Ubiquitin Proteasome System Role in Diabetes-Induced Cardiomyopathy.

This study investigated modifications to the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and their relationship to heart complications. db/db mice heart tissues were compared with WT mice tissues using RNA sequencing, qRT-PCR, and protein analysis to identify cardiac UPS modifications associated with diabetes. The findings unveiled a distinctive gene profile in the hearts of db/db mice with decreased levels of nppb mRNA and increased levels of Myh7, indicating potential cardiac dysfunction. The mRNA levels of USP18 (deubiquitinating enzyme), PSMB8, and PSMB9 (proteasome ß-subunits) were down-regulated in db/db mice, while the mRNA levels of RNF167 (E3 ligase) were increased. Corresponding LMP2 and LMP7 proteins were down-regulated in db/db mice, and RNF167 was elevated in Adult diabetic mice. The reduced expression of LMP2 and LMP7, along with increased RNF167 expression, may contribute to the future cardiac deterioration commonly observed in diabetes. This study enhances our understanding of UPS imbalances in the hearts of diabetic mice and raises questions about the interplay between the UPS and other cellular processes, such as autophagy. Further exploration in this area could provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying diabetic heart complications and potential therapeutic targets.

Leptin modulates gene expression in the heart, cardiomyocytes and the adipose tissue thus mitigating LPS-induced damage.

Leptin is an adipokine of pleiotropic effects linked to energy metabolism, satiety, the immune response, and cardioprotection. We have recently shown that leptin causally conferred resistance to myocardial infarction-induced damage in transgenic αMUPA mice overexpressing leptin compared to their wild type (WT) ancestral mice FVB/N. Prompted by these findings, we have investigated here if leptin can counteract the inflammatory response triggered after LPS administration in tissues in vivo and in cardiomyocytes in culture. The results have shown that LPS upregulated in vivo and in vitro all genes examined here, both pro-inflammatory and antioxidant, as well as the leptin gene. Pretreating mice with leptin neutralizing antibodies further upregulated the expression of TNFα and IL-1ß in the adipose tissue of both mouse types, and in the αMUPA heart. The antibodies also increased the levels of serum markers for cell toxicity in both mouse types. These results indicate that under LPS, leptin actually reduced the levels of these inflammatory-related parameters. In addition, pretreatment with leptin antibodies reduced the levels of HIF-1α and VEGF mRNAs in the heart, indicating that under LPS leptin increased the levels of these mRNAs. In cardiomyocytes, pretreatment with exogenous leptin prior to LPS reduced the expression of both pro-inflammatory genes, enhanced the expression of the antioxidant genes HO-1, SOD2 and HIF-1α, and lowered ROS staining. In addition, results obtained with leptin antibodies and the SMLA leptin antagonist indicated that endogenous and exogenous leptin can inhibit leptin gene expression. Together, these findings have indicated that under LPS, leptin concomitantly downregulated pro-inflammatory genes, upregulated antioxidant genes, and lowered ROS levels. These results suggest that leptin can counteract inflammation in the heart and adipose tissue by modulating gene expression.

Expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptorACE2 in human heart is associated with uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, and activation of the renin angiotensin system.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic and obese patients are at higher risk of severe disease and cardiac injury in corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 is mainly via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, which is highly expressed in normal hearts. There is a disagreement regarding the effect of factors such as obesity and diabetes on ACE2 expression in the human heart and whether treatment with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors or anti-diabetic medications increases ACE2 expression and subsequently the susceptibility to infection. We designed this study to elucidate factors that control ACE2 expression in human serum, human heart biopsies, and mice. METHODS: Right atrial appendage biopsies were collected from 79 patients that underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. We investigated the alteration in ACE2 mRNA and protein expression in heart tissue and serum. ACE2 expression was compared with clinical risk factors: diabetes, obesity and different anti-hypertensive or anti-diabetic therapies. WT or db/db mice were infused with Angiotensin II (ATII), treated with different anti-diabetic drugs (Metformin, GLP1A and SGLT2i) were also tested. RESULTS: ACE2 gene expression was increased in diabetic hearts compared to non-diabetic hearts and was positively correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and activation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS), and negatively correlated with ejection fraction. ACE2 was not differentially expressed in patients who were on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) prior to the operation. We found no correlation between plasma free ACE2 and cardiac tissue ACE2 expression. Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), metalloprotease ADAM10 and ADAM17 that facilitate viral-ACE2 complex entry and degradation were increased in diabetic hearts. ACE2 expression in mice was increased with ATII infusion and attenuated following anti-diabetic drugs treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients with uncontrolled diabetes or obesity with RAS activation have higher ACE2 expressions therefore are at higher risk for severe infection. Since ACEi or ARBs show no effect on ACE2 expression in the heart further support their safety.

Leptin modulates gene expression in the heart and cardiomyocytes towards mitigating ischemia-induced damage.

Leptin, an adipocyte-derived satiety hormone, has been previously linked to cardioprotection. We have shown before that leptin conferred resistance to ischemic damage in the heart in long-lived transgenic αMUPA mice overexpressing leptin compared to the wild type (WT) FVB/N control mice. To better understand the contribution of leptin to the ischemic heart, we measured here the expression of genes encoding leptin and ischemia-related proteins in αMUPA and WT mice in the heart vs adipose tissue after MI. In addition, we investigated gene expression in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes under hypoxia in the absence and presence of exogenously added leptin or a leptin antagonist. We used real time RT-PCR and ELISA or Western blot assays to measure, respectively, mRNA and protein levels. The results have shown that circulating leptin levels and mRNA levels of leptin and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the heart were elevated in both mouse genotypes after 24 h myocardial infarction (MI), reaching higher values in αMUPA mice. In contrast, leptin gene expression in the adipose tissue was significantly increased only in WT mice, but reaching lower levels compared to the heart. Expression of the proinflammatory genes encoding TNFα and IL-1ß was also largely increased after MI in the heart in both mouse types, however reaching considerably lower levels in αMUPA mice indicating a mitigated inflammatory state. In cardiomyocytes, mRNA levels of all aforementioned genes as well as HIF-1α and SOD2 genes were elevated after hypoxia. Pretreatment with exogenous leptin largely reduced the mRNA levels of TNFα and IL-1ß after hypoxia, while enhancing expression of all other genes and reducing ROS levels. Pretreating the cells with a leptin antagonist increased solely the levels of leptin mRNA, suggesting a negative regulation of the hormone on the expression of its own gene. Overall, the results have shown that leptin affects expression of genes in cardiomyocytes under hypoxia in a manner that could mitigate inflammation and oxidative stress, suggesting a similar influence by endogenous leptin in αMUPA mice. Furthermore, leptin is likely to function in the ischemic murine heart more effectively in an autocrine compared to paracrine manner. These results suggest that leptin can reduce ischemic damage by modulating gene expression in the heart.

Therapeutic approaches to diabetic cardiomyopathy: Targeting the antioxidant pathway.

The global epidemic of cardiovascular disease continues unabated and remains the leading cause of death both in the US and worldwide. We hereby summarize the available therapies for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in diabetics. Clearly, the current approaches to diabetic heart disease often target the manifestations and certain mediators but not the specific pathways leading to myocardial injury, remodeling and dysfunction. Better understanding of the molecular events determining the evolution of diabetic cardiomyopathy will provide insight into the development of specific and targeted therapies. Recent studies largely increased our understanding of the role of enhanced inflammatory response, ROS production, as well as the contribution of Cyp-P450-epoxygenase-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), Heme Oxygenase (HO)-1 and 20-HETE in pathophysiology and therapy of cardiovascular disease. PGC-1α increases production of the HO-1 which has a major role in protecting the heart against oxidative stress, microcirculation and mitochondrial dysfunction. This review describes the potential drugs and their downstream targets, PGC-1α and HO-1, as major loci for developing therapeutic approaches beside diet and lifestyle modification for the treatment and prevention of heart disease associated with obesity and diabetes.

Cardiac Fibroblast-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes as a Potential Therapeutic Mean for Heart Failure.

The limited regenerative capacity of the injured myocardium leads to remodeling and often heart failure. Novel therapeutic approaches are essential. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) differentiated into cardiomyocytes are a potential future therapeutics. We hypothesized that organ-specific reprogramed fibroblasts may serve an advantageous source for future cardiomyocytes. Moreover, exosomes secreted from those cells may have a beneficial effect on cardiac differentiation and/or function. We compared RNA from different sources of human iPSC using chip gene expression. Protein expression was evaluated as well as exosome micro-RNA levels and their impact on embryoid bodies (EBs) differentiation. Statistical analysis identified 51 genes that were altered (p ≤ 0.05), and confirmed in the protein level, cardiac fibroblasts-iPSCs (CF-iPSCs) vs. dermal fibroblasts-iPSCs (DF-iPSCs). Several miRs were altered especially miR22, a key regulator of cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling. Lower expression of miR22 in CF-iPSCs vs. DF-iPSCs was observed. EBs treated with these exosomes exhibited more beating EBs p = 0.05. vs. control. We identify CF-iPSC and its exosomes as a potential source for cardiac recovery induction. The decrease in miR22 level points out that our CF-iPSC-exosomes are naïve of congestive heart cell memory, making them a potential biological source for future therapy for the injured heart.

PARP-1 inhibition protects the diabetic heart through activation of SIRT1-PGC-1α axis.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) follows impaired glucose tolerance in obesity and is frequently associated with hypertension, causing adverse myocardial remodelling and leading to heart failure. The DNA bound protein PARP (poly ADP ribose) polymerase catalyses a post translational modification (polymerization of negatively charged ADP-ribose chains) of nuclear proteins. PARP-1 activation is NAD+ dependent and takes part in DNA repair and in chromatin remodelling and has a function in transcriptional regulation, intracellular trafficking and energy metabolism. PARP-1 is activated in diabetic cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that PARP-1 inhibition in diabetic mice may protect cardiomyocytes from inflammation and ROS production. METHODS: Obese Leptin resistant (db/db) mice suffering from DM2, were treated with angiotensin II (AT) for 4 weeks to enhance the development of cardiomyopathy. Mice were concomitantly treated with the PARP-1 inhibitor INO1001. Neonatal cardiomyocytes exposed to high levels of glucose (33 mM) with or without AT were treated with INO1001. or with SIRT inhibitor (EX-527) in the presence of INO1001 were tested in-vitro. RESULTS: The in-vivo tests show that hearts from AT treated DM2 mice exhibited cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and an increase in the inflammatory marker TNFα. DM2 mice had an increased oxidative stress, concomitant with elevated PARP-1 activity and reduced Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) expression. PARP-1 inhibition led to increased SIRT1 and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) levels, attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. In-vitro experiments demonstrated that inhibition of PARP-1 in cardiomyocytes exposed to high levels of glucose and AT led to a significant reduction in ROS (P < 0.01), which was abolished in the presence of the SIRT1 inhibitor together with increased protein expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α. CONCLUSION: PARP1 inhibitor INO1001 attenuated cardiomyopathic features in diabetic mice through the activation of SIRT1 and its downstream antioxidant defence mechanisms. The results of this study suggest a pivotal role of PARP-1 inhibition in treating diabetic and AT-induced cardiomyopathy.

The Role of Heme Oxygenase 1 in the Protective Effect of Caloric Restriction against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) leads to cardiomyopathy characterized by cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, followed by mitochondrial dysfunction and interstitial fibrosis, all of which are exacerbated by angiotensin II (AT). SIRT1 and its transcriptional coactivator target PGC-1α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) modulates mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant protection. We have previously shown the beneficial effect of caloric restriction (CR) on diabetic cardiomyopathy through intracellular signaling pathways involving the SIRT1-PGC-1α axis. In the current study, we examined the role of HO-1 in diabetic cardiomyopathy in mice subjected to CR. METHODS: Cardiomyopathy was induced in obese diabetic (db/db) mice by AT infusion. Mice were either fed ad libitum or subjected to CR. In an in vitro study, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was determined in cardiomyocytes exposed to different glucose levels (7.5-33 mM). We examined the effects of Sn(tin)-mesoporphyrin (SnMP), which is an inhibitor of HO activity, the HO-1 inducer cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP), and the SIRT1 inhibitor (EX-527) on diabetic cardiomyopathy. RESULTS: Diabetic mice had low levels of HO-1 and elevated levels of the oxidative marker malondialdehyde (MDA). CR attenuated left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), increased HO-1 levels, and decreased MDA levels. SnMP abolished the protective effects of CR and caused pronounced LVH and cardiac metabolic dysfunction represented by suppressed levels of adiponectin, SIRT1, PPARγ, PGC-1α, and increased MDA. High glucose (33 mM) increased ROS in cultured cardiomyocytes, while SnMP reduced SIRT1, PGC-1α levels, and HO activity. Similarly, SIRT1 inhibition led to a reduction in PGC-1α and HO-1 levels. CoPP increased HO-1 protein levels and activity, SIRT1, and PGC-1α levels, and decreased ROS production, suggesting a positive feedback between SIRT1 and HO-1. CONCLUSION: These results establish a link between SIRT1, PGC-1α, and HO-1 signaling that leads to the attenuation of ROS production and diabetic cardiomyopathy. CoPP mimicked the beneficial effect of CR, while SnMP increased oxidative stress, aggravating cardiac hypertrophy. The data suggest that increasing HO-1 levels constitutes a novel therapeutic approach to protect the diabetic heart. Brief Summary: CR attenuates cardiomyopathy, and increases HO-1, SIRT activity, and PGC-1α protein levels in diabetic mice. High glucose reduces adiponectin, SIRT1, PGC1-1α, and HO-1 levels in cardiomyocytes, resulting in oxidative stress. The pharmacological activation of HO-1 activity mimics the effect of CR, while SnMP increased oxidative stress and cardiac hypertrophy. These data suggest the critical role of HO-1 in protecting the diabetic heart.

Left Ventricular Dysfunction Switches Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Toward an Inflammatory Phenotype and Impairs Their Reparative Properties Via Toll-Like Receptor-4.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the potentially unfavorable effects of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) activation on the heart. MSCs can respond to tissue injury by anti- or proinflammatory activation. We aimed to study the potential negative interaction between left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and MSC activation. METHODS: We isolated MSCs from cardiac and subcutaneous fat tissues of mice with LVD 28 days after myocardial infarction or sham operation. To evaluate the effect of LVD on MSCs, we characterized cardiac MSCs and subcutaneous MSCs in vitro. Subsequently, we injected MSCs or saline into the infarcted myocardium of mice and evaluated LV remodeling and function 28 days after myocardial infarction. To test the hypothesis that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mediates proinflammatory polarization of MSCs, we characterized cardiac MSCs from TLR4-/- and wild-type (WT) mice after inflammatory stimulation in vitro. Next, we transplanted cardiac MSCs from TLR4-/- and WT male mice into the infarcted myocardium of female WT mice and evaluated infarct size, MSC retention, inflammation, remodeling, and function after 7 days. RESULTS: LVD switched cardiac MSCs toward an inflammatory phenotype, with increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines as well as chemokines. The effect of LVD on subcutaneous MSCs was less remarkable. Although transplantation of cardiac MSCs and subcutaneous MSCs from LVD and sham hearts did not improve LV remodeling and function, cardiac MSCs from LVD exacerbated anterior wall thinning 28 days after myocardial infarction. The inflammatory polarization of cardiac MSCs by LVD was mediated by TLR4, as we found less secretion of inflammatory cytokines and higher secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines from activated cardiac MSCs of TLR4-deficient mice, compared with WT cardiac MSCs. Significantly, TLR4 deficiency preserved the expression of CD47 (don't eat me signal) on cardiac MSCs after both TLR4 stimulation in vitro and transplantation into the infarcted heart. Compared with WT cardiac MSCs and saline, TLR4-/- cardiac MSCs survived in the cardiac tissue and maintained their reparative properties, reduced infarct size, increased scar thickness, and attenuated LV dilatation 7 days after myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: The environment of the failing and infarcted myocardium drives resident and transplanted MSCs toward a proinflammatory phenotype and restricts their survival and reparative effects in a mechanism mediated by TLR4.

Regulation of diabetic cardiomyopathy by caloric restriction is mediated by intracellular signaling pathways involving 'SIRT1 and PGC-1α'.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) are all linked to diabetic cardiomyopathy that lead to heart failure. Cardiomyopathy is initially characterized by cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, followed by mitochondrial dysfunction and fibrosis, both of which are aggravated by angiotensin. Caloric restriction (CR) is cardioprotective in animal models of heart disease through its catabolic activity and activation of the expression of adaptive genes. We hypothesized that in the diabetic heart; this effect involves antioxidant defenses and is mediated by SIRT1 and the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator). METHODS: Obese Leptin resistant (db/db) mice characterized by DM2 were treated with angiotensin II (AT) for 4 weeks to enhance the development of cardiomyopathy. Mice were concomitantly either on a CR diet or fed ad libitum. Cardiomyocytes were exposed to high levels of glucose and were treated with EX-527 (SIRT1 inhibitor). Cardiac structure and function, gene and protein expression and oxidative stress parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: AT treated db/db mice developed cardiomyopathy manifested by elevated levels of serum glucose, cholesterol and cardiac hypertrophy. Leukocyte infiltration, fibrosis and an increase in an inflammatory marker (TNFα) and natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP) gene expression were also observed. Oxidative stress was manifested by low SOD and PGC-1α levels and an increase in ROS and MDA. DM2 resulted in ERK1/2 activation. CR attenuated all these deleterious perturbations and prevented the development of cardiomyopathy. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was reduced in CR mice (p = 0.008). Concomitantly CR prevented the reduction in SIRT activity and PGC-1α (p < 0.04). Inhibition of SIRT1 activity in cardiomyocytes led to a marked reduction in both SIRT1 and PGC-1α. ROS levels were significantly (p < 0.03) increased by glucose and SIRT1 inhibition. CONCLUSION: In the current study we present evidence of the cardioprotective effects of CR operating through SIRT1 and PGC-1 α, thereby decreasing oxidative stress, fibrosis and inflammation. Our results suggest that increasing SIRT1 and PGC-1α levels offer new therapeutic approaches for the protection of the diabetic heart.

Correction to: Regulation of diabetic cardiomyopathy by caloric restriction is mediated by intracellular signaling pathways involving 'SIRT1 and PGC-1α'.

Unfortunately, after publication of this article [1], it was noticed that Table 1 contained errors introduced during the production process. In the WT + AT column, the FS value is 21 ± 7 and the Body Weight value is 25 ± 2. In the WT + AT + CR column, the FS value is 46 ± 14 and the Body Weight value is 19 ± 1. The original article has been updated to reflect this.

Caloric restriction ameliorates cardiomyopathy in animal model of diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The db/db mouse is an animal model of diabetes in which leptin receptor activity is deficient resulting accelerated cardiomyopathy when exposed to angiotensin (AT). Toll-like receptors 4 and 2 (TLR4, TLR2) are pattern recognition receptors, that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and exacerbate and release inflammatory cytokines. Fetuin A (Fet A) is a fatty acid carrier which affects inflammation and insulin resistance in obese humans and animals through TLRs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of caloric restriction (CR) on free fatty acids (FFA) level and the inflammatory response in diabetic cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Left ventricular hypertrophy, increased fibrosis and leukocytes infiltration were observed in db/db AT treated hearts. Serum glucose, FFA, and cholesterol levels were elevated in db/db AT treated mice. Cardiac expression of PPARα increased while AKT phosphorylation was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulatively, CR elevated cardiac PPARα improved the utilization of fatty acids, and reduced myocardial inflammation as seen by reduced levels of Fet A. Thus CR negated cardiomyopathy associated with AT in an animal model of diabetes suggesting that CR is an effective therapeutic approach in the treatment of diabetes and associated cardiomyopathy.

Silencing cardiomyocyte TLR4 reduces injury following hypoxia.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), the receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative pathogens expressed in the heart, is activated by several endogenous ligands associated with tissue injury in response to myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of TLR4 signaling in cardiomyocytes dysfunction following hypoxia (90min) using multiple methodologies such as knocking down TLR4 and small interfering RNA (siTLR4). Cardiomyocytes of C57Bl/6 mice (WT) subjected to hypoxic stress showed increased cardiac release of LDH, HMGB1, IκB, TNF-α and myocardial apoptotic and necrotic markers (BAX, PI) compared to TLR4 knock out mice (TLR4KO). Treating these cardiomyocytes with siRNA against TLR4 decreased the damage markers (LDH, IκB, TNF-α). TLR4 silencing during hypoxic stress resulted in the activation of the p-AKT and p-GSK3ß (by ∼25%). The latter is an indicator that there is a reduction of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening following hypoxic myocardial induced injury leading to preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. Silencing TLR4 in cardiomyocytes improved cell survival following hypoxic injury through activation of the AKT/GSK3ß pathway, reduced inflammatory and apoptotic signals. These findings suggest that TLR4 may serve as a potential target in the treatment of ischemic myocardial injury. Moreover, RNA interfering targeting TLR4 expression represents a therapeutic strategy.

The role of 20-HETE in cardiovascular diseases and its risk factors.

Arachidonic acid (AA) is metabolized in mammals by enzymes of the CYP4A and 4F families to 20-hydroxyeicosatetraeonic acid (20-HETE) which plays an important role in the regulation of renal function, vascular tone and arterial pressure. In the vasculature, 20-HETE is a potent vasoconstrictor, the up-regulation of which contributes to inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and an increase in peripheral vascular resistance in models of obesity, diabetes, ischemia/reperfusion, and vascular oxidative stress. Recent studies have established a role for 20-HETE in normal and pathological angiogenic conditions. We discuss in this review the synthesis of 20-HETE and how it and various autacoids, especially the renin-angiotensin system, interact to promote hypertension, vasoconstriction, and vascular dysfunction. In addition, we examine the molecular mechanisms through which 20-HETE induces these actions and the clinical implication of inhibiting 20-HETE production and activity.

Sirtuin 6 protects the heart from hypoxic damage.

Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is a protein associated with prolonged life expectancy. We investigated whether life extension is associated with cardioprotection against hypoxia. The proposed study is to develop approaches to reduce hypoxic damage through the use of the sirtuin pathway and to elucidate the mechanism involved. For that purpose we subjected cardiomyocytes from transgenic mice (TG) with over-expression of SIRT6, to hypoxic stress in cell cultures. We hypothesized that cardiomyocytes from transgenic mice subjected to prolonged hypoxia may release survival factors or fewer damage markers to protect them from hypoxic stress compared with wild type (WT) mice. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) released to the medium and propidium iodide (PI) binding, were markedly decreased following hypoxia in TG cardiomyocytes. The protective mechanism of SIRT6 over-expression includes the activation of pAMPKα pathway, the increased protein level of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), the decrease of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the reduction in the protein level of phospho-protein kinase B (pAkt) during hypoxia. Together, all these processes impede the necrosis/apoptosis pathways leading to the improved survival of cardiomyocytes following hypoxia, which might explain life extension.

Relative neuroprotective effects hyperbaric oxygen treatment and TLR4 knockout in a mouse model of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy and knockout of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on the outcome of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MCAO was induced in anesthetized male C57Bl/6 mice (WT) and TLR4 knockout mice (TLR4(-/-)) using an intra-arterial filament method. After 30 or 90 min, the filament was removed, and the mice were given either no treatment (WT and TLR4(-/-) groups) or HBO (WT only). Mice were euthanized 24 h after MCAO, and the brain infarct area was examined using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. RESULTS: In the WT group, without treatment, lesion volume was 120 ± 13 mm(3) in the mice subjected to 30 min' MCAO and 173 ± 23 mm(3) in the mice subjected to 90 min' MCAO. Respective values with HBO treatment were 66.5 ± 36.7 mm(3) and 53.2 ± 17.2 mm(3). The difference was significant only for 90-minute MCAO (p < 0.01, nonparametric test). In the TLR4(-/-) group (all untreated), lesion volume was 95.9 ± 17.9 after 90 min of MCAO, which was significantly lower than in the untreated WT animals (p < 0.05, nonparametric test). CONCLUSIONS: A single treatment of HBO immediately after MCAO followed by 24 h' reperfusion significantly reduces edema and may improve perfusion. TLR4 knockout protects mice from MCAO damage, but to a lesser extent than HBO treatment.

Ultra Low Dose Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Protects Mouse Liver from Ischemia Reperfusion Injury.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is the main cause of both primary graft dysfunction and primary non-function of liver allografts. Cannabinoids has been reported to attenuate myocardial, cerebral and hepatic I/R oxidative injury. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a cannabinoid agonist, is the active components of marijuana. In this study we examined the role of ultralow dose THC (0.002mg/kg) in the protection of livers from I/R injury. This extremely low dose of THC was previously found by us to protect the mice brain and heart from a variety of insults. METHODS: C57Bl Mice were studied in in vivo model of hepatic segmental (70%) ischemia for 60min followed by reperfusion for 6 hours. RESULTS: THC administration 2h prior to the induction of hepatic I/R was associated with significant attenuated elevations of: serum liver transaminases ALT and AST, the hepatic oxidative stress (activation of the intracellular signaling CREB pathway), the acute proinflammatory response (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-10 and c-FOS hepatic mRNA levels, and ERK signaling pathway activation). This was followed by cell death (the cleavage of the pro-apoptotic caspase 3, DNA fragmentation and TUNEL) after 6 hours of reperfusion. Significantly less hepatic injury was detected in the THC treated I/R mice and fewer apoptotic hepatocytes cells were identified by morphological criteria compared with untreated mice. CONCLUSION: A single ultralow dose THC can reduce the apoptotic, oxidative and inflammatory injury induced by hepatic I/R injury. THC may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in hepatic I/R injury during liver transplantation, liver resection and trauma.

Toll-like receptor-4 knockout mice are more resistant to optic nerve crush damage than wild-type mice.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the role of the inflammatory response following optic nerve crush (ONC) in knockout mice for the toll-like receptor-4 gene (TLR4-/-) compared to wild-type (WT) mice. METHODS: ONC was induced in TLR4-/- and C57BL6 WT mice. Histological sections of the retina and optic nerve were analysed on days 1, 3 or 21 after injury. Molecular analysis with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to study the expression of CD45, tumour necrosis-alpha (TNF-α) and glial fibrillary acidic protein, as well as retinal ganglion cell (RGC) markers THY-1 and Brn3b. RESULTS: There was a 25.5% and 38% loss in the RGC layer of the ONC-injured eyes of the TLR4-/- and the WT mice, respectively (with 27% and 9% of the remaining cells positive for Brn3a, respectively). Mean levels of Thy-1 and Brn3b were higher in the TLR4-/- mice. CD45 and Iba1 staining revealed infiltration of inflammatory cells into the injured nerve and retina in both groups. Molecular analysis of the optic nerve on day 1 showed increased TNF-α expression and reduced CD45 and GFAP expression; on day 3, CD45 reverted to baseline but GFAP remained low; on day 21, all 3 markers were at baseline in the TLR4-/- group and decreased in the WT group. CONCLUSION: Inflammation plays a major role in the response to ONC injury. Reduced levels of inflammation are associated with improved RGC preservation. The increase in TNF-α and reduction in CD45 in both TLR4-/- and WT mice may indicate the presence of an alternative pathway for induction of RGC death.

Gold nanorods as absorption contrast agents for the noninvasive detection of arterial vascular disorders based on diffusion reflection measurements.

In this study we report the use of gold nanorods (GNRs) as absorption contrast agents in the diffusion reflection (DR) method for the in vivo detection of atherosclerotic injury. The early detection and characterization of atherosclerotic vascular disease is considered to be one of the greatest medical challenges today. We show that macrophage cells, which are major components of unstable active atherosclerotic plaques, uptake gold nanoparticles, resulting in a change in the optical properties of tissue-like phantoms and a unique DR profile. In vivo DR measurements of rats that underwent injury of the carotid artery showed a clear difference between the DR profiles of the injured compared with healthy arteries. The results suggest that DR measurements following GNRs administration represent a potential novel method for the early detection of atherosclerotic vascular disease.