sodium-thiocyanate and Body-Weight

Atherosclerotic plaque formation is an inflammatory process that involves the recruitment of neutrophil granulocytes and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS formation by myeloperoxidase, a key enzyme in H2O2 degradation, can be modulated by addition of sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN). However, the therapeutic use of NaSCN to counteract atherogenesis has been controversial, because MPO oxidizes NaSCN to hypothiocyanous acid, which is a reactive oxygen species itself. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of NaSCN treatment on atherogenesis in vivo.. Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice on western-diet were treated with NaSCN for 8 weeks. Blood levels of total cholesterol, IL-10, and IL-6 were measured. Aortic roots from these mice were analyzed histologically to quantify plaque formation, monocyte, and neutrophil granulocyte infiltration. Oxidative damage was evaluated via an L-012 chemiluminescence assay and staining for chlorotyrosine in the aortic walls. Endothelial function was assessed by use of endothelium-dependent vasodilation in isolated aortic rings. Neointima formation was evaluated in wild-type mice following wire injury of the carotid artery.. NaSCN treatment of ApoE-/- mice lead to a reduction of atherosclerotic plaque size in the aortic roots but had no effect on monocyte or granulocyte infiltration. Serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 decreased whereas anti-inflammatory IL-10 increased upon NaSCN treatment. In our experiments, we found oxidative damage to be reduced and the endothelial function to be improved in the NaSCN-treated group. Additionally, NaSCN inhibited neointima formation.. NaSCN has beneficial effects on various stages of atherosclerotic plaque development in mice.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Atherosclerosis; Blood Pressure; Body Weight; Carotid Arteries; Endothelium, Vascular; Granulocytes; Heart; Heart Rate; Hydrogen Peroxide; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout, ApoE; Neointima; Neutrophils; Oxidative Stress; Peroxidase; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Reactive Oxygen Species; Regeneration; Thiocyanates; Vasodilation

The influx of L-lysine into apical vesicles from the chicken jejunum occurs through two systems, one with low Michaelis constant (K(m)) and features of system b0,+ and the other with relatively high K(m) for L-lysine and with properties of system y+. In the present study the effect of a lysine-enriched diet (Lys, containing 68 g L-lysine/kg dietary protein, control animals 48 g/kg) on L-lysine uptake through both transport systems was investigated. Results show that 1) lysine enrichment had no effect on either body weight or the efficiency of food utilization. 2) In Lys-fed animals, the mediated L-lysine influx was best fitted to the two-system model with y+ and b0,+ activity. 3) In the presence of an Na+ gradient, total L-lysine uptake is significantly higher in Lys-fed animals than in control birds (about 40% increase). 4) Lys diet increases K(m)b0,+ 6-fold (KSCN gradient) and 12-fold (NaSCN gradient) and maximum velocity (Vmax) by 6- and 20-fold, respectively. The effects of Lys enrichment on the y(+)-like system are only observed on the Vmax and in the presence of a Na+ gradient (30% increase). 5) Na+ is involved in the activation of the transport process in the Lys-fed chickens, but there is no correlation between external Na+ concentration and L-lysine influx. In conclusion, both b(0,+)- and y(+)-like transport systems are upregulated by dietary lysine but with different kinetic profiles; the high-capacity y(+)-like carrier shows a Vmax increase without changes in K(m), whereas the low-capacity b(0,+)-like system shows an increase in Vmax as well as in the K(m).

Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Body Weight; Chickens; Diet; Energy Metabolism; Ethylmaleimide; Glucose; Intestinal Mucosa; Jejunum; Kinetics; Lysine; Male; Microvilli; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; Sucrase; Thiocyanates