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OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism of oxymatrine inducing apoptosis of osteosarcoma MG63 cell line based on mitophagy mediated by cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）/PTEN-induced putative kinase-1 （PINK1）/Parkinson disease protein-2 （Parkin） signaling pathway. METHODS MG63 cells were treated with 2.0， 4.0， 8.0 mg/mL oxymatrine and 6 μmol/L 5-fluorouracil， then the apoptotic rate， the expression of apoptosis-related proteins [B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 related X protein （Bax）]， the proportion of decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential， the level of mitophagy as well as the protein expressions of PINK1， Parkin， and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain-3Ⅱ （LC3-Ⅱ） were detected. PINK1 small interfering RNA （siRNA） was adopted to intervene in the expression of PINK1， the cells were divided into control group， PINK1 siRNA group， oxymatrine group， and PINK1 siRNA+oxymatrine group； the protein expressions of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3-Ⅱ， the proportion of decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） as well as apoptotic rate were detected. The lentivirus infection technique was used to overexpress COX-2， the cells were divided into control group， oxymatrine group， COX-2 group， and COX-2+oxymatrine group. The protein expressions of COX-2， PINK1， and Parkin， as well as the proportion of decrease in MMP were detected. RESULTS After being treated with oxymatrine， the apoptotic rate， the protein expressions of Bax， PINK1， Parkin， and LC3-Ⅱ， the level of mitophagy as well as the proportion of decrease in MMP were significantly increased （P＜0.05）， while the protein expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with the oxymatrine group， the protein expressions of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3-Ⅱ， apoptotic rate and the proportion of decrease in MMP were significantly decreased in PINK1 siRNA+oxymatrine group （P＜0.05）. Compared with the oxymatrine group， the protein expression of COX-2 in the COX-2+oxymatrine group was increased significantly （P＜0.05）， while the protein expressions of PINK1 and Parkin as well as the proportion of 526087266@qq.com decrease in MMP were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Oxymatrine can mediate the overactivity of mitophagy based on the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway by inhibiting COX-2 expression， thus promoting the apoptosis of the MG63 osteosarcoma cell line.
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ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Guipitang on rats with myocardial ischemia. MethodFifty SD rats were divided into five groups： a control group， a model group， low and high-dose Guipitang （7.52， 15.04 g·kg-1） groups， and a trimetazidine group （0.002 g·kg-1）. By intragastric administration of vitamin D3 and feeding rats with high-fat forage and injecting isoproterenol， the rat model of myocardial ischemia was established. After drug treatment of 15 d， an electrocardiogram （ECG） was performed to analyze the degree of myocardial injury. A fully automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect the changes in the serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， triglyceride （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe myocardial histopathological changes. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） staining was used to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Western blot was adopted to detect the protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， phospho-ERK1/2 （p-ERK1/2）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， phospho-p38 MAPK （p-p38 MAPK）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）-associated X （Bax）， Bcl-2， and cleaved cysteine aspartate proteolytic enzyme （cleaved Caspase-3）. ResultCompared with the control group， the ECG S-T segment decreased in the model group. The serum levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were increased significantly （P<0.05）. The arrangement of myocardial tissue was disordered， and the proportion of cardiomyocyte apoptosis increased. The protein levels of cleaved Caspase-3， Bax， and p-p38 MAPK in the heart were increased， and the Bcl-2 expression was decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the S-T segment downward shift was restored in the low and high-dose Guipitang groups and trimetazidine group， and the levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were decreased. The protein expression of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax in the heart dropped， and p-p38 MAPK and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions increased significantly （P<0.05）. The degree of myocardial injury was alleviated， and the proportion of cardiomyocyte apoptosis decreased. Bcl-2 protein expression was increased significantly in the low-dose Guipitang group （P<0.05）. ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK proteins had no significant difference among different groups. ConclusionGuipitang could alleviate myocardial injury and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats by activating the expression of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK.
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Background The main features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are abnormal follicular development and ovulatory dysfunction, which are caused by excessive apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells. Acupuncture has been shown to improve follicular development abnormalities in patients with PCOS, but its mechanism is unknown. This study hypothesized that the mechanism of acupuncture on follicular development abnormalities in PCOS patients is the inhibition of granulosa cell apoptosis through LncMEG3-mediated regulation of miR-21-3p. Methods A PCOS-like rat model was established using subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Acupuncture was performed on rats for 15 d (CV-4, RN-3, CV-6, SP-6 and EX-CA 1). Ovarian morphology was observed by HE staining, and sex hormone and AMH levels were detected by ELISA. Primary granulosa cells were isolated from each group of rats to assess the association of acupuncture treatment, LncMEG3, miR-21-3p, and granulosa cell apoptosis in rats with PCOS. Results LncMEG3 and miR-21-3p were highly expressed in the ovarian granulosa cells of rats with PCOS, and LncMEG3-mediated regulation of miR-21-3p was involved in the development of PCOS in rats. Silencing of MEG3 attenuated sex hormone dysregulation and ovarian histopathological changes in PCOS rats and promoted follicle cell development and maturation. In addition, silencing MEG3 increased the viability and number of granulosa cells. In addition, silencing MEG3 further inhibited early and late apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in PCOS rats. Acupuncture improved polycystic ovarian morphology and sex hormone levels in PCOS rats. Acupuncture intervention increased the viability and number of granulosa cells. Acupuncture intervention inhibited early and late apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in PCOS rats by targeting miR-21-3p via LncMEG3. Conclusion These results suggest that acupuncture can downregulate LncMEG3, thereby targeting and regulating miR-21-3p to suppress early and late granulosa cell apoptosis and normalize their proliferation. These factors ultimately compensate for abnormal follicular development. These findings shed light on the clinical potential of acupuncture as a safe treatment for follicular developmental abnormalities in PCOS. Highlights LncMEG3-mediated inhibition of miR-21-3p regulates ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. LncMEG3 and miR-21-3p are involved in the occurrence and development of PCOS-related abnormal follicular development. CuONPs induce co-occurrence of autophagy activation and autophagic flux blockade. Acupuncture can improve the sex hormone levels and follicular development in the context of PCOS. The underlying mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of PCOS abnormal follicular development was revealed.
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Abstract Objective Trastuzumab is the preferred drug for the treatment of breast cancer. However, research on the cellular mechanisms of trastuzumab's potential cardiotoxicity is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to explore the toxic effects and potential mechanism of action of trastuzumab on cardiomyocytes. Method Human Cardiomyocyte (HCM) viability was assessed using the MTT method. HCM apoptosis was detected using the Hoechst33342/PI Fluorescent staining. The LDH and CK activities of the cell were measured using commercially available LDH and CK assay kits. The expression levels of Notch2, JAK2, STAT3, cleaved caspase 3, bax, and bcl 2 in HCMs were detected using western blotting. Results The results showed that 250 mg/L trastuzumab induced cardiomyocyte injury and apoptosis, inhibited viability, activated the Notch2 receptor, and inhibited JAK2/STAT3 expression in HCM. Inhibition of Notch2 expression in HCM by targeted siNotch2 transfection reversed the trastuzumab-induced injury and apoptosis, and the expression of JAK2/STAT3 returned to normal levels. Conclusions Trastuzumab induces Notch2 expression by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway of HCMs, promotes cell apoptosis, and causes cardiomyocyteinjury. Notch2 may be a potential target of trastuzumab-inducedmyocardial injury. This experiment reveals the mechanism of trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity, providing a theoretical basis for the application of trastuzumab.
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Fluoride has dual health effects. Proper amount of fluoride plays an important role in bone development, prevention of dental caries and nervous system activity. Excessive fluoride causes chronic systemic diseases with dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis as the main symptoms. Fluorosis causes morphological and structural changes and function damage in skeletal muscle. Low concentration of fluoride induces muscle canal hypertrophy in skeletal muscle, while high concentration of fluoride leads to skeletal muscle atrophy by causing a series of signal pathway abnormalities. Abnormal changes in phosphatidylinositol-3-hydroxykinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signal pathway, oxidative stress, and ubiquitin-proteasome pathway all play important roles in skeletal muscle injury caused by fluorosis. In this paper, the effect of fluoride on skeletal muscle and its related molecular mechanisms are reviewed.
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Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a common phenomenon which involved in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions in humans, such as neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic injury, autoimmune diseases and cancers. Apoptosis can be detected in vitro by morphology, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, and other techniques. Probes for cell apoptosis detection in vivo are still under research and various reagents and methods are constantly emerging. However, none of apoptosis detection methods or reagents are perfect and they all have advantages and disadvantages, as well as suitable scope of application. With the increasing application of apoptosis detection techniques, researchers will be confused about how to choose a suitable method to detect apoptosis and define the application range of each apoptosis detection method. Therefore, it is necessary to compare the benefits and drawbacks of existing apoptosis detection techniques as well as their applicable conditions. This article reviews morphological characteristics, molecular mechanism and specific biochemical changes in apoptotic cells. We summarized various apoptosis-detection methods based on these characteristics that can be used in vitro and in vivo, the advantages and disadvantages of each method and the scope of application. Also, we highlighted the existing tracers that have been used in apoptosis detection in vivo, their potentialities and limitations as well as the clinical applications of apoptosis imaging in multiple disease fields.
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Objective To investigate the functions of the KIFC1 gene in tumor cells and its effect on the proliferation of cervical cancer cells. Methods We designed sgRNAs targeting the KIFC1 gene and constructed a recombinant plasmid based on the pSpCas9 (BB)-2A-GFP vector, which was co-transfected into HeLa cells. We screened monoclonal knockout cell lines through flow cytometry sorting, limited dilution inoculation of cells, and sequencing. RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the transcription and protein expression levels of KIFC1 in knockout cells. Cell phenotypes such as nucleus and microtubule cytoskeleton were observed using phase-contrast microscopy and fluorescence confocal microscopy. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis were analyzed by growth curve plotting, EdU labeling, and acridine orange staining. Results The deletion of the KIFC1 gene resulted in the abnormal phenotypes of HeLa cells, with increased numbers of multinuclei, micronucleus, and disordered microtubules. The cell cycle was disrupted, accompanied with a significant increase in the ratio of late apoptotic cells and a decrease in cell proliferation (all P < 0.05). Conclusion KIFC1 gene deletion affects the assembly of microtubules and cell division in HeLa cells, leading to abnormal nuclear morphology, chromatin elimination, cell cycle arrest, and increased cell apoptosis.
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@#Objective To the effects of VALD-3,a derivative of o-vanilla Schiff base ligand,on proliferation,migration and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and evaluate its mechanism.Methods HT-29 and HCT116 cells were cultured in vitro,and the inhibitory effects of VALD-3(5,10,20 and 40 mg/L) on proliferation of the two kinds of cells were detected by MTT assay;The effects of VALD-3(10,20 and 40 mg/L) on the morphological changes of the cells were observed by inverted microscope,while the effects on the migration ability of HT-29 cells were detected by cell scratch test,and the effects on the apoptosis of HT-29 cells were detected by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining;The effects of VALD-3(5,10,20 and 40 mg/L) on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in HT-29 cells were detected by Western blot.Negative control groups were set up(with no VALD-3).Results Compared with the negative control group,the survival rates of HT-29 and HCT116 cells in 10,20 and 40 mg/L VALD-3 treated groups significantly decreased(t=7.717～2 006.148,each P <0.05);the number of HT-29 and HCT116 cells in 10,20 and 40 mg/L VALD-3groups decreased significantly with the increase of VALD-3 concentration,the cells appeared irregular morphology and gradually became round and smaller,and cell fragments increased;In 10,20 and 40 mg/L VALD-3 treated groups,the migration rate of HT-29 cell scratches decreased significantly(t=7.596～73.780,each P <0.01),the apoptosis rate increased significantly(t=7.092～8.057,each P <0.01),and the number of apoptotic cells increased significantly with strong bright blue fluorescence,chromatin concentration and nuclear fragmentation;The levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax protein in HT-29 cells treated with 5,10,20 and 40 mg/L VALD-3 significantly increased(t=2.998～24.901,each P <0.05),the level of Bcl-2 protein in 40 mg/L VALD-3 group decreased significantly(t=10.035,P <0.05),and the levels of cleaved caspase-8 in 20 and 40 mg/L VALD-3 group significantly increased(t=12.630 and 8.064 respectively,each P <0.01).Conclusion VALD-3 inhibited the proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer cells and induced apoptosis by regulating the expression of cleaved caspase-3,cleaved caspase-8,Bax and Bcl-2 proteins.
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Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of circular RNA SNRK (circSNRK) in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods A hypoxia-reoxygenation (IRI) cell model was established. The expression level of circSNRK after IRI treatment and the effect of overexpression of circSNRK on cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected. The targets of circSNRK were identified. HK2 cells were divided into the blank group (Mock group), IRI group, control plasmid+IRI group (IRI+NC group), human circSNRK overexpression+IRI group (IRI+circSNRK group), human circSNRK overexpression+IRI+protein kinase B (Akt) inhibitor group (IRI+circSNRK+MK2206 group) and control plasmid group (NC group). Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected in the Mock, IRI, IRI+NC and IRI+circSNRK groups. The gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the target of circSNRK were carried out. The expression levels of CDKN1A, Akt, B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase)-9 messenger RNA (mRNA), and those of p21, Bcl-2, Caspase-9, Akt and p-Akt proteins were detected in the Mock, IRI, IRI+NC and IRI+circSNRK groups, respectively. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined in the NC, IRI+NC, IRI+circSNRK and IRI+circSNRK+MK2206 groups. Results Compared with the Mock group, the expression level of circSNRK was lower, and cell proliferation capability of HK2 cells was decreased and cell apoptosis was increased in the IRI group. In the IRI+circSNRK group, cell proliferation capability was higher, whereas cell apoptosis was lower than those in the IRI+NC group. circSNRK could act on 648 targets through 51 microRNAs (miRNAs). GO enrichment analysis revealed that the targets of circSNRK were mainly enriched in biological processes (such as cell process and biological regulation), cell components (such as cell parts, cells and extracellular parts), and molecular functions (such as binding, binding proteins and enzymes). KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the targets of circSNRK were mainly enriched in cancer signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling pathway, miRNA in cancer and other related signaling pathways. Compared with the Mock group, the relative expression levels of CDKN1A and Caspase-9 mRNA were higher, the expression level of miR-99a-5p RNA was higher and the relative expression levels of Akt and Bcl-2 mRNA were lower in the IRI group. Compared with the IRI+NC group, the relative expression levels of CDKN1A and Caspase-9 mRNA were lower, those of Akt and Bcl-2 mRNA were higher, and the expression level of miR-99a-5p RNA was lower in the IRI+circSNRK group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Mock group, the expression levels of p21 and Caspase-9 proteins were higher, while those of p-Akt, Akt and Bcl-2 proteins were lower in the IRI group. Compared with the IRI+NC group, the expression levels of p21 and Caspase-9 proteins were lower, whereas those of p-Akt, Akt and Bcl-2 proteins were higher in the IRI+circSNRK group. The miR-99a-5p binding sites were observed in circSNRK and Akt. Compared with the NC group, cell proliferation capability was declined in the IRI+NC group. Compared with the IRI+NC group, cell proliferation capability was elevated in the IRI+circSNRK group. Compared with the IRI+circSNRK group, cell proliferation capability was declined in the IRI+circSNRK+MK2206 group (all P < 0.05). The cell apoptosis level in the IRI+NC group was higher than that in the NC group. The cell apoptosis level in the IRI+circSNRK group was lower compared with that in the IRI+NC group. The cell apoptosis level in the IRI+circSNRK+MK2206 group was higher than that in the IRI+circSNRK group. Conclusions Under IRI conditions, circSNRK may affect the proliferation and apoptosis of HK2 cells probably via the Akt signaling pathway.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of modified Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang （MHGW） on the protein and mRNA expression of B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein （Bax） and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-12 （Caspase-12） related to the apoptosis of sciatic nerve cells in diabetes rats to explore the mechanism of MHGW in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy in diabetes. MethodAnimal experiments were conducted. A diabetes model was induced in sixty male sprague-dawley （SD） rats by feeding on a high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin （STZ） intraperitoneal injection. Rats with random blood glucose levels ≥ 16.7 mmol·L-1 for three consecutive days were considered to have successfully developed diabetes. Forty-eight rats that successfully developed diabetes were randomly divided into a model group， an α-lipoic acid group （0.026 8 g·kg-1·d-1）， a high-dose MHGW group （2.5 g·kg-1·d-1）， and a low-dose MHGW group （1.25 g·kg-1·d-1）， with 12 rats in each group. Another 10 rats were assigned to the normal group. Body weight and random blood glucose levels of the rats were monitored. At the end of a 16-week intervention period， the sciatic nerve conduction velocity of the rats was measured using the Key point electromyography collection system. The protein and mRNA expression of Bax and Caspase-12 in the sciatic nerve cells was detected by Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a significant decrease in body weight （P<0.01） and a significant increase in random blood glucose levels （P<0.01）. After a 16-week intervention， compared with the model group， the high-dose MHGW group exhibited a significant increase in body weight （P<0.05）， while there were no statistically significant differences in body weight changes among the other treatment groups. Random blood glucose levels significantly decreased in all treatment groups （P<0.01）. After 16 weeks of intervention， compared with the normal group， the model group had significantly reduced motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed significant increases in motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of Bax and Caspase-12 proteins in the sciatic nerve cells was significantly elevated in the model group compared with that in the normal group （P<0.01）. In contrast， all treatment groups showed significant reductions in the expression of Bax and Caspase-12 proteins in the sciatic nerve cells as compared with that in the model group （P<0.01）. The expression of Bax and Caspase-12 mRNA in the sciatic nerve cells significantly increased in the model group compared with that in the normal group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the α-lipoic acid group and the high-dose MHGW group showed significant reductions in the expression of Bax mRNA in the sciatic nerve cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the low-dose MHGW group showed a decreasing trend in the expression of Bax mRNA. The expression of Caspase-12 mRNA in the sciatic nerve cells significantly decreased in all treatment groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionMHGW may improve and repair sciatic nerve damage in diabetes rats by inhibiting sciatic nerve cell apoptosis.
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Ischemic stroke is caused by a variety of factors caused by intracerebral artery stenosis or obstruction， can lead to cerebral ischemia， hypoxia， neuronal necrosis and neurological dysfunction and other pathological injuries， with high morbidity， high disability rate， high mortality characteristics. Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is the main secondary injury， which can lead to permanent disability or even death in severe cases. With the development of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） modernization， the extraction and application of active components of TCM have been paid more and more attention. Salidroside， as the main active component of Rhodirosea， a rare Chinese medicinal herb， has been proved to fight cerebral ischemia injury by inhibiting cell apoptosis， anti-oxidative stress， reducing inflammatory response， protecting blood-brain barrier， regulating autophagy， promoting nerve remodeling and synaptic regeneration in preclinical trials. However， due to its multi-pathway， multi-pathway and multi-target action characteristics， the specific mechanism of salidroside to improve cerebral ischemia injury has not been fully elucidated. By reviewing relevant literature in the past decade， the author reviewed the mechanism of action of salidroside in the treatment of ischemic brain injury， and summarized the recent progress of its pharmacokinetic studies and safety evaluation， in order to provide theoretical basis and new research ideas for the development and clinical application of the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the volatile oil of Linderae Radix on the apoptosis and autophagy of human gastric cancer cell line AGS， and to explore the regulatory role of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway in this process. MethodThe volatile oil of Linderae Radix was extracted by steam distillation， and the effect of the volatile oil on the viability of AGS cells was detected by thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） colorimetry. The optimal intervention dose and time were determined according to the half maximal inhibitory concentration （IC50） for subsequent research. The blank， low， medium， and high-dose volatile oil （0， 15， 30， 60 mg·L-1） groups and the positive drug cyclophosphamide （CTX， 350 mg·L-1） group were designed. AGS cells were treated with different doses of volatile oil for 48 h. The changes in cell proliferation， cycle， and migration were measured by colony formation assay， flow cytometry， and cell scratch test， respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the changes of cell morphology， Annexin-V/propidium iodide （PI） double staining to measure the apoptosis， and acridine orange （AO） staining to measure the autophagy level of the cells. Western blotting was employed to determine the expression of the autophagy effectors Beclin-1， p62， microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3 （LC3）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase （PARP）， adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK）， mTOR， and phosphorylated mTOR （p-mTOR）. ResultCompared with the blank group， 24 h and 48 h of intervention with the volatile oil of Linderae Radix inhibited the viability of AGS cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the volatile oil decreased the cell proliferation and migration （P<0.05， P<0.01） and blocked the AGS cell cycle in G2/M phase （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a concentration-dependent manner. The cells treated with the volatile oil became spherical and smaller， with the formation of apoptotic bodies and increased apoptosis rate （P<0.05， P<0.01）. As the dose of the volatile oil increased， the number of autophagosomes increased and the red fluorescence gradually enhanced， indicating the elevated level of autophagy. Compared with the blank group， different doses of volatile oil up-regulated the protein levels of Beclin-1， LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ， cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved PARP， Bax/Bcl-2， and AMPK （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulated the protein levels of p62 and p-mTOR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe volatile oil of Linderae Radix induces the apoptosis and exerts the autophagy-mediated growth inhibition of AGS cells by regulating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Objective@# To explore the preventive effect of nicotinamide (NAM) on cleft palate induced by all-trans retinoic acid (RA), to provide research evidence for the prevention of cleft palate. @*Methods @#The mouse cleft palate model was induced by intragastric administration of 70 mg/kg all-trans retinoic acid at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) in the control group. The mouse cleft palate model was treated by caudal vein injection of 20 mg/kg NAM at E8.5 to E13.5 in the experimental group (1). The cleft palate model was treated by caudal vein injection of 40 mg/kg NAM at E8.5-E13.5 in the experimental group (2). The cleft palate of fetal rats was observed by laparotomy on E16.5 and statistically analyzed. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was used to detect the apoptosis of mouse embryonic palatal mesenchyme (MEPM) cells treated with RA 1 μmol/L (RA 1 group), NAM 200 μmol/L (NAM 200 group), and both NAM 200 μmol/L and RA 1 μmol/L (NAM 200+RA 1 group) for 24 hours by flow cytometry and the apoptosis rate in groups were compared. Culture without RA or NAM was used as a control. @*Results @# The cleft palate rate in the control group was 98%. The cleft palate rate in experimental group (1) was 87%. There was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05). The cleft palate rate in the experimental group (2) was 63%, compared with the control group, there was a significant difference (P<0.01). The cell apoptosis rate was 16.53%±2.89% in the CONTROL group. The cell apoptosis rate was 22.9%±1.85% in the RA 1 group, which was a significant increase compared with the CONTROL group (P<0.01). The apoptotic rate of the NAM 200 group was 9.23%±1.39%, which was a significant decrease compared with NA 1 group (P<0.01). The apoptosis rate of the NAM 200+RA 1 group was 14.9%±7.67%, which was a significant decrease compared with the RA 1 group (P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#NAM can prevent cleft palate. 40 mg/kg nicotinamide during pregnancy is an effective concentration for the prevention of RA-induced cleft palate. The mechanism by which NAM prevents cleft palate may be that NAM inhibits RA-induced apoptosis of MEPM cells.
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Gliomas are commonly central nervous system tumors. The conventional treatment is surgical resection combined with chemoradiotherapy， but glioma patients often have a poor prognosis. Therefore， there is an urgent need to identify new potential targets in gliomas and develop more effective treatments. Valproic acid has the properties of histone deacetylase inhibitor， which has been proven to have inhibitory effects on various tumors. It is confirmed that valproic acid could promote apoptosis and cell arrest of glioma cells， inhibit cell invasion and glioma stem cells， increase the sensitivity of glioma cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy by regulating ERK/Akt signaling pathway， Akt/mTOR signaling pathway， and regulating expression levels of RECK， MGMT， Nrf2， PON2， Smad4， GSK3β and other proteins. In addition， valproic acid can also enhance the effectiveness of anticancer drugs by inhibiting the growth of glioma stem cells and inducing their differentiation. In conclusion， valproic acid can inhibit glioma through multiple targeted actions， and may become a new targeted drug for the treatment of glioma.
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OBJECTIVE To study the inhibitory effects and possible mechanism of naringenin on the activation of hepatic stellate cells. METHODS Using human hepatocytes LO2 as reference， based on drug intervention concentration screened by MTT assay， the effects of naringenin （Western blot assay and trypan blue staining test in 10， 20， 40 μmol/L， immunofluorescence assay in 40 μmol/L） on the expressions of liver fibrosis markers protein （collagen Ⅰ， α-SMA） and mRNA （α1-pro collagen Ⅰ， α-SMA） in human hepatic stellate cells LX2， and the expressions of cell apoptosis and apoptosis-related proteins （Bcl-2， Bax， cleaved caspase-3） were investigated. The apoptosis agents （Z-VAD-FMK， FMK）， ferroptosis pathway inhibitor ferrostatin-1， and programmed death pathway inhibitor necrostatin-1 were used to verify the mechanism of the above effects. RESULTS The naringenin could significantly down-regulate protein expressions of collagen Ⅰ （except for naringenin 10 μmol/L） and α-SMA， mRNA expressions of α1-pro collagen Ⅰ （except for naringenin 10 μmol/L） and α-SMA （P＜0.05）； it also induced LX2 cell apoptosis and increased its apoptotic ratio， down-regulated the protein expression of Bcl-2 while up-regulated the protein expressions of Bax （except for naringenin 10 μmol/L） and cleaved caspase-3 （except for naringenin 10 μmol/L）. FMK could reverse above effects of naringenin on LX2 cells （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Naringenin can inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells LX2 through activating the cell apoptosis signal， which plays ameliorative role in liver fibrosis.
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OBJECTIVE To study the protective mechanism of Bawei chenxiang powder containing serum on H9c2 cells injured by oxygen-glucose deprivation （OGD）. METHODS H9c2 cells were divided into blank group， model group and Bawei chenxiang powder low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （the dose of drug containing serum 2.5， 8， 12 g/kg）. H9c2 cells were cultured in vitro to establish OGD model. After intervention with drug-containing serum， survival rate of cell was detected. The cell morphology was observed； the levels of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， creatine kinase （CK）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT）， respiratory chain complexⅠ （ComplexⅠ）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） and malondialdehyde （MDA） were detected. The contents of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis were also detected. The expressions of oxidative stress-related proteins [Kelch ECH association protein 1 （Keap1）， nuclear factor erythroid 2- related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase 1 （HO-1）， NADH oxidoreductase coenzyme 10 （Ndufa10）， thioredoxin （Trx）] and apoptosis-related proteins [B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， Caspase-3 and cytochrome C （Cytc）] were detected. RESULTS Compared with blank group， the cell morphology of model group was damaged； the levels of LDH， CK and MDA were significantly increased （P＜0.01）， while the levels of CAT， ComplexⅠ， SOD and GSH-Px and mitochondrial membrane potential were significantly decreased （P＜0.01）. The content of intracellular ROS and apoptotic rate were significantly increased （P＜0.01）； the expressions of oxidative stress-related proteins （Keap1， Nrf2， HO-1， Ndufa10 and Trx） and pro- apoptosis proteins （Bax， Caspase-3 and Cytc） were significantly increased （P＜0.05）， while the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. After administration of Bawei chenxiang powder containing serum， the cell morphology improved， and most of the above indexes were significantly reversed （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）.CONCLUSIONS Bawei chenxiang powder containing serum E-mail：345783110@qq.com has a good protective effect on H9c2 cells damaged by OGD，the mechanism of which is related to the reduction of oxidative damage and inhibition of cell apoptosis.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of orlistat on the viability of human gall-bladder cancer (GBC) cells.Methods:The experimental study was conducted. The human GBC NOZ cells with high expression of FSAN was screened out through in vitro cultivating human GBC-SD, SGC-996 and NOZ cells. The cell proliferation assay, clone formation assay and protein detection experiment were used to analysis of the effects of orlistat on the viability of human GBC cells. Cell grouping: NOZ cells cultured with medium were set as the control group, cultured with medium + 10 μmol/L orlistat were set as the low-dose orlistat group, cultured with medium + 100 μmol/L orlistat were set as the high-dose orlistat group, respectively. Observation indicators: (1) expression of FASN protein in human GBC cells; (2) effects of orlistat on the proliferation of human GBC NOZ cells; (3) effects of orlistat on apoptosis of human GBC NOZ cells. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, the ANOVA test was used for comparison between groups and the least significant difference method was used for pairwise comparison. Results:(1) Expression of FASN protein in human GBC cells. Results of western blot showed that the relative expression of FASN protein in human GBC NOZ, GBC-SD and SGC-996 cells was 0.57±0.06, 0.12±0.04 and 0.10±0.02, respectively, showing a significant difference among them ( F=115.67, P<0.05). There were significant differences between the NOZ cells and the GBC-SD or the SGC-996 cells ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the GBC-SD cells and the SGC-996 cells ( P>0.05). (2) Effects of orlistat on the proliferation of human GBC NOZ cells. ① Results of cell proliferation assay showed that the absorbance value of NOZ cells was 2.34±0.12, 1.57±0.08 and 1.07±0.13 in the control group, low-dose orlistat group and high-dose orlistat group, respectively, showing a significant difference among them ( F=205.88, P<0.05). ② Results of clone formation assay showed that the number of NOZ cells clones was 257±23, 153±11 and 83±11 in the control group, low-dose orlistat group and high-dose orlistat group, respectively, showing a significant difference among them ( F=92.64, P<0.05). ③Results of western blot showed that the relative expression of Cyclin-D1 protein of NOZ cells was 2.31±0.10, 1.52±0.05 and 1.23±0.11 in the control group, low-dose orlistat group and high-dose orlistat group, respectively, showing a significant difference among them ( F=120.73, P<0.05). The relative expression of CDK-4 protein of NOZ cells was 1.58±0.04, 1.21±0.02 and 1.19±0.04 in the control group, low-dose orlistat group and high-dose orlistat group, respectively, showing a signifi-cant difference among them ( F=110.45, P<0.05). (3) Effects of orlistat on apoptosis of human GBC NOZ cells. Results of western blot showed that the relative expression of Bcl-2 protein of NOZ cells was 1.07±0.03, 0.36±0.03 and 0.15±0.02 in the control group, low-dose orlistat group and high-dose orlistat group, respectively, showing a significant difference among them ( F=1 242.93, P<0.05). The relative expression of Bax protein of NOZ cells was 0.51±0.03, 0.38±0.05 and 1.38±0.04 in the control group, low-dose orlistat group and high-dose orlistat group, respectively, showing a signifi-cant difference among them ( F=583.51, P<0.05). Conclusion:Orlistat can inhibit the growth of human GBC NOZ cells and promote their apoptosis.
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Objective:To explore the role and mechanism of tubastatin A (TubA) in alleviating brain injury after cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA-CPR) by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated cell apoptosis in swine.Methods:Twenty-three conventional male white swine, weighing 33-40 kg, aged 4 to 6 months, were divided into 3 groups by random number table method: sham group ( n=6), CA-CPR group ( n=9), and TubA group ( n=8). The CA-CPR swine model was established by 9 min of electrically induced CA through pacing catheter in the right ventricle and then 6 min of CPR in the CA-CPR group. The CA-CPR swine model was established by the same method, and then a dose of 4.5 mg/kg of TubA at 5 min after resuscitation was intravenously infused in the TubA group. The serum concentrations of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S100β protein (S100β) were measured using ELISA before modeling and at 1, 2, 4 and 24 h after resuscitation. Neurological deficit score (NDS) was evaluated at 24 h after resuscitation. Thereafter, the animals were euthanized, and brain cortex tissues were harvested, and the expression levels of caspase-12 and caspase-3 were measured using immunohistochemistry. Cell apoptosis index was detected by TUNEL assay. The variables among the three groups were compared with one-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni hoc test using SPSS software. Results:Twenty-four h after resuscitation, the serum concentrations of NSE and S100β were significantly increased, and NDS was markedly elevated in the CA-CPR and TubA groups compared with the sham group (all P<0.05). Compared with the CA-CPR group, serum concentration of NSE starting 2 h after resuscitation and serum concentration of S100β starting 1 h after resuscitation were significantly decreased in the TubA group [NSE (ng/mL): (23.1±2.0) vs. (20.2±2.0) at 2 h, (28.4±2.3) vs. (23.7±1.9) at 4 h, (32.1±2.7) vs. (26.6±2.0) at 24 h; S100β (pg/mL): (2239±193) vs. (1923±101) at 1 h, (2817±157) vs. (2360±141) at 2 h, (3384±250) vs. (2691±210) at 4 h, (3965±303) vs. (3119±260) at 24 h, all P<0.05], and NDS was markedly reduced (240±30 vs. 63±44, P<0.05). At 24 h after resuscitation, brain cortex tissue detection showed that the expression levels of caspase-12 and caspase-3 were significantly increased, and cell apoptosis index was markedly elevated in the CA-CPR and TubA groups compared with the sham group (all P<0.05). However, the expression levels of caspase-12 and caspase-3 were significantly decreased [caspase-12:(7.1±0.7) vs. (4.2±0.4); caspase-3: (13.3±1.6) vs. (7.7±0.8), all P<0.05], and cell apoptosis index was markedly reduced in the TubA group compared to the CA-CPR group [(31.1±8.6) vs. (17.3±2.2), P<0.05]. Conclusions:TubA alleviates brain injury and neurological dysfunction after CA-CPR in swine, which may be related to the inhibition of cell apoptosis mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress.
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Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) is the main cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), which commonly occurs in surgery, severe trauma, shock and drug-induced kidney injury. At present, effective treatment for RIRI is still lacking. Oxidative stress is the major pathological injury mechanism of RIRI. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is the key transcription factor of anti-oxidative stress response, which may activate various cytoprotective genes related to redox and detoxification. Recent studies have shown that Nrf2 may play a protective role in the protection and treatment of RIRI by regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, cell apoptosis and autophagy, etc. Consequently, the structure and biological function of Nrf2, related signaling pathways, its role in the incidence and development of RIRI and potential mechanism were reviewed in this article, aiming to provide novel ideas for the prevention and treatment of RIRI.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression of microRNA miR-431-5p in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and its effects on apoptosis and mitochondrial function in GC cells.@*METHODS@#The expression level of miR-431-5p in 50 clinical samples of GC tissues and paired adjacent tissues was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and its correlation with the clinicopathological features of the patients was analyzed. A cultured human GC cell line (MKN-45 cells) were transfected with a miR-431-5p mimic or a negative control sequence, and the cell proliferation, apoptosis, mitochondrial number, mitochondrial potential, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content were detected using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, fluorescent probe label, or ATP detection kit. The changes in the expression levels of the apoptotic proteins in the cells were detected with Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#The expression level of miR-431-5p was significantly lower in GC tissues than in the adjacent tissues (P < 0.001) and was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (P=0.0227), T stage (P=0.0184), N stage (P=0.0005), TNM stage (P=0.0414) and vascular invasion (P=0.0107). In MKN-45 cells, overexpression of miR-431-5p obviously inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis, causing also mitochondrial function impairment as shown by reduced mitochondrial number, lowered mitochondrial potential, increased mPTP opening, increased ROS production and reduced ATP content. Overexpression of miR-431-5p significantly downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and increased the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins p53, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 protein.@*CONCLUSION@#The expression of miR-431-5p is down-regulated in GC, which results in mitochondrial function impairment and promotes cell apoptosis by activating the Bax/Bcl-2/caspase3 signaling pathway, suggesting the potential role of miR-431-5p in targeted therapy for GC.