The antioxidant effect of preischemic dexmedetomidine in a rat model: increased expression of Nrf2/HO-1 via the PKC pathway

Abstract Background The precise underlying mechanism of antioxidant effects of dexmedetomidine-induced neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia has not yet been fully elucidated. Activation of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) represents a major antioxidant-defense mechanism. Therefore, we determined whether dexmedetomidine increases Nrf2/HO-1 expression after global transient cerebral ischemia and assessed the involvement of Protein Kinase C (PKC) in the dexmedetomidine-related antioxidant mechanism. Methods Thirty-eight rats were randomly assigned to five groups: sham (n = 6), ischemic (n = 8), chelerythrine (a PKC inhibitor; 5 mg.kg-1 IV administered 30 min before cerebral ischemia) (n = 8), dexmedetomidine (100 µg.kg-1 IP administered 30 min before cerebral ischemia (n = 8), and dexmedetomidine + chelerythrine (n = 8). Global transient cerebral ischemia (10 min) was applied in all groups, except the sham group; histopathologic changes and levels of nuclear Nrf2 and cytoplasmic HO-1 were examined 24 hours after ischemia insult. Results We found fewer necrotic and apoptotic cells in the dexmedetomidine group relative to the ischemic group (p< 0.01) and significantly higher Nrf2 and HO-1 levels in the dexmedetomidine group than in the ischemic group (p< 0.01). Additionally, chelerythrine co-administration with dexmedetomidine attenuated the dexmedetomidine-induced increases in Nrf2 and HO-1 levels (p< 0.05 and p< 0.01, respectively) and diminished its beneficial neuroprotective effects. Conclusion Preischemic dexmedetomidine administration elicited neuroprotection against global transient cerebral ischemia in rats by increasing Nrf2/HO-1 expression partly via PKC signaling, suggesting that this is the antioxidant mechanism underlying dexmedetomidine-mediated neuroprotection.

Abdominal puncture drainage alleviates severe acute pancreatitis in rats by activating Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway and promoting autophagy / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the effect of early abdominal puncture drainage (APD) on autophagy and Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and explore the possibile mechanism.@*METHODS@#Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated (SO) group, SAP group with retrograde injection of 4% sodium taurocholate, APD group with insertion of a drainage tube into the lower right abdomen after SAP induction, and APD + ZnPP group with intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg ZnPP 12 h before APD modeling. Blood samples were collected from the rats 12 h after modeling for analysis of amylase and lipase levels and serum inflammatory factors. The pathological changes of the pancreatic tissue were observed with HE staining. Oxidative stress in the pancreatic tissue was detected with colorimetry, and sub-organelle structure and autophagy in pancreatic acinar cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expressions of autophagy-related proteins and Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway were detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Compared with those in SAP group, the rats with APD treatment showed significantly alleviated pathologies in the pancreas, reduced serum levels of lipase, amylase and inflammatory factors, lowered levels of oxidative stress, and activated expressions of Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway in the pancreas. The ameliorating effect of ADP was significantly inhibited by ZnPP treatment before modeling. APD obviously reversed mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum damages and p62 accumulation induced by SAP.@*CONCLUSION@#APD treatment can suppress oxidative stress and repair impaired autophagy in rats with SAP by activating the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway, thereby reducing the severity of SAP.

The renoprotective effects of Heme Oxygenase-1 during contrast-induced acute kidney injury in preclinical diabetic models

OBJECTIVES: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is an important clinical problem that can be aggravated by diabetes mellitus, a major risk factor. However, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a promising therapeutic target, can exert antioxidant effects against CI-AKI. Thus, we investigated the role of HO-1 in CI-AKI in the presence of diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats weighing 250-300g were subjected to left uninephrectomy, and concomitantly, diabetes induced by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). After 12 weeks, iodinated contrast (meglumine ioxithalamate, 6 mL/kg) and hemin (HO-1 inducer-10 mg/k) were administered 60 min before iodinated contrast treatment. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, diabetes mellitus (DM), DM iodinated contrast (DMIC), and DMIC hemin (DMICH). Kidney function, albuminuria, oxidative profile, and histology were assessed. All experimental data were subjected to statistical analyses. RESULTS: CI-AKI in preclinical diabetic models decreased creatinine clearance and increased urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels and the degree of albuminuria. Additionally, the levels of oxidative and nitrosative stress metabolites (urinary peroxides, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and NO) were elevated, while thiol levels in kidney tissue were reduced. Kidney histology showed tubular cell vacuolization and edema. HO-1 inducer treatment improved kidney function and reduced urinary the NGAL levels. The oxidative profile showed an increase in the endogenous thiol-based antioxidant levels. Additionally, the tubular injury score was reduced following HO-1 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the renoprotective effects of HO-1 in CI-AKI and preclinical diabetic models. Therefore, HO-1 ameliorates kidney dysfunction, reduces oxidative stress, and prevents cell necrosis.

Changes of renal histopathology and the role of Nrf2/HO-1 in asphyxial cardiac arrest model in rats

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the role of Nrf2/HO-1 in renal histopathological ailments time-dependently in asphyxial cardiac arrest (CA) rat model. Methods Eighty-eight Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into five groups of eight rats each. Asphyxial CA was induced in all the experimental rats except for the sham group. The rats were sacrificed at 6 hours, 12 hours, one day and two days post-CA. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Crtn) and malondialdehyde from the renal tissues were evaluated. Hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining were done to evaluate the renal histopathological changes in the renal cortex. Furthermore, Nrf2/HO-1 immunohistochemistry (ihc) and western blot analysis were performed after CA. Results The survival rate of rats decreased in a time-dependent manner: 66.6% at 6 hours, 50% at 12 hours, 38.1% in one day, and 25.8% in two days. BUN and serum Crtn markedly increased in CA-operated groups. Histopathological ailments of the renal cortical tissues increased significantly from 6 hours until two days post-CA. Furthermore, Nrf2/HO-1 expression level significantly increased at 6 hours, 12 hours, and one day. Conclusions The survival rate decreased time-dependently, and Nrf/HO-1 expression increased from 6 hours with the peak times at 12 hours, and one day post-CA.

Anti-neuroinflammatory Effects of 12-Dehydrogingerdione in LPS-Activated Microglia through Inhibiting Akt/IKK/NF-κB Pathway and Activating Nrf-2/HO-1 Pathway

Ginger, one of worldwide consumed dietary spice, is not only famous as food supplements, but also believed to exert a variety of remarkable pharmacological activity as herbal remedies. In this study, a ginger constituent, 12-dehydrogingerdione (DHGD) was proven that has comparable anti-inflammatory activity with positive control 6-shogaol in inhibiting LPS-induced interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, prostaglandin (PG) E₂, nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, without interfering with COX-1 in cultured microglial cells. Subsequent mechanistic studies indicate that 12-DHGD may inhibit neuro-inflammation through suppressing the LPS-activated Akt/IKK/NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, 12-DHGD markedly promoted the activation of NF-E2-related factor (Nrf)-2 and heme oxygenase (HO)-1, and we demonstrated that the involvement of HO-1 on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO and TNF-α by using a HO-1 inhibitor, Zinc protoporphyrin (Znpp). These results indicate that 12-DHGD may protect against neuro-inflammation by inhibiting Akt/IKK/IκB/NF-κB pathway and promoting Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.

Effects of genistein on Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in myocardial tissues of diabetic rats / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To investigate the effects of genistein (Gen) on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway in myocardial tissues of diabetic rats.
 Methods: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: a normal control (NC) group, a diabetic control (DM) group, a low-dose Gen treatment (L-Gen) group, and a high-dose Gen treatment (H-Gen) group (n=8). Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was utilized to induce diabetic rat model. After the establishment of diabetic model, the rats in L-Gen and H-Gen groups were intragastric administration with 10 and 50 mg/kg Gen solution. Following 8 weeks, the left ventricular hemodynamic parameters and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in myocardial tissue were determined. The ultrastructure of myocardium was observed under transmission electron microscopy. The expression of HO-1 at mRNA level in myocardial tissue was detected by RT-PCR. The protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blotting. 
 Results: Compared with the NC group, left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximal rise/fall rate of left ventricular pressure (±dp/dtmax), and the levels of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT were decreased (all P<0.01), while the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), FBG and MDA were increased (all P<0.01) in the DM group. The myocardial ultrastructure was obviously damaged, and the expressions of myocardial Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly decreased (both P<0.01) in the DM group. Compared with the DM group, there was no difference in FBG in the L-Gen group, while ±dp/dtmax and LVSP were significantly increased (all P<0.05), and LVEDP and MDA were decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the levels of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT were increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in the L-Gen group. The myocardial ultrastructure damage was alleviated and the expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased (both P<0.01) in the L-Gen group. Compared with L-Gen group, the aforementioned indexes were improved in the H-Gen group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
 Conclusion: Genistein exerted antioxidant effects on myocardial injury in diabetic rats, and the mechanisms might be related to regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes in myocardial tissues.

The protective effects of lycium barbarum polysaccharides on retinal neurons in diabetic rats and its mechanism / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To clarify whether lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) have protective effects on retina neuronal cells in diabetic rats and to identify the related mechanism involved in this process.@*METHODS@#Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n= 6): normal control group (NC), diabetes mellitus group (DM) and LBP-treatment group (DM+LBP). The diabetic rat model was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The rats in DM+LBP group were treated with LBP at the dose of 1 mg/kg by gavage, once a day for 12 weeks. After the treatment, the weight and blood glucose, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the surviving retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cells and the protein expressions of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were detected.@*RESULTS@#The successful rate of diabetic model was 100%. Compared with NC group, the rats of DM group caused weight loss, elevated blood glucose, a marked increase of ROS generation and a significant decrease in the number of RGCs and amacrine cells (P＜0.01), and these effects were diminished or abolished by LBP treatment. Meanwhile, LBP significantly increased the expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the retinas of diabetic rats (P＜0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#LBP can improve retinal oxidative stress and exert beneficial neuroprotective effects in diabetic rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway.

Role of Carbon Monoxide in Neurovascular Repair Processing

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous molecule produced from heme by heme oxygenase (HO). Endogenous CO production occurring at low concentrations is thought to have several useful biological roles. In mammals, especially humans, a proper neurovascular unit comprising endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, and neurons is essential for the homeostasis and survival of the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, the regeneration of neurovascular systems from neural stem cells and endothelial precursor cells after CNS diseases is responsible for functional repair. This review focused on the possible role of CO/HO in the neurovascular unit in terms of neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and synaptic plasticity, ultimately leading to behavioral changes in CNS diseases. CO/HO may also enhance cellular networks among endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and neural stem cells. This review highlights the therapeutic effects of CO/HO on CNS diseases involved in neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and angiogenesis. Moreover, the cellular mechanisms and interactions by which CO/HO are exploited for disease prevention and their therapeutic applications in traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke are also discussed.

The Effect of ABO Blood Groups, Hemoglobinopathy, and Heme Oxygenase-1 Polymorphisms on Malaria Susceptibility and Severity

Malaria is one of the most important public health problems in tropical areas on the globe. Several factors are associated with susceptibility to malaria and disease severity, including innate immunity such as blood group, hemoglobinopathy, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) polymorphisms. This study was carried out to investigate association among ABO blood group, thalassemia types and HO-1 polymorphisms in malaria. The malarial blood samples were collected from patients along the Thai-Myanmar border. Determination of ABO blood group, thalassemia variants, and HO-1 polymorphisms were performed using agglutination test, low pressure liquid chromatography and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Plasmodium vivax was the major infected malaria species in the study samples. Distribution of ABO blood type in the malaria-infected samples was similar to that in healthy subjects, of which blood type O being most prevalent. Association between blood group A and decreased risk of severe malaria was significant. Six thalassemia types (30%) were detected, i.e., hemoglobin E (HbE), β-thalassemia, α-thalassemia 1, α-thalassemia 2, HbE with α-thalassemia 2, and β-thalassemia with α-thalassemia 2. Malaria infected samples without thalassemia showed significantly higher risk to severe malaria. The prevalence of HO-1 polymorphisms, S/S, S/L and L/L were 25, 62, and 13%, respectively. Further study with larger sample size is required to confirm the impact of these 3 host genetic factors in malaria patients.

Pulegone Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Activities through the Regulation of NF-κB and Nrf-2 Signaling Pathways in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells

Pulegone is a naturally occurring organic compound obtained from essential oils from a variety of plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibitory mechanism of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways and the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ heme oxygenase (HO)-1 pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Results revealed that pulegone significantly inhibited NO production as well as iNOS and COX-2 expressions. Meanwhile, western blot analysis showed that pulegone down-regulated LPS-induced NF-κB and MAPKs activation in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, the selected compound suppressed LPS-induced intracellular ROS production in RAW 264.7 cells, while the expression of stress response gene, HO-1, and its transcriptional activator, Nrf-2 was upregulated upon pulegone treatment. Taking together, these findings provided that pulegone inhibited the LPS-induced expression of inflammatory mediators via the down-regulation iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, and MAPKs signaling pathways as well as up-regulation of Nrf-2/HO-1 indicating that pulegone has a potential therapeutic and preventive application in various inflammatory diseases.

Activation of locus coeruleus heme oxygenase-carbon monoxide pathway promoted an anxiolytic-like effect in rats

The heme oxygenase-carbon monoxide pathway has been shown to play an important role in many physiological processes and is capable of altering nociception modulation in the nervous system by stimulating soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). In the central nervous system, the locus coeruleus (LC) is known to be a region that expresses the heme oxygenase enzyme (HO), which catalyzes the metabolism of heme to carbon monoxide (CO). Additionally, several lines of evidence have suggested that the LC can be involved in the modulation of emotional states such as fear and anxiety. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the activation of the heme oxygenase-carbon monoxide pathway in the LC in the modulation of anxiety by using the elevated plus maze test (EPM) and light-dark box test (LDB) in rats. Experiments were performed on adult male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g (n=182). The results showed that the intra-LC microinjection of heme-lysinate (600 nmol), a substrate for the enzyme HO, increased the number of entries into the open arms and the percentage of time spent in open arms in the elevated plus maze test, indicating a decrease in anxiety. Additionally, in the LDB test, intra-LC administration of heme-lysinate promoted an increase on time spent in the light compartment of the box. The intracerebroventricular microinjection of guanylate cyclase, an sGC inhibitor followed by the intra-LC microinjection of the heme-lysinate blocked the anxiolytic-like reaction on the EPM test and LDB test. It can therefore be concluded that CO in the LC produced by the HO pathway and acting via cGMP plays an anxiolytic-like role in the LC of rats.

Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of cinnamaldehyde on protecting high glucose-induced damage in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons of rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the mechanism underlying the beneficial role of cinnamaldehyde on oxidative damage and apoptosis in high glucose (HG)-induced dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HG-treated DRG neurons were developed as an in vitro model of diabetic neuropathy. The neurons were randomly divided into five groups: the control group, the HG group and the HG groups treated with 25, 50 and 100 nmol/L cinnamaldehyde, respectively. Cell viability was examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and apoptosis rate was evaluated by the in situ TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured with flow cytometry. Expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), inhibitor of κB (IκB), phosphorylated IκB (p-IκB), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and caspase-3 were determined by western blotting and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) were also measured by western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cinnamaldehyde reduced HG-induced loss of viability, apoptosis and intracellular generation of ROS in the DRG neurons via inhibiting NF-κB activity. The western blot assay results showed that the HG-induced elevated expressions of NF-κB, IκB and p-IκB were remarkably reduced by cinnamaldehyde treatment in a dose-dependent manner (P <0.01). The HG-induced over-expression of NF-κB p65 mRNA was remarkably attenuated after cinnamaldehyde treatment in a dose-dependent manner (P <0.01). However, the expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were not upregulated. Treatment with cinnamaldehyde not only attenuated caspase-3 activation and the caspase cleavage cascade in DRG neurons, but also lowered the elevated IL-6, TNF-α, cyclo-oxygenase and inducible nitric oxide synthase levels, indicating a reduction in inflammatory damage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cinnamaldehyde protected DRG neurons from the deleterious effects of HG through inactivation of NF-κB pathway but not through activation of Nrf2/HO-1. And thus cinnamaldehyde may have potential application as a treatment for DPN.</p>

Suppressive effects of ethanol extract of Aralia elata on UVB-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative stress contributes to several adverse biological effects on skin. Many phenolic phytochemicals have been shown to have antioxidant properties and protect skin cells from UV-induced oxidative damage. In this study, we investigated whether or not Aralia elata (AE) has a protective effect against UVB-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately leading to photoaging. METHODS: Phenolic content of dried AE and antioxidant properties of AE extract in 70% ethanol weredetermined by measuring DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The effect of AE extract on cellular ROS generation and expression levels of oxidative stress-response proteins such as superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1, catalase, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf)-2,and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in UVB-irradiated (75 mJ/cm²) human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were further determined by 2'-7'-dichlorofluoresceine diacetate assay and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of dried AE were 20.15 mg tannic acid/g and 18.75 mg rutin/g, respectively. The IC₅₀ of AE extract against DPPH radical was 98.5 µg/mL, and ABTS radical scavenging activity and FRAP upon treatment with 1,000 µg/mL of AE extract were 41.8 µg ascorbic acid (AA) eq./mL and 29.7 µg AA eq./mL,m respectively. Pretreatment with AE extract significantly reduced (p < 0.05) ROS generation compared to that in UVB-irradiated control HaCaT cells. Pretreatment with AE extract reversed reduction of Nrf-2 and SOD-1 protein expression and induction of HO-1 protein expression caused by UVB exposure in HaCaT cells, whereas it did not affect catalase expression. CONCLUSION: AE extract in 70% ethanol demonstrated a protective effect against UVB-induced oxidative stress and decreased expression of Nrf-2 and SOD-1 in human keratinocytes. These findings suggest that AE ethanol extract might have potential as a natural resource for a skin antiphotoaging product in the food and cosmetic industry.

Mechanisms of the antihypertensive effects of Nigella sativa oil in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine whether the blood pressure-lowering effect of Nigella sativa might be mediated by its effects on nitric oxide, angiotensin-converting enzyme, heme oxygenase and oxidative stress markers. METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into 4 groups. One group served as the control (group 1), whereas the other three groups (groups 2-4) were administered L-NAME (25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Groups 3 and 4 were given oral nicardipine daily at a dose of 3 mg/kg and Nigella sativa oil at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg for 8 weeks, respectively, concomitantly with L-NAME administration. RESULTS: Nigella sativa oil prevented the increase in systolic blood pressure in the L-NAME-treated rats. The blood pressure reduction was associated with a reduction in cardiac lipid peroxidation product, NADPH oxidase, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and plasma nitric oxide, as well as with an increase in heme oxygenase-1 activity in the heart. The effects of Nigella sativa on blood pressure, lipid peroxidation product, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme were similar to those of nicardipine. In contrast, L-NAME had opposite effects on lipid peroxidation, angiotensin-converting enzyme and NO. CONCLUSION: The antihypertensive effect of Nigella sativa oil appears to be mediated by a reduction in cardiac oxidative stress and angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, an increase in cardiac heme oxygenase-1 activity and a prevention of plasma nitric oxide loss. Thus, Nigella sativa oil might be beneficial for controlling hypertension.

ERKl/2 signaling pathway mediates heme oxygenase-1 up-regulation by minocycline in PC12 cells exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of minocycline in promoting the survival of pheochromocytoma (PCI2) cells exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) and explore the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An in vitro cell model of cerebral ischemia was established by OGD for 6 h in PCI2 cells with pretreatment with minocycline or an ERK1/2 inhibitor. At 24 h after OGD injury, the cells were evaluated for cell viability by MTT assay and expressions of heme oxygenase-I (HO-I) and phospholylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cell viability decreased dramatically following OGD. Pretreatment with minocycline (O.I-IO JJ.mol/L) induced a significant increase in the cell viability after OGD and caused up-regulation of HO-I protein and enhanced ERK1/2 phospholylation, and the effects were especially obvious with 1 JJ.mol/L minocycline and were abolished by inhibition of ERK1/2 activity with UOI26 (IO JJ.mol/L).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Minocycline can protect PCI2 cells against OGD-induced toxicity by up-regulating HO-I protein expression through ERKl/2 signaling pathways.</p>

A experiment research of beryllium oxide induced oxidative lung injury and the protective effects of LBP in rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore beryllium oxide induced oxidative lung injury and the protective effects of LBP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Intoxication of animals were induced by once intratracheal injection and LBP intervention by intragastric administration. The content of HIF-1, VEGF and HO-1 of lung tissues were measured by kits. The pathological changes of lung tissue were showed by pathological section. The changes of lung ultrastructure were observed by electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pathological changes of the lung tissue in beryllium oxide exposure group rats were in line with the characteristics of beryllium disease in human. Compared with the control group, HO-1 was increased in beryllium oxide exposure 40 d group and low doses of LBP group, compared with the control group, HO-1 was increased in beryllium oxide exposure 80d group and LBP treatment groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, HIF-1 was increased in beryllium oxide exposure 40 d group, LBP treatment groups, beryllium oxide exposure 60 d and 80 d groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, VEGF was increased of all phases, especially in beryllium oxide exposure 40d and 80 groups, LBP treatment groups and beryllium oxide exposure 60 d (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The content of HO-1 of beryllium oxide exposure group was higher than the LBP treatment for 40d group but below LBP treatment for 80 d group (P < 0.05). The content of HIF1 of beryllium oxide exposure group was higher than high dose of LBP treatment for 60d group and LBP treatment for 80 d group (P < 0.01). The content of VEGF of beryllium oxide exposure group was higher than LBP treatment for 40 d group and high dose of LBP treatment for 60 d (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BeO can cause abnormal expression of related genes of lung tissue in rats, LBP has protective effects on BeO caused lung injury.</p>

Therapeutic effect of hemin on gestational hypertension in rats and the mechanism / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic effects of hemin, an inducer of heme oxygenase, in a rat model of gestational hypertension and explore the possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen pregnant SD rats at day 12 of gestation were randomized equally into gestational hypertension model group, hemin treatment group, and normal pregnancy (control) group. In the former two groups, the rats were subjected to daily nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 80 mg/kg) gavage since gestational day 14 for 7 consecutive days to induce gestational hypertension; saline was administered in the same manner in the control rats. The rats in hemin group received daily intraperitoneal injection of hemin (30 mg/kg) starting from gestational day 16. HO activity and carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level in rat placental tissue were detected with spectrophotometric method, and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sFlt-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in the placental tissue homogenate supernatant were detected using ELSIA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At gestational day 20, the blood pressure and 24-h urinary protein were significantly higher in the model group than in the other two groups (P<0.05), and were higher in hemin group than in the control group (P<0.05); HO activity and COHb content in the placenta tissue were the lowest in the model group (P<0.05), and was lower in hemin group than in the control group (P<0.05). The level of sFlt-1 was significantly higher and VEGF level significantly lower in the model group than in the other two groups (P<0.05); sFlt-1 level remained higher and VEGF lower in hemin group than in the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hemin can reduce blood pressure and urinary protein in rats with gestational hypertension possibly by up-regulating HO activity, enhancing carbon monoxide production, reducing sFlt-1 and increasing VEGF in the placental tissue.</p>

Acute stress-induced antinociception is cGMP-dependent but heme oxygenase-independent

Endogenous carbon monoxide (CO), which is produced by the enzyme heme oxygenase (HO), participates as a neuromodulator in physiological processes such as thermoregulation and nociception by stimulating the formation of 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). In particular, the acute physical restraint-induced fever of rats can be blocked by inhibiting the enzyme HO. A previous study reported that the HO-CO-cGMP pathway plays a key phasic antinociceptive role in modulating noninflammatory acute pain. Thus, this study evaluated the involvement of the HO-CO-cGMP pathway in antinociception induced by acute stress in male Wistar rats (250-300 g; n=8/group) using the analgesia index (AI) in the tail flick test. The results showed that antinociception induced by acute stress was not dependent on the HO-CO-cGMP pathway, as neither treatment with the HO inhibitor ZnDBPG nor heme-lysinate altered the AI. However, antinociception was dependent on cGMP activity because pretreatment with the guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-a] quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ) blocked the increase in the AI induced by acute stress.

Effect of astaxanthin on preeclampsia rat model / 药学学报

The effect of astaxanthin on N(Ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced preeclampsia disease rats was investigated. Thirty pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): blank group, L-NAME group and astaxanthin group. From day 5 to 20, astaxanthin group rats were treated with astaxanthin (25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) x bw(-1)) from pregnancy (day 5). To establish the preeclamptic rat model, L-NAME group and astaxanthin group rats were injected with L-NAME (125 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) x bw(-1)) from days 10-20 of pregnancy. The blood pressure and urine protein were recorded. Serum of each group was collected and malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities were analyzed. Pathological changes were observed with HE stain. The expression of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B), ROCK II (Rho-associated protein kinase II), HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) and Caspase 3 were analyzed with immunohistochemistry. L-NAME induced typical preeclampsia symptoms, such as the increased blood pressure, urinary protein, the content of MDA, etc. Astaxanthin significantly reduced the blood pressure (P < 0.01), the content of MDA (P < 0.05), and increased the activity of SOD (P < 0.05) of preeclampsia rats. The urinary protein, NO, and NOS were also decreased. HE stain revealed that after treated with astaxanthin, the thickness of basilal membrane was improved and the content of trophoblast cells and spiral arteries was reduced. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that the expressions of NF-κB, ROCK II and Caspase 3 in placenta tissue were effectively decreased, and HO-1 was increased. Results indicated that astaxanthin can improve the preeclampsia symptoms by effectively reducing the oxidative stress and inflammatory damages of preeclampsia. It revealed that astaxanthin may be benefit for prevention and treatment of preeclampsia disease.

Amyloid-beta transporter expression at the choroid plexus in normal aging: the possibility of reduced resistance to oxidative stress insults / 生理学报

Accumulation of amyloid-beta peptides (Aβ) results in amyloid burden in normal aging brain. Clearance of this peptide from the brain occurs via active transport at the interfaces separating the central nervous system (CNS) from the peripheral circulation. The present study was to investigate the change of Aβ transporters expression at the choroid plexus (CP) in normal aging. Morphological modifications of CP were observed by transmission electron microscope. Real-time RT-PCR was used to measure mRNA expressions of Aβ(42) and its transporters, which include low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 and 2 (LRP-1 and -2), P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), at the CP epithelium in rats at ages of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and 36 months. At the same time, the mRNA expressions of oxidative stress-related proteins were also measured. The results showed that a striking deterioration of the CP epithelial cells and increased Aβ(42) mRNA expression were observed in aged rats, and there was a decrease in the transcription of the Aβ efflux transporters, LRP-1 and P-gp, no change in RAGE mRNA expression and an increase in LRP-2, the CP epithelium Aβ influx transporter. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and caspase-3 expressions at the CP epithelium increased with age at the mRNA level. These results suggest the efficacy of the CP in clearing of Aβ deceases in normal aging, which results in the increase of brain Aβ accumulation. And excess Aβ interferes with oxidative phosphorylation, leads to oxidative stress and morphological structural changes. This in turn induces further pathological cascades of toxicity, inflammation and neurodegeneration process.