Huangzhi Oral Liquid Prevents Arrhythmias by Upregulating Caspase-3 and Apoptosis Network Proteins in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Originated Exosomal Lnc A2M-AS1 Alleviates Hypoxia/Reperfusion-Induced Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress in Cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes play significant roles in ameliorating cardiac damage after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Long non-coding RNA alpha-2-macroglobulin antisense RNA 1 (Lnc A2M-AS1) was found that might protect against myocardial I/R. However, whether Lnc A2M-AS1 delivery via MSC-derived exosomes could also regulate myocardial I/R injury remains unknown.

METHODS

Exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation, and qualified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and Western blot. Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment in human cardiomyocytes was used to mimic the process of myocardial I/R in vitro. The viability and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were detected using cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, and Western blot assays. The contents of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated using corresponding commercial kits. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to determine the expression levels of Lnc A2M-AS1, microRNA (miR)-556-5p, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). The binding interaction between miR-556-5p and Lnc A2M-AS1 or XIAP was confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter, RIP and pull-down assays.

RESULTS

Exosomes isolated from hMSCs (hMSCs-exo) attenuated H/R-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. Lnc A2M-AS1 was lowly expressed in AMI patients and H/R-induced cardiomyocytes. Besides, Lnc A2M-AS1 was detectable in hMSCs-exo, exosomes derived from Lnc A2M-AS1-transfected hMSCs weakened H/R-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress, and enhanced the protective action of hMSCs-exo on H/R-induced cardiomyocytes. Further mechanism analysis showed that Lnc A2M-AS1 acted as a sponge for miR-556-5p to increase XIAP expression level. Importantly, miR-556-5p overexpression or XIAP knockdown reversed the action of exosomal Lnc A2M-AS1 on H/R-induced cardiomyocytes.

CONCLUSION

Lnc A2M-AS1 delivery via MSC-derived exosomes ameliorated H/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress via regulating miR-556-5p/XIAP, opening a new window into the pathogenesis of myocardial I/R injury.

Research progress of extracellular vesicles and exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases

There is growing evidence that mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles and exosomes can significantly improve the curative effect of oxidative stress-related diseases. Mesenchymal stem cell extracellular vesicles and exosomes (MSC-EVs and MSC-Exos) are rich in bioactive molecules and have many biological regulatory functions. In this review, we describe how MSC-EVs and MSC-Exos reduce the related markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in various systemic diseases, and the molecular mechanism of MSC-EVs and MSC-Exos in treating apoptosis and vascular injury induced by oxidative stress. The results of a large number of experimental studies have shown that both local and systemic administration can effectively inhibit the oxidative stress response in diseases and promote the survival and regeneration of damaged parenchymal cells. The mRNA and miRNAs in MSC-EVs and MSC-Exos are the most important bioactive molecules in disease treatment, which can inhibit the apoptosis, necrosis and oxidative stress of lung, heart, kidney, liver, bone, skin and other cells, and promote their survive and regenerate.

MicroRNA-29b reduces myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats via down-regulating PTEN and activating the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway

Reperfusion may cause injuries to the myocardium in ischemia situation, which is called ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The study aimed to explore the roles of microRNA-29b (miR-29b) in myocardial I/R injury. Myocardial I/R injury rat model was established. Differentially expressed miRNAs between the model rats and the sham-operated rats were analyzed. miR-29b expression in myocardial tissues was measured. Gain-of-function of miR-29b was performed, and then the morphological changes, infarct size, myocardial function, oxidative stress, and the cell apoptosis in myocardial tissues were detected. The target relation between miR-29b and PTEN was detected through bio-information prediction and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Activation of Akt/eNOS signaling was detected. H9C2 cells were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation treatment to perform in vitro experiments. I/R rats presented severe inflammatory infiltration, increased infarct size and cell apoptosis, increased oxidative stress and decreased myocardial function. miR-29b was downregulated in I/R rats, and up-regulation of miR-29b reversed the above changes. miR-29b directly bound to PTEN, and overexpression of miR-29b reduced PTEN expression level and increased the protein levels of p-Akt/Akt and p-eNOS/eNOS. In vivo results were confirmed in in vitro experiments. This study provided evidence that miR-29b could alleviate the myocardial I/R injury in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting PTEN expression and activating the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.

Neohesperidin alleviated pathological damage and immunological imbalance in rat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via inactivation of JNK and NF-κB p65

Neohesperidin (NEO) exerts antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antitumor effects in some diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of NEO on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Results indicated that NEO suppressed the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines, myocardial damage markers, and oxidative stress markers, and increased the levels of antioxidant in myocardial I/R rats. NEO also inhibited cell apoptosis. Besides, NEO also inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65. Furthermore, the protective effects of NEO on myocardial tissue damage, inflammatory cytokines, myocardial injury markers, oxidative stress markers, cell apoptosis, spleen, thymus and liver indices, and phagocytic indices were reversed by JNK activator and NF-κB activator, respectively. In conclusion, NEO alleviates myocardial damage, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, and immunological imbalance in I/R injury via the inactivation of JNK and NF-κB, making NEO a potential agent for myocardial I/R therapy.

Protective role of microRNA-374 against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice following thoracic epidural anesthesia by downregulating dystrobrevin alpha-mediated Notch1 axis

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury often leads to myocardial apoptosis and necrosis. Studies have demonstrated the role microRNAs (miRs) played in myocardial I/R injury. Thus, we established a myocardial I/R injury model and a thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) model in mice to explore whether microRNA-374 (miR-374) affects myocardial I/R injury. We collected myocardial tissues to evaluate whether TEA exerts a protection effect on myocardial tissues. In addition, the levels of miR-374, dystrobrevin alpha (DTNA), and the statue of the Notch1 axis were detected. Subsequently, cardiomyocytes extracted from TEA mice were treated to regulate their levels of miR-374 and DTNA. After that, cell viability, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were assessed. This was followed by the detection of the myocardial infarction area. The mice models of myocardial I/R injury were associated with poorly expressed miR-374 and highly expressed DTNA. TEA was found to protect myocardial tissues against myocardial I/R injury by elevating miR-374 and reducing DTNA. Dual-luciferase reporter assay validated that DTNA was the target gene of miR-374. Cardiomyocytes with overexpressed miR-374 were shown to have downregulated DTNA levels and blocked Notch1 axis. Overexpressed miR-374 was also found to promote the viability and inhibit the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, as well as to increase the number of cells arrested in the S phase. In accordance with this, the myocardial infarction area was decreased with the upregulated miR-347 and downregulated DTNA. Collectively, these results demonstrated that, by inhibiting the activity of DTNA-mediated Notch1 axis, miR-374 could protect against myocardial I/R injury in mice after TEA.

RETRACTED: MicroRNA-497 promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of cardiomyocytes through the downregulation of Mfn2 in a mouse model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. An Expression of Concern for this article was previously published while an investigation was conducted (see related editorial: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113812). This retraction notice supersedes the Expression of Concern published earlier. Concern was raised about the reliability of the images shown in Figure 1, and the Western blots in Figures 6C and 8E, which appear to contain similar features to those found in other publications, as detailed here: https://pubpeer.com/publications/5E5DF69C11DAD50FBE63CD4F95990F; and here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r0MyIYpagBc58BRF9c3luWNlCX8VUvUuPyYYXzxWvgY/edit#gid=262337249. Additional concerns were raised over the provenance of the flow cytometry data in Figure 10C, that appear to contain repeating features. Furthermore, the myocardial infarct images in Figure 5A appear to actually show brain slices. Independent analysis also identified additional suspected image duplications within Figures 3A and 4. The journal requested the corresponding author comment on these concerns and provide the associated raw data. The authors did not respond to this request and therefore the Editor-in-Chief decided to retract the article.

Effects of Periostracum Cicadae on Cytokines and Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins in an IgA Nephropathy Rat Model

Periostracum cicadae, the cast-off shell of the cicada Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius, is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its diaphoretic, anticonvulsive, sedative, antipyretic, and antiallergic effects. However, the exact pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) remains unclear, thereby hindering investigations to identify novel therapeutic agents. A rat IgAN model was established by administration of bovine serum albumin, lipopolysaccharide, and carbon tetrachloride, which simultaneously established blood stasis and a heat syndrome model. The animals were sacrificed to detect changes in protein levels in urine and blood. Immunofluorescence was performed to assess IgA deposition in the glomeruli. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematology and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling), and immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate histopathological changes in kidney tissues. Additionally, target-related proteins were measured by Western blotting. Periostracum cicadae resulted in a reduction in blood and urine protein levels. Serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels significantly decreased in the periostracum cicadae-treated groups compared to the IgAN group. Furthermore, a reduction in MCP-1 (Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1), TLR4 ((Toll-Like Receptor 4)), and IgA expression levels and a dose-dependent increase in caspase 3 expression were observed in response to periostracum cicadae treatment. TGF-β1(Transforming Growth Factor-β) levels decreased, whereas that of Fas increased in the kidney tissues of the periostracum cicadae-treated groups. The findings of the present study indicate that periostracum cicadae induces apoptosis and improves kidney inflammation and fibrosis in IgA nephropathy rat models.

Effects of procyanidin on cardiomyocyte apoptosis after myocardial ischemia reperfusion in rats

BACKGROUND

This study is aimed at investigating the effects of procyanidin on cardiomyocyte apoptosis of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups: control group (normal saline), ischemic group (normal saline), procyanidin low-dose group (procyanidin 50 mg/kg/day) and procyanidin high-dose group (procyanidin 100 mg/kg/day) by intragastric administration for 2 weeks. After last administration, myocardial I/R model was induced by ligating left anterior descending artery for 30 min followed by 120 min of perfusion. The activity of serum creatine kinase mb isoenzyme (CK-MB) was detected after experiment. The content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by ROS fluorescent probe dihydroethidium; the expressions of p53, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by western blotting; myocardial apoptosis was measured by the method of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling.

RESULTS

Compared with control group, the contents of serum CK-MB, ROS, the expressions of p53, Caspase-9, Caspase-3 and Bax increased significantly in ischemic group, the Bcl-2 expression, Bcl-2/Bax ratio decreased and the cardiomyocyte apoptosis index increased (p < 0.05); compared with ischemic group, the content of CK-MB, ROS, the expressions of p53, Caspase-9, Caspase-3 and Bax decreased, the Bcl-2 expression, Bcl-2/Bax ratio increased and the cardiomyocyte apoptosis index decreased in procyanidin group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Procyanidin can reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis after I/R. This beneficial effect is partially dependant on decreased ROS, p53, Caspase-9, Caspase-3 and Bax, as well as increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax ratio.

Therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicines for post stroke recovery: A traditional and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a condition with high morbidity and mortality, and 75% of stroke survivors lose their ability to work. Stroke is a burden to the family and society. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Chinese herbal patent medicines in the treatment of patients after the acute phase of a stroke.

METHODS

We searched the following databases through August 2016: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), China Science Periodical Database (CSPD), and China Biology Medicine disc (CBMdisc) for studies that evaluated Chinese herbal patent medicines for post stroke recovery. A random-effect model was used to pool therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal patent medicines on stroke recovery. Network meta-analysis was used to rank the treatment for each Chinese herbal patent medicine.

RESULTS

In our meta-analysis, we evaluated 28 trials that included 2780 patients. Chinese herbal patent medicines were effective in promoting recovery after stroke (OR, 3.03; 95% CI: 2.53-3.64; P < .001). Chinese herbal patent medicines significantly improved neurological function defect scores when compared with the controls (standard mean difference [SMD], -0.89; 95% CI, -1.44 to -0.35; P = .001). Chinese herbal patent medicines significantly improved the Barthel index (SMD, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.53-0.94; P < .001) and the Fugl-Meyer assessment scores (SMD, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.34-0.86; P < .001). In the network analysis, MLC601, Shuxuetong, and BuchangNaoxintong were most likely to improve stroke recovery in patients without acupuncture. Additionally, Mailuoning, Xuesaitong, BuchangNaoxintong were the patented Chinese herbal medicines most likely to improve stroke recovery when combined with acupuncture.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research suggests that the Chinese herbal patent medicines were effective for stroke recovery. The most effective treatments for stroke recovery were MLC601, Shuxuetong, and BuchangNaoxintong. However, to clarify the specific effective ingredients of Chinese herbal medicines, a well-designed study is warranted.

Iodine-131 induces apoptosis in human cardiac muscle cells through the p53/Bax/caspase-3 and PIDD/caspase-2/ t‑BID/cytochrome c/caspase-3 signaling pathway

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of iodine-131 on the induction of apoptosis in human cardiac muscle cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that iodine-131 reduced cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, induced p53, PIDD, t-BID (mitochondria) protein expression, suppressed cytochrome c (mitochondria) protein expression, and increased Bax protein expression, and promoted caspase-2, -3 and -9 expression levels in human cardiac muscle cells. Meanwhile, si-p53 inhibited the effects of iodine-131 on the reduction in cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human cardiac muscle cells through regulation of Bax/cytochrome c/caspase-3 and PIDD/caspase‑2/t-BID/cytochrome c/caspase-3 signaling pathway. After si-Bax reduced the effects of iodine-131, it reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human cardiac muscle cells through the cytochrome c/caspase-3 signaling pathway. However, si-caspase-2 also reduced the effects of iodine-131 on the reduction of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human cardiac muscle cells through the t-BID/cytochrome c/caspase-3 signaling pathway. These findings demonstrated that iodine-131 induces apoptosis in human cardiac muscle cells through the p53/Bax/caspase-3 and PIDD/caspase-2/t-BID/cytochrome c/caspase-3 signaling pathway.

Fas expression is downregulated in gastric cancer

The aim of the present study was to investigate Fas expression in tumor samples from patients with gastric cancer, in order to determine the involvement of the Fas signaling pathway. The protein expression levels of Fas, caspase-8, caspase-3 and poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) were examined in gastric cancer specimens and their associations with clinical pathological parameters were analyzed with immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. The mRNA expression was quantified with quantitative PCR and apoptosis was examined with a FACScan flow cytometer. The results demonstrated that the downregulation of Fas expression was correlated with less histological differentiation, gender (male), and increased lymph node and distant metastases (P<0.05). In the AGS established gastric cancer cell line, upregulation of the Fas signaling pathway promoted the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by upregulating the expression of caspase-8 and caspase-3, and downregulating the expression of PARP1. The present study demonstrated that Fas was associated with gastric cancer and promoted the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells via caspase-8, caspase-3 and PARP1. These results suggested that caspase-8, caspase-3 and PARP1 may be triggers of gastric cancer, and upregulation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 expression, or inhibition of PARP1 expression may improve the therapeutic outcome in patients with gastric cancer.

Effects of dexmedetomidine postconditioning on myocardial ischemia and the role of the PI3K/Akt-dependent signaling pathway in reperfusion injury

The present study aimed to determine whether post-ischemic treatment with dexmedetomidine (DEX) protected the heart against acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury in rats. The phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)-dependent signaling pathway was also investigated. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n=64) were subjected to ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), which produced ischemia for 25 min, followed by reperfusion. Following LAD ligation, rats were treated with DEX (5, 10 and 20 µg/kg) or underwent post-ischemic conditioning, which included three cycles of ischemic insult. In order to determine the role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, wortmannin (Wort), a PI3K inhibitor, was used to treat a group of rats that had also been treated with DEX (20 µg/kg). Post-reperfusion, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase isoenzymes (CK-MB), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were measured using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-Akt, Ser9-p-glycogen synthase kinase-3β (p-GSK-3β) and cleaved caspase-3 were detected in heart tissue by western blotting. The mRNA expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. At the end of the experiment, the hearts were removed and perfused in an isolated perfusion heart apparatus with Evans blue (1%) in order to determine the non-ischemic areas. The risk and infarct areas of the heart were not dyed. As expected, I/R induced myocardial infarction, as determined by the increased serum levels of cTnI, CK-MB and MDA, and the decreased levels of SOD. Post-ischemic treatment with DEX increased the expression levels of p-Akt and p-GSK-3β, whereas caspase-3 expression was reduced following DEX treatment compared with in the I/R group. Compared with the I/R group, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax at the mRNA level was elevated in the DEX and ischemic post-conditioning groups, whereas the expression levels of Bax were decreased. Conversely, the effects of DEX were attenuated by Wort. These results indicated that, similar to post-ischemic conditioning, post-ischemic treatment with DEX protects the heart against I/R via the PI3K/Akt-dependent signaling pathway, possibly by activating GSK-3β.

Restoration of sirt1 function by pterostilbene attenuates hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in cardiomyocytes

Restoration of blood supply to ischemic myocardium causes cardiomyocyte damage, a process known as ischemia-reperfusion injury. Excess reactive oxygen species and intracellular calcium contribute to cell damage but the involvement of sirt1, a versatile protein deacetylase in reperfusion-induced cell damage remains unknown. Here, we found that hypoxia-reoxygenation, an in vitro model of ischemia-reperfusion injury, induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte apoptosis as revealed by caspase-3 assay, Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometric analysis and JC-1 staining. Molecular docking analysis showed that, pterostilbene, a natural dimethyl ether derivative of resveratrol, binds to the enzymatic active pocket of sirt1. Importantly, application of pterostilbene at low concentrations of 0.1-3.0 μM rescued H9c2 cells from apoptosis, an effect comparable with resveratrol at 20 μM. Mechanistically, pterostilbene exerted its cardioprotective effects via 1) stimulation of sirt1 activity, since pretreatment of H9c2 cells with splitomicin, an antagonist of sirt1, removed the effects of pterostilbene, and 2) enhancement of sirt1 expression. Therefore, the present study demonstrates that activation of sitr1 during ischemia-reperfusion is cardioprotective and that the natural compound-pterostilbene-could be used therapeutically to alleviate ischemia-reperfusion injury.