Inhibition of lipolysis by hydrocarbons and fatty alcohols

The bile salt/phospholipid ratio determines the extent of in vitro intestinal lipolysis of triglycerides: Interfacial and emulsion studies

This study focused on the protein-stabilised triglyceride (TG)/water interfaces and oil-in-water emulsions, and explored the influence of varying molar ratios of bile salts (BSs) and phospholipids (PLs) on the intestinal lipolysis of TGs. The presence of these two major groups of biosurfactants delivered with human bile to the physiological environment of intestinal digestion was replicated in our experiments by using mixtures of individual BSs and PLs under in vitro small intestinal lipolysis conditions. Conducted initially, retrospective analysis of available scientific literature revealed that an average molar ratio of 9:4 for BSs to PLs (BS/PL) can be considered physiological in the postprandial adult human small intestine. Our experimental data showed that combining BSs and PLs synergistically enhanced interfacial activity, substantially reducing oil-water interfacial tension (IFT) during interfacial lipolysis experiments with pancreatic lipase, especially at the BS/PL-9:4 ratio. Other BS/PL molar proportions (BS/PL-6.5:6.5 and BS/PL-4:9) and an equimolar amount of BSs (BS-13) followed in IFT reduction efficiency, while using PLs alone as biosurfactants was the least efficient. In the following emulsion lipolysis experiments, BS/PL-9:4 outperformed other BS/PL mixtures in terms of enhancing the TG digestion extent. The degree of TG conversion and the desorption efficiency of interfacial material post-lipolysis correlated directly with the BS/PL ratio, decreasing as the PL proportion increased. In conclusion, this study highlights the crucial role of biliary PLs, alongside BSs, in replicating the physiological function of bile in intestinal lipolysis of emulsified TGs. Our results showed different contributions of PLs and BSs to lipolysis, strongly suggesting that any future in vitro studies aiming to simulate the human digestion conditions should take into account the impact of biliary PLs - not just BSs - to accurately mimic the physiological role of bile in intestinal lipolysis. This is particularly crucial given the fact that existing in vitro digestion protocols typically focus solely on applying specific concentrations and/or compositions of BSs to simulate the action of human bile during intestinal digestion, while overlooking the presence and concentration of biliary PLs under physiological gut conditions.

Immobilised lipase for in vitro lipolysis experiments

In vitro lipolysis experiments are used to assess digestion of lipid-based formulations, and probe solubilisation by colloidal phases during digestion. However, proteins and other biological components in the pancreatin often used as the lipase result in high-background scattering when interrogating structures using scattering approaches, complicating the resolution of colloidal structures. In this study, to circumvent this problem, a modified in vitro digestion model employing lipase immobilised on polymer beads, which allows for separation of the lipid digestion components during lipolysis, was investigated. Titration of the fatty acids released during digestion of medium chain triglycerides using pancreatin compared with immobilised lipase, combined with HPLC was used to follow the digestion, and small-angle X-ray scattering was used to determine colloidal structure formation. Digestion of medium chain triglycerides at the same nominal activity revealed that for the immobilised lipase, a longer digestion time was required to achieve the same extent of digestion. However, the same structural endpoint was observed, indicating that structure formation was not affected by the choice of lipase used. Lipolysis with immobilised lipase led to the reduction of parasitic scattering, resulting in clearer and more defined scattering from the structures generated by the lipolysis products.

Efficient hydrolytic reaction of an acetate ester with fungal lipase in a liquid-liquid interface bioreactor (L-L IBR) using CaCO₃-coated ballooned microsphere

In a liquid-liquid interface bioreactor using a CaCO₃-coated ballooned microsphere, 2-ethylhexyl acetate was efficiently hydrolyzed to 2-ethyl-1-hexanol with Absidia coerulea NBRC 4423 compared with using talc-coated or non-coated ballooned microsphere. It was assumed that CaCO₃ brought about stabilization of lipase by Ca²⁺ and maintenance of medium pH.

The role of fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase in epidermal structure and function

The epidermal water barrier resides in the stratum corneum (SC) and is dependent on a highly organized network of multi-lamellar membranes comprised of a critical lipid composition. The SC membranes are formed from precursor membranes packaged in cytoplasmic lamellar bodies in the stratum granulosum and delivered to the SC by exocytosis. An abnormal lipid composition of the SC membranes often results in a disrupted water barrier and the clinical appearance of ichthyosis. This cutaneous feature is characteristic of Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS), an inborn error of lipid metabolism caused by deficiency of fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase (FALDH). The contribution of FALDH to normal epidermal function has become increasingly evident with the recognition that this enzyme has an essential role in metabolism of several lipids, including fatty aldehydes and alcohols, ether glycerolipids, isoprenoid alcohols and certain lipids that undergo ω-oxidation, such as leukotriene B4 and very long-chain fatty acids. In the absence of FALDH, the skin produces lamellar bodies that are empty, lack their surrounding vesicle membranes or contain granular contents rather then the usual cargo membranes. These defective organelles also have impaired exocytosis, which results in structurally abnormal, deficient multi-lamellar membranes in the SC and a leaky water barrier. Although the exact biochemical mechanism for the cutaneous pathology is still unclear, studies in SLS demonstrate the critical importance of FALDH for normal epidermal structure and function.

Cytochrome P450s and short-chain dehydrogenases mediate the toxicogenomic response of PCB52 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Although non-coplanar PCBs are ubiquitous organic chemicals known to induce numerous biological responses and thus are toxic to man and wildlife, little is known about the toxic mode of action. Using PCB52, an ortho-substituted, 2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl, it was possible to pinpoint the relationship between induced gene expression and observed toxicity in the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. On the basis of the calculated EC20 for brood size (5 mg/l), whole genome DNA microarray experiments were performed to identify differentially expressed genes. Gene knockdown by RNAi was used to determine the consequences in reproductive fitness in the presence and in the absence of PCB52. On the basis of altered phenotype, several gene classes were identified to have a pivotal role in PCB52 toxicogenesis, most notably cytochrome P450s, short-chain dehydrogenases and lipases. In addition to this, four of six selected cytochrome P450s were shown to be involved in fat storage, with PCB52 exposure increasing the fat content in N2 wild-type as indicated by staining with Nile red. Furthermore, exposure to PCB52 induces a general detoxification response via small heat-shock proteins and caspases. Our data provide strong evidence of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the toxicity of non-coplanar PCBs, and confirms that, despite the ability to metabolize PCB, alterations in lipid metabolism and storage are major factors that drive the toxic effect of PCB52.

Wax ester-synthesizing activity of lipases

The synthesis/hydrolysis of wax esters was studied in an aqueous solution using purified rat pancreatic lipase, porcine pancreatic carboxylester lipase, and Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase. The equilibrium between wax ester synthesis and hydrolysis favored ester formation at neutral pH. The synthesizing activities were measured using free fatty acid or triacylglycerol as the acyl donor and an equimolar amount of long-chain alcohol as the acyl acceptor. When oleic acid and hexadecanol emulsified with gum arabic were incubated with these lipases, wax ester was synthesized, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the apparent equilibrium ratio of palmityl oleate/free oleic acid was about 0.9/0.1. These lipases catalyzed the hydrolysis of palmityl oleate emulsified with gum arabic, and the apparent equilibrium ratio of palmityl oleate/free oleic acid was also about 0.9/0.1. The apparent equilibrium ratio of wax ester/free fatty acid catalyzed by lipase depended on incubation pH and fatty alcohol chain length. When equimolar amounts of trioleoylglycerol and fatty acyl alcohol were incubated with pancreatic lipase, carboxylester lipase, or P. fluorescens lipase, wax esters were synthesized dose-dependently. These results suggest that lipases can catalyze the synthesis of wax esters from free fatty acids or through degradation of triacylglycerol in an aqueous medium.

Screening of lipase inhibitors from marine algae

The possible presence of an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase (triacylglycerol acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3) was screened in 54 marine algae. An active inhibitor, caulerpenyne, was purified from an extract of Caulerpa taxifolia, using ethyl acetate extraction, followed by successive chromatographies on ODS and silica gel columns. The purified inhibitor was identified by thin-layer chromatography, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Caulerpenyne competitively inhibited lipase activities using emulsified triolein and dispersed 4-methylumbelliferyl oleate (4-MU oleate) as substrates. The concentrations producing 50% inhibition against triolein and 4-MU oleate hydrolysis were 2 mM and 13 microM, respectively. In vivo, oral administration of corn oil with or without caulerpenyne to rats demonstrated a reduced and delayed peak plasma triacylglycerol concentration with caulerpenyne.

Meibomian gland dysfunction

Blepharitis is probably the most common disease entity seen in the general ophthalmologist's office. A significant proportion of these cases are secondary to meibomian gland disease. This review outlines our knowledge of the histopathology, lipid abnormalities and role of microorganisms in meibomian gland dysfunction. We will also review the physiology of meibomian gland secretion and present models of meibomian gland dysfunction which have enhanced our knowledge of this condition. The importance of diagnosing associated conditions such as aqueous tear deficiency, contact lens intolerance, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis is emphasized. Although this condition causes significant morbidity in the population, there are effective treatments available and these will be discussed.

Influence of the hydrophobicity of lipase isoenzymes from Candida rugosa on its hydrolytic activity in reverse micelles

Two isoenzymes of Candida rugosa lipase, having the same mol.wt., size and similar aminoacid sequence, were studied in reverse micelles of AOT. The results demonstrated the relevance of lipase hydrophobicity in reactions in anionic micelles. This is a key factor in mitigating the inhibition effect of charged micelles. The more hydrophobic isolipase A was a better biocatalyst for hydrolytic processes in these systems. Its alpha-helix content increased from 31% to 49% of the total structure in reverse micelles. A fluorescence study indicated a more apolar environment for the more hydrophobic isolipase A. Emission spectra of this isolipase in the AOT systems were blue shifted. At omega 0 values where each isolipase presented its maximum activity, a decrease of the emission intensity of Trp was found. An enzyme and substrate dependence of optimal omega 0 is reported. The different interaction of isolipases A and B with the micellar system produced an opposite omega 0 dependence to their stabilities. The more hydrophobic lipase A had higher stability at higher droplet sizes.

Contribution to the study of the alteration of lipase activity of Candida rugosa by ions and buffers

A semipurified C. rugosa lipase (LS) has been prepared from commercial lipase (LC) using an economical procedure. The presence of sugars and glycopeptides has been detected in LS and LC. Pure lipase only has covalently bonded sugars. The hydrolysis of olive oil catalyzed by LS and commercial lipase (LC) is sensitive to the presence of cations Na(I), Mg(II), Ca(II), and Ba(II) and to the nature of buffer. Highest enzyme activity is obtained with 0.1M Tris/HCl buffers and the combination of NaCl 0.11M and CaCl2 0.11M. Fluorescence spectroscopy analysis of LC, LS, and both pure isoenzymes lipases A and B, was used to analyze the interaction of the lipase with these effectors. Inorganic cations Na or Ca do not interact with pure enzyme LA but do interact with LC and LS and do so slightly with LB. The organic cations (morfolinium or tris) interact with pure lipases. We postulate that the increase in the lipase activity produced by Na(I) or Ca(II) is related with interfacial phenomena, but the increase might be more specific in the hydrolysis of olive oil in the presence of Tris-HCl or morfoline-HCl buffer, owing to enzyme-buffer interaction.

Purification and characterization of two distinct lipases from Candida cylindracea

We have purified and characterized two isoenzymes from a commercial lipase preparation of Candida cylindracea. The purification procedure includes ethanol precipitation and DEAE-Sephacel and Sephacryl HR 100 chromatographies. Lipase A and lipase B were purified 11-fold with a 5% and 21% recovery in activity, respectively. The enzymes have similar amino acid content, N-terminal sequence and molecular weight, but differ on neutral sugar content, hydrophobicity, presence of isoforms and stability to pH and temperature. They also show some differences in the substrate specificity.