Melatonin improves the photosynthesis in Dracocephalum kotschyi under salinity stress in a Ca2+/CaM-dependent manner

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farinaz Vafadar ◽  
Rayhaneh Amooaghaie ◽  
Parviz Ehsanzadeh ◽  
Faezeh Ghanati
Keyword(s):  
Salinity Stress ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Dracocephalum Kotschyi

Melatonin and calcium modulate the production of rosmarinic acid, luteolin, and apigenin in Dracocephalum kotschyi under salinity stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 177 ◽  
pp. 112422
Author(s):  
Farinaz Vafadar ◽  
Rayhaneh Amooaghaie ◽  
Parviz Ehsanzadeh ◽  
Mustafa Ghanadian ◽  
Majid Talebi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salinity Stress ◽  
Rosmarinic Acid ◽  
Dracocephalum Kotschyi

scholarly journals Bronchodilator effect of apigenin and luteolin, two components of Dracocephalum kotschyi on isolated rabbit trachea

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Sadraei ◽  
Seyed Mostapha Ghanadian ◽  
Gholamreza Asghari ◽  
Aminreza Gavahian
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Tracheal Ring ◽  
Tracheal Smooth Muscle ◽  
Organ Bath ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Standard Drug ◽  
Solvent Fractionation ◽  
Dracocephalum Kotschyi

Introduction: Dracocephalum kotschyi is a native Iranian plant with antispasmodic activities on smooth muscles such as ileum and uterus. However, so far antispasmodic effect of D. kotschyi on tracheal smooth muscle has not been reported. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate antispasmodic activity of D. kotschyi extract and two of its components luteolin and apigenin on rabbit tracheal contraction in vitro. Methods: Rabbits were euthanized by carbon dioxide and the trachea was dissected and immersed in a Tyrode’s solution. Tracheal rings were prepared and mounted vertically in an organ bath at 37°C and gassed continuously with O2. The tracheal ring preparations were contracted with acetylcholine (ACh) and KCl. The isotonic tension was recorded before and after addition of aminophylline, apigenin, luteolin or flavonoids rich extract of D. kotschyi. Flavonoids rich extract were prepared from D. kotschyi using solvent-solvent fractionation technique. Results: Standard drug aminophylline, prevented tracheal ring preparation contracted with ACh. Cumulative addition of aminophylline also attenuated tonic contraction induced by KCl on tracheal smooth muscle. D. kotschyi extract at concentration ranges of 32-512 μg/mL in a concentration dependent manner inhibited KCl and ACh induced tracheal contraction. Apigenin and luteolin (range 16–512 μg/mL) relaxed KCl and ACh-induced contraction of tracheal smooth muscle in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that D. kotschyi extract is a relaxant of tracheal smooth muscle. The relaxant effect of D. kotschyi extract could be due to its flavonoids component such as apigenin and luteolin.

scholarly journals Antispasmodic effect of hydroalcoholic and flavonoids extracts of Dracocephalum kotschyi on rabbit bladder

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-152
Author(s):  
Hassan Sadraei ◽  
Seyed Ebrahim Sajjadi ◽  
Arefe Tarafdar
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
The Other ◽  
Organ Bath ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Bladder Smooth Muscle ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Standard Drug ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Dracocephalum Kotschyi ◽  
Rabbit Bladder

Introduction: Dracocephalum kotschyi extract has antispasmodic activities on smooth muscle including ileum, uterus and trachea. The objective of this research was to investigate antispasmodic activity of hydroalcoholic and flavonoids extracts of D. kotschyi on rabbit bladder contractions. Methods: Rabbits were euthanized by carbon dioxide asphyxiation and the whole bladder was dissected out and immersed in the Tyrode’s solution. Longitudinal bladder strips were mounted vertically in an organ bath at 37°C and gassed continuously with O2 . Bladder strips were contracted with acetylcholine (ACh), KCl, or electrical field stimulation (EFS). Isotonic tension of the tissue was recorded before and after addition of hydroalcoholic or flavonoids rich extracts of D. kotschyi. Nifedipine and propantheline were used as standard drugs. Results: Standard drug propantheline, prevented bladder phasic contraction induced by ACh (1µM) without affecting KCl response. On the other hand, cumulative addition of nifedipine attenuated the tonic contractions induced by KCl (20mM) on bladder smooth muscle. Hydroalcoholic and flavonoids extracts of D. kotschyiat concentration ranges of 10-320 µg/ mL in a concentration dependent way inhibited bladder tonic contraction induced by KCl (n=6). Both extracts also in a concentration-dependent manner relaxed EFS and ACh-induced contractions (range, 20–1280 µg/mL) of bladder smooth muscle in vitro. Complete inhibition was achieved with the highest used concentrations of the extracts. The inhibitory effect of the extract was reversible following washing the tissues with fresh Tyrode’s solution. Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrated that D. kotschyi extracts were able to prevent contractions induced by ACh, KCl or EFS in isolated rabbit bladder. This means that people consuming this medicinal plant may face urinary retention which could be a problem for patients with prostate hypertrophy. On the other hand, this plant might be useful in patients with urinary incontinence. However, its usefulness must be assessed in the controlled clinical trials.

Immunogold labeling of the calcium binding protein synexin in isolated adrenal chromaffin granules and chromaffin cells

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 952-953
Author(s):  
Gemma A.J. Kuijpers ◽  
Harvey B. Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Medulla ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Chromaffin Granules ◽  
Immuno Electron Microscopy ◽  
Ultrathin Sections ◽  
Adrenal Chromaffin

Exocytotic fusion of granules in the adrenal medulla chromaffin cell is triggered by a rise in the concentration of cytosolic Ca2+ upon cell activation. The protein synexin, annexin VII, was originally found in the adrenal medulla and has been shown to cause aggregation and to support fusion of chromaffin granules in a Ca2+-dependent manner. We have previously suggested that synexin may there fore play a role in the exocytotic fusion process. In order to obtain more structural information on synexin, we performed immuno-electron microscopy on frozen ultrathin sections of both isolated chromaffin granules and chromaffin cells.Chromaffin granules were isolated from bovine adrenal medulla, and synexin was isolated from bovine lung. Granules were incubated in the presence or absence of synexin (24 μg per mg granule protein) and Ca2+ (1 mM), which induces maximal granule aggregation, in 0.3M sucrose-40m MMES buffer(pH 6.0). Granules were pelleted, washed twice in buffer without synexin and fixed with 2% glutaraldehyde- 2% para formaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (GA/PFA) for 30 min. Chromaffin cells were isolated and cultured for 3-5 days, and washed and incubated in Krebs solution with or without 20 uM nicotine. Cells were fixed 90 sec after on set of stimulation with GA/PFA for 30 min. Fixed granule or cell pellets were washed, infiltrated with 2.3 M sucrose in PBS, mounted and frozen in liquid N2.

Spindle scaling mechanisms

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-396
Author(s):  
Lara K. Krüger ◽  
Phong T. Tran
Keyword(s):  
Cell Size ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Chromosome Separation ◽  
Spindle Elongation ◽  
Protein Gradients ◽  
Spindle Structure

Abstract The mitotic spindle robustly scales with cell size in a plethora of different organisms. During development and throughout evolution, the spindle adjusts to cell size in metazoans and yeast in order to ensure faithful chromosome separation. Spindle adjustment to cell size occurs by the scaling of spindle length, spindle shape and the velocity of spindle assembly and elongation. Different mechanisms, depending on spindle structure and organism, account for these scaling relationships. The limited availability of critical spindle components, protein gradients, sequestration of spindle components, or post-translational modification and differential expression levels have been implicated in the regulation of spindle length and the spindle assembly/elongation velocity in a cell size-dependent manner. In this review, we will discuss the phenomenon and mechanisms of spindle length, spindle shape and spindle elongation velocity scaling with cell size.

The Anti-Atherogenic Properties of Sesamin are Mediated via Improved Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux Through PPARγ1-LXRα and MAPK Signaling

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 79-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin F. Majdalawieh ◽  
Hyo-Sung Ro
Keyword(s):  
Cholesterol Efflux ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Foam Cell ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Foam Cell Formation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux

Background: Foam cell formation resulting from disrupted macrophage cholesterol efflux, which is triggered by PPARγ1 and LXRα, is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Sesamin and sesame oil exert anti-atherogenic effects in vivo. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying such effects are not fully understood. Aim: This study examines the potential effects of sesamin (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 μM) on PPARγ1 and LXRα expression and transcriptional activity as well as macrophage cholesterol efflux. Methods: PPARγ1 and LXRα expression and transcriptional activity are assessed by luciferase reporter assays. Macrophage cholesterol efflux is evaluated by ApoAI-specific cholesterol efflux assays. Results: The 50 μM, 75 μM, and 100 μM concentrations of sesamin up-regulated the expression of PPARγ1 (p< 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) and LXRα (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, 75 μM and 100 μM concentrations of sesamin led to 5.2-fold (p < 0.001) and 6.0-fold (p<0.001) increases in PPAR transcriptional activity and 3.9-fold (p< 0.001) and 4.2-fold (p < 0.001) increases in LXR transcriptional activity, respectively, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner via MAPK signaling. Consistently, 50 μM, 75 μM, and 100 μM concentrations of sesamin improved macrophage cholesterol efflux by 2.7-fold (p < 0.001), 4.2-fold (p < 0.001), and 4.2-fold (p < 0.001), respectively, via MAPK signaling. Conclusion: Our findings shed light on the molecular mechanism(s) underlying sesamin’s anti-atherogenic effects, which seem to be due, at least in part, to its ability to up-regulate PPARγ1 and LXRα expression and transcriptional activity, improving macrophage cholesterol efflux. We anticipate that sesamin may be used as a therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.

Vitamin D Supplementation and Serum Levels of Magne-sium and Selenium in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: Gender Dimorphic Changes

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasser M. Al-Daghri ◽  
Khalid M. Alkharfy ◽  
Nasiruddin Khan ◽  
Hanan A. Alfawaz ◽  
Abdulrahman S. Al-Ajlan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Serum Selenium ◽  
Dependent Manner

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on circulating levels of magnesium and selenium in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 126 adult Saudi patients (55 men and 71 women, mean age 53.6 ± 10.7 years) with controlled T2DM were randomly recruited for the study. All subjects were given vitamin D3 tablets (2000 IU/day) for six months. Follow-up mean concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH) vitamin D] significantly increased in both men (34.1 ± 12.4 to 57.8 ± 17.0 nmol/L) and women (35.7 ± 13.5 to 60.1 ± 18.5 nmol/L, p < 0.001), while levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) decreased significantly in both men (1.6 ± 0.17 to 0.96 ± 0.10 pmol/L, p = 0.003) and women (1.6 ± 0.17 to 1.0 ± 0.14 pmol/L, p = 0.02). In addition, there was a significant increase in serum levels of selenium and magnesium in men and women (p-values < 0.001 and 0.04, respectively) after follow-up. In women, a significant correlation was observed between delta change (variables at six months-variable at baseline) of serum magnesium versus high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (r = 0.36, p = 0.006) and fasting glucose (r = - 0.33, p = 0.01). In men, there was a significant correlation between serum selenium and triglycerides (r = 0.32, p = 0.04). Vitamin D supplementation improves serum concentrations of magnesium and selenium in a gender-dependent manner, which in turn could affect several cardiometabolic parameters such as glucose and lipids.

Duffy antigen / receptor for chemokines correlates with inflammatory reaction in rats with venous hypertension: implication for the pathogenesis of primary chronic venous disease

VASA ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weibin Huang ◽  
Weiwei Qin ◽  
Lei Lv ◽  
Haoyv Deng ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Antigen Receptor ◽  
Venous Hypertension ◽  
Skin Tissue ◽  
Chronic Venous Disease ◽  
Venous Disease ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Duffy Antigen

Background: Duffy antigen / receptor for chemokines (DARC) possesses high affinity for several chemokine subgroups of CC and CXC. Although DARC has been shown to play a role in many inflammatory diseases, its effect on chronic venous disease (CVD) remains unidentified. We explored whether the expression of DARC in skin tissue was activated under venous hypertension as well as the relationships between DARC and inflammation. Materials and methods: The inflammation in a rat model of venous hypertension caused by a femoral arterial-venous fistula (AVF) was studied. At specified intervals the pressure in the femoral veins was recorded within 42 days. Hindlimb skin specimens were harvested at different time points. The expressions of DARC, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in skin tissue were examined. Mononuclear cells infiltrated in skin tissue were detected. Results: Femoral venous pressures in AVF groups increased significantly at different time points (P < 0.01). DARC was expressed in skin tissue and its expression level increased significantly in AVF groups from the 7nd day on and was enhanced in a time-dependent manner within 42 days (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, both MCP-1 and IL-8 had higher levels, accompanied by increased mononuclear cells infiltrating into skin tissue (P < 0.05). Conclusions: A rat AVF model which can maintain venous hypertension for at least 42 days is competent for researching the pathogenesis of CVD. DARC, which plays a role in the inflammation of skin tissue under venous hypertension, may become a new molecular target for diagnosis and treatment of CVD at a very early stage.

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