Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid: the signal transduction

Cytochrome P450 monoxygenase converts arachionic acid to four epoxyeicosatrienoic acid regiosomes: 5, 6-EET (epoxyeicosatrienoic acid); 8, 9-EET; 11, 12-EET and 14, 15-EET. Recent studies show that EETs are involved in signal transduction. EETs open Ca²⁺-sensit ive K⁺ channel and inhibit Na⁺ channel, Ca²⁺-sensitive Cl^- channel and so on. What is more, EETs have been demonstrated to activate PP60^c-src and initiate a tyrosine kinase cascade that mediates mitogenic effects.     

Synergistic and antagonistic effects of atrazine on the toxicity of organophosphorodithioate and organophosphorothioate insecticides to Chironomus tentans (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The acute toxicities of two organophosphorodithioate (dimethoate and disulfoton) and two organophosphorothioate (omethoate and demeton-S-methyl) insecticides were evaluated individually and in binary combination with the herbicide atrazine using fourth-instar larvae of the aquatic midge, Chironomus tentans. Atrazine alone up to 1000 μg/L did not show significant toxicity to the midges in a 48-h bioassay. However, atrazine concentrations as low as 1 μg/L in combination with dimethoate at EC₂₅ (concentration to affect 25% of tested midges), 100 μg/L in combination with disulfoton (EC₂₅), and 10 μg/L in combination with demeton-S-methyl (EC₂₅) significantly enhanced the toxicity of each organophosphate insecticide. In contrast, atrazine concentrations of 10 μg/L and above in combination with omethoate (EC₂₅) significantly decreased the toxicity of the insecticide. Biochemical analysis indicated that increased toxicity of dimethoate, disulfoton, and demeton-S-methyl in binary combination with atrazine correlated to the increased inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Furthermore, cytochrome P450-dependent O-deethylation activity in the midges exposed to atrazine at 1000 μg/L was 1.5-fold higher than that in the control midges. Thus, atrazine appeared to induce cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in the midges. Elevated cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity may increase the toxicities of dimethoate, disulfoton, and demeton-S-methyl by enhancing the oxidative activation of dimethoate into omethoate, and disulfoton and demeton-S-methyl into their sulfoxide analogs with increased anticholinesterase activity. In contrast, atrazine reduced the toxicity of omethoate possibly by enhancing the oxidative metabolic detoxification since omethoate does not require oxidative activation.     

Identification and characterization of the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs,flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone,in horses

The in vivo metabolism and pharmacokinetics of flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone have been extensively characterized; however, there are no published reports describing the in vitro metabolism, specifically the enzymes responsible for the biotransformation of these compounds in horses. Due to their widespread use and, therefore, increased potential for drug–drug interactions and widespread differences in drug disposition, this study aims to build on the limited current knowledge regarding P450‐mediated metabolism in horses. Drugs were incubated with equine liver microsomes and a panel of recombinant equine P450s. Incubation of phenylbutazone in microsomes generated oxyphenbutazone and gamma‐hydroxy phenylbutazone. Microsomal incubations with flunixin meglumine generated 5‐OH flunixin, with a kinetic profile suggestive of substrate inhibition. In recombinant P450 assays, equine CYP3A97 was the only enzyme capable of generating oxyphenbutazone while several members of the equine CYP3A family and CYP1A1 were capable of catalyzing the biotransformation of flunixin to 5‐OH flunixin. Flunixin meglumine metabolism by CYP1A1 and CYP3A93 showed a profile characteristic of biphasic kinetics, suggesting two substrate binding sites. The current study identifies specific enzymes responsible for the metabolism of two NSAIDs in horses and provides the basis for future study of drug–drug interactions and identification of reasons for varying pharmacokinetics between horses.     

Altered vitamin D metabolic system in follicular cysts of sows

This study aimed to examine 25OHD₃ concentration in the fluid of follicular and follicular lutein cysts of sows in comparison with preovulatory follicles as well as immunolocalize vitamin D metabolic enzymes (CYP27B1 and CYP24A1) and determine their protein abundances in the cyst wall. We have shown for the first time that 25OHD₃ level in the fluid of both cyst types was significantly lower than in preovulatory follicles. Furthermore, we have demonstrated CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 protein immunolocalization and abundance in follicular and follicular lutein cysts. The abundance of protein for both metabolic enzymes was decreased in ovarian cysts when compared to preovulatory follicles. We propose that altered VD metabolism in ovarian cyst might associate with their formation in sows.     

利用shRNA真核表达载体干涉雌性鸡胚性腺中芳香化酶基因(CYP19A1)的表达

本研究通过把构建的短发夹结构RNA(shRNA)真核表达载体导入鸡胚,检测鸡胚性腺分化期质粒载体在鸡胚体内代谢情况及雌性鸡胚性腺中芳香化酶基因(CYP19A1)mRNA表达效率,进而探讨利用该方法在鸡胚体内进行特定基因干涉的可行性.实验针对CYP19A1基因构建了4条特异性表达载体,一条非特异性表达载体.每个实验组选取45个新鲜种蛋作为实验材料进行胚盘下腔注射,并设立空白对照组.鸡胚发育12d时,检测各处理组鸡胚肝脏组织中质粒存在情况,并取其左侧性腺组织进行目标基因的荧光定量分析.研究结果表明,导入组在12日胚龄时所有鸡胚基因组中均可检测到绿色荧光蛋白基因(EGFP);荧光定量结果显示,导入特异性表达载体cyp-580、cyp-1083和cyp-1295后,对应雌性鸡胚性腺CYP19A1 mRNA表达效率显著低于空白对照组,干涉效率分别为:73％、52％和85％;特异性表达载体cyp-1403组CYP19A1mRNA表达效率与空白对照组相比有所降低但无显著性差异.本实验为诱导鸡胚性反转提供了新方法并建立了鸡胚发育期特定基因体内干涉新平台.     

蚯蚓（Eiseniafetida）细胞色素P450及抗氧化酶系对环境浓度苯并（a）芘的响应

以赤子爱胜蚓（Eiseniafetida）为供试生物,草甸棕壤为供试土壤,以蚯蚓微粒体细胞色素P450含量、抗氧化酶系以及谷胱甘肽转移酶活性为指标,进行了土壤中苯并（a）芘[B（a）P]暴露与酶活性的量-效关系研究。结果表明,在接近沈抚灌区实地污染状况B（a）P（0．1～2．0mg·kg-1）暴露下,第1、3、7以及第14d取样时,P450和SOD有较好的响应：SOD在第1、3d显著升高,而在第7、14d时降低;P450总体表现为低浓度B（a）P诱导下降低,高浓度下升高的趋势。CAT、POD以及GST的敏感性相对较差。比照其他4个指标,蚯蚓P450的敏感性更为优异,具有较好的应用前景。指标敏感性总体表现为：P450〉SOD〉CAT／POD〉GST。     

CYP450 epoxygenase/EET pathway attenuates adipose inflammation of obese mice through HIF-1α

AIM To investigate the effects of cytochrome P450 （CYP450） epoxygenase/epoxyeicosatrienoic acid （EET） pathway on insulin resistance in obese mice, and to explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS High-fat diet-induced obesity model was established in C57BL/6Cnc mice, and the obese mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, including obesity group （treated with saline; n=10）, EET group （treated with 11,12-EET; n=10） and EET inhibitor 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5（Z）-enoic acid （EEZE） group （n=10）. Normal C57BL/6Cnc mice （n=10） treated with saline served as control. Protein expression of CYP2J2 （one of CYP450 epoxygenases） and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） was measured by Western blot. Vessel-like structure was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The serum levels of insulin, tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）, interleukin （IL）-1β, IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1） were measured by ELISA. RESULTS In obese mice, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR） values were increased, the protein level of CYP2J2 was reduced, and the protein level of HIF-1α was increased in adipose tissues as compared with the controls （P<0.05）. The serum levels of MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were also significantly increased in obese mice （P<0.05）. After treatment with 11, 12-EET, the HOMA-IR values were decreased compared with vehicle-treated obese mice, HIF-1α expression levels were decreased in the adipose tissue, and the serum levels of MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced （P<0.05）. Immunohistochemical results of adipose tissue from vehicle-treated obese mice showed a marked decrease in vessel-like structures （CD31-positive） compared with normal control mice （P<0.05）. EET treatment significantly increased the newly formed vessel-like structures in the visceral adipose tissues of obese mice as compared with vehicle-treated obese mice （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION High-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance are closely related to the CYP450 pathway. Exogenous EETs effectively decrease obesity-induced insulin resistance possibly through pro-angiogenesis and attenuation of hypoxia and inflammation.     

Dexmedetomidine attenuates acute alcoholic hepatic injury in mice

AIM: To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on acute alcoholic hepatic injury in mice and to explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS: Kunming mice (n=50) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10): normal saline control (NS) group, acute alcoholic hepatic injury model (E) group, low-dose (10 μg/kg) DEX (E+L) group, medium-dose (50 μg/kg) DEX (E+M) group and high-dose (100 μg/kg) DEX (E+H) group. The animals were sacrificed at 6 h after gavage of alcohol or normal saline. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. The livers were removed for evaluation of histological characteristics and determining the content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) amd interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the liver tissues by ELISA. The expression levels of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the liver tissues were evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with NS group, the levels of ALT, AST and TG were obviously increased in E group, which were obviously decreased in E+M and E+H groups. Compared with NS group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and MDA were obviously increase in E group, which were obviously decreased in E+M and E+H groups. Compared with NS group, the activity of SOD and the content of GSH were obviously decreased in E group, which were obviously increased in E+M and E+H groups. Compared with NS group, the expression of CYP2E1 and NF-κB was obviously increase in E group, which was obviously decreased in E+M and E+H groups. Compared with NS group, ethanol induced marked liver histological injury, which was less pronounced in E+M and E+H groups. CONCLUSION: DEX has a protective effect on mouse liver with acute alcoholic injury by the involvement in the processes of antioxidation and antiinflammation, and its mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of CYP2E1 and NF-κB expression.     

苎麻C3H基因的克隆、生物信息学分析及表达分析

旨在为后期验证C3H基因编码蛋白功能并最终实现低木质素优良苎麻品种的基因工程育种奠定基础。基于苎麻高通量测序信息,利用RACE技术克隆C3H基因全长序列,对其进行生物信息学分析;并利用荧光定量技术对苎麻C3H的表达模式进行研究。获得了全长为1940 bp的苎麻C3H基因c DNA序列Bn C3H-1(Gen Bank登录号为KY078743)。Bn C3H-1基因编码蛋白理化性质和结构的分析表明,该基因编码一个含511个氨基酸,分子量为57.80 k D的亲水性蛋白,它可能定位在内质网上。氨基酸序列和结构分析显示Bn C3H-1有一个保守区域,即P450结构域。系统进化分析表明,该基因与巨桉和苦荞C3H基因具有很高的同源性。