Mitigation Effect of Proanthocyanidin on Secondary Heart Injury in Rats Caused by Mechanical Trauma

IP3R1-mediated MAMs formation contributes to mechanical trauma-induced hepatic injury and the protective effect of melatonin

INTRODUCTION

There is a high morbidity and mortality rate in mechanical trauma (MT)-induced hepatic injury. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying liver MT are largely unclear. Exploring the underlying mechanisms and developing safe and effective medicines to alleviate MT-induced hepatic injury is an urgent requirement. The aim of this study was to reveal the role of mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) in post-traumatic liver injury, and ascertain whether melatonin protects against MT-induced hepatic injury by regulating MAMs.

METHODS

Hepatic mechanical injury was established in Sprague-Dawley rats and primary hepatocytes. A variety of experimental methods were employed to assess the effects of melatonin on hepatic injury, apoptosis, MAMs formation, mitochondrial function and signaling pathways.

RESULTS

Significant increase of IP3R1 expression and MAMs formation were observed in MT-induced hepatic injury. Melatonin treatment at the dose of 30 mg/kg inhibited IP3R1-mediated MAMs and attenuated MT-induced liver injury in vivo. In vitro, primary hepatocytes cultured in 20% trauma serum (TS) for 12 h showed upregulated IP3R1 expression, increased MAMs formation and cell injury, which were suppressed by melatonin (100 μmol/L) treatment. Consequently, melatonin suppressed mitochondrial calcium overload, increased mitochondrial membrane potential and improved mitochondrial function under traumatic condition. Melatonin's inhibitory effects on MAMs formation and mitochondrial calcium overload were blunted when IP3R1 was overexpressed. Mechanistically, melatonin bound to its receptor (MR) and increased the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2, which interacted with FoxO1 and inhibited the activation of FoxO1 that bound to the IP3R1 promoter to inhibit MAMs formation.

CONCLUSION

Melatonin prevents the formation of MAMs via the MR-ERK1/2-FoxO1-IP3R1 pathway, thereby alleviating the development of MT-induced liver injury. Melatonin-modulated MAMs may be a promising therapeutic therapy for traumatic hepatic injury.

Pharmacological mechanism of natural drugs and their active ingredients in the treatment of arrhythmia via calcium channel regulation

Arrhythmia is characterized by abnormal heartbeat rhythms and frequencies caused by heart pacing and conduction dysfunction. Arrhythmia is the leading cause of death in patients with cardiovascular disease, with high morbidity and mortality rates, posing a serious risk to human health. Natural drugs and their active ingredients, such as matrine(MAT), tetrandrine(TET), dehydroevodiamine, tanshinone IIA, and ginsenosides, have been widely used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, ventricular ectopic beats, sick sinus syndrome, and other arrhythmia-like diseases owing to their unique advantages. This review summarizes the mechanism of action of natural drugs and their active ingredients in the treatment of arrhythmia via the regulation of Ca²⁺, such as alkaloids, quinones, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and lignan compounds, to provide ideas for the innovative development of natural drugs with potential antiarrhythmic efficacy.

Effectiveness of Proanthocyanidin plus Trimetazidine in the Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer with Radiation Heart Injury

This study was intended to explore the effect of proanthocyanidin (PC) combined with trimetazidine in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with radiation-induced heart damage (RIHD). It was a prospective randomized controlled study that 86 NSCLC patients with radiation treatment in Cangzhou People's Hospital from January 2019 and June 2021 were enrolled and randomized to either the control group or the study group via the random table method, 43 cases in each group. The control group received trimetazidine, and the study group additionally received PC. The incidence of RIHD-related clinical manifestation, RIHD-related ECG, and RIHD-related cardiac ultrasound change were all lower in the study group. After radiotherapy, the serum level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was higher, and malondialdehyde (MDA) was lower in the study group when compared with the control group. After radiotherapy, the serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin (cTnT), creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase isoenzymes (CKMB) were all lower in the study group when compared with the control group. The efficacy of PC plus trimetazidine for NSCLC with RIHD is superior to trimetazidine alone, and it significantly mitigates radiation-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress.

Novel prevention insights into depletion of oxidative stress status through regular exercise and grape seed effective substance in heart ischemia rat model

Myocardial ischemia (MI) is recognized as the most frequent cardiovascular disease which is the dominant cause of global morbidity and mortality. Artificial intelligence tools and integrative data analysis revealed superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, gap junction protein α, myosin heavy chains, and zinc finger transcription factor GATA4 are engaged in oxidative stress and in cardiomyopathy. Network analysis indicated that MAPK3 might be the highest distribution property and cut point in this network, which could be a potential candidate for preventing and treating oxidative stress in heart tissue. Among antioxidant agents, grape seed extract (GSE) is an effective substance that altered antioxidant status in heart tissue. Considering drug discovery methods, we illustrated that GSE might target the MAPK3 protein with sufficient binding affinity. Moreover, we found that low- and moderate-intensity training might prevent the depletion of antioxidants after MI. GSE consumption altered the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase after 14 weeks. Therefore, the interaction of low- and moderate-intensity training and GSE had a synergistic effect on the antioxidant status and relative expression of the Mapk3. Moreover, the interaction of high-intensity training and GSE had a compensatory mechanism that could scavenge reactive oxygen species and improve endogenous antioxidants and modulate the Mapk3 level in MI rats. Consequently, we displayed positive influence and synergic effects of simultaneous GSE prescription and regular physical activity for 14 weeks to prevent acute and chronic heart ischemia cardioprotective phenomenon. Furthermore, the capacitation oxidative stress and relative expression of the Mapk3 was significantly increased by GSE and regular exercise.

Fibrinolytic system activation immediately following trauma was quickly and intensely suppressed in a rat model of severe blunt trauma

In severe trauma, excessive fibrinolytic activation is associated with an increase in the transfusion volume and mortality rate. However, in the first several hours after a blunt trauma, changes in fibrinolytic activation, suppression, and activation–suppression balance have not yet been elucidated, which the present study aimed to clarify. Anesthetized 9-week-old male Wistar S/T rats experienced severe blunt trauma while being placed inside the Noble–Collip drum. Rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven. The no-trauma group was not exposed to any trauma; the remaining groups were analysed 0, 60, and 180 min after trauma. Immediately following trauma, total tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) levels significantly increased in the plasma, and the balance of active tPA and active plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) significantly tipped toward fibrinolytic activation. After trauma, both tPA and PAI-1 levels increased gradually in various organs and active and total PAI-1 levels increased exponentially in the plasma. Total plasma tPA levels 60 min after trauma returned quickly to levels comparable to those in the no-trauma group. In conclusion, fibrinolytic activation was observed only immediately following trauma. Therefore, immediately after trauma, the fibrinolytic system was activated; however, its activation was quickly and intensely suppressed.

Effects of Non-directional Mechanical Trauma on Gastrointestinal Tract Injury in Rats

Mechanical trauma can (MT) cause secondary injury, such as cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction has been reported. However, the effects of mechanical trauma on gastrointestinal tract is unclear. This study aims to observe the main location and time of gastrointestinal tract injury caused by non-directional trauma and explain the reason of the increase of LPS in blood caused by mechanical injury. Morphological changes in the stomach, ileum and cecum at different time points after MT were observed in this experiment. The results reveal that the injury to the cecal mucosa in the rats was more obvious than that in the ileum and the stomach. The cecal epithelial cell junction was significantly widened at 20 min after MT, and the plasma LPS and D-lactic acid concentrations increased significantly at the same time point. In addition, some bacterial structures in the widened intercellular space and near the capillary wall of the cecal mucosa were detected at 12 h after MT. This finding suggests that the main reason for the increase in LPS in plasma after MT is cecal mucosal injury. This study is important for the early intervention of the gastrointestinal tract to prevent secondary injury after MT.

Proanthocyanidins Should Be a Candidate in the Treatment of Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases and Lipid Metabolic Disorder

The conventional view of using medicines as routine treatment of an intractable disease is being challenged in the face of extensive and growing evidence that flavonoids in foods, especially proanthocyanidins (PAs), can participate in tackling fatal diseases like cancer, cardiovascular and lipid metabolic diseases, both as a precautionary measure or as a dietary treatment. Although medical treatment with medicines will remain necessary in some cases, at least in the short term, PAs’ function as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory drugs, signal pathway regulators remain critical in many diseases. This review article demonstrates the physical and biological properties of PAs, summarizes the health benefits of PAs found by researchers previously, and shows the possibility and importance of being a dietary treatment substance.

Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Two Ethylene Response Factors That Regulate Proanthocyanidin Biosynthesis During Malus Crabapple Fruit Development

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a class of flavonoid compounds in plants that play many important roles in pest and disease resistance and are beneficial components of the human diet. The crabapple (Malus) provides an excellent model to study PA biosynthesis and metabolism; therefore, to gain insights into the PA regulatory network in Malus plants, we performed RNA-seq profiling of fruits of the 'Flame' cultivar at five sequential developmental stages. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the functional category 'plant hormone signal transduction' were significantly enriched during fruit development. Further analysis showed that ethylene signal transduction pathway genes or response genes, such as ERS (ethylene response sensor), EIN3 (ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 3) and ERFs (ethylene response factors), may play an important role in the regulatory network of PA biosynthesis. Additionally, 12 DEGs, including 10 ERFs, 1 MYB, and 1 bHLH transcription factor, associated with PA biosynthesis were identified using WGCNA. The expression patterns of these genes correlated with PA accumulation trends and transcriptome data from qRT-PCR analysis. The expression of RAP2-4 (RELATED TO APETALA 2-4) and RAV1 (related to ABI3/VP1), which belong to the ERF transcription factor family, showed the greatest correlations with PAs accumulation among the 12 identified TFs. Agrobacterium mediated-transient overexpression of the RAP2-4 led to an increase in PA abundance in crabapple leaves and apple fruits, and the opposite results were observed in RAV1-overexpressed crabapple leaves and apple fruits. Moreover, a yeast one-hybrid assay showed that RAP2-4 and RAV1 specifically bound the promoters of the PA biosynthetic genes McLAR1 and McANR2, respectively. These results indicate that RAP2-4 act as an inducer and RAV1 act as a repressor of PA biosynthesis by regulating the expression of the PA biosynthetic genes McLAR1 and McANR2. Taken together, we identified two potential regulators of PA biosynthesis and provide new insights into the ethylene-PA regulatory network.

Proanthocyanidins: A comprehensive review

Proanthocyanidins are condensed tannins with various pharmacological properties. These phytochemicals are considered as 'offense and defense molecules because of their human health benefits. The validation of their diverse health aspects, namely, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial has earned them repute in thermochemistry. Proanthocyanidins are oligo- or polymers of monomeric flavan-3-ols produced as an end product of flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. Agricultural wastes and food processing wastes contain immense amount of proanthocyanidins, exploitation of which can be a sustainable source of dietary supplements and functional ingredients. The current review article discusses recent developments in the health promoting properties of proanthocyanidins and the associated hurdles.

Magnesium sulfate inhibits binding of lipopolysaccharide to THP-1 cells by reducing expression of cluster of differentiation 14

We investigated effects of magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) on modulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-macrophage binding and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) expression. Flow cytometry data revealed that the mean levels of LPS-macrophage binding and membrane-bound CD14 expression (mCD14) in differentiated THP-1 cells (a human monocytic cell line) treated with LPS plus MgSO₄ (the LPS + M group) decreased by 28.2% and 25.3% compared with those THP-1 cells treated with LPS only (the LPS group) (P < 0.001 and P = 0.037), indicating that MgSO₄ significantly inhibits LPS-macrophage binding and mCD14 expression. Notably, these effects of MgSO₄ were counteracted by L-type calcium channel activation. Moreover, the mean level of soluble CD14 (sCD14; proteolytic cleavage product of CD14) in the LPS + M group was 25.6% higher than in the LPS group (P < 0.001), indicating that MgSO₄ significantly enhances CD14 proteolytic cleavage. Of note, serine protease inhibition mitigated effects of MgSO₄ on both decreasing mCD14 and increasing sCD14. In conclusion, MgSO₄ inhibits LPS-macrophage binding through reducing CD14 expression. The mechanisms may involve antagonizing L-type calcium channels and activating serine proteases.

Dynamin-related protein 1-mediated mitochondrial fission contributes to post-traumatic cardiac dysfunction in rats and the protective effect of melatonin

Mechanical trauma (MT) causes myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. This study investigated the role of mitochondrial dynamics in post-traumatic cardiac dysfunction and the protective effects of melatonin. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to 5-minute rotations (200 revolutions at a rate of 40 rpm) to induce MT model. Melatonin was administrated intraperitoneally 5 minute after MT. Mitochondrial morphology, myocardial injury, and cardiac function were determined in vivo. There was smaller size of mitochondria and increased number of mitochondria per μm² in the hearts after MT when the secondary myocardial injury was induced. Melatonin treatment at the dose of 30 mg/kg reduced serine 616 phosphorylation of Drp1 and inhibited mitochondrial Drp1 translocation and mitochondrial fission in the hearts of rats subjected to MT, which contributed to the reduction of myocardial injury and the improvement of cardiac function. In vitro, H9c2 cells cultured in 20% traumatic plasma (TP) for 12 hour showed enhanced mitochondrial fission, mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) loss, mitochondrial cytochrome c release, and decreased mitochondrial complex I-IV activities. Pretreatment with melatonin (100 μmol/L) efficiently inhibited TP-induced mitochondrial fission, ∆Ψm loss, cytochrome c release, and improved mitochondrial function. Melatonin's protective effects were attributed to its role in suppressing plasma TNF-α overproduction, which was responsible for Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that abnormal mitochondrial dynamics is involved in post-traumatic cardiac dysfunction. Melatonin has significant pharmacological potential in protecting against MT-induced cardiac dysfunction by preventing excessive mitochondrial fission.