Time-dependent effects of leptin on food intake and locomotor activity in goldfish

The present study investigates the possible circadian dependence of leptin effects on food intake, locomotor activity, glycemia and plasma cortisol levels in goldfish (Carassius auratus). Fish were maintained under 12L:12D photoperiod and subjected to two different feeding schedules, one group fed during photophase (10:00) and the other one during scotophase (22:00). Leptin or saline were intraperitoneally injected at two different times (10:00 or 22:00), coincident or not with the meal time. To eliminate the entraining effect of the light/dark cycle, goldfish maintained under 24 h light (LL) were fed and leptin-injected at 10:00. A reduction in food intake and locomotor activity and an increase in glycemia were found in goldfish fed and leptin-injected at 10:00. No significant changes in circulating cortisol were observed. Those effects were not observed when leptin was administered during the scotophase, regardless the feeding schedule; neither in fish maintained under LL, suggesting that a day/night cycle would be necessary to observe the actions of leptin administered during the photophase. Changes in locomotor activity and glycemia were only observed in goldfish when leptin was injected at daytime, coincident with the feeding schedule, suggesting that these leptin actions could be dependent on the feeding time as zeitgeber. In view of these results it appears that the circadian dependence of leptin actions in goldfish can be determined by the combination of both zeitgebers, light/dark cycle and food. Our results point out the relevance of the administration time when investigating regulatory functions of hormones.     

Annual changes in body mass in captive Svalbard ptarmigan: role of changes in locomotor activity and food intake

The influence of changes in the amount of locomotor activity on the annual body mass cycle was investigated in captive Svalbard ptarmigan kept indoors at thermoneutrality and exposed to seasonal changes in daylength or continuous light from the summer onwards. In both groups there was a close correlation between locomotor activity and metabolic rate. Only birds exposed to changes in daylength showed an annual cycle in locomotor activity, with low activity in autumn and mid-winter and a peak in spring. The birds permanently exposed to continuous light had a relatively low activity throughout the year with no systematical changes. Body mass began to increase in both groups in early autumn and the food intake was elevated during most of the following fattening period. It is concluded that elevated food intake is the prime factor involved in autumnal fattening in captive Svalbard ptarmigan. Body mass increased significantly faster under decreasing daylength compared with continuous light, associated with a lower activity as well as a higher food intake. The birds exposed to continuous light maintained a high body mass and a relatively low activity level during spring. In birds exposed to changing daylength, body mass fell from late February onwards, which is about 3 months later than in outdoor caged or free-living Svalbard ptarmigan. In the birds exposed to increasing daylength a fourfold increase in the amount of locomotor activity occurred from February to April. This increased activity was correlated with a negative energy balance and may be casually associated with the fall in body mass in these birds. Under outdoor conditions, elevated locomotor activity in spring may be responsible for a continuation of the decline in body mass commencing in November, despite a slight tendency for an increased food intake towards the end of this period.Abbreviations BM body mass - CE _f caloric equivalent of food - EAE energy assimilation efficiency - EE energy expenditure - FI food intake - LA locomotor activity - LL continuous light - LD simulated annual changes in daylength - MEI metabolizable energy intake - MR metabolic rate - RQ respiratory quotient     

Ghrelin and GHRP-6 enhance electrical and secretory activity in GC somatotropes

It is well established that pituitary somatotropes fire spontaneous action potentials (SAP) which generate Ca(2+) signals of sufficient amplitude to trigger growth hormone (GH) release. It is also known that ghrelin and synthetic GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) stimulate GH secretion, though the mechanisms involved remain unclear. In the current report, we show that the chronic (96h) treatment with ghrelin and GHRP-6 increases the firing frequency of SAP in the somatotrope GC cell line. This action is associated with a significant increase in whole-cell inward current density. In addition, long-term application of Na(+) or L-type Ca(2+) current antagonists decreases GHRP-6-induced release of GH, indicating that the ionic currents that give rise to SAP play important roles for hormone secretion in the GC cells. Together, our results suggest that ghrelin and GHPR-6 may increase whole-cell inward current density thereby enhancing SAP firing frequency and facilitating GH secretion from GC somatotropes.     

Nonlinear time series analysis of food intake in the dab and the rainbow trout

Evidence suggests that dab and rainbow trout are able to quickly adjust their food intake to an appropriate level when offered novel diets. In addition day-to-day and meal-to-meal food intake varies greatly and meal timing is plastic. Why this is the case is not clear: Food intake in fish is influenced by many factors, however the hierarchy and mechanisms by which these interact is not yet fully understood. A model of food intake may be helpful to understand these phenomena; to determine model type it is necessary to understand the qualitative nature of food intake. Food intake can be regarded as an autoregressive (AR) time series, as the amount of food eaten at time t will be influenced by previous meals, and this allows food intake to be considered using time series analyses. Here, time series data were analysed using nonlinear techniques to obtain qualitative information from which evidence for the hierarchy of mechanisms controlling food intake may be drawn. Time series were obtained for a group of dab and individuals and a group of rainbow trout for analysis. Surrogate data sets were generated to test several null hypotheses describing linear processes and all proved significantly different to the real data, suggesting nonlinear dynamics. Examination of topography and recurrence diagrams suggested that all series were deterministic and non-stationary. The point correlation dimension (PD2i) suggested low-dimensional dynamics. Our findings suggest therefore that any model of appetite should create output that is deterministic, non-stationary, low-dimensional and having nonlinear dynamics.     

Peripheral activation of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2 inhibits food intake and alters meal structures in mice

The orexigenic effect of urocortins (Ucns), namely Ucn 1, Ucn 2 and Ucn 3 through activation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors, has been well characterized after injection into the brain but not in the periphery. We examined the role of CRF receptor subtype 2 (CRF₂) in the regulation of food intake using intraperitoneal (ip) injection of Ucns and the selective CRF₂ antagonist, astressin₂-B, and CRF₂ knockout (−/−) mice. Meal structures were monitored using an automated episodic solid food intake monitoring system. Ucn 2 (3, 10 or 30 μg/kg, ip) induced a rapid in onset, long lasting and dose-dependent decrease (38%, 66% and 86%, respectively at 4 h) of cumulative food intake after an overnight fast in mice. Ucn 3 anorexic effect was 10-times less potent. Astressin₂-B (30 or 100 μg/kg) injected ip, but not intracerebroventricularly, blocked the inhibitory effect of ip Ucn 1 and Ucn 2 (10 μg/kg). Fasted CRF_2−/− mice did not respond to ip Ucn 1 (10 μg/kg). Meal microstructure analysis of the 4-h re-feeding response to an overnight fast showed that Ucn 2 (10 μg/kg, ip) decreased meal size and duration, but increased meal frequency. In mice fed ad libitum, Ucn 2 (30 μg/kg) injected ip before the dark phase decreased the 4-h nocturnal meal size and duration without influencing meal frequency while the 10 μg/kg dose had no effect. These data indicate that Ucns, through peripheral CRF₂ receptor-mediated induction of satiation, inhibit the eating response to a fast more potently than the physiological nocturnal feeding in mice.     

Hepatic cytochrome P450 2A6 and 2E1 status in peri-tumor tissues of patients with Opisthorchis viverrini-associated cholangiocarcinoma

Endogenous nitrosation due to chronic inflammation is enhanced in opisthorchiasis and plays a crucial role in the development of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) family enzymes, especially CYP2A6 and CYP2E1, are involved in the metabolism of procarcinogens; these two enzymes metabolize endogenous nitrosamines to carcinogenic N-dimethylnitrosamine (NDMA). CYP2A6 activity is increased in patients infected with Opisthorchis viverrini. Our aim was to determine whether the expression and function of CYP2A6 and 2E1 in the livers of patients with O. viverrini-associated cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) was altered compared to livers without CCA. Livers of CCA patients (n = 13 cases) showed increased enzyme activities, protein and mRNA levels of CYP2A6 whereas the enzyme activity and protein levels of CYP2E1 were markedly decreased (P < 0.05). CYP2E1 mRNA levels were not altered. Large numbers of inflammatory cells and increased iNOS expression was found in areas adjacent to the tumor. The data provide evidence to support the concept that enhanced CYP2A6 activity and diminished CYP2E1 activity probably involve to the progression of CCA.     

The role of C-terminal part of ghrelin in pharmacokinetic profile and biological activity in rats

Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a), and consists of 28 amino acid residues with octanoyl modification at Ser³. The previous studies have revealed that N-terminal part of ghrelin including modified Ser³ is the active core for the activation of GHS-R1a. On the other hand, the role of C-terminal (8-28) region in ghrelin has not been clarified yet. In the present study, we prepared human ghrelin, C-terminal truncated ghrelin derivatives and anamorelin, a small molecular GHS compound which supposedly mimics the N-terminal active core, and examined GHS-R1a agonist activity in vitro, pharmacokinetic (PK) profile and growth hormone (GH) releasing activity in rats. All compounds demonstrated potent GHS-R1a agonist activities in vitro. Although the lack of C-terminal two amino acids did not modify PK profile and GH releasing activity, the deletion of C-terminal 8 and 20 amino acids affected them, and ghrelin(1-7)-Lys-NH₂ exhibited very short plasma half-life and low GH releasing activity in vivo. In rat plasma, ghrelin(1-7)-Lys-NH₂ was degraded more rapidly than ghrelin, suggesting that C-terminal part of ghrelin protected octanoylation of Ser³ from plasma esterases. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy significantly attenuated GH response to ghrelin but not to anamorelin. These results suggest that the C-terminal part of ghrelin has an important role in the biological activity in vivo. We also found that ghrelin stimulated GH release mainly via a vagal nerve pathway but anamorelin augmented GH release possibly by directly acting on brain in rats.     

A comparison of substrate dynamics in human CYP2E1 and CYP2A6

Considering the dynamic nature of CYPs, methods that reveal information about substrate and enzyme dynamics are necessary to generate predictive models. To compare substrate dynamics in CYP2E1 and CYP2A6, intramolecular isotope effect experiments were conducted, using deuterium labeled substrates: o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, and 4,4'-dimethylbiphenyl. Competitive intermolecular experiments were also conducted using d(0)- and d(6)-labeled p-xylene. Both CYP2E1 and CYP2A6 displayed full isotope effect expression for o-xylene oxidation and almost complete suppression for dimethylbiphenyl. Interestingly, (k(H)/k(D))(obs) for d(3)-p-xylene oxidation ((k(H)/k(D))(obs)=6.04 and (k(H)/k(D))(obs)=5.53 for CYP2E1 and CYP2A6, respectively) was only slightly higher than (k(H)/k(D))(obs) for d(3)-dimethylnaphthalene ((k(H)/k(D))(obs)=5.50 and (k(H)/k(D))(obs)=4.96, respectively). One explanation is that in some instances (k(H)/k(D))(obs) values are generated by the presence of two substrates-bound simultaneously to the CYP. Speculatively, if this explanation is valid, then intramolecular isotope effect experiments should be useful in the mechanistic investigation of P450 cooperativity.     

Co-administration of dopamine D1 and D2 agonists additively decreases daily food intake, body weight and hypothalamic neuropeptide Y level in rats

This study investigated whether co-administration of dopamine D1 and D2 agonists might additively inhibit the feeding effect and whether this effect was mediated by the action on hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY). The D1 agonist SKF 38393 (SKF) and D2 agonists apomorphine (APO) or quinpirole (QNP) were administered, alone or in combination, to examine this possibility. In single administration, decreases of daily food intake were observed only in rats treated twice a day with a higher dose of SKF, APO or QNP. However, combined administration of D1 and D2 agonists, with each agent at a dose that alone did not induce anorexia in one daily treatment, exerted a significant effect. These results reveal that co-activation of D1 and D2 receptors can additively reduce daily food intake and body weight. The same treatment also decreased the level of hypothalamic NPY 24 h post-treatment. These results suggest an additive effect during combined activation of D1 and D2 receptor subtypes to decrease food intake and body weight that are mediated by the action of hypothalamic NPY. Similar to the effects seen in healthy rats, combined D1/D2 administration was also effective in the reduction of food intake in diabetic rats, revealing the efficiency of D1/D2 agonist in the improvement of hyperphasia in diabetic animals.     

Photodynamic activity of the boronated chlorin e6 amide in artificial and cellular membranes

Photodynamic tumor-destroying activity of the boronated chlorin e6 derivative BACE (chlorin e6 13(1)-N-{2-[N-(1-carba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)methyl]aminoethyl}amide-15(2), 17(3)-dimethyl ester), previously described in Moisenovich et al. (2010) PLoS ONE 5(9) e12717, was shown here to be enormously higher than that of unsubstituted chlorin e6, being supported by the data on much higher photocytotoxicity of BACE in M-1 sarcoma cell culture. To validate membrane damaging effect as the basis of the enhanced tumoricidal activity, BACE was compared with unsubstituted chlorin e6 in the potency to photosensitize dye leakage from liposomes, transbilayer lipid flip-flop, inactivation of gramicidin A ionic channels in planar lipid membranes and erythrocyte hemolysis. In all the models comprising artificial and cellular membranes, the photodynamic effect of BACE exceeded that of chlorin e6. BACE substantially differed from chlorin e6 in the affinity to liposomes and erythrocytes, as monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy, flow cytometry and centrifugation. The results support the key role of membrane binding in the photodynamic effect of the boronated chlorin e6 amide.     

Effects of 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone on the germination and α-amylase activity in lettuce seeds

Germination of lettuce seeds was inhibited by 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone (MBOA) at concentrations greater than 0.03 mmol/L. MBOA also inhibited the induction of α-amylase activity in the lettuce seeds at concentrations greater than 0.03 mmol/L. These two concentration–response curves for the germination and α-amylase indicate that the percentage of the germination was positively correlated with the activity of α-amylase in the seeds. Lettuce seeds germinated around 18 h after incubation and inhibition of α-amylase by MBOA occurred within 6 h after seed incubation. These results show that MBOA may inhibit the germination of lettuce seeds by inhibiting the induction of α-amylase activity.     

Relating surfactant properties to activity and solubilization of the human adenosine a3 receptor

The effects of various surfactants on the activity and stability of the human adenosine A3 receptor (A3) were investigated. The receptor was expressed using stably transfected HEK293 cells at a concentration of 44 pmol functional receptor per milligram membrane protein and purified using over 50 different nonionic surfactants. A strong correlation was observed between a surfactant's ability to remove A3 from the membrane and the ability of the surfactant to remove A3 selectively relative to other membrane proteins. The activity of A3 once purified also correlates well with the selectivity of the surfactant used. The effects of varying the surfactant were much stronger than those achieved by including A3 ligands in the purification scheme. Notably, all surfactants that gave high efficiency, selectivity and activity fall within a narrow range of hydrophile-lipophile balance values. This effect may reflect the ability of the surfactant to pack effectively at the hydrophobic transmembrane interface. These findings emphasize the importance of identifying appropriate surfactants for a particular membrane protein, and offer promise for the development of rapid, efficient, and systematic methods to facilitate membrane protein purification.     

Toxoplasma gondii: in vitro and in vivo activities of the hydroxynaphthoquinone 2-hydroxy-3-(1'-propen-3-phenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone alone or combined with sulfadiazine

The compound 2-hydroxy-3-(1'-propen-3-phenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (PHNQ6) was evaluated for activity against Toxoplasma gondii, alone or combined with sulfadiazine. Treatment with PHNQ6 combined with sulfadiazine protected at least 70 and 90% of mice infected with RH and EGS strains, respectively. Mice were treated with PHNQ6 (50 mg/kg/day) alone or combined with sulfadiazine (40 mg/L) 30 days after infection with P strain. The number of brain cysts was lower in mice treated with PHNQ6 alone or combined with sulfadiazine compared to that in control mice. Degenerated bradyzoites were observed in animals treated with PHNQ6. Infectivity of bradyzoites treated with PHNQ6 alone or combined with sulfadiazine was inhibited after in vitro incubation.     

Interaction with membrane mimics of transmembrane fragments 16 and 17 from the human multidrug resistance ABC transporter 1 (hMRP1/ABCC1) and two of their tryptophan variants

The human multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (hMRP1/ABCC1) belongs to the ATP-binding cassette transporter superfamily. Together with P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) and the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2), hMRP1 confers resistance to a large number of structurally diverse drugs. The current topological model of hMRP1 includes two cytosolic nucleotide-binding domains and 17 putative transmembrane (TM) helices forming three membrane-spanning domains. Mutagenesis and labeling studies have shown TM16 and TM17 to be important for function. We characterized the insertion of the TM16 fragment into dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) or n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside (DM) micelles as membrane mimics and extended our previous work on TM17 (Vincent et al., 2007, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1768, 538). We synthesized TM16 and TM17, with the Trp residues, W1198 in TM16 and W1246 in TM17, acting as an intrinsic fluorescent probe, and TM16 and TM17 Trp variants, to probe different positions in the peptide sequence. We assessed the interaction of peptides with membrane mimics by evaluating the increase in fluorescence intensity resulting from such interactions. In all micelle-bound peptides, the tryptophan residue appeared to be located, on average, in the head group micelle region, as shown by its fluorescence spectrum. Each tryptophan residue was partially accessible to both acrylamide and the brominated acyl chains of two DM analogs, as shown by fluorescence quenching. Tryptophan fluorescence lifetimes were found to depend on the position of the tryptophan residue in the various peptides, probably reflecting differences in local structures. Far UV CD spectra showed that TM16 contained significant β-strand structures. Together with the high Trp correlation times, the presence of these structures suggests that TM16 self-association may occur at the interface. In conclusion, this experimental study suggests an interfacial location for both TM16 and TM17 in membrane mimics. In terms of overall hMRP1 structure, the experimentally demonstrated amphipathic properties of these TM are consistent with a role in the lining of an at least partly hydrophilic transport pore, as suggested by the currently accepted structural model, the final structure being modified by interaction with other TM helices.     

Superoxide oxidase and reductase activity of cytochrome b559 in photosystem II

This study provides evidence for the superoxide oxidase and the superoxide reductase activity of cytochrome b₅₅₉ (cyt b₅₅₉) in PSII. It is reported that in Tris-treated PSII membranes upon illumination, both the intermediate potential (IP) and the reduced high potential (HP^red) forms of cyt b₅₅₉ exhibit superoxide scavenging activity and interconversion between IP and HP^red form. When Tris-treated PSII membranes were illuminated in the presence of spin trap EMPO, the formation of superoxide anion radical (O₂⁻) was observed, as confirmed by EPR spin-trapping spectroscopy. The observations that the addition of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase) and non-enzymatic (cytochrome c, α-tocopherol and Trolox) O₂⁻ scavengers prevented the light-induced conversion of IP ↔ HP^red cyt b₅₅₉ confirmed that IP and HP^red cyt b₅₅₉ are reduced and oxidized by O₂⁻, respectively. Redox changes in cyt b₅₅₉ by an exogenous source of O₂⁻ reconfirmed the superoxide oxidase and reductase activity of cyt b₅₅₉. Furthermore, the light-induced conversion of IP to HP^red form of cyt b₅₅₉ was completely inhibited at pH > 8 and by chemical modification of the imidazole ring of histidine residues using diethyl pyrocarbonate. We proposed that a change in the environment around the heme iron, induced by the protonation and deprotonation of His²² residue generates a favorable condition for the oxidation and reduction of O₂⁻, respectively.     

Detection and quantitation of N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine adducts in DNA using online column-switching liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The heterocyclic aromatic amine, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) is formed by the grilled cooking of certain foods such as meats, poultry and fish. PhIP has been shown to induce tumours in the colon, prostate and mammary glands of rats and is regarded as a potential human dietary carcinogen. PhIP is metabolically activated via cytochrome P450 mediated oxidation to an N-hydroxylamino-PhIP intermediate that is subsequently converted to an ester by N-acetyltransferases or sulfotransferases and undergoes heterolytic cleavage to produce a PhIP-nitrenium ion, which reacts with DNA to form the N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP-C8-dG) adduct. Thus far, the detection and quantification of PhIP-DNA adducts has relied to a large extent on ³²P-postlabelling methodologies. In order to expand the array of available techniques for the detection and improved quantification of PhIP-C8-dG adducts in DNA we have developed an online column-switching liquid chromatography (LC)–electrospray ionization (ESI)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) selected reaction monitoring (SRM) method incorporating an isotopically [¹³C₁₀]-labelled PhIP-C8-dG internal standard for the analysis of DNA enzymatically hydrolysed to 2′-deoxynucleosides. A dose-dependent increase was observed for PhIP-C8-dG adducts when salmon testis DNA was reacted with N-acetoxy-PhIP. Analysis of DNA samples isolated from colon tissue of mice treated by oral gavage daily for 5 days with 50 mg/kg body weight of PhIP resulted in the detection of an average level of 14.8 ± 3.7 PhIP-C8-dG adducts per 10⁶ 2′-deoxynucleosides. The method required 50 μg of hydrolysed animal DNA on column and the limit of detection for PhIP-C8-dG was 2.5 fmol (1.5 PhIP-C8-dG adducts per 10⁸ 2′-deoxynucleosides). In summary, the LC–ESI-MS/MS SRM method provides for the rapid automation of the sample clean up and a reduction in matrix components that would otherwise interfere with the mass spectrometric analysis, with sufficient sensitivity and precision to analyse DNA adducts in animals exposed to PhIP.     

Modulation of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone GRP78 by high glucose in hippocampus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and C6 astrocytic cells

Diabetes mellitus is known to increase the risk of neurodegeneration, and both diseases are reported to be linked to dysfunction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Astrocytes are important in the defense mechanism of central nervous system (CNS), with great ability of tolerating accumulation of toxic substances and sensitivity in Ca²⁺ homeostasis which are two key functions of ER. Here, we investigated the modulation of the glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and C6 cells cultured in high glucose condition. Our results showed that more reactive astrocytes were presented in the hippocampus of STZ-induced diabetic mice. Simultaneously, decrease of GRP78 expression was found in the astrocytes of diabetic mice hippocampus.