Protection of PC12 cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity by salvianolic acid B, a new compound isolated from Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae

A number of studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The neuroprotective effects of salvianolic acid B (SalB) from Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (RSM) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced rat pheochromocytoma line PC12 injury were evaluated in the present study. Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, was employed as a positive control agent. Following exposure of cells to H2O2 (150 microM), a marked decrease in cell survival and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) production and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were observed. In parallel, H2O2 caused significant elevation in intracellular Ca2+ level and caspase-3 activity, and induced apoptotic death as determined by flow cytometric assay. However, pretreatment of the cells with SalB (0.1-10 microM) prior to H2O2 exposure blocked these H2O2-induced cellular events noticeably. Moreover, SalB exhibited significantly higher potency as compared to Vitamin E. The present findings indicated that SalB exerts neuroprotective effects against H2O2 toxicity, which might be of importance and contribute to its clinical efficacy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.     

胶原蛋白肽经由Nrf2信号通路对H_2O_2诱导的肝细胞氧化损伤的保护作用(英文)

目的:氧化应激在肝脏疾病中扮演着重要的角色。胶原蛋白肽是天然的抗氧化剂,其在动物实验中已经被证实有抑制氧化应激的作用。最新研究证实胶原蛋白肽将有可能被应用在肝脏疾病的预防中,但是很少有研究报道其分子作用机制。因此本研究在胶原蛋白肽是对H2O2诱导的正常人的肝细胞系HL7702氧化损伤有保护作用的基础上,并探索其分子作用机制。方法:实验设空白对照组,H2O2模型组,胶原蛋白肽低、中、高剂量组(10,100,200μg/ml)。胶原蛋白肽各组加入相应浓度的药物预处理12 h后,与模型组一起加入300μM H2O2的H2O2共同培养12 h,空白对照组正常培养。细胞毒性是由CCK8和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的释放检测。抗氧化试剂盒检测细胞内活性氧的水平,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化。Western blot检测细胞内Nrf2蛋白的表达水平。结果:胶原蛋白肽对H2O2诱导的正常人的肝细胞系HL7702氧化损伤有保护作用。胶原蛋白肽能够及时清除细胞内的活性氧,增加Nrf2的蛋白表达水平,提高超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性,减轻脂质过氧化反应,从而保护正常人的肝细胞系HL7702。结论:总之,胶原蛋白肽通过增加Nrf2的蛋白表达水平,提高抗氧化活性,对H2O2诱导损伤的肝细胞发挥保护作用。本研究为胶原蛋白肽的分子作用机制提供了新的证据,将有助于预防氧化应激所致的肝损伤。     

A water extract of Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) rescues PC12 cell death caused by pyrogallol or hypoxia/reoxygenation and attenuates hydrogen peroxide induced injury in PC12 cells

A number of studies indicate that free radicals are involved in the neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The role of superoxide anion (O2*-) in neuronal cell injury induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined in PC12 cells using pyrogallol (1,2,3-benzenetrior), a donor to release O2*-. Pyrogallol induced PC12 cell death at concentrations, which evidently increased intracellular O2*-, as assessed by O2*- sensitive fluorescent precursor hydroethidine (HEt). A water extract of Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) (CLE), having O2*- scavenging activity rescued PC12 cells from pyrogallol-induced cell death. Hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of PC12 cells was also blocked by CLE. The present study was also conducted to examine the effect of CLE on H2O2 -induced toxicity in rat pheochromocytoma line PC12 by measuring cell lesion, level of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities. Following a 30 min exposure of the cells to H2O2 (150 microM), a marked decrease in cell survival, activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase as well as increased production of malondialdehyde (MDA) were found. Pretreatment of the cells with CLE (0.5-10 microg/ml) prior to H2O2 exposure significantly elevated the cell survival, antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased the level of MDA. The above-mentioned neuroprotective effects are also observed with tacrine (THA, 1 microM), suggesting that the neuroprotective effects of cholinesterase inhibitor might partly contribute to the clinical efficacy in AD treatment. Further understanding of the underlying mechanism of the protective effects of these radical scavengers reducing intracellular O2*- on neuronal cell death may lead to development of new therapeutic treatments for hypoxic/ischemic brain injury.     

楤木皂苷对大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的:观察楤木皂苷(total saponins extracted from Aralia taibaiensis,s AT)对大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注(myocardia1 ischemia/reperfusion,MI/R)损伤的影响。方法:可逆性冠脉左前降支结扎缺血30 min再灌注3 h复制MI/R模型,将SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、s AT低、中、高剂量组,每组10只。采用伊文思蓝(EB)、2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑蓝(TTC)双染法测定心肌梗死面积,苏木精-伊红(HE)染色法观察心肌病理学形态变化,并检测血清中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)水平。结果:与模型组比较,s AT中、高剂量组可明显缩小心肌梗死面积(P0.05),并显著降低血清中LDH、CK-MB及MDA的含量,同时使得血清中SOD、CAT和GSH-Px的活性增加。且所有给药组心肌组织的病理损伤也小于模型组。结论:s AT对大鼠MI/R损伤具有保护作用,其机制可能与抗氧化作用相关。     

异槲皮苷对Aβ25-35导致的PC12细胞损伤的保护作用及机制研究

探讨异槲皮苷对β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ25-35)导致的PC12细胞氧化损伤的保护作用.首先通过分子对接技术分析异槲皮苷与AMPK的结合情况.采用Aβ25-35(20 μmol/L)损伤PC12细胞建立细胞氧化损伤模型,采用甲基噻唑蓝(MTT)法检测细胞活力,通过试剂盒检测乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)漏出量、活性氧(ROS)含量、...     

黑斑蛙精巢MDA和抗氧化酶对铅、镉暴露的生态毒性响应

以健康性成熟黑斑蛙为供试动物,以精巢组织丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性为指标,进行了水体铅、镉暴露的生态毒性响应研究.结果表明:(1)精巢MDA含量随铅、镉暴露浓度的升高而明显增加,且呈明显的浓度-效应关系.说明低水平铅、镉的长期暴露对黑斑蛙精巢具有一定的损伤作用;(2)SOD活性在各处理组响应变化不明显,CAT、GSH-Px活性则被显著诱导,说明GSH-Px、CAT在铅、镉引起的精巢抗氧化损伤中起着重要作用;(3)3种抗氧化酶相比,GSH-Px活性对铅、镉暴露响应最敏感,SOD活性的响应最不明显,精巢GSH-Px活性是指示铅、镉暴露的优选生物标志物。     

胶原蛋白肽经由Nrf2信号通路对H2O2诱导的肝细胞氧化损伤的保护作用

目的：氧化应激在肝脏疾病中扮演着重要的角色。胶原蛋白肽是天然的抗氧化剂,其在动物实验中已经被证实有抑制氧化应激的作用。最新研究证实胶原蛋白肽将有可能被应用在肝脏疾病的预防中,但是很少有研究报道其分子作用机制。因此本研究在胶原蛋白肽是对H2O2诱导的正常人的肝细胞系HL7702氧化损伤有保护作用的基础上,并探索其分子作用机制。方法：实验设空白对照组,H2O2模型组,胶原蛋白肽低、中、高剂量组（10,100,200μg/ml）。胶原蛋白肽各组加入相应浓度的药物预处理12 h后,与模型组一起加入300μM H2O2的H2O2共同培养12 h,空白对照组正常培养。细胞毒性是由CCK8和乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）的释放检测。抗氧化试剂盒检测细胞内活性氧的水平,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量的变化。Western blot检测细胞内Nrf2蛋白的表达水平。结果：胶原蛋白肽对H2O2诱导的正常人的肝细胞系HL7702氧化损伤有保护作用。胶原蛋白肽能够及时清除细胞内的活性氧,增加Nrf2的蛋白表达水平,提高超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）的活性,减轻脂质过氧化反应,从而保护正常人的肝细胞系HL7702。结论：总之,胶原蛋白肽通过增加Nrf2的蛋白表达水平,提高抗氧化活性,对H2O2诱导损伤的肝细胞发挥保护作用。本研究为胶原蛋白肽的分子作用机制提供了新的证据,将有助于预防氧化应激所致的肝损伤。     

The antioxidant effects of ribonuclease inhibitor

Ribonuclease inhibitor (RI) is an acidic cytosolic glycoprotein with molecular weight of about 50 kDa, which contains 32 cysteine residues. It is possibly that RI may have antioxidant effect by thiol-disulfide exchange reaction. We studied the effects of RI over-expression on the rat glial cell line C6 injured with H2O2. The transfected C6 cells with RI cDNA (C6') had higher viability, less LDH leakage and MDA contents, but more GSH contents compare that in the control C6 cells. In transfected C6 cells, the activities of CAT and GST were higher than that in the control C6 cells. Without H202 stress, the activities of CAT and GST in the C6' cells were 1.73 and 3.62 times that in the control C6 cells, respectively; With 1.00 mmol/L H2O2 stress, the activities of CATand GSTin the C6' cells were 3.38 and 2.11 times that in the C6 cells, respectively. These results suggest that the over-expression RI has antioxidant activity and it is able to protect cells from per-oxidative injuries. Moreover, we investigated whether RI has a protective role against mouse hepatic damage in vivo. The mice pretreated with different doses of human RI were injected by CC14. The results show that the SOD activities of therapy groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.01), while the contents of MOD and activities of ALT and AST in blood were remarkably lower than that of the control group (p < 0.01). Pathological examination shows that the degree of damage was alleviated with RI therapy. These results suggest that RI has the protective role against mouse hepatic damage induced by CC14. The anti-oxidative effects of RI may play an important role in cell protection from per-oxidative injuries.     

一氧化氮供体对过氧化氢引起的心肌细胞损伤的保护作用

关于一氧化氮(NO)对心肌细胞是否具有保护作用目前尚存在争议,为探讨NO对过氧化氢(H2O2)引起的心肌细胞损伤是否具有保护作用及其可能的机制,实验将体外培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞分为3组(1)阴性对照组(Normal组);(2)H2O2组H2O2(0.1mmol/L)与心肌细胞共育4h;(3)S-亚硝基-N-乙酰青霉胺(SNAP)+H2O2组NO供体SNAP(0.5mmol/L)处理心肌细胞10min后,加入H2O2与心肌细胞共育4 h.用流式细胞术检测心肌细胞凋亡率,心肌细胞损伤程度以心肌细胞存活率和乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)活性来表示,同时检测心肌细胞超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量.通过激光共聚焦显微术检测在不同处理条件下心肌细胞胞内钙的变化.结果表明,正常心肌细胞LDH活性和细胞存活率分别为631.4±75.6 U/L和93.1±6.2%,细胞凋亡率为0;H2O2处理细胞后可使细胞LDH活性显著增高(1580.5±186.7 U/L,P＜0.01),细胞存活率明显下降(58.3±7.6%,P＜0.01),流式细胞仪检测到大量心肌细胞凋亡,凋亡率为26.4±5.7%;SOD活性较正常细胞19.67±0.85 NU/ml显著下降,为14.73±1.68 NU/m(P＜0.01),MDA含量较正常细胞6.95±0.83μmol/L显著增高,为15.35±3.49μmol/L(P＜0.01).SNAP预处理细胞可显著提高心肌细胞存活率(79.7±9.3%,P＜0.01),降低LDH活性和细胞凋亡率(分别为957.8±110.9 U/L和9.1±3.3%,P＜0.01);并提高细胞抗氧化能力,表现为较H2O2处理组的SOD活性增高(21.36±3.11 NU/ml,P＜0.01),MDA含量下降(9.12±1.47 μmol/L,P＜0.01).激光共聚焦显微镜检测结果表明,H2O2可升高细胞内钙,而SNAP则可降低细胞内钙,SNAP预处理细胞后可取消H2O2升高细胞内钙的作用.上述结果提示,NO供体SNAP可对抗H2O2对心肌细胞的损伤,其机制与提高心肌细胞抗氧化损伤能力和对抗H2O2引起的细胞内钙超载有关.     

Quercetin protects HCT116 cells from Dichlorvos-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis

The present study was designed to assess the possible protective effects of Quercetin (QUER), a flavonoid with well-known pharmacological effects, against Dichlorvos (DDVP)-induced toxicity in vitro using HCT116 cells. The cytotoxicity was monitored by cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, anti-oxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and DNA fragmentation. The apoptosis was assessed through the measurement of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) and caspase activation. The results indicated that pretreatment of HCT116 cells with QUER, 2 h prior to DDVP exposure, significantly decreased the DDVP-induced cell death, inhibited the ROS generation, modulated the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced the MDA level. The reductions in mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA fragmentation, and caspase activation were also attenuated by QUER. These findings suggest that dietary QUER can protect HCT116 cells against DDVP-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis.     

5'-磷酸腺苷对小鼠脾细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用

目的研究5'-磷酸腺苷(5'-AMP)体外抗氧化和对体外氧化损伤脾细胞的损伤修复能力。方法用化学比色法测定5'-AMP体外清除二苯代苦味酰基自由基(DPPH自由基)的能力;建立过氧化氢(H2O2)氧化损伤体外培养小鼠脾细胞模型,用MTT法检测5'-AMP修复受损伤脾细胞的作用,并分析其对细胞抗氧化体系及抗氧化能力的影响。结果5'-AMP具有剂量依赖性的体外抗氧化和清除活性氧能力,添加0·5mmol/L、1mmol/L、5mmol/L和10mmol/L5'-AMP均能显著修复H2O2诱导的脾细胞氧化损伤(P<0·05),总抗氧化能力和抗氧化酶类活力(P<0·01),5'-AMP添加量大于1mmol/L时,可显著降低丙二醛(MDA)含量(P<0·01)。其细胞培养液的氧自由基(ROS)水平逐渐降低,5'-AMP添加量为10mmol/L时,ROS水平接近对照组水平。结论5'-磷酸腺苷能显著修复氧化损伤,具有显著的抗氧化作用。     

2’-羟基二氢黄酮诱导白血病HL-60细胞凋亡过程中抗氧化酶活性的变化

目的：观察2’-羟基二氢黄酮诱导白血病细胞HL-60凋亡过程中胞内抗氧化酶活性的变化,并探讨其抗肿瘤作用机制。方法：采用CASY-TT亚流式细胞术测定2’-羟基二氢黄酮对HL-60细胞存活率的影响;Annexin V／PI双染流式细胞仪检测分析细胞凋亡变化;化学比色法测定2’-羟基二氢黄酮作用后,HL-60细胞胞内抗氧化酶SOD、CAT、GSH—Px的活性变化。结果：2’-羟基二氢黄酮显著降低HL-60细胞存活率,其作用呈剂量和时间依赖性;凋亡分析结果显示,20μM的2’一羟基二氢黄酮作用HL-60细胞后,细胞凋亡率逐渐升高,并在12h后显著高于作用前水平;酶活性检测表明,20μM2’一羟基二氢黄酮作用后,HL-60细胞胞内抗氧化酶SOD、CAT、GSH．Px活性均显著降低,脂质过氧化产物MDA含量显著升高。结论：2’-羟基二氢黄酮显著降低白血病HL广60细胞存活率并诱导细胞凋亡,其中伴随着胞内抗氧化酶活性的显著降低。     

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocyte damage in Cyprinus carpio

The present study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract on the carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatocyte damage in fish and provide evidence as to whether it can be potentially used as a medicine for liver diseases in aquaculture. H. sabdariffa extract (100, 200, and 400?μg/mL) was added to the carp primary hepatocyte culture before (pre-treatment), after (post-treatment), and both before and after (pre- and post-treatment) the incubation of the hepatocytes with CCl(4). CCl(4) at 8?mM in the culture medium produced significantly elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate oxalate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and significantly reduced levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Pre-treatment and pre- and post-treatment of the hepatocytes with H. sabdariffa extract significantly reduced the elevated levels of LDH, GOT, GPT, and MDA and increased the reduced activities of SOD and GSH-Px in a dose-dependent manner; post-treatment did not show any protective effect. The results suggest that H. sabdariffa extract can be potentially used for preventing rather than curing liver diseases in fish.     

Loganin protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis by inhibiting phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and ERK 1/2 MAPKs in SH-SY5Y cells

We investigated the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of loganin against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced neuronal toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. The neuroprotective effect of loganin was investigated by treating SH-SY5Y cells with H(2)O(2) and then measuring the reduction in H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. Following H(2)O(2) exposure, Hoechst 33258 staining indicated nuclear condensation in a large proportion of SH-SY5Y cells, along with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and an intracellular decrease in mitochondria membrane potential (MMP). Loganin was effective in attenuating all the above-stated phenotypes induced by H(2)O(2). Pretreatment with loganin significantly increased cell viability, reduced H(2)O(2)-induced LDH release and ROS production, and effectively increased intracellular MMP. Pretreatment with loganin also significantly decreased the nuclear condensation induced by H(2)O(2). Western blot data revealed that loganin inhibited the H(2)O(2)-induced up-regulation of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and cleaved caspase-3, increased the H(2)O(2)-induced decrease in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and attenuated the H(2)O(2)-induced release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol. Furthermore, pretreatment with loganin significantly attenuated the H(2)O(2)-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2). These results suggest that the protective effects of loganin against H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis may be due to a decrease in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio expression due to the inhibition of the phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and ERK 1/2 MAPKs. Loganin's neuroprotective properties indicate that this compound may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.     

白藜芦醇减轻神经元氧化应激损伤的作用机制研究

目的:观察白藜芦醇(RSV)对过氧化氢(H2O2)所致的海马神经元HT22细胞损伤的保护作用,并探讨超氧化物歧化酶2(Mn-SOD)在其中的作用。方法:采用体外培养HT22小鼠海马神经元细胞系,H2O2作为损伤因素模拟氧化应激损伤。将细胞分为5组,分别为正常培养组(Control)、150μM H2O2损伤组(H2O2)、25μM白藜芦醇保护组(RSV+H2O2)、SOD2-si RNA干扰组(SOD2-si RNA+RSV+H2O2)和乱序RNA组(SC-si RNA+RSV+H2O2),药物暴露24 h后,应用MTT法检测HT22细胞活力、比色法检测乳酸脱氢酶(Lactate Dehydrogenase,LDH)释放量、相差显微镜观测细胞形态。结果:与对照组相比,H2O2组的活力显著下降(P0.05),LDH释放量明显增加(P0.05),细胞形态明显破坏;25μM的RSV显著恢复了HT22细胞的活力、减少了LDH释放、改善了细胞形态,而SOD2-si RNA显著逆转了RSV引起的上述保护作用,乱序RNA(SC-si RNA)未对上述保护作用产生明显影响。结论:白藜芦醇可能通过上调SOD2减轻H2O2对HT22细胞的氧化应激损伤。     

5′-磷酸腺苷对小鼠脾细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用

目的研究5′-磷酸腺苷（5′-AMP）体外抗氧化和对体外氧化损伤脾细胞的损伤修复能力。方法用化学比色法测定5′-AMP体外清除二苯代苦味酰基自由基（DPPH自由基）的能力;建立过氧化氢（H2O2）氧化损伤体外培养小鼠脾细胞模型,用MTT法检测5′-AMP修复受损伤脾细胞的作用,并分析其对细胞抗氧化体系及抗氧化能力的影响。结果5′-AMP具有剂量依赖性的体外抗氧化和清除活性氧能力,添加0.5mmol/L、1mmol/L、5mmol/L和10mmol/L5′-AMP均能显著修复H2O2诱导的脾细胞氧化损伤（P〈0.05）,总抗氧化能力和抗氧化酶类活力（P〈0.01）,5′-AMP添加量大于1mmol/L时,可显著降低丙二醛（MDA）含量（P〈0.01）。其细胞培养液的氧自由基（ROS）水平逐渐降低,5′-AMP添加量为10mmol/L时,ROS水平接近对照组水平。结论5′-磷酸腺苷能显著修复氧化损伤,具有显著的抗氧化作用。     

L-茶氨酸对H2O2致L02细胞损伤的保护作用及其机制研究

研究L-茶氨酸对肝细胞损伤的保护作用及其机制。利用H2O2诱导的LO2肝细胞损伤模型,分别用MTT法检测细胞存活率、测定LDH、流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率、Western blot法检测Caspase-3和PARP蛋白表达7LBax／Bcl-2比值的变化,评价L-茶氨酸是否能保护H2O2诱导的肝细胞损伤。结果表明,L-茶氨酸能提高H2O2损伤的L02细胞存活率,减少LDH的渗漏,降低肝细胞凋亡,且L-茶氨酸通过抑制caspase-3的激活和PARP的切割及Bax／Bcl-2比值的升高而发挥抗凋亡的作用。L-茶氨酸对肝细胞损伤有一定的治疗和保护作用。     

Effects of Lycopene and Proanthocyanidins on Hepatotoxicity Induced by Mercuric Chloride in Rats

To evaluate the protective potential of lycopene (Lyc) and proanthocyanidins (PCs) against mercuric chloride (HgCl₂)-induced hepatotoxicity, the study focused on the mechanism of oxidative stress. Firstly, the rats were subcutaneously (s.c.) injected with 0, 2.2, 4.4, and 8.8 μmol/kg HgCl₂. Additionally, 40 mg/kg Lyc and 450 mg/kg PCs were given to the rats intragastrically (i.g.) before exposure to 8.8 μmol/kg HgCl₂. Then, body weight, liver weight coefficient, mercury (Hg) contents, histological feature, ultrastructure, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver were measured. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in serum were determined. After exposure to different concentrations of HgCl₂,it was found that Hg contents, pathological and ultrastructure injury, activities of LDH and ALT, apoptosis, and levels of ROS, GSH, and MDA increased and the activities of SOD and GSH-Px decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Further investigation found that pretreatment with Lyc and PCs inhibited ROS production, protected antioxidant enzymes, and reversed hepatotoxicity. We concluded that Lyc and PCs had hepatoprotective effects on HgCl₂-induced toxicity by antagonizing oxidative stress in rat liver.     

A polysaccharide isolated from Cordyceps sinensis,a traditional Chinese medicine,protects PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury

Cordyceps sinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, possesses activities in anti-tumour, anti-oxidation and stimulating the immune system; however, the identity of active component(s) is not determined. By using anti-oxidation activity-guided fractionation, a polysaccharide of molecular weight approximately 210 kDa was isolated from cultured Cordyceps mycelia by ion-exchange and sizing chromatography. The isolated polysaccharide, having strong anti-oxidation activity, contains glucose, mannose and galactose in a ratio of 1 : 0.6 : 0.75. The pre-treatment of isolated polysaccharide on the cultured rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells shows strong protective effect against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced insult. Treatment of the cells with the isolated polysaccharide at 100 microg/ml prior to H(2)O(2) exposure significantly elevated the survival of PC12 cells in culture by over 60%. In parallel, the H(2)O(2)-induced production of malondialdehyde in cultured cells was markedly reduced by the polysaccharide treatment. Moreover, the pre-treatment of the isolated polysaccharide significantly attenuated the changes of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in H(2)O(2)-treated cells in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first report in identifying a polysaccharide from Cordyceps, which protects against the free radical-induced neuronal cell toxicity.     

Mitochondrial localization of catalase provides optimal protection from H2O2-induced cell death in lung epithelial cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause cell injury and death via mitochondrial-dependent pathways, and supplementation with antioxidants has been shown to ameliorate these processes. The c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway has been shown to play a critical role in ROS-induced cell death. To determine if targeting catalase (CAT) to the mitochondria provides better protection than cytosolic expression against H(2)O(2)-induced injury, the following two approaches were taken: 1) adenoviral-mediated transduction was performed using cytosolic (CCAT) or mitochondrial (MCAT) CAT cDNAs and 2) stable cell lines were generated overexpressing CAT in mitochondria (n = 3). Cells were exposed to 250 microM H(2)O(2), and cell survival, mitochondrial function, cytochrome c release, and JNK activity were analyzed. Although all viral transduced cells had a transient twofold increase in CAT activity, MCAT cells had significantly higher survival rates, the best mitochondrial function, and lowest JNK activity compared with CCAT and LacZ controls. The improved protection with MCAT was observed in primary type II lung epithelial cells and in transformed lung epithelial cells. In the three stable cell lines, cell survival directly correlated with extent of mitochondrial localization (r = 0.60572, P < 0.05) and not overall CAT activity (r = -0.45501, P < 0.05). Data indicate that targeting of antioxidants directly to the mitochondria is more effective in protecting lung epithelial cells against ROS-induced injury. This has important implications in antioxidant supplementation trials to prevent ROS-induced lung injury in critically ill patients.