scholarly journals Geniposide Prevents Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Apoptosis in H9c2 Cells: Improvement of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Activation of GLP-1R and the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 407-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
You-Qin Jiang ◽  
Guang-lei Chang ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Dong-Ying Zhang ◽  
Li Cao ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality associated with coronary heart disease. Many studies have demonstrated that natural products are promising chemotherapeutic drugs counteracting the loss of cardiomyocytes. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of geniposide, a traditional Chinese herb extract from Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis, on cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in H9c2 cells, and their underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cell viability and apoptosis ratio were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay and Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining. The concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), intracellular total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by microplate reader. The production of reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), the level of mitochondrial calcium, and mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization were measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Mitochondrial morphology was visualized using transmission electron microscopy. The expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, AKT, p-AKTserine473, cytochrome-c were detected by western bloting. Results: Geniposide pretreatment increased cell viability, decreased LDH levels in the supernatant, and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis caused by H/R. Furthermore, geniposide reversed mitochondrial dysfunction by decreasing oxidative stress products (ROS/RNS and MDA), increasing anti-oxidative enzyme (T-SOD) level, improving mitochondrial morphology, attenuating mitochondrial calcium overload and blunting depolarization of mitochondrial membrane. Moreover, geniposide pretreatment increased Bcl-2 level and decreased Bax level, thus enhancing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Consistent with the above result, Bcl-2 mRNA expression was upregulated and caspase-3 mRNA expression was downregulated by geniposide. In addition, geniposide decreased the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome-c and increased the level p-AKTserine473. The protective effects of geniposide were partially reversed by glucagon-like pepitide-1 receptor antagonist exendin-(9-39) and the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002. Conclusions: Our results suggest that geniposide pretreatment inhibits H/R-induced myocardial apoptosis by reversing mitochondrial dysfunction, an effect in part due to activation of GLP-1R and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingyue Zhu ◽  
Haipeng Feng ◽  
Bo Lin ◽  
Ying Zhou ◽  
Yifeng Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Vincosamide(Vinco) was first identified in the methanolic extract of the leaves of Psychotria leiocarpa, and Vinco has important anti-inflammatory effects and activity against cholinesterase. However, whether Vinco inhibits the malignant behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cells is still unclear. In the present study, we explored the role of Vinco in suppressing the malignant behaviors of HCC cells. Methods MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays were applied to detect the proliferation and death of HCC cells; electron microscopy was performed to observe change in cellular mitochondrial morphology; scratch repair and Transwell assays were used to analyze the migration and invasion of HCC cells; the expression and localization of proteins were detected by laser confocal microscopy and Western blotting; and the growth of the cancer cells in vivo was assessed in a mouse tumor model. Results At a dose of 10–80 µg/ml, Vinco inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells and promoted their apoptosis in a time- and dose-independent manner but had little effect on normal liver cells. Additionally, 80 µg/ml Vinco significantly disrupted the morphology of mitochondria and suppressed the migration and invasion of HCC cells. The growth of HCC cells in the animal tumor model was significantly inhibited after treatment with Vinco (10 mg/kg/day) for 3 days. The results of the present study indicate that Vinco (10–80 µg/ml) plays novel roles in activating caspase-3, promoting the expression of PTEN, and inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT(Ser 473) and mTOR (Thr2448) and that Vinco was able to also suppress the expression of CXCR4, Src, MMP9, EpCAM, Ras and Oct4 in HCC cells. Conclusions Vinco plays a role in inhibiting the malignant behaviors of HCC cells, and the molecular mechanism may involve in suppressing the expression of the growth-, metastasis-related factors Src, Ras, MMP9, EpCAM and CXCR4 and activating the activity of caspase-3. Vinco also blocks the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Thus, Vinco is an available chemotherapy for HCC patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 096368972094924
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Dang ◽  
Yong Qin ◽  
Changwei Gu ◽  
Jiangli Sun ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
...  

Tripartite motif 8 (TRIM8) is a member of the TRIM protein family that has been found to be implicated in cardiovascular disease. However, the role of TRIM8 in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) has not been investigated. We aimed to explore the effect of TRIM8 on cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). We found that TRIM8 expression was markedly upregulated in H9c2 cells after stimulation with H/R. Gain- and loss-of-function assays proved that TRIM8 knockdown improved cell viability of H/R-stimulated H9c2 cells. In addition, TRIM8 knockdown suppressed reactive oxygen species production and elevated the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Knockdown of TRIM8 suppressed the caspase-3 activity, as well as caused significant increase in bcl-2 expression and decrease in bax expression. Furthermore, TRIM8 overexpression exhibited apposite effects with knockdown of TRIM8. Finally, knockdown of TRIM8 enhanced the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in H/R-stimulated H9c2 cells. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt by LY294002 reversed the effects of TRIM8 knockdown on cell viability, oxidative stress, and apoptosis of H9c2 cells. These present findings defined TRIM8 as a therapeutic target for attenuating and preventing myocardial I/R injury.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingyue Zhu ◽  
Haipeng Feng ◽  
Bo Lin ◽  
Ying Zhou ◽  
Yifeng Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Vincosamide(Vinco) was first identified in the methanolic extract of the leaves of Psychotria leiocarpa, and Vinco has important anti-inflammatory effects and activity against cholinesterase, Vinco also has a trait to ant-tumor. However, whether Vinco is able to inhibit the malignant behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cells is still unclear. In the present study, we explored the role of Vinco in suppressing the malignant behaviors of HCC cells.Methods: MTT, trypan blue exclusion assay and the Cell Counting Kit(CCK)-8 analysis were applied to detect the proliferation and death of HCC cells; electron microscopy was performed to observe the change of cellular mitochondrial morphology; scratch repair and Transwell assays were used to analyze the migration and invasion of HCC cells; the expression and localization of proteins were detected by laser confocal microscopy and Western blotting; and the growth of the cancer cells in in vivo was assessed in a mouse tumorous model.Results: At a dose of 10-80 mg/ml, Vinco inhibited the proliferation and promoted death of HCC cells in a dose-independent manner, but had low cytotoxcity effect on normal liver cells. Additionally, 80 mg/ml of Vinco could significantly disrupt the morphology of mitochondria, suppress the migration and invasion of HCC cells. The growth of HCC cells in the animal tumorous model was significantly inhibited after treatment with Vinco (10 mg/kg/day) for 3 days. The results of the present study indicated that Vinco (10-80 mg/ml) played a role in activating caspase-3, promoting the expression of PTEN, and inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT(Ser473) and mTOR(Thr2448), Vinco also has a trait for suppressing the expression of CXCR4, Src, MMP9, EpCAM, Ras and Oct4 in HCC cells.Conclusions: Vinco has a role in inhibiting the malignant behaviors of HCC cells; the role molecular mechanism of Vinco maybe involve in restraining expression of the growth-, metastasis-related factors Src, Ras, MMP9, EpCAM and CXCR4, and activating the activity of caspase-3. Vinco also could block PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Thus, Vinco is an available chemotherapy for HCC patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huifen Zhou ◽  
Yu He ◽  
Jiaqi Zhu ◽  
Xiaojie Lin ◽  
Juan Chen ◽  
...  

Guhong injection (GHI) can be used for the treatment of ischemic stroke. We investigated the antiapoptotic activity of GHI, its ability to repair the cerebral microvessels and mitochondria, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway of GHI against cerebral ischemia. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses were used to determine the expression of cleaved caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), cytochrome c (Cyt-c), basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and proteins in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the structures of the cerebral microvasculature and cells. Hoechst 33342 staining was used to evaluate the nuclear morphology. FITC-AV/PI double staining was used to measure the antiapoptotic effects. The fluorescent dye JC-1 was used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the activities of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Biochemical assay kits were used to detect the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Compared with the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group, there was decreased infarct volume and significantly improved neurological deficits in the GHI group. In addition, the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly upregulated, while the expression of Cyt-c, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 was notably downregulated. GHI administration attenuated the pathological change and morphology of the cerebral microvasculature, and immunohistochemical staining indicated that the expressions of BFGF, VEGF, and TGF-β1 were significantly increased. The cell morphology, cell viability, cell nuclei characteristics, and mitochondrial morphology normalized following GHI treatment, which decreased the release of Cyt-c and the mitochondrial membrane potential. The levels of LDH, MMP-9, and MDA decreased, while SOD increased. Moreover, GHI administration inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) following oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) injury. Therefore, our results show that GHI administration resulted in antiapoptosis of cerebral cells and repair of cerebral microvessels and mitochondria via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Xin Liu ◽  
Hong Bian ◽  
Qing-Li Dou ◽  
Xian-Wen Huang ◽  
Wu-Yuan Tao ◽  
...  

Ginkgetin, the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves, has been reported to exert preventive and therapeutic effects on cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about its role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). The present study aimed to unveil the function of ginkgetin in cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was employed to evaluate the impact of ginkgetin on cell viability in the absence or presence of H/R. Proinflammatory cytokines and malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (SOD), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined via corresponding kits. In addition, flow cytometry was performed to detect apoptotic level. Western blot analysis was utilized to estimate caspase-3 and cytochrome C. Ginkgetin had no significant effect on cell viability; however, it could enhance viability of H9C2 cells exposed to H/R. Inflammation and oxidative stress induced by H/R injury were relieved via pretreatment with ginkgetin. Preconditioning of ginkgetin also decreased apoptotic rate and the protein levels of caspase-3, cytochrome C under H/R condition. Furthermore, 2-HBA, an inducer of caspase-3, was used for the activation of caspase-3 signaling pathway. It was found that induction of caspase-3 eliminated the protective effect of ginkgetin on H9C2 cells exposed to H/R. These results indicated that ginkgetin attenuated inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. These protective roles of ginkgetin may attribute to caspase-3 dependent pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luqian Liu ◽  
Meijuan Yan ◽  
Rui Yang ◽  
Xuqing Qin ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
...  

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a crucial factor leading to myocardial dysfunction. Adiponectin (APN) has a cardiomyocyte-protective impact. Studies have shown that the connexin43 (Cx43) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways play an important role in the heart, but whether APN plays a protective role by regulating these pathways is unclear. Our study aimed to confirm whether APN protects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and to explore whether it plays an important role through regulating the Cx43 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In addition, our research aimed to explore the relationship between the Cx43 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In vitro experiments: Before H9c2 cells were treated with LPS for 24 h, they were pre-treated with APN for 2 h. The cytotoxic effect of APN on H9c2 cells was evaluated by a CCK-8 assay. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl2, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, Cx43, PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT and p-AKT were evaluated by Western blot analysis, and the apoptosis rate was evaluated by flow cytometry. APN attenuated the cytotoxicity induced by LPS. LPS upregulated Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 and downregulated Bcl2 in H9c2 cells; however, these effects were attenuated by APN. In addition, LPS upregulated Cx43 expression, and APN downregulated Cx43 expression and activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. LPS induced apoptosis and inhibited PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in H9c2 cells, and these effects were attenuated by Gap26 (a Cx43 inhibitor). Moreover, the preservation of APN expression was reversed by LY294002 (a PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor). In vivo experiments: In C57BL/6J mice, a sepsis model was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS, and APN was injected into enterocoelia. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl2, cleaved caspase-3, and Cx43 were evaluated by Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect Cx43 expression and localization in myocardial tissue. LPS upregulated Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and downregulated Bcl2 in sepsis; however, these effects were attenuated by APN. In addition, the expression of Cx43 was upregulated in septic myocardial tissue, and APN downregulated Cx43 expression in septic myocardial tissue. In conclusion, both in vitro and in vivo, the data demonstrated that APN can protect against LPS-induced apoptosis during sepsis by modifying the Cx43 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.


STEMedicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. e87
Author(s):  
Jin Cheng ◽  
Qing Zou ◽  
Yugang Xue

Background: Nerol was reported as a natural anti-oxidant product and its protective effects against cardiovascular diseases have been documented. Our current study was designed to explore the cardioprotective effect of Nerol on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptosis in H9c2 cells. The potential molecular mechanisms were further investigated. Methods: The cells were treated with 2.5 or 5 µM Nerol before or after H/R. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, cell viability, oxidative stress markers, and apoptotic proteins were assessed by cell counting kit-8, LDH release assay, commercial kits, and Western blot, respectively. To explore the underlying mechanism, the phosphorylation of p85 and p38, regulatory subunits of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), was evaluated by Western blot. To further confirm that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway participated in the cardiomyocyte protection, H9c2 cells were treated with 5 µM Nerol in the presence or absence of 5 µM BEZ235 or LY294002 followed by H/R treatment. Results: H/R remarkably induced apoptosis, LDH release and ROS production. The cell viability was suppressed via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation. By contrast, pretreatment with Nerol can neutralize these effects by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. With the addition of BEZ235 or LY294002, the inhibitory effects of Nerol were abolished. Conclusion: Nerol provided promising cardioprotective effect against H/R-induced injuries in H9c2 cells by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 192
Author(s):  
Maria Elisabetta Clementi ◽  
Giuseppe Maulucci ◽  
Giada Bianchetti ◽  
Michela Pizzoferrato ◽  
Beatrice Sampaolese ◽  
...  

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a densely pigmented, monostratified epithelium that provides metabolic and functional support to the outer segments of photoreceptors. Endogenous or exogenous oxidative stimuli determine a switch from physiological to pathological conditions, characterized by an increase of intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Accumulating evidence has elucidated that punicalagin (PUN), the major ellagitannin in pomegranate, is a potent antioxidant in several cell types. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of PUN on mitochondrial dysfunction associated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)–induced oxidative stress. For this purpose, we used a human RPE cell line (ARPE–19) exposed to H2O2 for 24 h. The effects of PUN pre–treatment (24 h) were examined on cell viability, mitochondrial ROS levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and respiratory chain complexes, then finally on caspase–3 enzymatic activity. The results showed that supplementation with PUN: (a) significantly increased cell viability; (b) kept the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) at healthy levels and limited ROS production; (c) preserved the activity of respiratory complexes; (d) reduced caspase–3 activity. In conclusion, due to its activity in helping mitochondrial functions, reducing oxidative stress, and subsequent induction of cellular apoptosis, PUN might be considered a useful nutraceutical agent in the treatment of oxidation–associated disorders of RPE.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 673-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panpan Chang ◽  
Yuzi Tian ◽  
Aaron M. Williams ◽  
Umar F. Bhatti ◽  
Baoling Liu ◽  
...  

Background: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) 6 inhibitors have demonstrated significant protective effects in traumatic injuries. However, their roles in neuroprotection and underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This study sought to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Tubastatin A (Tub-A), an HDAC6 inhibitor, during oxygenglucose deprivation (OGD) in HT22 hippocampal cells. Methods: HT22 hippocampal cells were exposed to OGD. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Cellular apoptosis was assessed by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Mitochondria membrane potential was detected using JC-1 dye. Expressions of acetylated α-tubulin, α-tubulin, cytochrome c, VDAC, Bax, Bcl- 2, cleaved caspase 3, phosphorylated Akt, Akt, phosphorylated GSK3β and GSK3β were analyzed by Western blot analysis. Results: Tub-A induced acetylation of α-tubulin, demonstrating appropriate efficacy. Tub-A significantly increased cell viability and attenuated LDH release after exposure to OGD. Furthermore, Tub-A treatment blunted the increase in TUNEL-positive cells following OGD and preserved the mitochondrial membrane potential. Tub-A also attenuated the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm and suppressed the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase 3. This was mediated, in part, by the increased phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3β signaling pathways. Conclusion: HDAC 6 inhibition, using Tub-A, protects against OGD-induced injury in HT22 cells by modulating Akt/GSK3β signaling and inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.


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