Youngmi Kim Pak

Chronic Exposure to the Herbicide, Atrazine, Causes Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Insulin Resistance

There is an apparent overlap between areas in the USA where the herbicide, atrazine (ATZ), is heavily used and obesity-prevalence maps of people with a BMI over 30. Given that herbicides act on photosystem II of the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts, which have a functional structure similar to mitochondria, we investigated whether chronic exposure to low concentrations of ATZ might cause obesity or insulin resistance by damaging mitochondrial function. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 48) were treated for 5 months with low concentrations (30 or 300 µg kg−1 day−1) of ATZ provided in drinking water. One group of animals was fed a regular diet for the entire period, and another group of animals was fed a high-fat diet (40% fat) for 2 months after 3 months of regular diet. Various parameters of insulin resistance were measured. Morphology and functional activities of mitochondria were evaluated in tissues of ATZ-exposed animals and in isolated mitochondria. Chronic administration of ATZ decreased basal metabolic rate, and increased body weight, intra-abdominal fat and insulin resistance without changing food intake or physical activity level. A high-fat diet further exacerbated insulin resistance and obesity. Mitochondria in skeletal muscle and liver of ATZ-treated rats were swollen with disrupted cristae. ATZ blocked the activities of oxidative phosphorylation complexes I and III, resulting in decreased oxygen consumption. It also suppressed the insulin-mediated phosphorylation of Akt. These results suggest that long-term exposure to the herbicide ATZ might contribute to the development of insulin resistance and obesity, particularly where a high-fat diet is prevalent.

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibition Reduces Monocyte CC Chemokine Receptor 2 Expression and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1–Mediated Monocyte Recruitment In Vivo

Background—The migration of circulating monocytes to the arterial wall during atherogenesis is largely modulated by activation of the CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), a dominant monocyte chemotaxis receptor. The present study investigated whether 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibition affects CCR2 gene expression and CCR2-dependent monocyte recruitment. Methods and Results—Competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis and flow cytometry showed that simvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, dose-dependently reduced monocyte CCR2 mRNA and protein expression. Treatment of 21 normocholesterolemic men with simvastatin (20 mg/d for 2 weeks) decreased CCR2 protein and mRNA expression in circulating monocytes. Promoter and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that simvastatin activated a peroxisome proliferator response element in THP-1 monocytes. Moreover, simvastatin-induced CCR2 downregulation was completely reversed by the synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-&ggr; antagonist GW9662. Simvastatin-treated monocytes showed little chemotaxis movement in response to monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a specific CCR2 ligand. Treatment of C57/BL6 mice with simvastatin (0.2 &mgr;g/g body weight IP, daily for 1 week) inhibited transmigration of CD80+ monocytes to the MCP-1–injected intraperitoneal space. Moreover, few circulating inflammatory cells from simvastatin-treated Sprague-Dawley rats (0.2 &mgr;g/g body weight IP, daily for 2 weeks) were recruited to the aortic wall of hypercholesterolemic littermates. Conclusions—The inhibition of CCR2/MCP-1–dependent monocyte recruitment by simvastatin may prevent excessive accumulation of monocytes in the arterial wall during atherogenesis.

Resistance of mitochondrial DNA-deficient cells to TRAIL: role of Bax in TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Mitochondrion is one of the master players in both apoptosis and necrosis. We studied the role of mitochondrial function in TRAIL-induced apoptosis. TRAIL killed SK-Hep1 cells with characteristic features of apoptosis such as DNA fragmentation, sub-G1 ploidy peak and cytochrome c translocation. In contrast, mitochondrial DNA-deficient SK-Hep1 ρ0 cells were resistant to TRAIL. Dissipation of mitochondrial potential or cytochrome c translocation did not occur in ρ0 cells after TRAIL treatment. TRAIL induced translocation of Bax subsequent to the cleavage of Bid in parental cells. However, Bax translocation was absent in ρ0 cells, accounting for the failure of cytochrome c release in ρ0 cells. Forced expression of Bax induced caspase-3 activity in ρ0 cells. Incubation of ρ0 cells with ADP+Pi to increase intracellular ATP restored sensitivity to TRAIL. Despite different sensitivity to TRAIL, parental cells and ρ0 cells did not show significant difference in susceptibility to agonistic anti-Fas antibody, TNF-α or staurosporine. Our results indicate that TRAIL-induced apoptosis is dependent on intact mitochondrial function and susceptibility of mitochondrial DNA-deficient cells to apoptosis depends on the type of apoptotic stimuli. Tumor cells with mitochondrial mutations or dysfunction might have the ability to evade tumor surveillance imposed by TRAIL in vivo.

Oxidation-dependent effects of oxidized LDL: proliferation or cell death

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) induces a wide range of cellular responses to produce atherosclerotic lesion, but key factors determining the response are not understood. In this study, purified LDL was oxidized with copper sulfate, and its physical properties and the related biological responses were investigated. The average hydrodynamic diameter of the lightly oxidized LDL was approximately 25 nm and its Rf value relative to nLDL on agarose gel was between 1.0 and 1.25. The diameter of the extensively oxidized LDL was over 30 nm, the Rf value was over 2.0. A 24 h-exposure of resting RAW264.7 macrophage cells to 100 µg/ml of the lightly oxidized LDL induced proliferation and macrophage activation whereas the extensively oxidized LDL induced cell death at the same concentration. In contrast, 200 µg/ml of oxLDL caused cell death regardless of oxidation degree. Short incubation (4-6 h) of the highly oxidized LDL (100 µg/ml) also resulted in cell proliferation. OxLDL-induced cell death showed mixed characteristics of apoptosis and/or necrosis depending on the strength and duration of the insult. These results suggest that cellular responses induced by oxLDL be dependent on the oxidation degree, the duration of exposure, and the concentration of oxLDL.

FCCP depolarizes plasma membrane potential by activating proton and Na + currents in bovine aortic endothelial cells

We investigated the effects of carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP), a protonophore and uncoupler of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, on plasma membrane potential and ionic currents in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). The membrane potential and ionic currents of BAECs were recorded using the patch-clamp technique in current-clamp and voltage-clamp modes, respectively. FCCP activated ionic currents and depolarized the plasma membrane potential in a dose-dependent manner. Neither the removal of extracellular Ca2+ nor pretreatment with BAPTA/AM affected the FCCP-induced currents, implying that the currents are not associated with the FCCP-induced intracellular [Ca2+]i increase. FCCP-induced currents were significantly influenced by the changes in extracellular or intracellular pH; the increased proton gradient produced by lowering the extracellular pH or intracellular alkalinization augmented the changes in membrane potential and ionic currents caused by FCCP. FCCP-induced currents were significantly reduced under extracellular Na+-free conditions. The reversal potentials of FCCP-induced currents under Na+-free conditions were well fitted to the calculated equilibrium potential for protons. Interestingly, FCCP-induced Na+ transport (subtracted currents, Icontrol–INa+-free) was closely dependent on extracellular pH, whereas FCCP-induced H+ transport was not significantly affected by the absence of Na+. These results suggest that the FCCP-induced ionic currents and depolarization, which are strongly dependent on the plasmalemmal proton gradient, are likely to be mediated by both H+ and Na+ currents across the plasma membrane. The relationship between H+ and Na+ transport still needs to be determined.

C1q tumor necrosis factor alpha-related protein isoform 5 is increased in mitochondrial DNA-depleted myocytes and activates AMP-activated protein kinase.

Depletion of mtDNA in myocytes causes insulin resistance and alters nuclear gene expression that may be involved in rescuing processes against cellular stress. Here we show that the expression of C1q tumor necrosis factor α-related protein isoform 5 (C1QTNF5) is drastically increased following depletion of mtDNA in myocytes. C1QTNF5 is homologous to adiponectin in respect to domain structure, and its expression and secretion from myocytes correlated negatively with the cellular mtDNA content. Similar to adiponectin, C1QTNF5 induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), leading to increased cell surface recruitment of GLUT4 and increased glucose uptake. Treatment of cells with purified recombinant C1QTNF5 increased the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and stimulated fatty acid oxidation. C1QTNF5-mediated phosphorylation of AMPK or acetyl-CoA carboxylase was unaffected by depletion of adiponectin receptors such as AdipoR1 or AdipoR2, which indicated that adiponectin receptors do not participate in C1QTNF5-induced activation of AMPK. Serum C1QTNF5 levels were significantly higher in obese/diabetic animals (OLETF rats, ob/ob mice, and db/db mice). These results highlight C1QTNF5 as a putative biomarker for mitochondrial dysfunction and a potent activator of AMPK.

Overexpression of TFAM, NRF-1 and myr-AKT protects the MPP(+)-induced mitochondrial dysfunctions in neuronal cells.

BACKGROUND Mitochondrial dysfunction is a prominent feature of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinsons disease (PD), in which insulin signaling pathway may also be implicated because 50-80% of PD patients exhibited metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and its toxic metabolite, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyridinium ion (MPP(+)), inhibit complex I in mitochondrial respiratory chain and are used widely to construct the PD models. But the precise molecular link between mitochondrial damage and insulin signaling remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS Using cell-based mitochondrial activity profiling system, we systemically demonstrated that MPP(+) suppressed mitochondrial activity and mitochondrial gene expressions mediated by nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) in SH-SY5Y cells. MPP(+) fragmented mitochondrial networks and repressed phosphorylation of AKT. Similarly, the expressions of mitochondrial genes and tyrosine hydroxylase and AKT phosphorylation were reduced in substantia nigra and striatum of MPTP-injected mice. Transient transfection of TFAM, NRF-1, or myr-AKT reversed all aspects of the MPP(+)-mediated changes. CONCLUSIONS Mitochondrial activation by TFAM, NRF-1, and myr-AKT abrogated MPP(+)-mediated damages on mitochondria and insulin signaling, leading to recovery of nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE We suggest that TFAM, NRF-1, and AKT may be the critical points of therapeutic intervention for PD. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Biochemistry of Mitochondria.

Ethyl Pyruvate Rescues Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Neurons by Regulating Glial Activation in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

This study examined whether ethyl pyruvate (EP) promotes the survival of nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. MPTP induced degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons and glial activation as visualized by tyrosine hydroxylase, macrophage Ag complex-1, and/or glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry showed activation of microglial NADPH oxidase and astroglial myeloperoxidase (MPO) and subsequent reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species production and oxidative DNA damage in the MPTP-treated substantia nigra. Treatment with EP prevented degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons, increased striatal dopamine levels, and improved motor function. This neuroprotection afforded by EP was associated with the suppression of astroglial MPO expression, NADPH oxidase-, and/or inducible NO synthase-derived reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species production by activated microglia. Interestingly, EP was found to protect DA neurons from 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium neurotoxicity in cocultures of mesencephalic neurons and microglia but not in neuron-enriched mesencephalic cultures devoid of microglia. The present findings show that EP may inhibit glial-mediated oxidative stress, suggesting that EP may have therapeutic value in the treatment of aspects of Parkinson’s disease related to glia-derived oxidative damage.

Mitochondria‐Based Model for Fetal Origin of Adult Disease and Insulin Resistance

Abstract: Insulin resistance has been recognized as the fundamental underlying metabolic defect in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Recent studies established that mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in insulin resistance in general and fetal origin of this state in particular. Because genes are the fundamental molecular basis of inheritance—and thus the cornerstones of evolution—a model explaining insulin resistance is based at the gene level at best. Since a certain mtDNA polymorphism, 16189T>C, is associated with insulin resistance, mtDNA has to be a basic component of the gene‐based model. We developed a mitochondria‐based model that explains insulin resistance in terms of quantitative and qualitative change of the mitochondrion and its DNA. This model can accommodate several important hypotheses, such as thrifty genotype hypothesis, thrifty phenotype hypothesis, fetal insulin hypothesis, contribution of metabolic imprinting by epigenetic changes, and many other features associated with insulin resistance. We will discuss mechanisms that indicate why the perturbed initial condition of mitochondrial function should lead to the reduced insulin sensitivity.

Inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress by Angelica dahuricae radix extract decreases apoptotic cell death and improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury.

Inflammation and oxidative stress play major roles in the pathogenesis after spinal cord injury (SCI). Here, we examined the neuroprotective effects of Angelica dahuricae radix (ADR) extract after SCI. ADR extract significantly decreased the levels of proinflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated microglial cell line, BV2 cells. ADR extract also significantly alleviated the level of reactive oxygen species in LPS‐activated BV2 cells. To examine the neuroprotective effect of ADR extract after SCI, spinally injured rats were administered ADR extract orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 14 days. ADR extract treatment significantly reduced the levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, iNOS, and COX‐2. The levels of superoxide anion (O2·–) and protein nitration were also significantly decreased by ADR extract. In addition, ADR extract inhibited p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation and pronerve growth factor expression in microglia after SCI. Furthermore, ADR extract significantly inhibited caspase‐3 activation following apoptotic cell death of neurons and oligodendrocytes, thereby improving functional recovery after injury. Thus, our data suggest that ADR extract provides neuroprotection by alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress and can be used as an orally administered therapeutic agent for acute SCI.