scholarly journals Ma xing shi gan decoction eliminates PM2.5-induced lung injury by reducing pulmonary cell apoptosis through Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway in rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yefang Wang ◽  
Bo Zhao ◽  
Yuxiang Fei ◽  
Qiyang Yin ◽  
Jianping Zhu ◽  
...  

Abstract The present study was designed to investigate the anti-apoptosis effect of Ma xing shi gan decoction (MXD) on PM2.5-induced lung injury via protein kinase B (Akt)/mTOR/p70S6K pathway. A UPLC-MS/MS system was introduced for component analysis of MXD. Rats were instilled with PM2.5 solution suspension intratracheally to induce acute lung injury. The rats were then orally administered with MXD (16, 8, and 4 g/kg) once a day for 7 consecutive days. The therapeutic effects of MXD were evaluated by Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining. The apoptotic cell death was analyzed by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The alterations in cytochrome c (Cytc) and cleaved-caspase-3 (C-caspase-3) were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The expressions of Bax, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), p-Akt, p-mTOR and p-p70S6K were detected by Western blot. In vitro, PM2.5 exposure model was introduced in A549 cell, followed by incubation with MXD-medicated serum. Hoechst staining was used to determine apoptotic rate. The levels of Bax, Bcl-2, p-Akt, p-mTOR and p-p70S6K were detected by Western blot. Our results in vivo indicated that treatment with MXD decreased histopathological changes score, TUNEL-positive cells rate, expressions of Cytc and C-caspase-3. The in vitro results revealed that incubation with MXD-mediated serum decreased apoptotic rate. Both results in vivo and in vitro demonstrated that MXD inhibited pro-apoptotic protein Bax and promoted anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression. Likewise, MXD activated Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signal pathway, which was also confirmed by Western immunoblotting. In conclusion, MXD attenuates lung injury and the underlying mechanisms may relate to regulating the apoptosis via Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway activation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 030006052098635
Author(s):  
Qi Gao ◽  
Ningqing Chang ◽  
Donglian Liu

Objectives To investigate the mechanisms underlying the protective effect of sufentanil against acute lung injury (ALI). Material and Methods Rats were administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by endotracheal instillation to establish a model of ALI. LPS was used to stimulate BEAS-2B cells. The targets and promoter activities of IκB were assessed using a luciferase reporter assay. Apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. Results Sufentanil treatment markedly reduced pathological changes in lung tissue, pulmonary edema and secretion of inflammatory factors associated with ALI in vivo and in vitro. In addition, sufentanil suppressed apoptosis induced by LPS and activated NF-κB both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, upregulation of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) protein levels and downregulation of miR-129-5p levels were observed in vivo and in vitro following sufentanil treatment. miR-129-5p targeted the 3ʹ untranslated region and its inhibition decreased promoter activities of IκB-α. miR-129-5p inhibition significantly weakened the protective effect of sufentanil on LPS-treated BEAS-2B cells. Conclusion Sufentanil regulated the miR-129-5p/HMGB1 axis to enhance IκB-α expression, suggesting that sufentanil represents a candidate drug for ALI protection and providing avenues for clinical treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junli Sun ◽  
Keke Xin ◽  
Chenghui Leng ◽  
Jianlin Ge

Abstract Background Long noncoding RNAs contribute to various inflammatory diseases, including sepsis. We explore the role of small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) in sepsis-mediated acute lung injury (ALI) and inflammation. Methods A sepsis-induced ALI rat model was constructed by the cecal ligation and perforation method. The profiles of SNHG16, miR-128-3p, and high-mobility group box 3 (HMGB3) were monitored by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blot. The pathologic changes of lung tissues were evaluated by Hematoxylin–Eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and dry and wet method. Meanwhile, the pro-inflammatory factors and proteins were determined by ELISA and Western blot. In contrast, a sepsis model in BEAS-2B was induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to verify the effects of SNHG16/miR-128-3p/HMGB3 on lung epithelial cell viability and apoptosis. Results As a result, SNHG16 and HMGB3 were up-regulated, while miR-128-3p was down-regulated in sepsis-induced ALI both in vivo and in vitro. Inhibiting SNHG16 reduced the apoptosis and inflammation in the sepsis-induced ALI model. Overexpressing SNHG16 promoted LPS-mediated lung epithelial apoptosis and inhibited cell viability and inflammation, while miR-128-3p had the opposite effects. Mechanistically, SNHG16 targeted miR-128-3p and attenuated its expression, while miR-128-3p targeted the 3′ untranslated region of HMGB3. Conclusions Overall, down-regulating SNHG16 alleviated the sepsis-mediated ALI by regulating miR-128-3p/HMGB3.


Author(s):  
Zonghao Tang ◽  
Renfeng Xu ◽  
Zhenghong Zhang ◽  
Congjian Shi ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
...  

Owing to the avascular structure of the ovarian follicle, proliferation of granulosa cells (GCs) and development of follicles occur under hypoxia, which is obviously different from the cell survival requirements of most mammalian cells. We hypothesized that autophagy may exert an inhibitory effect on GC apoptosis. To decipher the underlying mechanism, we constructed a rat follicular development model using pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and a cell culture experiment in hypoxic conditions (3% O2). The present results showed that the autophagy level was obviously increased and was accompanied by the concomitant elevation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α and BNIP3 (Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19kDa-interacting protein 3) in GCs during follicular development. The levels of Bax (Bcl2-associated X) and Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2) were increased, while the activation of caspase-3 exhibited no obvious changes during follicular development. However, inhibition of HIF-1α attenuated the increase in Bcl-2 and promoted the increase in Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, we observed the downregulation of BNIP3 and the decrease in autophagy after treatment with a specific HIF-1α activity inhibitor (echinomycin), indicating that HIF-1α/BNIP3 was involved in autophagy regulation in GCs in vivo. In an in vitro study, we also found that hypoxia did not obviously promote GC apoptosis, while it significantly enhanced the activation of HIF-1α/BNIP3 and the induction of autophagy. Expectedly, this effect could be reversed by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) treatment. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that hypoxia drives the activation of HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling, which induces an increase in autophagy, protecting GC from apoptosis during follicular development.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 200-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han-Qing Liu ◽  
Ying-Ming Wang ◽  
Wan-Fang Li ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Zhi-Huan Jiang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the anti-psoriasis effects of α-(8-quinolinoxy) zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc-F7)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to reveal its mechanisms. Methods: HaCaT cells were used to observe the influence of ZnPc-F7-PDT on cell proliferation in vitro. The in vivo anti-psoriasis effects of ZnPc-F7-PDT were evaluated using a mouse vagina model, a propranolol-induced cavy psoriasis model and an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced nude mouse psoriasis model. Flow cytometry was carried out to determine T lymphocyte levels. Western blotting was performed to determine protein expression, and a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test was performed to determine mRNA expression. Results: The results showed that ZnPc-F7-PDT significantly inhibited the proliferation of HaCaT cells in vitro; when the light doses were fixed, changing the irradiation time or output power had little influence on the inhibition rate. ZnPc-F7-PDT significantly inhibited the hyperproliferation of mouse vaginal epithelium induced by diethylstilbestrol and improved propranolol- and IMQ-induced psoriasis-like symptoms. ZnPc-F7-PDT inhibited IMQ-induced splenomegaly and T lymphocyte abnormalities. ZnPc-F7-PDT did not appear to change T lymphocytes in the mouse vagina model. ZnPc-F7-PDT down-regulated the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), interleukin (IL)-17A mRNA and IL-17F mRNA, and up-regulated the expression of Bax. Conclusion: In conclusion, ZnPc-F7-PDT exhibited therapeutic effects in psoriasis both in vitro and in vivo and is a potential approach in the treatment of psoriasis. Potential mechanisms of these effects included the inhibition of hyperproliferation; regulation of PCNA, Bcl-2, Bax, IL-17A mRNA and IL-17F mRNA expression; and immune regulation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Gwang Park ◽  
Young-Jin Son ◽  
Tae Ho Lee ◽  
Nam Joon Baek ◽  
Deok Hyo Yoon ◽  
...  

Cordyceps militaris is used widely as a traditional medicine in East Asia. Although a few studies have attempted to elucidate the anticancer activities of C. militaris, the precise mechanism of C. militaris therapeutic effects is not fully understood. We examined the anticancer activities of C. militaris ethanolic extract (Cm-EE) and its cellular and molecular mechanisms. For this purpose, a xenograft mouse model bearing murine T cell lymphoma (RMA) cell-derived cancers was established to investigate in vivo anticancer mechanisms. MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay, immunoblotting analysis, and flow cytometric assay were employed to check in vitro cytotoxicity, molecular targets, and proapoptotic action of Cm-EE. Interestingly, cancer sizes and mass were reduced in a C. militaris-administered group. Levels of the phosphorylated forms of p85 and AKT were clearly decreased in the group administered with Cm-EE. This result indicated that levels of phosphoglycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) and cleaved caspase-3 were increased with orally administered Cm-EE. In addition, Cm-EE directly inhibited the viability of cultured RMA cells and C6 glioma cells. The number of proapoptotic cells was significantly increased in a Cm-EE treated group compared with a control group. Our results suggested that C. militaris might be able to inhibit cancer growth through regulation of p85/AKT-dependent or GSK3β-related caspase-3-dependent apoptosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengqing Tao ◽  
Jia Jiang ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Qingcheng Mao ◽  
...  

α-Mangostin (MAN) is a bioactive xanthone isolated from mangosteen. This study was designed to investigate its therapeutic effects on acute lung injury (ALI) and explore the underlying mechanisms of action. Rats from treatment groups were subject to oral administration of MAN for 3 consecutive days beforehand, and then ALI was induced in all the rats except for normal controls via an intraperitoneal injection with lipopolysaccharide. The severity of disease was evaluated by histological examination and hematological analysis. Protein expressions in tissues and cells were examined with immunohistochemical and immunoblotting methods, respectively. The levels of cytokines and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) were determined using ELISA and colorimetric kits, respectively. It was found that MAN treatment significantly improved histological conditions, reduced leucocytes counts, relieved oxidative stress, and declined TNF-α levels in ALI rats. Meanwhile, MAN treatment decreased expressions of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and Sirt1 both in vivo and in vitro, which was accompanied with a synchronized decline of NAD and TNF-α. Immunoblotting assay further showed that MAN downregulated HMGB1, TLR4, and p-p65 in RAW 264.7 cells. MAN induced declines of both HMGB1/TLR4/p-p65 and TNF-α were substantially reversed by cotreatment with nicotinamide mononucleotide or NAD. These results suggest that downregulation of NAMPT/NAD by MAN treatments contributes to the alleviation of TLR4/NF-κB-mediated inflammations in macrophage, which is essential for amelioration of ALI in rats.


Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 91 (9) ◽  
pp. 3379-3389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinichi Kitada ◽  
Janet Andersen ◽  
Sophie Akar ◽  
Juan M. Zapata ◽  
Shinichi Takayama ◽  
...  

Abstract B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) represents a neoplastic disorder caused primarily by defective programmed cell death (PCD), as opposed to increased cell proliferation. Defects in the PCD pathway also contribute to chemoresistance. The expression of several apoptosis-regulating proteins, including the Bcl-2 family proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1, Bax, Bak, and BAD; the Bcl-2–binding protein BAG-1; and the cell death protease Caspase-3 (CPP32), was evaluated by immunoblotting using 58 peripheral blood B-CLL specimens from previously untreated patients. Expression of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, BAG-1, Bax, Bak, and Caspase-3 was commonly found in circulating B-CLL cells, whereas the Bcl-XL and BAD proteins were not present. Higher levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 were strongly correlated with failure to achieve complete remission (CR) after single-agent therapy (fludarabine or chlorambucil) (P = .001), but the presence of only seven CRs among the 42 patients for whom follow-up data were available necessitates cautious interpretation of these observations. Higher levels of the anti-apoptotic protein BAG-1 were also marginally associated with failure to achieve CR (P = .04). Apoptosis-regulating proteins were not associated with patient age, sex, Rai stage, platelet count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, or lymph node involvement, although higher levels of Bcl-2 and a high Bcl-2:Bax ratio were correlated with high numbers (>105/μL) of white blood cells (WBC) (P = .01; .007) and higher levels of Bak were weakly associated with loss of allelic heterozygosity at 13q14 (P = .04). On the basis of measurements of apoptosis induction by fludarabine using cultured B-CLL specimens, in vitro chemosensitivity data failed to correlate with in vivo clinical response rates (n = 42) and expression of the various apoptosis-regulating proteins. Although larger prospective studies are required before firm conclusions can be reached, these studies show the expression in B-CLLs of multiple apoptosis-regulating proteins and suggest that the relative levels of some of these, such as Mcl-1, may provide information about in vivo responses to chemotherapy. In vitro chemosensitivity data, however, do not appear to be particularly useful in predicting responses in B-CLL.


2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 644-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xilin Xu ◽  
Hang Lv ◽  
Xiaodong Li ◽  
Hui Su ◽  
Xiaofeng Zhang ◽  
...  

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a traditional Chinese medicine herb that can alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) (Söder et al. 2006) in animals. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood and require further investigation. In this study, rabbits with experimentally induced OA were given an intra-articular injection of danshen (0.7 mL/day) for 5 weeks. In addition to attenuating the cartilage degeneration of OA in the rabbits, danshen decreased the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and MMP-13, and increased the expression of their natural inhibitors: tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2. Apoptosis in osteoarthritic cartilage tissues was attenuated by danshen, accompanied with increased expression of B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and decreased levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Further, danshen inhibited the nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65 in osteoarthritic cartilage. The therapeutic effects of danshen in vivo were comparable to that of sodium hyaluronate, which is a drug used clinically for the treatment OA. In vitro, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was used to stimulate apoptosis in primary rabbit chondrocytes. We found that the SNP-induced apoptosis was mitigated by danshen. BAY11-7028, an inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway, augmented danshen’s anti-apoptotic effects in cells exposed to SNP. When these results are considered together, they indicate that danshen alleviates the cartilage injury in rabbit OA through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingjuan Cui ◽  
Xiaoyan Jiang ◽  
Chengjun Zhang ◽  
Danxia Li ◽  
Shengqiang Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Many clinical studies have been conducted on ketamine-associated cystitis. However, the underlying mechanisms of ketamine-associated cystitis still remain unclear. Bladder tissues of rats were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE). The viability of human uroepithelial cells (SV-HUC-1 cells) was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined by flow cytometry. Additionally, the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β and IL-18 were respectively determined by reverse transcription quantitative (RTq)-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein levels of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cleaved caspase 3, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3), thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), Catalase and MnSOD were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Small interfering RNA target TXNIP transfection was performed using Lipofectamine™ 2000. We found that ketamine effectively damaged bladder tissues of rats and promoted apoptosis through regulating the expression levels of GRP78, CHOP, Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved Caspase-3 proteins in vivo and in vitro. NLRP3 inflammatory body and TXNIP were activated by ketamine, which was supported by the changes in TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1 and IL-18 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, knocking down TXNIP reversed the effects of ketamine on apoptosis and NLRP3 inflammatory body in SV-HUC-1 cells. Meanwhile, the changes of Catalase and MnSOD showed that ROS was enhanced by ketamine, however, such an effect was ameliorated by down-regulation of TXNIP in SV-HUC-1 cells. Ketamine promoted cell apoptosis and induced inflammation in vivo and in vitro by regulating NLRP3/TXNIP aix.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt Eggers ◽  
Jana Marciniak ◽  
Svenja Memmert ◽  
Gunar Wagner ◽  
James Deschner ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has recently been identified as a novel therapeutic strategy for supporting processes of wound healing. Since CAP is additionally known to kill malignant cells, our study intends to determine the influence of CAP on crucial molecules involved in the molecular mechanism of apoptosis in osteoblast-like cells. Methods Human osteoblast-like cells were CAP-treated for 30 and 60 s. CAP effects on critical factors related to apoptosis were studied at transcriptional and protein level using real time-PCR, immunofluorescence staining and western blot. Phalloidin / DAPI staining was used for analyzing the cell morphology. In addition, apoptotic outcomes of CAP were displayed using flow cytometry analysis. For studying intracellular signaling pathways, MAP kinase MEK 1/2 and PI3K were blocked. Finally, the effects of CAP on caspase-3 activity were examined using a caspase-3 assay. Results CAP treatment resulted in a significant downregulation of p53 and apoptotic protease activating factor (APAF)-1, caspase (CASP)9, CASP3, BCL2 Antagonist/Killer (BAK)1, and B-Cell Lymphoma (BCL)2 mRNA expression at 1 d. An inhibitory effect of CAP on apoptotic genes was also shown under inflammatory and apoptotic conditions. Nuclear translocation of p53 was determined in CAP treated cells at the early and late stage, after 15 min, 30 min, and 1 h. p53 and APAF-1 protein levels were reduced at 1 d, visualized by immunofluorescence and western blot, respectively. Moreover, a morphological cytoskeleton modification was observed after CAP treatment at 1 d. Further, both CAP-treated and untreated (control) cells remained equally vital as detected by flow cytometry analysis. Interestingly, CAP-associated downregulation of CASP9 and CASP3 mRNA gene expression was also visible after blocking MAP kinase and PI3K. Finally, CAP led to a decrease in CASP3 activity in osteoblast-like cells under normal and apoptotic conditions. Conclusions Our in vitro-study demonstrated, that CAP decreases apoptosis related molecules in osteoblast-like cells, underlining a beneficial effect on hard-tissue cells.


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