EF24 Suppresses Cholangiocellular Carcinoma Progression, Inhibits STAT3 Phosphorylation, and Induces Apoptosis via ROS-Mediated Oxidative Stress

Therapeutic options for advanced stage cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) are very limited as of today and patients carry an exceptionally poor overall prognosis. In recent years, increasing evidence has been accumulated to suggest that malignant cells widely show increased intrinsic ROS levels and exhibit altered redox profiles as compared to normal counterparts, opening up potential avenues for therapeutic intervention. This study provides preclinical experimental evidence of therapeutic activity of the curcumin analog EF24 in cholangiocarcinoma models. In CCC cell lines, EF24 inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis through excessive ROS generation. Moreover, administration of EF24 led to depletion of total intracellular GSH levels, induced mitochondrial depolarization, and abrogated STAT3 phosphorylation. Of interest, these effects were readily averted by treating the cells with exogenous antioxidants such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or glutathione monoethyl ester (GEE). In vivo, EF24, solubilized using a cyclodextrin formulation, significantly suppressed the growth of tumor xenografts without exhibiting any toxic adverse effects. Immunohistochemical analysis of extracted tumor tissues demonstrated reduced nuclear staining for Ki-67 and downregulation of phospho-STAT3 as well as strong staining for oxidative stress biomarker 8-OHdG. Therefore, the data presented here suggest EF24 as potential therapeutic compound against CCC which might act at least to some extent through ROS-induced oxidative damage, subsequently inducing apoptosis. Further evaluation of this approach should be carried out in future follow-up studies.

Download Full-text

Antcin C fromAntrodia cinnamomeaProtects Liver Cells Against Free Radical-Induced Oxidative Stress and ApoptosisIn VitroandIn Vivothrough Nrf2-Dependent Mechanism

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/296082 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

M. Gokila Vani ◽

K. J. Senthil Kumar ◽

Jiunn-Wang Liao ◽

Shih-Chang Chien ◽

Jeng-Leun Mau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cell Death ◽

Transcriptional Activation ◽

Liver Cells ◽

Ros Generation ◽

Antioxidant Genes ◽

Pi3k Activation ◽

Mice Liver ◽

Induced Apoptosis

In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effects of antcin C, a steroid-like compound isolated from Antrodia cinnamaomea against AAPH-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human hepatic HepG2 cells. Pretreatment with antcin C significantly protects hepatic cells from AAPH-induced cell death through the inhibition of ROS generation. Furthermore, AAPH-induced lipid peroxidation, ALT/AST secretion and GSH depletion was significantly inhibited by antcin C. The antioxidant potential of antcin C was correlated with induction of antioxidant genes including, HO-1, NQO-1,γ-GCLC, and SODviatranscriptional activation of Nrf2. The Nrf2 activation by antcin C is mediated by JNK1/2 and PI3K activation, whereas pharmacologic inhibition of JNK1/2 and PI3K abolished antcin C-induced Nrf2 activity. In addition, AAPH-induced apoptosis was significantly inhibited by antcin C through the down-regulation of pro-apoptotic factors including, Bax, cytochrome c, capase 9, -4, -12, -3, and PARP.In vivostudies also show that antcin C significantly protected mice liver from AAPH-induced hepatic injury as evidenced by reduction in hepatic enzymes in circulation. Further, immunocytochemistry analyses showed that antcin C significantly increased HO-1 and Nrf2 expression in mice liver tissues. These results strongly suggest that antcin C could protect liver cells from oxidative stress and cell deathviaNrf2/ARE activation.

Download Full-text

Interleukin-13 Propagates Prothrombin Kringle-2-Induced Neurotoxicity in Hippocampi In Vivo via Oxidative Stress

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22073486 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. 3486

Author(s):

Jae Yeong Jeong ◽

Rayul Wi ◽

Young Cheul Chung ◽

Byung Kwan Jin

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Hippocampal Neurons ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽

Significant Loss ◽

Ros Generation ◽

Interleukin 13 ◽

Activated Microglia ◽

Kringle 2

The present study investigated expression of endogenous interleukin-13 (IL-13) and its possible function in the hippocampus of prothrombin kringle-2 (pKr-2)-lesioned rats. Here we report that intrahippocampal injection of pKr-2 revealed a significant loss of NeuN-immunopositive (NeuN+) and Nissl+ cells in the hippocampus at 7 days after pKr-2. In parallel, pKr-2 increased IL-13 levels, which reached a peak at 3 days post pKr-2 and sustained up to 7 days post pKr-2. IL-13 immunoreactivity was seen exclusively in activated microglia/macrophages and neutrophils, but not in neurons or astrocytes. In experiments designed to explore the involvement of IL-13 in neurodegeneration, IL-13 neutralizing antibody (IL-13Nab) significantly increased survival of NeuN+ and Nissl+ cells. Accompanying neuroprotection, immunohistochemical analysis indicated that IL-13Nab inhibited pKr-2-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and myeloperoxidase within activated microglia/macrophages and neutrophils, possibly resulting in attenuation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and oxidative damage of DNA and protein. The current findings suggest that the endogenous IL-13 expressed in pKr-2 activated microglia/macrophages and neutrophils might be harmful to hippocampal neurons via oxidative stress.

Download Full-text

Metformin prevents methylglyoxal-induced apoptosis by suppressing oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-021-04478-x ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Gang Wang ◽

Yanan Wang ◽

Qinzhi Yang ◽

Chunrong Xu ◽

Youkun Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Vascular Complications ◽

Tunel Staining ◽

Ros Generation ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Diabetic Vascular Complications ◽

Induced Apoptosis

AbstractMethylglyoxal (MGO) is an active metabolite of glucose and plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications, including endothelial cell apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. Metformin (MET), a widely prescribed antidiabetic agent, appears to reduce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and limit cell apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are still not fully elucidated. We reported here that MET prevents MGO-induced apoptosis by suppressing oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo. Protein expression and protein phosphorylation were investigated using western blotting, ELISA, and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by the MTT assay, TUNEL staining, and Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide double staining. ROS generation and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured with fluorescent probes. Our results revealed that MET prevented MGO-induced HUVEC apoptosis, inhibited apoptosis-associated biochemical changes such as loss of MMP, the elevation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and activation of cleaved caspase-3, and attenuated MGO-induced mitochondrial morphological alterations in a dose-dependent manner. MET pretreatment also significantly suppressed MGO-stimulated ROS production, increased signaling through the ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways, and markedly elevated the levels of its downstream antioxidants. Finally, similar results were obtained in vivo, and we demonstrated that MET prevented MGO-induced oxidative damage, apoptosis, and inflammation. As expected, MET reversed MGO-induced downregulation of Nrf2 and p-Akt. In addition, a PI3K inhibitor (LY-294002) and a Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) observably attenuated the protective effects of MET on MGO-induced apoptosis and ROS generation by inhibiting the Nrf2/HO-1 pathways, while a ROS scavenger (NAC) and a permeability transition pores inhibitor (CsA) completely reversed these effects. Collectively, these findings broaden our understanding of the mechanism by which MET regulates apoptosis induced by MGO under oxidative stress conditions, with important implications regarding the potential application of MET for the treatment of diabetic vascular complications.

Download Full-text

miR-187 modulates cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress in myocardial infarction mice via negatively regulating DYRK2

10.22514/sv.2021.137 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Protective Effect ◽

Myocardial Infarct ◽

Annexin V ◽

Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis ◽

Ros Generation ◽

Downstream Target

Myocardial infarction is a serious representation of cardiovescular disease, MicroRNAs play a role in modifying I/R injury and myocardial infarct remodeling. The present study therefore examined the potential role of miR-187 in cardiac I/R injury and its underlying mechanisms. miR-187 was inhibited or overexpressed in cardiomyocytes H/R models by pretreatment with miR-187 mimic or inhibitor to confirm the function of miR-187 in H/R. DYRK2 was inhibited or overexpressed in cardiomyocytes H/R models by pretreatment with DYRK2 inhibitor. A myocardium I/R mouse model was established. Circulating levels of miR-187 or DYRK2 was detected by quantitative realtime PCR and protein expression was detected by western blotting. The cell viability in all groups was determined by MTT assay and the apoptosis ratio was detected by flow cytometry after staining with Annexin V-FITC. The effect of miR-187 on cellular ROS generation was examined by DCFH-DA. The level of lipid peroxidation and SOD expression were determined by MDA and SOD assay. The findings indicated that miR-187 may be a possible regulator in the protective effect of H/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, cellular oxidative stress and leaded to DYRK2 suppression at a posttranscriptional level. Moreover, the improvement of miR-187 on H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury contributed to the obstruction of DYRK2 expression. In addition, these results identified DYRK2 as the functional downstream target of miR-187 regulated myocardial infarction and oxidative stress.These present work provided the first insight into the function of miR-187 in successfully protect cardiomyocyte both in vivo and in vitro, and such a protective effect were mediated through the regulation of DYRK2 expression.

Download Full-text

Abstract 424: Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Expression of S100a12 in Vivo Induces Enhanced Oxidative Stress & Vascular Remodeling

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.118.suppl_18.s_302-d ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽

Author(s):

Marion Hofmann Bowman ◽

Jeannine Wilk ◽

Gene Kim ◽

Yanmin Zhang ◽

Jalees Rehman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Dna Damage ◽

Smooth Muscle ◽

Vascular Remodeling ◽

Oxidative Dna Damage ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Brdu Incorporation ◽

Elastic Fibers ◽

Nuclear Staining

S100A12 is a small calcium binding protein that is a signal transduction ligand of the receptor for advance glycation endproducts (RAGE). S100A12, like RAGE, is expressed in the vessel wall of atherosclerotic vasculature, particularly in smooth muscle cells (SMC). While RAGE has been extensively implicated in inflammatory states such as atherosclerosis, the role of S100A12 is less clear. We tested the hypothesis that expression of human S100A12 directly exacerbates vascular inflammation. Several lines of Bl6/J transgenic mice (tg) expressing human S100A12 in SMC under control of the SM22a promoter were generated. Primary aortic SMC from tg and wild type (wt) littermates were isolated and analyzed for (i) proliferation using MTS/Formazan Assay and BrdU incorporation, (ii) oxidative stress using using flow cytometry with MitoSOX antibody, oxidative DNA damage using immunofluorescence microscopy with anti-8-oxo-dG antibody, and NF-kB activation measured by EMSA and (iii) cytokine expression measured by IL-6 ELISA. Furthermore, the aortas from tg and wt mice were examined. Results: Tg but not wt SMC expressed S100A12 protein. Tg SMC had a significant 1.9 to 2.7 fold increase in conversion of MTS into Formazan at 24–96 hours likely reflective of increased metabolic activity since BrdU incorporation into DNA was less in tg compared to wt SMC (4% vs 21% positive BrdU nuclei, p <0.05). Tg SMC showed significantly higher levels of mitochondrial generated ROS, nuclear staining for oxidative DNA damage which was not detected in the nuclei of wt SMC’s, and a 2.5 fold increase in NFkB activity. IL-6 production at baseline was higher in tg SMC’s (615 vs 213 pg/ml, p< 0.05) and increased dramatically after LPS treatment (10 ng/ml) in tg SMC’s (2130 vs 415 pg/ml). Histologic examination of the thoracic aorta at 10 weeks of age revealed increased collagen deposition in the aortic media with fragmentation and disarray of elastic fibers. In vivo ultrasound revealed a progressive dilation of the aortic arch from age 10 weeks to 16 weeks of age (1.27 to 1.60 mm, p<0.05) in tg but not in wt littermate mice (1.30 to 1.33 mm, p=0.1). These data reveal the novel finding that targeted expression of human S100A12 in SMC modulates oxidative stress, inflammation and vascular remodeling.

Download Full-text

Water-Pipe Smoke Exposure-Induced Circulatory Disturbances in Mice, and the Influence of Betaine Supplementation Thereon

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000464117 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 1098-1112 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Abderrahim Nemmar ◽

Suhail Al-Salam ◽

Sumaya Beegam ◽

Priya Yuvaraju ◽

Abderrahim Oulhaj ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor ◽

Water Pipe ◽

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ◽

Factor Α ◽

Air Control

Background/Aims: It has been shown, both experimentally and clinically, that water-pipe smoke (WPS) exposure adversely affects the cardiovascular system (CVS) through the generation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Betaine, a naturally occurring compound in common foods, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. However, its potential to mitigate the adverse effect of WPS on the CVS has never been reported before. This is the subject of this study in mice. Methods: Mice were exposed daily for 30 min to either normal air (control), or to WPS for two consecutive weeks. Betaine was administered daily by gavage at a dose of 10mg/kg, 1h before either air or WPS exposure. Results: Betaine mitigated the in vivo prothrombotic effect of WPS in pial arterioles and venules. Moreover, it reversed the WPS-induced decrease in circulating platelets. Likewise, betaine alleviated platelet aggregation in vitro, and the shortening of activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time induced by WPS. Betaine reduced the increase of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibrinogen concentrations in plasma induced by WPS. Betaine also diminished the WPS-induced increase of plasma concentrations of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α, and attenuated the increase of lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase. Immunohistochemical analysis of the heart revealed an increase in the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cytochrome C by cardiomyocytes of the WPS-exposed mice. These effects were averted by betaine. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that betaine treatment significantly mitigated WPS-induced hypercoagulability, and inflammation, as well as systemic and cardiac oxidative stress.

Download Full-text

Tetrahydrocurcumin Ameliorates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Attenuating High Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress and Fibrosis via Activating the SIRT1 Pathway

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2019/6746907 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Kaifeng Li ◽

Mengen Zhai ◽

Liqing Jiang ◽

Fan Song ◽

Bin Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Diabetic Cardiomyopathy ◽

High Glucose ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Ros Generation ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Collagen Iii

Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and fibrosis play a crucial role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), a major bioactive metabolite of natural antioxidant curcumin, is reported to exert even more effective antioxidative and superior antifibrotic properties as well as anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic abilities. This study was designed to investigate the potential protective effects of THC on experimental DCM and its underlying mechanisms, pointing to the role of high glucose-induced oxidative stress and interrelated fibrosis. In STZ-induced diabetic mice, oral administration of THC (120 mg/kg/d) for 12 weeks significantly improved the cardiac function and ameliorated myocardial fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy, accompanied by reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Mechanically, THC administration remarkably increased the expression of the SIRT1 signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo, further evidenced by decreased downstream molecule Ac-SOD2 and enhanced deacetylated production SOD2, which finally strengthened antioxidative stress capacity proven by repaired activities of SOD and GSH-Px and reduced MDA production. Additionally, THC treatment accomplished its antifibrotic effect by depressing the ROS-induced TGFβ1/Smad3 signaling pathway followed by reduced expression of cardiac fibrotic markers α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III. Collectively, these finds demonstrated the therapeutic potential of THC treatment to alleviate DCM mainly by attenuating hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and fibrosis via activating the SIRT1 pathway.

Download Full-text

In Vitro and In Vivo Inhibitory Effect of Citrus Junos Tanaka Peel Extract against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptotic Death of Lung Cells

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox9121231 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1231

Author(s):

Jin Woo Kim ◽

Eun Hee Jo ◽

Ji Eun Moon ◽

Hanvit Cha ◽

Moon Han Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Protective Effect ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Lung Cells ◽

In Vivo Models ◽

Citrus Junos ◽

Induced Apoptosis ◽

Peel Extract

Various stresses derived from both internal and external oxidative environments lead to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing progressive intracellular oxidative damage and ultimately cell death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Citrus junos Tanaka peel extract (CE) against oxidative-stress induced the apoptosis of lung cells and the associated mechanisms of action using in vitro and in vivo models. The protective effect of CE was evaluated in vitro in NCI-H460 human lung cells exposed to pro-oxidant H2O2. The preventive effect of CE (200 mg/kg/day, 10 days) against pulmonary injuries following acrolein inhalation (10 ppm for 12 h) was investigated using an in vivo mouse model. Herein, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of CE against the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of lung cells under a highly oxidative environment. The function of CE is linked with its ability to suppress ROS-dependent, p53-mediated apoptotic signaling. Furthermore, we evaluated the protective role of CE against apoptotic pulmonary injuries associated with the inhalation of acrolein, a ubiquitous and highly oxidizing environmental respiratory pollutant, through the attenuation of oxidative stress. The results indicated that CE exhibits a protective effect against the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of lung cells in both in vitro and in vivo models.

Download Full-text

Inhibition of Oxidative Neurotoxicity and Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment by γ-Mangostin: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2019/3640753 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Youngmun Lee ◽

Sunyoung Kim ◽

Yeonsoo Oh ◽

Young-Mi Kim ◽

Young-Won Chin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Memory Impairment ◽

Neuronal Damage ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Neuronal Cell Death ◽

Neuronal Cell ◽

Ros Generation ◽

Garcinia Mangostana

Among a series of xanthones identified from mangosteen, the fruit of Garcinia mangostana L. (Guttifereae), α- and γ-mangostins are known to be major constituents exhibiting diverse biological activities. However, the effects of γ-mangostin on oxidative neurotoxicity and impaired memory are yet to be elucidated. In the present study, the protective effect of γ-mangostin on oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death and its underlying action mechanism(s) were investigated and compared to that of α-mangostin using primary cultured rat cortical cells. In addition, the effect of orally administered γ-mangostin on scopolamine-induced memory impairment was evaluated in mice. We found that γ-mangostin exhibited prominent protection against H2O2- or xanthine/xanthine oxidase-induced oxidative neuronal death and inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation triggered by these oxidative insults. In contrast, α-mangostin had no effects on the oxidative neuronal damage or associated ROS production. We also found that γ-mangostin, not α-mangostin, significantly inhibited H2O2-induced DNA fragmentation and activation of caspases 3 and 9, demonstrating its antiapoptotic action. In addition, only γ-mangostin was found to effectively inhibit lipid peroxidation and DPPH radical formation, while both mangostins inhibited β-secretase activity. Furthermore, we observed that the oral administration of γ-mangostin at dosages of 10 and 30 mg/kg markedly improved scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. Collectively, these results provide both in vitro and in vivo evidences for the neuroprotective and memory enhancing effects of γ-mangostin. Multiple mechanisms underlying this neuroprotective action were suggested in this study. Based on our findings, γ-mangostin could serve as a potentially preferable candidate over α-mangostin in combatting oxidative stress-associated neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease.

Download Full-text

AIMP2-DX2 Promotes the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/9253036 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Qingsong Cao ◽

Jie Zhang ◽

Tao Zhang

Keyword(s):

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽

Protein Expression ◽

Southern China ◽

Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽

Prognostic Indicator ◽

Trna Synthetase ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a head and neck tumor with high degree of malignancy and with high incidence especially in southern China. AIMP2-DX2, one isoform of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase interacting multifunctional proteins (AIMPs), is shown to be a potential target in many cancers. However, the detailed mechanisms of AIMP2-DX2 in NPC development remain to be elucidated. Here, we found that the mRNA expression level of AIMP2-DX2 was significantly increased in NPC specimens, compared with normal nasopharyngeal tissues. Microarray immunohistochemical analysis of NPC specimens and Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with high AIMP2-DX2 protein expression had shorter overall survival than those with low AIMP2-DX2 level. Furthermore, mRNA and protein expression levels of AIMP2-DX2 were both increased in cultured NPC cell lines (5-8F, CNE-2Z, and CNE-1), by being compared with normal nasopharyngeal cell line NP69. Overexpression of AIMP2-DX2 remarkably promoted the cell viability, cell migration, and invasion of cultured NPC cells. Genetic knockdown of AIMP2-DX2 by shRNA lentiviruses significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced apoptosis of NPC cells. Inhibition of AIMP2-DX2 decreased the highly expressed level of matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 2 and MMP-9, further suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion in cultured NPC cells in vitro, and inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model in vivo. Taken together, these results suggest that AIMP2-DX2 plays an important role in the regulation of NPC and could be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic indicator for the treatment of NPC.

Download Full-text