Chronic intestinal inflammation significantly contributes to the development of colorectal cancer and remains a pertinent clinical challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. Indole-based microbial metabolite mimics Felix Kopp Kortagere 6 (FKK6), which is a ligand and agonist of the pregnane X receptor (PXR), was recently demonstrated to have PXR-dependent anti-inflammatory and protective effects in a mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute colitis. Here, we examined the therapeutic potential of FKK6 in a mouse model (C57BL/6 FVB humanized PXR mice) of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC) induced by azoxymethane and DSS. FKK6 (2 mg/kg) displayed substantial antitumor activity, as revealed by reduced size and number of colon tumors, improved colon histopathology, and decreased expression of tumor markers (c-MYC, β-catenin, Ki-67, and cyclin D) in the colon. In addition, we carried out a chronic toxicity (30 days) assessment of FKK6 (1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg) in C57BL/6 mice. Histological examination of tissues, biochemical blood analyses, and immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 and γ-H2AX showed no difference between FKK6-treated and control mice. Comparative metabolomic analyses in mice exposed for 5 days to DSS and administered with FKK6 (0.4 mg/kg) revealed no significant effects on several classes of metabolites in the mouse fecal metabolome. Ames and micronucleus tests showed no genotoxic and mutagenic potential of FKK6 in vitro. In conclusion, anticancer effects of FKK6 in azoxymethane/DSS-induced CAC, together with FKK6 safety data from in vitro tests and in vivo chronic toxicity study, and comparative metabolomic study, are supportive of the potential therapeutic use of FKK6 in the treatment of CAC. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Microbial metabolite mimicry proposes that chemical mimics of microbial metabolites that serve to protect hosts against aberrant inflammation in the gut could serve as a new paradigm for the development of drugs targeting inflammatory bowel disease if, like the parent metabolite, is devoid of toxicity but more potent against the microbial metabolite receptor. We identified a chemical mimic of Felix Kopp Kortagere 6, and we propose that Felix Kopp Kortagere 6 is devoid of toxicity yet significantly reduces tumor formation in an azoxymethane-dextran sodium sulfate model of murine colitis-induced colon cancer.

• MeSH
• Azoxymethane toxicity   MeSH
• Chronic Disease MeSH
• Indoles pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Colitis drug therapy   chemically induced   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Colorectal Neoplasms * drug therapy   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal * MeSH
• Molecular Mimicry MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C57BL * MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Colitis-Associated Neoplasms pathology   drug therapy   metabolism   MeSH
• Dextran Sulfate toxicity   MeSH
• Inflammation drug therapy   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Despite the availability of new drugs on the clinics in recent years, drug-resistant epilepsy remains an unresolved challenge for healthcare, and one-third of epilepsy patients remain refractory to anti-seizure medications. Gene therapy in experimental models has emerged as effective treatment targeting specific neuronal populations in the epileptogenic focus. When combined with an external chemical activator using chemogenetics, it also becomes an "on-demand" treatment. Here, we evaluate a targeted and specific chemogenetic therapy, the PSAM/PSEM system, which holds promise as a potential candidate for clinical application in treating drug-resistant epilepsy. We show that the inert ligand uPSEM817, which selectively activates the chloride-permeable channel PSAM4-GlyR, effectively reduces the number of depolarization-induced action potentials in vitro. This effect is likely due to the shunting of depolarizing currents, as evidenced by decreased membrane resistance in these cells. In organotypic slices, uPSEM817 decreased the number of bursts and peak amplitude of events of spontaneous epileptiform activity. Although administration of uPSEM817 in vivo did not significantly alter electrographic seizures in a male mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy, it did demonstrate a strong trend toward reducing the frequency of interictal epileptiform discharges. These findings indicate that PSAM4-GlyR-based chemogenetics holds potential as an anti-seizure strategy, although further refinement is necessary to enhance its efficacy.

• MeSH
• Action Potentials drug effects   MeSH
• Epilepsy physiopathology   genetics   drug therapy   therapy   metabolism   MeSH
• Genetic Therapy methods   MeSH
• Hippocampus * metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by liver steatosis, inflammation, consequent fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Chronic impairment of lipid metabolism is closely related to oxidative stress, leading to cellular lipotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. The detrimental effect of oxidative stress is usually accompanied by changes in antioxidant defense mechanisms, with the alterations in antioxidant enzymes expression/activities during MASLD development and progression reported in many clinical and experimental studies. This review will provide a comprehensive overview of the present research on MASLD-induced changes in the catalytic activity and expression of the main antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione S-transferases, glutathione reductase, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase) and in the level of non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione. Furthermore, an overview of the therapeutic effects of vitamin E on antioxidant enzymes during the progression of MASLD will be presented. Generally, at the beginning of MASLD development, the expression/activity of antioxidant enzymes usually increases to protect organisms against the increased production of reactive oxygen species. However, in advanced stage of MASLD, the expression/activity of several antioxidants generally decreases due to damage to hepatic and extrahepatic cells, which further exacerbates the damage. Although the results obtained in patients, in various experimental animal or cell models have been inconsistent, taken together the importance of antioxidant enzymes in MASLD development and progression has been clearly shown.

• MeSH
• Antioxidants * metabolism   MeSH
• Glutathione metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Metabolic Diseases metabolism   MeSH
• Oxidative Stress * MeSH
• Reactive Oxygen Species metabolism   MeSH
• Vitamin E metabolism   MeSH
• Fatty Liver metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

In the last two decades, a school of thought emerged that perceives male reproductive health, testicular function, and sperm output as a sentry for general, somatic health. Large-scale epidemiologic studies have already linked the reduced sperm count to increased risk of chronic somatic disease (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular, neurological and bone diseases), yet most of these studies have not taken full advantage of advanced andrological analysis. Altered proteostasis, i.e., the disbalance between protein synthesis and turnover, is a common denominator of many diseases, including but not limited to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. This chapter introduces the concept of cellular proteostasis as a measure of sperm structural and functional integrity and an endpoint of varied impacts on spermiogenesis and sperm maturation, including heritability, general health, lifestyle, and occupational and environmental reprotoxic exposure. Special consideration is given to small molecule protein modifiers, sperm-binding seminal plasma proteins, zinc-interacting proteins, and redox proteins responsible for the maintenance of protein structure and the protection of spermatozoa from oxidative damage. While the main focus is on human male infertility, serious consideration is given to relevant animal models, and in particular to male food animals with extensive records of fertility from artificial insemination services. Altogether, the proteostatic biomarker discovery and validation studies set the stage for the integration of proteomics of sperm proteostasis with genomic and high throughput phenomic approaches to benefit both human and animal reproductive medicine.

• MeSH
• Fertility * physiology   MeSH
• Proteostasis * physiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infertility, Male * metabolism   genetics   pathology   physiopathology   MeSH
• Spermatogenesis * MeSH
• Spermatozoa * metabolism   pathology   physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Drug resistance is a growing problem for many pathogens, including mycobacteria. Small heterocyclic molecules are among the leading scaffolds for developing potential antimycobacterial agents. Therefore, based on the molecular hybridization approach, we have prepared an extensive series of N-substituted 5-(3,5-dinitrophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-amine derivatives. We also investigated their isosteres and acyclic synthetic precursors. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv, a panel of multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant Mtb isolates and two nontuberculous mycobacterial strains (NTM; M. avium and M. kansasii). The ability to inhibit mycobacterial growth was quantified using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. Many compounds achieved MIC values ≤ 0.03 μM for NTM and Mtb, regardless of their resistance profile. The highest activity was associated with oxadiazole and thiadiazole scaffolds with benzylamino or C5-C9 alkylamino substitution. The experimentally confirmed mechanism of action of these compounds consists of disruption of mycobacterial cell wall biosynthesis via inhibition of decaprenylphosphoryl-β-D-ribose 2'-epimerase (DprE1). In vitro toxicity evaluation was performed in a hepatocyte model (HepG2), while in vivo toxicity was evaluated using Danio rerio embryos. These findings identify a promising new chemotype with potent, broad-spectrum and selective antimycobacterial activity, including efficacy against resistant strains, and support its further development as a potential therapeutic candidate.

• MeSH
• Antitubercular Agents * pharmacology   chemical synthesis   chemistry   toxicity   MeSH
• Zebrafish MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug effects   MeSH
• Oxadiazoles * pharmacology   chemical synthesis   chemistry   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Tacrine, the first approved drug against Alzheimer's disease (AD), was withdrawn from clinical use due to serious adverse effects. The main concern was the human hepatotoxicity, stemming probably from the liver biotransformation and clinically manifested as hepatocellular necrosis, and lobular hepatitis. Concerning the biotransformation, 7-OH-tacrine metabolite is generally suspected of being a precursor of toxic quinone methide, which binds to intracellular -SH proteins and/or depletes intracellular glutathione, and by that probably causes the hepatotoxicity. However, to study these toxic effects, proper animal model is needed to monitor the interspecies differences of metabolism. To fully describe in vivo ADMET parameters of tacrine, five experimental pigs (Sus scrofa f. domestica), as the most physiologically human-like in vivo model showing similar tacrine biotransformation, were used. We studied tacrine and its metabolites ADMET characteristics after both acute i.g. single dose and chronic 42 days p.o daily dose administration of 200 mg of tacrine. Tacrine and its two major metabolites show Tmax in plasma of 360 min, so the absorption is much slower than in human (Tmax = 120 min) and are primarily distributed to the gastro-intestinal tract and CNS. Furthermore, due to the lower activity of CYP1A2 in pigs, tacrine is biotransformed much less efficiently than in humans. This study showed that tacrine accumulates only in adipose tissue, and organ histology and plasma biochemistry assessment revealed no signs of hepatotoxicity even after chronic tacrine administration. Pigs are therefore an unsuitable human-like animal model for evaluating tacrine toxicity.

• MeSH
• Biotransformation MeSH
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors toxicity   pharmacokinetics   MeSH
• Liver * drug effects   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury * metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Sus scrofa MeSH
• Tacrine * pharmacokinetics   toxicity   metabolism   analogs & derivatives   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer responds poorly to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In some settings, radiation therapy (RT) has been shown to mediate immunostimulatory effects and promote ICI sensitivity. METHODS: We investigated whether hypofractionated RT may be successfully combined with ICIs in a mouse model of multifocal, metachronous HR+ mammary carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that focal RT targeting the first detectable (primary) tumor combined with ICIs may generate effective immunity, delaying the development of new lesions. RESULTS: Focal RT in various doses and fractionations limited primary tumor growth, with an optimum for a 20-Gy × 2 regimen (ablative in approximately 90% of mice). The degree of primary disease control, however, did not necessarily correlate with overall survival extension because of changes in the development of new neoplastic lesions contributing to global tumor burden. Adding a PD-1 blocker to focal RT delivered in a 10-Gy × 3, 20-Gy × 2, or 8-Gy × 6 regimen failed to alter overall survival extension enabled by RT alone. Similar results were obtained with a CTLA4 blocker, an IL-1β inhibitor, and a PD-1 blocker plus recombinant FLT3LG when combined with the 10-Gy × 3 regimen. CONCLUSIONS: In this model of HR+ mammary carcinogenesis, RT to the primary tumor ameliorates overall survival (to an extent based on dose and fractionation). Increasing local control through RT alone or RT plus immunotherapy beyond a hitherto undefined threshold, however, does not necessarily inhibit the development of subsequent nonirradiated neoplasms and hence does not necessarily provide extra overall survival benefits.

• MeSH
• Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor antagonists & inhibitors   MeSH
• Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental * therapy   MeSH
• Dose Fractionation, Radiation MeSH
• Radiation Dose Hypofractionation MeSH
• Immunotherapy * methods   MeSH
• Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors * pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Combined Modality Therapy MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Breast Neoplasms * pathology   therapy   MeSH
• Receptors, Estrogen metabolism   MeSH
• Receptors, Progesterone metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

UNLABELLED: We investigated the tripartite interactions between two intracellular bacterial symbionts, Cardinium and Wolbachia in Tyrophagus putrescentiae. Cultures of Tyrophagus putrescentiae are typically single-infected by one intracellular symbiont. However, co-infection can be experimentally induced by mixing single-infected cultures, resulting in 10% of mite individuals being double-infected (Cardinium + Wolbachia) and a corresponding reduction in host fitness. Here, we assembled the genomes of Cardinium and Wolbachia and analyzed their gene expression in parental single-infected and mixed mite cultures using population-level samples (ranging from 7,500 to 10,000 mites). Wolbachia interacts more extensively with its mite host than Cardinium in single-infected cultures. However, in mixed cultures, (i) Wolbachia exhibited reduced regulation of the host compared with Cardinium; (ii) the gene expression profile of Cardinium shifted, increasing its interactions with the host, whereas the gene expression profile of Wolbachia remained unchanged; and (iii) Wolbachia genes exhibited a loss of interactions with mite gene expression, as indicated by reduced correlations (for example with host MAPK, endocytosis, and calcium signaling pathways). The experiments show that at the mite population level, symbiont infection disrupts gene expression interaction between the two symbionts and their host in different ways. Wolbachia was more influenced by Cardinium gene expression than vice versa. Cardinium can inhibit the growth of Wolbachia by disrupting its interaction with the host, leading to a loss of Wolbachia's influence on mite immune and regulatory pathways. The reasons for responses are due to co-infection or the reduced frequency of Wolbachia single-infected individuals due to the analyses of population-level samples. IMPORTANCE: We found that Cardinium disrupts the interaction between Wolbachia and mite host. In Wolbachia single-infected cultures, strong correlations exist between symbiont and host gene expressions. Interestingly, although Cardinium can also interact with the host, this interaction appears weaker compared with Wolbachia in single-infected cultures. These results suggest that both symbionts affect mite host gene expression, particularly in immune and regulatory pathways. In mixed samples, Cardinium appears to outcompete Wolbachia by disrupting its host interaction. It indicates competition between these two intracellular symbionts in mite populations. Wolbachia belongs to a mite-specific supergroup Q, distinct from the more commonly studied Wolbachia supergroups. As these mite-specific bacteria exhibit pathogen-blocking effects, our findings may have relevance for other systems, such as ticks and tick-borne diseases. The study sheds light on intracellular symbiont interaction within a novel mite-symbiont model.

• MeSH
• Bacteroidetes * physiology   genetics   MeSH
• Mites * microbiology   MeSH
• Symbiosis MeSH
• Wolbachia * genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with an altered cardiomyocyte metabolism. Because of a shortage of human heart tissue, experimental studies mostly rely on alternative approaches including animal and cell culture models. Since the use of isolated primary cardiomyocytes is limited, immortalized cardiomyocyte cell lines may represent a useful tool as they closely mimic human cardiomyocytes. This study is focused on the AC16 cell line generated from adult human ventricular cardiomyocytes. Despite an increasing number of studies employing AC16 cells, a comprehensive proteomic, bioenergetic, and oxygen-sensing characterization of proliferating vs. differentiated cells is still lacking. Here, we provide a comparison of these two stages, particularly emphasizing cell metabolism, mitochondrial function, and hypoxic signaling. Label-free quantitative mass spectrometry revealed a decrease in autophagy and cytoplasmic translation in differentiated AC16, confirming their phenotype. Cell differentiation led to global increase in mitochondrial proteins [e.g. oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins, TFAM, VWA8] reflected by elevated mitochondrial respiration. Fatty acid oxidation proteins were increased in differentiated cells, whereas the expression levels of proteins associated with fatty acid synthesis were unchanged and glycolytic proteins were decreased. There was a profound difference between proliferating and differentiated cells in their response to hypoxia and anoxia-reoxygenation. We conclude that AC16 differentiation leads to proteomic and metabolic shifts and altered cell response to oxygen deprivation. This underscores the requirement for proper selection of the particular differentiation state during experimental planning.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Proliferating and differentiated AC16 cell lines exhibit distinct proteomic and metabolic profiles with critical implications for experimental design. Proliferating cells predominantly utilize glycolysis and are highly sensitive to hypoxia, whereas differentiated cells display enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and resistance to anoxia-reoxygenation. These findings provide novel insights into the metabolic adaptations during differentiation and highlight the necessity of selecting the appropriate cellular stage to ensure accurate experimental outcomes.

• MeSH
• Cell Differentiation * physiology   MeSH
• Cell Line MeSH
• Energy Metabolism MeSH
• Cell Hypoxia physiology   MeSH
• Myocytes, Cardiac * metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mitochondrial Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Mitochondria * metabolism   MeSH
• Oxidative Phosphorylation MeSH
• Cell Proliferation MeSH
• Proteomics methods   MeSH
• Signal Transduction * physiology   MeSH
• Mitochondria, Heart * metabolism   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

This paper presents an innovative mathematical model for assessing the dynamics and optimal control of Nipah virus (NiV) with imperfect vaccination. The model formulation considers transmissions through contaminated food and human-to-human contacts. It also incorporates the potential virus transmission through contact with a deceased body infected with NiV. Initially, the NiV model is assessed theoretically, identifying three distinct equilibrium states: the NiV-endemic equilibrium state, the NiV-free equilibrium state, and the equilibrium state involving infected flying foxes. Furthermore, the stability results of the model in the case of constant controls are thoroughly analyzed at the NiV-free equilibrium. Some of the parameters of the model are estimated based on the infected cases documented in Bangladesh from 2001 to 2017. We further perform sensitivity analysis to determine the most influential parameters and formulate effective time-dependent controls. Numerical simulations indicate the optimal course of action for eradicating the disease and provide a comparative analysis of controlling the infection under constant and time-varying interventions. The simulation confirms that the implementation of time-varying interventions is effective in minimizing disease incidence.

• MeSH
• Henipavirus Infections * transmission   prevention & control   epidemiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Computer Simulation MeSH
• Models, Theoretical MeSH
• Vaccination * MeSH
• Nipah Virus * immunology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Bangladesh MeSH