Shikonin inhibits inflammation and chondrocyte apoptosis by regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in a rat model of osteoarthritis

Objective. We examined the effects of acupotomy on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to elucidate the mechanism of action of acupotomy on articular chondrocyte apoptosis among rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods. New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to a healthy control group, placebo group, acupotomy group, and drug group, with 10 rabbits in each group. Changes in chondrocytes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and articular chondrocyte apoptosis was measured by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K and Akt were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. Results. In contrast, less chromatin margination and clear and smooth nuclear envelope boundary were visible in the acupotomy group and drug group. The number of apoptotic chondrocytes in the knee joint of rabbits was significantly higher in the placebo group than that in the acupotomy group and drug group ( P < 0.05 ). The acupotomy group had a nonsignificantly lower number of apoptotic chondrocytes than the drug group ( P > 0.05 ). Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K and Akt were significantly higher in the acupotomy group and drug group than those in the placebo group ( P < 0.05 ) and were closer to normal levels in the acupotomy group than those in the drug group ( P < 0.05 ). PI3K and Akt expression levels were negatively correlated with chondrocyte apoptosis in the knee joint of rabbits in all groups. Conclusion. Inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis in the knee joint of KOA rabbits by upregulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may be a possible mechanism of acupotomy in treating KOA.

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Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of cryptotanshinone through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in a rat model of neuropathic pain

Chemico-Biological Interactions ◽

10.1016/j.cbi.2019.03.016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 305 ◽

pp. 127-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Wenjia Zhang ◽

Meng Suo ◽

Guanling Yu ◽

Mengyuan Zhang

Keyword(s):

Neuropathic Pain ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Rat Model ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Anti Inflammatory

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Geranylgeranylacetone exerts neuroprotective roles through medicating the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt signaling pathway in an intracerebral hemorrhage rat model

International Journal of Neuroscience ◽

10.1080/00207454.2017.1389925 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 128 (10) ◽

pp. 893-898 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shewei Guo ◽

Yingwei Zhen ◽

Anran Wang

Keyword(s):

Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Rat Model ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase ◽

Phosphatidylinositol 3

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Mitochondrial ATP-Sensitive K+ Channel Opening Increased the Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation by Activating the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in a Rat Model of Asthma

Canadian Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1155/2021/8899878 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Min Gao ◽

Qinran Sun ◽

Qingfa Liu

Keyword(s):

Smooth Muscle ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Airway Smooth Muscle ◽

Rat Model ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Akt Pathway ◽

Airway Smooth Muscle Cells ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Channel Opening ◽

Mitokatp Channel

Abnormal proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) leads to airway remodeling and the development of asthma. This study aimed to assess whether mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ (mitoKATP) channels regulated the proliferation of ASMCs by regulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway in asthmatic rats. Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were immunized with ovalbumin-containing alum to establish the asthma models. The ASMCs were isolated and identified by phase-contrast microscopic images and immunohistochemical staining for α-smooth muscle actin. The ASMCs were treated with a potent activator of mitoKATP, diazoxide, or an inhibitor of mitoKATP, 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD). Rhodamine-123 (R-123) was used for detecting the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). The proliferation of ASMCs was examined by the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. The protein and mRNA expressions of AKT and p-AKT were detected using western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that diazoxide enhanced the mitoKATP channel opening in ASMCs in the rat model of asthma, while 5-HD impeded it. Diazoxide also increased ASMC proliferation in the rat model of asthma, whereas 5-HD alleviated it. However, LY294002, a PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor, reversed the functional roles of diazoxide in the proliferation ability of ASMCs in the rat model of asthma. Furthermore, treatment with diazoxide induced the phosphorylation of AKT, and treatment with 5-HD decreased the phosphorylation of AKT in ASMCs in the rat model of asthma. In conclusion, the mitoKATP channel opening increased the proliferation of ASMCs by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in a rat model of asthma.

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miR-34 Promotes Autophagy and Apoptosis of Spinal Chondrocytes by Mammalian Target of Rapamycin/Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling

Journal of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering ◽

10.1166/jbt.2020.2514 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 1877-1883

Author(s):

Jun Wu ◽

Fenfen Zhao ◽

Feng Tian ◽

Feng Ma ◽

Tao Guan

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Real Time ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Caspase 3 ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Chondrocyte Apoptosis ◽

Control Group ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Articular Chondrocyte

Autophagy and apoptosis of chondrocytes participate in spondyloarthritis (SpA). miR-34 involves in various diseases. However, miR-34’s role in autophagy and apoptosis of spine chondrocytes remains unclear. SpA patients and normal bone and articular cartilage tissues were collected, and miR-34 level was detected by Real-time PCR. The chondrocytes of SpA patients were isolated and divided into control group, miR-34 siRNA group and miR-34 group followed by analysis of Caspase 3 activity, cell proliferation by MTT assay, expression of Bax, Bcl-2, ATG5 and Beclin1 by Real time PCR, mTOR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway protein expression by western blot, as well as TNF-α and IL-6 secretion by ELISA. miR-34 was significantly upregulated in SpA patients compared to normal (P <0.05). miR-34 siRNA transfection into SpA chondrocytes significantly down-regulated miR-34 expression, promoted cell proliferation, decreased Caspase 3 activity and Bax expression, increased Bcl-2, ATG5 and Beclin1 expression, decreased TNF-α and IL- 6 secretion as well as increased pmTOR and pAKT expression (P <0.05). miR-34 mimics was transfected into SpA chondrocytes, which up-regulated miR-34 expression and significantly reversed the above changes (P <0.05). miR-34 is upregulated in SpA patients. Down-regulation of miR-34 inhibits articular chondrocyte apoptosis and promotes autophagy by down-regulatingmTOR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby promoting articular chondrocyte proliferation and inhibiting joint inflammation.

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