A yeast two-hybrid technology-based system for the discovery of PPARgamma agonist and antagonist

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α ligands and modulators from dietary compounds: Types, screening methods and functions

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) plays a key role in lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis and a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases. Natural dietary compounds, including nutrients and phytochemicals, are PPARα ligands or modulators. High-throughput screening assays have been developed to screen for PPARα ligands and modulators in our diet. In the present review, we discuss recent advances in our knowledge of PPARα, including its structure, function, and ligand and modulator screening assays, and summarize the different types of dietary PPARα ligands and modulators.

Pioglitazone rapidly reduces neuropathic pain through astrocyte and nongenomic PPARγ mechanisms

Repeated administration of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists reduces neuropathic pain-like behavior and associated changes in glial activation in the spinal cord dorsal horn. As PPARγ is a nuclear receptor, sustained changes in gene expression are widely believed to be the mechanism of pain reduction. However, we recently reported that a single intrathecal (i.t.) injection of pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, reduced hyperalgesia within 30 minutes, a time frame that is typically less than that required for genomic mechanisms. To determine the very rapid antihyperalgesic actions of PPARγ activation, we administered pioglitazone to rats with spared nerve injury and evaluated hyperalgesia. Pioglitazone inhibited hyperalgesia within 5 minutes of injection, consistent with a nongenomic mechanism. Systemic or i.t. administration of GW9662, a PPARγ antagonist, inhibited the antihyperalgesic actions of intraperitoneal or i.t. pioglitazone, suggesting a spinal PPARγ-dependent mechanism. To further address the contribution of nongenomic mechanisms, we blocked new protein synthesis in the spinal cord with anisomycin. When coadministered intrathecally, anisomycin did not change pioglitazone antihyperalgesia at an early 7.5-minute time point, further supporting a rapid nongenomic mechanism. At later time points, anisomycin reduced pioglitazone antihyperalgesia, suggesting delayed recruitment of genomic mechanisms. Pioglitazone reduction of spared nerve injury-induced increases in GFAP expression occurred more rapidly than expected, within 60 minutes. We are the first to show that activation of spinal PPARγ rapidly reduces neuropathic pain independent of canonical genomic activity. We conclude that acute pioglitazone inhibits neuropathic pain in part by reducing astrocyte activation and through both genomic and nongenomic PPARγ mechanisms.

Marine invertebrate xenobiotic-activated nuclear receptors: their application as sensor elements in high-throughput bioassays for marine bioactive compounds

Developing high-throughput assays to screen marine extracts for bioactive compounds presents both conceptual and technical challenges. One major challenge is to develop assays that have well-grounded ecological and evolutionary rationales. In this review we propose that a specific group of ligand-activated transcription factors are particularly well-suited to act as sensors in such bioassays. More specifically, xenobiotic-activated nuclear receptors (XANRs) regulate transcription of genes involved in xenobiotic detoxification. XANR ligand-binding domains (LBDs) may adaptively evolve to bind those bioactive, and potentially toxic, compounds to which organisms are normally exposed to through their specific diets. A brief overview of the function and taxonomic distribution of both vertebrate and invertebrate XANRs is first provided. Proof-of-concept experiments are then described which confirm that a filter-feeding marine invertebrate XANR LBD is activated by marine bioactive compounds. We speculate that increasing access to marine invertebrate genome sequence data, in combination with the expression of functional recombinant marine invertebrate XANR LBDs, will facilitate the generation of high-throughput bioassays/biosensors of widely differing specificities, but all based on activation of XANR LBDs. Such assays may find application in screening marine extracts for bioactive compounds that could act as drug lead compounds.

Blocking the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR): an overview

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been studied extensively over the last few decades and have been assessed as molecular targets for the development of drugs against metabolic disorders. A rapid increase in understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of these receptors has occurred, together with the identification of novel chemical structures that are able to activate the various PPAR subtypes. More recent evidence suggests that moderate activation of these receptors could be favorable in pathological situations due to a decrease in the side effects brought about by PPAR agonists. PPAR partial agonists and antagonists are interesting tools that are currently used to better elucidate the biological processes modulated by this family of nuclear receptors. Herein we present an overview of the various molecular structures that are able to block each of the PPAR subtypes, with a focus on promising therapeutic applications.

Approaches for the study of cancer: towards the integration of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics

Recent technological advances, combined with the development of bioinformatic tools, allow us to better address biological questions combining -omic approaches (i.e., genomics, metabolomics and proteomics). This novel comprehensive perspective addresses the identification, characterisation and quantitation of the whole repertoire of genes, proteins and metabolites occurring in living organisms. Here we provide an overview of recent significant advances and technologies used in genomics, metabolomics and proteomics. We also underline the importance and limits of mass accuracy in mass spectrometry-based -omics and briefly describe emerging types of fragmentation used in mass spectrometry. The range of instruments and techniques used to address the study of each -omic approach, which provide vast amounts of information (usually termed "high-throughput" technologies in the literature) is briefly discussed, including names, links and descriptions of the main databases, data repositories and resources used. Integration of multiple -omic results and procedures seems necessary. Therefore, an emerging challenge is the integration of the huge amount of data generated and the standardisation of the procedures and methods used. Functional data integration will lead to answers to unsolved questions, hopefully, applicable to clinical practice and management of patients.

Engineering and optimization of an allosteric biosensor protein for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ ligands

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ or PPARG) belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily, and is a potential drug target for a variety of diseases. In this work, we constructed a series of bacterial biosensors for the identification of functional PPARγ ligands. These sensors entail modified Escherichia coli cells carrying a four-domain fusion protein, comprised of the PPARγ ligand binding domain (LBD), an engineered mini-intein domain, the E. coli maltose binding protein (MBD), and a thymidylate synthase (TS) reporter enzyme. E. coli cells expressing this protein exhibit hormone ligand-dependent growth phenotypes. Unlike our published estrogen (ER) and thyroid receptor (TR) biosensors, the canonical PPARγ biosensor cells displayed pronounced growth in the absence of ligand. They were able to distinguish agonists and antagonists, however, even in the absence of agonist. To improve ligand sensitivity of this sensor, we attempted to engineer and optimize linker peptides flanking the PPARγ LBD insertion point. Truncation of the original linkers led to decreased basal growth and significantly enhanced ligand sensitivity of the PPARγ sensor, while substitution of the native linkers with optimized G(4)S (Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Ser) linkers further increased the sensitivity. Our studies demonstrate that the properties of linkers, especially the C-terminal linker, greatly influence the efficiency and fidelity of the allosteric signal induced by ligand binding. Our work also suggests an approach to increase allosteric behavior in this multidomain sensor protein, without modification of the functional LBD.

New insights into the role of fatty acids in the pathogenesis and resolution of inflammatory bowel disease

Dietary and endogenously modified lipids modulate inflammation by functioning as intra- and intercellular signaling molecules. Proinflammatory lipid mediators such as the eicosanoids compete against the signaling actions of newly discovered modified fatty acids that act to resolve inflammation. In inflammatory bowel disease, multiple aberrancies in lipid metabolism have been discovered, which shed further light on the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation. Mechanisms by which lipids modulate inflammation, abnormalities of lipid metabolism in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease, and potential therapeutic application of lipid derivatives in this setting are discussed.

Peroxisome Proliferators-Activated Receptor (PPAR) Modulators and Metabolic Disorders

Overweight and obesity lead to an increased risk for metabolic disorders such as impaired glucose regulation/insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Several molecular drug targets with potential to prevent or treat metabolic disorders have been revealed. Interestingly, the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), which belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily, has many beneficial clinical effects. PPAR directly modulates gene expression by binding to a specific ligand. All PPAR subtypes (alpha, gamma, and sigma) are involved in glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and energy balance. PPAR agonists play an important role in therapeutic aspects of metabolic disorders. However, undesired effects of the existing PPAR agonists have been reported. A great deal of recent research has focused on the discovery of new PPAR modulators with more beneficial effects and more safety without producing undesired side effects. Herein, we briefly review the roles of PPAR in metabolic disorders, the effects of PPAR modulators in metabolic disorders, and the technologies with which to discover new PPAR modulators.

HL005--a new selective PPARγ antagonist specifically inhibits the proliferation of MCF-7

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) is a nuclear transcription factor which is involved in many diseases, such as diabetes, inflammation, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cancer. Recently, there are many reports showing that PPARγ agonists have preclinical and clinical anticancer activity, with relatively few reports on anticancer effects of PPARγ antagonists. From our compound library, a novel 3-thiazolinone-modified benzoic acid derivative HL005 is found as PPARγ selective ligand through SPR analysis (K(D)=0.21 μM), yeast two-hybrid results suggest that HL005 antagonize the potent PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone-induced recruitment of the coactivator for PPARγ (IC(50)=7.97 μM). Different from the most reported PPARγ antagonist, HL005 can inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 cell line in a concentration-dependent manner and induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, other than interference with cell adhesion. In order to study the binding mode of this compound, three derivatives are synthesized to get more detail about the structure-activity relationship, molecular docking and the NMR spectra indicate that similar to most PPARγ ligand, the carboxylic acid group is an important moiety for HL005 and contributes strong interaction with PPARγ.

Stable reporter cell lines for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)-mediated modulation of gene expression

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) by ligands is associated with beneficial health effects, including anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects. The aim of the current study was to develop luciferase reporter gene assays to enable fast and low-cost measurement of PPARγ agonist and antagonist activity. Two reporter gene assays, PPARγ1 CALUX and PPARγ2 CALUX, were developed by stable transfection of U2OS cells with an expression vector for PPARγ1 or PPARγ2 and a pGL3-3xPPRE-tata-luc or pGL4-3xPPRE-tata-luc reporter construct, respectively. PPARγ1 CALUX and PPARγ2 CALUX cells showed similar concentration-dependent luciferase induction upon exposure to the PPARγ agonists rosiglitazone, troglitazone, pioglitazone, ciglitazone, netoglitazone, and 15-deoxy-Δ(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2). The potency to induce luciferase decreased in the following order: rosiglitazone>troglitazone=pioglitazone>netoglitazone>ciglitazone. A concentration-dependent decrease in the response to 50nM rosiglitazone was observed on the addition of PPARγ antagonist GW9662 or T0070907 in both PPARγ1 CALUX and PPARγ2 CALUX cells. The PPARα agonists WY14643 and fenofibrate failed to induce luciferase activity, confirming the specificity of these cell lines for PPARγ agonists. In conclusion, PPARγ1 CALUX and PPARγ2 CALUX cells provide a reliable and useful tool to screen (bio)chemicals for PPARγ agonist or antagonist activity.

7-Chloroarctinone-b as a new selective PPARgamma antagonist potently blocks adipocyte differentiation

AIM

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a therapeutic target for obesity, cancer and diabetes mellitus. In order to develop potent lead compounds for obesity treatment, we screened a natural product library for novel PPARgamma antagonists with inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation.

METHODS

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology and cell-based transactivation assay were used to screen for PPARgamma antagonists. To investigate the antagonistic mechanism of the active compound, we measured its effect on PPARgamma/RXRalpha heterodimerization and PPARgamma co-activator recruitment using yeast two-hybrid assay, Gal4/UAS cell-based assay and SPR based assay. The 3T3-L1 cell differentiation assay was used to evaluate the effect of the active compound on adipocyte differentiation.

RESULTS

A new thiophene-acetylene type of natural product, 7-chloroarctinone-b (CAB), isolated from the roots of Rhaponticum uniflorum, was discovered as a novel PPARgamma antagonist capable of inhibiting rosiglitazone-induced PPARgamma transcriptional activity. SPR analysis suggested that CAB bound tightly to PPARgamma and considerably antagonized the potent PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone-stimulated PPARgamma-LBD/RXRalpha-LBD binding. Gal4/UAS and yeast two-hybrid assays were used to evaluate the antagonistic activity of CAB on rosiglitazone-induced recruitment of the coactivator for PPARgamma. CAB could efficiently antagonize both hormone and rosiglitazone-induced adipocyte differentiation in cell culture.

CONCLUSION

CAB shows antagonistic activity to PPARgamma and can block the adipocyte differentiation, indicating it may be of potential use as a lead therapeutic compound for obesity.

Overexpressed cyclophilin B suppresses apoptosis associated with ROS and Ca2+ homeostasis after ER stress

Prolonged accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) results in ER stress-mediated apoptosis. Cyclophilins are protein chaperones that accelerate the rate of protein folding through their peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity. In this study, we demonstrated that ER stress activates the expression of the ER-localized cyclophilin B (CypB) gene through a novel ER stress response element. Overexpression of wild-type CypB attenuated ER stress-induced cell death, whereas overexpression of an isomerase activity-defective mutant, CypB/R62A, not only increased Ca(2+) leakage from the ER and ROS generation, but also decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in cell death following exposure to ER stress-inducing agents. siRNA-mediated inhibition of CypB expression rendered cells more vulnerable to ER stress. Finally, CypB interacted with the ER stress-related chaperones, Bip and Grp94. Taken together, we concluded that CypB performs a crucial function in protecting cells against ER stress via its PPIase activity.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma is constitutively activated in yeast

A rapid, simple in vitro test system for high-throughput screening of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonists would be of interest for testing new antidiabetic drugs, alternative medicine, or environmental samples. A yeast two-hybrid assay based on the ligand-dependent recruitment of the coactivator CBP (CREB-binding protein) was constructed. In this system PPARgamma was constitutively activated and the signal was not further increased significantly by adding agonists. In yeast we identified oleic acid as a putative endogenous ligand. Furthermore yeasts seem to lack regulatory mechanisms present in mammalian cells. Mammalian systems are an alternative for screening PPARgamma agonists.

Heritable targeted gene disruption in zebrafish using designed zinc-finger nucleases

We describe here the use of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) for somatic and germline disruption of genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio), where targeted mutagenesis was previously intractable. ZFNs induce a targeted double-strand break in the genome that is repaired to generate small insertions and deletions. We designed ZFNs targeting the zebrafish golden and no tail/Brachyury genes. In both cases, injection of ZFN-encoding mRNA into 1-cell embryos yielded a high percentage of animals carrying distinct mutations at the ZFN-specified position and exhibiting expected loss-of-function phenotypes. Disrupted ntl alleles were transmitted from ZFN mRNA-injected founder animals in over half the adults tested at frequencies averaging 20%. The frequency and precision of gene disruption events observed, in combination with the ability to design ZFNs against any locus, open fundamentally novel avenues of experimentation, and suggest that ZFN technology may be widely applied to many organisms that allow mRNA delivery into the fertilized egg.

Tryptophan-containing dipeptide derivatives as potent PPARgamma antagonists: design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular modeling

The discovery of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) antagonists (also termed "selective PPARgamma modulators, SPPARgammaM") is now of a great interest in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The structure of compound 1a (G3335, Fig. 1), a novel class of PPARgamma antagonist, is entirely different from that of other reported PPARgamma antagonists. A series of 35 novel analogues (1b-l, 9a-d, 13a-t) were designed, synthesized and evaluated against the agonistic effects exerted by rosiglitazone. These results indicated that most functional groups of 1a were conserved, and six new compounds (1b, 1c, and 9a-d) exhibited strong PPARgamma antagonistic activities (IC(50) values of 5.2-25.8 microM) against 10 microM rosiglitazone in the promotion of the PPARgamma-LBD-CBP (ligand-binding domain and cAMP-response-element binding protein) interaction as investigated by yeast two-hybrid technology based assay. Molecular modeling studies for compounds 1a-d, 1h, 9c-d, and 13a were also presented.

Decisive role of cyclooxygenase-2 and lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase in chemotherapeutics-induced apoptosis of human cervical carcinoma cells

The role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in cancer remains controversial. Using cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa), the present study investigates the involvement of COX-2 in apoptosis elicited by the chemotherapeutics paclitaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Each compound led to a profound induction of COX-2 expression and prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, accompanied by a substantial decrease of viability and enhanced apoptosis. Cells were significantly less sensitive to apoptotic death when either COX-2 expression or its activity was suppressed by small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and by the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398, respectively. Experiments performed to clarify how COX-2 leads to apoptosis revealed a profound proapoptotic action of PGD2 and its dehydration product, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14) PGJ2 (15d-PGJ2). In line with these findings, chemotherapeutics-induced apoptosis was prevented by siRNA targeting lipocalin-type PGD synthase (L-PGDS), which catalyses the isomerization of PGH(2) to PGD2. Moreover, apoptosis by chemotherapeutics, PGD2 and 15d-PGJ2 was suppressed by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) antagonist, GW-9662 or PPARgamma siRNA. Finally, a COX-2-dependent apoptotic mechanism of all investigated chemotherapeutics was confirmed in human lung cancer cells (A549) as well as in another cervical carcinoma cell line (C33A). Collectively, this study suggests COX-2 induction and synthesis of L-PGDS-derived, PPARgamma-activating PGs as a decisive target by which several chemotherapeutics induce apoptosis. COX-2 is therefore suspected to sensitize cancer cells to apoptotic death under certain circumstances, suggesting that COX-2 inhibition during cancer therapy could diminish its efficacy.

Modulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor transactivation by carbaryl, a nonconventional ligand

Carbaryl (1-naphthyl-N-methylcarbamate), a widely used carbamate insecticide, induces cytochrome P450 1A gene expression in mammalian cells. This activity is usually mediated by the interaction of the compound with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. However, it has been proposed that this mechanism does not apply to carbaryl because its structure differs from that of typical aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands. We show here that carbaryl promotes activation of target genes in a yeast-based bioassay expressing both aryl hydrocarbon receptor and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator. By contrast, carbaryl acted as a competitive inhibitor, rather than as an agonist, in a simplified yeast system, in which aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator function is bypassed by fusing aryl hydrocarbon receptor to a heterologous DNA binding domain. This dual action of carbaryl, agonist and partial antagonist, was also observed by comparing carbaryl response in two vertebrate cell lines. A yeast two-hybrid assay showed that the mammalian coactivator cAMP response element-binding protein readily interacts with aryl hydrocarbon receptor bound to its canonical ligand beta-naphthoflavone, but not with the carbaryl-aryl hydrocarbon receptor complex. We propose that carbaryl interacts with aryl hydrocarbon receptor, but that its peculiar structure imposes a substandard configuration on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand-binding domain that prevents interaction with key coactivators and activates transcription without the need for aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator. This effect may be relevant in explaining its physiological effects in exposed animals, and may help to predict its effects, and that of similar compounds, in humans. Our data also identify the aryl hydrocarbon receptor/cAMP response element-binding protein interaction as a molecular target for the identification and development of new aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonists.

The use of human cell line reporter gene-based assays in chemical toxicity testing

Genetically modified rodents allow greater sensitivity in monitoring DNA damage or gene expression than traditional rodent bioassays and have become increasingly used for toxicity testing, particularly with the greater availability of protein and DNA-based toxicity biomarkers. Here, the advantages and limitations of several in vitro reporter assays already used to study the mechanisms of toxicity are discussed in relation to the in vivo traditional and reporter-based bioassays for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, endocrine changes and inflammation endpoints to examine the scope for refining and replacing transgenic in vivo models.

Antagonism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity in vivo

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) has been reported to play an important role to regulate adiposity and insulin sensitivity. It is not clear whether antagonism of PPARgamma using a synthetic ligand has significant effects on adipose tissue weight and glucose metabolism in vivo. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of a synthetic PPARgamma antagonist (GW9662) on adiposity and glycemic control in high-fat (HF) diet-fed mice. First the properties of GW9662 as a PPARgamma antagonist were estimated in vitro. GW9662 displaced [(3)H]rosiglitazone from PPARgamma with K(i) values of 13nM, indicating that the affinity of GW9662 for PPARgamma was higher than that of rosiglitazone (110nM). GW9662 had no effect on PPARgamma transactivation in cells expressing human PPARgamma. Treatment of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with GW9662 did not increase aP2 expression or [(14)C]acetic acid uptake. GW9662 did not recruit transcriptional cofactors to PPARgamma. Limited trypsin digestion of the human PPARgamma/GW9662 complex showed patterns of digestion distinct from those of rosiglitazone. This suggests that the binding characteristics between GW9662 and PPARgamma are different from those of rosiglitazone. Treatment of HF diet-fed mice with GW9662 revealed that this compound prevented HF diet-induced obesity without affecting food intake. GW9662 suppressed any increase in the amount of visceral adipose tissue, but it did not change HF diet-induced glucose intolerance. These data indicate that antagonism of PPARgamma using a synthetic ligand suppresses the increased adiposity observed in HF diet-induced obesity, and that a PPARgamma antagonist could possibly be developed as an anti-obesity drug.

The dipeptide H-Trp-Glu-OH shows highly antagonistic activity against PPARgamma: bioassay with molecular modeling simulation

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is an important therapeutic drug target for several conditions, including diabetes, inflammation, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cancer. It is shown that an antagonist or partial agonist of PPARgamma has attractive potential applications in the discovery of novel antidiabetic agents that may retain efficacious insulin-sensitizing properties and minimize potential side effects. In this work, the dipeptide H-Trp-Glu-OH (G3335) was discovered to be a novel PPARgamma antagonist. Biacore 3000 results based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique showed that G3335 exhibits a highly specific binding affinity against PPARgamma (K(D) = 8.34 microM) and is able to block rosiglitazone, a potent PPARgamma agonist, in the stimulation of the interaction between the PPARgamma ligand-binding domain (LBD) and RXRalpha-LBD. Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated that G3335 exhibits strong antagonistic activity (IC50 = 8.67 microM) in perturbing rosiglitazone in the promotion of the PPARgamma-LBD-CBP interaction. Moreover, in transactivation assays, G3335 was further confirmed as an antagonist of PPARgamma in that G3335 could competitively bind to PPARgamma against 0.1 microM rosiglitazone to repress reporter-gene expression with an IC50 value of 31.9 muM. In addition, homology modeling and molecular-docking analyses were performed to investigate the binding mode of PPARgamma-LBD with G3335 at the atomic level. The results suggested that residues Cys285, Arg288, Ser289, and His449 in PPARgamma play vital roles in PPARgamma-LBD-G3335 binding. The significance of Cys285 for PPARgamma-LBD-G3335 interaction was further demonstrated by PPARgamma point mutation (PPARgamma-LBD-Cys285Ala). It is hoped our current work will provide a powerful approach for the discovery of PPARgamma antagonists, and that G3335 might be developed as a possible lead compound in diabetes research.

Swietenia mahagony extract shows agonistic activity to PPAR(gamma) and gives ameliorative effects on diabetic db/db mice

AIM

To search the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor g (PPAR(gamma)) agonists from Swietenia mahagony extract (SmE) and observe the possible ameliorative effects of SmE on diabetic db/db mice.

METHODS

The PPAR(gamma) agonistic activity of SmE was screened by yeast-two hybrid system. The blood glucose levels of diabetic db/db mice were measured using a blood glucose level monitor and the data were statistically analyzed by NDST8.8W software.

RESULTS

By using the clinical drug rosiglitazone as a positive control, it was found that the PPARg agonistic activity of SmE at a concentration of 50 microg/L was approximately half that of 35.7 microg/L (0.1 micromol/L) of rosiglitazone. At the dose of 1000 mg/kg, SmE remarkably decreased the blood glucose concentration of db/db mice from (15.26+/-2.98) to (7.58+/-2.20) mmol/L, and reduced the blood glucose levels by 55.49% compared with the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

SmE shows agonistic activity to PPARg and can ameliorate the blood glucose levels of diabetic db/db mice. SmE may be thus used as a potential agent for diabetes therapy.