木犀草素预处理对缺血/再灌注大鼠肝脏的保护作用

本研究用Sprague-Dawley大鼠建立肝脏缺血/再灌注损伤模型,探讨木犀草素预处理对大鼠肝脏缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机制,并观察血红素氧合酶-1(heme oxygenase-1,HO-1)活性变化对肝缺血/再灌注损伤的影响.将火鼠随机分为正常组、模犁组、木犀草素组、木犀草素+锌原卟啉(HO-1抑制剂)组及...     

木犀草素改善低温下离体大鼠心脏保存效果的研究

目的:研究木犀草素是否能改善心脏停搏保存液(UW液)对离体大鼠心脏的低温保存效果。方法:将40只成年SD大鼠随机分成4组(n=10):对照组(UW组)、7.5μmol/L木犀草素小剂量组,15μmol/L木犀草素中剂量组及30μmol/L木犀草素大剂量组。利用Langendorff离体心脏灌流法,观察心脏在4℃含或不含木犀草素的UW液中保存12 h复灌60 min后心脏功能及超微结构变化,比较心脏冠脉流量(CF)、心肌含水量及冠脉流出液中磷酸肌酸激酶(CK)的释放量。结果:与对照组比较,添加木犀草素后,复灌期心脏的收缩功能(LVPSP,+dp/dtmax)与心脏舒张功能(-dp/dtmax)、冠脉流量在多个复灌时间点均优于对照组,心率在复灌60 min时也显著优于对照组;复灌过程中磷酸肌酸激酶的漏出量及低温保存后心脏超微结构的损伤也均明显低于对照组;随灌注时间延长木犀草素组心脏结构和功能的改善有剂量依赖性趋势;木犀草素对心肌含水量没有影响。结论:木犀草素能显著改善UW液对离体大鼠心脏的低温保存效果,对心脏有明显的保护作用,以30μmol/L的木犀草素大剂量组作用最显著。     

木犀草素对粪肠球菌毒力因子作用机制的研究

目的探讨木犀草素对粪肠球菌生物被膜的抑制效果,并进一步研究木犀草素对粪肠球菌毒力因子转录表达水平的影响。方法建立粪肠球菌的体外生物被膜模型,5组实验组分别加入浓度为0.5、1、2、4和8mg/mL的木犀草素,同步培养24h后,通过MTT检测各组的抑菌率。利用激光共聚焦显微镜观察不同浓度的木犀草素作用24h后的抑菌效果。最后选取适宜的浓度(2、4、8mg/mL)的木犀草素与粪肠球菌共同培养24h后,通过RT-PCR观察各组粪肠球菌毒力因子gelE、esp、ebpA的转录表达水平。结果 MTT和CLSM结果显示:随着浓度的增加,木犀草素对粪肠球菌生物被膜的抑制效果越来越好(P0.05)。其中以8mg/mL组的抑菌效果最好;浓度为2、4、8mg/mL的木犀草素对其毒力因子gelE、esp、ebpA的mRNA的表达均有较好的抑制作用,并且随着药物浓度的增加木犀草素对其毒力因子的抑制效果也越来越好(P0.05)。当药物浓度为8mg/mL时,可完全抑制gelE、esp、ebpA的mRNA的转录表达。结论木犀草素对粪肠球菌生物被膜有抑制作用,与此同时还能不同程度的抑制其毒力因子gelE、esp、ebpA的转录表达水平。     

木犀草素对高糖诱导的心肌微血管内皮细胞损伤的影响及机制

目的:探讨木犀草素对高糖诱导的心肌微血管内皮细胞(cardiac microvascular endothelial cells,CMECs)损伤的影响及其可能调控机制。方法:消化法分离大鼠CMECs,将原代CMECs随机分为4组:低糖组、低糖+木犀草素组、高糖组和高糖+木犀草素组。低糖+木犀草素组和高糖+木犀草素组分别加入30μmmol/L的木犀草素孵育24 h,低糖组和高糖组分别加入同等体积的DMSO孵育24 h。CCK-8实验检测CMECs增殖;Tunel法检测CMECs凋亡;Transwell检测CMECs的迁移能力;Western blot检测PKC-βⅡ的表达。结果:与低糖组和低糖+木犀草素组相比,高糖组CMECs增殖能力显著降低(0.341±0.018,P0.05),CMECs凋亡显著增加(P0.05),CMECs迁移能力显著降低(116±12.2,P0.05),PKC-βⅡ的表达显著增加(P0.05);与高糖组相比,高糖+木犀草素组CMECs增殖能力显著增加(0.550±0.023,P0.05),CMECs凋亡显著减少(P0.05),CMECs迁移能力显著增加(169±7.3,P0.05),PKC-βⅡ的表达显著降低(P0.05)。结论:木犀草素可能通过抑制PKC-βⅡ激活减少高糖诱导的心肌微血管内皮细胞损伤。     

黄檀素对心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的治疗作用及机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨黄檀素（DAL）对小鼠心肌缺血/再灌注（MI/R）损伤心肌的治疗作用及其作用机制。方法：选择成年雄性C57 BL/6J小鼠随机分为假手术组（Sham）、模型组（MI/R）、地尔硫组（Diltiazem）和DAL低、中、高剂量组（10、30、90 mg/kg/d）,每组10只。结扎小鼠冠状动脉左前降支（LAD）,缺血30 min,再灌注1 h建立小鼠MI/R损伤模型。术后第1天起,Sham组、MI/R组小鼠均灌胃等体积生理盐水,Diltiazem组、DAL各剂量组小鼠灌胃相应药液,每日1次,连续7 d。给药结束后检测小鼠血清中肌酸激酶同工酶（CK-MB）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性及肿瘤坏死因-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）含量;检测小鼠心肌组织中超氧化歧化酶（SOD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量;苏木精-伊红染色（HE）检测心肌损伤病理形态;Western Blot检测心肌组织中Akt和P-Akt的蛋白水平表达变化;超声检测左室舒张末内径（ESD）、左室舒张末容积（EDV）、射血分数（EF）和短轴缩短率（FS）。结果：DAL可以减轻小鼠血清中CK-MB、LDH活性及TNF-α、IL-6含量;升高小鼠心肌组织中SOD活性,减少MDA生成;增加p-Akt的蛋白水平表达,减轻心肌组织病理损伤,改善心脏功能。结论：DAL可以通过增加Akt磷酸化促进心肌细胞存活,减轻心肌组织病理损伤,进而抑制小鼠MI/R损伤,改善心脏功能,最终发挥心肌治疗作用。     

木犀草素通过抑制p65 NF-κB、促进p85 PI3K调节微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1表达

通过抑制微血管内皮细胞血管细胞黏附分子(VCAM)-1的表达,木犀草素可阻遏中性粒细胞与微血管内皮细胞的黏附,起到抗炎作用。木犀草素调节VCAM-1表达与三条信号通路有关：丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)、核因子kappa B (NF-κB)/IκB和磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/Akt通路。其中,MAPK和NF-κB/IκB通路参与VCAM-1正向调节,PI3K/Akt通路参与VCAM-1负向调节。本文研究了木犀草素对微血管内皮细胞该三条通路中的关键蛋白p38 MAPK、p65 NF-κB、p85 PI3K磷酸化。结果表明：木犀草素在反应的30s和1min促进p38 MAPK磷酸化,在30 s、1 min和5 min促进p85 PI3K磷酸化,而在30 s、1 min、5 min和30 min抑制p65 NF-κB磷酸化。阻抑p38 MAPK通路导致VCAM-1表达下调,而p38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580可通过抑制p38 MAPK磷酸化也下调VCAM-1,提示木犀草素对微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1的调节作用独立于p38 MAPK磷酸化。由此可知,木犀草素通过抑制p65 NF-κB磷酸化或促进p85 PI3K磷酸化调节微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1表达。本文为木犀草素抗炎作用的分子机制研究提供了新的线索。     

神经调节素对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后炎症反应的抑制作用和机制研究

目的：研究神经调节素及基质金属蛋白酶-9对于小鼠大脑缺血再灌注损伤后炎症反应的抑制作用和机制。方法：选取100只成年雄性大鼠,随机分成对照和治疗组。采用线栓方法由颈内到颈外进行插线处理,造成大脑中动脉处于闭塞状态的再灌注动物模型。治疗组颈动脉进行注射少量NRG-1β干预性治疗,通过氯化三苯基四氮唑（TTC）检查脑梗塞范围,细胞凋亡采用原住脱氧核糖核苷酸末端转移酶介导缺口末端进行标记,采用免疫组织化学、免疫荧光双标记法及免疫印迹法观察脑组织基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）表达。结果：脑缺血再灌注损伤后,随时间延长及缺氧,对照组大鼠大脑皮质和纹状体区脑组织细胞凋亡,并且胶质细胞MMP-9蛋白表达逐渐增加。治疗组大鼠经注射NRG-1β干预性治疗后,缺血脑组织梗死范围及其细胞凋亡数量相对呈明显下降趋势。胶质细胞MMP-9表达呈降低趋势。结论：大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后体内NRG-1β抑制胶质细胞MMP-9的表达,控制缺血脑组织梗死的范围并抑制正常细胞的凋亡,发挥了重要的抗炎作用,可作为对于大脑缺血再灌注损伤的研究新靶点。     

miR-96-5p靶向FOXO1调节脑缺血再灌注损伤机制

摘要 目的：探究miR-96-5p在脑缺血再灌注损伤（CIRI）中的作用及机制。方法：通过qRT-PCR检测36例确诊的缺血性脑卒中患者（IS患者组）和30例健康体检者（健康组）的血清miR-96-5p水平。将PC12细胞分为5组：对照组、NC-ag组、miR-96-5p-ag组、NC-an组、miR-96-5p-an组。采用Lipofectamine 2000对PC12细胞进行转染,通过qRT-PCR验证转染效率。将PC12细胞分为6组：对照组、氧糖剥夺/复氧复糖（OGD/R）组、OGD/R+NC-ag组、OGD/R+miR-ag组、OGD/R+NC-an组、OGD/R+miR-an组。根据分组对PC12细胞进行OGD/R处理和转染。通过MTT法检测PC12细胞活力,TUNEL法检测PC12细胞凋亡。采用改良Longa法建立大鼠CIRI模型,然后将大鼠分为假手术组、CIRI组、CIRI+NC-an组和CIRI+miR-an组。假手术组和CIRI组大鼠尾静脉注射生理盐水,CIRI+NC-an组和CIRI+miR-an组大鼠分别尾静脉注射NC-antagomir和miR-96-5p-antagomir。然后检测各组大鼠的神经功能评分、脑梗死体积和脑组织细胞凋亡情况。按照试剂盒说明书测定PC12细胞和大鼠脑组织中MDA、SOD和GSH-Px的含量。通过qRT-PCR检测PC12细胞和大鼠脑组织miR-96-5p和Forkhead box O1（FOXO1） mRNA水平,通过Western blot检测FOXO1、Ac-FOXO1、Bax和Bcl-2的蛋白表达水平。结果：与Health组比较,IS组患者的血清miR-96-5p水平显著升高（P<0.001）。与对照组和NC-ag组比较,miR-96-5p-ag组的miR-96-5p水平升高,FOXO1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均降低,FOXO1的乙酰化水平升高（P<0.05）。与对照组和NC-an组比较,miR-96-5p-an组的miR-96-5p水平降低,FOXO1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均升高,FOXO1的乙酰化水平降低（P<0.05）。与OGD/R组和OGD/R+NC-an组比较,OGD/R+miR-an组的相对细胞活力升高,TUNEL阳性率降低,Bax的蛋白相对表达量降低,Bcl-2的蛋白相对表达量升高,MDA水平降低,SOD和GSH-Px水平升高,miR-96-5p水平降低,FOXO1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平升高,FOXO1的乙酰化水平降低（P<0.05）。与CIRI组和CIRI+NC-an组比较,CIRI+miR-an组大鼠的神经功能评分和脑梗死体积降低,TUNEL阳性率降低,Bax的蛋白相对表达量降低,Bcl-2的蛋白相对表达量升高,MDA水平降低,SOD和GSH-Px水平升高,miR-96-5p水平降低,FOXO1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平升高,FOXO1的乙酰化水平降低（P<0.05）。结论：miR-96-5p在CIRI发生过程中表达上调,而下调miR-96-5p表达可能通过负调控FOXO1以减轻CIRI程度。     

木犀草素通过抑制p65 NF-κB、促进p85 PI3K调节微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1表达（英文）

通过抑制微血管内皮细胞血管细胞黏附分子(VCAM)-1的表达,木犀草素可阻遏中性粒细胞与微血管内皮细胞的黏附,起到抗炎作用.木犀草素调节VCAM-1表达与三条信号通路有关:丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)、核因子kappa B(NF-κB)/IκB和磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/Akt通路.其中,MAPK和NF-κB/IκB通路参与VCAM-1正向调节,PI3K/Akt通路参与VCAM-1负向调节.本文研究了木犀草素对微血管内皮细胞该三条通路中的关键蛋白p38 MAPK、p65 NF-κB、p85 PI3K磷酸化.结果表明:木犀草素在反应的30 s和1 min促进p38 MAPK磷酸化,在30 s、1 min和5 min促进p85 PI3K磷酸化,而在30 s、1 min、5 min和30 min抑制p65 NF-κB磷酸化.阻抑p38 MAPK通路导致VCAM-1表达下调,而p38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580可通过抑制p38 MAPK磷酸化也下调VCAM-1,提示木犀草素对微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1的调节作用独立于p38 MAPK磷酸化.由此可知,木犀草素通过抑制p65 NF-κB...     

姜黄素后处理通过SIRT1/FOXO1信号通路拮抗小鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤

目的:探究姜黄素后处理是否通过激活SIRT1/FOXO1信号通路抵抗小鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤。方法:小鼠脑缺血30 min,再灌注24 h建立脑缺血再灌注模型。手术前脑室内注射SIRT1特异性抑制剂EX527。再灌注后腹腔注射姜黄素。小鼠随机分为以下6组:假手术组;单纯姜黄素后处理组;缺血再灌注组;缺血再灌注+姜黄素后处理组;EX527预处理+缺血再灌注+姜黄素后处理组;EX527预处理+脑缺血再灌注组。再灌注24 h检测脑梗体积、Complex I活性、ROS含量以及SIRT1、Ac-FOXO1、Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3蛋白表达情况。结果:与手术组相比,姜黄素后处理组梗死区脑组织SIRT1的表达量及活性明显增加,脑梗体积降低,ROS含量降低而Complex I活性增高,Bcl-2的表达增高而Bax和Caspase-3的表达量降低(均P0.05)。阻断SIRT1信号通路后上述姜黄素脑保护作用均减弱(P0.05)。结论:我们的研究首次证实姜黄素后处理通过激活SIRT1/FOXO1信号通路,进而降低氧化应激与凋亡,最终减轻脑缺血再灌注损伤。     

siRNA-mediated NCAM1 gene silencing suppresses oxidative stress in pre-eclampsia by inhibiting the p38MAPK signaling pathway

Pre-eclampsia (PE), whose pathophysiology and etiology remain undefined, represents a leading consequence of fetal and maternal mortality and morbidity. Oxidative stress (OS) is recognized to involve in this disorder. In this study, we hypothesized that neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1) gene silencing would suppress the OS in the pregnancy complicated by PE. Initially, clinical samples were collected for determination of NCAM1 expression in placental tissues and levels of OS products in blood. To assess the regulatory mechanism of NCAM1 knockdown on OS, we used small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence NCAM1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Next, cells were treated with or without hypoxia/reoxygenation to observe the level changes of OS products and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathway-related genes. Finally, an evaluation of HUVEC migration and invasion abilities was conducted by wound-healing and transwell assays. Placenta of pregnancy with PE presented significantly increased NCAM1 expression in comparison to placenta of normal pregnancy. Meanwhile, enhanced OS in blood of pregnant women with PE was observed relative to women with normal pregnancy. siRNA-mediated knockdown of NCAM1 gene could inhibit the p38MAPK signaling pathway, repress OS, and promote cell migration and invasion in HUVECs, indicating that NCAM1 inhibition could reduce the influence of PE. Importantly, blocking the p38MAPK signaling pathway reversed the inhibitory role of NCAM1 gene silencing on PE. Collectively, this study defines potential role of NCAM1 gene silencing as a therapeutic target in PE through inhibiting OS and enhancing HUVEC migration and invasion by disrupting the p38MAPK signaling pathway.     

Normothermic machine perfusion attenuates hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting CIRP-mediated oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission

Extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) is a proinflammatory mediator that aggravates ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) could effectively alleviate the IRI of the liver, but the underlying mechanism remains to be explored. We show that human DCD livers secreted a large amount of CIRP during static cold storage (CS), which is released into the circulation after reperfusion. The expression of CIRP was related to postoperative IL-6 levels and liver function. In a rat model, the CIRP expression was upregulated during warm ischaemia and cold storage. Then, rat DCD livers were preserved using CS, hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) and NMP. C23, a CIRP inhibitor, was administrated in the HOPE group. Compared with CS, NMP significantly inhibited CIRP expression and decreased oxidative stress by downregulating NADPH oxidase and upregulating UCP2. NMP markedly inhibited the mitochondrial fission-related proteins Drp-1 and Fis-1. Further, NMP increased the mitochondrial biogenesis-related protein, TFAM. NMP significantly reduced inflammatory reactions and apoptosis after reperfusion, and NMP-preserved liver tissue had higher bile secretion and ICG metabolism compared to the CS group. Moreover, C23 administration attenuated IRI in the HOPE group. Additionally, HL-7702 cells were stimulated with rhCIRP and C23. High rhCIRP levels increased oxidative stress and apoptosis. In summary, NMP attenuates the IRI of DCD liver by inhibiting CIRP-mediated oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission.     

Protective effect of hypoglycemic granule against diabetes-induced liver injury by alleviating glycolipid metabolic disorder and oxidative stress

The current study was designed to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of different extraction, which came from hypoglycemic granule on diabetes-induced liver injury. The ethanol fraction (HGEF) and aqueous fraction (HGAF) from hypoglycemic granule were prepared and administered p.o. to diabetic mice for 17 weeks after 6 weeks of constructing the model. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were individually applied to observe the morphological change and glycogen deposition. In addition, Oil Red O staining was adopted in lipid droplets detection. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the protein expression. The commercial biochemical kits were used to determine the fasting blood glucose value, enzyme activity, and some biochemical indicators. HGEF not only significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, the content of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and lipid droplet accumulation, but also remarkably enhanced the high-density lipoprotein, glycogen synthesis, and further improved the hepatic function in diabetic mice. Moreover, HGEF increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and inhibited the malondialdehyde production, so did HGAF. HGAF performed potential to modulate lipid metabolism via decreasing TG and LDL levels. Further, the protein expressions of SOD, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and forkhead box O3 (Foxo3a) were increased by HGEF, whereas the receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3 (RIP3), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and cytochrome c (Cyt c) expressions were inhibited. Our present results suggest that HGEF has superiority in ameliorating oxidative stress via modulating hepatic glycolipid metabolism homeostasis in low-dose streptozotocin-induced liver tissue of diabetic mice.     

Soy sauce increased the oxidative stress tolerance of nematode via p38 MAPK pathway

Soy sauce – a fermented food made from soybeans and wheat – is considered a healthy seasoning, but little scientific evidence is available to support this. In this study, physiological effects of soy sauce were analyzed using Caenorhabditis elegans. When soy sauce was fed to C. elegans together with Escherichia coli OP50, fat accumulation decreased, and resistance to oxidative stress by H₂O₂ was greatly increased in the nematodes. qRT-PCR revealed that mRNA expression of oxidative stress tolerance genes, including sod, ctl, and gpx, was markedly increased in soy sauce-fed nematodes. Worms ingesting soy sauce showed high mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and low intracellular ROS, suggesting that soy sauce induced mitohormesis and decreased cytoplasmic ROS. Therefore, soy sauce ingestion affects the mitochondria and may alter the fat metabolism in C. elegans. Furthermore, the increase in oxidative stress tolerance is mediated through p38 MAPK pathway.     

离体大鼠主动脉内皮细胞氧化应激损伤模型的建立及评价

目的：建立离体大鼠主动脉内皮细胞氧化应激损伤模型,为细胞损伤及细胞凋亡的调控研究提供基础。方法：大鼠断头处死在无菌条件下开胸取主动脉,经组织块培养法后传代培养得到充足主动脉内皮细胞,接种于96孔板或爬片培养,每组设6个复孔,用于之后的各项试验检测。以不加H₂O₂的组作为对照组,以不同浓度的H₂O₂（100、200、300、400、500 μmol/L）作用于内皮细胞相同时间12 h,来筛选最佳作用浓度;依据结果以相同浓度的H₂O₂（100和200 μmol/L）分别作用不同时间（3、6、9、12及24 h）,来筛选最佳作用时间。通过免疫荧光法鉴定、细胞存活率检测、生化指标（LDH-L、NO、MDA、SOD）检测及内皮细胞凋亡指数等变化,评价及验证模型的建立。结果：对细胞内Ⅷ型胶原抗原进行免疫荧光染色后鉴定血管内皮细胞培养成功;在12 h的相同作用时间下,随着H₂O₂浓度的加大,细胞存活率呈显著下降（77.63%±5.20%~40.90%±2.10%）;相同浓度（100 μmol/L组和200 μmol/L组）随着作用时间的增加,细胞存活率呈显著递减（100 μmol/L组为86.83%±12.11%~44.26%±5.70%,200 μmol/L组为78.28%±11.98%~34.45%±5.87%）;以H₂O₂浓度为100 μmol/L作用3、6、9、12及24 h,培养液中生化指标在9 h后LDH-L与MDA呈显著递增,NO与SOD呈显著递减;在H₂O₂浓度为100 μmol/L与作用时间12 h的条件下,流式检测结果显示内皮细胞凋亡率为16.92%±2.37%,显著高于对照组2.68%±0.47%（P<0.01）; TUNEL检测内皮细胞凋亡指数为17.65%±2.36%,显著高于对照组的3.23%±0.57%（P<0.01）。结论：该方法成功建立了体外血管内皮细胞氧化应激损伤模型,探索了轻重适度的诱导细胞损伤和细胞凋亡的造模方法,可以成为开展多种血管内皮细胞损伤及凋亡调控机制研究的基础。     

蒙药绍沙-7味丸防治大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的作用

目的:探讨蒙药绍沙-7味丸对心肌缺血/再灌注损伤大鼠的防治作用及机制.方法:60只大鼠随机分成6组:假手术组、模型组、蒙药绍沙-7味丸低、中、高剂量组以及阳性药对照组,每组10只;蒙药绍沙-7味丸低、中、高剂量组分别灌胃0.4 g/kg、0.8 g/kg、1.6 g/kg蒙药绍沙-7味丸,阳性药对照组灌胃0.3 g/k...     

Early evolution of selenium status and oxidative stress parameters in rat models of thermal injury

The objective of the present study was to measure the relationship between selenium status and oxidative stress in two rat models of thermal injury. A non-lethal third-degree burn injury involving 20% (experiment 1) or 40% (experiment 2) of total body surface area (TBSA) was applied to male Wistar rats. Selenium level, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in plasma, red blood cells (RBC) and tissues (liver, kidney, muscle, and brain), and plasma selenoalbumin (Se-alb) were measured in control rats and in burned rats respectively 6 hours after injury and daily from day 1 to day 5. In parallel, lipid and protein oxidative damages, monitored by plasma and tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARs) levels and plasma total thiol groups were assessed.

We observed a decrease of plasma Se and Se-albumin 6 hours after burn injury. In parallel, plasma GPx activity rapidly decreased and remained significantly lower than in control rats. These alterations were enhanced by the burn injury severity. Plasma TBARs followed the same pattern as that of plasma cholesterol, with an initial decrease and an increase at day 3 in 40% TBSA burned rats. Plasma thiol groups decreased in the two experiments indicating plasma protein oxidation.

These results confirm an early oxidative stress in burn injury, and suggest an early selenium mobilization, which might counteract this oxidative stress. These data underline the crucial need of a restored selenium status in burned patients immediately after the burn injury.     

Cocoa procyanidins protect PC12 cells from hydrogen-peroxide-induced apoptosis by inhibiting activation of p38 MAPK and JNK

Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species has been strongly associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we investigated the possible protective effects of a cocoa procyanidin fraction (CPF) and procyanidin B2 (epicatechin-(4β-8)-epicatechin) – a major polyphenol in cocoa – against apoptosis of PC12 rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). CPF (1 and 5 μg/ml) and procyanidin B2 (1 and 5 μM) reduced PC12 cell death caused by H₂O₂, as determined by MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. CPF and procyanidin B2 attenuated the H₂O₂-induced fragmentation of nucleus and DNA in PC12 cells. Western blot data demonstrated that H₂O₂ induced cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP), downregulated Bcl-X_L and Bcl-2 in PC12 cells. Pretreatment with CPF or procyanidin B2 before H₂O₂ treatment diminished PARP cleavage and increased Bcl-X_L and Bcl-2 expression compared with those only treated with H₂O₂. Activation of caspase-3 by H₂O₂ was inhibited by pretreatment with CPF or procyanidin B2. Furthermore, H₂O₂-induced rapid and significant phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and both of these effects were attenuated by CPF or procyanidin B2 treatment. These results suggest that the protective effects of CPF and procyanidin B2 against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis involve inhibiting the downregulation of Bcl-X_L and Bcl-2 expression through blocking the activation of JNK and p38 MAPK.