Acute induction of autophagy as a novel strategy for cardioprotection

There is no question that necrosis and apoptosis contribute to cardiomyocyte death in the setting of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Indeed, considerable effort and resources have been invested in the development of novel therapies aimed at attenuating necrotic and apoptotic cell death, with the ultimate goal of applying these strategies to reduce infarct size and improve outcome in patients suffering acute myocardial infarction (MI) or ‘heart attack’. However, an issue that remains controversial is the role of autophagy in determining the fate of ischemic-reperfused cardiomyocytes: i.e., is induction of autophagy detrimental or protective? Recent data from our group obtained in the clinically relevant, in vivo swine model of acute MI provide novel evidence of a positive association between pharmacological upregulation of autophagy (achieved by administration of chloramphenicol succinate (CAPS)) and increased resistance to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

胸段硬膜外麻醉对心肌缺血再灌注损伤的影响

摘要 目的：心肌缺血再灌注损伤常常会导致心肌的凋亡和坏死,有研究表明胸段硬膜外麻醉（Thoracic epidural anesthesia,TEA）在心肌缺血再灌注损伤中的作用,因此,我们建立了心肌缺血损伤模型和胸段硬膜外麻醉模型来探讨胸段硬膜外麻醉对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤(Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury,I/R)的影响。方法：SPF小鼠60只,随机分为正常组、I/R组及TEA组,分别采用TTC、HE染色、免疫组化、Western-blot等方法检测各组小鼠心肌组织及相关蛋白表达情况。结果：1.与正常组比较,I/R组和TEA组有较高的心肌梗死面积。与I/R组相比,TEA组心肌梗死面积明显减少,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。2.TEA组上调了Akt、Hes1和Bcl-2的蛋白表达,下调了Notch 1、DTNA、BAX和HIF-1α的表达。结论：TEA对小鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用。     

雌激素对肾缺血再灌注损伤大鼠Th17/Treg平衡、氧化应激及肾组织NF-κB、TGF-β1表达的影响

摘要 目的：研究雌激素对肾缺血再灌注损伤（RIRI）大鼠Th17/Treg平衡、氧化应激及肾组织NF-κB、TGF-β1表达的影响。方法：取60只SD大鼠进行实验,随机分作假手术组、模型组以及雌激素组,每组各20只。模型组及雌激素组均建立RIRI模型,假手术组仅暴露肾脏,不进行肾缺血处理。雌激素组大鼠予以雌激素干预,模型组和假手术组均予以适量的生理盐水干预。分析各组肾功能指标水平以及Paller肾小管损伤评分,Th17/Treg平衡指标水平,氧化应激及肾组织NF-κB、TGF-β1表达水平的差异。结果：模型组及雌激素组血肌酐（SCr）、尿素氮（BUN）水平以及Paller肾小管损伤评分均高于假手术组,且雌激素组上述各项指标水平均低于模型组（均P＜0.05）。模型组及雌激素组白细胞介素-17（IL-17）水平高于假手术组,且雌激素组低于模型组;模型组及雌激素组白细胞介素-10（IL-10）水平低于假手术组,且雌激素组高于模型组（均P＜0.05）。模型组及雌激素组丙二醛（MDA）水平均高于假手术组,且雌激素组低于模型组;模型组及雌激素组超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）水平均低于假手术组,且雌激素组高于模型组（均P＜0.05）。模型组及雌激素组肾组织NF-κB、TGF-β1表达水平均高于假手术组,且雌激素组低于模型组（均P＜0.05）。结论：雌激素可有效调节RIRI大鼠Th17/Treg平衡,减轻氧化应激反应,同时有利于改善肾组织NF-κB、TGF-β1表达,缓解其RIRI。     

天麻酯溶性酚性成分对大鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用

为探讨天麻酯溶性酚性成分对大鼠脑缺血/再灌注的保护作用,本实验采用线栓法复制了大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤模型,以神经学评分、脑梗塞体积、脑组织内水分含量、脑组织内钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶(CaMKⅡ)表达作为评价指标,考察天麻酯溶性酚性成分的作用,结果表明天麻酯溶性酚性成分能够明显改善模型动物的神经病学症状,缩小脑梗塞体积,减轻脑水肿,调节CaMKⅡ的表达水平。说明天麻酯溶性酚性成分在防治大鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤方面具有明显作用。     

高压氧预处理对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及对其海马BDNF和GDNF基因表达的影响

目的:探讨高压氧预处理(Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning, HBO-PC)对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及对其海马脑源性神经营养因子(brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF)、胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(glialcellline-derivedneurotrophicfactor,GDNF)基因表达的影响。方法:将32只SD雄性大鼠随机分为对照组(Sham组)、高压氧对照组(HBO组)、模型组(MCAO组)、高压氧预处理+模型组(HBO+MCAO组),对HBO组和HBO+MCAO组连续给予高压氧预处理5天,随后对MCAO组和HBO+MCAO组进行右侧颈内动脉栓线术,建立大脑中动脉闭塞(middle cerebral artery occlusion, MCAO)模型,其他两组行假手术,于术后第7天对各组大鼠进行Morris水迷宫行为学检测和神经功能评分,检测结束后处死大鼠,进行神经功能缺损评分及氯化三苯基四氮唑(2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride, TTC)染色;通过蛋白免疫印迹法(Western Blot)检测大鼠海马组织BDNF和GDNF的基因表达情况。结果:(1)神经功能评分提示:Sham组和HBO组均未出现神经功能障碍,MCAO组大鼠出现明显的神经功能障碍,MCAO+HBO组神经功能评分明显高于MCAO组(P0.05)。(2)TTC检测提示:Sham组和HBO组脑组织损伤一侧均未出现梗死灶,MCAO组出现较大的梗死面积比(25.45±8.75)%,MCAO+HBO组的梗死面积比(18.84±10.55)显著小于MCAO组,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05)。(3)Western Blot检测显示:MCAO组BDNF与GDNF基因表达水平显著低于Sham组和HBO组,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05),而MCAO+HBO组可以逆转这一效应,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05)。结论:高压氧预处理可以通过调节BDNF、GDNF基因表达,改善MCAO模型大鼠神经功能和认知水平,发挥神经保护作用。     

A PRKAG2 mutation causes biphasic changes in myocardial AMPK activity and does not protect against ischemia

Dominant mutations in the gamma2 regulatory subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), encoded by the gene PRKAG2, cause glycogen storage cardiomyopathy. We sought to elucidate the effect of the Thr400Asn (T400N) human mutation in a transgenic mouse (TGT400N) on AMPK activity, and its ability to protect the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury. TGT400N hearts had markedly vacuolated myocytes, excessive accumulation of glycogen, hypertrophy, and preexcitation. Early activation of myocardial AMPK, followed by depression, and then recovery to wild-type levels was observed. AMPK activity correlated inversely with glycogen content. Partial rescue of the phenotype was observed when TGT400N mice were crossbred with TGalpha2DN mice, which overexpress a dominant negative mutant of the AMPK alpha2 catalytic subunit. TGT400N hearts had greater infarct sizes and apoptosis when subjected to ischemia-reperfusion. Increased AMPK activity is responsible for glycogen storage cardiomyopathy. Despite high glycogen content, the TGT400N heart is not protected against ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Behavioral reactions of gerbils and structural alterations in their hippocampus after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

We studied changes in behavior of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) after ischemia-reperfusion of the brain (7-min-long occlusion of both arteriae carotis) and structural alterations in the hippocampus of such animals. Behavioral manifestations were observed under conditions of the open field test within 7 days of the postischemic period; immunofluorescent staining of brain sections with antibodies against specific proteins of neurons and glial cells was used. Motor hyperactivity reaching its maximum a day after ischemization and gradually decreasing within the postocclusion period was found in ischemized animals. On the 7th day, the level of locomotor activity in experimental gerbils was practically equal to that in the control group. In contrast, a postischemic decrease in the duration of episodes of resting was preserved for a longer time. A week after ischemia-reperfusion, intense delayed neuronal death and activation of glial cells were observed in the CA1 hippocampal area. Thus, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion results in significant transient disorders of behavioral phenomena in gerbils; at the same time, a clear correlation is observed between structural changes of neurons and the level of reactivity of glial cells in the hippocampus. These events can be significant aspects of the dynamics of postischemic damage to the above structure. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 458–467, November–December, 2007.     

Effect of thymoquinone and Nigella sativa seeds oil on lipid peroxidation level during global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat hippocampus

It has been previously reported that Nigella sativa oil (NSO) and thymoquinone (TQ), active constituent of N. sativa seeds oil, may prevent oxidative injury in various models. Therefore, we considered the possible effect of TQ and NSO on lipid peroxidation level following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rat hippocampus. Male NMRI rats were divided into nine groups, namely, sham, control, ischemia and ischemia treated with NSO or TQ. TQ (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg), NSO (0.048, 0.192 and 0.384 mg/kg), phenytoin (50 mg/kg, as positive control) and saline (10 ml/kg, as negative control) were injected intraperitoneally immediately after reperfusion and the administration was continued every 24h for 72 h after induction of ischemia. The transient global cerebral ischemia was induced using four-vessel-occlusion method for 20 min. Lipid peroxidation level in hippocampus portion was measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) based on its reaction with thiobarbituric acid (TBA) following ischemic insult. The transient global cerebral ischemia induced a significant increase in TBA reactive substances (TBARS) level (p<0.001), in comparison with sham-operated animal. Pretreatment with TQ and NSO were resulted a significant decrease in MDA level as compared with ischemic group (66.9+/-1.5 vs. 297+/-2.5 nmol/g tissue for TQ, 10 mg/kg; p<0.001 and 153.5+/-1.3 nmol/g tissue for NSO, 0.384 mg/kg; p<0.001). Using a reversed-phase HPLC system, the amount of TQ in NSO was also quantified and was 0.58% w/w. These results suggest that TQ and NSO may have protective effects on lipid peroxidation process during IRI in rat hippocampus.     

Protective role of microRNA-374 against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice following thoracic epidural anesthesia by downregulating dystrobrevin alpha-mediated Notch1 axis

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury often leads to myocardial apoptosis and necrosis. Studies have demonstrated the role microRNAs (miRs) played in myocardial I/R injury. Thus, we established a myocardial I/R injury model and a thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) model in mice to explore whether microRNA-374 (miR-374) affects myocardial I/R injury. We collected myocardial tissues to evaluate whether TEA exerts a protection effect on myocardial tissues. In addition, the levels of miR-374, dystrobrevin alpha (DTNA), and the statue of the Notch1 axis were detected. Subsequently, cardiomyocytes extracted from TEA mice were treated to regulate their levels of miR-374 and DTNA. After that, cell viability, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were assessed. This was followed by the detection of the myocardial infarction area. The mice models of myocardial I/R injury were associated with poorly expressed miR-374 and highly expressed DTNA. TEA was found to protect myocardial tissues against myocardial I/R injury by elevating miR-374 and reducing DTNA. Dual-luciferase reporter assay validated that DTNA was the target gene of miR-374. Cardiomyocytes with overexpressed miR-374 were shown to have downregulated DTNA levels and blocked Notch1 axis. Overexpressed miR-374 was also found to promote the viability and inhibit the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, as well as to increase the number of cells arrested in the S phase. In accordance with this, the myocardial infarction area was decreased with the upregulated miR-347 and downregulated DTNA. Collectively, these results demonstrated that, by inhibiting the activity of DTNA-mediated Notch1 axis, miR-374 could protect against myocardial I/R injury in mice after TEA.     

Downregulation of microRNA-23b protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury via p53 signaling pathway by upregulating MDM4 in rats

Total knee arthroplasty is a commonly performed safe procedure and typically executed in severe knee arthritis, but it also triggers ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). More recently, microRNAs (miRs) have been reported to play a contributory role in IRI through the key signaling pathway. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate the effect and specific mechanism of microRNA-23b (miR-23b), murine double minute 4 (MDM4), and the p53 signaling pathway in IRI rat models. First, the IRI model was established, and the expression pattern of miR-23b, MDM4, and the p53 signaling pathway-related genes was characterized in cartilaginous tissues. Then, miR-23b mimics or inhibitors were applied for the elevation or the depletion of the miR-23b expression and siRNA-MDM4 for the depletion of the MDM4 expression in the articular chondrocytes. By means of immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis, IRI rats exhibited increased miR-23b expression, activated p53 signaling pathway, and decreased MDM4 expression. MDM4 was verified as a target gene of miR-23b through. Downregulated miR-23b increased the expression of MDM4, AKT, and Bcl-2, but decreased the expression of p53, p21, and Bax. In addition, a series of cell experiments demonstrated that downregulated miR-23b promoted articular chondrocyte proliferation and cell cycle entry, but inhibited articular chondrocyte apoptosis. The absence of the effects of miR-23b was observed after MDM4 knocked down. Our results indicate that silencing miR-23b could act to attenuate IRI and reduce the apoptosis of articular chondrocytes through inactivation of the p53 signaling pathway by upregulating MDM4, which provide basic therapeutic considerations for a novel target against IRI.