Molecular and cellular biochemistry
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Nov 2011
Stress-induced alternations in CuZnSOD and MnSOD activity in cellular compartments of rat liver.
Exposure to different stressors initiates generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which create harmful environment for cellular macromolecules. Superoxide dismutases (SODs) represent the first line of antioxidant defense. Hence, any alternation in their function might be potentially damaging. ⋯ Data have shown that different stressors have diverse effect on hepatic CuZnSOD and MnSOD activity as well as on serum CORT level. Increased nuclear CuZnSOD activity after acute stress represents physiological response since the named activity protects cells against oxidative stress, while chronic IS stress compromises CuZnSOD function, suggesting an inefficient defense against ROS. Observed decrease of MnSOD activities indicate inadequate elimination of ROS after acute or chronic stress, which is characteristic of the oxidative stress.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Jul 2011
Ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase plays a protective role in β-adrenergic receptor-stimulated cardiac myocyte apoptosis and myocardial remodeling.
β-Adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation induces cardiac myocyte apoptosis and plays an important role in myocardial remodeling. Here we investigated expression of various apoptosis-related genes affected by β-AR stimulation, and examined first time the role of ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase (ATM) in cardiac myocyte apoptosis and myocardial remodeling following β-AR stimulation. cDNA array analysis of 96 apoptosis-related genes indicated that β-AR stimulation increases expression of ATM in the heart. In vitro, RT-PCR confirmed increased ATM expression in adult cardiac myocytes in response to β-AR stimulation. ⋯ MMP-2 protein levels were significantly higher, while TIMP-2 protein levels were lower in hKO-ISO hearts. MMP-9 protein levels were increased in WT-ISO, not in hKO hearts. In conclusion, ATM plays a protective role in cardiac remodeling in response to β-AR stimulation.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Jul 2011
Imbalanced circulating matrix metalloproteinases in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Altered levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may reflect relevant pathogenetic mechanisms of disease conditions. The objective of this study was to compare the plasma levels of MMPs and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with those found in healthy ovulatory controls and to examine whether the levels of these biomarkers are associated with clinical and biochemical features of this syndrome. Sixty-five healthy ovulatory subjects (controls) and 80 patients with PCOS were include in this study. ⋯ Testosterone levels correlated positively with the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio and negatively with TIMP-2 levels (r = 0.26, P < 0.01 and r = -0.21, P = 0.02, respectively). In addition, only testosterone was an independent predictor of TIMP-2 levels (estimate = -0.35, P = 0.04) and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio (estimate = 0.01, P = 0.04). We found evidence indicating that the balance between MMPs and TIMPs in women with PCOS is altered, probably due to androgen excess found in these women.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Mar 2011
Inhibitory effect of caffeic acid on cancer cell proliferation by oxidative mechanism in human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cell line.
Caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxy cinnamic acid) (CA) is naturally found in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and coffee. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anticancer effect of caffeic acid on HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line. The antiproliferative effect of caffeic acid was determined by MTT assay, and the oxidative stress was determined by lipid peroxidation, changes in the enzymatic, and non-enzymatic antioxidant status. ⋯ Further, caffeic acid treatment altered the mitochondrial membrane potential in HT-1080 cells. Similarly, the authors observed increased oxidative DNA damage (% Tail DNA, % Tail length, Tail moment, and olive tail moment), and apoptotic morphological changes in caffeic acid-treated groups. These data suggest that caffeic acid exhibits potent anticancer effect in HT-1080 cell line, and that it may be used as an anticancer agent.
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Remodeling by its very nature implies synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix components (such as elastin, collagen, and connexins). Most of the vascular matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) are latent because of the presence of constitutive nitric oxide (NO). However, during oxidative stress peroxinitrite (ONOO-) activates the latent MMPs and instigates vascular remodeling. ⋯ Hcy treatment increased blood pressure in WT mice. Interestingly, in MMP-9 KO, Hcy did not increase blood pressure. These results may suggest that HHcy causes mesenteric artery remodeling and narrowing by activating MMP-9 and decreasing DDAH-2 and eNOS expressions, compromising the blood flow, instigating hypertension, and acute abdomen pain.