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Alves LDF, Moore JB, Kell DB. The Biology and Biochemistry of Kynurenic Acid, a Potential Nutraceutical with Multiple Biological Effects. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9082. [PMID: 39201768 PMCID: PMC11354673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25169082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an antioxidant degradation product of tryptophan that has been shown to have a variety of cytoprotective, neuroprotective and neuronal signalling properties. However, mammalian transporters and receptors display micromolar binding constants; these are consistent with its typically micromolar tissue concentrations but far above its serum/plasma concentration (normally tens of nanomolar), suggesting large gaps in our knowledge of its transport and mechanisms of action, in that the main influx transporters characterized to date are equilibrative, not concentrative. In addition, it is a substrate of a known anion efflux pump (ABCC4), whose in vivo activity is largely unknown. Exogeneous addition of L-tryptophan or L-kynurenine leads to the production of KYNA but also to that of many other co-metabolites (including some such as 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid that may be toxic). With the exception of chestnut honey, KYNA exists at relatively low levels in natural foodstuffs. However, its bioavailability is reasonable, and as the terminal element of an irreversible reaction of most tryptophan degradation pathways, it might be added exogenously without disturbing upstream metabolism significantly. Many examples, which we review, show that it has valuable bioactivity. Given the above, we review its potential utility as a nutraceutical, finding it significantly worthy of further study and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana de Fátima Alves
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Building 220, Søltofts Plads, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - J. Bernadette Moore
- School of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell & Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown St., Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Douglas B. Kell
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Building 220, Søltofts Plads, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell & Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown St., Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
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Xiong K, Xue S, Guo H, Dai Y, Ji C, Dong L, Zhang S. Ergothioneine: new functional factor in fermented foods. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2024; 64:7505-7516. [PMID: 36891762 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2185766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (EGT) is a high-value natural sulfur-containing amino acid and has been shown to possess extremely potent antioxidant and cytoprotective activities. At present, EGT has been widely used in food, functional food, cosmetics, medicine, and other industries, but its low yield is still an urgent problem to overcome. This review briefly introduced the biological activities and functions of EGT, and expounded its specific applications in food, functional food, cosmetic, and medical industries, introduced and compared the main production methods of EGT and respective biosynthetic pathways in different microorganisms. Furthermore, the use of genetic and metabolic engineering methods to improve EGT production was discussed. In addition, the incorporation of some food-derived EGT-producing strains into fermentation process will allow the EGT to act as a new functional factor in the fermented foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Xiong
- School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Siyu Xue
- School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Hui Guo
- School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Yiwei Dai
- School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Chaofan Ji
- School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Liang Dong
- School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
| | - Sufang Zhang
- School of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
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Thomas TA, Francis RO, Zimring JC, Kao JP, Nemkov T, Spitalnik SL. The Role of Ergothioneine in Red Blood Cell Biology: A Review and Perspective. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:717. [PMID: 38929156 PMCID: PMC11200860 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress can damage tissues and cells, and their resilience or susceptibility depends on the robustness of their antioxidant mechanisms. The latter include small molecules, proteins, and enzymes, which are linked together in metabolic pathways. Red blood cells are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress due to their large number of hemoglobin molecules, which can undergo auto-oxidation. This yields reactive oxygen species that participate in Fenton chemistry, ultimately damaging their membranes and cytosolic constituents. Fortunately, red blood cells contain robust antioxidant systems to enable them to circulate and perform their physiological functions, particularly delivering oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. Nonetheless, if red blood cells have insufficient antioxidant reserves (e.g., due to genetics, diet, disease, or toxin exposure), this can induce hemolysis in vivo or enhance susceptibility to a "storage lesion" in vitro, when blood donations are refrigerator-stored for transfusion purposes. Ergothioneine, a small molecule not synthesized by mammals, is obtained only through the diet. It is absorbed from the gut and enters cells using a highly specific transporter (i.e., SLC22A4). Certain cells and tissues, particularly red blood cells, contain high ergothioneine levels. Although no deficiency-related disease has been identified, evidence suggests ergothioneine may be a beneficial "nutraceutical." Given the requirements of red blood cells to resist oxidative stress and their high ergothioneine content, this review discusses ergothioneine's potential importance in protecting these cells and identifies knowledge gaps regarding its relevance in enhancing red blood cell circulatory, storage, and transfusion quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany A. Thomas
- Laboratory of Transfusion Biology, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; (T.A.T.)
| | - Richard O. Francis
- Laboratory of Transfusion Biology, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; (T.A.T.)
| | - James C. Zimring
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Joseph P. Kao
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Travis Nemkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO 80203, USA
| | - Steven L. Spitalnik
- Laboratory of Transfusion Biology, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; (T.A.T.)
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Xu R, Liu S, Li LY, Bu Y, Bai PM, Luo GC, Wang XJ. Exploring the causal association between serum metabolites and erectile dysfunction: a bidirectional Mendelian randomisation study. Int J Impot Res 2024:10.1038/s41443-024-00926-2. [PMID: 38858529 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-024-00926-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction is a common sexual disorder in men. Some studies have found a strong association between some serum metabolites and erectile dysfunction. To investigate this association further, we used bidirectional Mendelian randomisation to investigate causality and possible biological mechanisms.Firstly, this study screened the statistics of genome-wide association studies of serum metabolites and erectile dysfunction to obtain instrumental variables. Inverse variance weighting was used as the primary method for causal effect analysis of instrumental variables in forward or reverse Mendelian randomisation, and the results obtained by MR-Egger regression and the weighted median method were used as references. Subsequently, the metabolites causally associated with erectile dysfunction were subjected to replication analyses and meta-analyses, and the results of the meta-analyses were analysed by pathway analyses to find influential pathways. In this process, Mendelian randomisation results need to be assessed for stability and reliability using sensitivity analysis.It was found that a total of six serum metabolites were causally associated with erectile dysfunction in a forward Mendelian randomisation study. 1,3,7-trimethyluraten (0.85 (0.73-0.99), P = 0.0368), ergothioneine (0.65 (0.45-0.94), P = 0.0226) and gamma-glutamylglutamate (0.63 (0.46-0.88), P = 0.0059) were protective against the development of erectile dysfunction, whereas 2-hydroxyhippurate (1.10 (1.02-1.19), P = 0.0152), N2,N2-dimethylguanosine (1.57 (1.02-2.40), P = 0.0395) and octanoylcarnitine (1.38 (1.06-1.82), P = 0.0183) were able to induce the development of erectile dysfunction. In addition, metabolic pathway analysis showed that 1,3,7-trimethylurate was able to influence the development of erectile dysfunction via the caffeine metabolism pathway (P = 0.0454). On the other hand, reverse Mendelian randomisation analysis showed that erectile dysfunction reduced serum homocitrulline levels (0.99 (0.97-1.00), P = 0.0360). Sensitivity analyses, including heterogeneity tests and pleiotropy tests, confirmed the reliability of the results.In conclusion, this study demonstrated a bidirectional causal relationship between serum metabolites and erectile dysfunction using bidirectional Mendelian randomisation analysis and replication meta-analysis. On this basis, this study provides a new direction of thinking and strong evidence for the therapeutic application and adjunctive diagnosis of serum metabolites in erectile dysfunction, and provides a certain reference value for subsequent related studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shuo Liu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Lu-Yi Li
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yue Bu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Pei-Ming Bai
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Guang-Cheng Luo
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, The School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xin-Jun Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, The School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Xiamen, China.
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Leow DMK, Cheah IKM, Chen L, Ng YK, Yeo CJJ, Halliwell B, Ong WY. Ergothioneine-Mediated Neuroprotection of Human iPSC-Derived Dopaminergic Neurons. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:693. [PMID: 38929132 PMCID: PMC11200999 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell death involving oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction is a major cause of dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra (SN) of Parkinson's disease patients. Ergothioneine (ET), a natural dietary compound, has been shown to have cytoprotective functions, but neuroprotective actions against PD have not been well established. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is a widely used neurotoxin to simulate the degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in Parkinson's disease. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of ET on 6-OHDA treated iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons (iDAs) and further confirmed the protective effects in 6-OHDA-treated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. In 6-OHDA-treated cells, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS), reduced cellular ATP levels, and increased total protein carbonylation levels were observed. 6-OHDA treatment also significantly decreased tyrosine hydroxylase levels. These effects were significantly decreased when ET was present. Verapamil hydrochloride (VHCL), a non-specific inhibitor of the ET transporter OCTN1 abrogated ET's cytoprotective effects, indicative of an intracellular action. These results suggest that ET could be a potential therapeutic for Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Meng-Kiat Leow
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117594, Singapore
- Neurobiology Research Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Irwin Kee-Mun Cheah
- Neurobiology Research Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore
| | - Lucrecia Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117594, Singapore
- Neurobiology Research Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Yang-Kai Ng
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117594, Singapore
- Neurobiology Research Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Crystal Jing-Jing Yeo
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
- National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), Singapore 308433, Singapore
- Institute of Education in Healthcare and Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB51 7HA, UK
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60611, USA
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Barry Halliwell
- Neurobiology Research Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore
| | - Wei-Yi Ong
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117594, Singapore
- Neurobiology Research Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
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Bauer MA, Bazard P, Acosta AA, Bangalore N, Elessaway L, Thivierge M, Chellani M, Zhu X, Ding B, Walton JP, Frisina RD. L-Ergothioneine slows the progression of age-related hearing loss in CBA/CaJ mice. Hear Res 2024; 446:109004. [PMID: 38608332 PMCID: PMC11112832 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The naturally occurring amino acid, l-ergothioneine (EGT), has immense potential as a therapeutic, having shown promise in the treatment of other disease models, including neurological disorders. EGT is naturally uptaken into cells via its specific receptor, OCTN1, to be utilized by cells as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. In our current study, EGT was administered over a period of 6 months to 25-26-month-old CBA/CaJ mice as a possible treatment for age-related hearing loss (ARHL), since presbycusis has been linked to higher levels of cochlear oxidative stress, apoptosis, and chronic inflammation. Results from the current study indicate that EGT can prevent aging declines of some key features of ARHL. However, we found a distinct sex difference for the response to the treatments, for hearing - Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs). Males exhibited lower threshold declines in both low dose (LD) and high dose (HD) test groups throughout the testing period and did not display some of the characteristic aging declines in hearing seen in Control animals. In contrast, female mice did not show any therapeutic effects with either treatment dose. Further confirming this sex difference, EGT levels in whole blood sampling throughout the testing period showed greater uptake of EGT in males compared to females. Additionally, RT-PCR results from three tissue types of the inner ear confirmed EGT activity in the cochlea in both males and females. Males and females exhibited significant differences in biomarkers related to apoptosis (Cas-3), inflammation (TNF-a), oxidative stress (SOD2), and mitochondrial health (PGC1a).These changes were more prominent in males as compared to females, especially in stria vascularis tissue. Taken together, these findings suggest that EGT has the potential to be a naturally derived therapeutic for slowing down the progression of ARHL, and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases. EGT, while effective in the treatment of some features of presbycusis in aging males, could also be modified into a general prophylaxis for other age-related disorders where treatment protocols would include eating a larger proportion of EGT-rich foods or supplements. Lastly, the sex difference discovered here, needs further investigation to see if therapeutic conditions can be developed where aging females show better responsiveness to EGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Bauer
- Department of Medical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Parveen Bazard
- Department of Medical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
| | - Alejandro A Acosta
- School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, 00925 Puerto Rico; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Nidhi Bangalore
- Department of Medical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Lina Elessaway
- Department of Medical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Biomedical Sciences - Dept. of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Mark Thivierge
- Department of Medical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Moksheta Chellani
- Department of Medical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Xiaoxia Zhu
- Department of Medical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Bo Ding
- Department of Medical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Joseph P Walton
- Department of Medical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Department Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Behavioral & Community Sciences, Tampa, FL 33620, USA; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Robert D Frisina
- Department of Medical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA; Department Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Behavioral & Community Sciences, Tampa, FL 33620, USA; Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA; Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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Ronaldson PT, Davis TP. Blood-brain barrier transporters: a translational consideration for CNS delivery of neurotherapeutics. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2024; 21:71-89. [PMID: 38217410 PMCID: PMC10842757 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2024.2306138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Successful neuropharmacology requires optimization of CNS drug delivery and, by extension, free drug concentrations at brain molecular targets. Detailed assessment of blood-brain barrier (BBB) physiological characteristics is necessary to achieve this goal. The 'next frontier' in CNS drug delivery is targeting BBB uptake transporters, an approach that requires evaluation of brain endothelial cell transport processes so that effective drug accumulation and improved therapeutic efficacy can occur. AREAS COVERED BBB permeability of drugs is governed by tight junction protein complexes (i.e., physical barrier) and transporters/enzymes (i.e., biochemical barrier). For most therapeutics, a component of blood-to-brain transport involves passive transcellular diffusion. Small molecule drugs that do not possess acceptable physicochemical characteristics for passive permeability may utilize putative membrane transporters for CNS uptake. While both uptake and efflux transport mechanisms are expressed at the brain microvascular endothelium, uptake transporters can be targeted for optimization of brain drug delivery and improved treatment of neurological disease states. EXPERT OPINION Uptake transporters represent a unique opportunity to optimize brain drug delivery by leveraging the endogenous biology of the BBB. A rigorous understanding of these transporters is required to improve translation from the bench to clinical trials and stimulate the development of new treatment paradigms for neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas P. Davis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona College of Medicine
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Protective Effect of Ergothioneine against 7-Ketocholesterol-Induced Mitochondrial Damage in hCMEC/D3 Human Brain Endothelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065498. [PMID: 36982572 PMCID: PMC10056831 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent findings have suggested that the natural compound ergothioneine (ET), which is synthesised by certain fungi and bacteria, has considerable cytoprotective potential. We previously demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of ET on 7-ketocholesterol (7KC)-induced endothelial injury in human blood-brain barrier endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3). 7KC is an oxidised form of cholesterol present in atheromatous plaques and the sera of patients with hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to elucidate the protective effect of ET on 7KC-induced mitochondrial damage. Exposure of human brain endothelial cells to 7KC led to a loss of cell viability, together with an increase in intracellular free calcium levels, increased cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, reductions in ATP levels, and increases in mRNA expression of TFAM, Nrf2, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8. These effects were significantly decreased by ET. Protective effects of ET were diminished when endothelial cells were coincubated with verapamil hydrochloride (VHCL), a nonspecific inhibitor of the ET transporter OCTN1 (SLC22A4). This outcome demonstrates that ET-mediated protection against 7KC-induced mitochondrial damage occurred intracellularly and not through direct interaction with 7KC. OCTN1 mRNA expression itself was significantly increased in endothelial cells after 7KC treatment, consistent with the notion that stress and injury may increase ET uptake. Our results indicate that ET can protect against 7KC-induced mitochondrial injury in brain endothelial cells.
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Safe and Effective Antioxidant: The Biological Mechanism and Potential Pathways of Ergothioneine in the Skin. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041648. [PMID: 36838636 PMCID: PMC9967237 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ergothioneine, a sulfur-containing micromolecular histidine derivative, has attracted increasing attention from scholars since it was confirmed in the human body. In the human body, ergothioneine is transported and accumulated specifically through OCTN-1, especially in the mitochondria and nucleus, suggesting that it can target damaged cells and tissues as an antioxidant. It shows excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-aging properties, and inhibits melanin production. It is a mega antioxidant that may participate in the antioxidant network system and promote the reducing glutathione regeneration cycle. This review summarizes studies on the antioxidant effects of ergothioneine on various free radicals in vitro to date and systematically introduces its biological activities and potential mechanisms, mostly in dermatology. Additionally, the application of ergothioneine in cosmetics is briefly summarized. Lastly, we propose some problems that require solutions to understand the mechanism of action of ergothioneine. We believe that ergothioneine has good prospects in the food and cosmetics industries, and can thus meet some needs of the health and beauty industry.
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Protection against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Ergothioneine. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12020320. [PMID: 36829879 PMCID: PMC9951880 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12020320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin remain a primary treatment for hematological malignancies and breast cancers. However, cardiotoxicity induced by anthracyclines, possibly leading to heart failure, severely limits their application. The pathological mechanisms of anthracycline-induced cardiac injury are believed to involve iron-overload-mediated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. The dietary thione, ergothioneine (ET), is avidly absorbed and accumulated in tissues, including the heart. Amongst other cytoprotective properties, ET was shown to scavenge ROS, decrease proinflammatory mediators, and chelate metal cations, including Fe2+, preventing them from partaking in redox activities, and may protect against mitochondrial damage and dysfunction. Plasma ET levels are also strongly correlated to a decreased risk of cardiovascular events in humans, suggesting a cardioprotective role. This evidence highlights ET's potential to counteract anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Methods and Findings: We investigated whether ET supplementation can protect against cardiac dysfunction in mice models of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and revealed that it had significant protective effects. Moreover, ET administration in a mouse breast cancer model did not exacerbate the growth of the tumor or interfere with the chemotherapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin. Conclusion: These results suggest that ET could be a viable co-therapy to alleviate the cardiotoxic effects of anthracyclines in the treatment of cancers.
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Protective Effect of Ergothioneine Against Stroke in Rodent Models. Neuromolecular Med 2022:10.1007/s12017-022-08727-w. [PMID: 36261765 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-022-08727-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (ET) is a naturally occurring antioxidant and cytoprotective agent that is synthesized by fungi and certain bacteria. Recent studies have shown a beneficial effect of ET on neurological functions, including cognition and animal models of depression. The aim of this study is to elucidate a possible effect of ET in rodent models of stroke. Post-ischemic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of ET significantly reduced brain infarct volume by as early as 1 day after infusion in rats, as shown by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) assay. There was a dose-dependent increase in protection, from 50 to 200 ng of ET infusion. These results suggest that ET could have a protective effect on CNS neurons. We next elucidated the effect of systemic ET on brain infarct volume in mice after stroke. Daily i.p. injection of 35 mg/kg ET (the first dose being administered 3 h after stroke) had no significant effect on infarct volume. However, daily i.p. injections of 70 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 125 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg ET, with the first dose administered 3 h after stroke, significantly decreased infarct volume at 7 days after vessel occlusion in mice. In order to elucidate at what time interval during the 7 days there could be effective protection, a second set of experiments was carried out in mice, using one of the effective loading protocols, i.e. 125 mg/kg i.p. ET but the brains were analyzed at 1, 4 and 7 days post-stroke by MRI. We found that ET was already protective against neuronal injury and decreased the size of the brain infarct from as early as 1 day post-stroke. Behavioral experiments carried out on a third set of mice (using 125 mg/kg i.p. ET) showed that this was accompanied by significant improvements in certain behaviors (pole test) at 1 day after stroke. Together, results of this study indicate that i.c.v. and systemic ET are effective in reducing brain infarct volume after stroke in rodent models.
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12
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Low Plasma Ergothioneine Predicts Cognitive and Functional Decline in an Elderly Cohort Attending Memory Clinics. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11091717. [PMID: 36139790 PMCID: PMC9495818 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11091717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Low blood concentrations of the diet-derived compound ergothioneine (ET) have been associated with cognitive impairment and cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) in cross-sectional studies, but it is unclear whether ET levels can predict subsequent cognitive and functional decline. Here, we examined the temporal relationships between plasma ET status and cognition in a cohort of 470 elderly subjects attending memory clinics in Singapore. All participants underwent baseline plasma ET measurements as well as neuroimaging for CeVD and brain atrophy. Neuropsychological tests of cognition and function were assessed at baseline and follow-up visits for up to five years. Lower plasma ET levels were associated with poorer baseline cognitive performance and faster rates of decline in function as well as in multiple cognitive domains including memory, executive function, attention, visuomotor speed, and language. In subgroup analyses, the longitudinal associations were found only in non-demented individuals. Mediation analyses showed that the effects of ET on cognition seemed to be largely explainable by severity of concomitant CeVD, specifically white matter hyperintensities, and brain atrophy. Our findings support further assessment of plasma ET as a prognostic biomarker for accelerated cognitive and functional decline in pre-dementia and suggest possible therapeutic and preventative measures.
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13
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Nakamichi N, Tsuzuku S, Shibagaki F. Ergothioneine and central nervous system diseases. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:2513-2521. [PMID: 35788879 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03665-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (ERGO) is a thiol contained in the food that exhibits an excellent antioxidant effect similar to that of glutathione. Although mammals lack a biosynthetic pathway for ERGO, the carnitine/organic cation transporter OCTN1/SLC22A4, which transports ERGO in vivo, is expressed throughout the body, and ERGO is distributed to various organs after oral intake. ERGO is a stable compound that remains in the body for a long time after ingestion. OCTN1 is also expressed in brain parenchymal cells, including neurons, and ERGO in the blood permeates the blood-brain barrier and is distributed to the brain, exhibiting a neuroprotective effect. Recently, the association between central nervous system (CNS) diseases and ERGO has become a research focus. ERGO concentrations in the blood components are lower in patients with cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, and frailty than in healthy subjects. ERGO exerts a protective effect against various neurotoxins and improves the symptoms of cognitive impairment, depression, and epilepsy in animal models. The promotion of neurogenesis and induction of neurotrophic factors, in addition to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, may be involved in the neuroprotective effect of ERGO. This review shows the association between ERGO and CNS diseases, discusses the possible biomarkers of peripheral ERGO in CNS diseases, and the possible preventive and improvement effects of ERGO on CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noritaka Nakamichi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, 60 Nakaorui-machi, 370-0033, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan.
| | - Sota Tsuzuku
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, 60 Nakaorui-machi, 370-0033, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
| | - Fumiya Shibagaki
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, 60 Nakaorui-machi, 370-0033, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
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14
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Abstract
Significance: Ergothioneine (ET) is an unusual sulfur-containing amino acid derived from histidine, acquired predominantly from food. Its depletion is associated with deleterious consequences in response to stress stimuli in cell culture models, prompting us to classify it as a vitamin in 2010, which was later supported by in vivo studies. ET is obtained from a variety of foods and is taken up by a selective transporter. ET possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that confer cytoprotection. ET crosses the blood-brain barrier and has been reported to have beneficial effects in the brain. In this study, we discuss the cytoprotective and neuroprotective properties of ET, which may be harnessed for combating neurodegeneration and decline during aging. Recent Advances: The designation of ET as a stress vitamin is gaining momentum, opening a new field of investigation involving small molecules that are essential for optimal physiological functioning and maintenance of health span. Critical Issues: Although ET was discovered more than a century ago, its physiological functions are still being elucidated, especially in the brain. As ET is present in most foods, toxicity associated with its deprivation has been difficult to assess. Future Directions: Using genetically engineered cells and mice, it may now be possible to elucidate roles of ET. This coupled with advances in genomics and metabolomics may lead to identification of ET function. As ET is a stable antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, whose levels decline during aging, supplementing ET in the diet or consuming an ET-rich diet may prove beneficial. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 1306-1317.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bindu D Paul
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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15
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Ishimoto T, Kato Y. Ergothioneine in the brain. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:1290-1298. [PMID: 34978075 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (ERGO) is a naturally occurring food-derived antioxidant. Despite its extremely hydrophilic properties, ERGO is easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed to various organs, including the brain. This is primarily because its entry into brain cells is mediated by the ERGO-specific transporter OCTN1/SLC22A4. Octn1 gene knockout mice do not have ERGO in the brain, due to the absence of OCTN1 in neurons, neural stem cells, and microglia. The existence of OCTN1 and uptake of ERGO into the brain parenchymal cells may suggest that ERGO and its transporter play a pivotal role in brain function. Oral administration of ERGO has antidepressant activities in mice. Furthermore, repeated oral administration of ERGO and ERGO-containing food extract tablets enhance memory function in mice and humans, respectively. ERGO also protects against stress-induced sleep disturbance and neuronal injury induced by amyloid β in rodents. In vitro observations suggest that ERGO benefits brain function through both its antioxidative activity and by promoting neurogenesis and neuronal maturation. This review discusses the possible involvement of ERGO in brain function and its potential therapeutic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yukio Kato
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Japan
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16
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TANG B, LAI P, WENG M, WU L, LI Y. Optimization of submerged fermentation conditions for biosynthesis of ergothioneine and enrichment of selenium from Pleurotus eryngii 528. FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/fst.40022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Baosha TANG
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering Technology, China; National R&D Center For Edible Fungi Processing, China
| | - Pufu LAI
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering Technology, China; National R&D Center For Edible Fungi Processing, China
| | - Minjie WENG
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering Technology, China; National R&D Center For Edible Fungi Processing, China
| | - Li WU
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering Technology, China; National R&D Center For Edible Fungi Processing, China
| | - Yibin LI
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering Technology, China; National R&D Center For Edible Fungi Processing, China
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17
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Gründemann D, Hartmann L, Flögel S. The Ergothioneine Transporter (ETT): Substrates and Locations, an Inventory. FEBS Lett 2021; 596:1252-1269. [PMID: 34958679 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In all vertebrates including mammals, the ergothioneine transporter ETT (obsolete name OCTN1; human gene symbol SLC22A4) is a powerful and highly specific transporter for the uptake of ergothioneine (ET). ETT is not expressed ubiquitously and only cells with high ETT cell-surface levels can accumulate ET to high concentration. Without ETT, there is no uptake because the plasma membrane is essentially impermeable to this hydrophilic zwitterion. Here, we review the substrate specificity and localization of ETT, which is prominently expressed in neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, and developing erythrocytes. Most sites of strong expression are conserved across species, but there are also major differences. In particular, we critically analyze the evidence for the expression of ETT in the brain as well as recent data suggesting that the transporter SLC22A15 may transport also ET. We conclude that, to date, ETT remains the only well-defined biomarker for intracellular ET activity. In humans, the ability to take up, distribute, and retain ET depends principally on this transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Gründemann
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Gleueler Straße 24, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lea Hartmann
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Gleueler Straße 24, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Svenja Flögel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Gleueler Straße 24, 50931, Cologne, Germany
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18
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Wu LY, Cheah IK, Chong JR, Chai YL, Tan JY, Hilal S, Vrooman H, Chen CP, Halliwell B, Lai MKP. Low plasma ergothioneine levels are associated with neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular disease in dementia. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 177:201-211. [PMID: 34673145 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (ET) is a dietary amino-thione with strong antioxidant and cytoprotective properties and has possible therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative and vascular diseases. Decreased blood concentrations of ET have been found in patients with mild cognitive impairment, but its status in neurodegenerative and vascular dementias is currently unclear. To address this, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 496 participants, consisting of 88 with no cognitive impairment (NCI), 201 with cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND) as well as 207 with dementia, of whom 160 have Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and 47 have vascular dementia. All subjects underwent blood-draw, neuropsychological assessments, as well as neuroimaging assessments of cerebrovascular diseases (CeVD) and brain atrophy. Plasma ET as well as its metabolite l-hercynine were measured using high sensitivity liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Plasma ET concentrations were lowest in dementia (p < 0.001 vs. NCI and CIND), with intermediate levels in CIND (p < 0.001 vs. NCI). A significant increase in l-hercynine to ET ratio was also observed in dementia (p < 0.01 vs. NCI). In multivariate models adjusted for demographic and vascular risk factors, lower levels of ET were significantly associated with dementia both with or without CeVD, while ET associations with CIND were significant only in the presence of CeVD. Furthermore, lower ET levels were also associated with white matter hyperintensities and brain atrophy markers (reduced global cortical thickness and hippocampal volumes). The incremental decreases in ET levels along the CIND-dementia clinical continuum suggest that low levels of ET are associated with disease severity and could be a potential biomarker for cognitive impairment. Deficiency of ET may contribute towards neurodegeneration- and CeVD-associated cognitive impairments, possibly via the exacerbation of oxidative stress in these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu-Yun Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Singapore; Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Irwin K Cheah
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore; Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joyce Ruifen Chong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Singapore; Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Yuek Ling Chai
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Singapore; Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Jia Yun Tan
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore; Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Saima Hilal
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Singapore; Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Kent Ridge, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Departments of Epidemiology and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henri Vrooman
- Departments of Epidemiology and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christopher P Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Singapore; Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Kent Ridge, Singapore; Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore
| | - Barry Halliwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore; Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Mitchell K P Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Singapore; Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Kent Ridge, Singapore.
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Qiu Y, Chen Z, Su E, Wang L, Sun L, Lei P, Xu H, Li S. Recent Strategies for the Biosynthesis of Ergothioneine. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:13682-13690. [PMID: 34757754 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c05280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (EGT) is a unique naturally occurring amino acid that is usually biosynthesized by bacteria and fungi. As a food-derived antioxidant and cytoprotectant, it has several physiological benefits and has a wide range of applications in food, medicine, and cosmetics. Traditional production of EGT is mainly through biological extraction or chemical synthesis; however, these methods are inefficient, making large-scale production to meet the growing market demand difficult. Nowadays, the rapid development of synthetic biology has greatly accelerated the research on the EGT production by microbial fermentation. In this paper, the biological characteristics, applications, biosynthesis, separation, and detection methods of EGT were fully reviewed. Furthermore, the approaches and challenges for engineering microbial cells to efficiently synthesize EGT were also discussed. This work provides new ideas and future research potentials in EGT production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibin Qiu
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
- College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, P. R. China
- Yangzhou Rixing Bio-Tech Co., Ltd., Yangzhou 225601, P. R. China
| | - Zhonglin Chen
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| | - Erzheng Su
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| | - Libin Wang
- College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, P. R. China
| | - Liang Sun
- College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, P. R. China
| | - Peng Lei
- College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, P. R. China
| | - Hong Xu
- College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, P. R. China
| | - Sha Li
- College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, P. R. China
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20
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Dare A, Elrashedy AA, Channa ML, Nadar A. Cardioprotective Effects and In-Silico Antioxidant Mechanism of L-Ergothioneine In Experimental Type-2 Diabetic Rats. Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem 2021; 20:133-147. [PMID: 34370646 DOI: 10.2174/1871525719666210809122541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiotoxicity is commonly associated with oxidative injury, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. L-ergothioneine (L-egt), a diet-derived amino acid, has been reported to decrease mortality and risk of cardiovascular injury, provides cytoprotection to tissues exposed to oxidative damage, and prevents diabetes-induced perturbation. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the cardioprotective effects of L-egt on diabetes-induced cardiovascular injuries and its probable mechanism of action. METHODS Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into non-diabetic (n=6) and diabetic groups (n=18). Six weeks after the induction of diabetes, the diabetic rats were divided into three groups (n=6) and administered distilled water, L-egt (35mg/kg), and losartan (20mg/kg) by oral gavage for six weeks. Blood glucose and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded pre-and post-treatment, while biochemical, ELISA, and Rt-PCR analyses were conducted to determine inflammatory, injury-related and antioxidant biomarkers in cardiac tissue after euthanasia. Also, an in-silico study, including docking and molecular dynamic simulations of L-egt toward the Keap1-Nrf2 protein complex, was done to provide a basis for the molecular antioxidant mechanism of L-egt. RESULTS Administration of L-egt to diabetic animals reduced serum triglyceride, water intake, MAP, biomarkers of cardiac injury (CK-MB, LDH), lipid peroxidation, and inflammation. Also, L-egt increased body weight, antioxidant enzymes, upregulated Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 expression, and decreased Keap1 expression. The in-silico study showed that L-egt inhibits Keap1-Nrf2 complex by binding to the active site of Nrf2 protein, thereby preventing its degradation. CONCLUSION L-egt protects against diabetes-induced cardiovascular injury via the upregulation of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway and its downstream cytoprotective antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayobami Dare
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban X54001, South Africa
| | - Ahmed A Elrashedy
- Department of Natural and Microbial Products, National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Mahendra L Channa
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban X54001, South Africa
| | - Anand Nadar
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban X54001, South Africa
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21
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Lam-Sidun D, Peters KM, Borradaile NM. Mushroom-Derived Medicine? Preclinical Studies Suggest Potential Benefits of Ergothioneine for Cardiometabolic Health. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063246. [PMID: 33806754 PMCID: PMC8004618 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Medicinal use of mushrooms has been documented since ancient times, and in the modern world, mushrooms have a longstanding history of use in Eastern medicine. Recent interest in plant-based diets in Westernized countries has brought increasing attention to the use of mushrooms and mushroom-derived compounds in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Edible mushrooms are the most abundant food sources of the modified amino acid, ergothioneine. This compound has been shown to accumulate in almost all cells and tissues, but preferentially in those exposed to oxidative stress and injury. The demonstrated cytoprotectant effect of ergothioneine has led many to suggest a potential therapeutic role for this compound in chronic conditions that involve ongoing oxidative stress and inflammation, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, the in vivo effects of ergothioneine and its underlying therapeutic mechanisms in the whole organism are not as clear. Moreover, there are no well-defined, clinical prevention and intervention trials of ergothioneine in chronic disease. This review highlights the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of ergothioneine and its potential as a Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the promotion of cardiometabolic health and the management of the most common manifestations of cardiometabolic disease.
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22
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Cheah IK, Halliwell B. Ergothioneine, recent developments. Redox Biol 2021; 42:101868. [PMID: 33558182 PMCID: PMC8113028 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been a recent surge of interest in the unique low molecular weight dietary thiol/thione, ergothioneine. This compound can accumulate at high levels in the body from diet and may play important physiological roles in human health and development, and possibly in prevention and treatment of disease. Blood levels of ergothioneine decline with age and onset of various diseases. Here we highlight recent advances in our knowledge of ergothioneine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irwin K Cheah
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117596, Singapore; Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117456, Singapore
| | - Barry Halliwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117596, Singapore; Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
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23
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Valachova K, Svik K, Biro C, Collins MN, Jurcik R, Ondruska L, Soltes L. Impact of Ergothioneine, Hercynine, and Histidine on Oxidative Degradation of Hyaluronan and Wound Healing. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 13:polym13010095. [PMID: 33383628 PMCID: PMC7795610 DOI: 10.3390/polym13010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A high-molecular weight hyaluronan is oxidatively degraded by Cu(II) ions and ascorbate—the so called Weissberger biogenic oxidative system—which is one of the most potent generators of reactive oxygen species, namely •OH radicals. Ergothioneine, hercynine, or histidine were loaded into chitosan/hyaluronan composite membranes to examine their effect on skin wound healing in ischemic rabbits. We also explored the ability of ergothioneine, hercynine, or histidine to inhibit hyaluronan degradation. Rotational viscometry showed that ergothioneine decreased the degree of hyaluronan radical degradation in a dose-dependent manner. While histidine was shown to be potent in scavenging •OH radicals, however, hercynine was ineffective. In vivo results showed that the addition of each investigated agent to chitosan/hyaluronan membranes contributed to a more potent treatment of ischemic skin wounds in rabbits compared to untreated animals and animals treated only with chitosan/hyaluronan membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Valachova
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, 84104 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.V.); (K.S.); (L.S.)
| | - Karol Svik
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, 84104 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.V.); (K.S.); (L.S.)
| | - Csaba Biro
- Department of Pathology, St. Elizabeth Cancer Institute Hospital, 81250 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Maurice N. Collins
- School of Engineering, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, V94T9PX Limerick, Ireland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-61202867
| | - Rastislav Jurcik
- National Agricultural and Food Centre–RIAP Nitra, 95141 Luzianky, Slovakia; (R.J.); (L.O.)
| | - Lubomir Ondruska
- National Agricultural and Food Centre–RIAP Nitra, 95141 Luzianky, Slovakia; (R.J.); (L.O.)
| | - Ladislav Soltes
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, 84104 Bratislava, Slovakia; (K.V.); (K.S.); (L.S.)
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24
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Borodina I, Kenny LC, McCarthy CM, Paramasivan K, Pretorius E, Roberts TJ, van der Hoek SA, Kell DB. The biology of ergothioneine, an antioxidant nutraceutical. Nutr Res Rev 2020; 33:190-217. [PMID: 32051057 PMCID: PMC7653990 DOI: 10.1017/s0954422419000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (ERG) is an unusual thio-histidine betaine amino acid that has potent antioxidant activities. It is synthesised by a variety of microbes, especially fungi (including in mushroom fruiting bodies) and actinobacteria, but is not synthesised by plants and animals who acquire it via the soil and their diet, respectively. Animals have evolved a highly selective transporter for it, known as solute carrier family 22, member 4 (SLC22A4) in humans, signifying its importance, and ERG may even have the status of a vitamin. ERG accumulates differentially in various tissues, according to their expression of SLC22A4, favouring those such as erythrocytes that may be subject to oxidative stress. Mushroom or ERG consumption seems to provide significant prevention against oxidative stress in a large variety of systems. ERG seems to have strong cytoprotective status, and its concentration is lowered in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases. It has been passed as safe by regulatory agencies, and may have value as a nutraceutical and antioxidant more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Borodina
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Chemitorvet 200, Technical University of Denmark, 2800Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Louise C. Kenny
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, LiverpoolL8 7SS, UK
| | - Cathal M. McCarthy
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Republic of Ireland
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Republic of Ireland
| | - Kalaivani Paramasivan
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Chemitorvet 200, Technical University of Denmark, 2800Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Etheresia Pretorius
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1 Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Timothy J. Roberts
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1 Matieland, 7602, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, LiverpoolL69 7ZB, UK
| | - Steven A. van der Hoek
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Chemitorvet 200, Technical University of Denmark, 2800Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Douglas B. Kell
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Chemitorvet 200, Technical University of Denmark, 2800Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1 Matieland, 7602, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, LiverpoolL69 7ZB, UK
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Tung YT, Pan CH, Chien YW, Huang HY. Edible Mushrooms: Novel Medicinal Agents to Combat Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Diseases. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:4970-4981. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200831151316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is an aggregation of conditions and associated with an increased risk of developing
diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Edible mushrooms are widely consumed in many countries
and are valuable components of the diet because of their attractive taste, aroma, and nutritional value. Medicinal
mushrooms are higher fungi with additional nutraceutical attributes having low-fat content and a transisomer
of unsaturated fatty acids along with high fiber content, biologically active compounds such as polysaccharides
or polysaccharide β-glucans, alkaloids, steroids, polyphenols and terpenoids. In vitro experiments, animal
models, and even human studies have demonstrated not only fresh edible mushroom but also mushroom
extract that has great therapeutic applications in human health as they possess many properties such as antiobesity,
cardioprotective and anti-diabetic effect. They are considered as the unmatched source of healthy foods
and drugs. The focus of this report was to provide a concise and complete review of the novel medicinal properties
of fresh or dry mushroom and extracts, fruiting body or mycelium and its extracts, fiber, polysaccharides,
beta-glucan, triterpenes, fucoidan, ergothioneine from edible mushrooms that may help to prevent or treat metabolic
syndrome and associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Tang Tung
- Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsu Pan
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Chien
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Yu Huang
- Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
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The Impact of Dietary Supplementation of Whole Foods and Polyphenols on Atherosclerosis. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12072069. [PMID: 32664664 PMCID: PMC7400924 DOI: 10.3390/nu12072069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to highlight current research on the benefits of supplementation with foods with a diverse polyphenol composition, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, oils, spices, and teas in blunting atherosclerosis. We searched PubMed for publications utilizing whole food or polyphenols prepared from whole foods in Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) or Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR) knockout mice, and identified 73 studies in which plaque was measured. The majority of the studies reported a reduction in plaque. Nine interventions showed no effect, while three using Agaricus blazei mushroom, HYJA-ri-4 rice variety, and safrole-2', 3'-oxide (SFO) increased plaque. The mechanisms by which atherosclerosis was reduced include improved lipid profile, antioxidant status, and cholesterol clearance, and reduced inflammation. Importantly, not all dietary interventions that reduce plaque showed an improvement in lipid profile. Additionally, we found that, out of 73 studies, only 9 used female mice and only 6 compared both sexes. Only one study compared the two models (LDLR vs. ApoE), showing that the treatment worked in one but not the other. Not all supplementations work in both male and female animals, suggesting that increasing the variety of foods with different polyphenol compositions may be more effective in mitigating atherosclerosis.
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Cheah IK, Halliwell B. Could Ergothioneine Aid in the Treatment of Coronavirus Patients? Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E595. [PMID: 32646061 PMCID: PMC7402156 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9070595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 causes the coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pandemic that has, at present, infected more than 11 million people globally. Some COVID-19 patients develop a severe and critical illness, spurred on by excessive inflammation that can lead to respiratory or multiorgan failure. Numerous studies have established the unique array of cytoprotective properties of the dietary amino acid ergothioneine. Based on studies in a range of in vitro and in vivo models, ergothioneine has exhibited the ability to modulate inflammation, scavenge free radicals, protect against acute respiratory distress syndrome, prevent endothelial dysfunction, protect against ischemia and reperfusion injury, protect against neuronal damage, counteract iron dysregulation, hinder lung and liver fibrosis, and mitigate damage to the lungs, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and testis, amongst many others. When compiled, this evidence suggests that ergothioneine has a potential application in the treatment of the underlying pathology of COVID-19. We propose that ergothioneine could be used as a therapeutic to reduce the severity and mortality of COVID-19, especially in the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. This review presents evidence to support that proposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irwin K. Cheah
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore;
- Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
| | - Barry Halliwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore;
- Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
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Cong J, Ruan Y, Lyu Q, Qin X, Qi X, Liu W, Kang L, Zhang J, Wu C. A proton-coupled organic cation antiporter is involved in the blood-brain barrier transport of Aconitum alkaloids. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 252:112581. [PMID: 31968215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The herbs of Aconitum are the essential Traditional Chinese medicine and have played an indispensable role in many Asian countries for thousands of years to treat critical illnesses, and chronic, stubborn diseases. However, Aconitum may induce severe neurotoxicity and even death. So far the mechanism of Aconitum penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To determine whether influx transporters contribute to the brain uptake of the highly toxic alkaloids in Aconitum including aconitine (AC), mesaconitine (MA) and hypaconitine (HA). MATERIALS AND METHODS The uptake of AC, MA and HA was characterized using in vitro hCMEC/D3 model and in situ mouse brain perfusion. In hCMEC/D3 cells, the effect of incubation temperature, time, initial drug concentration, energy (NaN3), extracellular and intracellular pH (FCCP and NH4Cl), the prototypical substrates/inhibitors of known organic cation transporting carriers and trans-stimulation (pre-incubating with pyrilamine and diphenhydramine) on the cellular uptake were studied. In addition, the effect of silencing OCTN1, OCTN2 and PMAT by specific siRNA was investigated. In mice, the contribution of the proton-coupled antiporter on the brain uptake of Aconitum was investigated by chemical inhibition. RESULTS In hCMEC/D3 cells, AC, MA and HA were each taken up in a temperature-, time- and concentration-dependent manner, which were reduced by NaN3 and FCCP. Regulation of extracellular and intracellular pH as well as trans-stimulation studies showed that AC, MA and HA were transported by a proton-coupled antiporter expressed at the plasma membrane that could also transport pyrilamine and diphenhydramine. Each uptake was markedly inhibited by various cationic drugs, but insensitive to the prototypical substrates/inhibitors of identified organic cation transporting carriers, such as OCTs, PMAT, MATEs and OCTNs. In addition, silence of OCTN1, OCTN2 and PMAT had no significant inhibitory effect on the uptake of AC, MA and HA. In mice, the brain uptake of each alkaloid measured by in situ brain perfusion was suppressed by diphenhydramine when the transport capacity of P-gp/Bcrp at the BBB was chemically inhibited. CONCLUSIONS A novel proton-coupled organic cation antiporter plays a predominant role in the blood to brain influx of AC, MA and HA at the BBB, and thus affect the safety of Aconitum species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Cong
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China; China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Yiling Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China; China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Qinglin Lyu
- China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Xiaohui Qin
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China; China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Xinming Qi
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Wenyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China; China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Lifeng Kang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Pharmacy and Bank Building A15, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Junying Zhang
- China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Chunyong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China; China Pharmaceutical University, No 24 Tongjia Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Maurer A, Leisinger F, Lim D, Seebeck FP. Structure and Mechanism of Ergothionase fromTreponema denticola. Chemistry 2019; 25:10298-10303. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201901866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Maurer
- Department for ChemistryUniversity of Basel Mattenstrasse 24a Basel 4002 Switzerland
| | - Florian Leisinger
- Department for ChemistryUniversity of Basel Mattenstrasse 24a Basel 4002 Switzerland
| | - David Lim
- Department for ChemistryUniversity of Basel Mattenstrasse 24a Basel 4002 Switzerland
| | - Florian P. Seebeck
- Department for ChemistryUniversity of Basel Mattenstrasse 24a Basel 4002 Switzerland
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Gökçe G, Arun MZ, Ertuna E. Ergothioneine prevents endothelial dysfunction induced by mercury chloride. Exp Ther Med 2018; 15:4697-4702. [PMID: 29805489 PMCID: PMC5958736 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to mercury has detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system, particularly the vascular endothelium. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of ergothioneine (EGT) on endothelial dysfunction induced by low-dose mercury chloride (HgCl2). Agonist-induced contractions and relaxations were evaluated in isolated aortic rings from 3-month-old male Wistar rats treated by intra-muscular injection to caudal hind leg muscle with HgCl2 (first dose, 4.6 µg/kg; subsequent doses, 0.07 µg/kg/day for 15 days) and optionally with EGT (2 µg/kg for 30 days). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aortic rings were measured by means of lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. The protein level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase was evaluated by ELISA. Blood glutathione (GSH) and catalase levels, lipid peroxidation and total nitrite were measured spectrophotometrically. The results indicated that low-dose HgCl2 administration impaired acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation and potentiated phenylephrine- and serotonin-induced contractions in rat aortas. In addition, HgCl2 significantly increased the levels of ROS in the aortic tissue. EGT prevented the loss of ACh-induced relaxations and the increase in contractile responses. These effects were accompanied by a significant decrease in ROS levels. EGT also improved the ratio of reduced GSH to oxidized GSH and catalase levels with a concomitant decrease in lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to report that EGT prevents endothelial dysfunction induced by low-dose HgCl2 administration. EGT may serve as a therapeutic tool to reduce mercury-associated cardiovascular complications via improving the antioxidant status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göksel Gökçe
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Zuhuri Arun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Elif Ertuna
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir 35040, Turkey
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31
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Kerley RN, McCarthy C, Kell DB, Kenny LC. The potential therapeutic effects of ergothioneine in pre-eclampsia. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 117:145-157. [PMID: 29284116 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (ERG), is a water-soluble amino acid that is derived entirely from dietary sources. It has received much attention as a therapeutic agent due to its anti-oxidant properties, and there are claims of preferential accumulation within high oxidative stress organs. Pre-eclampsia, a condition accompanied by increased oxidative stress, is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite intense research efforts, its aetiologies remain somewhat unclear and there are still no effective treatment options. Clinical trials of the anti-oxidants vitamin C and vitamin E have proven largely ineffective with little improvement in clinical outcome or even a negative response. This could be explained in part by their inability to permeate the plasma and mitochondrial membranes and scavenge mitochondria-derived superoxide species, and for the former by the fact that it is actually a pro-oxidant in the presence of unliganded iron. ERG accumulates within tissues through the action of a specific organic cation transporter, SLC22A4 (previously referred to as OCTN1), which is possibly also expressed in mammalian mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in a variety of vascular diseases including pre-eclampsia. This review discusses the use of ERG as a possibly mitochondrial-targeted anti-oxidant, focusing on its physical properties, potential mechanisms of action, safety profile and administration in relation to pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert N Kerley
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Cathal McCarthy
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douglas B Kell
- School of Chemistry and The Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess St, Manchester M1 7DN, UK.
| | - Louise C Kenny
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
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Abstract
Ergothioneine (ESH), the betaine of 2-mercapto-L-histidine, is a water-soluble naturally occurring amino acid with antioxidant properties. ESH accumulates in several human and animal tissues up to millimolar concentration through its high affinity transporter, namely the organic cation transporter 1 (OCTN1). ESH, first isolated from the ergot fungus (Claviceps purpurea), is synthesized only by Actinomycetales and non-yeast-like fungi. Plants absorb ESH via symbiotic associations between their roots and soil fungi, whereas mammals acquire it solely from dietary sources. Numerous evidence demonstrated the antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of ESH, including protection against cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions, ultraviolet radiation damages, and neuronal injuries. Although more than a century after its discovery has gone by, our understanding on the in vivo ESH mechanism is limited and this compound still intrigues researchers. However, recent evidence about differences in chemical redox behavior between ESH and alkylthiols, such as cysteine and glutathione, has opened new perspectives on the role of ESH during oxidative damage. In this short review, we discuss the role of ESH in the complex machinery of the cellular antioxidant defense focusing on the current knowledge on its chemical mechanism of action in the protection against cardiovascular disease.
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Protective Effects and Possible Mechanisms of Ergothioneine and Hispidin against Methylglyoxal-Induced Injuries in Rat Pheochromocytoma Cells. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2017; 2017:4824371. [PMID: 29181125 PMCID: PMC5664345 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4824371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic encephalopathy (DE) is often a complication in patients with Alzheimer's disease due to high blood sugar induced by diabetic mellitus. Ergothioneine (EGT) and hispidin (HIP) are antioxidants present in Phellinus linteus. Methylglyoxal (MGO), a toxic precursor of advanced glycated end products (AGEs), is responsible for protein glycation. We investigated whether a combination EGT and HIP (EGT + HIP) protects against MGO-induced neuronal cell damage. Rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were preincubated with EGT (2 μM), HIP (2 μM), or EGT + HIP, then challenged with MGO under high-glucose condition (30 μM MGO + 30 mM glucose; GLU + MGO) for 24–96 h. GLU + MGO markedly increased protein carbonyls and reactive oxygen species in PC12 cells; both of these levels were strongly reduced by EGT or HIP with effects comparable to those of 100 nM aminoguanidine (an AGE inhibitor) but stronger than those of 10 μM epalrestat (an aldose reductase inhibitor). GLU + MGO significantly increased the levels of AGE and AGE receptor (RAGE) protein expression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the cytosol, but treatment with EGT, HIP, or EGT + HIP significantly attenuated these levels. These results suggest that EGT and HIP protect against hyperglycemic damage in PC12 cells by inhibiting the NF-κB transcription pathway through antioxidant activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reto Burn
- Department for Chemistry University of Basel St. Johanns-Ring 19 4056 Basel Switzerland
| | - Laëtitia Misson
- Department for Chemistry University of Basel St. Johanns-Ring 19 4056 Basel Switzerland
| | - Marcel Meury
- Department for Chemistry University of Basel St. Johanns-Ring 19 4056 Basel Switzerland
| | - Florian P. Seebeck
- Department for Chemistry University of Basel St. Johanns-Ring 19 4056 Basel Switzerland
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Burn R, Misson L, Meury M, Seebeck FP. Anaerobic Origin of Ergothioneine. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:12508-12511. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201705932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Reto Burn
- Department for Chemistry University of Basel St. Johanns-Ring 19 4056 Basel Switzerland
| | - Laëtitia Misson
- Department for Chemistry University of Basel St. Johanns-Ring 19 4056 Basel Switzerland
| | - Marcel Meury
- Department for Chemistry University of Basel St. Johanns-Ring 19 4056 Basel Switzerland
| | - Florian P. Seebeck
- Department for Chemistry University of Basel St. Johanns-Ring 19 4056 Basel Switzerland
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36
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Servillo L, D'Onofrio N, Casale R, Cautela D, Giovane A, Castaldo D, Balestrieri ML. Ergothioneine products derived by superoxide oxidation in endothelial cells exposed to high-glucose. Free Radic Biol Med 2017; 108:8-18. [PMID: 28300670 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (Egt), 2-mercapto-L-histidine betaine (ESH), is a dietary component acting as antioxidant and cytoprotectant. In vitro studies demonstrated that Egt, a powerful scavenger of hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion, hypochlorous acid and peroxynitrite, protects vascular function against oxidative damages, thus preventing endothelial dysfunction. In order to delve the peculiar oxidative behavior of Egt, firstly identified in cell free-systems, experiments were designed to identify the Egt oxidation products when endothelial cells (EC) benefit of its protection against high-glucose (hGluc). HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analyses revealed a decrease in the intracellular GSH levels and an increase in the ophthalmic acid (OPH) levels during hGluc treatment. Interestingly, in the presence of Egt, the decrease of the GSH levels was lower than in cells treated with hGluc alone, and this effect was paralleled by lower OPH levels. Egt was also effective in reducing the cytotoxicity of H2O2 and paraquat (PQT), an inducer of superoxide anion production, showing a similar time-dependent pattern of GSH and OPH levels, although with peaks occurring at different times. Importantly, Egt oxidation generated not only hercynine (EH) but also the sulfonic acid derivative (ESO3H) whose amounts were dependent on the oxidative stress employed. Furthermore, cell-free experiments confirmed the formation of both EH and ESO3H when Egt was reacted with superoxide anion. In summary, these data, by identifying the EH and ESO3H formation in EC exposed to hGluc, highlight the cellular antioxidant properties of Egt, whose peculiar redox behavior makes it an attractive candidate for the prevention of oxidative stress-associated endothelial dysfunction during hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Servillo
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia D'Onofrio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Casale
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Cautela
- Stazione Sperimentale per le Industrie delle Essenze e dei derivati dagli Agrumi, Azienda Speciale della Camera di Commercio di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Alfonso Giovane
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Castaldo
- Stazione Sperimentale per le Industrie delle Essenze e dei derivati dagli Agrumi, Azienda Speciale della Camera di Commercio di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy; Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico, MiSE, Roma, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Balestrieri
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
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MONSALVE BERNARDITA, CONCHA-MEYER ANIBAL, PALOMO IVÁN, FUENTES EDUARDO. Mechanisms of Endothelial Protection by Natural Bioactive Compounds from Fruit and Vegetables. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 89:615-633. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201720160509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - EDUARDO FUENTES
- Universidad de Talca, Chile; CONICYT, Chile; Universidad de Talca, Chile
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Cheah IK, Tang RMY, Yew TSZ, Lim KHC, Halliwell B. Administration of Pure Ergothioneine to Healthy Human Subjects: Uptake, Metabolism, and Effects on Biomarkers of Oxidative Damage and Inflammation. Antioxid Redox Signal 2017; 26:193-206. [PMID: 27488221 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2016.6778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AIM We investigated the uptake and pharmacokinetics of l-ergothioneine (ET), a dietary thione with free radical scavenging and cytoprotective capabilities, after oral administration to humans, and its effect on biomarkers of oxidative damage and inflammation. RESULTS After oral administration, ET is avidly absorbed and retained by the body with significant elevations in plasma and whole blood concentrations, and relatively low urinary excretion (<4% of administered ET). ET levels in whole blood were highly correlated to levels of hercynine and S-methyl-ergothioneine, suggesting that they may be metabolites. After ET administration, some decreasing trends were seen in biomarkers of oxidative damage and inflammation, including allantoin (urate oxidation), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (DNA damage), 8-iso-PGF2α (lipid peroxidation), protein carbonylation, and C-reactive protein. However, most of the changes were non-significant. INNOVATION This is the first study investigating the administration of pure ET to healthy human volunteers and monitoring its uptake and pharmacokinetics. This compound is rapidly gaining attention due to its unique properties, and this study lays the foundation for future human studies. CONCLUSION The uptake and retention of ET by the body suggests an important physiological function. The decreasing trend of oxidative damage biomarkers is consistent with animal studies suggesting that ET may function as a major antioxidant but perhaps only under conditions of oxidative stress. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 193-206.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irwin K Cheah
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore , Singapore .,3 Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Richard M Y Tang
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore , Singapore .,3 Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Terry S Z Yew
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore , Singapore .,3 Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Keith H C Lim
- 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University Hospital , Singapore
| | - Barry Halliwell
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore , Singapore .,3 Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Abidin MHZ, Abdullah N, Abidin NZ. Therapeutic properties ofPleurotusspecies (oyster mushrooms) for atherosclerosis: A review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD PROPERTIES 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/10942912.2016.1210162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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D'Onofrio N, Servillo L, Giovane A, Casale R, Vitiello M, Marfella R, Paolisso G, Balestrieri ML. Ergothioneine oxidation in the protection against high-glucose induced endothelial senescence: Involvement of SIRT1 and SIRT6. Free Radic Biol Med 2016; 96:211-22. [PMID: 27101740 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (Egt), the betaine of 2-mercapto-L-histidine, is a dietary antioxidant protecting against many diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), through a redox mechanism different from alkylthiols. Here, experiments were designed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of Egt against hyperglycaemia-induced senescence in endothelial cells. To this end, cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of Egt (0.01-1.00mM) for 12h followed by incubation for 48h with high-glucose (25mM). Cell evaluation indicated that viability was not affected by mM concentrations of Egt and that the high-glucose cytotoxicity was prevented with the highest efficacy at 0.5mM Egt. The cytoprotective effect of Egt was paralleled by reduced ROS production, cell senescence, and, interestingly, the formation of hercynine (EH), a betaine we recently found to be produced during the Egt oxidation pathway. Notably, the Egt beneficial effect was exerted through the upregulation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) expression and the downregulation of p66Shc and NF-κB. SIRT1 activity inhibition and SIRT6 gene silencing by small interfering RNA abolished the protective effect of Egt against the high-glucose-induced endothelial senescence. These data provide the first evidence of the Egt ability to interfere with endothelial senescence linked to hyperglycaemia through the regulation of SIRT1 and SIRT6 signaling, thus further strengthening the already assessed role of these two histone deacetylases in type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia D'Onofrio
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Servillo
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Alfonso Giovane
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Casale
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Milena Vitiello
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Marfella
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Paolisso
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Balestrieri
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
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Characterizing Blood Metabolomics Profiles Associated with Self-Reported Food Intakes in Female Twins. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158568. [PMID: 27355821 PMCID: PMC4927065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Using dietary biomarkers in nutritional epidemiological studies may better capture exposure and improve the level at which diet-disease associations can be established and explored. Here, we aimed to identify and evaluate reproducibility of novel biomarkers of reported habitual food intake using targeted and non-targeted metabolomic blood profiling in a large twin cohort. Reported intakes of 71 food groups, determined by FFQ, were assessed against 601 fasting blood metabolites in over 3500 adult female twins from the TwinsUK cohort. For each metabolite, linear regression analysis was undertaken in the discovery group (excluding MZ twin pairs discordant [≥1 SD apart] for food group intake) with each food group as a predictor adjusting for age, batch effects, BMI, family relatedness and multiple testing (1.17x10-6 = 0.05/[71 food groups x 601 detected metabolites]). Significant results were then replicated (non-targeted: P<0.05; targeted: same direction) in the MZ discordant twin group and results from both analyses meta-analyzed. We identified and replicated 180 significant associations with 39 food groups (P<1.17x10-6), overall consisting of 106 different metabolites (74 known and 32 unknown), including 73 novel associations. In particular we identified trans-4-hydroxyproline as a potential marker of red meat intake (0.075[0.009]; P = 1.08x10-17), ergothioneine as a marker of mushroom consumption (0.181[0.019]; P = 5.93x10-22), and three potential markers of fruit consumption (top association: apple and pears): including metabolites derived from gut bacterial transformation of phenolic compounds, 3-phenylpropionate (0.024[0.004]; P = 1.24x10-8) and indolepropionate (0.026[0.004]; P = 2.39x10-9), and threitol (0.033[0.003]; P = 1.69x10-21). With the largest nutritional metabolomics dataset to date, we have identified 73 novel candidate biomarkers of food intake for potential use in nutritional epidemiological studies. We compiled our findings into the DietMetab database (http://www.twinsuk.ac.uk/dietmetab-data/), an online tool to investigate our top associations.
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Marone PA, Trampota J, Weisman S. A Safety Evaluation of a Nature-Identical l-Ergothioneine in Sprague Dawley Rats. Int J Toxicol 2016; 35:568-83. [PMID: 27306320 DOI: 10.1177/1091581816653375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
l-(+) Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring thiol amino acid with antioxidant properties and potential benefits as a dietary supplement. Despite its century-old identification and wide distribution in human food, little is known of its mechanism of action and safety. The nature-identical biomimetic of l-(+) ergothioneine, produced by Mironova Labs and supplied as Mironova (EGT+), has been investigated in the present studies for its mutagenic and toxicologic potential. In a plate incorporation and preincubation assay with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, 100, 1,535, and 1,537 and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA strain, at dose concentrations of 1.58, 5, 15.8, 50, 158, 500, 1,580, and 5,000 μg/plate with and without metabolic activation, no cytotoxicity or mutagenicity was observed. Following a preliminary 28-day study, a repeated dose 90-day gavage study at dose levels of 0, 400, 800, and 1,600 mg/kg body weight (bw)/d in Sprague Dawley rats, in which dose-proportional systemic absorption was confirmed by plasma analysis, no adverse clinical, body weight/gain, food consumption and efficiency, clinical pathology, or histopathological changes associated with the administration of the nature-identical ergothioneine were observed. In conclusion, EGT+ administered over 90 days was well tolerated with a no adverse effect level at 1,600 mg/kg bw/d, the highest dose tested for male and female rats. In addition, the nature-identical test substance, EGT+ was not mutagenic in a bacterial reverse mutation assay at plate concentrations of up to 5,000 μg/mL in the presence or absence of metabolic activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palma Ann Marone
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Richmond, VA, USA
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Halliwell B, Cheah IK, Drum CL. Ergothioneine, an adaptive antioxidant for the protection of injured tissues? A hypothesis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 470:245-250. [PMID: 26772879 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.12.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (ET) is a diet-derived, thiolated derivative of histidine with antioxidant properties. Although ET is produced only by certain fungi and bacteria, it can be found at high concentrations in certain human and animal tissues and is absorbed through a specific, high affinity transporter (OCTN1). In liver, heart, joint and intestinal injury, elevated ET concentrations have been observed in injured tissues. The physiological role of ET remains unclear. We thus review current literature to generate a specific hypothesis: that the accumulation of ET in vivo is an adaptive mechanism, involving the regulated uptake and concentration of an exogenous natural compound to minimize oxidative damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Halliwell
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Irwin K Cheah
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chester L Drum
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Level 5, 138648, Singapore
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Cheah IK, Tang R, Ye P, Yew TSZ, Lim KHS, Halliwell B. Liver ergothioneine accumulation in a guinea pig model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A possible mechanism of defence? Free Radic Res 2015; 50:14-25. [PMID: 26634964 DOI: 10.3109/10715762.2015.1099642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
L-ergothioneine (ET), a putative antioxidant compound acquired by animals through dietary sources, has been suggested to accumulate in certain cells and tissues in the body that are predisposed to high oxidative stress. In the present study, we identified an elevation of ET in the liver of a guinea pig model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), elucidated a possible mechanism for the increased uptake and investigated the possible role for this accumulation. This increase in liver ET levels correlated with cholesterol accumulation and disease severity. We identified an increase in the transcriptional factor, RUNX1, which has been shown to upregulate the expression of the ET-specific transporter OCTN1, and could consequently lead to the observable elevation in ET. An increase was also seen in heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) which seemingly corresponds to ET elevation. No significant increase was observed in oxidative damage markers, F2-isoprostanes, and protein carbonyls, which could possibly be attributed to the increase in liver ET through direct antioxidant action, induction of HSP70, or by chelation of Fe(2+), preventing redox chemistry. The data suggest a novel mechanism by which the guinea pig fatty liver accumulates ET via upregulation of its transporter, as a possible stress response by the damaged liver to further suppress oxidative damage and delay tissue injury. Similar events may happen in other animal models of disease, and researchers should be aware of the possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irwin K Cheah
- a Department of Biochemistry , Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore , Singapore
| | - Richard Tang
- a Department of Biochemistry , Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore , Singapore
| | - Peng Ye
- a Department of Biochemistry , Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore , Singapore
| | - Terry S Z Yew
- a Department of Biochemistry , Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore , Singapore
| | - Keith H S Lim
- b Department of Radiation Oncology , National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National University Health System , Singapore
| | - Barry Halliwell
- a Department of Biochemistry , Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore , Singapore
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Vit A, Mashabela GT, Blankenfeldt W, Seebeck FP. Structure of the Ergothioneine-Biosynthesis Amidohydrolase EgtC. Chembiochem 2015; 16:1490-6. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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