ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenosyl transferase 3 (NMNAT3) on the mitochondrial function and anti-oxidative stress of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) under oxidative stress in vitro by regulating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels.MethodsThe bone marrow of femur and tibia of New Zealand white rabbits were extracted. BMSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro by density gradient centrifugation combined with adherent culture. The third generation cells were identified by flow cytometry and multi-directional induction. Overexpression of NMNAT3 gene was transfected into rabbit BMSCs by enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) labeled lentivirus (BMSCs/Lv-NMNAT3-EGFP), and then the expression of NMNAT3 was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot and cell proliferation by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) method. BMSCs transfected with negative lentivirus (BMSCs/Lv-EGFP) and untransfected BMSCs were used as controls. The oxidative stress injury cell model was established by using H2O2 to treat rabbit BMSCs. According to the experimental treatment conditions, they were divided into 4 groups: Group A was normal BMSCs without H2O2 treatment; untransfected BMSCs, BMSCs/Lv-EGFP, and BMSCs/Lv-NMNAT3-EGFP in groups B, C, and D were treated with H2O2 simulated oxidative stress, respectively. The effects of NMNAT3 on the mitochondrial function of BMSCs under oxidative stress [changes of mitochondrial membrane potential, NAD+ and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels], the changes of anti-oxidative stress ability of BMSCs [reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities], and the effects of BMSCs on senescence and apoptosis [senescence associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining and TUNEL staining] were detected after 24 hours of treatment.ResultsThe rabbit BMSCs were successfully isolated and cultured in vitro. The stable strain of rabbit BMSCs with high expression of NMNAT3 gene was successfully obtained by lentiviral transfection, and the expressions of NMNAT3 gene and protein significantly increased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the trend of cell proliferation compared with normal BMSCs. After treatment with H2O2, the function of mitochondria was damaged and apoptosis increased in all groups. However, compared with groups B and C, the group D showed that the mitochondrial function of BMSCs improved, the membrane potential increased, the level of NAD+ and ATP synthesis of mitochondria increased; the anti-oxidative stress ability of BMSCs enhanced, the levels of ROS and MDA decreased, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (Mn-SOD, CAT) increased; and the proportion of SA-β-gal positive cells and the rate of apoptosis decreased. The differences in all indicators between group D and groups B and C were significant (P<0.05).ConclusionNMNAT3 can effectively improve the mitochondrial function of rabbit BMSCs via increasing the NAD+ levels, and enhance its anti-oxidative stress and improve the survival of BMSCs under oxidative stress conditions.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases, by leading to cell apoptosis and thus causing organic injuries. Anti-ROS therapy is highly anticipated, but currently, there is still no appropriate prevention method. Studies have shown that thioredoxin (Trx), being a kind of significant endogenous antioxidant system, has excellent antioxidant capacity. Promotion of Trx can reduce key biomolecules to eliminate ROS or regulate many signaling pathways, thus resisting ROS injuries, which may be a new anti-ROS strategy. Therefore, we reviewed the research progress of Trx in cardiac antioxidant therapy to discuss its potential and possibility to be a target for prevention of heart-related ROS injury.
ObjectiveTo identify causal effects and potential mechanisms of oxidative stress (OS) genes in lung cancer. MethodsOS-related genes were extracted from the GeneCards database. Integration analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for lung cancer with gene expression and DNA methylation quantitative trait loci (eQTL and mQTL) in blood was performed using the summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) approach to determine the causal relationship between OS genes and lung cancer risk. Colocalization analysis of OS gene QTLs and lung cancer risk loci was performed to gain insight into the potential regulatory mechanisms of lung cancer risk. ResultsA potential causal relationship between OS-related genes and lung cancer was identified by SMR analysis. AGER expression level was found to be associated with lung cancer risk [OR=1.944, 95%CI (1.431, 2.640), P<0.001], and ATF6B expression level was associated with lung cancer risk [OR=1.508, 95%CI (1.287, 1.767), P<0.001]. Meanwhile, ATF6B methylation level was associated with lung cancer risk. ConclusionOS-related genes are associated with lung cancer, which may be a potential site of action for anti-cancer drugs.
Objective To investigate the efficacy of phloretin combined with sodium hyaluronate in preventing postoperative abdominal adhesion formation in rats and its possible mechanisms. Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into five groups, the rats in the sham-operatinon group only underwent open and closed abdominal surgery, and the remaining rats of four groups underwent cecum scratch-and-rub method of modeling to receive different treatments: the rats in the control group and the phloretin group (PHL group) were closed abdominally after modeling, while the rats in the sodium hyaluronate group (HA group) and the phloretin combined with sodium hyaluronate group (PHL+HA group) were closed abdominally by using 2 mL of sodium hyaluronate gel coated with the damaged abdominal wall and the cecum; the postoperative groups treated with phloretin (the PHL and PHL+HA groups) were treated with 2 mL of40 mg/kg phloretin dissolved in 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose by gavage daily, and the rest of the groups were treated with 2 mL of 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose solution by gavage. After general anesthesia, the rats were executed on the 7th day after surgery, and the Nair’s score was used to evaluate the adhesion status of each group on the 7th day after surgery; the adhesive tissue or normal peritoneal tissue were collected (cecum and its opposite side of the peritoneal tissue was collected in the sham-operation group), and immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the degree of staining with Nrf2 antibody, HE staining was performed to evaluate the inflammation scores, and Sirius red staining was performed to evaluate the thickness of the collagen fibers, and levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Results All rats successfully completed the experiment. Compared with the control group, Nair’s score, inflammation score, expression level of TGF-β1, thickness of collagen fibers in the adherent tissues, and MDA level were significantly lower in the PHL+HA group (P<0.05), but the SOD level and expression lever of Nrf2 were significantly higher in the PHL+HA group (P<0.05). Conclusion Phloretin combined with sodium hyaluronate can prevent the formation of postoperative abdominal adhesions in the rat model, which may be related to reducing inflammation, reducing collagen deposition, activating Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting oxidative stress.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of selenium-methylselenocysteine (SMC) to promote peripheral nerve regeneration and its mechanism of action. Methods Rat Schwann cells RSC96 cells were randomly divided into 5 groups, which were group A (without any treatment, control group), group B (adding 100 μmol/L H2O2), group C (adding 100 μmol/L H2O2+100 μmol/L SMC), group D (adding 100 μmol/L H2O2+200 μmol/L SMC), group E (adding 100 μmol/L H2O2+400 μmol/L SMC); the effect of SMC on cell proliferation was detected by MTT method, and the level of oxidative stress was detected by immunofluorescence for free radicals [reactive oxygen species (ROS)] after determining the appropriate dose group. Thirty-six 4-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely, the sham operation group (Sham group), the sciatic nerve injury group (PNI group), and the SMC treatment group (SMC group), with 12 rats in each group; the rats in the PNI group were fed with food and water normally after modelling operation, and the rats in the SMC group were added 0.75 mg/kg SMC to the drinking water every day. At 4 weeks after operation, the sciatic nerves of rats in each group were sampled for neuroelectrophysiological detection of highest potential of compound muscle action potential (CMAP). The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin 17 (IL-17), IL-6, IL-10 and oxidative stress factors catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA)] were detected by ELISA assay. The luxol fast blue (LFB) staining was used to observe the myelin density, fluorescence intensity of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and myelin basic protein (MBP) was observed by immunofluorescence staining, and myelin morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy with measurement of axon diameter. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK), phosphorylated p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). ResultsMTT assay showed that the addition of SMC significantly promoted the proliferation of RSC96 cells, and the low concentration could achieve an effective effect, so the treatment method of group C was selected for the subsequent experiments; ROS immunofluorescence test showed that group B showed a significant increase in the intensity of ROS fluorescence compared with that of group A, and group C showed a significant decrease in the intensity of ROS fluorescence compared with that of group B (P<0.05). Neuroelectrophysiological tests showed that the highest potential of CMAP in SMC group was significantly higher than that in PNI and Sham groups (P<0.05). ELISA assay showed that the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and MDA in PNI group were significantly higher than those in Sham group, and the levels of IL-10, SOD, and CAT were significantly lower; the levels of IL-6, IL-17, and MDA in SMC group were significantly lower than those in PNI group, and the levels of IL-10, SOD, and CAT were significantly higher (P<0.05). LFB staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the myelin density and the diameter of axons in the SMC group were significantly higher than those of the PNI group and the Sham group (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the fluorescence intensity of GFAP and MBP in the SMC group were significantly stronger than those in the PNI group and Sham group (P<0.05). Western blot showed that the relative expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in the SMC group were significantly higher than those in the PNI group and Sham group, and the ratio of p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK proteins was significantly higher in the PNI group than that in the SMC group and Sham group (P<0.05). Conclusion SMC may inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation after nerve injury by up-regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and then inhibit the phosphorylation of p38MAPK pathway to promote the proliferation of Schwann cells, which ultimately promotes the formation of myelin sheaths and accelerates the regeneration of peripheral nerves.
Objective To investigate the effect of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) on oxidative stress and alveolar septal cell apoptosis in mice with emphysema after smoking cessation. Methods Twenty-two male SPF C57BL/6J mice aged 6 - 8 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups, ie. a healthy control group, an emphysema group, a smoking cessation group, and a SAM intervention for 8 weeks after smoking cessation group, with 8 mice in each group. The mice model of emphysema was established by intraperitoneal injection of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) combined with cigarette smoke exposure. Smoking cessation started after the emphysema model was successfully constructed and lasted for 8 weeks. After smoking cessation, the mice in SAM intervention groups were intraperitoneally injected with SAM mg·kg–1·d–1 for 8 weeks. The right lung sections of the mice were taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining to observe pathological changes, and the mean linea rintercept (MLI) and mean alveola rnumber (MAN) of lungs were measured. The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide-dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in alveolar lavage fluid of left lung were detected by spectrophotometry. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferasemediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique was carried out to detect the alveolar septal cells apoptosis. Results MLI, apoptosis index of alveolar septal cell and MDA concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) increased significantly in the emphysema group compared with healthy controls, increased significantly in the smoking cessation group compared with the emphysema group, and decreased in the SAM intervention group compared with the smoking cessation group (all P<0.05). GSH concentration and SOD activity in BALF and MAN was significantly lower in the emphysema group compared with the healthy control group, significantly lower in the smoking cessation group compared with the emphysema group, and significantly higher in the SAM intervention group compared with the smoking cessation group (all P<0.05). Conclusions Lung histopathology and apoptosis of alveolar septal cells in emphysema mice progress continuously after smoking cessation. SAM may reduce oxidative stress and improve apoptosis of alveolar septal cells, so as to protect emphysema mice after smoking cessation.
Objective To study the changes of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL, an osteoclastogenesis-promoting factor) and osteoprotegerin (OPG, the decoy receptor for RANKL), oxidative stress and bone turnover markers in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), in order to understand the potential mechanisms underlying bone loss in OSAHS patients. Methods Ninety-eight male patients with OSAHS, confirmed by polysomnography (PSG) study, were enrolled. The patients were divided into mild-moderate groups and severe groups. Forty-two male subjects who were confirmed as not having OSAHS served as the controls. The subjects’ bone mineral density (BMD) and T-score were assessed in lumbar spine and femoral neck using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Blood samples were collected from all subjects for measurement of RANKL, OPG, the bone formation marker bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), the bone resorption marker tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRAP-5b), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC). Twenty-eight severe OSAHS patients accepted continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment voluntarily. After 6 months, PSG was conducted, and serum RANKL, OPG, TAOC, TRAP-5b, BAP was measured after six months treatment. Results The BMD, T-score of the femoral neck and the lumbar spine were significantly lower in OSAHS patients as compared to the control group. The level of BAP was significantly decreased in the OSAHS group as compared to the control group, and there was no significant difference in TRAP-5b level between two groups. As compared with the control group, levels of OPG, TAOC and the OPG/RANKL ratio decreased significantly. None of these parameters (BMD, T-score, RANKL, OPG, TRAP-5b, BAP) showed significant difference between patients with mild-moderate and severe OSAHS group. Correlation analysis showed that the apnea hypopnea index and oxygen desaturation index were correlated with TAOC. BAP level was positively correlated with TAOC and lowest pulse oxygen saturation. The serum level of TAOC was lower in the OSAHS group after CPAP therapy, but the levels of RANKL, OPG, TRAP-5b, BAP were not different. As compared with the OSAHS group before CPAP therapy, the BMD of the femoral neck and the lumbar spine were not significant difference. Conclusions In patients with OSAHS, the oxidative stress response is enhanced, and imbalance of OPG/RANKL is shifted, which participates in the occurrence of osteoporosis. The oxidative stress injury of severe OSAHS patients was relieved after non-invasive ventilation treatment, but the effect of oxidative stress response on bone metabolism still needs further evaluation.
Objective To study the effect and mechanism of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rh-BNP) in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by regulating mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Methods A total of 128 adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with specific pathogen free were selected. The SD rats were divided into groups according to random number table, including, sham operation (Sham) group, I/R group, I/R+rh-BNP group, negative control adenovirus (Ad-NC)+Sham group, Ad-NC+I/R group, Ad-NC+I/R+rh-BNP group, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase adenovirus (Ad-p38MAPK)+I/R group and Ad-p38MAPK+I/R+rh-BNP group, with 16 SD rats in each group. Myocardial I/R injury model was established by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. Before modeling, rh-BNP was injected intraperitoneally or adenovirus was injected into myocardium; 180 minutes after reperfusion, the contents of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) in serum, myocardial infarction size, the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the expression of phosphorylated p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK), phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK) and phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected. Results The contents of LDH, CK-MB, myocardial infarction size, the contents of TNF-α, ROS and the expression of p-p38MAPK and p-JNK in I/R group were higher than those in Sham group, p-ERK1/2 expression level was lower than that in Sham group (P<0.05). The contents of LDH, CK-MB, myocardial infarction size, the contents of TNF-α, ROS and the expression of p-p38MAPK in I/R+rh-BNP group were lower than those in I/R group (P<0.05), the expression of p-JNK and p-ERK1/2 had no significant difference compared with I/R group (P>0.05). The contents of LDH, CK-MB, myocardial infarction size, the contents of TNF-α, ROS and the expression of p-p38MAPK in Ad-p38mapk+I/R+rh-BNP group were higher than those in Ad-NC+I/R-rh-BNP group (P<0.05). Conclusion rh-BNP can alleviate myocardial I/R injury, which is related to inhibiting p38MAPK pathway, reducing inflammation response and oxidative stress response.
Objective To explore the effect of total glucosides of Cistanche deserticola on oxidative stress and cognitive function in rats with intermittent hypoxia. Methods Adult male Wistar rats (n=72) were randomly divided into three groups: a blank control group, a 5% intermittent hypoxia group (IH group) and a total glucosides of Cistanche deserticola intervention group (TGs intervention group). The 5% intermittent hypoxia rat model was simulated by using the self-made cabin of intermittent hypoxia. The rats in the IH group and the TGs intervention group were given 5% intermittent hypoxia respectively, and the rats in the TGs intervention group were treated with total glucosides of Cistanche deserticola simultaneously. Learning and memory function was tested by Morris water maze in three groups at the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week respectively. The expressions of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in hippocampus were detected by test kit. Results Compared with the blank control group, the escape latency time of the rats in the IH group and the TGs intervention group was significantly prolonged at the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week respectively (P<0.05). The time to cross the target quadrant in the IH group and the TGs intervention group was gradually shortened at the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week respectively (P<0.05). Compared with the IH group, the escape latency gradually shortened at the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week in the TGs intervention group (P<0.05), while the time to cross the target quadrant was gradually prolonged at the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week (P<0.05). The expressions of MDA in hippocampal tissue in the IH group and the TGs intervention group increased at the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week (P<0.05), which were significantly higher than those in the blank control group; and the expressions of SOD at the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th week were all lower than those in the blank control group(P<0.05). Compared with the IH group, the expression of MDA protein in hippocampal tissue in the TGs intervention group decreased at the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week, while the expression of SOD protein at the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The total glycosides of Cistanche deserticola can improve the learning and memory function of intermittent hypoxia rats by inhibiting oxidative stress.
Acute lung injury (ALI), in which various factors inside and outside the lung lead to hypoxemic respiratory insufficiency and even the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, has a high morbidity and mortality rate, and its pathogenesis is characterized by complex signaling pathways and limited therapeutic options. A large number of studies have reported that nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways are all related to the inflammatory response of ALI, and they are involved in regulating the inflammatory response process of ALI individually or cooperatively. Therefore, this article reviews the research progress on the pathogenesis-related signaling pathways and the drug interventions, aiming to provide a reference for early intervention in lung injury, optimizing the donor pool to increase the proportion of donation after cardiac death and providing quality donor protection conditions.