Effects of Dietary Methionine and Cysteine Restriction on Plasma Biomarkers, Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21, and Adipose Tiss

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Effects of Dietary Methionine and Cysteine Restriction on Plasma Biomarkers, Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21, and Adipose Tiss Olsen et al. J Transl Med (2020) 18:122 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-020-02288-x Journal of Translational Medicine RESEARCH Open Access Efects of dietary methionine and cysteine restriction on plasma biomarkers, serum fbroblast growth factor 21, and adipose tissue gene expression in women with overweight or obesity: a double-blind randomized controlled pilot study Thomas Olsen1*, Bente Øvrebø1, Nadia Haj‑Yasein1, Sindre Lee1, Karianne Svendsen1,2, Marit Hjorth1, Nasser E. Bastani1, Frode Norheim1, Christian A. Drevon1, Helga Refsum1 and Kathrine J. Vinknes1 Abstract Background: Dietary restriction of methionine and cysteine is a well‑described model that improves metabolic health in rodents. To investigate the translational potential in humans, we evaluated the efects of dietary methio‑ nine and cysteine restriction on cardiometabolic risk factors, plasma and urinary amino acid profle, serum fbroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and subcutaneous adipose tissue gene expression in women with overweight and obesity in a double‑blind randomized controlled pilot study. Methods: Twenty women with overweight or obesity were allocated to a diet low (Met/Cys n 7), medium (Met/ ‑low, = Cys‑medium, n 7) or high (Met/Cys‑high, n 6) in methionine and cysteine for 7 days. The diets difered only by methio‑ nine and cysteine= content. Blood and urine= were collected at day 0, 1, 3 and 7 and subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were taken at day 0 and 7. Results: Plasma methionine and cystathionine and urinary total cysteine decreased, whereas FGF21 increased in the Met/Cys‑low vs. Met/Cys‑high group. The Met/Cys‑low group had increased mRNA expression of lipogenic genes in adipose tissue including DGAT1. When we excluded one participant with high fasting insulin at baseline, the Met/ Cys‑low group showed increased expression of ACAC, DGAT1, and tendencies for increased expression of FASN and SCD1 compared to the Met/Cys‑high group. The participants reported satisfactory compliance and that the diets were moderately easy to follow. Conclusions: Our data suggest that dietary methionine and cysteine restriction may have benefcial efects on circu‑ lating biomarkers, including FGF21, and infuence subcutaneous adipose tissue gene expression. These results will aid in the design and implementation of future large‑scale dietary interventions with methionine and cysteine restriction. *Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Postboks 1046, Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © The Author(s) 2020. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creat iveco mmons .org/licen ses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creat iveco mmons .org/publi cdoma in/ zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data. Olsen et al. J Transl Med (2020) 18:122 Page 2 of 15 Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifer: NCT03629392, registration date: 14/08/2018 https ://clini caltr ials.gov/ct2/ show/NCT03 62939 2. Keywords: Methionine restriction, Dietary intervention, Plasma biomarkers, Translational research, Adipose tissue, mRNA expression Background indicated by reversal of the benefcial efects of methio- Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for meta- nine restriction by cysteine supplementation [13]. To our bolic disruptions including dyslipidemia and insulin knowledge, no studies have focused on efects of com- resistance that increase overall risk of morbidity and bined methionine and cysteine restriction in overweight mortality [1, 2]. Dietary intervention is a common strat- and obese populations. Furthermore, no studies have egy in obesity management; however, whether specifc evaluated whether moderate reduction (~ 35% relative dietary interventions are more efcient than others for to controls), may have similar metabolic efects and be a weight control is still debated. Dietary restriction of the more feasible approach both in research settings as well sulfur amino acids methionine and cysteine has the past as in everyday life. decades become increasingly recognized as a research Te primary aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the model to promote leanness and longevity in animals potential efects of a 7-day diet low, moderate or high in [3–6]. methionine and cysteine content on a wide selection of Methionine is an essential amino acid that through a potential outcomes identifed in preclinical and observa- sequence of reactions can be converted to cysteine [7]. tional studies [9, 13, 14, 16, 18] that may aid in the plan- Cysteine is a precursor of the antioxidant glutathione, ning and design of a future large-scale study. Outcome and taurine via catabolism by the enzyme cysteine dioxy- measures included plasma lipids, amino acids, glucose, genase (CDO). In human observational studies, plasma serum FGF21, and other biomarkers related to energy methionine and total cysteine (tCys) are associated with metabolism, including adipose tissue gene expression body mass index (BMI), fat mass, insulin resistance and and plasma SCD activity indices in healthy women with markers of the activity of the lipogenic enzyme stearoyl overweight and obesity. coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) [8–11]. In rodents, die- tary restriction of methionine and cysteine are associ- ated with several benefcial metabolic efects including Materials and methods increased energy expenditure, enhanced insulin sensitiv- Study design ity and decreased adiposity [12–15]. One of the primary We conducted a 7-day, double-blind, randomized con- biological responses includes efects on lipid metabolism trolled pilot intervention study at the Centre for Clini- such as increased expression of genes involved in de novo cal Nutrition at Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, lipogenesis, lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation in liver and University of Oslo, Norway from October 2018 until white adipose tissue [13, 16, 17]. Te available literature February 2019. Te participants were recruited through from preclinical work support that fbroblast growth fac- the social media channels of the Faculty of Medicine tor 21 (FGF21), a member of the endocrine FGF super- and the Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo. family, is one of the main factors that regulate lipid Of the 195 participants that were assessed for eligibility, and glucose metabolism in methionine restricted mice 20 were randomly assigned, and 19 completed all study [18–20]. visits (Fig. 1). Te participants were healthy women Despite the clear benefts of methionine and cysteine with overweight or obesity (BMI 25–35 kg/m2) aged restriction in animal experiments, and epidemiologic 20–40 years. Participants were also included if body fat data suggesting that cysteine is obesogenic [21], there percentage corresponded to > 33% as measured by dual- are few controlled dietary interventions with methionine energy X-ray absorptiometry [23]. Exclusion criteria and cysteine restriction in humans. One dietary interven- were presence of major chronic disease, use of medica- tion with severe restriction of methionine (> 80% relative tions, smoking, strenuous physical activity ≥ 3 times/ to controls), but not cysteine, in subjects with metabolic week, veganism, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Because syndrome (n = 26), demonstrated increased fat oxida- this was a pilot study where we did not have sufcient tion compared to the control group, whereas there were information on relevant efects from previous stud- no diferences in cardiometabolic risk markers and body ies, no formal power calculations were performed. Te composition [22]. Te lack of efects in the intervention number of participants were based on expected partici- group in this study might be due to cysteine intakes as pant recruitment applying the same strategies as in our Olsen et al. J Transl Med (2020) 18:122 Page 3 of 15 were recommended to avoid strenuous physical activity, to abstain from alcohol and fast 10 h before blood sampling. All participants gave written informed consent. Te study was conducted according to the guidelines in the Declaration of Helsinki, and the Regional Ethics Com- mittee for Medical Research in South East Norway approved the study (reference number: 2015/634). Te study was registered at US National Library of Medi- cine Clinical Trials registry (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifer: NCT03629392, registration date: 14/08/2018). Dietary interventions Te diet was based on the intervention in a previous pilot study [24] with some modifcations. Te diet was adjusted to the Nordic Nutrient Recommendations for females aged 18–60 years with an average energy require- ment corresponding to about 2200 kcal/d [27]. Because the main aim of the study was to compare diets contrast- ing in sulfur amino acid content, the total number of calories were the same for each participant. A detailed overview of the nutrient composition of the diet is pre- sented in Additional fle 1. Meals were developed to ft a Norwegian cuisine and available ingredients. A typical Fig. 1 Flow chart of the study participants and progression. The menu is displayed in Additional fle 2. Met/Cys groups had low, medium or high intake of methionine and Sulfur amino acids are found in most foods but are cysteine. 1One participant did not complete the last visit (V4), but all especially high in animal products.
Recommended publications
  • Thermal Decomposition of the Amino Acids Glycine, Cysteine, Aspartic Acid, Asparagine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Arginine and Histidine
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/119123; this version posted March 22, 2017. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. Thermal decomposition of the amino acids glycine, cysteine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, arginine and histidine Ingrid M. Weiss*, Christina Muth, Robert Drumm & Helmut O.K. Kirchner INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, D-66123 Saarbruecken Germany *Present address: Universität Stuttgart, Institut für Biomaterialien und biomolekulare Systeme, Pfaffenwaldring 57, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany Abstract Calorimetry, thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry were used to follow the thermal decomposition of the eight amino acids G, C, D, N, E, Q, R and H between 185°C and 280°C. Endothermic heats of decomposition between 72 and 151 kJ/mol are needed to form 12 to 70 % volatile products. This process is neither melting nor sublimation. With exception of cysteine they emit mainly H2O, some NH3 and no CO2. Cysteine produces CO2 and little else. The reactions are described by polynomials, AA → a (NH3) + b (H2O) + c (CO2) + d (H2S) + e (residue), with integer or half integer coefficients. The solid monomolecular residues are rich in peptide bonds. 1. Motivation Amino acids might have been synthesized under prebiological conditions on earth or deposited on earth from interstellar space, where they have been found [Follmann and Brownson, 2009]. Robustness of amino acids against extreme conditions is required for early occurrence, but little is known about their nonbiological thermal destruction. There is hope that one might learn something about the molecules needed in synthesis from the products found in decomposition.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis of the Effects of Three Commercially Available Supplements on Performance, Exercise Induced Changes and Bio-Markers in Recreationally Trained Young Males
    Analysis of the effects of three commercially available supplements on performance, exercise induced changes and bio-markers in recreationally trained young males Robert Cooper A thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Greenwich for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy This research programme was carried out in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline Maxinutrition division December 2013 School of Science University of Greenwich, Medway Campus Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK i DECLARATION “I certify that this work has not been accepted in substance for any degree, and is not concurrently being submitted for any degree other than that of Doctor of Philosophy being studied at the University of Greenwich. I also declare that this work is the result of my own investigations except where otherwise identified by references and that I have not plagiarised the work of others”. Signed Date Mr Robert Cooper (Candidate) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… PhD Supervisors Signed Date Dr Fernando Naclerio (1st supervisor) Signed Date Dr Mark Goss-Sampson (2nd supervisor) ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to my supervisory team, Dr Fernando Naclerio, Dr Mark Goss Sampson and Dr Judith Allgrove for their support and guidance throughout my PhD. Particular thanks to Dr Fernando Naclerio for his tireless efforts, guidance and support in developing the research and my own research and communication skills. Thank you to Dr Eneko Larumbe Zabala for the statistics support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my wonderful mother and sister who continue to give me the support and drive to succeed. Also on a personal level thank you to my amazing fiancée, Jennie Swift.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Isolation and Characterization of Cyclotides from Brazilian Psychotria
    Isolation and Characterization of Cyclotides from Brazilian Psychotria: Significance in Plant Defense and Co-occurrence with Antioxidant Alkaloids Hélio N. Matsuura,† Aaron G. Poth,‡ Anna C. A. Yendo,† Arthur G. Fett-Neto,† and David J. Craik‡,* †Center for Biotechnology and Department of Botany, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil ‡Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. 1 ABSTRACT Plants from the genus Psychotria include species bearing cyclotides and/or alkaloids. The elucidation of factors affecting the metabolism of these molecules as well as their activities may help to understand their ecological function. In the present study, high concentrations of antioxidant indole alkaloids were found to co-occur with cyclotides in Psychotria leiocarpa and P. brachyceras. The concentrations of the major cyclotides and alkaloids in P. leiocarpa and P. brachyceras were monitored following herbivore- and pathogen-associated challenges, revealing a constitutive, phytoanticipin-like accumulation pattern. Psyleio A, the most abundant cyclotide found in the leaves of P. leiocarpa, and also found in P. brachyceras leaves, exhibited insecticidal activity against Helicoverpa armigera larvae. Addition of ethanol in the vehicle for peptide solubilization in larval feeding trials proved deleterious to insecticidal activity, and resulted in increased rates of larval survival in treatments containing indole alkaloids. This suggests that plant alkaloids ingested by larvae might contribute to herbivore oxidative stress detoxification, corroborating, in a heterologous system with artificial oxidative stress stimulation, the antioxidant efficiency of Psychotria alkaloids previously observed in planta. Overall, the present study reports data for eight novel cyclotides, the identification of P.
    [Show full text]
  • The Alkaloid Emetine As a Promising Agent for the Induction and Enhancement of Drug-Induced Apoptosis in Leukemia Cells
    737-744 26/7/07 08:26 Page 737 ONCOLOGY REPORTS 18: 737-744, 2007 737 The alkaloid emetine as a promising agent for the induction and enhancement of drug-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells MAREN MÖLLER1, KERSTIN HERZER3, TILL WENGER2,4, INGRID HERR2 and MICHAEL WINK1 1Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364; 2Molecular OncoSurgery, Department of Surgery, University and German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, 69120 Heidelberg; 31st Department of Internal Medicine, University of Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; 4Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France Received January 8, 2007; Accepted February 20, 2007 Abstract. Emetine, a natural alkaloid from Psychotria caused mainly by two isoquinoline alkaloids, emetine and ipecacuanha, has been used in phytomedicine to induce cephaeline, having identical effects regarding the irritation of vomiting, and to treat cough and severe amoebiasis. Certain the respiratory tract (1). Nowadays, ipecac syrup is no longer data suggest the induction of apoptosis by emetine in recommended for the routine use in the management of leukemia cells. Therefore, we examined the suitability of poisoned patients (2) and recently a guideline on the use of emetine for the sensitisation of leukemia cells to apoptosis ipecac syrup was published, stating that ‘the circumstances in induced by cisplatin. In response to emetine, we found a which ipecac-induced emesis is the appropriate or desired strong reduction in viability, an induction of apoptosis and method of gastric decontamination are rare’ (3). Moreover, at caspase activity comparable to the cytotoxic effect of present there is a demand to remove ipecac from the over- cisplatin.
    [Show full text]
  • Amino Acid Requirements for Cleavage of the Rabbit Ovum
    AMINO ACID REQUIREMENTS FOR CLEAVAGE OF THE RABBIT OVUM JOSEPH C. DANIEL, Jr and JOHN D. OLSON Institute for Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado [Received 28th October 1967) Summary. The amino acids essential for cleavage of the rabbit ovum were determined by appraisal of the growth of eggs in vitro in defined medium deficient in specific amino acids. The first cleavage will occur in amino acid-free medium but the second requires cysteine, trypto- phane, phenylalanine, lysine, arginine, and valine. Subsequent cleavage to the morula stage requires the addition of methionine, threonine and glutamine. The amino acid requirements for pre-implantation stages of the mouse have been studied by methods that permit the growth of these embryos in vitro (Whitten, 1956, 1957; Brinster, 1965; Brinster & Thomson, 1966; Gwatkin, 1966). The only comparable study that has been done with rabbit embryos has been on the 5-day blastocyst stage (Daniel & Krishnan, 1968). The purpose of this communication is to describe the results of studies designed to identify those amino acids which are essential for early cleavage of the rabbit ovum. Fertilized ova were flushed from the oviducts with Saline F (Ham & Puck, 1962) at 18 hr p.c. The eggs were cultured for 30 hr in defined culture medium FIO (Ham, 1963) with specific amino acids deleted. Media lacking groups of five amino acids were used initially to facilitate the screening; then individual amino acids from groups which did not allow normal development were screened. Controls were run in each experiment with embryos cultured in complete FIO medium and in FIO free of amino acids.
    [Show full text]
  • Therapeutic Potential of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) in Preventing Cytokine Storm in COVID-19: Review of Current Evidence
    European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 2021; 25: 2802-2807 Therapeutic potential of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in preventing cytokine storm in COVID-19: review of current evidence R.R. MOHANTY, B.M. PADHY, S. DAS, B.R. MEHER 1Medicine All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India 2Pharmacology IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India Abstract. – Since November 2019, SARS death is mostly acute respiratory distress syn- 2 Coronavirus 2 disease (COVID-19) pandemic has drome (ARDS) . There are data suggesting the spread through more than 195 nations world- role of excessive immune activation and cytokine wide. Though the coronavirus infection affects storm as the cause of lung injury in COVID-193,4. all age and sex groups, the mortality is skewed The excessive immune activation and cytokine towards the elderly population and the cause storm usually occurs due to an imbalance in of death is mostly acute respiratory distress 5 syndrome (ARDS). There are data suggesting redox homeostasis of the individuals . Important the role of excessive immune activation and factors responsible for an imbalance in redox cytokine storm as the cause of lung injury in homeostasis are prolonged oxidative stress in COVID-19. The excessive immune activation and inflammation, increased reactive oxygen species cytokine storm usually occurs due to an im- (ROS) production, and decrease in glutathione balance in redox homeostasis of the individu- level6. Many antioxidants like Zinc, Vitamin C, als. Considering the antioxidant and free radical and NAC are being explored individually or in scavenging action of N acetyl cysteine (NAC), its use might be useful in COVID-19 patients by de- combination as a therapeutic agent in the man- 7 creasing the cytokine storm consequently de- agement of COVID-19 worldwide .
    [Show full text]
  • Serum Metabolite Profiles As Potential Biochemical Markers in Young
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Serum metabolite profles as potential biochemical markers in young adults with community- acquired pneumonia cured by moxifoxacin therapy Bo Zhou1, Bowen Lou2,4, Junhui Liu3* & Jianqing She2,4* Despite the utilization of various biochemical markers and probability calculation algorithms based on clinical studies of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), more specifc and practical biochemical markers remain to be found for improved diagnosis and prognosis. In this study, we aimed to detect the alteration of metabolite profles, explore the correlation between serum metabolites and infammatory markers, and seek potential biomarkers for young adults with CAP. 13 Eligible young mild CAP patients between the ages of 18 and 30 years old with CURB65 = 0 admitted to the respiratory medical department were enrolled, along with 36 healthy participants as control. Untargeted metabolomics profling was performed and metabolites including alcohols, amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, etc. were detected. A total of 227 serum metabolites were detected. L-Alanine, 2-Hydroxybutyric acid, Methylcysteine, L-Phenylalanine, Aminoadipic acid, L-Tryptophan, Rhamnose, Palmitoleic acid, Decanoylcarnitine, 2-Hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid and Oxoglutaric acid were found to be signifcantly altered, which were enriched mainly in propanoate and tryptophan metabolism, as well as antibiotic-associated pathways. Aminoadipic acid was found to be signifcantly correlated with CRP levels and 2-Hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid and Palmitoleic acid with PCT levels. The top 3 metabolites of diagnostic values are 2-Hydroxybutyric acid(AUC = 0.90), Methylcysteine(AUC = 0.85), and L-Alanine(AUC = 0.84). The AUC for CRP and PCT are 0.93 and 0.91 respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • N-Acetylcysteine in the Treatment of Human Arsenic Poisoning
    J Am Board Fam Pract: first published as 10.3122/jabfm.3.4.293 on 1 October 1990. Downloaded from N-Acetylcysteine In The Treatment Of Human Arsenic Poisoning Debra S. Martin, M.D., Stephen E. Willis, M.D., and David M. Cline, M.D. Abstract: A 32-year-old man was brought to the emergency department 5 1/2 hours after ingesting a potentiaIly lethal dose (900 mg) of sodium arsenate ant poison in a suicide attempt. The patient deteriorated progressively for 27 hours. After intramuscular dimercaprol and supportive measures failed to improve his condition, he was given N-acetylcysteine intravenously. The patient showed remarkable clinical improvement during the following 24 hours and was discharged from the hospital several days later. (J Am Board Fam Pract 1990; 3:293-6.) Arsenic has been used since medieval times, known use of intravenous NAC in a patient with both as medicine and poison. Although its me­ arsenic poisoning. dicinal use has declined, arsenic can still be found as an ingredient in certain homeopathic Case Report formulas, I which are available in some health A 32-year-old man was brought to the emer­ food stores. Arsenic also is present in high con­ gency department by ambulance 5 hours after centrations in many easily obtainable ant kill­ he ingested approximately 900 mg of sodium ers, and this source is responsible for most toxic arsenate - five times the lethal doseJ,6 - in a human ingestions. 2 Other sources include in­ suicide attempt. He was lethargic but arousable secticides, herbicides, and rodenticides. Com­ by voice and answered questions appropriately.
    [Show full text]
  • Methionine and Cysteine Kinetics at Different Intakes of Methionine and Cystine in Elderly Men and Women1–3
    Methionine and cysteine kinetics at different intakes of methionine and cystine in elderly men and women1–3 Naomi K Fukagawa, Yong-Ming Yu, and Vernon R Young See corresponding editorial on page 224. Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/68/2/380/4648746 by guest on 27 September 2021 ABSTRACT Earlier nitrogen balance studies led to the con- requirement for methionine. On the other hand, recent kinetic clusion that requirements for methionine in older individuals are studies by Fereday et al (6) imply that the protein requirements much higher than those in younger adults. Hence, we examined of healthy elderly, at least as assessed from tracer leucine bal- the kinetics of whole-body methionine, cysteine, and leucine ance studies, may not be any higher than those of younger adults. metabolism postabsorptively using a continuous intravenous Indeed, there is a great deal of uncertainty about the protein and 2 13 2 infusion of L-[C H3,1- C]methionine, L-[ H3]leucine, and [3,3- amino acid requirements of elderly subjects and the effects of 2 H2]cysteine in 12 elderly men (n = 5) and women (n = 7) given aging (7–9); therefore, further relevant studies in this age group as a 3-h infusion after a 12-h fast (study 1) and in 8 elderly men are highly desirable. In a review published previously (8), we (n = 4) and women (n = 4) as an 8-h infusion according to a 3-h concluded that amino acid requirements are similar in healthy fasted, 5-h fed protocol (study 2) for 6 d.
    [Show full text]
  • Cysteine, Glutathione, and Thiol Redox Balance in Astrocytes
    antioxidants Review Cysteine, Glutathione, and Thiol Redox Balance in Astrocytes Gethin J. McBean School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; [email protected]; Tel.: +353-1-716-6770 Received: 13 July 2017; Accepted: 1 August 2017; Published: 3 August 2017 Abstract: This review discusses the current understanding of cysteine and glutathione redox balance in astrocytes. Particular emphasis is placed on the impact of oxidative stress and astrocyte activation on pathways that provide cysteine as a precursor for glutathione. The effect of the disruption of thiol-containing amino acid metabolism on the antioxidant capacity of astrocytes is also discussed. − Keywords: cysteine; cystine; cysteamine; cystathionine; glutathione; xc cystine-glutamate exchanger; transsulfuration 1. Introduction Thiol groups, whether contained within small molecules, peptides, or proteins, are highly reactive and prone to spontaneous oxidation. Free cysteine readily oxidises to its corresponding disulfide, cystine, that together form the cysteine/cystine redox couple. Similarly, the tripeptide glutathione (γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine) exists in both reduced (GSH) and oxidised (glutathione disulfide; GSSG) forms, depending on the oxidation state of the sulfur atom on the cysteine residue. In the case of proteins, the free sulfhydryl group on cysteines can adopt a number of oxidation states, ranging from disulfides (–S–S–) and sulfenic acids (–SOOH), which are reversible, to the more oxidised sulfinic (–SOO2H) and sulfonic acids (–SOO3H), which are not. These latter species may arise as a result of chronic and/or severe oxidative stress, and generally indicate a loss of function of irreversibly oxidised proteins. Methionine residues oxidise to the corresponding sulfoxide, which can be rescued enzymatically by methionine sulfoxide reductase [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Site-Directed Mutagenesis of Cysteine to Serine in the DNA Binding Region of Nrf2 Decreases Its Capacity to Upregulate Antioxida
    Oncogene (2002) 21, 2191 ± 2200 ã 2002 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved 0950 ± 9232/02 $25.00 www.nature.com/onc Site-directed mutagenesis of cysteine to serine in the DNA binding region of Nrf2 decreases its capacity to upregulate antioxidant response element-mediated expression and antioxidant induction of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1 gene David Bloom1, Saravanakumar Dhakshinamoorthy1 and Anil K Jaiswal*,1 1Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas, TX 77030, USA NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a CNC/b-zip protein mation (Thelen et al., 1993), ionizing radiation (Breen that regulates antioxidant response element (ARE)- and Murphy, 1995), and cellular respiration (Grisham mediated expression, and antioxidant induction, of and McCord, 1986). These stimuli result in the detoxifying enzyme genes, including NAD(P)H:quinone production of free radicals, including reactive oxygen oxidoreductase1 (NQO1). A comparison of Nrf2 from species (ROS). ROS, and xenobiotic and antioxidant dierent species, and with other b-zip proteins, revealed generated electrophiles, attack DNA and other cellular the presence of a highly conserved cysteine residue at macromolecules, causing aging, neurodegenerative dis- position 506 in the DNA binding domain of Nrf2. Site- eases, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, and tumor induction directed mutagenesis was used to mutate this cysteine to and promotion (Breen and Murphy, 1995; Grisham serine. Transfection/over expression experiments in hu- and McCord, 1986; Ward, 1994; Rosen et al., 1995). man hepatoblastoma (Hep-G2) cells demonstrated that Cells have developed a defense mechanism to detoxify mutant Nrf2 (mNrf2), containing the C506S mutation, and remove electrophiles and ROS.
    [Show full text]
  • N-Acetyl Cysteine Modulates the Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Responses of Rescued Growth-Arrested Dental Pulp Microtissues
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences Article N-Acetyl Cysteine Modulates the Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Responses of Rescued Growth-Arrested Dental Pulp Microtissues Exposed to TEGDMA in ECM Gili Kaufman * and Drago Skrtic ADA Science & Research Institute, LLC, Department of Innovation & Technology Research, Hagerstown, MD 21742, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-301-975-6813 Received: 20 August 2020; Accepted: 1 October 2020; Published: 3 October 2020 Abstract: Dental pulp is exposed to resin monomers leaching from capping materials. Toxic doses of the monomer, triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), impact cell growth, enhance inflammatory and oxidative stress responses, and lead to tissue necrosis. A therapeutic agent is required to rescue growth-arrested tissues by continuing their development and modulating the exacerbated responses. The functionality of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) as a treatment was assessed by employing a 3D dental pulp microtissue platform. Immortalized and primary microtissues developed and matured in the extracellular matrix (ECM). TEGDMA was introduced at various concentrations. NAC was administered simultaneously with TEGDMA, before or after monomer addition during the development and after the maturation stages of the microtissue. Spatial growth was validated by confocal microscopy and image processing. Levels of inflammatory (COX2, NLRP3, IL-8) and oxidative stress (GSH, Nrf2) markers were quantified by immunoassays. NAC treatments, in parallel with TEGDMA challenge or post-challenge, resumed the growth of the underdeveloped microtissues and protected mature microtissues from deterioration. Growth recovery correlated with the alleviation of both responses by decreasing significantly the intracellular and extracellular levels of the markers. Our 3D/ECM-based dental pulp platform is an efficient tool for drug rescue screening.
    [Show full text]