Submolecular regulation of cell transformation by deuterium depleting water exchange reactions in the tricarboxylic acid substrate cycle

Untargeted metabolomics analysis on kidney tissues from mice reveals potential hypoxia biomarkers

Chronic hypoxia may have a huge impact on the cardiovascular and renal systems. Advancements in microscopy, metabolomics, and bioinformatics provide opportunities to identify new biomarkers. In this study, we aimed at elucidating the metabolic alterations in kidney tissues induced by chronic hypoxia using untargeted metabolomic analyses. Reverse phase ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy (RP-UPLC-MS/MS) and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)-UPLC-MS/MS methods with positive and negative ion mode electrospray ionization were used for metabolic profiling. The metabolomic profiling revealed an increase in metabolites related to carnitine synthesis and purine metabolism. Additionally, there was a notable increase in bilirubin. Heme, N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid, thyroxine, and 3-beta-Hydroxy-5-cholestenoate were found to be significantly downregulated. 3-beta-Hydroxy-5-cholestenoate was downregulated more significantly in male than female kidneys. Trichome Staining also showed remarkable kidney fibrosis in mice subjected to chronic hypoxia. Our study offers potential intracellular metabolite signatures for hypoxic kidneys.

A Preliminary Study Indicating Improvement in the Median Survival Time of Glioblastoma Multiforme Patients by the Application of Deuterium Depletion in Combination with Conventional Therapy

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and malignant gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors. Temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy plus radiation therapy (RT), admi-mistered after debulking surgery, increased the median survival time (MST) from 12.1 months with RT alone merely to 14.6 months, respectively. In this study, the actions of deuterium-depleted water (DDW) on the survival of GBM patients who also received conventional therapies was investigated. Without changing the conventional treatment, the daily fluid intake of the patients was wholly replaced with DDW in 1.5-2 L per day volume to reduce the D concentration in their bodies. The primary endpoint was the MST. The 55 patients involved in this study, who received conventional treatment and consumed DDW, showed a longer MST (30 months) compared to the historical control (12.1-14.6 months). There was a massive difference between the two genders in the calculated MST values; it was 25 months in the male subgroup (n = 33) and 42 months in the female subgroup (n = 22), respectively. The MST was 27 months without TMZ treatment (38 patients) and 42 months in the TMZ-treated group (17 patients), respectively. For the selected 31 patients, who consumed DDW in the correct way in addition to their conventional treatments, their MST was calculated as 30 months. Within this group, the 20 subjects who had relapsed before DDW treatment had 30 months of MST, but in those 10 subjects who were in remission when DDW treatment started, their MST was 47 months. In the subgroup of patients who began their DDW treatment parallel with radiotherapy, their MST was again 47 months, and it was 25 months when their DDW treatment was started at 8 weeks or later after the completion of radiotherapy. Altogether, these survival times were substantially prolonged compared to the prospective clinical data of patients with primary GBM. Consequently, if conventional therapies are supplemented with D depletion, better survival can be achieved in the advanced stage of GBM than with the known targeted or combination therapies. Application of DDW is recommended in all stages of the disease before surgery and in parallel with radiotherapy, and repeated DDW courses are advised when remission has been achieved.

Targeted metabolomic profiling as a tool for diagnostics of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is referred to as the second most common cancer worldwide and is mainly associated with complex diagnostics and the absence of personalized therapy. Metabolomics may provide significant insights into the improvement of lung cancer diagnostics through identification of the specific biomarkers or biomarker panels that characterize the pathological state of the patient. We performed targeted metabolomic profiling of plasma samples from individuals with non-small cell lung cancer (NSLC, n = 100) and individuals without any cancer or chronic pathologies (n = 100) to identify the relationship between plasma endogenous metabolites and NSLC by means of modern comprehensive bioinformatics tools, including univariate analysis, multivariate analysis, partial correlation network analysis and machine learning. Through the comparison of metabolomic profiles of patients with NSCLC and noncancer individuals, we identified significant alterations in the concentration levels of metabolites mainly related to tryptophan metabolism, the TCA cycle, the urea cycle and lipid metabolism. Additionally, partial correlation network analysis revealed new ratios of the metabolites that significantly distinguished the considered groups of participants. Using the identified significantly altered metabolites and their ratios, we developed a machine learning classification model with an ROC AUC value equal to 0.96. The developed machine learning lung cancer model may serve as a prototype of the approach for the in-time diagnostics of lung cancer that in the future may be introduced in routine clinical use. Overall, we have demonstrated that the combination of metabolomics and up-to-date bioinformatics can be used as a potential tool for proper diagnostics of patients with NSCLC.

Emerging Role of Deuterium/Protium Disbalance in Cell Cycle and Apoptosis

Deuterium, a stable isotope of hydrogen, is a component of water and organic compounds. It is the second most abundant element in the human body after sodium. Although the concentration of deuterium in an organism is much lower than that of protium, a wide variety of morphological, biochemical, and physiological changes are known to occur in deuterium-treated cells, including changes in fundamental processes such as cell division or energy metabolism. The mode and degree of changes in cells and tissues, both with an increase and a decrease in the concentration of deuterium, depends primarily on the time of exposure, as well as on the concentration. The reviewed data show that plant and animal cells are sensitive to deuterium content. Any shifts in the D/H balance outside or inside cells promote immediate responses. The review summarizes reported data on the proliferation and apoptosis of normal and neoplastic cells in different modes of deuteration and deuterium depletion in vivo and in vitro. The authors propose their own concept of the effects of changes in deuterium content in the body on cell proliferation and death. The altered rate of proliferation and apoptosis indicate a pivotal role of the hydrogen isotope content in living organisms and suggest the presence of a D/H sensor, which is yet to be detected.

Targeting Membrane Trafficking as a Strategy for Cancer Treatment

Membrane trafficking is emerging as an attractive therapeutic strategy for cancer. Recent reports have found a connection between Wnt signaling, receptor-mediated endocytosis, V-ATPase, lysosomal activity, and macropinocytosis through the canonical Wnt pathway. In macropinocytic cells, a massive internalization of the plasma membrane can lead to the loss of cell-surface cadherins, integrins, and other antigens that mediate cell–cell adhesion, favoring an invasive phenotype. V-ATPase is a key regulator in maintaining proper membrane trafficking, homeostasis, and the earliest developmental decisions in the Xenopus vertebrate development model system. Here, we review how the interference of membrane trafficking with membrane trafficking inhibitors might be clinically relevant in humans.

Blocking the Increase of Intracellular Deuterium Concentration Prevents the Expression of Cancer-Related Genes, Tumor Development, and Tumor Recurrence in Cancer Patients

The possible role of the naturally occurring deuterium in the regulation of cell division was first described in the 1990s. To investigate the mechanism of influence of deuterium (D) on cell growth, expression of 236 cancer-related and 536 kinase genes were tested in deuterium-depleted (40 and 80 ppm) and deuterium-enriched (300 ppm) media compared to natural D level (150 ppm). Among genes with expression changes exceeding 30% and copy numbers over 30 (124 and 135 genes, respectively) 97.3% of them was upregulated at 300 ppm D-concentration. In mice exposed to chemical carcinogen, one-year survival data showed that deuterium-depleted water (DDW) with 30 ppm D as drinking water prevented tumor development. One quarter of the treated male mice survived 344 days, the females 334 days, while one quarter of the control mice survived only 188 and 156 days, respectively. In our human retrospective study 204 previously treated cancer patients with disease in remission, who consumed DDW, were followed. Cumulative follow-up time was 1024 years, and average follow-up time per patient, 5 years (median: 3.6 years). One hundred and fifty-six patients out of 204 (77.9%) did not relapse during their 803 years cumulative follow-up time. Median survival time (MST) was not calculable due to the extremely low death rate (11 cancer-related deaths, 5.4% of the study population). Importantly, 8 out of 11 deaths occurred several years after stopping DDW consumption, confirming that regular consumption of DDW can prevent recurrence of cancer. These findings point to the likely mechanism in which consumption of DDW keeps D-concentration below natural levels, preventing the D/H ratio from increasing to the threshold required for cell division. This in turn can serve as a key to reduce the relapse rate of cancer patients and/or to reduce cancer incidence in healthy populations.

Deuterium-depleted water stimulates GLUT4 translocation in the presence of insulin, which leads to decreased blood glucose concentration

Deuterium (D) is a stable isotope of hydrogen (H) with a mass number of 2. It is present in natural waters in the form of HDO, at a concentration of 16.8 mmol/L, equivalent to 150 ppm. In a phase II clinical study, deuterium depletion reduced fasting glucose concentration and insulin resistance. In this study, we tested the effect of subnormal D-concentration on glucose metabolism in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Animals were randomly distributed into nine groups to test the effect of D2O (in a range of 25-150 ppm) on glucose metabolism in diabetic animals with or without insulin treatment. Serum glucose, fructose amine-, HbA1c, insulin and urine glucose levels were monitored, respectively. After the 8-week treatment, membrane-associated GLUT4 fractions from the soleus muscle were estimated by Western blot technique. Our results indicate that, in the presence of insulin, deuterium depletion markedly reduced serum levels of glucose, -fructose amine, and -HbA1c, in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal concentration of deuterium was between 125 and 140 ppm. After a 4-week period of deuterium depletion, the highest membrane-associated GLUT4 content was detected at 125 ppm. These data suggest that deuterium depletion dose-dependently enhances the effect of insulin on GLUT4 translocation and potentiates glucose uptake in diabetic rats, which explains the lower serum glucose, -fructose amine, and -HbA1c concentrations. Based on our experimental data, deuterium-depleted water could be used to treat patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) by increasing insulin sensitivity. These experiments indicate that naturally occurring deuterium has an impact on metabolic regulations.

What to feed or what not to feed-that is still the question

INTRODUCTION

This review addresses metabolic diversities after grain feeding of cattle using artificial total mixed ration (TMR), in place of pasture-based feeding.

OBJECTIVES

To determine how grain feeding impairs the deuterium-depleting functions of the anaplerotic mitochondrial matrix during milk and meat production.

METHODS

Based on published data we herein evaluate how grain-fed animals essentially follow a branched-chain amino acid and odd-chain fatty acid-based reductive carboxylation-dependent feedstock, which is also one of the mitochondrial deuterium-accumulating dysfunctions in human cancer.

RESULTS

It is now evident that food-based intracellular deuterium exchange reactions, especially that of glycogenic substrate oxidation, are significant sources of deuterium-enriched (²H; D) metabolic water with a significant impact on animal and human health. The burning of high deuterium nutritional dairy products into metabolic water upon oxidation in the human body may contribute to similar metabolic conditions and diseases as described in state-of-the-art articles for cows. Grain feeding also limits oxygen delivery to mitochondria for efficient deuterium-depleted metabolic water production by glyphosate herbicide exposure used in genetically modified crops of TMR constituents.

CONCLUSION

Developments in medical metabolomics, biochemistry and deutenomics, which is the science of biological deuterium fractionation and discrimination warrant urgent critical reviews in order to control the epidemiological scale of population diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cancer by a thorough understanding of how the compromised metabolic health of grain-fed dairy cows impacts human consumers.

Association of the malate dehydrogenase-citrate synthase metabolon is modulated by intermediates of the Krebs tricarboxylic acid cycle

Mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (MDH)-citrate synthase (CS) multi-enzyme complex is a part of the Krebs tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle ‘metabolon’ which is enzyme machinery catalyzing sequential reactions without diffusion of reaction intermediates into a bulk matrix. This complex is assumed to be a dynamic structure involved in the regulation of the cycle by enhancing metabolic flux. Microscale Thermophoresis analysis of the porcine heart MDH-CS complex revealed that substrates of the MDH and CS reactions, NAD⁺ and acetyl-CoA, enhance complex association while products of the reactions, NADH and citrate, weaken the affinity of the complex. Oxaloacetate enhanced the interaction only when it was present together with acetyl-CoA. Structural modeling using published CS structures suggested that the binding of these substrates can stabilize the closed format of CS which favors the MDH-CS association. Two other TCA cycle intermediates, ATP, and low pH also enhanced the association of the complex. These results suggest that dynamic formation of the MDH-CS multi-enzyme complex is modulated by metabolic factors responding to respiratory metabolism, and it may function in the feedback regulation of the cycle and adjacent metabolic pathways.

Effects of Heavy Isotopes (2H1 and 18O16) Depleted Water Con-Sumption on Physical Recovery and Metabolic and Immunological Parameters of Healthy Volunteers under Regular Fitness Load

Water depleted of heavy isotopes, such as ²H₁ and ¹⁸O₁₆ (HIDW), has shown numerous biological/health effects in vitro, in vivo, and in epidemiological studies. Major observations were related to cell growth/differentiation, immune/nervous system responses, endurance/adaptation, mitochondrial electron transfer, energy production, glucose metabolism, etc. No human studies to confirm physiological, metabolic, and immune responses to the consumption of HIDW have been performed. A placebo-controlled study on healthy volunteers (n = 50) under fitness load who consumed 1.5 L HIDW (58 ppm ²H and 1780 ppm ¹⁸O) or normal water for 60 days was carried out. Plasma content of ²H₁ and ¹⁸O₁₆, markers of energy, lipid, and glucose metabolism, anthropometric, cardio-vascular, oxidant/antioxidant, and immunological parameters were determined. Significant decrease in plasma heavy isotopes in the group consuming HIDW was observed in concomitance with an increase in ATP, insulin, and LDH, and diminished plasma lactate. Several anthropometric and cardio-vascular parameters were improved as compared to placebo group. Lipid markers demonstrated antiatherogenic effects, while oxidant/antioxidant parameters revealed HIDW-induced hormesis. Antibacterial/antiviral immunity was remarkably higher in HIDW versus placebo group. Conclusions: HIDW consumption by humans under fitness load could be a valid approach to improve their adaptation/recovery through several mechanisms.

Kinetic isotope effects and synthetic strategies for deuterated carbon-11 and fluorine-18 labelled PET radiopharmaceuticals

The deuterium labelling of pharmaceuticals is a useful strategy for altering pharmacokinetic properties, particularly for improving metabolic resistance. The pharmacological effects of such metabolites are often assumed to be negligible during standard drug discovery and are factored in later at the clinical phases of development, where the risks and benefits of the treatment and side-effects can be wholly assessed. This paradigm does not translate to the discovery of radiopharmaceuticals, however, as the confounding effects of radiometabolites can inevitably show in preliminary positron emission tomography (PET) scans and thus complicate interpretation. Consequently, the formation of radiometabolites is crucial to take into consideration, compared to non-radioactive metabolites, and the application of deuterium labelling is a particularly attractive approach to minimise radiometabolite formation. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the deuterated carbon-11 and fluorine-18 radiopharmaceuticals employed in PET imaging experiments. Specifically, we explore six categories of deuterated radiopharmaceuticals used to investigate the activities of monoamine oxygenase (MAO), choline, translocator protein (TSPO), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), neurotransmission and the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease; from which we derive four prominent deuteration strategies giving rise to a kinetic isotope effect (KIE) for reducing the rate of metabolism. Synthetic approaches for over thirty of these deuterated radiopharmaceuticals are discussed from the perspective of deuterium and radioisotope incorporation, alongside an evaluation of the deuterium labelling and radiolabelling efficacies across these independent studies. Clinical and manufacturing implications are also discussed to provide a more comprehensive overview of how deuterated radiopharmaceuticals may be introduced to routine practice.

High-fiber diets attenuate emphysema development via modulation of gut microbiota and metabolism

Dietary fiber functions as a prebiotic to determine the gut microbe composition. The gut microbiota influences the metabolic functions and immune responses in human health. The gut microbiota and metabolites produced by various dietary components not only modulate immunity but also impact various organs. Although recent findings have suggested that microbial dysbiosis is associated with several respiratory diseases, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, and allergy, the role of microbiota and metabolites produced by dietary nutrients with respect to pulmonary disease remains unclear. Therefore, we explored whether the gut microbiota and metabolites produced by dietary fiber components could influence a cigarette smoking (CS)-exposed emphysema model. In this study, it was demonstrated that a high-fiber diet including non-fermentable cellulose and fermentable pectin attenuated the pathological changes associated with emphysema progression and the inflammatory response in CS-exposed emphysema mice. Moreover, we observed that different types of dietary fiber could modulate the diversity of gut microbiota and differentially impacted anabolism including the generation of short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and sphingolipids. Overall, the results of this study indicate that high-fiber diets play a beneficial role in the gut microbiota-metabolite modulation and substantially affect CS-exposed emphysema mice. Furthermore, this study suggests the therapeutic potential of gut microbiota and metabolites from a high-fiber diet in emphysema via local and systemic inflammation inhibition, which may be useful in the development of a new COPD treatment plan.

Branched-chain amino acids and l-carnitine attenuate lipotoxic hepatocellular damage in rat cirrhotic liver

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) reverse malnutrition and l-carnitine leads to the reduction of hyperammonemia and muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients. BCAA and l-carnitine are involved in glucose and fatty acid metabolism, however their mechanistic activity in cirrhotic liver is not fully understood. We aim to define the molecular mechanism(s) and combined effects of BCAA and l-carnitine using a cirrhotic rat model. Rats were administered carbon tetrachloride for 10 weeks to induce cirrhosis. During the last 6 weeks of administration, cirrhotic rats received BCAA, l-carnitine or a combination of BCAA and l-carnitine daily via gavage. We found that BCAA and l-carnitine treatments significantly improved hepatocellular function associated with reduced triglyceride level, lipid deposition and adipophilin expression, in cirrhotic liver. Lipidomic analysis revealed dynamic changes in hepatic lipid composition by BCAA and l-carnitine administrations. BCAA and l-carnitine globally increased molecular species of phosphatidylcholine. Liver triacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides were significantly decreased by BCAA and l-carnitine. Furthermore, serum and liver ATP levels were significantly increased in all treatments, which were attributed to the elevation of mature cardiolipins and mitochondrial component gene expressions. Finally, BCAA and l-carnitine dramatically reduced hepatocellular death. In conclusion, BCAA and l-carnitine treatments attenuate hepatocellular damage through the reduction of lipid peroxides and the overall maintenance of mitochondrial integrity within the cirrhotic liver. These effectiveness of BCAA and l-carnitine support the therapeutic strategies in human chronic liver diseases.

Indication of high lipid content in epithelial-mesenchymal transitions of breast tissues

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial process in cancer progression and metastasis. Study of metabolic changes during the EMT process is important in seeking to understand the biochemical changes associated with cancer progression, not least in scoping for therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting EMT. Due to the potential for high sensitivity and specificity, Raman spectroscopy was used here to study the metabolic changes associated with EMT in human breast cancer tissue. For Raman spectroscopy measurements, tissue from 23 patients were collected, comprising non-lesional, EMT and non-EMT formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded breast cancer samples. Analysis was made in the fingerprint Raman spectra region (600-1800 cm-1) best associated with cancer progression biochemical changes in lipid, protein and nucleic acids. The ANOVA test followed by the Tukey's multiple comparisons test were conducted to see if there existed differences between non-lesional, EMT and non-EMT breast tissue for Raman spectroscopy measurements. Results revealed that significant differences were evident in terms of intensity between the non-lesional and EMT samples, as well as the EMT and non-EMT samples. Multivariate analysis involving independent component analysis, Principal component analysis and non-negative least square were used to analyse the Raman spectra data. The results show significant differences between EMT and non-EMT cancers in lipid, protein, and nucleic acids. This study demonstrated the capability of Raman spectroscopy supported by multivariate analysis in analysing metabolic changes in EMT breast cancer tissue.

Deuterium Depletion Inhibits Cell Proliferation, RNA and Nuclear Membrane Turnover to Enhance Survival in Pancreatic Cancer

The effects of deuterium-depleted water (DDW) containing deuterium (D) at a concentration of 25 parts per million (ppm), 50 ppm, 105 ppm and the control at 150 ppm were monitored in MIA-PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells by the real-time cell impedance detection xCELLigence method. The data revealed that lower deuterium concentrations corresponded to lower MiA PaCa-2 growth rate. Nuclear membrane turnover and nucleic acid synthesis rate at different D-concentrations were determined by targeted [1,2-13C2]-D-glucose fate associations. The data showed severely decreased oxidative pentose cycling, RNA ribose 13C labeling from [1,2-13C2]-D-glucose and nuclear membrane lignoceric (C24:0) acid turnover. Here, we treated advanced pancreatic cancer patients with DDW as an extra-mitochondrial deuterium-depleting strategy and evaluated overall patient survival. Eighty-six (36 male and 50 female) pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients were treated with conventional chemotherapy and natural water (control, 30 patients) or 85 ppm DDW (56 patients), which was gradually decreased to preparations with 65 ppm and 45 ppm deuterium content for each 1 to 3 months treatment period. Patient survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Pearson correlation was taken between medial survival time (MST) and DDW treatment in pancreatic cancer patients. The MST for patients consuming DDW treatment (n = 56) was 19.6 months in comparison with the 6.36 months' MST achieved with chemotherapy alone (n = 30). There was a strong, statistically significant Pearson correlation (r = 0.504, p < 0.001) between survival time and length and frequency of DDW treatment.

Palmitate and pyruvate carbon flux in response to choline and methionine in bovine neonatal hepatocytes

Choline and methionine may serve unique functions to alter hepatic energy metabolism. Our objective was to trace carbon flux through pathways of oxidation and glucose metabolism in bovine hepatocytes exposed to increasing concentrations of choline chloride (CC) and D,L-methionine (DLM). Primary hepatocytes were isolated from 4 Holstein calves and maintained for 24 h before treatment with CC (0, 10, 100, 1000 μmol/L) and DLM (0, 100, 300 μmol/L) in a factorial design. After 21 h, [1-¹⁴C]C16:0 or [2-¹⁴C]pyruvate was added to measure complete and incomplete oxidation, and cellular glycogen. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), cellular triglyceride (TG), and glucose and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) export were quantified. Exported very-low density lipoprotein particles were isolated for untargeted lipidomics and to quantify TG. Interactions between CC and DLM, and contrasts for CC (0 vs. [10, 100, 1000 μmol/L] and linear and quadratic contrast 10, 100, 1000 μmol/L) and DLM (0 vs. [100, 300 μmol/L] and 100 vs. 300 μmol/L) were evaluated. Presence of CC increased complete oxidation of [1-¹⁴C]C16:0 and decreased BHB export. Glucose export was decreased, but cellular glycogen was increased by the presence of CC and increasing CC. Presence of CC decreased ROS and marginally decreased cellular TG. No interactions between CC and DLM were detected for these outcomes. These data suggest a hepato-protective role for CC to limit ROS and cellular TG accumulation, and to alter hepatic energy metabolism to support complete oxidation of FA and glycogen storage regardless of Met supply.

Dependence of Biocatalysis on D/H Ratio: Possible Fundamental Differences for High-Level Biological Taxons

The kinetics of biological reactions depends on the deuterium/protium (D/H) ratio in water. In this work, we describe the kinetic model of biocatalytic reactions in living organisms depending on the D/H ratio. We show that a change in the lifetime or other characteristics of the vital activity of some organisms in response to a decrease or increase in the content of deuterium in the environment can be a sign of a difference in taxons. For animals-this is a curve with saturation according to the Gauss's principle, for plants-it is the Poisson dependence, for bacteria a weakly saturated curve with a slight reaction to the deuterium/protium ratio toward increasing deuterium. The biological activity of the aquatic environment with reduced, elevated, and natural concentrations of deuterium is considered. The results of the study are presented in different vital indicators of some taxons: the bacteria kingdom-the colony forming units (CFU) index (Escherichia coli); animals-the activation energy of the death of ciliates (Spirostomum ambiguum), embryogenesis of fish (Brachydanio rerio); plants-germination and accumulation of trace elements Callisia fragrans L., sprouting of gametophores and peptidomics of moss Physcomitrella patens. It was found that many organisms change their metabolism and activity, responding to both high and low concentrations of deuterium in water.

Inequality in the Frequency of the Open States Occurrence Depends on Single 2H/1H Replacement in DNA

In the present study, the effect of 2H/1H isotopic exchange in hydrogen bonds between nitrogenous base pairs on occurrence and open states zones dynamics is investigated. These processes are studied using mathematical modeling, taking into account the number of open states between base pairs. The calculations of the probability of occurrence of open states in different parts of the gene were done depending on the localization of the deuterium atom. The mathematical modeling study demonstrated significant inequality (dependent on single 2H/1H replacement in DNA) among three parts of the gene similar in length of the frequency of occurrence of the open states. In this paper, the new convenient approach of the analysis of the abnormal frequency of open states in different parts of the gene encoding interferon alpha 17 was presented, which took into account both rising and decreasing of them that allowed to make a prediction of the functional instability of the specific DNA regions. One advantage of the new algorithm is diminishing the number of both false positive and false negative results in data filtered by this approach compared to the pure fractile methods, such as deciles or quartiles.

Mathematical model of blood glucose dynamics by emulating the pathophysiology of glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Mathematical modelling has established itself as a theoretical tool to understand fundamental aspects of a variety of medical-biological phenomena. The predictive power of mathematical models on some chronic conditions has been helpful in its proper prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Such is the case of the modelling of glycaemic dynamics in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), whose physiology-based mathematical models have captured the metabolic abnormalities of this disease. Through a physiology-based pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic approach, this work addresses a mathematical model whose structure starts from a model of blood glucose dynamics in healthy humans. This proposal is capable of emulating the pathophysiology of T2DM metabolism, including the effect of gastric emptying and insulin enhancing effect due to incretin hormones. The incorporation of these effects lies in the implemented methodology since the mathematical functions that represent metabolic rates, with a relevant contribution to hyperglycaemia, are adjusting individually to the clinical data of patients with T2DM. Numerically, the resulting model successfully simulates a scheduled graded intravenous glucose test and oral glucose tolerance tests at different doses. The comparison between simulations and clinical data shows an acceptable description of the blood glucose dynamics in T2DM. It opens the possibility of using this model to develop model-based controllers for the regulation of blood glucose in T2DM.

Network-based metabolic characterization of renal cell carcinoma

An emerging hallmark of cancer is metabolic reprogramming, which presents opportunities for cancer diagnosis and treatment based on metabolism. We performed a comprehensive metabolic network analysis of major renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes including clear cell, papillary and chromophobe by integrating transcriptomic data with the human genome-scale metabolic model to understand the coordination of metabolic pathways in cancer cells. We identified metabolic alterations of each subtype with respect to tumor-adjacent normal samples and compared them to understand the differences between subtypes. We found that genes of amino acid metabolism and redox homeostasis are significantly altered in RCC subtypes. Chromophobe showed metabolic divergence compared to other subtypes with upregulation of genes involved in glutamine anaplerosis and aspartate biosynthesis. A difference in transcriptional regulation involving HIF1A is observed between subtypes. We identified E2F1 and FOXM1 as other major transcriptional activators of metabolic genes in RCC. Further, the co-expression pattern of metabolic genes in each patient showed the variations in metabolism within RCC subtypes. We also found that co-expression modules of each subtype have tumor stage-specific behavior, which may have clinical implications.

Effect of the deuterium on efficiency and type of adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells in vitro

In this study, we performed an adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in vitro with different deuterium content (natural, low and high) in the culture medium during differentiation process with parallel analysis of the gene expression, metabolic activity and cell viability/toxicity. After ADSCs differentiation into adipocytes we have done the analysis of differentiation process efficiency and determined a type of resulting adipocytes (by morphology, gene expression, UCP1 protein detection and adipokine production analysis). We have found that high (5 × 10⁵ ppm) deuterium content significantly inhibit in vitro adipogenic differentiation of human ADSCs compared to the groups with natural (150 ppm) and low (30 ppm) deuterium content. Importantly, protocol of differentiation used in our study leads to white adipocytes development in groups with natural (control) and high deuterium content, whereas deuterium-depleted differentiation medium leads to brown-like (beige) adipocytes formation. We have also remarked the direct impact of deuterium on the cellular survival and metabolic activity. Interesting, in deuterium depleted-medium, the cells had normal survival rate and high metabolic activity, whereas the inhibitory effect of deuterated medium on ADSCs differentiation at least was partly associated with deuterium cytotoxicity and inhibitory effect on metabolic activity. The inhibitory effect of deuterium on metabolic activity and the subsequent decrease in the effectiveness of adipogenic differentiation is probably associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, deuterium could be considered as an element that affects the substance chirality. These findings may be the basis for the development of new approaches in the treatment of obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes through the regulation of adipose-derived stem cell differentiation and adipocyte functions.

Effect of Systemic Subnormal Deuterium Level on Metabolic Syndrome Related and other Blood Parameters in Humans: A Preliminary Study

The effects of deuterium depletion on the human organism have been, except for the antitumor action, seldom investigated by now and the available data are scarce. In oncological patients who also suffered from diabetes and were treated with deuterium-depleted water (DDW), an improvement of glucose metabolism was observed, and rat studies also proved the efficacy of DDW to reduce blood sugar level. In the present work, 30 volunteers with pre- or manifest diabetes were enrolled to a clinical study. The patients received 1.5 L of water with reduced deuterium content (104 ppm instead of 145 ppm, equivalent 12 mmol/L in human) daily for 90 days. The effects on fasting glucose and insulin level, on peripheral glucose disposal, and other metabolic parameters were investigated. Fasting insulin and glucose decreased, and insulin reaction on glucose load improved, in 15 subjects, while in the other 15 the changes were opposite. Peripheral glucose disposal was improved in 11 of the subjects. In the majority of the subjects, substantial increase of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and significant decrease of serum Na+ concentration were also seen-the latter possibly due to activation of a Na+/H+ antiporter by the decreased intracellular deuterium level. The results support the possible beneficial role of DDW in disorders of glucose metabolism but leave questions open, requiring further studies.

Metabolic Profiling of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissues Discriminates Normal Colon from Colorectal Cancer

Accumulating evidence suggests that metabolic reprogramming has a critical role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The usefulness of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue material for metabolomics analysis as compared with fresh frozen tissue material remains unclear. LC/MS-MS-based metabolomics analysis was performed on 11 pairs of matched tumor and normal tissues in both FFPE and fresh frozen tissue materials from patients with colorectal carcinoma. Permutation t test was applied to identify metabolites with differential abundance between tumor and normal tissues. A total of 200 metabolites were detected in the FFPE samples and 536 in the fresh frozen samples. The preservation of metabolites in FFPE samples was diverse according to classes and chemical characteristics, ranging from 78% (energy) to 0% (peptides). Compared with the normal tissues, 34 (17%) and 174 (32%) metabolites were either accumulated or depleted in the tumor tissues derived from FFPE and fresh frozen samples, respectively. Among them, 15 metabolites were common in both FFPE and fresh frozen samples. Notably, branched chain amino acids were highly accumulated in tumor tissues. Using KEGG pathway analyses, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, arginine and proline, glycerophospholipid, and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism pathways distinguishing tumor from normal tissues were found in both FFPE and fresh frozen samples. This study demonstrates that informative data of metabolic profiles can be retrieved from FFPE tissue materials. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggest potential value of metabolic profiling using FFPE tumor tissues and may help to shape future translational studies through developing treatment strategies targeting metabolites.

Comparative Analysis of the Different Dyes' Potential to Assess Human Normal and Cancer Cell Viability In Vitro under Different D/H Ratios in a Culture Medium

In this study, using new approach (laser diffraction + biological dyes), we have demonstrated the decrease of cells viability in vitro in the deuterated growth medium, whereas in the deuterium-depleted medium, there was an increase of cell viability. We have also found that not all dyes are equally sensitive to the D/H ratios in the culture medium (system) as well as to the different cell types (cancer vs normal cells).

Heavy Water Affects Vital Parameters of Human Melanoma Cells in vitro

Purpose

Although regular water is composed of two hydrogens and one oxygen, referred to as H₂O, a small amount of water on this planet contains alternative forms of elements with different molecular weights because of the addition of neutrons. The present study was dedicated to studying the effect of heavy water (D₂O), in which the two hydrogens become substituted by deuterium, on the cell physiology of different human cells with particular focus on malignant melanoma cells.

Methods

Cells were cultured in regular medium in which the content of H₂O was gradually substituted by D₂O or deuterium-depleted water (DDW). Following this, the changes of basic cellular parameters, such as morphology, migration, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and microtubule integrity were examined.

Results

It was found that raising the D₂O content above the standard levels led to a concentration-dependent decrease in proliferation. Lowering the D₂O levels below this level had no effect. Likewise, elevated D₂O levels hampered migration. Moreover, cell-cycle analysis showed an increase of sub-G1 cells. Corroboratively, markers for apoptosis were induced (histone-associated DNA fragments, Bax, and PARP). In regard to microtubule integrity, only very high levels of D₂O (75%) caused partial filament condensation.

Conclusion

D₂O, although chemically identical with H₂O, shows proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects on melanoma cells. These findings give a closer look of this interesting compound.

Influence of Sex on Urinary Organic Acids: A Cross-Sectional Study in Children

The characterization of urinary metabolome, which provides a fingerprint for each individual, is an important step to reach personalized medicine. It is influenced by exogenous and endogenous factors; among them, we investigated sex influences on 72 organic acids measured through GC-MS analysis in the urine of 291 children (152 males; 139 females) aging 1–36 months and stratified in four groups of age. Among the 72 urinary metabolites, in all age groups, 4-hydroxy-butirate and homogentisate are found only in males, whereas 3-hydroxy-dodecanoate, methylcitrate, and phenylacetate are found only in females. Sex differences are still present after age stratification being more numerous during the first 6 months of life. The most relevant sex differences involve the mitochondria homeostasis. In females, citrate cycle, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, and butanoate metabolism had the highest impact. In males, urinary organic acids were involved in phenylalanine metabolism, citrate cycle, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, butanoate metabolism, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. In addition, age specifically affected metabolic pathways, the phenylalanine metabolism pathway being affected by age only in males. Relevantly, the age-influenced ranking of metabolic pathways varied in the two sexes. In conclusion, sex deeply influences both quantitatively and qualitatively urinary organic acids levels, the effect of sex being age dependent. Importantly, the sex effects depend on the single organic acid; thus, in some cases the urinary organic acid reference values should be stratified according the sex and age.

Deuterium-Depleted Water as Adjuvant Therapeutic Agent for Treatment of Diet-Induced Obesity in Rats

In this study, we present the potential application of deuterium-depleted water (DDW) for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of obesity in rats. We tested the hypothesis that DDW can alleviate diet-induced obesity (DIO) and its associated metabolic impairments. Rats fed a high-fat diet had an increased body weight index (BWI), glucose concentration, and level of certain proinflammatory cytokines; decreased levels of insulin in the serum; decreased tryptophan and serotonin in the brain, and a decreased concentration of some heavy metals in the liver. Drinking DDW at a concentration of 10 ppm deuterium/protium (D/H) ad libitum for 3 weeks restored the BWI, glucose (serum), tryptophan (brain), and serotonin (brain) levels and concentration of Zn in the liver in the DIO animals to those of the controls. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IFNγ) and anti-inflammatory TNFα were decreased in DIO rats, while anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4, IL-10) levels remained at the control levels, which is indicative of a pathophysiological syndrome. In contrast, in groups of rats treated with DDW, a significant increase in anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) and proinflammatory cytokines (IFNγ) was observed. This finding indicates a reduction in systemic inflammation in obese animals treated with DDW. Similarly, the high-fat diet caused an increased level of oxidative stress products, which was accompanied by decreased activity of both superoxide dismutase and catalase, whereas the administration of DDW decreased the level of oxidative stress and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities.

Anticancer Effect of Deuterium Depleted Water - Redox Disbalance Leads to Oxidative Stress

Despite the convincing empirical evidence that deuterium depleted water (DDW, 25-125 ppm deuterium) has anticancer effect, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, redox proteomics investigation of the DDW action in A549 cells revealed an increased level of oxidative stress, whereas expression proteomics in combination with thermal profiling uncovered crucial role of mitochondrial proteins. In the proposed scenario, reversal of the normally positive deuterium gradient across the inner membrane leads to an increased export of protons from the matrix to intermembrane space and an increase in the mitochondrial membrane potential, enhancing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The resulting oxidative stress leads to slower growth and can induce apoptosis. However, further deuterium depletion in ambient water triggers a feedback mechanism, which leads to restoration of the redox equilibrium and resumed growth. The DDW-induced oxidative stress, verified by traditional biochemical assays, may be helpful as an adjuvant to ROS-inducing anticancer therapy.

Possible Mechanisms of Biological Effects Observed in Living Systems during 2H/1H Isotope Fractionation and Deuterium Interactions with Other Biogenic Isotopes

This article presents the original descriptions of some recent physics mechanisms (based on the thermodynamic, kinetic, and quantum tunnel effects) providing stable 2H/1H isotope fractionation, leading to the accumulation of particular isotopic forms in intra- or intercellular space, including the molecular effects of deuterium interaction with 18O/17O/16O, 15N/14N, 13C/12C, and other stable biogenic isotopes. These effects were observed mainly at the organelle (mitochondria) and cell levels. A new hypothesis for heavy nonradioactive isotope fractionation in living systems via neutron effect realization is discussed. The comparative analysis of some experimental studies results revealed the following observation: "Isotopic shock" is highly probable and is observed mostly when chemical bonds form between atoms with a summary odd number of neutrons (i.e., bonds with a non-compensated neutron, which correspond to the following equation: Nn - Np = 2k + 1, where k ϵ Z, k is the integer, Z is the set of non-negative integers, Nn is number of neutrons, and Np is number of protons of each individual atom, or in pair of isotopes with a chemical bond). Data on the efficacy and metabolic pathways of the therapy also considered 2H-modified drinking and diet for some diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Friedreich's ataxia, mitochondrial disorders, diabetes, cerebral hypoxia, Parkinson's disease, and brain cancer.

Personalized Treatment Response Assessment for Rare Childhood Tumors Using Microcalorimetry-Exemplified by Use of Carbonic Anhydrase IX and Aquaporin 1 Inhibitors

We present a novel approach to a personalized therapeutic concept for solid tumors. We illustrate this on a rare childhood tumor for which only a generalized treatment concept exists using carbonic anhydrase IX and aquaporin 1 inhibitors. The use of microcalorimetry as a refined in vitro method for evaluation of drug susceptibility in organotypic slice culture has not previously been established. Rapid microcalorimetric drug response assessment can refine a general treatment concept when it is applied in cases in which tumors do not respond to conventional chemo-radiation treatment. For solid tumors, which do not respond to classical treatment, and especially for rare tumors without an established protocol rapid microcalorimetric drug response testing presents an elegant novel approach to test alternative therapeutic approaches. While improved treatment concepts have led to improved outcome over the past decades, the prognosis of high risk disease is still poor and rethinking of clinical trial design is necessary. A small patient population combined with the necessity to assess experimental therapies for rare solid tumors rather at the time of diagnosis than in relapsed or refractory patients provides great challenges. The possibility to rapidly compare established protocols with innovative therapeutics presents an elegant novel approach to refine and personalize treatment.

Deuterium-Depleted Water Influence on the Isotope 2H/1H Regulation in Body and Individual Adaptation

This review article presents data about the influence of deuterium-depleted water (DDW) on biological systems. It is known that the isotope abundances of natural and bottled waters are variable worldwide. That is why different drinking rations lead to changes of stable isotopes content in body water fluxes in human and animal organisms. Also, intracellular water isotope ratios in living systems depends on metabolic activity and food consumption. We found the 2H/1H gradient in human fluids (δ2H saliva >> δ2H blood plasma > δ2Hbreast milk), which decreases significantly during DDW intake. Moreover, DDW induces several important biological effects in organism (antioxidant, metabolic detoxification, anticancer, rejuvenation, behavior, etc.). Changing the isotope 2H/1H gradient from "2H blood plasma > δ2H visceral organs" to "δ2H blood plasma << δ2H visceral organs" via DDW drinking increases individual adaptation by isotopic shock. The other possible mechanisms of long-term adaptation is DDW influence on the growth rate of cells, enzyme activity and cellular energetics (e.g., stimulation of the mitochondrion activity). In addition, DDW reduces the number of single-stranded DNA breaks and modifies the miRNA profile.

Gender Difference Response of Male and Female Immunodeficiency Rats Treated with Tissue-specific Biomolecules

BACKGROUND

The modern immunology is targeted to the detailed study of various immunopathological conditions at the molecular and cellular level, development of new methods for the prevention, diagnostics and treatment of contagious and non-contagious diseases of humans and animals.

METHODS

In the present work we took the rats with model of cyclophosphamide-induced immunodeficiency and studied the features of gender impact of the complex extract of immunocompetent organs (thymus, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes) Sus scrofa and its separate fraction with molecular weight less than 30 kDa administered to male and female rats.

RESULTS

The impact of gender differences and tissue-specific biomolecules (30 kDa fraction) on hematological parameters (leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets), functional activity of immune system (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, complement system, IgG, IgM), biochemical parameters of hepatocytes functioning (activity of ALP and LDG), carbohydrate metabolism (glucose) and lipid metabolism (triglycerides).

CONCLUSION

Decrease of ALP activity is caused by inhibition of bile formation in a liver after introduction of cytostatic agent, and in contrast to complex extract, the administration of fraction 30 kDa allows improving bile production in male rats.

Deuterium Depleted Water Inhibits the Proliferation of Human MCF7 Breast Cancer Cell Lines by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest

Recent studies have shown that the depletion of naturally occurring deuterium can result in tumor regression. The aim of the present study was to show the growth inhibitory effects of DDW discretely and in combination with 5-FU on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and to determine possible mechanisms underlying these changes. MCF7 cells were grown in RPMI medium with decreasing deuterium concentrations of DDW individually, 5-FU alone and both for 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell viability was determined with the MTT assay. The cell cycle and antioxidant enzymes status were measured using flow cytometry and quantitative luminescence methods, respectively. Our results showed that treatment with DDW especially in 30-100 ppm concentrations imposed the highest cell growth inhibitory effect. The cell cycle analysis revealed that DDW caused the cell cycle arrest in the G1/S transition, reduced the number of the cells in the S phase and significantly increased the population of cells in the G1 phase in MCF-7 cells. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes also increased in the same low concentrations of DDW. In conclusion, DDW can open new strategic approach in breast cancer therapy. Highlights DDW cause lethality in cancer cells. DDW augmented 5-FU inhibitory effects on breast cancer cell lines. Cell inhibitory results lead to the discovery of synergic effects of DDW-drug combinations Synergistic anti cancer effects of DDW with 5-FU is enhanced by decreasing deuterium content of the DDW. DDW exerts effects on the cell cycle, changes in cell configuration and induces antioxidant enzymes in vitro. DDW can be considered as an adjuvant to conventional anticancer agents in future trials.

Influence of Deuterium-Depleted Water on the Isotope D/H Composition of Liver Tissue and Morphological Development of Rats at Different Periods of Ontogenesis

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the reaction of organism of laboratory animals on deuterium-depleted drinking diet. To assess the cell energy metabolism, the effect of a liquid medium with different deuterium contents on isolated liver mitochondria of random bred rats and Wistar rats was studied.

Methods

This experimental study on the effect of deuterium-depleted drinking water (DDW) on 16-week-old male Wistar rats lasted for four weeks. Energy metabolism of mitochondria was examined through the production of hydrogen peroxide using an Amplex® Red Hydrogen Peroxide/Peroxidase Assay Kit.

Results

Modification of isotope (deuterium-protium [D/H]) composition of rats’ blood and organ tissues with DDW (-705‰), introduced into rats’ diet within four weeks, led to the formation of isotope D/H gradient between blood plasma and organ tissues and affected isotope D/H exchange reactions on the adaptive processes. The isolated liver mitochondria from the random bred rats consumed DDW presented a maximum increase in H2O2 production during the incubation in DDW medium. This increased level of H2O2 production was higher in the isolated liver mitochondria of the rats consuming natural deuterium content drinking water (-24‰).

Conclusion

The obtained results indicate the possibility of nutritional correction of isotope D/H metabolism in blood by means of products with modified isotope composition, as well as the prospects of using isotope exchange reactions in case of imbalance in function of the body's defense systems in different generations of animals.

The Potential Effect of Metformin on Cancer: An Umbrella Review

Background: Metformin has been reported to possess anti-cancer properties in addition to glucose-lowering activity and numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have studied the association between metformin use and cancer incidence or survival outcomes. We performed an umbrella review to assess the robustness of these associations to facilitate proper interpretation of these results to inform clinical and policy decisions. Methods: We searched PubMed and Embase systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the effect of metformin use on cancer incidence or survival outcomes published from inception to September 2, 2018. We estimated the summary effect size, the 95% CI, and the 95% prediction interval, heterogeneity, evidence of small-study effects, and evidence of excess significance bias. Results: We included 21 systematic reviews and meta-analyses covering 11 major anatomical sites and 33 associations. There was strong evidence for the association between metformin use and decreased pancreatic cancer incidence. The association between metformin use and improved colorectal cancer overall survival (OS) was supported by highly suggestive evidence. Seven associations (all cancer incidence, all cancer OS, breast cancer OS, colorectal cancer incidence, liver cancer incidence, lung cancer OS, and pancreatic cancer OS) presented only suggestive evidence. The remaining 24 associations were supported by weak or not-suggestive evidence. Conclusions: Associations between metformin use and pancreatic cancer incidence or colorectal cancer OS are supported by strong or highly suggestive evidence, respectively. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the poor methodological quality of the systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

The effect of the deuterium depleted water on the biological activity of the eukaryotic cells

Here we show the dependence of the unicellular biosensor S.ambigua lifespan on the water D/H isotopic composition. This dependence is bell-shaped with descents both in case of deficiency or excess of deuterium in water. The influence of the water D/H isotopic composition on the cell culture proliferative potential and colony forming efficiency in vitro was tested on the human dermal fibroblasts. We observed that the deuterium depleted water stimulates cell colony formation at the early passages. The dynamics of the cell doubling index in the deuterium depleted water-based growth medium showed higher proliferation potential compared to the water with normal isotopic composition. Using scratch assay, we have also studied the impact of the growth medium D/H isotopic composition on the cell motility of human cancer cell lines A549 and HT29. We have shown that the deuterium depleted water considerably suppressed cancer cell lines amoeboid movement in vitro.

In Vitro Study of Deuterium Effect on Biological Properties of Human Cultured Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

In current in vitro study we have shown the impact of deuterium content in growth medium on proliferation rate of human cultured adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC). ADSCs have also demonstrated morphological changes when cultured in deuterated growth medium: the cell cultures did not reach confluence but acquired polygonal morphology with pronounced stress fibers. At high deuterium concentrations the ADSCs population doubling time increased which indicated the cell cycle retardation and decrease of cell proliferation rate. The deuterated and deuterium-depleted growth media demonstrated acute and chronic cytotoxicity, respectively. The minimal migration ability was observed in deuterated medium whereas the highest migration activity was observed in the medium with the deuterium content close to natural. The cells in deuterated growth medium demonstrated decrease in metabolic activity after three days in culture. In contrast, in deuterium-depleted medium there was an increase in ADSC metabolic activity.

Structural homologies between phenformin, lipitor and gleevec aim the same metabolic oncotarget in leukemia and melanoma

Phenformin's recently demonstrated efficacy in melanoma and Gleevec's demonstrated anti-proliferative action in chronic myeloid leukemia may lie within these drugs' significant pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and structural homologies, which are reviewed herein. Gleevec's success in turning a fatal leukemia into a manageable chronic disease has been trumpeted in medical, economic, political and social circles because it is considered the first successful targeted therapy. Investments have been immense in omics analyses and while in some cases they greatly helped the management of patients, in others targeted therapies failed to achieve clinically stable recurrence-free disease course or to substantially extend survival. Nevertheless protein kinase controlling approaches have persisted despite early warnings that the targeted genomics narrative is overblown. Experimental and clinical observations with Phenformin suggest an alternative explanation for Gleevec's mode of action. Using ¹³C-guided precise flux measurements, a comparative multiple cell line study demonstrated the drug's downstream impact on submolecular fatty acid processing metabolic events that occurred independent of Gleevec's molecular target. Clinical observations that hyperlipidemia and diabetes are both reversed in mice and in patients taking Gleevec support the drugs' primary metabolic targets by biguanides and statins. This is evident by structural data demonstrating that Gleevec shows pyridine- and phenyl-guanidine homology with Phenformin and identical phenylcarbamoyl structural and ligand binding homology with Lipitor. The misunderstood mechanism of action of Gleevec is emblematic of the pervasive flawed reasoning that genomic analysis will lead to targeted, personalized diagnosis and therapy. The alternative perspective for Gleevec's mode of action may turn oncotargets towards metabolic channel reaction architectures in leukemia and melanoma, as well as in other cancers.

Changes in the functional activity of mitochondria isolated from the liver of rat that passed the preadaptation to ultra-low deuterium concentration

The incubation in deuterium-depleted medium of mitochondria isolated from the liver of rats that consumed drinking diet with depleted deuterium (46 ppm) revealed a higher (by 35%) generation of hydrogen peroxide in comparison with the mitochondria (isolated from the liver of rats that consumed drinking diet with 152 ppm deuterium) incubated in medium that contained 152 ppm deuterium. Succinate addition to the reaction system led to an increase in the production of hydrogen peroxide in isolated mitochondria by 44-81%, whereas the difference in the generation of H₂O₂ between the organelles incubated in mediums 46 and 152 ppm was reduced by 14%. The revealed change in the functional activity of mitochondria suggests the ability of the organism to adapt to the deuterium-depleted drinking diet, which is probably due to the formation of the D/H isotope transmembrane gradient.

Clinicopathologic study of succinate-dehydrogenase-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A single-institutional experience in China

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) that are not driven by kinase mutations, as are most GISTs, often show loss of function of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex and are considered SDH-deficient GISTs. SDH-deficient GISTs share many distinct characteristics compared with conventional GISTs. However, data regarding these characteristics, particularly among Asian people, are relatively limited. The objective of this study was to characterize the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of these uncommon GISTs.This retrospective observational study enrolled 12 patients with SDH-deficient GISTs, who were selected from 335 patients with GIST diagnosed at our institution between October 31, 2013 and October 31, 2016 by succinate dehydrogenase subunit B staining.There were 8 male and 4 female patients, with a median age of 57 years (range, 21-73 years). Ten patients (83.3%) were diagnosed at or after the age of 40 years and represented 7.2% (10/138) of the entire population of elderly patients with gastric GISTs. The tumor size ranged from 3 to 19 cm (median, 7 cm); the primary tumor was multifocal in 6 cases (50%), and tumors had a multinodular or plexiform architecture in 10 cases (83.3%). Ten cases (83.3%) showed pure epithelioid morphology, with the remaining 2 cases (16.7%) showing mixed histologic subtype. Lymph node metastasis was found at the time of primary resection in 50% (3/6) of patients. Four cases (33.3%) had distant metastasis at presentation. Four patients (33.3%) developed disease progression during imatinib treatment after initial resection, but all of these patients regained disease control when the treatment was altered to sunitinib targeted therapy.SDH-deficient GISTs arise exclusively in the stomach and account for approximately 7.4% (12/162) of gastric GISTs. Moreover, those affecting people older than 40 years are not uncommon and sunitinib may work well for cases showing treatment failure with imatinib.

Integrated analysis of differential expression and alternative splicing of non-small cell lung cancer based on RNA sequencing

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Numerous diagnosis and treatment methods have been proposed, and the prognosis of NSCLC has improved to a certain extent. However, the mechanisms of NSCLC remain largely unknown, and additional studies are required. In the present study, the RNA sequencing dataset of NSCLC was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/). The clean reads obtained from the raw data were mapped to the University of California Santa Cruz human genome (hg19), based on TopHat, and were assembled into transcripts via Cufflink. The differential expression (DE) and differential alternative splicing (DAS) genes were screened out through Cuffdiff and rMATS, respectively. The significantly enriched gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were obtained through the Database of Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Different numbers of DE and DAS genes were identified in different types of NSCLC samples, but a number of common functions and pathways were obtained, including biological processes associated with abnormal immune and cell activity. GO terms and pathways associated with substance metabolism, including the insulin signaling pathway and oxidative phosphorylation, were enriched in DAS genes rather than DE genes. Integrated analysis of differential expression and alternative splicing may be helpful in understanding the mechanisms of NSCLC, in addition to its early diagnosis and treatment.

Effect of deuterium-depleted water on selected cardiometabolic parameters in fructose-treated rats

Deuterium-depleted water (DDW) has a lower concentration of deuterium than occurs naturally (less than 145 ppm). While effects of DDW on cancer started to be intensively studied, the effects on cardiovascular system are completely unknown. Thus, we aimed to analyze the effects of DDW (55+/-5 ppm) administration to 12-week-old normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) treated with 15 % fructose for 6 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) and selected biochemical parameters were measured together with determination of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and iNOS and eNOS protein expressions in the left ventricle (LV) and aorta. Neither DDW nor fructose had any significant effect on BP in both strains. DDW treatment decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in WKY, but it was not able to prevent increase in the same parameters elevated due to fructose treatment in SHR. Both fructose and DDW increased insulin level in WKY. Fructose did not affect NOS activity either in WKY or SHR. DDW increased NOS activity in LV of both WKY and SHR, while it decreased NOS activity and iNOS expression in the aorta of SHR with or without fructose treatment. In conclusion, DDW treatment significantly modified biochemical parameters in WKY together with NOS activity elevation in the heart. On the other hand, it did not affect biochemical parameters in SHR, but decreased NOS activity elevated due to iNOS upregulation in the aorta.