Dornadula Sireesh

Anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-peroxidative role of pterostilbene via Nrf2 signaling in experimental diabetes

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), a key transcription factor triggers the expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes thereby providing cellular protective functions against oxidative stress-mediated disorders. Recent research has identified that pharmacological activation of Nrf2 also regulates the largest cluster of genes associated with lipid metabolism. With this background, this paper highlights the anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-peroxidative role of pterostilbene (PTS), an Nrf2 activator, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic model. PTS administration to diabetic mice for 5 weeks significantly regulated blood glucose levels through the elevation of insulin secretion. The circulatory and liver lipid profiles of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were maintained to normal levels upon PTS treatment. Moreover, PTS administration also normalized the circulatory levels of very low-, low- and high density lipoprotein cholesterols (VLDL-, LDL-, HDL-C) and also reduced lipid peroxidation in STZ-induced diabetic mice. In addition, Nrf2 and its downstream targets, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities and glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly elevated in liver tissues of diabetic mice upon PTS administration. Further, H&E staining of diabetic mouse liver showed collapse in hepatic microvesicles due to altered lipid metabolism. Both structural and functional alterations were attenuated by PTS indicating its role in diabetic dyslipidemia through Nrf2-mediated mechanism that could be considered as a promising therapeutic agent.

Pterostilbene-mediated Nrf2 activation: Mechanistic insights on Keap1:Nrf2 interface

The discovery of Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors has become a promising strategy to develop novel lead molecules against variety of stress. Hence, Keap1-Nrf2 system plays an important role in oxidative/electrophilic stress associated disorders. Our earlier studies identified pterostilbene (PTS), a natural analogue of resveratrol, as a potent Nrf2 activator and Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitor as assessed by luciferase complementation assay. In this study, we further identified the potential of PTS in Nrf2 activation and ARE-driven downstream target genes expression by nuclear translocation experiments and ARE-luciferase reporter assay, respectively. Further, the luciferase complementation assay identified that PTS inhibits Keap1-Nrf2 PPI in both dose and time-dependent manner. Computational studies using molecular docking and dynamic simulation revealed that PTS directly interacts with the basic amino acids of kelch domain of Keap1 and perturb Keap1-Nrf2 interaction pattern. This manuscript not only shows the binding determinants of Keap1-Nrf2 proteins but also provides mechanistic insights on Nrf2 activation potential of PTS.

Targeting SUMOylation cascade for diabetes management.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) play important roles in regulating protein stability, trafficking, folding conformation, and functional activity. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) protein mediates a distinct type of PTM called SUMOylation in which the SUMO protein is covalently ligated to the target protein and modifies its activities through a series of enzymatically-catalyzed reactions. SUMOylation regulates many cellular processes like transcription, the maintenance of the ion gradient across the cell membrane, stress response, autoimmunity, etc. Several target proteins of SUMOylation are involved in the biological pathways related to various human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. This review focuses on the SUMOylation process, regulatory roles of SUMOylation in diabetes, and prospects of developing novel anti-diabetic drugs targeting the SUMOylation process.

Carvacrol induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in HL-60 promyelocytic and Jurkat T lymphoma cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of carvacrol, a phenolic monoterpenoid on the induction of apoptosis in HL-60 (Human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells) and Jurkat (human T lymphocyte cells) cells. Carvacrol showed a potent cytotoxic effect on both cells with dose-dependent increase in the level of free radical formation as measured by an oxidation sensitive fluorescent dye, 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) levels. The reduction in the level of antioxidants such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P<0.05) was observed in carvacrol-treated cells. The major cytotoxic effect appears to be intervened by the induction of apoptotic cell death as assessed by annexin-V labeling assay using flow cytometry. Western blot analysis showed that Bax expression was increased, whereas Bcl-2 expression was significantly decreased in carvacrol exposed HL-60 cells and Jurkat cells. Further studies revealed that the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential of intact cells was accompanied by the activation of caspase-3. Our results found that the potential mechanism of cellular apoptosis induced by carvacrol is mediated by caspase-3 and is associated with the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, generation of free radicals, and depletion of the intracellular antioxidant pool.

Role of pterostilbene in attenuating immune mediated devastation of pancreatic beta cells via Nrf2 signaling cascade

Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2) is a transcription factor that regulates oxidative/xenobiotic stress response and also suppress inflammation. Nrf2 signaling is associated with an increased susceptibility to various kinds of stress. Nrf2 has been shown as a promising therapeutic target in various human diseases including diabetes. Our earlier studies showed Pterostilbene (PTS) as a potent Nrf2 activator, and it protects the pancreatic β-cells against oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated PTS confer protection against cytokine-induced β-cell apoptosis and its role on insulin secretion in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. The Nrf2 activation potential of PTS was assessed by dissociation of the Nrf2-Keap1 complex and by expression of ARE-driven downstream target genes in MIN6 cells. Further, the nuclear Nrf2 translocation and blockage of apoptotic signaling as demonstrated by the reduction of BAX/Bcl-2 ratio, Annexin-V positive cells and caspase-3 activity conferred the cyto-protection of PTS against cytokine-induced cellular damage. In addition, PTS treatment markedly improved glucose homeostasis and abated inflammatory response evidenced by the reduction of proinflammatory cytokines in diabetic mice. The inhibition of β-cell apoptosis by PTS as assessed by BAX/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 activity in the pancreas was associated with the activation of Nrf2 and the expression of its downstream target genes. PTS also inhibited the activation of iNOS and decreased nitric oxide (NO) formation in the pancreas of diabetic animals. The results obtained from both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that PTS improves β-cell function and survival against cytokine stress and also prevents STZ-induced diabetes.

Association of A1538G and C2437T single nucleotide polymorphisms in Heat Shock Protein-70 genes with Diabetic Nephropathy among South Indian population

Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, characterized by progressive albuminuria and conferring additional risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. The crucial role of heat-shock proteins (HSPs) on renal function in patients with DN has been well documented. The present study was aimed to understand the association of HSP-70 gene variants on the susceptibility of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and DN. A total of 946 subjects (549 Males; 397 Females) were recruited and divided into four groups according to the levels of urinary albumin excretion (UAE): those with normoalbuminuria (UAE <30 mg/24 h; n=230), those with microalbuminuria (30≤ UAE ≤300 mg/24 h; n=230), and those with macroalbuminuria (UAE> 300 mg/24 h; n=230). The control group randomly enrolled a consecutive population of 256 healthy subjects who had a routine medical check-up in our hospital. Those subjects had no history or clinical symptoms of diabetes. Subjects were genotyped for HSP70-2 (+1538 A/G; rs2763979) and HSP70-hom (+2437 C/T; rs2227956) by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The ‘G’ allele of HSP70-2 (+1538 A/G) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) showed relative risk for normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria subjects whereas the ‘T’ allele of HSP70-hom (+2437 C/T) SNP showed significant protection against macroalbuminuria subjects. In conclusion, our results indicate that the HSP70-2 (+1538 A/G) and HSP70-hom (+2437 C/T) SNPs are highly associated with renal complications in T2DM among the South Indian population.

Unraveling the role of ER stress inhibitors in the context of metabolic diseases

ER stress is provoked by the accumulation of unfolded and misfolded proteins in the ER lumen leading to perturbations in ER homeostasis. ER stress activates a signaling cascade called the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) which triggers a set of transcriptional and translational events that restore ER homeostasis, promoting cell survival and adaptation. If this adaptive response fails, a terminal UPR program commits such cells to apoptosis. Existing preclinical and clinical evidence testify that prolonged ER stress escalates the risk of several metabolic disorders including diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia. There have been considerable efforts to develop small molecules that are capable of ameliorating ER stress. Few naturally occurring and synthetic molecules have already been demonstrated for their efficacy in abrogating ER stress in both in vitro and in vivo models of metabolic disorders. This review provides a broad overview of the molecular mechanisms of inhibition of ER stress and its association with various metabolic diseases.

Association of NF-E2 Related Factor 2 (Nrf2) and inflammatory cytokines in recent onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

We investigated the association of redox regulator Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and inflammatory cytokines as well as clinical remission in patients with recent onset type 2 diabetes (DM). Blood was collected from 180 DM patients (105 males/75 females) and 150 control subjects (86 males/64 females). Blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile and Nrf2 levels were determined along with circulatory cytokines in study subjects. The data were adjusted with confounding factors such as age and sex using multiple logistic regression analysis. We found that Th1/Th2 and oxidative stress markers were significantly elevated, whereas Nrf2 and its downstream targets were decreased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of DM subjects when compared with control. The circulatory levels of Nrf2 showed a positive correlation with Th2 cytokines and negative correlation to Th1 cytokines. Further, the impaired insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells observed due to cytokine stress has been restored by activation of Nrf2 as assessed by glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). This study identifies Nrf2 plays a central role in skewing Th1 and Th2 dominance in the progression of diabetes.

Redox Sensitive Transcription via Nrf2-Keap1 in Suppression of Inflammation

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by hyperglycemia and results from insufficient insulin or an ineffective response of cells to insulin. These disorders have great significance for the public health burden of metabolic disease. Islet inflammation is one of the major contributors that lead to loss of functional β-cells in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The pathophysiology of pancreatic islets is mainly characterized by the inflammatory process involving immune cell infiltration, increased cytokines levels followed by activation of NF-κB and Fas signaling, resulting in β-cell dysfunction. The pharmacological strategies that inhibit the inflammatory response to safeguard pancreatic β-cells are the subject of current intensive research. Nrf2-Keap1-ARE pathway has recently emerged as a promising target for the prevention of inflammation-mediated disorders. Few Nrf2 activators such as curcumin, sulforaphane, resveratrol and vitamin D are protecting against inflammatory responses and β-cell damage in diabetes. Hence, this review is focused on the role of Nrf2 and its activation in diabetes especially in the perspective of islet inflammation.