One of the greatest risk factors for disease is advanced age. As the human lifespan has increased, so too have the burdens of caring for an increasingly older population suffering from rising rates of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and dementia. The need for improving medical technology and developing new therapies for age-related diseases is manifest. Yet our understanding of the processes of aging and how to attenuate the effects of aging remains incomplete. Various studies have established calorie restriction as a robust method for extending lifespan in laboratory organisms; however the mechanism is a topic of much debate. Advancing our understanding of calorie restriction holds promise for illuminating biochemical processes involved in the aging process. One of the best explanations for the lifespan extension benefits of calorie restriction is that it improves cellular protein homeostasis (proteostasis), but because proteostasis is dynamic, it can be difficult to measure. We developed a novel combined omics methodology integrating kinetic proteomics, and applied it to a mouse model placed on calorie restriction. Our unbiased approach integrating just three measurements (kinetic proteomics, quantitative proteomics, and transcriptomics) enabled us to characterize the synthesis and degradation of thousands of proteins, and determine that calorie restriction largely alters proteostasis by slowing global protein synthesis post-transcriptionally. Validating our omics approach, we were able to replicate many previous results found in the literature, demonstrating the differential regulation of various protein ontologies in response to the nutrient stress of calorie restriction. Moreover, we were able to detect differential degradation of the large and small ribosomal subunits under calorie restriction, and proposed a model in which the rate of protein synthesis could be attenuated by the depletion of the large ribosomal subunit relative to the small subunit. The flexibility of our dynamic combined omics approach was demonstrated by the expansion of measurements to include nucleic acids and lipids. Flux measurements of DNA, ribosomal RNA, and lipids yielded cellular division rates, ribosome turnover, and lipid metabolism insights, respectively. We also adapted this approach to two-dimensional tissue imaging by DESI-MS in a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate its utility for studying regional differences in metabolism. The future integration of metabolomics and lipidomics into our combined omics approach would be facile, and add unprecedented depth to systems-wide studies involving cellular metabolism. Applied to the regulation of cellular homeostasis in humans, this has the potential to open new avenues for elucidating the etiology of aging, understanding the pathology of age-related diseases, and identifying novel targets for therapeutics.

Type II diabetes mellitus is associated with many detrimental health situations including heart complications. The purpose of this study was to identify a role for PKA-dependent Rap1a signaling in the AGE-RAGE cascade. My hypothesis was Rap1a GTPase increased the downstream effects of AGE-RAGE signaling in diabetes via a PKA-dependent pathway leading to elevated ECM remodeling in the heart. Cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from heterozygous (Het) and diabetic (db/db) mice. To test the hypothesis, gain-ofunction and loss-ofunction treatments were used. PKC-Zeta is known as a major signaling hub that potentially links PKA-dependent and AGE-RAGE signaling cascades so PKC-Zeta inhibition to downregulate PKA-dependent cascade at PKC-Zeta was also used. Results showed a downregulation of signaling markers in the AGE-RAGE cascade when disrupting Rap1a crosstalk at PKC-Zeta. By understanding where the PKA-dependent and AGE-RAGE signaling cascades crosstalk, a new molecular mechanism is understood possibly leading to decreasing remodeling in a diabetic heart.

Τα τελικά προϊόντα προχωρημένης γλυκοζυλίωσης (AGEs: Advanced Glycation Endproducts) παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην παθογένεια των διαβητικών αγγειακών επιπλοκών. Το καλύτερα χαρακτηριζόμενο είναι η N-καρβοξυμεθυλ-λυσίνη (CML). Τα AGEs προκαλούν σημαντικές επιδράσεις στα αγγεία με την πρόσδεσή τους σε ειδικούς υποδοχείς της κυτταρικής επιφάνειας, όπως τον RAGE (Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts). Διαλυτές μορφές του RAGE (sRAGE) εμφανίζονται στο ανθρώπινο αίμα και δρουν ως παγίδα αιχμαλωτίζοντας τους φλεγμονώδεις προσδέτες του RAGE εξωκυττάρια, προστατεύοντας με αυτό τον τρόπο τα κύτταρα από τη βλάβη που προάγεται από τα AGEs. Σκοπός αυτής της εργασίας ήταν να μελετηθούν τα επίπεδα του sRAGE, η πρωτεϊνική έκφραση του RAGE, καθώς και τα επίπεδα CML σε σχέση με διάφορες κλινικές και βιοχημικές παραμέτρους σε παιδιά, εφήβους και νεαρούς ενήλικες με ΣΔ1. Τα επίπεδα sRAGE και CML προσδιορίστηκαν με ELISA και η πρωτεϊνική έκφραση του RAGE στα μονοπύρηνα του περιφερικού αίματος με ανοσοαποτύπωση κατά Western σε 74 παιδιά, εφήβους και νεαρούς ενήλικες με ΣΔ1 (13± 4 χρονών) και 43 μάρτυρες αντίστοιχης ηλικίας, φύλου και σταδίου Tanner. Σ’ αυτή την εργασία τα αυξημένα επίπεδα sRAGE στα παιδιά με ΣΔ1 και πιο ειδικά, σ’ αυτά ηλικίας κάτω από 13 ετών και με διάρκεια διαβήτη κάτω από 5 έτη, μπορεί να είναι ένα προσωρινό προστατευτικό μέτρο ενάντια στην κυτταρική βλάβη και πιθανόν να είναι επαρκές για να εξουδετερώσει επαρκώς τα κυκλοφορούντα CML, εμποδίζοντας έτσι τις διαβητικές αγγειακές επιπλοκές. Επίσης, μια ήπια αύξηση της LDL θα μπορούσε να είναι ένα ερέθισμα για την αύξηση του sRAGE, οδηγώντας στη δέσμευση του CML και τελικά τη μείωση των επιπέδων CML στην κυκλοφορία. Τα μειωμένα επίπεδα της πρωτεϊνικής έκφρασης του RAGE 55 kd (υποδοχέα πλήρους μήκους) μπορεί να αντανακλούν την αυξημένη έκφραση του sRAGE στους ασθενείς με ΣΔ1 συνολικά λόγω της αποκοπής του RAGE με μεταλλοπρωτεϊνάσες. Με την παρουσία κάποιου παράγοντα κινδύνου, όπως αύξηση ηλικίας, περιμέτρου κοιλίας, BMI, συστολικής ή διαστολικής αρτηριακής πίεσης ή επιδείνωση λιπιδαιμικού προφίλ αυξάνεται η πρωτεϊνική έκφραση της ισομορφής αυτής, ενώ φαίνεται αντίστοιχα να μειώνονται τα επίπεδα του sRAGE. Φαίνεται τελικά ότι συνολικά στα παιδιά, τους εφήβους και τους νεαρούς ενήλικες με ΣΔ1 υπάρχει μια υποκλινική διαταραχή του άξονα sRAGE-RAGE-CML, η οποία δύναται να μετατραπεί σε κλινικά εμφανείς αγγειακές βλάβες, αν προστεθούν περαιτέρω επιβαρυντικοί παράγοντες. / The binding of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) to their receptor (RAGE) plays a major role in the development of diabetic vascular complications. This work is based on the relation between circulating soluble RAGE (sRAGE) levels in children, adolescents and young adults with IDDM and RAGE protein expression in association with N-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), a major antigenic AGEs component. Circulating sRAGE and CML levels were determined by ELISA and RAGE protein expression was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by western immunoblotting in 74 children, adolescents and young adults with IDDM (134 years old) and 43 age, sex and Tanner stage-matched controls. Serum sRAGE levels were significantly higher in IDDM than in controls, inversely correlated to diabetes duration and directly correlated to LDL levels. Furthermore, circulating CML levels were not significantly different between IDDM and controls. Also, the protein expression of the RAGE isoforms 55 kd (full-length), 64 kd and 100 kd, measured by western immunoblotting, was significantly lower in IDDM than in controls, whereas RAGE 37 kd levels were not significantly different between IDDM and controls. Finally, when there was a risk factor, such as increased age, poor lipid profile, increased BMI or waist circumference or increased systolic or diastolic pressure, then it seemed that isoforms RAGE 55, 64 and 100 kd were increased. Isoform RAGE 64 kd could be RAGE-v5, a splice variant which resulted in a change of amino acid sequence in the extracellular ligand-binding domain of RAGE. Isoform RAGE 37 kd seemed to be Δ8-RAGE, a soluble splice variant with probably protective function, which had been found increased in patients with increased HDL. Finally, isoform RAGE 100 kd seemed to be some other splice variant in peripheral mononuclear cells. In conclusion, increased serum levels of sRAGE seen in IDDM children may be a temporary protective measure against cell damage and may be sufficient to efficiently eliminate excessive circulating CML. Moreover, the lower protein expression of the full-length RAGE in IDDM may also reflect the increased sRAGE expression in patients due to RAGE cleavage by metalloproteases. Consequently, in IDDM children, adolescents and young adults there may be a subclinical perturbation of the sRAGE-RAGE-CML axis, which could lead to future clinical vascular damage if additional risk factors are added over time.

Amyloid beta (Aβ) has been postulated to be the principle initiator of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms of Aβ induced neurotoxicity in the early stages of AD would be essential for finding potential therapeutic targets of AD. Aβ-binding alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD) has been shown to be a mitochondrial binding site for Aβ. Expression of ABAD has been found to be increased in brains of AD sufferers. Two dimensional electrophoresis studies have revealed that endophilin 1 was upregulated in Tg mAPP/ABAD mice brains as compared to Tg mAPP, Tg ABAD and non-Tg mice brains. Increased expression of endophilin 1 has also been found in brains of AD patients as compared to non-demented control brain tissues. Endophilin1 has been reported to regulate c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. In this study, expression of dominant negative forms of endophilin 1 (DN-endophilin 1) in mouse cortical neurons exhibited a significant reduction of Aβ induced JNK activation. Furthermore, using cell counting methods, it was shown that the transfection of DN-endophilin 1 increased neuron survival after Aβ treatment. Aβ has also been proposed to disrupt the interaction of ABAD and Cyclophilin D (CypD), which would trigger mitochondrial permeable transition, thereby leading to neurotoxicity. For fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis of the interaction of ABAD and CypD, a mitochondria targeted, EYFP tagged ABAD plasmid (pMito-ABAD-EYFP) and an ECFP tagged CypD (pCypD-ECFP) plasmid were developed. Positive FRET signals in SK-N-SH cells co-expressing pMito-ABAD-EYFP and pCypD-ECFP indicated that ABAD interacts with CypD in the mitochondria of mammalian cells. RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) has been reported to bind to Aβ and mediate the toxic effects of Aβ peptides on neurons and microglia. It has been shown previously that Tg mAPP/DN-RAGE mice display preserved cognitive function as compared to Tg mAPP mice. To investigate possible mechanisms involved in rescuing cognitive function by RAGE blockage, two dimensional electrophoresis was used to analyze differential protein expression between Tg mAPP and Tg mAPP/DN-RAGE mice cortex. Altered expression of four proteins, including NADH dehydrogenase flavoprotein 2 (NDUFV2), glyoxalase 1 (GLO1), proteasome subunit beta type 4 (PSMB4, or β7 subunit of proteasome) and nitrilase family, member 2 (Nit2) have been observed between Tg mAPP/DN-RAGE mice cortex and Tg mAPP mice cortex. NDUFV2 is a 24kDa subunit of complex 1 which is involved in ATP synthesis. GLO1 is a cytosolic enzyme that plays a role the glutathione-dependent detoxification of α-oxoaldehydes, such as methylglyoxal. PSMB4 is a subunit of the 26s proteosome which is in the degradation of ubiquitinylated proteins. The function of Nit2 is still unclear.

No diabete melito, produtos de glicação avançada (AGE) reduzem o efluxo de colesterol celular o que agrava o desenvolvimento da aterosclerose. Neste estudo, investigou-se o papel da albumina modificada por glicação avançada (albumina-AGE) sobre a sensibilização de macrófagos à resposta inflamatória e o impacto da secreção de citocinas, quimocinas e moléculas de adesão sobre o efluxo de colesterol mediado por apolipoproteína A-I e subfrações de HDL. Além disso, determinou-se a capacidade da HDL em modular a resposta inflamatória em macrófagos tratados com albumina-AGE. Macrófagos de peritônio de camundongo foram tratados com ou sem sobrecarga de colesterol, na presença de 2 mg/mL de albumina-controle (albumina-C) ou albumina-AGE, por 72 h, seguindo-se de incubação, por 24 h, com calgranulina S100B (20 g/mL) ou lipopolissacarídeo (LPS; 1 g/mL). Em comparação com albumina-C, a albumina-AGE, isenta em endotoxinas, isoladamente não alterou a secreção de citocinas em macrófagos. No entanto, a albumina-AGE sensibilizou macrófagos não enriquecidos em colesterol a uma maior secreção de interleucina 6 (IL-6), fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-), proteína quimoatraente de monócitos 1 (MCP-1), interlucina 1 beta (IL-1) e molécula de adesão celular vascular 1 (VCAM-1) após estimulação com S100B ou LPS, o que foi potencializado pela sobrecarga de colesterol celular. Em macrófagos não estimulados, o meio condicionado, advindo das incubações de células com albumina-AGE e S100B (meio enriquecido em citocinas), reduziu o efluxo de 14C-colesterol mediado por apoA-I, HDL2 e HDL3 em, respectivamente, 23%, 43% e 20%, em comparação com células incubadas com meio isolado do tratamento com albumina-C e S100B. De forma similar, o efluxo de 14C-colesterol mediado por apoA-I, HDL2 e HDL3 foi reduzido em macrófagos tratados com meio advindo de incubações com albumina-AGE e LPS, respectivamente, 37%, 47% e 8,5% em comparação ao tratamento com albumina-C e LPS. Em macrófagos tratados com albumina-C e S100B, a incubação prévia com HDL reduziu a secreção de IL-6, TNF-, MCP-1 e VCAM-1 em, respectivamente, 72%, 57%, 50% e 41% quando comparada à incubação na ausência de HDL. Em incubações com albumina-C, a secreção de IL-6, TNF-, MCP-1, IL-1 e VCAM-1 induzida por LPS foi respectivamente, 58%, 54%, 42%, 74% e 45% menor mediante incubação com HDL, em comparação a incubações similares, porém na ausência desta lipoproteína. Por outro lado, em macrófagos tratados com albumina-AGE e S100B, a HDL não foi capaz de reduzir a secreção de TNF-, IL-1 e VCAM-1 e aumentou a secreção de IL-6 (54%) e MCP-1 (20%). Nas células tratadas com albumina-AGE e LPS, a HDL também não reduziu a secreção de TNF-, MCP-1 e IL-1 e aumentou a secreção de IL-6 (16%) e VCAM-1 (20%). Redução na secreção de mediadores inflamatórios foi observada em macrófagos tratados com albumina-AGE apenas quando a HDL foi incubada juntamente com S100B ou LPS. Em conclusão, a albumina-AGE sensibiliza macrófagos à resposta inflamatória induzida por calgranulina S100B e LPS, prejudicando o transporte reverso de colesterol de macrófagos. Além disso, a albumina-AGE reduz as propriedades anti-inflamatórias da HDL, o que pode agravar a aterosclerose no diabete melito / In diabetes mellitus, advanced glycation end products (AGE) reduces the cholesterol efflux from cells, which aggravates the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the role of advanced glycated albumin (AGE-albumin) on macrophage inflammatory response and the impact of cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules secretion on cholesterol efflux mediated by apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and HDL subfractions. Furthermore, the HDL ability in modulating inflammatory response in macrophages treated with AGE-albumin was also determined. Mouse peritoneal macrophages previously enriched or not with cholesterol were treated in the presence of 2 mg/mL of control-albumin (C-albumin) or AGE-albumin, for 72 h, followed by incubation, for 24 h, with S100B calgranulin (20 g/mL) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 g/mL). In comparison to free endotoxin-C-albumin, AGE-albumin, by itself did not alter cytokine secretion by macrophages. However, AGE-albumin primed non-cholesterol enriched macrophages to a higher secretion of interleukin -6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) after stimulation with S100B or LPS, which was potentiated by cell cholesterol overload. In non-stimulated macrophages, conditioned medium, derived from incubation with AGE-albumin and S100B (cytokine enriched-medium), reduced the 14C-cholesterol efflux mediated by apoA-I, HDL2 and HDL3 in, respectively, 23%, 43% and 20%, in comparison to cells incubated with conditioned medium isolated from treatment with C-albumin and S100B. Similarly, 14C-cholesterol efflux mediated by apoA-I, HDL2 and HDL3 was reduced in macrophages treated with medium derived from incubation with AGE-albumin and LPS, respectively, 37%, 47% and 8,5% in comparison to treatment with C-albumin and LPS. In macrophages treated with C-albumin and S100B, previous incubation with HDL reduced the secretion of IL-6, TNF-, MCP-1 and VCAM-1 in, respectively 72%, 57%, 50% and 41% in comparison to incubation in the absence of HDL. In incubations with C-albumin, the secretion of IL-6, TNF-, MCP-1, IL-1 and VCAM-1 induced by LPS was respectively, 58%, 54%, 42%, 74% and 45% lower in cells treated with HDL in comparison to similar incubations in the absence of this lipoprotein. On the other hand, in macrophages treated with AGE-albumin and S100B, HDL was unable to reduce the TNF-, IL-1 and VCAM-1 secretion and increased the secretion of IL-6 (54%) and MCP-1 (20%). In cells treated with AGE-albumin and LPS, HDL was unable to reduce the secretion of TNF-, MCP-1 and IL-1 and increased IL-6 (16%) and VCAM-1 (20%). Reduction in inflammatory mediators was observed in macrophages treated with AGE-albumin only when HDL was incubated simultaneously with S100B or LPS. In conclusion, AGE-albumin primes macrophages to an inflammatory response elicited by S100B calgranulin and LPS, impairing macrophage reverse cholesterol transport. Moreover, AGE-albumin impairs the HDL anti-inflammatory properties, which can aggravate the atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus

Produtos de glicação avançada (AGE) contribuem para o estresse oxidativo e inflamatório, os quais constituem as bases celulares para as complicações a longo prazo do diabete melito (DM). A albumina é a principal proteína sérica modificada por AGE e afeta adversamente o metabolismo de lípides e a resposta infamatória em macrófagos, a função das ilhotas pancreáticas e a sensibilidade insulínica no músculo. Neste estudo, avaliamos o efeito da administração crônica de albumina AGE, associada ou não ao tratamento com N-acetilcisteína (NAC), sobre a sensibilidade periférica à insulina, infiltrado total e perfil de macrófagos, transcriptoma do tecido adiposo periepididimal e padrão de diferenciação de macrófagos peritoneais em ratos saudáveis. Albumina AGE foi produzida pela incubação de albumina de rato com glicolaldeído 10 mM, durante 4 dias a 37 °C, em agitação, no escuro. Albumina controle (C) foi preparada na presença de PBS apenas. Ratos Wistar com 4 semanas de idade foram divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos experimentais (n = 7-8), os quais receberam injeção intraperitoneal diária de albumina C ou albumina AGE (20 mg/Kg/dia) concomitantemente ou não a administração da NAC (600mg/L de água) (grupos albumina C + NAC e albumina AGE + NAC), durante 90 dias consecutivos. Parâmetros bioquímicos foram determinados por técnicas enzimáticas, peroxidação lipídica, pela medida de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) na urina, expressão gênica, por RT-qPCR, e conteúdo proteico, por imuno-histoquímica. AGE total foi determinado por ELISA, carboximetil-lisina (CML) e pirralina (PYR), por cromatografia líquida/espectrometria de massa. O tecido adiposo periepididimal foi analisado por estereologia. A concentração de AGE total, CML e PYR foi, respectivamente, 9,2, 7000 e 235 vezes maior na albumina AGE em comparação à C. Consumo de ração, massa corporal, pressão arterial sistólica e concentração plasmática de colesterol total, triglicérides, ácidos graxos livres, glicose, insulina, ureia, creatinina, alanina aminotransferase, aspartato aminotransferase e excreção urinária de proteínas (24 h) foram semelhantes entre os grupos. A NAC reduziu em 1,4 e 1,6 vezes a concentração urinária de TBARS nos animais tratados com albumina AGE + NAC, em comparação aos grupos AGE e C+NAC, respectivamente. A albumina AGE reduziu em, aproximadamente, 1,4 vezes a sensibilidade à insulina em comparação ao C, o que foi prevenido pela NAC. O peso relativo do tecido adiposo periepididimal, a fração de área e o volume dos adipócitos foram semelhantes entre os grupos experimentais. Maior infiltrado macrofágico, (células F4/80 positivas), foi observado nos animais tratados com albumina AGE (1,3 x), o que também foi prevenido pela NAC. CD11b e CD206 permaneceram inalterados. O tratamento com albumina AGE também não alterou a expressão do mRNA de Ager (RAGE), Ddost (AGE-R1), Cd36, Nfkb1, Il6, Il10, Tnf, Nos2, Il12. No entanto, Itgam (CD11b - M1) e Mrc foram reduzidos no grupo AGE + NAC em comparação a C + NAC (2 e 1,9 x) e AGE (1,8 e 1,5 x, respectivamente). Aumento do mRNA de Slc2a4 (GLUT-4) e Ppara foi observado nos animais tratados com albumina AGE + NAC em comparação a C + NAC (Slc2a4: 1,6; Ppara 2,2 x) e AGE (2,3; 3,3 x). A albumina AGE contribuiu para maior expressão do Col12a1 (3,1 x) em relação ao C. Análise de macrófagos isolados da cavidade peritoneal apontaram elevação no mRNA de Il6 (2,6 x) e Ddost (1,4 x) no grupo AGE em relação ao C. Ddost também foi aumentado (1,2 x) no grupo AGE + NAC quando comparado ao C+NAC. Além disso, a NAC favoreceu o aumento do Arg1 (arginase 1) nos grupos albumina C + NAC (2,5 x) e AGE + NAC (2,6 x) quando comparados aos seus respectivos controles. Em conclusão, a albumina AGE favorece o infiltrado de macrófagos no tecido adiposo o que evidencia a sensibilização deste território à ação dos AGE e pode, a longo prazo, contribuir para piora na resistência à insulina, observada neste modelo animal. A NAC antagoniza os efeitos da albumina AGE e exerce, por si, efeitos benéficos sobre o perfil de diferenciação de macrófagos no tecido adiposo e peritônio, resposta inflamatória, peroxidação lipídica e resistência insulínica. A NAC pode ser uma ferramenta útil na prevenção das ações dos AGE sobre o desenvolvimento de resistência insulínica e complicações do DM / [Thesis]. São Paulo: \"Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, 2016\". Advanced glycation end-products (AGE) contribute to oxidative and inflammatory stress, which constitute the cellular basis for long-term complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Albumin is the major serum protein modified by AGE and adversely affects macrophage lipid metabolism and inflammatory response, pancreatic islet function and muscle insulin sensitivity. We investigated the effect of chronic administration of AGE-albumin, associated or not with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment, in peripheral insulin sensitivity, macrophage infiltration and polarization and transcriptome of periepididimal adipose tissue and peritoneal macrophage differentiation in healthy rats. AGE-albumin was prepared by incubating rat albumin with 10 mM glycolaldehyde for 4 days, 37 °C, under shaker, in the dark. Control albumin (C) was incubated with PBS alone. Four-weeks old male Wistar rats (n = 7-8/group) were randomized into four groups receiving daily intraperitoneal injections of C or AGE albumin (20 mg/kg/day) alone or together with NAC (600mg/L drinking water) (C + NAC albumin and AGE + NAC albumin), for 90 consecutive days. Biochemical parameters were determined by enzymatic techniques, lipid peroxidation by the measurement of urinary thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), gene expression by RT-qPCR and protein content by immunohistochemistry. Total AGE was determined by ELISA and carboxymethyllysine (CML) and pyrraline (PYR) by liquid chromatography/ mass spectrometry. Periepididimal adipose tissue was analyzed by stereology. Total AGE concentration, CML and PYR were, respectively, 9.2, 7000 and 235 times higher in AGE albumin as compared to C. Food consumption, body weight, systolic blood pressure and plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, glucose, insulin, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and urinary protein excretion (24 h) were similar among groups. NAC reduced urinary TBARS in AGE + NAC group as compared to AGE (1.4 x) and C + NAC (1.6 x), respectively. AGE albumin reduced 1.4 times the insulin sensitivity as compared to C albumin; this was prevented by NAC. Adipose tissue relative weight, adipocyte area fraction and volume were similar among groups. A higher (1.3 x) macrophage infiltrate (F4/80 positive cells) was observed in AGE albumin treated animals in comparison to those treated with C albumin and this was prevented by NAC. CD11b and CD206 were unchanged as well as mRNA de Ager (RAGE), Ddost (AGE-R1), Cd36, Nfkb1, Il6, Il10, Tnf, Nos2 and Il12. Itgam (CD11b - M1) and Mrc (CD206 - M2) were reduced in AGE + NAC group in comparison to C + NAC (2 and 1.9 x, respectively) and AGE (1.8 and 1.5 x, respectively). Increased Slc2a4 (GLUT-4) and Ppara mRNA were observed in AGE + NAC group in comparison to C + NAC (Slc2a4: 1.6 x; Ppara: 2.2 x) and to AGE (Slc2a4: 2.3 x; Ppara: 3.3 x). AGE albumin increased the expression of Col12a1 in 3.1 times as compared to C albumin. In peritoneal macrophages there was an increase in Il6 (2.6 x) and Ddost (1.4 x) in AGE group as compared to C. Ddost was also 1.2 times increased in AGE + NAC as compared to C+NAC. NAC increased Arg1 (arginase 1) in C + NAC (2.5 x) and AGE + NAC (2.6 x) as compared to their respective controls. In conclusion, AGE albumin favors macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue promoting over time tissue sensitization to AGE that may contribute to worsening insulin resistance in this animal model. NAC antagonizes the effects of AGE albumin and by itself has beneficial effects in macrophage differentiation in adipose tissue and peritoneal cavity, inflammatory response, lipid peroxidation and insulin sensitivity. NAC may be a useful tool in the prevention of AGE actions on the development of insulin resistance and long-term complications of DM

Produtos de glicação avançada (AGE) contribuem para o estresse oxidativo e inflamatório, os quais constituem as bases celulares para as complicações a longo prazo do diabete melito (DM). A albumina é a principal proteína sérica modificada por AGE e afeta adversamente o metabolismo de lípides e a resposta infamatória em macrófagos, a função das ilhotas pancreáticas e a sensibilidade insulínica no músculo. Neste estudo, avaliamos o efeito da administração crônica de albumina AGE, associada ou não ao tratamento com N-acetilcisteína (NAC), sobre a sensibilidade periférica à insulina, infiltrado total e perfil de macrófagos, transcriptoma do tecido adiposo periepididimal e padrão de diferenciação de macrófagos peritoneais em ratos saudáveis. Albumina AGE foi produzida pela incubação de albumina de rato com glicolaldeído 10 mM, durante 4 dias a 37 °C, em agitação, no escuro. Albumina controle (C) foi preparada na presença de PBS apenas. Ratos Wistar com 4 semanas de idade foram divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos experimentais (n = 7-8), os quais receberam injeção intraperitoneal diária de albumina C ou albumina AGE (20 mg/Kg/dia) concomitantemente ou não a administração da NAC (600mg/L de água) (grupos albumina C + NAC e albumina AGE + NAC), durante 90 dias consecutivos. Parâmetros bioquímicos foram determinados por técnicas enzimáticas, peroxidação lipídica, pela medida de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) na urina, expressão gênica, por RT-qPCR, e conteúdo proteico, por imuno-histoquímica. AGE total foi determinado por ELISA, carboximetil-lisina (CML) e pirralina (PYR), por cromatografia líquida/espectrometria de massa. O tecido adiposo periepididimal foi analisado por estereologia. A concentração de AGE total, CML e PYR foi, respectivamente, 9,2, 7000 e 235 vezes maior na albumina AGE em comparação à C. Consumo de ração, massa corporal, pressão arterial sistólica e concentração plasmática de colesterol total, triglicérides, ácidos graxos livres, glicose, insulina, ureia, creatinina, alanina aminotransferase, aspartato aminotransferase e excreção urinária de proteínas (24 h) foram semelhantes entre os grupos. A NAC reduziu em 1,4 e 1,6 vezes a concentração urinária de TBARS nos animais tratados com albumina AGE + NAC, em comparação aos grupos AGE e C+NAC, respectivamente. A albumina AGE reduziu em, aproximadamente, 1,4 vezes a sensibilidade à insulina em comparação ao C, o que foi prevenido pela NAC. O peso relativo do tecido adiposo periepididimal, a fração de área e o volume dos adipócitos foram semelhantes entre os grupos experimentais. Maior infiltrado macrofágico, (células F4/80 positivas), foi observado nos animais tratados com albumina AGE (1,3 x), o que também foi prevenido pela NAC. CD11b e CD206 permaneceram inalterados. O tratamento com albumina AGE também não alterou a expressão do mRNA de Ager (RAGE), Ddost (AGE-R1), Cd36, Nfkb1, Il6, Il10, Tnf, Nos2, Il12. No entanto, Itgam (CD11b - M1) e Mrc foram reduzidos no grupo AGE + NAC em comparação a C + NAC (2 e 1,9 x) e AGE (1,8 e 1,5 x, respectivamente). Aumento do mRNA de Slc2a4 (GLUT-4) e Ppara foi observado nos animais tratados com albumina AGE + NAC em comparação a C + NAC (Slc2a4: 1,6; Ppara 2,2 x) e AGE (2,3; 3,3 x). A albumina AGE contribuiu para maior expressão do Col12a1 (3,1 x) em relação ao C. Análise de macrófagos isolados da cavidade peritoneal apontaram elevação no mRNA de Il6 (2,6 x) e Ddost (1,4 x) no grupo AGE em relação ao C. Ddost também foi aumentado (1,2 x) no grupo AGE + NAC quando comparado ao C+NAC. Além disso, a NAC favoreceu o aumento do Arg1 (arginase 1) nos grupos albumina C + NAC (2,5 x) e AGE + NAC (2,6 x) quando comparados aos seus respectivos controles. Em conclusão, a albumina AGE favorece o infiltrado de macrófagos no tecido adiposo o que evidencia a sensibilização deste território à ação dos AGE e pode, a longo prazo, contribuir para piora na resistência à insulina, observada neste modelo animal. A NAC antagoniza os efeitos da albumina AGE e exerce, por si, efeitos benéficos sobre o perfil de diferenciação de macrófagos no tecido adiposo e peritônio, resposta inflamatória, peroxidação lipídica e resistência insulínica. A NAC pode ser uma ferramenta útil na prevenção das ações dos AGE sobre o desenvolvimento de resistência insulínica e complicações do DM / [Thesis]. São Paulo: \"Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, 2016\". Advanced glycation end-products (AGE) contribute to oxidative and inflammatory stress, which constitute the cellular basis for long-term complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Albumin is the major serum protein modified by AGE and adversely affects macrophage lipid metabolism and inflammatory response, pancreatic islet function and muscle insulin sensitivity. We investigated the effect of chronic administration of AGE-albumin, associated or not with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment, in peripheral insulin sensitivity, macrophage infiltration and polarization and transcriptome of periepididimal adipose tissue and peritoneal macrophage differentiation in healthy rats. AGE-albumin was prepared by incubating rat albumin with 10 mM glycolaldehyde for 4 days, 37 °C, under shaker, in the dark. Control albumin (C) was incubated with PBS alone. Four-weeks old male Wistar rats (n = 7-8/group) were randomized into four groups receiving daily intraperitoneal injections of C or AGE albumin (20 mg/kg/day) alone or together with NAC (600mg/L drinking water) (C + NAC albumin and AGE + NAC albumin), for 90 consecutive days. Biochemical parameters were determined by enzymatic techniques, lipid peroxidation by the measurement of urinary thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), gene expression by RT-qPCR and protein content by immunohistochemistry. Total AGE was determined by ELISA and carboxymethyllysine (CML) and pyrraline (PYR) by liquid chromatography/ mass spectrometry. Periepididimal adipose tissue was analyzed by stereology. Total AGE concentration, CML and PYR were, respectively, 9.2, 7000 and 235 times higher in AGE albumin as compared to C. Food consumption, body weight, systolic blood pressure and plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, glucose, insulin, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and urinary protein excretion (24 h) were similar among groups. NAC reduced urinary TBARS in AGE + NAC group as compared to AGE (1.4 x) and C + NAC (1.6 x), respectively. AGE albumin reduced 1.4 times the insulin sensitivity as compared to C albumin; this was prevented by NAC. Adipose tissue relative weight, adipocyte area fraction and volume were similar among groups. A higher (1.3 x) macrophage infiltrate (F4/80 positive cells) was observed in AGE albumin treated animals in comparison to those treated with C albumin and this was prevented by NAC. CD11b and CD206 were unchanged as well as mRNA de Ager (RAGE), Ddost (AGE-R1), Cd36, Nfkb1, Il6, Il10, Tnf, Nos2 and Il12. Itgam (CD11b - M1) and Mrc (CD206 - M2) were reduced in AGE + NAC group in comparison to C + NAC (2 and 1.9 x, respectively) and AGE (1.8 and 1.5 x, respectively). Increased Slc2a4 (GLUT-4) and Ppara mRNA were observed in AGE + NAC group in comparison to C + NAC (Slc2a4: 1.6 x; Ppara: 2.2 x) and to AGE (Slc2a4: 2.3 x; Ppara: 3.3 x). AGE albumin increased the expression of Col12a1 in 3.1 times as compared to C albumin. In peritoneal macrophages there was an increase in Il6 (2.6 x) and Ddost (1.4 x) in AGE group as compared to C. Ddost was also 1.2 times increased in AGE + NAC as compared to C+NAC. NAC increased Arg1 (arginase 1) in C + NAC (2.5 x) and AGE + NAC (2.6 x) as compared to their respective controls. In conclusion, AGE albumin favors macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue promoting over time tissue sensitization to AGE that may contribute to worsening insulin resistance in this animal model. NAC antagonizes the effects of AGE albumin and by itself has beneficial effects in macrophage differentiation in adipose tissue and peritoneal cavity, inflammatory response, lipid peroxidation and insulin sensitivity. NAC may be a useful tool in the prevention of AGE actions on the development of insulin resistance and long-term complications of DM

Produtos de glicação avançada (AGE) prejudicam o transporte reverso de colesterol, por diminuírem o efluxo de colesterol de macrófagos, mediado por HDL. Neste estudo, avaliamos o papel da albumina modificada por glicação avançada (albumina-AGE) sobre a geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) pela mitocôndria e pelo sistema NADPH oxidase, e sua implicação sobre o conteúdo do receptor de HDL (ABCA-1) em macrófagos. Albumina-AGE foi preparada pela incubação com glioxal (GO), metilglioxal (MGO) ou glicolaldeído (GAD) e albumina controle (albumina C), com tampão fosfato apenas. Albumina C e AGE foram incubadas com macrófagos, ao longo do tempo, para determinação da produção de ROS e do conteúdo de ABCA-1, por citometria de fluxo. Macrófagos tratados com albumina-GO, MGO e GAD apresentaram aumento na produção de ROS de, respectivamente, 24%, 25% e 24%, em comparação às células tratadas com albumina C. A elevação na produção de ROS foi prevenida pelo tratamento celular com inibidor de NADPH oxidase ou desacoplador mitocondrial, evidenciando o papel da NADPH oxidase e da mitocôndria na geração de ROS induzida pela albumina-AGE. Em comparação com as células tratadas com albumina-C, a respiração mitocondrial basal, determinada por oxigrafia, foi reduzida em 35% e 46% nas células expostas, respectivamente, à albumina-GO e albumina-GAD e não foi restabelecida após tratamento celular com desacoplador mitocondrial. O conteúdo total de proteínas carboniladas aumentou 41% em macrófagos tratados com albumina-GAD, em comparação à albumina-C. A redução no conteúdo de ABCA-1, observada após 8 horas de tratamento com albumina-GAD, foi paralela ao incremento na produção de ROS, sendo prevenida pelo tratamento com aminoguanidina, a qual também diminuiu a geração de ROS em macrófagos tratados com albumina-AGE. Por outro lado, a benfotiamina não conseguiu restaurar o conteúdo de ABCA-1, o que foi associado à menor redução na geração de ROS, promovida por este fármaco. Os resultados apontam para papel da albumina-AGE na diminuição do efluxo de colesterol celular, notadamente por reduzir a expressão de ABCA-1, vinculada ao aumento do estresse oxidativo em macrófagos. A inibição do estresse oxidativo, induzido pela albumina-AGE, previne distúrbios no transporte reverso de colesterol por impedir a redução de ABCA-1, contribuindo assim para prevenir a aterosclerose no diabete melito / Advanced glycation end products (AGE) impair reverse cholesterol transport, by decreasing the HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages. We evaluated the role of advanced glycated albumin (AGE-albumin) on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mitochondria and NADPH oxidase, and its implication on the HDL receptor (ABCA-1) level in macrophages. AGE-albumin was prepared by incubation with glyoxal (GO), methylglyoxal (MGO) or glycolaldehyde (GAD) and control albumin (C-albumin) with phosphate buffered saline alone. C and AGE-albumin were incubated along time with J774 macrophages in order to determine ROS production and ABCA-1 protein level by flow citometry. Macrophages treated with GO, MGO and GAD-albumin presented, respectively, 24%, 25% and 24% increased ROS production compared to cells treated with C-albumin. The increase in ROS production was prevented by cell treatment with a NADPH oxidase inhibitor or mitochondrial uncoupler, demonstrating a role of NADPH oxidase and mitochondria in AGE-albumin-induced ROS generation. Compared to cells treated with C-albumin, basal mitochondrial respiration, determined by oxygraphy, was 35% and 46% reduced in cells exposed, respectively, to GO and GAD-albumin and was not restored after cell treatment with mitochondrial uncoupling. Intracellular carbonyl content increased 41% in macrophages treated with GAD-albumin as compared to C-albumin. In macrophages treated with GAD-albumin, the reduction in ABCA-1 content observed after 8 hours of treatment was accompained by the increase of ROS production. Aminoguanidine that prevented ROS generation was able to restore ABCA-1 levels. On the other hand, benfotiamine failed to restore ABCA-1 protein levels which was ascribed to a lesser reduction in ROS generation by this compund. These results point to a role of AGE-albumin on the reduction of cellular cholesterol efflux, notably by diminishing ABCA-1 protein level in macrophages which is associated with intracellular oxidative stress. Inhibition of oxidative stress induced by AGE-albumin prevents disturbances in reverse cholesterol transport by curbing the reduction of ABCA-1 elicited by advanced glycation in macrophages and therefore may contribute to the prevention of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus

Produtos de glicação avançada (AGE) prejudicam o transporte reverso de colesterol, por diminuírem o efluxo de colesterol de macrófagos, mediado por HDL. Neste estudo, avaliamos o papel da albumina modificada por glicação avançada (albumina-AGE) sobre a geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) pela mitocôndria e pelo sistema NADPH oxidase, e sua implicação sobre o conteúdo do receptor de HDL (ABCA-1) em macrófagos. Albumina-AGE foi preparada pela incubação com glioxal (GO), metilglioxal (MGO) ou glicolaldeído (GAD) e albumina controle (albumina C), com tampão fosfato apenas. Albumina C e AGE foram incubadas com macrófagos, ao longo do tempo, para determinação da produção de ROS e do conteúdo de ABCA-1, por citometria de fluxo. Macrófagos tratados com albumina-GO, MGO e GAD apresentaram aumento na produção de ROS de, respectivamente, 24%, 25% e 24%, em comparação às células tratadas com albumina C. A elevação na produção de ROS foi prevenida pelo tratamento celular com inibidor de NADPH oxidase ou desacoplador mitocondrial, evidenciando o papel da NADPH oxidase e da mitocôndria na geração de ROS induzida pela albumina-AGE. Em comparação com as células tratadas com albumina-C, a respiração mitocondrial basal, determinada por oxigrafia, foi reduzida em 35% e 46% nas células expostas, respectivamente, à albumina-GO e albumina-GAD e não foi restabelecida após tratamento celular com desacoplador mitocondrial. O conteúdo total de proteínas carboniladas aumentou 41% em macrófagos tratados com albumina-GAD, em comparação à albumina-C. A redução no conteúdo de ABCA-1, observada após 8 horas de tratamento com albumina-GAD, foi paralela ao incremento na produção de ROS, sendo prevenida pelo tratamento com aminoguanidina, a qual também diminuiu a geração de ROS em macrófagos tratados com albumina-AGE. Por outro lado, a benfotiamina não conseguiu restaurar o conteúdo de ABCA-1, o que foi associado à menor redução na geração de ROS, promovida por este fármaco. Os resultados apontam para papel da albumina-AGE na diminuição do efluxo de colesterol celular, notadamente por reduzir a expressão de ABCA-1, vinculada ao aumento do estresse oxidativo em macrófagos. A inibição do estresse oxidativo, induzido pela albumina-AGE, previne distúrbios no transporte reverso de colesterol por impedir a redução de ABCA-1, contribuindo assim para prevenir a aterosclerose no diabete melito / Advanced glycation end products (AGE) impair reverse cholesterol transport, by decreasing the HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages. We evaluated the role of advanced glycated albumin (AGE-albumin) on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mitochondria and NADPH oxidase, and its implication on the HDL receptor (ABCA-1) level in macrophages. AGE-albumin was prepared by incubation with glyoxal (GO), methylglyoxal (MGO) or glycolaldehyde (GAD) and control albumin (C-albumin) with phosphate buffered saline alone. C and AGE-albumin were incubated along time with J774 macrophages in order to determine ROS production and ABCA-1 protein level by flow citometry. Macrophages treated with GO, MGO and GAD-albumin presented, respectively, 24%, 25% and 24% increased ROS production compared to cells treated with C-albumin. The increase in ROS production was prevented by cell treatment with a NADPH oxidase inhibitor or mitochondrial uncoupler, demonstrating a role of NADPH oxidase and mitochondria in AGE-albumin-induced ROS generation. Compared to cells treated with C-albumin, basal mitochondrial respiration, determined by oxygraphy, was 35% and 46% reduced in cells exposed, respectively, to GO and GAD-albumin and was not restored after cell treatment with mitochondrial uncoupling. Intracellular carbonyl content increased 41% in macrophages treated with GAD-albumin as compared to C-albumin. In macrophages treated with GAD-albumin, the reduction in ABCA-1 content observed after 8 hours of treatment was accompained by the increase of ROS production. Aminoguanidine that prevented ROS generation was able to restore ABCA-1 levels. On the other hand, benfotiamine failed to restore ABCA-1 protein levels which was ascribed to a lesser reduction in ROS generation by this compund. These results point to a role of AGE-albumin on the reduction of cellular cholesterol efflux, notably by diminishing ABCA-1 protein level in macrophages which is associated with intracellular oxidative stress. Inhibition of oxidative stress induced by AGE-albumin prevents disturbances in reverse cholesterol transport by curbing the reduction of ABCA-1 elicited by advanced glycation in macrophages and therefore may contribute to the prevention of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus

Produtos de glicação avançada (AGE) alteram o metabolismo de lípides e, em especial, o efluxo de colesterol de macrófagos, por meio da redução dos receptores ABCA-1 e ABCG-1. Isto prejudica o transporte reverso de colesterol, sistema que favorece o fluxo de colesterol de macrófagos arteriais ao fígado, permitindo sua excreção na bile e eliminação fecal. Óxidos de colesterol modulam favoravelmente a homeostase lipídica em macrófagos e favorecem o transporte reverso de colesterol, embora o acúmulo de 7-cetocolesterol, 7-hidroxicolesterol e 7-hidroxicolesterol associe-se à aterogênese e morte celular. Neste estudo, avaliou-se o efeito do tratamento com glicolaldeído (GAD; oxoaldeído que induz rápida geração intracelular de AGE), em macrófagos sobrecarregados com LDL oxidada e incubados com HDL ou HDL e indutor de LXR (T0901317) sobre: 1) a distribuição seletiva de óxidos de colesterol e o conteúdo total de esteróis intracelulares e 2) o conteúdo de ABCA-1 e ABCG-1. Colesterol total e os diversos subtipos de óxidos de colesterol foram determinados por cromatografia a gás acoplada à espectrômetro de massa. O conteúdo dos receptores de HDL (ABCA-1 e ABCG-1) foi avaliado por imunoblot. Em macrófagos controles (C), a adição de HDL ou HDL + T0901317 promoveu redução no conteúdo de esteróis totais (colesterol + óxidos de colesterol), colesterol e 7-cetocolesterol. No entanto, isto não foi observado em macrófagos GAD. Nas diversas condições experimentais, não houve diferença no conteúdo intracelular dos outros subtipos de óxidos de colesterol, em células C e GAD. Macrófagos GAD apresentaram menor conteúdo de ABCA-1 (45%), quando comparados aos macrófagos C, mesmo após adição de HDL ou HDL + T0901317. O conteúdo de ABCG-1 foi 36,6% menor em macrófagos GAD, na presença de HDL, em comparação às células C. Em conclusão, em macrófagos sobrecarregados com LDL oxidada, o tratamento com glicolaldeído diminui a exportação celular de colesterol e 7-cetocolesterol, mediada pela HDL. Isto é decorrente do menor conteúdo dos receptores ABCA-1 e ABCG-1 em macrófagos tratados com glicolaldeído, e pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento de aterosclerose no diabete melito / Advanced glycation end products (AGE) alter lipid metabolism and reduce the macrophage expression of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 which impairs the reverse cholesterol transport, a system that drives cholesterol from arterial wall macrophages to the liver, allowing its excretion into the bile and feces. Oxysterols favors lipid homeostasis in macrophages and drive the reverse cholesterol transport, although the accumulation of 7-ketocholesterol, 7- hydroxycholesterol and 7- hydroxycholesterol is related to atherogenesis and cell death. We evaluated the effect of glycolaldehyde treatment (GAD; oxoaldehyde that induces a fast formation of intracellular AGE) in macrophages overloaded with oxidized LDL and incubated with HDL alone or HDL plus LXR agonist (T0901317) in: 1) the intracellular content of oxysterols and total sterols and 2) the contents of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1. Total cholesterol and oxysterol subspecies were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and HDL receptors content by immunoblot. In control macrophages (C), incubation with HDL or HDL + T0901317 reduced the intracellular content of total sterols (total cholesterol + oxysterols), cholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol, which was not observed in GAD macrophages. In all experimental conditions no changes were found in the intracellular content of other oxysterol subspecies comparing C and GAD macrophages. GAD macrophages presented a 45% reduction in ABCA-1 protein level as compared to C cells, even after the addition of HDL or HDL + T0901317. The content of ABCG-1 was 36.6% reduced in GAD macrophages in the presence of HDL as compared to C macrophages. In conclusion, in macrophages overloaded with oxidized LDL, glycolaldehyde treatment reduces the HDL-mediated cholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol efflux which is ascribed to the reduction in ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 protein level. This may contribute to atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus