant on responses in total and LDL cholesterol in Mexican subjects with hypercholesterolemia after soy protein and soluble fiber supplementation

Background

Although dietary treatments can successfully reduce blood lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects, individual variation in that response has on occasion been linked to allelic differences. SNP rs12449157 has shown association with HDL-C concentrations in GWAS and falls in the glucose-fructose oxidoreductase domain containing 2 (GFOD2) locus. Of interest, previous data suggest that this SNP may be under environmentally driven selection. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess if rs12449157 may mediate the response of lipid traits to a dietary supplementation (DS) with soy protein and soluble fiber in a Mexican population with hypercholesterolemia.

Methods

Forty-one subjects with hypercholesterolemia were given a low saturated fat diet (LSFD) for 1 month, followed by a LSFD + DS that included 25 g of soy protein and 15 g of soluble fiber (S/SF) daily for 2 months. Anthropometric, clinical, biochemical and dietary variables were determined. We analyzed the gene–diet interaction between the GFOD2 genotype, with the minor allele frequency of 0.24, and the DS on total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C concentrations.

Results

Hypercholesterolemic subjects with GFOD2 rs12449157 G allele had higher serum TC and LDL-C at the baseline and showed a greater response to the LSCD + S/SF (− 83.9 and − 57.5 mg/dl, respectively) than those with GFOD2 AA genotype (− 40.1 and − 21.8 mg/dl, respectively) (P = 0.006 for TC, 0.025 for LDL-C, respectively).

Conclusion

The observed differences in allele-driven, diet-induced changes in blood lipids may be the result of a recent environmentally driven selection on the rs12449157 minor allele. Variation in the GFOD2 gene contributes to the genetic basis for a differential response to a cholesterol- or lipid-lowering diet.     

Isolation and characterization of a fish F-type lectin from gilt head bream (Sparus aurata) serum

A novel fucose-binding lectin, designated SauFBP32, was purified by affinity chromatography on fucose–agarose, from the serum of the gilt head bream Sparus aurata. Electrophoretic mobility of the subunit revealed apparent molecular weights of 35 and 30 kDa under reducing and non-reducing conditions, respectively. Size exclusion analysis suggests that the native lectin is a monomer under the selected experimental conditions. Agglutinating activity towards rabbit erythrocytes was not significantly modified by addition of calcium or EDTA; activity was optimal at 37 °C, retained partial activity by treatment at 70 °C, and was fully inactivated at 90 °C. On western blot analysis, SauFBP showed intense cross-reactivity with antibodies specific for a sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fucose-binding lectin. In addition, the similarity of the N-terminal sequence and a partial coding domain to teleost F-type lectins suggests that SauFBP32 is a member of this emerging family of lectins.     

Effects of precipitation on photosynthesis and water potential in Andropogon gerardii and Schizachyrium scoparium in a southern mixed grass prairie

In grassland ecosystems, spatial and temporal variability in precipitation is a key driver of species distributions and population dynamics. We experimentally manipulated precipitation to understand the physiological basis for differences in responses of species to water availability in a southern mixed grass prairie. We focused on the performance of two dominant C₄ grasses, Andropogon gerardii Vitman and Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash, in treatments that received ambient rainfall, half of ambient rainfall (“drought” treatment), or approximately double ambient rainfall (“irrigated” treatment). Water potentials of S. scoparium were lower than A. gerardii, suggesting superior ability to adjust to water deficit in S. scoparium. Additionally, drought reduced photosynthesis to a greater extent in A. gerardii compared to S. scoparium. Leaf-level photosynthesis rates were similar in ambient and irrigated treatments, but were significantly lower in the drought treatment. Although stomatal conductance was reduced by drought, this was not limiting for photosynthesis. Leaf δ¹³C values were decreased by drought, caused by an increase in C_i/C_a. Chlorophyll fluorescence measures indicated light-harvesting rates were highest in irrigated treatments, and were lower in ambient and drought treatments. Moreover, drought resulted in a greater proportion of absorbed photon energy being lost via thermal pathways. Reductions in photosynthesis came as a result of non-stomatal limitations in the C₄ cycle. Our results provide mechanistic support for the hypothesis that S. scoparium is more drought tolerant than A. gerardii.