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Abrami M, Biasin A, Tescione F, Tierno D, Dapas B, Carbone A, Grassi G, Conese M, Di Gioia S, Larobina D, Grassi M. Mucus Structure, Viscoelastic Properties, and Composition in Chronic Respiratory Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1933. [PMID: 38339210 PMCID: PMC10856136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031933] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The respiratory mucus, a viscoelastic gel, effectuates a primary line of the airway defense when operated by the mucociliary clearance. In chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis (CF), the mucus is overproduced and its solid content augments, changing its structure and viscoelastic properties and determining a derangement of essential defense mechanisms against opportunistic microbial (virus and bacteria) pathogens. This ensues in damaging of the airways, leading to a vicious cycle of obstruction and infection responsible for the harsh clinical evolution of these CRDs. Here, we review the essential features of normal and pathological mucus (i.e., sputum in CF, COPD, and asthma), i.e., mucin content, structure (mesh size), micro/macro-rheology, pH, and osmotic pressure, ending with the awareness that sputum biomarkers (mucins, inflammatory proteins and peptides, and metabolites) might serve to indicate acute exacerbation and response to therapies. There are some indications that old and novel treatments may change the structure, viscoelastic properties, and biomarker content of sputum; however, a wealth of work is still needed to embrace these measures as correlates of disease severity in association with (or even as substitutes of) pulmonary functional tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Abrami
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.A.); (A.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Alice Biasin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.A.); (A.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Fabiana Tescione
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, P.le E. Fermi 1, I-80055 Portici, Italy; (F.T.); (D.L.)
| | - Domenico Tierno
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (D.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Barbara Dapas
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, I-34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Annalucia Carbone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 121, I-71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.C.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (D.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 121, I-71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.C.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Sante Di Gioia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 121, I-71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.C.); (S.D.G.)
| | - Domenico Larobina
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, P.le E. Fermi 1, I-80055 Portici, Italy; (F.T.); (D.L.)
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6/A, I-34127 Trieste, Italy; (M.A.); (A.B.); (M.G.)
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Baach F, Meyer B, Oh J, Lezius S, Böger R, Schwedhelm E, Choe CU, Neu A. Developmental dynamics of homoarginine, ADMA and SDMA plasma levels from birth to adolescence. Amino Acids 2023; 55:1381-1388. [PMID: 37648945 PMCID: PMC10689515 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03318-w] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Guanidino compounds such as dimethylarginines (SDMA, ADMA) and L-homoarginine ((L-)hArg) can interfere with bioavailability and function of the main NO-donor L-arginine (L-Arg). High ADMA and SDMA but low L-hArg concentrations have been associated with cardio- and cerebrovascular events and mortality in adults. The role of guanidino compounds in paediatric patients remains less clear. We, therefore, compared guanidino compound levels in plasma samples of 57 individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 141 individuals without CKD from the age of 0 to 17 years, including patients with different comorbidities by correlation and regression analyses. We found highest hArg, SDMA and ADMA concentrations in neonates (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.001 for all). From the age of 1 year on, hArg levels increased, whereas SDMA und ADMA levels further decreased in children. SDMA and ADMA are higher in children with CKD independent of GFR (mean factor 1.92 and 1.38, respectively, p < 0.001 for both), and SDMA is strongly correlated with creatinine concentration in children with CKD (Spearman's rho 0.74, p < 0.001). We provide guanidino compound levels in a large sample covering all paediatric age groups for the first time. Our data can be used to assess the role of guanidino compounds such as hArg in disease states, i.e. cerebro- and cardiovascular disorders in childhood and adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Baach
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Boglarka Meyer
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jun Oh
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Lezius
- Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Böger
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Edzard Schwedhelm
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK E.V.), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chi-Un Choe
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Itzehoe, Robert-Koch-Strasse 2, 25524, Itzehoe, Germany
| | - Axel Neu
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
- VAMED Klinik Geesthacht, Johannes-Ritter-Strasse 100, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany.
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Eggenkemper L, Schlegtendal A, Maier C, Lücke T, Brinkmann F, Beckmann B, Tsikas D, Koerner-Rettberg C. Impaired Nitric Oxide Synthetase Activity in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia-Data-Driven Hypothesis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6010. [PMID: 37762950 PMCID: PMC10531778 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12186010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Low nasal nitric oxide (nNO) is a typical feature of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). nNO is part of the PCD diagnostic algorithm due to its discriminative power against other lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). However, the underlying pathomechanisms are elusive. To better understand NO dysregulation in PCD, the L-arginine/NO (Arg/NO) pathway in patients with PCD (pwPCD) and CF (pwCF) and in healthy control (HC) subjects was investigated. In a prospective, controlled study, we measured in 24 pwPCD, 25 age-matched pwCF, and 14 HC the concentrations of the NO precursors Arg and homoarginine (hArg), the arginase metabolite ornithine (Orn), the NO inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and the major NO metabolites (nitrate, nitrite) in sputum, plasma, and urine using validated methods. In comparison to HC, the sputum contents (in µmol/mg) of L-Arg (PCD 18.43 vs. CF 329.46 vs. HC 9.86, p < 0.001) and of ADMA (PCD 0.055 vs. CF 0.015 vs. HC 0.010, p < 0.001) were higher. In contrast, the sputum contents (in µmol/mg) of nitrate and nitrite were lower in PCD compared to HC (nitrite 4.54 vs. 9.26, p = 0.023; nitrate 12.86 vs. 40.33, p = 0.008), but higher in CF (nitrite 16.28, p < 0.001; nitrate 56.83, p = 0.002). The metabolite concentrations in urine and plasma were similar in all groups. The results of our study indicate that PCD, unlike CF, is associated with impaired NO synthesis in the lung, presumably due to mechano-chemical uncoupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Eggenkemper
- University Children’s Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44791 Bochum, Germany; (A.S.); (C.M.); (T.L.); (F.B.); (C.K.-R.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Christophorus-Kliniken Coesfeld, Teaching Hospital of University Münster, 48653 Coesfeld, Germany
| | - Anne Schlegtendal
- University Children’s Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44791 Bochum, Germany; (A.S.); (C.M.); (T.L.); (F.B.); (C.K.-R.)
| | - Christoph Maier
- University Children’s Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44791 Bochum, Germany; (A.S.); (C.M.); (T.L.); (F.B.); (C.K.-R.)
| | - Thomas Lücke
- University Children’s Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44791 Bochum, Germany; (A.S.); (C.M.); (T.L.); (F.B.); (C.K.-R.)
| | - Folke Brinkmann
- University Children’s Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44791 Bochum, Germany; (A.S.); (C.M.); (T.L.); (F.B.); (C.K.-R.)
- Section for Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Bibiana Beckmann
- Core Unit Proteomics, Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (B.B.); (D.T.)
| | - Dimitrios Tsikas
- Core Unit Proteomics, Institute of Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (B.B.); (D.T.)
| | - Cordula Koerner-Rettberg
- University Children’s Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44791 Bochum, Germany; (A.S.); (C.M.); (T.L.); (F.B.); (C.K.-R.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Marien-Hospital Wesel, Teaching Hospital of University of Münster, 46483 Wesel, Germany
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Homoarginine (hArg) is an endogenous, nonproteinogenic amino acid. It is enzymatically synthesized from L-arginine and L-lysine. Low hArg concentrations appear to be a risk factor in the renal and cardiovascular systems. This review discusses advances in-vitro and in-vivo experimental and clinical research on hArg in health and disease. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies indicate that low circulating and low urinary concentrations of hArg are associated with morbidity and worse outcome. Although the biological activities of hArg remain still unexplored, hArg supplementation is intensely investigated as a strategy to increase hArg concentration to reach normal levels in cases of low hArg concentrations. The greatest changes in circulating hArg concentrations are observed during pregnancy and after delivery. In healthy adults, a daily dose of 125 mg hArg seems to be optimum to normalize circulating levels. Short-term supplementation of inorganic nitrate enhances hArg biosynthesis in healthy young men. Apart from hArg supplementation, dietary L-arginine and L-citrulline appear to be a promising alternative. SUMMARY Considerable progress has been made in recent years, but hArg remains still enigmatic. Further research is required to explore the biological activities of hArg. Supplementation of hArg or its precursors L-citrulline/L-arginine seem to be promising strategies to prevent and overcome altered hArg synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Tsikas
- Institute of Toxicology, Core Unit Proteomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Short-Term Supplementation of Sodium Nitrate vs. Sodium Chloride Increases Homoarginine Synthesis in Young Men Independent of Exercise. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810649. [PMID: 36142560 PMCID: PMC9504822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of short-term oral administration of inorganic nitrate (NaNO3; n = 8) or placebo (NaCl; n = 9) (each 0.1 mmol/kg body weight/d for 9 days) on plasma amino acids, creatinine, and oxidative stress in healthy young men. At baseline, the plasma concentrations of amino acids did not differ between the groups. At the end of the study, the plasma concentrations of homoarginine (hArg; by 24%, p = 0.0001), citrulline and ornithine (Cit/Orn; by 16%, p = 0.015), and glutamine/glutamate (Gln/Glu; by 6%, p = 0.0003) were higher in the NaNO3 group compared to the NaCl group. The plasma concentrations of sarcosine (Sarc; by 28%, p < 0.0001), tyrosine (by 14%, p = 0.0051), phenylalanine (by 8%, p = 0.0026), and tryptophan (by 8%, p = 0.0047) were lower in the NaNO3 group compared to the NaCl group. These results suggest that nitrate administration affects amino-acid metabolism. The arginine/glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) catalyzes two reactions: (1) the formation of l-homoarginine (hArg) and l-ornithine (Orn) from l-arginine (Arg) and l-lysine (Lys): Arg + Lys <−> hArg + Orn, with equilibrium constant Kharg; (2) the formation of guanidinoacetate (GAA) and Orn from Arg and glycine (Gly): Arg + Gly <−> GAA + Orn, with equilibrium constant Kgaa. The plasma Kgaa/KhArg ratio was lower in the NaNO3 group compared to the NaCl group (1.57 vs. 2.02, p = 0.0034). Our study suggests that supplementation of inorganic nitrate increases the AGAT-catalyzed synthesis of hArg and decreases the N-methyltransferase-catalyzed synthesis of GAA, the precursor of creatine. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate elevation of hArg synthesis by inorganic nitrate supplementation. Remarkably, an increase of 24% corresponds to the synthesis capacity of one kidney in healthy humans. Differences in the association between plasma concentrations of amino acids in the NaNO3 and NaCl groups suggest changes in amino-acid homeostasis. Plasma concentrations of the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) did not change after supplementation of NaNO3 or NaCl over the whole exercise time range. Plasma nitrite concentration turned out to be a more discriminant marker of NaNO3 ingestion than plasma nitrate (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.951 vs. 0.866, p < 0.0001 each).
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Nguyen ALV, Haas D, Bouchard M, Quon BS. Metabolomic Biomarkers to Predict and Diagnose Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Exacerbations: A Systematic Review. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:896439. [PMID: 35712620 PMCID: PMC9192952 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.896439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Metabolomics is an emerging area of research and has the potential to identify clinical biomarkers for predicting or diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary exacerbations (PEx). OBJECTIVE To identify clinically promising metabolites across different sample sources that can be used to predict or diagnose PEx in CF. EVIDENCE REVIEW Searches for original literature were completed through EMBASE, MEDLINE, and all databases on the Web of Science with no restrictions on language or publication date. Gray literature was collected through Google Scholar. Additional studies were obtained by contacting authors and searching reference lists of candidate papers. The patient population included individuals with CF. Studies involving patients who underwent lung transplantation were excluded. The outcome was the prediction or diagnosis of pulmonary exacerbations from metabolites directly measured from biological samples. Search results were downloaded and imported into Covidence and duplicates were removed automatically. Any remaining duplicates were manually tagged and excluded. Two independent reviewers screened each abstract for eligibility and repeated this process for full texts. Risk of bias was conducted using QUADAS-2 by two independent reviewers. A third author resolved any remaining conflicts. RESULTS A combined 3974 relevant abstracts were identified and 115 full texts were assessed for eligibility. The final 25 studies underwent data extraction for study design, patient demographics, studied metabolites, concentration values, and diagnostic accuracy values. Included studies differed considerably in methodologies, sample specimen types (exhaled breath condensate [EBC], sputum, saliva, plasma, urine), and disease states. We identified 19 unique metabolites that were measured by two or more studies of which 2 have the potential to predict PEx (EBC 4-hydroxycyclohexylcarboxylic acid [4-HCHC] and lactic acid) and 6 to diagnose PEx (EBC 4-HCHC and lactic acid, sputum lactic acid and nitrate, and plasma arginine and methionine). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE This systematic review has identified promising metabolites for further study in CF. Certain metabolites may provide clinical potential in predicting or diagnosing PEx, but further validation studies are required. With better tools to aid in the earlier identification of PEx, clinicians can implement preventative measures to mitigate airway damage.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lisa V Nguyen
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Dominic Haas
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Mégane Bouchard
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Bradley S Quon
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Kotsiou OS, Gourgoulianis KI, Zarogiannis SG. The role of nitric oxide in pleural disease. Respir Med 2021; 179:106350. [PMID: 33662805 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) regulates various physiological and pathophysiological functions in the lungs. However, there is much less information about the effects of NO in the pleura. The present review aimed to explore the available evidence regarding the role of NO in pleural disease. NO, has a double-edged role in the pleural cavity. It is an essential signaling molecule mediating various physiological cell functions such as lymphatic drainage of the serous cavities, the immune response to intracellular multiplication of pathogens, and downregulation of neutrophil migration, but also induces genocytotoxic and mutagenic effects when present in excess. NO is implicated in the pathogenesis of asbestos-related or exudative pleural disease and mesothelioma. From a clinical point of view, the fraction of exhaled NO has been suggested as a potential non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of benign asbestos-related disorders. Under experimental conditions, NO-mimetics were found to attenuate hypoxia-induced therapy resistance in mesothelioma. Similarly, hybrid agents consisting of an NO donor coupled with a parent anti-inflammatory drug showed an enhancement of the anti-inflammatory activity of anti-inflammatory drugs. However, given the paucity of research work performed over the last years in this area, further research should be undertaken to establish reliable conclusions with respect to the feasibility of determining or targeting the NO signaling pathway for pleural disease diagnosis and therapeutic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourania S Kotsiou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, BIOPOLIS, 41110, Larissa, Greece; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, BIOPOLIS, 41500, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos I Gourgoulianis
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, BIOPOLIS, 41110, Larissa, Greece
| | - Sotirios G Zarogiannis
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, BIOPOLIS, 41500, Larissa, Greece
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