Haptoglobin and the inflammatory and oxidative status in experimental diabetic rats: antioxidant role of haptoglobin

Serum High-Mobility Group Box 1 and Heme Oxygenase-1 as Biomarkers in COVID-19 Patients at Hospital Admission

The careful monitoring of patients with mild/moderate COVID-19 is of particular importance because of the rapid progression of complications associated with COVID-19. For prognostic reasons and for the economic management of health care resources, additional biomarkers need to be identified, and their monitoring can conceivably be performed in the early stages of the disease. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we found that serum concentrations of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), at the time of hospital admission, could be useful biomarkers for COVID-19 management. The study included 160 randomly selected recovered patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 on admission. Compared with healthy controls, serum HMGB1 and HO-1 levels increased by 487.6 pg/mL versus 43.1 pg/mL and 1497.7 pg/mL versus 756.1 pg/mL, respectively. Serum HO-1 correlated significantly with serum HMGB1, oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde (MDA), the phosphatidylcholine/lysophosphatidylcholine ratio (PC/LPC), the ratio of reduced and oxidative glutathione (GSH/GSSG)), and anti-inflammatory acute phase proteins (ferritin, haptoglobin). Increased heme catabolism/hemolysis were not detected. We hypothesize that the increase in HO-1 in the early phase of COVID-19 disease is likely to have a survival benefit by providing protection against oxidative stress and inflammation, whereas the level of HMGB1 increase reflects the activity of the innate immune system and represents levels within which the disease can be kept under control.

Zonulin as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Disorders: Encouraging Results and Emerging Questions

The relationship between dysbiosis and central nervous diseases has been proved in the last 10 years. Microbial alterations cause increased intestinal permeability, and the penetration of bacterial fragment and toxins induces local and systemic inflammatory processes, affecting distant organs, including the brain. Therefore, the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier plays a central role in the microbiota-gut-brain axis. In this review, we discuss recent findings on zonulin, an important tight junction regulator of intestinal epithelial cells, which is assumed to play a key role in maintaining of the blood-brain barrier function. In addition to focusing on the effect of microbiome on intestinal zonulin release, we also summarize potential pharmaceutical approaches to modulate zonulin-associated pathways with larazotide acetate and other zonulin receptor agonists or antagonists. The present review also addresses the emerging issues, including the use of misleading nomenclature or the unsolved questions about the exact protein sequence of zonulin.

Identification of stably expressed Internal Control Genes (ICGs) for normalization of expression data in liver of C57BL/6 mice injected with beta casomorphins

In recent years, beta-casomorphin peptides (BCM7/BCM9) derived from the digestion of cow milk have drawn a lot of attention world over because of their proposed impact on human health. In order to evaluate the transcriptional modulation of target genes through RT-qPCR in response to these peptides, availability of appropriate reference or internal control genes (ICGs) will be the key. The present study was planned to identify a panel of stable ICGs in the liver tissue of C57BL/6 mice injected with BCM7/BCM9 cow milk peptides for 3 weeks. A total of ten candidate genes were evaluated as potential ICGs by assessing their expression stability using software suites; geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper. The suitability of the identified ICGs was validated by assessing the relative expression levels of target genes, HP and Cu/Zn SOD. Based on geNorm, PPIA and SDHA gene pair was identified to be most stably expressed in liver tissue during the animal trials. Similarly, NormFinder analysis also identified PPIA as the most stable gene. BestKeeper analysis showed crossing point SD value for all the genes in the acceptable range that is closer to 1. Overall, the study identified a panel of stable ICGs for reliable normalization of target genes expression data in mice liver tissues during BCM7/9 peptides trial.

Association between in-ICU red blood cells transfusion and 1-year mortality in ICU survivors

BACKGROUND

Impact of in-ICU transfusion on long-term outcomes remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess in critical-care survivors the association between in-ICU red blood cells transfusion and 1-year mortality.

METHODS

FROG-ICU, a multicenter European study enrolling all-comers critical care patients was analyzed (n = 1551). Association between red blood cells transfusion administered in intensive care unit and 1-year mortality in critical care survivors was analyzed using an augmented inverse probability of treatment weighting-augmented inverse probability of censoring weighting method to control confounders.

RESULTS

Among the 1551 ICU-survivors, 42% received at least one unit of red blood cells while in intensive care unit. Patients in the transfusion group had greater severity scores than those in the no-transfusion group. According to unweighted analysis, 1-year post-critical care mortality was greater in the transfusion group compared to the no-transfusion group (hazard ratio (HR) 1.78, 95% CI 1.45-2.16). Weighted analyses including 40 confounders, showed that transfusion remained associated with a higher risk of long-term mortality (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.06-1.46).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a high incidence of in-ICU RBC transfusion and that in-ICU transfusion is associated with a higher 1-year mortality among in-ICU survivors. Trial registration ( NCT01367093 ; Registered 6 June 2011).

Lead exposure does not affect baseline and induced innate immunity in quails

Lead (Pb) is one of the most common metals found in ecosystems in elevated concentrations derived mainly from anthropogenic activities. Pb toxicity is of special concern in birds due to its capacity for bioaccumulation in the liver, bones, and kidneys causing physiological disruptions. Such disruptions can be lethal in a few days after Pb acute intoxication and they are associated with several million deaths of birds. Moreover, Pb may work as an immunosuppressant as it affects the cell-mediated and humoral immune responses, including components of the acute-phase response (APR). We (1) examined the effects of Pb contamination on the innate immune system, body mass, and food intake of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), and (2) evaluated the effects of Pb on its APR after exposing the animals to Pb acetate in drinkable water during 7 days. We found that Pb contamination increased the number of circulating white blood cells (WBCs), but no effect was found on body mass, food intake, the heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, and haptoglobin (Hp) concentration. When Pb-exposed birds were injected with lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli to activate the APR, they had a negative body mass ratio, reduced food intake, and increased the number of WBCs, the H/L ratio, and the Hp concentration. We conclude that Pb exposure at this dose did not affect baseline values of the constitutive response and that it did not affect the APR of quails, but commend for further studies testing the effect of different Pb doses.

Hepatic Homeostasis of Metal Ions Following Acute Repeated Stress Exposure in Rats

Essential metals such as copper, iron, and zinc are cofactors in various biological processes including oxygen utilisation, cell growth, and biomolecular synthesis. The homeostasis of these essential metals is carefully controlled through a system of protein transporters involved in the uptake, storage, and secretion. Some metal ions can be transformed by processes including reduction/oxidation (redox) reactions, and correspondingly, the breakdown of metal ion homeostasis can lead to formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. We have previously demonstrated rapid biochemical responses to stress involving alterations in the redox state to generate free radicals and the resultant oxidative stress. However, the effects of stress on redox-active metals including iron and copper and redox-inert zinc have not been well characterised. Therefore, this study aims to examine the changes in these essential metals following exposure to short-term repeated stress, and to further elucidate the alterations in metal homeostasis through expression analysis of different metal transporters. Outbred male Wistar rats were exposed to unrestrained (control), 1 day, or 3 days of 6 h restraint stress (n = 8 per group). After the respective stress treatment, blood and liver samples were collected for the analysis of biometal concentrations and relative gene expression of metal transporter and binding proteins. Exposure to repeated restraint stress was highly effective in causing hepatic redox imbalance. Stress was also shown to induce hepatic metal redistribution, while modulating the mRNA levels of key metal transporters. Overall, this study is the first to characterise the gene expression profile of metal homeostasis following stress and provide insight into the changes occurring prior to the onset of chronic stress conditions.

Serum Proteomic Analysis of Cannabis Use Disorder in Male Patients

Cannabis use has been growing recently and it is legally consumed in many countries. Cannabis has a variety of phytochemicals including cannabinoids, which might impair the peripheral systems responses affecting inflammatory and immunological pathways. However, the exact signaling pathways that induce these effects need further understanding. The objective of this study is to investigate the serum proteomic profiling in patients diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD) as compared with healthy control subjects. The novelty of our study is to highlight the differentially changes proteins in the serum of CUD patients. Certain proteins can be targeted in the future to attenuate the toxicological effects of cannabis. Blood samples were collected from 20 male individuals: 10 healthy controls and 10 CUD patients. An untargeted proteomic technique employing two-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry was employed in this study to assess the differentially expressed proteins. The proteomic analysis identified a total of 121 proteins that showed significant changes in protein expression between CUD patients (experimental group) and healthy individuals (control group). For instance, the serum expression of inactive tyrosine protein kinase PEAK1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 were increased in CUD group. In contrast, the serum expression of transthyretin and serotransferrin were reduced in CUD group. Among these proteins, 55 proteins were significantly upregulated and 66 proteins significantly downregulated in CUD patients as compared with healthy control group. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) found that these differentially expressed proteins are linked to p38MAPK, interleukin 12 complex, nuclear factor-κB, and other signaling pathways. Our work indicates that the differentially expressed serum proteins between CUD and control groups are correlated to liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor (RXR), farnesoid X receptor/RXR activation, and acute phase response signaling.

Fundamental changes in endogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells during Type I Diabetes is a pre-neuropathy event

Deficiency of angiogenic and neurotrophic factors under long term diabetes is known to lead to Schwann cell degeneration, clinically manifested as Diabetic Neuropathy (DN). While the transplantation of exogenous allogenic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) has shown amelioration of DN through paracrine action, it is not known what functional changes occur in endogenous bone-marrow MSCs under chronic diabetes in terms of homing, migration and/or paracrine signalling with reference to the end-point clinical manifestation of Diabetic Neuropathy. We thus aimed at determining the changes in BM-MSCs under Type 1 Diabetes with respect to survival, self-renewal, oxidative status, paracrine activity, intracellular Ca²⁺ response and migration in response to pathological cytokine/chemokine, in reference to the time-point of decline in Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) in a rat model. Within one week of diabetes induction, BM-MSCs underwent apoptosis, and compromised their self-renewal capacity, antioxidant defence mechanism and migration toward cytokine/chemokine; whereas epineurial blood vessel thickening and demyelination resulting in NCV decline were observed only after three weeks. By two- and three-weeks post diabetes induction, BM-MSC apoptosis reduced and proliferative ability was restored; however, their self-renewal, migration and intracellular Ca²⁺ response toward pathological cytokine/chemokine remained impaired. These results indicate that T1D induced intrinsic functional impairments in endogenous BM-MSCs occur before neuropathy onset. This timeline of functional alterations in BM-MSCs also suggest that treatment strategies that target the bone marrow niche early on may help to modulate BM-MSC functional impairments and thus slow down the progression of neuropathy.

Role of Haptoglobin as a Marker of Muscular Improvement in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis after Administration of Epigallocatechin Gallate and Increase of Beta-Hydroxybutyrate in the Blood: A Pilot Study

Here, we report on the role of haptoglobin (Hp), whose expression depends on the synthesis of interleukin 6 (IL-6), related to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), as a possible marker of muscle improvement achieved after treatment with the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and an increase in the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in the blood. After 4 months of intervention with 27 MS patients, we observed that Hp does not significantly increase, alongside a significant decrease in IL-6 and a significant increase in muscle percentage. At the same time, Hp synthesis is considerably and positively correlated with IL-6 both before and after treatment; while this correlation occurs significantly reversed with muscle percentage before treatment, no correlation is evident after the intervention. These results seem to indicate that Hp could be a marker of muscle status and could be a diagnosis tool after therapeutic intervention in MS patients.

Hemogasometric and biochemical changes caused by diets with high negative cation-anion balance in dairy cows

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate hemogasometric and metabolic indicators in the first postpartum hours of dairy cows that received different cation-anion diets in the prepartum period. Holstein cows (n=14), multiparous, were divided into two groups: (1) acidogenic diet (DA -27.13 mEq/100 g of DM) (n=7) and (2) neutral diet (DN -3.25 mEq/100 g of DM) (n=7), provided from 30 days before the expected calving. Urine samples were collected every three days from the beginning of supplementation until the day of delivery for pH verification. Blood samples were collected at 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h postpartum for hemogasometric and biochemical analyses. The animals that received DA presented lower urinary pH. The serum concentration of total calcium, ionized calcium and the incidence of subclinical hypocalcemia did not differ between groups. Animals that received DA presented reduction in blood levels of total plasma proteins, globulins, bicarbonate and blood pH, in addition to increased activity of paraoxone-1 and reduction in the concentration of haptoglobin from animals of DN. In conclusion, we can infer that, anionic diets can alter blood pH, interfere with protein synthesis, and probably improve antioxidant capacity.

Correlation in gene expression between the aggravation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the occurrence of complications

Aggravation of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often leads to a slew of complications, but the correlation between COPD aggravation and the complications on the basis of molecular level remains unclear. In this study, gene expression profiles of COPD in patients at early and aggravation stages were collected and differentially-expressed genes were selected. Meanwhile, gene expression data implicated in COPD complications were analyzed to establish a regulatory network of COPD aggravation and COPD related complications. In addition, the gene enrichment function of DAVID6.7 was utilized to evaluate the similarities between COPD aggravation and COPD complications in term of biological process. By analyzing the genes of COPD aggravation and the COPD complications, we found 18 genes highly related to COPD aggravation, among which haptoglobin (HP) was correlated with 14 complications, followed by ADRB2, LCK and CA1, which were related to 13, 11 and 11 complications, respectively. As far as the complications concerned, obesity was regulated by 17 of the 18 genes, which indicated that there was a close correlation between COPD aggravation and obesity. Meanwhile, lung cancer, diabetes and heart failure were regulated by 15, 15 and 14 genes, respectively, among the 18 selected genes. This study suggested the driver genes of COPD aggravation were capable of extensively regulating COPD complications, which would provide a theoretical basis for development of cures for COPD and its complications.

Obesity and diabetes as comorbidities for COVID-19: Underlying mechanisms and the role of viral-bacterial interactions

Obesity and diabetes are established comorbidities for COVID-19. Adipose tissue demonstrates high expression of ACE2 which SARS- CoV-2 exploits to enter host cells. This makes adipose tissue a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 viruses and thus increases the integral viral load. Acute viral infection results in ACE2 downregulation. This relative deficiency can lead to disturbances in other systems controlled by ACE2, including the renin-angiotensin system. This will be further increased in the case of pre-conditions with already compromised functioning of these systems, such as in patients with obesity and diabetes. Here, we propose that interactions of virally-induced ACE2 deficiency with obesity and/or diabetes leads to a synergistic further impairment of endothelial and gut barrier function. The appearance of bacteria and/or their products in the lungs of obese and diabetic patients promotes interactions between viral and bacterial pathogens, resulting in a more severe lung injury in COVID-19.

Serum proteomic profiling of patients with amphetamine use disorder

BACKGROUND

Amphetamine use disorder has been recently classified as an epidemic condition. Amphetamine use/abuse has been associated with several neurological and inflammatory effects. However, the exact mechanism involved in these effects warrants further investigation. The aim of this study was to determine any alterations in the serum proteome of individuals classified as patients with amphetamine use disorder compared to that of control subjects.

METHODS

An untargeted proteomic approach employing two-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry was used to identify the patterns of differentially expressed proteins. Serum samples were collected from 20 individuals (males) including 10 subjects with amphetamine use disorder and 10 healthy controls for the present study.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed 78 proteins with a significant difference in protein abundance between the amphetamine-addicted subjects and controls. Among them, 71 proteins were upregulated while 7 proteins remained downregulated in the amphetamine-addicted group. These proteins were further analyzed by ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) to investigate their correlation with other biomarkers. IPA revealed the correlation of altered proteins with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP2K1/K2), p38MAPK, protein kinase-B (PKB; Akt), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways. Importantly, these pathways are highly involved in neurological diseases, inflammatory responses, and cellular compromise.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the changes in the levels of serum proteins between amphetamine and control groups might affect cellular compromise, inflammatory response, and neurological diseases.

Serum haptoglobin levels are associated with renal function decline in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a Chinese Han population

AIMS

We investigated whether serum haptoglobin (Hp) levels play a role in the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in a Chinese Han population, which has not been previously investigated.

METHODS

We recruited 233 participants who had suffered from T2DM for more than 10 years, including 118 subjects with DKD (case) and 115 subjects without DKD (control). Serum Hp levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Serum Hp levels were significantly higher (P = 0.0258) in case group (2.74 (1.77, 3.48) g/L) than control (2.29 (0.98, 3.48) g/L). The serum Hp level was significantly positively associated with both logarithmically transformed (log-transformed) serum creatinine (r = 0.1663, P = 0.011) and albuminuria levels (r = 0.1793, P = 0.0062) and was negatively associated with the log-transformed estimated glomerular filtration rate (r = -0.1482, P = 0.0237). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that serum Hp levels were significantly correlated with serum creatinine levels (P = 0.0088) after adjusting for confounding risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that serum Hp levels may be used as a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis and monitoring of DKD in T2DM patients.

Skin Protein Profile after Major Weight Loss and Its Role in Body Contouring Surgery

Chronic inflammation during morbid obesity significantly alters cutaneous tissue. Large weight loss achieved after bariatric surgery minimizes or halts damage caused by metabolic syndrome, but further deteriorates the clinical condition of skin. Postbariatric skin flaccidity produces major difficulties to plastic surgery. In this study, we analyzed differences in protein composition of the skin between patients with morbid obesity and those after large weight loss and established correlations between differentially expressed proteins and clinical characteristics of postbariatric skin tissue, to improve body contouring surgery techniques.

Relationships of Haptoglobin Phenotypes with Systemic Inflammation and the Severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is caused by chronic inflammation. Many inflammatory mediators induce the low grade systemic inflammation of COPD. Haptoglobin (Hp) is synthesized in the liver and by lung epithelial and alveolar macrophage cells. However, associations of the serum concentration and phenotype of Hp with COPD are unclear. Therefore, we explored the association of the Hp concentration and Hp phenotype with the inflammatory response and COPD disease severity. We included healthy subjects and COPD patients. The Hp phenotype was categorized by SDS native-PAGE, and concentrations were determined by ELISA. In this trial Hp concentrations in COPD groups were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. There was a significant negative correlation between the Hp concentration and FEV₁(%) (p < 0.001), while IL-6 and 8-isoprostane were positively correlated with the Hp concentration. As to the Hp phenotype, there were significant negative correlations between the FEV₁ and both Hp2-1 and Hp2-2; IL-6 and 8-isoprostane were significantly positively correlated with Hp2-1 and Hp2-2. The ROC curve analysis of the Hp concentration was significantly higher than CRP. Hp concentrations and phenotype were positively correlated with the severity of COPD, especially Hp2-2. In the future, Hp can be considered a novel biomarker for identifying COPD.

Haptoglobin levels are influenced by Hp1-Hp2 polymorphism, obesity, inflammation, and hypertension in type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an inflammatory condition associated to obesity and increased oxidative stress. Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute phase reactant that scavenges extracorpuscular hemoglobin from circulation and prevents heme-iron oxidative damage.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between Hp levels and Hp1-Hp2 gene polymorphism and clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with T2DM.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 102 T2DM patients and 62 controls. Hp plasma levels were measured using an ELISA assay, and Hp genotyping was performed using a specific two-step allelic polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Hp levels were higher in T2DM patients as compared to controls (p=0.005). T2DM patients with high blood pressure had higher Hp levels than patients without this comorbidity (p=0.021). Obese T2DM patients had higher Hp levels as compared to obese controls (p=0.009) and to non-obese T2DM patients (p=0.003). The Hp1-Hp1 genotype was showed to be associated to T2DM according to additive (OR=3.038, 95% CI 1.127-8.192; p=0.036) and dominant model (OR=0.320, 95% CI 0.118-0.839; p=0.010), but Hp2 allele carriers contributed with higher Hp levels in T2DM as compared to controls. Waist circumference (p=0.002), BMI (p=0.001), and IL-6 (p=0.012), and hs-CRP (p=0.001) levels positively correlated with Hp levels in the T2DM group.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that Hp levels are influenced by Hp1-Hp2 polymorphism, obesity, inflammatory status, and high blood pressure in T2DM.

Mendelian randomization analysis to assess a causal effect of haptoglobin on macroangiopathy in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients

Background

Haptoglobin (Hp) functions as an antioxidant by binding with haemoglobin. We investigated whether serum Hp has a causal effect on macroangiopathy via Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis with common variants of the Hp gene in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A total of 5687 type 2 diabetes patients were recruited and genotyped for the Hp gene. Clinical features and vascular imaging tests were applied to diagnose macroangiopathy. The association between common Hp genotypes and macroangiopathy was analyzed in the whole population. Serum Hp levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a subset of 935 patients. We individually analyzed the correlations among Hp levels, Hp genotypes and macroangiopathy. Further, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an oxidative marker of DNA damage, was examined to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress.

Results

Common Hp genotypes were correlated with macroangiopathy (OR = 1.140 [95% CI 1.005–1.293], P = 0.0410 for the Hp 1 allele). Serum Hp levels were associated with both common Hp genotypes (P = 3.55 × 10⁻³¹) and macroangiopathy (OR = 2.123 [95% CI 1.098–4.102], P = 0.0252) in the subset of 935 patients. In the MR analysis, the directional trends of the observed and predicted relationships between common Hp genotypes and macroangiopathy were the same (OR 1.357 and 1.130, respectively). Furthermore, common Hp genotypes and Hp levels were associated with serum 8-OHdG levels (P = 0.0001 and 0.0084, respectively).

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence for a causal relationship between serum Hp levels and macroangiopathy in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients by MR analysis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12933-018-0662-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Ambient anthropogenic noise but not light is associated with the ecophysiology of free-living songbird nestlings

Urbanization is associated with dramatic increases in noise and light pollution, which affect animal behaviour, physiology and fitness. However, few studies have examined these stressors simultaneously. Moreover, effects of urbanization during early-life may be detrimental but are largely unknown. In developing great tits (Parus major), a frequently-used model species, we determined important indicators of immunity and physiological condition: plasma haptoglobin (Hp) and nitric oxide (NOx) concentration. We also determined fledging mass, an indicator for current health and survival. Associations of ambient noise and light exposure with these indicators were studied. Anthropogenic noise, light and their interaction were unrelated to fledging mass. Nestlings exposed to more noise showed higher plasma levels of Hp but not of NOx. Light was unrelated to Hp and NOx and did not interact with the effect of noise on nestlings’ physiology. Increasing levels of Hp are potentially energy demanding and trade-offs could occur with life-history traits, such as survival. Effects of light pollution on nestlings of a cavity-nesting species appear to be limited. Nonetheless, our results suggest that the urban environment, through noise exposure, may entail important physiological costs for developing organisms.

Preparation and biological evaluation of a carrier free 90yttrium labelled porphyrin as a possible agent for targeted therapy of tumor

In this research article, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(phenyl)porphyrin (H2TPP) was produced and characterized. Then, radiolabeling of H2TPP was performed using the carrier free Y-90 which was prepared by the use of a home-made yttrium imprinted sorbent. The radiolabeling procedure was accomplished at 60 [Formula: see text] C during 12 h with a suitable radiochemical purity (95 ± 2% ITLC, 99 ± 0.5% HPLC) and specific activity of (1.0 ± 0.1 GBq/mmol). The obtained radio-labeled H2TPP in final formulation was kept for a week in order to investigate the complex stability. Accordingly, the partition coefficient was calculated as log [Formula: see text] 2.05. Furthermore, the biodistribution of the [Formula: see text]Y–TPP was determined in vital organs of normal wild-type rats using scarification studies. The kidneys could mostly remove the radio-complexes from the blood circulation and in less extends from the liver. As a result it is expected that due to its lipophilicity the higher mitochondrial and thus, tumor cell uptake of this radiolabeled porphyrin happens and therefore [Formula: see text]Y–TPP could act as an efficient potential agent for targeted therapy of tumor.

Serum Proteomics Analysis in Rats of Immunosuppression Induced by Chronic Stress

The immune system can be damaged by chronic stress. However, for this process, the involved molecular alterations and their regulatory roles played in immunosuppression still remain unclear. This study was aimed to identify the differences in serum protein expressions that are closely associated with the effect of chronic stress on immune function. Serum protein levels of rats in control group and chronic stress group were measured by iTRAQ analysis. Subsequently, among the 121 differentially expressed proteins screened between the two groups, 46 proteins were upregulated (>1.5-fold, P < 0.05), while 75 proteins were downregulated (<0.67-fold, P < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that most of the differentially expressed proteins were in relation with the metabolic, cellular, response stimulus and immune system processes. The significantly differential expression of ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, catalase and peroxiredoxin-1 were picked out for reconfirmation by ELISA analysis. The results were consistent with those obtained by iTRAQ. What is more, the roles of above-mentioned four proteins, apolipoprotein B-100 and heat-shock protein 90 in immunosuppression induced by chronic stress were discussed. Taken together, these findings may provide a new insight into better understanding the molecular mechanisms of immunosuppression induced by chronic stress.

Proteomics-Based Identification of the Molecular Signatures of Liver Tissues from Aged Rats following Eight Weeks of Medium-Intensity Exercise

Physical activity has emerged as a powerful intervention that promotes healthy aging by maintaining the functional capacity of critical organ systems. Here, by combining functional and proteomics analyses, we examined how hepatic phenotypes might respond to exercise treatment in aged rats. 16 male aged (20 months old) SD rats were divided into exercise and parallel control groups at random; the exercise group had 8 weeks of treadmill training with medium intensity. Whole protein samples of the liver were extracted from both groups and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Alternatively objective protein spots with >2-fold difference in expression were selected for enzymological extraction and MS/MS identification. Results show increased activity of the manganese superoxide dismutase and elevated glutathione levels in the livers of exercise-treated animals, but malondialdehyde contents obviously decreased in the liver of the exercise group. Proteomics-based identification of differentially expressed proteins provided an integrated view of the metabolic adaptations occurring in the liver proteome during exercise, which significantly altered the expression of several proteins involved in key liver metabolic pathways including mitochondrial sulfur, glycolysis, methionine, and protein metabolism. These findings indicate that exercise may be beneficial to aged rats through modulation of hepatic protein expression profiles.

Early life exposure to artificial light at night affects the physiological condition: An experimental study on the ecophysiology of free-living nestling songbirds

Light pollution or artificial light at night (ALAN) is increasingly recognised to be an important anthropogenic environmental pressure on wildlife, affecting animal behaviour and physiology. Early life experiences are extremely important for the development, physiological status and health of organisms, and as such, early exposure to artificial light may have detrimental consequences for organism fitness. We experimentally manipulated the light environment of free-living great tit nestlings (Parus major), an important model species in evolutionary and environmental research. Haptoglobin (Hp) and nitric oxide (NOx), as important indicators of immunity, health, and physiological condition, were quantified in nestlings at baseline (13 days after hatching) and after a two night exposure to ALAN. We found that ALAN increased Hp and decreased NOx. ALAN may increase stress and oxidative stress and reduce melatonin which could subsequently lead to increased Hp and decreased NOx. Haptoglobin is part of the immune response and mounting an immune response is costly in energy and resources and, trade-offs are likely to occur with other energetically demanding tasks, such as survival or reproduction. Acute inhibition of NOx may have a cascading effect as it also affects other physiological aspects and may negatively affect immunocompetence. The consequences of the observed effects on Hp and NOx remain to be examined. Our study provides experimental field evidence that ALAN affects nestlings' physiology during development and early life exposure to ALAN could therefore have long lasting effects throughout adulthood.

Artificial light at night affects body mass but not oxidative status in free-living nestling songbirds: an experimental study

Artificial light at night (ALAN), termed light pollution, is an increasingly important anthropogenic environmental pressure on wildlife. Exposure to unnatural lighting environments may have profound effects on animal physiology, particularly during early life. Here, we experimentally investigated for the first time the impact of ALAN on body mass and oxidative status during development, using nestlings of a free-living songbird, the great tit (Parus major), an important model species. Body mass and blood oxidative status were determined at baseline (=13 days after hatching) and again after a two night exposure to ALAN. Because it is very difficult to generalise the oxidative status from one or two measures we relied on a multi-biomarker approach. We determined multiple metrics of both antioxidant defences and oxidative damage: molecular antioxidants GSH, GSSG; antioxidant enzymes GPX, SOD, CAT; total non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity and damage markers protein carbonyls and TBARS. Light exposed nestlings showed no increase in body mass, in contrast to unexposed individuals. None of the metrics of oxidative status were affected. Nonetheless, our study provides experimental field evidence that ALAN may negatively affect free-living nestlings' development and hence may have adverse consequences lasting throughout adulthood.

Hp: an inflammatory indicator in cardiovascular disease

Over the past decade significant advancement has occurred in the biological and pathological role that Hp has in cardiovascular disease. Hp is an acute-phase protein with a role in the neutralization and clearance of free heme. Iron has tremendous potential for initiating vascular oxidation, inflammation and exacerbating coronary atherosclerosis. Hp genotype has been linked as a prognostic biomarker of acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, restenosis and cardiac transplant rejection. The increased understanding of Hp as a biomarker has provided new insights into the mechanisms of inflammation after cardiac injury and support the concept that Hp is not only an important antioxidant in vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis, but also an enhancer of inflammation in cardiac transplant.

Demographic Responses to Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans)

One of the major challenges in ecological research is the elucidation of physiological mechanisms that underlie the demographic traits of wild animals. We have assessed whether a marker of plasma oxidative stress (TBARS) and plasma haptoglobin (protein of the acute inflammatory phase response) measured at time t predict five demographic parameters (survival rate, return rate to the breeding colony, breeding probability, hatching and fledging success) in sexually mature wandering albatrosses over the next four years (Diomedea exulans) using a five-year individual-based dataset. Non-breeder males, but not females, having higher TBARS at time t had reduced future breeding probabilities; haptoglobin was not related to breeding probability. Neither TBARS nor haptoglobin predicted future hatching or fledging success. Haptoglobin had a marginally positive effect on female survival rate, while TBARS had a marginally negative effect on return rate. Our findings do not support the role for oxidative stress as a constraint of future reproductive success in the albatross. However, our data point to a potential mechanism underlying some aspects of reproductive senescence and survival. Our results also highlight that the study of the consequences of oxidative stress should consider the life-cycle stage of an individual and its reproductive history.

Synthesis, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of porphyrins

Porphyrins are natural compounds with several biological activities. We report the synthesis and the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of 4 porphyrins: 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), 5,10,15,20-tetra(4'-fluorophenyl)porphyrin (TpFPP), 5,10,15,20-tetra(4'-chlorophenyl)porphyrin (TpClPP), and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4'-bromophenyl)porphyrin (TpBrPP). The in vitro anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated on heat-induced hemolysis. The antinociceptive effects were evaluated using the hot plate and formalin tests. The in vivo anti-inflammatory assays were tested on the acute and chronic TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate) method to induce ear edema. The anti-arthritic effects were evaluated using carrageenan kaolin induced arthritis (CKIA). All porphyrins inhibited hemolysis with similar potency than naproxen (NPX). In the antinociceptive tests, all porphyrins tested at 200mg/kg showed similar effects compared to 100mg/kg NPX. In the in vivo anti-inflammatory acute assay, only three porphyrins (TPP, TpFPP and TpBrPP) decreased inflammation with similar activity than 2mg/ear indomethacin (IND). Further anti-inflammatory experiments were carried out with TPP, TpFPP and TpBrPP. In the in vivo anti-inflammatory chronic assay, porphyrins decreased inflammation with similar activity than 8mg/kg IND. Porphyrins tested at 200mg/kg showed anti-arthritic effects. The antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and arthritic activities of porphyrins suggest that these compounds might be a good alternative for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Effect of N-acetylcysteine administration on homocysteine level, oxidative damage to proteins, and levels of iron (Fe) and Fe-related proteins in lead-exposed workers

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) could be included in protocols designed for the treatment of lead toxicity. Therefore, in this study, we decided to investigate the influence of NAC administration on homocysteine (Hcy) levels, oxidative damage to proteins, and the levels of iron (Fe), transferrin (TRF), and haptoglobin (HPG) in lead (Pb)-exposed workers. The examined population (n = 171) was composed of male employees who worked with Pb. They were randomized into four groups. Workers who were not administered any antioxidants, drugs, vitamins, or dietary supplements were classified as the reference group (n = 49). The remaining three groups consisted of workers who were treated orally with NAC at three different doses (1 × 200, 2 × 200, or 2 × 400 mg) for 12 weeks. After the treatment, blood Pb levels significantly decreased in the groups receiving NAC compared with the reference group. The protein concentration was not affected by NAC administration. In contrast, Hcy levels significantly decreased or showed a strong tendency toward lower values depending on the NAC dose. Levels of the protein carbonyl groups were significantly decreased in all of the groups receiving NAC. Conversely, glutamate dehydrogenase activity was significantly elevated in all of the groups receiving NAC, while the level of protein thiol groups was significantly elevated only in the group receiving 200 mg of NAC. Treatment with NAC did not significantly affect Fe and TRF levels, whereas HPG levels showed a tendency toward lower values. Treatment with NAC normalized the level of Hcy and decreased oxidative stress as measured by the protein carbonyl content; this effect occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, small doses of NAC elevated the levels of protein thiol groups. Therefore, NAC could be introduced as an alternative therapy for chronic Pb toxicity in humans.

Sources of variation in innate immunity in great tit nestlings living along a metal pollution gradient: an individual-based approach

Excessive deposition of metals in the environment is a well-known example of pollution worldwide. Chronic exposure of organisms to metals can have a detrimental effect on reproduction, behavior, health and survival, due to the negative effects on components of the immune system. However, little is known about the effects of chronic sublethal metal exposure on immunity, especially for wildlife. In our study, we examined the constitutive innate immunity of great tit (Parus major) nestlings (N=234) living in four populations along a metal pollution gradient. For each nestling, we determined the individual metal concentrations (lead, cadmium, arsenic) present in the red blood cells and measured four different innate immune parameters (agglutination, lysis, haptoglobin concentrations and nitric oxide concentrations) to investigate the relationship between metal exposure and immunological condition. While we found significant differences in endogenous metal concentrations among populations with the highest concentrations closest to the pollution source, we did not observe corresponding patterns in our immune measures. However, when evaluating relationships between metal concentrations and immune parameters at the individual level, we found negative effects of lead and, to a lesser extent, arsenic and cadmium on lysis. In addition, high arsenic concentrations appear to elicit inflammation, as reflected by elevated haptoglobin concentrations. Thus despite the lack of a geographic association between pollution and immunity, this type of association was present at the individual level at a very early life stage. The high variation in metal concentrations and immune measures observed within populations indicates a high level of heterogeneity along an existing pollution gradient. Interestingly, we also found substantial within nest variation, for which the sources remain unclear, and which highlights the need of an individual-based approach.

Hepatoprotective effects of melatonin against pronecrotic cellular events in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Oxidative stress-mediated damage to liver tissue underlies the pathological alterations in liver morphology and function that are observed in diabetes. We examined the effects of the antioxidant action of melatonin against necrosis-inducing DNA damage in hepatocytes of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Daily administration of melatonin (0.2 mg/kg) was initiated 3 days before diabetes induction and maintained for 4 weeks. Melatonin-treated diabetic rats exhibited improved markers of liver injury (P < 0.05), alkaline phosphatase, and alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. Melatonin prevented the diabetes-related morphological deterioration of hepatocytes, DNA damage (P < 0.05), and hepatocellular necrosis. The improvement was due to containment of the pronecrotic oxygen radical load, observed as inhibition (P < 0.05) of the diabetes-induced rise in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide increase in the liver. This was accompanied by improved necrotic markers of cellular damage: a significant reduction in cleavage of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) into necrotic 55- and 62-kDa fragments, and inhibition of nucleus-to-cytoplasm translocation and accumulation in the serum of the high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein. We conclude that melatonin is hepatoprotective in diabetes. It reduces extensive DNA damage and resulting necrotic processes. Melatonin application could thus present a viable therapeutic option in the management of diabetes-induced liver injury.

Does reproduction protect against oxidative stress?

A central principle of life-history theory is that parents trade investment into reproduction against that in body maintenance. One physiological cost thought to be important as a modulator of such trade-off is oxidative stress. Experimental support for this hypothesis has, however, proved to be contradictory. In this study, we manipulated the nestling rearing effort of captive canaries (Serinus canaria) soon after the hatching of their nestlings using a brood-size manipulation to test whether an increase in nestling rearing effort translates into an increase in oxidative damage, an increase in ceruloplasmin (which is upregulated in response to oxidative damage) and a decrease in thiol antioxidants. We also compared the blood oxidative stress level of reproducing birds to that of non-reproducing birds, a crucial aspect that most studies have invariably failed to include in tests of the oxidative cost of reproduction. As compared to non-breeding canaries and pre-manipulation values, plasma oxidative damage (reactive oxygen metabolites and protein carbonyls) decreased in breeding canaries irrespective of sex and brood size. In contrast, oxidative damage did not change in non-breeding birds over the experiment. Ceruloplasmin activity in plasma and both non-protein and protein thiols in red blood cells did not change throughout the experiment in both treatment groups. Our results suggest that reproduction may result in decreased rather than increased blood oxidative stress. Our results may explain some of the inconsistencies that have been so far reported in experimental tests of the oxidative cost of reproduction hypothesis.