scholarly journals Oral Exposure to Atrazine Induces Oxidative Stress and Calcium Homeostasis Disruption in Spleen of Mice

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuying Gao ◽  
Zhichun Wang ◽  
Chonghua Zhang ◽  
Liming Jia ◽  
Yang Zhang

The widely used herbicide atrazine (ATR) can cause many adverse effects including immunotoxicity, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The current study investigated the role of oxidative stress and calcium homeostasis in ATR-induced immunotoxicity in mice. ATR at doses of 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg body weight was administered to Balb/c mice daily for 21 days by oral gavage. The studies performed 24 hr after the final exposure showed that ATR could induce the generation of reactive oxygen species in the spleen of the mice, increase the level of advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) in the host serum, and cause the depletion of reduced glutathione in the serum, each in a dose-related manner. In addition, DNA damage was observed in isolated splenocytes as evidenced by increase in DNA comet tail formation. ATR exposure also caused increases in intracellular Ca2+within splenocytes. Moreover, ATR treatment led to increased expression of genes for some antioxidant enzymes, such asHO-1andGpx1, as well as increased expression of NF-κB and Ref-1 proteins in the spleen. In conclusion, it appears that oxidative stress and disruptions in calcium homeostasis might play an important role in the induction of immunotoxicity in mice by ATR.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junli Feng ◽  
Gongshuai Song ◽  
Yuanyuan Wu ◽  
Xi Chen ◽  
Jie Pang ◽  
...  

Plasmalogens (PLs) are critical to human health. Studies have reported a link between downregulation of PLs levels and cognitive impairments in patients with Alzheimer´s disease (AD). however, the underlying mechanisms...


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Weifang Liu ◽  
Yanqi Zhong ◽  
Qi Li ◽  
Mengying Wu ◽  
...  

NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis is a crucial event in the preeclamptic pathogenesis, tightly linked with the uteroplacental TLR4/NF-κB signaling. Trophoblastic glycometabolism reprogramming has now been noticed in the preeclampsia pathogenesis, plausibly modulated by the TLR4/NF-κB signaling as well. Intriguingly, cellular pyroptosis and metabolic phenotypes may be inextricably linked and interacted. Metformin (MET), a widely accepted NF-κB signaling inhibitor, may have therapeutic potential in preeclampsia while the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the role of MET on trophoblastic pyroptosis and its relevant metabolism reprogramming. The safety of pharmacologic MET concentration to trophoblasts was verified at first, which had no adverse effects on trophoblastic viability. Pharmacological MET concentration suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis partly through inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling in preeclamptic trophoblast models induced via low-dose lipopolysaccharide. Besides, MET corrected the glycometabolic reprogramming and oxidative stress partly via suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signaling and blocking transcription factor NF-κB1 binding on the promoter PFKFB3, a potent glycolytic accelerator. Furthermore, PFKFB3 can also enhance the NF-κB signaling, reduce NLRP3 ubiquitination, and aggravate pyroptosis. However, MET suppressed pyroptosis partly via inhibiting PFKFB3 as well. These results provided that the TLR4/NF-κB/PFKFB3 pathway may be a novel link between metabolism reprogramming and NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis in trophoblasts. Further, MET alleviates the NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis, which partly relies on the regulation of TLR4/NF-κB/PFKFB3-dependent glycometabolism reprogramming and redox disorders. Hence, our results provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and propose MET as a potential therapy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Marghani ◽  
Zhuo Ma ◽  
Anthony J. Centone ◽  
Weihua Huang ◽  
Meenakshi Malik ◽  
...  

Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes a fatal human disease known as tularemia. The Centers for Disease Control have classified F. tularensis as Category A Tier-1 Select Agent. The virulence mechanisms of Francisella are not entirely understood. Francisella possesses very few transcription regulators, and most of these regulate the expression of genes involved in intracellular survival and virulence. The F. tularensis genome sequence analysis reveals an AraC ( FTL_ 0689) transcriptional regulator homologous to the AraC/XylS family of transcriptional regulators. In Gram-negative bacteria, AraC activates genes required for L-arabinose utilization and catabolism. The role of the FTL_ 0689 regulator in F. tularensis is not known. In this study, we characterized the role of FTL_ 0689 in gene regulation of F. tularensis and investigated its contribution to intracellular survival and virulence. The results demonstrate that FTL_0689 in Francisella is not required for L-arabinose utilization. Instead, FTL_ 0689 specifically regulates the expression of the oxidative and global stress response, virulence, metabolism, and other key pathways genes required by Francisella when exposed to oxidative stress. The FTL_0689 mutant is attenuated for intramacrophage growth and virulence in mice. Based on the deletion mutant phenotype, FTL_0689 was termed osrR ( o xidative s tress r esponse r egulator). Altogether, this study elucidates the role of the osrR transcriptional regulator in tularemia pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE: The virulence mechanisms of category A select agent Francisella tularensis , the causative agent of a fatal human disease known as tularemia, remain largely undefined. The present study investigated the role of a transcriptional regulator and its overall contribution to the oxidative stress resistance of F. tularensis . The results provide an insight into a novel gene regulatory mechanism, especially when Francisella is exposed to oxidative stress conditions. Understanding such Francisella - specific regulatory mechanisms will identify potential targets for developing effective therapies and vaccines to prevent tularemia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (07) ◽  
pp. 1523-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjuan Zhang ◽  
Huifang Yang ◽  
Lingqin Zhu ◽  
Yan Luo ◽  
Lihong Nie ◽  
...  

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) are the major ingredients of wolfberry. In this study, we investigated the role of LBP in endothelial dysfunction induced by oxidative stress and the underlying mechanisms using thoracic aortic endothelial cells of rat (RAECs) as a model. We found that Ang II inhibits cell viability of RAECs with 10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mol/L of Ang II treatment for 24[Formula: see text]h most potential ([Formula: see text]), the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is increased by Ang II treatment ([Formula: see text]), and the expression of Occludin and Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) is decreased by Ang II treatment ([Formula: see text]). However, preincubation of cells with LBP could inhibit the changes caused by Ang II, LBP increased cell viability ([Formula: see text]), decreased the level of ROS ([Formula: see text]), and up-regulated the expression of Occludin ([Formula: see text]) and ZO-1. In addition, Ang II treatment increased the expression of EGFR and p-EGFR (Try1172) and which can be inhibited by LBP. On the contrary, expression of ErbB2, p-ErbB2 (Try1248), PI3K, p-e-NOS (Ser1177) ([Formula: see text]), and p-AKT (Ser473) ([Formula: see text]) was inhibited by Ang II treatment and which can be increased by LBP. Treatment of the cells with inhibitors showed that the regulation of p-e-NOS and p-AKT expression by Ang II and LBP can be blocked by PI3K inhibitor wortmannin but not EGFR and ErbB2 inhibitor AC480. Taken together, our results suggested that LBP plays a critical role in maintaining the integrality of blood vessel endothelium through reduced production of ROS via regulating the activity of EGFR, ErbB2, PI3K/AKT/e-NOS, and which may offer a novel therapeutic option in the management of endothelial dysfunction.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bee Ling Tan ◽  
Mohd Esa Norhaizan

Despite an increase in life expectancy that indicates positive human development, a new challenge is arising. Aging is positively associated with biological and cognitive degeneration, for instance cognitive decline, psychological impairment, and physical frailty. The elderly population is prone to oxidative stress due to the inefficiency of their endogenous antioxidant systems. As many studies showed an inverse relationship between carotenoids and age-related diseases (ARD) by reducing oxidative stress through interrupting the propagation of free radicals, carotenoid has been foreseen as a potential intervention for age-associated pathologies. Therefore, the role of carotenoids that counteract oxidative stress and promote healthy aging is worthy of further discussion. In this review, we discussed the underlying mechanisms of carotenoids involved in the prevention of ARD. Collectively, understanding the role of carotenoids in ARD would provide insights into a potential intervention that may affect the aging process, and subsequently promote healthy longevity.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dingping Yang ◽  
Dingwei Yang

The precise mechanisms underlying contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) are not well understood. Intracellular Ca2+overload is considered to be a key factor in CI-AKI. Voltage-dependent Ca2+channel (VDC) and Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX) system are the main pathways of intracellular Ca2+overload in pathological conditions. Here, we review the potential underlying mechanisms involved in CI-AKI and discuss the role of NCX-mediated intracellular Ca2+overload in the contrast media-induced renal tubular cell injury and renal hemodynamic disorder.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chioma Enweasor ◽  
Cameron H. Flayer ◽  
Angela Haczku

Despite recent advances in using biologicals that target Th2 pathways, glucocorticoids form the mainstay of asthma treatment. Asthma morbidity and mortality remain high due to the wide variability of treatment responsiveness and complex clinical phenotypes driven by distinct underlying mechanisms. Emerging evidence suggests that inhalation of the toxic air pollutant, ozone, worsens asthma by impairing glucocorticoid responsiveness. This review discusses the role of oxidative stress in glucocorticoid resistance in asthma. The underlying mechanisms point to a central role of oxidative stress pathways. The primary data source for this review consisted of peer-reviewed publications on the impact of ozone on airway inflammation and glucocorticoid responsiveness indexed in PubMed. Our main search strategy focused on cross-referencing “asthma and glucocorticoid resistance” against “ozone, oxidative stress, alarmins, innate lymphoid, NK and γδ T cells, dendritic cells and alveolar type II epithelial cells, glucocorticoid receptor and transcription factors”. Recent work was placed in the context from articles in the last 10 years and older seminal research papers and comprehensive reviews. We excluded papers that did not focus on respiratory injury in the setting of oxidative stress. The pathways discussed here have however wide clinical implications to pathologies associated with inflammation and oxidative stress and in which glucocorticoid treatment is essential.


2013 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 316-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Posada ◽  
Stacey L. Kolar ◽  
Renata G. Dusi ◽  
Patrice Francois ◽  
Alexandra A. Roberts ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTInStaphylococcus aureus, the low-molecular-weight thiol called bacillithiol (BSH), together with cognateS-transferases, is believed to be the counterpart to the glutathione system of other organisms. To explore the physiological role of BSH inS. aureus, we constructed mutants with the deletion ofbshA(sa1291), which encodes the glycosyltransferase that catalyzes the first step of BSH biosynthesis, andfosB(sa2124), which encodes a BSH-S-transferase that confers fosfomycin resistance, in severalS. aureusstrains, including clinical isolates. Mutation offosBorbshAcaused a 16- to 60-fold reduction in fosfomycin resistance in theseS. aureusstrains. High-pressure liquid chromatography analysis, which quantified thiol extracts, revealed some variability in the amounts of BSH present acrossS. aureusstrains. Deletion offosBled to a decrease in BSH levels. ThefosBandbshAmutants of strain COL and a USA300 isolate, upon further characterization, were found to be sensitive to H2O2and exhibited decreased NADPH levels compared with those in the isogenic parents. Microarray analyses of COL and the isogenicbshAmutant revealed increased expression of genes involved in staphyloxanthin synthesis in thebshAmutant relative to that in COL under thiol stress conditions. However, thebshAmutant of COL demonstrated decreased survival compared to that of the parent in human whole-blood survival assays; likewise, the naturally BSH-deficient strain SH1000 survived less well than its BSH-producing isogenic counterpart. Thus, the survival ofS. aureusunder oxidative stress is facilitated by BSH, possibly via a FosB-mediated mechanism, independently of its capability to produce staphyloxanthin.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva-Maria Schweikert ◽  
Julianna Amort ◽  
Petra Wilgenbus ◽  
Ulrich Förstermann ◽  
John F. Teiber ◽  
...  

The pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosacauses serious damage in immunocompromised patients by secretion of various virulence factors, among them the quorum sensing N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3OC12) and the redox-active pyocyanin (PCN). Paraoxonase-2 (PON2) may protect againstP. aeruginosainfections, as it efficiently inactivates 3OC12 and diminishes PCN-induced oxidative stress. This defense could be circumvented because 3OC12 mediates intracellular Ca2+-rise in host cells, which causes rapid inactivation and degradation of PON2. Importantly, we recently found that the PON2 paralogue PON3 prevents mitochondrial radical formation. Here we investigated its role as additional potential defense mechanism againstP. aeruginosainfections. Our studies demonstrate that PON3 diminished PCN-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, it showed clear anti-inflammatory potential by protecting against NF-κB activation and IL-8 release. The latter similarly applied to PON2. Furthermore, we observed a Ca2+-mediated inactivation and degradation of PON3, again in accordance with previous findings for PON2. Our results suggest that the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory functions of PON2 and PON3 are an important part of our innate defense system againstP. aeruginosainfections. Furthermore, we conclude thatP. aeruginosacircumvents PON3 protection by the same pathway as for PON2. This may help identifying underlying mechanisms in order to sustain the protection afforded by these enzymes.


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