Propofol inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression and myocardial depression through decreasing the generation of superoxide anion in cardiomyocytes

Propofol protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in human amnion-derived WISH cells

Background

Nonobstetric surgery is sometimes required during pregnancy, and neck abscess or facial bone fracture surgery cannot be postponed in pregnant women. However, dental surgery can be stressful and can cause inflammation, and the inflammatory response is a well-known major cause of preterm labor. Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic commonly used for general anesthesia and sedation. Studies investigating the effect of propofol on human amnion are rare. The current study investigated the effects of propofol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in human amnion-derived WISH cells.

Methods

WISH cells were exposed to LPS for 24 h and co-treated with various concentrations of propofol (0.01-1 µg/ml). Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was analyzed using a microassay based on the Griess reaction. The protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2), p38, and phospho-p38 was analyzed using western blotting.

Results

Propofol did not affect the viability and NO production of WISH cells. Co-treatment with LPS and propofol reduced COX-2 and PGE₂ protein expression and inhibited p38 phosphorylation in WISH cells.

Conclusion

Propofol does not affect the viability of WISH cells and inhibits LPS-induced expression of inflammatory factors. The inhibitory effect of propofol on inflammatory factor expression is likely mediated by the inhibition of p38 activation.

Hydrogen Sulfide Attenuated Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Dysfunction Through TLR4 Pathway and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Aims: We examined the change in endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) production and its role in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD). Results: Significant elevations in plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase (CK), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were noted in SIMD patients, whereas left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), and plasma H₂S were significantly decreased relative to those in the controls. Plasma H₂S was linearly related to LVEF and LVFS. Subsequently, an SIMD model was developed in mice by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and NaHS, an H₂S donor, was used to elucidate the pathophysiological role of H₂S. The mice showed decreased ventricular function and increased levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, cTnI, and CK after LPS injections. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 protein and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) proteins were over expressed in the SIMD mice. All of the parameters above showed more noticeable variations in cystathionine γ-lyase knockout mice relative to those in wild type mice. The administration of NaHS could improve ventricular function and attenuate inflammation and ERS in the heart. Conclusion: Overall, these findings indicated that endogenous H₂S deficiency contributed to SIMD and exogenous H₂S ameliorated sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction by suppressing inflammation and ERS via inhibition of the TLR4 pathway.

Propofol improves brain injury induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats

To study effect of propofol on cognitive dysfunction and brain injury in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. The bilateral carotid artery ligation (bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and BCCAO) to establish rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 10): sham-operation group treated with saline model group, propofol treatment model group, normal saline treatment, propofol treatment in the sham-operation group; continuous intraperitoneal injection of propofol and saline for 12 weeks. Morris water maze was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability of rats. Determination of central cholinergic and oxidative stress in brain tissue by spectrophotometry. Detection of inflammatory response in brain tissue by immunohistochemistry and ELISA method. Detection of neuronal loss in brain tissue by Nissl and TUNEL staining. Compared with the saline-treated model group, propofol in model group significantly increased the rat brain tissue SOD activity (p < .01) and GPX activity (p < .01), decreased the MDA levels (p < .01) and protein carbonyl compound levels (p < .01). The propofol treatment of model group rats hippocampal GFAP-immunoreactive satellite glial cells (p < .01) and immune Iba1-positive microglia cells (p < .01) area percent compared to saline-treated model group decreased significantly. The number of normal propofol treatment of model group rats hippocampus neuron than in physiological saline treatment model group rats was significantly increased (p < .01). Propofol can improve chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats induced by cognitive dysfunction and brain damage.

Dulaglutide Alleviates LPS-Induced Injury in Cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Sepsis is a severe infection-induced disease with multiple organ failure, and sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy is a fatal condition. Inflammatory response and oxidative stress are reported to be involved in the development of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy. Dulaglutide is a novel antidiabetic agent that is currently reported to exert an anti-inflammatory effect. The present study aims to explore the potential protective property of dulaglutide on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury on cardiomyocytes.

METHODS

LPS was used to induce an in vitro injury model on cardiomyocytes. The mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected using MitoSOX red, and reduced glutathione (GSH) was measured to evaluate the status of oxidative stress in H9c2 myocardial cells. The expressions of NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX-1) and inducible nitric oxidesynthase (iNOS) were determined using real-time PCR and western blot analysis. Real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were both used to detect the expressions and concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-17, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in H9c2 myocardial cells, respectively. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was measured using the Griess reagent. The levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were detected using ELISA. Western blot was utilized to determine the expressions of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and p-NF-κB p65 in H9c2 myocardial cells in the nucleus.

RESULTS

First, dulaglutide ameliorated LPS-induced oxidative stress by suppressing the production of mitochondrial ROS and elevating the level of reduced GSH, as well as downregulating NOX-1. Second, the LPS-induced cardiomyocyte injury was alleviated by dulaglutide through downregulating CK-MB and cTnI, accompanied by inhibiting iNOS expression and NO production. Lastly, the production of inflammatory factors and upregulation of MMPs induced by LPS were both significantly reversed by dulaglutide through suppressing the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Dulaglutide alleviated LPS-induced injury in cardiomyocytes by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress.

Propofol ameliorates endotoxin‑induced myocardial cell injury by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis via the PPARγ/HMGB1/NLRP3 axis

Endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the primary causes of myocardial injury. Propofol confers protective effects against LPS‑induced myocardial damage; however, the biological functions and mechanisms underlying propofol are not completely understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of propofol on LPS‑induced myocardial injury. Primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were treated with LPS to establish a myocardial injury model. LDH release in the culture media was measured using a LDH assay kit. The interactions between NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis‑associated speck‑like protein containing A CARD (ASC) and pro‑caspase‑1 were determined using a co‑immunoprecipitation assay. Cell viability was measured using an MTT assay, and the levels of cell apoptosis were determined using flow cytometry, JC‑1 staining (mitochondrial membrane potential) and caspase‑3 activity assays. The mRNA expression levels of TNF‑α, IL‑6, IL‑1β and IL‑18, and the protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, pro‑caspase‑1, caspase‑1 p10, pro‑IL‑1β, IL‑1β, pro‑IL‑18, IL‑18, high mobility group box‑1 (HMGB1) and peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor γ (PPARγ) were analyzed using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting analyses, respectively. ELISAs were performed to measure the production of inflammatory mediators, including TNF‑α, IL‑6, IL‑1β and IL‑18. The present results demonstrated that pretreatment with propofol significantly attenuated LPS‑induced neonatal rat cardiomyocyte injury in a concentration‑ and time‑dependent manner. Propofol pretreatment also significantly inhibited LPS‑induced cardiomyocyte inflammation and apoptosis. The results suggested that propofol pretreatment inactivated HMGB1‑dependent NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, which involved PPARγ activation. Therefore, the results indicated that propofol reduced endotoxin‑induced cardiomyocyte injury by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis via the PPARγ/HMGB1/NLRP3 axis, suggesting that propofol may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for septic myocardial damage.

Rutin Prevents LTA Induced Oxidative Changes in H9c2 Cells

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a component of Gram-positive bacteria cell walls is involved in infective endocarditis (IE), a life-threatening disease. We evaluated for the first time, whether flavonoid rutin (quercetin-3-rutinoside) can block LTA-induced pro-inflammatory response and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and reduction of antioxidant enzymes. We found that rutin suppresses LTA effects on the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the pro-inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2, preventing phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and the increase of ROS production induced by LTA. Taken together, these findings suggest that rutin prevents oxidative damage, inflammation, and MAPKs activation induced by LTA. Rutin may exert a protective effect in IE. These data provide novel insights for future use of rutin to prevent the mechanisms of LTA-related pathogenesis, inflammatory processes, and antioxidant enzyme levels in diseases such as IE.

[Molecular mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of propofol on lipopolysaccharide-induced pyroptosis of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of propofol on pyroptosis of macrophages.

METHODS

Macrophages derived from bone marrow were extracted and divided into three groups: control group, LPS+ATP group and propofol+LPS+ATP group. The control group was not given any treatment; LPS+ATP group was given LPS 1 μg/mL stimulation for 4 h, then ATP 4 mM stimulation for 1 h; Propofol+LPS+ATP group was given propofol+LPS 1 μg/mL stimulation for 4 h, then ATP stimulation for 1 h. After treatment, the supernatant and cells of cell culture were collected. the cell activity was detected by CCK8 and flow cytometry. The inflammatory cytokines IL-1βand IL-18 were detected by Elisa. Western blot was used to detect the expression of caspase-1 protein and TLR4 on cell membran Immunohistochemical fluorescence was used to detect apoptosis of cells.

RESULTS

LPS+ATP significantly decreased the viability of the macrophages and increased the cellular production of IL-1β and IL-18, activation of caspase-1 protein and the expression of TLR-4 on the cell membrane (P &lt; 0.05). Treatment with propofol obviously reversed the changes induced by LPS+ATP.

CONCLUSIONS

LPS+ATP can induce pyroptosis of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, and propofol effectively inhibits such cell death, suggesting that propofol anesthesia is beneficial during operation and helps to regulate the immune function of in patients with sepsis.

NADPH Oxidase Hyperactivity Contributes to Cardiac Dysfunction and Apoptosis in Rats with Severe Experimental Pancreatitis through ROS-Mediated MAPK Signaling Pathway

NADPH oxidase (Nox) is considered a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the heart in normal and pathological conditions. However, the role of Nox in severe acute pancreatitis- (SAP-) associated cardiac injury remains unclear. Therefore, we aim to investigate the contribution of Nox to SAP-associated cardiac injury and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Apocynin, a Nox inhibitor, was given at 20 mg/kg for 30 min before SAP induction by a retrograde pancreatic duct injection of 5% sodium taurocholate. Histopathological staining, Nox activity and protein expression, oxidative stress markers, apoptosis and associated proteins, cardiac-related enzyme indexes, and cardiac function were assessed in the myocardium in SAP rats. The redox-sensitive MAPK signaling molecules were also examined by western blotting. SAP rats exhibited significant cardiac impairment along with increased Nox activity and protein expression, ROS production, cell apoptosis, and proapoptotic Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels. Notably, Nox inhibition with apocynin prevented SAP-associated cardiac injury evidenced by a decreased histopathologic score, cardiac-related enzymes, and cardiac function through the reduction of ROS production and cell apoptosis. This protective role was further confirmed by a simulation experiment in vitro. Moreover, we found that SAP-induced activation in MAPK signaling molecules in cardiomyocytes was significantly attenuated by Nox inhibition. Our data provide the first evidence that Nox hyperactivation acts as the main source of ROS production in the myocardium, increases oxidative stress, and promotes cell apoptosis via activating the MAPK pathway, which ultimately results in cardiac injury in SAP.

Adiponectin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced cell injury of H9c2 cells by regulating AMPK pathway

Adiponectin, an adipokine synthesized and secreted majorly by adipose tissue, is reported to exert cardioprotective properties via anti-inflammation and antiapoptosis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a common inflammation and apoptosis inducer of cardiomyocytes. However, few studies have reported the roles of adiponectin on LPS-induced inflammation as well as apoptosis of H9c2 cells, and the possible mechanisms of these effects. In the present study, we found that adiponectin significantly relieved LPS-induced cytotoxicity including decreased viability and elevated LDH release, inhibited LPS-triggered inflammation, which is evidenced by increases in release of TNF-α, IL-1β as well as IL-6, and attenuated the enhanced rates of apoptotic cells as well as increased caspase-3 activity caused by LPS in H9c2 cells. In addition, our data demonstrated that adiponectin upregulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation of H9c2 cells with or without LPS administration. Moreover, we found that blocking AMPK pathway by compound c attenuated the protective effects of adiponectin against the cytotoxicity, inflammatory response, and apoptosis of H9c2 cells resulted from LPS. Our observations bring novel insights for understanding the mediatory role of AMPK pathway implicated in the protective effects of adiponectin against LPS-induced cardiotoxicity.

Effects of propofol pretreatment on lung morphology and heme oxygenase-1 expression in oleic acid-induced acute lung injury in rats

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of propofol pretreatment on lung morphology and heme oxygenase-1 expression in oleic acid -induced acute lung injury in rats.

METHODS

A total of 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300g) were randomly divided into the following four groups (n=8/group): group C, group OA, group OA+PR, and group OA+IX to compare related parameter changes.

RESULTS

PaO2, PCO2, and PaO2/FiO2 were significantly different among the four treatment groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Lung wet/dry weight ratio and HO-1 protein expression also significantly differed among the groups (P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of HO-1 in group OA+PR was stronger than those in groups OA, OA+IX, and C. Light microscopy revealed that pathological changes in lung tissues in group OA+PR were milder than those in group OA and group OA+IX. Electron microscopy showed that alveolar type II epithelial cell ultrastructure in group OA was relatively irregular with cell degeneration and disintegration and cytoplasmic lamellar bodies were vacuolized. Changes in group OA+PR were milder than those in group OA; however, they were more severe in group OA+IX than in group OA.

CONCLUSION

Propofol significantly increases the expression of HO-1 in the lung tissueand prevents changes in lung morphology due to ALI in rats.

Differential role of intravenous anesthetics in colorectal cancer progression: implications for clinical application

Anesthetics are unavoidable to colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who underwent surgical treatment. Thus, the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of the intravenous anesthetics in CRC metastasis are still unclear. In this study, the effects of intravenous anesthetics, such as propofol, etomidate and dexmedetomidine, on cell migration were determined. The migration of CRC cells was inhibited by propofol in vitro, but not in vivo. Etomidate, however, promoted the migration of CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mediated the promotive effect of propofol and etomidate on the migration of CRC cells through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with propofol or etomidate had minor effect on the migration of CRC cells. These findings indicate that propofol inhibites CRC cell migration in vitro. Etomidate playes a role for prompting CRC metastasis progression by activating (PI3K)/AKT signaling and inducing EMT. It provides an important hint for the clinical application of these anesthetics.

Activation of Endocannabinoid Receptor 2 as a Mechanism of Propofol Pretreatment-Induced Cardioprotection against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Propofol pretreatment before reperfusion, or propofol conditioning, has been shown to be cardioprotective, while its mechanism is unclear. The current study investigated the roles of endocannabinoid signaling in propofol cardioprotection in an in vivo model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and in in vitro primary cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. The results showed that propofol conditioning increased both serum and cell culture media concentrations of endocannabinoids including anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) detected by LC-MS/MS. The reductions of myocardial infarct size in vivo and cardiomyocyte apoptosis and death in vitro were accompanied with attenuations of oxidative injuries manifested as decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA), and MPO (myeloperoxidase) and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) production. These effects were mimicked by either URB597, a selective endocannabinoids degradation inhibitor, or VDM11, a selective endocannabinoids reuptake inhibitor. In vivo study further validated that the cardioprotective and antioxidative effects of propofol were reversed by selective CB2 receptor antagonist AM630 but not CB1 receptor antagonist AM251. We concluded that enhancing endogenous endocannabinoid release and subsequent activation of CB2 receptor signaling represent a major mechanism whereby propofol conditioning confers antioxidative and cardioprotective effects against myocardial I/R injury.

HS3ST1 genotype regulates antithrombin's inflammomodulatory tone and associates with atherosclerosis

The HS3ST1 gene controls endothelial cell production of HS^AT+ - a form of heparan sulfate containing a specific pentasaccharide motif that binds the anticoagulant protein antithrombin (AT). HS^AT+ has long been thought to act as an endogenous anticoagulant; however, coagulation was normal in Hs3st1^-/- mice that have greatly reduced HS^AT+ (HajMohammadi et al., 2003). This finding indicates that HS^AT+ is not essential for AT's anticoagulant activity. To determine if HS^AT+ is involved in AT's poorly understood inflammomodulatory activities, Hs3st1^-/- and Hs3st1^+/+ mice were subjected to a model of acute septic shock. Compared with Hs3st1^+/+ mice, Hs3st1^-/- mice were more susceptible to LPS-induced death due to an increased sensitivity to TNF. For Hs3st1^+/+ mice, AT treatment reduced LPS-lethality, reduced leukocyte firm adhesion to endothelial cells, and dilated isolated coronary arterioles. Conversely, for Hs3st1^-/- mice, AT induced the opposite effects. Thus, in the context of acute inflammation, HS^AT+ selectively mediates AT's anti-inflammatory activity; in the absence of HS^AT+, AT's pro-inflammatory effects predominate. To explore if the anti-inflammatory action of HS^AT+ also protects against a chronic vascular-inflammatory disease, atherosclerosis, we conducted a human candidate-gene association study on >2000 coronary catheterization patients. Bioinformatic analysis of the HS3ST1 gene identified an intronic SNP, rs16881446, in a putative transcriptional regulatory region. The rs16881446^G/G genotype independently associated with the severity of coronary artery disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. In primary endothelial cells, the rs16881446^G allele associated with reduced HS3ST1 expression. Together with the mouse data, this leads us to conclude that the HS3ST1 gene is required for AT's anti-inflammatory activity that appears to protect against acute and chronic inflammatory disorders.

Mechanical Ventilation Induces an Inflammatory Response in Preinjured Lungs in Late Phase of Sepsis

Mechanical ventilation (MV) may amplify the lung-specific inflammatory response in preinjured lungs by elevating cytokine release and augmenting damage to the alveolar integrity. In this study, we test the hypothesis that MV exerts different negative impacts on inflammatory response at different time points of postlung injury. Basic lung injury was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery in rats. Physiological indexes including blood gases were monitored during MV and samples were assessed following each experiment. Low V_T (tidal volume) MV caused a slight increase in cytokine release and tissue damage at day 1 and day 4 after sepsis induced lung injury, while cytokine release from the lungs in the two moderately ventilated V_T groups was amplified. Interestingly, in the two groups where rats received low V_T MV, we found that infiltration of inflammatory cells was only profound at day 4 after CLP. Marked elevation of protein leakage indicated a compromise in alveolar integrity in rats that received moderate V_T MV at day 4 following CLP, correlating with architectural damage to the alveoli. Our study indicates that preinjured lungs are more sensitive to mechanical MV at later phases of sepsis, and this situation may be a result of differing immune status.

Propofol attenuates LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and nitric oxide expression in canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells possibly through down-regulation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation

Sepsis is a major cause of mortality in intensive care medicine. Propofol, an intravenous general anesthetic, has been suggested to have anti-inflammatory properties and able to prevent sepsis induced by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by down-regulating the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, propofol’s anti-inflammatory effects upon canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have not yet been clarified. Here, we isolate canine PBMCs and investigate the effects of propofol on the gene expressions of both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and upon the production of nitric oxide (NO). Through real-time quantitative PCR and the Griess reagent system, we found that non-cytotoxic levels of propofol significantly inhibited the release of NO and IL-6 and TNF-α gene expression in LPS-induced canine PBMCs. Western blotting revealed that LPS does significantly increase the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein in canine PBMCs, while pretreatment with propofol significantly decreases the LPS-induced iNOS protein expression. Propofol, at concentration of 25 µM and 50 µM, also significantly inhibited the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 protein in canine PBMCs. This diminished TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS expression, and NO production was in parallel to the respective decreased NF-κB p65 protein nuclear translocation in the LPS-activated canine PBMCs pretreated with 25 µM and 50 µM propofol. This suggests that non-cytotoxic levels of propofol pretreatment can down-regulate LPS-induced inflammatory responses in canine PBMCs, possibly by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 protein.