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BACKGROUND: The mutated VAPBP56S (vesicle B associated membrane protein - P56S) protein has been described in a Brazilian family and classified as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis type 8 (ALS8). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study altered biochemical and immunological parameters in cells from ALS8 patients to identify possible biomarkers or therapeutic targets. METHODS: Wild-type VAPB, VAPBP56S, mTOR, proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidant/reducing levels in serum, leucocytes, and cellular lysate from ALS8 patients and health Controls were performed by ELISA, fluorimetry, and spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Our results showed similar levels of mutant and wild-type VAPB in serum and intracellular lysate (p > 0.05) when ALS8 patients and Controls were compared. IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-18 levels in patients and Controls showed no difference, suggesting an absence of peripheral inflammation (p > 0.05). Oxidative metabolic response, assessed by mitochondrial ROS production, and reductive response by MTT reduction, were higher in the ALS8 group compared to Controls (p < 0.05), although not characterizing typical oxidative stress in ALS8 patients. Total mTOR levels (phosphorylated or non-phosphorylated) of ALS8 patients were significantly lower in serum and higher in intracellular lysate than the mean equivalents in Controls (p < 0.05). A similar result was observed when we quantified the phosphorylated protein (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate the possibility of using these biochemical and immunological parameters as potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers. Furthermore, by hypothesis, we suggest a hormetic response in which both VAPB forms could coexist in different proportions throughout life. The mutated VAPBP56S production would increase with aging and predominate over the wild-type VAPB levels, determining the onset of symptoms and aggravating the disease.
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Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica , Proteínas de Transporte Vesicular , Humanos , Proteínas de Transporte Vesicular/química , Proteínas de Transporte Vesicular/genética , Proteínas de Transporte Vesicular/metabolismo , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/genética , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Leucócitos/metabolismo , Mutação , Serina-Treonina Quinases TORRESUMO
Background: Oxidative stress is associated with the pathogenesis of MS. Edaravone (EDV) has been proposed as a therapeutic resource for central nervous system diseases, and it was effective in reducing oxidative stress. However, the antioxidant mechanisms of EDV are poorly studied. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of EDV on resting, phagocytosis, and PKC-activated granulocytes derived from MS patients and a healthy control group. Methods: The effects of EDV on ROS production in phagocytosis (ROS production in the presence of opsonized particles) and PKC-stimulated granulocytes were evaluated in a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence method. Calphostin C was used in some experiments to compare with those of EDV. Results: EDV inhibited ROS production in phagocytosis of opsonized particles and PKC-stimulated granulocytes from MS patients and healthy control group. In the presence of calphostin C, the inhibition of ROS production was similar to that observed with EDV. Conclusion: These findings suggest the involvement of EDV on the ROS-PKC-NOX signaling pathways modulating oxidative stress in MS. EDV represents a promising treatment option to control oxidative innate immune response for MS.
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BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) but is not included in current risk stratification. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score and inflammatory biomarkers in the ACS, including unstable angina (UA), non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We hypothesized that including inflammatory biomarkers could add prognostic value to the TIMI risk score. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, serum levels of interleukins (IL)-6 and IL-1ß and MDA (malondialdehyde) were quantified by ELISA and colorimetry, respectively , patients with ACS (n = 48; 31.3% with UA, 33.3% with NSTEMI, and 35.4% with STEMI) and healthy controls (n = 43). We assessed the TIMI scores in the first 24 h after symptom onset. RESULTS: The results showed that patients with ACS had significantly higher levels (p<0.05) of the inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, IL-1ß, and MDA compared to the control group. However, we found no significant differences in IL-6, IL-1ß, and MDA levels among the patients with ACS according to their classification as UA, NSTEMI, and STEMI. Positive correlations were observed between TIMI and IL-6 (r=0.68), IL-1ß (r= 0.53), and MDA (r=0.58) in patients with UA and between TIMI and IL-1ß (r= 0.62) in STEMI patients. CONCLUSION: These data suggest the presence of a pro-inflammatory profile in patients with ACS as well as positive correlations between TIMI scores and the inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, IL-1ß, and MDA in patients with UA and between TIMI scores and IL-1ß in patients with STEMI. Combining inflammatory biomarkers with the TIMI risk score could provide better insight into the processes involved in ACS.
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BACKGROUND: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) has been studied as a molecule associated with severe outcomes in sepsis and thrombomodulin (TM) seems to decrease HMGB1 activity. AIM: To investigate the role of the thrombomodulin/high mobility group box 1 (T/H) ratio in patients with sepsis and their association with their clinic, testing the hypothesis that higher ratios are associated with better outcomes. METHODS: Twenty patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock, according to the 2016 criteria sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3), were studied. Patients were followed until they left the intensive care unit or until they achieved 28 d of hospitalization (D28). The following clinical outcomes were observed: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score; Need for mechanical pulmonary ventilation; Presence of septic shock; Occurrence of sepsis-induced coagulopathy; Need for renal replacement therapy (RRT); and Death. RESULTS: The results showed that patients with SOFA scores greater than or equal to 12 points had higher serum levels of TM: 76.41 ± 29.21 pg/mL vs 37.41 ± 22.55 pg/mL among those whose SOFA scores were less than 12 points, P = 0.003. The T/H ratio was also higher in patients whose SOFA scores were greater than or equal to 12 points, P = 0.001. The T/H ratio was, on average, three times higher in patients in need of RRT (0.38 ± 0.14 vs 0.11 ± 0.09), P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Higher serum levels of TM and, therefore, higher T/H ratio in the first 24 h after the diagnosis of sepsis were associated with more severe disease and the need for renal replacement therapy, while those with better clinical outcomes and those who were discharged before D28 showed a tendency for lower T/H ratio values.
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BACKGROUND: Galanin (GAL) constitutes a family of neuropeptides composed of four peptides: (i) galanin (GAL), (ii) galanin-message associated peptide (GAMP), (iii) galanin-like peptide (GALP), and (iv) alarin. GAL contains 29/30 amino acids, and its biological action occurs through the interactions with its various receptors (GALR1, GALR2, and GALR3). The neuropeptide GAL regulates several physiological and pathophysiological functions in the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, and the peripheral organs. GAL is secreted mainly by oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and the gastrointestinal tract, and its effect depends on the interaction with its different receptors. These receptors are expressed mainly in the central, peripheral nervous systems and the intestines. OBJECTIVE: The present review evaluates the role of GAL family in inflammatory diseases. An overview is given of the signaling and pharmacological effects due to the interaction between GAL and GALR in different cell types. The potential use of GAL as a therapeutic resource is critically discussed. CONCLUSION: GAL is suggested to have an anti-inflammatory function in some situations and a proinflammatory function in others. The literature on GAL is controversial and currently not conclusive. This could be due to the complexity of the metabolic network signaling induced by the interactions between GAL and GALR. In the next future, GAL might be a promising therapeutic resource for several diseases, but its practical use for disease control is presently not advisable.
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Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Anti-Inflamatórios/uso terapêutico , Galanina/farmacologia , Galanina/uso terapêutico , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/terapia , Animais , Humanos , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Inflamação/metabolismo , Receptores de Galanina/fisiologia , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Atorvastatin (ATV) inhibits the conversion of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) to mevalonate formation and promotes lowering of the LDL cholesterol fraction. However, ATV exhibits pleiotropic metabolic actions beyond cholesterol-lowering properties. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effect of ATV on oxidizing species generation and cytokine secretion in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMNC) of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients in comparison to healthy control. METHODS: Both NADPH-oxidase-dependent and mitochondrial ROS generation were assessed by chemoluminescence luminol-dependent assay and fluorometric experiment, using Dichlorofluorescein Assay (DCFH-DA), respectively. IL-1ß and IL-6 were quantified by classical ELISA. RESULTS: ATV inhibited NADPH-oxidase dependent ROS generation, but showed no effect on mitochondrial ROS generation and activated IL-1ß and IL-6 secretions in PBMNC from control and T2DM patients. ROS generation and cytokine secretion in the presence of an inhibitor of Protein Kinase Cß (iPKCß) and ATV led to similar results. The secretion of IL-1ß, PDB-induced in the presence of iPKCß, but not ATV, was increased. ATV and iPKCß exacerbated PDB-induced IL-6 secretion. LPS activated the secretion of IL-1ß and IL-6 which was potentiated by ATV. CONCLUSION: ATV inhibited ROS generation and activated IL-1 ß/IL-6 secretion in PBMNC of diabetes patients. Its effect was not affected by the hyperglycemia.
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Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Atorvastatina/farmacologia , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/metabolismo , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/farmacologia , Interleucina-1beta/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Leucócitos Mononucleares/efeitos dos fármacos , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/diagnóstico , Feminino , Humanos , Leucócitos Mononucleares/metabolismo , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , NADPH Oxidases/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase C beta/metabolismo , Via SecretóriaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a glycoprotein released during early phases of a postischemic kidney in response to kidney injury, inflammation, and oxidative stress. It can be detected in urine after 2 hours of an ischemic event. The aim was to measure and to correlate the level of urine NGAL (uNGAL) with urea, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of endurance cycling athletes (n = 19) and physically active individuals (control, n = 17). METHODS: Quantification of urea and creatinine were performed by dry chemical method, and GFR was calculated using the modification of diet in renal disease formula, according to Brazilian Society of Nephrology. uNGAL analyses were performed by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay. Analyses were performed 48 hours after exercises. RESULTS: uNGAL (in ng/mL) levels, expressed as median, minimum, and maximum, in cyclist group, 387.7 (109.7-1691.0), was significantly higher than that observed in control (physically active) group, 141.5 (4.8-657.0), (P < .05). No significant correlations were observed between uNGAL and creatinine, urea, or GFR (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Results have pointed to increased uNGAL levels in endurance cycling athletes. Increase of uNGAL in absence of clinical signs or alterations in creatinine, urea, or GFR might suggest that there is metabolic adaptation to endurance exercise, or possibly predisposition to acute kidney injury over time.
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Injúria Renal Aguda/patologia , Ciclismo/fisiologia , Creatinina/urina , Taxa de Filtração Glomerular/fisiologia , Lipocalina-2/urina , Ureia/urina , Adulto , Atletas , Biomarcadores/urina , Brasil , Exercício Físico/fisiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Inflamação , Rim/metabolismo , Masculino , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Chronic or intermittent hyperglycemia is associated with the development of diabetic complications. Several signaling pathways can be altered by having hyperglycemia in different tissues, producing oxidative stress, the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), as well as the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and cellular death (pathological autophagy and/or apoptosis). However, the signaling pathways that are directly triggered by hyperglycemia appear to have a pivotal role in diabetic complications due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, and cellular death. The present review will discuss the role of cellular death in diabetic complications, and it will suggest the cause and the consequences between the hyperglycemia-induced signaling pathways and cell death. The signaling pathways discussed in this review are to be described step-by-step, together with their respective inhibitors. They involve diacylglycerol, the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and NADPH-oxidase system, and the consequent production of ROS. This was initially entitled the "dangerous metabolic route in diabetes". The historical usages and the recent advancement of new drugs in controlling possible therapeutical targets have been highlighted, in order to evaluate the evolution of knowledge in this sensitive area. It has recently been shown that the metabolic responses to stimuli (i.e., hyperglycemia) involve an integrated network of signaling pathways, in order to define the exact responses. Certain new drugs have been experimentally tested-or suggested and proposed-for their ability to modulate the possible biochemical therapeutical targets for the downregulation of retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, heart disease, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and cellular death. The aim of this study was to critically and didactically evaluate the exact steps of these signaling pathways and hence mark the indicated sites for the actions of such drugs and their possible consequences. This review will emphasize, besides others, the therapeutical targets for controlling the signaling pathways, when aimed at the downregulation of ROS generation, oxidative stress, and, consequently, cellular death-with all of these conditions being a problem in diabetes.
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Complicações do Diabetes/metabolismo , Complicações do Diabetes/patologia , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Animais , Morte Celular , Humanos , Modelos Biológicos , Estresse Oxidativo , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Lipoamide dehydrogenase (LipDH) is a flavin-containing disulfide oxidoreductase from the same group of thioredoxin reductase, glutathione reductase and trypanothione reductase. This enzyme is found in the mitochondria of all aerobic organisms where it takes part in at least three important multienzyme complexes from the citric acid cycle. In this study, we performed a phylogenetic analysis comparing the amino acid sequence of the LipDH from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcLipDH) with the LipDH from other organisms. Subsequently, the copy number of the TcLipDH gene, the mRNA and protein levels, and the enzymatic activity of the LipDH were determined in populations and strains of T. cruzi that were either resistant or susceptible to benznidazole (BZ). In silico analysis showed the presence of two TcLipDH alleles in the T. cruzi genome. It also showed that TcLipDH protein has less than 55% of identity in comparison to the human LipDH, but the active site is conserved in both of them. Southern blot results suggest that the TcLipDH is a single copy gene in the genome of the T. cruzi samples analyzed. Northern blot assays showed one transcript of 2.4 kb in all T. cruzi populations. Northern blot and Real Time RT-PCR data revealed that the TcLipDH mRNA levels were 2-fold more expressed in the BZ-resistant T. cruzi population (17LER) than in its susceptible pair (17WTS). Western blot results revealed that the TcLipDH protein level is 2-fold higher in 17LER sample in comparison to 17WTS sample. In addition, LipDH activity was higher in the 17LER population than in the 17WTS. Sequencing analysis revealed that the amino acid sequences of the TcLipDH from 17WTS and 17LER populations are identical. Our findings show that one of the mechanisms associated with in vitro-induced BZ resistance to T. cruzi correlates with upregulation of LipDH enzyme.
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Di-Hidrolipoamida Desidrogenase/genética , Resistência a Medicamentos , Nitroimidazóis/farmacologia , Tripanossomicidas/farmacologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/efeitos dos fármacos , Trypanosoma cruzi/enzimologia , Alelos , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Northern Blotting , Southern Blotting , Clonagem Molecular , DNA de Protozoário/química , DNA de Protozoário/isolamento & purificação , Di-Hidrolipoamida Desidrogenase/química , Resistência a Medicamentos/genética , Dosagem de Genes , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica , Camundongos , Mitocôndrias/enzimologia , Filogenia , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , RNA de Protozoário/química , RNA de Protozoário/isolamento & purificação , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/isolamento & purificação , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Trypanosoma cruzi/genéticaRESUMO
We examined nitric oxide (NO), IL-6, and TNF-α secretion from cultured palmitate-stimulated PBMNCs or in the plasma from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2MD) patients or nondiabetic (ND) controls. Free fatty acids (FFA) have been suggested to induce chronic low-grade inflammation, activate the innate immune system, and cause deleterious effects on vascular cells and other tissues through inflammatory processes. The levels of NO, IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA were higher in supernatant of palmitate stimulated blood cells (PBMNC) or from plasma from patients. The results obtained in the present study demonstrated that hyperglycemia in diabetes exacerbates in vitro inflammatory responses in PBMNCs stimulated with high levels of SFA (palmitate). These results suggest that hyperglycemia primes PBMNCs for NO, IL-6, and TNF-alpha secretion under in vitro FFA stimulation are associated with the secretion of inflammatory biomarkers in diabetes. A combined therapy targeting signaling pathways activated by hyperglycemia in conjunction with simultaneous control of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia would be suggested for controlling the progress of diabetic complications.