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Lipids in Health and Disease May 2024Skin barrier alterations play a crucial function in melasma development. Past researches have demonstrated variations in lipid content between the epidermis of melasma... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Skin barrier alterations play a crucial function in melasma development. Past researches have demonstrated variations in lipid content between the epidermis of melasma lesions and normal tissues, along with the varied expression of lipid-related genes in melasma. This study aimed to analyze the lipidome profiles of skin surface lipids (SSL) in patients with melasma before and after treatment to understand associated abnormalities.
METHODS
Melasma was treated with tranexamic acid orally and hydroquinone cream topically. Disease was assessed using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI), and the impact to life was evaluated with Melasma Quality of Life (MELASQoL) score. Epidermal melanin particles were observed using reflection confocal microscopy (RCM), whereas epidermal pigment and blood vessel morphology were observed using dermoscopy, and SSL samples were collected. Specific information regarding alterations in lipid composition was obtained through multivariate analysis of the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry data.
RESULTS
After treatment, patients with melasma exhibited decreased MASI and MELASQoL scores (P < 0.001); RCM revealed reduced melanin content in the lesions, and dermoscopy revealed fewer blood vessels. Fifteen lipid subclasses and 382 lipid molecules were identified using lipidomic assays. The expression levels of total lipids, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine in the melasma lesions decreased after treatment (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
This study revealed alterations in the SSL composition after effective melasma treatment, suggesting a compensatory role for lipids in melasma barrier function. The mechanism involving SSL and the lipid barrier, which influences melasma's occurrence, needs further elucidation.
Topics: Humans; Melanosis; Female; Adult; Lipidomics; Quality of Life; Hydroquinones; Tranexamic Acid; Middle Aged; Melanins; Male; Lipids; Epidermis; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Phosphatidylcholines; Skin; Lipid Metabolism
PubMed: 38734619
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02130-z -
Nutrients Apr 2024Non-invasive diagnostics are crucial for the timely detection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), significantly improving survival rates. Despite advancements, specific lipid...
Non-invasive diagnostics are crucial for the timely detection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), significantly improving survival rates. Despite advancements, specific lipid markers for RCC remain unidentified. We aimed to discover and validate potent plasma markers and their association with dietary fats. Using lipid metabolite quantification, machine-learning algorithms, and marker validation, we identified RCC diagnostic markers in studies involving 60 RCC and 167 healthy controls (HC), as well as 27 RCC and 74 HC, by analyzing their correlation with dietary fats. RCC was associated with altered metabolism in amino acids, glycerophospholipids, and glutathione. We validated seven markers (l-tryptophan, various lysophosphatidylcholines [LysoPCs], decanoylcarnitine, and l-glutamic acid), achieving a 96.9% AUC, effectively distinguishing RCC from HC. Decreased decanoylcarnitine, due to reduced carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) activity, was identified as affecting RCC risk. High intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was negatively correlated with LysoPC (18:1) and LysoPC (18:2), influencing RCC risk. We validated seven potential markers for RCC diagnosis, highlighting the influence of high PUFA intake on LysoPC levels and its impact on RCC occurrence via CPT1 downregulation. These insights support the efficient and accurate diagnosis of RCC, thereby facilitating risk mitigation and improving patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Kidney Neoplasms; Case-Control Studies; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Aged; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase; Adult; Lysophosphatidylcholines; Carnitine; Machine Learning; Lipid Metabolism; Tryptophan
PubMed: 38732512
DOI: 10.3390/nu16091265 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024The human brain possesses three predominate phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS), which account for... (Review)
Review
The human brain possesses three predominate phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS), which account for approximately 35-40%, 35-40%, and 20% of the brain's phospholipids, respectively. Mitochondrial membranes are relatively diverse, containing the aforementioned PC, PE, and PS, as well as phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidic acid (PA); however, cardiolipin (CL) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) are exclusively present in mitochondrial membranes. These phospholipid interactions play an essential role in mitochondrial fusion and fission dynamics, leading to the maintenance of mitochondrial structural and signaling pathways. The essential nature of these phospholipids is demonstrated through the inability of mitochondria to tolerate alteration in these specific phospholipids, with changes leading to mitochondrial damage resulting in neural degeneration. This review will emphasize how the structure of phospholipids relates to their physiologic function, how their metabolism facilitates signaling, and the role of organ- and mitochondria-specific phospholipid compositions. Finally, we will discuss the effects of global ischemia and reperfusion on organ- and mitochondria-specific phospholipids alongside the novel therapeutics that may protect against injury.
Topics: Humans; Phospholipids; Mitochondria; Animals; Brain; Heart Arrest; Signal Transduction; Mitochondrial Membranes; Mitochondrial Dynamics
PubMed: 38731864
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094645 -
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Sep 2024Infectious diseases, particularly those associated with biofilms, are challenging to treat due to an increased tolerance to commonly used antibiotics. This underscores...
Infectious diseases, particularly those associated with biofilms, are challenging to treat due to an increased tolerance to commonly used antibiotics. This underscores the urgent need for innovative antimicrobial strategies. Here, we present an alternative simple-by-design approach focusing on the development of biocompatible and antibiotic-free nanocarriers from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that has the potential to combat microbial infections and phosphatidylglycerol (DOPG), which is attractive for use as a biocompatible prominent amphiphilic component of Gram-positive bacterial cell membranes. We assessed the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities of these nanoformulations (hexosomes and vesicles) against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, which are the most common causes of infections on catheters and medical devices by different methods (including resazurin assay, time-kill assay, and confocal laser scanning microscopy on an in vitro catheter biofilm model). In a DHA-concentration-dependent manner, these nano-self-assemblies demonstrated strong anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities, particularly against S. aureus. A five-fold reduction of the planktonic and a four-fold reduction of biofilm populations of S. aureus were observed after treatment with hexosomes. The nanoparticles had a bacteriostatic effect against S. epidermidis planktonic cells but no anti-biofilm activity was detected. We discuss the findings in terms of nanoparticle-bacterial cell interactions, plausible alterations in the phospholipid membrane composition, and potential penetration of DHA into these membranes, leading to changes in their structural and biophysical properties. The implications for the future development of biocompatible nanocarriers for the delivery of DHA alone or in combination with other anti-bacterial agents are discussed, as novel treatment strategies of Gram-positive infections, including biofilm-associated infections.
Topics: Biofilms; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Phosphatidylglycerols; Staphylococcus aureus; Nanoparticles; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Liquid Crystals; Particle Size
PubMed: 38729002
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.186 -
Cells Apr 2024Impaired neuronal plasticity and cognitive decline are cardinal features of Alzheimer's disease and related Tauopathies. Aberrantly modified Tau protein and...
Impaired neuronal plasticity and cognitive decline are cardinal features of Alzheimer's disease and related Tauopathies. Aberrantly modified Tau protein and neurotransmitter imbalance, predominantly involving acetylcholine, have been linked to these symptoms. In Drosophila, we have shown that dTau loss specifically enhances associative long-term olfactory memory, impairs foot shock habituation, and deregulates proteins involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter levels, particularly acetylcholine. Interestingly, upon choline treatment, the habituation and memory performance of mutants are restored to that of control flies. Based on these surprising results, we decided to use our well-established genetic model to understand how habituation deficits and memory performance correlate with different aspects of choline physiology as an essential component of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, the lipid phosphatidylcholine, and the osmoregulator betaine. The results revealed that the two observed phenotypes are reversed by different choline metabolites, implying that they are governed by different underlying mechanisms. This work can contribute to a broader knowledge about the physiologic function of Tau, which may be translated into understanding the mechanisms of Tauopathies.
Topics: Animals; Acetylcholine; Choline; Drosophila; Drosophila melanogaster; Drosophila Proteins; Habituation, Psychophysiologic; Memory; tau Proteins; Phosphatidylcholines
PubMed: 38727282
DOI: 10.3390/cells13090746 -
Cells Apr 2024The histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) valproic acid (VPA) has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI), which have...
The histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) valproic acid (VPA) has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI), which have been partially attributed to the epigenetic disinhibition of the transcription repressor RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor/Neuron-Restrictive Silencer Factor (REST/NRSF). Additionally, VPA changes post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) brain metabolism to create a neuroprotective environment. To address the interconnection of neuroprotection, metabolism, inflammation and REST/NRSF after TBI, we subjected C57BL/6N mice to experimental TBI and intraperitoneal VPA administration or vehicle solution at 15 min, 1, 2, and 3 days post-injury (dpi). At 7 dpi, TBI-induced an up-regulation of REST/NRSF gene expression and HDACi function of VPA on histone H3 acetylation were confirmed. Neurological deficits, brain lesion size, blood-brain barrier permeability, or astrogliosis were not affected, and REST/NRSF target genes were only marginally influenced by VPA. However, VPA attenuated structural damage in the hippocampus, microgliosis and expression of the pro-inflammatory marker genes. Analyses of plasma lipidomic and polar metabolomic patterns revealed that VPA treatment increased lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), which were inversely associated with interleukin 1 beta () and tumor necrosis factor () gene expression in the brain. The results show that VPA has mild neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects likely originating from favorable systemic metabolic changes resulting in increased plasma LPCs that are known to be actively taken up by the brain and function as carriers for neuroprotective polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Topics: Animals; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Valproic Acid; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Male; Neurons; Inflammation; Lysophosphatidylcholines; Cell Death; Disease Models, Animal; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; Neuroprotective Agents; Repressor Proteins
PubMed: 38727269
DOI: 10.3390/cells13090734 -
Virulence Dec 2024() is the causative agent of Q fever, a zoonotic disease. Intracellular replication of requires the maturation of a phagolysosome-like compartment known as the...
() is the causative agent of Q fever, a zoonotic disease. Intracellular replication of requires the maturation of a phagolysosome-like compartment known as the replication permissive -containing vacuole (CCV). Effector proteins secreted by the Dot/Icm secretion system are indispensable for maturation of a single large CCV by facilitating the fusion of promiscuous vesicles. However, the mechanisms of CCV maintenance and evasion of host cell clearance remain to be defined. Here, we show that secreted vacuolar protein E (CvpE) contributes to CCV biogenesis by inducing lysosome-like vacuole (LLV) enlargement. LLV fission by tubulation and autolysosome degradation is impaired in CvpE-expressing cells. Subsequently, we found that CvpE suppresses lysosomal Ca channel transient receptor potential channel mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) activity in an indirect manner, in which CvpE binds phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PI(3)P] and perturbs PIKfyve activity in lysosomes. Finally, the agonist of TRPML1, ML-SA5, inhibits CCV biogenesis and replication. These results provide insight into the mechanisms of CCV maintenance by CvpE and suggest that the agonist of TRPML1 can be a novel potential treatment that does not rely on antibiotics for Q fever by enhancing Coxiella-containing vacuoles (CCVs) fission.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Bacterial Proteins; Coxiella burnetii; HeLa Cells; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Lysosomes; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphatidylinositol Phosphates; Q Fever; Transient Receptor Potential Channels; Vacuoles
PubMed: 38725096
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2350893 -
BMC Gastroenterology May 2024Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a complex disease with pathogenic mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. Previous observational studies with small sample sizes...
BACKGROUND
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a complex disease with pathogenic mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. Previous observational studies with small sample sizes have reported associations between PSC, dyslipidemia, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. However, the causality of these associations is uncertain, and there has been no systematic analysis to date.
METHODS
The datasets comprise data on PSC, 179 lipid species, and 412 gut microbiota species. PSC data (n = 14,890) were sourced from the International PSC Study Group, while the dataset pertaining to plasma lipidomics originated from a study involving 7174 Finnish individuals. Data on gut microbiota species were derived from the Dutch Microbiome Project study, which conducted a genome-wide association study involving 7738 participants. Furthermore, we employed a two-step Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to quantify the proportion of the effect of gut microbiota-mediated lipidomics on PSC.
RESULTS
Following a rigorous screening process, our MR analysis revealed a causal relationship between higher levels of gene-predicted Phosphatidylcholine (O-16:1_18:1) (PC O-16:1_18:1) and an increased risk of developing PSC (inverse variance-weighted method, odds ratio (OR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.63). There is insufficient evidence to suggest that gene-predicted PSC impacts the levels of PC O-16:1_18:1 (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.98-1.05). When incorporating gut microbiota data into the analysis, we found that Eubacterium rectale-mediated genetic prediction explains 17.59% of the variance in PC O-16:1_18:1 levels.
CONCLUSION
Our study revealed a causal association between PC O-16:1_18:1 levels and PSC, with a minor portion of the effect mediated by Eubacterium rectale. This study aims to further explore the pathogenesis of PSC and identify promising therapeutic targets. For patients with PSC who lack effective treatment options, the results are encouraging.
Topics: Humans; Cholangitis, Sclerosing; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Lipidomics; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Male; Genome-Wide Association Study; Female; Phosphatidylcholines; Dysbiosis; Middle Aged; Adult
PubMed: 38720308
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03246-3 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by inflammatory demyelination that disrupts neuronal transmission resulting in neurodegeneration...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by inflammatory demyelination that disrupts neuronal transmission resulting in neurodegeneration progressive disability. While current treatments focus on immunosuppression to limit inflammation and further myelin loss, no approved therapies effectively promote remyelination to mitigate the progressive disability associated with chronic demyelination. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a pro-inflammatory lipid that is upregulated in MS patient plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). LPA activates the LPA1 receptor, resulting in elevated CNS cytokine and chemokine levels, infiltration of immune cells, and microglial/astrocyte activation. This results in a neuroinflammatory response leading to demyelination and suppressed remyelination. A medicinal chemistry effort identified PIPE-791, an oral, brain-penetrant, LPA1 antagonist. PIPE-791 was characterized in vitro and in vivo and was found to be a potent, selective LPA1 antagonist with slow receptor off-rate kinetics. In vitro, PIPE-791 induced OPC differentiation and promoted remyelination following a demyelinating insult. PIPE-791 further mitigated the macrophage-mediated inhibition of OPC differentiation and inhibited microglial and fibroblast activation. In vivo, the compound readily crossed the blood-brain barrier and blocked LPA1 in the CNS after oral dosing. Direct dosing of PIPE-791 in vivo increased oligodendrocyte number, and in the mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS, we observed that PIPE-791 promoted myelination, reduced neuroinflammation, and restored visual evoked potential latencies (VEP). These findings support targeting LPA1 for remyelination and encourage development of PIPE-791 for treating MS patients with advantages not seen with current immunosuppressive disease modifying therapies.
Topics: Animals; Multiple Sclerosis; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid; Remyelination; Humans; Mice; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Oligodendroglia; Brain; Cell Differentiation; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myelin Sheath; Lysophospholipids; Blood-Brain Barrier
PubMed: 38719983
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61369-9 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors therapy has become a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while the therapeutic efficacy varies significantly among effects...
INTRODUCTION
Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors therapy has become a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while the therapeutic efficacy varies significantly among effects for individual patients are significant difference. Unfortunately, specific predictive biomarkers indicating the degree of benefit for patients and thus guiding the selection of suitable candidates for immune therapy remain elusive.no specific predictive biomarkers are available indicating the degree of benefit for patients and thus screening the preferred population suitable for the immune therapy.
METHODS
Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) considered is an important method for analyzing biological samples, since it has the advantages of high rapid, high sensitivity, and high specificity. Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) has emerged as a pivotal method for analyzing biological samples due to its inherent advantages of rapidity, sensitivity, and specificity. In this study, potential metabolite biomarkers that can predict the therapeutic effect of HCC patients receiving immune therapy were identified by UHPLC-MS.
RESULTS
A partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model was established using 14 glycerophospholipid metabolites mentioned above, and good prediction parameters (R2 = 0.823, Q2 = 0.615, prediction accuracy = 0.880 and p < 0.001) were obtained. The relative abundance of glycerophospholipid metabolite ions is closely related to the survival benefit of HCC patients who received immune therapy.
DISCUSSION
This study reveals that glycerophospholipid metabolites play a crucial role in predicting the efficacy of immune therapy for HCC.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Male; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Biomarkers, Tumor; B7-H1 Antigen; Female; Middle Aged; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Mass Spectrometry; Aged; Metabolomics; Glycerophospholipids
PubMed: 38707906
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1370771