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Khoshnazar SM, Kazemi M, Amirheidari B. Neuroprotective Effects of [Formula: see text]-Terpinene in Rats with Acute Cerebral Ischemia: Modulation of Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Oxidation. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:1863-1878. [PMID: 38753259 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
The study aimed to assess 𝛾-Terpinene's (𝛾-TER) neuroprotective potential in acute cerebral ischemia, characterized by reduced cerebral blood flow in rats. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), a standard method for inducing cerebral ischemia, was employed in male Wistar rats. 𝛾-TER at varying doses (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administered during reperfusion onset. Neurological outcomes, cerebral infarct size, edema, and enzymatic activities (SOD, GPx, and catalase) in the brain were evaluated using diverse techniques. The study examined gene expression and pathways associated with neuroinflammation and apoptosis using Cytoscape software, identifying the top 10 genes involved. Pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic factors were assessed through real-time PCR and ELISA, while apoptotic cell rates were measured using the TUNEL and Flow cytometry assay. Immunohistochemistry assessed apoptosis-related proteins like Bax and bcl-2 in the ischemic area. 𝛾-TER, particularly at doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg, significantly reduced neurological deficits and cerebral infarction size. The 15 mg/kg dose mitigated TNF-α, IL-1β, Bax, and caspase-3 gene and protein levels in the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum compared to controls. Furthermore, Bcl-2 levels increased in these regions. 𝛾-TER show cased neuroprotective effects by suppressing inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidation. In conclusion, 𝛾-TER, possessing natural anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, shields the brain against ischemic damage by reducing infarction, edema, oxidative stress, and inflammation. It modulates the expression of crucial genes and proteins associated with apoptosis in diverse brain regions. These findings position 𝛾-TER as a potential therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Mahdieh Khoshnazar
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mandana Kazemi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Bagher Amirheidari
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Ma YC, Hao GM, Zhao ZM, Cui N, Fan YL, Zhang SC, Chen JW, Cao YC, Guan FL, Geng JR, Gao BL, Du HL. Effects of Bushen-Tiaojing-Fang on the pregnancy outcomes of infertile patients with repeated controlled ovarian stimulation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15233. [PMID: 34635680 PMCID: PMC8505422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94366-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Bushen-Tiaojing-Fang (BSTJF) is commonly used to treat infertility. This study investigated the effects of BSTJF on the pregnancy outcomes of patients with repeated controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), on mitochondrial function, and on oxidative stress in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) and follicular fluid (FF). The samples and clinical data of 97 patients, including 35 in the control group, 29 in the placebo group and 33 in the BSTJF group, were collected for this study. The mitochondrial ultrastructure, ATP content, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) number, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity levels, and mRNA expression levels of Mn-SOD, GSH-Px, and nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were analyzed. The high-grade embryo (P < 0.001), implantation (P = 0.033), and clinical pregnancy (P = 0.031) rates, as well as the ATP content (P = 0.014), mtDNA number (P = 0.035), GSH-Px activity (P = 0.004 in GCs and P = 0.008 in FF) and mRNA expression levels (P = 0.019), were significantly lower in the placebo group than in the control group, whereas the 8-OHdG content was significantly (P = 0.006 in FF) higher in the placebo group than in the control group. Compared with those in the placebo group, the high-grade embryo rate (P = 0.007), antioxidant enzyme activity (P = 0.037 and 0.036 in Mn-SOD; P = 0.047 and 0.030 in GSH-Px) and mRNA level (P < 0.001 in Nrf2, P = 0.039 in Mn-SOD and P = 0.002 in GSH-Px) were significantly higher in the BSTJF group, as were changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure, ATP (P = 0.040) and mtDNA number (P = 0.013). In conclusion, BSTJF can improve oxidative stress in patients with repeated COS and pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Cong Ma
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050091, China
| | - Gui-Min Hao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Na Cui
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Yan-Li Fan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Shuan-Cheng Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050091, China
| | - Jing-Wei Chen
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050091, China
| | - Yu-Cong Cao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050091, China
| | - Feng-Li Guan
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050091, China
| | - Jing-Ran Geng
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050091, China
| | - Bu-Lang Gao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Hui-Lan Du
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050091, China.
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Ma Y, Zhao Z, Hao G, Cui N, Fan Y, Cao Y, Tan Z, Geng J, Fan L, Du H, Gao B. Effects of multicycle gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocols on oxidative stress of follicular fluid and ovarian granulosa cells. Hum Cell 2021; 34:1324-1334. [PMID: 33963989 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-021-00545-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The effect of repeated multicycle gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) protocols on oxidative stress (OS) in follicular fluid (FF) and ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of repeated multicycle GnRH-ant protocols on OS markers of FF and ovarian GCs. A total of 145 patients were enrolled and divided into four groups: 1 cycle group (n = 42), 2 cycles group (n = 37), 3 cycles group (n = 45), and 4-5 cycles group (n = 21). The FF and ovarian GCs of the patients were collected on the day of last oocyte retrieval and the levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were tested by ELISA. The results showed that the serum estradiol levels on hCG injection day in the 3 and 4-5 cycles were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in the 1 and 2 cycles. The number of retrieved oocytes (12.1 ± 3.3 in cycle 1, 11.7 ± 3.1 in cycle 2, 10.4 ± 2.4 in cycle 3, and 9.4 ± 2.4 in cycles 4-5), embryos with two pronuclei (7.6 ± 3.0 in cycle 1, 7.0 ± 2.5 in cycle 2, 6.2 ± 2.6 in cycle 3, and 5.5 ± 2.1 in cycles 4-5), and the rates of high-quality embryos (52.2% in cycle 1, 47.9% in cycle 2, 38.6% in cycle 3, and 36.5% in cycles 4-5), implantation (35.4% in cycle 1, 32.4% in cycle 2, 23.8% in cycle 3, and 22.9% in cycles 4-5) and clinical pregnancy (50.0% in cycle 1, 43.2% in cycle 2, 33.3% in cycle 3, and 23.8% in cycles 4-5) in cycles 3 and 4-5 were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those in cycles 1 and 2. Compared with 1 and 2 cycles, the 8-OHdG and SOD were significantly increased in the 3-5 cycles, while the CAT and GSH-Px levels were significantly decreased. Together, this study reveals repeated COS with the use of GnRH-ant protocols results in OS and changes the follicle microenvironment of FF and GCs, possibly leading to poor IVF outcomes in patients with 3-5 cycles of COS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucong Ma
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Zhiming Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Guimin Hao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Na Cui
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yanli Fan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yucong Cao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Zhanwang Tan
- Department of Clinical Basics of Chinese Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jingran Geng
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Lijie Fan
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Huilan Du
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
| | - Bulang Gao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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BMP-9 downregulates StAR expression and progesterone production by activating both SMAD1/5/8 and SMAD2/3 signaling pathways in human granulosa-lutein cells obtained from gonadotropins induced ovarian cycles. Cell Signal 2021; 86:110089. [PMID: 34265413 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are expressed in different cell types of the human ovarian follicle and play important roles in the regulation of ovarian function. BMP-9, also known as growth differentiation factor-2 (GDF-2), belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily. BMP-9 is mainly synthesized in the liver and secreted into the blood which allows it to regulate various physiological and pathological functions. To date, the expression of BMP-9 in the human ovary and its function in human granulosa cells remains unknown. In the present study, we detect the protein expression of BMP-9 in the human follicular fluid. Using the primary culture of human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells obtained from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization as a cell model, we show that treatment with BMP-9 downregulates steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) expression and suppresses progesterone (P4) production. The expression levels of the P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) are not affected by BMP-9 treatment. Mechanistically, treatment of hGL cells with BMP-9 activates both SMAD1/5/8 and SMAD2/3 signaling pathways. Blocking the activations of SMAD1/5/8 and SMAD2/3 by pharmacological inhibitors or knockdown of SMAD4 attenuates the inhibitory effects of BMP-9 on StAR expression and P4 production. This study reveals a novel function of BMP-9 in the regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis.
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De Conto E, Matte U, Cunha-Filho JS. BMP-6 and SMAD4 gene expression is altered in cumulus cells from women with endometriosis-associated infertility. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2020; 100:868-875. [PMID: 32524577 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oocyte competence and quality depend on communication between the oocyte and the cumulus and theca cells. In the preantral phase, the members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily are responsible for this communication and play an important role in folliculogenesis. Members of the TGF-β superfamily are related to endometriosis (overexpression in the ectopic endometrium); however, few studies have explored these proteins as influencing fertility in endometriosis. Considering endometriosis-related infertility and to better understand the role of the TGF-β superfamily members in the antral phase in women with endometriosis, this research investigated the gene expression of the genes for ligands AMH, BMP-6, GDF-9, INHA, INHBB, and TGFβ3; receptors AMHR2, BMPR2, and TGFβR3; and intracellular signalling: SMAD3 and SMAD4. MATERIAL AND METHODS The gene expression of AMH, BMP-6, GDF-9, INHA, INHBB, TGFβ3, AMHR2, BMPR2, TGFβR3, SMAD3, and SMAD4 in cumulus cells was investigated through quantitative real-time PCR in a case-control study including infertile women with and without peritoneal endometriosis undergoing in vitro fertilization. RESULTS Age and outcomes of assisted reproduction were similar between the groups (P > .05). However, women with endometriosis showed reduced expression of BMP-6 and SMAD4 (P < .05) in cumulus cells compared with the control group, other genes did not present altered gene expression in women with endometriosis (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS The reduced expression of BMP-6 and SMAD4 in women with peritoneal endometriosis compared with the control group indicates that granulosa (cumulus) cell function could be altered in these women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily De Conto
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ursula Matte
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - João Sabino Cunha-Filho
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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The Many Microenvironments of Ovarian Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1296:199-213. [PMID: 34185294 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-59038-3_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most common and deadly subtype of ovarian cancer as it is commonly diagnosed after substantial metastasis has already occurred. The past two decades have been an active era in HGSOC research, with new information on the origin and genomic signature of the tumor cell. Additionally, studies have begun to characterize changes in the HGSOC microenvironment and examine the impact of these changes on tumor progression and response to therapies. While this knowledge may provide valuable insight into better prognosis and treatments for HGSOCs, its collection, synthesis, and application are complicated by the number of unique microenvironments in the disease-the initiating site (fallopian tube), first metastasis (ovary), distal metastases (peritoneum), and recurrent/platinum-resistant setting. Here, we review the state of our understanding of these diverse sites and highlight remaining questions.
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