Propofol attenuation of hydrogen peroxide-mediated oxidative stress and apoptosis in cultured cardiomyocytes involves haeme oxygenase-1

A Comparison of Etiology, Pathogenesis, Vaccinal and Antiviral Drug Development between Influenza and COVID-19

Influenza virus and coronavirus, two kinds of pathogens that exist widely in nature, are common emerging pathogens that cause respiratory tract infections in humans. In December 2019, a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 emerged, causing a severe respiratory infection named COVID-19 in humans, and raising a global pandemic which has persisted in the world for almost three years. Influenza virus, a seasonally circulating respiratory pathogen, has caused four global pandemics in humans since 1918 by the emergence of novel variants. Studies have shown that there are certain similarities in transmission mode and pathogenesis between influenza and COVID-19, and vaccination and antiviral drugs are considered to have positive roles as well as several limitations in the prevention and control of both diseases. Comparative understandings would be helpful to the prevention and control of these diseases. Here, we review the study progress in the etiology, pathogenesis, vaccine and antiviral drug development for the two diseases.

Stress response in vertebra surgery by total intravenous and inhalation anaesthesia

OBJECTIVE

We compared inhalational and total intravenous anaesthesia about haemodynamic stability and oxidative stress response in vertebral surgery.

BACKGROUNDS AND METHODS

Fifty-nine elective vertebral surgery patients were randomly divided into propofol (Group P) and desflurane (Group D) groups. Intraoperative haemodynamic parameters, preoperative and post-operative native thiol, total thiol, disulfide, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, cortisol and catalase levels were studied.

RESULTS

Post-operative native thiol and total thiol values in Group P were higher (P = .044 and P = .031). Post-operative albumin value in Group P was lower than the preoperative value (P < .001). The post-operative CRP and albumin values in Group D were lower than the preoperative value. The cortisol value was high (P = .03, P < .001 and P < .001). The post-operative albumin value in Group P was higher (P = .03). There is a positive correlation between CRP and disulfide values (P = .017), between albumin and native thiol values (P < .001), between total thiol value (P < .001), between the cortisol value and the disulfide/native thiol value (P = .002) and between native/total thiol value (P = .003) and a negative correlation between disulfide/native thiol value (P = .005), between disulfide/total thiol value (P = .003) and between the native/total thiol value (P = .001).

CONCLUSION

Dynamic thiol/disulfide haemostasis reflects oxidative stress. Propofol positively contributes to oxidative stress in elective vertebral surgery.

Effects of Compound Active Peptides on Protecting Liver and Intestinal Epithelial Cells from Damages and Preventing Hyperglycemia

Active peptides have good effectiveness in controlling or preventing many diseases. Compound active peptides (CAP) obtained from animal, plant, and sea food proteins were used in this study to explore their effects on antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and antihyperglycemia in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that 10 μg/mL CAP could increase cell viability (P < 0.05) and decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and cell apoptosis (P < 0.05) when WRL68 cells were induced by H₂O₂ for 6 h. Moreover, incubation with 20 μg/mL CAP for 6 h significantly increased cell viability and Bcl-2 expression level (P < 0.05) and decreased expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, Bax, and Caspase 3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 (P < 0.05) when swine jejunal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) were induced by deoxynivalenol (DON). In addition, adding CAP individually or combined with Liuweidihuang pills (LDP, Chinese medicine) and low-dose glibenclamide could lower blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic model mice. These results suggested that CAP was probably a beneficial ingredient for alleviating H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and DON-induced cell inflammation and apoptosis and preventing hyperglycemia.

Induced pluripotent stem cell-conditional medium inhibits H9C2 cardiomyocytes apoptosis via autophagy flux and Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived conditioned medium (iPS‐CM) could improve cell viability in many types of cells and may be a better alternative for the treatment of myocardial infarction. This study aimed to examine the influence of iPS‐CM on anti‐apoptosis and the proliferation of H9C2 cardiomyocytes and investigate the underlying mechanisms. H9C2 cardiomyocytes were exposed to 200 μmol/L hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for 24 hours with or without pre‐treatment with iPS‐CM. The ratio of apoptotic cells, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm) and the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species were analysed by flow cytometric analysis. The expression levels of BCL‐2 and BAX proteins were analysed by Western blot. Cell proliferation was assessed using cell cycle and EdU staining assays. To study cell senescence, senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) staining was conducted. The levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and glutathione were also quantified using commercially available enzymatic kits. The results showed that iPS‐CM containing basic fibroblast growth factor significantly reduced H₂O₂‐induced H9C2 cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating the autophagy flux pathway, promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation by up‐regulating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway and inhibited oxidative stress and cell senescence. In conclusion, iPS‐CM effectively enhanced the cell viability of H9C2 cardiomyocytes and could potentially be used to inhibit cardiomyocytes apoptosis to treat myocardial infarction in the future.

Protective Effect of Koumine, an Alkaloid from Gelsemium Sempervirens, on Injury Induced by H₂O₂ in IPEC-J2 Cells

Medicinal herbal plants have been commonly used for intervention in different diseases and improvement of health worldwide. Koumine, an alkaloid monomer found abundantly in Gelsemium plants, can be effectively used as an antioxidant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of koumine against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in porcine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2 cells). MTT assays showed that koumine significantly increased cell viability in H₂O₂-mediated IPEC-J2 cells. Preincubation with koumine ameliorated H₂O₂-medicated apoptosis by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and efficiently suppressed the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and malondialdehyde (MDA) production. Moreover, a loss of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) activities was restored to normal level in H₂O₂-induced IPEC-J2 cells upon koumine exposure. Furthermore, pretreatment with koumine suppressed H₂O₂-mediated loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation, decrease of Bcl-2 expression and elevation of Bax expressions. Collectively, the results of this study indicated that koumine possesses the cytoprotective effects in IPEC-J2 cells during exposure to H₂O₂ by suppressing production of ROS, inhibiting the caspase-3 activity and influencing the expression of Bax and Bcl-2. Koumine could potentially serve as a protective effect against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis.

Pink Urine Syndrome: A Combination of Insulin Resistance and Propofol

Pink urine syndrome is mostly seen in patients treated with propofol anesthesia. The pink color is attributed to the presence of large concentrations of uric acid (and pigment), which is excreted in large amounts when propofol is given. We describe a case of propofol-induced pink urine syndrome and perform a comprehensive, evidence-based review. We discuss prior case studies already published in the literature as we speculate on the pathophysiology and how it translates to a clinically relevant entity.

Protective effect of propofol on ischemia-reperfusion injury detected by HPLC-MS/MS targeted metabolic profiling

Ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI), described as tissue damage caused by reversible ischemic injury or hypoxia prior to the blood supply restoration, is a common pathological phenomenon. In recent study, a hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) in the presence or absence of propofol posthypoxia treatment (P-PostH) cell model was built to simulate the condition of IRI, and researchers found propofol may protect cells by suppressing autophagic cell death. To investigate the mechanism underling the protective effect of propofol. A metabolomic analysis was performed in this study using ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF- MS) to compare the metabolism during the process of H/R in the presence or absence of P-PostH. A total of 22 metabolites were detected varied after propofol posthypoxia treatment. Pathway analysis revealed these metabolites were mainly involved in the purine metabolic pathway, three carboxylic acid metabolic pathways, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism pathway and lipid metabolism pathway. We measured the level of Hypoxanthine to verify the metabolomics work, for pathway analysis, we detect the level of reactive oxygen species with H/R and P-PostH treatment. Our study achieved a global comparison of metabolism profiling of H/R cell model with or without propofol posthypoxic treatment. The result indicated that propofol can attenuate endothelial injury caused by IRI by reducing oxidative damage.

Propofol prevents human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury from Ang II-induced apoptosis by activating the ACE2-(1-7)-Mas axis and eNOS phosphorylation

Angiotensin II (AngII), a vasoactive peptide that elevates arterial blood pressure and results in hypertension, has been reported to directly induce vascular endothelial cell apoptosis. Recent work has demonstrated that propofol pre-treatment attenuates angiotensin II-induced apoptosis in human coronary artery endothelial cells. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) subjected to angiotensin II-induced apoptosis in the presence or absence of propofol treatment and found that angiotensin II-induced apoptosis was attenuated by propofol in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, ELISA assays demonstrated that the ratio of angiotensin (1–7) (Ang (1–7)) to Ang II was increased after propofol treatment. We examined the expression of ACE2, Ang (1–7) and Mas and found that the ACE2-Ang (1–7)-Mas axis was up-regulated by propofol, while ACE2 overexpression increased phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (phosphorylated eNOS) expression and siACE2 resulted in the repression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation. In conclusion, our study revealed that propofol can inhibit endothelial cell apoptosis induced by Ang II by activating the ACE2-Ang (1–7)-Mas axis and further up-regulating the expression and phosphorylation of eNOS.

Protective effects of kenpaullone on cardiomyocytes following H2O2-induced oxidative stress are attributed to inhibition of connexin 43 degradation by SGSM3

A previous study showed that small G protein signaling modulator 3 (SGSM3) was highly correlated with Cx43 in heart functions and that high levels of SGSM3 may induce Cx43 turnover through lysosomal degradation in infarcted rat hearts. Here, we investigated the protective effects of kenpaullone on cardiomyocytes following H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress mediated by the interaction of SGSM3 with Cx43. We found that the gap junction protein Cx43 was significantly down-regulated in an H₂O₂ concentration-dependent manner, whereas expression of SGSM3 was up-regulated upon H₂O₂ exposure in H9c2 cells. The effect of kenpaullone pretreatment on H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity was evaluated in H9c2 cells. H₂O₂ markedly increased the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), while kenpaullone pretreatment suppressed LDH release in H9c2 cells. Moreover, kenpaullone pretreatment significantly reduced ROS fluorescence intensity and significantly down-regulated the level of apoptosis-activating genes (cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and cytochrome C), autophagy markers (LC3A/B), and the Cx43-interacting partner SGSM3. These results suggest that kenpaullone plays a role in protecting cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress and that the turnover of Cx43 through SGSM3-induced lysosomal degradation underlies the anti-apoptotic effect of kenpaullone.

Upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression by curcumin conferring protection from hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts

Background

Curcumin is a major constituent of rhizomes of Curcuma longa that elicits beneficial effects for oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to investigate whether curcumin could attenuate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts and the underlying mechanisms.

Results

The present study showed that exposure of H9c2 cells to H₂O₂ caused a significant increase in apoptosis as evaluated by flow cytometry analysis and the pretreatment of curcumin protected against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis. Exposure of cells with curcumin caused a dose-dependent induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression. Curcumin also decreased the cleaved caspase-3 (CC3) protein expression level and increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio in H₂O₂-stimulated H9c2 cells. ZnPP-IX, a HO-1 inhibitor, partly reversed the anti-apoptotic effect of curcumin. Further, LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, partially reversed the effect of curcumin on HO-1 protein induction, leading to the attenuation of curcumin-mediated apoptosis resistance.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated that the anti-apoptotic function of curcumin required the upregulation of HO-1 protein through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Curcumin might be used as a preventive and therapeutic agent for treatment of cardiovascular diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Propofol protects against oxidative-stress-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis by inducing autophagy

Background

In oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production contributes to cellular dysfunction and initiates the apoptotic cascade. Autophagy is considered the mechanism that decreases ROS concentration and oxidative damage. Propofol shows antioxidant properties, but the mechanisms underlying the effect of propofol preconditioning (PPC) on oxidative injury remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether PPC protects against cell damage from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress and influences cellular autophagy.

Method

COS-7 cells were randomly divided into the following groups: control, cells were incubated in normoxia (5% CO₂, 21% O₂, and 74% N₂) for 24 h without propofol; H₂O₂, cells were exposed to H₂O₂ (400 µM) for 2 h; PPC + H₂O₂, cells pretreated with propofol were exposed to H₂O₂; and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) + PPC + H₂O₂, cells pretreated with 3-MA (1 mM) for 1 h and propofol were exposed to H₂O₂. Cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide thiazolyl blue (MTT) reduction. Apoptosis was determined using Hoechst 33342 staining and fluorescence microscopy. The relationship between PPC and autophagy was detected using western blot analysis.

Results

Cell viability decreased more significantly in the H₂O₂ group than in the control group, but it was improved by PPC (100 µM). Pretreatment with propofol effectively decreased H₂O₂-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis. However, pretreatment with 3-MA inhibited the protective effect of propofol during apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed that the level of autophagy-related proteins was higher in the PPC + H₂O₂ group than that in the H₂O₂ group.

Conclusion

PPC has a protective effect on H₂O₂-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis, which is mediated by autophagy activation.

The Antiapoptosis Effect of Glycyrrhizate on HepG2 Cells Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide

This study demonstrated that glycyrrhizate (GAS) could protect HEPG2 cells against damage and apoptosis induced by H₂O₂ (1600 μM, 4 h). Cell viability assay revealed that GAS was noncytotoxity at concentration 125 µg/mL, and GAS (5 μg/mL, 25 μg/mL, and 125 μg/mL) protected HepG2 cells against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity. H₂O₂ induced the HepG2 cells apoptosis, obvious morphologic changes were observed after Hochest 33258 staining, and more apoptotic cells were counted in flow cytometry assay compared to that of the natural group. Pretreatment GAS (5 μg/mL, 25 μg/mL, and 125 μg/mL) prior to H₂O₂ reverses the morphologic changes and reduced the apoptotic cells in HepG2 cells. GAS reduced the release of MDA, increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, and diminished the release of ALT and AST during oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. After Elisa kit detecting, GAS inhibited the caspase activity induced by H₂O₂, GAS decreased the level of caspase-3 and caspase-9 from mitochondria in dose-dependent manner. Western blot results showed that pretreatment GAS upregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Bax. These results reveal that GAS has the cytoprotection in HepG2 cells during ROS exposure by inhibiting the caspase activity in the mitochondria and influencing apoptogenic factors of the expression of Bax and Bcl-2.

Propofol ameliorates hyperglycemia-induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction via heme oxygenase-1/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway in rats

OBJECTIVES

Heme oxygenase-1 is inducible in cardiomyocytes in response to stimuli such as oxidative stress and plays critical roles in combating cardiac hypertrophy and injury. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 plays a pivotal role in heme oxygenase-1-mediated protection against liver and lung injuries under oxidative stress. We hypothesized that propofol, an anesthetic with antioxidant capacity, may attenuate hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes via enhancing heme oxygenase-1 activation and ameliorate hyperglycemia-induced cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis via heme oxygenase-1/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling and improve cardiac function in diabetes.

DESIGN

Treatment study.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTERVENTIONS

In vivo and in vitro treatments.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

At 8 weeks of streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in rats, myocardial 15-F2t-isoprostane was significantly increased, accompanied by cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis and impaired left ventricular function that was coincident with reduced heme oxygenase-1 activity and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation despite an increase in heme oxygenase-1 protein expression as compared to control. Propofol infusion (900 μg/kg/min) for 45 minutes significantly improved cardiac function with concomitantly enhanced heme oxygenase-1 activity and signal transducer and activator of transcription activation. Similar to the changes seen in diabetic rat hearts, high glucose (25 mmol/L) exposure for 48 hours led to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis, both in primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and in H9c2 cells compared to normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L). Hypertrophy was accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde production and caspase-3 activity. Propofol, similar to the heme oxygenase-1 inducer cobalt protoporphyrin, significantly increased cardiomyocyte heme oxygenase-1 and p-signal transducer and activator of transcription protein expression and heme oxygenase-1 activity and attenuated high-glucose-mediated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis and reduced reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde production (p < 0.05). These protective effects of propofol were abolished by heme oxygenase-1 inhibition with zinc protoporphyrin and by heme oxygenase-1 or signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 gene knockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

Heme oxygenase-1/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling plays a critical role in propofol-mediated amelioration of hyperglycemia-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis, whereby propofol improves cardiac function in diabetic rats.

Propofol can Protect Against the Impairment of Learning-memory Induced by Electroconvulsive Shock via Tau Protein Hyperphosphorylation in Depressed Rats

OBJECTIVE

To explore the possible neurophysiologic mechanisms of propofol and N-methyl-D- aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist against learning-memory impairment of depressed rats without olfactory bulbs.

METHODS

Models of depressed rats without olfactory bulbs were established. For the factorial design in analysis of variance, two intervention factors were included: electroconvulsive shock groups (with and without a course of electroconvulsive shock) and drug intervention groups [intraperotoneal (ip) injection of saline, NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 and propofol. A total of 60 adult depressed rats without olfactory bulbs were randomly divided into 6 experimental groups (n=10 per group): ip injection of 5 ml saline; ip injection of 5 ml of 10 mg/kg MK-801; ip injection of 5 ml of 10 mg/kg MK-801 and a course of electroconvulsive shock; ip injection of 5 ml of 200 mg/kg propofol; ip injection of 5 ml of 200 mg/kg propofol and a course of electroconvulsive shock; and ip injection of 5 ml saline and a course of electroconvulsive shock. The learning-memory abilities of the rats was evaluated by the Morris water maze test. The content of glutamic acid in the hippocampus was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. The expressions of p-AT8Ser202 in the hippocampus were determined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Propofol, MK-801 or electroconvulsive shock alone induced learning-memory impairment in depressed rats, as proven by extended evasive latency time and shortened space probe time. Glutamic acid content in the hippocampus of depressed rats was significantly up-regulated by electroconvulsive shock and down-regulated by propofol, but MK-801 had no significant effect on glutamic acid content. Levels of phosphorylated Tau protein p-AT8Ser202 in the hippocampus was up-regulated by electroconvulsive shock but was reduced by propofol and MK-801 alone. Propofol prevented learning-memory impairment and reduced glutamic acid content and p-AT8Ser202 levels induced by electroconvulsive shock.

CONCLUSION

Electroconvulsive shock might reduce learning-memory impairment caused by protein Tau hyperphosphorylation in depressed rats by down-regulating glutamate content.

Comparison of the neuropsychological mechanisms of 2,6-diisopropylphenol and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist against electroconvulsive therapy-induced learning and memory impairment in depressed rats

The present study aimed to examine the neurophysiological mechanisms of the 2,6-diisopropylphenol and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist against learning and memory impairment, induced by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A total of 48 adult depressed rats without olfactory bulbs were randomly divided into six experimental groups: i) saline; ii) 10 mg/kg MK‑801; iii) 10 mg/kg MK‑801 and a course of ECT; iv) 200 mg/kg 2,6‑diisopropylphenol; v) 200 mg/kg 2,6‑diisopropylphenol and a course of ECT; and vi) saline and a course of ECT. The learning and memory abilities of the rats were assessed using a Morris water maze 1 day after a course of ECT. The hippocampus was removed 1 day after assessment using the Morris water maze assessment. The content of glutamate in the hippocampus was detected using high‑performance liquid chromatography. The expression levels of p‑AT8Ser202 and GSK‑3β1H8 in the hippocampus were determined using immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that the 2,6‑diisopropylphenol NMDA receptor antagonist, MK‑801 and ECT induced learning and memory impairment in the depressed rats. The glutamate content was significantly upregulated by ECT, reduced by 2,6‑diisopropylphenol, and was unaffected by the NMDA receptor antagonist in the hippocampus of the depressed rats. Tau protein hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus was upregulated by ECT, but was reduced by 2,6‑diisopropylphenol and the MK‑801 NMDA receptor antagonist. It was also demonstrated that 2,6‑diisopropylphenol prevented learning and memory impairment and reduced the hyperphosphorylation of the Tau protein, which was induced by eECT. GSK‑3β was found to be the key protein involved in this signaling pathway. The ECT reduced the learning and memory impairment, caused by hyperphosphorylation of the Tau protein, in the depressed rats by upregulating the glutamate content.

Attenuation of cisplathin-induced toxic oxidative stress by propofol

Background:

Antioxidant effects of propofol (2, 6-diisopropylphenol) were evaluated against cisplatin-i‎nduced oxidative stress in rat.

Objectives:

In this experimental study, 20 male rats were equally divided into 4 groups (5 rats each), and were treated by propofol (10 mg/kg/day, IP), or cisplatin (7 mg /kg/day, IP), or both.

Materials and Methods:

G‎roup one was control, while group 2 was given cisplatin (7 mg /kg/day, IP). Animals of the third group received only propofol (10 mg/kg/day, IP). Group 4 was given propofol with cisplatin once per day for 7 days. After treatment, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine levels, and oxidative stress m‎arkers such as total thiol groups (TTG), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and total antioxidant ‎capacity (TAC) were measured.

Results:

Oxidative stress induced by cisplatin, was evident by a significant increase in LPO and decrease in TTG and TAC. Propofol recovered ‎cisplatin -induced changes in TAC, TTG and LPO in blood.

Conclusions:

It is concluded that oxidative ‎damage is the mechanism of cisplatin toxicity, which can be recovered by propofol.‎

Propofol mediates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation and crosstalk with phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT

We previously demonstrated that propofol, an intravenous anesthetic with anti-oxidative properties, activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway to increase the expression of B cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 and, therefore the anti-apoptotic potential on cardiomyocytes. Here, we wanted to determine if propofol can also activate the Janus kinase (JAK) 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 pathway, another branch of cardioprotective signaling. The cellular response of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and STAT3 was also evaluated. Cardiac H9c2 cells were treated by propofol alone or in combination with pretreatment by inhibitors for JAK2/STAT3 or PI3K/AKT pathway. STAT3 and AKT phosphorylation, and STAT3 translocation were measured by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Propofol treatment significantly increased STAT3 phosphorylation at both tyrosine 705 and serine 727 residues. Sustained early phosphorylation of STAT3 was observed with 25~75 μM propofol at 10 and 30 min. Nuclear translocation of STAT3 was seen at 4 h after treatment with 50 μM propofol. In cultured H9c2 cells, we further demonstrated that propofol-induced STAT3 phosphorylation was reduced by pretreatment with PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitors wortmannin or API-2. Conversely, pretreatment with JAK2/STAT3 pathway inhibitor AG490 or stattic inhibited propofol-induced AKT phosphorylation. In addition, propofol induced NFκB p65 subunit perinuclear translocation. Inhibition or knockdown of STAT3 was associated with increased levels of the NFκB p65 subunit. Our results suggest that propofol induces an adaptive response by dual activation and crosstalk of cytoprotective PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT3 pathways. Rationale to apply propofol clinically as a preemptive cardioprotectant during cardiac surgery is supported by our findings.

Propofol activation of the Nrf2 pathway is associated with amelioration of acute lung injury in a rat liver transplantation model

Objective. This study aimed to investigate whether propofol pretreatment can protect against liver transplantation-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and to explore whether Nrf2 pathway is involved in the protections provided by propofol pretreatment. Method. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups based on the random number table. Lung pathology was observed by optical microscopy. Lung water content was assessed by wet/dry ratio, and PaO₂ was detected by blood gas analysis. The contents of H₂O₂, MDA, and SOD activity were determined by ELISA method, and the expression of HO-1, NQO1, Keap1, and nuclear Nrf2 was assayed by western blotting. Results. Compared with saline-treated model group, both propofol and N-acetylcysteine pretreatment can reduce the acute lung injury caused by orthotopic autologous liver transplantation (OALT), decrease the lung injury scores, lung water content, and H₂O₂ and MDA levels, and improve the arterial PaO₂ and SOD activity. Furthermore, propofol (but not N-acetylcysteine) pretreatment especially in high dose inhibited the expression of Keap1 and induced translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus to further upregulate the expression of HO-1 and NQO1 downstream. Conclusion. Pretreatment with propofol is associated with attenuation of OALT-induced ALI, and the Nrf2 pathway is involved in the antioxidative processes.

Differential microRNA profiling in a cellular hypoxia reoxygenation model upon posthypoxic propofol treatment reveals alterations in autophagy signaling network

Recent studies indicate that propofol may protect cells via suppressing autophagic cell death caused by excessive reactive oxygen species induced by hypoxia reoxygenation (H/R). It is established that gene expression patterns including autophagy-related genes changed significantly during the process of H/R in the presence or absence of propofol posthypoxia treatment (P-PostH). The reasons for such differences, however, remain largely unknown. MicroRNAs provide a novel mechanism for gene regulation. In the present study, we systematically analyzed the alterations in microRNA expression using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) subjected to H/R in the presence or absence of posthypoxic propofol treatment. Genome-wide profiling of microRNAs was then conducted using microRNA microarray. Fourteen miRNAs are differentially expressed and six of them were validated by the quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) of which three were substantially increased, whereas one was decreased. To gain an unbiased global perspective on subsequent regulation by altered miRNAs, predicted targets of ten miRNAs were analyzed using the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis to build signaling networks. Interestingly, six of the identified microRNAs are known to target autophagy-related genes. In conclusion, our results revealed that different miRNA expression patterns are induced by propofol posthypoxia treatment in H/R and the alterations in miRNA expression patterns are implicated in regulating distinctive autophagy-related gene expression.

Effects of propofol, a sedative-hypnotic drug, on the lipid profile, antioxidant indices, and cardiovascular marker enzymes in wistar rats

In recent years, the activity of anaesthetic propofol on biological processes has been attracting attention. The effect of propofol on biochemical indices in animals is unknown. In this study, we examined the effects of propofol on lipid profile, antioxidant indices, and cardiovascular marker (CVM) enzymes in rats. The study consists of three groups of seven rats each. Group one received corn oil (Control) while groups two and three received propofol (doses of 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight, resp.). Results showed that administration of propofol caused a significant (P < 0.05) and dose-dependent increase in the levels of total bilirubin. Propofol at 2 and 4 mg/kg increased the levels of serum total cholesterol by 74% and 55%, triglycerides by 97% and 115%, and LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) by 45% and 73%, respectively, while HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) decreased by 41% and 54%, respectively. Propofol significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of the hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of GSH-dependent enzymes. Propofol at 2 and 4 mg/kg increased the activities of CVM enzymes: lactate dehydrogenase by 1.7 and 1.8 folds and creatinine phosphokinase by 2.0 and 2.1 folds, respectively. Taken together, propofol increased the levels of GSH and GSH-dependent enzymes but adversely affected the lipid profile of the rats.

Propofol-induced protection of SH-SY5Y cells against hydrogen peroxide is associated with the HO-1 via the ERK pathway

Propofol (2, 6-diisopropylphenol), is an anesthetic and routinely used for the humans sedation during surgery. The potent inducers of phase II detoxifying and antioxidant stress responsive to propofol were investigated. First, a dose of 25-100 µM propofol showed no significant cytotoxicity on SH-SY5Y cells and pre-treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with propofol (25-100 μM) for 8h prevented cell death and maintained cell integrity following exposure to 1 mM hydrogen peroxide by MTT assays. Then, an increase in the generation of ROS following hydrogen peroxide treatment was significantly attenuated by 8 h pre-treatment with propofol. Additionally, the potential roles of ERK, p 38 MAPK and JNK in the regulation of propofol-induced endogenous HO-1 expression in SH-SY5Y cells were estimated by Western blotting assays. Results showed that propofol significantly increased the phosphorylation levels of ERK, p 38 MAPK and JNK and antioxidant stress responsive to propofol was attenuated by the inhibition of ERK signaling biochemical inhibitors. These results suggest that the ERK pathway plays an important role in the regulation of propofol-mediated antioxidant effects in SH-SY5Y cells.

Propofol induces proliferation and invasion of gallbladder cancer cells through activation of Nrf2

BACKGROUND

Propofol is one of the most commonly used intravenous anaesthetic agents during cancer resection surgery, but the effect of propofol on gallbladder cancer is not clear. NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is abundantly expressed in cancer cells and relates to proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance. The aims of the current study were to evaluate effects of propofol on the behavior of human GC cells and role of Nrf2 in these effects.

METHOD

The effects of propofol on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion were detected by MTT assays, flow cytometry, and transwell assay. Also, activation of Nrf2 was determined by western blot, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence assays. Nrf2 was knocked-down in GBC-SD cells by shRNA before evaluating the role of Nrf2 in the influence of propofol on biological behaviors.

RESULTS

Propofol promoted the proliferation of GBC-SD cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner. After exposure to propofol for 48 h, GBC-SD cells showed decreased apoptosis and increased invasion. Also, propofol over-expressed Nrf2 at both the protein and mRNA levels and induced translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus. Finally, loss of Nrf2 by shRNA reversed the effect of propofol on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion.

CONCLUSION

Propofol induces proliferation and promotes invasion of GC cells through activation of Nrf2.

Interleukin 6 protects H(2)O(2)-induced cardiomyocytes injury through upregulation of prohibitin via STAT3 phosphorylation

OBJECTIVE

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is a potent reactive oxygen species that causes cardiomyocytes injury. As an important cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6) has cardioprotective effects as it plays an essential role in the late phase of preconditioning. Our work is to investigate if IL-6 preconditioning has protective effects on neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes in response to H(2)O(2) and its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Gel-based comparative proteomic approach along with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and Western blot analysis was used to analyse mechanisms of IL-6 preconditioning on H(2)O(2)-induced neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes injury.

RESULTS

IL-6 preconditioning protected cardiomyocytes against H(2)O(2)-induced cell death. Proteomic analysis showed that IL-6 pretreatment further increased the expression of prohibitin and improved the viability of cardiomyocytes exposed to H(2)O(2). Knocking down of prohibitin with siRNA abrogated this protection by increasing apoptosis rate. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG490 decreased signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and down-regulated prohibitin expression in cardiomyocytes pretreated with IL-6 and exposed to H(2)O(2), which further dampened the protective effects of IL-6 preconditioning.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide direct evidence that prohibitin is a protective factor of IL-6 preconditioning in H(2)O(2)-induced neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes death. The upregulation of prohibitin by IL-6 is, at least, partially regulated through STAT3 phosphorylation.

The cellular and molecular origin of reactive oxygen species generation during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is an important cause of impaired heart function in the early postoperative period subsequent to cardiac surgery. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation increases during both ischemia and reperfusion and it plays a central role in the pathophysiology of intraoperative myocardial injury. Unfortunately, the cellular source of these ROS during ischemia and reperfusion is often poorly defined. Similarly, individual ROS members tend to be grouped together as free radicals with a uniform reactivity towards biomolecules and with deleterious effects collectively ascribed under the vague umbrella of oxidative stress. This review aims to clarify the identity, origin, and progression of ROS during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Additionally, this review aims to describe the biochemical reactions and cellular processes that are initiated by specific ROS that work in concert to ultimately yield the clinical manifestations of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Lastly, this review provides an overview of several key cardioprotective strategies that target myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury from the perspective of ROS generation. This overview is illustrated with example clinical studies that have attempted to translate these strategies to reduce the severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Propofol ameliorates doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis in rat cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND

Propofol is an anesthetic with pluripotent cytoprotective properties against various extrinsic insults. This study was designed to examine whether this agent could also ameliorate the infamous toxicity of doxorubicin, a widely-used chemotherapeutic agent against a variety of cancer diseases, on myocardial cells.

METHODS

Cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were administrated with vehicle, doxorubicin (1μM), propofol (1μM), or propofol plus doxorubicin (given 1h post propofol). After 24h, cells were harvested and specific analyses regarding oxidative/nitrative stress and cellular apoptosis were conducted.

RESULTS

Trypan blue exclusion and MTT assays disclosed that viability of cardiomyocytes was significantly reduced by doxorubicin. Contents of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species were increased and antioxidant enzymes SOD1, SOD2, and GPx were decreased in these doxorubicin-treated cells. Mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity and membrane potential were also depressed, along with activation of key effectors downstream of mitochondrion-dependent apoptotic signaling. Besides, abundance of p53 was elevated and cleavage of PKC-δ was induced in these myocardial cells. In contrast, all of the above oxidative, nitrative and pro-apoptotic events could be suppressed by propofol pretreatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Propofol could extensively counteract oxidative/nitrative and multiple apoptotic effects of doxorubicin in the heart; hence, this anesthetic may serve as an adjuvant agent to assuage the untoward cardiac effects of doxorubicin in clinical application.

Unexpected pro-injury effect of propofol on vascular smooth muscle cells with increased oxidative stress

OBJECTIVES

Propofol is a widely used intravenous anesthetic agent with antioxidant properties. However, the effect of propofol on reactive oxygen species-induced injury in vascular smooth muscle cells is still unknown. In this study, the authors determined the effect of propofol on hydrogen peroxide-induced injury in vascular smooth muscle cells and the potential molecular mechanisms involved.

DESIGN

Prospective cell and animal study.

SETTING

University research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTERVENTIONS

For the in vitro study, rat vascular smooth muscle cells pretreated with vehicle or hydrogen peroxide (200 μM) were exposed to vehicle or increasing concentrations of propofol (10-50 μM). For the in vivo study, propofol (12 mg kg⁻¹/hr⁻¹, intravenous) or vehicle was administrated into rats after carotid artery angioplasty.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The cell survival and cell death were measured by MTT and trypan blue exclusion. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining and cleaved caspase-3 expression. To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms in propofol-mediated cellular effect, the expression of programmed cell death 4 and microRNA-21 were measured. Unexpectedly, propofol exacerbated hydrogen peroxide-induced injury responses in vascular smooth muscle cells as demonstrated by a decrease in cell viability and an increase in trypan blue-stained cells, cell apoptosis, and cleaved caspase-3 expression. In addition, propofol inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced up-regulation of microRNA-21 and increased its target gene programmed cell death 4. Propofol-mediated injury was attenuated by restoration of microRNA-21 expression. Finally, the pro-injury effect of propofol on vascular cells with increased reactive oxygen species was illustrated in vivo in rat carotid arteries after angioplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

The results revealed that propofol exacerbates cell injury in vascular smooth muscle cells with increased reactive oxygen species, at least in part, through microRNA-21 and its target gene, programmed cell death 4. Because increased reactive oxygen species is a common pathologic component in many vascular diseases, the novel findings in the current study suggest that propofol might have some application limitations.

Propofol protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and cell dysfunction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Propofol has been reported to protect vascular endothelial cells against oxidative stress and dysfunction, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. In this study, we studied hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced oxidative stress and cell dysfunction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and especially, their modulation by propofol. HUVECs were treated with different concentrations (0.1 and 0.5 mM) of H(2)O(2) for different times (1, 3, and 6 h). Then HUVECs were pretreated with different concentrations of propofol (10, 25, and 50 microM), followed by H(2)O(2) treatment (0.5 mM, 3 h). In another set of experiments, we pretreated cells with p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor SB203580, followed by H(2)O(2) treatment (0.5 mM, 3 h). After treatment, oxidative stress, p38 MAPK phosphorylation, transcription factor NF-kappaB activation, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression, nitric oxide (NO) production, and monocyte adhesion were measured. We observed H(2)O(2) treatment significantly induced oxidative stress, which could be attenuated by 25 microM propofol pretreatment. In addition, H(2)O(2) treatment significantly induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation, NF-kappaB activation, NOS expression, and NO production. More importantly, our study showed these H(2)O(2)-induced changes were attenuated by propofol or SB203580 pretreatment. Further, we measured monocyte adhesion as a marker of endothelial cell dysfunction. H(2)O(2) increased the adhesion of monocytes to HUVECs, and propofol pretreatment reduced the adhesion in a fashion similar to SB203580. We concluded that propofol, by inhibiting p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB activity, decreasing NOS expression, reducing NO production, could protect HUVECs which are exposed to oxidative stress and becoming dysfunctional.

Propofol protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury in cardiac H9c2 cells via Akt activation and Bcl-2 up-regulation

Propofol is a widely used intravenous anesthetic agent with antioxidant properties secondary to its phenol based chemical structure. Treatment with propofol has been found to attenuate oxidative stress and prevent ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat heart. Here, we report that propofol protects cardiac H9c2 cells from hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced injury by triggering the activation of Akt and a parallel up-regulation of Bcl-2. We show that pretreatment with propofol significantly protects against H(2)O(2)-induced injury. We further demonstrate that propofol activates the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The protective effect of propofol on H(2)O(2)-induced injury is reversed by PI3K inhibitor wortmannin, which effectively suppresses propofol-induced activation of Akt, up-regulation of Bcl-2, and protection from apoptosis. Collectively, our results reveal a new mechanism by which propofol inhibits H(2)O(2)-induced injury in cardiac H9c2 cells, supporting a potential application of propofol as a preemptive cardioprotectant in clinical settings such as coronary bypass surgery.