Attenuation of airway inflammation by simvastatin and the implications for asthma treatment: is the jury still out?

Although some studies have explained the immunomodulatory effects of statins, the exact mechanisms and the therapeutic significance of these molecules remain to be elucidated. This study not only evaluated the therapeutic potential and inhibitory mechanism of simvastatin in an ovalbumin (OVA)-specific asthma model in mice but also sought to clarify the future directions indicated by previous studies through a thorough review of the literature. BALB/c mice were sensitized to OVA and then administered three OVA challenges. On each challenge day, 40 mg kg⁻¹ simvastatin was injected before the challenge. The airway responsiveness, inflammatory cell composition, and cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were assessed after the final challenge, and the T cell composition and adhesion molecule expression in lung homogenates were determined. The administration of simvastatin decreased the airway responsiveness, the number of airway inflammatory cells, and the interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13 concentrations in BAL fluid compared with vehicle-treated mice (P<0.05). Histologically, the number of inflammatory cells and mucus-containing goblet cells in lung tissues also decreased in the simvastatin-treated mice. Flow cytometry showed that simvastatin treatment significantly reduced the percentage of pulmonary CD4⁺ cells and the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T-cell ratio (P<0.05). Simvastatin treatment also decreased the expression of the vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 proteins, as measured in homogenized lung tissues (P<0.05) and human epithelial cells. The reduction in the T cell influx as a result of the decreased expression of cell adhesion molecules is one of the mechanisms by which simvastatin attenuates airway responsiveness and allergic inflammation. Rigorous review of the literature together with our findings suggested that simvastatin should be further developed as a potential therapeutic strategy for allergic asthma.     

Molecular order and thermodynamics of the solid-liquid transition in triglycerides via Raman spectroscopy

The conformational and thermodynamic behavior of five monoacid saturated triglycerides (TGs) before, during, and above the beta polymorph --> liquid phase transition was studied using Raman spectroscopy. The Raman ratio I[upsilon(s)(CH(2))]/I[upsilon(as)(CH(2))], used to identify intramolecular order about TG hydrocarbon chains, demonstrated that a single conformation, geometry and symmetry existed in liquid-state TGs. The Raman ratio I(1080)/I(1130), used to determine the intermolecular order/disorder about the hydrocarbon chains and relative trans/gauche content, remained constant for TGs in the crystalline state, but steadily increased as a function of temperature in the liquid state. Use of the van't Hoff relation and the spectroscopically-determined trans/gauche content indicated the presence of distinctive pre- and post-transition enthalpies/entropies indicating that the beta --> liquid phase transition is "soft", with possible intermediate conformations. The liquid-state ester carbonyl stretching region, which gave rise to a broad peak between 1780-1700 cm(-1), was decomposed into multiple components. It demonstrated solid-like character 2-3 degrees C above the TG beta-polymorph melting point, above which no further change in spectral character was observed. These results indicate that the solid-liquid transition in TGs is of the "soft" type with non-lamellar conformations likely present in the melt.     

Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of protonated ammonia cluster ions, NH4+(NH3)n (n=5-8), by using infrared free electron laser

Infrared photodissociation action spectra of protonated ammonia cluster ions, NH(4) (+)(NH(3))(n) (n=5-8), were measured in the range of 1020-1210 cm(-1) by using a tunable infrared free electron laser. Analyses by the density functional theory (DFT) show that the spectral features observed can be assigned to the nu(2) vibrational mode of the NH(3) molecules in NH(4) (+)(NH(3))(n). Size dependence of the spectra supports structural models obtained by the DFT calculations, in which the NH(4) (+) ion is solvated by the four nearest-neighbor NH(3) molecules. For NH(4) (+)(NH(3))(5), the spectrum between 1000 and 1700 cm(-1) was measured. The nu(4) bands of the NH(3) molecules and the NH(4) (+) ion were found in the range of 1420-1700 cm(-1).     

Cysteine and histidine shuffling: mixing and matching cysteine and histidine residues in zinc finger proteins to afford different folds and function

Zinc finger proteins utilize zinc for structural purposes: zinc binds to a combination of cysteine and histidine ligands in a tetrahedral coordination geometry facilitating protein folding and function. While much is known about the classical zinc finger proteins, which utilize a Cys(2)His(2) ligand set to coordinate zinc and fold into an anti-parallel beta sheet/alpha helical fold, there are thirteen other families of 'non-classical' zinc finger proteins for which relationships between metal coordination and protein structure/function are less defined. This 'Perspective' article focuses on two classes of these non-classical zinc finger proteins: Cys(3)His type zinc finger proteins and Cys(2)His(2)Cys type zinc finger proteins. These proteins bind zinc in a tetrahedral geometry, like the classical zinc finger proteins, yet they adopt completely different folds and target different oligonucleotides. Our current understanding of the relationships between ligand set, metal ion, fold and function for these non-classical zinc fingers is discussed.     

Aquaporin-3 Deletion Reduces Glycerol and ATP Content in Mouse Sciatic Nerve

We reported the expression and function of aquaglyceroporin AQP3 in mouse peripheral nervous system.AQP3 mRNA was identified in freshly isolated mouse sciatic nerve by RT-PCR.Immunofluorescence using AQP3 antibody localized the protein expression in the myelin sheathe of sciatic nerve fibers.Although primary morpholo-gical evaluation of sciatic nerves from AQP3-knockout and wildtype mice revealed no significant difference,biochemical analysis demonstrated remarkably decreased glycerol and ATP contents in freshly isolated AQP3-knockout sciatic nerve.The study indicates an important role of facilitated glycerol transport mechanism in peripheral nerve energy metabolism.     

Gas permeability of cupric ion containing HTPB based polyurethane membranes

For the purpose of oxygen enrichment from air, the gas permeability and selectivity of an ionic polyurethane membrane was under investigation. Membranes of ionic polyurethane were prepared by step-growth polymerization of hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) and 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H₁₂MDI). The ionic group was introduced by adding N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) as the chain extender of which the tertiary amines were complexed with cupric ions. The effect of hard segment content, polymerization method, peroxide introduction, and the amount of cupric ion on gas permeability were investigated. It was found that the binding of hard segment and the flexibility of soft segments had subtle effects on gas permeability. Membranes of the same composition were synthesized through two different procedures, one- and two-stage polymerization. The former contains large hard segment of cluster aggregation and flexible soft segments had a higher gas permeation rate. When a crosslinker, benzoyl peroxide, was added, the crosslinkage within soft segments hindered cluster formation by hard segment aggregation, the permeability increased. Furthermore, CuCl₂ addition enhanced hard segment aggregation, more hard segments formed cluster aggregates and less dispersed in soft segment region, which also increased permeability. However, excess CuCl₂ addition resulted in CuCl₂ piling up in the soft segment region, which restricted the movement of soft segments and therefore reduced the gas permeability.     

Improvement of nerve conduction velocity in mutant diabetic mice by aldose reductase inhibitor without affecting nerve myo-inositol content

The sciatic motor nerve conduction velocity of mutant diabetic C57BL/Ks mice was significantly improved from 30.0 +/- 1.4 to 38.0 +/- 4.6 m/s by treatment with the aldose reductase inhibitor 1-[(beta-naphthyl)sulfonyl]hydantoin (30 mg/kg/d) for 2 weeks. The treatment, however, did not cause any significant change in myo-inositol concentration in the sciatic nerve. The results indicate that the ameliorating effect of the aldose reductase inhibitor on nerve conduction velocity in mutant diabetic mice is not due to alteration of myo-inositol content in the nerve.     

Changes in chemical composition and collagen structure of dentine tissue after erbium laser irradiation

Erbium laser radiation has a great affinity for the water molecule, which is present in quantity in biological hard tissues. The objective of this work is to identify chemical changes by infrared spectroscopy of irradiated dentine by an Er:YAG-2.94 microm laser. The irradiation was performed with fluences between 0.365 and 1.94 J/cm2. For the infrared analysis a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer was used. After the irradiation were observed: loss of water, alteration of the structure and composition of the collagen, and increase of the OH- radical. These alterations can be identified by a decrease in intensity of the water band between 2800-3800 cm(-1), OH- band at 3575 cm(-1) and bands ascribed to organic matrix between 2800-3400 cm(-1) and 1100-1400 cm(-1).     

Analysis of five HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors-- atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin: pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and analytical overview and development of a new method for use in pharmaceutical formulations analysis and in vitro metabolism studies

A specific, accurate, precise and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitation of five 3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, viz. atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin, in pharmaceutical formulations and extended the application to in vitro metabolism studies of these statins. Ternary gradient elution at a flow rate of 1 mL/min was employed on an Intertisl ODS 3V column (4.6 x 250 mm, 5 microm) at ambient temperature. The mobile phase consisted of 0.01 m ammonium acetate (pH 5.0), acetonitrile and methanol. Theophylline was used as an internal standard (IS). The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and their metabolites were monitored at a wavelength of 237 nm. Drugs were found to be 89.6-105.6% of their label's claim in the pharmaceutical formulations. For in vitro metabolism studies the reaction mixtures were extracted with simple liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate. Baseline separation of statins and their metabolites along with IS free from endogenous interferences was achieved. Nominal retention times of IS, atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin were 7.5, 17.2, 21.6, 28.5, 33.5 and 35.5 min, respectively. The proposed method is simple, selective and could be applicable for routine analysis of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in pharmaceutical preparations as well as in vitro metabolism studies.     

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor Regulates Endothelial Progenitor Function Through the Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase/AKT Signal Transduction Pathway

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statins) are known to have pleiotropic effects. We examined the effect and mechanism of simvastatin on peripheral endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Rats were divided into simvastatin group and the control group after cardiac infarction operation. Simvastatin treatment significantly increased the number of peripheral blood CD34+ CD133+ cells, and serum concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and AKT was markedly increased in vivo. In cultured EPC, simvastatin increased the concentrations of VEGF, AKT and eNOS. Western blots analysis showed that simvastatin increased the phosphorylation of eNOS and FKHRL1, which can be blocked by the PI3K/AKT pathway blocker LY294002 . Our study demonstrated that simvastatin increases the mobilization of EPCs after cardiac infarction. In in vitro study, simvastatin increases the phosphorylation of eNOS and of FKHRL1 through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.     

Relation between location of elements in periodic table and affinity for the malignant tumor (author's transl)

Affinity of many inorganic compounds for the malignant tumor was examined, using the rats which were subcutaneously transplanted with Yoshida sarcoma. And the relations between the uptake rate into the malignant tumor and in vitro binding power to the protein were investigated in these compounds. In these experiments, the bipositive ions and anions had not affinity for the tumor tissue with a few exceptions. On the other hand, Hg, Au and Bi, which have strong binding power to the protein, showed high uptake rate into the malignant tumor. As Hg++, Au+ and Bi+++ are soft acids according to classification of Lewis acids, it was thought that these elements would bind strongly to soft base (R-SH, R-S-) present in the tumor tissue. In many hard acids (according to classification of Lewis acids), the uptake rate into the tumor was shown as a function of ionic potentials (valency/ionic radii) of the metal ions. It is presumed that the chemical bond of these hard acids in the tumor tissue is ionic bond to hard base (R-COO-, R-PO3(2-), R-SO3-, R-NH2).     

1H NMR assignment and secondary structure of recombinant RGD-hirudin

The conformation of a new recombinant RGD-hirudin, which has the activities of anti-thrombin and anti-platelet aggregation, was investigated by multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The 1H NMR spectra of this protein are assigned in a sequential manner by using a combination of 2D NMR techniques to demonstrate through-bond and through-space (<5 A) connectivities. The secondary structure of recombinant RGD-hirudin was deduced from chemical shift indices, sequential NOEs and 3J(HNalpha) coupling constants. The results show that the recombinant RGD-hirudin has two anti-parallel beta-sheets and no alpha-helix, and also that the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) binding motif of this protein is located at the end of a long arm, which consists of two anti-parallel beta-strands (residues 26-31 and 36-41). As the strands are connected by a beta-turn, the recombinant RGD-hirudin acquires high flexibility and inhibits platelet aggregation more effectively.     

Surface changes of yttria‐stabilized zirconia in water and Hanks solution characterized using XPS

Adhesion of soft and hard tissues to yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has been reported, despite its chemical inertness. To investigate the underlying mechanism of adhesion of hard and soft tissues to YSZ in dental implants, YSZ disks with (100), (110), and (111) crystalline planes were immersed in water for 60 days and in Hanks solution for 7 days, and the changes in the surface chemical states were characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. After immersion in water for 60 days, the concentration of hydroxyl groups on the YSZ surface increased. Therefore, the surface of YSZ was hydrated during immersion in water. In addition, phosphate groups were formed on the surface of YSZ immersed in Hanks solution. We conclude that the formation of phosphate on the YSZ surface in physiological conditions can promote reaction with the surrounding tissues.     

他汀类药物在微乳液相色谱体系中的保留行为

以普伐他汀钠、阿托伐他汀钙、辛伐他汀和洛伐他汀为研究对象,考察了微乳液流动相中表面活性剂的浓度、油相浓度、助表面活性剂浓度以及流动相的pH值等对他汀类药物在微乳液相色谱体系中保留行为的影响。实验结果表明,微乳流动相中表面活性剂、助表面活性剂、亲脂性溶剂的浓度对他汀类药物保留行为的影响与理论模型一致;流动相的pH值对酸性他汀类药物保留行为的影响与理论模型基本一致,对中性他汀类药物保留行为的影响存在着隐函数关系。所建立的保留模型能较好地反映微乳液组成对他汀类药物保留行为的影响。     

Structural coupling of an arginine side chain with the oxygen-evolving Mn4Ca cluster in photosystem II as revealed by isotope-edited Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Photosynthetic oxygen evolution by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria is performed at the Mn(4)Ca cluster in photosystem II (PSII) by light-driven water oxidation. It has been proposed that CP43-Arg357, which is located in the vicinity of the Mn(4)Ca cluster, plays a key role in the O(2) evolution mechanism; however, direct evidence for its involvement in the reaction has not yet been obtained. In this study, we have for the first time detected the structural coupling of CP43-Arg357 with the Mn(4)Ca cluster by means of isotope-edited Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Light-induced FTIR difference spectra upon the S(1)→S(2) transition (S(2)/S(1) difference spectra) of the Mn(4)Ca cluster were measured using isolated PSII core complexes from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells, where the Arg side chains were labeled with either [η(1,2)-(15)N(2)]Arg or [ζ-(13)C]Arg. Bands due to Arg side chain vibrations, which were extracted by taking a double difference between the S(2)/S(1) spectra of isotope-labeled and unlabeled samples, were found at 1700-1600 and 1700-1550 cm(-1) for [η(1,2)-(15)N(2)]Arg- and [ζ-(13)C]Arg-labeled PSII, respectively. These frequency regions are in good agreement with those of the CN/NH(2) vibrations of a guanidinium group in difference spectra between isotope-labeled and unlabeled Arg in aqueous solutions. The detected Arg bands in the S(2)/S(1) difference spectra were attributed to CP43-Arg357, which is the only Arg residue located near the Mn(4)Ca cluster. The presence of relatively high frequency bands arising from unlabeled Arg suggested that the guanidinium N(η)H(2) is engaged in strong hydrogen bonding. These results indicate that CP43-Arg357 interacts with the Mn(4)Ca cluster probably through direct hydrogen bonding to a first coordination shell ligand of a redox-active Mn ion. This structural coupling of CP43-Arg357 may play a crucial role in the water oxidation reactions.     

Formation of Mixed Ionic Complementary Peptide Fibrils

Summary: Two peptides (FEFEFKFK and HHHHHHFEFEFKFK) have been synthesised and their phase diagrams mapped out as a function of concentration and temperature. Both peptides formed self-supporting fibrillar hydrogels above a similar critical molar gelation concentration with a fibril diameter corresponding to the length of the fully stretched monomer. Mixing the peptides in a 9:1 ratio of FEFEFKFK to histadine functionalized FEFEFKFK in the presence of nanogold particles (binds to the histadine groups) resulted in thicker fibres suggesting that two fibrils associate together to form a fibre. TEM studies revealed that the gold particles were distributed throughout the hydrogel and adjacent to both sides of the fibrillar structures with an average distance between particles of 21 nm. It is postulated that the peptides form anti-parallel beta sheet fibrils that associate together via π-stacking interactions between the imidazole side chains of the histadine groups to form a fibre, where on average 1 in every 44 peptides is functionalized.     

FTIR of touch imprint cytology: a novel tissue diagnostic technique

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) interrogation of biological tissues in real time has largely been a challenging proposition because of the strong absorption of mid-infrared light in water filled tissues. To enable sampling of tissues they must be sectioned and dried, which has time and resource implications. FTIR of touch imprint cytology (TIC) has been proposed to circumvent this problem. TIC is a well known histopathological method of rapidly analysing biological tissues. In this article we demonstrate the ability of FTIR of TIC to provide detailed spectra which can be used to differentiate various tissue pathologies. FTIR spectral profiles of TIC of lymph node and thyroid tissues differ visually when compared with TIC spectra of parathyroid tissue. The lymph node showed strong lipid spectral peaks at 1166cm(-1) and 1380cm(-1) including a very strong carbonyl-ester band at 1748cm(-1), and a strong methylene bending band (scissoring, at 1464cm(-1)). Smaller intensity protein peaks at 1547cm(-1) and 1659cm(-1) were also seen. The thyroid spectra, in addition to evident strong protein peaks at 1547cm(-1) and 1659cm(-1), also demonstrated possible nucleic acid signals at 1079cm(-1) and 1244cm(-1). The C-OH peak at 1037cm(-1) was attributed to carbohydrate signals. Parathyroid adenoma showed a marginal shift to lower wavenumbers with decreased amide I and II peak intensities when compared to hyperplasia. Nucleic acid peak positions at 1079cm(-1) and 1244cm(-1) were of higher intensity in adenomas compared to hyperplastic glands possibly demonstrating an increase in cell proliferation and growth. This study demonstrates the feasibility of cytoimprint FTIR for the intraoperative diagnosis of tissue during surgical neck exploration for the management of hyperparathyroidism. There is potential for the application of the technique in sentinel lymph node biopsy diagnosis and tumour margin evaluation.     

Electronic structure of brain: structure-activity relationships between electronic structure and neurotransmitters based on molecular hardness concept

In order to understand the relation between the electronic structure of neurotransmitters and the brain, a model of the brain based on absolute hardness (eta) and absolute electronegativity (chi) is described. It was found that the coordinate r(chi, eta) of electronic structures of neurotransmitters obtained using the parameters eta and chi can be graphically classified into three groups: catecholamine type (group I), gamma-aminobutanoic acid (GABA) type (group II), and acetylcholine (ACh) type (group III) in the eta-chi diagram. The results suggest that the brainstem and neocortex in the brain are chemically soft and hard, respectively, because they show that the myelinated nerve is chemically soft and the unmyelinated nerve is chemically hard. If one calculates the r(chi, eta) to understand which group a drug belongs to, one can predict the target receptors of the drug from the eta-chi diagram. Using eta-chi maps, one is then able to design medications like antidepressants, tranquilizers, and ACh agonists.     

Simvastatin inhibits sphingosylphosphorylcholine-induced differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into smooth muscle cells

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) induces differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) into smooth muscle-like cells expressing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) via transforming growth factor-β1/Smad2- and RhoA/Rho kinase-dependent mechanisms. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl- coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been known to have beneficial effects in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we examined the effects of simvastatin on the SPC-induced α-SMA expression and Smad2 phosphorylation in hASCs. Simvastatin inhibited the SPC-induced α-SMA expression and sustained phosphorylation of Smad2 in hASCs. SPC treatment caused RhoA activation via a simvastatin-sensitive mechanism. The SPC-induced α-SMA expression and Smad2 phosphorylation were abrogated by pretreatment of the cells with the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 or overexpression of a dominant negative RhoA mutant. Furthermore, SPC induced secretion of TGF-β1 and pretreatment with either Y27632 or simvastatin inhibited the SPC-induced TGF-β1 secretion. These results suggest that simvastatin inhibits SPC-induced differentiation of hASCs into smooth muscle cells by attenuating the RhoA/Rho kinase-dependent activation of autocrine TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway.     

UVRR spectroscopic studies of valinomycin complex formation in different solvents

We investigated the complexation of valinomycin (VM) in different solvent environments with the aid of the UVRR spectroscopy. By probing the 206.5 and 229 nm excited Raman spectra, we showed that new bands are observed around 1700 and 1290 cm(-1). We assigned the 1700 cm(-1) band to the hydrogen bonded ester carbonyl stretching vibration. In a polar solvent, VM-K(+) complexation shows significant intensity changes in amide and ester carbonyl stretching region. Because of the small amount of conformational interconversion, complexation has a negligible effect on other band intensities including, the amide III, C(alpha)H, and amide II. We also showed the effects of the solvent polarity on the solution conformation of VM.