1
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Fejzo M, Rocha N, Cimino I, Lockhart SM, Petry CJ, Kay RG, Burling K, Barker P, George AL, Yasara N, Premawardhena A, Gong S, Cook E, Rimmington D, Rainbow K, Withers DJ, Cortessis V, Mullin PM, MacGibbon KW, Jin E, Kam A, Campbell A, Polasek O, Tzoneva G, Gribble FM, Yeo GSH, Lam BYH, Saudek V, Hughes IA, Ong KK, Perry JRB, Sutton Cole A, Baumgarten M, Welsh P, Sattar N, Smith GCS, Charnock-Jones DS, Coll AP, Meek CL, Mettananda S, Hayward C, Mancuso N, O'Rahilly S. GDF15 linked to maternal risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Nature 2024; 625:760-767. [PMID: 38092039 PMCID: PMC10808057 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06921-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
GDF15, a hormone acting on the brainstem, has been implicated in the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, including its most severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), but a full mechanistic understanding is lacking1-4. Here we report that fetal production of GDF15 and maternal sensitivity to it both contribute substantially to the risk of HG. We confirmed that higher GDF15 levels in maternal blood are associated with vomiting in pregnancy and HG. Using mass spectrometry to detect a naturally labelled GDF15 variant, we demonstrate that the vast majority of GDF15 in the maternal plasma is derived from the feto-placental unit. By studying carriers of rare and common genetic variants, we found that low levels of GDF15 in the non-pregnant state increase the risk of developing HG. Conversely, women with β-thalassaemia, a condition in which GDF15 levels are chronically high5, report very low levels of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. In mice, the acute food intake response to a bolus of GDF15 is influenced bi-directionally by prior levels of circulating GDF15 in a manner suggesting that this system is susceptible to desensitization. Our findings support a putative causal role for fetally derived GDF15 in the nausea and vomiting of human pregnancy, with maternal sensitivity, at least partly determined by prepregnancy exposure to the hormone, being a major influence on its severity. They also suggest mechanism-based approaches to the treatment and prevention of HG.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fejzo
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - N Rocha
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - I Cimino
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - S M Lockhart
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - C J Petry
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - R G Kay
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Peptidomics and Proteomics Core Facility, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - K Burling
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Core Biochemical Assay Laboratory, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - P Barker
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Core Biochemical Assay Laboratory, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - A L George
- Peptidomics and Proteomics Core Facility, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - N Yasara
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Thalagolla Road, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - A Premawardhena
- Adolescent and Adult Thalassaemia Care Center (University Medical Unit), North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Kadawatha, Sri Lanka
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - S Gong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR), Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - E Cook
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - D Rimmington
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - K Rainbow
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - D J Withers
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - V Cortessis
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - P M Mullin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - K W MacGibbon
- Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation, Clackamas, OR, USA
| | - E Jin
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - A Kam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - A Campbell
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - O Polasek
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - G Tzoneva
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - F M Gribble
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - G S H Yeo
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - B Y H Lam
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - V Saudek
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - I A Hughes
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - K K Ong
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - J R B Perry
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - A Sutton Cole
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - M Baumgarten
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - P Welsh
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - N Sattar
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - G C S Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR), Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - D S Charnock-Jones
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR), Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - A P Coll
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - C L Meek
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - S Mettananda
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Thalagolla Road, Ragama, Sri Lanka
- University Paediatrics Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - C Hayward
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - N Mancuso
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, California, CA, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, California, CA, USA
| | - S O'Rahilly
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.
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Lam BYH, Williamson A, Finer S, Day FR, Tadross JA, Gonçalves Soares A, Wade K, Sweeney P, Bedenbaugh MN, Porter DT, Melvin A, Ellacott KLJ, Lippert RN, Buller S, Rosmaninho-Salgado J, Dowsett GKC, Ridley KE, Xu Z, Cimino I, Rimmington D, Rainbow K, Duckett K, Holmqvist S, Khan A, Dai X, Bochukova EG, Trembath RC, Martin HC, Coll AP, Rowitch DH, Wareham NJ, van Heel DA, Timpson N, Simerly RB, Ong KK, Cone RD, Langenberg C, Perry JRB, Yeo GS, O'Rahilly S. MC3R links nutritional state to childhood growth and the timing of puberty. Nature 2021; 599:436-441. [PMID: 34732894 PMCID: PMC8819628 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04088-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The state of somatic energy stores in metazoans is communicated to the brain, which regulates key aspects of behaviour, growth, nutrient partitioning and development1. The central melanocortin system acts through melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) to control appetite, food intake and energy expenditure2. Here we present evidence that MC3R regulates the timing of sexual maturation, the rate of linear growth and the accrual of lean mass, which are all energy-sensitive processes. We found that humans who carry loss-of-function mutations in MC3R, including a rare homozygote individual, have a later onset of puberty. Consistent with previous findings in mice, they also had reduced linear growth, lean mass and circulating levels of IGF1. Mice lacking Mc3r had delayed sexual maturation and an insensitivity of reproductive cycle length to nutritional perturbation. The expression of Mc3r is enriched in hypothalamic neurons that control reproduction and growth, and expression increases during postnatal development in a manner that is consistent with a role in the regulation of sexual maturation. These findings suggest a bifurcating model of nutrient sensing by the central melanocortin pathway with signalling through MC4R controlling the acquisition and retention of calories, whereas signalling through MC3R primarily regulates the disposition of calories into growth, lean mass and the timing of sexual maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Y H Lam
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - A Williamson
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - S Finer
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - F R Day
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - J A Tadross
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - A Gonçalves Soares
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit and Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - K Wade
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit and Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - P Sweeney
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - M N Bedenbaugh
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - D T Porter
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - A Melvin
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - K L J Ellacott
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - R N Lippert
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam, Germany
| | - S Buller
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - J Rosmaninho-Salgado
- Medical Genetics Unit, Hospital Pediátrico, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - G K C Dowsett
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - K E Ridley
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Z Xu
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - I Cimino
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - D Rimmington
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - K Rainbow
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - K Duckett
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - S Holmqvist
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - A Khan
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - X Dai
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University London, London, UK
| | - E G Bochukova
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University London, London, UK
| | - R C Trembath
- School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - H C Martin
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - A P Coll
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - D H Rowitch
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - N J Wareham
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - D A van Heel
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University London, London, UK
| | - N Timpson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit and Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - R B Simerly
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - K K Ong
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - R D Cone
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - C Langenberg
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Computational Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - J R B Perry
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - G S Yeo
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - S O'Rahilly
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.
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Lam BYH, Yang Y, Raine A, Lee TMC. Neural mediator of the schizotypy-antisocial behavior relationship. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e669. [PMID: 26529422 PMCID: PMC5068757 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Revised: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior studies have established that schizotypal personality traits (schizotypy) were associated with antisocial behavior (crime), but it is unclear what neural factors mediate this relationship. This study assessed the mediating effect that sub-regional prefrontal gray, specifically the orbitofrontal gray matter volume, has on the schizotypy-antisocial behavior relationship. Five prefrontal sub-regional (superior, middle, inferior, orbitofrontal and rectal gyral) gray matter volumes were assessed using structural magnetic resonance imaging in 90 adults from the community, together with schizotypy and antisocial behavior. Among all five prefrontal sub-regions, the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) was the major region-of-interest in the present study. Mediation analyses showed that orbitofrontal gray fully mediated the association between schizotypy and antisocial behavior. After having controlled the sex, age, socio-economic statuses, whole brain volumes and substance abuse/dependence of test subjects, the orbitofrontal gray still significantly mediated the effect of schizotypy on antisocial behavior by 53.5%. These findings are the first that document a neural mediator of the schizotypy-antisocial behavior relationship. Findings also suggest that functions subserved by the OFC, including impulse control and inhibition, emotion processing and decision-making, may contribute to the above comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Y H Lam
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Y Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospitals Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - A Raine
- Department of Criminology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - T M C Lee
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China,The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China,Institute of Clinical Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China,Laboratory of Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China,Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The Jockey Club Tower, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. E-mail:
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Abstract
Leptin plays a major role in coordinating the integrated response of the brain to changes in nutritional state. Leptin receptor expressing neurones within the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus sense circulating leptin and densely innervate other regions of the hypothalamus, including the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). In the ARC, leptin is known to alter the expression of genes with important roles in the control of energy balance, and the aim of the present study was to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the action of leptin in these nuclei. Mice were ad libitum fed, or fasted for 48 h when receiving either sham or i.p. leptin treatment. We used laser capture microdissection and microarrays to identify leptin-regulated transcripts within the ARC. Expression of 639 genes are increased and 452 decreased within the fasted ARC. Leptin regulates 15% and 20% of these genes, respectively. In addition to expected changes in Pomc, Agrp, Npy and Cart, pathway analysis indicated that leptin regulated other genes concerned with energy homeostasis and endocrine function. As previously reported for the PVN, leptin also altered the expression of genes involved in nervous system development and synaptic function. However, aside from a small number of such genes (e.g. Gap43), leptin influenced the expression of different sets of neuronal developmental genes in the ARC and PVN. In conclusion, the present study identifies a set of genes that are regulated, at least in part, by leptin in the ARC, highlighting these as candidates for possible roles in leptin action and resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Jovanovic
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Labs, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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Mak DHF, Chiu PY, Poon MKT, Ng TTL, Chung YK, Lam BYH, Du Y, Ko KM. A yang-promoting Chinese herbal suppository preparation enhances the antioxidant status of red cells in male human subjects. Phytother Res 2004; 18:525-30. [PMID: 15305310 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In the 16-week pilot study, the effect of a Yang-promoting Chinese herbal suppository preparation (VI-28) on the red cell antioxidant status was examined in 31 healthy male subjects aged 41-66 years old. VI-28 treatment for 12 weeks (one suppository (0.3 g) daily for week 1-4; one every 2 days for week 5-8; one every 3 days for week 9-12) produced a time/dose-dependent alteration in red cell antioxidant status. The VI-28-induced change is characterized by a slight depletion in cellular reduced glutathione (GSH) level and a decrease in susceptibility to peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation as well as increases in catalase (CAT) and Cu-Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. While a reversal trend of change was observed in cellular GSH level, the susceptibility to lipid peroxidation as well as the CAT activity after the cessation of treatment for 4 weeks, the SOD activity exhibited a protracted increase. The results indicate that VI-28 treatment enhances red cell antioxidant status in male subjects. The beneficial effect of VI-28 treatment on red cells may re fl ect a corresponding change in antioxidant status of peripheral tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H F Mak
- Department of Biochemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
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Lam BYH, Lo ACY, Sun X, Luo HW, Chung SK, Sucher NJ. Neuroprotective effects of tanshinones in transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Phytomedicine 2003; 10:286-291. [PMID: 12809358 DOI: 10.1078/094471103322004776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Tanshinones are the major lipid soluble pharmacological constituents of Danshen, the dried roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Labiatae), a well known traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases including stroke. Potential neuroprotective effects of tanshinones IIA (TsIIA) and IIB (TsIIB) were examined in adult mice subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Our results revealed that TsIIA (16 mg/kg) readily penetrated the blood brain barrier reaching a peak concentration of 0.41 nmol/g brain wet weight 60 minutes after intraperitoneal injection and decreased slowly over several hours. Twenty-four hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion, brain infarct volume was reduced by 30% and 37% following treatment with TsIIA and TsIIB, respectively. The reduction in brain infarct volume was accompanied by a significant decrease in the observed neurological deficit. Tanshinones or other structurally related compounds may have potential for further development as neuroprotective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Y H Lam
- Department of Biology, Molecular Neuroscience Center and Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Pan SY, Han YF, Carlier PR, Pang YP, Mak DHF, Lam BYH, Ko KM. Schisandrin B protects against tacrine- and bis(7)-tacrine-induced hepatotoxicity and enhances cognitive function in mice. Planta Med 2002; 68:217-220. [PMID: 11914957 DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-23145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Intragastric administration (100-200 micromol/kg) of tacrine (THA) or bis(7)-THA could cause an acute and dose-dependent increase in plasma alanine aminotransferases activity in mice at 6 h after the drug administration. The increase in plasma enzyme activity was associated with an increase in hepatic malondialdehyde level, an indirect index of oxidative tissue damage. Pretreating mice with schisandrin B (Sch B), an active dibenzocyclooctadiene derivative isolated from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis, at a daily dose of 0.125-0.5 mmol/kg for 3 days protected against the THA/bis(7)-THA induced hepatic oxidative damage in a dose-dependent manner. Sch B treatment (0.025-0.5 mmol/kg/day x 5) also enhanced the passive avoidance-response in mice as assessed by the step-through task experiment. The ensemble of results suggests that Sch B may be useful for reducing the potential hepatotoxicity of THA/bis(7)-THA in anti-Alzheimer's therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Y Pan
- Department of Biochemistry, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, China
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