Jordi Bermúdez

Cells overexpressing fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase showed enhanced pentose phosphate pathway flux and resistance to oxidative stress

Changes in the content of fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphate, a modulator of glycolytic flux, also affect other metabolic fluxes such as the non‐oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. Since this is the main source of precursors for biosynthesis in proliferating cells, PFK‐2/FBPase‐2 has been proposed as a potential target for neoplastic treatments. Here we provide evidence that cells with a low content of fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphate have a lower energy status than controls, but they are also less sensitive to oxidative stress. This feature is related to the activation of the oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway and the increased production of NADPH.

PEPCK-M expression in mouse liver potentiates, not replaces, PEPCK-C mediated gluconeogenesis

BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatic gluconeogenesis helps maintain systemic energy homeostasis by compensating for discontinuities in nutrient supply. Liver-specific deletion of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C) abolishes gluconeogenesis from mitochondrial substrates, deregulates lipid metabolism and affects TCA cycle. While the mouse liver almost exclusively expresses PEPCK-C, humans equally present a mitochondrial isozyme (PEPCK-M). Despite clear relevance to human physiology, the role of PEPCK-M and its gluconeogenic potential remain unknown. Here, we test the significance of PEPCK-M in gluconeogenesis and TCA cycle function in liver-specific PEPCK-C knockout and WT mice. METHODS The effects of the overexpression of PEPCK-M were examined by a combination of tracer studies and molecular biology techniques. Partial PEPCK-C re-expression was used as a positive control. Metabolic fluxes were evaluated in isolated livers by NMR using (2)H and (13)C tracers. Gluconeogenic potential, together with metabolic profiling, was investigated in vivo and in primary hepatocytes. RESULTS PEPCK-M expression partially rescued defects in lipid metabolism, gluconeogenesis and TCA cycle function impaired by PEPCK-C deletion, while ∼10% re-expression of PEPCK-C normalized most parameters. When PEPCK-M was expressed in the presence of PEPCK-C, the mitochondrial isozyme amplified total gluconeogenic capacity, suggesting autonomous regulation of oxaloacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate fluxes by the individual isoforms. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that PEPCK-M has gluconeogenic potential per se, and cooperates with PEPCK-C to adjust gluconeogenic/TCA flux to changes in substrate or energy availability, hinting at a role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in the human liver.

Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate reduced TNF-α-induced apoptosis in galactosamine sensitized rat hepatocytes through activation of nitric oxide and cGMP production

Fructose 1,6-P2 (F1,6BP) protects rat liver against experimental hepatitis induced by galactosamine (GalN) by means of two parallel effects: prevention of inflammation, and reduction of hepatocyte sensitization to tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In a previous paper we reported the underlying mechanism involved in the prevention of inflammation. In the present study, we examined the intracellular mechanisms involved in the F1,6BP inhibition of the apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha in parenchyma cells of GalN-sensitized rat liver. We hypothesized that the increased nitric oxide (NO) production in livers of F1,6BP-treated rats mediates the antiapoptotic effect. This hypothesis was evaluated in cultured primary rat hepatocytes challenged by GalN plus tumour necrosis factor-alpha (GalN+TNF-alpha), to reproduce in vitro the injury associated with experimental hepatitis. Our results show a reduction in apoptosis concomitant with an increase in NO production and with a reduction in oxidative stress. In such conditions, guanylyl cyclase is activated and the increase in cGMP reduces the TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes. These results provide new insights in the protective mechanism activated by F1,6BP and confirm its interest as a hepatoprotective agent.

Nitric Oxide Metabolite Production During Exercise in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling illness of unknown etiology that is characterized by fatigue associated with a reduced ability to work, lasting for more than 6 months, and accompanied by a specific set of symptoms. The diagnosis remains difficult because of the absence of laboratory tests and is, therefore, made largely on the basis of the symptoms reported by the patient. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in blood nitrate levels in CFS patients and a matched control group after a physical exercise test. METHODS Forty-four consecutive female patients with CFS and 25 healthy women performed an exercise test using a cycle ergometer with monitoring of cardiopulmonary response. Blood samples were obtained for biochemical analyses of glucose, lactate, and nitrates at the beginning (under resting conditions) and after the maximal and supramaximal tests. RESULTS Plasma nitrates differed between the groups, with higher values in the CFS group (F = 6.93, p = 0.003). Nitrate concentration increased in relation to workload and reached higher values in the CFS group, the maximum difference with respect to the control group being 295% (t = 4.88, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The main result of the present study is that nitric oxide (NO) metabolites (nitrates) showed a much higher increase after a maximal physical test in CFS patients than in a group of matched subjects. This combination (exercise plus NO response evaluation) may be useful in the assessment of CFS.

Chemical degradation of liposomes by serum components detected by NMR.

Interaction between serum components and liposomes is an oxygen-dependent exothermic process. We studied the interaction of 100 nm extruded liposomes (bearing positive, negative or no charge) with foetal calf serum by 1H NMR and 13C NMR, in order to further our understanding of these reactions. Studies of aqueous or organic extracts obtained after 2 h, 1 day or 1 week, showed hydrolysis to be a degradation process concomitant with the interaction with serum. Oxidation was identified as additional to hydrolysis in the process of degradation. Oxidation produced aldehydes, acids and alcohols, although aldehydes and alcohols were prone to further decomposition and only appeared transiently. Alkenes and other oxidized compounds predominated in those products derived from oxidation. In stearylamine-containing liposomes some aldehydes and a nitroderivative were found as degradation products. Such metabolites are apolar and their presence might explain the intrinsic toxicity of this kind of liposome in cell cultures. The work described in the present study revealed the chemical degradation of liposomes in the serum used. In all cases the results obtained were compared with liposomes not incubated with serum.

Beneficial effects of fructose 1,6-biphosphate on hypothermia-induced reactive oxygen species injury in rats

The release of reactive oxygen species has been described in hypothermic cells and tissues. Fructose 1,6-biphosphate (F1,6-BP) protects tissue stored at cold temperatures. We study the effect of F1,6-BP in vivo administration on anaesthetized rats exposed to cold stress (4 degrees C chamber for 30 min) and rewarming, to see if it alters cold-induced oxidative injury. Body temperatures show that the animals reached moderate hypothermia (26.80+/-0.62 degrees C) after 30 min of cold exposition. A decrease in mean arterial pressure was found. One group of animals was then rewarmed. Both hypothermia and rewarming increased the production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, an index of lipid peroxidation, and reduced the antioxidant levels of plasmatic sulfhydryl groups, as well as decreasing the enzymatic activities of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase and GSH peroxidase in erythrocytes. Administration of F1,6-BP increased sulfhydryl groups and limited lipid peroxidation in plasma. It furthermore enhanced Cu,Zn-SOD and GSH peroxidase antioxidant activity in erythrocytes and preserved mean arterial pressure. Therefore, F1,6-BP has therapeutic potential based on its ability to reduce free-radical injury resulting from acute cold exposure and rewarming in vivo.

Fructose 1,6 biphosphate administration to rats prevents metabolic acidosis and oxidative stress induced by deep hypothermia and rewarming

Fructose 1,6 biphosphate (F1,6BP) exerts a protective effect in several in vitro models of induced injury and in isolated organs; however, few studies have been performed using in vivo hypothermia. Here we studied the effects of deep hypothermia (21ºC) and rewarming in anaesthetised rats after F1,6BP administration (2 g/kg body weight). Acid-base and oxidative stress parameters (plasma malondialdehyde and glutathione, and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes) were evaluated. Erythrocyte and leukocyte numbers in blood and plasma nitric oxide were also measured 3 h after F1,6BP administration in normothermia animals. In the absence of F1,6BP metabolic acidosis developed after rewarming. Oxidative stress was also evident after rewarming, as shown by a decrease in thiol groups and in erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, catalase and GSH-peroxidase, which corresponded to an increase in AST in rewarmed animals. These effects were reverted in rats treated with F1,6BP. Blood samples of F1,6BP-treated animals showed a significant increase in plasma nitric oxide 3 h after administration, coinciding with a significant rise in leukocyte number. F1,6BP protection may be due to the decrease in oxidative stress and to the preservation of the antioxidant pool. In addition, we propose that the reduction in extracellular acidosis may be due to improved tissue perfusion during rewarming and that nitric oxide may play a central role.

Microcalorimetric evaluation of the effects of methotrexate and 6-thioguanine on sensitive T-lymphoma cells and on a methotrexate-resistant subline

Isothermal microcalorimetry was used in order to continuously monitor and quantitatively assess the action of two antineoplastic drugs, methotrexate (MTX) and 6-thioguanine (6-TG), on a human T-lymphoma cell line, CCRF-CEM. The results with MTX were compared with data from experiments with a MTX-resistant subline, CEM/MTX. The slope of the power-time curve after drug injection relative to that obtained during unperturbed growth, was used to construct dose-response curves. The normal cell line was characterized by aD50 value (i.e., the dose producing half the maximal response) of 0.05 μM for MTX and 0.38 μM for 6-TG. For the MTX-resistant subline theD50 value was 8 μM of MTX. Comparisons of the continuous power-time curves showed the inhibitory effect of 6-TG to be faster than that of MTX.

Nitric oxide as a mediator of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate protection in galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (F1,6BP) has been widely used as a therapeutic agent for different harmful conditions in a variety of tissues. The hypothesis of the present work was that the increase in nitric oxide production and the prevention of oxidative stress induced by exogenous F1,6BP mediate its protective effect against the hepatotoxic action of GalN. Experimental groups used were sham, F1,6BP (2g/kg bw i.p.), GalN (0.4g/kg bw i.p), l-NAME (10mg/kg bw i.v.), F1,6BP+GalN, l-NAME+GalN and l-NAME+F1,6BP+GalN. Animals were killed after 24h of bolus administration. F1,6BP induced an increase in NO and the redox ratio (GSH/GSSG) in liver. Western blot assays pointed to overexpression of liver eNOS in F1,6BP-treated rats. The hepatic injury induced by GalN increased transaminases in plasma and decreased the reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio in liver. The concomitant administration of F1,6BP reversed this damage, while the addition of l-NAME worsened the liver injury. We provided evidence that this F1,6BP-induced protection may be related to the increase in NO production through the positive modulation of eNOS, and the increase in intracellular reduced glutathione, thus providing a higher reducing capacity.

SERUM-LIPOSOME INTERACTION IS AN OXYGEN-DEPENDENT PROCESS

Measurements of heat dissipation, oxygen concentration and average vesicle size were correlated to study the effect of serum components on different types of liposome. The results indicate that the interaction between serum components and liposomes is exothermic and oxygen dependent, and leads to disruption of vesicles. The dependence of this effect on serum concentration, vesicle surface charge and type of liposome was also evaluated. Serum components did not produce any effect on conventional liposomes in the absence of oxygen. Moreover, in hypoxic conditions the serum-liposome interaction was delayed. Both results suggest that this interaction is an oxygen-dependent event. Finally, we confirmed that sterically stabilised liposomes remain unalterated in the presence of serum.