Glutamine metabolism in the lungs of glucocorticoid-treated rats

1991 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Salleh ◽  
M. Ardawi

1. The effect of dexamethasone (30 μg day−1 100 g−1 body weight) on the regulation of glutamine metabolism was studied in the lungs of rats after 9 days of treatment. 2. Dexamethasone resulted in a negative nitrogen balance, and produced decreases in the blood concentrations of glutamine (32.3%) and glutamate (25.3%) but an increase in the blood concentration of alanine (33.9%). 3. Dexamethasone treatment increases the rates of production of glutamine and alanine by lung slices incubated in vitro. 4. Blood flow and arteriovenous concentration difference measurement across the lungs exhibited an increase in the net exchange rates of glutamine (131.6%) and alanine (113.2%) in dexamethasone-treated rats compared with corresponding pair-fed controls. 5. Dexamethasone treatment produced significant decreases in the lung concentrations of glutamine (47.2%), glutamate (30.9%) and 2-oxoglutarate (57.3%). The concentrations of alanine (52.1%), ammonia (24.7%) and pyruvate (43.7%) were increased. 6. The maximal activity of glutamine synthetase was increased (21.5%), but there was no marked change in that of glutaminase, in the lungs of dexamethasone-treated rats. 7. It is concluded that glucocorticoid administration enhances the rates of production of glutamine and alanine from lungs of rats (both in vitro and in vivo). This may be due to changes in efflux and/or increased intracellular biosynthesis of glutamine and alanine.

1990 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Salleh M. Ardawi ◽  
Yasir S. Jamal

1. The effect of dexamethasone (30 μg day−-1 100 g−-1 body weight) on the regulation of glutamine metabolism was studied in skeletal muscles of rats after 9 days of treatment. 2. Dexamethasone resulted in negative nitrogen balance, and produced increases in the plasma concentrations of alanine (23.4%) and insulin (158%) but a decrease in the plasma concentration of glutamine (28.7%). 3. Dexamethasone treatment increased the rate of glutamine production in muscle, skin and adipose tissue preparations, with muscle production accounting for over 90% of total glutamine produced by the hindlimb. 4. Blood flow and arteriovenous concentration difference measurements across the hindlimb showed an increase in the net exchange rates of glutamine (25.3%) and alanine (90.5%) in dexamethasone-treated rats compared with corresponding controls. 5. Dexamethasone treatment produced significant decreases in the concentrations of skeletal muscle glutamine (51.8%) and 2-oxoglutarate (50.8%). The concentrations of alanine (16.2%), pyruvate (45.9%), ammonia (43.3%) and inosine 5′-phosphate (141.8%) were increased. 6. The maximal activity of glutamine synthetase was increased (21–34%), but there was no change in that of glutaminase, in muscles of dexamethasone-treated rats. 7. It is concluded that glucocorticoid administration enhances the rates of release of both glutamine and alanine from skeletal muscle of rats (both in vitro and in vivo). This may be due to changes in efflux and/or increased intracellular formation of glutamine and alanine.


1988 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Salleh M. Ardawi ◽  
May F. Majzoub ◽  
Eric A. Newsholme

1. The effect of dexamethasone (30 μg day−1 100 g−1 body wt.) on the metabolism of glucose and glutamine was studied in the small intestine of rats after 9 days of treatment. 2. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in negative nitrogen balance (P < 0.001), and produced increases in the concentrations of plasma glucose (22%, P < 0.05), alanine (32%, P < 0.001) and insulin (127%, P < 0.001), but a decrease in the plasma concentration of glutamine (20%, P < 0.05). 3. Portal-drained visceral blood flow increased by approximately 22% (P < 0.001) in dexamethasone-treated rats, and was accompanied by a decrease in the arteriovenous concentration difference of glucose (43%, P < 0.001) and an increase in that of lactate (22%, P < 0.05), glutamine (35%, P < 0.01), glutamate (33%, P < 0.01) and alanine (21%, P < 0.05). 4. Enterocytes isolated from dexamethasone-treated rats showed decreased and increased rates of glucose and glutamine utilization, respectively. 5. The maximal activities of hexokinase, 6-phosphofructokinase, citrate synthase and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase were decreased (30–64%, P < 0.001) in intestinal mucosal scrapings of dexamethasone-treated rats, whereas the activity of glutaminase was increased (35%, P < 0.001). 6. It is concluded that glucocorticoid administration decreases the rate of glucose utilization but increases that of glutamine (both in vivo and in vitro) by the epithelial cells of the small intestine. This may be caused by changes in the maximal activities of key enzymes in the pathways of glucose and glutamine metabolism in these cells.


1991 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 603-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Salleh M. Ardawi

1. The metabolism of glutamine and alanine in the lung was studied in rats made septic by a caecal ligation and puncture technique. 2. The blood glucose concentration was not significantly different in septic rats, but blood pyruvate, lactate, glutamine and alanine concentrations were markedly increased as compared with sham-operated rats. Conversely, blood ketone body and plasma cholesterol concentrations were significantly decreased in septic rats. Both plasma insulin and plasma glucagon concentrations were markedly elevated in response to sepsis. Sepsis resulted in a negative nitrogen balance. 3. Sepsis increased the rates of production of glutamine (52.5%, P <0.001), alanine (38.9%, P <0.001) and glutamate (48.6%, P <0.001) by lung slices incubated in vitro. 4. Sepsis increased lung blood flow by 27.6% (P <0.05). Blood flow and arteriovenous concentration difference measurement across the lung of septic rats showed an increase in the net exchange rates of glutamine (142.5%, P <0.001), alanine (129.4%, P <0.001), glutamate (100.9%, P <0.001) and ammonia (138.0%, P <0.001) as compared with sham-operated control rats. 5. Sepsis produced significant decreases in the lung concentrations of glutamine (36.8%), glutamate (20.8%), 2-oxoglutarate (64.8%) and AMP (18.3%). The lung concentrations of alanine (95.9%), ammonia (67.7%) and pyruvate (89.7%) were increased. 6. The maximal activities of glutamine synthetase (20.4%, P <0.05), phosphate-dependent glutaminase (18.9%, P <0.05) and alanine aminotransferase (25.5%, P <0.05) were increased, but there was no marked change in that of glutamate dehydrogenase, in the lungs of septic rats. 7. It is concluded that there are enhanced rates of production of glutamine and alanine from lungs of septic rats (both in vitro and in vivo). This may be due to changes in efflux and/or increased intracellular biosynthesis of both glutamine and alanine; these suggestions are discussed.


1991 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Salleh M. Ardawi ◽  
Sawsan M. Jalalah

1. The metabolism of glucose and glutamine was studied in the small intestine and the colon of rats after 4–5 weeks of hypothyroidism. 2. Hypothyroidism resulted in increases in the plasma concentrations of ketone bodies (P < 0.05), cholesterol (P < 0.001) and urea (P < 0.001), but decreases in the plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (P < 0.05) and triacylglycerol (P < 0.001). These changes were associated with decreases in the plasma concentrations of total triiodothyronine, free tri-iodothyronine, total thyroxine and free thyroxine. 3. Hypothyroidism decreased both the DNA content (by 30.5%) and the protein content (by 23.6%) of intestinal mucosa, with the protein/DNA ratio remaining unchanged. The villi in the jejunum were shorter (P < 0.05) and the crypt depth was decreased by about 26.5% in hypothyroid rats. 4. Portal-drained visceral blood flow showed no marked change in response to hypothyroidism, but was accompanied by decreased rates of extraction of glucose, lactate and glutamine and release of glutamate, alanine and ammonia. 5. Enterocytes and colonocytes isolated from hypothyroid rats showed decreased rates of utilization and metabolism of glucose and glutamine. 6. The maximal activities of hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1), 6-phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11), pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40), citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.28), oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.2) and phosphate-dependent glutaminase (EC 3.5.1.2) were decreased in intestinal mucosal scrapings from hypothyroid rats. Similar decreases were obtained in colonic mucosal scrapings (except for citrate synthase and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase) from hypothyroid rats. 7. It is concluded that hypothyroidism decreases the rates of utilization of glucose and glutamine (both in vivo and in vitro) by the epithelial cells of the small intestine and colon. This may be caused by changes in protein turnover and/or the maximal activities of key enzymes in the pathways of glucose and glutamine metabolism in these cells.


Author(s):  
Н.В. Белобородова ◽  
В.В. Мороз ◽  
А.Ю. Бедова

Интеграция метаболизма макроорганизма и его микробиоты, обеспечивающая в норме симбиоз и саногенез, нарушается при заболеваниях, травме, критическом состоянии, и вектор взаимодействия может изменяться в пользу прокариотов по принципу «метаболиты бактерий - против хозяина». Анализ литературы показал, что, с одной стороны, имеется живой интерес к ароматическим микробным метаболитам, с другой - отсутствует четкое представление об их роли в организме человека. Публикации, касающиеся ряда ароматических микробных метаболитов (фенилкарбоновых кислот, ФКК), как правило, не связаны между собой по тематике и направлены на решение тех или иных прикладных задач в разных областях биологии и медицины. Цель обзора - анализ информации о происхождении, биологических эффектах ФКК в экспериментах in vitro и in vivo , и клинических наблюдениях. Обобщая результаты приведенных в обзоре исследований на клеточном, субклеточном и молекулярном уровнях, логично предположить участие ароматических микробных метаболитов в патогенезе полиорганной недостаточности при сепсисе. Наиболее перспективным для раскрытия роли ароматических микробных метаболитов представляется изучение механизмов вторичной почечной недостаточности и септической энцефалопатии. Важным направлением для будущих исследований является изучение влияния продуктов микробной биодеградации ароматических соединений на развитие диссеминированного внутрисосудистого свертывания крови, артериальной гипотензии и септического шока. Результаты дальнейших исследований будут иметь не только фундаментальное значение, но и обогатят практическую медицину новыми диагностическими и лечебными технологиями. Significant increases in blood concentrations of some aromatic metabolites (phenylcarboxylic acids, PhCAs) in patients with sepsis have been previously shown. Enhanced bacterial biodegradation of aromatic compounds has been demonstrated to considerably contribute to this process. Integration of macroorganism metabolism and its microbiota, which provides normal symbiosis and sanogenesis, is disturbed in diseases, trauma, and critical conditions. Direction of this interaction may change in favor of prokaryotes according to the principle, “bacterial metabolites are against the host”. Analysis of literature showed a particular interest of many investigators to aromatic microbial metabolites. However, there is no clear understanding of their role in the human body. Publications on PhCAs are generally not thematically interrelated and usually focus on solving applied tasks in different fields of biology and medicine. The aim of this work was to consolidate existing information about origin and biological effects of PhCAs in in vitro / in vivo experiments and some clinical findings. The presented summary of reported data from studies performed at cellular, sub-cellular, and molecular levels suggests participation of aromatic microbial metabolites in the pathogenesis of multiple organ failure in sepsis. Studying mechanisms of secondary renal failure and septic encephalopathy is most promising for discovering the function of aromatic microbial metabolites. Effects of microbial biodegradation products of aromatic substances on development of disseminated intravascular coagulation, hypotension, and septic shock are an important challenge for future studies. Results of further investigations will be not only fundamental, but will also enrich medical practice with new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.


Author(s):  
Danlei Wang ◽  
Maartje H. Rietdijk ◽  
Lenny Kamelia ◽  
Peter J. Boogaard ◽  
Ivonne M. C. M. Rietjens

AbstractDevelopmental toxicity testing is an animal-intensive endpoints in toxicity testing and calls for animal-free alternatives. Previous studies showed the applicability of an in vitro–in silico approach for predicting developmental toxicity of a range of compounds, based on data from the mouse embryonic stem cell test (EST) combined with physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modelling facilitated reverse dosimetry. In the current study, the use of this approach for predicting developmental toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was evaluated, using benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) as a model compound. A rat PBK model of BaP was developed to simulate the kinetics of its main metabolite 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3-OHBaP), shown previously to be responsible for the developmental toxicity of BaP. Comparison to in vivo kinetic data showed that the model adequately predicted BaP and 3-OHBaP blood concentrations in the rat. Using this PBK model and reverse dosimetry, a concentration–response curve for 3-OHBaP obtained in the EST was translated into an in vivo dose–response curve for developmental toxicity of BaP in rats upon single or repeated dose exposure. The predicted half maximal effect doses (ED50) amounted to 67 and 45 mg/kg bw being comparable to the ED50 derived from the in vivo dose–response data reported for BaP in the literature, of 29 mg/kg bw. The present study provides a proof of principle of applying this in vitro–in silico approach for evaluating developmental toxicity of BaP and may provide a promising strategy for predicting the developmental toxicity of related PAHs, without the need for extensive animal testing.


1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5710-5724
Author(s):  
E DesJardins ◽  
N Hay

Transcription of the human proto-oncogene c-myc is governed by two tandem principal promoters, termed P1 and P2. In general, the downstream promoter, P2, is predominant, which is in contrast to the promoter occlusion phenomenon usually observed in genes containing tandem promoters. A shift in human c-myc promoter usage has been observed in some tumor cells and in certain physiological conditions. However, the mechanisms that regulate promoter usage are not well understood. The present studies identify regulators which are required to promote transcription from both human c-myc promoters, P1 and P2, and have a role in determining their relative activities in vivo. A novel regulatory region located 101 bp upstream of P1 was characterized and contains five tandem repeats of the consensus sequence CCCTCCCC (CT element). The integrity of the region containing all five elements is required to promote transcription from P1 and for maximal activity from P2 in vivo. A single copy of this same element, designated CT-I2, also appears in an inverted orientation 53 bp upstream of the P2 transcription start site. This element has an inhibitory effect on P1 transcription and is required for P2 transcription. The transcription factor Sp1 was identified as the factor that binds specifically to the tandem CT elements upstream of P1 and to the CT-I2 element upstream of P2. In addition, the recently cloned zinc finger protein ZF87, or MAZ, was also able to bind these same elements in vitro. The five tandem CT elements can be functionally replaced by a heterologous enhancer that only in the absence of CT-I2 reverses the promoter usage, similar to what is observed in the translocated c-myc allele of Burkitt's lymphoma cells.


1986 ◽  
Vol 113 (4_Suppl) ◽  
pp. S35-S40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc V.L. DU CAJU ◽  
Raoul P. ROOMAN

ABSTRACT Conditions characterized by high levels of glucocorticoids are associated with poor growth. Serum somatomedin or insulin-like growth factor activity measured by cartilage bioassay systems is low, but is generally not accompanied by a fall in somatomedin concentration. Hydrocortisone and a synthetic analogue, dexamethasone, impaired the serum stimulated "in vitro" 35S sulphate and 3H-thymidine incorporation in porcine rib cartilage at physiological concentrations. Hydrocortisone added at a concentration of 0,1 μg/ml decreased the potency of normal serum to 50 % of controls. Dexamethasone was at least 10 times more potent. Removal of "in vitro" or "in vivo" administered hydrocortisone with dextran-coated charcoal restored the sulphate and thymidine activity to normal. We conclude that physiological amounts of glucocorticoids inhibit the "in vitro" porcine cartilage metabolism. Glucocorticoid administration "in vivo" does not abolish the activity of the cartilage stimulating effect of serum but affects cartilage metabolism directly or by the induction of locally produced inhibitors of cartilage metabolism.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3216
Author(s):  
Maryvonne Ardourel ◽  
Chloé Felgerolle ◽  
Arnaud Pâris ◽  
Niyazi Acar ◽  
Khaoula Ramchani Ben Othman ◽  
...  

To prevent ocular pathologies, new generation of dietary supplements have been commercially available. They consist of nutritional supplement mixing components known to provide antioxidative properties, such as unsaturated fatty acid, resveratrol or flavonoids. However, to date, only one preclinical study has evaluated the impact of a mixture mainly composed of those components (Nutrof Total®) on the retina and demonstrated that in vivo supplementation prevents the retina from structural and functional injuries induced by light. Considering the crucial role played by the glial Müller cells in the retina, particularly to regulate the glutamate cycle to prevent damage in oxidative stress conditions, we questioned the impact of this ocular supplement on the glutamate metabolic cycle. To this end, various molecular aspects associated with the glutamate/glutamine metabolism cycle in Müller cells were investigated on primary Müller cells cultures incubated, or not, with the commercially mix supplement before being subjected, or not, to oxidative conditions. Our results demonstrated that in vitro supplementation provides guidance of the glutamate/glutamine cycle in favor of glutamine synthesis. These results suggest that glutamine synthesis is a crucial cellular process of retinal protection against oxidative damages and could be a key step in the previous in vivo beneficial results provided by the dietary supplementation.


1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 654-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard W. Brill ◽  
Peter G. Bushnell ◽  
David R. Jones ◽  
Manabu Shimizu

In most fishes, blood acid–base regulation following a temperature change involves active adjustments of gill ion-exchange rates which take hours or days to complete. Previous studies have shown that isolated blood from skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis, and albacore, Thunnus alalunga, had rates of pH change with temperature (in the open system) equivalent to those necessary to retain net protein charge in vivo (≈ −0.016 ΔpH∙ °C−1). It was postulated that this is due to protons leaving the hemoglobin combining with plasma bicarbonate [Formula: see text], which is removed as gaseous CO2, and that this ability evolved so that tunas need not adjust gill ion-exchange rates to regulate blood pH appropriately following ambient temperature changes. We reexamined this phenomenon using blood and separated plasma from yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares. Unlike previous studies, our CO2 levels (0.5 and 1.5% CO2) span those seen in yellowfin tuna arterial and venous blood. Various bicarbonate concentrations [Formula: see text] were obtained by collecting blood from fully rested as well as vigorously exercised fish. We use our in vitro data to calculate basic physiochemical parameters for yellowfin tuna blood: nonbicarbonate buffering (β), the apparent first dissociation constant of carbonic acid (pKapp), and CO2 solubility (αCO2). We also determined the effects of acute temperature change on arterial pH, [Formula: see text], and partial pressures of O2 and CO2in vivo. The pH shift of yellowfin tuna blood subjected to a closed-system temperature change did not differ from previous studies of other teleosts (≈ −0.016 ΔpH∙ °C−1). The pH shift in blood subjected to open-system temperature change was Pco2 dependent and lower than that in skipjack tuna or albacore blood in vitro, but identical with that seen in yellowfin tuna blood in vivo. However, pH adjustments in vivo were caused by changes in both [Formula: see text] and Pco2. The exact mechanisms responsible for these changes remain to be elucidated.


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