Methylglyoxal, obesity, and diabetes

Inhibitory effect of leonurine on the formation of advanced glycation end products

Leonurine inhibits AGE formation through scavenging of the carbonyl species

HSA carbonylation with methylglyoxal and the binding/release of copper(ii) ions

HSA carbonylation in vitro (with MG) and in vivo (diabetes) leads to copper(ii) binding affinity decrease and copper(ii) release from copper–HSA complexes depending mainly on the redox state of the Cys34-SH group.

Tea Flavanols Block Advanced Glycation of Lens Crystallins Induced by Dehydroascorbic Acid

Growing evidence has shown that ascorbic acid (ASA) can contribute to protein glycation and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), especially in the lens. The mechanism by which ascorbic acid can cause protein glycation probably originates from its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid (DASA), which is a reactive dicarbonyl species. In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that four tea flavanols, (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (EGCG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate (ECG), and (-)-epicatechin (EC), could significantly trap DASA and consequently form 6C- or 8C-ascorbyl conjugates. Among these four flavanols, EGCG exerted the strongest trapping efficacy by capturing approximate 80% of DASA within 60 min. We successfully purified and identified seven 6C- or 8C-ascorbyl conjugates of flavanols from the chemical reaction between tea flavanols and DASA under slightly basic conditions. Of which, five ascorbyl conjugates, EGCGDASA-2, EGCDASA-2, ECGDASA-1, ECGDASA-2 and ECDASA-1, were recognized as novel compounds. The NMR data showed that positions 6 and 8 of the ring A of flavanols were the major active sites for trapping DASA. We further demonstrated that tea flavanols could effectively inhibit the formation of DASA-induced AGEs via trapping DASA in the bovine lens crystallin-DASA assay. In this assay, 8C-ascorbyl conjugates of flavanols were detected as the major adducts using LC-MS. This study suggests that daily consumption of beverages containing tea flavanols may prevent protein glycation in the lens induced by ascorbic acid and its oxidized products.

The hyperglycemic byproduct methylglyoxal impairs anticoagulant activity through covalent adduction of antithrombin III

INTRODUCTION

The blood coagulation system is a tightly regulated balance of procoagulant and anticoagulant factors, disruption of which can cause clinical complications. Diabetics are known to have a hypercoagulable phenotype, along with increased circulating levels of methylglyoxal (MGO) and decreased activity of the anticoagulant plasma protein antithrombin III (ATIII). MGO has been shown to inhibit ATIII activity in vitro, however the mechanism of inhibition is incompletely understood. As such, we designed this study to investigate the kinetics and mechanism of MGO-mediated ATIII inhibition.

METHODS

MGO-mediated ATIII inhibition was confirmed using inverse experiments detecting activity of the ATIII targets thrombin and factor Xa. Fluorogenic assays were performed in both PBS and plasma after incubation of ATIII with MGO, at molar ratios comparable to those observed in the plasma of diabetic patients. LC-coupled tandem mass spectrometry was utilized to investigate the exact mechanism of MGO-mediated ATIII inhibition.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

MGO concentration-dependently attenuated inhibition of thrombin and factor Xa by ATIII in PBS-based assays, both in the presence and absence of heparin. In addition, MGO concentration-dependently inhibited ATIII activity in a plasma-based system, to the level of plasma completely deficient in ATIII, again both in the presence and absence of heparin. Results from LC-MS/MS experiments revealed that MGO covalently adducts the active site Arg 393 of ATIII through two distinct glyoxalation mechanisms. We posit that active site adduction is the mechanism of MGO-mediated inhibition of ATIII, and thus contributes to the underlying pathophysiology of the diabetic hypercoagulable state and complications thereof.

Pyridoxamine reverts methylglyoxal-induced impairment of survival pathways during heart ischemia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Increased levels of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) and their precursors, such as methylglyoxal (MG), in patients with diabetes may account for impaired response to heart ischemia. Pyridoxamine is a derivate of vitamin B6, which has been shown to reduce AGE formation. Our goal was to assess the role of pyridoxamine in protecting from MG-induced impaired heart response to ischemia.

METHODS

Wistar rats were subjected to MG administration (WM), MG plus pyridoxamine (WMPyr), or no treatment (W). Half of the hearts from each group were submitted to ischemia and the other half were perfused as control. The levels of CEL, Bcl-2, Bax, and total and phosphorylated forms of JNK and Akt were determined.

RESULTS

Methylglyoxal led to higher levels of AGE and AGE receptor (RAGE) than in the W group. During ischemia, MG caused an impairment of survival pathways and Bcl-2/Bax ratio, a marker of apoptosis. Pyridoxamine treatment decreased glycation and restored the activation of JNK and Akt during ischemia. These events were followed by levels of Bcl-2/Bax ratio similar to W group.

CONCLUSION

Methylglyoxal-induced AGE accumulation impairs the activation of cell survival pathways during ischemia. Pyridoxamine-induced decrease of glycation inhibited the effects of MG accumulation in the heart, suggesting that it can be of added value to usual diabetic therapy.

Inhibitory effect of paeoniflorin on methylglyoxal-mediated oxidative stress in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

PURPOSE

Methylglyoxal (MG) has been suggested to be one major source of intracellular reactive carbonyl compounds. In the present study, the effect of paeoniflorin on MG-induced cytotoxicity was investigated using osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

METHODS

Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were pre-incubated with paeoniflorin before treatment with MG, and markers of oxidative damage and mitochondrial function were examined.

RESULTS

Pretreatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with paeoniflorin prevented the MG-induced cell death and formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, cardiolipin peroxidation, and protein adduct in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, paeoniflorin increased glutathione level and restored the activity of glyoxalase I to almost the control level. These findings suggest that paeoniflorin provide a protective action against MG-induced cell damage by reducing oxidative stress and by increasing MG detoxification system. Pretreatment with paeoniflorin prior to MG exposure reduced MG-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by preventing mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation and adenosine triphosphate loss. Additionally, the nitric oxide and nuclear respiratory factor 1 levels were significantly increased by paeoniflorin, suggesting that paeoniflorin may induce mitochondrial biogenesis. Paeoniflorin treatment decreased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that paeoniflorin might exert its therapeutic effects via upregulation of glyoxalase system and mitochondrial function. Taken together, paeoniflorin may prove to be an effective treatment for diabeteic osteopathy.

Methylglyoxal induces systemic symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) show a wide range of symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, nausea, vomiting, headache, anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment. Methylglyoxal has been proved to be a potential toxic metabolite produced by intestinal bacteria. The present study was aimed at investigating the correlation between methylglyoxal and irritable bowel syndrome. Rats were treated with an enema infusion of methylglyoxal. Fecal water content, visceral sensitivity, behavioral tests and serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were assessed after methylglyoxal exposure. Our data showed that fecal water content was significantly higher than controls after methylglyoxal exposure except that of 30 mM group. Threshold volumes on balloon distension decreased in the treatment groups. All exposed rats showed obvious head scratching and grooming behavior and a decrease in sucrose preference. The serum 5-HT values were increased in 30, 60, 90 mM groups and decreased in 150 mM group. Our findings suggested that methylglyoxal could induce diarrhea, visceral hypersensitivity, headache as well as depression-like behaviors in rats, and might be the key role in triggering systemic symptoms of IBS.

Edaravone protects against methylglyoxal-induced barrier damage in human brain endothelial cells

Background

Elevated level of reactive carbonyl species, such as methylglyoxal, triggers carbonyl stress and activates a series of inflammatory responses leading to accelerated vascular damage. Edaravone is the active substance of a Japanese medicine, which aids neurological recovery following acute brain ischemia and subsequent cerebral infarction. Our aim was to test whether edaravone can exert a protective effect on the barrier properties of human brain endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3 cell line) treated with methylglyoxal.

Methodology

Cell viability was monitored in real-time by impedance-based cell electronic sensing. The barrier function of the monolayer was characterized by measurement of resistance and flux of permeability markers, and visualized by immunohistochemistry for claudin-5 and β-catenin. Cell morphology was also examined by holographic phase imaging.

Principal Findings

Methylglyoxal exerted a time- and dose-dependent toxicity on cultured human brain endothelial cells: a concentration of 600 µM resulted in about 50% toxicity, significantly reduced the integrity and increased the permeability of the barrier. The cell morphology also changed dramatically: the area of cells decreased, their optical height significantly increased. Edaravone (3 mM) provided a complete protection against the toxic effect of methylglyoxal. Co-administration of edaravone restored cell viability, barrier integrity and functions of brain endothelial cells. Similar protection was obtained by the well-known antiglycating molecule, aminoguanidine, our reference compound.

Conclusion

These results indicate for the first time that edaravone is protective in carbonyl stress induced barrier damage. Our data may contribute to the development of compounds to treat brain endothelial dysfunction in carbonyl stress related diseases.

Cerebro-renal interactions: impact of uremic toxins on cognitive function

Cognitive impairment (CI) associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has received attention as an important problem in recent years. Causes of CI with CKD are multifactorial, and include cerebrovascular disease, renal anemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, dialysis disequilibrium, and uremic toxins (UTs). Among these causes, little is known about the role of UTs. We therefore selected 21 uremic compounds, and summarized reports of cerebro-renal interactions associated with UTs. Among the compounds, uric acid, indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl sulfate, interleukin 1-β, interleukin 6, TNF-α, and PTH were most likely to affect the cerebro-renal interaction dysfunction; however, sufficient data have not been obtained for other UTs. Notably, most of the data were not obtained under uremic conditions; therefore, the impact and mechanism of each UT on cognition and central nervous system in uremic state remains unknown. At present, impacts and mechanisms of UT effects on cognition are poorly understood. Clarifying the mechanisms and establishing novel therapeutic strategies for cerebro-renal interaction dysfunction is expected to be subject of future research.

Essential Structural Requirements and Additive Effects for Flavonoids to Scavenge Methylglyoxal

Reactive dicarbonyl species, such as methylglyoxal (MGO), are considered as the major precursors of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are believed to be one of the physiological causes of diabetes and its complications. Scavenging of reactive dicarbonyl species using naturally occurring flavonoids has been proposed as an effective way to prevent diabetic complications. To elucidate the structural requirements of flavonoids in scavenging MGO, seven flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, epicatechin, genistein, daidzein, apigenin, and phloretin) and five sub-components of the flavonoids (gallic acid, phloroglucinol, pyrogallol, pyrocatechol, and resorcinol) were examined in this study. Our results showed the following: (1) 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene (pyrogallol) has higher MGO scavenging activity than 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene and 1,2- and 1,3-dihydroxybenzene, and substitution at position 5 of pyrogallol diminished the scavenging activity, indicating that position 5 is the active site of pyrogallol; (2) the A ring is the active site of flavonoids in contributing the MGO-trapping efficacy, and the hydroxyl group at C-5 on the A ring enhances the trapping efficacy; (3) the double bond between C-2 and C-3 on the C ring could facilitate the trapping efficacy; and (4) the number of hydroxyl groups on the B ring does not significantly influence the trapping efficacy. In addition, we found there is an additive effect in MGO trapping by two common flavonoids, quercetin and phloretin, indicating that flavonoid-enriched foods and beverages hold great promise to prevent the development of diabetic complications.

Role of methylglyoxal in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common and lethal neurodegenerative disorder. The major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease are extracellular aggregation of amyloid β peptides and, the presence of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles formed by precipitation/aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The etiology of Alzheimer's disease is multifactorial and a full understanding of its pathogenesis remains elusive. Some years ago, it has been suggested that glycation may contribute to both extensive protein cross-linking and oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease. Glycation is an endogenous process that leads to the production of a class of compounds known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Interestingly, increased levels of AGEs have been observed in brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. Methylglyoxal, a reactive intermediate of cellular metabolism, is the most potent precursor of AGEs and is strictly correlated with an increase of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease. Many studies are showing that methylglyoxal and methylglyoxal-derived AGEs play a key role in the etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Glycation of human high density lipoprotein by methylglyoxal: effect on HDL-paraoxonase activity

OBJECTIVE

Methylglyoxal (MG), a reactive carbonyl compound formed primarily from triose phosphates, appears to be involved in the molecular mechanisms of diabetes, end-stage renal disease and neurodegenerative diseases. Methylglyoxal exerts several biological activities. Among these it promotes advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are crucial in pathogenesis of human disease. Previous studies have demonstrated that MG reacts with proteins and compositional modifications reflect loss of biological activity. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of in vitro MG-induced glycation on human high density lipoprotein (HDL) and on the activity of the enzyme paraoxonase-1 (PON1).

METHODS

HDL was incubated in the absence or in the presence of MG (0.2mmol/L and 1.0mmol/L) (MG-HDL) for different times (3, 6, 24h) at 37° C. We evaluated apoprotein compositional changes, in both control and MG treated HDL, using intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophan and monitoring the decrease of free amino groups. Furthermore we evaluated fluorescent advanced glycation end products (Ex=370nm, Em=440nm) and the activity of HDL-paraoxonase.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that human HDL is susceptible to glycation by MG (0.2mmol/L and 1mmol/L). The decrease of free amino groups and of intrinsic fluorescence of tryptophan demonstrates HDL apoprotein modifications in HDL incubated with MG. The compositional changes are associated with a significant increase in fluorescent advanced glycation end products and with a significant decrease of paraoxonase-1 enzyme activity associated with the HDL surface.

CONCLUSIONS

HDL-associated paraoxonase is responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of HDL and detoxification against homocysteine-thiolactone. Therefore, modifications of apoprotein composition and the decrease of paraoxonase-1 activity in MG-treated HDL could affect the protective effect exerted by HDL against oxidative damage and could contribute to complications in patients affected by diseases associated with aging and oxidative stress.

A vascular piece in the puzzle of adipose tissue dysfunction: mechanisms and consequences

In the last years, several studies unravelled many aspects of adipose tissue pathophysiology in metabolic diseases. Some studies suggested hypoxia as one of such aspects, despite the exact mechanisms and pathophysiological significance is still partially unknown. Adipose tissue was shown to be hypoxic in obesity, mainly resulting from adipocyte hypertrophy, leading to increased activation of inflammatory pathways. In animal and cell models, hypoxia-induced inflammation was shown to lead to endocrine alterations and dysmetabolism. However, recent evidences suggest that instead of a simple low oxygenation theory, adipose tissue microvasculature may be regulated by a series of factors, including vasoactive factors like angiotensin II, angiogenesis and glycation, among others. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the role of these factors in the regulation of adipose tissue irrigation and the functional consequences of adipose tissue microvascular dysfunction.

Methylglyoxal (MG) and cerebro-renal interaction: does long-term orally administered MG cause cognitive impairment in normal Sprague-Dawley rats?

Methylglyoxal (MG), one of the uremic toxins, is a highly reactive alpha-dicarbonyl compound. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated the close associations of cognitive impairment (CI) with plasma MG levels and presence of kidney dysfunction. Therefore, the present study aims to examine whether MG is a direct causative substance for CI development. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into two groups: control (n = 9) and MG group (n = 10; 0.5% MG in drinking water), and fed a normal diet for 12 months. Cognitive function was evaluated by two behavioral tests (object exploration test and radial-arm maze test) in early (4–6 months of age) and late phase (7–12 months of age). Serum MG was significantly elevated in the MG group (495.8 ± 38.1 vs. 244.8 ± 28.2 nM; p < 0.001) at the end of study. The groups did not differ in cognitive function during the course of study. No time-course differences were found in oxidative stress markers between the two groups, while, antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly increased in the MG group compared to the control. Long-term MG administration to rats with normal kidney function did not cause CI. A counter-balanced activation of the systemic anti-oxidant system may offset the toxicity of MG in this model. Pathogenetic significance of MG for CI requires further investigation.

Steviol glycosides modulate glucose transport in different cell types

Extracts from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a plant native to Central and South America, have been used as a sweetener since ancient times. Currently, Stevia extracts are largely used as a noncaloric high-potency biosweetener alternative to sugar, due to the growing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic disorders worldwide. Despite the large number of studies on Stevia and steviol glycosides in vivo, little is reported concerning the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects on human health. The effect of four commercial Stevia extracts on glucose transport activity was evaluated in HL-60 human leukaemia and in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. The extracts were able to enhance glucose uptake in both cellular lines, as efficiently as insulin. Our data suggest that steviol glycosides could act by modulating GLUT translocation through the PI3K/Akt pathway since treatments with both insulin and Stevia extracts increased the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt. Furthermore, Stevia extracts were able to revert the effect of the reduction of glucose uptake caused by methylglyoxal, an inhibitor of the insulin receptor/PI3K/Akt pathway. These results corroborate the hypothesis that Stevia extracts could mimic insulin effects modulating PI3K/Akt pathway.

A "turn-on" fluorescent sensor for methylglyoxal

Methylglyoxal (MGO), a dicarbonyl metabolite produced by all living cells, has been associated with a number of human diseases. However, studies of the role(s) MGO plays biologically have been handicapped by a lack of direct methods for its monitoring and detection. To address this limitation, we have developed a fluorescent sensor (methyl diaminobenzene-BODIPY, or "MBo") that can detect MGO under physiological conditions. We show that MBo is selective for MGO over other biologically relevant dicarbonyls and is suitable for detecting MGO in complex environments, including that of living cells. In addition, we demonstrate MBo's utility in estimating plasma concentrations of MGO. The results reported herein have the potential to advance both clinical and basic science research and practice.

Protective effects of vescalagin from pink wax apple [Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merrill and Perry] fruit against methylglyoxal-induced inflammation and carbohydrate metabolic disorder in rats

The unbalance of glucose metabolism in humans may cause the excessive formation of methylglyoxal (MG), which can react with various biomolecules to form the precursor of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Vescalagin (VES) is an ellagitannin that alleviates insulin resistance in cell study. Results showed that VES reduced the value of oral glucose tolerance test, cardiovascular risk index, AGEs, and tumor necrosis factor-α contents while increasing C-peptide and d-lactate contents significantly in rats orally administered MG and VES together. The preventive effect of VES on MG-induced inflammation and carbohydrate metabolic disorder in rats was thus proved. On the basis of the experiment data, a mechanism, which involves the increase in d-lactate to retard AGE formation and the decrease in cytokine release to prevent β-cell damage, is proposed to explain the bioactivities of VES in antiglycation and in the alleviation of MG-induced carbohydrate metabolic disorder in rats.