Folic acid supplementation inhibits NADPH oxidase-mediated superoxide anion production in the kidney

Folic Acid Supplementation Inhibits Proliferative Retinopathy of Prematurity

BACKGROUND

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the major cause of blindness in children. It is a biphasic disease with retinal vessel growth cessation and loss (Phase I) followed by uncontrolled retinal vessel growth (Phase II). Folate is an essential nutrient for fetal development and growth. Premature infants have a high risk for folate deficiency. However, the contribution of folate to ROP risk remains unknown.

METHODS

In mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), the nursing dams were fed with a folic acid-deficient or control diet after delivery until the end of hyperoxia. Alternatively, pups received direct injection of either folic acid or vehicle during Phase I hyperoxia. Genes involved in the folate cycle and angiogenic responses were examined using real-time PCR. Total retinal folate levels were measured with the Lactobacillus casei assay.

RESULTS

Maternal folic acid deficiency in early life exacerbated pathological retinal vessel growth, while supplementation with folic acid suppressed it. Genes involved in the folate cycle were downregulated in Phase I OIR retinas and were highly expressed in Müller glia. Folic acid reduced pro-angiogenic signaling in cultured rat retinal Müller glia in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Appropriate supplementation of folic acid might be a new and safe treatment for ROP at an early stage.

SIRT1/NOX1 pathway mediated ameliorative effects of rosmarinic acid in folic acid-induced renal injury

Background and purpose

Renal injury is a serious disorder that can be caused by some diseases or agents. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural and safe compound with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the ameliorative effects of RA were assayed in folic acid (FA)-induced renal injury by involving the SIRT1/NOX1 pathway.

Experimental approach

Thirty-six male C57/BL6 mice were divided into 6 groups (n = 6) including control, vehicle, FA, RA, FA + RA 50, and FA + RA 100. After 10 days, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and oxidative stress were measured. The expression of SIRT1 and NOX1 proteins was evaluated by western blot. Also, histopathological alterations were assayed by H&E and PAS staining methods.

Findings/Results

BUN and creatinine were significantly higher in the FA group compared to the control group; however, their levels decreased after RA treatment in both doses. A significant decrease was observed in swelling, necrosis, and desquamation of tubular epithelial cells in the FA + RA 50 and FA + RA 100 groups compared to the FA group. RA in the animals receiving FA increased SIRT1 expression and the levels of GSH and SOD compared to the FA group. RA in the animals receiving FA showed a significant decrease in NOX1 expression and MDA level compared to the FA group.

Conclusion and implications

The findings declared that the administration of RA has positive effects against renal damage induced by FA. The effect might result from involvement in the SIRT1/NOX1 pathway and thereby attenuation of oxidative stress.

Association between serum homocysteine and postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Background: To explore the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) and cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: A total of 944 patients who underwent cardiac surgery were enrolled. The association between Hcy levels and the risk of cardiac surgery-associated AKI was evaluated. Results: A total of 135 patients were diagnosed with AKI and the prevalence of AKI was 14.30%. The AKI group had significantly higher levels of Hcy compared with the non-AKI group (16.90 vs 13.56 umol/l; p < 0.001). The incidence rates of AKI increased from 7.2% to 26.72% across increasing Hcy quartiles (p < 0.001). Compared with the first Hcy quartile group, the odds ratio of cardiac surgery-associated AKI was 4.43 (95% CI: 2.27-8.66) in the highest Hcy group. Conclusion: Elevated Hcy level is an independent risk factor for cardiac surgery-associated AKI.

TMEM2 is a bona fide hyaluronidase possessing intrinsic catalytic activity

Transmembrane protein 2 (TMEM2) was originally identified as a membrane-anchored protein of unknown function. We previously demonstrated that TMEM2 can degrade hyaluronan (HA). Furthermore, we showed that induced global knockout of Tmem2 in adult mice results in rapid accumulation of incompletely degraded HA in bodily fluids and organs, supporting the identity of TMEM2 as a cell surface hyaluronidase. In spite of these advances, no direct evidence has been presented to demonstrate the intrinsic hyaluronidase activity of TMEM2. Here, we directly establish the catalytic activity of TMEM2. The ectodomain of TMEM2 (TMEM2ECD) was expressed as a His-tagged soluble protein and purified by affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. Both human and mouse TMEM2ECD robustly degrade fluorescein-labeled HA into 5 to 10 kDa fragments. TMEM2ECD exhibits this HA-degrading activity irrespective of the species of TMEM2 origin and the position of epitope tag insertion. The HA-degrading activity of TMEM2ECD is more potent than that of HYAL2, a hyaluronidase which, like TMEM2, has been implicated in cell surface HA degradation. Finally, we show that TMEM2ECD can degrade not only fluorescein-labeled HA but also native high-molecular weight HA. In addition to these core findings, our study reveals hitherto unrecognized confounding factors, such as the quality of reagents and the choice of assay systems, that could lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the catalytic activity of TMEM2. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that TMEM2 is a legitimate functional hyaluronidase. Our findings also raise cautions regarding the choice of reagents and methods for performing degradation assays for hyaluronidases.

NAC Pre-Administration Prevents Cardiac Mitochondrial Bioenergetics, Dynamics, Biogenesis, and Redox Alteration in Folic Acid-AKI-Induced Cardio-Renal Syndrome Type 3

The incidence of kidney disease is increasing worldwide. Acute kidney injury (AKI) can strongly favor cardio-renal syndrome (CRS) type 3 development. However, the mechanism involved in CRS development is not entirely understood. In this sense, mitochondrial impairment in both organs has become a central axis in CRS physiopathology. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with cardiac mitochondrial impairment and its role in CRS development in the folic acid-induced AKI (FA-AKI) model. Our results showed that 48 h after FA-AKI, the administration of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a mitochondrial glutathione regulator, prevented the early increase in inflammatory and cell death markers and oxidative stress in the heart. This was associated with the ability of NAC to protect heart mitochondrial bioenergetics, principally oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and membrane potential, through complex I activity and the preservation of glutathione balance, thus preventing mitochondrial dynamics shifting to fission and the decreases in mitochondrial biogenesis and mass. Our data show, for the first time, that mitochondrial bioenergetics impairment plays a critical role in the mechanism that leads to heart damage. Furthermore, NAC heart mitochondrial preservation during an AKI event can be a valuable strategy to prevent CRS type 3 development.

Oxidative stress impairs cognitive function by affecting hippocampal fimbria volume in drug-naïve, first-episode schizophrenia

Objective

The aim of the present study was to explore influencing factors of cognitive impairments and their interrelationships in drug-naïve, first-episode schizophrenia (SCZ).

Methods

Patients with drug naïve, first episode SCZ and healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Cognitive function was assessed by the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Serum levels of oxidative stress indices, including folate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), uric acid (UA) and homocysteine (Hcy), were determined after an overnight fast. Hippocampal subfield volumes were measured using FreeSurfer. Mediation models were conducted using the SPSS PROCESS v3.4 macro. A false discovery rate (FDR) correction was applied for multiple comparisons.

Results

Sixty-seven patients with SCZ and 65 HCs were enrolled in our study. The patient group had significantly lower serum levels of folate and SOD and higher serum levels of HCY compared with the HCs (all p < 0.05). The patient group had a significantly smaller volume of the whole hippocampus than the HC group (p < 0.05). We also found significant volume differences between the two groups in the following subfields: CA1, molecular layer, GC-ML-DG and fimbria (all p < 0.05, uncorrected). The partial correlation analysis controlling for age and sex showed that the fimbria volume in the patient group was significantly positively associated with NAB scores (r = 0.382, pFDR = 0.024); serum levels of SOD in the patient group showed a significantly positive correlation with fimbria volume (r = 0.360, pFDR = 0.036). Mediation analyses controlling for age and sex showed that the serum levels of SOD in patients with SCZ had significant indirect effects on the NAB scores which were mediated by the fimbria volume [indirect effect = 0.0565, 95% CI from the bootstrap test excluding zero (0.0066 to 0.0891)].

Conclusion

Oxidative stress, a reduction in hippocampal subfield volumes and cognitive impairments occur in early SCZ. Oxidative stress impairs cognitive function by affecting hippocampal subfield volumes.

Circulating Reactive Oxygen Species in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

Oxidative stress is an important pathophysiological mechanism in the development of numerous cardiovascular disorders, but few studies have examined the levels of oxidative stress in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). The objective of this study was to investigate oxidative stress levels in adults with CHD and the association with inflammation, exercise capacity and endothelial function. To this end, 36 adults with different types of CHD and 36 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Blood cell counts, hs-CRP, NT-proBNP, fasting glucose, cholesterol levels, iron saturation and folic acid concentrations were determined in venous blood samples. Levels of superoxide anion radical in whole blood were determined using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in combination with the spin probe CMH. Physical activity was assessed with the IPAQ-SF questionnaire. Vascular function assessment (EndoPAT) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing were performed in the patient group. Superoxide anion radical levels were not statistically significantly different between adults with CHD and the matched controls. Moreover, oxidative stress did not correlate with inflammation, or with endothelial function or cardiorespiratory fitness in CHD; however, a significant negative correlation with iron saturation was observed. Overall, whole blood superoxide anion radical levels in adults with CHD were not elevated, but iron levels seem to play a more important role in oxidative stress mechanisms in CHD than in healthy controls. More research will be needed to improve our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of CHD.

Ferroptosis: A new insight for treatment of acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI), one of the most prevalent clinical diseases with a high incidence rate worldwide, is characterized by a rapid deterioration of renal function and further triggers the accumulation of metabolic waste and toxins, leading to complications and dysfunction of other organs. Multiple pathogenic factors, such as rhabdomyolysis, infection, nephrotoxic medications, and ischemia-reperfusion injury, contribute to the onset and progression of AKI. However, the detailed mechanism remains unclear. Ferroptosis, a recently identified mechanism of nonapoptotic cell death, is iron-dependent and caused by lipid peroxide accumulation in cells. A variety of studies have demonstrated that ferroptosis plays a significant role in AKI development, in contrast to other forms of cell death, such as apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. In this review, we systemically summarized the definition, primary biochemical mechanisms, key regulators and associated pharmacological research progress of ferroptosis in AKI. We further discussed its therapeutic potential for the prevention of AKI, in the hope of providing a useful reference for further basic and clinical studies.

Circulating homocysteine and folate concentrations and risk of type 2 diabetes: A retrospective observational study in Chinese adults and a Mendelian randomization analysis

BACKGROUND

The relation between circulating homocysteine (hcy) and folate concentrations and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been evaluated in several observational studies with inconsistent results; and it is unclear about their causal relationships. Our aim was to assess the causality association between circulating hcy or folate concentrations and the development of T2DM using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, based on results of an observational study in Chinese adults.

METHODS

We conducted an observational study of 370 patients with T2DM and 402 controls after routine physical examination who consulted at the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University between March 2021 and December 2021. Correlations between hcy and folate and the incidence of T2DM were quantified using logistic regression models. Two-sample MR analysis was conducted using summary statistics of genetic variants gained from 2 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on circulating hcy and folate concentrations in individuals of European ancestry and from an independent GWAS study based on DIAMANTE meta-analysis.

RESULTS

In the observational study, after logistic regression with multiple adjustment, lower hcy and higher folate levels were identified to be associated with the risk of T2DM, with OR (95% CI) for hcy of 1.032 (1.003-1.060); while 0.909 (0.840-0.983) for folate. In the MR analysis, the OR for T2DM was 1.08 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.21; P = 0.249) for each SD unit increase in genetically predicted homocysteinemia and the OR for T2DM per SD increase in genetically predicted folate elevation was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.60, 1.00, P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

We discovered that high circulating hcy and low folate concentrations were related with an increased risk of developing T2DM in Chinese adults. Moreover, MR analysis provided genetic evidence for a possible causal relationship between serum folate and the risk of T2DM.

Extracellular-superoxide dismutase DNA methylation promotes oxidative stress in homocysteine-induced atherosclerosis

In the present study, we investigate the effect of homocysteine (Hcy) on extracellular-superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) DNA methylation in the aorta of mice, and explore the underlying mechanism in macrophages, trying to identify the key targets of Hcy-induced EC-SOD methylation changes. ApoE ^-/- mice are fed different diets for 15 weeks, EC-SOD and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) expression levels are detected by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. EC-SOD methylation levels are assessed by ntMS-PCR. After EC-SOD overexpression or knockdown in macrophages, following the transfection of macrophages with pEGFP-N1-DNMT1, the methylation levels of EC-SOD are detected. Our data show that the concentrations of Hcy and the area of atherogenic lesions are significantly increased in ApoE ^-/- mice fed with a high-methionine diet, and have a positive correlation with the levels of superoxide anions, which indicates that Hcy-activated superoxide anions enhance the development of atherogenic lesions. EC-SOD expression is suppressed by Hcy, and the content of superoxide anion is increased when EC-SOD is silenced by RNAi in macrophages, suggesting that EC-SOD plays a major part in oxidative stress induced by Hcy. Furthermore, the promoter activity of EC-SOD is increased following transfection with the -1/-1100 fragment, and EC-SOD methylation level is significantly suppressed by Hcy, and more significantly decreased upon DNMT1 overexpression. In conclusion, Hcy may alter the DNA methylation status and DNMT1 acts as the essential enzyme in the methyl transfer process to disturb the status of EC-SOD DNA methylation, leading to decreased expression of EC-SOD and increased oxidative stress and atherosclerosis.

5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Improves Kidney Function in Acute Kidney Injury through Activation of Nrf2 and Antioxidant Defense

Oxidative stress is a major mediator of adverse outcomes in acute kidney injury (AKI). Deficiency of micronutrients, such as folate, is common in AKI. Our previous study reported that AKI impaired kidney reabsorption of folate and decreased plasma folate level in rats. The present study investigated the effect of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), a biologically active form of folate/folic acid, on AKI-impaired kidney function and oxidative stress. Sprague-Dawley rats developed AKI after kidney ischemia (45 min) and reperfusion (24 h). Injection of 5-MTHF (3 µg/kg body weight) improved kidney function and attenuated oxidative stress with a restoration of glutathione and a reduction of lipid peroxidation in the kidney. Injection of 5-MTHF activated transcription factor Nrf2 and increased the expression of glutathione synthesizing enzymes, superoxide dismutase-1 and heme oxygenase-1 in the kidney. Simulated ischemia-reperfusion through hypoxia-reoxygenation increased oxidative stress in proximal tubular cells. Incubation of cells with 5-MTHF alleviated cell injury and increased antioxidant enzyme expression and intracellular glutathione levels. Inhibition of Nrf2 expression through siRNA transfection abolished the effect of 5-MTHF against oxidative stress. These results suggest that low-dose folic acid can improve kidney function through activation of Nrf2 and restoration of antioxidant defence. Micronutrient supplements may improve clinical outcomes in AKI.

Serum homocysteine is associated with tubular interstitial lesions at the early stage of IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND

The association between homocysteine (Hcy) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is not well understood. We aimed to investigate the relationship between Hcy and clinicopathologic features in IgAN patients.

METHODS

A total of 337 IgAN patients and 150 sex- and age- matched healthy controls were enrolled in this single-center retrospective study. According to Hcy ≤ 10 μmol/L or > 10 μmol/L, patients were divided into low and high Hcy groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore the risk factors for elevated Hcy.

RESULTS

Serum Hcy was higher in IgAN patients than in healthy controls [11.6 (9.1,15.3) vs. 8.8 (7.5,10.6) μmol/L, P < 0.001], unanimously in the subgroup of 156 patients with a normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m²) [9.9 (7.6,12.4) vs. 8.8 (7.5,10.6) μmol/L, P < 0.001]. Compared to the low Hcy group, serum creatinine (Scr), blood urine nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), endocapillary hypercellularity (E) and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis lesion (T) were higher in the high Hcy group. Hcy levels were positively correlated with Scr, BUN, UA, 24-h urine protein, and E and T lesions, but negatively correlated with eGFR and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In the subgroup with normal eGFR, patients with higher Hcy were persistent with higher Scr, BUN and T lesions. A multivariate logistic regression model showed that the risk of elevated Hcy in patients with pathological T increased by 2.87-fold. T lesions could better predict high Hcy, with an odds ratio (OR) of 14.20 in the subgroup with normal eGFR.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathologic T was an independent risk factor associated with elevated Hcy, especially at the early stage of IgAN.

Folic Acid Homeostasis and Its Pathways Related to Hepatic Oxidation in Adolescent Rats Exposed to Binge Drinking

Chronic ethanol consumption and liver disease are intimately related to folic acid (FA) homeostasis. Despite the fact that FA decreases lipid oxidation, its mechanisms are not yet well elucidated. Lately, adolescents have been practising binge drinking (BD), consisting of the intake of a high amount of alcohol in a short time; this is a particularly pro-oxidant form of consumption. The aim of this study is to examine, for the first time, FA homeostasis in BD adolescent rats and its antioxidant properties in the liver. We used adolescent rats, including control rats and rats exposed to an intermittent intraperitoneal BD model, supplemented with or without FA. Renal FA reabsorption and renal FA deposits were increased in BD rats; hepatic deposits were decreased, and heart and serum levels remained unaffected. This depletion in the liver was accompanied by higher transaminase levels; an imbalance in the antioxidant endogenous enzymatic system; lipid and protein oxidation; a decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels; hyper-homocysteinemia (HHcy); an increase in NADPH oxidase (NOX) 1 and NOX4 enzymes; an increase in caspase 9 and 3; and a decrease in the anti-apoptotic metallopeptidase inhibitor 1. Furthermore, BD exposure increased the expression of uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by increasing reactive nitrogen species generation and the nitration of tyrosine proteins. When FA was administered, hepatic FA levels returned to normal levels; transaminase and lipid and protein oxidation also decreased. Its antioxidant activity was due, in part, to the modulation of superoxide dismutase activity, GSH synthesis and NOX1, NOX4 and caspase expression. FA reduced HHcy and increased the expression of coupled eNOS by increasing tetrahydrobiopterin expression, avoiding nitrosative stress. In conclusion, FA homeostasis and its antioxidant properties are affected in BD adolescent rats, making it clear that this vitamin plays an important role in the oxidative, nitrosative and apoptotic hepatic damage generated by acute ethanol exposure. For this, FA supplementation becomes a potential BD therapy for adolescents, preventing future acute alcohol-related harms.

Involvement of NOX-4/JAK/STAT pathway in the protective effect of aprepitant against diclofenac-induced renal toxicity

AIMS

Aprepitant, a neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist, is a clinically approved anti-emetic drug. Recently, inhibition of the NK1 receptor has been reported as a potential nephroprotective strategy. We aimed to assess the pharmacological mechanisms of aprepitant against diclofenac (DIC)-induced renal toxicity.

MAIN METHODS

An in vivo study was conducted using twenty-four male Wistar rats, divided into 4 groups. Aprepitant was administered for 5 days (5 mg/kg/day) with or without DIC which was given on the 4th and 5th days (50 mg/kg, i.p.). At the end of the study, renal function biomarkers, renal oxidative parameters, prostaglandin E (PGE-2), and NADPH oxidase (NOX-4) were measured. Histopathological changes as well as expression of renal inflammatory and apoptotic markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and caspase-3) were investigated.

KEY FINDINGS

DIC caused significant renal damage, as evidenced by deterioration of renal functions, oxidative stress, inflammatory and apoptotic markers, and confirmed by histopathological findings. Pretreatment with aprepitant successfully ameliorated and improved all biochemical and molecular parameters induced by DIC. Moreover, aprepitant restored the decrease in renal PGE-2 concentration and inhibited DIC-activated Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling in renal tissues.

SIGNIFICANCE

The protective effect of aprepitant is possibly attributed to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory roles via the NOX-4/JAK/STAT pathway.

Folic acid-induced animal model of kidney disease

The kidneys are a vital organ that is vulnerable to both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) which can be caused by numerous risk factors such as ischemia, sepsis, drug toxicity and drug overdose, exposure to heavy metals, and diabetes. In spite of the advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of AKI and CKD as well AKI transition to CKD, there is still no available therapeutics that can be used to combat kidney disease effectively, highlighting an urgent need to further study the pathological mechanisms underlying AKI, CKD, and AKI progression to CKD. In this regard, animal models of kidney disease are indispensable. This article reviews a widely used animal model of kidney disease, which is induced by folic acid (FA). While a low dose of FA is nutritionally beneficial, a high dose of FA is very toxic to the kidneys. Following a brief description of the procedure for disease induction by FA, major mechanisms of FA-induced kidney injury are then reviewed, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial abnormalities such as impaired bioenergetics and mitophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and increased expression of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). Finally, application of this FA-induced kidney disease model as a platform for testing the efficacy of a variety of therapeutic approaches is also discussed. Given that this animal model is simple to create and is reproducible, it should remain useful for both studying the pathological mechanisms of kidney disease and identifying therapeutic targets to fight kidney disease.

Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Reduces Kidney Folate Transporter Expression and Plasma Folate Levels

Acute or chronic kidney disease can cause micronutrient deficiency. Patients with end-stage renal disease, kidney transplantation or on dialysis have reduced circulating levels of folate, an essential B vitamin. However, the molecular mechanism is not well understood. Reabsorption of folate in renal proximal tubules through folate transporters is an important process to prevent urinary loss of folate. The present study investigated the impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) on folate transporter expression and the underlying mechanism. AKI was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats that were subjected to kidney ischemia (45 min)-reperfusion (24 h). Both male and female rats displayed kidney injury and low plasma folate levels compared with sham-operated rats. The plasma folate levels were inversely correlated to plasma creatinine levels. There was a significant increase in neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and IL-6 mRNA expression in the kidneys of rats with ischemia-reperfusion, indicating kidney injury and increased inflammatory cytokine expression. Ischemia-reperfusion decreased mRNA and protein expression of folate transporters including folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) and reduced folate carrier (RFC); and inhibited transcription factor Sp1/DNA binding activity in the kidneys. Simulated ischemia-reperfusion through hypoxia-reoxygenation or Sp1 siRNA transfection in human proximal tubular cells inhibited folate transporter expression and reduced intracellular folate levels. These results suggest that ischemia-reperfusion injury downregulates renal folate transporter expression and decreases folate uptake by tubular cells, which may contribute to low folate status in AKI. In conclusion, ischemia-reperfusion injury can downregulate Sp1 mediated-folate transporter expression in tubular cells, which may reduce folate reabsorption and lead to low folate status.

Impact of extracellular folic acid levels on oviductal gene expression

Folate plays a specific role as methyl donor for nucleotide synthesis and genomic methylation patterns, which in turn are important epigenetic determinants in gene expression. Previous studies have revealed the presence of folate in bovine oviductal fluid as well as the existence of a fine-tuned regulation of the gene expression of folate receptors and transporters in bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs). However, the functional implications of folate in the oviduct remain unknown. The present study aimed to assess the effect of folic acid (FA) on expression levels of selected genes that potentially respond to the folate status in in vitro BOECs. To obtain an insight into the optimization of a culture system for assays, gene expression of folate receptors and transporters was compared between BOECs grown in monolayers and in suspension. The results showed that BOECs from isthmus and ampulla in suspension culture better preserved the region-dependent gene expression profile than in monolayers. Subsequently, BOECs from both anatomical regions were separately cultured in suspension for 24 h assaying different FA concentrations: I) TCM-199 (control); II) TCM-199 + 1 μM FA (similar to the oviduct concentration); III) TCM-199 + 10 μM FA and IV) TCM-199 + 100 μM FA. Expression analysis of genes related to important cellular processes including folate transport, DNA methylation, cell-cell interaction, antioxidant activity and signaling pathways was performed in BOECs using RT-qPCR. Our data demonstrated that addition of 1 μM FA did not affect mRNA levels of most genes analyzed. In contrast, BOECs cultured with 10 μM FA exhibited increased mRNA expression levels of genes involved in folate intake, DNA methylation and antioxidant protection. It is worth noting that at 100 μM FA, transcriptional response in BOECs mainly resulted in decreased mRNA levels of the majority of the genes assayed. Interestingly, cytotoxicity analysis showed a similar LDH activity in the culture media of the experimental groups, indicating that cell integrity was not affected by the FA concentrations assayed. In conclusion, our findings suggest that folate can affect BOECs, promoting changes in gene activity in a framework of functional readjustments in response to environmental conditions.

Chronic impairment of mitochondrial bioenergetics and β-oxidation promotes experimental AKI-to-CKD transition induced by folic acid

Recent studies suggest that mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative stress alterations may be common mechanisms involved in the progression of renal damage. However, the evolution of the mitochondrial alterations over time and the possible effects that their prevention could have in the progression of renal damage are not clear. Folic acid (FA)-induced kidney damage is a widely used experimental model to induce acute kidney injury (AKI), which can evolve to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, it has been extensively applied to study the mechanisms involved in AKI-to-CKD transition. We previously demonstrated that one day after FA administration, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) pre-administration prevented the development of AKI induced by FA. Such therapeutic effect was related to mitochondrial preservation. In the present study, we characterized the temporal course of mitochondrial bioenergetics and redox state alterations along the progression of renal damage induced by FA. Mitochondrial function was studied at different time points and showed a sustained impairment in oxidative phosphorylation capacity and a decrease in β-oxidation, decoupling, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and a pro-oxidative state, attributed to the reduction in activity of complexes I and III and mitochondrial cristae effacement, thus favoring the transition from AKI to CKD. Furthermore, the mitochondrial protection by NAC administration before AKI prevented not only the long-term deterioration of mitochondrial function at the chronic stage, but also CKD development. Taken together, our results support the idea that the prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction during an AKI event can be a useful strategy to prevent the transition to CKD.

Safety, efficacy and tolerability of a combination micronutrient and polyherbal preparation (GoutFighter TM) for gout: a single-arm open-label pilot study

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the safety, efficacy and tolerability of a combination micronutrient and polyherbal preparation (GoutFighter ^TM) for gout management.

METHODS

A single arm, open-label pilot study was conducted at the National Hospital for Traditional Medicine in Vietnam. Participants (n=35 recruited) diagnosed with chronic gout received four tablets of GoutFighter ^TM daily over a 45-day period. Efficacy was assessed by changes in pain, swelling and blood uric acid levels, with concurrent safety and tolerability assessments.

RESULTS

A total of 27 (85.2% male) participants (mean ± SD age, 54.2 ± 12.5 years; BMI, 24.2 ± 3.6 kg/m²) with gout (median [IQR], years since diagnosis 4.0 [3.0-8.0]) completed intervention. In relation to safety, there were no significant changes in vital signs, blood biochemistry or cell counts. In regard to efficacy, the degree of perceived pain and frequency of joint swelling significantly declined after 15 and 30 days of treatment, respectively, and remained so until the end of trial. Mean blood uric acid levels also declined by 25.8 μmol/L (95% CI, 3.7 to 48.0, p=0.024). Overall, the predominance of participants (96.3%) responded favorably to treatment (p<0.0001) and GoutFighter ^TM was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Clinically relevant doses of GoutFighter ^TM were found to be generally safe, well-tolerated and effective for the short-term, symptomatic relief of chronic gout. GoutFighter ^TM appears to be suitable as an adjunctive treatment in lifestyle programs for gout management, and further investigation in placebo-controlled trials is therefore warranted.

Folate pathways mediating the effects of ethanol in tumorigenesis

Folate and alcohol are dietary factors affecting the risk of cancer development in humans. The interaction between folate status and alcohol consumption in carcinogenesis involves multiple mechanisms. Alcoholism is typically associated with folate deficiency due to reduced dietary folate intake. Heavy alcohol consumption also decreases folate absorption, enhances urinary folate excretion and inhibits enzymes pivotal for one-carbon metabolism. While folate metabolism is involved in several key biochemical pathways, aberrant DNA methylation, due to the deficiency of methyl donors, is considered as a common downstream target of the folate-mediated effects of ethanol. The negative effects of low intakes of nutrients that provide dietary methyl groups, with high intakes of alcohol are additive in general. For example, low methionine, low-folate diets coupled with alcohol consumption could increase the risk for colorectal cancer in men. To counteract the negative effects of alcohol consumption, increased intake of nutrients, such as folate, providing dietary methyl groups is generally recommended. Here mechanisms involving dietary folate and folate metabolism in cancer disease, as well as links between these mechanisms and alcohol effects, are discussed. These mechanisms include direct effects on folate pathways and indirect mediation by oxidative stress, hypoxia, and microRNAs.

Folic acid and melatonin mitigate diabetic nephropathy in rats via inhibition of oxidative stress

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a global epidemic leads to multiple serious health complications, including nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is a serious kidney-related complication of type 1 or 2 diabetes that is prevalent in almost 40% of the people with diabetes. We examined whether folic acid and melatonin can reduce progression of nephropathy in rats of type 1 diabetes mellitus by controlling the level of oxidative stress, glucose, lipids, and cytokines.

Methods

Forty-two male albino rats were distributed into six groups, (n = 7 per group). Five of the groups were induced with diabetes by a single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. After the induction of diabetes, the rats were treated with folic acid (100 mg/kg) and melatonin (10 mg/kg) separately and in combination daily for 6 weeks, whereas, the other diabetic group was treated with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). One of the diabetic groups served as a positive control. One-way ANOVA was used to compare those five subfields ability followed by LSD multiple comparisons.

Results

The data indicated that diabetes significantly altered the body weight, lipids and kidney function. Diabetic rats exhibited a significant increase in plasma levels of urea, uric acid, creatinine, sodium, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In contrast, plasma total protein, potassium, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) decreased significantly in diabetic rats compared to the control rats. Moreover, levels of renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased while the levels of renal glutathione(GSH), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and catalase (CAT) were significantly decreased in diabetic rats comparison to those in the control rats. Hence, diabetic rats treated with folic acid and melatonin alone as well as in combination showed improvements with respect to the indices in addition to a significant recovery observed via histopathology when compared to the diabetic group.

Conclusions

These results revealed that treatment with folic acid in combination with melatonin in diabetic rats was more effective than treatment with either of folic acid or melatonin alone to alleviate the symptoms of diabetic nephropathy.

The effect of folic acid administration on cardiac tissue matrix metalloproteinase activity and hepatorenal biomarkers in diabetic rats 1

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that causes severe complications. Thus, the aims of this study were to investigate the influence of DM and folic acid treatment on liver and renal biomarkers, and heart remodeling through evaluation of cardiac matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. There were 4 groups: control (physiological saline 1 mL/kg, i.p., 28 days), DM (streptozotocin [STZ] 100 mg/kg in physiological saline, i.p., 1 day), folic acid (FA; 5 mg/kg, i.p., 28 days), and DM+FA (STZ 100 mg/kg, i.p., 1 day and folic acid 5 mg/kg, i.p., 28 days). Our results demonstrated increased aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity, urea and creatinine concentration, and decreased albumin and fibrinogen concentration in the DM group. MMP-2 relative activity was elevated in the DM and FA groups; MMP-9 was decreased in the DM and increased in the FA group. The folic acid treatment of diabetic rats did not change aminotransferase activity; it alleviated the increase in alkaline phosphatase and the decrease in albumin and fibrinogen concentration, and reduced MMP-2 activity; however, it increased urea and creatinine concentration. In conclusion, folic acid treatment of diabetic rats has cardio- and hepato-protective effects. However, its dosing should be carefully considered because of possible renal damage.

ROS-mediated activation and mitochondrial translocation of CaMKII contributes to Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission and apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells by isorhamnetin and chloroquine

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is often aggressive and associated with a poor prognosis. Due to the lack of available targeted therapies and to problems of resistance with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, finding new treatments for TNBC remains a challenge and a better therapeutic strategy is urgently required.

Methods

TNBC cells and xenograft mice were treated with a combination of chloroquine (CQ) and isorhamnetin (IH). Mitochondrial fission, apoptosis, and related signaling pathways were determined by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and related molecular biological techniques.

Results

The inhibition of autophagy/mitophagy by CQ selectively enhances IH-induced mitochondrial fission and apoptosis in TNBC cells but not in estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells. These events were accompanied by mitochondrial translocation of Bax and the release of cytochrome c. Mechanistically, these effects were associated with oxidative stress-mediated phosphorylation of CaMKII (Thr286) and Drp1 (S616), and subsequent mitochondrial translocation of CaMKII and Drp1. The interruption of the CaMKII pathway by genetic approaches (e.g. CaMKII mutant or siRNA) attenuated combination-mediated mitochondrial fission and apoptosis. The combination of CQ/IH was a marked inhibitor tumor growth, inducing apoptosis in the TNBC xenograft mouse model in association with the activation of CaMKII and Drp1 (S616).

Conclusions

Our study highlights the critical role of ROS-mediating CaMKII/Drp1 signaling in the regulation of mitochondrial fission and apoptosis induced by combination of CQ/IH. These findings also suggest that IH could potentially be further developed as a novel chemotherapeutic agent. Furthermore, a combination of IH with classic autophagy/mitophagy inhibitor could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of TNBC.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1201-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Adequate or elevated dietary folate does not ameliorate the reduced antioxidant capacity induced by vitamin B12 deficiency in aged rats

Folate could have an antioxidant role but also may be detrimental under vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. The aim was to investigate the effect of different dietary folic acid (FA) levels, on oxidative stress in B₁₂ induced deficient aged rats. Thirty-five male aged Sprague-Dawley rats, were fed either a vitamin B₁₂ deficient (n = 27) or a control diet (n = 8) during eight weeks. Then, animals were divided into four groups: B₁₂ and FA deficient diet (DBDF), B₁₂ deficient diet and FA control diet (DBCF), B₁₂ deficient diet and FA supplemented diet (DBSF), and control diet (CBCF) for a 30 days period. Methionine metabolism and antioxidant status were evaluated. Both vitamins deficiencies elevated serum homocysteine (Hcy) (7.7 vs. 4.3 μmol/L, p < 0.05) and reduced S-adenosylmethionine hepatic content (283.7 vs. 581.9 μg/g protein, p < 0.05), the total antioxidant capacity (155.7 vs. 189.3 μmol/L, p < 0.05), glutathione (GSH) (120.5 vs. 419.9 μg/mg protein, p < 0.05) and oxidized glutathione (0.9 vs. 2.6 μg/mg protein, p < 0.05) compared to control. Activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzymes or damage to macromolecules were unaffected. Adequate or elevated dietary FA in B₁₂ deficiency rats decreased Hcy (5.7 and 6.3 μmol/L, respectively) and increased total antioxidant capacity (189.8 and 192.6 μmol/L, respectively) to values similar to control group, whereas GSH concentration was significantly lower than control (209.1 and 208.0 μg/mg protein respectively, p < 0.05). In conclusion, in a vitamin B₁₂ deficiency status, adequate or elevated FA prevented impairment in one-carbon metabolism, but does not fully reverse the decrease in antioxidant capacity.

Protective effects of N-acetyl-cysteine in mitochondria bioenergetics, oxidative stress, dynamics and S-glutathionylation alterations in acute kidney damage induced by folic acid

Folic acid (FA)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a widely used model for studies of the renal damage and its progression to chronic state. However, the molecular mechanisms by which FA induces AKI remain poorly understood. Since renal function depends on mitochondrial homeostasis, it has been suggested that mitochondrial alterations contribute to AKI development. Additionally, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) can be a protective agent to prevent mitochondrial and renal dysfunction in this model, given its ability to increase mitochondrial glutathione (GSH) and to control the S-glutathionylation levels, a reversible post-translational modification that has emerged as a mechanism able to link mitochondrial energy metabolism and redox homeostasis. However, this hypothesis has not been explored. The present study demonstrates for the first time that, at 24 h, FA induced mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox state, dynamics and mitophagy alterations, which are involved in the mechanisms responsible for the AKI development. On the other hand, NAC preadministration was able to prevent mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox state and dynamics alterations as well as renal damage. The protective effects of NAC on mitochondria and renal function could be related to its observed capacity to preserve the S-glutathionylation process and GSH levels in mitochondria. Taken together, our results support the idea that these mitochondrial processes can be targets for the prevention of the renal damage and its progression in FA-induced AKI model.

Homocysteine and age-associated disorders

There are numerous theories of aging, a process which still seems inevitable. Aging leads to cancer and multi-systemic disorders as well as chronic diseases. Decline in age- associated cellular functions leads to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline that affect the quality of life. Accumulation of damage, mutations, metabolic changes, failure in cellular energy production and clearance of altered proteins over the lifetime, and hyperhomocysteinemia, ultimately result in tissue degeneration. The decline in renal functions, nutritional deficiencies, deregulation of methionine cycle and deficiencies of homocysteine remethylation and transsulfuration cofactors cause elevation of homocysteine with advancing age. Abnormal accumulation of homocysteine is a risk factor of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and chronic kidney disease. Moreover, approximately 50% of people, aged 65 years and older develop hypertension and are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular insufficiency and incurable neurodegenerative disorders. Increasing evidence suggests inverse relation between cognitive impairment, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events and renal function. Oxidative stress, inactivation of nitric oxide synthase pathway and mitochondria dysfunction associated with impaired homocysteine metabolism lead to aging tissue degeneration. In this review, we examine impact of high homocysteine levels on changes observed with aging that contribute to development and progression of age associated diseases.

A review of interventions against fetal alcohol spectrum disorder targeting oxidative stress

INTRODUCTION

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is caused by maternal ethanol exposure; it causes physical, behavioral, cognitive, and neural impairments (Murawski et al., 2015). Mechanisms of FASD causing damage are not yet fully elucidated. Oxidative stress might be one of its mechanisms (Henderson et al., 1995). Yet no effective treatment against FASD has been found other than ethanol abstention (Long et al., 2010).

METHODS

This review summarizes relevant literatures regarding interventions targeting oxidative stress that may relieve fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

RESULTS

Astaxanthin was found to mitigate embryonic growth retardation induced by prenatal ethanol treatment through ameliorating the down regulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) caused by alcohol in a mice model (Zheng et al., 2014; Vabulas et al., 2002). Vitamin E protected against fatal alchol spectrum disorders by ameliorating oxidative stress in rat models (Mitchell et al., 1999a), and yielded a better outcome when it was combined with Vitamin C (Packer et al., 1979; Peng et al., 2005). Vitamin C mitigated embryonic retardation caused by alcohol and reversed ethanol induced NF-κB activation and ROS (reactive oxygen species) formation in a Xenopus laevis model (Peng et al., 2005). Beta carotene supplement was proved to protect against neurotoxicity in hippocampal cultures of embryos induced by alcohol in a rats model (Mitchell et al., 1999a). Prenatal folic acid supplement reversed the decrease of body weight caused by maternal ethanol treatment and ameliorated the increment of glutathione reductase specific activities as well as the increase of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) induced by alcohol in a rats model (Cano et al., 2001). Omega-3 fatty acids reversed the decrease of reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in brain caused by prenatal ethanol treatment in a rats model (Patten et al., 2013). EUK-134 treatment reduced the incidence of forelimb defects caused by ethanol treatment in a mice model (Chen et al., 2004). Pretreatment of activity-dependent neurotrophic factor-9 (ADNF-9) and NAPVSIPQ (NAP) protected against prenatal ethanol induced fetal death as well as fetal growth abnormalities in a mice model, and such treatment reversed the decrease of the rate of reduced glutathione (GSH)/ oxidative glutathione (GSSG) caused by alcohol (Spong et al., 2001).

CONCLUSION

By now interventions against fetal alcohol spectrum disorder targeting oxidative stress includes astaxanthin, Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Vitamin E, beta-carotene, (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), Omega-3 fatty acids, etc (see Fig. 1). However, most interventions are only assayed in animal models, more clinical trials are needed to show whether antioxidants make an effort against FASD damage.

Homocysteine and homocysteine-related compounds: an overview of the roles in the pathology of the cardiovascular and nervous systems

Homocysteine, an amino acid containing a sulfhydryl group, is an intermediate product during metabolism of the amino acids methionine and cysteine. Hyperhomocysteinemia is used as a predictive risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, the stroke progression, screening for inborn errors of methionine metabolism, and as a supplementary test for vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. Two organic systems in which homocysteine has the most harmful effects are the cardiovascular and nervous system. The adverse effects of homocysteine are achieved by the action of several different mechanisms, such as overactivation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, activation of Toll-like receptor 4, disturbance in Ca²⁺ handling, increased activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase and subsequent increase of production of reactive oxygen species, increased activity of nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide synthase uncoupling and consequent impairment in nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species synthesis. Increased production of reactive species during hyperhomocysteinemia is related with increased expression of several proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1. All these mechanisms contribute to the emergence of diseases like atherosclerosis and related complications such as myocardial infarction, stroke, aortic aneurysm, as well as Alzheimer disease and epilepsy. This review provides evidence that supports the causal role for hyperhomocysteinemia in the development of cardiovascular disease and nervous system disorders.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 activation mediates hyperhomocysteinemia-associated lipolysis suppression in adipocytes

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is associated with suppressed lipolytic response in adipocytes/adipose tissue, however, the underlying mechanism remains to be extensively studied. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master transcriptional factor regulating antioxidant generation, has been recently reported to mediate lipid metabolism. Employing both fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and male C57BL/6 mice, in the present study, we investigated the potential involvement of Nrf2 activation in HHcy-mediated lipolytic suppression. Our results showed that homocysteine (Hcy) treatment resulted in suppressed lipolysis, evidenced by increased intracellular triglyceride (TG) accumulation, decreased glycerol and free fatty acid (FFA) in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Interestingly, Hcy exposure was associated with Nrf2 activation in adipocytes. Further studies showed that Nrf2 knockdown via siRNA transfection ameliorated Hcy-induced glycerol release in adipocytes. On the contrary, Nrf2 activators, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and tert-butylhydroquinone (t-BHQ), increased intracellular TG content and decreased glycerol release in adipocytes. Importantly, our in vitro observations were corroborated by our in vivo findings, in which Hcy feeding (0.1% wt/vol) for four weeks induced Nrf2 expression in adipose tissue and lowered circulating FFA and glycerol levels in mice. Furthermore, EGCG injection (5 mg/kg/d) decreased circulating glycerol levels in comparison to the control group in mice. In conclusion, these results indicated that Nrf2 activation in response to HHcy plays an important role in mediating Hcy-suppressed lipolysis in adipocytes.

Clinical and Vitamin Response to a Short-Term Multi-Micronutrient Intervention in Brazilian Children and Teens: From Population Data to Interindividual Responses

SCOPE

Micronutrients are in small amounts in foods, act in concert, and require variable amounts of time to see changes in health and risk for disease. These first principles are incorporated into an intervention study designed to develop new experimental strategies for setting target recommendations for food bioactives for populations and individuals.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A 6-week multivitamin/mineral intervention is conducted in 9-13 year olds. Participants (136) are (i) their own control (n-of-1); (ii) monitored for compliance; (iii) measured for 36 circulating vitamin forms, 30 clinical, anthropometric, and food intake parameters at baseline, post intervention, and following a 6-week washout; and (iv) had their ancestry accounted for as modifier of vitamin baseline or response. The same intervention is repeated the following year (135 participants). Most vitamins respond positively and many clinical parameters change in directions consistent with improved metabolic health to the intervention. Baseline levels of any metabolite predict its own response to the intervention. Elastic net penalized regression models are identified, and significantly predict response to intervention on the basis of multiple vitamin/clinical baseline measures.

CONCLUSIONS

The study design, computational methods, and results are a step toward developing recommendations for optimizing vitamin levels and health parameters for individuals.

Folate deficiency in patients seeking treatment of alcohol use disorder

INTRODUCTION

Nutritional deficiency is frequent in patients with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). We aimed to analyze serum and erythrocyte folate deficiency in a case series of patients that initiated treatment of AUD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study in patients admitted for detoxification between 2007 and 2015 was performed. Sociodemographic characteristics, history of alcohol consumption, type of alcohol, and medical co-morbidity were assessed at admission. Blood samples for biochemistry and hematological parameters were collected at admission. Logistic regression models were used to establish predictors of folate deficiency.

RESULTS

211 patients (79.1% men) were eligible; age at admission was 46 years [IQR:40-51], and the amount of alcohol consumption was of 160g/day [IQR:120-200]. Thirty four percent of patients had macrocytosis (MCV>100fL), 12.8% had anemia, 23% of cases presented with serum folate deficiency and 7% presented with erythrocyte folate deficiency. Most (69%) of the patients with serum folate deficiency had normal erythrocyte folate levels. In univariate analysis, macrocytosis (OR=3.4, 95%CI:1.7-6.6), alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) (OR=2.5, 95%CI:1.0-6.1) and drinking alcoholic beverages other than beer (OR=3.3, 95%CI:1.5-7.3) were associated with folate deficiency. However, only macrocytosis was significantly associated with serum folate deficiency in multivariate analysis (OR=3.1, 95%CI:1.1-8.9). Macrocytosis (P<0.001), ARLD (P=0.01) and the type of alcohol consumption (P<0.001) were factors associated with erythrocyte folate deficiency in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis only macrocytosis remained significantly associated to erythrocyte folate deficiency (P=0.037).

CONCLUSION

Folate deficiency is a relatively frequent finding in contemporary, middle-aged patients with AUD, and macrocytosis is significantly associated with the deficiency.

Effects of folic acid on rat kidney exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation

Because of increased use of cell phones, the purpose of this study was to investigation of the oxidative damage caused by electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by cell phones and histological and morphometrical determination of the possible protective role of folic acid (FA) in preventing the detrimental effects of EMR on the kidney. Twenty-four adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into control (Cont), EMR, EMR + FA and FA groups, each containing six rats. The EMR and EMR + FA groups were exposed to EMR for 60 min a day over a period of 21 days, while no EMR exposure was applied to the Cont and FA groups. The source of the EMR was an EMR device which emits a digital signal producing 900-MHz frequency radiation. The generator connected to a one-monopole antenna was used in this study and the rats were placed in the plexiglass restrainer at an equal distance from the monopole antenna. Following the experimental period, and after tissue processing, a physical disector-Cavalieri method combination was applied to the sections. The mean volume of the cortex, medulla, proximal and distal tubules increased significantly in the EMR groups compared to the Cont group (p < 0.01). Contrarily, the total number of glomeruli in the EMR group decreased compared to the Cont group (p < 0.01). The protective effects of FA was observed in the kidney (p < 0.05).

In conclusion, the 900-MHz EMR leads to kidney damage. FA may exhibit a protective effect against the adverse effects of EMR exposure in terms of the total number of glomeruli.

Role of folate in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of chronic liver conditions that are characterized by steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and liver injury. The global prevalence of NAFLD is rapidly increasing in proportion to the rising incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Because NAFLD is a multifaceted disorder with many underlying metabolic abnormalities, currently, there is no pharmacological agent that is therapeutically approved for the treatment of this disease. Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that plays an essential role in one-carbon transfer reactions involved in nucleic acid biosynthesis, methylation reactions, and sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism. The liver is the primary organ responsible for storage and metabolism of folates. Low serum folate levels have been observed in patients with obesity and diabetes. It has been reported that a low level of endogenous folates in rodents perturbs folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism, and may be associated with development of metabolic diseases such as NAFLD. This review highlights the biological role of folate in the progression of NAFLD and its associated metabolic complications including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Understanding the role of folate in metabolic disease may position this vitamin as a potential therapeutic for NAFLD.

The effect of subchronic supplementation with folic acid and l-arginine on homocysteine-induced seizures

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of subchronic co-administration of folic acid (F) and l-arginine (A) on behavioural and electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of dl homocysteine thiolactone (H) induced seizures in adult rats. The activity of membrane ATPases in different brain regions were also investigated. Rats were treated with F, A, or vehicle for 15 days (regimen: F 5 mg/kg + A 500 mg/kg (F5A500); F 10 mg/kg + A 300 mg/kg (F10A300)). Seizures were elicited by convulsive dose of H (H, F5A500H, F10A300H) Subchronic supplementation with F and A did not affect seizure incidence, number of seizure episodes, and severity in F5A500H and F10A300H groups vs. H group. However, a tendency to increase latency and decrease the number of seizure episodes was noticed in the F10A300H group. EEG mean spectral power densities during ictal periods were significantly lower in F10A300H vs. H group. The activity of Na+/K+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase was significantly increased in almost all examined structures in rats treated with F and A. We can conclude that subchronic supplementation with folic acid and l-arginine has an antiepileptic effect in dl homocysteine thiolactone induced epilepsy.

Hyperhomocysteinemia impairs regional blood flow: involvements of endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide

Increasing evidence support the idea that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is responsible for pathogenesis underlying cerebral, coronary, renal, and other vascular circulatory disorders and for hypertension. Impaired synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in the endothelium or increased production of asymmetric dimethylarginine and activated oxygen species are involved in the impairment of vasodilator effects of NO. Impaired circulation in the brain derived from reduced synthesis and actions of NO would be an important triggering factor to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Reduced actions of NO and brain hypoperfusion trigger increased production of amyloid-β that inhibits endothelial function, thus establishing a vicious cycle for impairing brain circulation. HHcy is involved in the genesis of anginal attack and coronary myocardial infarction. HHcy is also involved in renal circulatory diseases. The homocysteine (Hcy)-induced circulatory failure is promoted by methionine and is prevented by increased folic acid and vitamin B6/B12. Eliminating poor life styles, such as smoking and being sedentary; keeping favorable dietary habits; and early treatment maintaining constitutive NOS functions healthy, reducing oxidative stresses would be beneficial in protecting HHcy-induced circulatory failures.

Folate Deficiency Triggered Apoptosis of Synoviocytes: Role of Overproduction of Reactive Oxygen Species Generated via NADPH Oxidase/Mitochondrial Complex II and Calcium Perturbation

Despite a plethora of literature has documented that osteoarthritis (OA) is veritably associated with oxidative stress-mediated chondrocyte death and matrix degradation, yet the possible involvement of synoviocyte abnormality as causative factor of OA has not been thoroughly investigated. For this reason, we conduct the current studies to insight into how synoviocytes could respond to an episode of folate-deprived (FD) condition. First, when HIG-82 synoviocytes were cultivated under FD condition, a time-dependent growth impediment was observed and the demise of these cells was demonstrated to be apoptotic in nature mediated through FD-evoked overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and drastically released of cytosolic calcium (Ca²⁺) concentrations. Next, we uncovered that FD-evoked ROS overproduction could only be strongly suppressed by either mitochondrial complex II inhibitors (TTFA and carboxin) or NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibitors (AEBSF and apocynin), but not by mitochondrial complex I inhibitor (rotenone) and mitochondrial complex III inhibitor (antimycin A). Interestingly, this selective inhibition of FD-evoked ROS by mitochondrial complex II and NOX inhibitors was found to correlate excellently with the suppression of cytosolic Ca²⁺ release and reduced the magnitude of the apoptotic TUNEL-positive cells. Taken together, we present the first evidence here that FD-triggered ROS overproduction in synoviocytes is originated from mitochondrial complex II and NOX. Both elevated ROS in tandem with cytosolic Ca²⁺ overload serve as final arbitrators for apoptotic lethality of synoviocytes cultivated under FD condition. Thus, folate supplementation may be beneficial to patients with OA.

The Benefits of Administering Folic Acid in Order to Combat the Oxidative Damage Caused by Binge Drinking in Adolescent Rats

AIMS

An important mechanism in alcohol-induced injury is biomolecular oxidative damage. Folic acid is supplied to chronic alcoholic patients in order to prevent this situation, as this is the main vitamin deficiency that they suffer from. Acute alcohol exposure, such as binge drinking, is one of the most widespread ethanol consumption models practiced by adolescents. However, there is no evidence of folic acid body profiles after this pattern of consumption.

METHODS

Four groups of adolescent rats were used: control, alcohol (exposed to intraperitoneal binge drinking), control folic acid-supplemented group and alcohol folic acid-supplemented group. Folic acid levels, protein, lipid and DNA oxidative damage in serum, and liver glutathione (GSH) and reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) were measured.

RESULTS

Binge-drinking rats had higher lipids and DNA oxidation levels. They also had lower hepatic GSH levels and GSH/GSSG ratio. Folic acid supplementation to binge-drinking rats does not change the serum protein oxidation but decreases lipid and DNA oxidation. Finally, GSH increased to control levels with folic acid supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Folic acid supplementation is an economic and efficient therapy against the oxidative damage in lipids and mainly in DNA stability caused by binge drinking during adolescence. It has also been demonstrated that folic acid increases GSH levels, improving the antioxidant status and revealing a hepatoprotective effect during binge drinking.

Palm tocotrienol-rich fraction inhibits methionine-induced cystathionine β-synthase in rat liver

Oxidative stress plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases. The study investigated the effects of dietary palm tocotrienol-rich fraction on homocysteine metabolism in rats fed a high-methionine diet. Forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six groups. Five groups were fed with high-methionine diet (1%) for 10 weeks. Groups 2 to 5 were also given dietary folate (8 mg/kg) and three doses of palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (30, 60 and 150 mg/kg) from week 6 to week 10. The last group was only given basal rat chow. High-methionine diet increased plasma homocysteine after 10 weeks, which was prevented by the supplementations of folate and high-dose palm tocotrienol-rich fraction. Hepatic S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) content was unaffected in all groups but S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH) content was reduced in the folate group. Folate supplementation increased the SAM/SAH ratio, while in the palm tocotrienol-rich fraction groups, the ratio was lower compared with the folate. Augmented activity of hepatic cystathionine β-synthase and lipid peroxidation content by high-methionine diet was inhibited by palm tocotrienol-rich fraction supplementations (moderate and high doses), but not by folate. The supplemented groups had lower hepatic lipid peroxidation than the high-methionine diet. In conclusion, palm tocotrienol-rich fraction reduced high-methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinaemia possibly by reducing hepatic oxidative stress in high-methionine-fed rats. It may also exert a direct inhibitory effect on hepatic cystathionine β-synthase.

Association of low potassium diet and folic acid deficiency in patients with CKD

BACKGROUND

Most of the folic acid sources are rich also in potassium. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) usually receive a low potassium diet. We investigated the possibility of an association between low potassium diet and folic acid deficiency.

METHODS

In total, 128 CKD patients participated in this cross-sectional study. Sixty-four patients with CKD grades 1 and 2 were on an unrestricted potassium diet when enrolled in the study, and 64 patients with CKD grades 3 and 4 had received instructions to restrict their intake of potassium at least 6 months before enrollment in the study. Subjects were evaluated for daily intake of folic acid (DIFA), daily intake of potassium (DIK), and serum folic acid levels (SFA).

RESULTS

DIFA correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate, the DIK, and the SFA (P<0.001). SFA correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (P<0.001). Mean DIFA and mean SFA were lower among patients with CKD grades 3 and 4 than among those with CKD grades 1 and 2 (P<0.001). The mean DIFA in patients with folic acid deficiency was lower than that in those with SFA ≥7.1 nmol/L (P<0.001). There was lower SFA and threefold greater frequency of folic acid deficiency among patients with CKD grades 3 and 4 who had received instructions to restrict their intake of potassium than among patients with CKD grades 1 and 2 who were on an unrestricted potassium diet.

CONCLUSION

A potassium-restricted diet offered to patients with CKD grades 3 and 4 may be associated with folic acid deficiency. Serum levels of folic acid should be investigated before starting potassium restriction in patients with CKD grades 3 and 4, in order to identify individuals with folic acid deficiency or with marginal serum levels who should receive folic acid replacement therapy.

Folic Acid Supplementation of Female Mice, with or without Vitamin B-12, before and during Pregnancy and Lactation Programs Adiposity and Vascular Health in Adult Male Offspring

BACKGROUND

The developmental origins of health and disease theory suggest that disturbances in the fetal and early postnatal environment contribute to chronic adulthood diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Greater adiposity and insulin resistance have been reported in children of women with high erythrocyte folate but poor vitamin B-12 status during pregnancy. The mechanisms underlying this relation are not known.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal supplemental folic acid, with or without vitamin B-12, on adiposity, glucose homeostasis, and vascular health in adult male offspring mice.

METHODS

Female C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet (M-CON, 2 mg folic acid/kg, 50 μg vitamin B-12/kg) or a folic acid-supplemented diet with [10 mg folic acid/kg, 50 μg vitamin B-12/kg (SFA+B12)] or without [10 mg folic acid/kg, no vitamin B-12 (SFA-B12)] vitamin B-12 for 6 wk before mating and during pregnancy and lactation. The offspring were weaned onto a control diet (16% energy from fat) or a western diet (45% energy from fat) until 23 wk of age. The effects of maternal diet on adiposity, vascular function, and glucose tolerance were assessed in 6 groups of adult male offspring: control diet-fed M-CON, SFA+B12, and SFA-B12 and western diet-fed M-CON, SFA+B12, and SFA-B12.

RESULTS

Control and western diet-fed SFA-B12 and SFA+B12 offspring had smaller visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue than M-CON offspring (P < 0.05). Control SFA-B12 and SFA+B12 offspring had lower serum total adiponectin and vitamin B-12 concentrations and lower NADPH oxidase 2 expression in aorta compared with M-CON offspring (P < 0.05). These effects were not observed in western diet-fed offspring.

CONCLUSIONS

Folic acid supplementation of female mice before and during pregnancy and lactation, with or without dietary vitamin B-12, affects adult male offspring adiposity, vascular function, and one-carbon metabolism in those fed a control diet but not a western diet.

Polydatin prevents angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial superoxide generation

Our studies and others recently demonstrate that polydatin, a resveratrol glucoside, has antioxidative and cardioprotective effects. This study aims to investigate the direct effects of polydatin on Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy to explore the potential role of polydatin in cardioprotection. Our results showed that in primary cultured cardiomyocytes, polydatin blocked Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy in a dose-dependent manner, which were associated with reduction in the cell surface area and [(3)H]leucine incorporation, as well as attenuation of the mRNA expressions of atrial natriuretic factor and β-myosin heavy chain. Furthermore, polydatin prevented rat cardiac hypertrophy induced by Ang II infusion, as assessed by heart weight-to-body weight ratio, cross-sectional area of cardiomyocyte, and gene expression of hypertrophic markers. Further investigation demonstrated that polydatin attenuated the Ang II-induced increase in the reactive oxygen species levels and NADPH oxidase activity in vivo and in vitro. Polydatin also blocked the Ang II-stimulated increases of Nox4 and Nox2 expression in cultured cardiomyocytes and the hearts of Ang II-infused rats. Our results indicate that polydatin has the potential to protect against Ang II-mediated cardiac hypertrophy through suppression of NADPH oxidase activity and superoxide production. These observations may shed new light on the understanding of the cardioprotective effect of polydatin.

Effects of folic acid on renal endothelial function in patients with diabetic nephropathy: results from a randomized trial

Endothelial dysfunction has been shown to promote podocyte injury and albuminuria in diabetes, highlighting the importance of the interaction between renal endothelial cells and podocytes. Folic acid (FA) improves nitric oxide synthase (NOS) function and reduces progression of diabetic nephropathy in animal models. We tested whether high-dose FA treatment improves renal endothelial function and albuminuria in human subjects with incipient diabetic nephropathy. Following a double-blind, randomized, cross-over design, 28 patients with Type 2 diabetes and albuminuria were allocated to 4 weeks' treatment with placebo and high-dose FA (5 mg/day). Renal nitric oxide (NO) production determined as the response of renal plasma flow (RPF) to NOS inhibition with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) (4.25 mg/kg intravenously), renal oxidant stress as response of RPF to vitamin C infusion (3 mg/kg) and albuminuria were determined after each treatment phase. Neither the reduction in RPF to L-NMMA nor the increase in RPF to vitamin C infusion differed between treatment phases (ΔRPF to

L-NMMA

-74±71 ml/min per m2 during placebo compared with -63±56 ml/min per m2 during FA, P=0.57; ΔRPF to vitamin C: +93±118 ml/min per m2 compared with +94±108 ml/min per m2; P=0.70). In line with the lack of effect on the renal endothelium, albuminuria was not affected by FA treatment (110±179 mg/day during placebo compared with 87±146 mg/day during FA; P=0.12). High-dose FA treatment does not improve renal endothelial function and fails to reduce albuminuria in human subjects with diabetic nephropathy. Novel treatment options for oxidant stress and endothelial dysfunction in patients with diabetes are urgently needed.

Contribution of endogenously produced reactive oxygen species to the activation of podocyte NLRP3 inflammasomes in hyperhomocysteinemia

Hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcys) is an important pathogenic factor contributing to the progression of end-stage renal disease. Recent studies have demonstrated the implication of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the development of podocyte injury and glomerular sclerosis during hHcys. However, it remains unknown which reactive oxygen species (ROS) are responsible for this activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and how such action of ROS is controlled. This study tested the contribution of common endogenous ROS including superoxide (O2(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), and hydroxyl radical (OH) to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in mouse podocytes and glomeruli. In vitro, confocal microscopy and size-exclusion chromatography demonstrated that dismutation of O2(-) by 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (Tempol) and decomposition of H2O2 by catalase prevented Hcys-induced aggregation of NLRP3 inflammasome proteins and inhibited Hcys-induced caspase-1 activation and IL-1β production in mouse podocytes. However, scavenging of ONOO(-) or OH had no significant effect on either Hcys-induced NLRP3 inflammasome formation or activation. In vivo, scavenging of O2(-) by Tempol and removal of H2O2 by catalase substantially inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome formation and activation in glomeruli of hHcys mice as shown by reduced colocalization of NLRP3 with ASC or caspase-1 and inhibition of caspase-1 activation and IL-1β production. Furthermore, Tempol and catalase significantly attenuated hHcys-induced glomerular injury. In conclusion, endogenously produced O2(-) and H2O2 primarily contribute to NLRP3 inflammasome formation and activation in mouse glomeruli resulting in glomerular injury or consequent sclerosis during hHcys.

Current status of NADPH oxidase research in cardiovascular pharmacology

The implications of reactive oxygen species in cardiovascular disease have been known for some decades. Rationally, therapeutic antioxidant strategies combating oxidative stress have been developed, but the results of clinical trials have not been as good as expected. Therefore, to move forward in the design of new therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease based on prevention of production of reactive oxygen species, steps must be taken on two fronts, ie, comprehension of reduction-oxidation signaling pathways and the pathophysiologic roles of reactive oxygen species, and development of new, less toxic, and more selective nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitors, to clarify both the role of each NADPH oxidase isoform and their utility in clinical practice. In this review, we analyze the value of NADPH oxidase as a therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease and the old and new pharmacologic agents or strategies to prevent NADPH oxidase activity. Some inhibitors and different direct or indirect approaches are available. Regarding direct NADPH oxidase inhibition, the specificity of NADPH oxidase is the focus of current investigations, whereas the chemical structure-activity relationship studies of known inhibitors have provided pharmacophore models with which to search for new molecules. From a general point of view, small-molecule inhibitors are preferred because of their hydrosolubility and oral bioavailability. However, other possibilities are not closed, with peptide inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies against NADPH oxidase isoforms continuing to be under investigation as well as the ongoing search for naturally occurring compounds. Likewise, some different approaches include inhibition of assembly of the NADPH oxidase complex, subcellular translocation, post-transductional modifications, calcium entry/release, electron transfer, and genetic expression. High-throughput screens for any of these activities could provide new inhibitors. All this knowledge and the research presently underway will likely result in development of new drugs for inhibition of NADPH oxidase and application of therapeutic approaches based on their action, for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in the next few years.

Activation of apocynin-sensitive NADPH oxidase (Nox2) activity in INS-1 832/13 cells under glucotoxic conditions

Several lines of recent evidence provided compelling evidence to suggest increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as causal for mitochondrial dysregulation and apoptosis in islet β-cells exposed to noxious stimuli including high glucose, lipids and proinflammatory cytokines. Studies along these lines are also suggestive of a significant contributory role for NADPH oxidase in the generation of ROS under the above conditions. We have recently reported a marked increase in the expression and activation of cytosolic components of NADPH oxidase (p47phox, Rac1) in cell culture models of glucotoxicity and in islets from T2DM animals (Zucker Diabetic Fatty rat) and humans. In this communication, we provide further evidence indicating significant activation of NADPH activity (~2-fold) in INS-1 832/13 cells exposed to chronic hyperglycemic conditions (20 mM; 48 h). We also report marked attenuation of this activity, by apocynin, a selective inhibitor of phagocyte-like NADPH oxidase (Nox2) activity. Together, our findings implicate Nox2 as a source for ROS generation in β-cells exposed to glucotoxic conditions.