Combined proteomic analysis of liver tissue and serum in chronically alcohol-fed rats

BACKGROUND

Proteomic approaches may provide new insights into pathological conditions associated with alcoholism. The aim of this study was to conduct a proteomic analysis of liver tissue and serum in chronically alcohol-fed rats using agarose 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and 3-step serum proteome analysis.

METHODS

A total of 12 rats were pair-fed nutritionally adequate liquid diet containing ethanol as 36% of the total energy or an isocaloric control diet for 2 months. Rat liver homogenates and cytosol fractions were subjected to agarose 2-DE. Serum samples were subjected to 3-step serum proteome analysis involving immunodepletion of abundant proteins followed by fractionation using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and 1-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Candidate proteins were digested with trypsin and identified using mass spectrometry. Observed differences in protein expression levels were confirmed using Western blotting.

RESULTS

A total of 46 protein spots were found to be differentially expressed in the liver homogenates and cytosol fractions of alcohol-fed rats relative to pair-fed controls. The most notable change was down-regulation of a 29-kDa protein, which was subsequently identified as carbonic anhydrase III (CA III). Down-regulation of this protein in alcohol-fed rats was confirmed by Western blotting. The messenger RNA level of CA III was decreased as well. In rat serum, a total of 41 proteins were differentially expressed. Of these proteins, only betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) was also found to be differentially expressed in the liver.

CONCLUSIONS

A combined proteomic analysis of liver tissue and serum in chronically alcohol-fed rats revealed that the expression of CA III is significantly down-regulated in the liver of alcohol-fed rats. Our results also showed that BHMT expression is up-regulated in both the liver and serum of alcohol-fed rats.

Telomerase activity Simplification of assay and detection in bladder tumor and urinary exfoliated cells

Detection of telomerase activity can differentiate malignant from benign cells. However, the original telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) methods had a number of limitations including a radioisotope labeling [α(32)P] dCTP [α(32)P] dGTP system. We developed digoxigenin labeled CX primer to detect telomerase activity without using radioisotope and attempted to detect telomerase activity of bladder tumor and exfoliated cells in bladder cancer patients. Telomerase activity was detected in 5 (71%) of 7 patients diagnosed with grade 1, 31 (97%) of 32 grade 2, and 11 (100%) of 11 grade 3 bladder tumors. In urinary exfoliated cells, 32 (82%) of 39 grades 1 or 2 bladder tumors were positive for telomerase activity but 20 (51%) of 39 were positive for urinary cytology (P < 0.01). Ten (91%) of 11 of grade 3 tumors were positive for telomerase activity and 11 (100%) of 11 were positive urinary cytology. Three of 100 noncancerous patients were positive for telomerase activity. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of telomerase activity assay in urinary exfoliated cells were 84%, 97%, and 93%, respectively. Telomerase activity may be a useful diagnostic marker to detect the existence of immortal cancer cells in the urine.

A search for novel markers of alcohol abuse using magnetic beads and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry

Objective markers are required to assess excessive alcohol consumption, which can lead to a various medical and social problems. In this study, we carried out serum peptidome analyses using the ClinProt(™) system, which consists of magnetic beads and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS, to find novel biomarkers of alcohol abuse in 16 chronic alcoholic patients that were hospitalized for a rehabilitation program. A total of 22 peaks were found to be significantly altered during abstinence. Out of these 22 peaks, 3 peaks that had an m/z of 3000 or less and substantial peak intensities were subjected to MS/MS analysis followed by a MASCOT search. The 1466 Da and the 1616 Da peptides were upregulated on admission and were identified as fragments of fibrinopeptide A and phosphorylated fibrinopeptide A, respectively. On the other hand, the 2660 Da peptide, which was downregulated on admission and increased during abstinence, was identified as a fragment of the fibrinogen α C chain. These peaks were not detectable by the SELDI-TOF MS ProteinChip(®) system analysis. The alterations in these peaks induced by alcohol abuse were also seen in γ glutamyltransferase nonresponders. These protein fragments may be additional biomarkers for excessive alcohol drinking.

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) mediates autophagy and apoptosis caused by Helicobacter pylori VacA

In Helicobacter pylori infection, vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA)-induced mitochondrial damage leading to apoptosis is believed to be a major cause of cell death. It has also been proposed that VacA-induced autophagy serves as a host mechanism to limit toxin-induced cellular damage. Apoptosis and autophagy are two dynamic and opposing processes that must be balanced to regulate cell death and survival. Here we identify the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) as the VacA receptor for toxin-induced autophagy in the gastric epithelial cell line AZ-521, and show that VacA internalization through binding to LRP1 regulates the autophagic process including generation of LC3-II from LC3-I, which is involved in formation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Knockdown of LRP1 and Atg5 inhibited generation of LC3-II as well as cleavage of PARP, a marker of apoptosis, in response to VacA, whereas caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-VAD-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-fmk), and necroptosis inhibitor, Necrostatin-1, did not inhibit VacA-induced autophagy, suggesting that VacA-induced autophagy via LRP1 binding precedes apoptosis. Other VacA receptors such as RPTPα, RPTPβ, and fibronectin did not affect VacA-induced autophagy or apoptosis. Therefore, we propose that the cell surface receptor, LRP1, mediates VacA-induced autophagy and apoptosis.

Aldosterone-to-renin ratio as a predictor of stroke under conditions of high sodium intake: the Ohasama study

BACKGROUND

Aldosterone is thought to have deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. The aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is more reproducible than aldosterone levels alone and could be an index for inappropriate aldosterone secretion or activity. We previously reported the apparent relation between ARR and hypertension in subjects with high sodium intake. This prospective study investigated the risk of ARR for a first stroke in a general population stratified by sodium intake.

METHODS

We obtained plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) for 883 participants aged ≥ 35 years not receiving antihypertensive treatment in the general population of Ohasama (mean age: 59.0 ± 11.3 years; 65.6% women).

RESULTS

Over a mean of 10.9 follow-up years, 45 strokes occurred. The median PRA, PAC, and ARR were 1.2 ng/ml/h, 6.4 ng/dl, and 5.3 ng/dl per ng/ml/h, respectively. Using Cox regression, we computed hazard ratios adjusted for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and systolic blood pressure. No association between logARR and stroke was observed in subjects overall. However, in subjects with high sodium intake (≥ median of 4,058 mg/day (salt equivalent, 10.5 g/day)), each 1 s.d. increase in logARR was associated with an increased hazard ratio for stroke (hazard ratio: 1.49, P = 0.04). No significant association was observed in subjects with low sodium intake (P = 0.7). When we repeated all the analyses using logPRA or logPAC, no significant associations were found.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that high ARR, that is, relative aldosterone excess, is a predictor for stroke under conditions of high sodium intake.

Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is crucial for gemcitabine resistance induced by Annexin II in pancreatic cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Although gemcitabine has been widely used as a first-line chemo reagent for patients with pancreatic cancer, the response rate remains low. We previously identified Annexin II as a factor involved in gemcitabine resistance against pancreatic cancer. The aims of this study were to elucidate the signaling mechanism by which Annexin II induces gemcitabine resistance and to develop a new therapy that overcomes the resistance against gemcitabine.

METHODS

We compared the specific profiles of 12 targeted phosphorylated (p-) signaling proteins in gemcitabine-resistant (GEM-) and its wild-type pancreatic cancer cell lines (MIA PaCa-2) using the Bio-Plex assay system. We also evaluated the expression levels of Annexin II and two phosphoproteins, which showed different expressions in these two cell lines, by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Annexin II overexpression was significantly associated with rapid recurrence after gemcitabine-adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resected pancreatic cancer (P < 0.05). Bio-Plex analysis showed up-regulation of p-Akt in GEM-MIA PaCa-2 cells in which Annexin II is highly expressed. The expression level of p-Akt was significantly correlated with that of the downstream protein, p-mTOR, in pancreatic cancer tissues. Inhibition of mTOR phosphorylation canceled gemcitabine resistance in GEM-MIA PaCa-2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The Akt/mTOR pathway is involved in mechanisms of gemcitabine resistance induced by Annexin II in pancreatic cancer cells. This indicates that combination therapy with the mTOR inhibitor may overcome gemcitabine resistance. Annexin II as an indicator for selection of gemcitabine resistance could thus be applied to the development of novel tailor-made approaches for pancreatic cancer treatment.

SAP155-mediated splicing of FUSE-binding protein-interacting repressor serves as a molecular switch for c-myc gene expression

The Far UpStream Element (FUSE)-binding protein-interacting repressor (FIR), a c-myc transcriptional suppressor, is alternatively spliced removing the transcriptional repression domain within exon 2 (FIRΔexon2) in colorectal cancers. SAP155 is a subunit of the essential splicing factor 3b (SF3b) subcomplex in the spliceosome. This study aims to study the significance of the FIR-SAP155 interaction for the coordination of c-myc transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, and c-Myc protein modification, as well as to interrogate FIRΔexon2 for other functions relating to altered FIR pre-mRNA splicing. Knockdown of SAP155 or FIR was used to investigate their reciprocal influence on each other and on c-myc transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, and protein expression. Pull down from HeLa cell nuclear extracts revealed the association of FIR, FIRΔexon2, and SF3b subunits. FIR and FIRΔexon2 were coimmunoprecipitated with SAP155. FIR and FIRΔexon2 adenovirus vector (Ad-FIR and Ad-FIRΔexon2, respectively) were prepared to test for their influence on c-myc expression. FIR, SAP155, SAP130, and c-myc were coordinately upregulated in human colorectal cancer. These results reveal that SAP155 and FIR/FIRΔexon2 form a complex and are mutually upregulating. Ad-FIRΔexon2 antagonized Ad-FIR transcriptional repression of c-myc in HeLa cells. Because FIRΔexon2 still carries RRM1 and RRM2 and binding activity to FUSE, it is able to displace repression competent FIR from FUSE in electrophoretic mobility shift assays, thus thwarting FIR-mediated transcriptional repression by FUSE. Thus aberrant FIRΔexon2 production in turn sustained c-Myc expression. In conclusion, altered FIR and c-myc pre-mRNA splicing, in addition to c-Myc expression by augmented FIR/FIRΔexon2-SAP155 complex, potentially contribute to colorectal cancer development.

Prohibitin in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung: its expression and possible clinical significance

rohibitin is localized to mitochondria where it might have a role in the maintenance of mitochondrial function and protection against senescence. In this study, we show that prohibitin is up-regulated in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues using agarose 2-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Prohibitin expression was further evaluated by immunohistochemistry. We statistically analyzed the association of prohibitin expression with clinicopathologic indicators in 78 patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. Our data suggested that prohibitin expression was positively correlated with the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) classification of tumor grade (P < .001), pathologic stage (P < .001), tumor size (P = .01), and lymph node metastasis (P = .004). Furthermore, we found that prohibitin expression was an independent prognostic indicator (P = .037) for overall survival of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma by multivariate analysis using the Cox regression method. These findings may encourage further studies investigating prohibitin function in lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Coexistence of anti-RNA polymerase III and anti-U1RNP antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: two cases without features of scleroderma

Anti-RNA polymerase III (RNAP III) antibodies are highly specific for scleroderma (SSc) and associated with diffuse SSc and renal crisis. Coexistence of anti-RNAP III and other SSc autoantibodies is rarely documented. We report three cases with coexisting anti-RNAP III and anti-U1RNP. Autoantibodies in 3829 sera from rheumatology clinics were screened by immunoprecipitation. Anti-RNAP III-positive sera were also examined by immunofluorescence and anti-RNAP III ELISA. In total, 35 anti-RNAP III-positive sera were identified by immunoprecipitation, in which three had coexisting anti-U1RNP. All three were anti-RNAP III ELISA positive. Two had anti-RNAP I dominant (vs. RNAP III) reactivity and showed strong nucleolar staining. A case with anti-U1/U2RNP (U2RNP dominant) had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-SSc overlap syndrome; however, the remaining two cases had SLE without signs of SSc. All three cases of anti-RNAP III + U1RNP fulfilled ACR SLE criteria but none in the group with anti-RNAP III alone (p = 0.0002). In contrast, only one case in the former group had sclerodermatous skin changes and Raynaud's phenomenon, vs. 92% with scleroderma in the latter (p < 0.05). Although anti-RNAP III is highly specific for SSc, cases with coexisting anti-U1RNP are not so uncommon among anti-RNAP III positives (8%, 3/35) and may be SLE without features of SSc.

A cellular microRNA, let-7i, is a novel biomarker for clinical outcome in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Our previous studies have reported that activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 is implicated in the etiology of human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A recent report has demonstrated that let-7i, a member of the let-7 family of cellular microRNAs (miRs) miR-21, miR-126, and miR-155, directly regulate TLR4 expression. The aim of this study was to determine whether let-7i, miR-21, miR-126, and miR-155 are expressed with TLR4 in human DCM, and whether let-7i levels are related to clinical outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Endomyocardial biopsy tissues were obtained from 103 patients with DCM and 37 subjects without left ventricular (LV) dysfunction as control subjects. Levels of let-7i, miR-126, and miR-155 were lower in the DCM group than in the controls, whereas levels of miR-21 and TLR4 (both mRNA and protein) were higher in the DCM group than in the control group. Levels of let-7i were negatively correlated with TLR4 protein levels in all subjects. After a mean follow-up period of 509 days, 6 DCM patients (5.8%) had died due to a cardiac cause and 15 (14.6%) had developed heart failure. When patients with DCM were divided into tertiles according to let-7i levels, log-rank analysis showed that the DCM subgroup with low let-7i levels was associated with poor clinical outcomes (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

A decrease in let-7i may be related to poor clinical outcomes in patients with DCM.

Expression of let-7i is associated with Toll-like receptor 4 signal in coronary artery disease: effect of statins on let-7i and Toll-like receptor 4 signal

Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signal plays an important role in immunity in coronary artery disease (CAD). A recent report has demonstrated that one of the let-7 family microRNAs, let-7i, directly regulates Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression and contributes to immune response. The aim of this study was to determine whether let-7i is expressed with TLR4 in patients with CAD, and whether statins (atorvastatin or rosuvastatin) might affect these levels. To determine the effects of let-7i on TLR4 expression, human THP-1 cells transfected with let-7i were analyzed for TLR4 levels. This study included 98 patients with CAD and 48 subjects without CAD (non-CAD). Patients with CAD were randomized to 12 months of treatment with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin. Monocytes were obtained from peripheral blood at baseline and after 12 months of each type of therapy. Levels of let-7i and TLR4 were measured by real-time RT-PCR and FACS. Functional approaches to let-7i showed that transfection of let-7i into human THP-1 cells resulted in regulation of TLR4 expression. Levels of let-7i were lower in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group (0.98±0.42 vs. 4.65±1.21, P<0.01). There was a negative correlation between let-7i and TLR4 levels in patients with CAD (let-7i vs. TLR4 mRNA: r=-0.60, P<0.01; let-7i vs. TLR4 MFI: r=-0.32, P<0.01). The atorvastatin group had markedly increased let-7i levels and diminished TLR4 levels (all P<0.01), whereas the rosuvastatin group showed no change in these levels. This study suggests that atorvastatin down-regulates TLR4 signal via let-7i expression in CAD patients, possibly contributing to the beneficial effects of atorvastatin on let-7i-mediated TLR4 signal in this disorder.

Identification of a high molecular weight kininogen fragment as a marker for early gastric cancer by serum proteome analysis

BACKGROUND

Serum biomarkers currently available for gastric cancers are not sufficiently sensitive and specific.

METHODS

We used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) to generate comparative peptide profiles of serum samples obtained from gastric cancer patients (n = 81) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 66).

RESULTS

Because of initial screening and further validation, we found that the intensities of a 2209 m/z MS peak were increased in the preoperative sera obtained from gastric cancer patients, and we identified this peak, a 2209 Da peptide, as a high molecular weight (HMW) kininogen fragment. Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for the 2209 Da peptide (AUC = 0.715) was greater than those for conventional tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen AUC = 0.593, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 AUC = 0.527) used for the detection of stage I gastric cancers. Inverse correlations were observed between the levels of intact HMW kininogen and the 2209 Da peptide, suggesting that the upregulation of some protease activities is responsible for the overproduction of a kininogen fragment in gastric cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum levels of the 2209 Da peptide identified in this study have a greater diagnostic ability than those of conventional tumor markers used for the early detection of gastric cancer.

Experimental study of new laser-based alignment system at the KEK B-factory injector linear accelerator

A new laser-based alignment system for the precise alignment of accelerator components along an ideal straight line at the KEK B-factory injector linear accelerator (linac) is under development. This system is strongly required in the next generation of B-factories for the stable acceleration of high-brightness electron and positron beams with high bunch charges and also for maintaining the stability of injection beams with high quality. A new laser optics for the generation of a so-called Airy beam has been developed for the laser-based alignment system. The laser propagation characteristics both in vacuum and at atmospheric pressure have been systematically investigated in an 82-m-long straight section of the injector linac. The laser-based alignment measurements based on the new laser optics have been carried out with a measurement resolution of ±0.1 mm level by using an existing laser detection electronics. The horizontal and vertical displacements from a reference laser line measured using this system are in good agreement with those measured using a standard telescope-based optical alignment technique. In this report, we describe the experimental study in detail along with the basic designs and the recent developments in the new laser-based alignment system.

Increased serum levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor by excessive alcohol consumption-detection and identification by a three-step serum proteome analysis

BACKGROUND

The search for biological markers of alcohol abuse is of continual interest in experimental and clinical alcohol research. We previously used gel-free proteome analysis methods such as the ProteinChip(®) system and the ClinProt™ system to search for new serum markers for alcoholism and found several novel marker candidates. As serum contains thousands of proteins and peptides that are present in a large dynamic concentration, depletion of the abundant proteins and further fractionation of the remainder is necessary to get into the deep proteome. We recently described a simple and highly reproducible three-step method for identifying potential disease-marker candidates among the low-abundance serum proteins.

METHODS

Two serum samples-one on admission and one after 8 weeks of abstinence-were obtained from 8 patients with alcohol dependency. The samples were subjected to a three-step serum proteome analysis. The steps were the following: first, immunodepletion of the 6 most abundant proteins; second, fractionation using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography; and third, separation using one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Differences revealed by protein staining were further confirmed by Western blotting and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

RESULTS

Three-step serum proteome analysis revealed that the serum levels of 5 proteins, alpha2-HS glycoprotein, apolipoprotein A-I, glutathione peroxidase 3, heparin cofactor II, and pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF), were significantly greater on admission than after 8 weeks of abstinence. We focused on PEDF because alterations in its levels in alcoholic subjects are not well known. Western blotting and ELISA confirmed the upregulation of PEDF. Serum PEDF levels were significantly greater in moderate to heavy habitual drinkers (14.2 ± 7.7 μg/ml) than in healthy subjects without a drinking history (5.5 ± 3.0 μg/ml) (p < 0.001). The serum PEDF levels in subjects with nonalcoholic chronic liver diseases were comparable to the PEDF levels in healthy subjects.

CONCLUSION

  Three-step serum proteome analysis reveals that excessive alcohol drinking increases the PEDF level.

Autoantibodies to a miRNA-binding protein Argonaute2 (Su antigen) in patients with hepatitis C virus infection

OBJECTIVES

Chronic liver diseases caused by hepatitis B (HBV) or C virus (HCV) are common worldwide. Despite reports on autoimmunity in viral hepatitis, studies on autoantibodies associated with systemic rheumatic diseases are inconsistent. Testing of a small number of selected autoantibody specificities using ELISA appears to be one reason for inconsistency. Sera from patients with viral hepatitis were tested by immunoprecipitation that will allow unbiased screening of autoantibodies found in systemic rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

Ninety Mexican patients (37 male, 53 female, 26 HBV, 6 HBV+HCV, 58 HCV) with chronic viral hepatitis, confirmed by nested or RT-nested-PCR, HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies, were studied. Autoantibodies were tested by immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation and ELISA. Specificities were verified using reference sera.

RESULTS

Antinuclear antibodies were found in 38% HBV, 17% HBV+HCV, and 28% in HCV. Autoantibodies to Argonaute (Ago2, Su antigen), a microRNA binding protein that plays a key role in RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), was found in 5% (4/64) of HCV or HBV+HCV coinfected patients but not in HBV (0/26). Anti-Ago2/Su was found in 1/2 of I-IFN-treated case vs. 3/62 in cases without I-IFN. HCV did not have other lupus autoantibodies whereas 19% (5/26) of HBV had anti-U1RNP+Ku, Ro+La, RNA polymerase II, or possible U5snRNPs.

CONCLUSIONS

Lupus autoantibodies were uncommon in HCV except anti-Ago2/Su. HCV and I-IFN have many ways to affect TLR signaling, miRNA and miRNA binding protein Ago2/Su. To understand the mechanism of specific targeting of Ago2 in HCV may provide a clue to understand the mechanism of specific autoantibody production.

Deterioration of glomerular endothelial surface layer induced by oxidative stress is implicated in altered permeability of macromolecules in Zucker fatty rats

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The glomerular endothelial layer is coated by the endothelial surface layer (ESL), which is suggested to play a role in regulation of the permselectivity of macromolecules. Production of heparanase, a degrading enzyme of the ESL, is induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We hypothesised that oxidative stress could cause deterioration of the glomerular ESL by induction of heparanase, resulting in increased glomerular permeability.

METHODS

Male Zucker fatty (ZF) rats with albuminuria and Zucker lean (ZL) rats were used in this study. Some of the ZF rats were treated with the angiotensin II receptor blocker, irbesartan. We determined the amount of ESL by wheat germ agglutinin staining and heparan sulphate proteoglycan production by western blot analysis. Glomerular hyperfiltration of macromolecules was visualised using in vivo microscopy. We used 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate-derived chemiluminescence staining to assess ROS production, and heparanase production and expression were determined by western blot analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction respectively.

RESULTS

By 18 weeks of age, ZF rats had developed albuminuria. The glomerular endothelial cell glycocalyx was significantly decreased in ZF compared with ZL rats. Glomerular filtration and the permeability of macromolecules were increased in ZF, but not in ZL rats. Glomerular ROS and heparanase production were significantly increased in ZF compared with ZL rats. These changes in ZF rats were reversed by irbesartan treatment.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Increased oxidative stress induces glomerular ESL deterioration in part through increased heparanase levels, resulting in exacerbation of glomerular permselectivity and development of albuminuria.

Prospective, randomized, single-blind comparison of effects of 6 months of treatment with telmisartan versus enalapril on high-molecular-weight adiponectin concentrations in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

High-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin has important antiatherosclerotic properties.

OBJECTIVES

This study compared circulating HMW adiponectin concentrations and other parameters between patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and participants without CAD. We investigated whether treatment with statins and either telmisartan or enalapril might affect HMW adiponectin and other parameters in patients with CAD. Finally, adiponectin concentrations were compared after 6 months of treatment between CAD patients with versus without cardiac events.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with stable CAD admitted to our hospital (Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Iwate, Japan) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stent implantation and with no previous treatment with renin-angiotensin system blockers or statins were recruited. Patients with CAD who met all eligibility criteria were randomly assigned using computer-generated numbers in a 1:1 ratio to receive telmisartan (40 mg/d) or enalapril (5 mg/d) for 6 months. In addition, all patients with CAD were treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/d). The patients without CAD received no treatment with telmisartan, enalapril, or atorvastatin. Plasma concentrations of total and HMW adiponectin were measured using a highly sensitive ELISA system before PCI or drug treatment (ie, baseline) and after 6 months of treatment. In addition, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured. To evaluate cardiac events, follow-up coronary angiography was performed at least 6 months after PCI.

RESULTS

This study included 70 patients with stable CAD (mean [SD] age, 65.8 [10.9] years; male/female ratio, 55/15) and 25 participants with normal results on coronary angiography (non-CAD) (mean age, 63.5 [11.2] years; male/female ratio, 20/5). Baseline concentrations (mean [SD]) of HMW adiponectin were significantly lower in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group (2.0 [0.3] vs 9.2 [0.5] microg/mL; P < 0.01). The ratio of HMW to total adiponectin was also lower in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group (0.37 [0.02] vs 0.53 [0.02]; P < 0.01). Baseline concentrations of HMW adiponectin were negatively correlated with hs-CRP (r = -0.60) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.30) in patients with CAD. After 6 months of treatment, the telmisartan group showed significantly increased HMW adiponectin concentrations and HMW/total adiponectin ratio (HMW, 3.7 [0.7] vs 2.1 [0.5] microg/mL; P < 0.01 vs baseline; HMW/total, 0.44 [0.02] vs 0.39 [0.02]; P < 0.05 vs baseline), whereas HOMA-IR was significantly decreased (2.86 [1.93] vs 3.39 [1.77]; P < 0.05 vs baseline). HOMA-IR at follow-up was significantly lower in the telmisartan group than in the enalapril group (2.86 [1.93] vs 3.64 [1.45]; P < 0.05). In contrast, treatment with enalapril was not associated with any significant changes in total or HMW adiponectin concentrations, HMW/total adiponectin ratio, or HOMA-IR. Both the telmisartan and the enalapril groups showed significant decreases in hs-CRP after 6 months (P < 0.05 vs baseline). After 6 months of treatment with either telmisartan or enalapril, HMW adiponectin concentrations were 0.7 (0.2) microg/mL with cardiac events versus 3.2 (0.4) microg/mL without (P < 0.05); HMW/total concentrations were 0.25 (0.03) with cardiac events versus 0.43 (0.01) without (P < 0.01). In contrast, hs-CRP concentrations were higher in patients with cardiac events than in those without cardiac events (2.42 [0.52] vs 1.86 [0.45] log10 microg/dL; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study found that treatment with telmisartan and statins (but not enalapril and statins) was associated with a significant increase in HMW adiponectin concentrations and a decrease in insulin resistance in these patients with CAD.

[Clinical application of alternative splicing form of c-myc suppressor FUSE-binding protein-interacting repressor for cancer detection and treatment]

Development of useful biomarkers is pivotal for prediction of micro-metastasis, recurrence probability and/or prognosis of the patients. Recent studies have revealed that cancer-specific alternative splicing can be valuable for cancer cell detection. Among them, FUSE-binding protein-interacting repressor, FIR, has been reported to repress c-myc transcription and its exon2-spliced variant, FIRDelta(exon)2, is unable to repress c-myc by competing with authentic FIR in vivo and in vitro. Moreover FIRDelta(exon)2 was frequently discovered in human primary colorectal cancers, but not in the adjacent normal tissues, indicating its cancer-related expression. Thus, the expression level of FIRDelta(exon)2 mRNA in the colorectal cancer tissues as tumor marker candidates is examined. Further, to determine the interacting proteins, FIR-flag or FIRDelta(exon)2-flag stably expressing HeLa cells have been established by G418 selection and nuclear proteins were co immunoprecipitated with flag-conjugated magnetic beads. Those co-immunoprecipitated proteins with FIR or FIRDelta(exon)2 are candidates of tumor makers. In addition, substances that interfers FIR mRNA splicing should be anti-cancer drugs. Together, FIR splicing variant, FIRDelta(exon)2 mRNA or proteins and its interacting proteins are applicable for novel screening tumor markers in colorectal cancer detection.

Effect of atorvastatin on microRNA 221 / 222 expression in endothelial progenitor cells obtained from patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in the maintenance of vascular integrity. Lipid lowering therapy (LLT) with statins may contribute to biologically relevant activities including the proliferation of endothelial cells. The physiological role of microRNA (miR)-221/222, a newly discovered class of small RNA, is closely linked to the proliferation of endothelial cells. We therefore investigated whether LLT with statins might affect miR-221/222 expression in EPCs obtained from patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 44 patients with stable CAD and 22 subjects without CAD (non-CAD). Patients with CAD were randomized to 12 months of LLT with atorvastatin (10 mg day(-1)) or pravastatin (10 mg day(-1)). EPCs were obtained from peripheral blood at baseline and after 12 months of statin therapy. Levels of miR-221/222 in EPCs were measured by real-time RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Levels of miR-221/222 were significantly higher in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group (P < 0.01). Levels of miR-221/222 were weakly negatively correlated with EPC number in the CAD group. After 12 months of therapy, changes in lipid profiles were greater in the atorvastatin group than in the pravastatin group. LLT with atorvastatin markedly increased EPC numbers and decreased miR-221/222 levels (all P < 0.05), whereas LLT with pravastatin did not change EPC numbers or miR-221/222 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that LLT with atorvastatin increases EPC numbers and decreases miR-221/222 levels in patients with CAD, possibly contributing to the beneficial effects of LLT with atorvastatin in this disorder.

[Delayed surgery for traumatic rupture of the aortic arch with an isolated left vertebral artery; report of a case]

Although traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta has been considered a surgical emergency, we report here an example of successful delayed surgery for acute traumatic rupture of the aortic arch with an isolated left vertebral artery in an 18-year-old woman. The patient was.admitted to the intensive care unit with hemothorax and, rib fractures, and a decision was made to treat the aortic injury conservatively until the patient was stabilized. She underwent surgery after 3 months of observation. After the isolated left vertebral artery had been anastomosed to the left carotid artery, total arch replacement was performed. Delayed surgery for aortic rupture as a treatment choice may be of benefit in selected cases of complex trauma.

Immune modulation: role of the inflammatory cytokine cascade in the failing human heart

Recent studies have determined that expression of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and chemokines, is an important factor in the development and progression of heart failure (HF). These inflammatory mediators are expressed in response to various myocardial insults, including myocardial ischemia, viral infection, and toxins, and appear to have a detrimental effect on cardiac function and prognosis in HF patients. Our previous reports have shown activation of inflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), in the myocardium and peripheral monocytes in patients with HF. Indeed, sustained increases in cytokines, including TNF-alpha and its receptor, lead to monocyte phenotype transition, myocytic apoptosis, and activation of matrix metalloproteinase. This in turn modifies the interstitial matrix, augmenting further ventricular remodeling. Thus, in view of the emerging importance of TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of HF, we review the effects of TNF-alpha on the physiology of the heart and the development of clinical strategies to target the inflammatory cytokine cascade.