Synthesis, Characterization and Antitumour Activity of Metal Complexes of 5-Carboxy-2-Thiouracil

Metal complexes of 5-carboxy-2-thiouracil with Mn(ll), Co(ll), Ni(ll), Cu(ll), Zn(ll) and Cd(ll) ions were synthesized, characterized, and subjected to a screening system for evaluation of antitumour activity against Sarcoma-180 (S-180) tumour cells. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, electronic spectra, room temperature magnetic measurements and powder X-ray diffraction. The antitumour activity results indicate that some complexes have antitumour activity both in vivo and in vitro against S-180 tumour cells

1-(2-Bromo­benz­yl)-3-isopropyl­benz­imid­azolin-2-one

In the structure of the title compound, C17H17BrN2O, the central phenyl and imidazol-2-one rings are coplanar (dihedral angle between planes of 0.73 (11)°). The angles subtended by the substituents on the N atoms of the imidazol-2-one ring range from 109.71 (14)° to 128.53 (15) due to steric hindrance of these substituents with the phenyl H atoms. The carbonyl O and Br both make two weak C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Br inter­actions with two adjacent mol­ecules, thus forming an three-dimensional array

Hydrogen-bonding and π–π stacking inter­actions in tris­(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)nickel(II) bis­{[1-tert-butyl­imidazole-2(3H)-thione-κS]trichloridonickelate(II)} acetonitrile disolvate

The asymmetric unit of the title complex, [Ni(C12H8N2)3][NiCl3(C7H12N2S)]2·2CH3CN, consists of one anion, one-half of a cation and one acetonitrile mol­ecule. The NiII atom in the [Ni(phen)3]2+ cation (phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) lies on an inversion centre in an octa­hedral environment, whereas in the [NiCl3(tm)]− anion [tm is 1-tert-butyl­imidazole-2(3H)-thione], the geometry is distorted tetra­hedral. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking inter­actions (centroid–centroid distance = 3.52 Å) lead to the formation of a three-dimensional framework. One of the methyl groups of the tert-butyl group of N-tert-butyl-2-thio­imidazole is disordered between two equally populated positions

miR-10a-3p modulates adiposity and suppresses adipose inflammation through TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway

BackgroundObesity is a multifactorial disease characterized by an enhanced amount of fat and energy storage in adipose tissue (AT). Obesity appears to promote and maintain low-grade chronic inflammation by activating a subset of inflammatory T cells, macrophages, and other immune cells that infiltrate the AT. Maintenance of AT inflammation during obesity involves regulation by microRNAs (miRs), which also regulate the expression of genes implicated in adipocyte differentiation. This study aims to use ex vivo and in vitro approaches to evaluate the role and mechanism of miR-10a-3p in adipose inflammation and adipogenesis.MethodsWild-type BL/6 mice were placed on normal (ND) and high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks and their obesity phenotype, inflammatory genes, and miRs expression were examined in the AT. We also used differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes for mechanistic in vitro studies.ResultsMicroarray analysis allowed us to identify an altered set of miRs in the AT immune cells and Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) prediction demonstrated that miR-10a-3p expression was downregulated in AT immune cells in the HFD group as compared to ND. A molecular mimic of miR-10a-3p reduced expression of inflammatory M1 macrophages, cytokines, and chemokines, including transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), and interleukin 17F (IL-17F) and induced expression of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) in the immune cells isolated from AT of HFD-fed mice as compared to ND. In differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, the miR-10a-3p mimics also reduced expression of proinflammatory genes and lipid accumulation, which plays a role in the dysregulation of AT function. In these cells, overexpression of miR-10a-3p reduced the expression of TGF-β1, Smad3, CHOP-10, and fatty acid synthase (FASN), relative to the control scramble miRs.ConclusionOur findings suggest that miR-10a-3p mimic mediates the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling to improve metabolic markers and adipose inflammation. This study provides a new opportunity for the development of miR-10a-3p as a novel therapeutic for adipose inflammation, and its associated metabolic disorders

Deficiency of KLF4 Compromises the Lung Function in an Acute Mouse Model of Allergic Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways and the mechanisms are not fully understood. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of monocytes, granulocyte and myeloid cells at early stage of differentiation. They possess phenotypic plasticity and regulate airway inflammation. We recently reported that Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) regulates MDSC differentiation into fibrocytes, emerging effectors in chronic inflammation. However, the role of KLF4 in asthma is not known. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial cell-derived cytokine and a key initiator of allergic airway inflammation. Given the fact that TSLP promotes Th2 cytokine production that increases MDSC differentiation into fibrocytes, we postulate that KLF4 regulates asthma in a TSLP-dependent manner. In this study, we utilized a model of allergic asthma with ovalbumin challenge (OVA). We found that upon OVA treatment the wild type mice had increased MDSC infiltration into the lung, up-regulation of KLF4 and TSLP gene expression, and higher levels of Th2 cytokines including IL4 and IL13. Consistently, lack of KLF4 expression in monocytes and lung epithelial cells resulted in decreased TSLP expression and lower levels of Th2 cytokines in mice, and fibrocyte generation was compromised. KLF4 deficiency in these cells also led to decreased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), a cardinal feature of asthma, as assessed by whole body plethysmography. Moreover, lung fibrosis as measured by trichome staining was attenuated and the population of CD45+COL1A1+ fibrocytes was diminished in this setting. Together, our results suggest that KLF4 regulates asthma development in a TSLP- and fibrocyte-dependent manner

High Fat Diet-Induced CD8+ T Cells in Adipose Tissue Mediate Macrophages to Sustain Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation

Obesity in the United States and worldwide reached epidemic proportions within the last 20 years. Obesity is a very powerful health determinant or indicator that facilitates the development and progression of several metabolic diseases, insulin resistance, and low-grade chronic inflammation. Low-grade chronic inflammation in adipose tissue (AT) is marked by the accumulation of T cells, macrophages, and other immune cells and increased production of proinflammatory cytokines. During the onset of obesity but before the influx of macrophages, the AT is infiltrated by T cells that are strongly implicated in the initiation of obesity-associated inflammation. In comparing mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) with those fed a normal diet (ND), we observed in HFD epididymal AT induction and infiltration of activated T cells, an accumulation and polarization of macrophages, and an increase in populations of activated CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells that express CXCR3 or killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily G member 1 (KLRG1). Levels of inflammatory cytokines and leptin and the results of in vitro co-culture experiments revealed interactions among HFD- and ND-induced CD8+ T cells, macrophages, and adipocytes. Our findings suggest that obese tissues activate and induce both CD4+ and CD8+ CD69+ T cells and augment the expression of CXCR3 receptors, which promotes the recruitment and numbers of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages to maintain low-grade chronic inflammation. The results support the hypothesis that CXCR3-expressing CD8+T cells play an essential role in the initiation and maintenance of adipose tissue inflammation

Earthworm Grazed-Trichoderma harzianum Biofortified Spent Mushroom Substrates Modulate Accumulation of Natural Antioxidants and Bio-Fortification of Mineral Nutrients in Tomato

The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the impact of earthworm grazed and Trichoderma harzianum biofortified spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on natural antioxidant and nutritional properties of tomato. Results of the investigation reveal that earthworm grazing and T. harzianum bio-fortification led to significant improvement in the physico-chemical properties of fresh SMS and its application increased the accumulation of natural antioxidants and mineral content in tomato as compared to either T. harzianum biofortified SMS or fresh SMS. In particular, the earthworm grazed, T. harzianum biofortified SMS (EGTHB-SMS) was found to inhibit lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation with significant increase in total polyphenol and flavonoid content in tomato. Further, it increased Fe2+/Fe3+ chelating activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity compared to other treatments. The results thus suggest an augmented elicitation of natural antioxidant properties in tomato treated with EGTHB-SMS, resulting in a higher radical scavenging activity, that is highly desirable for human health. In addition, the use of SMS to enhance the nutritional value of tomato fruits becomes an environment friendly approach in sustainable crop production