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TORT M, SEVİL H, SEVİL FC, BECİT N, AKSU U, SARITAŞ ZK, DEMİREL HH, BÜLBÜL A, YAŞAR Z, BECİT KIZILKAYA M, SARITAŞ H. Protective effects of safranal on kidney tissue in a rat model of distant ischemia-reperfusion injury with infrarenal aortic occlusion. Turk J Med Sci 2023; 53:1574-1581. [PMID: 38813504 PMCID: PMC10760533 DOI: 10.55730/1300-0144.5726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/aim Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury to a part of the body can cause damage to distant organs such as the kidney and heart. This study investigated the protective effects of safranal against IR-induced renal injury. Materials and methods Used in this study were 24 Wistar Albino male rats, which were divided into 3 equal and randomised groups. The sham group underwent laparotomy only. In the IR group, the infrarenal aorta was clamped for 1 h, and then reperfused for 2 h. In the IR-safranal group, safranal was administered 30 min before the procedure and IR injury was induced in the same way as in the IR group. After the procedure, blood and tissue samples were collected from the rats for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Antioxidant capacity and proinflammatory cytokine analyses were performed on the blood samples. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to determine the number of cells undergoing apoptosis in the kidney tissue. Results The estimated glomerular filtration rate, an indicator of renal function, was lower in the IR group (p1 = 0.024 vs. p3 = 0.041, respectively) compared to the other groups, while creatinine levels were higher in the IR group compared to the other groups (p1 = 0.032 vs. p2 = 0.044, respectively). The blood urea nitrogen level was higher in the IR group than in the other groups (p1 = 0.001vs p2 = 0.035, respectively). The total antioxidant and total oxidant status, indicating tissue oxidative stress, did not differ between groups (p = 0.914 vs. p = 0.184, respectively). Among the proinflammatory cytokines, the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the IR group (p = 0.034 vs. p = 0.001, respectively), but the tumour necrosis factor-α (p = 0.19), and interferon-γ (p = 0.311) levels did not differ between groups. Histopathological examination showed significantly less damage to glomerular and tubular cells in the IR-safranal group (p < 0.001). The number of TUNEL-positive cells was higher in the IR group compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion Safranal may have protective effects against kidney damage caused by distant ischemia-reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet TORT
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar,
Turkiye
| | - Hülya SEVİL
- Department of Emergency, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar,
Turkiye
| | - Fehim Can SEVİL
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar,
Turkiye
| | - Necip BECİT
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar,
Turkiye
| | - Uğur AKSU
- Department of Cardiology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar,
Turkiye
| | - Zülfükar Kadir SARITAŞ
- Department of Surgery, Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Afyonkarahisar,
Turkiye
| | - Hasan Hüseyin DEMİREL
- Department of Bayat Laborant and Veterinary Health Division, Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Afyonkarahisar,
Turkiye
| | - Aziz BÜLBÜL
- Department of Physiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Milas Veterinary Medicine, Mugla,
Turkiye
| | - Zehra YAŞAR
- Department of Surgery, Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Afyonkarahisar,
Turkiye
| | - Merve BECİT KIZILKAYA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Afyonkarahisar,
Turkiye
| | - Hazen SARITAŞ
- Department of Nephrology, Aksaray University, Faculty of Medicine, Aksaray,
Turkiye
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Wu X, Lv Y, Li Z, Yang Z. Serelaxin Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-induced Inflammatory Response in Cardiac Fibroblasts by Activating Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-γ and Suppressing the Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Signaling Pathway. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2023; 82:201-211. [PMID: 37418294 PMCID: PMC10473033 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000001447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Serelaxin (sRLX) has an inhibitory effect on fibrosis. However, whether the antifibrotic effects of sRLX are achieved by inhibiting the inflammatory response has not been clarified. This study aimed to investigate the role of sRLX in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in cardiac fibroblasts and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from adult rat hearts. The effect of sRLX on the inhibition of the inflammatory response after LPS induction was examined. Cell viability was measured by MMT assay. Cell proliferation was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8. The levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I/III, MMP-2, MMP-9, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IκBα, p-IκBα, p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR. The protein levels of α-SMA, collagen I/III, MMP-2, MMP-9, IκBα, p-IκBα, p65, p-p65, and PPAR-γ were examined by western blotting. sRLX inhibited LPS-induced IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, α-SMA, and collagen I/III, and elevated the expression of IL-10, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Moreover, LPS-induced activation of NF-κB pathway was suppressed by sRLX treatment. Further studies showed that sRLX did not significantly increase the expression of PPAR-γ mRNA and protein, but activated PPAR-γ activity, and the PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662 reversed the inhibitory effect of sRLX on IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α production. These results suggest that sRLX alleviates cardiac fibrosis by stimulating PPAR-γ through a ligand-independent mechanism that subsequently abolish the expression of NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueping Wu
- Departments of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology; and
| | - Yehui Lv
- Departments of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology; and
| | - Zhihong Li
- Departments of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology; and
| | - Zhifang Yang
- Physiology, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Kadhim LF, Gany SN, Qassam H, Hadi NR, Kadhim S. Potential nephroprotective effects of angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist Compound 21 in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. J Med Life 2023; 16:1428-1432. [PMID: 38107718 PMCID: PMC10719785 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2023-0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examined the reno-protective potential of Compound 21 during renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating the PI3K expression. 20 adult male Swiss-albino mice, aged 8-12 weeks and weighing 20-30g, were randomly assigned to four equal groups: sham, control, vehicle, and Compound 21. Serum urea, creatinine, inflammatory mediators, tissue 8-isoprostane, and myeloperoxidase were quantified using ELISA. Compared to the sham group, blood levels of urea, creatinine, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly higher in the ischemia-reperfusion group than in the sham group (p<0.05). However, these indicators were significantly lower in the Compound 21 group (p<0.05). Histological analysis revealed significant renal tissue damage in the ischemia-reperfusion group (p<0.05), which was significantly reduced in the Compound 21 group (p<0.05). PCR results showed that PI3K expression was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the control group compared to the sham group but significantly higher in the Compound 21 group (p<0.05). Furthermore, P-AKT expression levels in the control group were considerably lower than in the sham group (p<0.05). On the other hand, the level of P-AKT expression in the Compound 21 group was significantly upregulated compared to the control group (p<0.05). The findings revealed that Compound 21 could mitigate renal dysfunction induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury in male mice through modulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, resulting in decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and renal oxidative stress markers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Heider Qassam
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq
| | - Najah Rayish Hadi
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq
| | - Salim Kadhim
- College of Pharmacy, Al-Kafeel University, Al-Najaf, Iraq
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Wang YH, Long HP, Zhang SX, Liu J, Zhao HQ, Yi J, Linga J. Network pharmacology-based and pharmacological evaluation of the effects of Curcumae Radix on cerebral ischemia–Reperfusion injury. WORLD JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE 2023. [DOI: 10.4103/2311-8571.370154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
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Experimental Static Cold Storage of the Rat Uterus: Protective Effects of Relaxin- or Erythropoietin-Supplemented HTK-N Solutions. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112730. [DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterus transplantation (UTx) is the only treatment method for women with absolute uterine infertility. Currently, the number of grafts retrieved from deceased donors is increasing; hence, prolonged cold ischemia time is inevitable. Thus, this study was designed to assess the effect of the novel relaxin (RLN)- or erythropoietin (EPO)-supplemented Custodiol-N (HTK-N) solutions in an experimental uterus static cold storage (SCS) model. A total of 15 Sprague Dawley rats were used. Uterus horns were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 10/group). SCS was performed by keeping samples at 4 °C in HTK-N solution without or with different additives: 10 IU/mL EPO or 20 nM RLN. Tissue samples were taken after 8 and 24 h of preservation. Uterine tissue histology, and biochemical and immunohistochemical markers were analyzed. No significant differences in SCS-induced tissue damage were observed between groups after 8 h of preservation. Uterine tissue histology, MDA, SOD levels and the TUNEL-positive cell number showed severe damage in HTK-N without additives after 24 h of preservation. This damage was significantly attenuated by adding RLN to the preservation solution. EPO showed no favorable effect. Our study shows that RLN as an additive to an HTK-N solution can serve as an effective uterine tissue preservative in the uterus SCS setting.
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Jakubauskiene L, Jakubauskas M, Razanskiene G, Leber B, Weber J, Rohrhofer L, Ramasauskaite D, Strupas K, Stiegler P, Schemmer P. Relaxin and Erythropoietin Significantly Reduce Uterine Tissue Damage during Experimental Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137120. [PMID: 35806125 PMCID: PMC9266669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful uterus transplantation, a potential treatment method for women suffering from absolute uterine infertility, is negatively affected by ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of relaxin (RLX) or/and erythropoietin (EPO) on experimental uterus IRI. Eighty rats, randomly assigned into eight groups (n = 10/group), were pretreated with either saline, 5 μg/kg human relaxin-2, 4000 IU/kg recombinant human erythropoietin or their combination. Ischemia was achieved by clamping the aorta and ovarian arteries for 60 min, following 120 min of reperfusion and tissue sampling. For sham animals, clamping was omitted during surgery. There were no differences in tissue histological score, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and TUNEL-positive cell count between all sham-operated rats. Pretreatment with RLX preserved normal tissue morphology, reduced MDA levels, MPO and TUNEL-positive cell count, preserved SOD activity and upregulated NICD and HES1 gene expression when compared to the control group. Pretreatment with EPO reduced MDA levels. In conclusion, pretreatment with RLX, EPO or a combination of both EPO and RLX significantly alleviates uterine tissue damage caused by IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Jakubauskiene
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036 Graz, Austria; (L.J.); (M.J.); (B.L.); (J.W.); (L.R.); (P.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21, 03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (G.R.); (D.R.); (K.S.)
| | - Matas Jakubauskas
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036 Graz, Austria; (L.J.); (M.J.); (B.L.); (J.W.); (L.R.); (P.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21, 03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (G.R.); (D.R.); (K.S.)
| | - Gintare Razanskiene
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21, 03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (G.R.); (D.R.); (K.S.)
- National Centre of Pathology, Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, P. Baublio Str. 5, 08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Bettina Leber
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036 Graz, Austria; (L.J.); (M.J.); (B.L.); (J.W.); (L.R.); (P.S.)
| | - Jennifer Weber
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036 Graz, Austria; (L.J.); (M.J.); (B.L.); (J.W.); (L.R.); (P.S.)
| | - Lisa Rohrhofer
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036 Graz, Austria; (L.J.); (M.J.); (B.L.); (J.W.); (L.R.); (P.S.)
| | - Diana Ramasauskaite
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21, 03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (G.R.); (D.R.); (K.S.)
| | - Kestutis Strupas
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio Str. 21, 03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (G.R.); (D.R.); (K.S.)
| | - Philipp Stiegler
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036 Graz, Austria; (L.J.); (M.J.); (B.L.); (J.W.); (L.R.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-316-385-84094
| | - Peter Schemmer
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036 Graz, Austria; (L.J.); (M.J.); (B.L.); (J.W.); (L.R.); (P.S.)
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Tang CY, Lai CC, Huang PH, Yang AH, Chiang SC, Huang PC, Tseng KW, Huang CH. Magnolol reduces myocardial injury induced by renal ischemia and reperfusion. J Chin Med Assoc 2022; 85:584-596. [PMID: 35385419 DOI: 10.1097/jcma.0000000000000727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Magnolol is a component of the bark of Magnolia officinalis, which is a traditional herbal remedy used in China. In this study, we investigated whether magnolol can reduce myocardial injury induced by renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). METHODS Renal I/R was elicited by a 60-minute occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries and a 24-hour reperfusion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Magnolol was administered intravenously 10 minutes before renal I/R to evaluate its effects on myocardial injury induced by renal I/R. RESULTS Renal I/R significantly increased the serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cardiac troponin I and caused myocardial damage. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive nuclei and caspase-3 activation was significantly increased in the myocardium, indicating increase of apoptosis. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular dysfunction, as evidenced by reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening. Furthermore, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were significantly elevated, while the IL-10 level was suppressed. However, intravenously, pretreatment with magnolol at doses of 0.003 and 0.006 mg/kg 10 minutes before renal I/R significantly prevented the increases of CPK, LDH, and cardiac troponin I levels, as well as the histological damage and the apoptosis in the myocardium. Echocardiography showed significant improvement of left ventricular function. Furthermore, the increases in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and the decrease in IL-10 were significantly limited, while Bcl-2 was increased and Bax was decreased in the myocardium. Phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 was increased, while phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase was reduced. CONCLUSION Magnolol reduces myocardial injury induced by renal I/R. The underlying mechanisms for this effect might be related to modulation of the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the limiting of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Tang
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chang-Chi Lai
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Hsun Huang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Cardiovascular Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - An-Han Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shu-Chiung Chiang
- Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Chao Huang
- Department of Life Science, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kuo-Wei Tseng
- Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cheng-Hsiung Huang
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Salvadori M, Tsalouchos A. Innovative immunosuppression in kidney transplantation: A challenge for unmet needs. World J Transplant 2022; 12:27-41. [PMID: 35433332 PMCID: PMC8968476 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v12.i3.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the optimal results obtained in kidney transplantation and to the lack of interest of the industries, new innovative drugs in kidney transplantation are difficult to be encountered. The best strategy to find the new drugs recently developed or under development is to search in the sections of kidney transplantation still not completely covered by the drugs on the market. These unmet needs are the prevention of delayed graft function (DGF), the protection of the graft over the long time and the desensitization of preformed anti human leukocyte antigen antibodies and the treatment of the acute antibody-mediated rejection. These needs are particularly relevant due to the expansion of some kind of kidney transplantation as transplantation from non-heart beating donor and in the case of antibody-incompatible grafts. The first are particularly exposed to DGF, the latter need a safe desensitization and a safe treatments of the antibody mediated rejections that often occur. Particular caution is needed in treating these drugs. First, they are described in very recent studies and the follow-up of their effect is of course rather short. Second, some of these drugs are still in an early phase of study, even if in well-conducted randomized controlled trials. Particular caution and a careful check need to be used in trials launched 2 or 3 years ago. Indeed, is always necessary to verify whether the study is still going on or whether and why the study itself was abandoned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Salvadori
- Department of Renal Transplantation, Careggi University Hospital, Florence 50139, Italy
| | - Aris Tsalouchos
- Division of Nephrology, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence 50012, Italy
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Samuel CS, Bennett RG. Relaxin as an anti-fibrotic treatment: Perspectives, challenges and future directions. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 197:114884. [PMID: 34968489 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis refers to the scarring and hardening of tissues, which results from a failed immune system-coordinated wound healing response to chronic organ injury and which manifests from the aberrant accumulation of various extracellular matrix components (ECM), primarily collagen. Despite being a hallmark of prolonged tissue damage and related dysfunction, and commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality, there are currently no effective cures for its regression. An emerging therapy that meets several criteria of an effective anti-fibrotic treatment, is the recombinant drug-based form of the human hormone, relaxin (also referred to as serelaxin, which is bioactive in several other species). This review outlines the broad anti-fibrotic and related organ-protective roles of relaxin, mainly from studies conducted in preclinical models of ageing and fibrotic disease, including its ability to ameliorate several aspects of fibrosis progression and maturation, from immune cell infiltration, pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokine secretion, oxidative stress, organ hypertrophy, cell apoptosis, myofibroblast differentiation and ECM production, to its ability to facilitate established ECM degradation. Studies that have compared and/or combined these therapeutic effects of relaxin with current standard of care medication have also been discussed, along with the main challenges that have hindered the translation of the anti-fibrotic efficacy of relaxin to the clinic. The review then outlines the future directions as to where scientists and several pharmaceutical companies that have recognized the therapeutic potential of relaxin are working towards, to progress its development as a treatment for human patients suffering from various fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
| | - Robert G Bennett
- Research Service, Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4130, USA.
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Bausys A, Maneikyte J, Leber B, Weber J, Feldbacher N, Strupas K, Dschietzig TB, Schemmer P, Stiegler P. Custodiol ® Supplemented with Synthetic Human Relaxin Decreases Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury after Porcine Kidney Transplantation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111417. [PMID: 34768845 PMCID: PMC8583819 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is inevitable after kidney transplantation (KT), impairing outcomes. Relaxin-2 (RLX) is a promising insulin-related peptide hormone that protects against renal IRI in rodents, although large animal models are needed before RLX can be tested in a human setting. Methods. In this blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled experimental study kidneys from 19 donor pigs were retrieved after perfusion with Custodiol® ± RLX (5 or 20 nmol/L) and underwent static cold storage (SCS) for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Subsequently, KT was performed after unilateral right nephrectomy. Study outcomes included markers for kidney function, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and endothelial cell damage. PCR analysis for oxidative stress and apoptosis-related gene panels as well as immunohistochemistry were performed. Results. RLX upregulated SOD2 and NFKB expression to 135% (p = 0.042) and 125% (p = 0.019), respectively, while RIPK1 expression was downregulated to 82% (p = 0.016) of corresponding controls. Further RLX significantly downregulated RIPK1 and MLKL expression and decreased the number of Caspase 3- and MPO-positive cells in grafts after SCS. Conclusions. RLX supplemented Custodiol® significantly decreased IRI via both antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Clinical trials are warranted to implement synthetic human RLX as a novel additive to preservation solutions against IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustinas Bausys
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.B.); (J.M.); (J.W.); (N.F.); (P.S.); (P.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, National Cancer Institute, 10224 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Juste Maneikyte
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.B.); (J.M.); (J.W.); (N.F.); (P.S.); (P.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Bettina Leber
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.B.); (J.M.); (J.W.); (N.F.); (P.S.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-316-385-81181
| | - Jennifer Weber
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.B.); (J.M.); (J.W.); (N.F.); (P.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Nicole Feldbacher
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.B.); (J.M.); (J.W.); (N.F.); (P.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Kestutis Strupas
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Thomas Bernd Dschietzig
- Relaxera GmbH & Co. KG, 64625 Bensheim, Germany;
- MHB Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Peter Schemmer
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.B.); (J.M.); (J.W.); (N.F.); (P.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Philipp Stiegler
- General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.B.); (J.M.); (J.W.); (N.F.); (P.S.); (P.S.)
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Bhuiyan S, Shen M, Chelvaretnam S, Tan AY, Ho G, Hossain MA, Widdop RE, Samuel CS. Assessment of renal fibrosis and anti-fibrotic agents using a novel diagnostic and stain-free second-harmonic generation platform. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21595. [PMID: 33908676 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002053rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Current histological measurement techniques for interstitial collagen, the basis of interstitial fibrosis, are semi-quantitative at best and only provide a ratio of collagen levels within tissues. The Genesis200 imaging system and supplemental image analysis software, FibroIndex from HistoIndex, is a novel, automated platform that uses second-harmonic generation (SHG) for imaging and characterization of interstitial collagen deposition and additional characteristics, in the absence of any staining. However, its ability to quantify renal fibrosis requires investigation. This study compared SHG imaging of renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO), to that of Masson's trichrome staining (MTS) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of collagen I. Additionally, the platform generated data on collagen morphology and distribution patterns. While all three methods determined that UUO-injured mice underwent significantly increased renal fibrosis after 7 days, the HistoIndex platform additionally determined that UUO-injured mice had a significantly increased collagen-to-tissue cross reticulation ratio (all P < .001 vs sham group). Furthermore, in UUO-injured mice treated with the relaxin family peptide receptor-1 agonists, relaxin (0.5 mg/kg/day) or B7-33 (0.25 mg/kg/day), or angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitor, perindopril (1 mg/kg/day) over the 7-day period, only the HistoIndex platform determined that the drug-induced prevention of renal fibrosis correlated with significantly reduced collagen fiber thickness and collagen-to-tissue cross reticulation ratio, but increased collagen fiber counts. Relaxin or B7-33 treatment also increased renal matrix metalloproteinase-2 and reduced tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 levels (all P < .01 vs UUO alone). This study demonstrated the diagnostic value of the HistoIndex platform over currently used staining techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadman Bhuiyan
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew Shen
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sharenya Chelvaretnam
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andre Y Tan
- HistoIndex Pte Ltd, The LaunchPad, Fusionopolis, Singapore
| | - Gideon Ho
- HistoIndex Pte Ltd, The LaunchPad, Fusionopolis, Singapore
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Rosa AC, Corsi D, Cavi N, Bruni N, Dosio F. Superoxide Dismutase Administration: A Review of Proposed Human Uses. Molecules 2021; 26:1844. [PMID: 33805942 PMCID: PMC8037464 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26071844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are metalloenzymes that play a major role in antioxidant defense against oxidative stress in the body. SOD supplementation may therefore trigger the endogenous antioxidant machinery for the neutralization of free-radical excess and be used in a variety of pathological settings. This paper aimed to provide an extensive review of the possible uses of SODs in a range of pathological settings, as well as describe the current pitfalls and the delivery strategies that are in development to solve bioavailability issues. We carried out a PubMed query, using the keywords "SOD", "SOD mimetics", "SOD supplementation", which included papers published in the English language, between 2012 and 2020, on the potential therapeutic applications of SODs, including detoxification strategies. As highlighted in this paper, it can be argued that the generic antioxidant effects of SODs are beneficial under all tested conditions, from ocular and cardiovascular diseases to neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic diseases, including diabetes and its complications and obesity. However, it must be underlined that clinical evidence for its efficacy is limited and consequently, this efficacy is currently far from being demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Carolina Rosa
- Department of Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (D.C.); (N.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Daniele Corsi
- Department of Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (D.C.); (N.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Niccolò Cavi
- Department of Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (D.C.); (N.C.); (F.D.)
| | - Natascia Bruni
- Istituto Farmaceutico Candioli, Strada Comunale di None, 1, 10092 Beinasco, Italy;
| | - Franco Dosio
- Department of Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy; (D.C.); (N.C.); (F.D.)
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DeAdder NP, Gillam HJ, Wilson BC. Relaxin peptides reduce cellular damage in cultured brain slices exposed to transient oxygen–glucose deprivation: an effect mediated by nitric oxide. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2020-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of treatment with human relaxins on cell death was studied in oxygen- and glucose-deprived brain slices. In addition, involvement of nitric oxide and the relaxin receptor, RXFP3, was studied. Brain slices ( n = 12–18/group) were cultured under standard conditions for two weeks and then exposed to: ( i) an oxygenated balanced salt solution, ( ii) a deoxygenated, glucose-free balanced salt solution (OGD media), or ( iii) OGD media containing 10−7 mol/L H2 relaxin, 10−7 mol/L H2 relaxin with 50 μmol/L L-NIL, 10−7 mol/L H3 relaxin, or 10−7 mol/L H3 relaxin with 50 μmol/L L-NIL. Cell death was assessed using propidium iodide fluorescence. In a separate experiment, 10−5 mol/L R3 B1-22R (an antagonist of RXFP3) was added to both H2 and H3 relaxin treatments. H2 and H3 relaxin treatment reduced cell damage or death in OGD slices and L-NIL partially attenuated the effect of H3 relaxin. Antagonism of RXFP3 blocked the effect of H3 but not H2 relaxin. These data increase our understanding of the role of relaxin ligands and their receptors in protecting tissues throughout the body from ischemia and reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah J. Gillam
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Brian C. Wilson
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
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Adipokines and Inflammation: Focus on Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207711. [PMID: 33081064 PMCID: PMC7589803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well established that adipose tissue, apart from its energy storage function, acts as an endocrine organ that produces and secretes a number of bioactive substances, including hormones commonly known as adipokines. Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, mainly due to a low grade of inflammation and the excessive fat accumulation produced in this state. The adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity leads to an aberrant release of adipokines, some of them with direct cardiovascular and inflammatory regulatory functions. Inflammation is a common link between obesity and cardiovascular diseases, so this review will summarise the role of the main adipokines implicated in the regulation of the inflammatory processes occurring under the scenario of cardiovascular diseases.
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Nistri S, Fiorillo C, Becatti M, Bani D. Human Relaxin-2 (Serelaxin) Attenuates Oxidative Stress in Cardiac Muscle Cells Exposed In Vitro to Hypoxia-Reoxygenation. Evidence for the Involvement of Reduced Glutathione Up-Regulation. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9090774. [PMID: 32825567 PMCID: PMC7555919 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9090774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Serelaxin (RLX) designates the pharmaceutical form of the human natural hormone relaxin-2 that has been shown to markedly reduce tissue and cell damage induced by hypoxia and reoxygenation (HR). The evidence that RLX exerts similar protective effects on different organs and cells at relatively low, nanomolar concentrations suggests that it specifically targets a common pathogenic mechanism of HR-induced damage, namely oxidative stress. In this study we offer experimental evidence that RLX (17 nmol L-1), added to the medium of HR-exposed H9c2 rat cardiac muscle cells, significantly reduces cell oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. These effects appear to rely on the up-regulation of the cellular availability of reduced glutathione (GSH), a ubiquitous endogenous antioxidant metabolite. Conversely, superoxide dismutase activity was not influenced by RLX, which, however, was not endowed with chemical antioxidant properties. Taken together, these findings verify the major pharmacological role of RLX in the protection against HR-induced oxidative stress, and shed first light on its mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Nistri
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Claudia Fiorillo
- Department of, Experimental & Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, Section of Biochemical Sciences, University of Florence, viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Matteo Becatti
- Department of, Experimental & Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, Section of Biochemical Sciences, University of Florence, viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (D.B.); Tel.: +39-055-2751-261 (M.B.); +39-055-2758-153 (D.B.)
| | - Daniele Bani
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, viale G. Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (D.B.); Tel.: +39-055-2751-261 (M.B.); +39-055-2758-153 (D.B.)
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Pinar AA, Yuferov A, Gaspari TA, Samuel CS. Relaxin Can Mediate Its Anti-Fibrotic Effects by Targeting the Myofibroblast NLRP3 Inflammasome at the Level of Caspase-1. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1201. [PMID: 32848798 PMCID: PMC7417934 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The NLRP3 inflammasome produces interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, which when chronically activated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, contribute to fibrosis. The recombinant form of the anti-fibrotic hormone, relaxin (RLX), suppresses the pro-fibrotic influence of TGF-β1 and toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 on NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activity in human cardiac myofibroblasts and mice with cardiomyopathy. However, whether RLX also modulates components of the myofibroblast NLRP3 inflammasome remains unknown. Methods and Results Stimulation of a human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell line with TGF-β1 [5 ng/ml; to promote myofibroblast (HDMF) differentiation], LPS (100 ng/ml; to prime the NLRP3 inflammasome) and ATP (5 mM; to activate the NLPR3 inflammasome) (T+L+A) significantly increased NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activity after 8 and 72 h; and α-SMA expression (myofibroblast differentiation) and collagen-I deposition after 72 h. siRNA-induced knock-down of NLRP3 inflammasome priming components (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1) in T+L+A-stimulated HDMFs for 24 h, completely knocked-down each component after 72 h. RLX (100 ng/ml) administration to T+L+A-stimulated HDMFs after control, NLRP3 or ASC siRNA transfection, equivalently suppressed IL-1β, pro-IL-18, α-SMA, and collagen-I protein levels (by 40%–50%; all p<0.05 vs. T+L+A) after 72 h, as determined by Western blotting. These RLX-induced effects were abrogated by siRNA knock-down of caspase-1. Conclusion The anti-fibrotic actions of RLX appear to require modulation of caspase-1 within the myofibroblast NLRP3 inflammasome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita A Pinar
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander Yuferov
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Tracey A Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Relaxin Positively Influences Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Solid Organ Transplantation: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020631. [PMID: 31963613 PMCID: PMC7013572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, solid organ transplantation (SOT) has increased the survival and quality of life for patients with end-stage organ failure by providing a potentially long-term treatment option. Although the availability of organs for transplantation has increased throughout the years, the demand greatly outweighs the supply. One possible solution for this problem is to extend the potential donor pool by using extended criteria donors. However, organs from such donors are more prone to ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) resulting in higher rates of delayed graft function, acute and chronic graft rejection and worse overall SOT outcomes. This can be overcome by further investigating donor preconditioning strategies, graft perfusion and storage and by finding novel therapeutic agents that could reduce IRI. relaxin (RLX) is a peptide hormone with antifibrotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. The main research until now focused on heart failure; however, several preclinical studies showed its potentials for reducing IRI in SOT. The aim of this comprehensive review is to overview currently available literature on the possible role of RLX in reducing IRI and its positive impact on SOT.
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Cáceres FT, Gaspari TA, Samuel CS, Pinar AA. Serelaxin inhibits the profibrotic TGF-β1/IL-1β axis by targeting TLR-4 and the NLRP3 inflammasome in cardiac myofibroblasts. FASEB J 2019; 33:14717-14733. [PMID: 31689135 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901079rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The recombinant form of the peptide hormone relaxin, serelaxin (RLX), mediates its anti-fibrotic actions by impeding the profibrotic activity of cytokines including TGF-β1 and IL-1β. As IL-1β can be produced by the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, this study determined whether RLX targeted the inflammasome to inhibit the profibrotic TGF-β1/IL-1β axis in primary human cardiac myofibroblasts (HCMFs) in vitro and in mice with isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiomyopathy in vivo. HCMFs stimulated with TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml), LPS (100 ng/ml), and ATP (5 mM) (T+L+A) for 8 h, to induce the NLRP3 inflammasome, demonstrated significantly increased protein expression of markers of NLRP3 priming (NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase-recruitment domain, procaspase-1) and activity (IL-1β, IL-18). After 72 h, there was significantly increased neuronal NOS (nNOS), TLR-4, procaspase-1, myofibroblast differentiation, and collagen-I deposition. These measures, along with interstitial TGF-β1 expression and collagen deposition, were also increased in the left ventricle (LV) of ISO-injured mice 14 d postinjury. RLX [16.8 nM (100 ng/ml) in vitro; 0.5 mg/kg per day in vivo] inhibited T+L+A- and ISO-induced TLR-4 expression, NLRP3 priming, IL-1β, IL-18, myofibroblast differentiation, and interstitial collagen deposition at the time points studied, via the promotion of nNOS; with the NLRP3- and IL-1β-inhibitory effects of RLX in HCMFs being abrogated by pharmacological blockade of nNOS or TLR-4. Comparatively, the small molecule NLRP3 inhibitor, N-{[(1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro-s-indacen-4-yl)amino]carbonyl}-4-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2-furansulfonamide (1 μM in vitro, 10 mg/kg/d in vivo), inhibited components of the NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro and in vivo and ISO-induced interstitial LV fibrosis in vivo but did not affect nNOS, TLR-4, myofibroblast differentiation, or myofibroblast-induced collagen deposition. Hence, RLX can inhibit the TGF-β1/IL-1β axis via a nNOS-TLR-4-NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent mechanism on cardiac myofibroblasts.-Cáceres, F. T., Gaspari, T. A., Samuel, C. S., Pinar, A. A. Serelaxin inhibits the profibrotic TGF-β1/IL-1β axis by targeting TLR-4 and the NLRP3 inflammasome in cardiac myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Tapia Cáceres
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tracey A Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita A Pinar
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Valkovic AL, Bathgate RA, Samuel CS, Kocan M. Understanding relaxin signalling at the cellular level. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:24-33. [PMID: 30592984 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The peptide hormone relaxin mediates many biological actions including anti-fibrotic, vasodilatory, angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and organ protective effects across a range of tissues. At the cellular level, relaxin binds to the G protein-coupled receptor relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) to activate a variety of downstream signal transduction pathways. This signalling cascade is complex and also varies in diverse cellular backgrounds. Moreover, RXFP1 signalling shows crosstalk with other receptors to mediate some of its physiological functions. This review summarises known signalling pathways induced by acute versus chronic treatment with relaxin across a range of cell types, it describes RXFP1 crosstalk with other receptors, signalling pathways activated by other ligands targeting RXFP1, and it also outlines physiological relevance of RXFP1 signalling outputs. Comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of relaxin actions in fibrosis, vasodilation, as well as organ protection, will further support relaxin's clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Valkovic
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Ross Ad Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Martina Kocan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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21
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Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and related molecules in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Clin Sci (Lond) 2019; 133:287-313. [DOI: 10.1042/cs20180438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Li Y, Hou D, Chen X, Zhu J, Zhang R, Sun W, Li P, Tian Y, Kong X. Hydralazine protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 843:199-209. [PMID: 30472201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Revised: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated whether hydralazine could reduce renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Renal I/R was induced by a 70-min occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries and a 24-h reperfusion, which was confirmed by the increased the mortality, the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (Cr), renal tissue NO and the visible histological damage of the kidneys. Apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Furthermore, the serum levels of malonaldehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly elevated in renal I/R group, while the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were suppressed. However, intragastric pretreatment with hydralazine at doses of 7.5-30 mg/kg before renal I/R significantly limited the increase in mortality, BUN, Cr, oxidative stress, inflammatory factors, histological damage and apoptosis in the kidneys. In addition, hydralazine also increased p-AKT, Bcl-2 expression and decreased iNOS, Bax, cleaved caspase-3 expression in the kidneys. In conclusion, hydralazine reduced renal I/R injury probably via inhibiting NO production by iNOS/NO pathway, inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis by a mitochondrial-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Li
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Daorong Hou
- Key Laboratory of the Model Animal Research, Animal Core Facility of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Xuguan Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Jingfeng Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Ruyi Zhang
- Animal Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Yunfan Tian
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Xiangqing Kong
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
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Kageyama S, Nakamura K, Ke B, Busuttil RW, Kupiec-Weglinski JW. Serelaxin induces Notch1 signaling and alleviates hepatocellular damage in orthotopic liver transplantation. Am J Transplant 2018; 18:1755-1763. [PMID: 29464890 PMCID: PMC6035063 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a risk factor for early graft dysfunction and an obstacle to expanding donor pool in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We have reported on the crucial role of macrophage Notch1 signaling in mouse warm hepatic IRI model. However, its clinical relevance or therapeutic potential remain unknown. Here, we used Serelaxin (SER), to verify Notch1 induction and putative hepatoprotective function in ischemia-reperfusion-stressed OLT. C57BL/6 mouse livers subjected to extended (18-hour) cold storage were transplanted to syngeneic recipients. SER treatment at reperfusion ameliorated IRI, improved post-OLT survival, decreased neutrophil/macrophage infiltration, and suppressed proinflammatory cytokine programs, while simultaneously increasing Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) target genes. In bone marrow-derived macrophage cultures, SER suppressed proinflammatory while enhancing antiinflammatory gene expression concomitantly with increased NICD and Hes1. Hepatic biopsies from 21 adult primary liver transplant patients (2 hours postreperfusion) were divided into low-NICD (n = 11) and high-NICD (n = 10) expression groups (western blots). Consistent with our murine findings, human livers characterized by high NICD were relatively IRI resistant, as shown by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels at day 1 post-OLT. Our study documents the efficacy of SER-Notch1 signaling in mouse OLT and highlights the protective function of Notch1 in liver transplant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Kageyama
- Correspondence: Jerzy W. Kupiec-Weglinski, M.D. Ph. D., Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, 77-120 CHS, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, Tel.: (310) 8254196; Fax: (310) 2672358.,
| | - Kojiro Nakamura
- Correspondence: Jerzy W. Kupiec-Weglinski, M.D. Ph. D., Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, 77-120 CHS, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095, Tel.: (310) 8254196; Fax: (310) 2672358.,
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Kageyama S, Nakamura K, Fujii T, Ke B, Sosa RA, Reed EF, Datta N, Zarrinpar A, Busuttil RW, Kupiec-Weglinski JW. Recombinant relaxin protects liver transplants from ischemia damage by hepatocyte glucocorticoid receptor: From bench-to-bedside. Hepatology 2018; 68:258-273. [PMID: 29350771 PMCID: PMC6033647 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a major risk factor of early graft dysfunction and acute/chronic rejection as well as a key obstacle to expanding the donor pool in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Although glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling may enhance cytoprotective programs, clinical use of glucocorticoid is limited because of adverse effects, whereas clinical relevance of GR-facilitated cytoprotection in OLT remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the significance of hepatic GR in clinical OLT and verify the impact of recombinant human relaxin (rhRLX), which may function as a GR agonist in a tissue/disease-specific manner. Fifty-one OLT patients were recruited under an institutional research board (IRB) protocol. Liver biopsies were collected after cold storage (presurgery) and 2 hours postreperfusion (before abdominal closure), followed by western blotting-assisted hepatic analyses. Forty-three percent of OLTs failed to increase GR perioperatively under surgical stress. Post-/pre-GR ratios at postoperative day 1 correlated negatively with serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/cleaved caspase-3 and positively with B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL)/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels. In a murine OLT model with extended (18-hour) cold storage, treatment with rhRLX ameliorated ischemia-reperfusion (IR) damage and improved survival while up-regulating hepatocyte GR and Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 expression in OLT. rhRLX-induced GR suppressed hepatocyte high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) translocation/release, accompanied by decreased Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), suppressed interleukin 1 beta (IL1β), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), C-X-C motif chemokine (CXCL)10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), CXCL1, and CXCL2 levels, and attenuated neutrophil/macrophage accumulation in OLT. Inhibition of GR in hepatocyte culture and in OLT diminished rhRLX-mediated cytoprotection. CONCLUSION This translational study underscores the role of rhRLX-GR signaling as a regulator of hepatocellular protection against IR stress in OLT. In the context of a recent phase III clinical trial demonstrating positive outcomes of rhRLX in patients with acute heart failure, studies on rhRLX for the management of IRI in OLT recipients are warranted. (Hepatology 2018;68:258-273).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Kageyama
- The Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Kojiro Nakamura
- The Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Takehiro Fujii
- The Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Bibo Ke
- The Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Rebecca A Sosa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Elaine F. Reed
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Nakul Datta
- The Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Ali Zarrinpar
- The Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Ronald W. Busuttil
- The Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Jerzy W. Kupiec-Weglinski
- The Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
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Ulke-Lemée A, Lau A, Nelson MC, James MT, Muruve DA, MacDonald JA. Quantification of Inflammasome Adaptor Protein ASC in Biological Samples by Multiple-Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry. Inflammation 2018; 41:1396-1408. [DOI: 10.1007/s10753-018-0787-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Jelinic M, Marshall SA, Stewart D, Unemori E, Parry LJ, Leo CH. Peptide hormone relaxin: from bench to bedside. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2018; 314:R753-R760. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00276.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The peptide hormone relaxin has numerous roles both within and independent of pregnancy and is often thought of as a “pleiotropic hormone.” Relaxin targets several tissues throughout the body, and has many functions associated with extracellular matrix remodeling and the vasculature. This review considers the potential therapeutic applications of relaxin in cervical ripening, in vitro fertilization, preeclampsia, acute heart failure, ischemia-reperfusion, and cirrhosis. We first outline the animal models used in preclinical studies to progress relaxin into clinical trials and then discuss the findings from these studies. In many cases, the positive outcomes from preclinical animal studies were not replicated in human clinical trials. Therefore, the focus of this review is to evaluate the various animal models used to develop relaxin as a potential therapeutic and consider the limitations that must be addressed in future studies. These include the use of human relaxin in animals, duration of relaxin treatment, and the appropriateness of the clinical conditions being considered for relaxin therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jelinic
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah A. Marshall
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dennis Stewart
- Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Sunnyvale, California
| | | | - Laura J. Parry
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chen Huei Leo
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Science and Maths Cluster, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
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Meadows KL. Ischemic stroke and select adipose-derived and sex hormones: a review. Hormones (Athens) 2018; 17:167-182. [PMID: 29876798 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-018-0034-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the USA and is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability worldwide. The principle sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone), both endogenous and exogenous, have profound effects on various stroke outcomes and have become the focus of a number of studies evaluating risk factors and treatment options for ischemic stroke. In addition, the expression of other hormones that may influence stroke outcome, including select adipose-derived hormones (adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin), can be regulated by sex hormones and are also the focus of several ischemic stroke studies. This review aims to summarize some of the preclinical and clinical studies investigating the principle sex hormones, as well as select adipose-derived hormones, as risk factors or potential treatments for ischemic stroke. In addition, the potential for relaxin, a lesser studied sex hormone, as a novel treatment option for ischemic stroke is explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy L Meadows
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Rd., North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA.
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Aragón-Herrera A, Feijóo-Bandín S, Rodríguez-Penas D, Roselló-Lletí E, Portolés M, Rivera M, Bigazzi M, Bani D, Gualillo O, González-Juanatey JR, Lago F. Relaxin activates AMPK-AKT signaling and increases glucose uptake by cultured cardiomyocytes. Endocrine 2018; 60:103-111. [PMID: 29411306 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-018-1534-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many evidences show that the hormone relaxin plays a pivotal role in the physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system. This pleiotropic hormone exerts regulatory functions through specific receptors in cardiovascular tissues: in experimental animal models it was shown to induce coronary vasodilation, prevent cardiac damage induced by ischemia/reperfusion and revert cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. A tight relationship between this hormone and important metabolic pathways has been suggested, but it is at present unknown if relaxin could regulate cardiac metabolism. Our aim was to study the possible effects of relaxin on cardiomyocyte metabolism. METHODS Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were treated with relaxin and (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays (MTT) were performed to assess metabolic activity; while 2-deoxy-D-[3H] glucose and BODIPY-labelled fatty acid incorporations were analyzed to measure glucose and fatty acid uptakes, and western blot was utilized to study the intracellular signaling pathways activated by the hormone. RESULTS We observed that relaxin at 10 ng/ml was able to increase the level of metabolic activity of cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes; the rate of 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose incorporation demonstrated that relaxin also induced an increase in glucose uptake. First evidence is also offered that relaxin can activate the master energy sensor and regulator AMPK in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, the treatment of cardiomyocytes with relaxin also induced dose-dependent increases in ERK1/2, AKT, and AS160 phosphorylation. That raise in AS160 phosphorylation induced by relaxin was prevented by the pretreatment with AMPK and AKT pathways inhibitors, indicating that both molecules play important roles in the relaxin effects reported. CONCLUSION Relaxin can regulate cardiomyocyte metabolism and activate AMPK, the central sensor of energy status that maintains cellular energy homeostasis, and also ERK and AKT, two molecular sensing nodes that coordinate dynamic responses of the cell's metabolic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aragón-Herrera
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Unit and Department of Cardiology, Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIS-SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - S Feijóo-Bandín
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Unit and Department of Cardiology, Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIS-SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - D Rodríguez-Penas
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Unit and Department of Cardiology, Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIS-SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - E Roselló-Lletí
- CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Cardiocirculatory Unit, Health Institute of La Fe University Hospital (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - M Portolés
- CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Cardiocirculatory Unit, Health Institute of La Fe University Hospital (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - M Rivera
- CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Cardiocirculatory Unit, Health Institute of La Fe University Hospital (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - M Bigazzi
- Prosperius Institute, Florence, Italy
| | - D Bani
- Prosperius Institute, Florence, Italy
| | - O Gualillo
- Neuroendocrine Interaccions in Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases Unit, Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIS-SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - J R González-Juanatey
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Unit and Department of Cardiology, Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIS-SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - F Lago
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Unit and Department of Cardiology, Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIS-SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Valle Raleigh J, Mauro AG, Devarakonda T, Marchetti C, He J, Kim E, Filippone S, Das A, Toldo S, Abbate A, Salloum FN. Reperfusion therapy with recombinant human relaxin-2 (Serelaxin) attenuates myocardial infarct size and NLRP3 inflammasome following ischemia/reperfusion injury via eNOS-dependent mechanism. Cardiovasc Res 2018; 113:609-619. [PMID: 28073832 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvw246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims The preconditioning-like infarct-sparing and anti-inflammatory effects of the peptide hormone relaxin following ischemic injury have been studied in the heart. Whether reperfusion therapy with recombinant human relaxin-2, serelaxin, reduces myocardial infarct size and attenuates the subsequent NLRP3 inflammasome activation leading to further loss of functional myocardium following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is unknown. Methods and results After baseline echocardiography, adult male wild-type C57BL or eNOS knockout mice underwent myocardial infarction (MI) by coronary artery ligation for 30 min followed by 24 h reperfusion. Mice were treated with either serelaxin (10 µg/kg; sc) or saline 1 h prior to ischemia or 5 min before reperfusion. In both pre-treatment and reperfusion therapy arms, serelaxin improved survival at 24 h post MI in wild-type mice (79% and 82%) as compared with controls (46% and 50%, P = 0.01), whereas there was no difference in survival between serelaxin- and saline-treated eNOS knockout mice. Moreover, serelaxin significantly reduced infarct size (64% and 67% reduction, P < 0.05), measured with TTC staining, and preserved LV fractional shortening (FS) and end-systolic diameter (LVESD) in wild-type mice as compared with controls (P < 0.05). Interestingly, caspase-1 activity in the heart tissue, a measure of inflammasome formation, was markedly reduced in serelaxin-treated wild-type mice compared with controls at 24 h post-MI in both treatment modalities (P < 0.05). Genetic deletion of eNOS abolished the infarct-sparing and anti-inflammatory effects of serelaxin as well as functional preservation. Serelaxin plasma levels assessed at 5 min and 1 h after treatment, using ELISA, approximated physiologic relaxin levels during pregnancy in mice and parallels that in humans. Conclusion Serelaxin attenuates myocardial I/R injury and the subsequent caspase-1 activation via eNOS-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Valle Raleigh
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
| | - Adolfo G Mauro
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
| | - Teja Devarakonda
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
| | - Carlo Marchetti
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
| | - Jun He
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
| | - Erica Kim
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
| | - Scott Filippone
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
| | - Anindita Das
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
| | - Stefano Toldo
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
| | - Antonio Abbate
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
| | - Fadi N Salloum
- Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 7-070, Richmond, VA 23298-0204, USA
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Lv W, Booz GW, Fan F, Wang Y, Roman RJ. Oxidative Stress and Renal Fibrosis: Recent Insights for the Development of Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Front Physiol 2018; 9:105. [PMID: 29503620 PMCID: PMC5820314 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant worldwide healthcare problem. Regardless of the initial injury, renal fibrosis is the common final pathway leading to end stage renal disease. Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully defined, evidence indicates that besides inflammation, oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the etiology of renal fibrosis. Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the production of free radicals that are often increased by inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, and reduced anti-oxidant defenses. Several studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress may occur secondary to activation of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) activity, consistent with its role to increase nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (Nox) activity. A number of other oxidative stress-related signal pathways have also been identified, such as nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1-phosphodiesterase (cGMP-cGK1-PDE) signaling pathway, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) pathway. Several antioxidant and renoprotective agents, including cysteamine bitartrate, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), and cytoglobin (Cygb) have demonstrated ameliorative effects on renal fibrosis in preclinical or clinical studies. The mechanism of action of many traditional Chinese medicines used to treat renal disorders is based on their antioxidant properties, which could form the basis for new therapeutic approaches. This review focuses on the signaling pathways triggered by oxidative stress that lead to renal fibrosis and provides an update on the development of novel anti-oxidant therapies for CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshan Lv
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States.,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - George W Booz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Fan Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Yangang Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Richard J Roman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
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Rehfeldt M, Sparwasser A, Funk E, Köhrle J, Bergmann A. Quantification of Relaxin-2 Connecting Peptide (Pro-RLX2) in Human Blood Samples. J Appl Lab Med 2017; 2:322-334. [PMID: 33636845 DOI: 10.1373/jalm.2017.023069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The peptide hormone relaxin-2 is implicated in diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes. Several assays are available for quantification of human relaxin-2, but because stability of the mature peptide in serum is limited, measurement of the more stable connecting peptide (pro-RLX2) might be beneficial. METHODS Pro-RLX2 was measured in a sandwich immunoluminometric assay using 2 monoclonal antibodies. The concentration of pro-RLX2 was detected in healthy pregnant (n = 100) and healthy male and nonpregnant female (n = 81) subjects and compared with the concentration of mature relaxin-2 in a subset of samples. RESULTS The pro-RLX2 immunoassay has an analytical and functional assay sensitivity (FAS) of 1.59 pmol/L and 1.7 pmol/L, respectively. The analyte is stable in EDTA plasma samples for 8 days at room temperature, dilutes in a linear fashion, and recovery was 103%. The assay system is not biased by common interfering substances. Measurement of 80% of plasma samples from healthy males and females is below the FAS {median 1.49 pmol/L [interquartile range (IQR) of 0.925-2.14 pmol/L]}, and no concentration difference between male and nonpregnant female plasma samples was observed. The median plasma concentration in healthy pregnant women is increased up to 562 pmol/L (IQR 341-789 pmol/L). During pregnancy, pro-RLX2 concentrations decrease with increasing gestation. The correlation coefficient with the R&D assay for mature relaxin-2 was 0.96 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Pro-RLX2 is stable in plasma of healthy individuals. Although samples of pregnant women are reliably measurable, most samples from healthy nonpregnant women and men are below the detection limit. Determination of pro-RLX2 concentrations might indicate rate of synthesis of relaxin-2 during pregnancy and therapeutic application of recombinant relaxin (Serelaxin).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Josef Köhrle
- Institut für Experimentelle Endokrinologie & EnForCé, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CVK, Berlin, Germany
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Wu XP, Wang HJ, Wang YL, Shen HR, Tan YZ. Serelaxin inhibits differentiation and fibrotic behaviors of cardiac fibroblasts by suppressing ALK-5/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. Exp Cell Res 2017; 362:17-27. [PMID: 28987540 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 09/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Serelaxin, a recombinant form of human relaxin-2, is currently regarded as a novel drug for treatment of acute heart failure. However, whether therapeutic effects of serelaxin are achieved by inhibiting cardiac fibrosis remains unclear. In this study, we investigate effects of serelaxin on inhibiting cardiac fibrosis. Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were isolated from the hearts of adult rats. Effects of serelaxin on differentiation of CFs towards myofibroblasts (MFs) and their fibrotic behaviors after induction with TGF-β1 were examined. Synthesis and degradation of collagens, secretion of IL-10, and expression of ALK-5 and p-Smad2/3 of TGF-β1-induced cells were assessed after treatment with serelaxin. Serelaxin inhibited differentiation of TGF-β1-induced CFs towards MFs, and reduced proliferation and migration of the induced cells. Moreover, serelaxin down-regulated expression of collagen I/III and TIMP-2, and up-regulated expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the cells. After treatment with serelaxin, activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and secretion of IL-10 increased, expression of ALK-5 and the level of Smad2/3 phosphorylation was reduced significantly. These results suggest that serelaxin can inhibit differentiation of TGF-β1-induced CFs towards MFs, reduce production of collagens by suppressing ALK-5/Smad2/3 signaling pathway, and enhance extracellular matrix degradation by increasing MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio and IL-10 secretion. Serelaxin may be a potential therapeutic drug for inhibiting cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ping Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Medical School of Fudan University, 277# 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hai-Jie Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Medical School of Fudan University, 277# 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yong-Li Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Medical School of Fudan University, 277# 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hao-Ran Shen
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Medical School of Fudan University, 277# 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yu-Zhen Tan
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Medical School of Fudan University, 277# 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Tang CY, Lai CC, Huang PH, Yang AH, Chiang SC, Huang PC, Tseng KW, Huang CH. Magnolol Reduces Renal Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury via Inhibition of Apoptosis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2017; 45:1421-1439. [PMID: 28946769 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x1750077x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Magnolol, a constituent of the bark of Magnolia officinalis, has been reported to decrease myocardial stunning and infarct size. In this study, we investigated whether magnolol can reduce renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. Renal I/R, induced by a 60-min occlusion of bilateral renal arteries and a 24-h reperfusion, significantly increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels, and caused histological damage to the kidneys of rats. Apoptosis, as evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and caspase-3 activation, was significantly increased in the kidneys. Furthermore, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text] (TNF-[Formula: see text]), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly elevated, while the interleukin-10 (IL-10) level was suppressed. However, intravenous pretreatment with magnolol at doses of 0.003[Formula: see text]mg/kg and 0.006[Formula: see text]mg/kg 10[Formula: see text]min before renal I/R significantly limited the increases of BUN, creatinine, the histological damage, and apoptosis in the kidneys. The increases in TNF-[Formula: see text], IL-1β, and IL-6, and the decrease in IL-10 were also significantly inhibited. Additionally, magnolol increased Bcl-2 and decreased Bax in the kidneys. Phosphorylation of the prosurvival kinases, including Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), was elevated, while phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic mitogen-activated protein kinases, including p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), was suppressed. In conclusion, magnolol reduces renal I/R injury. The underlying mechanisms for this effect might be related to the prevention of apoptosis, possibly via the inhibition of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, including the reduction of TNF-[Formula: see text] production and the modulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Tang
- * Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,§ Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Chi Lai
- * Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,§ Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,** Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsun Huang
- † Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,§ Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,¶ Cardiovascular Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - An-Han Yang
- ‡ Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chiung Chiang
- ∥ Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chao Huang
- †† Department of Life Science, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Wei Tseng
- ** Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsiung Huang
- * Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Sanchez-Mas J, Lax A, Asensio-Lopez MC, Lencina M, Fernandez-Del Palacio MJ, Soriano-Filiu A, de Boer RA, Pascual-Figal DA. Early Anti-inflammatory and Pro-angiogenic Myocardial Effects of Intravenous Serelaxin Infusion for 72 H in an Experimental Rat Model of Acute Myocardial Infarction. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2017; 10:460-469. [PMID: 28718055 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-017-9761-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. At the time of AMI, a subcutaneous mini-osmotic pump was implanted and animals were randomized into three groups, according to the intravenous therapy received during the first 72 h: placebo-treated (saline), serelaxin10-treated (SRLX10 = 10 μg/kg/day), or serelaxin30-treated (SRLX30 = 30 μg/kg/day). Treatment with SRLX30 reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as the infiltration of macrophages, and increased the expression of pro-angiogenic markers and vessel density in the infarcted myocardium after 7 days. SRLX30 did not reduce early myocardial fibrosis but reduced myocardial levels of sST2 and galectin-3. No significant effects were observed with SRLX10 treatment. A significant correlation was observed between plasma levels of serelaxin and effect measures. The results suggest serelaxin has a protective effect in early processes of cardiac remodeling after AMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Sanchez-Mas
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biomédica (IMIB), Facultad de Medicina, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Moncada, Spain
| | - Antonio Lax
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biomédica (IMIB), Facultad de Medicina, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Mari C Asensio-Lopez
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biomédica (IMIB), Facultad de Medicina, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Miriam Lencina
- Pathological Anatomy Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Angela Soriano-Filiu
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biomédica (IMIB), Facultad de Medicina, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Rudolf A de Boer
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Domingo A Pascual-Figal
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biomédica (IMIB), Facultad de Medicina, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. .,Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, LAIB, Room 2.52, Av. Buenavista s/n, 30120, Murcia, Spain. .,CIBER in Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain.
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Wu D, Wang J, Wang H, Ji A, Li Y. Protective roles of bioactive peptides during ischemia-reperfusion injury: From bench to bedside. Life Sci 2017; 180:83-92. [PMID: 28527782 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a well-known pathological condition which may lead to disability and mortality. I/R injury remains an unresolved and complicated situation in a number of clinical conditions, such as cardiac arrest with successful reanimation, as well as ischemic events in brain and heart. Peptides have many attractive advantages which make them suitable candidate drugs in treating I/R injury, such as low toxicity and immunogenicity, good solubility property, distinct tissue distribution pattern, and favorable pharmacokinetic profile. An increasing number of studies indicate that peptides could protect against I/R injury in many different organs and tissues. Peptides also face several therapeutic challenges that limit their clinical application. In this review, we present the mechanisms of action of peptides in reducing I/R injury, as well as further discuss modification strategies to improve the functional properties of bioactive peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Wu
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
| | - Honggang Wang
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
| | - Ailing Ji
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China.
| | - Yanzhang Li
- Henan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China.
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36
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Janssens S. Relaxin: reproductive safeguard turned cardiac? Cardiovasc Res 2017; 113:553-555. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvx059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Leo CH, Fernando DT, Tran L, Ng HH, Marshall SA, Parry LJ. Serelaxin Treatment Reduces Oxidative Stress and Increases Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-2 to Attenuate Nitrate Tolerance. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:141. [PMID: 28377719 PMCID: PMC5359255 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is a commonly prescribed treatment for acute heart failure patients. However, prolonged GTN treatment induces tolerance, largely due to increased oxidative stress and reduced aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH-2) expression. Serelaxin has several vasoprotective properties, which include reducing oxidative stress and augmenting endothelial function. We therefore tested the hypothesis in rodents that serelaxin treatment could attenuate low-dose GTN-induced tolerance. Methods and Results: Co-incubation of mouse aortic rings ex vivo with GTN (10 μM) and serelaxin (10 nM) for 1 h, restored GTN responses, suggesting that serelaxin prevented the development of GTN tolerance. Male Wistar rats were subcutaneously infused with ethanol (control), low-dose GTN+placebo or low-dose GTN+serelaxin via osmotic minipumps for 3 days. Aortic vascular function and superoxide levels were assessed using wire myography and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence assay respectively. Changes in aortic ALDH-2 expression were measured by qPCR and Western blot respectively. GTN+placebo infusion significantly increased superoxide levels, decreased ALDH-2 and attenuated GTN-mediated vascular relaxation. Serelaxin co-treatment with GTN significantly enhanced GTN-mediated vascular relaxation, reduced superoxide levels and increased ALDH-2 expression compared to GTN+placebo-treated rats. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that a combination of serelaxin treatment with low dose GTN attenuates the development of GTN-induced tolerance by reducing superoxide production and increasing ALDH-2 expression in the rat aorta. We suggest that serelaxin may improve nitrate efficacy in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Huei Leo
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | | | - Lillie Tran
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | - Hooi Hooi Ng
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah A Marshall
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | - Laura J Parry
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
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ERK phosphorylation plays an important role in the protection afforded by hypothermia against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Surgery 2017; 161:444-452. [DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2016.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Sarwar M, Du XJ, Dschietzig TB, Summers RJ. The actions of relaxin on the human cardiovascular system. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 174:933-949. [PMID: 27239943 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The insulin-like peptide relaxin, originally identified as a hormone of pregnancy, is now known to exert a range of pleiotropic effects including vasodilatory, anti-fibrotic, angiogenic, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects in both males and females. Relaxin produces these effects by binding to a cognate receptor RXFP1 and activating a variety of signalling pathways including cAMP, cGMP and MAPKs as well as by altering gene expression of TGF-β, MMPs, angiogenic growth factors and endothelin receptors. The peptide has been shown to be effective in halting or reversing many of the adverse effects including fibrosis in animal models of cardiovascular disease including ischaemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, hypertensive heart disease and cardiomyopathy. Relaxin given to humans is safe and produces favourable haemodynamic changes. Serelaxin, the recombinant form of relaxin, is now in extended phase III clinical trials for the treatment of acute heart failure. Previous clinical studies indicated that a 48 h infusion of relaxin improved 180 day mortality, yet the mechanism underlying this effect is not clear. This article provides an overview of the cellular mechanism of effects of relaxin and summarizes its beneficial actions in animal models and in the clinic. We also hypothesize potential mechanisms for the clinical efficacy of relaxin, identify current knowledge gaps and suggest new ways in which relaxin could be useful therapeutically. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsin Sarwar
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Australia
| | - Xiao-Jun Du
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Thomas B Dschietzig
- Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany.,Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Relaxera Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Bensheim, Germany
| | - Roger J Summers
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Australia
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40
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Adali F, Gonul Y, Aldemir M, Hazman O, Ahsen A, Bozkurt MF, Sen OG, Keles I, Keles H. Investigation of the effect of crocin pretreatment on renal injury induced by infrarenal aortic occlusion. J Surg Res 2016; 203:145-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2016.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Pini A, Boccalini G, Baccari MC, Becatti M, Garella R, Fiorillo C, Calosi L, Bani D, Nistri S. Protection from cigarette smoke-induced vascular injury by recombinant human relaxin-2 (serelaxin). J Cell Mol Med 2016; 20:891-902. [PMID: 26915460 PMCID: PMC4831370 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Smoking is regarded as a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study investigates whether serelaxin (RLX, recombinant human relaxin-2) endowed with promising therapeutic properties in CVD, can be credited of a protective effect against cigarette smoke (CS)-induced vascular damage and dysfunction. Guinea pigs exposed daily to CS for 8 weeks were treated with vehicle or RLX, delivered by osmotic pumps at daily doses of 1 or 10 μg. Controls were non-smoking animals. Other studies were performed on primary guinea pig aortic endothelial (GPAE) cells, challenged with CS extracts (CSE) in the absence and presence of 100 ng/ml (17 nmol/l) RLX. In aortic specimens from CS-exposed guinea pigs, both the contractile and the relaxant responses to phenylephrine and acetylcholine, respectively, were significantly reduced in amplitude and delayed, in keeping with the observed adverse remodelling of the aortic wall, endothelial injury and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) down-regulation. RLX at both doses maintained the aortic contractile and relaxant responses to a control-like pattern and counteracted aortic wall remodelling and endothelial derangement. The experiments with GPAE cells showed that CSE significantly decreased cell viability and eNOS expression and promoted apoptosis by sparkling oxygen free radical-related cytotoxicity, while RLX counterbalanced the adverse effects of CSE. These findings demonstrate that RLX is capable of counteracting CS-mediated vascular damage and dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress, thus adding a tile to the growing mosaic of the beneficial effects of RLX in CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Pini
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy & Histology & Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Boccalini
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy & Histology & Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Becatti
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Biomedical Sciences 'Mario Serio', Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rachele Garella
- Section of Physiology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Fiorillo
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Biomedical Sciences 'Mario Serio', Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Calosi
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy & Histology & Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Bani
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy & Histology & Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Nistri
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy & Histology & Research Unit of Histology & Embryology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Serelaxin: A Novel Therapeutic for Vascular Diseases. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2016; 37:498-507. [PMID: 27130518 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Vascular dysfunction is an important hallmark of cardiovascular disease. It is characterized by increased sensitivity to vasoconstrictors, decreases in the endothelium-derived vasodilators nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2), and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH). Serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin) has gained considerable attention as a new vasoactive drug, largely through its beneficial therapeutic effects in acute heart failure. In this review we first describe the contribution of endogenous relaxin to vascular homeostasis. We then provide a comprehensive overview of the novel mechanisms of serelaxin action in blood vessels that differentiate it from other vasodilator drugs and explain how this peptide could be used more widely as a therapeutic to alleviate vascular dysfunction in several cardiovascular diseases.
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43
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Carillon J, Gauthier A, Barial S, Tournier M, Gayrard N, Lajoix AD, Jover B. Relaxin and atrial natriuretic peptide pathways participate in the anti-fibrotic effect of a melon concentrate in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Food Nutr Res 2016; 60:30985. [PMID: 27079780 PMCID: PMC4832218 DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v60.30985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a model of human essential hypertension, oxidative stress is involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis associated with hypertension. Dietary supplementation with agents exhibiting antioxidant properties could have a beneficial effect in remodeling of the heart. We previously demonstrated a potent anti-hypertrophic effect of a specific melon (Cucumis melo L.) concentrate with antioxidant properties in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Relaxin and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were reported to reduce collagen deposition and fibrosis progression in various experimental models. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that, beside reduction in oxidative stress, the melon concentrate may act through relaxin, its receptor (relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 1, RXFP1), and ANP in SHR. DESIGN AND RESULTS The melon concentrate, given orally during 4 days, reduced cardiomyocyte size (by 25%) and totally reversed cardiac collagen content (Sirius red staining) in SHR but not in their normotensive controls. Treatment with the melon concentrate lowered cardiac nitrotyrosine-stained area (by 45%) and increased by 17-19% the cardiac expression (Western blot) of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, plasma relaxin concentration was normalized while cardiac relaxin (Western blot) was lowered in treated SHR. Cardiac relaxin receptor level determined by immunohistochemical analysis increased only in treated SHR. Similarly, the melon concentrate reversed the reduction of plasma ANP concentration and lowered its cardiac expression. CONCLUSIONS The present results demonstrate that reversal of cardiac fibrosis by the melon concentrate involves antioxidant defenses, as well as relaxin and ANP pathways restoration. It is suggested that dietary SOD supplementation could be a useful additional strategy against cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Carillon
- EA7288 Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Bionov Research, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Sandy Barial
- EA7288 Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | - Bernard Jover
- EA7288 Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France;
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Liu LCY, Voors AA, Teerlink JR, Cotter G, Davison BA, Felker GM, Filippatos G, Chen Y, Greenberg BH, Ponikowski P, Pang PS, Prescott MF, Hua TA, Severin TM, Metra M. Effects of serelaxin in acute heart failure patients with renal impairment: results from RELAX-AHF. Clin Res Cardiol 2016; 105:727-37. [PMID: 27017514 PMCID: PMC4988995 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-016-0979-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serelaxin showed beneficial effects on clinical outcome and trajectories of renal markers in patients with acute heart failure. We aimed to study the interaction between renal function and the treatment effect of serelaxin. METHODS In the current post hoc analysis of the RELAX-AHF trial, we included all patients with available estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline (n = 1132). Renal impairment was defined as an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) estimated by creatinine. RESULTS 817 (72.2 %) patients had a baseline eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). In placebo-treated patients, baseline renal impairment was related to a higher 180 day cardiovascular (HR 3.12, 95 % CI 1.33-7.30) and all-cause mortality (HR 2.81, 95 % CI 1.34-5.89). However, in serelaxin-treated patients, the risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality was less pronounced (HR 1.19, 95 % CI 0.54 -2.64; p for interaction = 0.106, and HR 1.15 95 % CI 0.56-2.34 respectively; p for interaction = 0.088). In patients with renal impairment, treatment with serelaxin resulted in a more pronounced all-cause mortality reduction (HR 0.53, 95 % CI 0.34-0.83), compared with patients without renal impairment (HR 1.30, 95 % CI 0.51-3.29). CONCLUSION Renal dysfunction was associated with higher cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in placebo-treated patients, but not in serelaxin-treated patients. The observed reduction in (cardiovascular) mortality in RELAX-AHF was more pronounced in patients with renal dysfunction. These observations need to be confirmed in the ongoing RELAX-AHF-2 trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Licette C Y Liu
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan A Voors
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - John R Teerlink
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - G Michael Felker
- Duke University School of Medicine, Duke Heart Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gerasimos Filippatos
- School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Yakuan Chen
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Peter S Pang
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Ng HH, Leo CH, Parry LJ. Serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin-2) prevents high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction by ameliorating prostacyclin production in the mouse aorta. Pharmacol Res 2016; 107:220-228. [PMID: 26993102 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction is a critical initiating factor in the development of cardiovascular complications. Treatment with relaxin improves tumour necrosis factor α-induced endothelial dysfunction by enhancing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and restoring superoxide dismutase 1 protein in rat aortic rings ex vivo. It is, therefore, possible that relaxin treatment could alleviate endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin-2) prevents high glucose-induced vascular dysfunction in the mouse aorta. Abdominal aortae were isolated from C57BL/6 male mice and incubated in M199 media for 3days with either normal glucose (5.5mM) or high glucose (30mM), and co-incubated with placebo (20mM sodium acetate) or 10nM serelaxin at 37°C in 5% CO2. Vascular function was analysed using wire-myography. High glucose significantly reduced the sensitivity to the endothelium-dependent agonist, acetylcholine (ACh) (pEC50; normal glucose=7.66±0.10 vs high glucose=7.29±0.10, n=11-12, P<0.05) and the contraction induced by NOS inhibitor, L-NAME (200μM) (normal glucose=59.9±8.3% vs high glucose=38.7±4.3%, n=6, P<0.05), but had no effect on the endothelium-independent agonist, sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-mediated relaxation. Treatment with serelaxin restored endothelial function (pEC50; 7.83±0.11, n=11) but not NO availability. The presence of the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, indomethacin (1μM) (pEC50; control=7.29±0.10 vs indo=7.74±0.18, n=6-12, P<0.05) and a superoxide dismutase mimetic, tempol (10μM) (pEC50; control=7.29±0.10 vs tempol=7.82±0.05, n=6-12, P<0.01) significantly improved sensitivity to ACh in high glucose treated aortae, but had no effect in serelaxin treated aortae. This suggests that high glucose incubation alters the superoxide and COX-sensitive pathway, which was normalized by co-incubation with serelaxin. Neither high glucose incubation nor serelaxin treatment had an effect on cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (Ptgs1, Ptgs2), prostacyclin synthase (PTGIS) and receptor (Ptgir) as well as thromboxane A2 receptor (Tbxa2r) mRNA expression. Importantly, production of prostacyclin was significantly (P<0.05) attenuated in high glucose treated aortae, which was prevented by serelaxin treatment. Our data show that serelaxin treatment for 3 days restores high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction by ameliorating vasodilator prostacyclin production and possibly through the reduction of superoxide in the mouse aorta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooi Hooi Ng
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Chen Huei Leo
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Laura J Parry
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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46
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Leo CH, Jelinic M, Ng HH, Tare M, Parry LJ. Time-dependent activation of prostacyclin and nitric oxide pathways during continuous i.v. infusion of serelaxin (recombinant human H2 relaxin). Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:1005-17. [PMID: 26660642 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In the RELAX-AHF trial, a 48 h i.v. serelaxin infusion reduced systemic vascular resistance in patients with acute heart failure. Consistent with preclinical studies, serelaxin augments endothelial vasodilator function in rat mesenteric arteries. Little is known about the contribution of endothelium-derived relaxing factors after a longer duration of continuous serelaxin treatment. Here we have assessed vascular reactivity and mechanistic pathways in mesenteric arteries and veins and the aorta after 48 or 72 h continuous i.v. infusion of serelaxin. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Male rats were infused with either placebo or serelaxin (13.3 μg·kg(-1) ·h(-1) ) via the jugular vein using osmotic minipumps. Vascular function was assessed using wire myography. Changes in gene and protein expression and 6-keto PGF1α levels were determined by quantitative PCR, Western blot and ELISA respectively. KEY RESULTS Continuous i.v. serelaxin infusion augmented endothelium-dependent relaxation in arteries (mesenteric and aorta) but not in mesenteric veins. In mesenteric arteries, 48 h i.v. serelaxin infusion increased basal NOS activity, associated with increased endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression. Interestingly, phosphorylated-eNOS(Ser1177) , eNOS and basal NOS activity were reduced in mesenteric arteries following 72 h serelaxin treatment. At 72 h, serelaxin treatment improved bradykinin-mediated relaxation through COX2-derived PGI2 production. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Continuous i.v. serelaxin infusion enhanced endothelial vasodilator function in arteries but not in veins. The underlying mediator at 48 h was NO but there was a transition to PGI2 by 72 h. Activation of the PGI2 -dependent pathway is key to the prolonged vascular response to serelaxin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Leo
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - M Jelinic
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - H H Ng
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - M Tare
- Department of Physiology and School of Rural Health, Monash University, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - L J Parry
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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Dschietzig TB, Krause-Relle K, Hennequin M, von Websky K, Rahnenführer J, Ruppert J, Grön HJ, Armbruster FP, Bathgate RAD, Aschenbach JR, Forssmann WG, Hocher B. Relaxin-2 does not ameliorate nephropathy in an experimental model of type-1 diabetes. Kidney Blood Press Res 2016; 40:77-88. [PMID: 25791819 DOI: 10.1159/000368484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS In diabetic nephropathy (DN), the current angiotensin-II-blocking pharmacotherapy is frequently failing. For diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC), there is no specific remedy available. Relaxin-2 (Rlx) - an anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and vasoprotecting peptide – is a candidate drug for both. METHODS Low-dose (32 μg/kg/day) and high-dose (320 μg/kg/day) Rlx were tested against vehicle (n = 20 each) and non-diabetic controls (n = 14) for 12 weeks in a model of type-1 diabetes induced in endothelial nitric oxide synthase knock-out (eNOS-KO) mice by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. RESULTS Diabetic animals showed normal plasma creatinine, markedly increased albuminuria and urinary malonyldialdehyde, elevated relative kidney weight, glomerulosclerosis, and increased glomerular size, but no relevant interstitial fibrosis. Neither dose of Rlx affected these changes although the drug was active and targeted plasma levels were achieved. Of note, we found no activation of the renal TGF-β pathway in this model. In the hearts of diabetic animals, no fibrotic alterations indicative of DC could be determined which precluded testing of the initial hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS We investigated a model showing early DN without overt tubulointerstitial fibrosis and activation of the TGF-β-Smad-2/3 pathway. In this model, Rlx proved ineffective; however, the same may not apply to other models and types of diabetes.
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Gönül Y, Genç A, Ahsen A, Bal A, Hazman Ö, Toktaş M, Ulu MS, Özdinç Ş, Songur A. The effects of IL-18BP on mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic genes in renal injury induced by infrarenal aortic occlusion. J Surg Res 2015; 202:33-42. [PMID: 27083945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2015.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal injury is an important complication of infrarenal aortic occlusion (IAO), which is mainly encountered during the postoperative period. Aortic clamping procedure may lead to turbulent blood flow and eventually vasoconstriction at renal arterial level of the abdominal aorta. IL-18BP has well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we aimed to determine whether IL-18BP has anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and protective effects on acute kidney damage induced by IAO rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 30 adult male Wistar-Albino rats were equally and randomly separated to three groups as follows: SHAM laparotomy, ischemia-reperfusion (IR), and IR + IL-18BP. We applied 30-min IAO and 2-h reperfusion. Inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and IFN-γ) and oxidative stress parameters (TAS, TOS, and OSI) were measured. In addition to this, urea and creatinine levels, histopathology of kidney, mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, and apoptotic genes were investigated. RESULTS Urea and creatinine, tissue and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-18, IFN-γ, and TOS, and oxidative stress index (OSI) were found significantly lower in IR + IL-18BP group, when compared to the IR group. Moreover, mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic genes were prominently depressed in IR + IL-18BP pre-treatment group in histopathologic examination, there was a significant difference between the IR and other three groups (P < 0.001). These improvements were demonstrated with a total score of histopathologic damage. In our previous studies, we have demonstrated that IL-18BP has antioxidant, inflammatory, and protective effects on liver and spinal cord IR injury. Data established from the present study suggest that IL-18BP may exert anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and protective effects on IAO-induced acute kidney injury in rats, and this would be the first study to be conducted in this field. CONCLUSIONS Data established from the present study suggest that IL-18BP may exert anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and protective effects on IAO-induced acute kidney injury in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yücel Gönül
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar.
| | - Abdurrahman Genç
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar
| | - Ahmet Ahsen
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar
| | - Ahmet Bal
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar
| | - Ömer Hazman
- Department of chemistry, Biochemistry Division, Faculty of Science and Arts, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar
| | - Muhsin Toktaş
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Turgut Özal University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - M Sena Ulu
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar
| | - Şerife Özdinç
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar
| | - Ahmet Songur
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar
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Díez J, Ruilope LM. Serelaxin for the treatment of acute heart failure: a review with a focus on end-organ protection. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOTHERAPY 2015; 2:119-30. [PMID: 27418970 PMCID: PMC4853824 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcvp/pvv046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acute heart failure (AHF) is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by fluid overload and haemodynamic abnormalities (short-term clinical consequences) and the development of end-organ damage (long-term consequences). Current therapies for the treatment of AHF, such as loop diuretics and vasodilators, help to relieve haemodynamic imbalance and congestion, but have not been shown to prevent (and may even contribute to) end-organ damage, or to provide long-term clinical benefit. Serelaxin is the recombinant form of human relaxin-2, a naturally occurring hormone involved in mediating haemodynamic changes during pregnancy. Preclinical and clinical studies have investigated the effects mediated by serelaxin and the suitability of this agent for the treatment of patients with AHF. Data suggest that serelaxin acts via multiple pathways to improve haemodynamics at the vascular, cardiac, and renal level and provide effective congestion relief. In addition, this novel agent may protect the heart, kidneys, and liver from damage by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, cell death, and tissue fibrosis, and stimulating angiogenesis. Serelaxin may therefore improve both short- and long-term outcomes in patients with AHF. In this review, we examine the unique mechanisms underlying the potential benefits of serelaxin for the treatment of AHF, in particular, those involved in mediating end-organ protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Díez
- Program of Cardiovascular Diseases, Centre for Applied Medical Research and Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, University of Navarra Clinic, University of Navarra, Av. Pío XII 55, Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Luis M Ruilope
- Research Institute, Hypertension Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre and Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
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Halls ML, Bathgate RAD, Sutton SW, Dschietzig TB, Summers RJ. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCV. Recent advances in the understanding of the pharmacology and biological roles of relaxin family peptide receptors 1-4, the receptors for relaxin family peptides. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:389-440. [PMID: 25761609 DOI: 10.1124/pr.114.009472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Relaxin, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), relaxin-3, and INSL5 are the cognate ligands for the relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors 1-4, respectively. RXFP1 activates pleiotropic signaling pathways including the signalosome protein complex that facilitates high-sensitivity signaling; coupling to Gα(s), Gα(i), and Gα(o) proteins; interaction with glucocorticoid receptors; and the formation of hetero-oligomers with distinctive pharmacological properties. In addition to relaxin-related ligands, RXFP1 is activated by Clq-tumor necrosis factor-related protein 8 and by small-molecular-weight agonists, such as ML290 [2-isopropoxy-N-(2-(3-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl)benzamide], that act allosterically. RXFP2 activates only the Gα(s)- and Gα(o)-coupled pathways. Relaxin-3 is primarily a neuropeptide, and its cognate receptor RXFP3 is a target for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and autism. A variety of peptide agonists, antagonists, biased agonists, and an allosteric modulator target RXFP3. Both RXFP3 and the related RXFP4 couple to Gα(i)/Gα(o) proteins. INSL5 has the properties of an incretin; it is secreted from the gut and is orexigenic. The expression of RXFP4 in gut, adipose tissue, and β-islets together with compromised glucose tolerance in INSL5 or RXFP4 knockout mice suggests a metabolic role. This review focuses on the many advances in our understanding of RXFP receptors in the last 5 years, their signal transduction mechanisms, the development of novel compounds that target RXFP1-4, the challenges facing the field, and current prospects for new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Steve W Sutton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Thomas B Dschietzig
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Roger J Summers
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
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