Elevated cAMP levels reverse Brucella melitensis-induced lipid peroxidation and stimulate IL-10 transcription in rats

Effect of Roflumilast in airways disorders via dual inhibition of phosphodiesterase and Ca2+-channel

The bronchodilator effects of Roflumilast “a selective phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4)” inhibitor studied in this experimental protocol. The spiral strips of isolated guinea-pig tracheal chains mounted in organ bath and maintained in Krebs solution ventilated with carbogen at 32 °C and in Ca⁺⁺ restricted krebs solution. PDE inhibitory activity was evaluated by recording dose response curves using inhibitory effect of isoprenaline on CCh induced contractions. For confirmation of PDE inhibition the intracellular cAMP levels were also estimated. Roflumilast resulted a sharp inhibition in contractile responses of carbachol (CCh, 1 µM) and K⁺ (80 mM) and the results were almost similar to verapamil. In Ca⁺⁺ restricted Krebs solution, a rightward shift in the Ca⁺⁺ response curves observed in the tracheal chain strips which were pretreated with Roflumilast (0.001–0.003 mg/mL) and the maximum response was suppressed, similarly as with verapamil. PDE inhibitory effect of Roflumilast evaluated by recording dose-dependent (0.03–0.1 mg/mL) responses, the isoprenaline-induced inhibitory dose response curves shifted leftward similar to papaverine (PDE inhibitor). Pretreatment with Roflumilast exhibited elevated intracellular cAMP levels in tracheal strips. Findings of the experiment conclude bronchodilatory influence of Roflumilast via PDE and Ca⁺⁺ channel inhibition. Results of current experiment offers comprehensive mechanistic background of Roflumilast in future as therapeutic bronchodilator for hyperactive bronchial airway diseases.

In Silico, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Studies of Roflumilast as a Potential Antidiarrheal and Antispasmodic agent: Inhibition of the PDE-4 Enzyme and Voltage-gated Ca++ ion Channels

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible gut inhibitory role of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor roflumilast. Increasing doses of roflumilast were tested against castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice, whereas the pharmacodynamics of the same effect was determined in isolated rabbit jejunum tissues. For in silico analysis, the identified PDE protein was docked with roflumilast and papaverine using the Autodock vina program from the PyRx virtual screening tool. Roflumilast protected against diarrhea significantly at 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg doses, with 40% and 80% protection. Ex vivo findings from jejunum tissues show that roflumilast possesses an antispasmodic effect by inhibiting spontaneous contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. Roflumilast reversed carbachol (CCh, 1 µM)-mediated and potassium (K+, 80 mM)-mediated contractile responses with comparable efficacies but different potencies. The observed potency against K+ was significantly higher in comparison to CCh, similar to verapamil. Experiments were extended to further confirm the inhibitory effect on Ca++ channels. Interestingly, roflumilast deflected Ca++ concentration–response curves (CRCs) to the right with suppression of the maximum peak at both tested doses (0.001-0.003 mg/mL), similar to verapamil. The PDE-inhibitory effect was authenticated when pre-incubation of jejunum tissues with roflumilast (0.03-0.1 mg/mL) produced a leftward deflection of isoprenaline-mediated inhibitory CRCs and increased the tissue level of cAMP, similar to papaverine. This idea was further strengthened by molecular docking studies, where roflumilast exhibited a better binding affinity (-9.4 kcal/mol) with the PDE protein than the standard papaverine (-8.3 kcal/mol). In conclusion, inhibition of Ca++ channels and the PDE-4 enzyme explains the pharmacodynamics of the gut inhibitory effect of roflumilast.

Protective role of Roflumilast against cadmium-induced cardiotoxicity through inhibition of oxidative stress and NF-κB signaling in rats

Cadmium (Cd), a potent cardiotoxic environmental heavy metal, induces oxidative stress and membrane disturbances in cardiac myocytes. Phosphodiesterase (PDEs) retards the positive inotropic effects of β-adrenoceptor activation by decreasing levels of cAMP via degradation. Hence, PDE inhibitors sensitize the heart to catecholamine and are therefore, used as positive inotropic agents. The present study was designed to probe the potential attenuating effects of the selective PDE4 inhibitor (Roflumilast, ROF), on cardiac biomarkers, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation products, antioxidant status and histology of cardiac tissues against Cd-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Rats were randomly distributed into four different groups: group 1, served as the normal control group. Group 2, served as the toxic control group and were administered Cd (3 mg/kg, i.p.) for next 7 days. Groups 3 and 4, served as treatment groups that received Cd with concomitant oral administration of ROF doses (0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg), respectively for 7 days. Serum samples of toxic control group rats resulted in significant (P < 0.001) increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) levels with concomitant decrease in high density lipoproteins (HDL) levels in serum which were found reversed with both of ROF treatment groups. Cd also causes significant increased (P < 0.001) in myocardial malondialdehyde (MDA) contents while cardiac glutathione (GSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities were found decreased whereas both doses of ROF, significantly reversed these oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes. Cardiotoxicity induced by Cd also resulted in enhanced expression of non-phosphorylated and phosphorylated form of NF-κB p65 and decreased expression of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and NQO1 which were found reversed with ROF treatments, comparable to normal control group. Histopathological changes were also improved by ROF administration as compared to Cd treated rats alone. In conclusion, Roflumilast exhibited attenuating effect against Cd-induced cardiac toxicity.

Apremilast reversed carfilzomib-induced cardiotoxicity through inhibition of oxidative stress, NF-κB and MAPK signaling in rats

Carfilzomib (CFZ), is a potent, selective second generation proteasome inhibitor, used for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effect of apremilast (AP) on the CFZ -induced cardiotoxicity. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1, served as the control group, received normal saline. Group 2, served as the toxic group, received CFZ (4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]). Groups 3 and 4, served as treatment groups, and received CFZ with concomitant oral administration of AP in doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/day, respectively. In the present study, administration of CFZ resulted in a significant increase in serum aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), which were reversed by treatment with AP. CFZ resulted in a significant increase in heart malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and decrease in cardiac glutathione (GSH) level and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity which were significantly reversed by treatment with AP. Induction of cardiotoxicity by CFZ significantly increased caspase-3 enzyme activity which were reversed by treatment with AP. RT-PCR analysis revealed an increased mRNA expression of NF-κB, ERK and JNK which were reversed by treatment with AP in cardiac tissues. Western blot analysis revealed an increased expression of caspase-3 and NF-κB p65 and a decrease expression of inhibitory kappa B-alpha (Iκbα) with CFZ, which were reversed by treatment with AP. In conclusion, apremilast showed protective effect against CFZ-induced cardiotoxicity.

The Cyclic AMP-binding protein CbpB in Brucella melitensis and its role in cell envelope integrity, resistance to detergent and virulence

Brucella melitensis possesses an operon with two components: the response regulator OtpR and a putative cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit encoded by the BMEI0067 gene. In the previous study, the function of OtpR has been studied, while little is known about the function of the BMEI0067 gene. Using a bioinformatics approach, we showed that the BMEI0067 gene encodes an additional putative cAMP-binding protein, which we refer to as CbpB. Structural modeling predicted that CbpB has a cAMP-binding protein (CAP) domain and is structurally similar to eukaryotic protein kinase A regulatory subunits. Here, we report the characterization of CbpB, a cAMP-binding protein in Brucella melitensis, showed to be involved in mouse persistent infections. ∆cbpB::km possessed cell elongation, bubble-like protrusions on cell surface and its resistance to environmental stresses (temperature, osmotic stress and detergent). Interestingly, comparative real-time qPCR assays, the cbpB mutation resulted in significantly different expression of aqpX and several penicillin-binding proteins and cell division proteins in Brucella. Combined, these results demonstrated characterization of CbpB in B. melitensis and its key role for intracellular multiplication.

Silencing of PrP C (prion protein) expression does not affect Brucella melitensis infection in human derived microglia cells

Cellular prion proteins (PrP(C)) are mainly expressed in the central nervous system where they have antioxidant effects and a role in the endocytosis of bacteria within cells. These proteins also have some crucial biological functions including roles in neurotransmission, signal transduction and programmed cell death. However, the role of prion proteins in neuronal Brucella infection, specifically in the interaction of the pathogen and the host cell is controversial. In the present study, the silencing of PrP(C) mRNA by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection was investigated in human microglia cells infected with Brucella melitensis. More than 70% of prion proteins were down-regulated in microglia by siRNA transfection and this caused a slight decrease in the cellular viability of the control cells. Silencing of PrP(C) suppressed the antioxidant systems, though it led to an up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12 and TNF-α as demonstrated by qRT-PCR analysis. B. melitensis infection of prion protein-silenced cells led to increase host viability, but had no effect on bacterial phagocytosis. According to the present study, there is no significant effect of prion proteins on phagocytosis and intracellular killing of B. melitensis in microglia cells.

Protective effects of phosphodiesterase-4-specific inhibitor rolipram on acute ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat kidney

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Rolipram, a phosphodiesterase-4-inhibitor, on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats.

METHODS

Thirty rats were divided into 5 different groups of 6 rats. Nothing was done to the control group. In the second group, the renal pedicle was clamped for 30 minutes. In the third group, 1 mg/kg of Rolipram was given by intraperitoneal injection 30 minutes before clamping. The fourth group received the same injection when the clamp was placed, as did the fifth group 30 minutes after the clamp was opened. Clamping time was set at 30 minutes. Twenty-four hours later, nephrectomy was performed in all the groups. Half of each kidney was examined histopathologically. Levels of biochemical agents, such as malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, were measured in the other half.

RESULTS

The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly decreased and reached control levels in the group in which Rolipram was administered 30 minutes after reperfusion (P = .07). The catalase and superoxide dismutase activities obtained from renal homogentisates of the ischemia groups were evaluated; there were striking increases in tissue levels of these 2 enzymes in the groups in which Rolipram was administered during ischemia and 30 minutes after ischemia (P < .001). Histopathologically, there was no significant difference in inflammation between the Rolipram-administrated groups compared with group 1 (control) and group 2 (IRI). Tubular necrosis and apoptosis was significantly lower in group 5 than the other groups, except group 1 (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

We suggest that in surgical procedures that can lead to renal IRI, the administration of Rolipram can decrease oxidative renal tissue damage and the severe deterioration of renal function.

The effects of increased cAMP content on inflammation, oxidative stress and PDE4 transcripts during Brucella melitensis infection

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a key intracellular second messenger which at increased levels has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective effects. Its concentration is determined by the activities of both adenylate cyclase (AC) and the phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of increased cAMP and glucocorticoid dexamethasone administration on B. melitensis-induced lipid peroxidation, Brucella suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities and PDE4 transcripts in rats. Intracellular cyclic AMP level was elevated by two different approaches; activation of AC and inhibition of PDE activities. Rats were inoculated with B. melitensis for seven days then a single dose of nonselective PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin and dexamethasone were administrated to each infected group, and animals were challenged for 48 h. Brucella-induced lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by the cAMP elevating agents as well as dexamethasone administration in plasma, liver and spleen. The antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly decreased by the pathogen. Whilst suppressed GSH-Px activity was reversed by cAMP elevating agents, SOD activity was not restored. Superoxide generating enzyme xanthine oxidase activity was not altered at the end of the infection period. Brucella infection increased plasma IL-12 level and this effect was also suppressed by the cAMP elevating agents, whereas TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-10 levels were unchanged. Intracellular cAMP levels are entirely hydrolyzed by cAMP-specific PDE 4 isozymes (PDE4s) in inflammatory and immunocompetent cells. Brucella reduced mRNA transcript levels for PDE4A by 40%, though PDE4B and 4D transcriptions were being unaffected in spleen. It was concluded that B. melitensis infection decreased activity of the antioxidant defence system, induced lipid peroxidation and suppressed PDE4A transcription. Administration of cAMP elevating agents exhibited similar affect with dexamethasone on lipid peroxidation, IL-12 production and antioxidant enzyme activities in Brucella infection.