| 1. |
- Akhter, Tansim, 1967-, et al.
(author)
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Dimethylarginines correlate to common carotid artery wall layer dimensions and cardiovascular risk factors in pregnant women with/without preeclampsia : A group comparative study
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology. - : Elsevier. - 0301-2115 .- 1872-7654. ; 258, s. 288-293
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Asymmetric- and symmetric dimethylarginines (ADMA, SDMA) are elevated in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome and is an independent risk factor for subsequent CVD. Aims were to investigate whether ADMA, SDMA levels and L-arginine/ADMA and I.arginine/SDMA ratios during pregnancy and their changes from pregnancy to postpartum are associated to arterial wall layer dimensions and cardiovascular risk factors in women with and without preeclampsia. Study design: Dimethylarginines were analyzed by LC-MS, and the common-carotid-artery (CCA) intima and media thicknesses were estimated using 22-MHz non-invasive ultrasonography in women with preeclampsia (cases = 48) and normal pregnancies (controls = 58) in similar gestational age, with reassessment one-year postpartum. A thick intima, thin media and high intima/media ratio (I/M) indicates a less healthy arterial wall. Results: The median age of cases and controls was 30 years. During pregnancy, women with preeclampsia had higher plasma ADMA, SDMA and lower t-arginine/ADMA and L-arginine/SDMA (all p <0.01) than women with normal pregnancies. Further, ADMA, SDMA, L-arginine/ADMA and L-arginine/SDMA correlated to intima thickness (r(s) = 0.33/0.33/-0.33/-0.35 and p <0.01), UM (r(s) = 0.26/0.28/-0.22/-0.26 and p <0.05) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (rs = 0.43/0.42/-0.39/-0.40 and p <0.0001). Changes in ADMA, SDMA and t-arginine/SDMA from pregnancy to postpartum correlated to changes in intima thickness (r(s) = 0.22/0.32/-0.21 and p < 0.05/<0.01/<0.05), I/M (r(s) = 0.22/0.31/0.08 and p < 0.05/<0.01/=0.43) and MAP (r(s) = 0.31/0.53/-0.25 and p < 0.01/<0.001/<0.05). No correlations were found for conventional CCA intima-media-thickness. Conclusions: Dimethylarginines were associated to signs of adverse effects on arterial wall layer dimensions and cardiovascular risk factors in women with and without preeclampsia, during pregnancy and to their changes from pregnancy up to one-year postpartum. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.
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| 2. |
- Akhter, Tansim, 1967-, et al.
(author)
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Elevated Plasma Levels of Arginines During Labor Among Women with Spontaneous Preterm Birth : A Prospective Cohort Study
- 2024
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In: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1046-7408 .- 1600-0897. ; 91:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Problem: Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity. The pathogenesis of PTB is complex and involves many factors, including socioeconomy, inflammation and infection. Asymmetric dimethylarginine, ADMA and symmetric dimethylarginine, SDMA are involved in labor as inhibitors of nitric oxide, a known relaxant of the uterine smooth muscles. Arginines are scarcely studied in relation to PTB and we aimed to investigate arginines (ADMA, SDMA and L-arginine) in women with spontaneous PTB and term birth.Methods of the Study: The study was based on data from the population-based, prospective cohort BASIC study conducted in Uppsala County, Sweden, between September 2009 and November 2018. Arginines were analyzed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography using plasma samples taken at the onset of labor from women with spontaneous PTB (n = 34) and term birth (n = 45). We also analyzed the inflammation markers CRP, TNF-R1 and TNF-R2 and GDF-15.Results: Women with spontaneous PTB had higher plasma levels of ADMA (p < 0.001), and L-Arginine (p = 0.03). In addition, inflammation marker, TNF-R1 (p = 0.01) was higher in spontaneous PTB compared to term birth. Further, in spontaneous PTB, no significant correlations could be observed when comparing levels of arginines with inflammation markers, except ADMA versus CRP.Conclusions: These findings provide novel evidence for the potential involvement of arginines in the pathogenesis of spontaneous PTB and it seems that arginine levels at labor vary independently of several inflammatory markers. Further research is warranted to investigate the potential of arginines as therapeutic targets in the prevention and management of spontaneous PTB.
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| 3. |
- Akhter, Tansim, 1967-, et al.
(author)
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Plasma levels of arginines at term pregnancy in relation to mode of onset of labor and mode of childbirth
- 2023
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In: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1046-7408 .- 1600-0897. ; 90:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PROBLEM: The exact biochemical mechanisms that initiate labor are not yet fully understood. Nitric oxide is a potent relaxant of uterine smooth muscles until labor starts, and its precursor is L-arginine. Asymmetric (ADMA) and symmetric (SDMA) dimethylarginines, are potent NO-inhibitors. However, arginines (dimethylarginines and L-arginine) are scarcely studied in relation to labor and childbirth. We aimed to investigate arginines in women with spontaneous (SLVB) and induced (ILVB) term labor with vaginal birth and in women undergoing elective caesarean section (ECS).METHOD OF STUDY: Women at gestational week 16-18 were recruited to the population-based prospective cohort study BASIC at the Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden. Plasma samples taken at start of labor were analyzed for arginines, from SLVB (n = 45), ILVB (n = 45), and ECS (n = 45), using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Between-group differences were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-test.RESULTS: Women with SLVB and ILVB had higher levels of ADMA (p < .0001), SDMA (p < .05) and lower L-arginines (p < .01), L-arginine/ADMA (p < .0001), and L-arginine/SDMA (p < .01, respectively <.001) compared to ECS. However, ILVB had higher ADMA (p < .0001) and lower L-arginine (p < .01), L-arginine/ADMA (p < .0001), and L-arginine/SDMA (p < .01) compared to SLVB. Results are adjusted for gestational length at birth and cervical dilatation at sampling.CONCLUSION: Our novel findings of higher levels of dimethylarginines in term vaginal births compared to ECS give insights into the biochemical mechanisms of labor. These findings might also serve as a basis for further studies of arginines in complicated pregnancies and labor.
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| 4. |
- Askar, Raad, et al.
(author)
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Bioavailability of subcutaneous and intramuscular administrated buprenorphine in New Zealand White rabbits
- 2020
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In: BMC Veterinary Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1746-6148. ; 16:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundBuprenorphine is one of the most used analgesics for postoperative pain in rabbits. The recommended dose in rabbits (0.01–0.05 mg/kg) is the same for intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC) administration, despite lack of pharmacokinetic data. Five male and five female New Zealand White rabbits (mean ± SD body weight 3.1 ± 0.3 kg) were administered 0.05 mg/kg buprenorphine by the IV, IM and SC routes and 0.1 mg/kg by the SC route, in a cross-over design with two-week wash-out periods between treatments. Blood was collected before, and up to 8 h post buprenorphine injection, for determination of serum levels by UPHLC-MS/MS.ResultsThe area under the time concentration curve (AUC0-t) was lower after SC (398 ± 155 ng/mL/min) than IM (696 ± 168 ng/mL/min, p < 0.001) and IV (789 ± 189 ng/mL/min, p < 0.001) administration. The maximum serum concentration was lower after SC (2.2 ± 1.4 ng/mL) than after IM (11 ± 3.2 ng/mL) administration (p < 0.001). The bioavailability was lower after SC (50 ± 19%) than after IM (95 ± 21%) administration (p = 0.006). The elimination half-life was longer after SC (260 ± 120 min) than after IM (148 ± 26 min, p = 0.002) as well as IV (139 ± 33 min) injection (p < 0.001). An increase in the SC dose from 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg resulted in an increase in the area under the time concentration curve of 50% in female (p = 0.022) and 165% in male rabbits (p < 0.001). The bioavailability did not change in the females (36 ± 14%, p = 0.6), whereas it increased in the males (71 ± 23%, p = 0.008).ConclusionsThe lower bioavailability of 0.05 mg/kg buprenorphine after SC administration could explain the lack of efficacy seen in clinical pain studies in rabbits, using this route. For immediate pain relief, IV or IM administration is therefore be recommended, whereas SC administration may be useful to sustain analgesic serum levels, once efficient pain relief has been achieved. The current data do not support an increase in dose to compensate for the lower SC bioavailability.
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| 5. |
- Balgoma, David, et al.
(author)
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Anabolic androgenic steroids exert a selective remodeling of the plasma lipidome that mirrors the decrease of the de novo lipogenesis in the liver
- 2020
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In: Metabolomics. - : SPRINGER. - 1573-3882 .- 1573-3890. ; 16:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: The abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) is a source of public concern because of their adverse effects. Supratherapeutic doses of AASs are known to be hepatotoxic and regulate the lipoproteins in plasma by modifying the metabolism of lipids in the liver, which is associated with metabolic diseases. However, the effect of AASs on the profile of lipids in plasma is unknown.Objectives: To describe the changes in the plasma lipidome exerted by AASs and to discuss these changes in the light of previous research about AASs and de novo lipogenesis in the liver.Methods: We treated male Wistar rats with supratherapeutic doses of nandrolone decanoate and testosterone undecanoate. Subsequently, we isolated the blood plasma and performed lipidomics analysis by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.Results: Lipid profiling revealed a decrease of sphingolipids and glycerolipids with palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, and oleic acids. In addition, lipid profiling revealed an increase in free fatty acids and glycerophospholipids with odd-numbered chain fatty acids and/or arachidonic acid.Conclusion: The lipid profile presented herein reports the imprint of AASs on the plasma lipidome, which mirrors the downregulation of de novo lipogenesis in the liver. In a broader perspective, this profile will help to understand the influence of androgens on the lipid metabolism in future studies of diseases with dysregulated lipogenesis (e.g. type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma).
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| 6. |
- Balgoma, David, et al.
(author)
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Anthracyclins Increase PUFAs : Potential Implications in ER Stress and Cell Death
- 2021
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In: Cells. - : MDPI. - 2073-4409. ; 10:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Metabolic and personalized interventions in cancer treatment require a better understanding of the relationship between the induction of cell death and metabolism. Consequently, we treated three primary liver cancer cell lines with two anthracyclins (doxorubicin and idarubin) and studied the changes in the lipidome. We found that both anthracyclins in the three cell lines increased the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and alkylacylglycerophosphoethanolamines (etherPEs) with PUFAs. As PUFAs and alkylacylglycerophospholipids with PUFAs are fundamental in lipid peroxidation during ferroptotic cell death, our results suggest supplementation with PUFAs and/or etherPEs with PUFAs as a potential general adjuvant of anthracyclins. In contrast, neither the markers of de novo lipogenesis nor cholesterol lipids presented the same trend in all cell lines and treatments. In agreement with previous research, this suggests that modulation of the metabolism of cholesterol could be considered a specific adjuvant of anthracyclins depending on the type of tumor and the individual. Finally, in agreement with previous research, we found a relationship across the different cell types between: (i) the change in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and (ii) the imbalance between PUFAs and cholesterol and saturated lipids. In the light of previous research, this imbalance partially explains the sensitivity to anthracyclins of the different cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that the modulation of different lipid metabolic pathways may be considered for generalized and personalized metabochemotherapies.
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| 7. |
- Balgoma, David, et al.
(author)
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Etherglycerophospholipids and ferroptosis : structure, regulation, and location
- 2021
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In: Trends in endocrinology and metabolism. - : Elsevier. - 1043-2760 .- 1879-3061. ; 32:12, s. 960-962
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Two pioneering studies by Zou et al. and Cui et al. have reported that the synthesis of etherglycerophospholipids (etherPLs) sensitizes cells to ferroptosis. The location and regulation of etherPLs suggest that: (i) lipid peroxidation in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane might be of importance in ferroptosis, and (ii) different etherPLs may differently sensitize cells to ferroptosis.
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| 8. |
- Balgoma, David, et al.
(author)
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Orthogonality in Principal Component Analysis Allows the Discovery of Lipids in the Jejunum That Are Independent of Ad Libitum Feeding
- 2022
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In: Metabolites. - : MDPI. - 2218-1989 .- 2218-1989. ; 12:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ad libitum feeding of experimental animals is preferred because of medical relevance together with technical and practical considerations. In addition, ethical committees may require ad libitum feeding. However, feeding affects the metabolism so ad libitum feeding may mask the effects of drugs on tissues directly involved in the digestion process (e.g., jejunum and liver). Despite this effect, principal component analysis has the potential of identifying metabolic traits that are statistically independent (orthogonal) to ad libitum feeding. Consequently, we used principal component analysis to discover the metabolic effects of doxorubicin independent of ad libitum feeding. First, we analyzed the lipidome of the jejunum and the liver of rats treated with vehicle or doxorubicin. Subsequently, we performed principal component analysis. We could identify a principal component associated to the hydrolysis of lipids during digestion and a group of lipids that were orthogonal. These lipids in the jejunum increased with the treatment time and presented a polyunsaturated fatty acid as common structural trait. This characteristic suggests that doxorubicin increases polyunsaturated fatty acids. This behavior agrees with our previous in vitro results and suggests that doxorubicin sensitized the jejunum to ferroptosis, which may partially explain the toxicity of doxorubicin in the intestines.
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| 9. |
- Dahlgren, David, et al.
(author)
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Effect of paracellular permeation enhancers on intestinal permeability of two peptide drugs, enalaprilat and hexarelin, in rats
- 2021
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In: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B. - : INST MATERIA MEDICA, CHINESE ACAD MEDICAL SCIENCES. - 2211-3835 .- 2211-3843. ; 11:6, s. 1667-1675
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Transcellular permeation enhancers are known to increase the intestinal permeability of enalaprilat, a 349 Da peptide, but not hexarelin (887 Da). The primary aim of this paper was to investigate if paracellular permeability enhancers affected the intestinal permeation of the two peptides. This was investigated using the rat single-pass intestinal perfusion model with concomitant blood sampling. These luminal compositions included two paracellular permeation enhancers, chitosan (5 mg/mL) and ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA, 1 and 5 mg/mL), as well as low luminal tonicity (100 mOsm) with or without lidocaine. Effects were evaluated by the change in lumen-to-blood permeability of hexarelin and enalaprilat, and the blood-to-lumen clearance of (51)chromium-labeled EDTA (CLCr-EDTA), a clinical marker for mucosal barrier integrity. The two paracellular permeation enhancers increased the mucosal permeability of both peptide drugs to a similar extent. The data in this study suggests that the potential for paracellular permeability enhancers to increase intestinal absorption of hydrophilic peptides with low molecular mass is greater than for those with transcellular mechanism-of-action. Further, the mucosal blood-to-lumen flux of Cr-51-EDTA was increased by the two paracellular permeation enhancers and by luminal hypotonicity. In contrast, luminal hypotonicity did not affect the lumen-to-blood transport of enalaprilat and hexarelin. This suggests that hypotonicity affects paracellular solute transport primarily in the mucosal crypt region, as this area is protected from luminal contents by a constant water flow from the crypts.
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| 10. |
- Dahlgren, David, et al.
(author)
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Regional Intestinal Drug Permeability and Effects of Permeation Enhancers in Rat
- 2020
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In: Pharmaceutics. - : MDPI. - 1999-4923. ; 12:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sufficient colonic absorption is necessary for all systemically acting drugs in dosage forms that release the drug in the large intestine. Preclinically, colonic absorption is often investigated using the rat single-pass intestinal perfusion model. This model can determine intestinal permeability based on luminal drug disappearance, as well as the effect of permeation enhancers on drug permeability. However, it is uncertain how accurate the rat single-pass intestinal perfusion model predicts regional intestinal permeability and absorption in human. There is also a shortage of systematic in vivo investigations of the direct effect of permeation enhancers in the small and large intestine. In this rat single-pass intestinal perfusion study, the jejunal and colonic permeability of two low permeability drugs (atenolol and enalaprilat) and two high-permeability ones (ketoprofen and metoprolol) was determined based on plasma appearance. These values were compared to already available corresponding human data from a study conducted in our lab. The colonic effect of four permeation enhancers-sodium dodecyl sulfate, chitosan, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and caprate-on drug permeability and transport of chromium EDTA (an established clinical marker for intestinal barrier integrity) was determined. There was no difference in jejunal and colonic permeability determined from plasma appearance data of any of the four model drugs. This questions the validity of the rat single-pass intestinal perfusion model for predicting human regional intestinal permeability. It was also shown that the effect of permeation enhancers on drug permeability in the colon was similar to previously reported data from the rat jejunum, whereas the transport of chromium EDTA was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the colon than in jejunum. Therefore, the use of permeation enhancers for increasing colonic drug permeability has greater risks than potential medical rewards, as indicated by the higher permeation of chromium EDTA compared to the drugs.
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