Melatonin attenuates bisphenol A-induced colon injury by dual targeting mitochondrial dynamics and Nrf2 antioxidant system via activation of SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway

Co-exposure of decabromodiphenyl ethane and polystyrene nanoplastics damages grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) hepatocytes: Focus on the role of oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and inflammatory reaction

Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) are emerging pollutants that seriously threaten the ecological safety of the aquatic environment. However, the hepatotoxicity effect of their combined exposure on aquatic organisms has not been reported to date. In, this study, the effects of single or co-exposure of DBDPE and PS-NPs on grass carp hepatocytes were explored and biomarkers related to oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated. The results show that both single and co-exposure to DBDPE and PS-NPs caused oxidative stress. Oxidative stress was induced by increasing the contents of pro-oxidation factors (ROS, MDA, and LPO), inhibiting the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, GPX, T-SOD, GSH, and T-AOC), and downregulating the mRNA expressions of antioxidant genes (GPX1, GSTO1, SOD1, and CAT); the effects of combined exposure were stronger overall. Both single and co-exposure to DBDPE and PS-NPs also elevated Fe2+ content, promoted the expressions of TFR1, STEAP3, and NCOA4, and inhibited the expressions of FTH1, SLC7A11, GCLC, GSS, and GPX4; these effects resulted in iron overload-induced ferroptosis, where co-exposure had stronger adverse effects on ferroptosis-related biomarkers than single exposure. Moreover, single or co-exposure enhanced inflammatory cytokine levels, as evidenced by increased mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and MPO. Co-exposure exhibited higher expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to single exposure. Interestingly, the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 intervention diminished the above changes. In brief, the results suggest that DBDPE and PS-NPs trigger elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines in grass crap hepatocytes. This elevation is achieved via oxidative stress and iron overload-mediated ferroptosis, where cytotoxicity was stronger under co-exposure compared to single exposure. Overall, the findings contribute to elucidating the potential hepatotoxicity mechanisms in aquatic organisms caused by co-exposure to DBDPE and PS-NPs.

N-n-butyl haloperidol iodide mitigates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury through activation of SIRT1-Nrf2 signaling loop

ABSTRACT

N-n-butyl haloperidol iodide (F2), a derivative of haloperidol developed by our group, exhibits potent antioxidative properties and confers protection against cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The protective mechanisms by which F2 ameliorates I/R injury remain obscure. The activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key transcription factor transactivating many antioxidative genes, also attenuates I/R-induced myocardial damage. The present study investigated whether the cardioprotective effect of F2 depends on Nrf2 using a mouse heart I/R model. F2 (0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg) or vehicle was intravenously injected to mice 5 min before reperfusion. Systemic administration of 0.4 mg/kg F2 led to a significant reduction in I/R injury, which was accompanied by enhanced activation of Nrf2 signaling. The cardioprotection conferred by F2 was largely abrogated in Nrf2-deficient mice. Importantly, we found F2-induced activation of Nrf2 is SIRT1-dependent, as pharmacologically inhibiting SIRT1 by the specific inhibitor EX527 blocked Nrf2 activation. Moreover, F2-upregulated expression of SIRT1 was also Nrf2-dependent, as Nrf2 deficiency inhibited SIRT1 upregulation. These results indicate that SIRT1-Nrf2 signaling loop activation is indispensable for the protective effect of F2 against myocardial I/R injury, and may provide new insights for the treatment of ischemic heart disease.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1) family in physiological and pathophysiological process and diseases

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1) family (PGC-1s), consisting of three members encompassing PGC-1α, PGC-1β, and PGC-1-related coactivator (PRC), was discovered more than a quarter-century ago. PGC-1s are essential coordinators of many vital cellular events, including mitochondrial functions, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, and inflammation. Accumulating evidence has shown that PGC-1s are implicated in many diseases, such as cancers, cardiac diseases and cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, kidney diseases, motor system diseases, and metabolic disorders. Examining the upstream modulators and co-activated partners of PGC-1s and identifying critical biological events modulated by downstream effectors of PGC-1s contribute to the presentation of the elaborate network of PGC-1s. Furthermore, discussing the correlation between PGC-1s and diseases as well as summarizing the therapy targeting PGC-1s helps make individualized and precise intervention methods. In this review, we summarize basic knowledge regarding the PGC-1s family as well as the molecular regulatory network, discuss the physio-pathological roles of PGC-1s in human diseases, review the application of PGC-1s, including the diagnostic and prognostic value of PGC-1s and several therapies in pre-clinical studies, and suggest several directions for future investigations. This review presents the immense potential of targeting PGC-1s in the treatment of diseases and hopefully facilitates the promotion of PGC-1s as new therapeutic targets.

Chlorantraniliprole induces mitophagy, ferroptosis, and cytokine homeostasis imbalance in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) hepatocytes via the mtROS-mitochondrial fission/fusion axis

Chlorantraniliprole (CAP) is a bis-amide pesticide used for pest control mainly in agricultural production activities and rice-fish co-culture systems. CAP residues cause liver damage in non-target organism freshwater fish. However, it is unclear whether CAP-exposure-induced liver injury in fish is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated mitophagy, ferroptosis, and cytokines. Therefore, we established grass carp hepatocyte models exposed to different concentrations of CAP (20, 40, and 80 μM) in vitro. MitoSOX probe, JC-1 staining, immunofluorescence double staining, Fe2+ staining, lipid peroxidation staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were used to verify the physiological regulatory mechanism of CAP induced liver injury. In the present study, the CAP-treated groups exhibited down-regulation of antioxidant-related enzyme activities and accumulation of peroxides. CAP treatment induced an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) levels and altered expression of mitochondrial fission/fusion (Drp1, Fis1, Mfn1, Mfn2, and Opa1) genes in grass carp hepatocytes. In addition, mitophagy (Parkin, Pink1, p62, LC3II/I, and Beclin-1), ferroptosis (GPX4, COX2, ACSL4, FTH, and NCOA4), and cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-18, IL-17, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-2, and TNF-α)-related gene expression was significantly altered. Collectively, these findings suggest that CAP exposure drives mitophagy activation, ferroptosis occurrence, and cytokine homeostasis imbalance in grass carp hepatocytes by triggering mitochondrial dysfunction mediated by the mtROS-mitochondrial fission/fusion axis. This study partly explained the physiological regulation mechanism of grass carp hepatocyte injury induced by insecticide CAP from the physiological and biochemical point of view and provided a basis for evaluating the safety of CAP environmental residues to non-target organisms.

Mitigating bisphenol A-induced apoptosis in KGN cells: the therapeutic role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 through upregulation of PGC-1α expression and inhibition of the mitochondrial cytochrome c pathway

PURPOSE

This study investigated the potential of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2VD3) to mitigate bisphenol A (BPA)-induced apoptosis in human ovarian granulosa KGN cells with the aim of establishing a theoretical foundation for understanding of how vitamin D improved ovarian function in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

The impact of varying concentrations of BPA and 1,25(OH)2VD3 on KGN cell viability was elucidated. It was established that BPA-induced apoptosis in KGN cells. Subsequently, KGN cells underwent pretreatment with 1,25(OH)2VD3, followed by exposure to BPA. The apoptosis rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and mitochondrial function of the cells were meticulously assessed, along with the expression levels of genes associated with apoptosis as well as antioxidant and mitochondrial biogenesis.

RESULTS

BPA induced a notable increase in apoptosis (P < 0.001) and oxidative stress (P < 0.001) in KGN cells, accompanied by a significant reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.001) and severe impairment of mitochondrial function. Following pretreatment of KGN cells with 1,25(OH)2VD3, there was a significant decrease in the apoptosis rate (P = 0.004), coupled with a reduction in ROS production (P = 0.002). Concomitantly, the upregulation of PGC-1α (P = 0.009) and SOD (P = 0.018) was observed, while mRNA expression of BAX (P = 0.011), Cyt c (P = 0.001), Apaf-1 (P = 0.012), caspase-9 (P < 0.001), and caspase-3 (P = 0.011) was downregulated. Notably, the mitigation of mitochondrial damage was evident through restored mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.001), as corroborated by electron microscope results.

CONCLUSIONS

1,25(OH)2VD3 mitigated BPA-induced damage and apoptosis in KGN cells by upregulating the expression of PGC-1α and impeding the mitochondrial cytochrome c (Cyt c) apoptotic pathway. This study established a novel theoretical foundation for utilizing vitamin D in the treatment of PCOS patients.

Selenium deficiency exacerbated Bisphenol A-induced intestinal toxicity in chickens: Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest mediated by ROS/P53

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a phenolic organic synthetic compound that is used as the raw material of polycarbonate plastics, and its safety issues have recently attracted wide attention. Selenium (Se) deficiency has gradually developed into a global disease affecting intestinal function via oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, the toxic effects and potential mechanisms of BPA exposure and Se deficiency in the chicken intestines have not been studied. In this study, BPA exposure and/or Se deficiency models were established in vivo and in vitro to investigate the effects of Se deficiency and BPA on chicken jejunum. The results showed that BPA exposure and/or Se deficiency increased jejunum oxidative stress and DNA damage, activated P53 pathway, led to mitochondrial dysfunction, and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Using protein-protein molecular docking, we found a strong binding ability between P53 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1, thereby regulating mitochondrial dysfunctional apoptosis. In addition, we used N-acetyl-L-cysteine and pifithrin-α for in vitro intervention and found that N-acetyl-L-cysteine and pifithrin-α intervention reversed the aforementioned adverse effects. This study clarified the potential mechanism by which Se deficiency exacerbates BPA induced intestinal injury in chickens through reactive oxygen species/P53, which provides a new idea for the study of environmental combined toxicity of Se deficiency, and insights into animal intestinal health from a new perspective.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate causes pyroptosis and lipid metabolism disorders through ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in grass carp hepatocyte

The surfactant perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is widely produced worldwide. It is a persistent organic pollutant in the aquatic environment and poses a serious threat to aquatic organisms, as PFOS exposure can cause liver injury in a wide range of organisms. However, it is unclear whether PFOS exposure-induced hepatocellular injury in fish is associated with ROS-mediated activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. In this study, various PFOS concentrations were applied to L8824 cells, a cell line of grass carp hepatocytes. The detrimental impacts of PFOS on oxidative stress, pyroptosis, lipid metabolism, and the discharge of inflammatory factors were examined. MCC950 and N-acetylcysteine were employed to hinder the PFOS-stimulated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species in L8824 cells, respectively. This study demonstrated that treatment with PFOS resulted in oxidative stress and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in L8824 cells. This led to increased expression levels of indicators related to pyroptosis, accompanied by the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression as well as downregulation of anti-inflammatory factors. In addition, following PFOS exposure, the expression levels of genes related to lipid synthesis were upregulated and lipid catabolism-related genes were downregulated. Surprisingly, both N-acetylcysteine and MCC950 interventions significantly reduced PFOS-induced L8824 cell pyroptosis and lipid metabolism disorders. In conclusion, this research demonstrated that PFOS drives NLRP3 inflammasome activation through oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species overload. This in turn leads to pyroptosis and lipid metabolism disorders.

The potential influence of melatonin on mitochondrial quality control: a review

Mitochondria are critical for cellular energetic metabolism, intracellular signaling orchestration and programmed death regulation. Therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with various pathogeneses. The maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis and functional recovery after injury are coordinated by mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics and autophagy, which are collectively referred to as mitochondrial quality control. There is increasing evidence that mitochondria are important targets for melatonin to exert protective effects under pathological conditions. Melatonin, an evolutionarily conserved tryptophan metabolite, can be synthesized, transported and metabolized in mitochondria. In this review, we summarize the important role of melatonin in the damaged mitochondria elimination and mitochondrial energy supply recovery by regulating mitochondrial quality control, which may provide new strategies for clinical treatment of mitochondria-related diseases.

New insights into brain injury in chickens induced by bisphenol A and selenium deficiency-Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and mitophagy-apoptosis crosstalk homeostasis

Bisphenol A (BPA), a component of plastic products, can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and pose a threat to the nervous system. Selenium (Se) deficiency can also cause nervous system damage. Resulting from the rapid industrial development, BPA pollution and Se deficiency often coexist. However, it is unclear whether brain damage in chickens caused by BPA exposure and Se deficiency is related to the crosstalk disorder between mitophagy and apoptosis. In this study, 60 chickens (1 day old) were fed with a diet that contained 20 mg/kg BPA but was insufficient in Se (only 0.039 mg/kg) for 42 days to establish a chicken brain injury model. In vitro, the primary chicken embryo brain neurons were treated for 24 h with Se-deficient medium containing 75 μM BPA. The results showed that BPA exposure and Se deficiency inhibited the expression of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex in brain neurons, and a large number of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species were released. Furthermore, the expression levels of mitochondrial fusion proteins (OPA1, Mfn1, and Mfn2) decreased, while the expression levels of mitochondrial fission proteins (Drp1, Mff, and Fis1) increased, thus exacerbating mitochondrial division. In addition, the results of immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analysis, as well as the elevated expressions of mitophagy related genes (PINK1, Parkin, ATG5, and LC3II/I) and pro-apoptotic markers (Bax, Cytc, Caspase3, and Caspase9) indicated that BPA exposure and Se deficiency disrupted the crosstalk homeostasis between mitophagy and apoptosis. However, this crosstalk homeostasis was restored after Mito-Tempo and Rapamycin treatment. In contrast, 3-methyladenine treatment exacerbated this crosstalk disorder. In conclusion, BPA exposure and Se deficiency can induce mitochondrial reactive oxygen species bursts and disorders of mitochondrial dynamics by destroying the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex. The result is indicative of an imbalance in mitochondrial autophagy and apoptosis crosstalk homeostasis, which damages the chicken brain.

Melatonin alleviates 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobenzene induced colon injury by relieving oxidative stress

3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) is widely distributed, non-degradable and bioaccumulative, which can affect the function of tissues and organs of the living organisms. Melatonin (MT) is a sort of indole neurohormone that is mainly secreted by the pineal gland. Numerous studies have shown that MT can alleviate intestinal injury through various mechanisms such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis. For the above reasons, the aim of this study is to explore the mechanism of intestinal injury in mice after exposure to PCB126 as well as the antagonistic effect of MT. Mice were respectively fed PCB126 (0.326 mg/kg) and/or MT (10 mg/kg) in vivo. In vitro, colonic epithelial cells (MCEC) were treated with PCB126 (150 μM) and/or MT (2 mM). We found that the microscopic structure of colon tissue was impaired after exposure to PCB126. The levels of oxidative stress, the protein and mRNA levels of expression of inflammatory related factors were significantly increased and the expression levels of intestinal tight junction protein were decreased. Notably, MT can promote Nrf2/HO-1 expression level and reduce the colonic injury caused by PCB126. Further in vitro treatment with reactive oxygen species inhibitors (NAC) showed that it significantly alleviated PCB126-induced in MCEC cell damage. In summary, the above results suggested that MT alleviates PCB126-induced colon inflammation by inhibiting the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and up-regulating the expression level of intestinal tight junction protein. Our results contribute to the further comprehension of the intestinal toxicity effects of PCB126 and the significant role of MT in preserving the mechanisms of intestinal injury.

Mitigating the impact of bisphenol A exposure on mortality: Is diet the key? A cohort study based on NHANES

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread environmental pollutant linked to detrimental effects on human health and reduced life expectancy following chronic exposure. This prospective cohort study aimed to examine the association between BPA exposure and mortality in American adults and to explore the potential mitigating effects of dietary quality on BPA-related mortality. This study utilized data from 8761 American adults in the 2003-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Urinary BPA levels were employed to assess BPA exposure, and dietary quality was evaluated using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). All-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality statuses were determined until December 31, 2019, resulting in a cumulative follow-up of 80,564 person-years. The results showed that the highest tertile of urinary BPA levels corresponded to a 36% increase in all-cause mortality and a 62% increase in CVD mortality compared to the lowest tertile. In contrast, the highest tertile of HEI-2015 scores was associated with a 29% reduction in all-cause mortality relative to the lowest tertile. Although no significant interaction was found between HEI-2015 scores and urinary BPA levels concerning mortality, the association between HEI-2015 scores and both all-cause and CVD mortality was statistically significant at low urinary BPA levels. Continuous monitoring of BPA exposure is crucial for evaluating its long-term adverse health effects. Improving dietary quality can lower all-cause mortality and decrease the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality at low BPA exposure levels. However, due to the limited protective effect of dietary quality against BPA exposure, minimizing BPA exposure remains a vital goal.

DBP induced autophagy and necrotic apoptosis in HepG2 cells via the mitochondrial damage pathway

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely present in human tissues and pose significant health risks. In this study, HepG2 cells were treated with 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mM Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) for 48 h to investigate mitochondrial toxicity. The results showed that DBP caused mitochondrial damage, autophagy, apoptosis and necroptosis; Transcriptomics analysis identified that MAPK and PI3K were significant factors in the cytotoxic changes induced by DBP; N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), SIRT1 activator, ERK inhibitor, p38 inhibitor and ERK siRNA treatments counteracted the changes of SIRT1/PGC-1α and Nrf2 pathway-related proteins, autophagy and necroptotic apoptosis proteins induced by DBP. While PI3K and Nrf2 inhibitors exacerbated the changes in SIRT1/PGC-1α, Nrf2-associated proteins and autophagy and necroptosis proteins induced by DBP. In addition, the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA alleviated the increase in DBP-induced necroptosis proteins. These results suggested that DBP-induced oxidative stress activated the MAPK pathway, inhibited the PI3K pathway, which in turn inhibited the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway and Nrf2 pathway, thereby causing cell autophagy and necroptosis.

Inhibition of ferroptosis by icariin treatment attenuates excessive ethanol consumption-induced atrial remodeling and susceptibility to atrial fibrillation, role of SIRT1

Ferroptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF), although the mechanisms are still largely uncovered. The current study was designed to explore the pharmacological effects of icariin against ethanol-induced atrial remodeling, if any, and the mechanisms involved with a focus on SIRT1 signaling. Excessive ethanol-treated animals were administered with Ferrostatin-1, Erastin or icariin to evaluate the potential effects of icariin or ferroptosis. Then, the underling mechanisms was further explored in the in vitro experiments using HL-1 atrial myocytes. Excessive ethanol administration caused significant atrial damage as evidenced by increased susceptibility to AF, altered atrial conduction pattern, atrial enlargement, and enhanced fibrotic markers. These detrimental effects were reversed by Ferrostatin-1 or icariin treatment, while Erastin co-administration markedly abolished the beneficial actions conferred by icariin. Mechanistically, ethanol-treated atria exhibited markedly up-regulated pro-ferroptotic protein (PTGS2, ACSL4, P53) and suppressed anti-ferroptotic molecules (GPX4, FTH1). Icariin treatment inhibited ethanol-induced atrial ferroptosis by reducing atrial mitochondrial damage, ROS accumulation and iron overload. Interestingly, the in vivo and in vitro data showed that icariin activated atrial SIRT1-Nrf-2-HO-1 signaling pathway, while EX527 not only reversed these effects, but also abolished the therapeutic effects of icariin. Moreover, the stimulatory effects on GPX4, SLC7A11 and the suppressive effects on ACSL4, P53 conferred by icariin were blunted by EX527 treatment. These data demonstrate that ferroptosis plays a causative role in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced atrial remodeling and susceptibility to AF. Icariin protects against atrial damage by inhibiting ferroptosis via SIRT1 signaling. Its role as a prophylactic/therapeutic drug deserves further clinical study.