Aloin and CPT-11 combination activates miRNA-133b and downregulates IGF1R- PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MEK/ERK pathways to inhibit colorectal cancer progression

CPT-11 is one of the drugs employed in colorectal cancer treatment and has faced challenges in the form of resistance. The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor is a tyrosine kinase receptor that mediates cancer cell survival and drug resistance. It is frequently overexpressed in colorectal cancer and has previously been identified as a microRNA target. MicroRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene function by suppressing messenger RNA translation. Studies have demonstrated that natural compounds can regulate microRNA function and their target genes. Therefore, combining natural compounds with existing cancer drugs can enhance the therapeutic efficacy. We investigated a natural compound, Aloin, for the potential sensitization of colorectal cancer to CPT-11. We used western blot, MTT cell viability assay, flow cytometry, and microRNA/gene knockdown and overexpression experiments, as well as an in vivo mouse model. Our investigation revealed that combining Aloin with CPT-11 exerts an enhanced anti-tumor effect in colorectal cancer. This combination reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis, both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, this combination upregulated miRNA-133b, while downregulating the IGF1R and its downstream MEK/ERK, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Our findings suggests that CPT-11 and Aloin are potential combination treatment partners against colorectal cancer. MicroRNA-133b may serve as a co-therapeutic target with IGF1R against colorectal cancer, which might overcome the existing treatment limitations.

Rewiring of IGF1 secretion and enhanced IGF1R signaling induced by co-chaperone carboxyl-terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein in adipose-derived stem cells provide augmented cardioprotection in aging-hypertensive rats

Aging-associated cardiovascular diseases depend on the longitudinal deterioration of stem cell dynamics. The entire mechanism behind it is not completely understood. However, many studies suggest that endocrine pathways, particularly the insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF1) signaling pathway are involved in cardioprotection, especially in stem-cell treatments. Here, we investigated the role of a co-chaperone, carboxyl-terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein (CHIP) in the aspects of growth factor secretion and receptor stabilization in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Briefly, we overexpressed CHIP in rat adipose-derived stem cells (rADSCs) and explored the consequences in vitro, and in vivo, in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Our data revealed that CHIP overexpression in rADSCs promoted the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) as per immunoblot/cytokine array analysis. We also found that these results were dependent on the nuclear translocation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in rADSCs. Further, the CHIP co-chaperone was also involved in the stabilization of the receptor of IGF1 (IGF1R); interactions between the beta transmembrane region of IGF1R, and the tetracopeptide repeat (TPR) domain of CHIP were evident. Importantly, after the transplantation of lentiviral CHIP overexpression of rADSCs (rADSCsCHIP-WT) into nine months aging-SHR led to an increase in their cardiac function - increased ejection fraction and fractional shortening (≈15% vs. control SHR) - as well as a decrease in their heart size and heart rate, respectively. Altogether, our results support the use of CHIP overexpressing stem cells for the mitigation of cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling associated with late-stage hypertension.

Human adipose-derived stem cells preconditioned with a novel herbal formulation Jing Shi attenuate doxorubicin-induced cardiac damage

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a considerable contributor to global disease burden. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used to treat cardiovascular diseases since antiquity. Enhancing stem cell-mediated recovery through CHM represents a promising approach for protection against doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Herein, we investigated whether human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) preconditioned with novel herbal formulation Jing Si (JS) improved protective ability of stem cells against doxorubicin-induced cardiac damage. The effect of JS on hADSC viability and migration capacity was determined via MTT and migration assays, respectively. Co-culture of hADSC or JS-preconditioned hADSCs with H9c2 cells was analyzed with immunoblot, flow cytometry, TUNEL staining, LC3B staining, F-actin staining, and MitoSOX staining. The in vivo study was performed M-mode echocardiography after the treatment of JS and JS-preconditioned hADSCs by using Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Our results indicated that JS at doses below 100 μg/mL had less cytotoxicity in hADSC and JS-preconditioned hADSCs exhibited better migration. Our results also revealed that DOX enhanced apoptosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in DOX-challenged H9c2 cells, while H9c2 cells co-cultured with JS-preconditioned hADSCs alleviated these effects. It also enhanced the expression of autophagy marker LC3B, mTOR and CHIP in DOX-challenged H9c2 cells after co-culture with JS-preconditioned hADSCs. In Dox-challenged rats, the ejection fraction and fractional shortening improved in DOX-challenged SD rats exposed to JS-preconditioned hADSCs. Taken together, our data indicate that JS-preconditioned stem cells exhibit a cardioprotective capacity both in vitro and in vivo, highlighting the value of this therapeutic approach for regenerative therapy.

Calycosin inhibits gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells proliferation through modulation of the LDOC1/GNL3L/NFκB

Lung cancer is the most common malignant cancer worldwide. Combination therapies are urgently needed to increase patient survival. Calycosin is a phytoestrogen isoflavone that has been reported previously to inhibit tumor cell growth, although its effects on lung cancer remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of calycosin on cell proliferation and apoptosis of gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells. Using calycosin to treat human lung cancer cells (CL1-0) and gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells (CL1-0 GEMR) and examine the effects on the cells. Cultured human lung cancer cells (CL1-0) and gemcitabine-resistant lung cancer cells (CL1-0 GEMR) were treated with increasing concentrations of calycosin. Cell viability and apoptosis were studied by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assays. Western blots were used to measure the expression levels of proliferation-related proteins and cancer stem cell proteins in CL1-0 GEMR cells. The results showed that calycosin treatment inhibited cell proliferation, decreased cell migration ability, and suppressed cancer stem cell properties in CL1-0 GEMR cells. Interestingly, in CL1-0 GEMR cells, calycosin treatment not only increased LDOC1 but also decreased GNL3L/NFκB protein levels and mRNA levels, in concentration-dependent manners. We speculate that calycosin inhibited cell proliferation of the gemcitabine-resistant cell line through regulating the LDOC1/GNL3L/NFκB pathway.

Diosgenin Attenuates Myocardial Cell Apoptosis Triggered by Oxidative Stress through Estrogen Receptor to Activate the PI3K/Akt and ERK Axes

Cardiovascular diseases in post-menopausal women are on a rise. Oxidative stress is the main contributing factor to the etiology and pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Diosgenin, a member of steroidal sapogenin, is structurally similar to estrogen and has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of diosgenin in preventing oxidation-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and assessed its potential as a substitute substance for estrogen in post-menopausal women. Apoptotic pathways and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells and neonatal cardiomyocytes treated with diosgenin for 1[Formula: see text]h prior to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) stimulation. H₂O₂-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells displayed cytotoxicity and apoptosis via the activation of both Fas-dependent and mitochondria-dependent pathways. Additionally, it led to the instability of the mitochondrial membrane potential. However, the H₂O₂-induced H9c2 cell apoptosis was rescued by diosgenin through IGF1 survival pathway activation. This led to the recovery of the mitochondrial membrane potential by suppressing the Fas-dependent and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Diosgenin also inhibited H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis through the estrogen receptor interaction with PI3K/Akt and extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 activation in myocardial cells. In this study, we confirmed that diosgenin attenuated H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis through estrogen receptors-activated phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways in myocardial cells via estrogen receptor interaction. All results suggest that H₂O₂-induced myocardial damage is reduced by diosgenin due to its interaction with estrogen receptors to decrease the damage. Herein, we conclude that diosgenin might be a potential substitute substance for estrogen in post-menopausal women to prevent heart diseases.

Ohwia caudata extract relieves the IL-17A-induced inflammatory response of synoviocytes through modulation of SOCS3 and JAK2/STAT3 activation

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes accumulation, proliferation and activation, and the subsequent inflammatory mediators production play a key role in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is well established that Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling triggers inflammation, and induces cytokine levels in RA. Ohwia caudata have long been used against many disorders. However, in RA, the effects of O. caudata have not been elucidated. In the current study, synoviocytes were used to evaluate the suppressive effects of O. caudate extract (OCE) on the pro-inflammatory cytokines production. In vitro, the underlying mechanisms by which OCE inhibits inflammatory response through regulation of suppressors of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and JAK2/STAT3 expression in IL-17A-treated HIG-82 synoviocytes were investigated. The results demonstrated that the proliferation of IL-17A-challenged cells were increased in comparison with non-stimulated control cells. The synoviocyte proliferation was decreased significantly of OCE concentrations in dose dependent manner. The p-JAK2, p-STAT3, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were reduced in IL-17A-challenged cells treated with OCE. Furthermore, AZD1480 (a JAK2-specific inhibitor) or WP1066 (a STAT3-specific inhibitor) affected the inflammatory mediators production in IL-17A-challenged synoviocytes, and OCE failed to mitigate the IL-17A-induced inflammatory mediators and SOCS3, acting as a feedback inhibitor of the JAK/STAT3 pathway, in the presence of SOCS3 siRNA, indicating that the beneficial effects of OCE on the regulation of inflammatory response homeostasis were dependent on SOCS3 and the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Our study also showed that SOCS3 was markedly activated by OCE in RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes, thereby decreasing the JAK/STAT3 pathway, and the IL-1β, and IL-6 activation. Thus, O. caudate should be further investigated as a candidate anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent.

Cardiac-specific overexpression of insulin-like growth factor II receptor-α interferes with the regulation of calcium homeostasis in the heart under hyperglycemic conditions

BACKGROUND

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease caused by inexplicit mechanisms, and a novel factor, insulin-like growth factor II receptor-α (IGF-IIRα), may contribute to aggravating its pathogenesis. We hypothesized that IGF-IIRα could intensify diabetic heart injury.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To demonstrate the potential role of IGF-IIRα in the diabetic heart, we used (SD-TG [IGF-IIRα]) transgenic rat model with cardiac-specific overexpression of IGF-IIRα, along with H9c2 cells, to study the effects of IGF-IIRα in the heart under hyperglycemic conditions. IGF-IIRα was found to remodel calcium homeostasis and intracellular Ca2+ overload-induced autophagy disturbance in the heart during diabetes. IGF-IIRα overexpression induced intracellular Ca2+ alteration by downregulating phosphorylated phospholamban/sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase 2a (PLB/SERCA2a), resulting in the suppression of Ca2+ uptake into the endoplasmic reticulum. Additionally, IGF-IIRα itself contributed to Ca2+ withdrawal from the endoplasmic reticulum by increasing the expression of CaMKIIδ in the active form. Furthermore, alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis significantly dysregulated autophagy in the heart during diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reveals the novel role of IGF-IIRα in regulating cardiac intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and its related autophagy interference, which contribute to the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In future, the present study findings have implications in the development of appropriate therapy to reduce diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Insulin-like growth factor II receptor alpha overexpression in heart aggravates hyperglycemia-induced cardiac inflammation and myocardial necrosis

Diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications are mainly associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. Insulin-like growth factor II receptor α (IGF-IIRα) is a cardiac risk factor. In this study, we hypothesized IGF-IIRα could also deteriorate diabetic heart injury. The results presented that both in vivo transgenic Sprague-Dawley rat model with specific IGF-IIRα overexpression in the heart and in vitro myocardium H9c2 cells were used to investigate the negative function of IGF-IIRα in diabetic hearts. The results showed that IGF-IIRα overexpression aided hyperglycemia in creating more myocardial injury. Pro-inflammatory factors, such as Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Interleukin-6, Cyclooxygenase-2, Inducible nitric oxide synthase, and Nuclear factor-kappaB inflammatory cascade, are enhanced in the diabetic myocardium with cardiac-specific IGF-IIRα overexpression. Correspondingly, IGF-IIRα overexpression in the diabetic myocardium also reduced the PI3K-AKT survival axis and activated mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. Finally, both ejection fraction and fractional shortening were be significantly decrease in diabetic rats with cardiac-specific IGF-IIRα overexpression. Overall, all results provid clear evidence that IGF-IIRα can enhance cardiac damage and is a harmful factor to the heart under high-blood glucose conditions. However, the pathophysiology of IGF-IIRα under different stresses and its downstream regulation in the heart still require further research.

Garcinol protects SH-SY5Y cells against MPP+-induced cell death by activating DJ-1/SIRT1 and PGC-1α mediated antioxidant pathway in sequential stimulation of p-AMPK mediated autophagy

Parkinson's disease (PD), a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease, can reduce the population of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The cause of this neuronal death remains unclear. 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) is a potent neurotoxin that can destroy dopaminergic (DA) neurons and promote PD. Garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivative, was extracted from Garcinia indica and is an important active compound it has been used as an anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory, agent and it can suppress reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated cell death in a PD model. Human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells (1 × 10⁵  cells) were treated with MPP+ (1 mM) for 24 h to induce cellular ROS production. The formation of ROS was suppressed by pretreatment with different concentrations of garcinol (0.5 and 1.0 μM) for 3 h in SH-SY5Y cells. The present study found that MPP+ treatment increased the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the increased ROS began to promote cell death in SH-SY5Y cells. However, our natural compound garcinol effectively blocked MPP+-mediated ROS formation by activating the DJ-1/SIRT1 and PGC-1α mediated antioxidant pathway. Further findings indicate that the activated SIRT1 can also regulate p-AMPK-mediated autophagy to protect the neurons from the damage it concludes that garcinol sub-sequential regulates intracellular autophagy in this model, and the productive efficacy of garcinol was confirmed by western blot analysis and MitoSOX DCFDA and MTT assays. The results showed garcinol increased protection due to the prevention of MPP+-induced ROS and the promotion of cell survival.

Ginkgolide A improves the pleiotropic function and reinforces the neuroprotective effects by mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in 6-OHDA-induced cell model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common disorder attributed to the loss of midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons and reduced dopamine secretion. Currently, the treatment regimes for PD comprise deep brain stimulations, however, it attenuates the PD progression marginally and does not improve neuronal cell death. We investigated the function of Ginkgolide A (GA) to reinforce Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) for treating the in vitro model of PD. GA enhanced the self-renewal, proliferation, and cell homing function of WJMSCs as assessed by MTT and transwell co-culture assay with a neuroblastoma cell line. GA pre-treated WJMSCs can restore 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cell death in a co-culture assay. Furthermore, exosomes isolated from GA pre-treated WJMSCs significantly rescued 6-OHDA-induced cell death as determined by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assay. Western blotting showed that apoptosis-related proteins were decreased following GA-WJMSCs exosomal treatment which further improved mitochondrial dysfunction. We further demonstrated that exosomes isolated from GA-WJMSCs could restore autophagy using immunofluorescence staining and immunoblotting assay. Finally, we used the alpha-synuclein recombinant protein and found that exosomes derived from GA-WJMSCs led to the reduced aggregation of alpha-synuclein compared to that in control. Our results suggested that GA could be a potential candidate for strengthening stem cell and exosome therapy for PD.

Platycodin D confers oxaliplatin Resistance in Colorectal Cancer by activating the LATS2/YAP1 axis of the hippo signaling pathway

Oxaliplatin-based therapy is used as a first-line drug to treat metastatic colorectal cancer. However, long-term and repeated drug treatment resulted in drug resistance and the failure of chemotherapy. Various natural compounds were previously reported to act as chemosensitizers to reverse drug resistance. In this study, we found that platycodin D (PD), a saponin found in Platycodon grandiflorum, inhibited LoVo and OR-LoVo cells proliferation, invasion, and migration ability. Our results indicated that combined treatment of oxaliplatin with PD dramatically reduced the cellular proliferation in both LoVo and OR-LoVo cells. Furthermore, treatment with PD dose-dependently decreased LATS2/YAP1 hippo signaling and survival marker p-AKT expression, as well as increased cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor proteins such as p21 and p27 expression. Importantly, PD activates and promotes YAP1 degradation through the ubiquitination and proteasome pathway. The nuclear transactivation of YAP was significantly reduced under PD treatment, leading to transcriptional inhibition of the downstream genes regulating cell proliferation, pro-survival, and metastasis. In conclusion, our results showed that PD is suitable as a promising agent for overcoming oxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer.

Overexpression of cardiac-specific IGF-IIRα accelerates the development of liver dysfunction through STZ-induced diabetic hepatocyte damage in transgenic rats

This study reports the effect of cardiac-specific insulin-like growth factor-II receptor α (IGF-IIRα) overexpression on the development of liver dysfunction in transgenic rats via STZ-induced diabetic hepatocyte damage. The cardio-hepatic syndrome comprises a number of heart and liver illnesses in which an acute or chronic disease in one organ can lead to acute or chronic disease in the other. However, the molecular mechanism involved in such a set of conditions is unclear. In this study, we developed a transgenic rat model with cardiac-specific overexpression of IGF-IIRα, which is a supplementary splicing variant of insulin-like growth factor-II receptor (IGF-IIR), expressed in pathological hearts, to investigate the relationship between late fetal gene expression in diabetic hearts and their influence on diabetic hepatopathy. STZ (55 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally delivered into IGF-IIR overexpressed transgenic (TG) and non-transgenic (NTG) animal models developed in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after an overnight fast. The relationship among IGF-IIRα overexpression and hepatocyte damages have been determined based on the complexity of damage in the liver. Our findings revealed that overexpression of the cardiac-specific IGF-IIRα enhances diabetes-induced morphological alterations and hepatic inflammation in the livers. The diabetic transgenic rats demonstrated the development of pathological conditions such as thick collagen fiber deposition, bridging fibrosis, and elevation of α-SMA and MMP1 related liver fibrosis mechanisms. Our data suggest that IGF-IIRα overexpression in the heart during a pathological state may worsen diabetic hepatopathy in rats.

Artemisia Leaf Extract protects against neuron toxicity by TRPML1 activation and promoting autophagy/mitophagy clearance in both in vitro and in vivo models of MPP+/MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Cellular clearance mechanisms, including the autophagy-lysosome pathway, are commonly affected in the pathogenesis of PD. The lysosomal Ca²⁺ channel mucolipin TRP channel 1 (TRPML1) is one of the most important proteins involved in the regulation of autophagy. Artemisia argyi Lev. et Vant., is a traditional Chinese herb, that has diverse therapeutic properties and is used to treat patients with skin diseases and oral ulcers. However, the neuroprotective effects of A. argyi are not explored yet.

HYPOTHESIS

This study aims is to investigate the neuroprotective effects of A. argyi in promoting the TRPML1-mediated autophagy/mitophagy-enhancing effect METHODS: In this study, we used 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP+)-induced PD model established in an SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line as well as in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridine (MPTP)-induced PD model in C57BL/6 J mice. MTT assay was conducted to measure the cell viability and further MitoSoX and DCFDA assay were used to measure the ROS. Western blot analysis was used to access levels of TRPML1, p-DRP1 (ser616), p-AKT, PI3K, and β-catenin, Additionally, IF and IHC analysis to investigate the expression of TRPML1, LC3B, β-catenin, TH+, α-synuclein. Mitotracker stain was used to check mitophagy levels and a lysosomal intracellular activity kit was used to measure the lysosomal dysfunction. Behavioral studies were conducted by rotarod and grip strength experiments to check motor functions.

RESULTS

In our in vitro study, A. argyi rescued the MPP+-induced loss of cell viability and reduced the accumulation of mitochondrial and total reactive oxygen species (ROS). Subsequently, it increased the expression of TRPML1 protein, thereby inducing autophagy, which facilitated the clearance of toxic accumulation of α-synuclein. Furthermore, A. argyi played a neuroprotective role by activating the PI3K/AKT/β-catenin cell survival pathway. MPP+-mediated mitochondrial damage was overcome by upregulation of mitophagy and downregulation of the mitochondrial fission regulator p-DRP1 (ser616) in SH-SY5Y cells. In the in vivo study, A. argyi ameliorated impaired motor function and rescued TH+ neurons in the SNpc region. Similar to the results of the in vitro study, TRPML1, LC3B, and β-catenin expression was enhanced in the SNpc region in the A. argyi-treated mice brain.

CONCLUSION

Thus, our results first demonstrate that A. argyi can exert neuroprotective effects by stimulating TRPML1 and rescuing neuronal cells by boosting autophagy/mitophagy and upregulating a survival pathway, suggesting that A. argyi can further be exploited to slow the progression of PD.

Curcumin-Pretreated Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Enhance the Neuroprotective Ability to Repair Rheumatoid Arthritis-Induced Damage in the Rat Brain

Neurodegenerative diseases have become increasingly prevalent in the aged population. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes systemic inflammation, damaging the neurons. However, only a few treatment options can reduce RA-induced neurodegeneration. This study aimed to evaluate whether adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) pretreated with curcumin could ameliorate RA-induced neurodegenerative illness in an RA rat model. Wistar rats were randomly classified into the following four groups: control, RA, RA + ADSC (1 × 10⁶ cells per rat), and RA + curcumin-pretreated ADSC (1 × 10⁶ cells per rat). After treatment for two months, the effects were specifically evaluated in the brains collected from the rats. Our results demonstrated that the transplantation of curcumin-pretreated ADSCs substantially reduced inflammation and apoptosis in the cortices of RA rats compared to those of other groups. Thus, the combination of ADSCs and curcumin exerts a synergistic effect in enhancing neuronal protection in RA rats. In the future, this combination therapeutic strategy can potentially be used as a novel treatment method to reduce RA-induced neurodegenerative disorders.

Artemisia argyi exhibits anti-aging effects through decreasing the senescence in aging stem cells

Aging is accompanied by functional loss of many cellular pathways, creating an increased risk of many age-related complications (ARC). Aging causes stem cell exhaustion with a concomitant increase in cellular dysfunction. Recently, interest in senotherapeutics has been growing rapidly to promote healthy aging and as an intervention for ARCs. This research focused on screening the senomorphic properties of Artemisia argyi, as an emerging strategy for longevity, and prevention or treatment of ARCs. In this study, we aimed to find the clinical efficacy of daily consumption of Artemisia argyi water extract (AAW) on aging. In vitro 0.1μM Doxorubicin induced senescent human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells was treated with different concentrations of AAW to show its anti-aging effect. 15 months old SHR rats (n=6) were treated with 7.9 mg/ml AAW for 4 weeks and anti-aging effect was evaluated. In vitro study showed the protective effect of AAW in telomere shortening and helps in maintaining a balance in the expression of anti-aging protein Klotho and TERT. AAW effectively reduced mitochondrial superoxide and also provided a protective shield against senescence markers like over-expression of p21 and formation of double strand breaks, which is known to cause premature aging. Moreover, animal studies indicated that AAW promoted the expression of Klotho in naturally aging rats. In addition, AAW successfully restored the decline cardiac function and improved the grip strength and memory of aging rat. These findings showed that therapeutic targeting of senescent stem cells by AAW restored stem cell homeostasis and improves overall health.

Isoliquiritigenin ameliorates advanced glycation end-products toxicity on renal proximal tubular epithelial cells

Diabetic nephropathy is a serious chronic complication affecting at least 25% of diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia associated advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) increase tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (TEMT) and extracellular matrix synthesis and thereby causes renal fibrosis. The chalcone isoliquiritigenin, found in many herbs of Glycyrrhiza family, is known for potential health-promoting effects. However, their effects on AGE-associated renal proximal tubular fibrosis are not known yet. In this study, the effect of isoliquiritigenin on AGE-induced renal proximal tubular fibrosis was determined in cultured HK-2 cell line. The results show that 200 μg/mL of AGE-induced TEMT and the formed myofibroblasts synthesized collagen to increase extracellular matrix formation thereby lead to renal tubular fibrosis. However, treatment with 200 nM of isoliquiritigenin considerably inhibited the TEMT and suppressed the TGFβ/STAT3 mechanism to inhibit collagen secretion. Therefore, isoliquiritigenin effectively suppressed AGE-induced renal tubular fibrosis.

ZAKβ Alleviates Oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-Induced Apoptosis and B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Upregulation in Cardiomyoblast

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is a type of modified cholesterol that promotes apoptosis and inflammation and advances the progression of heart failure. Leucine-zipper and sterile-α motif kinase (ZAK) is a kinase of the MAP3K family which is highly expressed in the heart and encodes two variants, ZAKα and ZAKβ. Our previous study serendipitously found opposite effects of ZAKα and ZAKβ in which ZAKβ antagonizes ZAKα-induced apoptosis and hypertrophy of the heart. This study aims to test the hypothesis of whether ZAKα and ZAKβ are involved in the damaging effects of ox-LDL in the cardiomyoblast. Cardiomyoblast cells H9c2 were treated with different concentrations of ox-LDL. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by MTT and TUNEL assay, respectively. Western blot was used to detect apoptosis, hypertrophy, and pro-survival signaling proteins. Plasmid transfection, pharmacological inhibition with D2825, and siRNA transfection were utilized to upregulate or downregulate ZAKβ, respectively. Ox-LDL concentration-dependently reduces the viability and expression of several pro-survival proteins, such as phospho-PI3K, phospho-Akt, and Bcl-xL. Furthermore, ox-LDL increases cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 as indicators of apoptosis and increases B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) as an indicator of hypertrophy. Overexpression of ZAKβ by plasmid transfection attenuates apoptosis and prevents upregulation of BNP. Importantly, these effects were abolished by inhibiting ZAKβ either by D2825 or siZAKβ application. Our results suggest that ZAKβ upregulation in response to ox-LDL treatment confers protective effects on cardiomyoblast.

Arecoline induces cardiotoxicity by upregulating and activating cardiac hypertrophy-related pathways in Sprague-Dawley rats

Habitual chewing of the areca nut increases the risk of mortality owing to cardiovascular disease, but few reports have revealed the cardiotoxicity mechanism of the areca nut. Arecoline has been reported to be the primary toxic constituent in the areca nut. In order to study the acute cardiotoxicity of the areca nut in the development of pathologic heart hypertrophy, we induced heart injury in rats using arecoline. Arecoline at a low dosage (5 mg/kg/day) or a high dosage (50 mg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally injected to Sprague-Dawley rats for 21 days. The change of heart function and biochemical pathways were investigated with echocardiography and Western blot. The results were presented that heart functions were weakened by arecoline stimulation, and western blotting analysis revealed an elevation in BNP levels in the heart after arecoline exposure. Arecoline induced IL-6-mediated activation of the MEK5/ERK5 and JAK2/STAT3 pathways, as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascades. Further, arecoline increased the calcineurin and NFATc3 levels in the heart. In summary, our results suggest that arecoline causes significantly cardiotoxicity and heart damage by inducing several hypertrophy-related signaling pathways, including IL-6-induced MEK5/ERK5, JAK2/STAT3, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and calcineurin signaling pathways. The study elucidated, for the first time, the possible cardiac hypertrophy mechanisms underlying the cardiotoxicity of the areca nut.

Tanshinone IIA inhibits Leu27IGF-II-induced insulin-like growth factor receptor II signaling and myocardial apoptosis via estrogen receptor-mediated Akt activation

Different stress condition stimulates the expression level of insulin-like growth factor receptor II (IGF-IIR) in cardiomyoblasts that lead to apoptosis. Tanshinone IIA (TSN), a pharmacologically active component from Danshen, has been shown cardioprotective effects against cardiac apoptosis induced by several stress conditions. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the cardioprotective effects of TSN IIA mediated through the estrogen receptor (ER) in order to inhibit the Leu27IGF-II-enhanced IGF-IIR-mediated cardiac apoptosis. The estrogenic activity of TSN IIA was examined after myocardial cells were pretreated with the ER antagonist, and inhibited the phospho-inositide-3 kinase (PI3K). Here, we found that TSN IIA significantly induced ER that phosphorylated Akt. Further, Akt activation considerably suppressed the Leu27IGF-II induced IGF-IIR expression level and the downstream effectors, including Gαq and calcineurin as well as mitochondrial dependent apoptosis proteins including Bad, cytochrome c, and active caspase-3 that result in cardiac apoptosis resistance. However, the western blot analysis, JC-1 staining, and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay revealed that TSN IIA attenuated Leu27IGF-II-induced IGF-IIR mediated cardiac apoptosis was reversed by an ER antagonist such as ICI 182780, and PI3K inhibition. All these findings demonstrate that TSN IIA exerts estrogenic activity, which can activate PI3K-Akt pathway, and thereby inhibits Leu27IGFII induced IGF-IIR mediated cardiac apoptosis. Thus, TSN IIA can be considered as an effective therapeutic strategy against IGF-IIR signaling cascade to suppress cardiac apoptosis.

Cardioprotective effects of transplanted adipose-derived stem cells under Ang II stress with Danggui administration augments cardiac function through upregulation of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in late-stage hypertension rats

In aging hypertensive conditions, deterioration of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) cause a pathological impact on hypertensive hearts with an increased Ang II level. Recovering these adverse conditions through transplanted adipose-derived stem cells is a challenging approach. Moreover, Danggui, a Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is used for the treatment of cardioprotective effects. In this study, to evaluate whether the combined effect of MSCs and TCM can recover the cardiac function in late-stage hypertension rats. We observed that lower dose of Danggui crude extract treatment showed an increased level of cell viability with maintained stemness properties and growth rate in rat adipose-derived stem cells (rADSCs). Further, we cocultured the H9c2 cells with rADSCs and the results revealed that Danggui-treated MSCs enhanced the IGF1R expression and attenuated the hypertrophy in H9c2 cells against Ang II challenge by immunoblot and rhodamine-phalloidin staining. In addition, Danggui crude extract was also quantified and characterized by HPLC and LC-MS analysis. Furthermore, the in vivo study was performed by considering 11 months old rats (n = 7). Importantly, the oral administration of Danggui crude extract with stem cells intravenous injection in SHR-D-ADSCs group showed a combination effect to augment the cardiac function through enhancement of ejection fraction, fractional shortening, contractility function in the late-stage hypertension conditions. We have also observed a decreased apoptosis rate in the heart tissue of SHR-D-ADSCs group. Taken together, these results indicate that the combinatorial effects of Danggui crude extract and stem cell therapy enhanced cardiac function in late-stage SHR rats.

Poria cocos (Fuling) targets TGFβ/Smad7 associated collagen accumulation and enhances Nrf2-antioxidant mechanism to exert anti-skin aging effects in human dermal fibroblasts

Oxidative stress is a major cause of aging related skin injuries. Hydrogen peroxide related ROS accumulation triggers increase in matrix metalloproteinases and elevated collagen degradation, which is a characteristic of skin aging. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of Poria cocos, used widely in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, against H₂ O₂ induced oxidative stress. The aqueous extract of dried P. cocos was obtained by heating 10 g in 500 ml of distilled water. The mixture was evaporated up to 400 ml and the remaining 100 ml was filtered through muslin cloth repeatedly to obtain a clear aqueous extract of the P. cocos. Hs68 human dermal fibroblast cells were challenged with 100 μM of H₂ O₂ for 24 h. Following H₂ O₂ challenge, the cells were treated with increasing concentration of P. cocos extract (100-400 μg/ml) for 24 h. P. cocos extract hindered the H₂ O₂ induced cell death significantly that was correlated with reduction in ROS accumulation. Western blot analysis show that P. cocos extract suppressed the expression of metallomatrix proteinases, inflammatory markers and skin aging markers, but increased TGF-β1 levels and antioxidant related proteins. These data suggest that P. cocos is effective in attenuating oxidative stress associated skin aging effects and may be a potential agent in cosmetics products.

Inhibition of cell death-inducing p53 target 1 through miR-210-3p overexpression attenuates reactive oxygen species and apoptosis in rat adipose-derived stem cells challenged with Angiotensin II

Hypoxic preconditioning is a well-known strategy to improve the survival and therapeutic potential of stem cells against various challenges including hemodynamic and neurohormonal modulations. However, the mechanism involved in hypoxia-induced benefits on stem cells is still ambiguous. In pathological hypertension, the elevation of the neurohormonal mediator Angiotensin II (Ang II) causes the adverse effects to stem cells. In this study, we investigate the effect and mechanism of action of short term hypoxia-inducible miRNA in suppressing the effects of AngII on stem cells. According to the results obtained, Ang II affects the normal cell cycle and triggers apoptosis in rADSCs with a corresponding increase in the expression of cell death-inducing p53 target 1 (CDIP1) protein. However, the short term hypoxia-inducible miRNA-miR-210-3p was found to target CDIP1 and reduce their levels upon the Ang II challenge. CDIP1 induces stress-mediated apoptosis involving the extrinsic apoptosis pathway via Bid/Bax/cleaved caspase3 activation. Administration of mimic miR-210-3p targets CDIP1 mRNA by binding to the 3' UTR region as confirmed by dual luciferase assay and also reduced Ang II-induced mitochondrial ROS accumulation as analyzed by MitoSOX staining. Moreover, the present study demonstrates the mechanism of miR-210-3p in the regulation of Ang II-induced CDIP1-associated apoptotic pathway in rADSCs.

Bioactive peptides attenuate cardiac apoptosis in spontaneously hypertensive rat hearts through activation of autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis pathway

Alcalase potato protein hydrolysate (APPH) might have a very important role in therapeutic effects. This study aims to examine the beneficial effects of bioactive peptides (DIKTNKPVIF [DI] and IF) from APPH supplement in the regulation of cardiac apoptosis, autophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). We have investigated ejection fraction, fractional shortening, Tunel assay, apoptosis, autophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis pathway marker expression to show the efficacy of bioactive peptides in an SHR model. Bioactive peptides significantly upregulate ejection fraction and fractional shortening in SHR rats. SHR rats exhibited higher protein expression of apoptotic markers such as BAD, cytochrome c, and caspase 3. Finally, the bioactive peptides upregulate survival proteins (p-AKT/p-PI3K), autophagy (Beclin1/LC3B), and mitochondrial biogenesis (p-AMPKα/SIRT1/PGC1α/p-Foxo3a/Nrf2/CREB) marker expressions compared with the SHR groups. In summary, the bioactive peptides protect the heart tissues through the activation of autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis pathway and thereby attenuate cardiac apoptosis in a spontaneously hypertensive rat model.

Deep sea minerals ameliorate diabetic-induced inflammation via inhibition of TNFα signaling pathways

It has been well-documented that the consumption of deep sea water (DSW) has beneficial effects on myocardial hypertrophy and cardiac apoptosis induced by hypercholesterolemia. However, the molecular mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory effects of DSW on diabetic cardiomyopathy are still largely unclear. The main purpose of this present study was to test the hypothesis that DSW exerts anti-inflammatory effects through the suppression of the TNF-α-mediated signaling pathways. IP injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at the dose of 65 mg/kg was used to establish a diabetes rat model. DSW mineral extracts that diluted in desalinated water were prepared in three different dosages and administered to the rats through gavages for 4 weeks. These dosages are DSW-1X (equivalent to 37 mg Mg²⁺ /kg/day), 2X (equivalent to 74 mg Mg²⁺ /kg/day) and 3X (equivalent to 111 mg Mg²⁺ mg/kg/day). Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot showed that the protein expression level of TNF-α was markedly higher in the STZ-induced diabetic rat hearts than in the control group. Consequently, the phosphorylation levels of the TNF-α-modulated downstream signaling molecules and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were notably elevated in heart tissues of STZ-induced diabetes. These higher phosphorylation levels subsequently upregulated NF-κB-modulated inflammatory mediators, such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-II and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). However, treatment with DSW as well as MgSO₄ , the main mineral in DSW, significantly reversed all the alterations. These findings suggest that DSW has potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing diabetes-related cardiovascular diseases.

LPS-enhanced IGF-IIR pathway to induce H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell hypertrophy was attenuated by Carthamus tinctorius extract via IGF-IR activation

The use of herbs as alternative cardiovascular disease treatment has attracted a great deal of attention owing to their lower toxicity. Whether Carthamus tinctorius extract prevent cardiomyoblast cell hypertrophy remains unclear. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of C tinctorius extract (CTF) on rat cardiomyoblast cell H9c2 and the possible molecular mechanisms. H9c2 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 2 μg/mL) for 12 hours, subsequently treated with CTF (1-25 μg/mL) The incubation continued for another 24 hours, and the cells were analyzed with actin staining assay, western blot analysis, and siRNA transfection assays. In the present study, the increased cell size induced by LPS was significantly decreased by pretreating at a concentration of 1-25 μg/mL CTF. It was found that CTF could inhibit cardiac hypertrophy induced by LPS and decrease hypertrophic proteins calcineurin, p-GATA-4, GATA-4, atrial natriuretic peptide, and B-type natriuretic peptide levels in H9c2 cells. Additionally, LPS-induced insulin-like growth factor-II receptor (IGF-IIR) hypertrophy pathway was downregulated by CTF. Moreover, IGF-IR siRNA or inhibitors both reversed the CTF effects, confirming that CTF activates IGF-1R to prevent LPS-induced H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell hypertrophy. The current findings indicate that CTF activates IGF-IR to inhibit IGF-IIR signaling pathway which resulted in reducing H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell hypertrophy induced by LPS.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate preconditioned Adipose-derived Stem Cells confer Neuroprotection in aging rat brain

Aging is the most important current issue and is usually accompanied by complications, such as cardiovascular disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, which are the leading causes of death worldwide and the second major cause of death in Taiwan. In this study, we have investigated the protective effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and the role of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in enhancing this effect in aging cerebral cortex of rats. Further, we attempted to elucidate the molecular mechanism through which EGCG influences the protective effects of ADSC. ADSCs, co-cultured with EGCG, were injected into 20-month-old Wistar rats. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of the cerebral cortex revealed noticeable neurogenic activity and visible improvements in the integrity of the pre-frontal cortex tissue, compared to that in rats treated with ADSCs alone. Western blot analysis confirmed that ADSC, co-cultured with EGCG, enhanced cell survival via the p-Akt pathway and improved mitochondrial biogenesis via the SIRT-1 pathway. Moreover, it increased the available brain-derived neurotrophic factor to a higher degree than that in the ADSC group. Furthermore, western blotting showed that EGCG improved the antioxidant activity of the ADSCs in the cortex tissues via the Nrf-2 and HO-1 pathway. Based on these findings, we propose that this variation in stem cell treatment may facilitate functional recovery and enhanced neuroprotection in aged brains.

Functional potato bioactive peptide intensifies Nrf2-dependent antioxidant defense against renal damage in hypertensive rats

Hypertension, which is known as a silent killer, is the second leading cause of kidney failure worldwide. Elevated blood pressure causes approximately 7.6 million deaths, which account for ~13.5% of the total deaths and will continue to rise. High blood pressure is the prime risk factor associated with complications in major organs, including the heart, brain and kidney. High blood pressure accelerates oxidative stress and thereby causes organ dysfunction through the production of reactive oxygen species. In this study, we investigated the renal-protective effects of the bioactive peptide IF from alcalase potato protein hydrolysate in spontaneously hypertensive rat kidney. Sixteen-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats were divided into three groups (n = 6), and Sixteen-week-old Wistar Kyoto rats (n = 6) served as the control group. The rats were administered IF and captopril via oral gavage for 8 weeks and then sacrificed, and their kidneys were harvested. The kidney sections from the rats treated with IF showed restoration of the structure of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule. The expression levels of Nrf2-mediated antioxidants were also increased, as confirmed by 4-hydroxynonenal immunohistochemical staining. The TUNEL assay revealed a significant reduction in the number of apoptotic cells in the IF-treated groups, which was consistent with the western blot results. Thus, the bioactive peptide IF exerts potential protective effects against hypertension-associated ROS-mediated renal damage via the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant pathway along the DJ-1 and AKT axes. Hence, we speculate that IF might have promising therapeutic effects on renal damage associated with hypertension.

Deep ocean minerals inhibit IL-6 and IGFIIR hypertrophic signaling pathways to attenuate diabetes-induced hypertrophy in rat hearts

We previously reported that deep sea water (DSW) prolongs the life span of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats by the compensatory augmentation of the insulin like growth factor (IGF)-I survival signaling and inhibition of apoptosis. Here, we investigated the effects of DSW on cardiac hypertrophy in diabetic rats. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in rats by using STZ (65 mg/kg) administered via IP injection. DSW was prepared by mixing DSW mineral extracts and desalinated water. Different dosages of DSW-1X (equivalent to 37 mg Mg²⁺·kg^-1·day^-1), 2X (equivalent to 74 mg Mg²⁺·kg^-1·day^-1) and 3X (equivalent to 111 mg Mg²⁺·kg^-1·day^-1) were administered to the rats through gavage for 4 wk. Cardiac hypertrophy was evaluated by the heart weight-to-body weight ratio and the cardiac tissue cross-sectional area after hematoxylin and eosin staining. The protein levels of the cardiac hypertrophy signaling molecules were determined by Western blot. Our results showed that the suppressive effects of the DSW treatment on STZ-induced cardiac hypertrophy were comparable to those of MgSO₄ administration and that the hypertrophic marker brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was decreased by DSW. In addition, DSW attenuated both the eccentric hypertrophy signaling pathway, IL-6-MEK-STAT3, and the concentric signaling pathway, IGF-II-PKCα-CaMKII, in DM rat hearts. The cardiac hypertrophy-associated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the upregulation of the transcription factor GATA binding protein 4 (GATA4) were also negated by treatment with DSW. The results from this study suggest that DSW could be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiac hypertrophy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Deep sea water, containing high levels of minerals, improve cardiac hypertrophy in diabetic rats through attenuating the eccentric signaling pathway, IL-6-MEK5-STAT3, and concentric signaling pathway, IGF2-PKCα-CaMKII. The results from this study suggest that deep sea water could be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiac hypertrophy.

Attenuation of the LPS-induced, ERK-mediated upregulation of fibrosis-related factors FGF-2, uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 by Carthamus tinctorius L in cardiomyoblasts

Severe and potentially fatal hypotension and cardiac contractile dysfunction are common symptoms in patients with sepsis. LPS was previously found to dramatically upregulate expression of fibrosis-related factors FGF-2, uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in primary cardiac fibroblasts. MMPs are capable of denaturing and degrading fibrillar collagens and other components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Studies have shown that dysregulation of expression of MMPs is associated with development of myocardial extracellular matrix remodeling and cardiac fibrosis, which contribute to progression of heart failure. In this study, H9c2 cells and cardiac fibroblasts were divided into five treatment groups: control, LPS (1 μg/mL) and three concentrations of FC_EtOH (Carthami Flos ethanolic extract) (31.25, 62.5, and 125 μg/mL). Phosphorylation of ERK-1/2 was observed to be rapidly induced upon treatment with LPS. In contrast, it was significantly suppressed by the administration of FC_EtOH (125 μg/mL). Effects of FC_EtOH on LPS-induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in H9c2 cells occurred directly through ERK1/2 were determined. H9c2 cells were therefore pretreated with EGF-R to activate ERK pathway. Both protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and immunefluorescent signals of MMP-9 were significantly enhanced by EGFR. In contrast, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly reduced after FC_EtOH administration. Based on these findings, the authors concluded that FC_EtOH elicits a protective effect against LPS-induced cardio-fibrosis through the ERK1/2 pathway. Carthamus tinctorius L may potentially serve as a cardio-protective agent against LPS- induced cardiac fibrosis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 754-763, 2017.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Liver Fibrosis from Ethanol Administration following Partial Hepatectomy

The aim of this study was to establish the effective hepatoprotective properties of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) in fibrotic rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx). Fibrosis was induced in rats by ethanol (EtOH, 5 ml/kg) administration for 6, 24, 72, and 168 h. The rats were then fed four TCMs (1 g/kg/day, Codonopsis pilosula (CP), Salvia miltorrhiza Bunge (SMB), Bupleurum kasi (BK), and Elephantopus scaber L (ESL)) to Spraque-Dawley rats for 6, 24, 72 and 168 h, respectively. Surgical 70% cirrhotic fibrosis PHx was then conducted at 6, 24, 72, and 168 h. The effects on liver regeneration were examined to estimate and measure hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, and retinoblastoma protein (pRb) protein expression using Western blotting analysis. Cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 mRNA by Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were analyzed in cirrhotic fibrosis rats. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, pRb and E2F mRNA expression levels were determined in fibrotic rats following PHx using RT-PCR. We found elevated glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamyl pyrubic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), glutathione (GSH), nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) and total bilirubin in serum after 6 h EtOH administration. These levels were progressively decreased over 168 h. Total protein and albumin were reduced in serum after 6 h administration and then progressively increased. In contrast, tissues disorder histology and morphology were determined in liver sections. After rats were fed TCMs we found that SMB extraction not only induced HGF, FAK, Cyclin D1, and pRb protein expression and Cyclin D1 mRNA increases, but also reduced MMP-2 and MMP-9 after 24 and 72 h post injury. In the cell cycle S phase the Cyclin E protein expression was increased by ESL. CP induced TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 mRNA increases in fibrotic rats. We detected liver regeneration in fibrotic rats. We also found that the liver regeneration index increased from 6 to 168 h post PHx. After 168 h fibrotic liver regeneration rats exhibited reduced TGF-β1 mRNA expression and enhanced Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, pRb and E2F mRNA expression. TCMs play a crucial role in the early mediating process in fibrotic rat liver regeneration after PHx.

Mitotic arrest induced in human DU145 prostate cancer cells in response to KHC-4 treatment

In this study, the antitumor activity of KHC-4 was analyzed using human prostate cancer (CaP) cells and the underlining anticancer mechanisms of KHC-4 were identified. KHC-4 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cytotoxicity in the castration-resistant CaP DU145 cell line. The most effective concentration of KHC-4 was 0.1 μM. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that KHC-4 treatment caused G2/M arrest and a subsequent increase in the sub-G1 population. Furthermore, KHC-4 is up-regulated p21, p27, and p53 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The exposure of cells to KHC-4 induced Cdk1/cyclin B1 complex activity, which led to cell cycle arrest. Moreover, KHC-4 inhibited the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 to inhibit tumor cell metastasis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1879-1887, 2016.

Angiotensin-(1-7) attenuated long-term hypoxia-stimulated cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhibiting HIF-1α nuclear translocation via Mas receptor regulation

Extreme hypoxia often leads to myocardial apoptosis and causes heart failure. Angiotensin-(1-7)Ang-(1-7) is well known for its cardio-protective effects. However, the effects of Ang-(1-7) on long-term hypoxia (LTH)-induced apoptosis remain unknown. In this study, we found that Ang-(1-7) reduced myocardial apoptosis caused by hypoxia through the Mas receptor. Activation of the Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis down-regulated the hypoxia pro-apoptotic signaling cascade by decreasing the protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3). Moreover, the Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis further inhibited HIF-1α nuclear translocation. On the other hand, Ang-(1-7) activated the IGF1R/PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, which mediate cell survival. However, the above effects were abolished by A779 treatment or silencing of Mas expression. Taken together, our findings indicate that the Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis protects cardiomyocytes from LTH-stimulated apoptosis. The protective effect of Ang-(1-7) is associated with the inhibition of HIF-1α nuclear translocation and the induction of IGF1R and Akt phosphorylation.

Tanshinone IIA Prevents Leu27IGF-II-Induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy Mediated by Estrogen Receptor and Subsequent Akt Activation

IGF-IIR plays important roles as a key regulator in myocardial pathological hypertrophy and apoptosis, which subsequently lead to heart failure. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used to treat cardiovascular diseases. Tanshinone IIA is an active compound in Danshen and is structurally similar to 17[Formula: see text]-estradiol (E[Formula: see text]. However, whether tanshinone IIA improves cardiomyocyte survival in pathological hypertrophy through estrogen receptor (ER) regulation remains unclear. This study investigates the role of ER signaling in mediating the protective effects of tanshinone IIA on IGF-IIR-induced myocardial hypertrophy. Leu27IGF-II (IGF-II analog) was shown in this study to specifically activate IGF-IIR expression and ICI 182,780 (ICI), an ER antagonist used to investigate tanshinone IIA estrogenic activity. We demonstrated that tanshinone IIA significantly enhanced Akt phosphorylation through ER activation to inhibit Leu27IGF-II-induced calcineurin expression and subsequent NFATc3 nuclear translocation to suppress myocardial hypertrophy. Tanshinone IIA reduced the cell size and suppressed ANP and BNP, inhibiting antihypertrophic effects induced by Leu27IGF-II. The cardioprotective properties of tanshinone IIA that inhibit Leu27IGF-II-induced cell hypertrophy and promote cell survival were reversed by ICI. Furthermore, ICI significantly reduced phospho-Akt, Ly294002 (PI3K inhibitor), and PI3K siRNA significantly reduced the tanshinone IIA-induced protective effect. The above results suggest that tanshinone IIA inhibited cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which was mediated through ER, by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and inhibiting Leu27IGF-II-induced calcineurin and NFATC3. Tanshinone IIA exerted strong estrogenic activity and therefore represented a novel selective ER modulator that inhibits IGF-IIR signaling to block cardiac hypertrophy.

Heat-killed Lactobacillus Reuteri GMNL-263 Prevents Epididymal Fat Accumulation and Cardiac Injury in High-Calorie Diet-Fed Rats

High-calorie diet-induced obesity leads to cardiomyocyte dysfunction and apoptosis. Impaired regulation of epididymal fat content in obese patients has been known to increase the risk of cardiac injury. In our study, a lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263, was evaluated for its potential to reduce body weight and body fat ratio and to prevent heart injury in rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity. Lactic acid bacteria supplementation restored the cardiac function and decreased the physiological changes in the heart of the obese rats. In addition, the Fas/Fas-associated protein pathway-induced caspase 3/e Poly polymerase mediated apoptosis in the cardiomyocytes of the obese rats was reversed in the Lr263-treated rats. These results reveal that fed with Lr-263 reduces body fat ratio, inhibits caspase 3-mediated apoptosis and restores cardiac function in obese rats through recovery of ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Our results indicated that the administration of Lr263 lactic acid bacteria can significantly down-regulate body fat and prevent cardiomyocyte injury in obese rats.

CREB Negatively Regulates IGF2R Gene Expression and Downstream Pathways to Inhibit Hypoxia-Induced H9c2 Cardiomyoblast Cell Death

During hypoxia, gene expression is altered by various transcription factors. Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF2) is known to be induced by hypoxia, which binds to IGF2 receptor IGF2R that acts like a G protein-coupled receptor, might cause pathological hypertrophy or activation of the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responsive element-binding protein (CREB) is central to second messenger-regulated transcription and plays a critical role in the cardiomyocyte survival pathway. In this study, we found that IGF2R level was enhanced in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts exposed to hypoxia in a time-dependent manner but was down-regulated by CREB expression. The over-expression of CREB in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts suppressed the induction of hypoxia-induced IGF2R expression levels and reduced cell apoptosis. Gel shift assay results further indicated that CREB binds to the promoter sequence of IGF2R. With a luciferase assay method, we further observed that CREB represses IGF2R promoter activity. These results suggest that CREB plays an important role in the inhibition of IGF2R expression by binding to the IGF2R promoter and further suppresses H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell apoptosis induced by IGF2R signaling under hypoxic conditions.

Protective effects of electroacupuncture at LR3 on cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis in hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at LR3 on blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular remodelling and hypertrophy in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).

METHODS

Healthy Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as normotensive controls (control group, n=9). SHRs either remained untreated (SHR group, n=9) or received EA treatment at LR3 (SHR+LR3 group, n=9) or a nearby non-acupuncture point (SHR+sham group, n=9) for 3 weeks. BP was measured on day 3 and day 19. Samples of left ventricle were stained with haematoxylin and eosin or subjected to terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP (deoxyuridine triphosphate) nick end labelling (TUNEL) to assess histology and apoptosis, respectively (n=3 per group). Western blotting was used to determine the relative expression of antioxidants and molecular markers of detoxification capacity, cardiac hypertrophy, and apoptosis (n=5 per group).

RESULTS

By day 3, the systolic BP, mean BP, and diastolic BP in the untreated SHRs increased from 169.5±14, 131.6±14, and 112.2±15 mm Hg (at baseline) to 179.6±1, 137.6±4, and 118.7±5 mm Hg, respectively (p<0.001 vs control group). BP in the SHR+LR3 rats was approximately 15 mm Hg lower than the SHR and SHR+sham groups (p<0.05). SHRs also exhibited cardiac hypertrophy (evident from histological and Western blot analyses). However, SHR+LR3 rats showed significant reductions in markers of cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis, as well as elevated expression of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1).

CONCLUSIONS

EA at LR3 reduced BP and had positive effects on markers of cardiac apoptosis and hypertrophy in a rat model of hypertension. Thus, EA is a potentially promising intervention to treat cardiovascular remodelling secondary to hypertension.

Heat Killed Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 Reduces Fibrosis Effects on the Liver and Heart in High Fat Diet-Hamsters via TGF-β Suppression

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and NAFLD is highly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Scholars have suggested that certain probiotics may significantly impact cardiovascular health, particularly certain Lactobacillus species, such as Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 (Lr263) probiotics, which have been shown to reduce obesity and arteriosclerosis in vivo. In the present study, we examined the potential of heat-killed bacteria to attenuate high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic and cardiac damages and the possible underlying mechanism of the positive effects of heat-killed Lr263 oral supplements. Heat-killed Lr263 treatments (625 and 3125 mg/kg-hamster/day) were provided as a daily supplement by oral gavage to HFD-fed hamsters for eight weeks. The results show that heat-killed Lr263 treatments reduce fatty liver syndrome. Moreover, heat-killed Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 supplementation in HFD hamsters also reduced fibrosis in the liver and heart by reducing transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) expression levels. In conclusion, heat-killed Lr263 can reduce lipid metabolic stress in HFD hamsters and decrease the risk of fatty liver and cardiovascular disease.

17β-Estradiol and/or Estrogen Receptor β Attenuate the Autophagic and Apoptotic Effects Induced by Prolonged Hypoxia Through HIF-1α-Mediated BNIP3 and IGFBP-3 Signaling Blockage

Background/Aims: The risk of heart disease is higher in males than in females. However, this advantage of females declines with increasing age, presumably a consequence of decreased estrogen secretion and malfunctioning of the estrogen receptor. We previously demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E2) prevents cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, autophagy and apoptosis via estrogen receptor α (ERα), but the effects of ERβ on myocardial injury remained elusive. The present paper thus, investigated the cardioprotective effects of estrogen (E2) and ERβ against hypoxia-induced cell death. Methods: Transient transfection of Tet-On ERβ gene construct was used to overexpress ERβ in hypoxia-treated H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Results: Our data revealed that IGF1R, Akt phosphorylation and Bcl-2 expression are enhanced by ERβ in H9c2 cells. Moreover, ERβ overexpression reduced accumulation of hypoxia-related proteins, autophagy-related proteins and mitochondria-apoptotic proteins and enhanced the protein levels of Bcl-2, pAkt and Bad under hypoxic condition. In neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs), we observed that hypoxia induced cell apoptosis as measured by TUNEL staining, and E2 and/or ERβ could totally abolish hypoxia-induced apoptosis. The suppressive effects of E2 and/or ERβ in hypoxia-treated NRVMs were totally reversed by ER antagonist, ICI. Taken together, E2 and/or ERβ exert the protective effect through repressed hypoxia-inducible HIF-1α, BNIP3 and IGFBP-3 levels to restrain the hypoxia-induced autophagy and apoptosis effects in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Conclusion: The results suggest that females probably could tolerate better prolonged hypoxia condition than males, and E2/ERβ treatment could be a potential therapy to prevent hypoxia-induced heart damage.”

Thymoquinone induces caspase-independent, autophagic cell death in CPT-11-resistant lovo colon cancer via mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of JNK and p38

Chemotherapy causes unwanted side effects and chemoresistance, limiting its effectiveness. Therefore, phytochemicals are now used as alternative treatments. Thymoquinone (TQ) is used to treat different cancers, including colon cancer. The irinotecan-resistant (CPT-11-R) LoVo colon cancer cell line was previously constructed by stepwise CPT-11 challenges to untreated parental LoVo cells. TQ dose-dependently increased the total cell death index and activated apoptosis at 2 μM, which then diminished at increasing doses. The possibility of autophagic cell death was then investigated. TQ caused mitochondrial outer membrane permeability (MOMP) and activated autophagic cell death. JNK and p38 inhibitors (SP600125 and SB203580, respectively) reversed TQ autophagic cell death. TQ was also found to activate apoptosis before autophagy, and the direction of cell death was switched toward autophagic cell death at initiation of autophagosome formation. Therefore, TQ resulted in caspase-independent, autophagic cell death via MOMP and activation of JNK and p38 in CPT-11-R LoVo colon cancer cells.

Hyperphosphate-Induced Myocardial Hypertrophy through the GATA-4/NFAT-3 Signaling Pathway Is Attenuated by ERK Inhibitor Treatment

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Numerous epidemiological studies have associated elevated serum phosphorus levels with cardiovascular disease and the risk of death in the general population as well as in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and dialysis patients. In this study, we explored whether elevated phosphate conditions induce cardiac hypertrophy and attempted to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the hypertrophic response.

METHODS

H9c2 myocardial cells were incubated in high-phosphate conditions to induce hypertrophy. Pathological hypertrophic responses were measured in terms of cell size, arrangement of actin filaments, and hypertrophy markers such as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in myocardial cells. Several transcriptional factors involved in cardiac hypertrophy development were measured to investigate the molecular pathways involved in elevated phosphate-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

RESULTS

High-phosphate conditions induced cellular hypertrophy, marked by increased cell size, reorganization of actin filaments, and upregulation of both ANP and BNP in H9c2 cells. Both upstream calcineurin and downstream transcription factors, including GATA-4 and NFAT-3, were significantly increased under hyperphosphate conditions. Moreover, both MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 expression increased significantly, and cellular hypertrophy was markedly attenuated by U0126, an ERK1/2 inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that hyperphosphate conditions induce myocardial hypertrophy through the ERK signaling pathway in H9c2 cells. Our findings provide a link between the hyperphosphate-induced response and the ERK/NFAT-3 signaling pathway that mediates the development of cardiac hypertrophy. In view of the potent and selective activity of the ERK inhibitor U0126, this agent warrants further investigation as a candidate for preventing hyperphosphate-induced cardiac hypertrophy in CKD and dialysis patients.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure Reduced the Compensatory Effects of IGF-I Growth Signaling in the Aging Rat Hearts

BACKGROUND

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Aging is a physiological process that involves progressive impairment of normal heart functions due to increased vulnerability to damage. This study examines secondhand smoke exposure in aging rats to determine the age-related death-survival balance.

METHODS

Rats were placed into a SHS exposure chamber and exposed to smog. Old age male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 10 cigarettes for 30 min, day and night, continuing for one week. After 4 weeks the rats underwent morphological and functional studies. Left ventricular sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for histopathological examination. TUNEL detected apoptosis cells and protein expression related death and survival pathway were analyzed using western blot.

RESULTS

Death receptor-dependent apoptosis upregulation pathways and the mitochondria apoptosis proteins were apparent in young SHS exposure and old age rats. These biological markers were enhanced in aging SHS-exposed rats. The survival pathway was found to exhibit compensation only in young SHS-exposed rats, but not in the aging rats. Further decrease in the activity of this pathway was observed in aging SHS-exposed rats. TUNEL apoptotic positive cells were increased in young SHS-exposed rats, and in aging rats with or without SHS-exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Aging reduces IGF-I compensated signaling with accelerated cardiac apoptotic effects from second-hand smoke.

Long-term hypoxia exposure enhanced IGFBP-3 protein synthesis and secretion resulting in cell apoptosis in H9c2 myocardial cells

Myocardial infarction (MI) usually results in myocardial ischemia, remodeling and hypoxia that lead to cell death. To date, the insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) is known to play an important role in insulin growth factor (IGF) bioavailability. Previous studies have found that hypoxia results in cell apoptosis. However, the detailed mechanism and roles of IGFBP3 in long-term hypoxia (LTH) regulated heart cell apoptosis remains unknown. In this study H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells were treated with investigated long-term hypoxic exposure with the possible mechanisms involved. The results showed that LTH enhanced IGFBP3 protein synthesis and induced its secretion. The accumulated IGFBP3 sequestered Insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) away from the type I IGF receptor (IGF-1 R), which blocked the IGF1R/PI3K/Akt survival signaling pathway, resulting in cell apoptosis. According to our findings, IGFBP3 could be a valuable target for developing treatments for cardiac diseases in long-term hypoxia exposure patients.

Prolactin protects cardiomyocytes against intermittent hypoxia-induced cell damage by the modulation of signaling pathways related to cardiac hypertrophy and proliferation

OBJECTIVES

Prolactin (PRL) is a multifunctional hormone that influences multiple physiological processes. It has been shown to have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system; however, the mechanisms of this effect are poorly understood. The purpose of the study was to elucidate the role of PRL in intermittent hypoxia (IH)-induced apoptosis in the cardiovascular system.

METHOD AND RESULTS

We established a hyperprolactinemic rat model by implanting two anterior pituitary (AP) glands into the renal capsule of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were kept under normoxic conditions for 4weeks after implantation in order to reach the expression plateau of PRL in the plasma, and then treated with IH for 7 or 14days. Their hearts were then removed for histological and protein expression analyses. Cerebral cortex (CX)-grafted control rats challenged with IH displayed unique phenotypes such as a thicker heart wall, an abnormal myocardial architecture and an increased interstitial space of the left ventricle. They exhibited reduced expressions of p-JAK2, p-STAT5, cell cycle-dependent proteins (cyclin D1, cyclin E and cyclin A), IGF-IRα, PI3Kα, p-AKT and p-ERK1/2 in cardiomyocytes at 7days.

CONCLUSIONS

Our comprehensive analysis suggested that high plasma PRL can protect rat cardiomyocytes against IH through (1) the p-JAK2 and p-STAT5 pathways for transient cell proliferation, (2) the PI3Kα/AKT and MAPK survival pathways through IGF-I, and (3) the downregulation of IGF-II and ERK5, which inhibit cell hypertrophy.

Protective effect of Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) on angiotensin II-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells

BACKGROUND

Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) is an herb often used in Traditional Chinese medicine. It is used to promote blood flow and has been used in the treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal models. Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been shown to play important roles in mediating cardiovascular diseases, and may cause cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate whether Danggui has protective effects on Ang II-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells and study the mechanisms involved.

METHODS

We evaluated the effect of Danggui on Ang II-induced apoptosis in an in vitro model. H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells were cultured in serum-free medium for 4 hr, then treated with Danggui (50, 100 μg/ml) 1 hr pre- or post-Ang II treatment. After a further 23 hr of culture, cells were harvested for analyses with assays for apoptosis markers and cell signaling pathways.

RESULTS

Our results showed that Ang II induced upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bad, instability of the mitochondria membrane potential, cytochrome c release, caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Pre- or post-treatment with Danggui reversed all of the above Ang II-induced apoptotic effects in H9c2 cells. Furthermore, the JNK (SP600125) inhibitor completely blocked Danggui inhibition of caspase-3 activation in Ang II-treated H9c2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that Danggui either pre-treatment or post-treatment highly attenuated the Ang II-induced apoptosis in cardiomyoblast cells. The findings demonstrated that the anti-apoptosis effect of Danggui is mediated by JNK and PI3k inhibitors.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Insights: Prospects in Hematological Transplantation

Adult stem cells have been proven to possess tremendous potential in the treatment of hematological disorders, possibly in transplantation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous group of cells in culture, with hypoimmunogenic character to avoid alloreactive T-cell recognition as well as inhibition of T-cell proliferation. Numerous experimental findings have shown that MSCs also possess the ability to promote engraftment of donor cells and to accelerate the speed of hematological recovery. Despite that the exact mechanism remains unclear, the therapeutic ability of MSCs on hematologic transplantation have been tested in preclinical trials. Based on encouraging preliminary findings, MSCs might become a potentially efficacious tool in the therapeutic options available to treat and cure hematological malignancies and nonmalignant disorders. The molecular mechanisms behind the real efficacy of MSCs on promoting engraftment and accelerating hematological recovery are awaiting clarification. It is hypothesized that direct cell-to-cell contact, paracrine factors, extracellular matrix scaffold, BM homing capability, and endogenous metabolites of immunologic and nonimmunologic elements are involved in the interactions between MSCs and HSCs. This review focuses on recent experimental and clinical findings related to MSCs, highlighting their roles in promoting engraftment, hematopoietic recovery, and GvHD/graft rejection prevention after HSCT, discussing the potential clinical applications of MSC-based treatment strategies in the context of hematological transplantation.

Danshen mediates through estrogen receptors to activate Akt and inhibit apoptosis effect of Leu27IGF-II-induced IGF-II receptor signaling activation in cardiomyoblasts

Post-menopausal women show dramatically increased cardiovascular disease morbidity (CVD). Danshen is used widely in China for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, including coronary heart disease. Danshen possesses lipid-soluble biologically active components with a structure similar to 17β-estrodiol (E2). This study assesses whether the cardio-protection exerted by Danshen is mediated through the ERs within H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Cardiomyoblast cells pretreated with Fulvestrant (ICI 182,780), an estrogen receptor antagonist was applied to investigate the estrogenic activity of Danshen. The Danshen extract preventive effects on Leu27IGF-II-induced IGF-IIR signaling activator and H9c2 cell apoptosis were identified using TUNEL assay, JC-1 staining and Western blot assay. We found that Danshen extract treatments significantly enhanced phosphorylated Akt through estrogen receptor activation to inhibit Leu27IGF-II-induced calcineurin activation and block H9c2 cell apoptosis. Danshen extracts suppressed the IGF-IIR signaling proteins, pro-apoptotic proteins and reversed the mitochondrial membrane instability induced by Leu27IGF-II. However, the cardioprotective properties of Danshen to inhibit Leu27IGF-II-induced cell apoptosis and promote cell survival were attenuated by applying ICI, which suggests that the Danshen cardioprotective effect is mediated through estrogen receptors. All our data indicated that Danshen exerts strong estrogenic activity which can be considered a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) against IGF2R signaling that blocks cardiac apoptosis.

Zebrafish sod1 and sp1 expression are modulated by the copper ATPase gene atp7a in response to intracellular copper status

Copper is an essential trace metal for physiological functions, whereas copper overload causes cytotoxicity in living organisms. Genetically determined systems regulate acquisition, distribution and storage for copper maintenance and homeostasis. The Human ATP7A copper transport ATPase modulates intracellular copper distribution, which is critical for copper-dependent enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD1). To investigate the role of zebrafish ATP7A in copper homeostasis, zebrafish atp7a gene expression was reduced for analysis of downstream cellular function. The results demonstrated that zebrafish sod1 has lower expression in atp7a-knockdown fish. Similarly, zebrafish sp1, a transcriptional regulator of sod1, also shows reduced expression in atp7a-knockdown fish. The lower expression of sod1 resulting from atp7a knockdown is independent to p53 gene activation. The knockdown of atp7a and copper chelator NeoC results in hypopigmentation and notochord deformation in zebrafish. Addition of exogenous copper alleviated the impaired development. Interestingly, both sod1 and sp1 transcripts are reduced in the presence of NeoC and increased with exogenous copper, suggesting that the expression of sod1 and sp1 are directly affected by copper status. This is the first report to demonstrate a hierarchic gene expression of copper homeostatic genes between atp7a, sp1 and sod1 in zebrafish.