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Hammad MM, Channanath AM, Abu-Farha M, Rahman A, Al Khairi I, Cherian P, Alramah T, Alam-Eldin N, Al-Mulla F, Thanaraj TA, Abubaker J. Adolescent obesity and ANGPTL8: correlations with high sensitivity C-reactive protein, leptin, and chemerin. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1314211. [PMID: 38189043 PMCID: PMC10766807 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1314211] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs) mediate many metabolic functions. We had recently reported increased plasma levels of ANGPTL8 in obese adults of Arab ethnicity. However, data on ANGPTL8 levels in adolescent obesity is lacking. Arab population is characterized by a rapid transition, due to sudden wealth seen in the post-oil era, in lifestyle, food habits and extent of physical activity. We adopted a cross-sectional study on Arab adolescents from Kuwait to examine the role of ANGPTL8 in adolescent obesity. The study cohort included 452 adolescents, aged 11-14 years, recruited from Middle Schools across Kuwait. BMI-for-age growth charts were used to categorize adolescents as normal-weight, overweight, and obese. ELISA and bead-based multiplexing assays were used to measure plasma levels of ANGPTL8 and other inflammation and obesity-related biomarkers. Data analysis showed significant differences in the plasma levels of ANGPTL8 among the three subgroups, with a significant increase in overweight and obese children compared to normal-weight children. This observation persisted even when the analysis was stratified by sex. Multinomial logistic regression analysis illustrated that adolescents with higher levels of ANGPTL8 were 7 times more likely to become obese and twice as likely to be overweight. ANGPTL8 levels were correlated with those of hsCRP, leptin and chemerin. ANGPTL8 level had a reasonable prognostic power for obesity with an AUC of 0.703 (95%-CI=0.648-0.759). These observations relating to increased ANGPTL8 levels corresponding to increased BMI-for-age z-scores indicate that ANGPTL8, along with hsCRP, leptin and chemerin, could play a role in the early stages of obesity development in children. ANGPTL8 is a potential early marker for adolescent obesity and is associated with well-known obesity and inflammatory markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha M. Hammad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Arshad M. Channanath
- Genetics and Bioinformatics Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Mohamed Abu-Farha
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Abdur Rahman
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Irina Al Khairi
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Preethi Cherian
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Tahani Alramah
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Nada Alam-Eldin
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Fahd Al-Mulla
- Genetics and Bioinformatics Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | | | - Jehad Abubaker
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
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Abu-Farha M, Madhu D, Hebbar P, Mohammad A, Channanath A, Kavalakatt S, Alam-Eldin N, Alterki F, Taher I, Alsmadi O, Shehab M, Arefanian H, Ahmad R, Thanaraj TA, Al-Mulla F, Abubaker J. The Proinflammatory Role of ANGPTL8 R59W Variant in Modulating Inflammation through NF-κB Signaling Pathway under TNFα Stimulation. Cells 2023; 12:2563. [PMID: 37947641 PMCID: PMC10648545 DOI: 10.3390/cells12212563] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) is known to regulate lipid metabolism and inflammation. It interacts with ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 to regulate lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and with IKK to modulate NF-κB activity. Further, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) leading to the ANGPTL8 R59W variant associates with reduced low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein (LDL/HDL) and increased fasting blood glucose (FBG) in Hispanic and Arab individuals, respectively. In this study, we investigate the impact of the R59W variant on the inflammatory activity of ANGPTL8. METHODS The ANGPTL8 R59W variant was genotyped in a discovery cohort of 867 Arab individuals from Kuwait. Plasma levels of ANGPTL8 and inflammatory markers were measured and tested for associations with the genotype; the associations were tested for replication in an independent cohort of 278 Arab individuals. Impact of the ANGPTL8 R59W variant on NF-κB activity was examined using approaches including overexpression, luciferase assay, and structural modeling of binding dynamics. RESULTS The ANGPTL8 R59W variant was associated with increased circulatory levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 7 (IL7). Our in vitro studies using HepG2 cells revealed an increased phosphorylation of key inflammatory proteins of the NF-κB pathway in individuals with the R59W variant as compared to those with the wild type, and TNFα stimulation further elevated it. This finding was substantiated by increased luciferase activity of NF-κB p65 with the R59W variant. Modeled structural and binding variation due to R59W change in ANGPTL8 agreed with the observed increase in NF-κB activity. CONCLUSION ANGPTL8 R59W is associated with increased circulatory TNFα, IL7, and NF-κB p65 activity. Weak transient binding of the ANGPTL8 R59W variant explains its regulatory role on the NF-κB pathway and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abu-Farha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (M.A.-F.); (D.M.); (A.M.); (S.K.); (N.A.-E.)
| | - Dhanya Madhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (M.A.-F.); (D.M.); (A.M.); (S.K.); (N.A.-E.)
| | - Prashantha Hebbar
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (P.H.); (A.C.); (F.A.-M.)
| | - Anwar Mohammad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (M.A.-F.); (D.M.); (A.M.); (S.K.); (N.A.-E.)
| | - Arshad Channanath
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (P.H.); (A.C.); (F.A.-M.)
| | - Sina Kavalakatt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (M.A.-F.); (D.M.); (A.M.); (S.K.); (N.A.-E.)
| | - Nada Alam-Eldin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (M.A.-F.); (D.M.); (A.M.); (S.K.); (N.A.-E.)
| | - Fatima Alterki
- Department of internal Medicine, Amiri Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City 15462, Kuwait;
| | - Ibrahim Taher
- Microbiology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka P.O. Box 2014, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Osama Alsmadi
- Department of Cell Therapy and Applied Genomics, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 1269, Jordan;
| | - Mohammad Shehab
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mubarak Alkabeer University Hospital, Kuwait University, Kuwait City 47061, Kuwait;
| | - Hossein Arefanian
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (H.A.); (R.A.)
| | - Rasheed Ahmad
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (H.A.); (R.A.)
| | - Thangavel Alphonse Thanaraj
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (P.H.); (A.C.); (F.A.-M.)
| | - Fahd Al-Mulla
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (P.H.); (A.C.); (F.A.-M.)
| | - Jehad Abubaker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; (M.A.-F.); (D.M.); (A.M.); (S.K.); (N.A.-E.)
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Alhammad R, Abu-Farha M, Hammad MM, Thanaraj TA, Channanath A, Alam-Eldin N, Al-Sabah R, Shaban L, Alduraywish A, Al-Mulla F, Rahman A, Abubaker J. Increased LRG1 Levels in Overweight and Obese Adolescents and Its Association with Obesity Markers, Including Leptin, Chemerin, and High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158564. [PMID: 35955698 PMCID: PMC9369195 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Leucine-rich α-2 glycoprotein1 (LRG1) is a member of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family that is implicated in multiple diseases, including cancer, aging, and heart failure, as well as diabetes and obesity. LRG1 plays a key role in diet-induced hepatosteatosis and insulin resistance by mediating the crosstalk between adipocytes and hepatocytes. LRG1 also promotes hepatosteatosis by upregulating de novo lipogenesis in the liver and suppressing fatty acid β-oxidation. In this study, we investigated the association of LRG1 with obesity markers, including leptin and other adipokines in adolescents (11−14 years; n = 425). BMI-for-age classification based on WHO growth charts was used to define obesity. Plasma LRG1 was measured by ELISA, while other markers were measured by multiplexing assay. Median (IQR) of LRG1 levels was higher in obese (30 (25, 38) µg/mL) and overweight (30 (24, 39) µg/mL) adolescents, compared to normal-weight participants (27 (22, 35) µg/mL). The highest tertile of LRG1 had an OR [95% CI] of 2.55 [1.44, 4.53] for obesity. LRG1 was positively correlated to plasma levels of high sensitivity c-reactive protein (HsCRP) (ρ = 0.2), leptin (ρ = 0.2), and chemerin (ρ = 0.24) with p < 0.001. Additionally, it was positively associated with plasma level of IL6 (ρ = 0.17) and IL10 (ρ = 0.14) but not TNF-α. In conclusion, LRG1 levels are increased in obese adolescents and are associated with increased levels of adipogenic markers. These results suggest the usefulness of LRG1 as an early biomarker for obesity and its related pathologies in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashed Alhammad
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait;
| | - Mohamed Abu-Farha
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City 15462, Kuwait; (M.A.-F.); (M.M.H.); (N.A.-E.)
| | - Maha M. Hammad
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City 15462, Kuwait; (M.A.-F.); (M.M.H.); (N.A.-E.)
| | - Thangavel Alphonse Thanaraj
- Genetics and Bioinformatics Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City 15462, Kuwait; (T.A.T.); (A.C.); (F.A.-M.)
| | - Arshad Channanath
- Genetics and Bioinformatics Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City 15462, Kuwait; (T.A.T.); (A.C.); (F.A.-M.)
| | - Nada Alam-Eldin
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City 15462, Kuwait; (M.A.-F.); (M.M.H.); (N.A.-E.)
| | - Reem Al-Sabah
- Department of Community Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait;
| | - Lemia Shaban
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait;
| | - Abdulrahman Alduraywish
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Fahd Al-Mulla
- Genetics and Bioinformatics Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City 15462, Kuwait; (T.A.T.); (A.C.); (F.A.-M.)
| | - Abdur Rahman
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait;
- Correspondence: (A.R.); (J.A.); Tel.: +965-2463-3321 (A.R.); +965-2224-2999 (ext. 3563) (J.A.)
| | - Jehad Abubaker
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City 15462, Kuwait; (M.A.-F.); (M.M.H.); (N.A.-E.)
- Correspondence: (A.R.); (J.A.); Tel.: +965-2463-3321 (A.R.); +965-2224-2999 (ext. 3563) (J.A.)
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Hammad MM, Mohammad A, Alam-Eldin N, Madhu D, Al-Mulla F, Abu-Farha M, Abubaker J. Structural analysis of setmelanotide binding to MC4R variants in comparison to wild-type receptor. Life Sci 2022; 307:120857. [PMID: 35931197 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) has a well-established role in regulating appetite, food intake and energy homeostasis. Setmelanotide is an MC4R agonist currently approved for weight loss in obese adults and children with mutations in components of the leptin-melanocortin pathway. This study aims to compare structural and functional aspects of the physiological MC4R agonist α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) with setmelanotide. We also aim to show the binding affinity of setmelanotide to known MC4R human missense mutations associated with obesity. MAIN METHODS AutoDock Vina was used in the structural analysis to calculate induced fit docking scores of ligand binding to MC4R wild type or the selected variants. HEK293-MC4R were utilized in the functional analysis of MC4R-actiavted pathways upon stimulating with α-MSH or setmelanotide. KEY FINDINGS Our data shows that setmelanotide has a higher potency for cAMP formation and a weaker effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation when compared to α-MSH indicating functional selectivity otherwise known as biased agonism. We also present structural data showing that setmelanotide has a higher binding affinity to MC4R compared to α-MSH. Lastly, we show that two loss-of-function and two gain-of-function MC4R variants change the conformation not only of the ligand binding pocket of the receptor but also of the peptide when bound to the receptor because the interaction network and the residues involved in the binding are altered. SIGNIFICANCE Taken together, our study provides important insights into the diversity of MC4R signaling pathways which will facilitate the development of personalized anti-obesity drugs via refining MC4R agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha M Hammad
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait
| | - Anwar Mohammad
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait
| | - Nada Alam-Eldin
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait
| | - Dhanya Madhu
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait
| | - Fahd Al-Mulla
- Genetics and Bioinformatics Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait
| | - Mohamed Abu-Farha
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait.
| | - Jehad Abubaker
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait.
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Hammad MM, Abu-Farha M, Al-Taiar A, Alam-Eldin N, Al-Sabah R, Shaban L, Al-Mulla F, Abubaker J, Rahman A. Correlation of circulating ANGPTL5 levels with obesity, high sensitivity C-reactive protein and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in adolescents. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6330. [PMID: 32286392 PMCID: PMC7156513 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63076-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTL) is a family of eight members known to play an important role in metabolic diseases. Of these, ANGPTL5 is suggested to regulate triglyceride metabolism and is increased in obesity and diabetes. However, its role in metabolic diseases in adolescents is not well-studied. In this study, we tested the hypothesis of a positive association between plasma ANGPTL5, and obesity, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) in adolescents. Adolescents (N = 431; age 11–14 years) were randomly selected from middle schools in Kuwait. Obesity was classified by the BMI-for-age based on the WHO growth charts. Plasma ANGPTL5, HsCRP, and Ox-LDL were measured using ELISA. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 20.65% and 33.18%, respectively. Mean (SD) plasma ANGPTL5 levels were significantly higher in obese, compared with overweight and normal-weight adolescents (23.05 (8.79) vs 18.39 (7.08) ng/mL, and 18.26 (6.95) ng/ml, respectively). ANGPTL5 was positively associated with both HsCRP (ρ=0.27, p < 0.001) and Ox-LDL (ρ = 0.24, p < 0.001). In Conclusion, ANGPTL5 levels are elevated in obese adolescents and are associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors, HsCRP and Ox-LDL. The use of ANGPTL5 as a powerful diagnostic and prognostic tool in obesity and metabolic diseases needs to be further evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha M Hammad
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Mohamed Abu-Farha
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Abdullah Al-Taiar
- School of Community & Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Nada Alam-Eldin
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Reem Al-Sabah
- Department of Community Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Lemia Shaban
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Fahd Al-Mulla
- Genetics and Bioinformatics Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Jehad Abubaker
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
| | - Abdur Rahman
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
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Zghoul N, Alam-Eldin N, Mak IT, Silver B, Weglicki WB. Hypomagnesemia in diabetes patients: comparison of serum and intracellular measurement of responses to magnesium supplementation and its role in inflammation. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2018; 11:389-400. [PMID: 30122966 PMCID: PMC6080849 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s168398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In this clinical trial, we assessed the efficacy of magnesium (Mg) supplementation in hypomagnesemic type 2 diabetes patients in restoring serum and intracellular Mg levels. The study had two coprimary end points: the change in serum and intracellular Mg level between baseline and after 3 months of supplementation. We compared the efficacy with regard to lowering hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and 8-isoprostane as secondary end points. PATIENTS AND METHODS In an open-label trial, 47 hypomagnesemic type 2 diabetes patients were administered 336 mg Mg daily. At baseline and after 3 months, serum, cellular Mg, and inflammation biomarkers were measured. For intracellular Mg levels, sublingual epithelial cells were analyzed by analytical scanning electron microscopy using computerized elemental X-ray analysis. Blood samples were analyzed for Mg, creatinine, HbA1c, and CRP. Systemic inflammatory markers including TNF-α and the oxidative stress marker 8-isoprostane were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Mg supplementation significantly increased the intracellular and serum levels. Statistically clinical improvement in HbA1c and CRP levels was not observed, but significant decreases in TNF-α as well as in 8-isoprostane were found. CONCLUSION A feasible clinical method for the assessment of intracellular Mg was demonstrated in tissue samples obtained noninvasively, providing evidence for potential clinical translation of this method to routinely determine intracellular Mg concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Zghoul
- Clinical Research Unit, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait, Kuwait,
| | - Nada Alam-Eldin
- Clinical Research Unit, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait, Kuwait,
| | - Ivan Tong Mak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - William B Weglicki
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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Luqmani YA, Alam-Eldin N. Overcoming Resistance to Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer: New Approaches to a Nagging Problem. Med Princ Pract 2016; 25 Suppl 2:28-40. [PMID: 26849149 PMCID: PMC5588530 DOI: 10.1159/000444451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In the majority of women, breast cancer progresses through increased transcriptional activity due to over-expressed oestrogen receptors (ER). Therapeutic strategies include: (i) reduction of circulating ovarian oestrogens or of peripherally produced oestrogen (in postmenopausal women) with aromatase inhibitors and (ii) application of selective ER modulators for receptor blockade. The success of these interventions is limited by the variable but persistent onset of acquired resistance and by an intrinsic refractiveness which manifests despite adequate levels of ER in about 50% of patients with advanced metastatic disease. Loss of functional ER leads to endocrine insensitivity, loss of cellular adhesion and polarity, and increased migratory potential due to trans-differentiation of the epithelial cancer cells into a mesenchymal-like phenotype (epithelial-mesenchymal transition; EMT). Multiple mechanisms contributing to therapeutic failure have been proposed: (i) loss or modification of ER expression including epigenetic mechanisms, (ii) agonistic actions of selective ER modulators that may be enhanced through an increased expression of co-activators, (iii) attenuation of the tamoxifen metabolism through expression of genetic variants of P450 cytochromes which leads to more or less active metabolites and (iv) increased growth factor signalling particularly through epidermal growth factor receptor activation of pathways involving keratinocyte growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and nuclear factor x03BA;B. In addition, the small non-coding microRNAs, recently recognized as critical gene regulators, exhibit differential expression in tamoxifen-sensitive versus resistant cell lines. Several studies suggest the potential of using these either as targets or as therapeutic agents to modulate EMT regulators as a means of reversing the aggressive metastatic phenotype by reversal of the EMT, with the added benefit of re-sensitization to anti-oestrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunus A. Luqmani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait
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