Evidence for a differential translocation of actinides across human lung epithelial cell monolayer in vitro according to their physicochemical properties and the presence of a chelating agent

The epithelial cell plays a key role in the transfer of radionuclides from lungs to blood following pulmonary exposure. The present study was designed to evaluate the transfer across human lung epithelial cells of various actinides (plutonium, americium and uranium), the influence of the physicochemical properties of plutonium compounds and of the chelating agent diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). To address this question, Calu-3 cells grown in a bicameral culture system were used. The integrity of the epithelial barrier was evaluated by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the passage of a fluorescent marker, lucifer yellow. Activity measurement in basal compartment following periodic collection of culture medium was made from 2 h to seven days. To facilitate data handling and analysis, the statistical tool STATBIODIS was used. The results indicate differences in transfer for the different elements, and according to Pu physicochemical properties. Though to various extents, the chelating agent DTPA always increased the transfer of Pu and Am across the epithelial cells, without altering the integrity of the epithelial barrier. This in vitro cell culture model, by mimicking translocation of actinides from lungs to blood, can represent a valuable tool to further understand the underlying mechanisms and properties controlling this process.

Impact d’un programme d’activité physique sur la symptomatologie schizophrénique : résultats d’une expérience menée au CHRU de Brest

Contexte

La schizophrénie reste une pathologie invalidante malgré une prise en charge médicamenteuse efficace. Il importe de développer d’autres stratégies adjuvantes efficaces sur les symptômes de la maladie en limitant les effets secondaires des traitements pharmacologiques. L’efficacité des activités physiques dans le traitement de la schizophrénie n’est pas démontrée mais des travaux soulignent des bénéfices sur les symptômes négatifs et dépressifs [1,2].

Objectif

Nous souhaitons évaluer l’impact clinique d’un programme d’activité physique sur une population de sujets atteints de schizophrénie.

Méthode

Un programme d’activités physiques supervisé par deux moniteurs a été élaboré. Il comprend une heure de multi-activités, 2 fois par semaine, pendant 12 semaines. L’intensité minimale de chaque séance était fixée à 50 % de la fréquence cardiaque de réserve. Des mesures comprenant les échelles PANSS, SANS, SAPS, CDSS, S-QoL, un bilan anthropométrique et biologique ont été réalisés à S 0, S 6, S 12 et S 16.

Résultats

Deux groupes de 5 patients (n = 10) ont réalisé le programme. Une amélioration clinique est retrouvée sur l’ensemble des échelles utilisées entre S 0 et S 16. Les changements observés ne sont pas en faveur d’une amélioration du syndrome métabolique et nous notons une prise de poids des sujets sur la période de l’étude. Le traitement statistique des données présente des résultats non significatifs (p > 0,05).

Effect of personalized moderate exercise training on Wistar rats fed with a fructose enriched water

Background

Metabolic Syndrom has become a public health problem. It mainly results from the increased consumption of fat and sugar. In this context, the benefits of personalized moderate exercise training were investigated on a metabolic syndrome male wistar rat model food with fructose drinking water (20–25% w/v). Different markers including body weight, metabolic measurements, blood biochemistry related to metabolic syndrome complications have been evaluated.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups: control (sedentary (C, n = 8) and exercise trained (Ex, n = 8)), fructose fed (sedentary (FF, n = 8) and exercise trained fructose fed rats (ExFF, n = 10)). ExFF and Ex rats were trained at moderate intensity during the last 6 weeks of the 12 weeks-long protocol of fructose enriched water. Metabolic control was determined by measuring body weight, fasting blood glucose, HOMA 2-IR, HIRI, MISI, leptin, adiponectin, triglyceridemia and hepatic dysfunction.

Results

After 12 weeks of fructose enriched diet, rats displayed on elevated fasting glycaemia and insulin resistance. A reduced food intake, as well as increased body weight, total calorie intake and heart weight were also observed in FF group. Concerning biochemical markers, theoretical creatinine clearance, TG levels and ASAT/ALAT ratio were also affected, without hepatic steatosis. Six weeks of 300 min/week of moderate exercise training have significantly improved overweight, fasting glycaemia, HOMA 2-IR, MISI without modify HIRI. Exercise also decreased the plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin and the ratio leptin/adiponectin. Regarding liver function and dyslipidemia, the results were less clear as the effects of exercise and fructose-enriched water interact together, and, sometimes counteract each other.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that positive health effects were achieved through a personalized moderate training of 300 min per week (1 h/day and 5 days/week) for 6 weeks. Therefore, regular practice of aerobic physical exercise is an essential triggering factor to attenuate MetS disorders induced by excessive fructose consumption.

Metabolic Syndrome and Hypertension Resulting from Fructose Enriched Diet in Wistar Rats

Increased sugar consumption, especially fructose, is strongly related to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate long term effects of fructose supplementation on Wistar rats. Three-week-old male rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control (C; n = 14) and fructose fed (FF; n = 18), with a fructose enriched drink (20-25% w/v fructose in water) for 21 weeks. Systolic blood pressure, fasting glycemia, and bodyweight were regularly measured. Glucose tolerance was evaluated three times using an oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin levels were measured concomitantly and insulin resistance markers were evaluated (HOMA 2-IR, Insulin Sensitivity Index for glycemia (ISI-gly)). Lipids profile was evaluated on plasma. This fructose supplementation resulted in the early induction of hypertension without renal failure (stable theoretical creatinine clearance) and in the progressive development of fasting hyperglycemia and insulin resistance (higher HOMA 2-IR, lower ISI-gly) without modification of glucose tolerance. FF rats presented dyslipidemia (higher plasma triglycerides) and early sign of liver malfunction (higher liver weight). Although abdominal fat weight was increased in FF rats, no significant overweight was found. In Wistar rats, 21 weeks of fructose supplementation induced a metabolic syndrome (hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia) but not T2D.

Progressive Induction of Type 2 Diabetes: Effects of a Reality-Like Fructose Enriched Diet in Young Wistar Rats

Purpose

The aim of this study was to characterize short and medium-lasting effects of fructose supplementation on young Wistar rats. The diet was similar to actual human consumption.

Methods

Three week old male rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control (C; n = 16), fructose fed (FF; n = 16) with a fructose enriched drink for 6 or 12 weeks. Bodyweight, fasting glycemia and systolic blood pressure were monitored. Glucose tolerance was evaluated using an oral glucose tolerance test. Insulinemia was measured concomitantly and enable us to calculate insulin resistance markers (HOMA-IR, Insulin Sensitivity Index for glycemia: ISI-gly). Blood chemistry analyses were performed.

Results

After six weeks of fructose supplementation, rats were not overweight but presented increased fasting glycemia, reduced glucose tolerance, and lower insulin sensitivity compared to control group. Systolic blood pressure and heart weight were also increased without any change in renal function (theoretical creatinine clearance). After twelve weeks of fructose supplementation, FF rats had increased bodyweight and presented insulin resistance (higher HOMA-IR, lower ISI-gly). Rats also presented higher heart volume and lower ASAT/ALAT ratio (presumed liver lesion). Surprisingly, the Total Cholesterol/Triglycerides ratio was increased only after six weeks of fructose supplementation, predicting a higher LDL presence and thus a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This risk was no longer present after twelve weeks of a fructose enriched diet.

Conclusion

On young Wistar rats, six weeks of fructose supplementation is sufficient to induce signs of metabolic syndrome. After twelve weeks of fructose enriched diet, rats are insulin resistant. This model enabled us to study longitudinally the early development of type 2 diabetes.

Effect of exercise training on oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in rat heart and gastrocnemius muscle

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the effect of endurance training on oxidative parameters and mitochondrial function in gastrocnemius and heart muscle.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were trained by running for 6 weeks. In vitro measurements of the rates of hydroxyl radical ((•)OH) production, oxygen consumption (in either the absence, basal rate (V0), or the presence, maximal rate (Vmax), of adenosine diphosphate), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production were made simultaneously in permeabilized fibers. The mitochondrial function was explored after exposure or non-exposure to an in vitro generator system of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

RESULTS

Vmax was not affected by training, but V0 decreased. In conditions of maximal mitochondrial functioning, an increase in ATP rate and a decrease in (•)OH production occurred simultaneously. In vitro ROS exposure disturbed mitochondrial function, but training modified the vulnerability of Vmax and ATP rate to ROS in different ways.

DISCUSSION

We hypothesize that the part of Vmax devoted to proton leakage was decreased in trained rats, consequently improving ATP synthesis. The data suggest that, after training, there is more efficient use of electrons in respiratory chain energy production, rather than a greater ROS scavenging capacity.

Effect of tetrahydrobiopterin and exercise training on endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in SHR

We examined whether the improvement of impaired NO-dependent vasorelaxation by exercise training could be mediated through a BH4-dependent mechanism. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, n = 20) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, n = 20) were trained (Tr) for 9 weeks on a treadmill and compared to age-matched sedentary animals (Sed). Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (EDV) was assessed with acetylcholine by measuring isometric tension in rings of femoral artery precontracted with 10(-5) M phenylephrine. EDV was impaired in SHR-Sed as compared to WKY-Sed (p = 0.02). Training alone improved EDV in both WKY (p = 0.01) and SHR (p = 0.0001). Moreover, EDV was not different in trained SHR than in trained WKY (p = 0.934). Pretreatment of rings with L-NAME (50 μM) cancelled the difference in ACh-induced relaxation between all groups, suggesting that NO pathway is involved in these differences. The presence of 10(-5) M BH4 in the organ bath significantly improved EDV for sedentary SHR (p = 0.030) but not WKY group (p = 0.815). Exercise training turned the beneficial effect of BH4 on SHR to impairment of ACh-induced vasorelaxation in both SHR-Tr (p = 0.01) and WKY-Tr groups (p = 0.04). These results suggest that beneficial effect of exercise training on endothelial function is due partly to a BH4-dependent mechanism in established hypertension.