scholarly journals Sildenafil (Viagra) Protective Effects on Neuroinflammation: The Role of iNOS/NO System in an Inflammatory Demyelination Model

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catarina Raposo ◽  
Ana Karolina de Santana Nunes ◽  
Rayana Leal de Almeida Luna ◽  
Shyrlene Meiry da Rocha Araújo ◽  
Maria Alice da Cruz-Höfling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Inflammatory Regulation ◽  
Inos Inhibition ◽  
Inflammatory Effect

We recently demonstrated that sildenafil reduces the expression of cytokines, COX-2, and GFAP in a demyelinating model induced in wild-type (WT) mice. Herein, the understandings of the neuroprotective effect of sildenafil and the mediation of iNOS/NO system on inflammatory demyelination induced by cuprizone were investigated. The cerebella of iNOS−/−mice were examined after four weeks of treatment with cuprizone alone or combined with sildenafil. Cuprizone increased GFAP, Iba-1, TNF-α, COX-2, IL-1β, and IFN-γexpression, decreased expression of glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTpi), and damaged myelin in iNOS−/−mice. Sildenafil reduced Iba-1, IFN-γ, and IL-1βlevels but had no effect on the expression of GFAP, TNF-α, and COX-2 compared to the cuprizone group. Sildenafil elevated GSTpi levels and improved the myelin structure/ultrastructure. iNOS−/−mice suffered from severe inflammation following treatment with cuprizone, while WT mice had milder inflammation, as found in the previous study. It is possible that inflammatory regulation through iNOS-feedback is absent in iNOS−/−mice, making them more susceptible to inflammation. Sildenafil has at least a partial anti-inflammatory effect through iNOS inhibition, as its effect on iNOS−/−mice was limited. Further studies are required to explain the underlying mechanism of the sildenafil effects.

scholarly journals Role of cyclooxygenase isoforms in prostacyclin biosynthesis and murine prehepatic portal hypertension

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (5) ◽  
pp. G953-G964 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. Skill ◽  
N. G. Theodorakis ◽  
Y. N. Wang ◽  
J. M. Wu ◽  
E. M. Redmond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Portal Hypertension ◽  
The United States ◽  
Portal Vein Ligation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Sham Surgery ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Hemodynamic Measurements ◽  
Cyclooxygenase Isoforms ◽  
Cox 1

Portal hypertension (PHT) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis and significantly increases morbidity and mortality. Abrogation of PHT using NSAIDs has demonstrated that prostacyclin (PGI2), a direct downstream metabolic product of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, is an important mediator in the development of experimental and clinical PHT. However, the role of COX isoforms in PGI2 biosynthesis and PHT is not fully understood. Prehepatic PHT was induced by portal vein ligation (PVL) in wild-type, COX-1−/−, and COX-2−/− mice treated with and without COX-2 (NS398) or COX-1 (SC560) inhibitors. Hemodynamic measurements and PGI2 biosynthesis were determined 1–7 days after PVL or sham surgery. Gene deletion or pharmacological inhibition of COX-1 or COX-2 attenuated but did not ameliorate PGI2 biosynthesis after PVL or prevent PHT. In contrast, treatment of COX-1−/− mice with NS398 or COX-2−/− mice with SC560 restricted PGI2 biosynthesis and abrogated the development of PHT following PVL. In conclusion, either COX-1 or COX-2 can mediate elevated PGI2 biosynthesis and the development of experimental prehepatic PHT. Consequently, PGI2 rather then COX-selective drugs are indicated in the treatment of PHT. Identification of additional target sites downstream of COX may benefit the >27,000 patients whom die annually from cirrhosis in the United States alone.

The role of the α7nAChR-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in Hirschsprung associated enterocolitis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Chen ◽  
Xiaoyu Wei ◽  
Xiaohua Chen ◽  
Lei Xiang ◽  
Xinyao Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blotting ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Inflammatory Pathway ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Phosphorylated Stat3 ◽  
Morphology Changes

Abstract Background To investigate the role and the underlying mechanism of the α7nAChR-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung(HSCR) associated enterocolitis（HAEC）. Methods Experimental group:twenty-one-day-old Ednrb-/- mice were selected (n=10), with comparable-age wild type(Ednrb+/+) mice controls (n=10). Intestinal samples were collected. The experimental colons were divided into narrow and dilated segments according to morphology changes. The control colons were divided into distal and proximal segments.Colon HE staining was used to judge HAEC.Acetylcholine levels in colon was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Detected phosphorylated Jak2 (p-Jak2), Jak2, phosphorylated Stat3 (p-Stat3), Stat3, phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα) and IκBα were studied by Western blotting; mRNA levels of Jak2, Stat3, and IκBα were detected by RT-qPCR. Results Colon HE staining indicated that HAEC mainly occured in the dilated segments of HSCR mice (Ednrb-/- mice) (EDNRB-P).Acetylcholine content in EDNRB-P was significantly lower than that in the narrow segments (EDNRB-D) (P<0.05). Western blotting showed that the Jak2, p-Jak2, Stat3 and p-Stat3 levels in EDNRB-D were significantly higher than those in EDNRB-P (P<0.05). The p-IκBα and IκBα levels in EDNRB-P were significantly higher than those in EDNRB-D(P<0.05). The mRNA levels of Jak2 and Stat3 in EDNRB-D were higher than those in EDNRB-P, but the IκBα mRNA level was significantly lower than that in EDNRB-P (P<0.05). Conclusions During HAEC, the inflammation in the dilated segment was more severe ,while in the narrow segment there was no obvious inflammatory reaction and the content of acetylcholine was higher, which was associated with the α7nAChR-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.

scholarly journals Crocin Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Ameliorates Adiposity by Regulating AMPK-CDK5-PPARγ Signaling

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Kai Fang ◽  
Ming Gu
Keyword(s):  
Protein Level ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Metabolic Dysfunction ◽  
Ampk Activation ◽  
Diabetic Mice ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Ampk Signaling ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Crocin is a carotenoid compound which possesses multiple biological activities. Our and other laboratory’s previous findings show that crocin alleviates obesity and type 2 diabetes-related complications. We have found that crocin activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and inhibition of AMPK suppresses crocin-induced protective effects. However, the causal role of AMPK activation in the biological role of crocin is still not verified. In the present study, we showed that crocin markedly inhibits the changes of glucose metabolic parameters and serum lipid profiles in wild type diabetic mice. In AMPKα KO diabetic mice, those protective effects of crocin against glucose and lipid metabolic dysfunction were abolished. These results demonstrated AMPK activation was responsible for the beneficial effects of crocin on metabolic dysfunction. Moreover, we have shown that the antiobese effect of crocin has been abolished by the deficiency of AMPKα. We also showed that crocin induced a significant decrease of CDK5 protein level in wild type diabetic mice, while this effect was abolished in AMPKα KO diabetic mice. The regulation of downstream targets of CDK5/PPARγ by crocin was abolished by the deficiency of AMPK. In conclusion, our study verified that activation of AMPK is involved in crocin-induced protective effects against glucose and lipid metabolic dysfunction. Activation of AMPK downregulates the protein level of CDK5, followed by the decrease of PPARγ phosphorylation, leading to the inhibition of adipose formation and metabolic dysfunction. Our study provides new insights into the mechanism of protective effects of crocin and interaction of AMPK and CDK5/PPARγ signaling.

scholarly journals Effects of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 deficiency on mouse ova

Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayaka Koyanagi ◽  
Hiroko Hamasaki ◽  
Satoshi Sekiguchi ◽  
Kenshiro Hara ◽  
Yoshiyuki Ishii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Proteomic Analysis ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome

Maternal proteins are rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin–proteasome system during oocyte maturation in mice. Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is highly and specifically expressed in mouse ova and is involved in the polyspermy block. However, the role of UCHL1 in the underlying mechanism of polyspermy block is poorly understood. To address this issue, we performed a comprehensive proteomic analysis to identify maternal proteins that were relevant to the role of UCHL1 in mouse ova using UCHL1-deficientgad. Furthermore, we assessed morphological features ingadmouse ova using transmission electron microscopy. NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing (NALP) family proteins and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones were identified by proteomic analysis. We also found that the ‘maternal antigen that embryos require’ (NLRP5 (MATER)) protein level increased significantly ingadmouse ova compared with that in wild-type mice. In an ultrastructural study,gadmouse ova contained less ER in the cortex than in wild-type mice. These results provide new insights into the role of UCHL1 in the mechanism of polyspermy block in mouse ova.

scholarly journals miR-135b Plays a Neuroprotective Role by Targeting GSK3β in MPP+-Intoxicated SH-SY5Y Cells

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianlei Zhang ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Yabo Wang ◽  
Shengnan Zhao ◽  
Na Chang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Glycogen Synthase ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine Production ◽  
Protein Levels

miR-135a-5p was reported to play a crucial role in the protective effects of hydrogen sulfide against Parkinson’s disease (PD) by targeting rho-associated protein kinase 2 (ROCK2). However, the role of another member of miR-135 family (miR-135b) and the underlying mechanism in PD are still unclear. qRT-PCR and western blot showed that miR-135 was downregulated and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) was upregulated at mRNA and protein levels in MPP+-intoxicated SH-SY5Y cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. MTT, TUNEL, and ELISA assays revealed that miR-135b overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis and production of TNF-α and IL-1β in SH-SY5Y cells in the presence of MPP+. Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that GSK3β was a direct target of miR-135b. Moreover, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a GSK3β activator, dramatically reversed the effects of miR-135b upregulation on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokine production in MPP+-intoxicated SH-SY5Y cells. Taken together, miR-135b exerts a protective role via promotion of proliferation and suppression of apoptosis and neuroinflammation by targeting GSK3β in MPP+-intoxicated SH-SY5Y cells, providing a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of PD.

scholarly journals S-Methyl Cysteine Protective Effects in Oreochromis Niloticus Fish Contaminated by Thiobencarb Herbicide

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Ali Elmadawy ◽  
Walied Abdo ◽  
Amira Alaa El-Dein Omar ◽  
Nadia B. Mahfouz
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Genotoxic Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Commercial Feed ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Treated Fish

Thiobencarb which is a carbamate herbicide is used for managing undesirable weeds during rice cultivation in Egypt. This study was designed to investigate the adverse effects of a field dose of thiobencarb on Nile tilapia and ameliorating the role of the low dose of S-methyl cysteine (SMC). Experimental fishes were divided into four groups; first group was reared without any treatments and served as a control group; the second group was exposed to thiobencarb (36µg/L); the third group was fed on a commercial feed containing 200 mg of SMC/Kg in conjunction with thiobencarb added to aquarium (36µg/L) while, the fourth group was fed on a feed containing 200 mg of SMC/Kg only. Fishes were sacrificed at the end of the experimental course (two months) and sampling was carried out. Catalase, Glutathione S Transferase activities, Glutathione reduced, and Malondialdhyde levels were assayed. Genotoxic effect of thiobencarb and SMC on treated fish was investigated in erythrocytes, gills, and liver tissues using micronucleus and comet assay. Histopathological examination of livers, gills, and brain was also carried out. The results indicated that fish exposed to thiobencarb indicated herbicide dependent oxidative stress and genotoxic effect justified by a significant difference in antioxidant biomarkers as well as nuclear abnormalities and comet parameters compared to control values. Moreover, histopathological findings were in line with other results. SMC ameliorated the adverse effects which were effective in the improvement of DNA and oxidative damage in thiobencarb intoxicated fish.

Mast Cell Tryptase Promotes Inflammatory Bowel Disease–Induced Intestinal Fibrosis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Liu ◽  
Mu-Qing Yang ◽  
Tian-Yu Yu ◽  
Yang-Yang Yin ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Human Colon ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Intestinal Fibrosis ◽  
Ecm Proteins ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Deficient Mice

Abstract Background Intestinal fibrosis is the final pathological outcome of chronic intestinal inflammation without specific therapeutic drugs, which leads to ileus and surgical intervention. Intestinal fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). The role of mast cells (MCs), which are members of the sentinel immune cell population, is unknown in intestinal fibrosis. Methods In this study, we analyzed changes in MCs, tryptase proteins, and ECM components in human fibrotic and control patient intestines. We constructed dextran sodium sulfate–induced intestinal fibrosis models using wild-type mice, MC-reconstituted mice, and MC-deficient mice to explore the role of MCs and tryptase in intestinal fibrosis. The roles and mechanisms of MCs and tryptase on fibroblasts were evaluated using human MCs (HMC-1 and LAD-2), commercial tryptase proteins, human colon fibroblasts (CCD-18Co fibroblasts), the tryptase inhibitor APC366, and the protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) antagonist ENMD-1068. Results Regardless of whether the colon was a human colon or a mouse colon, the fibrotic intestinal tissue had increased MC infiltration and a higher expression of ECM proteins or genes than that of the control group. The dextran sodium sulfate–induced intestinal fibrosis in MC-deficient mice was alleviated compared with that in wild-type mice. After MC reconstruction in MC-deficient mice, the alleviating effect disappeared. Tryptase, as a content stored in MC granules, was released into fibrotic intestinal tissues in the form of degranulation, resulting in an increased expression of tryptase. Compared with the control group, the tryptase inhibition group (the APC366 group) had reduced intestinal fibrosis. The CCD-18Co fibroblasts, when cocultured with MCs or treated with tryptase proteins, were activated to differentiate into myofibroblasts and secrete more ECM proteins (such as collagen and fibronectin). The underlying mechanism of fibroblast activation by tryptase was the activation of the PAR-2/Akt/mTOR pathway. Conclusions We found that MC tryptase promotes inflammatory bowel disease–induced intestinal fibrosis. The underlying mechanism is that tryptase promotes the differentiation of fibroblasts into fibrotic-phenotype myofibroblasts by activating the PAR-2/Akt/ mTOR pathway of fibroblasts.

scholarly journals An Essential Role of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2α in Prostaglandin E2–mediated Bone Resorption Associated with Inflammation

2003 ◽  
Vol 197 (10) ◽  
pp. 1303-1310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chisato Miyaura ◽  
Masaki Inada ◽  
Chiho Matsumoto ◽  
Tomoyasu Ohshiba ◽  
Naonori Uozumi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Bone Resorption ◽  
Bone Loss ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Osteoclast Formation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cytosolic Phospholipase ◽  
Cytosolic Phospholipase A2α ◽  
Cox 2

Prostaglandin E (PGE)2 produced by osteoblasts acts as a potent stimulator of bone resorption. Inflammatory bone loss is accompanied by osteoclast formation induced by bone-resorbing cytokines, but the mechanism of PGE2 production and bone resorption in vivo is not fully understood. Using cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α)-null mice, we examined the role of cPLA2α in PGE2 synthesis and bone resorption. In bone marrow cultures, interleukin (IL)-1 markedly stimulated PGE2 production and osteoclast formation in wild-type mice, but not in cPLA2α-null mice. Osteoblastic bone marrow stromal cells induced the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and membrane-bound PGE2 synthase (mPGES) in response to IL-1 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to produce PGE2. Osteoblastic stromal cells collected from cPLA2α-null mice also induced the expression of COX-2 and mPGES by IL-1 and LPS, but could not produce PGE2 due to the lack of arachidonic acid release. LPS administration to wild-type mice reduced femoral bone mineral density by increased bone resorption. In cPLA2α-null mice, however, LPS-induced bone loss could not be observed at all. Here, we show that cPLA2α plays a key role in PGE production by osteoblasts and in osteoclastic bone resorption, and suggest a new approach to inflammatory bone disease by inhibiting cPLA2α.

scholarly journals Irisin alleviates obesity-related spermatogenesis dysfunction via the regulation of the AMPKα signalling pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Mu ◽  
Huang-Guan Dai ◽  
Ling-Bo Luo ◽  
Jing Yang
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Signalling Pathway ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
Amp Activated Protein Kinase

Abstract Background Infertility is a common complication in obese men. Oxidative stress and testicular apoptosis play critical roles in obesity-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction. It has been reported that irisin, an exercise-induced myokine, may attenuate oxidative damage and testicular apoptosis in several diseases; however, its role in obesity-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of irisin in obesity-induced dysfunction of spermatogenesis. Methods Male mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 24 weeks to establish a model of obesity-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction. To explore the effects of irisin, mice were subcutaneously infused with recombinant irisin for 8 weeks beginning at 16 weeks after starting a HFD. To confirm the role of AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα), AMPKα-deficient mice were used. Results The data showed decreased serum irisin levels in obese patients, which was negatively correlated with sperm count and progressive motility. Irisin was downregulated in the plasma and testes of obese mice. Supplementation with irisin protected against HFD-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction and increased testosterone levels in mice. HFD-induced oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and testicular apoptosis were largely attenuated by irisin treatment. Mechanistically, we identified that irisin activated the AMPKα signalling pathway. With AMPKα depletion, we found that the protective effects of irisin on spermatogenesis dysfunction were abolished in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions In conclusion, we found that irisin alleviated obesity-related spermatogenesis dysfunction via activation of the AMPKα signalling pathway. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that irisin is a potential therapeutic agent against obesity-related spermatogenesis dysfunction.

scholarly journals MiR-22 Inhibition Alleviates Cardiac Dysfunction in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy by Targeting the sirt1/PGC-1α Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Runze Wang ◽  
Yuerong Xu ◽  
Xiaolin Niu ◽  
Yexian Fang ◽  
Dong Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Life Threatening

Doxorubicin (DOX) cardiotoxicity is a life-threatening side effect that leads to a poor prognosis in patients receiving chemotherapy. We investigated the role of miR-22 in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy and the underlying mechanism in vivo and in vitro. Specifically, we designed loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments to identify the role of miR-22 in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy. Our data suggested that inhibiting miR-22 alleviated cardiac fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction induced by doxorubicin. In addition, inhibiting miR-22 mitigated mitochondrial dysfunction through the sirt1/PGC-1α pathway. Knocking out miR-22 enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, as evidenced by increased PGC-1α, TFAM, and NRF-1 expression in vivo. Furthermore, knocking out miR-22 rescued mitophagy, which was confirmed by increased expression of PINK1 and parkin and by the colocalization of LC3 and mitochondria. These protective effects were abolished by overexpressing miR-22. In conclusion, miR-22 may represent a new target to alleviate cardiac dysfunction in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy and improve prognosis in patients receiving chemotherapy.

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