Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Roles of Mitochondria CYP1B1 and Melatonergic Pathways in Co-Ordinating Wider Pathophysiology

Pinocembrin alleviates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury/unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-generated renal fibrosis by targeting the CYP1B1/ROS/MAPK axis

In our research, we constructed models of renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-exposed acute kidney injury (AKI) and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-stimulated renal fibrosis (RF) in C57BL/6 mice and HK-2 cells. We firstly authenticated that oral pinocembrin (PIN) administration obviously mitigated tissue damage and renal dysfunction induced by I/R injury, and PIN attenuated UUO-caused RF, as confirmed by the reduced expression of fibrotic markers as well as hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Sirius red, immunohistochemistry, and Masson staining. Meanwhile, the beneficial role of PIN was again demonstrated in HK-2 cells with hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) or transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) treatment. Importantly, the "ingredient-target-pathway-disease" network was established through bioinformatics analysis and molecular docking, which showed that PIN may target cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) and modulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway to exert its impact during injury. Furthermore, experiments confirmed that PIN usage remarkably constrained CYP1B1 expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, MAPK-pathway-associated inflammation, or apoptosis during I/R injury or UUO exposure. PIN also ameliorated the elevated protein phosphorylation of MAPK pathway components [p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK ERK and JNK)], which validated the PIN-induced inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway in renal I/R or UUO injury. Moreover, the AAV9 (adeno-associated virus 9)-packed CYP1B1 or pcDNA-CYP1B1 overexpression plasmid was utilized to treat C57BL/6 mice or HK-2 cells to overexpress CYP1B1, respectively. Notably, CYP1B1 overexpression considerably abolished PIN's restriction impact on ROS generation and MAPK pathway activation. In conclusion, via bioinformatics analysis, molecular docking, animal model, and cellular experiments, we proved that PIN alleviates renal I/R injury/UUO-generated renal fibrosis through regulating the CYP1B1/ROS/MAPK axis.

The Expression of Genes CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and CYP2J3 in Distinct Regions of the Heart and Its Possible Contribution to the Development of Hypertension

BACKGROUND

It is believed that alterations in the functioning of the cytochrome P450 (CYP), which participates in metabolic transformations of endogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (with the formation of cardioprotective or cardiotoxic products), affects the development of age-related cardiovascular diseases and reduces the effectiveness of some cardioselective drugs. For example, CYP2J2 activation or CYP1B1 inhibition protects against the cardiovascular toxicity of anticancer drugs. It is currently unclear whether CYPs capable of metabolizing arachidonic acid and ω-3 PUFAs to vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive derivatives are expressed in all heart regions.

METHODS

The work was performed on senescence-accelerated OXYS rats featuring elevated blood pressure, OXYSb rats (an OXYS substrain with normal blood pressure), and Wistar rats as a "healthy" control. The mRNA level was determined in the right and left ventricles, the right and left atria, and the aorta of 1-, 3-, and 12-month-old rats.

RESULTS

We showed that all heart regions express CYPs capable of metabolizing arachidonic acid and ω-3 PUFAs and revealed significant differences between heart regions both in the mRNA level of genes CYP1B1, CYP2J3, and CYP1A1 and in the time course of expression changes with age.

CONCLUSIONS

We noticed that expression levels of these CYPs in the heart regions and aorta differ between hypertensive OXYS rats, normotensive OXYSb rats, and healthy Wistar rats but could not detect any clear-cut patterns associated with the hypertensive status of OXYS rats.

Metabolic Side Effects from Antipsychotic Treatment with Clozapine Linked to Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Activation

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is the most common adverse drug reaction from psychiatric pharmacotherapy. Neuroreceptor blockade by the antipsychotic drug clozapine induces MetS in about 30% of patients. Similar to insulin resistance, clozapine impedes Akt kinase activation, leading to intracellular glucose and glutathione depletion. Additional cystine shortage triggers tryptophan degradation to kynurenine, which is a well-known AhR ligand. Ligand-bound AhR downregulates the intracellular iron pool, thereby increasing the risk of mitochondrial dysfunction. Scavenging iron stabilizes the transcription factor HIF-1, which shifts the metabolism toward transient glycolysis. Furthermore, the AhR inhibits AMPK activation, leading to obesity and liver steatosis. Increasing glucose uptake by AMPK activation prevents dyslipidemia and liver damage and, therefore, reduces the risk of MetS. In line with the in vitro results, feeding experiments with rats revealed a disturbed glucose-/lipid-/iron-metabolism from clozapine treatment with hyperglycemia and hepatic iron deposits in female rats and steatosis and anemia in male animals. Decreased energy expenditure from clozapine treatment seems to be the cause of the fast weight gain in the first weeks of treatment. In patients, this weight gain due to neuroleptic treatment correlates with an improvement in psychotic syndromes and can even be used to anticipate the therapeutic effect of the treatment.

Association of copy number variation in X chromosome-linked PNPLA4 with heterotaxy and congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Heterotaxy (HTX) is a thoracoabdominal organ anomaly syndrome and commonly accompanied by congenital heart disease (CHD). The aim of this study was to analyze rare copy number variations (CNVs) in a HTX/CHD cohort and to examine the potential mechanisms contributing to HTX/CHD.

METHODS

Chromosome microarray analysis was used to identify rare CNVs in a cohort of 120 unrelated HTX/CHD patients, and available samples from parents were used to confirm the inheritance pattern. Potential candidate genes in CNVs region were prioritized via the DECIPHER database, and PNPLA4 was identified as the leading candidate gene. To validate, we generated PNPLA4 -overexpressing human induced pluripotent stem cell lines as well as pnpla4 -overexpressing zebrafish model, followed by a series of transcriptomic, biochemical and cellular analyses.

RESULTS

Seventeen rare CNVs were identified in 15 of the 120 HTX/CHD patients (12.5%). Xp22.31 duplication was one of the inherited CNVs identified in this HTX/CHD cohort, and PNPLA4 in the Xp22.31 was a candidate gene associated with HTX/CHD. PNPLA4 is expressed in the lateral plate mesoderm, which is known to be critical for left/right embryonic patterning as well as cardiomyocyte differentiation, and in the neural crest cell lineage. Through a series of in vivo and in vitro analyses at the molecular and cellular levels, we revealed that the biological function of PNPLA4 is importantly involved in the primary cilia formation and function via its regulation of energy metabolism and mitochondria-mediated ATP production.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrated a significant association between CNVs and HTX/CHD. Our data strongly suggested that an increased genetic dose of PNPLA4 due to Xp22.31 duplication is a disease-causing risk factor for HTX/CHD.

Effects of rearing systems (cage versus floor) on the microbial composition and transcriptome of goose ileum

There is a gradual transition from water to dryland rearing of geese. In this study, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing (16S rRNA-seq) and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) to reveal the effects of cage rearing (CR) and floor rearing (FR) systems on the microbial composition and transcriptome of the goose ileum. Through 16S rRNA-seq, Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis identified 2 (hgcI_clade and Faecalibacterium) and 14 (Bacteroides, Proteiniphilum, Proteiniclasticum, etc.) differential microbiota in CR and FR, respectively. The rearing system influenced 4 pathways including biosynthesis of amino acids in ileal microbiota. Moreover, we identified 1,198 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the ileum mucosa, with 957 genes up-regulated in CR and 241 genes up-regulated in FR. In CR, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed the significant enrichment (p < 0.05) of 28 KEGG pathways, most of which were associated with amino acid metabolism. In FR, up-regulated DEGs were mainly enriched in KEGG pathways associated with cellular processes, including apoptosis, necroptosis, and cellular senescence. Spearman correlation analysis of differential microbiota and amino acid metabolism-related DEGs in CR showed a significant positive correlation. Additionally, differential microbiota of FR, Phascolarctobacterium and Sutterella, were positively correlated with FGF10 (p < 0.05) and PIK3R1 (p < 0.01), respectively. In conclusion, there might be differences in ileal amino acid metabolism levels between CR and FR geese, and the observed increase in harmful bacterial species in FR might impact the activity of ileal cells.

Thrombospondin-1 Drives Cardiac Remodeling in Chronic Kidney Disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies reported that endogenous thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) involves right ventricular remodeling and dysfunction. Here we show that a murine model of CKD increased myocardial TSP1 expression and produced left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dysfunction. TSP1 knockout mice were protected from these features. In vitro, indoxyl sulfate is driving deleterious changes in cardiomyocyte through the TSP1. In patients with CKD, TSP1 and aryl hydrocarbon receptor were both differentially expressed in the myocardium. Our findings summon large clinical studies to confirm the translational role of TSP1 in patients with CKD.

Circ_0020887 Silencing Combats Hypoxic-Induced Cardiomyocyte Injury in an MiR-370-3p/CYP1B1-Dependent Manner

Targeting circular RNA has been a novel approach to preventing and limiting acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Here, we planned to investigate the role and mechanism of circ_0020887 in AMI progression.Hypoxic injury in human cardiomyocytes (AC16) was measured using cell counting kit-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay, flow cytometry, and colorimetric assay kits. RNA and protein expressions were determined using real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. Direct interplay between RNAs was determined using dual-luciferase reporter, RNA pull-down, and RIP assays.In the plasma and hypoxia-induced AC16 cells of patients with AMI, circ_0020887 and miR-370-3p were upregulated and downregulated, respectively, concomitant with the upregulation of cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1). Circ_0020887 interference could inhibit hypoxia-induced AC16 cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. Circ_0020887 could sponge miR-370-3p, and miR-370-3p could target CYP1B1. The inhibition effect of circ_0020887 knockdown on hypoxia-induced AC16 cell injury could be reversed by the miR-370-3p inhibitor. Besides, CYP1B1 overexpression also overturned the suppressive effect of miR-370-3p on hypoxia-induced AC16 cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response.In conclusion, circ_0020887 regulated the miR-370-3p/CYP1B1 axis to regulate hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury, confirming that circ_0020887 might promote cardiomyocyte injury.

Identification and functional analysis of senescent cells in the cardiovascular system using omics approaches

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and senescent cells have emerged as key contributors to its pathogenesis. Senescent cells exhibit cell cycle arrest and secrete a range of proinflammatory factors, termed the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which promotes tissue dysfunction and exacerbates CVD progression. Omics technologies, specifically transcriptomics and proteomics, offer powerful tools to uncover and define the molecular signatures of senescent cells in cardiovascular tissue. By analyzing the comprehensive molecular profiles of senescent cells, omics approaches can identify specific genetic alterations, gene expression patterns, protein abundances, and metabolite levels associated with senescence in CVD. These omics-based discoveries provide insights into the mechanisms underlying senescence-induced cardiovascular damage, facilitating the development of novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Furthermore, integration of multiple omics data sets enables a systems-level understanding of senescence in CVD, paving the way for precision medicine approaches to prevent or treat cardiovascular aging and its associated complications.

SHP2 participates in decidualization by activating ERK to maintain normal nuclear localization of progesterone receptor

In brief

The establishment and maintenance of embryo implantation and pregnancy require decidualization of endometrial stromal cells. This paper reveals that SHP2 ensures the correct subcellular localization of progesterone receptor, thereby safeguarding the process of decidualization.

Abstract

Decidualization is the process of conversion of endometrial stromal cells into decidual stromal cells, which is caused by progesterone production that begins during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and then increases throughout pregnancy dedicated to support embryonic development. Decidualization deficiency is closely associated with various pregnancy complications, such as recurrent miscarriage (RM). Here, we reported that Src-homology-2-containing phospho-tyrosine phosphatase (SHP2), a key regulator in the signal transduction process downstream of various receptors, plays an indispensable role in decidualization. SHP2 expression was upregulated during decidualization. SHP2 inhibitor RMC-4550 and shRNA-mediated SHP2 reduction resulted in a decreased level of phosphorylation of ERK and aberrant cytoplasmic localization of progesterone receptor (PR), coinciding with reduced expression of IGFBP1 and various other target genes of decidualization. Solely inhibiting ERK activity recapitulated these observations. Administration of RMC-4550 led to decidualization deficiency and embryo absorption in mice. Moreover, reduced expression of SHP2 was detected in the decidua of RM patients. Our results revealed that SHP2 is key to PR's nuclear localization, thereby indispensable for decidualization and that reduced expression of SHP2 might be engaged in the pathogenesis of RM.

Multiplatform-Integrated Identification of Melatonin Targets for a Triad of Psychosocial-Sleep/Circadian-Cardiometabolic Disorders

Several psychosocial, sleep/circadian, and cardiometabolic disorders have intricately interconnected pathologies involving melatonin disruption. Therefore, we hypothesize that melatonin could be a therapeutic target for treating potential comorbid diseases associated with this triad of psychosocial-sleep/circadian-cardiometabolic disorders. We investigated melatonin's target prediction and tractability for this triad of disorders. The melatonin's target prediction for the proposed psychosocial-sleep/circadian-cardiometabolic disorder triad was investigated using databases from Europe PMC, ChEMBL, Open Targets Genetics, Phenodigm, and PheWAS. The association scores for melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 with this disorder triad were explored for evidence of target-disease predictions. The potential of melatonin as a tractable target in managing the disorder triad was investigated using supervised machine learning to identify melatonin activities in cardiovascular, neuronal, and metabolic assays at the cell, tissue, and organism levels in a curated ChEMBL database. Target-disease visualization was done by graphs created using "igraph" library-based scripts and displayed using the Gephi ForceAtlas algorithm. The combined Europe PMC (data type: text mining), ChEMBL (data type: drugs), Open Targets Genetics Portal (data type: genetic associations), PhenoDigm (data type: animal models), and PheWAS (data type: genetic associations) databases yielded types and varying levels of evidence for melatonin-disease triad correlations. Of the investigated databases, 235 association scores of melatonin receptors with the targeted diseases were greater than 0.2; to classify the evidence per disease class: 37% listed psychosocial disorders, 9% sleep/circadian disorders, and 54% cardiometabolic disorders. Using supervised machine learning, 546 cardiovascular, neuronal, or metabolic experimental assays with predicted or measured melatonin activity scores were identified in the ChEMBL curated database. Of 248 registered trials, 144 phase I to IV trials for melatonin or agonists have been completed, of which 33.3% were for psychosocial disorders, 59.7% were for sleep/circadian disorders, and 6.9% were for cardiometabolic disorders. Melatonin's druggability was evidenced by evaluating target prediction and tractability for the triad of psychosocial-sleep/circadian-cardiometabolic disorders. While melatonin research and development in sleep/circadian and psychosocial disorders is more advanced, as evidenced by melatonin association scores, substantial evidence on melatonin discovery in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders supports continued R&D in cardiometabolic disorders, as evidenced by melatonin activity scores. A multiplatform analysis provided an integrative assessment of the target-disease investigations that may justify further translational research.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathoetiology and Pathophysiology: Roles of Astrocytes, Gut Microbiome, and Muscle Interactions via the Mitochondrial Melatonergic Pathway, with Disruption by Glyphosate-Based Herbicides

The pathoetiology and pathophysiology of motor neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are still to be determined, with only a small percentage of ALS patients having a known genetic risk factor. The article looks to integrate wider bodies of data on the biological underpinnings of ALS, highlighting the integrative role of alterations in the mitochondrial melatonergic pathways and systemic factors regulating this pathway across a number of crucial hubs in ALS pathophysiology, namely glia, gut, and the muscle/neuromuscular junction. It is proposed that suppression of the mitochondrial melatonergic pathway underpins changes in muscle brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and its melatonergic pathway mimic, N-acetylserotonin, leading to a lack of metabolic trophic support at the neuromuscular junction. The attenuation of the melatonergic pathway in astrocytes prevents activation of toll-like receptor agonists-induced pro-inflammatory transcription factors, NF-kB, and yin yang 1, from having a built-in limitation on inflammatory induction that arises from their synchronized induction of melatonin release. Such maintained astrocyte activation, coupled with heightened microglia reactivity, is an important driver of motor neuron susceptibility in ALS. Two important systemic factors, gut dysbiosis/permeability and pineal melatonin mediate many of their beneficial effects via their capacity to upregulate the mitochondrial melatonergic pathway in central and systemic cells. The mitochondrial melatonergic pathway may be seen as a core aspect of cellular function, with its suppression increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to ROS-induced microRNAs, thereby altering the patterning of genes induced. It is proposed that the increased occupational risk of ALS in farmers, gardeners, and sportsmen and women is intimately linked to exposure, whilst being physically active, to the widely used glyphosate-based herbicides. This has numerous research and treatment implications.

Depression Pathophysiology: Astrocyte Mitochondrial Melatonergic Pathway as Crucial Hub

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is widely accepted as having a heterogenous pathophysiology involving a complex mixture of systemic and CNS processes. A developmental etiology coupled to genetic and epigenetic risk factors as well as lifestyle and social process influences add further to the complexity. Consequently, antidepressant treatment is generally regarded as open to improvement, undoubtedly as a consequence of inappropriately targeted pathophysiological processes. This article reviews the diverse array of pathophysiological processes linked to MDD, and integrates these within a perspective that emphasizes alterations in mitochondrial function, both centrally and systemically. It is proposed that the long-standing association of MDD with suppressed serotonin availability is reflective of the role of serotonin as a precursor for the mitochondrial melatonergic pathway. Astrocytes, and the astrocyte mitochondrial melatonergic pathway, are highlighted as crucial hubs in the integration of the wide array of biological underpinnings of MDD, including gut dysbiosis and permeability, as well as developmental and social stressors, which can act to suppress the capacity of mitochondria to upregulate the melatonergic pathway, with consequences for oxidant-induced changes in patterned microRNAs and subsequent patterned gene responses. This is placed within a development context, including how social processes, such as discrimination, can physiologically regulate a susceptibility to MDD. Future research directions and treatment implications are derived from this.

Melatonin as an Anti-Aging Therapy for Age-Related Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases

The concept of “aging” is defined as the set of gradual and progressive changes in an organism that leads to an increased risk of weakness, disease, and death. This process may occur at the cellular and organ level, as well as in the entire organism of any living being. During aging, there is a decrease in biological functions and in the ability to adapt to metabolic stress. General effects of aging include mitochondrial, cellular, and organic dysfunction, immune impairment or inflammaging, oxidative stress, cognitive and cardiovascular alterations, among others. Therefore, one of the main harmful consequences of aging is the development and progression of multiple diseases related to these processes, especially at the cardiovascular and central nervous system levels. Both cardiovascular and neurodegenerative pathologies are highly disabling and, in many cases, lethal. In this context, melatonin, an endogenous compound naturally synthesized not only by the pineal gland but also by many cell types, may have a key role in the modulation of multiple mechanisms associated with aging. Additionally, this indoleamine is also a therapeutic agent, which may be administered exogenously with a high degree of safety. For this reason, melatonin could become an attractive and low-cost alternative for slowing the processes of aging and its associated diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.

Ameliorative Role of Fluconazole Against Abdominal Aortic Constriction-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats

ABSTRACT

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, through the formation of cardiotoxic metabolites named as mid-chain hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). Recently, we have demonstrated that fluconazole decreases the level of mid-chain HETEs in human liver microsomes, inhibits human recombinant CYP1B1 activity, and protects against angiotensin II-induced cellular hypertrophy in H9c2 cells. Therefore, the overall purpose of this study was to elucidate the potential cardioprotective effect of fluconazole against cardiac hypertrophy induced by abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups such as sham control rats, fluconazole-treated (20 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks, intraperitoneal) sham rats, AAC rats, and fluconazole-treated (20 mg/kg) AAC rats. Baseline and 5 weeks post-AAC echocardiography were performed. Gene and protein expressions were measured using real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. The level of mid-chain HETEs was determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Echocardiography results showed that fluconazole significantly prevented AAC-induced left ventricular hypertrophy because it ameliorated the AAC-mediated increase in left ventricular mass and wall measurements. In addition, fluconazole significantly prevented the AAC-mediated increase of hypertrophic markers. The antihypertrophic effect of fluconazole was associated with a significant inhibition of CYP1B1, CYP2C23, and 12-LOX and a reduction in the formation rate of mid-chain HETEs. This study demonstrates that fluconazole protects against left ventricular hypertrophy, and it highlights the potential repurposing of fluconazole as a mid-chain HETEs forming enzymes' inhibitor for the protection against cardiac hypertrophy.

New Perspectives of CYP1B1 Inhibitors in the Light of Molecular Studies

Human cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) is an extrahepatic heme-containing monooxygenase. CYP1B1 contributes to the oxidative metabolism of xenobiotics, drugs, and endogenous substrates like melatonin, fatty acids, steroid hormones, and retinoids, which are involved in diverse critical cellular functions. CYP1B1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, hormone-related cancers and is responsible for anti-cancer drug resistance. Inhibition of CYP1B1 activity is considered as an approach in cancer chemoprevention and cancer chemotherapy. CYP1B1 can activate anti-cancer prodrugs in tumor cells which display overexpression of CYP1B1 in comparison to normal cells. CYP1B1 involvement in carcinogenesis and cancer progression encourages investigation of CYP1B1 interactions with its ligands: substrates and inhibitors. Computational methods, with a simulation of molecular dynamics (MD), allow the observation of molecular interactions at the binding site of CYP1B1, which are essential in relation to the enzyme’s functions.

CYP1B1 as a therapeutic target in cardio-oncology

Cardiovascular complications have been frequently reported in cancer patients and survivors, mainly because of various cardiotoxic cancer treatments. Despite the known cardiovascular toxic effects of these treatments, they are still clinically used because of their effectiveness as anti-cancer agents. In this review, we discuss the growing body of evidence suggesting that inhibition of the cytochrome P450 1B1 enzyme (CYP1B1) can be a promising therapeutic strategy that has the potential to prevent cancer treatment-induced cardiovascular complications without reducing their anti-cancer effects. CYP1B1 is an extrahepatic enzyme that is expressed in cardiovascular tissues and overexpressed in different types of cancers. A growing body of evidence is demonstrating a detrimental role of CYP1B1 in both cardiovascular diseases and cancer, via perturbed metabolism of endogenous compounds, production of carcinogenic metabolites, DNA adduct formation, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Several chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to induce CYP1B1 in cardiovascular and cancer cells, possibly via activating the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR), ROS generation, and inflammatory cytokines. Induction of CYP1B1 is detrimental in many ways. First, it can induce or exacerbate cancer treatment-induced cardiovascular complications. Second, it may lead to significant chemo/radio-resistance, undermining both the safety and effectiveness of cancer treatments. Therefore, numerous preclinical studies demonstrate that inhibition of CYP1B1 protects against chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and prevents chemo- and radio-resistance. Most of these studies have utilized phytochemicals to inhibit CYP1B1. Since phytochemicals have multiple targets, future studies are needed to discern the specific contribution of CYP1B1 to the cardioprotective and chemo/radio-sensitizing effects of these phytochemicals.

Tryptophan Metabolites and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Pathophysiology

The metabolism of tryptophan is intimately associated with the differential regulation of diverse physiological processes, including in the regulation of responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that underpins the COVID-19 pandemic. Two important products of tryptophan metabolism, viz kynurenine and interleukin (IL)4-inducible1 (IL41)-driven indole 3 pyruvate (I3P), activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), thereby altering the nature of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. AhR activation dysregulates the initial pro-inflammatory cytokines production driven by neutrophils, macrophages, and mast cells, whilst AhR activation suppresses the endogenous antiviral responses of natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells. Such immune responses become further dysregulated by the increased and prolonged pro-inflammatory cytokine suppression of pineal melatonin production coupled to increased gut dysbiosis and gut permeability. The suppression of pineal melatonin and gut microbiome-derived butyrate, coupled to an increase in circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) further dysregulates the immune response. The AhR mediates its effects via alterations in the regulation of mitochondrial function in immune cells. The increased risk of severe/fatal SARS-CoV-2 infection by high risk conditions, such as elderly age, obesity, and diabetes are mediated by these conditions having expression levels of melatonin, AhR, butyrate, and LPS that are closer to those driven by SARS-CoV-2 infection. This has a number of future research and treatment implications, including the utilization of melatonin and nutraceuticals that inhibit the AhR, including the polyphenols, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and resveratrol.

Biological roles of cytochrome P450 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1 enzymes

Human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) play a critical role in various biological processes and human diseases. CYP1 family members, including CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1, are induced by aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhRs). The binding of ligands such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons activates the AhRs, which are involved in the metabolism (including oxidation) of various endogenous or exogenous substrates. The ligands that induce CYP1 expression are reported to be carcinogenic xenobiotics. Hence, CYP1 enzymes are correlated with the pathogenesis of cancers. Various endogenous substrates are involved in the metabolism of steroid hormones, eicosanoids, and other biological molecules that mediate the pathogenesis of several human diseases. Additionally, CYP1s metabolize and activate/inactivate therapeutic drugs, especially, anti-cancer agents. As the metabolism of drugs determines their therapeutic efficacy, CYP1s can determine the susceptibility of patients to some drugs. Thus, understanding the role of CYP1s in diseases and establishing novel and efficient therapeutic strategies based on CYP1s have piqued the interest of the scientific community.

The association between left ventricular mass index and serum sirtuin 3 level in patients with hypertension

Objectives

Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) can protect cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress-mediated cell damage and prevent cardiac hypertrophy development. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a relationship existed between left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and serum SIRT3 levels in patients with hypertension.

Patients and methods

This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study of 83 patients between April 2018 and October 2018. The LVMI of all patients was calculated using the formula of the American Echocardiography Association and patients were divided into two groups according to results (increased LVMI and normal LVMI).

Results

Increased LVMI was determined in 37.3% of patients, whereas 62.7% had normal LVMI. There was no significant difference between serum SIRT3 levels between those with increased LVMI and normal LVMI (5.8 versus 5.4 ng/ml; P = 0.914). Serum pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (69 versus 41 ng/ml; P = 0.019) were found to be higher in patients with increased LVMI than in those with normal LVMI. A positive correlation between SIRT3 levels and Sm (myocardial systolic) velocity was also determined (r = 0.338; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The serum levels of SIRT3, a molecule which has been proposed to have protective properties against myocardial hypertrophy, were not found to be correlated with LVMI values; however, SIRT3 levels were found to be correlated with Sm velocity, which is accepted to be an indicator of myocardial early diastolic dysfunction.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Role in Co-Ordinating SARS-CoV-2 Entry and Symptomatology: Linking Cytotoxicity Changes in COVID-19 and Cancers; Modulation by Racial Discrimination Stress

There is an under-recognized role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in co-ordinating the entry and pathophysiology of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that underpins the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines during the 'cytokine storm' induce indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), leading to an increase in kynurenine that activates the AhR, thereby heightening the initial pro-inflammatory cytokine phase and suppressing the endogenous anti-viral response. Such AhR-driven changes underpin the heightened severity and fatality associated with pre-existent high-risk medical conditions, such as type II diabetes, as well as to how racial discrimination stress contributes to the raised severity/fatality in people from the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. The AhR is pivotal in modulating mitochondrial metabolism and co-ordinating specialized, pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), the melatonergic pathways, acetyl-coenzyme A, and the cyclooxygenase (COX) 2-prostaglandin (PG) E2 pathway that underpin 'exhaustion' in the endogenous anti-viral cells, paralleling similar metabolic suppression in cytolytic immune cells that is evident across all cancers. The pro-inflammatory cytokine induced gut permeability/dysbiosis and suppression of pineal melatonin are aspects of the wider pathophysiological underpinnings regulated by the AhR. This has a number of prophylactic and treatment implications for SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancers and future research directions that better investigate the biological underpinnings of social processes and how these may drive health disparities.

Identification of Target Genes in Hypertension and Left Ventricular Remodeling

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension occurs profoundly in the world, and left ventricular (LV) remodeling containing functional, structural, and mechanical changes induced by uncontrolled blood pressure is a well-known complication, however the underlying mechanism is still obscure.

METHODS

To determine differences in gene expression profiles of hypertension and LV remodeling consequence to hypertension, Gene Expression Omnibus 2R online tool was used to identify differently expressed genes. Publicly available databases including GeneMANIA, database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery, search tool for the retrieva predicting associated transcription factors (TF) from annotated affinities interacting genes, Predicting Associated TF from Annotated Affinities, JASPAR and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) were accessed to perform an integrated bioinformatic analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-one genes (SEC14L3, EML7, PSMD7, PSMA1, GLRX, CNOT10, NBR1, DUSP12, STRAP, SMIM14, RBM8A, TMEM59, TMEM87A,PSMC1, CASP4, ITGB8, DNAJA1, PINK1, PRNP, SAP30L, and EIF3M) were found overexpression in both hypertension and hypertensive LV remodeling. Biological process analysis first revealed that enrichment of these target genes correlated with regulation of cellular amino acid metabolic process, antigen processing and presentation of exogenous peptide antigen via MHC class I, TAP-dependent and proteasome complex, 3 different expression genes (DEGs) participate significantly enriched in NFκB, WNT, and MAPK pathways, meanwhile, 47% DEGs displayed similar co-expression characteristics. Furthermore, the transcription factors associated with key DEGs were identified. Finally, the TF (HAND1, E4BP4, ESR1, VBP, ELK-1, POU3F2) associated with LV remodeling in hypertension were confirmed to act a crucial role in correlated heart diseases.

CONCLUSION

The present study reveals the targeted genes probably associated with LV remodeling in hypertension by bioinformatics-based analyses, which provides clues for prognosis judgement and pharmacological therapies.

Resveratrol attenuates angiotensin II-induced cellular hypertrophy through the inhibition of CYP1B1 and the cardiotoxic mid-chain HETE metabolites

Several reports demonstrated the direct contribution of cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) enzyme and its associated cardiotoxic mid-chain, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETEs) metabolites in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Resveratrol is commercially available polyphenol that exerts beneficial effects in wide array of cardiovascular diseases including cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction and heart failure. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects are not fully elucidated. Since resveratrol is a well-known CYP1B1 inhibitor, the purpose of this study is to test whether resveratrol attenuates angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cellular hypertrophy through inhibition of CYP1B1/mid-chain HETEs mechanism. RL-14 and H9c2 cells were treated with vehicle or 10 μM Ang II in the absence and presence of 2, 10 or 50 μM resveratrol for 24 h. Thereafter, the level of mid-chain HETEs was determined using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Hypertrophic markers and CYP1B1 gene expression and protein levels were measured using real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Our results demonstrated that resveratrol, at concentrations of 10 and 50 μM, was able to attenuate Ang-II-induced cellular hypertrophy as evidenced by substantial inhibition of hypertrophic markers, β-myosin heavy chain (MHC)/α-MHC and atrial natriuretic peptide. Ang II significantly induced the protein expression of CYP1B1 and increased the metabolite formation rate of its associated mid-chain HETEs. Interestingly, the protective effect of resveratrol was associated with a significant decrease of CYP1B1 protein expression and mid-chain HETEs. Our results provided the first evidence that resveratrol protects against Ang II-induced cellular hypertrophy, at least in part, through CYP1B1/mid-chain HETEs-dependent mechanism.

Melatonin: Roles in influenza, Covid-19, and other viral infections

There is a growing appreciation that the regulation of the melatonergic pathways, both pineal and systemic, may be an important aspect in how viruses drive the cellular changes that underpin their control of cellular function. We review the melatonergic pathway role in viral infections, emphasizing influenza and covid-19 infections. Viral, or preexistent, suppression of pineal melatonin disinhibits neutrophil attraction, thereby contributing to an initial "cytokine storm", as well as the regulation of other immune cells. Melatonin induces the circadian gene, Bmal1, which disinhibits the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), countering viral inhibition of Bmal1/PDC. PDC drives mitochondrial conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), thereby increasing the tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP production. Pineal melatonin suppression attenuates this, preventing the circadian "resetting" of mitochondrial metabolism. This is especially relevant in immune cells, where shifting metabolism from glycolytic to oxidative phosphorylation, switches cells from reactive to quiescent phenotypes. Acetyl-CoA is a necessary cosubstrate for arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, providing an acetyl group to serotonin, and thereby initiating the melatonergic pathway. Consequently, pineal melatonin regulates mitochondrial melatonin and immune cell phenotype. Virus- and cytokine-storm-driven control of the pineal and mitochondrial melatonergic pathway therefore regulates immune responses. Virus-and cytokine storm-driven changes also increase gut permeability and dysbiosis, thereby suppressing levels of the short-chain fatty acid, butyrate, and increasing circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The alterations in butyrate and LPS can promote viral replication and host symptom severity via impacts on the melatonergic pathway. Focussing on immune regulators has treatment implications for covid-19 and other viral infections.

Gut Dysbiosis Dysregulates Central and Systemic Homeostasis via Suboptimal Mitochondrial Function: Assessment, Treatment and Classification Implications

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The gut and mitochondria have emerged as two important hubs at the cutting edge of research across a diverse array of medical conditions, including most psychiatric conditions. This article highlights the interaction of the gut and mitochondria over the course of development, with an emphasis on the consequences for transdiagnostic processes across psychiatry, but with relevance to wider medical conditions. As well as raised levels of circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) arising from increased gut permeability, the loss of the short-chain fatty acid, butyrate, is an important mediator of how gut dysbiosis modulates mitochondrial function. Reactive cells, central glia and systemic immune cells are also modulated by the gut, in part via impacts on mitochondrial function in these cells. Gut-driven alterations in the activity of reactive cells over the course of development are proposed to be an important determinant of the transdiagnostic influence of glia and the immune system. Stress, including prenatal stress, also acts via the gut. The suppression of butyrate, coupled to raised LPS, drives oxidative and nitrosative stress signalling that culminates in the activation of acidic sphingomyelinase-induced ceramide. Raised ceramide levels negatively regulate mitochondrial function, both directly and via its negative impact on daytime, arousal-promoting orexin and night-time sleep-promoting pineal gland-derived melatonin. Both orexin and melatonin positively regulate mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation. Consequently, gut-mediated increases in ceramide have impacts on the circadian rhythm and the circadian regulation of mitochondrial function. Butyrate, orexin and melatonin can positively regulate mitochondria via the disinhibition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, leading to increased conversion of pyruvate to acetyl- CoA. Acetyl-CoA is a necessary co-substrate for the initiation of the melatonergic pathway in mitochondria and therefore the beneficial effects of mitochondria melatonin synthesis on mitochondrial function. This has a number of treatment implications across psychiatric and wider medical conditions, including the utilization of sodium butyrate and melatonin.

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Overall, gut dysbiosis and increased gut permeability have significant impacts on central and systemic homeostasis via the regulation of mitochondrial function, especially in central glia and systemic immune cells.

Multiple Sclerosis: Melatonin, Orexin, and Ceramide Interact with Platelet Activation Coagulation Factors and Gut-Microbiome-Derived Butyrate in the Circadian Dysregulation of Mitochondria in Glia and Immune Cells

Recent data highlight the important roles of the gut microbiome, gut permeability, and alterations in mitochondria functioning in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). This article reviews such data, indicating two important aspects of alterations in the gut in the modulation of mitochondria: (1) Gut permeability increases toll-like receptor (TLR) activators, viz circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and exosomal high-mobility group box (HMGB)1. LPS and HMGB1 increase inducible nitric oxide synthase and superoxide, leading to peroxynitrite-driven acidic sphingomyelinase and ceramide. Ceramide is a major driver of MS pathophysiology via its impacts on glia mitochondria functioning; (2) Gut dysbiosis lowers production of the short-chain fatty acid, butyrate. Butyrate is a significant positive regulator of mitochondrial function, as well as suppressing the levels and effects of ceramide. Ceramide acts to suppress the circadian optimizers of mitochondria functioning, viz daytime orexin and night-time melatonin. Orexin, melatonin, and butyrate increase mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation partly via the disinhibition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, leading to an increase in acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA). Acetyl-CoA is a necessary co-substrate for activation of the mitochondria melatonergic pathway, allowing melatonin to optimize mitochondrial function. Data would indicate that gut-driven alterations in ceramide and mitochondrial function, particularly in glia and immune cells, underpin MS pathophysiology. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activators, such as stress-induced kynurenine and air pollutants, may interact with the mitochondrial melatonergic pathway via AhR-induced cytochrome P450 (CYP)1b1, which backward converts melatonin to N-acetylserotonin (NAS). The loss of mitochnodria melatonin coupled with increased NAS has implications for altered mitochondrial function in many cell types that are relevant to MS pathophysiology. NAS is increased in secondary progressive MS, indicating a role for changes in the mitochondria melatonergic pathway in the progression of MS symptomatology. This provides a framework for the integration of diverse bodies of data on MS pathophysiology, with a number of readily applicable treatment interventions, including the utilization of sodium butyrate.