scholarly journals Neuroprotective Activity of Melittin—The Main Component of Bee Venom—Against Oxidative Stress Induced by Aβ25–35 in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1654
Author(s):  
Cong Duc Nguyen ◽  
Gihyun Lee

Melittin, a 26-amino acid peptide, is the main component of the venom of four honeybee species and exhibits neuroprotective actions. However, it is unclear how melittin ameliorates neuronal cells in oxidative stress and how it affects memory impairment in an in vivo model. We evaluated the neuroprotective effect of melittin on Aβ25–35-induced neuro-oxidative stress in both in vitro HT22 cells and in vivo animal model. Melittin effectively protected against HT22 cell viability and significantly deregulated the Aβ25–35-induced overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Western blot analysis showed that melittin suppressed cell apoptosis and regulated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, as well as the expression of proapoptotic related factors: Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), Calpain, Cytochrome c (CytoC), Cleaved caspase-3 (Cleacas3). Additionally, melittin enhanced the antioxidant defense pathway by regulating the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2) thus upregulated the production of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a major cellular antioxidant enzyme combating neuronal oxidative stress. Furthermore, melittin treatment activated the Tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB)/cAMP Response Element-Binding (CREB)/Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), contributing to neuronal neurogenesis, and regulating the normal function of synapses in the brain. In our in vivo experiment, melittin was shown to enhance the depleted learning and memory ability, a novel finding. A mouse model with cognitive deficits induced by Aβ25–35 intracerebroventricular injection was used. Melittin had dose-dependently enhanced neural-disrupted animal behavior and enhanced neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus hippocampal region. Further analysis of mouse brain tissue and serum confirmed that melittin enhanced oxidant–antioxidant balance, cholinergic system activity, and intercellular neurotrophic factors regulation, which were all negatively altered by Aβ25–35. Our study shows that melittin exerts antioxidant and neuroprotective actions against neural oxidative stress. Melittin can be a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative disorders.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihiro Yachie

Since Yachie et al. reported the first description of human heme oxygenase (HO)-1 deficiency more than 20 years ago, few additional human cases have been reported in the literature. A detailed analysis of the first human case of HO-1 deficiency revealed that HO-1 is involved in the protection of multiple tissues and organs from oxidative stress and excessive inflammatory reactions, through the release of multiple molecules with anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory functions. HO-1 production is induced in vivo within selected cell types, including renal tubular epithelium, hepatic Kupffer cells, vascular endothelium, and monocytes/macrophages, suggesting that HO-1 plays critical roles in these cells. In vivo and in vitro studies have indicated that impaired HO-1 production results in progressive monocyte dysfunction, unregulated macrophage activation and endothelial cell dysfunction, leading to catastrophic systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Data from reported human cases of HO-1 deficiency and numerous studies using animal models suggest that HO-1 plays critical roles in various clinical settings involving excessive oxidative stress and inflammation. In this regard, therapy to induce HO-1 production by pharmacological intervention represents a promising novel strategy to control inflammatory diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Takahashi ◽  
Takayoshi Shimohata

Methylmercury (MeHg) causes severe damage to the central nervous system, and there is increasing evidence of the association between MeHg exposure and vascular dysfunction, hemorrhage, and edema in the brain, but not in other organs of patients with acute MeHg intoxication. These observations suggest that MeHg possibly causes blood–brain barrier (BBB) damage. MeHg penetrates the BBB into the brain parenchyma via active transport systems, mainly the l-type amino acid transporter 1, on endothelial cell membranes. Recently, exposure to mercury has significantly increased. Numerous reports suggest that long-term low-level MeHg exposure can impair endothelial function and increase the risks of cardiovascular disease. The most widely reported mechanism of MeHg toxicity is oxidative stress and related pathways, such as neuroinflammation. BBB dysfunction has been suggested by both in vitro and in vivo models of MeHg intoxication. Therapy targeted at both maintaining the BBB and suppressing oxidative stress may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for MeHg intoxication. This paper reviews studies on the relationship between MeHg exposure and vascular dysfunction, with a special emphasis on the BBB.


2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela L. Martín ◽  
Paula Ceccatto ◽  
María V. Razori ◽  
Daniel E.A. Francés ◽  
Sandra M.M. Arriaga ◽  
...  

Abstract We previously demonstrated in in vitro and ex vivo models that physiological concentrations of unconjugated bilirubin (BR) prevent oxidative stress (OS)-induced hepatocanalicular dysfunction and cholestasis. Here, we aimed to ascertain, in the whole rat, whether a similar cholestatic OS injury can be counteracted by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction that consequently elevates endogenous BR levels. This was achieved through the administration of hemin, an inducer of HO-1, the rate-limiting step in BR generation. We found that BR peaked between 6 and 8 h after hemin administration. During this time period, HO-1 induction fully prevented the pro-oxidant tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBuOOH)-induced drop in bile flow, and in the biliary excretion of bile salts and glutathione, the two main driving forces of bile flow; this was associated with preservation of the membrane localization of their respective canalicular transporters, bile salt export pump (Bsep) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2), which are otherwise endocytosed by OS. HO-1 induction counteracted the oxidation of intracellular proteins and membrane lipids induced by tBuOOH, and fully prevented the increase in the oxidized-to-total glutathione (GSHt) ratio, a sensitive parameter of hepatocellular OS. Compensatory elevations of the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also prevented. We conclude that in vivo HO-1 induction protects the liver from acute oxidative injury, thus preventing consequent cholestasis. This reveals an important role for the induction of HO-1 and the consequently elevated levels of BR in preserving biliary secretory function under OS conditions, thus representing a novel therapeutic tool to limit the cholestatic injury that bears an oxidative background.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 10822
Author(s):  
Agata Winiarska ◽  
Monika Knysak ◽  
Katarzyna Nabrdalik ◽  
Janusz Gumprecht ◽  
Tomasz Stompór

The incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been increasing worldwide, and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains one of the leading long-term complications of T2D. Several lines of evidence indicate that glucose-lowering agents prevent the onset and progression of DKD in its early stages but are of limited efficacy in later stages of DKD. However, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) antagonists were shown to exert nephroprotective effects in patients with established DKD, i.e., those who had a reduced glomerular filtration rate. These effects cannot be solely attributed to the improved metabolic control of diabetes. In our review, we attempted to discuss the interactions of both groups of agents with inflammation and oxidative stress—the key pathways contributing to organ damage in the course of diabetes. SGLT2i and GLP-1R antagonists attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress in experimental in vitro and in vivo models of DKD in several ways. In addition, we have described experiments showing the same protective mechanisms as found in DKD in non-diabetic kidney injury models as well as in some tissues and organs other than the kidney. The interaction between both drug groups, inflammation and oxidative stress appears to have a universal mechanism of organ protection in diabetes and other diseases.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1231
Author(s):  
Jin Woo Kim ◽  
Eun Hee Jo ◽  
Ji Eun Moon ◽  
Hanvit Cha ◽  
Moon Han Chang ◽  
...  

Various stresses derived from both internal and external oxidative environments lead to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing progressive intracellular oxidative damage and ultimately cell death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Citrus junos Tanaka peel extract (CE) against oxidative-stress induced the apoptosis of lung cells and the associated mechanisms of action using in vitro and in vivo models. The protective effect of CE was evaluated in vitro in NCI-H460 human lung cells exposed to pro-oxidant H2O2. The preventive effect of CE (200 mg/kg/day, 10 days) against pulmonary injuries following acrolein inhalation (10 ppm for 12 h) was investigated using an in vivo mouse model. Herein, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of CE against the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of lung cells under a highly oxidative environment. The function of CE is linked with its ability to suppress ROS-dependent, p53-mediated apoptotic signaling. Furthermore, we evaluated the protective role of CE against apoptotic pulmonary injuries associated with the inhalation of acrolein, a ubiquitous and highly oxidizing environmental respiratory pollutant, through the attenuation of oxidative stress. The results indicated that CE exhibits a protective effect against the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of lung cells in both in vitro and in vivo models.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawei Cai ◽  
Thomas W. Huff ◽  
Jun Liu ◽  
Tangbo Yuan ◽  
Zijian Wei ◽  
...  

Sinapic acid (SA) modulates the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in chondrocytes. In order to test the hypothesis that SA is protective against the development of osteoarthritis (OA), primary mouse chondrocytes were treated in vitro with SA and the promoter transactivation activity of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), nuclear translocation of Nrf2, and protein expression of HO-1 were assayed. To test the hypothesis in vivo, a destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) model was used to induce OA in the knees of mice and SA was delivered orally to the experimental group. The chondrocytes were harvested for further analysis. The expression of HO-1 was similarly upregulated in cartilage from both the experimental mice and human chondrocytes from osteoarthritic knees. SA was found to enhance the promoter transactivation activity of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and increase the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in primary chondrocytes. Histopathologic scores showed that the damage induced by the DMM model was significantly lower in the SA treatment group. The addition of a HO-1 inhibitor with SA did not show additional benefit over SA alone in terms of cartilage degradation or histopathologic scores. The expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS4, and ADAMTS5 was significantly reduced both in vitro and in vivo by the presence of SA. Protein expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2 were substantially increased in knee cartilage of mice that received oral SA. Our results suggest that SA should be further explored as a preventative treatment for OA.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Murphy L. Y. Wan ◽  
Paul C. Turner ◽  
Vanessa A. Co ◽  
M. F. Wang ◽  
Khaled M. A. Amiri ◽  
...  

AbstractExtensive research has revealed the association of continued oxidative stress with chronic inflammation, which could subsequently affect many different chronic diseases. The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) frequently contaminates cereals crops worldwide, and are a public health concern since DON ingestion may result in persistent intestinal inflammation. There has also been considerable attention over the potential of DON to provoke oxidative stress. In this study, the cytoprotective effect of Schisandrin A (Sch A), one of the most abundant active dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans in the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (also known as Chinese magnolia-vine), was investigated in HT-29 cells against DON-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation. Sch A appeared to protect against DON-induced cytotoxicity in HT-29 cells, and significantly lessened the DON-stimulated intracellular reactive oxygen species and nitrogen oxidative species production. Furthermore, Sch A lowered DON-induced catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase antioxidant enzyme activities but maintains glutathione S transferase activity and glutathione levels. Mechanistic studies suggest that Sch A reduced DON-induced oxidative stress by down-regulating heme oxygenase-1 expression via nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 signalling pathway. In addition, Sch A decreased the DON-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 8 expression and secretion. This may be mediated by preventing DON-induced translocation of nuclear factor-κB, as well as activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases pathways. In the light of these findings, we concluded that Sch A exerted a cytoprotective role in DON-induced toxicity in vitro, and it would be valuable to examine in vivo effects.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 370
Author(s):  
Luna Krstić ◽  
María J. González-García ◽  
Yolanda Diebold

Nature has become one of the main sources of exploration for researchers that search for new potential molecules to be used in therapy. Polyphenols are emerging as a class of compounds that have attracted the attention of pharmaceutical and biomedical scientists. Thanks to their structural peculiarities, polyphenolic compounds are characterized as good scavengers of free radical species. This, among other medicinal effects, permits them to interfere with different molecular pathways that are involved in the inflammatory process. Unfortunately, many compounds of this class possess low solubility in aqueous solvents and low stability. Ocular pathologies are spread worldwide. It is estimated that every individual at least once in their lifetime experiences some kind of eye disorder. Oxidative stress or inflammatory processes are the basic etiological mechanisms of many ocular pathologies. A variety of polyphenolic compounds have been proved to be efficient in suppressing some of the indicators of these pathologies in in vitro and in vivo models. Further application of polyphenolic compounds in ocular therapy lacks an adequate formulation approach. Therefore, more emphasis should be put in advanced delivery strategies that will overcome the limits of the delivery site as well as the ones related to the polyphenols in use. This review analyzes different drug delivery strategies that are employed for the formulation of polyphenolic compounds when used to treat ocular pathologies related to oxidative stress and inflammation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (5) ◽  
pp. F1545-F1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasunori Mizuguchi ◽  
Jie Chen ◽  
Surya V. Seshan ◽  
Dix P. Poppas ◽  
Hazel H. Szeto ◽  
...  

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is characterized by decreases in renal function, increased interstitial fibrosis, tubular apoptosis, and cellular infiltration. It has been suggested that inhibition of tubular apoptosis may protect against renal damage in obstruction. We have recently developed a series of peptides which are concentrated in the inner mitochondrial membrane and prevent cell death. These peptides are also active in vivo, in myocardial infraction, ischemic brain injury, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models. We therefore used SS-31, a prototype of these peptides, and assessed its effects on renal damage and oxidative stress in a 14-day obstruction model. SS-31 (1 or 3 mg/kg) or saline was given 1 day before and throughout the 14 days of obstruction. Kidneys were harvested and assessed for apoptosis (terminal transferase-dUTP-nick-end labeling, caspase 3 expression), fibrosis (trichrome staining), macrophage infiltration, fibroblast expression (immunoperoxidase), and oxidative damage (8-OH deoxyguanosine and heme oxygenase-1 expression), cytokines, and signaling pathways (transforming growth factor-β, CCR-1, p38-MAPK, NF-κB). SS-31 significantly attenuated the effects of obstruction on all aspects of renal damage which were examined, with both the 1 and 3 mg/kg doses showing efficacy. We noted increased oxidative stress in obstruction, which was also attenuated by SS-31 treatment. Signaling via NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways were both affected by SS-31 treatment. This study provides a proof of concept that peptides which protect mitochondria in vitro can provide protection from renal damage in a UUO model. The mechanism by which protection is afforded requires further studies both in vitro and in vivo.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Himangshu Sonowal ◽  
Kirtikar Shukla ◽  
Sumedha Kota ◽  
Ashish Saxena ◽  
Kota V. Ramana

Increased side toxicities and development of drug resistance are the major concern for the cancer chemotherapy using synthetic drugs. Therefore, identification of novel natural antioxidants with potential therapeutic efficacies is important. In the present study, we have examined how the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of vialinin A, a p-terphenyl compound derived from Chinese edible mushroomT. terrestrisandT. vialis, prevents human umbilical vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) neovascularization in vitro and in vivo models. Pretreatment of HUVECs with vialinin A prevents vascular endothelial growth factor- (VEGF) induced HUVEC cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Further, vialinin A also inhibits VEGF-induced migration as well as tube formation of HUVECs. Treatment of HUVECs prevents VEGF-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and also inhibits VEGF-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation as well as DNA-binding activity. The VEGF-induced release of various angiogenic cytokines and chemokines in HUVECs was also significantly blunted by vialinin A. Most importantly, in a mouse model of Matrigel plug assay, vialinin A prevents the formation of new blood vessels and the expression of CD31 and vWF. Thus, our results indicate a novel role of vialinin A in the prevention of neovascularization and suggest that anticancer effects of vialinin A could be mediated through its potent antioxidant and antiangiogenic properties.


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