Effects of the juçara fruit (Euterpe edulis Martius) pulp and lyophilized extract on NRF2, KEAP1, SOD1, and GPX2 expression in human colorectal cancer cell lines

We investigated the effects of the juçara fruit (Euterpe edulis Martius) pulp and lyophilized extract on the expression of cytoprotective genes nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (NRF2), kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX2) in human colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2). Cells were cultured for 24 h in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium containing juçara fruit pulp (5, 10, or 50 mg/mL) or lyophilized extract (0.05, 0.1, or 0.5 mg/mL), and gene expression was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. All studied genes showed significant variation in gene expression among different concentrations of pulp or lyophilized extract. Overall, the expression of the selected genes decreased in both cell lines following exposure to the pulp or lyophilized extract in a dose-dependent manner for most of the concentrations studied. In summary, our study showed that the compounds in juçara fruit inhibited the expression of cytoprotective genes associated with the antioxidant response and that, although not cytotoxic at the concentrations studied, they could potentially block the activation of the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway.

Eritrocitos humanos como biomodelo farmacológico de citoprotección antioxidante para la evaluación de nuevas alternativas terapéuticas en pacientes con COVID-19 / Human erythrocytes as pharmacological biomodel of antioxidant cytoprotection for the evaluation of new therapeutic alternatives in patients with COVID-19

Introducción: El estrés oxidativo puede afectar las membranas biológicas de diferentes tipos celulares en el organismo, lo cual se ha evidenciado en los daños a los tejidos y órganos de pacientes con COVID-19, por lo cual las investigaciones recientes están relacionadas con la búsqueda de fármacos citoprotectores y antioxidantes que minimicen estos daños. Objetivo: Evaluar los eritrocitos humanos como biomodelo farmacológico de citoprotección antioxidante. Métodos: Se evaluó el modelo de citotoxicidad en eritrocitos inducido por peróxido de hidrógeno y se valoró el sistema de diagnóstico propuesto en un ensayo de citoprotección en eritrocitos, con el empleo del ácido ascórbico como sustancia de referencia. Resultados: Para la concentración de eritrocitos utilizada se logró un modelo de citotoxicidad a la concentración de 10 mM de peróxido a los 30 minutos de incubación. La sustancia de referencia empleada no mostró signos de citotoxicidad en el test de hemólisis. En el ensayo de citoprotección se evidenció un efecto farmacológico del referente, con un valor del índice de citoprotección de 12,71 µg/mL. El estudio de microscopía óptica mostró daños morfológicos severos en los eritrocitos tratados con peróxido de tipo esferocitos, equinocitos y esferoequinocitos, que disminuyeron significativamente en presencia de dicha sustancia de referencia. Conclusiones: El biomodelo farmacológico propuesto puede ser empleado en la evaluación de nuevas alternativas terapéuticas con propiedades citoprotectoras antioxidantes para el tratamiento de pacientes con COVID-19.

Introduction: The oxidative stress can affect the biological membranes of different cellular types in the organism, which has been evidenced in the damages to the tissues and organs of patients with COVID-19, reason why the recent investigations are related to the search of cytoprotector and antioxidant drugs that minimize these damages. Objective: To evaluate the human erythrocytes as pharmacological biomodel of antioxidant cytoprotection. Methods: The cytotoxicity pattern was evaluated in erythrocytes induced by peroxide of hydrogen and the system of diagnosis proposed was valued in a cytoprotection assay in erythrocytes, with the use of ascorbic acid as reference substance. Results: For the concentration of erythrocytes used a cytotoxicity model was achieved to the concentration of 10 mM of peroxide at 30 minutes of incubation. The substance of reference used didn't show cytotoxicity signs in the hemolysis test. In the cytoprotection assay a pharmacological effect of the referent was evidenced, with a value of the cytoprotection index of 12.71 µg/mL. The study of optic microscopy showed severe morphological damages in the erythrocytes treated with peroxide of spherocytes, echinocytes and spheroechinocytes type that significantly diminished in presence of this reference substance. Conclusions: The proposed pharmacological biomodel can be used in the evaluation of new therapeutic alternatives with antioxidant cytoprotector properties for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.

Efecto hipoglicemiante de la NeuroEPO en ratas con y sin diabetes mellitus / Hypoglycemic effect of NeuroEPO in diabetic and non-diabetic rats

RESUMEN Introducción: La NeuroEPO es una variante no-hematopoyética de la eritropoyetina recombinante humana, que pudiera tener efecto hipoglicemiante. Objetivo: Evaluar la influencia de la NeuroEPO sobre la glicemia de ratas con diabetes mellitus y ratas no-diabéticas. Material y Métodos: Se realizaron experimentos en ratas Wistar con diabetes inducida por estreptozotocina, con y sin tratamiento con insulina, y en ratas no-diabéticas con una sobrecarga de glucosa. En cada experimento, un grupo recibió una inyección subcutánea de NeuroEPO (0,5 mg/kg) y otro el vehículo, y se determinó la glicemia durante 120 minutos. Se realizaron comparaciones mediante análisis de varianza de una y dos vías, seguidas por la prueba de Bonferroni. Las diferencias se consideraron significativas con valores de p < 0,05. Resultados: En las ratas diabéticas sin tratamiento con insulina, los niveles de glicemia del grupo con NeuroEPO disminuyeron de forma significativa. En las ratas no-diabéticas que recibieron NeuroEPO y una sobrecarga de glucosa, la glicemia fue similar al grupo control. En las ratas diabéticas que recibieron NeuroEPO e insulina la reducción de la glicemia fue mayor que en el grupo que solo recibió insulina. Conclusiones: La NeuroEPO tiene un efecto hipoglicemiante en ratas diabéticas, por un mecanismo insulinotrópico que muestra sinergismo con la insulina en el tratamiento de la hiperglicemia. Sin embargo, la NeuroEPO no influye en la tolerancia a la glucosa de ratas no-diabéticas, al menos de forma inmediata. Es necesario profundizar en los mecanismos mediante los cuales la NeuroEPO puede reducir la hiperglicemia, y la influencia de esta sustancia en condiciones de normoglicemia.

ABSTRACT Introduction: NeuroEPO is a non-hematopoietic variant of human recombinant erythropoietin, which may have a hypoglycemic effect. Objectives: To evaluate the influence of NeuroEPO on glycemia in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Material and Methods: The experiments were conducted in Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes with and without insulin treatment, and in non-diabetic rats with glucose overload. In each experiment, one group received a subcutaneous injection of NeuroEPO (0.5 mg/kg) and the other group received a vehicle. Glycemia was determined in 120 min. Comparisons were made using one-and two-way analysis of variance, followed by the Bonferroni test. The differences were considered significant with p values < 0,05. Results: In diabetic rats without insulin treatment, glycemic levels decreased significantly in the group that received NeuroEPO. In nondiabetic rats that received NeuroEPO and a glucose overload, glycemia was similar to that in the control group. In diabetic rats that received NeuroEPO and insulin, the glycemia reduction was greater than in the group that only received insulin. Conclusions: NeuroEPO has a hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats due to an insulinotropic mechanism that shows synergism with insulin in the treatment of hyperglycemia. However, NeuroEPO does not influence the glucose tolerance in non-diabetic rats, at least immediately. It is necessary to delve into the mechanisms by which NeuroEPO can reduce hyperglycemia and the influence of this substance under conditions of normoglycemia.

Coating with flexible DNA network enhanced T-cell activation and tumor killing for adoptive cell therapy

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) is an emerging powerful cancer immunotherapy, which includes a complex process of genetic modification, stimulation and expansion. During these

Anti-Helicobacter pylori, Anti-apoptotic, and Cytoprotective Effects of Threonine Synthesized from Corynebacterium glutamicum in Gastric Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Among irritants causing gastric ulcer, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) might be pivotal, after which eradication became essential way in either inhibiting ulcerogenesis or preventing ulcer recurrence. Since threonine is essential in either mucus synthesis or cytoprotection, we hypothesized that the dietary threonine from Corynebacterium glutamicum (C. glutamicum) can mitigate the cytotoxicity of H. pylori infection.MATERIALS AND METHODS: RGM-1 cells were challenged with 100 multiplicity of infection H. pylori for 6 hours, during which threonine alone or combination with Corynebacterium sp. was administered and compared for anti-Helicobacter, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative, and cytoprotective actions.RESULTS: Threonine alone or combination of threonine and C. glutamicum yielded significant bacteriostatic outcomes. The increased expressions of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, Cox-2, and iNOS mRNA after H. pylori infection were significantly decreased with either threonine alone or the combination of threonine and C. glutamicum. The elevated expressions of NF-kB, HIF-1a, and c-jun after H. pylori infection were all significantly decreased with the combination of threonine and broth from C. glutamicum (P < 0.05), leading to significant decreases in 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (P < 0.01). Tracing further host antioxidative response, the attenuated expression of heme oxygenase-1, Nrf2, and dehydrogenase quinone-1 after H. pylori infection was significantly preserved with combination of threonine and C. glutamicum. H. pylori infection led to significant increases in apoptosis accompanied with Bcl-2 decreases and Bax increases, while the combination of threonine and C. glutamicum significantly attenuated apoptosis, in which attenuated EGF, TGF-β, and VEGF were significantly regulated, while β-catenin did not change.CONCLUSIONS: Threonine synthesized from C. glutamicum significantly alleviated the cytotoxicity of H. pylori in gastric epithelial cells.

Heat shock proteins: protection and potential biomarkers for ischemic injury of cardiomyocytes after surgery

Abstract The heat shock proteins are endogenous proteins with the ability to act as molecular chaperones. Methods that provide cell protection by way of some damage can positively influence the results of surgery. The present review summarizes current knowledge concerning the cardioprotective role of the heat shock proteins as occurs in heart damage, including relevant information about the stresses that regulate the expression of these proteins and their potential role as biomarkers of heart disease.

The m-rna, expression of serca2 and ncx1 in the process of pharmacological cell protection in experimental acute pancreatitis induced by taurocholate / Expressão do rna-m, da serca2 e do ncx1 no processo de proteção celular farmacológica na pancreatite aguda experimental induzida por taurocolato

ABSTRACT Background: Intracellular calcium overload is known to be a precipitating factor of pancreatic cell injury in acute pancreatitis (AP). Intracellular calcium homeostasis depends of Plasmatic Membrane Calcium ATPase (PMCA), Sarcoplasmic Endothelial Reticulum Calcium ATPase 2 (SERCA 2) and the Sodium Calcium Exchanger (NCX1). The antioxidant melatonin (Mel) and Trisulfate Disaccharide (TD) that accelerates NCX1 action could reduce the cell damage determined by the AP. Aim: To evaluate m-RNA expressions of SERCA2 and NCX1 in acute pancreatitis induced by sodium taurocholate in Wistar rats pre-treated with melatonin and/or TD. Methods: Wistar rats were divided in groups: 1) without AP; 2) AP without pre-treatment; 3) AP and Melatonin; 4) AP and TD; 5) AP and Melatonin associated to TD. Pancreatic tissue samples were collected for detection of SERCA2 and NCX1 m-R NA levels by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Increased m-RNA expression of SERCA2 in the melatonin treated group, without increase of m-RNA expression of the NCX1. The TD did not affect levels of SERCA2 and NCX1 m-RNA expressions. The combined melatonin and TD treatment reduced the m-RNA expression of SERCA2. Conclusions: The effect of melatonin is restricted to increased m-RNA expression of SERCA2. Although TD does not affect gene expression, its action in accelerating calcium exchanger function can explain the slightest expression of SERCA2 m-RNA when associated with Melatonin, perhaps by a joint action of drugs with different and but possibly complementary mechanisms.

RESUMO Racional: A lesão celular da pancreatite aguda (PA) envolve sobrecarga de cálcio, regulada pela atividade da Cálcio ATPase de membrana (PMCA), Cálcio ATPase do Retículo (SERCA2) e pelo Trocador Sódio Cálcio (NCX1). A melatonina (antioxidante) e o Dissacarídeo Trissulfatado (acelerador do NCX1) poderiam reduzir a lesão celular na PA. Objetivo: Avaliar a expressão do RNAm da SERCA2 e NCX1 em modelo animal de pancreatite aguda tratados com melatonina e/ou dissacarídeo trissulfatado (DT). Método: Ratos Wistar foram divididos em grupos: 1) sem pancreatite aguda; 2) com pancreatite aguda por taurocolato; 3) PA e Melatonina; 4) PA e DT; 5) PA e Melatonina com DT. Amostras de tecido foram colhidas para detecção dos níveis de RNAm da SERCA2 e NCX1 por PCR. Resultados: Houve aumento da expressão do RNAm da SERCA2 no grupo com PA tratados com Melatonina, porém sem aumento de expressão do NCX1. O DT não afetou os níveis de SERCA2 e NCX1. O tratamento conjunto com Melatonina e DT diminuiu a expressão da SERCA2. Conclusões: O efeito da Melatonina é restrito ao aumento da expressão da SERCA2. O DT não tem ação na expressão gênica, porém sua ação na aceleração do trocador na retirada do cálcio pode explicar a menor expressão da SERCA2 quando associado à Melatonina, pela ação conjunta de drogas com mecanismos diferentes e possivelmente complementares.

Cytoprotective effect of p62/Nrf2 signaling pathway / 药学学报

The Nrf2-Keap1-ARE pathway is an important signaling axis that functions to protect cells against oxidative stress and harmful chemicals through the induction of cytoprotective genes. The maintenance and protective role of Nrf2 pathway has been recognized as a means for chemoprevention. On the other hand, constitutive activation of Nrf2, due to somatic mutations of genes that control Nrf2 degradation, promotes carcinogenesis and imparts chemoresistance to cancer cells. Autophagy is another tightly regulated complex cellular process that functions as a cellular quality control system to remove damaged proteins or organelles. Recently, these two cellular pathways were shown to intersect through the direct interaction between p62 (an autophagy adaptor protein) and Keap1. Dysregulation of autophagy was shown to result in prolonged activation of Nrf2 in a p62-dependent manner, which is associated with the pathogenesis and therapies of several human diseases including cancer. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of p62-mediated Nrf2 signaling pathway, with a special emphasis on their impact on nervous system disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Effects and Mechanisms of Taurine as a Therapeutic Agent

Taurine is an abundant, β-amino acid with diverse cytoprotective activity. In some species, taurine is an essential nutrient but in man it is considered a semi-essential nutrient, although cells lacking taurine show major pathology. These findings have spurred interest in the potential use of taurine as a therapeutic agent. The discovery that taurine is an effective therapy against congestive heart failure led to the study of taurine as a therapeutic agent against other disease conditions. Today, taurine has been approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure in Japan and shows promise in the treatment of several other diseases. The present review summarizes studies supporting a role of taurine in the treatment of diseases of muscle, the central nervous system, and the cardiovascular system. In addition, taurine is extremely effective in the treatment of the mitochondrial disease, mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), and offers a new approach for the treatment of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, and inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. The review also addresses the functions of taurine (regulation of antioxidation, energy metabolism, gene expression, ER stress, neuromodulation, quality control and calcium homeostasis) underlying these therapeutic actions.

Induction of docosahexaenoic acid to expression of heme oxygenase-1 in retinal pigment epithelial cells / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Oxydative stress is an important pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.Resent evidences indicate that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays an important role during the development of retinal photoreceptor cells and protect the cells against oxydative stress by inducing the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).However,whether DHA can induce the expression of HO-1 in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells is unelucidated.Objective This study was to investigate the effect of DHA on the expression of HO-1 in RPE cells and its molecular mechanism.Methods Human RPE cell line ARPE-19 was cultured in vitro and treated with 30,50,100 and 120 μmol/L DHA for 4 to 24 hours,respectively,and the cells were cultured without DHA as the control group.The cytotoxicity of DHA was detected by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),and the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot assay,respectively.The enzymatic activity of HO-1 was detected by colorimetry.The reactive oxygen species (ROS) proportion in the cells was detected using fluorescence probe H2 DCFDA,and immunofluorescence technology was adopted to detect the nuclear translocation of nuclear facotor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).The expression of Nrt2 protein in the cells was detected by Western blot after intervention of ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and transfection of Nrf2 small interfering RNA (siRNA).Results The LDH leakage rate was significantly different after 0,3,50,100 and 120 μmol/L DHA treated the cells for 24 hours (F=8.14,P＜0.05),and the LDH leakage rate in the 120 μmol/L DHA group was significantly higher than that of 0,30,50 and 100 μmol/L DHA group (all at P＜0.05).The relative expression levels of HO-1 mRNA and HO-1 protein or HO-1 enzymatic activity in the cells were significantly different among different concentrations of DHA group in 8 hours after treatment (F=16.24,P＜0.05;F=11.34,P＜0.05;F=11.81,P＜0.05),and the expressions of these factors were considerably higher in the 30,50 and 100 μ mol/L DHA group than those in the 0 μmol/L DHA group (all at P＜0.05).The ROS relative fluorescence intensity and nuclear Nrf2 positive cells proportion were statistically significant among different concentrations of DHA groups (F =11.08,P ＜ 0.05;F=16.42,P＜0.05),and the ROS relative fluorescence intensity and nuclear Nrf2 positive cells proportion were evidently higher in the 30,50 and 100 μmol/L DHA group than those in the 0 μmol/L DHA group (all at P＜0.05).The relative expression levels of HO-1 protein and the proportion of nuclear Nrf2 positive cells were significantly lower in the NAC pretreated 100 μmol/L DHA group than those in the 100 μmol/L DHA group.In addition,the HO-1 relative expression level and the positive cells proportion of nuclear Nrf2 were significantly lower in the of Nrf2 siRNA transfection group than those in the blank siRNA transfection group (both at P＜0.05).Conclusions DHA with concentration below 100 μ mol/L can protect RPE cells from oxidative stress by inducting the expression of HO-1 in the cells via ROS/Nrf2 pathway.

Protective effect of miR-30b on retinal ganglion cells against oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Retinal ganglion cell (RGCs) death following ischaemic insult is the major cause of a number of vision-threatening diseases.Recent studies confirmed that micro RNA (miR-30b) can alleviate hypoxy-induced cardiac injury.However,whether miR-30b can protect RGCs against oxygen-glucose deprivation damage is still not ellucidated.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of miR-30b on RGCs damage caused by oxygen-glucose deprivation.Methods The retinas were isolated from the eyeballs of eight SD rats aged postnatal 24 hours and RGCs were primarily cultured.The cells were divided into the recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAVV) control group,rAAV-miR-30b mimic group and AAV-miR-30b inhibitor group.Then the cells were transfected using rAVV-miR plasmid,rAAV-miR-30b mimic plasmid and AAV-miR-30b inhibitor plasmid,respectively for 6 days with the RGCs ∶ AAV as 1 ∶ 10 000.The cells were cultured with low glucose medium in hypoxygen incubator (5％ CO2,17％ N2,3％ O2) or 5％ CO2 incubator respectively for 24 hours.Cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay.The expression of Tubulin Ⅲ,a neuron specific marker,was detected by immunofluorescence technology to evaluate the survival of RGCs.The apoptosis and necrosis of the cells were assessed by Hoechst/PI double staining.Results The RGCs grew well with round shape and 1 3 processes 7 days after cultured in the normal cells.However,the RGCs were diminished and the cell process disrupted in the oxygen-glucose deprivation group.The relative vability of the cells was 3.310-±0.162 in the rAAV-miR-30b mimic group,which was significantly higher than 0.949±0.141 in the rAAV-miR-30b inhibitor group and 0.900±0.181 in the rAAV-miR control group(t=10.508,10.296,both at P＜0.001).It was positively expressed in survival RGCs,with the red fluorescence.The number of Tubulin Ⅲ+ cells was (13.800± 1.924)/field in the rAAV-miR-30b mimic group,showing a significant increase in comparison with (0.600±0.548)/field in the rAAV-miR-30b inhibitor group and (0.800± 1.304)/field in the rAAV-miR control group (t =15.141,14.912,both at P ＜ 0.001).Significant differences were found in the apoptosis rate and necrosis rate among the rAAV-miR-30b mimic group,rAAV-miR control group and PBS group (F=10.851,P=0.002;F=6.378,P=0.013),and the apoptosis rate and necrosis rate in the rAAV-miR-30b mimic group were considerably lower than those in the rAAV-miR control group and PBS group (all at P＜0.05).Conclusions The oxygen-glucose deprivation models can be established in RGCs by hypooxygic and low-glucose cultivation.rAAV encoding miR-30b mimics transfection can protect RGCs against oxygen-glucose deprivation damage.

Protective effects of total glucosides of paeony on the injury of neonatal rat cadiocytes ;induced by H2O2 / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effects and mechanism of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on the injury of neonatal rat cadiocytes induced by H2O2. Methods Cadiocytes of 3 days neonate rat was cultivated for 72 hours and divided into the model group, the TGP low (30μg/ml), medium (60 μg/ml), high (120 μg/ml) dose groups, Shuxuening injection (100 μg/ml) group and normal control group (n=8);and except the normal control group, the cells in other groups were induced by H2O2 (100μg/ml). After 6 hours, the morphology changes were observed and the survival rates were detected;the content of AST, CPK, LDH in culture medium were detected; the activity of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and the content of MDA in cardiomyocytes were determinted;the apoptosis rates were detected. Results Compared with the model group, the survival rates of cardiomyocytes in TGP medium and high dose groups significantly improved (64.1%± 7.3%, 81.3%± 7.8%vs. 42.3%± 6.2%;P<0.05 or P<0.01);the content of AST (26.72 ± 6.03 U/ml, 23.86 ± 5.38 U/ml vs. 34.75 ± 6.91 U/ml), CPK (1.96 ± 0.35 U/ml, 1.59 ± 0.32 U/ml vs. 2.54 ± 0.40 U/ml), LDH (811.55 ± 162.32 U/L, 683.48 ± 134.14 U/L vs. 936.07 ± 140.94 U/L) in culture medium were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01);the activity of SOD (85.34 ± 16.87 U/mg , 94.62 ± 17.75 U/mg vs. 56.45 ± 13.76 U/mg), CAT (22.76 ± 3.38 U/mg, 26.49 ± 3.72 U/mg vs. 16.13 ± 3.18 U/mg) in cardiomyocytes were significantly increased and the content of MDA (8.74 ± 2.05 nmol/mg, 6.91 ± 1.80 nmol/mg vs. 11.56 ± 2.19 nmol/mg) were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the apoptosis rate (24.2% ± 5.5%, 13.4% ± 3.9% vs. 51.2% ± 9.1%) were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01);and the activity of GSH-Px (3.54 ± 0.83 U/mg vs. 2.50 ± 0.67 U/mg) in cardiomyocytes of TGP high dose treatment group was significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion TGP had dose-dependent protective effects on the injury of neonatal rat cadiocytes induced by H2O2, which perhaps related to its effects of improving the activity of antioxidase, inhibiting the oxidative stress, and decreasing the apoptosis rates.

Myocardial preservation of the isolated heart / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Although the surgical techniques has already improved in heart transplantation, heart preservation is still the biggest obstacle to the surgery.At present, heart preservation effective time is only 4-6 hour.How to extent the time of heart preservation is a major research direction.Comparison of available preservations for heart transplantation based on its mechanism and the prospect of its Clinical application.

Melatonin Protects Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells from Oxidative Stress and Cell Death

BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have applications in regenerative medicine based on their therapeutic potential to repair and regenerate diseased and damaged tissue. They are commonly subject to oxidative stress during harvest and transplantation, which has detrimental effects on their subsequent viability. By functioning as an antioxidant against free radicals, melatonin may exert cytoprotective effects on ASCs. METHODS: We cultured human ASCs in the presence of varying dosages of hydrogen peroxide and/or melatonin for a period of 3 hours. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined with propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342 staining under fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Hydrogen peroxide (1-2.5 mM) treatment resulted in an incremental increase in cell death. 2 mM hydrogen peroxide was thereafter selected as the dose for co-treatment with melatonin. Melatonin alone had no adverse effects on ASCs. Co-treatment of ASCs with melatonin in the presence of hydrogen peroxide protected ASCs from cell death in a dose-dependent manner, and afforded maximal protection at 100 µM (n=4, one-way analysis of variance P<0.001). Melatonin co-treated ASCs displayed significantly fewer apoptotic cells, as demonstrated by condensed and fragmented nuclei under fluorescence microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin possesses cytoprotective properties against oxidative stress in human ASCs and might be a useful adjunct in fat grafting and cell-assisted lipotransfer.

Gastroprotective Role of the Combined Effects of Vitamins C and E Following Chronic Exposure to Thermoxidized palm oil in Albino Rats.

The effect of vitamins C and E on gastric acid secretion and cytoprotection on rats fed with thermally oxidized palm oil (TPO) was studied. Forty five albino wistar rats weighing 180 – 210g were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n = 15). Group 1 served as control and received normal rat feed. Groups 2 and 3 were fed with TPO diet. TPO diet was formulated by mixing rat feed with TPO in the ratio of 85g:15g. Group 3 rats received vitamins C (10mg/100g body weight) & E (400IU/100g body weight) in addition. The drugs were administered orally. All animals had access to water ad libitum. The feeding lasted for 28 days, after which gastric acid output, gastric mucus output and ulcer scores were assessed, using standard methods. Results showed that animals in the TPO group had significant increase in gastric acid secretion (p<0.05), decrease in mucus output (p<0.05) and increase in ulcer scores (p<0.001), compared with control. However, there was a significant decrease in gastric acid secretion (p<0.001), increase in gastric mucus output (p<0.001), and decreased gastric ulcer score (p<0.001) following treatment with vitamins C and E, compared with control and TPO group. Vitamins C and E reduced gastric ulceration occasioned by thermally oxidized palm oil diet consumption by reducing gastric acid secretion and increasing gastric mucus output. This study has shown that Vitamins C and E may be useful in ameliorating gastric ulcers presented by chronic consumption of thermoxidized palm oil diets.

Evaluation of anti-ulcerogenic activity in an Aqueous Extract obtained from Bauhinia forficata leaves / Evaluation of anti-ulcerogenic activity in an Aqueous Extract obtained from Bauhinia forficata leaves

Bauhinia forficata Link, popularly known as pata-de- vaca, unha-de-vaca, casco-de-vaca, has been widely used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases. Leaves of B. forficata are used in popular medicine as a diuretic, hypoglycemic, tonic and cleanser, and to combat elephantiasis. However, despite the wide range of ethnopharmacological data surrounding the plant, there are no scientific data demonstrating a probable anti-ulcerogenic activity conferred by use of that species. The present study aimed to evaluate the antiulcer properties of an infusion of fresh leaves of B. forficata Link. From the leaves of B. forficata, an Aqueous extract (AqE) was obtained and the phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonols in this extract. In the gastric ulcer induced by administration of HCl- Ethanol model performed with four different doses of AqE (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg.Kg -1 ), the AqE showed significant preventive activity (*p<0.01) at doses of 1000 mg.Kg -1 . The antiulcer activity of AqE (1000 mg.Kg -1 ) could also be demonstrated in experimental models of NSAID-bethanechol (**p<0.001) and absolute ethanol (**p<0.001). Moreover, AqE (1000 mg.Kg -1 ) promoted a significant increase (**p<0.001) in the amount of gastric mucus. The data presented here demonstrated the potential gastroprotective activity from AqE, possibly attributed to the presence of flavonols in this extract. These results may serve as a s Medicinal plants as an alternative therapy to increase immune resistanceupport for the development of new treatments related to the pathology of gastric ulcer.(AU)

Pharmacodynamic interaction of Boerhaavia diffusa with omeprazole in experimentally induced ulcers in rats .

The study evaluates the possible gastro protective of combination therapy of Omeprazole and Boerhaavia diffusa using three different gastric ulcer models. Gastric Ulcers in SD rats were induced by Indomethacin (25mg/kg), Pyrolus ligation model and stress-induced Ulcer. Various parameters like free acidity and total acidity, ulcer index, ulcer score, pepsin and mucin content, anti oxidant parameters like super oxide dismtase and catalase were evaluated. Omeprazole (2mg/kg) was used as the standard drug. Boerhaavia diffusa was administered at two dose levels, 200mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s Multiple Comparision test. P<0.05 was considerable statistically significant.Oral administration of combination of Omeprazole and Boerhaevia diffusa at 200 and 400 mg/kg produced significant (p<0.01 & p<0.001) decrease in acidity, ulcer index and severity of ulceration in the pylorus ligation model as well as protection against stress and Indomethacin induced ulcerations compared to control. It also shows significant (p<0.001) decrease pepsin content and significant (p<0.001) increase in mucin content compared to control pylorus ligation model. In Indomethacin induced model combination therapy at high level shows significant increase (p<0.001) in antioxidant parameters like SOD and catalase compared to control. The anti ulcer effects of combination of Omeprazole and Boerhaavia diffusa at both the dose levels were significantly higher than that of omeprazole alone. Combination therapy was found to be an effective anti ulcerogenic agent, minimizing any possible side effects. The result of the study suggests that combination therapy causes an inhibitory effect on release of gastric hydro chloric acid and protects gastric mucosal damage.

Myocardial protection of a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor against hypoxia injury / 军事医学

Objective To verify enzyme activity inhibition of a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor ( HDACi ) JZ005 using an HDACi chemiluminescence detection kit and a cell-based screening model .Methods The plasmid with p21 gene promoter elements and luciferase reporter gene was transfected into human embryonic kidney cells 293 , and the stable transfectants were established by G418 screening.Enzyme activity inhibition of JZ005 on histone deacetylases (HDACs) was verified by the HDACi chemiluminescence detection kit and the cell-based screening model .A well-known HDACi , tri-chostatin A ( TSA) was used as the positive control .MTT assay was used to detect the protection of rat H 9c2 myocardial cells suffering from CoCl 2-induced hypoxia and treated with different concentrations of JZ 005 .The expression of acetylated histone H3 protein of normal and CoCl 2-induced hypoxia H9c2 cells before and after JZ005 treatment was assayed by West-ern blotting while the effect of drug administration on apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry ( FCM) .Results An HDA-Ci cell-based screening system targeting the p21 gene promoter was ranging established .The JZ005, a HDACi, markedly suppressed the activity of HDACs by more than 50%with the concentration ranging from 50 to 400 μmol/L.JZ005 signifi-cantly protected H9c2 cells from hypoxia injury .Cell viability was increased by 38.33%,56.00% and 35.20% compared with control,accompanied by an enhanced acetylation level of histone H 3.JZ005(25,50 and 100 μmol/L) treatment sig-nificantly decreased the number of apoptotic cells (6.63%,10.56% and 8.89%) compared to control group (12.89%). Conclusion An HDACi cell-based screening system is successfully established .JZ005 effectively protects myocardial cells against hypoxia injury while enhancing the acetylation level of histone H 3.Our results indicate that JZ005 might be developed as a potential drug for hypoxia treatment .

The influence of taurine on superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde in liver tissue of rat models of liver fibrosis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Studies have reported that taurine has a certain therapeutic effect on the disease of various systems, such as nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune system and digestive system. The liver is the main place, also the important target organ, of taurine metabolism. Therefore, the relationship between taurine and hepatopathy has become a hot topic in recent years. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the influence of taurine on superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde expression in the liver tissue of rat models of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride. METHODS:Thirty male C57B/L rats of SPF grade were randomly and evenly divided into blank control, model and taurine groups. Rats in the blank control group were intraperitonealy injected with 100% peanut oil of 1 mL/kg, twice a week, in total 10 weeks. Rats in the model group were intraperitonealy injected with peanut oil of 1 mL/kg containing 20% carbon tetrachloride, twice a week, in total 10 weeks. Rats in the taurine group were intraperitonealy injected with peanut oil of 1mL/kg containing 20% carbon tetrachloride, twice a week, in total 10 weeks, and were intragastricaly administered taurine of 500 mg/kg per day starting from the 3rd week til the 10th week. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group, the serum levels of hyaluronic acid, laminin, typeⅢ procolagen, typeⅣ colagen, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase were significantly increased (P < 0.05), the level of superoxide dismutase in the liver tissue was lowered (P < 0.05), the level of malondialdehyde in liver tissue was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and liver index was increased (P < 0.05) in the model group. Pathological examination showed that there were necrosis of liver cels, fat vacuoles, fibrous tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory cel infiltration in the rats of the model group. Compared with the model group, the serum levels of hyaluronic acid, laminin, typeⅢ procolagen, typeⅣ colagen, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase were significantly lowered (P < 0.05), the level of superoxide dismutase in the liver tissue was significantly increased (P < 0.05), the level of malondialdehyde in the liver tissue was significantly lowered (P < 0.05), and liver index was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the taurine group. Pathological examination showed that there were no inflammatory cel infiltration, fat vacuoles, and fibrous tissue deposition in the liver tissue. The results indicate that taurine can decrease the contents of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde, and relieve the degree of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloridevia exerting its antioxidative effects.

Nitric Oxide-Induced Autophagy in MC3T3-E1 Cells is Associated with Cytoprotection via AMPK Activation

Nitric oxide (NO) is important in the regulation of bone remodeling, whereas high concentration of NO promotes cell death of osteoblast. However, it is not clear yet whether NO-induced autophagy is implicated in cell death or survival of osteoblast. The present study is aimed to examine the role of NO-induced autophagy in the MC3T3-E1 cells and their underlying molecular mechanism. The effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, on the cytotoxicity of the MC3T3-E1 cells was determined by MTT assay and expression of apoptosis or autophagy associated molecules was evaluated by western blot analysis. The morphological observation of autophagy and apoptosis by acridine orange stain and TUNEL assay were performed, respectively. Treatment of SNP decreased the cell viability of the MC3T3-E1 cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. SNP increased expression levels of p62, ATG7, Beclin-1 and LC3-II, as typical autophagic markers and augmented acidic autophagolysosomal vacuoles, detected by acridine orange staining. However, pretreatment with 3-methyladenine (3MA), the specific inhibitor for autophagy, decreased cell viability, whereas increased the cleavage of PARP and caspase-3 in the SNP-treated MC3T3-E1 cells. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a major autophagy regulatory kinase, was activated in SNP-treated MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, pretreatment with compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK, decreased cell viability, whereas increased the number of apoptotic cells, cleaved PARP and caspase-3 levels compared to those of SNP-treated MC3T3-E1 cells. Taken together, it is speculated that NO-induced autophagy functions as a survival mechanism via AMPK activation against apoptosis in the MC3T3-E1 cells.