Molecular mechanisms underlying the promotion of wound repair by coenzyme Q10: PI3K/Akt signal activation via alterations to cell membrane domains

Anti-oxidant activity of coenzyme Q10 against AlCl3/D-galactose in albino rat induced cognitive dysfunctions: Behavioral, biochemical, and BACE-1/GSK-3β alterations

The relationship between amyloid beta (Aβ) and oxidative stress (OS), both prominent factors in Alzheimer's disease-related neural degeneration, is deeply interconnected. The cleavage of the extracellular domain of Amyloid precursor protein (APP) and phosphorylating different substrates, respectively, the β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE-1) and Glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (GSK-3β) enzymes initiate the synthesis of Aβ, which causes cognitive deficits in AD. This study aimed to explore the protective potential of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). It also sought to uncover any synergistic effects when combined with donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, in treating Alzheimer's disease in male albino rats, focusing on the modulation of the BACE-1/GSK-3β pathway. The experiment involved 70 rats categorized into different groups: control, donepezil alone, CoQ10 alone, AD-model, donepezil co-treatment, CoQ10 co-treatment, and CoQ10 + donepezil combination. Various assessments, such as cholinesterase activity, oxidative stress, serum iron profile, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Tau protein, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE-1), phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten), and Glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (GSK-3β), were conducted on behavioral and biochemical aspects. CoQ10 treatment demonstrated memory improvement, enhanced locomotion, and increased neuronal differentiation, mainly through the inhibition of the dual BACE-1/GSK-3β. These findings were substantiated by histological and immunohistological examinations of the hippocampus.

Overexpression of FSP1 Ameliorates ferroptosis via PI3K/ AKT /GSK3β pathway in PC12 cells with Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation

After ischemia and reperfusion (I/R), nerve cell damage is a pathogenic process that involves numerous molecular processes. In the last ten years, one new classification of programmed cell death is ferroptosis. More recent research has demonstrated that ferroptosis has a role in a variety of neurological disorders, including stroke, cancer, and neurodegenerative illnesses. Ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) plays a significant role in inhibiting ferroptosis. The purpose of this work is to determine how overexpression of FSP1 affects the ferroptosis of PC12 cells under the condition of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). The expression of FSP1 was regulated by lentivirus transfection technology. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to measure protein levels related to ferroptosis and the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signal pathway. Determine cell viability using the appropriate kit. Mitochondrial structural morphology was checked by transmission electron microscopy in PC12 cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were quantified using the relevant kits. OGD/R induced ferroptosis in PC12 cells, however, FSP1 overexpression reverses ferroptosis and promotes cell viability, lowering ROS and MDA content. The expression of FSP1 decreased in OGD/R0h and OGD/R6h and rebounded in OGD/R24h and OGD/R48h. During the processes of OGD/R-induced ferroptosis, FSP1 overexpression significantly stimulated PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway, but LY294002 weakens the protective effect of FSP1 overexpression. Our outcomes demonstrate that overexpression of FSP1 markedly enhances the ability to resist ferroptosis via the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway. The above results may provide a new preliminary lead for the treatment of the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

COQ10B Knockdown Modulates Cell Proliferation, Invasion, Migration, and Apoptosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective

Esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignant tumor, accounting for more than 90% of esophageal cancers. However, treatments such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are unable to achieve ideal clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of COQ10B on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells.

Methods

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of COQ10B in ESCC and normal tissues and in ESCC cell lines (KYSE-150 and TE-1). MTT assay and flow cytometry were applied to investigate the effects of COQ10B shRNA lentivirus (LV-shCOQ10B) on ESCC cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The effect of COQ10B silencing on ESCC cell migration and invasion was determined by wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay, respectively.

Results

The expression of COQ10B mRNA in ESCC tissues was higher than that in surrounding tissues. The decreased COQ10B level in KYSE-150 and TE-1 cells by LV-shCOQ10B could inhibit cell proliferation, promote cell apoptosis, and reduce the ability of invasion and migration (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

COQ10B was highly expressed in human ESCC tissues. COQ10B silencing contributed to the inhibition of proliferation, invasion, and migration of ESCC cells and the promotion of cell apoptosis, suggesting COQ10B may be a potential molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.