Effect of Low Protein Diet on Bone Structure of Young Wistar Mice

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Malnutrition and stunting are major unresolved problems in Indonesia. Protein deficiency can cause stunted growth, as well as make physical and cognitive abilities cannot reach their maximum potential. During childhood the need for protein must be fulfilled so that the peak of bone formation during adolescence can be perfect. In malnourished children, a low protein diet will lead to thinning of the bone cortex. Due to the high rate of stunting and malnutrition in children due to protein deficiency, a study was conducted on the effects of feeding low protein diet on rat bones. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Male Wistar rats (n = 10) at 6-8 weeks old (body weight around 250 g), control groups were fed a normal chow diet and low protein diet groups were given low protein chow diet (protein 5%) for 18 weeks, then the rats were sacrificed and the femoral bones were isolated. Body weight, femur weight, femur length were checked and bone density was examined using X-ray. <b>Results:</b> The body proportions of the low protein group rats were smaller and thinner than those of the control group. This difference is supported by the significant weight loss starting from the sixth week after low protein feeding. There are significant differences in body weight and femur weight between the control and low protein diet groups. Bone density decreases significantly in low protein diet group. Macroscopically, the femur length of the low protein group was shorter than the control group, however the femur length did not show significant differences statistically between the two groups. <b>Conclusion:</b> A low protein diet decreased the body weight of the rats, also causing impaired bone growth characterized by decreasing femur weight. The low protein diet also caused osteoporosis in the bones.

Genetic Association Studies of MICB and PLCE1 with Severity of Dengue in Indonesian and Taiwanese Populations

Dengue is an arboviral disease that has spread globally and become a major public health concern. A small proportion of patients may progress from symptomatic dengue fever (DF) to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Findings from a previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) demonstrated that variations in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related B (MICB) and the phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCE1) genes were related to DSS in a Vietnamese population. This study investigated associations of variations in MICB (rs3132468) and PLCE1 (rs3740360, rs3765524) with dengue severity and thrombocytopenia in both the Indonesian and Taiwanese populations. We sampled 160 patients from the Indonesian population and 273 patients from the Taiwanese population. None of the patients had DSS in the Taiwanese population. Based on age demographics, we found that dengue is more prevalent among younger individuals in the Indonesian population, whereas it has a greater impact on adults in the Taiwanese population. Our results showed the association between MICB rs3132468 and DSS. In addition, an association was identified between PLCE1 rs3740360 and DHF in secondary dengue in Indonesian patients. However, there is no association of MICB or PLCE1 variants with thrombocytopenia. This study highlights the value of genetic testing, which might be included in the clinical pathway for specific patients who can be protected from severe dengue.

In Silico Analysis of Gene Expression Location and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of The Glucagon Like Peptide 1 Receptor (GLP-1R)

Association studies of SNPs have become very important in determining how genetic variants are linked to complex diseases, quantitative traits, and physiological responses. Genetic polymorphisms in the GLP-1R gene have potentially decreased protein stability and are associated with many diseases, especially diabetes and obesity. This study aimed to screen the expression and investigate the genetic polymorphism of the GLP-1R by using several beneficial bioinformatics tools. We observed database Ensembl, GTEx portal, and KEGG to identify the structure, expression, and molecular pathway of GLP-1R. In silico computational methods (SIFT, PolyPhen v2, PROVEAN, and PhD-SNP) were used to identify nsSNPs of the GLP-1R that potentially influence protein structure and function. I-Mutant was used to investigate possibly damaging nsSNPs, while GeneMANIA was used to investigate GLP-1R gene-gene interactions. GLP-1R is localized on chromosome 6p21, contains 13 exons, and has the regulation variant (CTCF, promotor, enhancer, and promotor flank region). GLP-1R is highly expressed in the pancreas to stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppress glucagon secretion. Seven nsSNPs of the GLP-1R gene were found to be potentially deleterious: rs10305421, rs201672448, rs10305492, rs2295006, rs6923761, rs1042044, rs140642887, and rs10305510. I-Mutant server showed that nsSNPs rs140642887 was unstable, decreased GLP-1R protein stability, and impaired other genes' interaction and function (SP1, SP3, GNAS, and GCG). This study is the first in silico analysis of the polymorphic GLP-1R gene, and will serve as a great resource for developing precision medications to treat diseases associated with these polymorphisms.

The use of genomic variants to drive drug repurposing for chronic hepatitis B

Background

One of the main challenges in personalized medicine is to establish and apply a large number of variants from genomic databases into clinical diagnostics and further facilitate genome-driven drug repurposing. By utilizing biological chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) risk genes, our study proposed a systematic approach to use genomic variants to drive drug repurposing for CHB.

Method

The genomic variants were retrieved from the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) and Phenome-Wide Association Study (PheWAS) databases. Then, the biological CHB risk genes crucial for CHB progression were prioritized based on the scoring system devised with five strict functional annotation criteria. A score of ≥ 2 were categorized as the biological CHB risk genes and further shed light on drug target genes for CHB treatments. Overlapping druggable targets were identified using two drug databases (DrugBank and Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb)).

Results

A total of 44 biological CHB risk genes were screened based on the scoring system from five functional annotation criteria. Interestingly, we found 6 druggable targets that overlapped with 18 drugs with status of undergoing clinical trials for CHB, and 9 druggable targets that overlapped with 20 drugs undergoing preclinical investigations for CHB. Eight druggable targets were identified, overlapping with 25 drugs that can potentially be repurposed for CHB. Notably, CD40 and HLA-DPB1 were identified as promising targets for CHB drug repurposing based on the target scores.

Conclusion

Through the integration of genomic variants and a bioinformatic approach, our findings suggested the plausibility of CHB genomic variant-driven drug repurposing for CHB.

Dietary fiber of jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus L) tuber exerts hepatoprotective effect against high-sugar drinks in mice

Introduction: Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus, family Fabaceae) is a potent medicinal plant. Although extensive studies report the health benefits of jicama extract, few studies have investigated the efficacy of its dietary fiber in preventing metabolic diseases, including liver disease. The present study aimed to elucidate whether dietary fiber obtained from the jicama tuber counteracts the development of liver disease induced by high-sugar drinks. Methods: Twenty-four adult male mice (DDY strain; 2 months old with bodyweight 22-25 g) were randomized into three groups: normal drink (ND), fed with tap water and standard chow; high-sucrose drink (HSD), fed with a high-sucrose drink and standard chow; and high-sucrose drink plus standard chow with 25% jicama fiber (HSD + JF 25%). After the mice were on their respective diets for ten weeks, the following parameters were measured: body weight, liver weight, malondialdehyde (MDA), histopathological alterations, blood glucose, and serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT). Results: Mice in the HSD + JF 25% group had significantly lower body weight (P < 0.01), liver weight (P<0.05), MDA (P<0.01), blood glucose (P<0.01), and SGPT (P<0.01) compared to those in the HSD group. They also had fewer histopathological alterations in the liver, as demonstrated by a lower proportion of degenerated cells and an overall lower histopathological score than those in the HSD group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Adding jicama fiber (25% of standard chow) mitigates the increase in blood glucose and body weight and histopathological changes in the liver induced by high-sucrose drinks, showing liver protective activity.

Isolation and culture methods of human breastmilk stem cells: A systematic review

With the rapid development of cell-based therapy, the source of stem cells derived from non-invasive techniques have been intensively studied for their potential to replace the invasive source of stem cells. One of the alternative sources of stem cells is the cells taken from human breastmilk. Human breastmilk is always readily available, easy to access and can last for an extended period. Unfortunately, the standard protocol to isolate the cells from breastmilk is still not well explained. Our study aimed to investigate three main questions in human breastmilk stem cells: the optimal lactation stage, isolation and culture method, and the characterization of human breastmilk stem cells. We searched in vitro studies that used human breastmilk as a cell source of stem cells and clearly explained the step-by-step procedure. From the initial 457 studies, 15 articles fulfilled the criteria and were further analyzed. The results showed that the stem cells could be taken from breastmilk in any lactation stage and isolated with various techniques to obtain both pluri- and multipotent stem cells. Although breastmilk can be used as an alternative for noninvasive source of stem cell, the results of few study groups were found sometimes contradicting another group, resulting in confusing theory. Therefore, the standard protocol is still needed to tackle the confounding results.

The Effect of Coffee Fruit Skin Extract on Sperm Characteristics And Testicular of Mice With Ethanol-Induced

Coffee fruit skin contains antioxidant compounds that can repair damaged tissues, especially those of reproductive or-gans. This study was designed to assess to what extent the metha-nolic extract of coffee fruit skin affected sperm characteristics and testicular histology in mice receiving 15% ethanol for 15 days. It used 25 male mice aged four months and employed a completely randomized design with two controls (K) and three treatments (P), namely K1 (without ethanol), K2 (15% ethanol), P1 (15% ethanol and the methanolic extract of coffee fruit skin, or MECS, at 125 mg/ kg BW), P2 (15% ethanol and MECS 250 mg/kg BW), and P3 (15% ethanol and MECS 500 mg/kg BW). These treatments were administered orally with a 1 mL disposable syringe for 15 days. The parameters observed were sperm characteristics (viability, morphology, and sperm count) and the microscopic structure of the testicles (lu-men area, diameter, and area of seminiferous tubules). These data were then analyzed using the one-way ANOVA, continued with the LSD and Duncan’s tests (P <0.05). The results showed that P2 (250 mg/kg BW) substantially improved sperm count (86.5x105±1.73 cells/ mL), sperm viability (87.26±0.05%), and the proportion of normal sperm morphology (93.33±0.004%) of mice with 15% ethanol-in-duced sperm damages. Testicular histology also confirmed improve-ments in spermatogenic cells, as evident from the lumen, diameter, and area seminiferous tubules after receiving P1 and P2. In conclu-sion, the optimum dose of the coffee skin extract for improving sperm quality and microscopic structures of mice testicles is 250 mg/kg BW. 

Pancreoprotective Effect of Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus, Fabaceae) Fiber against High-Sugar Diet in Mice

AIM: Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus, Fabaceae) has been promoted as a potent tuberous plant exerting both preventive and therapeutic effects against many diseases. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the pancreoprotective effect of isolated jicama fiber (JF) against glucotoxicity caused by high-sugar diet (HSD). METHODS: We performed an animal experimental research using adult male BALB/c mice with a completely randomized design consisted of four treatments and six replications. The treatments were diet types such as normal diet and HSD, supplemented with 10% and 25% of JF, respectively. The treatments were deployed for 8 weeks. Furthermore, random and fasting blood glucose levels were measured; histopathological alterations of pancreas including pancreatic adiposity, size of islet area, total cell number per islet, and necrosis level of pancreatic acinar cells were examined. Quantitative data were analyzed using an ANOVA followed by Duncan’s new multiple range test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that supplementation of JF 10% and 25% improved blood glucose profile and significantly reduced inter pancreatic adiposity caused by HSD. Moreover, JF at the dose of 25% effectively sustained normal size of the islet of Langerhans and total cell number of the islet in pancreas of HSD-fed mice. JF 25% was also effective to counteract necrosis of pancreatic acinar cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings clarify a protective effect of JF, particularly at a dose of 25%, on pancreatic tissues against degeneration caused by HSD. Hence, JF is reliable to be a supplement counteracting the development of diabetes mellitus and associated diseases.

Immunohistochemical Study of the Laminin α5 Chain and Its Specific Receptor, Basal Cell Adhesion Molecule (BCAM), in both Fetal and Adult Rat Pituitary Glands

Laminin, a major basement membrane protein, comprises three subunit chains: α, β, and γ chains. Among these chains, only the laminin α chain is capable of signaling via laminin receptors. Although laminin isoforms containing the α5 chain were reported to be the first laminin produced during rat anterior pituitary gland development, the functions of these isoforms are unknown. We used immunohistochemical techniques to localize the laminin α5 chain and its specific receptor, basal cell adhesion molecule (BCAM), in fetal and adult pituitary gland. Laminin α5 chain immunoreactivity was observed in the basement membrane of the primordial adenohypophysis at embryonic days 12.5 to 19.5. Double immunostaining showed that BCAM was present and co-localized with the laminin α5 chain in the tissue. Quantitative analysis showed that the laminin α5 chain and BCAM were expressed in the anterior pituitary gland during postnatal development and in adulthood (postnatal day 60). In the adult gland, co-localization of the laminin α5 chain and BCAM was observed, and BCAM was detected in both the folliculo-stellate cells and endothelial cells. These results suggest that laminin α5 chain signaling via BCAM occurs in both the fetal adenohypophysis and adult anterior pituitary gland.

Effect of retinoic acid on midkine gene expression in rat anterior pituitary cells

Retinoic acid (RA) is converted from retinal by retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (RALDHs) and is an essential signaling molecule in embryonic and adult tissue. We previously reported that RALDH1 was produced in the rat anterior pituitary gland and hypothesized that RA was generated in the gland. Midkine (MK) is an RA-inducible growth factor, and MK production in the rat anterior pituitary gland was recently reported. However, the mechanism that regulates gene expression of MK in the pituitary gland has not been determined. To investigate regulation of MK production in the anterior pituitary gland, we analyzed changes in MK mRNA in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells. We identified MK-expressing cells by double-staining with in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques for RALDH1. MK mRNA was expressed in RALDH1-producing cells in the anterior pituitary gland. Using isolated anterior pituitary cells of rats, we examined the effect of RA on gene expression of MK. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that 72 h exposure to a concentration of 10^-6 M of retinal and all-trans retinoic acid increased MK mRNA levels by about 2-fold. Moreover, the stimulatory effect of all-trans retinoic acid was mimicked by the RA receptor agonist Am80. This is the first report to show that RA is important in regulating MK expression in rat anterior pituitary gland.

Effects of retinoic acid on growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor gene expression and growth hormone secretion in rat anterior pituitary cells

Retinoic acid (RA) is an important signaling molecule in embryonic development and adult tissue. The actions of RA are mediated by the nuclear receptors retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR), which regulate gene expression. RAR and RXR are widely expressed in the anterior pituitary gland. RA was reported to stimulate growth hormone (GH) gene expression in the anterior pituitary cells. However, current evidence is unclear on the role of RA in gene expression of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (Ghrh-r), growth hormone secretagogue receptor (Ghs-r) and somatostatin receptors (Sst-rs). Using isolated anterior pituitary cells of rats, we examined the effects of RA on gene expression of these receptors and GH release. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA; 10(-6) M) for 24 h increased gene expression levels of Ghrh-r and Ghs-r; however, expressions of Sst-r2 and Sst-r5 were unchanged. Combination treatment with the RAR-agonist Am80 and RXR-agonist PA024 mimicked the effects of ATRA on Ghrh-r and Ghs-r gene expressions. Exposure of isolated pituitary cells to ATRA had no effect on basal GH release. In contrast, ATRA increased growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)- and ghrelin-stimulated GH release from cultured anterior pituitary cells. Our results suggest that expressions of Ghrh-r and Ghs-r are regulated by RA through the RAR-RXR receptor complex and that RA enhances the effects of GHRH and ghrelin on GH release from the anterior pituitary gland.

Maintenance of the Extracellular Matrix in Rat Anterior Pituitary Gland: Identification of Cells Expressing Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is important in creating cellular environments in tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated that ECM components are localized in anterior pituitary cells and affect cell activity. Thus, clarifying the mechanism responsible for ECM maintenance would improve understanding of gland function. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are endogenous inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases and participate in ECM degradation. In this study, we investigated whether cells expressing TIMPs are present in rat anterior pituitary gland. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze expression of the TIMP family (TIMP1-4), and cells producing TIMPs in the gland were identified by using in situ hybridization. Expression of TIMP1, TIMP2, and TIMP3 mRNAs was detected, and the TIMP-expressing cells were located in the gland. The TIMP-expressing cells were also investigated by means of double-staining with in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. Double-staining revealed that TIMP1 mRNA was expressed in folliculostellate cells. TIMP2 mRNA was detected in folliculostellate cells, prolactin cells, and thyroid-stimulating hormone cells. TIMP3 mRNA was identified in endothelial cells, pericytes, novel desmin-immunopositive perivascular cells, and folliculostellate cells. These findings indicate that TIMP1-, TIMP2-, and TIMP3-expressing cells are present in rat anterior pituitary gland and that they are involved in maintaining ECM components.

Folliculostellate cells are required for laminin release from gonadotrophs in rat anterior pituitary

The anterior pituitary gland is organized tissue comprising hormone-producing cells and folliculostellate (FS) cells. FS cells interconnect to form a meshwork, and their cytoplasmic processes are anchored by a basement membrane containing laminin. Recently, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture that reproduces this FS cell architecture. In this study of the novel function of FS cells, we used transgenic rats that express green fluorescent protein in FS cells for the 3D culture. Anterior pituitary cells were cultured with different proportions of FS cells (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%). Anterior pituitary cells containing 5-20% FS cells formed round/oval cell aggregates, whereas amorphous cell aggregates were formed in the absence of FS cells. Interestingly, immunohistochemistry showed laminin-immunopositive cells instead of extracellular laminin deposition in FS cell-deficient cell aggregates. Double-immunostaining revealed that these laminin-immunopositive cells were gonadotrophs. Laminin mRNA expression did not differ in relation to the presence or absence of FS cells. When anterior pituitary cells with no FS cells were cultured with FS cell-conditioned medium, the proportion of laminin-immunopositive cells was lower than in control. These results suggest that a humoral factor from FS cells is required for laminin release from gonadotrophs.

In situ hybridization analysis of the temporospatial expression of the midkine/pleiotrophin family in rat embryonic pituitary gland

Pituitary gland development is controlled by numerous signaling molecules, which are produced in the oral ectoderm and diencephalon. A newly described family of heparin-binding growth factors, namely midkine (MK)/pleiotrophin (PTN), is involved in regulating the growth and differentiation of many tissues and organs. Using in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes, we detected cells expressing MK and PTN in the developing rat pituitary gland. At embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5), MK expression was localized in Rathke's pouch (derived from the oral ectoderm) and in the neurohypophyseal bud (derived from the diencephalon). From E12.5 to E19.5, MK mRNA was expressed in the developing neurohypophysis, and expression gradually decreased in the developing adenohypophysis. To characterize MK-expressing cells, we performed double-staining of MK mRNA and anterior pituitary hormones. At E19.5, no MK-expressing cells were stained with any hormone. In contrast, PTN was expressed only in the neurohypophysis primordium during all embryonic stages. In situ hybridization clearly showed that MK was expressed in primitive (immature/undifferentiated) adenohypophyseal cells and neurohypophyseal cells, whereas PTN was expressed only in neurohypophyseal cells. Thus, MK and PTN might play roles as signaling molecules during pituitary development.