Sample records for inflammation reduced plasma

  1. Moderate glucose supply reduces hemolysis during systemic inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Jägers, Johannes; Brauckmann, Stephan; Kirsch, Michael; Effenberger-Neidnicht, Katharina

    2018-01-01

    Background Systemic inflammation alters energy metabolism. A sufficient glucose level, however, is most important for erythrocytes, since erythrocytes rely on glucose as sole source of energy. Damage to erythrocytes leads to hemolysis. Both disorders of glucose metabolism and hemolysis are associated with an increased risk of death. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of intravenous glucose on hemolysis during systemic inflammation. Materials and methods Systemic inflammation was accomplished in male Wistar rats by continuous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion (1 mg LPS/kg and h, 300 min). Sham control group rats received Ringer’s solution. Glucose was supplied moderately (70 mg glucose/kg and h) or excessively (210 mg glucose/kg and h) during systemic inflammation. Vital parameters (eg, systemic blood pressure) as well as blood and plasma parameters (eg, concentrations of glucose, lactate and cell-free hemoglobin, and activity of lactate dehydrogenase) were measured hourly. Clot formation was analyzed by thromboelastometry. Results Continuous infusion of LPS led to a so-called post-aggression syndrome with disturbed electrolyte homeostasis (hypocalcemia, hyperkalemia, and hypernatremia), changes in hemodynamics (tachycardia and hypertension), and a catabolic metabolism (early hyperglycemia, late hypoglycemia, and lactate formation). It induced severe tissue injury (significant increases in plasma concentrations of transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase), alterations in blood coagulation (disturbed clot formation), and massive hemolysis. Both moderate and excessive glucose supply reduced LPS-induced increase in systemic blood pressure. Excessive but not moderate glucose supply increased blood glucose level and enhanced tissue injury. Glucose supply did not reduce LPS-induced alterations in coagulation, but significantly reduced hemolysis induced by LPS. Conclusion Intravenous glucose infusion can diminish LPS-related changes in hemodynamics

  2. Aronia berry polyphenol consumption reduces plasma total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in former smokers without lowering biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: a randomized controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Xie, Liyang; Vance, Terrence; Kim, Bohkyung; Lee, Sang Gil; Caceres, Christian; Wang, Ying; Hubert, Patrice A; Lee, Ji-Young; Chun, Ock K; Bolling, Bradley W

    2017-01-01

    Former smokers are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that dietary aronia polyphenols would reduce biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk, inflammation, and oxidative stress in former smokers. We also determined the extent these effects were associated with polyphenol bioavailability. A 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 49 healthy adult former smokers (n = 24/placebo, n = 25/aronia) to evaluate if daily consumption of 500 mg aronia extract modulated plasma lipids, blood pressure, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, and lipid transport genes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The primary outcome was change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline, and multivariate correlation analysis was performed to determine if changes in lipids were associated with urinary polyphenol excretion. Aronia consumption reduced fasting plasma total cholesterol by 8% (P = .0140), LDL-C by 11% (P = .0285), and LDL receptor protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P = .0036) at 12 weeks compared with the placebo group. Positive changes in the urinary polyphenol metabolites peonidin-3-O-galactoside, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid, and unmetabolized anthocyanin cyanidin-3-O-galactoside were associated with lower plasma total cholesterol and LDL-C in the aronia group. Aronia consumption did not change blood pressure or biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Aronia polyphenols reduced total and LDL-C in former smokers but did not improve biomarkers of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. The cholesterol-lowering activity of aronia extract was most closely associated with urinary levels of cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and peonidin-3-O-galactoside, its methylated metabolite. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT01541826. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Cinanserin reduces plasma extravasation after burn plasma transfer in rats.

    PubMed

    Hernekamp, Jochen-Frederick; Hu, Sissi; Schmidt, Karsten; Walther, Andreas; Kneser, Ulrich; Kremer, Thomas

    2013-09-01

    Thermal injuries greater than 20% body surface area (BSA) lead to systemic edema and hypovolemic shock. Capillary leakage is induced by different immunomodulative cytokines. Serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role in inflammation, vasodilatation and vasoconstriction and many other pathways such as systemic inflammation in endotoxemia and burns. Cinanserin, a specific 5-HT2 receptor blocking agent was administered to observe whether burn induced systemic edema can be reduced. Donor animals underwent thermal injury (100°C water, 30% BSA, 12s) for positive controls and negative controls underwent a shamburn procedure (37°C water, 30% BSA, 12s). Donor rat-plasma was transferred to healthy individuals after bolus injection of Cinanserin (5mg/kg body weight) was performed in recipient animals. Intravital microscopy was performed in mesenteric venules (0/60/120min) to asses systemic edema by FITC-albumin extravasation. Additionally, leukocyte activation (cells/mm(2)) was observed. Burnplasma-transfer results in systemic capillary leakage that is not observed in sham burn controls. Intraveneous application of Cinanserin significantly reduces systemic burn edema to shamburn levels. Leukocyte-endothelial interactions are significantly reduced by administration of Cinanserin. Specific 5-HT2 antagonism reduces systemic burn edema and leukocyte activation after plasma transfer. Reduction of capillary leakage may be partially mediated by leukocyte dependent as well as independent mechanisms. Future studies need to evaluate specific 5-HT2 receptor subtypes to distinguish between local and systemic effects of serotonin antagonists. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  4. Turpentine-induced inflammation reduces the hepatic expression of the multiple drug resistance gene, the plasma cholesterol concentration and the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E deficient mice.

    PubMed

    Tous, Mònica; Ribas, Vicent; Ferré, Natàlia; Escolà-Gil, Joan Carles; Blanco-Vaca, Francisco; Alonso-Villaverde, Carlos; Coll, Blai; Camps, Jordi; Joven, Jorge

    2005-04-15

    We aimed to investigate the effect of turpentine-induced inflammation in an atherosclerosis-prone murine model. We have induced a chronic aseptic inflammation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, with or without a dietary supplement of aspirin (n = 10, each), by the injection of a mixture (1:1) of turpentine and olive oil in the hind limb twice weekly for a period of 12 weeks. Control animals were injected with olive oil alone (n = 10). The control mice did show any alteration neither in plasma nor at the site of injection. Turpentine-treated mice showed a significant increase in plasma TNF-alpha and SAA concentrations which indicated a systemic inflammatory response that was not substantially affected by aspirin. Also, turpentine injections significantly reduced the plasma cholesterol concentration, probably decreasing intestinal cholesterol re-absorption, and attenuated the size of atherosclerotic lesion. Both effects were minimally influenced by aspirin. The burden of atherosclerosis correlated with plasma lipid levels but not with plasma inflammatory markers. Finally, there was a concomitant decrease in the expression of the hepatic mdr1b gene that correlated with the decrease in plasma cholesterol concentration. Therefore, we conclude that mdr1 is an additional factor to consider in the complexity of alterations in cholesterol metabolism that occur in this model.

  5. Acupuncture to Reduce HIV-Associated Inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Swanson, Barbara; Keithley, Joyce K.; Johnson, Angela; Fogg, Louis; Adeyemi, Oluwatoyin; Sha, Beverly E.; Snell, Kimberly A.

    2015-01-01

    Background. HIV infection is associated with systemic inflammation that can increase risk for cardiovascular events. Acupuncture has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects and to improve symptoms in persons with inflammatory conditions. Objective. To test the anti-inflammatory effects of an acupuncture protocol that targets the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAIP), a neural mechanism whose activation has been shown to reduce the release of proinflammatory cytokines, in persons with HIV-associated inflammation. Design, Setting, Participants, and Interventions. Double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in an outpatient clinic located in a medically underserved urban neighborhood. Twenty-five clinically-stable HIV-infected persons on antiretroviral therapy were randomized to receive once weekly CAIP-based acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Main Outcome Measures. Outcomes included plasma concentrations of high sensitivity C-reactive protein and D-dimer and fasting lipids. Results. Twenty-five participants completed the protocol (treatment group n = 12, control group n = 13). No adverse events related to the acupuncture protocol were observed. Compared to baseline values, the two groups did not significantly differ in any outcome measures at the end of the acupuncture protocol. Conclusions. CAIP-based acupuncture did not favorably modulate inflammatory or lipid parameters. Additional studies are warranted of CAIP-based protocols of different frequencies/durations. PMID:25922615

  6. Aspirin reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary inflammation in human models of ARDS.

    PubMed

    Hamid, U; Krasnodembskaya, A; Fitzgerald, M; Shyamsundar, M; Kissenpfennig, A; Scott, C; Lefrancais, E; Looney, M R; Verghis, R; Scott, J; Simpson, A J; McNamee, J; McAuley, D F; O'Kane, C M

    2017-11-01

    Platelets play an active role in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Animal and observational studies have shown aspirin's antiplatelet and immunomodulatory effects may be beneficial in ARDS. To test the hypothesis that aspirin reduces inflammation in clinically relevant human models that recapitulate pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in the development of ARDS. Healthy volunteers were randomised to receive placebo or aspirin 75  or 1200 mg (1:1:1) for seven days prior to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhalation, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, allocation-concealed study. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed 6 hours after inhaling 50 µg of LPS. The primary outcome measure was BAL IL-8. Secondary outcome measures included markers of alveolar inflammation (BAL neutrophils, cytokines, neutrophil proteases), alveolar epithelial cell injury, systemic inflammation (neutrophils and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP)) and platelet activation (thromboxane B2, TXB2). Human lungs, perfused and ventilated ex vivo (EVLP) were randomised to placebo or 24 mg aspirin and injured with LPS. BAL was carried out 4 hours later. Inflammation was assessed by BAL differential cell counts and histological changes. In the healthy volunteer (n=33) model, data for the aspirin groups were combined. Aspirin did not reduce BAL IL-8. However, aspirin reduced pulmonary neutrophilia and tissue damaging neutrophil proteases (Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-8/-9), reduced BAL concentrations of tumour necrosis factor α and reduced systemic and pulmonary TXB2. There was no difference between high-dose and low-dose aspirin. In the EVLP model, aspirin reduced BAL neutrophilia and alveolar injury as measured by histological damage. These are the first prospective human data indicating that aspirin inhibits pulmonary neutrophilic inflammation, at both low and high doses. Further clinical studies are indicated to assess the role of aspirin in the

  7. Interleukin-21 combined with ART reduces inflammation and viral reservoir in SIV-infected macaques

    PubMed Central

    Micci, Luca; Ryan, Emily S.; Fromentin, Rémi; Bosinger, Steven E.; Harper, Justin L.; He, Tianyu; Paganini, Sara; Easley, Kirk A.; Chahroudi, Ann; Benne, Clarisse; Gumber, Sanjeev; McGary, Colleen S.; Rogers, Kenneth A.; Deleage, Claire; Lucero, Carissa; Byrareddy, Siddappa N.; Apetrei, Cristian; Estes, Jacob D.; Lifson, Jeffrey D.; Piatak, Michael; Chomont, Nicolas; Villinger, Francois; Silvestri, Guido; Brenchley, Jason M.; Paiardini, Mirko

    2015-01-01

    Despite successful control of viremia, many HIV-infected individuals given antiretroviral therapy (ART) exhibit residual inflammation, which is associated with non–AIDS-related morbidity and mortality and may contribute to virus persistence during ART. Here, we investigated the effects of IL-21 administration on both inflammation and virus persistence in ART-treated, SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RMs). Compared with SIV-infected animals only given ART, SIV-infected RMs given both ART and IL-21 showed improved restoration of intestinal Th17 and Th22 cells and a more effective reduction of immune activation in blood and intestinal mucosa, with the latter maintained through 8 months after ART interruption. Additionally, IL-21, in combination with ART, was associated with reduced levels of SIV RNA in plasma and decreased CD4+ T cell levels harboring replication-competent virus during ART. At the latest experimental time points, which were up to 8 months after ART interruption, plasma viremia and cell-associated SIV DNA levels remained substantially lower than those before ART initiation in IL-21–treated animals but not in controls. Together, these data suggest that IL-21 supplementation of ART reduces residual inflammation and virus persistence in a relevant model of lentiviral disease and warrants further investigation as a potential intervention for HIV infection. PMID:26551680

  8. Diet components can suppress inflammation and reduce cancer risk.

    PubMed

    Hardman, W Elaine

    2014-06-01

    Epidemiology studies indicate that diet or specific dietary components can reduce the risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. An underlying cause of these diseases is chronic inflammation. Dietary components that are beneficial against disease seem to have multiple mechanisms of action and many also have a common mechanism of reducing inflammation, often via the NFκB pathway. Thus, a plant based diet can contain many components that reduce inflammation and can reduce the risk for developing all three of these chronic diseases. We summarize dietary components that have been shown to reduce cancer risk and two studies that show that dietary walnut can reduce cancer growth and development. Part of the mechanism for the anticancer benefit of walnut was by suppressing the activation of NFκB. In this brief review, we focus on reduction of cancer risk by dietary components and the relationship to suppression of inflammation. However, it should be remembered that most dietary components have multiple beneficial mechanisms of action that can be additive and that suppression of chronic inflammation should reduce the risk for all three chronic diseases.

  9. Lyophilized plasma attenuates vascular permeability, inflammation and lung injury in hemorrhagic shock.

    PubMed

    Pati, Shibani; Peng, Zhanglong; Wataha, Katherine; Miyazawa, Byron; Potter, Daniel R; Kozar, Rosemary A

    2018-01-01

    In severe trauma and hemorrhage the early and empiric use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is associated with decreased morbidity and mortality. However, utilization of FFP comes with the significant burden of shipping and storage of frozen blood products. Dried or lyophilized plasma (LP) can be stored at room temperature, transported easily, reconstituted rapidly with ready availability in remote and austere environments. We have previously demonstrated that FFP mitigates the endothelial injury that ensues after hemorrhagic shock (HS). In the current study, we sought to determine whether LP has similar properties to FFP in its ability to modulate endothelial dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. Single donor LP was compared to single donor FFP using the following measures of endothelial cell (EC) function in vitro: permeability and transendothelial monolayer resistance; adherens junction preservation; and leukocyte-EC adhesion. In vivo, using a model of murine HS, LP and FFP were compared in measures of HS- induced pulmonary vascular inflammation and edema. Both in vitro and in vivo in all measures of EC function, LP demonstrated similar effects to FFP. Both FFP and LP similarly reduced EC permeability, increased transendothelial resistance, decreased leukocyte-EC binding and persevered adherens junctions. In vivo, LP and FFP both comparably reduced pulmonary injury, inflammation and vascular leak. Both FFP and LP have similar potent protective effects on the vascular endothelium in vitro and in lung function in vivo following hemorrhagic shock. These data support the further development of LP as an effective plasma product for human use after trauma and hemorrhagic shock.

  10. Plasma endocannabinoid levels in lean, overweight and obese humans: relationships with intestinal permeability markers, inflammation and incretin secretion.

    PubMed

    Little, Tanya J; Cvijanovic, Nada; DiPatrizio, Nicholas V; Argueta, Donovan A; Rayner, Christopher K; Feinle-Bisset, Christine; Young, Richard L

    2018-02-13

    Intestinal production of endocannabinoid and oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is impaired in high-fat diet/obese rodents, leading to reduced satiety. Such diets also alter the intestinal microbiome in association with enhanced intestinal permeability and inflammation, however little is known of these effects in humans. This study aimed to: (i) evaluate effects of lipid on plasma anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG) and OEA in humans, and (ii) examine relationships with intestinal permeability, inflammation markers and incretin hormone secretion. 20 lean, 18 overweight and 19 obese participants underwent intraduodenal Intralipid® infusion (2 kcal/min) with collection of endoscopic duodenal biopsies and blood. Plasma AEA, 2-AG, and OEA (HPLC/tandem mass spectrometry), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) (multiplex), and duodenal expression of occludin, zona-occludin-1 (ZO-1), intestinal-alkaline-phosphatase (IAP), and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) (RT-PCR), were assessed. Fasting plasma AEA was increased in obese, compared with lean and overweight (P<0.05), with no effect of BMI group or ID lipid infusion on plasma 2-AG or OEA. Duodenal expression of IAP and ZO-1 was reduced in obese, compared with lean (P<0.05), and these levels related negatively to plasma AEA (P<0.05). The iAUC for AEA was positively related to iAUC GIP (r=0.384, P=0.005). Obese individuals have increased plasma AEA and decreased duodenal expression of ZO-1 and IAP, in comparison to lean and overweight. The relationships between plasma AEA with duodenal ZO-1 and IAP, and GIP, suggest that altered endocannabinoid signalling may contribute to changes in intestinal permeability, inflammation and incretin release in human obesity.

  11. Diet components can suppress inflammation and reduce cancer risk

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Epidemiology studies indicate that diet or specific dietary components can reduce the risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. An underlying cause of these diseases is chronic inflammation. Dietary components that are beneficial against disease seem to have multiple mechanisms of action and many also have a common mechanism of reducing inflammation, often via the NFκB pathway. Thus, a plant based diet can contain many components that reduce inflammation and can reduce the risk for developing all three of these chronic diseases. We summarize dietary components that have been shown to reduce cancer risk and two studies that show that dietary walnut can reduce cancer growth and development. Part of the mechanism for the anticancer benefit of walnut was by suppressing the activation of NFκB. In this brief review, we focus on reduction of cancer risk by dietary components and the relationship to suppression of inflammation. However, it should be remembered that most dietary components have multiple beneficial mechanisms of action that can be additive and that suppression of chronic inflammation should reduce the risk for all three chronic diseases. PMID:24944766

  12. A low-fat high-carbohydrate diet reduces plasma total adiponectin concentrations compared to a moderate-fat diet with no impact on biomarkers of systemic inflammation in a randomized controlled feeding study.

    PubMed

    Song, Xiaoling; Kestin, Mark; Schwarz, Yvonne; Yang, Pamela; Hu, Xiaojun; Lampe, Johanna W; Kratz, Mario

    2016-02-01

    We compared the effects of a eucaloric moderate-fat diet (18% protein, 36% fat, and 46% carbohydrate), a eucaloric low-fat high-carbohydrate diet (18% protein, 18% fat, and 64% carbohydrate), and a low-calorie (33% reduced) low-fat high-carbohydrate diet on biomarkers of systemic inflammation. We randomly assigned 102 participants (age 21-76 years and BMI 19.2-35.5 kg/m(2)) to the three different diets for 6 weeks in a parallel design intervention trial. All foods were provided. Ninety-three participants completed all study procedures; 92 were included in the analyses. Endpoints included plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors I and II (sTNFRI and II), and adiponectin. In the unadjusted primary analyses, none of the endpoints were differentially affected by the dietary interventions despite the significantly greater reductions in body weight and fat mass in participants consuming the low-calorie low-fat diet compared to the eucaloric diets (p < 0.001). When including weight change in the model in secondary analysis, adiponectin tended to be increased with weight loss (time × weight change interaction, p = 0.051). Adjusted for weight change, adiponectin was reduced in the groups consuming the low-fat diets relative to the moderate-fat diet (p = 0.008). No effect of the intervention diets or weight loss on CRP, IL-6, or sTNFRI and II was seen in these secondary analyses. In relatively healthy adults, moderate weight loss had minimal effects on systemic inflammation, and raised plasma adiponectin only modestly. A lower dietary fat and higher carbohydrate content had little impact on measures of systemic inflammation, but reduced adiponectin concentrations compared to a moderate-fat diet. The latter may be of concern given the consistent and strong inverse association of plasma adiponectin with many chronic diseases.

  13. A low-fat high-carbohydrate diet reduces plasma total adiponectin concentrations compared to a moderate-fat diet with no impact on biomarkers of systemic inflammation in a randomized controlled feeding study

    PubMed Central

    Song, Xiaoling; Kestin, Mark; Schwarz, Yvonne; Yang, Pamela; Hu, Xiaojun; Lampe, Johanna W.; Kratz, Mario

    2015-01-01

    Purpose We compared the effects of a eucaloric moderate-fat diet (18% protein, 36% fat, 46% carbohydrate), a eucaloric low-fat high-carbohydrate diet (18% protein, 18% fat, and 64% carbohydrate), and a low-calorie (33% reduced) low-fat high-carbohydrate diet on biomarkers of systemic inflammation. Methods We randomly assigned 102 participants (age 21–76 y, BMI 19.2–35.5 kg/m2) to the three different diets for six weeks in a parallel design intervention trial. All foods were provided. Ninety-three participants completed all study procedures; 92 were included in the analyses. Endpoints included plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors I & II (sTNFRI&II), and adiponectin. Results In the unadjusted primary analyses, none of the endpoints were differentially affected by the dietary interventions despite the significantly greater reductions in body weight and fat mass in participants consuming the low-calorie low-fat diet compared to the eucaloric diets (p<0.001). When including weight change in the model in secondary analysis, adiponectin tended to be increased with weight loss (time × weight change interaction, p=0.051). Adjusted for weight change, adiponectin was reduced in the groups consuming the low-fat diets relative to the moderate-fat diet (p=0.008). No effect of the intervention diets or weight loss on CRP, IL-6 or sTNFR I & II was seen in these secondary analyses. Conclusions In relatively healthy adults, moderate weight loss had minimal effects on systemic inflammation, and raised plasma adiponectin only modestly. A lower dietary fat and higher carbohydrate content had little impact on measures of systemic inflammation, but reduced adiponectin concentrations compared to a moderate-fat diet. The latter may be of concern given the consistent and strong inverse association of plasma adiponectin with many chronic diseases. PMID:25648736

  14. FABP4 inhibitor BMS309403 decreases saturated-fatty-acid-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated inflammation in skeletal muscle by reducing p38 MAPK activation.

    PubMed

    Bosquet, Alba; Girona, Josefa; Guaita-Esteruelas, Sandra; Heras, Mercedes; Saavedra-García, Paula; Martínez-Micaelo, Neus; Masana, Lluís; Rodríguez-Calvo, Ricardo

    2018-06-01

    Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) inhibitors have been proposed as potential therapeutic approaches against insulin resistance-related inflammation and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which these molecules drive these effects in skeletal muscle remain unknown. Here, we assessed whether the FABP4 inhibitor BMS309403 prevented lipid-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated inflammation in skeletal muscle. The BMS309403 treatment was assessed both in the skeletal muscle of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and in palmitate-stimulated C2C12 myotubes. HFD feeding promoted insulin resistance, which is characterized by increased plasma levels of glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, resistin, and leptin and reduced plasma levels of adiponectin compared with control mice fed a standard diet. Additionally, insulin-resistant animals showed increased FABP4 plasma levels. In line with this evidence, recombinant FABP4 attenuated the insulin-induced AKT phosphorylation in C2C12 myotubes. Treatment with BMS309403 reduced lipid-induced ER stress and inflammation in both mouse skeletal muscle and C2C12 myotubes. The effects of the FABP4 inhibitor reducing lipid-induced ER stress-associated inflammation were related to the reduction of fatty acid-induced intramyocellular lipid deposits, ROS and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) nuclear translocation. Accordingly, BMS309403 reduced lipid-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation, which is upstream of NF-κB activation. Overall, these findings indicate that BMS309403 reduces fatty acid-induced ER stress-associated inflammation in skeletal muscle by reducing p38 MAPK activation. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis

    PubMed Central

    Hammell, D.C.; Zhang, L.P.; Ma, F.; Abshire, S.M.; McIlwrath, S.L.; Stinchcomb, A.L.; Westlund, K.N.

    2015-01-01

    Background Current arthritis treatments often have side-effects attributable to active compounds as well as route of administration. Cannabidiol (CBD) attenuates inflammation and pain without side-effects, but CBD is hydrophobic and has poor oral bioavailability. Topical drug application avoids gastrointestinal administration, first pass metabolism, providing more constant plasma levels. Methods This study examined efficacy of transdermal CBD for reduction in inflammation and pain, assessing any adverse effects in a rat complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced monoarthritic knee joint model. CBD gels (0.6, 3.1, 6.2 or 62.3 mg/day) were applied for 4 consecutive days after arthritis induction. Joint circumference and immune cell invasion in histological sections were measured to indicate level of inflammation. Paw withdrawal latency (PWL) in response to noxious heat stimulation determined nociceptive sensitization, and exploratory behaviour ascertained animal’s activity level. Results Measurement of plasma CBD concentration provided by transdermal absorption revealed linearity with 0.6–6.2 mg/day doses. Transdermal CBD gel significantly reduced joint swelling, limb posture scores as a rating of spontaneous pain, immune cell infiltration and thickening of the synovial membrane in a dose-dependent manner. PWL recovered to near baseline level. Immunohistochemical analysis of spinal cord (CGRP, OX42) and dorsal root ganglia (TNFα) revealed dose-dependent reductions of pro-inflammatory biomarkers. Results showed 6.2 and 62 mg/day were effective doses. Exploratory behaviour was not altered by CBD indicating limited effect on higher brain function. Conclusions These data indicate that topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviours and inflammation without evident side-effects. PMID:26517407

  16. Soymilk supplementation does not alter plasma markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women.

    PubMed

    Beavers, Kristen M; Serra, Monica C; Beavers, Daniel P; Cooke, Matthew B; Willoughby, Darryn S

    2009-09-01

    Aging is associated with increasing levels of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to the progression of cardiovascular disease. Attenuation of such processes via dietary intervention has significant public health implications. Soyfoods, as a source of high-quality protein and isoflavones, may improve such indices, although such effects in healthy aging women are not well delineated. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that 4 weeks of daily soymilk consumption would improve systemic markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women when compared with a dairy control. In September 2009, a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 31 postmenopausal women at Baylor University, Waco, Tex. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume 3 servings of vanilla soy (n = 16) or reduced fat dairy (n = 15) milk per day for 4 weeks. Plasma markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6) and oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPx], cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2]) were obtained before and after supplementation. No significant differences were observed for any of the plasma inflammatory (TNF-alpha, P = .08; IL-1beta, P = .14; IL-6, P = .26) or oxidative stress (SOD, P = .68; GPx, P = .58; COX-2, P = .99) variables by dietary treatment group. Despite good dietary compliance, our study failed to show a significant effect of soymilk consumption on markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in this postmenopausal female population. Potential reasons for this nonsignificant finding are discussed, and future research directions are presented.

  17. The influence of inflammation on plasma zinc concentration in apparently healthy, HIV+ Kenyan adults and zinc responses after a multi-micronutrient supplement.

    PubMed

    Mburu, A S W; Thurnham, D I; Mwaniki, D L; Muniu, E M; Alumasa, F M

    2010-05-01

    Plasma zinc is an important biomarker of zinc status, but the concentration is depressed by inflammation. Apparently healthy adults, who tested positive twice for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but who had not reached stage IV or clinical AIDS, were randomly allocated to receive a food supplement (n=17 and 21) or the food plus a micronutrient capsule (MN; n=10 men and n=33 women) containing 15 mg zinc/day. We used the inflammation biomarkers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), to identify subjects with and without inflammation and determine the effect of inflammation on the response of plasma zinc concentrations to the MN and food supplements. There were no differences between men and women either in plasma zinc or in the responses to the supplements and their data were combined. Plasma zinc was lower in those with inflammation than without. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that inflammation blocked increases in plasma zinc, and there was an approximate 10% increase in plasma zinc concentration in response to the MN supplement (P=0.023) in those without inflammation. Subgroup analysis showed mean changes in plasma zinc of 0.95 and -0.83 micromol/l (P=0.031) in response to the MN and food treatments, respectively, in those without inflammation at both time points. Inflammation seems to block any increase in plasma zinc after MN supplement and it is important to identify those without inflammation to determine the effectiveness of a zinc supplementation program.

  18. Reducing Peripheral Inflammation with Infliximab Reduces Neuroinflammation and Improves Cognition in Rats with Hepatic Encephalopathy

    PubMed Central

    Dadsetan, Sherry; Balzano, Tiziano; Forteza, Jerónimo; Cabrera-Pastor, Andrea; Taoro-Gonzalez, Lucas; Hernandez-Rabaza, Vicente; Gil-Perotín, Sara; Cubas-Núñez, Laura; García-Verdugo, José-Manuel; Agusti, Ana; Llansola, Marta; Felipo, Vicente

    2016-01-01

    Inflammation contributes to cognitive impairment in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). However, the process by which peripheral inflammation results in cognitive impairment remains unclear. In animal models, neuroinflammation and altered neurotransmission mediate cognitive impairment. Taking into account these data, we hypothesized that in rats with HE: (1) peripheral inflammation is a main contributor to neuroinflammation; (2) neuroinflammation in hippocampus impairs spatial learning by altering AMPA and/or NMDA receptors membrane expression; (3) reducing peripheral inflammation with infliximab (anti-TNF-a) would improve spatial learning; (4) this would be associated with reduced neuroinflammation and normalization of the membrane expression of glutamate receptors. The aims of this work were to assess these hypotheses. We analyzed in rats with portacaval shunt (PCS) and control rats, treated or not with infliximab: (a) peripheral inflammation by measuring prostaglandin E2, IL10, IL-17, and IL-6; (b) neuroinflammation in hippocampus by analyzing microglial activation and the content of TNF-a and IL-1b; (c) AMPA and NMDA receptors membrane expression in hippocampus; and (d) spatial learning in the Radial and Morris water mazes. We assessed the effects of treatment with infliximab on peripheral inflammation, on neuroinflammation and AMPA and NMDA receptors membrane expression in hippocampus and on spatial learning and memory. PCS rats show increased serum prostaglandin E2, IL-17, and IL-6 and reduced IL-10 levels, indicating increased peripheral inflammation. PCS rats also show microglial activation and increased nuclear NF-kB and expression of TNF-a and IL-1b in hippocampus. This was associated with altered AMPA and NMDA receptors membrane expression in hippocampus and impaired spatial learning and memory in the radial and Morris water maze. Treatment with infliximab reduces peripheral inflammation in PCS rats, normalizing prostaglandin E2, IL-17, IL-6, and

  19. Daumone fed late in life improves survival and reduces hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in mice.

    PubMed

    Park, Jong Hee; Chung, Hae Young; Kim, Minkyu; Lee, Jung Hwa; Jung, Mankil; Ha, Hunjoo

    2014-08-01

    The liver is one of the most susceptible organs to aging, and hepatic inflammation and fibrosis increase with age. Chronic inflammation has been proposed as the major molecular mechanism underlying aging and age-related diseases, whereas calorie restriction has been shown to be the most effective in extending mammalian lifespan and to have anti-aging effects through its anti-inflammatory action. Thus, it is necessary to develop effective calorie restriction mimetics. Daumone [(2)-(6R)-(3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyltetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)heptanoic acid], a pheromone secreted by Caenorhabditis elegans, forces them to enter the dauer stage when facing inadequate conditions. Because Caenorhabditis elegans live longer during the dauer stage under energy deprivation, it was hypothesized that daumone may improve survival in mammals by mimicking calorie restriction. Daumone (2 mg kg(-1) day(-1) ) was administered orally for 5 months to 24-month-old male C57BL/6J mice. Daumone was found to reduce the risk of death by 48% compared with age-matched control mice, and the increased plasma insulin normally presented in old mice was significantly reduced by daumone. The increased hepatic hypertrophy, senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, insulin resistance, lipid accumulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in old mice were significantly attenuated by daumone. From a mechanistic view, daumone reduced the phosphorylation of the IκBα and upregulation of Rela and Nfkbia mRNA in the livers of old mice. The anti-inflammatory effect of daumone was confirmed in lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury model. Oral administration of daumone improves survival in mice and delivers anti-aging effects to the aged liver by modulating chronic inflammation, indicating that daumone could be developed as an anti-aging compound. © 2014 The Authors. Aging Cell published by the Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  20. Garlic Organosulfur Compounds Reduce Inflammation and Oxidative Stress during Dengue Virus Infection

    PubMed Central

    Hall, Alex; Troupin, Andrea; Londono-Renteria, Berlin; Colpitts, Tonya M.

    2017-01-01

    Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes significant global human disease and mortality. One approach to develop treatments for DENV infection and the prevention of severe disease is through investigation of natural medicines. Inflammation plays both beneficial and harmful roles during DENV infection. Studies have proposed that the oxidative stress response may be one mechanism responsible for triggering inflammation during DENV infection. Thus, blocking the oxidative stress response could reduce inflammation and the development of severe disease. Garlic has been shown to both reduce inflammation and affect the oxidative stress response. Here, we show that the garlic active compounds diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl sulfide (DAS) and alliin reduced inflammation during DENV infection and show that this reduction is due to the effects on the oxidative stress response. These results suggest that garlic could be used as an alternative treatment for DENV infection and for the prevention of severe disease development. PMID:28644404

  1. Clobetasol propionate ointment reduces inflammation after cryotherapy.

    PubMed

    Hindson, T C; Spiro, J; Scott, L V

    1985-05-01

    A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was carried out comparing the effects of clobetasol propionate ointment and the ointment base on the inflammation induced by cryotherapy of basal cell carcinomata and warts. A single application of the steroid was shown to be significantly better at reducing erythema, pain and swelling than the ointment base.

  2. NLRP3 inflammasome blockade reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis in experimental NASH in mice.

    PubMed

    Mridha, Auvro R; Wree, Alexander; Robertson, Avril A B; Yeh, Matthew M; Johnson, Casey D; Van Rooyen, Derrick M; Haczeyni, Fahrettin; Teoh, Narci C-H; Savard, Christopher; Ioannou, George N; Masters, Seth L; Schroder, Kate; Cooper, Matthew A; Feldstein, Ariel E; Farrell, Geoffrey C

    2017-05-01

    NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation occurs in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We used the first small molecule NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, to test whether inflammasome blockade alters inflammatory recruitment and liver fibrosis in two murine models of steatohepatitis. We fed foz/foz and wild-type mice an atherogenic diet for 16weeks, gavaged MCC950 or vehicle until 24weeks, then determined NAFLD phenotype. In mice fed an methionine/choline deficient (MCD) diet, we gavaged MCC950 or vehicle for 6weeks and determined the effects on liver fibrosis. In vehicle-treated foz/foz mice, hepatic expression of NLRP3, pro-IL-1β, active caspase-1 and IL-1β increased at 24weeks, in association with cholesterol crystal formation and NASH pathology; plasma IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, ALT/AST all increased. MCC950 treatment normalized hepatic caspase 1 and IL-1β expression, plasma IL-1β, MCP-1 and IL-6, lowered ALT/AST, and reduced the severity of liver inflammation including designation as NASH pathology, and liver fibrosis. In vitro, cholesterol crystals activated Kupffer cells and macrophages to release IL-1β; MCC950 abolished this, and the associated neutrophil migration. MCD diet-fed mice developed fibrotic steatohepatitis; MCC950 suppressed the increase in hepatic caspase 1 and IL-1β, lowered numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in the liver, and improved liver fibrosis. MCC950, an NLRP3 selective inhibitor, improved NAFLD pathology and fibrosis in obese diabetic mice. This is potentially attributable to the blockade of cholesterol crystal-mediated NLRP3 activation in myeloid cells. MCC950 reduced liver fibrosis in MCD-fed mice. Targeting NLRP3 is a logical direction in pharmacotherapy of NASH. Fatty liver disease caused by being overweight with diabetes and a high risk of heart attack, termed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is the most common serious liver disease with no current treatment. There could be several causes of inflammation

  3. Reduction of obesity-associated white adipose tissue inflammation by rosiglitazone is associated with reduced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in LDLr-deficient mice.

    PubMed

    Mulder, Petra; Morrison, Martine C; Verschuren, Lars; Liang, Wen; van Bockel, J Hajo; Kooistra, Teake; Wielinga, Peter Y; Kleemann, Robert

    2016-08-22

    Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation that drives the development of metabolic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We recently showed that white adipose tissue (WAT) constitutes an important source of inflammatory factors. Hence, interventions that attenuate WAT inflammation may reduce NAFLD development. Male LDLr-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 9 weeks followed by 7 weeks of HFD with or without rosiglitazone. Effects on WAT inflammation and NAFLD development were analyzed using biochemical and (immuno)histochemical techniques, combined with gene expression analyses. Nine weeks of HFD feeding induced obesity and WAT inflammation, which progressed gradually until the end of the study. Rosiglitazone fully blocked progression of WAT inflammation and activated PPARγ significantly in WAT. Rosiglitazone intervention did not activate PPARγ in liver, but improved liver histology and counteracted the expression of genes associated with severe NAFLD in humans. Rosiglitazone reduced expression of pro-inflammatory factors in WAT (TNF-α, leptin) and increased expression of adiponectin, which was reflected in plasma. Furthermore, rosiglitazone lowered circulating levels of pro-inflammatory saturated fatty acids. Together, these observations provide a rationale for the observed indirect hepatoprotective effects and suggest that WAT represents a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity-associated NAFLD.

  4. Effect of a sustained reduction in plasma free fatty acid concentration on insulin signalling and inflammation in skeletal muscle from human subjects

    PubMed Central

    Liang, Hanyu; Tantiwong, Puntip; Sriwijitkamol, Apiradee; Shanmugasundaram, Karthigayan; Mohan, Sumathy; Espinoza, Sara; DeFronzo, Ralph A; Dubé, John J; Musi, Nicolas

    2013-01-01

    Free fatty acids (FFAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Reducing plasma FFA concentration in obese and type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects improves insulin sensitivity. However, the molecular mechanism by which FFA reduction improves insulin sensitivity in human subjects is not fully understood. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that pharmacological FFA reduction enhances insulin action by reducing local (muscle) inflammation, leading to improved insulin signalling. Insulin-stimulated total glucose disposal (TGD), plasma FFA species, muscle insulin signalling, IκBα protein, c-Jun phosphorylation, inflammatory gene (toll-like receptor 4 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1) expression, and ceramide and diacylglycerol (DAG) content were measured in muscle from a group of obese and T2DM subjects before and after administration of the antilipolytic drug acipimox for 7 days, and the results were compared to lean individuals. We found that obese and T2DM subjects had elevated saturated and unsaturated FFAs in plasma, and acipimox reduced all FFA species. Acipimox-induced reductions in plasma FFAs improved TGD and insulin signalling in obese and T2DM subjects. Acipimox increased IκBα protein (an indication of decreased IκB kinase–nuclear factor κB signalling) in both obese and T2DM subjects, but did not affect c-Jun phosphorylation in any group. Acipimox also decreased inflammatory gene expression, although this reduction only occurred in T2DM subjects. Ceramide and DAG content did not change. To summarize, pharmacological FFA reduction improves insulin signalling in muscle from insulin-resistant subjects. This beneficial effect on insulin action could be related to a decrease in local inflammation. Notably, the improvements in insulin action were more pronounced in T2DM, indicating that these subjects are more susceptible to the toxic effect of FFAs. PMID:23529132

  5. Effect of a sustained reduction in plasma free fatty acid concentration on insulin signalling and inflammation in skeletal muscle from human subjects.

    PubMed

    Liang, Hanyu; Tantiwong, Puntip; Sriwijitkamol, Apiradee; Shanmugasundaram, Karthigayan; Mohan, Sumathy; Espinoza, Sara; Defronzo, Ralph A; Dubé, John J; Musi, Nicolas

    2013-06-01

    Free fatty acids (FFAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Reducing plasma FFA concentration in obese and type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects improves insulin sensitivity. However, the molecular mechanism by which FFA reduction improves insulin sensitivity in human subjects is not fully understood. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that pharmacological FFA reduction enhances insulin action by reducing local (muscle) inflammation, leading to improved insulin signalling. Insulin-stimulated total glucose disposal (TGD), plasma FFA species, muscle insulin signalling, IBα protein, c-Jun phosphorylation, inflammatory gene (toll-like receptor 4 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1) expression, and ceramide and diacylglycerol (DAG) content were measured in muscle from a group of obese and T2DM subjects before and after administration of the antilipolytic drug acipimox for 7 days, and the results were compared to lean individuals. We found that obese and T2DM subjects had elevated saturated and unsaturated FFAs in plasma, and acipimox reduced all FFA species. Acipimox-induced reductions in plasma FFAs improved TGD and insulin signalling in obese and T2DM subjects. Acipimox increased IBα protein (an indication of decreased IB kinase-nuclear factor B signalling) in both obese and T2DM subjects, but did not affect c-Jun phosphorylation in any group. Acipimox also decreased inflammatory gene expression, although this reduction only occurred in T2DM subjects. Ceramide and DAG content did not change. To summarize, pharmacological FFA reduction improves insulin signalling in muscle from insulin-resistant subjects. This beneficial effect on insulin action could be related to a decrease in local inflammation. Notably, the improvements in insulin action were more pronounced in T2DM, indicating that these subjects are more susceptible to the toxic effect of FFAs.

  6. Modulation of Roquin function in myeloid cells reduces Mycobacterium tuberculosis induced inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Nagalingam, Gayathri; Vinuesa, Carola G.; Britton, Warwick J; Saunders, Bernadette M.

    2017-01-01

    Damaging inflammation is a hallmark of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and understanding how this is regulated is important for the development of new therapies to limit excessive inflammation. The E3 ubiquitin ligase, Roquin, is involved in immune regulation, however its role in immunity to M. tuberculosis is unknown. To address this we infected mice with a point mutation in Roquin1/Rc3h1 (sanroque). Aerosol-infected sanroque mice showed enhanced control of M. tuberculosis infection associated with delayed bacterial dissemination and upregulated TNF production in the lung after 2 weeks. However, this early control of infection was not maintained, and by 8 weeks post-infection sanroque mice demonstrated increased bacterial burden and dysregulated inflammation in the lung. As the inflammation in the lung of the sanroque mice could have been influenced by emerging autoimmune conditions that are characteristic of aging sanroque mice, the function of Roquin was examined in immune cell subsets in the absence of autoimmune complications. Mycobacterium bovis BCG-primed sanroque T cells transferred into Rag1-/- mice provided equivalent protection in the spleen and liver. Interestingly, the transfer of mycobacteria-specific (P25 CD4+ TCR transgenic) wild-type spleen cells into sanroque.Rag1-/- mice actually led to enhanced protection with reduced bacterial load, decreased chemokine expression and reduced inflammation in the lung compared with transfers into Rag1-/- mice expressing intact Roquin. These studies suggest that modulation of Roquin in myeloid cells may reduce both inflammation and bacterial growth during the chronic phase of M. tuberculosis infection. PMID:28747346

  7. Parecoxib Reduces Systemic Inflammation and Acute Lung Injury in Burned Animals with Delayed Fluid Resuscitation

    PubMed Central

    Chong, Si Jack; Wu, Jian; Lu, Jia; Moochhala, Shabbir M.

    2014-01-01

    Burn injuries result in the release of proinflammatory mediators causing both local and systemic inflammation. Multiple organ dysfunctions secondary to systemic inflammation after severe burn contribute to adverse outcome, with the lungs being the first organ to fail. In this study, we evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parecoxib, a parenteral COX-2 inhibitor, in a delayed fluid resuscitation burned rat model. Anaesthetized Sprague Dawley rats were inflicted with 45% total body surface area full-thickness scald burns and subsequently subjected to delayed resuscitation with Hartmann's solution. Parecoxib (0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg/kg) was delivered intramuscularly 20 min after injury followed by 12 h interval and the rats were sacrificed at 6 h, 24 h, and 48 h. Burn rats developed elevated blood cytokines, transaminase, creatinine, and increased lung MPO levels. Animals treated with 1 mg/kg Parecoxib showed significantly reduced plasma level of CINC-1, IL-6, PGEM, and lung MPO. Treatment of 1 mg/kg Parecoxib is shown to mitigate systemic and lung inflammation without significantly affecting other organs. At present, no specific therapeutic agent is available to attenuate the systemic inflammatory response secondary to burn injury. The results suggest that Parecoxib may have the potential to be used both as an analgesic and ameliorate the effects of lung injury following burn. PMID:24579056

  8. Reduced-HMGB1 suppresses poly(I:C)-induced inflammation in keratinocytes.

    PubMed

    Mori, Hideki; Murakami, Masamoto; Tsuda, Teruko; Kameda, Kenji; Utsunomiya, Ryo; Masuda, Kana; Shiraishi, Ken; Dai, Xiuju; Tohyama, Mikiko; Nakaoka, Hiroki; Sayama, Koji

    2018-05-01

    High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein that stabilizes DNA and facilitates gene transcription. Additionally, cell stress or death induces the release of HMGB1 outside the cell membrane, where HMGB1 functions as an alarmin, causing an inflammatory response in combination with other cytokines, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). To evaluate the effect of reduced-HMGB1 (previously termed chemoattractive-HMGB1) on polyinosine-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)]-induced inflammation in normal human keratinocytes (NHKs). We focused on downstream components of the poly(I:C)-Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I), and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) pathways, including IκBα, nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), and assessed whether these pathways are involved in the suppression of poly(I:C)-induced inflammation in NHKs by HMGB1. An immunoprecipitation was performed to know whether HMGB1 could bind to poly(I:C), and immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometric analysis were performed to check whether reduced-HMGB interferes with cellular uptake of poly(I:C) translocation (possibly by endocytosis). Application of exogenous HMGB1 before, but not after, exerted a suppressive effect on poly(I:C)-induced inflammation in NHKs. In addition, reduced-HMGB1, but not disulfide-HMGB1, exerted a suppressive effect on poly(I:C)-induced inflammation in NHKs, suggesting the importance of the redox status of exogenous HMGB1. Pre-treatment with reduced-HMGB1 inhibited the phosphorylation of IκBα, NF-κB p65, and IRF3 induced by poly(I:C) stimulation in NHKs; however, phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was unaffected. Disulfide-HMGB1 formed a complex with poly(I:C), as did reduced- and oxidized-HMGB1, albeit to a lesser

  9. Dietary flavonoids from modified apple reduce inflammation markers and modulate gut microbiota in mice.

    PubMed

    Espley, Richard V; Butts, Christine A; Laing, William A; Martell, Sheridan; Smith, Hannah; McGhie, Tony K; Zhang, Jingli; Paturi, Gunaranjan; Hedderley, Duncan; Bovy, Arnaud; Schouten, Henk J; Putterill, Joanna; Allan, Andrew C; Hellens, Roger P

    2014-02-01

    Apples are rich in polyphenols, which provide antioxidant properties, mediation of cellular processes such as inflammation, and modulation of gut microbiota. In this study we compared genetically engineered apples with increased flavonoids [myeloblastis transcription factor 10 (MYB10)] with nontransformed apples from the same genotype, "Royal Gala" (RG), and a control diet with no apple. Compared with the RG diet, the MYB10 diet contained elevated concentrations of the flavonoid subclasses anthocyanins, flavanol monomers (epicatechin) and oligomers (procyanidin B2), and flavonols (quercetin glycosides), but other plant secondary metabolites were largely unaltered. We used these apples to investigate the effects of dietary flavonoids on inflammation and gut microbiota in 2 mouse feeding trials. In trial 1, male mice were fed a control diet or diets supplemented with 20% MYB10 apple flesh and peel (MYB-FP) or RG apple flesh and peel (RG-FP) for 7 d. In trial 2, male mice were fed MYB-FP or RG-FP diets or diets supplemented with 20% MYB10 apple flesh or RG apple flesh for 7 or 21 d. In trial 1, the transcription levels of inflammation-linked genes in mice showed decreases of >2-fold for interleukin-2 receptor (Il2rb), chemokine receptor 2 (Ccr2), chemokine ligand 10 (Cxcl10), and chemokine receptor 10 (Ccr10) at 7 d for the MYB-FP diet compared with the RG-FP diet (P < 0.05). In trial 2, the inflammation marker prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in the plasma of mice fed the MYB-FP diet at 21 d was reduced by 10-fold (P < 0.01) compared with the RG-FP diet. In colonic microbiota, the number of total bacteria for mice fed the MYB-FP diet was 6% higher than for mice fed the control diet at 21 d (P = 0.01). In summary, high-flavonoid apple was associated with decreases in some inflammation markers and changes in gut microbiota when fed to healthy mice.

  10. Cell-free plasma DNA as a novel marker of aseptic inflammation severity related to exercise overtraining.

    PubMed

    Fatouros, Ioannis G; Destouni, Aspasia; Margonis, Konstantinos; Jamurtas, Athanasios Z; Vrettou, Christina; Kouretas, Dimitrios; Mastorakos, George; Mitrakou, Asimina; Taxildaris, Kiriakos; Kanavakis, Emmanouel; Papassotiriou, Ioannis

    2006-09-01

    Circulating free plasma DNA is implicated in conditions associated with tissue injury, including exercise-induced inflammation, and thus is a potential marker for athletic overtraining. We measured free plasma DNA along with C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine kinase (CK), and uric acid (UA) in 17 recreationally trained men participating in a 12-week resistance training regimen (8 resistance multi-joint exercises selected to stress the entire musculature: bench press, squat, leg press, snatch, hang clean, dead lifts, barbell arm curls, and rowing), consisting of 4 training periods (t1, t2, t3, and t4). Plasma DNA concentrations increased markedly after t1, t2, and t3 and returned to baseline after t4. There were substantial differences between t2 and t1 and between t3 and t2 plasma DNA concentrations. CRP increased by 300% after t2 and by 400% after t3 (there was no difference between t2 and t3 CRP values) compared with baseline (t0). CK increased only after t3. UA increased after t2 and t3, with a greater increase after t3. This study demonstrates that, after chronic excessive resistance exercise, plasma DNA concentrations increase in proportion to training load, suggesting that plasma DNA may be a sensitive marker for overtraining-induced inflammation.

  11. Physical Activity to Reduce Systemic Inflammation Associated With Chronic Pain and Obesity: A Narrative Review.

    PubMed

    Paley, Carole A; Johnson, Mark I

    2016-04-01

    The increasing prevalence of chronic pain and obesity has significant health and cost implications for economies in the developed and developing world. Evidence suggests that there is a positive correlation between obesity and chronic pain and the link between them is thought to be systemic inflammation. The aim of this narrative review was to explore the physiological links between chronic musculoskeletal pain and obesity and to consider the potential role of regular physical activity in providing a means of managing obesity-related chronic pain. Systemic inflammation, mechanical overload, and autonomic dysfunction are associated with increased prevalence and severity of chronic pain in individuals with obesity. It has been proposed, therefore, that interventions that target systemic inflammation could help to reduce chronic pain in obese individuals. Reduction in abdominal fat has been shown to alleviate pain and reduce the systemic markers of inflammation that contribute to chronic pain. Interventions that include exercise prescription have been shown to reduce both abdominal fat and systemic inflammation. Furthermore, exercise is also known to reduce pain perception and improve mental health and quality of life that also improves pain outcomes. However, adherence to formal exercise prescription is poor and therefore exercise programmes should be tailored to the interests, needs, and abilities of individuals to reduce attrition.

  12. Secreted phospholipase A2 inhibitor modulates fatty acid composition and reduces obesity-induced inflammation in Beagle dogs.

    PubMed

    Xu, J; Bourgeois, H; Vandermeulen, E; Vlaeminck, B; Meyer, E; Demeyere, K; Hesta, M

    2015-05-01

    Secreted phospholipase A2 inhibitor (sPLA2i) has been reported to have an anti-inflammatory function by blocking the production of inflammatory mediators. Obesity is characterized by low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of sPLA2i on inflammation, oxidative stress and serum fatty acid profile in dogs. Seven obese and seven lean Beagle dogs were used in a 28-day double blind cross-over design. Dogs were fed a control diet without supplemental sPLA2i or an sPLA2i supplemented diet. The sPLA2i diet decreased plasma fibrinogen levels and increased the protein:fibrinogen ratio in obese dogs to levels similar to those of lean dogs fed the same diet. Obese dogs had a higher plasma concentration of the lipophilic vitamin A with potential antioxidative capacity and a lower ratio of retinol binding protein 4:vitamin A compared to lean dogs, independent of the diets. A higher proportion of myristic acid (C14:0) and a lower proportion of linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) were observed in the dogs fed with the sPLA2i diet compared to dogs fed with the control diet. Furthermore, a higher ratio of n-6 to n-3, a lower proportion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower omega-3 index were observed in obese compared to lean dogs. The results indicate that obese dogs are characterized by a more 'proinflammatory' serum fatty acid profile and that diet inclusion of sPLA2i may reduce inflammation and alter fatty acid profile. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Effect of Combined Treatment With Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 on Plasma Biomarkers of Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Women.

    PubMed

    Christen, William G; Cook, Nancy R; Van Denburgh, Martin; Zaharris, Elaine; Albert, Christine M; Manson, JoAnn E

    2018-05-18

    The aim of this study was to determine whether reducing plasma homocysteine concentrations with long-term, combined treatment with folic acid, vitamin B 6 , and vitamin B 12 alters plasma biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in women at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We conducted a blood substudy of 300 treatment-adherent participants (150 in the active treatment group, 150 in the placebo group) in the WAFACS (Women's Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial testing a daily combination of folic acid (2.5 mg), vitamin B 6 (50 mg), vitamin B 12 (1 mg), or matching placebo, in cardiovascular disease prevention among women at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Plasma concentration of 3 biomarkers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and fibrinogen) and a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) were measured at baseline and at the end of treatment and follow-up. After 7.3 years of combined treatment with folic acid, vitamin B 6 , and vitamin B 12 , homocysteine concentrations were reduced by 18% in the active treatment group as compared with the placebo group ( P <0.001). However, there was no difference between treatment groups in change in blood concentration from baseline to follow-up for C-reactive protein ( P =0.77), interleukin-6 ( P =0.91), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 ( P =0.38), or fibrinogen ( P =0.68). These findings indicate that long-term, combined treatment with folic acid, vitamin B 6 , and vitamin B 12 lowers homocysteine concentrations, but does not alter major biomarkers of vascular inflammation, consistent with the lack of clinical cardiovascular disease benefit in the trial. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00000541. © 2018 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

  14. P-Selectin Targeted Dexamethasone-Loaded Lipid Nanoemulsions: A Novel Therapy to Reduce Vascular Inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Simion, Viorel; Constantinescu, Cristina Ana; Stan, Daniela; Deleanu, Mariana; Tucureanu, Monica Madalina; Butoi, Elena; Manduteanu, Ileana; Simionescu, Maya

    2016-01-01

    Inflammation is a common process associated with numerous vascular pathologies. We hypothesized that targeting the inflamed endothelium by coupling a peptide with high affinity for P-selectin to the surface of dexamethasone-loaded lipid nanoemulsions will highly increase their specific binding to activated endothelial cells (EC) and reduce the cell activation. We developed and characterized dexamethasone-loaded lipid nanoemulsions directed towards P-selectin (PLN-Dex) and monitored their anti-inflammatory effects in vitro using cultured EC (EA.hy926 cells) and in vivo using a mouse model of acute inflammation [lipopolysaccharides (LPS) intravenously administered in C57BL/6 mice]. We found that PLN-Dex bound specifically to the surface of activated EC are efficiently internalized by EC and reduced the expression of proinflammatory genes, thus preventing the monocyte adhesion and transmigration to/through activated EC. Given intravenously in mice with acute inflammation, PLN-Dex accumulated at a significant high level in the lungs (compared to nontargeted nanoemulsions) and significantly reduced mRNA expression level of key proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1. In conclusion, the newly developed nanoformulation, PLN-Dex, is functional in vitro and in vivo, reducing selectively the endothelium activation and the consequent monocyte infiltration and diminishing significantly the lungs' inflammation, in a mouse model of acute inflammation. PMID:27703301

  15. Plasma-derived exosomes contribute to inflammation via the TLR9-NF-κB pathway in chronic heart failure patients.

    PubMed

    Ye, Wei; Tang, Xiaojun; Yang, Zhengquan; Liu, Chu; Zhang, Xin; Jin, Jing; Lyu, Jianxin

    2017-07-01

    Exosomes are small vesicles that contain proteins, DNA and RNA, and play an important role in inflammation; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we found increased plasma-derived exosomes in chronic heart failure patients compared with healthy controls. Further, our data demonstrated that plasma-derived exosomes carried mtDNA, and triggered an inflammatory response via the TLR9-NF-κB pathway, as well, the inflammatory effect was closely related to exosomal mtDNA copy number. However, the effect could be blocked by chloroquine (CQ), a TLR9 inhibitor. These findings reveal a new mechanism of exosome-induced inflammation, and provide a new perspective for intervention and treatment of inflammation-related diseases, such as chronic heart failure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. The effects of alcohol on plasma lipid mediators of inflammation resolution in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Barden, Anne; Shinde, Sujata; Phillips, Michael; Beilin, Lawrence; Mas, Emilie; Hodgson, Jonathan M; Puddey, Ian; Mori, Trevor A

    2018-06-01

    Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by peripheral insulin resistance and low-grade systemic inflammation. Inflammation resolution is recognised as an important process driven by specialised pro-resolving mediators of inflammation (SPMs) and has the potential to moderate chronic inflammation. Alcohol has the potential to affect synthesis of SPMs by altering key enzymes involved in SPM synthesis and may influence ongoing inflammation associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. (i) To examine the effects of alcohol consumed as red wine on plasma SPM in men and women with Type 2 diabetes in a randomised controlled trial and (ii) compare baseline plasma SPM levels in the same patients with those of healthy volunteers. Twenty-four patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomized to a three-period crossover study with men drinking red wine 300 ml/day (∼31 g alcohol/day) and women drinking red wine 230 ml/day (∼24 g alcohol/day), or equivalent volumes of dealcoholized red wine (DRW) or water, each for 4 weeks. The SPM 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (18-HEPE), E-series resolvins (Rv) (RvE1-RvE3), 17-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (17-HDHA), and D-series resolvins (RvD1, 17R-RvD1, RvD2, RvD5), 14-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (14-HDHA) and Maresin 1 were measured at the end of each period. A baseline comparison of plasma SPM, hs CRP, lipids and glucose was made with healthy volunteers. Red wine did not differentially affect any of the SPM measured when compared with DRW or water. Baseline levels of the hs-CRP and the SPM 18-HEPE, 17-HDHA, RvD1 and 17R-RvD1 in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were all significantly elevated compared with healthy controls and remained so after adjusting for age and gender. Moderate alcohol consumption as red wine does not alter plasma SPM in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The elevation of SPM levels compared with healthy volunteers may be a homeostatic response to counter ongoing inflammation. Copyright © 2018

  17. In Vitro Dialysis of Cytokine-Rich Plasma With High and Medium Cut-Off Membranes Reduces Its Procalcific Activity.

    PubMed

    Willy, Kevin; Hulko, Michael; Storr, Markus; Speidel, Rose; Gauss, Julia; Schindler, Ralf; Zickler, Daniel

    2017-09-01

    Recently developed high-flux (HF) dialysis membranes with extended permeability provide better clearance of middle-sized molecules such as interleukins (ILs). Whether this modulation of inflammation influences the procalcific effects of septic plasma on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is not known. To assess the effects of high cut-off (HCO) and medium cut-off (MCO) membranes on microinflammation and in vitro vascular calcification we developed a miniature dialysis model. Plasma samples from lipopolysaccharide-spiked blood were dialyzed with HF, HCO, and MCO membranes in an in vitro miniature dialysis model. Afterwards, IL-6 concentrations were determined in dialysate and plasma. Calcifying VSMCs were incubated with dialyzed plasma samples and vascular calcification was assessed. Osteopontin (OPN) and matrix Gla protein (MGP) were measured in VSMC supernatants. IL-6 plasma concentrations were markedly lower with HCO and MCO dialysis. VSMC calcification was significantly lower after incubation with MCO- and HCO-serum compared to HF plasma. MGP and OPN levels in supernatants were significantly lower in the MCO but not in the HCO group compared to HF. In vitro dialysis of cytokine-enriched plasma samples with MCO and HCO membranes reduces IL-6 levels. The induction of vascular calcification by cytokine-enriched plasma is reduced after HCO and MCO dialysis. © 2017 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. Plasma TNF-α Is Associated with Inflammation and Nutrition Status in Community-Dwelling Japanese Elderly.

    PubMed

    Oe, Yukiko; Mochizuki, Kazuki; Miyauchi, Rie; Misaki, Yasumi; Kasezawa, Nobuhiko; Tohyama, Kazushige; Goda, Toshinao

    2015-01-01

    Inflammation has been suggested to play an important role in age-related chronic diseases and disability, and it is associated with nutritional status including obesity and malnutrition. While numerous studies have examined the validity of inflammatory markers in the population studies in Caucasian elderly people, very little information is available for the factors affecting inflammatory markers in Asian elderly people. Among inflammatory markers frequently used for the studies of aging, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is produced mainly by macrophages, and contributes to production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), thus directing a chronic inflammatory process in the body. In the present study, we examined the associations between plasma TNF-α level and several factors related to nutrition status, including BMI, albumin, and energy intake in community-dwelling Japanese elderly. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 390 men and women aged 70-86 y (average 73.5 y), who participated in health check-ups. Associations between plasma TNF-α levels, other clinical parameters, and lifestyle factors were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. In elderly men, plasma TNF-α level was positively associated with age, white blood cell count, monocyte count, plasma CRP level, serum creatinine, ureic acid, and triacylglycerol levels, and negatively associated with albumin/globulin ratio, eGFR, and serum HDL-cholesterol level. In elderly women, plasma TNF-α level was positively associated with age, plasma CRP level, and serum triacylglycerol level, and negatively associated with serum albumin and HDL-cholesterol levels. The results of this study suggest that plasma TNF-α is associated with inflammation and insulin resistance in both Japanese elderly men and women, and a prominent association of TNF-α with malnutrition status was observed in elderly women.

  19. Efficacy of a short-term yoga-based lifestyle intervention in reducing stress and inflammation: preliminary results.

    PubMed

    Yadav, Raj Kumar; Magan, Dipti; Mehta, Nalin; Sharma, Ratna; Mahapatra, Sushil Chandra

    2012-07-01

    Previously it was shown that a brief yoga-based lifestyle intervention was efficacious in reducing oxidative stress and risk of chronic diseases even in a short duration. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of this intervention in reducing stress and inflammation in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. This study reports preliminary results from a nonrandomized prospective ongoing study with pre-post design. The study was conducted at the Integral Health Clinic, an outpatient facility conducting these yoga-based lifestyle intervention programs for prevention and management of chronic diseases. Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases and overweight/obese subjects were included while physically challenged, and those on other interventions were excluded from the study. A pretested intervention program included asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), stress management, group discussions, lectures, and individualized advice. There was a reduction in stress (plasma cortisol and β-endorphin) and inflammation (interleukin [IL]-6 and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) at day 0 versus day 10. Eighty-six (86) patients (44 female, 42 male, 40.07 ± 13.91 years) attended this program. Overall, the mean level of cortisol decreased from baseline to day 10 (149.95 ± 46.07, 129.07 ± 33.30 ng/mL; p=0.001) while β-endorphins increased from baseline to day 10 (3.53 ± 0.88, 4.06 ± 0.79 ng/mL; p=0.024). Also, there was reduction from baseline to day 10 in mean levels of IL-6 (2.16 ± 0.42, 1.94 ± 0.10 pg/mL, p=0.036) and TNF-α (2.85 ± 0.59, 1.95 ± 0.32 pg/mL, p=0.002). This brief yoga-based lifestyle intervention reduced the markers of stress and inflammation as early as 10 days in patients with chronic diseases; however, complete results of this study will confirm whether this program has utility as complementary and alternative therapy.

  20. Increasing the Vegetable Intake Dose Is Associated with a Rise in Plasma Carotenoids without Modifying Oxidative Stress or Inflammation in Overweight or Obese Postmenopausal Women123

    PubMed Central

    Crane, Tracy E.; Kubota, Chieri; West, Julie L.; Kroggel, Mark A.; Wertheim, Betsy C.; Thomson, Cynthia A.

    2011-01-01

    The optimal amount of vegetable consumption required to reduce chronic disease risk is widely debated. Intervention trials evaluating biological activity of vegetables at various doses are limited. We conducted a 3-dose, crossover feeding trial to test the hypothesis that vegetable intake is associated in a dose-dependent manner with increased plasma carotenoids and subsequently reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in 49 overweight, postmenopausal women. Participants were assigned in random order to 2 (130 g), 5 (287 g), and 10 (614 g) daily servings of fresh, greenhouse-grown vegetables for 3-wk intervals with a 4-wk washout period between treatments. Plasma total carotenoids significantly increased from 1.63 to 2.07 μmol/L with a dose of 2 vegetable servings, from 1.49 to 2.84 μmol/L with a dose of 5 vegetable servings, and from 1.40 to 4.42 μmol/L with a dose of 10 vegetable servings (pre-post paired ttests, all P < 0.001). The change during each feeding period increased with each dose level (P < 0.001). Urine concentrations of 8-isoprostane F2α, hexanoyl lysine, and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein were not affected by any administered vegetable dose. In this variable-dose vegetable study, a dose-response for plasma carotenoids was demonstrated without significant change in oxidative stress and inflammation in overweight, postmenopausal women. PMID:21865569

  1. MK2 inhibitor reduces alkali burn-induced inflammation in rat cornea

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Yanfeng; Yang, Wenzhao; Zhang, Xiaobo; Yang, Shu; Peng, Gao; Wu, Ting; Zhou, Yueping; Huang, Caihong; Reinach, Peter S.; Li, Wei; Liu, Zuguo

    2016-01-01

    MK2 activation by p38 MAPK selectively induces inflammation in various diseases. We determined if a MK2 inhibitor (MK2i), improves cornea wound healing by inhibiting inflammation caused by burning rat corneas with alkali. Our study, for the first time, demonstrated that MK2i inhibited alkali burn-induced MK2 activation as well as rises in inflammation based on: a) blunting rises in inflammatory index, inflammatory cell infiltration, ED1+ macrophage and PMN+ neutrophil infiltration; b) suppressing IL-6 and IL-1β gene expression along with those of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1); c) reducing angiogenic gene expression levels and neovascularization (NV) whereas anti-angiogenic PEDF levels increased. In addition, this study found that MK2i did not affect human corneal epithelial cell (HCEC) proliferation and migration and had no detectable side effects on ocular surface integrity. Taken together, MK2i selectively inhibited alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation by blocking MK2 activation, these effects have clinical relevance in the treatment of inflammation related ocular surface diseases. PMID:27329698

  2. Low plasma progranulin levels in children with autism

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background Autoimmunity to brain may play a pathogenic role in autism. In autoimmune disorders, the formation of antigen-antibody complexes triggers an inflammatory response by inducing the infiltration of neutrophils. Local administration of recombinant progranulin, which is an anti-inflammatory neurotrophic factor, potently inhibit neutrophilic inflammation in vivo, demonstrating that progranulin represents a crucial inflammation-suppressing mediator. We are the first to measure plasma progranulin levels in autism. Methods Plasma levels of progranulin were measured, by ELISA, in 40 autistic patients, aged between 3 and 12 years, and 40 healthy-matched children. Results Autistic children had significantly lower plasma progranulin levels, P = 0.001. Reduced plasma progranulin levels were found in 65% (26/40) of autistic children. On the other hand, there was a non significant difference between plasma progranulin levels of children with mild to moderate autism and patients with severe autism, P = 0.11. Conclusions Plasma progranulin levels were reduced in a subgroup of patients with autism. Progranulin insufficiency in some patients with autism may result in many years of reduced neutrotrophic support together with cumulative damage in association with dysregulated inflammation that may have a role in autism. However, these data should be treated with caution until further investigations are performed, with a larger subject population, to determine whether the decrease of plasma progranulin levels is a mere consequence of autism or has a pathogenic role in the disease. The role of progranulin therapy should also be studied in autism. PMID:21892962

  3. Low plasma progranulin levels in children with autism.

    PubMed

    Al-Ayadhi, Laila Y; Mostafa, Gehan A

    2011-09-05

    Autoimmunity to brain may play a pathogenic role in autism. In autoimmune disorders, the formation of antigen-antibody complexes triggers an inflammatory response by inducing the infiltration of neutrophils. Local administration of recombinant progranulin, which is an anti-inflammatory neurotrophic factor, potently inhibit neutrophilic inflammation in vivo, demonstrating that progranulin represents a crucial inflammation-suppressing mediator. We are the first to measure plasma progranulin levels in autism. Plasma levels of progranulin were measured, by ELISA, in 40 autistic patients, aged between 3 and 12 years, and 40 healthy-matched children. Autistic children had significantly lower plasma progranulin levels, P = 0.001. Reduced plasma progranulin levels were found in 65% (26/40) of autistic children.On the other hand, there was a non significant difference between plasma progranulin levels of children with mild to moderate autism and patients with severe autism, P = 0.11. Plasma progranulin levels were reduced in a subgroup of patients with autism. Progranulin insufficiency in some patients with autism may result in many years of reduced neutrotrophic support together with cumulative damage in association with dysregulated inflammation that may have a role in autism. However, these data should be treated with caution until further investigations are performed, with a larger subject population, to determine whether the decrease of plasma progranulin levels is a mere consequence of autism or has a pathogenic role in the disease. The role of progranulin therapy should also be studied in autism.

  4. Resolvin D3 Is Dysregulated in Arthritis and Reduces Arthritic Inflammation.

    PubMed

    Arnardottir, Hildur H; Dalli, Jesmond; Norling, Lucy V; Colas, Romain A; Perretti, Mauro; Serhan, Charles N

    2016-09-15

    Uncontrolled inflammation is a unifying component of many chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. Resolvins (Rvs) are a new family from the endogenous specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) that actively stimulate resolution of inflammation. In this study, using lipid mediator metabololipidomics with murine joints we found a temporal regulation of endogenous SPMs during self-resolving inflammatory arthritis. The SPMs present in self-resolving arthritic joints include the D-series Rvs, for example, RvD1, RvD2, RvD3, and RvD4. Of note, RvD3 levels were reduced in inflamed joints from mice with delayed-resolving arthritis when compared with self-resolving inflammatory arthritis. RvD3 was also reduced in serum from rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with healthy controls. RvD3 administration reduced joint leukocytes as well as paw joint eicosanoids, clinical scores, and edema. Taken together, these findings provide evidence for dysregulated endogenous RvD3 levels in inflamed paw joints and its potent actions in reducing murine arthritis. Copyright © 2016 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

  5. Resolvin D3 is dysregulated in arthritis and reduces arthritic inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Arnardottir, Hildur H.; Dalli, Jesmond; Norling, Lucy V.; Colas, Romain A.; Perretti, Mauro; Serhan, Charles N.

    2016-01-01

    Uncontrolled inflammation is a unifying component of many chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. Resolvins (Rv) are a new family from the endogenous specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPM) that actively stimulate resolution of inflammation. Herein, using lipid mediator (LM) metabololipidomics with murine joints we found a temporal regulation of endogenous SPM during self-resolving inflammatory arthritis. The SPMs present in self-resolving arthritic joints include the D-series resolvins, e.g. Resolvin (Rv) D1, RvD2, RvD3 and RvD4. Of note, RvD3 levels were reduced in inflamed joints from mice with delayed-resolving arthritis when compared to self-resolving inflammatory arthritis. RvD3 was also reduced in serum from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to healthy controls. RvD3 administration reduced joint leukocytes as well as paw joint eicosanoids, clinical scores and edema. Together, these findings provide evidence for dysregulated endogenous RvD3 levels in inflamed paw joints and its potent actions in reducing murine arthritis. PMID:27534559

  6. General intelligence is associated with subclinical inflammation in Nepalese children: A population-based plasma proteomics study.

    PubMed

    Lee, Sun Eun; West, Keith P; Cole, Robert N; Schulze, Kerry J; Wu, Lee Shu-Fune; Yager, James D; Groopman, John; Christian, Parul

    2016-08-01

    Improving child cognition in impoverished countries is a public health priority. Yet, biological pathways and associated biomarkers of impaired cognition remain poorly understood and largely unknown, respectively. This study aimed to explore and quantify associations between functional plasma protein biomarkers and childhood intellectual test performance. We applied proteomics to quantify proteins in plasma samples of 249 rural Nepalese children, 6-8years of age who, 1year later at 7-9years of age, were administered the Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT). Among 751 plasma proteins quantified, 22 were associated with UNIT scores, passing a false discovery rate threshold of 5.0% (q<0.05). UNIT scores were higher by 2.3-9.2 points for every 50% increase in relative abundance of two insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), six subclasses of apolipoprotein (Apo) and transthyretin, and lower by 4.0-15.3 points for each 50% increase in relative abundance of 13 proteins predominantly involved in inflammation. Among them, IGFBP-acid labile subunit, orosomucoid 1 (ORM1), Apo C-I, and pyruvate kinase isoenzymes M1/M2 jointly explained 37% of the variance in UNIT scores. After additional adjustment for height-for-age Z-score and household socio-economic status as indicators of long-term nutritional and social stress, associations with 6 proteins involved in inflammation, including ORM1, α-1-antichymotrypsin, reticulocalbin 1, and 3 components of the complement cascade, remained significant (q<0.05). Using untargeted proteomics, stable, constitutive facets of subclinical inflammation were associated with lower developmental test performance in this rural South Asian child population. Plasma proteomics may offer opportunities to identify functional, antecedent biomarkers of child cognitive development. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Increased plasma selenium is associated with better outcomes in children with systemic inflammation.

    PubMed

    Leite, Heitor Pons; Nogueira, Paulo Cesar Koch; Iglesias, Simone Brasil de Oliveira; de Oliveira, Susyane Vieira; Sarni, Roseli Oselka Saccardo

    2015-03-01

    The aim of this study was to assess the effects of changes in plasma selenium on the outcome of critically ill children. Plasma selenium was prospectively measured in 99 children with acute systemic inflammation. The exposure variables were selenium level on admission and on day 5 of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the difference in selenium concentrations between day 5 post-admission and the ICU admission (delta selenium). Selenium was given only as part of enteral diets. Age, malnutrition, red cell glutathione peroxidase-1 activity, serum C-reactive protein, Pediatric Index of Mortality 2, and Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction scores were analyzed as covariates. The outcome variables were ventilator-free days, ICU-free days, and 28-d mortality. Plasma selenium concentrations increased from admission (median 23.4 μg/L, interquartile range 12.0-30.8) to day 5 (median 25.1 μg/L, interquartile range 16.0-39.0; P = 0.018). After adjustment for confounding factors, a delta selenium increase of 10 μg/L was associated with reductions in ventilator days (1.3 d; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2-2.3; P = 0.017) and ICU days (1.4 d; 95% CI, 0.5-2.3; P < 0.01). Delta selenium >0 was associated with decreased 28-d mortality on a univariate model (odds ratio, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.46-0.97; P = 0.036). The mean daily selenium intake (6.82 μg; range 0-48.66 μg) was correlated with the increase in selenium concentrations on day 5. An increase in plasma selenium is independently associated with shorter times of ventilation and ICU stay in children with systemic inflammation. These findings raise the hypothesis that selenium supplementation could be beneficial in children with critical illnesses. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Attenuation of Congenital Portosystemic Shunt Reduces Inflammation in Dogs

    PubMed Central

    Tivers, Michael S.; Handel, Ian; Gow, Adam G.; Lipscomb, Victoria J.; Jalan, Rajiv; Mellanby, Richard J.

    2015-01-01

    haematological and biochemical indices of inflammation reduce following successful treatment of the underlying liver disorder. PMID:25658922

  9. Biomarkers of systemic inflammation in farmers with musculoskeletal disorders; a plasma proteomic study.

    PubMed

    Ghafouri, Bijar; Carlsson, Anders; Holmberg, Sara; Thelin, Anders; Tagesson, Christer

    2016-05-10

    Farmers have an increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) such as osteoarthritis of the hip, low back pain, and neck and upper limb complaints. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Work-related exposures and inflammatory responses might be involved. Our objective was to identify plasma proteins that differentiated farmers with MSD from rural referents. Plasma samples from 13 farmers with MSD and rural referents were included in the investigation. Gel based proteomics was used for protein analysis and proteins that differed significantly between the groups were identified by mass spectrometry. In total, 15 proteins differed significantly between the groups. The levels of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein, haptoglobin, complement factor B, serotransferrin, one isoform of kininogen, one isoform of alpha-1-antitrypsin, and two isoforms of hemopexin were higher in farmers with MSD than in referents. On the other hand, the levels of alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein, alpha-1B-glycoprotein, vitamin D- binding protein, apolipoprotein A1, antithrombin, one isoform of kininogen, and one isoform of alpha-1-antitrypsin were lower in farmers than in referents. Many of the identified proteins are known to be involved in inflammation. Farmers with MSD had altered plasma levels of protein biomarkers compared to the referents, indicating that farmers with MSD may be subject to a more systemic inflammation. It is possible that the identified differences of proteins may give clues to the biochemical changes occurring during the development and progression of MSD in farmers, and that one or several of these protein biomarkers might eventually be used to identify and prevent work-related MSD.

  10. Propolis reduces Leishmania amazonensis-induced inflammation in the liver of BALB/c mice.

    PubMed

    da Silva, Suelen S; Mizokami, Sandra S; Fanti, Jacqueline R; Miranda, Milena M; Kawakami, Natalia Y; Teixeira, Fernanda Humel; Araújo, Eduardo J A; Panis, Carolina; Watanabe, Maria A E; Sforcin, José M; Pavanelli, Wander R; Verri, Waldiceu A; Felipe, Ionice; Conchon-Costa, Ivete

    2016-04-01

    Experimental models of mouse paw infection with L. amazonensis show an induction of a strong inflammatory response in the skin, and parasitic migration may occur to secondary organs with consequent tissue injury. There are few studies focusing on the resolution of damage in secondary organs caused by Leishmania species-related cutaneous leishmaniasis. We investigated the propolis treatment effect on liver inflammation induced by Leishmania amazonensis infection in the mouse paw. BALB/c mice were infected in the hind paw with L. amazonensis (10(7)) promastigote forms. After 15 days, animals were treated daily with propolis (5 mg/kg), Glucantime (10 mg/kg), or with propolis plus Glucantime combined. After 60 days, mice were euthanized and livers were collected for inflammatory process analysis. Liver microscopic analysis showed that propolis reduced the inflammatory process compared to untreated infected control. There was a decrease of liver myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activity levels, collagen fiber deposition, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and plasma aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels. Furthermore, propolis treatment enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokine levels and reversed hepatosplenomegaly. Our data demonstrated that daily low doses of Brazilian propolis reduced the secondary chronic inflammatory process in the liver caused by L. amazonensis subcutaneous infection in a susceptible mice strain.

  11. Plasma levels of soluble interleukin 1 receptor accessory protein are reduced in obesity.

    PubMed

    Bozaoglu, Kiymet; Attard, Chantal; Kulkarni, Hemant; Cummings, Nik; Diego, Vincent P; Carless, Melanie A; Shields, Katherine A; Johnson, Matthew P; Kowlessur, Sudhir; Dyer, Thomas D; Comuzzie, Anthony G; Almasy, Laura; Zimmet, Paul; Moses, Eric K; Göring, Harald H H; Curran, Joanne E; Blangero, John; Jowett, Jeremy B M

    2014-09-01

    Adipokines actuate chronic, low-grade inflammation through a complex network of immune markers, but the current understanding of these networks is incomplete. The soluble isoform of the IL-1 receptor accessory protein (sIL1RAP) occupies an important position in the inflammatory pathways involved in obesity. The pathogenetic and clinical influences of sIL1RAP are unknown. The objective of the study was to elucidate whether plasma levels of sIL1RAP are reduced in obesity, using affluent clinical, biochemical, and genetic data from two diverse cohorts. The study was conducted in two cohorts: the San Antonio Family Heart Study (n = 1397 individuals from 42 families) and South Asians living in Mauritius, n = 230). Plasma sIL1RAP levels were measured using an ELISA. The genetic basis of sIL1RAP levels were investigated using both a large-scale gene expression profiling study and a genome-wide association study. A significant decrease in plasma sIL1RAP levels were observed in obese subjects, even after adjustment for age and sex. The sIL1RAP levels demonstrated a strong inverse association with obesity measures in both populations. All associations were more significant in females. Plasma sIL1RAP levels were significantly heritable, correlated with IL1RAP transcript levels (NM_134470), showed evidence for shared genetic influences with obesity measures and were significantly associated with the rs2885373 single-nucleotide polymorphism (P = 6.7 × 10(-23)) within the IL1RAP gene. Plasma sIL1RAP levels are reduced in obesity and can potentially act as biomarkers of obesity. Mechanistic studies are required to understand the exact contribution of sIL1RAP to the pathogenesis of obesity.

  12. Plasma Levels of Soluble Interleukin 1 Receptor Accessory Protein Are Reduced in Obesity

    PubMed Central

    Attard, Chantal; Kulkarni, Hemant; Cummings, Nik; Diego, Vincent P.; Carless, Melanie A.; Shields, Katherine A.; Johnson, Matthew P.; Kowlessur, Sudhir; Dyer, Thomas D.; Comuzzie, Anthony G.; Almasy, Laura; Zimmet, Paul; Moses, Eric K.; Göring, Harald H. H.; Curran, Joanne E.; Blangero, John; Jowett, Jeremy B. M.

    2014-01-01

    Context: Adipokines actuate chronic, low-grade inflammation through a complex network of immune markers, but the current understanding of these networks is incomplete. The soluble isoform of the IL-1 receptor accessory protein (sIL1RAP) occupies an important position in the inflammatory pathways involved in obesity. The pathogenetic and clinical influences of sIL1RAP are unknown. Objective: The objective of the study was to elucidate whether plasma levels of sIL1RAP are reduced in obesity, using affluent clinical, biochemical, and genetic data from two diverse cohorts. Design, Setting, and Participants: The study was conducted in two cohorts: the San Antonio Family Heart Study (n = 1397 individuals from 42 families) and South Asians living in Mauritius, n = 230). Main Outcome Measures: Plasma sIL1RAP levels were measured using an ELISA. The genetic basis of sIL1RAP levels were investigated using both a large-scale gene expression profiling study and a genome-wide association study. Results: A significant decrease in plasma sIL1RAP levels were observed in obese subjects, even after adjustment for age and sex. The sIL1RAP levels demonstrated a strong inverse association with obesity measures in both populations. All associations were more significant in females. Plasma sIL1RAP levels were significantly heritable, correlated with IL1RAP transcript levels (NM_134470), showed evidence for shared genetic influences with obesity measures and were significantly associated with the rs2885373 single-nucleotide polymorphism (P = 6.7 × 10−23) within the IL1RAP gene. Conclusions: Plasma sIL1RAP levels are reduced in obesity and can potentially act as biomarkers of obesity. Mechanistic studies are required to understand the exact contribution of sIL1RAP to the pathogenesis of obesity. PMID:24915116

  13. INCORPORATION OF LABELED NITRIC OXIDE INTO RESPIRATORY TRACT LINING FLUIDS AND BLOOD PLASMA DURING LUNG INFLAMMATION

    EPA Science Inventory

    Incorporation of labeled nitric oxide (N18O) into respiratory tract lining fluids and blood plasma during lung inflammation. Slade, R., Norwood, J., Crissman, K., McKee, J., Hatch, G. PTB, ETD, NHEERL, ORD, USEPA, Res. Tri. Pk., NC

    Our earlier studies have demonstrated t...

  14. Apocynin and ebselen reduce influenza A virus-induced lung inflammation in cigarette smoke-exposed mice.

    PubMed

    Oostwoud, L C; Gunasinghe, P; Seow, H J; Ye, J M; Selemidis, S; Bozinovski, S; Vlahos, R

    2016-02-15

    Influenza A virus (IAV) infections are a common cause of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Oxidative stress is increased in COPD, IAV-induced lung inflammation and AECOPD. Therefore, we investigated whether targeting oxidative stress with the Nox2 oxidase inhibitors and ROS scavengers, apocynin and ebselen could ameliorate lung inflammation in a mouse model of AECOPD. Male BALB/c mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) generated from 9 cigarettes per day for 4 days. On day 5, mice were infected with 1 × 10(4.5) PFUs of the IAV Mem71 (H3N1). BALF inflammation, viral titers, superoxide production and whole lung cytokine, chemokine and protease mRNA expression were assessed 3 and 7 days post infection. IAV infection resulted in a greater increase in BALF inflammation in mice that had been exposed to CS compared to non-smoking mice. This increase in BALF inflammation in CS-exposed mice caused by IAV infection was associated with elevated gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and proteases, compared to CS alone mice. Apocynin and ebselen significantly reduced the exacerbated BALF inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokine, chemokine and protease expression caused by IAV infection in CS mice. Targeting oxidative stress using apocynin and ebselen reduces IAV-induced lung inflammation in CS-exposed mice and may be therapeutically exploited to alleviate AECOPD.

  15. Early sepsis does not stimulate reactive oxygen species production and does not reduce cardiac function despite an increased inflammation status.

    PubMed

    Léger, Thibault; Charrier, Alice; Moreau, Clarisse; Hininger-Favier, Isabelle; Mourmoura, Evangelia; Rigaudière, Jean-Paul; Pitois, Elodie; Bouvier, Damien; Sapin, Vincent; Pereira, Bruno; Azarnoush, Kasra; Demaison, Luc

    2017-07-01

    If it is sustained for several days, sepsis can trigger severe abnormalities of cardiac function which leads to death in 50% of cases. This probably occurs through activation of toll-like receptor-9 by bacterial lipopolysaccharides and overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF- α and IL-1 β In contrast, early sepsis is characterized by the development of tachycardia. This study aimed at determining the early changes in the cardiac function during sepsis and at finding the mechanism responsible for the observed changes. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups, the first one being made septic by cecal ligation and puncture (sepsis group) and the second one being subjected to the same surgery without cecal ligation and puncture (sham-operated group). The cardiac function was assessed in vivo and ex vivo in standard conditions. Several parameters involved in the oxidative stress and inflammation were determined in the plasma and heart. As evidenced by the plasma level of TNF- α and gene expression of IL-1 β and TNF- α in the heart, inflammation was developed in the sepsis group. The cardiac function was also slightly stimulated by sepsis in the in vivo and ex vivo situations. This was associated with unchanged levels of oxidative stress, but several parameters indicated a lower cardiac production of reactive oxygen species in the septic group. In conclusion, despite the development of inflammation, early sepsis did not increase reactive oxygen species production and did not reduce myocardial function. The depressant effect of TNF- α and IL-1 β on the cardiac function is known to occur at very high concentrations. The influence of low- to moderate-grade inflammation on the myocardial mechanical behavior must thus be revisited. © 2017 French National Institute of Agronomical Research (INRA). Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.

  16. Previous Exercise Training Reduces Markers of Renal Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Female Rats.

    PubMed

    Amaral, Liliany Souza de Brito; Souza, Cláudia Silva; Volpini, Rildo Aparecido; Shimizu, Maria Heloisa Massola; de Bragança, Ana Carolina; Canale, Daniele; Seguro, Antonio Carlos; Coimbra, Terezila Machado; de Magalhães, Amélia Cristina Mendes; Soares, Telma de Jesus

    2018-01-01

    The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of regular moderate exercise training initiated previously or after induction of diabetes mellitus on renal oxidative stress and inflammation in STZ-induced diabetic female rats. For this purpose, Wistar rats were divided into five groups: sedentary control (SC), trained control (TC), sedentary diabetic (SD), trained diabetic (TD), and previously trained diabetic (PTD). Only the PTD group was submitted to treadmill running for 4 weeks previously to DM induction with streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, i.v). After confirming diabetes, the PTD, TD, and TC groups were submitted to eight weeks of exercise training. At the end of the training protocol, we evaluated the following: glycosuria, body weight gain, plasma, renal and urinary levels of nitric oxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, renal glutathione, and immunolocalization of lymphocytes, macrophages, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- κ B/p65) in the renal cortex. The results showed that exercise training reduced glycosuria, renal TBARS levels, and the number of immune cells in the renal tissue of the TD and PTD groups. Of note, only previous exercise increased weight gain and urinary/renal NO levels and reduced NF- κ B (p65) immunostaining in the renal cortex of the PTD group. In conclusion, our study shows that exercise training, especially when initiated previously to diabetes induction, promotes protective effects in diabetic kidney by reduction of renal oxidative stress and inflammation markers in female Wistar rats.

  17. Previous Exercise Training Reduces Markers of Renal Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Female Rats

    PubMed Central

    Souza, Cláudia Silva; Volpini, Rildo Aparecido; Shimizu, Maria Heloisa Massola; de Bragança, Ana Carolina; Canale, Daniele; Seguro, Antonio Carlos; Coimbra, Terezila Machado; de Magalhães, Amélia Cristina Mendes

    2018-01-01

    The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of regular moderate exercise training initiated previously or after induction of diabetes mellitus on renal oxidative stress and inflammation in STZ-induced diabetic female rats. For this purpose, Wistar rats were divided into five groups: sedentary control (SC), trained control (TC), sedentary diabetic (SD), trained diabetic (TD), and previously trained diabetic (PTD). Only the PTD group was submitted to treadmill running for 4 weeks previously to DM induction with streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, i.v). After confirming diabetes, the PTD, TD, and TC groups were submitted to eight weeks of exercise training. At the end of the training protocol, we evaluated the following: glycosuria, body weight gain, plasma, renal and urinary levels of nitric oxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, renal glutathione, and immunolocalization of lymphocytes, macrophages, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB/p65) in the renal cortex. The results showed that exercise training reduced glycosuria, renal TBARS levels, and the number of immune cells in the renal tissue of the TD and PTD groups. Of note, only previous exercise increased weight gain and urinary/renal NO levels and reduced NF-κB (p65) immunostaining in the renal cortex of the PTD group. In conclusion, our study shows that exercise training, especially when initiated previously to diabetes induction, promotes protective effects in diabetic kidney by reduction of renal oxidative stress and inflammation markers in female Wistar rats. PMID:29785400

  18. Plasma biomarkers of liver injury and inflammation demonstrate a lack of apoptosis during obstructive cholestasis in mice

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Woolbright, Benjamin L.; Antoine, Daniel J.; Jenkins, Rosalind E.

    Cholestasis is a pathological common component of numerous liver diseases that results in hepatotoxicity, inflammation, and cirrhosis when untreated. While the predominant hypothesis in cholestatic liver injury remains hepatocyte apoptosis due to direct toxicity of hydrophobic bile acid exposure, recent work suggests that the injury occurs through inflammatory necrosis. In order to resolve this controversy, we used novel plasma biomarkers to assess the mechanisms of cell death during early cholestatic liver injury. C57Bl/6 mice underwent bile duct ligation (BDL) for 6–72 h, or sham operation. Another group of mice were given D-galactosamine and endotoxin as a positive control for apoptosismore » and inflammatory necrosis. Plasma levels of full length cytokeratin-18 (FL-K18), microRNA-122 (miR-122) and high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) increased progressively after BDL with peak levels observed after 48 h. These results indicate extensive cell necrosis after BDL, which is supported by the time course of plasma alanine aminotransferase activities and histology. In contrast, plasma caspase-3 activity, cleaved caspase-3 protein and caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 fragments (cK18) were not elevated at any time during BDL suggesting the absence of apoptosis. In contrast, all plasma biomarkers of necrosis and apoptosis were elevated 6 h after Gal/End treatment. In addition, acetylated HMGB1, a marker for macrophage and monocyte activation, was increased as early as 12 h but mainly at 48–72 h. However, progressive neutrophil accumulation in the area of necrosis started at 6 h after BDL. In conclusion, these data indicate that early cholestatic liver injury in mice is an inflammatory event, and occurs through necrosis with little evidence for apoptosis. - Highlights: • The mechanism of cell death during cholestasis remains a controversial topic. • Plasma biomarkers offer new insight into cell death after bile duct ligation. • Cytokeratin-18, microRNA-122

  19. Atorvastatin Reduces Plasma Levels of Chemokine (CXCL10) in Patients with Crohn's Disease

    PubMed Central

    Grip, Olof; Janciauskiene, Sabina

    2009-01-01

    Background In Crohn's disease high tissue expression and serum levels of chemokines and their receptors are known to correlate with disease activity. Because statins can reduce chemokine expression in patients with coronary diseases, we wanted to test whether this can be achieved in patients with Crohn's disease. Methodology/Principal Findings We investigated plasma levels of chemokines (CCL2, CCL4, CCL11, CCL13, CCL17, CCL22, CCL26, CXCL8, CXCL10) and endothelial cytokines (sP-selectin, sE-selectin, sICAM-3, thrombomodulin) in ten Crohn's disease patients before and after thirteen weeks' daily treatment with 80 mg atorvastatin. Of the 13 substances investigated, only CXCL10 was found to be significantly reduced (by 34%, p = 0.026) in all of the treated patients. Levels of CXCL10 correlated with C-reactive protein (r = 0.82, p<0.01). Conclusions/Significance CXCL10 is a ligand for the CXCR3 receptor, the activation of which results in the recruitment of T lymphocytes and the perpetuation of mucosal inflammation. Hence the reduction of plasma CXCL10 levels by atorvastatin may represent a candidate for an approach to the treatment of Crohns disease in the future. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00454545 PMID:19421322

  20. Inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption decreases atherosclerosis but not adipose tissue inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Umemoto, Tomio; Subramanian, Savitha; Ding, Yilei; Goodspeed, Leela; Wang, Shari; Han, Chang Yeop; Teresa, Antonio Sta.; Kim, Jinkyu; O'Brien, Kevin D.; Chait, Alan

    2012-01-01

    Adipose tissue inflammation is associated with insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular disease risk in obesity. We previously showed that addition of cholesterol to a diet rich in saturated fat and refined carbohydrate significantly worsens dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, adipose tissue macrophage accumulation, systemic inflammation, and atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient (Ldlr−/−) mice. To test whether inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption would improve metabolic abnormalities and adipose tissue inflammation in obesity, we administered ezetimibe, a dietary and endogenous cholesterol absorption inhibitor, to Ldlr−/− mice fed chow or high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diets without or with 0.15% cholesterol (HFHS+C). Ezetimibe blunted weight gain and markedly reduced plasma lipids in the HFHS+C group. Ezetimibe had no effect on glucose homeostasis or visceral adipose tissue macrophage gene expression in the HFHS+C fed mice, although circulating inflammatory markers serum amyloid A (SSA) and serum amyloid P (SSP) levels decreased. Nevertheless, ezetimibe treatment led to a striking (>85%) reduction in atherosclerotic lesion area with reduced lesion lipid and macrophage content in the HFHS+C group. Thus, in the presence of dietary cholesterol, ezetimibe did not improve adipose tissue inflammation in obese Ldlr−/− mice, but it led to a major reduction in atherosclerotic lesions associated with improved plasma lipids and lipoproteins. PMID:22956784

  1. Evaluation of plasma fibrinogen concentration as a diagnostic indicator of inflammation in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans).

    PubMed

    Moore, A Russell; Allender, Matthew C; Mitchell, Mark A; MacNeill, Amy L

    2015-01-15

    To critically evaluate plasma fibrinogen concentration as a diagnostic indicator of inflammation in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Prospective induced-disease model and prospective cross-sectional study. Plasma samples from 12 purpose-bred red-eared sliders and 153 farm-raised red-eared sliders. A modification of the Jacobsson method was developed to measure fibrinogen concentration in platelet-poor plasma from red-eared sliders. Purpose-bred turtles had been inoculated with a ranavirus (n = 4) or sterile PBS solution (8) as part of another study. Farm-raised red-eared sliders were categorized as healthy (n = 138) or overtly ill (15) on the basis of physical examination findings at the time of blood sample collection. Samples from 124 of the 138 healthy red-eared sliders were used to establish a fibrinogen concentration reference interval as measured by the modified Jacobsson method. Fibrinogen concentrations in ranavirus-infected and physically ill turtles were compared with those of healthy turtles to determine whether fibrinogen concentration would be a useful diagnostic indicator of inflammation in red-eared sliders. The modified Jacobsson method was reliably used to measure fibrinogen concentration. The fibrinogen concentration reference interval from healthy reproductively active female red-eared sliders was right skewed. Fibrinogen concentration did not differ significantly between healthy red-eared sliders and ranavirus-infected or overtly ill red-eared sliders. A reference interval for red-eared slider plasma fibrinogen concentration was established and partitioned by sex to account for considerable right skewing observed for females. Fibrinogen concentration was not a useful indicator of inflammation in red-eared sliders with ranavirus infection or other overt illnesses.

  2. Dexpanthenol enhances skin barrier repair and reduces inflammation after sodium lauryl sulphate-induced irritation.

    PubMed

    Proksch, E; Nissen, H P

    2002-12-01

    Dexpanthenol-containing creams have been widely used for treatment of lesions (superficial wounds) of the skin and mucous membranes. Dexpanthenol is converted in tissues to pantothenic acid, a component of coenzyme A. Coenzyme A catalyses early steps in the synthesis of fatty acids and sphingolipids which are of crucial importance for stratum corneum lipid bilayers and cell membrane integrity. In the present study, the effects were examined of a dexpanthenol-containing cream on skin barrier repair, stratum corneum hydration, skin roughness, and inflammation after sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)-induced irritation. Irritation was induced by application of SLS in patch test chambers. The dexpanthenol-contaming cream or the vehicle were applied twice daily and barrier repair, hydration, roughness, and inflammation of the skin were determined by using biophysical methods. Significantly accelerated skin barrier repair was found in treatments with the dexpanthenol-containing cream (verum) compared with vehicle-treated (placebo) or untreated skin. Both verum and placebo showed an increase in stratum corneum hydration, but significantly more so with the dexpanthenol-containing cream. Both creams reduced skin roughness, but again the verum was superior. The dexpanthenol-containing cream significantly reduced skin redness as a sign of inflammation in contrast to the vehicle, which produced no effect. Treatment with a dexpanthenol-containing cream showed significantly enhanced skin barrier repair and stratum corneum hydration, while reducing skin roughness and inflammation.

  3. Reduced absorption and enhanced synthesis of cholesterol in patients with cystic fibrosis: a preliminary study of plasma sterols.

    PubMed

    Gelzo, Monica; Sica, Concetta; Elce, Ausilia; Dello Russo, Antonio; Iacotucci, Paola; Carnovale, Vincenzo; Raia, Valeria; Salvatore, Donatello; Corso, Gaetano; Castaldo, Giuseppe

    2016-09-01

    Low cholesterol is typically observed in the plasma of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) contrasting with the subcellular accumulation of cholesterol demonstrated in CF cells and in mice models. However, the homeostasis of cholesterol has not been well investigated in patients with CF. We studied the plasma of 26 patients with CF and 33 unaffected controls campesterol and β-sitosterol as markers of intestinal absorption and lathosterol as a marker of de novo cholesterol biosynthesis by gas chromatography (GC-FID and GC-MS). Plasma campesterol and β-sitosterol results were significantly (p=0.01) lower while plasma lathosterol was significantly higher (p=0.001) in patients with CF as compared to control subjects. Plasma cholesterol results were significantly lower (p=0.01) in CF patients. Our data suggest that the impaired intestinal absorption of exogenous sterols in patients with CF stimulates the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol, but the levels of total cholesterol in plasma remain lower. This may be due to the CFTR dysfunction that reduces cholesterol blood excretion causing the accumulation of cholesterol in liver cells and in other tissues contributing to trigger CF chronic inflammation.

  4. Anti-aging drugs reduce hypothalamic inflammation in a sex-specific manner.

    PubMed

    Sadagurski, Marianna; Cady, Gillian; Miller, Richard A

    2017-08-01

    Aging leads to hypothalamic inflammation, but does so more slowly in mice whose lifespan has been extended by mutations that affect GH/IGF-1 signals. Early-life exposure to GH by injection, or to nutrient restriction in the first 3 weeks of life, also modulate both lifespan and the pace of hypothalamic inflammation. Three drugs extend lifespan of UM-HET3 mice in a sex-specific way: acarbose (ACA), 17-α-estradiol (17αE2), and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), with more dramatic longevity increases in males in each case. In this study, we examined the effect of these anti-aging drugs on neuro-inflammation in hypothalamus and hippocampus. We found that age-associated hypothalamic inflammation is reduced in males but not in females at 12 months of age by ACA and 17αE2 and at 22 months of age in NDGA-treated mice. The three drugs blocked indices of hypothalamic reactive gliosis associated with aging, such as Iba-1-positive microglia and GFAP-positive astrocytes, as well as age-associated overproduction of TNF-α. This effect was not observed in drug-treated female mice or in the hippocampus of the drug-treated animals. On the other hand, caloric restriction (CR; an intervention that extends the lifespan in both sexes) significantly reduced hypothalamic microglia and TNF-α in both sexes at 12 months of age. Together, these results suggest that the extent of drug-induced changes in hypothalamic inflammatory processes is sexually dimorphic in a pattern that parallels the effects of these agents on mouse longevity and that mimics the changes seen, in both sexes, of long-lived nutrient restricted or mutant mice. © 2017 The Authors. Aging Cell published by the Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  5. Rifaximin Reduces Markers of Inflammation and Bacterial 16S rRNA in Zambian Adults with Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis: A Randomized Control Trial.

    PubMed

    Sinkala, Edford; Zyambo, Kanekwa; Besa, Ellen; Kaonga, Patrick; Nsokolo, Bright; Kayamba, Violet; Vinikoor, Michael; Zulu, Rabison; Bwalya, Martin; Foster, Graham R; Kelly, Paul

    2018-04-01

    Cirrhosis is the dominant cause of portal hypertension globally but may be overshadowed by hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) in the tropics. In Zambia, schistosomiasis seroprevalence can reach 88% in endemic areas. Bacterial translocation (BT) drives portal hypertension in cirrhosis contributing to mortality but remains unexplored in HSS. Rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic may reduce BT. We aimed to explore the influence of rifaximin on BT, inflammation, and fibrosis in HSS. In this phase II open-label trial (ISRCTN67590499), 186 patients with HSS in Zambia were evaluated and 85 were randomized to standard care with or without rifaximin for 42 days. Changes in markers of inflammation, BT, and fibrosis were the primary outcomes. BT was measured using plasma 16S rRNA, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and lipopolysaccharide, whereas hyaluronan was used to measure fibrosis. Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14) assessed inflammation. 16S rRNA reduced from baseline (median 146 copies/µL, interquartile range [IQR] 9, 537) to day 42 in the rifaximin group (median 63 copies/µL, IQR 12, 196), P < 0.01. The rise in sCD14 was lower ( P < 0.01) in the rifaximin group (median rise 122 ng/mL, IQR-184, 783) than in the non-rifaximin group (median rise 832 ng/mL, IQR 530, 967). TNFR1 decreased ( P < 0.01) in the rifaximin group (median -39 ng/mL IQR-306, 563) but increased in the non-rifaximin group (median 166 ng/mL, IQR 3, 337). Other markers remained unaffected. Rifaximin led to a reduction of inflammatory markers and bacterial 16S rRNA which may implicate BT in the inflammation in HSS.

  6. Rifaximin Reduces Markers of Inflammation and Bacterial 16S rRNA in Zambian Adults with Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis: A Randomized Control Trial

    PubMed Central

    Sinkala, Edford; Zyambo, Kanekwa; Besa, Ellen; Kaonga, Patrick; Nsokolo, Bright; Kayamba, Violet; Vinikoor, Michael; Zulu, Rabison; Bwalya, Martin; Foster, Graham R.; Kelly, Paul

    2018-01-01

    Abstract. Cirrhosis is the dominant cause of portal hypertension globally but may be overshadowed by hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) in the tropics. In Zambia, schistosomiasis seroprevalence can reach 88% in endemic areas. Bacterial translocation (BT) drives portal hypertension in cirrhosis contributing to mortality but remains unexplored in HSS. Rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic may reduce BT. We aimed to explore the influence of rifaximin on BT, inflammation, and fibrosis in HSS. In this phase II open-label trial (ISRCTN67590499), 186 patients with HSS in Zambia were evaluated and 85 were randomized to standard care with or without rifaximin for 42 days. Changes in markers of inflammation, BT, and fibrosis were the primary outcomes. BT was measured using plasma 16S rRNA, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and lipopolysaccharide, whereas hyaluronan was used to measure fibrosis. Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14) assessed inflammation. 16S rRNA reduced from baseline (median 146 copies/µL, interquartile range [IQR] 9, 537) to day 42 in the rifaximin group (median 63 copies/µL, IQR 12, 196), P < 0.01. The rise in sCD14 was lower (P < 0.01) in the rifaximin group (median rise 122 ng/mL, IQR-184, 783) than in the non-rifaximin group (median rise 832 ng/mL, IQR 530, 967). TNFR1 decreased (P < 0.01) in the rifaximin group (median -39 ng/mL IQR-306, 563) but increased in the non-rifaximin group (median 166 ng/mL, IQR 3, 337). Other markers remained unaffected. Rifaximin led to a reduction of inflammatory markers and bacterial 16S rRNA which may implicate BT in the inflammation in HSS. PMID:29436337

  7. Inflammation arising from obesity reduces taste bud abundance and inhibits renewal.

    PubMed

    Kaufman, Andrew; Choo, Ezen; Koh, Anna; Dando, Robin

    2018-03-01

    Despite evidence that the ability to taste is weakened by obesity and can be rescued with weight loss intervention, few studies have investigated the molecular effects of obesity on the taste system. Taste bud cells undergo continual turnover even in adulthood, exhibiting an average life span of only a few weeks, tightly controlled by a balance of proliferation and cell death. Recent data reveal that an acute inflammation event can alter this balance. We demonstrate that chronic low-grade inflammation brought on by obesity reduces the number of taste buds in gustatory tissues of mice-and is likely the cause of taste dysfunction seen in obese populations-by upsetting this balance of renewal and cell death.

  8. Inflammation arising from obesity reduces taste bud abundance and inhibits renewal

    PubMed Central

    Kaufman, Andrew; Choo, Ezen; Koh, Anna

    2018-01-01

    Despite evidence that the ability to taste is weakened by obesity and can be rescued with weight loss intervention, few studies have investigated the molecular effects of obesity on the taste system. Taste bud cells undergo continual turnover even in adulthood, exhibiting an average life span of only a few weeks, tightly controlled by a balance of proliferation and cell death. Recent data reveal that an acute inflammation event can alter this balance. We demonstrate that chronic low-grade inflammation brought on by obesity reduces the number of taste buds in gustatory tissues of mice—and is likely the cause of taste dysfunction seen in obese populations—by upsetting this balance of renewal and cell death. PMID:29558472

  9. Reduced immune responses in chimeric mice engrafted with bone marrow cells from mice with airways inflammation.

    PubMed

    Scott, Naomi M; Ng, Royce L X; McGonigle, Terence A; Gorman, Shelley; Hart, Prue H

    2015-11-01

    During respiratory inflammation, it is generally assumed that dendritic cells differentiating from the bone marrow are immunogenic rather than immunoregulatory. Using chimeric mice, the outcomes of airways inflammation on bone marrow progenitor cells were studied. Immune responses were analyzed in chimeric mice engrafted for >16 weeks with bone marrow cells from mice with experimental allergic airways disease (EAAD). Responses to sensitization and challenge with the allergen causing inflammation in the bone marrow-donor mice were significantly reduced in the chimeric mice engrafted with bone marrow cells from mice with EAAD (EAAD-chimeric). Responses to intranasal LPS and topical fluorescein isothiocyanate (non-specific challenges) were significantly attenuated. Fewer activated dendritic cells from the airways and skin of the EAAD-chimeric mice could be tracked to the draining lymph nodes, and may contribute to the significantly reduced antigen/chemical-induced hypertrophy in the draining nodes, and the reduced immune responses to sensitizing allergens. Dendritic cells differentiating in vitro from the bone marrow of >16 weeks reconstituted EAAD-chimeric mice retained an ability to poorly prime immune responses when transferred into naïve mice. Dendritic cells developing from bone marrow progenitors during airways inflammation are altered such that daughter cells have reduced antigen priming capabilities.

  10. Use of postoperative steroids to reduce pain and inflammation.

    PubMed

    Fleischli, J W; Adams, W R

    1999-01-01

    Postoperative injection of a steroid is used by many podiatric surgeons to reduce pain and inflammation after foot surgery. The authors present a review of the literature on postoperative steroid use from many medical specialties as well as a review of wound and bone healing. The literature indicates that using a steroid is a safe and effective means to reduce postoperative pain and edema. Studies have shown steroids to delay healing, inhibit collagen synthesis, and increase the risk of postoperative infection. No author reported a delay in wound or bone healing or increased infection rate in patients in which a steroid was used. Although there is literature to support this practice, many questions remain and further investigation is needed.

  11. Semaphorin 4C Protects against Allergic Inflammation: Requirement of Regulatory CD138+ Plasma Cells.

    PubMed

    Xue, Di; Kaufman, Gabriel N; Dembele, Marieme; Beland, Marianne; Massoud, Amir H; Mindt, Barbara C; Fiter, Ryan; Fixman, Elizabeth D; Martin, James G; Friedel, Roland H; Divangahi, Maziar; Fritz, Jörg H; Mazer, Bruce D

    2017-01-01

    The regulatory properties of B cells have been studied in autoimmune diseases; however, their role in allergic diseases is poorly understood. We demonstrate that Semaphorin 4C (Sema4C), an axonal guidance molecule, plays a crucial role in B cell regulatory function. Mice deficient in Sema4C exhibited increased airway inflammation after allergen exposure, with massive eosinophilic lung infiltrates and increased Th2 cytokines. This phenotype was reproduced by mixed bone marrow chimeric mice with Sema4C deficient only in B cells, indicating that B lymphocytes were the key cells affected by the absence of Sema4C expression in allergic inflammation. We determined that Sema4C-deficient CD19 + CD138 + cells exhibited decreased IL-10 and increased IL-4 expression in vivo and in vitro. Adoptive transfer of Sema4c -/- CD19 + CD138 + cells induced marked pulmonary inflammation, eosinophilia, and increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid IL-4 and IL-5, whereas adoptive transfer of wild-type CD19 + CD138 + IL-10 + cells dramatically decreased allergic airway inflammation in wild-type and Sema4c -/- mice. This study identifies a novel pathway by which Th2-mediated immune responses are regulated. It highlights the importance of plasma cells as regulatory cells in allergic inflammation and suggests that CD138 + B cells contribute to cytokine balance and are important for maintenance of immune homeostasis in allergic airways disease. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Sema4C is critical for optimal regulatory cytokine production in CD138 + B cells. Copyright © 2016 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

  12. Central activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway reduces surgical inflammation in experimental post-operative ileus

    PubMed Central

    The, FO; Cailotto, C; van der Vliet, J; de Jonge, WJ; Bennink, RJ; Buijs, RM; Boeckxstaens, GE

    2011-01-01

    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve reduces intestinal inflammation following mechanical handling, thereby shortening post-operative ileus in mice. Previous studies in a sepsis model showed that this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can be activated pharmacologically by central administration of semapimod, an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. We therefore evaluated the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) semapimod on intestinal inflammation and post-operative ileus in mice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Mice underwent a laparotomy or intestinal manipulation 1 h after i.c.v. pre-treatment with semapimod (1 µg·kg−1) or saline. Drugs were administered through a cannula placed in the left lateral ventricle 1 week prior to experimentation. Twenty-four hours after surgery, gastric emptying was measured using scintigraphy, and the degree of intestinal inflammation was assessed. Finally, activation of brain regions was assessed using quantitative immunohistochemistry for c-fos. KEY RESULTS Intestinal manipulation induced inflammation of the manipulated intestine and significantly delayed gastric emptying, 24 h after surgery in saline-treated animals. Semapimod significantly reduced this inflammation and improved gastric emptying. Vagotomy enhanced the inflammatory response induced by intestinal manipulation and abolished the anti-inflammatory effect of semapimod. Semapimod but not saline induced a significant increase in c-fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our findings show that i.c.v. semapimod reduces manipulation-induced intestinal inflammation and prevented post-operative ileus. This anti-inflammatory effect depends on central activation of the vagus nerve. PMID:21371006

  13. Immunosenescence Induced by Plasma from Individuals with Obesity Caused Cell Signaling Dysfunction and Inflammation.

    PubMed

    Parisi, Mariana Migliorini; Grun, Lucas Kich; Lavandoski, Patrícia; Alves, Letícia Biscaino; Bristot, Ivi Juliana; Mattiello, Rita; Mottin, Cláudio Corá; Klamt, Fábio; Jones, Marcus Herbert; Padoin, Alexandre Vontobel; Guma, Fátima Costa Rodrigues; Barbé-Tuana, Florencia María

    2017-09-01

    To evaluate the consequences of plasma from individuals with obesity on parameters associated with immunosenescence in unrelated healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Freshly isolated PBMC were incubated in media supplemented with 10% of plasma from individuals with obesity or control subjects for the first 4 hours of 24 to 120 hours of culture. Plasma from individuals with obesity modulated the phenotype of healthy PBMC, leading to a higher rate of apoptosis, lower amounts of phospho-γH2AX and -p53, and mitochondrial dysfunction. After 120 hours, there was a higher secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-8. CD8 + T lymphocytes presented decreased expression of CD28, which is associated with the immunosenescent phenotype. CD14 + macrophages showed increased expression of CD80 and CD206, suggesting a modulation in the activation of macrophages. These results demonstrate that chronic systemic inflammation observed in obesity induces dysfunctional features in PBMC that are consistent with premature immunosenescence. © 2017 The Obesity Society.

  14. Hypericum perforatum Reduces Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Lethality in Mice by Modulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress.

    PubMed

    Hohmann, Miriam S N; Cardoso, Renato D R; Fattori, Victor; Arakawa, Nilton S; Tomaz, José C; Lopes, Norberto P; Casagrande, Rubia; Verri, Waldiceu A

    2015-07-01

    Hypericum perforatum is a medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which is commercially available for therapeutic use in Brazil. Herein the effect of H. perforatum extract on paracetamol (acetaminophen)-induced hepatotoxicity, lethality, inflammation, and oxidative stress in male swiss mice were investigated. HPLC analysis demonstrated the presence of rutin, quercetin, hypericin, pseudohypericin, and hyperforin in H. perforatum extract. Paracetamol (0.15-3.0 g/kg, p.o.) induced dose-dependent mortality. The sub-maximal lethal dose of paracetamol (1.5 g/kg, p.o.) was chosen for the experiments in the study. H. perforatum (30-300 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently reduced paracetamol-induced lethality. Paracetamol-induced increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations, and hepatic myeloperoxidase activity, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ concentrations as well as decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations and capacity to reduce 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical cation; ABTS˙(+) ) were inhibited by H. perforatum (300 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment. Therefore, H. perforatum protects mice against paracetamol-induced lethality and liver damage. This effect seems to be related to the reduction of paracetamol-induced cytokine production, neutrophil recruitment, and oxidative stress. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  15. Topical Minocycline Effectively Decontaminates and Reduces Inflammation in Infected Porcine Wounds.

    PubMed

    Daly, Lauren Tracy; Tsai, David M; Singh, Mansher; Nuutila, Kristo; Minasian, Raquel A; Lee, Cameron C Y; Kiwanuka, Elizabeth; Hackl, Florian; Onderdonk, Andrew B; Junker, Johan P E; Eriksson, Elof; Caterson, Edward J

    2016-11-01

    Wound infection can impair postoperative healing. Topical antibiotics have potential to treat wound infection and inflammation and minimize the adverse effects associated with systemic antibiotics. Full-thickness porcine wounds were infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Using polyurethane wound enclosure devices, wounds were treated with topical 100 μg/ml minocycline, topical 1000 μg/ml minocycline, topical saline control, or 4 mg/kg intravenous minocycline. Bacteria were quantified in wound tissue and fluid obtained over 9 hours. Immunosorbent assays were used to analyze inflammatory marker concentrations. Minocycline's effect on in vitro migration and proliferation of human keratinocytes and fibroblasts was tested using scratch assays and metabolic assays, respectively. After 6 hours, 100 and 1000 μg/ml topical minocycline decreased bacteria in wound tissue to 3.5 ± 0.87 and 2.9 ± 2.3 log colony-forming units/g respectively, compared to 8.3 ± 0.9 log colony-forming units/g in control wounds (p < 0.001) and 6.9 ± 0.2 log colony-forming units/g in wounds treated with 4 mg/kg intravenous minocycline (p < 0.01). After 2 hours, topical minocycline reduced concentrations of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.01), and inflammatory cell counts in wound tissue (p < 0.05). In noninfected wounds, topical minocycline significantly reduced interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and inflammatory cell counts after 4 hours (p < 0.01). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentrations decreased after 1-hour treatment (p < 0.05). Keratinocyte and fibroblast in vitro functions were not adversely affected by 10 μg/ml minocycline or less. Topical minocycline significantly reduces bacterial burden and inflammation in infected wounds compared with wounds treated with intravenous minocycline or control wounds. Minocycline also decreases local inflammation independently of its antimicrobial effect.

  16. Evaluation of plasma biomarkers of inflammation in patients with maple syrup urine disease.

    PubMed

    Scaini, Giselli; Tonon, Tássia; Moura de Souza, Carolina F; Schuck, Patricia F; Ferreira, Gustavo C; Quevedo, João; Neto, João Seda; Amorim, Tatiana; Camelo, Jose S; Margutti, Ana Vitoria Barban; Hencke Tresbach, Rafael; Sperb-Ludwig, Fernanda; Boy, Raquel; de Medeiros, Paula F V; Schwartz, Ida Vanessa D; Streck, Emilio Luiz

    2018-05-08

    Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder that affects branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism and is associated with acute and chronic brain dysfunction. Recent studies have shown that inflammation may be involved in the neuropathology of MSUD. However, these studies have mainly focused on single or small subsets of proteins or molecules. Here we performed a case-control study, including 12 treated-MSUD patients, in order to investigate the plasmatic biomarkers of inflammation, to help to establish a possible relationship between these biomarkers and the disease. Our results showed that MSUD patients in treatment with restricted protein diets have high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6] and cell adhesion molecules [sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1] compared to the control group. However, no significant alterations were found in the levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-8, and IL-10 between healthy controls and MSUD patients. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between number of metabolic crisis and IL-1β levels and sICAM-1 in MSUD patients. In conclusion, our findings in plasma of patients with MSUD suggest that inflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MSUD, although this process is not directly associated with BCAA blood levels. Overall, data reported here are consistent with the working hypothesis that inflammation may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanism underlying the brain damage observed in MSUD patients.

  17. Low plasma selenium concentrations in critically ill children: the interaction effect between inflammation and selenium deficiency

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Introduction Low plasma selenium concentrations are frequent in critically ill patients. However, whether this is due to systemic inflammation, a deficient nutritional state or both is still not clear. We aimed to determine the factors associated with low plasma selenium in critically ill children while considering the inflammatory response and nutritional status. Method A prospective study was conducted in 173 children (median age 34 months) with systemic inflammatory response who had plasma selenium concentrations assessed 48 hours after admission and on the 5th day of ICU stay. The normal reference range was 0.58 μmol/L to 1.6 μmol/L. The outcome variable was ‘low plasma selenium’, which was defined as plasma selenium values below the distribution median during this period. The main explanatory variables were age, malnutrition, sepsis, C-reactive protein (CRP), and clinical severity scores. The data were analyzed using a Binomial Generalized Estimating Equations model, which includes the correlation between admission and 5th day responses. Results Malnutrition and CRP were associated with low plasma selenium. The interaction effect between these two variables was significant. When CRP values were less than or equal to 40 mg/L, malnutrition was associated with low plasma selenium levels (odds ratio (OR) = 3.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39 to 7.63, P = 0.007; OR = 2.98, 95% CI 1.26 to 7.06, P = 0.013; OR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.01 to 6.17, P = 0.049, for CRP = 10, 20 and 40 mg/L, respectively). This effect decreased as CRP concentrations increased and there was loose significance when CRP values were >40 mg/L. Similarly, the effect of CRP on low plasma selenium was significant for well-nourished patients (OR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.22, P <0.001) but not for the malnourished (OR = 1.03; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.08, P = 0.16). Conclusions There is a significant interaction between the magnitude of the inflammatory

  18. Statin Use, Serum Lipids, and Prostate Inflammation in Men with a Negative Prostate Biopsy: Results from the REDUCE Trial.

    PubMed

    Allott, Emma H; Howard, Lauren E; Vidal, Adriana C; Moreira, Daniel M; Castro-Santamaria, Ramiro; Andriole, Gerald L; Freedland, Stephen J

    2017-06-01

    Statin use is associated with lower advanced prostate cancer risk. In addition to cholesterol lowering, statins have systemic anti-inflammatory properties. However, their effect on histologic prostate inflammation is not well understood, particularly among men at increased prostate cancer risk but with a negative prostate biopsy. We examined associations between serum lipid levels, statin use, and histologic prostate inflammation using data from 6,655 men with a negative baseline prostate biopsy in the REduction by DUtasteride of prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) trial. Statin use and lipid levels [total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides] were assessed at baseline. Inflammation was assessed by central review. Logistic regression was used to examine the effects of lipids and statin use on presence and extent of chronic and acute prostate inflammation [none, moderate (<20%), severe (≥20% biopsy cores)]. Chronic and acute inflammation affected 77% and 15% of men, respectively. Men with high HDL (≥60 vs. <40 mg/dL) had reduced presence of acute inflammation [OR, 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.63-0.99] and were less likely to have severe acute inflammation (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45-0.97), but there were no other associations between lipids and inflammation. Statin users had reduced presence of chronic inflammation (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69-0.95) and were less likely to have severe chronic (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68-0.95) and severe acute inflammation (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.53-1.00), relative to non-users. Given the possible role for inflammation in prostate cancer, the inverse association between statins and prostate inflammation suggests a mechanism linking statins with lower advanced prostate cancer risk. Cancer Prev Res; 10(6); 319-26. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

  19. Intradialytic protein supplementation reduces inflammation and improves physical function in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

    PubMed

    Tomayko, Emily J; Kistler, Brandon M; Fitschen, Peter J; Wilund, Kenneth R

    2015-05-01

    Protein malnutrition is both a cause and consequence of inflammation and related comorbidities for maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. This study sought to determine if oral supplementation with soy or whey protein during dialysis treatment reduces inflammation and improves physical function and body composition in MHD patients. The design used in the study was randomized controlled trial, and the setting used was hemodialysis clinics in Champaign and Chicago, Illinois. Patients who received treatment ≥3 days/week, were ages ≥30 years did not have congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and were receiving dialysis treatment for ≥3 months were eligible for inclusion. Patients were randomized to oral supplementation with a whey protein, soy protein, or placebo beverage. Patients (WHEY, n = 11; SOY, n = 12; CON, n = 15) consumed their assigned beverage before every dialysis session for 6 months. Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, physical function by gait speed and shuttle walk test, and markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein and interleukin 6) using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits before and after the 6-month intervention. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-hour dietary recalls. Six months of whey or soy supplementation significantly reduced predialysis interleukin 6 levels (P < .05 for both), whereas there was a trend for a reduction in C-reactive protein when both protein groups were combined (P = .062). Gait speed and shuttle walk test performance also significantly improved in the protein groups (P < .05 for both). No changes in body composition were observed. However, alkaline phosphatase, a marker of bone turnover, was significantly reduced in the protein groups. Intradialytic protein supplementation during a 6-month intervention reduced inflammation and improved physical function and represents an affordable intervention to improve the health

  20. The xanthine oxidase inhibitor Febuxostat reduces tissue uric acid content and inhibits injury-induced inflammation in the liver and lung

    PubMed Central

    Kataoka, Hiroshi; Yang, Ke; Rock, Kenneth L.

    2014-01-01

    Necrotic cell death in vivo induces a robust neutrophilic inflammatory response and the resulting inflammation can cause further tissue damage and disease. Dying cells induce this inflammation by releasing pro-inflammatory intracellular components, one of which is uric acid. Cells contain high levels of intracellular uric acid, which is produced when purines are oxidized by the enzyme xanthine oxidase. Here we test whether a non-nucleoside xanthine oxidase inhibitor, Febuxostat (FBX), can reduce intracellular uric acid levels and inhibit cell death-induced inflammation in two different murine tissue injury models; acid-induced acute lung injury and acetaminophen liver injury. Infiltration of inflammatory cells induced by acid injection into lungs or peritoneal administration of acetaminophen was evaluated by quantification with flow cytometry and tissue myeloperoxidase activity in the presence or absence of FBX treatment. Uric acid levels in serum and tissue were measured before giving the stimuli and during inflammation. The impact of FBX treatment on the peritoneal inflammation caused by the microbial stimulus, zymosan, was also analyzed to see whether FBX had a broad anti-inflammatory effect. We found that FBX reduced uric acid levels in acid-injured lung tissue and inhibited acute pulmonary inflammation triggered by lung injury. Similarly, FBX reduced uric acid levels in the liver and inhibited inflammation in response to acetaminophen-induced hepatic injury. In contrast, FBX did not reduce inflammation to zymosan, and therefore is not acting as a general anti-inflammatory agent. These results point to the potential of using agents like FBX to treat cell death-induced inflammation. PMID:25449036

  1. Neuroendocrine Factors in the Regulation of Inflammation: Excessive Adiposity and Calorie Restriction

    PubMed Central

    Fontana, Luigi

    2009-01-01

    Acute inflammation is usually a self-limited life preserving response, triggered by pathogens and/or traumatic injuries. This transient response normally leads to removal of harmful agents and to healing of the damaged tissues. In contrast, unchecked or chronic inflammation can lead to persistent tissue and organ damage by activated leukocytes, cytokines, or collagen deposition. Excessive energy intake and adiposity cause systemic inflammation, whereas calorie restriction without malnutrition exerts a potent anti-inflammatory effect. As individuals accumulate fat and their adipocytes enlarge, adipose tissue undergoes molecular and cellular alterations, macrophages accumulate, and inflammation ensues. Overweight/obese subjects have significantly higher plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein and several cytokines, including IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, and TNF-alpha. Experimental animals on a chronic CR regimen, instead, have low levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines, low blood lymphocyte levels, reduced production of inflammatory cytokines by the white blood cells in response to stimulation, and cortisol levels in the high normal range. Recent data demonstrate that CR exerts a powerful anti-inflammatory effect also in non-human primates and humans. Multiple metabolic and neuroendocrine mechanisms are responsible for the CR-mediated anti-inflammatory effects, including reduced adiposity and secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines, enhanced glucocorticoid production, reduced plasma glucose and advanced glycation end-product concentrations, increased parasympathetic tone, and increased ghrelin production. Measuring tissue specific effects of CR using genomic, proteomic and metabolomic techniques in humans will foster the understanding of the complex biological processes involved in the anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of CR. PMID:18502597

  2. Central activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway reduces surgical inflammation in experimental post-operative ileus.

    PubMed

    The, Fo; Cailotto, C; van der Vliet, J; de Jonge, W J; Bennink, R J; Buijs, R M; Boeckxstaens, G E

    2011-07-01

    Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve reduces intestinal inflammation following mechanical handling, thereby shortening post-operative ileus in mice. Previous studies in a sepsis model showed that this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can be activated pharmacologically by central administration of semapimod, an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. We therefore evaluated the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) semapimod on intestinal inflammation and post-operative ileus in mice. Mice underwent a laparotomy or intestinal manipulation 1 h after i.c.v. pre-treatment with semapimod (1 µg·kg(-1) ) or saline. Drugs were administered through a cannula placed in the left lateral ventricle 1 week prior to experimentation. Twenty-four hours after surgery, gastric emptying was measured using scintigraphy, and the degree of intestinal inflammation was assessed. Finally, activation of brain regions was assessed using quantitative immunohistochemistry for c-fos. Intestinal manipulation induced inflammation of the manipulated intestine and significantly delayed gastric emptying, 24 h after surgery in saline-treated animals. Semapimod significantly reduced this inflammation and improved gastric emptying. Vagotomy enhanced the inflammatory response induced by intestinal manipulation and abolished the anti-inflammatory effect of semapimod. Semapimod but not saline induced a significant increase in c-fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. Our findings show that i.c.v. semapimod reduces manipulation-induced intestinal inflammation and prevented post-operative ileus. This anti-inflammatory effect depends on central activation of the vagus nerve. © 2011 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.

  3. Mangiferin from Pueraria tuberosa reduces inflammation via inactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome

    PubMed Central

    Bulugonda, Ramakrishna K.; kumar, Kotha Anil; Gangappa, D.; Beeda, Harshavardhan; Philip, Gundala Harold; Muralidhara Rao, Dowlathabad; Faisal, Syed M.

    2017-01-01

    Recent reports have demonstrated the role of phyto-constituents in modulating inflammatory responses. Mangiferin isolated from Mangifera indica is known to induce potent anti-oxidative, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activity. However, the molecular mechanism of its anti-inflammatory activity is not properly understood. In this study we have isolated Mangiferin from the tubers of Pueraria tuberosa (PT-Mangiferin) and analysed the mechanism of its potent anti-inflammatory effects in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line and in a carrageenan induced air pouch model. PT-Mangiferin was non-toxic to primary cells but showed significant toxicity and apoptotic effect on cancerous cells. It significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (COX-2, iNOS and TNF-α) in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Further, it has also reduced the generation of ROS and inhibited LPS induced NF-kB translocation in these cells. Additionally, PT-Mangiferin significantly reduced inflammation in a mouse air pouch model by inhibiting the infiltration of monocytes and neutrophils and reducing the production of cytokines. These effects were mediated via inactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome complex and its downstream signalling molecules. Taken together these results suggest that PT-Mangiferin is potent anti-inflammatory compound that reduces inflammation and holds promise in development of herbal based anti-inflammatory therapeutics in future. PMID:28218280

  4. Modulation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as a strategy to reduce vascular inflammation.

    PubMed

    Hadoke, Patrick W F; Kipari, Tiina; Seckl, Jonathan R; Chapman, Karen E

    2013-05-01

    Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which initial vascular damage leads to extensive macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration. Although acutely glucocorticoids suppress inflammation, chronic glucocorticoid excess worsens atherosclerosis, possibly by exacerbating systemic cardiovascular risk factors. However, glucocorticoid action within the lesion may reduce neointimal proliferation and inflammation. Glucocorticoid levels within cells do not necessarily reflect circulating levels due to pre-receptor metabolism by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β-HSDs). 11β-HSD2 converts active glucocorticoids into inert 11-keto forms. 11β-HSD1 catalyses the reverse reaction, regenerating active glucocorticoids. 11β-HSD2-deficiency/inhibition causes hypertension, whereas deficiency/inhibition of 11β-HSD1 generates a cardioprotective lipid profile and improves glycemic control. Importantly, 11β-HSD1-deficiency/inhibition is atheroprotective, whereas 11β-HSD2-deficiency accelerates atherosclerosis. These effects are largely independent of systemic risk factors, reflecting modulation of glucocorticoid action and inflammation within the vasculature. Here, we consider whether evidence linking the 11β-HSDs to vascular inflammation suggests these isozymes are potential therapeutic targets in vascular injury and atherosclerosis.

  5. The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Spray-Dried Plasma Is Mediated by a Reduction in Mucosal Lymphocyte Activation and Infiltration in a Mouse Model of Intestinal Inflammation.

    PubMed

    Pérez-Bosque, Anna; Miró, Lluïsa; Amat, Concepció; Polo, Javier; Moretó, Miquel

    2016-10-22

    Spray-dried preparations from porcine and bovine plasma can alleviate mucosal inflammation in experimental models and improve symptoms in patients with enteropathy. In rodents, dietary supplementation with porcine spray-dried plasma (SDP) attenuates intestinal inflammation and improves the epithelial barrier function during intestinal inflammation induced by Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). The aim of this study was to discern the molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of SDP. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with 8% SDP or control diet (based on milk proteins) for two weeks, from weaning until day 33. On day 32, the mice were given a SEB dose (i.p., 25 µg/mouse) or vehicle. SEB administration increased cell recruitment to mesenteric lymph nodes and the percentage of activated Th lymphocytes and SDP prevented these effects). SDP supplementation increased the expression of interleukin 10 (IL-10) or transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β) compared to the SEB group. The SEB challenge increased six-fold the expression of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1); and these effects were attenuated by SDP supplementation. SEB also augmented NF-κB phosphorylation, an effect that was prevented by dietary SDP. Our results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of SDP involve the regulation of transcription factors and adhesion molecules that reduce intestinal cell infiltration and the degree of the inflammatory response.

  6. Serum free light chains are reduced in endurance trained older adults: Evidence that exercise training may reduce basal inflammation in older adults.

    PubMed

    Heaney, Jennifer L J; Phillips, Anna C; Drayson, Mark T; Campbell, John P

    2016-05-01

    Traditionally, free light chains (FLCs) are used as key serum biomarkers in the diagnosis and monitoring of plasma cell malignancies, but polyclonal FLCs can also be used as an accurate real-time indicator of immune-activation and inflammation. The primary aim of the present study was to assess the effects of exercise training status on serum FLCs in older adults, and secondly, to examine if training status moderated serum FLC responses to acute exercise. Kappa and lambda serum FLC levels were measured in 45 healthy older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) who were either sedentary, physically active or endurance trained. FLCs were measured at baseline and in response to an acute bout of submaximal exercise. The endurance trained group had significantly lower levels of kappa and lambda serum FLCs compared with physically active or sedentary elderly adults; these effects were independent of age, BMI and renal function. There was no significant difference in whole immunoglobulins between groups. Exercise training status had no effect on serum FLC responses to acute exercise, which were marginal. In conclusion, endurance training was associated with lower FLC levels compared with less physically active individuals. These findings suggest that long-term endurance training may be beneficial in reducing basal inflammation in older adults as well as elevated FLCs present in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, often associated with ageing. FLCs may serve as a useful biomarker for monitoring the efficacy of exercise intervention studies in healthy and clinical populations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Esmolol reduces apoptosis and inflammation in early sepsis rats with abdominal infection.

    PubMed

    Lu, Yang; Yang, Yang; He, Xin; Dong, Shangwen; Wang, Wanhua; Wang, Donghao; Zhang, Peng

    2017-10-01

    Esmolol is a highly selective beta 1 receptor blocker with various effects such as slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure and reducing myocardial oxygen consumption. However, few studies have reported the use of beta blockers in sepsis with multiple organ dysfunctions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of esmolol on reducing apoptosis and inflammation in early sepsis rats with abdominal infection. Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, sepsis group, antibiotic group, Esmolol + antibiotic group with low, median and high dose Esmolol (L group, M group and H group). Values between two or more groups were compared by independent t-tests. In the liver and kidney, we found inflammatory infiltration in sepsis group while pathological aspects reduced in L, M and H groups. Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels increased while Bax mRNA and protein levels decreased in the liver and kidney of L, M and H groups. Serum IL-6, HMGB-1 and TNF-α levels decreased but IL-10 level increased in L, M and H groups, compared to sepsis group. Compared to sepsis and antibiotic groups, the levels of myocardial enzymes were lower in L, M and H groups. The administration of esmolol in early sepsis may reduce inflammation, inhibit apoptosis and protect key organs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Effects of an Encapsulated Fruit and Vegetable Juice Concentrate on Obesity-Induced Systemic Inflammation: A Randomised Controlled Trial

    PubMed Central

    Williams, Evan J.; Baines, Katherine J.; Berthon, Bronwyn S.; Wood, Lisa G.

    2017-01-01

    Phytochemicals from fruit and vegetables reduce systemic inflammation. This study examined the effects of an encapsulated fruit and vegetable (F&V) juice concentrate on systemic inflammation and other risk factors for chronic disease in overweight and obese adults. A double-blinded, parallel, randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 56 adults aged ≥40 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥28 kg/m2. Before and after eight weeks daily treatment with six capsules of F&V juice concentrate or placebo, peripheral blood gene expression (microarray, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)), plasma tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)), body composition (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)) and lipid profiles were assessed. Following consumption of juice concentrate, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and plasma TNFα decreased and total lean mass increased, while there was no change in the placebo group. In subjects with high systemic inflammation at baseline (serum C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥3.0 mg/mL) who were supplemented with the F&V juice concentrate (n = 16), these effects were greater, with decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and plasma TNFα and increased total lean mass; plasma CRP was unchanged by the F&V juice concentrate following both analyses. The expression of several genes involved in lipogenesis, the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathways was altered, including phosphomevalonate kinase (PMVK), zinc finger AN1-type containing 5 (ZFAND5) and calcium binding protein 39 (CAB39), respectively. Therefore, F&V juice concentrate improves the metabolic profile, by reducing systemic inflammation and blood lipid profiles and, thus, may be useful in reducing the risk of obesity-induced chronic disease. PMID:28208713

  9. Effects of an Encapsulated Fruit and Vegetable Juice Concentrate on Obesity-Induced Systemic Inflammation: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

    PubMed

    Williams, Evan J; Baines, Katherine J; Berthon, Bronwyn S; Wood, Lisa G

    2017-02-08

    Phytochemicals from fruit and vegetables reduce systemic inflammation. This study examined the effects of an encapsulated fruit and vegetable (F&V) juice concentrate on systemic inflammation and other risk factors for chronic disease in overweight and obese adults. A double-blinded, parallel, randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 56 adults aged ≥40 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥28 kg/m². Before and after eight weeks daily treatment with six capsules of F&V juice concentrate or placebo, peripheral blood gene expression (microarray, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)), plasma tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)), body composition (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)) and lipid profiles were assessed. Following consumption of juice concentrate, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and plasma TNFα decreased and total lean mass increased, while there was no change in the placebo group. In subjects with high systemic inflammation at baseline (serum C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥3.0 mg/mL) who were supplemented with the F&V juice concentrate ( n = 16), these effects were greater, with decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and plasma TNFα and increased total lean mass; plasma CRP was unchanged by the F&V juice concentrate following both analyses. The expression of several genes involved in lipogenesis, the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathways was altered, including phosphomevalonate kinase (PMVK), zinc finger AN1-type containing 5 (ZFAND5) and calcium binding protein 39 (CAB39), respectively. Therefore, F&V juice concentrate improves the metabolic profile, by reducing systemic inflammation and blood lipid profiles and, thus, may be useful in reducing the risk of obesity-induced chronic disease.

  10. Occurrence of fibronectin-fibrin complexes in plasma of patients with multimorbidity due to the inflamm-aging phenomenon.

    PubMed

    Pupek, Małgorzata; Pawłowicz, Robert; Lindner, Karolina; Krzyżanowska-Gołąb, Dorota; Lemańska-Perek, Anna; Panaszek, Bernard; Kątnik-Prastowska, Iwona

    2016-05-01

    Multimorbidity is the co-occurrence of chronic diseases associated with low-grade chronic inflammation of connective tissue. Frequency of occurrence and relative amounts of fibronectin (FN) complexes with fibrin (FN-fibrin) and FN monomer were analyzed in 130 plasma samples of 18 to 94-year-old multimorbid patients in relation to concentrations of FN and extra domain A (EDA)-FN, and C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as to age, number of coexisting chronic diseases and presence of specified diseases. Immunoblotting revealed, besides FN dimer, the presence of FN monomer, and 750-, 1000-, and 1300-kDa FN-fibrin complexes in the multimorbid plasmas. The FN-fibrin complexes appeared more frequently and in higher relative amounts, but FN monomer less frequently and in a lower relative amount in the groups of elderly multimorbid patients, with a higher number of coexisting diseases and with dominance of cardiovascular diseases and osteoarthrosis, and with CRP concentration of 3-5mg/l. In contrast, the normal plasma contained only the FN-fibrin complex of 750 kDa in a lower relative amount, but with an increasing amount with normal aging. Moreover, FN concentration increased and EDA-FN decreased with the number of co-existing diseases and aging of patients, although both concentration values were lower than in the age-matched normal groups. FN concentration was the lowest in the exacerbation of a chronic disease and EDA-FN in the stable chronic disease groups. The alterations in plasma FN molecular status were associated with micro-inflammation and micro-coagulation, as well as multimorbidity of subjects and their physiological aging. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Plasma MIC-1 correlates with systemic inflammation but is not an independent determinant of nutritional status or survival in oesophago-gastric cancer.

    PubMed

    Skipworth, R J E; Deans, D A C; Tan, B H L; Sangster, K; Paterson-Brown, S; Brown, D A; Hunter, M; Breit, S N; Ross, J A; Fearon, K C H

    2010-02-16

    Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1(MIC-1) is a potential modulator of systemic inflammation and nutritional depletion, both of which are adverse prognostic factors in oesophago-gastric cancer (OGC). Plasma MIC-1, systemic inflammation (defined as plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) of > or =10 mg l(-1) or modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) of > or =1), and nutritional status were assessed in newly diagnosed OGC patients (n=293). Healthy volunteers (n=35) served as controls. MIC-1 was elevated in patients (median=1371 pg ml(-1); range 141-39 053) when compared with controls (median=377 pg ml(-1); range 141-3786; P<0.001). Patients with gastric tumours (median=1592 pg ml(-1); range 141-12 643) showed higher MIC-1 concentrations than patients with junctional (median=1337 pg ml(-1); range 383-39 053) and oesophageal tumours (median=1180 pg ml(-1); range 258-31 184; P=0.015). Patients showed a median weight loss of 6.4% (range 0.0-33.4%), and 42% of patients had an mGPS of > or =1 or plasma CRP of > or =10 mg l(-1) (median=9 mg l(-1); range 1-200). MIC-1 correlated positively with disease stage (r(2)=0.217; P<0.001), age (r(2)=0.332; P<0.001), CRP (r(2)=0.314; P<0.001), and mGPS (r(2)=0.336; P<0.001), and negatively with Karnofsky Performance Score (r(2)=-0.269; P<0.001). However, although MIC-1 correlated weakly with dietary intake (r(2)=0.157; P=0.031), it did not correlate with weight loss, BMI, or anthropometry. Patients with MIC-1 levels in the upper quartile showed reduced survival (median=204 days; 95% CI 157-251) when compared with patients with MIC-1 levels in the lower three quartiles (median=316 days; 95% CI 259-373; P=0.036), but MIC-1 was not an independent prognostic indicator. There is no independent link between plasma MIC-1 levels and depleted nutritional status or survival in OGC.

  12. Moringa Leaves Prevent Hepatic Lipid Accumulation and Inflammation in Guinea Pigs by Reducing the Expression of Genes Involved in Lipid Metabolism.

    PubMed

    Almatrafi, Manal Mused; Vergara-Jimenez, Marcela; Murillo, Ana Gabriela; Norris, Gregory H; Blesso, Christopher N; Fernandez, Maria Luz

    2017-06-22

    To investigate the mechanisms by which Moringa oleifera leaves (ML) modulate hepatic lipids, guinea pigs were allocated to either control (0% ML), 10% Low Moringa (LM) or 15% High Moringa (HM) diets with 0.25% dietary cholesterol to induce hepatic steatosis. After 6 weeks, guinea pigs were sacrificed and liver and plasma were collected to determine plasma lipids, hepatic lipids, cytokines and the expression of genes involved in hepatic cholesterol (CH) and triglyceride (TG) metabolism. There were no differences in plasma lipids among groups. A dose-response effect of ML was observed in hepatic lipids (CH and TG) with the lowest concentrations in the HM group ( p < 0.001), consistent with histological evaluation of lipid droplets. Hepatic gene expression of diglyceride acyltransferase-2 and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ, as well as protein concentrations interleukin (IL)-1β and interferon-γ, were lowest in the HM group ( p < 0.005). Hepatic gene expression of cluster of differentiation-68 and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c were 60% lower in both the LM and HM groups compared to controls ( p < 0.01). This study demonstrates that ML may prevent hepatic steatosis by affecting gene expression related to hepatic lipids synthesis resulting in lower concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides and reduced inflammation in the liver.

  13. Low-fat yogurt consumption reduces biomarkers of chronic inflammation and inhibits markers of endotoxin exposure in healthy premenopausal women: a randomised controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Pei, Ruisong; DiMarco, Diana M; Putt, Kelley K; Martin, Derek A; Gu, Qinlei; Chitchumroonchokchai, Chureeporn; White, Heather M; Scarlett, Cameron O; Bruno, Richard S; Bolling, Bradley W

    2017-12-01

    The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of low-fat dairy product consumption are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether low-fat yogurt reduces biomarkers of chronic inflammation and endotoxin exposure in women. Premenopausal women (BMI 18·5-27 and 30-40 kg/m2) were randomised to consume 339 g of low-fat yogurt (yogurt non-obese (YN); yogurt obese (YO)) or 324 g of soya pudding (control non-obese; control obese (CO)) daily for 9 weeks (n 30/group). Fasting blood samples were analysed for IL-6, TNF-α/soluble TNF II (sTNF-RII), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, anandamide, monocyte gene expression, soluble CD14 (sCD14), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS binding protein (LBP), IgM endotoxin-core antibody (IgM EndoCAb), and zonulin. BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure were also determined. After 9-week yogurt consumption, YO and YN had decreased TNF-α/sTNFR-RII. Yogurt consumption increased plasma IgM EndoCAb regardless of obesity status. sCD14 was not affected by diet, but LBP/sCD14 was lowered by yogurt consumption in both YN and YO. Yogurt intervention increased plasma 2-arachidonoylglycerol in YO but not YN. YO peripheral blood mononuclear cells expression of NF-κB inhibitor α and transforming growth factor β1 increased relative to CO at 9 weeks. Other biomarkers were unchanged by diet. CO and YO gained approximately 0·9 kg in body weight. YO had 3·6 % lower diastolic blood pressure at week 3. Low-fat yogurt for 9 weeks reduced biomarkers of chronic inflammation and endotoxin exposure in premenopausal women compared with a non-dairy control food. This trial was registered as NCT01686204.

  14. Neutral endopeptidase inhibition enhances substance P mediated inflammation due to hypomagnesemia.

    PubMed

    Weglicki, William B; Chmielinska, Joanna J; Tejero-Taldo, Isabel; Kramer, Jay H; Spurney, Christopher F; Viswalingham, Kandan; Lu, Bao; Mak, I Tong

    2009-09-01

    During dietary deficiency of magnesium neurogenic inflammation is mediated, primarily, by elevated levels of substance P (SP). The enzyme most specific for degrading this neuropeptide is neutral endopeptidase (NEP). In recent studies we found that pharmacological inhibition of NEP by phosphoramidon resulted in elevated plasma levels of SP and greater oxidative stress. We also observed that hypomagnesemia reduced cardiac and intestinal expression of NEP. In these magnesium-deficient rats increased intestinal permeability and impaired cardiac contractility occurred. In our colony of genetically-engineered NEP knockout mice that have reduced ability to degrade SP, we found increased oxidative stress that was prevented by SP (neurokinin-1) receptor blockade. Thus, we submit that inhibition of NEP by pharmacological, genetic and dietary approaches (magnesium restriction), causes greater neurogenic inflammation that may result in increased intestinal and cardiac dysfunction.

  15. Human Plasma N-glycosylation as Analyzed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance-MS Associates with Markers of Inflammation and Metabolic Health*

    PubMed Central

    Reiding, Karli R.; Ruhaak, L. Renee; Uh, Hae-Won; el Bouhaddani, Said; van den Akker, Erik B.; Plomp, Rosina; McDonnell, Liam A.; Houwing-Duistermaat, Jeanine J.; Slagboom, P. Eline; Beekman, Marian; Wuhrer, Manfred

    2017-01-01

    Glycosylation is an abundant co- and post-translational protein modification of importance to protein processing and activity. Although not template-defined, glycosylation does reflect the biological state of an organism and is a high-potential biomarker for disease and patient stratification. However, to interpret a complex but informative sample like the total plasma N-glycome, it is important to establish its baseline association with plasma protein levels and systemic processes. Thus far, large-scale studies (n >200) of the total plasma N-glycome have been performed with methods of chromatographic and electrophoretic separation, which, although being informative, are limited in resolving the structural complexity of plasma N-glycans. MS has the opportunity to contribute additional information on, among others, antennarity, sialylation, and the identity of high-mannose type species. Here, we have used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR)-MS to study the total plasma N-glycome of 2144 healthy middle-aged individuals from the Leiden Longevity Study, to allow association analysis with markers of metabolic health and inflammation. To achieve this, N-glycans were enzymatically released from their protein backbones, labeled at the reducing end with 2-aminobenzoic acid, and following purification analyzed by negative ion mode intermediate pressure MALDI-FTICR-MS. In doing so, we achieved the relative quantification of 61 glycan compositions, ranging from Hex4HexNAc2 to Hex7HexNAc6dHex1Neu5Ac4, as well as that of 39 glycosylation traits derived thereof. Next to confirming known associations of glycosylation with age and sex by MALDI-FTICR-MS, we report novel associations with C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), body mass index (BMI), leptin, adiponectin, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), insulin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and smoking. Overall, the

  16. The High Costs of Low-Grade Inflammation: Persistent Fatigue as a Consequence of Reduced Cellular-Energy Availability and Non-adaptive Energy Expenditure.

    PubMed

    Lacourt, Tamara E; Vichaya, Elisabeth G; Chiu, Gabriel S; Dantzer, Robert; Heijnen, Cobi J

    2018-01-01

    Chronic or persistent fatigue is a common, debilitating symptom of several diseases. Persistent fatigue has been associated with low-grade inflammation in several models of fatigue, including cancer-related fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, it is unclear how low-grade inflammation leads to the experience of fatigue. We here propose a model of an imbalance in energy availability and energy expenditure as a consequence of low-grade inflammation. In this narrative review, we discuss how chronic low-grade inflammation can lead to reduced cellular-energy availability. Low-grade inflammation induces a metabolic switch from energy-efficient oxidative phosphorylation to fast-acting, but less efficient, aerobic glycolytic energy production; increases reactive oxygen species; and reduces insulin sensitivity. These effects result in reduced glucose availability and, thereby, reduced cellular energy. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with increased willingness to exert effort under specific circumstances. Circadian-rhythm changes and sleep disturbances might mediate the effects of inflammation on cellular-energy availability and non-adaptive energy expenditure. In the second part of the review, we present evidence for these metabolic pathways in models of persistent fatigue, focusing on chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer-related fatigue. Most evidence for reduced cellular-energy availability in relation to fatigue comes from studies on chronic fatigue syndrome. While the mechanistic evidence from the cancer-related fatigue literature is still limited, the sparse results point to reduced cellular-energy availability as well. There is also mounting evidence that behavioral-energy expenditure exceeds the reduced cellular-energy availability in patients with persistent fatigue. This suggests that an inability to adjust energy expenditure to available resources might be one mechanism underlying persistent fatigue.

  17. The High Costs of Low-Grade Inflammation: Persistent Fatigue as a Consequence of Reduced Cellular-Energy Availability and Non-adaptive Energy Expenditure

    PubMed Central

    Lacourt, Tamara E.; Vichaya, Elisabeth G.; Chiu, Gabriel S.; Dantzer, Robert; Heijnen, Cobi J.

    2018-01-01

    Chronic or persistent fatigue is a common, debilitating symptom of several diseases. Persistent fatigue has been associated with low-grade inflammation in several models of fatigue, including cancer-related fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, it is unclear how low-grade inflammation leads to the experience of fatigue. We here propose a model of an imbalance in energy availability and energy expenditure as a consequence of low-grade inflammation. In this narrative review, we discuss how chronic low-grade inflammation can lead to reduced cellular-energy availability. Low-grade inflammation induces a metabolic switch from energy-efficient oxidative phosphorylation to fast-acting, but less efficient, aerobic glycolytic energy production; increases reactive oxygen species; and reduces insulin sensitivity. These effects result in reduced glucose availability and, thereby, reduced cellular energy. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with increased willingness to exert effort under specific circumstances. Circadian-rhythm changes and sleep disturbances might mediate the effects of inflammation on cellular-energy availability and non-adaptive energy expenditure. In the second part of the review, we present evidence for these metabolic pathways in models of persistent fatigue, focusing on chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer-related fatigue. Most evidence for reduced cellular-energy availability in relation to fatigue comes from studies on chronic fatigue syndrome. While the mechanistic evidence from the cancer-related fatigue literature is still limited, the sparse results point to reduced cellular-energy availability as well. There is also mounting evidence that behavioral-energy expenditure exceeds the reduced cellular-energy availability in patients with persistent fatigue. This suggests that an inability to adjust energy expenditure to available resources might be one mechanism underlying persistent fatigue

  18. Cereal based diets modulate some markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in lean and obese Zucker rats

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background The potential of cereals with high antioxidant capacity for reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity is unknown. This study investigated the impact of wheat bran, barley or a control diet (α-cellulose) on the development of oxidative stress and inflammation in lean and obese Zucker rats. Methods Seven wk old, lean and obese male Zucker rats (n = 8/group) were fed diets that contained wheat bran, barley or α-cellulose (control). After 3 months on these diets, systolic blood pressure was measured and plasma was analysed for glucose, insulin, lipids, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase and adipokine concentration (leptin, adiponectin, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, TNFα, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1). Adipokine secretion rates from visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue explants were also determined. Results Obese rats had higher body weight, systolic blood pressure and fasting blood lipids, glucose, insulin, leptin and IL-1β in comparison to lean rats, and these measures were not reduced by consumption of wheat bran or barley based diets. Serum ORAC tended to be higher in obese rats fed wheat bran and barley in comparison to control (p = 0.06). Obese rats had higher plasma malondialdehyde (p < 0.01) and lower plasma glutathione peroxidase concentration (p < 0.01) but these levels were not affected by diet type. PAI-1 was elevated in the plasma of obese rats, and the wheat bran diet in comparison to the control group reduced PAI-1 to levels seen in the lean rats (p < 0.05). These changes in circulating PAI-1 levels could not be explained by PAI-1 secretion rates from visceral or subcutaneous adipose tissue. Conclusions A 3-month dietary intervention was sufficient for Zucker obese rats to develop oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. Cereal-based diets with moderate and high antioxidant capacity elicited modest improvements in indices of

  19. Syringe needle skull penetration reduces brain injuries and secondary inflammation following intracerebral neural stem cell transplantation.

    PubMed

    Gao, Mou; Dong, Qin; Zhang, Hongtian; Yang, Yang; Zhu, Jianwei; Yang, Zhijun; Xu, Minhui; Xu, Ruxiang

    2017-03-01

    Intracerebral neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation is beneficial for delivering stem cell grafts effectively, however, this approach may subsequently result in brain injury and secondary inflammation. To reduce the risk of promoting brain injury and secondary inflammation, two methods were compared in the present study. Murine skulls were penetrated using a drill on the left side and a syringe needle on the right. Mice were randomly divided into three groups (n=84/group): Group A, receiving NSCs in the left hemisphere and PBS in the right; group B, receiving NSCs in the right hemisphere and PBS in the left; and group C, receiving equal NSCs in both hemispheres. Murine brains were stained for morphological analysis and subsequent evaluation of infiltrated immune cells. ELISA was performed to detect neurotrophic and immunomodulatory factors in the brain. The findings indicated that brain injury and secondary inflammation in the left hemisphere were more severe than those in the right hemisphere, following NSC transplantation. In contrast to the left hemisphere, more neurotrophic factors but less pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected in the right hemisphere. In addition, increased levels of neurotrophic factors and interleukin (IL)-10 were observed in the NSC transplantation side when compared with the PBS-treated hemispheres, although lower levels of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were detected. In conclusion, the present study indicated that syringe needle skull penetration vs. drill penetration is an improved method that reduces the risk of brain injury and secondary inflammation following intracerebral NSC transplantation. Furthermore, NSCs have the potential to modulate inflammation secondary to brain injuries.

  20. Neutral Endopeptidase Inhibition Enhances Substance P Mediated Inflammation Due to Hypomagnesemia

    PubMed Central

    Weglicki, William B.; Chmielinska, Joanna J.; Tejero-Taldo, M. Isabel; Kramer, Jay H.; Spurney, Christopher; Viswalingham, Kandan; Lu, Bao; Mak, I. Tong

    2013-01-01

    During dietary deficiency of magnesium neurogenic inflammation is mediated, primarily, by elevated levels of substance P (SP). The enzyme most specific for degrading this neuropeptide is neutral endopeptidase (NEP). In recent studies we found that pharmacological inhibition of NEP by phosphoramidon resulted in elevated plasma levels of SP and greater oxidative stress. We also observed that hypomagnesemia reduced cardiac and intestinal expression of NEP. In these magnesium deficient rats increased intestinal permeability and impaired cardiac contractility occurred. In our colony of genetically-engineered NEP knockout mice that have reduced ability to degrade SP, we found increased oxidative stress that was prevented by SP (neurokinin-1) receptor blockade. Thus, we submit that inhibition of NEP by pharmacological, genetic and dietary approaches (magnesium restriction), causes greater neurogenic inflammation that may result in increased intestinal and cardiac dysfunction. PMID:19780404

  1. Moringa Leaves Prevent Hepatic Lipid Accumulation and Inflammation in Guinea Pigs by Reducing the Expression of Genes Involved in Lipid Metabolism

    PubMed Central

    Almatrafi, Manal Mused; Vergara-Jimenez, Marcela; Murillo, Ana Gabriela; Norris, Gregory H.; Blesso, Christopher N.; Fernandez, Maria Luz

    2017-01-01

    To investigate the mechanisms by which Moringa oleifera leaves (ML) modulate hepatic lipids, guinea pigs were allocated to either control (0% ML), 10% Low Moringa (LM) or 15% High Moringa (HM) diets with 0.25% dietary cholesterol to induce hepatic steatosis. After 6 weeks, guinea pigs were sacrificed and liver and plasma were collected to determine plasma lipids, hepatic lipids, cytokines and the expression of genes involved in hepatic cholesterol (CH) and triglyceride (TG) metabolism. There were no differences in plasma lipids among groups. A dose-response effect of ML was observed in hepatic lipids (CH and TG) with the lowest concentrations in the HM group (p < 0.001), consistent with histological evaluation of lipid droplets. Hepatic gene expression of diglyceride acyltransferase-2 and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ, as well as protein concentrations interleukin (IL)-1β and interferon-γ, were lowest in the HM group (p < 0.005). Hepatic gene expression of cluster of differentiation-68 and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c were 60% lower in both the LM and HM groups compared to controls (p < 0.01). This study demonstrates that ML may prevent hepatic steatosis by affecting gene expression related to hepatic lipids synthesis resulting in lower concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides and reduced inflammation in the liver. PMID:28640194

  2. Monocyte and plasma expression of TAM ligand and receptor in renal failure: Links to unregulated immunity and chronic inflammation.

    PubMed

    Lee, Iris J; Hilliard, Brendan A; Ulas, Mehriban; Yu, Daohai; Vangala, Chandan; Rao, Swati; Lee, Jean; Gadegbeku, Crystal A; Cohen, Philip L

    2015-06-01

    Chronic inflammation is increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and contributes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Specific immune mechanisms and pathways that drive and maintain chronic inflammation in CKD are not well described. The TAM ligands (Gas6 and protein S) and receptors (Axl and Mer) have been recently recognized as playing a prominent role in immune regulation. The receptors exist in both soluble and cell-bound forms; the soluble receptors (sAxl and sMer) are believed to compete with the bound receptors and thus inhibit their function. In this study, we determined the expression of cell-bound and soluble TAM proteins in patients with CKD. CKD patients had significantly lower expression of Mer in monocytes, yet increased expression of soluble TAM receptors sAxl and sMer in plasma compared to controls. The metalloproteinase ADAM 17, responsible for cleavage of Mer to its soluble form, was increased in patient monocytes. Elevated levels of soluble TAM receptors were more evident in patients with progressive renal failure. These observations suggest that functional deficiency of TAM receptor-mediated regulation of inflammation may contribute to chronic inflammation in patients with CKD. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Obeticholic acid reduces bacterial translocation and inhibits intestinal inflammation in cirrhotic rats.

    PubMed

    Úbeda, María; Lario, Margaret; Muñoz, Leticia; Borrero, María-José; Rodríguez-Serrano, Macarena; Sánchez-Díaz, Ana-María; Del Campo, Rosa; Lledó, Lourdes; Pastor, Óscar; García-Bermejo, Laura; Díaz, David; Álvarez-Mon, Melchor; Albillos, Agustín

    2016-05-01

    In advanced cirrhosis, gut bacterial translocation is the consequence of intestinal barrier disruption and leads to bacterial infection. Bile acid abnormalities in cirrhosis could play a role in the integrity of the intestinal barrier and the control of microbiota, mainly through the farnesoid X receptor. We investigated the long-term effects of the farnesoid X receptor agonist, obeticholic acid, on gut bacterial translocation, intestinal microbiota composition, barrier integrity and inflammation in rats with CCl4-induced cirrhosis with ascites. Cirrhotic rats received a 2-week course of obeticholic acid or vehicle starting once ascites developed. We then determined: bacterial translocation by mesenteric lymph node culture, ileum expression of antimicrobial peptides and tight junction proteins by qPCR, fecal albumin loss, enteric bacterial load and microbiota composition by qPCR and pyrosequencing of ileum mucosa-attached contents, and intestinal inflammation by cytometry of the inflammatory infiltrate. Obeticholic acid reduced bacterial translocation from 78.3% to 33.3% (p<0.01) and upregulated the expression of the farnesoid X receptor-associated gene small heterodimer partner. Treatment improved ileum expression of antimicrobial peptides, angiogenin-1 and alpha-5-defensin, tight junction proteins zonulin-1 and occludin, and reduced fecal albumin loss and liver fibrosis. Enteric bacterial load normalized, and the distinctive mucosal microbiota of cirrhosis was reduced. Gut immune cell infiltration was reduced and inflammatory cytokine and Toll-like receptor 4 expression normalized. In ascitic cirrhotic rats, obeticholic acid reduces gut bacterial translocation via several complementary mechanisms at the intestinal level. This agent could be used as an alternative to antibiotics to prevent bacterial infection in cirrhosis. Copyright © 2016 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Plasma MIC-1 correlates with systemic inflammation but is not an independent determinant of nutritional status or survival in oesophago-gastric cancer

    PubMed Central

    Skipworth, R J E; Deans, D A C; Tan, B H L; Sangster, K; Paterson-Brown, S; Brown, D A; Hunter, M; Breit, S N; Ross, J A; Fearon, K C H

    2010-01-01

    Background: Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1(MIC-1) is a potential modulator of systemic inflammation and nutritional depletion, both of which are adverse prognostic factors in oesophago-gastric cancer (OGC). Methods: Plasma MIC-1, systemic inflammation (defined as plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) of ⩾10 mg l–1 or modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) of ⩾1), and nutritional status were assessed in newly diagnosed OGC patients (n=293). Healthy volunteers (n=35) served as controls. Results: MIC-1 was elevated in patients (median=1371 pg ml–1; range 141–39 053) when compared with controls (median=377 pg ml–1; range 141–3786; P<0.001). Patients with gastric tumours (median=1592 pg ml–1; range 141–12 643) showed higher MIC-1 concentrations than patients with junctional (median=1337 pg ml–1; range 383–39 053) and oesophageal tumours (median=1180 pg ml–1; range 258–31 184; P=0.015). Patients showed a median weight loss of 6.4% (range 0.0–33.4%), and 42% of patients had an mGPS of ⩾1 or plasma CRP of ⩾10 mg l–1 (median=9 mg l–1; range 1–200). MIC-1 correlated positively with disease stage (r2=0.217; P<0.001), age (r2=0.332; P<0.001), CRP (r2=0.314; P<0.001), and mGPS (r2=0.336; P<0.001), and negatively with Karnofsky Performance Score (r2=−0.269; P<0.001). However, although MIC-1 correlated weakly with dietary intake (r2=0.157; P=0.031), it did not correlate with weight loss, BMI, or anthropometry. Patients with MIC-1 levels in the upper quartile showed reduced survival (median=204 days; 95% CI 157–251) when compared with patients with MIC-1 levels in the lower three quartiles (median=316 days; 95% CI 259–373; P=0.036), but MIC-1 was not an independent prognostic indicator. Conclusions: There is no independent link between plasma MIC-1 levels and depleted nutritional status or survival in OGC. PMID:20104227

  5. Coagonist of GLP-1 and glucagon decreases liver inflammation and atherosclerosis in dyslipidemic condition.

    PubMed

    Patel, Vishal; Joharapurkar, Amit; Kshirsagar, Samadhan; Sutariya, Brijesh; Patel, Maulik; Pandey, Dheerendra; Patel, Hiren; Ranvir, Ramchandra; Kadam, Shekhar; Patel, Dipam; Bahekar, Rajesh; Jain, Mukul

    2018-02-25

    Dyslipidemia enhances progression of atherosclerosis. Coagonist of GLP-1 and glucagon are under clinical investigation for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Earlier, we have observed that coagonist reduced circulating and hepatic lipids, independent of its anorexic effects. Here, we investigated the role of coagonist of GLP-1 and glucagon receptors in complications of diet-induced dyslipidemia in hamsters and humanized double transgenic mice. Hamsters fed on high fat high cholesterol diet were treated for 8 weeks with coagonist of GLP-1 and glucagon receptors (75 and 150 μg/kg). Pair-fed control was maintained. Cholesterol fed transgenic mice overexpressing hApoB100 and hCETP with coagonist (300 μg/kg) for 4 weeks. After the completion of treatment, biochemical estimations were done. Coagonist treatment reduced triglycerides in plasma, liver and aorta, plasma cholesterol and hepatic triglyceride secretion rate. Expressions of HMG-CoA reductase and SBREBP-1C were reduced and expressions of LDLR, CYP7A1, ABCA1 and ABCB11 were increased in liver, due to coagonist treatment. Coagonist treatment increased bile flow rate and biliary cholesterol excretion. IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced in plasma and expression of TNF-α, MCP-1, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 decreased in liver. Treatment with coagonist reduced oxidative stress in liver and aorta. Energy expenditure was increased and respiratory quotient was reduced by coagonist treatment. These changes were correlated with reduced hepatic inflammation and lipids in liver and aorta in coagonist treated hamsters. Coagonist treatment also reduced lipids in cholesterol-fed transgenic mice. These changes were independent of glycaemia and anorexia observed after coagonist treatment. Long term treatment with coagonist of GLP-1 and glucagon receptor ameliorated diet-induced dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis by regulating bile homeostasis, liver inflammation and energy expenditure. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. α-Galacto-oligosaccharides Dose-Dependently Reduce Appetite and Decrease Inflammation in Overweight Adults.

    PubMed

    Morel, Fanny B; Dai, Qiuping; Ni, Jiayi; Thomas, Doneal; Parnet, Patricia; Fança-Berthon, Pascale

    2015-09-01

    Dietary fibers have been associated with a reduction in appetite and energy intake. Although a few studies suggest that nonviscous fibers can exert such effects, likely through colonic fermentation, limited data are available. The objective of this study was to determine whether α-galacto-oligosaccharides (α-GOSs), fermentable soluble fibers extracted from legumes, could reduce appetite, food intake, and inflammation in overweight subjects. In 2 single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials, 88 overweight adults [50% men and 50% women; 18-60 y old; body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 25-28] were supplemented for 14 d with tea that contained α-GOSs with different α-GOS dosages (6, 12, or 18 g α-GOSs/d), formulas (12 g α-GOSs/d with >80% of molecules with a degree of polymerization of 2, 3, or 4), or a control substance (glucose syrup). Appetite scores (5 appetite dimensions were assessed on visual analog scales during a preload test meal), food intake (test meal and 24-h food recall), and inflammatory markers [plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] were evaluated at day 0 (baseline) and day 15. Changes in appetite scores from day 0 to day 15 were significantly higher after α-GOS intake, with areas under the curve for the satiety score of +121 ± 108, +218 ± 218, and +306 ± 205 score · min for 6, 12, and 18 g α-GOSs/d, respectively, and -5 ± 64 score · min for the control group. We observed dose-dependent effects that did not vary by α-GOS composition. The administration of 6, 12, or 18 g α-GOSs/d significantly and dose-dependently increased the change in energy intake from day 0 to day 15 during a test meal (-13 ± 19, -26 ± 22, and -32 ± 22 kcal, respectively; +6 ± 21 kcal for the control group). Reductions in energy intake during lunch and dinner were also higher in the α-GOS groups in the dose-effect study. At day 15, LPS was dose-dependently reduced without an association with α-GOS composition (0.16 ± 0

  7. Effect of Disease-Related Changes in Plasma Albumin on the Pharmacokinetics of Naproxen in Male and Female Arthritic Rats

    PubMed Central

    Li, Xiaonan; DuBois, Debra C.; Almon, Richard R.

    2017-01-01

    Naproxen (NPX) is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for alleviation of pain and inflammation. In view of the extensive albumin binding of NPX, this study investigates whether chronic inflammation and sex influence the physiologic albumin concentrations, plasma protein binding, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of NPX. The PK of NPX was evaluated in a rat model of RA [collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in Lewis rats] and in healthy controls. These PK studies included 1) NPX in female and male CIA rats that received 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg NPX i.p.; and 2) NPX in healthy female and male rats after i.p. dosing of NPX at 50 mg/kg. Plasma albumin concentrations were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and protein binding was assessed using ultrafiltration. The NPX concentrations in plasma and filtrates were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Plasma concentration-time data of NPX were first assessed by noncompartmental analysis (NCA). Nonlinear PK as indicated by dose-dependent NCA clearances and distribution volumes was observed. A two-compartment model with a first-order absorption process incorporating nonlinear protein binding in plasma and tissues jointly described the PK data of all groups. Saturable albumin binding accounts for the nonlinearity of NPX PK in all rats as well as part of the PK differences in arthritic rats. The CIA rats exhibited reduced albumin concentrations, reduced overall protein binding, and reduced clearances of unbound NPX, consistent with expectations during inflammation. The net effect of chronic inflammation was an elevation of the Cmax and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of unbound drug. PMID:28246126

  8. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition reduces muscle inflammation and necrosis in modified muscle use

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pizza, F. X.; Hernandez, I. J.; Tidball, J. G.

    1998-01-01

    The objective of this study was to determine the role of nitric oxide in muscle inflammation, fiber necrosis, and apoptosis of inflammatory cells in vivo. The effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on the concentrations of neutrophils, ED1+ and ED2+ macrophages, apoptotic inflammatory cells, and necrotic muscle fibers in rats subjected to 10 days of hindlimb unloading and 2 days of reloading were determined. Administration of NOS inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) significantly reduced the concentrations of neutrophils, ED1+ and ED2+ macrophages, and necrotic fibers in soleus muscle relative to water-treated controls. The concentration of apoptotic inflammatory cells was also significantly lower for L-NAME-treated animals compared with water-treated controls. However, the proportion of the inflammatory cell population that was apoptotic did not differ between L-NAME-treated and control animals, suggesting that L-NAME treatment did not decrease inflammatory cell populations by increasing the frequency of apoptosis. Thus, nitric oxide or one of its intermediates promotes muscle inflammation and fiber necrosis during modified muscle use and plays no more than a minor role in the resolution of muscle inflammation by inducing apoptosis of inflammatory cells.

  9. Loxoprofen Sodium, a Non-Selective NSAID, Reduces Atherosclerosis in Mice by Reducing Inflammation.

    PubMed

    Hamaguchi, Masahide; Seno, Takahiro; Yamamoto, Aihiro; Kohno, Masataka; Kadoya, Masatoshi; Ishino, Hidetaka; Ashihara, Eishi; Kimura, Shinya; Tsubakimoto, Yoshinori; Takata, Hiroki; Yoshikawa, Toshikazu; Maekawa, Taira; Kawahito, Yutaka

    2010-09-01

    Recently, it is suggested that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) may contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular events, while the formation of atherosclerotic lesions is related to inflammation. Loxoprofen sodium, a non-selective NSAID, becomes active after metabolism in the body and inhibits the activation of cyclooxygenase. We fed apoE(-/-) mice a western diet from 8 to 16 weeks of age and administered loxoprofen sodium. We measured atherosclerotic lesions at the aortic root. We examined serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides with HPLC, platelet aggregation, and urinary prostaglandin metabolites with enzyme immune assay. Atherosclerotic lesion formation was reduced to 63.5% and 41.5% as compared to the control in male and female apoE(-/-) mice treated with loxoprofen sodium respectively. Urinary metabolites of prostaglandin E(2), F(1α), and thromboxane B(2), and platelet aggregation were decreased in mice treated with loxoprofen sodium. Serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides were not changed. We conclude that loxoprofen sodium reduced the formation of early to intermediate atherosclerotic lesions at the proximal aorta in mice mediated by an anti-inflammatory effect.

  10. Loxoprofen Sodium, a Non-Selective NSAID, Reduces Atherosclerosis in Mice by Reducing Inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Hamaguchi, Masahide; Seno, Takahiro; Yamamoto, Aihiro; Kohno, Masataka; Kadoya, Masatoshi; Ishino, Hidetaka; Ashihara, Eishi; Kimura, Shinya; Tsubakimoto, Yoshinori; Takata, Hiroki; Yoshikawa, Toshikazu; Maekawa, Taira; Kawahito, Yutaka

    2010-01-01

    Recently, it is suggested that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) may contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular events, while the formation of atherosclerotic lesions is related to inflammation. Loxoprofen sodium, a non-selective NSAID, becomes active after metabolism in the body and inhibits the activation of cyclooxygenase. We fed apoE−/− mice a western diet from 8 to 16 weeks of age and administered loxoprofen sodium. We measured atherosclerotic lesions at the aortic root. We examined serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides with HPLC, platelet aggregation, and urinary prostaglandin metabolites with enzyme immune assay. Atherosclerotic lesion formation was reduced to 63.5% and 41.5% as compared to the control in male and female apoE−/− mice treated with loxoprofen sodium respectively. Urinary metabolites of prostaglandin E2, F1α, and thromboxane B2, and platelet aggregation were decreased in mice treated with loxoprofen sodium. Serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides were not changed. We conclude that loxoprofen sodium reduced the formation of early to intermediate atherosclerotic lesions at the proximal aorta in mice mediated by an anti-inflammatory effect. PMID:20838569

  11. Identification of a selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator that prevents both diet-induced obesity and inflammation.

    PubMed

    van den Heuvel, José K; Boon, Mariëtte R; van Hengel, Ingmar; Peschier-van der Put, Emma; van Beek, Lianne; van Harmelen, Vanessa; van Dijk, Ko Willems; Pereira, Alberto M; Hunt, Hazel; Belanoff, Joseph K; Rensen, Patrick C N; Meijer, Onno C

    2016-06-01

    High-fat diet consumption results in obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue. Whereas glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonism reduces diet-induced obesity, GR agonism reduces inflammation, the combination of which would be desired in a strategy to combat the metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to assess the beneficial effects of the selective GR modulator C108297 on both diet-induced weight gain and inflammation in mice and to elucidate underlying mechanisms. Ten-week-old C57Bl/6 J mice were fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks while being treated with the selective GR modulator C108297, a full GR antagonist (RU486/mifepristone) or vehicle. C108297 and, to a lesser extent, mifepristone reduced body weight gain and fat mass. C108297 decreased food and fructose intake and increased lipolysis in white adipose tissue (WAT) and free fatty acid levels in plasma, resulting in decreased fat cell size and increased fatty acid oxidation. Furthermore, C108297 reduced macrophage infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in WAT, as well as in vitro LPS-stimulated TNF-α secretion in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. However, mifepristone also increased energy expenditure, as measured by fully automatic metabolic cages, and enhanced expression of thermogenic markers in energy-combusting brown adipose tissue (BAT) but did not affect inflammation. C108297 attenuates obesity by reducing caloric intake and increasing lipolysis and fat oxidation, and in addition attenuates inflammation. These data suggest that selective GR modulation may be a viable strategy for the reduction of diet-induced obesity and inflammation. © 2016 The British Pharmacological Society.

  12. Aerobic Exercise and Weight Loss Reduce Vascular Markers of Inflammation and Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Women

    PubMed Central

    Ryan, Alice S.; Ge, Shealinna; Blumenthal, Jacob B.; Serra, Monica C.; Prior, Steven J.; Goldberg, Andrew P.

    2014-01-01

    Background/Objectives To examine the relationships of plasma and tissue markers of systemic and vascular inflammation to obesity and insulin resistance and determine the effects of aerobic exercise training+weight loss (AEX+WL) and weight loss (WL) on these biomarkers. Design Prospective controlled study. Participants Seventy-seven overweight and obese sedentary postmenopausal women. Interventions Six months, 3d/wk AEX+WL (n=37) or WL (n=40). Measurements Total body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, abdominal computed tomography scans, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, adipose tissue biopsies (n=28), and blood for Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, and soluble forms of intracellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) and vascular CAM-1 (sVCAM-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum amyloid A (SAA). Results Body weight, %fat, visceral fat, triglyceride levels and systolic blood pressure decreased comparably after WL and AEX+WL (P<0.05). VO2max increased 16% after AEX+WL (P<0.001). Insulin resistance decreased in both groups (P<0.01). Glucose utilization increased 10% (P< 0.05) after AEX+WL and 8% with WL (P=0.07). AEX+WL and WL decreased CRP by 29% and 21%, (P<0.05). SAA levels decreased two-fold more after AEX+WL (−19%, P<0.05) than with WL (−9%, P=0.08). Plasma sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels did not change; however, women with the greatest reduction in plasma sICAM-1 levels had the greatest reductions in fasting glucose, insulin and insulin resistance (P<0.05). Gluteal ICAM mRNA levels decreased 27% after AEX+WL (P<0.05) and did not change after WL. Conclusion Obesity and insulin resistance worsen markers of systemic and vascular inflammation. A reduction in plasma sICAM-1 is important to improve insulin sensitivity. CRP and SAA and tissue ICAM decrease with exercise and weight loss, suggesting that exercise training is a necessary component of lifestyle modification in obese postmenopausal women. PMID:24635342

  13. Silver nanoparticles reduce brain inflammation and related neurotoxicity through induction of H2S-synthesizing enzymes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gonzalez-Carter, Daniel A.; Leo, Bey Fen; Ruenraroengsak, Pakatip; Chen, Shu; Goode, Angela E.; Theodorou, Ioannis G.; Chung, Kian Fan; Carzaniga, Raffaella; Shaffer, Milo S. P.; Dexter, David T.; Ryan, Mary P.; Porter, Alexandra E.

    2017-03-01

    Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are known to penetrate into the brain and cause neuronal death. However, there is a paucity in studies examining the effect of AgNP on the resident immune cells of the brain, microglia. Given microglia are implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), it is important to examine how AgNPs affect microglial inflammation to fully assess AgNP neurotoxicity. In addition, understanding AgNP processing by microglia will allow better prediction of their long term bioreactivity. In the present study, the in vitro uptake and intracellular transformation of citrate-capped AgNPs by microglia, as well as their effects on microglial inflammation and related neurotoxicity were examined. Analytical microscopy demonstrated internalization and dissolution of AgNPs within microglia and formation of non-reactive silver sulphide (Ag2S) on the surface of AgNPs. Furthermore, AgNP-treatment up-regulated microglial expression of the hydrogen sulphide (H2S)-synthesizing enzyme cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE). In addition, AgNPs showed significant anti-inflammatory effects, reducing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated ROS, nitric oxide and TNFα production, which translated into reduced microglial toxicity towards dopaminergic neurons. Hence, the present results indicate that intracellular Ag2S formation, resulting from CSE-mediated H2S production in microglia, sequesters Ag+ ions released from AgNPs, significantly limiting their toxicity, concomitantly reducing microglial inflammation and related neurotoxicity.

  14. Obstructive sleep apnea and obesity are associated with reduced GPR 120 plasma levels in children.

    PubMed

    Gozal, David; Kheirandish-Gozal, Leila; Carreras, Alba; Khalyfa, Abdelnaby; Peris, Eduard

    2014-05-01

    Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common health problem, particularly in obese children, in whom a vicious cycle of obesity and OSA interdependencies promotes increased food intake. G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR 120) is a long-chain free fatty acid (FFA) receptor that plays an important role in energy homeostasis, and protects against insulin resistance and systemic inflammation. We hypothesized that GPR 120 levels would be reduced in children with OSA, particularly among obese children. Cross-sectional prospectively recruited cohort. Academic pediatric sleep program. Two hundred twenty-six children (mean age: 7.0 ± 2.1 y) underwent overnight polysomnographic evaluation and a fasting blood draw the morning after the sleep study. In addition to lipid profile, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) assays, monocyte GPR 120 expression, and plasma GPR 120 levels were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Obese children and those with OSA had significantly lower GPR 120 monocyte expression and plasma GPR 120 levels. Furthermore, when both obesity and OSA were present, GPR 120 levels were lowest. Linear associations emerged between GPR 120 plasma levels and body mass index (BMI) z score, as well as with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) nadir, and respiratory arousal index (RAI), with RAI remaining statistically significant when controlling for age, ethnicity, sex, and BMI z score (P < 0.001). Similarly, HOMA-IR was significantly associated with GPR 120 levels, but neither low density lipoprotein nor high density lipoprotein cholesterol or hsCRP levels exhibited significant correlations. G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR 120) levels are reduced in pediatric OSA and obesity (particularly when both are present) and may play a role in modulating the degree of insulin resistance. The short- and long

  15. Human bone marrow-derived clonal mesenchymal stem cells inhibit inflammation and reduce acute pancreatitis in rats.

    PubMed

    Jung, Kyung Hee; Song, Sun U; Yi, Tacghee; Jeon, Myung-Shin; Hong, Sang-Won; Zheng, Hong-Mei; Lee, Hee-Seung; Choi, Myung-Joo; Lee, Don-Haeng; Hong, Soon-Sun

    2011-03-01

    Acute pancreatitis (AP) has a high mortality rate; repetitive AP induces chronic AP and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunoregulatory effects and reduce inflammation. We developed a protocol to isolate human bone marrow-derived clonal MSCs (hcMSCs) from bone marrow aspirate and investigated the effects of these cells in rat models of mild and severe AP. Mild AP was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by 3 intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (100 μg/kg), given at 2-hour intervals; severe AP was induced by intraparenchymal injection of 3% sodium taurocholate solution. hcMSCs were labeled with CM-1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3'-tetramethylindo-carbocyanine perchloride and administered to rats through the tail vein. hcMSCs underwent self-renewal and had multipotent differentiation capacities and immunoregulatory functions. Greater numbers of infused hcMSCs were detected in pancreas of rats with mild and severe AP than of control rats. Infused hcMSCs reduced acinar-cell degeneration, pancreatic edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration in each model of pancreatitis. The hcMSCs reduced expression of inflammation mediators and cytokines in rats with mild and severe AP. hcMSCs suppressed the mixed lymphocyte reaction and increased expression of Foxp3(+) (a marker of regulatory T cells) in cultured rat lymph node cells. Rats with mild or severe AP that were given infusions of hcMSCs had reduced numbers of CD3(+) T cells and increased expression of Foxp3(+) in pancreas tissues. hcMSCs reduced inflammation and damage to pancreatic tissue in a rat model of AP; they reduced levels of cytokines and induced numbers of Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells. hcMSCs might be developed as a cell therapy for pancreatitis. Copyright © 2011 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Analysis of Mineral Elements, Metabolism, and Inflammation Indexes in the Plasma of Dairy Cows Suffering from Different Degrees of Lameness.

    PubMed

    Sun, Dongbo; Li, Chunqiu; Gu, Cheng; Chen, Jianfei; Qu, Yongli; Wang, Xinyu; Gao, Jing; Wei, Shan; Wang, Jianfa; Wu, Rui; Guo, Donghua

    2015-12-01

    In the plasma of dairy cows with 1-5 points of lameness, the mineral elements [calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iodine (I), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and chromium (Cr)], the energy metabolic indicators [triglyceride (TG), glucose (Glu), total cholesterol (CHO), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), lactate (LA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], and inflammatory indexes [bovine haptoglobin (BoHp), histamine (HIS), and immunoglobulin G (IgG)] were measured, respectively. Furthermore, the correlations of the measured indicators with the degrees of lameness were analyzed. The results showed that in the plasma of dairy cows with 2/3-5 points of lameness, for the mineral elements' levels, Ca, Cu, I, Se, and Fe significantly decreased, Cr significantly increased, and Mo showed a decreasing trend; for levels of the energy metabolism indicators, NEFA and BHBA significantly decreased, BUN and LA significantly increased, and Glu, CHO, and TG showed an increasing trend; for inflammation indexes, the concentrations of HIS, BoHp, and IgG all significantly increased; and further analysis indicated that the Mo, Fe, NEFA, BUN, BHBA, IgG, Ca, and Se had a significant correlation with the degrees of lameness. Resulting data revealed the changes of mineral elements, metabolism, and inflammation indexes in the plasma of dairy cows suffering from different degrees of lameness, which will provided basic knowledge for in-depth understanding of lameness in dairy cows.

  17. Efficacy of oral meloxicam suspension for prevention of pain and inflammation following band and surgical castration in calves.

    PubMed

    Olson, M E; Ralston, Brenda; Burwash, Les; Matheson-Bird, Heather; Allan, Nick D

    2016-06-13

    Castration is one of the most common procedures performed on beef and dairy cattle. The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of meloxicam oral suspension in reducing pain and inflammation in calves following band or surgical castration. Two identical trials with the exception of the method of castration (Band Castration Study 1 and Surgical Castration Study 2) were conducted. Sixty (60) healthy Holstein calves 4 to 5 months of age (138-202 Kg) were used. Animals received either Meloxicam Oral Suspension at a dose of 1 mg/kg BW (n = 15 Study 1 and 15 Study 2) or Saline (n = 15 Study 1 and 15 Study 2) 2 h before castration. Physiological (Heart Rate, Plasma Cortisol and Plasma Substance P) and Behavioral (Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Accelerometers and tail Pedometers) evaluations were conducted before (day -1) and after Castration (Day 0, 1, 2, 3). Inflammation was evaluated daily by providing an individual animal score (Study1) or with a measurement of scrotal thickness (Study 2). Heart rates were significantly greater in control animals following band and surgical castration. Plasma cortisol and substance P were significantly reduced in animals receiving Meloxicam Oral Suspension. Control animals had significantly greater VAS scores. Accelerometers showed that meloxicam treated animals had a significantly greater motion index and number of steps as well as less % time lying and number of lying bouts. The scrotal inflammation (based on scrotal swelling) was significantly decreased in the meloxicam treated animals compared to the control animals on day 1, day 2 and 3. Meloxicam Oral Suspension was able to significantly reduce the display of painful behaviors and physiological responses to pain in band castrated and surgical castrated calves for up to 72 h following a single oral treatment of 1 mg/kg body weight. Meloxicam Oral Suspension was able to significantly reduce scrotal inflammation in band castrated and surgical castrated calves.

  18. COMBINED ALISKIREN AND AMLODIPINE REDUCE ALBUMINURIA VIA REDUCTION IN RENAL INFLAMMATION IN DIABETIC RATS

    PubMed Central

    Matavelli, Luis C.; Huang, Jiqian; Siragy, Helmy M.

    2011-01-01

    SUMMARY We hypothesized that compared to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), the renin inhibitor aliskiren (ALISK) or amlodipine (AMLO) and their combination reduce albuminuria via reduction in renal inflammation, independent of BP changes. We studied normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic (DM) Sprague-Dawley rats treated for 6 weeks with vehicle, ALISK, HCTZ or AMLO individually and combined and evaluated effects of treatments on BP, urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR), renal interstitial fluid (RIF) levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and renal expression of TNFα, IL-6, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). There were no differences in BP between treatments. Only ALISK and its combinations reduced RIF Ang II. UACR increased in DM rats and decreased with ALISK alone or combined with HCTZ or AMLO. HCTZ or AMLO individually and combined did not influence UACR. RIF TNFα and IL-6, and the renal expression of TNFα, IL-6, TGF-β1 and NF-κB were increased in DM rats. These renal inflammatory markers were reduced only with ALISK or AMLO individually or combined with other treatments. We conclude that ALISK alone and combined with HCTZ or AMLO reduced albuminuria in diabetes via reduction in renal inflammation, independent of BP changes. PMID:22075749

  19. Combined aliskiren and amlodipine reduce albuminuria via reduction in renal inflammation in diabetic rats.

    PubMed

    Matavelli, Luis C; Huang, Jiqian; Siragy, Helmy M

    2012-03-01

    We hypothesized that compared with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), the renin inhibitor aliskiren (ALISK) or amlodipine (AMLO) and their combination reduce albuminuria via reduction in renal inflammation, independent of blood pressure (BP) changes. We studied normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic (DM) Sprague-Dawley rats treated for 6 weeks with vehicle, ALISK, HCTZ, or AMLO individually and combined and evaluated the effects of treatments on BP, urine albumin to creatinine ratio, renal interstitial fluid levels of angiotensin II, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and renal expression of TNF-α, IL-6, transforming growth factor beta 1, and nuclear factor kappa B. There were no differences in BP between treatments. Only ALISK and its combinations reduced renal interstitial fluid angiotensin II. Urine albumin to creatinine ratio increased in DM rats and decreased with ALISK alone or combined with HCTZ or AMLO. HCTZ or AMLO individually and combined did not influence urine albumin to creatinine ratio. Renal interstitial fluid TNF-α and IL-6, and the renal expression of TNF-α, IL-6, transforming growth factor beta 1, and nuclear factor kappa B were increased in DM rats. These renal inflammatory markers were reduced only with ALISK or AMLO individually or combined with other treatments. We conclude that ALISK alone and combined with HCTZ or AMLO reduced albuminuria in diabetes via reduction in renal inflammation, independent of BP changes.

  20. Human Plasma N-glycosylation as Analyzed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance-MS Associates with Markers of Inflammation and Metabolic Health.

    PubMed

    Reiding, Karli R; Ruhaak, L Renee; Uh, Hae-Won; El Bouhaddani, Said; van den Akker, Erik B; Plomp, Rosina; McDonnell, Liam A; Houwing-Duistermaat, Jeanine J; Slagboom, P Eline; Beekman, Marian; Wuhrer, Manfred

    2017-02-01

    Glycosylation is an abundant co- and post-translational protein modification of importance to protein processing and activity. Although not template-defined, glycosylation does reflect the biological state of an organism and is a high-potential biomarker for disease and patient stratification. However, to interpret a complex but informative sample like the total plasma N-glycome, it is important to establish its baseline association with plasma protein levels and systemic processes. Thus far, large-scale studies (n >200) of the total plasma N-glycome have been performed with methods of chromatographic and electrophoretic separation, which, although being informative, are limited in resolving the structural complexity of plasma N-glycans. MS has the opportunity to contribute additional information on, among others, antennarity, sialylation, and the identity of high-mannose type species.Here, we have used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR)-MS to study the total plasma N-glycome of 2144 healthy middle-aged individuals from the Leiden Longevity Study, to allow association analysis with markers of metabolic health and inflammation. To achieve this, N-glycans were enzymatically released from their protein backbones, labeled at the reducing end with 2-aminobenzoic acid, and following purification analyzed by negative ion mode intermediate pressure MALDI-FTICR-MS. In doing so, we achieved the relative quantification of 61 glycan compositions, ranging from Hex 4 HexNAc 2 to Hex 7 HexNAc 6 dHex 1 Neu5Ac 4 , as well as that of 39 glycosylation traits derived thereof. Next to confirming known associations of glycosylation with age and sex by MALDI-FTICR-MS, we report novel associations with C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), body mass index (BMI), leptin, adiponectin, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), insulin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and smoking. Overall

  1. Stress and inflammation reduce brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in first-episode psychosis: a pathway to smaller hippocampal volume.

    PubMed

    Mondelli, Valeria; Cattaneo, Annamaria; Murri, Martino Belvederi; Di Forti, Marta; Handley, Rowena; Hepgul, Nilay; Miorelli, Ana; Navari, Serena; Papadopoulos, Andrew S; Aitchison, Katherine J; Morgan, Craig; Murray, Robin M; Dazzan, Paola; Pariante, Carmine M

    2011-12-01

    Reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels have been reported in the serum and plasma of patients with psychosis. The aim of this cross-sectional case-control study was to investigate potential causes and consequences of reduced BDNF expression in these patients by examining the association between BDNF levels and measures of stress, inflammation, and hippocampal volume in first-episode psychosis. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α messenger RNA levels were measured in the leukocytes of 49 first-episode psychosis patients (DSM-IV criteria) and 30 healthy controls, all aged 18 to 65 years, recruited between January 2006 and December 2008. Patients were recruited from inpatient and outpatient units of the South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust in London, United Kingdom, and the healthy controls were recruited from the same catchment area via advertisement and volunteer databases. In these same subjects, we measured salivary cortisol levels and collected information about psychosocial stressors (number of childhood traumas, number of recent stressors, and perceived stress). Finally, hippocampal volume was measured using brain magnetic resonance imaging in a subsample of 19 patients. Patients had reduced BDNF (effect size, d = 1.3; P < .001) and increased IL-6 (effect size, d = 1.1; P < .001) and TNF-α (effect size, d = 1.7; P < .001) gene expression levels when compared with controls, as well as higher levels of psychosocial stressors. A linear regression analysis in patients showed that a history of childhood trauma and high levels of recent stressors predicted lower BDNF expression through an inflammation-mediated pathway (adjusted R(2) = 0.23, P = .009). In turn, lower BDNF expression, increased IL-6 expression, and increased cortisol levels all significantly and independently predicted a smaller left hippocampal volume (adjusted R(2) = 0.71, P < .001). Biological

  2. Stents Eluting 6-Mercaptopurine Reduce Neointima Formation and Inflammation while Enhancing Strut Coverage in Rabbits

    PubMed Central

    Ruiter, Matthijs S.; van Tiel, Claudia M.; Doornbos, Albert; Marinković, Goran; Strang, Aart C.; Attevelt, Nico J. M.; de Waard, Vivian; de Winter, Robbert J.; Steendam, Rob; de Vries, Carlie J. M.

    2015-01-01

    Background The introduction of drug-eluting stents (DES) has dramatically reduced restenosis rates compared with bare metal stents, but in-stent thrombosis remains a safety concern, necessitating prolonged dual anti-platelet therapy. The drug 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) has been shown to have beneficial effects in a cell-specific fashion on smooth muscle cells (SMC), endothelial cells and macrophages. We generated and analyzed a novel bioresorbable polymer coated DES, releasing 6-MP into the vessel wall, to reduce restenosis by inhibiting SMC proliferation and decreasing inflammation, without negatively affecting endothelialization of the stent surface. Methods Stents spray-coated with a bioresorbable polymer containing 0, 30 or 300 μg 6-MP were implanted in the iliac arteries of 17 male New Zealand White rabbits. Animals were euthanized for stent harvest 1 week after implantation for evaluation of cellular stent coverage and after 4 weeks for morphometric analyses of the lesions. Results Four weeks after implantation, the high dose of 6-MP attenuated restenosis with 16% compared to controls. Reduced neointima formation could at least partly be explained by an almost 2-fold induction of the cell cycle inhibiting kinase p27Kip1. Additionally, inflammation score, the quantification of RAM11-positive cells in the vessel wall, was significantly reduced in the high dose group with 23% compared to the control group. Evaluation with scanning electron microscopy showed 6-MP did not inhibit strut coverage 1 week after implantation. Conclusion We demonstrate that novel stents coated with a bioresorbable polymer coating eluting 6-MP inhibit restenosis and attenuate inflammation, while stimulating endothelial coverage. The 6-MP-eluting stents demonstrate that inhibition of restenosis without leaving uncovered metal is feasible, bringing stents without risk of late thrombosis one step closer to the patient. PMID:26389595

  3. Body condition score prior to parturition is associated with plasma and adipose tissue biomarkers of lipid metabolism and inflammation in Holstein cows.

    PubMed

    Alharthi, Abdulrahman; Zhou, Zheng; Lopreiato, Vincenzo; Trevisi, Erminio; Loor, Juan J

    2018-01-01

    Previous research has revealed a strong inflammatory response within adipose (AT) tissue during the transition into lactation. Whether this effect is a result of oxidative stress induced by lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation associated with differences in prepartum body condition score remains to be determined. The objectives of this study were to investigate systemic biomarkers of energy balance and inflammation and the expression of lipid metabolism- and inflammation-related genes in AT during the transition period in dairy cows. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were retrospectively divided by body condition score (BCS) prior to parturition into two groups (10 cows/group): BCS ≤ 3.25 (LoBCS) and BCS ≥ 3.75 (HiBCS). Subcutaneous adipose tissue was biopsied from the tail-head region at d - 10, 7 and 20 relative to parturition. Plasma was used to evaluate biomarkers of energy balance (EBAL) [free fatty acids (NEFA), glycerol, insulin] and inflammation [IL-1β, haptoglobin, myeloperoxidase, and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM)]. Although insulin concentration was not affected by BCS, NEFA was overall greater and glycerol lower in HiBCS cows. Greater activity of myeloperoxidase in plasma coincided with increased haptoglobin and IL-1β postpartum in LoBCS cows. Among genes related with oxidative stress, the expression of the cytosolic antioxidant enzyme SOD1 was greater in LoBCS compared to HiBCS. Cows in LoBCS compared with HiBCS had greater overall expression of ABDH5 and ATGL along with ADIPOQ , indicating enhanced basal lipolysis and secretion of adiponectin. Expression of CPT1A , ACADVL , and ACOX1 was greater overall in HiBCS than LoBCS indicating enhanced NEFA oxidation. Although the temporal increase in plasma NEFA regardless of BCS coincided with the profile of CPT1A , the gradual decrease in genes related with re-esterification of NEFA ( PCK1 ) and glycerol efflux ( AQP7 ) coupled with an increase in glycerol kinase ( GK ) suggested some

  4. Involvement of prostaglandins and histamine in nickel wire-induced acute inflammation in mice.

    PubMed

    Hirasawa, Noriyasu; Goi, Yoshiaki; Tanaka, Rina; Ishihara, Kenji; Ohtsu, Hiroshi; Ohuchi, Kazuo

    2010-06-15

    The irritancy of Nickel (Ni) ions has been well documented clinically. However, the chemical mediators involved in the acute inflammation induced by solid Ni are not fully understood. We used the Ni wire-implantation model in mice and examined roles of prostaglandins and histamine in plasma leakage in the acute phase. The subcutaneous implantation of a Ni wire into the back of mice induced plasma leakage from 8 to 24 h and tissue necrosis around the wire at 3 days, whereas the implantation of an aluminum wire induced no such inflammatory responses. An increase in the mRNA for cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and HDC in cells around the Ni wire was detected 4 h after the implantation. The leakage of plasma at 8 h was inhibited by indomethacin in a dose-dependent manner. Dexamethasone and the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 also inhibited the exudation of plasma consistent with the inhibition of the expression of COX-2 mRNA. Furthermore, plasma leakage was partially but siginificantly reduced in histamine H1 receptor knockout mice and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) knockout mice but not in H2 receptor knockout mice. These results suggested that the Ni ions released from the wire induced the expression of COX-2 and HDC, resulting in an increase in vascular permeability during the acute phase of inflammation. (c) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Reduced Smoothened level rescues Aβ-induced memory deficits and neuronal inflammation in animal models of Alzheimer's disease.

    PubMed

    Ma, Weiwei; Wu, Mengnan; Zhou, Siyan; Tao, Ye; Xie, Zuolei; Zhong, Yi

    2018-05-20

    Emerging evidence suggests that neuro-inflammation begins early and drives the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and anti-inflammatory therapies are under clinical development. However, several anti-inflammatory compounds failed to improve memory in clinical trials, indicating that reducing inflammation alone might not be enough. On the other hand, neuro-inflammation is implicated in a number of mental disorders which share the same therapeutic targets. Based on these observations, we screened a batch of genes related with mental disorder and neuro-inflammation in a classical olfactory conditioning in an amyloid beta (Aβ) overexpression fly model. A Smoothened (SMO) mutant was identified as a genetic modifier of Aβ toxicity in 3-min memory and downregulation of SMO rescued Aβ-induced 3-min and 1-h memory deficiency. Also, Aβ activated innate inflammatory response in fly by increasing the expression of antimicrobial peptides, which were alleviated by downregulating SMO. Furthermore, pharmaceutical administration of a SMO antagonist LDE rescued Aβ-induced upregulation of SMO in astrocytes of mouse hippocampus, improved memory in Morris water maze (MWM), and reduced expression of astrocyte secreting pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNFα and the microglia marker IBA-1 in an APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model. Our study suggests that SMO is an important conserved modulator of Aβ toxicity in both fly and mouse models of AD. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  6. Reduced ex vivo release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and elevated plasma interleukin-6 are inflammatory signatures of post-stroke delirium.

    PubMed

    Kowalska, Katarzyna; Klimiec, Elzbieta; Weglarczyk, Kazimierz; Pera, Joanna; Slowik, Agnieszka; Siedlar, Maciej; Dziedzic, Tomasz

    2018-04-18

    Experimental studies suggest that systemic inflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of delirium. The aim of our study was to determine blood-derived inflammatory signatures of post-stroke delirium. We included 144 ischemic stroke patients. We assessed delirium on a daily basis during the first 7 days of hospitalization. Venous blood was collected at day 3 after the onset of stroke and stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We measured LPS-induced cytokine concentration (TNFα, IP-10, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12p70) as well as plasma levels of IL-6 and TNFα. Delirium was diagnosed in 21.5% of patients. After correction for monocyte count, patients with delirium had reduced LPS-induced TNFα, IP-10, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 release. The plasma IL-6 level was higher in delirious patients compared to patients without delirium. After adjusting for stroke severity and infections, higher ex vivo TNFα (OR 0.29, 95%CI 0.11-0.72, P = 0.01), IP-10 (OR 0.25, 95%CI 0.08-0.73, P = 0.01), IL-1β (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.20-0.89, P = 0.02), and IL-12 (OR 0.07, 95%CI 0.01-0.70, P = 0.02) release was associated with the reduced risk of delirium. In multivariate analysis, the higher plasma IL-6 was associated with the increased risk of delirium (OR 1.61, 95%CI 1.00-2.58, P = 0.04). Reduced ex vivo release of pro-inflammatory cytokines after LPS stimulation and the elevated plasma IL-6 are signatures of post-stroke delirium.

  7. FDP-E induces adipocyte inflammation and suppresses insulin-stimulated glucose disposal: effect of inflammation and obesity on fibrinogen Bβ mRNA.

    PubMed

    Kang, Minsung; Vaughan, Roger A; Paton, Chad M

    2015-12-01

    Obesity is associated with increased fibrinogen production and fibrin formation, which produces fibrin degradation products (FDP-E and FDP-D). Fibrin and FDPs both contribute to inflammation, which would be expected to suppress glucose uptake and insulin signaling in adipose tissue, yet the effect of FDP-E and FDP-D on adipocyte function and glucose disposal is completely unknown. We tested the effects of FDPs on inflammation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and primary macrophages and adipocyte glucose uptake in vitro. High-fat-fed mice increased hepatic fibrinogen mRNA expression ninefold over chow-fed mice, with concomitant increases in plasma fibrinogen protein levels. Obese mice also displayed increased fibrinogen content of epididymal fat pads. We treated cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes and primary macrophages with FDP-E, FDP-D, or fibrinogen degradation products (FgnDP-E). FDP-D and FgnDP-E had no effect on inflammation or glucose uptake. Cytokine mRNA expression in RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with FDP-E induced inflammation with maximal effects at 100 nM and 6 h. Insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy-d-[(3)H]glucose uptake was reduced by 71% in adipocytes treated with FDP-E. FDP-E, but not FDP-D or FgnDP-E, induces inflammation in macrophages and adipocytes and decreases glucose uptake in vitro. FDP-E may contribute toward obesity-associated acute inflammation and glucose intolerance, although its chronic role in obesity remains to be elucidated. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

  8. The novel selective PPARα modulator (SPPARMα) pemafibrate improves dyslipidemia, enhances reverse cholesterol transport and decreases inflammation and atherosclerosis.

    PubMed

    Hennuyer, Nathalie; Duplan, Isabelle; Paquet, Charlotte; Vanhoutte, Jonathan; Woitrain, Eloise; Touche, Véronique; Colin, Sophie; Vallez, Emmanuelle; Lestavel, Sophie; Lefebvre, Philippe; Staels, Bart

    2016-06-01

    Atherosclerosis is characterized by lipid accumulation and chronic inflammation in the arterial wall. Elevated levels of apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). By contrast, plasma levels of functional high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apoA-I are protective against CVD by enhancing reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα), a ligand-activated transcription factor, controls lipid metabolism, cellular cholesterol trafficking in macrophages and influences inflammation. To study whether pharmacological activation of PPARα with a novel highly potent and selective PPARα modulator, pemafibrate, improves lipid metabolism, macrophage cholesterol efflux, inflammation and consequently atherosclerosis development in vitro and in vivo using human apolipoprotein E2 Knock-In (apoE2KI) and human apoA-I transgenic (hapoA-I tg) mice. Pemafibrate treatment decreases apoB secretion in chylomicrons by polarized Caco-2/TC7 intestinal epithelium cells and reduces triglyceride levels in apoE2KI mice. Pemafibrate treatment of hapoA-I tg mice increases plasma HDL cholesterol, apoA-I and stimulates RCT to feces. In primary human macrophages, pemafibrate promotes macrophage cholesterol efflux to HDL and exerts anti-inflammatory activities. Pemafibrate also reduces markers of inflammation and macrophages in the aortic crosses as well as aortic atherosclerotic lesion burden in western diet-fed apoE2KI mice. These results demonstrate that the novel selective PPARα modulator pemafibrate exerts beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, RCT and inflammation resulting in anti-atherogenic properties. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Randomized Trial of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplementation on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Plasma Proteomics Profiles in Healthy Humans

    PubMed Central

    Navarro, Sandi L.; White, Emily; Kantor, Elizabeth D.; Zhang, Yuzheng; Rho, Junghyun; Song, Xiaoling; Milne, Ginger L.; Lampe, Paul D.; Lampe, Johanna W.

    2015-01-01

    Background Glucosamine and chondroitin are popular non-vitamin dietary supplements used for osteoarthritis. Long-term use is associated with lower incidence of colorectal and lung cancers and with lower mortality; however, the mechanism underlying these observations is unknown. In vitro and animal studies show that glucosamine and chondroitin inhibit NF-kB, a central mediator of inflammation, but no definitive trials have been done in healthy humans. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to assess the effects of glucosamine hydrochloride (1500 mg/d) plus chondroitin sulfate (1200 mg/d) for 28 days compared to placebo in 18 (9 men, 9 women) healthy, overweight (body mass index 25.0–32.5 kg/m2) adults, aged 20–55 y. We examined 4 serum inflammatory biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors I and II; a urinary inflammation biomarker: prostaglandin E2-metabolite; and a urinary oxidative stress biomarker: F2-isoprostane. Plasma proteomics on an antibody array was performed to explore other pathways modulated by glucosamine and chondroitin. Results Serum CRP concentrations were 23% lower after glucosamine and chondroitin compared to placebo (P = 0.048). There were no significant differences in other biomarkers. In the proteomics analyses, several pathways were significantly different between the interventions after Bonferroni correction, the most significant being a reduction in the “cytokine activity” pathway (P = 2.6 x 10-16), after glucosamine and chondroitin compared to placebo. Conclusion Glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation may lower systemic inflammation and alter other pathways in healthy, overweight individuals. This study adds evidence for potential mechanisms supporting epidemiologic findings that glucosamine and chondroitin are associated with reduced risk of lung and colorectal cancer. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01682694 PMID

  10. Randomized trial of glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation on inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers and plasma proteomics profiles in healthy humans.

    PubMed

    Navarro, Sandi L; White, Emily; Kantor, Elizabeth D; Zhang, Yuzheng; Rho, Junghyun; Song, Xiaoling; Milne, Ginger L; Lampe, Paul D; Lampe, Johanna W

    2015-01-01

    Glucosamine and chondroitin are popular non-vitamin dietary supplements used for osteoarthritis. Long-term use is associated with lower incidence of colorectal and lung cancers and with lower mortality; however, the mechanism underlying these observations is unknown. In vitro and animal studies show that glucosamine and chondroitin inhibit NF-kB, a central mediator of inflammation, but no definitive trials have been done in healthy humans. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to assess the effects of glucosamine hydrochloride (1500 mg/d) plus chondroitin sulfate (1200 mg/d) for 28 days compared to placebo in 18 (9 men, 9 women) healthy, overweight (body mass index 25.0-32.5 kg/m2) adults, aged 20-55 y. We examined 4 serum inflammatory biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors I and II; a urinary inflammation biomarker: prostaglandin E2-metabolite; and a urinary oxidative stress biomarker: F2-isoprostane. Plasma proteomics on an antibody array was performed to explore other pathways modulated by glucosamine and chondroitin. Serum CRP concentrations were 23% lower after glucosamine and chondroitin compared to placebo (P = 0.048). There were no significant differences in other biomarkers. In the proteomics analyses, several pathways were significantly different between the interventions after Bonferroni correction, the most significant being a reduction in the "cytokine activity" pathway (P = 2.6 x 10-16), after glucosamine and chondroitin compared to placebo. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation may lower systemic inflammation and alter other pathways in healthy, overweight individuals. This study adds evidence for potential mechanisms supporting epidemiologic findings that glucosamine and chondroitin are associated with reduced risk of lung and colorectal cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01682694.

  11. Levels of HIV-1 persistence on antiretroviral therapy are not associated with markers of inflammation or activation

    PubMed Central

    Bosch, Ronald J.; Macatangay, Bernard J.; Rinaldo, Charles R.; Riddler, Sharon A.; Mellors, John W.

    2017-01-01

    Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces levels of HIV-1 and immune activation but both can persist despite clinically effective ART. The relationships among pre-ART and on-ART levels of HIV-1 and activation are incompletely understood, in part because prior studies have been small or cross-sectional. To address these limitations, we evaluated measures of HIV-1 persistence, inflammation, T cell activation and T cell cycling in a longitudinal cohort of 101 participants who initiated ART and had well-documented sustained suppression of plasma viremia for a median of 7 years. During the first 4 years following ART initiation, HIV-1 DNA declined by 15-fold (93%) whereas cell-associated HIV-1 RNA (CA-RNA) fell 525-fold (>99%). Thereafter, HIV-1 DNA levels continued to decline slowly (5% per year) with a half-life of 13 years. Participants who had higher HIV-1 DNA and CA-RNA before starting treatment had higher levels while on ART, despite suppression of plasma viremia for many years. Markers of inflammation and T cell activation were associated with plasma HIV-1 RNA levels before ART was initiated but there were no consistent associations between these markers and HIV-1 DNA or CA-RNA during long-term ART, suggesting that HIV-1 persistence is not driving or driven by inflammation or activation. Higher levels of inflammation, T cell activation and cycling before ART were associated with higher levels during ART, indicating that immunologic events that occurred well before ART initiation had long-lasting effects despite sustained virologic suppression. These findings should stimulate studies of viral and host factors that affect virologic, inflammatory and immunologic set points prior to ART initiation and should inform the design of strategies to reduce HIV-1 reservoirs and dampen immune activation that persists despite ART. PMID:28426825

  12. EphA2 Expression Regulates Inflammation and Fibroproliferative Remodeling in Atherosclerosis.

    PubMed

    Finney, Alexandra C; Funk, Steven D; Green, Jonette M; Yurdagul, Arif; Rana, Mohammad Atif; Pistorius, Rebecca; Henry, Miriam; Yurochko, Andrew; Pattillo, Christopher B; Traylor, James G; Chen, Jin; Woolard, Matthew D; Kevil, Christopher G; Orr, A Wayne

    2017-08-08

    Atherosclerotic plaque formation results from chronic inflammation and fibroproliferative remodeling in the vascular wall. We previously demonstrated that both human and mouse atherosclerotic plaques show elevated expression of EphA2, a guidance molecule involved in cell-cell interactions and tumorigenesis. Here, we assessed the role of EphA2 in atherosclerosis by deleting EphA2 in a mouse model of atherosclerosis (Apoe - /- ) and by assessing EphA2 function in multiple vascular cell culture models. After 8 to 16 weeks on a Western diet, male and female mice were assessed for atherosclerotic burden in the large vessels, and plasma lipid levels were analyzed. Despite enhanced weight gain and plasma lipid levels compared with Apoe -/- controls, EphA2 -/- Apoe -/- knockout mice show diminished atherosclerotic plaque formation, characterized by reduced proinflammatory gene expression and plaque macrophage content. Although plaque macrophages express EphA2, EphA2 deletion does not affect macrophage phenotype, inflammatory responses, and lipid uptake, and bone marrow chimeras suggest that hematopoietic EphA2 deletion does not affect plaque formation. In contrast, endothelial EphA2 knockdown significantly reduces monocyte firm adhesion under flow. In addition, EphA2 -/- Apoe -/- mice show reduced progression to advanced atherosclerotic plaques with diminished smooth muscle and collagen content. Consistent with this phenotype, EphA2 shows enhanced expression after smooth muscle transition to a synthetic phenotype, and EphA2 depletion reduces smooth muscle proliferation, mitogenic signaling, and extracellular matrix deposition both in atherosclerotic plaques and in vascular smooth muscle cells in culture. Together, these data identify a novel role for EphA2 in atherosclerosis, regulating both plaque inflammation and progression to advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Cell culture studies suggest that endothelial EphA2 contributes to atherosclerotic inflammation by promoting

  13. Comparison of Watermelon and Carbohydrate Beverage on Exercise-Induced Alterations in Systemic Inflammation, Immune Dysfunction, and Plasma Antioxidant Capacity

    PubMed Central

    Shanely, R. Andrew; Nieman, David C.; Perkins-Veazie, Penelope; Henson, Dru A.; Meaney, Mary P.; Knab, Amy M.; Cialdell-Kam, Lynn

    2016-01-01

    Consuming carbohydrate- and antioxidant-rich fruits during exercise as a means of supporting and enhancing both performance and health is of interest to endurance athletes. Watermelon (WM) contains carbohydrate, lycopene, l-citrulline, and l-arginine. WM may support exercise performance, augment antioxidant capacity, and act as a countermeasure to exercise-induced inflammation and innate immune changes. Trained cyclists (n = 20, 48 ± 2 years) participated in a randomized, placebo controlled, crossover study. Subjects completed two 75 km cycling time trials after either 2 weeks ingestion of 980 mL/day WM puree or no treatment. Subjects drank either WM puree containing 0.2 gm/kg carbohydrate or a 6% carbohydrate beverage every 15 min during the time trials. Blood samples were taken pre-study and pre-, post-, 1 h post-exercise. WM ingestion versus no treatment for 2-weeks increased plasma l-citrulline and l-arginine concentrations (p < 0.0125). Exercise performance did not differ between WM puree or carbohydrate beverage trials (p > 0.05), however, the rating of perceived exertion was greater during the WM trial (p > 0.05). WM puree versus carbohydrate beverage resulted in a similar pattern of increase in blood glucose, and greater increases in post-exercise plasma antioxidant capacity, l-citrulline, l-arginine, and total nitrate (all p < 0.05), but without differences in systemic markers of inflammation or innate immune function. Daily WM puree consumption fully supported the energy demands of exercise, and increased post-exercise blood levels of WM nutritional components (l-citrulline and l-arginine), antioxidant capacity, and total nitrate, but without an influence on post-exercise inflammation and changes in innate immune function. PMID:27556488

  14. Comparison of Watermelon and Carbohydrate Beverage on Exercise-Induced Alterations in Systemic Inflammation, Immune Dysfunction, and Plasma Antioxidant Capacity.

    PubMed

    Shanely, R Andrew; Nieman, David C; Perkins-Veazie, Penelope; Henson, Dru A; Meaney, Mary P; Knab, Amy M; Cialdell-Kam, Lynn

    2016-08-22

    Consuming carbohydrate- and antioxidant-rich fruits during exercise as a means of supporting and enhancing both performance and health is of interest to endurance athletes. Watermelon (WM) contains carbohydrate, lycopene, l-citrulline, and l-arginine. WM may support exercise performance, augment antioxidant capacity, and act as a countermeasure to exercise-induced inflammation and innate immune changes. Trained cyclists (n = 20, 48 ± 2 years) participated in a randomized, placebo controlled, crossover study. Subjects completed two 75 km cycling time trials after either 2 weeks ingestion of 980 mL/day WM puree or no treatment. Subjects drank either WM puree containing 0.2 gm/kg carbohydrate or a 6% carbohydrate beverage every 15 min during the time trials. Blood samples were taken pre-study and pre-, post-, 1 h post-exercise. WM ingestion versus no treatment for 2-weeks increased plasma l-citrulline and l-arginine concentrations (p < 0.0125). Exercise performance did not differ between WM puree or carbohydrate beverage trials (p > 0.05), however, the rating of perceived exertion was greater during the WM trial (p > 0.05). WM puree versus carbohydrate beverage resulted in a similar pattern of increase in blood glucose, and greater increases in post-exercise plasma antioxidant capacity, l-citrulline, l-arginine, and total nitrate (all p < 0.05), but without differences in systemic markers of inflammation or innate immune function. Daily WM puree consumption fully supported the energy demands of exercise, and increased post-exercise blood levels of WM nutritional components (l-citrulline and l-arginine), antioxidant capacity, and total nitrate, but without an influence on post-exercise inflammation and changes in innate immune function.

  15. The Association Between Obesity and Cognitive Function in Older Persons: How Much Is Mediated by Inflammation, Fasting Plasma Glucose, and Hypertriglyceridemia?

    PubMed

    Gunathilake, Roshan; Oldmeadow, Christopher; McEvoy, Mark; Inder, Kerry J; Schofield, Peter W; Nair, Balakrishnan R; Attia, John

    2016-12-01

    The aim of the study was to determine how much of the association between obesity, measured by body mass index (BMI), and cognition in older persons is mediated through inflammation, fasting plasma glucose, and hypertriglyceridemia. Anthropometrics, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting plasma glucose, and serum triglycerides were measured in 3,256 community-dwelling individuals aged 55-85 years residing in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Audio recorded cognitive screen (ARCS) was used to assess multiple cognitive domains. Mediation analyses showed very modest but significant direct mediation effects, whereby obesity was associated with better cognitive function after adjusting for potential confounders (controlled direct effect ≈ 1/500 point increase in the total ARCS score per 1.0-kg/m 2 increase in BMI). There were significant indirect negative mediation effects from BMI to cognition mediated through CRP, that is, increased BMI was associated with increased CRP which was associated with decreased cognition (natural indirect effect -0.20 unit; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.39, -0.02), and through fasting plasma glucose, that is, increased BMI was associated with increased fasting plasma glucose which was associated with decreased cognition (natural indirect effect -0.12 unit; 95% CI -0.24, -0.01], but not through serum triglycerides. There is a weak positive association between obesity and cognitive performance in older persons, which is partially antagonized by inflammation and elevated fasting plasma glucose, but not hypertriglyceridemia. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether this is due to selection bias, or truly reflects biologically complex and counter balancing pathways involved in obesity. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  16. An effective approach to reduce inflammation and stenosis in carotid artery: polypyrrole nanoparticle-based photothermal therapy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peng, Zhiyou; Qin, Jinbao; Li, Bo; Ye, Kaichuang; Zhang, Yuxin; Yang, Xinrui; Yuan, Fukang; Huang, Lijia; Hu, Junqing; Lu, Xinwu

    2015-04-01

    Photothermal therapy (PTT), as a promising treatment for tumours, has rarely been reported for application in artery restenosis, which is a common complication of endovascular management due to enduring chronic inflammation and abnormal cell proliferation. In our study, biodegradable polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy-NPs) were synthesized and characterized, including their size distribution, UV-vis-NIR absorbance, molar extinction coefficients, and photothermal properties. We then verified that PPy-NP incubation followed by 915 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation could effectively ablate inflammatory macrophages in vitro, leading to significant cell apoptosis and cell death. Further, it was found that a combination of local PPy-NP injection with 915 nm NIR laser irradiation could significantly alleviate arterial inflammation by eliminating infiltrating macrophages and further ameliorating artery stenosis in an ApoE-/- mouse model, without showing any obvious toxic side effects. Thus, we propose that PTT based on PPy-NPs as photothermal agents and a 915 nm NIR laser as a power source can serve as a new effective treatment for reducing inflammation and stenosis formation in inflamed arteries after endovascular management.Photothermal therapy (PTT), as a promising treatment for tumours, has rarely been reported for application in artery restenosis, which is a common complication of endovascular management due to enduring chronic inflammation and abnormal cell proliferation. In our study, biodegradable polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy-NPs) were synthesized and characterized, including their size distribution, UV-vis-NIR absorbance, molar extinction coefficients, and photothermal properties. We then verified that PPy-NP incubation followed by 915 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation could effectively ablate inflammatory macrophages in vitro, leading to significant cell apoptosis and cell death. Further, it was found that a combination of local PPy-NP injection with

  17. Expression and Sequence Variants of Inflammatory Genes; Effects on Plasma Inflammation Biomarkers Following a 6-Week Supplementation with Fish Oil.

    PubMed

    Cormier, Hubert; Rudkowska, Iwona; Lemieux, Simone; Couture, Patrick; Vohl, Marie-Claude

    2016-03-15

    (1) BACKGROUND: A growing body of literature suggest that polymorphisms (SNPs) from inflammation-related genes could possibly play a role in cytokine production and then interact with dietary n-3 fatty acids (FAs) to modulate inflammation. The aim of the present study was to test whether gene expression of selected inflammatory genes was altered following an n-3 PUFA supplementation and to test for gene-diet interactions modulating plasma inflammatory biomarker levels. (2) METHODS: 191 subjects completed a 6-week n-3 FA supplementation with 5 g/day of fish oil. Gene expression of TNF-α and IL6 was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using the TaqMan technology. Genotyping of 20 SNPs from the TNF-LTA gene cluster, IL1β, IL6 and CRP genes was performed. (3) RESULTS: There was no significant reduction of plasma IL-6, TNF-α and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after the 6-week fish oil supplementation. TNF-α and IL6 were slightly overexpressed in PBMCs after the supplementation (fold changes of 1.05 ± 0.38 and 1.18 ± 0.49, respectively (n = 191)), but relative quantification (RQ) within the -0.5 to 2.0 fold are considered as nonbiologically significant. In a MIXED model for repeated measures adjusted for the effects of age, sex and BMI, gene by supplementation interaction effects were observed for rs1143627, rs16944, rs1800797, and rs2069840 on IL6 levels, for rs2229094 on TNF-α levels and for rs1800629 on CRP levels (p < 0.05 for all). (4) CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a 6-week n-3 FA supplementation with 5 g/day of fish oil did not alter gene expression levels of TNF-α and IL6 in PBMCs and did not have an impact on inflammatory biomarker levels. However, gene-diet interactions were observed between SNPs within inflammation-related genes modulating plasma inflammatory biomarker levels.

  18. Expression and Sequence Variants of Inflammatory Genes; Effects on Plasma Inflammation Biomarkers Following a 6-Week Supplementation with Fish Oil

    PubMed Central

    Cormier, Hubert; Rudkowska, Iwona; Lemieux, Simone; Couture, Patrick; Vohl, Marie-Claude

    2016-01-01

    (1) Background: A growing body of literature suggest that polymorphisms (SNPs) from inflammation-related genes could possibly play a role in cytokine production and then interact with dietary n-3 fatty acids (FAs) to modulate inflammation. The aim of the present study was to test whether gene expression of selected inflammatory genes was altered following an n-3 PUFA supplementation and to test for gene–diet interactions modulating plasma inflammatory biomarker levels. (2) Methods: 191 subjects completed a 6-week n-3 FA supplementation with 5 g/day of fish oil. Gene expression of TNF-α and IL6 was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using the TaqMan technology. Genotyping of 20 SNPs from the TNF-LTA gene cluster, IL1β, IL6 and CRP genes was performed. (3) Results: There was no significant reduction of plasma IL-6, TNF-α and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after the 6-week fish oil supplementation. TNF-α and IL6 were slightly overexpressed in PBMCs after the supplementation (fold changes of 1.05 ± 0.38 and 1.18 ± 0.49, respectively (n = 191)), but relative quantification (RQ) within the −0.5 to 2.0 fold are considered as nonbiologically significant. In a MIXED model for repeated measures adjusted for the effects of age, sex and BMI, gene by supplementation interaction effects were observed for rs1143627, rs16944, rs1800797, and rs2069840 on IL6 levels, for rs2229094 on TNF-α levels and for rs1800629 on CRP levels (p < 0.05 for all). (4) Conclusions: This study shows that a 6-week n-3 FA supplementation with 5 g/day of fish oil did not alter gene expression levels of TNF-α and IL6 in PBMCs and did not have an impact on inflammatory biomarker levels. However, gene–diet interactions were observed between SNPs within inflammation-related genes modulating plasma inflammatory biomarker levels. PMID:26999109

  19. Influence of toll-like receptor 4 gene variants and plasma fatty acid profile on systemic inflammation: A population-based cross-sectional study.

    PubMed

    Norde, Marina Maintinguer; Oki, Erica; Carioca, Antonio A F; Castro, Inar A; Souza, José M P; Marchioni, Dirce M L; Fisberg, Regina M; Rogero, Marcelo M

    2017-03-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and plasma fatty acid (FA) profile in modulating risk for systemic inflammation. In all, 262 adult (19-59 y) participants of the Health Survey of São Paulo met the inclusion criteria. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, plasma inflammatory biomarker concentration, and fatty acid profile were measured and four SNPs of the TLR4 gene (rs4986790, rs4986791, rs11536889, and rs5030728) were genotyped. Multivariate cluster analysis was performed to stratify individuals based on levels of 11 plasma inflammatory biomarkers into two groups: inflammatory (INF) and noninflammatory (NINF). No association was found between any of the SNPs studied and systemic inflammation. The INF cluster had higher palmitic acid levels (P = 0.039) and estimated stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase activity (P = 0.045) and lower polyunsaturated fatty acid (P = 0.011), ω-6 fatty acid (P = 0.018), arachidonic acid (P = 0.002) levels, and estimated δ-5 desaturase activity (P = 0.025) compared with the NINF cluster. Statistically significant interaction between rs11536889 and arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid (AA/EPA) ratio (P = 0.034) was found to increase the odds of belonging to the INF cluster when individuals had the variant allele C and were at the higher percentile of AA/EPA plasma ratio. Plasma fatty acid profile modulated the odds of belonging to the INF cluster depending on genotypes of TRL4 gene polymorphisms. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 reduces pneumococcal lung infection and inflammation in a viral and bacterial coinfection pneumonia model.

    PubMed

    Wang, Hao; Anthony, Desiree; Yatmaz, Selcuk; Wijburg, Odilia; Satzke, Catherine; Levy, Bruce; Vlahos, Ross; Bozinovski, Steven

    2017-09-15

    Formyl peptide receptor 2/lipoxin A 4 (LXA 4 ) receptor (Fpr2/ALX) co-ordinates the transition from inflammation to resolution during acute infection by binding to distinct ligands including serum amyloid A (SAA) and Resolvin D1 (RvD1). Here, we evaluated the proresolving actions of aspirin-triggered RvD1 (AT-RvD1) in an acute coinfection pneumonia model. Coinfection with Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus (IAV) markedly increased pneumococcal lung load and neutrophilic inflammation during the resolution phase. Fpr2/ALX transcript levels were increased in the lungs of coinfected mice, and immunohistochemistry identified prominent Fpr2/ALX immunoreactivity in bronchial epithelial cells and macrophages. Levels of circulating and lung SAA were also highly increased in coinfected mice. Therapeutic treatment with exogenous AT-RvD1 during the acute phase of infection (day 4-6 post-pneumococcal inoculation) significantly reduced the pneumococcal load. AT-RvD1 also significantly reduced neutrophil elastase (NE) activity and restored total antimicrobial activity in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (BALF) of coinfected mice. Pneumonia severity, as measured by quantitating parenchymal inflammation or alveolitis was significantly reduced with AT-RvD1 treatment, which also reduced the number of infiltrating lung neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages as assessed by flow cytometry. The reduction in distal lung inflammation in AT-RvD1-treated mice was not associated with a significant reduction in inflammatory and chemokine mediators. In summary, we demonstrate that in the coinfection setting, SAA levels were persistently increased and exogenous AT-RvD1 facilitated more rapid clearance of pneumococci in the lungs, while concurrently reducing the severity of pneumonia by limiting excessive leukocyte chemotaxis from the infected bronchioles to distal areas of the lungs. © 2017 The Author(s).

  1. FXR agonist obeticholic acid reduces hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in a rat model of toxic cirrhosis

    PubMed Central

    Verbeke, Len; Mannaerts, Inge; Schierwagen, Robert; Govaere, Olivier; Klein, Sabine; Vander Elst, Ingrid; Windmolders, Petra; Farre, Ricard; Wenes, Mathias; Mazzone, Massimiliano; Nevens, Frederik; van Grunsven, Leo A.; Trebicka, Jonel; Laleman, Wim

    2016-01-01

    Hepatic inflammation drives hepatic stellate cells (HSC), resulting in liver fibrosis. The Farnesoid-X receptor (FXR) antagonizes inflammation through NF-κB inhibition. We investigated preventive and therapeutic effects of FXR agonist obeticholic acid (OCA) on hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in toxic cirrhotic rats. Cirrhosis was induced by thioacetamide (TAA) intoxication. OCA was given during or after intoxication with vehicle-treated rats as controls. At sacrifice, fibrosis, hemodynamic and biochemical parameters were assessed. HSC activation, cell turn-over, hepatic NF-κB activation, pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines were determined. The effect of OCA was further evaluated in isolated HSC, Kupffer cells, hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). OCA decreased hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis during TAA-administration and reversed fibrosis in established cirrhosis. Portal pressure decreased through reduced intrahepatic vascular resistance. This was paralleled by decreased expression of pro-fibrotic cytokines (transforming growth-factor β, connective tissue growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor β-receptor) as well as markers of hepatic cell turn-over, by blunting effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1). In vitro, OCA inhibited both LSEC and Kupffer cell activation; while HSC remained unaffected. This related to NF-κB inhibition via up-regulated IκBα. In conclusion, OCA inhibits hepatic inflammation in toxic cirrhotic rats resulting in decreased HSC activation and fibrosis. PMID:27634375

  2. Effect of high-dose intravenous vitamin C on inflammation in cancer patients.

    PubMed

    Mikirova, Nina; Casciari, Joseph; Rogers, Andrea; Taylor, Paul

    2012-09-11

    An inflammatory component is present in the microenvironment of most neoplastic tissues. Inflammation and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with poor prognosis and decreased survival in many types of cancer.Vitamin C has been suggested as having both a preventative and therapeutic role in a number of pathologies when administered at much higher-than-recommended dietary allowance levels.Since in vitro studies demonstrated inhibition of pro-inflammatory pathways by millimolar concentrations of vitamin C, we decided to analyze the effects of high dose IVC therapy in suppression of inflammation in cancer patients. 45 patients with prostate cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, skin cancer and B-cell lymphoma were treated at the Riordan Clinic by high doses of vitamin C (7.5 g -50 g) after standard treatments by conventional methods.CRP and tumor markers were measured in serum or heparin-plasma as a routine analysis. In addition, serum samples were collected before and after the IVCs for the cytokine kit tests. According to our data positive response to treatment, which was demonstrated by measurements of C- reactive protein, was found in 75% of patients and progression of the inflammation in 25% of patients. IVC treatments on all aggressive stage cancer patients showed the poor response of treatment.There was correlation between tumor markers (PSA, CEA, CA27.29 and CA15-3) and changes in the levels of C-reactive protein.Our test of the effect of IVC on pro-inflammatory cytokines demonstrated that inflammation cytokines IL-1α, IL-2, IL-8, TNF-α, chemokine eotaxin and CRP were reduced significantly after treatments. The high dose intravenous ascorbic acid therapy affects C-reactive protein levels and pro-inflammation cytokines in cancer patients. In our study, we found that modulation of inflammation by IVC correlated with decreases in tumor marker levels.In summary, our data support the hypothesis that

  3. Effect of high-dose intravenous vitamin C on inflammation in cancer patients

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background An inflammatory component is present in the microenvironment of most neoplastic tissues. Inflammation and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with poor prognosis and decreased survival in many types of cancer. Vitamin C has been suggested as having both a preventative and therapeutic role in a number of pathologies when administered at much higher-than-recommended dietary allowance levels. Since in vitro studies demonstrated inhibition of pro-inflammatory pathways by millimolar concentrations of vitamin C, we decided to analyze the effects of high dose IVC therapy in suppression of inflammation in cancer patients. Methods 45 patients with prostate cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, skin cancer and B-cell lymphoma were treated at the Riordan Clinic by high doses of vitamin C (7.5 g -50 g) after standard treatments by conventional methods. CRP and tumor markers were measured in serum or heparin-plasma as a routine analysis. In addition, serum samples were collected before and after the IVCs for the cytokine kit tests. Results According to our data positive response to treatment, which was demonstrated by measurements of C- reactive protein, was found in 75% of patients and progression of the inflammation in 25% of patients. IVC treatments on all aggressive stage cancer patients showed the poor response of treatment. There was correlation between tumor markers (PSA, CEA, CA27.29 and CA15-3) and changes in the levels of C-reactive protein. Our test of the effect of IVC on pro-inflammatory cytokines demonstrated that inflammation cytokines IL-1α, IL-2, IL-8, TNF-α, chemokine eotaxin and CRP were reduced significantly after treatments. Conclusions The high dose intravenous ascorbic acid therapy affects C-reactive protein levels and pro-inflammation cytokines in cancer patients. In our study, we found that modulation of inflammation by IVC correlated with decreases in tumor marker levels. In

  4. Aerobic exercise and weight loss reduce vascular markers of inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity in obese women.

    PubMed

    Ryan, Alice S; Ge, Shealinna; Blumenthal, Jacob B; Serra, Monica C; Prior, Steven J; Goldberg, Andrew P

    2014-04-01

    To examine the relationships between plasma and tissue markers of systemic and vascular inflammation and obesity and insulin resistance and determine the effects of aerobic exercise training plus weight loss (AEX+WL) and weight loss (WL) alone on these biomarkers. Prospective controlled study. Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University research setting. Overweight and obese sedentary postmenopausal women (N = 77). Six months, 3 d/wk AEX+WL (n = 37) or WL (n = 40). Total-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, abdominal computed tomography, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps (a criterion standard method of assessing insulin sensitivity), adipose tissue biopsies (n = 28), and blood for homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, and soluble forms of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum amyloid A (SAA). Body weight (P < .001), percentage of fat (P < .001), visceral fat (P < .005), triglyceride levels (P < .001), and systolic blood pressure decreased comparably after WL and AEX+WL (P = .04). Maximal oxygen consumption increased 16% after AEX+WL (P < .001). Insulin resistance decreased in both groups (P = .005). Glucose utilization according to the clamp increased 10% (P = .04) with AEX+WL and 8% with WL (P = .07). AEX+WL decreased CRP by 29% (P < .001) and WL by 21% (P = .02). SAA levels decreased twice as much after AEX+WL (-19%, P = .02) as after WL (-9%, P = .08). Plasma sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels did not change, but women with the greatest reduction in plasma sICAM-1 levels had the greatest reductions in fasting glucose (P = .02), insulin (P = .02), and insulin resistance (P = .004). Gluteal ICAM messenger ribonucleic acid levels decreased 27% after AEX+WL (P = .02) and did not change after WL. Obesity and insulin resistance worsen markers of systemic and vascular inflammation. A reduction in plasma sICAM-1 is important to improve insulin sensitivity. CRP, SAA, and

  5. Plasma markers of inflammation and prediction of cardiovascular disease and mortality in African Americans with type 1 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Roy, Monique S; Janal, Malvin N; Crosby, Juan; Donnelly, Robert

    2016-04-01

    To determine whether plasma levels of markers of inflammation are predictive of the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, or mortality in African Americans with type 1 diabetes mellitus. A total of 484 African Americans with type 1 diabetes were included. At baseline and 6-year follow-up, a clinical interview and examination were conducted to document CVD and systemic hypertension. Venous blood for glycated hemoglobin and cholesterol was obtained and albumin excretion rate measured. Mortality was assessed annually between baseline and 6-year follow-up by review of the social security death index. Baseline plasma levels of 28 inflammatory biomarkers were measured using multiplex bead analysis system. After adjusting for baseline age and other confounders, African Americans with type 1 diabetes in the highest quartile of plasma interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) were three times more likely to develop CVD than those in the lowest quartile. African Americans with type 1 diabetes in the lowest quartiles of plasma stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) had a 75% higher risk of death than patients in the highest quartile, independently of age, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index, hypertension, and albuminuria. In African Americans with type 1 diabetes, high plasma IP-10 is an independent predictor for incident CVD and low SDF-1 an independent predictor for mortality. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Plasma Shh levels reduced in pancreatic cancer patients

    PubMed Central

    El-Zaatari, Mohamad; Daignault, Stephanie; Tessier, Art; Kelsey, Gail; Travnikar, Lisa A.; Cantu, Esperanza F.; Lee, Jamie; Plonka, Caitlyn M.; Simeone, Diane M.; Anderson, Michelle A.; Merchant, Juanita L.

    2012-01-01

    Objectives Normally, sonic hedgehog (Shh) is expressed in the pancreas during fetal development and transiently after tissue injury. Although pancreatic cancers express Shh, it is not known if the protein is secreted into the blood and whether its plasma levels change with pancreatic transformation. The goal of this study was to develop an ELISA to detect human Shh in blood, and determine the levels in subjects with and without pancreatic cancer. Methods A human Shh ELISA assay was developed, and plasma Shh levels were measured in blood samples from normal volunteers and subjects with pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. The biological activity of plasma Shh was tested using NIH-3T3 cells. Results The average levels of Shh in human blood were lower in pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer patients than in normal individuals. Hematopoietic cells did not express Shh suggesting that Shh is secreted into the bloodstream. Plasma fractions enriched for Shh did not induce Gli-1 mRNA suggesting that the protein was not biologically active. Conclusions Shh is secreted from tissues and organs into the circulation but its activity is blocked by plasma proteins. Reduced plasma levels were found in pancreatic cancer patients, but alone were not sufficient to predict pancreatic cancer. PMID:22513293

  7. Plasma Shh levels reduced in pancreatic cancer patients.

    PubMed

    El-Zaatari, Mohamad; Daignault, Stephanie; Tessier, Art; Kelsey, Gail; Travnikar, Lisa A; Cantu, Esperanza F; Lee, Jamie; Plonka, Caitlyn M; Simeone, Diane M; Anderson, Michelle A; Merchant, Juanita L

    2012-10-01

    Normally, sonic hedgehog (Shh) is expressed in the pancreas during fetal development and transiently after tissue injury. Although pancreatic cancers express Shh, it is not known if the protein is secreted into the blood and whether its plasma levels change with pancreatic transformation. The goal of this study was to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect human Shh in blood and determine its levels in subjects with and without pancreatic cancer. A human Shh enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed, and plasma Shh levels were measured in blood samples from healthy subjects and patients with pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. The biological activity of plasma Shh was tested using NIH-3T3 cells. The mean levels of Shh in human blood were lower in patients with pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer than in healthy subjects. Hematopoietic cells did not express Shh, suggesting that Shh is secreted into the bloodstream. Plasma fractions enriched with Shh did not induce Gli-1 messenger RNA, suggesting that the protein was not biologically active. Shh is secreted from tissues and organs into the circulation, but its activity is blocked by plasma proteins. Reduced plasma levels were found in pancreatic cancer patients, but alone were not sufficient to predict pancreatic cancer.

  8. One Egg per Day Improves Inflammation when Compared to an Oatmeal-Based Breakfast without Increasing Other Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Diabetic Patients

    PubMed Central

    Ballesteros, Martha Nydia; Valenzuela, Fabrizio; Robles, Alma E.; Artalejo, Elizabeth; Aguilar, David; Andersen, Catherine J.; Valdez, Herlindo; Fernandez, Maria Luz

    2015-01-01

    There is concern that egg intake may increase blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, we have previously shown that eggs reduce inflammation in patients at risk for T2DM, including obese subjects and those with metabolic syndrome. Thus, we hypothesized that egg intake would not alter plasma glucose in T2DM patients when compared to oatmeal intake. Our primary endpoints for this clinical intervention were plasma glucose and the inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin 6 (IL-6). As secondary endpoints, we evaluated additional parameters of glucose metabolism, dyslipidemias, oxidative stress and inflammation. Twenty-nine subjects, 35–65 years with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values <9% were recruited and randomly allocated to consume isocaloric breakfasts containing either one egg/day or 40 g of oatmeal with 472 mL of lactose-free milk/day for five weeks. Following a three-week washout period, subjects were assigned to the alternate breakfast. At the end of each period, we measured all primary and secondary endpoints. Subjects completed four-day dietary recalls and one exercise questionnaire for each breakfast period. There were no significant differences in plasma glucose, our primary endpoint, plasma lipids, lipoprotein size or subfraction concentrations, insulin, HbA1c, apolipoprotein B, oxidized LDL or C-reactive protein. However, after adjusting for gender, age and body mass index, aspartate amino-transferase (AST) (p < 0.05) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (p < 0.01), one of our primary endpoints were significantly reduced during the egg period. These results suggest that compared to an oatmeal-based breakfast, eggs do not have any detrimental effects on lipoprotein or glucose metabolism in T2DM. In contrast, eggs reduce AST and TNF-α in this population characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation. PMID:25970149

  9. Plasma cell-free mitochondrial DNA declines in response to prolonged moderate aerobic exercise.

    PubMed

    Shockett, Penny E; Khanal, Januka; Sitaula, Alina; Oglesby, Christopher; Meachum, William A; Castracane, V Daniel; Kraemer, Robert R

    2016-01-01

    Increased plasma cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mDNA), a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) produced by cellular injury, contributes to neutrophil activation/inflammation in trauma patients and arises in cancer and autoimmunity. To further understand relationships between cf-mDNA released by tissue injury, inflammation, and health benefits of exercise, we examined cf-mDNA response to prolonged moderate aerobic exercise. Seven healthy moderately trained young men (age = 22.4 ± 1.2) completed a treadmill exercise trial for 90 min at 60% VO2 max and a resting control trial. Blood was sampled immediately prior to exercise (0 min = baseline), during (+18, +54 min), immediately after (+90 min), and after recovery (R40). Plasma was analyzed for cf-mDNA, IL-6, and lactate. A significant difference in cf-mDNA response was observed between exercise and control trials, with cf-mDNA levels reduced during exercise at +54 and +90 (with or without plasma volume shift correction). Declines in cf-mDNA were accompanied by increased lactate and followed by an increase in IL-6, suggesting a temporal association with muscle stress and inflammatory processes. Our novel finding of cf-mDNA decline with prolonged moderate treadmill exercise provides evidence for increased clearance from or reduced release of cf-mDNA into the blood with prolonged exercise. These studies contrast with previous investigations involving exhaustive short-term treadmill exercise, in which no change in cf-mDNA levels were reported, and contribute to our understanding of differences between exercise- and trauma-induced inflammation. We propose that transient declines in cf-mDNA may induce health benefits, by reducing systemic inflammation. © 2016 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society.

  10. MFSD2A Promotes Endothelial Generation of Inflammation-Resolving Lipid Mediators and Reduces Colitis in Mice.

    PubMed

    Ungaro, Federica; Tacconi, Carlotta; Massimino, Luca; Corsetto, Paola Antonia; Correale, Carmen; Fonteyne, Philippe; Piontini, Andrea; Garzarelli, Valeria; Calcaterra, Francesca; Della Bella, Silvia; Spinelli, Antonino; Carvello, Michele; Rizzo, Angela Maria; Vetrano, Stefania; Petti, Luciana; Fiorino, Gionata; Furfaro, Federica; Mavilio, Domenico; Maddipati, Krishna Rao; Malesci, Alberto; Peyrin-Biroulet, Laurent; D'Alessio, Silvia; Danese, Silvio

    2017-11-01

    Alterations in signaling pathways that regulate resolution of inflammation (resolving pathways) contribute to pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). The resolution process is regulated by lipid mediators, such as those derived from the ω-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), whose esterified form is transported by the major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A (MFSD2A) through the endothelium of brain, retina, and placenta. We investigated if and how MFSD2A regulates lipid metabolism of gut endothelial cells to promote resolution of intestinal inflammation. We performed lipidomic and functional analyses of MFSD2A in mucosal biopsies and primary human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMECs) isolated from surgical specimens from patients with active, resolving UC and healthy individuals without UC (controls). MFSD2A was knocked down in HIMECs with small hairpin RNAs or overexpressed from a lentiviral vector. Human circulating endothelial progenitor cells that overexpress MFSD2A were transferred to CD1 nude mice with dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis, with or without oral administration of DHA. Colonic biopsies from patients with UC had reduced levels of inflammation-resolving DHA-derived epoxy metabolites compared to healthy colon tissues or tissues with resolution of inflammation. Production of these metabolites by HIMECs required MFSD2A, which is required for DHA retention and metabolism in the gut vasculature. In mice with colitis, transplanted endothelial progenitor cells that overexpressed MFSD2A not only localized to the inflamed mucosa but also restored the ability of the endothelium to resolve intestinal inflammation, compared with mice with colitis that did not receive MFSD2A-overexpressing endothelial progenitors. Levels of DHA-derived epoxides are lower in colon tissues from patients with UC than healthy and resolving mucosa. Production of these metabolites by gut endothelium requires MFSD2A; endothelial progenitor cells that

  11. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate attenuates the development of acute and chronic inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Cuzzocrea, Salvatore; Chatterjee, Prabal K; Mazzon, Emanuela; Dugo, Laura; Serraino, Ivana; Britti, Domenico; Mazzullo, Giuseppe; Caputi, Achille P; Thiemermann, Christoph

    2002-01-01

    The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor which plays a pivotal role in the induction of genes involved in physiological processes as well as in the response to injury and inflammation. Dithiocarbamates are antioxidants which are potent inhibitors of NF-κB. We postulated that pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) would attenuate inflammation. In the present study we investigate the effects of PDTC in animal models of acute and chronic inflammation (carrageenan-induced pleurisy and collagen-induced arthritis). We report here for the first time that PDTC (given at 100, 30 or 10 mg kg−1 i.p. in the pleurisy model or at 10 mg kg−1 i.p. every 48 h in the arthritis model) exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects (e.g. significant reduction of (A) pleural exudate formation, (B) polymorphonuclear cell infiltration, (C) lipid peroxidation, (D) inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and nitric oxide production (E) plasma and pleural exudates levels of interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α, (F) histological injury and (G) delayed development of clinical indicators). Furthermore, PDTC reduced immunohistochemical evidence of (A) formation of nitrotyrosine, (B) activation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), (C) expression of iNOS and (D) expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the lungs of carrageenan-treated mice and in the joints from collagen-treated mice. Additionally, Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis of lung tissue revealed that PDTC prevented degradation of IKB-α and translocation of NF-κB from the cytoplasm into the nucleus. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that prevention of the activation of NF-κB by PDTC reduces the development of acute and chronic inflammation. Therefore, inhibition of NF-κB may represent a novel approach for the therapy of inflammation. PMID:11815386

  12. Bovine Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase Reduces Inflammation After Induction of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice.

    PubMed

    Fiechter, Danielle; Kats, Suzanne; Brands, Ruud; van Middelaar, Ben; Pasterkamp, Gerard; de Kleijn, Dominique; Seinen, Willem

    2011-10-01

    There has been increasing evidence suggesting that lipopolysaccharide or endotoxin may be an important activator of the innate immune system after acute myocardial infarction. Bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase reduces inflammation in several endotoxin mediated diseases by dephosphorylation of the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase on reducing inflammation after acute myocardial infarction. Just before permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) artery to induce acute myocardial infarction in Balb/c mice, bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase (bIAP) was administrated intravenously. After 4 hours, mice were sacrificed and the inflammatory response was assessed. Acute myocardial infarction induced the production of different cytokines, which were measured in blood. Treatment with bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase resulted in a significant reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β and the chymase mouse mast cell protease-1. No difference in the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was observed between the control group and the bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase treated group. In a mouse model of permanent LAD coronary artery ligation, bIAP diminishes the pro-inflammatory responses but does not have an effect on the anti-inflammatory response in the acute phase after acute myocardial infarction.

  13. Atorvastatin reduces cardiac and adipose tissue inflammation in rats with metabolic syndrome.

    PubMed

    Yamada, Yuichiro; Takeuchi, Shino; Yoneda, Mamoru; Ito, Shogo; Sano, Yusuke; Nagasawa, Kai; Matsuura, Natsumi; Uchinaka, Ayako; Murohara, Toyoaki; Nagata, Kohzo

    2017-08-01

    Statins are strong inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis and help to prevent cardiovascular disease. They also exert additional pleiotropic effects that include an anti-inflammatory action and are independent of cholesterol, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these additional effects have remained unclear. We have now examined the effects of atorvastatin on cardiac and adipose tissue inflammation in DahlS.Z-Lepr fa /Lepr fa (DS/obese) rats, which we previously established as a model of metabolic syndrome (MetS). DS/obese rats were treated with atorvastatin (6 or 20mgkg -1 day -1 ) from 9 to 13weeks of age. Atorvastatin ameliorated cardiac fibrosis, diastolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation as well as adipose tissue inflammation in these animals at both doses. The high dose of atorvastatin reduced adipocyte hypertrophy to a greater extent than did the low dose. Atorvastatin inhibited the up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ gene expression in adipose tissue as well as decreased the serum adiponectin concentration in DS/obese rats. It also activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as well as inactivated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the heart of these animals. The down-regulation of AMPK and NF-κB activities in adipose tissue of DS/obese rats was attenuated and further enhanced, respectively, by atorvastatin treatment. The present results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin on the heart and adipose tissue are attributable at least partly to increased AMPK activity and decreased NF-κB activity in this rat model of MetS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Low level laser therapy reduces acute lung inflammation in a model of pulmonary and extrapulmonary LPS-induced ARDS.

    PubMed

    Oliveira, Manoel Carneiro; Greiffo, Flávia Regina; Rigonato-Oliveira, Nicole Cristine; Custódio, Ricardo Wesley Alberca; Silva, Vanessa Roza; Damaceno-Rodrigues, Nilsa Regina; Almeida, Francine Maria; Albertini, Regiane; Lopes-Martins, Rodrigo Álvaro B; de Oliveira, Luis Vicente Franco; de Carvalho, Paulo de Tarso Camillo; Ligeiro de Oliveira, Ana Paula; Leal, Ernesto César P; Vieira, Rodolfo P

    2014-05-05

    The present study aimed to investigate the effects low level laser therapy (LLLT) in a LPS-induced pulmonary and extrapulmonary acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in BALB/c mice. Laser (830nm laser, 9J/cm(2), 35mW, 80s per point, 3 points per application) was applied in direct contact with skin, 1h after LPS administration. Mice were distributed in control (n=6; PBS), ARDS IT (n=7; LPS orotracheally 10μg/mouse), ARDS IP (n=7; LPS intra-peritoneally 100μg/mouse), ARDS IT+Laser (n=9; LPS intra-tracheally 10μg/mouse), ARDS IP+Laser (n=9; LPS intra-peritoneally 100μg/mouse). Twenty-four hours after last LPS administration, mice were studied for pulmonary inflammation by total and differential cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, KC and TNF-alpha) levels in BAL fluid and also by quantitative analysis of neutrophils number in the lung parenchyma. LLLT significantly reduced pulmonary and extrapulmonary inflammation in LPS-induced ARDS, as demonstrated by reduced number of total cells (p<0.001) and neutrophils (p<0.001) in BAL, reduced levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, KC and TNF-alpha in BAL fluid and in serum (p<0.001), as well as the number of neutrophils in lung parenchyma (p<0.001). LLLT is effective to reduce pulmonary inflammation in both pulmonary and extrapulmonary model of LPS-induced ARDS. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Obesity-induced DNA released from adipocytes stimulates chronic adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance.

    PubMed

    Nishimoto, Sachiko; Fukuda, Daiju; Higashikuni, Yasutomi; Tanaka, Kimie; Hirata, Yoichiro; Murata, Chie; Kim-Kaneyama, Joo-Ri; Sato, Fukiko; Bando, Masahiro; Yagi, Shusuke; Soeki, Takeshi; Hayashi, Tetsuya; Imoto, Issei; Sakaue, Hiroshi; Shimabukuro, Michio; Sata, Masataka

    2016-03-01

    Obesity stimulates chronic inflammation in adipose tissue, which is associated with insulin resistance, although the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Here we showed that obesity-related adipocyte degeneration causes release of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which promotes macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue via Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), originally known as a sensor of exogenous DNA fragments. Fat-fed obese wild-type mice showed increased release of cfDNA, as determined by the concentrations of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in plasma. cfDNA released from degenerated adipocytes promoted monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in wild-type macrophages, but not in TLR9-deficient (Tlr9 (-/-) ) macrophages. Fat-fed Tlr9 (-/-) mice demonstrated reduced macrophage accumulation and inflammation in adipose tissue and better insulin sensitivity compared with wild-type mice, whereas bone marrow reconstitution with wild-type bone marrow restored the attenuation of insulin resistance observed in fat-fed Tlr9 (-/-) mice. Administration of a TLR9 inhibitory oligonucleotide to fat-fed wild-type mice reduced the accumulation of macrophages in adipose tissue and improved insulin resistance. Furthermore, in humans, plasma ssDNA level was significantly higher in patients with computed tomography-determined visceral obesity and was associated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), which is the index of insulin resistance. Our study may provide a novel mechanism for the development of sterile inflammation in adipose tissue and a potential therapeutic target for insulin resistance.

  16. A moderate increase in dietary zinc reduces DNA strand breaks in leukocytes and alters plasma proteins without changing plasma zinc concentrations123

    PubMed Central

    Zyba, Sarah J; Killilea, David W; Holland, Tai C; Kim, Elijah; Moy, Adrian; Sutherland, Barbara; Shigenaga, Mark K

    2017-01-01

    Background: Food fortification has been recommended to improve a population’s micronutrient status. Biofortification techniques modestly elevate the zinc content of cereals, but few studies have reported a positive impact on functional indicators of zinc status. Objective: We determined the impact of a modest increase in dietary zinc that was similar to that provided by biofortification programs on whole-body and cellular indicators of zinc status. Design: Eighteen men participated in a 6-wk controlled consumption study of a low-zinc, rice-based diet. The diet contained 6 mg Zn/d for 2 wk and was followed by 10 mg Zn/d for 4 wk. To reduce zinc absorption, phytate was added to the diet during the initial period. Indicators of zinc homeostasis, including total absorbed zinc (TAZ), the exchangeable zinc pool (EZP), plasma and cellular zinc concentrations, zinc transporter gene expression, and other metabolic indicators (i.e., DNA damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress), were measured before and after each dietary-zinc period. Results: TAZ increased with increased dietary zinc, but plasma zinc concentrations and EZP size were unchanged. Erythrocyte and leukocyte zinc concentrations and zinc transporter expressions were not altered. However, leukocyte DNA strand breaks decreased with increased dietary zinc, and the level of proteins involved in DNA repair and antioxidant and immune functions were restored after the dietary-zinc increase. Conclusions: A moderate 4-mg/d increase in dietary zinc, similar to that which would be expected from zinc-biofortified crops, improves zinc absorption but does not alter plasma zinc. The repair of DNA strand breaks improves, as do serum protein concentrations that are associated with the DNA repair process. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02861352. PMID:28003206

  17. Do Productive Activities Reduce Inflammation in Later Life? Multiple Roles, Frequency of Activities, and C-Reactive Protein

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Seoyoun; Ferraro, Kenneth F.

    2014-01-01

    Purpose of the Study: The study investigates whether productive activities by older adults reduce bodily inflammation, as indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomeasure associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Design and Methods: The study uses a representative survey of adults aged 57–85 from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 1,790). Linear regression models were used to analyze the effects of multiple roles (employment, volunteering, attending meetings, and caregiving) and the frequency of activity within each role on log values of CRP concentration (mg/L) drawn from assayed blood samples. Results: Number of roles for productive activities was associated with lower levels of CRP net of chronic conditions, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic resources. When specific types of activity were examined, volunteering manifested the strongest association with lower levels of inflammation, particularly in the 70+ group. There was no evidence that frequent engagement in volunteer activity was associated with heightened inflammation. Implications: Productive activities—and frequent volunteering in particular—may protect individuals from inflammation that is associated with increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. PMID:23969258

  18. Exercise reduces inflammation and cell proliferation in rat colon carcinogenesis.

    PubMed

    Demarzo, Marcelo Marcos Piva; Martins, Lisandra Vanessa; Fernandes, Cleverson Rodrigues; Herrero, Fábio Augusto; Perez, Sérgio Eduardo de Andrade; Turatti, Aline; Garcia, Sérgio Britto

    2008-04-01

    There is evidence that the risk of colon cancer is reduced by appropriate levels of physical exercise. Nevertheless, the mechanisms involved in this protective effect of exercise remain largely unknown. Inflammation is emerging as a unifying link between a range of environment exposures and neoplastic risk. The carcinogen dimethyl-hydrazine (DMH) induces an increase in epithelial cell proliferation and in the expression of the inflammation-related enzyme cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) in the colon of rats. Our aim was to verify whether these events could be attenuated by exercise. Four groups of eight Wistar rats were used in the experiment. The groups G1 and G3 were sedentary (controls), and the groups G2 and G4 were submitted to 8 wk of swimming training, 5 d.wk. The groups G3 and G4 were given subcutaneous injections of DMH immediately after the exercise protocols. Fifteen days after the neoplasic induction, the rats were sacrificed and the colon was processed for histological examination and immunohistochemistry staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and COX-2. We found a significant increase in the PCNA-labeling index in both DMH-treated groups of rats. However, this increase was significantly attenuated in the training group G4 (P < 0.01). Similar results were observed in relation to the COX-2 expression. From our findings, we conclude that exercise training exerts remarkable antiproliferative and antiinflammatory effects in the rat colonic mucosa, suggesting that this may be an important mechanism to explain how exercise protects against colonic cancer.

  19. Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Heme Oxygenase-1, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance in Morbid Obesity with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

    PubMed

    Tirado, Raquel; Masdeu, Maria José; Vigil, Laura; Rigla, Mercedes; Luna, Alexis; Rebasa, Pere; Pareja, Rocío; Hurtado, Marta; Caixàs, Assumpta

    2017-09-01

    Morbid obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) interact at an inflammatory level. Bariatric surgery reduces inflammatory responses associated with obesity. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties, which might be increased in morbid obesity or OSA. We studied morbidly obese patients with OSA to determine: (a) HO-1 plasma concentrations according to OSA severity and their relationship with insulin resistance and inflammation and (b) the impact of bariatric surgery on HO-1 and parameters of insulin resistance and inflammation. We analyzed the homeostasis model insulin resistance index (HOMA) and plasma concentrations of HO-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-1-beta, C reactive protein (CRP), and adiponectin according to polysomnography findings in 66 morbidly obese patients before bariatric surgery and 12 months after surgery. Before surgery, HO-1 plasma concentrations were similar in three groups of patients with mild, moderate, and severe OSA, and correlated with HOMA (r = 0.27, p = 0.02). Twelve months after surgery, low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance had decreased in all the groups, but HO-1 plasma concentration had decreased only in the severe OSA group (p = 0.02). In this group, the reduction in HO-1 correlated with a reduction in CRP concentrations (r = 0.43, p = 0.04) and with improved HOMA score (r = 0.37, p = 0.03). Bariatric surgery decreases HO-1 concentrations in morbid obesity with severe OSA, and this decrease is associated with decreases in insulin resistance and in inflammation.

  20. High-Fat Diet Reduces the Formation of Butyrate, but Increases Succinate, Inflammation, Liver Fat and Cholesterol in Rats, while Dietary Fibre Counteracts These Effects

    PubMed Central

    Jakobsdottir, Greta; Xu, Jie; Molin, Göran; Ahrné, Siv; Nyman, Margareta

    2013-01-01

    Introduction Obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes and risk factors associated to the metabolic syndrome. Consumption of dietary fibres has been shown to have positive metabolic health effects, such as by increasing satiety, lowering blood glucose and cholesterol levels. These effects may be associated with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly propionic and butyric acids, formed by microbial degradation of dietary fibres in colon, and by their capacity to reduce low-grade inflammation. Objective To investigate whether dietary fibres, giving rise to different SCFAs, would affect metabolic risk markers in low-fat and high-fat diets using a model with conventional rats for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Material and Methods Conventional rats were administered low-fat or high-fat diets, for 2, 4 or 6 weeks, supplemented with fermentable dietary fibres, giving rise to different SCFA patterns (pectin – acetic acid; guar gum – propionic acid; or a mixture – butyric acid). At the end of each experimental period, liver fat, cholesterol and triglycerides, serum and caecal SCFAs, plasma cholesterol, and inflammatory cytokines were analysed. The caecal microbiota was analysed after 6 weeks. Results and Discussion Fermentable dietary fibre decreased weight gain, liver fat, cholesterol and triglyceride content, and changed the formation of SCFAs. The high-fat diet primarily reduced formation of SCFAs but, after a longer experimental period, the formation of propionic and acetic acids recovered. The concentration of succinic acid in the rats increased in high-fat diets with time, indicating harmful effect of high-fat consumption. The dietary fibre partly counteracted these harmful effects and reduced inflammation. Furthermore, the number of Bacteroides was higher with guar gum, while noticeably that of Akkermansia was highest with the fibre-free diet. PMID:24236183

  1. STRETCHING IMPACTS INFLAMMATION RESOLUTION IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE

    PubMed Central

    Berrueta, Lisbeth; Muskaj, Igla; Olenich, Sara; Butler, Taylor; Badger, Gary J.; Colas, Romain A.; Spite, Matthew; Serhan, Charles N.; Langevin, Helene M.

    2016-01-01

    Acute inflammation is accompanied from its outset by the release of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), including resolvins, that orchestrate the resolution of local inflammation. We showed earlier that, in rats with subcutaneous inflammation of the back induced by carrageenan, stretching for 10 minutes twice daily reduced inflammation and improved pain, two weeks after carrageenan injection. In this study, we hypothesized that stretching of connective tissue activates local pro-resolving mechanisms within the tissue in the acute phase of inflammation. In rats injected with carrageenan and randomized to stretch vs. no stretch for 48 hours, stretching reduced inflammatory lesion thickness and neutrophil count, and increased resolvin (RvD1) concentrations within lesions. Furthermore, subcutaneous resolvin injection mimicked the effect of stretching. In ex vivo experiments, stretching of connective tissue reduced the migration of neutrophils and increased tissue RvD1 concentration. These results demonstrate a direct mechanical impact of stretching on inflammation-regulation mechanisms within connective tissue. PMID:26588184

  2. Correction of intermittent hypoxia reduces inflammation in obese subjects with obstructive sleep apnea

    PubMed Central

    Perrini, Sebastio; Quaranta, Vitaliano Nicola; Falcone, Vito Antonio; Kounaki, Stella; Ciavarella, Alessandro; Ficarella, Romina; Barbaro, Maria; Nigro, Pasquale; Carratù, Pierluigi; Natalicchio, Annalisa; Laviola, Luigi; Resta, Onofrio

    2017-01-01

    BACKGROUND. In obese subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) may be linked to systemic and adipose tissue inflammation. METHODS. We obtained abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies from OSA and non-OSA obese (BMI > 35) subjects at baseline and after 24 weeks (T1) of weight-loss intervention plus continuous positive airway pressure (c-PAP) or weight-loss intervention alone, respectively. OSA subjects were grouped according to good (therapeutic) or poor (subtherapeutic) adherence to c-PAP. RESULTS. At baseline, anthropometric and metabolic parameters, serum cytokines, and adipose tissue mRNA levels of obesity-associated chemokines and inflammatory markers were not different in OSA and non-OSA subjects. At T1, body weight was significantly reduced in all groups. Serum concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, MCP-1, PDGFβ, and VEGFα were reduced by therapeutic c-PAP in OSA subjects and remained unaltered in non-OSA and subtherapeutic c-PAP groups. Similarly, adipose tissue mRNA levels of macrophage-specific (CD68, CD36) and ER stress (ATF4, CHOP, ERO-1) gene markers, as well as of IL-6, PDGFβ, and VEGFα, were decreased only in the therapeutic c-PAP group. CONCLUSION. CIH does not represent an additional factor increasing systemic and adipose tissue inflammation in morbid obesity. However, in subjects with OSA, an effective c-PAP therapy improves systemic and obesity-associated inflammatory markers. FUNDING. Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca and Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale. PMID:28878129

  3. Platelet activation independent of pulmonary inflammation contributes to diesel exhaust particulate-induced promotion of arterial thrombosis.

    PubMed

    Tabor, Caroline M; Shaw, Catherine A; Robertson, Sarah; Miller, Mark R; Duffin, Rodger; Donaldson, Ken; Newby, David E; Hadoke, Patrick W F

    2016-02-09

    Accelerated thrombus formation induced by exposure to combustion-derived air pollution has been linked to alterations in endogenous fibrinolysis and platelet activation in response to pulmonary and systemic inflammation. We hypothesised that mechanisms independent of inflammation contribute to accelerated thrombus formation following exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP). Thrombosis in rats was assessed 2, 6 and 24 h after administration of DEP, carbon black (CB; control carbon nanoparticle), DQ12 quartz microparticles (to induce pulmonary inflammation) or saline (vehicle) by either intra-tracheal instillation (0.5 mg, except Quartz; 0.125 mg) or intravenous injection (0.5 mg/kg). Thrombogenicity was assessed by carotid artery occlusion, fibrinolytic variables and platelet-monocyte aggregates. Measures of inflammation were determined in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 were measured following direct in vitro exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to DEP (10-150 μg/mL). Instillation of DEP reduced the time to thrombotic occlusion in vivo, coinciding with the peak of DEP-induced pulmonary inflammation (6 h). CB and DQ12 produced greater inflammation than DEP but did not alter time to thrombotic occlusion. Intravenous DEP produced an earlier (2 h) acceleration of thrombosis (as did CB) without pulmonary or systemic inflammation. DEP inhibited t-PA and PAI-1 release from HUVECs, and reduced the t-PA/PAI-1 ratio in vivo; similar effects in vivo were seen with CB and DQ12. DEP, but not CB or DQ12, increased platelet-monocyte aggregates. DEP accelerates arterial thrombus formation through increased platelet activation. This effect is dissociated from pulmonary and systemic inflammation and from impaired fibrinolytic function.

  4. Anesthetic Propofol Reduces Endotoxic Inflammation by Inhibiting Reactive Oxygen Species-regulated Akt/IKKβ/NF-κB Signaling

    PubMed Central

    Hsing, Chung-Hsi; Lin, Ming-Chung; Choi, Pui-Ching; Huang, Wei-Ching; Kai, Jui-In; Tsai, Cheng-Chieh; Cheng, Yi-Lin; Hsieh, Chia-Yuan; Wang, Chi-Yun; Chang, Yu-Ping; Chen, Yu-Hong; Chen, Chia-Ling; Lin, Chiou-Feng

    2011-01-01

    Background Anesthetic propofol has immunomodulatory effects, particularly in the area of anti-inflammation. Bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces inflammation through toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signaling. We investigated the molecular actions of propofol against LPS/TLR4-induced inflammatory activation in murine RAW264.7 macrophages. Methodology/Principal Findings Non-cytotoxic levels of propofol reduced LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NO as determined by western blotting and the Griess reaction, respectively. Propofol also reduced the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Western blot analysis showed propofol inhibited LPS-induced activation and phosphorylation of IKKβ (Ser180) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB (Ser536); the subsequent nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 was also reduced. Additionally, propofol inhibited LPS-induced Akt activation and phosphorylation (Ser473) partly by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation; inter-regulation that ROS regulated Akt followed by NF-κB activation was found to be crucial for LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages. An in vivo study using C57BL/6 mice also demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties against LPS in peritoneal macrophages. Conclusions/Significance These results suggest that propofol reduces LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages by inhibiting the interconnected ROS/Akt/IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathways. PMID:21408125

  5. Muscadine grape seed oil as a novel source of tocotrienols to reduce adipogenesis and adipocyte inflammation.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Lu; Yagiz, Yavuz; Xu, Changmou; Lu, Jiang; Chung, Soonkyu; Marshall, Maurice R

    2015-07-01

    Tocotrienols are unsaturated forms of vitamin E previously shown to reduce adipogenesis and adipose inflammation. In this study, muscadine grape seed oil (MGSO) was identified as a novel source of tocotrienols containing significant amounts of α- and γ-tocotrienol (T3) with minor seasonal changes. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammatory potential of MGSO by using primary human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs). Differentiating hASCs were treated with MGSO and compared with rice bran and olive oil. Accumulation of triglyceride was significantly lower in MGSO-treated hASCs than rice bran and olive oils. A tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) from MGSO was prepared by solid phase extraction and eluted with 15% 1,4-dioxane in hexane. The MGSO-derived TRF treatment significantly reduced mRNA and protein expression that are crucial to adipogenesis (e.g., PPARγ and aP2) in hASCs. Furthermore, TRF from MGSO markedly reduced LPS-induced proinflammatory gene expression in human adipocytes and cytokine secretion to the medium (IL-6 and IL-8). Collectively, our work suggests that MGSO is a stable and reliable natural source of T3 and MGSO may constitute a new dietary strategy to attenuate obesity and its associated adipose inflammation.

  6. Fish Oil Supplementation Reduces Heart Levels of Interleukin-6 in Rats with Chronic Inflammation due to Epilepsy

    PubMed Central

    Nejm, Mariana Bocca; Haidar, André Abou; Hirata, Aparecida Emiko; Oyama, Lila Missae; de Almeida, Antonio-Carlos Guimarães; Cysneiros, Roberta Monterazzo; Cavalheiro, Esper Abrão; Scorza, Carla Alessandra; Scorza, Fulvio Alexandre

    2017-01-01

    Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a major cause of premature death related to epilepsy. The causes of SUDEP remain unknown, but cardiac arrhythmias and asphyxia have been suggested as a major mechanism of this event. Inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both epilepsy and ventricular arrhythmia, with interleukin-6 (IL-6) being recognized as a crucial orchestrator of inflammatory states. Our group previously reported that levels of IL-6 were increased in the hearts of epileptic rats. In this scenario, anti-inflammatory actions are among the beneficial effects of fish oil dietary supplementation. This investigation revealed that elevated levels of IL-6 in the heart were markedly reduced in epileptic rats that were treated in the long-term with fish oil, suggesting protective anti-inflammatory actions against dangerously high levels of IL-6. Based on these findings, our results suggest beneficial effects of long-term intake of fish oil in reducing the inflammation associated with chronic epilepsy. PMID:28649227

  7. Periodontal treatment reduces chronic systemic inflammation in peritoneal dialysis patients.

    PubMed

    Siribamrungwong, Monchai; Yothasamutr, Kasemsuk; Puangpanngam, Kutchaporn

    2014-06-01

    Chronic systemic inflammation, a non traditional risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, is associated with increasing mortality in chronic kidney disease, especially peritoneal dialysis patients. Periodontitis is a potential treatable source of systemic inflammation in peritoneal dialysis patients. Clinical periodontal status was evaluated in 32 stable chronic peritoneal dialysis patients by plaque index and periodontal disease index. Hematologic, blood chemical, nutritional, and dialysis-related data as well as highly sensitive C-reactive protein were analyzed before and after periodontal treatment. At baseline, high sensitive C-reactive protein positively correlated with the clinical periodontal status (plaque index; r = 0.57, P < 0.01, periodontal disease index; r = 0.56, P < 0.01). After completion of periodontal therapy, clinical periodontal indexes were significantly lower and high sensitivity C-reactive protein significantly decreased from 2.93 to 2.21 mg/L. Moreover, blood urea nitrogen increased from 47.33 to 51.8 mg/dL, reflecting nutritional status improvement. Erythropoietin dosage requirement decreased from 8000 to 6000 units/week while hemoglobin level was stable. Periodontitis is an important source of chronic systemic inflammation in peritoneal dialysis patients. Treatment of periodontal diseases can improve systemic inflammation, nutritional status and erythropoietin responsiveness in peritoneal dialysis patients. © 2013 The Authors. Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis © 2013 International Society for Apheresis.

  8. How do we reduce plasma transfusion in Rhode Island?

    PubMed

    Nixon, Christian P; Tavares, Maria F; Sweeney, Joseph D

    2017-08-01

    Plasma transfusions are given to patients with coagulopathy, either prophylactically, before an invasive procedure; or therapeutically, in the presence of active bleeding; and as an exchange fluid in therapeutic plasma exchange for disorders such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. There is consensus that many prophylactic plasma transfusions are non-efficacious, and the misdiagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura results in unnecessary therapeutic plasma exchange. Beginning in 2001, programs to reduce plasma transfusion in the three major teaching hospitals in Rhode Island were initiated. The programs evolved through the establishment of guidelines, education for key prescribers of plasma, screening of plasma prescriptions, and engagement of individual prescribing physicians for out-of-guidelines prescriptions with modification or cancellation. Establishment of an in-house ADAMTS13 (ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1, motif 13) assay in 2013 was used to prevent therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with non-thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura microangiopathy. Transfusion service data were gathered at the hospital level regarding blood component use, hospital data for discharges, inpatient mortality, and mean case-mix index, and, at the state level, for units of plasma shipped from the community blood center to in-state hospitals. Between 2006 and 2016, a reduction in plasma use from 11,805 to 2677 units (a 77% decrease) was observed in the three hospitals and was mirrored in the state as a whole. This decline was not associated with any increase in red blood cell transfusion. Inpatient mortality either declined or was unchanged. An active program focused on education and interdiction can achieve a large decrease in plasma transfusions without evidence of patient harm. © 2017 AABB.

  9. Inflammation in Patients with Schizophrenia: the Therapeutic Benefits of Risperidone Plus Add-On Dextromethorphan

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Shiou-Lan; Lee, Sheng-Yu; Chang, Yun-Hsuan; Chen, Shih-Heng; Chu, Chun-Hsieh; Tzeng, Nian-Sheng; Lee, I-Hui; Chen, Po-See; Yeh, Tzung Lieh; Huang, San-Yuan; Yang, Yen-Kuang; Lu, Ru-Band; Hong, Jau-Shyong

    2013-01-01

    Objectives Increasing evidence suggests that inflammation contributes to the etiology and progression of schizophrenia. Molecules that initiate inflammation, such as virus- and toxin-induced cytokines, are implicated in neuronal degeneration and schizophrenia-like behavior. Using therapeutic agents with anti-inflammatory or neurotrophic effects may be beneficial for treating schizophrenia. Methods One hundred healthy controls and 95 Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia were tested in this double-blind study. Their PANSS scores, plasma interleukin (IL)-1β, TNF-α and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were measured before and after pharmacological treatment. Results Pretreatment, plasma levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia than in controls, but plasma BDNF levels were significantly lower. Patients were treated with the atypical antipsychotic risperidone (Risp) only or with Risp+add-on dextromethorphan (DM). PANSS scores and plasma IL-1β levels significantly decreased, but plasma TNF-α and BDNF levels significantly increased after 11 weeks of Risp treatment. Patients in the Risp+DM group showed a greater and earlier reduction of symptoms than did those in the Risp-only group. Moreover, Risp+DM treatment attenuated Risp-induced plasma increases in TNF-α. Conclusion Patients with schizophrenia had a high level of peripheral inflammation and a low level of peripheral BDNF. Long-term Risp treatment attenuated inflammation and potentiated the neurotrophic function but also produced a certain degree of toxicity. Risp+DM was more beneficial and less toxic than Risp-only treatment. PMID:22730040

  10. Chronic skin-specific inflammation promotes vascular inflammation and thrombosis.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yunmei; Gao, Huiyun; Loyd, Candace M; Fu, Wen; Diaconu, Doina; Liu, Shijian; Cooper, Kevin D; McCormick, Thomas S; Simon, Daniel I; Ward, Nicole L

    2012-08-01

    Patients with psoriasis have systemic and vascular inflammation and are at increased risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. However, the underlying mechanism(s) mediating the link between psoriasis and vascular disease is incompletely defined. This study sought to determine whether chronic skin-specific inflammation has the capacity to promote vascular inflammation and thrombosis. Using the KC-Tie2 doxycycline-repressible (Dox-off) murine model of psoriasiform skin disease, spontaneous aortic root inflammation was observed in 33% of KC-Tie2 compared with 0% of control mice by 12 months of age (P=0.04) and was characterized by the accumulation of macrophages, T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes, as well as by reduced collagen content and increased elastin breaks. Importantly, aortic inflammation was preceded by increases in serum tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17A, vascular endothelial growth factor, IL-12, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and S100A8/A9, as well as splenic and circulating CD11b(+)Ly-6C(hi) pro-inflammatory monocytes. Doxycycline treatment of old mice with severe skin disease eliminated skin inflammation and the presence of aortic root lesion in 1-year-old KC-Tie2 animals. Given the bidirectional link between inflammation and thrombosis, arterial thrombosis was assessed in KC-Tie2 and control mice; mean time to occlusive thrombus formation was shortened by 64% (P=0.002) in KC-Tie2 animals; and doxycycline treatment returned thrombosis clotting times to that of control mice (P=0.69). These findings demonstrate that sustained skin-specific inflammation promotes aortic root inflammation and thrombosis and suggest that aggressive treatment of skin inflammation may attenuate pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic pathways that produce cardiovascular disease in psoriasis patients.

  11. Bovine Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase Reduces Inflammation After Induction of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Fiechter, Danielle; Kats, Suzanne; Brands, Ruud; van Middelaar, Ben; Pasterkamp, Gerard; de Kleijn, Dominique; Seinen, Willem

    2011-01-01

    Background There has been increasing evidence suggesting that lipopolysaccharide or endotoxin may be an important activator of the innate immune system after acute myocardial infarction. Bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase reduces inflammation in several endotoxin mediated diseases by dephosphorylation of the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase on reducing inflammation after acute myocardial infarction. Methods Just before permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) artery to induce acute myocardial infarction in Balb/c mice, bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase (bIAP) was administrated intravenously. After 4 hours, mice were sacrificed and the inflammatory response was assessed. Acute myocardial infarction induced the production of different cytokines, which were measured in blood. Results Treatment with bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase resulted in a significant reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β and the chymase mouse mast cell protease-1. No difference in the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was observed between the control group and the bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase treated group. Conclusion In a mouse model of permanent LAD coronary artery ligation, bIAP diminishes the pro-inflammatory responses but does not have an effect on the anti-inflammatory response in the acute phase after acute myocardial infarction. PMID:28357012

  12. Do productive activities reduce inflammation in later life? Multiple roles, frequency of activities, and C-reactive protein.

    PubMed

    Kim, Seoyoun; Ferraro, Kenneth F

    2014-10-01

    The study investigates whether productive activities by older adults reduce bodily inflammation, as indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomeasure associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The study uses a representative survey of adults aged 57-85 from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 1,790). Linear regression models were used to analyze the effects of multiple roles (employment, volunteering, attending meetings, and caregiving) and the frequency of activity within each role on log values of CRP concentration (mg/L) drawn from assayed blood samples. Number of roles for productive activities was associated with lower levels of CRP net of chronic conditions, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic resources. When specific types of activity were examined, volunteering manifested the strongest association with lower levels of inflammation, particularly in the 70+ group. There was no evidence that frequent engagement in volunteer activity was associated with heightened inflammation. Productive activities-and frequent volunteering in particular-may protect individuals from inflammation that is associated with increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  13. Interleukin-33 modulates inflammation in endometriosis.

    PubMed

    Miller, Jessica E; Monsanto, Stephany P; Ahn, Soo Hyun; Khalaj, Kasra; Fazleabas, Asgerally T; Young, Steven L; Lessey, Bruce A; Koti, Madhuri; Tayade, Chandrakant

    2017-12-20

    Endometriosis is a debilitating condition that is categorized by the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Although the pathogenesis of this disease remains unknown, it is well established that endometriosis patients exhibit immune dysfunction. Interleukin (IL)-33 is a danger signal that is a critical regulator of chronic inflammation. Although plasma and peritoneal fluid levels of IL-33 have been associated with deep infiltrating endometriosis, its contribution to the disease pathophysiology is unknown. We investigated the role of IL-33 in the pathology of endometriosis using patient samples, cell lines and a syngeneic mouse model. We found that endometriotic lesions produce significantly higher levels of IL-33 compared to the endometrium of healthy, fertile controls. In vitro stimulation of endometrial epithelial, endothelial and endometriotic epithelial cells with IL-33 led to the production of pro-inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines. In a syngeneic mouse model of endometriosis, IL-33 injections caused systemic inflammation, which manifested as an increase in plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to control mice. Furthermore, endometriotic lesions from IL-33 treated mice were highly vascularized and exhibited increased proliferation. Collectively, we provide convincing evidence that IL-33 perpetuates inflammation, angiogenesis and lesion proliferation, which are critical events in the lesion survival and progression of endometriosis.

  14. Is glutamine deficiency the link between inflammation, malnutrition, and fatigue in cancer patients?

    PubMed

    Schlemmer, Marcus; Suchner, Ulrich; Schäpers, Barbara; Duerr, Eva-Maria; Alteheld, Birgit; Zwingers, Thomas; Stehle, Peter; Zimmer, Heinz-Gerd

    2015-12-01

    Evaluation of potential associations between plasma glutamine levels and the incidence of cancer related fatigue, physical performance, poor nutritional status, and inflammation in patients with solid tumors. Mono-center cross-sectional study recruiting 100 (34 women) consecutive patients (September 2009-March 2011; ≥18 y) with solid tumors and causal tumor therapy. Fasting venous blood was harvested for routine clinical chemistry, amino acid (HPLC) and inflammation marker analyses. Clinical assessments included global, physical, affective and cognitive fatigue (questionnaire) and Karnofsky performance status. Nutritional status was evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis, the Prognostic Inflammatory and Nutritional Index and plasma protein levels. Regression analyses were performed to correlate continuous variables with plasma glutamine (95% confidence intervals). Nutritional status was impaired in 19% of the patients. Average plasma glutamine concentration (574.0 ± 189.6 μmol/L) was within normal range but decreased with impaired physical function. Plasma glutamine was linked to the ratio extracellular to body cell mass (p < 0.044), CRP (p < 0.001), physical (p = 0.014), affective (p = 0.041), and global fatigue (p = 0.030). Markers of inflammation increased with low physical performance. The data support our working hypothesis that in cancer patients systemic inflammation maintains a catabolic situation leading to malnutrition symptoms and glutamine deprivation, the latter being associated with cancer related fatigue. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

  15. MicroRNA-381 reduces inflammation and infiltration of macrophages in polymyositis via downregulating HMGB1.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yutao; Gao, Yuan; Yang, Jing; Shi, Changhe; Wang, Yanlin; Xu, Yuming

    2018-06-29

    The downregulation of microRNA (miR)-381 has been detected in various diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effects, and underlying mechanisms of miR-381 on inflammation and macrophage infiltration in polymyositis (PM). A mouse model of experimental autoimmune myositis (EAM) was generated in this study. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to detect the inflammation of muscle tissues. In addition, ELISA and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the expression levels of associated factors, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of related mRNAs and proteins. A luciferase activity assay was used to confirm the binding of miR-381 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) 3' untranslated region. Transwell assays were also performed to assess the migratory ability of macrophages. The results demonstrated that serum creatine kinase (s-CK), HMGB1 and cluster of differentiation (CD)163 expression in patients with PM were increased compared within healthy controls. Conversely, the expression levels of miR-381 were downregulated in patients with PM. Furthermore, high HMGB1 expression was associated with poor survival rate in patients with PM. In the mouse studies, muscle inflammation and CD163 expression were decreased in the anti-IL-17 and anti-HMGB1 groups, compared with in the EAM model group. The expression levels of s-CK, HMGB1, IL-17 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 were also downregulated in response to anti-IL-17 and anti-HMGB1. These findings indicated that HMGB1 was closely associated with inflammatory responses. In addition, the present study indicated that transfection of macrophages with miR-381 mimics reduced the migration of inflammatory macrophages, and the expression levels of HMGB1, IL-17 and ICAM-1. Conversely, miR-381 inhibition exerted the opposite effects. The effects of miR-381 inhibitors were reversed by HMGB1 small

  16. FAD286, an aldosterone synthase inhibitor, reduced atherosclerosis and inflammation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

    PubMed

    Gamliel-Lazarovich, Aviva; Gantman, Anna; Coleman, Raymond; Jeng, Arco Y; Kaplan, Marielle; Keidar, Shlomo

    2010-09-01

    Aldosterone is known to be involved in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease and blockade of its receptor was shown to improve cardiovascular function. It was, therefore, hypothesized that inhibition of aldosterone synthesis would also reduce atherosclerosis development. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of FAD286 (FAD), an aldosterone synthase inhibitor, on the development of atherosclerosis in spontaneous atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Mice were divided into three treatment groups: normal diet, low-salt diet (LSD) and LSD treated with FAD at 30 mg/kg per day (LSD + FAD) for 10 weeks. Histomorphometry of the aortas obtained from these mice showed that atherosclerotic lesion area increased by three-fold under LSD compared with normal diet and FAD significantly reduced lesion area to values similar to normal diet. Changes in atherosclerosis were paralleled by changes in the expression of the inflammation markers (C-reactive protein, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, interleukin-6, nuclear factor kappa B and intercellular adhesion molecule-1) in peritoneal macrophages obtained from these mice. Surprisingly, whereas LSD increased serum or urine aldosterone levels, FAD did not alter these levels when evaluated at the end of the study. In J774A.1 macrophage-like cell line stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, FAD was shown to have a direct dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect. In apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, FAD reduces atherosclerosis and inflammation. However, these actions appeared to be dissociated from its effect on inhibition of aldosterone synthesis.

  17. Chickens treated with a nitric oxide inhibitor became more resistant to Plasmodium gallinaceum infection due to reduced anemia, thrombocytopenia and inflammation

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Malaria is a serious infectious disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus that affect different vertebrate hosts. Severe malaria leads to host death and involves different pathophysiological phenomena such as anemia, thrombocytopenia and inflammation. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important effector molecule in this disease, but little is known about its role in avian malaria models. Plasmodium gallinaceum- infected chickens were treated with aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase, to observe the role of NO in the pathogenesis of this avian model. AG increased the survival of chickens, but also induced higher parasitemia. Treated chickens demonstrated reduced anemia and thrombocytopenia. Moreover, erythrocytes at different stages of maturation, heterophils, monocytes and thrombocytes were infected by Plasmodium gallinaceum and animals presented a generalized leucopenia. Activated leukocytes and thrombocytes with elongated double nuclei were observed in chickens with higher parasitemia; however, eosinophils were not involved in the infection. AG reduced levels of hemozoin in the spleen and liver, indicating lower inflammation. Taken together, the results suggest that AG reduced anemia, thrombocytopenia and inflammation, explaining the greater survival rate of the treated chickens. PMID:23398940

  18. Modulation of hepatic inflammation and energy-sensing pathways in the rat liver by high-fructose diet and chronic stress.

    PubMed

    Veličković, Nataša; Teofilović, Ana; Ilić, Dragana; Djordjevic, Ana; Vojnović Milutinović, Danijela; Petrović, Snježana; Preitner, Frederic; Tappy, Luc; Matić, Gordana

    2018-05-29

    High-fructose consumption and chronic stress are both associated with metabolic inflammation and insulin resistance. Recently, disturbed activity of energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was recognized as mediator between nutrient-induced stress and inflammation. Thus, we analyzed the effects of high-fructose diet, alone or in combination with chronic stress, on glucose homeostasis, inflammation and expression of energy sensing proteins in the rat liver. In male Wistar rats exposed to 9-week 20% fructose diet and/or 4-week chronic unpredictable stress we measured plasma and hepatic corticosterone level, indicators of glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism, hepatic inflammation (pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, Toll-like receptor 4, NLRP3, activation of NFκB, JNK and ERK pathways) and levels of energy-sensing proteins AMPK, SIRT1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α). High-fructose diet led to glucose intolerance, activation of NFκB and JNK pathways and increased intrahepatic IL-1β, TNFα and inhibitory phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 on Ser 307 . It also decreased phospho-AMPK/AMPK ratio and increased SIRT1 expression. Stress alone increased plasma and hepatic corticosterone but did not influence glucose tolerance, nor hepatic inflammatory or energy-sensing proteins. After the combined treatment, hepatic corticosterone was increased, glucose tolerance remained preserved, while hepatic inflammation was partially prevented despite decreased AMPK activity. High-fructose diet resulted in glucose intolerance, hepatic inflammation, decreased AMPK activity and reduced insulin sensitivity. Chronic stress alone did not exert such effects, but when applied together with high-fructose diet it could partially prevent fructose-induced inflammation, presumably due to increased hepatic glucocorticoids.

  19. Baicalein Reduces Airway Injury in Allergen and IL-13 Induced Airway Inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Mabalirajan, Ulaganathan; Ahmad, Tanveer; Rehman, Rakhshinda; Leishangthem, Geeta Devi; Dinda, Amit Kumar; Agrawal, Anurag; Ghosh, Balaram; Sharma, Surendra Kumar

    2013-01-01

    Background Baicalein, a bioflavone present in the dry roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, is known to reduce eotaxin production in human fibroblasts. However, there are no reports of its anti-asthma activity or its effect on airway injury. Methodology/Principal Findings In a standard experimental asthma model, male Balb/c mice that were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA), treated with baicalein (10 mg/kg, ip) or a vehicle control, either during (preventive use) or after OVA challenge (therapeutic use). In an alternate model, baicalein was administered to male Balb/c mice which were given either IL-4 or IL-13 intranasally. Features of asthma were determined by estimating airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), histopathological changes and biochemical assays of key inflammatory molecules. Airway injury was determined with apoptotic assays, transmission electron microscopy and assessing key mitochondrial functions. Baicalein treatment reduced AHR and inflammation in both experimental models. TGF-β1, sub-epithelial fibrosis and goblet cell metaplasia, were also reduced. Furthermore, baicalein treatment significantly reduced 12/15-LOX activity, features of mitochondrial dysfunctions, and apoptosis of bronchial epithelia. Conclusion/Significance Our findings demonstrate that baicalein can attenuate important features of asthma, possibly through the reduction of airway injury and restoration of mitochondrial function. PMID:23646158

  20. Herpes Simplex Virus Suppressive Therapy in Herpes Simplex Virus-2/Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Coinfected Women Is Associated With Reduced Systemic CXCL10 But Not Genital Cytokines.

    PubMed

    Andersen-Nissen, Erica; Chang, Joanne T; Thomas, Katherine K; Adams, Devin; Celum, Connie; Sanchez, Jorge; Coombs, Robert W; McElrath, M Juliana; Baeten, Jared M

    2016-12-01

    Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) may heighten immune activation and increase human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) replication, resulting in greater infectivity and faster HIV-1 disease progression. An 18-week randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial of 500 mg valacyclovir twice daily in 20 antiretroviral-naive women coinfected with HSV-2 and HIV-1 was conducted and HSV-2 suppression was found to significantly reduce both HSV-2 and HIV-1 viral loads both systemically and the endocervical compartment. To determine the effect of HSV-2 suppression on systemic and genital mucosal inflammation, plasma specimens, and endocervical swabs were collected weekly from volunteers in the trial and cryopreserved. Plasma was assessed for concentrations of 31 cytokines and chemokines; endocervical fluid was eluted from swabs and assayed for 14 cytokines and chemokines. Valacyclovir significantly reduced plasma CXCL10 but did not significantly alter other cytokine concentrations in either compartment. These data suggest genital tract inflammation in women persists despite HSV-2 suppression, supporting the lack of effect on transmission seen in large scale efficacy trials. Alternative therapies are needed to reduce persistent mucosal inflammation that may enhance transmission of HSV-2 and HIV-1.

  1. Growth hormone-releasing hormone antagonists reduce prostatic enlargement and inflammation in carrageenan-induced chronic prostatitis.

    PubMed

    Popovics, Petra; Cai, Renzhi; Sha, Wei; Rick, Ferenc G; Schally, Andrew V

    2018-05-21

    Inflammation plays a key role in the etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) through multiple pathways involving the stimulation of proliferation by cytokines and growth factors as well as the induction of the focal occurrence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We have previously reported that GHRH acts as a prostatic growth factor in experimental BPH and in autoimmune prostatitis models and its blockade with GHRH antagonists offer therapeutic approaches for these conditions. Our current study was aimed at the investigation of the beneficial effects of GHRH antagonists in λ-carrageenan-induced chronic prostatitis and at probing the downstream molecular pathways that are implicated in GHRH signaling. To demonstrate the complications triggered by recurrent/chronic prostatic inflammation in Sprague-Dawley rats, 50 μL 3% carrageenan was injected into both ventral prostate lobes two times, 3 weeks apart. GHRH antagonist, MIA-690, was administered 5 days after the second intraprostatic injection at 20 μg daily dose for 4 weeks. GHRH-induced signaling events were identified in BPH-1 and in primary prostate epithelial (PrEp) cells at 5, 15, 30, and 60 min with Western blot. Inflammation induced prostatic enlargement and increased the area of the stromal compartment whereas treatment with the GHRH antagonist significantly reduced these effects. This beneficial activity was consistent with a decrease in prostatic GHRH, inflammatory marker COX-2, growth factor IGF-1 and inflammatory and EMT marker TGF-β1 protein levels and the expression of multiple genes related to EMT. In vitro, GHRH stimulated multiple pathways involved in inflammation and growth in both BPH-1 and PrEp cells including NFκB p65, AKT, ERK1/2, EGFR, STAT3 and increased the levels of TGF-β1 and Snail/Slug. Most interestingly, GHRH also stimulated the transactivation of the IGF receptor. The study demonstrates that GHRH antagonists could be beneficial for the treatment of

  2. The cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 inhibits antigen-induced plasma extravasation in guinea pig airways.

    PubMed

    Fukuda, Hironobu; Abe, Toshio; Yoshihara, Shigemi

    2010-01-01

    Although neurogenic inflammation of the airways via activation of C-fibers is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of asthma, the mechanisms regulating C-fiber activity remain uncertain. The influence of a cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN 55,212-2, on C-fiber activation in guinea pig airways was investigated, as was the mechanism by which cannabinoids regulate antigen-induced airway inflammation. The inhibitory effect of WIN 55,212-2 on antigen-induced plasma extravasation was assessed in guinea pig tracheal tissues by photometric measurement of extravasated Evans blue dye after extraction with formamide. Pretreatment with WIN 55,212-2 (0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently reduced tracheal plasma extravasation induced by inhaling a 5% ovalbumin solution for 2 min after pretreatment with a neutral endopeptidedase inhibitor (phosphoramidon at 2.5 mg/kg i.v.). A cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonist (SR144528) blunted the inhibitory effect of WIN 55,212-2, while a cannabinoid CB1 antagonist (SR141716A) did not. Pretreatment with a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist (FK888) significantly reduced ovalbumin-induced extravasation of Evans blue dye. Pretreatment with the combination of WIN 55,212-2 and FK888 reduced antigen-induced plasma extravasation more markedly than FK888 alone. These findings suggest that WIN 55,212-2 inhibits C-fiber activation via the cannabinoid CB2 receptor and thus suppresses antigen-induced inflammation in guinea pig airways. 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  3. Periodontal therapy reduces plasma levels of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen in patients with severe periodontitis and refractory arterial hypertension.

    PubMed

    Vidal, Fábio; Figueredo, Carlos Marcelo S; Cordovil, Ivan; Fischer, Ricardo G

    2009-05-01

    Recent epidemiologic studies suggest that inflammation is the link between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment on plasma levels of inflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-6, C-reactive protein [CRP], and fibrinogen) in patients with severe periodontitis and refractory arterial hypertension. Twenty-two patients were examined and randomly divided into two groups. The test group was composed of 11 patients (mean age, 48.9 +/- 3.9 years) who received periodontal treatment, whereas the control group had 11 patients (mean age, 49.7 +/- 6.0 years) whose treatment was delayed for 3 months. Demographic and clinical periodontal data were collected, and blood tests were performed to measure the levels of IL-6, CRP, and fibrinogen at baseline and 3 months later. The clinical results showed that the mean percentages of sites with bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD) 4 to 5 mm, PD > or =6 mm, clinical attachment loss (CAL) 4 to 5 mm, and CAL > or =6 mm were significantly reduced in the test group 3 months after periodontal treatment. There were no significant differences between the data at baseline and 3 months in the control group. Periodontal treatment significantly reduced the blood levels of fibrinogen, CRP, and IL-6 in the test group. Non-surgical periodontal therapy was effective in improving periodontal clinical data and in reducing the plasma levels of IL-6, CRP, and fibrinogen in hypertensive patients with severe periodontitis.

  4. Elevated plasma γ-tocopherol and decreased α-tocopherol in men are associated with inflammatory markers and decreased plasma 25-OH vitamin D

    PubMed Central

    Cooney, Robert V.; Franke, Adrian A; Wilkens, Lynne R.; Gill, Jasmeet; Kolonel, Laurence N.

    2010-01-01

    Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for many diseases of aging. Endogenous oxidants are thought to mediate the effects of inflammation and γ-Tocopherol (γ-Toc) may mitigate damage from nitrogen-based oxidants, however, no physiological requirement for γ-Toc has been established. Regulation of tocopherols and their functional significance are poorly defined, thereby limiting their application in prevention. Using stored plasma samples from 657 male control subjects in a previous study of prostate cancer we have analyzed associations of the tocopherols, inflammation markers, and 25-OH vitamin D. Plasma α-Toc and γ-Toc were inversely correlated, whereas δ-Toc and α-Toc levels were positively correlated, suggesting a unique regulatory mechanism. γ-Toc levels were positively and α-Toc negatively associated with plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and urinary isoprostane F2t, which are markers of inflammation and oxidation. Ethnic variability in tocopherols was observed, however, this may be explained by differences in plasma 25-OH vitamin D, as γ-Toc levels varied inversely and α-Toc positively with 25-OH vitamin D. In these data all-cause mortality appeared to be positively associated with CRP and inversely with 25-OH vitamin D. We hypothesize that plasma levels of tocopherols may serve as markers of systemic inflammation, complicating epidemiologic assessment of their role in cancer etiology. PMID:19003577

  5. Eucaloric Ketogenic Diet Reduces Hypoglycemia and Inflammation in Mice with Endotoxemia.

    PubMed

    Nandivada, Prathima; Fell, Gillian L; Pan, Amy H; Nose, Vania; Ling, Pei-Ra; Bistrian, Bruce R; Puder, Mark

    2016-06-01

    Dietary strategies to alter the immune response to acute inflammation have the potential to improve outcomes in critically ill patients. A eucaloric ketogenic diet (EKD), composed predominantly of fat with very small amounts of carbohydrate, can provide adequate caloric support while minimizing spikes in blood glucose and reducing oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an EKD on glycemic control and the inflammatory response after acute endotoxemia in mice. Mice received either an EKD or a carbohydrate-based control diet (CD) for 4 weeks. Animals subsequently underwent either a 2-h fast (postprandial) or an overnight fast (postabsorptive), and half of the animals in each diet group were randomized to receive either intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume of saline. Glycemic response, insulin resistance, inflammatory cytokine levels, and the expression of key inflammatory and metabolic genes were measured. After endotoxin challenge, hypoglycemia was more frequent in mice fed a CD than an EKD in the postprandial period. This was due in part to the preservation of hepatic glycogen stores despite endotoxin exposure and prolonged fasting in mice fed an EKD. Furthermore, mice fed the CD had higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the postabsorptive period, with a fivefold higher expression of hepatic NFκB compared to mice fed the EKD in both fasting periods. These results suggest that the unique metabolic state induced by an EKD can alter the response to acute inflammation in mice.

  6. Quercetin reduces obesity-associated ATM infiltration and inflammation in mice: a mechanism including AMPKα1/SIRT1[S

    PubMed Central

    Dong, Jing; Zhang, Xian; Zhang, Lei; Bian, Hui-Xi; Xu, Na; Bao, Bin; Liu, Jian

    2014-01-01

    Adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) plays a central role in obesity-associated inflammation and insulin resistance. Quercetin, a dietary flavonoid, possesses anti-inflammation and anti-insulin resistance properties. However, it is unclear whether quercetin can alleviate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced ATM infiltration and inflammation in mice. In this study, 5-week-old C57BL/6 mice were fed low-fat diet, HFD, or HFD with 0.l% quercetin for 12 weeks, respectively. Dietary quercetin reduced HFD-induced body weight gain and improved insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance in mice. Meanwhile, dietary quercetin enhanced glucose transporter 4 translocation and protein kinase B signal in epididymis adipose tissues (EATs), suggesting that it heightened glucose uptake in adipose tissues. Histological and real-time PCR analysis revealed that quercetin attenuated mast cell and macrophage infiltration into EATs in HFD-fed mice. Dietary quercetin also modified the phenotype ratio of M1/M2 macrophages, lowered the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and enhanced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1 phosphorylation and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) expression in EATs. Further, using AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β4-ribofuranoside and inhibitor Compound C, we found that quercetin inhibited polarization and inflammation of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages through an AMPKα1/SIRT1-mediated mechanism. In conclusion, dietary quercetin might suppress ATM infiltration and inflammation through the AMPKα1/SIRT1 pathway in HFD-fed mice PMID:24465016

  7. An Anacardiaceae preparation reduces the expression of inflammation-related genes in murine macrophages.

    PubMed

    Leiro, J; García, D; Arranz, J A; Delgado, R; Sanmartín, M L; Orallo, F

    2004-08-01

    This study investigated the effects of an aqueous extract of the stem bark of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae; Vimang), which contains a defined mixture of components including polyphenols (principally mangiferin, MA), triterpenes, phytosteroids, fatty acids and microelements, on expression of inflammation mediators in inflammatory murine macrophages after stimulation in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In vitro treatment with Vimang at 4 microg/ml reduced levels of NOS-2 mRNA and NOS-2, while treatment at 40 microg/ml also reduced levels of COX-2 mRNA, COX-2, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Results suggested that MA is involved in these effects. In vitro treatment with Vimang at 40 microg/ml also inhibited mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), but did not affect mRNA levels of IL-6 or tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Extracellular release of TNF-alpha by inflammatory macrophages was inhibited by in vitro treatment with Vimang at the same concentrations that showed inhibition of TNF-alpha mRNA levels. The inhibition of TNF-alpha production appears to be at least partially attributable to MA. Vimang at 4 microg/ml decreased mRNA levels of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) but did not affect expression of the NF-kappaB inhibitor (IkappaB). These data indicate that the potent anti-inflammatory effects of Vimang are due to selective modulation of the expression of inflammation-related genes, leading to attenuation of macrophage activation.

  8. Eosinophils may play regionally disparate roles in influencing IgA(+) plasma cell numbers during large and small intestinal inflammation.

    PubMed

    Forman, Ruth; Bramhall, Michael; Logunova, Larisa; Svensson-Frej, Marcus; Cruickshank, Sheena M; Else, Kathryn J

    2016-05-31

    Eosinophils are innate immune cells present in the intestine during steady state conditions. An intestinal eosinophilia is a hallmark of many infections and an accumulation of eosinophils is also observed in the intestine during inflammatory disorders. Classically the function of eosinophils has been associated with tissue destruction, due to the release of cytotoxic granule contents. However, recent evidence has demonstrated that the eosinophil plays a more diverse role in the immune system than previously acknowledged, including shaping adaptive immune responses and providing plasma cell survival factors during the steady state. Importantly, it is known that there are regional differences in the underlying immunology of the small and large intestine, but whether there are differences in context of the intestinal eosinophil in the steady state or inflammation is not known. Our data demonstrates that there are fewer IgA(+) plasma cells in the small intestine of eosinophil-deficient ΔdblGATA-1 mice compared to eosinophil-sufficient wild-type mice, with the difference becoming significant post-infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Remarkably, and in complete contrast, the absence of eosinophils in the inflamed large intestine does not impact on IgA(+) cell numbers during steady state, and is associated with a significant increase in IgA(+) cells post-infection with Trichuris muris compared to wild-type mice. Thus, the intestinal eosinophil appears to be less important in sustaining the IgA(+) cell pool in the large intestine compared to the small intestine, and in fact, our data suggests eosinophils play an inhibitory role. The dichotomy in the influence of the eosinophil over small and large intestinal IgA(+) cells did not depend on differences in plasma cell growth factors, recruitment potential or proliferation within the different regions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). We demonstrate for the first time that there are regional differences in the requirement of

  9. Halothane reduces the early lipopolysaccharide-induced lung inflammation in mechanically ventilated rats.

    PubMed

    Giraud, O; Seince, P F; Rolland, C; Leçon-Malas, V; Desmonts, J M; Aubier, M; Dehoux, M

    2000-12-01

    Several studies suggest that anesthetics modulate the immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of halothane and thiopental on the lung inflammatory response. Rats submitted or not to intratracheal (IT) instillation of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were anesthetized with either halothane (0. 5, 1, or 1.5%) or thiopental (60 mg. kg(-1)) and mechanically ventilated for 4 h. Control rats were treated or not by LPS without anesthesia. Lung inflammation was assessed by total and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) and by cytokine measurements (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-6 [IL-6], macrophage inflammatory protein-2 [MIP-2], and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1]) in BALF and lung homogenates. In the absence of LPS treatment, neither halothane nor thiopental modified the moderate inflammatory response induced by tracheotomy or mechanical ventilation. Cell recruitment and cytokine concentrations were increased in all groups receiving IT LPS. However, in halothane-anesthetized rats (halothane > or = 1%), but not in thiopental-anesthetized rats, the LPS-induced lung inflammation was altered in a dose-dependent manner. Indeed, when using 1% halothane, polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) recruitment was decreased by 55% (p < 0.001) and TNF-alpha, IL-6, and MIP-2 concentrations in BALF and lung homogenates were decreased by more than 60% (p < 0.001) whereas total protein and MCP-1 concentrations remained unchanged. The decrease of MIP-2 (observed at the protein and messenger RNA [mRNA] level) was strongly correlated to the decrease of PMN recruitment (r = 0.73, p < 0.05). This halothane-reduced lung inflammatory response was transient and was reversed 20 h after the end of the anesthesia. Our study shows that halothane > or = 1%, delivered during 4 h by mechanical ventilation, but not mechanical ventilation per se, alters the early LPS-induced lung inflammation in the rat, suggesting a specific

  10. Lean body mass and creatine kinase are associated with reduced inflammation in obesity.

    PubMed

    Bekkelund, Svein I; Jorde, Rolf

    2017-11-01

    Obesity is associated with inflammation, but the role of lean mass and creatine kinase (CK) on the inflammatory process is less known. We investigated the associations between lean mass, CK and fat mass upon inflammatory parameters in an overweight and obese adult population. Body composition examined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CK and supplementary clinical parameters were measured in 454 overweight and obese individuals. This is a secondary analysis from a cohort of obese individuals treated with Vitamin D. Mean age was 47·6 ± 11·4 years and mean body mass index 34·6 ± 3·9 kg/m 2 . Lean mass correlated negatively with hs-CRP (r = -0·127, P = 0·042) and ESR (r = -0·381, P < 0·001). Median lean mass in the lower ESR quartile was significantly higher than in the upper quartile (P < 0·001) but not between lower and upper hs-CRP quartiles (P = 0·114). CK was negatively correlated with hs-CRP (r = -0·151, P < 0·001) and ESR (r = -0·240, P < 0·001). Median CK in the lower hs-CRP and ESR quartiles were significantly higher than in the upper quartiles (P < 0·001 for both). Conversely, fat mass was positively associated with hs-CRP and ESR. Inflammatory parameters were related to reduced lean mass and CK in an overweight and obese population. Hypothetically, lean mass has a favourable effect on obesity-related inflammation, and CK may play a role as an inhibitor of inflammation in obesity. © 2017 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation.

  11. Increased monocyte adhesion-promoting capacity of plasma in end-stage renal disease - response to antioxidant therapy.

    PubMed

    Moradi, H; Ganji, S; Kamanna, V; Pahl, M V; Vaziri, N D

    2010-10-01

    End-stage renal disease (ESRD) causes accelerated atherosclerosis which is mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation. Activation and infiltration of monocytes represent the critical steps in atherogenesis which is advanced by oxidized LDL and inhibited by HDL. Via its main apolipoprotein (apoA-I) and constituent enzymes (paraoxonase; glutathione peroxidase (GPX), LCAT) HDL exerts potent antioxidant/anti-inflammatory functions. We have found marked reduction of HDL antioxidant/anti-inflammatory and heightened LDL pro-oxidant/pro-inflammatory activities in ESRD patients. Given the inseparable link between oxidative stress and inflammation, we tested the hypothesis that antioxidant therapy may improve anti-inflammatory (monocyte adhesion-promoting capacity) properties of plasma in ESRD patients. We studied 20 hemodialysis patients who after a 4-week wash-out period were treated with a potent antioxidant cocktail (vitamin (v) E, 800 IU; vC, 250 mg; vB6, 100 mg; vB12, 250 µg and folic acid 10 mg daily) for 8 weeks. Twelve healthy volunteers served as control. Pre-dialysis plasma samples were obtained at the onset and conclusion of the study. Markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, apoA-I, HDL-associated enzymes and monocyte adhesion assay were measured using cultured aortic endothelial cells. ESRD patients exhibited reduced plasma level of apoA-1 and antioxidant enzymes, elevated markers of oxidative stress and inflammation and heightened monocyte adhesion-promoting capacity. Antioxidant therapy failed to improve these abnormalities. High doses of antioxidant vitamins fail to improve oxidative stress, inflammation or plasma monocyte adhesion-promoting capacity in ESRD patients. Thus, high doses of vitamins beyond the routinely-prescribed supplements do not appear to be beneficial in this patient population.

  12. Smoking Is Associated with Acute and Chronic Prostatic Inflammation: Results from the REDUCE Study.

    PubMed

    Moreira, Daniel M; Nickel, J Curtis; Gerber, Leah; Muller, Roberto L; Andriole, Gerald L; Castro-Santamaria, Ramiro; Freedland, Stephen J

    2015-04-01

    Both anti- and proinflammatory effects of cigarette smoking have been described. As prostate inflammation is common, we hypothesized smoking could contribute to prostate inflammation. Thus, we evaluated the association of smoking status with acute and chronic inflammation within the prostate of men undergoing prostate biopsy. We retrospectively analyzed 8,190 men ages 50 to 75 years with PSA levels between 2.5 and 10 ng/mL enrolled in the Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events study. Smoking status was self-defined as never, former, or current. Prostate inflammation was assessed by systematic central review blinded to smoking status. The association of smoking with inflammation in the baseline, 2-year, and 4-year biopsies was evaluated with univariable and multivariable logistic regressions. At study enrollment, 1,233 (15%), 3,203 (39%), and 3,754 (46%) men were current, former, and never smokers, respectively. Current smokers were significantly younger and had smaller prostates than former and never smokers (all P < 0.05). Former smokers were significantly heavier than current and never smokers (P < 0.001). Acute and chronic prostate inflammations were identified in 1,261 (15%) and 6,352 (78%) baseline biopsies, respectively. In univariable analysis, current smokers were more likely to have acute inflammation than former (OR, 1.35; P, 0.001) and never smokers (OR, 1.36; P, 0.001). The results were unchanged at 2- and 4-year biopsies. In contrast, current smoking was linked with chronic inflammation in the baseline biopsy, but not at 2- and 4-year biopsies. In conclusion, among men undergoing prostate biopsy, current smoking was independently associated with acute and possibly chronic prostate inflammations. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

  13. Chronic inflammation potentiates kidney aging.

    PubMed

    Mei, Changlin; Zheng, Feng

    2009-11-01

    Chronic inflammation, characterized by increased serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and the presence of inflammatory-related diseases, are seen commonly in aging. Both the dysregulation of immune cells and phenotypic changes in parenchymal cells may contribute to chronic inflammation in aging. Moreover, senescent cells are an important source of inflammatory factors. Oxidative stress, via activation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase and induction of cell senescence, is likely to play a critical role in inflammation. Endoplasmic reticulum stress also may be present in aging and be involved in inflammation. Advanced glycation end products also are important contributors to inflammation in aging. Because the kidney is a major site for the excretion, and perhaps the degradation, of advanced glycation end products and small inflammatory molecules, reduced renal function in aging may promote oxidative stress and inflammation. Chronic inflammation in turn may potentiate the initiation and progression of lesions in the aging kidney.

  14. A human monoclonal anti-TNF alpha antibody (adalimumab) reduces airway inflammation and ameliorates lung histology in a murine model of acute asthma.

    PubMed

    Catal, F; Mete, E; Tayman, C; Topal, E; Albayrak, A; Sert, H

    2015-01-01

    A few experimental studies related to asthma have unveiled the beneficial effects of TNF alpha blocking agents on the airway histology, cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial hyper-responsiveness. In the current study, we aimed to assess the effect of adalimumab on the inflammation and histology of asthma in a murine model. Twelve-week-old BALB/c (H-2d/d) female rats (n=18) were allocated into three groups, including (group I) control (phosphate-buffered saline was implemented), (group II) asthma induced with OVA (n=6), and (group III) asthma induced with OVA+treated with adalimumab (n=6). Rats were executed on the 28th day of the study. The lung samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Lung parenchyma, alveolus, peribronchial and perivascular inflammation were assessed. Lung pathological scoring was performed. Severity of lung damage was found to be reduced significantly in the asthma induced with OVA+treated with adalimumab group. When compared with the untreated group, adalimumab significantly reduced the inflammatory cells around the bronchi and bronchioles, and reduced inflammation of the alveolar wall and alveolar wall thickness as well (median score=1, p=0.52). Peribronchial smooth muscle hypertrophy and oedema were significantly reduced after adalimumab administration. Adalimumab (a human monoclonal anti-TNF alpha antibody) therapy significantly reduced the severity of lung damage by decreasing cellular infiltration and improvement on the lung histology in a murine model of acute asthma. Copyright © 2013 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

  15. Local injections of corticotropin releasing factor reduce doxorubicin-induced acute inflammation in the eyelid.

    PubMed

    McLoon, L K; Wirtschafter, J

    1997-04-01

    Doxorubicin chemomyectomy is an effective alternative treatment option for patients with blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. One side effect of the use of doxorubicin in localized injections is the development of acute inflammation and skin injury at the injection site. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) was reported to reduce inflammation after acute inflammatory injuries due to other causes and at other sites. This study was performed to assess the potential of CRF to prevent the development of skin injury and eyelid soreness after local doxorubicin injection. Rabbits received lower eyelid injections of either 75 or 150 micrograms CRF followed by injection of either 0.5, 1, or 2 mg doxorubicin or doxorubicin alone. Eyelids were assessed for changes in acute inflammation by immunohistochemical localization of macrophages and monocytes using anti-CD11, an antibody specific for these cell types. Short-term alterations in vascular permeability were assessed using an Evans blue assay. Additional eyelids were followed daily for changes in the skin over the injection site to determine day of onset of skin injury and the total duration of skin injury. After 1 month, the eyelids were processed histologically for morphometric analysis of muscle fiber loss. Monkey eyelids also were examined for the effect of CRF and doxorubicin injections. Doxorubicin alone produced an acute inflammatory reaction in the treated eyelids, with a large influx of macrophages and monocytes throughout the connective tissue at 1 and 2 days. Corticotropin releasing factor pretreatment significantly reduced this influx of inflammatory cells into the connective tissue. Doxorubicin produced a large increase in vascular permeability in the treated eyelids, with resultant edema. Corticotropin releasing factor did not alter this change in vascular permeability, indicating that CRF appears to have a specific effect on migration of inflammatory cells rather than just a generalized effect on vascular

  16. Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Ascites and Plasma in Patients with Platinum-Sensitive, Platinum-Resistant, and Platinum-Refractory Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

    PubMed Central

    Cantón-Romero, Juan Carlos; Bañuelos-Ramírez, Jose Luis; Sifuentes-Franco, Sonia; Castellanos-González, José Alberto

    2017-01-01

    Diverse proinflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress are strongly associated with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Objective. To determine the behavior of markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in plasma and ascites fluid in patients with platinum-sensitive, platinum-resistant, and platinum-refractory EOC. Methods. A prospective cohort study. The colorimetric method was used to determine levels of the markers 8-isoprostanes (8-IP), lipid peroxidation products (LPO), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma and ascites fluid; and with ELISA, the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were determined in patients with EOC. Results. In ascites fluid, a significant increase in 8-IP versus baseline plasma levels was found (p = 0.002). There was an important leakage of the TAC levels in ascites fluid versus baseline plasma levels (p < 0.001). The IL-6 was elevated in ascites fluid versus baseline plasma levels (p = 0.003), and there were diminished levels of TNF-α in ascites fluid versus baseline plasma levels (p = 0.001). Discussion. We hypothesize that the ascites fluid influences the behavior and dissemination of the tumor. Deregulation between oxidants, antioxidants, and the proinflammatory cytokines was found to vary among platinum-sensitive, platinum-resistant, and platinum-refractory patients. PMID:28848618

  17. Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Ascites and Plasma in Patients with Platinum-Sensitive, Platinum-Resistant, and Platinum-Refractory Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.

    PubMed

    Cantón-Romero, Juan Carlos; Miranda-Díaz, Alejandra Guillermina; Bañuelos-Ramírez, Jose Luis; Carrillo-Ibarra, Sandra; Sifuentes-Franco, Sonia; Castellanos-González, José Alberto; Rodríguez-Carrizalez, Adolfo Daniel

    2017-01-01

    Diverse proinflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress are strongly associated with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Objective . To determine the behavior of markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in plasma and ascites fluid in patients with platinum-sensitive, platinum-resistant, and platinum-refractory EOC. Methods . A prospective cohort study. The colorimetric method was used to determine levels of the markers 8-isoprostanes (8-IP), lipid peroxidation products (LPO), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma and ascites fluid; and with ELISA, the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α ) were determined in patients with EOC. Results . In ascites fluid, a significant increase in 8-IP versus baseline plasma levels was found ( p = 0.002). There was an important leakage of the TAC levels in ascites fluid versus baseline plasma levels ( p < 0.001). The IL-6 was elevated in ascites fluid versus baseline plasma levels ( p = 0.003), and there were diminished levels of TNF- α in ascites fluid versus baseline plasma levels ( p = 0.001). Discussion . We hypothesize that the ascites fluid influences the behavior and dissemination of the tumor. Deregulation between oxidants, antioxidants, and the proinflammatory cytokines was found to vary among platinum-sensitive, platinum-resistant, and platinum-refractory patients.

  18. Topical atorvastatin ameliorates 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate induced skin inflammation by reducing cutaneous cytokine levels and NF-κB activation.

    PubMed

    Kulkarni, Nagaraj M; Muley, Milind M; Jaji, Mallikarjun S; Vijaykanth, G; Raghul, J; Reddy, Neetin Kumar D; Vishwakarma, Santosh L; Rajesh, Navin B; Mookkan, Jeyamurugan; Krishnan, Uma Maheswari; Narayanan, Shridhar

    2015-06-01

    Atorvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase inhibitor used in the treatment of atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia. Studies have evaluated the utility of statins in the treatment of skin inflammation but with varied results. In the present study, we investigated the effect of atorvastatin on TNF-α release and keratinocyte proliferation in vitro and in acute and chronic 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced skin inflammation in vivo. Atorvastatin significantly inhibited lipopolysacharide induced TNF-α release in THP-1 cells and keratinocyte proliferation in HaCaT cells. In an acute study, topical atorvastatin showed dose dependent reduction in TPA induced skin inflammation with highest efficacy observed at 500 µg/ear dose. In chronic study, topical atorvastatin significantly reduced TPA induced ear thickness, ear weight, cutaneous cytokines, MPO activity and improved histopathological features comparable to that of dexamethasone. Atorvastatin also inhibited TPA stimulated NF-κB activation in mouse ear. In conclusion, our results suggest that atorvastatin ameliorates TPA induced skin inflammation in mice at least in part, due to inhibition of cytokine release and NF-κB activation and may be beneficial for the treatment skin inflammation like psoriasis.

  19. Premeal Low-Fat Yogurt Consumption Reduces Postprandial Inflammation and Markers of Endotoxin Exposure in Healthy Premenopausal Women in a Randomized Controlled Trial

    PubMed Central

    Pei, Ruisong; DiMarco, Diana M; Putt, Kelley K; Martin, Derek A; Chitchumroonchokchai, Chureeporn; Bruno, Richard S; Bolling, Bradley W

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Background Metabolic endotoxemia is associated with obesity and contributes to postprandial inflammation. Objective We aimed to determine if low-fat yogurt consumption prevents postprandial inflammation and dysmetabolism in healthy women by inhibiting biomarkers of metabolic endotoxemia. Methods Premenopausal women defined as obese and nonobese [body mass index (BMI, in kg/m2) 30–40 and 18.5–27, respectively, n = 120] were randomly assigned to consume 339 g of low-fat yogurt (YN, yogurt nonobese; YO, yogurt obese) or 324 g of soy pudding (CN, control nonobese; CO, control obese) for 9 wk (n = 30/group). The intervention foods each supplied 330 kcal with 3 g fat, 66 g carbohydrate, and 4–6 g protein. At weeks 0 and 9, participants ingested 226 g of yogurt or 216 g of soy pudding before a meal providing 56–60 g fat, 82 g carbohydrate, and 28–30 g protein. Plasma soluble CD14 (sCD14), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), LPS activity, interleukin-6 (IL-6), glucose, triglyceride, and insulin were measured hourly for 4 h to assess differences in postprandial responses between groups by 2-factor ANOVA. Results Premeal yogurt consumption prevented the postprandial decrease in sCD14 net incremental area under the curve (net iAUC) by 72% in obese individuals at week 0 (P = 0.0323). YN and YO had ≥40% lower net iAUC of LBP-to-sCD14 ratio and plasma IL-6 concentration than CN and CO, respectively (P < 0.05). CO had postprandial hyperglycemia which was not evident in YO; in contrast YN had 57% less postprandial hypoglycemia than did CN (P-interaction = 0.0013). After 9 wk of yogurt consumption, ΔAUC of LBP-to-sCD14 ratios of YO and YN were less than half of those of the control groups (P = 0.0093). Conclusion Yogurt consumption improved postprandial metabolism and biomarkers of metabolic endotoxemia in healthy premenopausal women. Premeal yogurt consumption is a feasible strategy to inhibit postprandial dysmetabolism and thus

  20. Tailoring properties of reduced graphene oxide by oxygen plasma treatment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kondratowicz, Izabela; Nadolska, Małgorzata; Şahin, Samet; Łapiński, Marcin; Prześniak-Welenc, Marta; Sawczak, Mirosław; Yu, Eileen H.; Sadowski, Wojciech; Żelechowska, Kamila

    2018-05-01

    We report an easily controllable, eco-friendly method for tailoring the properties of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by means of oxygen plasma. The effect of oxygen plasma treatment time (1, 5 and 10 min) on the surface properties of rGO was evaluated. Physicochemical characterization using microscopic, spectroscopic and thermal techniques was performed. The results revealed that different oxygen-containing groups (e.g. carboxyl, hydroxyl) were introduced on the rGO surface enhancing its wettability. Furthermore, upon longer treatment time, other functionalities were created (e.g. quinones, lactones). Moreover, external surface of rGO was partially etched resulting in an increase of the material surface area and porosity. Finally, the oxygen plasma-treated rGO electrodes with bilirubin oxidase were tested for oxygen reduction reaction. The study showed that rGO treated for 10 min exhibited twofold higher current density than untreated rGO. The oxygen plasma treatment may improve the enzyme adsorption on rGO electrodes by introduction of oxygen moieties and increasing the porosity.

  1. The bone morphogenic protein inhibitor, noggin, reduces glycemia and vascular inflammation in db/db mice

    PubMed Central

    Koga, Mitsuhisa; Engberding, Niels; Dikalova, Anna E.; Chang, Kyung Hwa; Seidel-Rogol, Bonnie; Long, James S.; Lassègue, Bernard; Jo, Hanjoong

    2013-01-01

    Vascular diseases frequently accompany diabetes mellitus. Based on the current understanding of atherosclerosis as an inflammatory disorder of the vascular wall, it has been speculated that diabetes may accelerate atherosclerosis by inducing a proinflammatory milieu in the vasculature. ANG II and bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) have been implicated in vascular inflammation. We evaluated the effect of angiotensin receptor blockade by valsartan and BMP inhibition by noggin on markers of vascular inflammation in a mouse model of diabetes. Noggin had no effect on blood pressure but decreased serum glucose levels, whereas valsartan significantly decreased blood pressure, but not serum glucose. Both inhibitors reduced reactive oxygen species production in the aorta. Additionally, noggin and valsartan diminish gene transcription and protein expression of various inflammatory molecules in the vascular wall. These observations indicate that although both inhibitors block superoxide production and have similar effects on inflammatory gene expression, glycemia and blood pressure may represent a secondary target differentially affected by noggin and valsartan. Our data clearly identify the BMP pathway as a potentially potent therapeutic target in diabetic inflammatory vascular disease. PMID:23812391

  2. Effect of 4-Week Ingestion of Tomato-Based Carotenoids on Exercise-Induced Inflammation, Muscle Damage, and Oxidative Stress in Endurance Runners.

    PubMed

    Nieman, David C; Capps, Courtney L; Capps, Christopher R; Shue, Zack L; McBride, Jennifer E

    2018-05-03

    This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial determined if ingestion of a supplement containing a tomato complex with lycopene, phytoene, and phytofluene (T-LPP) and other compounds for 4 weeks would attenuate inflammation, muscle damage, and oxidative stress postexercise and during recovery from a 2-hr running bout that included 30 min of -10% downhill running. Study participants ingested the T-LPP supplement or placebo with the evening meal for 4 weeks prior to running 2 hr at high intensity. Blood samples and delayed onset muscle soreness ratings were taken pre- and post-4-week supplementation, and immediately following the 2-hr run, and then 1-hr, 24-hr, and 48-hr postrun. After a 2-week washout period, participants crossed over to the opposite treatment and repeated all procedures. Plasma lycopene, phytoene, and phytofluene increased significantly in T-LPP compared with placebo (p < .001 for each). Significant time effects were shown for serum creatine kinase, delayed onset muscle soreness, C-reactive protein, myoglobin, 9- and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids, ferric reducing ability of plasma, and six plasma cytokines (p < .001 for each). The pattern of increase for serum myoglobin differed between T-LPP and placebo (interaction effect, p = .016, with lower levels in T-LPP), but not for creatine kinase, delayed onset muscle soreness, C-reactive protein, the six cytokines, 9- and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids, and ferric reducing ability of plasma. No significant time or interaction effects were measured for plasma-oxidized low-density lipoprotein or serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. In summary, supplementation with T-LPP over a 4-week period increased plasma carotenoid levels 73% and attenuated postexercise increases in the muscle damage biomarker myoglobin, but not inflammation and oxidative stress.

  3. Protective effects of hydrogen sulfide on chronic kidney disease by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis

    PubMed Central

    Askari, Hassan; Seifi, Behjat; Kadkhodaee, Mehri; Sanadgol, Nima; Elshiekh, Mohammed; Ranjbaran, Mina; Ahghari, Parisa

    2018-01-01

    The current study aimed to examine the renoprotective effects of long-term treatment with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a prominent hydrogen sulfide donor, in 5/6 nephrectomy animal model. Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into 3 groups including sham-operated group (Sham), 5/6-nephrectomized group (5/6 Nx), and NaHS-treated group (5/6Nx+NaHS). NaHS (30 micromol/l) was added twice daily into the drinking water and renal failure was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. Twelve weeks after surgical procedure, blood pressure, creatinine clearance (CCr), urine concentration of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) and tissue concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as renal morphological changes, apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3) and inflammation (p-NF-κB) were measured. Five-sixth nephrectomy induced severe renal damage as indicated by renal dysfunction, hypertension and significant histopathological injury which were associated with increased NGAL and MDA levels, oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, decreased SOD activity and CCr and also overexpression of p-NF-κB and cleaved caspase-3 proteins. Instead, NaHS treatment attenuated renal dysfunction through reduction of NGAL concentration, hypertension, CCr, oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, inflammation and apoptosis. These findings suggest that long term NaHS treatment can be useful in preventing the progression of CKD by improving oxidant/antioxidant balance and reducing inflammation and apoptosis in the kidney. PMID:29383015

  4. Lactoferrin: Balancing Ups and Downs of Inflammation Due to Microbial Infections.

    PubMed

    Drago-Serrano, Maria Elisa; Campos-Rodríguez, Rafael; Carrero, Julio César; de la Garza, Mireya

    2017-03-01

    Lactoferrin (Lf) is a glycoprotein of the primary innate immune-defense system of mammals present in milk and other mucosal secretions. This protein of the transferrin family has broad antimicrobial properties by depriving pathogens from iron, or disrupting their plasma membranes through its highly cationic charge. Noteworthy, Lf also exhibits immunomodulatory activities performing up- and down-regulation of innate and adaptive immune cells, contributing to the homeostasis in mucosal surfaces exposed to myriad of microbial agents, such as the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Although the inflammatory process is essential for the control of invasive infectious agents, the development of an exacerbated or chronic inflammation results in tissue damage with life-threatening consequences. In this review, we highlight recent findings in in vitro and in vivo models of the gut, lung, oral cavity, mammary gland, and liver infections that provide experimental evidence supporting the therapeutic role of human and bovine Lf in promoting some parameters of inflammation and protecting against the deleterious effects of bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoan-associated inflammation. Thus, this new knowledge of Lf immunomodulation paves the way to more effective design of treatments that include native or synthetic Lf derivatives, which may be useful to reduce immune-mediated tissue damage in infectious diseases.

  5. Lactoferrin: Balancing Ups and Downs of Inflammation Due to Microbial Infections

    PubMed Central

    Drago-Serrano, Maria Elisa; Campos-Rodríguez, Rafael; Carrero, Julio César; de la Garza, Mireya

    2017-01-01

    Lactoferrin (Lf) is a glycoprotein of the primary innate immune-defense system of mammals present in milk and other mucosal secretions. This protein of the transferrin family has broad antimicrobial properties by depriving pathogens from iron, or disrupting their plasma membranes through its highly cationic charge. Noteworthy, Lf also exhibits immunomodulatory activities performing up- and down-regulation of innate and adaptive immune cells, contributing to the homeostasis in mucosal surfaces exposed to myriad of microbial agents, such as the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Although the inflammatory process is essential for the control of invasive infectious agents, the development of an exacerbated or chronic inflammation results in tissue damage with life-threatening consequences. In this review, we highlight recent findings in in vitro and in vivo models of the gut, lung, oral cavity, mammary gland, and liver infections that provide experimental evidence supporting the therapeutic role of human and bovine Lf in promoting some parameters of inflammation and protecting against the deleterious effects of bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoan-associated inflammation. Thus, this new knowledge of Lf immunomodulation paves the way to more effective design of treatments that include native or synthetic Lf derivatives, which may be useful to reduce immune-mediated tissue damage in infectious diseases. PMID:28257033

  6. Human recombinant arginase enzyme reduces plasma arginine in mouse models of arginase deficiency

    PubMed Central

    Burrage, Lindsay C.; Sun, Qin; Elsea, Sarah H.; Jiang, Ming-Ming; Nagamani, Sandesh C.S.; Frankel, Arthur E.; Stone, Everett; Alters, Susan E.; Johnson, Dale E.; Rowlinson, Scott W.; Georgiou, George; Lee, Brendan H.

    2015-01-01

    Arginase deficiency is caused by deficiency of arginase 1 (ARG1), a urea cycle enzyme that converts arginine to ornithine. Clinical features of arginase deficiency include elevated plasma arginine levels, spastic diplegia, intellectual disability, seizures and growth deficiency. Unlike other urea cycle disorders, recurrent hyperammonemia is typically less severe in this disorder. Normalization of plasma arginine levels is the consensus treatment goal, because elevations of arginine and its metabolites are suspected to contribute to the neurologic features. Using data from patients enrolled in a natural history study conducted by the Urea Cycle Disorders Consortium, we found that 97% of plasma arginine levels in subjects with arginase deficiency were above the normal range despite conventional treatment. Recently, arginine-degrading enzymes have been used to deplete arginine as a therapeutic strategy in cancer. We tested whether one of these enzymes, a pegylated human recombinant arginase 1 (AEB1102), reduces plasma arginine in murine models of arginase deficiency. In neonatal and adult mice with arginase deficiency, AEB1102 reduced the plasma arginine after single and repeated doses. However, survival did not improve likely, because this pegylated enzyme does not enter hepatocytes and does not improve hyperammonemia that accounts for lethality. Although murine models required dosing every 48 h, studies in cynomolgus monkeys indicate that less frequent dosing may be possible in patients. Given that elevated plasma arginine rather than hyperammonemia is the major treatment challenge, we propose that AEB1102 may have therapeutic potential as an arginine-reducing agent in patients with arginase deficiency. PMID:26358771

  7. Targeting sortilin in immune cells reduces proinflammatory cytokines and atherosclerosis

    PubMed Central

    Mortensen, Martin B.; Kjolby, Mads; Gunnersen, Stine; Larsen, Jakob V.; Palmfeldt, Johan; Falk, Erling; Nykjaer, Anders; Bentzon, Jacob F.

    2014-01-01

    Genome-wide association studies have identified a link between genetic variation at the human chromosomal locus 1p13.3 and coronary artery disease. The gene encoding sortilin (SORT1) has been implicated as the causative gene within the locus, as sortilin regulates hepatic lipoprotein metabolism. Here we demonstrated that sortilin also directly affects atherogenesis, independent of its regulatory role in lipoprotein metabolism. In a mouse model of atherosclerosis, deletion of Sort1 did not alter plasma cholesterol levels, but reduced the development of both early and late atherosclerotic lesions. We determined that sortilin is a high-affinity receptor for the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFN-γ. Moreover, macrophages and Th1 cells (both of which mediate atherosclerotic plaque formation) lacking sortilin had reduced secretion of IL-6 and IFN-γ, but not of other measured cytokines. Transfer of sortilin-deficient BM into irradiated atherosclerotic mice reduced atherosclerosis and systemic markers of inflammation. Together, these data demonstrate that sortilin influences cytokine secretion and that targeting sortilin in immune cells attenuates inflammation and reduces atherosclerosis. PMID:25401472

  8. Voluntary running of defined distances reduces body adiposity and its associated inflammation in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet.

    PubMed

    Yan, Lin; Sundaram, Sneha; Nielsen, Forrest H

    2017-11-01

    This study investigated the effect of voluntary running of defined distances on body adiposity in male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet. Mice were assigned to 6 groups and fed a standard AIN93G diet (sedentary) or a modified high-fat AIN93G diet (sedentary; unrestricted running; or 75%, 50%, or 25% of unrestricted running) for 12 weeks. The average running distance was 8.3, 6.3, 4.2, and 2.1 km/day for the unrestricted, 75%, 50%, and 25% of unrestricted runners, respectively. Body adiposity was 46% higher in sedentary mice when fed the high-fat diet instead of the standard diet. Running decreased adiposity in mice fed the high-fat diet in a dose-dependent manner but with no significant difference between sedentary mice and those running 2.1 km/day. In sedentary mice, the high-fat instead of the standard diet increased insulin resistance, hepatic triacylglycerides, and adipose and plasma concentrations of leptin and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Running reduced these variables in a dose-dependent manner. Adipose adiponectin was lowest in sedentary mice fed the high-fat diet; running raised adiponectin in both adipose tissue and plasma. Running 8.3 and 6.3 km/day had the greatest, but similar, effects on the aforementioned variables. Running 2.1 km/day did not affect these variables except, when compared with sedentariness, it significantly decreased MCP-1. The findings showed that running 6.3 kg/day was optimal for reducing adiposity and associated inflammation that was increased in mice by feeding a high-fat diet. The findings suggest that voluntary running of defined distances may counteract the obesogenic effects of a high-fat diet.

  9. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibits imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation of BALB/c mice.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Shuangshuang; Liu, Xiangdong; Mei, Lihong; Wang, Hongfeng; Fang, Fang

    2016-08-31

    Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory immune disease with undefined pathogenesis. It is associated with T cells, and the IL-23/IL17 axis is believed to be crucial in the pathogenesis. The present treatments have side effects that influence the compliance of patients. Tea polyphenol is extracted from tea polyphenols, and its main active ingredient is Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-ultraviolet radiation effects. Here, we aim to report that EGCG can inhibit imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like inflammation. We used BALB/c mice, which were topically treated with IMQ for 6 consecutive days, as a psoriasis mouse model. Topical application of EGCG and treatment with EGCG were conducted in the experiments. Then observed the effects of the two methods on psoriasis-like mice dermatitis. Statistics are presented as the means ± standard error of mean (SEM) and compared using unpaired two-tailed Student's t tests or one-way ANOVA. Topical application of EGCG alleviated psoriasiform dermatitis, improved the skin pathological structure by reduce the expression of epidermal PCNA, promoted the expression of caspase-14. Treatment with EGCG attenuated skin inflammation, accompanied by reduced infiltrations of T cells; reduced percentages of CD11c(+) DC in the composition of immunocytes of spleens; reduced levels of interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-23 and malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma; increased percentages of CD4(+) T cells in the composition of immunocytes of spleens; and increased bioactivities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in plasma. All the results demonstrated that EGCG had anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory and antioxidant effects. It is a promising intervention in psoriasis in the future.

  10. Relationship between Gingival Inflammation and Pregnancy

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Min; Chen, Shao-Wu; Jiang, Shao-Yun

    2015-01-01

    An increase in the prevalence and severity of gingival inflammation during pregnancy has been reported since the 1960s. Though the etiology is not fully known, it is believed that increasing plasma sex steroid hormone levels during pregnancy have a dramatic effect on the periodontium. Current works of research have shown that estrogen and progesterone increasing during pregnancy are supposed to be responsible for gingivitis progression. This review is focused not only on epidemiological studies, but also on the effects of progesterone and estrogen on the change of subgingival microbiota and immunologic physiological mediators in periodontal tissue (gingiva and periodontal ligament), which provides current information about the effects of pregnancy on gingival inflammation. PMID:25873767

  11. Nitric oxide-donating atorvastatin attenuates neutrophil recruitment during vascular inflammation independent of changes in plasma cholesterol.

    PubMed

    Baetta, Roberta; Granata, Agnese; Miglietta, Daniela; Oliva, Francesca; Arnaboldi, Lorenzo; Bonomo, Alessandra; Ferri, Nicola; Ongini, Ennio; Bellosta, Stefano; Corsini, Alberto

    2013-06-01

    Polymorphonuclear neutrophils, the first leukocytes to infiltrate the inflamed tissue, can make important contributions to vascular inflammatory processes driving the development of atherosclerosis. We herein investigated the effects of atorvastatin and NCX 6560 (a nitric oxide (NO)-donating atorvastatin derivative that has completed a successful phase 1b study) on neutrophilic inflammation in carotid arteries of normocholesterolemic rabbits subjected to perivascular collar placement. Atorvastatin or NCX 6560 were administered orally (5 mg/kg/day or equimolar dose) to New Zealand White rabbits for 6 days, followed by collar implantation 1 h after the last dose. Twenty-four hours later carotids were harvested for neutrophil quantification by immunostaining. Treatment with NCX 6560 was associated with a lower neutrophil infiltration (-39.5 %), while atorvastatin did not affect neutrophil content. The result was independent of effects on plasma cholesterol or differences in atorvastatin bioavailability, which suggests an important role of NO-related mechanisms in mediating this effect. Consistent with these in vivo findings, in vitro studies showed that NCX 6560, as compared to atorvastatin, had greater inhibitory activity on processes involved in neutrophil recruitment, such as migration in response to IL-8 and IL-8 release by endothelial cells and by neutrophils themselves. Pretreatment with NCX 6560, but not with atorvastatin, reduced the ability of neutrophil supernatants to promote monocyte chemotaxis, a well-known pro-inflammatory activity of neutrophils. Experimental data suggest a potential role of NO-releasing statins in the control of the vascular inflammatory process mediated by polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

  12. Plasma antioxidant capacity is reduced in Asperger syndrome.

    PubMed

    Parellada, Mara; Moreno, Carmen; Mac-Dowell, Karina; Leza, Juan Carlos; Giraldez, Marisa; Bailón, Concepción; Castro, Carmen; Miranda-Azpiazu, Patricia; Fraguas, David; Arango, Celso

    2012-03-01

    Recent evidence suggests that children with autism have impaired detoxification capacity and may suffer from chronic oxidative stress. To our knowledge, there has been no study focusing on oxidative metabolism specifically in Asperger syndrome (a milder form of autism) or comparing this metabolism with other psychiatric disorders. In this study, total antioxidant status (TAOS), non-enzymatic (glutathione and homocysteine) and enzymatic (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) antioxidants, and lipid peroxidation were measured in plasma or erythrocyte lysates in a group of adolescent patients with Asperger syndrome, a group of adolescents with a first episode of psychosis, and a group of healthy controls at baseline and at 8-12 weeks. TAOS was also analyzed at 1 year. TAOS was reduced in Asperger individuals compared with healthy controls and psychosis patients, after covarying by age and antipsychotic treatment. This reduced antioxidant capacity did not depend on any of the individual antioxidant variables measured. Psychosis patients had increased homocysteine levels in plasma and decreased copper and ceruloplasmin at baseline. In conclusion, Asperger patients seem to have chronic low detoxifying capacity. No impaired detoxifying capacity was found in the first-episode psychosis group in the first year of illness. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Moringa Oleifera leaf extract increases plasma antioxidant status associated with reduced plasma malondialdehyde concentration without hypoglycemia in fasting healthy volunteers.

    PubMed

    Ngamukote, Sathaporn; Khannongpho, Teerawat; Siriwatanapaiboon, Marent; Sirikwanpong, Sukrit; Dahlan, Winai; Adisakwattana, Sirichai

    2016-12-29

    To investigate the effect of Moringa Oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) on plasma glucose concentration and antioxidant status in healthy volunteers. A randomized crossover design was used in this study. Healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either 200 mL of warm water (10 cases) or 200 mL of MOLE (500 mg dried extract, 10 cases). Blood samples were drawn at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min for measuring fasting plasma glucose (FPG), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA). FPG concentration was not signifificantly different between warm water and MOLE. The consumption of MOLE acutely improved both FRAP and TEAC, with increases after 30 min of 30 μmol/L FeSO 4 equivalents and 0.18 μmol/L Trolox equivalents, respectively. The change in MDA level from baseline was signifificantly lowered after the ingestion of MOLE at 30, 60, and 90 min. In addition, FRAP level was negatively correlated with plasma MDA level after an intake of MOLE. MOLE increased plasma antioxidant capacity without hypoglycemia in human. The consumption of MOLE may reduce the risk factors associated with chronic degenerative diseases.

  14. Helichrysum and Grapefruit Extracts Boost Weight Loss in Overweight Rats Reducing Inflammation.

    PubMed

    de la Garza, Ana Laura; Etxeberria, Usune; Haslberger, Alexander; Aumueller, Eva; Martínez, J Alfredo; Milagro, Fermín I

    2015-08-01

    Obesity is characterized by an increased production of inflammatory markers. High levels of circulating free fatty acids and chronic inflammation lead to increased oxidative stress, contributing to the development of insulin resistance (IR). Recent studies have focused on the potential use of flavonoids for obesity management due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of helichrysum and grapefruit extracts in overweight insulin-resistant rats. Thirty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in two groups: control group (n=8) and high-fat sucrose (HFS) group (n=30). After 22 days of ad libitum water and food access, the rats fed HFS diet changed to standard diet and were reassigned into three groups (n=10 each group): nonsupplemented, helichrysum extract (2 g/kg bw), and grapefruit extract (1 g/kg bw) administered for 5 weeks. Rats supplemented with both extracts gained less body weight during the 5-week period of treatment, showed lower serum insulin levels and liver TBARS levels. Leptin/adiponectin ratio, as an indicator of IR, was lower in both extract-administered groups. These results were accompanied by a reduction in TNFα gene expression in epididymal adipose tissue and intestinal mucosa, and TLR2 expression in intestinal mucosa. Helichrysum and grapefruit extracts might be used as complement hypocaloric diets in weight loss treatment. Both extracts helped to reduce weight gain, hyperinsulinemia, and IR, improved inflammation markers, and decreased the HFS diet-induced oxidative stress in insulin-resistant rats.

  15. Cryoglobulin-induced inflammation.

    PubMed

    Denko, C W

    1985-10-01

    Inflammation of the rat footpad followed injection of cryoglobulin in crystalline form (Type I) and injection of cryoglobulin in solution (Type II). Rats deficient in essential fatty acids responded with diminished swelling which corrected to normal levels by addition of prostaglandin E1 suggesting that this reaction is prostaglandin mediated. Addition of bradykinin produced no effect. Aggregated cryoglobulin proved more inflammogenic than non-aggregated cryoglobulin. Pre-treatment with choline salicylate and colchicine reduced swelling while pre-treatment with dipyridamole increased edema following cryoglobulin inoculation. Cryoglobulin is considered to be an acute phase reactant in inflammation.

  16. Oseltamivir Prophylaxis Reduces Inflammation and Facilitates Establishment of Cross-Strain Protective T Cell Memory to Influenza Viruses

    PubMed Central

    Hurt, Aeron C.; Oshansky, Christine M.; Oh, Ding Yuan; Reading, Patrick C.; Chua, Brendon Y.; Sun, Yilun; Tang, Li; Handel, Andreas; Jackson, David C.; Turner, Stephen J.; Thomas, Paul G.; Kedzierska, Katherine

    2015-01-01

    CD8+ T cells directed against conserved viral regions elicit broad immunity against distinct influenza viruses, promote rapid virus elimination and enhanced host recovery. The influenza neuraminidase inhibitor, oseltamivir, is prescribed for therapy and prophylaxis, although it remains unclear how the drug impacts disease severity and establishment of effector and memory CD8+ T cell immunity. We dissected the effects of oseltamivir on viral replication, inflammation, acute CD8+ T cell responses and the establishment of immunological CD8+ T cell memory. In mice, ferrets and humans, the effect of osteltamivir on viral titre was relatively modest. However, prophylactic oseltamivir treatment in mice markedly reduced morbidity, innate responses, inflammation and, ultimately, the magnitude of effector CD8+ T cell responses. Importantly, functional memory CD8+ T cells established during the drug-reduced effector phase were capable of mounting robust recall responses. Moreover, influenza-specific memory CD4+ T cells could be also recalled after the secondary challenge, while the antibody levels were unaffected. This provides evidence that long-term memory T cells can be generated during an oseltamivir-interrupted infection. The anti-inflammatory effect of oseltamivir was verified in H1N1-infected patients. Thus, in the case of an unpredicted influenza pandemic, while prophylactic oseltamivir treatment can reduce disease severity, the capacity to generate memory CD8+ T cells specific for the newly emerged virus is uncompromised. This could prove especially important for any new influenza pandemic which often occurs in separate waves. PMID:26086392

  17. Inflammation, coagulation, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in prediabetes--Biomarkers as a possible tool for early disease detection for rural screening.

    PubMed

    Maschirow, L; Khalaf, K; Al-Aubaidy, H A; Jelinek, H F

    2015-06-01

    This study aims to increase understanding of the connection between oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetes disease progression to provide a basis for investigating improved diagnostic possibilities, treatment and prevention of prediabetes. Differences in the level of biochemical markers of oxidative stress (erythrocyte GSH/GSSG and urinary 8-isoprostane), inflammation (CRP, IL-6), endothelial dysfunction (plasma homocysteine, urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy-guanosine) and coagulation/fibrinolysis (C5a, D-Dimer) were determined in prediabetes and control subjects. While no difference was found in the 8-isoprostane levels between the two groups, the erythrocyte GSH/GSSG ratio was significantly reduced in the prediabetes group compared to control, indicating increased oxidative stress in the prediabetic state. Both urinary 8-OHdG and surprisingly also plasma homocysteine were significantly elevated in the prediabetes group, indicating endothelial dysfunction. The inflammation markers were slightly elevated in the prediabetic subjects and the same trend was found for the coagulation/fibrinolysis markers C5a and D-Dimer. These results were however not significant. The small elevation of blood glucose levels in the prediabetic state may have a detectable influence on endothelial function as indicated by changes to 8-OHdG, indicating an increased DNA-damage and homocysteine release from endothelial cells. Increased oxidative stress as indicated by the reduced GSH/GSSG ratio is likely to be the link between the moderate hyperglycaemia in prediabetes and pathological changes in endothelial function, which in the long-term may promote atherogenesis and result in the development of cardiovascular disease. Early detection of prediabetes is essential to avoid diabetes development and the associated complications like cardiovascular disease. The GSH/GSSG ratio and biomarkers like urinary 8-OHdG and plasma homocysteine offer a possible tool for the assessment of prediabetes in

  18. Endothelial dysfunction occurs independently of adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance in ovariectomized Yucatan miniature-swine.

    PubMed

    Jurrissen, Thomas J; Olver, T Dylan; Winn, Nathan C; Grunewald, Zachary I; Lin, Gabriela S; Hiemstra, Jessica A; Edwards, Jenna C; Gastecki, Michelle L; Welly, Rebecca J; Emter, Craig A; Vieira-Potter, Victoria J; Padilla, Jaume

    2018-01-02

    In rodents, experimentally-induced ovarian hormone deficiency increases adiposity and adipose tissue (AT) inflammation, which is thought to contribute to insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular disease risk. However, whether this occurs in a translationally-relevant large animal model remains unknown. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that ovariectomy would promote visceral and perivascular AT (PVAT) inflammation, as well as subsequent insulin resistance and peripheral vascular dysfunction in female swine. At sexual maturity (7 months of age), female Yucatan mini-swine either remained intact (control, n = 9) or were ovariectomized (OVX, n = 7). All pigs were fed standard chow (15-20 g/kg), and were euthanized 6 months post-surgery. Uterine mass and plasma estradiol levels were decreased by ∼10-fold and 2-fold, respectively, in OVX compared to control pigs. Body mass, glucose homeostasis, and markers of insulin resistance were not different between control and OVX pigs; however, OVX animals exhibited greater plasma triglycerides and triglyceride:HDL ratio. Ovariectomy enhanced visceral adipocyte expansion, although this was not accompanied by brachial artery PVAT adipocyte expansion, AT inflammation in either depot, or increased systemic inflammation assessed by plasma C-reactive protein concentrations. Despite the lack of AT inflammation and insulin resistance, OVX pigs exhibited depressed brachial artery endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation, which was rescued with blockade of endothelin receptor A. Together, these findings indicate that in female Yucatan mini-swine, increased AT inflammation and insulin resistance are not required for loss of ovarian hormones to induce endothelial dysfunction.

  19. Systemic N-terminal fragments of adrenocorticotropin reduce inflammation- and stress-induced anhedonia in rats.

    PubMed

    Markov, Dmitrii D; Yatsenko, Ksenia A; Inozemtseva, Lyudmila S; Grivennikov, Igor A; Myasoedov, Nikolai F; Dolotov, Oleg V

    2017-08-01

    Emerging evidence implicates impaired self-regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammation as important and closely related components of the pathophysiology of major depression. Antidepressants show anti-inflammatory effects and are suggested to enhance glucocorticoid feedback inhibition of the HPA axis. HPA axis activity is also negatively self-regulated by the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a potent anti-inflammatory peptide activating five subtypes of melanocortin receptors (MCRs). There are indications that ACTH-mediated feedback can be activated by noncorticotropic N-terminal ACTH fragments such as a potent anti-inflammatory MC1/3/4/5R agonist α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), corresponding to ACTH(1-13), and a MC3/5R agonist ACTH(4-10). We investigated whether intraperitoneal administration of rats with these peptides affects anhedonia, which is a core symptom of depression. Inflammation-related anhedonia was induced by a single intraperitoneal administration of a low dose (0.025mg/kg) of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Stress-related anhedonia was induced by the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) procedure. The sucrose preference test was used to detect anhedonia. We found that ACTH(4-10) pretreatment decreased LPS-induced increase in serum corticosterone and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and a MC3/4R antagonist SHU9119 blocked this effect. Both α-MSH and ACTH(4-10) alleviated LPS-induced anhedonia. In the CUS model, these peptides reduced anhedonia and normalized body weight gain. The data indicate that systemic α-MSH and ACTH(4-10) produce an antidepressant-like effect on anhedonia induced by stress or inflammation, the stimuli that trigger the release of ACTH and α-MSH into the bloodstream. The results suggest a counterbalancing role of circulating melanocortins in depression and point to a new approach for antidepressant treatment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Epigenetic modifiers reduce inflammation and modulate macrophage phenotype during endotoxemia-induced acute lung injury

    PubMed Central

    Thangavel, Jayakumar; Samanta, Saheli; Rajasingh, Sheeja; Barani, Bahar; Xuan, Yu-Ting; Dawn, Buddhadeb; Rajasingh, Johnson

    2015-01-01

    ABSTRACT Acute lung injury (ALI) during sepsis is characterized by bilateral alveolar infiltrates, lung edema and respiratory failure. Here, we examined the efficacy the DNA methyl transferase (DNMT) inhibitor 5-Aza 2-deoxycytidine (Aza), the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA), as well as the combination therapy of Aza and TSA (Aza+TSA) provides in the protection of ALI. In LPS-induced mouse ALI, post-treatment with a single dose of Aza+TSA showed substantial attenuation of adverse lung histopathological changes and inflammation. Importantly, these protective effects were due to substantial macrophage phenotypic changes observed in LPS-stimulated macrophages treated with Aza+TSA as compared with untreated LPS-induced macrophages or LPS-stimulated macrophages treated with either drug alone. Further, we observed significantly lower levels of pro-inflammatory molecules and higher levels of anti-inflammatory molecules in LPS-induced macrophages treated with Aza+TSA than in LPS-induced macrophages treated with either drug alone. The protection was ascribed to dual effects by an inhibition of MAPK–HuR–TNF and activation of STAT3–Bcl2 pathways. Combinatorial treatment with Aza+TSA reduces inflammation and promotes an anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage phenotype in ALI, and has a therapeutic potential for patients with sepsis. PMID:26116574

  1. Strict vegetarian diet improves the risk factors associated with metabolic diseases by modulating gut microbiota and reducing intestinal inflammation.

    PubMed

    Kim, Min-Soo; Hwang, Seong-Soo; Park, Eun-Jin; Bae, Jin-Woo

    2013-10-01

    Low-grade inflammation of the intestine results in metabolic dysfunction, in which dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is intimately involved. Dietary fibre induces prebiotic effects that may restore imbalances in the gut microbiota; however, no clinical trials have been reported in patients with metabolic diseases. Here, six obese subjects with type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension were assigned to a strict vegetarian diet (SVD) for 1 month, and blood biomarkers of glucose and lipid metabolisms, faecal microbiota using 454-pyrosequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA genes, faecal lipocalin-2 and short-chain fatty acids were monitored. An SVD reduced body weight and the concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and haemoglobin A1c, and improved fasting glucose and postprandial glucose levels. An SVD reduced the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio in the gut microbiota, but did not alter enterotypes. An SVD led to a decrease in the pathobionts such as the Enterobacteriaceae and an increase in commensal microbes such as Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium species belonging to clusters XIVa and IV, resulting in reduced intestinal lipocalin-2 and short-chain fatty acids levels. This study underscores the benefits of dietary fibre for improving the risk factors of metabolic diseases and shows that increased fibre intake reduces gut inflammation by changing the gut microbiota. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.

  2. Pre-Treatment with Curcumin Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Damage by Suppressing Kidney Inflammation and Apoptosis in Rats.

    PubMed

    Soetikno, Vivian; Sari, Shinta Dewi Permata; Ul Maknun, Lulu; Sumbung, Nielda Kezia; Rahmi, Deliana Nur Ihsani; Pandhita, Bashar Adi Wahyu; Louisa, Melva; Estuningtyas, Ari

    2018-06-26

    In addition to oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis have an important role in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced kidney damage. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of protective effects of curcumin against cisplatin-induced kidney inflammation and apoptosis in rats. Eighteen rats were equally divided into three groups; normal (0.5% CMC-Na), cisplatin (CDPP) (7 mg/kg i.p.), and cisplatin+curcumin (CMN100) groups. Curcumin was given at a dose of 100 mg/kg orally for nine days, starts one week before giving a single dose of cisplatin. Kidney and plasma were taken for analysis. Cisplatin challenged rats demonstrated kidney injury as shown by reduced creatinine clearance, increased of plasma BUN, plasma creatinine, and kidney MDA, decreased of kidney GSH levels, and kidney histopathology alterations. Also, cisplatin increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and NF-κB expression, which subsequently increased mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, KIM-1, NGAL, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as well as decreased mRNA expression of IL-10 in kidney tissues. Pre-treatment with curcumin significantly ameliorated inflammation and apoptosis induced by cisplatin. In addition, curcumin downregulated Ctr1 and OCT2 drug transporters as compared to cisplatin group. Histopathological examination furthers confirmed the kidney damage protection effect of curcumin. These data indicate that curcumin has nephroprotective properties against cisplatin-induced kidney damage in rats and this effect is associated with its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis profiles, in addition to its antioxidant. Hence, curcumin may be useful for preventing kidney damage against cisplatin administration. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  3. Dietary Aloe Reduces Adipogenesis via the Activation of AMPK and Suppresses Obesity-related Inflammation in Obese Mice.

    PubMed

    Shin, Eunju; Shin, Seulmee; Kong, Hyunseok; Lee, Sungwon; Do, Seon-Gil; Jo, Tae Hyung; Park, Young-In; Lee, Chong-Kil; Hwang, In-Kyeong; Kim, Kyungjae

    2011-04-01

    Metabolic disorders, including type II diabetes and obesity, present major health risks in industrialized countries. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has become the focus of a great deal of attention as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic syndromes. In this study, we evaluated whether dietary aloe could reduce obesity-induced inflammation and adipogenesis. Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of aloe formula (PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and Aloe QDM complex) or pioglitazone (PGZ) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation. Aloe QDM complex down-regulated fat size through suppressed expression of scavenger receptors on adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) compared with HFD. Both white adipose tissue (WATs) and muscle exhibited increased AMPK activation through aloe supplementation, and in particular, the Aloe QDM complex. Obesity-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and -6) and HIF1α mRNA and protein were decreased markedly, as was macrophage infiltration by the Aloe QDM complex. Further, the Aloe QDM complex decreased the translocation of NF-κB p65 from the cytosol in the WAT. Dietary aloe formula reduced obesity-induced inflammatory responses by activation of AMPK in muscle and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines in the WAT. Additionally, the expression of scavenger receptors in the ATM and activation of AMPK in WAT led to reduction in the percent of body fat. Thus, we suggest that the effect of the Aloe QDM complex in the WAT and muscle are related to activation of AMPK and its use as a nutritional intervention against T2D and obesity-related inflammation.

  4. Dietary Aloe Reduces Adipogenesis via the Activation of AMPK and Suppresses Obesity-related Inflammation in Obese Mice

    PubMed Central

    Shin, Eunju; Shin, Seulmee; Kong, Hyunseok; Lee, Sungwon; Do, Seon-Gil; Jo, Tae Hyung; Park, Young-In; Lee, Chong-Kil; Hwang, In-Kyeong

    2011-01-01

    Background Metabolic disorders, including type II diabetes and obesity, present major health risks in industrialized countries. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has become the focus of a great deal of attention as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic syndromes. In this study, we evaluated whether dietary aloe could reduce obesity-induced inflammation and adipogenesis. Methods Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of aloe formula (PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and Aloe QDM complex) or pioglitazone (PGZ) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation. Results Aloe QDM complex down-regulated fat size through suppressed expression of scavenger receptors on adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) compared with HFD. Both white adipose tissue (WATs) and muscle exhibited increased AMPK activation through aloe supplementation, and in particular, the Aloe QDM complex. Obesity-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and -6) and HIF1α mRNA and protein were decreased markedly, as was macrophage infiltration by the Aloe QDM complex. Further, the Aloe QDM complex decreased the translocation of NF-κB p65 from the cytosol in the WAT. Conclusion Dietary aloe formula reduced obesity-induced inflammatory responses by activation of AMPK in muscle and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines in the WAT. Additionally, the expression of scavenger receptors in the ATM and activation of AMPK in WAT led to reduction in the percent of body fat. Thus, we suggest that the effect of the Aloe QDM complex in the WAT and muscle are related to activation of AMPK and its use as a nutritional intervention against T2D and obesity-related inflammation. PMID:21637388

  5. Diet rich in high glucoraphanin broccoli reduces plasma LDL cholesterol: Evidence from randomised controlled trials

    PubMed Central

    Armah, Charlotte N; Derdemezis, Christos; Traka, Maria H; Dainty, Jack R; Doleman, Joanne F; Saha, Shikha; Leung, Wing; Potter, John F; Lovegrove, Julie A; Mithen, Richard F

    2015-01-01

    Scope Cruciferous-rich diets have been associated with reduction in plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), which may be due to the action of isothiocyanates derived from glucosinolates that accumulate in these vegetables. This study tests the hypothesis that a diet rich in high glucoraphanin (HG) broccoli will reduce plasma LDL-C. Methods and results One hundred and thirty volunteers were recruited to two independent double-blind, randomly allocated parallel dietary intervention studies, and were assigned to consume either 400 g standard broccoli or 400 g HG broccoli per week for 12 weeks. Plasma lipids were quantified before and after the intervention. In study 1 (37 volunteers), the HG broccoli diet reduced plasma LDL-C by 7.1% (95% CI: –1.8%, –12.3%, p = 0.011), whereas standard broccoli reduced LDL-C by 1.8% (95% CI +3.9%, –7.5%, ns). In study 2 (93 volunteers), the HG broccoli diet resulted in a reduction of 5.1% (95% CI: –2.1%, –8.1%, p = 0.001), whereas standard broccoli reduced LDL-C by 2.5% (95% CI: +0.8%, –5.7%, ns). When data from the two studies were combined the reduction in LDL-C by the HG broccoli was significantly greater than standard broccoli (p = 0.031). Conclusion Evidence from two independent human studies indicates that consumption of high glucoraphanin broccoli significantly reduces plasma LDL-C. PMID:25851421

  6. Diet rich in high glucoraphanin broccoli reduces plasma LDL cholesterol: Evidence from randomised controlled trials.

    PubMed

    Armah, Charlotte N; Derdemezis, Christos; Traka, Maria H; Dainty, Jack R; Doleman, Joanne F; Saha, Shikha; Leung, Wing; Potter, John F; Lovegrove, Julie A; Mithen, Richard F

    2015-05-01

    Cruciferous-rich diets have been associated with reduction in plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), which may be due to the action of isothiocyanates derived from glucosinolates that accumulate in these vegetables. This study tests the hypothesis that a diet rich in high glucoraphanin (HG) broccoli will reduce plasma LDL-C. One hundred and thirty volunteers were recruited to two independent double-blind, randomly allocated parallel dietary intervention studies, and were assigned to consume either 400 g standard broccoli or 400 g HG broccoli per week for 12 weeks. Plasma lipids were quantified before and after the intervention. In study 1 (37 volunteers), the HG broccoli diet reduced plasma LDL-C by 7.1% (95% CI: -1.8%, -12.3%, p = 0.011), whereas standard broccoli reduced LDL-C by 1.8% (95% CI +3.9%, -7.5%, ns). In study 2 (93 volunteers), the HG broccoli diet resulted in a reduction of 5.1% (95% CI: -2.1%, -8.1%, p = 0.001), whereas standard broccoli reduced LDL-C by 2.5% (95% CI: +0.8%, -5.7%, ns). When data from the two studies were combined the reduction in LDL-C by the HG broccoli was significantly greater than standard broccoli (p = 0.031). Evidence from two independent human studies indicates that consumption of high glucoraphanin broccoli significantly reduces plasma LDL-C. © 2015 The Authors. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  7. MicroRNA-155 Deficiency Attenuates Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis without Reducing Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Steatohepatitis

    PubMed Central

    Lippai, Dora; Kodys, Karen; Catalano, Donna; Iracheta-Vellve, Arvin; Szabo, Gyongyi

    2015-01-01

    Background & Aim MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Fibrosis is the consequence of chronic tissue damage and inflammation. We hypothesized that deficiency of miR-155, a master regulator of inflammation, attenuates steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Methods Wild type (WT) and miR-155-deficient (KO) mice were fed methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) or -supplemented (MCS) control diet for 5 weeks. Liver injury, inflammation, steatosis and fibrosis were assessed. Results MCD diet resulted in steatohepatitis and increased miR-155 expression in total liver, hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. Steatosis and expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism were attenuated in miR-155 KO mice after MCD feeding. In contrast, miR-155 deficiency failed to attenuate inflammatory cell infiltration, nuclear factor κ beta (NF-κB) activation and enhanced the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) in MCD diet-fed mice. We found a significant attenuation of apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3) and reduction in collagen and α smooth muscle actin (αSMA) levels in miR-155 KO mice compared to WTs on MCD diet. In addition, we found attenuation of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), a pro-fibrotic cytokine; SMAD family member 3 (Smad3), a protein involved in transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signal transduction and vimentin, a mesenchymal marker and indirect indicator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in miR-155 KO mice. Nuclear binding of CCAAT enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) a miR-155 target involved in EMT was significantly increased in miR-155 KO compared to WT mice. Conclusions Our novel data demonstrate that miR-155 deficiency can reduce steatosis and fibrosis without decreasing inflammation in steatohepatitis. PMID:26042593

  8. Plasma iron, C-reactive protein, albumin, and plasma fibrinogen concentrations in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

    PubMed

    Torrente, Carlos; Manzanilla, Edgar G; Bosch, Luis; Fresno, Laura; Rivera Del Alamo, Montserrat; Andaluz, Anna; Saco, Yolanda; Ruiz de Gopegui, Rafael

    2015-01-01

    To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value over time of plasma iron compared with the inflammatory markers albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Prospective observational study of sequentially enrolled dogs. ICU of a veterinary teaching hospital. One hundred and sixteen client-owned dogs: 54 dogs with SIRS or sepsis, 42 with focal inflammation, and 20 clinically healthy dogs. Blood samples were obtained on admission in all study groups, and then on alternate days until discharge or death in both inflammation groups. On admission, dogs with SIRS had significantly lower plasma iron (65 ± 5.8 μg/dL, P = 0.001) concentrations than dogs with focal inflammation (89.5 ± 6.2 μg/dL, P = 0.001). Plasma iron, albumin, and CRP effectively discriminated the SIRS/sepsis group from those presenting with focal inflammation with areas under the curve for the receiver operating curves of 0.679, 0.834, and 0.704, respectively. The admission values for these variables did not discriminate survivors from nonsurvivors within the SIRS/sepsis group. However, the magnitude of increase in iron concentration and the decrease in CRP concentration from admission to hospital discharge was higher in survivors than in nonsurvivors within the SIRS/septic group (22.8 vs. 2.51 μg/dL, respectively, P = 0.021 for iron; -67.1 vs. -4.1 mg/L, respectively, P = 0.002 for CRP), resulting in iron and CRP concentrations at hospital discharge for survivors similar to those in the focal inflammation group. Hypoferremia is a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation in dogs. In this study, the increase in iron concentrations during the hospitalization period of SIRS/septic dogs was associated with a better prognosis, suggesting that plasma iron in combination with CRP and albumin concentrations might be used to monitor dogs with inflammatory disease processes. © Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2015.

  9. Clinical Chorioamnionitis IV: the Maternal Plasma Cytokine Profile

    PubMed Central

    Romero, Roberto; Chaemsaithong, Piya; Docheva, Nikolina; Korzeniewski, Steven J.; Tarca, Adi L.; Bhatti, Gaurav; Xu, Zhonghui; Kusanovic, Juan P.; Dong, Zhong; Ahmed, Ahmed I.; Yoon, Bo Hyun; Hassan, Sonia S.; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Yeo, Lami

    2017-01-01

    Introduction Fever is a major criterion for clinical chorioamnionitis; yet, many patients with intrapartum fever do not have demonstrable intra-amniotic infection. Some cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) can induce a fever. The objective of this study was to determine whether maternal plasma concentrations of cytokines could be of value in the identification of patients with the diagnosis of clinical chorioamnionitis at term who have microbial-associated intra-amniotic inflammation. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, including patients with clinical chorioamnionitis at term (n=41; cases) and women in spontaneous labor at term without clinical chorioamnionitis (n=77; controls). Women with clinical chorioamnionitis were classified into three groups according to the results of amniotic fluid cultures, broad-range polymerase chain reaction coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS), and amniotic fluid IL-6 concentrations: 1) no intra-amniotic inflammation; 2) intra-amniotic inflammation without detectable microorganisms; or 3) microbial-associated intra-amniotic inflammation. The maternal plasma concentrations of 29 cytokines were determined with sensitive and specific V-PLEX immunoassays. Nonparametric statistical methods were used for analysis, adjusting for a false discovery rate of 5%. Results 1) The maternal plasma concentrations of pyrogenic cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α) were significantly higher in patients with clinical chorioamnionitis at term than in those with spontaneous term labor without clinical chorioamnionitis; 2) the maternal plasma concentrations of cytokines were not significantly different among the three subgroups of patients with clinical chorioamnionitis (intra-amniotic inflammation with and without detectable bacteria and those without intra-amniotic inflammation); and 3) among women with the

  10. Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress post-lung resection: Effect of pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine.

    PubMed

    Bastin, Anthony J; Davies, Nathan; Lim, Eric; Quinlan, Greg J; Griffiths, Mark J

    2016-01-01

    N-acetylcysteine has been used to treat a variety of lung diseases, where is it thought to have an antioxidant effect. In a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study, the effect of N-acetylcysteine on systemic inflammation and oxidative damage was examined in patients undergoing lung resection, a human model of acute lung injury. Eligible adults were randomized to receive preoperative infusion of N-acetylcysteine (240 mg/kg over 12 h) or placebo. Plasma thiols, interleukin-6, 8-isoprostane, ischaemia-modified albumin, red blood cell glutathione and exhaled breath condensate pH were measured pre- and post-operatively as markers of local and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Patients undergoing lung resection and one-lung ventilation exhibited significant postoperative inflammation and oxidative damage. Postoperative plasma thiol concentration was significantly higher in the N-acetylcysteine-treated group. However, there was no significant difference in any of the measured biomarkers of inflammation or oxidative damage, or in clinical outcomes, between N-acetylcysteine and placebo groups. Preoperative administration of N-acetylcysteine did not attenuate postoperative systemic or pulmonary inflammation or oxidative damage after lung resection. NCT00655928 at ClinicalTrials.gov. © 2015 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.

  11. Psoriatic inflammation enhances allergic airway inflammation through IL-23/STAT3 signaling in a murine model.

    PubMed

    Nadeem, Ahmed; Al-Harbi, Naif O; Ansari, Mushtaq A; Al-Harbi, Mohammed M; El-Sherbeeny, Ahmed M; Zoheir, Khairy M A; Attia, Sabry M; Hafez, Mohamed M; Al-Shabanah, Othman A; Ahmad, Sheikh F

    2017-01-15

    Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory skin disease characterized by activated IL-23/STAT3/Th17 axis. Recently psoriatic inflammation has been shown to be associated with asthma. However, no study has previously explored how psoriatic inflammation affects airway inflammation. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic inflammation on cockroach extract (CE)-induced airway inflammation in murine models. Mice were subjected to topical and intranasal administration of IMQ and CE to develop psoriatic and airway inflammation respectively. Various analyses in lung/spleen related to inflammation, Th17/Th2/Th1 cell immune responses, and their signature cytokines/transcription factors were carried out. Psoriatic inflammation in allergic mice was associated with increased airway inflammation with concurrent increase in Th2/Th17 cells/signature cytokines/transcription factors. Splenic CD4+ T and CD11c+ dendritic cells in psoriatic mice had increased STAT3/RORC and IL-23 mRNA expression respectively. This led us to explore the effect of systemic IL-23/STAT3 signaling on airway inflammation. Topical application of STA-21, a small molecule STAT3 inhibitor significantly reduced airway inflammation in allergic mice having psoriatic inflammation. On the other hand, adoptive transfer of IL-23-treated splenic CD4+ T cells from allergic mice into naive recipient mice produced mixed neutrophilic/eosinophilic airway inflammation similar to allergic mice with psoriatic inflammation. Our data suggest that systemic IL-23/STAT3 axis is responsible for enhanced airway inflammation during psoriasis. The current study also suggests that only anti-asthma therapy may not be sufficient to alleviate airway inflammatory burden in asthmatics with psoriasis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Aqueous extracts from Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC. reduce bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in a murine model of asthma.

    PubMed

    Azevedo, Bruna Cestari; Morel, Lucas Junqueira Freitas; Carmona, Fábio; Cunha, Thiago Mattar; Contini, Silvia Helena Taleb; Delprete, Piero Giuseppe; Ramalho, Fernando Silva; Crevelin, Eduardo; Bertoni, Bianca Waléria; França, Suzelei Castro; Borges, Marcos Carvalho; Pereira, Ana Maria Soares

    2018-05-23

    Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. Ex Schult) DC is used by indigenous tribes in the Amazonian region of Central and South America to treat inflammation, allergies and asthma. The therapeutic properties of U. tomentosa have been attributed to the presence of tetracyclic and pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids and to phenolic acids. To characterize aqueous bark extracts (ABE) and aqueous leaf extracts (ALE) of U. tomentosa and to compare their anti-inflammatory effects. Constituents of the extracts were identified by ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Anti-inflammatory activities were assessed in vitro by exposing lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage cells (RAW264.7-Luc) to ABE, ALE and standard mitraphylline. In vivo assays were performed using a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. OVA-sensitized animals were treated with ABE or ALE while controls received dexamethasone or saline solution. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness, production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, total and differential counts of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissue were determined. Mitraphylline, isomitraphylline, chlorogenic acid and quinic acid were detected in both extracts, while isorhyncophylline and rutin were detected only in ALE. ABE, ALE and mitraphylline inhibited the transcription of nuclear factor kappa-B in cell cultures, ALE and mitraphylline reduced the production of interleukin (IL)-6, and mitraphylline reduced production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Treatment with ABE and ALE at 50 and 200 mg kg -1 , respectively, reduced respiratory elastance and tissue damping and elastance. ABE and ALE reduced the number of eosinophils in BAL, while ALE at 200 mg kg -1 reduced the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in the lung homogenate. Peribronchial inflammation was significantly reduced by treatment with ABE and ALE at 50 and 100 mg kg -1 respectively. The results clarify for the first time the anti-inflammatory activity of U

  13. A Critical Role for Monocytes/Macrophages During Intestinal Inflammation-associated Lymphangiogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Becker, Felix; Kurmaeva, Elvira; Gavins, Felicity N. E.; Stevenson, Emily V.; Navratil, Aaron R.; Jin, Long; Tsunoda, Ikuo; Orr, A. Wayne; Alexander, Jonathan S.; Ostanin, Dmitry V.

    2016-01-01

    Background Inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis (IAL) is frequently observed in inflammatory bowel diseases. IAL is believed to limit inflammation by enhancing fluid and immune cell clearance. Although monocytes/macrophages (MΦ) are known to contribute to intestinal pathology in inflammatory bowel disease, their role in intestinal IAL has never been studied mechanistically. We investigated contributions of monocytes/MΦ to the development of intestinal inflammation and IAL. Methods Because inflammatory monocytes express CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), we used CCR2 diphtheria toxin receptor transgenic (CCR2.DTR) mice, in which monocytes can be depleted by diphtheria toxin injection, and CCR2−/− mice, which have reduced circulating monocytes. Acute or chronic colitis was induced by dextran sodium sulfate or adoptive transfer of CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells, respectively. Intestinal inflammation was assessed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, disease activity, and histopathology, whereas IAL was assessed by lymphatic vessel morphology and density. Results We demonstrated that intestinal MΦ expressed vascular endothelial growth factor-C/D. In acute colitis, monocyte-depleted mice were protected from intestinal injury and showed reduced IAL, which was reversed after transfer of wild-type monocytes into CCR2−/− mice. In chronic colitis, CCR2 deficiency did not attenuate inflammation but reduced IAL. Conclusions We propose a dual role of MΦ in (1) promoting acute inflammation and (2) contributing to IAL. Our data suggest that intestinal inflammation and IAL could occur independently, because IAL was reduced in the absence of monocytes/MΦ, even when inflammation was present. Future inflammatory bowel disease therapies might exploit promotion of IAL and suppression of MΦ independently, to restore lymphatic clearance and reduce inflammation. PMID:26950310

  14. Method and device for reducing overpenetration at the start of plasma arc welds

    DOEpatents

    Sanders, John M.; Lehmann, John M.; Ryan, Patrick M.

    1998-01-01

    A shim for improving plasma arc weld quality has ends tapered at about 25.degree. and notches at each end roughly centered over the corner between the tapered ends and main body of the shim. The improved shim allows lower starting plasma arc heat input and reduces the occurrence of sagging, or overpenetration, of the weld.

  15. Peritoneal solute transport and inflammation.

    PubMed

    Davies, Simon J

    2014-12-01

    The speed with which small solutes cross the peritoneal membrane, termed peritoneal solute transport rate (PSTR), is a key measure of individual membrane performance. PSTR can be quantified easily by using the 4-hour dialysate to plasma creatinine ratio, which, although only an approximation to the diffusive characteristics of the membrane, has been well validated clinically in terms of its relationship to patient survival and changes in longitudinal membrane function. This has led to changes in peritoneal dialysis modality use and dialysis prescription. An important determinant of PSTR is intraperitoneal inflammation, as exemplified by local interleukin 6 production, which is largely independent of systemic inflammation and its relationship to comorbid conditions and increased mortality. There is no strong evidence to support the contention that the peritoneal membrane in some individuals with high PSTR is qualitatively different at the start of treatment; rather, it represents a spectrum that is determined in part by genetic factors. Both clinical and experimental evidence support the view that persistent intraperitoneal inflammation, detected as a continuously high or increasing PSTR, may predispose the membrane to progressive fibrosis. Copyright © 2014 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Trillin Reduces Liver Chronic Inflammation and Fibrosis in Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Induced Liver Injury in Mice.

    PubMed

    Tan, Huabing; He, Qin; Li, Rugui; Lei, Feifei; Lei, Xu

    2016-07-01

    Trillin is an active ingredient isolated from Dioscorea nipponica Makino. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects of trillin on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6 mice. Chronic inflammation and fibrosis were induced by intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 0.5 μL/g of body weight twice a week for 6 weeks. Trillin (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg) was administered by gavage for 12 days before finishing the CCl4 induction. Aspartate amino-transferase (AST) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) in serum were determined by AST and ALT kits. Superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum were assayed by SOD and MDA kits. Meanwhile, the levels of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The proteins of the NF-κB pathway and the TGF-β/Smad pathway were measured by western blot. The trillin-treated group exhibited reduced AST, ALT, MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, and increased SOD. Histological analyses of the trillin-treated group exhibited reduced inflammatory process and prevented liver fibrosis. Western blot analyses of the trillin-treated group showed reduced NF-κB pathway and TGF-β/Smad pathway. Based on the results of the present study, trillin can be used as a potential anti-inflammatory drug for chronic hepatic inflammation.

  17. Elevated plasma free fatty acids increase cardiovascular risk by inducing plasma biomarkers of endothelial activation, myeloperoxidase and PAI-1 in healthy subjects.

    PubMed

    Mathew, Manoj; Tay, Eric; Cusi, Kenneth

    2010-02-16

    CVD in obesity and T2DM are associated with endothelial activation, elevated plasma vascular inflammation markers and a prothrombotic state. We examined the contribution of FFA to these abnormalities following a 48-hour physiological increase in plasma FFA to levels of obesity and diabetes in a group of healthy subjects. 40 non-diabetic subjects (age = 38 +/- 3 yr, BMI = 28 +/- 1 kg/m2, FPG = 95 +/- 1 mg/dl, HbA1c = 5.3 +/- 0.1%) were admitted twice and received a 48-hour infusion of normal saline or low-dose lipid. Plasma was drawn for intracellular (ICAM-1) and vascular (VCAM-1) adhesion molecules-1, E-selectin (sE-S), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and total plasminogen inhibitor-1 (tPAI-1). Insulin sensitivity was measured by a hyperglycemic clamp (M/I). Lipid infusion increased plasma FFA to levels observed in obesity and T2DM and reduced insulin sensitivity by 27% (p = 0.01). Elevated plasma FFA increased plasma markers of endothelial activation ICAM-1 (138 +/- 10 vs. 186 +/- 25 ng/ml), VCAM-1 (1066 +/- 67 vs. 1204 +/- 65 ng/ml) and sE-S (20 +/- 1 vs. 24 +/- 1 ng/ml) between 13-35% and by > or = 2-fold plasma levels of myeloperoxidase (7.5 +/- 0.9 to 15 +/- 25 ng/ml), an inflammatory marker of future CVD, and tPAI-1 (9.7 +/- 0.6 to 22.5 +/- 1.5 ng/ml), an indicator of a prothrombotic state (all p < or = 0.01). The FFA-induced increase was independent from the degree of adiposity, being of similar magnitude in lean, overweight and obese subjects. An increase in plasma FFA within the physiological range observed in obesity and T2DM induces markers of endothelial activation, vascular inflammation and thrombosis in healthy subjects. This suggests that even transient (48-hour) and modest increases in plasma FFA may initiate early vascular abnormalities that promote atherosclerosis and CVD.

  18. Attenuation of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lung Vascular Stiffening by Lipoxin Reduces Lung Inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Meng, Fanyong; Mambetsariev, Isa; Tian, Yufeng; Beckham, Yvonne; Meliton, Angelo; Leff, Alan; Gardel, Margaret L.; Allen, Michael J.; Birukov, Konstantin G.

    2015-01-01

    Reversible changes in lung microstructure accompany lung inflammation, although alterations in tissue micromechanics and their impact on inflammation remain unknown. This study investigated changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and tissue stiffness in a model of LPS-induced inflammation and examined the role of lipoxin analog 15-epi-lipoxin A4 (eLXA4) in the reduction of stiffness-dependent exacerbation of the inflammatory process. Atomic force microscopy measurements of live lung slices were used to directly measure local tissue stiffness changes induced by intratracheal injection of LPS. Effects of LPS on ECM properties and inflammatory response were evaluated in an animal model of LPS-induced lung injury, live lung tissue slices, and pulmonary endothelial cell (EC) culture. In vivo, LPS increased perivascular stiffness in lung slices monitored by atomic force microscopy and stimulated expression of ECM proteins fibronectin, collagen I, and ECM crosslinker enzyme, lysyl oxidase. Increased stiffness and ECM remodeling escalated LPS-induced VCAM1 and ICAM1 expression and IL-8 production by lung ECs. Stiffness-dependent exacerbation of inflammatory signaling was confirmed in pulmonary ECs grown on substrates with high and low stiffness. eLXA4 inhibited LPS-increased stiffness in lung cross sections, attenuated stiffness-dependent enhancement of EC inflammatory activation, and restored lung compliance in vivo. This study shows that increased local vascular stiffness exacerbates lung inflammation. Attenuation of local stiffening of lung vasculature represents a novel mechanism of lipoxin antiinflammatory action. PMID:24992633

  19. High-Mobility Group Box 1-Induced Complement Activation Causes Sterile Inflammation.

    PubMed

    Kim, Sook Young; Son, Myoungsun; Lee, Sang Eun; Park, In Ho; Kwak, Man Sup; Han, Myeonggil; Lee, Hyun Sook; Kim, Eun Sook; Kim, Jae-Young; Lee, Jong Eun; Choi, Ji Eun; Diamond, Betty; Shin, Jeon-Soo

    2018-01-01

    High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a well-known danger-associated molecular pattern molecule, acts as a pro-inflammatory molecule when secreted by activated immune cells or released after necrotic cell damage. HMGB1 binds to immunogenic bacterial components and augments septic inflammation. In this study, we show how HMGB1 mediates complement activation, promoting sterile inflammation. We show that HMGB1 activates the classical pathway of complement system in an antibody-independent manner after binding to C1q. The C3a complement activation product in human plasma and C5b-9 membrane attack complexes on cell membrane surface are detected after the addition of HMGB1. In an acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity model, APAP injection reduced HMGB1 levels and elevated C3 levels in C1q-deficient mouse serum samples, compared to that in wild-type (WT) mice. APAP-induced C3 consumption was inhibited by sRAGE treatment in WT mice. Moreover, in a mouse model of brain ischemia-reperfusion injury based on middle cerebral arterial occlusion, C5b-9 complexes were deposited on vessels where HMGB1 was accumulated, an effect that was suppressed upon HMGB1 neutralization. We propose that the HMGB1 released after cell necrosis and in ischemic condition can trigger the classical pathway of complement activation to exacerbate sterile inflammation.

  20. High-Mobility Group Box 1-Induced Complement Activation Causes Sterile Inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Sook Young; Son, Myoungsun; Lee, Sang Eun; Park, In Ho; Kwak, Man Sup; Han, Myeonggil; Lee, Hyun Sook; Kim, Eun Sook; Kim, Jae-Young; Lee, Jong Eun; Choi, Ji Eun; Diamond, Betty; Shin, Jeon-Soo

    2018-01-01

    High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a well-known danger-associated molecular pattern molecule, acts as a pro-inflammatory molecule when secreted by activated immune cells or released after necrotic cell damage. HMGB1 binds to immunogenic bacterial components and augments septic inflammation. In this study, we show how HMGB1 mediates complement activation, promoting sterile inflammation. We show that HMGB1 activates the classical pathway of complement system in an antibody-independent manner after binding to C1q. The C3a complement activation product in human plasma and C5b-9 membrane attack complexes on cell membrane surface are detected after the addition of HMGB1. In an acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity model, APAP injection reduced HMGB1 levels and elevated C3 levels in C1q-deficient mouse serum samples, compared to that in wild-type (WT) mice. APAP-induced C3 consumption was inhibited by sRAGE treatment in WT mice. Moreover, in a mouse model of brain ischemia–reperfusion injury based on middle cerebral arterial occlusion, C5b-9 complexes were deposited on vessels where HMGB1 was accumulated, an effect that was suppressed upon HMGB1 neutralization. We propose that the HMGB1 released after cell necrosis and in ischemic condition can trigger the classical pathway of complement activation to exacerbate sterile inflammation. PMID:29696019

  1. Low level laser therapy reduces acute lung inflammation without impairing lung function.

    PubMed

    Cury, Vivian; de Lima, Thais Martins; Prado, Carla Maximo; Pinheiro, Nathalia; Ariga, Suely K K; Barbeiro, Denise F; Moretti, Ana I; Souza, Heraldo P

    2016-12-01

    Acute lung injury is a condition characterized by exacerbate inflammatory reaction in distal airways and lung dysfunction. Here we investigate the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) by low level laser therapy (LLLT), an effective therapy used for the treatment of patients with inflammatory disorders or traumatic injuries, due to its ability to reduce inflammation and promote tissue regeneration. However, studies in internal viscera remains unclear. C57BL/6 mice were treated with intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg/kg) or phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Six hours after instillation, two groups were irradiated with laser at 660 nm and radiant exposure of 10 J/cm 2 . Intratracheal LPS inoculation induced a marked increase in the number of inflammatory cells in perivascular and alveolar spaces. There was also an increase in the expression and secretion of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6,) and chemokine (MCP-1). The LLLT application induced a significant decrease in both inflammatory cells influx and inflammatory mediators secretion. These effects did not affect lung mechanical properties, since no change was observed in tissue resistance or elastance. In conclusion LLLT is able to reduce inflammatory reaction in lungs exposed to LPS without affecting the pulmonary function and recovery. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. Platelet Factor 4 Mediates Inflammation in Cerebral Malaria

    PubMed Central

    Srivastava, Kalyan; Cockburn, Ian A.; Swaim, AnneMarie; Thompson, Laura E.; Tripathi, Abhai; Fletcher, Craig A.; Shirk, Erin M.; Sun, Henry; Kowalska, M. Anna; Fox-Talbot, Karen; Sullivan, David; Zavala, Fidel; Morrell, Craig N.

    2008-01-01

    Summary Cerebral malaria is a major complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection in children. The pathogenesis of cerebral malaria involves vascular inflammation, immune stimulation and obstruction of cerebral capillaries. Platelets have a prominent role in both immune responses and vascular obstruction. We now demonstrate that the platelet derived chemokine, platelet factor 4 (PF4)/CXCL4, promotes the development of experimental cerebral malaria. Plasmodium infected red blood cells (RBC) activated platelets independent of vascular effects, resulting in increased plasma PF4. PF4 or CXCR3 null mice had less ECM, decreased brain T-cell recruitment, and platelet depletion or aspirin treatment reduced the development of ECM. We conclude that Plasmodium infected RBC can activate platelets and platelet derived PF4 then contributes to immune activation and T-cell trafficking as part of the pathogenesis of ECM. PMID:18692777

  3. Chronic baseline prostate inflammation is associated with lower tumor volume in men with prostate cancer on repeat biopsy: Results from the REDUCE study.

    PubMed

    Moreira, Daniel M; Nickel, J Curtis; Andriole, Gerald L; Castro-Santamaria, Ramiro; Freedland, Stephen J

    2015-09-01

    To evaluate whether baseline acute and chronic prostate inflammation among men with initial negative biopsy for prostate cancer (PC) is associated with PC volume at the 2-year repeat prostate biopsy in a clinical trial with systematic biopsies. Retrospective analysis of 886 men with negative baseline prostate biopsy and positive 2-year repeat biopsy in the Reduction by Dutasteride of PC Events (REDUCE) study. Acute and chronic inflammation and tumor volume were determined by central pathology. The association of baseline inflammation with 2-year repeat biopsy cancer volume was evaluated with linear and Poisson regressions controlling for demographics and laboratory variables. Chronic, acute inflammation, and both were detected in 531 (60%), 12 (1%), and 84 (9%) baseline biopsies, respectively. Acute and chronic inflammation were significantly associated with each other (P < 0.001). Chronic inflammation was associated with larger prostate (P < 0.001) and lower pre-repeat biopsy PSA (P = 0.01). At 2-year biopsy, baseline chronic inflammation was associated with lower mean tumor volume (2.07 µl vs. 3.15 µl; P = 0.001), number of biopsy cores involved (1.78 vs. 2.19; P < 0.001), percent of cores involved (17.8% vs. 22.8%; P < 0.001), core involvement (0.21 µl vs. 0.31 µl; P < 0.001), and overall percent tumor involvement (1.40% vs. 2.01%; P < 0.001). Results were unchanged in multivariable analysis. Baseline acute inflammation was not associated with any tumor volume measurement. In a cohort of men with 2-year repeat prostate biopsy positive for PC after a negative baseline biopsy, baseline chronic inflammation was associated with lower PC volume. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  4. Differential Response to Exercise in African Americans with High Levels of Inflammation.

    PubMed

    Kretzschmar, Jan; Babbitt, Dianne M; Diaz, Keith M; Feairheller, Deborah L; Sturgeon, Kathleen M; Perkins-Ball, Amanda M; Williamson, Sheara T; Ling, Chenyi; Grimm, Heather; Brown, Michael D

    2017-01-01

    Systemic inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. We investigated whether aerobic exercise training (AEXT) affects African Americans with high inflammation (HI) the same way it does African Americans with low inflammation (LI) in terms of CVD risk factors. 23 African Americans with CRP levels <3 mg/L (LI) and 14 African Americans with CRP ≥3 mg/L (HI) underwent six months of AEXT. Participants were sedentary, non-diabetic, non-smoking, with clinical blood pressure <160/100 mm Hg, were non-hyperlipidemic, had no signs of cardiovascular, renal, or pulmonary disease, and were not on medication. Measures included CD62E+ endothelial microparticles (EMPs), a measure of early stage endothelial dysfunction, as well as lipid and glucose profile, aerobic fitness, body composition, and blood pressure. The LI group improved aerobic fitness by 10%, body mass index by 3%, and plasma triglycerides by 20%, with no change being observed in HI group for these variables. The HI group improved fasting plasma glucose levels by 10%, with no change occurring in the LI group. Both groups improved CD62E+ EMPs by 38% and 59% for the LI and HI group, respectively. A standard AEXT intervention differentially affected CVD risk factors among African Americans with high and low inflammation. This may indicate that, in African Americans with high inflammation, AEXT alone may not be enough to reap the same benefits as their low-inflammation peers in terms of CVD risk modification.

  5. Rapamycin reduces renal hypoxia, interstitial inflammation and fibrosis in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction.

    PubMed

    Liu, Chun-feng; Liu, Hing; Fang, Yi; Jiang, Su-hua; Zhu, Jia-ming; Ding, Xiao-qiang

    2014-06-01

    The purpose of this study was to explore effects of rapamycin on renal hypoxia, interstitial inflammation and fibrosis, and the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Flk-1 and Flt-1 in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=36) were randomly divided into three groups (n=12 per group): sham surgery, UUO and UUO plus rapamycin (0.2 mg/kg/d). Serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglycerides, cholesterol and 24-h urine protein levels were measured. The extent of interstitial fibrosis was determined by Masson's trichrome staining. ED-1 positive macrophages, type III collagen, hypoxia, TGF-1, VEGF, Flk-1, and Flt-1 mRNA and protein expressions were detected using immunohistochemical staining, real-time PCR and Western blot. UUO induced an elevation in Scr, renal hypoxia, inflammation, interstitial fibrosis, TGF-β1, VEGF, Flk-1, and Flt-1 mRNA and protein expression levels (P < 0.05). Rapamycin alleviated the UUO-induced renal hypoxia, infiltration of inflammatory cells and tubulointerstitial fibrosis (at days 3 and 7). Rapamycin also down-regulated the UUO-induced elevated expression levels of TGF-β1 and Flt-1 mRNA and protein (P < 0.05). Rapamycin decreased VEGF mRNA and protein expression at day 3, and increased Flk-1 mRNA and protein expression at day 7, compared with the UUO group (P < 0.05). Rapamycin shows beneficial effects by reducing UUO-induced renal hypoxia, inflammation and tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

  6. Innate inflammation in Type 1 diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Cabrera, Susanne M.; Henschel, Angela M.; Hessner, Martin J.

    2015-01-01

    Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disease often diagnosed in childhood that results in pancreatic β-cell destruction and life-long insulin dependence. T1D susceptibility involves a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors and has historically been attributed to adaptive immunity, though there is now increasing evidence for a role of innate inflammation. Here, we review studies that define a heightened age-dependent innate inflammatory state in T1D families that is paralleled with high fidelity by the T1D-susceptible BioBreeding rat. Innate inflammation may be driven by changes in interactions between the host and environment, such as through an altered microbiome, intestinal hyper-permeability, or viral exposures. Special focus is placed on the temporal measurement of plasma induced transcriptional signatures of recent onset T1D patients and their siblings as well as in the Biobreeding rat as it defines the natural history of innate inflammation. These sensitive and comprehensive analyses have also revealed that those who successfully managed T1D risk develop an age-dependent immunoregulatory state, providing a possible mechanism for the juvenile nature of T1D. Therapeutic targeting of innate inflammation has been proven effective in preventing and delaying T1D in rat models. Clinical trials of agents that suppress innate inflammation have had more modest success, but efficacy is improved by the addition of combinatorial approaches that target other aspects of T1D pathogenesis. An understanding of innate inflammation and mechanisms by which this susceptibility is both potentiated and mitigated offers important insight into T1D progression and avenues for therapeutic intervention. PMID:25980926

  7. Apple Polysaccharide inhibits microbial dysbiosis and chronic inflammation and modulates gut permeability in HFD-fed rats.

    PubMed

    Wang, Sheng; Li, Qian; Zang, Yue; Zhao, Yang; Liu, Nan; Wang, Yifei; Xu, Xiaotao; Liu, Li; Mei, Qibing

    2017-06-01

    The saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" has been known for over 150 years, and numerous studies have shown that apple consumption is closely associated with reduced risks of chronic diseases. It has been well accepted that dysbiosis is the reflection of various chronic diseases. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of apple polysaccharides (AP) on gut dysbiosis. High-fat diet (HFD) fed rats were treated for 14 weeks with AP. The microbiota composition, microbiota-generated short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), gut permeability and chronic inflammation were analyzed. AP treatment showed higher abundance of Bacteroidetes and Lactobacillus while lower Firmicutes and Fusobacteium. AP significantly increased total SCFAs level that contributed by acetic acid and isobutyric acid. Moreover, AP dramatically alleviated dysbiosis-associated gut permeability and chronic inflammation with decreased plasma LBP, up-regulation of Occludin, down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL-1) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). The potential mechanism is due to the fact that AP reduces gut permeability, which involves the induction of autophagy in goblet cells. Therefore, AP exerts health benefits through inhibiting gut dysbiosis and chronic inflammation and modulating gut permeability in HFD-induced dysbiosis rats. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Transient oxidative stress and inflammation after intraperitoneal administration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes functionalized with single strand DNA in rats

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Clichici, Simona, E-mail: simonaclichici@yahoo.com; Biris, Alexandru Radu; Tabaran, Flaviu

    2012-03-15

    Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are widely used for nanotechnology. Their impact on living organisms is, however, not entirely clarified. Oxidative stress and inflammation seem to be the key mechanisms involved in MWCNTs' cytotoxicity. Until present, pulmonary and skin models were the main tested experimental designs to assess carbon nanotubes' toxicity. The systemic administration of MWCNTs is essential, with respect for future medical applications. Our research is performed on Wistar rats and is focused on the dynamics of oxidative stress parameters in blood and liver and pro-inflammatory cytokines in liver, after single dose (270 mg l{sup −1}) ip administration of MWCNTsmore » (exterior diameter 15–25 nm, interior diameter 10–15 nm, surface 88 m{sup 2} g{sup −1}) functionalized with single strand DNA (ss-DNA). The presence of MWCNTs in blood was assessed by Raman spectroscopy, while in liver histological examination and confocal microscopy were used. It was found that ss-DNA-MWCNTs induce oxidative stress in plasma and liver, with the return of the tested parameters to normal values, 6 h after ip injection of nanotubes, with the exception of reduced glutathione in plasma. The inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) had a similar pattern of evolution. We also assessed the level of ERK1/2 and the phosphorylation of p65 subunit of NF-kB in liver that had a transient increase and returned to normal at the end of the tested period. Our results demonstrate that ss-DNA-MWCNTs produce oxidative stress and inflammation, but with a transient pattern. Given the fact that antioxidants modify the profile not only for oxidative stress, but also of inflammation, the dynamics of these alterations may be of practical importance for future protective strategies. -- Highlights: ► ss-DNA-MWCNTs ip administration induce oxidative stress in plasma and liver. ► ss-DNA-MWCNTs ip administration determine liver inflammation. ► ERK1/2 and p65 phosphorylated NF

  9. Diabetic ketoacidosis elicits systemic inflammation associated with cerebrovascular endothelial cell dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Close, Taylor E; Cepinskas, Gediminas; Omatsu, Tatsushi; Rose, Keeley L; Summers, Kelly; Patterson, Eric K; Fraser, Douglas D

    2013-08-01

    To determine if the DKA-induced inflammation in juvenile mice provokes activation and dysfunction of CVECs. DKA in juvenile mice was induced with administration of STZ and ALX. Blood from DKA mice was assessed for cytokines and soluble cell adhesion proteins, and either DKA plasma or exogenous compounds were applied to immortalized bEND3. DKA increased circulating levels of IL-6, IL-8(KC), MCP-1, IL-10, sE-selectin, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1. Stimulation of bEND3 with DKA plasma caused cellular activation (increased ROS and activation of NF-κΒ), upregulation of a proadhesive phenotype (E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1), and increased leukocyte-bEND3 interaction (leukocyte rolling/adhesion). TEER, a measure of bEND3 monolayer integrity, was decreased by DKA plasma. Activation and dysfunction of bEND3 with DKA plasma were suppressed by plasma heat treatment (56°C, 1 hour) and replicated with the application of DKA recombinant cytomix (IL-6, IL-8[KC], MCP-1, and IL-10), implicating circulating inflammatory protein(s) as mediators. Treatment of bEND3 with β-OH-butyrate, the main ketone elevated in DKA, failed to mimic the DKA plasma-induced activation and dysfunction of bEND3. DKA elicits systemic inflammation associated with CVEC activation and dysfunction, possibly contributing to DKA-associated intracranial microvascular complications. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  10. Plasma-treated Langmuir-Blodgett reduced graphene oxide thin film for applications in biophotovoltaics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ibrahim, Siti Aisyah; Jaafar, Muhammad Musoddiq; Ng, Fong-Lee; Phang, Siew-Moi; Kumar, G. Ghana; Majid, Wan Haliza Abd; Periasamy, Vengadesh

    2018-01-01

    The surface optimization and structural characteristics of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) reduced graphene oxide thin (rGO) film treated by argon plasma treatment were studied. In this work, six times deposition of rGO was deposited on a clean glass substrate using the LB method. Plasma technique involving a variation of plasma power, i.e., 20, 60, 100 and 140 W was exposed to the LB-rGO thin films under argon ambience. The plasma treatment generally improves the wettability or hydrophilicity of the film surface compared to without treatment. Maximum wettability was observed at a plasma power of 20 W, while also increasing the adhesion of the rGO film with the glass substrate. The multilayer films fabricated were characterized by means of spectroscopic, structural and electrical studies. The treatment of rGO with argon plasma was found to have improved its biocompatibility, and thus its performance as an electrode for biophotovoltaic devices has been shown to be enhanced considerably.

  11. Induction of hyperandrogenism in lean reproductive-age women stimulates proatherogenic inflammation.

    PubMed

    González, F; Sreekumaran Nair, K; Basal, E; Bearson, D M; Schimke, J M; Blair, H E

    2015-06-01

    We determined the effect of hyperandrogenemia as observed in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on fasting and glucose-stimulated proatherogenic inflammation markers in lean healthy reproductive-age women. Sixteen lean healthy ovulatory reproductive-age women were treated with 130 mg of DHEA or placebo (n=8 each) for 5 days. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA and IL-6 release from mononuclear cells (MNC), plasma IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), and MNC-derived (matrix metalloproteinase-2) MMP-2 protein were quantified in the fasting state and 2 h after glucose ingestion, before and after treatment. Before treatment, subjects receiving dehydroepinadrosterone (DHEA) or placebo exhibited no differences in androgens, or any proatherogenic inflammation markers while fasting and after glucose ingestion. Compared with placebo, DHEA administration raised levels of testosterone, androstenedione, and DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), and increased the percent change from baseline in fasting IL-6 mRNA, IL-6 release, plasma IL-6, and CRP and MMP-2 protein. However, there were no differences in any of the proatherogenic inflammation markers following glucose ingestion after DHEA administration. We conclude that in lean reproductive-age women, proatherogenic inflammation in the fasting state increases after raising circulating androgens to levels observed in PCOS. However, this hyperandrogenemia-induced MNC activation does not provoke a similar response to subsequent glucose ingestion. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  12. Quarantine versus pathogen-reduced plasma-coagulation factor content and rotational thromboelastometry coagulation.

    PubMed

    Theusinger, Oliver M; Goslings, David; Studt, Jan-Dirk; Brand-Staufer, Brigitte; Seifert, Burkhardt; Spahn, Donat R; Frey, Beat M

    2017-03-01

    Different types of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) exist, and the concentrations of plasma proteins vary between individuals and blood groups. Furthermore, processing may also influence the content. Quarantine-stored plasma (qFFP) and plasma that was pathogen-reduced using blood-safety (Intercept) technology (piFFP) were analyzed regarding procoagulant and anticoagulant hemostasis proteins, including endogenous thrombin (thrombin-generation) potential (ETP). Thirty-five samples of each type of FFP were analyzed using only male Blood Group O donors. FFP units were stored frozen for comparable periods of time before plasma protein content was assessed. Once the units were thawed, all tests were completed within 4 hours. The results are presented as means ± standard deviations or as median (minimum; maximum) and were compared using independent-sample t tests (significance, p < 0.01). Significantly higher concentrations of adintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type-13 motifs (ADAMTS13), fibrinogen, Factor (F)V, FVIII, FXIII, protein S, protein S activity, antithrombin, microvesicle (<900 nm), and α2 antiplasmin were observed in qFFP. The variability of factors was significantly lower in piFFP. Tissue factor (TF) at 1 picomolar (pM) exhibited significantly longer lag time, a lower peak, lower ETP, and a lower velocity index in qFFP compared with piFFP. In TF at 5 pM, significant differences in lag time (longer in qFFP), velocity index (lower in qFFP), and peak (lower in qFFP) were observed. Rotational thromboelastometry revealed a significantly longer (p = 0.002) clot-formation time with intrinsic thromboelastometry for piFFP and a significantly shorter clotting time (p = 0.004) with thromboelastometry fibrinogen testing for piFFP. Pathogen reduction reduces procoagulant and anticoagulant coagulation factors as well as variability. A thrombin-generation assay showed no reduced ETP and no supraphysiological thrombin generation. None of the

  13. GW0742, a high affinity PPAR-β/δ agonist reduces lung inflammation induced by bleomycin instillation in mice.

    PubMed

    Galuppo, M; Di Paola, R; Mazzon, E; Esposito, E; Paterniti, I; Kapoor, A; Thiemermann, C; Cuzzocrea, S

    2010-01-01

    Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor β/δ belongs to a family of ligand-activated transcription factors. Recent data have clarified its metabolic roles and enhanced the potential role of this receptor as a pharmacological target. Moreover, although its role in acute inflammation remains unclear, being the nuclear receptor PPAR β/δ widely expressed in many tissues, including the vascular endothelium, we assume that the infiltration of PMNs into tissues, a prominent feature in inflammation, may also be related to PPAR β/δ. Mice subjected to intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg), a glycopeptide produced by the bacterium Streptomyces verticillus, develop lung inflammation and injury characterized by a significant neutrophil infiltration and tissue oedema. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of GW0742, a synthetic high affinity PPAR β/δ agonist, and its possible role in preventing the advance of inflammatory and apoptotic processes induced by bleomycin, that long-term leads to the appearance of pulmonary fibrosis. Our data showed that GW0742-treatment (0.3 mg/Kg, 10 percent DMSO, i.p.) has therapeutic effects on pulmonary damage, decreasing many inflammatory and apoptotic parameters detected by measurement of: 1) cytokine production; 2) leukocyte accumulation, indirectly measured as decrease of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity; 3) IkBα degradation and NF-kB nuclear translocation; 4) ERK phosphorylation; 5) stress oxidative by NO formation due to iNOS expression; 6) nitrotyrosine and PAR localization; 7) the degree of apoptosis, evaluated by Bax and Bcl-2 balance, FAS ligand expression and TUNEL staining. Taken together, our results clearly show that GW0742 reduces the lung injury and inflammation due to the intratracheal BLEO--instillation in mice.

  14. A Protein Extract from Chicken Reduces Plasma Homocysteine in Rats.

    PubMed

    Lysne, Vegard; Bjørndal, Bodil; Vik, Rita; Nordrehaug, Jan Erik; Skorve, Jon; Nygård, Ottar; Berge, Rolf K

    2015-06-04

    The present study aimed to evaluate effects of a water-soluble protein fraction of chicken (CP), with a low methionine/glycine ratio, on plasma homocysteine and metabolites related to homocysteine metabolism. Male Wistar rats were fed either a control diet with 20% w/w casein as the protein source, or an experimental diet where 6, 14 or 20% w/w of the casein was replaced with the same amount of CP for four weeks. Rats fed CP had reduced plasma total homocysteine level and markedly increased levels of the choline pathway metabolites betaine, dimethylglycine, sarcosine, glycine and serine, as well as the transsulfuration pathway metabolites cystathionine and cysteine. Hepatic mRNA level of enzymes involved in homocysteine remethylation, methionine synthase and betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase, were unchanged, whereas cystathionine gamma-lyase of the transsulfuration pathway was increased in the CP treated rats. Plasma concentrations of vitamin B2, folate, cobalamin, and the B-6 catabolite pyridoxic acid were increased in the 20% CP-treated rats. In conclusion, the CP diet was associated with lower plasma homocysteine concentration and higher levels of serine, choline oxidation and transsulfuration metabolites compared to a casein diet. The status of related B-vitamins was also affected by CP.

  15. A Protein Extract from Chicken Reduces Plasma Homocysteine in Rats

    PubMed Central

    Lysne, Vegard; Bjørndal, Bodil; Vik, Rita; Nordrehaug, Jan Erik; Skorve, Jon; Nygård, Ottar; Berge, Rolf K.

    2015-01-01

    The present study aimed to evaluate effects of a water-soluble protein fraction of chicken (CP), with a low methionine/glycine ratio, on plasma homocysteine and metabolites related to homocysteine metabolism. Male Wistar rats were fed either a control diet with 20% w/w casein as the protein source, or an experimental diet where 6, 14 or 20% w/w of the casein was replaced with the same amount of CP for four weeks. Rats fed CP had reduced plasma total homocysteine level and markedly increased levels of the choline pathway metabolites betaine, dimethylglycine, sarcosine, glycine and serine, as well as the transsulfuration pathway metabolites cystathionine and cysteine. Hepatic mRNA level of enzymes involved in homocysteine remethylation, methionine synthase and betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase, were unchanged, whereas cystathionine gamma-lyase of the transsulfuration pathway was increased in the CP treated rats. Plasma concentrations of vitamin B2, folate, cobalamin, and the B-6 catabolite pyridoxic acid were increased in the 20% CP-treated rats. In conclusion, the CP diet was associated with lower plasma homocysteine concentration and higher levels of serine, choline oxidation and transsulfuration metabolites compared to a casein diet. The status of related B-vitamins was also affected by CP. PMID:26053618

  16. Neuropeptides, neurogenic inflammation and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

    PubMed

    Birklein, Frank; Schmelz, Martin

    2008-06-06

    This review explains symptoms and nature of neuropeptide signaling and its importance for clinical symptoms of CRPS. Neurogenic inflammation regularly accompanies excitation of primary afferent nociceptors. It has two major components-plasma extravasation and vasodilatation. The most important mediators are the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP). After peripheral trauma immune reaction (e.g. cytokines) and the attempts of the tissue to regenerate (e.g. growth factors) sensitize nociceptors and amplify neurogenic inflammation. This cascade of events has been demonstrated in rat models of CRPS. Clinical findings in these animals strongly resemble clinical findings in CRPS, and can be prevented by anti-cytokine and anti-neuropeptide treatment. In CRPS patients, there is meanwhile also plenty of evidence that neurogenic inflammation contributes to clinical presentation. Increased cytokine production was demonstrated, as well as facilitated neurogenic inflammation. Very recently even "non-inflammatory" signs of CRPS (hyperhidrosis, cold skin) have been linked to neuropeptide signaling. Surprisingly, there was even moderately increased neurogenic inflammation in unaffected body regions. This favors the possibility that CRPS patients share genetic similarities. The future search for genetic commonalities will help us to further unravel the "mystery" CRPS.

  17. From lymphopoiesis to plasma cells differentiation, the age-related modifications of B cell compartment are influenced by "inflamm-ageing".

    PubMed

    Bulati, Matteo; Caruso, Calogero; Colonna-Romano, Giuseppina

    2017-07-01

    Ageing is a complex process characterized by a general decline in physiological functions with increasing morbidity and mortality. The most important aspect of ageing is the chronic inflammatory status, named "inflamm-ageing", strictly associated with the deterioration of the immune function, termed "immunosenescence". Both are causes of increased susceptibility of elderly to infectious diseases, cancer, dementia, cardiovascular diseases and autoimmunity, and of a decreased response to vaccination. It has been widely demonstrated that ageing has a strong impact on the remodelling of the B cell branch of immune system. The first evident effect is the significant decrease in circulating B cells, primarily due to the reduction of new B cell coming from bone marrow (BM) progenitors, as inflammation directly impacts on B lymphopoiesis. Besides, in aged individuals, there is a shift from naïve to memory immunoglobulins production, accompanied by the impaired ability to produce high affinity protective antibodies against newly encountered antigens. This is accompanied by the increase of expanded clones of B cells, which correlates with poor health status. Age-related modifications also occur in naïve/memory B cells subsets. Indeed, in the elderly, there is a reduction of naïve B cells, accompanied by the expansion of memory B cells that show a senescence-associated phenotype. Finally, elderly show the impaired ability of memory B cells to differentiate into plasma cells. It can be concluded that inflammation is the leading cause of the age-related impairment of B cell compartment, which play certainly a key role in the development of age-related diseases. This makes study of B cells in the aged an important tool for monitoring immunosenescence, chronic inflammatory disorders and the effectiveness of vaccines or pharmacological therapies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Where Does Inflammation Fit?

    PubMed

    Biasucci, Luigi M; La Rosa, Giulio; Pedicino, Daniela; D'Aiello, Alessia; Galli, Mattia; Liuzzo, Giovanna

    2017-09-01

    This review focuses on the complex relationship between inflammation and the onset of acute coronary syndrome and heart failure. In the last few years, two important lines of research brought new and essential information to light in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome: a) the understanding of the immune mediate mechanisms of inflammation in Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) and b) evidence that the inflammatory mechanisms associated with atherosclerosis and its complications can be modulated by anti-inflammatory molecules. A large amount of data also suggests that inflammation is a major component in the development and exacerbation of heart failure (HF), in a symbiotic relationship. In particular, recent evidence underlies peculiar aspects of the phenomenon: oxidative stress and autophagy; DAMPS and TLR-4 signaling activation; different macrophages lineage and the contribution of NLRP-3 inflammasome; adaptive immune system. A possible explanation that could unify the pathogenic mechanism of these different conditions is the rising evidence that increased bowel permeability may allow translation of gut microbioma product into the circulation. These findings clearly establish the role of inflammation as the great trigger for two of the major cardiovascular causes of death and morbidity. Further studies are needed, to better clarify the issue and to define more targeted approaches to reduce pathological inflammation while preserving the physiological one.

  19. Controlled release of celecoxib inhibits inflammation, bone cysts and osteophyte formation in a preclinical model of osteoarthritis.

    PubMed

    Tellegen, A R; Rudnik-Jansen, I; Pouran, B; de Visser, H M; Weinans, H H; Thomas, R E; Kik, M J L; Grinwis, G C M; Thies, J C; Woike, N; Mihov, G; Emans, P J; Meij, B P; Creemers, L B; Tryfonidou, M A

    2018-11-01

    Major hallmarks of osteoarthritis (OA) are cartilage degeneration, inflammation and osteophyte formation. COX-2 inhibitors counteract inflammation-related pain, but their prolonged oral use entails the risk for side effects. Local and prolonged administration in biocompatible and degradable drug delivery biomaterials could offer an efficient and safe treatment for the long-term management of OA symptoms. Therefore, we evaluated the disease-modifying effects and the optimal dose of polyesteramide microspheres delivering the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib in a rat OA model. Four weeks after OA induction by anterior cruciate ligament transection and partial medial meniscectomy, 8-week-old female rats (n = 6/group) were injected intra-articular with celecoxib-loaded microspheres at three dosages (0.03, 0.23 or 0.39 mg). Unloaded microspheres served as control. During the 16-week follow-up, static weight bearing and plasma celecoxib concentrations were monitored. Post-mortem, micro-computed tomography and knee joint histology determined progression of synovitis, osteophyte formation, subchondral bone changes, and cartilage integrity. Systemic celecoxib levels were below the detection limit 6 days upon delivery. Systemic and local adverse effects were absent. Local delivery of celecoxib reduced the formation of osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis, bone cysts and calcified loose bodies, and reduced synovial inflammation, while cartilage histology was unaffected. Even though the effects on pain could not be evualated directly in the current model, our results suggest the application of celecoxib-loaded microspheres holds promise as novel, safe and effective treatment for inflammation and pain in OA.

  20. Peritoneal small solute transport rate is related to the malnutrition inflammation score in peritoneal dialysis patients.

    PubMed

    Sezer, Siren; Elsurer, Rengin; Afsar, Baris; Arat, Zubeyde; Ozdemir, Nurhan F; Haberal, Mehmet

    2007-01-01

    A high peritoneal membrane transport status and peritoneal albumin leakage are determinants of morbidity and mortality in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the malnutrition inflammation score, peritoneal transport status, and 24-hour peritoneal albumin leakage in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. Sixty-six patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (male-female ratio 30/36; age 46.2 +/- 14.1 years; mean duration of peritoneal dialysis 32.4 +/- 23.9 months) who had experienced no attacks of peritonitis within the prior 6 months were included. The malnutrition inflammation score was positively correlated with the serum C-reactive protein concentration, dialysate/plasma creatinine ratio, and 24-hour peritoneal albumin leakage. Triceps and biceps skinfold thicknesses and serum concentrations of prealbumin, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were negatively correlated with the malnutrition inflammation score. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the malnutrition inflammation score was independently associated with the dialysate/plasma creatinine ratio (p = 0.039) and 24-hour peritoneal albumin amount (p = 0.005). High peritoneal transport status and peritoneal albumin leakage are significantly associated with the malnutrition inflammation score. (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  1. Targeting Inflammation in Cancer Prevention and Therapy.

    PubMed

    Todoric, Jelena; Antonucci, Laura; Karin, Michael

    2016-12-01

    Inflammation is associated with the development and malignant progression of most cancers. As most of the cell types involved in cancer-associated inflammation are genetically stable and thus are not subjected to rapid emergence of drug resistance, the targeting of inflammation represents an attractive strategy both for cancer prevention and for cancer therapy. Tumor-extrinsic inflammation is caused by many factors, including bacterial and viral infections, autoimmune diseases, obesity, tobacco smoking, asbestos exposure, and excessive alcohol consumption, all of which increase cancer risk and stimulate malignant progression. In contrast, cancer-intrinsic or cancer-elicited inflammation can be triggered by cancer-initiating mutations and can contribute to malignant progression through the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells. Both extrinsic and intrinsic inflammation can result in immunosuppression, thereby providing a preferred background for tumor development. In clinical trials, lifestyle modifications including healthy diet, exercise, alcohol, and smoking cessation have proven effective in ameliorating inflammation and reducing the risk of cancer-related deaths. In addition, consumption of certain anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin, can significantly reduce cancer risk, suggesting that common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and more specific COX2 inhibitors can be used in cancer prevention. In addition to being examined for their preventative potential, both NSAIDs and more potent anti-inflammatory antibody-based drugs need to be tested for their ability to augment the efficacy of more conventional therapeutic approaches on the basis of tumor resection, radiation, and cytotoxic chemicals. Cancer Prev Res; 9(12); 895-905. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

  2. The binding capability of plasma phospholipid transfer protein, but not HDL pool size, is critical to repress LPS induced inflammation.

    PubMed

    Yu, Yang; Cui, Yingjie; Zhao, Yanan; Liu, Shuai; Song, Guohua; Jiao, Peng; Li, Bin; Luo, Tian; Guo, Shoudong; Zhang, Xiangjian; Wang, Hao; Jiang, Xian-Cheng; Qin, Shucun

    2016-02-09

    Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) participates in high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism. Increased plasma PLTP activity was observed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggered acute inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to determine the exact role of PLTP in LPS induced inflammation. HDL pool size was shrunk both in PLTP deficient mice (PLTP-/-) and PLTP transgenic mice (PLTP-Tg). PLTP displayed a strong protective effect on lethal endotoxemia in mice survival study. Furthermore, after LPS stimulation, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines were increased in bone marrow derived macrophage (BMDM) from PLTP-/-, while decreased in BMDM from PLTP-Tg compared with BMDM from wild-type mice (WT). Moreover, LPS induced nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB) activation was enhanced in PLTP-/- BMDM or PLTP knockdown RAW264.7. Conversely, PLTP overexpression countered the NFκB activation in LPS challenged BMDM. Additionally, the activation of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) induced by LPS showed no alteration in PLTP-/- BMDM. Finally, PLTP could bind to LPS, attenuate the pro-inflammatory effects of LPS, and improve the cell viability in vitro. To sum up, these findings elucidated that PLTP repressed LPS induced inflammation due to extracellular LPS binding capability, and the protective effects were not related to HDL pool size in mice.

  3. Xanthogranulomatous Inflammation of the Female Genital Tract: Report of Three Cases

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Xiang-sheng; Dong, Hong-yan; Zhang, Lei-lei; Desouki, Mohamed Mokhtar; Zhao, Chengquan

    2012-01-01

    Purpose and Methods: This is a series of three cases diagnosed with xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the female genital with emphasis on the etiology, clinical-pathologic features and biological behavior. Clinical, pathologic, radiologic and follow up data are reported. Results: The three cases of Xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the female genital tract are the followings: 1) one case affecting the endometrium, 2) one case affecting the fallopian tube, and 3) one case confined to the ovary. The patient's age was 37, 22 and 62 year-old, respectively. Histologic examination revealed extensive infiltration of foamy histiocytes admixed with variable amount of inflammatory cells. The later include plasma cells, lymphocytes, and occasional multinucleated giant cells. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining for CD68, a histiocytic marker, in foamy histiocytes, CD3, a T cell marker, and CD20, a B cell marker, in the background lymphocytes. The plasma cells were polyclonal with expression of both κ and λ light chains. Conclusion: Xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the female genital tract is an unusual lesion, and clinically forms mass- like lesion in the pelvic cavity that invades the surrounding tissues, which may mimic the tumor clinically and by imaging. PMID:22393333

  4. Brown Alga Ecklonia cava polyphenol extract ameliorates hepatic lipogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation by activation of AMPK and SIRT1 in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

    PubMed

    Eo, Hyeyoon; Jeon, You-jin; Lee, Myoungsook; Lim, Yunsook

    2015-01-14

    Obesity is considered to be a metaflammatory condition. Ecklonia cava, brown algae rich in polyphenols, has shown strong antioxidant activity in vitro. This study investigated the effect of E. cava polyphenol extract (ECPE) on the regulation of fat metabolism, inflammation, and the antioxidant defense system in high fat diet-induced obese mice. After obesity was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD), the mice were administered ECPE by gavage for 5 days/12 weeks. ECPE supplementation reduced body weight gain, adipose tissue mass, plasma lipid profiles, hepatic fat deposition, insulin resistance, and the plasma leptin/adiponectin ratio derived from HFD-induced obesity. Moreover, ECPE supplementation selectively ameliorated hepatic protein levels associated with lipogenesis, inflammation, and the antioxidant defense system as well as activation of AMPK and SIRT1. Collectively, ECPE supplement might have potential antiobesity effects via regulation of AMPK and SIRT1 in HFD-induced obesity.

  5. Suppression of Adaptive Immune Cell Activation Does Not Alter Innate Immune Adipose Inflammation or Insulin Resistance in Obesity.

    PubMed

    Subramanian, Manikandan; Ozcan, Lale; Ghorpade, Devram Sampat; Ferrante, Anthony W; Tabas, Ira

    2015-01-01

    Obesity-induced inflammation in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a major contributor to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Whereas innate immune cells, notably macrophages, contribute to visceral adipose tissue (VAT) inflammation and insulin resistance, the role of adaptive immunity is less well defined. To address this critical gap, we used a model in which endogenous activation of T cells was suppressed in obese mice by blocking MyD88-mediated maturation of CD11c+ antigen-presenting cells. VAT CD11c+ cells from Cd11cCre+Myd88fl/fl vs. control Myd88fl/fl mice were defective in activating T cells in vitro, and VAT T and B cell activation was markedly reduced in Cd11cCre+Myd88fl/fl obese mice. However, neither macrophage-mediated VAT inflammation nor systemic inflammation were altered in Cd11cCre+Myd88fl/fl mice, thereby enabling a focused analysis on adaptive immunity. Unexpectedly, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, and the glucose response to glucose and insulin were completely unaltered in Cd11cCre+Myd88fl/fl vs. control obese mice. Thus, CD11c+ cells activate VAT T and B cells in obese mice, but suppression of this process does not have a discernible effect on macrophage-mediated VAT inflammation or systemic glucose homeostasis.

  6. Low-grade inflammation decreases emotion recognition - Evidence from the vaccination model of inflammation.

    PubMed

    Balter, Leonie J T; Hulsken, Sasha; Aldred, Sarah; Drayson, Mark T; Higgs, Suzanne; Veldhuijzen van Zanten, Jet J C S; Raymond, Jane E; Bosch, Jos A

    2018-05-06

    The ability to adequately interpret the mental state of another person is key to complex human social interaction. Recent evidence suggests that this ability, considered a hallmark of 'theory of mind' (ToM), becomes impaired by inflammation. However, extant supportive empirical evidence is based on experiments that induce not only inflammation but also induce discomfort and sickness, factors that could also account for temporary social impairment. Hence, an experimental inflammation manipulation was applied that avoided this confound, isolating effects of inflammation and social interaction. Forty healthy male participants (mean age = 25, SD = 5 years) participated in this double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. Inflammation was induced using Salmonella Typhi vaccination (0.025 mg; Typhim Vi, Sanofi Pasteur, UK); saline-injection was used as a control. About 6 h 30 m after injection in each condition, participants completed the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), a validated test for assessing how well the mental states of others can be inferred through observation of the eyes region of the face. Vaccination induced systemic inflammation, elevating IL-6 by +419% (p < .001), without fever, sickness symptoms (e.g., nausea, light-headedness), or mood changes (all p's > .21). Importantly, compared to placebo, vaccination significantly reduced RMET accuracy (p < .05). RMET stimuli selected on valence (positive, negative, neutral) provided no evidence of a selective impact of treatment. By utilizing an inflammation-induction procedure that avoided concurrent sicknesses or symptoms in a double-blinded design, the present study provides further support for the hypothesis that immune activation impairs ToM. Such impairment may provide a mechanistic link explaining social-cognitive deficits in psychopathologies that exhibit low-grade inflammation, such as major depression. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Mechanisms of topical analgesics in relieving pain in an animal model of muscular inflammation.

    PubMed

    Duan, Wan-Ru; Lu, Jie; Xie, Yi-Kuan

    2013-09-01

    To investigate the possible mechanisms of topical analgesics in relieving pain in an animal model of muscular inflammation. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes were injected with complete Freund's adjuvant to induce inflammation in the anterior tibialis muscle of left hindlimb. One of two types of topical analgesics: Xiaotong Tiegao (XTT), a Tibetan herb compound, or Capzasin (CAP), a cream containing 0.1% capsaicin, was applied to the skin over the inflamed anterior tibialis muscle. The following experiments were performed: pain behavioral tests, evaluation of plasma extravasation in the affected limb, and electrophysiological recordings of afferent nerve fibers. The behavioral experiments demonstrated that applications of either type of topical analgesic to the skin over the inflamed muscle significantly reduced muscular inflammatory pain, as indicated by the increased weight bearing capacity on the affected hindlimb (with latencies of 10 minutes for XTT and 1-2 hours for CAP). Meanwhile, both analgesics caused plasma extravasation in the affected skin. Electrophysiological recordings from the afferent fibers in the related cutaneous nerve indicated that topical analgesics selectively activated C-fibers, but not A-fibers innervating the same region of receptive field. The latency and duration of C-fiber activation was similar to those of the reduction of muscular inflammatory pain. On the contrary, topical analgesics substantially decreased C-fiber afferent spontaneous firing in the nerve innervating the inflamed muscle. Moreover, denervation of the affected skin blocked the analgesic effects of both topical analgesics in muscular inflammatory pain. This study suggests that topical analgesics may reduce the nociceptive input from inflamed muscles via a reflex mechanism by activating the cutaneous nociceptive afferents. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  8. Effect of caloric restriction on gut permeability, inflammation markers, and fecal microbiota in obese women.

    PubMed

    Ott, Beate; Skurk, Thomas; Hastreiter, Ljiljana; Lagkouvardos, Ilias; Fischer, Sandra; Büttner, Janine; Kellerer, Teresa; Clavel, Thomas; Rychlik, Michael; Haller, Dirk; Hauner, Hans

    2017-09-20

    Recent findings suggest an association between obesity, loss of gut barrier function and changes in microbiota profiles. Our primary objective was to examine the effect of caloric restriction and subsequent weight reduction on gut permeability in obese women. The impact on inflammatory markers and fecal microbiota was also investigated. The 4-week very-low calorie diet (VLCD, 800 kcal/day) induced a mean weight loss of 6.9 ± 1.9 kg accompanied by a reduction in HOMA-IR (Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance), fasting plasma glucose and insulin, plasma leptin, and leptin gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Plasma high-molecular weight adiponectin (HMW adiponectin) was significantly increased after VLCD. Plasma levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) were significantly decreased after 28 days of VLCD. Using three different methods, gut paracellular permeability was decreased after VLCD. These changes in clinical parameters were not associated with major consistent changes in dominant bacterial communities in feces. In summary, a 4-week caloric restriction resulted in significant weight loss, improved gut barrier integrity and reduced systemic inflammation in obese women.

  9. Restoring Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Function Reduces Airway Bacteria and Inflammation in People with Cystic Fibrosis and Chronic Lung Infections.

    PubMed

    Hisert, Katherine B; Heltshe, Sonya L; Pope, Christopher; Jorth, Peter; Wu, Xia; Edwards, Rachael M; Radey, Matthew; Accurso, Frank J; Wolter, Daniel J; Cooke, Gordon; Adam, Ryan J; Carter, Suzanne; Grogan, Brenda; Launspach, Janice L; Donnelly, Seamas C; Gallagher, Charles G; Bruce, James E; Stoltz, David A; Welsh, Michael J; Hoffman, Lucas R; McKone, Edward F; Singh, Pradeep K

    2017-06-15

    Previous work indicates that ivacaftor improves cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity and lung function in people with cystic fibrosis and G551D-CFTR mutations but does not reduce density of bacteria or markers of inflammation in the airway. These findings raise the possibility that infection and inflammation may progress independently of CFTR activity once cystic fibrosis lung disease is established. To better understand the relationship between CFTR activity, airway microbiology and inflammation, and lung function in subjects with cystic fibrosis and chronic airway infections. We studied 12 subjects with G551D-CFTR mutations and chronic airway infections before and after ivacaftor. We measured lung function, sputum bacterial content, and inflammation, and obtained chest computed tomography scans. Ivacaftor produced rapid decreases in sputum Pseudomonas aeruginosa density that began within 48 hours and continued in the first year of treatment. However, no subject eradicated their infecting P. aeruginosa strain, and after the first year P. aeruginosa densities rebounded. Sputum total bacterial concentrations also decreased, but less than P. aeruginosa. Sputum inflammatory measures decreased significantly in the first week of treatment and continued to decline over 2 years. Computed tomography scans obtained before and 1 year after ivacaftor treatment revealed that ivacaftor decreased airway mucous plugging. Ivacaftor caused marked reductions in sputum P. aeruginosa density and airway inflammation and produced modest improvements in radiographic lung disease in subjects with G551D-CFTR mutations. However, P. aeruginosa airway infection persisted. Thus, measures that control infection may be required to realize the full benefits of CFTR-targeting treatments.

  10. A Single Bout of Fasting (24 h) Reduces Basal Cytokine Expression and Minimally Impacts the Sterile Inflammatory Response in the White Adipose Tissue of Normal Weight F344 Rats.

    PubMed

    Speaker, Kristin J; Paton, Madeline M; Cox, Stewart S; Fleshner, Monika

    2016-01-01

    Sterile inflammation occurs when inflammatory proteins are increased in blood and tissues by nonpathogenic states and is a double-edged sword depending on its cause (stress, injury, or disease), duration (transient versus chronic), and inflammatory milieu. Short-term fasting can exert a host of health benefits through unknown mechanisms. The following experiment tested if a 24 h fast would modulate basal and stress-evoked sterile inflammation in plasma and adipose. Adult male F344 rats were either randomized to ad libitum access to food or fasted for 24 h prior to 0 (control), 10, or 100, 1.5 mA-5 s intermittent, inescapable tail shocks (IS). Glucose, nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFAs), insulin, leptin, and corticosterone were measured in plasma and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α , interleukin- (IL-) 1 β , IL-6, and IL-10 in plasma, and subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, and visceral compartments of white adipose tissue (WAT). In control rats, a 24 h fast reduced all measured basal cytokines in plasma and visceral WAT, IL-1 β and IL-6 in subcutaneous WAT, and IL-6 in intraperitoneal WAT. In stressed rats (IS), fasting reduced visceral WAT TNF- α , subcutaneous WAT IL-1 β , and plasma insulin and leptin. Short-term fasting may thus prove to be a useful dietary strategy for reducing peripheral inflammatory states associated with visceral obesity and chronic stress.

  11. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and upper airway inflammation.

    PubMed

    Inancli, Hasan M; Enoz, Murat

    2010-01-01

    Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with inflammatory processes and elevated plasma cytokines. Inflammatory processes associated with OSAS may also act as potential mediators of cardiovascular morbidity in these patients. OSAS is associated with elevated levels of C reactive protein (CRP), as a marker of inflammation and cardiovascular risk. At the inflammatory point of view, the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, hsCRP, adhesion molecules, monocyte chemo attractant protein-1 and resist in were markedly and significantly elevated in patients with sleep apnea than those in normal control subjects. We reviewed several recent patents and literature in English about OSAS and upper airway inflammation relation since 1966 from the Medline database.

  12. Liver Disease, Systemic Inflammation, and Growth Using a Mixed Parenteral Lipid Emulsion, Containing Soybean Oil, Fish Oil, and Medium Chain Triglycerides, Compared With Soybean Oil in Parenteral Nutrition-Fed Neonatal Piglets.

    PubMed

    Turner, Justine M; Josephson, Jessica; Field, Catherine J; Wizzard, Pamela R; Ball, Ronald O; Pencharz, Paul B; Wales, Paul W

    2016-09-01

    The optimal parenteral lipid emulsion for neonates should reduce the risk of intestinal failure-associated liver disease and inflammation, while supporting growth and development. This could be best achieved by balanced content of ω-6 and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Using a neonatal piglet model of parenteral nutrition (PN), we compared a 100% soy oil-based emulsion (ω-6:ω-3 PUFA: 7:1) with a mixed lipid emulsion comprising 30% soy oil, 30% medium-chain triglycerides, 25% olive oil, and 15% fish oil (ω-6:ω-3 PUFA: approximately 2.5:1) with regard to liver disease, inflammation, and fatty acid content in plasma and brain. Neonatal piglets, 3-6 days old, underwent jugular catheter insertion for isonitrogenous, isocaloric PN delivery over 14 days. The IL group (n = 8) was treated with Intralipid; the ML group (n = 10) was treated with the mixed lipid (SMOFlipid). Bile flow, liver chemistry, C-reactive protein (CRP), and PUFA content in plasma phospholipids and brain were compared. Compared with the IL group, ML-treated piglets had increased bile flow (P = .008) and lower total bilirubin (P = .001) and CRP (P = .023) concentrations. The ω-6 long-chain PUFA content was lower in plasma and brain for the ML group. The key ω-3 long-chain PUFA for neonatal development, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), was not different between groups. The mixed lipid, having less ω-6 PUFA and more ω-3 PUFA, was able to prevent liver disease and reduce systemic inflammation in PN-fed neonatal piglets. However, this lipid did not increase plasma or brain DHA status, which would be desirable for neonatal developmental outcomes. © 2015 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

  13. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Use Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Inflammation-Associated Cancers: NIH-AARP Study

    PubMed Central

    Shebl, Fatma M.; Hsing, Ann W.; Park, Yikyung; Hollenbeck, Albert R.; Chu, Lisa W.; Meyer, Tamra E.; Koshiol, Jill

    2014-01-01

    Background Chronic inflammation has been linked to cancers, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been associated with reduced risk of several cancers. To further refine the magnitude of NSAID-related associations, in particular for cancers related to inflammation, such as alcohol-, infection-, obesity-, and smoking-related cancers, as well as for less common cancers, we evaluated the use of NSAIDs and cancer risk in a very large cohort. We used propensity scores to account for potential selection bias and hypothesized that NSAID use is associated with decreased cancer incidence. Methods We conducted a prospective study among 314,522 participants in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Individuals who completed the lifestyle questionnaire, which included NSAID use, in 1996–1997 were followed through 2006. Information on cancer incidence was ascertained by linking to cancer registries and vital status databases. Findings During 2,715,994 person-years of follow-up (median 10.1 person-years), there were 51,894 incident cancers. Compared with non-users of NSAIDs, individuals who reported use in the 12 months prior to interview had a significantly lower risk of all inflammation-related cancer, alcohol-related, infection-related, obesity-related, and smoking-related cancers [hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI)) 0.90 (0.87–0.93), 0.80 (0.74–0.85), 0.82 (0.78–0.87), 0.88 (0.84–0.92), and 0.88 (0.85–0.92) respectively)]. Conclusions After accounting for potential selection bias, our data showed an inverse association between NSAID use and alcohol-related, infection-related, obesity-related, and smoking-related cancers and support the hypothesis that inflammation is related to an increased risk of certain cancers. PMID:25551641

  14. Linking Inflammation, Cardiorespiratory Variability, and Neural Control in Acute Inflammation via Computational Modeling

    PubMed Central

    Dick, Thomas E.; Molkov, Yaroslav I.; Nieman, Gary; Hsieh, Yee-Hsee; Jacono, Frank J.; Doyle, John; Scheff, Jeremy D.; Calvano, Steve E.; Androulakis, Ioannis P.; An, Gary; Vodovotz, Yoram

    2012-01-01

    Acute inflammation leads to organ failure by engaging catastrophic feedback loops in which stressed tissue evokes an inflammatory response and, in turn, inflammation damages tissue. Manifestations of this maladaptive inflammatory response include cardio-respiratory dysfunction that may be reflected in reduced heart rate and ventilatory pattern variabilities. We have developed signal-processing algorithms that quantify non-linear deterministic characteristics of variability in biologic signals. Now, coalescing under the aegis of the NIH Computational Biology Program and the Society for Complexity in Acute Illness, two research teams performed iterative experiments and computational modeling on inflammation and cardio-pulmonary dysfunction in sepsis as well as on neural control of respiration and ventilatory pattern variability. These teams, with additional collaborators, have recently formed a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary consortium, whose goal is to delineate the fundamental interrelationship between the inflammatory response and physiologic variability. Multi-scale mathematical modeling and complementary physiological experiments will provide insight into autonomic neural mechanisms that may modulate the inflammatory response to sepsis and simultaneously reduce heart rate and ventilatory pattern variabilities associated with sepsis. This approach integrates computational models of neural control of breathing and cardio-respiratory coupling with models that combine inflammation, cardiovascular function, and heart rate variability. The resulting integrated model will provide mechanistic explanations for the phenomena of respiratory sinus-arrhythmia and cardio-ventilatory coupling observed under normal conditions, and the loss of these properties during sepsis. This approach holds the potential of modeling cross-scale physiological interactions to improve both basic knowledge and clinical management of acute inflammatory diseases such as sepsis and trauma

  15. Linking Inflammation, Cardiorespiratory Variability, and Neural Control in Acute Inflammation via Computational Modeling.

    PubMed

    Dick, Thomas E; Molkov, Yaroslav I; Nieman, Gary; Hsieh, Yee-Hsee; Jacono, Frank J; Doyle, John; Scheff, Jeremy D; Calvano, Steve E; Androulakis, Ioannis P; An, Gary; Vodovotz, Yoram

    2012-01-01

    Acute inflammation leads to organ failure by engaging catastrophic feedback loops in which stressed tissue evokes an inflammatory response and, in turn, inflammation damages tissue. Manifestations of this maladaptive inflammatory response include cardio-respiratory dysfunction that may be reflected in reduced heart rate and ventilatory pattern variabilities. We have developed signal-processing algorithms that quantify non-linear deterministic characteristics of variability in biologic signals. Now, coalescing under the aegis of the NIH Computational Biology Program and the Society for Complexity in Acute Illness, two research teams performed iterative experiments and computational modeling on inflammation and cardio-pulmonary dysfunction in sepsis as well as on neural control of respiration and ventilatory pattern variability. These teams, with additional collaborators, have recently formed a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary consortium, whose goal is to delineate the fundamental interrelationship between the inflammatory response and physiologic variability. Multi-scale mathematical modeling and complementary physiological experiments will provide insight into autonomic neural mechanisms that may modulate the inflammatory response to sepsis and simultaneously reduce heart rate and ventilatory pattern variabilities associated with sepsis. This approach integrates computational models of neural control of breathing and cardio-respiratory coupling with models that combine inflammation, cardiovascular function, and heart rate variability. The resulting integrated model will provide mechanistic explanations for the phenomena of respiratory sinus-arrhythmia and cardio-ventilatory coupling observed under normal conditions, and the loss of these properties during sepsis. This approach holds the potential of modeling cross-scale physiological interactions to improve both basic knowledge and clinical management of acute inflammatory diseases such as sepsis and trauma.

  16. Eicosapentaenoic acid reduces adipocyte hypertrophy and inflammation in diet-induced obese mice in an adiposity-independent manner.

    PubMed

    LeMieux, Monique J; Kalupahana, Nishan S; Scoggin, Shane; Moustaid-Moussa, Naima

    2015-03-01

    Obesity is associated with an overexpansion of adipose tissue, along with increases in blood pressure, glycemia, inflammation, and thrombosis. Research to develop nutritional interventions to prevent or treat obesity and its associated diseases is greatly needed. Previously, we demonstrated the ability of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to prevent high-fat (HF) diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation in mice. The objective of the current study was to determine the mechanisms mediating the anti-inflammatory and antilipogenic actions of EPA. In a previous study, male C57BL/6J mice were fed a low-fat diet (10% of energy from fat), an HF diet (45% of energy from fat), or an HF diet supplemented with EPA (45% of energy from fat; 36 g/kg EPA; HF+EPA) for 11 wk or an HF diet for 6 wk and then switched to the HF+EPA diet for 5 wk. In this study, we used histology/immunohistochemistry, gene expression, and metabolomic analyses of white adipose tissue from these mice. In addition, cultured mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with 100 μM EPA for 48 h and then used for extracellular flux assays with untreated 3T3-L1 adipocytes used as a control. Compared with the HF diet, the HF+EPA diet significantly reduced body weight, adiposity, adipocyte size, and macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue. No significant differences in overall body weight or fat pad weights were observed between HF-fed mice vs. those fed the HF+EPA diet for a short time after first inducing obesity with the HF diet. Interestingly, both histology and immunohistochemistry results showed a significantly lower mean adipocyte size and macrophage infiltration in mice fed the HF diet and then switched to the HF+EPA diet vs. those fed HF diets only. This indicated that EPA was able to prevent as well as reverse HF-diet-induced adipocyte inflammation and hypertrophy and that some of the metabolic effects of EPA were independent of body weight or adiposity. In addition, adipose tissue metabolomic

  17. Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Differentially Elevated in Objective Versus Habitual Subjective Reduced Sleep Duration in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

    PubMed Central

    DeMartino, Theresanne; Ghoul, Rawad El; Wang, Lu; Bena, James; Hazen, Stanley L.; Tracy, Russel; Patel, Sanjay R.; Auckley, Dennis; Mehra, Reena

    2016-01-01

    Study Objectives: Data have demonstrated adverse health effects of sleep deprivation. We postulate that oxidative stress and systemic inflammation biomarkers will be elevated in relation to short-term and long-term sleep duration reduction. Methods: We analyzed data from the baseline examination of a randomized controlled trial involving participants with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Baseline polysomnography provided the total sleep time (PSG-TST, primary predictor); self-reported habitual sleep duration (SR-HSD) data was collected. Morning measures of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation included: myeloperoxidase (MPO, pmol/L), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, U/L), F2-isoprostane (ng/mg), paraoxonase 1 (PON1, nmol·min−1·mL−1), and aryl esterase (μmol·min−1·mL−1). Linear models adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular disease (CVD), smoking, statin/anti-inflammatory medications, and apnea-hypopnea index were utilized (beta estimates and 95% confidence intervals). Results: One hundred forty-seven participants comprised the final analytic sample; they were overall middle-aged (51.0 ± 11.7 y), obese (BMI = 37.3 ± 8.1 kg/m2), and 17% had CVD. Multivariable models demonstrated a significant inverse association of PSG-TST and MPO (β [95% CI] = −20.28 [−37.48, −3.08], P = 0.021), i.e., 20.3 pmol/L MPO reduction per hour increase PSG-TST. Alternatively, a significant inverse association with ox-LDL and SR-HSD was observed (β [95% CI] = 0.98 [0.96, 0.99], P = 0.027), i.e., 2% ox-LDL reduction per hour increase SR-HSD. Conclusions: Even after consideration of obesity and OSA severity, inverse significant findings were observed such that reduced PSG-TST was associated with elevated MPO levels and SR-HSD with ox-LDL, suggesting differential up-regulation of oxidative stress and pathways of inflammation in acute versus chronic sleep curtailment. Clinical Trial Registration: NIH clinical trials

  18. Reduction in serum apoB is associated with reduced inflammation and insulin resistance in post-menopausal women: A MONET study.

    PubMed

    Faraj, May; Lavoie, Marie-Eve; Messier, Lyne; Bastard, Jean-Philippe; Prud'homme, Denis

    2010-08-01

    Large inter-individual variations exist in changes in inflammation and insulin resistance (IR) in response to hypocaloric-interventions in obese subjects that are not explained by weight-loss per se. We identified the number of serum apoB-lipoproteins (serum apoB) as the primary predictor of inflammatory markers in post-menopausal overweight/obese women. As apoB-lipoproteins are related to inflammation and inflammation promotes IR, we hypothesized that the reduction in inflammation and IR following hypocaloric-interventions is associated with the reduction in serum apoB. After a 6-month hypocaloric-dietary-intervention in 56 overweight/obese post-menopausal women, there was a significant reduction in weight, total, subcutaneous abdominal and visceral abdominal fat mass, apoB, Lp(a), hsCRP, orosomucoid, haptoglobin and IR (increased M(clamp)) and an increase in LDL-C/apoB ratio. In regression analysis, % change in apoB was the primary predictor of % changes in hsCRP (R(2)=0.22), orosomucoid (R(2)=0.35), haptoglobin (R(2)=0.43) and M(clamp) (R(2)=0.17). When the study population was split around baseline median apoB (0.97g/L), women who were above median apoB (N=27) had significant reduction in apoB (-17%), hsCRP (-24%), orosomucoid (-8%), haptoglobin (-18%) and IR (M(clamp) +14%). On the other hand, women below median apoB (N=29) had no significant changes in these parameters despite equivalent reduction in weight and fat depots in the two groups. Reduction in apoB associated strongly and independently with the reduction in inflammatory markers and IR following a hypocaloric-diet in overweight/obese women. We hypothesize that the elevated apoB phenotype may be key therapeutic target to reduce obesity-associated inflammation and IR maximally by hypocaloric-dietary-interventions. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Inhibition of NET Release Fails to Reduce Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Mice.

    PubMed

    Braster, Quinte; Silvestre Roig, Carlos; Hartwig, Helene; Beckers, Linda; den Toom, Myrthe; Döring, Yvonne; Daemen, Mat J; Lutgens, Esther; Soehnlein, Oliver

    2016-01-01

    Obesity-associated diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, liver disease and cardiovascular diseases are profoundly mediated by low-grade chronic inflammation of the adipose tissue. Recently, the importance of neutrophils and neutrophil-derived myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase on the induction of insulin resistance has been established. Since neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase are critically involved in the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), we here hypothesized that NETs may be relevant to early adipose tissue inflammation. Thus, we tested the effect of the Peptidyl Arginine Deiminase 4 inhibitor Cl-amidine, a compound preventing histone citrullination and subsequent NET release, in a mouse model of adipose tissue inflammation. C57BL6 mice received a 60% high fat diet for 10 weeks and were treated with either Cl-amidine or vehicle. Flow cytometry of adipose tissue and liver, immunohistological analysis and glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed to determine the effect of the treatment and diet. Although high fat diet feeding induced insulin resistance no significant effect was observed between the treatment groups. In addition no effect was found in leukocyte infiltration and activation in the adipose tissue and liver. Therefore we concluded that inhibition of neutrophil extracellular trap formation may have no clinical relevance for early obesity-mediated pathogenesis of the adipose tissue and liver.

  20. Chlorogenic Acid Combined with Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 Reduced LPS-Induced Intestinal Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in IPEC-J2 Cells.

    PubMed

    Palócz, Orsolya; Pászti-Gere, Erzsébet; Gálfi, Péter; Farkas, Orsolya

    2016-01-01

    This study was carried out to investigate protective effect of chlorogenic acid against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in intestinal epithelial cells. As a marker of inflammatory response, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α mRNA and protein levels, furthermore, COX-2 mRNA level were followed up. Intracellular redox status and extracellular H2O2 level were also monitored by two fluorescent assays (DCFH-DA, Amplex Red). Moreover, the effect of gut microbiota metabolites in the above mentioned processes was taken into account in our model using Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 bacterial strain. Our data revealed that chlorogenic acid had significant lowering effect on the inflammatory response. Treatment with chlorogenic acid (25-50 μM) significantly decreased gene expression and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 compared to LPS-treated cells. COX-2 and TNF-α mRNA levels were also reduced. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid reduced the level of reactive oxygen species in IPEC-J2 cells. Simultaneous application of chlorogenic acid and Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 supernatant resulted protective effect against LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress as well.

  1. Chlorogenic Acid Combined with Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 Reduced LPS-Induced Intestinal Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in IPEC-J2 Cells

    PubMed Central

    Palócz, Orsolya; Pászti-Gere, Erzsébet; Gálfi, Péter

    2016-01-01

    This study was carried out to investigate protective effect of chlorogenic acid against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in intestinal epithelial cells. As a marker of inflammatory response, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α mRNA and protein levels, furthermore, COX-2 mRNA level were followed up. Intracellular redox status and extracellular H2O2 level were also monitored by two fluorescent assays (DCFH-DA, Amplex Red). Moreover, the effect of gut microbiota metabolites in the above mentioned processes was taken into account in our model using Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 bacterial strain. Our data revealed that chlorogenic acid had significant lowering effect on the inflammatory response. Treatment with chlorogenic acid (25–50 μM) significantly decreased gene expression and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 compared to LPS-treated cells. COX-2 and TNF-α mRNA levels were also reduced. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid reduced the level of reactive oxygen species in IPEC-J2 cells. Simultaneous application of chlorogenic acid and Lactobacillus plantarum 2142 supernatant resulted protective effect against LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress as well. PMID:27861533

  2. Intestinal inflammation reduces expression of DRA, a transporter responsible for congenital chloride diarrhea.

    PubMed

    Yang, H; Jiang, W; Furth, E E; Wen, X; Katz, J P; Sellon, R K; Silberg, D G; Antalis, T M; Schweinfest, C W; Wu, G D

    1998-12-01

    The pathogenesis of diarrhea in intestinal inflammatory states is a multifactorial process involving the effects of inflammatory mediators on epithelial transport function. The effect of colonic inflammation on the gene expression of DRA (downregulated in adenoma), a chloride-sulfate anion transporter that is mutated in patients with congenital chloridorrhea, was examined in vivo as well as in an intestinal epithelial cell line. DRA mRNA expression was diminished five- to sevenfold in the HLA-B27/beta2m transgenic rat compared with control. In situ hybridization showed that DRA, which is normally expressed in the upper crypt and surface epithelium of the colon, was dramatically reduced in the surface epithelium of the HLA-B27/beta2m transgenic rat, the interleukin-10 (IL-10) knockout mouse with spontaneous colitis, and in patients with ulcerative colitis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that mRNA expression of DRA reflected that of protein expression in vivo. IL-1beta reduced DRA mRNA expression in vitro by inhibiting gene transcription. The loss of transport function in the surface epithelium of the colon by attenuation of transporter gene expression, perhaps inhibited at the level of gene transcription by proinflammatory cytokines, may play a role in the pathogenesis of diarrhea in colitis.

  3. Prostate cancer and inflammation: the evidence

    PubMed Central

    Sfanos, Karen S; De Marzo, Angelo M

    2014-01-01

    Chronic inflammation is now known to contribute to several forms of human cancer, with an estimated 20% of adult cancers attributable to chronic inflammatory conditions caused by infectious agents, chronic noninfectious inflammatory diseases and / or other environmental factors. Indeed, chronic inflammation is now regarded as an ‘enabling characteristic’ of human cancer. The aim of this review is to summarize the current literature on the evidence for a role for chronic inflammation in prostate cancer aetiology, with a specific focus on recent advances regarding the following: (i) potential stimuli for prostatic inflammation; (ii) prostate cancer immunobiology; (iii) inflammatory pathways and cytokines in prostate cancer risk and development; (iv) proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) as a risk factor lesion to prostate cancer development; and (v) the role of nutritional or other antiinflammatory compounds in reducing prostate cancer risk. PMID:22212087

  4. Corticotropin-releasing hormone regulates IL-6 expression during inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Venihaki, Maria; Dikkes, Pieter; Carrigan, Allison; Karalis, Katia P.

    2001-01-01

    Stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by proinflammatory cytokines results in increased release of glucocorticoid that restrains further development of the inflammatory process. IL-6 has been suggested to stimulate the HPA axis during immune activation independent of the input of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). We used the corticotropin-releasing hormone–deficient (Crh+/+) mouse to elucidate the effect of CRH deficiency on IL-6 expression and IL-6–induced HPA axis activation during turpentine-induced inflammation. We demonstrate that during inflammation CRH is required for a normal adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) increase but not for adrenal corticosterone rise. The paradoxical increase of plasma IL-6 associated with CRH deficiency suggests that IL-6 release during inflammation is CRH-dependent. We also demonstrate that adrenal IL-6 expression is CRH-dependent, as its basal and inflammation-induced expression is blocked by CRH deficiency. Our findings suggest that during inflammation, IL-6 most likely compensates for the effects of CRH deficiency on food intake. Finally, we confirm that the HPA axis response is defective in Crh+/+/IL-6+/+ mice. These findings, along with the regulation of IL-6 by CRH, support the importance of the interaction between the immune system and the HPA axis in the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases. PMID:11602623

  5. Cranberry extract attenuates hepatic inflammation in high fat-fed obese mice

    PubMed Central

    Glisan, Shannon L.; Ryan, Caroline; Neilson, Andrew P.; Lambert, Joshua D.

    2016-01-01

    Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) consumption has been associated with health beneficial effects. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a co-morbidity of obesity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of a polyphenol-rich cranberry extract (CBE) on hepatic inflammation in high fat-fed obese C57BL/6J mice. Following dietary treatment with 0.8% CBE for 10 weeks, we observed no change in body weight or visceral fat mass in CBE supplemented mice compared to high fat-fed control mice. We did observe a significant decrease in plasma alanine aminotransferase (31%) and histological severity of NAFLD (33% decrease in area of involvement, 29% decrease in lipid droplet size) compared to high fat-fed controls. Hepatic protein levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and C-C chemokine ligand 2 were reduced by 28% and 19%, respectively, following CBE supplementation. CBE significantly decreased hepatic mRNA levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4, 63%) and nuclear factorκ B (NFκB, 24%), as well as a number of genes related to the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3 inflammasome. In conclusion, CBE reduced NAFLD and hepatic inflammation in high fat-fed obese C57BL/6J mice. These effects appear to be related to mitigation of TLR4-NFκB related signaling, however further studies into the underlying mechanisms of these hepatoprotective effects are needed. PMID:27619543

  6. Cranberry extract attenuates hepatic inflammation in high-fat-fed obese mice.

    PubMed

    Glisan, Shannon L; Ryan, Caroline; Neilson, Andrew P; Lambert, Joshua D

    2016-11-01

    Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) consumption has been associated with health beneficial effects. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a comorbidity of obesity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of a polyphenol-rich cranberry extract (CBE) on hepatic inflammation in high fat (HF)-fed obese C57BL/6J mice. Following dietary treatment with 0.8% CBE for 10 weeks, we observed no change in body weight or visceral fat mass in CBE-supplemented mice compared to HF-fed control mice. We did observe a significant decrease in plasma alanine aminotransferase (31%) and histological severity of NAFLD (33% decrease in area of involvement, 29% decrease in lipid droplet size) compared to HF-fed controls. Hepatic protein levels of tumor necrosis factor α and C-C chemokine ligand 2 were reduced by 28% and 19%, respectively, following CBE supplementation. CBE significantly decreased hepatic mRNA levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4, 63%) and nuclear factor κB (NFκB, 24%), as well as a number of genes related to the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome. In conclusion, CBE reduced NAFLD and hepatic inflammation in HF-fed obese C57BL/6J mice. These effects appear to be related to mitigation of TLR4-NFκB related signaling; however, further studies into the underlying mechanisms of these hepatoprotective effects are needed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Vitamin D Attenuates Kidney Fibrosis via Reducing Fibroblast Expansion, Inflammation, and Epithelial Cell Apoptosis.

    PubMed

    Arfian, Nur; Muflikhah, Khusnul; Soeyono, Sri Kadarsih; Sari, Dwi Cahyani Ratna; Tranggono, Untung; Anggorowati, Nungki; Romi, Muhammad Mansyur

    2016-07-05

    Kidney fibrosis is the common final pathway of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). It is characterized by myofibroblast formation, inflammation, and epithelial architecture damage. Vitamin D is known as a renoprotective agent, although the precise mechanism is not well understood. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of vitamin D in fibroblast expansion, inflammation, and apoptosis in kidney fibrosis. We performed unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in male Swiss-Webster background mice (3 months, 30-40 grams) to induce kidney fibrosis. The mice (n=25) were divided into five groups: UUO, 3 groups treated with different oral vitamin D doses (0.125 µg/kg (UUO+VD1), 0.25 µg/kg (UUO+VD2), and 0.5 µg/kg (UUO+VD3), and a Sham operation (SO) group with ethanol 0.2% supplementation. We sacrificed the mice on day14 after the operation and harvested the kidney. We made paraffin sections for histological analysis. Tubular injury and fibrosis were quantified based on periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Sirius Red (SR) staining. Immunostaining was done for examination of myofibroblasts (αSMA), fibroblasts (PDGFRβ), TLR4, and apoptosis (TUNEL). We did RNA extraction and cDNA for Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) experiment for measuring MCP-1, ICAM-1, TLR4, and collagen 1 expression. TGFβ1 level was quantified using ELISA. We observed a significantly lower levels of fibrosis (p<0.001), tubular injury scores (p<0.001), and myofibroblast areas (p<0.001) in the groups treated with vitamin D compared with the UUO group. The TGFβ1 levels and the fibroblast quantifications were also significantly lower in the former group. However, we did not find any significant difference among the various vitamin D-treated groups. Concerning the dose-independent effect, we only compared the UUO+VD-1 group with SO group and found by TUNEL assay that UUO+VD-1 had a significantly lower epithelial cell apoptosis. RT-PCR analysis showed lower expression of collagen1, as well as inflammation

  8. Increasing plasma [K+] by intravenous potassium infusion reduces NCC phosphorylation and drives kaliuresis and natriuresis.

    PubMed

    Rengarajan, Srinivas; Lee, Donna H; Oh, Young Taek; Delpire, Eric; Youn, Jang H; McDonough, Alicia A

    2014-05-01

    Dietary potassium loading results in rapid kaliuresis, natriuresis, and diuresis associated with reduced phosphorylation (p) of the distal tubule Na(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (NCC). Decreased NCC-p inhibits NCC-mediated Na(+) reabsorption and shifts Na(+) downstream for reabsorption by epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaC), which can drive K(+) secretion. Whether the signal is initiated by ingesting potassium or a rise in plasma K(+) concentration ([K(+)]) is not understood. We tested the hypothesis, in male rats, that an increase in plasma [K(+)] is sufficient to reduce NCC-p and drive kaliuresis. After an overnight fast, a single 3-h 2% potassium (2%K) containing meal increased plasma [K(+)] from 4.0 ± 0.1 to 5.2 ± 0.2 mM; increased urinary K(+), Na(+), and volume excretion; decreased NCC-p by 60%; and marginally reduced cortical Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC) phosphorylation 25% (P = 0.055). When plasma [K(+)] was increased by tail vein infusion of KCl to 5.5 ± 0.1 mM over 3 h, significant kaliuresis and natriuresis ensued, NCC-p decreased by 60%, and STE20/SPS1-related proline alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) phosphorylation was marginally reduced 35% (P = 0.052). The following were unchanged at 3 h by either the potassium-rich meal or KCl infusion: Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3 (NHE3), NHE3-p, NKCC, ENaC subunits, and renal outer medullary K(+) channel. In summary, raising plasma [K(+)] by intravenous infusion to a level equivalent to that observed after a single potassium-rich meal triggers renal kaliuretic and natriuretic responses, independent of K(+) ingestion, likely driven by decreased NCC-p and activity sufficient to shift sodium reabsorption downstream to where Na(+) reabsorption and flow drive K(+) secretion.

  9. Proteomic changes in chicken plasma induced by Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharides

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are cell wall components of gram-negative bacteria that cause inflammation and sickness through genetic and proteomic activation. The objective of our study was to identify the proteomic changes in plasma associated with inflammation induced by LPS treatment. Five-week-old ...

  10. Aging, inflammation, and HIV infection.

    PubMed

    Aberg, Judith A

    2012-01-01

    Prolonged survival in HIV infection is accompanied by an increased frequency of non-HIV-related comorbidities. A number of age-related comorbidities occur earlier in HIV-infected patients than in individuals without HIV infection. This "accelerated aging" appears to be largely related to chronic inflammation, chronic immune activation, and immunosenescence in HIV infection. Levels of markers of inflammation and coagulopathy are elevated in HIV-infected patients, and elevations in markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) have been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, opportunistic conditions, or all-cause mortality. In both HIV infection and aging, immunosenescence is marked by an increased proportion of CD28-, CD57+ memory CD8+ T cells with reduced capacity to produce interleukin 2 (IL-2), increased production of IL-6, resistance to apoptosis, and shortened telomeres. A number of AIDS Clinical Trials Group studies are under way to examine treatment aimed at reducing chronic inflammation and immune activation in HIV infection. This article summarizes a presentation by Judith A. Aberg, MD, at the IAS-USA live continuing medical education course held in New York City in October 2011.

  11. Predictors of Inflammation in a Cohort of Bolivian Infants and Toddlers.

    PubMed

    Burke, Rachel M; Suchdev, Parminder S; Rebolledo, Paulina A; de Aceituno, Anna M Fabiszewski; Revollo, Rita; Iñiguez, Volga; Klein, Mitchel; Drews-Botsch, Carolyn; Leon, Juan S

    2016-10-05

    Inflammation has been associated with cardiovascular disease and other health outcomes in children and adults, yet few longitudinal data are available on prevalence and predictors of inflammation in infants. We aimed to identify the prevalence of inflammation in a cohort of Bolivian infants and estimate its association with acute (recent illnesses) and chronic (overweight, stunting) morbidities and potential pathogen exposure (represented by water, sanitation, and hygiene [WASH] resources). We measured plasma concentrations of two acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein [CRP], marking acute inflammation, and alpha(1)-acid-glycoprotein [AGP], marking chronic inflammation) at three time points (target 2, 6-8, and 12-18 months). Of 451 singleton infants enrolled in the parent study, 272 had the first blood draw and complete data. Anthropometry and sociodemographic and recent illness data (2-week recall of cough, diarrhea, and fever) were collected at each visit. Inflammation was defined as CRP > 5 mg/L or AGP > 1 g/L. The prevalence of inflammation increased from early infancy (3% at first blood draw) to later infancy (15-22% at later blood draws). Recent cough, recent fever, and age in months were significantly associated with relative increases in CRP (7-44%) and AGP (5-23%), whereas recent diarrhea was only significantly associated with an increase in CRP (48%). Neither anthropometry nor WASH was significantly associated with inflammation. Results confirm the role of recent acute illness in inflammation in infants, and indicate that adiposity and WASH are not as important to inflammation in this age category. © The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

  12. Dorsal Vagal Complex Modulates Neurogenic Airway Inflammation in a Guinea Pig Model With Esophageal Perfusion of HCl.

    PubMed

    Chen, Zhe; Sun, Lejia; Chen, Hui; Gu, Dachuan; Zhang, Weitao; Yang, Zifeng; Peng, Tao; Dong, Rong; Lai, Kefang

    2018-01-01

    Neurogenic airway inflammation in chronic cough and bronchial asthma related to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is involved in the esophageal-bronchial reflex, but it is unclear whether this reflex is mediated by central neurons. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) on airway inflammation induced by the esophageal perfusion of hydrochloric acid (HCl) following the microinjection of nuclei in the DVC in guinea pigs. Airway inflammation was evaluated by measuring the extravasation of Evans blue dye (EBD) and substance P (SP) expression in the airway. Neuronal activity was indicated by Fos expression in the DVC. The neural pathways from the lower esophagus to the DVC and the DVC to the airway were identified using DiI tracing and pseudorabies virus Bartha (PRV-Bartha) retrograde tracing, respectively. HCl perfusion significantly increased plasma extravasation, SP expression in the trachea, and the expression of SP and Fos in the medulla oblongata nuclei, including the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). The microinjection of glutamic acid (Glu) or exogenous SP to enhance neuronal activity in the DVC significantly potentiated plasma extravasation and SP release induced by intra-esophageal perfusion. The microinjection of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), lidocaine to inhibit neuronal activity or anti-SP serum in the DVC alleviated plasma extravasation and SP release. In conclusion, airway inflammation induced by the esophageal perfusion of HCl is regulated by DVC. This study provides new insight for the mechanism of airway neurogenic inflammation related to GER.

  13. Dorsal Vagal Complex Modulates Neurogenic Airway Inflammation in a Guinea Pig Model With Esophageal Perfusion of HCl

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Zhe; Sun, Lejia; Chen, Hui; Gu, Dachuan; Zhang, Weitao; Yang, Zifeng; Peng, Tao; Dong, Rong; Lai, Kefang

    2018-01-01

    Neurogenic airway inflammation in chronic cough and bronchial asthma related to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is involved in the esophageal–bronchial reflex, but it is unclear whether this reflex is mediated by central neurons. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) on airway inflammation induced by the esophageal perfusion of hydrochloric acid (HCl) following the microinjection of nuclei in the DVC in guinea pigs. Airway inflammation was evaluated by measuring the extravasation of Evans blue dye (EBD) and substance P (SP) expression in the airway. Neuronal activity was indicated by Fos expression in the DVC. The neural pathways from the lower esophagus to the DVC and the DVC to the airway were identified using DiI tracing and pseudorabies virus Bartha (PRV-Bartha) retrograde tracing, respectively. HCl perfusion significantly increased plasma extravasation, SP expression in the trachea, and the expression of SP and Fos in the medulla oblongata nuclei, including the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). The microinjection of glutamic acid (Glu) or exogenous SP to enhance neuronal activity in the DVC significantly potentiated plasma extravasation and SP release induced by intra-esophageal perfusion. The microinjection of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), lidocaine to inhibit neuronal activity or anti-SP serum in the DVC alleviated plasma extravasation and SP release. In conclusion, airway inflammation induced by the esophageal perfusion of HCl is regulated by DVC. This study provides new insight for the mechanism of airway neurogenic inflammation related to GER. PMID:29867575

  14. S-adenosylmethionine reduces airway inflammation and fibrosis in a murine model of chronic severe asthma via suppression of oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Yoon, Sun-Young; Hong, Gyong Hwa; Kwon, Hyouk-Soo; Park, Sunjoo; Park, So Young; Shin, Bomi; Kim, Tae-Bum; Moon, Hee-Bom; Cho, You Sook

    2016-06-03

    Increased oxidative stress has an important role in asthmatic airway inflammation and remodeling. A potent methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), is known to protect against tissue injury and fibrosis through modulation of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SAMe on airway inflammation and remodeling in a murine model of chronic asthma. A mouse model was generated by repeated intranasal challenge with ovalbumin and Aspergillus fungal protease twice a week for 8 weeks. SAMe was orally administered every 24 h for 8 weeks. We performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis and histopathological examination. The levels of various cytokines and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) were measured in the lung tissue. Cultured macrophages and fibroblasts were employed to evaluate the underlying anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic mechanisms of SAMe. The magnitude of airway inflammation and fibrosis, as well as the total BAL cell counts, were significantly suppressed in the SAMe-treated groups. A reduction in T helper type 2 pro-inflammatory cytokines and HNE levels was observed in mouse lung tissue after SAMe administration. Macrophages cultured with SAMe also showed reduced cellular oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Moreover, SAMe treatment attenuated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced fibronectin expression in cultured fibroblasts. SAMe had a suppressive effect on airway inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic asthma, at least partially through the attenuation of oxidative stress and TGF-β-induced fibronectin expression. The results of this study suggest a potential role for SAMe as a novel therapeutic agent in chronic asthma.

  15. Small RNA-seq during acute maximal exercise reveal RNAs involved in vascular inflammation and cardiometabolic health: brief report.

    PubMed

    Shah, Ravi; Yeri, Ashish; Das, Avash; Courtright-Lim, Amanda; Ziegler, Olivia; Gervino, Ernest; Ocel, Jeffrey; Quintero-Pinzon, Pablo; Wooster, Luke; Bailey, Cole Shields; Tanriverdi, Kahraman; Beaulieu, Lea M; Freedman, Jane E; Ghiran, Ionita; Lewis, Gregory D; Van Keuren-Jensen, Kendall; Das, Saumya

    2017-12-01

    Exercise improves cardiometabolic and vascular function, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Our objective was to demonstrate the diversity of circulating extracellular RNA (ex-RNA) release during acute exercise in humans and its relevance to exercise-mediated benefits on vascular inflammation. We performed plasma small RNA sequencing in 26 individuals undergoing symptom-limited maximal treadmill exercise, with replication of our top candidate miRNA in a separate cohort of 59 individuals undergoing bicycle ergometry. We found changes in miRNAs and other ex-RNAs with exercise (e.g., Y RNAs and tRNAs) implicated in cardiovascular disease. In two independent cohorts of acute maximal exercise, we identified miR-181b-5p as a key ex-RNA increased in plasma after exercise, with validation in a separate cohort. In a mouse model of acute exercise, we found significant increases in miR-181b-5p expression in skeletal muscle after acute exercise in young (but not older) mice. Previous work revealed a strong role for miR-181b-5p in vascular inflammation in obesity, insulin resistance, sepsis, and cardiovascular disease. We conclude that circulating ex-RNAs were altered in plasma after acute exercise target pathways involved in inflammation, including miR-181b-5p. Further investigation into the role of known (e.g., miRNA) and novel (e.g., Y RNAs) RNAs is warranted to uncover new mechanisms of vascular inflammation on exercise-mediated benefits on health. NEW & NOTEWORTHY How exercise provides benefits to cardiometabolic health remains unclear. We performed RNA sequencing in plasma during exercise to identify the landscape of small noncoding circulating transcriptional changes. Our results suggest a link between inflammation and exercise, providing rich data on circulating noncoding RNAs for future studies by the scientific community. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

  16. Role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α3 subtype in vascular inflammation.

    PubMed

    Yang, Cui; Li, Zhengtao; Yan, Saimei; He, Yonghui; Dai, Rong; Leung, George Pek-Heng; Pan, Shitian; Yang, Jinyan; Yan, Rong; Du, Guanhua

    2016-11-01

    Vascular inflammation is a major factor contributing to the development of vascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α3 subtype (α3-nAChR) in vascular inflammation. Vascular inflammation was studied in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE -/- ) mice fed a high-fat diet. Inflammatory markers were measured in mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) and macrophages after α3-nAChRs were antagonized pharmacologically, or after the gene of α3-nAChRs was silenced. Treatment with α-conotoxin MII (MII; an α3-nAChR antagonist) increased the number of inflammatory cells infiltrating the aortic walls and further impaired the endothelium-dependent vasodilatations in the aorta of ApoE -/- mice. MII also increased the plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the infiltration of classical activated macrophages into the arterial wall of ApoE -/- mice was markedly elevated by MII but that of alternative activated macrophages was reduced. In MAECs, the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated secretion of adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines was enhanced by MII, or by silencing the gene of α3-nAChRs. This effect was reversed by inhibitors of the PI3K-Akt-IκKα/β-IκBα-NFκB pathways. In macrophages, the classical activation was enhanced, but the alternative activation was reduced when the gene of α3-nACh receptors was silenced. These effects were prevented by inhibitors of the IκKα/β-IκBα-NFκB and JAK2-STAT6-PPARγ pathways respectively. α3-nAChRs play a pivotal role in regulating the inflammatory responses in endothelial cells and macrophages. The mechanisms involve the modulations of multiple cell signalling pathways. © 2016 The British Pharmacological Society.

  17. Activation of cell-surface proteases promotes necroptosis, inflammation and cell migration.

    PubMed

    Cai, Zhenyu; Zhang, Anling; Choksi, Swati; Li, Weihua; Li, Tao; Zhang, Xue-Min; Liu, Zheng-Gang

    2016-08-01

    Necroptosis is a programmed, caspase-independent cell death that is morphologically similar to necrosis. TNF-induced necroptosis is mediated by receptor-interacting protein kinases, RIP1 and RIP3, and the mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). After being phosphorylated by RIP3, MLKL is translocated to the plasma membrane and mediates necroptosis. However, the execution of necroptosis and its role in inflammation and other cellular responses remain largely elusive. In this study, we report that MLKL-mediated activation of cell-surface proteases of the a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) family promotes necroptosis, inflammation and cell migration. ADAMs are specifically activated at the early stage of necroptosis when MLKL is phosphorylated and translocated to the cell plasma membrane. Activation of ADAMs induces ectodomain shedding of diverse cell-surface proteins including adhesion molecules, receptors, growth factors and cytokines. Importantly, the shedding of cell-surface proteins disrupts cell adhesion and accelerates necroptosis, while the soluble fragments of the cleaved proteins trigger the inflammatory responses. We also demonstrate that the shedding of E-cadherin ectodomain from necroptotic cells promotes cell migration. Thus, our study provides a novel mechanism of necroptosis-induced inflammation and new insights into the physiological and pathological functions of this unique form of cell death.

  18. Activation of cell-surface proteases promotes necroptosis, inflammation and cell migration

    PubMed Central

    Cai, Zhenyu; Zhang, Anling; Choksi, Swati; Li, Weihua; Li, Tao; Zhang, Xue-Min; Liu, Zheng-Gang

    2016-01-01

    Necroptosis is a programmed, caspase-independent cell death that is morphologically similar to necrosis. TNF-induced necroptosis is mediated by receptor-interacting protein kinases, RIP1 and RIP3, and the mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). After being phosphorylated by RIP3, MLKL is translocated to the plasma membrane and mediates necroptosis. However, the execution of necroptosis and its role in inflammation and other cellular responses remain largely elusive. In this study, we report that MLKL-mediated activation of cell-surface proteases of the a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) family promotes necroptosis, inflammation and cell migration. ADAMs are specifically activated at the early stage of necroptosis when MLKL is phosphorylated and translocated to the cell plasma membrane. Activation of ADAMs induces ectodomain shedding of diverse cell-surface proteins including adhesion molecules, receptors, growth factors and cytokines. Importantly, the shedding of cell-surface proteins disrupts cell adhesion and accelerates necroptosis, while the soluble fragments of the cleaved proteins trigger the inflammatory responses. We also demonstrate that the shedding of E-cadherin ectodomain from necroptotic cells promotes cell migration. Thus, our study provides a novel mechanism of necroptosis-induced inflammation and new insights into the physiological and pathological functions of this unique form of cell death. PMID:27444869

  19. The association of plasma oxidative status and inflammation with the development of atrial fibrillation in patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction.

    PubMed

    Bas, Hasan Aydin; Aksoy, Fatih; Icli, Atilla; Varol, Ercan; Dogan, Abdullah; Erdogan, Dogan; Ersoy, Ibrahim; Arslan, Akif; Ari, Hatem; Bas, Nihal; Sutcu, Recep; Ozaydin, Mehmet

    2017-04-01

    Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Oxidative stress and inflammation may cause structural and electrical remodeling in the atria making these critical processes in the pathology of AF. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidative capacity (TAC) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the development of AF in patients presenting with STEMI. This prospective cohort study consisted of 346 patients with STEMI. Serum TAC and TOS were assessed by Erel's method. Patients were divided into two groups: those with and those without AF. Predictors of AF were determined by multivariate regression analysis. In the present study, 9.5% of patients developed AF. In the patients with AF, plasma TOS and oxidative stress index (OSI) values were significantly higher and plasma TAC levels were significantly lower compared to those without AF (p = .003, p = .002, p < .0001, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis results showed that, female gender (Odds ratio [OR] = 3.07; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.26-7.47; p = .01), left atrial diameter (OR =1.28; 95% CI =1.12-1.47; p < .0001), hs-CRP (OR =1.02; 95% CI =1.00-1.03; p = .001) and OSI (OR =1.10; 95% CI =1.04-1.18; p = .001) were associated with the development of AF in patients presenting with STEMI. The main finding of this study is that oxidative stress and inflammation parameters were associated with the development of AF in patients presenting with STEMI. Other independent predictors of AF were female gender, left atrial diameter and hs-CRP.

  20. [Orbital inflammation].

    PubMed

    Mouriaux, F; Coffin-Pichonnet, S; Robert, P-Y; Abad, S; Martin-Silva, N

    2014-12-01

    Orbital inflammation is a generic term encompassing inflammatory pathologies affecting all structures within the orbit : anterior (involvement up to the posterior aspect of the globe), diffuse (involvement of intra- and/or extraconal fat), apical (involvement of the posterior orbit), myositis (involvement of only the extraocular muscles), dacryoadenitis (involvement of the lacrimal gland). We distinguish between specific inflammation and non-specific inflammation, commonly referred to as idiopathic inflammation. Specific orbital inflammation corresponds to a secondary localization of a "generalized" disease (systemic or auto-immune). Idiopathic orbital inflammation corresponds to uniquely orbital inflammation without generalized disease, and thus an unknown etiology. At the top of the differential diagnosis for specific or idiopathic orbital inflammation are malignant tumors, represented most commonly in the adult by lympho-proliferative syndromes and metastases. Treatment of specific orbital inflammation begins with treatment of the underlying disease. For idiopathic orbital inflammation, treatment (most often corticosteroids) is indicated above all in cases of visual loss due to optic neuropathy, in the presence of pain or oculomotor palsy. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  1. Dabigatran Etexilate Reduces Thrombin-Induced Inflammation and Thrombus Formation in Experimental Ischemic Stroke.

    PubMed

    Dittmeier, Melanie; Wassmuth, Kathrin; Schuhmann, Michael K; Kraft, Peter; Kleinschnitz, Christoph; Fluri, Felix

    2016-01-01

    Dabigatran etexilate (DE), a direct-acting, oral inhibitor of thrombin, significantly reduces the risk of stroke compared with traditional anticoagulants, without increasing the risk of major bleeding. However, studies on the fate of cerebral tissue after ischemic stroke in patients receiving DE are sparse and the role of dabigatran-mediated reduction of thrombin in this context has not yet been investigated. Here, we investigated whether pretreatment with DE reduces thrombin-mediated pro-inflammatory mechanisms and leakage of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) following ischemic stroke in rats. Male Wistar rats received DE (15 mg/kg) or a vehicle solution 1 hour before transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 90 minutes. Infarct volume, neurologic outcome and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were determined after tMCAO. Thrombin generation was indirectly assessed by measuring thrombin/antithrombin III complex. Microvascular patency was evaluated histologically. Cytokine expression and immunoreactivity of cluster of differentiation (CD) 68 were examined to characterize inflammatory processes after pretreatment with DE. BBB integrity was examined by quantifying brain edema. Rats given DE revealed a significant reduction in infarct size without an increase in ICH and significant recovery of neurologic deficits compared to controls. Administration of DE decreased thrombin generation and thrombus formation, dampened the CD68-immunoreactivity and attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the cerebral parenchyma ipsilateral to the ischemic lesion. BBB permeability was unaltered following treatment with DE. In summary, prophylactic anticoagulation with DE improves stroke outcome by reducing thrombin-induced inflammation and thrombus formation without increasing the rate of ICH.

  2. Dietary Aloe Improves Insulin Sensitivity via the Suppression of Obesity-induced Inflammation in Obese Mice.

    PubMed

    Shin, Eunju; Shim, Kyu-Suk; Kong, Hyunseok; Lee, Sungwon; Shin, Seulmee; Kwon, Jeunghak; Jo, Tae Hyung; Park, Young-In; Lee, Chong-Kil; Kim, Kyungjae

    2011-02-01

    Insulin resistance is an integral feature of metabolic syndromes, including obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we evaluated whether the aloe component could reduce obesity-induced inflammation and the occurrence of metabolic disorders such as blood glucose and insulin resistance. Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of aloe formula (PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and Aloe QDM complex) or pioglitazone (PGZ) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation. Aloe QDM lowered fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin compared with HFD. Obesity-induced inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, -6, -12, TNF-α) and chemokine (CX3CL1, CCL5) mRNA and protein were decreased markedly, as was macrophage infiltration and hepatic triglycerides by Aloe QDM. At the same time, Aloe QDM decreased the mRNA and protein of PPARγ/LXRα and 11β-HSD1 both in the liver and WAT. Dietary aloe formula reduces obesity-induced glucose tolerance not only by suppressing inflammatory responses but also by inducing anti-inflammatory cytokines in the WAT and liver, both of which are important peripheral tissues affecting insulin resistance. The effect of Aloe QDM complex in the WAT and liver are related to its dual action on PPARγ and 11β-HSD1 expression and its use as a nutritional intervention against T2D and obesity-related inflammation is suggested.

  3. Combined Training Reduces Subclinical Inflammation in Obese Middle-Age Men.

    PubMed

    Brunelli, Diego T; Chacon-Mikahil, Mara Patrícia T; Gáspari, Arthur F; Lopes, Wendell Arthur; Bonganha, Valéria; Bonfante, Ivan Luiz P; Bellotto, Maria Luisa; Libardi, Cleiton Augusto; Cavaglieri, Cláudia Regina

    2015-10-01

    We investigated the effects of 24 wk of combined training on proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers associated with obesity in obese middle-age men. Thirty obese men (48.73 ± 1.04 yr; body mass index, 31.00 ± 0.29 kg·m) underwent 24 wk of combined training [CT (N = 17), aerobic (50%-85% of V˙O2peak) and resistance (6-10 maximum repetition [RM]) training)] three times per week, 60 min per session, or a control group (N = 13). Anthropometric measures, maximal strength for leg press and bench press, peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-15, resistin, leptin, and adiponectin were determined before (M1) and after 8 (M2), 16 (M3), and 24 (M4) wk of the experimental design. Significant increases were observed in the maximal strength for bench press and leg press, V˙O2peak, and serum concentrations of adiponectin and IL-15 for CT. Concomitantly, significant decreases were observed in percentage body fat and serum concentrations of CRP, resistin, and leptin for CT after the experimental period. Twenty-four weeks of moderate- to high-intensity CT reduced markers of subclinical inflammation associated with obesity and improved insulin resistance and functional capabilities of obese middle-age men, regardless of dietary intervention and weight loss.

  4. Effects of exercise training on chronic inflammation in obesity : current evidence and potential mechanisms.

    PubMed

    You, Tongjian; Arsenis, Nicole C; Disanzo, Beth L; Lamonte, Michael J

    2013-04-01

    Chronic, systemic inflammation is an independent risk factor for several major clinical diseases. In obesity, circulating levels of inflammatory markers are elevated, possibly due to increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines from several tissues/cells, including macrophages within adipose tissue, vascular endothelial cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Recent evidence supports that adipose tissue hypoxia may be an important mechanism through which enlarged adipose tissue elicits local tissue inflammation and further contributes to systemic inflammation. Current evidence supports that exercise training, such as aerobic and resistance exercise, reduces chronic inflammation, especially in obese individuals with high levels of inflammatory biomarkers undergoing a longer-term intervention. Several studies have reported that this effect is independent of the exercise-induced weight loss. There are several mechanisms through which exercise training reduces chronic inflammation, including its effect on muscle tissue to generate muscle-derived, anti-inflammatory 'myokine', its effect on adipose tissue to improve hypoxia and reduce local adipose tissue inflammation, its effect on endothelial cells to reduce leukocyte adhesion and cytokine production systemically, and its effect on the immune system to lower the number of pro-inflammatory cells and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production per cell. Of these potential mechanisms, the effect of exercise training on adipose tissue oxygenation is worth further investigation, as it is very likely that exercise training stimulates adipose tissue angiogenesis and increases blood flow, thereby reducing hypoxia and the associated chronic inflammation in adipose tissue of obese individuals.

  5. Aging, not age-associated inflammation, determines blood pressure and endothelial responses to acute inflammation.

    PubMed

    Lane-Cordova, Abbi D; Ranadive, Sushant M; Kappus, Rebecca M; Cook, Marc D; Phillips, Shane A; Woods, Jeffrey A; Wilund, Kenneth R; Baynard, Tracy; Fernhall, Bo

    2016-12-01

    Aging is characterized by a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation that impairs vascular function. Acute inflammation causes additional decrements in vascular function, but these responses are not uniform in older compared with younger adults. We sought to determine if older adults with low levels of baseline inflammation respond to acute inflammation in a manner similar to younger adults. We hypothesized age-related differences in the vascular responses to acute inflammation, but that older adults with low baseline inflammation would respond similarly to younger adults. Inflammation was induced with an influenza vaccine in 96 participants [older = 67 total, 38 with baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) > 1.5 mg/l and 29 with CRP < 1.5 mg/l; younger = 29]; serum inflammatory markers IL-6 and CRP, blood pressure and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were measured 24 and 48 h later. Younger adults increased IL-6 and CRP more than the collective older adult group and increased pulse pressure, whereas older adults decreased SBP and reduced pulse pressure. The entire cohort decreased FMD from 11.3 ± 0.8 to 8.3 ± 0.7 to 8.7 ± 0.7% in younger and from 5.8 ± 0.3 to 5.0 ± 0.4 to 4.7 ± 0.4% in older adults, P less than 0.05 for main effect. Older adult groups with differing baseline CRP had the same IL-6, blood pressure, and FMD response to acute inflammation, P less than 0.05 for all interactions, but the low-CRP group increased CRP at 24 and 48 h (from 0.5 ± 0.1 to 1.4 ± 0.2 to 1.7 ± 0.3 mg/l), whereas the high-CRP group did not (from 4.8 ± 0.5 to 5.4 ± 0.5 to 5.4 ± 0.6 mg/l), P less than 0.001 for interaction. Aging, not age-related chronic, low-grade inflammation, determines the vascular responses to acute inflammation.

  6. Echium Oil Reduces Plasma Triglycerides by Increasing Intravascular Lipolysis in apoB100-Only Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Receptor Knockout Mice

    PubMed Central

    Forrest, Lolita M.; Lough, Christopher M.; Chung, Soonkyu; Boudyguina, Elena Y.; Gebre, Abraham K.; Smith, Thomas L.; Colvin, Perry L.; Parks, John S.

    2013-01-01

    Echium oil (EO), which is enriched in SDA (18:4 n-3), reduces plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations in humans and mice. We compared mechanisms by which EO and fish oil (FO) reduce plasma TG concentrations in mildly hypertriglyceridemic male apoB100-only LDLrKO mice. Mice were fed one of three atherogenic diets containing 0.2% cholesterol and palm oil (PO; 20%), EO (10% EO + 10% PO), or FO (10% FO + 10% PO). Livers from PO- and EO-fed mice had similar TG and cholesteryl ester (CE) content, which was significantly higher than in FO-fed mice. Plasma TG secretion was reduced in FO vs. EO-fed mice. Plasma very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle size was ordered: PO (63 ± 4 nm) > EO (55 ± 3 nm) > FO (40 ± 2 nm). Post-heparin lipolytic activity was similar among groups, but TG hydrolysis by purified lipoprotein lipase was significantly greater for EO and FO VLDL compared to PO VLDL. Removal of VLDL tracer from plasma was marginally faster in EO vs. PO fed mice. Our results suggest that EO reduces plasma TG primarily through increased intravascular lipolysis of TG and VLDL clearance. Finally, EO may substitute for FO to reduce plasma TG concentrations, but not hepatic steatosis in this mouse model. PMID:23857172

  7. Echium oil reduces plasma triglycerides by increasing intravascular lipolysis in apoB100-only low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout mice.

    PubMed

    Forrest, Lolita M; Lough, Christopher M; Chung, Soonkyu; Boudyguina, Elena Y; Gebre, Abraham K; Smith, Thomas L; Colvin, Perry L; Parks, John S

    2013-07-12

    Echium oil (EO), which is enriched in SDA (18:4 n-3), reduces plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations in humans and mice. We compared mechanisms by which EO and fish oil (FO) reduce plasma TG concentrations in mildly hypertriglyceridemic male apoB100-only LDLrKO mice. Mice were fed one of three atherogenic diets containing 0.2% cholesterol and palm oil (PO; 20%), EO (10% EO + 10% PO), or FO (10% FO + 10% PO). Livers from PO- and EO-fed mice had similar TG and cholesteryl ester (CE) content, which was significantly higher than in FO-fed mice. Plasma TG secretion was reduced in FO vs. EO-fed mice. Plasma very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle size was ordered: PO (63 ± 4 nm) > EO (55 ± 3 nm) > FO (40 ± 2 nm). Post-heparin lipolytic activity was similar among groups, but TG hydrolysis by purified lipoprotein lipase was significantly greater for EO and FO VLDL compared to PO VLDL. Removal of VLDL tracer from plasma was marginally faster in EO vs. PO fed mice. Our results suggest that EO reduces plasma TG primarily through increased intravascular lipolysis of TG and VLDL clearance. Finally, EO may substitute for FO to reduce plasma TG concentrations, but not hepatic steatosis in this mouse model.

  8. A Single Bout of Fasting (24 h) Reduces Basal Cytokine Expression and Minimally Impacts the Sterile Inflammatory Response in the White Adipose Tissue of Normal Weight F344 Rats

    PubMed Central

    Paton, Madeline M.; Cox, Stewart S.

    2016-01-01

    Sterile inflammation occurs when inflammatory proteins are increased in blood and tissues by nonpathogenic states and is a double-edged sword depending on its cause (stress, injury, or disease), duration (transient versus chronic), and inflammatory milieu. Short-term fasting can exert a host of health benefits through unknown mechanisms. The following experiment tested if a 24 h fast would modulate basal and stress-evoked sterile inflammation in plasma and adipose. Adult male F344 rats were either randomized to ad libitum access to food or fasted for 24 h prior to 0 (control), 10, or 100, 1.5 mA-5 s intermittent, inescapable tail shocks (IS). Glucose, nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFAs), insulin, leptin, and corticosterone were measured in plasma and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, and IL-10 in plasma, and subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, and visceral compartments of white adipose tissue (WAT). In control rats, a 24 h fast reduced all measured basal cytokines in plasma and visceral WAT, IL-1β and IL-6 in subcutaneous WAT, and IL-6 in intraperitoneal WAT. In stressed rats (IS), fasting reduced visceral WAT TNF-α, subcutaneous WAT IL-1β, and plasma insulin and leptin. Short-term fasting may thus prove to be a useful dietary strategy for reducing peripheral inflammatory states associated with visceral obesity and chronic stress. PMID:28077915

  9. Short-term n-3 fatty acid supplementation but not aspirin increases plasma proresolving mediators of inflammation.

    PubMed

    Barden, Anne; Mas, Emilie; Croft, Kevin D; Phillips, Michael; Mori, Trevor A

    2014-11-01

    Resolution of inflammation is an active process involving specialized proresolving mediators (SPM) formed from the n-3 fatty acids. This study examined the effect of n-3 fatty acid supplementation and aspirin on plasma SPMs in healthy humans. Healthy volunteers (n = 21) were supplemented with n-3 fatty acids (2.4g/day) for 7 days with random assignment to take aspirin (300 mg/day) or placebo from day 5 to day 7. Blood was collected at baseline (day 0), day 5, and day 7. Plasma 18R/S-HEPE, E-series resolvins, 17R/S-HDHA, D-series resolvins, 14R/S-HDHA, and MaR-1 were measured by LC/MS/MS. At baseline concentrations of E- and D- series resolvins and the upstream precursors 18R/S-HEPE, 17R/S-HDHA ranged from 0.1nM to 0.2nM. 14R/S-HDHA was 3-fold higher than the other SPMs at baseline but MaR-1 was below the limit of detection. Supplementation with n-3 fatty acids significantly increased RvE1, 18R/S-HEPE, 17R/S-HDHA, and 14R/S-HDHA but not other SPMs. The addition of aspirin after 5 days of n-3 fatty acids did not affect concentrations of any SPM. N-3 fatty acid supplementation for 5 days results in concentrations of SPMs that are biologically active in healthy humans. Aspirin administered after n-3 fatty acids did not offer any additional benefit in elevating the levels of SPMs. Copyright © 2014 by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  10. Grain dust-induced lung inflammation is reduced by Rhodobacter sphaeroides diphosphoryl lipid A.

    PubMed

    Jagielo, P J; Quinn, T J; Qureshi, N; Schwartz, D A

    1998-01-01

    To further determine the importance of endotoxin in grain dust-induced inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, we evaluated the efficacy of pentaacylated diphosphoryl lipid A derived from the lipopolysaccharide of Rhodobacter sphaeroides (RsDPLA) as a partial agonist of grain dust-induced airway inflammation. RsDPLA is a relatively inactive compound compared with lipid A derived from Escherichia coli (LPS) and has been demonstrated to act as a partial agonist of LPS-induced inflammation. To assess the potential stimulatory effect of RsDPLA in relation to LPS, we incubated THP-1 cells with RsDPLA (0.001-100 micrograms/ml), LPS (0.02 microgram endotoxin activity/ml), or corn dust extract (CDE; 0.02 microgram endotoxin activity/ml). Incubation with RsDPLA revealed a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha stimulatory effect at 100 micrograms/ml. In contrast, incubation with LPS or CDE resulted in TNF-alpha release at 0.02 microgram/ml. Pretreatment of THP-1 cells with varying concentrations of RsDPLA before incubation with LPS or CDE (0.02 microgram endotoxin activity/ml) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the LPS- or CDE-induced release of TNF-alpha with concentrations of RsDPLA of up to 10 micrograms/ml but not at 100 micrograms/ml. To further understand the role of endotoxin in grain dust-induced airway inflammation, we utilized the unique LPS inhibitory property of RsDPLA to determine the inflammatory response to inhaled CDE in mice in the presence of RsDPLA. Ten micrograms of RsDPLA intratracheally did not cause a significant inflammatory response compared with intratracheal saline. However, pretreatment of mice with 10 micrograms of RsDPLA intratracheally before exposure to CDE (5.4 and 0.2 micrograms/m3) or LPS (7.2 and 0.28 micrograms/m3) resulted in significant reductions in the lung lavage concentrations of total cells, neutrophils, and specific proinflammatory cytokines compared with mice pretreated with sterile saline. These results confirm the LPS

  11. Brain Morphology Links Systemic Inflammation to Cognitive Function in Midlife Adults

    PubMed Central

    Marsland, Anna L.; Gianaros, Peter J.; Kuan, Dora C-H.; Sheu, Lei K.; Krajina, Katarina; Manuck, Stephen B.

    2015-01-01

    Background Inflammation is linked to cognitive decline in midlife, but the neural basis for this link is unclear. One possibility is that inflammation associates with adverse changes in brain morphology, which accelerates cognitive aging and later dementia risk. Clear evidence is lacking, however, regarding whether inflammation relates to cognition in midlife via changes in brain morphology. Accordingly, the current study examines whether associations of inflammation with cognitive function are mediated by variation in cortical gray matter volume among midlife adults. Methods Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), relatively stable markers of peripheral systemic inflammation, were assessed in 408 community volunteers aged 30–54 years. All participants underwent structural neuroimaging to assess global and regional brain morphology and completed neuropsychological tests sensitive to early changes in cognitive function. Measurements of brain morphology (regional tissue volumes and cortical thickness and surface area) were derived using Freesurfer. Results Higher peripheral inflammation was associated with poorer spatial reasoning, short term memory, verbal proficiency, learning and memory, and executive function, as well as lower cortical gray and white matter volumes, hippocampal volume and cortical surface area. Mediation models with age, sex and intracranial volume as covariates showed cortical gray matter volume to partially mediate the association of inflammation with cognitive performance. Exploratory analyses of body mass suggested that adiposity may be a source of the inflammation linking brain morphology to cognition. Conclusions Inflammation and adiposity might relate to cognitive decline via influences on brain morphology. PMID:25882911

  12. AIBP reduces atherosclerosis by promoting reverse cholesterol transport and ameliorating inflammation in apoE-/- mice.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Min; Zhao, Guo-Jun; Yao, Feng; Xia, Xiao-Dan; Gong, Duo; Zhao, Zhen-Wang; Chen, Ling-Yan; Zheng, Xi-Long; Tang, Xiao-Er; Tang, Chao-Ke

    2018-06-01

    ApoA-1 binding protein (AIBP) is a secreted protein that interacts with apoA-I and accelerates cholesterol efflux from cells. We have recently reported that AIBP promotes apoA-1 binding to ABCA1 in the macrophage cell membrane, partially through 115-123 amino acids. However, the effects of AIBP on the development of atherosclerosis in vivo remain unknown. ApoE -/- mice with established atherosclerotic plaques were infected with rAAV-AIBP or rAAV-AIBP(Δ115-123), respectively. AIBP-treated mice showed reduction of atherosclerotic lesion formation, increase in circulating HDL levels and enhancement of reverse cholesterol transport to the plasma, liver, and feces. AIBP increased ABCA1 protein levels in aorta and peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, AIBP could diminish atherosclerotic plaque macrophage content and the expression of chemotaxis-related factors. In addition, AIBP prevented macrophage inflammation by inactivating NF-κB and promoted the expression of M2 markers like Mrc-1 and Arg-1. However, lack of 115-123 amino acids of AIBP(Δ115-123) had no such preventive effects on the progression of atherosclerosis. Our observations demonstrate that AIBP inhibits atherosclerosis progression and suggest that it may be an effective target for prevention of atherosclerosis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. PKC-epsilon and TLR4 synergistically regulate resistin-mediated inflammation in human macrophages.

    PubMed

    Zuniga, Mary C; Raghuraman, Gayatri; Hitchner, Elizabeth; Weyand, Cornelia; Robinson, William; Zhou, Wei

    2017-04-01

    Resistin has been associated with atherosclerotic inflammation and cardiovascular complications. We and others have previously shown that PKC-epsilon (PKCε) is involved in resistin-induced smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction at a high pathological concentration. This study aimed to evaluate the role and potential pathways of resistin at a physiological concentration, in atherosclerosis-related inflammation. Plasma from patients with atherosclerosis was analyzed for resistin concentration. Patients were divided into tertiles based on resistin levels and cytokines were compared between tertiles. Macrophages were then treated with resistin in the presence or absence of PKCε inhibitor and/or TLR4 blocking-antibody, and their inflammatory state was evaluated with ELISA, RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot. We observed significant associations between plasma resistin levels and TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and CD40L. Our in vitro analyses revealed that resistin activated PKCε via TLR4. This was followed by NF-kB activation and induction of a pro-inflammatory phenotype in macrophages, significantly upregulating CD40, downregulating CD206 and stimulating gene expression and secretion of the inflammatory cytokines, for which we found association in our plasma analysis. Resistin also induced persistent TRAM and CD40L upregulation up to 36 h after resistin treatment. PKCε and TLR4 inhibitors suppressed gene expression to levels similar to control, especially when used in combination. Resistin, at a physiological concentration, exacerbates the inflammatory response of macrophages. PKCε is a key upstream mediator in resistin-induced inflammation that may interact synergistically with TLR4 to promote NF-kB activation, while TRAM is an important signal. PKCε and TRAM may represent novel molecular targets for resistin-associated chronic atherosclerotic inflammation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Treatment with gelsolin reduces brain inflammation and apoptotic signaling in mice following thermal injury.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Qing-Hong; Chen, Qi; Kang, Jia-Rui; Liu, Chen; Dong, Ning; Zhu, Xiao-Mei; Sheng, Zhi-Yong; Yao, Yong-Ming

    2011-09-21

    Burn survivors develop long-term cognitive impairment with increased inflammation and apoptosis in the brain. Gelsolin, an actin-binding protein with capping and severing activities, plays a crucial role in the septic response. We investigated if gelsolin infusion could attenuate neural damage in burned mice. Mice with 15% total body surface area burns were injected intravenously with bovine serum albumin as placebo (2 mg/kg), or with low (2 mg/kg) or high doses (20 mg/kg) of gelsolin. Samples were harvested at 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours postburn. The immune function of splenic T cells was analyzed. Cerebral pathology was examined by hematoxylin/eosin staining, while activated glial cells and infiltrating leukocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry. Cerebral cytokine mRNAs were further assessed by quantitative real-time PCR, while apoptosis was evaluated by caspase-3. Neural damage was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and soluble protein-100 (S-100). Finally, cerebral phospho-ERK expression was measured by western blot. Gelsolin significantly improved the outcomes of mice following major burns in a dose-dependent manner. The survival rate was improved by high dose gelsolin treatment compared with the placebo group (56.67% vs. 30%). Although there was no significant improvement in outcome in mice receiving low dose gelsolin (30%), survival time was prolonged against the placebo control (43.1 ± 4.5 h vs. 35.5 ± 5.0 h; P < 0.05). Burn-induced T cell suppression was greatly alleviated by high dose gelsolin treatment. Concurrently, cerebral abnormalities were greatly ameliorated as shown by reduced NSE and S-100 content of brain, decreased cytokine mRNA expressions, suppressed microglial activation, and enhanced infiltration of CD11b+ and CD45+ cells into the brain. Furthermore, the elevated caspase-3 activity seen following burn injury was remarkably reduced by high dose gelsolin treatment along with down

  15. Argon–germane in situ plasma clean for reduced temperature Ge on Si epitaxy by high density plasma chemical vapor deposition

    DOE PAGES

    Douglas, Erica A.; Sheng, Josephine J.; Verley, Jason C.; ...

    2015-06-04

    We found that the demand for integration of near infrared optoelectronic functionality with silicon complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology has for many years motivated the investigation of low temperature germanium on silicon deposition processes. Our work describes the development of a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition process that uses a low temperature (<460 °C) in situ germane/argon plasma surface preparation step for epitaxial growth of germanium on silicon. It is shown that the germane/argon plasma treatment sufficiently removes SiO x and carbon at the surface to enable germanium epitaxy. Finally, the use of this surface preparation step demonstratesmore » an alternative way to produce germanium epitaxy at reduced temperatures, a key enabler for increased flexibility of integration with CMOS back-end-of-line fabrication.« less

  16. Withania coagulans Fruit Extract Reduces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Kidneys of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

    PubMed Central

    Ojha, Shreesh; Alkaabi, Juma; Amir, Naheed; Sheikh, Azimullah; Agil, Ahmad; Fahim, Mohamed Abdelmonem; Adem, Abdu

    2014-01-01

    The present study was carried out to investigate the changes in oxidative and inflammatory status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat's kidneys and serum following treatment with Withania coagulans, a popular herb of ethnomedicinal significance. The key markers of oxidative stress and inflammation such as inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and immunoregulatory cytokines (IL-4 and IFN-γ) were increased in kidneys along with significant hyperglycemia. However, treatment of four-month diabetic rats with Withania coagulans (10 mg/kg) for 3 weeks significantly attenuated hyperglycemia and reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in kidneys. In addition, Withania coagulans treatment restored the glutathione levels and inhibited lipid peroxidation along with marked reduction in kidney hypertrophy. The present study demonstrates that Withania coagulans corrects hyperglycemia and maintained antioxidant status and reduced the proinflammatory markers in kidneys, which may subsequently reduce the development and progression of renal injury in diabetes. The results of the present study are encouraging for its potential use to delay the onset and progression of diabetic renal complications. However, the translation of therapeutic efficacy in humans requires further studies. PMID:25295146

  17. Associations between the degree of early lactation inflammation and performance, metabolism, and immune function in dairy cows.

    PubMed

    McCarthy, M M; Yasui, T; Felippe, M J B; Overton, T R

    2016-01-01

    The objective of the current study was to determine associations between the severity of systemic inflammation during the early postpartum period and performance, energy metabolism, and immune function in dairy cows. Cows were assigned to categorical quartiles (Q; Q1=0.18-0.59, Q2=0.60-1.14, Q3=1.15-2.05, and Q4=2.06-2.50 g of haptoglobin/L) based on the highest plasma haptoglobin (Hp) concentration measured during wk 1 postpartum. Although cows were assigned to different categories of inflammation during the postpartum period, we detected a quadratic relationship of inflammation on prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) and body weight (BW) such that cows in Q2 had lower prepartum DMI and cows in Q2 and Q3 had lower prepartum BW compared with cows in the other quartiles. We also detected a quadratic association of inflammation with postpartum DMI and BW such that cows in Q2 and Q3 also had generally lower postpartum DMI and BW compared with cows in Q1. There was a tendency for a Q × time interaction for milk yield and Q × time interactions for 3.5% fat-corrected milk and energy-corrected milk yields; quadratic relationships suggested decreased milk yield for Q2 and Q3 cows. We also found Q × parity and Q × time interactions for plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, suggesting alterations with differing degrees of inflammation. There was also a Q × time interaction for plasma nonesterified fatty acids concentration. In addition, alterations in liver triglyceride and glycogen contents for cows with inflammation as well as alterations in [1-(14)C]propionate oxidation in vitro were observed. Although we observed limited effects of inflammation on neutrophil and monocyte phagocytosis at d 7 postpartum, inflammation appeared to alter neutrophil and monocyte oxidative burst. Overall, cows with any degree of elevated haptoglobin in the first week after calving had alterations in both pre- and postpartum intake and postpartum metabolism. Copyright © 2016 American

  18. Inflammation disrupts the LDL receptor pathway and accelerates the progression of vascular calcification in ESRD patients.

    PubMed

    Liu, Jing; Ma, Kun Ling; Gao, Min; Wang, Chang Xian; Ni, Jie; Zhang, Yang; Zhang, Xiao Liang; Liu, Hong; Wang, Yan Li; Liu, Bi Cheng

    2012-01-01

    Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of vascular calcification (VC). This study was designed to investigate whether the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) pathway is involved in the progression of VC in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during inflammation. Twenty-eight ESRD patients were divided into control and inflamed groups according to plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) level. Surgically removed tissues from the radial arteries of patients receiving arteriovenostomy were used in the experiments. The expression of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) of the radial artery were increased in the inflamed group. Hematoxylin-eosin and alizarin red S staining revealed parallel increases in foam cell formation and calcium deposit formation in continuous cross-sections of radial arteries in the inflamed group compared to the control, which were closely correlated with increased LDLr, sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), bone morphogenetic proteins-2 (BMP-2), and collagen I protein expression, as shown by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining. Confocal microscopy confirmed that inflammation enhanced the translocation of the SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP)/SREBP-2 complex from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi, thereby activating LDLr gene transcription. Inflammation increased alkaline phosphatase protein expression and reduced α-smooth muscle actin protein expression, contributing to the conversion of the vascular smooth muscle cells in calcified vessels from the fibroblastic to the osteogenic phenotype; osteogenic cells are the main cellular components involved in VC. Further analysis showed that the inflammation-induced disruption of the LDLr pathway was significantly associated with enhanced BMP-2 and collagen I expression. Inflammation accelerated the progression of VC in ESRD patients by disrupting the LDLr pathway, which may represent a

  19. Intestinal fibrosis is reduced by early elimination of inflammation in a mouse model of IBD: impact of a "Top-Down" approach to intestinal fibrosis in mice.

    PubMed

    Johnson, Laura A; Luke, Amy; Sauder, Kay; Moons, David S; Horowitz, Jeffrey C; Higgins, Peter D R

    2012-03-01

    The natural history of Crohn's disease follows a path of progression from an inflammatory to a fibrostenosing disease, with most patients requiring surgical resection of fibrotic strictures. Potent antiinflammatory therapies reduce inflammation but do not appear to alter the natural history of intestinal fibrosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between intestinal inflammation and fibrogenesis and the impact of a very early "top-down" interventional approach on fibrosis in vivo. In this study we removed the inflammatory stimulus from the Salmonella typhimurium mouse model of intestinal fibrosis by eradicating the S. typhimurium infection with levofloxacin at sequential timepoints during the infection. We evaluated the effect of this elimination of the inflammatory stimulus on the natural history of inflammation and fibrosis as determined by gross pathology, histopathology, mRNA expression, and protein expression. Fibrogenesis is preceded by inflammation. Delayed eradication of the inflammatory stimulus by antibiotic treatment represses inflammation without preventing fibrosis. Early intervention significantly ameliorates but does not completely prevent subsequent fibrosis. This study demonstrates that intestinal fibrosis develops despite removal of an inflammatory stimulus and elimination of inflammation. Early intervention ameliorates but does not abolish subsequent fibrosis, suggesting that fibrosis, once initiated, is self-propagating, suggesting that a very early top-down interventional approach may have the most impact on fibrostenosing disease. Copyright © 2011 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc.

  20. Doxycycline attenuates breast cancer related inflammation by decreasing plasma lysophosphatidate concentrations and inhibiting NF-κB activation.

    PubMed

    Tang, Xiaoyun; Wang, Xianyan; Zhao, Yuan Y; Curtis, Jonathan M; Brindley, David N

    2017-02-08

    We previously discovered that tetracyclines increase the expression of lipid phosphate phosphatases at the surface of cells. These enzymes degrade circulating lysophosphatidate and therefore doxycycline increases the turnover of plasma lysophosphatidate and decreases its concentration. Extracellular lysophosphatidate signals through six G protein-coupled receptors and it is a potent promoter of tumor growth, metastasis and chemo-resistance. These effects depend partly on the stimulation of inflammation that lysophosphatidate produces. In this work, we used a syngeneic orthotopic mouse model of breast cancer to determine the impact of doxycycline on circulating lysophosphatidate concentrations and tumor growth. Cytokine/chemokine concentrations in tumor tissue and plasma were measured by multiplexing laser bead technology. Leukocyte infiltration in tumors was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of IL-6 in breast cancer cell lines was determined by RT-PCR. Cell growth was measured in Matrigel™ 3D culture. The effects of doxycycline on NF-κB-dependent signaling were analyzed by Western blotting. Doxycycline decreased plasma lysophosphatidate concentrations, delayed tumor growth and decreased the concentrations of several cytokines/chemokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-9, CCL2, CCL11, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL9, G-CSF, LIF, VEGF) in the tumor. These results were compatible with the effects of doxycycline in decreasing the numbers of F4/80 + macrophages and CD31 + blood vessel endothelial cells in the tumor. Doxycycline also decreased the lysophosphatidate-induced growth of breast cancer cells in three-dimensional culture. Lysophosphatidate-induced Ki-67 expression was inhibited by doxycycline. NF-κB activity in HEK293 cells transiently expressing a NF-κB-luciferase reporter vectors was also inhibited by doxycycline. Treatment of breast cancer cells with doxycycline also decreased the translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus and the mRNA levels for IL-6 in the presence

  1. Pioglitazone decreases coronary artery inflammation in impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus: evaluation by FDG-PET/CT imaging.

    PubMed

    Nitta, Yoshikazu; Tahara, Nobuhiro; Tahara, Atsuko; Honda, Akihiro; Kodama, Norihiro; Mizoguchi, Minori; Kaida, Hayato; Ishibashi, Masatoshi; Hayabuchi, Naofumi; Ikeda, Hisao; Yamagishi, Sho-ichi; Imaizumi, Tsutomu

    2013-11-01

    The aim of this study was to compare the effect of pioglitazone with glimepiride on coronary arterial inflammation with serial (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (CT) angiography. Recent studies have shown that FDG-PET combined with CT is a reliable tool to visualize and quantify vascular inflammation. Although pioglitazone significantly prevented the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and reduced the recurrence of myocardial infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), it remains unclear whether pioglitazone could attenuate coronary artery inflammation. Fifty atherosclerotic patients with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 DM underwent determination of blood chemistries, anthropometric and inflammatory variables, and FDG-PET/CT angiography, and then were randomized to receive either pioglitazone or glimepiride for 16 weeks. Effects of the treatments on vascular inflammation of the left main trunk were evaluated by FDG-PET/CT angiography at baseline and end of the study. Vascular inflammation of the left main trunk was measured by blood-normalized standardized uptake value, known as a target-to-background ratio. Three patients dropped out of the study during the assessment or treatment. Finally, 25 pioglitazone-treated patients and 22 glimepiride-treated patients (37 men; mean age: 68.1 ± 8.3 years; glycosylated hemoglobin: 6.72 ± 0.70%) completed the study. After 16-week treatments, fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin values were comparably reduced in both groups. Changes in target-to-background ratio values from baseline were significantly greater in the pioglitazone group than in the glimepiride group (-0.12 ± 0.06 vs. 0.09 ± 0.07, p = 0.032), as well as changes in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (pioglitazone vs. glimepiride group: median: -0.24 [interquartile range (IQR): -1.58 to -0.04] mg/l vs. 0.08 [IQR: -0.07 to 0.79] mg/l, p = 0.031). Our study

  2. Radiosurgery reduces plasma levels of angiogenic factors in brain arteriovenous malformation patients.

    PubMed

    Xu, Ming; Liu, Xiaoxia; Mei, Guanghai; Zhang, Junjie; Wang, Weixing; Xu, Hongzhi

    2018-05-09

    significant difference in plasma bFGF content was observed immediately post surgery and 3 months post surgery versus baseline (P = 0.05). Radiosurgery for brain AVM patients significantly reduced the plasma levels of angiogenic factors. The plasma angiogenic factors may be candidate markers for aberrant agniogenesis of brain AVM and patient response to radiosurgery. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Dextromethorphan attenuated inflammation and combined opioid use in humans undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.

    PubMed

    Chen, Shiou-Lan; Lee, Sheng-Yu; Tao, Pao-Luh; Chang, Yun-Hsuan; Chen, Shih-Heng; Chu, Chun-Hsien; Chen, Po See; Lee, I Hui; Yeh, Tzung Lieh; Yang, Yen Kuang; Hong, Jau-Shyong; Lu, Ru-Band

    2012-12-01

    Recent studies show that proinflammatory cytokines might be related to the development of opioid dependence (physiological, psychological, or both). In a double-blind, randomly stratified clinical trial investigating whether add-on dextromethorphan (60-120 mg/day) attenuated inflammation and the combined use of opioids in heroin-dependent patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment, we evaluated whether inflammation is related to the progression of opioid dependence. All participants (107 heroin-dependent patients and 84 nondependent healthy controls) were recruited from National Cheng Kung University Hospital. Their plasma cytokine levels were measured to evaluate the effect of add-on dextromethorphan. Plasma TNF-α and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in long-term heroin-dependent patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Chronic heroin-use-induced TNF-α and IL-8 levels were significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated in patients treated for 12 weeks with add-on dextromethorphan. Moreover, both tolerance to methadone and the combined use of opioids were significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated in patients taking dextromethorphan. We conclude that dextromethorphan might be a feasible adjuvant therapeutic for attenuating inflammation and inhibiting methadone tolerance and combined opioid use in heroin-dependent patients.

  4. Onset and severity of inflammation in rats exposed to the learned helplessness paradigm.

    PubMed

    Chover-Gonzalez, A J; Jessop, D S; Tejedor-Real, P; Gibert-Rahola, J; Harbuz, M S

    2000-07-01

    To test the hypothesis that there is an association between susceptibility to inflammation and a hyporesponsive hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Animals were separated on the basis of behaviour in the learned helplessness (LH) paradigm into groups of LH(+) (i.e. animals which did not escape footshock) and LH(-) animals. Adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) was subsequently induced in the LH(+) and LH(-) animals. Plasma corticosterone was significantly increased in response to the LH test in the LH(-) compared with the LH(+) rats. We observed an earlier onset and increased inflammation in the LH(-) rats in spite of the greater corticosterone response to the acute stress. We noted lower levels of plasma testosterone in the LH(-) animals suggesting a possible influence for this protective factor in AA. These data suggest that increased onset and severity of inflammation in AA is not a simple consequence of an attenuated HPA axis response to stress as proposed in the Lewis rat. Indeed we have observed the converse. Together these data suggest that the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors released in response to stress may influence the progress of AA.

  5. Polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic inflammation: pharmacotherapeutic implications.

    PubMed

    Sirmans, Susan Maureen; Weidman-Evans, Emily; Everton, Victoria; Thompson, Daniel

    2012-03-01

    To examine the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and chronic inflammation and analyze data regarding pharmacologic therapies that are recommended to reduce CVD risk in PCOS and the impact of those therapies on chronic inflammation. A search of MEDLINE (1950-October 2011) was conducted to identify clinical studies pertaining to the identification and treatment of CVD and chronic low-grade inflammation in PCOS. Search terms included polycystic ovary syndrome, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, metformin, thiazolidinedione, and statin. Bibliographies of these studies and review articles were also examined. English-language clinical studies evaluating the effect of metformin, thiazolidinediones, and statins on inflammatory markers, endothelial function, adhesion molecules, fibrinolysis, cytokines, and adipokines in PCOS were included. Women with PCOS have an increased prevalence of many cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, android fat distribution, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Markers of chronic low-grade inflammation, which are associated with an increased risk of CVD, are also elevated in PCOS. Clinical guidelines recommend the use of insulin sensitizers and statins to prevent CVD in some patients with PCOS. Current literature indicates that each of these medication classes has beneficial effects on inflammation, as well. Although there are currently no studies to determine whether these treatments decrease CVD in PCOS, it can be hypothesized that drugs impacting chronic inflammation may reduce cardiovascular risk. Some studies show that metformin, thiazolidinediones, and statins have beneficial effects on inflammatory markers in PCOS; however, the data are inconsistent. There is insufficient information to recommend any pharmacologic therapies for their antiinflammatory effects in PCOS in the

  6. Sitosterol prevents obesity-related chronic inflammation.

    PubMed

    Kurano, Makoto; Hasegawa, Koji; Kunimi, Motoei; Hara, Masumi; Yatomi, Yutaka; Teramoto, Tamio; Tsukamoto, Kazuhisa

    2018-02-01

    The physiological roles of phytosterols in chronic inflammation, which are believed to be involved in the underlying mechanisms for metabolic diseases, have yet to be elucidated. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to elucidate the physiological roles of phytosterols in both clinical studies and animal experiments. We observed the existence of rather specific negative correlations between the serum sitosterol level and the serum IL-6 and the TNF-α levels in both diabetic subjects (n=46) and non-diabetic subjects (n=178). Multiple regression analyses also revealed that the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels exhibited strong negative correlations with the serum sitosterol levels. When ABCG5/8 KO mice with markedly elevated plasma sitosterol levels and ABCG5/8 hetero mice were fed a high-fat diet, we observed that the increase in body weight, the fatty liver changes, and the expansion of perigonadal adipose tissues were suppressed in ABCG5/8 KO mice without any modulation of food intake. We also observed that the plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels, the expressions of TNF-α and PAI-1 in the liver and the expressions of the IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 levels in the adipose tissue were lower in ABCG5/8 KO mice. These results suggest that sitosterol might suppress obesity-related chronic inflammation and might be applicable to the treatment of metabolic diseases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Biomarkers of One-Carbon Metabolism Are Associated with Biomarkers of Inflammation in Women123

    PubMed Central

    Abbenhardt, Clare; Miller, Joshua W.; Song, Xiaoling; Brown, Elissa C.; Cheng, Ting-Yuan David; Wener, Mark H.; Zheng, Yingye; Toriola, Adetunji T.; Neuhouser, Marian L.; Beresford, Shirley A. A.; Makar, Karen W.; Bailey, Lynn B.; Maneval, David R.; Green, Ralph; Manson, JoAnn E.; Van Horn, Linda; Ulrich, Cornelia M.

    2014-01-01

    Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism is essential for DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation. Perturbations in one-carbon metabolism have been implicated in increased risk of some cancers and may also affect inflammatory processes. We investigated these interrelated pathways to understand their relation. The objective was to explore associations between inflammation and biomarkers of nutritional status and one-carbon metabolism. In a cross-sectional study in 1976 women selected from the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, plasma vitamin B-6 [pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP)], plasma vitamin B-12, plasma folate, and RBC folate were measured as nutritional biomarkers; serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were measured as biomarkers of inflammation; and homocysteine and cysteine were measured as integrated biomarkers of one-carbon metabolism. Student’s t, chi-square, and Spearman rank correlations, along with multiple linear regressions, were used to explore relations between biomarkers; additionally, we tested stratification by folic acid fortification period and multivitamin use. With the use of univariate analysis, plasma PLP was the only nutritional biomarker that was modestly significantly correlated with serum CRP and SAA (ρ = −0.22 and −0.12, respectively; P < 0.0001). Homocysteine (μmol/L) showed significant inverse correlations with all nutritional biomarkers (ranging from ρ = −0.30 to ρ = −0.46; all P < 0.0001). With the use of multiple linear regression, plasma PLP, RBC folate, homocysteine, and cysteine were identified as independent predictors of CRP; and PLP, vitamin B-12, RBC folate, and homocysteine were identified as predictors of SAA. When stratified by folic acid fortification period, nutrition-homocysteine correlations were generally weaker in the postfortification period, whereas associations between plasma PLP and serum CRP increased. Biomarkers of inflammation are associated with PLP, RBC folate, and

  8. Healthy effect of different proportions of marine ω-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA supplementation in Wistar rats: Lipidomic biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation.

    PubMed

    Dasilva, Gabriel; Pazos, Manuel; García-Egido, Eduardo; Gallardo, Jose Manuel; Rodríguez, Isaac; Cela, Rafael; Medina, Isabel

    2015-11-01

    Dietary intervention with ω-3 marine fatty acids may potentially modulate inflammation and oxidative stress markers related with CVD, metabolic syndrome and cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether different proportions of ω-3 EPA and DHA intake provoke a modulation of the production of lipid mediators and then, an influence on different indexes of inflammation and oxidative stress in a controlled dietary animal experiment using Wistar rats. For such scope, a lipidomic SPE-LC-ESI-MS/MS approach previously developed was applied to determine lipid mediators profile in plasma samples. The effect of ω-3 fatty acids associated to different ratios EPA:DHA was compared with the effect exerted by ω-3 ALA supplementation from linseed oil and ω-6 LA from soybean oil. CRP showed a tendency to greater inflammatory status in all ω-3-fed animals. Interestingly, ratios 1:1 and 2:1 EPA:DHA evidenced a noteworthy healthy effect generating a less oxidative environment and modulating LOX and COX activities toward a decrease in the production of proinflammatory ARA eicosanoids and oxidative stress biomarkers from EPA and DHA. In addition, the ability of 1:1 and 2:1 fish oil diets to reduce lipid mediator levels was in concurrence with the protective effect exerted by decreasing inflammatory markers as ω-6/ω-3 ratio in plasma and membranes. It was also highlighted the effect of a higher DHA amount in the diet reducing the healthy benefits described in terms of inflammation and oxidative stress. Results support the antiinflammatory and antioxidative role of fish oils and, particularly, the effect of adequate proportions EPA:DHA. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Estimation of plasma ion saturation current and reduced tip arcing using Langmuir probe harmonics.

    PubMed

    Boedo, J A; Rudakov, D L

    2017-03-01

    We present a method to calculate the ion saturation current, I sat , for Langmuir probes at high frequency (>100 kHz) using the harmonics technique and we compare that to a direct measurement of I sat . It is noted that the I sat estimation can be made directly by the ratio of harmonic amplitudes, without explicitly calculating T e . We also demonstrate that since the probe tips using the harmonic method are oscillating near the floating potential, drawing little power, this method reduces tip heating and arcing and allows plasma density measurements at a plasma power flux that would cause continuously biased tips to arc. A multi-probe array is used, with two spatially separated tips employing the harmonics technique and measuring the amplitude of at least two harmonics per tip. A third tip, located between the other two, measures the ion saturation current directly. We compare the measured and calculated ion saturation currents for a variety of plasma conditions and demonstrate the validity of the technique and its use in reducing arcs.

  10. Estimation of plasma ion saturation current and reduced tip arcing using Langmuir probe harmonics

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Boedo, J. A.; Rudakov, D. L.

    Here we present a method to calculate the ion saturation current, I sat, for Langmuir probes at high frequency (>100 kHz) using the harmonics technique and we compare that to a direct measurement of I sat. It is noted that the Isat estimation can be made directly by the ratio of harmonic amplitudes, without explicitly calculating T e. We also demonstrate that since the probe tips using the harmonic method are oscillating near the floating potential, drawing little power, this method reduces tip heating and arcing and allows plasma density measurements at a plasma power flux that would cause continuouslymore » biased tips to arc. A multi-probe array is used, with two spatially separated tips employing the harmonics technique and measuring the amplitude of at least two harmonics per tip. A third tip, located between the other two, measures the ion saturation current directly. We compare the measured and calculated ion saturation currents for a variety of plasma conditions and demonstrate the validity of the technique and it’s use in reducing arcs.« less

  11. Estimation of plasma ion saturation current and reduced tip arcing using Langmuir probe harmonics

    DOE PAGES

    Boedo, J. A.; Rudakov, D. L.

    2017-03-20

    Here we present a method to calculate the ion saturation current, I sat, for Langmuir probes at high frequency (>100 kHz) using the harmonics technique and we compare that to a direct measurement of I sat. It is noted that the Isat estimation can be made directly by the ratio of harmonic amplitudes, without explicitly calculating T e. We also demonstrate that since the probe tips using the harmonic method are oscillating near the floating potential, drawing little power, this method reduces tip heating and arcing and allows plasma density measurements at a plasma power flux that would cause continuouslymore » biased tips to arc. A multi-probe array is used, with two spatially separated tips employing the harmonics technique and measuring the amplitude of at least two harmonics per tip. A third tip, located between the other two, measures the ion saturation current directly. We compare the measured and calculated ion saturation currents for a variety of plasma conditions and demonstrate the validity of the technique and it’s use in reducing arcs.« less

  12. High-nitrate vegetable diet increases plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations and reduces blood pressure in healthy women.

    PubMed

    Ashworth, Ann; Mitchell, Klaus; Blackwell, Jamie R; Vanhatalo, Anni; Jones, Andrew M

    2015-10-01

    Epidemiological studies suggest that green leafy vegetables, which are high in dietary nitrate, are protective against CVD such as stroke. High blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for stroke and inorganic nitrate has been shown to reduce BP. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that diets containing high-nitrate (HN) vegetables would increase plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations and reduce BP in healthy women. A randomized, crossover trial, where participants received HN vegetables (HN diet) or avoided HN vegetables (Control diet) for 1 week. Before and after each intervention, resting BP and plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations were measured. University of Exeter, UK. Nineteen healthy women (mean age 20 (sd 2) years; mean BMI 22·5 (sd 3·8) kg/m2). The HN diet significantly increased plasma nitrate concentration (before HN diet: mean 24·4 (sd 5·6) µmol/l; after HN diet: mean 61·0 (sd 44·1) µmol/l, P<0·05) and plasma nitrite concentration (before HN diet: mean 98 (sd 91) nmol/l; after HN diet: mean 185 (sd 34) nmol/l, P<0·05). No significant change in plasma nitrate or nitrite concentration was observed after the Control diet. The HN diet significantly reduced resting systolic BP (before HN diet: mean 107 (sd 9) mmHg; after HN diet: mean 103 (sd 6) mmHg, P<0·05). No significant change in systolic BP was observed after the Control diet (before Control diet: mean 106 (sd 8) mmHg; after Control diet: mean 106 (sd 8) mmHg). Consumption of HN vegetables significantly increased plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations and reduced BP in normotensive women.

  13. The Impairment of Macrophage-to-Feces Reverse Cholesterol Transport during Inflammation Does Not Depend on Serum Amyloid A

    PubMed Central

    de Beer, Maria C.; Wroblewski, Joanne M.; Noffsinger, Victoria P.; Meyer, Jason M.; van der Westhuyzen, Deneys R.

    2013-01-01

    Studies suggest that inflammation impairs reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). We investigated whether serum amyloid A (SAA) contributes to this impairment using an established macrophage-to-feces RCT model. Wild-type (WT) mice and mice deficient in SAA1.1 and SAA2.1 (SAAKO) were injected intraperitoneally with 3H-cholesterol-labeled J774 macrophages 4 hr after administration of LPS or buffered saline. 3H-cholesterol in plasma 4 hr after macrophage injection was significantly reduced in both WT and SAAKO mice injected with LPS, but this was not associated with a reduced capacity of serum from LPS-injected mice to promote macrophage cholesterol efflux in vitro. Hepatic accumulation of 3H-cholesterol was unaltered in either WT or SAAKO mice by LPS treatment. Radioactivity present in bile and feces of LPS-injected WT mice 24 hr after macrophage injection was reduced by 36% (P < 0.05) and 80% (P < 0.001), respectively. In contrast, in SAAKO mice, LPS did not significantly reduce macrophage-derived 3H-cholesterol in bile, and fecal excretion was reduced by only 45% (P < 0.05). Injection of cholesterol-loaded allogeneic J774 cells, but not syngeneic bone-marrow-derived macrophages, transiently induced SAA in C57BL/6 mice. Our study confirms reports that acute inflammation impairs steps in the RCT pathway and establishes that SAA plays only a minor role in this impairment. PMID:23431457

  14. The Impairment of Macrophage-to-Feces Reverse Cholesterol Transport during Inflammation Does Not Depend on Serum Amyloid A.

    PubMed

    de Beer, Maria C; Wroblewski, Joanne M; Noffsinger, Victoria P; Ji, Ailing; Meyer, Jason M; van der Westhuyzen, Deneys R; de Beer, Frederick C; Webb, Nancy R

    2013-01-01

    Studies suggest that inflammation impairs reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). We investigated whether serum amyloid A (SAA) contributes to this impairment using an established macrophage-to-feces RCT model. Wild-type (WT) mice and mice deficient in SAA1.1 and SAA2.1 (SAAKO) were injected intraperitoneally with (3)H-cholesterol-labeled J774 macrophages 4 hr after administration of LPS or buffered saline. (3)H-cholesterol in plasma 4 hr after macrophage injection was significantly reduced in both WT and SAAKO mice injected with LPS, but this was not associated with a reduced capacity of serum from LPS-injected mice to promote macrophage cholesterol efflux in vitro. Hepatic accumulation of (3)H-cholesterol was unaltered in either WT or SAAKO mice by LPS treatment. Radioactivity present in bile and feces of LPS-injected WT mice 24 hr after macrophage injection was reduced by 36% (P < 0.05) and 80% (P < 0.001), respectively. In contrast, in SAAKO mice, LPS did not significantly reduce macrophage-derived (3)H-cholesterol in bile, and fecal excretion was reduced by only 45% (P < 0.05). Injection of cholesterol-loaded allogeneic J774 cells, but not syngeneic bone-marrow-derived macrophages, transiently induced SAA in C57BL/6 mice. Our study confirms reports that acute inflammation impairs steps in the RCT pathway and establishes that SAA plays only a minor role in this impairment.

  15. Infection, inflammation and exercise in cystic fibrosis

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Regular exercise is positively associated with health. It has also been suggested to exert anti-inflammatory effects. In healthy subjects, a single exercise session results in immune cell activation, which is characterized by production of immune modulatory peptides (e.g. IL-6, IL-8), a leukocytosis and enhanced immune cell functions. Upon cessation of exercise, immune activation is followed by a tolerizing phase, characterized by a reduced responsiveness of immune cells. Regular exercise of moderate intensity and duration has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects and is associated with a reduced disease incidence and viral infection susceptibility. Specific exercise programs may therefore be used to modify the course of chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF). Patients with CF suffer from severe and chronic pulmonary infections and inflammation, leading to obstructive and restrictive pulmonary disease, exercise intolerance and muscle cachexia. Inflammation is characterized by a hyper-inflammatory phenotype. Patients are encouraged to engage in exercise programs to maintain physical fitness, quality of life, pulmonary function and health. In this review, we present an overview of available literature describing the association between regular exercise, inflammation and infection susceptibility and discuss the implications of these observations for prevention and treatment of inflammation and infection susceptibility in patients with CF. PMID:23497303

  16. Adrenic acid as an inflammation enhancer in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

    PubMed

    Horas H Nababan, Saut; Nishiumi, Shin; Kawano, Yuki; Kobayashi, Takashi; Yoshida, Masaru; Azuma, Takeshi

    2017-06-01

    This study was designed to identify novel links between lipid species and disease progression in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We analyzed lipid species in the liver and plasma of db/db mice fed a choline-deficient l-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). An in vitro experiment was performed using HepG2 cells stimulated with recombinant human TNFα or IL1β. The expression of steatosis-, inflammation-, and fibrosis-related genes were analyzed. Plasma samples from NAFLD patients were also analyzed by LC/MS. The CDAHFD-fed db/db mice with hepatic steatosis, inflammation, mild fibrosis, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia displayed significantly higher hepatic and plasma levels of free adrenic acid (p < 0.05). The accumulated adrenic acid in the CDAHFD-fed db/db mice was associated with increased expression of ELOVL2 and 5, and the suppression of the acyl-CoA oxidase 1 gene during peroxisomal β-oxidation. The pretreatment of HepG2 cells with adrenic acid enhanced their cytokine-induced cytokines and chemokines mRNA expression. In NAFLD patients, the group with the highest ALT levels exhibited higher plasma adrenic acid concentrations than the other ALT groups (p-value for trend <0.001). Data obtained demonstrated that adrenic acid accumulation contributes to disease progression in NAFLD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Associations Between Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplement Use and Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Lampe, Johanna W.; Navarro, Sandi L.; Song, Xiaoling; Milne, Ginger L.; White, Emily

    2014-01-01

    Abstract Objectives: Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in both in vitro studies and animal models; however, little is known about these relationships in humans. The VITamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) biomarker study evaluated the associations between use of these supplements and a panel of circulating inflammatory biomarkers. Design: Study participants included 217 men and women age 50–75 years living in the Seattle metropolitan area. Use of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements was ascertained by home interview/supplement inventory. Inflammation was assessed by using blood and urine collected at the time of home interview. Measures of systemic inflammation included plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble TNF receptors I and II, and urinary prostaglandin E2-metabolite (PGE-M). Multivariate-adjusted linear regression was used to evaluate the associations between supplement use and biomarkers of inflammation. Results: High users (14 or more pills/week) of chondroitin had 36% lower hsCRP (ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39–1.04; p for trend=.03) and 27% lower PGE-M (ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.5–0.98; p for trend=.07) than nonusers. Compared with nonusers, high users of glucosamine had 28% lower hsCRP (ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.47–1.08; p for trend=.09) and 24% lower PGE-M (ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59–0.97; p for trend=0.10). Use of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements was not associated with the other markers of inflammation. Conclusions: These results support prior research suggesting that use of glucosamine and chondroitin is associated with reduced hsCRP and PGE2, but further work is needed to more definitively evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of these supplements. PMID:24738579

  18. A Nonerythropoietic Peptide that Mimics the 3D Structure of Erythropoietin Reduces Organ Injury/Dysfunction and Inflammation in Experimental Hemorrhagic Shock

    PubMed Central

    Patel, Nimesh SA; Nandra, Kiran K; Brines, Michael; Collino, Massimo; Wong, WS Fred; Kapoor, Amar; Benetti, Elisa; Goh, Fera Y; Fantozzi, Roberto; Cerami, Anthony; Thiemermann, Christoph

    2011-01-01

    Recent studies have shown that erythropoietin, critical for the differentiation and survival of erythrocytes, has cytoprotective effects in a wide variety of tissues, including the kidney and lung. However, erythropoietin has been shown to have a serious side effect—an increase in thrombovascular effects. We investigated whether pyroglutamate helix B-surface peptide (pHBSP), a nonerythropoietic tissue-protective peptide mimicking the 3D structure of erythropoietin, protects against the organ injury/ dysfunction and inflammation in rats subjected to severe hemorrhagic shock (HS). Mean arterial blood pressure was reduced to 35 ± 5 mmHg for 90 min followed by resuscitation with 20 mL/kg Ringer Lactate for 10 min and 50% of the shed blood for 50 min. Rats were euthanized 4 h after the onset of resuscitation. pHBSP was administered 30 min or 60 min into resuscitation. HS resulted in significant organ injury/dysfunction (renal, hepatic, pancreas, neuromuscular, lung) and inflammation (lung). In rats subjected to HS, pHBSP significantly attenuated (i) organ injury/dysfunction (renal, hepatic, pancreas, neuromuscular, lung) and inflammation (lung), (ii) increased the phosphorylation of Akt, glycogen synthase kinase-3β and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, (iii) attenuated the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and (iv) attenuated the increase in p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation. pHBSP protects against multiple organ injury/dysfunction and inflammation caused by severe hemorrhagic shock by a mechanism that may involve activation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and NF-κB. PMID:21607291

  19. Can Probiotics Reduce Inflammation and Enhance Gut Immune Health in People Living with HIV: Study Designs for the Probiotic Visbiome for Inflammation and Translocation (PROOV IT) Pilot Trials.

    PubMed

    Kim, Connie J; Walmsley, Sharon L; Raboud, Janet M; Kovacs, Colin; Coburn, Bryan; Rousseau, Rodney; Reinhard, Robert; Rosenes, Ron; Kaul, Rupert

    2016-07-01

    Despite substantial improvements in HIV outcomes with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), morbidity and mortality remain above population norms. The gut mucosal immune system is not completely restored by cART, and the resultant microbial translocation may contribute to chronic inflammation, inadequate CD4 T-cell recovery, and increased rates of serious non-AIDS events. Since the microbial environment surrounding a CD4 T cell may influence its development and function, we hypothesize that probiotics provided during cART might reduce inflammation and improve gut immune health in HIV-positive treatment-naïve individuals (PROOV IT I) and individuals with suboptimal CD4 recovery on cART (PROOV IT II). These prospective, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter pilot studies will assess the impact of the probiotic Visbiome at 900 billion bacteria daily. Forty HIV positive cART-naïve men will be randomized in the PROOV IT I study, coincident with antiretroviral initiation, and be followed for 24 weeks. In PROOV IT II, 36 men on cART, but with a CD4 T-cell count below 350 cells/mm(3) will be followed for 48 weeks. The primary outcome for both studies is the comparison of blood CD8 T-cell immune activation. Secondary analyses will include comparison of blood inflammatory biomarkers, microbial translocation, blood and gut immunology and HIV levels, the bacterial community composition, diet, intestinal permeability, and the safety, adherence and tolerability of the study product. These studies will evaluate the ability of probiotics as a safe and tolerable therapeutic intervention to reduce systemic immune activation and to accelerate gut immune restoration in people living with HIV.

  20. Effect of N-acetylcysteine treatment on oxidative stress and inflammation after severe burn.

    PubMed

    Csontos, C; Rezman, B; Foldi, V; Bogar, L; Drenkovics, L; Röth, E; Weber, G; Lantos, J

    2012-05-01

    Oxidative stress and inflammation generate edema in burns. The aim of our study was to assess effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on oxidative stress, inflammation, fluid requirement, multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) score and vasoactive drug requirement. In this study 15 patients were on standard therapy, whereas for other 15 patients NAC was supplemented. Blood samples were taken on admission and on the next five consecutive mornings. Levels of malondialdehyde, protein sulfhydril (PSH) groups, reduced gluthation (GSH), activity of myeloperoxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes and induced free radical generating capacity were measured as well as concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. MOD score, use of vasopressor agents and fluid utilisation were recorded daily. NAC treatment increased GSH level on days 4-5 (p<0.05) and PSH level on days 2-6 (p<0.05) compared to controls. Plasma IL-6 was lower on days 4-5 (p<0.05), IL-8 on days 4-6 (p<0.05) and IL-10 on days 4-6 (p<0.05) in NAC group. NAC group received less catecholamines than controls (p<0.01) from day 4 without significant differences in MOD score. NAC treatment is associated with a diminished oxidative stress reflected in preserved antioxidant levels, lower inflammation mirrored in lower interleukin levels and less vasopressor requirement. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  1. Glucose ingestion stimulates atherothrombotic inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome

    PubMed Central

    Kirwan, John P.; Rote, Neal S.; Minium, Judi

    2013-01-01

    Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have chronic low-grade inflammation that can increase the risk of atherothrombosis. We performed a cross-sectional study to examine the effect of glucose ingestion on markers of atherothrombotic inflammation in mononuclear cells (MNC) of 16 women with PCOS (8 lean, 8 obese) and 16 weight-matched controls. Activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation and the protein content of early growth response-1 (EGR-1), matrix matalloproteinases-2 (MMP2), and tissue factor (TF) were quantified from MNC obtained from blood drawn fasting and 2 h after glucose ingestion. Plasma MMP9 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured from fasting blood samples. Truncal fat was determined by DEXA. Lean women with PCOS exhibited greater AP-1 activation and MMP2 protein content after glucose ingestion and higher plasma MMP9 and CRP levels than lean controls. Obese women with PCOS exhibited greater EGR-1 and TF protein content after glucose ingestion, and plasma CRP levels were even higher compared with lean subjects regardless of PCOS status. Truncal fat correlated with MMP9 and CRP levels and glucose-stimulated increases in AP-1 activation and EGR-1 and TF protein content. Testosterone correlated with glucose-stimulated AP-1 activation, and androstenedione correlated with MMP9 and CRP levels and glucose-stimulated AP-1 activation. Thus, both PCOS and obesity contribute to an atherothrombotic state in which excess abdominal adiposity and hyperandrogenism may be specific risk factors for developing atherothrombosis. PMID:23249695

  2. Short-term weight loss attenuates local tissue inflammation and improves insulin sensitivity without affecting adipose inflammation in obese mice.

    PubMed

    Jung, Dae Young; Ko, Hwi Jin; Lichtman, Eben I; Lee, Eunjung; Lawton, Elizabeth; Ong, Helena; Yu, Kristine; Azuma, Yoshihiro; Friedline, Randall H; Lee, Ki Won; Kim, Jason K

    2013-05-01

    Obesity is a major cause of insulin resistance, and weight loss is shown to improve glucose homeostasis. But the underlying mechanism and the role of inflammation remain unclear. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 wk. After HFD, weight loss was induced by changing to a low-fat diet (LFD) or exercise with continuous HFD. The weight loss effects on energy balance and insulin sensitivity were determined using metabolic cages and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps in awake mice. Diet and exercise intervention for 3 wk caused a modest weight loss and improved glucose homeostasis. Weight loss dramatically reduced local inflammation in skeletal muscle, liver, and heart but not in adipose tissue. Exercise-mediated weight loss increased muscle glucose metabolism without affecting Akt phosphorylation or lipid levels. LFD-mediated weight loss reduced lipid levels and improved insulin sensitivity selectively in liver. Both weight loss interventions improved cardiac glucose metabolism. These results demonstrate that a short-term weight loss with exercise or diet intervention attenuates obesity-induced local inflammation and selectively improves insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle and liver. Our findings suggest that local factors, not adipose tissue inflammation, are involved in the beneficial effects of weight loss on glucose homeostasis.

  3. Differences in inflammation and acute phase response but similar genotoxicity in mice following pulmonary exposure to graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide

    PubMed Central

    Bengtson, Stefan; Knudsen, Kristina B.; Kyjovska, Zdenka O.; Berthing, Trine; Skaug, Vidar; Levin, Marcus; Koponen, Ismo K.; Shivayogimath, Abhay; Booth, Timothy J.; Alonso, Beatriz; Pesquera, Amaia; Zurutuza, Amaia; Thomsen, Birthe L.; Troelsen, Jesper T.; Jacobsen, Nicklas R.

    2017-01-01

    We investigated toxicity of 2–3 layered >1 μm sized graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in mice following single intratracheal exposure with respect to pulmonary inflammation, acute phase response (biomarker for risk of cardiovascular disease) and genotoxicity. In addition, we assessed exposure levels of particulate matter emitted during production of graphene in a clean room and in a normal industrial environment using chemical vapour deposition. Toxicity was evaluated at day 1, 3, 28 and 90 days (18, 54 and 162 μg/mouse), except for GO exposed mice at day 28 and 90 where only the lowest dose was evaluated. GO induced a strong acute inflammatory response together with a pulmonary (Serum-Amyloid A, Saa3) and hepatic (Saa1) acute phase response. rGO induced less acute, but a constant and prolonged inflammation up to day 90. Lung histopathology showed particle agglomerates at day 90 without signs of fibrosis. In addition, DNA damage in BAL cells was observed across time points and doses for both GO and rGO. In conclusion, pulmonary exposure to GO and rGO induced inflammation, acute phase response and genotoxicity but no fibrosis. PMID:28570647

  4. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Improves Insulin Resistance With Reduced Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Obesity.

    PubMed

    Ham, Mira; Choe, Sung Sik; Shin, Kyung Cheul; Choi, Goun; Kim, Ji-Won; Noh, Jung-Ran; Kim, Yong-Hoon; Ryu, Je-Won; Yoon, Kun-Ho; Lee, Chul-Ho; Kim, Jae Bum

    2016-09-01

    Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), a rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway, plays important roles in redox regulation and de novo lipogenesis. It was recently demonstrated that aberrant upregulation of G6PD in obese adipose tissue mediates insulin resistance as a result of imbalanced energy metabolism and oxidative stress. It remains elusive, however, whether inhibition of G6PD in vivo may relieve obesity-induced insulin resistance. In this study we showed that a hematopoietic G6PD defect alleviates insulin resistance in obesity, accompanied by reduced adipose tissue inflammation. Compared with wild-type littermates, G6PD-deficient mutant (G6PD(mut)) mice were glucose tolerant upon high-fat-diet (HFD) feeding. Intriguingly, the expression of NADPH oxidase genes to produce reactive oxygen species was alleviated, whereas that of antioxidant genes was enhanced in the adipose tissue of HFD-fed G6PD(mut) mice. In diet-induced obesity (DIO), the adipose tissue of G6PD(mut) mice decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines, accompanied by downregulated proinflammatory macrophages. Accordingly, macrophages from G6PD(mut) mice greatly suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory signaling cascades, leading to enhanced insulin sensitivity in adipocytes and hepatocytes. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of G6PD(mut) bone marrow to wild-type mice attenuated adipose tissue inflammation and improved glucose tolerance in DIO. Collectively, these data suggest that inhibition of macrophage G6PD would ameliorate insulin resistance in obesity through suppression of proinflammatory responses. © 2016 by the American Diabetes Association.

  5. Atorvastatin therapy reduces interferon-regulated chemokine CXCL9 plasma levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

    PubMed

    Ferreira, G A; Teixeira, A L; Sato, E I

    2010-07-01

    A recent study showed transcriptional levels of interferon-inducible chemokines in peripheral blood cells were associated with disease activity and organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus, and may be useful in monitoring disease activity and prognosis. Our objective was to evaluate the capacity of atorvastatin to reduce plasma levels of interferon-regulated chemokines (CCL2, CCL3 and CXCL9) and to study the correlation between these chemokines and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Eighty-eight female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were divided into two groups: 64 receiving 20 mg/day of atorvastatin (intervention group) and 24 without atorvastatin (control group). All patients were followed for 8 weeks. At baseline and after 8 weeks laboratory tests were performed for all patients. Plasma levels of chemokines were measured by ELISA using commercial kits (DuoSet, R&D Systems, Minneapolis, USA). In a univariate analysis we found correlation between CCL2, CCL3 and CXCL9 plasma levels and SLEDAI score. In the intervention group we observed a significant decrease in CXCL9 plasma levels comparing baseline and levels at the end of the study (p = 0.04); however, no differences were observed regarding CCL2 or CCL3 plasma levels in this study. No significant difference was observed in the plasma levels of these chemokines in the control group. We conclude that treatment with atorvastatin was associated with a significant decrease in the plasma levels of CXCL9 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. As the plasma levels of CXCL9 correlated with the SLEDAI score, we ask whether reducing levels of this chemokine could help to control systemic lupus erythematosus activity.

  6. A pathophysiological role of PDE3 in allergic airway inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Beute, Jan; Lukkes, Melanie; Koekoek, Ewout P.; Nastiti, Hedwika; Ganesh, Keerthana; de Bruijn, Marjolein J.W.; Hockman, Steve; van Nimwegen, Menno; Braunstahl, Gert-Jan; Boon, Louis; Lambrecht, Bart N.; Manganiello, Vince C.; Hendriks, Rudi W.

    2018-01-01

    Phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) and PDE4 regulate levels of cyclic AMP, which are critical in various cell types involved in allergic airway inflammation. Although PDE4 inhibition attenuates allergic airway inflammation, reported side effects preclude its application as an antiasthma drug in humans. Case reports showed that enoximone, which is a smooth muscle relaxant that inhibits PDE3, is beneficial and lifesaving in status asthmaticus and is well tolerated. However, clinical observations also showed antiinflammatory effects of PDE3 inhibition. In this study, we investigated the role of PDE3 in a house dust mite–driven (HDM-driven) allergic airway inflammation (AAI) model that is characterized by T helper 2 cell activation, eosinophilia, and reduced mucosal barrier function. Compared with wild-type (WT) littermates, mice with a targeted deletion of the PDE3A or PDE3B gene showed significantly reduced HDM-driven AAI. Therapeutic intervention in WT mice showed that all hallmarks of HDM-driven AAI were abrogated by the PDE3 inhibitors enoximone and milrinone. Importantly, we found that enoximone also reduced the upregulation of the CD11b integrin on mouse and human eosinophils in vitro, which is crucial for their recruitment during allergic inflammation. This study provides evidence for a hitherto unknown antiinflammatory role of PDE3 inhibition in allergic airway inflammation and offers a potentially novel treatment approach. PMID:29367458

  7. Overlap Chronic Placental Inflammation Is Associated with a Unique Gene Expression Pattern.

    PubMed

    Raman, Kripa; Wang, Huaqing; Troncone, Michael J; Khan, Waliul I; Pare, Guillaume; Terry, Jefferson

    2015-01-01

    Breakdown of the balance between maternal pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways is thought to allow an anti-fetal maternal immune response that underlies development of chronic placental inflammation. Chronic placental inflammation is manifested by the influx of maternal inflammatory cells, including lymphocytes, histiocytes, and plasma cells, into the placental membranes, villi, and decidua. These infiltrates are recognized pathologically as chronic chorioamnionitis, chronic villitis of unknown etiology, and chronic deciduitis. Each of these histological entities is associated with adverse fetal outcomes including intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth. Studying the gene expression patterns in chronically inflamed placenta, particularly when overlapping histologies are present, may lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanism(s). Therefore, this study compared tissue with and without chronic placental inflammation, manifested as overlapping chronic chorioamnionitis, chronic villitis of unknown etiology, and chronic deciduitis. RNA expression profiling was conducted on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded placental tissue using Illumina microarrays. IGJ was the most significant differentially expressed gene identified and had increased expression in the inflamed tissue. In addition, IGLL1, CXCL13, CD27, CXCL9, ICOS, and KLRC1 had increased expression in the inflamed placental samples. These differentially expressed genes are associated with T follicular helper cells, natural killer cells, and B cells. Furthermore, these genes differ from those typically associated with the individual components of chronic placental inflammation, such as chronic villitis, suggesting that the inflammatory infiltrate associated with overlapping chronic chorioamnionitis, chronic villitis of unknown etiology, and chronic deciduitis differs is unique. To further explore and validate gene expression findings, we conducted immunohistochemical assessment of protein level

  8. Plasma biomarkers of chronic inflammation are elevated in overweight Mexican-American children

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Excess body weight is associated with an accumulation of chronic, low-grade inflammation that has been implicated in the pathophysiology of various diseases. The obesity epidemic is more prevalent in certain ethnic groups. Despite this health disparity, few published studies have measured biomarke...

  9. Co-causation of reduced newborn size by maternal undernutrition, infections, and inflammation.

    PubMed

    Ashorn, Per; Hallamaa, Lotta; Allen, Lindsay H; Ashorn, Ulla; Chandrasiri, Upeksha; Deitchler, Megan; Doyle, Ronan; Harjunmaa, Ulla; Jorgensen, Josh M; Kamiza, Steve; Klein, Nigel; Maleta, Kenneth; Nkhoma, Minyanga; Oaks, Brietta M; Poelman, Basho; Rogerson, Stephen J; Stewart, Christine P; Zeilani, Mamane; Dewey, Kathryn G

    2018-01-08

    More than 20 million babies are born with low birthweight annually. Small newborns have an increased risk for mortality, growth failure, and other adverse outcomes. Numerous antenatal risk factors for small newborn size have been identified, but individual interventions addressing them have not markedly improved the health outcomes of interest. We tested a hypothesis that in low-income settings, newborn size is influenced jointly by multiple maternal exposures and characterized pathways associating these exposures with newborn size. This was a prospective cohort study of pregnant women and their offspring nested in an intervention trial in rural Malawi. We collected information on maternal and placental characteristics and used regression analyses, structural equation modelling, and random forest models to build pathway maps for direct and indirect associations between these characteristics and newborn weight-for-age Z-score and length-for-age Z-score. We used multiple imputation to infer values for any missing data. Among 1,179 pregnant women and their babies, newborn weight-for-age Z-score was directly predicted by maternal primiparity, body mass index, and plasma alpha-1-acid glycoprotein concentration before 20 weeks of gestation, gestational weight gain, duration of pregnancy, placental weight, and newborn length-for-age Z-score (p < .05). The latter 5 variables were interconnected and were predicted by several more distal determinants. In low-income conditions like rural Malawi, maternal infections, inflammation, nutrition, and certain constitutional factors jointly influence newborn size. Because of this complex network, comprehensive interventions that concurrently address multiple adverse exposures are more likely to increase mean newborn size than focused interventions targeting only maternal nutrition or specific infections. © 2018 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  10. [Hygienic study and evaluation of textile materials with reduced combustibility with reference to the use of the new anti-inflammable preparations Pyrofix 2 and Torflam].

    PubMed

    Uzunova, S; Baĭnova, A; Iordanova, I; Dolova, D

    1986-01-01

    The new anti-flammable preparations, proposed by the Higher Chemical Technology Institute (Sofia), were studied, namely: Pyrofix 2--for treatment of textile materials and Torflam--for production of anti-inflammable polyester fibres. The following parameters were studied: skin-irritating and skin-sensitizing effect of both preparations, skin toxic effect of Pyrofix 2 and migration of chemicals from the anti-inflammable textile materials (from the composition of the preparations used). The results obtained revealed the absence of skin-irritating and skin-sensitizing effect of both preparations and cumulative dermal toxicity of Pyrofix 2. The textile materials with reduced combustibility are chemically stable and do not release compounds in the contact aqueous medium, imitating the underclothes space. Formaldehyde from recipe for the treatment of Pyrofix 2 migrates in the air environment. In conclusion, Pyrofix 2 could be applied for the final anti-inflammable treatment of the textile materials for industrial needs, working garments and everyday textile (with the elimination of formaldehyde compound from the recipe). Torflam could be used in the production of anti-inflammable polyester fibres for textile materials intended for industry and everyday life without immediate contact with the skin of the consumers.

  11. Muscle-specific inflammation induced by MCP-1 overexpression does not affect whole-body insulin sensitivity in mice.

    PubMed

    Evers-van Gogh, Inkie J A; Oteng, Antwi-Boasiako; Alex, Sheril; Hamers, Nicole; Catoire, Milene; Stienstra, Rinke; Kalkhoven, Eric; Kersten, Sander

    2016-03-01

    Obesity is associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation that is believed to contribute to the development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance. However, the extent to which local and systemic elevation of cytokines, such as monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), interferes with the action of insulin and promotes insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in muscle remains unclear. Here, we aim to investigate the effect of muscle-specific overexpression of MCP-1 on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in lean and obese mice. We used Mck-Mcp-1 transgenic (Tg) mice characterised by muscle-specific overexpression of Mcp-1 (also known as Ccl2) and elevated plasma MCP-1 levels. Mice were fed either chow or high-fat diet for 10 weeks. Numerous metabolic variables were measured, including glucose and insulin tolerance tests, muscle insulin signalling and plasma NEFA, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, glucose and insulin. Despite clearly promoting skeletal muscle inflammation, muscle-specific overexpression of Mcp-1 did not influence glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity in either lean chow-fed or diet-induced obese mice. In addition, plasma NEFA, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, glucose and insulin were not affected by MCP-1 overexpression. Finally, in vivo insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation in skeletal muscle did not differ between Mcp-1-Tg and wild-type mice. We show that increased MCP-1 production in skeletal muscle and concomitant elevated MCP-1 levels in plasma promote inflammation in skeletal muscle but do not influence insulin signalling and have no effect on insulin resistance and glucose tolerance in lean and obese mice. Overall, our data argue against MCP-1 promoting insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and raise questions about the impact of inflammation on insulin sensitivity in muscle.

  12. Uteroplacental insufficiency reduces rat plasma leptin concentrations and alters placental leptin transporters: ameliorated with enhanced milk intake and nutrition

    PubMed Central

    Briffa, Jessica F.; O'Dowd, Rachael; Moritz, Karen M.; Romano, Tania; Jedwab, Lisa R.; McAinch, Andrew J.; Hryciw, Deanne H.

    2017-01-01

    Key points Uteroplacental insufficiency compromises maternal mammary development, milk production and pup organ development; this is ameliorated by cross‐fostering, which improves pup growth and organ development and prevents adult diseases in growth‐restricted (Restricted) offspring by enhancing postnatal nutrition.Leptin is transported to the fetus from the mother by the placenta; we report reduced plasma leptin concentrations in Restricted fetuses associated with sex‐specific alterations in placental leptin transporter expression.Pup plasma leptin concentrations were also reduced during suckling, which may suggest reduced milk leptin transport or leptin reabsorption.Mothers suckled by Restricted pups had impaired mammary development and changes in milk fatty acid composition with no alterations in milk leptin; cross‐fostering restored pup plasma leptin concentrations, which may be correlated to improved milk composition and intake.Increased plasma leptin and altered milk fatty acid composition in Restricted pups suckling mothers with normal lactation may improve postnatal growth and prevent adult diseases. Abstract Uteroplacental insufficiency reduces birth weight and adversely affects fetal organ development, increasing adult disease risk. Cross‐fostering improves postnatal nutrition and restores these deficits. Mothers with growth‐restricted pups have compromised milk production and composition; however, the impact cross‐fostering has on milk production and composition is unknown. Plasma leptin concentrations peak during the completion of organogenesis, which occurs postnatally in rats. Leptin is transferred to the fetus via the placenta and to the pup via the lactating mammary gland. This study investigated the effect of uteroplacental insufficiency on pup plasma leptin concentrations and placental leptin transporters. We additionally examined whether cross‐fostering improves mammary development, milk composition and pup plasma leptin

  13. Dietary Aloe Improves Insulin Sensitivity via the Suppression of Obesity-induced Inflammation in Obese Mice

    PubMed Central

    Shin, Eunju; Shim, Kyu-Suk; Kong, Hyunseok; Lee, Sungwon; Shin, Seulmee; Kwon, Jeunghak; Jo, Tae Hyung; Park, Young-In; Lee, Chong-Kil

    2011-01-01

    Background Insulin resistance is an integral feature of metabolic syndromes, including obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we evaluated whether the aloe component could reduce obesity-induced inflammation and the occurrence of metabolic disorders such as blood glucose and insulin resistance. Methods Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of aloe formula (PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and Aloe QDM complex) or pioglitazone (PGZ) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation. Results Aloe QDM lowered fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin compared with HFD. Obesity-induced inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, -6, -12, TNF-α) and chemokine (CX3CL1, CCL5) mRNA and protein were decreased markedly, as was macrophage infiltration and hepatic triglycerides by Aloe QDM. At the same time, Aloe QDM decreased the mRNA and protein of PPARγ/LXRα and 11β-HSD1 both in the liver and WAT. Conclusion Dietary aloe formula reduces obesity-induced glucose tolerance not only by suppressing inflammatory responses but also by inducing anti-inflammatory cytokines in the WAT and liver, both of which are important peripheral tissues affecting insulin resistance. The effect of Aloe QDM complex in the WAT and liver are related to its dual action on PPARγ and 11β-HSD1 expression and its use as a nutritional intervention against T2D and obesity-related inflammation is suggested. PMID:21494375

  14. Diet Supplementation with Allicin Protects against Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice by Improving Anti-inflammation and Antioxidative Functions.

    PubMed

    Panyod, Suraphan; Wu, Wei-Kai; Ho, Chi-Tang; Lu, Kuan-Hung; Liu, Chun-Ting; Chu, Yung-Lin; Lai, Yi-Syuan; Chen, Wei-Cheng; Lin, Yu-En; Lin, Shih-Hang; Sheen, Lee-Yan

    2016-09-28

    This study investigated the liver-protective effects of allicin, an active compound in fresh garlic, against alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and liver inflammation. Its effects were investigated in an AFLD model in male C57BL/6 mice, which were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet containing ethanol. Allicin (5 and 20 mg/kg bw/day) was orally administered daily in the AFLD mice for 4 weeks. The results indicate that allicin promotes hepatoprotection by significantly reducing aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (p < 0.05) in the plasma, which are key indicators of liver damage. Allicin reduced fat accumulation, increased glutathione and catalase levels, and decreased microsomal protein cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression (p < 0.05) in the livers of the AFLD mice. Furthermore, allicin supplementation significantly decreased the levels of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 and suppressed the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) (p < 0.05). Additionally, it improved the hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity (p < 0.05). Collectively, these findings demonstrate that allicin attenuates liver oxidative stress and inflammation.

  15. Inflammation Effects on Motivation and Motor Activity: Role of Dopamine

    PubMed Central

    Felger, Jennifer C; Treadway, Michael T

    2017-01-01

    Motivational and motor deficits are common in patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders, and are related to symptoms of anhedonia and motor retardation. These deficits in motivation and motor function are associated with alterations in corticostriatal neurocircuitry, which may reflect abnormalities in mesolimbic and mesostriatal dopamine (DA). One pathophysiologic pathway that may drive changes in DAergic corticostriatal circuitry is inflammation. Biomarkers of inflammation such as inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins are reliably elevated in a significant proportion of psychiatric patients. A variety of inflammatory stimuli have been found to preferentially target basal ganglia function to lead to impaired motivation and motor activity. Findings have included inflammation-associated reductions in ventral striatal neural responses to reward anticipation, decreased DA and DA metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid, and decreased availability, and release of striatal DA, all of which correlated with symptoms of reduced motivation and/or motor retardation. Importantly, inflammation-associated symptoms are often difficult to treat, and evidence suggests that inflammation may decrease DA synthesis and availability, thus circumventing the efficacy of standard pharmacotherapies. This review will highlight the impact of administration of inflammatory stimuli on the brain in relation to motivation and motor function. Recent data demonstrating similar relationships between increased inflammation and altered DAergic corticostriatal circuitry and behavior in patients with major depressive disorder will also be presented. Finally, we will discuss the mechanisms by which inflammation affects DA neurotransmission and relevance to novel therapeutic strategies to treat reduced motivation and motor symptoms in patients with high inflammation. PMID:27480574

  16. Galantamine alleviates inflammation and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome in a randomized trial

    PubMed Central

    Consolim-Colombo, Fernanda M.; Sangaleti, Carine T.; Morais, Tercio L.; Lopes, Heno F.; Motta, Josiane M.; Irigoyen, Maria C.; Bortoloto, Luiz A.; Harris, Yael Tobi; Olofsson, Peder S.; MacKay, Meggan; Barnaby, Douglas P.; Roth, Jesse; Tracey, Kevin J.; Pavlov, Valentin A.

    2017-01-01

    BACKGROUND. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an obesity-driven condition of pandemic proportions that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood, though inflammation has been implicated in MetS pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of galantamine, a centrally acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor with antiinflammatory properties, on markers of inflammation implicated in insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk, and other metabolic and cardiovascular indices in subjects with MetS. METHODS. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, subjects with MetS (30 per group) received oral galantamine 8 mg daily for 4 weeks, followed by 16 mg daily for 8 weeks or placebo. The primary outcome was inflammation assessed through plasma levels of cytokines and adipokines associated with MetS. Secondary endpoints included body weight, fat tissue depots, plasma glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL), triglycerides, BP, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV). RESULTS. Galantamine resulted in lower plasma levels of proinflammatory molecules TNF (–2.57 pg/ml [95% CI –4.96 to –0.19]; P = 0.035) and leptin (–12.02 ng/ml [95% CI –17.71 to –6.33]; P < 0.0001), and higher levels of the antiinflammatory molecules adiponectin (2.71 μg/ml [95% CI 1.93 to 3.49]; P < 0.0001) and IL-10 (1.32 pg/ml, [95% CI 0.29 to 2.38]; P = 0.002) as compared with placebo. Galantamine also significantly lowered plasma insulin and HOMA-IR values, and altered HRV. CONCLUSION. Low-dose galantamine alleviates inflammation and insulin resistance in MetS subjects. These findings support further study of galantamine in MetS therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION. ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02283242. FUNDING. Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e

  17. Extensive grey matter pathology in the cerebellum in multiple sclerosis is linked to inflammation in the subarachnoid space.

    PubMed

    Howell, Owain W; Schulz-Trieglaff, Elena Katharina; Carassiti, Daniele; Gentleman, Steven M; Nicholas, Richard; Roncaroli, Federico; Reynolds, Richard

    2015-10-01

    Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive inflammatory neurological disease affecting myelin, neurons and glia. Demyelination and neurodegeneration of cortical grey matter contribute to a more severe disease, and inflammation of the forebrain meninges associates with pathology of the underlying neocortical grey matter, particularly in deep sulci. We assessed the extent of meningeal inflammation of the cerebellum, another structure with a deeply folded anatomy, to better understand the association between subarachnoid inflammation and grey matter pathology in progressive MS. We examined demyelinating and neuronal pathology in the context of meningeal inflammation in cerebellar tissue blocks from a cohort of 27 progressive MS cases previously characterized on the basis of the absence/presence of lymphoid-like aggregates in the forebrain meninges, in comparison with 11 non-neurological controls. Demyelination and meningeal inflammation of the cerebellum was greatest in those cases previously characterized as harbouring lymphoid-like structures in the forebrain regions. Meningeal inflammation was mild to moderate in cerebellar tissue blocks, and no lymphoid-like structures were seen. Quantification of meningeal macrophages, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes, B cells and plasma cells revealed that the density of meningeal macrophages associated with microglial activation in the grey matter, and the extent of grey matter demyelination correlated with the density of macrophages and plasma cells in the overlying meninges, and activated microglia of the parenchyma. These data suggest that chronic inflammation is widespread throughout the subarachnoid space and contributes to a more severe subpial demyelinating pathology in the cerebellum. © 2014 British Neuropathological Society.

  18. Combinatorial release of dexamethasone and amiodarone from a nano-structured parylene-C film to reduce perioperative inflammation and atrial fibrillation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Robinson, Erik; Kaushal, Sunjay; Alaboson, Justice; Sharma, Sudhish; Belagodu, Amogh; Watkins, Claire; Walker, Brandon; Webster, Gregory; McCarthy, Patrick; Ho, Dean

    2016-02-01

    Suppressing perioperative inflammation and post-operative atrial fibrillation requires effective drug delivery platforms (DDP). Localized anti-inflammatory and anti-arrhythmic agent release may be more effective than intravenous treatment to improve patient outcomes. This study utilized a dexamethasone (DEX) and amiodarone (AMIO)-loaded Parylene-C (PPX) nano-structured film to inhibit inflammation and atrial fibrillation. The PPX film was tested in an established pericardial adhesion rabbit model. Following sternotomy, the anterior pericardium was resected and the epicardium was abraded. Rabbits were randomly assigned to five treatment groups: control, oxidized PPX (PPX-Oxd), PPX-Oxd infused with DEX (PPX-Oxd[DEX]), native PPX (PPX), and PPX infused with DEX and AMIO (PPX[AMIO, DEX]). 4 weeks post-sternotomy, pericardial adhesions were evaluated for gross adhesions using a 4-point grading system and histological evaluation for epicardial neotissue fibrosis (NTF). Atrial fibrillation duration and time per induction were measured. The PPX[AMIO, DEX] group had a significant reduction in mean adhesion score compared with the control group (control 2.75 +/- 0.42 vs. PPX[AMIO, DEX] 0.25 +/- 0.42, P < 0.001). The PPX[AMIO, DEX] group was similar to native PPX (PPX 0.38 +/- 0.48 vs. PPX[AMIO, DEX] 0.25 +/- 0.42, P&z.dbd;NS). PPX-Oxd group adhesions were indistinguishable from controls (PPX-Oxd 2.83 +/- 0.41 vs. control 2.75 +/- 0.42, P&z.dbd;NS). NTF was reduced in the PPX[AMIO, DEX] group (0.80 +/- 0.10 mm) compared to control (1.78 +/- 0.13 mm, P < 0.001). Total duration of atrial fibrillation was decreased in rabbits with PPX[AMIO, DEX] films compared to control (9.5 +/- 6.8 s vs. 187.6 +/- 174.7 s, p = 0.003). Time of atrial fibrillation per successful induction decreased among PPX[AMIO, DEX] films compared to control (2.8 +/- 1.2 s vs. 103.2 +/- 178 s, p = 0.004). DEX/AMIO-loaded PPX films are associated with reduced perioperative inflammation and a diminished atrial

  19. A gut microbiota-targeted dietary intervention for amelioration of chronic inflammation underlying metabolic syndrome.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Shuiming; Fei, Na; Pang, Xiaoyan; Shen, Jian; Wang, Linghua; Zhang, Baorang; Zhang, Menghui; Zhang, Xiaojun; Zhang, Chenhong; Li, Min; Sun, Lifeng; Xue, Zhengsheng; Wang, Jingjing; Feng, Jie; Yan, Feiyan; Zhao, Naisi; Liu, Jiaqi; Long, Wenmin; Zhao, Liping

    2014-02-01

    Chronic inflammation induced by endotoxin from a dysbiotic gut microbiota contributes to the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders. Modification of gut microbiota by a diet to balance its composition becomes a promising strategy to help manage obesity. A dietary scheme based on whole grains, traditional Chinese medicinal foods, and prebiotics (WTP diet) was designed to meet human nutritional needs as well as balance the gut microbiota. Ninety-three of 123 central obese volunteers (BMI ≥ 28 kg m(-2) ) completed a self-controlled clinical trial consisting of 9-week intervention on WTP diet followed by a 14-week maintenance period. The average weight loss reached 5.79 ± 4.64 kg (6.62 ± 4.94%), in addition to improvement in insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, and blood pressure. Pyrosequencing of fecal samples showed that phylotypes related to endotoxin-producing opportunistic pathogens of Enterobacteriaceae and Desulfovibrionaceae were reduced significantly, while those related to gut barrier-protecting bacteria of Bifidobacteriaceae increased. Gut permeability, measured as lactulose/mannitol ratio, was decreased compared with the baseline. Plasma endotoxin load as lipopolysaccharide-binding protein was also significantly reduced, with concomitant decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and an increase in adiponectin. These results suggest that modulation of the gut microbiota via dietary intervention may enhance the intestinal barrier integrity, reduce circulating antigen load, and ultimately ameliorate the inflammation and metabolic phenotypes. © 2013 The Authors. FEMS Microbiology Ecology pubished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies.

  20. ENabling Reduction of Low-grade Inflammation in SEniors Pilot Study: Concept, Rationale, and Design.

    PubMed

    Manini, Todd M; Anton, Stephen D; Beavers, Daniel P; Cauley, Jane A; Espeland, Mark A; Fielding, Roger A; Kritchevsky, Stephen B; Leeuwenburgh, Christiaan; Lewis, Kristina H; Liu, Christine; McDermott, Mary M; Miller, Michael E; Tracy, Russell P; Walston, Jeremy D; Radziszewska, Barbara; Lu, Jane; Stowe, Cindy; Wu, Samuel; Newman, Anne B; Ambrosius, Walter T; Pahor, Marco

    2017-09-01

    To test two interventions to reduce interleukin (IL)-6 levels, an indicator of low-grade chronic inflammation and an independent risk factor for impaired mobility and slow walking speed in older adults. The ENabling Reduction of low-Grade Inflammation in SEniors (ENRGISE) Pilot Study was a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized pilot trial of two interventions to reduce IL-6 levels. Five university-based research centers. Target enrollment was 300 men and women aged 70 and older with an average plasma IL-6 level between 2.5 and 30 pg/mL measured twice at least 1 week apart. Participants had low to moderate physical function, defined as self-reported difficulty walking one-quarter of a mile or climbing a flight of stairs and usual walk speed of less than 1 m/s on a 4-m usual-pace walk. Participants were randomized to losartan, omega-3 fish oil (ω-3), combined losartan and ω-3, or placebo. Randomization was stratified depending on eligibility for each group. A titration schedule was implemented to reach a dose that was safe and effective for IL-6 reduction. Maximal doses were 100 mg/d for losartan and 2.8 g/d for ω-3. IL-6, walking speed over 400 m, physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery), other inflammatory markers, safety, tolerability, frailty domains, and maximal leg strength were measured. Results from the ENRGISE Pilot Study will provide recruitment yields, feasibility, medication tolerance and adherence, and preliminary data to help justify a sample size for a more definitive randomized trial. The ENRGISE Pilot Study will inform a larger subsequent trial that is expected to have important clinical and public health implications for the growing population of older adults with low-grade chronic inflammation and mobility limitations. © 2017, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2017, The American Geriatrics Society.

  1. Changes in Oxidative Damage, Inflammation and [NAD(H)] with Age in Cerebrospinal Fluid

    PubMed Central

    Guest, Jade; Grant, Ross; Mori, Trevor A.; Croft, Kevin D.

    2014-01-01

    An extensive body of evidence indicates that oxidative stress and inflammation play a central role in the degenerative changes of systemic tissues in aging. However a comparatively limited amount of data is available to verify whether these processes also contribute to normal aging within the brain. High levels of oxidative damage results in key cellular changes including a reduction in available nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), an essential molecule required for a number of vital cellular processes including DNA repair, immune signaling and epigenetic processing. In this study we quantified changes in [NAD(H)] and markers of inflammation and oxidative damage (F2-isoprostanes, 8-OHdG, total antioxidant capacity) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of healthy humans across a wide age range (24–91 years). CSF was collected from consenting patients who required a spinal tap for the administration of anesthetic. CSF of participants aged >45 years was found to contain increased levels of lipid peroxidation (F2-isoprostanes) (p = 0.04) and inflammation (IL-6) (p = 0.00) and decreased levels of both total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.00) and NAD(H) (p = 0.05), compared to their younger counterparts. A positive association was also observed between plasma [NAD(H)] and CSF NAD(H) levels (p = 0.03). Further analysis of the data identified a relationship between alcohol intake and CSF [NAD(H)] and markers of inflammation. The CSF of participants who consumed >1 standard drink of alcohol per day contained lower levels of NAD(H) compared to those who consumed no alcohol (p<0.05). An increase in CSF IL-6 was observed in participants who reported drinking >0–1 (p<0.05) and >1 (p<0.05) standard alcoholic drinks per day compared to those who did not drink alcohol. Taken together these data suggest a progressive age associated increase in oxidative damage, inflammation and reduced [NAD(H)] in the brain which may be exacerbated by alcohol intake. PMID

  2. Influence of dietary fat and carbohydrates proportions on plasma lipids, glucose control and low-grade inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes-The TOSCA.IT Study.

    PubMed

    Vitale, M; Masulli, M; Rivellese, A A; Babini, A C; Boemi, M; Bonora, E; Buzzetti, R; Ciano, O; Cignarelli, M; Cigolini, M; Clemente, G; Citro, G; Corsi, L; Dall'Aglio, E; Del Prato, S; Di Cianni, G; Dolci, M A; Giordano, C; Iannarelli, R; Iovine, C; Lapolla, A; Lauro, D; Leotta, S; Mazzucchelli, C; Montani, V; Perriello, G; Romano, G; Romeo, F; Santarelli, L; di Cola, R Schiano; Squatrito, S; Tonutti, L; Trevisan, R; Turco, A A; Zamboni, C; Riccardi, G; Vaccaro, O

    2016-06-01

    The optimal macronutrient composition of the diet for the management of type 2 diabetes is debated, particularly with regard to the ideal proportion of fat and carbohydrates. The aim of the study was to explore the association of different proportions of fat and carbohydrates of the diet-within the ranges recommended by different guidelines-with metabolic risk factors. We studied 1785 people with type 2 diabetes, aged 50-75, enrolled in the TOSCA.IT Study. Dietary habits were assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire (EPIC). Anthropometry, fasting lipids, HbA1c and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Increasing fat intake from <25 to ≥35 % is associated with a significant increase in LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c and CRP (p < 0.05). Increasing carbohydrates intake from <45 to ≥60 % is associated with significantly lower triglycerides, HbA1c and CRP (p < 0.05). A fiber intake ≥15 g/1000 kcal is associated with a better plasma lipids profile and lower HbA1c and CRP than lower fiber consumption. A consumption of added sugars of ≥10 % of the energy intake is associated with a more adverse plasma lipids profile and higher CRP than lower intake. In people with type 2 diabetes, variations in the proportion of fat and carbohydrates of the diet, within the relatively narrow ranges recommended by different nutritional guidelines, significantly impact on the metabolic profile and markers of low-grade inflammation. The data support the potential for reducing the intake of fat and added sugars, preferring complex, slowly absorbable, carbohydrates.

  3. Surplus dietary tryptophan reduces plasma cortisol and noradrenaline concentrations and enhances recovery after social stress in pigs.

    PubMed

    Koopmans, Sietse Jan; Ruis, Marko; Dekker, Ruud; van Diepen, Hans; Korte, Mechiel; Mroz, Zdzislaw

    2005-07-21

    Social stress occurs in intensive pig farming due to aggressive behavior. This stress may be reduced at elevated dietary levels of tryptophan (TRP). In this study, we compared the effects of high (13.2%) vs. normal (3.4%) dietary TRP to large neutral amino acid (LNAA) ratios on behavior and stress hormones in catheterized pigs ( approximately 50 kg BW), which were exposed to social stress by placing them twice into the territory of a dominant pig ( approximately 60 kg) for 15 min. Pre-stress plasma TRP concentrations were 156+/-15 vs. 53+/-6 micromol/l (p<0.01) in pigs on the high vs. normal TRP diets, respectively. Pre-stress plasma cortisol and noradrenaline concentrations were twofold (p<0.01) and 1.4-fold (p<0.05) lower but plasma adrenaline concentration was similar in pigs on the high vs. normal TRP diets, respectively. During the social confrontations, pigs on the high vs. normal TRP diets show a tendency towards reduced active avoidance behavior (3.2+/-1.1 vs. 6.7+/-1.2 min, p<0.1) but their physical activity (8.5+/-0.6 vs. 10.2+/-0.8 min) and aggressive attitude towards the dominant pig (11+/-3 vs. 7+/-2 times biting) were similar. Immediate (+5 min) post-stress plasma cortisol, noradrenaline and adrenaline responses were similar among dietary groups. After the social confrontations, the post-stress plasma cortisol, noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations and/or curves (from +5 min to 2 h) were lower/steeper (p<0.05) in pigs on the high vs. normal TRP diets. In summary, surplus TRP in diets for pigs (1) does not significantly affect behavior when exposed to social stress, (2) reduces basal plasma cortisol and noradrenaline concentrations, (3) does not affect the immediate hormonal response to stress, and (4) reduces the long-term hormonal response to stress. In general, pigs receiving high dietary TRP were found to be less affected by stress.

  4. Endogenous Prolactin Generated During Peripheral Inflammation Contributes to Thermal Hyperalgesia

    PubMed Central

    Scotland, Phoebe E.; Patil, Mayur; Belugin, Sergei; Henry, Michael A.; Goffin, Vincent; Hargreaves, Kenneth M.; Akopian, Armen N.

    2011-01-01

    Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone and a neuromodulator. PRL sensitizes TRPV1 responses in sensory neurons, but it is not clear whether peripheral inflammation results in the release of endogenous PRL, or whether endogenous PRL is capable of acting as an inflammatory mediator in a sex-dependent manner. To address these questions, we examined inflammation-induced release of endogenous PRL, and its regulation of thermal hyperalgesia in female and male rats. PRL is expressed in several types of peripheral neuronal and non-neuronal cells, including TRPV1-positive nerve fibers, preadipocytes and activated macrophages/monocytes localized in the vicinity of nerves. Evaluation of PRL levels in hindpaws and plasma indicated that complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) stimulates release of peripheral, but not systemic PRL within 6–48h in both ovariectomized females with estradiol replacement (OVX-E) and male rats. The time course of release varies in OVX-E and male rats. We next employed the prolactin receptor (PRL-R) antagonist, Δ1-9-G129R-hPRL to assess the role of locally-produced PRL in nociception. Applied at a ratio of 1:1 (PRL:Δ1-9-G129R-hPRL; 40nM each), this antagonist was able to nearly (≈80%) reverse PRL-induced sensitization of capsaicin responses in rat sensory neurons. CFA-induced inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia in OVX-E rat hindpaws was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner by the PRL-R antagonist at the 6h, but not the 24h time point. In contrast, PRL contributed to inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia in male rats at 24h, but not 6h. In summary, these findings indicate that inflammation leads to accumulation of endogenous PRL in female and male rats. Further, PRL acts as an inflammatory mediator at different time points for female and male rats. PMID:21777304

  5. Insulin Sensitivity and Inflammation Mediate the Impact of Fitness on Cerebrovascular Health in Adolescents.

    PubMed

    Yau, Po Lai; Ross, Naima; Tirsi, Andrew; Arif, Arslan; Ozinci, Zeynep; Convit, Antonio

    2017-06-01

    To investigate in adolescents the relationships between retinal vessel diameter, physical fitness, insulin sensitivity, and systemic inflammation. We evaluated 157 adolescents, 112 with excessive weight and 45 lean, all without type 2 diabetes mellitus. All received detailed evaluations, including measurements of retinal vessel diameter, insulin sensitivity, levels of inflammation, and physical fitness. Overweight/obese adolescents had significantly narrower retinal arteriolar and wider venular diameters, significantly lower insulin sensitivity, and physical fitness. They also had decreased levels of anti-inflammatory and increased levels of proinflammatory markers as well as an overall higher inflammation balance score. Fitness was associated with larger retinal arteriolar and narrower venular diameters and these relationships were mediated by insulin sensitivity. We demonstrate that inflammation also mediates the relationship between fitness and retinal venular, but not arterial diameter; insulin sensitivity and inflammation balance score jointly mediate this relationship with little overlap in their effects. Increasing fitness and insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation among adolescents carrying excess weight may improve microvascular integrity. Interventions to improve physical fitness and insulin function and reduce inflammation in adolescents, a group likely to benefit from such interventions, may reduce not only cardiovascular disease in middle age, but also improve cerebrovascular function later in life.

  6. Detection of systemic inflammation in severely impaired chronic pain patients, and effects of a CBT-ACT-based multi-modal pain rehabilitation program.

    PubMed

    Hysing, E-B; Smith, L; Thulin, M; Karlsten, R; Gordh, T

    2017-12-29

    Aims A few previous studies indicate an ongoing of low-grade systemic inflammation in chronic pain patients (CPP) [1, 2]. In the present study we investigated the plasma inflammatory profile in severely impaired chronic pain patients. In addition we studied if there were any alterations in inflammation patterns at one-year follow up, after the patients had taken part in a CBT-ACT based 4 weeks in-hospital pain rehabilitation program (PRP). Methods Blood samples were collected from 52 well characterized chronic pain patients. Plasma from matched healthy blood donors were used as controls. At one year after the treatment program, 28 of the patients were available for follow up. Instead of only analyzing single inflammation-related substances, we used a new multiplex panel enabling the simultaneous analysis of 92 inflammation-related proteins, mainly cytokines and chemokines (Proseek Inflammation, Olink, Uppsala, Sweden). Multivariate statistics were used for analysis. Results Clear signs of increased inflammatory activity were detected in the pain patients. Accepting a false discovery rate (FDR) of 5%, there were significant differences in 43 of the 92 inflammatory biomarkers. The expression of 8 biomarkers were 4 times higher in patients compared to controls. Three biomarkers, CXCL5, SIRT2, AXIN1 were more than 8 times higher. The conventional marker for inflammation, CRP, did not differ. Of the 28 patients available for follow up one year after the intervention, all showed lower levels of the inflammatory biomarker initially raised. Conclusions The results indicate that CPP suffer from a low grade of chronic systemic inflammation, not detectable by CRP analysis. This may have implications for the general pain hypersensitivity, and other symptoms, often described in this group of patients. We conclude that inflammatory plasma proteins may be measureable molecular markers to distinguishes CPP from pain free controls, and that a CBT-ACT pain rehab program seem to

  7. Inhalation of honey reduces airway inflammation and histopathological changes in a rabbit model of ovalbumin-induced chronic asthma.

    PubMed

    Kamaruzaman, Nurfatin Asyikhin; Sulaiman, Siti Amrah; Kaur, Gurjeet; Yahaya, Badrul

    2014-05-29

    Honey is widely used in folk medicine to treat cough, fever, and inflammation. In this study, the effect of aerosolised honey on airway tissues in a rabbit model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma was investigated. The ability of honey to act either as a rescuing agent in alleviating asthma-related symptoms or as a preventive agent to preclude the occurrence of asthma was also assessed. Forty New Zealand white rabbits were sensitized twice with mixture of OVA and aluminium hydroxide on days 1 and 14. Honey treatments were given from day 23 to day 25 at two different doses (25% (v/v) and 50% (v/v) of honey diluted in sterile phosphate buffer saline. In the aerosolised honey as a rescue agent group, animals were euthanized on day 28; for the preventive group, animals were further exposed to aerosolised OVA for 3 days starting from day 28 and euthanized on day 31. The effects of honey on inflammatory cell response, airway inflammation, and goblet cell hyperplasia were assessed for each animal. Histopathological analyses revealed that aerosolised honey resulted in structural changes of the epithelium, mucosa, and submucosal regions of the airway that caused by the induction with OVA. Treatment with aerosolised honey has reduced the number of airway inflammatory cells present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and inhibited the goblet cell hyperplasia. In this study, aerosolised honey was used to effectively treat and manage asthma in rabbits, and it could prove to be a promising treatment for asthma in humans. Future studies with a larger sample size and studies at the gene expression level are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which aerosolised honey reduces asthma symptoms.

  8. No differential effect of beverages sweetened with fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, or glucose on systemic or adipose tissue inflammation in normal-weight to obese adults: a randomized controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Kuzma, Jessica N; Cromer, Gail; Hagman, Derek K; Breymeyer, Kara L; Roth, Christian L; Foster-Schubert, Karen E; Holte, Sarah E; Weigle, David S; Kratz, Mario

    2016-08-01

    Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and low-grade chronic inflammation are both independently associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Fructose, a major component of SSBs, may acutely trigger inflammation, which may be one link between SSB consumption and cardiometabolic disease. We sought to determine whether beverages sweetened with fructose, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and glucose differentially influence systemic inflammation [fasting plasma C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as primary endpoints] acutely and before major changes in body weight. Secondary endpoints included adipose tissue inflammation, intestinal permeability, and plasma fetuin-A as potential mechanistic links between fructose intake and low-grade inflammation. We conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover design dietary intervention (the Diet and Systemic Inflammation Study) in 24 normal-weight to obese adults without fructose malabsorption. Participants drank 4 servings/d of fructose-, glucose-, or HFCS-sweetened beverages accounting for 25% of estimated calorie requirements while consuming a standardized diet ad libitum for three 8-d periods. Subjects consumed 116% of their estimated calorie requirement while drinking the beverages with no difference in total energy intake or body weight between groups as reported previously. Fasting plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein and IL-6 did not differ significantly at the end of the 3 diet periods. We did not detect a consistent differential effect of the diets on measures of adipose tissue inflammation except for adiponectin gene expression in adipose tissue (P = 0.005), which was lowest after the glucose phase. We also did not detect consistent evidence of a differential impact of these sugars on measures of intestinal permeability (lactulose:mannitol test, plasma zonulin, and plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein). Excessive amounts of fructose, HFCS, and glucose from SSBs

  9. Pretreatment with low-energy shock waves reduces the renal oxidative stress and inflammation caused by high-energy shock wave lithotripsy.

    PubMed

    Clark, Daniel L; Connors, Bret A; Handa, Rajash K; Evan, Andrew P

    2011-12-01

    The purpose of this study was to determine if pretreatment of porcine kidneys with low-energy shock waves (SWs) prior to delivery of a clinical dose of 2,000 SWs reduces or prevents shock wave lithotripsy (SWL)-induced acute oxidative stress and inflammation in the treated kidney. Pigs (7-8 weeks old) received 2,000 SWs at 24 kV (120 SW/min) with or without pretreatment with 100 SWs at 12 kV/2 Hz to the lower pole calyx of one kidney using the HM3. Four hours post-treatment, selected samples of renal tissue were frozen for analysis of cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and stress response protein, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Urine samples were taken before and after treatment for analysis of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Treatment with 2,000 SWs with or without pretreatment caused a statistically significant elevation of HO-1 and IL-6 in the renal medulla localized to the focal zone of the lithotripter. However, the increase in HO-1 and IL-6 was significantly reduced using the pretreatment protocol compared to no pretreatment. Urinary excretion of TNF-α increased significantly (p < 0.05) from baseline for pigs receiving 2,000 SWs alone; however, this effect was completely abolished with the pretreatment protocol. We conclude that pretreatment of the kidney with a low dose of low-energy SWs prior to delivery of a clinical dose of SWs reduces, but does not completely prevent, SWL-induced acute renal oxidative stress and inflammation.

  10. An in vitro evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of platelet-rich plasma, ketorolac, and methylprednisolone.

    PubMed

    Mazzocca, Augustus D; McCarthy, Mary Beth R; Intravia, Jessica; Beitzel, Knut; Apostolakos, John; Cote, Mark P; Bradley, James; Arciero, Robert A

    2013-04-01

    The purpose of this study was to quantify the extent of the anti-inflammatory effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in a controlled in vitro environment. Through the stimulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α and interferon γ), cell adhesion molecule expression (E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule, and human leukocyte antigen DR) and PRP's anti-inflammatory effect can be measured. PRP was produced from 3 individuals using a single-spin (PRPLP) process. Treatment groups include negative (unstimulated) controls, positive (stimulated) controls, ketorolac tromethamine, methylprednisolone, PRP, ketorolac-PRP, and methylprednisolone-PRP. A fluorescence assay of the cellular inflammation markers was measured by the BioTek Synergy HT plate reader (BioTek Instruments, Winooski, VT) at 0, 1, 2, and 5 days. At days 2 and 5, methylprednisolone treatment showed a 2.1- to 5.8-fold reduction (P < .05) in inflammation markers over PRP. In addition, PRP and ketorolac showed a 1.4- to 2.5-fold reduction (P < .05) in cellular inflammation markers over the control. There was no statistically significant difference between ketorolac and PRP. Although PRP and ketorolac reduced cellular inflammation markers (E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule, and human leukocyte antigen DR) compared with control, neither caused as great a reduction as methylprednisolone. Although PRP and ketorolac did not produce as significant a reduction in cellular inflammation markers as methylprednisolone, they reduced cellular inflammation compared with the control. These agents may have clinical application as injectable anti-inflammatory medications. Copyright © 2013 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Turpentine oil induced inflammation decreases absorption and increases distribution of phenacetin without altering its elimination process in rats.

    PubMed

    Prasad, V G N V; Vivek, Ch; Anand Kumar, P; Ravi Kumar, P; Rao, G S

    2015-03-01

    Plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetics of phenacetin, a CYP1A2 substrate were determined in normal and experimentally induced inflamed rats by turpentine oil to know the role of inflammation on the pharmacokinetics of phenacetin and formation of its active metabolite (paracetamol) by CYP1A2 in wistar albino rats, weighing about 200-250 g that were randomly divided into two groups consisting six in each group. Rats in group I (control) received phenacetin (150 mg kg(-1), PO) where as group II received phenacetin 12 h after induction of inflammation by turpentine oil (0.4 mL, i.m). Blood samples were collected from retro orbital plexus at pre-determined time intervals prior to and at 0.166, 0.33, 0.67, 1.5, 2, 4, 8 and 12 h post-administration of phenacetin. Plasma was separated and analyzed for phenacetin and its metabolite paracetamol by HPLC assay. Based on plasma concentrations of phenacetin and its metabolite paracetamol, the pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by compartmental methods. C(max) of phenacetin was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased to 19.50 ± 2.74 μg mL(-1) in inflamed conditions compared to 38.13 ± 2.20 μg mL(-1) obtained in normal rats. Except, for significant (p < 0.001) increase in volume of distribution at steady state (V(dss)) from 2.87 ± 0.37 to 8.03 ± 1.26 L kg(-1) and increased the rate of absorption with shorter absorption half-life (t(1/2ka)) for phenacetin in inflammation. None of the pharmacokinetic parameters of either phenacetin or its metabolite paracetamol were affected. It can be concluded that turpentine oil induced inflammation has no role on the activity of CYP1A2 in rats, as the plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters of paracetamol were found unaltered.

  12. Adipose tissue inflammation and reduced insulin sensitivity in ovariectomized mice occurs in the absence of increased adiposity

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Menopause promotes central obesity, adipose tissue (AT) inflammation and insulin resistance (IR). Both obesity and the loss of estrogen can activate innate and adaptive immune cells (macrophages (M's), T-cells). The respective impacts of weight gain and loss of ovarian hormones on AT inflammation an...

  13. Whole grain-rich diet reduces body weight and systemic low-grade inflammation without inducing major changes of the gut microbiome: a randomised cross-over trial.

    PubMed

    Roager, Henrik Munch; Vogt, Josef K; Kristensen, Mette; Hansen, Lea Benedicte S; Ibrügger, Sabine; Mærkedahl, Rasmus B; Bahl, Martin Iain; Lind, Mads Vendelbo; Nielsen, Rikke L; Frøkiær, Hanne; Gøbel, Rikke Juul; Landberg, Rikard; Ross, Alastair B; Brix, Susanne; Holck, Jesper; Meyer, Anne S; Sparholt, Morten H; Christensen, Anders F; Carvalho, Vera; Hartmann, Bolette; Holst, Jens Juul; Rumessen, Jüri Johannes; Linneberg, Allan; Sicheritz-Pontén, Thomas; Dalgaard, Marlene D; Blennow, Andreas; Frandsen, Henrik Lauritz; Villas-Bôas, Silas; Kristiansen, Karsten; Vestergaard, Henrik; Hansen, Torben; Ekstrøm, Claus T; Ritz, Christian; Nielsen, Henrik Bjørn; Pedersen, Oluf Borbye; Gupta, Ramneek; Lauritzen, Lotte; Licht, Tine Rask

    2017-11-01

    To investigate whether a whole grain diet alters the gut microbiome and insulin sensitivity, as well as biomarkers of metabolic health and gut functionality. 60 Danish adults at risk of developing metabolic syndrome were included in a randomised cross-over trial with two 8-week dietary intervention periods comprising whole grain diet and refined grain diet, separated by a washout period of ≥6 weeks. The response to the interventions on the gut microbiome composition and insulin sensitivity as well on measures of glucose and lipid metabolism, gut functionality, inflammatory markers, anthropometry and urine metabolomics were assessed. 50 participants completed both periods with a whole grain intake of 179±50 g/day and 13±10 g/day in the whole grain and refined grain period, respectively. Compliance was confirmed by a difference in plasma alkylresorcinols (p<0.0001). Compared with refined grain, whole grain did not significantly alter glucose homeostasis and did not induce major changes in the faecal microbiome. Also, breath hydrogen levels, plasma short-chain fatty acids, intestinal integrity and intestinal transit time were not affected. The whole grain diet did, however, compared with the refined grain diet, decrease body weight (p<0.0001), serum inflammatory markers, interleukin (IL)-6 (p=0.009) and C-reactive protein (p=0.003). The reduction in body weight was consistent with a reduction in energy intake, and IL-6 reduction was associated with the amount of whole grain consumed, in particular with intake of rye. Compared with refined grain diet, whole grain diet did not alter insulin sensitivity and gut microbiome but reduced body weight and systemic low-grade inflammation. NCT01731366; Results. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

  14. n-3 fatty acids reduce plasma 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and blood pressure in patients with chronic kidney disease.

    PubMed

    Barden, Anne E; Burke, Valerie; Mas, Emilie; Beilin, Lawrence J; Puddey, Ian B; Watts, Gerald F; Irish, Ashley B; Mori, Trevor A

    2015-09-01

    Metabolism of arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450 ω-hydroxylase leads to the formation of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) that regulates vascular function, sodium homeostasis and blood pressure (BP). Supplementation with n-3 fatty acids is known to alter arachidonic acid metabolism and reduce the formation of the lipid peroxidation products F2-isoprostanes, but the effect of n-3 fatty acids on 20-HETE has not been studied. We previously reported a significant effect of n-3 fatty acids but not coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) to reduce BP in a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention, wherein patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were randomized to n-3 fatty acids (4 g), CoQ (200 mg), both supplements or control (4 g olive oil), daily for 8 weeks. This study examined the effect of n-3 fatty acids on plasma and urinary 20-HETE in the same study, as well as plasma and urinary F2-isoprostanes, and relate these to changes in BP. Seventy-four patients completed the 8-week intervention. n-3 fatty acids but not CoQ significantly reduced plasma 20-HETE (P = 0.001) and F2-isoprostanes (P < 0.001). In regression models adjusted for BP at baseline, postintervention plasma 20-HETE was a significant predictor of the fall in SBP (P < 0.0001) and DBP (P < 0.0001) after n-3 fatty acids. This is the first report that n-3 fatty acid supplementation reduces plasma 20-HETE in humans and that this associates with reduced BP. These results provide a plausible mechanism for the reduction in BP observed in patients with CKD following n-3 fatty acid supplementation.

  15. Whole-grain wheat consumption reduces inflammation in a randomized controlled trial on overweight and obese subjects with unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors: role of polyphenols bound to cereal dietary fiber.

    PubMed

    Vitaglione, Paola; Mennella, Ilario; Ferracane, Rosalia; Rivellese, Angela A; Giacco, Rosalba; Ercolini, Danilo; Gibbons, Sean M; La Storia, Antonietta; Gilbert, Jack A; Jonnalagadda, Satya; Thielecke, Frank; Gallo, Maria A; Scalfi, Luca; Fogliano, Vincenzo

    2015-02-01

    Epidemiology associates whole-grain (WG) consumption with several health benefits. Mounting evidence suggests that WG wheat polyphenols play a role in mechanisms underlying health benefits. The objective was to assess circulating concentration, excretion, and the physiologic role of WG wheat polyphenols in subjects with suboptimal dietary and lifestyle behaviors. A placebo-controlled, parallel-group randomized trial with 80 healthy overweight/obese subjects with low intake of fruit and vegetables and sedentary lifestyle was performed. Participants replaced precise portions of refined wheat (RW) with a fixed amount of selected WG wheat or RW products for 8 wk. At baseline and every 4 wk, blood, urine, feces, and anthropometric and body composition measures were collected. Profiles of phenolic acids in biological samples, plasma markers of metabolic disease and inflammation, and fecal microbiota composition were assessed. WG consumption for 4-8 wk determined a 4-fold increase in serum dihydroferulic acid (DHFA) and a 2-fold increase in fecal ferulic acid (FA) compared with RW consumption (no changes). Similarly, urinary FA at 8 wk doubled the baseline concentration only in WG subjects. Concomitant reduction in plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) after 8 wk and increased interleukin (IL)-10 only after 4 wk with WG compared with RW (P = 0.04) were observed. No significant change in plasma metabolic disease markers over the study period was observed, but a trend toward lower plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 with higher excretion of FA and DHFA in the WG group was found. Fecal FA was associated with baseline low Bifidobacteriales and Bacteroidetes abundances, whereas after WG consumption, it correlated with increased Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes but reduced Clostridium. TNF-α reduction correlated with increased Bacteroides and Lactobacillus. No effect of dietary interventions on anthropometric measurements and body composition was found. WG wheat

  16. Two dietary polyphenols, fisetin and luteolin, reduce inflammation but augment DNA damage-induced toxicity in human RPE cells.

    PubMed

    Hytti, Maria; Szabó, Dora; Piippo, Niina; Korhonen, Eveliina; Honkakoski, Paavo; Kaarniranta, Kai; Petrovski, Goran; Kauppinen, Anu

    2017-04-01

    Plant-derived polyphenols are known to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In recent years, several studies have investigated their potential benefits for treating chronic diseases associated with prolonged inflammation and excessive oxidative stress, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Previously, two polyphenols, fisetin and luteolin, have been reported to increase the survival of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells suffering from oxidative stress as well as decreasing inflammation but the benefits of polyphenol therapy seem to depend on the model system used. Our aim was to analyze the effects of fisetin and luteolin on inflammation and cellular viability in a model of nonoxidative DNA damage-induced cell death in human RPE (hRPE) cells. Pretreatment of ARPE-19 or primary hRPE cells with the polyphenols augmented etoposide-induced cell death as measured by the lactate dehydrogenase and 3-(4,5-dimethyldiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. However, the treatment was able to reduce the release of two proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8, which were determined by enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay. Analyses of caspase 3 activity, p53 acetylation and SIRT1 protein levels revealed the apoptotic nature of etoposide-evoked cell death and that fisetin and luteolin augmented the etoposide-induced acetylation of p53 and decreased SIRT1 levels. Taken together, our findings suggest that the cytoprotective effects of fisetin and luteolin depend on the stressor they need to combat, whereas their anti-inflammatory potential is sustained over a variety of model systems. Careful consideration of disease pathways will be necessary before fisetin or luteolin can be recommended as therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases in general and specifically AMD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3 reduces endotoxaemic acute renal failure by down-regulating inflammation and renal cell apoptosis

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Y; Huang, WC; Wang, CY; Tsai, CC; Chen, CL; Chang, YT; Kai, JI; Lin, CF

    2009-01-01

    Background and purpose: Excessive inflammation and apoptosis are pathological features of endotoxaemic acute renal failure. Activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is involved in inflammation and apoptosis. We investigated the effects of inhibiting GSK-3 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute renal failure, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), inflammation and apoptosis. Experimental approach: The effects of inhibiting GSK-3 with inhibitors, including lithium chloride (LiCl) and 6-bromo-indirubin-3′-oxime (BIO), on LPS-treated (15 mg·kg−1) C3H/HeN mice (LiCl, 40 mg·kg−1 and BIO, 2 mg·kg−1) and LPS-treated (1 µg·mL−1) renal epithelial cells (LiCl, 20 mM and BIO, 5 µM) were studied. Mouse survival was monitored and renal function was analysed by histological and serological examination. Cytokine and chemokine production, and cell apoptosis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP–biotin nick-end labelling staining, respectively. Activation of NF-κB and GSK-3 was determined by immunostaining and Western blotting, respectively. Key results: Mice treated with GSK-3 inhibitors showed decreased mortality, renal tubular dilatation, vacuolization and sloughing, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and renal cell apoptosis in response to endotoxaemia. Inhibiting GSK-3 reduced LPS-induced tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and CCL5/RANTES (released upon activation of normal T-cells) in vivo in mice and in vitro in murine kidney cortical collecting duct epithelial M1 cells. Inhibiting GSK-3 did not block TNF-α-induced cytotoxicity in rat kidney proximal tubular epithelial NRK52E or in M1 cells. Conclusions and implications: These results suggest that GSK-3 inhibition protects against endotoxaemic acute renal failure mainly by down-regulating pro-inflammatory TNF-α and RANTES. PMID:19508392

  18. Acute coronary disease Athero-Inflammation: Therapeutic approach

    PubMed Central

    Altman, Raul

    2003-01-01

    Antithrombotic therapy is the cornerstone of the treatment of acute coronary syndromes, but there is now evidence which indicates that by blocking inflammation, thrombosis and thus, acute coronary events, could be lowered. The concept of athero-inflammation emerges as the meeting point of different morbidities; dyslipemia, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, immunity, infection, hyperhomocyteinemia, smoking, etc. usual named as risk factors. Thus, beside specific drugs, earliest treatment, in the stage of inflammation, using anti-inflammatory drugs, should be considered since in patients with increased risk of acute coronary process are likely to have many point of origen throughout the coronary arteries. There are a body of evidences for supporting the potential of anti-inflammatory therapy to the prevention of inflammation and atherosclerosis. COX-2 inhibition may decrease endothelial inflammation reducing monocytes infiltration improving vascular cells function, plaque stability and probably resulting in a decrease of coronary atherothrombotic events. Trials including large numbers of patients in prospective double-blind randomized studies worthwhile to confirm the efficacy of NSAID, mainly, COX-2 inhibitors, together with aspirin in the prevention of coronary events in patients with acute coronary disease. PMID:12904261

  19. Role of Cannabinoids in Gastrointestinal Mucosal Defense and Inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Gyires, Klára; Zádori, Zoltán S.

    2016-01-01

    Modulating the activity of the endocannabinoid system influences various gastrointestinal physiological and pathophysiological processes, and cannabinoid receptors as well as regulatory enzymes responsible for the synthesis or degradation of endocannabinoids representing potential targets to reduce the development of gastrointestinal mucosal lesions, hemorrhage and inflammation. Direct activation of CB1 receptors by plant-derived, endogenous or synthetic cannabinoids effectively reduces both gastric acid secretion and gastric motor activity, and decreases the formation of gastric mucosal lesions induced by stress, pylorus ligation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or alcohol, partly by peripheral, partly by central mechanisms. Similarly, indirect activation of cannabinoid receptors through elevation of endocannabinoid levels by globally acting or peripherally restricted inhibitors of their metabolizing enzymes (FAAH, MAGL) or by inhibitors of their cellular uptake reduces the gastric mucosal lesions induced by NSAIDs in a CB1 receptor-dependent fashion. Dual inhibition of FAAH and cyclooxygenase enzymes induces protection against both NSAID-induced gastrointestinal damage and intestinal inflammation. Moreover, in intestinal inflammation direct or indirect activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors exerts also multiple beneficial effects. Namely, activation of both CB receptors was shown to ameliorate intestinal inflammation in various murine colitis models, to decrease visceral hypersensitivity and abdominal pain, as well as to reduce colitis-associated hypermotility and diarrhea. In addition, CB1 receptors suppress secretory processes and also modulate intestinal epithelial barrier functions. Thus, experimental data suggest that the endocannabinoid system represents a promising target in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, and this assumption is also confirmed by preliminary clinical studies. PMID:26935536

  20. The effect of a genetically reduced plasma membrane protonmotive force on vegetative growth of Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Haruta, Miyoshi; Sussman, Michael R

    2012-03-01

    The plasma membrane proton gradient is an essential feature of plant cells. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), this gradient is generated by the plasma membrane proton pump encoded by a family of 11 genes (abbreviated as AHA, for Arabidopsis H(+)-ATPase), of which AHA1 and AHA2 are the two most predominantly expressed in seedlings and adult plants. Although double knockdown mutant plants containing T-DNA insertions in both genes are embryonic lethal, under ideal laboratory growth conditions, single knockdown mutant plants with a 50% reduction in proton pump concentration complete their life cycle without any observable growth alteration. However, when grown under conditions that induce stress on the plasma membrane protonmotive force (PMF), such as high external potassium to reduce the electrical gradient or high external pH to reduce the proton chemical gradient, aha2 mutant plants show a growth retardation compared with wild-type plants. In this report, we describe the results of studies that examine in greater detail AHA2's specific role in maintaining the PMF during seedling growth. By comparing the wild type and aha2 mutants, we have measured the effects of a reduced PMF on root and hypocotyl growth, ATP-induced skewed root growth, and rapid cytoplasmic calcium spiking. In addition, genome-wide gene expression profiling revealed the up-regulation of potassium transporters in aha2 mutants, indicating, as predicted, a close link between the PMF and potassium uptake at the plasma membrane. Overall, this characterization of aha2 mutants provides an experimental and theoretical framework for investigating growth and signaling processes that are mediated by PMF-coupled energetics at the cell membrane.

  1. Reduced fasting plasma levels of diazepam-binding inhibitor in adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

    PubMed

    Conti, Elisa; Tremolizzo, Lucio; Bomba, Monica; Uccellini, Orlando; Rossi, Maria Sara; Raggi, Maria Elisabetta; Neri, Francesca; Ferrarese, Carlo; Nacinovich, Renata

    2013-09-01

    Altered expression and/or function, both peripherally and centrally, of various neuropeptides is involved in the neurophysiology of anorexia nervosa (AN). Diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) is an interesting peptide for understanding this crosstalk. The aim of this work was to assess fasting plasma levels of DBI and leptin in patients with AN. Twenty-four AN adolescents were recruited together with 10 age-comparable healthy controls. Neuropeptide determinations were performed on plasma samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Patients with AN were further characterized for the presence of a depressive state or anxiety by using, respectively, the Children's Depression Inventory or the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y. Levels of both plasma DBI and leptin were reduced in patients with AN (∼40 and ∼70%, respectively). DBI levels displayed a tendency to increase in the presence of a depressive state, although not with anxiety, whereas leptin levels correlated exclusively with body mass index. These data further extend our knowledge of neuropeptide dysfunction in AN, and plasma DBI may represent a marker for this disease, in particular considering its correlation with comorbid mood disorders. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  2. Haloperidol and reduced haloperidol concentrations in plasma and red blood cells from chronic schizophrenic patients.

    PubMed

    Ko, G N; Korpi, E R; Kirch, D G

    1989-06-01

    In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 15 drug-free chronic schizophrenic inpatients were treated with a fixed dose of haloperidol for 6 weeks. Haloperidol and its metabolite, reduced haloperidol, were measured in plasma and red blood cells after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment. Behavioral change was rated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Not only the raw concentrations, but also blood compartment sums and ratios of these four drug measurements were tested for their strength of association with behavioral improvement. Positive associations with some BPRS subscales at some time points emerged; however, no significant correlations were found to extend across all time points measured. There was a trend in this cohort for negative symptom improvement to be associated with the ratio of haloperidol to reduced haloperidol in red blood cells. The ratio of haloperidol to reduced haloperidol in plasma was always greater than that in the red blood cells for all patients, reflecting an accumulation of the metabolite in red blood cells.

  3. Transgenic Increase in N-3/N-6 Fatty Acid Ratio Reduces Maternal Obesity-Associated Inflammation and Limits Adverse Developmental Programming in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Heerwagen, Margaret J. R.; Stewart, Michael S.; de la Houssaye, Becky A.; Janssen, Rachel C.; Friedman, Jacob E.

    2013-01-01

    Maternal and pediatric obesity has risen dramatically over recent years, and is a known predictor of adverse long-term metabolic outcomes in offspring. However, which particular aspects of obese pregnancy promote such outcomes is less clear. While maternal obesity increases both maternal and placental inflammation, it is still unknown whether this is a dominant mechanism in fetal metabolic programming. In this study, we utilized the Fat-1 transgenic mouse to test whether increasing the maternal n-3/n-6 tissue fatty acid ratio could reduce the consequences of maternal obesity-associated inflammation and thereby mitigate downstream developmental programming. Eight-week-old WT or hemizygous Fat-1 C57BL/6J female mice were placed on a high-fat diet (HFD) or control diet (CD) for 8 weeks prior to mating with WT chow-fed males. Only WT offspring from Fat-1 mothers were analyzed. WT-HFD mothers demonstrated increased markers of infiltrating adipose tissue macrophages (P<0.02), and a striking increase in 12 serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (P<0.05), while Fat1-HFD mothers remained similar to WT-CD mothers, despite equal weight gain. E18.5 Fetuses from WT-HFD mothers had larger placentas (P<0.02), as well as increased placenta and fetal liver TG deposition (P<0.01 and P<0.02, respectively) and increased placental LPL TG-hydrolase activity (P<0.02), which correlated with degree of maternal insulin resistance (r = 0.59, P<0.02). The placentas and fetal livers from Fat1-HFD mothers were protected from this excess placental growth and fetal-placental lipid deposition. Importantly, maternal protection from excess inflammation corresponded with improved metabolic outcomes in adult WT offspring. While the offspring from WT-HFD mothers weaned onto CD demonstrated increased weight gain (P<0.05), body and liver fat (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively), and whole body insulin resistance (P<0.05), these were prevented in WT offspring from Fat1-HFD mothers. Our results suggest that

  4. Transgenic increase in N-3/n-6 Fatty Acid ratio reduces maternal obesity-associated inflammation and limits adverse developmental programming in mice.

    PubMed

    Heerwagen, Margaret J R; Stewart, Michael S; de la Houssaye, Becky A; Janssen, Rachel C; Friedman, Jacob E

    2013-01-01

    Maternal and pediatric obesity has risen dramatically over recent years, and is a known predictor of adverse long-term metabolic outcomes in offspring. However, which particular aspects of obese pregnancy promote such outcomes is less clear. While maternal obesity increases both maternal and placental inflammation, it is still unknown whether this is a dominant mechanism in fetal metabolic programming. In this study, we utilized the Fat-1 transgenic mouse to test whether increasing the maternal n-3/n-6 tissue fatty acid ratio could reduce the consequences of maternal obesity-associated inflammation and thereby mitigate downstream developmental programming. Eight-week-old WT or hemizygous Fat-1 C57BL/6J female mice were placed on a high-fat diet (HFD) or control diet (CD) for 8 weeks prior to mating with WT chow-fed males. Only WT offspring from Fat-1 mothers were analyzed. WT-HFD mothers demonstrated increased markers of infiltrating adipose tissue macrophages (P<0.02), and a striking increase in 12 serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (P<0.05), while Fat1-HFD mothers remained similar to WT-CD mothers, despite equal weight gain. E18.5 Fetuses from WT-HFD mothers had larger placentas (P<0.02), as well as increased placenta and fetal liver TG deposition (P<0.01 and P<0.02, respectively) and increased placental LPL TG-hydrolase activity (P<0.02), which correlated with degree of maternal insulin resistance (r = 0.59, P<0.02). The placentas and fetal livers from Fat1-HFD mothers were protected from this excess placental growth and fetal-placental lipid deposition. Importantly, maternal protection from excess inflammation corresponded with improved metabolic outcomes in adult WT offspring. While the offspring from WT-HFD mothers weaned onto CD demonstrated increased weight gain (P<0.05), body and liver fat (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively), and whole body insulin resistance (P<0.05), these were prevented in WT offspring from Fat1-HFD mothers. Our results suggest that

  5. No differential effect of beverages sweetened with fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, or glucose on systemic or adipose tissue inflammation in normal-weight to obese adults: a randomized controlled trial1

    PubMed Central

    Cromer, Gail; Breymeyer, Kara L; Roth, Christian L; Weigle, David S

    2016-01-01

    Background: Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and low-grade chronic inflammation are both independently associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Fructose, a major component of SSBs, may acutely trigger inflammation, which may be one link between SSB consumption and cardiometabolic disease. Objective: We sought to determine whether beverages sweetened with fructose, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and glucose differentially influence systemic inflammation [fasting plasma C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as primary endpoints] acutely and before major changes in body weight. Secondary endpoints included adipose tissue inflammation, intestinal permeability, and plasma fetuin-A as potential mechanistic links between fructose intake and low-grade inflammation. Design: We conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover design dietary intervention (the Diet and Systemic Inflammation Study) in 24 normal-weight to obese adults without fructose malabsorption. Participants drank 4 servings/d of fructose-, glucose-, or HFCS-sweetened beverages accounting for 25% of estimated calorie requirements while consuming a standardized diet ad libitum for three 8-d periods. Results: Subjects consumed 116% of their estimated calorie requirement while drinking the beverages with no difference in total energy intake or body weight between groups as reported previously. Fasting plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein and IL-6 did not differ significantly at the end of the 3 diet periods. We did not detect a consistent differential effect of the diets on measures of adipose tissue inflammation except for adiponectin gene expression in adipose tissue (P = 0.005), which was lowest after the glucose phase. We also did not detect consistent evidence of a differential impact of these sugars on measures of intestinal permeability (lactulose:mannitol test, plasma zonulin, and plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein). Conclusion: Excessive

  6. Low-carbohydrate diets reduce lipid accumulation and arterial inflammation in guinea pigs fed a high-cholesterol diet.

    PubMed

    Leite, Jose O; DeOgburn, Ryan; Ratliff, Joseph; Su, Randy; Smyth, Joan A; Volek, Jeff S; McGrane, Mary M; Dardik, Alan; Fernandez, Maria Luz

    2010-04-01

    Low-carbohydrate diets (LCD) efficiently induce weight loss and favorably affect plasma lipids, however, the effect of LCD on atherosclerosis is still argued. To evaluate the effect of LCD on the prevention of atherosclerosis. Twenty guinea pigs were fed either a LCD or a low-fat diet (LFD) in combination with high-cholesterol (0.25g/100g) for 12 weeks. The percentage energy of macronutrient distribution was 10:65:25 for carbohydrate:fat:protein for the LCD, and 55:20:25 for the LFD. Plasma lipids were measured using colorimetric assays. Plasma and aortic oxidized (oxLDL) were quantified using ELISA methods. Inflammatory cytokines were measured in aortic homogenates using an immunoassay. H&E stained sections of aortic sinus and Schultz stained sections of carotid arteries were examined. LDL cholesterol was lower in the LCD compared to the LFD group (71.9+/-34.8 vs. 81.7+/-26.9mg/dL; p=0.039). Aortic cholesterol was also lower in the LCD (4.98+/-1.3mg/g) compared to the LFD group (6.68+/-2.0mg/g); p<0.05. The Schultz staining method confirmed less aortic cholesterol accumulation in the LCD group. Plasma oxLDL did not differ between groups, however, aortic oxLDL was 61% lower in the LCD compared to the LFD group (p=0.045). There was a positive correlation (r=0.63, p=0.03) between oxLDL and cholesterol concentration in the aorta of LFD group, which was not observed in LCD group (r=-0.05, p=0.96). Inflammatory markers were reduced in guinea pigs from the LCD group (p<0.05) and they were correlated with the decreases in oxLDL in aorta. These results suggest that LCD not only decreases lipid deposition, but also prevents the accumulation of oxLDL and reduces inflammatory cytokines within the arterial wall and may prevent atherosclerosis. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Diet, inflammation and prediabetes-impact of quality of diet.

    PubMed

    Uusitupa, Matti; Schwab, Ursula

    2013-10-01

    Low grade inflammation has been linked to risk of type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Obesity and, in particular, abdominal obesity increase the risk of diabetes and atherosclerotic vascular diseases. One of the mechanisms could be low grade inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Permanent weight reduction is the first line of treatment both for obese individuals at increased risk of diabetes and for newly onset type 2 diabetes. Weight reduction lowers the level of several inflammatory factors in the body while increasing the level of adiponectin. Besides weight reduction the quality of diet and physical activity also modifies low grade inflammation. Based on the literature survey and our own studies in humans, it is possible to have dietary patterns that reduce inflammatory stress in the body and improves vascular endothelial dysfunction. There is strong evidence to suggest that IL-1 Ra is a very sensitive marker of low grade inflammation in obesity and related phenotypes; however, its level is markedly lowered by weight reduction and by choosing foods that have been shown to reduce inflammatory stress in the body. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  8. RIP3-dependent necrosis induced inflammation exacerbates atherosclerosis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Meng, Lingjun, E-mail: menglingjun@nibs.ac.cn; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206; Jin, Wei

    Atherothrombotic vascular disease is already the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis shares features with diseases caused by chronic inflammation. More attention should concentrates on the innate immunity effect atherosclerosis progress. RIP3 (receptor-interacting protein kinase 3) act through the transcription factor named Nr4a3 (Nuclear orphan receptors) to regulate cytokine production. Deletion RIP3 decreases IL-1α production. Injection of anti-IL-1α antibody protects against the progress of atherosclerosis in ApoE −/− mice. RIP3 as a molecular switch in necrosis, controls macrophage necrotic death caused inflammation. Inhibiting necrosis will certainly reduce atherosclerosis through limit inflammation. Necrotic cell death caused systemic inflammation exacerbated cardiovascular disease. Inhibitionmore » of necrosis may yield novel therapeutic targets for treatment in years to come. - Highlights: • RIP3 regulate the Nr4a3 to control cytokine production. • Deletion RIP3 decreases IL-1a production. • Injection anti-IL-1a antibody protects against the progress of atherosclerosis. • RIP3 controls macrophage necrotic dead caused inflammation.« less

  9. Sulforaphane Modulates Joint Inflammation in a Murine Model of Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Mono-Arthritis.

    PubMed

    Silva Rodrigues, João Francisco; Silva E Silva, Cristiane; França Muniz, Thayanne; de Aquino, Alana Fernanda; Neuza da Silva Nina, Larissa; Fialho Sousa, Nagila Caroline; Nascimento da Silva, Luis Claudio; de Souza, Breno Glaessner Gomes Fernandes; da Penha, Tatiana Aranha; Abreu-Silva, Ana Lúcia; de Sá, Joicy Cortez; Soares Fernandes, Elizabeth; Grisotto, Marcos Augusto Grigolin

    2018-04-24

    Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflammation of one or more joints, and affects ~1% of the adult population worldwide. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural compound that has been suggested as an antioxidant. Here, SFN’s effects were evaluated in a murine mono-arthritis model. Mono-arthritis was induced in mice by a single intra-articular injection of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA-10 µg/joint, in 10 µL) into the ipsilateral joint. The contralateral joint received an equal volume of PBS. On the 4th day post-joint inflammation induction, animals received either SFN (10 mg/kg) or vehicle (3% DMSO in saline), intraperitoneally (i.p.), twice a day for 3 days. Joint swelling and secondary mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia were evaluated over 7 days post-CFA. After this period, animals were culled and their blood and synovial fluid samples were collected for analysis of cell populations, cytokine release and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity. Knee joint samples were also collected for histology. SFN reduced joint swelling and damage whilst increasing the recruitment of Ly6C⁺ and Ly6G⁺ cells to CFA-injected joints. SFN-treated animals presented down-regulation of CD11b and CD62L on synovial fluid Ly6G⁺ cells. Synovial fluid samples obtained from CFA-injected joints and plasma samples of SFN-treated mice presented higher levels of IL-6 and increased activity of TrxR, in comparison with controls. These results indicate that SFN reduces knee joint damage by modulating cell activation/migration to the joints, cytokine production and increasing the activity of TrxR, and therefore, may represent an alternative treatment to joint inflammation.

  10. Uterine and systemic inflammation influences ovarian follicular function in postpartum dairy cows

    PubMed Central

    Sá Filho, Ocilon G.; Absalon-Medina, Victor A.; Schneider, Augusto; Butler, W. R.; Gilbert, Robert O.

    2017-01-01

    The objective of this study was to determine the effects of uterine and systemic inflammatory responses to uterine bacterial contamination at calving in dairy cows on the growth and ovulatory outcomes of the first dominant follicle postpartum. Ovulatory capability of the first dominant follicle postpartum was predicted in 53 multiparous cows by using a combination of follicle growth characteristics and circulating estradiol concentrations. Endotoxin levels were assayed in follicular fluid samples that were aspirated the day after ovulatory outcome prediction. Plasma levels of haptoglobin, a proinflammatory acute phase protein, and paraoxonase, a negative acute phase protein were determined. Uterine bacteria and inflammation were evaluated in three uterine fluid samples from each cow collected on the day of calving, the day after follicle aspiration, and at 35 days postpartum. Cows that had a strong initial uterine inflammatory response (robust recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of ≥ 35% and cows with uterine pH < 8.5 on the day of calving) were more likely to have an ovulatory first dominant follicle. Follicular fluid endotoxin levels were higher in non-ovulatory cows compared with ovulatory cows. Endotoxin levels in circulation were not different between ovulatory groups but were higher prepartum than on day 7 and 14 postpartum. Systemic inflammation characterized by elevated haptoglobin concentrations was higher in non-ovulatory cows despite similar bacterial contamination and circulating endotoxin levels. Paraoxonase activity in follicular fluid was significantly associated with the paraoxonase activity in plasma, however, plasma paraoxonase concentrations were not different between non-ovulatory and ovulatory cows. Cows with a higher uterine bacterial load on the day of calving had slower ovarian follicle growth. In summary, a robust uterine inflammatory response on the day of calving was positively associated with ovarian function while elevated

  11. Endotoxin-induced inflammation disturbs melatonin secretion in ewe

    PubMed Central

    Herman, Andrzej Przemysław; Wojtulewicz, Karolina; Bochenek, Joanna; Krawczyńska, Agata; Antushevich, Hanna; Pawlina, Bartosz; Zielińska-Górska, Marlena; Herman, Anna; Romanowicz, Katarzyna; Tomaszewska-Zaremba, Dorota

    2017-01-01

    Objective The study examined the effect of intravenous administration of bacterial endotoxin—lipopolysaccharide (LPS) —on the nocturnal secretion of melatonin and on the expression of enzymes of the melatonin biosynthetic pathway in the pineal gland of ewes, taking into account two different photoperiodic conditions: short-night (SN; n = 12) and long-night (LN; n = 12). Methods In both experiments, animals (n = 12) were randomly divided into two groups: control (n = 6) and LPS-treated (n = 6) one. Two hours after sunset, animals received an injection of LPS or saline. Blood samples were collected starting one hour after sunset and continuing for 3 hours after the treatment. The ewes were euthanized 3 hours after LPS/saline treatment. The concentration of hormones in plasma was assayed by radioimmunoassay. In the pineal gland, the content of serotonin and its metabolite was determined by HPLC; whereas the expression of examined genes and protein was assayed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western Blot, respectively. Results Endotoxin administration lowered (p<0.05) levels of circulating melatonin in animals from LN photoperiod only during the first hour after treatment, while in ewes from SN photoperiod only in the third hour after the injection. Inflammation more substantially suppressed biosynthesis of melatonin in ewes from SN photoperiod, which were also characterised by lower (p<0.05) cortisol concentrations after LPS treatment compared with animals from LN photoperiod. In the pineal gland of ewes subjected to SN photoperiod, LPS reduced (p<0.05) serotonin content and the expression of melatonin biosynthetic pathway enzymes, such as tryptophan hydroxylase and arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase. Pineal activity may be disturbed by circulating LPS and proinflammatory cytokines because the expression of mRNAs encoding their corresponding receptors was determined in this gland. Conclusion The present study showed that peripheral inflammation

  12. MAG-EPA resolves lung inflammation in an allergic model of asthma.

    PubMed

    Morin, C; Fortin, S; Cantin, A M; Rousseau, É

    2013-09-01

    Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by airways hyperresponsiveness, inflammation and airways remodelling involving reversible bronchial obstruction. Omega-3 fatty acids and their derivatives are known to reduce inflammation in several tissues including lung. The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid monoacylglyceride (MAG-EPA), a newly synthesized EPA derivative, were determined on the resolution of lung inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in an in vivo model of allergic asthma. Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized guinea-pigs were treated or not with MAG-EPA administered per os. Isometric tension measurements, histological analyses, homogenate preparation for Western blot experiments or total RNA extraction for RT-PCR were performed to assess the effect of MAG-EPA treatments. Mechanical tension measurements revealed that oral MAG-EPA treatments reduced methacholine (MCh)-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness in OVA-sensitized guinea-pigs. Moreover, MAG-EPA treatments also decreased Ca(2+) hypersensitivity of bronchial smooth muscle. Histological analyses and leucocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavages revealed that oral MAG-EPA treatments led to less inflammatory cell recruitment in the lung of OVA-sensitized guinea-pigs when compared with lungs from control animals. Results also revealed a reduction in mucin production and MUC5AC expression level in OVA-sensitized animals treated with MAG-EPA. Following MAG-EPA treatments, the transcript levels of pro-inflammatory markers such as IL-5, eotaxin, IL-13 and IL-4 were markedly reduced. Moreover, per os MAG-EPA administrations reduced COX2 over-expression in OVA-sensitized animals. We demonstrate that MAG-EPA reduces airway hyperresponsiveness and lung inflammation in OVA-sensitized animals, a finding consistent with a decrease in IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, COX-2 and MUC5AC expression levels in the lung. The present data suggest that MAG-EPA represents a new potential therapeutic strategy for resolving inflammation in allergic

  13. Systemic inflammation is associated with myocardial fibrosis, diastolic dysfunction, and cardiac hypertrophy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

    PubMed Central

    Fang, Lu; Ellims, Andris H; Beale, Anna L; Taylor, Andrew J; Murphy, Andrew; Dart, Anthony M

    2017-01-01

    Background: Regional or diffuse fibrosis is an early feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and is related to poor prognosis. Previous studies have documented low-grade inflammation in HCM. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between circulating inflammatory markers and myocardial fibrosis, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and the degree of cardiac hypertrophy in HCM patients. Methods and results: Fifty HCM patients were recruited while 20 healthy subjects served as the control group. Seventeen inflammatory cytokines/chemokines were measured in plasma. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography were used to assess cardiac phenotypes. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and serum amyloid P (SAP) were significantly increased in HCM patients compared to controls. IL-6, IL-4, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 were correlated with regional fibrosis while stromal cell-derived factor-1 and MCP-1 were correlated with diffuse fibrosis. Fractalkine and interferon-γ were associated with left ventricular wall thickness. The above associations remained significant in a linear regression model including age, gender, body mass index and family history. TNF-α, IL-6, SAP, MCP-1 and IL-10 were associated with parameters of diastolic dysfunction. White blood cells were also increased in HCM patients and correlated with diffuse fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. However the associations between parameters of systemic inflammation and diastolic dysfunction were weakened in the linear regression analysis. Conclusions: Systemic inflammation is associated with parameters of the disease severity of HCM patients, particularly regional and diffuse fibrosis. Modifying inflammation may reduce myocardial fibrosis in HCM patients. PMID:29218105

  14. Plasma osmolality predicts mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

    PubMed

    Kaya, HakkI; Yücel, Oğuzhan; Ege, Meltem Refiker; Zorlu, Ali; Yücel, Hasan; Güneş, Hakan; Ekmekçi, Ahmet; Yılmaz, Mehmet Birhan

    2017-01-01

    Heart failure (HF) is a fatal disease. Plasma osmolality with individual impacts of sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glucose has not been studied prognostically in patients with HF. This study aims to investigate the impact of serum osmolality on clinical endpoints in HF patients. A total of 509 patients (383 males, 126 females) with HF with reduced ejection fraction in three HF centres were retrospectively analysed between January 2007 and December 2013. Follow-up data were completed for 496 patients. Plasma osmolality was calculated as (2 × Na) + (BUN/2.8) + (Glucose/18). Quartiles of plasma osmolality were produced, and the possible relationship between plasma osmolality and cardiovascular mortality was investigated. The mean follow-up was 25 ± 22 months. The mean age was 56.5 ± 17.3 years with a mean EF of 26 ± 8%. The mean levels of plasma osmolality were as follows in the quartiles: 1st % = 280 ± 6, 2nd % = 288 ± 1, 3rd % = 293 ± 2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 292.72-293.3), and 4th % = 301 ± 5 mOsm/kg. The EF and B-type natriuretic peptide levels were similar in the four quartiles. Univariate and multivariate analyses in the Cox proportional hazard model revealed a significantly higher rate of mortality in the patients with hypo-osmolality. The Kaplan-Meier plot showed graded mortality curves with the 1st quartile having the worst prognosis, followed by the 4th quartile and the 2nd quartile, while the 3rd quartile was shown to have the best prognosis. Our study results suggest that normal plasma osmolality is between 275 and 295 mOsm/kg. However, being close to the upper limit of normal range (292-293 mOsm/kg) seems to be the optimal plasma osmolality level in terms of cardiovascular prognosis in patients with HF.

  15. Azithromycin reduces inflammation in a rat model of acute conjunctivitis

    PubMed Central

    Fernandez-Robredo, Patricia; Recalde, Sergio; Moreno-Orduña, Maite; García-García, Laura; Zarranz-Ventura, Javier; García-Layana, Alfredo

    2013-01-01

    Purpose Macrolide antibiotics are known to have various anti-inflammatory effects in addition to their antimicrobial activity, but the mechanisms are still unclear. The effect of azithromycin on inflammatory molecules in the lipopolysaccharide-induced rat conjunctivitis model was investigated. Methods Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into two groups receiving topical ocular azithromycin (15 mg/g) or vehicle. In total, six doses (25 µl) were administered as one dose twice a day for three days before subconjunctival lipopolysaccharide injection (3 mg/ml). Before the rats were euthanized, mucus secretion, conjunctival and palpebral edema and redness were evaluated. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine gene expression for interleukin-6, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9. Interleukin-6 was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, nuclear factor-kappa B with western blot, and MMP-2 activity with gelatin zymogram. Four eyes per group were processed for histology and subsequent periodic acid-Schiff staining and CD68 for immunofluorescence. The Student t test or the Wilcoxon test for independent samples was applied (SPSS v.15.0). Results Azithromycin-treated animals showed a significant reduction in all clinical signs (p<0.05) compared to controls. Interleukin-6 (p<0.05), nuclear factor-kappa B protein expression (p<0.01), and MMP-2 activity (p<0.05) in conjunctival homogenates were significantly reduced compared with the control animals. MMP-2 gene expression showed a tendency to decrease in the azithromycin group (p=0.063). Mucus secretion by goblet cells and the macrophage count in conjunctival tissue were also decreased in the azithromycin group (p<0.05). Conclusions These results suggest that azithromycin administration ameliorates induced inflammation effects in a rat model of acute conjunctivitis. PMID:23378729

  16. One in vitro model for visceral adipose-derived fibroblasts in chronic inflammation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yue Guiping; Du Lirui; Xia Tao

    2005-08-05

    One pathogenesis of the obesity-associated complications is that consistent with increased body fat mass, the elevation of adipose tissue-derived cytokines inflicts a low-grade chronic inflammation, which ultimately leads to metabolic disorders. Adipocytes and macrophages in visceral adipose (VA) have been confirmed to contribute to the chronic inflammation; however, the role of the resident fibroblasts is still unknown. We established one VA fibroblast cell line, termed VAFC. Morphological analysis indicated that there were large numbers of pits at the cell plasma membrane. In vitro VAFC cells promoted bone marrow cells to differentiate into macrophages and protected them from apoptosis in themore » serum-free conditions. Additionally, they also interfered in lymphocytes proliferation. On the basis of these results, this cell line might be an in vitro model for understanding the role of adipose-derived fibroblasts in obesity-associated chronic inflammation.« less

  17. Anterior thalamic nuclei deep brain stimulation reduces disruption of the blood-brain barrier, albumin extravasation, inflammation and apoptosis in kainic acid-induced epileptic rats.

    PubMed

    Chen, Ying-Chuan; Zhu, Guan-Yu; Wang, Xiu; Shi, Lin; Du, Ting-Ting; Liu, De-Feng; Liu, Yu-Ye; Jiang, Yin; Zhang, Xin; Zhang, Jian-Guo

    2017-12-01

    Objective The therapeutic efficacy of anterior thalamic nuclei deep brain stimulation (ATN-DBS) against seizures has been largely accepted; however, the effects of ATN-DBS on disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), albumin extravasation, inflammation and apoptosis still remain unclear. Methods Rats were distributed into four treatment groups: physiological saline (PS, N = 12), kainic acid (KA, N = 12), KA-sham-DBS (N = 12) and KA-DBS (N = 12). Seizures were monitored using video-electroencephalogram (EEG). One day after surgery, all rats were sacrificed. Then, samples were prepared for quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), western blot, immunofluorescence (IF) staining, and transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the disruption of the BBB, albumin extravasation, inflammation, and apoptosis. Result Because of the KA injection, the disruption of the BBB, albumin extravasation, inflammation and apoptosis were more severe in the KA and the KA-sham-DBS groups compared to the PS group (all Ps < 0.05 or < 0.01). The ideal outcomes were observed in the KA-DBS group. ATN-DBS produced a 46.3% reduction in seizure frequency and alleviated the disruption of the BBB, albumin extravasation, inflammatory reaction and apoptosis in comparison to the KA-sham-DBS group (all Ps < 0.05 or < 0.01). Conclusion (1) Seizures can be reduced using ATN-DBS in the epileptogenic stage. (2) ATN-DBS can reduce the disruption of the BBB and albumin extravasation. (3) ATN-DBS has an anti-inflammatory effect in epileptic models.

  18. The Interplay between inflammation and fibrosis in kidney transplantation.

    PubMed

    Torres, Irina B; Moreso, Francesc; Sarró, Eduard; Meseguer, Anna; Serón, Daniel

    2014-01-01

    Serial surveillance renal allograft biopsies have shown that early subclinical inflammation constitutes a risk factor for the development of interstitial fibrosis. More recently, it has been observed that persistent inflammation is also associated with fibrosis progression and chronic humoral rejection, two histological conditions associated with poor allograft survival. Treatment of subclinical inflammation with steroid boluses prevents progression of fibrosis and preserves renal function in patients treated with a cyclosporine-based regimen. Subclinical inflammation has been reduced after the introduction of tacrolimus based regimens, and it has been shown that immunosuppressive schedules that are effective in preventing acute rejection and subclinical inflammation may prevent the progression of fibrosis and chronic humoral rejection. On the other hand, minimization protocols are associated with progression of fibrosis, and noncompliance with the immunosuppressive regime constitutes a major risk factor for chronic humoral rejection. Thus, adequate immunosuppressive treatment, avoiding minimization strategies and reinforcing educational actions to prevent noncompliance, is at present an effective approach to combat the progression of fibrosis.

  19. The Interplay between Inflammation and Fibrosis in Kidney Transplantation

    PubMed Central

    Torres, Irina B.; Moreso, Francesc; Sarró, Eduard; Serón, Daniel

    2014-01-01

    Serial surveillance renal allograft biopsies have shown that early subclinical inflammation constitutes a risk factor for the development of interstitial fibrosis. More recently, it has been observed that persistent inflammation is also associated with fibrosis progression and chronic humoral rejection, two histological conditions associated with poor allograft survival. Treatment of subclinical inflammation with steroid boluses prevents progression of fibrosis and preserves renal function in patients treated with a cyclosporine-based regimen. Subclinical inflammation has been reduced after the introduction of tacrolimus based regimens, and it has been shown that immunosuppressive schedules that are effective in preventing acute rejection and subclinical inflammation may prevent the progression of fibrosis and chronic humoral rejection. On the other hand, minimization protocols are associated with progression of fibrosis, and noncompliance with the immunosuppressive regime constitutes a major risk factor for chronic humoral rejection. Thus, adequate immunosuppressive treatment, avoiding minimization strategies and reinforcing educational actions to prevent noncompliance, is at present an effective approach to combat the progression of fibrosis. PMID:24991565

  20. Inhalation of honey reduces airway inflammation and histopathological changes in a rabbit model of ovalbumin-induced chronic asthma

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Honey is widely used in folk medicine to treat cough, fever, and inflammation. In this study, the effect of aerosolised honey on airway tissues in a rabbit model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma was investigated. The ability of honey to act either as a rescuing agent in alleviating asthma-related symptoms or as a preventive agent to preclude the occurrence of asthma was also assessed. Methods Forty New Zealand white rabbits were sensitized twice with mixture of OVA and aluminium hydroxide on days 1 and 14. Honey treatments were given from day 23 to day 25 at two different doses (25% (v/v) and 50% (v/v) of honey diluted in sterile phosphate buffer saline. In the aerosolised honey as a rescue agent group, animals were euthanized on day 28; for the preventive group, animals were further exposed to aerosolised OVA for 3 days starting from day 28 and euthanized on day 31. The effects of honey on inflammatory cell response, airway inflammation, and goblet cell hyperplasia were assessed for each animal. Results Histopathological analyses revealed that aerosolised honey resulted in structural changes of the epithelium, mucosa, and submucosal regions of the airway that caused by the induction with OVA. Treatment with aerosolised honey has reduced the number of airway inflammatory cells present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and inhibited the goblet cell hyperplasia. Conclusion In this study, aerosolised honey was used to effectively treat and manage asthma in rabbits, and it could prove to be a promising treatment for asthma in humans. Future studies with a larger sample size and studies at the gene expression level are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which aerosolised honey reduces asthma symptoms. PMID:24886260

  1. Acetylcysteine reduces plasma homocysteine concentration and improves pulse pressure and endothelial function in patients with end-stage renal failure.

    PubMed

    Scholze, Alexandra; Rinder, Christiane; Beige, Joachim; Riezler, Reiner; Zidek, Walter; Tepel, Martin

    2004-01-27

    Increased oxidative stress, elevated plasma homocysteine concentration, increased pulse pressure, and impaired endothelial function constitute risk factors for increased mortality in patients with end-stage renal failure. We investigated the metabolic and hemodynamic effects of intravenous administration of acetylcysteine, a thiol-containing antioxidant, during a hemodialysis session in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study in 20 patients with end-stage renal failure. Under control conditions, a hemodialysis session reduced plasma homocysteine concentration to 58+/-22% predialysis (mean+/-SD), whereas in the presence of acetylcysteine, the plasma homocysteine concentration was significantly more reduced to 12+/-7% predialysis (P<0.01). The reduction of plasma homocysteine concentration was significantly correlated with a reduction of pulse pressure. A 10% decrease in plasma homocysteine concentration was associated with a decrease of pulse pressure by 2.5 mm Hg. Analysis of the second derivative of photoplethysmogram waveform showed changes of arterial wave reflectance during hemodialysis in the presence of acetylcysteine, indicating improved endothelial function. Acetylcysteine-dependent increase of homocysteine removal during a hemodialysis session improves plasma homocysteine concentration, pulse pressure, and endothelial function in patients with end-stage renal failure.

  2. Influence of diet on gut microbiota, inflammation and type 2 diabetes mellitus. First experience with macrobiotic Ma-Pi 2 diet.

    PubMed

    Fallucca, Francesco; Porrata, Carmen; Fallucca, Sara; Pianesi, Mario

    2014-03-01

    Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies have suggested that an imbalance of the intestinal microbiota may be involved in the development of several human diseases, including obesity and T2DM. The main regulators of the intestinal microbiota are age, ethnicity, the immune system and diet. A high-fat diet may induce dysbiosis, which can result in a low-grade inflammatory state, obesity and other metabolic disorders. Adding prebiotics to the diet may reduce inflammation, endotoxaemia and cytokine levels as well as improving insulin resistance and glucose tolerance. The administration of prebiotics such as fermentable dietary fibres, promotes glucagon-like peptide 1 and peptide YY (anorexigenic) and decreases ghrelin (orexigenic). In a recent 21-day, intervention study in patients with T2DM, the effect of using the macrobiotic Ma-Pi 2 diet was investigated. Results suggested that it could induce a significant improvement in fasting blood glucose, plasma lipid fractions, plasma insulin and homeostasis. It is therefore possible that a diet rich in prebiotics and probiotics can play a role in T2DM management, probably due to positive intestinal microbiota modulation. However, this must be demonstrated by larger studies including randomized controlled trials that measure indicators of inflammation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  3. Improved exercise capacity and reduced systemic inflammation after adenoviral-mediated SERCA-2a gene transfer.

    PubMed

    Gupta, Dipin; Palma, Jon; Molina, Ezequiel; Gaughan, John P; Long, Walter; Houser, Steven; Macha, Mahender

    2008-04-01

    We hypothesized that sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase pump (SERCA-2a) gene delivery would have beneficial effects upon exercise capacity and markers of inflammation in the setting of heart failure. A pressure-overload model of experimental heart failure was used in rats. Following a decrease in fractional shortening of >or=25%, animals underwent intracoronary adenoviral-mediated gene transfection using SERCA-2a. Heart failure animals were randomized to receive the SERCA-2a gene, the beta galactosidase (control) gene, or followed without any further intervention. Exercise and hemodynamic testing were performed, and myocardial and systemic markers of inflammation were assayed after 7 and 21 d. Animals receiving Ad.SERCA-2a showed an increase in exercise tolerance (499.0 +/- 14.9 versus 312.8 +/- 10.5 s, P < 0.0001) relative to Ad.Gal group. Groups treated with Ad.SERCA-2a had significantly decreased serum levels of the inflammatory markers interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha compared with Ad.Gal-treated animals. Serum levels of atrial natriuretic peptide were decreased in animals receiving Ad.SERCA-2a compared with animals receiving Ad.Gal at day 7 (0.35 +/- 0.03 versus 0.52 +/- 0.11 pg/mL, P = 0.001). Myocardial levels of the proapoptotic protein bax were reduced in Ad.SERCA-2a -treated animals compared with those receiving Ad.Gal at day 7 (protein level/actin: 0.24 +/- 0.05 versus 0.33 +/- 0.04, P = 0.04) and day 21 (protein level/actin: 0.61 +/- 0.04 versus 0.69 +/- 0.01, P = 0.001). Genetic modulation of heart failure using the SERCA-2a gene was associated with improvement in cardiac function and exercise capacity as well as improvements in heart-failure associated inflammatory markers.

  4. Role of Gut Inflammation in Altering the Monocyte Compartment and Its Osteoclastogenic Potential in HLA-B27-Transgenic Rats.

    PubMed

    Ansalone, Cecilia; Utriainen, Lotta; Milling, Simon; Goodyear, Carl S

    2017-09-01

    To investigate the relationship between intestinal inflammation and the central and peripheral innate immune system in the pathogenesis of HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthritis using an HLA-B27-transgenic (B27-Tg) rat model. The myeloid compartment of the blood and bone marrow (BM) of B27-Tg rats, as well as HLA-B7-Tg and non-Tg rats as controls, was evaluated by flow cytometry. Plasma from rats was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for levels of CCL2 and interleukin-1α (IL-1α). Rats were treated with antibiotics for 4 weeks, and the myeloid compartment of the blood and BM was evaluated by flow cytometry. The osteoclastogenic potential of BM-derived cells from antibiotic-treated rats, in the presence or absence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), was evaluated in vitro. B27-Tg rats had substantially higher numbers of circulating Lin-CD172a+CD43 low monocytes as compared to control animals, and this was significantly correlated with higher levels of plasma CCL2. Antibiotic treatment of B27-Tg rats markedly reduced the severity of ileitis, plasma levels of CCL2 and IL-1α, and number of BM and blood Lin-CD172a+CD43 low monocytes, a cell subset shown in the present study to have the greatest in vitro osteoclastogenic potential. Antibiotic treatment also prevented the TNF-dependent enhancement of osteoclastogenesis in B27-Tg rats. Microbiota-dependent intestinal inflammation in B27-Tg rats directly drives the systemic inflammatory and bone-erosive potential of the monocyte compartment. © 2017, American College of Rheumatology.

  5. Isocaloric Diets High in Animal or Plant Protein Reduce Liver Fat and Inflammation in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Markova, Mariya; Pivovarova, Olga; Hornemann, Silke; Sucher, Stephanie; Frahnow, Turid; Wegner, Katrin; Machann, Jürgen; Petzke, Klaus Jürgen; Hierholzer, Johannes; Lichtinghagen, Ralf; Herder, Christian; Carstensen-Kirberg, Maren; Roden, Michael; Rudovich, Natalia; Klaus, Susanne; Thomann, Ralph; Schneeweiss, Rosemarie; Rohn, Sascha; Pfeiffer, Andreas F H

    2017-02-01

    Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased risk of hepatic, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. High-protein diets, rich in methionine and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), apparently reduce liver fat, but can induce insulin resistance. We investigated the effects of diets high in animal protein (AP) vs plant protein (PP), which differ in levels of methionine and BCAAs, in patients with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD. We examined levels of liver fat, lipogenic indices, markers of inflammation, serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and activation of signaling pathways in adipose tissue. We performed a prospective study of individuals with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD at a tertiary medical center in Germany from June 2013 through March 2015. We analyzed data from 37 subjects placed on a diet high in AP (rich in meat and dairy foods; n = 18) or PP (mainly legume protein; n = 19) without calorie restriction for 6 weeks. The diets were isocaloric with the same macronutrient composition (30% protein, 40% carbohydrates, and 30% fat). Participants were examined at the start of the study and after the 6-week diet period for body mass index, body composition, hip circumference, resting energy expenditure, and respiratory quotient. Body fat and intrahepatic fat were detected by magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, respectively. Levels of glucose, insulin, liver enzymes, and inflammation markers, as well as individual free fatty acids and free amino acids, were measured in collected blood samples. Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps were performed to determine whole-body insulin sensitivity. Subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were collected and analyzed for gene expression patterns and phosphorylation of signaling proteins. Postprandial levels of BCAAs and methionine were significantly higher in subjects on the AP vs the PP diet. The AP and PP diets each reduced liver fat by 36%-48% within 6 weeks (for AP diet P = .0002; for

  6. Allergen challenge-induced extravasation of plasma in mouse airways.

    PubMed

    Erjefält, J S; Andersson, P; Gustafsson, B; Korsgren, M; Sonmark, B; Persson, C G

    1998-08-01

    Mouse models are extensively used to study genetic and immunological mechanisms of potential importance to inflammatory airway diseases, e.g. asthma. However, the airway pathophysiology in allergic mice has received less attention. For example, plasma extravasation and the ensuing tissue-deposition of plasma proteins, which is a hallmark of inflammation, has not been examined in allergic mice. This study aims to examine the vascular permeability and the distribution of plasma proteins in mouse airways following exposure to allergen and serotonin. Extravasated plasma was quantified by a dual isotop technique using intravascular (131I-albumin) and extrasvascular (125I-albumin) plasma tracers. Histological visualization of fibrinogen and colloidal gold revealed the tissue distribution of extravasated plasma. Allergen aerosol exposure (3% OVA, 15min) of sensitized animals resulted in a marked plasma extravasation response in the trachea (P < 0.01) and the bronchi but not in the lung parenchyma. A similar extravasation response was induced by serotonin (P<0.001). Extravasating vessels (assessed by Monastral blue dye) were identified as intercartilaginous venules. Extravasated plasma abounded in the subepithelial tissue but was absent in the epithelium and airway lumen. The allergen-induced response was dose-dependently inhibited by iv administration of formoterol (P < 0.001), a vascular antipermeability agent. The present study demonstrates that serotonin and allergen challenge of sensitized mice increase airway venular permeability to cause transient extravasation and lamina propria distribution of plasma in the large airways. We suggest that the extravasation response is a useful measure of the intensity and the distribution of active inflammation

  7. SP600125 promotes resolution of allergic airway inflammation via TLR9 in an OVA-induced murine acute asthma model.

    PubMed

    Wu, Hui-Mei; Fang, Lei; Shen, Qi-Ying; Liu, Rong-Yu

    2015-10-01

    c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) relays extracellular stimuli through phosphorylation cascades that lead to various cell responses. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the JNK inhibitor SP600125 on the resolution of airway inflammation, and the underlying mechanism using a murine acute asthma model. Female C57BL/6 mice were sensitized with saline or ovalbumin (OVA) on day 0, and challenged with OVA on day 14-20. Meanwhile, some of the mice were treated with SP600125 (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 2 h before each challenge. The airway inflammation was evaluated by counting the numbers of various types of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), histopathology, cytokines production and mucus secretion in individual mouse. In addition, we analyzed the protein levels of phosphorylated JNK and TLR9 in the lung tissues. SP600125 markedly reduced the invasion of inflammatory cells into the peribronchial regions, and decreased the numbers of eosinophils, monocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes in BALF. SP600125 also reduced the level of plasma OVA-specific IgE, lowered the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in BALF and alleviated mucus secretion. Meanwhile, SP600125 inhibited OVA-induced, increased expression of p-JNK and TLR9 in the lung tissues. Collectively, our data demonstrated that SP600125 promoted resolution of allergic airway inflammation via TLR9 in an OVA-induced murine acute asthma model. The JNK-TLR9 pathway may be a new therapeutic target in the treatment for the allergic asthma. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Fructose-enriched diet induces inflammation and reduces antioxidative defense in visceral adipose tissue of young female rats.

    PubMed

    Kovačević, Sanja; Nestorov, Jelena; Matić, Gordana; Elaković, Ivana

    2017-02-01

    The consumption of refined, fructose-enriched food continuously increases and has been linked to development of obesity, especially in young population. Low-grade inflammation and increased oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity-related disorders including type 2 diabetes. In this study, we examined alterations in inflammation and antioxidative defense system in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of fructose-fed young female rats, and related them to changes in adiposity and insulin sensitivity. We examined the effects of 9-week fructose-enriched diet applied immediately after weaning on nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) intracellular distribution, and on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα) and key antioxidative enzymes in the VAT of female rats. Insulin signaling in the VAT was evaluated at the level of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) protein and its inhibitory phosphorylation on Ser 307 . Fructose-fed rats had increased VAT mass along with increased NF-κB nuclear accumulation and elevated IL-1β, but not TNFα expression. The protein levels of antioxidative defense enzymes, mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase 2, and glutathione peroxidase, were reduced, while the protein content of IRS-1 and its inhibitory phosphorylation were not altered by fructose diet. The results suggest that fructose overconsumption-related alterations in pro-inflammatory markers and antioxidative capacity in the VAT of young female rats can be implicated in the development of adiposity, but do not affect inhibitory phosphorylation of IRS-1.

  9. Food significantly reduces plasma concentrations of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs.

    PubMed

    Kumar, Agibothu Kupparam Hemanth; Chandrasekaran, Vedachalam; Kumar, Angadi Kiran; Kawaskar, M; Lavanya, J; Swaminathan, Soumya; Ramachandran, Geetha

    2017-04-01

    Concomitant feeding and anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug administration are likely to reduce nausea and enhance compliance to treatment. However, food could lower plasma drug concentrations. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of food on two-hour plasma concentrations of rifampicin (RMP), isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide (PZA), and pharmacokinetics of these drugs in adult TB patients. Newly diagnosed adult TB patients were recruited from the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) treatment centres in Chennai Corporation, Chennai, India. Two-hour post-dosing plasma concentrations were determined in 25 patients, and a semi-intensive pharmacokinetic study was undertaken in six patients. RMP, INH and PZA concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The geometric mean two-hour concentrations with food and under fasting conditions were 2.2 and 5.5 μg/ml for RMP (P<0.001), 3.9 and 11.3 μg/ml for INH (P<0.001), and 18.0 and 28.2 μg/ml for PZA (P<0.001), respectively. Drug administration with food caused the plasma concentration to decrease by 50, 45 and 34 per cent for RMP, INH and PZA, respectively. Significant decreases in peak concentrations and exposures of drugs and delay in time to attain peak concentrations of drugs when taken with food were also observed. Our findings showed that food lowered anti-TB drug concentrations significantly and delayed absorption. Patients may be explained the beneficial effects of taking anti-TB drugs in a fasting state and advised to do so. There is a need for more research on optimization of dosing to maximize efficacy and safety of currently used drugs.

  10. [Menstruation, inflammation and comorbidities: implications for woman health].

    PubMed

    Graziottin, A; Zanello, P P

    2015-02-01

    Menstruation is the genital sign of systemic endocrine events. Heterogeneity of perimenstrual symptoms is associated with levels of inflammation, triggered by the fall of estrogens at genital and systemic level. Aim of the review is to concisely analyze the evidence on: 1) genital and systemic endocrine and inflammatory events associated with periods and perimenstrual symptoms; 2) rationale of intervention to reduce their intensity and impact on women's lives. This review of the literature, selected with a clinical perspective, supports the inflammatory basis of the menstrual event, triggered by the estrogens' and progesterone' fall. Moreover, the review analyzes the endocrine and inflammatory basis of perimenstrual pelvic and extrapelvic symptoms such as: menstrual pain, menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome, gastrointestinal symptoms, catamenial headache, depression, perimenstrual myalgia, joint pain, allergies and asthma, heavy menstrual bleeding, associated ironless anemia, brain and behavioral consequences. Inflammation, with increase of cytokines and other markers, is modulated by the degranulation of mast cells at the basal level of the endometrium, in the blood, in all the organs where mast-cell are already activated from local pathologies and within the brain. The shift of inflammation from physiological to a pathologic intensity increases the severity of perimenstrual symptoms. Symptoms persist, moderately attenuated, also during the hormone free interval (HFI) in contraception. The HFI reduction from seven to two days significantly reduces menstrual inflammation and associated symptoms.

  11. Soluble CD14 in cerebrospinal fluid is associated with markers of inflammation and axonal damage in untreated HIV-infected patients: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

    PubMed

    Jespersen, Sofie; Pedersen, Karin Kæreby; Anesten, Birgitta; Zetterberg, Henrik; Fuchs, Dietmar; Gisslén, Magnus; Hagberg, Lars; Trøseid, Marius; Nielsen, Susanne Dam

    2016-04-21

    HIV-associated cognitive impairment has declined since the introduction of combination antiretroviral treatment (cART). However, milder forms of cognitive impairment persist. Inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been associated with cognitive impairment, and CSF neurofilament light chain protein (NFL) and CSF neopterin concentrations are increased in those patients. Microbial translocation in HIV infection has been suggested to contribute to chronic inflammation, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) are markers of microbial translocation and the resulting monocyte activation, respectively. We hypothesised that microbial translocation contributes to inflammation and axonal damage in the central nervous system (CNS) in untreated HIV infection. We analyzed paired samples of plasma and CSF from 62 HIV-infected, untreated patients without cognitive symptoms from Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Measurements of neopterin and NFL in CSF were available from previous studies. Plasma and CSF sCD14 was measured using ELISA (R&D, Minneapolis, MN), and plasma and CSF LPS was measured using LAL colorimetric assay (Lonza, Walkersville, MD, USA). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. LPS in plasma was associated with plasma sCD14 (r = 0.31, P = 0.015), and plasma sCD14 was associated with CSF sCD14 (r = 0.32, P = 0.012). Furthermore, CSF sCD14 was associated with NFL (r = 0.32, P = 0.031) and neopterin (r = 0.32, P = 0.012) in CSF. LPS was not detectable in CSF. In a multivariate regression model CSF sCD14 remained associated with NFL and neopterin after adjusting for age, CD4+ cell count, and HIV RNA in CSF. In a group of untreated, HIV-infected patients LPS was associated with sCD14 in plasma, and plasma sCD14 was associated CSF sCD14. CSF sCD14 were associated with markers of CNS inflammation and axonal damage. This suggest that microbial translocation might be a driver

  12. Comprehensive metabolic profiling of chronic low-grade inflammation among generally healthy individuals.

    PubMed

    Pietzner, Maik; Kaul, Anne; Henning, Ann-Kristin; Kastenmüller, Gabi; Artati, Anna; Lerch, Markus M; Adamski, Jerzy; Nauck, Matthias; Friedrich, Nele

    2017-11-30

    Inflammation occurs as an immediate protective response of the immune system to a harmful stimulus, whether locally confined or systemic. In contrast, a persisting, i.e., chronic, inflammatory state, even at a low-grade, is a well-known risk factor in the development of common diseases like diabetes or atherosclerosis. In clinical practice, laboratory markers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and fibrinogen, are used to reveal inflammatory processes. In order to gain a deeper insight regarding inflammation-related changes in metabolism, the present study assessed the metabolic patterns associated with alterations in inflammatory markers. Based on mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy we determined a comprehensive panel of 613 plasma and 587 urine metabolites among 925 apparently healthy individuals. Associations between inflammatory markers, namely hsCRP, WBC, and fibrinogen, and metabolite levels were tested by linear regression analyses controlling for common confounders. Additionally, we tested for a discriminative signature of an advanced inflammatory state using random forest analysis. HsCRP, WBC, and fibrinogen were significantly associated with 71, 20, and 19 plasma and 22, 3, and 16 urine metabolites, respectively. Identified metabolites were related to the bradykinin system, involved in oxidative stress (e.g., glutamine or pipecolate) or linked to the urea cycle (e.g., ornithine or citrulline). In particular, urine 3'-sialyllactose was found as a novel metabolite related to inflammation. Prediction of an advanced inflammatory state based solely on 10 metabolites was well feasible (median AUC: 0.83). Comprehensive metabolic profiling confirmed the far-reaching impact of inflammatory processes on human metabolism. The identified metabolites included not only those already described as immune-modulatory but also completely novel patterns. Moreover, the observed alterations provide molecular

  13. A fish protein hydrolysate alters fatty acid composition in liver and adipose tissue and increases plasma carnitine levels in a mouse model of chronic inflammation.

    PubMed

    Bjørndal, Bodil; Berge, Christ; Ramsvik, Marie Sannes; Svardal, Asbjørn; Bohov, Pavol; Skorve, Jon; Berge, Rolf K

    2013-10-07

    There is growing evidence that fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) diets affect mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism in animals. The aim of the study was to determine if FPH could influence fatty acid metabolism and inflammation in transgene mice expressing human tumor necrosis factor alpha (hTNFα). hTNFα mice (C57BL/6 hTNFα) were given a high-fat (23%, w/w) diet containing 20% casein (control group) or 15% FPH and 5% casein (FPH group) for two weeks. After an overnight fast, blood, adipose tissue, and liver samples were collected. Gene expression and enzyme activity was analysed in liver, fatty acid composition was analyzed in liver and ovarian white adipose tissue, and inflammatory parameters, carnitine, and acylcarnitines were analyzed in plasma. The n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratio was higher in mice fed the FPH diet than in mice fed the control diet in both adipose tissue and liver, and the FPH diet affected the gene expression of ∆6 and ∆9 desaturases. Mice fed this diet also demonstrated lower hepatic activity of fatty acid synthase. Concomitantly, a lower plasma INF-γ level was observed. Plasma carnitine and the carnitine precursor γ-butyrobetaine was higher in the FPH-group compared to control, as was plasma short-chained and medium-chained acylcarnitine esters. The higher level of plasma acetylcarnitine may reflect a stimulated mitochondrial and peroxisomal β-oxidation of fatty acids, as the hepatic activities of peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase 1 and mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase-II were higher in the FPH-fed mice. The FPH diet was shown to influence hepatic fatty acid metabolism and fatty acid composition. This indicates that effects on fatty acid metabolism are important for the bioactivity of protein hydrolysates of marine origin.

  14. Plasma-deposited tetraglyme surfaces greatly reduce total blood protein adsorption, contact activation, platelet adhesion, platelet procoagulant activity, and in vitro thrombus deposition.

    PubMed

    Cao, Lan; Chang, Mark; Lee, Chi-Ying; Castner, David G; Sukavaneshvar, Sivaprasad; Ratner, Buddy D; Horbett, Thomas A

    2007-06-15

    The ability of tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (tetraglyme) plasma deposited coatings exhibiting ultralow fibrinogen adsorption to reduce blood activation was studied with six in vitro methods, namely fibrinogen and von Willebrand's factor adsorption, total protein adsorption, clotting time in recalcified plasma, platelet adhesion and procoagulant activity, and whole blood thrombosis in a disturbed flow catheter model. Surface plasmon resonance results showed that tetraglyme surfaces strongly resisted the adsorption of all proteins from human plasma. The clotting time in the presence of tetraglyme surfaces was lengthened compared with controls, indicating a lower activation of the intrinsic coagulation cascade. Platelet adhesion and thrombin generation by adherent platelets were greatly reduced on tetraglyme-coated materials, compared with uncoated and Biospan-coated glass slides. In the in vitro disturbed blood flow model, tetraglyme plasma coated catheters had 50% less thrombus than did the uncoated catheters. Tetraglyme-coated materials thus had greatly reduced blood interactions as measured with all six methods. The improved blood compatibility of plasma-deposited tetraglyme is thus not only due to their reduced platelet adhesion and activation, but also to a generalized reduction in blood interactions. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  15. Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells leads to reduced inflammation and cartilage damage in murine antigen-induced arthritis.

    PubMed

    Kehoe, Oksana; Cartwright, Alison; Askari, Ayman; El Haj, Alicia J; Middleton, Jim

    2014-06-03

    Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating and painful disease leading to increased morbidity and mortality and novel therapeutic approaches are needed. The purpose of this study was to elucidate if mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) injected in the joints of mice with arthritis are therapeutic, reducing joint swelling and cartilage destruction. Murine mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) were isolated from bone marrow of C57Bl/6 mice and expanded in culture. Cells were tested for immunophenotype and their ability to form colonies and to differentiate into chondrocytes, osteocytes and adipocytes. Antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) was induced by intra-articular injection of methylated bovine serum albumin into the knee joints of preimmunized C57Bl/6 mice. After one day, when peak swelling occurs, 500,000 mMSCs labelled with red fluorescent cell tracker CM-DiI were injected intra-articularly in the right knee joint. Left knee joints were treated as controls by receiving PBS injections. Differences between groups were calculated by Mann Whitney U test or unpaired t tests using GraphPad Prism software version 5. Knee joint diameter (swelling) was measured as a clinical indication of joint inflammation and this parameter was significantly less in MSC-treated mice compared to control-treated animals 48 hours after arthritis induction. This difference continued for ~7 days. CM-DiI-labelled MSCs were clearly visualised in the lining and sublining layers of synovium, in the region of the patella and femoral and tibial surfaces. By day 3, parameters indicative of disease severity, including cartilage depletion, inflammatory exudate and arthritic index were shown to be significantly reduced in MSC-treated animals. This difference continued for 7 days and was further confirmed by histological analysis. The serum concentration of tumour necrosis factor α was significantly decreased following MSC administration. Our results reveal that MSCs injected in the joints of mice with AIA are

  16. Probiotic yogurt and acidified milk similarly reduce postprandial inflammation and both alter the gut microbiota of healthy, young men.

    PubMed

    Burton, Kathryn J; Rosikiewicz, Marta; Pimentel, Grégory; Bütikofer, Ueli; von Ah, Ueli; Voirol, Marie-Jeanne; Croxatto, Antony; Aeby, Sébastien; Drai, Jocelyne; McTernan, Philip G; Greub, Gilbert; Pralong, François P; Vergères, Guy; Vionnet, Nathalie

    2017-05-01

    Probiotic yogurt and milk supplemented with probiotics have been investigated for their role in 'low-grade' inflammation but evidence for their efficacy is inconclusive. This study explores the impact of probiotic yogurt on metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers, with a parallel study of gut microbiota dynamics. The randomised cross-over study was conducted in fourteen healthy, young men to test probiotic yogurt compared with milk acidified with 2 % d-(+)-glucono-δ-lactone during a 2-week intervention (400 g/d). Fasting assessments, a high-fat meal test (HFM) and microbiota analyses were used to assess the intervention effects. Baseline assessments for the HFM were carried out after a run-in during which normal milk was provided. No significant differences in the inflammatory response to the HFM were observed after probiotic yogurt compared with acidified milk intake; however, both products were associated with significant reductions in the inflammatory response to the HFM compared with the baseline tests (assessed by IL6, TNFα and chemokine ligand 5) (P<0·001). These observations were accompanied by significant changes in microbiota taxa, including decreased abundance of Bilophila wadsworthia after acidified milk (log 2-fold-change (FC)=-1·5, P adj=0·05) and probiotic yogurt intake (FC=-1·3, P adj=0·03), increased abundance of Bifidobacterium species after acidified milk intake (FC=1·4, P adj=0·04) and detection of Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus (FC=7·0, P adj<0·01) and Streptococcus salivarius spp. thermophilus (FC=6·0, P adj<0·01) after probiotic yogurt intake. Probiotic yogurt and acidified milk similarly reduce postprandial inflammation that is associated with a HFM while inducing distinct changes in the gut microbiota of healthy men. These observations could be relevant for dietary treatments that target 'low-grade' inflammation.

  17. Suppression of innate inflammation and immunity by interleukin-37.

    PubMed

    Dinarello, Charles A; Nold-Petry, Claudia; Nold, Marcel; Fujita, Mayumi; Li, Suzhao; Kim, Soohyun; Bufler, Philip

    2016-05-01

    IL-37 is unique in the IL-1 family in that unlike other members of the family, IL-37 broadly suppresses innate immunity. IL-37 can be elevated in humans with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases where it likely functions to limit inflammation. Transgenic mice expressing human IL-37 (IL37-tg) exhibit less severe inflammation in models of endotoxin shock, colitis, myocardial infarction, lung, and spinal cord injury. IL37-tg mice have reduced antigen-specific responses and dendritic cells (DCs) from these mice exhibit characteristics of tolerogenic DCs. Compared to aging wild-type (WT) mice, aging IL37-tg mice are protected against B-cell leukemogenesis and heart failure. Treatment of WT mice with recombinant human IL-37 has been shown to be protective in several models of inflammation and injury. IL-37 binds to the IL-18 receptor but then recruits the orphan IL-1R8 (formerly TIR8 or SIGIRR) in order to function as an inhibitor. Here, we review the discovery of IL-37, its production, release, and mechanisms by which IL-37 reduces inflammation and suppresses immune responses. The data reviewed here suggest a therapeutic potential for IL-37. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  18. Plasma-induced highly efficient synthesis of boron doped reduced graphene oxide for supercapacitors.

    PubMed

    Li, Shaobo; Wang, Zhaofeng; Jiang, Hanmei; Zhang, Limei; Ren, Jingzheng; Zheng, Mingtao; Dong, Lichun; Sun, Luyi

    2016-09-21

    In this work, we presented a novel route to synthesize boron doped reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by using the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma technology under ambient conditions. The doping of boron (1.4 at%) led to a significant improvement in the capacitance of rGO and supercapacitors based on the as-synthesized B-rGO exhibited an outstanding specific capacitance.

  19. Regulation of the macrophage oxytocin receptor in response to inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Szeto, Angela; Sun-Suslow, Ni; Mendez, Armando J.; Hernandez, Rosa I.; Wagner, Klaus V.

    2017-01-01

    It has been demonstrated that the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation in macrophages. In the current study, we examined the role of inflammation on the expression of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR). We hypothesized that OXTR expression is increased during the inflammation through a nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-mediated pathway, thus responding as an acute-phase protein. Inflammation was induced by treating macrophages (human primary, THP-1, and murine) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and monitored by expression of IL-6. Expression of OXTR and vasopressin receptors was assessed by qPCR, and OXTR expression was confirmed by immunoblotting. Inflammation upregulated OXTR transcription 10- to 250-fold relative to control in THP-1 and human primary macrophages and increased OXTR protein expression. In contrast, vasopressin receptor-2 mRNA expression was reduced following LPS treatment. Blocking NF-κB activation prevented the increase in OXTR transcription. OT treatment of control cells and LPS-treated cells increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation, demonstrating activation of the OXTR/Gαq/11 signaling pathway. OT activation of OXTR reduced secretion of IL-6 in LPS-activated macrophages. Collectively, these findings suggest that OXTR is an acute-phase protein and that its increased expression is regulated by NF-κB and functions to attenuate cellular inflammatory responses in macrophages. PMID:28049625

  20. Coptisine attenuates obesity-related inflammation through LPS/TLR-4-mediated signaling pathway in Syrian golden hamsters.

    PubMed

    Zou, Zong-Yao; Hu, Yin-Ran; Ma, Hang; Wang, Yan-Zhi; He, Kai; Xia, Shuang; Wu, Hao; Xue, Dong-Fang; Li, Xue-Gang; Ye, Xiao-Li

    2015-09-01

    It is known that obesity resulted from consumption of diets high in fat and calories and associated with a chronic low-grade inflammation. Because the fat, sterol and bile acid metabolism of male Syrian golden hamster are more similar to that of human, in the present study, high fat and high cholesterol (HFHC) induced obese hamsters were used to evaluate the anti-inflammation and hypolipidemic role of coptisine. The results showed that body weight, plasma lipid levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-c), ApoB and pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were significantly altered in hamsters fed with HFHC diet. A strong correlation was observed between the LPS level in serum and the level of LBP and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Coptisine from the concentrations of 60 to 700 mg/L dose-dependently inhibited Enterobacter cloacae growth, which can easily induce obesity and insulin resistance. The results of endotoxin neutralization assay suggest that coptisine is capable of reducing the LPS content under inflammation status. Real time RT-PCR analyses revealed that coptisine suppressed TLR-4 in visceral fat of hamsters and decreased CD14 expression in livers of hamsters. These encouraging findings make the development of coptisine a good candidate for preventing obesity-related diseases through the LPS/TLR-4-mediated signaling pathway. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. A RHAMM Mimetic Peptide Blocks Hyaluronan Signaling and Reduces Inflammation and Fibrogenesis in Excisional Skin Wounds

    PubMed Central

    Tolg, Cornelia; Hamilton, Sara R.; Zalinska, Ewa; McCulloch, Lori; Amin, Ripal; Akentieva, Natalia; Winnik, Francoise; Savani, Rashmin; Bagli, Darius J.; Luyt, Len G.; Cowman, Mary K.; McCarthy, Jim B.; Turley, Eva A.

    2013-01-01

    Hyaluronan is activated by fragmentation and controls inflammation and fibroplasia during wound repair and diseases (eg, cancer). Hyaluronan-binding peptides were identified that modify fibrogenesis during skin wound repair. Peptides were selected from 7- to 15mer phage display libraries by panning with hyaluronan-Sepharose beads and assayed for their ability to block fibroblast migration in response to hyaluronan oligosaccharides (10 kDa). A 15mer peptide (P15-1), with homology to receptor for hyaluronan mediated motility (RHAMM) hyaluronan binding sequences, was the most effective inhibitor. P15-1 bound to 10-kDa hyaluronan with an affinity of Kd = 10−7 and appeared to specifically mimic RHAMM since it significantly reduced binding of hyaluronan oligosaccharides to recombinant RHAMM but not to recombinant CD44 or TLR2,4, and altered wound repair in wild-type but not RHAMM−/− mice. One topical application of P15-1 to full-thickness excisional rat wounds significantly reduced wound macrophage number, fibroblast number, and blood vessel density compared to scrambled, negative control peptides. Wound collagen 1, transforming growth factor β-1, and α-smooth muscle actin were reduced, whereas tenascin C was increased, suggesting that P15-1 promoted a form of scarless healing. Signaling/microarray analyses showed that P15-1 blocks RHAMM-regulated focal adhesion kinase pathways in fibroblasts. These results identify a new class of reagents that attenuate proinflammatory, fibrotic repair by blocking hyaluronan oligosaccharide signaling. PMID:22889846

  2. The association between endothelial microparticles and inflammation in patients with systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon as detected by functional imaging.

    PubMed

    Jung, Christian; Drummer, Karl; Oelzner, Peter; Figulla, Hans R; Boettcher, Joachim; Franz, Marcus; Betge, Stefan; Foerster, Martin; Wolf, Gunter; Pfeil, Alexander

    2015-01-01

    Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic, autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy and microvascular changes. Fluorescence Optical Imaging (FOI) is a technique used to assess inflammation in patients with arthritis; in this study FOI is used to quantify inflammation in the hand. Endothelial Microparticle (EMP) can reflect damage or activation of the endothelium but also actively modulate processes of inflammation, coagulation and vascular function. The aim of the present study was to quantify EMP and FOI, to determine an association between these microparticles and inflammation and to endothelial function. EMP were quantified in plasma samples of 25 patients (24 female, 1 male, age: 41 ± 9 years) with SSc using flow cytometry. EMP was defined as CD31+/CD42- MP, and CD62+ MP. Perivascular inflammation was assessed using fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) of the hand. Macrovascular endothelial function was non-invasively estimated using the Endopat system. Plasma levels of CD31+/CD42- EMP and CD62+ EMP were lower in patients with SSc compared to controls (both p <  0.05). An impaired endothelial function with an increased hyperemia index was observed. A strong association could be demonstrated between CD62+ EMP and perivascular soft tissue inflammation as assessed by the FOI global score (Spearman, p = 0.002, r = 0.61). EMP indicate molecular vascular damage in SSc; in this study a strong association between EMP and perivascular inflammation as quantified by FOI is demonstrated. Consequently EMP, using FOI, may be a potential marker benefitting the diagnosis and therapy monitoring of patients with SSc with associated Raynaud's phenomenon.

  3. Maternal systemic or cord blood inflammation is associated with birth anthropometry in a Tanzanian prospective cohort.

    PubMed

    Wilkinson, A L; Pedersen, S H; Urassa, M; Michael, D; Andreasen, A; Todd, J; Kinung'hi, S M; Changalucha, J; McDermid, J M

    2017-01-01

    HIV infection is associated with chronic systemic inflammation, with or without antiretroviral therapy. Consequences for foetal growth are not understood, particularly in settings where multiple maternal infections and malnutrition are common. The study was designed to examine maternal systemic circulating and umbilical cord blood cytokine concentrations in relation to birth anthropometry in a Tanzanian prospective cohort. A 9-plex panel of maternal plasma cytokines in HIV-positive (n = 44) and HIV-negative (n = 70) mothers and the same cytokines in umbilical cord blood collected at delivery was assayed. Linear regression modelled associations between maternal or cord blood cytokines and birth anthropometry. Health indicators (haemoglobin, mid-upper-arm circumference, body mass index) in HIV-positive mothers without considerable immunosuppression did not differ from HIV-negative women. Despite this, HIV-exposed infants had lower birthweight and length. Subgroup analyses indicated that HIV management using HAART was associated with lower plasma TNF-α, as were longer durations of any antiretroviral therapy (≥2 months). Greater maternal plasma TNF-α was associated with earlier delivery (-1.7 weeks, P = 0.039) and lower birthweights (-287 g; P = 0.020), while greater umbilical cord TNF-α (-1.43 cm; P = 0.036) and IL-12p70 (-2.4 cm; P = 0.008) were associated with shorter birth length. Birthweight was inversely associated with cord IL-12p70 (-723 g; P = 0.001) and IFN-γ (-482 g, P = 0.007). Maternal cytokines during pregnancy did not correlate with umbilical cord cytokines at delivery. Systemic inflammation identified in maternal plasma or umbilical cord blood was associated with poorer birth anthropometrics in HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed infants. Controlling maternal and/or foetal systemic inflammation may improve birth anthropometry. © 2016 The Authors. Tropical Medicine & International Health Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  4. The Cannabinoids Δ8THC, CBD, and HU-308 Act via Distinct Receptors to Reduce Corneal Pain and Inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Thapa, Dinesh; Cairns, Elizabeth A.; Szczesniak, Anna-Maria; Toguri, James T.; Caldwell, Meggie D.; Kelly, Melanie E. M.

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Background and Purpose: Corneal injury can result in dysfunction of corneal nociceptive signaling and corneal sensitization. Activation of the endocannabinoid system has been reported to be analgesic and anti-inflammatory. The purpose of this research was to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids with reported actions at cannabinoid 1 (CB1R) and cannabinoid 2 (CB2R) receptors and/or noncannabinoid receptors in an experimental model of corneal hyperalgesia. Methods: Corneal hyperalgesia (increased pain response) was generated using chemical cauterization of the corneal epithelium in wild-type (WT) and CB2R knockout (CB2R−/−) mice. Cauterized eyes were treated topically with the phytocannabinoids Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), or the CBD derivative HU-308, in the presence or absence of the CB1R antagonist AM251 (2.0 mg/kg i.p.), or the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (1 mg/kg i.p.). Behavioral pain responses to a topical capsaicin challenge at 6 h postinjury were quantified from video recordings. Mice were euthanized at 6 and 12 h postcorneal injury for immunohistochemical analysis to quantify corneal neutrophil infiltration. Results: Corneal cauterization resulted in hyperalgesia to capsaicin at 6 h postinjury compared to sham control eyes. Neutrophil infiltration, indicative of inflammation, was apparent at 6 and 12 h postinjury in WT mice. Application of Δ8THC, CBD, and HU-308 reduced the pain score and neutrophil infiltration in WT mice. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of Δ8THC, but not CBD, were blocked by the CB1R antagonist AM251, but were still apparent, for both cannabinoids, in CB2R−/− mice. However, the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of HU-308 were absent in the CB2R−/− mice. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD were blocked by the 5-HT1A antagonist WAY100635. Conclusion: Topical cannabinoids reduce

  5. The Cannabinoids Δ8THC, CBD, and HU-308 Act via Distinct Receptors to Reduce Corneal Pain and Inflammation.

    PubMed

    Thapa, Dinesh; Cairns, Elizabeth A; Szczesniak, Anna-Maria; Toguri, James T; Caldwell, Meggie D; Kelly, Melanie E M

    2018-01-01

    Background and Purpose: Corneal injury can result in dysfunction of corneal nociceptive signaling and corneal sensitization. Activation of the endocannabinoid system has been reported to be analgesic and anti-inflammatory. The purpose of this research was to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids with reported actions at cannabinoid 1 (CB 1 R) and cannabinoid 2 (CB 2 R) receptors and/or noncannabinoid receptors in an experimental model of corneal hyperalgesia. Methods: Corneal hyperalgesia (increased pain response) was generated using chemical cauterization of the corneal epithelium in wild-type (WT) and CB 2 R knockout (CB 2 R -/- ) mice. Cauterized eyes were treated topically with the phytocannabinoids Δ 8 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 8 THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), or the CBD derivative HU-308, in the presence or absence of the CB 1 R antagonist AM251 (2.0 mg/kg i.p.), or the 5-HT 1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (1 mg/kg i.p.). Behavioral pain responses to a topical capsaicin challenge at 6 h postinjury were quantified from video recordings. Mice were euthanized at 6 and 12 h postcorneal injury for immunohistochemical analysis to quantify corneal neutrophil infiltration. Results: Corneal cauterization resulted in hyperalgesia to capsaicin at 6 h postinjury compared to sham control eyes. Neutrophil infiltration, indicative of inflammation, was apparent at 6 and 12 h postinjury in WT mice. Application of Δ 8 THC, CBD, and HU-308 reduced the pain score and neutrophil infiltration in WT mice. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of Δ 8 THC, but not CBD, were blocked by the CB 1 R antagonist AM251, but were still apparent, for both cannabinoids, in CB 2 R -/- mice. However, the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of HU-308 were absent in the CB 2 R -/- mice. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD were blocked by the 5-HT 1A antagonist WAY100635. Conclusion: Topical cannabinoids

  6. Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Differentially Elevated in Objective Versus Habitual Subjective Reduced Sleep Duration in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

    PubMed

    DeMartino, Theresanne; Ghoul, Rawad El; Wang, Lu; Bena, James; Hazen, Stanley L; Tracy, Russel; Patel, Sanjay R; Auckley, Dennis; Mehra, Reena

    2016-07-01

    Data have demonstrated adverse health effects of sleep deprivation. We postulate that oxidative stress and systemic inflammation biomarkers will be elevated in relation to short-term and long-term sleep duration reduction. We analyzed data from the baseline examination of a randomized controlled trial involving participants with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Baseline polysomnography provided the total sleep time (PSG-TST, primary predictor); self-reported habitual sleep duration (SR-HSD) data was collected. Morning measures of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation included: myeloperoxidase (MPO, pmol/L), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, U/L), F2-isoprostane (ng/mg), paraoxonase 1 (PON1, nmol·min(-1)·mL(-1)), and aryl esterase (μmol·min(-1)·mL(-1)). Linear models adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular disease (CVD), smoking, statin/anti-inflammatory medications, and apnea-hypopnea index were utilized (beta estimates and 95% confidence intervals). One hundred forty-seven participants comprised the final analytic sample; they were overall middle-aged (51.0 ± 11.7 y), obese (BMI = 37.3 ± 8.1 kg/m(2)), and 17% had CVD. Multivariable models demonstrated a significant inverse association of PSG-TST and MPO (β [95% CI] = -20.28 [-37.48, -3.08], P = 0.021), i.e., 20.3 pmol/L MPO reduction per hour increase PSG-TST. Alternatively, a significant inverse association with ox-LDL and SR-HSD was observed (β [95% CI] = 0.98 [0.96, 0.99], P = 0.027), i.e., 2% ox-LDL reduction per hour increase SR-HSD. Even after consideration of obesity and OSA severity, inverse significant findings were observed such that reduced PSG-TST was associated with elevated MPO levels and SR-HSD with ox-LDL, suggesting differential up-regulation of oxidative stress and pathways of inflammation in acute versus chronic sleep curtailment. NIH clinical trials registry number NCT00607893. © 2016 Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC.

  7. Interleukin-22-deficiency and microbiota contribute to the exacerbation of Toxoplasma gondii-induced intestinal inflammation.

    PubMed

    Couturier-Maillard, A; Froux, N; Piotet-Morin, J; Michaudel, C; Brault, L; Le Bérichel, J; Sénéchal, A; Robinet, P; Chenuet, P; Jejou, S; Dumoutier, L; Renauld, J C; Iovanna, J; Huber, S; Quesniaux, Vfj; Sokol, H; Ryffel, B

    2018-05-04

    Upon oral infection with Toxoplasma gondii cysts (76 K strain) tachyzoites are released into the intestinal lumen and cross the epithelial barrier causing damage and acute intestinal inflammation in C57BL/6 (B6) mice. Here we investigated the role of microbiota and IL-22 in T.gondii-induced small intestinal inflammation. Oral T.gondii infection in B6 mice causes inflammation with IFNγ and IL-22 production. In IL-22-deficient mice, T.gondii infection augments the Th1 driven inflammation. Deficiency in either IL-22bp, the soluble IL-22 receptor or Reg3γ, an IL-22-dependent antimicrobial lectin/peptide, did not reduce inflammation. Under germ-free conditions, T.gondii-induced inflammation was reduced in correlation with parasite load. But intestinal inflammation is still present in germ-free mice, at low level, in the lamina propria, independently of IL-22 expression. Exacerbated intestinal inflammation driven by absence of IL-22 appears to be independent of IL-22 deficiency associated-dysbiosis as similar inflammation was observed after fecal transplantation of IL-22 -/- or WT microbiota to germ-free-WT mice. Our results suggest cooperation between parasite and intestinal microbiota in small intestine inflammation development and endogenous IL-22 seems to exert a protective role independently of its effect on the microbiota. In conclusion, IL-22 participates in T.gondii induced acute small intestinal inflammation independently of microbiota and Reg3γ.

  8. Tofacitinib ameliorates atherosclerosis and reduces foam cell formation in apoE deficient mice.

    PubMed

    Wang, Zaicun; Wang, Shumei; Wang, Zunzhe; Yun, Tiantian; Wang, Chenchen; Wang, Huating

    2017-08-19

    Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory cardiovascular disease with high mortality worldwide. Tofacitinib (CP-690,550), an oral small-molecule Janus kinase inhibitor, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune encephalomyelitis and ulcerative colitis. However, its protective effect against atherosclerosis remains poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Tofacitinib on atherogenic diet (ATD)-induced atherosclerosis using apolipoprotein E deficient (apoE-/-) mice. Atherosclerosis-prone apoE-/- mice were fed with ATD and treated with or without Tofacitinib through intragastrical administration (10 mg kg -1 day -1 ) for 8 weeks. Our results showed that Tofacitinib did not change plasma lipids, while significantly reduced the levels of plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. It also significantly attenuated atherosclerotic plaque lesion in the aortic root and macrophages contained in plaque as shown with Mac2 immuno-staining. Peritoneal macrophages (PMC) were separated from apoE-/- mice fed with 8-week ATD, and then subjected to inflammation tests. Flow cytometry analysis of F4/80 and CD206 and mRNA levels of M1 and M2 macrophages markers showed that M1 macrophages decreased while M2 macrophages increased in Tofacitinib treated group. Expressions of other inflammatory genes also indicated an anti-inflammatory status in mice treated with Tofacitinib. Ox-LDL was used to induce foam cell formation from PMC in wild type mice, and the results displayed a reduced formation of foam cells and decreased inflammation in mice with Tofacitinib administration (1 μM). The mRNA and protein levels of ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1), a key gene involved in cholesterol efflux, remarkably increased, while it was absence of alterations in scavenger receptors expression. Therefore, we demonstrated that Tofacitinib could attenuate atherosclerosis and foam cells formation by

  9. Reduced Plasma HDL Cholesterol in Hyperthyroid Mice Coincides with Decreased Hepatic ABCA1 Expression

    PubMed Central

    TANCEVSKI, IVAN; WEHINGER, ANDREAS; DEMETZ, EGON; ELLER, PHILIPP; DUWENSEE, KRISTINA; HUBER, JULIA; HOCHEGGER, KATHRIN; SCHGOER, WILFRIED; FIEVET, CATHERINE; STELLAARD, FRANS; RUDLING, MATS; PATSCH, JOSEF R.; RITSCH, ANDREAS

    2010-01-01

    The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of severe hyperthyroidism on plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Recently, it was shown in mice that increasing doses of triiodothyronine (T3) upregulate hepatic expression of scavenger receptor-BI (SR-BI), resulting in increased clearance of plasma HDL-C. Here we show that severe hyperthyroidism in mice did not affect hepatic expression of SR-BI, but reduced hepatic expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1), accompanied by a 40%-reduction of HDL-C. Sterol content of bile, liver and feces was markedly increased, accompanied by upregulation of hepatic CYP7A1, and ATP-binding cassette half-transporter ABCG5, which is known to promote biliary sterol secretion upon dimerization with ABCG8. Both control and hyperthyroid mice exerted identical plasma clearance of intravenously injected [3H] HDL-C, supporting the view that severe hyperthyroidism does not affect HDL-C clearance, but rather its formation via hepatic ABCA1. PMID:18388200

  10. Role of oxidants/inflammation in declining renal function in chronic kidney disease and normal aging.

    PubMed

    Vlassara, Helen; Torreggiani, Massimo; Post, James B; Zheng, Feng; Uribarri, Jaime; Striker, Gary E

    2009-12-01

    Oxidant stress (OS) and inflammation increase in normal aging and in chronic kidney disease (CKD), as observed in human and animal studies. In cross-sectional studies of the US population, these changes are associated with a decrease in renal function, which is exhibited by a significant proportion of the population. However, since many normal adults have intact renal function, and longitudinal studies show that some persons maintain normal renal function with age, the link between OS, inflammation, and renal decline is not clear. In aging mice, greater oxidant intake is associated with increased age-related CKD and mortality, which suggests that interventions that reduce OS and inflammation may be beneficial for older individuals. Both OS and inflammation can be readily lowered in normal subjects and patients with CKD stage 3-4 by a simple dietary modification that lowers intake and results in reduced serum and tissue levels of advanced glycation end products. Diabetic patients, including those with microalbuminuria, have a decreased ability to metabolize and excrete oxidants prior to observable changes in serum creatinine. Thus, OS and inflammation may occur in the diabetic kidney at an early time. We review the evidence that oxidants in the diet directly lead to increased serum levels of OS and inflammatory mediators in normal aging and in CKD. We also discuss a simple dietary intervention that helps reduce OS and inflammation, an important and achievable therapeutic goal for patients with CKD and aging individuals with reduced renal function.

  11. Astaxanthin and β-carotene in Helicobacter pylori-induced Gastric Inflammation: A Mini-review on Action Mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Kang, Hyunju; Kim, Hyeyoung

    2017-06-01

    Helicobacter pylori is a dominant bacterium living in the human gastric tissues. In H. pylori -infected tissues, the infiltrated inflammatory cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to gastric inflammation with production of various mediators. According to numerous epidemiological studies, dietary carotenoids may prevent gastric inflammation due to their antioxidant properties. Recent studies showed that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of astaxanthin and β-carotene may contribute to inhibition of H. pylori -induced gastric inflammation. Astaxanthin changes H. pylori -induced activation of T helper cell type 1 response towards T helper cell type 2 response in the infected tissues. Astaxanthin inhibits the growth of H. pylori . Even though astaxanthin reduces H. pylori -induced gastric inflammation, it does not reduce cytokine levels in the infected tissues. β-Carotene suppresses ROS-mediated inflammatory signaling, including mitogen-activated protein kinases and redox-sensitive transcription factors, and reduces expression of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-8, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 in the infected tissues. Therefore, consumption of astaxanthin- and β-carotene-rich foods may be beneficial to prevent H. pylori -induced gastric inflammation. This review will summarize anti-inflammatory mechanisms of astaxanthin and β-carotene in H. pylori -mediated gastric inflammation.

  12. Associations of low grade inflammation and endothelial dysfunction with depression - The Maastricht Study.

    PubMed

    van Dooren, Fleur E P; Schram, Miranda T; Schalkwijk, Casper G; Stehouwer, Coen D A; Henry, Ronald M A; Dagnelie, Pieter C; Schaper, Nicolaas C; van der Kallen, Carla J H; Koster, Annemarie; Sep, Simone J S; Denollet, Johan; Verhey, Frans R J; Pouwer, Frans

    2016-08-01

    The pathogenesis of depression may involve low-grade inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate the independent associations of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction with depressive symptoms and depressive disorder, and the role of lifestyle factors in this association. In The Maastricht Study, a population-based cohort study (n=852, 55% men, m=59.8±8.5years), depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and (major and minor) depressive disorder with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Plasma biomarkers of inflammation (hsCRP, SAA, sICAM-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and endothelial dysfunction (sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, sE-selectin, vWF) were measured with sandwich immunoassays and combined into two standardized sum scores. Biomarkers of inflammation (hsCRP, TNF-α, SAA, sICAM-1) and endothelial dysfunction (sICAM-1, sE-Selectin) were univariately associated with depressive symptoms and depressive disorder. The sum scores of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were associated with depressive disorder after adjustment for age, sex, type 2 diabetes, kidney function and prior cardiovascular disease (OR 1.54, p=0.001 and 1.40, p=0.006). Both sum scores remained significantly associated with depressive disorder after additional adjustment for lifestyle factors smoking, alcohol consumption and body mass index. The sum score of inflammation was also independently associated with depressive symptoms, while the sum score of endothelial dysfunction was not. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are both associated with depressive disorder, independent of lifestyle factors. Our results might suggest that inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are involved in depression. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  13. Computational Modeling of Inflammation and Wound Healing

    PubMed Central

    Ziraldo, Cordelia; Mi, Qi; An, Gary; Vodovotz, Yoram

    2013-01-01

    Objective Inflammation is both central to proper wound healing and a key driver of chronic tissue injury via a positive-feedback loop incited by incidental cell damage. We seek to derive actionable insights into the role of inflammation in wound healing in order to improve outcomes for individual patients. Approach To date, dynamic computational models have been used to study the time evolution of inflammation in wound healing. Emerging clinical data on histo-pathological and macroscopic images of evolving wounds, as well as noninvasive measures of blood flow, suggested the need for tissue-realistic, agent-based, and hybrid mechanistic computational simulations of inflammation and wound healing. Innovation We developed a computational modeling system, Simple Platform for Agent-based Representation of Knowledge, to facilitate the construction of tissue-realistic models. Results A hybrid equation–agent-based model (ABM) of pressure ulcer formation in both spinal cord-injured and -uninjured patients was used to identify control points that reduce stress caused by tissue ischemia/reperfusion. An ABM of arterial restenosis revealed new dynamics of cell migration during neointimal hyperplasia that match histological features, but contradict the currently prevailing mechanistic hypothesis. ABMs of vocal fold inflammation were used to predict inflammatory trajectories in individuals, possibly allowing for personalized treatment. Conclusions The intertwined inflammatory and wound healing responses can be modeled computationally to make predictions in individuals, simulate therapies, and gain mechanistic insights. PMID:24527362

  14. [Technological advances and micro-inflammation in dialysis patients].

    PubMed

    Ferro, Giuseppe; Ravaglia, Fiammetta; Ferrari, Elisa; Romoli, Elena; Michelassi, Stefano; Caiani, David; Pizzarelli, Francesco

    2015-01-01

    As currently performed, on line hemodiafiltration reduces, but does not normalize, the micro-inflammation of uremic patients. Recent technological advances make it possible to further reduce the inflammation connected to the dialysis treatment. 
Short bacterial DNA fragments are pro-inflammatory and can be detected in the dialysis fluids. However, their determination is not currently within normal controls of the quality of the dialysate. The scenario may change once the analysis of these fragments yields reliable, inexpensive, quick and easy to evaluate the results. At variance with standard bicarbonate dialysate, Citrate dialysate induces far less inflammation both for the well-known anti-inflammatory effect of such buffer and also because it is completely acetate free, e.g. a definitely pro-inflammatory buffer. However, the extensive use of citrate dialysate in chronic dialysis is prevented because of concerns about its potential calcium lowering effect. In our view, high convective exchange on line hemodiafiltration performed with dialysate, whose sterility and a-pirogenicity is guaranteed by increasingly sophisticated controls and with citrate buffer whose safety is certified, can serve as the gold standard of dialysis treatments in future.

  15. The impact of the peritoneal glucose load index on hydration status and inflammation in peritoneal dialysis patients.

    PubMed

    Hassan, Kamal; Hassan, Fadi; Edgem, Rabia; Moshe, Smadar; Hassan, Shadi

    2015-02-01

    To evaluate the impact of the peritoneal glucose load (PGL) on hydration status and inflammation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This cross-sectional study evaluated stable PD patients using a novel PGL index (PGLI), which was calculated as the net glucose content (g) in the PD solutions administered in the daily PD prescription divided by the dry body weight (kg) assessed by whole-body bioimpedance spectroscopy. The relationship between PGLI and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fluid overload (FO), and inflammatory markers was investigated. A total of 43 stable PD patients participated in the study. Significant positive correlations were found between PGLI and HbA1c, FO, plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. HbA1c, FO, plasma hsCRP and plasma IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with PGLI >3 g/kg/day compared with those with PGLI ≤3 g/kg/day. PGLI values >3 g/kg/day may be associated with poor glycaemic control, over hydration and augmented inflammation. PGLI might be a useful tool for the quantitative assessment of the PGL and could be applied when managing PD patients. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

  16. Inflammation and cancer: advances and new agents.

    PubMed

    Crusz, Shanthini M; Balkwill, Frances R

    2015-10-01

    Tumour-promoting inflammation is considered one of the enabling characteristics of cancer development. Chronic inflammatory disease increases the risk of some cancers, and strong epidemiological evidence exists that NSAIDs, particularly aspirin, are powerful chemopreventive agents. Tumour microenvironments contain many different inflammatory cells and mediators; targeting these factors in genetic, transplantable and inducible murine models of cancer substantially reduces the development, growth and spread of disease. Thus, this complex network of inflammation offers targets for prevention and treatment of malignant disease. Much potential exists in this area for novel cancer prevention and treatment strategies, although clinical research to support targeting of cancer-related inflammation and innate immunity in patients with advanced-stage cancer remains in its infancy. Following the initial successes of immunotherapies that modulate the adaptive immune system, we assert that inflammation and innate immunity are important targets in patients with cancer on the basis of extensive preclinical and epidemiological data. The adaptive immune response is heavily dependent on innate immunity, therefore, inhibiting some of the tumour-promoting immunosuppressive actions of the innate immune system might enhance the potential of immunotherapies that activate a nascent antitumour response.

  17. Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Inactivates Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1α to Reduce Acute Lung Inflammation and Injury in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Quintero, Pablo A.; Knolle, Martin D.; Cala, Luisa F.; Zhuang, Yuehong; Owen, Caroline A.

    2010-01-01

    To determine the role of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in acute lung injury (ALI), we delivered LPS or bleomycin by the intratracheal route to MMP-8−/− mice versus WT mice or subjected the mice to hyperoxia (95% O2) and measured lung inflammation and injury at intervals. MMP-8−/− mice with ALI had greater increases in lung PMN and macrophage counts, measures of alveolar capillary barrier injury, lung elastance, and mortality than WT mice with ALI. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from LPS-treated MMP-8−/− mice had more macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) than BALF from LPS-treated WT mice, but similar levels of other pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. MIP-1α−/− mice with ALI had less acute lung inflammation and injury than WT mice with ALI, confirming that MIP-1α promotes acute lung inflammation and injury in mice. Genetically deleting MIP-1α in MMP-8−/− mice abrogated the increased lung inflammation and injury and mortality in MMP-8−/− mice with ALI. Soluble MMP-8 cleaved and inactivated MIP-1α in vitro, but membrane-bound MMP-8 on activated PMNs had greater MIP-1α-degrading activity than soluble MMP-8. High levels of membrane-bound MMP-8 were detected on lung PMNs from LPS-treated WT mice, but soluble, active MMP-8 was not detected in BALF samples. Thus, MMP-8 has novel roles in restraining lung inflammation and in limiting alveolar capillary barrier injury during ALI in mice by inactivating MIP-1α. In addition, membrane-bound MMP-8 on activated lung PMNs is likely to be the key bioactive form of the enzyme that limits lung inflammation and alveolar capillary barrier injury during ALI. PMID:20042585

  18. High-performance liquid chromatography measurement of hyperforin and its reduced derivatives in rodent plasma.

    PubMed

    Rozio, M; Fracasso, C; Riva, A; Morazzoni, P; Caccia, S

    2005-02-25

    A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the determination of hyperforin and its reduced derivatives octahydrohyperforin and tetrahydrohyperforin in rodent plasma. The procedure includes solid-phase extraction from plasma using the Baker 3cc C8 cartridge, resolution on the Symmetry Shield RP8 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, i.d. 3.5 microm) and UV absorbance detection at 300 nm. The assay was linear over a wide range, with an overall coefficient of variation less than 10% for all compounds. The precision and accuracy were within acceptable limits and the limit of quantitation was sufficient for studies preliminarily assessing the disposition of tetrahydrohyperforin and octahydrohyperforin in the mouse and rat.

  19. Inflammation, aging, and adiposity: implications for physical therapists.

    PubMed

    Addison, Odessa; LaStayo, Paul C; Dibble, Leland E; Marcus, Robin L

    2012-01-01

    Physical therapists treat older individuals, characterized as both a needy and expanding population. Frailty, a predisability condition with links to chronic inflammatory conditions, is estimated to affect 7% of individuals older than 60 years and 40% of people older than 80 years. Chronic inflammation is one of the most important physiologic correlates of the frailty syndrome and high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, related to both aging and increasing adiposity in older individuals are related to an increased risk of mortality, sarcopenia, reduced muscle strength and decreased mobility. The purpose of this narrative review is to inform the physical therapist of the effects of aging and increasing adiposity on chronic inflammation and the association of inflammation with muscle loss, strength, and mobility impairments in older adults; and to review the current evidence to provide clinical recommendations on physical activity and exercise regimes that may mitigate chronic inflammation in older adults. As physical therapists help manage and treat an increasingly older population, understanding how the inflammatory milieu changes with aging and increasing adiposity and how these changes can be impacted by physical therapists via exercise and physical activity is critical. Exercise is a potent preventive intervention strategy and countermeasure for chronic inflammation and adiposity. Exercise can also benefit the frail older individual by combating the negative effects of chronic inflammation and optimally balancing the production of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In addition to providing an anti-inflammatory environment within muscle to mitigate the effects of chronic inflammation, exercise has the added benefit of improving muscle mass and function and decreasing adiposity in older adults.

  20. Modest Amounts of Voluntary Exercise Reduce Pain- and Stress-Related Outcomes in a Rat Model of Persistent Hind Limb Inflammation.

    PubMed

    Pitcher, Mark H; Tarum, Farid; Rauf, Imran Z; Low, Lucie A; Bushnell, Catherine

    2017-06-01

    Aerobic exercise improves outcomes in a variety of chronic health conditions, yet the support for exercise-induced effects on chronic pain in humans is mixed. Although many rodent studies have examined the effects of exercise on persistent hypersensitivity, the most used forced exercise paradigms that are known to be highly stressful. Because stress can also produce analgesic effects, we studied how voluntary exercise, known to reduce stress in healthy subjects, alters hypersensitivity, stress, and swelling in a rat model of persistent hind paw inflammation. Our data indicate that voluntary exercise rapidly and effectively reduces hypersensitivity as well as stress-related outcomes without altering swelling. Moreover, the level of exercise is unrelated to the analgesic and stress-reducing effects, suggesting that even modest amounts of exercise may impart significant benefit in persistent inflammatory pain states. Modest levels of voluntary exercise reduce pain- and stress-related outcomes in a rat model of persistent inflammatory pain, independently of the amount of exercise. As such, consistent, self-regulated activity levels may be more relevant to health improvement in persistent pain states than standardized exercise goals. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  1. Stimulation of lymphangiogenesis via VEGFR-3 inhibits chronic skin inflammation.

    PubMed

    Huggenberger, Reto; Ullmann, Stefan; Proulx, Steven T; Pytowski, Bronislaw; Alitalo, Kari; Detmar, Michael

    2010-09-27

    The role of lymphangiogenesis in inflammation has remained unclear. To investigate the role of lymphatic versus blood vasculature in chronic skin inflammation, we inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (VEGFR) signaling by function-blocking antibodies in the established keratin 14 (K14)-VEGF-A transgenic (Tg) mouse model of chronic cutaneous inflammation. Although treatment with an anti-VEGFR-2 antibody inhibited skin inflammation, epidermal hyperplasia, inflammatory infiltration, and angiogenesis, systemic inhibition of VEGFR-3, surprisingly, increased inflammatory edema formation and inflammatory cell accumulation despite inhibition of lymphangiogenesis. Importantly, chronic Tg delivery of the lymphangiogenic factor VEGF-C to the skin of K14-VEGF-A mice completely inhibited development of chronic skin inflammation, epidermal hyperplasia and abnormal differentiation, and accumulation of CD8 T cells. Similar results were found after Tg delivery of mouse VEGF-D that only activates VEGFR-3 but not VEGFR-2. Moreover, intracutaneous injection of recombinant VEGF-C156S, which only activates VEGFR-3, significantly reduced inflammation. Although lymphatic drainage was inhibited in chronic skin inflammation, it was enhanced by Tg VEGF-C delivery. Together, these results reveal an unanticipated active role of lymphatic vessels in controlling chronic inflammation. Stimulation of functional lymphangiogenesis via VEGFR-3, in addition to antiangiogenic therapy, might therefore serve as a novel strategy to treat chronic inflammatory disorders of the skin and possibly also other organs.

  2. Chronic, not acute, skin-specific inflammation promotes thrombosis in psoriasis murine models.

    PubMed

    Golden, Jackelyn B; Wang, Yunmei; Fritz, Yi; Diaconu, Doina; Zhang, Xiufen; Debanne, Sara M; Simon, Daniel I; McCormick, Thomas S; Ward, Nicole L

    2015-12-16

    Psoriasis patients exhibit an increased risk of atherothrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke. Clinical evidence suggests that psoriasis patients with early onset and more severe disease have the highest risk for these co-morbidities, perhaps due to the extent of body surface involvement, subsequent levels of systemic inflammation, or chronicity of disease. We sought to determine whether acute or chronic skin-specific inflammation was sufficient to promote thrombosis. We used two experimental mouse models of skin-specific inflammation generated in either an acute (topical Aldara application onto wild-type C57Bl/6 mice for 5 days) or chronic (a genetically engineered K5-IL-17C mouse model of psoriasiform skin inflammation) manner. Arterial thrombosis was induced using carotid artery photochemical injury (Rose Bengal-green light laser) and carotid artery diameters were measured post-clot formation. We also examined measures of clot formation including prothrombin (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Skin inflammation was examined histologically and we profiled plasma-derived lipids. The number of skin-draining lymph-node (SDLN) and splenic derived CD11b(+)Ly6C(high) pro-inflammatory monocytes and CD11b(+)Ly6G(+) neutrophils was quantified using multi-color flow cytometry. Mice treated with topical Aldara for 5 days had similar carotid artery thrombotic occlusion times to mice treated with vehicle cream (32.2 ± 3.0 vs. 31.4 ± 2.5 min, p = 0.97); in contrast, K5-IL-17C mice had accelerated occlusion times compared to littermate controls (15.7 ± 2.1 vs. 26.5 ± 3.5 min, p < 0.01) while carotid artery diameters were similar between all mice. Acanthosis, a surrogate measure of inflammation, was increased in both Aldara-treated and K5-IL-17C mice compared to their respective controls. Monocytosis, defined as elevated SDLN and/or splenic CD11b(+)Ly6C(high) cells, was significantly increased in both Aldara-treated (SDLN: 3.8-fold, p

  3. Endogenous prolactin generated during peripheral inflammation contributes to thermal hyperalgesia.

    PubMed

    Scotland, Phoebe E; Patil, Mayur; Belugin, Sergei; Henry, Michael A; Goffin, Vincent; Hargreaves, Kenneth M; Akopian, Armen N

    2011-09-01

    Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone and a neuromodulator. It sensitizes TRPV1 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1) responses in sensory neurons, but it is not clear whether peripheral inflammation results in the release of endogenous PRL, or whether endogenous PRL is capable of acting as an inflammatory mediator in a sex-dependent manner. To address these questions, we examined inflammation-induced release of endogenous PRL, and its regulation of thermal hyperalgesia in female and male rats. PRL is expressed in several types of peripheral neuronal and non-neuronal cells, including TRPV1-positive nerve fibers, preadipocytes and activated macrophages/monocytes localized in the vicinity of nerves. Evaluation of PRL levels in hindpaws and plasma indicated that complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) stimulates release of peripheral, but not systemic, PRL within 6-48 h in both ovariectomized females with estradiol replacement (OVX-E) and intact male rats. The time course of release varies in OVX-E and intact male rats. We next employed the prolactin receptor (PRL-R) antagonist Δ1-9-G129R-hPRL to assess the role of locally produced PRL in nociception. Applied at a ratio of 1 : 1 (PRL:Δ1-9-G129R-hPRL; 40 nm each), this antagonist was able to nearly (≈ 80%) reverse PRL-induced sensitization of capsaicin responses in rat sensory neurons. CFA-induced inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia in OVX-E rat hindpaws was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner by the PRL-R antagonist at 6 h but not at 24 h. In contrast, PRL contributed to inflammatory thermal hyperalgesia in intact male rats at 24, but not at 6 h. These findings indicate that inflammation leads to accumulation of endogenous PRL in female and male rats. Furthermore, PRL acts as an inflammatory mediator at different time points for female and intact male rats. © 2011 UT Health Science Center San Antonio. European Journal of Neuroscience © 2011 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

  4. Interferon-β1a reduces plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) in multiple sclerosis

    PubMed Central

    Sheremata, William A; Jy, Wenche; Delgado, Sylvia; Minagar, Alireza; McLarty, Jerry; Ahn, Yeon

    2006-01-01

    Background A correlation between plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) levels and clinical, as well as brain MRI activity, in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients has been previously reported. However, the effect(s) of treatment with interferon-β1a (IFN-β1a) on plasma levels of CD31+EMP has not been assessed. In a prospective study, we measured plasma CD31+EMP levels in 30 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Methods Using flow cytometry, in a blinded study, we measured plasma CD31+EMP in 30 consecutive patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) prior to and 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks after initiation of intramuscular therapy with interferon-β1a (IFN-β1a), 30 micrograms weekly. At each visit, clinical examination was performed and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores were assessed. Results Plasma levels of CD31+EMP were significantly reduced from 24 through 52 weeks following initiation of treatment with IFN-β1a. Conclusion Our data suggest that serial measurement of plasma CD31+EMP levels may be used as a surrogate marker of response to therapy with INF-β1a. In addition, the decline in plasma levels of CD31+EMP further supports the concept that IFN-β1a exerts stabilizing effect on the cerebral endothelial cells in pathogenesis of MS. PMID:16952316

  5. Interferon-beta1a reduces plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) in multiple sclerosis.

    PubMed

    Sheremata, William A; Jy, Wenche; Delgado, Sylvia; Minagar, Alireza; McLarty, Jerry; Ahn, Yeon

    2006-09-04

    A correlation between plasma CD31+ endothelial microparticles (CD31+EMP) levels and clinical, as well as brain MRI activity, in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients has been previously reported. However, the effect(s) of treatment with interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a) on plasma levels of CD31+EMP has not been assessed. In a prospective study, we measured plasma CD31+EMP levels in 30 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Using flow cytometry, in a blinded study, we measured plasma CD31+EMP in 30 consecutive patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) prior to and 4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks after initiation of intramuscular therapy with interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a), 30 micrograms weekly. At each visit, clinical examination was performed and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores were assessed. Plasma levels of CD31+EMP were significantly reduced from 24 through 52 weeks following initiation of treatment with IFN-beta1a. Our data suggest that serial measurement of plasma CD31+EMP levels may be used as a surrogate marker of response to therapy with INF-beta1a. In addition, the decline in plasma levels of CD31+EMP further supports the concept that IFN-beta1a exerts stabilizing effect on the cerebral endothelial cells in pathogenesis of MS.

  6. hMSCs suppress neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma

    PubMed Central

    Hong, Gyong Hwa; Kwon, Hyouk-Soo; Lee, Kyoung Young; Ha, Eun Hee; Moon, Keun-Ai; Kim, Seong Who; Oh, Wonil; Kim, Tae-Bum; Moon, Hee-Bom; Cho, You Sook

    2017-01-01

    Although chronic eosinophilic inflammation is a common feature in patients with asthma, some patients have neutrophil-dominant inflammation, which is known to be associated with severe asthma.Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have shown promise in treating various refractory immunological diseases. Thus, hMSCs may represent an alternative therapeutic option for asthma patients with neutrophil-dominant inflammation, in whom current treatments are ineffective. BALB/c mice exposed to ovalbumin and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) to induce neutrophilic airway inflammation were systemically treated with hMSCs to examine whether the hMSCs can modulate neutrophilic airway inflammation. In addition, cytokine production was evaluated in co-cultures of hMSCs with either anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from asthmatic patients or cells of the human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B to assess the response to hMSC treatment. The total number of immune cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) showed a dramatic decrease in hMSC-treated asthmatic mice, and, in particular, neutrophilic infiltration was significantly attenuated. This phenomenon was accompanied by reduced CXCL15 production in the BALF. BEAS-2B cells co-cultured with hMSCs showed reduced secretion of IL-8. Moreover, decreased secretion of IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-γ was observed when human PBMCs were cultured with hMSCs, whereas IL-10 production was greatly enhanced. Our data imply that hMSCs may have a role in reducing neutrophilic airway inflammation by downregulating neutrophil chemokine production and modulating T-cell responses. PMID:28127050

  7. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) ameliorates Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 induced chronic inflammation.

    PubMed

    Gao, Xiao; Lampraki, Eirini-Maria; Al-Khalidi, Sarwah; Qureshi, Muhammad Asif; Desai, Rhea; Wilson, Joanna Beatrice

    2017-01-01

    Chronic inflammation results when the immune system responds to trauma, injury or infection and the response is not resolved. It can lead to tissue damage and dysfunction and in some cases predispose to cancer. Some viruses (including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)) can induce inflammation, which may persist even after the infection has been controlled or cleared. The damage caused by inflammation, can itself act to perpetuate the inflammatory response. The latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of EBV is a pro-inflammatory factor and in the skin of transgenic mice causes a phenotype of hyperplasia with chronic inflammation of increasing severity, which can progress to pre-malignant and malignant lesions. LMP1 signalling leads to persistent deregulated expression of multiple proteins throughout the mouse life span, including TGFα S100A9 and chitinase-like proteins. Additionally, as the inflammation increases, numerous chemokines and cytokines are produced which promulgate the inflammation. Deposition of IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE and complement activation form part of this process and through genetic deletion of CD40, we show that this contributes to the more tissue-destructive aspects of the phenotype. Treatment of the mice with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant which feeds into the body's natural redox regulatory system through glutathione synthesis, resulted in a significantly reduced leukocyte infiltrate in the inflamed tissue, amelioration of the pathological features and delay in the inflammatory signature measured by in vivo imaging. Reducing the degree of inflammation achieved through NAC treatment, had the knock on effect of reducing leukocyte recruitment to the inflamed site, thereby slowing the progression of the pathology. These data support the idea that NAC could be considered as a treatment to alleviate chronic inflammatory pathologies, including post-viral disease. Additionally, the model described can be used to effectively monitor and accurately measure

  8. Two C-C Family Chemokines, Eotaxin and RANTES, Are Novel Independent Plasma Biomarkers for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

    PubMed

    Jones, Gregory T; Phillips, L Victoria; Williams, Michael J A; van Rij, Andre M; Kabir, Tasnuva D

    2016-04-28

    Inflammation of the aortic wall is recognised as a key pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This study was undertaken to determine whether inflammatory cytokines could be used as biomarkers for the presence of AAA. Tissue profiles of 27 inflammatory cytokine were examined in AAA (n=14) and nonaneurysmal (n=14) aortic tissues. Three cytokines, regulated upon activation normally T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), eotaxin, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta (MIP-1b), had increased expression in AAA, particularly within the adventitial layer of the aortic wall. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) had reduced expression in all layers of the AAA wall. Examination of the circulating plasma profiles of AAA (n=442) and AAA-free controls (n=970) suggested a (risk factor adjusted) AAA-association with eotaxin, RANTES, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). A plasma inflammatory cytokine score, calculated using these three markers, suggested a strong risk association with AAA (odds ratio, 4.8; 95% CI, 3.5-6.7; P<0.0001), independent of age, sex, history of ischemic heart disease, and smoking. Contrary to reports suggesting a distinct T helper 2-associated inflammatory profile in AAA, this current study suggests a more-generalized pattern of inflammation, albeit with some potentially distinct features, including elevated plasma eotaxin and decreased plasma RANTES. In combination with hsCRP, these markers may have potential utility as AAA biomarkers. © 2016 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley Blackwell.

  9. Carbonic anhydrase enzymes regulate mast cell–mediated inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Soteropoulos, Patricia

    2016-01-01

    Type 2 cytokine responses are necessary for the development of protective immunity to helminth parasites but also cause the inflammation associated with allergies and asthma. Recent studies have found that peripheral hematopoietic progenitor cells contribute to type 2 cytokine–mediated inflammation through their enhanced ability to develop into mast cells. In this study, we show that carbonic anhydrase (Car) enzymes are up-regulated in type 2–associated progenitor cells and demonstrate that Car enzyme inhibition is sufficient to prevent mouse mast cell responses and inflammation after Trichinella spiralis infection or the induction of food allergy–like disease. Further, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology and illustrate that genetically editing Car1 is sufficient to selectively reduce mast cell development. Finally, we demonstrate that Car enzymes can be targeted to prevent human mast cell development. Collectively, these experiments identify a previously unrecognized role for Car enzymes in regulating mast cell lineage commitment and suggest that Car enzyme inhibitors may possess therapeutic potential that can be used to treat mast cell–mediated inflammation. PMID:27526715

  10. Reducing bacteria and macrophage density on nanophase hydroxyapatite coated onto titanium surfaces without releasing pharmaceutical agents

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhardwaj, Garima; Yazici, Hilal; Webster, Thomas J.

    2015-04-01

    Reducing bacterial density on titanium implant surfaces has been a major concern because of the increasing number of nosocomial infections. Controlling the inflammatory response post implantation has also been an important issue for medical devices due to the detrimental effects of chronic inflammation on device performance. It has recently been demonstrated that manipulating medical device surface properties including chemistry, roughness and wettability can control both infection and inflammation. Here, we synthesized nanophase (that is, materials with one dimension in the nanoscale) hydroxyapatite coatings on titanium to reduce bacterial adhesion and inflammatory responses (as measured by macrophage functions) and compared such results to bare titanium and plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite titanium coated surfaces used clinically today. This approach is a pharmaceutical-free approach to inhibit infection and inflammation due to the detrimental side effects of any drug released in the body. Here, nanophase hydroxyapatite was synthesized in sizes ranging from 110-170 nm and was subsequently coated onto titanium samples using electrophoretic deposition. Results indicated that smaller nanoscale hydroxyapatite features on titanium surfaces alone decreased bacterial attachment in the presence of gram negative (P. aeruginosa), gram positive (S. aureus) and ampicillin resistant gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria as well as were able to control inflammatory responses; properties which should lead to their further investigation for improved medical applications.

  11. Decreased expression levels of Nurr1 are associated with chronic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Xu, Ying; Huang, Qi; Zhang, Wenfang; Wang, Yaping; Zeng, Qingling; He, Chunyan; Xue, Junli; Chen, Jin; Hu, Xuemei; Xu, Yancheng

    2015-10-01

    Chronic inflammation is associated with insulin resistance, a characteristic of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Nuclear receptor‑related protein 1 (Nurr1) can regulate inflammation, dependent on the nature of individual diseases. However, whether Nurr1 regulates chronic inflammation during the pathogenic process of T2D in humans remains to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the potential association between the expression of Nurr1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and inflammation in patients with T2D. The levels of plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and interleukin (IL)‑6, the relative expression levels of Nurr1, and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‑3β phosphorylation in PBMCs from 40 patients with T2D and 40 healthy controls (HC group) were examined, and their potential association with clinical measures were analyzed. The expression levels of Nurr1, induced by high glucose and palmitic acid, were assessed in the PBMCs from the HC group. Compared with the HC group, significantly higher levels of plasma TNFα and IL‑6 were correlated positively with the degree of insulin resistance in the T2D patients. However, significantly lower expression levels of Nurr1 and GSK‑3β phosphorylation in the PBMCs were correlated negatively with the levels of TNFα, IL‑6, fasting insulin and insulin resistance in the T2D patients. Treatment of the PBMCs with high glucose or palmitic acid inhibited the expression of Nurr1 in a dose‑ and time‑dependent manner. Therefore, decreased expression levels of Nurr1 were associated with chronic inflammation and insulin resistance in patients with T2D.

  12. Reduced and high molecular weight barley beta-glucans decrease plasma total and non-HDL-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic Syrian golden hamsters.

    PubMed

    Wilson, Thomas A; Nicolosi, Robert J; Delaney, Bryan; Chadwell, Kim; Moolchandani, Vikas; Kotyla, Timothy; Ponduru, Sridevi; Zheng, Guo-Hua; Hess, Richard; Knutson, Nathan; Curry, Leslie; Kolberg, Lore; Goulson, Melanie; Ostergren, Karen

    2004-10-01

    Consumption of concentrated barley beta-glucan lowers plasma cholesterol because of its soluble dietary fiber nature. The role of molecular weight (MW) in lowering serum cholesterol is not well established. Prior studies showed that enzymatic degradation of beta-glucan eliminates the cholesterol-lowering activity; however, these studies did not evaluate the MW of the beta-glucan. The current study was conducted to evaluate whether barley beta-glucan concentrates, partially hydrolyzed to reduce MW, possess cholesterol-lowering and antiatherogenic activities. The reduced MW fraction was compared with a high MW beta-glucan concentrate from the same barley flour. Concentrated beta-glucan preparations were evaluated in Syrian Golden F(1)B hamsters fed a hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) with cholesterol, hydrogenated coconut oil, and cellulose. After 2 wk, hamsters were fed HCD or diets that contained high or reduced MW beta-glucan at a concentration of 8 g/100 g at the expense of cellulose. Decreases in plasma total cholesterol (TC) and non-HDL-cholesterol (non-HDL-C) concentrations occurred in the hamsters fed reduced MW and high MW beta-glucan diets. Plasma HDL-C concentrations did not differ. HCD-fed hamsters had higher plasma triglyceride concentrations. Liver TC, free cholesterol, and cholesterol ester concentrations did not differ. Aortic cholesterol ester concentrations were lower in the reduced MW beta-glucan-fed hamsters. Consumption of either high or reduced MW beta-glucan increased concentrations of fecal total neutral sterols and coprostanol, a cholesterol derivative. Fecal excretion of cholesterol was greater than in HCD-fed hamsters only in those fed the reduced MW beta-glucan. Study results demonstrate that the cholesterol-lowering activity of barley beta-glucan may occur at both lower and higher MW.

  13. Metabolic endotoxaemia--a potential novel link between ovarian inflammation and impaired progesterone production.

    PubMed

    Tremellen, Kelton; Syedi, Naeema; Tan, Sze; Pearce, Karma

    2015-04-01

    Medical conditions such as obesity and inflammatory bowel disease are associated with impaired luteal function, menstrual disturbance and infertility. It is proposed that the disturbance in gut wall integrity ("leaky gut") seen in these conditions may result in the passage of bacterial endotoxin (LPS) from the colonic lumen into the circulation that may initiate inflammation in the ovary and subsequently impair hormone production. Quantify the association between systemic levels of LBP, a marker of endotoxin exposure, and levels of inflammation in the ovary (follicular fluid IL-6), plus steroid hormone production in 45 women undergoing IVF treatment. Endotoxaemia (LBP) were positively correlated with plasma CRP and inflammation within the ovary (follicular fluid IL-6). Furthermore, endotoxaemia was negatively correlated with progesterone production. The observed correlations, together with previously published animal studies linking endotoxin exposure to impaired luteal function, suggest that the translocation of bacterial endotoxin from the gut lumen into the circulation has the potential to interfere with progesterone production and result in luteal deficiency.

  14. TRPV1 Blocking Alleviates Airway Inflammation and Remodeling in a Chronic Asthma Murine Model.

    PubMed

    Choi, Joon Young; Lee, Hwa Young; Hur, Jung; Kim, Kyung Hoon; Kang, Ji Young; Rhee, Chin Kook; Lee, Sook Young

    2018-05-01

    Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), inflammation, and remodeling. There is emerging interest in the involvement of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel in the pathophysiology of asthma. This study examined whether TRPV1 antagonism alleviates asthma features in a murine model of chronic asthma. BALB/c mice were sensitized to and challenged by ovalbumin to develop chronic asthma. Capsazepine (TRPV1 antagonist) or TRPV1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was administered in the treatment group to evaluate the effect of TPV1 antagonism on AHR, airway inflammation, and remodeling. The mice displayed increased AHR, airway inflammation, and remodeling. Treatment with capsazepine or TRPV1 siRNA reduced AHR to methacholine and airway inflammation. Type 2 T helper (Th2) cytokines (interleukin [IL]-4, IL-5, and IL-13) were reduced and epithelial cell-derived cytokines (thymic stromal lymphopoietin [TSLP], IL-33, and IL-25), which regulate Th2 cytokine-associated inflammation, were also reduced. Airway remodeling characterized by goblet cell hyperplasia, increased α-smooth muscle action, and collagen deposition was also alleviated by both treatments. Treatment directed at TRPV1 significantly alleviated AHR, airway inflammation, and remodeling in a chronic asthma murine model. The TRPV1 receptor can be a potential drug target for chronic bronchial asthma. Copyright © 2018 The Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology · The Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease.

  15. Plasma Concentrations of Hepcidin in Anemic Zimbabwean Infants.

    PubMed

    Mupfudze, Tatenda G; Stoltzfus, Rebecca J; Rukobo, Sandra; Moulton, Lawrence H; Humphrey, Jean H; Prendergast, Andrew J; Jones, Andrew D; Manges, Amee; Mangwadu, Goldberg; Maluccio, John A; Mbuya, Mduduzi N N; Ntozini, Robert; Tielsch, James M

    2015-01-01

    Anemia in infancy is a global public health problem. We evaluated the relative contributions of iron deficiency and inflammation to infant anemia. We measured plasma hepcidin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and C-reactive protein (CRP) by ELISA on archived plasma from 289 HIV-unexposed anemic or non-anemic Zimbabwean infants at ages 3 mo, 6 mo and 12 mo. Among anemic infants, we determined the proportion with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and anemia of inflammation (AI). We undertook regression analyses of plasma hepcidin and anemia status, adjusting for sex, age and birthweight. Anemic infants at 3 mo were more stunted and had higher CRP (median 0.45 vs 0.21 mg/L; P = 0.037) and hepcidin (median 14.7 vs 9.7 ng/mL; P = 0.022) than non-anemic infants, but similar levels of ferritin and sTfR; 11% infants had IDA and 15% had AI. Anemic infants at 6 mo had higher hepcidin (median 7.9 vs 4.5 ng/mL; P = 0.016) and CRP (median 2.33 vs 0.32 mg/L; P<0.001), but lower ferritin (median 13.2 vs 25.1 μg/L; P<0.001) than non-anemic infants; 56% infants had IDA and 12% had AI. Anemic infants at 12 mo had lower ferritin (median 3.2 vs 22.2 μg/L; P<0.001) and hepcidin (median 0.9 vs 1.9 ng/mL; P = 0.019), but similar CRP levels; 48% infants had IDA and 8% had AI. Comparing anemic with non-anemic infants, plasma hepcidin was 568% higher, 405% higher and 64% lower at 3 mo, 6 mo and 12 mo, respectively, after adjusting for sex and birthweight (all p<0.01). Plasma hepcidin declined significantly with age among anemic but not non-anemic infants. Girls had 61% higher hepcidin than boys, after adjusting for age, anemia and birthweight (p<0.001). Anemia is driven partly by inflammation early in infancy, and by iron deficiency later in infancy, with plasma hepcidin concentrations reflecting the relative contribution of each. However, there is need to better characterize the drivers of hepcidin during infancy in developing countries.

  16. Associations among human papillomavirus, inflammation, and fatigue in patients with head and neck cancer.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Canhua; Beitler, Jonathan J; Higgins, Kristin A; Glazer, Toby; Huynh, Linh Kha; Paul, Sudeshna; Felger, Jennifer C; Wommack, Evanthia C; Saba, Nabil F; Shin, Dong M; Bruner, Deborah W; Miller, Andrew H

    2018-05-09

    Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has contributed to an increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Fatigue is a major side effect of SCCHN and its treatment. However, to the authors' knowledge, the association between HPV and fatigue has not been examined to date, nor is it known whether HPV influences biological mechanisms of fatigue, including inflammation. Patients with SCCHN who were without distant metastasis were assessed at baseline (pre-radiotherapy) and 1 month and 3 months postradiotherapy. Fatigue was measured using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Peripheral inflammation was assessed by plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR2), and IL-6. Mixed effect models were used to examine associations. A total of 94 patients who were newly diagnosed were enrolled; 53% had HPV-related tumors. Patients with HPV-unrelated tumors had higher fatigue and higher plasma CRP, sTNFR2, and IL-6 over time, especially at baseline and 3 months after intensity-modulated radiotherapy compared with those with HPV-related tumors (all P < .05). However, fatigue and plasma sTNFR2 increased more significantly from baseline to 1 month after radiotherapy in the HPV-related group compared with the HPV-unrelated group (both P < .01). Controlling for significant covariates, HPV status and inflammation were found to be independent predictors of fatigue over time. HPV status is an important marker of vulnerability to the behavioral and immune consequences of SCCHN and its treatment, providing support for different symptom management strategies. Special emphasis should be placed on addressing marked persistent fatigue in patients with HPV-unrelated tumors, whereas attention should be paid to the large increases in fatigue during treatment among patients with HPV-related tumors. Cancer 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

  17. Dysfunction of Inflammation-Resolving Pathways Is Associated with Exaggerated Postoperative Cognitive Decline in a Rat Model of the Metabolic Syndrome

    PubMed Central

    Su, Xiao; Feng, Xiaomei; Terrando, Niccolo; Yan, Yan; Chawla, Ajay; Koch, Lauren G; Britton, Steven L; Matthay, Michael A; Maze, Mervyn

    2012-01-01

    The cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway (CAP), which terminates in the spleen, attenuates postoperative cognitive decline (PCD) in rodents. Surgical patients with metabolic syndrome exhibit exaggerated and persistent PCD that is reproduced in postoperative rats selectively bred for easy fatigability and that contain all features of metabolic syndrome (low-capacity runners [LCRs]). We compared the CAP and lipoxin A4 (LXA4), another inflammation-resolving pathway in LCR, with its counterpart high-capacity runner (HCR) rats. Isoflurane-anesthetized LCR and HCR rats either underwent aseptic trauma involving tibial fracture (surgery) or not (sham). At postoperative d 3 (POD3), compared with HCR, LCR rats exhibited significantly exaggerated PCD (trace fear conditioning freezing time 43% versus 57%). Separate cohorts were killed at POD3 to collect plasma for LXA4 and to isolate splenic mononuclear cells (MNCs) to analyze CAP signaling, regulatory T cells (Tregs) and M2 macrophages (M2 Mφ). Under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α produced by splenic MNCs was 117% higher in LCR sham and 52% higher in LCR surgery compared with HCR sham and surgery rats; LPS-stimulated TNF-α production could not be inhibited by an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, whereas inhibition by the β2 adrenergic agonist, salmeterol, was significantly less (−35%) than that obtained in HCR rats. Compared to HCR, sham and surgery LCR rats had reduced β2 adrenergic receptor–expressing T lymphocytes (59%, 44%), Tregs (47%, 54%) and M2 Mφ (45%, 39%); surgical LCR rats’ hippocampal M2 Mφ was 66% reduced, and plasma LXA4 was decreased by 120%. Rats with the metabolic syndrome have ineffective inflammation-resolving mechanisms that represent plausible reasons for the exaggerated and persistent PCD. PMID:23296426

  18. Inulin Supplementation Does Not Reduce Plasma Trimethylamine N-Oxide Concentrations in Individuals at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Baugh, Mary Elizabeth; Steele, Cortney N; Angiletta, Christopher J; Mitchell, Cassie M; Neilson, Andrew P; Davy, Brenda M; Hulver, Matthew W; Davy, Kevin P

    2018-06-20

    Trimethylamine N -oxide (TMAO) is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Prebiotic supplementation has been purported to reduce TMAO production, but whether prebiotics reduce fasting or postprandial TMAO levels is unclear. Sedentary, overweight/obese adults at risk for T2DM ( n = 18) were randomized to consume a standardized diet (55% carbohydrate, 30% fat) with 10 g/day of either an inulin supplement or maltodextrin placebo for 6 weeks. Blood samples were obtained in the fasting state and hourly during a 4-h high-fat challenge meal (820 kcal; 25% carbohydrate, 63% fat; 317.4 mg choline, 62.5 mg betaine, 8.1 mg l-carnitine) before and after the diet. Plasma TMAO and trimethylamine (TMA) moieties (choline, l-carnitine, betaine, and γ-butyrobetaine) were measured using isocratic ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). There were no differences in fasting or postprandial TMAO or TMA moieties between the inulin and placebo groups at baseline (all p > 0.05). There were no significant changes in fasting or postprandial plasma TMAO or TMA moiety concentrations following inulin or placebo. These findings suggest that inulin supplementation for 6 weeks did not reduce fasting or postprandial TMAO in individuals at risk for T2DM. Future studies are needed to identify efficacious interventions that reduce plasma TMAO concentrations.

  19. Cadmium exposure is associated with soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, a circulating marker of inflammation and future cardiovascular disease

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fagerberg, Björn, E-mail: bjorn.fagerberg@wlab.gu.

    Background: Diet and smoking are the main sources of cadmium exposure in the general population. Cadmium increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and experimental studies show that it induces inflammation. Blood cadmium levels are associated with macrophages in human atherosclerotic plaques. Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is an emerging biomarker for cardiovascular events related to inflammation and atherosclerotic plaques. The aim was to examine whether blood cadmium levels are associated with circulating suPAR and other markers of inflammation. Methods: A population sample of 4648 Swedish middle-aged women and men was examined cross-sectionally in 1991–1994. Plasma suPAR was assessed bymore » ELISA, leukocytes were measured by standard methods, and blood cadmium was analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Prevalent cardiovascular disease, ultrasound-assessed carotid plaque occurrence, and several possible confounding factors were recorded. Results: After full adjustment for risk factors and confounding variables, a 3-fold increase in blood cadmium was associated with an 10.9% increase in suPAR concentration (p<0.001). In never-smokers, a 3-fold increase in blood cadmium was associated with a 3.7% increase in suPAR concentration (p<0.01) after full adjustment. Blood cadmium was not associated with C-reactive protein, white blood cell count and Lp-PLA2 but with neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in one of two statistical models. Conclusions: Exposure to cadmium was associated with increased plasma suPAR in the general population, independently of smoking and cardiovascular disease. These results imply that cadmium is a possible cause for raised levels of this inflammatory marker. - Highlights: • Cadmium is a toxic proinflammatory, proatherosclerotic metal. • Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in plasma is a promising proinflammatory marker of atherosclerosis. • Blood cadmium and

  20. Intra-Articular Blockade of P2X7 Receptor Reduces the Articular Hyperalgesia and Inflammation in the Knee Joint Synovitis Especially in Female Rats.

    PubMed

    Teixeira, Juliana Maia; Dias, Elayne Vieira; Parada, Carlos Amílcar; Tambeli, Cláudia Herrera

    2017-02-01

    Synovitis is a key factor in joint disease pathophysiology, which affects a greater proportion of women than men. P2X7 receptor activation contributes to arthritis, but whether it plays a role in articular inflammatory pain in a sex-dependent manner is unknown. We investigated whether the P2X7 receptor blockade in the knee joint of male and female rats reduces the articular hyperalgesia and inflammation induced by a carrageenan knee joint synovitis model. Articular hyperalgesia was quantified using the rat knee joint incapacitation test and the knee joint inflammation, characterized by the concentration of cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1, and by neutrophil migration, was quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by myeloperoxidase enzyme activity measurement, respectively. P2X7 receptor blockade by the articular coadministration of selective P2X7 receptor antagonist A740003 with carrageenan significantly reduced articular hyperalgesia, pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations, and myeloperoxidase activity induced by carrageenan injection into the knee joint of male and estrus female rats. However, a lower dose of P2X7 receptor antagonist was sufficient to significantly induce the antihyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in estrus female but not in male rats. These results suggest that P2X7 receptor activation by endogenous adenosine 5'-triphosphate is essential to articular hyperalgesia and inflammation development in the knee joint of male and female rats. However, female rats are more responsive than male rats to the antihyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects induced by P2X7 receptor blockade. P2X7 receptors could be promising therapeutic targets in the treatment of knee joint disease symptoms, especially in women, who are more affected than men by these conditions. Copyright © 2016 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. A RHAMM mimetic peptide blocks hyaluronan signaling and reduces inflammation and fibrogenesis in excisional skin wounds.

    PubMed

    Tolg, Cornelia; Hamilton, Sara R; Zalinska, Ewa; McCulloch, Lori; Amin, Ripal; Akentieva, Natalia; Winnik, Francoise; Savani, Rashmin; Bagli, Darius J; Luyt, Len G; Cowman, Mary K; McCarthy, Jim B; Turley, Eva A

    2012-10-01

    Hyaluronan is activated by fragmentation and controls inflammation and fibroplasia during wound repair and diseases (eg, cancer). Hyaluronan-binding peptides were identified that modify fibrogenesis during skin wound repair. Peptides were selected from 7- to 15mer phage display libraries by panning with hyaluronan-Sepharose beads and assayed for their ability to block fibroblast migration in response to hyaluronan oligosaccharides (10 kDa). A 15mer peptide (P15-1), with homology to receptor for hyaluronan mediated motility (RHAMM) hyaluronan binding sequences, was the most effective inhibitor. P15-1 bound to 10-kDa hyaluronan with an affinity of K(d) = 10(-7) and appeared to specifically mimic RHAMM since it significantly reduced binding of hyaluronan oligosaccharides to recombinant RHAMM but not to recombinant CD44 or TLR2,4, and altered wound repair in wild-type but not RHAMM(-/-) mice. One topical application of P15-1 to full-thickness excisional rat wounds significantly reduced wound macrophage number, fibroblast number, and blood vessel density compared to scrambled, negative control peptides. Wound collagen 1, transforming growth factor β-1, and α-smooth muscle actin were reduced, whereas tenascin C was increased, suggesting that P15-1 promoted a form of scarless healing. Signaling/microarray analyses showed that P15-1 blocks RHAMM-regulated focal adhesion kinase pathways in fibroblasts. These results identify a new class of reagents that attenuate proinflammatory, fibrotic repair by blocking hyaluronan oligosaccharide signaling. Copyright © 2012 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. [Vitamin A and zinc levels in gastroenterological surgical patients: Relation with inflammation and postoperative complications].

    PubMed

    Zago, L B; Danguise, E; González Infantino, C A; Río, M E; Callegari, M

    2011-01-01

    It is accepted that even mild nutrient depletion may affect the evolution of the surgical patient. To evaluate the influence of preoperative levels of plasma retinol and zinc on postoperative evolution of surgical patients; to evaluate the influence of inflammation on both level markers. Plasma retinol and zinc were determined in 50 patients before programmed gastroenterological surgeries. To detect global malnutrition BMI and weight loss percentage (WL%) were included. C-reactive protein (CRP) was included as inflammation marker. During follow up postoperative complications were recorded. The present analysis was carried out in 43 patients with complete information. Low retinol values (< 20 μg/dl) were founded in 3 cases and low Zn values (< 85 μg/dl) in 20 cases, being 9 of them indicative of severe deficiency (< 70 μg/dl). Postoperative complications were recorded in 17 patients; patients with complications presented lower values of plasma Zn (78.4 ± 25.8 vs. 87.8 ± 25.7 μg/dl) and retinol (36.9 ± 14.5 vs. 49.7 ± 20.6; P = 0.0318) than those with no complications; the number of patients with complications decreased when retinol and Zn ranges increased. No relation between BMI or WL% and appearance of complications was founded; patients with higher WL% were those with higher usual weight. Inflammation affected both markers: retinol dropped from 50.1 ± 17.2 to 44.0 ±20.8 and to 23.7 ± 4.0 μg/dl for CRP ranges of < 0.5, 0.5-3.9 and ≥ 4 mg/dl, respectively (p = 0.0193); levels of zinc fell from 90.1 ± 17.8 to 85.2 ± 29.9 and to 55.0 ± 25.9 μg/dl for the same CRP ranges (P = 0.0195). Zn level influenced retinol level, dropping to 33.1 ± 11.7 μg/dl of retinol in the Zn severe deficiency group (P = 0.0386). The obtained results confirm the influence of vitamin A and zinc on postoperative evolution of the surgical patient, while alert about the interrelationships among vitamin A, zinc and inflammation, which lead to difficulty to establish the real

  3. The role of inflammation in preterm birth--focus on periodontitis.

    PubMed

    Klebanoff, M; Searle, K

    2006-12-01

    It is universally accepted that acute inflammation is responsible for a substantial fraction of preterm births, particularly early cases. Much of this inflammation is caused by intrauterine infection. There is also evidence that infection and perhaps inflammation remote from the genitourinary tract can trigger preterm labour. Several studies have suggested that periodontitis during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth. Periodontitis may cause preterm birth by causing low-grade bacteraemia, which lodges in the decidua, chorion and amnion or by releasing endotoxin into the maternal circulation, which triggers intrauterine inflammation and preterm birth. Alternatively, it may release cytokines and other inflammatory products, which then trigger preterm labour. It is also conceivable that periodontitis might serve as a marker for other unhealthy behaviours, or immune hyperresponsiveness and that hyperresponsiveness to low-grade intrauterine infection itself might cause preterm birth. Currently, there are few data available to distinguish these possibilities. Such distinctions are important since they have clear implications for whether treatment of periodontitis might reduce the incidence of preterm birth. Several clinical trials of treatment of periodontitis are continuing, but until their results are known there is currently little evidence that treatment of periodontitis during pregnancy reduces the incidence of preterm birth.

  4. Correlation of TLR4 and KLF7 in Inflammation Induced by Obesity.

    PubMed

    Wang, Cuizhe; Ha, Xiaodan; Li, Wei; Xu, Peng; Gu, Yajuan; Wang, Tingting; Wang, Yan; Xie, Jianxin; Zhang, Jun

    2017-02-01

    Objective Recent studies have revealed a link between toll-like receptors (TLRs), Kruppel-like factors (KLFs), and the adipose tissue inflammation associated with obesity. TLR4 is associated with chronic inflammation in obesity. KLF7 is known to play an important role in the differentiation of adipocytes, but its role in visceral adipose tissue inflammation has not yet been investigated. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the correlation of TLR4 and KLF7 in inflammation induced by obesity. Methods A total of 32 Wistar male rat subjects were fed in the center for experimental animals of Shihezi University. The rats were divided into normal control (NC) and high-fat diet (HFD) group. Surgical instruments were used to collect rats' visceral adipose tissue samples in the 10th week after HFD feeding. Ninety-five Uygur subjects between 20 and 90 years old were enrolled in the present study. The subjects were divided into two groups: the normal control group (NC, 18.0 kg/m 2  ≤ BMI ≤ 23.9 kg/m 2 , n = 50) and the obesity group (OB, BMI ≥ 28 kg/m 2 , n = 45), and visceral adipose tissue was collected from the subjects. Anthropometric and clinical parameters were measured using standard procedures; biochemical indices were detected using the glucose oxidase-peroxidase method and a standardized automatic biochemistry analyzer; the plasma levels of inflammatory factors and adipocytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the mRNA and protein expression levels of key genes involved in the inflammatory signaling pathway were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot. Results In rats, compared with the NC group, the weight, Lee's index, waist circumference, visceral fat mass, and the plasma level of Glu, TG, FFA, and TNF-α were higher in the HFD group, while the plasma levels of LPT and APN were significantly lower in the HFD group in the 10th week. Furthermore, compared with the NC group, visceral adipose

  5. Dietary copper in excess of nutritional requirement reduces plasma and breast muscle cholesterol of chickens.

    PubMed

    Bakalli, R I; Pesti, G M; Ragland, W L; Konjufca, V

    1995-02-01

    Male commercial broiler strain chickens were fed from hatching to 42 d of age either a control diet (based on corn and soybean meal) or the control diet supplemented with 250 mg copper/kg diet from cupric sulfate pentahydrate (for 35 or 42 d). Hypocholesterolemia (11.8% reduction) and decreased breast muscle cholesterol (20.4% reduction) were observed in copper-supplemented birds. There was a slight increase (P > .05) in breast muscle copper (14.5%), and all levels were very low (< .5 mg/kg). Feeding copper for 42 vs 35 d resulted in lower levels of cholesterol in the plasma (12.9 vs 10.8% reduction) and breast muscle (24.6 vs 16.2% reduction). Very similar results were found in two additional experiments in which hypocholesterolemia and reduced breast muscle cholesterol were associated with reduced plasma triglycerides and blood reduced glutathione. It is well known that hypercholesterolemia is a symptom of dietary copper deficiency. The data presented here indicate that blood and breast muscle cholesterol are inversely related to dietary copper in excess of the dietary requirement for maximal growth. The cholesterol content of the edible muscle tissue of broiler chickens can be reduced by approximately 25% after feeding a supranormal level of copper for 42 d without altering the growth of the chickens or substantially increasing the copper content of the edible meat.

  6. Age-related ventricular-vascular coupling during acute inflammation in humans: Effect of physical activity.

    PubMed

    Lane, Abbi D; Kappus, Rebecca M; Bunsawat, Kanokwan; Ranadive, Sushant M; Yan, Huimin; Phillips, Shane; Baynard, Tracy; Woods, Jeffrey A; Motl, Robert; Fernhall, Bo

    2015-07-01

    Aging is commonly accompanied by increased arterial and ventricular stiffness (determined by arterial elastance (Ea) and ventricular elastance (Elv)), augmented ventricular-vascular coupling ratios (Ea/Elv) and systemic inflammation. Acute inflammation may impact ventricular-vascular coupling and predispose older adults to cardiovascular events. However, physically active older adults have more compliant large arteries and left ventricles and lower inflammation than sedentary older adults. We hypothesized that acute inflammation would alter Ea, Elv, and Ea/Elv more in older versus younger adults but that higher levels of physical activity would attenuate inflammation-induced changes. End-systolic and central blood pressures were obtained using applanation tonometry before and at 24 and 48 h post-influenza vaccination in 24 older and 38 younger adults. Ultrasonography was used to measure ventricular volumes and other indices of cardiac performance. Physical activity was measured with accelerometry. Ea and Ea/Elv were maintained (p > 0.05), but Elv was reduced (p < 0.05) 24 h post-inflammation. Other indices of systolic performance were reduced in older but not younger adults; diastolic performance was attenuated in both groups 24 h post-inflammation (p < 0.05 for all). Older, but not younger, adults decreased central pressure during inflammation (p < 0.05). When controlled for age, physical activity was not related to the inflammation-induced changes in elastance (p > 0.05) except in the most active group of seniors (p < 0.05). Aging did not affect the elastance responses but did affect central blood pressure and other ventricular systolic responses to acute inflammation. Aging, not physical activity, appears to modulate cardiovascular responses to acute inflammation, except in the most active older adults. © The European Society of Cardiology 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

  7. Antisense inhibition of apoB synthesis with mipomersen reduces plasma apoC-III and apoC-III-containing lipoproteins.

    PubMed

    Furtado, Jeremy D; Wedel, Mark K; Sacks, Frank M

    2012-04-01

    Mipomersen, an antisense oligonucleotide that reduces hepatic production of apoB, has been shown in phase 2 studies to decrease plasma apoB, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides. ApoC-III inhibits VLDL and LDL clearance, and it stimulates inflammatory responses in vascular cells. Concentrations of VLDL or LDL with apoC-III independently predict cardiovascular disease. We performed an exploratory posthoc analysis on a subset of hypercholesterolemic subjects obtained from a randomized controlled dose-ranging phase 2 study of mipomersen receiving 100, 200, or 300 mg/wk, or placebo for 13 wk (n = 8 each). ApoC-III-containing lipoproteins were isolated by immuno-affinity chromatography and ultracentrifugation. Mipomersen 200 and 300 mg/wk reduced total apoC-III from baseline by 6 mg/dl (38-42%) compared with placebo group (P < 0.01), and it reduced apoC-III in both apoB lipoproteins and HDL. Mipomersen 100, 200, and 300 mg doses reduced apoB concentration of LDL with apoC-III (27%, 38%, and 46%; P < 0.05). Mipomersen reduced apoC-III concentration in HDL. The drug had no effect on apoE concentration in total plasma and in apoB lipoproteins. In summary, antisense inhibition of apoB synthesis reduced plasma concentrations of apoC-III and apoC-III-containing lipoproteins. Lower concentrations of apoC-III and LDL with apoC-III are associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in epidemiologic studies independent of traditional risk factors.

  8. Antisense inhibition of apoB synthesis with mipomersen reduces plasma apoC-III and apoC-III-containing lipoproteins

    PubMed Central

    Furtado, Jeremy D.; Wedel, Mark K.; Sacks, Frank M.

    2012-01-01

    Mipomersen, an antisense oligonucleotide that reduces hepatic production of apoB, has been shown in phase 2 studies to decrease plasma apoB, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides. ApoC-III inhibits VLDL and LDL clearance, and it stimulates inflammatory responses in vascular cells. Concentrations of VLDL or LDL with apoC-III independently predict cardiovascular disease. We performed an exploratory posthoc analysis on a subset of hypercholesterolemic subjects obtained from a randomized controlled dose-ranging phase 2 study of mipomersen receiving 100, 200, or 300 mg/wk, or placebo for 13 wk (n = 8 each). ApoC-III–containing lipoproteins were isolated by immuno-affinity chromatography and ultracentrifugation. Mipomersen 200 and 300 mg/wk reduced total apoC-III from baseline by 6 mg/dl (38–42%) compared with placebo group (P < 0.01), and it reduced apoC-III in both apoB lipoproteins and HDL. Mipomersen 100, 200, and 300 mg doses reduced apoB concentration of LDL with apoC-III (27%, 38%, and 46%; P < 0.05). Mipomersen reduced apoC-III concentration in HDL. The drug had no effect on apoE concentration in total plasma and in apoB lipoproteins. In summary, antisense inhibition of apoB synthesis reduced plasma concentrations of apoC-III and apoC-III–containing lipoproteins. Lower concentrations of apoC-III and LDL with apoC-III are associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in epidemiologic studies independent of traditional risk factors. PMID:22301884

  9. Macrophage matrix metalloproteinase-12 dampens inflammation and neutrophil influx in arthritis.

    PubMed

    Bellac, Caroline L; Dufour, Antoine; Krisinger, Michael J; Loonchanta, Anantasak; Starr, Amanda E; Auf dem Keller, Ulrich; Lange, Philipp F; Goebeler, Verena; Kappelhoff, Reinhild; Butler, Georgina S; Burtnick, Leslie D; Conway, Edward M; Roberts, Clive R; Overall, Christopher M

    2014-10-23

    Resolution of inflammation reduces pathological tissue destruction and restores tissue homeostasis. Here, we used a proteomic protease substrate discovery approach, terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates (TAILS), to analyze the role of the macrophage-specific matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP12) in inflammation. In murine peritonitis, MMP12 inactivates antithrombin and activates prothrombin, prolonging the activated partial thromboplastin time. Furthermore, MMP12 inactivates complement C3 to reduce complement activation and inactivates the chemoattractant anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, whereas iC3b and C3b opsonin cleavage increases phagocytosis. Loss of these anti-inflammatory activities in collagen-induced arthritis in Mmp12(-/-) mice leads to unresolved synovitis and extensive articular inflammation. Deep articular cartilage loss is associated with massive neutrophil infiltration and abnormal DNA neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The NETs are rich in fibrin and extracellular actin, which TAILS identified as MMP12 substrates. Thus, macrophage MMP12 in arthritis has multiple protective roles in countering neutrophil infiltration, clearing NETs, and dampening inflammatory pathways to prepare for the resolution of inflammation. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Effects of budesonide on the lung functions, inflammation and apoptosis in a saline-lavage model of acute lung injury.

    PubMed

    Mokra, D; Kosutova, P; Balentova, S; Adamkov, M; Mikolka, P; Mokry, J; Antosova, M; Calkovska, A

    2016-12-01

    Diffuse alveolar injury, edema, and inflammation are fundamental signs of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Whereas the systemic administration of corticosteroids previously led to controversial results, this study evaluated if corticosteroids given intratracheally may improve lung functions and reduce edema formation, migration of cells into the lung and their activation in experimentally-induced ALI. In oxygen-ventilated rabbits, ALI was induced by repetitive saline lung lavage, until PaO2 decreased to < 26.7 kPa in FiO 2 1.0. Then, one group of animals was treated with corticosteroid budesonide (Pulmicort susp inh, AstraZeneca; 0.25 mg/kg) given intratracheally by means of inpulsion regime of high-frequency jet ventilation, while another group was non-treated, and both groups were oxygen-ventilated for following 5 hours. Another group of animals served as healthy controls. After sacrifice of animals, left lung was saline-lavaged and protein content was measured and cells in the lavage fluid were determined microscopically. Right lung tissue was used for estimation of edema formation (expressed as wet/dry weight ratio), for histomorphological investigation, immunohistochemical determination of apoptosis of lung cells, and for determination of markers of inflammation and lung injury (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFNγ, esRAGE, caspase-3) by ELISA methods. Levels of several cytokines were estimated also in plasma. Repetitive lung lavage worsened gas exchange, induced lung injury, inflammation and lung edema and increased apoptosis of lung epithelial cells. Budesonide reduced lung edema, cell infiltration into the lung and apoptosis of epithelial cells and decreased concentrations of proinflammatory markers in the lung and blood. These changes resulted in improved ventilation. Concluding, curative intratracheal treatment with budesonide alleviated lung injury, inflammation, apoptosis of lung epithelial cells and lung edema and

  11. Role of systemic inflammation in cirrhosis: From pathogenesis to prognosis

    PubMed Central

    Dirchwolf, Melisa; Ruf, Andrés Eduardo

    2015-01-01

    The natural history of cirrhosis can be divided into an initial stage, known as compensated cirrhosis, and an advanced stage which encompasses both decompensated cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). The latter syndrome has been recently described as an acute deterioration of liver function in patients with cirrhosis, which is usually triggered by a precipitating event and results in the failure of one or more organs and high short-term mortality rates. Each stage is characterized by distinctive clinical manifestations and prognoses. One of the key elements involved in cirrhosis physiopathology is systemic inflammation, recently described as one of the components in the cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction syndrome. This syndrome refers to the combination of immune deficiency and exacerbated inflammation that coexist during the course of cirrhosis and relates to the appearance of clinical complications. Since systemic inflammation is often difficult to assess in cirrhosis patients, new objective, reproducible and readily-available markers are needed in order to optimize prognosis and lengthen survival. Thus, surrogate serum markers and clinical parameters of systemic inflammation have been sought to improve disease follow-up and management, especially in decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF. Leukocyte counts (evaluated as total leukocytes, total eosinophils or neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio) and plasma levels of procalcitonin or C-reactive protein have been proposed as prognostic markers, each with advantages and shortcomings. Research and prospective randomized studies that validate these and other markers are clearly warranted. PMID:26261687

  12. Quercetin ameliorates liver injury induced with Tripterygium glycosides by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

    PubMed

    Wang, Junming; Miao, Mingsan; Zhang, Yueyue; Liu, Ruixin; Li, Xaobing; Cui, Ying; Qu, Lingbo

    2015-06-01

    Quercetin (Que) is one of main compounds in Lysimachia christinae Hance (Christina loosestrife), and has both medicinal and nutritional value. Glycosides from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. (léi gōng téng [the thunder duke vine]; TG) have diverse and broad bioactivities but with a high incidence of liver injury. Our previous study reported on the hepatoprotective properties of an ethanol extract from L. christinae against TG-induced liver injury in mice. This research is designed to observe, for the first time, the possible protective properties of the compound Que against TG-induced liver injury, and the underlying mechanisms that are involved in oxidative stress and anti-inflammation. The results indicated that TG caused excessive elevation in serum levels of alanine/aspartate transaminase (ALT/AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as hepatic lipid peroxidation (all P < 0.01). On the other hand, following TG exposure, we observed significantly reduced levels of biomarkers, including hepatic glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10, as well as the enzyme activity and mRNA expression of copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and catalase (CAT) (all P < 0.01). Nevertheless, all of these alterations were reversed by the pre-administration of Que or the drug bifendate (positive control) for 7 consecutive days. Therefore, this study suggests that Que ameliorates TG-induced acute liver injury, probably through its ability to reduce oxidative stress and its anti-inflammatory properties.

  13. Evidence in obese children: contribution of hyperlipidemia, obesity-inflammation, and insulin sensitivity.

    PubMed

    Chang, Chi-Jen; Jian, Deng-Yuan; Lin, Ming-Wei; Zhao, Jun-Zhi; Ho, Low-Tone; Juan, Chi-Chang

    2015-01-01

    Evidence shows a high incidence of insulin resistance, inflammation and dyslipidemia in adult obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the relevance of inflammatory markers, circulating lipids, and insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese children. We enrolled 45 male children (aged 6 to 13 years, lean control = 16, obese = 19, overweight = 10) in this study. The plasma total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and insulin levels, the circulating levels of inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1, and the high-sensitive CRP level were determined using quantitative colorimetric sandwich ELISA kits. Compared with the lean control subjects, the obese subjects had obvious insulin resistance, abnormal lipid profiles, and low-grade inflammation. The overweight subjects only exhibited significant insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation. Both TNF-α and leptin levels were higher in the overweight/obese subjects. A concurrent correlation analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) percentile and fasting insulin were positively correlated with insulin resistance, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers but negatively correlated with adiponectin. A factor analysis identified three domains that explained 74.08% of the total variance among the obese children (factor 1: lipid, 46.05%; factor 2: obesity-inflammation, 15.38%; factor 3: insulin sensitivity domains, 12.65%). Our findings suggest that lipid, obesity-inflammation, and insulin sensitivity domains predominantly exist among obese children. These factors might be applied to predict the outcomes of cardiovascular diseases in the future.

  14. Ethnicity, plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition and inflammatory/endothelial activation biomarkers in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

    PubMed

    Steffen, B T; Steffen, L M; Tracy, R; Siscovick, D; Jacobs, D; Liu, K; He, K; Hanson, N Q; Nettleton, J A; Tsai, M Y

    2012-05-01

    It has been recognized that certain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are involved in inflammation and its resolution. It has also been shown that ethnicity may be a factor in affecting systemic inflammation, and limited evidence suggests it may influence plasma LC-PUFA composition. Given the links among these three factors, we aim to determine ethnicity-based differences in plasma LC-PUFA composition among White, Black, Hispanic and Chinese participants, and whether such differences contribute to variations in markers of inflammation and endothelial activation in a sub-cohort of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Plasma phospholipid LC-PUFAs levels (%) were determined in 2848 MESA participants using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. Enzyme immunoassays determined inflammatory markers levels for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (n=2848), interleukin-6 (n=2796), soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor type 1 (n=998), and endothelial activation markers soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (n=1192) and soluble E-selectin (n=998). The modifying influence of ethnicity was tested by linear regression analysis. Chinese adults were found to have the highest mean levels of plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 1.24%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 4.95%), and the lowest mean levels of γ-linolenic (0.10%), dihomo-γ-linolenic (DGLA, 2.96%) and arachidonic (10.72%) acids compared with the other ethnicities (all P ≤ 0.01). In contrast, Hispanics had the lowest mean levels of plasma EPA (0.70%) and DHA (3.49%), and the highest levels of DGLA (3.59%; all P ≤ 0.01). Significant differences in EPA and DHA among ethnicities were attenuated following adjustment for dietary non-fried fish and fish oil supplementation. Ethnicity did not modify the associations of LC-PUFAs with markers of inflammation or endothelial activation (all P (interaction)>0.05). The absence of a modifying effect of ethnicity indicates that the putative

  15. Plasma hepcidin levels and anemia in old age. The Leiden 85-Plus Study

    PubMed Central

    den Elzen, Wendy P.J.; de Craen, Anton J.M.; Wiegerinck, Erwin T.; Westendorp, Rudi G.J.; Swinkels, Dorine W.; Gussekloo, Jacobijn

    2013-01-01

    Hepcidin, an important regulator of iron homeostasis, is suggested to be causally related to anemia of inflammation. The aim of this study was to explore the role of plasma hepcidin in anemia among older persons from the general population. The Leiden 85-Plus Study is a population-based study of 85-year olds in Leiden, the Netherlands. Eighty-five-year old inhabitants of Leiden were enrolled between September 1997 and September 1999. At the age of 86, plasma hepcidin was determined with time of flight mass spectrometry in 490 participants [160 (32.7%) male, 114 (23.3%) with anemia]. Anemia was defined according to criteria of the World Health Organization (hemoglobin level <13 g/dL for men and hemoglobin <12 g/dL for women). The median plasma hepcidin level was 3.0 nM [interquartile range (IQR) 1.8–4.9]. We found strong correlations between plasma hepcidin and body iron status, C-reactive protein and erythropoietin levels. Significantly higher hepcidin levels were found in participants with anemia of inflammation (P<0.01), in participants with anemia of kidney disease (P=0.01), and in participants with unexplained anemia (P=0.01) than in participants without anemia. Participants with iron-deficiency anemia had significantly lower plasma hepcidin levels than participants without anemia (P<0.01). In conclusion, older persons with anemia of inflammation have higher hepcidin levels than their counterparts without anemia. The potential clinical value of hepcidin in future diagnostic algorithms for anemia has to be explored. PMID:23065507

  16. Tang-Tong-Fang Confers Protection against Experimental Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy by Reducing Inflammation

    PubMed Central

    Li, Mingdi; Huang, Da; Liu, Xiaoxing; Lin, Lan

    2015-01-01

    Tang-tong-fang (TTF) is a Chinese herbal formula that has been shown to be beneficial in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a common complication secondary to diabetic microvascular injury. However, the underlying mechanism of protection in nerve ischemia provided by TTF is still unclear. We hypothesized that TTF alleviates DPN via inhibition of ICAM-1 expression. Therefore, we tested the effect of TTF in a previously established DPN model, in which nerve injury was induced by ischemia/reperfusion in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We found that the conduction velocity and amplitude of action potentials of sciatic nerve conduction were reduced in the DPN model group but were rescued by TTF treatment. In addition, TTF treatment also attenuated the effect of DPN on other parameters including histology and ultrastructural changes, expression of ICAM-1, MPO, and TNF-α in rat sciatic nerves, and plasma sICAM-1 and MPO levels. Together, our data suggest that TTF treatment may alleviate DPN via ICAM-1 inhibition. PMID:26539228

  17. Chronic Exercise Reduces CETP and Mesterolone Treatment Counteracts Exercise Benefits on Plasma Lipoproteins Profile: Studies in Transgenic Mice.

    PubMed

    Casquero, Andrea Camargo; Berti, Jairo Augusto; Teixeira, Laura Lauand Sampaio; de Oliveira, Helena Coutinho Franco

    2017-12-01

    Regular exercise and anabolic androgenic steroids have opposing effects on the plasma lipoprotein profile and risk of cardio-metabolic diseases in humans. Studies in humans and animal models show conflicting results. Here, we used a mice model genetically modified to mimic human lipoprotein profile and metabolism. They under-express the endogenous LDL receptor gene (R1) and express a human transgene encoding the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), normally absent in mice. The present study was designed to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of testosterone supplementation, exercise training and CETP expression on the plasma lipoprotein profile and CETP activity. CETP/R1 and R1 mice were submitted to a 6-week swimming training and mesterolone (MEST) supplementation in the last 3 weeks. MEST treatment increased markedly LDL levels (40%) in sedentary CETP/R1 mice and reduced HDL levels in exercised R1 mice (18%). A multifactorial ANOVA revealed the independent effects of each factor, as follows. CETP expression reduced HDL (21%) and increased non-HDL (15%) fractions. MEST treatment increased the VLDL concentrations (42%) regardless of other interventions. Exercise training reduced triacylglycerol (25%) and free fatty acids (20%), increased both LDL and HDL (25-33%), and reduced CETP (19%) plasma levels. Significant factor interactions showed that the increase in HDL induced by exercise is explained by reducing CETP activity and that MEST blunted the exercise-induced elevation of HDL-cholesterol. These results reinforce the positive metabolic effects of exercise, resolved a controversy about CETP response to exercise and evidenced MEST potency to counteract specific exercise benefits.

  18. Differential contribution of electrically evoked dorsal root reflexes to peripheral vasodilatation and plasma extravasation

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background Dorsal root reflexes (DRRs) are antidromic activities traveling along the primary afferent fibers, which can be generated by peripheral stimulation or central stimulation. DRRs are thought to be involved in the generation of neurogenic inflammation, as indicated by plasma extravasation and vasodilatation. The hypothesis of this study was that electrical stimulation of the central stump of a cut dorsal root would lead to generation of DRRs, resulting in plasma extravasation and vasodilatation. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared to expose spinal cord and L4-L6 dorsal roots under pentobarbital general anesthesia. Electrical stimulation of either intact, proximal or distal, cut dorsal roots was applied while plasma extravasation or blood perfusion of the hindpaw was recorded. Results While stimulation of the peripheral stump of a dorsal root elicited plasma extravasation, electrical stimulation of the central stump of a cut dorsal root generated significant DRRs, but failed to induce plasma extravasation. However, stimulation of the central stump induced a significant increase in blood perfusion. Conclusions It is suggested that DRRs are involved in vasodilatation but not plasma extravasation in neurogenic inflammation in normal animals. PMID:21356101

  19. Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Attenuates Monosodium Urate-induced Inflammation in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Ju, Tae-Jin; Dan, Jin-Myoung; Cho, Young-Je

    2011-01-01

    The present study elucidated the effect of the selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor N6-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine (L-NIL) on monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammation and edema in mice feet. L-NIL (5 or 10 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally 4 h before injection of MSU (4 mg) into the soles of mice hindlimb feet. Twenty-four hours after MSU injection, foot thickness was increased by 160% and L-NIL pretreatment reduced food pad swelling in a dose dependent manner. Pretreatment of 10 mg/kg/day L-NIL significantly suppressed the foot pad swelling by MSU. Plasma level of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites and gene expression and protein level of iNOS in feet were increased by MSU, which was suppressed by L-NIL pretreatment. Similar pattern of change was observed in nitrotyrosine level. MSU increased the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β and L-NIL pretreatment suppressed MSU-induced cytokines expression. The mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase1 were increased by MSU and L-NIL pretreatment normalized the gene expression. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 was increased by MSU, which was suppressed by L-NIL pretreatment. The mRNA levels of iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β were increased by MSU in human dermal fibroblasts, C2C12 myoblasts, and human fetal osteoblasts in vitro, which was attenuated by L-NIL in a dose dependent manner. This study shows that L-NIL inhibits MSU-induced inflammation and edema in mice feet suggesting that iNOS might be involved in MSU-induced inflammation. PMID:22359474

  20. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) deficient mice are protected from adipose tissue inflammation in aging.

    PubMed

    Ghosh, Amiya K; O'Brien, Martin; Mau, Theresa; Yung, Raymond

    2017-09-07

    Adipose tissue (AT) inflammation is a central mechanism for metabolic dysfunction in both diet-induced obesity and age-associated obesity. Studies in diet-induced obesity have characterized the role of Fetuin A (Fet A) in Free Fatty Acids (FFA)-mediated TLR4 activation and adipose tissue inflammation. However, the role of Fet A & TLR4 in aging-related adipose tissue inflammation is unknown. In the current study, analysis of epidymymal fat pads of C57/Bl6 male mice, we found that, in contrast to data from diet-induced obesity models, adipose tissue from aged mice have normal Fet A and TLR4 expression. Interestingly, aged TLR4-deficient mice have diminished adipose tissue inflammation compared to normal controls. We further demonstrated that reduced AT inflammation in old TLR4-deficient mice is linked to impaired ER stress, augmented autophagy activity, and diminished senescence phenomenon. Importantly, old TLR4-deficient mice have improved glucose tolerance compared to age-matched wild type mice, suggesting that the observed reduced AT inflammation in aged TLR4-deficient mice has important physiological consequences. Taken together, our present study establishes novel aspect of aging-associated AT inflammation that is distinct from diet-induced AT inflammation. Our results also provide strong evidence that TLR4 plays a significant role in promoting aging adipose tissue inflammation.

  1. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) deficient mice are protected from adipose tissue inflammation in aging

    PubMed Central

    Ghosh, Amiya K.; O'Brien, Martin; Mau, Theresa; Yung, Raymond

    2017-01-01

    Adipose tissue (AT) inflammation is a central mechanism for metabolic dysfunction in both diet-induced obesity and age-associated obesity. Studies in diet-induced obesity have characterized the role of Fetuin A (Fet A) in Free Fatty Acids (FFA)-mediated TLR4 activation and adipose tissue inflammation. However, the role of Fet A & TLR4 in aging-related adipose tissue inflammation is unknown. In the current study, analysis of epidymymal fat pads of C57/Bl6 male mice, we found that, in contrast to data from diet-induced obesity models, adipose tissue from aged mice have normal Fet A and TLR4 expression. Interestingly, aged TLR4-deficient mice have diminished adipose tissue inflammation compared to normal controls. We further demonstrated that reduced AT inflammation in old TLR4-deficient mice is linked to impaired ER stress, augmented autophagy activity, and diminished senescence phenomenon. Importantly, old TLR4-deficient mice have improved glucose tolerance compared to age-matched wild type mice, suggesting that the observed reduced AT inflammation in aged TLR4-deficient mice has important physiological consequences. Taken together, our present study establishes novel aspect of aging-associated AT inflammation that is distinct from diet-induced AT inflammation. Our results also provide strong evidence that TLR4 plays a significant role in promoting aging adipose tissue inflammation. PMID:28898202

  2. Prolonged fasting does not increase oxidative damage or inflammation in postweaned northern elephant seal pups.

    PubMed

    Vázquez-Medina, José Pablo; Crocker, Daniel E; Forman, Henry Jay; Ortiz, Rudy M

    2010-07-15

    Elephant seals are naturally adapted to survive up to three months of absolute food and water deprivation (fasting). Prolonged food deprivation in terrestrial mammals increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, oxidative damage and inflammation that can be induced by an increase in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). To test the hypothesis that prolonged fasting in elephant seals is not associated with increased oxidative stress or inflammation, blood samples and muscle biopsies were collected from early (2-3 weeks post-weaning) and late (7-8 weeks post-weaning) fasted seals. Plasma levels of oxidative damage, inflammatory markers and plasma renin activity (PRA), along with muscle levels of lipid and protein oxidation, were compared between early and late fasting periods. Protein expression of angiotensin receptor 1 (AT(1)), pro-oxidant (Nox4) and antioxidant enzymes (CuZn- and Mn-superoxide dismutases, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) was analyzed in muscle. Fasting induced a 2.5-fold increase in PRA, a 50% increase in AT(1), a twofold increase in Nox4 and a 70% increase in NADPH oxidase activity. By contrast, neither tissue nor systemic indices of oxidative damage or inflammation increased with fasting. Furthermore, muscle antioxidant enzymes increased 40-60% with fasting in parallel with an increase in muscle and red blood cell antioxidant enzyme activities. These data suggest that, despite the observed increases in RAS and Nox4, an increase in antioxidant enzymes appears to be sufficient to suppress systemic and tissue indices of oxidative damage and inflammation in seals that have fasted for a prolonged period. The present study highlights the importance of antioxidant capacity in mammals during chronic periods of stress to help avoid deleterious systemic consequences.

  3. PLASMA AND RED CELL RADIOIRON FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS INJECTION

    PubMed Central

    Yuile, C. L.; Bly, C. G.; Stewart, W. B.; Izzo, A. J.; Wells, J. C.; Whipple, G. H.

    1949-01-01

    Sterile inflammation induced by repeated subcutaneous injections of turpentine in non-anemic, non-iron—deficient dogs, leads to a fall in plasma iron concentration, the development of a moderate anemia, and a marked delay in the uptake by the red blood cells of intravenous radioiron. Similar periods of inflammation in anemic, iron-deficient dogs on a diet low in iron cause no increase in the degree of anemia and no inhibition of red blood cell uptake of intravenous radioiron. Radioiron appears only in traces in abscess exudates. Intravenous iron disappearance curves following a single injection are uninfluenced by sterile inflammation in either anemic or non-anemic dogs. The impairment of hemoglobin synthesis caused by inflammation is at most a relative matter, since the anemia that develops is seldom severe or progressive, and since the inhibition can be overcome if the marrow is sufficiently stimulated by the demands of a severe continuing anemia. PMID:18140660

  4. A Dietary Mixture Containing Fish Oil, Resveratrol, Lycopene, Catechins, and Vitamins E and C Reduces Atherosclerosis in Transgenic Mice123

    PubMed Central

    Verschuren, Lars; Wielinga, Peter Y.; van Duyvenvoorde, Wim; Tijani, Samira; Toet, Karin; van Ommen, Ben; Kooistra, Teake; Kleemann, Robert

    2011-01-01

    Chronic inflammation and proatherogenic lipids are important risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Specific dietary constituents such as polyphenols and fish oils may improve cardiovascular risk factors and may have a beneficial effect on disease outcomes. We hypothesized that the intake of an antiinflammatory dietary mixture (AIDM) containing resveratrol, lycopene, catechin, vitamins E and C, and fish oil would reduce inflammatory risk factors, proatherogenic lipids, and endpoint atherosclerosis. AIDM was evaluated in an inflammation model, male human C-reactive protein (CRP) transgenic mice, and an atherosclerosis model, female ApoE*3Leiden transgenic mice. Two groups of male human-CRP transgenic mice were fed AIDM [0.567% (wt:wt) powder and 0.933% (wt:wt oil)] or placebo for 6 wk. The effects of AIDM on basal and IL-1β–stimulated CRP expression were investigated. AIDM reduced cytokine-induced human CRP and fibrinogen expression in human-CRP transgenic mice. In the atherosclerosis study, 2 groups of female ApoE*3Leiden transgenic mice were fed an atherogenic diet supplemented with AIDM [0.567% (wt:wt) powder and 0.933% (wt:wt oil)] or placebo for 16 wk. AIDM strongly reduced plasma cholesterol, TG, and serum amyloid A concentrations compared with placebo. Importantly, long-term treatment of ApoE*3Leiden mice with AIDM markedly reduced the development of atherosclerosis by 96% compared with placebo. The effect on atherosclerosis was paralleled by a reduced expression of the vascular inflammation markers and adhesion molecules inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin. Dietary supplementation of AIDM improves lipid and inflammatory risk factors of CVD and strongly reduces atherosclerotic lesion development in female transgenic mice. PMID:21411607

  5. MCG101-induced cancer anorexia-cachexia features altered expression of hypothalamic Nucb2 and Cartpt and increased plasma levels of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptides.

    PubMed

    Burgos, Jonathan R; Iresjö, Britt-Marie; Smedh, Ulrika

    2016-04-01

    The aim of the present study was to explore central and peripheral host responses to an anorexia-cachexia producing tumor. We focused on neuroendocrine anorexigenic signals in the hypothalamus, brainstem, pituitary and from the tumor per se. Expression of mRNA for corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), nesfatin-1, thyrotropin (TSH) and the TSH receptor were explored. In addition, we examined changes in plasma TSH, CART peptides (CARTp) and serum amyloid P component (SAP). C57BL/6 mice were implanted with MCG101 tumors or sham-treated. A sham-implanted, pair‑fed (PF) group was included to delineate between primary tumor and secondary effects from reduced feeding. Food intake and body weight were measured daily. mRNA levels from microdissected mouse brain samples were assayed using qPCR, and plasma levels were determined using ELISA. MCG101 tumors expectedly induced anorexia and loss of body weight. Tumor-bearing (TB) mice exhibited an increase in nesfatin-1 mRNA as well as a decrease in CART mRNA in the paraventricular area (PVN). The CART mRNA response was secondary to reduced caloric intake whereas nesfatin-1 mRNA appeared to be tumor-specifically induced. In the pituitary, CART and TSH mRNA were upregulated in the TB and PF animals compared to the freely fed controls. Plasma levels for CARTp were significantly elevated in TB but not PF mice whereas levels of TSH were unaffected. The plasma CARTp response was correlated to the degree of inflammation represented by SAP. The increase in nesfatin-1 mRNA in the PVN highlights nesfatin-1 as a plausible candidate for causing tumor-induced anorexia. CART mRNA expression in the PVN is likely an adaptation to reduced caloric intake secondary to a cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS)‑inducing tumor. The MCG101 tumor did not express CART mRNA, thus the elevation of plasma CARTp is host derived and likely driven by inflammation.

  6. The heterogeneity of systemic inflammation in bronchiectasis.

    PubMed

    Saleh, Aarash D; Chalmers, James D; De Soyza, Anthony; Fardon, Thomas C; Koustas, Spiro O; Scott, Jonathan; Simpson, A John; Brown, Jeremy S; Hurst, John R

    2017-06-01

    Systemic inflammation in bronchiectasis is poorly studied in relation to aetiology and severity. We hypothesized that molecular patterns of inflammation may define particular aetiology and severity groups in bronchiectasis. We assayed blood concentrations of 31 proteins from 90 bronchiectasis patients (derivation cohort) and conducted PCA to examine relationships between these markers, disease aetiology and severity. Key results were validated in two separate cohorts of 97 and 79 patients from other centres. There was significant heterogeneity in protein concentrations across the derivation population. Increasing severity of bronchiectasis (BSI) was associated with increasing fibrinogen (rho = 0.34, p = 0.001 -validated in a second cohort), and higher fibrinogen was associated with worse lung function, Pseudomonas colonisation and impaired health-status. There were generally similar patterns of inflammation in patients with idiopathic and post-infectious disease. However, patients with primary immunodeficiency had exaggerated IL-17 responses, validated in a second cohort (n = 79, immunodeficient 12.82 pg/ml versus idiopathic/post-infectious 4.95 pg/ml, p = 0.001), and thus IL-17 discriminated primary immunodeficiency from other aetiologies (AUC 0.769 (95%CI 0.661-0.877)). Bronchiectasis is associated with heterogeneity of systemic inflammatory proteins not adequately explained by differences in disease aetiology or severity. More severe disease is associated with enhanced acute-phase responses. Plasma fibrinogen was associated with bronchiectasis severity in two cohorts, Pseudomonas colonisation and health status, and offers potential as a useful biomarker. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Iron deposition and inflammation in multiple sclerosis. Which one comes first?

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Whether iron deposition is an epiphenomenon of the multiple sclerosis (MS) disease process or may play a primary role in triggering inflammation and disease development remains unclear at this time, and should be studied at the early stages of disease pathogenesis. However, it is difficult to study the relationship between iron deposition and inflammation in early MS due to the delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, and the poor availability of tissue specimens. In a recent article published in BMC Neuroscience, Williams et al. investigated the relationship between inflammation and iron deposition using an original animal model labeled as "cerebral experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis", which develops CNS perivascular iron deposits. However, the relative contribution of iron deposition vs. inflammation in the pathogenesis and progression of MS remains unknown. Further studies should establish the association between inflammation, reduced blood flow, iron deposition, microglia activation and neurodegeneration. Creating a representative animal model that can study independently such relationship will be the key factor in this endeavor. PMID:21699686

  8. Myeloid-related protein 14 promotes inflammation and injury in meningitis.

    PubMed

    Wache, Christina; Klein, Matthias; Ostergaard, Christian; Angele, Barbara; Häcker, Hans; Pfister, Hans-Walter; Pruenster, Monika; Sperandio, Markus; Leanderson, Tomas; Roth, Johannes; Vogl, Thomas; Koedel, Uwe

    2015-07-15

    Neutrophilic inflammation often persists for days despite effective antibiotic treatment and contributes to brain damage in bacterial meningitis. We propose here that myeloid-related protein 14 (MRP14), an abundant cytosolic protein in myeloid cells, acts as an endogenous danger signal, driving inflammation and aggravating tissue injury. The release pattern of MRP14 was analyzed in human and murine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as in isolated neutrophils. Its functional role was assessed in a mouse meningitis model, using MRP14-deficient mice. We detected large quantities of MRP14 in CSF specimens from patients and mice with pneumococcal meningitis. Immunohistochemical analyses and a cell-depletion approach indicated neutrophils as the major source of MRP14. In a meningitis model, MRP14-deficient mice showed a better resolution of inflammation during antibiotic therapy, which was accompanied by reduced disease severity. Intrathecal administration of MRP14 before infection reverted the phenotype of MRP14-deficient mice back to wild type. Moreover, intrathecal injection of MRP14 alone was sufficient to induce meningitis in a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-CXCL2-dependent manner. Finally, treatment with the MRP14 antagonist paquinimod reduced inflammation and disease severity significantly, reaching levels comparable to those achieved after genetic depletion of MRP14. The present study implicates MRP14 as an essential propagator of inflammation and potential therapeutic target in pneumococcal meningitis. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  9. Inflammation-induced abnormalities in the subcellular localization and trafficking of the neurokinin 1 receptor in the enteric nervous system

    PubMed Central

    Lieu, TinaMarie; Pelayo, Juan Carlos; Eriksson, Emily M.; Veldhuis, Nicholas A.; Bunnett, Nigel W.

    2015-01-01

    Activated G protein-coupled receptors traffic to endosomes and are sorted to recycling or degradative pathways. Endosomes are also a site of receptor signaling of sustained and pathophysiologically important processes, including inflammation. However, the mechanisms of endosomal sorting of receptors and the impact of disease on trafficking have not been fully defined. We examined the effects of inflammation on the subcellular distribution and trafficking of the substance P (SP) neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) in enteric neurons. We studied NK1R trafficking in enteric neurons of the mouse colon using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. The impact of inflammation was studied in IL10−/−-piroxicam and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid colitis models. NK1R was localized to the plasma membrane of myenteric and submucosal neurons of the uninflamed colon. SP evoked NK1R endocytosis and recycling. Deletion of β-arrestin2, which associates with the activated NK1R, accelerated recycling. Inhibition of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), which degrades endosomal SP, prevented recycling. Inflammation was associated with NK1R endocytosis in myenteric but not submucosal neurons. Whereas the NK1R in uninflamed neurons recycled within 60 min, NK1R recycling in inflamed neurons was delayed for >120 min, suggesting defective recycling machinery. Inflammation was associated with β-arrestin2 upregulation and ECE-1 downregulation, which may contribute to the defective NK1R recycling. We conclude that inflammation evokes redistribution of NK1R from the plasma membrane to endosomes of myenteric neurons through enhanced SP release and defective NK1R recycling. Defective recycling may be secondary to upregulation of β-arrestin2 and downregulation of ECE-1. Internalized NK1R may generate sustained proinflammatory signals that disrupt normal neuronal functions. PMID:26138465

  10. Managing chronic inflammation in the aging diabetic patient with CKD by diet or sevelamer carbonate: a modern paradigm shift.

    PubMed

    Vlassara, H; Cai, W; Chen, X; Serrano, E J; Shobha, M S; Uribarri, J; Woodward, M; Striker, G E

    2012-12-01

    The maintenance of normal metabolism and body defenses depends on the balance between cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory factors. This balance can be disrupted by agents/mechanisms in the extracellular milieu that induce excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation. Cytopathic advanced glycation endproducts, present in ever increasing amounts in the modern diet, are one of the major environmental factors that cause excess ROS and/or inflammation at all ages and induce complications in aging, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes. Increased ROS and/or inflammation are present in both aging and CKD, and are associated with reduced cellular defenses against ROS and/or inflammation. Affected individuals have reduced defenses against further stress and are predisposed to organ failure, now a well-known phenomenon in aging. Thus, new methods are urgently needed to safely reduce ROS and/or inflammation in the aging type 2 diabetes patient with CKD. Studies of both normal aging and diabetic patients with kidney disease underline the fact that increased ROS and/or inflammation can be managed in these conditions by economical, safe, and effective interventions that reduce the uptake of advanced glycation endproducts by either modifying preparation of food or an oral drug. This communication reviews these data and adds new information on the efficacy of a drug, sevelamer carbonate, required to reduce ROS and/or inflammation in the aging type 2 diabetes patient complicated by CKD. If larger and longer studies confirm the hypothesis that one or both of these interventions reduce progression of CKD, it could represent a new paradigm in the management of complications in the type 2 diabetes patient with CKD.

  11. A combination of lactic acid bacteria regulates Escherichia coli infection and inflammation of the bovine endometrium.

    PubMed

    Genís, Sandra; Sánchez-Chardi, Alejandro; Bach, Àlex; Fàbregas, Francesc; Arís, Anna

    2017-01-01

    Uterine function in cattle is compromised by bacterial contamination and inflammation after calving. The objective of this study was to select a combination of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to decrease endometrium inflammation and Escherichia coli infection. Primary endometrial epithelial cells were cultured in vitro to select the most favorable LAB combination modulating basal tissue inflammation and E. coli infection. Supernatants were obtained to determine expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and E. coli infection was evaluated after harvesting the tissue and plate counting. The selected LAB combination was tested in uterus explants to assess its capacity to modulate basal and acute inflammation (associated with E. coli infection). The combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Lactobacillus reuteri at a ratio of 25:25:2, respectively, reduced E. coli infection in vitro with (89.77%) or without basal tissue inflammation (95.10%) compared with single LAB strains. Lactic acid bacteria treatment reduced CXCL8 and IL1B expression 4.7- and 2.2-fold, respectively, under acute inflammation. Ex vivo, the tested LAB combination reduced acute inflammation under E. coli infection, decreasing IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-6 up to 2.2-, 2.5-, and 2.2-fold, respectively. In the total inflammation model, the LAB combination decreased IL-8 1.6-fold and IL-6 1.2-fold. Ultrastructural evaluation of the tissue suggested no direct interaction between the LAB and E. coli, although pathological effects of E. coli in endometrial cells were greatly diminished or even reversed by the LAB combination. This study shows the promising potential of LAB probiotics for therapeutic use against endometrial inflammation and infection. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Metabolic Effects of Inflammation on Vitamin A and Carotenoids in Humans and Animal Models.

    PubMed

    Rubin, Lewis P; Ross, A Catharine; Stephensen, Charles B; Bohn, Torsten; Tanumihardjo, Sherry A

    2017-03-01

    The association between inflammation and vitamin A (VA) metabolism and status assessment has been documented in multiple studies with animals and humans. The relation between inflammation and carotenoid status is less clear. Nonetheless, it is well known that carotenoids are associated with certain health benefits. Understanding these relations is key to improving health outcomes and mortality risk in infants and young children. Hyporetinolemia, i.e., low serum retinol concentrations, occurs during inflammation, and this can lead to the misdiagnosis of VA deficiency. On the other hand, inflammation causes impaired VA absorption and urinary losses that can precipitate VA deficiency in at-risk groups of children. Many epidemiologic studies have suggested that high dietary carotenoid intake and elevated plasma concentrations are correlated with a decreased risk of several chronic diseases; however, large-scale carotenoid supplementation trials have been unable to confirm the health benefits and in some cases resulted in controversial results. However, it has been documented that dietary carotenoids and retinoids play important roles in innate and acquired immunity and in the body's response to inflammation. Although animal models have been useful in investigating retinoid effects on developmental immunity, it is more challenging to tease out the effects of carotenoids because of differences in the absorption, kinetics, and metabolism between humans and animal models. The current understanding of the relations between inflammation and retinoid and carotenoid metabolism and status are the topics of this review. © 2017 American Society for Nutrition.

  13. Health Behavior Combinations and Their Association With Inflammation.

    PubMed

    Loprinzi, Paul D

    2016-05-01

    Studies have examined the independent and additive effects of health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, diet, sleep, and smoking) on systemic inflammation, but we know little about whether different pairs of these behaviors differentially influence inflammation, which was the purpose of this study. Cross-sectional. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006. A total of 2051 adults (≥20 years). A questionnaire/interview was used to assess sleep and dietary behavior; physical activity was assessed via accelerometry; smoking was assessed via cotinine levels; and a blood sample was taken to assess systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein; [CRP]). Multivariable linear regression analysis. Six health behavior pairs were evaluated: (1) active and healthy diet, (2) active and adequate sleep, (3) active and nonsmoker, (4) healthy diet and adequate sleep, (5) healthy diet and nonsmoker, and (6) adequate sleep and nonsmoker. After adjusting for age, gender, race-ethnicity, poverty level, and chronic disease, only active and nonsmoker (β = -.15) and healthy diet and adequate sleep (β = -.16) were associated with CRP. Regular physical activity and smoking avoidance and healthy eating and adequate sleep were the two health behavior pairs associated with less inflammation. This suggests that certain health behaviors may act synergistically on reducing systemic inflammation, whereas other health behavior combinations may not. Such knowledge may help to develop and implement tailored health behavior interventions. © The Author(s) 2016.

  14. Inflammation, vitamin B6 and related pathways.

    PubMed

    Ueland, Per Magne; McCann, Adrian; Midttun, Øivind; Ulvik, Arve

    2017-02-01

    The active form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), serves as a co-factor in more than 150 enzymatic reactions. Plasma PLP has consistently been shown to be low in inflammatory conditions; there is a parallel reduction in liver PLP, but minor changes in erythrocyte and muscle PLP and in functional vitamin B6 biomarkers. Plasma PLP also predicts the risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and some cancers, and is inversely associated with numerous inflammatory markers in clinical and population-based studies. Vitamin B6 intake and supplementation improve some immune functions in vitamin B6-deficient humans and experimental animals. A possible mechanism involved is mobilization of vitamin B6 to the sites of inflammation where it may serve as a co-factor in pathways producing metabolites with immunomodulating effects. Relevant vitamin B6-dependent inflammatory pathways include vitamin B6 catabolism, the kynurenine pathway, sphingosine 1-phosphate metabolism, the transsulfuration pathway, and serine and glycine metabolism. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Erythropoietin does not reduce plasma lactate, H⁺, and K⁺ during intense exercise.

    PubMed

    Nordsborg, N B; Robach, P; Boushel, R; Calbet, J A L; Lundby, C

    2015-12-01

    It is investigated if recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) treatment for 15 weeks (n = 8) reduces extracellular accumulation of metabolic stress markers such as lactate, H(+) , and K(+) during incremental exhaustive exercise. After rHuEPO treatment, normalization of blood volume and composition by hemodilution preceded an additional incremental test. Group averages were calculated for an exercise intensity ∼80% of pre-rHuEPO peak power output. After rHuEPO treatment, leg lactate release to the plasma compartment was similar to before (4.3 ± 1.6 vs 3.9 ± 2.5 mmol/min) and remained similar after hemodilution. Venous lactate concentration was higher (P < 0.05) after rHuEPO treatment (7.1 ± 1.6 vs 5.2 ± 2.1 mM). Leg H(+) release to the plasma compartment after rHuEPO was similar to before (19.6 ± 5.4 vs 17.6 ± 6.0 mmol/min) and remained similar after hemodilution. Nevertheless, venous pH was lower (P < 0.05) after rHuEPO treatment (7.18 ± 0.04 vs 7.22 ± 0.05). Leg K(+) release to the plasma compartment after rHuEPO treatment was similar to before (0.8 ± 0.5 vs 0.7 ± 0.7 mmol/min) and remained similar after hemodilution. Additionally, venous K(+) concentrations were similar after vs before rHuEPO (5.3 ± 0.3 vs 5.1 ± 0.4 mM). In conclusion, rHuEPO does not reduce plasma accumulation of lactate, H(+) , and K(+) at work rates corresponding to ∼80% of peak power output. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. Interactions between nutrition and immune function: using inflammation biomarkers to interpret micronutrient status.

    PubMed

    Thurnham, David I

    2014-02-01

    The immune response promotes a complex series of reactions by the host in an effort to prevent ongoing tissue damage, isolate and destroy the infective organism and activate the repair processes that are necessary for restoring normal function. The homoeostatic process is known as inflammation and the early set of reactions that are induced are known as the acute phase response (APR). The APR has marked effects on the circulation, metabolism in the liver and the plasma concentration of many nutrients. The changes in nutrient concentrations follow a cyclic pattern; occurring before any clinical evidence of disease, being at their most pronounced during the disease and remaining in convalescence when all evidence of disease or trauma has disappeared. Therefore, where susceptibility to disease is high as in people who are HIV+ but still apparently healthy, obtaining an accurate measurement of nutritional status may not be possible. Accurate measurements of status are important for national statistics to plan for the proper utilisation of government resources and they are especially important to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional interventions. Many acute phase proteins (APP) are synthesised during inflammation and they are used to monitor the progress of disease and recovery but, individually, none of their lifecycles compare well with those of the nutritional biomarkers. Nevertheless, recognising the presence of inflammation can help interpret data and, using two APP, this review paper will illustrate the methods we have developed to assist interpretation of plasma retinol, ferritin and zinc concentrations in apparently healthy, HIV+, Kenyan adults.

  17. Reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress does not improve steatohepatitis in mice fed a methionine- and choline-deficient diet.

    PubMed

    Henkel, Anne S; Dewey, Amanda M; Anderson, Kristy A; Olivares, Shantel; Green, Richard M

    2012-07-01

    Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The ER stress response is activated in the livers of mice fed a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet, yet the role of ER stress in the pathogenesis of MCD diet-induced steatohepatitis is unknown. Using chemical chaperones on hepatic steatosis and markers of inflammation and fibrosis in mice fed a MCD diet, we aim to determine the effects of reducing ER stress. C57BL/6J mice were fed a MCD diet with or without the ER chemical chaperones 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) for 2 wk. TUDCA and PBA effectively attenuated the ER stress response in MCD diet-fed mice, as evidenced by reduced protein levels of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α and phosphorylated JNK and suppression of mRNA levels of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein, glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa, and X-box binding protein 1. However, PBA and TUDCA did not decrease MCD diet-induced hepatic steatosis. MCD diet-induced hepatic inflammation, as evidenced by increased plasma alanine aminotransferase and induction of hepatic TNFα expression, was also not reduced by PBA or TUDCA. PBA and TUDCA did not attenuate MCD diet-induced upregulation of the fibrosis-associated genes tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9. ER chemical chaperones reduce MCD diet-induced ER stress, yet they do not improve MCD diet-induced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, or activation of genes associated with fibrosis. These data suggest that although the ER stress response is activated by the MCD diet, it does not have a primary role in the pathogenesis of MCD diet-induced steatohepatitis.

  18. Role of plasma kallikrein in diabetes and metabolism.

    PubMed

    Feener, E P; Zhou, Q; Fickweiler, W

    2013-09-01

    Plasma kallikrein (PK) is a serine protease generated from plasma prekallikrein, an abundant circulating zymogen expressed by the Klkb1 gene. The physiological actions of PK have been primarily attributed to its production of bradykinin and activation of coagulation factor XII, which promotes inflammation and the intrinsic coagulation pathway. Recent genetic, molecular, and pharmacological studies of PK have provided further insight into its role in physiology and disease. Genetic analyses have revealed common Klkb1 variants that are association with blood metabolite levels, hypertension, and coagulation. Characterisation of animal models with Klkb1 deficiency and PK inhibition have demonstrated effects on inflammation, vascular function, blood pressure regulation, thrombosis, haemostasis, and metabolism. These reports have also identified a host of PK substrates and interactions, which suggest an expanded physiological role for this protease beyond the bradykinin system and coagulation. The review summarises the mechanisms that contribute to PK activation and its emerging role in diabetes and metabolism.

  19. Renal Protective Role of Xiexin Decoction with Multiple Active Ingredients Involves Inhibition of Inflammation through Downregulation of the Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway in Diabetic Rats

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Jia-sheng; Shi, Rong; Zhong, Jie; Lu, Xiong; Ma, Bing-liang; Wang, Tian-ming; Zan, Bin; Ma, Yue-ming; Cheng, Neng-neng; Qiu, Fu-rong

    2013-01-01

    In Chinese medicine, Xiexin decoction (XXD) has been used for the clinical treatment of diabetes for at least 1700 years. The present study was conducted to investigate the effective ingredients of XXD and their molecular mechanisms of antidiabetic nephropathy in rats. Rats with diabetes induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin were treated with XXD extract for 12 weeks. XXD significantly improved the glucolipid metabolism disorder, attenuated albuminuria and renal pathological changes, reduced renal advanced glycation end-products, inhibited receptor for advanced glycation end-product and inflammation factors expression, suppressed renal nuclear factor-κB pathway activity, and downregulated renal transforming growth factor-β1. The concentrations of multiple components in plasma from XXD were determined by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis using partial least square regression revealed that 8 ingredients of XXD were responsible for renal protective effects via actions on multiple molecular targets. Our study suggests that the renal protective role of XXD with multiple effective ingredients involves inhibition of inflammation through downregulation of the nuclear factor-κB pathway, reducing renal advanced glycation end-products and receptor for advanced glycation end-product in diabetic rats. PMID:23935673

  20. Restoring Retinoic Acid Attenuates Intestinal Inflammation and Tumorigenesis in APCMin/+ Mice.

    PubMed

    Penny, Hweixian Leong; Prestwood, Tyler R; Bhattacharya, Nupur; Sun, Fionna; Kenkel, Justin A; Davidson, Matthew G; Shen, Lei; Zuniga, Luis A; Seeley, E Scott; Pai, Reetesh; Choi, Okmi; Tolentino, Lorna; Wang, Jinshan; Napoli, Joseph L; Engleman, Edgar G

    2016-11-01

    Chronic intestinal inflammation accompanies familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer in patients with this disease, but the cause of such inflammation is unknown. Because retinoic acid (RA) plays a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis in the intestine, we hypothesized that altered RA metabolism contributes to inflammation and tumorigenesis in FAP. To assess this hypothesis, we analyzed RA metabolism in the intestines of patients with FAP as well as APC Min/+ mice, a model that recapitulates FAP in most respects. We also investigated the impact of intestinal RA repletion and depletion on tumorigenesis and inflammation in APC Min/+ mice. Tumors from both FAP patients and APC Min/+ mice displayed striking alterations in RA metabolism that resulted in reduced intestinal RA. APC Min/+ mice placed on a vitamin A-deficient diet exhibited further reductions in intestinal RA with concomitant increases in inflammation and tumor burden. Conversely, restoration of RA by pharmacologic blockade of the RA-catabolizing enzyme CYP26A1 attenuated inflammation and diminished tumor burden. To investigate the effect of RA deficiency on the gut immune system, we studied lamina propria dendritic cells (LPDC) because these cells play a central role in promoting tolerance. APC Min/+ LPDCs preferentially induced Th17 cells, but reverted to inducing Tregs following restoration of intestinal RA in vivo or direct treatment of LPDCs with RA in vitro These findings demonstrate the importance of intestinal RA deficiency in tumorigenesis and suggest that pharmacologic repletion of RA could reduce tumorigenesis in FAP patients. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(11); 917-26. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.