Inhibiting effect of selenium on oxysterols-induced apoptosis of rat vascular smooth muscle cells

Selenium Deficiency Promotes Dilatation of the Aorta by Increasing Expression and Activity of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Derived Matrix Metalloproteinase-2

OBJECTIVE

Selenium (Se) is a key part of the body's oxidation defence system. However, it is unclear whether Se affects the development of aortic aneurysm (AA). An animal experiment was conducted to clarify the role of Se in AA development.

METHODS

C57BL/6N male mice were fed with a Se deficient (Se-D, < 0.05 mg/kg), Se adequate (Se-A, 0.2 mg/kg), or Se supplemented (Se-S, 1 mg/kg) diet for 8 weeks. Subsequently, an AA murine model (Se-D, n = 11; Se-A, n = 12; Se-S, n = 15) was established using angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 mg/kg/min) for four weeks plus β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN, 1 mg/mL) for the first two weeks. Saline replaced Ang II, and BAPN was removed during the modelling process for sham mice (Se-A, n = 9). To determine whether Se deficiency promoted aortic dilation via matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), the non-specific MMP inhibitor doxycycline (Dox, 100 mg/kg/day) was given to Se-D AA mice (n = 7) for two weeks.

RESULTS

The maximum aortic diameter in Se-D AA model mice was significantly increased compared with Se-A AA model mice. MMP-2 expression and activity in the aortic media of Se-D AA model mice was significantly increased compared with Se-A AA model mice. A large number of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were found aggregating in the media of the non-dilated aorta of Se-D AA model mice, which was completely inhibited by Dox. The percentage of VSMCs in aortic media of Se-D AA model mice was significantly higher than in Se-A AA model mice. The maximum aortic diameter and occurrence rate of AA in Se-D AA model mice with Dox were significantly reduced compared with Se-D AA model mice.

CONCLUSION

Se deficiency promoted dilatation of the aorta in AA model mice by increasing expression and activity of VSMC derived MMP-2, causing abnormal aggregation and proliferation of VSMCs in aortic media.

Selenium in the prevention of atherosclerosis and its underlying mechanisms

Atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the greatest threats to human health worldwide. Selenium, an essential trace element, is incorporated into selenoproteins that play a crucial role in human health and disease. Although findings from a limited number of randomized trials have been inconsistent and cannot support a protective role of Se supplementation in CVDs, prospective observational studies have generally shown a significant inverse association between selenium or selenoprotein status and CVD risk. Furthermore, a benefit of selenium supplementation in the prevention of CVDs has been seen in population with low baseline selenium status. Evidence from animal studies shows consistent results that selenium and selenoproteins might prevent experimental atherosclerosis, which can be explained by the molecular and cellular effects of selenium observed both in animal models and cell cultures. Selenoproteins of particular relevance to atherosclerosis are glutathione peroxidases, thioredoxin reductase 1, selenoprotein P, selenoprotein S. The present review is focusing on the existing evidence that supports the concept that optimal selenium intake can prevent atherosclerosis. Its underlying mechanisms include inhibiting oxidative stress, modulating inflammation, suppressing endothelial dysfunction, and protecting vascular cells against apoptosis and calcification. However, the benefit of selenium supplementation in the prevention of atherosclerosis remains insufficiently documented so far. Future studies with regard to the effects of selenium supplementation on atherosclerosis should consider many factors, especially the baseline selenium status, the dose and forms of selenium supplementation, and the selenoprotein genotype. Additionally, much more studies are needed to confirm the roles of selenoproteins in atherosclerosis prevention and clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Dietary phytochemicals in the protection against oxysterol-induced damage

The intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced incidence of many chronic diseases. These foods contain phytochemicals that often possess antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity and show anti-inflammatory action, which are also the basis of other bioactivities and health benefits, such as anticancer, anti-aging, and protective action for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity and neurodegenerative disorders. Many factors can be included in the etiopathogenesis of all of these multifactorial diseases that involve oxidative stress, inflammation and/or cell death processes, oxysterols, i.e. cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) as well as phytosterol oxidation products (POPs), among others. These oxidized lipids result from either spontaneous and/or enzymatic oxidation of cholesterol/phytosterols on the steroid nucleus or on the side chain and their critical roles in the pathophysiology of the abovementioned diseases has become increasingly evident. In this context, many studies investigated the potential of dietary phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamins C and E, among others) to protect against oxysterol toxicity in various cell models mimicking pathophysiological conditions. This review, summarizing the mechanisms involved in the chemopreventive effect of phytochemicals against the injury by oxysterols may constitute a step forward to consider the importance of preventive strategies on a nutritional point of view to decrease the burden of many age-related chronic diseases.

Seasonal variation of particle-induced oxidative potential of airborne particulate matter in Beijing

An in vitro plasmid scission assay (PSA), the cell apoptosis assay, and ICP-MS were employed to study the oxidative potentials and trace element compositions of the airborne particulate matter (PM) in Beijing during a one year-long field campaign from June 2010 to June 2011. The cell damages induced by PM reveled by the cell apoptosis assay showed a similar variation pattern to the DNA damages obtained by PSA, verifying the feasibility of the PSA in analyzing the oxidative capacity of PM samples. The PSA experiments showed that the particle-induced DNA damage was highest in summer, followed by spring, winter and autumn in descending order. The percentages of the oxidative damages to plasmid DNA induced by the water-soluble fractions of PM under the particle doses from 10 to 250μg/ml were generally lower than 45%, with some values peaking at above 50%. The peak values were frequently present in late spring (i.e. April and May) and early summer (i.e. June) but they were scarcely observed in other seasons. These peak values were mostly associated with haze days or the days with low wind speed (less than 4m/s), indicating that the PM samples during haze had higher oxidative potential than those during non-haze periods. The oxidative potential induced by the water-soluble fraction of the PM displayed a significant positive correlation with the concentrations of the water-soluble elements Cd, Cs, Pb, Rb, Zn, Be and Bi, demonstrating that the particle-induced oxidative potentials were mainly sourced from these elements. The exposure risk represented by the mass concentration of these elements in unit volume of atmosphere was higher in summer and winter, and lower in autumn and spring. The haze day PM samples not only had higher level of oxidative potentials but also had higher concentrations of water-soluble elements.

The role of selenoprotein W in inflammatory injury in chicken immune tissues and cultured splenic lymphocyte

Selenoprotein W (SelW) is mainly understood in terms of its antioxidant effects in the cellular defense system. Inflammation is an important indicator of animal tissue injury, and the inflammatory cells may trigger a sophisticated and well-orchestrated inflammatory cascade, resulting in exaggerated oxidative stress. To investigate the role of SelW in inflammatory injury in chicken immune tissues and cultured splenic lymphocyte, in this report, the effects of selenium (Se) on mRNA expressions of SelW and inflammatory factors (iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, PTGEs, and TNF-α) in the chicken immune organs (spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius) and cultured splenic lymphocyte treated with sodium selenite and H2O2, or knocked down SelW with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were examined. The results showed that Se-deficient diets effectively decreased the mRNA expression of SelW (P < 0.05), and induced a significantly up-regulation of COX-2, iNOS, NF-κB, PTGEs and TNF-α mRNA levels (P < 0.05). The histopathological analysis showed that immune tissues were obviously injured in the low-Se groups. In vitro, H2O2 induced a significantly up-regulation of the mRNA levels of inflammation-related genes (iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, PTGEs, and TNF-α) in cultured splenic lymphocyte (P < 0.05). When lymphocytes were pretreated with Se before treated with H2O2, the inflammation-related genes were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Silencing of SelW significantly up-regulated the inflammation-related genes (iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, PTGEs, and TNF-α) in cultured splenic lymphocyte (P < 0.05). The results suggested that the expression levels of inflammatory factors (iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, PTGEs, and TNF-α) and SelW can be influenced by Se in birds. SelW commonly played an important role in the protection of immune organs of birds from inflammatory injury by the regulations of inflammation-related genes.

Selenium suppressed hydrogen peroxide-induced vascular smooth muscle cells calcification through inhibiting oxidative stress and ERK activation

Atherosclerosis is frequently associated with vascular calcification. Increasing evidences underline that the essential micronutrient selenium may prevent atherosclerosis, but the role of selenium in vascular calcification remains unknown. In this study, we assessed the effect of sodium selenite (Na(2)SeO(3)) on H(2)O(2)-enhanced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) calcification and examined the involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. Hydrogen peroxide enhanced vascular calcification by inducing osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs, as showed by up-regulating the mRNA expression of type I collagen, osteocalcin, and Runx2, a key transcription factor for osteoblastic differentiation, increasing alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium deposition. These effects of H(2)O(2) were suppressed by pretreatment of the cells with selenite (0.1-1 µM) for 24 h. In addition, H(2)O(2) activated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and inhibition of H(2)O(2)-activated ERK signaling by MEK inhibitor PD98059 blocked the effect of H(2)O(2) on osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs. Furthermore, H(2)O(2) induced oxidative stress in calcifying VSMCs, as evidenced by the increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species production and malondialdehyde level, and the decrease of total protein thiols content and the activity of antioxidant selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidases. Selenite pretreatment also attenuated H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress and ERK activation. These results suggested that selenite suppressed H(2)O(2)-enhanced osteoblastic differentiation and calcification of VSMCs through inhibiting oxidative stress and ERK activation, indicating a potential preventive role for selenium in vascular calcification.

Cytotoxic effects of CdSe quantum dots on maturation of mouse oocytes, fertilization, and fetal development

Quantum dots (QDs) are useful novel luminescent markers, but their embryonic toxicity is yet to be fully established, particularly in oocyte maturation and sperm fertilization. Earlier experiments by our group show that CdSe-core QDs have cytotoxic effects on mouse blastocysts and are associated with defects in subsequent development. Here, we further investigate the influence of CdSe-core QDs on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and subsequent pre- and postimplantation development. CdSe-core QDs induced a significant reduction in the rates of oocyte maturation, fertilization, and in vitro embryo development, but not ZnS-coated CdSe QDs. Treatment of oocytes with 500 nM CdSe-core QDs during in vitro maturation (IVM) led to increased resorption of postimplantation embryos and decreased placental and fetal weights. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the negative impact of CdSe-core QDs on mouse oocyte development. Moreover, surface modification of CdSe-core QDs with ZnS effectively prevented this cytotoxicity.

Cytotoxic effect of CdSe quantum dots on mouse embryonic development

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxic effect of quantum dots (QD), a novel luminescent material, on early post-implantation embryonic development.

METHODS

Mouse blastocysts were incubated in medium with or without CdSe-core QD (250 or 500 nmol/L) for 24 h. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-dUTP nick-end labeling assay and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, and proliferation was investigated by dual differential staining. Pre-implantation and post-implantation development was assessed by in vitro and in vivo analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

The apoptotic staining analysis showed that CdSe-core QD induced apoptosis in mouse blastocysts in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of blastocysts with CdSe-core QD inhibited cell proliferation, primarily in the inner cell mass. CdSe-core QD also inhibited post-implantation embryonic development; fewer CdSe-core QD-pretreated blastocysts reached the later stages of development compared to the controls. The pre-implantation development of morulas into blastocysts was also inhibited by CdSe-core QD. Furthermore, CdSe-core QD at 500 nmol/L were associated with resorption of post-implantation blastocysts and a decrease in fetal weight. The cytotoxicity of CdSe QD in embryonic development was significantly reduced by the addition of a ZnS coating.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that CdSe-core QD induce apoptosis in mouse blastocysts, inhibit cell proliferation, retard early post-implantation blastocyst development, and increase early-stage blastocyst death in vitro and in vivo.

Mechanism for proliferation inhibition by various selenium compounds and selenium-enriched broccoli extract in rat glial cells

The objective of this study was to investigate the differential effects of various selenium (Se) compounds and Se-enriched broccoli extracts on cell proliferation and the possible mechanism responsible for the Se-induced growth inhibition. C6 rat glial cells were incubated with graded concentrations up to 1000 nM of selenite, selenate, selenomethionine (SeM), Se-methyl-selenocysteine (SeMCys), high-Se broccoli (H-SeB) extract or low-Se broccoli (L-SeB) extract for 24 and 48 h. MTT results indicated that all Se sources and levels examined inhibited C6 cell proliferation at 48 h. The results from cell cycle progression and apoptosis analysis indicated that SeM, SeMCys, H-SeB or L-SeB treatments at the concentration of 1000 nM reduced the cell population in G(0)/G(1) phase, but induced G(2)/M phase arrest and increased apoptosis and secondary necrosis in C6 cells at 24 h. The populations of apoptotic cells and secondary necrotic cells were increased by all Se sources examined. The COMET assay indicated that there was no significant DNA single-strand break found for all Se treatments in C6 cells for 48 h. In addition, the Se-induced proliferation inhibition may involve a hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-dependent mechanism with elevated cellular glutathione peroxidase (cGPX) activity. Both H-SeB and L-SeB inhibited C6 cell proliferation but H-SeB was less inhibitory than L-SeB. The proliferation inhibition by H-SeB in C6 cells is apparently related to the increased H(2)O(2) with the elevated cGPX activity, but the inhibition by L-SeB was H(2)O(2)-independent without change in cGPX activity.

Mechanisms of selenium inhibition of cell apoptosis induced by oxysterols in rat vascular smooth muscle cells

Our previous study reported that oxysterol cholestane-3beta,5 alpha, 6 beta-triol (Triol) induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) apoptosis, which was inhibited by selenium pretreatment. To further investigate the mechanisms of the inhibition, the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), the total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and the level of lipid peroxidation (the content of malondialdehyde, MDA) of VSMCs were measured, and fluidity of cell membrane, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta psi(m)), and the intracellular Ca(2+) in single cell were detected using several fluorescence indicators. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of c-myc, bcl-2, GPx, and thioredoxin reductase (TR) were measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The results showed that the decrease of GPx activity, T-AOC, SOD activity, the fluidity of cell membrane, the Delta psi(m), and the mRNA expression of c-myc, bcl-2, GPx, and TR of VSMCs and the increase of MDA, ROS generation, and intracellular Ca(2+), significantly induced by Triol (10 microM, 24h) were inhibited to a different extent, respectively, when cells were pretreated with sodium selenite (50 nM, 12 or 24h) before exposure to Triol. These effects were time dependent and enhanced with prolongation of the time of pretreatment. In conclusion, the results in the present work showed that the mechanism of selenium inhibition of cell apoptosis induced by oxysterols in rat VSMCs was related with the antioxidation of selenoproteins.