scholarly journals Simvastatin Attenuates Neurogenetic Damage and Improves Neurocongnitive Deficits Induced by Isoflurane in Neonatal Rats

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 618-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Wang ◽  
Yang Lu ◽  
Kui Wang ◽  
Wei-song Li ◽  
Pan Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Morris Water Maze Test ◽  
Neonatal Rats ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Protein Expressions ◽  
Gsk 3Β

Background/Aims: Isoflurane inhibited neurogenesis and induced subsequent neurocognitive deficits in developing brain. Simvastatin exerts neuroprotection in a wide range of brain injury models. In the present study, we investigated whether simvastatin could attenuate neurogenetic inhibition and cognitive deficits induced by isoflurane exposure in neonatal rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats at postnatal day (PND) 7 and neural stem cells (NSCs) were treated with either gas mixture, isoflurane, or simvastatin 60 min prior to isoflurane exposure, respectively. The rats were decapitated at PND 8 and PND 10 for detection of neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus by immunostaining. NSC proliferation, viability and apoptosis were assessed by immunohistochemistry, CCK-8 and TUNEL, respectively. The protein expressions of caspase-3, p-Akt and p-GSK-3β both in vivo and vitro were assessed by western blotting. Cognitive functions were assessed by Morris Water Maze test and context fear conditioning test at the adult. Results: Isoflurane exposure inhibited neurogenesis in the SVZ and SGZ, decreased NSC proliferation and viability, promoted NSC apoptosis and led to late cognitive deficits. Furthermore, isoflurane increased caspase-3 expression and decreased protein expressions of p-Akt and p-GSK-3β both in vivo and in vitro. Pretreatment with simvastatin attenuated isoflurane-elicited changes in NSCs and cognitive function. Co-treatment with LY294002 reversed the effect of simvastatin on NSCs in vitro. Conclusion: We for the first time showed that simvastatin, by upregulating Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway, alleviated isoflurane-induced neurogenetic damage and neurocognitive deficits in developing rat brain.

scholarly journals Silica nanoparticles inducing the apoptosis of spermatocyte cell through microRNA-450b-3p targeting MTCH2-mediating mitochondrial signaling pathway

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guiqing Zhou ◽  
Jianhui Liu ◽  
Xiangyang Li ◽  
Yujian Sang ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome C ◽  
Silica Nanoparticles ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Reproductive Toxicity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
Protein Expressions ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background: Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are found in environmental particulate matter and are proven to have adverse effects on fertility. The relationship and underlying mechanisms between miRNAs and apoptosis induced by SiNPs during spermatogenesis is currently ambiguous. Experimental design: The present study was designed to investigate the role of miRNA-450b-3p in the reproductive toxicity caused by SiNPs. In vivo, 40 male mice were randomly divided into control and SiNPs groups, 20 per group. The mice in the SiNPs group were administrated 20 mg/kg SiNPs by tracheal perfusion once every 5 days, for 35 days, and the control group were given the equivalent of a normal luminal saline. In vitro, spermatocyte cells were divided into 0 and 5 μg/mL SiNPs groups, after passaged for 30 generations, the GC-2spd cells in 5 μg/mL SiNPs groups were transfected with miRNA-450b-3p and its mimic and inhibitor. Results: In vivo, the results showed that SiNPs damaged tissue structures of testis, decreased the quantity and quality of the sperm, reduced the expression of miR-450b-3p, and increased the protein expressions of the MTCH2, BID, BAX, Cytochrome C, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 in the testis. In vitro, SiNPs obviously repressed the viability and increased the LDH level and apoptosis rate, decreased the levels of the miR-450b-3p, significantly enhanced the protein expressions of the MTCH2, BID, BAX, Cytochrome C, Caspase-9, Caspase-3; while the mimic of miR-450b-3p reversed the changes induced by SiNPs, but inhibitor further promoted the effects induced by SiNPs.Conclusion: The result suggested that SiNPs could induce the spermatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the miR-450b-3p expression to target promoting the MTCH2 resulting in activating mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathways in the spermatocyte cells.

scholarly journals AT1R/GSK-3β/mTOR Signaling Pathway Involved in Angiotensin II-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis after HIE Both In Vitro and In Vivo

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Wei Si ◽  
Banghui Li ◽  
Cameron Lenahan ◽  
Shirong Li ◽  
Ran Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Cerebral Infarction ◽  
Neuronal Apoptosis ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Neuronal Degeneration ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Mtor Signaling Pathway ◽  
Gsk 3Β

Objective. The focus of the present study is to evaluate the effects of Angiotensin II (Ang II) on neuronal apoptosis after HIE and the potential underlying mechanisms. Methods. Primary neonatal rat cortical neurons were used to study the oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model. The expressions of Ang II, AT1R, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β, mTOR, p-mTOR, Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 were detected via western blot. IF and flow cytometry were used to evaluate neuronal apoptosis. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Ang II in vivo. Cerebral infarction areas were detected by 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The righting and geotaxis reflexes were also recorded. In addition, Fluoro-Jade C staining and TUNEL staining were performed to evaluate neuronal degeneration and apoptosis. Results. Ang II significantly increased the rate of neuronal apoptosis, upregulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3, and downregulated Bcl-2/Bax ratio after OGD insult. For vivo assay, the expressions of endogenous Ang II and AT1R gradually increased and peaked at 24 h after HIE. Ang II increased NeuN-positive AT1R cell expression. In addition, Ang II increased the area of cerebral infarction, promoted neuronal degeneration and apoptosis, aggravated neurological deficits on righting and geotaxis reflexes, and was accompanied by increased expressions of phosphorylated GSK-3β and mTOR. The application of valsartan (Ang II inhibitor) or SB216763 (GSK-3β inhibitor) reversed these phenomena triggered by Ang II following HIE. Conclusion. Ang II increased neuronal apoptosis through the AT1R/GSK-3β/mTOR signaling pathway after experimental HIE both in vitro and in vivo, and Ang II may serve as a novel therapeutic target to ameliorate brain injury after HIE.

scholarly journals Protective effect of midazolam against convulsion in neonatal rats via down-regulation of LC3 and Beclin-1 expression

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 557-563
Author(s):  
Juan Shi ◽  
Shuzhong Jiang ◽  
Qinhua Wang ◽  
Jiajia Hua ◽  
Feifan Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Mitochondrial Pathway ◽  
Beclin 1 ◽  
Neonatal Rats ◽  
Caspase 9 ◽  
Protein Expressions ◽  
Brain Water ◽  
Inhibitor Treatment

Purpose: To investigate the effect of midazolam on growth of neurocytes in vitro and in neonatal rats. Methods: Neurocyte proliferation and activity of lactate dehydrogenase were assessed by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase assays, respectively. Western blotting was used to determine the effect of midazolam on LC3, Bax, p62 and Beclin-1 protein expressions. Results: The suppression of neurocyte proliferation byconvulsion was alleviated significantly (p < 0.05) by midazolum treatment. Exposure of convulsion model of neurocytes to midazolum suppressed LC3, Bax, p62 and Beclin-1 protein expression. Midazolum exposure of convulsion model of neurocytes suppressed LDH, caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 activities. The 3-MA (autophagy inhibitor) treatment also significantly (p < 0.05) promoted neurocyte viability after convulsion induction. In convulsion-induced neurocytes, 3-MA exposure suppressed expression of caspase-3/8/9, LC3, Bax, Beclin-1 and p62, while application of midazolum treatment to the rats with convulsion markedly decreased brain water content and neurocyte apoptosis (p < 0.05). Treatment with midazolum inhibited LC3, p62 and Beclin-1 expression in the rat model of convulsion. Conclusion: Midazolum promotes neurocyte proliferation and inhibits edema development via downregulation of autophagy. Therefore, midazolum can potentially be used for the treatment of convulsion, but further studies need to be carried out first. Keywords: Convulsion, Neurocytes, Caspase, Autophagy, Mitochondrial pathway

scholarly journals Downregulation of microRNA-15b-5p Targeting the Akt3-Mediated GSK-3β/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Inhibits Cell Apoptosis in Parkinson’s Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Jianzhong Zhu ◽  
Xue Xu ◽  
Yingyin Liang ◽  
Ronglan Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Gsk 3Β

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an incurable progressive disorder resulting from neurodegeneration, and apoptosis is considered a dominant mechanism underlying the process of neurodegeneration. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are small and noncoding RNAs involved in many a biological process like apoptosis and regulation of gene expressions, have been found in postmortem brain samples of patients with PD, as well as in vitro and in vivo models of PD. To explore the impact of miR-15b-5p and Akt3 on apoptosis in the progression of PD, the method of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed, and the analysis result showed upregulated expression of miR-15b-5p and downregulated expression of Akt3 in the serum of PD patients, MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cells, and the brain tissues of MPTP-induced mice. Meanwhile, the dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to demonstrate the regulator-target interaction between miR-15b-5p and Akt3; flow cytometry and spectrophotometry revealed that transfection of miR-15b-5p mimic and si-Akt3 increased the rate of apoptosis and caspase-3 activity, whereas transfecting the miR-15b-5p inhibitor and Akt3-overexpression plasmid repressed the rate of apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in the MPP+-induced SH-SY5Y cell model and the MPTP-induced mouse model. Additionally, analysis of western blotting (WB) assays in vivo and in vitro revealed that proapoptosis proteins (Bax, caspase-3, GSK-3β, and β-catenin) showed markedly upregulated expression in the miR-15b-5p inhibitor and si-Akt3-overexpression groups, while the expression of an antiapoptosis gene (i.e., Bcl2) was downregulated. These analysis results indicate that downregulation of miR-15b-5p by targeting the Akt3-mediated GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway would repress cell apoptosis in PD in vivo and in vitro. It is expected that the research findings would help find new therapeutic targets for treatment of PD.

Evaluation of 99mTc-Label led Vitamin K4 as an Agent for Testicular Imaging

1991 ◽  
Vol 30 (01) ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. Durak ◽  
M. Kitapgi ◽  
B. E. Caner ◽  
R. Senekowitsch ◽  
M. T. Ercan
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Left Testis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Activity Ratios ◽  
The Right ◽  
Radioactivity Levels

Vitamin K4 was labelled with 99mTc with an efficiency higher than 97%. The compound was stable up to 24 h at room temperature, and its biodistribution in NMRI mice indicated its in vivo stability. Blood radioactivity levels were high over a wide range. 10% of the injected activity remained in blood after 24 h. Excretion was mostly via kidneys. Only the liver and kidneys concentrated appreciable amounts of radioactivity. Testis/soft tissue ratios were 1.4 and 1.57 at 6 and 24 h, respectively. Testis/blood ratios were lower than 1. In vitro studies with mouse blood indicated that 33.9 ±9.6% of the radioactivity was associated with RBCs; it was washed out almost completely with saline. Protein binding was 28.7 ±6.3% as determined by TCA precipitation. Blood clearance of 99mTc-l<4 in normal subjects showed a slow decrease of radioactivity, reaching a plateau after 16 h at 20% of the injected activity. In scintigraphic images in men the testes could be well visualized. The right/left testis ratio was 1.08 ±0.13. Testis/soft tissue and testis/blood activity ratios were highest at 3 h. These ratios were higher than those obtained with pertechnetate at 20 min post injection.99mTc-l<4 appears to be a promising radiopharmaceutical for the scintigraphic visualization of testes.

Ethnomedicinal uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Aspects of the Genus Berberis Linn: A Comprehensive Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roohi Mohi-ud-din ◽  
Reyaz Hassan Mir ◽  
Prince Ahad Mir ◽  
Saeema Farooq ◽  
Syed Naiem Raza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Ethnomedicinal Uses

Background: Genus Berberis (family Berberidaceae), which contains about 650 species and 17 genera worldwide, has been used in folklore and various traditional medicine systems. Berberis Linn. is the most established group among genera with around 450-500 species across the world. This comprehensive review will not only help researchers for further evaluation but also provide substantial information for future exploitation of species to develop novel herbal formulations. Objective: The present review is focussed to summarize and collect the updated review of information of Genus Berberis species reported to date regarding their ethnomedicinal information, chemical constituents, traditional/folklore use, and reported pharmacological activities on more than 40 species of Berberis. Conclusion: A comprehensive survey of the literature reveals that various species of the genus possess various phytoconstituents mainly alkaloids, flavonoid based compounds isolated from different parts of a plant with a wide range of pharmacological activities. So far, many pharmacological activities like anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory both in vitro & in vivo and clinical study of different extracts/isolated compounds of different species of Berberis have been reported, proving their importance as a medicinal plant and claiming their traditional use.

Current Status and Future Perspective for Research on Medicinal Plants with Anticancerous Activity and Minimum Cytotoxic Value

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1227-1243
Author(s):  
Hina Qamar ◽  
Sumbul Rehman ◽  
D.K. Chauhan
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Psidium Guajava ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Perspective ◽  
Wide Range

Cancer is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although chemotherapy and radiotherapy enhance the survival rate of cancerous patients but they have several acute toxic effects. Therefore, there is a need to search for new anticancer agents having better efficacy and lesser side effects. In this regard, herbal treatment is found to be a safe method for treating and preventing cancer. Here, an attempt has been made to screen some less explored medicinal plants like Ammania baccifera, Asclepias curassavica, Azadarichta indica, Butea monosperma, Croton tiglium, Hedera nepalensis, Jatropha curcas, Momordica charantia, Moringa oleifera, Psidium guajava, etc. having potent anticancer activity with minimum cytotoxic value (IC50 >3μM) and lesser or negligible toxicity. They are rich in active phytochemicals with a wide range of drug targets. In this study, these medicinal plants were evaluated for dose-dependent cytotoxicological studies via in vitro MTT assay and in vivo tumor models along with some more plants which are reported to have IC50 value in the range of 0.019-0.528 mg/ml. The findings indicate that these plants inhibit tumor growth by their antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic molecular targets. They are widely used because of their easy availability, affordable price and having no or sometimes minimal side effects. This review provides a baseline for the discovery of anticancer drugs from medicinal plants having minimum cytotoxic value with minimal side effects and establishment of their analogues for the welfare of mankind.

Approach in improving potency and selectivity of kinase inhibitors: Allosteric kinase inhibitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shangfei Wei ◽  
Tianming Zhao ◽  
Jie Wang ◽  
Xin Zhai
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Allosteric Inhibitors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Allosteric Sites ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
Regulate Protein

: Allostery is an efficient and particular regulatory mechanism to regulate protein functions. Different from conserved orthosteric sites, allosteric sites have distinctive functional mechanism to form the complex regulatory network. In drug discovery, kinase inhibitors targeting the allosteric pockets have received extensive attention for the advantages of high selectivity and low toxicity. The approval of trametinib as the first allosteric inhibitor validated that allosteric inhibitors could be used as effective therapeutic drugs for treatment of diseases. To date, a wide range of allosteric inhibitors have been identified. In this perspective, we outline different binding modes and potential advantages of allosteric inhibitors. In the meantime, the research processes of typical and novel allosteric inhibitors are described briefly in terms of structureactivity relationships, ligand-protein interactions and in vitro and in vivo activity. Additionally, challenges as well as opportunities are presented.

In Silico Assessment of ADME Properties: Advances in Caco-2 Cell Monolayer Permeability Modeling

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (26) ◽  
pp. 2209-2229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai Pham-The ◽  
Miguel Á. Cabrera-Pérez ◽  
Nguyen-Hai Nam ◽  
Juan A. Castillo-Garit ◽  
Bakhtiyor Rasulev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Absorption ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
Cell Permeability ◽  
Drug Substances ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Modeling Techniques

One of the main goals of in silico Caco-2 cell permeability models is to identify those drug substances with high intestinal absorption in human (HIA). For more than a decade, several in silico Caco-2 models have been made, applying a wide range of modeling techniques; nevertheless, their capacity for intestinal absorption extrapolation is still doubtful. There are three main problems related to the modest capacity of obtained models, including the existence of inter- and/or intra-laboratory variability of recollected data, the influence of the metabolism mechanism, and the inconsistent in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) of Caco-2 cell permeability. This review paper intends to sum up the recent advances and limitations of current modeling approaches, and revealed some possible solutions to improve the applicability of in silico Caco-2 permeability models for absorption property profiling, taking into account the above-mentioned issues.

Pleiotropic Effect of Mahanine and Girinimbine Analogs: Anticancer Mechanism and its Therapeutic Versatility

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 1983-1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Lenin Maruthanila ◽  
Ramakrishnan Elancheran ◽  
Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkar ◽  
Senthamaraikannan Kabilan ◽  
Jibon Kotoky
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Pleiotropic Effect ◽  
In Vivo Evaluation ◽  
Chemopreventive Agents ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Anticancer Mechanism ◽  
Metastasis Development

Emerging evidence present credible support in favour of the potential role of mahanine and girinimbine. Non-toxic herbal carbazole alkaloids occur in the edible part of Murraya koenigii, Micromelum minutum, M. zeylanicum, and M. euchrestiolia. Mahanine and girinimbine are the major potent compounds from these species. In fact, they interfered with tumour expansion and metastasis development through down-regulation of apoptotic and antiapoptotic protein, also involved in the stimulation of cell cycle arrest. Consequently, these compounds were well proven for the in-vitro and in vivo evaluation that could be developed as novel agents either alone or as an adjuvant to conventional therapeutics. Therefore, mahanine and girinimbine analogs have the potential to be the promising chemopreventive agents for the tumour recurrence and the treatment of human malignancies. In this review, an updated wide-range of pleiotropic anticancer and biological effects induction by mahanine and girinimbine against cancer cells were deeply summarized.

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