Glutamate dehydrogenase a (GDHa) has been suggested as a potential drug target against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. GDHa knockout cell line was generated and needed a phenotypic description by means of molecular biology and biochemistry. The knockout cell line was tested for higher oxidative stress sensitivity, levels of relevant proteins and gene transcripts were quantified. Furthermore, concentrations of two key molecules enabling redox homeostasis, glutathione and NADPH, were attempted to quantify. Finally, we attempted to disrupt a gene of another glutamate dehydrogenase, gdhb, which did not result in formation of viable parasites. In conclusion, GDHa is not a suitable drug target and GDHb needs to be further elucidated.

This study was carried out for understanding of antioxidant mechanisms of lentil under abiotic stress conditions. For this aim, 14 days old lentil seedlings (Lens culinaris Medik cv. Sultan-1) were subjected to drought (20% PEG 6000), and salt (150 mM NaCl ) stress for 6, 12 and 24 hours, for 3, 5 and 7 days. PCR conditions for Mn SOD, Cu/Zn SOD, chloroplastic/mitochondrial GR, CAT and chloroplast /stromal APX antioxidant enzymes were optimized. Then, total RNA was isolated from stressed and non-stressed plant roots and shoots. The gene expression levels of Mn SOD and Cu/Zn SOD were examined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Arabidopsis 18S rRNA was used as internal control in multiplex PCR technique. Relative expression levels of Mn SOD were lower in shoots and roots under salt stress while no significant change was obtained under drought conditions in both tissues. Relative expression levels of Mn SOD were increased on 5th day of salt and drought applications in both shoots and roots. Relative expression levels of Cu/Zn SOD increased after 5th, and on 1st and 7th days of drough treatment in shoots and roots, respectively. On the other hand, expression levels of Cu/Zn SOD increased on 3rd and 5th days of salt treatment in shoot tissues. Although it is nearly impossible to understand the whole antioxidant mechanism of plants under environmental stresses, this study was the first step to learn about molecular background of antioxidant defence mechanisms in lentil.

Les prématurés subissent un stress oxydant qui résulte d’une défense antioxydante faible et/ou d’une charge oxydante. Des données suggèrent qu’un stress oxydant peut affecter le métabolisme énergétique et mener au syndrome métabolique. Hypothèse: Une faible défense antioxydante tôt dans la vie est suffisante pour affecter le métabolisme énergétique à long terme. Méthodes: Quatre groupes de cobayes (n=21) ont reçu entre leurs 3e et 7e jours de vie une diète standard (C-1sem, C-14sem) ou une diète déficiente (DC-1sem, DC-14sem). À 7 jours, les groupes C-1sem et DC-1sem ont été sacrifiés, le plasma et le foie collectés. Les groupes C-14sem et DC-14sem ont reçu la diète standard jusqu’à 14sem de vie. La glycémie et les triglycérides plasmatiques ont été mesurés à 1, 3, 11, et 13-14sem. La tolérance au glucose a été évaluée à 13sem. Les antioxydants hépatiques et les protéines régulant le métabolisme énergétique ont été analysés à 1 et 14sem. Résultats: Un statut redox oxydé du glutathion était associé avec la diète déficiente et était maintenu oxydé au moins jusqu’à 14sem (p<0.01). Les faibles niveaux de triglycérides plasmatiques et de glycémies, ainsi qu’une meilleure tolérance au glucose à 14sem (p<0.05) étaient associés avec un statut redox plus oxydé. Conclusion: Le faible taux de glutathion observé chez les prématurés a été reproduit dans notre modèle. Puisque nos données suggèrent un rôle protecteur d’un redox plus oxydé et que l’environnement redox est un important régulateur métabolique influençant le développement, il faudrait faire attention avant d’initier des traitements antioxydants agressifs chez les prématurés. / Preterm infants are faced to oxidative stress resulting from a low antioxidant defence and/or a high oxidant load. Datas suggest that an oxidative stress may impair energy metabolism leading to metabolic syndrome development. Hypothesis: A weak antioxidant defence early in life such as observed in preterm newborns is sufficient to impair energy metabolism later in life. Methods: Four groups of guinea pigs (n=21) received between their 3rd and 7th days of life a control diet (C-1week, C-14weeks) or antioxidant deficient diet (DC-1week, DC-14weeks). At 7 day-old, 1week-groups were sacrificed for plasma and liver sampling whereas 14week-groups were fed with the control diet until 14 week-old. Blood glucose and plasma triacylglycerol were determined at 1, 3, 11 and 13-14 week-old. Glucose tolerance test was performed at 13 week-old. Hepatic antioxidant defences and key proteins regulating lipid and glucose metabolism were measured at 1 and 14 weeks. Results: The oxidized redox status of glutathione associated with the neonatal deficient diet was maintained until at least 14 week-old (p<0.01). The low plasma triacylglycerol, low blood glucose and better tolerance to glucose at 14 weeks (p<0.05) were associated with an oxidized redox status. Conclusion: The low glutathione observed in newborn preterm infants has been reproduced in our animal model. Since the oxidized redox state observed here seems to be protective against impaired energy metabolism and since the cellular redox environment is known to be an important rheostat of metabolism influencing development, it suggests being careful before adopting aggressive antioxidant treatments in preterm infants.

No description available.

Les prématurés subissent un stress oxydant qui résulte d’une défense antioxydante faible et/ou d’une charge oxydante. Des données suggèrent qu’un stress oxydant peut affecter le métabolisme énergétique et mener au syndrome métabolique. Hypothèse: Une faible défense antioxydante tôt dans la vie est suffisante pour affecter le métabolisme énergétique à long terme. Méthodes: Quatre groupes de cobayes (n=21) ont reçu entre leurs 3e et 7e jours de vie une diète standard (C-1sem, C-14sem) ou une diète déficiente (DC-1sem, DC-14sem). À 7 jours, les groupes C-1sem et DC-1sem ont été sacrifiés, le plasma et le foie collectés. Les groupes C-14sem et DC-14sem ont reçu la diète standard jusqu’à 14sem de vie. La glycémie et les triglycérides plasmatiques ont été mesurés à 1, 3, 11, et 13-14sem. La tolérance au glucose a été évaluée à 13sem. Les antioxydants hépatiques et les protéines régulant le métabolisme énergétique ont été analysés à 1 et 14sem. Résultats: Un statut redox oxydé du glutathion était associé avec la diète déficiente et était maintenu oxydé au moins jusqu’à 14sem (p<0.01). Les faibles niveaux de triglycérides plasmatiques et de glycémies, ainsi qu’une meilleure tolérance au glucose à 14sem (p<0.05) étaient associés avec un statut redox plus oxydé. Conclusion: Le faible taux de glutathion observé chez les prématurés a été reproduit dans notre modèle. Puisque nos données suggèrent un rôle protecteur d’un redox plus oxydé et que l’environnement redox est un important régulateur métabolique influençant le développement, il faudrait faire attention avant d’initier des traitements antioxydants agressifs chez les prématurés. / Preterm infants are faced to oxidative stress resulting from a low antioxidant defence and/or a high oxidant load. Datas suggest that an oxidative stress may impair energy metabolism leading to metabolic syndrome development. Hypothesis: A weak antioxidant defence early in life such as observed in preterm newborns is sufficient to impair energy metabolism later in life. Methods: Four groups of guinea pigs (n=21) received between their 3rd and 7th days of life a control diet (C-1week, C-14weeks) or antioxidant deficient diet (DC-1week, DC-14weeks). At 7 day-old, 1week-groups were sacrificed for plasma and liver sampling whereas 14week-groups were fed with the control diet until 14 week-old. Blood glucose and plasma triacylglycerol were determined at 1, 3, 11 and 13-14 week-old. Glucose tolerance test was performed at 13 week-old. Hepatic antioxidant defences and key proteins regulating lipid and glucose metabolism were measured at 1 and 14 weeks. Results: The oxidized redox status of glutathione associated with the neonatal deficient diet was maintained until at least 14 week-old (p<0.01). The low plasma triacylglycerol, low blood glucose and better tolerance to glucose at 14 weeks (p<0.05) were associated with an oxidized redox status. Conclusion: The low glutathione observed in newborn preterm infants has been reproduced in our animal model. Since the oxidized redox state observed here seems to be protective against impaired energy metabolism and since the cellular redox environment is known to be an important rheostat of metabolism influencing development, it suggests being careful before adopting aggressive antioxidant treatments in preterm infants.