Abstract Cyclosporine is an important immunosuppressive agent; however, nephrotoxicity is one of the main adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of inhibiting the protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in nephrotoxicity caused by cyclosporine from the assessment of cell viability, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and nitric oxide (NO) production in LLC-PK1 and MDCK cell lines. Cyclosporine proved to be cytotoxic for both cell lines, as assessed by the mitochondrial enzyme activity assay (MTT), caused DNA fragmentation, determined by flow cytometry using the propidium iodide dye, and activated the PKA pathway (western blot assay). In MDCK cells, the inhibition of the PKA signaling pathway (H89 inhibitor) caused a significant reduction in DNA fragmentation. In both cell lines, the production of IL-6 proved to be a dependent PKA pathway, while TNF-α was not influenced by the inhibition of the PKA pathway. The NO production was increased when cells were pre-incubated with H89 followed by cyclosporine, and this production was dependent on the PKA pathway in LLC-PK1 and MDCK cells lines. Therefore, considering the present study's results, it can be concluded that the inhibition of PKA signaling pathway can aid in reducing the degree of nephrotoxicity caused by cyclosporine.

Acetaminophen is a common analgesic and antipyretic compound which, when administered in high doses, has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality, secondary to hepatic toxicity. Although this may be due to a direct interaction of reactive acetaminophen metabolites with hepatocyte proteins, recent studies have suggested that reactive species produced by neutrophils also contribute to the pathophysiological process. Researches on the chemical composition of B. trimera show that this plant has bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, related to the organism's protection against free radicals. Therefore, in the present study, using Fischer rats, the effect of B. trimera on the antioxidant defense system, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and on the expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and of the subunits of the NADPH oxidase in neutrophils was evaluated in a model of phagocytosis induced by zimosan (ZC3b) and in a model of inflammation induced by acetaminophen. The results show that the treatment with B. trimera improves the defense system of antioxidant and restores the balance ROS / NO that is altered in the inflammatory process induced by APAP. In conclusion, B. trimera extracts exert antioxidant properties by scavenging ROS and decrease the expression of genes responsible by reactive species production in neutrophils.

SCOPE: We have previously shown an increase in adipocyte size and lipid content in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (rWAT) induced by an eight-week high-sugar diet (HSD). In this study, we assessed the effect of a HSD on the transcriptional activity of adipogenic genes in a time-course study to provide insight regarding the genetic networks involved in the rWAT response to dietary sugar. METHODS AND RESULTS: Weaned male Wistar rats were fed a standard (STD) or HSD (68% carbohydrates) for 4, 8 or 12 weeks, and rWAT was removed for histopathology and PCR array (adipogenesis) analyses. The HSD induced adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia in rWAT after 12 weeks of ingestion. Additionally, the HSD altered serum VLDLc, triacylglycerol, and glucometabolic parameters. Hierarchical clustering revealed HSD-induced changes in the expression patterns of the tested gene set. Pathway analysis, which used the enrichment analysis algorithm of the Thompson Reuters MetaCore platform, associated a cluster of differentially expressed genes with canonical pathways related to regulating adipocyte differentiation and proliferation (P-value < 10(-7) ). CONCLUSION: HSD feeding post-weaning increased both the adipocyte size and number by simultaneously up-regulating pro-adipogenic signals (the PPARγ pathway) and down-regulating anti-adipogenic signals (Wnt pathway) in young adults. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Amphotericin B is one of the most effective antifungal agents; however, its use is often limited owing to adverse effects, especially nephrotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of inhibiting the PKA signaling pathway in nephrotoxicity using Amphotericin B from the assessment of cell viability, pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) production in LLC-PK1 and MDCK cell lines. Amphotericin B proved to be cytotoxic for both cell lines, as assessed by the mitochondrial enzyme activity (MTT) assay; caused DNA fragmentation, determined by flow cytometry using the propidium iodide (PI) dye; and activated the PKA pathway (western blot assay). In MDCK cells, the inhibition of the PKA signaling pathway (using the H89 inhibitor) caused a significant reduction in DNA fragmentation. In both cells lines the production of interleukin-6 (IL)-6 proved to be a dependent PKA pathway, whereas tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was not influenced by the inhibition of the PKA pathway. The NO production was increased when cells were pre-incubated with H89 followed by Amphotericin B, and this production produced a dependent PKA pathway in LLC-PK1 and MDCK cells lines. Therefore, considering the present study's results as a whole, it can be concluded that the inhibition of the PKA signaling pathway can aid in reducing the degree of nephrotoxicity caused by Amphotericin B. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic patients are exposed to increased oxidative stress due to several mechanisms, mainly hyperglycaemia. Pathological processes, such as those in type 1 diabetes, include diminished activity of the antioxidant defense system(s) or excessive oxidative generation resulting in an oxidative/antioxidant imbalance and development of oxidative stress. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (chemiluminescence) and reduction capacity (MTT dye reduction), the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunits, superoxide dismutase and catalase using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and the levels of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-4] by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in mononuclear cells from non-diabetic and diabetic donors treated with a vitamin complex (ascorbic acid, β-carotene and α-tocopherol) in two different concentrations ([A] = ascorbic acid = 0.08 µM, α-tocopherol = 0.04 µM, β-carotene = 0.0008 µM and [20A] = ascorbic acid = 1.6 µM, α-tocopherol = 0.82 µM, β-carotene = 0.016 µM). RESULTS: Concentration [A] was antioxidant reducing ROS production, expression of NADPH oxidase subunits and pro-inflammatory cytokines while raising the expression of antioxidant enzymes and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines in both groups. Concentration [20A] was pro-oxidant by raising ROS production, NADPH oxidase subunits and pro-inflammatory cytokines and reducing antioxidant enzymes and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the non-diabetic group but antioxidant in cells of type 1 diabetic patients by raising antioxidant enzymes and anti-inflammatory cytokines and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSION: The vitamin complex has a dual effect, pro-oxidant and antioxidant, being also dose dependent with different profiles of cells of non-diabetic and type 1 diabetic patients.

Annatto has been identified as carotenoids that have antioxidative effects. It is well known that one of the key elements in the development of diabetic complications is oxidative stress. The immune system is especially vulnerable to oxidative damage because many immune cells, such as neutrophils, produce reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species as part of the body's defense mechanisms to destroy invading pathogens. Reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species are excessively produced by active peripheral neutrophils, and may damage essential cellular components, which in turn can cause vascular complications in diabetes. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible protective effects of annatto on the reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition in neutrophils from alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Adult female rats were divided into six groups based on receiving either a standard diet with or without supplementation of annatto extract or beta carotene. All animals were sacrificed 30 days after treatment and the neutrophils were isolated using two gradients of different densities. The reactive oxygen species and NO were quantified by a chemiluminescence and spectrophotometric assays, respectively. Our results show that neutrophils from diabetic animals produce significantly more reactive oxygen species and NO than their respective controls and that supplementation with beta carotene and annatto is able to modulate the production of these species. Annatto extract may have therapeutic potential for modulation of the balance reactive oxygen species/NO induced by diabetes.

Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) contains a mixture of orange-yellowish pigments due to the presence of various carotenoids that have antioxidant effect. The immune system is especially vulnerable to oxidative damage because many immune cells, such as neutrophils, produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) as part of the body's defence mechanisms to destroy invading pathogens. It is well known that the function of neutrophils is altered in diabetes; one of the major functional changes in neutrophils in diabetes is the increased generation of extracellular superoxide via the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the production of ROS and nitric oxide (NO) as well as the expression of NADPH oxidase subunits, inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in neutrophils from diabetic rats treated with annatto extract and β-carotene. Forty-eight female Fisher rats were distributed into six groups according to the treatment received. All animals were sacrificed 7 days after treatment, and the neutrophils were isolated using two gradients of different densities. The ROS and NO were quantified by a chemiluminescence and spectrophotometric assays, respectively. Analyses of gene expression were performed using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results show that treatment with annatto extract and β-carotene was able to decrease ROS production and the mRNA levels of p22(phox) and p47(phox) and increase the mRNA levels of SOD and CAT in neutrophils from diabetic rats. These data suggest that annatto extract and β-carotene exerts antioxidant effect via inhibition of expression of the NADPH oxidase subunits and increase expression/activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the ingestion of açaí pulp can improve serum lipid profile in various animal models; therefore, we hypothesized that açaí pulp (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) may modulate the expression of the genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis in the liver and increase fecal excretion, thus reducing serum cholesterol. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the expression of 7α-hydroxylase and ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G transporters (ABCG5 and ABCG8), which are genes involved with the secretion of cholesterol in the rat. We also evaluated the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase, low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R), and apolipoprotein B100, which are involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. Female Fischer rats were divided into 4 groups: the C group, which was fed a standard AIN-93 M diet; the CA group, which was fed a standard diet supplemented with 2% açaí pulp; the H group, which was fed a hypercholesterolemic diet (25% soy oil and 1% cholesterol); and the HA group, which was fed a hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with 2% açaí pulp. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were euthanized, and their blood and livers were collected. The HA group exhibited a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and atherogenic index and also had increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cholesterol excretion in feces compared with the H group. In addition, the expression of the LDL-R, ABCG5, and ABCG8 genes was significantly increased by the presence of açaí pulp. These results suggest that açaí pulp promotes a hypocholesterolemic effect in a rat model of dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia through an increase in the expression of ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G transporters, and LDL-R genes.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) has recently emerged as a promising source of natural antioxidants. Because increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defense mechanisms are important factors in the development of diabetic complications and many health claims have been reported for açai, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible protective effects of açai on the production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils and on the liver antioxidant defense system in control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diet supplementation with 2% açai was found to increase mRNA levels for gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione peroxidase in liver tissue and to decrease reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils. Compared to control animals, diabetic rats exhibited lower levels of mRNA coding for Zn-superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and higher levels of reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and carbonyl proteins in hepatic tissues. Although açai supplementation was not effective in restore gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats, it showed a protective effect, decreasing thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels and increasing reduced glutathione content in the liver. These findings suggest that açai can modulate reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils and that it has a significant favorable effect on the liver antioxidant defense system under fisiological conditions of oxidative stress and partially revert deleterious effects of diabetes in the liver.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Baccharis trimera (Less.) (Asteraceae) is a native plant of Brazil. Also known as "carqueja", it has been popularly used to treat liver diseases, diabetes, as well as digestive disorders. Other studies have described the hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the species. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant properties of Baccharis trimera in the neutrophils of Fisher rats in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the in vitro assay, the neutrophils of male rats were isolated and incubated with Baccharis trimera extract at concentrations of 0.5, 5.0 and 50.0 microg/mL. In the in vivo assay, male rats were first treated with crude extract 600 mg/kg body weight of Baccharis trimera or with 50 mg/kg body weight of quercetin (reference substance) and then treated with 835 mg/kg of acetaminophen (APAP) after 24 h. RESULTS: The hydroethanolic extract of Baccharis trimera reduced the release of reactive oxygen species in the neutrophils in both the in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Therefore confirming its antioxidant effect. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm the antioxidant effect of Baccharis trimera.

BACKGROUND: There is a large increase in the number of elderly people in modern societies. This demographic phenomenon has been paralleled by an epidemic of chronic diseases and inflammatory processes usually associated with advanced age. OBJECTIVE: We studied the role of protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathways in ROS produced by neutrophils induced by pro-interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) cytokines age-related. METHODS: The ROS generation was studied in healthy subjects in age ranging from 20 to 80 years old divided in five age groups: (20-39), (40-49), (50-59), (60-69) and (70-80) years old. ROS production was quantified in a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay and the results were expressed as relative light units/min). RESULTS: ROS production in human neutrophil was activated by IFN-gamma in all the groups studied. This activation was down-regulated by IL-10. The inhibitory effect of IL-10 on 20-49 years old group was reversed by the pre-treatment with H89 (PKA inhibitor) but not with PD169316 (p38 MAPK inhibitor). This differential effect of IL-10 associated with age was not observed with the neutrophil pre-treatment with Akt/PKB or NADPH-oxidase inhibitor (DPI). Lack of IL-10 effect on ROS production was observed in older subjects (50-80 years old). The effect of IL-10 showed a significant inhibition of ROS production similar to those got with PD169316 alone as compared to that of p38 MAPK. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that inhibitory effect of the ROS production mediated by IL-10 depends on PKA for the younger and the lack effect on the elderly is p38 MAPK dependent.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is associated with a pro-inflammatory status characterized by an increased production of inflammatory molecules. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cAMP elevating agents represent two molecular systems, normally generated during inflammation. These molecules could be responsible for the alteration of signaling pathways. In the present paper we have studied the correlation between ROS generation and inositolpolyphosphates (InsP(1), InsP(2) InsP(3) and InsP(4)) released by granulocytes from Type 1 diabetic patients (DM1) in the presence or in the absence of cyclic AMP-elevating agents. METHODS: The effect of cAMP on ROS production was quantified in a chemoluminescence assay luminol-dependent (RLU/min). InsP(1), InsP(2) InsP(3) and InsP(4) were quantified by inositol-H(3) in a Beta-counter and the results were expressed as count per minute (CPM). RESULTS: The elevation of intracellular level of cAMP inhibited both InsP(3) and ROS production in granulocytes from healthy subjects and activated in the cells from Type 1 diabetic patients. InsP(1), InsP(2) and InsP(4) did not show significant alteration in both studied cells. There was a significant correlation between InsP(3) and ROS in the presence of elevated content of cAMP. This correlation was observed in a 15 minutes reaction for healthy subjects and in 120 minutes for DM1. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of both InsP(3) release and ROS production in an inflammatory process and tissue pathophysiology in Type 1 diabetic patients is still under debate because hyperglycemia accelerates generation of oxidative stress and may play an important role in the development of complications in diabetes. Thus, our results demonstrated alteration in metabolic response in granulocytes from Type 1 diabetic patients and it may be important for the development of therapeutic processes and drugs that interfere with signaling of ROS generation and may contribute to the improvement of the severe complications of diabetes.

BACKGROUND: It is generally agreed that elderly subjects undergo progressive deterioration of their immune responsiveness, which leads to an increased susceptibility to autoimmune processes, neoplasm and inflammation. Thus there is a general consensus that regulation of inflammation results from a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the possible alterations of cyclic AMP/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathway signaling (reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (InsP3) production by neutrophils during the aging process. METHODS: Age-induced ROS generation and InsP3 production were studied in healthy subjects ranging in age from 20 to 80 years. The subjects were divided into six age groups: (I) 20-29, (II) 30-39, (III) 40-49, (IV) 50-59, (V) 60-69, and (VI) 70-80 years old. The effect of cAMP, H89 (inhibitor PKA), and PD169316 (inhibitor p38 MAPK) on ROS production was quantified in a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay (relative light units/min) and by InsP3 release (cpm). RESULTS: Our results demonstrated a lack of dibutyryl cAMP inhibitory effects on ROS generation and InsP3 production by granulocytes from PKA-dependent 50-year-olds. However, the inhibitory effect of cAMP is restored in neutrophils after the age of 50 years when p38 MAPK signaling is inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: The present study may be important towards a better understanding of the high susceptibility to infections and age-related inflammatory and deregulation diseases. The alteration of cAMP/PKA and p38 MAPK signaling pathways enhances the inflammatory process.

BACKGROUND: Granulocytes from healthy subjects and from patients suffering from diabetes mellitus present differences in reactivity to stimulation with cyclic nucleotide-elevating agents. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is inhibited in cells from non-diabetic subjects following such stimulation, but activated through a PKA-independent signaling pathway in granulocytes from type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. The aim of the present study was to understand better the changes in signaling mechanisms induced by the disease. METHODS: ROS production in granulocytes from healthy subjects and from type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients was measured using a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. Granulocytes were stimulated by the addition of the cAMP-elevating agent dibutyryl cAMP. In some experiments, granulocytes were pre-treated with an inhibitor of PKA or Akt/PKB prior to cAMP stimulation. RESULTS: Intracellular elevation of cAMP induced a PKA-dependent and Akt/PKB-independent inhibition of ROS production in granulocytes from healthy subjects, but a significant activation in cells from both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. Most significantly, activation of ROS generation in cells from diabetic patients was shown to be Akt/PKB-dependent and PKA-independent. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that chronic hyperglycaemia could induce metabolic adaptation in cAMP-related signaling mechanisms. Epac (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP) is a novel cAMP receptor besides PKA involved in different signaling pathways. The cAMP-stimulated inverse ROS response in granulocytes from type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients may be due to a change in signaling pathways from cAMP/PKA to cAMP/Epac/Akt/PKB. These preliminary results require further studies in order to evaluate their consequences on innate immunity and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.

UNLABELLED: SUMMARY-BACKGROUND: The present study investigates the hypothesis that cells from ill patients and from healthy subjects may have different reactivity under metabolic stimulation as a consequence of an disease-induced metabolic adaptation. METHODS: Granulocytes either from healthy subjects or from type II-Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) patients were compared in their capacities to generate Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The ROS generation was comparatively determined in a chemiluminescence assay, luminol-dependent, after cell incubation in the presence of either cyclic AMP - elevating agents or Interleukin 10. In some experiments the cells were pretreated with H89 compound (a PKA inhibitor) or with diphenylene iodonium (DPI), a NADPH-oxidase inhibitor. RESULTS: Our results showed an increased ROS generation in granulocytes from diabetic patients in absence of cyclic AMP-elevating agents or IL-10. In the presence of cyclic AMP-elevating agents was observed an inverse metabolic response in granulocytes from diabetic patients in comparison to cells from healthy subjects. The granulocytes were pre-incubated in the presence of cyclic AMP-elevating agents--amminophylline (AMF) or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP)--or interleukin 10 (IL-10). The AMF, dbcAMP and IL-10 inhibited ROS production by granulocytes from healthy subjects. By contrast, AMF and dbcAMP activated cells from diabetic patients while IL-10 had no effect. The inhibition of ROS induced by AMF, dbcAMP or IL-10 was promptly abolished by the pretreatment of the cells with either PKA H89 inhibitor or NADPH-oxidase inhibitor (DPI) in granulocytes from healthy subjects. In relation to the granulocytes from type 2 diabetics patients, the activation of ROS generation mediated by AMF and dbcAMP was fully abolished by NADPH-oxidase DPI-inhibitor, but not by PKA H89 inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: Our present results reinforce the hypothesis that cells from ill patients (type II diabetic) when compared to cells from healthy subjects have different reactivity under metabolic stimulation. ROS production by human granulocytes was modulated by cyclic AMP elevating agents and IL-10. The inhibition of the ROS production in cells from healthy subjects was PKA-dependent while the activation in granulocytes from patients was PKA-independent. This inverse metabolic response, in cells from patients, suggests the use of an alternative metabolic pathway PKA-independent, possible cAMP/Epac/PKB-dependent. The correlation between activation of ROS production in granulocytes from diabetic patients and pathogenesis of diabetes can be suggested, however, further and extensive studies are needed for demonstrating this suggestion.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that cells from ill patients and from healthy subjects may have different reactivities under metabolic stimulation. METHODS: The study was performed with granulocytes from non-diabetic subjects and from type II -Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. The nitric oxide (NO) generation was comparatively determined by the nitrite concentration (micromolar of nitrite) after cell incubation in the presence of cyclic nucleotide-elevating agents. RESULTS: Our results showed an inverse reactivity for granulocytes from diabetic patients when compared to non-diabetic subjects. Granulocytes were incubated in the presence of drugs that elevate the intracellular level of cyclic AMP aminophylline (AMF), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP)], cyclic GMP [8.Br. cyclic GMP(8.Br.cGMP) or levamisole (LEV)]. The cyclic AMP-elevating agents (AMF and d bcAMP) inhibited NO production by granulocytes from non-diabetic subjects and activated cells from diabetic patients. By contrast, cyclic GMP-elevating agents (8.Br.cGMP and LEV) activated cells from non-diabetic subjects and inhibited granulocytes from diabetic patients. The activation of NO generation by cyclic nucleotides was blocked by pretreatment of granulocytes with L-NAME. CONCLUSION: The authors describe for the first time that both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were able to modulate nitric oxide production in human granulocytes and that cell reactivity in ill patients (diabetic) showed altered and inverse response in comparison to granulocytes from healthy subjects. This inverse reactivity possibly reflects a disease-induced adapted metabolic response. The consequences of this altered metabolic response on host defense and inflammation may be speculated, but further experiments are needed to confirm this hypothesis.