Targeting uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 in liver disease:Current research and future directions

The current letter to the editor pertains to the manuscript entitled'Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 prevents the progression of liver injury'.Increased levels of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 during liver injury could mitigate damage by reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress,oxidative stress,and dysregulated lipid metabolism,impeding hepatocyte apoptosis and necroptosis.

Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 prevents the progression of liver injury

BACKGROUND Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1(UGT1A1)plays a crucial role in metabolizing and detoxifying endogenous and exogenous substances.However,its contribution to the progression of liver damage remains unclear.AIM To determine the role and mechanism of UGT1A1 in liver damage progression.METHODS We investigated the relationship between UGT1A1 expression and liver injury through clinical research.Additionally,the impact and mechanism of UGT1A1 on the progression of liver injury was analyzed through a mouse model study.RESULTS Patients with UGT1A1 gene mutations showed varying degrees of liver damage,while patients with acute-onchronic liver failure(ACLF)exhibited relatively reduced levels of UGT1A1 protein in the liver as compared to patients with chronic hepatitis.This suggests that low UGT1A1 levels may be associated with the progression of liver damage.In mouse models of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl_(4))and concanavalin A(ConA),the hepatic levels of UGT1A1 protein were found to be increased.In mice with lipopolysaccharide or liver steatosis-mediated liver-injury progression,the hepatic protein levels of UGT1A1 were decreased,which is consistent with the observations in patients with ACLF.UGT1A1 knockout exacerbated CCl_(4)-and ConA-induced liver injury,hepatocyte apoptosis and necroptosis in mice,intensified hepatocyte endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress and oxidative stress,and disrupted lipid metabolism.CONCLUSION UGT1A1 is upregulated as a compensatory response during liver injury,and interference with this upregulation process may worsen liver injury.UGT1A1 reduces ER stress,oxidative stress,and lipid metabolism disorder,thereby mitigating hepatocyte apoptosis and necroptosis.

Induction of Recombinant Uridine Phosphorylase and Its Application in Biosynthesis of Pyrimidine Nucleosides

Recombinant Escherichia coli pUDP,which overexpressed uridine phosphorylase（UPase）,was constructed.0.5 mmol·L 1lactose had a similar induction effect as the commonly used inducer IPTG during 2.5-5.5 h of cell growth.The lactose-induced UPase was stable at 50°C.Wet cells of pUDP was used as catalyst to biosynthesize 5-fluorouridine from 30 mmol·L 1uridine and 5-fluorouracil in phosphate buffer（pH 7.0）catalyzed at 50°C for 1.5 h and the yield of 5-fluorouridine was higher than 68%.Under the optimum reaction conditions for production of 5-fluorouridine,5-methyluridine and azauridine were synthesized from uridine by pUDP,the yield was 61.7%and 47.2%respectively.Deoxynucleosides were also synthesized by pUDP,but the yield was only about 20%.

陶瓷溶出铁、镍离子与Uridine(脲苷)络合物的性能研究

中药传统熬制一般采用陶瓷器皿,因陶瓷具有强度高、化学惰性、热稳定性好、耐腐蚀等优于金属器皿(金属离子过量则有毒,因此不用金属器皿熬药)的性能,且陶瓷器皿中适当缓慢溶出微量的金属离子,与中药的有效化学成分发生络合作用,从而可能增强药效。采用量子化学中的DFT(密度泛函)法,在B3LYP水平上,使用Gauss09程序包研究陶瓷中所含微量Fe离子和Ni离子分别与中药分子中的有效化学成分Uridine(脲苷)的络合体系,得到相应的优化几何结构、激发态、NBO电荷分布、相互作用能等。结果表明:陶瓷器皿中溶出的Fe离子和Ni离子均能与uridine分子有效络合且相互作用能相近,说明络合物均能稳定存在且稳定性相当,增强了中药中有效化学成分的药效。

No association between cyclooxygenase-2 and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A6 genetic polymorphisms and colon cancer risk

AIM：To investigate the association of variations in the cyclooxygenase-2 （COX2） and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A6 （UGTIA6） genes and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAIDs） use with risk of colon cancer.METHODS： NSAIDs, which are known to reduce the risk of colon cancer, act directly on COX2 and reduce its activity. Epidemiological studies have associated variations in the COX2 gene with colon cancer risk, but others were unable to replicate this finding. Similarly,enzymes in the UGT1A6 gene have been demonstrated to modify the therapeutic effect of NSAIDs on colon adenomas. Polymorphisms in the UGTIA6 gene have been statistically shown to interact with NSAID intake to influence risk of developing colon adenomas, but not colon cancer. Here we examined the association of tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） in the COX2 and UGTIA6 genes, and their interaction with NSAID consumption, on risk of colon cancer in a population of 422 colon cancer cases and 481 population controls.RESULTS： No SNP in either gene was individually statistically significantly associated with colon cancer, nor did they statistically significantly change the protective effect of NSAID consumption in our sample. Like others, we were unable to replicate the association of variants in the COX2 gene with colon cancer risk （P 〉 0.05）,and we did not observe that these variants modify the protective effect of NSAIDs （P 〉 0.05）. We were able to confirm the lack of association of variants in UGT1A6 with colon cancer risk, although further studies will have to be conducted to confirm the association of these variants with colon adenomas.CONCLUSION： Our study does not support a role of COX2 and UGTIA6 genetic variations in the development of colon cancer.

Potential role of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in morphine-induced uridine release and neurobehavioral changes

OBJECTIVE There is growing evidence that uridine may act as an endogenous neuromodulator with a potential signaling role in the central nervous system in addition to its function in pyrimidine metabolism.We previously found that acute morphine treatment significantly increased uridine release in the dorsal striatum of mice,while the mechanism involved in morphine-induced uridine release and the role of uridine in morphine-induced neurobehavioral changes have not been understood.METHODS Uridine release in the dorsal striatum of mice was assessed by in vivo microdialysis coupled with high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) after morphine treatment.Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the expression of uridine-related proteins.Morphine-induced neurobehavioral changes were assessed by locomotor activity,behavioral sensitization and conditioned place preference(CPP)test.The expression of NT5E,an extracellular enzyme involved in formation of nucleosides,including uridine,was specifically knocked down in the dorsal striatum of mice using adeno-associated virus(AAV)-mediated short hairpin RNA(shRNA).RESULTS Both acute and chronic morphine administration significantly increased uridine release in the dorsal striatum,and this was associated with upregulation of NT5E but not other uridine-related proteins.Inhibition of NT5E with APCP or shRNA markedly inhibited morphine-induced uridine release in the dorsal striatum and related neurobehavioral changes,including hyperlocomotor activity,behavioral sensitization and CPP.CONCLUSION The present study increases our understanding of the contribution of NT5E in regulating morphine-induced neurobehavioral changes,at least as related to uridine,and suggests that NT5E may be a novel therapeutic target to manage morphine abuse.

Symptomatic improvement in an acute, non-traumatic spine pain model with a combination of uridine triphosphate, cytidine monophosphate, and hydroxocobalamin

Rationale: In a previously published trial on spinal acute non-traumatic pain, peripheral neuro- regenerative combination of UTP, CMP and hydroxocobalamin presented unexpected analgesicproperties. Objective: To corroborate analgesiceffects of UTP, CMP and hydroxocobalamin combination in a self-paired evolutionary model. Methods: Mean VAS scores from pretreatment, V2 (5th treatment day) and V3 (10th treatment day) were plotted and statistically analyzed (ANOVA) for differences. PFQ scores from pretreatment, V2, and V3 were analyzed using the chisquare test. Results: The difference between V3 and pretreatment mean VAS scores was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The improvement in PFQ scores throughout the study was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The combination of UTP, CMP and hydroxocobalamin seems to have analgesic properties in mediumterm use. The complex peripheral neu-roregenerative pharmacodynamics of this combination provides a plausible basis for this finding. Further randomized studies are needed to explore this combination for the indication of neuropathic pain due to spinal structure involvement.

Uridine dynamic administration affects the circadian variation of bile acid metabolism in high-fat-diet-fed mice

High-fat diet(HFD)is demonstrated to disturb the bile acid metabolism.The rhythm of bile acid metabolism can also be affected by uridine,whose metabolism exhibits a daily rhythm.However,the mechanism of dynamic uridine administration affecting bile acid during HFD remains unclear.In this study,C57BL/6J mice were fed HFD(the control group;CON)or HFD with oral administration of uridine in the daytime(DUR)and nighttime(NUR)to investigate the mechanism of the effect of uridine on the bile acid.This study showed that the mRNA expression of uridine transporters and circadian clock genes in the jejunum was affected by zeitgeber time(ZT)(P<0.001).Genes related to the metabolism of pyrimidines in the liver showed a high dependence on daily rhythm(P<0.01),and DUR remarkably up-regulated the expression of ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2(RRM2)(P<0.05)compared to the CON group.Importantly,the mRNA expression of bile acids nuclear receptors,bile acid synthesis,and transporters in the liver showed significantly rhythmically changed(P<0.05),and the expression of cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase(CYP7A1),fibroblast growth factor receptor 4(FGFR4),Na^(+)/taurocholate co transporting polypeptide(NTCP),and bile salt export pump(BSEP)mRNAs of mice with uridine administration increased significantly(P<0.05).The mRNA expression of the transporters of cholesterol and bile acids in the ileum was also affected by ZT(P<0.01)and significantly dependent on uridine administration(P<0.05).The expression of FXR and SHP was significantly affected by ZT and uridine,respectively.In conclusion,dynamic administration of uridine could regulate the rhythm of gene expression of pyrimidine and bile acid metabolism in the liver and ileum of HFD-fed mice,which contributed to the further study of circadian rhythmic physiological and pathological changes of bile acids.

Excess-Electron Attachment and Ionization of Aqueous Uridine Monophosphate Anion

We applied quantum mechanics/classical mechanics simulations to study excess-electron attachment and ionization of uridine monophosphate anion(d UMP-)in explicit aqueous solutions.We calculated vertical electron affinities(VEAs),adiabatic electron affinities(AEAs),vertical detachment energies(VDEs),vertical ionization energies(VIEs),and adiabatic ionization energies(AIEs)of the 40 structures obtained from molecular dynamic trajectory.The excess-electron and hole distributions were analyzed in electron attachment and ionization of aqueous d UMP^(-).The converged mean VEA(-0.31 e V)and AEA(2.13 e V)suggest that excess-electron can easily attach to d UMP^(-).The mean vertical(-0.50 e)and adiabatic(-0.62 e)excess-electron on uracil reveal that main excesselectrons are localized on nucleobases at the most snapshots.The distributions at several special snapshots demonstrate the excess-electron delocalization over nucleobases/ribose or ribose/phosphate group after the structural relaxations of d UMP^(2-)dianion.The VDE value(2.78 e V)indicates that d UMP2-dianion could be very stable.Moreover,the mean VIE is 8.13 eV which is in agreement with the previous calculation using solvation model.The hole distributions on uracil suggest that the nucleobases are easily ionized after the irradiation of high-energy rays.In vertical ionizations,the holes would be delocalized over uracil and ribose at several snapshots.Observing the adiabatic hole distributions,it can be found that electrons on phosphate group and holes on nucleobases can be transferred to ribose at the special snapshots in the structural relaxation of neutral species.

Synthesis and Diastereomeric Analysis of Uridine 2’,3’-Cyclic Phosphite

Uridine 2’,3’-cyclic phosphite has been synthesized and the diastereomers were analysed by 2D NMR technique to assign the configuration

An AM1 Study on the Mechanism of Uridine Phospborolysis

We have cd quantum chemical method tO ho the transition states of uridinephosphorolysis reaction under the neutral condition. Comparing the activation energies ofdifferent reaction modes, we conclude that uridine phosphorolysis takes Place mainlyaccording tO a concerted mechanism. The computational are consistent with somecritical experimental factsss.

Chemically Modified Uridine Molecules Incorporating Acyl Residues to Enhance Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activities

A new N-acetylsulfanilylation series of uridine have been synthesized in good yield using direct acylation method and afforded the 5’-O-N-acetylsulfanilyluridine. In order to obtain newer products, the 5’-O-N-acetylsulfanilyluridine derivative was further transformed to a series of 2’,3’-di-O-acyl derivatives containing a wide variety of functionalities in a single molecular framework. The chemical structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed on the basis of their FTIR, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, physicochemical properties and elemental analysis. All the synthesized uridine derivatives were tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity against six human pathogenic bacterial strains and for comparison standard antibiotic Ampicillin was also determined. The study revealed that the selectively acylated deriva-tives 5’-O-N-acetylsulfanilyl-2’,3’-di-O-lauroyluridine and 5’-O-N-acetylsulfanilyl-2’,3’-di-O-pivaloyluridine showed highest inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, respectively. We also observed that the introduction of hexanoyl, decanoyl, lauroyl, myristoyl and pivaloyl groups, the antibacterial functionality of the compound uridine increases. Another noteworthy observation was that the uridine derivatives were found comparatively more effective against Gram-positive microorganisms than those of Gram-negative microorganisms. In addition, the test chemicals were also tested for cyto-toxicity by brine shrimp lethality bioassay and compounds showed different rate mortality with different concentrations.

Uridine alleviates high-carbohydrate diet-induced metabolic syndromes by activating sirt1/AMPK signaling pathway and promoting glycogen synthesis in Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)

Carbohydrates have a protein sparing effect,but long-term feeding of a high-carbohydrate diet(HCD)leads to metabolic disorders due to the limited utilization efficiency of carbohydrates in fish.How to mitigate the negative effects induced by HCD is crucial for the rapid development of aquaculture.Uridine is a pyrimidine nucleoside that plays a vital role in regulating lipid and glucose metabolism,but whether uridine can alleviate metabolic syndromes induced by HCD remains unknown.In this study,a total of480 Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)(average initial weight 5.02±0.03 g)were fed with 4 diets,including a control diet(CON),HCD,HCD+500 mg/kg uridine(HCUL)and HCD+5,000 mg/kg uridine(HCUH),for 8 weeks.The results showed that addition of uridine decreased hepatic lipid,serum glucose,triglyceride and cholesterol(P<0.05).Further analysis indicated that higher concentration of uridine activated the sirtuin1(sirt1)/adenosine 5-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)signaling pathway to increase lipid catabolism and glycolysis while decreasing lipogenesis(P<0.05).Besides,uridine increased the activity of glycogen synthesis-related enzymes(P<0.05).This study suggested that uridine could alleviate HCD-induced metabolic syndrome by activating the sirt1/AMPK signaling pathway and promoting glycogen synthesis.This finding reveals the function of uridine in fish metabolism and facilitates the development of new additives in aquatic feeds.

Comparative studies on the mechanism of uridine phosphorolysis

We have used quantum mechanical method to study the transition states(TSs) of uridine phosphorolysis reaction. Comparing the four different reaction pathways and the five transition states obtained, we conclude that enzymatic uridine phosphorolysis takes place mainly according to acid-catalyzed S(N)2 mechanism. The proposed reaction pathway is consistent with many experimental results.

Etiology analysis for term newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia in eastern Guangdong of China

BACKGROUND Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is one of the common diseases of newborns that typically presents with yellow staining of skin,resulting in sequelaes such as hearing loss,motor and intellectual development disorders,and even death.The pathogenic factors of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are complex.Different cases of hyperbilirubinemia may have a single or mixed etiology.AIM To explore the etiological characteristics of severe hyperbilirubinemia in term newborns of eastern Guangdong of China.METHODS Term newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia in one hospital from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The etiology was determined according to the laboratory results and clinical manifestations.RESULTS Among 1602 term newborns with hyperbilirubinemia in eastern Guangdong of China,32.20%(580/1602)was severe hyperbilirubinemia.Among the causes of severe hyperbilirubinemia,neonatal hemolysis accounted for 15.17%,breast milk jaundice accounted for 12.09%,infection accounted for 10.17%,glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD)deficiency accounted for 9.14%,and the coexistence of multiple etiologies accounted for 6.55%,unknown etiology accounted for 41.72%.ABO hemolysis and G6PD deficiency were the most common causes in the 20 cases with bilirubin encephalopathy.94 severe hyperbilirubinemia newborns were tested for uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A1(UGT1A1)*6 variant(rs4148323,c.211G>A,p.Arg71Gly),9 cases were 211 G to A homozygous variant,37 cases were 211 G to A heterozygous variant,and 48 cases were wild genotypes.CONCLUSION The main cause for severe hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin encephalopathy in eastern Guangdong of China were the hemolytic disease of the newborns,G6PD deficiency and infection.UGT1A1 gene variant was also a high-risk factor for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Targeted prevention and treatment according to the etiology may reduce the occurrence of bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus.

Postoperative jaundice related to UGT1A1 and ABCB11 gene mutations:A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND Patients with obstructive jaundice caused by intrahepatic bile duct stones can be effectively managed by surgery.However,some patients may develop postope-rative complications,liver failure,and other life-threatening situations.Here,we report a patient with mutations in the uridine 5’-diphospho-glucuronosyltrans-ferase 1A1(UGT1A1)and bile salt export pump(adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily B member 11,ABCB11)genes who presented multiple intrahe-patic bile duct stones and cholestasis,and the jaundice of the patient increased after partial hepatectomy.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old male patient admitted to the hospital on October 23,2021,with a progressive exacerbation of jaundice,was found to have multiple intrahepatic bile duct stones with the diagnoses of obstructive jaundice and acute cholecystitis.Subsequently,the patient underwent left hepatectomy with biliary exploration,stone extraction,T-tube drainage,and cholecystectomy without developing any intraoperative complications.The patient had a dark urine color with worsening jaundice postoperatively and did not respond well to plasma exchange and other symptomatic and supportive treatments.Since the progressive increase in postoperative bilirubin could not be clinically explained with any potential reason,including,if not at all,viral infection,cholangitis,autoimmune liver disease,and other causes,the patient underwent whole-exon screening for any genetic diseases,which surprisingly identified UGT1A1 and ABCB11 gene mutations related to glucuronidation of indirect bilirubin as well as bile acid transport in hepatocytes,respectively.Thus,we hypothesized that postoperative refractory cholestasis might result from UGT1A1 and ABCB11 gene mutations and further recommended liver transplantation to the patient,who eventually declined it and died from liver failure six months later.CONCLUSION Surgery may aggravate cholestasis in patients with multiple intrahepatic bile duct stones and cholestasis associated with UGT1A1 and ABCB11 gene mutations.A liver transplant may be the best option if active medical treatment fails.

The Nucleosides Contents and Their Variation in Natural Cordyceps sinensis and Cultured Cordyceps Mycelia

Aim: To compare the contents of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured Cordyceps mycelia, and to study the effect of humidity and heat on the content of nucleosides. Methods: The contents of nucleosides were determined by using high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). Beckman P/ACE System 5010 apparatus equipped with a UV detector and a Beckman untreated fused-silica capillary (57 cm 75 mm, 50 cm effective length) was used. Before sample injection, the capillary was rinsed with 1 molL-1 sodium hydroxide solution and running buffer for 5 min, respectively. A voltage of 20 kV was applied for the separation. Pressure injection was 586 kPa for 6 seconds, and the wavelength of detector was 254 nm. The running time was 20 min at 20 oC. The effect of humidity and heat on the contents of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured Cordyceps mycelia was observed for 1, 3, 5 and 10 days at temperature 40 oC, and relative humidity 75%. Results: The content of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis was higher than that from cultured Cordyceps mycelia. But the contents of nucleosides from freshly collected natural Cordyceps sinensis were very low, even below the limit of quantitation. The contents of nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis were significantly increased by humidity and heat, but this phenomenon was not observed in cultured Cordyceps mycelia. Conclusion: There are differences between the nucleosides from natural Cordyceps sinensis and cultured Cordyceps mycelia. The nucleosides in natural Cordyceps sinensis may be derived from the degradation of nucleic acids. This implies that adenosine being used for the quality control of natural Cordyceps sinensis may have to be reconsidered.

Chemical Constituents of Roots of Ranunculus ternatus Thunb.

Ranunculus ternatus is culus, which is distributed a species of genus Ranunmainly in Henan, Hubei, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces in China. The root of Ranunculus ternatus has been used for the treatment of faucitis, tuberculosis, neck scrofula, etc in traditional Chinese medicine. Pharmacological experiment indicated that the water extract of Ranunculus ternatus inhibits not only Staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also S-180, and S37 remarkablely.

Studies on the Constituents from the Rhizoma of Alisma orientalis

从泽泻（Alismaorientalis（Sam）.Juzep）块茎中分离得到六个化合物，经理化性质和波谱分析，分别鉴定为：胡萝卜甙（1）,1－二十二醇（2）。尿嘧啶核苷（3），β－谷甾醇（4），胡萝卜甙6＇－O－硬脂酸酯（5），卫矛醇（6）。