scholarly journals Molecular Toxicological Mechanisms of Synthetic Cathinones on C2C12 Myoblasts

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xun Zhou ◽  
Dino Luethi ◽  
Gerda Sanvee ◽  
Jamal Bouitbir ◽  
Matthias Liechti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Complex I ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Synthetic Cathinones ◽  
Cellular Respiration ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
C2c12 Myoblasts ◽  
Cell Membrane Integrity ◽  
Mitochondrial Superoxide

Synthetic cathinones are popular psychoactive substances that may cause skeletal muscle damage. In addition to indirect sympathomimetic myotoxicity, these substances could be directly myotoxic. Since studies in myocytes are currently lacking, the aim of the present study was to investigate potential toxicological effects by synthetic cathinones on C2C12 myoblasts (mouse skeletal muscle cell line). We exposed C2C12 myoblasts to 3-methylmethcathinone, 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone), 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP), and naphthylpyrovalerone (naphyrone) for 1 or 24 h before cell membrane integrity, ATP content, mitochondrial oxygen consumption, and mitochondrial superoxide production was measured. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was included as a reference compound. All investigated synthetic cathinones, as well as MDMA, impaired cell membrane integrity, depleted ATP levels, and increased mitochondrial superoxide concentrations in a concentration-dependent manner in the range of 50–2000 μM. The two pyrovalerone derivatives α-PVP and naphyrone, and MDMA, additionally impaired basal and maximal cellular respiration, suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction. Alpha-PVP inhibited complex I, naphyrone complex II, and MDMA complex I and III, whereas complex IV was not affected. We conclude that, in addition to sympathetic nervous system effects and strenuous muscle exercise, direct effects of some cathinones on skeletal muscle mitochondria may contribute to myotoxicity in susceptible synthetic cathinone drugs users.

scholarly journals Octominin: A Novel Synthetic Anticandidal Peptide Derived from Defense Protein of Octopus minor

Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chamilani Nikapitiya ◽  
S.H.S. Dananjaya ◽  
H.P.S.U. Chandrarathna ◽  
Mahanama De Zoysa ◽  
Ilson Whang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Alpha Helix ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cell Membrane Integrity ◽  
Defense Protein ◽  
Octopus Minor

The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens makes an urgent need for discovering novel antimicrobial agents as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Towards this end, we designed and synthesized a synthetic peptide of 23 amino acids (AAs) (1GWLIRGAIHAGKAIHGLIHRRRH23) from a defense protein 3 cDNA sequence of Octopus minor. The sequence of the peptide, which was named Octominin, had characteristic features of known antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) such as a positive charge (+5), high hydrophobic residue ratio (43%), and 1.86 kcal/mol of Boman index. Octominin was predicted to have an alpha-helix secondary structure. The synthesized Octominin was 2625.2 Da with 92.5% purity. The peptide showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 50 and 200 μg/mL, respectively, against Candida albicans. Field emission scanning electron microscopy observation confirmed that Octominin caused ultrastructural cell wall deformities in C. albicans. In addition, propidium iodide penetrated the Octominin-treated C. albicans cells, further demonstrating loss of cell membrane integrity that caused cell death at both MIC and MFC. Octominin treatment increased the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and decreased cell viability in a concentration dependent manner. Cytotoxicity assays revealed no significant influence of Octominin on the viability of human embryonic kidney 293T cell line, with over 95% live cells in the Octominin-treated group observed up to 100 µg/mL. Moreover, we confirmed the antifungal action of Octominin in vivo using a zebrafish experimental infection model. Overall, our results demonstrate the Octominin is a lead compound for further studies, which exerts its effects by inducing cell wall damage, causing loss of cell membrane integrity, and elevating oxidative stress.

Quercetin in attenuation of ischemic/reperfusion injury: A review

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milad Ashrafizadeh ◽  
Saeed Samarghandian ◽  
Kiavash Hushmandi ◽  
Amirhossein Zabolian ◽  
Md Shahinozzaman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Blood Supply ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Molecular Pathways ◽  
Cell Membrane Integrity ◽  
Cell Membrane Disruption

Background: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious pathologic event that occurs due to restriction in blood supply to an organ, followed by hypoxia. This condition leads to enhanced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-, and stimulation of oxidative stress via enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Upon reperfusion, blood supply increases, but it deteriorates condition, and leads to generation of ROS, cell membrane disruption and finally, cell death. Plant derived-natural compounds are well-known due to their excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Quercetin is a flavonoid exclusively found in different vegetables, herbs, and fruits. This naturally occurring compound possesses different pharmacological activities making it appropriate option in disease therapy. Quercetin can also demonstrate therapeutic effects via affecting molecular pathways such as NF-B, PI3K/Akt and so on. Methods: In the present review, we demonstrate that quercetin administration is beneficial in ameliorating I/R injury via reducing ROS levels, inhibition of inflammation, and affecting molecular pathways such as TLR4/NF-B, MAPK and so on. Results and conclusion: Quercetin can improve cell membrane integrity via decreasing lipid peroxidation. Apoptotic cell death is inhibited by quercetin via down-regulation of Bax, and caspases, and upregulation of Bcl-2. Quercetin is able to modulate autophagy (inhibition/induction) in decreasing I/R injury. Nanoparticles have been applied for delivery of quercetin, enhancing its bioavailability and efficacy in alleviation of I/R injury. Noteworthy, clinical trials have also confirmed the capability of quercetin in reducing I/R injury.

scholarly journals The importance of extracellular speciation and corrosion of copper nanoparticles on lung cell membrane integrity

2016 ◽  
Vol 141 ◽  
pp. 291-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Hedberg ◽  
Hanna L. Karlsson ◽  
Yolanda Hedberg ◽  
Eva Blomberg ◽  
Inger Odnevall Wallinder
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Copper Nanoparticles ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Cell Membrane Integrity
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document