Adrenoceptor-stimulated inflammatory response in stress-induced serum amyloid A synthesis

Rationale Stressful life events are suggested to contribute to the development of various pathologies, such as cardiovascular disorders, whose etiopathogenesis is highly associated with elevated levels of serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins. SAA synthesis inthe liver isregulated bya complex network ofcytokines actingindependently orinconcert withvarious hormones/stimulants including the stress-activated sympathetic nervous system. Objective This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms that regulate the stress-induced hepatic synthesis of SAA, with particular focus on adrenoceptors (AR), major components of the sympathoadrenal response to stress. Methods and results We demonstrated that repeated stress elevates IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα serum levels in mice, accompanied by increased synthesis and secretion of hepatic SAA1/2 and SAA3, an effect that was blocked by AR antagonists. Moreover, stimulation ofα1- andβ1/2-ARsmimics thestress effectonSAA1/2 regulation, whereas α2-AR stimulation exhibitsa relatively weakimpactonSAA.InsupportoftheessentialcytokinecontributionintheAR-agonistinducedSAAproductionisthefactthat theanti-inflammatorydrug,sodiumsalicylate,preventedtheAR-stimulatedhepaticSAA1/2synthesisbyreducingIL-1βlevels, whereasIL-1βinhibitionwithAnakinramimicsthissodiumsalicylatepreventiveeffect,thusindicatingacrucial rolefor IL-1β. Interestingly, the AR-driven SAA3 synthesis was elevated by sodium salicylate in a TNFα-dependent way, supporting diverse and complex regulatory roles of cytokines in SAA production. In contrast to α1/α2-AR, the β1/2-AR-mediated SAA1/2 and SAA3 upregulation cannot be reversed by fenofibrate, a hypolipidemic drug with anti-inflammatory properties. Conclusion Taken together, these findings strongly support a critical role of the AR-stimulated inflammatory response in the hepatic SAA production under stressful conditions, highlighting distinct AR type-specific mechanisms that regulate the hepatic synthesis of SAA1/2 and SAA3.This research was supported by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund-ERDF) and the Greek national funds through the Operational Program "THESSALY-MAINLAND GREECE AND EPIRUS-2007-2013" of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF 2007-2013, Grant 346985/80753) and the National Cancer Institute Intramural Research Program.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effect of biologic agents currently used for rheumatoid arthritis on the central nervous system of healthy rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the development of behavioral and memory disorders on healthy adult rats, after chronic, systematic administration of methotrexate and the biologic agents, Tocilizumab (anti-IL6) and Infliximab (anti-TNFa), that are used for Rheumatoid Arthritis. 35 adult male Wistar rats, 12 weeks old, were used in this study. The rats were divided into 5 groups (n=7): a control group (CTRL), which was submitted to tests without receiving any drug, a placebo group (PLC) which received normal saline (i.p.), a methotrexate group (MTX) receiving 0.25mg/kg of the drug (i.p.), an infliximab group (INFL) receiving 6mg/kg of the drug (i.p.), and a tocilizumab group (TCZ) receiving 8mg/kg of the drug (i.p.). The drug infusion was performed weekly. After 30 days of drug administration, behavioral tests were performed to assess the rats’ stress levels and memory. The performed behavioral tests were (1) the Elevated-plus maze test, (2) the Elevated-zero maze test and (3) the Olfactory social memory test. The results were analyzed using Oneway-ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests through SPSS 25.0. The MTX group spent significantly less time in the open arms of the mazes, compared to the CTRL group (P<0.001) and the PLC group (p=0.05), and needed less time during the second encounter compared to the first, when assessed in the olfactory social memory test (p=0.002). The TCZ and INFL groups spent more time in the open areas of both mazes compared to PLC and MTX groups (p=0.033). Based on the results of this study, the administration of biologic agents improves stress levels and shows a potentially anxiolytic effect, without significantly affecting memory

Study of the effect of the olive constituent oleuropein in lipid homeostasis: investigation of the role of the nuclear receptors PPARS

Oleuropein (OLE), the main polyphenolic constituent of the olive tree, has demonstrated antioxidant and hypolipidemic properties. It is well established that upon activation, Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor type α (PPARα), plays a key role in the regulation of lipid metabolism, as well as the energy homeostasis of the cell. This study focuses on the mechanisms underlying the Oleuropein’s hypolipidemic properties and specifically, on its role on PPARα activation. For this purpose, we initially evaluated using in silico approaches, the Oleuropein’s binding capacity to PPARα. These in silico studies, employing theoretic binding models at the PPARα’s crystal structure along with Molecular Docking simulation, confirmed our hypothesis that OLE is a PPARα agonist. Furthermore, we investigated in vitro, using the Luciferase reporter gene assay, Oleuropein’s ability to bind to the LBD of PPARα. Both, in silico and in vitro studies, clearly showed that OLE is a ligand of PPARα. In vivo studies also confirmed that OLE is a PPARα agonist that induces PPARα activation. Specifically, treatment of male wild-type mice with OLE (100mg/kg, p.o.) followed the regular rodent diet for 6 weeks, resulted in the up-regulation of both, PPARα and several target genes in the liver, potentially via activation of the PI3K/AKT/p70S6K signaling pathway. This effect was correlated with a significant reduction of serum triglycerides (TGs) and total cholesterol levels. In contrast, OLE had no effect in these lipid markers in Ppara-null mice indicating a direct involvement of PPARα in the OLE-mediated suppression of serum TG and total cholesterol levels. The assessment of the effect of OLE on hepatic and W.A.T regulatory factors playing determinant roles in TG homeostasis indicated the following: 1) the activation of HSL (Hormone Sensitive Lipase) in the W.A.T of wild type mice, 2) the upregulation of several hepatic factors involved in TG uptake, transport, metabolism and clearance. It is very likely that both, HSL activation in the W.A.T. and activation of several hepatic factors may also contribute in the OLE- mediated reduction of TGs and total cholesterol levels. In summary, it appears that OLE reduces serum TGs and total cholesterol levels in mice via PPARα activation. The data of this study, also indicated that HSL activation in the W.A.T. and upregulation of various hepatic genes (most of them are PPARα target genes) may contribute in the mechanism mediating the Oleuropein’s hypolipidemic effects. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated in mice the Oleuropein’s hypolipidemic effects and has clarified to a certain point the underlying mechanisms indicating mainly, the catalytic role of PPARα activation. Given that lipid homeostasis is regulated by complex cellular mechanisms, involving a plethora of factors, we consider that potentially other mechanisms also mediate the Oleuropein’s hypolipidemic effects, and that their thorough investigation is a subject of future studies.Η Ελευρωπαΐνη, το κύριο πολυφαινολικό συστατικό της ελιάς, παρουσιάζει αντιοξειδωτικές και υπολιπιδαιμικές ιδιότητες. Ο ενεργοποιημένος υποδοχέας επαγωγής του πολλαπλασιασμού των υπεροξεισωμάτων τύπου α (PPARα), διαδραματίζει καίριο ρόλο στον έλεγχο του μεταβολισμού των λιπιδίων και στην ενεργειακή ομοιαστασία του κυττάρου. Η συγκεκριμένη έρευνα εστιάζει στους μηχανισμούς της υπολιπιδαιμικής δράσης της Ελευρωπαΐνης με έμφαση στο ρόλο της Ελευρωπαΐνης στην ενεργοποίηση του PPARα. Για τον σκοπό αυτό, έγινε αξιολόγηση in silico της ικανότητας της Ελευρωπαΐνης να προσδένεται στον PPARα. Θεωρητικά μοντέλα πρόσδεσης στην κρυσταλλική δομή του PPARα με τη χρήση Μοριακής Προσομοίωσης Πρόσδεσης, επιβεβαιώνουν την υπόθεσή μας ότι η Ελευρωπαΐνη είναι αγωνιστής του PPARα. Επιπλέον, διερευνήθηκε in vitro με το Luciferase reporter gene assay η ικανότητα της Ελευρωπαΐνης να προσδένεται στον υποδοχέα PPARα και να τον ενεργοποιεί. Τα αποτελέσματα από την in silico και την in vitro μελέτη δείχνουν σαφώς ότι η ελευρωπαΐνη ενεργοποιεί τον PPARα. Στη συνέχεια έγινε in vivo διερεύνηση της ενεργοποίησης του PPARα από την Ελευρωπαΐνη και αξιολόγηση της επίδρασής της στο λιπιδαιμικό προφίλ των πειραματόζωων. Αγωγή αρσενικών μυών άγριου τύπου (SV129 Wild Type) με Ελευρωπαΐνη σε δοσολογία 100mg/kg, p.o, τα οποία ακολούθησαν τυπική δίαιτα για τρωκτικά, για 6 εβδομάδες, είχε ως αποτέλεσμα επαγωγή του Pparα και των γονιδίων-στόχων του στο ήπαρ, πιθανώς μέσω ενεργοποίησης του PI3K/AKT/p70S6K σηματοδοτικού μονοπατιού. Αυτή η επίδραση της Ελευρωπαΐνης φαίνεται να σχετίζεται άμεσα με σημαντική μείωση των επιπέδων των TGs του ορού και της ολικής χοληστερόλης, γιατί η Ελευρωπαΐνη δεν είχε καμία επίδραση σε αυτούς τους λιπιδαιμικούς δείκτες σε διαγονιδιακούς Pparα null μύες. Στην κατεύθυνση της διερεύνησης της επίδρασης της Ελευρωπαΐνης σε ηπατικούς παράγοντες και σε παράγοντες, που εκφράζονται στο λευκό λιπώδη, κρίσιμους για την ομοιοστασία των Τριγλυκεριδίων, διαπιστώθηκαν τα ακόλουθα: 1) Ενεργοποίηση της ορμονο-ευαίσθητης λιπάσης (HSL) στο λευκό λιπώδη ιστό (W.A.T.) των άγριου τύπου μυών, 2) επαγωγή ποικίλλων ηπατικών παραγόντων, που συμμετέχουν στη σύνθεση, τη μεταφορά, τον μεταβολισμό και την απέκκριση των τριγλυκεριδίων. Αυτή η ενεργοποίηση της HSL στον W.A.T. και των ηπατικών παραγόντων, που συμμετέχουν στην ομοιοστασία των λιπιδίων, είναι πιθανόν να ενισχύει την επαγόμενη από την Ελευρωπαΐνη μείωση των επιπέδων των τριγλυκεριδίων και της χοληστερόλης στον ορό. Συνοψίζοντας, φαίνεται ότι η Ελευρωπαΐνη μειώνει τα τριγλυκερίδια και την ολική χοληστερόλη του ορού σε μύες μέσω ενεργοποίησης του PPARα. Τα δεδομένα αυτής της μελέτης δείχνουν επίσης, ότι στην υπολιπιδαιμική δράση της Ελευρωπαΐνης συμμετέχει και η ενεργοποίηση της HSL στο λευκό λιπώδη ιστό καθώς και η επαγωγή ηπατικών γονιδίων, που διαδραματίζουν βασικό ρόλο την ομοιοστασία των τριγλυκεριδίων, δηλαδή τη σύνθεση, την μεταφορά, τον μεταβολισμό και την κάθαρσή τους. Συμπερασματικά, η μελέτη έδειξε τις υπολιπιδαιμικές δυνατότητες της Ελευρωπαΐνης σε μύες και αποσαφήνισε σε σημαντικό βαθμό τους μηχανισμούς της υπολιπιδαιμικής δράσης της, φωτίζοντας κυρίως τον ρόλο του PPARα. Επειδή η διατήρηση της ομοιοστασίας των λιπιδίων είναι μια πολύπλοκη διαδικασία, που ρυθμίζεται από πολλούς παράγοντες, πιστεύουμε ότι πιθανώς εμπλέκονται και άλλοι μηχανισμοί στην δράση της Ελευρωπαΐνης, η διερεύνηση των οποίων είναι αντικείμενο μελλοντικών μελετών

D-2-dopaminergic receptor-linked pathways: critical regulators of CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2D

Various hormonal and monoaminergic systems play determinant roles in the regulation of several cytochromes P450 (P450s) in the liver. Growth hormone (GH), prolactin, and insulin are involved in P450 regulation, and their release is under dopaminergic control. This study focused on the role of D -dopaminergic systems in the regulation of the major drug-metabolizing P450s, i.e., CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2D. Blockade of D -dopaminergic receptors with either sulpiride (SULP) or 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-ol (L-741,626) markedly down-regulated CYP3A1/2, CYP2C11, and CYP2D1 expression in rat liver. This suppressive effect appeared to be mediated by the insulin/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/FOXO1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, inactivation of the GH/STAT5b signaling pathway appeared to play a role in D-dopaminergic receptor-mediated down-regulating effects on these P450s. SULP suppressed plasma GH levels, with subsequently reduced activation of STAT5b, which is the major GH pulse-activated transcription factor and has up-regulating effects on various P450s in hepatic tissue. Levels of prolactin, which exerts down-regulating control on P450s, were increased by SULP, which may contribute to SULP-mediated effects. Finally, it appears that SULP-induced inactivation of the cAMP/protein kinase A/cAMP-response element-binding protein signaling pathway, which is a critical regulator of pregnane X receptor and hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α, and inactivation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase contribute to SULP-induced down-regulation of the aforementioned P450s. Taken together, the present data provide evidence that drugs acting as D-dopaminergic receptor antagonists might interfere with several major signaling pathways involved in the regulation of CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2D, which are critical enzymes in drug metabolism, thus affecting the effectiveness of the majority of prescribed drugs and the toxicity and carcinogenic potency of a plethora of toxicants and carcinogens

Stress is a critical player in CYP3A, CYP2C, and CYP2D regulation: role of adrenergic receptor signaling pathways

Stress is a critical player in the regulation of the major cytochrome P-450s (CYPs) that metabolize the majority of the prescribed drugs. Early in life, maternal deprivation (MD) stress and repeated restraint stress (RS) modified CYP expression in a stress-specific manner. In particular, the expression of CYP3A1 and CYP2C11 was increased in the liver of MD rats, whereas RS had no significant effect. In contrast, hepatic CYP2D1/2 activity was increased by RS, whereas MD did not affect it. The primary effectors of the stress system, glucocorticoids and epinephrine, highly induced CYP3A1/2. Epinephrine also induced the expression of CYP2C11 and CYP2D1/2. Further investigation indicated that AR-agonists may modify CYP regulation. In vitro experiments using primary hepatocyte cultures treated with the AR-agonists phenylephrine, dexmedetomidine, and isoprenaline indicated an AR-induced upregulating effect on the above-mentioned CYPs mediated by the cAMP/protein kinase A and c-Jun NH -terminal kinase signaling pathways. Interestingly though, in vivo pharmacological manipulations of ARs using the same AR-agonists led to a suppressed hepatic CYP expression profile, indicating that the effect of the complex network of central and peripheral AR-linked pathways overrides that of the hepatic ARs. The AR-mediated alterations in CYP3A1/2, CYP2C11, and CYP2D1/2 expressions are potentially connected with those observed in the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b. In conclusion, stress and AR-agonists may modify the expression of the major CYP genes involved in the metabolism of drugs used in a wide range of diseases, thus affecting drug efficacy and toxicity