Exploring cytokine dynamics in tuberculosis: A comparative analysis of patients and controls with insights from three-week antituberculosis intervention.

Despite developing new diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines, treating tuberculosis (TB) remains challenging. Monitoring inflammatory markers can contribute to more precise diagnostics of TB, identifying its active and latent forms, or monitoring its treatment success. We assessed alterations in plasma levels of 48 cytokines in 20 patients (17 males) with active pulmonary TB compared to age-matched healthy controls (n = 18).

Hyperglycemia Stimulates the Irreversible Catabolism of Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Generation of Ketone Bodies by Cultured Human Astrocytes.

Astrocytes are considered to possess a noticeable role in brain metabolism and, as a partners in neuron-glia cooperation, to contribute to the synthesis, bioconversion, and regulation of the flux of substrates for neuronal metabolism. With the aim of investigating to what extent human astrocytes are metabolizing amino acids and by which compounds are they enriching their surroundings, we employed a metabolomics analysis of their culture media by H-NMR. In addition, we compared the composition of media with either 5 mM or 25 mM glucose.

Application of the Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC-MS) Novel Protocol to Study the Metabolic Heterogeneity of Glioblastoma Cells.

Glioblastoma is a highly malignant brain tumor consisting of a heterogeneous cellular population. The transformed metabolism of glioblastoma cells supports their growth and division on the background of their milieu. One might hypothesize that the transformed metabolism of a primary glioblastoma could be well adapted to limitations in the variety and number of substrates imported into the brain parenchyma and present it their microenvironment.

Both Enantiomers of 2-Hydroxyglutarate Modulate the Metabolism of Cultured Human Neuroblastoma Cells.

Elevated levels of D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG) and L-2-hydroxyglutarate (L-2HG) in the brain are associated with various pathological conditions, potentially contributing to neurological symptoms and neurodegeneration. Previous studies on animal models have revealed their capability to interfere with several cellular processes, including mitochondrial metabolism. Both enantiomers competitively inhibit the enzymatic activity of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases.

Application of Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry for Direct Estimation of the Total Levels of Adenosine and Its Catabolites in Human Blood.

Adenosine is a multifunctional nucleoside with several roles across various levels in organisms. Beyond its intracellular involvement in cellular metabolism, extracellular adenosine potently influences both physiological and pathological processes. In relation to its blood level, adenosine impacts the cardiovascular system, such as heart beat rate and vasodilation.

Immunodetection of Pyruvate Carboxylase Expression in Human Astrocytomas, Glioblastomas, Oligodendrogliomas, and Meningiomas.

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is an enzyme catalyzing the carboxylation of pyruvate to oxaloacetate. The enzymatic generation of oxaloacetate, an intermediate of the Krebs cycle, could provide the cancer cells with the additional anaplerotic capacity and promote their anabolic metabolism. Recent studies revealed that several types of cancer cells express PC.

Different Approaches for the Profiling of Cancer Pathway-Related Genes in Glioblastoma Cells.

Deregulation of signalling pathways that regulate cell growth, survival, metabolism, and migration can frequently lead to the progression of cancer. Brain tumours are a large group of malignancies characterised by inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity, with glioblastoma (GBM) being the most aggressive and fatal. The present study aimed to characterise the expression of cancer pathway-related genes ( = 84) in glial tumour cell lines (A172, SW1088, and T98G).

The ubiquitous expression of pyruvate carboxylase among human prostate tumors.

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is a mitochondrial enzyme catalyzing the ATP-dependent reaction of pyruvate prolongation with bicarbonate ion to oxaloacetate. The synthesis of oxaloacetate by PC, an intermediate of the Krebs cycle, is recently recognized as a significant anaplerotic reaction that supports the biosynthetic capability, growth, aggressiveness, and even viability of several cancer cell types. PC expression was confirmed in several types of cancer cells and tumors.

The Plasma Levels of 3-Hydroxybutyrate, Dityrosine, and Other Markers of Oxidative Stress and Energy Metabolism in Major Depressive Disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious mental disease with a pathophysiology that is not yet fully clarified. An increasing number of studies show an association of MDD with energy metabolism alteration and the presence of oxidative stress. We aimed to evaluate plasma levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), NADH, myeloperoxidase, and dityrosine (di-Tyr) in adolescent and adult patients with MDD, compare them with healthy age-matched controls, and assess the effect of antidepressant treatment during hospitalisation on these levels.

Expression of 3-Methylcrotonyl-CoA Carboxylase in Brain Tumors and Capability to Catabolize Leucine by Human Neural Cancer Cells.

Leucine is an essential, ketogenic amino acid with proteinogenic, metabolic, and signaling roles. It is readily imported from the bloodstream into the brain parenchyma. Therefore, it could serve as a putative substrate that is complementing glucose for sustaining the metabolic needs of brain tumor cells.

Expression of pyruvate carboxylase in cultured human astrocytoma, glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cells.

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is an enzyme catalyzing the conversion of pyruvate to oxaloacetate, which possesses anaplerotic role in cellular metabolism. The expression of PC was confirmed in cells of several cancer types, in which it ensures several cellular functions, such as growth and division. To investigate the expression of PC in human astrocytoma, glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cells we applied the immunodetection methods.

The role of plant-derived natural substances as immunomodulatory agents in carcinogenesis.

The role of immune system in carcinogenesis represents fundamental events associated with cancer eradication; however, tumor evolution is connected with various mechanisms of tumor evasion and progression of cancer. Based on recent evidence, phytochemicals are directly associated with immunomodulation of the innate and adaptive immunity via different mechanisms of action including stimulation and amplification of immune cells, humoral compartments, and associated molecules. This comprehensive study focuses on immunomodulating potential of phytochemicals (mixture in plants or separately such as individual phytochemical) and their impact on regulation of immune response during cancer development, immune tolerance, and immune escape.

Chemopreventive and Therapeutic Efficacy of L. Bark in Experimental Breast Carcinoma: Mechanistic In Vivo and In Vitro Analyses.

Comprehensive oncology research suggests an important role of phytochemicals or whole plant foods in the modulation of signaling pathways associated with anticancer action. The goal of this study is to assess the anticancer activities of L. using rat, mouse, and cell line breast carcinoma models.

Role of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 (BMP7) in the Modulation of Corneal Stromal and Epithelial Cell Functions.

In the cornea, healing of the wounded avascular surface is an intricate process comprising the involvement of epithelial, stromal and neuronal cell interactions. These interactions result to the release of various growth factors that play prominent roles during corneal wound healing response. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are unique multi-functional potent growth factors of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily.

Role of Corneal Stromal Cells on Epithelial Cell Function during Wound Healing.

Following injury, corneal stromal keratocytes transform into repair-phenotype of activated stromal fibroblasts (SFs) and participate in wound repair. Simultaneously, ongoing bi-directional communications between corneal stromal-epithelial cells also play a vital role in mediating the process of wound healing. Factors produced by stromal cells are known to induce proliferation, differentiation, and motility of corneal epithelial cells, which are also subsequently the main processes that occur during wound healing.

Role of S-adenosylmethionine cycle in carcinogenesis.

Alterations in enzymatic activities underlying the cellular capacity to maintain functional S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) cycle are associated with modified levels of its constituents. Since SAM is the most prominent donor of methyl group for sustaining the methylation pattern of macromolecules by methyltransferases, its availability is an essential prerequisite for sustaining the methylation pattern of nucleic acids and proteins. In addition, increased intracellular concentrations of S-adenosylhomocysteine and homocysteine, another two constituents of SAM cycle, exerts an inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity of methyltranferases.

Young Barley Indicates Antitumor Effects in Experimental Breast Cancer In Vivo and In Vitro.

The effect of dietary administered young barley containing a mixture of phytochemicals to female rats for the prevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis was evaluated. After carcinogen administration (14 wk), mammary tumors were removed and prepared for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Moreover, in vitro evaluation of possible mechanisms in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was performed.

Fruit peel polyphenols demonstrate substantial anti-tumour effects in the model of breast cancer.

Purpose: Fruit and vegetable intake is inversely correlated with cancer; thus, it is proposed that an extract of phytochemicals as present in whole fruits, vegetables, or grains may have anti-carcinogenic properties. Thus, the anti-tumour effects of fruit peel polyphenols (Flavin7) in the chemoprevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats were evaluated.

Methods: Lyophilized substance of Flavin7 (F7) was administered at two concentrations of 0.

Cannabinoid-mediated diversity of antinociceptive efficacy of parecoxib in Wistar and Sprague Dawley rats in the chronic constriction injury model of neuropathic pain.

We studied nociceptive behavior and the effects of analgesics in Wistar (Wist) and Sprague Dawley (SPD) rats and in CB1 receptor-deficient mice with neuropathic pain experimentally. Neuropathic pain was induced by loose ligation of the sciatic nerve (chronic constriction injury, CCI). In CCI rats from both strains, cold allodynia and a reduced thermal pain threshold were detected, whereas no effect was found in the hot plate test.

Metabolism of [U-(13)C]aspartate by astroglial cultures: nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the culture media.

In brain the amino acid L-aspartate serves roles as: (1) putative transmitter, (2) protein precursor, (3) donor of atoms for the biosynthesis of pyrimidine and purine bases, and (4) fuel for energy metabolism. Astrocytes dominate aspartate clearance in brain, and in culture they take up aspartate and quickly metabolize it. In brain, only astrocytes were shown to express the enzymes for de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis.

Glial metabolism of valine.

The three essential amino acids, valine, leucine and isoleucine, constitute the group of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs are rapidly taken up into the brain parenchyma, where they serve several distinct functions including that as fuel material in brain energy metabolism. As one function of astrocytes is considered the production of fuel molecules that support the energy metabolism of adjacent neural cells in brain.

Glial metabolism of isoleucine.

Isoleucine, together with leucine and valine, constitutes the group of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs are transported from the blood into the brain parenchyma, where they can serve several distinct functions. Since brain tissue is known to oxidatively metabolize BCAAs to CO(2), they are considered as fuel material in brain energy metabolism.

Expression of pyruvate carboxylase in cultured oligodendroglial, microglial and ependymal cells.

The mitochondrial enzyme, pyruvate carboxylase (PC; EC 6.4.1.

Expression of 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase in cultured neural cells.

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)--isoleucine, leucine, and valine--belong to the limited group of substances transported through the blood-brain barrier. One of the functions they are thought to have in brain is to serve as substrates for meeting parenchymal energy demands. Previous studies have shown the ubiquitous expression of a branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase among neural cells.

Metabolic and regulatory roles of leucine in neural cells.

Dietary leucine transported into the brain parenchyma serves several functions. Most prominent is the role of leucine as a metabolic precursor of fuel molecules, alpha-ketoisocaproate and ketone bodies. As alternatives to glucose, these compounds are forwarded by the producing astrocytes to the adjacent neural cells.