V O L. 5 3, N. 2 J U L Y 2004

Curcumin Influences Hepatic Expression Patterns ofMatrix Metalloproteinases in Liver Toxicity
Rajagopalan Rukkumani, Kode Aruna, Penumathsa Suresh Varma, and Venugopal Padmanabhan Menon*
The Italian Journal of Biochemistry: 2004; 53(2): 61-66

Abstract. Hepatic fibrosis is a result of an imbalance between enhanced matrix synthesis and diminished breakdown of connective tissue proteins, the net result of which is increased deposition of Extra Cellular Matrix. In this concept Matrix Metalloproteinases play an important role because their activity is largely responsible for extra cellular matrix breakdown. In the present study we have tested the influence of curcumin, the active principle of turmeric, on matrix metalloproteinase expression during alcohol and thermally oxidised sunflower oil induced liver toxicity. Male albino Wistar rats were used for the study. The matrix metalloproteinase expressions were found to be increased significantly in alcohol as well as thermally oxidised sunflower oil groups and on treatment with curcumin there was a significant decrease. In alcohol + thermally oxidised sunflower oil group, we found a significant decrease in matrix metalloproteinase activities. Administration of curcumin significantly improved their activities. From the results obtained, we could conclude that curcumin influences the hepatic matrix metalloproteinases and effectively protects liver against alcohol and ? PUFA induced toxicity.

Expression and characterization of human Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand in methylotrophic yeast pichia pastoris
Jinzhi Wang, Juxing Chen1, Mian Wu
The Italian Journal of Biochemistry: 2004; 53(2): 67-72

Abstract. Recombinant human TRAIL was successfully expressed in a secreted form in methyltrophic yeast pichia pastoris induced by methanol. The expressive product was immunoreactive to TRAIL antibody. The addition of the expressive product into cultured human lung cancer cell A549 showed moderate cell death, typical morphological characterization of apoptotic bodies, and DNA fragmentation. This result provided a new method to produce recombinant human TRAIL as a cancer therapeutic drug.

Increased serum levels of interleukin-18 in patients with diabetic nephropathy
Randa Abdel Kader Mahmoud1, MD; Sahar Ahmed Abou El-Ezz2, MD; Adalat Said Hegazy2, MD.

The Italian Journal of Biochemistry: 2004; 53(2): 73-81

Abstract. In the present study we measured interleukin-18 (IL-18) and tumour necrosis factor-? (TNF-?) levels by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sera from 65 diabetic [30 with type 1 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 35 with type 2 non- insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)] patients and 15 healthy volunteers, to investigate their associations with metabolic parameters and to elucidate their roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications especially diabetic nephropathy. Levels of IL-18 and TNF-? were significantly higher in both IDDM and NIDDM individuals as compared to the control group. Similarly, their levels in patients with diabetic nephropathy increased gradually according to the clinical stage of the disease, being highest in macroalbuminuric stage. Correlation analyses showed that the serum IL-18 and TNF-? concentration were positively correlated with each other and positively with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2h postprandial glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride, and urinary albumin levels and negative correlation between TNF-? and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were also found in diabetic subjects. High serum levels of IL-18 and TNF-? suggested that they might play a role in the pathogenesis of DM and in the development of nephropathy in diabetic patients whether of type 1 or 2.

Curcumin ameliorates oxidative stress during-nicotine induced lung toxicity in Wistar rats
Chandran Kalpana and Venugopal Padmanabhan Menon
The Italian Journal of Biochemistry: 2004; 53(2): 82-86

Abstract. Nicotine, a major toxic component of cigarette smoke has been identified as a major risk factor for lung related diseases. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effects of curcumin on lipid peroxidation and antioxidants status in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of nicotine treated Wistar rats. Lung toxicity was induced by subcutaneous injection of nicotine at a dose of 2.5mg/kg body weight (5 days a week, for 22 weeks) and curcumin (80 mg/kg body weight) was given simultaneously by intragastric intubation for 22 weeks. Measurement of biochemical marker enzymes: alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were used to monitor the antiperoxidative effects of curcumin. The increased biochemical marker enzymes as well as lipid peroxides in BALF and BAL of nicotine treated rats was accompanied by a significant decrease in the levels of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Administration of curcumin significantly lowered the biochemical marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation and enhanced the antioxidant status. The results of the present study suggest that curcumin exert its protective effect against nicotine-induced lung toxicity by modulating the biochemical marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation and augmenting antioxidant defense system.

The Effect of Hydrocarbon Addition on the Deamidation Rate in Immune Whey Proteins
Michael Y. Bibov, Irina A. Sorokina, Alexander I. Lukash
The Italian Journal of Biochemistry: 2004; 53(2): 87-91

Abstract. The influence of some hydrocarbons that are often used at different stages of immunobiologycal preparation's production as stabilizers of biological activity on the dynamics of nonenzymatic deamidation in proteins of immune whey against conditionally pathogenic microorganisms obtained by means of membrane ultrafiltration technology is investigated. Preparations of whey were incubated in 10 per cent solutions of glucose, fructose and sorbitol at the conditions similar to physiological ones (0.9% NaCl, pH 5.5) and temperature of about +4? and +35° for 7, 14 and 28 days. A sample dissolved in 0.9% NaCl (pH 5.5) without addition of hydrocarbons was used as a "control preparate". All explored substances brought about the suppressive effect on deamidation rate of asparaginyl residues whereas that of glutaminyl residues, on the contrary, was obviously increased. The possible reasons for these observations are discussed.

GPI-Anchored Proteins and Lipid Rafts
Vanessa Sangiorgio, Marina Pitto, Paola Palestini and Massimo Masserini
The Italian Journal of Biochemistry: 2004; 53(2): 98-111

Abstract. Several proteins are anchored to membranes via a post-translational lipid modification, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. In mammals and other vertebrates, GPI-anchored proteins have been found in almost all tissues and cells examined. Several studies have provided significant insight into the functions of this ubiquitous modification. An intriguing relevant feature of GPI-anchored proteins is their association with lipid rafts, specialized regions of elevated cholesterol and sphingolipid content, that are present within most cell membranes. In addition to the structure and biosynthesis of the GPI-anchor, recent researches have focused on its molecular interaction with lipid rafts and the biological meaning of such interaction. The aim of this review is to examine the emerging evidences of association between lipid rafts and GPI-anchored proteins, and their relationship with the modulation of important cellular functions such as protein/lipid sorting, signaling mechanisms and with human disease.

Ionic regulation of proteins
Enrico Di Stasio
The Italian Journal of Biochemistry: 2004; 53(2): 112-119

Abstract. Ion binding modulates the structural and the functional properties of several proteins. The molecular bases of such interactions depend on the charge density of ions, in turn influencing their ability to bind water molecules. The broad range of proteins submitted to ionic control, makes it interesting a general evaluation of the role played by ions in the homeostasis of intra and extracellular compartments and in a number of physio-pathological conditions, with special attention to the coagulation cascade and cryoglobulin aggregation.