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Pan Y, Liu J, Ren J, Luo Y, Sun X. Epac: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Vascular Diseases: A Review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:929152. [PMID: 35910387 PMCID: PMC9330031 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.929152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular diseases affect the circulatory system and comprise most human diseases. They cause severe symptoms and affect the quality of life of patients. Recently, since their identification, exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac) have attracted increasing scientific interest, because of their role in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling, a well-known signal transduction pathway. The role of Epac in cardiovascular disease and cancer is extensively studied, whereas their role in kidney disease has not been comprehensively explored yet. In this study, we aimed to review recent studies on the regulatory effects of Epac on various vascular diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. Accumulating evidence has shown that both Epac1 and Epac2 play important roles in vascular diseases under both physiological and pathological conditions. Additionally, there has been an increasing focus on Epac pharmacological modulators. Therefore, we speculated that Epac could serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glycolipid Metabolic Disorders, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Jiahui Ren
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glycolipid Metabolic Disorders, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glycolipid Metabolic Disorders, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Luo, ; Xiaobo Sun,
| | - Xiaobo Sun
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Natural Medicine) and Translational Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Efficacy Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Against Glycolipid Metabolic Disorders, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Luo, ; Xiaobo Sun,
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cAMP Compartmentalization in Cerebrovascular Endothelial Cells: New Therapeutic Opportunities in Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081951. [PMID: 34440720 PMCID: PMC8392343 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular hypothesis used to explain the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) suggests that a dysfunction of the cerebral microvasculature could be the beginning of alterations that ultimately leads to neuronal damage, and an abnormal increase of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability plays a prominent role in this process. It is generally accepted that, in physiological conditions, cyclic AMP (cAMP) plays a key role in maintaining BBB permeability by regulating the formation of tight junctions between endothelial cells of the brain microvasculature. It is also known that intracellular cAMP signaling is highly compartmentalized into small nanodomains and localized cAMP changes are sufficient at modifying the permeability of the endothelial barrier. This spatial and temporal distribution is maintained by the enzymes involved in cAMP synthesis and degradation, by the location of its effectors, and by the existence of anchor proteins, as well as by buffers or different cytoplasm viscosities and intracellular structures limiting its diffusion. This review compiles current knowledge on the influence of cAMP compartmentalization on the endothelial barrier and, more specifically, on the BBB, laying the foundation for a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of AD.
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Siragusa M, Oliveira Justo AF, Malacarne PF, Strano A, Buch A, Withers B, Peters KG, Fleming I. VE-PTP inhibition elicits eNOS phosphorylation to blunt endothelial dysfunction and hypertension in diabetes. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:1546-1556. [PMID: 32653904 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Receptor-type vascular endothelial protein tyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP) dephosphorylates Tie-2 as well as CD31, VE-cadherin, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). The latter form a signal transduction complex that mediates the endothelial cell response to shear stress, including the activation of the endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS). As VE-PTP expression is increased in diabetes, we investigated the consequences of VE-PTP inhibition (using AKB-9778) on blood pressure in diabetic patients and the role of VE-PTP in the regulation of eNOS activity and vascular reactivity. METHODS AND RESULTS In diabetic patients AKB-9778 significantly lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This could be linked to elevated NO production, as AKB increased NO generation by cultured endothelial cells and elicited the NOS inhibitor-sensitive relaxation of endothelium-intact rings of mouse aorta. At the molecular level, VE-PTP inhibition increased the phosphorylation of eNOS on Tyr81 and Ser1177 (human sequence). The PIEZO1 activator Yoda1, which was used to mimic the response to shear stress, also increased eNOS Tyr81 phosphorylation, an effect that was enhanced by VE-PTP inhibition. Two kinases, i.e. abelson-tyrosine protein kinase (ABL)1 and Src were identified as eNOS Tyr81 kinases as their inhibition and down-regulation significantly reduced the basal and Yoda1-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and activity of eNOS. VE-PTP, on the other hand, formed a complex with eNOS in endothelial cells and directly dephosphorylated eNOS Tyr81 in vitro. Finally, phosphorylation of eNOS on Tyr80 (murine sequence) was found to be reduced in diabetic mice and diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction (isolated aortic rings) was blunted by VE-PTP inhibition. CONCLUSIONS VE-PTP inhibition enhances eNOS activity to improve endothelial function and decrease blood pressure indirectly, through the activation of Tie-2 and the CD31/VE-cadherin/VEGFR2 complex, and directly by dephosphorylating eNOS Tyr81. VE-PTP inhibition, therefore, represents an attractive novel therapeutic option for diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction and hypertension.
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MESH Headings
- Aniline Compounds/therapeutic use
- Animals
- Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use
- Blood Pressure/drug effects
- Cells, Cultured
- Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy
- Diabetes Mellitus/enzymology
- Diabetes Mellitus/genetics
- Diabetes Mellitus/physiopathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endothelial Cells/drug effects
- Endothelial Cells/enzymology
- Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects
- Endothelium, Vascular/enzymology
- Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology
- Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Hypertension/drug therapy
- Hypertension/enzymology
- Hypertension/genetics
- Hypertension/physiopathology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Nitric Oxide/metabolism
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/genetics
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism
- Phosphorylation
- Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 3/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 3/genetics
- Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 3/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Sulfonic Acids/therapeutic use
- Treatment Outcome
- United States
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Siragusa
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site RheinMain, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alberto Fernando Oliveira Justo
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Anna Strano
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Akshay Buch
- Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Ingrid Fleming
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site RheinMain, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Lv W, Liu S, Zhang Q, Hu W, Wu Y, Ren Y. Circular RNA CircCOL5A1 Sponges the MiR-7-5p/Epac1 Axis to Promote the Progression of Keloids Through Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:626027. [PMID: 33553184 PMCID: PMC7859531 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.626027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Keloids, as a result of abnormal wound healing in susceptible individuals, are characterized by the hyper-proliferation of fibroblasts and exaggerated deposition of extracellular matrix. Current surgical and therapeutic modalities provide limited satisfactory results. Growing evidence has highlighted the roles of circRNAs in acting as miRNA sponges. However, up to date, the regulatory mechanism of circRNAs in the pathological process of keloids has rarely been reported. In this study, cell proliferation, cell migration, flow cytometry, western blotting, fluorescence in situ hybridization, dual-luciferase activity, and immunohistochemistry assays were applied to explore the roles and mechanisms of the circCOL5A1/miR-7-5p/Epac1 axis in the keloid. The therapeutic potential of circCOL5A1 was investigated by establishing keloid implantation models. The RT-qPCR result revealed that circCOL5A1 expression was obviously higher in keloid tissues and keloid fibroblasts. Subsequent cellular experiments demonstrated that circCOL5A1 knockdown repressed the proliferation, migration, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, whereas promoted cell apoptosis, through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, RNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) illustrated that both circCOL5A1 and miR-7-5p were located in the cytoplasm. The luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that exact binding sites were present between circCOL5A1 and miR-7-5p, as well as between miR-7-5p and Epac1. Collectively, the present study revealed that circCOL5A1 functioned as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by adsorbing miR-7-5p to release Epac1, which contributed to pathological hyperplasia of keloids through activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Our data indicated that circCOL5A1 might serve as a novel promising therapeutic target and represent a new avenue to understand underlying pathogenesis for keloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchang Lv
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Shengxuan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Weijie Hu
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Yiping Wu
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
| | - Yuping Ren
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China
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Lv W, Wu M, Ren Y, Luo X, Hu W, Zhang Q, Wu Y. Treatment of keloids through Runx2 siRNA‑induced inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2020; 23:55. [PMID: 33200804 PMCID: PMC7706002 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Keloids are a skin fibroproliferative condition characterized by the hyperproliferation of fibroblasts and the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Previous studies have determined that Caveolin-1 controlled hyperresponsiveness to mechanical stimuli through Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) activation in keloids. However, the molecular mechanism of Runx2 regulating the pathological progression of keloids has not been elucidated. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including Runx2, were significantly enriched in the biological processes ‘Positive regulation of cell proliferation’, in the cellular components ‘Extracellular matrix’, in the molecular functions ‘Extracellular matrix structural constituents’ and in the KEGG ‘PI3K-Akt signaling pathway’. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression levels of the Runx2 in human keloid tissues and primary human keloid fibroblasts (HKFs), and to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the fibrotic roles of Runx2 in keloid formation. Runx2 expression levels were analyzed in patient keloid tissues and HKFs using western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence microscopy. Primary HKFs were transfected with a small interfering RNA (si) specifically targeting Runx2 (si-Runx2). Subsequently, Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing and Transwell assays, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR and western blotting were applied to evaluate the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, ECM deposition and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway of HKFs, respectively. In addition, western blotting was also used to determine the expression levels of phosphorylated AKT and PI3K in HKFs. The results revealed that Runx2 expression levels were upregulated in keloid tissues and primary HKFs compared with the normal skin tissues and human normal fibroblasts. Following the transfection with si-Runx2, the proliferative and migratory abilities of HKFs were significantly reduced and the apoptotic rate was increased. The expression levels of type I, type III collagen, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin were downregulated in si-Runx2-transfected cells, which was hypothesized to occur through following the downregulation of the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that Runx2 silencing in HKFs might significantly inhibit the cell proliferation, migration and the expression levels of ECM-related proteins, and promote apoptosis via suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Thus, Runx2 siRNA treatment may reverse the pathological phenotype of keloids through the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchang Lv
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
| | - Yuping Ren
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
| | - Weijie Hu
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
| | - Yiping Wu
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, P.R. China
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Aghaei Zarch SM, Dehghan Tezerjani M, Talebi M, Vahidi Mehrjardi MY. Molecular biomarkers in diabetes mellitus (DM). Med J Islam Repub Iran 2020; 34:28. [PMID: 32617267 PMCID: PMC7320976 DOI: 10.34171/mjiri.34.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing epidemic metabolic syndrome, which affects near 5.6% of the world's population. Almost 12% of health expenditure is dedicated to this disorder. Discovering and developing biomarkers as a practical guideline with high specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical management of DM is one of the subjects of great interest among DM researchers due to the long-lasting asymptomatic clinical manifestation of DM. In this study, we described a recently identified molecular biomarker involved in DM. Methods: This review study was done at the Diabetes Research Center affiliated to Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched using the following keywords: "diabetes mellitus", "biomarker", "microRNA", "diagnostic tool" and "clinical manifestation." Results: A total of 107 studies were finally included in this review. After evaluating numerous articles, including original, metaanalysis, and review studies, we focused on molecular biomarkers involved in DM diagnosis and management. Conclusion: Increasing interest in biomarkers associated with DM goes back to its role in decreasing diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. This review focused on major molecular biomarkers such as proteomic and microRNA (miRNAs) as novel and interesting DM biomarkers that can help achieve timely diagnosis of DM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masoud Dehghan Tezerjani
- Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Talebi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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Qadir MMF, Klein D, Álvarez-Cubela S, Domínguez-Bendala J, Pastori RL. The Role of MicroRNAs in Diabetes-Related Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5423. [PMID: 31683538 PMCID: PMC6862492 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular stress, combined with dysfunctional, inadequate mitochondrial phosphorylation, produces an excessive amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an increased level of ROS in cells, which leads to oxidation and subsequent cellular damage. Because of its cell damaging action, an association between anomalous ROS production and disease such as Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 (T2D) diabetes, as well as their complications, has been well established. However, there is a lack of understanding about genome-driven responses to ROS-mediated cellular stress. Over the last decade, multiple studies have suggested a link between oxidative stress and microRNAs (miRNAs). The miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that mostly suppress expression of the target gene by interaction with its 3'untranslated region (3'UTR). In this paper, we review the recent progress in the field, focusing on the association between miRNAs and oxidative stress during the progression of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirza Muhammad Fahd Qadir
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Dagmar Klein
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Silvia Álvarez-Cubela
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Juan Domínguez-Bendala
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Ricardo Luis Pastori
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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Wang L, Li X, Zhang Y, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Ma Q. Oxymatrine ameliorates diabetes-induced aortic endothelial dysfunction via the regulation of eNOS and NOX4. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:7323-7332. [PMID: 30456880 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
AIM Oxymatrine (OMT) is the major quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from the root of Sophora flavescens Ait (the Chinese herb Kushen) and exhibits diverse pharmacological actions. In this study, we investigated the effects of OMT on diabetes-associated aortic endothelial dysfunction in a rat model of diabetes and its mechanisms. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, diabetic rats, diabetic rats treated with OMT (60, 120 mg/kg per day, by gavage), and diabetic rats treated with metformin (20 mg/kg per day, by gavage). The serum fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined with commercial kits. Biochemical indices reflecting oxidative stress, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were analyzed with commercial kits. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was measured by fluorescence microscopy. Histological analyses were conducted to observe morphological changes. Western blot analysis was applied to detect the expression levels of eNOS and NOX4. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expressions of eNOS and NOX4 messenger RNA (mRNA). RESULTS The diabetic rats exhibited markedly reduced body weight and increased plasma glucose levels. Moreover, the diabetic rats showed oxidative stress (significantly increased MDA and decreased SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and serum NO levels). Hyperglycemia caused significant endothelial injury and dysfunction, including vasodilative and histologic changes in the diabetic rats. The expressions of phospho-eNOS protein and mRNA were significantly decreased, while the NOX4 protein expression was increased in the aortas of the diabetic rats. All of these diabetes-induced effects were reversed by OMT in the diabetic rats. CONCLUSION The OMT treatment ameliorates diabetic endothelial dysfunction through enhanced NO bioavailability by upregulating eNOS expression and downregulating expression of NOX4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinliang Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Institue of Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Yanqi Zhang
- 2016 Class B, Department of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yongpan Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Institue of Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China.,Department of clinic, Medicine School, Changsha Social Work College, Changsha, China
| | - Yinzhuang Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qilin Ma
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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