The Nutraceutical N-Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) Reveals Widespread Molecular Effects Unmasking New Therapeutic Targets in Murine Varicocele

Varicocele is an age-related disease with no current medical treatments positively impacting infertility. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression is present in normal testis with an involvement in the immunological reactions. The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), a nuclear receptor, in fertility is still unclear. N-Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an emerging nutraceutical compound present in plants and animal foods, is an endogenous PPAR-α agonist with well-demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesics characteristics. In this model of mice varicocele, PPAR-α and TLR4 receptors’ roles were investigated through the administration of ultra-micronized PEA (PEA-um). Male wild-type (WT), PPAR-α knockout (KO), and TLR4 KO mice were used. A group underwent sham operation and administration of vehicle or PEA-um (10 mg/kg i.p.) for 21 days. Another group (WT, PPAR-α KO, and TLR4 KO) underwent surgical varicocele and was treated with vehicle or PEA-um (10 mg/kg i.p.) for 21 days. At the end of treatments, all animals were euthanized. Both operated and contralateral testes were processed for histological and morphometric assessment, for PPAR-α, TLR4, occludin, and claudin-11 immunohistochemistry and for PPAR-α, TLR4, transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-β3), phospho-extracellular signal-Regulated-Kinase (p-ERK) 1/2, and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) Western blot analysis. Collectively, our data showed that administration of PEA-um revealed a key role of PPAR-α and TLR4 in varicocele pathophysiology, unmasking new nutraceutical therapeutic targets for future varicocele research and supporting surgical management of male infertility.     

Effects of Lipopolysaccharide on the Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Prolonged Nitric Oxide Blockade-Induced Hypertensive Rats

The authors investigated the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and the activity of astrocytes during the N^w-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) hypertension followed by angiotensin (ANG) II in rats. They measured the changes in the BBB permeability using the Evans blue (EB) dye and concomitantly in the levels of TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6 in serum and nitric oxide in plasma. The authors performed two tight junction-specific proteins, zonula occludens-1 and occludin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, by using immunohisto-chemical method. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and the plasma level of nitric oxide significantly increased in LPS-treated rats (p < .01). The EB dye extravasation increased in cerebellum (p < .001) and diencephalon (p < .05) of L-NAME plus ANG II-treated animals. However, LPS reduced the increased EB dye extravasation in the brain regions of L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats treated with ANG II (p < .001). In L-NAME, there was a considerable loss of staining in both zonula occludens-1 and occludin. Staining for zonula occludens-1 and occludin was highly intensive in animals treated with LPS. Glial fibrillary acidic protein staining was seen in a few astrocytes in brains of L-NAME-treated animals. However, this staining showed an increased intensity in the brain sections of animals treated with LPS. This study indicates that, in L-NAME hypertensive rats, ANG II leads to an increase in the extravasation of EB dye to brain as a result of decreased activity of tight junction proteins and astrocytes, and LPS could significantly attenuate the EB dye transport to the brain through the increased activity of tight junction proteins and astrocytes.     

Chronic sleep loss disrupts blood–testis and blood–epididymis barriers,and reduces male fertility

Sleep loss increases blood–brain barrier permeability. As the blood–brain barrier and the blood–tissue barriers in the reproductive tract (blood–testis and blood–epididymis barriers) share common characteristics, we hypothesized that sleep restriction may also modify their barrier function. Previous reports showed that sleep loss decreased sperm viability and progressive fast mobility, which may be a consequence of altered blood–testis and blood–epididymis barrier. Therefore, we quantified changes in blood–testis and blood–epididymis barrier after sleep loss and related them to male fertility. Adult male Wistar rats were sleep restricted using the multiple‐platform technique in a protocol of 20 hr daily sleep deprivation plus 4 hr of sleep recovery in the home‐cage. At the 10th day, barrier permeability assays were performed with Na‐fluorescein, 10 kDa Cascade blue‐dextrans and Evans blue, and the expression of tight junction proteins, actin and androgen receptor was quantified. At the 10th day of sleep restriction and after sleep recovery days 1–7, males were placed with sexually receptive females, sexual behaviour was tested, and the percentage of pregnancies was calculated. Sleep restriction increased the barrier permeability to low‐ and high‐molecular‐weight tracers, and decreased the expression of tight junction proteins, actin and androgen receptor. Concomitantly, sleep restriction reduced the percentage of ejaculating males and the number of pregnancies. Sleep recovery for 2–3 days progressively re‐established fertility, as indicated by a higher percentage of ejaculating males and impregnated females. In conclusion, chronic sleep loss alters fertility concomitantly with the disruption of the blood–tissue barriers at the reproductive tract, the mechanism involves androgen signalling.     

低氧对原代支持细胞增殖能力和occludin蛋白表达的影响

目的:观察低氧对原代大鼠睾丸支持细胞生长活性、occludin蛋白表达的影响。方法:18～22日龄Wistar大鼠,通过两步酶消化法,建立原代支持细胞培养体系,经油红O、免疫荧光法鉴定。传代后随机分为以下氧浓度组进行培养:20%、15%、10%、5%和1%。分别培养至6、12、24、48、72 h,CCK-8测定细胞增殖活性,West-ern印迹测定occludin蛋白表达量,并进行差异性分析。结果:油红O染色见胞质内脂滴染成红色,免疫荧光见FasL蛋白表达阳性,细胞纯度>95%。与20%氧浓度相比,细胞在15%和10%氧浓度下增殖率逐渐降低,5%和1%氧浓度下,细胞增殖率明显下降(P<0.01);从12 h开始,随着氧浓度降低和时间延长,occludin表达量明显下降(P<0.01)。结论:低氧会抑制支持细胞生长,并减少occludin蛋白表达。推测低氧环境损伤支持细胞参与的血睾屏障完整性,影响睾丸的生精过程。     

Renal tight junction proteins are decreased in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Cisplatin (CP) is an antineoplastic agent that induces nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress. It is unknown whether renal tight junction (TJ) proteins expression and localization are modified in CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Objective: To study if the expression of the TJ proteins occludin, claudin-2, claudin-5 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) is modified in rats with CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats (n?=?5/group) were injected with saline solution (V group), and the other group (CP group) was injected with a single dose of saline solution and CP (7.5?mg/kg i.p.). Rats were sacrificed 72?h after CP injection and blood, and 24-h urine samples were collected. Several plasma and urinary injury biomarkers as well as renal histopathology lesions, oxidative and nitrosative stress markers were evaluated, and protein levels of ocludin, claudin-2, claudin-5, ZO-1 were measured by Western blot. Statistically significant changes noted with different p?Results: Nephrotoxicity was evident by histological alterations, glycosuria, decrease in creatinine clearance, increase in fractional excretion of sodium, serum creatinine and kidney injury molecule-1. These changes were associated with oxidative/nitrosative stress (increased renal abundance of 3-nitrotyrosine and protein kinase Cβ2 and decreased renal expression of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2) and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes. Finally, it was found that CP-induced renal damage was associated with decreased renal expression of occludin and claudin-2.

Discussion and conclusion: CP altered the TJ proteins expression and localization in the proximal tubule that was associated with oxidative/nitrosative stress.     

温阳解毒化瘀颗粒对肠源性内毒素血症大鼠肠黏膜上皮紧密连接的影响

目的：研究温阳解毒化瘀颗粒对肠源性内毒素血症（ IETM ）模型大鼠结肠黏膜上皮紧密连接的影响,探索其抗肝衰竭的作用机制。方法：将大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、温阳解毒化瘀颗粒（实验组）和对照组4组,采用D-半乳糖胺（D-gal）腹腔注射致肝衰竭ITEM大鼠模型。正常组在腹腔注射生理盐水24h后处死,模型组、实验组、对照组分别于造模后24h、48h、72h各取6只、7只、7只大鼠处死,检测各组肝功能、内毒素、结肠黏膜上皮咬合蛋白（occludin）及肌球蛋白轻链激酶（MLCK）。结果：模型组血清ALT/AST、内毒素、 MLCK表达水平均高于正常组, occludin表达低于模型组（ P＜0.01）;实验组血清ALT/AST、内毒素、 MLCK表达水平均低于模型组, occlu-din表达高于模型组（ P＜0.05）。结论：增强结肠粘膜上皮紧密连接功能,降低内毒素的吸收是温阳解毒化瘀颗粒抗肝衰竭的作用机制之一。     

Regulation of mucosal structure and barrier function in rat colon exposed to tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma in vitro: A novel model for studying the pathomechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease cytokines

Objective. In Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), elevated cytokines are responsible for disturbed intestinal transport and barrier function. The mechanisms of cytokine action have usually been studied in cell culture models only; therefore the aim of this study was to establish an in vitro model based on native intestine to analyze distinct cytokine effects on barrier function, mucosal structure, and inherent regulatory mechanisms. Material and methods. Rat colon was exposed to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) in Ussing chambers. Transepithelial resistance (R^t) and ³H-mannitol fluxes were measured for characterization of the paracellular pathway. Transcellular transport was analyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) flux measurements. Expression and distribution of tight junction proteins were characterized in immunoblots and by means of confocal laser-scanning microscopy (LSM). Results. Colonic viability could be preserved for 20 h in a specialized in vitro set-up. This was sufficient to alter mucosal architecture with crypt surface reduction. R^t was decreased (101±10 versus 189±10 Ω·cm²) with a parallel increase in mannitol permeability after cytokine exposure. Tight junction proteins claudin-1, -5, -7, and occludin decreased (45±10%, 16±7%, 42±8%, and 42±13% of controls, respectively), while claudin-2 increased to 208±32%. Occludin and claudin-1 translocated from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm. HRP flux increased from 0.73±0.09 to 8.55±2.92 pmol·h^?1·cm^?2. Conclusions. A new experimental IBD model with native colon in vitro is presented. One-day exposure to TNFα and IFNγ alters mucosal morphology and impairs epithelial barrier function by up-regulation of the paracellular pore-former claudin-2 and down-regulation of the barrier-builders claudin-1, -5, and -7. These alterations resemble changes seen in IBD and thus underline their prominent role in IBD pathogenicity.     

NO体外对肠上皮细胞表达紧密连接蛋白Occludin的影响

目的:探讨一氧化氮(NO)对肠上皮细胞表达紧密连接蛋白Occludin的影响,以研究NO对肠黏膜屏障的作用机制.方法:将NO的供体Sin1与肠上皮细胞株Caco-2共培养24 h,采用MTT方法观察NO对肠上皮细胞的作用,并分别提取细胞蛋白和总RNA,采用免疫蛋白印迹(Westem blot)蛋白半定量方法和实时定量聚合酶链式反应(RO-PCR)方法检测不同NO浓度对Caco-2细胞表达紧密连接蛋白Occludin蛋白和mRNA表达的影响.结果:随着Sin1浓度升高(125,250,500和1000μmol/L)NO对细胞的杀伤作用产生并逐渐增大,Occludin蛋白表达量和mRNA的相对表达量与无Sin1刺激时蛋白及mRNA的表达量相比明显降低(蛋白:375±0.5,374±0.8,363±0.3.363±0.7 vs 398±0.7;mRNA:0.689±0.01,0.578±0.09,0.554±0.03,0.619±0.04 vs 1,均P<0.01).结论:NO可直接损伤肠上皮细胞,同时以剂量依赖形式在蛋白和分子水平影响紧密连接蛋白Occludin的表达.     

小鼠FSH-Occludin重组多价避孕疫苗的构建及表达

目的 构建FSH与Occludin重组基因的毕赤酵母分泌型表达载体.方法 利用RT-PCR技术,从小鼠新鲜脑组织中提取总RNA扩增获得FSH-β亚单位,同法从小鼠新鲜睾丸组织中提取总RNA扩增Occludin,通过双重PCR扩增,获得含FSH-β亚单位特定基因序列和闭锁因子第2个胞外环序列的耦合片段, 构建两种重组质粒pPIC9K FSH-Occludin;经酶切鉴定后电转化毕赤酵母菌株GS115,YPD-G418平板筛选高拷贝转化子,甲醇诱导后SDS-PAGE电泳鉴定.结果 通过双酶切分析、DNA测序鉴定明确特定的FSH-β亚单位和Occludin基因耦合片段序列与设计完全一致.目的蛋白相对分子质量分别约为14×103与12×103 ,与理论预测值相吻合;Western blot检测具有良好的免疫反应性.结论 耦合片段被成功克隆到巴氏毕赤酵母表达载体pPIC9K中并高效、正确的表达.     

清胰颗粒对重症急性胰腺炎大鼠肠黏膜上皮紧密连接的保护作用

目的：探讨清胰颗粒对重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）大鼠肠黏膜上皮紧密连接的保护作用。方法：24只健康雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组、SAP组和清胰颗粒组。采用3.5%牛磺胆酸钠胆胰管逆行注射制备SAP大鼠模型,清胰颗粒组于造模前2 h、造模后6 h和18 h分别给予清胰颗粒灌胃,SAP组以同样的方法给予安慰剂。各组分别于造模后24 h取末端回肠,HE染色,光镜下观察病理组织学改变,采用Chiu’小肠组织损伤评价标准对肠黏膜损伤进行评价,应用Western blot和实时荧光定量PCR法检测回肠黏膜上皮紧密连接蛋白（Occludin）表达。结果：与假手术组相比,SAP组大鼠Chiu’小肠组织损伤评分（4.6±0.6） vs （0.0±0.0）明显升高,与SAP组相比,清胰颗粒组Chiu’小肠组织损伤评分（2.0±0.4）vs（4.6±0.6）明显降低;Western blot和实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,与假手术组相比SAP组大鼠Occludin蛋白表达（1.2±0.4）vs（3.2±0.4）和mRNA表达（1.3±0.3）vs（2.9±0.5）明显降低（P＜0.05）;与SAP组相比,清胰颗粒组 Occludin蛋白表达（4.1±0.4）vs（1.2±0.4）和mRNA表达（4.2±0.3）vs（1.3±0.3）明显升高（P＜0.05）。结论：清胰颗粒能减轻SAP大鼠肠黏膜损伤程度,这一作用可能与增强肠黏膜紧密连接蛋白Occludin表达有关。