Exosomes derived from cardiac fibroblasts with angiotensin II stimulation provoke hypertrophy and autophagy inhibition in cardiomyocytes.

Although accumulating evidence has revealed that autophagy inhibition contributes to the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy, the mechanisms leading to declined autophagy activity in the hypertrophic heart remain to be elucidated. Exosomes are known to be important mediators of intercellular communication, and the involvement of exosomes in cardiovascular abnormities has attracted increasing attentions. Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are the most abundant cell type in the heart. Here, we investigated the potential role of CFs-derived exosomes in regulating cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and autophagy. Exosomes from rat CFs treated with angiotensin II (Ang II-CFs-exosomes) were collected and characterized. Our experiments showed that these exosomes could induce hypertrophic responses and impair autophagy activity in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs). Ang II-CFs-exosomes blocked the autophagic flux of NRCMs via inhibiting the formation of autolysosomes. Moreover, the pro-hypertrophic effects and autophagy inhibition induced by Ang II-CFs-exosomes was validated in mice receiving injection of the exosomes. These findings highlight a novel role of Ang II-CFs-exosomes in suppressing cardiomyocyte autophagy, which may help to better understand the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy.

Inhibition of miR-214-3p attenuates ferroptosis in myocardial infarction via regulating ME2.

Myocardial infarction (MI) contributes to an increased risk of incident heart failure and sudden death, but there is still a lack of effective treatment in clinic. Recently, growing evidence has indicated that abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays a crucial role in cardiovascular diseases. In this research, the involvement of miRNA-214-3p in MI was explored. A mouse model of MI was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were submitted to hypoxic treatment to stimulate cellular injury in vitro. Our results showed that miR-214-3p level was significantly upregulated in the infarcted region of mouse hearts and in NRCMs exposed to hypoxia, accompanying with an obvious elevation of ferroptosis. Inhibition of miR-214-3p by antagomir injection improved cardiac function, decreased infarct size, and attenuated iron accumulation and oxidant stress in myocardial tissues. MiR-214-3p could also promote ferroptosis and cellular impairments in NRCMs, while miR-214-3p inhibitor effectively protected cells from hypoxia. Furthermore, dual luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that malic enzyme 2 (ME2) is a direct target of miR-214-3p. In cardiomyocytes, overexpression of ME2 ameliorated the detrimental effects and excessive ferroptosis induced by miR-214-3p mimic, whereas ME2 depletion compromised the protective role of miR-214-3p inhibitor against hypoxic injury and ferroptosis. These findings suggest that miR-214-3p contributes to enhanced ferroptosis during MI at least partially via suppressing ME2. Inhibition of miR-214-3p may be a new approach for tackling MI.

GDH promotes isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy by activating mTOR signaling via elevation of α-ketoglutarate level.

Numerous studies reveal that metabolism dysfunction contributes to the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy. While the abnormal lipid and glucose utilization in cardiomyocytes responding to hypertrophic stimuli have been extensively studied, the alteration and implication of glutaminolysis are rarely discussed. In the present work, we provide the first evidence that glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), an enzyme that catalyzes conversion of glutamate into ɑ-ketoglutarate (AKG), participates in isoprenaline (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy through activating mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. The expression and activity of GDH were enhanced in cultured cardiomyocytes and rat hearts following ISO treatment. Overexpression of GDH, but not its enzymatically inactive mutant, provoked cardiac hypertrophy. In contrast, GDH knockdown could relieve ISO-triggered hypertrophic responses. The intracellular AKG level was elevated by ISO or GDH overexpression, which led to increased phosphorylation of mTOR and downstream effector ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K). Exogenous supplement of AKG also resulted in mTOR activation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. However, incubation with rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, attenuated hypertrophic responses in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, GDH silencing protected rats from ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy. These findings give a further insight into the role of GDH in cardiac hypertrophy and suggest it as a potential target for hypertrophy-related cardiomyopathy.

EGCG inhibits pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy via the PSMB5/Nmnat2/SIRT6-dependent signalling pathways.

AIM: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol found in green tea, exerts multiple protective effects against cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy. However, the molecular mechanism underlying its anti-hypertrophic effect has not been clarified. This study revealed that EGCG could inhibit pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy by regulating the PSMB5/Nmnat2/SIRT6-dependent signalling pathway. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to determine the expression of mRNA and protein respectively. A fluorometric assay kit was used to determine the activity of SIRT6, a histone deacetylase. Luciferase reporter gene assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were employed to measure transcriptional activity and DNA binding activity respectively. RESULTS: EGCG could significantly increase Nmnat2 protein expression and enzyme activity in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes stimulated with angiotensin II (Ang II) and heart tissues from rats subjected to abdominal aortic constriction. Nmnat2 knockdown by RNA interference attenuated the inhibitory effect of EGCG on cardiac hypertrophy. EGCG blocked NF-κB DNA binding activity induced by Ang II, which was dependent on Nmnat2 and the subsequent SIRT6 activation. Moreover the activation of PSMB5 (20S proteasome subunit ß-5, chymotrypsin-like) was required for EGCG-induced Nmnat2 protein expression. Additionally, we demonstrated that EGCG might interact with PSMB5 and inhibit the activation of the proteasome. CONCLUSIONS: These findings serve as the first evidence that the effect of EGCG against cardiac hypertrophy may be, at least partially, attributed to the modulation of the PSMB5/Nmnat2-dependent signalling pathway, suggesting the therapeutic potential of EGCG in the prevention and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.

MicroRNA-214 contributes to Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy by targeting SIRT3 to provoke mitochondrial malfunction.

Reduction of expression and activity of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy via inducing mitochondrial injury and energy metabolism disorder. However, development of effective ways and agents to modulate SIRT3 remains a big challenge. In this study we explored the upstream suppressor of SIRT3 in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice. We first found that SIRT3 deficiency exacerbated Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, and resulted in the development of spontaneous heart failure. Since miRNAs play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy, we performed miRNA sequencing on myocardium tissues from Ang II-infused Sirt3-/- and wild type mice, and identified microRNA-214 (miR-214) was significantly up-regulated in Ang II-infused mice. Similar results were also obtained in Ang II-treated neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (NMCMs). Using dual-luciferase reporter assay we demonstrated that SIRT3 was a direct target of miR-214. Overexpression of miR-214 in vitro and in vivo decreased the expression of SIRT3, which resulted in extensive mitochondrial damages, thereby facilitating the onset of hypertrophy. In contrast, knockdown of miR-214 counteracted Ang II-induced detrimental effects via restoring SIRT3, and ameliorated mitochondrial morphology and respiratory activity. Collectively, these results demonstrate that miR-214 participates in Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy by directly suppressing SIRT3, and subsequently leading to mitochondrial malfunction, suggesting the potential of miR-214 as a promising intervention target for antihypertrophic therapy.

MicroRNA-99b-3p promotes angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis in mice by targeting GSK-3ß.

Cardiac fibrosis is a typical pathological change in various cardiovascular diseases. Although it has been recognized as a crucial risk factor responsible for heart failure, there is still a lack of effective treatment. Recent evidence shows that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the development of cardiac fibrosis and represent novel therapeutic targets. In this study we tried to identify the cardiac fibrosis-associated miRNA and elucidate its regulatory mechanisms in mice. Cardiac fibrosis was induced by infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II, 2 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 2 weeks via osmotic pumps. We showed that Ang II infusion induced cardiac disfunction and fibrosis accompanied by markedly increased expression level of miR-99b-3p in heart tissues. Upregulation of miR-99b-3p and fibrotic responses were also observed in cultured rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) treated with Ang II (100 nM) in vitro. Transfection with miR-99b-3p mimic resulted in the overproduction of fibronectin, collagen I, vimentin and α-SMA, and facilitated the proliferation and migration of CFs. On the contrary, transfection with specific miR-99b-3p inhibitor attenuated Ang II-induced fibrotic responses. Similarly, intravenous injection of specific miR-99b-3p antagomir could prevent Ang II-infused mice from cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis. We identified glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3ß) as a direct target of miR-99b-3p. In CFs, miR-99b-3p mimic significantly reduced the expression of GSK-3ß, leading to activation of its downstream profibrotic effector Smad3, whereas miR-99b-3p inhibitor caused anti-fibrotic effects. GSK-3ß knockdown ameliorated the anti-fibrotic role of miR-99b-3p inhibitor. These results suggest that miR-99b-3p contributes to Ang II-induced cardiac fibrosis at least partially through GSK-3ß. The modulation of miR-99b-3p may provide a new approach for tackling fibrosis-related cardiomyopathy.

Pharmacological and cardiovascular perspectives on the treatment of COVID-19 with chloroquine derivatives.

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and an ongoing severe pandemic. Curative drugs specific for COVID-19 are currently lacking. Chloroquine phosphate and its derivative hydroxychloroquine, which have been used in the treatment and prevention of malaria and autoimmune diseases for decades, were found to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection with high potency in vitro and have shown clinical and virologic benefits in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, chloroquine phosphate was first used in the treatment of COVID-19 in China. Later, under a limited emergency-use authorization from the FDA, hydroxychloroquine in combination with azithromycin was used to treat COVID-19 patients in the USA, although the mechanisms of the anti-COVID-19 effects remain unclear. Preliminary outcomes from clinical trials in several countries have generated controversial results. The desperation to control the pandemic overrode the concerns regarding the serious adverse effects of chloroquine derivatives and combination drugs, including lethal arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy. The risks of these treatments have become more complex as a result of findings that COVID-19 is actually a multisystem disease. While respiratory symptoms are the major clinical manifestations, cardiovascular abnormalities, including arrhythmias, myocarditis, heart failure, and ischemic stroke, have been reported in a significant number of COVID-19 patients. Patients with preexisting cardiovascular conditions (hypertension, arrhythmias, etc.) are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and death. From pharmacological and cardiovascular perspectives, therefore, the treatment of COVID-19 with chloroquine and its derivatives should be systematically evaluated, and patients should be routinely monitored for cardiovascular conditions to prevent lethal adverse events.

PARP1 interacts with HMGB1 and promotes its nuclear export in pathological myocardial hypertrophy.

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) exhibits various functions according to its subcellular location, which is finely conditioned by diverse post-translational modifications, such as acetylation. The nuclear HMGB1 may prevent from cardiac hypertrophy, whereas its exogenous protein is proven to induce hypertrophic response. This present study sought to investigate the regulatory relationships between poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) and HMGB1 in the process of pathological myocardial hypertrophy. Primary-cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were respectively incubated with three cardiac hypertrophic stimulants, including angiotensin II (Ang II), phenylephrine (PE), and isoproterenol (ISO), and cell surface area and the mRNA expression of hypertrophic biomarkers were measured. the catalytic activity of PARP1 was remarkably enhanced, meanwhile HMGB1 excluded from the nucleus. PARP1 overexpression by infecting with adenovirus PARP1 (Ad-PARP1) promoted the nuclear export of HMGB1, facilitated its secretion outside the cell, aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which could be alleviated by HMGB1 overexpression. PE treatment led to the similar results, while that effect was widely depressed by PARP1 silencing or its specific inhibitor AG14361. Moreover, SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with 3-aminobenzamide (3AB, 20 mg/kg every day, a well-established PARP1 inhibitor) 7 days after abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) surgery for 6 weeks, echocardiography and morphometry of the hearts were measured. Pre-treatment of 3AB relieved AAC-caused the translocation of nuclear HMGB1 protein, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart dysfunction. Our research offers a novel evidence that PARP1 combines with HMGB1 and accelerates its translocation from nucleus to cytoplasm, and the course finally causes cardiac hypertrophy.

G3BP2 is involved in isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy through activating the NF-κB signaling pathway.

The RasGAP SH3 domain-binding proteins (G3BPs) are a family of RNA-binding proteins that can co-ordinate signal transduction and post-transcriptional gene regulation. G3BPs have been shown to be involved in mediating a great diversity of cellular processes such as cell survival, growth, proliferation and apoptosis. But the potential roles of G3BPs in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases remain to be clarified. In the present study, we provide the first evidence that suggests the participation of G3BP2 in cardiac hypertrophy. In cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs), treatment with isoproterenol (ISO, 0.1-100 µmol/L) significantly elevated the mRNA and protein levels of G3BP2. Similar results were observed in the hearts of rats subjected to 7D-injection of ISO, accompanied by obvious heart hypertrophy and elevated the expression of hypertrophy marker genes ANF, BNP and ß-MHC in heart tissues. Overexpression of G3BP2 in NRCMs led to hypertrophic responses evidenced by increased cellular surface area and the expression of hypertrophy marker genes, whereas knockdown of G3BP2 significantly attenuated ISO-induced hypertrophy of NRCMs. We further showed that G3BP2 directly interacted with IκBα and promoted the aggregation of the NF-κB subunit p65 in the nucleus and increased NF-κB-dependent transcriptional activity. NF-κB inhibition with PDTC (50 µmol/L) or p65 knockdown significantly decreased the hypertrophic responses in NRCMs induced by ISO or G3BP2 overexpression. These results give new insight into the functions of G3BP2 and may help further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac hypertrophy.

The Effect of Reading Aloud Exercises for Complete Denture Patients during the Functional Rehabilitation Period.

PURPOSE: The focus of this study was to evaluate the effect of reading aloud on masticatory performance and patient satisfaction of patients rehabilitated with conventional complete dentures for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two edentulous patients who received conventional complete denture treatment for the first time were randomly divided into two equal groups. After insertion of the dentures, patients in group I were asked to read a news report three times per day for 4 weeks, while those in group II did not read. The reading duration increased by 5 minutes per week, from 5 minutes in the first week to 20 minutes in the fourth week. The patients' mouth opening during reading aloud was advised to gradually increase throughout the training project. Two and four weeks after insertion of the dentures, masticatory performance was assessed using the sieving method, and patient satisfaction was measured using a visual analogue scale, which combined the patient's perceptions in relation to comfort, esthetics, stability, ability to talk, and ability to chew. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in masticatory performance with reading aloud exercises after the insertion of complete dentures (p < 0.001) at the 2- and 4-week follow-up visits. Masticatory performance also showed significant improvement within each group in the follow-up periods (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between the two groups in patient satisfaction (p > 0.05) at 2 weeks, but at 4 weeks, patient satisfaction regarding stability, ability to talk, and ability to chew was significantly higher for group I (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that reading aloud exercises significantly improved early masticatory performance and patient satisfaction for denture wearers who were treated with conventional complete dentures for the first time, and may be a useful clinical application for more effective denture treatment.

Endoscope-assisted extracapsular dissection of benign parotid tumors through a single cephaloauricular furrow incision versus a conventional approach.

BACKGROUND: A few modified approaches have been reported for performing endoscope-assisted dissections of benign parotid tumors, but none that use incisions totally hidden in a natural furrow. This study evaluated the feasibility of performing endoscope-assisted extracapsular dissections of benign parotid tumors using a single cephaloauricular furrow incision. METHODS: Forty-six patients with benign parotid superficial lobe tumors were randomly divided into two groups: an endoscope-assisted (21 patients) group or a conventional (25 patients) surgery group. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes of the patients were evaluated, including the maximum diameter of the tumors, length of the incision, operating time, estimated blood loss during the operation, amount and duration of drainage, satisfaction scores based on the cosmetic results, perioperative complications, and follow-up information. RESULTS: The diameters of the tumors were comparable between the groups, and all operations were successfully performed as planned. The mean length of the incision in the endoscope-assisted group (3.6 ± 0.5 cm) was significantly shorter than that in the conventional group (9.1 ± 1.9). Meanwhile, the intraoperative blood loss, amount of drainage, perioperative complications, and cosmetic outcomes were all improved in the endoscope-assisted group. No tumor recurrence was found during 11-40 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Cephaloauricular furrow incisions were totally and naturally hidden in this procedure. Endoscope-assisted extracapsular dissections of benign parotid tumors via a small cephaloauricular furrow incision were found to be feasible and reliable, providing a minimally invasive approach and a satisfactory appearance.

Virtual Surgical Planning in Precise Maxillary Reconstruction With Vascularized Fibular Graft After Tumor Ablation.

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of maxillary and midfacial defects due to tumor ablation is challenging to conventional operation. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the precise 3-dimensional position of the fibular flap in reconstruction of maxillary defects assisted by virtual surgical planning and to assess the postoperative outcomes compared with conventional surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 18 consecutive patients who underwent maxillary reconstruction with a vascularized fibular flap assisted by virtual surgical planning after maxillary or midfacial tumor ablation. Conventional surgery was performed in another 15 patients. Proplan CMF surgical planning (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) was performed preoperatively in the virtual planning group. Fibular flaps were harvested and underwent osteotomy assisted by prefabricated cutting guides, and the maxilla and midface were resected and reconstructed assisted by the prefabricated cutting guides and templates in the virtual planning group. The operative time and fibular flap positions were evaluated in the 2 groups. Postoperative fibular positions of the maxillary reconstruction were compared with virtual plans in the virtual planning group. The postoperative facial appearance and occlusal function were assessed. RESULTS: The operations were performed successfully without complications. The ischemia time and total operative time were shorter in the virtual planning group than those in the conventional surgery group (P < .05). High precision of the cutting guides and templates was found on both the fibula and maxilla in the virtual planning group. The positions of the fibular flaps, including the vertical and horizontal positions, were more accurate in the virtual planning group than those in the conventional surgery group (P < .05). Bone-to-bone contact between the maxilla and fibular segments was more precise in the virtual planning group (P < .05). Postoperative computed tomography scans showed excellent contour of the fibular flap segments in accordance with the virtual plans in the virtual planning group. All patients were alive with no evidence of disease. Functional mandibular range of motion, good occlusion, and an ideal facial appearance were observed in the virtual planning group. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual surgical planning appears to achieve precise maxillary reconstruction with a vascularized fibular flap after tumor ablation, as well as an ideal facial appearance and function after dental rehabilitation. The use of prefabricated cutting guides and plates eases fibular flap molding and placement, minimizes operating time, and improves clinical outcomes.

Synchronous reconstruction of bilateral osteoradionecrosis of the mandible using a single fibular osteocutaneous flap in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of bilateral osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of mandibular defects using a single free bone flap is rarely performed because extensively radiated neck tissue with severe fibrosis is usually unsuitable for vascularized reconstruction. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) underwent bilateral reconstruction of advanced ORN in the mandible using a single fibular osteocutaneous flap. Clinical factors associated with the operation were assessed, including classification of mandible defects, types of recipient vessels, perioperative complications, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: All of the fibular osteocutaneous flaps survived completely, with the exception of 1 inner skin paddle that presented partial necrosis in a reconstruction of through-and-through defects. All patients experienced an improvement in cosmetic results 6 months after the reconstruction, whereas 23 patients experienced improved mouth opening compared to the preoperative condition. CONCLUSION: Advanced bilateral ORN in patients with NPC could be synchronously reconstructed with a single fibular osteocutaneous flap. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E-E, 2016.

Finite Element Analysis of Bone Stress around Micro-Implants of Different Diameters and Lengths with Application of a Single or Composite Torque Force.

BACKGROUND: Stress on the bone surrounding dental micro-implants affects implant success. PURPOSE: To compare the stress on the bone surrounding a micro-implant after application of a single force (SF) of 200 g or a composite force (CF) of 200 g and 6 N.mm torque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Finite element models were developed for micro-implant diameters of 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 mm, and lengths of 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm and either a SF or CF was applied. The maximum equivalent stress (Max EQS) of the bone surrounding the micro-implant was determined, and the relationships among type of force, diameter, and length were evaluated. RESULTS: The Max EQS of the CF exceeded that of the SF (P< 0.05). The effect of force on stress was related to implant diameter, but not to implant length. The larger CF led to greater instability of the micro-implant and the effect was most pronounced at an implant diameter of 1.2 mm. The use of implant diameters of 1.6 mm and 2.0 mm produced no significant difference in implant stability when either a CF or SF was applied. CONCLUSION: When considering the use of an implant to perform three-dimensional control on the teeth, the implant diameter chosen should be > 1.2 mm.

Effect of heating palladium-silver alloys on ceramic bond strength.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The effects of different heat treatments on the internal oxidation and metal-ceramic bond in Pd-Ag alloys with different trace elements require further documentation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine whether heat treatment affects the metal-ceramic bond strength of 2 Pd-Ag alloys containing different trace elements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirteen cast specimens (25×3×0.5 mm) from each of 2 Pd-Ag alloy groups (W-1 and Argelite 61+3) were allocated to heat treatments before porcelain application: heating under reduced atmospheric pressure of 0.0014 MPa and 0.0026 MPa and heating under normal atmospheric pressure. Bond strengths were evaluated using a 3-point bending test according to ISO9693. Results were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test (α=.05). Visual observation was used to determine the failure types of the fractured specimens. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy were used to study morphologies, elemental compositions, and distributions in the specimens. RESULTS: The W-1 group had a mean bond strength significantly higher than that of Argelite 61+3 (P<.001). Heating under reduced atmospheric pressures of 0.0014 MPa and 0.0026 MPa resulted in similar bond strengths (P=.331), and both pressures had significantly higher bond strengths than that of heating under normal atmospheric pressure (P=.002, P<.001). Heating under different air pressures resulted in Pd-Ag alloys that contained either Sn or In and Ga, with various degrees of internal oxidation and different quantities of metallic nodules. CONCLUSIONS: Heating under reduced atmospheric pressure effectively improved the bond strength of the ceramic-to-Pd-Ag alloys.

The orphan receptor NOR1 participates in isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy by regulating PARP-1.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The orphan nuclear receptor NOR1 belongs to the NR4A subfamily of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, and is involved in glucose and fat metabolism. However, its potential contribution to cardiovascular diseases remains to be assessed. Here, the roles of NOR1 in cardiac hypertrophy induced by isoprenaline and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: NOR1 was expressed in cardiomyocytes treated with isoprenaline. After NOR1 overexpression or knockdown in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, cellular hypertrophy was monitored by measuring cell surface area and the mRNA of hypertrophic biomarkers. Interactions between NOR1 and PARP-1 were investigated by co-immunoprecipitation. NOR1 expression and PARP-1 activity were measured in rats with cardiac hypertrophy induced by isoprenaline. KEY RESULTS: Treatment with isoprenaline significantly up-regulated NOR1 expression and PARP-1 activity both in vivo and in vitro. Specific gene silencing of NOR1 attenuated isoprenaline-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, whereas NOR1 overexpression exacerbated cardiac hypertrophy. We identified a physical interaction between NOR1 and PARP-1, which was enhanced by NOR1 transfection and thereby led to PARP-1 activation. Overexpression of NOR1, but not C293Y, a NOR1 mutant lacking the PARP-1 binding activity, increased cellular surface area and the mRNA levels of atrial natriuretic factor and brain natriuretic polypeptide, effects blocked by the PARP-1 inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide or siRNA for PARP-1. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This is the first evidence that NOR1 was involved in isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy. The pro-hypertrophic effect of NOR1 can be partly attributed to its regulation of PARP-1 enzymic activity.

α-Enolase plays a catalytically independent role in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: α-Enolase is a glycolytic enzyme with "second jobs" beyond its catalytic activity. However, its possible contribution to cardiac dysfunction remains to be determined. The present study aimed to investigate the role of α-enolase in doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiomyopathy as well as the underlying mechanisms. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES: The expression of α-enolase was detected in rat hearts and primary cultured rat cardiomyocytes with or without Dox administration. An adenovirus carrying short-hairpin interfering RNA targeting α-enolase was constructed and transduced specifically into the heart by intramyocardial injection. Heart function, cell apoptosis and mitochondrial function were measured following Dox administration. In addition, by using gain- and loss-of-function approaches to regulate α-enolase expression in primary cultured rat cardiomyocytes, we investigated the role of endogenous, wide type and catalytically inactive mutant α-enolase in cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ATP generation. Furthermore, the involvement of α-enolase in AMPK phosphorylation was also studied. KEY RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of cardiac α-enolase was significantly upregulated by Dox. Genetic silencing of α-enolase in rat hearts and cultured cardiomyocytes attenuated Dox-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. In contrast, overexpression of wide-type or catalytically inactive α-enolase in cardiomyocytes mimicked the detrimental role of Dox in inducing apoptosis and ATP reduction. AMPK dephosphorylation was further demonstrated to be involved in the proapoptotic and ATP-depriving effects of α-enolase. CONCLUSION: Our findings provided the evidence that α-enolase has a catalytically independent role in inducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, which could be at least partially contributed to the inhibition of AMPK phosphorylation.

AG-690/11026014, a novel PARP-1 inhibitor, protects cardiomyocytes from AngII-induced hypertrophy.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) enzyme, as a sensor of DNA damage, could convert nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) into long poly(ADP-ribose) chains and regulate many cellular processes, including DNA repair, gene transcription, cell survival and chromatin remodeling. However, excessive activation of PARP-1 depletes its substrate NAD and leads to cell death. Mounting evidences have shown that PARP-1 overactivation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. In present study, a novel PARP-1 inhibitor AG-690/11026014 (6014) was identified based on virtual screening and validated by bioassay. Our results further showed that 6014 prevented the cardiomyocytes from AngII-induced hypertrophy, accompanying attenuation of the mRNA and protein expressions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and reduce in the cell surface area. Additionally, 6014 reversed the depletion ofcellular NAD and SIRT6 deacetylase activity induced by AngII in cardiomyocytes. These observations suggest that anti-hypertrophic effect of 6014 might be partially attributed to the rescue of NAD depletion and subsequent restoring of SIRT6 activity by inhibition of PARP-1. Moreover, 6014 attenuated the generation of oxidative stress via suppression of NADPH oxidase 2 and 4, which might probably contribute to the inhibition of PARP-1.

Syntheses of tanshinone anhydrides and their suppression on oxidized LDL uptake in macrophages and foam cell formation.

We synthesized eight tanshinone anhydrides and the alcoholytic derivatives through a mild oxygen-insertion under Pd/C catalytic hydrogenation conditions. The suppressive effects of the anhydrides on the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) uptake and the oxLDL-induced macrophage-derived foam cell formation were studied. Our results revealed that both anhydrides 1a and 2a could significantly suppress the oxLDL uptake in macrophages and the foam cell formation at micromolar level, which might be partially attributed to their inhibition of oxLDL-induced LOX-1 expression in macrophages.

Effect of pretreatments on the metal-ceramic bonding strength of a Pd-Ag alloy.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of surface treatments on the bonding properties between a metal and ceramic. METHODS: Sixty metal specimens were divided equally into four groups of 15 samples each. These groups received different treatments (Gr1: 250µm Al2O3+preoxidation; Gr2: 250µm Al2O3+degassing; Gr3: 120µm Al2O3+preoxidation; Gr4: 120µm Al2O3+degassing). Bond strengths were evaluated using a three-point bending test. The results were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy were used to observe the microscopic features, elemental compositions and distributions, and diffusion in the specimens. Mechanical profiler was used to measure the roughness of metal surface. RESULTS: The bond strengths of the four groups ranged from 45.00±3.63MPa to 51.61±5.91MPa, with significant differences (P<.05). The specimen that received the pretreatment of 250µm Al2O3 air-particle abrasion+degassing had the highest bond strength. Heating under different oxygen partial pressures caused the final Pd-Ag alloys to have varying degrees of internal oxidation and different quantities of metallic nodules. None of the elements in either the ceramic or the Pd-Ag alloy layer diffused into the other layer. CONCLUSIONS: The metal-ceramic specimen subjected to air-particle abrasion with 250µm Al2O3 and degassed before porcelain firing had significantly higher bond strength than specimens treated differently.