Pyrroloquinoline quinone preserves mitochondrial function and prevents oxidative injury in adult rat cardiac myocytes

We investigated the ability of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) to confer resistance to acute oxidative stress in freshly isolated adult male rat cardiomyocytes. Fluorescence microscopy was used to detect generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsi(m)) depolarization induced by hydrogen peroxide. H(2)O(2) caused substantial cell death, which was significantly reduced by preincubation with PQQ. H(2)O(2) also caused an increase in cellular ROS levels as detected by the fluorescent indicators CM-H2XRos and dihydroethidium. ROS levels were significantly reduced by a superoxide dismutase mimetic Mn (III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin chloride (MnTBAP) or by PQQ treatment. Cyclosporine-A, which inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition, prevented H(2)O(2)-induced Deltapsi(m) depolarization, as did PQQ and MnTBAP. Our results provide direct evidence that PQQ reduces oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death in isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes. These findings provide new insight into the mechanisms of PQQ action in the heart.     

缺血预处理对兔脊髓缺血再灌注损伤水通道蛋白-4表达的影响

目的探讨缺血预处理（IPC）对兔脊髓缺血再灌注损伤后水通道蛋白-4（AQP-4）表达的影响。方法日本大耳白兔72只,随机分为3组：假手术组（S组）、脊髓缺血再灌注损伤组（I／R组）和缺血预处理组（IPC组）。I／R组和IPC组阻断腹主动脉30min造成脊髓缺血再灌注损伤,IPC组在损伤前短暂阻断腹主动脉5min二次实施预处理,S组暴露肾动脉下腹主动脉但不阻断。分别于再灌注损伤后4h和24h进行神经功能评分,并取L4—6脊髓缺血节段,计算脊髓组织含水量,免疫组化法测定脊髓组织中AQP-4表达水平。结果与S组比较,I／R组神经运动功能评分降低,脊髓组织含水量增加,AQP-4表达增加（P〈0．05）。与I／R组比较,IPC组神经运动功能评分增高,脊髓组织含水量降低,AQP-4表达减少（P〈0．05）。结论IPC可抑制脊髓损伤后AQP-4的表达,进而减轻脊髓水肿,保护缺血再灌注损伤的脊髓。     

N—acetylserotonin对肝缺血再灌注小鼠氧化应激损伤的保护作用

目的探讨NAS对肝缺血再灌注所诱导的脂质过氧化损伤产生的保护作用。方法采用夹闭肝蒂法30min、再灌注6h制作肝缺血再灌注模型,冰冻切片,HE染色,光学显微镜下观察肝细胞形态结构的变化;比色法检测损伤后血清中谷丙转氨酶（ALT）水平及肝组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH—Px）的含量。结果夹闭肝蒂30min、再灌注6h后,肝小叶结构紊乱、肝血窦淤血,其间有白细胞浸润、肝细胞出现变性、坏死;血清中ALT水平升高,肝组织中s0D和GSH—Px的含量降低,MDA升高;NAS可减少缺血再灌注后血清ALT的释放,使肝组织中SOD和GSHPx的含量升高,MDA的含量降低;NAS＋Luz可逆转NAS的这一作用。结论NAS对肝缺血再灌注小鼠的氧化应激损伤具有保护作用。     

Role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE and ACE2) imbalance on tourniquet-induced remote kidney injury in a mouse hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion model

In this study, the relationship between the local imbalance of angiotensin converting enzymes ACE and ACE2 as well as Ang II and Ang (1-7) and renal injury was observed in the different genotypes mice subjected to tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion on hind limbs. In wild-type mice, renal ACE expression increased while renal ACE2 expression decreased significantly after reperfusion, accompanied by elevated serum angiotensin II (Ang II) level and lowered serum angiotensin (1-7) (Ang (1-7)) level. However, renal Ang (1-7) also increased markedly while renal Ang II was elevated. Renal injury became evident after limb reperfusion, with increased malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased super-oxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increased serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), compared to control mice. These mice also developed severe renal pathology including infiltration of inflammatory cells in the renal interstitium and degeneration of tubule epithelial cells. In ACE2 knock-out mice with ACE up-regulation, tourniquet-induced renal injury was significantly aggravated as shown by increased levels of MDA, BUN and Cr, decreased SOD activity, more severe renal pathology, and decreased survival rate, compared with tourniquet-treated wild-type mice. Conversely, ACE2 transgenic mice with normal ACE expression were more resistant to tourniquet challenge as evidenced by decreased levels of MDA, BUN and Cr, increased SOD activity, attenuated renal pathological changes and increased survival rate. Our results suggest that the deregulation of ACE and ACE2 plays an important role in tourniquet-induced renal injury and that ACE2 up-regulation to restore the proper ACE/ACE2 balance is a potential therapeutic strategy for kidney injury.     

缺血后低压灌注处理对兔脊髓缺血/再灌注损伤的保护及ERK传导通路在其中的作用

目的 评价细胞外信号调节激酶 (ERK)传导通路对低压灌注缺血后处理兔缺血/再灌注损伤脊髓的保护作用及机制.方法 84只日本大耳白兔随机分为7组,分别为C组(对照组,不给予缺血后处理)、PB组(缺血后处理组)、D、PD1、PD3、PD9组分别于腹主动脉开放前1min鞘内注射DMSO 20μl、PD98059 1μg(20μl)、PD98059 3μg(20μl)、PD98059 9μg(20μl)之后进行缺血后处理及PD组(腹主动脉开放前1min鞘内注射PD98059 3μg(20μl),之后不行缺血后处理).分别于再灌注1、3、7、28d时采用Tarlov评分评价后肢运动功能.每组于再灌注1d时处死6只动物,取L3～5节段脊髓组织,采用Western blot技术测定p-ERK1/2 及Bcl-2,Bax蛋白表达.结果 1、3、7、28d,PB组Tarlov评分明显高于其它各组(P<0.05),缺血后处理可以明显上调p-ERK1/2及凋亡抑制基因Bcl-2的表达,下调凋亡促进基因Bax的表达(P<0.05),而这些调节作用可以被ERK1/2阻断剂PD98059抑制.结论 p-ERK1/2在低压灌注缺血后处理对缺血再灌注损伤脊髓的保护中起重要作用.     

Neuroprotective effect of Scutellaria baicalensis on spinal cord injury in rats

Inflammation has been known to play an important role in the pathogenesis after spinal cord injury (SCI). Microglia are activated after injury and produce a variety of proinflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, and reactive oxygen species leading to apoptosis of neurons and oligodendrocytes. In this study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of total ethanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis (EESB) , after SCI. Using primary microglial cultures, EESB treatment significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of such inflammatory mediators as tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production were significantly attenuated by EESB treatment. For in vivo study, rats that had received a moderate spinal cord contusion injury at T9 received EESB orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg. EESB inhibited expression of proinflammatory factors and protein carbonylation and nitration after SCI. EESB also inhibited microglial activation at 4 h after injury. Furthermore, EESB significantly inhibited apoptotic cell death of neurons and oligodendrocytes and improved functional recovery after SCI. Lesion cavity and myelin loss were also reduced following EESB treatment. Thus, our data suggest that EESB significantly improve functional recovery by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress after injury.     

Neuroprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning via modulating the expression of adropin and oxidative markers against transient cerebral ischemia in diabetic rats

IntroductionIschemic preconditioning (IPreC) can render the brain more tolerant to a subsequent potential lethal ischemic injury. Hyperglycemia has been shown to increase the size of ischemic stroke and worsen the clinical outcome following a stroke, thus exacerbating oxidative stress. Adropin has a significant association with cardiovascular disease, especially with diabetes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of the IPreC due to modulating the expression of adropin and oxidative damage markers against stroke by induced transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Material-method72 male Spraque Dawley rats were allocated to 8 groups. In order to evaluate alterations of anti/oxidative status and adropin level, we induced transient MCAo seven days after STZ-induced diabetes. Also we performed IPreC 72 h before transient MCAo to assess whether IPreC could have a neuroprotective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury.ResultsThe general characteristics of STZ-treated rats (STZ) included reduced body weight and elevated blood glucose levels compared to non-diabetic ones. Ischemic preconditioning before cerebral ischemia significantly reduced infarction size compared with the other groups [IPreC + MCAo (27 ± 11 mm³) vs. MCAo (109 ± 17 mm³) p < 0.001; STZ + IPreC + MCAo (38 ± 10 mm³) vs. STZ + MCAo (165 ± 45 mm³) p < 0.001, respectively]. The mean total antioxidant status level in IPreC groups was higher than other groups (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, IPreC considerably decreased mean adropin levels compared with other groups (p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionThe study results supported the neuroprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning in MCA infarcts correlated with the level of oxidative damage markers and adropin.     

Effect of propofol on mitochondrial ATP content and ATPase activity in hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

ObjectiveStudy on the influence of the cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury (IRI) on mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and ATPase activity in hippocampus of rats, as well as the protective effect of propofol on IRI in rats.MethodsA total of 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham operation group (Group A), ischemia reperfusion control group (Group B) and ischemic reperfusion with propofol pretreatment group (C group). Group C was further divided into three sub groups according to the different doses of propofol: Group C1 (50 mg/kg), Group C2 (100 mg/kg) and Group C3 (150 mg/kg). The rats from Groups B and C were applied for the IRI model preparation by blockage of the blood flow in arteria carotis communis. For the Groups A, arteria carotis communis were separated without blockage of the blood flow. Before preparation of IRI model for rats in Group C, different doses of propofol were intraperitoneally injected into the rats. For rats in Groups A and B, only saline solution with same volume was intraperitoneally injected at the same time. The ultra-structures of mitochondria in hippocampus of rats were observed under transmission electron microscope, and the mitochondrial degeneration rate was counted. The contents of ATP were determined by HPLC and the ATPase activity was characterized by ATPase activity assay kit.Results(1) Mitochondria in the hippocampus from Groups B and C showed different degrees of ultrastructural damage and more significant mitochondrial degeneration than those from Group A. The degree of damage and the rate of degeneration were in the order of B > C1 > C2 > C3 and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). (2) The contents of ATP and the ATPase activity in hippocampus from Groups B and C were significantly lower than those of Group A, while these indices from Group C were significantly higher than those in the B group, and the sequence was C3 > C2 > C1, indicating that the ATP content and ATPase activity were significantly correlated with the dose of propofol, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn summary, the contents of ATP and ATPase activity in hippocampus of rats can be decreased by cerebral IRI. The structure and function of the impaired mitochondria in IRI rats could be significantly improved by propofol, and the improvement effect is related to the dose of propofol.     

Protective effect of docosahexaenoic acid against brain injury in ischemic rats

Evidence suggests that inactivation of cell-damaging mechanisms and/or activation of cell-survival mechanisms may provide effective preventive or therapeutic interventions to reduce cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid in the central nervous system that has been shown to possess neuroprotective effects. We examined whether different preadministrative protocols of DHA have effects on brain injury after focal cerebral I/R and investigated the potential neuroactive mechanisms involved. Sprague–Dawley rats were intraperitoneally pretreated with DHA once 1 h or 3 days being subjected to focal cerebral I/R or daily for 6 weeks before being subjected to focal cerebral I/R. Reduction of brain infarction was found in all three DHA-pretreated groups. The beneficial effect of DHA on the treatment groups was accompanied by decreases in blood–brain barrier disruption, brain edema, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, inflammatory cell infiltration, interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression and caspase-3 activity. Elevation of antioxidative capacity, as evidenced by decreased MDA level and increased superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione level, was detected only in the chronic daily-administration group. The two single-administration groups showed increased phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Elevation of Bcl-2 expression was detected in the chronic daily-administration and 3-day-administration groups. In vitro study demonstrated that DHA attenuated IL-6 production from stimulated glial cells involving nuclear factor κB inactivation. Therefore, the data suggest that the neuroprotective mechanisms of DHA pretreatment are, in part, mediated by attenuating damaging mechanisms through reduction of cytotoxic factor production and by strengthening survival mechanisms through ERK-mediated and/or Bcl-2-mediated prosurvival cascade.     

Neuroprotective effects of N-acetyl-cysteine and acetyl-L-carnitine after spinal cord injury in adult rats

Following the initial acute stage of spinal cord injury, a cascade of cellular and inflammatory responses will lead to progressive secondary damage of the nerve tissue surrounding the primary injury site. The degeneration is manifested by loss of neurons and glial cells, demyelination and cyst formation. Injury to the mammalian spinal cord results in nearly complete failure of the severed axons to regenerate. We have previously demonstrated that the antioxidants N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) can attenuate retrograde neuronal degeneration after peripheral nerve and ventral root injury. The present study evaluates the effects of NAC and ALC on neuronal survival, axonal sprouting and glial cell reactions after spinal cord injury in adult rats. Tibial motoneurons in the spinal cord were pre-labeled with fluorescent tracer Fast Blue one week before lumbar L5 hemisection. Continuous intrathecal infusion of NAC (2.4 mg/day) or ALC (0.9 mg/day) was initiated immediately after spinal injury using Alzet 2002 osmotic minipumps. Neuroprotective effects of treatment were assessed by counting surviving motoneurons and by using quantitative immunohistochemistry and Western blotting for neuronal and glial cell markers 4 weeks after hemisection. Spinal cord injury induced significant loss of tibial motoneurons in L4-L6 segments. Neuronal degeneration was associated with decreased immunostaining for microtubular-associated protein-2 (MAP2) in dendritic branches, synaptophysin in presynaptic boutons and neurofilaments in nerve fibers. Immunostaining for the astroglial marker GFAP and microglial marker OX42 was increased. Treatment with NAC and ALC rescued approximately half of the motoneurons destined to die. In addition, antioxidants restored MAP2 and synaptophysin immunoreactivity. However, the perineuronal synaptophysin labeling was not recovered. Although both treatments promoted axonal sprouting, there was no effect on reactive astrocytes. In contrast, the microglial reaction was significantly attenuated. The results indicate a therapeutic potential for NAC and ALC in the early treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury.     

Effects of combining methylprednisolone with rolipram on functional recovery in adult rats following spinal cord injury

Methylprednisolone (MP) has been widely used as a standard therapeutic agent for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Because of its controversial beneficial effects, the combination of MP and other pharmacological agents aimed at enhancing functional recovery is desirable. The phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor rolipram has been implicated in promotion of regeneration due to elevating cAMP. In the present study, we sought to determine the effects of MP and rolipram, administered in combination, after spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats. Here we show that in vitro administration of rolipram and MP significantly increased neuron survival and promoted neurite outgrowth of neurons on the inhibitory substrate CSPGs by upregulation of MMP-2 expression; in vivo administration of rolipram and MP inhibited CSPG expression and increase CSPG digestion after rat SCI. Rolipram and MP combining treatment promoted significant neuroprotection through reduced motoneuron death, minimized lesion cavity, and increased regeneration of lesioned corticospinal tract (CST) axons beyond the lesion site after SCI. Enhanced functional recovery was also observed. Overall, our study strongly suggested that the combination treatment of MP and rolipram may represent a promising strategy for clinically applicable pharmacological therapy for rapid initiation of neuroprotection after SCI.     

Protective effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on liver mitochondrial function in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes: link with oxidative stress

We investigated the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on mitochondrial functions and oxidative stress and evaluated their relationships in the livers of rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by a single alloxan injection (150 mg kg^− 1 b.w., i.p.). UDCA (40 mg kg^− 1 b.w., i.g., 30 days) was administered from the 5th day after the alloxan treatment. Mitochondrial functions were evaluated by oxygen consumption with Clark oxygen electrode using succinate, pyruvate + malate or palmitoyl carnitine as substrates and by determination of succinate dehydrogenase and NADH dehydrogenase activities. Liver mitochondria were used to measure chemiluminiscence enhanced by luminol and lucigenin, reduced liver glutathione and the end-products of lipid peroxidation. The activities of both NADH dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase as well as the respiratory control (RC) value with all the substrates and the ADP/O ratio with pyruvate + malate and succinate as substrates were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. UDCA developed the beneficial effect on the mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation parameters in alloxan-treated rats, whereas the activities of mitochondrial enzymes were increased insignificantly after the administration of UDCA. The contents of polar carbonyls and MDA as well as the chemiluminescence with luminol were elevated in liver mitochondria of diabetic rats. The treatment with UDCA normalized all the above parameters measured except the MDA content. UDCA administration prevents mitochondrial dysfunction in rats treated with alloxan and this process is closely connected with inhibition of oxidative stress by this compound.     

罗布麻通过抑制氧化应激反应减轻心肌缺血再灌注损伤

目的:观察罗布麻叶提取物(apocynum venetum leaf extract AVLE)预处理对心肌缺血再灌注(MI/R)损伤的影响。方法:采用SD大鼠MI/R模型,随机分为sham(假手术)组、MI/R组、AVLE预处理+MI/R组,检测血流动力学,采用氯化三苯基四氮唑和伊文思蓝双染法检测心梗面积、以血浆肌酸激酶(CK)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性检测心肌损伤情况、以超氧化物、丙二醛(MAD)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)含量检测心肌氧化应激以及Western blot方法检测gp91phox的表达。结果:与MI/R组相比,AVLE预处理组左室压上升、下降最大速率(±LVdp/dtmax)升高(P0.05),心肌梗死面积减少,两组分别为41.5±4.5%和32.0±3.5%(P0.05),血浆CK和LDH活性分别降低到1653±62 U/L和2461±152 U/L(P0.05),减少了心肌组织超氧化物的含量(P0.05)。AVLE治疗显着降低gp91phox的表达(P0.05),使SOD活性增加(P0.05),MDA水平显著降低(P0.05)。结论:AVLE通过抑制I/R心肌的氧化应激发挥心脏保护作用。     

The effects of lycopene on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

There is a very little information about the protective effect of lycopene (LYC) against hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury. The present study was designed to examine the possible protective effect of the strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, LYC, on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. For this purpose, rats were subjected to 45 min of hepatic ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion period. LYC at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg body weight (bw) were injected intraperitoneally, 60 min prior to ischemia. Upon sacrification, hepatic tissue samples were used for the measurement of catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Also, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assayed in serum samples. As a result of the use of LYC at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg bw; while improvements of the ALT, AST, LDH and MDA values were partial and dose-dependent, the improvement of CAT activity was total and dose-independent (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that LYC has a protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion injury on the liver.     

Effect of glycolysis inhibition on mitochondrial function in rat brain

Inhibition of the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase enhances the neural vulnerability to excitotoxicity both in vivo and in vitro through an unknown mechanism possibly related to mitochondrial failure. However, as the effect of glycolysis inhibition on mitochondrial function in brain has not been studied, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of glycolysis inhibition induced by iodoacetate on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in brain. Mitochondria were isolated from brain cortex, striatum and cerebellum of rats treated systemically with iodoacetate (25 mg/kg/day for 3 days). Oxygen consumption, ATP synthesis, transmembrane potential, reactive oxygen species production, lipoperoxidation, glutathione levels, and aconitase activity were assessed. Oxygen consumption and aconitase activity decreased in the brain cortex and striatum, showing that glycolysis inhibition did not trigger severe mitochondrial impairment, but a slight mitochondrial malfunction and oxidative stress were present.     

New aspects of impaired mitochondrial function in heart failure

This minireview focuses on the impairment of function in cardiac mitochondria in heart failure (HF). It is generally accepted that chronic energy starvation leads to cardiac mechanical dysfunction in HF. Mitochondria are the primary ATP generator for the heart. Current evidence suggests that the assembly of the electron transport chain (ETC) into respirasomes provides structural support for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by facilitating electron channeling and perhaps by preventing electron leak and superoxide production. Defects have been purported to occur in the individual ETC complexes or components of the phosphorylation apparatus in HF, but these defects have not been linked to impaired mitochondrial function. Moreover, studies that reported decreased mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in HF did not identify the site of the defect. We propose a sequential mechanistic pathway in which the decrease in functional respirasomes in HF is the primary event causing decreased oxidative phosphorylation and increased reactive oxygen species production, leading to a progressive decrease in cardiac performance.     

Impaired mitochondrial function results in increased tissue transglutaminase activity in situ

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is a transamidating enzyme that is elevated in Huntington's disease (HD) brain and may be involved in the etiology of the disease. Further, there is evidence of impaired mitochondrial function in HD. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction on the transamidating activity of tTG. Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells stably overexpressing human tTG or mutated inactive tTG were treated with 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), an irreversible inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase. 3-NP treatment of tTG-expressing cells resulted in a significant increase of TG activity in situ. In vitro measurements demonstrated that 3-NP had no direct effect on tTG activity. However, 3-NP treatment resulted in a significant decrease of the levels of GTP and ATP, two potent inhibitors of the transamidating activity of tTG. No significant changes in the intracellular levels of calcium were observed in 3-NP-treated cells. Treatment with 3-NP in combination with antioxidants significantly reduced the 3-NP-induced increase in in situ TG activity, demonstrating that oxidative stress is a contributing factor to the increase of TG activity. This study demonstrates for the first time that impairment of mitochondrial function significantly increases TG activity in situ, a finding that may have important relevance to the etiology of HD.     

Activation of the CaR-CSE/H2S pathway confers cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a multifactorial process triggered when an organ is subjected to transiently reduced blood supply. The result is a cascade of pathological complications and organ damage due to the production of reactive oxygen species following reperfusion. The present study aims to evaluate the role of activated calcium-sensing receptor (CaR)-cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE)/hydrogen sulfide (H2S) pathway in I/R injury. Firstly, an I/R rat model with CSE knockout was constructed. Transthoracic echocardiography, TTC and HE staining were performed to determine the cardiac function of rats following I/R Injury, followed by TUNEL staining observation on apoptosis. Besides, with the attempt to better elucidate how CaR-CSE/H2S affects I/R, in-vitro culture of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) was conducted with gadolinium chloride (GdCl3, a CaR agonist), H₂O₂, siRNA against CSE (siCSE), or W7 (a CaM inhibitor). The interaction between CSE and CaM was subsequently detected. Plasma oxidative stress indexes, H2S and CSE, and apoptosis-related proteins were all analyzed following cell apoptosis. We found that H2S elevation led to the improvement whereas CSE knockdown decreased cardiac function in rats with I/R injury. Moreover, oxidative stress injury in I/R rats with CSE knockout was aggravated, while the increased expression of H2S and CSE in the aortic tissues resulted in alleviated the oxidative stress injury. Moreover, increased H2S and CSE levels were found to inhibit cell apoptotic ability in the aortic tissues after I/R injury, thus attenuating oxidative stress injury, accompanied by inhibited expression of apoptosis-related proteins. In HCAECs following oxidative stress treatment, siCSE and CaM inhibitor were observed to reverse the protection of CaR agonist. Coimmunoprecipitation assay revealed the interaction between CSE and CaM. Taken together, all above-mentioned data provides evidence that activation of the CaR-CSE/H2S pathway may confer a potent protective effect in cardiac I/R injury.     

The regenerative effects of electromagnetic field on spinal cord injury

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is typically the result of direct mechanical impact to the spine, leading to fracture and/or dislocation of the vertebrae along with damage to the surrounding soft tissues. Injury to the spinal cord results in disruption of axonal transmission of signals. This primary trauma causes secondary injuries that produce immunological responses such as neuroinflammation, which perpetuates neurodegeneration and cytotoxicity within the injured spinal cord. To date there is no FDA-approved pharmacological agent to prevent the development of secondary SCI and induce regenerative processes aimed at healing the spinal cord and restoring neurological function. An alternative method to electrically activate spinal circuits is the application of a noninvasive electromagnetic field (EMF) over intact vertebrae. The EMF method of modulating molecular signaling of inflammatory cells emitted in the extra-low frequency range of <100 Hz, and field strengths of <5 mT, has been reported to decrease inflammatory markers in macrophages, and increase endogenous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation and differentiation rates. EMF has been reported to promote osteogenesis by improving the effects of osteogenic media, and increasing the proliferation of osteoblasts, while inhibiting osteoclast formation and increasing bone matrix in vitro. EMF has also been shown to increase chondrogenic markers and collagen and induce neural differentiation, while increasing cell viability by over 50%. As advances are made in stem cell technologies, stabilizing the cell line after differentiation is crucial to SCI repair. Once cell-seeded scaffolds are implanted, EMF may be applied outside the wound for potential continued adjunct treatment during recovery.