Inherited disturbances of the mitochondrial energy generating system represent a heterogeneous group of disorders associated with a broad spectrum of metabolic abnormalities and clinical symptoms. We used the polarographic and spectrophotometric method for detection of mitochondrial disorders, because these two techniques provide a different insight into mitochondrial function. In six patients suspected of mitochondrial disease we found defects of complex I (two patients), complex III (one patient), complex IV (two patients) and a combination of defect of complex III and IV (one patient). Citrate synthase activity, used as the reference enzyme, was not changed. A comparison of the two methods showed several differences in evaluation of mitochondrial enzymes activity due to the fact that both methods used different conditions for enzyme activity measurements. In contrast to oxygen consumption measurements, where the function of the whole-integrated respiratory chain is characterized, spectrophotometric measurements characterize activities of isolated complexes in disintegrated membranes. However, it may be concluded from our experiments that both methods provide useful and complementary data about mitochondrial energetic functions. Whereas spectrophotometric data are suitable for evaluation of maximal enzyme activities of mitochondrial enzyme complexes, polarographic data provide better information about enzyme activities in cells with mitochondrial defects under in situ conditions., L. Wenchich, Z. Drahota, T. Honzík, H. Hansíková, M. Tesařová, J. Zeman, J. Houštěk., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Emerging evidence indicates that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are involved in the development of diabetes mellitus in the obese. The purpose of this study was to determine mechanisms by which PCB 153 (2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl) could influence diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance during adipogenesis. Lineage of h-ADMSCs was differentiated either as control (differentiation medium only), or with lipid vehicle modeling high fat nutrition (NuTRIflex) or lipid free vehicle (dimethylsulfoxide) for 28 days with or without PCB 153 daily co-exposure (in three concentrations 0.1, 1, and 10 μM). Gene expression analyses were performed using RT-qPCR at days 4, 10, 21, 24, 28; p rotein l evels A kt a nd phosphorylated Akt (Phospho-Akt) by Western blot at days 4, and 21. PCB 153 treatment of h-ADMSCs only in lipid vehicle was associated with down regulation of key master genes of adipogenesis: PPARγ, SREBP-1, PPARGC1B, and PLIN2 during the whole process of differentiation; and with increased Akt and decreased Phospho-Akt protein level at day 21. We have shown that PCB 153, in concentration 0.1 μM, has a potential in lipid rich environment to modulate differentiation of adipocytes. Because European and U.S. adults have been exposed to PCB 153, this particular nutrient-toxicant interaction potentially impacts human obesity and insulin sensitivity., D. Mullerova, M. Pesta, J. Dvorakova, M. Cedikova, V. Kulda, P. Dvorak, V. Bouchalová, M. Kralickova, V. Babuska, J. Kuncova, J. Langmajerova, L. Muller., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Since 2007, the year of their first widespread use, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have become the “gold standard” for the detection of causal genes and polymorphisms in all fields of human medicine. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality, is no except ion. The first GWAS focused on hypercholesterole mia and dyslipid emia as the major CVD determinants. GWAS confirm the importance of most of the previously identified genes (e.g. APOE, APOB, LDL-R) and recogni ze the importance of new genetic determinants (e.g. within the CILP2 or SORT1 gene clusters). Nevertheless, the results of GWAS still require confirmation by independent studies, as interethnic and interpopulation variability of SNP effects have been reported. We analy zed an association between eight variants within seven through GWAs detected loci and plasma lipid values in the Czech post -MONICA population sample (N= 2,559). We confirmed an association (all P<0.01) between plasma LDL-cholesterol values and variants within the CILP2 (rs16996148), SORT1 (rs646776), APOB (rs693), APOE (rs4420638) and LDL-R (rs6511720) genes in both males (N= 1,194) and females (N =1,368). In contrast, variants within the APOB (rs515135), PCSK9 (rs11206510) and HMGCoAR (rs12654264) genes did not significantly affect plasma lipid values in Czech males or females. Unweighted gene score values were linearly associated with LDL-cholesterol values both in males (P<0.0005) and females (P<0.00005). We confirmed the effects of some, but not all analyzed SNPs on LDL-cholesterol levels, reinforcing the necessity for replication studies of GWA-detected gene variants., J. A. Hubacek, V. Adamkova, V. Lanska, D. Dlouha., and Obsahuje bibliografii
a1_Osteoporosis is a serious disease characterized by high morbidity and mortality due to atraumatic fractures. In the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, except environment and internal factors, such as hormonal imbalance and genetic background, are also in play. In this study candidate genes for osteoporosis were classified according to metabolic or hormonal pathways, which regulate bone mineral density and bone quality (estrogen,RANKL/RANK/OPG axis, mevalonate, the canonical circuit and genes regulating the vitamin D system). COL1A1 and/or COL1A2 genes, which encode formation of the procollagen 1 molecule, were also studied. Mutations in these genes are well-known causes of the inborn disease‘ osteogenesis imperfecta’. In addition to this, polymorphisms in COL1A1 and/or COL1A2 have been found to be associated with parameters of bone quality in adult subjects. The authors discuss the perspectives for the practical utilization of pharmacogenetics (identification of single candidate genes using PCR) and pharmacogenomics (using genome wide association studies (GWAS) to choose optimal treatment for osteoporosis). Potential predictors of antiresorptive therapy efficacy include the following well established genes: ER, FDPS, Cyp19A1, VDR, Col1A1, and Col1A2, as well as the gene for the canonical (Wnt) pathway. Unfortunately, the positive outcomes seen in most association studies have not been confirmed b y other researchers. The controversial results could be explained by the use of different methodological approaches in individual studies (different sample size, homogeneity of investigated groups, ethnic differences, or linkage disequilibrium between genes). The key pitfall of association studies is the low variability (7-10 %) of bone phenotypes associated with the investigated genes., a2_Nevertheless, the identification of new genes and the verification of their association with bone density and/or quality (using both PCR and GWAS), remain a great challenge in the optimal prevention and treatment of osteoporosis., I. Zofkova, P. Nemcikova, M. Kuklik., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We have determined the genotypes of two common polymorphisms in the lipoprotein lipase (S447X) and hepatic lipase (-480C/T) genes in a cohort of 285 representative selected Czech probands (131 male and 154 female), examined in 1988 and reinvestigated in 1996. The genotype distributions of both polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and did not differ between male and female subjects. The rare allele frequency of the lipoprotein lipase polymorphism did not differ significantly from the other European populations. Compared to the German populations, the frequency of the hepatic lipase -480T allele was significantly higher in the Czech group (20 % vs. 36 %, p<0.0001). There were no significant associations between the lipoprotein lipase gene variants and lipid parameters measured either in 1988, or in 1996 or with changes of lipid parameters over the 8-year period. The carriers of the T-480 allele of the hepatic lipase polymorphism were found to have higher HDL cholesterol levels (p=0.02). However, this difference was confined to female subjects only. The male carriers of the -480T allele had higher concentrations of total cholesterol (p=0.03) as compared to CC-480 subjects. Both associations were observed in 1996 only. In the Slavic Czech population, a common polymorphism in the hepatic lipase gene (-480C/T), but not in the lipoprotein lipase gene (S447X), is a significant determinant of plasma HDL cholesterol in females and plasma total cholesterol in males and indicates the importance of gender-associated effects in the genetic determinations of plasma lipids., J.A. Hubáček, D.M. Waterworth, J. Piťha, S.E. Humphries, P.J. Talmud, R. Poledne., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Silymarin and silybin are widely used for their hepatoprotective properties. Our previous studies confirm positive effect of silymarin on lipoprotein profile and lipid homeostasis. Advanced drug forms may improve the bioavailability of these compounds. In this study, we investigate the effects of silybin in different drug forms (standardized silybin, micronized silybin, and silybin in form of phytosomes) on dyslipidemia and glucose metabolism in hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (HHTg) rats. Male HHTg rats were divided into four groups of seven animals and were fed by experimental diets. Silybin significantly decreased serum level of triglycerides in groups of rats fed by standardized silybin and silybin in form of phytosomes compared to control group. Results show that silybin did not affect the total cholesterol level, but significantly increased the levels of HDL cholesterol in all groups of animals. Silybin in a standardized form had the highest hypotriglyceridemic effect. On the other hand, the micronized form has caused the highest increase of protective HDL and most significantly decreased glucose and insulin levels. Our results suggest that silybin is probably responsible for some positive properties of silymarin. Subsequent dose-dependent studies of silybin action may reveal the intensity of its positive effects on lipid and glucose parameters., M. Poruba, Z. Matušková, L. Kazdová, O. Oliyarnyk, H. Malínská, I. Tozzi di Angelo, R. Večeřa., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Protein kinases, transcription factors and other apoptosis- and proliferation-related proteins can regulate reproduction, but their involvement in sexual maturation remains to be elucidated. The general aim of the in vivo and in vitro experiments with porcine ovarian granulosa cells was to identify possible intracellular regulators of female sexual maturation. For this purpose, proliferation (expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen - PCNA, mitogen-activated protein kinases - ERK 1,2 related MAPK and cyclin B1), apoptosis (expression of the apoptotic protein Bax and apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 protein), expression of some protein kinases (cAMP dependent protein kinase - PKA, cGMPdependent protein kinase - PKG, tyrosine kinase - TK) and cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB-1) was examined in granulosa cells isolated from ovaries of immature and mature gilts. Expression of PCNA, ERK1,2 related MAPK, cyclin B1, Bcl-2, Bax, PKA, CREB-1, TK and PKG in porcine granulosa cells were detected by immunocytochemistry. Sexual maturation was associated with significant increase in the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, PKA, CREB-1 and TK and with decrease in the expression of ERK1,2 related MAPK, cyclin B1 and PKG in granulosa cells. No significant difference in PCNA expression was noted. The present data obtained from in vitro study indicate that sexual maturation in females is influenced by puberty-related changes in porcine ovarian signaling substances: increase in Bcl-2, Bax, PKA, CREB-1, TK and decrease in ERK1,2 related MAPK, cyclin B1 and PKG. It suggests that these signaling molecules could be potential regulators of porcine sexual maturation., A. Kolesarova, A. V. Sirotkin, M. Mellen, S. Roychoudhury., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Idiopathic pes equinovarus (clubfoot) is a congenital deformity of the foot and lower leg defined as a fixation of the foot in plantar flexion, adduction, supination and varus. The deformity does not affect only the foot position, which is usually investigated by radiography, CT, micro-CT, MRI or ultrasound but logically influence the whole gait biomechanics. It is supposed, that clubfoot belongs to a group of fibroproliferative disorders whose origin and multi- hierarchical effect remain unknown. It has been suggested that fibroblasts and growth factors may be involved. To gain a more global view, direct analysis of the protein composition of extra cellular matrix, a proteomic approach was used. At present two principle methods are mostly used for the treatment of clubfoot: physiotherapy and the Ponseti method. The determination of the general biological and biomechanical parameters for various regio ns of the clubfoot can potentially help in the understanding of the mechanisms participating on this serious anomaly and thus contribute to the development of the more efficient therapeutic approach. This review summarizes the present knowledge on the poss ible pathogenetic mechanisms participating in the development of the clubfoot and their possible relation to the new therapeutic approaches., M. Ošťádal, J. Lišková, D. Hadraba, A. Eckhardt., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Exposure to chronic hypoxia results in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension characterized by structural remodeling of peripheral pulmonary vasculature. An important part of this remodeling is an increase of collagen turnover and deposition of newly formed collagen fibrils in the vascular walls. The activity of collagenolytic metalloproteinases in the lung tissue is notably increased in the first days of exposure to hypoxia. The increased collagenolytic activity results in the appearance of collagen cleavages, which may be implied in the triggering of mesenchymal proliferation in peripheral pulmonary arteries. We hypothesize that radical injury to pulmonary vascular walls is involved in collagenolytic metalloproteinase activation., J. Novotná, J. Herget., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The aim was to find the differences in ketogenesis initiation in the early period after the exercise in obese patients and to find if these changes may predict the weig ht loss during the physical activity program. 96 females were enrolled. A clamped heart rate test (CHR) was performed to establish comparable exercise intensity. Blood samples for beta hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) assessment were collected prior, immediately after and 60 min after the test. Patients underwent a three month fitness program. Anthropometric measurements (fat mass and biochemical parameters) were measured. An energy intake was monitored and comparable in all subjects. A significant increase of BOHB was found in 60 th minute after the test, when compared with initiation levels (BOHB1 vs. BOHB3; p=0.03). This increase correlates with % fat mass (R=0.196; p=0.02) and negatively with age (R= –0.147; p=0.05) and with weight reduction during the three-month program (R= -0.299; p=0.03). Serum BOHB increase after the single exercise may detect individuals with an ability to induce lipolysis in three-month program of physical activity for obese patients., M. Matoulek, S. Svobododova, R. Vetrovska, Z. Stranska, S. Svačina., and Obsahuje bibliografii