Uncoupling Agent (uncoupling + agent)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Catechin as an antioxidant in liver mitochondrial toxicity: Inhibition of tamoxifen-Induced protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation,

JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
Heena Tabassum
Abstract Tamoxifen (TAM) is a nonsteroidal triphenylethylene antiestrogenic drug widely used in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. TAM brings about a collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential. It acts both as an uncoupling agent and as a powerful inhibitor of mitochondrial electron transport chain. The effect of catechin pretreatment on the mitochondrial toxicity of TAM was studied in liver mitochondria of Swiss albino mice. TAM treatment caused a significant increase in the mitochondrial lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the protein carbonyls (PCs). It also caused a significant increase in superoxide radical production. Pretreatment of mice with catechin (40 mg/kg) showed significant protection as demonstrated by marked attenuation of increased oxidative stress parameters such LPO, PCs, and superoxide production. It also restored the decreased nonenzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants of mitochondria. The inhibitory effect of catechin on TAM-induced oxidative damage suggests that it may have potential benefits in prevention of human diseases where reactive oxygen species have some role as causative agents. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 21:110,117, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20167 [source]


An Uncoupling Agent Containing Strontium Prevents Bone Loss by Depressing Bone Resorption and Maintaining Bone Formation in Estrogen-Deficient Rats

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2005
Pierre J. Marie Ph.D.
Trabecular bone loss in estrogen deficiency is associated with enhanced bone resorption with a smaller increase in bone formation. We previously reported that low doses of strontium can increase trabecular bone volume in rodents by affecting bone resorption and formation. In this study we determined the effect of a new divalent strontium salt (S12911) on bone loss induced by E2 deficiency. Sprague-Dawley female rats (230 g, n = 15,25 per group) were sham operated or ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with 17,-estradiol (E2, 10 ,g/kg/day, sc) or S12911 by gavage at the dose of 77, 154, or 308 mg/kg/day or the vehicle. Treatment for 60 days with S12911 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in plasma, urine, and bone strontium concentrations without any deleterious effect on total or skeletal growth. OVX rats were osteopenic compared to sham rats as shown by decreased femoral dry bone weight and mineral content measured on bone ash and by DXA. Treatment of OVX rats with S12911 prevented bone loss as bone ash and bone mineral content were restored to the values in sham rats. Trabecular bone volume measured by histomorphometry on the tibial metaphysis was decreased by 46% in OVX rats and was corrected by E2. Treatment of OVX rats with S12911 increased the trabecular bone volume by 30,36%. Histomorphometric indices of bone resorption (osteoclast surface and number) were increased in OVX rats and were reduced by S12911 to the levels in sham rats. In contrast to this inhibitory effect on bone resorption, the osteoid surface, osteoblast surface, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate were as high in OVX rats treated with S12911 as in untreated OVX rats. In addition, plasma osteocalcin (OC) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels remained elevated or were further increased in OVX rats treated with S12911. In contrast, treatment with E2 reduced both bone resorption and formation and plasma ALP and OC to the levels in sham rats. The data indicate that the divalent strontium salt S12911 is acting as an uncoupling agent that can prevent the femoral osteopenia and partially prevent the trabecular bone loss in E2-deficient rats by inhibiting bone resorption without reducing bone formation. [source]


The mitochondrial uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol attenuates tissue damage and improves mitochondrial homeostasis following transient focal cerebral ischemia

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2005
Amit S. Korde
Abstract Ischemic stroke is caused by acute neuronal degeneration provoked by interruption of cerebral blood flow. Although the mechanisms contributing to ischemic neuronal degeneration are myriad, mitochondrial dysfunction is now recognized as a pivotal event that can lead to either necrotic or apoptotic neuronal death. Lack of suitable ,upstream' targets to prevent loss of mitochondrial homeostasis has, so far, restricted the development of mechanistically based interventions to promote neuronal survival. Here, we show that the uncoupling agent 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP) reduces infarct volume approximately 40% in a model of focal ischemia,reperfusion injury in the rat brain. The mechanism of protection involves an early decrease in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species formation and calcium uptake leading to improved mitochondrial function and a reduction in the release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm. The observed effects of DNP were not associated with enhanced cerebral perfusion. These findings indicate that compounds with uncoupling properties may confer neuroprotection through a mechanism involving stabilization of mitochondrial function. [source]


Differential effects of the mitochondrial uncoupling agent, 2,4-dinitrophenol, or the nitroxide antioxidant, Tempol, on synaptic or nonsynaptic mitochondria after spinal cord injury

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009
Samir P. Patel
Abstract We recently documented the progressive nature of mitochondrial dysfunction over 24 hr after contusion spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. We investigated the effects of targeting two distinct possible mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction by using the mitochondrial uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) or the nitroxide antioxidant Tempol after contusion SCI in rats. A novel aspect of this study was that all assessments were made in both synaptosomal (neuronal)- and nonsynaptosomal (glial and neuronal soma)-derived mitochondria 24 hr after injury. Mitochondrial uncouplers target Ca2+ cycling and subsequent reactive oxygen species production in mitochondria after injury. When 2,4-DNP was injected 15 and 30 min after injury, mitochondrial function was preserved in both populations compared with vehicle-treated rats, whereas 1 hr postinjury treatment was ineffective. Conversely, targeting peroxynitrite with Tempol failed to maintain normal bioenergetics in synaptic mitochondria, but was effective in nonsynaptic mitochondria when administered 15 min after injury. When administered at 15 and 30 min after injury, increased hydroxynonenal, 3-NT, and protein carbonyl levels were significantly reduced by 2,4-DNP, whereas Tempol only reduced 3-NT and protein carbonyls after SCI. Despite such antioxidant effects, only 2,4-DNP was effective in preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, indicating that mitochondrial Ca2+ overload may be the key mechanism involved in acute mitochondrial damage after SCI. Collectively, our observations demonstrate the significant role that mitochondrial dysfunction plays in SCI neuropathology. Moreover, they indicate that combinatorial therapeutic approaches targeting different populations of mitochondria holds great potential in fostering neuroprotection after acute SCI. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Uncoupling of intestinal mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and inhibition of cyclooxygenase are required for the development of NSAID-enteropathy in the rat

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2000
Somasundaram
Background: The pathogenesis of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal damage is believed to involve a nonprostaglandin dependent effect as well as prostaglandin dependent effects. One suggestion is that the nonprostaglandin mechanism involves uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Aims: To assess the role of uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in the pathogenesis of small intestinal damage in the rat. Methods: We compared key pathophysiologic events in the small bowel following (i) dinitrophenol, an uncoupling agent (ii) parenteral aspirin, to inhibit cyclooxygenase without causing a ,topical' effect and (iii) the two together, using (iv) indomethacin as a positive control. Results: Dinitrophenol altered intestinal mitochondrial morphology, increased intestinal permeability and caused inflammation without affecting gastric permeability or intestinal prostanoid levels. Parenteral aspirin decreased mucosal prostanoids without affecting intestinal mitochondria in vivo, gastric or intestinal permeability. Aspirin caused no inflammation or ulcers. When dinitrophenol and aspirin were given together the changes in intestinal mitochondrial morphology, permeability, inflammation and prostanoid levels and the macro- and microscopic appearances of intestinal ulcers were similar to indomethacin. Conclusions: These studies allow dissociation of the contribution and consequences of uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and cyclooxygenase inhibition in the pathophysiology of NSAID enteropathy. While uncoupling of enterocyte mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation leads to increased intestinal permeability and low grade inflammation, concurrent decreases in mucosal prostanoids appear to be important in the development of ulcers. [source]


Low-energy helium,neon laser induces melanocyte proliferation via interaction with type IV collagen: visible light as a therapeutic option for vitiligo

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
C-C.E. Lan
Summary Background, The treatment of vitiligo remains a challenge for clinical dermatologists. We have previously shown that the helium,neon laser (He,Ne laser, 632·8 nm) is a therapeutic option for treatment of this depigmentary disorder. Objectives, Addressing the intricate interactions between melanocytes, the most important cellular component in the repigmentation scheme of vitiligo, and their innate extracellular matrix collagen type IV, the current study aimed to elucidate the effects of the He,Ne laser on melanocytes. Methods, Cultured melanocytes were irradiated with the He,Ne laser. Relevant biological parameters including cell attachment, locomotion and growth were evaluated. In addition, the potentially involved molecular pathways were also determined. Results, Our results show that in addition to suppressing mobility but increasing attachment to type IV collagen, the He,Ne laser stimulates melanocyte proliferation through enhanced ,2,1 integrin expression. The expression of phosphorylated cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB), an important regulator of melanocyte growth, was also upregulated by He,Ne laser treatment. Using a specific mitochondrial uncoupling agent [carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (CCCP)], the proliferative effect of the He,Ne laser on melanocytes was abolished and suppression of melanocyte growth was noted. Conclusions, In summary, we have demonstrated that the He,Ne laser imparts a growth stimulatory effect on functional melanocytes via mitochondria-related pathways and proposed that other minor pathways including DNA damage may also be inflicted by laser treatment on irradiated cells. More importantly, we have completed the repigmentation scheme of vitiligo brought about by He,Ne laser light in vitro and provided a solid theoretical basis regarding how the He,Ne laser induces recovery of vitiligo in vivo. [source]