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Horvat D, Afroze SH, Cromer WE, Pantho AF, Ashraf AHMZ, Kuehl TJ, Zawieja DC, Uddin MN. Cartiotonic steroids affect monolayer permeability in lymphatic endothelial cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:3207-3213. [PMID: 33866492 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04147-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Edema is common in preeclampsia (preE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Cardiotonic steroids (CTSs) such as marinobufagenin (MBG) are involved in the pathogenesis of preE. To assess whether CTSs are involved in the leakage of lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC), we evaluated their effect on monolayer permeability of LECs (MPLEC) in culture. A rat mesenteric LECs were treated with DMSO (vehicle), and CTSs (MBG, CINO, OUB) at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 nM. Some LECs were pretreated with 1 μM L-NAME (N-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester) before adding 100 nM MBG or cinobufotalin (CINO). Expression of β-catenin and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin in CTS-treated LECs was measured by immunofluorescence and MPLEC was quantified using a fluorescence plate reader. Western blot was performed to measure β-catenin and VE-cadherin protein levels and myosin light chain 20 (MLC20) phosphorylation. MBG (≥ 1 nM) and CINO (≥ 10 nM) caused an increase (p < 0.05) in the MPLEC compared to DMSO while ouabain (OUB) had no effect. Pretreatment of LECs with 1 μM L-NAME attenuated (p < 0.05) the MPLEC. The β-catenin expression in LECs was downregulated (p < 0.05) by MBG and CINO. However, there was no effect on the LECs tight junctions for the CINO group. VE-cadherin expression was downregulated (p < 0.05) by CINO, and MLC20 phosphorylation was upregulated (p < 0.05) by MBG. We demonstrated that MBG and CINO caused an increase in the MPLEC, which were attenuated by L-NAME pretreatment. The data suggest that CTSs exert their effect via nitric-oxide-dependent signaling pathway and may be involved in vascular leak syndrome of LEC lining in preE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darijana Horvat
- Orion Institute for Translational Medicine, Temple, TX, USA.,Emergent Biotechnologies LLC, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Syeda H Afroze
- Orion Institute for Translational Medicine, Temple, TX, USA.,Emergent Biotechnologies LLC, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Walter E Cromer
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Ahmed F Pantho
- Orion Institute for Translational Medicine, Temple, TX, USA.,Emergent Biotechnologies LLC, Temple, TX, USA
| | | | - Thomas J Kuehl
- Orion Institute for Translational Medicine, Temple, TX, USA.,Emergent Biotechnologies LLC, Temple, TX, USA
| | - David C Zawieja
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Mohammad Nasir Uddin
- Orion Institute for Translational Medicine, Temple, TX, USA. .,Emergent Biotechnologies LLC, Temple, TX, USA. .,Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA.
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Marshall SA, Hannan NJ, Jelinic M, Nguyen TP, Girling JE, Parry LJ. Animal models of preeclampsia: translational failings and why. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2018; 314:R499-R508. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00355.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia affects up to 8% of pregnancies worldwide and is a leading cause of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Our current understanding of the cause(s) of preeclampsia is far from complete, and the lack of a single reliable animal model that recapitulates all aspects of the disease further confounds our understanding. This is partially due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease, coupled with our evolving understanding of its etiology. Nevertheless, animal models are still highly relevant and useful tools that help us better understand the pathophysiology of specific aspects of preeclampsia. This review summarizes the various types and characteristics of animal models used to study preeclampsia, highlighting particular features of these models relevant to clinical translation. This review points out the strengths and limitations of these models to illustrate the importance of using the appropriate model depending on the research question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Marshall
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie J. Hannan
- The Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maria Jelinic
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thy P.H. Nguyen
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane E. Girling
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Laura J. Parry
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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3
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Immunometabolism, pregnancy, and nutrition. Semin Immunopathol 2017; 40:157-174. [PMID: 29071391 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-017-0660-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The emerging field of immunometabolism has substantially progressed over the last years and provided pivotal insights into distinct metabolic regulators and reprogramming pathways of immune cell populations in various immunological settings. However, insights into immunometabolic reprogramming in the context of reproduction are still enigmatic. During pregnancy, the maternal immune system needs to actively adapt to the presence of the fetal antigens, i.e., by functional modifications of distinct innate immune cell subsets, the generation of regulatory T cells, and the suppression of an anti-fetal effector T cell response. Considering that metabolic pathways have been shown to affect the functional role of such immune cells in a number of settings, we here review the potential role of immunometabolism with regard to the molecular and cellular mechanisms necessary for successful reproduction. Since immunometabolism holds the potential for a therapeutic approach to alter the course of immune diseases, we further highlight how a targeted metabolic reprogramming of immune cells may be triggered by maternal anthropometric or nutritional aspects.
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Yuan TL, Zhu YH, Shi M, Li TT, Li N, Wu GY, Bazer FW, Zang JJ, Wang FL, Wang JJ. Within-litter variation in birth weight: impact of nutritional status in the sow. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2016; 16:417-35. [PMID: 26055904 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1500010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Accompanying the beneficial improvement in litter size from genetic selection for high-prolificacy sows, within-litter variation in birth weight has increased with detrimental effects on post-natal growth and survival due to an increase in the proportion of piglets with low birth-weight. Causes of within-litter variation in birth weight include breed characteristics that affect uterine space, ovulation rate, degree of maturation of oocytes, duration of time required for ovulation, interval between ovulation and fertilization, uterine capacity for implantation and placentation, size and efficiency of placental transport of nutrients, communication between conceptus/fetus and maternal systems, as well as nutritional status and environmental influences during gestation. Because these factors contribute to within-litter variation in birth weight, nutritional status of the sow to improve fetal-placental development must focus on the following three important stages in the reproductive cycle: pre-mating or weaning to estrus, early gestation and late gestation. The goal is to increase the homogeneity of development of oocytes and conceptuses, decrease variations in conceptus development during implantation and placentation, and improve birth weights of newborn piglets. Though some progress has been made in nutritional regulation of within-litter variation in the birth weight of piglets, additional studies, with a focus on and insights into molecular mechanisms of reproductive physiology from the aspects of maternal growth and offspring development, as well as their regulation by nutrients provided to the sow, are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao-lin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
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Wang J, Kotani T, Tsuda H, Mano Y, Sumigama S, Li H, Komatsu K, Miki R, Maruta E, Niwa Y, Mitsui T, Yoshida S, Yamashita M, Tamakoshi K, Kikkawa F. Is the serum l-arginine level during early pregnancy a predictor of pregnancy-induced hypertension? J Clin Biochem Nutr 2015; 57:74-81. [PMID: 26236104 PMCID: PMC4512889 DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.14-104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of serum l-arginine in healthy pregnant women and infant cord blood and to compare them with those in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). The serum concentration of l-arginine in normal pregnant women at early gestation (n = 186) was determined and analyzed based on maternal factors such as the age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol habits before pregnancy. Similarly, the concentration of cord blood of the newborns (n = 142) was also analyzed. These values were compared with those in the PIH group (n = 21). The potential risk factors for PIH were also estimated. The serum concentration of l-arginine at early gestation in normal pregnant women (88.65 ± 19.96 µM) was not affected by the maternal age and BMI before pregnancy. A lower l-arginine concentration at early gestation (<70 µM) significantly elevated PIH risk [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 4.26, 95% CI 1.29-14.50]. In addition, either women with large body mass before pregnancy (BMI>25 kg/m(2)) or primipara women also showed a significant association with PIH risk [adjusted OR = 10.55 (2.95-40.68); 5.25 (1.72-19.15), respectively]. In conclusion, a lower l-arginine concentration at early gestation, overweight before pregnancy (BMI>25 kg/m(2)) and primipara could predict to the development of PIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Wang
- Bio-database Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Tomomi Kotani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tsuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yukio Mano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Seiji Sumigama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Koji Komatsu
- Bio-database Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Rika Miki
- Bio-database Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Ei Maruta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yoshimitsu Niwa
- Royal Bell Clinic, 1-1715 Mizuhiro, Midori-ku, Nagoya 458-0848, Japan
| | - Takashi Mitsui
- Bio-database Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Shigeru Yoshida
- Bio-database Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Mamoru Yamashita
- Bio-database Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Koji Tamakoshi
- Department of Nursing, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-20 Daiko-Minami, Higashi-ku, Nagoya 461-8673, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Kikkawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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West CA, Han W, Li N, Masilamani SME. Renal epithelial sodium channel is critical for blood pressure maintenance and sodium balance in the normal late pregnant rat. Exp Physiol 2014; 99:816-23. [PMID: 24563165 DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2013.076273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Normal pregnancy is a state marked by avid sodium retention and plasma volume expansion. Insufficient plasma volume expansion results in the compromised maternal state of intrauterine growth restriction, which afflicts ∼5% of all human pregnancies. We have recently shown that renal epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) activity in vivo in the late pregnant (LP) rat is increased. To determine the importance of the renal versus extrarenal ENaC in sodium retention and blood pressure regulation during pregnancy, we have chronically blocked the ENaC pharmacologically with daily subcutaneous injections of benzamil and genetically using intrarenal transfection of αENaC short hairpin RNA. Compared with untreated LP control animals, LP rats treated with benzamil retain less sodium and have reduced mean arterial blood pressure. Furthermore, LP rats treated with benzamil had lower maternal body weight gain. Intrarenal transfection of αENaC short hairpin RNA versus scrambled small RNA successfully decreased renal αENaC mRNA expression in LP rats. Intrarenal transfection of αENaC short hairpin RNA reduced maternal sodium retention, body weight gain and pup weight. Redundant physiological systems that protect blood pressure and sodium homeostasis were unable to compensate for the loss of ENaC activity in the pregnant rat. These findings demonstrate that the renal ENaC is necessary for maintaining pregnancy-mediated sodium retention, volume expansion and blood pressure regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal A West
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Weiquing Han
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Ningjun Li
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Shyama M E Masilamani
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Ren W, Yin Y, Liu G, Yu X, Li Y, Yang G, Li T, Wu G. Effect of dietary arginine supplementation on reproductive performance of mice with porcine circovirus type 2 infection. Amino Acids 2012; 42:2089-94. [PMID: 21617969 PMCID: PMC3351591 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-0942-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate whether supplemental dietary arginine increases reproductive performance in mice infected with porcine circovirus type2 (PCV2). A total of 50KM female mice were allotted randomly to the arginine group (0.6% arginine+gestation diet) and control group (1.22% alanine+gestation diet). All the mice began to mate after 14 days of treatment with our prepared feed and challenged with PCV2 at the dose of 100 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infection dose, TCID50) after 7 days of pregnancy. Abortion rate, litter number, litter birth weight, the daily weight gain in the first 7 days and survival rate in the first 2 weeks of the neonates were calculated. The serum progesterone, estrogen, nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) on the 14th day of pregnancy were measured. Arginine supplementation decreased the abortion rate of pregnant mice and mortality of neonates caused by PCV2 infection. Further, litter number, litter birth weight and the daily weight gain of neonates increased in the arginine group compared to the control group. Arginine supplementation increased significantly the serum progesterone (P<0.01) and nitric oxide levels (P<0.05), but had little effect on the serum estrogen level. SOD activity and T-AOC in the arginine group were significantly higher (P<0.01) than the control group. In conclusion, arginine supplementation partially reversed the reproductive failure in mice caused by PCV2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkai Ren
- Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Livestock and Poultry, Hunan Engineering and Research Center of Animal and Poultry Science and Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan, 410125 China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039 China
| | - Yulong Yin
- Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Livestock and Poultry, Hunan Engineering and Research Center of Animal and Poultry Science and Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan, 410125 China
| | - Gang Liu
- Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Livestock and Poultry, Hunan Engineering and Research Center of Animal and Poultry Science and Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan, 410125 China
| | - Xinglong Yu
- College of Veterinarian, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128 Hunan China
| | - Yinghui Li
- Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Livestock and Poultry, Hunan Engineering and Research Center of Animal and Poultry Science and Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan, 410125 China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039 China
| | - Guan Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128 Hunan China
| | - Teijun Li
- Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Livestock and Poultry, Hunan Engineering and Research Center of Animal and Poultry Science and Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan, 410125 China
| | - Guoyao Wu
- Research Center for Healthy Breeding of Livestock and Poultry, Hunan Engineering and Research Center of Animal and Poultry Science and Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan, 410125 China
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8
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Gao K, Jiang Z, Lin Y, Zheng C, Zhou G, Chen F, Yang L, Wu G. Dietary l-arginine supplementation enhances placental growth and reproductive performance in sows. Amino Acids 2011; 42:2207-14. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-0960-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2010] [Accepted: 06/08/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Brown LD, Green AS, Limesand SW, Rozance PJ. Maternal amino acid supplementation for intrauterine growth restriction. Front Biosci (Schol Ed) 2011; 3:428-44. [PMID: 21196387 DOI: 10.2741/s162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Maternal dietary protein supplementation to improve fetal growth has been considered as an option to prevent or treat intrauterine growth restriction. However, in contrast to balanced dietary supplementation, adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant women who received high amounts of dietary protein supplementation have been observed. The responsible mechanisms for these adverse outcomes are unknown. This review will discuss relevant human and animal data to provide the background necessary for the development of explanatory hypotheses and ultimately for the development therapeutic interventions during pregnancy to improve fetal growth. Relevant aspects of fetal amino acid metabolism during normal pregnancy and those pregnancies affected by IUGR will be discussed. In addition, data from animal experiments which have attempted to determine mechanisms to explain the adverse responses identified in the human trials will be presented. Finally, we will suggest new avenues for investigation into how amino acid supplementation might be used safely to treat and/or prevent IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D Brown
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver; Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Wu G, Bazer FW, Davis TA, Kim SW, Li P, Marc Rhoads J, Carey Satterfield M, Smith SB, Spencer TE, Yin Y. Arginine metabolism and nutrition in growth, health and disease. Amino Acids 2008; 37:153-68. [PMID: 19030957 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-008-0210-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 803] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2008] [Accepted: 11/05/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
L-Arginine (Arg) is synthesised from glutamine, glutamate, and proline via the intestinal-renal axis in humans and most other mammals (including pigs, sheep and rats). Arg degradation occurs via multiple pathways that are initiated by arginase, nitric-oxide synthase, Arg:glycine amidinotransferase, and Arg decarboxylase. These pathways produce nitric oxide, polyamines, proline, glutamate, creatine, and agmatine with each having enormous biological importance. Arg is also required for the detoxification of ammonia, which is an extremely toxic substance for the central nervous system. There is compelling evidence that Arg regulates interorgan metabolism of energy substrates and the function of multiple organs. The results of both experimental and clinical studies indicate that Arg is a nutritionally essential amino acid (AA) for spermatogenesis, embryonic survival, fetal and neonatal growth, as well as maintenance of vascular tone and hemodynamics. Moreover, a growing body of evidence clearly indicates that dietary supplementation or intravenous administration of Arg is beneficial in improving reproductive, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, liver and immune functions, as well as facilitating wound healing, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and maintaining tissue integrity. Additionally, Arg or L-citrulline may provide novel and effective therapies for obesity, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome. The effect of Arg in treating many developmental and health problems is unique among AAs, and offers great promise for improved health and wellbeing of humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoyao Wu
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Abstract
There have been many attempts to produce animal models that mimic the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, especially preeclampsia, but most are incomplete when compared to the full spectrum of the human disease. This review assesses a number of these models, organized according to the investigators attempt to focus on a specific pathogenic mechanism believed to play a role in the human disease. These mechanisms include uterine ischemia, impairments in the nitric oxide system, insulin resistance, overactivity of the autonomic nervous and/or renin-angiotensin systems, activation of a systemic inflammatory response, and most recently, activation of circulating proteins that interfere with angiogenesis. In addition a model of renal disease that mimics superimposed preeclampsia is discussed. Defining these animal models should help in our quest to understand the cause, as well as to test preventative and therapeutic strategies in the management of these hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Podjarny
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Meir Hospital, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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Kwon H, Wu G, Meininger CJ, Bazer FW, Spencer TE. Developmental changes in nitric oxide synthesis in the ovine placenta. Biol Reprod 2004; 70:679-86. [PMID: 14613894 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.103.023184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized from l-arginine by NO synthase (NOS), is a key regulator of placental angiogenesis and growth during pregnancy. However, little is known about placental NO synthesis associated with ovine conceptus development. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that placental NO synthesis is greatest during early gestation. Columbia cross-bred ewes were hysterectomized on Days 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, or 140 of gestation (n = 4 per day) to obtain placentomes, intercotyledonary placenta, and intercaruncular endometrium. Tissues were analyzed for constitutive NOS (cNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) activities, NO synthesis, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and NADPH (essential cofactors for NOS), and GTP-cyclohydrolase I (GTP-CH, a rate-controlling enzyme in de novo synthesis of BH4) activity using radiochemical and chromatographic methods. Marked changes in NO synthesis, cNOS and iNOS activities, GTP-CH activity, and concentrations of BH4 and NADPH occurred in all placental and endometrial tissues between Days 30 and 140 of gestation. NO synthesis peaked on Day 60 of gestation in both intercotyledonary placenta and placentomes and on Days 40-60 in intercaruncular endometrium. NO synthesis in placentomes increased 100% between Days 80 and 100 of gestation, when placental and uterine blood flows increase continuously. In all placental and endometrial tissues, NO synthesis was positively correlated with total NOS activity, GTP-CH activity, and concentrations of BH4 and NADPH. Importantly, these results indicate a high degree of metabolic coordination among the several integrated pathways that support high rates of NO synthesis in the conceptus and uterus and establish a new base of information for future studies to define the roles of NO in fetal-placental growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyukjung Kwon
- Department of Animal Science and Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2471, USA
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