Correlation of long-chain fatty acid oxidation with oxidative stress and inflammation in pre-eclampsia-like mouse models

Identification of hub glutamine metabolism-associated genes and immune characteristics in pre-eclampsia

OBJECTIVE

Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe complication of unclear pathogenesis associated with pregnancy. This research aimed to elucidate the properties of immune cell infiltration and potential biomarkers of PE based on bioinformatics analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two PE datasets were imported from the Gene ExpressioOmnibus (GEO) and screened to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Significant module genes were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). DEGs that interacted with key module genes (GLu-DEGs) were analyzed further by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses. The diagnostic value of the genes was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using GeneMANIA, and GSVA analysis was performed using the MSigDB database. Immune cell infiltration was analyzed using the TISIDB database, and StarBase and Cytoscape were used to construct an RBP-mRNA network. The identified hub genes were validated in two independent datasets. For further confirmation, placental tissue from healthy pregnant women and women with PE were collected and analyzed using both RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

A total of seven GLu-DEGs were obtained and were found to be involved in pathways associated with the transport of sulfur compounds, PPAR signaling, and energy metabolism, shown by GO and KEGG analyses. GSVA indicated significant increases in adipocytokine signaling. Furthermore, single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) indicated that the levels of activated B cells and T follicular helper cells were significantly increased in the PE group and were negatively correlated with GLu-DEGs, suggesting their potential importance.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the results showed a correlation between glutamine metabolism and immune cells, providing new insights into the understandingPE pathogenesis and furnishing evidence for future advances in the treatment of this disease.

Decreased Fatty Acid Oxidation Gene Expression in Pre-Eclampsia According to the Onset and Presence of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is lower in placentas with pre-eclampsia. The aim of our study was to compare the placental mRNA expression of FAO enzymes in healthy pregnancies vs. different subgroups of pre-eclampsia according to the severity, time of onset, and the presence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). By using real-time qPCR, we measured the mRNA levels of long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), and carnitine palmitoyltransferases 1A and 2 (CPT1A, CPT2) on the maternal side (anchoring villi in the basal decidua) and on the fetal side (chorionic plate) of the placenta (n = 56). When compared to the controls, LCHAD, MCAD, and CPT2 mRNA had decreased in all pre-eclampsia subgroups globally and on the fetal side. On the maternal side, LCHAD mRNA was also lower in all pre-eclampsia subgroups; however, MCAD and CPT2 mRNA were only reduced in severe and early-onset disease, as well as CPT2 in IUGR (p < 0.05). There were no differences in CPT1A mRNA expression. We conclude that the FAO enzymes mRNA in the placenta was lower in pre-eclampsia, with higher reductions observed in severe, early-onset, and IUGR cases and more striking reductions on the fetal side.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing and Microarray Analysis Reveal the Role of Lipid-Metabolism-Related Genes and Cellular Immune Infiltration in Pre-Eclampsia and Identify Novel Biomarkers for Pre-Eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a gestational hypertensive disorder that is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, typically occurring after 20 weeks of gestation. Despite its global impact on pregnant women, the precise pathogenic mechanisms of PE remain unclear. Dysregulated lipid metabolism and immune cell infiltration contribute to PE development. Our study aimed to identify lipid-metabolism-related genes (LMRG-PEs) and investigate their association with immune infiltration. We utilized the "Seurat" R package for data quality control, cell clustering, and marker gene identification. The "SingleR" package enabled the matching of marker genes to specific cell types. Pseudotemporal ordering analysis was conducted using the "Monocle" package. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), gene set variation analysis (GSVA), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) approaches were employed to explore lipid-metabolism-related genes, while potential targeted drugs were predicted using the drug-gene interaction database (DGIdb). Hub gene expression was validated through RT-qPCR. By analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data, we identified and classified 20 cell clusters into 5 distinct types. Differential gene expression analysis revealed 186 DEGs. WGCNA identified 9 critical modules and 265 genes significantly associated with PE diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of the core genes PLA2G7 and PTGS2. RT-qPCR confirmed the significantly decreased expression of PLA2G7 and PTGS2 in PE patient tissues. These findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of PE, particularly those involving lipid metabolism and immune infiltration. The identified hub genes have potential as therapeutic targets and biomarkers for future research and clinical applications.

Oxidative Stress as a Regulatory Checkpoint in the Production of Antiphospholipid Autoantibodies: The Protective Role of NRF2 Pathway

Oxidative stress is a well-known hallmark of Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS), a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by arterial and venous thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity. Oxidative stress may affect various signaling pathways and biological processes, promoting dysfunctional immune responses and inflammation, inducing apoptosis, deregulating autophagy and impairing mitochondrial function. The chronic oxidative stress and the dysregulation of the immune system leads to the loss of tolerance, which drives autoantibody production and inflammation with the development of endothelial dysfunction. In particular, anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL), which target phospholipids and/or phospholipid binding proteins, mainly β-glycoprotein I (β-GPI), play a functional role in the cell signal transduction pathway(s), thus contributing to oxidative stress and thrombotic events. An oxidation-antioxidant imbalance may be detected in the blood of patients with APS as a reflection of disease progression. This review focuses on functional evidence highlighting the role of oxidative stress in the initiation and progression of APS. The protective role of food supplements and Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2) activators in APS patients will be summarized to point out the potential of these therapeutic approaches to reduce APS-related clinical complications.

Weizmannia coagulans JA845 improves atherosclerosis induced by vitamin D3 and high-fat diet in rats through modulating lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and endothelial vascular injury

AIMS

Probiotics have been proved to be strongly linked to the occurrence and progression of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the improved effects and mechanisms underlying a potential probiotic, Weizmannia coagulans JA845, on atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats supported on a high-fat diet with vitamin D3 supplementation were subjected to W. coagulans JA845 treatment. W. coagulans JA845 obviously alleviated histological abnormalities of the abdominal aorta. After 6 weeks of W. coagulans JA845 administration, levels of TG, TC, LDL, ox-LDL, ROS, and MDA in the JA845 group decreased significantly, and those of HDL, GSH-Px, and SOD were markedly elevated. Treatment with W. coagulans JA845 also inhibited the secretion of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and regulated the plasma NO and eNOS content. In brief, administration of W. coagulans JA845 promoted the expression of the SIRT3/SOD2/FOXO3A pathway, inhibited the lipid metabolism pathway, SREBP-1c/FAS/DGAT2, and suppressed the JNK2/P38 MAPK/VEGF pathway implicated in endothelial injury.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated W. coagulans JA845 improved atherosclerosis by regulating lipid metabolism, antioxidative stress, and protecting against endothelial injury.

LINC00240/miR-155 axis regulates function of trophoblasts and M2 macrophage polarization via modulating oxidative stress-induced pyroptosis in preeclampsia

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effects of LINC00240/miR-155/Nrf2 axis on trophoblast function and macrophage polarization in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Methods

Bindings between LINC00240, miR-155 and Nrf2 were validated by dual luciferase reporter assay or RNA-immunoprecipitation. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and pyroptosis were detected by CCK-8, clone formation, wound healing, Transwell system, and flow cytometry, respectively. Macrophage polarization was tested by flow cytometry. The expression levels of LINC00240, miR-155, Nrf2, and oxidative stress and pyroptosis-related markers in in vitro and in vivo preeclampsia models were analyzed by qPCR, western blot, or ELISA assays. Blood pressure, urine protein levels, liver and kidney damages, and trophoblast markers in placenta tissues were further studied in vivo.

Results

Placenta tissues from preeclampsia patients and animals showed decreased LINC00240 and Nrf2 and increased miR-155 expression levels, and the decreased M2 macrophage polarization. LINC00240 directly bound and inhibited expression of miR-155, which then inhibited oxidative stress-induced pyroptosis, promoting proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of trophoblasts, and M2 macrophage polarization. Inhibition of miR-155 led to increased Nrf2 expression and similar changes as LINC00240 overexpression in trophoblast function and macrophage polarization. Overexpression of LINC00240 in in vivo preeclampsia model decreased blood pressure, urine protein, liver and kidney damages, increased fetal weight and length, and induced trophoblast function and M2 macrophage polarization.

Conclusion

LINC00240 inhibited symptoms of preeclampsia through regulation on miR-155/Nrf2 axis, which suppressed oxidative stress-induced pyroptosis to improve trophoblast function and M2 macrophage polarization. LINC00240 could be a potential therapeutic target for preeclampsia.

The Relationship between Angiogenic Factors and Energy Metabolism in Preeclampsia

Antiangiogenic factors are currently used for the prediction of preeclampsia. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between antiangiogenic factors and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in maternal plasma and placenta. We analyzed 56 pregnant women, 30 healthy and 26 with preeclampsia (including early and late onset). We compared antiangiogenic factors soluble Fms-like Tyrosine Kinase-1 (sfLt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), and soluble endoglin (sEng)), lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in maternal plasma, and lipid metabolism in the placenta from assays of fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid esterification, and triglyceride levels in all groups. Antiangiogenic factors sFlt-1, sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, and sEng showed a positive correlation with triglyceride, free fatty acid, and C-peptide maternal serum levels. However, there was no relationship between angiogenic factors and placental lipid metabolism parameters. Free fatty acids were predictive of elevated sFlt-1 and sEng, while C-peptide was predictive of an elevated sFlt1/PlGF ratio. The findings in this study generate a model to predict elevated antiangiogenic factor values and the relationship between them with different products of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in maternal serum and placenta in preeclampsia.

Maternal High-Fat Diet Impairs Placental Fatty Acid β-Oxidation and Metabolic Homeostasis in the Offspring

Maternal overnutrition can affect fetal growth and development, thus increasing susceptibility to obesity and diabetes in later life of the offspring. Placenta is the central organ connecting the developing fetus with the maternal environment. It is indicated placental fatty acid metabolism plays an essential role in affecting the outcome of the pregnancy and fetus. However, the role of placental fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) in maternal overnutrition affecting glucose metabolism in the offspring remains unclear. In this study, C57BL/6J female mice were fed with normal chow or high-fat diet before and during pregnancy and lactation. The placenta and fetal liver were collected at gestation day 18.5, and the offspring's liver was collected at weaning. FAO-related genes and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway were examined both in the placenta and in the human JEG-3 trophoblast cells. FAO-related genes were further examined in the liver of the fetuses and in the offspring at weaning. We found that dams fed with high-fat diet showed higher fasting blood glucose, impaired glucose tolerance at gestation day 14.5 and higher serum total cholesterol (T-CHO) at gestation day 18.5. The placental weight and lipid deposition were significantly increased in maternal high-fat diet group. At weaning, the offspring mice of high-fat diet group exhibited higher body weight, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and increased serum T-CHO, compared with control group. We further found that maternal high-fat diet downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2), a key enzyme in FAO, by suppressing the AMPK/Sirt1/PGC1α signaling pathway in the placenta. In JEG-3 cells, protein expressions of CPT2 and CPT1b were both downregulated by suppressing the AMPK/Sirt1/PGC1α signaling pathway under glucolipotoxic condition, but were later restored by the AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxyamide ribonucleoside (AICAR). However, there was no difference in CPT2 and CPT1 gene expression in the liver of fetuses and offspring at weaning age. In conclusion, maternal high-fat diet can impair gene expression involved in FAO in the placenta by downregulating the AMPK signaling pathway, and can cause glucose and lipid dysfunction of offspring at weaning, indicating that placental FAO may play a crucial role in regulating maternal overnutrition and metabolic health in the offspring.

Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Implications for the Atherothrombotic Process

Atherothrombosis is a frequent complication of the clinical history of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Both atherothrombosis and APS are characterized by increased oxidative stress. Oxidative modifications are implicated in the formation of antiphospholipid antibodies, which in turn may favour the oxidative imbalance by increasing the production of reactive oxidant species (ROS) or by a direct interaction with pro-oxidant/antioxidant enzymes. As a result of these processes, APS patients suffer from an oxidative imbalance that may contribute to the progression of the atherosclerotic process and to the onset of ischemic thrombotic complications. The aim of this review is to describe mechanisms implicated in the formation of ROS in APS patients and their involvement in the atherothrombotic process. We also provide an overview of potential therapeutic approaches to blunt oxidative stress and to prevent atherothrombotic complications in these patients.

Cyclin G2 upregulation impairs migration, invasion, and network formation through RNF123/Dvl2/JNK signaling in the trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo, a possible role in preeclampsia

Disruption of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) migration and invasion is considered to be responsible for pathological placentation in preeclampsia (PE). Cyclin G2 (CCNG2) is an atypical cyclin that inhibits cell cycle progression. However, its biological function and underlying molecular mechanism in PE are poorly understood. In this study, clinical data demonstrated that CCNG2 was significantly upregulated in PE placenta and associated with invasive EVT dysfunction. Additionally, Ccng2 knockout led to an attenuation of PE-like symptoms in the PE mouse model produced via treatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). In vitro, CCNG2 inhibited the migration, invasion, and endothelial-like network formation of human trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo. Mechanically, CCNG2 suppressed JNK-dependent Wnt/PCP signaling and its downstream indicators including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) via promoting the polyubiquitination degradation of dishevelled 2 (Dvl2) protein in HTR8/SVneo cells. We also discovered that the E3 ligase Ring finger protein 123 (RNF123), as a novel CCNG2 target among HTR8/SVneo cells, interacted with Dvl2 and participated in CCNG2-induced polyubiquitination degradation of Dvl2. Moreover, we verified that the treatment of HTR8/SVneo cells with RNF123-specific siRNA improved polyubiquitination-induced degradation of Dvl2 and the activity of Wnt/PCP-JNK signaling mediated by CCNG2. Taken together, our results reveal that the CCNG2/RNF123/Dvl2/JNK axis may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of PE through trophoblastic cell function modulation, thus probably providing us with new therapeutic strategies for PE treatment.

Metabolomics of a mouse model of preeclampsia induced by overexpressing soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1

Preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Nicotinamide has beneficial effects on PE. In this study, we evaluated the effect of nicotinamide on placental development using a PE mouse model. To generate the PE model, a recombinant adenovirus to overproduce soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) was administered to mice (Jcl:ICR) at 8.5 day post-coitum (dpc). Plasma and placenta samples were harvested at 12.5 dpc. Fetal and placental weight was significantly decreased at 12.5 dpc in PE mice. Plasma and placental acylcarnitine levels were significantly higher in PE mice than those in control mice. Glycolysis was accelerated and glucose metabolic flow was altered with hypoxia, leading to ATP shortage in the labyrinth of PE mice. In PE mice, ATP production was diminished, and fatty acid oxidation was accelerated in the placenta, consequently, blood carnitine and acylcarnitine levels were increased. The mitochondrial morphology in BeWo cells was impaired under hypoxia. Nicotinamide treatment reversed fetal growth restriction, placental development, and altered metabolic flow in the early stage in PE. In addition, nicotinamide normalized impaired mitochondrial morphology. Hence, targeting this metabolic alteration in the placenta using nicotinamide may serve as a potential therapeutic approach for PE treatment.

Pre-eclamptic Fetal Programming Alters Neuroinflammatory and Cardiovascular Consequences of Endotoxemia in Sex-Specific Manners

Pre-eclampsia (PE)-induced fetal programming predisposes offspring to health hazards in adult life. Here, we tested the hypothesis that pre-eclamptic fetal programming elicits sexually dimorphic inflammatory and cardiovascular complications to endotoxemia in adult rat offspring. PE was induced by oral administration of L-NAME (50 mg/kg per day for seven consecutive days) starting from day 14 of conception. Cardiovascular studies were performed in conscious adult male and female offspring preinstrumented with femoral indwelling catheters. Compared with non-PE male counterparts, intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg/kg) to PE male offspring caused significantly greater 1) falls in blood pressure, 2) increases in heart rate, 3) rises in arterial dP/dtmax, a correlate of left ventricular contractility, and 4) decreases in time- and frequency-domain indices of heart rate variability (HRV). By contrast, the hypotensive and tachycardic actions of LPS in female offspring were independent of the pre-eclamptic state and no clear changes in HRV or dP/dtmax were noted. Measurement of arterial baroreflex activity by vasoactive method revealed no sex specificity in baroreflex dysfunction induced by LPS. Immunohistochemical studies showed increased protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 in heart as well as in brainstem neuronal pools of the nucleus of solitary tract and rostral ventrolateral medulla in endotoxic PE male, but not female, offspring. Enhanced myocardial, but not neuronal, expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was also demonstrated in LPS-treated male offspring. Together, pre-eclamptic fetal programming aggravates endotoxic manifestations of hypotension and autonomic dysfunction in male offspring via exacerbating myocardial and neuromedullary inflammatory pathways. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Current molecular and neuroanatomical evidence highlights a key role for pre-eclamptic fetal programming in offspring predisposition to health hazards induced by endotoxemia in adult life. Pre-eclampsia accentuates endotoxic manifestations of hypotension, tachycardia, and cardiac autonomic dysfunction in male offspring via exacerbating myocardial and central inflammatory pathways. The absence of such detrimental effects in female littermates suggests sexual dimorphism in the interaction of pre-eclamptic fetal programming with endotoxemia.

Plasma Metabolic Profiling Analysis of Gout Party on Acute Gout Arthritis Rats Based on UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS Combined with Multivariate Statistical Analysis

Gout Party is a Chinese medicine prescription composed of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparaia, Aconiti Radix Cocta, Cremastrae Pseudobulbus Pleiones Pseudobulbus, Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, which can relieve joint pain caused by gouty arthritis (GA) and rheumatoid, and has a therapeutic effect on acute gouty arthritis (AGA). However, little information is available on the molecular biological basis and therapeutic mechanism of Gout Party for the treatment of AGA. AGA model was established by injecting sodium urate, and colchicine served as a positive control drug. We established a metabolomic method based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC–Q–TOF/MS) to analyze the plasma samples of model group rats and blank group rats. Multiple statistical analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square discrimination analysis (PLS-DA), were used to examine metabolite profile changes in plasma samples. Finally, we identified 2–ketobutyric acid, 3–hexenedioic acid, but–2–enoic acid, and so on; 22 endogenous metabolites associated with AGA. After successful molding, we found that 2–ketobutyric acid, 3–hexenedioic acid, but–2–enoic acid, argininic acid, galactonic acid, lactic acid, equol 4′–O–glucuronide, deoxycholic acid glycine conjugate, glycocholic acid, sphinganine 1–phosphate, LPE (0:0/20:3), LPE (0:0/16:0), LPC (15:0) decreased significantly (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), alanine, erythrulose, 3–dehydrocarnitine, m–methylhippuric acid, 3–hydroxyoctanoic acid, p–cresol sulfate, estriol 3–sulfate 16–glucuronide, 10–hydroxy–9–(phosphonooxy)octadecenoate, docosahexaenoic acid increased significantly (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). After Gout Party treatment, 14 biomarkers had a tendency to normal conditions. These above biomarkers were mainly involved in fatty acid metabolism, bile acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism pathways. These results suggested that Gout Party exerted therapeutic effects of treating AGA by improving energy metabolism disorder and amino acid metabolism dysfunction, and attenuating fatty acid metabolism abnormal and inflammation. The results of this experiment provided a reference for revealing the metabolic mechanism produced by Gout Party in the treatment of AGA, but the subsequent studies need to be further improved and supported by relevant cell experiments and clinical experiments.

Role of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway in regulation of fatty acid oxidation in a preeclampsia-like mouse model treated with pravastatin

Background:

Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) disorder is involved in the pathogenesis of some cases of preeclampsia (PE). Several studies show that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is related to FAO. Pravastatin (Pra) can promote FAO in Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) PE-like mouse model in our previous study. This study aimed to investigate the effect of mTOR signaling pathway in PE-like model treated with Pra.

Methods:

Pregnant mice were randomly injected with L-NAME as PE-like model group or saline as control group respectively, from gestational 7th to 18th day. Giving Pra (L-NAME + Pra, Control + Pra, n = 8) or normal saline (NS; L-NAME + NS, Control + NS, n = 8) from gestational 8th to 18th day, the mice were sacrificed on day 18 and their liver and placental tissues were collected. Then the activation of mTOR and its substrates in the liver and placenta were detected. And the association between mTOR activation and serum free fatty acid (FFA) levels and the expression of long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (LCHAD) were evaluated using Pearson correlation test. Differences between groups were analyzed using independent t-test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results:

Both in the maternal liver and placenta, the activation of mTOR protein and its effect on substrates increased significantly in the L-NAME + NS group and decreased significantly in the L-NAME + Pra group. The p-mTOR/mTOR protein ratio decreased in the L-NAME + Pra group significantly than that in the L-NAME + NS group both in liver and placenta (liver: 0.74 ± 0.08 vs. 0.85 ± 0.06, t = 2.95, P < 0.05; placenta: 0.63 ± 0.06 vs. 0.77 ± 0.06, t = 4.64, P < 0.05). The activation of mTOR protein in the liver and placenta negatively correlated with the expression of LCHAD in the L-NAME + NS group (liver: r = −0.745, P < 0.05; placenta: r = −0.833, P < 0.05) and that in the maternal liver negatively correlated with the expression of LCHAD (r = −0.733, P < 0.05) and positively with the serum FFA levels (r = 0.841, P < 0.05) in the L-NAME + Pra group.

Conclusion:

The inhibition of mTOR signaling pathway might be involved in the regulation of FAO in mouse model treated with Pra.

Different Effects of Pravastatin on Preeclampsia-like Symptoms in Different Mouse Models

Background

Pravastatin (Pra) exerts protective effects on preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a multifactorial and pathogenic pathway syndrome. The present study compared the effects of Pra on clinical manifestations of preeclampsia in different pathogenic pathways.

Methods

Two different preeclampsia-like mouse models used in this study were generated with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from day 7 of gestation, respectively. Pra treatment was administered on day 2 after the models were established in each group (L-NAME + Pra, LPS + Pra, and Control + Pra, n = 8) or normal saline (NS) for the control group (L-NAME + NS, LPS + NS, and Control + NS, n = 8). Maternal weight, serum lipids, the histopathological changes, and lipid deposition in the liver and placenta were observed. The pregnancy outcomes were compared. The blood pressure analysis was carried out on repeated measurements of variance. Student's t-test was used for comparing the two groups. The enumeration data were compared by Chi-square test.

Results

The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and 24-h urinary protein in the L-NAME + NS and LPS + NS groups were significantly higher than the Control + NS group (F = 211.05 and 309.92 for MAP, t = 6.63 and 8.63 for 24-h urinary protein; all P < 0.05) and reduced in the L-NAME + Pra group as compared to the L-NAME + NS group (F = 208.60 for MAP, t = 6.77 for urinary protein; both P < 0.05). Urinary protein was decreased in the LPS + Pra group as compared to the LPS + NS group (t = 5.33; P < 0.05), whereas MAP had no statistical significance (F = 3.37; P > 0.05). Compared to the Control + NS group, the placental efficiency in the L-NAME + NS and LPS + NS groups decreased significantly (t = 3.09 and 2.89, respectively; both P < 0.05); however, no significant difference was observed in L-NAME + Pra and LPS + Pra groups (t = 1.37 and 0.58, respectively; both P > 0.05). Free fatty acid was elevated in the L-NAME + NS group as compared to the Control + NS group (t = 3.99; P < 0.05) at day 18 of pregnancy and decreased in the L-NAME + Pra group as compared to the L-NAME + NS group (t = 3.28; P < 0.05); however, no significant change was observed in the LPS model (F = 0.32; P > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study suggested that Pra affected the clinical manifestations differently in preeclampsia-like mouse models generated in various pathogenic pathways.

Effects of Rapamycin on Clinical Manifestations and Blood Lipid Parameters in Different Preeclampsia-like Mouse Models

Background:

The pathogenesis of some types of preeclampsia is related to fatty acid oxidation disorders. Rapamycin can regulate fatty acid metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rapamycin on the clinical manifestations and blood lipid parameters in different preeclampsia-like mouse models.

Methods:

Two preeclampsia-like mouse models and a control group were established: L-NA (injected with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), LPS (injected with lipopolysaccharide), and the control group with normal saline (NS). The mouse models were established at preimplantation (PI), early- and late-pregnancy (EP, LP) according to the time of pregnancy. The administration of rapamycin (RA; L-NA+RA, LPS+RA, and NS+RA) or vehicle as controls (C; L-NA+C, LPS+C, NS+C) were followed on the 2^nd day after the mouse models’ establishment. Each subgroup consisted of eight pregnant mice. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), 24-h urinary protein, blood lipid, fetus, and placental weight were measured. The histopathological changes and lipid deposition of the liver and placenta were observed. Student's t-test was used for comparing two groups. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used for blood pressure analysis. Qualitative data were compared by Chi-square test.

Results:

The MAP and 24-h urinary protein in the PI, EP, and LP subgroups of the L-NA+C and LPS+C groups were significantly higher compared with the respective variables in the NS+C group (P < 0.05). The preeclampsia-like mouse models were established successfully. There was no significant difference in the MAP between the PI, EP, and LP subgroups of the L-NA+RA and L-NA+C groups and the LPS+RA and LPS+C groups. The 24-h urine protein levels in the PI and EP subgroups of the L-NA+RA group were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the L-NA+C groups (1037 ± 63 vs. 2127 ± 593 μg; 976 ± 42 vs. 1238 ± 72 μg; both P < 0.05), also this effect appeared similar in the PI and EP subgroups of the LPS+RA and LPS+C groups (1022 ± 246 vs. 2141 ± 432 μg; 951 ± 41 vs. 1308 ± 30 μg; both P < 0.05). The levels of serum-free fatty acid (FFA) in the PI and EP subgroups of the L-NA+RA groups were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the L-NA+C group (2.49 ± 0.44 vs. 3.30 ± 0.18 mEq/L; 2.23 ± 0.29 vs. 2.84 ± 0.14 mEq/L; both P < 0.05). The levels of triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol in the PI subgroup of the L-NA+RA group were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the L-NA+C (1.51 ± 0.16 vs. 2.41 ± 0.37 mmol/L; 2.11 ± 0.17 vs. 2.47 ± 0.26 mmol/L; both P < 0.05), whereas high-density lipoprotein serum concentration was significantly higher (1.22 ± 0.19 vs. 0.87 ± 0.15 mmol/L; P < 0.05) and low-density lipoprotein serum concentration did not exhibit a significant difference. There were no significant differences in the FFA of the PI, EP, and LP subgroups between the LPS+RA and the LPS+C groups. The levels of TG in the PI subgroup of the LPS+RA group were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the LPS+C group (0.97 ± 0.05 vs. 1.22 ± 0.08 mmol/L; P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Rapamycin can improve clinical manifestations and blood lipid profile in part of the preeclampsia-like mouse models.

Studies on effect of Ginkgo biloba L. leaves in acute gout with hyperuricemia model rats by using UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS metabolomic approach

The therapeutic effects of GBE on acute gout with hyperuricemia rats were investigated by using a metabolomic approach.

Tissue specific expression of human fatty acid oxidation enzyme genes in late pregnancy

Background

Abnormal fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is associated with maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy. The contribution of maternal and fetal tissues to FAO capacity during late pregnancy is important to understand the pathophysiology of pregnancy-associated complications. The aim of this study was to determine the expression levels of mitochondrial FAO enzymes in maternal and fetal tissues during late normal pregnancy.

Methods

We have measured by Real-time PCR the levels of long- and medium -chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD and MCAD), two acyl-CoA dehydrogenases that catalyze the initial step in the mitochondrial FAO spiral.

Results

LCHAD and MCAD were expressed in maternal skeletal muscle, subcutaneous adipose tissue, placenta, and maternal and fetal blood cells. LCHAD gene expression was four- to 16-fold higher than MCAD gene expression in placenta, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. In contrast, MCAD gene expression was ~5-fold higher in fetal blood than maternal blood (p = 0.02), whereas LCHAD gene expression was similar between fetal blood and maternal blood (p =0.91).

Conclusions

LCHAD and MCAD are differentially expressed in maternal and fetal tissues during normal late pregnancy, which may represent a metabolic adaptation in response to physiological maternal dyslipidemia during late pregnancy.

HELLP Syndrome

The hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is frequently observed in mothers whose offspring have long-chain fatty acid oxidation defects. We previously found that fatty acid oxidation is compromised not only in these inborn errors of metabolism but also in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from all pregnancies complicated by the HELLP syndrome. Sirtuins are oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)dependent deacetylases linked to the metabolic status of the cell. SIRT 4 is known to have regulatory functions in fatty acid oxidation. The HELLP syndrome is often associated with short-term hypoxia. We studied sirtuins (SIRT 1, SIRT 3, and SIRT 4) in HUVECs from pregnancies complicated by the HELLP syndrome and uncomplicated pregnancies exposed to hypoxia (n = 7 controls, 7 HELLP; 0, 10, 60, or 120 minutes of 2% O₂). Protein levels of SIRT 4 were significantly higher in HUVECs from HELLP compared to control after 60 and 120 minutes of hypoxia. The NAD⁺ levels increased in a time-dependent manner.

Modulation of FABP4 hypomethylation by DNMT1 and its inverse interaction with miR-148a/152 in the placenta of preeclamptic rats and HTR-8 cells

Inflammation and dysregulated lipid metabolism are involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) is known to regulate both inflammation and lipid metabolism. In the present study, we elucidated the role of FABP4 using in vitro and in vivo models of preclampsia. We found increased expression of FABP4 in the placenta of preeclamptic rats, which was further confirmed in HTR-8 cells, an extravillous trophoblast cell line, treated with L-NAME. Overexpression of FABP4 in HTR-8 cells resulted in upregulated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and increased lipid accumulation, suggesting that FABP4 plays a role in preeclampsia. Furthermore, downregulation of methylation in the promotor resulted in increased FABP4 expression, which was mediated by downregulated DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). Bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-148a/152 regulated the expression of DNMT1, and additional in vitro studies revealed that miR-148a/152 inhibited DNMT1 expression by directly binding to its 3'-UTR. Interestingly, DNMT1 enhanced the expression of miR-148a/152 by downregulation of methylation in its promotor. Taken together, our results showed that FABP4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, and the expression of FABP4 is enhanced by miR-148a/152 mediated inhibition of DNMT1 expression.