Carnosine synthase deficiency aggravates neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology features autoimmune-driven neuroinflammation, demyelination, and failed remyelination. Carnosine is a histidine-containing dipeptide (HCD) with pluripotent homeostatic properties that is able to improve outcomes in an animal MS model (EAE) when supplied exogenously. To uncover if endogenous carnosine is involved in, and protects against, MS-related neuroinflammation, demyelination or remyelination failure, we here studied the HCD-synthesizing enzyme carnosine synthase (CARNS1) in human MS lesions and two preclinical mouse MS models (EAE, cuprizone). We demonstrate that due to its presence in oligodendrocytes, CARNS1 expression is diminished in demyelinated MS lesions and mouse models mimicking demyelination/inflammation, but returns upon remyelination. Carns1-KO mice that are devoid of endogenous HCDs display exaggerated neuroinflammation and clinical symptoms during EAE, which could be partially rescued by exogenous carnosine treatment. Worsening of the disease appears to be driven by a central, not peripheral immune-modulatory, mechanism possibly linked to impaired clearance of the reactive carbonyl acrolein in Carns1-KO mice. In contrast, CARNS1 is not required for normal oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation and (re)myelin to occur, and neither endogenous nor exogenous HCDs protect against cuprizone-induced demyelination. In conclusion, the loss of CARNS1 from demyelinated MS lesions can aggravate disease progression through weakening the endogenous protection against neuroinflammation.

Metabolic Pathways for Removing Reactive Aldehydes are Diminished in Atrophic Muscle During Heart Failure

Background : Muscle wasting is a serious complication in heart failure patients, and oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of muscle wasting. Oxidative stress leads to the formation of toxic lipid peroxidation products, such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and acrolein, which causemuscle wasting. In tissues, these toxic aldehydes are metabolically removed by enzymes such asaldo keto reductases and endogenous nucleophiles, such as glutathione and carnosine. Whether these metabolic pathways could be affected in skeletal muscle during heart failure has never been studied. Methods : Male wild-type C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a pressure overload model of hypertrophy by transaortic constriction (TAC) surgery, and echocardiography was performed after 14 weeks. Different skeletal muscle beds were weighed and analyzed for atrophic and inflammatory markers, Atrogin1 and TRIM63, TNF-α and IL-6 , respectively, by RT‒PCR. Levels of acrolein and HNE-protein adducts, aldehyde-removing enzymes, aldose reductase (AKR1B1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) were measured by Western blotting, and histidyl dipeptides and histidyl dipeptide aldehyde conjugates were analyzed by LC/MS-MS in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of sham- and TAC-operated mice. Furthermore, histidyl dipeptide synthesizing enzyme carnosine synthase (CARNS) and amino acid transporters (PEPT2 and TAUT)wasmeasured in the gastrocnemius muscles of the sham and TAC-operated mice. Results : TAC-induced heart failure decreases body weight and gastrocnemius and soleus muscle weights. The expression of the atrophic and inflammatory markers Atrogin1 and TNF-α, respectively, wasincreased (~1.5-2-fold), and the formation of HNE and acrolein-protein adducts was increased in the gastrocnemius muscle of TAC-operated mice. The expression of AKR1B1 remained unchanged, whereas ALDH2 was decreased, in the gastrocnemius muscle of TAC mice. Similarly, in the atrophic gastrocnemius muscle, levels of total histidyl dipeptides (carnosine and anserine) and, in particular,carnosine were decreased. Depletion of histidyl dipeptides diminished the aldehyde removal capacity of the atrophic gastrocnemius muscle. Furthermore, the expression of CARNS and TAUT wasdecreased in the atrophic gastrocnemius muscle. Conclusions : Collectively, these results show that metabolic pathways involved in the removal of lipid peroxidation products and synthesis of histidyl dipeptides are diminished in atrophic skeletal muscle during heart failure, which could contribute to muscle atrophy.

Skeletal muscle analysis of cancer patients reveals a potential role for carnosine in muscle wasting

BACKGROUND

Muscle wasting during cancer cachexia is mediated by protein degradation via autophagy and ubiquitin-linked proteolysis. These processes are sensitive to changes in intracellular pH ([pH]i ) and reactive oxygen species, which in skeletal muscle are partly regulated by histidyl dipeptides, such as carnosine. These dipeptides, synthesized by the enzyme carnosine synthase (CARNS), remove lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes, and buffer [pH]i . Nevertheless, their role in muscle wasting has not been studied.

METHODS

Histidyl dipeptides in the rectus abdominis (RA) muscle and red blood cells (RBCs) of male and female controls (n = 37), weight stable (WS: n = 35), and weight losing (WL; n = 30) upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC) patients, were profiled by LC-MS/MS. Expression of enzymes and amino acid transporters, involved in carnosine homeostasis, was measured by Western blotting and RT-PCR. Skeletal muscle myotubes were treated with Lewis lung carcinoma conditioned medium (LLC CM), and β-alanine to study the effects of enhancing carnosine production on muscle wasting.

RESULTS

Carnosine was the predominant dipeptide present in the RA muscle. In controls, carnosine levels were higher in men (7.87 ± 1.98 nmol/mg tissue) compared with women (4.73 ± 1.26 nmol/mg tissue; P = 0.002). In men, carnosine was significantly reduced in both the WS (5.92 ± 2.04 nmol/mg tissue, P = 0.009) and WL (6.15 ± 1.90 nmol/mg tissue; P = 0.030) UGIC patients, compared with controls. In women, carnosine was decreased in the WL UGIC (3.42 ± 1.33 nmol/mg tissue; P = 0.050), compared with WS UGIC patients (4.58 ± 1.57 nmol/mg tissue), and controls (P = 0.025). Carnosine was significantly reduced in the combined WL UGIC patients (5.12 ± 2.15 nmol/mg tissue) compared with controls (6.21 ± 2.24 nmol/mg tissue; P = 0.045). Carnosine was also significantly reduced in the RBCs of WL UGIC patients (0.32 ± 0.24 pmol/mg protein), compared with controls (0.49 ± 0.31 pmol/mg protein, P = 0.037) and WS UGIC patients (0.51 ± 0.40 pmol/mg protein, P = 0.042). Depletion of carnosine diminished the aldehyde-removing ability in the muscle of WL UGIC patients. Carnosine levels were positively associated with decreases in skeletal muscle index in the WL UGIC patients. CARNS expression was decreased in the muscle of WL UGIC patients and myotubes treated with LLC-CM. Treatment with β-alanine, a carnosine precursor, enhanced endogenous carnosine production and decreased ubiquitin-linked protein degradation in LLC-CM treated myotubes.

CONCLUSIONS

Depletion of carnosine could contribute to muscle wasting in cancer patients by lowering the aldehyde quenching abilities. Synthesis of carnosine by CARNS in myotubes is particularly affected by tumour derived factors and could contribute to carnosine depletion in WL UGIC patients. Increasing carnosine in skeletal muscle may be an effective therapeutic intervention to prevent muscle wasting in cancer patients.

Integrated Multilayer Omics Reveals the Genomic, Proteomic, and Metabolic Influences of Histidyl Dipeptides on the Heart

Background

Histidyl dipeptides such as carnosine are present in a micromolar to millimolar range in mammalian hearts. These dipeptides facilitate glycolysis by proton buffering. They form conjugates with reactive aldehydes, such as acrolein, and attenuate myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. Although these dipeptides exhibit multifunctional properties, a composite understanding of their role in the myocardium is lacking.

Methods and Results

To identify histidyl dipeptide–mediated responses in the heart, we used an integrated triomics approach, which involved genome‐wide RNA sequencing, global proteomics, and unbiased metabolomics to identify the effects of cardiospecific transgenic overexpression of the carnosine synthesizing enzyme, carnosine synthase (Carns), in mice. Our result showed that higher myocardial levels of histidyl dipeptides were associated with extensive changes in the levels of several microRNAs, which target the expression of contractile proteins, β‐fatty acid oxidation, and citric acid cycle (TCA) enzymes. Global proteomic analysis showed enrichment in the expression of contractile proteins, enzymes of β‐fatty acid oxidation, and the TCA in the Carns transgenic heart. Under aerobic conditions, the Carns transgenic hearts had lower levels of short‐ and long‐chain fatty acids as well as the TCA intermediate—succinic acid; whereas, under ischemic conditions, the accumulation of fatty acids and TCA intermediates was significantly attenuated. Integration of multiple data sets suggested that β‐fatty acid oxidation and TCA pathways exhibit correlative changes in the Carns transgenic hearts at all 3 levels.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings reveal a central role of histidyl dipeptides in coordinated regulation of myocardial structure, function, and energetics.

Abstract 336: Comparing Of In-vivo Carnosine Levels In Blood, Urine, And Muscle

Background: Dietary supplementation of carnosine, an endogenously produced antioxidant, can be potentially useful in decreasing oxidative stress in the vasculature. However, a safe and accurate measurement of in-vivo Carnosine levels has not been identified.

Methods: We enrolled 28 healthy male (50%) and female participants. In-vivo levels of carnosine were measured in three distinct tissues in all 28 participants - urine, blood red blood cells (RBC), and muscle via proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Generalized Linear Model with gamma-distribution and log-link was adjusted for age, sex, race, and diet. Coefficient of variance (CoV) was calculated for 1H-MRS repeat measurements: single location with multiple measurements and multiple locations with single measurements.

Results: Univariate regression analysis showed a significant positive association between RBC and urinary carnosine levels (β=0.02; 95% CI: 0.004-0.03; P=0.01). The adjusted model also showed significant positive association between RBC and urinary carnosine levels (β=0.02; 95% CI: 0.002, 0.03; P=0.03). There was no association between 1H-MRS and RBC carnosine or urinary carnosine or carnosine conjugates in urine. The median CoV for multiple readings at single location were 8% and 1% for C2 and C4 peaks respectively, however 12% and 13% for C2 and C4 peaks respectively for single reading at multiple locations.

Conclusions: Even though urine, blood (RBC), and muscle represent in-vivo tissues of the human body, the levels of carnosine pools in these different compartments are not in equilibrium with each other. 1H-MRS is highly sensitive to location of measurement. In-vivo levels of carnosine in urine and blood depot are in synchrony and should be used for large scale clinical and research studies like the NEAT clinical trial (NCT03314987), which studies the use of carnosine dietary supplementation to mitigate harmful cardiovascular effects of PM2.5 air pollution.

Carnosine quenches the reactive carbonyl acrolein in the central nervous system and attenuates autoimmune neuroinflammation

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease driven by sustained inflammation in the central nervous system. One of the pathological hallmarks of MS is extensive free radical production. However, the subsequent generation, potential pathological role, and detoxification of different lipid peroxidation-derived reactive carbonyl species during neuroinflammation are unclear, as are the therapeutic benefits of carbonyl quenchers. Here, we investigated the reactive carbonyl acrolein and (the therapeutic effect of) acrolein quenching by carnosine during neuroinflammation.

Methods

The abundance and localization of acrolein was investigated in inflammatory lesions of MS patients and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice. In addition, we analysed carnosine levels and acrolein quenching by endogenous and exogenous carnosine in EAE. Finally, the therapeutic effect of exogenous carnosine was assessed in vivo (EAE) and in vitro (primary mouse microglia, macrophages, astrocytes).

Results

Acrolein was substantially increased in inflammatory lesions of MS patients and EAE mice. Levels of the dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine), an endogenous carbonyl quencher particularly reactive towards acrolein, and the carnosine-acrolein adduct (carnosine-propanal) were ~ twofold lower within EAE spinal cord tissue. Oral carnosine treatment augmented spinal cord carnosine levels (up to > tenfold), increased carnosine-acrolein quenching, reduced acrolein-protein adduct formation, suppressed inflammatory activity, and alleviated clinical disease severity in EAE. In vivo and in vitro studies indicate that pro-inflammatory microglia/macrophages generate acrolein, which can be efficiently quenched by increasing carnosine availability, resulting in suppressed inflammatory activity. Other properties of carnosine (antioxidant, nitric oxide scavenging) may also contribute to the therapeutic effects.

Conclusions

Our results identify carbonyl (particularly acrolein) quenching by carnosine as a therapeutic strategy to counter inflammation and macromolecular damage in MS.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02306-9.

Protocol to assess the efficacy of carnosine supplementation in mitigating the adverse cardiovascular responses to particulate matter (PM) exposure: the Nucleophilic Defense Against PM Toxicity (NEAT) trial

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) is associated with cardiovascular disease. These outcomes are believed to originate from pulmonary oxidative stress and the systemic delivery of oxidised biomolecules (eg, aldehydes) generated in the lungs. Carnosine is an endogenous di-peptide (β-alanine-L-histidine) which promotes physiological homeostasis in part by conjugating to and neutralising toxic aldehydes. We hypothesise that an increase of endogenous carnosine by dietary supplementation would mitigate the adverse cardiovascular outcomes associated with PM exposure in humans.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

To test this, we designed the Nucleophilic Defense Against PM Toxicity trial. This trial will enroll 240 participants over 2 years and determine if carnosine supplementation mitigates the adverse effects of PM inhalation. The participants will have low levels of endogenous carnosine to facilitate identification of supplementation-specific outcomes. At enrollment, we will measure several indices of inflammation, preclinical cardiovascular disease and physical function. Participants will be randomly allocated to carnosine or placebo groups and instructed to take their oral supplement for 12 weeks with two return clinical visits and repeated assessments during times of peak PM exposure (June-September) in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Statistical modelling approaches will be used to assess the efficacy of carnosine supplementation in mitigating adverse outcomes.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Louisville. Results from this study will be disseminated at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration: NCT03314987; Pre-results.

Urinary levels of the acrolein conjugates of carnosine are associated with inhaled toxicants

OBJECTIVE

The inhalation of air-borne toxicants is associated with adverse health outcomes which can be somewhat mitigated by enhancing endogenous anti-oxidant capacity. Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide (β-alanine-L-histidine), present in high abundance in skeletal and cardiac muscle. This multi-functional dipeptide has anti-oxidant properties, can buffer intracellular pH, chelate metals, and sequester aldehydes such as acrolein. Due to these chemical properties, carnosine may be protective against inhaled pollutants which can contain metals and aldehydes and can stimulate the generation of electrophiles in exposed tissues. Thus, assessment of carnosine levels, or levels of its acrolein conjugates (carnosine-propanal and carnosine-propanol) may inform on level of exposure and risk assessment.

METHODS

We used established mass spectroscopy methods to measure levels of urinary carnosine (n = 605) and its conjugates with acrolein (n = 561) in a subset of participants in the Louisville Healthy Heart Study (mean age = 51 ± 10; 52% male). We then determined associations between these measures and air pollution exposure and smoking behavior using statistical modeling approaches.

RESULTS

We found that higher levels of non-conjugated carnosine, carnosine-propanal, and carnosine-propanol were significantly associated with males (p < 0.02) and those of Caucasian ethnicity (p < 0.02). Levels of carnosine-propanol were significantly higher in never-smokers (p = 0.001) but lower in current smokers (p = 0.037). This conjugate also demonstrated a negative association with mean-daily particulate air pollution (PM_2.5) levels (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that urinary levels of carnosine-propanol may inform as to risk from inhaled pollutants.

Intracellular pH Regulation of Skeletal Muscle in the Milieu of Insulin Signaling

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), along with obesity, is one of the leading health problems in the world which causes other systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and kidney failure. Impairments in glycemic control and insulin resistance plays a pivotal role in the development of diabetes and its complications. Since skeletal muscle constitutes a significant tissue mass of the body, insulin resistance within the muscle is considered to initiate the onset of diet-induced metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance is associated with impaired glucose uptake, resulting from defective post-receptor insulin responses, decreased glucose transport, impaired glucose phosphorylation, oxidation and glycogen synthesis in the muscle. Although defects in the insulin signaling pathway have been widely studied, the effects of cellular mechanisms activated during metabolic syndrome that cross-talk with insulin responses are not fully elucidated. Numerous reports suggest that pathways such as inflammation, lipid peroxidation products, acidosis and autophagy could cross-talk with insulin-signaling pathway and contribute to diminished insulin responses. Here, we review and discuss the literature about the defects in glycolytic pathway, shift in glucose utilization toward anaerobic glycolysis and change in intracellular pH [pH]_i within the skeletal muscle and their contribution towards insulin resistance. We will discuss whether the derangements in pathways, which maintain [pH]_i within the skeletal muscle, such as transporters (monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4) and depletion of intracellular buffers, such as histidyl dipeptides, could lead to decrease in [pH]_i and the onset of insulin resistance. Further we will discuss, whether the changes in [pH]_i within the skeletal muscle of patients with T2D, could enhance the formation of protein aggregates and activate autophagy. Understanding the mechanisms by which changes in the glycolytic pathway and [pH]_i within the muscle, contribute to insulin resistance might help explain the onset of obesity-linked metabolic syndrome. Finally, we will conclude whether correcting the pathways which maintain [pH]_i within the skeletal muscle could, in turn, be effective to maintain or restore insulin responses during metabolic syndrome.

Cardiospecific Overexpression of ATPGD1 (Carnosine Synthase) Increases Histidine Dipeptide Levels and Prevents Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

BACKGROUND Myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with complex pathophysiological changes characterized by pH imbalance, the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products acrolein and 4-hydroxy trans-2-nonenal, and the depletion of ATP levels. Cardioprotective interventions, designed to address individual mediators of I/R injury, have shown limited efficacy. The recently identified enzyme ATPGD1 (Carnosine Synthase), which synthesizes histidyl dipeptides such as carnosine, has the potential to counteract multiple effectors of I/R injury by buffering intracellular pH and quenching lipid peroxidation products and may protect against I/R injury. METHODS AND RESULTS We report here that β-alanine and carnosine feeding enhanced myocardial carnosine levels and protected the heart against I/R injury. Cardiospecific overexpression of ATPGD1 increased myocardial histidyl dipeptides levels and protected the heart from I/R injury. Isolated cardiac myocytes from ATPGD1-transgenic hearts were protected against hypoxia reoxygenation injury. The overexpression of ATPGD1 prevented the accumulation of acrolein and 4-hydroxy trans-2-nonenal-protein adducts in ischemic hearts and delayed acrolein or 4-hydroxy trans-2-nonenal-induced hypercontracture in isolated cardiac myocytes. Changes in the levels of ATP, high-energy phosphates, intracellular pH, and glycolysis during low-flow ischemia in the wild-type mice hearts were attenuated in the ATPGD1-transgenic hearts. Two natural dipeptide analogs (anserine and balenine) that can either quench aldehydes or buffer intracellular pH, but not both, failed to protect against I/R injury. CONCLUSIONS Either exogenous administration or enhanced endogenous formation of histidyl dipeptides prevents I/R injury by attenuating changes in intracellular pH and preventing the accumulation of lipid peroxidation derived aldehydes.

Carnosinase-1 overexpression, but not aerobic exercise training, affects the development of diabetic nephropathy in BTBR ob/ob mice

Manipulation of circulating histidine-containing dipeptides (HCD) has been shown to affect the development of diabetes and early-stage diabetic nephropathy (DN). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether such interventions, which potentially alter levels of circulating HCD, also affect the development of advanced-stage DN. Two interventions, aerobic exercise training and overexpression of the human carnosinase-1 (hCN1) enzyme, were tested. BTBR ob/ob mice were either subjected to aerobic exercise training (20 wk) or genetically manipulated to overexpress hCN1, and different diabetes- and DN-related markers were compared with control ob/ob and healthy (wild-type) mice. An acute exercise study was performed to elucidate the effect of obesity, acute running, and hCN1 overexpression on plasma HCD levels. Chronic aerobic exercise training did not affect the development of diabetes or DN, but hCN1 overexpression accelerated hyperlipidemia and aggravated the development of albuminuria, mesangial matrix expansion, and glomerular hypertrophy of ob/ob mice. In line, plasma, kidney, and muscle HCD were markedly lower in ob/ob versus wild-type mice, and plasma and kidney HCD in particular were lower in ob/ob hCN1 versus ob/ob mice but were unaffected by aerobic exercise. In conclusion, advanced glomerular damage is accelerated in mice overexpressing the hCN1 enzyme but not protected by chronic exercise training. Interestingly, we showed, for the first time, that the development of DN is closely linked to renal HCD availability. Further research will have to elucidate whether the stimulation of renal HCD levels can be a therapeutic strategy to reduce the risk for developing DN.

Carnosine Supplementation Enhances Post Ischemic Hind Limb Revascularization

High (millimolar) concentrations of the histidine containing dipeptide - carnosine (β-alanine-L-histidine) are present in the skeletal muscle. The dipeptide has been shown to buffer intracellular pH, chelate transition metals, and scavenge lipid peroxidation products; however, its role in protecting against tissue injury remains unclear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that carnosine protects against post ischemia by augmenting HIF-1α angiogenic signaling by Fe2+ chelation. We found that wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice, subjected to hind limb ischemia (HLI) and supplemented with carnosine (1g/L) in drinking water, had improved blood flow recovery and limb function, enhanced revascularization and regeneration of myocytes compared with HLI mice placed on water alone. Carnosine supplementation enhanced the bioavailability of carnosine in the ischemic limb, which was accompanied by increased expression of proton-coupled oligopeptide transporters. Consistent with our hypothesis, carnosine supplementation augmented HIF-1α and VEGF expression in the ischemic limb and the mobilization of proangiogenic Flk-1+/Sca-1+ cells into circulation. Pretreatment of murine myoblast (C2C12) cells with octyl-D-carnosine or carnosine enhanced HIF-1α protein expression, VEGF mRNA levels and VEGF release under hypoxic conditions. Similarly pretreatment of WT C57/Bl6 mice with carnosine showed enhanced blood flow in the ischemic limb following HLI surgery. In contrast, pretreatment of hypoxic C2C12 cells with methylcarcinine, a carnosine analog, lacking Fe2+ chelating capacity, had no effect on HIF-1α levels and VEGF release. Collectively, these data suggest that carnosine promotes post ischemic revascularization via augmentation of pro-angiogenic HIF-1α/VEGF signaling, possibly by Fe2+ chelation.

Deficiency of aldose reductase exacerbates early pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction and autophagy in mice

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is associated with the accumulation of lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE) and acrolein in the heart. These aldehydes are metabolized via several pathways, of which aldose reductase (AR) represents a broad-specificity route for their elimination. We tested the hypothesis that by preventing aldehyde removal, AR deficiency accentuates the pathological effects of transverse aortic constriction (TAC). We found that the levels of AR in the heart were increased in mice subjected to TAC for 2 weeks. In comparison with wild-type (WT), AR-null mice showed lower ejection fraction, which was exacerbated 2 weeks after TAC. Levels of atrial natriuretic peptide and myosin heavy chain were higher in AR-null than in WT TAC hearts. Deficiency of AR decreased urinary levels of the acrolein metabolite, 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid. Deletion of AR did not affect the levels of the other aldehyde-metabolizing enzyme - aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 in the heart, or its urinary product - (N-Acetyl-S-(2-carboxyethyl)-l-cystiene). AR-null hearts subjected to TAC showed increased accumulation of HNE- and acrolein-modified proteins, as well as increased AMPK phosphorylation and autophagy. Superfusion with HNE led to a greater increase in p62, LC3II formation, and GFP-LC3-II punctae formation in AR-null than WT cardiac myocytes. Pharmacological inactivation of JNK decreased HNE-induced autophagy in AR-null cardiac myocytes. Collectively, these results suggest that during hypertrophy the accumulation of lipid peroxidation derived aldehydes promotes pathological remodeling via excessive autophagy, and that metabolic detoxification of these aldehydes by AR may be essential for maintaining cardiac function during early stages of pressure overload.

ROLE OF THIOLS IN OXIDATIVE STRESS

A well-regulated redox state is essential for normal physiological function and cellular metabolism. In most eukaryotic cells, protein cysteine thiols are most sensitive to fluctuations in the cellular redox state. Under normal physiological conditions, the cytosol has a highly reducing environment, which is due to high levels of reduced glutathione and complex system of redox enzymes that maintain glutathione in the reduced state. The reducing environment of the cytosol maintains most protein thiols in the reduced state; although some non-exposed cysteine could be present as disulfides. Upon physiological increase in cellular oxidants, such as due to growth factors, cytokines and thiol-disulfide exchange reactions, specific proteins could act as redox switches that regulate the conformation and activity of different proteins. This reversible post translational modification enables redox-sensitive dynamic changes in cell signaling and function. Physiological oxidative stress could lead to the formation of sulfenic acids, which are usually intermediate states of thiol oxidation that are converted to higher order oxidation states, intramolecular disulfides or mixed disulfides with glutathione. Such glutathiolation reactions have been found to regulate the function of several proteins involved in intracellular metabolism, signal transduction and cell structure. Excessive oxidative stress results in indiscriminate and irreversible oxidation of protein thiols, depletion of glutathione and cell death. Further elucidation of the relationship between changes in cell redox and thiol reactivity could provide a better understanding of how redox changes regulate cell function and how disruption of these relationships lead to tissue injury and dysfunction and the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Biogenic Aldehydes as Therapeutic Targets for Cardiovascular Disease

Aldehydes are continuously formed in biological systems through enzyme-dependent and spontaneous oxidation of lipids, glucose, and primary amines. These highly reactive, biogenic electrophiles can become toxic via covalent modification of proteins, lipids and DNA. Thus, agents that scavenge aldehydes through conjugation have therapeutic value for a number of major cardiovascular diseases. Several commonly-prescribed drugs (e.g., hydralazine) have been shown to have potent aldehyde-conjugating properties which may contribute to their beneficial effects. Herein, we briefly describe the major sources and toxicities of biogenic aldehydes in cardiovascular system, and provide an overview of drugs that are known to have aldehyde-conjugating effects. Some compounds of phytochemical origin, and histidyl-dipeptides with emerging therapeutic value in this area are also discussed.

Carnosine and anserine homeostasis in skeletal muscle and heart is controlled by β-alanine transamination

KEY POINTS

Using recombinant DNA technology, the present study provides the first strong and direct evidence indicating that β-alanine is an efficient substrate for the mammalian transaminating enzymes 4-aminobutyrate-2-oxoglutarate transaminase and alanine-glyoxylate transaminase. The concentration of carnosine and anserine in murine skeletal and heart muscle depends on circulating availability of β-alanine, which is in turn controlled by degradation of β-alanine in liver and kidney. Chronic oral β-alanine supplementation is a popular ergogenic strategy in sports because it can increase the intracellular carnosine concentration and subsequently improve the performance of high-intensity exercises. The present study can partly explain why the β-alanine supplementation protocol is so inefficient, by demonstrating that exogenous β-alanine can be effectively routed toward oxidation.

ABSTRACT

The metabolic fate of orally ingested β-alanine is largely unknown. Chronic β-alanine supplementation is becoming increasingly popular for improving high-intensity exercise performance because it is the rate-limiting precursor of the dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine) in muscle. However, only a small fraction (3-6%) of the ingested β-alanine is used for carnosine synthesis. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the putative contribution of two β-alanine transamination enzymes, namely 4-aminobutyrate-2-oxoglutarate transaminase (GABA-T) and alanine-glyoxylate transaminase (AGXT2), to the homeostasis of carnosine and its methylated analogue anserine. We found that, when transfected into HEK293T cells, recombinant mouse and human GABA-T and AGXT2 are able to transaminate β-alanine efficiently. The reaction catalysed by GABA-T is inhibited by vigabatrin, whereas both GABA-T and AGXT2 activity is inhibited by aminooxyacetic acid (AOA). Both GABA-T and AGXT2 are highly expressed in the mouse liver and kidney and the administration of the inhibitors effectively reduced their enzyme activity in liver (GABA-T for vigabatrin; GABA-T and AGXT2 for AOA). In vivo, injection of AOA in C57BL/6 mice placed on β-alanine (0.1% w/v in drinking water) for 2 weeks lead to a 3-fold increase in circulating β-alanine levels and to significantly higher levels of carnosine and anserine in skeletal muscle and heart. By contrast, specific inhibition of GABA-T by vigabatrin did not affect carnosine and anserine levels in either tissue. Collectively, these data demonstrate that homeostasis of carnosine and anserine in mammalian skeletal muscle and heart is controlled by circulating β-alanine levels, which are suppressed by hepatic and renal β-alanine transamination upon oral β-alanine intake.

Genetic Deficiency of Glutathione S-Transferase P Increases Myocardial Sensitivity to Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

RATIONALE

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) results in the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals and the accumulation of lipid peroxidation-derived unsaturated aldehydes. However, the contribution of aldehydes to myocardial I/R injury has not been assessed.

OBJECTIVE

We tested the hypothesis that removal of aldehydes by glutathione S-transferase P (GSTP) diminishes I/R injury.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In adult male C57BL/6 mouse hearts, Gstp1/2 was the most abundant GST transcript followed by Gsta4 and Gstm4.1, and GSTP activity was a significant fraction of the total GST activity. mGstp1/2 deletion reduced total GST activity, but no compensatory increase in GSTA and GSTM or major antioxidant enzymes was observed. Genetic deficiency of GSTP did not alter cardiac function, but in comparison with hearts from wild-type mice, the hearts isolated from GSTP-null mice were more sensitive to I/R injury. Disruption of the GSTP gene also increased infarct size after coronary occlusion in situ. Ischemia significantly increased acrolein in hearts, and GSTP deficiency induced significant deficits in the metabolism of the unsaturated aldehyde, acrolein, but not in the metabolism of 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal or trans-2-hexanal; on ischemia, the GSTP-null hearts accumulated more acrolein-modified proteins than wild-type hearts. GSTP deficiency did not affect I/R-induced free radical generation, c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation, or depletion of reduced glutathione. Acrolein exposure induced a hyperpolarizing shift in INa, and acrolein-induced cell death was delayed by SN-6, a Na(+)/Ca(++) exchange inhibitor. Cardiomyocytes isolated from GSTP-null hearts were more sensitive than wild-type myocytes to acrolein-induced protein crosslinking and cell death.

CONCLUSIONS

GSTP protects the heart from I/R injury by facilitating the detoxification of cytotoxic aldehydes, such as acrolein.

Abstract 639: Carnosine Supplementation Promotes Revascularization in Mouse model of Hindlimb Ischemia

Revascularization surgeries are important for treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI) however, advanced CLI patients are poor candidates for these surgeries. Here, we proposed that carnosine, a dipeptide of β-alanine and histidine which is highly abundant in the skeletal muscle (2-20mM) and has the abilities to quench reactive aldehydes and chelate divalent metals, can promote revascularization. WTC57Bl/6 mice were pre-treated with carnosine (1g/L) in drinking water for 7 days, subjected to hindlimb ischemia surgery (HLI) by femoral artery ligation and allowed to recover for 14 days with carnosine supplementation. Doppler analysis showed that carnosine supplementation increased blood perfusion to 63±6% compared to 19±3% in controls. Post-surgery carnosine treatment also increased blood flow to 49.4± 6% compared to 28.2± 4% in controls following 21 days of recovery. Histological analysis of the ischemic limb showed that tissue injury was attenuated by carnosine supplementation. Mobilization of angiogenic endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) (Flk+/Sca+) and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the ischemic muscle was enhanced by carnosine treatment. These results were associated with an increase in ischemic muscle carnosine levels in the carnosine treated HLI mice. Furthermore, expression of the carnosine transporter PHT1 was increased in carnosine treated HLI mice compared to HLI mice. Concomitant with the increased VEGF expression in carnosine treated HLI mice, we observed that pre-treatment of murine myoblast C2C12 cells with octyl-D-carnosine followed by hypoxia increased hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha nuclear translocation and VEGF expression and secretion. Our results demonstrate that carnosine treatment increases blood flow in the ischemic limb by increasing EPC mobilization and therefore can be a potential therapeutic intervention for CLI patients.

Role of aldose reductase in the metabolism and detoxification of carnosine-acrolein conjugates

Oxidation of unsaturated lipids generates reactive aldehydes that accumulate in tissues during inflammation, ischemia, or aging. These aldehydes form covalent adducts with histidine-containing dipeptides such as carnosine and anserine, which are present in high concentration in skeletal muscle, heart, and brain. The metabolic pathways involved in the detoxification and elimination of these conjugates are, however, poorly defined, and their significance in regulating oxidative stress is unclear. Here we report that conjugates of carnosine with aldehydes such as acrolein are produced during normal metabolism and excreted in the urine of mice and adult human non-smokers as carnosine-propanols. Our studies show that the reduction of carnosine-propanals is catalyzed by the enzyme aldose reductase (AR). Carnosine-propanals were converted to carnosine-propanols in the lysates of heart, skeletal muscle, and brain tissue from wild-type (WT) but not AR-null mice. In comparison with WT mice, the urinary excretion of carnosine-propanols was decreased in AR-null mice. Carnosine-propanals formed covalent adducts with nucleophilic amino acids leading to the generation of carnosinylated proteins. Deletion of AR increased the abundance of proteins bound to carnosine in skeletal muscle, brain, and heart of aged mice and promoted the accumulation of carnosinylated proteins in hearts subjected to global ischemia ex vivo. Perfusion with carnosine promoted post-ischemic functional recovery in WT but not in AR-null mouse hearts. Collectively, these findings reveal a previously unknown metabolic pathway for the removal of carnosine-propanal conjugates and suggest a new role of AR as a critical regulator of protein carnosinylation and carnosine-mediated tissue protection.

Dietary carnosine prevents early atherosclerotic lesion formation in apolipoprotein E-null mice

OBJECTIVE

Atherosclerotic lesions are associated with the accumulation of reactive aldehydes derived from oxidized lipids. Although inhibition of aldehyde metabolism has been shown to exacerbate atherosclerosis and enhance the accumulation of aldehyde-modified proteins in atherosclerotic plaques, no therapeutic interventions have been devised to prevent aldehyde accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We examined the efficacy of carnosine, a naturally occurring β-alanyl-histidine dipeptide, in preventing aldehyde toxicity and atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-null mice. In vitro, carnosine reacted rapidly with lipid peroxidation-derived unsaturated aldehydes. Gas chromatography mass-spectrometry analysis showed that carnosine inhibits the formation of free aldehydes 4-hydroxynonenal and malonaldialdehyde in Cu(2+)-oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Preloading bone marrow-derived macrophages with cell-permeable carnosine analogs reduced 4-hydroxynonenal-induced apoptosis. Oral supplementation with octyl-D-carnosine decreased atherosclerotic lesion formation in aortic valves of apolipoprotein E-null mice and attenuated the accumulation of protein-acrolein, protein-4-hydroxyhexenal, and protein-4-hydroxynonenal adducts in atherosclerotic lesions, whereas urinary excretion of aldehydes as carnosine conjugates was increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that carnosine inhibits atherogenesis by facilitating aldehyde removal from atherosclerotic lesions. Endogenous levels of carnosine may be important determinants of atherosclerotic lesion formation, and treatment with carnosine or related peptides could be a useful therapy for the prevention or the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Detoxification of aldehydes by histidine-containing dipeptides: from chemistry to clinical implications

Aldehydes are generated by oxidized lipids and carbohydrates at increased levels under conditions of metabolic imbalance and oxidative stress during atherosclerosis, myocardial and cerebral ischemia, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and trauma. In most tissues, aldehydes are detoxified by oxidoreductases that catalyze the oxidation or the reduction of aldehydes or enzymatic and nonenzymatic conjugation with low molecular weight thiols and amines, such as glutathione and histidine dipeptides. Histidine dipeptides are present in micromolar to millimolar range in the tissues of vertebrates, where they are involved in a variety of physiological functions such as pH buffering, metal chelation, oxidant and aldehyde scavenging. Histidine dipeptides such as carnosine form Michael adducts with lipid-derived unsaturated aldehydes, and react with carbohydrate-derived oxo- and hydroxy-aldehydes forming products of unknown structure. Although these peptides react with electrophilic molecules at lower rate than glutathione, they can protect glutathione from modification by oxidant and they may be important for aldehyde quenching in glutathione-depleted cells or extracellular space where glutathione is scarce. Consistent with in vitro findings, treatment with carnosine has been shown to diminish ischemic injury, improve glucose control, ameliorate the development of complications in animal models of diabetes and obesity, promote wound healing and decrease atherosclerosis. The protective effects of carnosine have been linked to its anti-oxidant properties, its ability to promote glycolysis, detoxify reactive aldehydes and enhance histamine levels. Thus, treatment with carnosine and related histidine dipeptides may be a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with high carbonyl load.

Abstract P202: Role of Lipid Peroxidation--Derived Carbonyls in Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Pathological left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a key factor in the development of heart failure and cardiomyopathy. It is characterized by increased oxidative stress however the mechanisms by which it affects pathological LVH remain unclear. Because the effects of reactive oxygen species are mediated by products of lipid peroxidation, we hypothesize that myocardial injury induced by LVH is mediated by lipid carbonyls, which form covalent adducts with proteins that induces autophagy. To test this hypothesis, we examined the role of aldose reductase (AKR1B3; AR) an enzyme that catalyzes the detoxification of lipid carbonyls in modulating the cardiac stress responses in WT and AR-null mice hearts that were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Two weeks after the TAC cardiac enlargement in the AR-null TAC mice was more prominent compared with WT TAC mice. Hemodynamic analysis of the AR-null TAC mice demonstrated left ventricular dilatation and severe contractile dysfunction compared with WT TAC mice. Expression levels of molecular marker for hypertrophy (ANF) increased 2-3 fold in AR-null TAC compared with the WT-TAC. Western blot analysis of the heart homogenates using anti-4 hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE) antibody showed that the formation of HNE-protein adduct (300KDa) increased 100-fold and the bands corresponding to molecular weights of 75KDa, 40KDa increased 2 to 3-fold after the TAC in WT hearts and the intensity of these bands in AR-null TAC hearts was significantly higher compared with WT TAC. Immuno-blot analysis of the heart homogenates revealed an increase in the LC3-I to LC3-II conversion in banded hearts compared with sham-operated controls and the autophagic activity was more prominent in the AR-null compared to the WT banded hearts. Isolated adult cardiomyocytes from WT and AR-null hearts perfused with HNE resulted in an increase in autophagy and the increase in autophagic activity was robust in AR-null than in WT myocytes. These data establish that TAC-induced hypertrophy increases protein-HNE-adduct formation and autophagic activity and the deletion of akr1b3 gene exacerbates these responses to pressure overload.

Acrolein inhalation prevents vascular endothelial growth factor-induced mobilization of Flk-1+/Sca-1+ cells in mice

OBJECTIVE

Acrolein is a toxic chemical present in tobacco, wood, and coal smoke, as well as automobile exhaust. Because exposure to these pollutants is associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease risk, we studied the effects of acrolein on Flk-1(+)/Sca-1(+) cells that are involved in vascular repair.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In adult male C57BL/6 mice, inhalation of acrolein (1 part per million [ppm], 6 hours/day for 4 days or 5 ppm for 2 or 6 hours) led to the formation of protein-acrolein adducts in the bone marrow and diminished levels of plasma nitric oxide metabolites and circulating Flk-1(+)/Sca-1(+) but not Sca-1(+)-only cells. Acrolein exposure increased the number of apoptotic Flk-1(+)/Sca-1(+) cells in circulation and increased bone marrow-derived cells with endothelial characteristics (DiI-ac-low-density lipoprotein [DiI-acLDL]/UE-lectin and Flk-1(+)/Sca-1(+)) in culture. Deficits in the circulating levels of Flk-1(+)/Sca-1(+) cells were reversed after 7 days of recovery in acrolein-free air. Exposure to acrolein blocked vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/AMD3100-stimulated mobilization of Flk-1(+)/Sca-1(+) but not Sca-1(+)-only cells and prevented VEGF-induced phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the aorta.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhalation of acrolein increases apoptosis and suppresses the circulating levels of Flk-1(+)/Sca-1(+) cells while increasing these cells in the bone marrow and preventing their mobilization by VEGF. Exposure to acrolein-rich pollutants could impair vascular repair capacity.

Aldose reductase (AKR1B3) regulates the accumulation of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) and the expression of AGE receptor (RAGE)

Diabetes results in enhanced chemical modification of proteins by advanced lipoxidation end products (ALEs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) precursors. These modifications have been linked to the development of several secondary diabetic complications. Our previous studies showed that aldose reductase (AR; AKR1B3) catalyzes the reduction of ALEs and AGEs precursors; however, the in vivo significance of this metabolic pathway during diabetes and obesity has not been fully assessed. Therefore we examined the role of AR in regulating ALEs and AGEs formation in murine models of diet-induced obesity and streptozotocin-induced diabetes. In comparison with wild-type (WT) and AR-null mice fed normal chow, mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet (42% kcal fat) showed increased accumulation of AGEs and protein-acrolein adducts in the plasma. AGEs and acrolein adducts were also increased in the epididymal fat of WT and AR-null mice fed a HF diet. Deletion of AR increased the accumulation of 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE) protein adduct in the plasma and increased the expression of the AGE receptor (RAGE) in HF fed mice. No change in AGEs formation was observed in the kidneys of HF-fed mice. In comparison, renal tissue from AR-null mice treated with streptozotocin showed greater AGE accumulation than streptozotocin-treated WT mice. These data indicated that AR regulated the accumulation of lipid peroxidation derived aldehydes and AGEs under conditions of severe, but not mild, hyperglycemia and that deletion of AR increased RAGE-induction via mechanisms that were independent of AGEs accumulation.

Postischemic deactivation of cardiac aldose reductase: role of glutathione S-transferase P and glutaredoxin in regeneration of reduced thiols from sulfenic acids

Aldose reductase (AR) is a multifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of glucose and lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes. During myocardial ischemia, the activity of AR is increased due to the oxidation of its cysteine residues to sulfenic acids. It is not known, however, whether the activated, sulfenic form of the protein (AR-SOH) is converted back to its reduced, unactivated state (AR-SH). We report here that in perfused mouse hearts activation of AR during 15 min of global ischemia is completely reversed by 30 min of reperfusion. During reperfusion, AR-SOH was converted to a mixed disulfide (AR-SSG). Deactivation of AR and the appearance of AR-SSG during reperfusion were delayed in hearts of mice lacking glutathione S-transferase P (GSTP). In vitro, GSTP accelerated glutathiolation and inactivation of AR-SOH. Reduction of AR-SSG to AR-SH was facilitated by glutaredoxin (GRX). Ischemic activation of AR was increased in GRX-null hearts but was attenuated in the hearts of cardiospecific GRX transgenic mice. Incubation of AR-SSG with GRX led to the regeneration of the reduced form of the enzyme. In ischemic cardiospecific AR transgenic hearts, AR was co-immunoprecipitated with GSTP, whereas in reperfused hearts, the association of AR with GRX was increased. These findings suggest that upon reperfusion of the ischemic heart AR-SOH is converted to AR-SSG via GSTP-assisted glutathiolation. AR-SSG is then reduced by GRX to AR-SH. Sequential catalysis by GSTP and GRX may be a general redox switching mechanism that regulates the reduction of protein sulfenic acids to cysteines.

Reductive metabolism of AGE precursors: a metabolic route for preventing AGE accumulation in cardiovascular tissue

OBJECTIVE

To examine the role of aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) in the cardiovascular metabolism of the precursors of advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Steady-state kinetic parameters of AKRs with AGE precursors were determined using recombinant proteins expressed in bacteria. Metabolism of methylglyoxal and AGE accumulation were studied in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and C57 wild-type, akr1b3 (aldose reductase)-null, cardiospecific-akr1b4 (rat aldose reductase), and akr1b8 (FR-1)-transgenic mice. AGE accumulation and atherosclerotic lesions were studied 12 weeks after streptozotocin treatment of C57, akr1b3-null, and apoE- and akr1b3-apoE-null mice.

RESULTS

Higher levels of AGEs were generated in the cytosol than at the external surface of HUVECs cultured in high glucose, indicating that intracellular metabolism may be an important regulator of AGE accumulation and toxicity. In vitro, AKR 1A and 1B catalyzed the reduction of AGE precursors, whereas AKR1C, AKR6, and AKR7 were relatively ineffective. Highest catalytic efficiency was observed with AKR1B1. Acetol formation in methylglyoxal-treated HUVECs was prevented by the aldose reductase inhibitor sorbinil. Acetol was generated in hearts perfused with methylglyoxal, and its formation was increased in akr1b4- or akr1b8-transgenic mice. Reduction of AGE precursors was diminished in hearts from akr1b3-null mice. Diabetic akr1b3-null mice accumulated more AGEs in the plasma and the heart than wild-type mice, and deletion of akr1b3 increased AGE accumulation and atherosclerotic lesion formation in apoE-null mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Aldose reductase-catalyzed reduction is an important pathway in the endothelial and cardiac metabolism of AGE precursors, and it prevents AGE accumulation and atherosclerotic lesion formation.

Modification of Sheep Plasma Kininogen by Free Radicals

Riboflavin sensitized photodynamic modifications of high molecular weight Kininogen (HMWK) isolated from sheep (Avis-arias) plasma leads to inactivation of antiproteinase activity and formation of aggregated products. A continued disappearance of the inhibitory activity towards papain and formation of high molecular weight adducts was observed with increasing concentration of riboflavin and varying time periods of incubation reaching a maximum value of over 85% (loss in activity). Aggregates resisted dissociation upon heating at 100 degrees C in 1% SDS. Aggregation and photoinactivation of HMWK was promoted by the substitution of H2O for deuterium oxide (D2O), which is known to prolong the life span of singlet oxygen, and suppressed by sodium azide a known singlet oxygen quencher. Mannitol and thiourea (hydroxyl radical scavenger) did not protect the antiproteinase activity of HMWK. Treatment with reducing agent resulted in decrease of the aggregated products suggesting the possible involvement of disulfide linkages in protein crosslinking. Tryptophan fluorescence was completely lost and significant production of dityrosine was detected in photoinactivated HMWK aggregates. Changes in the far Ultra violet circular dichroism (u.v.c.d.) spectrum of HMWK was indicative of loss of secondary structure. Analysis of modifications induced in HMWK by riboflavin reveals that the processes proceed via a singlet oxygen mediated pathway. It is concluded that the susceptibility of HMWK to oxidation may arise from oxidative modifications by reactive oxygen species generated in plasma.

Purification and Characterization of Kininogens from Sheep Plasma

High molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) and low molecular weight kininogen (LMWK) have been purified from sheep (Avis Arias) plasma in three steps involving ammonium sulphate precipitation, column chromatography on Sephacryl-300HR and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose. HMWK gave a single band on native and SDS-PAGE with a molecular weight corresponding to 280 kDa. Under reducing conditions purified HMWK was again resolved to a single band with molecular weight corresponding to 140 kDa indicative of its dimeric nature. LMWK was resolved into two isoforms named as LMWK1 and LMWK2, with an apparent molecular weight of 68 kDa. The yield of HMWK, LMWK1 and 2 was about 8.1, 5.63 and 10.65 respectively. HMWK, LMWK1 and 2 strongly inhibited activities of ficin and papain but not of trypsin, chymotrypsin and bromelain. Ki values estimated for HMWK with papain and ficin was 0.8 and 0.6 nM respectively. Ki values estimated for LMWK1 and 2 with papain were 2.40 and 2.00 nM respectively. Binding of HMWK, LMWK1 and 2 to activated papain were accompanied by pronounced changes in secondary and tertiary structure that are compatible with perturbations of environment of aromatic residues.

Studies on the Interaction of Papain with Human Placental Cystatin by Uv, Fluorescence and Cd Spectroscopy

The interaction of activated papain with low molecular weight cystatin (Mr 12500) purified from human placenta has been studied. Analysis of inhibition of caesinolytic activity of papain by cystatin showed stoichiometry of 1:1. Kinetic studies gave an inhibition constant (K(i)) value of 5.5 x 10(-8) M and association rate constant (K(+1)) value of 3.4 x 10(4) (M(-1) s(-1)). All spectroscopic studies showed conformational changes in both papain and cystatin on formation of complex. The data suggest perturbation of environment of aromatic residues and change of their native structure and conformation thereby shedding light on the behaviour of cystatins, especially interaction of placental cystatin with thiol protease inhibitors.

Designing dental health education materials for schoolteachers: formative evaluation research

In the past, many school based dental health education programs have appeared to fail to bring about changes in children's behavior or measureable improvements in oral health. The reasons why this has been so are not always clear, but part of the explanation may be that inadequate attention has been paid to the research preceding the development of the dental health education materials used in the programs. This paper describes a rational planning cycle for evaluation research, which includes problem definition research, planning research, audience pre-testing and post-production audience testing for acceptability. Further stages involve post-dissemination evaluation, which include measures of effectiveness and implementation, but this paper argues that the four phases described above constitute a logical means of providing target groups with appropriate, acceptable and efficacious material.