Effects of Blood Purification on Serum Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines and Cardiac Function in a Rat Model of Sepsis

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-50
Author(s):  
Cong-Meng Lin ◽  
Cun-Rong Chen ◽  
Xue-Qiong Wu ◽  
Jin-Hua Ren ◽  
Shao-Zhen Chen ◽  
...  

Objective: The study aimed to explore the effects of blood purification (BP) on serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and cardiac function in a rat model of sepsis. Methods: A rat model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture. All rats were divided into the normal control, sham operation, model, sham treatment, and BP treatment groups. Cardiac functions, inflammatory cytokines, myocardial enzymes, pathological score of cardiac muscle tissue, and myocardial apoptosis of rats in each group were compared. Results: Sepsis rats had higher serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and lower cardiac function than those in the normal control and sham operation groups. Compared with the model and sham treatment groups, improved cardiac functions, decreased inflammatory cytokines, myocardial enzymes, pathological score, and myocardial apoptosis and mortality were observed in the BP treatment group. Conclusion: BP may reduce serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and improve cardiac function of sepsis rats.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zhu ◽  
Lixue Wu ◽  
Qiuxiang Zhou ◽  
Yueyue Yan ◽  
Jinlong Qu ◽  
...  

Abstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) main cause of motor dysfunction results in loss of feelings partially or completely. The current study investigated indirubin-3′-oxime (IR3O) for treatment of SCI in rat model and evaluated the related mechanism. Rats in model SCI and ID30 groups were subjected to laminectomy at 8th thoracic vertebra level. Vertebral column was secured by clamping T6 and T10 and SCI model was established by dripping a hammer. Treatment groups received 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg/kg doses of ID30 daily for 2-weeks post-surgery. Treatment with ID30 effectively improved BBB score in rats with SCI in dose-based manner. Accumulation of water in spinal cord tissues was alleviated significantly on treatment of SCI rats with ID30. ID30 treatment significantly alleviated SCI mediated higher serum levels of TNF-α and cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) in SCI rats. In ID30 treated SCI rats SOD, CAT and GSH activities were significantly alleviated. The SCI mediated increased cleaved caspase-3 and -9 levels were alleviated by ID30 treatment significantly. Moreover, ID30 treatment suppressed SCI mediated elevation of PGE2, COX‑2 levels and significantly (P<0.05) elevated PPAR-γ expression. The ID30 treatment of SCI rats significantly (P<0.05) elevated PI3K and Akt phosphorylation. Thus, ID30 inhibited edema and improved BBB score in rats with SCI by targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative response. Moreover, in SCI rats ID30 treatment down-regulated apoptotic proteins, promoted PPAR-γ activation and elevated PI3K/Akt phosphorylation. Thus, ID30 has potential to be studied further for development of therapeutic strategy for SCI.


2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Yaser Masoumi-Ardakani ◽  
Hamid Najafipour ◽  
Hamid Reza Nasri ◽  
Soheil Aminizadeh ◽  
Shirin Jafari ◽  
...  

Objectives. Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Despite advances in treatment and control of HTN, the prevalence of HTN is still increasing. MitoQ is a supplement that acts on mitochondria and attenuates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which plays an important role in cardiovascular health. miRNAs play an important role in the pathophysiology of HTN. We evaluated the effects of MitoQ supplementation and endurance training (ET), alone and in combination, on functional indices of the heart and serum levels of miR-126, miR-27a, antioxidants, and NO, in patients with HTN. Methods. In a double-blind randomized clinical trial, 52 male participants (age 40-55 years) were randomly divided into four groups ( n = 13 ) of placebo, MitoQ (20 mg/day, oral), ET (cycle ergometer, moderate intensity, 40-60% VO2 peak, heart rate 120-140 b/min, 45 min a day, three days/week for six weeks), and MitoQ+ET. Cardiac function indices were assessed by echocardiography before and after interventions. Results. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreased in all intervention groups ( P < 0.001 ) while DBP ( P < 0.01 ) and LV hypertrophy ( P < 0.05 ) were significantly decreased only in the MitoQ+ET group. Serum levels of SOD, GPx, and NO and the level of miR-126 significantly increased in all treatment groups, while miR-27a reduced in the ET ( P < 0.05 ) and MitoQ+ET ( P < 0.01 ) groups. Conclusions. Compared to MitoQ and ET alone, their combination has more prominent improving effects on cardiac health and amelioration of BP in the patients with HTN. These effects are through miR-126 and miR-27a modulation and ameliorating mitochondrial ROS production.


2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-243
Author(s):  
Haiqin Wang ◽  
Li Nian ◽  
Zhonghua Li ◽  
Changhui Lu

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is a life-threatening pregnancy complication. Though there are several medications widely used to treat HELLP syndrome, delivery is the only efficient treatment. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D), a newly identified PDGF, in a rat model of HELLP syndrome which was accomplished by sFlt-1 and sEng injection. The expression levels of PDGF-D in pregnant women diagnosed with HELLP syndrome was determined. A HELLP rat model was established and the PDGF-D expression level in the plasma and the placenta tissue was evaluated. To evaluate the effects of PDGF-D in HELLP syndrome model, siPDGF-D was injected into the rats and the HELLP syndrome-related parameters were measured. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and PDGF-D were determined by ELISA. The oxidative stress activities in the plasma were also determined. Furthermore, the expression of PDGF-D/PDGFR-β/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 in placenta tissues was evaluated by Western blotting. Compared to the normal pregnant (NP) group, the levels of PDGF-D were augmented regardless of species. Knockdown of PDGF-D can result in the alleviation of HELLP syndrome development and progression in the HELLP rat model. Importantly, as a result of PDGF-D knockdown, the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress activities were modulated, and the phosphorylation of PDGFR-β and NF-κB p65 in placenta tissue was inhibited. Taking together, our findings indicate that targeting PDGF-D could be used as a novel strategy to treat patients with HELLP syndrome.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11501
Author(s):  
Jinjin Jiang ◽  
Xiuping Gu ◽  
Huifeng Wang ◽  
Shibin Ding

Background Several studies have shown that resveratrol (RES), a naturally occurring polyphenol found in many plants, is beneficial for preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanism underlying the RES-mediated protection against myocardial infarction has not yet been revealed entirely. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of RES on cardiac function in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the related underlying mechanisms. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham (sham operation), Sham-RES, AMI (AMI induction), and AMI-RES. The rat AMI model was established by the permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery method. The rats in the RES-treated groups were gavaged with RES (50 mg/kg/day) daily for 45 days after the Sham operation or AMI induction; rats in the Sham and AMI groups were gavaged with deionized water. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. Atrial interstitial fibrosis was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin or Masson’s trichrome staining. Real-time PCR and western blotting analyses were performed to examine the levels of signaling pathway components. Results RES supplementation decreased the inflammatory cytokine levels, improved the cardiac function, and ameliorated atrial interstitial fibrosis in the rats with AMI. Furthermore, RES supplementation inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activity, decreased the TGF-β1 production, and downregulated the p-SMAD2/SMAD2 expression in the heart. Conclusion RES shows notable cardioprotective effects in a rat model of AMI; the possible mechanisms underlying these effects may involve the improvement of cardiac function and atrial interstitial fibrosis via the RES-mediated suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activity and inhibition of the TGF-β1/SMAD2 signaling pathway in the heart.


2013 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Erös de Bethlenfalva-Hora ◽  
Joachim C. Mertens ◽  
Anne-Christine Piguet ◽  
Joachim Kettenbach ◽  
Johannes Schmitt ◽  
...  

RFA (radiofrequency ablation) is an established therapy for HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma). The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib prolongs survival in advanced HCC. We examined the effects of RFA alone and in combination with sorafenib on a bystanding tumour in a two-tumour rat model of HCC. A total of 80 rats were implanted with two liver tumours and randomized to four treatment groups: vehicle and sham operation (control), sorafenib and sham operation (Sora/Sham), vehicle and RFA (Vh/RFA), and sorafenib and RFA (Sora/RFA) (n=10/group per time point). RFA or sham-operation was performed on the left lobe tumour on day 15. Animals were killed at day 18 and day 30. Non-RFA-targeted right lobe tumours were analysed for angiogenesis, growth factors [HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), EGF (epidermal growth factor) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)] and infiltrating immune cells (CD3 and CD68). At day 30, the non-RFA-targeted tumours were significantly smaller in all three treatment groups compared with control (Sora/Sham P≤0.0001, Vh/RFA P=0.005 and Sora/RFA P≤0.0001). The smallest tumours were observed in animals treated with a combination of sorafenib and RFA, whereas the size reduction seen in the RFA-only group indicated an RFA-mediated distant suppression of tumour growth. Growth factor measurement revealed transiently decreased EGF levels after RFA (P=0.008), whereas sorafenib treatment decreased HGF levels (P=0.001). MVD (microvessel density) was reduced by sorafenib (P=0.002) despite increased VEGF levels (P≤0.0001). The immune parameters revealed augmented T-cells and IL-10 (interleukin 10) levels in all three treatment groups; sorafenib additionally increased macrophage numbers (P≤0.0001). RFA and sorafenib alone resulted in significant volume reduction of the non-RFA-targeted tumour; this effect was enhanced when both modalities were combined.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Yu Shi ◽  
Yue Liu ◽  
Li Dong ◽  
Bo Zhang ◽  
Meng Zhao ◽  
...  

Objectives: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptotic pathway is associated with the development of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Cortistatin (CST) is a novel bioactive peptide that inhibits apoptosis-related injury. Therefore, we investigated the cardioprotective effects and potential mechanisms of CST in a rat model of AMI. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, AMI, and AMI + CST groups. Cardiac function and the degree of infarction were evaluated by echocardiography, cardiac troponin I activity, and 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride staining after 7 days. The expression of CST, ER stress markers, and apoptotic markers was examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: Compared to the AMI group, the AMI + CST group exhibited markedly better cardiac function and a lower degree of infarction. Electron microscopy and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling confirmed that myocardial apoptosis occurred after AMI. Cortistatin treatment reduced the expression of caspase 3, cleaved caspase 3, and Bax (proapoptotic proteins) and promoted the expression of Bcl-2 (antiapoptotic protein). In addition, the reduced expression of glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins homologous protein, and caspase 12 indicated that ER stress and the apoptotic pathway associated with ER stress were suppressed. Conclusions: Exogenous CST has a notable cardioprotective effect after AMI in a rat model in that it improves cardiac function by suppressing ER stress and myocardial apoptosis.


Author(s):  
Xiaodong Du ◽  
Yu Cao ◽  
Ping Xue ◽  
Ziqi Lin ◽  
Zhi Zeng ◽  
...  

AbstractSevere acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a common disease with a poor prognosis. Heart failure is one cause of SAP patient death. Intermedin (IMD) is a potent endogenous cardio-protective substance. Administration of exogenous IMD showed beneficial effects in cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the myocardial damage in SAP and to determine the therapeutic potential of IMD for SAP. Using an SAP rat model, we examined endogenous IMD expression following SAP induction, and determined the effect of IMD on myocardial function, histological morphology, apoptosis-related gene expression, and prognosis. Our results indicated that the cardiac function and histological structure were significantly disrupted in SAP rats. Infusion of exogenous IMD significantly preserved cardiac function and ameliorated myocardial damage. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) revealed that myocardial apoptosis was extensively present in SAP rats, and IMD infusion led to increased expression of the prosurvival factor Bcl-2, but decreased pro-apoptotic factors Bax and caspase-3. In addition, IMD infusion also reversed the change of IMD receptor systems in SAP rat heart tissue. Furthermore, we found that IMD infusion greatly decreased mortality of SAP rats. In conclusion, administration of SAP produced therapeutic effects in SAP through modulating apoptotic and pro-survival gene expression, inhibiting myocardial apoptosis, preserving cardiac function, and a useful therapeutic agent for SAP, and provides us an insight for a clinical trial of IMD for treating human severe acute pancreatitis.


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