运动对胰岛素抵抗大鼠肝脏BIM信号通路的影响

目的:探究运动干预对肥胖诱导的胰岛素抵抗大鼠肝脏BIM-JNK1-IRS1-Akt信号通路的影响。方法:40只雄性SD大鼠随机分4组(n=10):对照组(普通膳食喂养16周);高脂膳食安静组(高脂膳食喂养16周);慢性运动组(高脂膳食喂养16周且后8周进行慢性运动干预,5%体重负重的游泳运动,1 h/d,5天/周)和急性运动组(高脂膳食喂养16周后进行同样5%体重负重的6 h急性运动干预,分两个3 h进行,中间间隔休息45 min)。干预结束后,所有大鼠称重后进行口服糖耐量和胰岛素释放实验,分别使用罗氏血糖仪和大鼠胰岛素ELISA试剂盒测定血糖含量和血清胰岛素含量,以胰岛素敏感性指数衡量胰岛素抵抗状态。Western blot方法检测肝脏Bcl-2细胞死亡调节因子(BIM),磷酸化c-Jun氨基末端激酶1(p-JNK1),磷酸化胰岛素受体底物1(p-IRS1)和磷酸化蛋白激酶B(p-Akt)蛋白水平。结果:与对照组大鼠相比,高脂膳食安静组大鼠体重和内脏脂肪质量显著增加(P<0.01),胰岛素敏感性指数显著下降((P<0.01);肝脏中BIM蛋白水平显著增加(P<0.0...     

甘肃黄芪对阿霉素引起大鼠病变心肌血管紧张素转换酶2mRNA表达的影响

用RT-PCR法探讨甘肃黄芪对阿霉素(DOX)心肌病大鼠模型心肌组织中血管紧张素转换酶2(ACE2)mR-NA、血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)mRNA的表达的影响;并用光镜及透射电镜观察其心肌病理变化。结果显示,DOX组大鼠心肌组织中ACE2 mRNA和ACE mRNA表达均较正常对照组大鼠增高(ACE2:0.94±0.27 vs 0.48±0.21,P=0.001;ACE:3.73±0.59 vs 1.37±0.66,P=0.006);黄芪 DOX组大鼠心肌组织中ACE2 mRNA和ACE mRNA的表达均比DOX组降低(ACE2:0.64±0.23 vs 0.94±0.27,P=0.007;ACE:2.21±0.71 vs 3.73±0.09,P=0.0012)。说明DOX诱导心肌病变大鼠心肌组织中ACE2 mRNA、ACE mRNA表达水平均显著高于正常大鼠;光镜下显示黄芪 DOX组心肌细胞损害程度较DOX组轻;电镜下可见黄芪 DOX组可见心肌细胞核肿胀、线粒体肿胀,肌质中肌丝溶解、中断,但上述变化较DOX组少见。甘肃黄芪对DOX诱导的心肌损害大鼠具有心脏保护作用。     

硫化氢通过调控SIRT1抑制阿霉素诱导的H9c2细胞损伤

目的探讨硫化氢（H₂S）对阿霉素（DOX）诱导的H9c2细胞损伤的影响及其作用机制。 方法H₂S对DOX心肌毒性保护作用的实验分组为：对照组（Control组）,5?μmol/?L DOX处理组（A组）,5?μmol/L DOX和400?μmol/L NaHS共同处理组（B组）,400?μmol/L NaHS单独处理组（C组）,5?μmol/L DOX、400?μmol/L NaHS和15?μmol/L Sirtinol共同处理组（D组）,15?μmol/L Sirtinol单独处理组（E组）。SIRT1是否参与H₂S抗DOX心肌毒性作用机制的实验分组为：对照组（Control组）,5?μmol/L DOX处理组（F组）,5?μmol/L DOX和400?μmol/L NaHS共同处理组（G组）,5?μmol/L DOX、400?μmol/L NaHS和15?μmol/L Sirtinol共同处理组（H组）,15?μmol/L Sirtinol单独处理组（I组）。使用MTT法检测细胞活力;Elisa法检测细胞MDA以及SOD水平;DCFH-?DA荧光探针法检测ROS水平;采用Western Blot法检测SIRT1蛋白表达。使用单因素方差分析法进行统计学分析。 结果NaHS预处理可抑制DOX导致的H9c2细胞活力下降：Control组,A组、B组、C组细胞活力分别为100﹪、（54.58±1.58）﹪、（85.05±4.31）﹪、（100.22±4.46）﹪ （F = 134.9,P < 0.001）。NaHS预处理可减弱DOX引起的H9c2细胞ROS、MDA水平的增加以及SOD水平的降低：Control组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是100﹪、（34.18±1.56） μmol/g、（53.69±1.44） U/?mg;A组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（174.90±12.65）﹪、（72.65±2.66） μmol/g、（31.80±2.05） U/?mg;B组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（126.08±6.25）﹪、（44.59±1.92） μmol/g、（48.06±1.56） U/mg;C组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（91.86±1.66）﹪、（32.93±1.56）?μmol/?g、（55.93±1.58）?U/?mg （F?= 83.26,P < 0.001;F = 271.4,P < 0.001;F = 127.0,P < 0.001）。F组（6、12、24?h）H9c2细胞SIRT1蛋白表达水平分别是（0.45±0.03）、（0.27±0.02）、（0.25±0.03）,较Control组（1.00±0.00）降低（F = 611.1,P < 0.001）。本研究还发现,NaHS预处理H9c2细胞能阻止DOX引起的SIRT1蛋白表达下调：Control组、F组、G组、H组的SIRT1蛋白表达水平分别是（1.00±0.00）、（0.31±0.03）、（0.60±0.04）、（1.09±0.09）（F = 123.4,P?2S对DOX诱导的H9c2细胞活力降低的抑制作用：Control组,F组、G组、H组、I组细胞活力分别为100﹪、（54.58±1.58）﹪、（85.37±3.62）﹪、（71.11±2.11）﹪、（97.53±1.45）﹪ （F = 238.2,P < 0.001）。Sirtinol预处理可明显逆转H₂S对DOX导致的H9c2细胞ROS和MDA含量增加及SOD水平降低的抑制作用：Control组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是100﹪、（35.84±2.22）μmol/?g、（53.03±3.16） U/mg;F组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（184.6±11.33）﹪、（74.78±5.30）μmol/g、（29.26±0.85）U/mg;G组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（126.5±7.57）﹪、（41.95±3.43）μmol/g、（52.61±2.26）U/mg;H组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（174.7±5.50）﹪、（67.69±1.52） μmol/g、（35.33±1.95） U/mg,I组的ROS、MDA和SOD水平分别是（98.03±2.86）﹪、（37.66±2.49）μmol/g、51.14 U/mg（F = 112.0,P < 0.001;F = 93.73,P < 0.001;F = 84.92,P < 0.001）。 结论H₂S通过调控SIRT1抑制DOX诱导的H9c2细胞损伤。     

Sirtuin:依赖NAD+的去乙酰化酶

组蛋白的乙酰化一去乙酰化修饰在基因表达调控中起重要作用。参与去乙酰化的酶除了经典的Ⅰ类和Ⅱ类组蛋白去乙酰化酶(histone deacetylase,HDAC),还有比较特殊的Ⅲ类HDAC——Sirnlin,其活性依赖于NAD^ 。酵母的Sirtuin——Sir2在交配型基因沉默、端粒区基因沉默、rDNA沉默中起重要作用．还可能参与长寿与衰老的调节。在人类,Sirtuin的底物是组蛋白、各种转录因子如p53、FOXO、NF—KB、乙酰化酶如D300和其他的各种功能蛋白质。根据底物特点推测,人类Sirtuin蛋白的生理功能可能一方面是参与调节细胞在应激条件下的存活与死亡的平衡,另一方面是参与代谢的调节。     

TLR4-Nrf2/HO-1信号通路在小鼠机械通气所致肺损伤的作用研究

目的:机械通气作为一重要措施,拯救呼吸衰竭患者的生命,有致肺血管炎症及渗透增加等病变的可能,即VILI。本研究旨在明确VILI是否受潮气量、Toll样受体4(Toll-like receptor-4,TLR4)基因敲除及核因子-E2相关受体2/血红素氧化酶-1(Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor2/heme oxygenase 1,Nrf2/HO-1)表达的激活关联是否存在。方法:TLR4基因缺失和野生型(WT)小鼠分别分为对照(CON),低潮气量(low tidal volume,LTV)和高潮气量(high tidal volume,HTV)组。给小鼠禁食、禁水12小时后,麻醉小鼠,做气管切开,将气管导管经口插入,通气4小时,呼气末正压(PEEP)2 cm H2O,R:100次/分钟,吸呼比1:2;CON组仅气管插管。小鼠处死,测湿/干重比(W/D)。肺组织依次:HE染色组织学评价;评价肺损伤评分;测定肺炎症因子表达:肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)及白介素-1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β);免疫组化及免疫印迹法,测Nrf2蛋白值;测HO-1蛋白值。结果:在WT+HTV组,Nrf2和HO-1的表达比较WT+LTV组明显升高,但受到TLR4基因敲除的调节,相应的TLR4基因敲除组升高更明显。肺损伤评分、湿/干比在WT+HTV组增加,相应的TLR4基因敲除组升高更显著。结论:HTV通气可致小鼠VILI。VILI小鼠肺中的Nrf2/HO-1表达升高,TLR4基因缺失可以升高Nrf2/HO-1表达,保护肺组织,减轻VILI。     

大蒜素激活SIRT1通路抑制过氧化氢诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞的衰老

Sirtuin1(SIRT1)活性的异常与血管内皮细胞的衰老密切相关。大蒜素作为一种生物活性分子具有抗氧化、抗炎及调脂作用,然而目前尚未见关于大蒜素与SIRT1的活性调节的报道。本研究旨在阐明大蒜素对过氧化氢（H2O2）诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）衰老的影响,以及Sirtuin1(SIRT1)在其中的作用。SA-β-gal染色及活性氧检测提示,与对照组相比,大蒜素明显减少H2O2诱导半乳糖苷酶阳性细胞数及活性氧的产生。用Western印迹、MTT、RT-PCR及SIRT1活化检测对SIRT1、p-SIRT1、PAI-1的蛋白质、SIRT1mRNA表达及细胞活力进行检测,结果显示,大蒜素可以逆转H2O2诱导的PAI-1表达的升高、SIRT1磷酸化及活性的降低,并且上调细胞的活力。当采用SIRT1抑制剂NAM处理后,大蒜素的这些作用均被阻断。以上结果表明,大蒜素通过激活SIRT1抑制H2O2诱导的HUVECs ROS的产生、活力的下降及细胞的衰老。     

Wortmannin对凝血酶诱导的人血小板聚集和磷脂酰肌醇三磷酸累积的影响

 Ｗ ｏｒｔｍ ａｎｎｉｎ 是肌醇磷脂 ３ 激酶的不可逆抑制剂．用比浊法分析血小板聚集;肌醇磷脂用３２ Ｐ 磷酸钠标记,用氯仿和甲醇抽提,用 Ｔ Ｌ Ｃ和放射自显影分析,研究了 Ｗ ｏｒｔｍ ａｎｎｉｎ 对凝血酶诱导的人血小板聚集和磷脂酰肌醇三磷酸（ Ｐ Ｉ Ｐ３）累积的影响．结果显示, Ｗ ｏｒｔｍ ａｎｎｉｎ 对凝血酶（５００ Ｕ／ Ｌ）诱导的人血小板聚集有抑制作用,这种抑制作用在一定范围内呈剂量依赖关系（２０～８０μｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ）．凝血酶（５００ Ｕ／ Ｌ）诱导人血小板 Ｐ Ｉ Ｐ３ 的累积, Ｗ ｏｒｔｍ ａｎｎｉｎ 对此累积有抑制作用,这种抑制作用在一定范围内呈剂量依赖关系（４０～１６０ μｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ）．结果提示： Ｗ ｏｒｔｍ ａｎｎｉｎ 可能是潜在的抗血小板药物,抑制凝血酶诱导的人血小板聚集主要与其抑制 Ｐ Ｉ Ｐ３ 的累积有关．结果也提示,肌醇磷脂 ３ 激酶在血小板活化中起重要作用．     

胰岛素样生长因子-1对血管平滑肌细胞PI3K/PTEN信号通路的影响

目的:探讨胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)促血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)增殖的细胞内信号转导机制.方法:体外培养的兔血管平滑肌细胞分3组处理,以细胞计数、噻唑盐比色法测定细胞增殖能力,以磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶(PI3K)特异性抑制剂渥漫青霉素(WT)孵育细胞间接反映PI3K作用.Western Blot定量磷酸酶PTEN表达水平,免疫沉淀、特异底物diC16PIP3绿色试剂法测定PTEN脂质磷酸酶活性.结果:IGF-1(100 μg/L)使细胞计数及MTT 比色A值分别增加至对照组的2.8倍和3.8倍,WT抑制VSMC增殖,并完全逆转IGF-1的作用(均P<0.01).各浓度IGF-1对PTEN蛋白表达水平无明显影响,其对PTEN活性的抑制呈浓度(10～100 μg/L)及时间(3 min～24 h)依赖性(均P<0.01).结论:IGF-1促VSMC增殖作用与活化PI3K蛋白激酶的促生长活性及抑制PTEN脂质磷酸酶的负性调节细胞生长作用有关.     

低氧训练对骨骼肌p53及其调控的线粒体有氧代谢信号通路基因表达的影响

目的:探讨低氧训练对大鼠骨骼肌p53及其调控的线粒体有氧代谢信号通路基因表达的影响,以及对线粒体有氧氧化供能能力的影响。方法:30只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为3组(n=10),低住低练组(LoLo)、高住高练组(HiHi)和高住高练低训组(HiHiLo)。以当地海拔1 500 m为常氧环境,模拟海拔3 500 m为低氧环境,各组大鼠按训练方案训练5周后,取股四头肌行匀浆及提取线粒体。Real-time PCR检测p53、细胞色素c氧化酶合成2(SCO2),细胞色素c氧化酶亚基Ⅰ(COXⅠ)和谷氨酰胺酶2(GLS2) mRNA表达,Westem blot检测p53、SCO2、COXⅠ和GLS2蛋白表达;ELISA测定α-酮戊二酸脱氢酶(α-KGDHC),细胞色素c氧化酶(COX)及ATP合酶(ATP synthase)活性。结果:(1)与LoLo组比较,HiHi和HiHiLo组p53 mRNA水平显著升高(P<0.01),HiHiLo组p53蛋白表达水平显著下降(P<0.01);HiHi和HiHiLo组SCO2 mRNA水平和蛋白表达水平均显著升高(P<0.01);H...     

PI3K-Akt信号转导通路对脂代谢的调控作用

脂代谢紊乱与多种疾病的发生发展有关,严重威胁着公共健康。近年来,关于PI3K-Akt信号通路在2型糖尿病、肥胖、肿瘤代谢与免疫及心脑血管疾病等方面的研究层出不穷,本文旨在综述PI3K-Akt信号通路与多个脂代谢相关基因、多个脂代谢器官以及多种脂代谢紊乱相关疾病之间的重要联系,探讨其直接/间接参与脂质合成、转运、摄入与分解过程的分子机制及病理状态下的信号转导调控,以期为脂代谢紊乱相关疾病的治疗提供新的参考靶点。     

Regulation of inflammatory arthritis by the upstream kinase mitogen activated protein kinase kinase 7 in the c-Jun N-Terminal kinase pathway

Introduction

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a key regulator of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and cytokine production in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and JNK deficiency markedly protects mice in animal models of arthritis. Cytokine-induced JNK activation is strictly dependent on the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Therefore, we evaluated whether targeting MKK7 using anti-sense oligonucleotides (ASO) would decrease JNK activation and severity in K/BxN serum transfer arthritis.

Methods

Three 2''-O-methoxyethyl chimeric ASOs for MKK7 and control ASO were injected intravenously in normal C57BL/6 mice. PBS, control ASO or MKK7 ASO was injected from Day -8 to Day 10 in the passive K/BxN model. Ankle histology was evaluated using a semi-quantitative scoring system. Expression of MKK7 and JNK pathways was evaluated by quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis.

Results

MKK7 ASO decreased MKK7 mRNA and protein levels in ankles by about 40% in normal mice within three days. There was no effect of control ASO on MKK7 expression and MKK7 ASO did not affect MKK3, MKK4 or MKK6. Mice injected with MKK7 ASO had significantly less severe arthritis compared with control ASO (P < 0.01). Histologic evidence of synovial inflammation, bone erosion and cartilage damage was reduced in MKK7 ASO-treated mice (P < 0.01). MKK7 deficiency decreased phospho-JNK and phospho-c-Jun in ankle extracts (P < 0.05), but not phospho-MKK4. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), MMP3 and MMP13 gene expression in ankle joints were decreased by MKK7 ASO (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

MKK7 plays a critical regulatory role in the JNK pathway in a murine model of arthritis. Targeting MKK7 rather than JNK could provide site and event specificity when treating synovitis.     

人参皂甙Rb1对心力衰竭大鼠蛋白激酶R样内质网激酶途径的影响

目的探讨人参皂甙Rbl（Gs—Rbl）改善阿霉素所致心力衰竭（HF）效应是否与调整蛋白激酶R样内质网激酶（PERK）通路有关。方法阿霉素（Adr）诱导的HF大鼠随机分为HF组（n=15）和Gs．Rbl组（70rng／kg／d,n=17）,另随机选取同龄大鼠作为对照组（n=10）。干预结束并进行心脏超声检查后,TUNNEL检测心肌细胞凋亡率（AR）,Western blot和Rt-PCR检测葡萄糖调节蛋白78（GRP78）、PERK、p-PERK、真核细胞起始因子2-（elF2a）、p-elF2a、C／EBP同源蛋白（CHOP）和cleavedcaspase-12。结果1．Adr干预成功构建HF模型,Gs—Rbl显著提高左室射血分数（LVEF）和降低心肌细胞AR（P〈O．01）;2．HF组GRP78mRNA和蛋白均显著高于对照组,Gs—Rbl显著低于HF组和对照组二组的表达（P〈0．01）;3．Gs—Rbl显著降低HF大鼠PERK和p-PERK表达（P〈0．01）;4．HF导致elF2amRNA和蛋白、p-elF2a显著升高,Gs—Rbl显著下调三者的表达（P〈O．01）;5．HF组CHOPmRNA和蛋白显著高于对照组,Gs—Rbl组显著抑制其表达（P〈0．01）;6．Gs—Rbl显著抑制阿霉素所致的caspase-121TIRNA和cleaved caspase-12蛋白表达（P〈0．01）。结论Gs—Rbl通过调节PERK内质网通路介导其改善HF效应。     

The effect of fludrocortisone on the uterine receptivity partially mediated by ERK1/2-mTOR pathway

Implantation of embryos needs endometrial receptivity. Mineralocorticoids is one of the causes influencing the implantation window. This study targeted to evaluation fludrocortisone different properties on endometrial receptivity. The objective of this study was to assess whether treatment with fludrocortisone could impact the expression of diverse genes and proteins that are involved in uterine receptivity in mice. In this study, 40 female adult BALB/c mice were used. The samples were allocated to four groups of ten. Control group (C) received: vehicle; fludrocortisone group (FCA): received 1.5 mg/kg fludrocortisone; PP242 group (PP242): received 30 mg/kg PP242; fludrocortisone+PP242 group (FCA+PP242): received fludrocortisone and PP242. Mice were killed on window implantation day after mating and confirmed pregnancy. The endometrial epithelium of mouse was collected to assess mRNA expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), mucin-1 (MUC1), heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), (Msx.1), miRNA Let-7a, and miRNA 223-3p as well as protein expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) in the uterine using real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. In comparison with the control group, fludrocortisone administration upregulated the expression of LIF, HB-EGF, Msx.1, miRNA Let-7a, ERK1/2, and mTOR in the epithelial endometrium. The PP242-treated group demonstrated a significant rise in the expression of MUC1, miRNA 223-3p and a remarkable decline in ERK1/2 and p-4E-BP1 levels in comparison with the control group. Combination therapy of (FCA+PP242) resulted in a remarkable rise in LIF, Msx-1, HB-EGF, ERK1/2, and mTOR levels, in comparison with the PP242 group. Furthermore, combination therapy of (FCA+PP242) downregulated the expression of MUC1 in comparison with the PP242-treated group. According to the results, fludrocortisone affected uterine receptivity possibly by means of modulating the expression of genes involved in the uterine receptivity and activation of the ERK1/2-mTOR pathway.     

Histamine activates tyrosine hydroxylase in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells through a pathway that involves ERK1/2 but not p38 or JNK

In bovine adrenal chromaffin cells (BACC) histamine promotes a rapid increase in the intracellular levels of Ca2+ together with the release of catecholamines and the phosphorylation of the catecholamine biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). In this study we investigated the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), stress activated protein kinase (p38) and Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) on the histamine-induced activation and phosphorylation of TH. We found that in BACC histamine produced a rapid, long lasting and histamine type-1 (H1) receptor-dependent increase in the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK which was accompanied by a H1 receptor-dependent increase in TH activity. This increase in TH activity was partially blocked by the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 but was unaffected by the p38 antagonist SB203580 or the JNK blocker JNKI1. To study the effect of MAPK inhibition on histamine-induced TH phosphorylation, we generated phospho-specific antibodies against the different phosphorylated forms of TH. Treatment with U0126 totally inhibited the histamine-induced phosphorylation of TH at Ser31, without affecting the phosphorylation of either Ser40 or Ser19. Neither SB203580 nor JNKI1 treatments produced any significant modification of the histamine-induced TH phosphorylation. Our data support the hypothesis that the up-regulation of the ERK1/2 pathway, but not that of p38 or JNK, promoted by histamine is involved in the phosphorylation of TH at Ser31 and that this phosphorylation event is required for the full activation of this enzyme.     

Down-regulation of HIV-1 infection by inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can interact with and exploit the host cellular machinery to replicate and propagate itself. Numerous studies have shown that the Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway can positively regulate the replication of HIV-1, but exactly how each MAPK pathway affects HIV-1 infection and replication is not understood. In this study, we used the Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway inhibitor, PD98059, the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway inhibitor, SP600125, and the p38 pathway inhibitor, SB203580, to investigate the roles of these pathways in HIV-1 replication. We found that application of PD98059 results in a strong VSV-G pseudotyped HIV-1_NL4-3 luciferase reporter virus and HIV-1_NL4-3 virus inhibition activity. In addition, SB203580 and SP600125 also elicited marked VSV-G pseudotyped HIV-1_NL4-3 luciferase reporter virus inhibition activity but no HIV-1_NL4-3 virus inhibition activity. We also found that SB203580 and SP600125 can enhance the HIV-1 inhibition activity of PD98059 when cells were treated with all three MAPK pathway inhibitors in combination. Finally, we show that HIV-1 virus inhibition activity of the MAPK pathway inhibitors was the result of the negative regulation of HIV-1 LTR promoter activity.     

Effect of glucose concentration on activation of the ASK1-SEK1-JNK1 signal transduction pathway

Recently, acute total glucose deprivation has been shown to cause activation of ASK1-MEK-MAPK signal transduction and dissociation of glutaredoxin (GRX) from apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1). In this study, we investigated whether clinically relevant concentrations (0.01-0.1 mM) of glucose promote ASK1 activation. We observed that a prominent activation of JNK1 occurred at a glucose concentration less than or equal to 0.01 mM. Similar to JNK1 activation, we also observed that low glucose-induced ASK1 activation, dissociation of GRX and thioredoxin (TRX) from ASK1, dimerization of ASK1, and association of Daxx and TRAF2 with ASK1 significantly occurred at a glucose concentration less than or equal to 0.01 mM.