胰岛素样生长因子1（IGF-I）通过PI-3K/Akt 途径对结肠癌细胞 凋亡的影响

目的:探讨胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-I)通过磷酯酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B(PI-3K/Akt)信号通路对结肠癌细胞株SW480凋亡率的影响及其凋亡抑制蛋白survivin表达水平的变化。方法:培养结肠癌SW480细胞株,实验分成三组:未加IGF-I空白组、IGF-I刺激组、IGF-I+LY294002阻断组,检测阻断剂LY294002是否阻断PI-3K/Akt通路(Western Blot检测三组P-Akt表达情况);Western Blot及免疫荧光观察三组survivin蛋白表达变化;MTT法检测细胞增殖活性,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况。结果:Western blot结果显示LY294002可抑制IGF-I诱导的p-Akt的表达(P<0.05);阻断IGF-I诱导的PI-3K/Akt通路后MTT显示结肠癌细胞SW480增殖抑制率升高(P<0.05),流式细胞术分析显示凋亡率明显上升(P<0.05);Western blot及免疫荧光结果显示LY294002可抑制IGF-I诱导的survivin的表达(P<0.05)。结论:IGF-I可通过PI-3K/Akt通路诱导survivin表达,从而抑制结肠癌细胞SW480的凋亡。     

PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路在脂多糖诱导的大鼠肝星状细胞自噬中的作用

该文探讨了磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(Akt)/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)信号通路在脂多糖(LPS)诱导的大鼠肝星状细胞-T6(HSC-T6)自噬中的作用。体外培养HSCT6细胞,随机分为对照组、LPS组、雷帕霉素(Rapamycin, Rapa)组、LPS+Rapa组、LY294002组、LPS+LY294002组, SC79组、LPS+SC79组,各组经相应处理后,单丹磺酰尸胺(MDC)染色法观察自噬溶酶体变化;细胞免疫荧光法检测各组微管相关蛋白轻链Ⅱ(LC3 Ⅱ)表达; Western blot检测各组通路蛋白p-Akt、p-mTOR、Akt、mTOR及自噬相关蛋白LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin1的表达; qRT-PCR检测各组LC3 Ⅱ和Beclin1 mRNA的表达。结果显示,LPS+Rapa组、LPS+LY294002组较LPS组的自噬溶酶体、LC3 Ⅱ荧光亮点含量无明显差异(P0.05), LPS+SC79组较LPS组的自噬溶酶体、LC3 Ⅱ荧光亮点含量明显减少(P0.05); Western blot显示, LPS+Rapa组、LPS+LY294002组较LPS组LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin1、p-Akt、p-mTOR蛋白表达水平无明显差异(P0.05), LPS+SC79组较LPS组LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin1含量明显减少, p-Akt、p-mTOR蛋白表达水平明显增加(P0.05); qRT-PCR显示LPS+Rapa组、LPS+LY294002组较LPS组LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin1 mRNA含量无明显差异(P0.05), LPS+SC79组较LPS组LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin1 mRNA含量明显减少(P0.05)。该项研究结果表明,LPS可能通过抑制PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路促进HSC-T6细胞自噬。     

黄芩苷介导PI3K/AKT通路减轻脂多糖诱导的心肌细胞凋亡及炎症反应

为探讨黄芩苷对脂多糖(LPS)诱导的大鼠心肌细胞凋亡、炎症及磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(AKT)信号通路的调控作用,该研究体外培养大鼠心肌H9C2细胞,将其分为对照组(不做干预)、LPS组(10μg/m L LPS)、实验组(10μg/m L LPS+10、20、40、80μmol/L黄芩苷)、黄芩苷+Y组(10μg/m L LPS+10μmol/L黄芩苷+5μmol/L PI3K/AKT通路抑制剂LY294002)、抑制剂组(10μg/m L LPS+5μmol/L LY294002)和黄芩苷+A组[10μg/m L LPS+10μmol/L黄芩苷+100 ng/mL PI3K/AKT通路激活剂胰岛素样生长因子-I(IGF-I)]。用细胞计数试剂盒-8测定细胞活力;酶联免疫吸附试验检测炎症因子白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、IL-6和IL-10的含量; Hoechst33258染色法测定细胞凋亡率; 5-乙炔基-2’脱氧尿嘧啶核苷测定细胞增殖率;蛋白免疫印迹法测定PI3K/AKT相关蛋白、细胞周期蛋白D1(Cyclin D1)和半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspas...     

有氧耐力训练对大鼠骨骼肌线粒体功能及PI3K-Akt蛋白的表达影响

目的:观察有氧耐力训练大鼠骨骼肌线粒体磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶-蛋白激酶B(PI3K-Akt)信号通路的表达情况。方法:将36只大鼠随机分为3组(n=12):对照组、有氧耐力训练组和一次性力竭组。分组干预结束后,检测各组大鼠骨骼肌线粒体膜电位(MMP)水平、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)和细胞色素C氧化酶(COX)活性,利用Western blot法测定组织中磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)和蛋白激酶B(PKB或Akt)的磷酸化水平。结果:与对照组相比,一次性力竭组大鼠MMP、SDH和COX活性水平、磷酸化PI3K和磷酸化Akt蛋白水平明显降低(P0.05);而有氧耐力训练组大鼠上述指标均显著高于一次性力竭组(P0.05),与对照组比无明显差异。结论:有氧耐力训练对大鼠骨骼肌线粒体具有保护作用,其机制可能与活化PI3K-Akt信号通路有关。     

雷帕霉素对高糖诱导的足细胞增殖、迁移及上皮–间质转化的作用机制研究

为探讨雷帕霉素对D-葡萄糖诱导的人肾小球足细胞增殖、迁移和上皮–间质转化(EMT)的影响及磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶/丝氨酸–苏氨酸激酶(PI3K/AKT)信号通路的调控作用,该研究体外培养人肾小球足细胞HGPC细胞系,并将其分为对照组(5 mmol/L的D-葡萄糖)、高糖组(30 mmol/L的D-葡萄糖)、低/中/高浓度组(在30 mmol/L的D-葡萄糖的基础上加入2.5、5.0、10.0μmol/L雷帕霉素),用酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)、细胞计数试剂盒8(CCK-8)测定炎症因子白细胞介素-8(IL-8)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的表达水平及细胞活力,筛选出最适雷帕霉素后,又将细胞分为对照组、高糖组、雷帕霉素组、LY294002组(30 mmol/L的D-葡萄糖+10μmol/L PI3K/AKT通路抑制剂LY294002)、雷帕霉素+LY294002组(30 mmol/L的D-葡萄糖+10.0μmol/L雷帕霉素+10μmol/L PI3K/AKT通路抑制剂LY294002)和雷帕霉素+SC79组(30 mmol/L的D-葡萄糖+10.0μmol/L雷帕霉素+10μmo...     

免疫调节剂对戊四氮致痫大鼠脑内NMDAR1和NF-κB p65表达的影响

目的探讨免疫调节在癫痫发病机制中的作用。方法采用戊四氮(PTZ)致痫,并分别以免疫增强剂左旋咪唑(LMZ)或抑制剂地塞米松(DXM)进行干预。将实验大鼠随机分为4组:即生理盐水对照组(NS组)、戊四氮组(PTZ组)、左旋咪唑 戊四氮组(LMS PTZ组)、地塞米松 戊四氮组(DXM PTZ组)。各组大鼠给予相应试剂处理后,观察行为学表现并用免疫组织化学方法检测大鼠大脑皮质及海马NMDAR1和NF-κB表达情况。结果动物行为学观察,NS组无癫痫发作,PTZ组发作程度为Ⅲ-Ⅵ级,LMS PTZ组为Ⅴ级,DXM PTZ组为Ⅰ-Ⅱ级。NMDAR1和NF-κB免疫组织化学染色显示,在大鼠大脑皮质及海马,NMDAR1和NF-κB在4组均有表达,且二项指标变化趋势一致,其中PTZ组较NS组表达增强,LMS PTZ组进一步增强,DXM PTZ组较PTZ组和LMS PTZ组明显减弱,其差异均具有显著性意义。结论免疫增强剂或抑制剂可分别上调或下调NMDAR1的表达和NF-κB的活化而干预癫痫的发生、发展过程。     

PI3K通路抑制剂LY294002对人脑胶质瘤细胞株U87细胞衰老和凋亡的影响

目的:PI3K/Akt信号通路是与胶质瘤发生发展密切相关的核心通路之一,LY294002是该通路的特异性抑制剂。本研究通过探讨PI3K通路抑制剂LY294002对U87胶质瘤细胞系细胞衰老及凋亡的影响,从而为胶质瘤患者治疗的新策略奠定理论基础。方法:将体外培养的人脑胶质瘤U87细胞株分为DMSO处理的对照组和LY294002(100μM)处理的实验组,采用β-半乳糖苷酶染色和流式细胞术的方法,分别检测并比较两组肿瘤细胞衰老和凋亡的情况。结果:LY294002处理组U87胶质瘤细胞的衰老指数(32.20±4.46%)显著高于DMSO对照组(3.40±1.61%,t=6.254,P0.001)。另外,与DMSO对照组相比,凋亡蛋白caspase-3mRNA的表达在LY294002处理组胶质瘤细胞中显著上调(t=8.923,P0.05)。LY294002处理组肿瘤细胞的凋亡指数(80.10±4.832%)明显高于DMSO对照组(4.260±1.073%,t=8.923,P0.05)。结论:LY294002既能够诱导肿瘤细胞衰老,又能够诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡,然而其诱导胶质瘤细胞凋亡的能力占据主导地位,为其发挥抗胶质瘤效应的主要途径。另外,在LY294002的持续作用下,部分衰老的肿瘤细胞或许会发生凋亡。这些结论为为临床增强胶质瘤患者的联合化疗奠定了理论基础。     

磷脂酰肌醇 -3 激酶不直接调控PC12 细胞的分泌

磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶(PI3K)是磷脂酰肌醇代谢过程中一种重要的酶,通过其代谢产物参与了对多种细胞生理活动的调节,如囊泡运输、细胞骨架重组、细胞存活、吞噬作用、细胞凋亡等.为研究其对细胞分泌功能的作用,使用磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶家族的特异性抑制剂渥曼青霉素(wortmannin)阻断磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶的活性,以EGFP-2xFYVE融合蛋白与磷脂酰肌醇-3-磷酸(PtdIns-3-P)的结合为指征,使用荧光显微成像技术检测渥曼青霉素对磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶的抑制作用,采用膜片钳膜电容测量方法及光解钙离子释放技术检测渥曼青霉素对PC12细胞分泌功能的影响.实验结果表明,wortmannin阻断了磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶的活性,抑制了磷脂酰肌醇-3-磷酸(PtdIns-3-P)的产生,并使FYVE与PtdIns-3-P解离,但渥曼青霉素处理之前和处理30 min后的PC12细胞分泌反应的幅度、动力学特性和分泌的钙依赖性均无显著差异,表明磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶对PC12细胞的分泌无显著的直接影响.     

胰岛素样生长因子1（IGF-I）通过PI-3K/Akt途径对结肠癌细胞凋亡的影响

目的：探讨胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-I）通过磷酯酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B（PI-3K/Akt）信号通路对结肠癌细胞株SW480凋亡率的影响及其凋亡抑制蛋白survivin表达水平的变化。方法：培养结肠癌SW480细胞株,实验分成三组：未加IGF-I空白组、IGF-I刺激组、IGF-I＋LY294002阻断组,检测阻断剂LY294002是否阻断PI-3K/Akt通路（Western Blot检测三组P-Akt表达情况）;Western Blot及免疫荧光观察三组survivin蛋白表达变化;MTT法检测细胞增殖活性,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况。结果：Western blot结果显示LY294002可抑制IGF-I诱导的p-Akt的表达（P〈0.05）;阻断IGF-I诱导的PI-3K/Akt通路后MTT显示结肠癌细胞SW480增殖抑制率升高（P〈0.05）,流式细胞术分析显示凋亡率明显上升（P〈0.05）;Western blot及免疫荧光结果显示LY294002可抑制IGF-I诱导的survivin的表达（P〈0.05）。结论：IGF-I可通过PI-3K/Akt通路诱导survivin表达,从而抑制结肠癌细胞SW480的凋亡。     

脂联素后处理对大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的影响及ADP/PI3K/Akt信号通路的作用

目的：探讨脂联素（ADP）后处理对大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤（MIRI）的影响以及脂联素/磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶/蛋白激酶B （ADP/PI3K/Akt）通路的作用。方法：SD大鼠麻醉后气管插管连接呼吸机,开胸暴露心肌,在左心耳和肺动脉圆锥之间用带线圆针对冠脉左前降支（LAD）穿线,LAD结扎断流30 min后松线再灌注120 min,建立大鼠MIRI模型。大鼠随机分为以下5组（n=12）：①假手术组（Sham组）：LAD仅穿线不结扎;② MIRI组;③ADP后处理组（ADP组）：LAD断流10 min时静注ADP继续断流20 min,然后再灌注120 min;④ADP+LY294002组：LAD断流10 min时静注ADP和LY294002,其余同ADP组;⑤LY294002组：LAD断流10 min时静注LY294002,其余同ADP组。各组取血检测LDH和cTnI含量,取左心室心肌测定PI3k、Akt、p-Akt、ADPmRNA、ADPR1mRNA和PI3KmRNA表达。结果：与Sham组比较,MIRI组血浆LDH和cTnI均明显升高（P<0.05）;和MIRI组相比,ADP组心肌损伤指标明显下降（P<0.05）,而应用LY294002的两组心肌损伤比ADP组加重（P<0.05）。ADP组心肌PI3K、p-Akt、ADPmRNA、ADPR1mRNA和PI3kmRNA表达比MIRI组升高（P<0.05）,应用LY294002两组上述5个指标比MIRI组降低（P<0.05）。结论：ADP后处理对大鼠MIRI有保护作用,ADP/PI3K/Akt通路参与了以上作用。     

胰高血糖素样肽-1抑制高糖诱导的新生大鼠心室肌细胞氧化应激效应

本文旨在观察胰高血糖素样肽-1(glucagon like peptide-1,GLP-1)对高糖所致新生大鼠心室肌细胞氧化应激的影响,并探讨PI3K-Akt通路在其中所起的作用。将酶消化法分离的经α-肌动蛋白免疫荧光法鉴定的原代培养72~96h的新生大鼠心室肌细胞分为5组:正常对照组、高糖组、高糖+GLP-1组、高糖+GLP-1+LY294002(PI3K-Akt通路的抑制剂)组、高渗对照组。采用硫代巴比妥酸显色法测定细胞上清液中丙二醛(malonaldehyde,MDA)含量,用黄嘌呤氧化酶法测定细胞上清液中超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)的活性,运用PCR凝胶电泳检测NADPH P47phox亚基mRNA的变化,运用荧光显微镜及流式细胞术检测心室肌细胞内的ROS含量,运用流式细胞术及DNAladder法检测心室肌细胞的凋亡,Western blot检测各组心肌细胞Akt磷酸化水平。结果显示:(1)与正常对照组相比,高糖组细胞生长状态较差,搏动频率减慢甚至消失,细胞凋亡率显著增加,DNA ladder呈现凋亡独有的梯状图谱,胞浆MDA水平增高,上清液中SOD活性下降,心肌...     

小剂量多虑平对大鼠应激性胃黏膜损伤的治疗作用

目的:探讨小剂量多虑平(Doxepin)对大鼠应激性胃黏膜损伤(stress gastric mucosal damage,SGMD)的治疗作用,并就其可能机制初步研究.方法:采用浸水加束缚的方法制备大鼠应激性胃黏膜损伤模型.健康雄性SD大鼠50只,随机分为5组:假手术组(Sham组)、应激性胃黏膜损伤组(SGMD组)...     

PI3K/Akt信号通路在白藜芦醇抗大鼠缺血/再灌注性心律失常中的作用及机制

目的：探讨磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶/蛋白激酶B（PI3K/Akt）信号通路在白藜芦醇抗缺血/再灌注性心律失常中的作用及机制。方法：48只健康雄性SD大鼠,取心电图正常者随机分为4组（n=10）：假手术（SC组）组、缺血/再灌注（I/R组）组、白藜芦醇处理（Res处理组）组、PI3K抑制剂LY294002（LY294002组）组。建立大鼠在体心肌缺血/再灌注模型,观察各组心律失常的发生情况及左室血流动力学变化,Western blot法测定心肌组织中蛋白激酶B（Akt）、磷酸化蛋白激酶B（p-Akt）、缝隙连接蛋白43（Cx43）蛋白表达水平,以RT-PCR法从转录水平检测Cx43的表达水平。结果：与I/R组相比,Res处理组心律失常的发生率（心律失常评分）明显降低、左室舒缩功能明显升高,同时心肌Akt、Cx43蛋白表达及Cx43mRNA水平也明显升高;使用PI3K抑制剂LY294002后,心肌Akt、Cx43蛋白表达及Cx43mRNA水平下降的同时心律失常的发生率明显升高、左室舒缩功能明显降低。结论：白藜芦醇的抗再灌注性心律失常作用可能是通过激活PI3K/Akt信号通路,改变Cx43活性及分布实现的。     

TGF-beta1 通过PI3K及ERK信号通路调节肺动脉高压过程中IGFBPs蛋白表达

目的：探讨大鼠肺动脉高压(PAH)过程中TGF-beta1对胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白（IGFBP）表达调节是否依赖于PI3K及ERK 信号通路。方法：取健康成年SD 大鼠26 只,随机分成2 组：PAH组,腹腔注射1%的野百合碱,剂量为60 mg/kg;对照(C)组腹腔 注射生理盐水。于4 周后超声检测肺动脉平均压力,取肺组织做HE 染色,应用NIS-Element 系统测量中膜厚度。原代培养肺动脉 平滑肌（PASMC）细胞,分别加入TGF-beta1 及TGF-beta1 中和抗体后,Western-blot 检测IGFBP3,IGFBP5,Smad2/Smad3 表达。加入 ERK特异性抑制剂PD98059 或PI3K 抑制剂LY294002,检测IGFBP3,IGFBP5 表达。结果：野百合碱处理4 周后,肺动脉高压组 的平均肺动脉压力及右室/(左室+室间隔)比值显著高于对照组。TGF-茁1 可显著升高IGFBP3,IGFBP5 及p-Smad3 的表达（P<0. 05）,而抑制TGF-beta1 则可显著降低三种蛋白的表达（P<0.05）。加入LY294002 抑制PI3K ERK 后,IGFBP3 和p-Smad2 两种蛋白的 表达量显著下调（P<0.05）。加入PD98059 抑制ERK 后可显著降低IGFBP3 及IGFBP5 的表达水平（P<0.05）。结论：PAH 中 TGF-茁1 升高可通过活化Smad2/Smad3 上调IGFBP3和IGFBP5 的表达。TGF-beta1 促进IGFBP3,IGFBP5表达的作用依赖于PI3K 及ERK 信号通路。     

Augmentation of lipolysis in adipocytes from fed rats, but not from starved rats, by inhibition of rolipram-sensitive phosphodiesterase 4

The sensitivity of adipocytes to lipolytic agents is increased after starvation. In this study, we found that LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), in the concentration of more than 50 microM potentiates lipolysis induced by adenosine deaminase in adipocytes from fed rats (f-adipocytes), but not from starved rats (s-adipocytes). It also enhanced the sensitivity to lipolytic action of isoproterenol in f-adipocytes much more than s-adipocytes. The target of LY294002 may be an anti-lipolytic regulator expressed in response to food intake. Since another PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin, or a phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) inhibitor, cilostamide, failed to cause any specific effect to f-adipocytes, the PI3K-PDE3B pathway cannot be a target of LY294002. We found that LY294002 inhibits efficiently the cytoplasmic PDE activity of adipocytes. Rolipram, a specific inhibitor of PDE4, also inhibited the cytoplasmic PDE and caused a preferential increase of lipolysis in f-adipocytes. LY294002 blunted the actions of rolipram on lipolysis and the PDE activity. LY294002 accelerated protein kinase A activation. These data suggest that the rolipram-sensitive PDE4 is an anti-lipolytic enzyme expressed according to food intake. LY294002 may potentiate lipolysis through inhibition of the PDE4.     

Effect of Ibuprofen on Autophagy of Astrocytes During Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Epilepsy and its Significance: An Experimental Study

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease. Astrogliosis is an important pathological change in epileptic lesions. Studies have reported that ibuprofen can affect autophagy and/or inhibit cell proliferation in many diseases. This study investigated the effect and significance of ibuprofen on autophagy of astrocytes during pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced epilepsy. 60 male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group (received normal saline), PTZ group, 3-methyladenine (3-MA)?+?PTZ group, ibuprofen?+?PTZ group and 3-MA?+?ibuprofen?+?PTZ group. Dose of each agent was 35 mg/kg (PTZ), 10 mg/kg (3-MA) and 30 mg/kg (ibuprofen) and all drugs were administered intraperitoneally 15 times on alternate days (29 days). Human astrocytes were cultured in vitro. Behavioral performance (i.e., latency, grade and duration of seizures) and EEG of rats were observed and recorded. Proliferation of astrocytes was detected by CCK-8 method. Immunofluorescence and Western blot test were used to detect the expression of LC3 and GFAP. Mean number, grade and duration of seizures were markedly reduced in ibuprofen?+?PTZ group and 3-MA?+?ibuprofen?+?PTZ group (P?<?0.05). Similarly, peak of EEG waves were markedly reduced in ibuprofen?+?PTZ group and 3-MA?+?ibuprofen?+?PTZ group (P?<?0.05). Compared to the control group, the level of LC3 in ibuprofen group was significantly increased in vitro (P?<?0.05). While, levels of LC3 were significantly higher and that of GFAP were significantly lower in ibuprofen?+?PTZ group (P?<?0.05) compared to PTZ group in vivo. Ibuprofen reduces the proliferation of astrocytes by increasing autophagy, thus affecting the development of epilepsy. Therefore, ibuprofen may be used as an adjuvant to improve efficacy of treatment in epilepsy.

     

Effects of Nigella sativa on apoptosis and GABAA receptor density in cerebral cortical and hippocampal neurons in pentylenetetrazol induced kindling in rats

We investigated the effects of Nigella sativa on apoptosis and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA_A) receptor density in cerebral cortical and hippocampal neurons in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced kindling model in rats. The PTZ kindling model was produced by injecting PTZ in subconvulsive doses to rats on days 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22 and 24 of the study into animals of PTZ treated (PTZ) and PTZ + N. sativa treated (PTZ + NS) groups. Clonic and tonic seizures were induced by injecting a convulsive dose of PTZ on day 26 of the study. Rats in the PTZ + NS group were treated also with a 10 mg/kg methanolic extract of N. sativa 2 h before each PTZ injection. Rats in the control group were treated with 4 ml/kg saline. The number of neurons that expressed GABA_A receptors in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats in the PTZ and PTZ + NS groups increased significantly. There was no significant difference in the number of GABA_A receptors between the PTZ and PTZ + NS groups. GABA_A receptor density of the neurons in the cerebral cortex, but not hippocampus, was increased in PTZ group compared to controls. We observed a significant increase in the number of apoptotic neurons in the cerebral cortex of rats of both the PTZ and PTZ + NS groups compared to controls. We observed a significant decrease in the number of the apoptotic neurons in the cerebral cortex of rats in the PTZ + NS group compared to the PTZ group. N. sativa treatment ameliorated the PTZ induced neurodegeneration in the cerebral cortex as reflected by neuronal apoptosis and neuronal GABA_A receptor frequency.     

Ghrelin stimulates angiogenesis via GHSR1a-dependent MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signal pathways in rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), is thought to exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, specifically by promoting vascular endothelial cell function such as cell proliferation, migration, survival and angiogenesis. However, the effect of ghrelin on angiogenesis and the corresponding mechanisms have not yet been extensively studied in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) isolated from left ventricular myocardium of adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. In our study, we found that ghrelin and GHSR are constitutively expressed in CMECs. Ghrelin significantly increases CMECs proliferation, migration, and in vitro angiogenesis. The ghrelin-induced angiogenic process was accompanied by phosphorylation of ERK and Akt. MEK inhibitor PD98059 abolished ghrelin-induced phosphorylation of ERK, but had no effect on Akt phosphorylation. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 abolished ghrelin-induced phosphorylation of Akt, but had no effect on ERK phosphorylation. Ghrelin-induced angiogenesis was partially blocked by treatment with PD98059 or LY294002. In addition, this angiogenic effect was almost completely inhibited by PD98059+LY294002. Pretreatment with GHSR1a blocker [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 abolished ghrelin-induced phosphorylation of ERK, Akt and in vitro angiogenesis. In conclusion, this is the first demonstration that ghrelin stimulates CMECs angiogenesis through GHSR1a-mediated MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signal pathways, indicating that two pathways are required for full angiogenic activity of ghrelin. This study suggests that ghrelin may play an important role in myocardial angiogenesis.     

Overexpression of microRNA‐138 alleviates human coronary artery endothelial cell injury and inflammatory response by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway

This study aimed to investigate the role of miR‐138 in human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) injury and inflammatory response and the involvement of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signalling pathway. Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (OX‐LDL)‐induced HCAEC injury models were established and assigned to blank, miR‐138 mimic, miR‐138 inhibitor, LY294002 (an inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway), miR‐138 inhibitor + LY294002 and negative control (NC) groups. qRT‐PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the miR‐138, PI3K, Akt and eNOS levels and the protein expressions of PI3K, Akt, eNOS, p‐Akt, p‐eNOS, Bcl‐2, Bax and caspase‐3. ELISAs were employed to measure the expressions of TNF‐α, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10 and nitric oxide (NO) and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and eNOS. MTT and flow cytometry were performed to assess the proliferation and apoptosis of HCAECs. Compared to the blank group, PI3K, Akt and eNOS were down‐regulated in the miR‐138 mimic and LY294002 groups but were up‐regulated in the miR‐138 inhibitor group. The miR‐138 mimic and LY294002 groups showed decreased concentrations of TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8 and NO and reduced activities of LDH and eNOS, while opposite trends were observed in the miR‐138 inhibitor group. The concentrations of IL‐4 and IL‐10 increased in the miR‐138 mimic and LY294002 groups but decreased in the miR‐138 inhibitor group. The miR‐138 mimic and LY294002 groups had significantly decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis compared to the blank group. These findings indicate that up‐regulation of miR‐138 alleviates HCAEC injury and inflammatory response by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signalling pathway.