Comparison of intraocular treatment of DMTU and SOD following retinal ischemia in rats

The antioxidant dimethylthiourea improves IVF efficiency and decreases cumulus cell apoptosis in pigs

Abattoir ovaries, which are the main source of oocytes for reproductive biotechnologies, arrive at the laboratory under ischaemic conditions. Reoxygenation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ischaemic tissues, which could affect oocyte quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of media with dimethylthiourea (DMTU) during the collection and washing of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) on ROS levels, COC apoptosis and oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation. Thus, the collection (TCM-199) and washing (TCM-199 with 10% porcine follicular fluid, sodium pyruvate and antibiotics) media were supplemented with 1 and 10mM DMTU. In the control group, the media were not supplemented with DMTU. Intracellular ROS levels decreased significantly in the DMTU-treated groups (P<0.05). Although no effects on rate of nuclear maturation were observed, DMTU significantly increased sperm penetration rates without increasing polyspermy (P<0.05). The addition of 10mM DMTU to the collection and washing media enhanced IVF efficiency. DMTU did not modify the early or late apoptosis of oocytes. Both concentrations of DMTU significantly increased viability and decreased the apoptosis of cumulus cells (P<0.05). These results suggest that the addition of 1 or 10mM of DMTU to the media during the collection and washing of porcine COCs is useful for decreasing cumulus apoptosis mediated by ROS and for optimising the IVF of porcine oocytes.

Neuroprotective effect of water-dispersible hesperetin in retinal ischemia reperfusion injury

PURPOSE

To determine whether water-dispersible hesperetin (WD-Hpt) can prevent degeneration of ganglion cell neurons in the ischemic retina.

METHODS

Ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury was induced by increasing the intraocular pressure of mice to 110 mmHg for 40 min. Mice received daily intraperitoneal injections with either normal saline (NS, 0.3 ml/day) or WD-Hpt (0.3 ml, 200 mg/kg/day). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed by dihydroethidium and nitrotyrosine formation. Inflammation was estimated by microglial morphology in the retina. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells were used to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of WD-Hpt on activated microglia by quantifying the expression of IL-1β using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Ganglion cell loss was assessed by immunohistochemistry of NeuN. Glial activation was quantified with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity. Apoptosis was evaluated with a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TUNEL) assay and immunohistochemistry of cleaved caspase-3. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) was surveyed by western blotting.

RESULTS

WD-Hpt decreased I/R-induced ROS formation. WD-Hpt alleviated microglial activation induced by I/R and reduced mRNA levels of IL-1β in LPS-stimulated BV-2. I/R resulted in a 37% reduction in the number of ganglion cells in the NS-treated mice, whereas the reduction was only 5% in the WD-Hpt-treated mice. In addition, WD-Hpt mitigated the immunoreactivity of GFAP, increased expression of cleaved caspase-3, increased number of TUNEL positive cells and p-ERK after I/R.

CONCLUSIONS

WD-Hpt protected ganglion cells from I/R injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and modulating cell death signaling. Moreover, WD-Hpt had an anti-inflammatory effect through the suppression of activated microglia.

Preclinical models to investigate retinal ischemia: advances and drawbacks

Retinal ischemia is a major cause of blindness worldwide. It is associated with various disorders such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, optic neuropathies, stroke, and other retinopathies. Retinal ischemia is a clinical condition that occurs due to lack of appropriate supply of blood to the retina. As the retina has a higher metabolic demand, any hindrance in the blood supply to it can lead to decreased supply of oxygen, thus causing retinal ischemia. The pathology of retinal ischemia is still not clearly known. To get a better insight into the pathophysiology of retinal ischemia, the role of animal models is indispensable. The standard treatment care for retinal ischemia has limited potential. Transplantation of stem cells provide neuroprotection and to replenish damaged cells is an emerging therapeutic approach to treat retinal ischemia. In this review we provide an overview of major animal models of retinal ischemia along with the current and preclinical treatments in use.

Neuroprotection from retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury by NOX2 NADPH oxidase deletion

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine whether NOX2, one of the homologs of NADPH oxidase, plays a role in neuronal cell death during retinal ischemia.

METHODS

Ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury was generated in C57/BL6 and NOX2(-/-) mice by increasing the intraocular pressure (IOP) to 110 mm Hg for 40 minutes followed by reperfusion. Quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to measure NOX2 expression. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was assessed by dihydroethidium imaging of superoxide formation and Western blot analysis for tyrosine nitration. TUNEL assay was performed to determine cell death at 3 days after I/R. Survival of neurons within the ganglion cell layer (GCL) was assessed at 7 days after I/R by confocal morphometric imaging of retinal wholemounts immunostained with NeuN antibody. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor κB (NF-κΒ) was measured by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

NOX2 mRNA and protein and ROS were significantly increased in wild-type I/R retinas. This effect was associated with a 60% decrease in the number of GCL neurons and a 10-fold increase in TUNEL-positive cells compared with the fellow sham control eyes. Phosphorylation of ERK and NF-κB was significantly increased in wild-type I/R retinas. Each of these effects was markedly attenuated in the NOX2(-/-) retina (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that the deletion of NOX2 can reduce I/R-induced cell death and preserve retinal GCL neurons after I/R injury. The neuronal cell injury caused by I/R is associated with the activation of ERK and NF-κB signaling mechanisms.

Cloning, expression, and characterization of thermotolerant manganese superoxide dismutase from Bacillus sp. MHS47

A superoxide dismutase gene from thermotolerant Bacillus sp. MHS47 (MnSOD47) was cloned, sequenced, and expressed. The gene has an open reading frame of 612 bp, corresponding to 203 deduced amino acids, with high homology to the amino acid sequences of B. thuringiensis (accession no. EEN01322), B. anthracis (accession no. NP_846724), B. cereus (accession no. ZP_04187911), B. weihenstephanensis (accession no. YP_001646918), and B. pseudomycoides. The conserved manganese-binding sites (H28, H83, D165, and H169) show that MnSOD47 has the specific characteristics of the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) enzymes. MnSOD47 expressed an enzyme with a molecular weight of approximately 22.65 kDa and a specific activity of 3537.75 U/mg. The enzyme is active in the pH range 7–8.5, with an optimum pH of 7.5, and at temperatures in the range 30–45 °C, with an optimum temperature of 37 °C. Tests of inhibitors and metal ions indicated that the enzyme activity is inhibited by sodium azide, but not by hydrogen peroxide or potassium cyanide. These data should benefit future studies of MnSODs in other microorganisms and the biotechnological production of MnSOD47, and could also be used to develop a biosensor for the detection of antioxidants and free radical activity. In the future, this basic knowledge could be applicable to the detection of cancer risks in humans and therapeutic treatments.

Retinal ischemia: mechanisms of damage and potential therapeutic strategies

Retinal ischemia is a common cause of visual impairment and blindness. At the cellular level, ischemic retinal injury consists of a self-reinforcing destructive cascade involving neuronal depolarisation, calcium influx and oxidative stress initiated by energy failure and increased glutamatergic stimulation. There is a cell-specific sensitivity to ischemic injury which may reflect variability in the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors on a given cell. A number of animal models and analytical techniques have been used to study retinal ischemia, and an increasing number of treatments have been shown to interrupt the "ischemic cascade" and attenuate the detrimental effects of retinal ischemia. Thus far, however, success in the laboratory has not been translated to the clinic. Difficulties with the route of administration, dosage, and adverse effects may render certain experimental treatments clinically unusable. Furthermore, neuroprotection-based treatment strategies for stroke have so far been disappointing. However, compared to the brain, the retina exhibits a remarkable natural resistance to ischemic injury, which may reflect its peculiar metabolism and unique environment. Given the increasing understanding of the events involved in ischemic neuronal injury it is hoped that clinically effective treatments for retinal ischemia will soon be available.

A novel glycosylated Cu/Zn-containing superoxide dismutase: production and potential therapeutic effect

The fungal strain Humicola lutea 103 produces a naturally glycosylated Cu/Zn SOD. To improve its yield, the effect of an increased concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) on growth and enzyme biosynthesis by the producer, cultivated in a 3 l bioreactor, was examined. Exposure to a 20% DO level caused a 1.7-fold increase of SOD activity compared to the DO-uncontrolled culture. Maximum enzyme productivity of SOD was approximately 300 x 10(3) U (kg wet biomass)(-1). The novel enzyme was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The presence of Cu and Zn were confirmed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The molecular mass of H. lutea Cu/Zn SOD was calculated to be 31870 Da for the whole molecule and 15936 Da for the structural subunits. The N-terminal sequence revealed a high degree of structural homology with Cu/Zn SOD from other prokaryotic and eukaryotic sources. H. lutea Cu/Zn SOD was used in an in vivo model for the demonstration of its protective effect against myeloid Graffi tumour in hamsters. Comparative studies revealed that the enzyme (i) elongated the latent time for tumour appearance, (ii) inhibited tumour growth in the early stage of tumour progression (73-75% at day 10) and (iii) increased the mean survival time of Graffi-tumour-bearing hamsters. Moreover, the fungal Cu/Zn SOD exhibited a strong protective effect on experimental influenza virus infection in mice. The survival rate increased markedly, the time of survival rose by 5.2 d and the protective index reached 86%. The H. lutea SOD protected mice from mortality more efficiently compared to the selective antiviral drug ribavirin and to commercial bovine SOD. In conclusion, our results suggest that appropriate use of the novel fungal SOD, applied as such or in combination with selective inhibitors, could outline a promising strategy for the treatment of myeloid Graffi tumour and influenza virus infection.