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Mantuano P, Boccanegra B, Bianchini G, Conte E, De Bellis M, Sanarica F, Camerino GM, Pierno S, Cappellari O, Allegretti M, Aramini A, De Luca A. BCAAs and Di-Alanine supplementation in the prevention of skeletal muscle atrophy: preclinical evaluation in a murine model of hind limb unloading. Pharmacol Res 2021; 171:105798. [PMID: 34352400 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle atrophy occurs in response to various pathophysiological stimuli, including disuse, aging, and neuromuscular disorders, mainly due to an imbalance of anabolic/catabolic signaling. Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, valine) supplements can be beneficial for counteracting muscle atrophy, in virtue of their reported anabolic properties. Here, we carried out a proof-of-concept study to assess the in vivo/ex vivo effects of a 4-week treatment with BCAAs on disuse-induced atrophy, in a murine model of hind limb unloading (HU). BCAAs were formulated in drinking water, alone, or plus two equivalents of L-Alanine (2 ALA) or the dipeptide L-Alanyl-L-Alanine (Di-ALA), to boost BCAAs bioavailability. HU mice were characterized by reduction of body mass, decrease of soleus - SOL - muscle mass and total protein, alteration of postural muscles architecture and fiber size, dysregulation of atrophy-related genes (Atrogin-1, MuRF-1, mTOR, Mstn). In parallel, we provided new robust readouts in the HU murine model, such as impaired in vivo isometric torque and ex vivo SOL muscle contractility and elasticity, as well as altered immune response. An acute pharmacokinetic study confirmed that L-ALA, also as dipeptide, enhanced plasma exposure of BCAAs. Globally, the most sensitive parameters to BCAAs action were muscle atrophy and myofiber cross-sectional area, muscle force and compliance to stress, protein synthesis via mTOR and innate immunity, with the new BCAAs + Di-ALA formulation being the most effective treatment. Our results support the working hypothesis and highlight the importance of developing innovative formulations to optimize BCAAs biodistribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Mantuano
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Orabona 4 - Campus, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Brigida Boccanegra
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Orabona 4 - Campus, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bianchini
- Research & Early Development, Dompé farmaceutici S.p.A., Via Campo di Pile, s.n.c., 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Elena Conte
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Orabona 4 - Campus, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Michela De Bellis
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Orabona 4 - Campus, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Sanarica
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Orabona 4 - Campus, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia Maria Camerino
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Orabona 4 - Campus, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Sabata Pierno
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Orabona 4 - Campus, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Ornella Cappellari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Orabona 4 - Campus, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marcello Allegretti
- Research & Early Development, Dompé farmaceutici S.p.A., Via Campo di Pile, s.n.c., 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Aramini
- Research & Early Development, Dompé farmaceutici S.p.A., Via Campo di Pile, s.n.c., 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Annamaria De Luca
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Orabona 4 - Campus, 70125 Bari, Italy.
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Sadhukhan R, Majumdar D, Garg S, Landes RD, McHargue V, Pawar SA, Chowdhury P, Griffin RJ, Narayanasamy G, Boerma M, Dobretsov M, Hauer-Jensen M, Pathak R. Simultaneous exposure to chronic irradiation and simulated microgravity differentially alters immune cell phenotype in mouse thymus and spleen. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2021; 28:66-73. [PMID: 33612181 PMCID: PMC7900614 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Deep-space missions may alter immune cell phenotype in the primary (e.g., thymus) and secondary (e.g., spleen) lymphoid organs contributing to the progression of a variety of diseases. In deep space missions, astronauts will be exposed to chronic low doses of HZE radiation while being in microgravity. Ground-based models of long-term uninterrupted exposures to HZE radiation are not yet available. To obtain insight in the effects of concurrent exposure to microgravity and chronic irradiation (CIR), mice received a cumulative dose of chronic 0.5 Gy gamma rays over one month ± simulated microgravity (SMG). To obtain insight in a dose rate effect, additional mice were exposed to single acute irradiation (AIR) at 0.5 Gy gamma rays. We measured proportions of immune cells relative to total number of live cells in the thymus and spleen, stress level markers in plasma, and change in body weight, food consumption, and water intake. CIR affected thymic CD3+/CD335+ natural killer T (NK-T) cells, CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, CD27+/CD335- natural killer (NK1) cells and CD11c+/CD11b- dendritic cells (DCs) differently in mice subjected to SMG than in mice with normal loading. No such effects of CIR on SMG as compared to normal loading were observed in cell types from the spleen. Differences between CIR and AIR groups (both under normal loading) were found in thymic Treg and DCs. Food consumption, water intake, and body weight were less after coexposure than singular or no exposure. Compared to sham, all treatment groups exhibited elevated plasma levels of the stress marker catecholamines. These data suggest that microgravity and chronic irradiation may interact with each other to alter immune cell phenotypes in an organ-specific manner and appropriate strategies are required to reduce the health risk of crewmembers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratan Sadhukhan
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Debajyoti Majumdar
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Sarita Garg
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Reid D Landes
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Victoria McHargue
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Snehalata A Pawar
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Parimal Chowdhury
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Robert J Griffin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Ganesh Narayanasamy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Marjan Boerma
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Maxim Dobretsov
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; I.M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Sankt-Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Martin Hauer-Jensen
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Rupak Pathak
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States.
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Abstract
Background Sarcopenia promotes skeletal muscle atrophy and exhibits a high mortality rate. Its elucidation is of the highest clinical importance, but an animal experimental model remains controversial. In this study, we investigated a simple method for studying sarcopenia in rats. Results Muscle atrophy was investigated in 24-week-old, male, tail-suspended (TS), Sprague Dawley and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Age-matched SD rats were used as a control group. The skeletal muscle mass weight, muscle contraction, whole body tension (WBT), cross-sectional area (CSA), and Muscle RING finger-1 (MuRF-1) were assessed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the MuRF-1 levels. Two muscles, the extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles, were selected for representing fast and slow muscles, respectively. All data, except CSA, were analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance, whereas CSA was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Muscle mass weight, muscle contraction, WBT, and CSA were significantly lower in the SHR (n = 7) and TS (n = 7) groups than in the control group, whereas MuRF-1 expression was dominant. Conclusions TS and SHR presented sarcopenic phenotypes in terms of muscle mass, muscle contraction and CSA. TS is a useful technique for providing muscle mass atrophy and weakness in an experimental model of sarcopenia in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Nemoto
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1, Hondo, Akita, 010-0843, Japan
| | - Toru Goyagi
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1, Hondo, Akita, 010-0843, Japan.
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Willey JS, Britten RA, Blaber E, Tahimic CG, Chancellor J, Mortreux M, Sanford LD, Kubik AJ, Delp MD, Mao XW. The individual and combined effects of spaceflight radiation and microgravity on biologic systems and functional outcomes. J Environ Sci Health C Toxicol Carcinog 2021; 39:129-179. [PMID: 33902391 PMCID: PMC8274610 DOI: 10.1080/26896583.2021.1885283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Both microgravity and radiation exposure in the spaceflight environment have been identified as hazards to astronaut health and performance. Substantial study has been focused on understanding the biology and risks associated with prolonged exposure to microgravity, and the hazards presented by radiation from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar particle events (SPEs) outside of low earth orbit (LEO). To date, the majority of the ground-based analogues (e.g., rodent or cell culture studies) that investigate the biology of and risks associated with spaceflight hazards will focus on an individual hazard in isolation. However, astronauts will face these challenges simultaneously Combined hazard studies are necessary for understanding the risks astronauts face as they travel outside of LEO, and are also critical for countermeasure development. The focus of this review is to describe biologic and functional outcomes from ground-based analogue models for microgravity and radiation, specifically highlighting the combined effects of radiation and reduced weight-bearing from rodent ground-based tail suspension via hind limb unloading (HLU) and partial weight-bearing (PWB) models, although in vitro and spaceflight results are discussed as appropriate. The review focuses on the skeletal, ocular, central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular, and stem cells responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizabeth Blaber
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
| | | | | | - Marie Mortreux
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
| | - Larry D. Sanford
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School
| | - Angela J. Kubik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
| | - Michael D. Delp
- Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University
| | - Xiao Wen Mao
- Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University
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Abstract
Acute periods of contractile inactivity cause skeletal muscle atrophy along with profound alterations in tissue metabolism. Hind limb unloading via tail suspension is a commonly used rodent model of muscle atrophy. Here, we describe a sample preparation and LC-MS/MS approach for quantifying specific panels of acylcarnitines, amino acids, and organic acids in small (~8 mg) samples of atrophied mouse soleus following a period of hind limb unloading.
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