Showing papers by "Tomas Hudlicky published in 2017"

Rosmarinic Acid, a Rosemary Extract Polyphenol, Increases Skeletal Muscle Cell Glucose Uptake and Activates AMPK.

Abstract: Skeletal muscle is a major insulin-target tissue and plays an important role in glucose homeostasis. Impaired insulin action in muscles leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. 5′ AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is an energy sensor, its activation increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and AMPK activators have been viewed as a targeted approach in combating insulin resistance. We previously reported AMPK activation and increased muscle glucose uptake by rosemary extract (RE). In the present study, we examined the effects and the mechanism of action of rosmarinic acid (RA), a major RE constituent, in L6 rat muscle cells. RA (5.0 µM) increased glucose uptake (186 ± 4.17% of control, p < 0.001) to levels comparable to maximum insulin (204 ± 10.73% of control, p < 0.001) and metformin (202 ± 14.37% of control, p < 0.001). Akt phosphorylation was not affected by RA, while AMPK phosphorylation was increased. The RA-stimulated glucose uptake was inhibited by the AMPK inhibitor compound C and was not affected by wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). The current study shows an effect of RA to increase muscle glucose uptake and AMPK phosphorylation. RA deserves further study as it shows potential to be used as an agent to regulate glucose homeostasis.

Cancer Cell Mitochondria Targeting by Pancratistatin Analogs is Dependent on Functional Complex II and III

Abstract: Enhanced mitochondrial stability and decreased dependence on oxidative phosphorylation confer an acquired resistance to apoptosis in cancer cells, but may present opportunities for therapeutic intervention. The compound pancratistatin (PST) has been shown to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells. However, its low availability in nature has hindered its clinical advancement. We synthesized PST analogs and a medium-throughput screen was completed. Analogs SVTH-7, -6, and -5 demonstrated potent anti-cancer activity greater than PST and several standard chemotherapeutics. They disrupted mitochondrial function, activated the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, and reduced growth of tumor xenografts in vivo. Interestingly, the pro-apoptotic effects of SVTH-7 on cancer cells and mitochondria were abrogated with the inhibition of mitochondrial complex II and III, suggesting mitochondrial or metabolic vulnerabilities may be exploited by this analog. This work provides a scaffold for characterizing distinct mitochondrial and metabolic features of cancer cells and reveals several lead compounds with high therapeutic potential.

Carnosic acid as a component of rosemary extract stimulates skeletal muscle cell glucose uptake via AMPK activation.

Abstract: Compounds that increase the activity of the energy sensor AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) have the potential to regulate blood glucose levels. Although rosemary extract (RE) has been reported to activate AMPK and reduce blood glucose levels in vivo, the chemical components responsible for these effects are not known. In the present study, we measured the levels of the polyphenol carnosic acid (CA) in RE and examined the effects and the mechanism of action of CA on glucose transport system in muscle cells. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the levels of CA in RE. Parental and GLUT4myc or GLUT1myc overexpressing L6 rat myotubes were used. Glucose uptake was assessed using [3H]-2-deoxy-D-glucose. Total and phosphorylated levels of Akt and AMPK were measured by immunoblotting. Plasma membrane GLUT4myc and GLUT1myc levels were examined using a GLUT translocation assay. Statistics included analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post-hoc test. At concentrations found in rosemary extract, CA stimulated glucose uptake in L6 myotubes. At 2.0 μM CA a response (226±9.62 % of control, p=0.001), similar to maximum insulin (201±7.86 % of control, p=0.001) and metformin (213±10.74 % of control, p=0.001) was seen. Akt phosphorylation was not affected by CA while AMPK and ACC phosphorylation was increased and the CA-stimulated glucose uptake was significantly reduced by the AMPK inhibitor compound C. Plasma membrane GLUT4 or GLUT1 glucose transporter levels were not affected by CA. Our study shows increased muscle cell glucose uptake and AMPK activation by low CA concentrations, found in rosemary extract, indicating that CA may be responsible for the antihyperglycemic properties of rosemary extract seen in vivo. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Applications of the Wittig-Still Rearrangement in Organic Synthesis.

Abstract: This Review traces the discovery of the Wittig-Still rearrangement and its applications in organic synthesis. Its relationship to Wittig rearrangements is discussed along with detailed analysis of E/Z- and diastereoselectivity. Modifications of the products arising from the Wittig-Still rearrangement are reviewed in the context of increased complexity in intermediates potentially useful in target-oriented synthesis. Early applications of the Wittig-Still rearrangement to modifications of steroids are reviewed as are applications to various terpene and alkaloid natural product targets and miscellaneous compounds. To the best of our knowledge, the literature is covered through December 2016.

Chemoenzymatic Formal Total Synthesis of Pancratistatin from Narciclasine-Type Compounds via Myers Transposition: Model Study for a Short Conversion of Narciclasine to Pancratistatin

Abstract: A formal total synthesis of pancratistatin was accomplished by conversion of advanced intermediates, used in the synthesis of narciclasine, to pancratistatin precursors via Myers’ reductive transposition as the key strategic step. The synthesis began with the whole cell fermentation of m -dibromobenzene with JM109(pDTG601a), a recombinant strain that over-expresses toluene dioxygenase, which provided the corresponding cis -dihydrodiol 16 as a single isomer with complete optical purity. The key reductive transposition of the allylic alcohol 8a to olefin 9a allowed for further installation of the C-1/C-2 trans -diol, ­required for the pancratistatin scaffold, through the introduction of a cyclic sulfate and its subsequent opening. The formal synthesis of pancratistatin was accomplished in 14 steps (12 operations) from commercially available m -dibromobenzene. Experimental and spectral data are provided for all new compounds.

Anwendungen der Wittig‐Still‐Umlagerung in der organischen Synthese

Abstract: Dieser Aufsatz zeichnet die Entstehung der Wittig-Still-Umlagerung und deren Anwendung in der organischen Synthese nach. Ihre Beziehung zur Wittig-Umlagerung wird diskutiert, einhergehend mit einer detaillierten Analyse der E/Z-Selektivitat und Diastereoselektivitat. Modifikationen der in Wittig-Still-Umlagerungen gebildeten Produkte werden im Zusammenhang der gesteigerten Komplexitat von Intermediaten mit potenziellem Nutzen fur die zielorientierte Synthese erlautert. Fruhe Anwendungen der Wittig-Still-Umlagerung zur Modifizierung von Steroiden werden ebenso besprochen wie Anwendungen in der Naturstoffsynthesen von Alkaloiden und Terpenen sowie der Synthese sonstiger Verbindungen. Nach unserem besten Wissen ist die Literatur bis Dezember 2016 abgedeckt.