Telmisartan Protects Mitochondrial Function, Gait, and Neuronal Apoptosis by Activating the Akt/GSK3ß/PGC1α Pathway in an MPTP-Induced Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the major hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptors (AT1R, AT2R) were reported to be present on the mitochondrial membrane. Both are crucial players in the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Current evidence indicates that blockade of brain AT1R protects dopaminergic neurons in PD. METHODS: Thus, the current study was aimed to explore the effects of Telmisartan (Tel), a selective AT1R blocker, on mitochondrial function and a mouse model by exposure to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) [250 mg/kg body weight (10 divided i.p. injections, each 25 mg/kg body weight at 3.5 days interval) + Probenecid 250 mg/kg]. Gait function was assessed by beam walk, and mice were euthanized on the 35th day and their brain tissues isolated for Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Pretreatment with Tel significantly protected motor functions during the beam walk in MPTP-treated mice. Tel attenuated the increased levels of AT1R, α-syn, and inflammatory markers such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) in MPTP-treated mice. In addition, Tel preserved the expression of AT2R, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), p-Akt/Akt, and p-GSK3ß (Ser-9)/GSK3ß, as well as protecting mitofusin protein 1 (MFN1) and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-α (PGC1α), a critical activator of mitochondrial biogenesis. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that Tel protects mitochondrial function and gait in a mouse model of PD by modulating the Akt/GSK3ß/PGC1α pathway.

Assessment of acute and subacute toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution of eugenol nanoparticles after oral exposure in Wistar rats.

The present study aimed to assess the safety, toxicity, biodistribution, and pharmacokinetics of eugenol nanoparticles (EONs) following oral administration in Wistar rat models. In the acute toxicity study, the rats were given a fixed dose of 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg body weight per group orally and screened for 2 weeks after administration. In the subacute study, three different doses (500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg BW) of EON were administered for 28 days. The results indicated no significant differences in food and water consumption, bodyweight change, hematological and biochemical parameters, relative organ weights, gross findings, or histopathology compared to the control. Additionally, no significant changes were observed in the expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNFα in the plasma, confirming the absence of systemic inflammation. Biodistribution analysis revealed rapid absorption of eugenol and improved bioavailability due to gradual and sustained release, leading to a maximum eugenol concentration of 15.05 µg/mL (Cmax) at approximately 8 h (Tmax) in the blood plasma. Thus, the study provides valuable insights into the utilization of EON for enhancing the stability, solubility, and sustained release of eugenol and highlights its promising safety profile in vivo.

Whey protein hydrolysates improve high-fat-diet-induced obesity by modulating the brain-peripheral axis of GLP-1 through inhibition of DPP-4 function in mice.

PURPOSE: Obesity is a growing global health concern. Recent literature indicates a prominent role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in glucose metabolism and food intake. The synergistic action of GLP-1 in the gut and brain is responsible for its satiety-inducing effect, suggesting that upregulation of active GLP-1 levels could be an alternative strategy to combat obesity. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is an exopeptidase known to inactivate GLP-1, suggesting that its inhibition could be a crucial strategy for effectively extending the half-life of endogenous GLP-1. Peptides derived from partial hydrolysis of dietary proteins are gaining traction due to their inhibitory activity on DPP-4. METHODS: Whey protein hydrolysate from bovine milk (bmWPH) was produced using simulated in situ digestion, purified using RP-HPLC, and characterized for DPP-4 inhibition. The antiadipogenic and antiobesity activity of bmWPH was then studied in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and high-fat diet-induced obesity (HFD) mice model, respectively. RESULTS: The dose-dependent inhibitory effect of bmWPH on the catalytic activity of DPP-4 was observed. Additionally, bmWPH suppressed adipogenic transcription factors and DPP-4 protein levels, leading to a negative effect on preadipocyte differentiation. In an HFD mice model, co-administration of WPH for 20 weeks downregulated adipogenic transcription factors, resulting in a concomitant reduction in whole body weight and adipose tissues. Mice fed with bmWPH also showed a marked reduction in DPP-4 levels in WAT, liver, and serum. Furthermore, HFD mice fed with bmWPH exhibited increased serum and brain GLP levels, which led to a significant decrease in food intake. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, bmWPH reduces body weight in HFD mice by suppressing appetite through GLP-1, a satiety-inducing hormone, in both the brain and peripheral circulation. This effect is achieved through modulation of both the catalytic and non-catalytic activity of DPP-4.

Tau-aggregation inhibition: promising role of nanoencapsulated dietary molecules in the management of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a cumulative form of dementia associated with memory loss, cognition impairment, and finally leading to death. AD is characterized by abnormal deposits of extracellular beta-amyloid and intracellular Tau-protein tangles throughout the brain. During pathological conditions of AD, Tau protein undergoes various modifications and aggregates over time. A number of clinical trials on patients with AD symptoms have indicated the effectiveness of Tau-based therapies over anti-Aß treatments. Thus, there is a huge paradigm shift toward Tau aggregation inhibitors. Several bioactives of plants and microbes have been suggested to cross the neuronal cell membrane and play a crucial role in managing neurodegenerative disorders. Bioactives mainly act as active modulators of AD pathology besides having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Studies also demonstrated the potential role of dietary molecules in inhibiting the formation of Tau aggregates and removing toxic Tau. Further, these molecules in nonencapsulated form exert enhanced Tau aggregation inhibition activity both in in vitro and in vivo studies suggesting a remarkable role of nanoencapsulation in AD management. The present article aims to review and discuss the structure-function relationship of Tau protein, the post-translational modifications that aid Tau aggregation and potential bioactives that inhibit Tau aggregation.

Composition and structure elucidation of bovine milk glycosaminoglycans and their anti-adipogenic activity via modulation PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α.

The structure function relation of Glycosaminoglycans from bovine milk (bmGAGs) has not been studied in detail. In the present study bmGAGs was isolated and structurally characterized. Chondroitin sulphate was one of the major GAGs present and had 65% of ΔDi-diSB (GlcA(2S)-GalNAc(4S)), followed by 18% of ΔDi-4S(Δ4,5HexUAα1 â†’ 3GalNAc). Further, bmGAGs exhibited a marked anti-adipogenic effect in 3 T3-L1 cells without affecting cell viability at the concentration used. The triglyceride content treated with bmGAGs was significantly decreased as assessed by Oil-Red O staining. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPα) the critical transcription factors in adipogenesis showed significant decrease in both gene and protein levels. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) that promotes the adipocyte differentiation by enhancing the activity of PPAR-γ was inversely affected by bmGAGs and the fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression was modulated. Thus, the present work is among the firsts to demonstrate an anti-adipogenic activity of bmGAGs by modulating the adipogenesis-related marker proteins and hence bmGAGs may be used as a supplement/therapeutic in the management of obesity.

Linker-Region Modified Derivatives of the Deoxyhypusine Synthase Inhibitor CNI-1493 Suppress HIV-1 Replication.

The inhibition of cellular factors that are involved in viral replication may be an important alternative to the commonly used strategy of targeting viral enzymes. The guanylhydrazone CNI-1493, a potent inhibitor of the deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS), prevents the activation of the cellular factor eIF-5A and thereby suppresses HIV replication and a number of other diseases. Here, we report on the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of CNI-1493 analogues. The sebacoyl linker in CNI-1493 was replaced by different alkyl or aryl dicarboxylic acids. Most of the tested derivatives suppress HIV-1 replication efficiently in a dose-dependent manner without showing toxic side effects. The unexpected antiviral activity of the rigid derivatives point to a second binding mode as previously assumed for CNI-1493. Moreover, the chemical stability of CNI-1493 was analysed, showing a successive hydrolysis of the imino bonds. By molecular dynamics simulations, the behaviour of the parent CNI-1493 in solution and its interactions with DHS were investigated.

In silico design, synthesis, and screening of novel deoxyhypusine synthase inhibitors targeting HIV-1 replication.

The human enzyme deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) is an important host cell factor that participates in the post-translational hypusine modification of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A). Hypusine-modified eIF-5A plays a role in a number of diseases, including HIV infection/AIDS. Thus, DHS represents a novel and attractive drug target. So far, four crystal structures are available, and various substances have been tested for inhibition of human DHS. Among these inhibitors, N-1-guanyl-1,7-diaminoheptane (GC7) has been co-crystallized in the active site of DHS. However, despite its potency, GC7 is not selective enough to be used in drug applications. Therefore, new compounds that target DHS are needed. Herein we report the in silico design, chemical synthesis, and biological evaluation of new DHS inhibitors. One of these inhibitors showed dose-dependent inhibition of DHS in vitro, as well as suppression of HIV replication in cell cultures. Furthermore, the compound exhibited no cytotoxic effects at active concentrations. Thus, this designed compound demonstrated proof of principle and represents a promising starting point for the development of new drug candidates to specifically interfere with DHS activity.

Proteomic profiling of germ cell cancer cells treated with aaptamine, a marine alkaloid with antiproliferative activity.

Aaptamine is a marine compound isolated from the sponge Aaptos aaptos showing antiproliferative properties via an undefined mode of action. We analyzed the effects of aaptamine treatment on the proliferation and protein expression of the pluripotent human embryonal carcinoma cell line NT2. Effects on proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and induction of apoptosis were analyzed. At lower concentrations, including the IC50 of 50 µM, aaptamine treatment resulted in a G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, whereas at higher concentrations, induction of apoptosis was seen. Differentially expressed proteins were assessed by 2D-PAGE and mass spectrometry, followed by verification and analysis of protein modifications of the most significantly up- and down-regulated proteins. Aaptamine treatment at the IC50 for 48 h resulted in alteration of 10 proteins, of which five each showed up- and down-regulation. Changes in the 2D map were frequently noticed as a result of post-transcriptional modifications, e.g., of the hypusine modification of the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). Observed alterations such as increased expression of CRABP2 and hypusination of eIF5A have previously been identified during differentiation of pluripotent cells. For the first time, we describe changes in protein expression caused by aaptamine, providing valuable information regarding the mode of action of this compound.

Excision of HIV-1 proviral DNA by recombinant cell permeable tre-recombinase.

Over the previous years, comprehensive studies on antiretroviral drugs resulted in the successful introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) into clinical practice for treatment of HIV/AIDS. However, there is still need for new therapeutic approaches, since HAART cannot eradicate HIV-1 from the infected organism and, unfortunately, can be associated with long-term toxicity and the development of drug resistance. In contrast, novel gene therapy strategies may have the potential to reverse the infection by eradicating HIV-1. For example, expression of long terminal repeat (LTR)-specific recombinase (Tre-recombinase) has been shown to result in chromosomal excision of proviral DNA and, in consequence, in the eradication of HIV-1 from infected cell cultures. However, the delivery of Tre-recombinase currently depends on the genetic manipulation of target cells, a process that is complicating such therapeutic approaches and, thus, might be undesirable in a clinical setting. In this report we demonstrate that E.coli expressed Tre-recombinases, tagged either with the protein transduction domain (PTD) from the HIV-1 Tat trans-activator or the translocation motif (TLM) of the Hepatitis B virus PreS2 protein, were able to translocate efficiently into cells and showed significant recombination activity on HIV-1 LTR sequences. Tre activity was observed using episomal and stable integrated reporter constructs in transfected HeLa cells. Furthermore, the TLM-tagged enzyme was able to excise the full-length proviral DNA from chromosomal integration sites of HIV-1-infected HeLa and CEM-SS cells. The presented data confirm Tre-recombinase activity on integrated HIV-1 and provide the basis for the non-genetic transient application of engineered recombinases, which may be a valuable component of future HIV eradication strategies.

Kinetics of interaction of Cotton Leaf Curl Kokhran Virus-Dabawali (CLCuKV-Dab) coat protein and its mutants with ssDNA.

Gemini viral assembly and transport of viral DNA into nucleus for replication, essentially involve DNA-coat protein interactions. The kinetics of interaction of Cotton Leaf Curl Kokhran Virus-Dabawali recombinant coat protein (rCP) with DNA was studied by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The rCP interacted with ssDNA with a K(A), of 2.6+/-0.29 x 10(8) M(-1) in a sequence non-specific manner. The CP has a conserved C2H2 type zinc finger motif composed of residues C68, C72, H81 and H85. Mutation of these residues to alanine resulted in reduced binding to DNA probes. The H85A mutant rCP showed the least binding with approximately 756 fold loss in the association rate and a three order magnitude decrease in the binding affinity as compared to rCP. The CP-DNA interactions via the zinc finger motif could play a crucial role in virus assembly and in nuclear transport.