Salidroside postconditioning attenuates ferroptosis-mediated lung ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating the Nrf2/SLC7A11 signaling axis

Salidroside improves blood-brain barrier integrity and cognitive function in hypobaric hypoxia mice by inhibiting microglia activation through GSK3β

Salidroside, an active component found in Rhodiola rosea L., has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of hypoxic brain injury, while the precise target and mechanism of salidroside were remain unclear. The study utilized techniques such as network pharmacology, transcriptome sequencing to investigate the mechanism and target of salidroside in regulating blood-brain barrier (BBB) function to protect hypoxic brain injury in vivo. Utilized macromolecular docking and molecular biology techniques to explore the molecular mechanism of salidroside in alleviating brain injury induced by hypoxia in BV2 cell model. The results show that salidroside alleviated the learning and memory dysfunction and pathological injury in mice exposed to hypobaric hypoxia, reduced brain water content and attenuate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, effectively reversed S100β in serum and promoted the repair of BBB. GSK3β is an important therapeutic target of salidroside in the treatment of hypoxic cognitive impairment, and salidroside can specifically bind GSK3β in the ATP binding pocket, inducing the phosphorylation of GSK3β, targeting downstream Nrf-2 to regulate microglia activity, promoting the accumulation of β-catenin, thereby inhibiting microglial activation, improving the BBB integrity injury and achieving a neuroprotective effect. This study demonstrates that salidroside can inhibit the activation of microglia by inducing GSK3β phosphorylation, achieve neuroprotective effects and alleviate learning and memory dysfunction in hypobaric hypoxia mice. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of salidroside and the clinical application of Rhodiola rosea L.

Crosstalk between ferroptosis and macrophages: potential value for targeted treatment in diseases

Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of programmed cell death that is connected to iron-dependent lipid peroxidization. It involves a variety of physiological processes involving iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10. So far, it has been discovered to contribute to the pathological process of many diseases, such as myocardial infarction, acute kidney injury, atherosclerosis, and so on. Macrophages are innate immune system cells that regulate metabolism, phagocytize pathogens and dead cells, mediate inflammatory reactions, promote tissue repair, etc. Emerging evidence shows strong associations between macrophages and ferroptosis, which can provide us with a deeper comprehension of the pathological process of diseases and new targets for the treatments. In this review, we summarized the crosstalk between macrophages and ferroptosis and anatomized the application of this association in disease treatments, both non-neoplastic and neoplastic diseases. In addition, we have also addressed problems that remain to be investigated, in the hope of inspiring novel therapeutic strategies for diseases.

Selenomethionine alleviates Aeromonas hydrophila-induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis via the Nrf2/HO1/GPX4 pathway in grass carp

Aeromonas hydrophila infection is a severe, acute, and life-threatening disease affecting grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in aquaculture. Ferroptosis is a novel form of cell death characterized by the accumulation of free iron and harmful lipid peroxides within cells. While selenomethionine (Se-Met) is known to effectively inhibit ferroptosis and alleviate cell damage, its ability to counteract oxidative stress and ferroptosis induced by A. hydrophila remains unclear. The objective of this study is to reveal the possible mechanism behind the ferroptosis phenomenon during A. hydrophila infection. We established a macrophage model of A. hydrophila invasion to monitor the dynamic changes in iron metabolism markers to evaluate the correlation between ferroptotic stress and A. hydrophila infection. A. hydrophila infection induces cytotoxicity and mitochondrial membrane damage via ferroptosis. This damage is attributed to the accumulation of lipid peroxides due to intracellular ferrous ion overload and glutathione depletion. Supplementation of Se-Met reduced mitochondrial damage, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/HO1/GPX4 axis. These findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of A. hydrophila-induced ferroptosis in teleosts and suggest that targeted inhibition of ferroptosis may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for managing A. hydrophila infections.

Salidroside alleviates ferroptosis in FAC-induced Age-related macular degeneration models by activating Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis

INTRODUCTION

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a significant contributor to irreversible impairment in visual capability, particularly in its non-neovascular (dry) form. Ferroptosis, an emerging form of programmed necrosis, involves generating lipid peroxidation (LOS) through free iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Salidroside, a glycoside from Rhodiola rosea, known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The research aim was exploring whether ferroptosis exists in dry AMD pathogenesis and elucidate salidroside's protective mechanisms against ferroptosis in AMD murine models and ARPE-19 cells.

METHODS

ARPE-19 cells were treated with varying concentrations of ferrous ammonium citrate (FAC) and salidroside. In an in vivo model, C57BL/6 mice were administered intraperitoneal injections of salidroside for 7 consecutive days, followed by an intravitreal injection (IVT) of FAC. After 7 days, the eyeballs were harvested for subsequent analyses. Ferroptosis markers were assessed using western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry. To further elucidate the modulatory role of Nrf2 in ferroptosis, ARPE-19 cells were transfected with si-Nrf2.

RESULTS

In vitro, FAC-treated ARPE-19 cells exhibited reduced viability, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and accumulation of iron and lipid peroxidation (LOS) products. In vivo, FAC administration by IVT led to outer nuclear layer thinning and compromised tight junctions in RPE cells. The GPX4, Nrf2, and SLC7A11 expressions were downregulated both in vitro and in vivo. Salidroside upregulated Nrf2 and ameliorated these outcomes, but its effects were attenuated in ARPE-19 cells transfected with si-Nrf2.

CONCLUSION

Our study establishes that FAC induces RPE cell ferroptosis within dry AMD, and salidroside exerts therapeutic effects by triggering Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling axis.

Ferroptosis in organ ischemia-reperfusion injuries: recent advancements and strategies

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered type of regulated cell death participated in multiple diseases. Different from other classical cell death programs such as necrosis and apoptosis, ferroptosis involving iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation is characterized by Fe2+ accumulation and mitochondria alterations. The phenomenon of oxidative stress following organ ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) has recently garnered attention for its connection to the onset of ferroptosis and subsequent reperfusion injuries. This article provides a comprehensive overview underlying the mechanisms of ferroptosis, with a further focus on the latest research progress regarding interference with ferroptotic pathways in organ I/R injuries, such as intestine, lung, heart, kidney, liver, and brain. Understanding the links between ferroptosis and I/R injury may inform potential therapeutic strategies and targeted agents.

Recent advances in the potential effects of natural products from traditional Chinese medicine against respiratory diseases targeting ferroptosis

Respiratory diseases, marked by structural changes in the airways and lung tissues, can lead to reduced respiratory function and, in severe cases, respiratory failure. The side effects of current treatments, such as hormone therapy, drugs, and radiotherapy, highlight the need for new therapeutic strategies. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a promising alternative, leveraging its ability to target multiple pathways and mechanisms. Active compounds from Chinese herbs and other natural sources exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects, making them valuable in preventing and treating respiratory conditions. Ferroptosis, a unique form of programmed cell death (PCD) distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, and others, has emerged as a key area of interest. However, comprehensive reviews on how natural products influence ferroptosis in respiratory diseases are lacking. This review will explore the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of natural products from TCM in modulating ferroptosis for respiratory diseases like acute lung injury (ALI), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis (PF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI), pulmonary hypertension (PH), and lung cancer, aiming to provide new insights for research and clinical application in TCM for respiratory health.

The association between ferroptosis and autophagy in cardiovascular diseases

Autophagy is a process in which cells degrade intracellular substances and play a variety of roles in cells, such as maintaining intracellular homeostasis, preventing cell overgrowth, and removing pathogens. It is highly conserved during the evolution of eukaryotic cells. So far, the study of autophagy is still a hot topic in the field of cytology. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death, accompanied by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides. With the deepening of research, it has been found that ferroptosis, like autophagy, is involved in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between autophagy and ferroptosis is complex, and the association between the two in cardiovascular disease remains to be clarified. This article reviews the mechanism of autophagy and ferroptosis and their correlation, and discusses the relationship between them in cardiovascular diseases, which is expected to provide new and important treatment strategies for cardiovascular diseases.

Ferroptosis: Potential opportunities for natural products in cancer therapy

Cancer cells often exhibit defects in the execution of cell death, resulting in poor clinical outcomes for patients with many cancer types. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death characterized by intracellular iron overload and lipid peroxidation in the cell membrane. Increasing evidence suggests that ferroptosis is closely associated with a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes, particularly in cancer. Notably, various bioactive natural products have been shown to induce the initiation and execution of ferroptosis in cancer cells, thereby exerting anticancer effects. In this review, we summarize the core regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis and the multifaceted roles of ferroptosis in cancer. Importantly, we focus on natural products that regulate ferroptosis in cancer cells, such as terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, steroids, quinones, and polysaccharides. The clinical efficacy, adverse effects, and drug-drug interactions of these natural products need to be evaluated in further high-quality studies to accelerate their application in cancer treatment.

Ferroptosis: A new view on the prevention and treatment of diabetic kidney disease with traditional Chinese medicine

Diabetic kidney disease is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus, which can eventually progress to end-stage kidney disease. The increasing prevalence of diabetic kidney disease has brought huge economic burden to society and seriously jeopardized public health. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, non-apoptosis-regulated form of cell death. The regulation of ferroptosis involves different molecular mechanisms and multiple cellular metabolic pathways. In recent years, ferroptosis has been proved to be closely related to the occurrence and development of diabetic kidney disease, and can interact with pathological changes such as fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, destroying the structure, form and function of the inherent cells of the kidney, and promoting the progression of the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of treating diabetic kidney disease with remarkable curative effect. Current scholars have shown that the oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine and the external treatment of Chinese medicine can regulate GPX4, Nrf2, ACSL4, PTGS2, TFR1 and other key signaling molecules, curb ferroptosis, and prevent the progressive deterioration of diabetic kidney disease. In this paper, the mechanism of ferroptosis and diabetic kidney disease and the prevention and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine are analyzed and summarized, in order to provide new ideas and new plans for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease.

β-aminoisobutyrics acid, a metabolite of BCAA, activates the AMPK/Nrf-2 pathway to prevent ferroptosis and ameliorates lung ischemia-reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious clinical problem without effective treatment. Enhancing branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) metabolism can protect against cardiac I/R injury, which may be related to bioactive molecules generated by BCAA metabolites. L-β-aminoisobutyric acid (L-BAIBA), a metabolite of BCAA, has multi-organ protective effects, but whether it protects against lung I/R injury is unclear.

METHODS

To assess the protective effect of L-BAIBA against lung I/R injury, an animal model was generated by clamping the hilum of the left lung, followed by releasing the clamp in C57BL/6 mice. Mice with lung I/R injury were pre-treated or post-treated with L-BAIBA (150 mg/kg/day), given by gavage or intraperitoneal injection. Lung injury was assessed by measuring lung edema and analyzing blood gases. Inflammation was assessed by measuring proinflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and neutrophil infiltration of the lung was measured by myeloperoxidase activity. Molecular biological methods, including western blot and immunofluorescence, were used to detect potential signaling mechanisms in A549 and BEAS-2B cells.

RESULTS

We found that L-BAIBA can protect the lung from I/R injury by inhibiting ferroptosis, which depends on the up-regulation of the expressions of GPX4 and SLC7A11 in C57BL/6 mice. Additionally, we demonstrated that the Nrf-2 signaling pathway is key to the inhibitory effect of L-BAIBA on ferroptosis in A549 and BEAS-2B cells. L-BAIBA can induce the nuclear translocation of Nrf-2. Interfering with the expression of Nrf-2 eliminated the protective effect of L-BAIBA on ferroptosis. A screening of potential signaling pathways revealed that L-BAIBA can increase the phosphorylation of AMPK, and compound C can block the Nrf-2 nuclear translocation induced by L-BAIBA. The presence of compound C also blocked the protective effects of L-BAIBA on lung I/R injury in C57BL/6 mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that L-BAIBA protects against lung I/R injury via the AMPK/Nrf-2 signaling pathway, which could be a therapeutic target.

Fraxetin alleviates BLM-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting NCOA4-mediated epithelial cell ferroptosis

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating lung condition with few available treatments. The early driver of wound repair that contributes to IPF has been extensively identified as repetitive alveolar epithelial damage. According to recent reports, IPF is linked to ferroptosis, a unique type of cell death characterized by a fatal buildup of iron and lipid peroxidation.

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD

There is little information on epithelial cells that induce pulmonary fibrosis by going through ferroptosis. In this study, we used bleomycin (BLM) to examine the impact of ferroptosis on IPF in mouse lung epithelial cells (MLE-12).

RESULTS

We discovered that BLM increases ferroptosis in MLE-12. Additionally, we found that NCOA4 is overexpressed and plays a key role in the ferroptosis of epithelial cells throughout the IPF process. Using Molecular docking, we found that Fraxetin, a natural component extracted from Fraxinus rhynchophylla, formed a stable binding to NCOA4. In vitro investigations showed that Fraxetin administration greatly decreased ferroptosis and NCOA4 expression, which in turn lowered the release of inflammatory cytokines.

CONCLUSION

Fraxetin treatment significantly alleviated BLM-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis. Our findings imply that fraxetin possesses inhibitory roles in ferroptosis and can be a potential drug against IPF.

The mechanism of ferroptosis and its related diseases

Ferroptosis, a regulated form of cellular death characterized by the iron-mediated accumulation of lipid peroxides, provides a novel avenue for delving into the intersection of cellular metabolism, oxidative stress, and disease pathology. We have witnessed a mounting fascination with ferroptosis, attributed to its pivotal roles across diverse physiological and pathological conditions including developmental processes, metabolic dynamics, oncogenic pathways, neurodegenerative cascades, and traumatic tissue injuries. By unraveling the intricate underpinnings of the molecular machinery, pivotal contributors, intricate signaling conduits, and regulatory networks governing ferroptosis, researchers aim to bridge the gap between the intricacies of this unique mode of cellular death and its multifaceted implications for health and disease. In light of the rapidly advancing landscape of ferroptosis research, we present a comprehensive review aiming at the extensive implications of ferroptosis in the origins and progress of human diseases. This review concludes with a careful analysis of potential treatment approaches carefully designed to either inhibit or promote ferroptosis. Additionally, we have succinctly summarized the potential therapeutic targets and compounds that hold promise in targeting ferroptosis within various diseases. This pivotal facet underscores the burgeoning possibilities for manipulating ferroptosis as a therapeutic strategy. In summary, this review enriched the insights of both investigators and practitioners, while fostering an elevated comprehension of ferroptosis and its latent translational utilities. By revealing the basic processes and investigating treatment possibilities, this review provides a crucial resource for scientists and medical practitioners, aiding in a deep understanding of ferroptosis and its effects in various disease situations.

Diosmetin alleviates S. aureus-induced mastitis by inhibiting SIRT1/GPX4 mediated ferroptosis

AIMS

Microbial infection is the main factor that induces mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major pathogen associated with mastitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diosmetin on S. aureus-induced mastitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The mice were divided into six groups: control group, S. aureus group, diosmetin (12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg) + S. aureus groups, and diosmetin (50 mg/kg) + S. aureus + EX-527 (10 mg/kg) group. S. aureus was injected into the mammary gland to establish a mouse mastitis model. Diosmetin was administered 1 h before S. aureus treatment.

KEY FINDINGS

Our results showed that diosmetin significantly alleviated the pathological changes of mammary gland induced by S. aureus. Diosmetin alleviated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and the release of TNF-α and IL-1β, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation. Moreover, diosmetin inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) and Fe2+ levels induced by S. aureus. Diosmetin upregulated ATP, glutathione (GSH) production and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression, which were decreased by S. aureus. Furthermore, the expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) was upregulated by diosmetin. In addition, the inhibitory effects of diosmetin on S. aureus-induced inflammation and ferroptosis were prevented by the SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527.

SIGNIFICANCE

In conclusion, the data indicated that diosmetin suppressed S. aureus-induced mastitis by attenuating inflammation and ferroptosis.