Chemical Form of Selenium Affects Its Uptake,Transport, and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in the Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cell Model

Determining the effect of selenium (Se) chemical form on uptake, transport, and glutathione peroxidase activity in human intestinal cells is critical to assess Se bioavailability at nutritional doses. In this study, we found that two sources of L-selenomethionine (SeMet) and Se-enriched yeast each increased intracellular Se content more effectively than selenite or methylselenocysteine (SeMSC) in the human intestinal Caco-2 cell model. Interestingly, SeMSC, SeMet, and digested Se-enriched yeast were transported at comparable efficacy from the apical to basolateral sides, each being about 3-fold that of selenite. In addition, these forms of Se, whether before or after traversing from apical side to basolateral side, did not change the potential to support glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Although selenoprotein P has been postulated to be a key Se transport protein, its intracellular expression did not differ when selenite, SeMSC, SeMet, or digested Se-enriched yeast was added to serum-contained media. Taken together, our data show, for the first time, that the chemical form of Se at nutritional doses can affect the absorptive (apical to basolateral side) efficacy and retention of Se by intestinal cells; but that, these effects are not directly correlated to the potential to support GPx activity.     

Forms of Selenium Affect its Transport, Uptake and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in the Caco-2 Cell Model

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible time- and dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of cobalt chloride on Vero cells. The cultured cells were incubated with different concentrations of cobalt chloride ranging from 0.5 to 1,000 μM, and cytotoxicity was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and resazurin assays. Possible protective effects of vitamin E, coenzyme Q(10), and zinc chloride were also tested in this system. A gradual decrease in cell proliferation was observed at concentrations ~≥ 200 μM in incubation periods of 24, 48, 72, and 96 h with MTT assay. Exposure of cells to 500 and 1,000 μM cobalt chloride caused significant decrease in cell survival. A biphasic survival profile of cells was observed at 1-25 μM concentration range following 96 h of incubation. With resazurin assay, cytotoxicity profile of CoCl(2) was found comparable to the results of MTT assay, particularly at high concentrations and long incubation periods. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity was noted following exposure of cells to ≥ 250 μM of CoCl(2) for 24 h and ≥ 100 μM concentrations of CoCl(2) for 48-96 h. Pretreatment of cells with ZnCl(2) for 4 or 24 h provided significant protection against cobalt chloride-induced cytotoxicity when measured with MTT assay. However, vitamin E or coenzyme Q(10) was not protective. CoCl(2) had dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects in Vero cells. Preventive effect of ZnCl(2) against CoCl(2)-induced cytotoxicity should be considered in detail to define exact mechanism of toxicity in Vero cells.     

Selenium as Inducer of Glutathione Peroxidase in low-CO(2)-Grown Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Culture of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in the medium containing sodium selenite caused the activity of ascorbate peroxidase to disappear and the appearance of glutathione peroxidase. The induced maximum activity of glutathione peroxidase reached 350 micromole (milligram chlorophyll hour)⁻¹ under assay conditions used. The enzymic properties of the selenite-induced glutathione peroxidase closely resembled those of animal glutathione peroxidase that contains selenium.     

Effects of Food Lectins on the Transport System of Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cell Monolayers

The effects of 16 lectins isolated from foodstuff on the transport system across human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers were investigated by using four fluorescent markers: lucifer yellow (LY) for the paracellular pathway, fluorescein (FL) for the monocarboxylic acid transporter-mediated pathway, rhodamine 123 for the P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux pathway, and calcein for the multidrug resistance associated protein-related efflux pathway. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) values for the monolayers were also measured. WGA from wheat germ, ABA from white mushroom, AOL from Aspergillus oryzae, and CSL3 from chum salmon eggs (each at 100 µg/mL) decreased the TER value by 20–40% which resulted in increased LY transport. These lectins, as well as such other lectins as SBA from soybean, RBA from rice bran, and Con A from jack bean, affected other transport pathways too. These results indicate that the lectins modulated the transepithelial transport system in different ways, probably because of their specific binding characteristics toward Caco-2 cell monolayers.     

Antioxidant Activity of Sulfur and Selenium: A Review of Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging,Glutathione Peroxidase,and Metal-Binding Antioxidant Mechanisms

It is well known that oxidation caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a major cause of cellular damage and death and has been implicated in cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases. Small-molecule antioxidants containing sulfur and selenium can ameliorate oxidative damage, and cells employ multiple antioxidant mechanisms to prevent this cellular damage. However, current research has focused mainly on clinical, epidemiological, and in vivo studies with little emphasis on the antioxidant mechanisms responsible for observed sulfur and selenium antioxidant activities. In addition, the antioxidant properties of sulfur compounds are commonly compared to selenium antioxidant properties; however, sulfur and selenium antioxidant activities can be quite distinct, with each utilizing different antioxidant mechanisms to prevent oxidative cellular damage. In the present review, we discuss the antioxidant activities of sulfur and selenium compounds, focusing on several antioxidant mechanisms, including ROS scavenging, glutathione peroxidase, and metal-binding antioxidant mechanisms. Findings of several recent clinical, epidemiological, and in vivo studies highlight the need for future studies that specifically focus on the chemical mechanisms of sulfur and selenium antioxidant behavior.     

Hibiscus Acid as an Inhibitor of Starch Digestion in the Caco-2 Cell Model System

Hibiscus acid, an α-amylase inhibitor isolated from roselle tea, and its derivatives were compared in an inhibition test for starch digestion. An α-amylase-added Caco-2 system was established as a useful model to evaluate the effects of α-glucosidase inhibitors on starch digestion. Hibiscus acid showed weak inhibition in this model system, and the methyl ester derivatives showed even weaker or no activity.     

Incorporation of Substrate Cell Lipid A Components into the Lipopolysaccharide of Intraperiplasmically Grown Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus

The composition of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was determined for cells grown axenically and intraperiplasmically on Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas putida. The LPS of axenically grown bdellovibrios contained glucose and fucosamine as the only detectable neutral sugar and amino sugar, and nonadecenoic acid (19:1) as the predominant fatty acid. Additional fatty acids, heptose, ketodeoxyoctoic acid, and phosphate were also detected. LPS from bdellovibrios grown intraperiplasmically contained components characteristic of both axenically grown bdellovibrios and the substrate cells. Substrate cell-derived LPS fatty acids made up the majority of the bdellovibrio LPS fatty acids and were present in about the same proportions as in the substrate cell LPS. Glucosamine derived from E. coli LPS amounted to about one-third of the hexosamine residues in intraperiplasmically grown bdellovibrio LPS. However, galactose, characteristic of the E. coli outer core and O antigen, was not detected in the bdellovibrio LPS, suggesting that only lipid A components of the substrate cell were incorporated. Substrate cell-derived and bdellovibrio-synthesized LPS materials were conserved in the B. bacteriovorus outer membrane for at least two cycles of intraperiplasmic growth. When bdellovibrios were grown on two different substrate cells successively, lipid A components were taken up from the second while the components incorporated from the lipid A of the first were conserved in the bdellovibrio LPS. The data show that substrate cell lipid A components were incorporated into B. bacteriovorus lipid A during intraperiplasmic growth with little or no change, and that these components, fatty acids and hexosamines, comprised a substantial portion of bdellovibrio lipid A.     

Low Levels of GSTA1 Expression Are Required for Caco-2 Cell Proliferation

The colonic epithelium continuously regenerates with transitions through various cellular phases including proliferation, differentiation and cell death via apoptosis. Human colonic adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells in culture undergo spontaneous differentiation into mature enterocytes in association with progressive increases in expression of glutathione S-transferase alpha-1 (GSTA1). We hypothesize that GSTA1 plays a functional role in controlling proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in Caco-2 cells. We demonstrate increased GSTA1 levels associated with decreased proliferation and increased expression of differentiation markers alkaline phosphatase, villin, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and E-cadherin in postconfluent Caco-2 cells. Results of MTS assays, BrdU incorporation and flow cytometry indicate that forced expression of GSTA1 significantly reduces cellular proliferation and siRNA-mediated down-regulation of GSTA1 significantly increases cells in S-phase and associated cell proliferation. Sodium butyrate (NaB) at a concentration of 1 mM reduces Caco-2 cell proliferation, increases differentiation and increases GSTA1 activity 4-fold by 72 hours. In contrast, 10 mM NaB causes significant toxicity in preconfluent cells via apoptosis through caspase-3 activation with reduced GSTA1 activity. However, GSTA1 down-regulation by siRNA does not alter NaB-induced differentiation or apoptosis in Caco-2 cells. While 10 mM NaB causes GSTA1-JNK complex dissociation, phosphorylation of JNK is not altered. These findings suggest that GSTA1 levels may play a role in modulating enterocyte proliferation but do not influence differentiation or apoptosis.     

Intestinal permeability of antivirus constituents from the fruits of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. in Caco-2 Cell Model

The uptake and transepithelial transport of the three main constituents macrocarpal A (M-A), macrocarpal B (M-B), and cypellocarpa C (Cy-C) from the fruits of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. were investigated. Monolayers of the human intestinal epithelial cancer cell line Caco-2 were incubated with M-A, M-B, and Cy-C to model its intestinal absorption and transport, respectively. The determination of compounds was performed by HPLC. The apparent permeability coefficients (P(app)) for M-A, M-B, and Cy-C in the apical-to-basolateral direction of a Caco-2 monolayer were (1.70+/-0.06)x10(-6), (1.99+/-0.10)x10(-6), and (6.08+/-0.41)x10(-6)cm/s, respectively. In the presence of iodoacetamide, the P(app) of Cy-C were both reducted in apical-to-basolateral and basolateral-to-apical directions. M-A and M-B appear to accumulate in the epithelial cells. The intestinal absorption of M-A, M-B, and Cy-C was passive diffusion as the dominating process and Cy-C was partly ATP-dependent.     

A New,Efficient Exocyclic Amine Protection Scheme for 2-Aminoadenosine and Derivatives for Incorporation into Oligonucleotides

Abstract

We introduce a novel approach to incorporate 2-aminoadenosine into oligonucleotides in which 2-fluoroadenosine and its derivatives are used to prepare the monomers and, under normal oligonucleotide deprotection conditions, is converted to the desired 2-aminoadenosine and derivatives.     

Thymidylate Synthetase-Positive and -Negative Mouse Mammary Carcinoma Cell Lines: Useful Model for Monitoring the Incorporation of Pyrimidine Nucleoside Analogues into Host Cell DNA and for Detecting Thymidylate Synthetase Inhibitors

Abstract

The dTMP synthetase-positive and -negative murine mammary FM3A carcinoma cell lines can be proposed as a useful system for identifying specific dTMP synthetase inhibitors, and for measuring the incorporation of pyrimidine nucleoside analogues into host cell DNA.     

A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Injury Model for Assessing Post-Injury Adaptive Plasticity and Human Stem Cell Integration

Despite limited regeneration capacity, partial injuries to the adult mammalian spinal cord can elicit variable degrees of functional recovery, mediated at least in part by reorganization of neuronal circuitry. Underlying mechanisms are believed to include synaptic plasticity and collateral sprouting of spared axons. Because plasticity is higher in young animals, we developed a spinal cord compression (SCC) injury model in the neonatal mouse to gain insight into the potential for reorganization during early life. The model provides a platform for high-throughput assessment of functional synaptic connectivity that is also suitable for testing the functional integration of human stem and progenitor cell-derived neurons being considered for clinical cell replacement strategies. SCC was generated at T9–T11 and functional recovery was assessed using an integrated approach including video kinematics, histology, tract tracing, electrophysiology, and high-throughput optical recording of descending inputs to identified spinal neurons. Dramatic degeneration of axons and synaptic contacts was evident within 24 hours of SCC, and loss of neurons in the injured segment was evident for at least a month thereafter. Initial hindlimb paralysis was paralleled by a loss of descending inputs to lumbar motoneurons. Within 4 days of SCC and progressively thereafter, hindlimb motility began to be restored and descending inputs reappeared, but with examples of atypical synaptic connections indicating a reorganization of circuitry. One to two weeks after SCC, hindlimb motility approached sham control levels, and weight-bearing locomotion was virtually indistinguishable in SCC and sham control mice. Genetically labeled human fetal neural progenitor cells injected into the injured spinal cord survived for at least a month, integrated into the host tissue and began to differentiate morphologically. This integrative neonatal mouse model provides opportunities to explore early adaptive plasticity mechanisms underlying functional recovery as well as the capacity for human stem cell-derived neurons to integrate functionally into spinal circuits.     

Differential Regulation of Intestinal and Liver Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins in Human Intestinal Cell line (Caco-2): Role of Collagen

Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABP) are small cytosolic proteins which are thought to play a key role in fatty acid metabolism. The intestine contains the intestinal (I-FABP) and the liver (L-FABP) isoforms, but their regulation is still poorly documented. In order to find suitable conditions for studying the regulation of the two FABP isoforms in Caco-2 cells, we investigated the effects of the presence of collagen during cell proliferation or differentiation. When collagen was present only during cell proliferation on culture dishes, I-FABP expression was enhanced, whereas sucrase-isomaltase was unaffected and L-FABP expression was merely accelerated. In contrast, when collagen was present during cell differentiation on filter inserts, both I-FABP and sucrase-isomaltase were strongly reduced, but L-FABP was not affected. Under the former conditions (the more suitable for studying FABP regulation), the peroxysome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activators, clofibrate and α-bromopalmitate, enhanced the two isoforms. This study, which is the first one providing a quantitative protein analysis of I-FABP and L-FABP in Caco-2 cells, demonstrates different time courses of expression of these proteins during cell differentiation. It also shows that I-FABP is specifically regulated by collagen and that, under conditions optimal for their expression, both isoforms are modulated by metabolic factors.     

Evaluation of the Intestinal Transport of a Phenylethanoid Glycoside-Rich Extract from Cistanche deserticola across the Caco-2 Cell Monolayer Model

Phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs), a class of polyphenolic compounds, are considered one of major bioactive constituents of Cistanche deserticola Y.C. Ma (CD), whose extract is orally used in traditional Chinese medicine. Although previous pharmacological studies have reported that PhGs exert many activities, their intestinal transport profiles have not been clarified. In this study, we investigated the intestinal permeability of a PhG-rich extract (PRE) from CD as an integrated system in the Caco-2 cell monolayer model using a bioassay system. The results showed that PRE is primarily transported via poorly absorbed passive diffusion down a concentration gradient without efflux, which provides the pharmacokinetic basis for the clinical application of PhGs in CD. We also determined the intestinal permeability of three major PhGs [acteoside (AC), isoacteoside (IS) and echinacoside (EC)] by HLPC. Furthermore, we developed a novel HPLC-fluorescence detection method to accurately determine the flux amount of AC and IS. As expected, the transport characteristics of the three PhGs are consistent with those of PRE, indicating that the present bioassay system is appropriate and reliable for the evaluation of the transport characteristics of active ingredient groups (AIG) in PRE. Moreover, this system may also be suitable for other plant extracts given appropriate bioactivity.     

Characterization of the Intestinal Absorption of Seven Flavonoids from the Flowers of Trollius chinensis Using the Caco-2 Cell Monolayer Model

The human Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to investigate the absorption property, mechanism, and structure-property relationship of seven representative flavonoids, namely, orientin, vitexin, 2”-O-β-L-galactopyranosylorientin, 2”-O-β-L-galactopyranosylvitexin, isoswertisin, isoswertiajaponin, and 2”-O-(2”‘-methylbutanoyl)isoswertisin from the flowers of Trollius chinensis. The results showed that these flavonoids were hardly transported through the Caco-2 cell monolayer. The compounds with 7-OCH₃ including isoswertisin, isoswertiajaponin and 2”-O-(2”‘-methylbutanoyl)isoswertisin were absorbed in a passive diffusion manner, and their absorbability was increased in the same order as their polarity. The absorption of the remaining compounds with 7-OH including orientin, vitexin, 2”-O-β-L-galactopyranosylorientin, and 2”-O-β-L-galactopyranosylvitexin involved transporter mediated efflux in addition to passive diffusion. Among the four compounds with 7-OH, those with a free hydroxyl group at C-2” such as orientin and vitexin were the substrates of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and that with a free hydroxyl group at C-2’ such as 2”-O-β-L-galactopyranosylorientin was the substrate of multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2). The results of this study also implied that the absorbability of the flavonoids should be taken into account when estimating the effective components of T. chinensis.     

Incorporation of [C]Glucose into Cell Wall Polysaccharides of Cotton Roots: Effects of NaCl and CaCl(2)

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv Acala SJ-2) seedlings were grown in nutrient solutions with four combinations of NaCl (0.1 and 150 millimolar) and CaCl₂ (1 and 10 millimolar) for 7 days, and then exposed to [¹⁴C]glucose for 5 hours. Uptake and incorporation of [¹⁴C]glucose into various cell wall fractions of the root tips were determined. At 1 millimolar Ca²⁺, treatment with 150 millimolar NaCl slightly stimulated uptake but considerably inhibited glucose incorporation into noncellulosic and cellulosic polysaccharides. Supplemental Ca²⁺ did not affect incorporation of glucose into the noncellulosic fraction (regardless of NaCl treatment) but completely alleviated the inhibitory effect of NaCl on glucose incorporation into cellulose. We suggest that high Na⁺ concentrations reduce synthesis of cellulose in cotton roots via disturbance of plasma membrane integrity and that supplemental Ca²⁺ counteracts this effect. The effects on cellulose biosynthesis are proposed to be related to Ca²⁺ displacement from the plasma membrane.