Zinc is essential for the transcription function of the PGC-1α/Nrf2 signaling pathway in human primary endometrial stromal cells

Zinc (Zn) has antioxidant effect in different types of organs and is closely associated with human health. Endometrial receptivity is one of the most important factors in the embryo implantation and development. However, the regulatory mechanism of Zn in endometrium tissue is still unclear. In the study, we found that plasma Zn level is significantly associated with female infertility, which severely affects female reproductive health. Primary endometrial stromal cells were isolated from female endometrium and cultured in the laboratory. Zn chelator TPEN treatment reduced the expression of stem cell markers CD73, CD90, and CD105 and generated reactive oxygen species in endometrial stromal cells. However, pretreatment of Zn (zinc sulfate) is able to prevent TPEN-induced oxidative stress in vitro. By transcriptional profiling and gene ontology analysis, we found that Zn increased the cellular pluripotency signaling and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, but reduced autophagy, endocytosis, and the nitrogen metabolism pathway. We further discovered the antioxidant function of Zn through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α/nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor signaling pathway in endometrial stromal cells. Zn supplementation may open up an effective therapeutic approach for patients with oxidative stress-related endometrial diseases.

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Ganoderic Acid D Protects Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cells against Oxidative Stress-Induced Senescence through the PERK/NRF2 Signaling Pathway

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2020/8291413 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Yan Xu ◽

Huan Yuan ◽

Yi Luo ◽

Yu-Jie Zhao ◽

Jian-Hui Xiao

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Adult Stem Cells ◽

Telomerase Activity ◽

Related Factor ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Ganoderic Acid ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Aging is an important risk factor in the occurrence of many chronic diseases. Senescence and exhaustion of adult stem cells are considered as a hallmark of aging in organisms. In this study, a senescent human amniotic mesenchymal stem cell (hAMSC) model subjected to oxidative stress was established in vitro using hydrogen peroxide. We investigated the effects of ganoderic acid D (GA-D), a natural triterpenoid compound produced from Ganoderma lucidum, on hAMSC senescence. GA-D significantly inhibited β-galactosidase (a senescence-associated marker) formation, in a dose-dependent manner, with doses ranging from 0.1 μM to 10 μM, without inducing cytotoxic side-effects. Furthermore, GA-D markedly inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of p21 and p16 proteins, relieved the cell cycle arrest, and enhanced telomerase activity in senescent hAMSCs. Furthermore, GA-D upregulated the expression of phosphorylated protein kinase R- (PKR-) like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), peroxidase III (PRDX3), and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2) and promoted intranuclear transfer of NRF2 in senescent cells. The PERK inhibitor GSK2656157 and/or the NRF2 inhibitor ML385 suppressed the PERK/NRF2 signaling, which was activated by GA-D. They induced a rebound for the generation of ROS and β-galactosidase-positive cells and attenuated the differentiation capacity. These findings suggest that GA-D retards hAMSC senescence through activation of the PERK/NRF2 signaling pathway and may be a promising candidate for the discovery of antiaging agents.

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1-Bromopropane-induced apoptosis in OVCAR-3 cells via oxidative stress and inactivation of Nrf2

Toxicology and Industrial Health ◽

10.1177/0748233720979427 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 074823372097942

Author(s):

Guangtao Yang ◽

Yingping Xiang ◽

Wei Zhou ◽

Xiaohuan Zhong ◽

Yanfang Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Reproductive Toxicity ◽

Antioxidant Vitamin ◽

Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽

Related Factor ◽

Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Line ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway ◽

Induced Apoptosis

The bromoalkane, 1-bromopropane (1-BP), may damage the reproductive system though oxidative stress, while the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays an important role in regulating intracellular antioxidant levels against oxidative stress. This study explored the role of oxidative stress and the Nrf2 signaling pathway in mediating the reproductive toxicity of 1-BP using the ovarian carcinoma cell line OVCAR-3 as an in vitro model of the human ovary. OVCAR-3 cells were treated with 1, 5, 10 and 15 mM 1-BP. After 24 h, the cellular reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde concentrations significantly increased, while the superoxide dismutase activity decreased; translocation of Nrf2 from the cytosol to the nucleus as well as downstream protein expression of Nrf2-regulated genes heme oxygenase-1 and Bcl-2 was inhibited. Apoptosis was also observed, accompanied by increased caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity. The antioxidant vitamin C alleviated 1-BP-induced apoptosis by inhibiting caspase activity activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings suggested that 1-BP induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in OVCAR-3 cells through inactivation of Nrf2 signaling.

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HIF1A-induced heme oxygenase 1 promotes the survival of decidual stromal cells against excess heme-mediated oxidative stress

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep-21-0314 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hui-Hui Shen ◽

Cheng-Jie Wang ◽

Xinyan Zhang ◽

Yan-Ran Sheng ◽

Shao-Liang Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Spontaneous Abortion ◽

Heme Oxygenase ◽

Stromal Cells ◽

Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽

Related Factor ◽

Endometrial Stromal Cells ◽

Stress Injury

Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1, encoded by the HMOX1 gene), is the rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes heme degradation, and it has been reported to exert antioxidative effects. Recently, decidualization has been reported to confer resistance to environmental stress signals, protecting against oxidative stress. However, the effects and regulatory mechanism of HO-1 in decidual stromal cells (DSCs) during early pregnancy remain unknown. Here, we verified that the levels of HO-1 and heme in DSCs are increased compared with those in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Additionally, the upregulation of HIF1A expression led to increased HMOX1 expression in DSCs possibly via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2, encoded by the NFE2L2 gene). However, addition of the competitive HO-1 inhibitor ZnPP resulted in an increase in HIF1A expression. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased the cell viability of DSCs in vitro, and upregulated the expression of heme. As an HO-1 inducer, cobalt protoporphyrin IX (CoPP) decreased ROS production and significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of H2O2 on cell viability. More importantly, patients with unexplained spontaneous abortion had levels of HO-1 that were insufficient to protect against oxidative stress. This study suggests that the upregulation of HO-1 expression via HIF1A protects DSCs against excessive heme-mediated oxidative stress. Furthermore, the excessive oxidative stress injury and impaired viability of DSCs associated with decreased HO-1 expression should be associated with the occurrence and/or development of spontaneous abortion.

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Nrf2 Activation Attenuates Acrylamide-Induced Neuropathy in Mice

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22115995 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (11) ◽

pp. 5995

Author(s):

Chand Basha Davuljigari ◽

Frederick Adams Ekuban ◽

Cai Zong ◽

Alzahraa A. M. Fergany ◽

Kota Morikawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Messenger Rna ◽

Hepatic Necrosis ◽

Related Factor ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Adult Mice ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway ◽

Antioxidant Proteins ◽

Oxide Synthase

Acrylamide is a well characterized neurotoxicant known to cause neuropathy and encephalopathy in humans and experimental animals. To investigate the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in acrylamide-induced neuropathy, male C57Bl/6JJcl adult mice were exposed to acrylamide at 0, 200 or 300 ppm in drinking water and co-administered with subcutaneous injections of sulforaphane, a known activator of the Nrf2 signaling pathway at 0 or 25 mg/kg body weight daily for 4 weeks. Assessments for neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress as well as messenger RNA-expression analysis for Nrf2-antioxidant and pro-inflammatory cytokine genes were conducted. Relative to mice exposed only to acrylamide, co-administration of sulforaphane protected against acrylamide-induced neurotoxic effects such as increase in landing foot spread or decrease in density of noradrenergic axons as well as hepatic necrosis and hemorrhage. Moreover, co-administration of sulforaphane enhanced acrylamide-induced mRNA upregulation of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant proteins and suppressed acrylamide-induced mRNA upregulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the cerebral cortex. The results demonstrate that activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway by co-treatment of sulforaphane provides protection against acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity through suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation. Nrf2 remains an important target for the strategic prevention of acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity.

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Melatonin Promotes In Vitro Maturation of Vitrified-Warmed Mouse Germinal Vesicle Oocytes, Potentially by Reducing Oxidative Stress through the Nrf2 Pathway

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082324 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2324

Author(s):

Shichao Guo ◽

Jinyu Yang ◽

Jianpeng Qin ◽

Izhar Hyder Qazi ◽

Bo Pan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

In Vitro Maturation ◽

Germinal Vesicle ◽

Melatonin Receptors ◽

Development Rates ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway ◽

Mouse Gv Oocytes ◽

Intracellular Oxidative Stress

Previously it was reported that melatonin could mitigate oxidative stress caused by oocyte cryopreservation; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms which cause this remain unclear. The objective was to explore whether melatonin could reduce oxidative stress during in vitro maturation of vitrified-warmed mouse germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes through the Nrf2 signaling pathway or its receptors. During in vitro maturation of vitrified-warmed mouse GV oocytes, there were decreases (p < 0.05) in the development rates of metaphase I (MI) oocytes and metaphase II (MII) and spindle morphology grades; increases (p < 0.05) in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels; and decreases (p < 0.05) in expressions of Nrf2 signaling pathway-related genes (Nrf2, SOD1) and proteins (Nrf2, HO-1). However, adding 10−7 mol/L melatonin to both the warming solution and maturation solutions improved (p < 0.05) these indicators. When the Nrf2 protein was specifically inhibited by Brusatol, melatonin did not increase development rates, spindle morphology grades, genes, or protein expressions, nor did it reduce vitrification-induced intracellular oxidative stress in GV oocytes during in vitro maturation. In addition, when melatonin receptors were inhibited by luzindole, the ability of melatonin to scavenge intracellular ROS was decreased, and the expressions of genes (Nrf2, SOD1) and proteins (Nrf2, HO-1) were not restored to control levels. Therefore, we concluded that 10−7 mol/L melatonin acted on the Nrf2 signaling pathway through its receptors to regulate the expression of genes (Nrf2, SOD1) and proteins (Nrf2, HO-1), and mitigate intracellular oxidative stress, thereby enhancing in vitro development of vitrified-warmed mouse GV oocytes.

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The Role of the FOXO1/β2-AR/p-NF-κB p65 Pathway in the Development of Endometrial Stromal Cells in Pregnant Mice under Restraint Stress

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22031478 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 1478

Author(s):

Jiayin Lu ◽

Yaoxing Chen ◽

Zixu Wang ◽

Jing Cao ◽

Yulan Dong

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Stromal Cells ◽

Restraint Stress ◽

Target Genes ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Endometrial Stromal Cells ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Pregnant Mice

Restraint stress causes various maternal diseases during pregnancy. β2-Adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) and Forkhead transcription factor class O 1 (FOXO1) are critical factors not only in stress, but also in reproduction. However, the role of FOXO1 in restraint stress, causing changes in the β2-AR pathway in pregnant mice, has been unclear. The aim of this research was to investigate the β2-AR pathway of restraint stress and its impact on the oxidative stress of the maternal uterus. In the study, maternal mice were treated with restraint stress by being restrained in a transparent and ventilated device before sacrifice on Pregnancy Day 5 (P5), Pregnancy Day 10 (P10), Pregnancy Day 15 (P15), and Pregnancy Day 20 (P20) as well as on Non-Pregnancy Day 5 (NP5). Restraint stress augmented blood corticosterone (CORT), norepinephrine (NE), and blood glucose levels, while oestradiol (E2) levels decreased. Moreover, restraint stress increased the mRNA levels of the FOXO family, β2-AR, and even the protein levels of FOXO1 and β2-AR in the uterus and ovaries. Furthermore, restraint stress increased uterine oxidative stress level. In vitro, the protein levels of FOXO1 were also obviously increased when β2-AR was activated in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). In addition, phosphorylated-nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (p-NF-κB p65) and its target genes decreased significantly when FOXO1 was inhibited. Overall, it can be said that the β2-AR/FOXO1/p-NF-κB p65 pathway was activated when pregnant mice were under restraint stress. This study provides a scientific basis for the origin of psychological stress in pregnant women.

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Effect of fluoride on PERK-Nrf2 signaling pathway in mouse ameloblasts

Human & Experimental Toxicology ◽

10.1177/0960327119842273 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 38 (7) ◽

pp. 833-845

Author(s):

X Zhou ◽

Z Chen ◽

W Zhong ◽

R Yu ◽

L He

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Er Stress ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Nuclear Import ◽

Target Genes ◽

Dental Fluorosis ◽

Related Factor ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway ◽

Glutamylcysteine Synthetase

In the development of dental fluorosis, oxidative stress is considered as the key mechanism. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress can induce oxidative stress and activate the important antioxidative factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in a PKR-like ER kinase (PERK)-dependent manner, but combining ER stress and oxidative stress, the role of PERK-Nrf2 signaling pathway involved in fluoride-regulated ameloblasts is not fully defined. Here, we studied the effect of fluoride on PERK-Nrf2 signaling pathway in mouse ameloblasts. We found that low-dose and continuous fluoride exposure increased binding immunoglobulin protein expression and activated PERK–activating transcription factor 4 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the expression of Nrf2 and its target genes (glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione S-transferase-P1) enhanced following ER stress. Tunicamycin increased the expression of PERK, leading to Nrf2 nuclear import, and tauroursodeoxycholate suppressed Nrf2 activation through PERK during ER stress, indicating that PERK activation is required for Nrf2 nuclear entry. Furthermore, tert-butylhydroquinone triggered the overexpression of Nrf2 to reduce ER stress, but luteolin inhibited Nrf2 nuclear localization to elevate ER stress. In summary, this study proved that fluoride under certain dose can induce ER stress and promote Nrf2 nuclear import via PERK activation and suggested that antioxidation mechanism mediated by PERK-Nrf2 can alleviate fluoride-induced ER stress effectively.

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Cpt1a promoted ROS-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in liver injury via the Nrf2/HO-1 and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway

Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1139/cjpp-2020-0165 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xigang Luo ◽

Dapeng Sun ◽

Yinxiang Wang ◽

Fengxiang Zhang ◽

Yi Wang

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Liver Injury ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽

Receptor Protein ◽

Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽

Related Factor ◽

Over Expression ◽

Vitro Model

Various liver diseases caused by liver damage seriously affect people’s health. The purpose of this study was to clarify that the effects and mechanism of Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (Cpt1a) on oxidative stress and inflammation in liver injury. It was found that the expression of Cpt1a mRNA was up-regulated in model mice of liver injury. So, over-expression of Cpt1a increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) levels in vitro model of liver injury. It was also shown that over-expression of Cpt1a suppressed the Nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. In summary, these data indicate that Cpt1a promotes ROS-induced oxidative stress in liver injury via the Nrf2/HO-1 and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling pathway.

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Salvianolic Acid A Protects the Kidney against Oxidative Stress by Activating the Akt/GSK-3β/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in 5/6 Nephrectomized Rats

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2019/2853534 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Hong-feng Zhang ◽

Jia-hong Wang ◽

Yan-li Wang ◽

Cheng Gao ◽

Yan-ting Gu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Western Blot ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Salvianolic Acid ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway ◽

Antioxidative Effects ◽

Dose Dependent

Salvianolic acid A (SAA) is a bioactive polyphenol extracted from Salviae miltiorrhizae Bunge, which possesses a variety of pharmacological activities. In our previous study, we have demonstrated that SAA effectively attenuates kidney injury and inflammation in an established animal model of 5/6 nephrectomized (5/6Nx) rats. However, there has been limited research regarding the antioxidative effects of SAA on chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we examined the antioxidative effects and underlying mechanisms of SAA in 5/6Nx rats. The rats were injected with SAA (2.5, 5, and 10 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip) for 28 days. Biochemical, flow cytometry, and Western blot analyses showed that SAA significantly increased the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) and lowered the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX-4) in a dose-dependent manner in 5/6Nx rats and in H2O2-induced HK-2 cells in vitro. Moreover, SAA enhanced the activation of the protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase-3β/nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Akt/GSK-3β/Nrf2) signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner and subsequently increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the kidney of 5/6Nx rats, which were consistent with those obtained in H2O2-induced HK-2 cells in vitro shown by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, SAA significantly increased the expression of intranuclear Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins compared to HK-2 cells stimulated by LPS on the one hand, which can be enhanced by QNZ to some extent; on the other hand, SAA significantly lowered the expression of p-NF-κB p65 and ICAM-1 proteins compared to HK-2 cells stimulated by H2O2, which can be abrogated by ML385 to some extent. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that SAA effectively protects the kidney against oxidative stress in 5/6Nx rats. One of the pivotal mechanisms for the protective effects of SAA on kidney injury was mainly related with its antioxidative roles by activating the Akt/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

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Fucoxanthin Pretreatment Ameliorates Visible Light-Induced Phagocytosis Disruption of RPE Cells under a Lipid-Rich Environment via the Nrf2 Pathway

Marine Drugs ◽

10.3390/md20010015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 15

Author(s):

Yunjun Liu ◽

Zixin Guo ◽

Shengnan Wang ◽

Yixiang Liu ◽

Ying Wei

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Visible Light ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Pigment Epithelium ◽

Retinal Pigment ◽

Rpe Cells ◽

Retinal Injury ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway ◽

Ameliorative Effect

Fucoxanthin, a special xanthophyll derived from marine algae, has increasingly attracted attention due to its diverse biological functions. However, reports on its ocular benefits are still limited. In this work, the ameliorative effect of fucoxanthin on visible light and lipid peroxidation-induced phagocytosis disruption in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells was investigated in vitro. Marked oxidative stress, inflammation, and phagocytosis disruption were evident in differentiated RPE cells following their exposure to visible light under a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich environment. Following pretreatment with fucoxanthin, however, the activated nuclear factor erythroid-derived-2-like 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway was observed and, furthermore, when the fucoxanthin -pretreated RPE cells were irradiated with visible light, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and inflammation were obviously suppressed, while phagocytosis was significantly improved. However, following the addition of Nrf2 inhibitor ML385, the fucoxanthin exhibited no ameliorative effects on the oxidative stress, inflammation, and phagocytosis disruption in the RPE cells, thus indicating that the ameliorative effect of fucoxanthin on the phagocytosis of RPE cells is closely related to the Nrf2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, these results suggest that fucoxanthin supplementation might be beneficial to the prevention of visible light-induced retinal injury.

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