scholarly journals Nobiletin enhances the development and quality of bovine embryos in vitro during two key periods of embryonic genome activation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Cañón-Beltrán ◽  
Yulia N. Cajas ◽  
Serafín Peréz-Cerezales ◽  
Claudia L. V. Leal ◽  
Ekaitz Agirregoitia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Akt Signaling ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Akt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Development In Vitro

AbstractIn vitro culture can alter the development and quality of bovine embryos. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether nobiletin supplementation during EGA improves embryonic development and blastocyst quality and if it affects PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In vitro zygotes were cultured in SOF + 5% FCS (Control) or supplemented with 5, 10 or 25 µM nobiletin (Nob5, Nob10, Nob25) or with 0.03% dimethyl-sulfoxide (CDMSO) during minor (2 to 8-cell stage; MNEGA) or major (8 to 16-cell stage; MJEGA) EGA phase. Blastocyst yield on Day 8 was higher in Nob5 (42.7 ± 1.0%) and Nob10 (44.4 ± 1.3%) for MNEGA phase and in Nob10 (61.0 ± 0.8%) for MJEGA phase compared to other groups. Mitochondrial activity was higher and lipid content was reduced in blastocysts produced with nobiletin, irrespective of EGA phase. The mRNA abundance of CDK2, H3-3B, H3-3A, GPX1, NFE2L2 and PPARα transcripts was increased in 8-cells, 16-cells and blastocysts from nobiletin groups. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed immunoreactive proteins for p-AKT forms (Thr308 and Ser473) in bovine blastocysts produced with nobiletin. In conclusion, nobiletin supplementation during EGA has a positive effect on preimplantation bovine embryonic development in vitro and corroborates on the quality improvement of the produced blastocysts which could be modulated by the activation of AKT signaling pathway.

scholarly journals Baicalin improves the in vitro developmental capacity of pig embryos by inhibiting apoptosis, regulating mitochondrial activity and activating sonic hedgehog signaling

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 538-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Guo ◽  
Mei-Fu Xuan ◽  
Zhao-Bo Luo ◽  
Jun-Xia Wang ◽  
Sheng-Zhong Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Sonic Hedgehog ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Shh Signaling ◽  
Developmental Capacity

Abstract Baicalin, a traditional Chinese medicinal monomer whose chemical structure is known, can be used to treat female infertility. However, the effect of baicalin on embryonic development is unknown. This study investigated the effects of baicalin on in vitro development of parthenogenetically activated (PA) and in vitro fertilized (IVF) pig embryos and the underlying mechanisms involved. Treatment with 0.1 μg/ml baicalin significantly improved (P < 0.05) the in vitro developmental capacity of PA pig embryos by reducing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and apoptosis and increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and ATP level. mRNA and protein expression of sonic hedgehog (SHH) and GLI1, which are related to the SHH signaling pathway, in PA pig embryos at the 2-cell stage, were significantly higher in the baicalin-treated group than in the control group. To confirm that the SHH signaling pathway is involved in the mechanism by which baicalin improves embryonic development, we treated embryos with baicalin in the absence or presence of cyclopamine (Cy), an inhibitor of this pathway. Cy abolished the effects of baicalin on in vitro embryonic development. In conclusion, baicalin improves the in vitro developmental capacity of PA and IVF pig embryos by inhibiting ROS production and apoptosis, regulating mitochondrial activity and activating SHH signaling.

Capn4 aggravates angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy by activating the IGF-AKT signaling pathway

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanping Cao ◽  
Qun Wang ◽  
Caiyun Liu ◽  
Wenjun Wang ◽  
Songqing Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Akt Signaling ◽  
Calpain Inhibitor ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Akt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Calpain Activity

Abstract Capn4 belongs to a family of calpains that participate in a wide variety of biological functions, but little is known about the role of Capn4 in cardiac disease. Here, we show that the expression of Capn4 was significantly increased in Angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated cardiomyocytes and Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophic mouse hearts. Importantly, in agreement with the Capn4 expression patterns, the maximal calpain activity measured in heart homogenates was elevated in Ang II-treated mice, and oral coadministration of SNJ-1945 (calpain inhibitor) attenuated the total calpain activity measured in vitro. Functional assays indicated that overexpression of Capn4 obviously aggravated Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, whereas Capn4 knockdown resulted in the opposite phenotypes. Further investigation demonstrated that Capn4 maintained the activation of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-AKT signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes by increasing c-Jun expression. Mechanistic investigations revealed that Capn4 directly bound and stabilized c-Jun, and knockdown of Capn4 increased the ubiquitination level of c-Jun in cardiomyocytes. Additionally, our results demonstrated that the antihypertrophic effect of Capn4 silencing was partially dependent on the inhibition of c-Jun. Overall, these data suggested that Capn4 contributes to cardiac hypertrophy by enhancing the c-Jun-mediated IGF-AKT signaling pathway and could be a potential therapeutic target for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A77 1726 (leflunomide) blocks and reverses cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice

2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (6) ◽  
pp. 685-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen-Guo Ma ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Yu-Pei Yuan ◽  
Ya-Ge Jin ◽  
Ning Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Pressure Overload ◽  
Akt Signaling ◽  
Akt Signaling Pathway

T-cell infiltration and the subsequent increased intracardial chronic inflammation play crucial roles in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure (HF). A77 1726, the active metabolite of leflunomide, has been reported to have powerful anti-inflammatory and T cell-inhibiting properties. However, the effect of A77 1726 on cardiac hypertrophy remains completely unknown. Herein, we found that A77 1726 treatment attenuated pressure overload or angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo, as well as agonist-induced hypertrophic response of cardiomyocytes in vitro. In addition, we showed that A77 1726 administration prevented induction of cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting cardiac fibroblast (CF) transformation into myofibroblast. Surprisingly, we found that the protective effect of A77 1726 was not dependent on its T lymphocyte-inhibiting property. A77 1726 suppressed the activation of protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway, and overexpression of constitutively active AKT completely abolished A77 1726-mediated cardioprotective effects in vivo and in vitro. Pretreatment with siRNA targetting Fyn (si Fyn) blunted the protective effect elicited by A77 1726 in vitro. More importantly, A77 1726 was capable of blocking pre-established cardiac hypertrophy in mice. In conclusion, A77 1726 attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis via inhibiting FYN/AKT signaling pathway.

Cyanidin inhibits EMT induced by oxaliplatinviatargeting the PDK1–PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 592-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Li ◽  
Ze-sheng Zhang ◽  
Xiao-han Zhang ◽  
Sheng-nan Yang ◽  
Dong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antitumor Activity ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Akt Signaling ◽  
Akt Signaling Pathway

Anthocyanins have been shown to exhibit antitumor activity in several cancersin vitroandin vivo.

scholarly journals Luteolin Exerts Cardioprotective Effects through Improving Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase Activity in Rats during Ischemia/Reperfusion In Vivo

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changsheng Nai ◽  
Haochen Xuan ◽  
Yingying Zhang ◽  
Mengxiao Shen ◽  
Tongda Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Myocardial Infarct ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Akt Signaling ◽  
Myocardial Infarct Size ◽  
Akt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cardioprotective Effects

The flavonoid luteolin exists in many types of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. Our previous studies have demonstrated that luteolin reduced ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in vitro, which was related with sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) activity. However, the effects of luteolin on SERCA2a activity during I/R in vivo remain unclear. To investigate whether luteolin exerts cardioprotective effects and to monitor changes in SERCA2a expression and activity levels in vivo during I/R, we created a myocardial I/R rat model by ligating the coronary artery. We demonstrated that luteolin could reduce the myocardial infarct size, lactate dehydrogenase release, and apoptosis during I/R injury in vivo. Furthermore, we found that luteolin inhibited the I/R-induced decrease in SERCA2a activity in vivo. However, neither I/R nor luteolin altered SERCA2a expression levels in myocardiocytes. Moreover, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway played a vital role in this mechanism. In conclusion, the present study has confirmed for the first time that luteolin yields cardioprotective effects against I/R injury by inhibiting the I/R-induced decrease in SERCA2a activity partially via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in vivo, independent of SERCA2a protein level regulation. SERCA2a activity presents a novel biomarker to assess the progress of I/R injury in experimental research and clinical applications.

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