Action of Humicola lanuginosa lipase on mixed monomolecular films of tricaprylin and polyethylene glycol stearate

The hydrolysis catalyzed by Humicola lanuginosa lipase (HLL) of pure tricaprylin (TC) or stearate of polyethylene glycol 1500 (PEG-St) as well as their mixtures spread as monomolecular films were studied. The catalytic transformation of the two substrates TC or PEG-St into their respective reaction products was detected by measuring simultaneously the decrease in the film area and the surface potential using the "zero order" trough at constant surface pressure. A kinetic model describing the enzymatic hydrolysis was developed. The surface concentrations of the two substrates and their respective reaction products as well as the values of the global kinetic constants of hydrolysis were determined. The experimentally obtained global kinetic constants of the catalytic action of HLL against TC and PEG-St present in mixed monolayers of TC/PEG-St are approximately the same as in the case of pure monolayers. These obtained results give some indications that the activity of enzyme is not significantly affected by the different molecular environments in the mixed monolayers

Effect of a Small Selective Inhibitor of C-Jun N-Terminal Kinase on the Inducible mRNA Expression of Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-18

BACKGROUND: The expression of many inducible genes, involved in cell growth and differentiation as cytokine genes are regulated by receptor-activated intracellular signalling pathways, including the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. AIM: We examined the involvement of the JNK signalling pathway in the regulation of the inducible interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene expression at the transcriptional level. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and C3 binding glycoprotein (C3bgp) with or without SP600125 and cultured for 6 h. After mRNA isolation, a qRT-PCR was performed. RESULTS: Regarding IL-6 and IL-18 mRNA expression, donors were divided into two groups of high and low responders. SP600125 inhibited significantly IL-6 mRNA transcription in the high responder group and did not influence the transcription level in the low responder group. Concerning IL-18 mRNA, we detect the significant effect of SP600125 on the inducible mRNA in high responder group upon C3bgp stimulation. CONCLUSION: JNK transduction pathway is involved in the production of IL-6 mRNA, after LPS and C3bgp stimulation. We suggest that the inhibition of JNK may be beneficial only for higher responding patients during the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases

On the origin of amniotic stem cells: of mice and men

A common characteristic of mammals is the development of extraembryonic supporting tissues and organs that are required for embryonic implantation, survival and development in utero. The amnion is the innermost extraembryonic membrane that eventually surrounds the fetus of amniotes, and contains the amniotic fluid. Next to its function in in utero development, the amnion has been shown to have an important potential for clinical applications. It is mainly used as a dressing to stimulate healing in skin and ocular wounds. Moreover, cells derived from the amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid have been reported to possess stem cell features, like pluripotent differentiation ability. Little is known about the early development of this membrane in humans. The mouse is a powerful genetic model organism that can be used to address the dynamics and the developmental origin of amnion and amnion-derived stem cells. Here, we discuss some fundamental differences in amnion development in the disc-shaped primate embryo and in the cup-shaped mouse embryo. We emphasize the consequences that this may have on the derivation of amniotic "stem" cells. After revision of the different isolation procedures of amniotic (fluid) derived "stem" cells from rodents, we reveal striking differences in the sources used to derive these cells across studies. The profound differences in the development of the extraembryonic membranes and cavities between primates and rodents may result in comparing cell types of different developmental origins, eventually leading to missinterpretations.status: publishe

Features of the eye pathology in primary hyperparathyroidism

The pathology of vision occurs in various endocrine diseases, but information about the state of the eyes in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been limited yet. Large systematic studies on this problem are absent, mainly the data of foreign literature are based on descriptions of several clinical cases that report about non-specific changes of eyes in people with significant hypercalcemia. The most common manifestations of hyperparathyroid ophthalmopathy are the cornea and conjunctiva calcification, disfunction of the eye muscles. Taking into account the prevalence of mild PHPT caused by early diagnosis and timely pathogenetic treatment of the disease, nowadays these ophthalmic disorders are rare. However, specific eye pathology in this category of patients requires detailed study and further research

Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders in women with primary hyperparathyroidism: results of cross-sectional study

Background: Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) have increased mortality risk predominantly attributed to cardiovascular disease. Taking the risk factors for cardiovascular disease into account, such as overweight, atherogenic dyslipidaemia, carbohydrate metabolism disorders and insulin resistance (IR), investigation on the the study of the state of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in patients with PHPT will help to shed light on the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and, perhaps, to complement the algorithm for selecting treatment strategies for patients with PHPT. Aims: To study the prevalence of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders among patients with PHPT and to identify the relationship between these two disorders with the indicators of mineral metabolism. Materials and methods: A case-control study of a total of age-matched 256 female patients, 220 patients with PHPT and 36 healthy individuals. The group patients with PHPT were sub-divided into two groups, symptomatic and mild form of PHPT. To verify the form of PHPT, ultrasound examinations of the parathyroid glands and kidneys, two-energy x-ray absorptiometry, biochemical studies (concentration of total and ionised calcium, serum phosphorus and the activity of alkaline phosphatase) and assessment of parathyroid hormone concentration were performed. The relationship between form of PHPT and body weight were evaluated retrospectively according to the survey. Among the 109 participants with PHPT (symptomatic PHPT: 82 patients; mild PHPT: 27 patients) and healthy individuals, the biochemical and hormonal parameters of fat (lipid spectrum of blood) and carbohydrate metabolism (content of immunoreactive insulin, HOMA index, presence of fasting glycemia disorder, glucose tolerance disorders and type 2 diabetes mellitus) were evaluated. Results: The symptomatic PHPT was associated with low body mass index (BMI) while the mild PHPT with high BMI. During an oral glucose tolerance test, the postprandial glycemia in symptomatic PHPT was significantly higher than that in mild PHPT (p = 0.036). The content of immunoreactive insulin in the symptomatic PHPT was not correlated with the concentration of parathyroid hormone, but positively correlated with the concentration of ionised calcium in the blood (r = 0.31; p = 0.006). Patients with PHPT showed a direct positive correlation between BMI and IR index (r = 0.67; p < 0.001). It is shown that patients with PHPT have increased LDL content in the blood, and the actual blood lipid concentration is associated with the state of kidney function. Conclusions: The obtained data confirm the relationship between phosphorus–calcium metabolism disorders in PHPT and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders. Prospective, controlled studies are warranted to better elucidate the causal relationships of mineral, carbohydrate and fat metabolism disorders in PHPT

Epigenetic Regulation of S100A9 and S100A12 Expression in Monocyte-Macrophage System in Hyperglycemic Conditions

The number of diabetic patients in Europe and world-wide is growing. Diabetes confers a 2-fold higher risk for vascular disease. Lack of insulin production (Type 1 diabetes, T1D) or lack of insulin responsiveness (Type 2 diabetes, T2D) causes systemic metabolic changes such as hyperglycemia (HG) which contribute to the pathology of diabetes. Monocytes and macrophages are key innate immune cells that control inflammatory reactions associated with diabetic vascular complications. Inflammatory programming of macrophages is regulated and maintained by epigenetic mechanisms, in particular histone modifications. The aim of our study was to identify the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the hyperglycemia-mediated macrophage activation. Using Affymetrix microarray profiling and RT-qPCR we identified that hyperglycemia increased the expression of S100A9 and S100A12 in primary human macrophages. Expression of S100A12 was sustained after glucose levels were normalized. Glucose augmented the response of macrophages to Toll-like receptor (TLR)-ligands Palmatic acid (PA) and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) i.e., pro-inflammatory stimulation. The abundance of activating histone Histone 3 Lysine 4 methylation marks (H3K4me1, H3K4me3) and general acetylation on histone 3 (AceH3) with the promoters of these genes was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Hyperglycemia increased acetylation of histones bound to the promoters of S100A9 and S100A12 in M1 macrophages. In contrast, hyperglycemia caused a reduction in total H3 which correlated with the increased expression of both S100 genes. The inhibition of histone methyltransferases SET domain-containing protein (SET)7/9 and SET and MYND domain-containing protein (SMYD)3 showed that these specifically regulated S100A12 expression. We conclude that hyperglycemia upregulates expression of S100A9, S100A12 via epigenetic regulation and induces an activating histone code on the respective gene promoters in M1 macrophages. Mechanistically, this regulation relies on action of histone methyltransferases SMYD3 and SET7/9. The results define an important role for epigenetic regulation in macrophage mediated inflammation in diabetic conditions

Metabolic features of young patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Background: The main components of mineral metabolism can influence non-classical target organs such as adipose tissue, pancreas, vascular wall. The «metabolic» effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and other participants of phosphorus-calcium metabolism in the hyperfunction of parathyroid glands remain unclear. The study of disorders of carbohydrate, fat and other types of metabolism in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) will help to develop effective measures for prophylaxis and treatment of the patients in order to improve the quality and life span of the population.Aim: To study the main parameters of metabolism in young patients with an active stage of PHPT before surgical treatment.Materials and methods: A one-stage comparative study of young patients with PHPT and healthy volunteers matched by sex, age and body mass index (BMI) was carried out. The participants underwent a comprehensive biochemical and hormonal examination, a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp and a bioimpedance analysis of the body composition.Results: 21 patients with PHPT and 18 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Patients with PHPT have higher level of serum triglycerides (p=0.003) without statistically differences of the main carbohydrate and purine parameters comparing with the control group. Visceral obesity were revealed in 42.9% of patients, including those with a normal BMI. Insulin resistance in the PHPT group was noted in 52.4% of cases, while the M-index was statistically lower than in the control subgroup (p=0.008), despite of the comparable body composition of the participants. The M-index showed a positive correlation with blood phosphorus level (p=0.010) only in the general group. Statistically positive correlations of PTH, albumin-corrected calcium and osteocalcin with triglyceride levels, calcium with fasting glycaemia, and PTH with uric acid levels were determined.Conclusion: PHPT is associated with insulin resistance in patients that is the main risk factor for the development of serious carbohydrate and fat disorders. The positive correlation of PTH and blood calcium levels with triglycerides, as well as the tendency to hypertriglyceridemia comparing with healthy volunteers, suggest the disease effect on the development of dyslipidemia

Small Deletions of SATB2 Cause Some of the Clinical Features of the 2q33.1 Microdeletion Syndrome

Recurrent deletions of 2q32q33 have recently been reported as a new microdeletion syndrome. Clinical features of this syndrome include severe mental retardation, growth retardation, dysmorphic features, thin and sparse hair, feeding difficulties and cleft or high palate. The commonly deleted region contains at least seven genes. Haploinsufficiency of one of these genes, SATB2, a DNA-binding protein that regulates gene expression, has been implicated as causative in the cleft or high palate of individuals with 2q32q33 microdeletion syndrome. In this study we describe three individuals with smaller microdeletions of this region, within 2q33.1. The deletions ranged in size from 173.1 kb to 185.2 kb and spanned part of SATB2. Review of clinical records showed similar clinical features among these individuals, including severe developmental delay and tooth abnormalities. Two of the individuals had behavioral problems. Only one of the subjects presented here had a cleft palate, suggesting reduced penetrance for this feature. Our results suggest that deletion of SATB2 is responsible for several of the clinical features associated with 2q32q33 microdeletion syndrome