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By comparing the metabolomes of roots colonized or not by an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, 71 mycorrhiza-associated analytes were identified. Among them, propionyl- and butyryl-carnitines were found to be active molecules potentially able to modify fungal gene expression in planta.The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a widespread mutualistic association between soil fungi (Glomeromycota) and the roots of most plant species. AM fungi are obligate biotrophs whose development is partially under the control of their plant host. We explored the possibility to combine metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches to find putative mycorrhiza-associated metabolites regulating AM fungal development. Methanol extracts of Medicago truncatula roots colonized or not with the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis were analyzed and compared by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), high-resolution mass spectrometry (Q-TOF), and multivariate statistical discrimination. We detected 71 mycorrhiza-associated analytes exclusively present or at least 10-fold more abundant in mycorrhizal roots. To identify among these analytes those that could regulate AM fungal development, we fractionated by preparative and semi-preparative HPLC the mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal root extracts and established how the 71 analytes were distributed among the fractions. Then we tested the activity of the fractions on germinating spores of R. irregularis by quantifying the expression of 96 genes known for their diverse in planta expression patterns. These investigations reveal that propionyl- and butyryl-carnitines accumulated in mycorrhizal roots. The results suggest that these two molecules regulate fungal gene expression in planta and represent interesting candidates for further biological characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the existence of a relationship among flow-mediated dilation (FMD), nitric oxide (NO), and oxidative stress in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and to assess if the administration of an antioxidant was able to improve arterial dilatation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It has been suggested that propionyl-L-carnitine administration to iscliaemic hearts facilitates the restoration of cardiac function upon reperfusion, but it is still a matter of dispute whether its effect is conveyed via the metabolic effect of the propionyl moiety, the carnitine moiety or other mechanisms involving membrane receptor interactions. The metabolism of propionylcarnitine involves the formation of succinyl-CoA, which causes an increase in the total amount of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. According to the current paradigm, anaplerosis ensures rapid restoration of tricarboxylic acid cycle activity during reperfusion. To evaluate the contribution of anaplerosis to the protective effect of propionylcarnitine during ischaemia and reperfusion, isolated rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer containing 5 mM glucose+insulin (12 IUper litre), to which 1 mu propionate, 0·8 mM hexanoate or 1 mM propionylcarnitine were added Global 20 or 24 min no-flow ischaemia was followed by 10 min reperfusion. The flavoprotein redox state, myoglobin oxygenation, oxygen consumption and mechanical functioning of the heart were recorded and metabolities determined in freeze-trapped tissue. In parallel experiments, the cellular energy state was studied with phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. The addition of 1 mM propionylcarnitine failed to cause an anaplerotic effect, but did bring about an oxidation of flavins, probably due to citrate synthase inhibition. Propionate showed similar but stronger effects and a marked anaplerosis, but still failed to improve the recovery of the heart upon reperfusion. The addition of hexanoate caused marked anaplerosis upon reperfusion and flavin reduction. The results failed to demonstrate that propionylcarnitine had any beneficial effect on the ischaemic myocardium. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]