Kinetic simulation of malate-aspartate and citrate-pyruvate shuttles in association with Krebs cycle

In the present work, we have kinetically simulated two mitochondrial shuttles, malate–aspartate shuttle (used for transferring reducing equivalents) and citrate–pyruvate shuttle (used for transferring carbon skeletons). However, the functions of these shuttles are not limited to the points mentioned above, and they can be used in different arrangements to meet different cellular requirements. Both the shuttles are intricately associated with Krebs cycle through the metabolites involved. The study of this system of shuttles and Krebs cycle explores the response of the system in different metabolic environments. Here, we have simulated these subsets individually and then combined them to study the interactions among them and to bring out the dynamics of these pathways in focus. Four antiports and a pyruvate pump were modelled along with the metabolic reactions on both sides of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Michaelis–Menten approach was extended for deriving rate equations of every component of the system. Kinetic simulation was carried out using ordinary differential equation solver in GNU Octave. It was observed that all the components attained steady state, sooner or later, depending on the system conditions. Progress curves and phase plots were plotted to understand the steady state behaviour of the metabolites involved. A comparative analysis between experimental and simulated data show fair agreement thus validating the usefulness and applicability of the model.     

Metabolic predictors of inflammation, adhesion, and coagulability in healthy younger-aged adults

Elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers are associated with the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases and are predictors of cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to determine the unique contributions of metabolic factors as predictors of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)), adhesion (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1)), and coagulation (D-dimer) in healthy younger-aged adults. Participants were 83 women and 92 men (mean age 30.04 years, s.d. +/- 4.8, range 22-39) of normal weight to moderate obese weight (mean BMI 24.4 kg/m(2), s.d. +/- 3.35, range 17-32). The primary data analytical approaches included Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression. Circulating levels of CRP, IL-6, sICAM-1, and D-dimer were determined in plasma. Higher levels of CRP were independently associated with higher BMI, a greater waist-to-hip ratio, female gender, and higher triglycerides (P < 0.001). Higher IL-6 levels were independently associated with a greater waist-to-hip ratio (P < 0.01). Higher levels of sICAM-1 were independently associated with higher BMI, higher triglycerides, and lower insulin resistance (P < 0.001). Higher D-dimer levels were independently associated with higher BMI and being female (P < 0.001). Having a higher BMI was most consistently associated with elevated biomarkers of inflammation, adhesion, and coagulation in this sample of healthy younger-aged adults, although female gender, insulin resistance, and lipid levels were also related to the biomarkers. The findings provide insight into the adverse cardiovascular risk associated with elevated body weight in younger adults.     

Esterase polymorphisms in muscle and brain of four fresh water fishes belonging to the family Cyprinidae

Esterase polymorphism in muscle and brain tissues of four species of freshwater fishes belonging to the family cyprinidae are examined using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzymes are classified according to their substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity. Distribution of six classes of esterases; viz. carboxyl, acetyl, aryl, choline, Esdp and ER-esterases in the two tissues of the four species is reported.     

Induction of monocyte differentiation and foam cell formation in vitro by 7-ketocholesterol.

Oxidized LDL (OxLDL) is composed of many potentially proatherogenic molecules, including oxysterols. Of the oxysterols, 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) is found in relatively large abundance in OxLDL, as well as in atherosclerotic plaque and foam cells in vivo. Although there is evidence that 7-KC activates endothelial cells, its effect on monocytes is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that 7-KC may induce monocyte differentiation and promote foam cell formation. THP-1 cells were used as a monocyte model system and were treated with 7-KC over a range of concentrations from 0.5 to 10 microg/ml. Changes in cell adhesion properties, cell morphology, and expression of antigens characteristic of differentiated macrophages were monitored over a 7-day period. 7-KC promoted cells to firmly adhere and display morphologic features of differentiated macrophages; this effect was time and dose dependent and was markedly more potent than cholesterol treatment (45% of cells became adherent after 7 days of treatment with 7-KC at 10 microg/ml vs. less then 5% for control cells, P < 0.01). Similar effects were obtained when LDL enriched with 7-KC or OxLDL were added to THP-1 cells. 7-KC-differentiated cells expressed CD11b, CD36, and CD68, phagocytized latex beads, and formed lipid-laden foam cells after exposure to acetylated LDL or OxLDL. In contrast to 7-KC, oxysterols with known cell regulatory effects such as 25-hydroxycholesterol, 7beta-hydroxycholesterol, and (22R)-hydroxycholesterol did not effectively promote THP-1 differentiation.In conclusion, these results demonstrate for the first time that 7-KC, a prominent oxysterol formed in OxLDL by peroxidation of cholesterol, may play an important role in promoting monocyte differentiation and foam cell formation. These studies also suggest that 7-KC induces monocyte differentiation through a sterol-mediated regulatory pathway that remains to be characterized.