Diet-Sensitive Sources of Reactive Oxygen Species in\ud Liver Mitochondria: Role of Very Long Chain Acyl-CoA\ud Dehydrogenases

High fat diets and accompanying hepatic steatosis are highly prevalent conditions. Previous work has shown that\ud steatosis is accompanied by enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may mediate further liver\ud damage. Here we investigated mechanisms leading to enhanced ROS generation following high fat diets (HFD). We\ud found that mitochondria from HFD livers present no differences in maximal respiratory rates and coupling, but\ud generate more ROS specifically when fatty acids are used as substrates. Indeed, many acyl-CoA dehydrogenase\ud isoforms were found to be more highly expressed in HFD livers, although only the very long chain acyl-CoA\ud dehydrogenase (VLCAD) was more functionally active. Studies conducted with permeabilized mitochondria and\ud different chain length acyl-CoA derivatives suggest that VLCAD is also a source of ROS production in mitochondria\ud of HFD animals. This production is stimulated by the lack of NAD+. Overall, our studies uncover VLCAD as a novel,\ud diet-sensitive, source of mitochondrial ROS.Supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa no Estado de São Paulo, Coordenadoria de Aperfeiçoamento do Pessoal do Ensino Superior, Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Processos Redox em Biomedicina and the Núcleo de Apoio à Pesquisa de Processos Redox em Biomedicina. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Cell Therapy Attenuates Cardiac Dysfunction Post Myocardial Infarction: Effect of Timing, Routes of Injection and a Fibrin Scaffold

Background: Cell therapy approaches for biologic cardiac repair hold great promises, although basic fundamental issues remain poorly understood. In the present study we examined the effects of timing and routes of administration of bone marrow cells (BMC) post-myocardial infarction (MI) and the efficacy of an injectable biopolymer scaffold to improve cardiac cell retention and function. Methodology/Principal Findings: (99m)Tc-labeled BMC (6x10(6) cells) were injected by 4 different routes in adult rats: intravenous (IV), left ventricular cavity (LV), left ventricular cavity with temporal aorta occlusion (LV(+)) to mimic coronary injection, and intramyocardial (IM). The injections were performed 1, 2, 3, or 7 days post-MI and cell retention was estimated by gamma-emission counting of the organs excised 24 hs after cell injection. IM injection improved cell retention and attenuated cardiac dysfunction, whereas IV, LV or LV* routes were somewhat inefficient (< 1%). Cardiac BMC retention was not influenced by timing except for the IM injection that showed greater cell retention at 7 (16%) vs. 1, 2 or 3 (average of 7%) days post-MI. Cardiac cell retention was further improved by an injectable fibrin scaffold at day 3 post-MI (17 vs. 7%), even though morphometric and function parameters evaluated 4 weeks later displayed similar improvements. Conclusions/Significance: These results show that cells injected post-MI display comparable tissue distribution profile regardless of the route of injection and that there is no time effect for cardiac cell accumulation for injections performed 1 to 3 days post-MI. As expected the IM injection is the most efficient for cardiac cell retention, it can be further improved by co-injection with a fibrin scaffold and it significantly attenuates cardiac dysfunction evaluated 4 weeks post myocardial infarction. These pharmacokinetic data obtained under similar experimental conditions are essential for further development of these novel approaches

Proline dehydrogenase regulates redox state and respiratory metabolism in Trypanosoma Cruzi

Over the past three decades, L-proline has become recognized as an important metabolite for trypanosomatids. It is involved in a number of key processes, including energy metabolism, resistance to oxidative and nutritional stress and osmoregulation. In addition, this amino acid supports critical parasite life cycle processes by acting as an energy source, thus enabling host-cell invasion by the parasite and subsequent parasite differentiation. In this paper, we demonstrate that L-proline is oxidized to Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) by the enzyme proline dehydrogenase (TcPRODH, E.C. 1.5.99.8) localized in Trypanosoma cruzi mitochondria. When expressed in its active form in Escherichia coli, TcPRODH exhibits a Km of 16.58±1.69 µM and a Vmax of 66±2 nmol/min mg. Furthermore, we demonstrate that TcPRODH is a FAD-dependent dimeric state protein. TcPRODH mRNA and protein expression are strongly upregulated in the intracellular epimastigote, a stage which requires an external supply of proline. In addition, when Saccharomyces cerevisiae null mutants for this gene (PUT1) were complemented with the TcPRODH gene, diminished free intracellular proline levels and an enhanced sensitivity to oxidative stress in comparison to the null mutant were observed, supporting the hypothesis that free proline accumulation constitutes a defense against oxidative imbalance. Finally, we show that proline oxidation increases cytochrome c oxidase activity in mitochondrial vesicles. Overall, these results demonstrate that TcPRODH is involved in proline-dependant cytoprotection during periods of oxidative imbalance and also shed light on the participation of proline in energy metabolism, which drives critical processes of the T. cruzi life cycle.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, 11/50631-1)Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Química Medicinal em Doenças Infecciosas (INBEQMeDI)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnólogico (CNPq, 470272/2011-2

Exercise Training Restores Cardiac Protein Quality Control in Heart Failure

Exercise training is a well-known coadjuvant in heart failure treatment; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects remain elusive. Despite the primary cause, heart failure is often preceded by two distinct phenomena: mitochondria dysfunction and cytosolic protein quality control disruption. The objective of the study was to determine the contribution of exercise training in regulating cardiac mitochondria metabolism and cytosolic protein quality control in a post-myocardial infarction-induced heart failure (MI-HF) animal model. Our data demonstrated that isolated cardiac mitochondria from MI-HF rats displayed decreased oxygen consumption, reduced maximum calcium uptake and elevated H2O2 release. These changes were accompanied by exacerbated cardiac oxidative stress and proteasomal insufficiency. Declined proteasomal activity contributes to cardiac protein quality control disruption in our MI-HF model. Using cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes, we showed that either antimycin A or H2O2 resulted in inactivation of proteasomal peptidase activity, accumulation of oxidized proteins and cell death, recapitulating our in vivo model. Of interest, eight weeks of exercise training improved cardiac function, peak oxygen uptake and exercise tolerance in MI-HF rats. Moreover, exercise training restored mitochondrial oxygen consumption, increased Ca2+-induced permeability transition and reduced H2O2 release in MI-HF rats. These changes were followed by reduced oxidative stress and better cardiac protein quality control. Taken together, our findings uncover the potential contribution of mitochondrial dysfunction and cytosolic protein quality control disruption to heart failure and highlight the positive effects of exercise training in re-establishing cardiac mitochondrial physiology and protein quality control, reinforcing the importance of this intervention as a nonpharmacological tool for heart failure therapy.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - SP (FAPESP) [2009/18546-4, 2010/00028-4, 2012/05765-2]Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo SP (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento - Brasil (CNPq) [479407/2010-0]Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Brasil (CNPq)Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e TecnologiaInstituto Nacional de Ciencia e TecnologiaNucleo de Apoio a Pesquisa de Processos Redox em BiomedicinaNucleo de Apoio a Pesquisa de Processos Redox em BiomedicinaFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP) [2009/12349-2

Unsaturated Fatty Acids Revert Diet-Induced Hypothalamic Inflammation in Obesity

Background: In experimental models, hypothalamic inflammation is an early and determining factor in the installation and progression of obesity. Pharmacological and gene-based approaches have proven efficient in restraining inflammation and correcting the obese phenotypes. However, the role of nutrients in the modulation of hypothalamic inflammation is unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here we show that, in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity, partial substitution of the fatty acid component of the diet by flax seed oil (rich in C18:3) or olive oil (rich in C18:1) corrects hypothalamic inflammation, hypothalamic and whole body insulin resistance, and body adiposity. In addition, upon icv injection in obese rats, both v3 and v9 pure fatty acids reduce spontaneous food intake and body mass gain. These effects are accompanied by the reversal of functional and molecular hypothalamic resistance to leptin/insulin and increased POMC and CART expressions. In addition, both, v3 and v9 fatty acids inhibit the AMPK/ACC pathway and increase CPT1 and SCD1 expression in the hypothalamus. Finally, acute hypothalamic injection of v3 and v9 fatty acids activate signal transduction through the recently identified GPR120 unsaturated fatty acid receptor. Conclusions/Significance: Unsaturated fatty acids can act either as nutrients or directly in the hypothalamus, reverting dietinduced inflammation and reducing body adiposity. These data show that, in addition to pharmacological and geneti

Permeabilização da membrana mitocondrial interna induzida por Ca2+ em condições de estresse oxidatico

Orientador: Anibal E. VercesiTese (doutorado) - Univesidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias MedicasResumo: A exposição de mitocôndrias a quantidades excessivas de Ca2+ pode levar a uma permeabilização não seletiva da membrana mitocondrial interna, conhecida como transição de permeabilidade mitocondrial (TPM). Estudos indicam que a TPM pode desencadear tanto a morte celular programada (apoptose) quanto acidental (necrose), e é inibida pela proteína antiapoptótica Bcl-2. Além disso, a apoptose e necrose envolvem processos de estresse oxidativo celular. Neste trabalho, integramos essas duas linhas de pesquisa, demonstrando que a permeabilização mitocondrial associada à TPM ocorre secundariamente à oxidação de proteínas de membrana, causada por espécies reativas de oxigênio geradas pela organela na presença de Ca2+. Nossos experimentos comprovam que a TPM pode ser inibida por catalase e peroxidases tiólicas como a tiorredoxina peroxidase e ebselen. Verificarnos também que células hiperexpressam Bcl-2 são resistentes à TPM induzida por estresse oxidativo mitocondrial, mas não pelo óxido de fenil arsina, que se liga diretamente a grupamentos tiólicos de proteínas. Além disso, mitocôndrias que hiperexpressam Bcl-2 tem maior resitência à oxidação de NAD(P)H. Deste modo, demonstramos que a permeabilização mitocondrial associada à TPM é causada por espécies reativas de oxigênio. O Bcl-2, que aumenta o poder redutor celular, previne a TPM por aumentar a capacidade redutora da mitocôndria.Abstract: Excessive mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake may lead to a non-selective permeabilization of the inner mitocondrial membrane, known as mitocondrial permeability transition (MPT). Recent studies have shown that MPT may act as a trigger for both programmed cell death (apoptosis) or accidental cell death (necrosis), and that this process is inhibited by the anti apoptotic protein Bc1-2. Other studies have shown that both apoptosis and necrosis involve conditions of cellular oxidative' stress. Here, we propose a model for the occurance of MPT which integrates these findings. We demonstrate that mitochondrial permeabilization under conditions ofMPT is secondary to mitochondrial membrane protein thiol oxidation promoted by Ca2+ -stimulated, mitochondrially-generated reactive oxygen species. Thus, MPT is inhibited by catalase and the thiol peroxidases thiorredoxin peroxidase and ebselen. We also verified that mitochondria fIom cells overexpressing the Bc1-2 protein are resistant to MPT induced by mitochondrial oxidative stress, but not phenylarsine oxide, which binds direct1y to mitochondrial membrane protein thiol groups. In addition, Bc1-2 overexpressing cells are resistant to mitochondrial NAD(P)H oxidation. Taken together, our results show that non-selective mitochondrial permeabilization associated to MPT is caused by mitochondrially-generated reactive oxygen species. Bc1-2, which increases the cellular reductive capacity, prevents MPT by incrementing mitochondrial reducing power.DoutoradoCiencias BiomedicasMeste em Ciencias Médica

Diet-Sensitive Sources of Reactive Oxygen Species in Liver Mitochondria: Role of Very Long Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenases

High fat diets and accompanying hepatic steatosis are highly prevalent conditions. Previous work has shown that steatosis is accompanied by enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may mediate further liver damage. Here we investigated mechanisms leading to enhanced ROS generation following high fat diets (HFD). We found that mitochondria from HFD livers present no differences in maximal respiratory rates and coupling, but generate more ROS specifically when fatty acids are used as substrates. Indeed, many acyl-CoA dehydrogenase isoforms were found to be more highly expressed in HFD livers, although only the very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) was more functionally active. Studies conducted with permeabilized mitochondria and different chain length acyl-CoA derivatives suggest that VLCAD is also a source of ROS production in mitochondria of HFD animals. This production is stimulated by the lack of NAD+. Overall, our studies uncover VLCAD as a novel, diet-sensitive, source of mitochondrial ROS

Calorie restriction increases cerebral mitochondrial respiratory capacity in a NO center dot-mediated mechanism: Impact on neuronal survival

Calorie restriction (CR) enhances animal life span and prevents age-related diseases, including neurological decline. Recent evidence suggests that a mechanism involved in CR-induced life-span extension is NO-stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis. We examine here the effects of CR on brain mitochondrial content. CR increased eNOS and nNOS and the content of mitochondria] proteins (cytochrome c oxidase, citrate synthase, and mitofusin) in the brain. Furthermore, we established an in vitro system to study the neurological effects of CR using serum extracted from animals on this diet. In cultured neurons, CR serum enhanced nNOS expression and increased levels of nitrite (a NO product). CR serum also enhanced the levels of cytochrome c oxidase and increased citrate synthase activity and respiratory rates in neurons. CR serum effects were inhibited by L-NAME and mimicked by the NO donor SNAP. Furthermore, both CR sera and SNAP were capable of improving neuronal survival. Overall, our results indicate that CR increases mitochondrial biogenesis in a NO-mediated manner, resulting in enhanced reserve respiratory capacity and improved survival in neurons. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao PauloFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao PauloInstituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia de Processos Redox em BiomedicinaInstituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia de Processos Redox em BiomedicinaConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnologicoConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnologicoCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento do Pessoal de Nivel SuperiorCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento do Pessoal de Nivel SuperiorJohn Simon Guggenheim Memorial FoundationJohn Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundatio