三七皂苷对缺氧复氧心肌细胞损伤保护作用的研究

目的：研究三七皂苷对纯化培养大鼠乳鼠心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤的保护作用及机制。方法：采用纯化培养的心肌细胞建立缺氧/复氧损伤模型,测定细胞凋亡率、caspase-3、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）含量。结果：与正常组比较,模型组LDH、MDA含量、caspase-3活性及细胞凋亡率明显升高（P＆lt;0.01）,SOD活性明显降低（P＆lt;0.01）;三七皂苷组降低LDH、MDA含量、caspase-3活性和细胞凋亡率,提高SOD活性,与缺氧/复氧组比较各实验指标差异均具有显著性（P＆lt;0.05）。结论：三七皂苷对缺氧/复氧心肌细胞损伤有保护作用,作用机制与清除氧自由基,抗脂质过氧化及降低细胞凋亡率有关。     

丙泊酚预处理对大鼠离体心肌浅低温缺血／再灌注损伤后线粒体细胞色素C释放的影响

目的：探讨丙泊酚预处理对大鼠离体心肌浅低温缺血／再灌注（I／R）损伤后心肌细胞凋亡及线粒体细胞色素C释放的影响。方法：应用Langendorff离体心脏灌注模型,取50只SD大鼠随机分为5组：对照组（C组）,二甲基亚砜（DMSO）预处理组（D组）,25、50、100μmol·L^-1丙泊酚预处理纽（P1、P2、P3组）。各组均浅低温缺血55min,再常温灌注60min。D组、P1、P2、P3组在缺血前分别以含DMSO、相应浓度丙泊酚的K-H液灌注10min,再冲洗5min,重复2次。记录平衡灌注末、缺血前即刻、再灌注30、60min时的心功能指标。再灌注60min时测定凋亡细胞,提取心肌线粒体,测定线粒体和胞浆的细胞色素C水平。结果：与C组相比,P3组再灌注30min、60min时左室舒张末压（LVEDP）降低、左室发展压（LVDP）升高（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）;P2、P3组再灌注末心肌细胞凋亡率降低（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）,线粒体细胞色素c释放减少,胞浆细胞色素C的量明显降低（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。结论：丙泊酚预处理能够通过抑制心肌线粒体细胞色素C释放到胞浆,降低浅低温I／R损伤心肌细胞凋亡率,减轻心肌桶伤．     

Akt基因转染对骨髓间充质干细胞缺氧时凋亡和增殖的影响

目的采用Akt基因转染鼠骨髓MSCs探讨Akt基因是否减轻MSCs缺氧时的凋亡和提高缺氧时的增殖能力,即耐缺氧能力。方法将转染和未转染Akt基因的MSCs置于94%N2、1%O2和5%CO2缺氧箱中37℃孵育不同时间（常氧、缺氧0.5h、1h、2h、4h和8h）后,Annexin V/PI双染法行流式细胞仪分析凋亡率（apoptoticrate,AR）和死亡率（deadrate,DR）、MTT法分析细胞增殖状态、Rt-PCR和Western blot等检测Akt和p-Akt表达以及放射同位素法检测MSCs对氚标-葡萄糖（^3H-G）的摄取等。结果1.Akt基因显著降低MSCs缺氧时AR和DR（P〈0.01）,而各缺氧时间点没有统计学意义（P〉0.05）;2.Akt基因显著增高MSCs常氧和缺氧（与未转染Akt基因MSCs同等条件下比较）时增殖能力（P〈0.01）,缺氧时增殖能力显著低于常氧时（P〈0.01）;3.Akt基因显著增高常氧时MSCsAkt mRNA（P〈0.01）和蛋白（P〈0.01）表达,而不增高p-Akt蛋白（P〉0.05）表达;Akt基因显著提高缺氧时p-Akt蛋白（P〈0.01）表达,而不提高常氧时p-Akt蛋白（P〉0.05）表达;4.Akt基因显著增高MSCs常氧和缺氧（与未转染Akt基因MSCs同等条件下比较）时^3H-G的摄取（P〈0.01）,缺氧时^3H-G的摄取显著性低于常氧培养时（P〈0.01）;^3H-G的摄取与细胞增殖显著正相关（r=0.79,P=0.015）而与细胞凋亡显著负相关（r=-1.47,P=0.023）。结论Akt基因转染可显著提高MSCs耐缺氧能力,此可能与缺氧时改善MSCs葡萄糖摄取等有关。     

解偶联蛋白2通过抗氧化应激反应预防酒精性心肌损害

目的：探讨解偶联蛋白2（uncouplingprotein2,UCP2）在酒精性心肌损害中的作用及其分子机制。方法：采用乙醇在体内的代谢产物乙醛作为刺激因素,将培养心肌细胞分为对照组,乙醛组和乙醛＋ucP2抑制剂京尼平组（京尼平组）,干预24小时后检测心肌细胞中超氧阴离子（superoxideanion,SOA）及一氧化氮（nitricoxide,NO）的水平,并检测UCP2的蛋白表达水平,另一组实验干预72小时后采用TUNEL法检测心肌细胞凋亡率。结果：与对照组比较,乙醛组心肌细胞中SOA水平显著升高（P〈0．01）,而NO水平显著降低（P〈0．01）,且UCP2的蛋白水平也较对照组显著增加（P〈0．01）。而与乙醛组比较,京尼平组心肌细胞中SOA的水平进一步增加（P〈0．01）,NO的水平也进一步降低（P〈0．01）。与对照组比较,乙醛可诱导培养心肌细胞凋亡（P〈0．01）,而京尼平组凋亡率较乙醛组则进一步升高（P〈0．01）。结论：UCP2在酒精性心肌损害中通过调控SOA／NO的水平发挥代偿性保护作用。     

缺氧肺动脉平滑肌细胞中线粒体ATP敏感钾通道开放对细胞色素C的分布及细胞增殖的作用

为了探讨线粒体ATP敏感钾通道（mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K^＋channel,mito KATP）和线粒体膜电位（△ψm）在细胞缺氧信号转导中的作用以及对缺氧肺动脉平滑肌细胞中细胞色素C在细胞内的分布及细胞增殖的影响,本实验将人肺动脉平滑肌细胞进行常氧或24h缺氧培养,并将标本分为六组：（1）对照组;（2）mito KATP,开放剂diazoxide组;（3）mito KATP阻断剂5-HD组;（4）24h缺氧组;（5）24h缺氧＋diazoxide组;（6）24h缺氧＋5-HD组。利用激光共聚焦显微镜成像法检测△、ψm;线粒体／胞浆成分分离试剂盒（Bio Vision）分离线粒体和胞浆成分后,Western blot检测两者细胞色素C;Western blot检测细胞中caspase-9的蛋白表达量;MTT法及PI染色后流式细胞仪检测细胞增殖情况。结果显示：（1）diazoxide作用24h后,R-123荧光明显增强,胞浆细胞色素C与线粒体细胞色素C的比值明显降低,caspase-9的蛋白表达显著减少,细胞增殖明显增多、凋亡减少,与正常对照组相比较,均P〈0．05;而5-HD作用24h与正常对照组比较,上述指标无明显变化（P〉0．05）。（2）缺氧24h组,结果与diazoxide组相似,R-123荧光明显增强,胞浆细胞色素C与线粒体细胞色素C的比值明显降低,caspase-9的蛋白表达显著减少,细胞增殖明显增多、凋亡减少,与正常对照组相比较,均P〈0．05;24h缺氧＋diazoxide组与缺氧组相比较,R-123荧光明显增强,胞浆细胞色素C与线粒体细胞色素C的比值明显降低,caspase-9的蛋白表达显著减少,细胞增殖明显增多、凋亡减少（P〈0．05）;而24h缺氧＋5-HD组与缺氧组比较,R-123荧光明显降低,胞浆细胞色素C与线粒体细胞色素C的比值明显升高,caspase-9的蛋白表达显著增加,细胞增殖明显减少、凋亡增多（P〈0．05）。上述实验结果提示,缺氧可以引起mito KATP,的开放以及△ψm的去极化,并进而抑制细胞色素C从线粒体释放到胞浆,抑制线粒体凋亡途径,从而参与并影响肺动脉高压的发生、发展。     

金属硫蛋白在心肌细胞保护中与抗氧化酶的关系

目的：探讨金属硫蛋白（MT）在心肌细胞缺氧／复氧损伤（H／R）和预缺氧（HRC）保护中与抗氧化酶的关系。方法：建立培养的乳鼠心肌细胞缺氧／复氧模型,检测HPC、锌诱导、外源MT和MT抗体等处理下,心肌细胞MT含量变化及抗氧化酶（SOD,CAT,GSHpx）活力的相应变化。结果：HPC和锌诱导组MT含量及抗氧化酶的活力均显著高于H／R组P＜0. 05、P＜0.01）：外源MT处理后SOD活力显著高于对照组（P＜0.01）,CAT和GSHpx活力虽然显著低于对照组但显著高于H／R组（P＜0.01）;使用MT抗体后,酶活力最低。结论：MT参与HPC的心肌细胞保护作用,并通过保护抗氧化酶的活力的机制减轻H／R所致的心肌损伤。     

活性氧和线粒体ATP敏感钾通道介导肿瘤坏死因子α对缺氧/复氧心肌的保护作用

在培养的乳鼠心肌细胞上,研究肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)对缺氧/复氧损伤心肌的保护作用的机制。结果发现：(1)用TNF-α(10—500U／ml)预处理,缺氧/复氧后心肌细胞内锰超氧化物歧化酶(Mn-SOD)活性增高、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放量减少(P＜0．05);(2)用抗氧化剂N-乙酰半既氨酸(NAC,1mmol/L)、抗霉素A(antimycin A,50μmol/L)、2-巯基丙酰氨基乙酸(2-MPG,400μmol/L)和铜／锌超氧化物歧化酸(Cu/Zn,SOD)抑制剂二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸盐(DDC,100nmol/L)预处理,可取消TNF-α的抑制缺氧/复氧心肌细胞LDH释放和诱导Mn-SOD活性增高的作用;(3)mitoKATP通道抑制剂5-羟基癸酸(5-HD)预处理可阻断TNF-α对缺氧/复氧心肌细胞的保护作用;选择性mitoKATP通道开放剂diazoxide(50μmol/L)预处理可减少复氧后心肌细胞LDH的释放(P＜0．01),其作用可被5-HD(100μmol/L)和NAC所抑制。上述结果表明,活性氧和线粒体ATP敏感钾通道参与介导TNF-α对缺氧/复氧损伤的心肌保护作用。     

体外缺血缺氧条件下大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡发生的机制研究

目的：研究体外大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, BMSCs）在缺血缺氧条件下发生凋亡的作用机制。方法：采取大鼠骨髓,以密度梯度离心分离出单个核细胞（MNCs）,于体外培养并由牛垂体提取物（PEX）诱导扩增传代培养出骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）。经形态学和流式细胞仪检测MSCs表面标志物鉴定后,骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）在缺血缺氧条件下培养,通过Annexin V／PI双染细胞凋亡检测比较不同组别细胞的凋亡率和蛋白印迹法（western blot）来观察细胞中蛋白的变化。结果：①经形态学观察和流式细胞仪检测MSCs表面标志物鉴定,提示骨髓间充质干细胞培养成功。②对照组（无缺血缺氧）与缺血缺氧组比较,缺血缺氧组的凋亡率显著性增加,而通过磷酸化Akt的表达量显著性增加提示PI3K（Phosphoinositide-3kinase）／Akt（ProteinkinaseB,PKB）信号通路被激活（P〈0．05）;同时缺血缺氧组与缺血缺氧＋PI3K／Akt抑制剂（LY294002）组比较,缺血缺氧＋PI3K／Akt抑制剂（LY294002）组的凋亡率显著降低,而通过磷酸化Akt的表达量显著减少提示PI3K/Akt信号通路被抑制（P〈0．05）。结论：PI3K／Akt信号通路对体外缺血缺氧条件下培养的骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡发生有关键性作用。     

维甲酸对高氧暴露下原代培养的胎鼠肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞和成纤维细胞增殖与凋亡的影响

探讨高氧暴露对原代培养的胎鼠肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞（AECⅡ）、成纤维细胞（LFs）增殖和凋亡的影响以及维甲酸（RA）的保护作用机制。通过建立高氧暴露原代培养的胎鼠AECⅡ和LFs模型,以RA作为干预方式,采用流式细胞术（膜联蛋白V—PI双标记）检测AECⅡ和LFs凋亡,Western印迹检测AECⅡ增殖细胞核抗原（PCNA）、p53及caspase-3表达和LFs PCNA表达。结果发现：（1）与空气对照比较,高氧暴露12h,膜联蛋白V（＋）PI（-）和膜联蛋白V（＋）PI（＋）标记AECⅡ数均显著升高（14．41±1．15 vs 2．80±0．19,P＜0．01;61．07±3．06 vs 1．49±0．11,P＜0．01）;RA对空气暴露下AECⅡ坏死、凋亡无明显影响,但明显下调高氧暴露下膜联蛋白V（＋）PI（-）和膜联蛋白V（＋）PI（＋）标记AECⅡ数（8．04±0．79 vs 14．41±1．15,P＜0．01;27．57±2．32 vs 61．07±3．06,P＜0．01）。（2）高氧、RA对LFs坏死、凋亡无明显影响。（3）高氧暴露12h,明显降低AECⅡPCNA表达（P＜0．01）,显著提高其p53（P＜0．01）和caspase-3活性片段（P＜0．01）表达;RA显著上调高氧暴露下AECⅡPCNA表达（P＜0．01）,下调其p53和caspase-3活化片段表达（P＜0．01）。（4）高氧、RA对LFs PCNA表达无明显影响。由此提示,高氧暴露,导致AECⅡ大量凋亡、坏死,增殖受到抑制,同时,LFs所受影响较小,两种细胞对高氧暴露的差异性行为可能是导致未成熟肺组织异常重构的重要原因;RA通过降低AECⅡ凋亡、坏死从而对高氧肺损伤具有保护作用。     

线粒体通透性转换孔在缺血预处理脑保护中的作用及机制

目的：线粒体通透性转换孔通透性改变是导致缺血再灌注损伤的原因,线粒体功能的致命性改变最终引起细胞凋亡,本研究旨在观察线粒体通透性转换孔（mitochondrial permeability transition pore,MPTP）在缺血再灌注及缺血预处理脑保护中的作用;方法：将体外培养8天的海马神经元细胞分为五组,正常对照组（A组）,缺血再灌注组（B组）,缺血预处理＋缺血再灌注组（C组）,苍术苷＋缺血再灌注组（D组）,缺血预处理＋苍术苷＋缺血再灌注组（E组）。使用流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡率,罗丹明123染色流式细胞术检测线粒体膜电位,Western-blot检测Bcl-2,Bax的表达。结果：与A组比较,其余四组线粒体膜电位均降低,神经元凋亡率升高（P〈0．05）;与B组比较,c组线粒体膜电位升高,神经元凋亡率升高,Bcl-2表达上调,Bax表达下调（P〈0．05）;与c组比较,E组粒体膜电位降低,神经元凋亡率升高,Bcl．2表达下调,Bax表达上调（P〈0．05）。结论：我们在细胞及分子生物学水平对MPTP及缺血预处理的研究后发现,缺血预处理能有效减轻海马神经元缺血再灌注损伤,抑制缺血再灌注后神经细胞凋亡,其机制与抑制MPTP的开放有关。     

pEGFP-N1质粒转染乳鼠心肌细胞的分布及效率

目的: 研究pEGFP-N1质粒转染心肌细胞的分布及效率.方法: 培养乳鼠心肌细胞,根据乳鼠心肌细胞的不同生长时间(1～3 d)进行pEGFP-N1质粒转染心肌细胞的实验研究.结果: 乳鼠心肌细胞生长1 d时,pEGFP-N1质粒转染心肌细胞的效率显著高于乳鼠心肌细胞生长2 d、3 d时;pEGFP-N1质粒转染心肌细胞后EGFP均匀地充满胞浆和胞核.结论: pEGFP-N1质粒转染乳鼠心肌细胞的效率与心肌细胞的生长期有关;EGFP在心肌细胞中均匀分布于胞浆和胞核.     

Co-culture with cardiomyocytes enhanced the myogenic conversion of mesenchymal stromal cells in a dose-dependent manner

To increase the accessibility of myogenic cells for cell therapy in the infarcted heart, we identified conditions to improve the reproducible conversion of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) into myogenic cells. Such cells may permit functional regeneration following a myocardial infarction. BMSCs derived from green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic rats were co-cultured with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (1:1, 1:10, 1:20, and 1:40 ratios) for 7 days. Some BMSCs contracted synchronously with the neonatal cardiomyocytes, and exhibited action potentials that were confirmed with current clamp recordings. The myogenic phenotype of the BMSCs was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry (antibodies against cardiac specific α-sarcomeric actinin, Troponin I, MEF-2C). An increase in the number of BMSCs expressing cardiac markers correlated with increasing numbers of neonatal cardiomyocytes in the culture. When BMSCs were co-cultured with DiI-labeled neonatal cardiomyocytes, a small percentage of GFP/DiI/Troponin I triple-positive cells were observed after 7 days. This type of myogenic conversion increased nearly twofold when BMSCs were co-cultured with apoptotic (TNF-α-treated) cardiomyocytes. BMSCs co-cultured with cardiomyocytes acquired a functional myogenic phenotype in a dose-dependent manner. Myogenic conversion increased when the BMSCs were cultured with apoptotic cells.     

Jagged1 protein enhances the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into cardiomyocytes if an appropriate cellular environment is provided. Notch signals exchanged between neighboring cells through the Notch receptor can eventually dictate cell differentiation. In our study, we show that MSC differentiation into cardiomyocytes is dependent on the Notch signal. METHODS: We created a myocardial infarction model in rat by coronary ligation, administered direct intramyocardial injection of DAPI-labeled MSC immediately, and observed the differentiation of MSCs after 14 days by immunofluorescence staining against troponin T. We cultured MSCs and cardiomyocytes in four ways, respectively, in vitro. (1) MSCs cocultured with cardiomyocytes obtained from neonatal rat ventricles in a ratio of 1:10. (2) The two types of cells were cultured in two chambers separated by a semipermeable membrane as indirect coculture group. (3) Notch receptor-soluble jagged1 protein was added to indirect coculture group. (4) Both jagged1 protein and gamma-secretase inhibitor-DAPT were added to indirect coculture group. Two weeks later, we observed the differentiation percentage, respectively, by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: We found the differentiation of MSCs which were close to cardiomyocytes in vivo. The differentiation percentage of the four cell culture group was 30.13+/-2.16%, 12.52+/-1.18%, 26.33+/-2.20%, and 13.08+/-1.15%. CONCLUSIONS: MSCs can differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo if a cardiomyocyte microenvironment is provided. 2. Cell-to-cell interaction is very important for the differentiation of MSCs into cardiomyocytes. 3. Jagged1 protein can activate Notch signal and enhance the differentiation of MSC into cardiomyocyte, while the effect can be inhibited by DAPT.     

Insulin Protects Apoptotic Cardiomyocytes from Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury through the Sphingosine Kinase/Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Axis

Objective

Experimental and clinical studies have shown that administration of insulin during reperfusion is cardioprotective, but the mechanisms underlying this effect are still unknown. In this study, the ability of insulin to protect apoptotic cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury using the sphingosine kinase/sphingosine 1-phosphate axis was investigated.

Methods and Results

Rat cardiomyocytes were isolated and subjected to hypoxia and reoxygenation. [γ-32P] ATP was used to assess sphingosine kinase activity. Insulin was found to increase sphingosine kinase activity. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis showed changes in the subcellular location of sphingosine kinase 1 from cytosol to the membrane in cardiomyocytes. Insulin caused cardiomyocytes to accumulate of S1P in a dose-dependent manner. FRET efficiency showed that insulin also transactivates the S1P₁ receptor. TUNEL staining showed that administration of insulin during reoxygenation could to reduce the rate of reoxygenation-induced apoptosis, which is a requirement for SphK 1 activity. It also reduced the rate of activation of the S1P receptor and inhibited hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cell death in cardiomyocytes.

Conclusion

The sphingosine kinase 1/sphingosine 1-phosphate/S1P receptor axis is one pathway through which insulin protects rat cardiomyocytes from apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation injury.     

EDU 免疫荧光法检测整合素连接激酶（ILK）高表达 对新生大鼠心肌细胞DNA 合成的影响

目的:通过EDU免疫荧光法观察整合素连接激酶(Integrin-Linked Kinase,ILK)在新生大鼠心肌细胞内高表达后对心肌细胞DNA合成的影响。方法:取新生(1-3天内)大鼠原代心肌细胞,培养72小时后随机分为正常对照组、ILK转染组。对照组转染重组腺病毒载体(adeno-GFP),ILK组转染重组腺病毒载体+ILK基因(adeno-ILK)。转然成功后48小时将两组心肌细胞分别通过5-乙基-2’-脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(EDU)免疫荧光法测定心肌细胞DNA合成。结果:ILK转染组心肌细胞内DNA合成较对照组明显增加(P<0.05)。结论:ILK高表达具有促进新生大鼠心肌细胞的DNA合成的能力。     

EDU免疫荧光法检测整合素连接激酶（ILK）高表达对新生大鼠心肌细胞DNA合成的影响

目的：通过EDU免疫荧光法观察整合素连接激酶（Integrin-Linked Kinase,mK）在新生大鼠心肌细胞内高表达后对心肌细胞DNA合成的影响。方法：取新生（1-3天内）大鼠原代心肌细胞,培养72小时后随机分为正常对照组、ILK转染组。对照组转染重组腺病毒载体（adeno-GFP）,ILK纽转染重组腺病毒载体＋ILK基因（adeno-ILK）。转然成功后48小时将两组心肌细胞分别通过5-乙基-2-脱氧尿嘧啶核苷（EDU）免疫荧光法测定心肌细胞DNA合成。结果：ILK转染组心肌细胞内DNA合成较对照组明显增加（P〈O．05）。结论：ILK高袁达具有促进新生大鼠心肌细胞的DNA合成的能力。     

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide attenuates diabetic myocardial injury through cardiac mitochondrial protection

In the study, we investigated how exogenous H₂S (hydrogen sulfide) influenced streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic myocardial injury through cardiac mitochondrial protection and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in intact rat hearts and primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Diabetes was induced by STZ (50?mg/kg) and the daily administration of 100?μM NaHS (sodium hydrosulfide, an H₂S donor) in the diabetes?+?NaHS treatment group. At the end of 4, 8, and 12?weeks, the morphological alterations and functions of the hearts were observed using transmission electron microscopy and echocardiography system. The percentage of apoptotic cardiomyocytes, the mitochondrial membrane potential, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the level of NO were measured. The expressions of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), caspase-3 and -9, the mitochondrial NOX4 and cytochrome c were analyzed by western blotting. The results showed the cardiac function injured, morphological changes and the apoptotic rate increased in the diabetic rat hearts. In the primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes of high glucose group, ROS production was increased markedly, whereas the expression of CSE and the level of NO was decreased. However, treatment with NaHS significantly reversed the diabetic rat hearts function, the morphological changes and decreased the levels of ROS and NO in the primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes administrated with high glucose group. Furthermore, NaHS down-regulated the expression of mitochondrial NOX4 and caspase-3 and -9 and inhibited the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria in the primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, H₂S is involved in the attenuation of diabetic myocardial injury through the protection of cardiac mitochondria.     

Induction of premature senescence in cardiomyocytes by doxorubicin as a novel mechanism of myocardial damage

Cellular senescence is an important phenomenon in decreased cellular function. Recently, it was shown that cellular senescence is induced in proliferating cells within a short period of time by oxidative stresses. This phenomenon is known as premature senescence. However, it is still unknown whether premature senescence can be also induced in cardiomyocytes. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a senescence-like phenotype can be induced in cardiomyocytes by oxidative stress. In cardiomyocytes obtained from aged rats (24 months of age), the staining for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase increased significantly and the protein or RNA levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors increased compared to those of young rats. Decreased cardiac troponin I phosphorylation and telomerase activity were also observed in aged cardiomyocytes. Treatment of cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with a low concentration of doxorubicin (DOX) (10(-7) mol L(-1)) did not induce apoptosis but did induce oxidative stress, which was confirmed by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate staining. In DOX-treated neonatal cardiomyocytes, increased positive staining for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase, cdk-I expression, decreased cardiac troponin I phosphorylation, and decreased telomerase activity were observed, as aged cardiomyocytes. Alterations in mRNA expression typically seen in aged cells were observed in DOX-treated neonatal cardiomyocytes. We also found that promyelocytic leukemia protein and acetylated p53, key proteins involved in stress-induced premature senescence in proliferating cells, were associated with cellular alterations of senescence in DOX-treated cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, cardiomyocytes treated with DOX showed characteristic changes similar to cardiomyocytes of aged rats. promyelocytic leukemia-related p53 acetylation may be an underlying mechanism of senescence-like alterations in cardiomyocytes. These findings indicate a novel mechanism of myocardial dysfunction induced by oxidative stress.     

Cardiomyocyte remodeling and sarcomere addition after uniaxial static strain in vitro.

Individual cardiomyocytes are lengthened in dilated cardiomyopathy. However, it is not known how the new sarcomeres are added to preexisting myofibrils. Using a three-dimensional microtextured culturing system, a 10% mechanical static strain was applied to aligned, well-attached cardiomyocytes from neonatal rat. The morphology of the myofibrils and the ends of the myocytes were examined. Disruptions of the sarcomeric pattern for actin showed a progression from weak to intense staining over 4 hr. The lightly stained sarcomeres were common at 1 hr after being strained, peaked at 2 hr, and then subsided. In contrast, the numbers of intensely stained sarcomeres were initially low, peaked at 3 hr, and then began to decline when compared with control values. The myocyte ends showed elongations and convolutions after 3 hr and 4 hr of mechanical strain when observed with alpha-actinin and N-cadherin staining. We suggest that myocytes from neonatal rat hearts remodel by insertion of new sarcomeres throughout the cell length and also by enhancement at the intercalated discs.     

孤儿核受体Nur77对缺/复氧损伤中心肌细胞自噬的调节

目的:研究孤儿核受体Nur77对缺/复氧损伤中心肌细胞自噬的调节作用。方法:差速贴壁法分离乳鼠心肌细胞,经免疫荧光染色鉴定纯度。缺氧(1%O_2、5%CO_2和94%N_2)培养12 h后,常氧培养2 h构建心肌细胞缺/复氧损伤。实时定量PCR和western blot的方法检测Nur77的表达变化。通过siRNA转染抑制心肌细胞nur77表达,通过自噬标志蛋白表达改变作为细胞自噬水平的变化。结果:原代分离的心肌细胞纯度95%以上。缺氧12 h和缺/复氧(12 h/2 h)刺激后,心肌细胞中Nur77表达都明显升高(P0.01)。与缺氧组相比,缺/复氧组细胞质中的水平明显增加(P0.01),细胞核中Nur77水平无明显变化。抑制Nur77后,缺/复氧组自噬水平明显降低,缺氧组心肌细胞自噬水平无明显变化。结论:Nur77参与缺/复氧损伤中心肌细胞自噬水平的调节。