Lack of association of ALOX12 and ALOX15B polymorphisms with psoriasis despite altered urinary excretion of 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid.

BACKGROUND: Pro- and anti-inflammatory metabolites of arachidonic acid - eicosanoids - participate in skin homeostasis, affecting the growth and differentiation of keratinocytes. Alterations of 12-lipoxygenase (LOX) and 15-LOX and their metabolites have been described in the epidermis of patients with psoriasis, but systemic production of 12-LOX and 15-LOX eicosanoids has not been studied in the disease. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the frequencies of the genetic variants ALOX12 rs1126667 and ALOX15 rs11568070 in cases and controls, and to compare urinary metabolites of 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) between patients with psoriasis and healthy controls. METHODS: Patients with psoriasis (n = 200) were stratified depending on the severity of their dermal lesions. Genotyping was performed using a 5'-nuclease real-time assay. The concentrations of 12(S)-HETE, its metabolites and 15(S)-HETE were determined in urine samples using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Tetranor-12(S)-HETE metabolite excretion was significantly higher in urine of patients with psoriasis, while excretion of 12(S)-HETE was decreased. Neither 12(S)-HETE nor tetranor-12(S)-HETE correlated with the type of disease or severity score. No difference in urinary 15(S)-HETE was found between the study groups. Genotype distribution of the ALOX12 rs1126667 or ALOX15 rs11568070 polymorphisms did not discriminate for the disease or its severity. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic metabolism of 12(S)-HETE is accelerated in psoriasis because excretion of the tetranor-12(S)-HETE inactivation product is elevated. No correlation with the severity or extent of psoriasis is detectable. We propose that in patients with psoriasis, 12(S)-HETE to tetranor-12(S)-HETE conversion could be at least a marker for this disease, in which inflammation of the skin can induce microsomal beta-oxidation of this eicosanoid.

Lipoxygenase products in the urine correlate with renal function and body temperature but not with acute transplant rejection.

Acute transplant rejection is the leading cause of graft loss in the first months after kidney transplantation. Lipoxygenase products mediate pro- and anti-inflammatory actions and thus we aimed to correlate the histological reports of renal transplant biopsies with urinary lipoxygenase products concentrations to evaluate their role as a diagnostic marker. This study included a total of 34 kidney transplant recipients: 17 with an acute transplant rejection and 17 controls. LTE4, LTB4, 12-HETE and 15-HETE concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Urinary lipoxygenase product concentrations were not significantly changed during an acute allograft rejection. Nevertheless, LTB4 concentrations correlated significantly with the body temperature (P ≤ 0.05) 3 months after transplantation, and 12- and 15-HETE concentrations correlated significantly with renal function (P ≤ 0.05) 2 weeks after transplantation. In conclusion, our data show a correlation for LTB4 with the body temperature 3 months after transplantation and urinary 12- and 15-HETE concentrations correlate positively with elevated serum creatinine concentrations but do not predict acute allograft rejection.

A coding polymorphism in the 12-lipoxygenase gene is associated to essential hypertension and urinary 12(S)-HETE.

The arachidonic acid-derived metabolite 12-(S)hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE), catalyzed by 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX, ALOX12), exhibits a variety of biological activities with implications in cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown higher urinary excretion of this metabolite in essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of polymorphisms in ALOX12 with hypertension and urinary levels of 12(S)-HETE. We studied 200 patients with essential hypertension (aged 56+/-1 years, mean+/-s.e.m., 97 males) and 166 matched controls (aged 54+/-1 years, 91 males). Out of six polymorphisms in the coding region of ALOX12, only R261Q determined a nonconservative amino-acid change and was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and restriction digestion. Urinary 12(S)-HETE was measured in Sep-Pack-extracted samples using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The distribution of genotypes of the R261Q polymorphism was significantly different between patients and controls: patients 92 (0.46) GG, 84 (0.42) GA, 24 (0.12) AA vs controls 56 (0.34) GG, 78 (0.47) GA, 32 (0.19) AA (P=0.030). On the contrary, no association was observed for two intronic polymorphisms. The urinary excretion of 12(S)-HETE (ng/mg creatinine) was significantly higher in GG homozygous patients (13.0+/-1.5) than in GA (8.2+/-1.8) or in AA (8+/-1.5) patients (P=0.018). These results indicate that a nonsynonymous polymorphism in ALOX12 is associated to essential hypertension and to urinary levels of 12(S)-HETE, thus suggesting a role for this gene in this disease.

Elevated 12- and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in urine of patients with prostatic diseases.

The role of eicosanoids (metabolites of arachidonic acid) in prostate diseases is receiving increased attention. We investigated the relationship between the concentrations of urinary free acids of 12- and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (12- and 20-HETE) and the benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer (Pca). Urinary concentrations of 12-HETE and 20-HETE of BPH and Pca patients were significantly higher than normal subjects. After removal of the prostate gland, the urinary concentrations of these eicosanoids decreased to concentrations similar to the normal subjects. These results suggest that urinary free acids of 12-HETE and 20-HETE indicate an abnormality of the prostate gland.

12/15-lipoxygenase inhibitors in diabetic nephropathy in the rat.

The 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LO) pathway is activated in diabetes mellitus (DM), increasing 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE). We showed that a 12-LO inhibitor, cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxy-alpha-cyanocinnamate (CDC) inhibited 12/15-LO activity in vivo and assessed the efficacy of another 12/15-LO inhibitor, N-benzyl-N-hydroxy-5-phenylpentamidine (BHPP), to diminish urinary 12-HETE and ameliorate diabetic nephropathy (DN) over 4 months. Rats studied were control (C, n=8), DM (n=6), and rats injected with BHPP (C+BHPP, n=4) and (DM+BHPP, n=5). BHPP 3 mg/kg/day decreased urinary (U) 12-HETE/creatinine (cr) by 30-50% after one injection and after 1 week of daily injections in DM rats. U 12-HETE/cr excretion increased paradoxically in controls given BHPP. There was a highly significant relationship between U 12-HETE/cr excretion and U alb/cr (r=0.79, P<10(-5)), demonstrating that renal 12/15-LO pathway activation is associated with albuminuria. BHPP did not inhibit glomerular collagen synthesis or improve histology. More sustained 12-LO inhibition may improve albuminuria in DN.

Increased production of 12/15 lipoxygenase eicosanoids accelerates monocyte/endothelial interactions in diabetic db/db mice.

Atherosclerosis is a major complication of diabetes. Up to 16 weeks of age, the db/db mouse is insulin-resistant and hyperglycemic and is a good model of Type 2 diabetes. After approximately 16 weeks of age, the mice develop pancreatic beta cell failure that can progress to a Type 1 diabetes phenotype. We have previously shown that glucose increases production of endothelial 12/15 lipoxygenase (12/15LO) products in vitro. In young 10-week-old Type 2 diabetic db/db mice, we found significant elevations in levels of urinary 12/15LO products, 12S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12S-HETE) and 13S-hydroxyoctadecaenoic acid (13S-HODE) in vivo compared with C57BLKS/J mice. Using isolated primary aortic endothelial cells (ECs) from db/db mice and WEHI78/24 mouse monocyte cells in static adhesion assays, we found increased WEHI monocyte adhesion to db/db ECs (14 +/- 2 monocytes/field for db/db ECs versus 4 +/- 1 monocytes/field for C57BLKS/J ECs, p < 0.002). Thus, ECs from db/db mice appear to be "pre-activated" to bind monocytes. Analysis of db/db ECs revealed a 2-fold elevation in 12/15LO protein compared with C57BLKS/J EC. To determine that 12/15LO products were responsible for the increased monocyte adhesion observed with db/db ECs, we inhibited expression of murine 12/15LO using either an adenovirus expressing a ribozyme to 12/15LO (AdRZ) or with the 12/15LO inhibitor cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxy-alpha-cyanocinnamate. Treatment of db/db ECs for 48 h with AdRZ or 4 h with 10 microm cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxy-alpha-cyanocinnamate significantly reduced monocyte adhesion to db/db endothelium (p < 0.009). Thus, inhibition of the murine 12/15LO in db/db mice significantly reduced monocyte/endothelial interactions. We also found that adhesion of monocytes to diabetic db/db ECs was mediated by interactions of alpha4beta1 integrin on monocytes with endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and connecting segment 1 fibronectin and interactions of beta2 integrins with endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule 1. In summary, regulation of the 12/15LO pathway is important for mediating early vascular changes in diabetes. Modulation of the 12/15LO pathway in the vessel wall may provide therapeutic benefit for early vascular inflammatory events in diabetes.

Role of 12-lipoxygenase and oxidant stress in hyperglycaemia-induced acceleration of atherosclerosis in a diabetic pig model.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We previously showed that vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells cultured under high glucose conditions produced more 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), the 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO) product of arachidonate metabolism, relative to normal glucose. Because the lipoxygenase (LO) pathway has been associated with oxidant stress and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, we now examined 12-LO activation in vivo in a pig model of diabetes-induced accelerated atherosclerosis which displays human characteristics. METHODS: The animal model was developed in pigs who were fed a normal or high fat diet and given streptozotocin injections to produce normolipemic-normoglycaemic (NLNG), normolipemic-hyperglycaemic (NLHG), hyperlipemic-normoglycaemic (HLNG) and hyperlipemic-hyperglycaemic (HLHG) pigs. Tissue samples were obtained from key arterial beds to examine 12-LO expression at 20 weeks after the pigs began their diet. RESULTS: All HG pigs maintained threefold higher serum glucose concentrations. The HL groups developed atherosclerosis but diabetic HLHG pigs showed markedly accelerated atherosclerosis (twofold) relative to non-diabetic HLNG pigs. Immunostaining showed progressive increases in 12-LO in arteries in the order NLNG, NLHG, HLNG and HLHG. Leukocyte-type 12-LO protein (immuno-blotting) as well as mRNA expression (by competitive PCR) in abdominal and coronary arteries were significantly greater in HLHG pigs than in all the other three groups. Furthermore, increased oxidant stress was observed in monocytes from NLHG and HLNG pigs, and greatly potentiated in HLHG pigs. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that 12-LO activation plays a key role in accelerated atherosclerosis due to diabetes and hyperlipemia.

Increased levels of 12(S)-HETE in patients with essential hypertension.

The platelet-type 12-lipoxygenase (12-LO) catalyzes the transformation of arachidonic acid into 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid [12-(S)HPETE], which is reduced to 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [12-(S)HETE]. These metabolites exhibit a variety of biological activities such as mediation of angiotensin II-induced intracellular calcium transients in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. It has recently been reported that platelet 12(S)-HETE production is enhanced in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. The pronounced hypotensive effect of LO inhibition in SHR suggests that LO activity may play a role in this form of hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the basal and thrombin-induced platelet 12(S)-HETE production and the urinary 12(S)-HETE excretion in essential hypertension. We studied 19 patients with this disease (57+/-2 years of age) and 9 normotensive control subjects (48+/-5 years of age) (P:=0.074). 12(S)-HETE was measured in Sep-Pack-extracted samples with specific ELISA and high-performance liquid chromatography. The platelet basal level of 12(S)-HETE was significantly higher in patients than in control subjects (3.56+/-1.22 versus 0.64+/-0.13 ng/10(6) platelets, P:<0.025). In contrast, there were no differences in thrombin-stimulated (1 U/mL) 12(S)-HETE generation: 7.66+/-2.14 in patients versus 4.87+/-1.46 in control subjects (P:=0.61). Platelet 12-LO protein levels, measured by Western blotting with a polyclonal antibody, were higher in the patients than in the control subjects. The urinary excretion of 12(S)-HETE was higher in patients than in control subjects: 36.8+/-7.24 versus 17.1+/-3.14 ng/mg creatinine (P:<0.01). These results indicate that 12(S)-HETE levels and 12-LO protein are increased in patients with essential hypertension, suggesting a role for this metabolite in human hypertension.

Eicosanoids in sickle cell disease: potential relevance of 12(S)-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid to the pathophysiology of vaso-occlusion.

The monohydroxyeicosanoid 12(S)-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), which is derived from oxygenation of arachidonic acid by 12-lipoxygenase, is one of the major metabolites in platelets. In a recent study, we have showed that this eicosanoid stimulated basal sickle-red-cell-endothelial-cell adhesion. To understand the pathophysiologic significance of 12-HETE, we measured the levels of this eicosanoid in plasma and urine from children with sickle cell disease. We found that as compared with controls, plasma 12-HETE levels are increased in patients with sickle-cell disease in the steady state, and are increased further during vaso-occlusive crises. Urinary 12-HETE levels were also increased during the steady state. We also assessed plasma levels of soluble P-selectin (another potential marker for platelet activation), and found changes in the levels of this marker similar to those seen with plasma 12-HETE. In additional studies, we found that 12-HETE enhanced hypoxia-induced sickle-red-cell-endothelial adherence, and that this effect was mediated by potentiation of agonist-induced upregulation of the expression of the mRNA for vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in endothelial cells. Because 12-HETE appears to enhance both basal and agonist-induced sickle-red-cell adhesion, this metabolite could potentially play a role in the pathogenesis of the vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in sickle-cell disease.

12- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid are excreted in the urine of peroxisome-deficient patients: evidence for peroxisomal metabolism in vivo.

To determine the importance of peroxisomes and mitochondria in hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) oxidation in vivo, urinary excretion of 12- and 15-HETE was measured in eight patients with a peroxisome deficiency disorder (Zellweger syndrome) showing normal mitochondrial beta-oxidation capacity, in three patients with a defect of mitochondrial long-chain fatty acid oxidation (long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency), and in eight healthy subjects. 12- and 15-HETE were identified and quantified by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization-mass spectrometry and specific RIA. The free compounds were found exclusively in the urine of peroxisome-deficient subjects (12-HETE: median 26 pg/mL, range 17-36 pg/mL; 15-HETE: median 40 pg/mL, range 29-61 pg/mL), whereas both compounds were below the detection limit (< 0.5 pg/mL) in the urine of patients with defective mitochondrial long-chain fatty acid oxidation and normal subjects (p < 0.002). These results implicate that peroxisomes are the main cellular organelle responsible for HETE oxidation in vivo. Analysis of HETE excretion in urine represents an additional new specific diagnostic tool in patients with Zellweger syndrome.