Subcomponents of Vitamine B Complex Regulate the Growth and Development of Human Brain Derived Cells

K.E. Danielyan

H. Buniatian Institute of Biochemistry, NAS, Yerevan, Armenia

Abstract: The work is focused on the role of single components of Vitamin B complex: pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine, and nicotinamide in the processes of growth and development of the human brain derived cells. We, also, have assayed the activity of Xanthine Oxidase in the presence of above mentioned subcomponents to delineate the possible mechanism of their action. Results indicate that the all components of Vitamin B complex might be responsible for cells’ growth, maturation, proliferation. During early period of the cells’ growth the most important components were thiamine and Pyridoxine, initiating cells’ proliferation (number of the cells in one field: 2556, 17±355, 68, 2179,0±223,55, resp) vs control (1562,94±146,45), whereas during the late stages of maturation the most important components responsible for differentiation, were riboflavin and nicotinamide (3774.77± 188.41, 3558.82±152.90 resp. vs control 2905±263.75; p<0.035). In comparison with the all other subcomponents of Vitamin B complex only in pyridoxine containing samples, XO activity was specifically inhibited by allopurinol (percentile of inhibition 160,00±60,00 vs control 31,03±6,92, p<0,05). We have concluded that Pyridoxine might interact with XO and regulate its activity. All components of Vitamin B complex are able to initiate cells development and growth; however, they are supposed to be selectively utilized in time dependent manner to guarantee the highest efficiency of the cells development, maturation and proliferation

Keywords: subcomponents of Vitamin B, human brain, neuronal cell culture, xanthine oxidase

Received January 11, 2013; Revised February 21, 2013; Accepted March 22, 2013

Citation: K.E. Danielyan, Subcomponents of Vitamine B Complex Regulate the Growth and Development of Human Brain Derived Cells. American Journal of Biomedical Research, 1 (2). 28-34. January 2013. doi:10.12691/ajbr-1-2-2

1. Introduction

The fact that thiamine deficiency (TD) is a model of chronic impairment of oxidative metabolism leading to neurodegeneration and induction of the oxidative stress and death in neurons, but not in astrocytes, micriglia or brain endothelial cells, was reported in the literature [13]. Moreover, thiamine deficiency during pregnancy leads to cerebellar neuronal death in rat offspring. The other group of the scientists reported that treatment with the vitamin oxythiamine promoted survival of hippocampal neurons, while the antagonist of oxythiamine prevented this effect [4].

The other subcomponents of Vitamin B complex- pyridoxine and its derived cofactor, Pyridoxal Phosphate (PLP) were investigated. Their addition into the primary cultured neurons of various brain regions from fetal rat brain significantly promoted the neuronal survival in high cell density culture (10(5) cells/cm(2), but showed no positive effects in low density cell culture (5 x 10(3) cells/cm2). This neurotrophic effect of PLP was remarkably suppressed by picrotoxin and Ifenprodil. Aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), an inhibitor of PLP dependent enzymes, caused significant neuronal loss, and largely counteracted the neurotrophic effect of PLP.

It is presumed that Vitamin B6 afforded the survival-promoting activities of cultured neurons by virtue of its crucial coenzymatic actions in the biosynthesis of putative neurotransmitters [5].

Nicotinamide, next subcomponent of Vitamin B complex, a precursor of NAD, is able to block the apoptosis induced by MPTP. Moreover, nicotinamide also quenches some of the radicals formed by Xanthine Oxidase (XO) [10].

XO as well as the (XDH) Xanthine Dehydrogenase are two enzymes responsible for the last steps of purines metabolism, hydroxylation of a wide variety pyrimidines.

Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) enzyme has been isolated from a wide range of organisms, from bacteria to man. The mammalian enzymes, which catalyze the hydroxylation of hypoxanthine and xanthine, the last two steps in the formation of urate, are synthesized as the dehydrogenase form of XOR and exist mostly as such in the cell but can be readily converted to the oxidase form by oxidation of sulfhydryl residues or by proteolysis [11]. All of these proteins have similar molecular weights and composition of redox centers [6]. XDH shows a preference for NAD1 reduction at the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) reaction site, whereas XO fails to react with NAD1 and exclusively uses dioxygen as its substrate, leading to the formation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide [6].

It was shown that thiamine at concentrations to 10²M had no effect on the xanthine-xanthine oxidase-mediated reduction of ferricytochrome c in neutrophils and lymphocytes [18].

Rat ventral prostate xanthine oxidase-mediated metabolism of acetaldehyde to acetyl radical might be inhibited not only by allopurinol, oxypurinol, diphenyleneiodonium chloride, ellagic acid but also by folate [1].

The involvement of riboflavin-mediated formation of free radicals/reactive oxygen species and subsequent neurite degeneration in in vitro-assays of neuronal regeneration or neuronal cell cultures was reported by the German group of authors [8]. The enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase and the antioxidant agent selenium showed some protection against hydrazine neurotoxicity, suggesting an involvement of the generation of reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of isoniazid, responsible for the disturbance of Vitamin B6 metabolism, neuropathy [15].

Thus, there are number of articles indicating the role of single Vitamin B complex ingredients influence on the neuronal cells culture development. This influence is mediated not only by the classically known mechanism of the involvement of these components into the processes of cell growth and development, but also via the initiation of ROS generation and even influence on XO activity.

The work described in this article is focused on the role of single components of Vitamin B complex: pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine, nicotinamide in the processes of cell growth and development. We have assayed also the activity of XO in the presence of above mentioned subcomponents to delineate the involvement of this enzyme and its ability to form ROS in the physiological processes of cell growth in vitro.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Cell Culturing

All procedures with the utility of biomaterials were carried out in accordance with the “Declaration of Helsinki”. Human embryos were obtained from elective abortions with the informed consent of the women seeking abortion. Moreover, as a biomaterial there were used only fetuses with the ages of formation not more than 12 weeks [14].

Brains of the human embryos (E90) were withdrawn, and placed in Neurobasal medium (NB, prenatal, Gibco Life Technologies), containing 0.05% bovine serum albumin (BSA). The tissue was isolated and incubated at 37°C for 20 min in NB containing 0.05% BSA, 0.15% Trypsin. Tissue was resuspended in fresh NB and mechanically disintegrated using a Pasteur pipette. The supernatant was discarded and the cell suspension resuspended in NB medium containing 1% BSA. This procedure was repeated 3 times. Human brain cells were collected (1,000rpm, 10min), washed and cultured at 37°C, 5% CO₂ in 35mm Petri dishes pre-coated with poly-L-lysine (Sigma), containing 0.09% Na₂HPO₄, 1% glucose, 0.4% KCl, 0.06% KH₂PO₄, 0.4% MgSO₄ x 7H₂O and 0.001% gentamicin sulfate. A day later the medium was replaced by NB containing 2% B27-supplement (Gibco) and the cells’ number was calculated on days second and 12th [9].

2.2. Trypan Blue Staining

Cell suspension was prepared in BSS (Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, Product No. H9269, Sigma). After, 0.5ml of 0.1% Trypan Blue solution was transferred to a test tube and added 0.3ml of BSS to 0.2ml of the cell suspension (dilution factor = 5) and mixed thoroughly. We have allowed the cell suspension-Trypan Blue mixture to stand at least 5 minutes. Further, a small amount of the Trypan Blue-cell suspension mixture was transferred to both chambers of the hemacytometer. Nonviable cells stained blue. We have kept a separate count of viable and non-viable cells. Since 1cm³ of the chamber is approximately 1ml, the subsequent cell concentration/ml (and total cell number) was detected accordingly [17].

2.3. Microscopy

Polarizing microscope Biolar PI (PZO,Warsaw,Poland; magnification 1.25x40 or 1.25x20) was used. Number of the cells were calculated by utilizing of Pixcavator program.

2.4. Xanthine Oxidase Activity Estimation by the Determination of the Uric Acid Quantity in the Brain Tissue

Xanthine as well as allopurinol was incubated with the biological solution for one hour at 37°C, after the Specol 2000 estimated all the absorption under 660nm of the wavelength.

2.5. Homogenization of the Organ’s Tissue

For 100ml of the buffer, we used 0.87g of the NaCl, 0.06g of KH₂PO₄, 0.09g Na₂HPO₄, 5mM MgCl₂, 0.1M Tris aminomethane, 1ml of Triton X 100, 200ug of Tripsin inhibitors, as well as 0.001M KNaC₄H₄O6x4H₂O. Glass-glass homogenization was performed for 20 minutes. The mixture was centrifuged at G= 8000 for 20 minutes. Supernatant was used for the experiments.

2.6. Detection and Quantification of the Proteins by Bradford

Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 (100mg) was dissolved in 50ml 95% ethanol, 100ml 85% (w/v) phosphoric acid, diluted to 1 liter, when the dye has completely dissolved, filtered through Whatman #1. The duration of the reaction between the Coomassie Brilliant Blue solution and the sample was 20 minutes. After all, using the Specol 2000 (Poland) and wavelength equal to 590nm, we have determined the concentration of the total proteins in the biological solution [7].

2.7. Statistics

In our calculations we have used t-test (student) for pair comparison as well as ONE-WAY-ANOVA for the calculation of the significance of the comparable all groups. The results were considered statistically significant when p was lower or equal to 0.05.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1 Growth of the Cells and Development over 4 and 12 Days

In the first set of the experiments we have determined the growth of the cells as well as their death in the presence of single components of Vitamin B complex: nicotinamide, ribiflavine, pyridoxine and thiamine (1668,50±189,51, 1738,33±196,60; 2556,17±355,68, 2179,00±223,55, resp.). As a positive control in these experimental series, it was used bFGF. It is clear from the experiments that in comparison with the 2 types of negative controls: number of the cells on the 1st (820,14±50,07) and 4th (1562,94±146,45) days, as well as positive control- growth of the cells in the presence of bFGF (2131,08±144,59); the most effective component of Vitamin B complex was pyridoxine and thiamine. In comparison with the nicotinamide and riboflavin, these two components vividly have increased the growth of the cells even on the day 4th, Figure 1.

Figure 1. The influence of the single components of Vitamin B complex on the growth and development of the human embryonic brain cells. A. Presented are the pictures of the brain cells.

Thiamine, in accordance to the literature data [3], is protective for the neuronal cell culture, derived from the hippocampus. The results of the authors are in agreement with ours [3]. However, it is necessary to mention that the authors were working with the cell culture during the first 72 hours and were not monitoring the influence and dose dependent influence of this compounds during the late stages of development.

We have been trying to culture cells not only in Neurobasal/B27 (Invitrogen, Gibco) but also in HBSS. However, our results pointed on the detrimental effect of the HBSS in comparison with Neurobasal /B27 (1392,25±55,01).

We have planned to examine the dynamic of the brain cells growth and maturation during the entire period of the cell culturing. Thus, the number of the cells was calculated not only on the 4th but also on 12th days. The results were surprising: in contrast to the first period of the cells growth and development, during the second period of time, as it is clear from the Figure 2, the most effective compound for the development and growth of the cells were not thiamine (3154.80± 196.96) and Pyridoxine (3433.89±193.72), but riboflavin (3774.77± 188.41) and nicotinamide (3558.82±152.90). In this case the numbers were significantly more higher than in the control group (2905,0±263.75; p<0.035), bFGF (3158.04±313.09) treated group and in the group, where the cells were grown in the HBSS (2258.50±203.50), which was considered as a blank control group.

3.2. Quantification of Death Cells in the Culture

As it is clear from the Figure 3, the lowest quantity of the dead cells and cell bodies in the field was registered in the control and the other groups. The statistically significant results for comparison of the cells and cell bodies was registered for control group vs the all other groups (embryonic bodies: control- 1557.44±127.47, nicotinamide-2692.32±185.48, riboflavin-3522.41±119.63, pyridoxine- 4005.30±91.02, thiamine-3477.00±322.63; small cells fractions: control-213.83±15.27, nicotinamide-281.68±5.84, riboflavin- 299.23±7.85, pyridoxine-307.20±5.06, thiamine-296.40±4.75, p<0,001). P value was equal to and lower from 0.05 between nicotinamide and ribovlavin as well as nicotinamide and pyridoxine.

Figure 2.The influence of single components of Vitamin B complex on the growth and development of the human embryonic brain cells on day 12th.

Figure 3. Thrypan Blue staining of the human embryonic brain cells and cell bodies at day 12th.

3.3. Measurement of the Cells’ and Embryonic Bodies’ Sizes on the 4th and 12th Days

Using Pixcavator 2.1 program, we have measured the size of the cells in the cell culture and evaluated the sizes of the embryonic bodies. From the Figure 4 it is clear that the most prominent compound, which induced the development of the small cells fraction and their enlargement in the statistically significant way in comparison with the control group (103.84±5.68) were bFGF (192.20±15.26), nicotinamide (212.20±17.99), p(212.72±21.89), as well as Pyridoxine (133.75±13.53) and thiamine (177.89±16.14). Large fraction of the cells or cells’ bodies were more sensitive to the riboflavin (416.11±18.18) influence on day 4th in comparison with the control group (339.72±9.92, p<0.01). Moreover, the entire experimental group induced the enlargement of the cells in accordance to the calculation by One-Way-Anova in the comparison with the control groups in the statistically significant way (FGF 329.13±14.15, nicotinamidee-380.33±14.90, pyridoxine -382.13±19.26, thiamine-382.51±13.68).

On day 12th large fraction of the cells was in the statistically significant way sensitive to the influence of the riboflavine and pyridoxine vs control (572.67±17.91, 512.50±17.64 vs 416.64±28.83, p<0,05) in contrast to the other groups (bFGF 496.09±21.16, nicotinamide 501.86±19.07, thiamine 484.69±14.82). The most important and interesting observation for us was the increase in the average size of the large fraction from 400 (day 4th) to 500 (day 12th). The size of the small cells’ fraction in the experimental groups was lower in comparison even with the control group (90.90±2.86), bFGF (100.92±4.95, p<0,05 vs control), nicotinamide (68.86±2.65, p<0,05 vs control), riboflavin (93.28±2.65, p< 0,05 vs control), pyridoxine (80.06±2.58), thiamine (72.96±2.43).

3.4. Assesment of XO Activity by the Estimation of Uric Acid Formation in the Presence of Vitamin B Complex Subcomponents

Taking into the consideration the fact that the most of the components of Vitamin B complex separately has the impact on the prevention of reactive oxygen spices formation, influence on the cells growth and maturation, we have evaluated the activity of XO in the human brain derived cells in the presence of above mentioned subcomponents [8,16]. In the first set of the experiments we have evaluated the XO activity in the presence of applied several concentrations of allopurinol 0,36ug; 0,72ug; 1,44ug; 2,7ug; 5,4ug. (0.0393±3.9277e-3, 0.0531±0.0236, 0.0252±9.1646e-3, 0.0296±0.0105, 0.0157±2.6185e-3, 0.0202±1.3092e-3, p<0,05 between the control, and 5,4 ug of allopurinol). As it is clear from the Figure 5 A. allopurinol was inhibiting the activity of XO in the concentration dependent manner.

Figure 4. Measurement of the cells’ and embryonic bodies’ sizes on the day 4th (A, B) and 12th (C, D)

Figure 5. Assessment of XO activity by the estimation of Uric acid formation in the presence of allopurinol and Vitamin B complex subcomponents

During the next set of the experiments, we have evaluated the influence of the Vitamin B complex subcomponents on the activity of XO. In the Figure 5 B it is presented the % of the XO inhibition in the presence of the subcomponents of B complex. The calculations are based on the quantity of detected uric acid normalized to 1 mg f the protein. Percentile of inhibition/ non inhibition of all subcomponents of Vitamin B complex, thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin, nicotinamide, (-201,39±32,76, 160,00±60,00, -120,91±39,091, -152,73±107,27, resp.) were in statistically significant way different from the control sample (31,0343±6,9222, p<0,05), which is the percentile of inhibition of XO in the presence of allopurinol and absence of subcomponents.

In our previous experiments we have shown that Vitamin B complex initiates the cells’ growth and maturation. Results presented in this article indicate that the all components of Vitamin B complex are responsible for these functions. During the early period of the growth, important components responsible for these functions were thiamine and pyridoxine, riboflavin as well as nicotinamide. However, the most vivid difference might be detected in the groups treated with the pyridoxine and thiamine.

The size of the embryonic bodies, as well as smaller cells, was sensitive to the all components of Vitamin B subcomponents. At day 12th the size of the small cells’ fraction treated with the subcomponets of Vitamin B complex was smaller in comparison with the control groups. Instead, the average size of the embryonic bodies in comparison with day 4th increased by 20% in the groups treated with the subcomponents, indicating on the fact that small cells were gathering together and forming larger embryonic bodies.

Our previous results [2] indicated that the early inhibition of the XO in the human brain derived cell culture utilizing allopurinol were initiating the increase in the number of the cells in comparison with the later stage of inhibition.

In comparison with the all other subcomponents of Vitamin B complex, only in pyridoxine containing samples XO activity was specifically inhibited by allopurinol. Moreover, pyridoxine by itself was inhibiting formation of uric acid. In all the other samples XO activity wasn’t inhibited with no any concentrations of allpurinol, probably due to the initiation of the alternative ways of uric acid formation.

Similarly to allopurinol pyridoxine treatment during the early stages was initiating the increase in the number of the cells, whereas in the late stages that process was suppressed. During the late stages the most effective components were riboflavin and nicotinamide.

Also, we would like to mention that allopurinol is the classical drug for the treatment of chronic gout [12]. Our results indicates that the effectiveness of this compound might be diminished in case of simultaneous treatment of the patients along with the allopurinol, as well as also with riboflavin, nicotinamide and thiamine, because of possible stimulation of the other biochemical pathways responsible for the formation of Uric acid.

We have concluded that pyridoxine might interact with XO and regulate its activity. All components of Vitamin B complex are able to initiate cells development and growth; however, they are supposed to be selectively utilized in time dependent manner to guarantee the highest effectiveness of the cell development, maturation and proliferation.

Acknowledgment

This work was made possible by a research grant from the Armenian National Science and Education Fund (ANSEF) based in New York, USA. We are thankful to S. Alaverdyan, who was helpful with her work related with the cells’ size measurement, cells’ count by the utility of Pixcavator and Image Tool programs.

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