Estimation of the Cellular Antioxidant Response to Chromium Action Using ESR Method

In the present study, the antioxidant capacity of chromium-treated L-41 (human epithelial-like cells) was investigated by the ESR spin-trapping technique. The crude cell extracts of the cells grown in the presence of 2 µM (nontoxic) and 20 µM (toxic) chromium (VI) concentrations were tested in the model Fenton system with and without catalase-inhibitor sodium azide. The presented approach using the ESR technique along with inhibitors lets us discern cell extract defense capacity connected with the enzymatic activity in viable cells and the catabolic activity in dying cells

A Calorimetric Characterization of Cr(VI)-Reducing Arthrobacter oxydans

This is the first of a series of calorimetric studies designed to characterize and understand survival mechanisms of metal-reducing bacteria isolated from metal-polluted environments. In this paper we introduce a new concept of thermal spectrum of the endothermic melting of complex biological systems (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids, ribosomes, membrane structures) in intact cells. All thermal spectra measured are thermograms that describe the temperature dependence of heat capacity change of the complex systems of biologically active substances in bacterial cells. This new concept of thermal spectrum was applied to investigate spectral features from intact cells of Cr(VI)-reducer Arthrobacter oxydans at different points of their growth conditions and stages. Over the temperature range of 40–105°C, we observed that spectral changes are particularly significant in the 40–90°C interval. This may correspond to the orderly changes in subcellular structural elements: proteins, ribosomes and RNA, membranes, and various structural elements of the cell wall during different points of the growth cycle and growth conditions. Spectral changes in the 90–105°C region are less pronounced, implicating that the structural composition of DNA-Protein (DNP) complexes may change little

Экспрессия гена FABP4 в подкожной и висцеральной жировой ткани у пациентов с ожирением и сахарным диабетом II типа

Introduction. Obesity is associated with a high risk of developing concomitant diseases such as: metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), cardiovascular pathology. FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein) is the specific lipid chaperone and an important protein for the function of adipose tissue and is one of the adipocytokines secreted by adipose tissue.The objective of the study was to investigate the FABP4 gene expression in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (SAT and VAT) in patients with obesity and DM2.Methods and materials. SAT and VAT samples were obtained during bariatric surgery (N=43, BMI>35): obese with DM2 (N=21), obese without DM2 (N=22). Samples for the control group without obesity (N=15, BMI<30) were obtained during planned operations on the abdominal cavity. FABP4 mRNA level was estimated by real-time PCR.Results. It has been demonstrated that the mRNA level of the FABP4 gene in SAT and VAT is reduced in obesity, regardless of the manifestation of DM2 (p<0.01). A negative correlation was observed between the mRNA level of the FABP4 gene in adipose tissue and the BMI index (for SAT: r=—0.327, p = 0.016; for VAT: r=—0.304, p = 0.024).Conclusion. The expression level of FABP4 gene in AT can act as a marker of AT dysfunction in obesity.Введение. Ожирение ассоциировано с высоким риском развития таких заболеваний, как метаболический синдром, сахарный диабет II типа (СД2), сердечно-сосудистая патология. Специфический липидный шаперон FABP4 — белок, связывающий жирные кислоты, —является важным для функционирования жировой ткани белком, который при этом входит в число секретируемых жировой тканью адипоцитокинов.Целью исследования явилось изучение экспрессии гена FABP4 в подкожной и висцеральной жировой ткани (ПЖТ и ВЖТ) у пациентов с ожирением и СД2.Методы и материалы. Образцы ПЖТ и ВЖТ были получены при проведении бариатрических операций (N=43, ИМТ>35): 21 пациент с СД2, 22 — без СД2; а также у лиц без ожирения при плановых операциях на брюшной полости (контрольная группа, N=15, ИМТ<30). Уровень мРНК гена FABP4 оценивали методом полимеразной цепной реакции в режиме реального времени.Результаты. Было продемонстрировано, что уровень мРНК гена FABP4 в ПЖТ и ВЖТ снижен при ожирении независимо от манифестации СД2 (p<0,01). Наблюдалась отрицательная корреляция между уровнем мРНК гена FABP4 в жировой ткани и показателем ИМТ (для ПЖТ: r=—0,327, p = 0,016; для ВЖТ: r=—0,304, p = 0,024).Заключение. Уровень экспрессии гена FABP4 в ЖТ может выступать как маркер дисфункции ЖТ при ожирении

CK2 Phosphorylation of Schistosoma mansoni HMGB1 Protein Regulates Its Cellular Traffic and Secretion but Not Its DNA Transactions

parasite resides in mesenteric veins where fecundated female worms lay hundred of eggs daily. Some of the egg antigens are trapped in the liver and induce a vigorous granulomatous response. High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1), a nuclear factor, can also be secreted and act as a cytokine. Schistosome HMGB1 (SmHMGB1) is secreted by the eggs and stimulate the production of key cytokines involved in the pathology of schistosomiasis. Thus, understanding the mechanism of SmHMGB1 release becomes mandatory. Here, we addressed the question of how the nuclear SmHMGB1 can reach the extracellular space. eggs of infected animals and that SmHMGB1 that were localized in the periovular schistosomotic granuloma were phosphorylated.We showed that secretion of SmHMGB1 is regulated by phosphorylation. Moreover, our results suggest that egg-secreted SmHMGB1 may represent a new egg antigen. Therefore, the identification of drugs that specifically target phosphorylation of SmHMGB1 might block its secretion and interfere with the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis

Antioxidant Capacity of Cultured Mammalian Cells Estimated by ESR Method

In the present study, the antioxidant capacity against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), one of the stress-inducing agents, was investigated in two distinct cell lines: L-41 (human epithelial-like cells) and HLF (human diploid lung fibroblasts), which differ in tissue origin, life span in culture, proliferate activity, and special enzyme system activity. The cell antioxidant capacity against H2O2 was estimated by the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping technique in the Fenton reaction system via Fe+2 ion action with H2O2 resulting in hydroxyl radical generation. The effects of catalase inhibitors, such as sodium azide and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, on the antioxidant capacity of cells were tested. Based on our observation, it can be concluded that the defensive capacity of cells against H2O2 depends on the ratio between catalase/GPx/SOD and H2O2, especially at high-stress situations, and the intracellular balance of these enzymes are more important than the influence of the single component