Modification of Caffeic Acid with Pyrrolidine Enhances Antioxidant Ability by Activating AKT/HO-1 Pathway in Heart

Overproduction of free radicals during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury leads to an interest in using antioxidant therapy. Activating an endogenous antioxidant signaling pathway is more important due to the fact that the free radical scavenging behavior in vitro does not always correlate with a cytoprotection effect in vivo. Caffeic acid (CA), an antioxidant, is a major phenolic constituent in nature. Pyrrolidinyl caffeamide (PLCA), a derivative of CA, was compared with CA for their antioxidant and cytoprotective effects. Our results indicate that CA and PLCA exert the same ability to scavenge DPPH in vitro. In response to myocardial I/R stress, PLCA was shown to attenuate lipid peroxydation and troponin release more than CA. These responses were accompanied with a prominent elevation in AKT and HO-1 expression and a preservation of mnSOD expression and catalase activity. PLCA also improved cell viability and alleviated the intracellular ROS level more than CA in cardiomyocytes exposed to H₂O₂. When inhibiting the AKT or HO-1 pathways, PLCA lost its ability to recover mnSOD expression and catalase activity to counteract with oxidative stress, suggesting AKT/HO-1 pathway activation by PLCA plays an important role. In addition, inhibition of AKT signaling further abolished HO-1 activity, while inhibition of HO-1 signaling attenuated AKT expression, indicating cross-talk between the AKT and HO-1 pathways. These protective effects may contribute to the cardiac function improvement by PLCA. These findings provide new insight into therapeutic approaches using a modified natural compound against oxidative stress from myocardial injuries.     

Role of heme oxygenase-1 in the cardioprotective effects of erythropoietin during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

We have recently demonstrated that erythropoietin (EPO) protects cardiomyocytes from apoptosis during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in the antiapoptotic effects of EPO. Primary cultures of neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes were subjected to anoxia-reoxygenation (A/R). Pretreatment with EPO significantly reduced apoptosis in A/R-treated cells. This reduction in apoptosis was preceded by an increase in the mRNA and protein expression of HO-1. Selective inhibition of HO-1 using chromium mesoporphyrin (CrMP) significantly diminished the ability of EPO to inhibit apoptosis. Cotreatment of EPO with SB-202190, an inhibitor of p38 activation, blocked the EPO-mediated HO-1 expression and antiapoptotic effects, suggesting a p38-dependent mechanism. The in vivo significance of p38 and HO-1 as mediators of EPO's cardioprotection was investigated in mice subjected to myocardial I/R. Pretreatment with EPO decreased infarct size as well as I/R-induced apoptosis in wild-type mice. However, these effects were significantly diminished in HO-1(-/-) mice. Furthermore, EPO given during ischemia reduced infarct size in mice subjected to I/R, and this effect was blocked by CrMP treatment in wild-type mice. Moreover, inhibition of p38 diminished the cardioprotective effects of EPO. We conclude that upregulation of HO-1 expression via p38 signaling contributes to EPO-mediated cardioprotection during myocardial I/R.     

Involvement of GPX4 in irisin's protection against ischemia reperfusion‐induced acute kidney injury

Ischemia reperfusion (I/R)‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious condition. Irisin, an exercise‐induced hormone, improves mitochondrial function and reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is a key regulator of ferroptosis and its inactivation aggravates renal I/R injury by inducing ROS production. However, the effect of irisin on GPX4 and I/R‐induced AKI is still unknown. To study this, male adult mice were subjected to renal I/R by occluding bilateral renal hilum for 30 min, which was followed by 24 hr reperfusion. Our results showed serum irisin levels were decreased in renal I/R mice. Irisin (250 μg/kg) treatment alleviated renal injury, downregulated inflammatory response, improved mitochondrial function, and reduced ER stress and oxidative stress after renal I/R, which were associated with upregulation of GPX4. Treated with RSL3 (a GPX4 inhibitor) abolished irisin's protective effect. Thus, irisin attenuates I/R‐induced AKI through upregulating GPX4.     

Regulatory functions of ROS dynamics via glutathione metabolism and glutathione peroxidase activity in developing rice zygote

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play essential roles in plant development and environmental stress responses. In this study, ROS dynamics, the glutathione redox status, the expression and subcellular localization of glutathione peroxidases (GPXs), and the effects of inhibitors of ROS-mediated metabolism were investigated along with fertilization and early zygotic embryogenesis in rice (Oryza sativa). Zygotes and early embryos exhibited developmental arrest upon inhibition of ROS production. Egg cells accumulated high ROS levels, and, after fertilization, intracellular ROS levels progressively declined in zygotes in which de novo expression of GPX1 and 3 was observed through upregulation of the genes. In addition to inhibition of GPX activity, depletion of glutathione impeded early embryonic development and led to failure of the zygote to appropriately decrease H₂O₂ levels. Moreover, through monitoring of the glutathione redox status, the developing zygotes exhibited a progressive glutathione oxidation, which became extremely delayed under inhibited GPX activity. Our results provide insights into the importance of ROS dynamics, GPX antioxidant activity, and glutathione redox metabolism during zygotic/embryonic development.     

Lipoxin A4-Induced Heme Oxygenase-1 Protects Cardiomyocytes against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury via p38 MAPK Activation and Nrf2/ARE Complex

Objective

To investigate whether lipoxin A₄ (LXA₄) increases expression of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) in cardiomyocytes, whether LXA₄-induced HO-1 protects cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury, and what are the mechanisms involved in the LXA₄-induced HO-1 induction.

Methods

Rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to H/R injury with or without preincubation with LXA₄ or HO-1 inhibitor ZnPP-IX or various signal molecule inhibitors. Expressions of HO-1 protein and mRNA were analyzed by using Western blot and RT-PCR respectively. Activity of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) binding to the HO-1 E1 enhancer was assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Nrf2 binding to the HO-1 antioxidant responsive element (ARE) were measured by using electrophoretic mobility shift assay.

Results

Pretreatment of the cells undergoing H/R lesion with LXA₄ significantly reduced the lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase productions, increased the cell viability, and increased the expressions of HO-1 protein and mRNA and HO-1 promoter activity. HO-1 inhibition abolished the protective role of LXA₄ on the cells undergoing H/R lesion. LXA₄ increased p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activation, nuclear translocation of Nrf2, Nrf2 binding to the HO-1 ARE and E1 enhancer in cardiomyocytes with or without H/R exposure.

Conclusion

The protection role of LXA₄ against H/R injury of cardiomyocytes is related to upregulation of HO-1, via activation of p38 MAPK pathway and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and Nrf2 binding to the HO-1 ARE and E1 enhancer, but not via activation of phosphatidyinositol-3-kinase or extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway.     

Scuba diving enhances endogenous antioxidant defenses in lymphocytes and neutrophils

The aim was to study the effects of a scuba diving session on the lymphocyte antioxidant system, NO synthesis, the capability to produce reactive oxygen species and the antioxidant response in neutrophils. For that purpose seven male divers performed an immersion at a depth of 40 m for 25 min. The same parameters were measured after an hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment at resting conditions in a hyperbaric chamber. Lymphocyte H₂O₂ production rose after diving and after HBO treatment. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities increased after diving in lymphocytes, while after HBO exposure only increased GPx activity. Lymphocyte HO-1 mRNA expression increased after diving and after HBO exposure, while iNOS levels and nitrite levels significantly increased after diving. The hyperoxia associated to scuba diving leads to a condition of oxidative stress with increased lymphocyte H₂O₂ production, HO-1 expression, NO synthesis and antioxidant enzyme adaptations in order to avoid oxidative damage.     

Antiarrhythmic effect of lithium in rats after myocardial infarction by activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) signaling has been shown to play a role in the regulation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master regulator of antioxidant genes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We assessed whether lithium, a GSK-3 inhibitor, attenuates cardiac sympathetic reinnervation after myocardial infarction, a status of high reactive oxygen species (ROS), by attenuating nerve growth factor (NGF) expression and whether Nrf2/HO-1 signaling is involved in the protection. Twenty-four hours after ligation of the left anterior descending artery, male Wistar rats were treated for 4 weeks. The postinfarction period was associated with increased oxidative–nitrosative stress, as measured by myocardial superoxide, nitrotyrosine, and dihydroethidium fluorescent staining. In concert, myocardial norepinephrine levels and immunohistochemical analysis of sympathetic nerve revealed a significant increase in innervation in vehicle-treated rats compared with sham-operated rats. Arrhythmic scores during programmed stimulation in the vehicle-treated rats were significantly higher than those in sham. This was paralleled by a significant upregulation of NGF protein and mRNA in the vehicle-treated rats, which was reduced after administration of LiCl. LiCl stimulated the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the transactivation of the Nrf2 target gene HO-1. Inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase by wortmannin reduced the increase in Nrf2 nucleus translocation and HO-1 expression compared with lithium alone. In addition, the lithium-attenuated NGF levels were reversed in the presence of the Nrf2 inhibitor trigonelline, HO-1 inhibitor SnPP, and peroxynitrite generator SIN-1, indicating the role of Nrf2/HO-1/ROS. In conclusion, lithium protects against ventricular arrhythmias by attenuating NGF-induced sympathetic innervation via antioxidant activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 axis.     

Sulforaphane Protects Rodent Retinas against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury through the Activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 Antioxidant Pathway

Retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury induces oxidative stress, leukocyte infiltration, and neuronal cell death. Sulforaphane (SF), which can be obtained in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, exerts protective effects in response to oxidative stress in various tissues. These effects can be initiated through nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). This investigation was designed to elucidate the neural protective mechanisms of SF in the retinal I/R rat model. Animals were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with SF (12.5 mg/kg) or vehicle (corn oil) once a day for 7 consecutive days. Then, retinal I/R was made by elevating the intraocular pressure (IOP) to 130 mmHg for 1 h. To determine if HO-1 was involved in the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, rats were subjected to protoporphyrin IX zinc (II) (ZnPP, 30 mg/kg, i.p.) treatments at 24 h before retinal ischemia. The neuroprotective effects of SF were assessed by determining the morphology of the retina, counting the infiltrating inflammatory cells and the surviving retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cells, and measuring apoptosis in the retinal layers. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was studied by immunofluorescence analysis and western blotting. I/R induced a marked increase of ROS generation, caused pronounced inflammation, increased the apoptosis of RGCs and amacrine cells and caused the thinning of the inner retinal layer (IRL), and these effects were diminished or abolished by SF pretreatment. Meanwhile, SF pretreatment significantly elevated the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and the level of HO-1 expression in the I/R retinas; however, ZnPP reversed the protective effects of SF on I/R retinas. Together, we offer direct evidence that SF had protective effects on I/R retinas, which could be attributed, at least in part, to the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway.     

Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation induces dose and time dependent oxidative changes in C6 glioma cells

In view of the promising use of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases, it is necessary to ascertain the lack of detrimental oxidative effects. We evaluated short- and long-term effects of 25, 50 and 75 μM docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on the oxidative status of C6 glial cells. DHA was incorporated into cells dose and time dependently without any cytotoxic effect. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was related to DHA dose and supplementation time. At the lowest dose no significant increase in ROS values was observed at hour 24. Low doses of DHA strengthened the cellular antioxidant defence system as highlighted by a raise in both GPX and catalase activity, and the decreased levels of lipid peroxidation. This effect was pronounced at 24 h of supplementation, almost disappeared at hour 48, while after 72 h an opposite effect was observed: lipid peroxidation increased concomitantly with DHA doses. Therefore, the final effect of DHA on cellular redox status is dependent on dose and time supplementation.     

Impact of silencing HO-2 on EC-SOD and the mitochondrial signaling pathway

The contribution of heme oxygenase HO-2, the primary source of bilirubin and carbon monoxide (CO) under physiological conditions, to the regulation of vascular function has remained largely unexplored. Using siRNA HO-2, we examined the effect of suppressed levels of HO-2 on vascular antioxidant and survival proteins. In vivo HO-2 siRNA treatment decreased the basal levels of EC-SOD, pAKT proteins (serine-473 and threonine-308), without changing Akt protein expression. HO-2 siRNA treatment increased 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and apoptotic signaling kinase-1 (ASK-1) (P < 0.01). HO activity was decreased by the use of siRNA HO-2. We extended these studies to the mitochondria, examining for the presence of HO-1 and its role in the regulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. HO activity was increased by the administration of CoPP resulting in the translocation of HO-1 into the mitochondria, mainly to the inner face of the mitochondrial inner membrane. These findings suggest that HO-2 is critical in the maintenance of heme homeostasis and also the regulation of apoptosis by controlling levels of EC-SOD, Akt, 3-NT, and ASK-1. In addition, localization of HO-1 in the mitochondrial compartment plays a critical role in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.     

Upregulation of haeme oxygenase-1 by zinc in HCT-116 cells

Abstract

Haeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is often viewed as a cytoprotective gene. Toxic heavy metals induce HO-1, but it is unclear whether particular metal micronutrients also induce HO-1. Hence, the ability of exogenously-added copper, iron and zinc to influence HO-1 expression in HCT-116 cells was evaluated. Under the chosen experimental conditions, only zinc noticeably increased the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein. Concurrently, zinc decreased non-protein thiol levels to a certain extent, but zinc did not increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, ascorbate and Trolox did not inhibit zinc-induced HO-1 upregulation. In contrast, deferoxamine blunted the induction of HO-1 mRNA, protein, and enzymatic activity caused by zinc. Additionally, N-acetylcysteine and Tiron inhibited zinc-induced HO-1 upregulation and also nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Collectively, these findings suggest that zinc at above normal levels upregulates HO-1 expression in HCT-116 cells in a ROS-independent manner.     

黄芪甲苷抑制缺血再灌注诱导的大鼠心肌细胞凋亡

摘要 目的：本研究旨在探究黄芪甲苷（Astragaloside IV,Ast-IV）在缺血再灌注（ischemia-reperfusion,I/R）大鼠模型中的保护作用,并讨论黄芪甲苷在抑制I/R诱导心肌细胞凋亡过程中的作用。方法：通过左冠状动脉前降支结扎构建I/R大鼠模型;将40只SD大鼠分为4组：假手术组（Sham组）、模型组（I/R组）、黄芪甲苷干预组（Ast组）和黄芪甲苷+LY294002干预组（Ast+LY组）。使用试剂盒测定血清中心脏功能障碍标记物CPK、ALT、LDH和tropornin-T的表达水平;通过HE染色和TUNEL分别检测心肌组织病理学变化和心肌细胞凋亡情况;通过超氧化物荧光探针染色检测细胞内ROS水平;通过ELISA试剂盒测定心肌组织MDA、GSH和GSH-PX含量;免疫组织化学检测SOD2和HO-1蛋白表达水平,分析心肌氧化应激状态;通过Western blot检测PI3K、p-Akt、Akt、p-eNOS、eNOS、caspase-3、Bax和Bcl-2蛋白表达水平变化。结果：Ast组大鼠血浆CPK、ALT、LDH和tropornin-T酶活性均明显低于I/R组（P<0.05）。Ast组大鼠心肌纤维断裂,心肌细胞坏死和炎性细胞浸润等病变程度均低于I/R组。Ast组大鼠TUNEL阳性细胞数低于I/R组（P<0.05)。相较于I/R组,Ast组大鼠Caspase3和Bax表达水平均明显下调,Bcl-2和PI3K蛋白表达水平上调,p-Akt/Akt和p-eNOS/eNOS比值均显著上调（P<0.05）。Ast组大鼠DHE荧光强度显著低于Ast+LY组（P<0.05）。与I/R组相比,Ast组大鼠心肌组织中MDA含量降低,GSH、GSH-PX、SOD2和HO-1表达水平升高（P<0.05）;与Ast组相比,Ast+LY组大鼠心肌组织中MDA含量升高,GSH、GSH-PX、SOD2和HO-1表达水平降低（P<0.05）。结论：黄芪甲苷通过激活PI3K/Akt信号通路,抑制心肌细胞氧化应激反应,从而减少I/R诱导大鼠心肌细胞凋亡,缓解I/R后大鼠心肌损伤。