不同氧浓度下C2C12细胞的Nrf2抗氧化系统对H2O2刺激的反应*

目的:探讨不同氧浓度下小鼠骨骼肌卫星细胞系(C2C12细胞)对H₂O₂刺激反应的变化及其机制。方法:小鼠骨骼肌卫星细胞系(C2C12细胞),经培养复苏后,将细胞分为7组,每组设8个复孔,各组分别加入浓度为0.1 mmol/L、0.25 mmol/L、0.5 mmol/L、0.75 mmol/L、1 mmol/L、2 mmol/L的H₂O₂,分别作用1 h、2 h后测细胞活力,选择细胞H₂O₂刺激的最佳作用时间和浓度;C2C12细胞分为不同氧浓度组:21% O₂、12% O₂、8% O₂、5% O₂每组设8个复孔,12 h后,H₂O₂作用1 h,收集细胞;检测细胞Nrf2蛋白荧光和蛋白表达量,测定Nrf2和抗氧化酶SOD1、SOD2、CAT、NQO-1、HO-1、GPX-1 的mRNA表达量及细胞ROS水平。结果:选择H₂O₂作用时间相对较短的1 h和浓度0.5 mmol/L作为本实验的H₂O₂刺激条件。与21%O₂组相比,12%O₂组细胞Nrf2蛋白荧光增强,Nrf2 的mRNA和蛋白表达以及抗氧化酶SOD1、SOD2、CAT、NQO-1、HO-1、GPX-1的 mRNA表达均显著增加(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),细胞 ROS水平明显降低(P＜0.01);8%O₂组仅GPX-1 mRNA显著增加(P＜0.05),其他指标变化不大;5%O₂组细胞 Nrf2 mRNA和蛋白表达以及抗氧化酶SOD1、SOD2、NQO-1、GPX-1的 mRNA表达均明显降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),细胞 ROS水平则明显升高(P＜0.01)。结论:不同氧浓度下C2C12细胞中Nrf2介导的抗氧化系统对H₂O₂刺激反应不同,12 h的12% O₂浓度可促进C2C12细胞Nrf2的抗氧化作用,而5% O₂浓度的严重低氧则作用相反。     

低氧运动对Nrf2基因敲除大鼠运动能力和氧化应激的影响

Nrf2可调节多种抗氧化酶的表达,Nrf2的缺失可能影响机体的运动能力,而低氧可提高机体的抗氧化能力并改善运动能力。为了考察低氧运动对Nrf2基因敲除大鼠运动能力和氧化应激的影响,本研究分别在常氧和低氧环境(12%氧浓度)中对野生型大鼠和Nrf2敲除大鼠进行4周的跑台运动。研究显示,低氧运动可提高野生型大鼠的跑台运动力竭时间,Nrf2敲除可缩短大鼠的力竭时间;低氧运动可上调大鼠的Nrf2 m RNA表达量;Nrf2敲除明显抑制HIF-1α蛋白表达,而低氧运动可上调野生型和Nrf2敲除大鼠的HIF-1α蛋白表达;Nrf2敲除大鼠的骨骼肌ROS水平明显升高,并且低氧均可降低野生型和Nrf2敲除大鼠骨骼肌ROS水平。低氧运动可上调Nrf2敲除大鼠的CAT和GSH-PX蛋白表达。苏木精和伊红(HE)染色显示,Nrf2敲除大鼠在力竭跑台运动完成后出现更严重的骨骼肌病理改变,而低氧运动可减轻骨骼肌损伤。本研究认为,Nrf2敲除导致了大鼠骨骼肌中抗氧化酶的抑制及ROS的过量累积,从而造成了骨骼肌损伤并降低了运动能力。此外,低氧可通过上调Nrf2的表达,进而激活HIF-1α及抗氧化酶活性,从而提高运动能力,并防止骨骼肌损伤。     

毛蕊花苷对递增负荷运动小鼠骨骼肌损伤的保护作用

本研究采用小鼠跑台训练模型,应用免疫共沉淀等方法,研究毛蕊花苷对递增负荷运动小鼠骨骼肌损伤的保护作用及对谷胱甘肽的影响。90只小鼠随机分为:正常对照组(A)、正常+毛蕊花苷组(B)、单纯运动组(C)、运动+毛蕊花苷低剂量组(D)、运动+毛蕊花苷中剂量组(E)、运动+毛蕊花苷高剂量组(F).结果表明:与C组比较,D、E、F组小鼠骨骼肌损伤程度依次减轻,F组小鼠骨骼肌形态基本正常。F组小鼠血浆CK水平、骨骼肌组织GSSG含量分别低于C、D、E组;但CK水平高于A、B组,均P0.01;GSSG含量与A、B组比较,差异无显著性,P0.05。F组小鼠骨骼肌组织GSH含量、GSH/GSSG比值、GCL和GR酶活性、RyR1复合物中GSH表达水平分别高于C、D、E组,但低于A、B组,均P0.01。研究结果提示毛蕊花苷能降低递增负荷运动小鼠血浆CK的活性,保护运动鼠骨骼肌的形态;其机理与其提高运动鼠骨骼肌组织GSH含量和GCL、GR酶的活性,降低GSSG/GSH比值;提高RyR1复合物中GSH表达水平有关。     

支气管哮喘豚鼠肺组织中Nrf2对γ-GCS的作用

目的:研究支气管哮喘豚鼠肺内Nrf2对γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶(γ-GCS)的作用。方法:成年雄性豚鼠20只,随机分成2组(n=10):①对照组(C组);②哮喘组(A组),以腹腔内注射联合雾化吸入卵蛋白复制哮喘模型。测肺组织中活性氧(ROS)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)和总谷胱甘肽的含量;测细支气管炎症细胞浸润及支气管重塑指标;原位杂交测肺组织中γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶重链(γ-GCS-h)mRNA表达;免疫组化测γ-GCS和Nrf2蛋白质在肺组织中的表达;RT-PCR测Nrf2mRNA在肺组织中的表达;双酶法测γ-GCS的活性。结果:①A组细支气管嗜酸性粒细胞(E)数和淋巴细胞(L)数,较C组明显增多(P<0.01),并出现细支气管重塑。②A组肺组织中ROS、GSSG和总谷胱甘肽较C组明显增高(P<0.01),与C组比较,GSH/GSSG明显下降(P<0.01),而GSH差异无统计学意义。③免疫组化显示Nrf2和γ-GCSA组较C组明显增高(P<0.01);原位杂交显示γ-GCS-hmRNA表达A组较C组亦明显增高(P<0.01)。④RT-PCR显示在肺组织中Nrf2mRNA转录C组和A组无明显差异。⑤γ-GCS活性A组为(28±8)U,与C组(9±2)U比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。⑥直线相关性分析显示:在肺组织中Nrf2与ROS、GSSG、γ-GCS-hmRNA、γ-GCS蛋白质及γ-GCS活性呈高度正相关;GSH/GSSG与Nrf2蛋白质、γ-GCS-hmRNA、γ-GCS蛋白质及γ-GCS活性呈高度负相关。结论:在支气管哮喘豚鼠肺中存在氧化应激,氧化应激可能通过上调Nrf2而上调γ-GCS表达。     

内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞氧化应激时Nrf2/ARE信号通路对抗氧化基因表达的调控:与动脉粥样硬化和先兆子痫的关系

动脉粥样硬化、糖尿病、慢性肾功能衰竭和先兆子痫等血管疾病时活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)生成增加,容易导致内皮依赖性血管舒张功能的损害和血管损伤,而细胞可以诱导多种编码Ⅱ相解毒酶和抗氧化蛋白的基因表达,从而减轻ROS和亲电子物质介导的细胞损伤。一个被称为抗氧化反应元件(antioxidant response element,ARE)或亲电子反应元件(electrophile response element,EpRE)的顺式转录调控元件,可以介导诸如亚铁血红素加氧酶1、γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶、硫氧还蛋白还原酶、谷胱甘肽-S转移酶和NAD(P)H:苯醌氧化还原酶等基因的转录。其他抗氧化酶,如超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶和非酶清除剂(如谷胱甘肽)等也参与ROS的清除。转录因子NF-E2相关因子2(nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2, Nrf2)是属于Cap‘n’Collar家族的转录因子,具有碱性亮氨酸拉链(basic region-leucine zipper,bZIP),它在ARE介导的抗氧化基因表达中起重要的作用。在正常情况下,Kelch样环氧氯丙烷相关蛋白-1(Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1,Keapl)与Nrf2耦联,并与肌动蛋白细胞骨架结合被锚定于胞浆,但是在半胱氨酸残基发生氧化的情况下,Nrf2和Keapl解耦联,进入细胞核并与ARE结合,从而激活多种抗氧化基因和Ⅱ相解毒酶基因的转录。蛋白激酶C、丝裂原活化蛋白激酶和磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶参与Nrf2／ARE信号转导的调控。本文综述了有关Nrf2／ARE信号转导通路在血管稳态和动脉硬化、先兆子痫等疾病情况下内皮及平滑肌细胞对抗持续性氧化应激中起的作用。     

核因子E2相关因子2基因在低氧运动下的表达及其对机体抗氧化能力的调节作用

核因子E2相关因子2 (nuclear factor E2 related factor 2,Nrf2)基因可调节多种抗氧化酶活性并间接影响抗疲劳和抗氧化能力,而低氧环境有助于运动能力的提升。为了考察低氧运动对Nrf2基因敲除小鼠的抗疲劳和抗氧化能力的影响,本研究将敲除Nrf2基因的小鼠置于模拟海拔3 000 m和5 000 m (氧浓度约为14.4%和11.1%)的环境中进行4周的低氧训练。研究发现,模拟海拔3 000 m的低氧运动显著提高了小鼠的力竭跑台运动时间,并减弱了骨骼肌损伤。而模拟海拔5 000 m的低氧运动未出现上述效果。低氧运动显著上调了Nrf2 mRNA表达以及HIF-1α、SOD1、SOD2、GR、GSH-PX、NQO-1和HO-1蛋白表达。模拟海拔3 000 m的低氧运动降低了机体ROS和MDA水平,而模拟海拔5 000 m的低氧运动提高了机体ROS和MDA水平。本研究表明敲除Nrf2抑制了小鼠体内抗氧化酶活性,并降低了小鼠的身体机能。而适当的低氧运动则可通过上调Nrf2和HIF-1α的表达来间接提高抗氧化酶活性,改善机体的氧化-还原状态,从而提高抗疲劳和抗氧化能力。然而,氧浓度过低则会产生相反的效果。     

有氧运动对高糖高脂膳食大鼠腓肠肌Nrf2-SOD的影响

目的:探讨有氧运动预防大鼠胰岛素抵抗中Nrf2及SOD的变化。方法:24只12月龄SD大鼠随机分为对照组(C)、高糖高脂IR组(IR)和高糖高脂IR并运动组(IRE)。IRE进行递增负荷跑台运动,运动6周。检测腓肠肌T-SOD、CAT、MDA、GSH/GSSG,ELISA法检测腓肠肌8-OHdG含量,Western blot检测腓肠肌Nrf2和GLUT4表达。结果:①IRE组HOMA-IR明显低于IR组(P<0.05); IRE组肌糖原明显高于IR组(P<0.01);②IRE组TSOD和CAT、GSH/GSSG明显高于IR组(P<0.01); IRE组8-OHdG和MDA明显低于IR组(P<0.01);③IRE组腓肠肌Nrf2和GLUT4明显高于IR组(P<0.01)。结论:有氧运动可激活大鼠腓肠肌Nrf2-SOD通路,提高抗氧化酶活性和糖摄取能力,预防IR发生。     

槲皮素调节大鼠肝细胞谷胱甘肽代谢的机制

目的：探讨60 μmol/L槲皮素调节BRL大鼠肝细胞谷胱甘肽（GSH）代谢的可能机制。方法：采用MTT法测定槲皮素对BRL细胞活力的影响;采用试剂盒法检测细胞内GSH和GSSG的含量,以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）、肝脏谷胱甘肽 S转移酶（GST）、γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸连接酶（γ-GCL）、谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）的活性;采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测GSH-Px、GST、γ-GCL和GR基因mRNA的表达情况;采用ELISA法测定细胞内的Keap1、总Nrf2、ERK1/2、磷酸化ERK1/2（p-ERK1/2）、JNK、p-JNK,以及细胞核Nrf2的蛋白水平。结果：槲皮素不影响大鼠肝细胞的活力（P>0.05）;与对照组比较,槲皮素组细胞内还原型GSH含量和GSH/GSSG比值（P<0.05）显著降低（P<0.05）,γ-GCL酶活性显著减弱（P<0.05）,GR和GSH-Px的mRNA表达显著减少（P<0.05）,Keap1和JNK蛋白水平显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：槲皮素可减少BRL大鼠肝细胞还原型GSH的含量,这种作用主要与槲皮素抑制GSH的生成有关。     

维生素C对镉负荷小鼠睾丸抗氧化功能的影响*

目的: 分析镉(Cd)负荷不同时间对小鼠睾丸抗氧化酶的影响及维生素C(VC)的保护作用。方法: 清洁级雄性昆明小鼠72只分为4组(n=18):对照组、Cd组(CdCl₂ 3 mg/kg)、VC组(200 mg/kg)、VC(200 mg/kg)+ Cd(CdCl₂ 3 mg/kg)组,每日染毒1次,染毒1 d和3 d及同时补充VC保护,第1日和第3日染毒24 h后,每组取半数小鼠称重,取血清和睾丸组织;检测睾丸脏器系数,血清和睾丸组织丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD),及睾丸组织谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)及总谷胱甘肽(T-GSH)。结果: 与对照组比较,Cd组1 d和3 d小鼠体重和睾丸脏器系数下降;染毒3 d,Cd组小鼠血清SOD显著降低、MDA显著升高(P＜0.05);Cd组1 d小鼠睾丸的SOD、GSH-Px、T-GSH及GSH/GSSG显著升高(P＜0.05),而3 d的上述指标均显著降低(P＜0.05),Cd组1 d和3 d MDA水平均显著升高(P＜0.05);VC处理后减轻的程度有所降低。与Cd组比较,VC+ Cd组血清SOD和MDA水平在染毒3 d变化有显著性差异(P＜0.05);VC+ Cd组在染毒1 d和3 d,小鼠睾丸的SOD、GSH-Px、T-GSH及GSH/GSSG水平变化有显著性差异(P＜0.05),VC+ Cd组在染毒3 d睾丸的MDA水平显著降低(P＜0.05)。与Cd组1 d比较,染毒3 d小鼠的血清SOD水平显著降低(P＜0.05),睾丸指标变化也有显著性差异(P＜0.05)。结论: VC处理可在一定程度上改善镉负荷小鼠的抗氧化功能,对睾丸氧化损伤具有保护作用。     

Fisetin对H_2O_2诱导细胞内ROS的清除作用及机制探讨

活性氧(reactive oxygen species, ROS)在非酒精性脂肪肝、心血管疾病、癌症、糖尿病等疾病发生发展的过程中具有重要作用。HepG2细胞是评价抗氧化剂对活细胞氧化损伤保护作用的常用细胞模型。为了探讨非瑟酮(fisetin)对H_2O_2诱导细胞内ROS的清除作用及其机制,将HepG2细胞随机分为空白对照组(control)、溶剂对照组(solvent control)、H_2O_2模型组(H_2O_2model group)、fisetin干预组(fisetin+H_2O_2)、fisetin单独处理组(fisetin),检测不同干预组细胞存活率大小及细胞内ROS水平,同时检测核因子E2相关因子2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, Nrf2)、Kelch样ECH相关蛋白1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, Keap1)及Ⅱ相酶血红素氧合酶-1 (heme oxygenase-1, HO-1)、谷氨酰半胱氨酸连接酶催化亚基(glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit,GCLC)、谷氨酰半胱氨酸连接酶修饰亚基(glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit, GCLM)、醌氧化还原酶1(NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1, NQO1)的表达。此外,通过构建Nrf2敲低细胞系,进一步明确Nrf2在fisetin清除ROS过程中的作用。研究发现,与H_2O_2模型组相比, fisetin干预组细胞存活率显著上升; fisetin可抑制由H_2O_2引起的HepG2细胞内ROS的增加,上调Nrf2、HO-1蛋白表达,并下调Keap1蛋白表达; Nrf2稳定敲低后,细胞内ROS水平增加。实验结果表明, fisetin可能通过激活Keap1/Nrf2/抗氧化反应元件(antioxidant response element, ARE)通路诱导HO-1的表达,从而在抗氧化损伤过程中发挥细胞保护作用。     

Enhanced Nrf2-dependent induction of glutathione in mouse embryonic fibroblasts by isoselenocyanate analog of sulforaphane

Epidemiological and laboratory studies have highlighted the potent chemopreventive effectiveness of both dietary selenium and cruciferous vegetables, particularly broccoli. Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate, was identified as the major metabolite of broccoli responsible for its anti-cancer properties. An important mechanism for SFN chemoprevention is through the enhancement of glutathione (GSH), the most abundant antioxidant in animals and an important target in chemoprevention. Enhancement of GSH biosynthetic enzymes including the rate-limiting glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL), as well as other Phase II detoxification enzymes results from SFN-mediated induction of the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response elements (ARE) signaling pathway. While isothiocyanate compounds such as SFN are among the most potent Nrf2 inducers known, we hypothesized that substitution of sulfur with selenium in the isothiocyanate functional group of SFN would result in an isoselenocyanate compound (SFN-isoSe) with enhanced Nrf2 induction capability. Here we report that SFN-isoSe activated an ARE-luciferase reporter in HepG2 cells more potently than SFN. It was also found that SFN-isoSe induced GCL and GSH in MEF cells in an Nrf2-dependent manner. Finally, we provide evidence that SFN-isoSe was more effective in killing HepG2 cancer cells, yet was less toxic to non-cancer MEF cells, than SFN.These data support our hypothesis, and suggest that SFN-isoSe and potentially other isoselenocyanates may be highly effective chemoprotective agents in vivo due to their ability to induce Nrf2 with low toxicity in normal cells and high efficiency at killing cancer cells.     

Sulforaphane prevents angiotensin II-induced cardiomyopathy by activation of Nrf2 through epigenetic modification

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) is an important regulator of cellular antioxidant defence. We previously showed that SFN prevented Ang II-induced cardiac damage via activation of Nrf2. However, the underlying mechanism of SFN’s persistent cardiac protection remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential of SFN in activating cardiac Nrf2 through epigenetic mechanisms. Wild-type mice were injected subcutaneously with Ang II, with or without SFN. Administration of chronic Ang II-induced cardiac inflammatory factor expression, oxidative damage, fibrosis and cardiac remodelling and dysfunction, all of which were effectively improved by SFN treatment, coupled with an up-regulation of Nrf2 and downstream genes. Bisulfite genome sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were performed to detect the methylation level of the first 15 CpGs and histone H3 acetylation (Ac-H3) status in the Nrf2 promoter region, respectively. The results showed that SFN reduced Ang II-induced CpG hypermethylation and promoted Ac-H3 accumulation in the Nrf2 promoter region, accompanied by the inhibition of global DNMT and HDAC activity, and a decreased protein expression of key DNMT and HDAC enzymes. Taken together, SFN exerts its cardioprotective effect through epigenetic modification of Nrf2, which may partially contribute to long-term activation of cardiac Nrf2.     

Effects of different exercise durations on Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway activation in mouse skeletal muscle

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute exercise stress on the nuclear factor-erythroid2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) transactivation, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) cytosolic protein and Nrf2 nucleoprotein expressions, Nrf2 target genes mRNA expressions, and glutathione redox (GSH/GSSG) ratio level; with a particular focus on the changes in Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway activation following different durations of exercise. Wild-type mice (C57BL/6J, two months old) were separated into one-hour and six-hour treadmill running groups, as well as a non-exercise control group (n = 10 in each group). Measurements of Nrf2/ARE transactivation, Nrf2 nucleoprotein expressions, Keap1 cytosolic protein expression, Nrf2 target genes’ mRNA expressions (superoxide dismutase-1 [SOD1], superoxide dismutase-2 [SOD2], γ-glutamyl cysteine ligase-modulatory [GCLm], γ-glutamyl cysteine ligase-catalytic [GCLc], glutathione reductase [GR], glutathione peroxidase-1 [Gpx1], catalase [CAT], and hemoxygenase-1 [Ho-1]), and GSH/GSSG ratio were carried out immediately after exercise. The results showed significant increases in Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway activation and the mRNA expressions of six measured enzymes in skeletal muscle after six hours of exercise; while in the one-hour exercise group, there was no change in Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway activation and only two enzymes’ mRNA expressions were increased. It is suggested that the changes in Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway activation and its target genes’ mRNA expressions were dependent on the exercise duration, with longer duration associated with higher responses.     

The protective effect of sulforaphane against oxidative stress in granulosa cells of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through activation of AMPK/AKT/NRF2 signaling pathway

Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in granulosa cells (GCs) causes oxidative stress (OS) and plays a role in pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Sulforaphane (SFN) has received a great deal of attention as potent antioxidant because of its ability to induce expression of antioxidant enzymes through nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway. Therefore, the present study was done to investigate the protective effect of SFN against OS in granulosa-lutein cells (GLCs) of patients with PCOS through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/AKT/NRF2 signaling pathway. GLCs were isolated from patients with PCOS and healthy fertile women, as control group, during egg retrieval procedure. Level of intracellular ROS and apoptosis was determined in the isolated cells. For investigating the protective effect of SFN against ROS production and apoptosis in GLCs, the cells were cultured for 24 h in the presence or absence of SFN. Finally, expression of AMPK, AKT, and NRF2 proteins and genes was evaluated by western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. The results indicated the increased ROS and apoptosis levels in GLCs isolated from patients with PCOS compared to the control group. Addition of SFN to culture medium of GLCs of patients with PCOS reduced intracellular ROS and apoptosis levels, and increased expression of AMPK, AKT, and NRF2 proteins and genes. Our findings demonstrated the protective effect of SFN against OS by lowering level of ROS and apoptosis possibly through activation of AMPK, AKT, and NRF2 proteins and genes expression.     

Sulforaphane induces autophagy through ERK activation in neuronal cells

Sulforaphane (SFN), an activator of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), has been reported to induce autophagy in several cells. However, little is known about its signaling mechanism of autophagic induction. Here, we provide evidence that SFN induces autophagy with increased levels of LC3-II through extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in neuronal cells. Pretreatment with NAC (N-acetyl-l-cysteine), a well-known antioxidant, completely blocked the SFN-induced increase in LC3-II levels and activation of ERK. Knockdown or overexpression of Nrf2 did not affect autophagy. Together, the results suggest that SFN-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces autophagy via ERK activation, independent of Nrf2 activity in neuronal cells.