β-Glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae alleviates oxidative stress in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells via Dectin-1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway

β-Glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been described to be effective antioxidants, but the specific antioxidation mechanism of β-glucan is unclear. The objectives of this research were to determine whether the β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae could regulate oxidative stress through the Dectin-1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In this study, we examined the effects of β-glucan on the enzyme activity or production of oxidative stress indicators in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by biochemical analysis and the protein expression of key factors of Dectin-1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway by immunofluorescence and western blot. The biochemical analysis results showed that β-glucan increased the LPS-induced downregulation of enzyme activity of intracellular heme oxygenase (HO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) while decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, immunofluorescence results showed that β-glucan can activate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The antioxidant mechanism study indicated that β-glucan activated dendritic-cell-associated C-type lectin 1 (Dectin-1) receptors mediated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, thereby downregulating the production of ROS and thus produced the antioxidant effects in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In conclusion, these results indicate that β-glucan potently alleviated oxidative stress via Dectin-1/Nrf2/HO-1 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.     

Ferulic acid exerts a protective effect against cyclosporine-induced liver injury in rats via activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling,suppression of oxidative stress,inflammatory response,and halting the apoptotic cell death

Drug-induced liver injury is one of the main challenges that leads to the withdrawal of several drugs in the clinical setting. Cyclosporine is one of the drugs that its long-term administration exerts devastating effects on the hepatocytes. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of ferulic acid, a natural compound found in plants, on cyclosporine-mediated hepatotoxicity. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were treated with cyclosporine and/or ferulic acid to evaluate the function as well as the morphology of liver cells. We found that ferulic acid dose-dependently recovered the functional as well as histopathological parameters of liver cells, as revealed by the improvement of hepatocellular vacuolation, portal fibroplasia, and necrosis. Moreover, this phenolic compound was able to restore the balance of the redox system in cyclosporine-treated rats by activating the nuclear factor (NF) erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling axis. Of note, the protective effects of ferulic acid against cyclosporine-mediated liver toxicity were not restricted only to induction of the potential antioxidant property, as in the presence of this agent, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as NF-κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin-1β was also diminished. Ferulic acid also shifted the equilibrium between the expression levels of proapoptotic to antiapoptotic proteins and thereby prevented the development of cyclosporine-induced liver injury. Overall, these findings highlighted that ferulic acid can reduce cyclosporine-induced liver injury due to its antioxidant properties.     

Dynorphin activation of kappa opioid receptor protects against epilepsy and seizure-induced brain injury via PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Dynorphins act as endogenous anticonvulsants via activation of kappa opioid receptor (KOR). However, the mechanism underlying the anticonvulsant role remains elusive. This study aims to investigate whether the potential protection of KOR activation by dynorphin against epilepsy was associated with the regulation of PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Here, a pilocarpine-induced rat model of epilepsy and Mg²⁺-free-induced epileptiform hippocampal neurons were established. Decreased prodynorphin (PDYN) expression, suppressed PI3K/Akt pathway, and activated Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were observed in rat epileptiform hippocampal tissues and in vitro neurons. Furthermore, dynorphin activation of KOR alleviated in vitro seizure-like neuron injury via activation of PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Further in vivo investigation revealed that PDYN overexpression by intra-hippocampus injection of PDYN-overexpressing lentiviruses decreased hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, in pilocarpine-induced epileptic rats. The protection of PDYN in vivo was associated with the activation of PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In conclusion, dynorphin activation of KOR protects against epilepsy and seizure-induced brain injury, which is associated with activation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.     

Histone deacetylase 6 interference protects mice against experimental stroke-induced brain injury via activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Cerebral stroke is a fatal disease with increasing incidence. The study was to investigate the role and mechanism of Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) on experimental stroke-induced brain injury. The recombinant shRNA-HDAC6 or scramble shRNA lentivirus was transfected to ICR mice. Then, the ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/RI) mice were constructed using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. Brain TTC staining was used to determine infarct areas. Serum levels of oxidative stress-related factors were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA). Realtime-qPCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot were used to respectively detect mRNA and protein levels. HDAC6 was up-regulated in brain I/RI mice (MCAO group), and down-regulated again in MCAO mice transfected with shRNA-HDAC6 (MCAO?+?shRNA group). The infarct area of the MCAO mice was increased, neurological scores were higher, and serum protein levels of 3-NT, 4-HNE and 8-OHdG were higher. HDAC6 interference attenuated above effects. Though protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 in cytoplasm increased slightly in MCAO group, they increased significantly by HDAC6 interference. The protein levels of Nrf2 in cytoblast decreased significantly in MCAO group, and increased markedly by HDAC6 interference. HDAC6 interference protected mice against experimental stroke-induced brain injury via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.     

Neferine protected cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/oxygenation injury through SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

Acute myocardial infarction is regarded as myocardial necrosis resulting from myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damage and retains a major cause of mortality. Neferine, which was extracted from the green embryos of mature seeds of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., has been reported to possess a broad range of biological activities. However, its underlying mechanism on the protective effect of I/R has not been fully clarified. A hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model with H9c2 cells closely simulating myocardial I/R injury was used as a cellular model. This study intended to research the effects and mechanism underlying neferine on H9c2 cells in response to H/R stimulation. Cell Counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays were employed to measure cell viability and LDH, respectively. Apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by flow cytometry analysis. Oxidative stress was evaluated by detecting malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Mitochondrial function was assessed by mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP content, and mitochondrial ROS. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the expression of related proteins. The results showed that hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cell damage, all of which were distinctly reversed by neferine. Moreover, we observed that neferine inhibited oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by H/R in H9c2 that were concomitant with increased sirtuin-1 (SITR1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 expression. On the contrary, silencing the SIRT1 gene with its small interferingRNA eliminated the beneficial effects of neferine. It is concluded that neferine preconditioning attenuated H/R-induced cardiac damage via suppressing apoptosis, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which may be partially ascribed to the activation of SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.     

LL202 ameliorates colitis against oxidative stress of macrophage by activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

LL202, a newly synthesized flavonoid derivative, has been confirmed to inhibit the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and activation protein-1 activation in monocytes; however, the anti-inflammatory mechanism has not been clearly studied. Uncontrolled overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has involved in oxidative damage of inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we investigated that LL202 reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ROS production and malondialdehyde levels and increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity in RAW264.7 cells. Mechanically, LL202 could upregulate heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) via promoting nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to regulate LPS-induced oxidative stress in macrophages. In vivo, we validated the role of LL202 in dextran sulfate sodium- and TNBS-induced colitis models, respectively. The results showed that LL202 decreased the proinflammatory cytokine expression and regulated colonic oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In conclusion, our study showed that LL202 exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by enhancing the antioxidant capacity of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to macrophages.     

Bisphenol S induces oxidative stress-mediated impairment of testosterone synthesis by inhibiting the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway

Bisphenol S (BPS) is an environmental endocrine disruptor widely used in industrial production. BPS induces oxidative stress and exhibits male reproductive toxicity in mice, but the mechanisms by which BPS impairs steroid hormone synthesis are not fully understood. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/HO-1 signaling is a key pathway in improving cellular antioxidant defense capacities. Therefore, this study explored the effects of exposure to BPS on testosterone synthesis in adult male mice and its mechanisms with regard to the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were orally exposed to BPS (2, 20, and 200 mg/kg BW) with sesame oil as a vehicle (0.1 ml/10 g BW) per day for 28 consecutive days. The results showed that compared with the control group, serum testosterone levels were substantially reduced in the 20 and 200 mg/kg BPS treatment groups, and testicular testosterone levels were reduced in all BPS treatment groups. These changes were accompanied by a prominent decrease in the expression levels of testosterone synthesis-related enzymes (STAR, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, HSD3B1, and HSD17B3) in the mouse testis. In addition, BPS induced oxidative stress in the testis by upregulating the messenger RNA and protein levels of Keap1 and downregulating the levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and downstream antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD1, and Gpx4). In summary, our results indicate that exposure of adult male mice to BPS can inhibit Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and antioxidant enzyme activity, which induces oxidative stress and thereby may impair testosterone synthesis in testicular tissues, leading to reproductive damage.     

Salvianolic acid B inhibits myofibroblast transdifferentiation in experimental pulmonary fibrosis via the up-regulation of Nrf2

Salvianolic acid B (SalB) is one of the most bioactive components extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza, and its antioxidant capacity corresponds with its protective effects against cell injury from oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of SalB on experimental pulmonary fibrosis and its ability to ameliorate the oxidative/antioxidative imbalance during fibrosis pathogenesis. The anti-fibrotic activity of SalB was first confirmed in Transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)-stimulated MRC-5 cells. The protection of SalB against oxidative stress during fibrogenesis in vitro was verified by detecting ROS production, the levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The Western blot and PCR results indicated that SalB could up-regulate nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) at both the protein and mRNA levels and induce Nrf2 nuclear translocation in vitro, which may be the mechanism underlying the anti-fibrotic capacity of SalB. Furthermore, the anti-fibrotic and antioxidant capacities of SalB in vivo were confirmed in rats with BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The immunohistochemistry results showed that Nrf2 was absent in fibroblastic foci (FF) areas, while the SalB treatment could increase the expression of Nrf2 in lung tissues, especially in FF areas.     

Resveratrol improves oxidative stress and prevents the progression of periodontitis via the activation of the Sirt1/AMPK and the Nrf2/antioxidant defense pathways in a rat periodontitis model

Oxidative stress is a key factor regulating the systemic pathophysiological effects associated with periodontitis. Resveratrol is a phytochemical with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. We hypothesized that resveratrol may prevent the progression of periodontitis and reduce systemic oxidative stress through the activation of the sirtuin 1 (Sirt1)/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant defense pathways. Three groups of male Wistar rats (periodontitis treated with melinjo resveratrol, periodontitis without resveratrol, and control rats with no periodontitis or resveratrol treatment) were examined. A ligature was placed around the maxillary molars for 3 weeks to induce periodontitis, and the rats were then given drinking water with or without melinjo resveratrol. In rats with periodontitis, ligature placement induced alveolar bone resorption, quantified using three-dimensional images taken by micro-CT, and increased proinflammatory cytokine levels in gingival tissue. Melinjo resveratrol intake relieved alveolar bone resorption and activated the Sirt1/AMPK and the Nrf2/antioxidant defense pathways in inflamed gingival tissues. Further, melinjo resveratrol improved the systemic levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, dityrosine, nitric oxide metabolism, nitrotyrosine, and proinflammatory cytokines. We conclude that oral administration of melinjo resveratrol may prevent the progression of ligature-induced periodontitis and improve systemic oxidative and nitrosative stress.     

The role of Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway in regulating aluminum-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells

BackgroundAluminum has definite neurotoxicity and can lead to apoptosis of nerve cells, but the specific mechanism remains to be further explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in neural cell apoptosis induced by aluminum exposure.MethodsIn this study, PC12 cells were used as the research object, aluminum maltol [Al(mal)₃] was used as the exposure agent, and tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), an agonist of Nrf2, was used as the intervention agent to construct an in vitro cell model. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method, cell morphology was observed by light microscope, cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry, and expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway proteins were investigated by western blotting.ResultsWith the increase of Al(mal)₃ concentration, PC12 cell viability decreased, the early apoptosis rate and total apoptosis rate increased, the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression decreased, and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway protein expression decreased. The use of TBHQ could activate the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and reverse the apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by aluminum exposure.ConclusionNrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway plays a neuroprotective role in the apoptosis of PC12 cells caused by Al(mal)₃, which provides a possible target for the intervention of aluminum induced neurotoxicity.     

Skin resistance to oxidative stress induced by resveratrol: From Nrf2 activation to GSH biosynthesis

Skin is particularly exposed to oxidative stress, either from environmental insults such as sunlight or pollution or as a consequence of specific impairments in antioxidant status resulting from pathologies or aging. Traditionally, antioxidant products are exogenously provided to neutralize pro-oxidant species. However, another approach based on stimulation of endogenous antioxidant defense pathways is more original. Resveratrol (RSV) was reported to display such a behavior in various tissues, but data about the mechanisms of action in skin are scarce. We show here that, in primary culture of normal human keratinocytes (NHKs) or in full-thickness reconstructed human skin, RSV activated the Nrf2 pathway at nontoxic doses, from 20 µM up to 100 µM. Among the Nrf2 downstream genes, glutamylcysteinyl ligase and glutathione peroxidase-2 were induced at the mRNA and protein levels. In parallel, a significant increase in glutathione content, assessed by LC/MS analysis, was observed in both models. Nrf2 gene silencing experiments performed in NHKs confirmed that Nrf2 was involved in RSV-induced modulation of cellular antioxidant status, in part by increasing cellular glutathione content. Finally, improvement of endogenous defenses induced in RSV-pretreated reconstructed skin ensured protection against the toxic oxidative effects of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP). In fact after RSV pretreatment, in response to CHP stress, glutathione content did not decrease as in unprotected samples. Cellular alterations at the dermal–epidermal junction were clearly prevented. Together, these complementary experiments demonstrated the beneficial effects of RSV on skin, beyond its direct antioxidant properties, by upregulation of a cutaneous endogenous antioxidant pathway.     

紫檀芪调节Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1信号通路对非酒精性脂肪肝大鼠氧化应激和细胞凋亡的影响

摘要 目的：研究紫檀芪调节Kelch样ECH关联蛋白1（Keap-1）/核因子E2相关因子2（Nrf2）/血红素加氧酶-1（HO-1）信号通路对非酒精性脂肪肝（NAFLD）大鼠氧化应激和细胞凋亡的影响。方法：将60只SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、紫檀芪低剂量组（30 mg/kg）、紫檀芪高剂量组（60 mg/kg）、紫檀芪（60 mg/kg）+N-（4-（2,3-二氢-1-（2''-甲基苯甲酰）-1H-吲哚-5-基）-5-甲基-2-噻唑基）-1,3-苯并二氧唑-5-乙酰胺（ML385）（30 mg/kg）组,每组12只。模型组与药物干预组大鼠以高脂饲料饲养诱导NAFLD模型,对照组大鼠以普通饲料饲养,各组连续喂养12周。以紫檀芪和ML385分组处理14 d后（对照组以等剂量生理盐水处理）,检测各组大鼠脂代谢指标[三酰甘油（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）及游离脂肪酸（FFA）水平]、肝指数、肝功能指标[谷丙转氨酶（ALT）及谷草转氨酶（AST）]水平、血清白细胞介素（IL）-17、IL-6、IL-10、氧化应激指标[丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）及过氧化氢酶（CAT）]水平;原位末端标记法（TUNEL）染色检测各组大鼠肝细胞凋亡率;蛋白免疫印迹法检测各组大鼠肝组织凋亡相关蛋白及Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1通路相关蛋白表达。结果：与对照组相比,模型组大鼠血清IL-10、SOD及CAT水平、肝组织Nrf2、HO-1、Bcl-2表达水平显著降低（P＜0.05）,TG、TC及FFA水平、肝指数、ALT及AST水平、血清IL-17、IL-6、MDA水平、肝细胞凋亡率、肝组织Keap-1及Bax表达水平显著升高（P＜0.05）。与模型组相比,紫檀芪低、高剂量组大鼠血清IL-10、SOD及CAT水平、肝组织Nrf2、HO-1、Bcl-2表达水平均升高（P＜0.05）,TG、TC及FFA水平、肝指数、ALT及AST水平、血清IL-17、IL-6、MDA水平、肝细胞凋亡率、肝组织Keap-1、Bax表达水平均降低（P＜0.05）;与紫檀芪低剂量组相比,紫檀芪高剂量组大鼠血清IL-10、SOD及CAT水平、肝组织Nrf2、HO-1、Bcl-2表达水平升高（P＜0.05）,TG、TC及FFA水平、肝指数、ALT及AST水平、血清IL-17、IL-6、MDA水平、肝细胞凋亡率、肝组织Keap-1及Bax表达水平降低（P＜0.05）;与紫檀芪高剂量组相比,紫檀芪+ML385组大鼠血清IL-10、SOD及CAT水平、肝组织Nrf2、HO-1、Bcl-2表达水平降低（P＜0.05）,TG、TC及FFA水平、肝指数、ALT及AST水平、血清IL-17、IL-6、MDA水平、肝细胞凋亡率、肝组织Bax表达水平升高（P＜0.05）。结论：紫檀芪可能通过激活Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1信号通路,改善NAFLD大鼠脂代谢水平,调节炎症反应及氧化应激,减轻肝组织脂肪变性及细胞凋亡。     

连翘酯苷A通过Akt/Nrf2信号通路发挥抗脑缺血氧化损伤作用研究

目的:研究连翘酯苷A(Forsythiaside A,FA)对缺血再灌注引起的脑细胞损伤的保护作用及机制.方法:采用PC12细胞缺氧再复氧模型(OGD/R),细胞分组为正常组,模型组,FA处理组(1.25,2.5和5μmol/L),测定细胞存活率、凋亡率、ROS、MDA以及抗氧化酶水平.采用Western blotti...     

Thymoquinone protects human retinal pigment epithelial cells against hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress and apoptosis

Oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells may contribute to the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Thymoquinone (TQ), an active component derived from Nigella sativa, possesses antioxidative effect. However, the role of TQ in RPE cells under oxidative stress condition remains unclear. The present study aimed to examine the protective effect of TQ against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in human RPE cells. Our results showed that TQ improved the cell viability and apoptosis in H₂O₂-induced ARPE cells. We also found that the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde induced by H₂O₂ were reduced after the pretreatment of TQ. In addition, the inhibitory effect of H₂O₂ on the glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase activity was markedly attenuated by TQ pretreatment. Moreover, TQ enhanced the activation of Nrf2/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in H₂O₂-induced ARPE cells. Knockdown of Nrf2 abolished the protective effect of TQ on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage. These results suggested that TQ protected ARPE cells from H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis via the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.