Human and chimpanzee gene expression differences replicated in mice fed different diets

Although the human diet is markedly different from the diets of closely related primate species, the influence of diet on phenotypic and genetic differences between humans and other primates is unknown. In this study, we analyzed gene expression in laboratory mice fed diets typical of humans and of chimpanzees. The effects of human diets were found to be significantly different from that of a chimpanzee diet in the mouse liver, but not in the brain. Importantly, 10% of the genes that differ in their expression between humans and chimpanzee livers differed also between the livers of mice fed the human and chimpanzee diets. Furthermore, both the promoter sequences and the amino acid sequences of these diet-related genes carry more differences between humans and chimpanzees than random genes. Our results suggest that the mouse can be used to study at least some aspects of human-specific traits.     

Neutrophil chemotaxis in linear and complex gradients of interleukin-8 formed in a microfabricated device

Although a wealth of knowledge about chemotaxis has accumulated in the past 40 years, these studies have been hampered by the inability of researchers to generate simple linear gradients instantaneously and to maintain them at steady state. Here we describe a device microfabricated by soft lithography and consisting of a network of microfluidic channels that can generate spatially and temporally controlled gradients of chemotactic factors. When human neutrophils are positioned within a microchannel, their migration in simple and complex interleukin-8 (IL-8) gradients can be tested. The cells exhibit strong directional migration toward increasing concentrations of IL-8 in linear gradients. Neutrophil migration halts abruptly when cells encounter a sudden drop in the chemoattractant concentration to zero ("cliff" gradient). When neutrophils are challenged with a gradual increase and decrease in chemoattractant ("hill" gradient), however, the cells traverse the crest of maximum concentration and migrate further before reversing direction. The technique described in this paper provides a robust method to investigate migratory cells under a variety of conditions not accessible to study by earlier techniques.     

Purification of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase from chicken erythrocytes. investigation of some kinetic properties

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) was purified from chicken erythrocytes, and some characteristics of the enzyme were investigated. The purification procedure was composed of three steps: hemolysate preparation, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and 2',5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity gel chromatography. Thanks to the three consecutive procedures, the enzyme, having the specific activity of 20.862 EU/mg proteins, was purified with a yield of 54.68% and 9,150-fold. Optimal pH, stable pH, optimal temperature, molecular weight, and KM and Vmax values for NADP+ and glucose 6- phosphate (G6-P) were also determined for the enzyme. In addition, Ki values and the type of inhibition were determined by means of Line-Weaver-Burk graphs obtained for such inhibitors as ATP, ADP, NADH, and NADPH.     

Association of nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase (NNMT) gene rs694539 variant with bipolar disorder

Here we report the association of the rs694539 variant of nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase gene with bipolar disorder in a case–control study of 95 bipolar disorder patients and 201 healthy controls (χ² = 13.382, P = 0.001). With the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method we developed we were able to show the association for the first time. This new finding may provide evidence to understand the mechanism of the disease.     

Branched chain amino acids induce apoptosis in neural cells without mitochondrial membrane depolarization or cytochrome c release: implications for neurological impairment associated with maple syrup urine disease

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a deficiency in branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase that can result in neurodegenerative sequelae in human infants. In the present study, increased concentrations of MSUD metabolites, in particular alpha-keto isocaproic acid, specifically induced apoptosis in glial and neuronal cells in culture. Apoptosis was associated with a reduction in cell respiration but without impairment of respiratory chain function, without early changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and without cytochrome c release into the cytosol. Significantly, alpha-keto isocaproic acid also triggered neuronal apoptosis in vivo after intracerebral injection into the developing rat brain. These findings suggest that MSUD neurodegeneration may result, at least in part, from an accumulation of branched chain amino acids and their alpha-keto acid derivatives that trigger apoptosis through a cytochrome c-independent pathway.     

Protective effect of aminoguanidine against oxidative stress in an experimental peritoneal adhesion model in rats

Postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion formation is a major cause of intestinal obstruction, pain and infertility. This experimental study was designed to evaluate the degree of adhesion formation and peritoneal tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total nitrite and nitrate (NO) and the effect of aminoguanidine (AG) on these metabolite values after postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion formation in rats. A total of 21 adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups. Control rats were untreated; the AG group received AG 200 mg kg(-1) i.p. for 10 consecutive days intraperitoneally after surgery. The sham group was given 0.9% NaCl. The rats were killed on postoperative day 10. The peritoneal tissues were harvested to determine the tissue levels of MDA, GSH, and NO activity. For light microscopic evaluation, the cecum was removed. Adhesion formation scores in the AG group were significantly lower than those of the control and sham groups (p < 0.017, p < 0.026 respectively). In the AG-treated rats, tissue levels of MDA and NO were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.017). The levels of GSH in aminoguanidine-treated rats were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.01). The severity of the inflammation was more prominent in the control group compared with the AG-injected rats. The results demonstrate that in this experimental model, intraperitoneal administration of aminoguanidine decreases the incidence and extent of peritoneal adhesions and causes a decrease in MDA and NO and an increase in GSH values.     

Inhibition of angiogenesis by S-adenosylmethionine

Metastasis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in cancer. One of the steps in metastasis process is the formation of new blood vessels. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns are common in cancer cells. In recent studies, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which is a DNA methylating agent, has been found to have inhibitory effects on some carcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, we have used SAM to investigate whether it is effective against angiogenesis in vitro. Our results have shown that SAM can reduce the formation and organization of capillary-like structures of endothelial cells in tumoral environment. Besides, we have found SAM can block endothelial cell proliferation and the migration of cells towards growth factors-rich media. In conclusion, our study suggests that SAM may be used against angiogenesis as a natural bio-product.     

Melatonin ameliorates cardiac remodelling in fructose-induced metabolic syndrome rat model by using genes encoding cardiac potassium ion channels

Molecular Biology Reports - Metabolic syndrome comprises a group of disorders, including cardiac abnormalities. Ventricular arrhythmias observed in metabolic syndrome are due to the impaired...     

Effects of pinealectomy and exogenous melatonin on ghrelin and peptide YY in gastrointestinal system and neuropeptide Y in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus: immunohistochemical studies in male rats

It is reported that the pineal gland and its main hormone melatonin may have a role in the regulation of ghrelin synthesis in the brain. Stomach is the place where ghrelin is predominantly expressed and secreted. One aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of pinealectomy and melatonin treatment on gastric ghrelin amount. The studies on the effects of the pineal gland on leptin and ghrelin arises the question whether the pineal gland has also effects on the other energy-regulatory peptides such as peptide YY (PYY) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Therefore, we also aimed to investigate the changes in the immunohistochemical staining of intestinal PYY and hypothalamic NPY following pinealectomy and melatonin treatment. Serum PYY levels were also investigated. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups as sham-operated (SHAM), sham-operated with melatonin treatment (SHAM-MT), pinealectomised (PNX) and melatonin-treated PNX (PNX-MT) groups. The cells immunostained for ghrelin were abundant throughout the gastric mucosa in all the groups. Neither pinealectomy nor exogenous melatonin affected significantly immunohistochemical staining of ghrelin in stomach. Pinealectomy resulted in a significant increase in immunohistochemical staining of PYY in ileum. The results of serum PYY measurement corresponded closely to the data obtained by immunohistochemical analysis of PYY in ileum, being significantly lower and higher in SHAM and PNX groups, respectively. Pinealectomy caused a decrease in NPY synthesis in ARC as understood from low immunohistochemical staining of NPY. Melatonin treatment increased NPY synthesis in SHAM rats and restored reduction in NPY synthesis caused by pinealectomy. In conclusion, the pineal gland and its main hormone melatonin can be suggested to have a role in the regulation of NPY synthesis in ARC and PYY in gastrointestinal system.     

Design,in Silico Studies and Biological Evaluation of New Chiral Thiourea and 1,3-Thiazolidine-4,5-dione Derivatives

In this study, new chiral thiourea and 1,3-thiazolidine-4,5-dione derivatives were synthesized, it was aimed to evaluate the various biological activities and molecular docking of these compounds. Firstly, the new thioureas ( 1 – 16 ) were obtained by reacting 1-naphthylisothiocyanate with different chiral amines. Then, the chiral thioureas were cyclized with oxalyl chloride to obtain 1,3-thiazolidine-4,5-dione derivatives ( 17 – 32 ). All compounds were evaluated with several in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities. Compound 30 was the most active compound against AChE, with a value of IC₅₀=8.09±0.58 μM. On the other hand, all compounds were tested in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) assays to better understand their bioavailability. These physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, and drug-likeness of all compounds were calculated using SwissADME. Furthermore, according to molecular docking analyses compound 30 exhibited significant binding affinities for all enzymes. Based on our overall observations, compound 30 could be recommended as a potential lead for the therapuetic of Alzheimer's.