Jimena Verónica Lavandera

Cytochrome P450 expression in mouse brain: specific isoenzymes involved in Phase I metabolizing system of porphyrinogenic agents in both microsomes and mitochondria

Brain cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolizes a variety of drugs to produce their pharmacological effects within the brain. We have previously observed that porphyrinogenic agents altered CYP levels in brain. The aim of this work was to further study the involvement of mice brain mitochondrial and microsomal Phase I drug metabolizing system when porphyrinogenic agents, such as Enflurane, Isoflurane, allylisopropylacetamide, veronal, ethanol, and Griseofulvin were administered. To this end, CYP2E1, CYP2B1, and CYP3A4 expression were measured. NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) expression was also determined. Western Blots were performed in microsomes and mitochondria of whole brain. Some of the drugs studied altered expression mainly in microsomes. Chronic Isoflurane augmented mitochondrial isoform, although this anaesthetic diminished microsomal expression. Ethanol and topical Griseofulvin affected expression in microsomes but not in mitochondria. CYP2E1 mitochondrial activity was induced by acute Enflurane; while the activity of the microsomal protein was enhanced in alcoholised animals. Ethanol also induced CYP2E1 expression in microsomes, although Isoflurane provoked opposite effects in mitochondria and microsomes. Expression of CPR was also induced. Several reports support an emergent role of CYP enzymes in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, so CYP response in brain could be one of the multiples factors influencing porphyria acute attacks.

Identification of CYP3A5 and CYP2B6 Polymorphisms in Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Associated to Human Immunodeficiency Virus

To date, few or no data concerning the prevalence of polymorphisms in drug metabolism genes of antiretroviral drugs have been reported in the Argentinean population or in porphyric individuals worldwide. The purpose of the current investigation was to determine whether interindividual differences in cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A) and 2B6 (CYP2B6) genes could influence the triggering of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT) in subjects with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) after antiretroviral exposure. A total of 141 subjects, 60 control volunteers and 81 unrelated individuals with PCT were included in the study. In the porphyric group, 21 individuals were HIV positive. To evaluate the presence of the alleles CYP3A5*3, CYP3A5*6 and CYP2B6*6 a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed. The frequencies of CYP3A5*3 were 0.91 in control group, 0.89 in PCT patients and 0.89 in PCT-HIV. CYP2B6*6 frequencies were 0.31 in control group, 0.34 in PCT group and 0.30 in PCT-HIV group. We have shown that the allelic frequencies of CYP3A5*3 or CYP2B6*6 in our population were similar to those reported for other Caucasian populations. Although, we have not found significant differences in polymorphisms of CYP3A5 and CYP2B6 between the different groups analyzed, there are an enormous number of biological variables that may influence antiretroviral treatment, like other genetic polymorphisms of phase I or phase II enzymes, or transporters like multidrug resistance transporter gene (MDR1), which can contribute to antiretroviral drug toxicities and response or even it is possible that the PCT-HIV association has more than one factor responsible for the onset of PCT symptoms.

Pleiotropic effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid in mouse brain

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) seems to be responsible for the neuropsychiatric manifestations of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). Our aim was to study the effect of ALA on the different metabolic pathways in the mouse brain to enhance our knowledge about the action of this heme precursor on the central nervous system. Heme metabolism, the cholinergic system, the defense enzyme system, and nitric oxide metabolism were evaluated in the encephalon of CF-1 mice receiving a single (40 mg/kg body mass) or multiple doses of ALA (40 mg/kg, every 48 h for 14 days). We subsequently found ALA accumulation in the encephalon of the mice. ALA also altered the brain cholinergic system. After one dose of ALA, a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity and a reduction in glutathione levels were detected, whereas malondialdehyde levels and catalase activity were increased. Heme oxygenase was also increased as an antioxidant response to protect the encephalon against injury. All nitric oxide synthase isoforms were induced by ALA, these changes were more significant for the inducible isoform in glial cells. In conclusion, ALA affected several metabolic pathways in mouse encephalon. Data indicate that a rapid response to oxidative stress was developed; however, with long-term intoxication, the redox balance was probably restored, thereby minimizing oxidative damage.

Mice Brain Nitric Oxide Synthase Response Induced by Anaesthetics and Other Porphyrinogenic Drugs

Porphyrias neuropathophysiology could be related to low levels of heme as a cofactor for nitric oxide synthase (NOS). We examined how anaesthetics and other porphyrinogenic agents affect mice NOS activity and expression. Brain response was differential depending on the cellular fraction analyzed. Most of the drugs diminished cytosolic activity. Instead, isoflurane, enflurane and ethanol increased mitochondrial activity. NOS expression also depended on the drug tested. A comparative study was performed in liver. Our present and previous results indicate the widespread action of porphyrinogenic agents in brain, which could be the reason why it is difficult to establish the onset of acute porphyria neurological manifestations.

N-3 fatty acids reduced trans fatty acids retention and increased docosahexaenoic acid levels in the brain

Introduction: The levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) are critical for the normal structure and function of the brain. Trans fatty acids (TFA) and the source of the dietary fatty acids (FA) interfere with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TFA supplementation in diets containing different proportions of n-9, n-6, and n-3 FA on the brain FA profile, including the retention of TFA, LC-PUFA levels, and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios. These parameters were also investigated in the liver, considering that LC-PUFA are mainly bioconverted from their dietary precursors in this tissue and transported by serum to the brain. Also, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) gene expressions were evaluated. Methods: Male CF1 mice were fed (16 weeks) diets containing different oils (olive, corn, and rapeseed) with distinct proportions of n-9, n-6, and n-3 FA (55.2/17.2/0.7, 32.0/51.3/0.9, and 61.1/18.4/8.6), respectively, substituted or not with 0.75% of TFA. FA composition of the brain, liver, and serum was assessed by gas chromatography. Results: TFA were incorporated into, and therefore retained in the brain, liver, and serum. However, the magnitude of retention was dependent on the tissue and type of isomer. In the brain, total TFA retention was lower than 1% in all diets. Discussion: Dietary n-3 PUFA decreased TFA retention and increased DHA accretion in the brain. The results underscore the importance of the type of dietary FA on the retention of TFA in the brain and also on the changes of the FA profile.

The effects of trans-fatty acids on TAG regulation in mice depend on dietary unsaturated fatty acids.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of trans-fatty acids (TFA) on liver and serum TAG regulation in mice fed diets containing different proportions of n-3, n-6 and n-9 unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) from olive (O), maize (C) or rapeseed (R) oils partially substituted or not with TFA (Ot, Ct and Rt, respectively). Male CF1 mice were fed (30 d) one of these diets. The effects of the partial substitution (1 %, w/w) of different UFA with TFA on the activity and expression of hepatic enzymes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acids oxidation were evaluated, as well as their transcription factor expressions. Some of the mechanisms involved in the serum TAG regulation, hepatic VLDL rich in TAG (VLDL-TAG) secretion rate and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity were assessed. In liver, TFA induced an increase in TAG content in the Ot and Rt groups, and this effect was associated with an imbalance between lipogenesis and β-oxidation. In the Ot group, exacerbated lipogenesis may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the liver steatosis induced by TFA, whereas in Rt it has been related to a decreased β-oxidation, compared with their respective controls. The enhanced hepatic VLDL-TAG secretion in the Ot and Rt groups was compensated with a differential removal of TAG by LPL enzyme in extrahepatic tissues, leading to unchanged serum TAG levels. In brief, the effects of low levels of TFA on liver and serum TAG regulation in mice depend on the dietary proportions of n-3, n-6 and n-9 UFA.

Effects of volatile anaesthetics on heme metabolism in a murine genetic model of acute intermittent porphyria. A comparative study with other porphyrinogenic drugs

BACKGROUND Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP) is an inherited disease produced by a deficiency of Porphobilinogen deaminase (PBG-D). The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of Isoflurane and Sevoflurane on heme metabolism in a mouse genetic model of AIP to further support our previous proposal for avoiding their use in porphyric patients. A comparative study was performed administering the porphyrinogenic drugs allylisopropylacetamide (AIA), barbital and ethanol, and also between sex and mutation using AIP (PBG-D activity 70% reduced) and T1 (PBG-D activity 50% diminished) mice. METHODS The activities of 5-Aminolevulinic synthetase (ALA-S), PBG-D, Heme oxygenase (HO) and CYP2E1; the expression of ALA-S and the levels of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were measured in different tissues of mice treated with the drugs mentioned. RESULTS Isoflurane increased liver, kidney and brain ALA-S activity of AIP females but only affected kidney AIP males. Sevoflurane induced ALA-S activity in kidney and brain of female AIP group. PBG-D activity was further reduced by Isoflurane in liver male T1; in AIP male mice activity remained in its low basal levels. Ethanol and barbital also caused biochemical alterations. Only AIA triggered neurological signs similar to those observed during human acute attacks in male AIP being the symptoms less pronounced in females although ALA-S induction was greater. Heme degradation was affected. DISCUSSION Biochemical alterations caused by the porphyrinogenic drugs assayed were different in male and female mice and also between T1 and AIP being more affected the females of AIP group. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This is the first study using volatile anaesthetics in an AIP genetic model confirming Isoflurane and Sevoflurane porphyrinogenicity.

Maternal conjugated linoleic acid modulates TAG metabolism in adult rat offspring

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) might regulate the lipid depots in liver and adipose tissue. As there is an association between maternal nutrition, fat depots and risk of offspring chronic disease, the aim was to investigate the effect of maternal CLA consumption on TAG regulation and some inflammatory parameters in adult male rat offspring receiving or not receiving CLA. Female Wistar rats were fed control (C) or CLA-supplemented (1 %, w/w) diets during 4 weeks before and throughout pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, male offspring of CLA rats were fed C or CLA diets (CLA/C and CLA/CLA groups, respectively), whereas C male rat offspring were fed a C diet (C/C group) for 9 weeks. Serum TAG levels were increased in the CLA/CLA and CLA/C groups, associated with a reduction of lipoprotein lipase activity and weights of adipose tissue. The liver TAG levels were decreased in the CLA/CLA group, related to a significant reduction of fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme activities, as well as to the mRNA levels of FAS, ACC, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c. Even though normal TAG levels were found in the liver of CLA/C rats, a reduction of lipogenesis was also observed. Thus, these results demonstrated a programming effect of CLA on the lipid metabolic pathways leading to a preventive effect on the TAG accretion in adipose tissue and the liver of male rat offspring. This knowledge could be important to develop some dietary strategies leading to a reduced incidence of obesity and fatty acid liver disease in humans.

TRANS FATTY ACIDS MODIFY NUTRITIONAL PARAMETERS AND TRIACYLGLYCEROL METABOLISM IN RATS: DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS AT RECOMMENDED AND HIGH-FAT LEVELS.

INTRODUCTION there is still little evidence on the metabolic trans fatty acids (TFA) effects at recommended fat levels. OBJECTIVE to investigate the differential TFA effects on some nutritional parameters, TFA retention, and triacylglycerol (TAG) regulation in rats fed recommended and high-fat diets. METHODS male Wistar rats were fed (30 days) diets containing recommended (7%,w/w) or high-fat (20%,w/w) levels, supplemented or not with TFA (C7, C20, TFA7 and TFA20). RESULTS TFA7 (vs.C7) rats showed an increased body weight associated with higher fat pads and liver and serum TAG. The hypertriacylglyceridaemia was related to a decreased muscle LPL activity, while the higher hepatic TAG content was associated with both an increased SREBP-1c gene expression and ACC activity, and a reduced CPT-Ia gene expression. The TFA20 diet did not potentiate the higher body weight, fat pads and TAG levels induced by the C20 diet. Although the hepatic TAG-secretion rate (TAG-SR) increased by TFA20 vs. C20, the same triacylglyceridaemia was associated with a compensatory increase of the adipose tissue LPL activity. The attenuated hepatic TAG accretion in TFA20 was related to an increase of TAG-SR and to a lower increase of SREBP-1c and SCD1 mRNA expressions, paralleled to a relative decrease of SCD1 index and ACC activity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION TFA alters nutritional parameters and lipid metabolism in rats. However, different responses to the TFA on TAG levels and their regulation were observed between rats fed recommended and high-fat diets. These divergences might be related to different tissue TFA retentions and rumenic acid bioconversion.