The Influence of In Vivo Metabolic Modifications on ADMET Properties of Green Tea Catechins–In Silico Analysis

The health effects of green tea are associated with catechins: (?)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), (?)-epigallocatechin, (?)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate, and (?)-epicatechin. An understanding of compound absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity characteristics is essential for explaining its biological activities. Herein, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity properties of in vivo detected metabolites of green tea catechins (GTCs) have been analyzed in silico. The influence of metabolic transformations on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion profiles of GTCs corresponds to the effects of size, charge, and lipophilicity, as already observed for other small molecules. Mutagenic, carcinogenic, or liver toxic effects were predicted only for a few metabolites. Similar to galloylated GTCs EGCG and (--)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate, the sulfo-conjugates were predicted to bind at the warfarin binding site. The low free plasma concentration of these derivatives may be consequential to their serum albumin binding. The activity cliff detected for methylated conjugates of EGCG indicates that GTCs' pro-oxidative activity in bound state comes primarily from free hydroxyl groups of the pyrogallol ring B.     

Protein kinase C isoforms in atherosclerosis: Pro- or anti-inflammatory?

Atherosclerosis is a pathologic condition caused by chronic inflammation in response to lipid deposition in the arterial wall. There are many known contributing factors such as long-term abnormal glucose levels, smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Under the influence of such factors, immune and non-immune effectors cells are activated and participate during the progression of atherosclerosis. Protein kinase C (PKC) family isoforms are key players in the signal transduction pathways of cellular activation and have been associated with several aspects of the atherosclerotic vascular disease. This review article summarizes the current knowledge of PKC isoforms functions during atherogenesis, and addresses differential roles and disputable observations of PKC isoforms. Among PKC isoforms, both PKCβ and PKCδ are the most attractive and potential therapeutic targets. This commentary discusses in detail the outcomes and current status of clinical trials on PKCβ and PKCδ inhibitors in atherosclerosis-associated disorders like diabetes and myocardial infarction. The risk and benefit of these inhibitors for clinical purposes will be also discussed. This review summarizes what is already being done and what else needs to be done in further targeting PKC isoforms, especially PKCβ and PKCδ, for therapy of atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis-associated vasculopathies in the future.     

巨噬细胞移动抑制因子的表达与食管癌的临床病理指标的相关性

目的探讨巨噬细胞移动抑制因子（macrophage migration inhibitory factor,MIF）在食管癌组织中的表达与食管癌的临床病理指标的相关性,及其在肿瘤发生中的可能作用。方法收集2010年1月—2012年9月间新疆医科大学第一附属医院经手术切除并存档的食管癌组织标本40例,癌旁组织标本20例。应用s—P免疫组化方法检测食管癌组织及癌旁食管上皮组织中MIF的表达情况。结果组织中MIF阳性表达在食管癌组明显高于癌旁组织组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;MIF的表达和肿瘤部位、肿瘤直径、病理类型、分化程度等均无明显相关（P〉0．05）,与食管癌患者的肿瘤浸润范围、淋巴结转移、远处转移、TNM分期有关（P〈0．05）。结论MIF在食管癌组织中高表达,与肿瘤的浸润范围、淋巴结转移、远处转移及TNM分期相关,MIF可以作为一种诊断食管黏膜癌变的免疫组织化学检测指标。     

The size‐dependent genotoxic potentials of titanium dioxide nanoparticles to endothelial cells

Despite intensive research activities, there are still many major knowledge gaps over the potential adverse effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂‐NPs), one of the most widely produced and used nanoparticles, on human cardiovascular health and the underlying mechanisms. In the present study, alkaline comet assay and cytokinesis‐block micronucleus test were employed to determine the genotoxic potentials of four sizes (100, 50, 30, and 10 nm) of anatase TiO₂‐NPs to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in culture. Also, the intracellular redox statuses were explored through the measurement of the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) with kits, respectively. Meanwhile, the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) were also detected by western blot. The results showed that at the exposed levels (1, 5, and 25 μg/mL), all the four sizes of TiO₂‐NPs could elicit an increase of both DNA damage and MN frequency in HUVECs in culture, with a positive dose‐dependent and negative size‐dependent effect relationship (T100 < T50 < T30 < T10). Also, increased levels of intracellular ROS, but decreased levels of GSH, were found in all the TiO₂‐NP‐treated groups. Intriguingly, a very similar manner of dose‐dependent and size‐dependent effect relationship was observed between the ROS test and both comet assay and MN test, but contrary to that of GSH assay. Correspondingly, the levels of Nrf2 protein were also elevated in the TiO₂‐NP‐exposed HUVECs, with an inversely size‐dependent effect relationship. These findings indicated that induction of oxidative stress and subsequent genotoxicity might be an important biological mechanism by which TiO₂‐NP exposure would cause detrimental effects to human cardiovascular health.     

红花-甘草配伍对寒凝血瘀模型大鼠血浆及脑组织中腺苷酸及能荷的影响

目的：研究红花-甘草配伍对寒凝血瘀模型大鼠血浆及脑组织中三磷酸腺苷（ATP）、二磷酸腺苷（ADP）、一磷酸腺苷（AMP）及能荷（EC）水平的影响,从能量代谢角度探讨该配伍对寒凝血瘀证的影响。方法：采用冷水冰浴方法成功建立寒凝血瘀证SD大鼠模型,将造模成功大鼠随机分为4组,即模型对照组、红花组、甘草组、红花-甘草组,另设正常对照组。造模成功后,给药组灌胃相应的药物,剂量为20 g·kg^-1,模型对照组和正常对照组给予等容积的纯净水,各组均连续灌胃15 d,检测大鼠血浆及脑组织中3种腺苷酸的含量并计算能荷值。结果：与正常对照组相比,模型对照组ATP、ADP的含量及EC值均显著降低（P<0.01）,AMP的含量降低不明显。与模型对照组相比,各给药组ATP、ADP的含量及EC值均显著升高,红花-甘草组改善上述指标的作用强于单药组,差异有显著性（P<0.05）。结论：红花和甘草均可改善寒凝血瘀模型大鼠的能量代谢,促进机体对能量物质的利用,红花-甘草配伍对改善寒凝血瘀证能量代谢显示出更佳的疗效。