Effect of curcumin on ethanol-induced stress on mononuclear cells

Blood cells in circulation are exposed to a wide variety of stress-causing agents, causing a number of changes including interactions with other cells and the extracellular matrix of the endothelial wall. In order to understand the role of curcumin, an antioxidant principle from Curcuma longa Linn., on blood mononuclear cells from rabbits given ethanol for 30 days and ethanol with curcumin, cells were isolated and an attachment assay was carried out. The monocytes from ethanol-treated rabbits showed a lesser attachment to collagen, the major component of the vessel wall subendothelium, and those from curcumin treated animals along with ethanol showed a higher affinity to collagen, causing an alteration in the attachment of monocyte to collagen due to ethanol-induced stress.     

Candidate gene association studies and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To evaluate the contribution of candidate gene association studies to the understanding of genetic susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies (January 1996–July 2009). Studies had to meet the following criteria: be case-control design, be studied by two or more studies, not be focused on HLA antigen genetic markers and be published in English. We identified 47 studies of polymorphic variation in 16 genes and acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk. To clarify the impact of individual polymorphisms on risk, pooled analyses were performed. Of the 25 polymorphic variants studied, significant associations (P<0.05) were seen in pooled analyses for eight variants: GSTM1 (OR =1.16; 95%CI: 1.04–1.30), MTRR A66G (OR=0.73, 95%CI:0.59–0.91), SHMT1 C1420T (OR=0.79, 95%CI: 0.65–0.98), RFC1 G80A (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.11–1.69), CYP1A1*2A (OR=1.36, 95%CI:1.11–1.66), CYP2E1*5B (OR=1.99, 95%CI:1.32–3.00) NQO1 C609T (OR=1.24, 95%CI:1.02–1.50) and XRCC1 G28152A (OR=1.78, 95%CI:1.32–2.42). These findings should, however, be interpreted with caution as the estimated false-positive report probabilities (FPRP) for each association were not noteworthy (i.e. FPRP>0.2). While candidate gene analyses are complementary to genome-wide association studies, future analyses should be based on sample sizes commensurate with the detection of small effects and attention needs to be paid to study design.     

Depletion of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase-2A (PP2Ac) markedly attenuates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells

Among various phosphatases, the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is relatively well studied in the islet. Previously, we have demonstrated that the catalytic subunit of PP2A (PP2Ac) undergoes okadaic acid (OKA)-sensitive, reversible carboxylmethylation (CML), which appears to be requisite for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Using the siRNA approach, we examined, herein, the contributory roles of PP2Ac in GSIS from insulin-secreting pancreatic β-(INS-1 832/13) cells. Immunologically, PP2Ac was detectable in all the subcellular fractions studied in rank order of: cytosol > microsomes > secretory granules = nucleus > mitochondria. Transfection of PP2Ac-specific, but not scrambled-siRNA, markedly attenuated PP2A activity and GSIS in these cells. Together, our findings provide a direct evidence for a positive modulatory role for PP2Ac in signaling steps leading to GSIS.     

Small-molecule inhibitors of PDE-IV and -VII in the treatment of respiratory diseases and chronic inflammation

Targeting phosphodiesterase IV (PDE-IV) with small-molecule inhibitors as a therapeutic for chronic inflammatory disorders has been an active area of research interest for many years. The major drawback, however, has been to develop pharmacophores that would differentiate between targeting isoforms of PDE-IV associated with inflammation, as opposed to those that cause emesis, a major side effect associated with PDE-IV inhibition. Several different approaches have been employed, including designing subtype selective PDE-IV inhibitors. A recent approach has been to develop chemotypes that target PDE-VII, a cAMP-specific PDE, expressed widely in immune and pro-inflammatory cells. It is hypothesized that dual inhibitors, which function to inhibit both PDE-IV and VII, may achieve a higher therapeutic index and thereby exhibit a lower propensity to cause adverse side effects that are characteristic when targeting PDE-IV alone. This review focuses on the major classes of compounds that are presently being studied for their potential to inhibit PDE-VII and discusses the available data in the development of dual PDE-IV and -VII inhibitors, their biologic activity and their scope as a therapeutic choice in chronic inflammatory diseases.     

Protective role of curcumin in ethanol toxicity

The effect of curcumin on ethanol induced liver toxicity was evaluated. The increased levels of aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase induced by ethanol were significantly lowered by curcumin. Elevated serum cholesterol, phospholipids and free fatty acids were observed in ethanol fed rats, but on curcumin treatment they decreased. We have also observed a marked decrease in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in serum of alcoholic rats fed curcumin. Thus this study shows that curcumin offers protection against ethanol induced toxicity. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neuroprotective role of curcumin from curcuma longa on ethanol-induced brain damage.

In the present study, curcumin from Curcuma longa was screened for neuroprotective activity using ethanol as a model of brain injury. Oral administration of curcumin to rats caused a significant reversal in lipid peroxidation, brain lipids and produced enhancement of glutathione, a non-enzymic antioxidant in ethanol intoxicated rats, revealing that the antioxidative and hypolipidaemic action of curcumin is-responsible for its protective role against ethanol induced brain injury.     

Structure‐Based Design of a Novel Class of Potent Inhibitors of InhA,the Enoyl Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase from Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: A Computer Modelling Approach

The NADH‐dependent Enoyl‐ACP reductase (InhA) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been shown to be the primary target of the frontline drug isoniazid (INH). However, INH must be first activated by katG gene, mutations in which have mediated resistance to INH. Recently, direct inhibitors of InhA have been reported. Using a structure‐based approach, we have identified a tripeptide inhibitor with the sequence WYW, which is 100 times more potent than the existing inhibitors. It is therefore, a potential lead compound for the development of new anti‐TB drugs.