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Acute pancreatitis （AP） is a common clinical acute abdominal disease， which is characterized by acute onset， rapid development， severe disease， many complications， and high mortality rate. It can progress to severe AP （SAP） if not treated promptly in the early stage. The pathogenesis of AP is complex and involves multiple cellular and molecular levels. It is now clear that oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species （ROS） production are involved in the physiopathological process of AP， which is associated with a low quantity and activity of antioxidant enzymes in pancreatic cells. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） serves as the ''golden key'' to maintain redox homeostasis in tissue cells and constitutes an important signaling pathway for antioxidant response and inflammation in vivo by collaborating with downstream antioxidant enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）. Traditional Chinese medicine has unique efficacy in treating diseases due to its multi-component， multi-target， multi-drug delivery， and multi-formulation characteristics. Based on the concept of synergy between traditional Chinese and Western medicine， traditional Chinese medicine is becoming a new craze in the treatment of AP. The level of oxidative stress and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in AP pancreatic tissue are in a dynamic change process， and the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine can clean ROS production， affect the inflammatory pathway， and reduce oxidative stress damage， so as to protect against pancreatic injury. This suggests that this pathway plays an important role in AP. This article reviews the recent literature on the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway by traditional Chinese medicine for AP and summarizes that the monomers of traditional Chinese medicine targeting this pathway are mainly heat-clearing and detoxifying， blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing， and Qi benefiting and middle warming， and the compounds of traditional Chinese medicine include Yinchenhao Decoction and QingYi Ⅱ， so as to provide a new direction for the prevention and treatment of AP and further drug development.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of notoginsenoside R_1(NGR_1) on alleviating kidney injury by regulating renal oxidative stress and the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in mice with IgA nephropathy(IgAN) and its mechanism. The mouse model of IgAN was established using a variety of techniques, including continuous bovine serum albumin(BSA) gavage, subcutaneous injections of carbon tetrachloride(CCl_4) castor oil, and tail vein injections of lipopolysaccharide(LPS). After successful modeling, mice with IgAN were randomly separated into a model group, low, medium, and high-dose NGR_1 groups, and a losartan group, and C57BL6 mice were utilized as normal controls. The model and normal groups were given phosphate buffered saline(PBS) by gavage, the NGR_1 groups were given varying dosages of NGR_1 by gavage, and the losartan group was given losartan by gavage for 4 weeks. The 24-hour urine of mice was collected after the last administration, and serum and kidney tissues of mice were taken at the end of the animal experiment. Then urine red blood cell count(URBCC), 24-hour urine protein(24 h protein), serum creatinine(Scr), and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) levels were measured. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of galactose-deficient IgA1(Gd-IgA1), kidney injury molecule 1(Kim-1), and neutropil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL) in the mouse serum. The assay kits were used to detect the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD), and immunofluorescence(IF) was used to detect the expression level of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) in the mesangial region. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of nuclear transcription factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1(HO-1) signaling pathway in the renal tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe pathological alterations in the glomerulus of mice. The results revealed that, as compared with the model group, the serum Gd-IgA1 level, URBCC, 24 h protein level, renal damage markers(Kim-1 and NGAL) in the high-dose NGR_1 group decreased obviously and renal function indicators(BUN, Scr) improved significantly. The activity of SOD activity and expression level of GPX4 increased significantly in the high-dose NGR_1 group, whereas the expression level of MDA reduced and protein expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 increased. Simultaneously, HE staining of the renal tissue indicated that glomerular damage was greatly decreased in the high-dose NGR_1 group. In conclusion, this study has clarified that NGR_1 may alleviate the kidney injury of mice with IgAN by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, improving antioxidant capacity, and reducing the level of renal oxidative stress.
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【Objective】 To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced inflammatory response in BV2 cells. 【Methods】 BV2 microglia were divided into normal control group, 10%PRP control group, LPS group (LPS induction), 3%PRP+ LPS group (LPS induction, 3%PRP pretreatment), 5%PRP+ LPS group (LPS induction, 5%PRP pretreatment), 10%PRP+ LPS group (LPS induction, 10%PRP pretreatment), and the proliferation of BV2 cells was measured by CCK-8. The mitochondrial membrane potential of BV2 cells was measured by confocal microscopy, ROS was measured by fluorescence method, and NO was measured by Griess method. The protein expressions of IL-6, TNF-α, BACH1, GPX4, NRF2 and HO-1 were detected by Western blot. In addition, BV2 microglia were treated with HO-1 inhibitor and divided into normal control group, LPS group, ZnPP+ LPS group, 10%PRP+ LPS group, ZnPP+ LPS+ 10%PRP group, and the protein expressions of HO-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by Western blot. 【Results】 Compared with normal control group, PRP promoted the proliferation of BV2 cells (P<0.01). The mitochondrial membrane potential decreased, ROS production increased, the levels of NO, IL-6, TNF-α and BACH1 increased (P<0.01). However, the expression levels of GPX4, NRF2 and HO-1 decreased (P<0.01) in LPS group. Compared with LPS group, the proliferation activity and mitochondrial membrane potential of BV2 cells in 3%PRP+ LPS, 5%PRP+ LPS and 10%PRP+ LPS groups significantly increased. The levels of ROS, NO, IL-6, TNF-α and BACH1 significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expressions of GPX4, NRF2 and HO-1 in different concentrations of PRP (3%, 5% and 10%) increased (P<0.01). Moreover, the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in ZnPP+ LPS group was significantly higher than that in LPS group after HO-1 inhibitor treatment. Compared with 10%PRP+ LPS+ ZnPP group, HO-1 inhibitor could reverse the effect of PRP on the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-induced BV2 cells (P<0.01). 【Conclusion】 PRP inhibits the inflammatory response of BV2 microglia induced by LPS by activating the NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
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OBJECTIVE To explore the role and underlying mechanism of tournefolic acid B （TAB） on the improvement of glucose metabolism and renal function in diabetic nephropathy （DN） model mice. METHODS DN model mice were established by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin， and then randomly divided into model group， positive control group （vitamin E， 20 mg/kg）， TAB low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （1， 2， 4 mg/kg）， with 12 mice in each group； normal control group was given regular diet. Each group was given relevant medicine or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks. The glucose metabolic function was estimated by fasting blood glucose， glucose tolerance test， insulin tolerance test and serum insulin concentration. The renal coefficients and biochemical indicators related to renal function [serum uric acid， blood urea nitrogen， creatinine levels， and ratio of urine microalbumin to creatinine] were detected in mice； the contents of biochemical indicators related to oxidative stress [superoxide dismutase （SOD）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine （8-OHdG）] were determined in renal tissue of mice； the pathological morphology of renal tissue was observed； the expressions of extracellular matrix （ECM） deposition related factors [transforming growth factor β1 （TGF- β1）， fibronectin （Fn）， type Ⅳ collagen （Col Ⅳ）] and protein kinase B （Akt）/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） pathway related proteins were determined in renal tissue of mice. RESULTS Compared with normal control group， fasting blood glucose， area under glucose tolerance curve， area under insulin tolerance curve， serum insulin content， the levels of uric acid， urea nitrogen and creatinine @qq.com and ratio of urinary microalbumin to creatinine in serum， the contents of MDA and 8-OHdG and the protein expressions of TGF-β1， Fn and Col Ⅳ were increased significantly in model group （P＜0.05）， while the contents of SOD， GSH-Px and the protein expressions of p-Akt， Nrf2， HO-1 in renal tissue were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； the significant thickening of the basement membrane， accumulation of mesangial matrix， glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis of the renal tubules were all found. Compared with model group， above indexes of mice were all reversed significantly in TAB groups （P＜0.05）， and pathological changes were alleviated in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS TAB can improve blood glucose metabolism and kidney function and alleviate renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in DN model mice， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and suppressing ECM deposition.
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OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of astaxanthin on oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction in rats with traumatic brain injury （TBI）. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， astaxanthin low-dose group （20 mg/kg）， astaxanthin high-dose group （40 mg/kg）， astaxanthin+ML385 group [astaxanthin 40 mg/kg+ nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） inhibitor ML385 30 mg/kg]， with 14 rats in each group. Except for the sham operation group， TBI model was induced by the modified Feeney free-fall impact method in other groups. The rats in each drug group were given the corresponding drug intragastrically or intraperitoneally， and the rats in the sham operation group and model group were intragastrically given a constant volume of normal saline. The neurological function of rats in each group was scored on the 1st， 3rd and 7th day after drug intervention； on the 7th day of drug intervention， the changes of cerebral histomorphology and inflammatory infiltration score were observed in each group， and the ultrastructure of nerve cells in brain tissue was also observed. The contents of oxidative stress indexes [superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， nitric oxide （NO）] and inflammatory reaction indexes [tumor necrosis factor-α， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， inducible nitric oxide synthase] as well as protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） and NAD（P）H： quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1） were detected in cerebral tissue. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group， the brain edema of rats in the model group was obvious， accompanied by a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated， the shape of organelles was damaged and their number was reduced， and the ultrastructure of nerve cells was seriously damaged. The neurological function score， the contents of SOD， CAT， GSH-Px and NO and the relative expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1 and NQO1 protein and mRNA in brain tissue were significantly decreased， while the inflammatory infiltration scores， the contents of MDA and inflammatory reaction indexes were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， low-dose and high-dose astaxanthin could significantly improve the pathological status of brain tissue and nerve cells and neurological function scores （except for the first day of drug intervention in the astaxanthin low-dose group）， increase the contents of SOD， CAT， GSH-Px and NO and the relative expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， NQO1 protein and mRNA in brain tissue in a dose-dependent manner， and reduce inflammatory infiltration scores， the contents of MDA and inflammatory reaction indexes （P＜0.05）. ML385 could significantly inhibit the above effects of astaxanthin （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Astaxanthin may reduce the oxidative stress of TBI model rats， alleviate the neurological damage and reduce the level of inflammation reaction by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
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This study aims to investigate the mechanism of the Tibetan medicine Ershiwuwei Shanhu Pills(ESP) in improving scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in mice based on Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. ICR mice were randomized into blank group, model group, low-dose(200 mg·kg~(-1)), medium-dose(400 mg·kg~(-1)), and high-dose(800 mg·kg~(-1)) ESP groups, and donepezil hydrochloride group. The learning and memory impairment was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of scopola-mine. The learning and memory abilities of mice were detected by Morris water maze test, and the damage of hippocampal neurons and cortical neurons was detected based on Nissl staining. The expression of neuron specific nuclear protein(NeuN) in hippocampus and cortex of mice was determined by immunofluorescence assay, and the content of acetylcholine(Ach) and the activity of acetylcholines-terase(AchE) in hippocampus of mice by kits. Moreover, the content of superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), catalase(CAT), and total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) in serum of mice was detected. The content of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1) in hippocampus was determined by Western blot. The results showed that there were significant differences in the trajectory map of mice among different groups in the behavioral experiment. Moreover, the latency of ESP groups decreased significantly compared with that in the model group. The hippocampal neurons in the high-dose ESP group were significantly more than those in the model group and the cortical neurons in the high-dose and medium-dose ESP groups were significantly more than those in the model group. The expression of NeuN in the model group was significantly decreased compared with that in the blank group, and the expression in the ESP groups was significantly higher than that in the model group. The AchE activity and MDA level were significantly decreased, and Ach content and levels of SOD, CAT, and T-AOC in the ESP groups were significantly increased in the ESP groups compared with those in the model group. The expression of Keap1 in the model group was significantly increased compared with that in the blank group, and the Keap1 expression increased insignificantly in ESP groups compared with that in the model group. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was significantly lower in the model group than in the blank group, and the expression was significantly higher in the medium-dose ESP group than in the model group. In conclusion, ESP protected mice against the scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment by regulating the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism , Medicine, Tibetan Traditional , Mice, Inbred ICR , NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Plant Extracts , Scopolamine/adverse effects , Signal Transduction , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolismABSTRACT
The present study investigated the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Di'ao Xinxuekang(DXXK) on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) in mice. Sixty-five C57 BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into a normal group and an experimental group for model induction with the high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Then the mice in the experimental group were randomly divided into a model group, an atorvastatin group(4 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and high-(200 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium-(60 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and low-dose(20 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) DXXK groups, with 10 mice in each group. Drugs were administered by gavage for eight weeks. Serum lipid, liver lipid, serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione reductase(GSH-Px) were determined. Interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The liver index was calculated. The liver pathological change and lipid accumulation were observed by HE and oil red O staining. The liver ultrastructure was observed by the transmission electron microscope. The mRNA and protein expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2(Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) was detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. The results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group displayed serum lipid and liver lipid metabolism disorders, elevated transaminase, lipid deposition, steatosis, and inflammation, suggesting that the NASH model in mice was properly induced. Compared with the model group, the DXXK groups showed decreased serum lipid, liver lipid, ALT, AST, MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α, increased SOD and GSH-Px, alleviated hepatic steatosis, ballooning, and inflammation, and up-regulated Nrf2 and HO-1 gene and protein expression. In conclusion, DXXK can significantly alleviate NASH in mice, which is related to the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory damage by up-regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Inflammation/metabolism , Lipids , Liver , NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Signal Transduction , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of moxibustion on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and to explore the protective mechanism of moxibustion on ovarian reserve function.@*METHODS@#Forty SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a moxibustion group and a hormone group, 10 rats in each group. The rats in the model group, moxibustion group and hormone group were treated with intragastric administration of tripterysium glycosides turbid liquid to prepare DOR model. The rats in the blank group were treated with intragastric administration of sodium chloride solution with the same volume, once a day for 14 days. The rats in the hormone group were treated with hormone sequential therapy for 14 days from the day of modeling; the rats in the moxibustion group were treated with moxibustion at bilateral "Shenshu" (BL 23) or "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zhongwan" (CV 12) from the day of modeling, and the two groups acupoints were alternated every other day, 10 min each time, for 14 consecutive days. The estrus cycle was observed every day by vaginal exfoliated cell smear, and the estrus cycle disorder rate in each group was calculated. After the intervention, the HE staining was used to observe the histological morphology of ovaries; ELISA was used to detect the contents of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank group, the rate of estrus cycle disorder in the model group was increased (@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion could reduce the rate of estrus cycle disorder, improve the level of serum sex hormones and antioxidant stress in DOR rats, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Rats , Moxibustion , NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism , Ovarian Reserve , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Signal TransductionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays an important role in femoral head necrosis. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains growth factors that can accelerate fracture healing. PRP combined with core decompression can promote recovery from non-traumatic femoral head necrosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether PRP combined with core decompression can inhibit oxidative stress in steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head model via Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. METHODS: Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal group, model group, control group and PRP group, with 10 rabbits in each group. In the model and PRP groups, a model of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis was established in a sterile environment. At 4 weeks after operation, the rabbits in the PRP group were injected with 0.4 mL of 3% PRP after core decompression. The control group received core decompression treatment, and the control and model groups were raised normally. After 14 weeks, the experimental animals were sacrificed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of bone marrow cavity and the vacancy rate of bone lacunae in the femoral head of each group. Total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and malondialdehyde were detected. TUNEL was used to detect bone cell apoptosis in the femoral head. Immunofluorescence staining was used to determine the distribution of Keapl and Nrf2. Western blot was used to measure Keapl, Nrf2, and HO-1 protein expression in the femoral head. Approval was obtained from the Animal Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, approval No. qhdx-201908374. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Compared with the normal group, the trabecular bone in model group was thinned with structure disorder. Compared with the model group, the trabecular bone structure in control group was restored, and the number of vacant bone lacunae was reduced (P 0.05). (2) The total antioxidant capacity and serum levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione in the model group were significantly lower than those in normal animals (P 0.05), while these indexes were significantly improved in the PRP group than the model and control groups (P < 0.05). (3) The expression of Keapl in the model group was significantly lower than that of the normal group (P < 0.05), and the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein was significantly higher than that of the normal group (P < 0.05). The expression of Keapl in the PRP group was lower than that of the model and control groups (P < 0.05), and the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was significantly higher than that of the model and control groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, PRP can effectively inhibit oxidative stress in the process of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis, which may be caused by activating the Keapl/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
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Objective: To study the protective effects of icariin on DNA damage of testicular germ cells in natural aging rats and explore the possible mechanism. Methods: In the study, the SD rats were separated into four groups at random, with eight rats in each group: adult control group (2 months old), aging model group (16 months old), low and high doses of icariin-treated groups (2 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg, 16 months old). The adult control group and the aging model group were fed with normal diet for four months. Icariin-treated groups were given medicated feed for four months. After fasting for 12 h, all the rats were put to death. The testicular morphology was observed using HE staining. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular tissue were detected by xanthine oxidase method and thiobarbituric acid method, respectively. The protein expression of Nrf2 and γ-H2AX were detected by immunofluorescence. The relative protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, γ-H2AX, p-p53, and p21 were detected by Western blotting. Results: HE staining results showed that icariin significantly improved the structure of testicular tissue of natural aging rats. Compared with the aging model group, icariin significantly increased the SOD activity and decreased the MDA content in testis. In addition, immunofluorescence results showed that icariin significantly decreased the expression of DNA damage response protein γ-H2AX and increased the protein expression of Nrf2 in testicular germ cells of aging rats.Moreover, Western blotting results showed that icariin significantly increased the relative protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 in testis, when compared with aging model group. In parallel, the relative protein expression levels of γ-H2AX, p-p53, and p21 were significantly decreased. Conclusion: Icariin attenuates DNA damage in testicular germ cells of natural aging rats, which may be associated with the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
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Objective@#To investigate the effect of cycloartenyl ferulate (CF) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and to explore its relative mechanism.@*Methods@#Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in vitro, and the experiment was divided into the normal group, CF group, LPS group, and LPS+CF groups at different concentrations. After the corresponding treatment of cells in each group, the cell viability and apoptosis of each group were tested by the cell counter Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and the effect of CF on the protein expression of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were determined by Western blot. One-way ANOVA were performed in multigroup mean comparison, LSD-t test was used to compare the mean values of two samples, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.@*Results@#Compared with the LPS group, the survival rate of HUVECs cells in the CF group was significantly increased with different doses, and the survival rate increased significantly in the 320 μmol/L CF group [(69.85±1.2)% vs ( 100.2±1.824)%, P< 0.01]. TUNEL staining showed that compared with the LPS group, the number of apoptotic positive cells in the 320 μmol/L CF group was significantly reduced [(27.33 ± 3.40) vs (11.67 ± 2.04), P<0.01]. Compared with the LPS group, Bcl-2 protein expression level was significantly increased in the CF group at different doses (P<0.01), caspase-3 and Bax protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Nrf2 protein expression level increased significantly (P<0.01), and HO-1 protein level increased significantly (P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#CF can alleviate LPS-induced apoptosis of HUVEC, which may be related to the increase of bcl-2 expression, the decrease of caspase-3 and Bax protein expression and the activation of Nrf2/ HO-1 signaling pathway.
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Objective To investigate the effect of cycloartenyl ferulate (CF) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC),and to explore its relative mechanism.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were culturedin vitro, and the experiment was divided into the normal group, CF group, LPS group, and LPS+CF groups at different concentrations. After the corresponding treatment of cells in each group, the cell viability and apoptosis of each group were tested by the cell counter Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and the effect of CF on the protein expression of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were determined by Western blot. One-way ANOVA were performed in multigroup mean comparison, LSD-t test was used to compare the mean values of two samples, andP<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results Compared with the LPS group, the survival rate of HUVECs cells in the CF group was significantly increased with different doses,and the survival rate increased significantly in the 320 μmol/L CF group [(69.85±1.2)％vs ( 100.2±1.824)％,P< 0.01]. TUNEL staining showed that compared with the LPS group, the number of apoptotic positive cells in the 320 μmol/L CF group was significantly reduced [(27.33 ± 3.40)vs (11.67 ± 2.04),P<0.01]. Compared with the LPS group, Bcl-2 protein expression level was significantly increased in the CF group at different doses (P<0.01), caspase-3 and Bax protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Nrf2 protein expression level increased significantly (P<0.01), and HO-1 protein level increased significantly (P<0.01).Conclusion CF can alleviate LPS-induced apoptosis of HUVEC, which may be related to the increase of bcl-2 expression, the decrease of caspase-3 and Bax protein expression and the activation of Nrf2/ HO-1 signaling pathway.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of kaempferol on the oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) and to explore its underlying molecular mechanism.Methods: HUVECs were randomly divided into 6 groups:control group,ox-LDL group,Kaempferol+ox-LDL group,Kaempferol+ox-LDL+Compound C group, Kaempferol+ox-LDL+si-Nrf2 group and Kaempferol+ox-LDL+si-HO-1 group.The cell activity was measured by MTT assay.The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.The protein expression were measured by Western blot.The ROS levels were evaluated by flow cytometry.Results: Compared with control group,ox-LDL treatment decreased the cell viability,increased the cell apoptosis,up-regulated the protein levels of cleaved-caspase 3 and down-regulated the Bcl-2 level,elevated the expression of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM1),intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM1) and selectin E (E-selectin),promoted the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and reduced the superoxide dismutase(SOD) levels,and decreased the protein levels of p-AMPK,Nrf2 and HO-1.Compared with the ox-LDL group,kaempferol treatment reversed the ox-LDL-induced cell activity inhibition, apoptosis and oxidative stress damage,and increased the protein levels of p-AMPK,Nrf2 and HO-1.Compound C,si-Nrf2 and si-HO-1 inhibited AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,elevated the production of ROS and thus inhibiting the protective effects of kaempferol on ox-LDL-treated HUVECs.Conclusion:Kaempferol alleviates ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury,which may be related with the activation of AMPK/Nrf2/ HO-1 signaling pathway.
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To study the protective effects of Wuzi Yanzong recipe on DNA oxidative damage of testis germ cells in natural ageing rats based on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and base excision repair (BER). In the study, 16-month-old SPF grade male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely ageing model group, and low and high-dose Wuzi Yanzong recipe groups (WZ, 1, 4 g·kg⁻¹). In addition, 2-month-old SD rats were used as adult control group (10 rats in each group). The ageing model group and the adult control group were fed with normal diet for 4 months. WZ groups were given medicated feed for 4 months. After fasting for 12 hours, the rats were put to death. Then, the testes were immediately removed. The vitality of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in testis were detected by xanthine oxidase method and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. The levels of Nrf2 and 8-OHdG were detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, APE1, OGG1 and XRCC1 were detected by Western blot. Compared with the ageing model group, WZ significantly increased the SOD vitality and decreased MDA content of testis. In addition, immunofluorescence results showed that WZ significantly attenuated testicular DNA oxidative damage and improved antioxidant capacity. Such changes were accompanied by the down-regulation of DNA oxidative damage response protein 8-OHdG levels and the up-regulation of Nrf2 levels. Moreover, Western blot results showed that WZ significantly increased the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 of the testis germ cells, when compared with ageing model group. In parallel, the protein expression levels of APE1, OGG1 and XRCC1 were significantly decreased. In conclusion, WZ improves ageing-related DNA oxidative damage via Nrf2/HO-1 and BER pathways.
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AIM:To investigate the role of zerumbone ( ZER) in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ( MPP+)-in-duced cytotoxicity of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. METHODS:Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were cul-tured in vitro and the protective effect of ZER against MPP+-induced cytotoxicity was measured by CCK-8 assay. Flow cy-tometry was used to determine the apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The expression of Parkinson disease pro-tein 7 (PARK7) was knocked-down by using PARK7-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA). The protein levels of PARK7, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:MMP+remarkably reduced the cell viability in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. The SH-SY5Y cell injury model was established by treatment with MPP+ at 600 μmol/L for 24 h. ZER up-regulated the protein levels of PARK7 and Nrf2 (P<0.05), alleviated apoptosis (P<0.05), and reduced ROS production (P<0.05) in the SH-SY5Y cell injury model. Meanwhile, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) had the similar functions. Moreover, significant reductions in the protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 ( P<0.05), and obvious increases in apoptosis ( P<0.05) and ROS level ( P<0.05) were demonstrated in PARK7-knockdown cells. CONCLUSION:ZER protects SH-SY5Y cells against MPP+-induced cytotoxi-city, which may be related to activation of PARK7/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and subsequent attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis.