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Kim HY, Otgontenger U, Kim JW, Lee YJ, Kim SB, Lim SC, Kim YM, Kang KW. Anti-fibrotic effect of aurocyanide, the active metabolite of auranofin. Arch Pharm Res 2023; 46:149-159. [PMID: 36894745 PMCID: PMC9998255 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-023-01438-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Drug repositioning has gained significant attention over the past several years. The anti-rheumatoid arthritis drug auranofin has been investigated for the treatment of other diseases, including liver fibrosis. Because auranofin is rapidly metabolized, it is necessary to identify the active metabolites of auranofin that have detectable levels in the blood and reflect its therapeutic effects. In the present study, we investigated whether aurocyanide as an active metabolite of auranofin, can be used to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effects of auranofin. Incubation of auranofin with liver microsomes showed that auranofin was susceptible to hepatic metabolism. Previously, we found that the anti-fibrotic effects of auranofin are mediated via system xc--dependent inhibition of the NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Therefore, we tried to identify active metabolites of auranofin based on their inhibitory effects on system xc- and NLRP3 inflammasome in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Among the seven candidate metabolites, 1-thio-β-D-glycopyrano-sato-S-(triethyl-phosphine)-gold(I) and aurocyanide potently inhibited system xc- and NLRP3 inflammasome. A pharmacokinetics study on mice detected significant plasma levels of aurocyanide after auranofin administration. Oral administration of aurocyanide significantly prevented thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Moreover, the in vitro anti-fibrotic effects of aurocyanide were assessed in LX-2 cells, where aurocyanide significantly decreased the migratory ability of the cells. In conclusion, aurocyanide is metabolically stable and detectable in plasma, and has inhibitory effects on liver fibrosis, suggesting that it is a potential marker of the therapeutic effects of auranofin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanakro-1, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Undarmaa Otgontenger
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-Ro, Sangnok-Gu, Ansan-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Woo Kim
- Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (K Medi Hub), Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanakro-1, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Bum Kim
- Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (K Medi Hub), Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Chul Lim
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Mi Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-Ro, Sangnok-Gu, Ansan-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 15588, Republic of Korea.
| | - Keon Wook Kang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanakro-1, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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Kim E, Otgontenger U, Jamsranjav A, Kim SS. Deleterious Alteration of Glia in the Brain of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186676. [PMID: 32932623 PMCID: PMC7555758 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The deterioration of neurons in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) arises from genetic, immunologic, and cellular factors inside the cortex. The traditional consensus of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) paradigm as a singular cause of AD has been under revision, with the accumulation of exploding neurobiological evidence. Among the multifaceted casualties of AD, the involvement of glia gains significance for its dynamic contribution to neurons, either in a neuroprotective or neurotoxic fashion. Basically, microglia and astrocytes contribute to neuronal sustainability by releasing neuroprotective cytokines, maintaining an adequate amount of glutamate in the synapse, and pruning excessive synaptic terminals. Such beneficial effects divert to the other detrimental cascade in chronic neuroinflammatory conditions. In this change, there are new discoveries of specific cytokines, microRNAs, and complementary factors. Previously unknown mechanisms of ion channels such as Kv1.3, Kir2.1, and HCN are also elucidated in the activation of microglia. The activation of glia is responsible for the excitotoxicity through the overflow of glutamate transmitter via mGluRs expressed on the membrane, which can lead to synaptic malfunction and engulfment. The communication between microglia and astrocytes is mediated through exosomes as well as cytokines, where numerous pieces of genetic information are transferred in the form of microRNAs. The new findings tell us that the neuronal environment in the AD condition is a far more complicated and dynamically interacting space. The identification of each molecule in the milieu and cellular communication would contribute to a better understanding of AD in the neurobiological perspective, consequently suggesting a possible therapeutic clue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sang Seong Kim
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-400-5812; Fax: +82-31-400-5958
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