Allicin Induces Electrogenic Secretion of Chloride and Bicarbonate Ions in Rat Colon via the TRPA1 Receptor.

Allicin, an antioxidant from garlic, is known to regulate intestinal contractions, but its effect on intestinal ion transport is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the role of allicin in the regulation of electrogenic ion transport in rat intestine by measuring the transmural potential difference (ΔPD). Allicin induced significant positive ΔPD, when administered to the serosal side of the colonic mucosal-submucosal preparation. Allicin-induced colonic ΔPD was largely diminished by incubation in the chloride-free solution, although the transient peak of ΔPD after application of allicin remained. This transient peak of ΔPD was significantly diminished in both the chloride- and the bicarbonate-free incubation solution. Induction of ΔPD by allicin was greatly diminished by AP-18, an inhibitor of the transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel subfamily A member 1, TRPA1. Both alliin and S-allylcysteine, the analogues of allicin, had no effect on ΔPD and did not affect allicin-induced ΔPD in the colon. These results suggest that allicin mainly evokes the electrogenic chloride secretion and only partially increases the electrogenic bicarbonate secretion via TRPA1.

[6]-Gingerol Induces Amiloride-Sensitive Sodium Absorption in the Rat Colon via the Capsaicin Receptor TRPV1 in Colonic Mucosa.

[6]-Gingerol possesses various beneficial pharmacological and therapeutic properties, including anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to regulate intestinal contraction. Recently, our group observed that the serosal administration of [6]-gingerol stimulated electrogenic sodium absorption in the rat colon via the capsaicin receptor, TRPV1. TRPV1 is known to be expressed in both the mucosal epithelium and the muscle layers in the colon. In the present study, we assessed whether [6]-gingerol stimulated sodium absorption via TRPV1 in the colonic mucosal epithelium. We compared the effect of [6]-gingerol on TRPV1-dependent colonic sodium absorption in the colon preparation with or without muscle layer. All experiments were performed by measuring the transmural potential difference (ΔPD) in an Ussing chamber system. [6]-Gingerol induced positive ΔPD when administered to the serosal side of the colon, and this effect was significantly larger in the colon preparation without muscle layer than in that with the muscle layer. In the colon preparation without muscle layer, the [6]-gingerol-dependent induction of ΔPD was markedly suppressed by mucosal addition of amiloride, a selective inhibitor of epithelial sodium channel. ΔPD induction by [6]-gingerol was considerably diminished by capsazepine, an inhibitor of the capsaicin receptor TRPV1, but not by AP-18, an inhibitor of TRPA1. These results suggest that [6]-gingerol induces amiloride-sensitive electrogenic sodium absorption in the rat colon via TRPV1 expressed in the colonic mucosal epithelium, and that this effect is independent of TRPV1 in the colonic muscle layer.

Effects of taurine on plasma glucose concentration and active glucose transport in the small intestine.

Taurine lowers blood glucose levels and improves hyperglycemia. However, its effects on glucose transport in the small intestine have not been investigated. Here, we elucidated the effect of taurine on glucose absorption in the small intestine. In the oral glucose tolerance test, addition of 10 mmol/L taurine suppressed the increase in hepatic portal glucose concentrations. To investigate whether the suppressive effect of taurine occurs via down-regulation of active glucose transport in the small intestine, we performed an assay using the everted sac of the rat jejunum. Addition of taurine to the mucosal side of the jejunum suppressed active glucose transport via sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1). After elimination of chloride ions from the mucosal solution, taurine did not show suppressive effects on active glucose transport. These results suggest that taurine suppressed the increase in hepatic portal glucose concentrations via suppression of SGLT1 activity in the rat jejunum, depending on chloride ions.

Basolateral sorting and transcytosis define the Cu+-regulated translocation of ATP7B to the bile canaliculus.

The Cu(+) pump ATP7B plays an irreplaceable role in the elimination of excess Cu(+) by the hepatocyte into the bile. The trafficking and site of action of ATP7B are subjects of controversy. One current proposal is that an increase in intracellular Cu(+) results in the translocation of ATP7B to the lysosomes and excretion of excess Cu(+) through lysosomal-mediated exocytosis at the bile canaliculus. Here, we show that ATP7B is transported from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to the bile canaliculus by basolateral sorting and endocytosis, and microtubule-mediated transcytosis through the subapical compartment. Trafficking ATP7B is not incorporated into lysosomes, and addition of Cu(+) does not cause relocalization of lysosomes and the appearance of lysosome markers in the bile canaliculus. Our data reveal the pathway of the Cu(+)-mediated transport of ATP7B from the TGN to the bile canaliculus and indicates that the bile canaliculus is the primary site of ATP7B action in the elimination of excess Cu(.)

Effects of Salmon Nasal Cartilage Proteoglycan on Plasma Glucose Concentration and Active Glucose Transport in the Small Intestine.

Recently, proteoglycan was purified from the nasal cartilage of salmon. Although several physiological effects have been reported, the effect of salmon nasal cartilage proteoglycan (salmon PG) on glucose metabolism remains unclear. We studied the effect of salmon PG on rat plasma glucose levels. Oral administration of 1% salmon PG significantly attenuated the increase in portal plasma glucose levels following an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Additionally 1% salmon PG delayed the increase in peripheral glucose concentration induced by the OGTT. Mucosal administration of 1% salmon PG significantly decreased active glucose transport using the everted jejunal sac method. Furthermore, transmural potential difference (ΔPD) measurements using the everted jejunum revealed that 1% salmon PG significantly decreased glucose-dependent and phlorhizin (inhibitor of sodium-glucose co-transporter 1; SGLT1)-sensitive ΔPD. These results suggest that salmon PG decreases glucose absorption via SGLT1 in the jejunum, thereby attenuating the increase in portal and peripheral plasma glucose levels in rats.

[6]-gingerol induces electrogenic sodium absorption in the rat colon via the capsaicin receptor TRPV1.

[6]-Gingerol possesses a variety of beneficial pharmacological and therapeutic properties, including anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-emetic activities. Although [6]-gingerol is known to regulate the contraction of the intestine, its effect on intestinal ion transport is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the role of [6]-gingerol in the regulation of electrogenic ion transport in the rat intestine by measuring the transmural potential difference (ΔPD). [6]-Gingerol induced significant positive ΔPD when administered to the serosal but not mucosal side of the colon, ileum, and jejunum; the highest effect was detected in the colon at a concentration of 10 µM. [6]-Gingerol-induced increase in ΔPD was suppressed by ouabain, an inhibitor of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, whereas no effect was observed in response to bumetanide, an inhibitor of the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) co-transporter. In addition, ΔPD induction by [6]-gingerol was greatly diminished by capsazepine, an inhibitor of the capsaicin receptor TRPV1. These results suggest that [6]-gingerol induced the electrogenic absorption of sodium in the rat colon via TRPV1.

Regulation of the basolateral Na+, K+-ATPase in the activation of electrogenic Na+ absorption induced by isoproterenol in the rat distal colon.

We investigated the effects of cAMP on the basolateral Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and apical amiloride-sensitive Na(+) channel in the rat distal colon. Under mucosal treatment with nystatin, isoproterenol and forskolin increased the basolateral Na(+) pump current. Under serosal treatment with ouabain, both agents slightly increased the amiloride-sensitive Na current, but not to a significant level. We concluded that cAMP activates the basolateral Na(+), K(+)-ATPase in the rat distal colon.

Absorption of proteoglycan via clathrin-mediated endocytosis in the small intestine of rats.

The mechanism underlying proteoglycan (PG) absorption in the intestine is not clear. Hence we analyzed the transport of salmon PG in the rat jejunum, ileum, and colon by the everted-sac method. The jejunum showed the largest capacity for PG transport. Jejunal transport of PG was also greater than that of chondroitin A and C. An inhibitor of clathrin-mediated endocytosis reduced jejunal PG transport. We conclude that intestinal PG transport is highest in the jejunum, and is partially dependent on clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

Palmitate-induced down-regulation of sortilin and impaired GLUT4 trafficking in C2C12 myotubes.

Elevated saturated FFAs including palmitate (C16:0) are a primary trigger for peripheral insulin resistance characterized by impaired glucose uptake/disposal in skeletal muscle, resulting from impaired GLUT4 translocation in response to insulin. We herein demonstrate that palmitate induces down-regulation of sortilin, a sorting receptor implicated in the formation of insulin-responsive GLUT4 vesicles, via mechanisms involving PKC and TNF-α-converting enzyme, but not p38, JNK, or mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation, leading to impaired GLUT4 trafficking in C2C12 myotubes. Intriguingly, unsaturated FFAs such as palmitoleate (C16:1) and oleate (C18:1) had no such detrimental effects, appearing instead to effectively reverse palmitate-induced impairment of insulin-responsive GLUT4 recycling along with restoration of sortilin abundance by preventing aberrant PKC activation. On the other hand, shRNA-mediated reduction of sortilin in intact C2C12 myotubes inhibited insulin-induced GLUT4 recycling without dampening Akt phosphorylation. We found that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist troglitazone prevented the palmitate-induced sortilin reduction and also ameliorated insulin-responsive GLUT4 recycling without altering the palmitate-evoked insults on signaling cascades; neither highly phosphorylated PKC states nor impaired insulin-responsive Akt phosphorylation was affected. Taken together, our data provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of PKC-dependent insulin resistance with respect to insulin-responsive GLUT4 translocation, which could occur not only through defects of insulin signaling but also via a reduction of sortilin, which directly controls trafficking/sorting of GLUT4 in skeletal muscle cells. In addition, our data suggest the insulin-sensitizing action of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonists to be at least partially mediated through the restoration of proper GLUT4 trafficking/sorting events governed by sortilin.

Different impacts of saturated and unsaturated free fatty acids on COX-2 expression in C(2)C(12) myotubes.

In skeletal muscle, saturated free fatty acids (FFAs) act as proinflammatory stimuli, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a pro/anti-inflammatory enzyme induced at sites of inflammation, which contributes to prostaglandin production. However, little is known about the regulation of COX-2 expression and its responses to FFAs in skeletal muscle. Herein, we examined the effects of saturated and unsaturated FFAs, including a recently identified lipokine (lipid hormone derived from adipocytes), palmitoleate, on COX-2 expression in C(2)C(12) myotubes as a skeletal muscle model. Exposure of myotubes to saturated FFAs [palmitate (16:0) and stearate (18:0)], but not to unsaturated FFAs [palmitoleate (16:1), oleate (18:1), and linoleate (18:2)], led to a slow-onset induction of COX-2 expression and subsequent prostaglandin E(2) production via mechanisms involving the p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB but not the PKC signaling cascades. Pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial oxidative function failed to interfere with COX-2 expression, suggesting the mitochondrial overload/excessive beta-oxidation contribution to this event to be minimal. On the contrary, unsaturated FFAs appeared to effectively antagonize palmitate-induced COX-2 expression with markedly different potencies (linoleate > oleate > palmitoleate), being highly associated with the suppressive profile of each unsaturated FFA toward palmitate-evoked intracellular signals, including p38, JNK, ERK1/2 MAPKs, and PKCtheta, as well as IkappaB degradation. In addition, our data suggest little involvement of PPAR in the protective actions of unsaturated FFAs against palmitate-induced COX-2 expression. No direct contribution of the increased COX-2 activity in generating palmitate-induced insulin resistance was detected, at least in terms of insulin-responsive Akt phosphorylation and GLUT4 translocation. Taken together, our data provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the FFA-induced COX-2 expression in skeletal muscle and raise the possibility that, in skeletal myocytes, COX-2 and its product prostaglandins may play an important role in the complex inflammation responses caused by elevated FFAs, for example, in the diabetic state.

Molecular mechanisms of copper homeostasis.

The transition metal copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for all biota. Its redox properties bestow Cu with capabilities that are simultaneously essential and potentially damaging to the cell. Free Cu is virtually absent in the cell. The descriptions of the structural and functional organization of the metallothioneins, Cu-chaperones and P-type ATPases as well as of the mechanisms that regulate their distribution and functioning in the cell have enormously advanced our understanding of the Cu homeostasis and metabolism in the last decade. Cu is stored by metallothioneins and distributed by specialized chaperones to specific cell targets that make use of its redox properties. Transfer of Cu to newly synthesized cuproenzymes and Cu disposal is performed by the individual or concerted actions of the P-type ATPases ATP7A and ATP7B expressed in tissues. In mammalians liver is the major captor, distributor and excreter of Cu. Mutations in the P-type ATPases that interfere with their functioning and traffic are cause of the life-threatening Wilson (ATP7B) and Menkes (ATP7A) diseases.

Daxx functions as a scaffold of a protein assembly constituted by GLUT4, JNK1 and KIF5B.

We have previously reported the physical interaction between Daxx, the adaptor protein that mediates activation of the Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and GLUT4, the insulin-dependent glucose transporter, interaction that involves their C-domains. Co-immunoprecipitation and two-hybrid-based protein-protein interaction studies show now that Daxx and GLUT4 interact with JNK1 through D-sites in their NH(2)-(aa 1-501) and large endofacial loop, respectively. Serum deprivation strongly enhances the association of JNK1 with Daxx and dissociates the kinase from GLUT4. SP600125, a potent JNK1 inhibitor, reduces the JNK1 activity associated with GLUT4 and the phosphorylation of two minor GLUT4 species in serum-starved 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, Daxx interacts with kinesin KIF5B through the 6xTPR domain of the kinesin light chain, a domain engaged in the grab hold of protein cargo by kinesin motors that codistribute with JNK. Depletion of Daxx in 3T3-L1 adipocytes provokes the partial translocation of the GLUT4 retained in the GLUT4 storage compartment to endosomes.

ATP7B copper-regulated traffic and association with the tight junctions: copper excretion into the bile.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The copper transporter ATP7B plays a central role in the elimination of excess copper by the liver into the bile, yet the site of its action remains controversial. The studies reported here examine the correspondence between the site of ATP7B action and distribution and the pathways of copper disposal by the liver. METHODS: Microscopy and cell fractionation studies of polarized Can 10 cells forming long-branched bile canaliculi have been used to study the cellular distribution of ATP7B. Copper excretion into the bile was studied in perfused rat liver. RESULTS: Copper excess provokes a massive download of the ATP7B retained in the trans-Golgi network into the bile canalicular membrane. Furthermore, a stable ATP7B pool is localized to the tight junctions that seal the bile canaliculi. The profile of Cu(64) excretion into the bile by isolated rat livers perfused under one-pass conditions provides evidence of copper excretion by 2 separate mechanisms, transcytosis across the hepatocyte and paracellular transport throughout the tight junctions. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the ATP7B retained in the trans-Golgi-network is massively translocated to the bile canalicular membrane in response to increased copper levels, a pool of ATP7B associated with the tight junctions remains stable. In situ studies indicate that copper is excreted into the bile by 2 separate pathways. The results are discussed in the frame of the normal and impeded excretion of copper into the bile.

Modulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity during pneumoperitoneum in rats.

To examine neural control of renal function during pneumoperitoneum, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) was measured in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats that had their entire nervous system intact or that had undergone lower thoracic dorsal rhizotomy or abdominal vagotomy. During pneumoperitoneum with intraabdominal pressure (IAP) of 10 mmHg, the mean arterial pressure did not change, but central venous pressure increased by 10 mmHg in all groups. In intact rats, the RSNA increased to 285 +/- 22% during pneumoperitoneum and gradually recovered after release of the insufflation. The RSNA responses decreased during pneumoperitoneum in rats with dorsal rhizotomy or vagotomy compared to responses in intact rats. In intact rats the urine volume and Na+ excretion decreased during pneumoperitoneum and increased just after insufflation release. Dorsal rhizotomy, vagotomy, or renal denervation did not alter the antidiuretic and antinatriuretic responses during pneumoperitoneum; however, diuretic and natriuretic responses were completely abolished by either of these denervations following insufflation release. These results suggest that oliguria during pneumoperitoneum was not due to neural control of renal function but probably to a mechanical influence induced by the elevated IAP. On the other hand, diuretic and natriuretic responses after insufflation release were thought to be a neurally mediated response.