外源性蛋氨酸对饮水砷暴露雌性小鼠体内砷形态分布的影响

目的 探讨外源性蛋氨酸(methionine,Met)对饮水砷暴露小鼠体内不同组织器官砷形态分布的影响.方法 将健康清洁级雌性昆明小鼠40只,随机分为对照组、单纯砷染毒组及低、中、高剂量Met与砷联合染毒组,每组8只.除对照组小鼠饮蒸馏水外,其余各组小鼠以自由饮水方式饮含50mg/L亚砷酸钠的水,连续染毒4周.在染毒的第4周,低、中、高剂量Met与砷联合染毒组小鼠分别被腹腔注射100、200、400 mg/kg的Met溶液,对照组和单纯砷染毒组小鼠被腹腔注射生理盐水,连续注射7 d.末次注射24 h后,处死小鼠,快速取血,分离肝和脑组织,分别检测无机砷(iAs)、一甲基胂酸(MMA)和二甲基胂酸(DMA)含量,并计算各组织中总砷含鼍(TAs)及砷一甲基化率(primary methylation ratio,PMR)和二甲基化率(secondary methylation ratio,SMR).结果 单纯砷染毒组和高、中、低剂量Met与砷联合染毒组小鼠肝、脑组织及全血中iAs、MMA、DMA和TAs含量均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).与单纯砷染毒组比较,中、高剂量Met与砷联合染毒组小鼠肝组织中DMA含量和PMR较高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).与单纯砷染毒组比较,各剂量Met与砷联合染毒组小鼠全血中iAs、MMA和TAs含量均下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).各剂量Met与砷联合染毒组小鼠脑组织中DMA和TAs含量低于单纯砷染毒组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 外源性Met 对小鼠体内砷甲基化代谢具有促进作用,并可加速体内砷化物的排泄,从而减少血液和脑组织中的砷负荷.     

The inhibition of glutamine synthetase sensitizes human sarcoma cells to l-asparaginase

Purpose To evaluate the activity of the antitumor enzyme l-asparaginase (ASNase) on tumor cells of mesenchymal origin and the contribution of glutamine synthetase (GS) to the adaptation to the metabolic stress caused by the anti-tumor enzyme. Methods We studied the effects of ASNase in six human sarcoma cell lines: HT1080 (fibrosarcoma); RD (rhabdomyosarcoma); SW872 (liposarcoma); HOS, SAOS-2, and U2OS (osteosarcoma) in the absence or in the presence of the GS inhibitor methionine l-sulfoximine (MSO). Results HT1080 and SW872 cells were highly sensitive to ASNase-dependent cytotoxicity. In contrast, RD, SAOS-2, HOS, and U2OS cells exhibited only a partial growth suppression upon treatment with the anti-tumor enzyme. In these cell lines ASNase treatment was associated with increased levels of GS. When ASNase was used together with MSO, the proliferation of the poorly sensitive cell lines was completely blocked and a significant decrease in the IC₅₀ for ASNase was observed. Moreover, when ASNase treatment was carried on in the presence of MSO, HOS and U2OS osteosarcoma cells exhibited a marked cytotoxicity, with increased apoptosis. Conclusions In human sarcoma cells (1) GS markedly contributes to the metabolic adaptation of tumor cells to ASNase and (2) the inhibition of GS activity enhances the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of ASNase. The two-step interference with glutamine metabolism, obtained through the combined treatment with ASNase and MSO, may provide a novel therapeutic approach that should be further investigated in human tumors of mesenchymal origin.     

Polymorphisms in <Emphasis Type="Italic">methionine synthase</Emphasis> (A2756G) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">cystathionine β-synthase</Emphasis> (844ins68) and susceptibility to carcinomas of the upper gastrointestinal tract

Purpose

Folate deficiency is considered to increase the risk for the development of malignant tumors such as prostate and colorectal cancer. Methionine synthase (MTR) and cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) are enzymes that play a central role in folate metabolism, thereby affecting DNA methylation and synthesis. A single A→G substitution at nucleotide 2756 of the MTR and a 68 bp CBS insertion polymorphism in exon 8 have been associated with decreased enzyme activity. The purpose of this study is to compare the association of the MTR A2756G polymorphism and CBS insertion polymorphism with susceptibility to carcinomas of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Methods

Using the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-PCR, the prevalence of MTR A2756G and CBS insertion polymorphism was determined in healthy controls (n = 257) and in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) (n = 263), Barrett’s esophagus-associated esophageal adenocarcinoma (BC) (n = 89), cardiac carcinoma (CC) (n = 144), or gastric carcinoma (GC) (n = 221) from German Caucasian subjects.

Results

No significant difference in MTR A2756G genotype distribution was observed between controls (A/A 66.9%, A/G 29.8%, G/G 3.3%) and patients with ESCC (A/A 61.7%, A/G 36.3%, G/G 2.1%), BC (A/A 69.2%, A/G 26.9%, G/G 3.9%), CC (A/A 51.8%, A/G 44.6%, G/G 3.6%), or GC (A/A 73.4%, A/G 20.9%, G/G 5.7%). Similarly, the CBS genotype (I: allele with 68 bp insertion; N: allele without insertion) distribution among German patients with ESCC (N/N 86.8%, I/N 13.2%), BC (N/N 90.2%, I/N 9.8%), CC (N/N 90.1%, I/N 9.9%) or GC (N/N 91.3%, I/N 8.7%) was not different from healthy controls (N/N 90.4%, I/N 9.6%). The gene allele constellation I/I was not present.

Conclusions

The current study suggests that there is no association between MTR A2756G polymorphism and the CBS (844ins68) insertion polymorphism and cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

     

Effects of betaine supplementation on hepatic metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids in mice

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We previously reported that acute betaine treatment induced significant changes in the hepatic glutathione and cysteine levels in mice and rats. The present study was aimed to determine the effects of dietary betaine on the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids. METHODS/RESULTS: Male mice were supplemented with betaine (1%) in drinking water for up to 3 weeks. Changes in hepatic levels of major sulfur amino acid metabolites and products were stabilized after 2 weeks of betaine supplementation. Betaine intake increased methionine, S-adenosylmethionine, and S-adenosylhomocysteine levels significantly, but homocysteine and cystathionine were reduced. Methionine adenosyltransferase activity was elevated to three-fold of control. Cysteine catabolism to taurine was inhibited as evidenced by a decrease in cysteine dioxygenase activity and taurine levels in liver and plasma. Despite the significant changes in the transsulfuration reactions, neither hepatic cysteine nor glutathione was altered. Betaine supplementation decreased the hepatotoxicity induced by chloroform (0.5 ml/kg, ip) significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Betaine supplementation enhances recycling of homocysteine for the generation of methionine and S-adenosylmethionine while reducing its utilization for the synthesis of cystathionine and cysteine. However, the hepatic levels of cysteine or glutathione are not affected, most probably due to the depression of taurine generation from cysteine.     

Hyperhomocysteinemia exacerbates the development of intimal hyperplasia in Sprague-Dawley rats: Alleviation by rosiglitazone

The amino acid intermediate homocysteine (Hcy) is formed during the metabolism of methionine to cysteine. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is recognized as an independent risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis. The circulating levels of total Hcy (tHcy) can increase due to intake of foods rich in methionine or deficiencies of vitamins such as folate, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin, which are required for the metabolism of Hcy. In addition, mutations in the genes coding for Hcy metabolizing enzymes can contribute to an increase in tHcy levels. Clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that an elevated level of tHcy measured in serum or plasma is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease risk, which appears to be greatest in patients who have HHcy following a methionine load. Intimal hyperplasia (IH) (intima/media [I/M] ratio) is the universal response of a vessel to injury and may result in vasoconstriction when left unattended. The effect of dietary HHcy on balloon catheter-injured carotid artery and its modulation (if any) by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonist gamma rosiglitazone was evaluated in 12-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats fed either a control diet or a diet containing 1% L-methionine. Once the rats were established on the diet, the group that was fed 1% L-methionine was further subdivided and either given an aqueous preparation of 3 mg/kg/day rosiglitazone or the vehicle via oral gavage for one week. This was followed by surgically injuring the left carotid artery using a Maverick Over-The-Wire catheter (2.0 mm × 20 mm, 3.2F; Boston Scientific, USA). The rats were continued on their respective diets and drug regimen for 21 days postsurgery. On day 22 of the procedure, the rats were sacrificed for collection of blood, the carotid arteries and liver for biochemical and histological evaluation. Compared with controls there was a significant increase in both tHcy levels and I/M ratio in the rats fed 1% L-methionine (5.4±0.28 μM versus 32.8±3.01 μM, P<0.002; and 0.175±0.05 versus 1.05±0.23, P<0.005, respectively). The effect of rosiglitazone in rats fed the control diet was not prominent. On the other hand, administration of rosiglitazone to the rats on the 1% L-methionine diet significantly reduced the levels of serum tHcy (16.6±2.1 μM versus 32.8±3.01 μM, P<0.001); however, the tHcy levels remained significantly elevated compared with animals on the control diet (P<0.002). The group receiving the L-methionine diet plus rosiglitazone had an inhibition in the development of IH compared with those receiving the L-methionine diet alone (I/M of 0.278±0.041 versus 1.05±0.23, P<0.01). Moreover, the development of IH in the group receiving the L-methionine diet plus rosiglitazone treatment was not significantly different from that observed in the group on the control diet without rosiglitazone (0.278±0.041 versus 0.175±0.05, respectively). These findings may have important implications in deciphering the molecular mechanisms involved in the augmentation of IH in HHcy and modulation of this process by rosiglitazone.     

同型半胱氨酸代谢相关酶基因多态性与心肌梗死关系的研究

目的研究同型半胱氨酸代谢相关酶亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)、胱硫醚-β-合成酶(CBS)及蛋氨酸合成酶(MS)基因多态性与心肌梗死(MI)相关性。方法应用聚合酶链反应-限制性内切酶片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)和聚合酶链反应(PCR)产物直接电泳技术,检测121例MI患者(患者组)和500例健康人(正常对照组)的MTHFR C677T、CBS 844 ins68和MS A2756G基因多态性。结果MTHFR C677T基因型分别为:CC野生型、CT杂合型、TT突变型。其在患者组分布频率分别为14.0%、46.3%、39.7%,T等位基因频率为62.85%,C等位基因频率为37.15%;正常对照组中为35.6%、44.0%2、0.4%,T等位基因频率为42.4%,C等位基因频率为57.6%。两组间各基因频率及等位基因频率比较差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。而CBS 844ins 68和MSA2756G的基因型频率分布,两组间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论MTHFR基因TT基因型,T等位基因与MI具有相关性;而CBS 844 ins68及MS A2756G基因多态性可能与MI发生无直接相关性。     

Effect of insulin-sensitizing agents in combination with ezetimibe, and valsartan in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

AIM: To assess whether treatment with insulin-sensitizing agents (ISAs) in combination with ezetimibe and valsartan have greater effect on hepatic fat content and lipid peroxidation compared to monotherapy in the methionine choline-deficient diet (MCDD) rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Rats (n = 6 per group) were treated with different drugs, including MCDD only, MCDD diet with either metformin (200 mg/kg), rosiglitazone (3 mg/kg), metformin plus rosiglitazone (M R), ezetimibe (2 mg/ kg), valsartan (2 mg/kg), or combination of all drugs for a total of 15 wk. Liver histology, lipids, parameters of oxidative stress and TNF-alpha were measured. RESULTS: Fatty liver (FL) rats demonstrated severe hepatic fatty infiltration (> 91% fat), with an increase in hepatic TG ( 1263%, P < 0.001), hepatic cholesterol ( 245%, P < 0.03), hepatic MDA levels ( 225%, P < 0.001), serum TNF-alpha (17.8±10 vs 7.8±0.0, P < 0.001), but a decrease in hepatic alpha tocopherol (-74%, P < 0.001) as compared to the control rats. Combination therapy with all drugs produced a significant decrease in liver steatosis (-54%), hepatic TG (-64%), hepatic cholesterol (-31%) and hepatic MDA (-70%), but increased hepatic alpha tocopherol ( 443%) as compared to FL rats. Combination therapy with ISA alone produced a smaller decrease in liver steatosis (-32% vs -54%, P < 0.001) and in hepatic MDA levels (-55% vs -70%, P < 0.01), but a similar decrease in hepatic lipids when compared with the all drugs combination. TNF-alpha levels decreased significantly in all treatment groups except in ISA group. CONCLUSION: Combination therapies have a greater effect on liver fat content as compared to monotherapy. Rosiglitazone appears to improve hepatic steatosis to a greater extent than metformin.     

Sulfur-containing amino acids attenuate the development of liver fibrosis in rats through down-regulation of stellate cell activation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We tested the pharmacological action of sulfur-containing amino acids on the development of liver fibrosis in rats and on the function of cultured stellate cells. METHODS: Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by thioacetamide administration or by ligating the common bile duct. DNA synthesis of cultured stellate cells was evaluated by BrdU incorporation. The expression of proteins and phospho-proteins was determined by western blot analysis. mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Oral administration of l-cysteine or l-methionine attenuated the deposition of collagen in liver tissues in the two fibrotic models, accompanying a reduction in the expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta and mRNAs of collagens, transforming growth factor-betas and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase. In cultured stellate cells, l-cysteine and l-methionine suppressed the DNA synthesis and the expression of growth factor receptors, smooth muscle alpha-actin and type I collagen. They hampered the phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK and Akt under platelet-derived growth factor-BB stimulation. Stellate cells were found to express methionine adenosyltransferase 2A. CONCLUSIONS: l-Cysteine and l-methionine regulate the activation of stellate cells. Their oral supply aids the suppression of the progression of liver fibrosis.     

非侵入性肝脏线粒体功能评估新方法——13C呼气试验

线粒体在细胞能量代谢中具有重要作用,线粒体功能紊乱与肝病的发生和发展相关.活体内肝脏线粒体功能评估有助于了解特定肝脏功能、探讨肝病的致病机制,是诊断肝病、评估治疗手段和预后的有用工具.13C呼气试验由于其非侵入性,且具有较高的准确性以及独特的实时检测特性,可用于活体内肝脏线粒体功能的评估.本文就此作一综述.     

过量服用蛋氨酸所致高同型半胱氨酸血症对缺血性血管新生的抑制作用

高同型半胱氨酸血症是引起动脉粥样硬化的一种独立危险因素。过量服用蛋氨酸会导致血清中同型半胱氨酸浓度增高、内皮功能受损、血管舒缩功能减弱。本研究使用过量服用蛋氨酸导致高同型半胱氨酸血症大鼠，与对照组比较，观察缺血下肢血管新生的情况，判断高同型半胱氨酸血症对缺血性血管新生的影响。将36只雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠分为两组：对照组和高同型半胱氨酸血症组。对照组始终给予自来水；高同型半胱氨酸血症组则给予含有0．5％蛋氨酸的饮水。两组动物分别按上述方法给予不同饮水2周后，手术切除左侧股动、静脉，观察缺血28d内缺血区域血管新生和侧枝血管形成的情况。过量服用蛋氨酸导致的高同型半胱氨酸血症减弱了大鼠下肢慢性缺血性血管新生和侧枝血管的建立，这可能与高同型半胱氨酸血症减弱内皮源性一氧化氮生物活性有关。