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Arachidonic Acid Metabolism (arachidonic + acid_metabolism)
Selected AbstractsArachidonic acid metabolism in brain physiology and pathology: lessons from genetically altered mouse modelsJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2007Francesca Bosetti Abstract The arachidonic acid (AA) cascade involves the release of AA from the membrane phospholipids by a phospholipase A2, followed by its subsequent metabolism to bioactive prostanoids by cyclooxygenases coupled with terminal synthases. Altered brain AA metabolism has been implicated in neurological, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders. The development of genetically altered mice lacking specific enzymes of the AA cascade has helped to elucidate the individual roles of these enzymes in brain physiology and pathology. The roles of AA and its metabolites in brain physiology, with a particular emphasis on the phospholipase A2/cyclooxygenases pathway, are summarized, and the specific phenotypes of genetically altered mice relevant to brain physiology and neurotoxic models are discussed. [source] Lipoxins in asthma: potential therapeutic mediators on bronchial inflammation?ALLERGY, Issue 10 2004C. Bonnans Arachidonic acid metabolism represents an important source of mediators with ambivalent actions. Among these, lipoxins (LXs) are the first agents identified and recognized as anti-inflammatory endogenous lipid mediators, which are involved in the resolution of inflammation and are present in the airways of asthmatic patients. Lipoxins result mainly from the interaction between 5 and 15-lipoxygenases (LO) and their levels are modulated by the degree of bronchial inflammation as well as by the long-term glucocorticoid treatments. In the airways, LX synthesis is higher in mild asthmatics than in severe asthmatics, whereas in vitro chemokine release inhibition by LXs is more effective in cells from severe asthmatics than from mild asthmatics. LipoxinA4 effects on interleukin (IL)-8 released by blood mononuclear cells and on calcium influx in epithelial cells are mediated by the specific receptor ALX. Lipoxin generation by lung epithelial cells depends mainly on 15-LO activity. Mild asthmatics present higher 15-LOb expression at the epithelium level than severe patients, whereas the LX deficit in severe asthma is associated with an up-regulation of the 15-LOa expressions. Therefore, bronchial epithelial cells become a target for therapeutic intervention and LXs represent a potential therapeutic solution for bronchial inflammation resolution in asthma. [source] Chronic lithium administration attenuates up-regulated brain arachidonic acid metabolism in a rat model of neuroinflammationJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2007Mireille Basselin Abstract Neuroinflammation, caused by a 6-day intracerebroventricular infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats, is associated with the up-regulation of brain arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism markers. Because chronic LiCl down-regulates markers of brain AA metabolism, we hypothesized that it would attenuate increments of these markers in LPS-infused rats. Incorporation coefficients k* of AA from plasma into brain, and other brain AA metabolic markers, were measured in rats that had been fed a LiCl or control diet for 6 weeks, and subjected in the last 6 days on the diet to intracerebroventricular infusion of artificial CSF or of LPS. In rats on the control diet, LPS compared with CSF infusion increased k* significantly in 28 regions, whereas the LiCl diet prevented k* increments in 18 of these regions. LiCl in CSF infused rats increased k* in 14 regions, largely belonging to auditory and visual systems. Brain cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 activity, and prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 concentrations, were increased significantly by LPS infusion in rats fed the control but not the LiCl diet. Chronic LiCl administration attenuates LPS-induced up-regulation of a number of brain AA metabolism markers. To the extent that this up-regulation has neuropathological consequences, lithium might be considered for treating human brain diseases accompanied by neuroinflammation. [source] Altered arachidonic acid biosynthesis and antioxidant protection mechanisms in Schwann cells grown in elevated glucoseJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2002Cristinel Mîinea Abstract In cultured Schwann cells, elevated glucose induces alterations in arachidonic acid metabolism that cause a decrease in the content of glycerophospholipid arachidonoyl-containing molecular species (ACMS). This could result from decreased de novo arachidonic acid biosynthesis, or increased arachidonic acid release from phospholipids. Incorporation of radioactive 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid into ACMS was lower for cells grown in 30 mm versus 5 mm glucose, consistent with a decrease in ,5 desaturase activity. However, neither basal arachidonic acid release from prelabeled cells nor stimulated generation of arachidonic acid in the presence of the reacylation inhibitor, thimerosal, the phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, bipyridyl peroxovanadium, or both together, were altered by varying the glucose concentrations, indicating that arachidonic acid turnover did not contribute to ACMS depletion. Free cytosolic NAD+/NADH decreased, whereas NADP+/NADPH remained unchanged for cells grown in elevated glucose, implying that decreased desaturase activity is a result of metabolic changes other than cofactor availability. Schwann cells in elevated glucose were susceptible to oxidative stress, as shown by increased malondialdehyde, depleted glutathione levels, and reduced cytosolic superoxide dismutase activity. Glutathione-altering compounds had no effect on ACMS levels, in contrast to N -acetylcysteine and ,-lipoic acid, which partly corrected ACMS depletion in phosphatidylcholine. These findings suggest that in the Schwann cell cultures, a high glucose level elicits oxidative stress and weakens antioxidant protection mechanisms which could decrease arachidonic acid biosynthesis and that this deficit can be partly corrected by treatment with exogenous antioxidants. [source] Effects of tanshinone I isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge on arachidonic acid metabolism and in vivo inflammatory responsesPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2002Sung Young Kim Abstract Arachidonic acid (AA) mainly released from the cell membrane by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is converted to eicosanoids by the action of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LO). In order to find the specific inhibitors of AA metabolism especially PLA2 and COX-2, 300 plant extracts were evaluated for their inhibitory activity on PGD2 production from cytokine-induced mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells in vitro. From this screening procedure, the methanol extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza was found to inhibit PGD2 production and the ethyl,acetate subfraction gave the strongest inhibition of five subfractions tested. From this ethyl,acetate subfraction, an activity-guided isolation finally gave tanshinone I as an active principle. This investigation deals with the effects of tanshinone I on AA metabolism from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells and in vivo antiinflammatory activity. Tanshinone I inhibited PGE2 formation from LPS-induced RAW macrophages (IC50,=,38,,M). However, this compound did not affect COX-2 activity or COX-2 expression. Tanshinone I was found to be an inhibitor of type IIA human recombinant sPLA2(IC50,=,11,,M) and rabbit recombinant cPLA2 (IC50,=,82,,M). In addition, tanshinone I showed in vivo antiinflammatory activity in rat carrageenan-induced paw oedema and adjuvant-induced arthritis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Bradykinin potentiates cytokine-induced prostaglandin biosynthesis in osteoblasts by enhanced expression of cyclooxygenase 2, resulting in increased RANKL expressionARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 3 2007Anna Bernhold Brechter Objective Bradykinin (BK) stimulates bone resorption in vitro and synergistically potentiates interleukin-1 (IL-1),induced bone resorption and prostaglandin (PG) formation, suggesting that kinins are important in inflammation-induced bone loss. The present study was undertaken to study 1) the role of the kinin B1 and B2 receptors in the synergistic interaction with IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor , (TNF,), 2) the molecular mechanisms involved in synergistic enhancement of PG formation, and 3) the effects of kinins on cytokine-induced expression of RANKL, RANK, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) (the latter being crucial molecules in osteoclast differentiation). Methods Formation of PGs, expression of enzymes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, and expression of RANKL, RANK, and OPG were assessed in the human osteoblastic cell line MG-63 and in mouse calvarial bones. The role of NF-,B and MAP kinases was studied using pharmacologic inhibitors. Results PGE2 formation and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) protein expression were induced by IL-1, and potentiated by kinins with affinity for the B1 or B2 receptors, resulting in PGE2 -dependent enhancement of RANKL. The enhancements of PGE2 formation and COX-2 were markedly decreased by inhibition of p38 and JNK MAP kinases, whereas inhibition of NF-,B resulted in abolishment of the PGE2 response with only slight inhibition of COX-2. Conclusion Kinin B1 and B2 receptors synergistically potentiate IL-1, and TNF,-induced PG biosynthesis in osteoblasts by a mechanism involving increased levels of COX-2, resulting in increased RANKL. The synergistic stimulation is dependent on NF-,B and MAP kinases. These mechanisms might help to explain the enhanced bone resorption associated with inflammatory disorders, including that in rheumatoid arthritis. [source] Cyclopentenone Eicosanoids as Mediators of Neurodegeneration: A Pathogenic Mechanism of Oxidative Stress-Mediated and Cyclooxygenase-Mediated NeurotoxicityBRAIN PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Erik S. Musiek The activation of cyclooxygenase enzymes in the brain has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative conditions. Similarly, oxidative stress is believed to be a major contributor to many forms of neurodegeneration. These 2 distinct processes are united by a common characteristic: the generation of electrophilic cyclopentenone eicosanoids. These cyclopentenone compounds are defined structurally by the presence of an unsaturated carbonyl moiety in their prostane ring, and readily form Michael adducts with cellular thiols, including those found in glutathione and proteins. The cyclopentenone prostaglandins (PGs) PGA2, PGJ2, and 15-deoxy-,12,14 PGJ2, enzymatic products of cyclooxygenase-mediated arachidonic acid metabolism, exert a complex array of potent neurodegenerative, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. Cyclopentenone isoprostanes (A2/J2 -IsoPs), products of non-enzymatic, free radical-mediated arachidonate oxidation, are also highly bioactive, and can exert direct neurodegenerative effects. In addition, cyclopentenone products of docosahexaenoic acid oxidation (cyclopentenone neuroprostanes) are also formed abundantly in the brain. For the first time, the formation and biological actions of these various classes of reactive cyclopentenone eicosanoids are reviewed, with emphasis on their potential roles in neurodegeneration. The accumulating evidence suggests that the formation of cyclopentenone eicosanoids in the brain may represent a novel pathogenic mechanism, which contributes to many neurodegenerative conditions. [source] Benzydamine inhibits monocyte migration and MAPK activation induced by chemotactic agonistsBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Elena Riboldi The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of benzydamine, an anti-inflammatory drug devoid of activity on arachidonic acid metabolism, on monocyte chemotaxis and to define the possible biochemical correlates of activity. Benzydamine inhibited monocyte chemotaxis in response to three classes of chemoattractants: the prototypic CC-chemokine CCL2 (MCP-1), the microbial product fMLP and the complement cascade component C5a. The effect was dose-dependent with IC50's of 100, 50 and 45 ,M for MCP-1/CCL2, fMLP and C5a, respectively. At the dose of 100 ,M, the effect resulted in a 50±10% inhibition of MCP-1/CCL2-induced chemotaxis and 53±6 and 54±5% inhibitions of chemotaxis in response of fMLP and C5a, respectively (n=3). Receptor expression as well as calcium fluxes in response to chemoattractants were not affected by benzydamine. Benzydamine strongly inhibited chemoattractant-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) ERK1/2, and of its upstream activator kinase MEK1/2. ERK1/12 activation in response to chemoattractants was 89,98% inhibited by a 100 ,M concentration of benzydamine with an IC50 of 30 ,M. Under the same experimental conditions, pretreatment with 100 ,M benzydamine caused a 75,89% inhibition of p38 activation (IC50 25 ,M). These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory activity of benzydamine is exerted at multiple levels, including monocyte migration to chemotactic factors associated to a blockage of ERK and p38 MAPK pathways. British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 377,383. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705428 [source] MECHANISMS MEDIATING PRESSURE NATRIURESIS: WHAT WE KNOW and WHAT WE NEED TO FIND OUTCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5-6 2005Roger G Evans SUMMARY 1.,It is well established that pressure natriuresis plays a key role in long-term blood pressure regulation, but our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this process is incomplete. 2.,Pressure natriuresis is chiefly mediated by inhibition of tubular sodium reabsorption, because both total renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate are efficiently autoregulated. Inhibition of active sodium transport within both the proximal and distal tubules likely makes a contribution. Increased renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) likely inhibits sodium reabsorption by altering passive diffusion through paracellular pathways in ,leaky' tubular elements. 3.,Nitric oxide and products of cytochrome P450-dependent arachidonic acid metabolism are key signalling mechanisms in pressure natriuresis, although their precise roles remain to be determined. 4.,The key unresolved question is, how is increased renal artery pressure ,sensed' by the kidney? One proposal rests on the notion that blood flow in the renal medulla is poorly autoregulated, so that increased renal artery pressure leads to increased renal medullary blood flow (MBF), which, in turn, leads to increased RIHP. An alternative proposal is that the process of autoregulation of renal blood flow leads to increased shear stress in the preglomerular vasculature and, so, release of nitric oxide and perhaps products of cytochrome P450-dependent arachidonic acid metabolism, which, in turn, drive the cascade of events that inhibit sodium reabsorption. 5.,Central to the arguments underlying these opposing hypotheses is the extent to which MBF is autoregulated. This remains highly controversial, largely because of the limitations of presently available methods for measurement of MBF. [source] Cellular Actions Of Opioids And Other Analgesics: Implications For Synergism In Pain ReliefCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 7 2000MacDonald J Christie SUMMARY 1. ,-Opioid receptor agonists mediate their central analgesic effects by actions on neurons within brain regions such as the mid-brain periaqueductal grey (PAG). Within the PAG, ,-opioid receptor-mediated analgesia results from inhibition of GABAergic influences on output projection neurons. We have established that ,-opioid receptor activation in the PAG causes a presynaptic inhibition of GABA release that is mediated by activation of a voltage-dependent K+ channel via 12-lipoxygenase (LOX) metabolites of arachidonic acid. 2. At a cellular level, ,-opioid agonists have also been shown to open inwardly rectifying K+ channels, close voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and presynaptically inhibit glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the PAG. 3. The ,-opioid receptor-mediated presynaptic inhibition of GABAergic transmission was abolished by phospholipase A2 inhibitors and non-specific LOX and specific 12-LOX inhibitors. Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) and specific 5-LOX inhibitors did not reduce the inhibitory effects of ,-opioid agonists. 4. The opioid actions on GABAergic transmission were mimicked by arachidonic acid and 12-LOX metabolites, but not 5-LOX metabolites. The efficacy of ,-opioids was enhanced synergistically by treatment of PAG neurons with inhibitors of the other major enzymes responsible for arachidonic acid metabolism, COX and 5-LOX. 5. These results explain a previously described analgesic action of COX inhibitors in the central nervous system that was both independent of prostanoid release and inhibited by opioid receptor antagonists and they also explain the synergistic interaction of opioids with COX inhibitors. These findings also suggest new avenues for the development of centrally active analgesic agents involving combinations of lowered doses of opioids and specific 5-LOX inhibitors. [source] | ||||||||||