Caspase-9-dependent pathway to murine germ cell apoptosis: mediation by oxidative stress,BAX, and caspase 2

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) of the testis results in germ-cell-specific apoptosis (GCA) and a reduction in daily sperm production. This has been correlated with and is dependent upon neutrophil recruitment to the testis. In a rat model of testicular IR, this has also been correlated with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). We have investigated ROS in the mouse testis after IR and determined whether the observed GCA is mediated via a mitochondrial caspase-9-dependent pathway involving the upstream mediators caspase 2 and BAX. Mice were subjected to a 2-h period of testicular ischemia followed by reperfusion. An accumulation of 8-isoprostane, a marker of oxidative stress, occurred 4 h after reperfusion. Activation of a mitochondrial dependent pathway to GCA after testicular IR was determined based on the observations that both BAX and caspase 2 translocated to the mitochondria, and that an increase occurred in cytoplasmic cytochrome c. Moreover, microinfusion of a specific caspase 9 inhibitor significantly reduced active caspase 3 after testicular IR and the number of apoptotic germ cells. These results suggest that oxidative stress products accumulate in the testis following IR and demonstrate that the observed GCA is stimulated through a mitochondrial caspase-9-dependent pathway. The identification of the germ-cell apoptotic pathway induced after testicular IR, including the key players in the pathway subsequent to ROS (BAX, caspase 9, and caspase 2), aids our understanding of IR injury in the testis and provides a wider background for the development of therapeutic interventions to rescue testis function. The work was supported by grants P50 DK45179 and DK53072.     

Metabolic regulation and dysregulation of endothelial small conductance calcium activated potassium channels

The vascular endothelium is an important regulator of vascular reactivity and preserves the balance between vasoconstrictor and vasodilator tone during normal physiologic conditions. Example endothelial-derived vasoconstrictors include endothelin-1 and thromboxane A2; example vasodilators include nitric oxide and prostacyclin. A growing body of evidence points to the existence of a non-nitric oxide, non-prostacyclin endothelium-derived vasodilatory factor of currently unclear identity, often referred to as endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Recent research testifies to the significance of EDHF in endothelium-dependent vascular smooth muscle relaxation. Special emphasis has been placed on the role of small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK) in facilitating the endothelial and vascular responses to EDHF across the microcirculation, including coronary, mesenteric, and pulmonary vascular beds. Meanwhile, decreased activity of endothelial SK channel activity has been implicated in the pathology of a variety of disease states that alter the balance between vasodilator and vasoconstrictor tone. Hence the primary goal of this review is to characterize the physiology of endothelial SK channels in the microvasculature under normal and pathological conditions. Themes of regulation and dysregulation of SK channel activity through the action of protein kinases, reactive oxygen species, and byproducts of intermediary metabolism provide unifying principles to tie together vascular pathology in altered metabolic states ranging from hypertension to diabetes, to ischemia-reperfusion. A comprehensive understanding of SK channel pathophysiology may provide a foundation for development of new therapeutics targeting SK channels, particularly SK channel potentiators, that may have widespread application for many chronic disease states.     

基质金属蛋白酶在心肌缺血再灌注损伤中的作用

肌缺血再灌注损伤是指缺血心肌组织在恢复血流供给后,其细胞代谢功能障碍及结构破坏反而加重的现象,主要表现在心肌收缩与舒张功能障碍、血管内皮功能障碍、微循环血流紊乱、细胞代谢失调、电解质平衡紊乱、细胞凋亡与坏死等,并伴随着氧自由基的大量产生和毒性损伤以及炎症反应的激活,是一个极其复杂的病理过程。基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs）及其组织抑制物（TIMPs）是心肌组织中多种细胞分泌的内源性细胞因子,其作用涵盖了细胞外基质降解、炎症反应激活、调节血管功能、影响细胞凋亡与存活等众多病理生理过程,而这些过程均在心肌缺血再灌注损伤中发挥着重要的作用。     

Induction of cell death in rat small intestine by ischemia reperfusion: differential roles of Fas/Fas ligand and Bcl-2/Bax systems depending upon cell types

Although ischemia reperfusion (I/R) induces apoptotic damage of mammalian small intestine, the molecular mechanism is largely unknown. We investigated the appearance of apoptosis at various time-points (0–24 h) of reperfusion after 1-h ischemia and the expression of various apoptosis-related proteins, such as Bcl-2, Bax, Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), activated caspase-3, and cytochrome c, immunohistochemically in rat small intestine. As assessed by TUNEL and electron microscopy, apoptotic cells were increased at 3 h of reperfusion in all intestinal parts (villous epithelium, crypt epithelium, and stroma of intestine). Moreover, the TUNEL-positive cells in the stroma were later identified as T cells. The expression of Fas and FasL as well as activated caspase-3 was markedly increased at 3 h of reperfusion in the stroma. In the villous epithelium, a transient decrease in Bcl-2 expression was found while in the crypt epithelium, Fas expression was induced. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of leupeptin (an SH-protease inhibitor) after I/R resulted in a significant inhibition of the induction of apoptosis in the stroma and crypt epithelium. Our results indicate that the triggering molecules of apoptosis in the I/R rat small intestine may vary depending on cell type and that the use of a broad-spectrum protease inhibitor may reduce intestinal damage.     

Propyl paraben inhibits voltage-dependent sodium channels and protects cardiomyocytes from ischemia-reperfusion injury

The effects of propyl paraben, an antimicrobial preservative, on voltage-dependent sodium current and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury were investigated in isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes. Whole cell voltage-clamp recording showed that propyl paraben reversibly blocked the voltage-gated sodium channel both in concentration- and voltage-dependent manners. Propyl paraben (500 microM but not 100 microM) significantly shifted the steady-state inactivation of the sodium channel toward the hyperpolarizing direction at the V(1/2) point. Consistent with the above result, the propidium iodide (PI) uptake test revealed that pretreatment with 500 microM but not 100 microM of propyl paraben significantly reduced cell death induced by 45 min of sustained ischemia followed by 15 h of reperfusion (42.37 +/- 7.01% of cell viability in control and 71.05 +/- 7.06% in the propyl paraben group), suggesting that propyl paraben can protect myocytes from ischemia-reperfusion injury. These results indicate a possible correlation between the inhibition of sodium current and cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Reduction of chronic graft injury with a new HTK-based preservation solution in a murine heart transplantation model

Objective

Aim of this study was to evaluate a new histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK)-based preservation solution on chronic isograft injury in comparison to traditional HTK solution.

Methods

Hearts of C57BL/6J (H-2b) mice were stored for 15 h in 0–4 °C cold preservation solution and then transplanted heterotopically into C57BL/6J (H-2b) mice. Three groups were evaluated: HTK, the base solution of a new preservation solution and hearts without cold ischemia (control). Time to restoration of heartbeat was measured (re-beating time). Strength of the heartbeat was palpated daily and scored on a 4-level scale (palpation score). Animals were sacrificed after 60 days of observation (24 h for TGF-β expression). The transplanted hearts were evaluated histologically for myocardial damage, vasculopathy and interstitial fibrosis. TGF-β expression was assessed immunohistologically. All investigators were blinded to the groups. ANOVA and LSD post hoc test were used for statistical analysis.

Results

The re-beating time was significantly shorter in hearts stored in the new solution (10.3 ± 2.6 min vs. HTK 14.2 ± 4.1 min; p < 0.05). The palpation score was significantly higher in hearts stored in the new solution (2.3 ± 0.4 vs. HTK 1.6 ± 0.5; p < 0.01). Hearts stored in the new solution showed a lower myocardial injury score (1.8 ± 0.2 vs. HTK 2.2 ± 0.7), less interstitial fibrosis (4.8 ± 1.9% vs. HTK 8.5 ± 3.8%, p < 0.05), less vasculopathy (14.7 ± 6.9% vs. 22.0 ± 23.2%; p = 0.06) and lower TGF-β1-expression (6.6 ± 1.4% vs. HTK 12.0 ± 4.6%).

Conclusion

The new HTK-based solution reduces the chronic isograft injury. This protective effect is likely achieved through several modifications and supplements into the new solution like N-acetyl-l-histidine, glycine, alanine, arginine and sucrose.     

不同入肝血流阻断方式对荷瘤小鼠肝功能影响的实验研究

目的:探讨不同血流阻断方式对荷瘤小鼠肝细胞功能的影响。方法:选择昆明小鼠24只随机分为三组,正常对照组(Suspe-nded operation,SO)、肝门阻断组(Occlusion of the portal triad,OPT)、保留肝动脉持续阻断门静脉(Occlusion of portal vein,OPV)各8只。采用门静脉注射肿瘤的方法建立肝癌模型,建模后3天采用阻断范围为左外叶和中叶、阻断时间为60分钟的入肝血流阻断方式,复流后5天后,通过测量3组对肝脏的缺血再灌注损伤程度以及病理学变化来评价不同血流阻断方式对肝细胞功能影响的程度。结果:门静脉注射小鼠肝癌细胞8天后,对照组测量小鼠正常丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)值为66.5±22.3 IU/L,OPT组值为276.3±80.5 IU/L,OPV组值为89.6±28.4 IU/L,两组比较有统计学差异(P0.01);对照组测量小鼠正常天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)值为301.3±126.7 IU/L,OPT组值为1126.4±285.5 IU/L,OPV组值为438.6±150.7 IU/L,两组比较有统计学差异(P0.01),病理组织学OPV组肝细胞损伤程度明显较OPT组轻。结论:保留肝动脉持续阻断门静脉可以减轻荷瘤小鼠肝脏的缺血再灌注损伤。     

Nur77 在缺氧/ 复氧诱导的心肌细胞凋亡中的作用及其机制的研究

目的:观察Nur77通过线粒体转位对缺氧/复氧(H/R)诱导的心肌细胞凋亡的影响。方法:原代培养l-2天SD大鼠心肌细胞,建立H/R模型。随机分为正常对照组、H/R组、Nur77组,采用免疫荧光检测横纹肌肌动蛋白(α-actin)鉴定心肌细胞;采用TUNEL染色法及Caspase-3酶活性检测心肌细胞凋亡情况;采用Western blot检测细胞核及线粒体Nur77蛋白表达、线粒体及胞浆Omi/HtrA2蛋白表达。结果:H/R组细胞核中Nur77蛋白表达明显低于正常对照组;而在线粒体中则相反。Nur77组线粒体中的Omi/HtrA2蛋白表达明显低于正常对照组;而在胞浆中则相反。结论:在心肌细胞H/R损伤时,Nur77线粒体转位促使Omi/HtrA2蛋白从线粒体释放入胞浆,从而导致心肌细胞凋亡。     

血清NGAL 在大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤不同时段 的表达及其意义

目的:观察大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤不同时段血中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白(NGAL)的表达并探讨其在急性肾脏缺血再灌注损伤中的意义.方法:建立大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤模型,将50只大鼠随机分为假手术组(S组)和模型组(M组),每组分为5个亚组,包括2h、6h、12h、24h、48h,每亚组大鼠5只.观察各组血NGAL,β2-微球蛋白及血尿素氮,肌酐的变化.结果:M组血NGAL于再灌注损伤后早期(2h)即开始升高,于24h达高峰,至48h仍高于正常(P＜0.05);β2-微球蛋白于12h升高至48h达高峰(P＜0.01);尿素氮于6h升高于48h达高峰(P＜0.01);而血肌酐则于48h才显著升高(P＜0.05).病理显示:M组2h时可见受损肾小管上皮细胞肿胀,管腔扩张、刷状缘消失,至6h时少量上皮细胞脱落、变性甚至坏死,管腔内可见坏死脱落的细胞碎屑,蛋白管型出现,12h时可见间质水肿压迫至管腔明显狭窄,于24h、48h可见蛋白管型显著增多.结论:血NGAL可作为肾脏缺血再灌注损伤早期敏感的生物标志物.     

地塞米松与硫酸镁对大鼠小肠缺血再灌注损伤的作用及机制

目的研究地塞米松和硫酸镁对大鼠小肠缺血再灌注（I/R）损伤的保护作用,并初步探讨其机制。方法制作小肠I/R模型,实验分为假手术阴性对照组、I/R组、硫酸镁治疗组、地塞米松治疗组、地塞米松和硫酸镁联合治疗组,比较五组血浆二胺氧化酶（DAO）、丙二醛（MDA）的含量,同时比较小肠的病理切片观察治疗效果。结果①I/R组小肠组织病理变化明显,血浆DAO、MDA比假手术阴性对照组显著升高;②硫酸镁治疗组和地塞米松治疗组小肠病理变化减轻,血浆DAO、MDA比I/R组显著降低,且两组无显著差别;③硫酸镁和地塞米松合用组的血浆MDA比I/R组显著升高,但是小肠病理变化和I/R组相比无明显区别,血浆DAO也和I/R组无明显差别。结论硫酸镁,地塞米松分别对大鼠小肠缺血再灌注有保护作用而二者合用却无明显的保护作用。