Role of mitochondria in the differential action of sodium deoxycholate and ursodeoxycholic acid on rat duodenum

Sodium deoxycholate (NaDOC) inhibits the intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) stimulates it. The aim of this study was to determine whether NaDOC and UDCA produce differential effects on the redox state of duodenal mitochondria altering the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain (ETC) functioning, which could lead to perturbations in the mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis. Rat intestinal mitochondria were isolated from untreated and treated animals with either NaDOC, UDCA, or both. Krebs cycle enzymes, ETC components, ATP synthase, and mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis markers were determined. NaDOC decreased isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) and malate dehydrogenase activities affecting the ETC and ATP synthesis. NaDOC also induced oxidative stress and increased the superoxide dismutase activity and impaired the mitochondrial biogenesis and functionality. UDCA increased the activities of ICDH and complex II of ETC. The combination of both bile acids conserved the functional activities of Krebs cycle enzymes, ETC components, oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial biogenesis. In conclusion, the inhibitory effect of NaDOC on intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption is mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction, which is avoided by UDCA. The stimulatory effect of UDCA alone is associated with amelioration of mitochondrial functioning. This knowledge could improve treatment of diseases that affect the intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption.

Molecular Mechanisms Triggered by Bile Acids on Intestinal Ca2+ Absorption

BACKGROUND

Bile acids (BAs) are among the main components of bile. Lately, they are also considered important signaling molecules, not only by regulating their own synthesis, but also having a role in several metabolic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

In this review we focus on the effect of sodium deoxycholate (NaDOC), ursodeoxycholic (UDCA) and litocholic (LCA) acids and their combination upon the intestinal Ca2+ absorption. To make clear the actions of those BAs on this physiological process, an overview of current information about the mechanisms by which the intestinal Ca2+ occurs is described.

METHODS

The PubMed database was searched until 2017, using the keywords bile acids, NaDOC, UDCA and LCA and redox state, apoptosis, autophagy and intestinal Ca2+ absorption.

RESULTS

The modulation of redox state, apoptosis and autophagy are mechanisms that are involved in the action of BAs on intestinal Ca2+ absorption. Although the mechanisms are still not completely understood, we provide the latest knowledge regarding the effect of BAs on intestinal Ca2+ absorption.

CONCLUSION

The response of the intestine to absorb Ca2+ is affected by BAs, but it is different according to the type and dose of BA. When there is a single administration, NaDOC has an inhibitory effect, UDCA is an stimulator whereas LCA does not have any influence. However, the combination of BAs modifies the response. Either UDCA or LCA protects the intestine against the oxidative injury caused by NaDOC by blocking the oxidative/nitrosative stress, apoptosis and autophagy.

Melatonin not only restores but also prevents the inhibition of the intestinal Ca(2+) absorption caused by glutathione depleting drugs

We have previously demonstrated that melatonin (MEL) blocks the inhibition of the intestinal Ca(2+) absorption caused by menadione (MEN). The purpose of this study were to determine whether MEL not only restores but also prevents the intestinal Ca(2+) absorption inhibited either by MEN or BSO, two drugs that deplete glutathione (GSH) in different ways, and to analyze the mechanisms by which MEN and MEL alter the movement of Ca(2+) across the duodenum. To know this, chicks were divided into four groups: 1) controls, 2) MEN treated, 3) MEL treated, and 4) treated sequentially with MEN and MEL or with MEN and MEL at the same time. In a set of experiments, chicks treated with BSO or sequentially with BSO and MEL or with BSO and MEL at the same time were used. MEL not only restored but also prevented the inhibition of the chick intestinal Ca(2+) absorption produced by either MEN or BSO. MEN altered the protein expression of molecules involved in the transcellular as well as in the paracellular pathway of the intestinal Ca(2+) absorption. MEL restored partially both pathways through normalization of the O2(-) levels. The nitrergic system was not altered by any treatment. In conclusion, MEL prevents or restores the inhibition of the intestinal Ca(2+) absorption caused by different GSH depleting drugs. It might become one drug for the treatment of intestinal Ca(2+) absorption under oxidant conditions having the advantage of low or null side effects.

Antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of melatonin restore intestinal calcium absorption altered by menadione

The intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption is inhibited by menadione (MEN) through oxidative stress and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether the antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of melatonin (MEL) could protect the gut against the oxidant MEN. For this purpose, 4-week-old chicks were divided into four groups: (1) controls, (2) treated i.p. with MEN (2.5 μmol/kg of b.w.), (3) treated i.p. with MEL (10 mg/kg of b.w.), and (4) treated with 10 mg MEL/kg of b.w after 2.5 μmol MEN/kg of b.w. Oxidative stress was assessed by determination of glutathione (GSH) and protein carbonyl contents as well as antioxidant enzyme activities. Apoptosis was assayed by the TUNEL technique, protein expression, and activity of caspase 3. The data show that MEL restores the intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption altered by MEN. In addition, MEL reversed the effects caused by MEN such as decrease in GSH levels, increase in the carbonyl content, alteration in mitochondrial membrane permeability, and enhancement of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Apoptosis triggered by MEN in the intestinal cells was arrested by MEL, as indicated by normalization of the mitochondrial membrane permeability, caspase 3 activity, and DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, MEL reverses the inhibition of intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption produced by MEN counteracting oxidative stress and apoptosis. These findings suggest that MEL could be a potential drug of choice for the reversal of impaired intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption in certain gut disorders that occur with oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Ursodeoxycholic and deoxycholic acids: A good and a bad bile acid for intestinal calcium absorption

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on intestinal Ca(2+) absorption and to find out whether the inhibition of this process caused by NaDOC could be prevented by UDCA. Chicks were employed and divided into four groups: (a) controls, (b) treated with 10mM NaDOC, (c) treated with 60 μg UDCA/100g of b.w., and (d) treated with 10mM NaDOC and 60 μg UDCA/100g of b.w. UDCA enhanced intestinal Ca(2+) absorption, which was time and dose-dependent. UDCA avoided the inhibition of intestinal Ca(2+) absorption caused by NaDOC. Both bile acids altered protein and gene expression of molecules involved in the transcellular pathway of intestinal Ca(2+) absorption, but in the opposite way. UDCA aborted the oxidative stress produced by NaDOC in the intestine. UDCA and UDCA plus NaDOC increased vitamin D receptor protein expression. In conclusion, UDCA is a beneficial bile acid for intestinal Ca(2+) absorption. Contrarily, NaDOC inhibits the intestinal cation absorption through triggering oxidative stress. The use of UDCA in patients with cholestasis would be benefited because of the protective effect on the intestinal Ca(2+) absorption, avoiding the inhibition caused by hydrophobic bile acids and neutralizing the oxidative stress.

DL-Buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine affects intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity

The susceptibility of intestinal alkaline phosphatase to DL-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine was investigated in chicks fed a commercial diet. The results show that DL-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine produced inhibition of intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity. This effect showed dose- and time-dependency and it was caused by either in vivo DL-buthionine-S,R- sulfoximine administration or in vitro DL-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine incubation with villus tip enterocytes. DL-Buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine did not act directly on intestinal alkaline phosphatase but it provoked glutathione depletion which led to changes in the redox state of the enterocyte as shown by the production of free hydroxyl radicals and an incremental increase in the carbonyl content of proteins. The reversibility of the buthionine sulfoximine effect on intestinal alkaline phosphatase was proved by addition of glutathione monoester to the duodenal loop.

Glutathione plays a role in the chick intestinal calcium absorption

DL-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO) administration to vitamin D-deficient chicks treated with cholecalciferol produces a rapid decrease in the Ca2+ transfer from lumen-to-plasma and in the intestinal glutathione content. This response was reversed by addition of glutathione monoester to the intestinal sac. Variables related to the Ca2+ homeostasis such as plasma Ca and P, and intestinal calbindin D28k were not modified by BSO given to vitamin D-deficient chicks treated with cholecalciferol. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity, on the contrary, was highly reduced by BSO in vitamin D-deficient chicks treated with vitamin D3. This effect showed time and dose-dependency. Although the mechanism/s of action of BSO on the intestinal Ca absorption is unknown, it is quite possible that thiol groups of protein involved in the Ca2+ transport are affected by the GSH depletion and/or by block of the antioxidant ability of vitamin D3. Thus, reactive oxygen compounds would be increased and, therefore, the Ca2+ movement from lumen to plasma decreases.