Double deficiency of cathepsin B and L in the mouse pancreas alters trypsin activity without affecting acute pancreatitis severity

BackgroundPremature intracellular trypsinogen activation has long been considered a key initiator of acute pancreatitis (AP). Cathepsin B (CTSB) activates trypsinogen, while cathepsin L (CTSL) inactivates trypsin(ogen), and both proteins play a role in the onset of AP.MethodsAP was induced by 7 hourly intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (50 μg/kg) in wild-type and pancreas-specific conditional Ctsb knockout (Ctsb^Δpan), Ctsl knockout (Ctsl^Δpan), and Ctsb;Ctsl double-knockout (Ctsb^Δpan;Ctsl^Δpan) mice. Pancreatic samples were collected and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and immunoblots. Trypsin activity was measured in pancreatic homogenates. Peripheral blood was collected, and serum amylase activity was measured.ResultsDouble deletion of Ctsb and Cstl did not affect pancreatic development or mouse growth. After 7 times cerulein injections, double Ctsb and Ctsl deficiency in mouse pancreases increased trypsin activity to the same extent as that in Ctsl-deficient mice, while Ctsb deficiency decreased trypsin activity but did not affect the severity of AP. Ctsb^Δpan;Ctsl^Δpan mice had comparable serum amylase activity and histopathological changes and displayed similar levels of proinflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and autophagy activity compared with wild-type, Ctsb^Δpan, and Ctsl^Δpan mice.ConclusionDouble deletion of Ctsb and Ctsl in the mouse pancreas altered intrapancreatic trypsin activity but did not affect disease severity and inflammatory response after cerulein-induced AP.     

蓝莓花青素对人胃腺癌BGC-823细胞增殖、侵袭的影响及机制研究

目的:探讨蓝莓花青素(BA)对人胃腺癌BGC-823细胞增殖、侵袭的影响及相关机制。方法:低、中、高剂量实验组与对照组人胃腺癌BGC-823细胞分别以25、50、100μg/mL BA与等量生理盐水处理,分别处理12 h、24 h、48 h。采用噻唑蓝(MTT)与流式细胞仪检测人胃腺癌BGC-823细胞增殖与凋亡;采用Transwell小室实验与免疫细胞化学法检测人胃腺癌BGC-823细胞侵袭与P53、半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)蛋白表达。结果:干预48 h时,对照组、低、中、高剂量实验组人胃腺癌BGC-823细胞P53与Caspase-3蛋白阳性细胞百分比分别为(11.12±1.01)%,(24.31±2.18)%,(47.56±2.91)%,(66.49±5.14)%与(15.04±1.23)%,(28.22±3.09)%,(69.36±5.42)%,(86.52±6.15)%。实验组胃腺癌BGC-823细胞增殖抑制率随BA浓度增大而逐渐升高;与对照组比较,低、中、高剂量实验组人胃腺癌BGC-823细胞凋亡率、P53与Caspase-3蛋白阳性细胞百分比均显著升高,侵袭率降低,呈浓度依赖性(均P0.05)。结论:BA可有效抑制胃腺癌BGC-823细胞增殖,诱导其凋亡,并降低侵袭能力,其机制可能与上调P53与Caspase-3蛋白表达有关。     

Cysteine proteases of parasites: A remarkable diversity of function

Summary Papain family cysteine proteases function primarily intracellularly in higher eukaryotes, but are often extracellular proteases in protozoan helminths. The utility of this class of enzymes is reflected in the diversity of functions they perform in both parasite life cycles and the pathogenesis of parasitic diseases. Examples include secretion of proteases into the gut of parasitic worms for hemoglobin degradation, release from the surface of nematodes to degrade cuticular proteins during molting, and facilitating excystment of protozoa.     

The Protective Role of Glutathione, Cysteine and Vitamin C against Oxidative DNA Damage Induced in Rat Kidney by Potassium Bromate

The roles of glutathione (GSH), cysteine, vitamin C., liposome-encapsulated superoxide dismutase (L-SOD) and vitamin E in preventing oxidative DNA damage and cytotoxicity in the rat kidney after administration of potassium bromate (KBrO₃) to male F344 rats were investigated by measuring 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), an oxidative DNA product, lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and relative kidney weight (RKW). Combined pre- and posttreatment of animals with 2 × 800 mg/kg GSH i.p. inhibited the increase of 8-OH-dG, LPO levels and RKW caused by 80 mg/kg KBrO₃ i.p. administration. In contrast, pretreatment with 0.3 ml/kg diethylmaleate (DEM) i.p., a depletor of tissue GSH, was associated with elevation of 8-OH-dG, LPO levels and RKW after a 20 mg/kg KBrO₃ i.p. treatment, which itself caused no change. Administration of KBrO₃ itself reduced renal non-protein thiol levels, but this was inhibited by the two doses of exogenous GSH. Combined treatment with DEM and KBrO₃ lowered the non-protein thiol level in the kidney more than did DEM treatment alone. Protective effects against the oxidative damage caused by KBrO₃ were also observed for pre- and posttreatment with 400 mg/kg cysteine i.p., another sulfhydryl compound, and daily i.g. application of 200 mg/kg vitamin C for 5 days. However, no influence was evident after pre- and posttreatment with 18,000 U/kg L-SOD i.p. or daily i.g. 100 mg/kg of vitamin E for 5 days. The results suggest that intracellular GSH plays an essential protective role against renal oxidative DNA damage and nephrotoxicity caused by KBrO₃.     

Spectroelectrochemical studies of tetrasulfonated metallophthalocyanines adsorbed on the basal plane of graphite in the presence of cysteine

Cobalt and iron tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines (M-TSPc) have been studied by electroreflectance spectroscopy in the adsorbed state on the basal plane of HOPG in a borate buffer (pH 9). Since both complexes exhibit electrocatalytic activity for the electro-oxidation of cysteine, we looked at the changes of the visible spectra of the adsorbed complexes upon adding millimolar amounts of cysteine to the electrolyte. Under zero-current conditions (open circuit) the addition of cysteine causes large changes in the reflectance spectra of both Co-TSPc and Fe-TSPc. In the case of Co-TSPc the spectra resemble that of Co(I)TSPc whereas for Fe-TSPc bands at 424 and 626 nm are observed. The open circuit potential shifts to values close to the standard potential of the M(II)/M(I) couple. We attribute these changes, particularly in the case of Fe-TSPc, to the formation of a radical adduct between the adsorbed phthalocyanine and the cysteine molecule, with partial electron-transfer from the cysteine to the metal center. Evidences for these adducts is not found when polarizing the electrode, which shows that they behave as very unstable intermediates in the catalytic process.     

Kynurenine aminotransferase activity in human liver: identity with human hepatic C-S lyase activity and a physiological role for this enzyme

The C-S lyase enzymes are responsible for the generation of mutagenic and cytotoxic metabolites via aberrant drug-metabolising pathways in mammalian tissues. We have examined human hepatic cytosolic, mitochondrial and microsomal fractions for evidence of C-S lyase activity. The cytosolic enzyme was purified using fast protein liquid chromatography over FFQ Sepharose, Mono P and Superose 12. An homogeneous protein (monitored by SDS-PAGE) was obtained following purification, and an 11-fold increase in C-S lyase specific activity was observed. The molecular weight of the enzyme was found to be 37 kDa in denaturing conditions, 82.3 kDa in non-denaturing conditions, and the C-S lyase activity was shown to co-purify with kynurenine aminotransferase activity when the transaminase activity of the enzyme was examined with kynurenine as the substrate.     

冠心病同型半胱氨酸与其相关酶基因MTHFR、CBS多态性关系的研究

目的:探讨冠心病血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平与其代谢相关酶MTHFR、CBS基因型的关系。方法:采用试剂盒法提取人基因组DNA;采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长多态性(PCR-RFLP)法检测MTHFR基因型,采用扩增阻滞实变体系法(ARMS)检测CBS基因型。结果:冠心病患者MTHFR基因型异常者Hcy水平明显高于MTHFR基因型正常者,有显著差异(P<0.05);在本研究中没有检测出CBS基因突变者。结论:MTHFR基因突变是引起血浆Hcy水平升高的主要原因。     

同型半胱氨酸对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞胶原蛋白合成及其mRNA表达的影响

目的 :观察同型半胱氨酸 ( Hcy)对血管平滑肌细胞 ( VSMCs)胶原合成的影响 ,并探讨其作用机制。方法 :本实验采用体外培养的大鼠 VSMCs,加入不同浓度的 Hcy,通过 3 H-脯氨酸掺入、α1[ ]型胶原测定观察 Hcy对 VSMCs胶原合成的影响 ,并通过半定量 RT- PCR检测其对 α1[ ]型胶原 m RNA表达的影响。结果 :Hcy促进 VSMCs的胶原合成及 α1[ ]型胶原 m RNA表达 ,并呈剂量依赖效应。结论 :Hcy促进 VSMCs的胶原合成 ,可能是通过促进 α1[ ]型胶原 m RNA表达实现的。提示 Hcy促进胶原合成可能是动脉粥样硬化的发病机制之一     

Deacetylation and further metabolism of the mercapturic acid of hexachloro-1,3-butadiene by rat kidney cytosol in vitro

Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (HCBD) is more nephrotoxic to female than male rats. Metabolism of HCBD involves conjugation with glutathione followed by formation of the cysteine conjugate S-(pentachloro-1,3-butadienyl) cysteine (PCBD-CYS) and then the mercapturic acid N-acetyl-S-pentachloro-1,3-butadienyl-cysteine (PCBD-NAC). PCBD-NAC is also more nephrotoxic to female rats than male rats. The deacetylation of [¹⁴C]-PCBD-NAC to PCBD-CYS and the binding of radiolabelled metabolites to protein has been studied using renal cytosol preparations from male and female rats in vitro, since a sex-related difference in these reactions could explain the difference in nephrotoxicity found in vivo. PCBD-NAC was rapidly metabolised by renal cytosol. The rate of metabolism was similar with either male or female renal cytosol, and the major metabolite identified was PCBD-CYS. N-Acetylation of PCBD-CYS to PCBD-NAC was not detected in the presence of either male or female renal cytosol. Covalent binding of radioactivity from [¹⁴C]-PCBD-NAC to cytosolic protein could be detected after 5 min incubation, and although the extent of binding was similar for both male and female cytosol at early time periods, after 60 min incubation more binding was found in the presence of male cytosol. Covalent binding was largely prevented by aminooxyacetic acid, an inhibitor of cysteine conjugate -lyase, suggesting a role for this enzyme in the activation of HCBD. These results indicate that the sex differences in the nephrotoxicity of HCBD and PCBD-NAC in the rat are not attributable to differences in the rate of deacetylation of PCBD-NAC to give the proximate nephrotoxin PCBD-CYS.This work was supported by a fellowship from the European Science Foundation granted to I. S. P.     

Low plasma glutamine in combination with high glutamate levels indicate risk for loss of body cell mass in healthy individuals: the effect of N-acetyl-cysteine

Skeletal muscle catabolism, low plasma glutamine, and high venous glutamate levels are common among patients with cancer or human immunodeficiency virus infection. In addition, a high glycolytic activity is commonly found in muscle tissue of cachectic cancer patients, suggesting insufficient mitochondrial energy metabolism. We therefore investigated (a) whether an anaerobic physical exercise program causes similar changes in plasma amino acid levels, and (b) whether low plasma glutamine or high glutamate levels are risk factors for loss of body cell mass (BCM) in healthy human subjects, i.e., in the absence of a tumor or virus infection. Longitudinal measurements from healthy subjects over longer periods suggest that the age-related loss of BCM occur mainly during episodes with high venous glutamate levels, indicative of decreased muscular transport activity for glutamate. A significant increase in venous glutamate levels from 25 to about 40 M was seen after a program of anaerobic physical exercise. This was associated with changes in T lymphocyte numbers. Under these conditions persons with low baseline levels of plasma glutamine, arginine, and cystine levels also showed a loss of BCM. This loss of BCM was correlated not only with the amino acid levels at baseline examination, but also with an increase in plasma glutamine, arginine, and cystine levels during the observation period, suggesting that a loss of BCM in healthy individuals terminates itself by adjusting these amino acids to higher levels that stabilize BCM. To test a possible regulatory role of cysteine in this context we determined the effect of N-acetyl-cysteine on BCM in a group of subjects with relatively low glutamine levels. The placebo group of this study showed a loss of BCM and an increase in body fat, suggesting that body protein had been converted into other forms of chemical energy. The decrease in mean BCM/body fat ratios was prevented by N-acetyl-cysteine, indicating that cysteine indeed plays a regulatory role in the physiological control of BCM.Abbreviations BCM Body cell mass - HIV Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 - NAC N-Acetyl-cysteine