scholarly journals 5α-Reduced glucocorticoids: a story of natural selection

2011 ◽  
Vol 212 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Nixon ◽  
Rita Upreti ◽  
Ruth Andrew
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Disease ◽  
Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Reductase Inhibitors ◽  
Inflammatory Status ◽  
Increased Activity ◽  
Inflammatory Insult

5α-Reduced glucocorticoids (GCs) are formed when one of the two isozymes of 5α-reductase reduces the Δ4–5double bond in the A-ring of GCs. These steroids are largely viewed inert, despite the acceptance that other 5α-dihydro steroids, e.g. 5α-dihydrotestosterone, retain or have increased activity at their cognate receptors. However, recent findings suggest that 5α-reduced metabolites of corticosterone have dissociated actions on GC receptors (GRs)in vivoandin vitroand are thus potential candidates for safer anti-inflammatory steroids. 5α-Dihydro- and 5α-tetrahydro-corticosterone can bind with GRs, but interest in these compounds had been limited, since they only weakly activated metabolic gene transcription. However, a greater understanding of the signalling mechanisms has revealed that transactivation represents only one mode of signalling via the GR and recently the abilities of 5α-reduced GCs to suppress inflammation have been demonstratedin vitroandin vivo. Thus, the balance of parent GC and its 5α-reduced metabolite may critically affect the profile of GR signalling. 5α-Reduction of GCs is up-regulated in liver in metabolic disease and may represent a pathway that protects from both GC-induced fuel dyshomeostasis and concomitant inflammatory insult. Therefore, 5α-reduced steroids provide hope for drug development, but may also act as biomarkers of the inflammatory status of the liver in metabolic disease. With these proposals in mind, careful attention must be paid to the possible adverse metabolic effects of 5α-reductase inhibitors, drugs that are commonly administered long term for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Endocannabinoids and Liver Disease. V. Endocannabinoids as mediators of vascular and cardiac abnormalities in cirrhosis

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (4) ◽  
pp. G649-G653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Moezi ◽  
Seyed Ali Gaskari ◽  
Samuel S. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Cardiac Output ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Cardiovascular Effects ◽  
Humoral Factors ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Increased Activity

Cirrhosis is associated with marked cardiovascular disturbances. These include hyperdynamic circulation characterized by reduced peripheral vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure and increased cardiac output. Despite the baseline increase in cardiac output, ventricular responsiveness to stimuli is blunted. A number of cellular signaling pathways have been shown to contribute to these abnormalities, including central nervous system cardiovascular dysregulation and humoral factors such as nitric oxide. Endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids have significant cardiovascular effects. Recent evidence suggests that increased activity of the endocannabinoid system at multiple levels contributes to development of both cardiac and vascular changes in cirrhosis. This brief review surveys recent in vivo and in vitro findings in an attempt to highlight the areas of agreement and areas of controversy in the field. The endocannabinoid system affects key cardiovascular regulators, including the autonomic nervous system, cardiac muscle, and vascular smooth muscle. The interplay among these modes of action further complicates interpretation of the in vivo findings. The broad range of cardiovascular actions of endocannabinoids provides ample opportunities for pharmacological manipulation. At the same time, it increases the possibility of undesirable side effects, which need to be carefully evaluated in long-term studies.

The depressing (negative) effect of oestradiol benzoate on the in vitro secretion of LH and FSH by the pituitary gland of the LRH-pretreated long-term ovariectomized rat changes into the augmentative (positive) effect after discontinuation of the LRH-pretreatment

1985 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Schuiling ◽  
H. Moes ◽  
T. R. Koiter
Keyword(s):  
Depressing Effect ◽  
Ovx Rats ◽  
Gonadotrophin Secretion ◽  
Oestradiol Benzoate ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Perifusion System

Abstract. The effect of pretreatment in vivo with oestradiol benzoate on in vitro secretion of LH and FSH was studied in long-term ovariectomized (OVX) rats both at the end of a 5-day continuous in vivo pretreatment with LRH and 4-days after cessation of such LRH pretreatment. Rats were on day 0 sc implanted with osmotic minipumps which released LRH at the rate of 250 ng/h. Control rats were implanted with a piece of silicone elastomer with the dimensions of a minipump. On days 2 and 4 the rats were injected with either 3 μg EB or with oil. On day 5 part of the rats were decapitated and the in vitro autonomous (i.e. non-LRH-stimulated) and 'supra-maximally' LRHstimulated release of LH and FSH was studied using a perifusion system. From other rats the minipumps were removed on day 5 and perifusion was performed on day 9. On the 5th day of the in vivo LRH pretreatment the pituitary LH/FSH stores were partially depleted; the pituitaries of the EB-treated rats more so than those of the oil-injected rats. EB alone had no significant effect on the content of the pituitary LH- and FSH stores. On day 9, i.e. 4 days after removal of the minipumps, the pituitary LH and FSH contents had increased in both the oil- and the EB injected rats, but had not yet recovered to control values. In rats not subjected to the 5-days pretreatment with LRH EB had a positive effect on the supra-maximally LRH-stimulated secretion of LH and FSH as well as on the non-stimulated secretion of LH. EB had no effect on the non-stimulated secretion of FSH. After 5 days of in vivo pretreatment with LRH only, the in vitro non-stimulated and supra-maximally LRH-stimulated secretion of both LH and FSH were strongly impaired, the effect correlating well with the LRH-induced depletion of the pituitary LH/FSH stores. In such LRH-pretreated rats EB had on day 5 a negative effect on the (already depressed) LRH-stimulated secretion of LH (not on that of FSH). EB had no effect on the non-stimulated LH/FSH secretion. It could be demonstrated that the negative effect of the combined LRH/EB pretreatment was mainly due to the depressing effect of this treatment on the pituitary LH and FSH stores: the effect of oestradiol on the pituitary LRH-responsiveness (release as related to pituitary gonadotrophin content) remained positive. In LRH-pretreated rats, however, this positive effect of EB was smaller than in rats not pretreated with LRH. Four days after removal of the minipumps there was again a positive effect of EB on the LRH-stimulated secretion of LH and FSH as well as on the non-stimulated secretion of LH. The positive effect of EB on the pituitary LRH-responsiveness was as strong as in rats which had not been exposed to exogenous LRH. The non-stimulated secretion of FSH was again not affected by EB. The results demonstrate that the effect of EB on the oestrogen-sensitive components of gonadotrophin secretion consists of two components: an effect on the pituitary LRH-responsiveness proper, and an effect on the pituitary LH/FSH stores. The magnitude of the effect of EB on the LRH-responsiveness is LRH dependent: it is very weak (almost zero) in LRH-pretreated rats, but strong in rats not exposed to LRH as well as in rats of which the LRH-pretreatment was stopped 4 days previously. Similarly, the effect of EB on the pituitary LH and FSH stores is LRH-dependent: in the absence of LRH, EB has no influence on the contents of these stores, but EB can potentiate the depleting effect of LRH on the LH/FSH-stores. Also this effect disappear after cessation of the LRH-pretreatment.

THE ROLE OF POLYETHYLENIMINE IN ENHANCING PERFORMANCE OF GLUTAMATE BIOSENSORS

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 36-41
Author(s):  
Diep Do Thi Hong ◽  
Duong Le Phuoc ◽  
Hoai Nguyen Thi ◽  
Serra Pier Andrea ◽  
Rocchitta Gaia
Keyword(s):  
First Generation ◽  
Good Reproducibility ◽  
Complex Matrices ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
In Vitro Characterization ◽  
Glutamate Oxidase

Background: The first biosensor was constructed more than fifty years ago. It was composed of the biorecognition element and transducer. The first-generation enzyme biosensors play important role in monitoring neurotransmitter and determine small quantities of substances in complex matrices of the samples Glutamate is important biochemicals involved in energetic metabolism and neurotransmission. Therefore, biosensors requires the development a new approach exhibiting high sensibility, good reproducibility and longterm stability. The first-generation enzyme biosensors play important role in monitoring neurotransmitter and determine small quantities of substances in complex matrices of the samples. The aims of this work: To find out which concentration of polyethylenimine (PEI) exhibiting the most high sensibility, good reproducibility and long-term stability. Methods: We designed and developed glutamate biosensor using different concentration of PEI ranging from 0% to 5% at Day 1 and Day 8. Results: After Glutamate biosensors in-vitro characterization, several PEI concentrations, ranging from 0.5% to 1% seem to be the best in terms of VMAX, the KM; while PEI content ranging from 0.5% to 1% resulted stable, PEI 1% displayed an excellent stability. Conclusions: In the result, PEI 1% perfomed high sensibility, good stability and blocking interference. Furthermore, we expect to develop and characterize an implantable biosensor capable of detecting glutamate, glucose in vivo. Key words: Glutamate biosensors, PEi (Polyethylenimine) enhances glutamate oxidase, glutamate oxidase biosensors

Strategies to Protect Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Culture-Induced Stress Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Aerts-Kaya
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Induced Stress

: In contrast to their almost unlimited potential for expansion in vivo and despite years of dedicated research and optimization of expansion protocols, the expansion of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) in vitro remains remarkably limited. Increased understanding of the mechanisms that are involved in maintenance, expansion and differentiation of HSCs will enable the development of better protocols for expansion of HSCs. This will allow procurement of HSCs with long-term engraftment potential and a better understanding of the effects of the external influences in and on the hematopoietic niche that may affect HSC function. During collection and culture of HSCs, the cells are exposed to suboptimal conditions that may induce different levels of stress and ultimately affect their self-renewal, differentiation and long-term engraftment potential. Some of these stress factors include normoxia, oxidative stress, extra-physiologic oxygen shock/stress (EPHOSS), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, replicative stress, and stress related to DNA damage. Coping with these stress factors may help reduce the negative effects of cell culture on HSC potential, provide a better understanding of the true impact of certain treatments in the absence of confounding stress factors. This may facilitate the development of better ex vivo expansion protocols of HSCs with long-term engraftment potential without induction of stem cell exhaustion by cellular senescence or loss of cell viability. This review summarizes some of available strategies that may be used to protect HSCs from culture-induced stress conditions.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial arginase-2 is essential for IL-10 metabolic reprogramming of inflammatory macrophages

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer K. Dowling ◽  
Remsha Afzal ◽  
Linden J. Gearing ◽  
Mariana P. Cervantes-Silva ◽  
Stephanie Annett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Regulation ◽  
Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽  
Interleukin 10 ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Macrophage Polarisation ◽  
Inflammatory Status ◽  
Inflammatory Macrophages

AbstractMitochondria are important regulators of macrophage polarisation. Here, we show that arginase-2 (Arg2) is a microRNA-155 (miR-155) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) regulated protein localized at the mitochondria in inflammatory macrophages, and is critical for IL-10-induced modulation of mitochondrial dynamics and oxidative respiration. Mechanistically, the catalytic activity and presence of Arg2 at the mitochondria is crucial for oxidative phosphorylation. We further show that Arg2 mediates this process by increasing the activity of complex II (succinate dehydrogenase). Moreover, Arg2 is essential for IL-10-mediated downregulation of the inflammatory mediators succinate, hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and IL-1β in vitro. Accordingly, HIF-1α and IL-1β are highly expressed in an LPS-induced in vivo model of acute inflammation using Arg2−/− mice. These findings shed light on a new arm of IL-10-mediated metabolic regulation, working to resolve the inflammatory status of the cell.

scholarly journals An ARF GTPase module promoting invasion and metastasis through regulating phosphoinositide metabolism

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa Nacke ◽  
Emma Sandilands ◽  
Konstantina Nikolatou ◽  
Álvaro Román-Fernández ◽  
Susan Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Cellular Responses ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
External Signal ◽  
Phosphoinositide Metabolism ◽  
Invasion And Metastasis ◽  
3 Dimensional

AbstractThe signalling pathways underpinning cell growth and invasion use overlapping components, yet how mutually exclusive cellular responses occur is unclear. Here, we report development of 3-Dimensional culture analyses to separately quantify growth and invasion. We identify that alternate variants of IQSEC1, an ARF GTPase Exchange Factor, act as switches to promote invasion over growth by controlling phosphoinositide metabolism. All IQSEC1 variants activate ARF5- and ARF6-dependent PIP5-kinase to promote PI(3,4,5)P3-AKT signalling and growth. In contrast, select pro-invasive IQSEC1 variants promote PI(3,4,5)P3 production to form invasion-driving protrusions. Inhibition of IQSEC1 attenuates invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Induction of pro-invasive IQSEC1 variants and elevated IQSEC1 expression occurs in a number of tumour types and is associated with higher-grade metastatic cancer, activation of PI(3,4,5)P3 signalling, and predicts long-term poor outcome across multiple cancers. IQSEC1-regulated phosphoinositide metabolism therefore is a switch to induce invasion over growth in response to the same external signal. Targeting IQSEC1 as the central regulator of this switch may represent a therapeutic vulnerability to stop metastasis.

scholarly journals Long-Acting Risperidone Dual Control System: Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation In Vitro and In Vivo

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1210
Author(s):  
Xieguo Yan ◽  
Shiqiang Wang ◽  
Kaoxiang Sun
Keyword(s):  
Drug Loading ◽  
Entrapment Efficiency ◽  
In Vitro Dissolution ◽  
Dissolution Behavior ◽  
In Vivo Evaluation ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Long Acting

Schizophrenia, a psychiatric disorder, requires long-term treatment; however, large fluctuations in blood drug concentration increase the risk of adverse reactions. We prepared a long-term risperidone (RIS) implantation system that can stabilize RIS release and established in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation systems. Cumulative release, drug loading, and entrapment efficiency were used as evaluation indicators to evaluate the effects of different pore formers, polymer ratios, porogen concentrations, and oil–water ratios on a RIS implant (RIS-IM). We also built a mathematical model to identify the optimized formulation by stepwise regression. We also assessed the crystalline changes, residual solvents, solubility and stability after sterilization, in-vivo polymer degradation, pharmacokinetics, and tissue inflammation in the case of the optimized formulation. The surface of the optimized RIS microspheres was small and hollow with 134.4 ± 3.5 µm particle size, 1.60 SPAN, 46.7% ± 2.3% implant drug loading, and 93.4% entrapment efficiency. The in-vitro dissolution behavior of RIS-IM had zero-order kinetics and stable blood concentration; no lag time was released for over three months. Furthermore, the RIS-IM was not only non-irritating to tissues but also had good biocompatibility and product stability. Long-acting RIS-IMs with microspheres and film coatings can provide a new avenue for treating schizophrenia.

A Sensitive Method for Assay of Mixed-Function Oxygenase (p-450 complex) in Cell Culture

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-223
Author(s):  
Jørgen Clausen ◽  
Søren Achim Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Human Lymphocytes ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Related Family ◽  
Oxygenase Activity ◽  
Metabolic Transformation ◽  
Mixed Function Oxygenase

The mixed-function oxygenase system involved in the metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics has been extensively studied in various animal species and in various organs (1). It is now apparent that in humans the p-450 complex is one representative of a related family, expressed by 13 c-DNA genes showing approximately 36% similarity between the different subfamilies (2). In order to compare the in vivo and in vitro metabolic effects of drugs and xenobiotics, the induction capabilities of the mixed-function oxygenase must be known. The most sensitive non-isotopic assay system for determination of mixed-function oxygenase activity is the method of Nebert & Gelboin (3,4), which is based on the metabolic transformation of benzo-(a)-pyrene to its fluorescent hydroxyl derivatives (5). However, the levels of the mixed-function oxygenase enzymes in different cellular systems show great variations, with the highest activities in liver cells. Therefore, in order to use human lymphocytes and other cellular systems with low mixed-function oxygenase activities, the assay method for determining oxygenase activity must have the highest possible sensitivity. The present communication is devoted to a study aimed at increasing the sensitivity of Nebert & Gelboin's methods for assay of mixed-function oxygenase subfamilies using benzo-(a)-pyrene as a substrate.

scholarly journals Expression Profile of New Marker Genes Involved in Differentiation of Canine Adipose-Derived Stem Cells into Osteoblasts

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6663
Author(s):  
Maurycy Jankowski ◽  
Mariusz Kaczmarek ◽  
Grzegorz Wąsiatycz ◽  
Claudia Dompe ◽  
Paul Mozdziak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
In Vitro Culture ◽  
Osteogenic Differentiation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
P Value ◽  
Illumina Platform

Next-generation sequencing (RNAseq) analysis of gene expression changes during the long-term in vitro culture and osteogenic differentiation of ASCs remains to be important, as the analysis provides important clues toward employing stem cells as a therapeutic intervention. In this study, the cells were isolated from adipose tissue obtained during routine surgical procedures and subjected to 14-day in vitro culture and differentiation. The mRNA transcript levels were evaluated using the Illumina platform, resulting in the detection of 19,856 gene transcripts. The most differentially expressed genes (fold change >|2|, adjusted p value < 0.05), between day 1, day 14 and differentiated cell cultures were extracted and subjected to bioinformatical analysis based on the R programming language. The results of this study provide molecular insight into the processes that occur during long-term in vitro culture and osteogenic differentiation of ASCs, allowing the re-evaluation of the roles of some genes in MSC progression towards a range of lineages. The results improve the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms associated with long-term in vitro culture and differentiation of ASCs, as well as providing a point of reference for potential in vivo and clinical studies regarding these cells’ application in regenerative medicine.

scholarly journals Ibrexafungerp: A First-in-Class Oral Triterpenoid Glucan Synthase Inhibitor

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabelle Jallow ◽  
Nelesh P. Govender
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Fungal Cell ◽  
Favourable Safety ◽  
Favourable Safety Profile ◽  
Synthase Inhibitor ◽  
Increased Activity ◽  
In Vitro Data

Ibrexafungerp (formerly SCY-078 or MK-3118) is a first-in-class triterpenoid antifungal or “fungerp” that inhibits biosynthesis of β-(1,3)-D-glucan in the fungal cell wall, a mechanism of action similar to that of echinocandins. Distinguishing characteristics of ibrexafungerp include oral bioavailability, a favourable safety profile, few drug–drug interactions, good tissue penetration, increased activity at low pH and activity against multi-drug resistant isolates including C. auris and C. glabrata. In vitro data has demonstrated broad and potent activity against Candida and Aspergillus species. Importantly, ibrexafungerp also has potent activity against azole-resistant isolates, including biofilm-forming Candida spp., and echinocandin-resistant isolates. It also has activity against the asci form of Pneumocystis spp., and other pathogenic fungi including some non-Candida yeasts and non-Aspergillus moulds. In vivo data have shown IBX to be effective for treatment of candidiasis and aspergillosis. Ibrexafungerp is effective for the treatment of acute vulvovaginal candidiasis in completed phase 3 clinical trials.

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