Effect of folic acid-linked chitosan-coated PLGA-based curcumin nanoparticles on the redox system of glioblastoma cancer cells.

OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is one of the carcinogenic mechanisms underlying the development of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive brain tumor type associated with poor prognosis. Curcumin is known to be an efficient antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer compound. However, its poor solubility in water, inappropriate pharmacokinetics, and low bioavailability limit its use as an antitumor drug. We prepared PLGA-based curcumin nanoparticles changed with folic acid and chitosan (curcumin-PLGA-CS-FA) and evaluated its effects on GBM tumor cells' redox status. METHODS: The nanoprecipitation method was used to synthesize CU nanoparticles (CU-NPs). The size, morphology, and stability were characterized by DLS, SEM, and zeta potential analysis, respectively. The CU-NPs' toxic properties were studied by MTT assay and measuring the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. The study was completed by measuring the gene expression levels and activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutaredoxin, and thioredoxin antioxidant enzymes. RESULTS: The size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of CU-NPs were 77.27 nm, 0.29, and -22.45 mV, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency was approximately 98%. Intracellular ROS and MDA levels decreased after CU-NP treatment. Meanwhile, the CU-NPs increased gene expression and activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutaredoxin, and thioredoxin antioxidant enzymes. CONCLUSION: CU-NPs might be effective in the prevention and treatment of glioblastoma cancer by modulating the antioxidant-oxidant balance.

Redox Dysregulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Sirtuin-1 in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm in Marfan Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are abnormal aortic dilatations and a major cardiovascular complication of Marfan syndrome. We previously demonstrated a critical role for vascular smooth muscle (VSM) SirT1 (sirtuin-1), a lysine deacetylase, against maladaptive aortic remodeling associated with chronic oxidative stress and aberrant activation of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases). METHODS: In this study, we investigated whether redox dysregulation of SirT1 contributed to the pathogenesis of TAA using fibrillin-1 hypomorphic mice (Fbn1mgR/mgR), an established model of Marfan syndrome prone to aortic dissection/rupture. RESULTS: Oxidative stress markers 3-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal were significantly elevated in aortas of patients with Marfan syndrome. Moreover, reversible oxidative post-translational modifications (rOPTM) of protein cysteines, particularly S-glutathionylation, were dramatically increased in aortas of Fbn1mgR/mgR mice, before induction of severe oxidative stress markers. Fbn1mgR/mgR aortas and VSM cells exhibited an increase in rOPTM of SirT1, coinciding with the upregulation of acetylated proteins, an index of decreased SirT1 activity, and increased MMP2/9 activity. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that TGFß (transforming growth factor beta), which was increased in Fbn1mgR/mgR aortas, stimulated rOPTM of SirT1, decreasing its deacetylase activity in VSM cells. VSM cell-specific deletion of SirT1 in Fbn1mgR/mgR mice (SMKO-Fbn1mgR/mgR) caused a dramatic increase in aortic MMP2 expression and worsened TAA progression, leading to aortic rupture in 50% of SMKO-Fbn1mgR/mgR mice, compared with 25% of Fbn1mgR/mgR mice. rOPTM of SirT1, rOPTM-mediated inhibition of SirT1 activity, and increased MMP2/9 activity were all exacerbated by the deletion of Glrx (glutaredoxin-1), a specific deglutathionylation enzyme, while being corrected by overexpression of Glrx or of an oxidation-resistant SirT1 mutant in VSM cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel findings strongly suggest a causal role of S-glutathionylation of SirT1 in the pathogenesis of TAA. Prevention or reversal of SirT1 rOPTM may be a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent TAA and TAA dissection/ruptures in individuals with Marfan syndrome, for which, thus far, no targeted therapy has been developed.

In vitro and in silico assessment of new beta amino ketones with antiplasmodial activity.

BACKGROUND: Based on the current need for new drugs against malaria, our study evaluated eight beta amino ketones in silico and in vitro for potential antimalarial activity. METHODS: Using the Brazilian Malaria Molecular Targets (BraMMT) and OCTOPUS® software programs, the pattern of interactions of beta-amino ketones was described against different proteins of P. falciparum and screened to evaluate their physicochemical properties. The in vitro antiplasmodial activities of the compounds were evaluated using a SYBR Green-based assay. In parallel, in vitro cytotoxic data were obtained using the MTT assay. RESULTS: Among the eight compounds, compound 1 was the most active and selective against P. falciparum (IC50 = 0.98 µM; SI > 60). Six targets were identified in BraMMT that interact with compounds exhibiting a stronger binding energy than the crystallographic ligand: P. falciparum triophosphate phosphoglycolate complex (1LYX), P. falciparum reductase (2OK8), PfPK7 (2PML), P. falciparum glutaredoxin (4N0Z), PfATP6, and PfHT. CONCLUSIONS: The physicochemical properties of compound 1 were compatible with the set of criteria established by the Lipinski rule and demonstrated its potential as a drug prototype for antiplasmodial activity.

Role of Glutaredoxin-1 and Glutathionylation in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and as rates continue to increase, discovering mechanisms and therapeutic targets become increasingly important. An underlying cause of most cardiovascular diseases is believed to be excess reactive oxygen or nitrogen species. Glutathione, the most abundant cellular antioxidant, plays an important role in the body's reaction to oxidative stress by forming reversible disulfide bridges with a variety of proteins, termed glutathionylation (GSylation). GSylation can alter the activity, function, and structure of proteins, making it a major regulator of cellular processes. Glutathione-protein mixed disulfide bonds are regulated by glutaredoxins (Glrxs), thioltransferase members of the thioredoxin family. Glrxs reduce GSylated proteins and make them available for another redox signaling cycle. Glrxs and GSylation play an important role in cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, cardiac hypertrophy, peripheral arterial disease, and atherosclerosis. This review primarily concerns the role of GSylation and Glrxs, particularly glutaredoxin-1 (Glrx), in cardiovascular diseases and the potential of Glrx as therapeutic agents.

Neuronal Damage Induced by Perinatal Asphyxia Is Attenuated by Postinjury Glutaredoxin-2 Administration.

The general disruption of redox signaling following an ischemia-reperfusion episode has been proposed as a crucial component in neuronal death and consequently brain damage. Thioredoxin (Trx) family proteins control redox reactions and ensure protein regulation via specific, oxidative posttranslational modifications as part of cellular signaling processes. Trx proteins function in the manifestation, progression, and recovery following hypoxic/ischemic damage. Here, we analyzed the neuroprotective effects of postinjury, exogenous administration of Grx2 and Trx1 in a neonatal hypoxia/ischemia model. P7 Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to right common carotid ligation or sham surgery, followed by an exposure to nitrogen. 1 h later, animals were injected i.p. with saline solution, 10 mg/kg recombinant Grx2 or Trx1, and euthanized 72 h postinjury. Results showed that Grx2 administration, and to some extent Trx1, attenuated part of the neuronal damage associated with a perinatal hypoxic/ischemic damage, such as glutamate excitotoxicity, axonal integrity, and astrogliosis. Moreover, these treatments also prevented some of the consequences of the induced neural injury, such as the delay of neurobehavioral development. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating neuroprotective effects of recombinant Trx proteins on the outcome of neonatal hypoxia/ischemia, implying clinical potential as neuroprotective agents that might counteract neonatal hypoxia/ischemia injury.