Ischemic preconditioning prevents in vivo hyperoxygenation in postischemic myocardium with preservation of mitochondrial oxygen consumption

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) strongly protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury; however, its effect on subsequent myocardial oxygenation is unknown. Therefore, we determine in an in vivo mouse model of regional ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) if IPC attenuates postischemic myocardial hyperoxygenation and decreases formation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), with preservation of mitochondrial function. The following five groups of mice were studied: sham, control (I/R), ischemic preconditioning (IPC + I/R, 3 cycles of 5 min coronary occlusion/5 min reperfusion) and IPC + I/R N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester treated, and IPC + I/R eNOS knockout mice. I/R and IPC + I/R mice were subjected to 30 min regional ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion. Myocardial Po(2) and redox state were monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the IPC + I/R, but not the I/R group, regional blood flow was increased after reperfusion. Po(2) upon reperfusion increased significantly above preischemic values in I/R but not in IPC + I/R mice. Tissue redox state was measured from the reduction rate of a spin probe, and this rate was 60% higher in IPC than in non-IPC hearts. Activities of NADH dehydrogenase (NADH-DH) and cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) were reduced in I/R mice after 60 min reperfusion but conserved in IPC + I/R mice compared with sham. There were no differences in NADH-DH and CcO expression in I/R and IPC + I/R groups compared with sham. After 60 min reperfusion, strong nitrotyrosine formation was observed in I/R mice, but only weak staining was observed in IPC + I/R mice. Thus IPC markedly attenuates postischemic myocardial hyperoxygenation with less ROS/RNS generation and preservation of mitochondrial O(2) metabolism because of conserved NADH-DH and CcO activities.     

Both ischemic preconditioning and ghrelin administration protect hippocampus from ischemia/reperfusion and upregulate uncoupling protein-2

Background  

A major endogenous protective mechanism in many organs against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is ischemic preconditioning (IPC). By moderately uncoupling the mitochondrial respiratory chain and decreasing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), IPC reduces apoptosis induced by I/R by reducing cytochrome c release from the mitochondria. One element believed to contribute to reduce ROS production is the uncoupling protein UCP2 (and UCP3 in the heart). Although its implication in IPC in the brain has been shown in vitro, no in vivo study of protein has shown its upregulation. Our first goal was to determine in rat hippocampus whether UCP2 protein upregulation was associated with IPC-induced protection and increased ROS production. The second goal was to determine whether the peptide ghrelin, which possesses anti-oxidant and protective properties, alters UCP2 mRNA levels in the same way as IPC during protection.     

Anti-apoptotic protection afforded by cardioplegic celsior and histidine buffer solutions to hearts subjected to ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion

Cardiomyocytes undergo apoptosis in response to ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). During heart preservation, inhibition of apoptosis is critical to avoid organ failure. We aimed to compare the protection afforded by Celsior (Cs) and Histidine buffer solution (HBS) against apoptotic signaling in hearts subjected to moderate (4 h) versus severe (6 h) ischemia alone or followed by 30 min reperfusion. The impact of gender on cardioplegic protection was also explored. Hearts from male and female Wistar-Han rats were divided by gender in distinct groups: control, perfusion_control, ischemia, and I/R. Ischemia and I/R groups were divided in subgroups Cs or HBS, and subjected to 4 or 6 h ischemia alone or followed by reperfusion. Proteins involved in apoptotic signaling (p53, Bax, Fas, FasL, and Flip) were quantified by Western blot in mitochondria and/or whole tissue. Caspases 3, 8, and 9-like activities were measured and hemodynamic parameters were monitored. Ischemia activated p53/Bax signaling. After I/R, HBS-preserved hearts had lower p53/Bax content in mitochondrial fractions than Cs-preserved hearts. The p53/Bax decrease in tissue samples was mostly observed in females. Caspase 3-like activity was increased in HBS-preserved male hearts. The heart rate was decreased in Cs and HBS-preserved hearts. Fas protein levels remained unaltered in all conditions but soluble FasL increased from 4 to 6 h preservation in Cs and HBS. Hearts from male rats were more prone to apoptosis and myocardial dysfunction. HBS and Cs were not effective in inhibiting apoptotic signaling although HBS presented best overall results. Both solutions should be improved to prevent apoptosis and myocardial dysfunction after I/R.     

Mitochondrial oxidant stress triggers cell death in simulated ischemia-reperfusion

To clarify the relationship between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), we studied cell death mechanisms in a cellular model of I/R. Oxidant stress during simulated ischemia was detected in the mitochondrial matrix using mito-roGFP, a ratiometric redox sensor, and by Mito-Sox Red oxidation. Reperfusion-induced death was attenuated by over-expression of Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) or mitochondrial phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (mito-PHGPx), but not by catalase, mitochondria-targeted catalase, or Cu,Zn-SOD. Protection was also conferred by chemically distinct antioxidant compounds, and mito-roGFP oxidation was attenuated by NAC, or by scavenging of residual O₂ during the ischemia (anoxic ischemia). Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) oscillation/opening was monitored by real-time imaging of mitochondrial calcein fluorescence. Oxidant stress caused release of calcein to the cytosol during ischemia, a response that was inhibited by chemically diverse antioxidants, anoxia, or over-expression of Mn-SOD or mito-PHGPx. These findings suggest that mitochondrial oxidant stress causes oscillation of the mPTP prior to reperfusion. Cytochrome c release from mitochondria to the cytosol was not detected until after reperfusion, and was inhibited by anoxic ischemia or antioxidant administration during ischemia. Although DNA fragmentation was detected after I/R, no evidence of Bax activation was detected. Over-expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-X_L in cardiomyocytes did not confer protection against I/R-induced cell death. Moreover, murine embryonic fibroblasts with genetic depletion of Bax and Bak, or over-expression of Bcl-X_L, failed to show protection against I/R. These findings indicate that mitochondrial ROS during ischemia triggers mPTP activation, mitochondrial depolarization, and cell death during reperfusion through a Bax/Bak-independent cell death pathway. Therefore, mitochondrial apoptosis appears to represent a redundant death pathway in this model of simulated I/R. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mitochondria and Cardioprotection.     

Synergistic protective effect of ischemic preconditioning and allopurinol on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat liver

This study examined the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC), allopurinol (Allo) or a combination of both on the extent of mitochondrial injury caused by hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). I/R increased the serum aminotransferase activity and the level of mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, whereas it decreased the mitochondrial glutathione level. Either IPC or Allo alone attenuated these changes with Allo+IPC having a synergistic effect. Allo increased the serum nitrite and nitrate level after brief ischemia. The significant peroxide production observed after 10 min of reperfusion after sustained ischemia was markedly attenuated by Allo+IPC. The mitochondria isolated after I/R were swollen, which was reduced by Allo+IPC. At the end of ischemia, the hepatic ATP level was lower and there was significant xanthine accumulation, which was attenuated by Allo+IPC. These results suggest that IPC and Allo act synergistically to protect cells against mitochondrial injury and preserve the hepatic energy metabolism during hepatic I/R.     

Iron overload induces apoptosis of osteoblast cells via eliciting ER stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and p-eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway in vitro

Iron is an essential element for crucial biological function; whereas excess iron sedimentation impairs the main functions of tissues or organs. Cumulative researches have shown that the disturbances in iron metabolism, especially iron overload is closely concatenating with bone loss. Nevertheless, the specific process of iron overload-induced apoptosis in osteoblasts has not been thoroughly studied. In this study, our purpose is to elucidate the mechanism of osteoblast apoptosis induced by iron overload via the MC3T3-E1 cell line. Ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) was utilized to simulate iron overload conditions in vitro. These results showed that treatment with FAC dose-dependently induced the apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells at 48 h, dysfunction of iron metabolism, and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Following, FAC does-dependently caused the calcium dyshomeostasis, decreased the calcium concentration in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but increased the crosstalk between ER and mitochondria, and calcium concentration in the mitochondria. Moreover, FAC dose-dependently decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and enhanced the expression of apoptosis related proteins (Bax, Cyto-C and C-caspase3). We furthermore revealed that FAC treatment activated the ER-mediated cell apoptosis via p-eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts cells. In addition, pretreatment with the N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or Tauroursodeoxycholate Sodium (TUDC) attenuated cell apoptosis, ROS levels, mitochondria fragmentation and ER stress-related protein expression, and recovered the protein expression related to iron metabolism. In conclusion, our finding suggested that iron overload induced apoptosis via eliciting ER stress, which resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction and activated p-eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway.     

KPC1 alleviates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in rat cardiomyocyte cells though BAX degradation

Bax triggers cell apoptosis by permeabilizing the outer mitochondrial membrane, leading to membrane potential loss and cytochrome c release. However, it is unclear if proteasomal degradation of Bax is involved in the apoptotic process, especially in heart ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury. In the present study, KPC1 expression was heightened in left ventricular cardiomyocytes of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), in I/R-myocardium in vivo and in hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocytes in vitro. Overexpression of KPC1 reduced infarction size and cell apoptosis in I/R rat hearts. Similarly, the forced expression of KPC1 restored mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cytochrome c release driven by H/R in H9c2 cells, whereas reducing cell apoptosis, and knockdown of KPC1 by short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) deteriorated cell apoptosis induced by H/R. Mechanistically, forced expression of KPC1 promoted Bax protein degradation, which was abolished by proteasome inhibitor MG132, suggesting that KPC1 promoted proteasomal degradation of Bax. Furthermore, KPC1 prevented basal and apoptotic stress-induced Bax translocation to mitochondria. Bax can be a novel target for the antiapoptotic effects of KPC1 on I/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and render mechanistic penetration into at least a subset of the mitochondrial effects of KPC1.     

Alterations in oxidative phosphorylation complex proteins in the hearts of transgenic mice that overexpress the p38 MAP kinase activator, MAP kinase kinase 6

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) has critical consequences in the heart. Recent studies on the functions of I/R-activated kinases, such as p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), showed that I/R injury is reduced in the hearts of transgenic mice that overexpress the p38 MAPK activator MAPK kinase 6 (MKK6). This protection may be fostered by changes in the levels of many proteins not currently known to be regulated by p38. To examine this possibility, we employed the multidimensional protein identification technology MudPIT to characterize changes in levels of proteins in MKK6 transgenic mouse hearts, focusing on proteins in mitochondria, which play key roles in mediating I/R injury in the heart. Of the 386 mitochondrial proteins identified, the levels of 58 were decreased, while only 2 were increased in the MKK6 transgenic mouse hearts. Among those that were decreased were 21 mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex proteins, which was unexpected because p38 is not known to mediate such decreases. Immunoblotting verified that proteins in each of the five oxidative phosphorylation complexes were reduced in MKK6 mouse hearts. On assessing functional consequences of these reductions, we found that MKK6 mouse heart mitochondria exhibited 50% lower oxidative respiration and I/R-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, both of which are predicted consequences of decreased oxidative phosphorylation complex proteins. Thus the cardioprotection observed in MKK6 transgenic mouse hearts may be partly due to decreased electron transport, which is potentially beneficial, because damaging ROS are known to be generated by mitochondrial complexes I and III during reoxygenation.     

IDH2 deficiency promotes mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy in mice

Cardiac hypertrophy, a risk factor for heart failure, is associated with enhanced oxidative stress in the mitochondria, resulting from high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The balance between ROS generation and ROS detoxification dictates ROS levels. As such, disruption of these processes results in either increased or decreased levels of ROS. In previous publications, we have demonstrated that one of the primary functions of mitochondrial NADP⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH2) is to control the mitochondrial redox balance, and thereby mediate the cellular defense against oxidative damage, via the production of NADPH. To explore the association between IDH2 expression and cardiac function, we measured myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis, and contractile dysfunction in IDH2 knockout (idh2^−/−) and wild-type (idh2^+/+) mice. As expected, mitochondria from the hearts of knockout mice lacked IDH2 activity and the hearts of IDH2-deficient mice developed accelerated heart failure, increased levels of apoptosis and hypertrophy, and exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction, which was associated with a loss of redox homeostasis. Our results suggest that IDH2 plays an important role in maintaining both baseline mitochondrial function and cardiac contractile function following pressure-overload hypertrophy, by preventing oxidative stress.     

Mitochondrial Src tyrosine kinase plays a role in the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning by modulating complex I activity and mitochondrial ROS generation

Abstract

While ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and other cardioprotective interventions have been proposed to protect the heart from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by inhibiting mitochondrial complex I activity upon reperfusion, the exact mechanism underlying the modulation of complex I activity remains elusive. This study was aimed to test the hypothesis that IPC modulates complex I activity at reperfusion by activating mitochondrial Src tyrosine kinase, and induces cardioprotection against I/R injury. Isolated rat hearts were preconditioned by three cycles of 5-min ischemia and 5-min reperfusion prior to 30-min index ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Mitochondrial Src phosphorylation (Tyr⁴¹⁶) was dramatically decreased during I/R, implying inactivation of Src tyrosine kinase by I/R. IPC increased mitochondrial Src phosphorylation upon reperfusion and this was inhibited by the selective Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2. IPC's anti-infarct effect was inhibited by the selective Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2. Complex I activity was significantly increased upon reperfusion, an effect that was prevented by IPC in a Src tyrosine kinase-dependent manner. In support, Src and phospho-Src were found in complex I. Furthermore, IPC prevented hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cellular injury in rat cardiomyocytes, which was revoked by PP2. Finally, IPC reduced LDH release induced by both hypoxia/reoxygenation and simulated ischemia/reperfusion, an effect that was reversed by PP2 and Src siRNA. These data suggest that mitochondrial Src tyrosine kinase accounts for the inhibitory action of IPC on complex I and mitochondrial ROS generation, and thereby plays a role in the cardioprotective effect of IPC.     

Preconditioning involves selective mitophagy mediated by Parkin and p62/SQSTM1

Autophagy-dependent mitochondrial turnover in response to cellular stress is necessary for maintaining cellular homeostasis. However, the mechanisms that govern the selective targeting of damaged mitochondria are poorly understood. Parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, has been shown to be essential for the selective clearance of damaged mitochondria. Parkin is expressed in the heart, yet its function has not been investigated in the context of cardioprotection. We previously reported that autophagy is required for cardioprotection by ischemic preconditioning (IPC). In the present study, we used simulated ischemia (sI) in vitro and IPC of hearts to investigate the role of Parkin in mediating cardioprotection ex vivo and in vivo. In HL-1 cells, sI induced Parkin translocation to mitochondria and mitochondrial elimination. IPC induced Parkin translocation to mitochondria in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts and in vivo in mice subjected to regional IPC. Mitochondrial depolarization with an uncoupling agent similarly induced Parkin translocation to mitochondria in cells and Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. Mitochondrial loss was blunted in Atg5-deficient cells, revealing the requirement for autophagy in mitochondrial elimination. Consistent with previous reports indicating a role for p62/SQSTM1 in mitophagy, we found that depletion of p62 attenuated mitophagy and exacerbated cell death in HL-1 cardiomyocytes subjected to sI. While wild type mice showed p62 translocation to mitochondria and an increase in ubiquitination, Parkin knockout mice exhibited attenuated IPC-induced p62 translocation to the mitochondria. Importantly, ablation of Parkin in mice abolished the cardioprotective effects of IPC. These results reveal for the first time the crucial role of Parkin and mitophagy in cardioprotection.     

Mitochondrial PKC‐ε deficiency promotes I/R‐mediated myocardial injury via GSK3β‐dependent mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening

Mitochondrial fission is critically involved in cardiomyocyte apoptosis, which has been considered as one of the leading causes of ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R)‐induced myocardial injury. In our previous works, we demonstrate that aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 (ALDH2) deficiency aggravates cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether ALDH2 deficiency promotes mitochondrial injury and cardiomyocyte death in response to I/R stress and the underlying mechanism. I/R injury was induced by aortic cross‐clamping for 45 min. followed by unclamping for 24 hrs in ALDH2 knockout (ALDH2^?/?) and wild‐type (WT) mice. Then myocardial infarct size, cell apoptosis and cardiac function were examined. The protein kinase C (PKC) isoform expressions and their mitochondrial translocation, the activity of dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp1), caspase9 and caspase3 were determined by Western blot. The effects of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) or PKC‐δ shRNA treatment on glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) activity and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening were also detected. The results showed that ALDH2^?/? mice exhibited increased myocardial infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, enhanced levels of cleaved caspase9, caspase3 and phosphorylated Drp1. Mitochondrial PKC‐ε translocation was lower in ALDH2^?/? mice than in WT mice, and PKC‐δ was the opposite. Further data showed that mitochondrial PKC isoform ratio was regulated by cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, which could be reversed by NAC pre‐treatment under I/R injury. In addition, PKC‐ε inhibition caused activation of caspase9, caspase3 and Drp1Ser⁶¹⁶ in response to I/R stress. Importantly, expression of phosphorylated GSK‐3β (inactive form) was lower in ALDH2^?/? mice than in WT mice, and both were increased by NAC pre‐treatment. I/R‐induced mitochondrial translocation of GSK‐3β was inhibited by PKC‐δ shRNA or NAC pre‐treatment. In addition, mitochondrial membrane potential (?Ψ_m) was reduced in ALDH2^?/? mice after I/R, which was partly reversed by the GSK‐3β inhibitor (SB216763) or PKC‐δ shRNA. Collectively, our data provide the evidence that abnormal PKC‐ε/PKC‐δ ratio promotes the activation of Drp1 signalling, caspase cascades and GSK‐3β‐dependent mPTP opening, which results in mitochondrial injury‐triggered cardiomyocyte apoptosis and myocardial dysfuction in ALDH2^?/? mice following I/R stress.     

1-(3′,4′,5′-Trimethoxyphenyl)-3-(3″,4″-dimethoxy-2″-hydroxyphenyl)-propane with microtubule-depolymerizing ability induces G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells

1-(3′,4′,5′-Trimethoxyphenyl)-3-(3″,4″-dimethoxy-2″-hydroxyphenyl)-propane (DP), a novel synthesized 1,3-diarylpropanes compound, showed growth inhibitory effect on human hepatoma HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The growth inhibitory effect of DP on HepG2 cells was associated with microtubule depolymerization, G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis induction. The G2/M phase arrest induced by DP resulted from its microtubule-depolymerizing ability, and DP-treated HepG2 cells finally underwent caspase-dependent apoptosis. DP increased the levels of death receptor 4 (DR4), death receptor 5 (DR5) and pro-apoptotic protein Bax, but decreased the levels of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Meanwhile, the decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria were observed in DP-treated HepG2 cells. DP increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 cells, and antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) completely blocked DP-induced ROS accumulation and the disruption of the balance between Bax and Bcl-2 proteins, and effectively blocked the decreased MMP and apoptosis, but had no effect on the activation of caspase-8 and the up-regulations of DR4 and DR5 induced by DP. These results suggest that DP induces G2/M phase arrest through interruption of microtubule network followed by the death receptor- and ROS-mediated apoptosis in HepG2 cells.     

Bax ablation protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in transgenic mice

The role of the proapototic Bax gene in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury was studied in three groups of mice: homozygotic knockout mice lacking the Bax gene (Bax(-/-)), heterozygotic mice (Bax(+/-)), and wild-type mice (Bax(+/+)). Isolated hearts were subjected to ischemia (30 min, 37 degrees C) and then to 120 min of reperfusion. The left ventricular developed force of Bax-deficient vs. Bax(+/+) hearts at stabilization and at 120 min of reperfusion was 1,411 +/- 177 vs. 1,161 +/- 137 mg and 485 +/- 69 vs. 306 +/- 68 mg, respectively. Superior cardiac function of Bax(-/-) hearts after I/R was accompanied by a decrease in creatine kinase release, caspase 3 activity, irreversible ischemic injury, and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cardiomyocytes. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed reduced damage to mitochondria and the nuclear chromatin structure in Bax-deficient mice. In the Bax(+/-) hearts, the damage markers were moderate. The superior tolerance of Bax knockout hearts to I/R injury recommends this gene as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in patients with severe and intractable myocardial ischemia.     

A combination of ischemic preconditioning and allopurinol protects against ischemic injury through a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism

This study examined the cytoprotective mechanisms of a combination of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and allopurinol against liver injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Allopurinol (50 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered 18 and 1 h before sustained ischemia. A rat liver was preconditioned by 10 min of ischemia, followed by 10 min of reperfusion, and then subjected to 90 min of ischemia, followed by 5 h of reperfusion. Rats were pretreated with adenosine deaminase (ADA), 3,7-dimethyl-1-[2-propargyl]-xanthine (DMPX), and N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) before IPC. Hepatic nitrite and nitrate and eNOS protein expression levels were increased by the combination of IPC and allopurinol. This increase was attenuated by ADA, DMPX, and l-NAME. I/R induced an increase in alanine aminotransferase activity, whereas it decreased the hepatic glutathione level. A combination of IPC and allopurinol attenuated these changes, which were abolished by ADA, DMPX, and l-NAME. The increase in the liver wet weight-to-dry weight ratio after I/R was attenuated by the combination of IPC and allopurinol. In contrast, hepatic bile flow was decreased after I/R, which was attenuated by the combination of IPC and allopurinol. These changes were restored by l-NAME. I/R induced a decrease in the level of mitochondrial dehydrogenase, whereas it increased mitochondrial swelling. A combination of IPC and allopurinol attenuated these changes, which were restored by ADA, DMPX, and l-NAME. Our findings suggest that a combination of IPC and allopurinol reduces post-ischemic hepatic injury by enhancing NO generation.     

镉通过引发氧化应激和线粒体损伤诱导PK-15细胞凋亡

镉（cadmium,Cd）是一种生物累积性的有毒重金属元素,能够在肾组织大量蓄积并引起肾发生病变和功能损伤。前期研究证实,Cd处理能够引起猪肾PK-15细胞的活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）水平升高和细胞死亡,但详细机制有待进一步研究。本研究以PK-15细胞为研究对象,通过CCK-8检测、透射电镜观察、DCFH-DA标记、JC-1染色、彗星实验和流式细胞术等研究手段,分别检测Cd处理后的细胞活性、形态变化、ROS生成、线粒体膜电位Δψm、DNA损伤及细胞凋亡情况。CCK-8实验结果显示,CdCl2处理后PK-15细胞活性下降,且呈时间和剂量依赖性;形态学观察发现,CdCl2处理引起PK-15细胞皱缩、变圆,细胞核固缩、染色质凝聚,线粒体肿胀、线粒体嵴减少或消失;荧光染色和流式细胞术检测结果显示,CdCl2处理引起PK-15细胞内ROS水平升高、线粒体膜电位Δψm下降和DNA损伤,最终导致细胞凋亡。Western印迹结果显示,CdCl2处理组中促凋亡蛋白质Bax表达量上调,抑凋亡蛋白质Bcl-2表达量下调,并且CdCl2处理组检测到了活化状态的裂解胱天蛋白酶3(cleaved caspase 3)。此外,ROS清除剂N-乙酰基-L-半胱氨酸（N-acetyl-L-cysteine,NAC）缓解了CdCl2引起的线粒体损伤、DNA损伤和细胞凋亡。综上所述,Cd通过引发氧化应激和线粒体损伤诱导PK-15细胞凋亡。     

Protection against ischemia-induced ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial dysfunction conferred by preconditioning in the rat heart: involvement of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels and reactive oxygen species

Ischemic preconditioning (I-PC) induced by brief episodes of ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) protects the heart against sustained I/R. Although activation of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels (mitoK(ATP)) interacting with reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been proposed as a key event in this process, their role in the antiarrhythmic effect is not clear. This study was designed: 1) to investigate the involvement of mito K(ATP) opening in the effect of I-PC (1 cycle of I/R, 5 min each) on ventricular arrhythmias during test ischemia (TI, 30-min LAD coronary artery occlusion) in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts and subsequent postischemic contractile dysfunction, and 2) to characterize potential mechanisms of protection conferred by I-PC and pharmacological PC induced by mito K(ATP) opener diazoxide (DZX), with particular regards to the modulation of ROS generation. Lipid peroxidation (an indicator of increased ROS production) was determined by measurement of myocardial concentration of conjugated dienes (CD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in non-ischemic controls, non-preconditioned and preconditioned hearts exposed to TI, I-PC alone, as well as after pretreatment with DZX, mito K(ATP) blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) and antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Total number of ventricular premature beats (VPB) that occurred in the control hearts (518+/-71) was significantly (P<0.05) reduced by I-PC (195+/-40), NAC (290+/-56) and DZX (168+/-22). I-PC and NAC suppressed an increase in CD and TBARS caused by ischemia indicating lower production of ROS. On the other hand, I-PC and DZX themselves moderately enhanced ROS generation, prior to TI. Bracketing of I-PC with 5-HD suppressed both, ROS production during PC and its cardioprotective effect. In conclusion, potential mechanisms of protection conferred by mito K(ATP) opening in the rat heart might involve a temporal increase in ROS production in the preconditioning phase triggering changes in the pro/antioxidant balance in the myocardium and attenuating ROS production during subsequent prolonged ischemia.     

Reactive oxygen species induced by proteasome inhibition in neuronal cells mediate mitochondrial dysfunction and a caspase-independent cell death

While increasing evidence shows that proteasome inhibition triggers oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and death in neuronal cells, the regulatory relationship among these events is unclear. Using mouse neuronal cells we show that the cytotoxicity induced by mild (0.25 μM) and potent (5.0 μM) doses of the proteasome inhibitor, N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-Ile-Glu (O-t-butyl)-Ala-leucinal, (PSI) involved a dose-dependent increase in caspase activation, overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a mitochondrial dysfunction manifested by the translocation of the proapoptotic protein, Bax, from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria, membrane depolarization and the release of cytochrome c and the apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria to the cytoplasm and nucleus, respectively. Whereas caspase or Bax inhibition failed to prevent mitochondrial membrane depolarization and neuronal cell death, pretreatments with the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) or overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL abrogated these events in cells exposed to mild levels of PSI. These findings implicated ROS as a mediator of PSI-induced cytotoxicity. However, depletions in glutathione and Bcl-xL with potent proteasome inhibition exacerbated this response whereupon survival required the cooperative protection of NAC with Bcl-xL overexpression. Collectively, ROS induced by proteasome inhibition mediates a mitochondrial dysfunction in neuronal cells that culminates in death through caspase- and Bax-independent mechanisms. Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Oncostatin M (OSM) protects against cardiac ischaemia/reperfusion injury in diabetic mice by regulating apoptosis,mitochondrial biogenesis and insulin sensitivity

Oncostatin M (OSM) exhibits many unique biological activities by activating Oβ receptor. However, its role in myocardial I/R injury in diabetic mice remains unknown. The involvement of OSM was assessed in diabetic mice which underwent myocardial I/R injury by OSM treatment or genetic deficiency of OSM receptor Oβ. Its mechanism on cardiomyocyte apoptosis, mitochondrial biogenesis and insulin sensitivity were further studied. OSM alleviated cardiac I/R injury by inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis through inhibition of inositol pyrophosphate 7 (IP7) production, thus activating PI3K/Akt/BAD pathway, decreasing Bax expression while up‐regulating Bcl‐2 expression and decreasing the ratio of Bax to Bcl‐2 in db/db mice. OSM enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial function in db/db mice subjected to cardiac I/R injury. On the contrary, OSM receptor Oβ knockout exacerbated cardiac I/R injury, increased IP7 production, enhanced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, glucose homoeostasis and insulin sensitivity in cardiac I/R injured diabetic mice. Inhibition of IP7 production by TNP (IP6K inhibitor) exerted similar effects of OSM. The mechanism of OSM on cardiac I/R injury in diabetic mice is partly associated with IP7/Akt and adenine mononucleotide protein kinase/PGC‐1α pathway. OSM protects against cardiac I/R Injury by regulating apoptosis, insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial biogenesis in diabetic mice through inhibition of IP7 production.     

Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning on Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Mitochondrial P53 Translocation after Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Transient global brain ischemia induces dysfunctions of mitochondria including disturbance in mitochondrial protein synthesis and inhibition of respiratory chain complexes. Due to capacity of mitochondria to release apoptogenic proteins, ischemia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is considered to be a key event coupling cerebral blood flow arrest to neuronal cell death. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) represents an important phenomenon of adaptation of central nervous system (CNS) to sub-lethal short-term ischemia, which results in increased tolerance of CNS to the lethal ischemia. In this study we have determined the effect of ischemic preconditioning on ischemia/reperfusion-associated inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis and activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and IV in the hippocampus of rats. Global brain ischemia was induced by 4-vessel occlusion in duration of 15 min. Rats were preconditioned by 5 min of sub-lethal ischemia and 2 days later, 15 min of lethal ischemia was induced. Our results showed that IPC affects ischemia-induced dysfunction of hippocampal mitochondria in two different ways. Repression of mitochondrial translation induced during reperfusion of the ischemic brain is significantly attenuated by IPC. Slight protective effect of IPC was documented for complex IV, but not for complex I. Despite this, protective effect of IPC on ischemia/reperfusion-associated changes in integrity of mitochondrial membrane and membrane proteins were observed. Since IPC exhibited also inhibitory effect on translocation of p53 to mitochondria, our results indicate that IPC affects downstream processes connecting mitochondrial dysfunction to neuronal cell death.