Xuezhi Zuo

Green tea polyphenols down-regulate caveolin-1 expression via ERK1/2 and p38MAPK in endothelial cells.

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a negative regulator of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), influences various aspects of the cardiovascular functions. We had reported that a high-fat diet up-regulated aortic Cav-1 expressions in rats. In this study, we investigated the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) on endothelial Cav-1 expression and phosphorylation in vitro. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) were treated with 4 microg/ml GTPs for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 h, and with 0, 0.04, 0.4, 4 and 40 microg/ml GTPs for 16 h, respectively. Cav-1 protein and mRNA were detected using Western blot and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Cav-1 protein expression was down-regulated after treatment of BAECs with 4 microg/ml GTPs for 12, 16 and 24 h. And decrease in the level of Cav-1 mRNA was observed after GTP treatment for 4 and 8 h. GTPs (0.04-4 microg/ml) down-regulate Cav-1 protein expressions and mRNA levels dose dependently. PD98059, an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), up-regulated Cav-1 expression in BAECs alone and abolished the down-regulation effects of GTPs in BAECs while pretreatment with it. Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) with SB203580, which down-regulates Cav-1 expression in BAECs alone, deteriorated the Cav-1 down-regulating effects by GTPs. In addition to the effects on expression of Cav-1, GTP treatment inhibited phosphorylation of Cav-1 [tyrosine 14 (Tyr14)]. These data indicate that GTPs down-regulate gene expression of Cav-1 time- and dose- dependently via activating ERK1/2 and inhibiting p38MAPK signaling.

Green Tea Polyphenols Ameliorate the Early Renal Damage Induced by a High-Fat Diet via Ketogenesis/SIRT3 Pathway

Scope Several reports in the literature have suggested the renoprotective effects of ketone bodies and green tea polyphenols (GTPs). Our previous study found that GTP consumption could elevate the renal expression of the ketogenic rate-limiting enzyme, which was decreased by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats. Here, we investigated whether ketogenesis can mediate renoprotection by GTPs against an HFD. Methods and Results Wistar rats were fed a standard or HFD with or without GTPs for 18 weeks. The renal oxidative stress level, kidney function, renal expression, and activity levels of mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase 2 (HMGCS2) and sirtuin 3(SIRT3) were detected. The increased renal oxidative stress and the loss of renal function induced by the HFD were ameliorated by GTPs. Renal ketogenesis and SIRT3 expression and activity levels, which were reduced by the HFD, were restored by GTPs. In vitro, HEK293 cells were transfected with the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA HMGCS2. GTP treatment could upregulate HMGCS2 and SIRT3 expression. Although SIRT3 expression was not affected by HMGCS2 transfection, the 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) level and the acetyl-MnSOD (K122)/MnSOD ratio were reduced in HMGCS2-transfected cells in the context of H2O2. Conclusion The ketogenesis/SIRT3 pathway mediates the renoprotection of GTPs against the oxidative stress induced by an HFD.

Long-term exposure to a ‘safe’ dose of bisphenol A reduced protein acetylation in adult rat testes

Bisphenol A (BPA), a typical environmental endocrine-disrupting chemical, induces epigenetic inheritance. Whether histone acetylation plays a role in these effects of BPA is largely unknown. Here, we investigated histone acetylation in male rats after long-term exposure to a ‘safe’ dose of BPA. Twenty adult male rats received either BPA (50 μg/kg·bw/day) or a vehicle diet for 35 weeks. Decreased protein lysine-acetylation levels at approximately ~17 kDa and ~25 kDa, as well as decreased histone acetylation of H3K9, H3K27 and H4K12, were detected by Western blot analysis of testes from the treated rats compared with controls. Additionally, increased protein expression of deacetylase Sirt1 and reduced binding of Sirt1, together with increased binding of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) to caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a structural protein component of caveolar membranes, were detected in treated rats compared with controls. Moreover, decreased acetylation of Cav-1 was observed in the treated rats for the first time. Our study showed that long-term exposure to a ‘safe’ dose of BPA reduces histone acetylation in the male reproductive system, which may be related to the phenotypic paternal-to-offspring transmission observed in our previous study. The evidence also suggested that these epigenetic effects may be meditated by Sirt1 via competition with ERβ for binding to Cav-1.

Green tea polyphenols inhibit plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression and secretion in endothelial cells.

Compelling epidemiological evidence suggests that the consumption of green tea is associated with beneficial effects in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is known to play a pivotal role in cardiovascular diseases including arteriosclerosis and hypertension. Increased PAI-1 was found in atherosclerotic lesions, and high PAI-1 plasma levels were associated with coronary heart disease. To determine the effect and molecular mechanism of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) on the regulation of PAI-1 expression in endothelial cells, bovine aortic endothelial cells were incubated with GTPs, and PAI-1 expressions were measured by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. GTPs significantly reduced PAI-1 expression and secretion in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) with wortmannin markedly reversed GTPs repression of PAI-1 expression. In addition, the GTP-induced inhibitory effect was associated with an increased of activation of the protein kinase Akt. These results suggest that GTPs inhibit PAI-1 expression and its release from endothelial cells through the PI3K/Akt pathway, which may contribute to cardiovascular protection.

Green Tea Polyphenols, Mimicking the Effects of Dietary Restriction, Ameliorate High-Fat Diet-Induced Kidney Injury via Regulating Autophagy Flux

Epidemiological and experimental studies reveal that Western dietary patterns contribute to chronic kidney disease, whereas dietary restriction (DR) or dietary polyphenols such as green tea polyphenols (GTPs) can ameliorate the progression of kidney injury. This study aimed to investigate the renal protective effects of GTPs and explore the underlying mechanisms. Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: standard diet (STD), DR, high-fat diet (HFD), and three diets plus 200 mg/kg(bw)/day GTPs, respectively. After 18 weeks, HFD group exhibited renal injuries by increased serum cystatin C levels and urinary N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase activity, which can be ameliorated by GTPs. Meanwhile, autophagy impairment as denoted by autophagy-lysosome related proteins, including LC3-II, Beclin-1, p62, cathepsin B, cathepsin D and LAMP-1, was observed in HFD group, whereas DR or GTPs promoted renal autophagy activities and GTPs ameliorated HFD-induced autophagy impairment. In vitro, autophagy flux suppression was detected in palmitic acid (PA)-treated human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2), which was ameliorated by epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Furthermore, GTPs (or EGCG) elevated phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase in the kidneys of HFD-treated rats and in PA-treated HK-2 cells. These findings revealed that GTPs mimic the effects of DR to induce autophagy and exert a renal protective effect by alleviating HFD-induced autophagy suppression.

Environmentally Relevant Dose of Bisphenol A Does Not Affect Lipid Metabolism and Has No Synergetic or Antagonistic Effects on Genistein's Beneficial Roles on Lipid Metabolism.

Both bisphenol A (BPA, an endocrine disrupting chemicals) and genistein (a phytoestrogen mainly derived from leguminosae) are able to bind to estrogen receptors, but they are considered to have different effects on metabolic syndrome, surprisingly. We here investigate the effects of an environmentally relevant dose of BPA alone and the combined effects with genistein on lipid metabolism in rats. Eight groups of adult male Wistar rats, fed with either standard chow diet or high-fat diet, were treated with BPA (50μg/kg/day), genistein (10mg/kg/day), and BPA plus genistein for 35 weeks, respectively. Metabolic parameters in serum and liver were determined; the hematoxylin/eosin and oil Red O staining were used to observe liver histologically; gene expressions related to hepatic lipid metabolism were analyzed by Real-time PCR; protein expressions of PPARγ, PPARα and LC3 in liver were analyzed by western blotting. No difference of body weight gain, total energy intake, liver weight/body weight or body fat percentage in both STD- and HFD-fed sub-groups was observed after treatment with BPA, genistein, or BPA plus genistein (P>0.05). Genistein alleviated lipid metabolism disorder and decreased the mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ (P<0.05), and increased the protein expression of LC3II (P<0.05) in liver of HFD-fed rats. However, BPA treatment had no effect on lipid metabolism in rats alone (P>0.05) or combined with genistein. Our findings suggest that long-term environmentally relevant dose of BPA did not affect lipid metabolism, and had no synergetic or antagonistic roles on genistein’s beneficial function on hepatic lipid metabolism.

Glucose absorption in nephropathy patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

OBJECTIVES Peritoneal dialysis patients are at risk of glucose absorption from peritoneal dialysate, not only because of energy imbalance but also the toxic effects of high glucose. The current widely applied formulae may be not suitable for estimation of glucose absorption in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This study examined the actual glucose absorption in a cohort of CAPD patients and compared the results with estimates from four current formulae. METHODS We conducted a survey of glucose absorption of a cohort of 72 CAPD patients and compared actual dialysate glucose absorbed and estimates using K/DOQI formula, Grodstein formula, Bodnar formula, or a percentage estimate of 60%. RESULTS The total dialysate glucose infused each day varied from 54.4 to 191 g/day with average of 102±27.9 g. The average of glucose absorbed was 65.7 g (ranging from 19.5 to 131 g) by actual measurements. The mean absorption rate was 64.4% (ranging from 30.6% to 92.4%). The glucose absorbed from dialysate accounted for 13.8% (ranging from 5.0% to 30.1%) of total energy intake. The average errors of absolute values between actual measurements and estimates were greater than 10 g or 20 g glucose (p<0.001). The average errors in percentages were greater than 20% or 40%, dependently on estimating methods. CONCLUSIONS The applications of current estimating methods may have limitations. The actual measurement provides dietitians and doctors with more exact information of absorbed glucose and energy compared to the current estimating methods.

Comparative Study on Trace Element Excretions between Nonanuric and Anuric Patients Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Few studies have been reported on alterations of trace elements (TE) in peritoneal dialysis patients. Our objective was to investigate and assess the characteristics of daily TE excretions in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This cross-sectional study included 61 CAPD patients (nonanuric/anuric: 45/16) and 11 healthy subjects in Wuhan, China between 2013 and 2014. The dialysate and urine of patients and urine of healthy subjects were collected. The concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and arsenic (As) in dialysate and urine were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Various clinical variables were obtained from automatic biochemical analyzer. Daily Cu, Zn, Se, and Mo excretions in nonanuric patients were higher than healthy subjects, while arsenic excretion in anuric patients was lower. A strong and positive correlation was observed between Se and Mo excretion in both dialysate (β = 0.869, p < 0.010) and urine (β = 0.968, p < 0.010). Furthermore, the clinical variables associated with Se excretion were found to be correlated with Mo excretion. Our findings indicated that nonanuric CAPD patients may suffer from deficiency of some essential TEs, while anuric patients are at risk of arsenic accumulation. A close association between Se and Mo excretion was also found.