scholarly journals Lycorine Suppresses Endplate-Chondrocyte Degeneration and Prevents Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Inhibiting NF-κB Signalling Pathway

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 1252-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gangliang Wang ◽  
Kangmao Huang ◽  
Yangxin Dong ◽  
Shuai Chen ◽  
Jianfeng Zhang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Cartilaginous endplate (CEP) degeneration is an important cause for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration that leads to low-back pain. The identification of compounds that may prevent CEP degeneration is of interest for the prevention of IVD degeneration. Methods: Catabolic protease expression in the CEP of disc degeneration patients was first assessed. The toxicity, function and underlying mechanism of lycorine (LY) on CEP-derived chondrocytes degeneration were assessed in vitro by flow cytometry analysis and western blotting. The concentration and function of LY in rat-tail disc-degeneration models were also assessed by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) quantification and histological analysis. Results: In CEP cells, Interleukin (IL)-1β upregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4 and ADAMTS-5 that is critical for the degradation of cartilage extracellular matrix. Interestingly, LY suppressed the expression of these enzymes via the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) signalling and thus prevented IL-1β-induced endplate cell degeneration in vitro. More importantly, LY also reduced the expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 in CEP and exerted a protective effect on both CEP and nucleus pulposus (NP) degeneration. In addition to its inhibitory effect on matrix-degrading protease expression, LY treatment also reduced positive regulators of proinflammatory cytokines, such as MIF, which can be secreted by CEP cells and subsequently target NP cells. Conclusion: LY could serve as a potential drug for treating IVD disease.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhu Guo ◽  
Chensheng Qiu ◽  
Christina Mecca ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Jiang Bian ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a primary cause of degenerative disc diseases; however, the mechanisms underlying the degeneration remain unclear. The immunoinflammatory response plays an important role in IVDD progression. The inflammatory cytokine lymphotoxin-α (LTα), formerly known as TNFβ, is associated with various pathological conditions, while its role in the pathogenesis of IVDD remains elusive. Methods Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blotting (WB), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to assess the levels of LTα in human nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues between degeneration and control groups. The plasma concentrations of LTα and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared between healthy and IVDD patients. Rat primary NP cells were cultured and identified via immunofluorescence. Methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium assays and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the effects of LTα on rat NP cell viability. After NP cells were treated with LTα, degeneration-related molecules (Caspase-3, Caspase-1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -3, aggrecan and type II collagen) were measured via RT-qPCR and WB. Results The levels of both the mRNA and protein of LTα in human degenerated NP tissue significantly increased. Plasma LTα and CRP did not differ between healthy controls and IVDD patients. Rat primary NP cells were cultured, and the purity of primary NP cells was > 90%. Cell experiments showed inversely proportional relationships among the LTα dose, treatment time, and cell viability. The optimal conditions (dose and time) for LTα treatment to induce rat NP cell degeneration were 5 μg/ml and 48 ~ 72 h. The apoptosis rate and the levels of Caspase-3, Caspase-1, and MMP-3 significantly increased after LTα treatment, while the levels of type II collagen and aggrecan were decreased, and the protein expression levels were consistent with their mRNA expression levels. Conclusions This study demonstrated that elevated LTα is closely associated with IVDD and that LTα may induce NP cell apoptosis and reduce important extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which cause adverse effects on IVDD progress. Moreover, the optimal conditions for LTα treatment to induce NP cell degeneration were determined.


2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 945-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tove Hansen ◽  
Lucas A. Smolders ◽  
Marianna A. Tryfonidou ◽  
Björn P. Meij ◽  
Johannes C. M. Vernooij ◽  
...  

Since the seminal work by Hans-Jörgen Hansen in 1952, it has been assumed that intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration in chondrodystrophic (CD) dogs involves chondroid metaplasia of the nucleus pulposus, whereas in nonchondrodystrophic (NCD) dogs, fibrous metaplasia occurs. However, more recent studies suggest that IVD degeneration in NCD and CD dogs is more similar than originally thought. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the histopathology of IVD degeneration in CD and NCD dogs. IVDs with various grades of degeneration (Thompson grade I–III, n = 7 per grade) from both CD and NCD dogs were used (14 CD and 18 NCD dogs, 42 IVDs in total). Sections were scored according to a histological scoring scheme for canine IVD degeneration, including evaluation of the presence of fibrocyte-like cells in the nucleus pulposus. In CD dogs, the macroscopically non-degenerated nucleus pulposus contained mainly chondrocyte-like cells, whereas the non-degenerated nucleus pulposus of NCD dogs mainly contained notochordal cells. The histopathological changes in degenerated discs were similar in CD and NCD dogs and resembled chondroid metaplasia. Fibrocytes were not seen in the nucleus pulposus, indicating that fibrous degeneration of the IVD was not present in any of the evaluated grades of degeneration. In conclusion, intervertebral disc degeneration was characterized by chondroid metaplasia of the nucleus pulposus in both NCD and CD dogs. These results revoke the generally accepted concept that NCD and CD dogs suffer from a different type of IVD degeneration, in veterinary literature often referred to as chondroid or fibroid degeneration, and we suggest that chondroid metaplasia should be used to describe the tissue changes in the IVD in both breed types.


Author(s):  
Sheng-Long Ding ◽  
Tai-Wei Zhang ◽  
Qi-Chen Zhang ◽  
Wang Ding ◽  
Ze-Fang Li ◽  
...  

AbstractNight shift workers with disordered rhythmic mechanical loading are more prone to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Our results showed that circadian rhythm (CR) was dampened in degenerated and aged NP cells. Long-term environmental CR disruption promoted IDD in rats. Excessive mechanical strain disrupted the CR and inhibited the expression of core clock proteins. The inhibitory effect of mechanical loading on the expression of extracellular matrix genes could be reversed by BMAL1 overexpression in NP cells. The Rho/ROCK pathway was demonstrated to mediate the effect of mechanical stimulation on CR. Prolonged mechanical loading for 12 months affected intrinsic CR genes and induced IDD in a model of upright posture in a normal environment. Unexpectedly, mechanical loading further accelerated the IDD in an Light-Dark (LD) cycle-disrupted environment. These results indicated that intrinsic CR disruption might be a mechanism involved in overloading-induced IDD and a potential drug target for night shift workers.


Author(s):  
Pingping Jia ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Jian Xu ◽  
Mei Zhu ◽  
Shize Peng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Resistance to anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug is a major issue in TB control, and demands the discovery of new drugs targeting virulence factor ESX-1. Methods We first established a high-throughput screen (HTS) assay for the discovery of ESX-1 secretion inhibitors. The positive hits were then evaluated for the potency of diminishing the survival of virulent mycobacterium and reducing bacterial virulence. We further investigated the probability of inducing drug-resistance and the underlying mechanism using M-PFC. Results A robust HTS assay was developed to identify small molecules that inhibit ESX-1 secretion without impairing bacterial growth in vitro. A hit named IMB-BZ specifically inhibits the secretion of CFP-10 and reduces virulence in an ESX-1-dependent manner, therefore resulting in significant reduction in intracellular and in vivo survival of mycobacteria. Blocking the CFP-10-EccCb1 interaction directly or indirectly underlies the inhibitory effect of IMB-BZ on the secretion of CFP-10. Importantly, our finding shows that the ESX-1 inhibitors pose low risk of drug resistance development by mycobacteria in vitro as compared with traditional anti-TB drug, and exhibit high potency against chronic mycobacterial infection. Conclusion Targeting ESX-1 may lead to the development of novel therapeutics for tuberculosis. IMB-BZ holds the potential for future development into a new anti-TB drug.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-270
Author(s):  
Boon Hooi Tan ◽  
Nafees Ahemad ◽  
Yan Pan ◽  
Uma Devi Palanisamy ◽  
Iekhsan Othman ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Glucosamine, chondroitin and diacerein are natural compounds commonly used in treating osteoarthritis. Their concomitant intake may trigger drug–natural product interactions. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) has been implicated in such interactions. Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is a major hepatic CYP involved in metabolism of 25% of the clinical drugs. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of these antiarthritic compounds on CYP2D6. Methods CYP2D6 was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. CYP2D6–antiarthritic compound interactions were studied using in vitro enzyme kinetics assay and molecular docking. Results The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based dextromethorphan O-demethylase assay was established as CYP2D6 marker. All glucosamines and chondroitins weakly inhibited CYP2D6 (IC50 values >300 µM). Diacerein exhibited moderate inhibition with IC50 and K i values of 34.99 and 38.27 µM, respectively. Its major metabolite, rhein displayed stronger inhibition potencies (IC50=26.22 μM and K i =32.27 μM). Both compounds exhibited mixed-mode of inhibition. In silico molecular dockings further supported data from the in vitro study. From in vitro–in vivo extrapolation, rhein presented an area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) ratio of 1.5, indicating low potential to cause in vivo inhibition. Conclusions Glucosamine, chondroitin and diacerein unlikely cause clinical interaction with the drug substrates of CYP2D6. Rhein, exhibits only low potential to cause in vivo inhibition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Teodoro Arroyo Cordero ◽  
Rocío Rodríguez-Arcos ◽  
Ana Jiménez-Araujo ◽  
Rafael Guillén-Bejarano ◽  
María José Basallote ◽  
...  

Glucosinolate extracts from sprouts of common Brassica nigra, B. juncea cv. Scala, B. carinata cv. Eleven, and Sinapis alba cv. Ludique were analysed by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry. The effect of the glucosinolate–myrosinase system on in vitro mycelial growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands and Pythium spiculum B. Paul was assessed. Likewise, sinigrin and sinalbin monohydrate commercial standards were also tested. The extracts from B. carinata, which contained 159 mmol/g plant DW equivalent (85% sinigrin, 5% gluconapin, and 3% glucotropaeolin), were the most effective against Phytophthora and Pythium isolates used in this study. However, the extract from S. alba, which contained 1 180 mmol/g (100% sinalbin), did not inhibit the mycelial growth of the isolates tested. The use of the glucosinolate-myrosinase system provides important additional information to advance in the implementation of field application of brassicaceous amendments for the control of soil-borne pathogens.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Abidar ◽  
Razvan Boiangiu ◽  
Gabriela Dumitru ◽  
Elena Todirascu-Ciornea ◽  
Amina Amakran ◽  
...  

Ceratonia siliqua L. is a Mediterranean medicinal plant traditionally cultivated for its ethnopharmacological benefits, such as antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, enhance acetylcholine, antioxidant, antiatherosclerotic, and for its possible anti-neurodegenerative potential. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition, as well as the cognitive-enhancing, anxiolytic, and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract from C. siliqua (CsAE) leaves against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) zebrafish Parkinson’s disease (PD) model. CsAE (0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/L) was administered by immersion to zebrafish (Danio rerio) for eight consecutive days and one hour before each behavioral test of each day, while 6-OHDA (250 µM) treatment was supplied one day before the novel tank diving test (NTT). Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed by the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) analysis. The memory performance was evaluated through the NTT and Y-maze tests. Additionally, the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant status and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was also assessed. Our finds demonstrated that CsAE presented positive antioxidant and anti-AChE activities, which contributed to the improvement of cognitive function in the 6-OHDA zebrafish PD model.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Shufen Liu ◽  
Yuhao Cheng ◽  
Yuqi Tan ◽  
Jingcheng Dong ◽  
Qin Bian

Objectives. Aberrant transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) activation is detrimental to both nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and cartilage endplates (CEPs), which can lead to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Ligustrazine (LIG) reduces the expression of inflammatory factors and TGFβ1 in hypertrophic CEP to prevent IDD. In this study, we investigate the effects of LIG on NP cells and the TGFβ signaling. Design. LIG was injected to the lumbar spinal instability (LSI) mouse model. The effect of LIG was evaluated by intervertebral disc (IVD) score in the LSI mouse model. The expression of activated TGFβ was examined using immunostaining with pSmad2/3 antibody. The upright posture (UP) rat model was also treated and evaluated in the same manner to assess the effect of LIG. In ex vivo study, IVDs from four-week old mice were isolated and treated with 10−5, 10−6, and 10−7 M of LIG. We used western blot to detect activated TGFβ expression. TGFβ-treated human nucleus pulposus cells (HNPCs) were cotreated with optimized dose of LIG in vitro. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to determine pSmad2/3, connective tissue growth factor (CCN2), and aggrecan (ACAN) expression levels. Results. IVD score and the percentage of pSmad2/3+ NP cells were low in LIG-treated LSI mice in comparison with LSI mice, but close to the levels in the Sham group. Similarly, LIG reduced the overexpression of TGFβ1 in NP cells. The inhibitory effect of LIG was dose dependent. A dose of 10−5 M LIG not only strongly attenuated Smad2/3 phosphorylation in TGFβ-treated IVD ex vivo but also suppressed pSmad2/3, CCN2, and ACAN expression in TGFβ-treated NP cells in vitro. Conclusions. LIG prevents IDD via suppression of TGFβ overactivation in NP cells.


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