These data suggest that endogenous Prx3 may play an essential role in maintaining normal characteristics of adipocytes and that defect in Prx3 alters mitochondrial redox state and function, and adipokine expression in adipocytes leading to metabolic alteration.

It has been reported that high-fat, high-carbohydrate (HFHC) meals increase oxidative stress and inflammation. We examined whether repeated intake of excess energy in the form of HFHC meals alters reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes and mitochondrial proteins in mononuclear cells, and to determine whether this is associated with insulin resistance. We recruited healthy lean individuals (n 10). The individuals were divided into two groups: one group (n 5) ingested 10878·4 kJ/d (2600 kcal/d; 55-70 % carbohydrate, 9·5-16 % fat, 7 -20 % protein) recommended by the Dietary Reference Intake for Koreans for 4 d and the other group (n 5) ingested a HFHC meal containing 14 644 kJ/d (3500 kcal/d). Then, measurements of blood insulin and glucose levels, together with suppressor of cytokine signalling-3 (SOCS-3) expression levels, were performed in both groups. Also, cellular and mitochondrial ROS levels as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Expression levels of cytosolic and mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, and mitochondrial complex proteins were analysed. Repeated intake of HFHC meals induced an increase in homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), together with an increase in SOCS-3 expression levels. While a single intake of the HFHC meal increased cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS, repeated intake of HFHC meals reduced them and increased the levels of MDA, cytosolic and mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, and several mitochondrial complex proteins. Repeated intake of HFHC meals induced cellular antioxidant mechanisms, which in turn increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) and SOCS-3 expression levels, induced hyperinsulinaemia and increased HOMA-IR, an index of insulin resistance. In conclusion, excess energy added to a diet can generate detrimental effects in a short period.

Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of CBR1 improved the anticancer effects of DOX in preclinical models of breast cancer. RNA interference or chemical inhibition of CBR1 improved the anticancer effect of DOX in breast cancer. Moreover, CBR1 overexpression enabled breast cancer cells to obtain chemotherapeutic resistance to DOX treatment. Intriguingly, inhibition of CBR1 decreased DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in animal model. Innovation and Conclusions: Inhibition of CBR1 increases chemotherapeutic efficacy of DOX and reduces cardiotoxicity by blocking DOX reduction to DOXOL. Therefore, we offer preclinical proof-of-concept for a combination strategy to safely leverage the efficacy of doxorubicin by blunting its cardiotoxic effects that limit use of this cytotoxic agent used widely in the oncology clinic. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 70-83.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of end-stage liver disease. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), including inhibitors of nonstructural proteins (NS3/4A protease, NS5A, and NS5B polymerase), represent key components of anti-HCV treatment, but these are associated with increased drug resistance and toxicity. Thus, the development of host-targeted antiviral agents, such as cyclophilin A inhibitors, is an alternative approach for more effective, selective, and safer treatment. Starting with the discovery of a bis-amide derivative 5 through virtual screening, the lead compound 25 was developed using molecular modeling-based design and systematic exploration of the structure-activity relationship. The lead 25 lacked cytotoxicity, had potent anti-HCV activity, and showed selective and high binding affinity for CypA. Unlike cyclosporin A, 25 lacked immunosuppressive effects, successfully inhibited the HCV replication, restored host immune responses without acute toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and exhibited a high synergistic effect in combination with other drugs. These findings suggest that the bis-amides have significant potential to extend the arsenal of HCV therapeutics.

A total of 56 male Sprague dawley rats of uniform weight and age were randomly divided into seven groups consisting of eight rats in each group. Groups 1, 2, and 3 served as plain control, dyslipidaemic control (DL), and atorvastatin control, respectively. Groups 4, 5, 6, and 7 received 1, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.75% fresh garlic w/w in feed, respectively in addition to the high-fat and high-cholesterol diet and administered with atorvastatin orally for 12 weeks at the rate of 10, 5, 7.5, and 2.5 mg/kg b.wt., respectively. Plasma creatinine was estimated at 4-week intervals, whereas histopathology, electron microscopy, and estimation of TBARS concentration in kidney were conducted at the end of experiment. The TBARS concentration in DL was significantly (P<0.05) increased when compared with groups 1, 3, 6, and 7. On histopathological examination, kidney sections of group 3 had mild degenerative changes in the tubules with fatty change in few tubules, while groups 4 and 5 exhibited mild-to-moderate degenerative and fatty changes in tubules with inter tubular hemorrhages. The electron microscopy of group 2 showed hypertrophy of Bowman’s capsule, while that of group 4 showed secretary deposits in the cytoplasm. The interaction studies on kidney indicated that high dose of atorvastatin + garlic has negative safety profile when compared with groups having low dose of statin and high dose of garlic.