Modulation of gene expression by vitamin B6

Pyridoxine deficiency modulates benzene inhalation-induced hematotoxicity associated with hepatic CYP2E1 activity in B6C3F1 mice

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Modifying effects of pyridoxine deficiency on benzene toxicity were assessed in B6C3F1 mice.

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The mice were fed either a pyridoxine-deficient diet or control diet.

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Pyridoxine deficiency was combined with nose-only benzene inhalation exposure (100 ppm).

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Pyridoxine deficiency and benzene inhalation led to lower body, thymus and spleen weights.

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The treatment combination also led to higher hepatic CYP2E1 protein expression and activity.

Pyridoxine is a co-factor in many enzymatic reactions and impacts of deficiency have been observed in affected populations. A possible modifying effect of pyridoxine deficiency on benzene toxicity was assessed in male B₆C₃F₁ mice fed either a pyridoxine-deficient diet or a control diet. This treatment was combined with benzene inhalation exposure (100 ppm) or no benzene treatment. Pyridoxine-deficient mice exposed to 100 ppm benzene had significantly lower body, thymus and spleen weights. While total white blood cell counts, percentage of lymphocytes, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were lower, the percentage of neutrophils was significantly higher in deficient and benzene-exposed mice compared to non-exposed controls. Hepatic CYP2E1 protein expression and activity in the deficient and exposed mice were also significantly higher compared to the non-exposed controls. A significant correlation between CYP2E1 activity and several hematological parameters was observed. These results demonstrated that pyridoxine deficiency significantly impacted benzene-induced hematotoxicity. Moreover, the observed agonistic effect of pyridoxinedeficiency and benzene inhalation exposure on CYP2E1 would seem to indicate an involvement of metabolism, but this needs to be further assessed.

Preparation, Antioxidant Properties and Ability to Increase Intracellular NO of a New Pyridoxine Derivative B6NO

In the case of various pathologies, an imbalance between ROS generation and the endogenous AOS can be observed, which leads to excessive ROS accumulation, intensification of LPO processes, and oxidative stress. For the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress, drugs with antioxidant activity can be used. The cytotoxic, antioxidant, and NO-donor properties of the new hybrid compound B6NO (di(3-hydroxy-4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridinium) salt of 2-(nitrooxy)butanedioic acid) were studied. It was determined that B6NO chelates iron ions by 94%, which indicates B6NO's ability to block the Fenton reaction. The hybrid compound B6NO inhibits the process of initiated lipid peroxidation more effectively than pyridoxine. It was shown that B6NO exhibits antioxidant properties by decreasing ROS concentration in normal cells during the oxidative stress induction by tert-Butyl peroxide. At the same time, the B6NO antioxidant activity on tumor cells was significantly lower. B6NO significantly increases the intracellular nitrogen monoxide accumulation and showed low cytotoxicity for normal cells (IC50 > 4 mM). Thus, the results indicate a high potential of the B6NO as an antioxidant compound.

Nutritional approach for increasing public health during pandemic of COVID-19: A comprehensive review of antiviral nutrients and nutraceuticals

Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is considered as the most life-threatening pandemic disease during the last decade. The individual nutritional status, though usually ignored in the management of COVID-19, plays a critical role in the immune function and pathogenesis of infection. Accordingly, the present review article aimed to report the effects of nutrients and nutraceuticals on respiratory viral infections including COVID-19, with a focus on their mechanisms of action. Methods: Studies were identified via systematic searches of the databases including PubMed/ MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2000 until April 2020, using keywords. All relevant clinical and experimental studies published in English were included. Results: Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is common in severe respiratory infections and should be considered in the management of COVID-19 patients. On the other hand, obesity can be accompanied by decreasing the host immunity. Therefore, increasing physical activity at home and a slight caloric restriction with adequate intake of micronutrients and nutraceuticals are simple aids to boost host immunity and decrease the clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Conclusion: The most important nutrients which can be considered for COVID-19 management are vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, zinc, and probiotics. Their adequacy should be provided through dietary intake or appropriate supplementation. Moreover, adequate intake of some other dietary agents including vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, alpha linolenic acid and phytochemicals are required to maintain the host immunity.

Isoniazid-induced gynaecomastia: report of a paediatric case and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Gynaecomastia is a fairly common condition in puberty but is rare in prepubertal boys. While it is necessary to exclude possible endocrinopathay in prepubertal gynaecomastia, medication is an important and potentially reversible cause to consider in new onset gynaecomastia. Isoniazid-induced gynaecomastia has been reported in adult males, but none was reported in the paediatric population and general paediatricians may not be aware of this uncommon side effect.

CASE PRESENTATION

We hereby report a 11-year-old prepubertal boy who developed gynaecomastia while taking anti-tuberculosis drugs. Investigations excluded endocrinopathies. Gynaecomastia subsided 8 weeks after stopping isoniazid.

CONCLUSION

This case is the first paediatric case report describing the association of gynaecomastia with isoniazid use. It is important for general paediatricians to recognize this entity, as prompt diagnosis and cessation of the offending drug can lead to resolution of the problem.

Determination and Comparison of 4'- O-Methylpyridoxine Analogues in Ginkgo biloba Seeds at Different Growth Stages

The antivitamin B₆, 4'- O-methylpyridoxine (MPN); its glucoside, 4'- O-methylpyridoxine-5'-glucoside (MPNG); and vitamin B₆ compounds, including pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxamine, pyridoxine, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), and pyridoxamine-5'-phosphate, exist in Ginkgo biloba seeds, which are widely used as food and medicine. This work aimed to determine the MPN analogues in G. biloba seeds at different growth stages in terms of cultivars and ages of trees. The highest total MPN contents of 249.30, 295.62, and 267.85 μg/g were obtained in the mature stages of three selected G. biloba samples. The total contents of vitamin B₆ compounds decreased significantly in the entire growth period of the three samples. Principal-component analysis revealed that MPN and MPNG were important contributors in the MPN-analogue metabolism of G. biloba seeds. The influence of the cultivar on the content and composition of MPN analogues was greater than that of the age of the G. biloba tree.

Vitamin B₆ and Its Role in Cell Metabolism and Physiology

Vitamin B₆ is one of the most central molecules in cells of living organisms. It is a critical co-factor for a diverse range of biochemical reactions that regulate basic cellular metabolism, which impact overall physiology. In the last several years, major progress has been accomplished on various aspects of vitamin B₆ biology. Consequently, this review goes beyond the classical role of vitamin B₆ as a cofactor to highlight new structural and regulatory information that further defines how the vitamin is synthesized and controlled in the cell. We also discuss broader applications of the vitamin related to human health, pathogen resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance. Overall, the information assembled shall provide helpful insight on top of what is currently known about the vitamin, along with addressing currently open questions in the field to highlight possible approaches vitamin B₆ research may take in the future.

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B₆) and the Glutathione Peroxidase System; a Link between One-Carbon Metabolism and Antioxidation

Vitamin B₆ (B₆) has a central role in the metabolism of amino acids, which includes important interactions with endogenous redox reactions through its effects on the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) system. In fact, B₆-dependent enzymes catalyse most reactions of the transsulfuration pathway, driving homocysteine to cysteine and further into GPX proteins. Considering that mammals metabolize sulfur- and seleno-amino acids similarly, B₆ plays an important role in the fate of sulfur-homocysteine and its seleno counterpart between transsulfuration and one-carbon metabolism, especially under oxidative stress conditions. This is particularly important in reproduction because ovarian metabolism may generate an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the peri-estrus period, which may impair ovulatory functions and early embryo development. Later in gestation, placentation raises embryo oxygen tension and may induce a higher expression of ROS markers and eventually embryo losses. Interestingly, the metabolic accumulation of ROS up-regulates the flow of one-carbon units to transsulfuration and down-regulates remethylation. However, in embryos, the transsulfuration pathway is not functional, making the understanding of the interplay between these two pathways particularly crucial. In this review, the importance of the maternal metabolic status of B₆ for the flow of one-carbon units towards both maternal and embryonic GPX systems is discussed. Additionally, B₆ effects on GPX activity and gene expression in dams, as well as embryo development, are presented in a pig model under different oxidative stress conditions.

Vitamins and nutrients as primary treatments in experimental brain injury: Clinical implications for nutraceutical therapies

With the numerous failures of pharmaceuticals to treat traumatic brain injury in humans, more researchers have become interested in combination therapies. This is largely due to the multimodal nature of damage from injury, which causes excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, edema, neuroinflammation and cell death. Polydrug treatments have the potential to target multiple aspects of the secondary injury cascade, while many previous therapies focused on one particular aspect. Of specific note are vitamins, minerals and nutrients that can be utilized to supplement other therapies. Many of these have low toxicity, are already FDA approved and have minimal interactions with other drugs, making them attractive targets for therapeutics. Over the past 20 years, interest in supplementation and supraphysiologic dosing of nutrients for brain injury has increased and indeed many vitamins and nutrients now have a considerable body of the literature backing their use. Here, we review several of the prominent therapies in the category of nutraceutical treatment for brain injury in experimental models, including vitamins (B2, B3, B6, B9, C, D, E), herbs and traditional medicines (ginseng, Gingko biloba), flavonoids, and other nutrients (magnesium, zinc, carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids). While there is still much work to be done, several of these have strong potential for clinical therapies, particularly with regard to polydrug regimens. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:Brain injury and recovery.

Prediagnostic plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (vitamin b6) levels and invasive breast carcinoma risk: the multiethnic cohort

BACKGROUND

Evidence from experimental and epidemiologic studies suggests that vitamin B6 may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

METHODS

We examined the association of prediagnostic plasma concentrations of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), an active form of vitamin B6, with postmenopausal breast cancer risk in a case-control study nested in the multiethnic cohort in Hawaii and Southern California, including 706 cases and 706 controls matched on date of birth, ethnicity, study site, date of blood draw, time of blood draw, hours of fasting before blood draw, and use of menopausal hormones. OR and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using conditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Women with plasma PLP concentrations in the highest quartile had a 30% reduced risk of invasive breast cancer (CI: 0.50-0.98) as compared with the women in the lowest PLP quartile (P for trend = 0.02). The association seemed to be limited in cases with hormone receptor-positive tumors (P for heterogeneity = 0.04); and remained unchanged in the analysis restricted to women with blood samples collected more than one year before cancer diagnosis (OR = 0.69; CI: 0.48-0.99; P for trend = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that higher circulating levels of vitamin B6 are associated with a reduced risk of invasive postmenopausal breast cancer.

IMPACT

These results, in combination with information from two other prospective studies, suggest a role for vitamin B6 in the prevention of postmenopausal breast cancer. Additional studies are needed to further investigate potential heterogeneity of the vitamin B6 association with breast cancer risk by tumor hormone receptor status.

Pyridoxine administration improves behavioral and anatomical outcome after unilateral contusion injury in the rat

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the preclinical efficacy of pyridoxine, or vitamin B(6). Rats received a 3.0 mm unilateral controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury of the sensorimotor cortex or sham surgery. Treatment with vitamin B(6) (600 or 300 mg/kg IP) or vehicle was administered at 30 min and 24 h post-CCI. Somatosensory dysfunction was evaluated with the vibrissae-forelimb placing and bilateral tactile adhesive removal tests. Sensorimotor dysfunction was evaluated with the locomotor placing and the forelimb asymmetry tests. On the forelimb asymmetry test both treatment groups displayed no asymmetry bias on any of the testing days post-CCI and were statistically no different than the shams. Both vitamin B(6) groups displayed a significant improvement in behavioral performance on the locomotor placing test compared to the vehicle-treated group. Administration of 600 mg/kg also significantly reduced tactile adhesive removal latencies on days 2, 4, 6, and 12 post-CCI. Both treatment groups were improved in their rate of recovery post-CCI on the vibrissae-forelimb placing test, but only the recovery seen in the 600-mg/kg group was significantly improved compared to vehicle. Finally, the 600-mg/kg dose resulted in significant cortical sparing compared to the vehicle-treated group. In general, the effects of vitamin B(6) on recovery of function were dose-dependent, with the 600-mg/kg dose consistently showing greater recovery than the 300-mg/kg dose. More experimental analyses are warranted to evaluate the potential preclinical efficacy and mechanistic action of vitamin B(6).