Is catalase involved in the effects of systemic and pVTA administration of 4-methylpyrazole on ethanol self-administration?

The oxidative metabolism of ethanol into acetaldehyde involves several enzymes, including alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and catalase-hydrogen peroxide (HO). In this regard, while it is well known that 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) acts by inhibiting ADH in the liver, little attention has been placed on its ability to interfere with fatty acid oxidation-mediated generation of HO, a mechanism that may indirectly affect catalase whose enzymatic activity requires HO. The aim of our investigation was twofold: 1) to evaluate the effect of systemic (i.

Mystic Acetaldehyde: The Never-Ending Story on Alcoholism.

After decades of uncertainties and drawbacks, the study on the role and significance of acetaldehyde in the effects of ethanol seemed to have found its main paths. Accordingly, the effects of acetaldehyde, after its systemic or central administration and as obtained following ethanol metabolism, looked as they were extensively characterized. However, almost 5 years after this research appeared at its highest momentum, the investigations on this topic have been revitalized on at least three main directions: (1) the role and the behavioral significance of acetaldehyde in different phases of ethanol self-administration and in voluntary ethanol consumption; (2) the distinction, in the central effects of ethanol, between those arising from its non-metabolized fraction and those attributable to ethanol-derived acetaldehyde; and (3) the role of the acetaldehyde-dopamine condensation product, salsolinol.

Role of ethanol-derived acetaldehyde in operant oral self-administration of ethanol in rats.

Rationale: The role of ethanol-derived acetaldehyde has not been examined yet on performance in a model of operant oral self-administration. However, previous studies reported that an acetaldehyde-sequestering agent, D-penicillamine (DP) and an inhibitor of catalase-mediated acetaldehyde production, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT) reduce voluntary ethanol consumption.

Objectives: The aim of our investigation was to evaluate the effects of DP and 3-AT on acquisition and maintenance of oral operant ethanol self-administration.

Change of cystine/glutamate antiporter expression in ethanol-dependent rats.

Background: Some drugs of abuse down regulate the expression of cystine/glutamate (xCT) antiporter in the nucleus accumbens (Acb) after extinction or withdrawal. The altered level of xCT exchanger in Acb, a structure involved in ethanol reinforcement, may contribute to the pathological glutamatergic signaling, linked to addiction. We hypothesized that the expression of xCT may be changed in Acb and whole brain also in non-dependent (occasional drinkers), ethanol-dependent rats, as well as, during ethanol withdrawal.

Neonatal taurine administration modifies metabolic programming in male mice.

The semi-essential amino-acid taurine is involved in glucose homeostasis either in adults or in parental life. Taurine is currently used in neonatal life because it is added to milk formula for babies, and to parental solution for prematures. Here, it has been examined whether taurine administration in lactation modifies adult glucose metabolism.

Temperature dependence of chaperone-like activity and oligomeric state of alphaB-crystallin.

The chaperone-like activity and the oligomeric state of alphaB-crystallin were studied at different temperatures and in the presence of urea and thiocyanate. The activity, assessed measuring the ability of alphaB-crystallin to prevent the aggregation of denatured insulin, strongly depends on temperature. While a significant activity increase was detected at 42 degrees C, the presence of urea and thiocyanate does not affect the protein activity in an irreversible way.

Is taurine beneficial in reducing risk factors for diabetes mellitus?

Taurine is a semiessential amino acid, and its deficiency is involved in retinal and cardiac degenerations. In recent years, it was found that diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with taurine, and many in vivo experimental studies showed that taurine administration is able to reduce the alterations induced by DM in the retina, lens, and peripheral nerve, although its effects on diabetic kidney are dubious. Interestingly, long-term taurine supplementation reduces the mortality rate in diabetic rats.

Effect of low doses of ethanol on platelet function in long-life abstainers and moderate-wine drinkers.

In vitro, high concentrations of ethanol (EtOH) reduce platelet aggregation. Less is known about the effect of low EtOH doses on platelet function in a selected human population of long-life abstainers and low moderate-wine drinkers to avoid rebound effect of EtOH on platelet aggregation. Results of our experiments suggest that moderate-wine drinkers have higher levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) than long-life abstainers while fibrinogen levels are unchanged.

Inhibition of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway by the novel antimetastatic agent NAMI-A down regulates c-myc gene expression and endothelial cell proliferation.

Imidazolium trans-imidazoledimethyl sulfoxide-tetrachlororuthenate (NAMI-A) is a novel ruthenium-containing experimental antimetastatic agent. Compelling evidence ascribes a pivotal role to endothelial cells in the orchestration of tumor angiogenesis and metastatic growth, suggesting antiangiogenic therapy as an attractive approach for anticancer treatment. In this context, activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway has been found fundamental in transducing extracellular stimuli that modulate a number of cellular process including cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

The anti-metastatic agent imidazolium trans-imidazoledimethylsulfoxide-tetrachlororuthenate induces endothelial cell apoptosis by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway.

Imidazolium trans-imidazoledimethylsulfoxide-tetrachlororuthenate (NAMI-A) is a new ruthenium compound active against lung metastasis in vivo and tumor cell invasion in vitro. Since angiogenesis was recognized as a key event in the metastasizing process, the manipulation of neo-vessel formation has been developed as a new therapeutic approach. Within this context, a pivotal role for apoptosis in regulating cellular growth has been proposed.