Sulforaphane attenuates angiotensin II-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury by modulating ROS-mediated mitochondrial signaling

Sex Influence on Autophagy Markers and miRNAs in Basal and Angiotensin II-Treated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) display many sex and gender differences, and endothelial dysfunction, angiotensin II (Ang II), and autophagy represent key factors in the autophagic process Therefore, we studied whether Ang II modulates the mentioned processes in a sex-specific way in HUVECs obtained from healthy male and female newborns. In basal HUVECs, the Parkin gene and protein were higher in FHUVECs than in MHUVECs, while the Beclin-1 protein was more expressed in MHUVECs, and no other significant differences were detected. Ang II significantly increases LAMP-1 and p62 protein expression and decreases the expression of Parkin protein in comparison to basal in MHUVECs. In FHUVECs, Ang II significantly increases the expression of Beclin-1 gene and protein, and Parkin gene. The LC3 II/I ratio and LAMP-1 protein were significantly higher in MHUVECs than in FHUVECs, while Parkin protein was significantly more expressed in Ang II-treated FHUVECs than in male cells. Ang II affects the single miRNA levels: miR-126-3p and miR-133a-3p are downregulated and upregulated in MHUVECs and FHUVECs, respectively. MiR-223 is downregulated in MHUVEC and FHUVECs. Finally, miR-29b-3p and miR-133b are not affected by Ang II. Ang II effects and the relationship between miRNAs and organelles-specific autophagy is sex-dependent in HUVECs. This could lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying sex differences in endothelial dysfunction, providing useful indications for innovative biomarkers and personalized therapeutic approaches.

Sulforaphane Combined with Vitamin D Induces Cytotoxicity Mediated by Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage, Autophagy, and JNK/MAPK Pathway Modulation in Human Prostate Tumor Cells

Prostate cancer ranks second in incidence worldwide. To date, there are no available therapies to effectively treat advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. Sulforaphane and vitamin D alone are promising anticancer agents in vitro and in vivo, but their low bioavailability has limited their effects in clinical trials. The present study examined whether sulforaphane combined with vitamin D at clinically relevant concentrations improved the cytotoxicity of the compounds alone towards DU145 and PC-3 human prostate tumor cells. To assess the anticancer activity of this combination, we analyzed cell viability (MTT assay), oxidative stress (CM-H₂DCFDA), autophagy (fluorescence), DNA damage (comet assay), and protein expression (Western blot). The sulforaphane-vitamin D combination (i) decreased cell viability, induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and autophagy, upregulated BAX, CASP8, CASP3, JNK, and NRF2 expression, and downregulated BCL2 expression in DU145 cells; and (ii) decreased cell viability, increased autophagy and oxidative stress, upregulated BAX and NRF2 expression, and downregulated JNK, CASP8, and BCL2 expression in PC-3 cells. Therefore, sulforaphane and vitamin D in combination have a potential application in prostate cancer therapy, and act to modulate the JNK/MAPK signaling pathway.

Activation of Nrf2 signaling: A key molecular mechanism of protection against cardiovascular diseases by natural products

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a group of cardiac and vascular disorders including myocardial ischemia, congenital heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, and cardiomyopathies. Despite considerable progress in prophylaxis and treatment options, CVDs remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and impose an extremely high socioeconomic burden. Oxidative stress (OS) caused by disequilibrium in the generation of reactive oxygen species plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of CVDs. Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor of endogenous antioxidant defense systems against OS, is considered an ideal therapeutic target for management of CVDs. Increasingly, natural products have emerged as a potential source of Nrf2 activators with cardioprotective properties and may therefore provide a novel therapeutic tool for CVD. Here, we present an updated comprehensive summary of naturally occurring products with cardioprotective properties that exert their effects by suppression of OS through activation of Nrf2 signaling, with the aim of providing useful insights for the development of therapeutic strategies exploiting natural products.

An In Vitro Platform to Study Reversible Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Endothelial cells can acquire a mesenchymal phenotype in response to external stimuli through both mechanical and biological factors, using a process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal (EndoMT) transition. EndoMT is characterized by the decrease in endothelial characteristics, increase in mesenchymal markers, and morphological changes. It has been recognized not only during development but also in different pathological conditions including organ/tissue fibrosis in adults. The ability to modulate the EndoMT process could have a therapeutic potential in many fibrotic diseases. An in vitro method is presented here to induce EndoMT with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) and angiotensin II (Ang II) followed by a protocol to study the reversibility of EndoMT. Using this method, we furnish evidence that the combination of L-NAME and Ang II can stimulate EndoMT in Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and this process can be reversed as observed using endothelial functionality assays. This method may serve as a model to screen and identify potential pharmacological molecules to target and regulate the EndoMT process, with applications in drug discovery for human diseases.

Activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling: An important molecular mechanism of herbal medicine in the treatment of atherosclerosis via the protection of vascular endothelial cells from oxidative stress

Introduction

Recently, Nrf2/HO-1 has received extensive attention as the main regulatory pathway of intracellular defense against oxidative stress and is considered an ideal target for alleviating endothelial cell (EC) injury.

Objectives

This paper aimed to summarized the natural monomers/extracts that potentially exert protective effects against oxidative stress in ECs.

Methods

A literature search was carried out regarding our topic with the keywords of “atherosclerosis” or “Nrf2/HO-1” or “vascular endothelial cells” or “oxidative stress” or “Herbal medicine” or “natural products” or “natural extracts” or “natural compounds” or “traditional Chinese medicines” based on classic books of herbal medicine and scientific databases including Pubmed, SciFinder, Scopus, the Web of Science, GoogleScholar, BaiduScholar, and others. Then, we analyzed the possible molecular mechanisms for different types of natural compounds in the treatment of atherosclerosis via the protection of vascular endothelial cells from oxidative stress. In addition, perspectives for possible future studies are discussed.

Results

These agents with protective effects against oxidative stress in ECs mainly include phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Most of these agents alleviate cell apoptosis in ECs due to oxidative stress, and the mechanisms are related to Nrf2/HO-1 signaling activation. However, despite continued progress in research on various aspects of natural agents exerting protective effects against EC injury by activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling, the development of new drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS) and other CVDs based on these agents will require more detailed preclinical and clinical studies.

Conclusion

Our present paper provides updated information of natural agents with protective activities on ECs against oxidative stress by activating Nrf2/HO-1. We hope this review will provide some directions for the further development of novel candidate drugs from natural agents for the treatment of AS and other CVDs.

ACE Inhibitory Peptide from Skin Collagen Hydrolysate of Takifugu bimaculatus as Potential for Protecting HUVECs Injury

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) is a crucial enzyme or receptor that catalyzes the generation of potent vasopressor angiotensin II (Ang II). ACE inhibitory peptides from fish showed effective ACE inhibitory activity. In this study, we reported an ACE inhibitory peptide from Takifugu bimaculatus (T. bimaculatus), which was obtained by molecular docking with acid-soluble collagen (ASC) hydrolysate of T. bimaculatus. The antihypertensive effects and potential mechanism were conducted using Ang-II-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as a model. The results showed that FNLRMQ alleviated the viability and facilitated apoptosis of Ang-II-induced HUVECs. Further research suggested that FNLRMQ may protect Ang-II-induced endothelial injury by regulating Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathways. This study, herein, reveals that collagen peptide FNLRMQ could be used as a potential candidate compound for antihypertensive treatment, and could provide scientific evidence for the high-value utilization of marine resources including T. bimaculatus.

Inhibitory effects of sulforaphane on NLRP3 inflammasome activation

SFN, a dietary phytochemical, is a significant member of isothiocyanates present in cruciferous vegetables at high levels in broccoli. It is a well-known activator of the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant pathway. Long since, the therapeutic effects of SFN have been widely studied in several different diseases. Other than the antioxidant effect, SFN also exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect through suppression of various mechanisms, including inflammasome activation. Considerably, SFN has been demonstrated to inhibit multiple inflammasomes, including NLRP3 inflammasome. NLRP3 inflammasome induces secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promotes inflammatory cell death. The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines enhances the inflammatory response, in turn leading to tissue damage. These self-propelling inflammatory responses would need modulation with exogenous therapeutic agents to suppress them. SFN is a promising candidate molecule for the mitigation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which has been related to the pathogenesis of numerous disorders. In this review, we have provided fundamental knowledge about Sulforaphane, elaborated its characteristics, and evidentially focused on its mechanisms of action with regard to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and neuroprotective features. Thereafter, we have summarized both in vitro and in vivo studies regarding SFN effect on NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Irigenin alleviates angiotensin II-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in HUVEC cells by activating Nrf2 pathway

Endothelial dysfunction is closely related to various cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress and apoptosis are involved in the progress of endothelial dysfunction. Irigenin (IR) has antioxidative properties. We investigated IR as a novel therapy for angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced endothelial dysfunction and explored the potential mechanisms of IR. After human umbilical vein endothelial cell lines (HUVECs) were treated with Ang II (100, 200, 300 and 400 nmol/L) alone, IR (2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μmol/L) alone or Ang II plus IR for 24 h, HUVECs viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), apoptosis, oxidative stress, apoptosis-related protein and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels were detected by Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry and western blot. Transfection rate of Nrf2 was detected by western blot. In the next rescue experiment, we used silent Nrf2 (siNrf2) to verify the previous experimental results. Different concentrations' Ang II repressed HUVECs viability and increased LDH release, and different concentrations' IR did not affect HUVECs viability or LDH release. Furthermore, IR elevated cell viability and Nrf2 level, inhibited LDH release, apoptosis, oxidative stress and apoptosis-related protein levels in Ang II-induced HUVECs. More important, siNrf2 suppressed the expression of Nrf2, and siNrf2 abrogated the protective effect of IR on Ang II-induced Nrf2 expression, cell viability, LDH activity, oxidative stress generation and apoptosis-related protein in HUVECs. IR protected HUVECs from Ang II-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis injury by activating Nrf2 pathway.

Cruciferous vegetables: rationale for exploring potential salutary effects of sulforaphane-rich foods in patients with chronic kidney disease

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a sulfur-containing isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae) and a well-known activator of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), considered a master regulator of cellular antioxidant responses. Patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) present with high levels of oxidative stress and a massive inflammatory burden associated with diminished Nrf2 and elevated nuclear transcription factor-κB-κB expression. Because it is a common constituent of dietary vegetables, the salutogenic properties of sulforaphane, especially it’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, have been explored as a nutritional intervention in a range of diseases of ageing, though data on CKD remain scarce. In this brief review, the effects of SFN as a senotherapeutic agent are described and a rationale is provided for studies that aim to explore the potential benefits of SFN-rich foods in patients with CKD.

Effects of DA-9801 on the inflammation and apoptosis induced by angiotensin II in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells

DA-9801, a plant-based drug used for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, is known to improve angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. We aimed to determine whether the protective effect of DA-9801 against Ang II-induced endothelial cell dysfunction was mediated via inhibition of endothelial cell inflammation and apoptosis. Ang II-induced oxidative stress was attenuated by pretreatment of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) with DA-9801. This prevented the Ang II-induced upregulation of NAD(P)H oxidase (the NOX4 and p22phox subunits) and reactive oxygen species. Further, pretreatment of HDMECs with DA-9801 ameliorated Ang II-mediated nuclear factor kappa B activity via prevention of the upregulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. It also decreased the Ang II-stimulated increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and decreased endothelial NOS protein expression. DA-9801 decreased Ang II-induced upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular adhesion molecule, and E-selectin in HDMECs. Moreover, TUNEL and annexin V-FITC fluorescence staining for apoptosis and the activities of caspases 9, 7, and 3 decreased in HDMECs pretreated with DA-9801, indicating that the drug enhanced anti-apoptotic pathways. Thus, DA-9801 modulated Ang II-induced endothelial cell dysfunction via inflammatory and apoptotic pathways.

Effects of sulforaphane on the oxidative response, apoptosis, and the transcriptional profile of human stomach mucosa cells in vitro

Oxidative stress is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of several gastrointestinal diseases. Sulforaphane (SFN), a bioactive compound found in cruciferous vegetables, activates the redox-sensitive nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). In addition to its protective role, SFN exerts cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. However, there is a lack of information concerning the toxicity of SFN in normal cells. We investigated the effects of SFN on cell viability, antioxidant defenses, and gene expression in human stomach mucosa cells (MNP01). SFN reduced ROS formation and protected the cells against induced oxidative stress but high concentrations increased apoptosis. An intermediate SFN concentration (8 μM) was chosen for RNA sequencing studies. We observed upregulation of genes of the NRF2 (antioxidant) pathway, the DNA damage response, and apoptosis signaling; whereas SFN downregulated cell cycle and DNA repair pathway genes. SFN may be cytoprotective at low concentrations and cytotoxic at high concentrations.