Identification of Insulin-Mimetic Plant Extracts: From an In Vitro High-Content Screen to Blood Glucose Reduction in Live Animals

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is linked to insulin resistance and a loss of insulin sensitivity, leading to millions of deaths worldwide each year. T2DM is caused by reduced uptake of glucose facilitated by glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in muscle and adipose tissue due to decreased intracellular translocation of GLUT4-containing vesicles to the plasma membrane. To treat T2DM, novel medications are required. Through a fluorescence microscopy-based high-content screen, we tested more than 600 plant extracts for their potential to induce GLUT4 translocation in the absence of insulin. The primary screen in CHO-K1 cells resulted in 30 positive hits, which were further investigated in HeLa and 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, full plasma membrane insertion was examined by immunostaining of the first extracellular loop of GLUT4. The application of appropriate inhibitors identified PI3 kinase as the most important signal transduction target relevant for GLUT4 translocation. Finally, from the most effective hits in vitro, four extracts effectively reduced blood glucose levels in chicken embryos (in ovo), indicating their applicability as antidiabetic pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals.     

氢氘交换质谱技术在蛋白质和蛋白复合物结构研究中的应用进展

蛋白质是生命功能的执行者,其功能的发挥受自身结构动态变化、与其他生物分子的相互作用及修饰等因素的调节。因此,对蛋白质及蛋白复合物结构的研究有助于揭示重要生命过程中的分子机理与机制。氢氘交换质谱(Hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry,HDX-MS)是研究蛋白质结构、动态变化和相互作用的强有力工具,也是传统生物物理手段的重要补充。该文综述了HDX-MS的基本原理、机制、实验方法和研究最新进展,并从蛋白质自身动态变化、蛋白质-小分子相互作用、蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用3个方面介绍了近年来HDX-MS在蛋白及蛋白复合物研究中的应用进展。     

Deuterium MAS NMR Studies of Dynamics on Multiple Timescales: Histidine and Oxalic Acid

Deuterium (²H) magic‐angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance is applied to monitor the dynamics of the exchanging labile deuterons of polycrystalline L ‐histidine hydrochloride monohydrate‐d₇ and α‐oxalic acid dihydrate‐d₆. Direct experimental evidence of fast dynamics is obtained from T_1Z and T_1Q measurements. Further motional information is extracted from two‐dimensional single‐quantum (SQ) and double‐quantum (DQ) MAS spectra. Differences between the SQ and DQ linewidths clearly indicate the presence of motions on intermediate timescales for the carboxylic moiety and the D₂O in α‐oxalic acid dihydrate, and for the amine group and the D₂O in L ‐histidine hydrochloride monohydrate. Comparison of the relaxation rate constants of Zeeman and quadrupolar order with the relaxation rate constants of the DQ coherences suggests the co‐existence of fast and slow motional processes.     

Deuterium isotope effects on 15N chemical shifts of double Schiff bases in the solid state and solution

The proton transfer equilibrium in a series of double Schiff base derivatives of trans‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane in solution and the solid state was studied by means of ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy and analysis of the deuterium isotope effect on the chemical shifts Δ¹⁵N(D). The presence of a proton transfer equilibrium in the N‐2‐hydroxynaphthylidene moieties of the Schiff bases studied in the solid state at room temperature was evidenced. The results confirmed the interrelation of the two hydrogen bonds in double Schiff base derivatives of trans‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Self-Assembly of Mitochondria-Targeted Photosensitizer to Increase Photostability and Photodynamic Therapeutic Efficacy in Hypoxia

The development of photosensitizers for cancer photodynamic therapy has been challenging due to their low photostability and therapeutic inefficacy in hypoxic tumor microenvironments. To overcome these issues, we have developed a mitochondria-targeted photosensitizer consisting of an indocyanine moiety with triphenylphosphonium arms, which can self-assemble into spherical micelles directed to mitochondria. Self-assembly of the photosensitizer resulted in a higher photostability by preventing free rotation of the indoline ring of the indocyanine moiety. The mitochondria targeting capability of the photosensitizer allowed it to utilize intramitochondrial oxygen. We found that the mitochondria-targeted photosensitizer localized to mitochondria and induced apoptosis of cancer cells both normoxic and hypoxic conditions through generation of ROS. The micellar self-assemblies of the photosensitizer were further confirmed to selectively localize to tumor tissues in a xenograft tumor mouse model through passive targeting and showed efficient tumor growth inhibition.     

Quantification of Acipimox in Plasma and Tissues by LC–MS/MS: Application to Pharmacokinetic Comparison between Normoxia and Hypoxia

This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of acipimox in rats under simulated high altitude hypoxia conditions. A sensitive and reliable LC–MS/MS method has been established for the quantitation of acipimox in rat plasma and tissue homogenate and validated according to the guidelines of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Western blotting and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to investigate the expression of lipid metabolism-related proteins and free fatty acid (FFA) levels, respectively. Cell viability was detected using a Cell Counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8). The method was then successfully applied in a pharmacokinetic comparison between normoxic and hypoxic rats. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the main pharmacokinetics parameters of acipimox between normoxic and hypoxic rats. HCAR2 expression in the hypoxia group was upregulated compared to that in the normoxia group and the levels of FFA decreased more in the hypoxia group. Under the hypoxia condition, the proliferation of HK2 cells was inhibited with increasing concentrations of acipimox. The results provide important and valuable information for the safety and efficacy of acipimox, which indicated that the dosage of acipimox might be adjusted appropriately during clinical medication in hypoxia.     

A Novel Glucose Biosensor Based on Palladium Nanoparticles and Its Application in Detection of Glucose Level in Urine

IntroductionThelevelofglucoseinbloodorurineindicateshyper andhypoglycaemia ,bothofwhichcanresultfromavarietyofendocrinedisorders .1 4 Therapidandreliabledetermi nationofglucoselevelisaroutineprojectinclinicchem istry.Urinesamplesaresaferandmoreconvenientthanbloodones .Meanwhile ,theconcentrationofglucoseinserumiscloselyassociatedwiththatinurine .2 4 Eventhoughglucoseelectrodeshavebeensuccessfullyusedinseruminclinicalapplication ,thequestionstillremainedofhowtodetecttheglucoselevelinurine ,wh…     

CH4,CO2和O2制合成气反应中载体对Ni催化剂抗氧化性能的影响

在ＣＨ４、ＣＯ２ 催化氧化制合成气反应中, Ｎｉ／Ａｌ２Ｏ３ 催化剂在高温下生成ＮｉＡｌ２Ｏ４ 尖晶石,是导致催化剂失活的一个重要因素． 通过向载体（Ａｌ２Ｏ３）中添加各种氧化物, 使得催化剂的抗氧化性能得到改善． 并运用ＴＰＲ、ＸＲＤ对催化剂进行表征, 发现催化剂的抗氧化性顺序为： Ｎｉ／ＣａＯ－Ａｌ２Ｏ３ ＞ Ｎｉ／ＭｇＯ－Ａｌ２Ｏ３ ＞ Ｎｉ／ＣｅＯ２－Ａｌ２Ｏ３ ＞ Ｎｉ／Ｌａ２Ｏ３－Ａｌ２Ｏ３ ＞ Ｎｉ／Ｙ２Ｏ３－Ａｌ２Ｏ３ ＞ Ｎｉ／ＴｉＯ２－Ａｌ２Ｏ３＞ Ｎｉ／Ａｌ２Ｏ３＞ Ｎｉ／Ｆｅ２Ｏ３－Ａｌ２Ｏ３．     

7-Hydroxycoumarin Induces Vasorelaxation in Animals with Essential Hypertension: Focus on Potassium Channels and Intracellular Ca2+ Mobilization

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the deadliest noncommunicable disease worldwide. Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor for the development of CVD. Although there is a wide range of antihypertensive drugs, there still remains a lack of blood pressure control options for hypertensive patients. Additionally, natural products remain crucial to the design of new drugs. The natural product 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) exhibits pharmacological properties linked to antihypertensive mechanisms of action. This study aimed to evaluate the vascular effects of 7-HC in an experimental model of essential hypertension. The isometric tension measurements assessed the relaxant effect induced by 7-HC (0.001 μM–300 μM) in superior mesenteric arteries isolated from hypertensive rats (SHR, 200–300 g). Our results suggest that the relaxant effect induced by 7-HC rely on K⁺-channels (K_ATP, BK_Ca, and, to a lesser extent, K_v) activation and also on Ca²⁺ influx from sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum mobilization (inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and ryanodine receptors). Moreover, 7-HC diminishes the mesenteric artery’s responsiveness to α1-adrenergic agonist challenge and improves the actions of the muscarinic agonist and NO donor. The present work demonstrated that the relaxant mechanism of 7-HC in SHR involves endothelium-independent vasorelaxant factors. Additionally, 7-HC reduced vasoconstriction of the sympathetic agonist while improving vascular endothelium-dependent and independent relaxation.     

模拟水中白铜B30耐蚀性影响因素的光电化学研究

用动电位伏安法和光电化学方法对模拟水中白铜B30耐蚀性影响因素进行了研究. 白铜B30表面膜显示p-型光响应, 光响应来自电极表面的Cu₂O层, 在模拟水溶液中表面膜的半导体性质会发生转变, 由p-型转为n-型; 在不同 Cl^－, SO₄^2－浓度的模拟水溶液中, 电位正向扫描时呈现阳极光电流, 电位负向扫描时随着Cl^－, SO₄^2－离子浓度的增加, 光响应由p-型向n-型转变, 阳极光电流峰面积与阴极光电流峰面积之比增大, 耐蚀性能降低; 随着温度的升高, 白铜B30的耐蚀性能降低; 在pH＝7～9之间, 其耐蚀性能随着pH的升高而提高, 当pH＞9时, 其耐蚀性能随着pH的升高呈降低趋势.     

Chiral recognition of the Schiff bases by NMR spectroscopy in the presence of a chiral dirhodium complex. Deuterium isotope effect on 13C chemical shift of the optically active Schiff bases and their dirhodium adducts

The dirhodium method has been successfully applied in chiral recognition of the optically active Schiff bases, derivatives of ortho-hydroxyaldehydes existing in the NH-form. or at tautomeric equilibrium. The position of the equilibrium of Schiff bases as well as their adducts has been established on the basis of measurements of deuterium isotope effects on 13C chemical shifts. The presence of the proton transfer equilibrium or NH-tautomer has promoted the adduct formation. At the equilibrium state, formation of the adducts has shifted the proton transfer equilibrium towards the NH-form. The binding site was the oxygen atom of the proton donor group.     

Sulodexide Increases Glutathione Synthesis and Causes Pro-Reducing Shift in Glutathione-Redox State in HUVECs Exposed to Oxygen–Glucose Deprivation: Implication for Protection of Endothelium against Ischemic Injury

Sulodexide (SDX), a purified glycosaminoglycan mixture used to treat vascular diseases, has been reported to exert endothelial protective effects against ischemic injury. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be fully elucidated. The emerging evidence indicated that a relatively high intracellular concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and a maintenance of the redox environment participate in the endothelial cell survival during ischemia. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that SDX alleviates oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced human umbilical endothelial cells’ (HUVECs) injury, which serves as the in vitro model of ischemia, by affecting the redox state of the GSH: glutathione disulfide (GSSG) pool. The cellular GSH, GSSG and total glutathione (tGSH) concentrations were measured by colorimetric method and the redox potential (ΔEh) of the GSSG/2GSH couple was calculated, using the Nernst equation. Furthermore, the levels of the glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLc) and the glutathione synthetase (GSS) proteins, a key enzyme for de novo GSH synthesis, were determined using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). We demonstrated that the SDX treatment in OGD conditions significantly elevated the intracellular GSH, enhanced the GSH:GSSG ratio, shifting the redox potential to a more pro-reducing status. Furthermore, SDX increased the levels of both GCLc and GSS. The results show that SDX protects the human endothelial cells against ischemic stress by affecting the GSH levels and cellular redox state. These changes suggest that the reduction in the ischemia-induced vascular endothelial cell injury through repressing apoptosis and oxidative stress associated with SDX treatment may be due to an increase in GSH synthesis and modulation of the GSH redox system.     

Chiral recognition of Schiff bases by 15N NMR spectroscopy in the presence of a dirhodium complex. Deuterium isotope effect on 15N chemical shift of the optically active Schiff bases and their dirhodium tetracarboxylate adducts

Optically active Schiff bases, derivatives of ortho-hydroxyaldehydes and their adducts with dirhodium tetracarboxylate complexes have been studied by (15)N NMR spectroscopy. The position of the equilibrium of Schiff bases, as well as their adducts, has been established on the basis of measurements of deuterium isotope effects on (15)N chemical shifts. At the equilibrium state, the formation of the adducts with dirhodium complexes shifted the proton-transfer equilibrium towards the NH-form.     

Electrocatalytic Reduction of H2O2 and Oxygen on the Surface of Thionin Incorporated onto MWCNTs Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode: Application to Glucose Detection

A new H₂O₂ enzymeless sensor has been fabricated by incorporation of thionin onto multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode. First 50 μL of acetone solution containing dispersed MWCNTs was pipetted onto the surface of GC electrode, then, after solvent evaporations, the MWCNTs modified GC electrode was immersed into an aqueous solution of thionin (electroless deposition) for a short period of time <5–50 s. The adsorbed thin film of thionin was found to facilitate the reduction of hydrogen peroxide in the absence of peroxidase enzyme. Also the modified electrode shows excellent catalytic activity for oxygen reduction at reduced overpotential. The rotating modified electrode shows excellent analytical performance for amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide, at reduced overpotentials. Typical calibration at ?0.3 V vs. reference electrode, Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl, shows a detection limit of 0.38 μM, a sensitivity of 11.5 nA/μM and a liner range from 20 μM to 3.0 mM of hydrogen peroxide. The glucose biosensor was fabricated by covering a thin film of sol–gel composite containing glucose oxides on the surface of thionin/MWCNTs modified GC electrode. The biosensor can be used successfully for selective detection of glucose based on the decreasing of cathodic peak current of oxygen. The detection limit, sensitivity and liner calibration rang were 1 μM, 18.3 μA/mM and 10 μM–6.0 mM, respectively. In addition biosensor can reach 90% of steady currents in about 3.0 s and interference effect of the electroactive existing species (ascorbic acid–uric acid and acetaminophen) is eliminated. The usefulness of biosensor for direct glucose quantification in human blood serum matrix is also discussed. This sensor can be used as an amperometric detector for monitoring oxidase based biosensors.     

Polarized Infrared Spectra of the H(D) Bond in 2‐Thiophenic Acid Crystals: A Spectroscopic and Computational Study

Polarized IR spectra of the hydrogen bond in 2‐thiophenic acid crystals, isotopically neat and of mixed H/D isotopic content, are measured at 298 and 77 K in the “residual” νO? H and νO? D band frequency ranges. This crystalline system provides spectra in these band frequency ranges that differ considerably in intensity distribution from the spectra of other H‐bonded centrosymmetric dimeric species. This change in the spectral properties of the crystals is probably due to the influence of the sulfur atoms from the thiophene aromatic rings, which are directly linked to the (COOH)2 or (COOD)2 cycles. The magnitude of this effect correlates with the net electronic charge distribution at the 2‐ and 3‐positions of substituted thiophene rings, which in a different way influences the electron charge density in the hydrogen bonds of the two thiophenic acid isomers. The experimental results for spectral structures are compared to predictions obtained with theoretical calculations involving the combined effects of anharmonicities, Davydov coupling, Fermi resonances, and direct and indirect relaxations within the framework of the linear response theory. Numerical results show that mixing of all these effects allows satisfactory reproduction of the main features of the experimental IR line shapes of crystalline H‐ and D‐bonded 2‐thiophenic acid at room and liquid‐nitrogen temperatures.     

A Review on the Degradation of Pollutants by Fenton-Like Systems Based on Zero-Valent Iron and Persulfate: Effects of Reduction Potentials,pH, and Anions Occurring in Waste Waters

Among the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), the Fenton reaction has attracted much attention in recent years for the treatment of water and wastewater. This review provides insight into a particular variant of the process, where soluble Fe(II) salts are replaced by zero-valent iron (ZVI), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is replaced by persulfate (S₂O₈²⁻). Heterogeneous Fenton with ZVI has the advantage of minimizing a major problem found with homogeneous Fenton. Indeed, the precipitation of Fe(III) at pH > 4 interferes with the recycling of Fe species and inhibits oxidation in homogeneous Fenton; in contrast, suspended ZVI as iron source is less sensitive to the increase of pH. Moreover, persulfate favors the production of sulfate radicals (SO₄^•−) that are more selective towards pollutant degradation, compared to the hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) produced in classic, H₂O₂-based Fenton. Higher selectivity means that degradation of SO₄^•−-reactive contaminants is less affected by interfering agents typically found in wastewater; however, the ability of SO₄^•− to oxidize H₂O/OH⁻ to ^•OH makes it difficult to obtain conditions where SO₄^•− is the only reactive species. Research results have shown that ZVI-Fenton with persulfate works best at acidic pH, but it is often possible to get reasonable degradation at pH values that are not too far from neutrality. Moreover, inorganic ions that are very common in water and wastewater (Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻, CO₃²⁻, NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻) can sometimes inhibit degradation by scavenging SO₄^•− and/or ^•OH, but in other cases they even enhance the process. Therefore, ZVI-Fenton with persulfate might perform unexpectedly well in some saline waters, although the possible formation of harmful by-products upon oxidation of the anions cannot be ruled out.     

In ESI‐source H/D exchange under atmospheric pressure for peptides and proteins of different molecular weights from 1 to 66 kDa: the role of the temperature of the desolvating capillary on H/D exchange

Transition of proteins from the solution to the gas phase during electrospray ionization remains a challenging problem despite the large amount of attention it has received during the past few decades. One of the major questions relates to the extent to which proteins in the gas phase retain their condensed phase structures. We have used in‐electrospray source hydrogen/deuterium exchange to determine the number of deuterium incorporations as a function of protein mass, charge state and temperature of the desolvating capillary where the reaction occurs. All experiments were performed on a Thermo LTQ FT Ultra equipped with a 7‐T superconducting magnet. Ions were generated by an IonMax Electrospray ion source operated in the positive ESI mode. Deuterium exchange was performed by introducing a droplet of D₂O beneath the ESI capillary. We systematically investigated gas phase hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange under atmospheric pressure for peptides and proteins of different molecular weights from 1 to 66 kDa. We observed that almost all proteins demonstrate similar exchange rates for all charge states and that these rates increase exponentially with the temperature of the desolvating capillary. We did not observe any clear correlation of the number of H/D exchanges with the value of the cross section for a corresponding charge state. We have demonstrated the possibility of performing in‐ESI source H/D exchange of large proteins under atmospheric pressure. The simplicity of the experimental setup makes it a useful experimental technique that can be applied for the investigation of gas phase conformations of proteins. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.