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Pasenkiewicz-Gierula M, Hryc J, Markiewicz M. Dynamic and Energetic Aspects of Carotenoids In-and-Around Model Lipid Membranes Revealed in Molecular Modelling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8217. [PMID: 39125791 PMCID: PMC11312187 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In contrast to plants, humans are unable to synthesise carotenoids and have to obtain them from diet. Carotenoids fulfil several crucial biological functions in the organism; however, due to poor solubility in water, their bioavailability from plant-based food is low. The processes of carotenoid absorption and availability in the human body have been intensively studied. The recent experimental findings concerning these processes are briefly presented in the introductory part of this review, together with a summary of such topics as carotenoid carriers, body transport and tissue delivery, to finally report on molecular-level studies of carotenoid binding by membrane receptors. The main message of the review is contained in the section describing computational investigations of carotenoid intercalation and dynamic behaviour in lipid bilayers. The relevance of these computational studies lies in showing the direct link between the microscopic behaviour of molecules and the characteristics of their macroscopic ensembles. Furthermore, studying the interactions between carotenoids and lipid bilayers, and certainly proteins, on the molecular- and atomic-level using computational methods facilitates the interpretation and explanation of their macroscopic properties and, hopefully, helps to better understand the biological functions of carotenoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pasenkiewicz-Gierula
- Department of Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (J.H.); (M.M.)
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Hu W, Kim JE. Differential Performance of Xanthophylls in Combination with Phenol Classes against H 2O 2-Induced Oxidative Stress: An In Vitro Analysis Using Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Mol Nutr Food Res 2024; 68:e2400038. [PMID: 38824669 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202400038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
SCOPE Xanthophylls, vital for ocular defense against blue light and reactive oxygen species, are prone to oxidative degradation; however, they may be regenerated antioxidant-rich plant phenols. Despite certain in vitro evidence, clinical studies show inconsistent findings and this may be due to varying phenolic reduction potentials. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the ocular protective effect of various plant phenols combined with xanthophyll. METHODS AND RESULTS Human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) are subjected to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) after xanthophyll and phenol pretreatment. Assessments include xanthophyll uptake, total antioxidant capacity, cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, apoptosis, phagocytosis, and vascular endothelial growth factor formation. The study finds that while the combination of lutein with phenols does not show significant protective effects compared to lutein-only, zeaxanthin combined with phenols exhibits enhanced protection compared to both the zeaxanthin-only and control groups. CONCLUSION The research reveals the complex relationship between xanthophylls and phenols, suggesting that the advantageous effects of their combination might vary among different xanthophylls. Caution is necessary when applying molecular theories to ocular health, and this necessitates further research, serving as a basis for proposing clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of specific xanthophyll and phenol combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weili Hu
- Department of Food Science and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Jung Eun Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
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Sikam KG, Happi GM, Ahmed SA, Dzouemo LC, Yimtchui MT, Nguissong M, Nforninwe IN, Wansi JD. 30-norfriedelanes and other compounds from the stem bark and fruits of Caloncoba glauca (Achariaceae), their antiplasmodial activity, structure-activity relationship and computational validation. Fitoterapia 2023; 170:105627. [PMID: 37517558 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Two new 30-norfriedelane triterpenoids namely glaucalactone C (1) and glaucanoic acid (2) along with sixteen known compounds (3-18) have been isolated from the methanolic extracts of the stem bark and fruits of Caloncoba glauca (P.Beauv.) Gilg (Achariaceae). The structures of all the isolated compounds have been established with the aid of their extensive spectroscopic analyses (1D and 2D-NMR) as well as mass spectrometry. Six compounds (1-5, 9) were screened for antiplasmodial activity against two strains P. falciparum Dd2 and P. falciparum 3D7. The results showed that glaucanoic acid (2) was the most active one with IC50 values of (3.5 ± 0.1 μg/mL) and (4.6 ± 0.7 μg/mL) against PfDd2 and Pf3D7, respectively, while glaucalactone C (1) moderately inhibited PfDd2 (9.4 ± 0.1 μg/mL) and weakly Pf3D7 (15.9 ± 2.3 μg/mL). The molecular docking analyses of the isolated compounds showed that compounds 1-4 and 9-11 are potential drug targets and were further supported by their ADMET studies that revealed welwitschiilactones B and C (4 and 5) as well as β-sitosterol (10) as the most qualified compounds to be safe as drugs. The results indicate that C. glauca is an important source of good candidates in new antiplasmodial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klev Gaïtan Sikam
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Gervais Mouthé Happi
- Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, The University of Bamenda, P.O Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon.
| | - Sikiru Akinyeye Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Kwara State University, Malete, P.M.B 1530, Ilorin 23431, Nigeria
| | - Liliane Clotilde Dzouemo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Mireille Towa Yimtchui
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Mero Nguissong
- Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, The University of Bamenda, P.O Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon
| | - Ignatius Nfor Nforninwe
- Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College, The University of Bamenda, P.O Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon
| | - Jean Duplex Wansi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
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Welc-Stanowska R, Pietras R, Mielecki B, Sarewicz M, Luchowski R, Widomska J, Grudzinski W, Osyczka A, Gruszecki WI. How Do Xanthophylls Protect Lipid Membranes from Oxidative Damage? J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:7440-7444. [PMID: 37578906 PMCID: PMC10461299 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Here, we address the problem of the antioxidant activity of carotenoids in biomembranes. The activity of lutein and zeaxanthin in the quenching of singlet oxygen generated by photosensitization was monitored in lipid vesicles using a singlet oxygen-sensitive fluorescent probe and with the application of fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. The antioxidant activity of xanthophylls was interpreted on the basis of electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry results showing that xanthophylls constitute a barrier to the penetration of molecular oxygen into lipid membranes: to a greater extent in the 13-cis configuration than in all-trans. These results are discussed in relation to the trans-cis photoisomerization of xanthophylls observed in the human retina. It can be concluded that photoisomerization of xanthophylls is a regulatory mechanism that is important for both the modulation of light filtration through the macula and photoprotection by quenching singlet oxygen and creating a barrier to oxygen permeation to membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Welc-Stanowska
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
- Institute
of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 20-290 Lublin, Poland
| | - Rafal Pietras
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bohun Mielecki
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
- Doctoral
School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian
University, Prof. Stanisława
Łojasiewicza Street 11, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin Sarewicz
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Rafal Luchowski
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Justyna Widomska
- Department
of Biophysics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wojciech Grudzinski
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Artur Osyczka
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Wieslaw I. Gruszecki
- Department
of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria
Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
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Widomska J, Subczynski WK, Welc-Stanowska R, Luchowski R. An Overview of Lutein in the Lipid Membrane. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12948. [PMID: 37629129 PMCID: PMC10454802 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin (a steroisomer of zeaxanthin) are macular pigments. They modify the physical properties of the lipid bilayers in a manner similar to cholesterol. It is not clear if these pigments are directly present in the lipid phase of the membranes, or if they form complexes with specific membrane proteins that retain them in high amounts in the correct place in the retina. The high content of macular pigments in the Henle fiber layer indicates that a portion of the lutein and zeaxanthin should not only be bound to the specific proteins but also directly dissolved in the lipid membranes. This high concentration in the prereceptoral region of the retina is effective for blue-light filtration. Understanding the basic mechanisms of these actions is necessary to better understand the carotenoid-membrane interaction and how carotenoids affect membrane physical properties-such as fluidity, polarity, and order-in relation to membrane structure and membrane dynamics. This review focuses on the properties of lutein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Widomska
- Department of Biophysics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Witold K. Subczynski
- Department of Biophysics, Medical College on Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA;
| | | | - Rafal Luchowski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland;
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Grudzinski W, Luchowski R, Ostrowski J, Sęk A, Mendes Pinto MM, Welc-Stanowska R, Zubik-Duda M, Teresiński G, Rejdak R, Gruszecki WI. Physiological Significance of the Heterogeneous Distribution of Zeaxanthin and Lutein in the Retina of the Human Eye. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10702. [PMID: 37445880 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Zeaxanthin and lutein are xanthophyll pigments present in the human retina and particularly concentrated in its center referred to as the yellow spot (macula lutea). The fact that zeaxanthin, including its isomer meso-zeaxanthin, is concentrated in the central part of the retina, in contrast to lutein also present in the peripheral regions, raises questions about the possible physiological significance of such a heterogeneous distribution of macular xanthophylls. Here, we attempt to address this problem using resonance Raman spectroscopy and confocal imaging, with different laser lines selected to effectively distinguish the spectral contribution of lutein and zeaxanthin. Additionally, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is used to solve the problem of xanthophyll localization in the axon membranes. The obtained results allow us to conclude that one of the key advantages of a particularly high concentration of zeaxanthin in the central part of the retina is the high efficiency of this pigment in the dynamic filtration of light with excessive intensity, potentially harmful for the photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Grudzinski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Rafal Luchowski
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jan Ostrowski
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Alicja Sęk
- The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland
| | - Maria Manuela Mendes Pinto
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Monika Zubik-Duda
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Teresiński
- Chair of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Robert Rejdak
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wieslaw I Gruszecki
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Physics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
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