scholarly journals Human Tissue Kallikrein 1 Is Downregulated in Elderly Human Prostates and Possesses Potential In Vitro Antioxidative and Antifibrotic Effects in Rodent Prostates

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Mengyang Zhang ◽  
Changcheng Luo ◽  
Dongxu Lin ◽  
Kai Cui ◽  
Zhong Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
No Production ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Prostate Cell ◽  
Coculture System ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Tgf Β1

Objective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of KLK1 on aging-related prostate alterations and search clues about the application of KLK1 to the treatment of human BPH. Methods. Thirty-six rats including 26 male wild-type SD rats and 10 transgenic rats were fed to 3- or 18-month-old and divided into three groups: young WTR (yWTR) as the control ( n = 16 ), aged WTR (aWTR) ( n = 10 ), and aged TGR (aTGR) ( n = 10 ). The prostates of the three groups of rats (10 rats per group) were harvested to evaluate the levels of KLK1 expression, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and involved signaling pathways, such as NO/cGMP, COX-2/PTGIS/cAMP, and TGF-β1/RhoA/ROCK1, via quantitative PCR, Western blot, histological examinations, and ELISA. Moreover, the remaining 6 yWTRs were sacrificed to obtain primary prostate fibroblast and aortic endothelial cells, and a coculture system was built with the cells for the verification of above signaling pathways in vitro. And the direct effects of bradykinin on prostate cells were detected by MTT experiment. Prostate specimens of 47 patients (age from 48 to 92 years) undergoing BPH surgery were collected after approval. Histological examinations and KLK1 IHC were preformed to analyze the relationship between KLK1 expression and age and prostate fibrosis. Results. The human KLK1 gene only existed and was expressed in aTGR. The prostate of young rats expressed more KLK1 than the aged and the expression of KLK1 in prostate decreased with age in humans ( r = − 0.347 , P = 0.018 ). Compared to the aWTR group, the yWTR and aTGR groups showed milder fibrosis, less oxidative stress, upregulated NO/cGMP, and COX-2/PTGIS/cAMP signaling pathways and inhibited TGF-β1/RhoA/ROCK1 signaling pathway. In the coculture system, KLK1 suppressed TGF-β1-mediated fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation via cleaving LMWK to produce the BK which upregulate eNOS expression and NO production in endothelial cells. BK not only slightly stimulated the proliferation ability of prostatic stromal cells but also upregulated iNOS and inhibited TGF-β1 expression in them. Conclusion. KLK1 protects prostate from oxidative stress and fibrosis via amplified NO/cGMP signal in aged rats. The decrease of KLK1 expression with aging is laying the groundwork for the application of KLK1 to the treatment of human BPH. The current experimental data showed that the side effects of KLK1 on the prostate cell were not obvious.

scholarly journals Protective Effects of Rhodiola Crenulata Extract on Hypoxia-Induced Endothelial Damage via Regulation of AMPK and ERK Pathways

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 2286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pi-Kai Chang ◽  
I-Chuan Yen ◽  
Wei-Cheng Tsai ◽  
Tsu-Chung Chang ◽  
Shih-Yu Lee
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Hypoxic Exposure ◽  
No Production ◽  
Root Extract ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Rhodiola Crenulata

Rhodiola crenulata root extract (RCE) has been shown to possess protective activities against hypoxia both in vitro and in vivo. However, the effects of RCE on response to hypoxia in the endothelium remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of RCE in endothelial cells challenged with hypoxic exposure and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were pretreated with or without RCE and then exposed to hypoxia (1% O2) for 24 h. Cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, oxidative stress markers, as well as mechanistic readouts were studied. We found that hypoxia-induced cell death, impaired NO production, and oxidative stress. These responses were significantly attenuated by RCE treatment and were associated with the activation of AMP-activated kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathways. In summary, we showed that RCE protected endothelial cells from hypoxic insult and suggested that R. crenulata might be useful for the prevention of hypoxia-associated vascular dysfunction.

scholarly journals Ecklonia cava Extract and Its Derivative Dieckol Promote Vasodilation by Modulating Calcium Signaling and PI3K/AKT/eNOS Pathway in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 438
Author(s):  
Yu-An Lu ◽  
Jun-Geon Je ◽  
Jin Hwang ◽  
You-Jin Jeon ◽  
BoMi Ryu
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Ecklonia Cava ◽  
Transgenic Zebrafish ◽  
No Production ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Vasodilatory Effect

Nitric oxide (NO), an endothelial-derived relaxing factor synthesized by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in endothelial cells, enhances vasodilation by modulating vascular tone. The calcium concentration critically influences eNOS activation in endothelial cells. Thus, modulation of calcium-dependent signaling pathways may be a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance vasodilation. Marine algae reportedly possess protective effects against cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension and vascular dysfunction; however, the underlying molecular signaling pathways remain elusive. In the present study, we extracted and isolated dieckol from Ecklonia cava and investigated calcium transit-enhanced vasodilation. Calcium modulation via the well-known M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (AchM3R), which is linked to NO formation, was investigated and the vasodilatory effect of dieckol was verified. Our results indicated that dieckol effectively promoted NO generation via the PI3K/Akt/eNOS axis and calcium transients influenced by AchM3R. We also treated Tg(flk: EGFP) transgenic zebrafish with dieckol to assess its vasodilatory effect. Dieckol promoted vasodilation by enlarging the dorsal aorta diameter, thus regulating blood flow velocity. In conclusion, our findings suggest that dieckol modulates calcium transit through AchM3R, increases endothelial-dependent NO production, and efficiently enhances vasodilation. Thus, E. cava and its derivative, dieckol, can be considered as potential natural vasodilators.

scholarly journals Dehydroepiandrosterone Prevents H2O2-Induced BRL-3A Cell Oxidative Damage through Activation of PI3K/Akt Pathways rather than MAPK Pathways

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Longlong Li ◽  
Yao Yao ◽  
Zhihao Jiang ◽  
Jinlong Zhao ◽  
Ji Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Ros Generation ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Pi3k Inhibitor Ly294002 ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a popular dietary supplement that has well-known benefits in animals and humans, but there is not enough information about the mechanisms underlying its effects. The present study aimed at investigating these mechanisms through in vitro experiments on the effects of DHEA on rat liver BRL-3A cells exposed to oxidative stress through H2O2. The findings showed that DHEA increased the antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased ROS generation, and inhibited apoptosis in H2O2-treated cells. These effects of DHEA were not observed when the cells were pretreated with known antagonists of sex hormones (Trilostane, Flutamide, or Fulvestrant). Furthermore, treatment with estradiol and testosterone did not have the same protective effects as DHEA. Thus, the beneficial effects of DHEA were associated with mechanisms that were independent of steroid hormone pathways. With regard to the mechanism underlying the antiapoptotic effect of DHEA, pretreatment with DHEA was found to induce a significant decrease in the protein expression of Bax and caspase-3 and a significant increase in the protein expression of PI3K and p-Akt in H2O2-treated BRL-3A cells. These effects of DHEA were abolished when the cells were pretreated with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. No changes were observed on the p-ERK1/2, p-p38, and p-JNK protein levels in H2O2-induced BRL-3A cells pretreated with DHEA. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that DHEA protects BRL-3A cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis through mechanisms that do not involve its biotransformation into steroid hormones or the activation of sex hormone receptors. Importantly, the protective effect of DHEA on BRL-3A cells was mainly associated with PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, rather than MAPK signaling pathways.

scholarly journals Aucubin Protects against Myocardial Infarction-Induced Cardiac Remodeling via nNOS/NO-Regulated Oxidative Stress

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Yang ◽  
Qing-Qing Wu ◽  
Yang Xiao ◽  
Ming Xia Duan ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Cardiac Remodeling ◽  
Coronary Artery Ligation ◽  
No Production ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Artery Ligation ◽  
Nos Inhibitors

Whether aucubin could protect myocardial infarction- (MI-) induced cardiac remodeling is not clear. In this study, in a mouse model, cardiac remodeling was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation surgery. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with aucubin (10 mg/kg) 3 days post-MI. Two weeks post-MI, mice in the aucubin treatment group showed decreased mortality, decreased infarct size, and improved cardiac function. Aucubin also decreased cardiac remodeling post-MI. Consistently, aucubin protected cardiomyocytes against hypoxic injury in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that aucubin inhibited the ASK1/JNK signaling. These effects were abolished by the JNK activator. Moreover, we found that the oxidative stress was attenuated in both in vivo aucubin-treated mice heart and in vitro-treated cardiomyocytes, which caused decreased thioredoxin (Trx) consumption, leading to ASK1 forming the inactive complex with Trx. Aucubin increased nNOS-derived NO production in vivo and vitro. The protective effects of aucubin were reversed by the NOS inhibitors L-NAME and L-VINO in vitro. Furthermore, nNOS knockout mice also reversed the protective effects of aucubin on cardiac remodeling. Taken together, aucubin protects against cardiac remodeling post-MI through activation of the nNOS/NO pathway, which subsequently attenuates the ROS production, increases Trx preservation, and leads to inhibition of the ASK1/JNK pathway.

scholarly journals Exosomal circHIPK3 Released from Hypoxia-Pretreated Cardiomyocytes Regulates Oxidative Damage in Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells via the miR-29a/IGF-1 Pathway

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Ranzun Zhao ◽  
Weiwei Liu ◽  
Zhenglong Wang ◽  
Jidong Rong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial ◽  
Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Background/Aims. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of endogenous noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression in eukaryotes. Recently, exosomes from cardiomyocytes (CMs) have been found to facilitate cell proliferation and survival by transporting various bioactive molecules, including circRNA. However, the functions of exosomal circRNAs are not clear. The present research is aimed at determining whether circHIPK3 released from hypoxia-pretreated CMs is transferred into cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMVECs) by exosomes and becomes functionally active in the CMVECs under oxidative stress conditions. Methods. Quantitative polymerase chain reactions were conducted to detect the expression pattern of circHIPK3 in CMVECs under oxidative stress. Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining assays, TUNEL assays, ROS assays, and Western blot analysis were conducted to detect the role of exosomal circHIPK3 in CMVEC function in vitro. Luciferase activity assays and RNA immunoprecipitation studies were conducted in vitro to reveal the mechanism of circHIPK3-mediated CMVEC function. Results. circHIPK3 expression was significantly upregulated in hypoxic exosomes (HPC-exos) compared with normoxic exosomes (Nor-exos). Moreover, HPC-exos induced stronger antioxidant effects than Nor-exos. The silencing or overexpression of circHIPK3 changed CMVEC survival under oxidative conditions in vitro. Furthermore, circHIPK3 silencing in HPC-exos abrogated the protective effects of HPC-exos in CMVECs, as shown by increased levels of apoptosis, ROS, MDA, and proapoptotic proteins. circHIPK3 acted as an endogenous miR-29a sponge to sequester and inhibit miR-29a activity, which led to increased IGF-1 expression. The ectopic expression of miR-29a mimicked the effect of circHIPK3 silencing in CMVECs in vitro. Conclusions. circHIPK3 in HPC-exos plays a role in CMVECs under oxidative conditions through miR-29a-mediated IGF-1 expression, leading to a decrease in oxidative stress-induced CMVECs dysfunction. These data suggest that the exosomal circRNA in CMs is a potential target to control CMVECs dysfunction under oxidative conditions.

Protective effects of beet ( Beta vulgaris ) leaves extract against oxidative stress in endothelial cells in vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1385-1396
Author(s):  
Luiz Guilherme Salvino Silva ◽  
Ana Paula Morelli ◽  
Isadora Carolina Betim Pavan ◽  
Mariana Rosolen Tavares ◽  
Nathalie Fortes Pestana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Beta Vulgaris ◽  
Protective Effects

scholarly journals Interventricular Differences of Signaling Pathways-Mediated Regulation of Cardiomyocyte Function in Response to High Oxidative Stress in the Post-Ischemic Failing Rat Heart

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 964
Author(s):  
Árpád Kovács ◽  
Melissa Herwig ◽  
Heidi Budde ◽  
Simin Delalat ◽  
Detmar Kolijn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Rat Heart ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Sham Group ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Passive Stiffness ◽  
Tgf Β1

Standard heart failure (HF) therapies have failed to improve cardiac function or survival in HF patients with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction suggesting a divergence in the molecular mechanisms of RV vs. left ventricular (LV) failure. Here we aimed to investigate interventricular differences in sarcomeric regulation and function in experimental myocardial infarction (MI)-induced HF with reduced LV ejection fraction (HFrEF). MI was induced by LAD ligation in Sprague–Dawley male rats. Sham-operated animals served as controls. Eight weeks after intervention, post-ischemic HFrEF and Sham animals were euthanized. Heart tissue samples were deep-frozen stored (n = 3–5 heart/group) for ELISA, kinase activity assays, passive stiffness and Ca2+-sensitivity measurements on isolated cardiomyocytes, phospho-specific Western blot, and PAGE of contractile proteins, as well as for collagen gene expressions. Markers of oxidative stress and inflammation showed interventricular differences in post-ischemic rats: TGF-β1, lipid peroxidation, and 3-nitrotyrosine levels were higher in the LV than RV, while hydrogen peroxide, VCAM-1, TNFα, and TGF-β1 were increased in both ventricles. In addition, nitric oxide (NO) level was significantly decreased, while FN-1 level was significantly increased only in the LV, but both were unchanged in RV. CaMKII activity showed an 81.6% increase in the LV, in contrast to a 38.6% decrease in the RV of HFrEF rats. Cardiomyocyte passive stiffness was higher in the HFrEF compared to the Sham group as evident from significantly steeper Fpassive vs. sarcomere length relationships. In vitro treatment with CaMKIIδ, however, restored cardiomyocyte passive stiffness only in the HFrEF RV, but had no effect in the HFrEF LV. PKG activity was lower in both ventricles in the HFrEF compared to the Sham group. In vitro PKG administration decreased HFrEF cardiomyocyte passive stiffness; however, the effect was more pronounced in the HFrEF LV than HFrEF RV. In line with this, we observed distinct changes of titin site-specific phosphorylation in the RV vs. LV of post-ischemic rats, which may explain divergent cardiomyocyte stiffness modulation observed. Finally, Ca2+-sensitivity of RV cardiomyocytes was unchanged, while LV cardiomyocytes showed increased Ca2+-sensitivity in the HFrEF group. This could be explained by decreased Ser-282 phosphorylation of cMyBP-C by 44.5% in the RV, but without any alteration in the LV, while Ser-23/24 phosphorylation of cTnI was decreased in both ventricles in the HFrEF vs. the Sham group. Our data pointed to distinct signaling pathways-mediated phosphorylations of sarcomeric proteins for the RV and LV of the post-ischemic failing rat heart. These results implicate divergent responses for oxidative stress and open a new avenue in targeting the RV independently of the LV.

scholarly journals Role of Rutin on Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azizah Ugusman ◽  
Zaiton Zakaria ◽  
Kien Hui Chua ◽  
Nor Anita Megat Mohd Nordin ◽  
Zaleha Abdullah Mahdy
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Enos Gene ◽  
No Production ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Human Umbilical Vein ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression ◽  
Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Nitric oxide (NO), produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is a major antiatherogenic factor in the blood vessel. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Decreased availability of endothelial NO promotes the progression of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Rutin is a flavonoid with multiple cardiovascular protective effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rutin on eNOS and NO production in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HUVEC were divided into four groups: control; oxidative stress induction with 180 μM H2O2; treatment with 300 μM rutin; and concomitant induction with rutin and H2O2for 24 hours. HUVEC treated with rutin produced higher amount of NO compared to control (P<0.01). In the oxidative stress-induced HUVEC, rutin successfully induced cells’ NO production (P<0.01). Rutin promoted NO production in HUVEC by inducing eNOS gene expression (P<0.05), eNOS protein synthesis (P<0.01), and eNOS activity (P<0.05). Treatment with rutin also led to increased gene and protein expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in HUVEC. Therefore, upregulation of eNOS expression by rutin may be mediated by bFGF. The results showed that rutin may improve endothelial function by augmenting NO production in human endothelial cells.

Interaction between NO and COX pathways in retinal cells exposed to elevated glucose and retina of diabetic rats

2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (4) ◽  
pp. R735-R741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunpeng Du ◽  
V. P. Sarthy ◽  
T. S. Kern
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Diabetic Rats ◽  
No Production ◽  
Retinal Cells ◽  
Elevated Glucose ◽  
Cox 2

A nonselective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX; high-dose aspirin) and a relatively selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; aminoguanidine) have been found to inhibit development of diabetic retinopathy in animals, raising a possibility that NOS and COX play important roles in the development of retinopathy. In this study, the effects of hyperglycemia on retinal nitric oxide (NO) production and the COX-2 pathway, and the interrelationship of the NOS and COX-2 pathways in retina and retinal cells, were investigated using a general inhibitor of NOS [ NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)], specific inhibitors of iNOS [l- N6-(1-iminoethyl)lysine (l-NIL)] and COX-2 (NS-398), and aspirin and aminoguanidine. In vitro studies used a transformed retinal Müller (glial) cell line (rMC-1) and primary bovine retinal endothelial cells (BREC) incubated in 5 and 25 mM glucose with and without these inhibitors, and in vivo studies utilized retinas from experimentally diabetic rats (2 mo) treated or without aminoguanidine or aspirin. Retinal rMC-1 cells cultured in high glucose increased production of NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and expression of iNOS and COX-2. Inhibition of NO production with l-NAME or l-NIL inhibited all of these abnormalities, as did aminoguanidine and aspirin. In contrast, inhibition of COX-2 with NS-398 blocked PGE2 production but had no effect on NO or iNOS. In BREC, elevated glucose increased NO and PGE2 significantly, whereas expression of iNOS and COX-2 was unchanged. Viability of rMC-1 cells or BREC in 25 mM glucose was significantly less than at 5 mM glucose, and this cell death was inhibited by l-NAME or NS-398 in both cell types and also by l-NIL in rMC-1 cells. Retinal homogenates from diabetic animals produced significantly greater than normal amounts of NO and PGE2 and of iNOS and COX-2. Oral aminoguanidine and aspirin significantly inhibited all of these increases. The in vitro results suggest that the hyperglycemia-induced increase in NO in retinal Müller cells and endothelial cells increases production of cytotoxic prostaglandins via COX-2. iNOS seems to account for the increased production of NO in Müller cells but not in endothelial cells. We postulate that NOS and COX-2 act together to contribute to retinal cell death in diabetes and to the development of diabetic retinopathy and that inhibition of retinopathy by aminoguanidine or aspirin is due at least in part to inhibition of this NO/COX-2 axis.

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