Differential protein expression induced by a lipid extract of Perna canaliculus in splenocytes of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

The lipid extract of Perna canaliculus (Lyprinol) has known anti-inflammatory effects. However, the only information on mechanisms is regulation of cytokine secretion. Therefore, we conducted a proteomic study exploring the effects of Lyprinol on protein expression in splenocytes collected from AIA rats. Splenocytes from AIA rats fed with Lyprinol had increased protein expression of malate dehydrogenase (MDH). Lyprinol also decreased the expressions of 5 other proteins: protein-o-mannosyl- transferase 2 (PMT-2), Tdrd 7, telethonin, dynactin 2 and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI or glucose-regulated protein (GRP)). Besides MDH, PMT- 2, titin-cap protein and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) are known to be related to metabolism. However, it is currently unknown if Lyprinol administration decreases metabolic glucose in the body and alleviates symptoms of inflammation and arthritis. Further experiments are required to correlate levels of citric acid intermediates and glucose to the severity of inflammation and pain in AIA rats fed Lyprinol.

A lipid extract of Perna canaliculus affects the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model.

As published initially in this same journal in 2000, the lipid extract of Perna canaliculus (New Zealand green-lipped mussel; Lyprinol) is known for its anti-inflammatory effects in animal models and in human controlled studies (arthritis; asthma). As a follow-up of its effects on pain in a rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (ALA), we studied its effects on the production of cytokines known to be associated with inflammation (IL-6, IL-1alpha TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma). Feeding with Lyprinol was associated with significantly decreased expression levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma when compared to Naproxen (positive control) and, even more when compared with sham and extra-virgin olive oil (negative control). When compared to Naproxen, sham and extra-virgin olive oil, the levels of IL-6 and IL-1alpha were also marginally decreased in rats fed with Lyprinol. This study demonstrates that AIA rats fed with Lyprinol had decreased production ofcytokines associated with inflammation.

Hydrogen peroxide induces a rapid production of nitric oxide in mung bean (Phaseolus aureus).

Nitric oxide (NO) has recently been identified as an important signaling molecule in plant immune response. The present study aims to investigate the signaling pathway that leads to NO production. Using the NO specific fluorescent dye DAF-2DA, we observed rapid production of NO in mung bean leaves after the addition of 10 mM hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). NO was probably produced by a NOS-like enzyme in plants, as the NO production was inhibited by l-NAME, a NOS inhibitor. The NOS-like activity in the total leaf protein preparation of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) was elevated 8.3-fold after 10 mM H(2)O(2) treatment, as demonstrated using the chemiluminescence NOS assay. The NOS-like activity was BH(4) dependent: omitting BH(4) in the reaction mixture of NOS assay reduced the NOS activity by 76%. We also found that the H(2)O(2) induced NO production was mediated via calcium ion flux, as it was blocked in the presence of a calcium ion channel blocker, verapamil. Results from the present study identified H(2)O(2) as an upstream signal that leads to NO production in plants. H(2)O(2) and NO, besides acting as two independent signaling molecules in plant immune response, may interrelate to form an oxidative cell death (OCD) cycle.