scholarly journals Copaiba Oil: An Alternative to Development of New Drugs against Leishmaniasis

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Oliveira dos Santos ◽  
Tânia Ueda-Nakamura ◽  
Benedito Prado Dias Filho ◽  
Valdir Florêncio da Veiga Junior ◽  
Celso Vataru Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Propidium Iodide ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Plasma Membrane Permeability ◽  
Copaiba Oil

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that is increasing globally at an alarming rate. Glucantime has been the therapy of choice for more than 50 years. A recent study reported the antileishmanial activity of copaiba oil againstLeishmania amazonensis. These results led us to investigate morphological and ultrastructural changes inL. amazonensistreated with copaiba oil, using electron microscopy and flow cytometry to assess specific organelles as targets for copaiba oil. In the promastigote and axenic amastigote forms, this copaiba oil caused notable morphological and ultrastructural changes, including extensive mitochondrial damage and denaturation of the plasma membrane. Copaiba oil treatment also induced a decrease in Rh123 fluorescence, suggesting interference with the mitochondrial membrane potential and loss of cell viability with an increase in plasma membrane permeability, as observed by flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide. In conclusion, copaiba oil could be exploited for the development of new antileishmanial drugs.

scholarly journals Simultaneous evaluation of plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential in bovine spermatozoa by flow cytometry

Zygote ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chihiro Kanno ◽  
Sung-Sik Kang ◽  
Yasuyuki Kitade ◽  
Yojiro Yanagawa ◽  
Yoshiyuki Takahashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Plasma Membrane Integrity ◽  
Bovine Spermatozoa ◽  
Acrosomal Integrity

SummaryThe present study aimed to develop an objective evaluation procedure to estimate the plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential of bull spermatozoa simultaneously by flow cytometry. Firstly, we used frozen–thawed semen mixed with 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100% dead spermatozoa. Semen was stained using three staining solutions: SYBR-14, propidium iodide (PI), and phycoerythrin-conjugated peanut agglutinin (PE–PNA), for the evaluation of plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity. Then, characteristics evaluated by flow cytometry and by fluorescence microscopy were compared. Characteristics of spermatozoa (viability and acrosomal integrity) evaluated by flow cytometry and by fluorescence microscopy were found to be similar. Secondly, we attempted to evaluate the plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, and also mitochondrial membrane potential of spermatozoa by flow cytometry using conventional staining with three dyes (SYBR-14, PI, and PE–PNA) combined with MitoTracker Deep Red (MTDR) staining (quadruple staining). The spermatozoon characteristics evaluated by flow cytometry using quadruple staining were then compared with those of staining using SYBR-14, PI, and PE–PNA and staining using SYBR-14 and MTDR. There were no significant differences in all characteristics (viability, acrosomal integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential) evaluated by quadruple staining and the other procedures. In conclusion, quadruple staining using SYBR-14, PI, PE–PNA, and MTDR for flow cytometry can be used to evaluate the plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential of bovine spermatozoa simultaneously.

Platelets apoptosis in rats after global brain ischemia

2018 ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
А.А. Соколовская ◽  
Э.Д. Вирюс ◽  
В.В. Александрин ◽  
А.С. Роткина ◽  
К.А. Никифорова ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Brain Ischemia ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Global Brain Ischemia ◽  
Platelet Apoptosis ◽  
Global Brain

Цель исследования. Ишемические повреждения головного мозга, являются одной из наиболее частой причин инвалидности и смертности во всем мире. Недавно была установлена роль апоптоза тромбоцитов в патофизиологии инсульта, однако его механизмы до сих пор остаются невыясненными. Несмотря на различные экспериментальные модели, направленные на мониторинг апоптоза тромбоцитов, результаты, относительно изучения и выявления апоптоза тромбоцитов при ишемии головного мозга у крыс, весьма немногочисленны. Цель исследования - анализ апоптоза тромбоцитов с помощью метода проточной цитофлуориметрии на модели глобальной ишемии мозга у крыс. Методика. В экспериментах использовано 6 крыс-самцов Вистар в возрасте от 5 до 6 мес., разделенных на 2 группы: интактный контроль (К) и глобальная ишемия головного мозга. Модель глобальной ишемии головного мозга у крыс воспроизводилась путём билатеральной окклюзии общих сонных артерий на фоне гипотензии. Уровень системного артериального давления снижали посредством кровопотери до 40-45 мм рт. ст. Суспензию тромбоцитов крыс получали методом гельфильтрации с использованием сефарозы 2B. Для анализа экстернализации фосфатидилсерина (ФС) тромбоциты крыс инкубировали с Аннексином V-PE в связывающем буфере. Для оценки митохондриального мембранного потенциала (ММП) тромбоциты инкубировали с катионным красителем JC-1. После инкубации образцы немедленно анализировали на проточном цитофлуориметре FACSCalibur (Becton Dickinson, США). Результаты. Согласно полученным данным, экстернализация ФС на тромбоцитах крыс, перенесших инсульт, была значительно выше (53,45 ± 4,21%), чем в контрольной группе крыс (5,27 ± 2,40%). Данный эффект подтверждается выраженной деполяризацией митохондриальных мембран (DYm). После экспериментальной ишемии мозга почти 40% тромбоцитов было деполяризовано. Заключение. Использованный в работе подбор методов и маркеров обеспечивает понимание механизмов апоптоза тромбоцитов как в экспериментальных, так и в клинических условиях. Полученные данные позволяют сделать заключение, что апоптоз тромбоцитов является одним из факторов развития глобальной ишемии головного мозга у крыс. Результаты могут быть использованы для понимания механизмов, участвующих в развитии ишемического повреждения, что, в свою очередь, может быть использовано при разработке новых терапевтических стратегий. Aim. Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Multiple experimental models of stroke have focused on monitoring of platelet apoptosis. However, studies on and detection of platelet apoptosis in rats with ischemic stroke are very scarce. We investigated platelet apoptosis in rats with global brain ischemia using flow cytometry. Methods. Experiments were carried out on healthy, adult Wistar male rats weighing 300-350 g. The rats were divided into the following 2 groups: intact rats and rats with global brain ischemia. Global brain ischemia was induced by two-vessel (2-VO) carotid occlusion in combination with hypotension. Systemic blood pressure was reduced by 40-45 mm Hg by inducing haemorrhage. Platelets were isolated by gel filtration on Sepharose 2B. For evaluation of phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, platelets were incubated with Annexin V-PE and analyzed on FACSCalibur (BD Biosciences). Mitochondrial membrane potential (DY) was measured during platelets apoptosis using JC-1, a mitochondrial membrane potential indicator. Platelets were analyzed by flow cytometry immediately after the incubation. Results. PS externalization on platelets was significantly greater after global brain ischemia (53.45 ± 4.21%) than in the control group (5.27 ± 2.40%). Pronounced depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (DYm) confirmed this finding. In the rat group with experimental brain ischemia, almost 40% (35.24 ± 5.21%) of platelets were depolarized. Conclusion. Our results provide insight into mechanisms involved in platelet apoptosis during ischemic stroke and can be used in further development of new therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and Antipain preserve acrosome integrity of bovine spermatozoa during cryopreservation

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1114-1124
Author(s):  
M.A. Castelo Branco ◽  
Y.N.T.C. Castelo Branco ◽  
F.J. Moraes Junior ◽  
F.N. Barros ◽  
F.P.S. Barçante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Serine Protease ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor ◽  
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ◽  
Acrosome Integrity ◽  
Activator Inhibitor ◽  
Pai 1

ABSTRACT Seminal plasma contains serine proteases and serine protease inhibitor, which are involved in mammalian fertilization, and the inhibitors can be applied to prevent cold-induced sperm capacitation. The effects of different concentrations of two serine protease inhibitors were analyzed, Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 - PAI-1 (70ƞg, 140ƞg and 210 ƞg) and Antipain (10µg, 50µg and 100µg) as supplementation to bovine semen cryopreservation extender. The effects of the inhibitors on the sperm parameters (sperm kinetics - CASA, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm defects and acrosome reaction rate) were evaluated in the post-thaw semen. Cryopreservation of sperm with Antipain decreased post-thaw kinetic parameters of MP, VSL, LIN, SRT and the percentage of hyper-activated sperm while PAI-1 (210 ƞg) decreased VSL and LIN. Antipain and PAI-1 had no effect on the integrity parameters of the plasma membrane, mitochondrial membrane potential and sperm defects. Sperm cryopreserved in the presence of Antipain and PAI-1 (70 and 140 ƞg) preserved acrosome integrity, as they were able to complete the in vitro acrosome reaction. In conclusion, the serine protease inhibitors, Antipain and PAI-1 (70 and 140ƞg) are able to preserve the acrosome integrity of cryopreserved bovine sperm.

scholarly journals The U95 Protein of Human Herpesvirus 6B Interacts with Human GRIM-19: Silencing of U95 Expression Reduces Viral Load and Abrogates Loss of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

2007 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 1011-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. Yeo ◽  
Yuji Isegawa ◽  
Vincent T. K. Chow
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Human Herpesvirus ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Infected Cells

ABSTRACT To better understand the pathogenesis of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), it is important to elucidate the functional aspects of immediate-early (IE) genes at the initial phase of the infection. To study the functional role of the HHV-6B IE gene encoding U95, we generated a U95-Myc fusion protein and screened a pretransformed bone marrow cDNA library for U95-interacting proteins, using yeast-two hybrid analysis. The most frequently appearing U95-interacting protein identified was GRIM-19, which belongs to the family of genes associated with retinoid-interferon mortality and serves as an essential component of the oxidative phosphorylation system. This interaction was verified by both coimmunoprecipitation and confocal microscopic coimmunolocalization. Short-term HHV-6B infection of MT-4 T-lymphocytic cells induced syncytial formation, resulted in decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and led to progressively pronounced ultrastructural changes, such as mitochondrial swelling, myelin-like figures, and a loss of cristae. Compared to controls, RNA interference against U95 effectively reduced the U95 mRNA copy number and abrogated the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Our results indicate that the high affinity between U95 early viral protein and GRIM-19 may be closely linked to the detrimental effect of HHV-6B infection on mitochondria. These findings may explain the alternative cell death mechanism of expiration, as opposed to apoptosis, observed in certain productively HHV-6B-infected cells. The interaction between U95 and GRIM-19 is thus functionally and metabolically significant in HHV-6B-infected cells and may be a means through which HHV-6B modulates cell death signals by interferon and retinoic acid.

The Inhibitor of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase4a (INK4a) Signaling Pathway Induces Aging in Human Skeletal Muscle Myoblasts and Decreases the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1192-1198
Author(s):  
Dong Yan ◽  
Xiang Liao ◽  
Li-Xia Zhao ◽  
Chang-Hong Xiao
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Human Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Lentiviral Vector ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Senescence Phenotype

The effect of the inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase4a (INK4a) signaling pathway on myoblastic aging was studied in this paper. Human skeletal muscle myoblasts were transfected with a recombinant lentiviral vector, pLVX-p16INK4a, encoding the p16INK4a gene, and RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to identify p16INK4a gene transcription and protein expression. The degree of cell senescence was assessed using Senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining. flow cytometry and JC-1 staining was used to analyze the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The senescence phenotype was observed in myoblasts transfected with p16INK4a, the MMP was significantly decrease in p16INK4a-transfected myoblasts, while the MMP was decreased only slightly in control cells. Upregulation of the INK4a signaling pathway directly induced aging in human skeletal muscle myoblasts. Moreover, INK4a signaling pathway activated the mitochondrial pro-aging pathway by reducing the MMP, which indirectly accelerated aging in myoblasts.

scholarly journals Acyclic Sesquiterpenes from the Fruit Pericarp of Sapindus saponaria Induce Ultrastructural Alterations and Cell Death in Leishmania amazonensis

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Louzano Moreira ◽  
Débora Botura Scariot ◽  
Bruna Luíza Pelegrini ◽  
Greisiele Lorena Pessini ◽  
Tânia Ueda-Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Hemolytic Activity ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Reversed Phase ◽  
Leishmania Amazonensis ◽  
Antileishmanial Activity ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Phosphatidylserine Exposure ◽  
Sapindus Saponaria

Previous studies reported antiprotozoal activities of Sapindus saponaria L. The aim of this work was the evaluation of antileishmanial activity and mechanism of action of extract and fractions of S. saponaria L. Hydroethanolic extract (EHA) obtained from fruit pericarps was fractionated using solid-phase extraction in a reversed phase, resulting in fractions enriched with saponins (SAP fraction) and acyclic sesquiterpene oligoglycosides (OGSA fraction). The activities of EHA, SAP, and OGSA were evaluated by antiproliferative assays with promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms. Cytotoxicity on macrophages and hemolytic activity were also analyzed. Morphological and ultrastructural changes in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes were evaluated by electron microscopy. Flow cytometry was used to investigate mitochondrial dysfunction and phosphatidylserine exposure. OGSA was more selective for parasites than mammalian J774A1 macrophage cells, with selectivity indices of 3.79 and 7.35, respectively. Our results showed that only the OGSA fraction did not present hemolytic activity at its IC50 for promastigote growth. Electron microscopy revealed changes in parasite flagellum, cell body shape, and organelle size, mainly mitochondria. Flow cytometry analysis indicated mitochondrial membrane and cell membrane dysfunction. OGSA showed antileishmanial activity, resulting in several changes to protozoa cells, including mitochondrial depolarization and early phosphatidylserine exposure, suggesting a possible apoptotic induction.

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