Asperuloside Promotes Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer Cells through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mitochondrial Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of asperuloside on cervical cancer based on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial pathway.@*METHODS@#Different doses (12.5-800 µg/mL) of asperuloside were used to treat cervical cancer cell lines Hela and CaSki to calculate the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of asperuloside. The cell proliferation was analyzed by clone formation assay. Cell apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were determined by flow cytometry. The protein expressions of cleaved-caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, Cyt-c, cleaved-caspase-4 and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) were analyzed by Western blot. And the inhibitor of ER stress, 4-phenyl butyric acid (4-PBA) was used to treat cervical cancer cells to further verify the role of ER stress in the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells induced by asperuloside.@*RESULTS@#Asperuloside of 325, 650, and 1300 µg/mL significantly inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of Hela and CaSki cells (P<0.01). All doses of asperuloside significantly increased intracellular ROS levels, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, significantly reduced Bcl-2 protein expression level, and increased Bax, Cyt-c, GRP78 and cleaved-caspase-4 expressions (P<0.01). In addition, 10 mmol/L 4-PBA treatment significantly promoted cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis (P<0.05), and 650 µg/mL asperuloside could reverse 4-PBA-induced increased cell proliferation, decreased apoptosis and cleaved-caspase-3, -4 and GRP78 protein expressions (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Our study revealed the role of asperuloside in cervical cancer, suggesting that asperuloside promotes apoptosis of cervical cancer cells through ER stress-mitochondrial pathway.

Mechanism of Shikonin on spinal cord injury in rats based on TNFR/RIPK1 pathway / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of shikonin on the recovery of nerve function after acute spinal cord injury(SCI) in rats.@*METHODS@#96 male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were divided into 4 groups randomly:sham operation group (Group A), sham operation+shikonin group (Group B), SCI+ DMSO(Group C), SCI+shikonin group (Group D).The acute SCI model of rats was made by clamp method in groups C and D . After subdural catheterization, no drug was given in group A. rats in groups B and D were injected with 100 mg·kg-1 of shikonin through catheter 30 min after modeling, and rats in group C were given with the same amount of DMSO, once a day until the time point of collection tissue. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan(BBB) scores were performed on 8 rats in each group at 6, 12, and 3 d after moneling, and oblique plate tests were performed on 1, 3, 7 and 14 d after modeling, and then spinal cord tissues were collected. Eight rats were intraperitoneally injected with propidine iodide(PI) 1 h before sacrificed to detection PI positive cells at 24 h in each group. Eight rats were sacrificed in each group at 24 h after modeling, the spinal cord injury was observed by HE staining.The Nissl staining was used to observe survivor number of nerve cells. Western-blot technique was used to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2 protein and apoptosis related protein RIPK1.@*RESULTS@#After modeling, BBB scores were normal in group A and B, but in group C and D were significantly higher than those in group A and B. And the scores in group D were higher than those in group C in each time point (P<0.05). At 12 h after modeling, the PI red stained cells in group D were significantly reduced compared with that in group C, and the disintegration of neurons was alleviated(P<0.05). HE and Nissl staining showed nerve cells with normal morphology in group A and B at 24h after operation. The degree of SCI and the number of neuronal survival in group D were better than those in group C, the difference was statistically significant at 24h (P<0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 and RIPK1 proteins was very low in group A and B;The expression of RIPK1 was significantly increased in Group C and decreased in Group D, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05);The expression of Bcl-2 protein in group D was significantly higher than that in group C (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Shikonin can alleviate the pathological changes after acute SCI in rats, improve the behavioral score, and promote the recovery of spinal nerve function. The specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TNFR/RIPK1 signaling pathway mediated necrotic apoptosis.

Lactate-induced up-regulation of PLEKHA4 promotes proliferation and apoptosis of human glioma cells / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of lactic acid-induced upregulation of PLEKHA4 expression on biological behaviors of glioma cells and the possible molecular mechanism.@*METHODS@#GEO database and GEPIA2 website were used to analyze the relationship between PLEKHA4 expression level and the pathological grade of glioma. A specific PLEKHA4 siRNA was transfected in glioma U251 and T98G cells, and the changes in cell proliferation ability were assessed by real-time cell analysis technology and Edu experiment. The colony-forming ability of the cells was evaluated using plate cloning assay, and cell cycle changes and cell apoptosis were analyzed with flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of PLEKHA4 was detected by PCR in glioma samples and controls and in glioma cells treated with lactic acid and glucose. Xenograft mice in vivo was used to detect tumor formation in nude mice; Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of cyclinD1, CDK2, Bcl2, β-catenin and phosphorylation of the key proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway.@*RESULTS@#The results of GEO database and online website analysis showed that PLEKHA4 was highly expressed in glioma tissues and was associated with poor prognosis; PLEKHA4 knockdown obviously inhibited the proliferation and attenuated the clone-forming ability of the glioma cells (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry showed that PLEKHA4 knockdown caused cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and promoted apoptosis of the cells (P < 0.01). PLEKHA4 gene mRNA expression was increased in glioma samples and glioma cells after lactate and glucose treatment (P < 0.01). PLEKHA4 knockdown, tumor formation ability of nude mice decreased; PLEKHA4 knockdown obviously lowered the expression of cyclinD1, CDK2, Bcl2 and other functional proteins, inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 and reduced the expression of β-catenin protein (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#PLEKHA4 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells and promoted apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and expression of β-catenin. Lactic acid produced by glycolysis upregulates the expression of PLEKHA4 in glioma cells.

Radix Scrophulariae Extracts Exert Effect on Hyperthyroidism via MST1/Hippo Signaling Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism of Radix Scrophulariae (RS) extracts in the treatment of hyperthyroidism rats by regulating proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of thyroid cell through the mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1)/Hippo pathway.@*METHODS@#Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into 4 groups according to a random number table: control, model group, RS, and RS+Hippo inhibitor (XMU-MP-1) groups (n=6 per group). Rats were gavaged with levothyroxine sodium tablet suspension (LST, 8 μ g/kg) for 21 days except for the control group. Afterwards, rats in the RS group were gavaged with RS extracts at the dose of 1,350 mg/kg, and rats in the RS+XMU-MP-1 group were gavaged with 1,350 mg/kg RS extracts and 1 mg/kg XMU-MP-1. After 15 days of administration, thyroid gland was taken for gross observation, and histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The structure of Golgi secretory vesicles in thyroid tissues was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) was observed by immunohistochemistry. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling assay was used to detect cell apoptosis in thyroid tissues. Real-time quantity primer chain reaction and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of MST1, p-large tumor suppressor gene 1 (LATS1), p-Yes1 associated transcriptional regulator (YAP), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), G1/S-specific cyclin-D1 (Cyclin D1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Caspase-3, microtubule-associated proeins light chain 3 II/I (LC3-II/I), and recombinant human autophagy related 5 (ATG5). Thyroxine (T4) level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#The thyroid volume of rats in the model group was significantly increased compared to the normal control group (P<0.01), and pathological changes such as uneven size of follicular epithelial cells, disorderly arrangement, and irregular morphology occurred. The secretion of small vesicles by Golgi apparatus was reduced, and the expressions of receptor protein TSH-R and T4 were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expressions of MST1, p-LATS1, p-YAP, Caspase-3, LC3-II/I, and ATG5 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expressions of Bcl-2, PCNA, and cyclin D1 were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, RS extracts reduced the volume of thyroid gland, improved pathological condition of the thyroid gland, promoted secretion of the secretory vesicles with double-layer membrane structure in thyroid Golgi, significantly inhibited the expression of TSH-R and T4 levels (P<0.01), upregulated MST1, p-LATS1, p-YAP, Caspase-3, LC3-II/I, and ATG5 expressions (P<0.01), and downregulated Bcl-2, PCNA, and Cyclin D1 expressions (P<0.01). XMU-MP-1 inhibited the intervention effects of RS extracts (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#RS extracts could inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis and autophagy in thyroid tissues through MST1/Hippo pathway for treating hyperthyroidism.

Anti-glioma mechanism of pterostilbene by regulating apoptosis and GSDME-mediated pyroptosis pathways: a study based on network pharmacology and experimental research / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to explore the anti-glioma effect of natural compound pterostilbene(PTE) through regulating pyroptosis and apoptosis pathways, and to analyze the possible anti-glioma pathways and targets of PTE by network pharmacology and molecular docking. In this study, the action targets of PTE and the glioma targets were obtained by network pharmacology to construct a target network and a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network to predict the possible action targets of PTE against glioma. Molecular docking was performed on the core targets by AutoDock and the action pathways of PTE against glioma were predicted by enrichment analysis. In addition, the effect of PTE on the viability of U87MG and GL261 glioma cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. Clone formation assay and cell scratching assay were used to explore the effect of different concentrations of PTE on the proliferation and migration, respectively of glioma cells. Hoechst staining was used to observe PTE-induced apoptosis in glioma cells. The changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by JC-1 staining. The pyroptosis-inducing effect of PTE on glioma cells was observed by inverted microscopy and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) assay. Hoechst 33342/PI dual staining assay was performed to detect the integrity of glioma cell membranes. The expressions of pyroptosis and apoptosis-related proteins in glioma cells after PTE induction were determined by Western blot. In this study, 37 anti-glioma targets of PTE were obtained, and enrichment analysis suggested that PTE exerted anti-glioma effects through various signaling pathways including cancer pathway, proteoglycan in cancer, PI3K/AKT pathway, and apoptosis regulatory pathway. Molecular docking revealed that PTE had good binding activity with the main targets. Compared with the control group, PTE significantly reduced the viability as well as the proliferation, migration and adhesion abilities of U87MG and GL261 cells; it induced the apoptosis of the two glioma cells and the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential in U87MG cells, and the effects increased with the increase of drug concentration. Compared with the conditions in the control group, glioma cells in the PTE group had increased pyroptosis-specific appearance and gradually increased LDH release; the number of PI positive cells was significantly elevated with the increase of PTE concentration as revealed by Hoechst 33342/PI staining; the expression levels of apoptosis-related factors cleaved PARP1 and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) associated X(BAX) in the PTE group were markedly up-regulated, while the expression level of Bcl-2 was markedly down-regulated; the activation levels of pyroptosis-related proteins cleaved caspase-3 and gasdermin E-N(GSDME-N) had a remarkable rise in the PTE group, while no significant changes were found in the activation levels of gasdermin D-N(GSDMD-N) and cleaved caspase-1. In summary, PTE plays an anti-glioma role by inhibiting cell viability, proliferation, and migration and activating the caspase-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis pathway and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Re on drosophila model of Parkinson's disease / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the neuroprotective mechanism of ginsenoside Re(GS-Re) on drosophila model of Parkinson's disease(PD) induced by rotenone(Rot). To be specific, Rot was used to induce PD in drosophilas. Then the drosophilas were grouped and respectively treated(GS-Re: 0.1, 0.4, 1.6 mmol·L~(-1); L-dopa: 80 μmol·L~(-1)). Life span and crawling ability of drosophilas were determined. The brain antioxidant activity [content of catalase(CAT), malondialdehyde(MDA), reactive oxygen species(ROS), superoxide dismutase(SOD)], dopamine(DA) content, and mitochondrial function [content of adenosine triphosphate(ATP), NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit B8(NDUFB8) Ⅰ activity, succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit B(SDHB) Ⅱ activity] were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The number of DA neurons in the brains of drosophilas was measured with the immunofluorescence method. The levels of NDUFB8 Ⅰ, SDHB Ⅱ, cytochrome C(Cyt C), nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-assaciated X protein(Bax), and cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 in the brain were detected by Western blot. The results showed that model group [475 μmol·L~(-1) Rot(IC_(50))] demonstrated significantly low survival rate, obvious dyskinesia, small number of neurons and low DA content in the brain, high ROS level and MDA content, low content of SOD and CAT, significantly low ATP content, NDUFB8 Ⅰ activity, and SDHB Ⅱ activity, significantly low expression of NDUFB8 Ⅰ, SDHB Ⅱ, and Bcl-2/Bax, large amount of Cyt C released from mitochondria to cytoplasm, low nuclear transfer of Nrf2, and significantly high expression of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 compared with the control group. GS-Re(0.1, 0.4, and 1.6 mmol·L~(-1)) significantly improved the survival rate of PD drosophilas, alleviated the dyskinesia, increased DA content, reduced the loss of DA neurons, ROS level, and MDA content in brain, improved content of SOD and CAT and antioxidant activity in brain, maintained mitochondrial homeostasis(significantly increased ATP content and activity of NDUFB8 Ⅰ and SDHB Ⅱ, significantly up-regulated expression of NDUFB8 Ⅰ, SDHB Ⅱ, and Bcl-2/Bax), significantly reduced the expression of Cyt C, increased the nuclear transfer of Nrf2, and down-regulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3. In conclusion, GS-Re can significantly relieve the Rot-induced cerebral neurotoxicity in drosophilas. The mechanism may be that GS-Re activates Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, improves antioxidant capacity of brain neurons, then inhibits mitochondria-mediated caspase-3 signaling pathway, and the apoptosis of neuronal cells, thereby exerting the neuroprotective effect.

Stellera chamaejasme extract against multidrug resistance of breast cancer cell line MCF-7 / 中国中药杂志

This study explored the effect and underlying mechanism of Stellera chamaejasme extract(SCE) on multidrug resistance of breast cancer. The chemotherapy-sensitive breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and adriamycin(ADR)-resistant cell line MCF-7/ADR were used as experimental subjects. MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation activity. Pi staining was used to detect the cell cycle. 4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole, dihydrochloride(DAPI) staining and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis. Dansylcadaverine(MDC) staining and GFP-LC3B-Mcherry adenovirus transfection were used to detect autophagy. The protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3, LC3B, p62, and Beclin-1 was detected by Western blot. The results showed that SCE could significantly inhibit the proliferation of both sensitive and resistant breast cancer cell lines. The drug resistance factor was 0.53, which was significantly lower than 59 of ADR. Meanwhile, the proportion of sensitive/resistant cells in the G_0/G_1 phase increased significantly after SCE treatment. In addition, DAPI staining showed that a series of apoptosis phenomena such as nuclear pyknosis, staining deepening, and nuclear fragmentation appeared in sensitive/resistant cell lines after SCE administration. Moreover, the results of flow cytometry double staining showed that the proportion of apoptotic cells in sensitive/resistant cell lines increased significantly after SCE administration. Besides, Western blot showed that the protein expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bcl-2 significantly decreased and the expression level of Bax protein significantly increased in both breast cancer cell lines after SCE administration. Furthermore, SCE could also increase the positive fluorescent spots after MDC staining and yellow fluorescent spots after GFP-LC3B-mcherry transfection, and up-regulate the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3B-Ⅱ, p62, and Beclin-1 in breast cancer cells. In summary, SCE may play the role of anti-multidrug resistance by blocking the cell cycle of breast cancer multidrug-resistant cells, blocking autophagy flow, and ultimately interfering with the apoptosis resistance of drug-resistant cells.

Acteoside promotes autophagy and apoptosis of hepatoma cells by regulating JNK signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study explored the molecular mechanism of acteoside against hepatoma 22(H22) tumor in mice through c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) signaling pathway. H22 cells were subcutaneously inoculated in 50 male BALB/c mice, and then the model mice were classified into model group, low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose acteoside groups, and cisplatin group. The administration lasted 2 weeks for each group(5 consecutive days/week). The general conditions of mice in each group, such as mental status, diet intake, water intake, activity, and fur were observed. The body weight, tumor volume, tumor weight, and tumor-inhibiting rate were compared before and after administration. Morphological changes of liver cancer tissues were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining, and the expression of phosphorylated(p)-JNK, JNK, B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Beclin-1, and light chain 3(LC3) in each tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. qRT-PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression of JNK, Bcl-2, Beclin-1, and LC3. The general conditions of mice in model and low-dose acteoside groups were poor, while the general conditions of mice in the remaining three groups were improved. The body weight of mice in medium-dose acteoside group, high-dose acteoside group, and cisplatin group was smaller than that in model group(P<0.01). The tumor volume in model group was insignificantly different from that in low-dose acteoside group, and the volume in cisplatin group showed no significant difference from that in high-dose acteoside group. Tumor volume and weight in medium-dose and high-dose acteoside groups and cisplatin group were lower than those in the model group(P<0.001). The tumor-inhibiting rates were 10.72%, 40.32%, 53.79%, and 56.44% in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose acteoside groups and cisplatin group, respectively. HE staining showed gradual decrease in the count of hepatoma cells and increasing sign of cell necrosis in the acteoside and cisplatin groups, and the necrosis was particularly obvious in the high-dose acteoside group and cisplatin group. Immunohistochemical results suggested that the expression of Beclin-1, LC3, p-JNK, and JNK was up-regulated in acteoside and cisplatin groups(P<0.05). The results of immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and qRT-PCR indicated that the expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated in the medium-dose and high-dose acteoside groups and cisplatin group(P<0.01). Western blot showed that the expression of Beclin-1, LC3, and p-JNK was up-regulated in acteoside and cisplatin groups(P<0.01), and there was no difference in the expression of JNK among groups. qRT-PCR results showed that the levels of Beclin-1 and LC3 mRNA were up-regulated in the acteoside and cisplatin groups(P<0.05), and the level of JNK mRNA was up-regulated in medium-dose and high-dose acteoside groups and cisplatin group(P<0.001). Acteoside promotes apoptosis and autophagy of H22 cells in mice hepatoma cells by up-regulating the JNK signaling pathway, thus inhibiting tumor growth.

LncRNA DRAIC regulates the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells by targeting let-7i-5p / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To investigate the effects of lncRNA DRAIC on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells and its mechanism. Methods: Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of DRAIC in lung cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues of 40 patients with lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery in Tangshan People's Hospital from 2019 to 2020. Lung adenocarcinoma cells A549 and H1299 were cultured in vitro and divided into si-NC group, si-DRAIC group, miR-NC group, let-7i-5p mimics group, si-DRAIC+ inhibitor-NC group, and si-DRAIC+ let-7i-5p inhibitor group. CCK-8 method and clone formation experiment were used to detect cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. Transwell array was used to detect the cell migration and invasion. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax. The double luciferase reporter gene experiment was used to verify the regulatory relationship between DRAIC and let-7i-5p. Independent sample t test was used for comparison between two groups, one-way ANOVA was used for comparison between multiple groups, and Pearson correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis. Results: Compared with adjacent tissues, the expression level of DRAIC in lung adenocarcinoma tissues increased (P<0.05), but the expression level of let-7i-5p decreased (P<0.05). The expression levels of DRAIC and let-7i-5p in lung adenocarcinoma tissues were negatively correlated (r=-0.737, P<0.05). The absorbance value of A549 and H1299 cells in the si-DRAIC group at 48, 72 and 96 hours were lower than those in the si-NC group (P<0.05), the number of clones formed [(91.00±6.08 vs. 136.67±6.51); (50.67±1.53 vs. 76.67±4.51)], the number of migration [(606.67±31.34 vs. 960.00±33.06); (483.33±45.96 vs. 741.67±29.67)], the number of invasion [(185.00±8.19 vs. 447.33±22.05); (365.00±33.87 vs. 688.00±32.97)] were lower than those in the si-NC group (P<0.05). However, the apoptosis rates of cells [(13.43±2.79)% vs. (4.53±0.42)%; (23.77±1.04)% vs. (6.60±1.42)%] were higher than those in the si-NC group (P<0.05). The protein expressions of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and Bax in si-DRAIC group were higher than those in si-NC group, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was lower than that in si-NC group (P<0.05). DRAIC is located in the cytoplasm. DRAIC targeted and negatively regulated the expression of let-7i-5p. The absorbance values of A549 and H1299 cells in the let-7i-5p mimics group at 48, 72 and 96 hours were lower than those in the miR-NC group (P<0.05), the number of clones formed [(131.33±14.47 vs. 171.33±6.11); (59.33±4.93 vs. 80.33±7.09)], the number of migration [(137.67±3.06 vs. 579.33±82.03); (425.00±11.14 vs. 669.33±21.13)], the number of invasion [(54.00±4.36 vs. 112.67±11.59); (80.00±4.58 vs. 333.33±16.80)] were lower than those in the miR-NC group (P<0.05). However, the apoptosis rates of cells [(14.57±1.10)% vs. (6.97±1.11)%; (23.97±0.42)% vs. (7.07±1.21)%] were higher than those in the miR-NC group (P<0.05). The protein expressions of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and Bax in let-7i-5p mimics group were higher than those in miR-NC group, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was lower than that in miR-NC group (P<0.05). The absorbance values of A549 and H1299 cells in the si-DRAIC+ let-7i-5p inhibitor group at 48, 72 and 96 hours were higher than those in the si-DRAIC+ inhibitor-NC group (P<0.05), the number of clones formed [(82.00±5.29 vs. 59.00±5.57); (77.67±4.93 vs. 41.33±7.57)], the number of migration [(774.33±35.81 vs. 455.67±19.04); (569.67±18.72 vs. 433.67±16.77)], the number of invasion [(670.33±17.21 vs. 451.00±17.52); (263.67±3.06 vs. 182.33±11.93)] were higher than those in the si-DRAIC+ inhibitor-NC group (P<0.05). However, the apoptosis rates of cells [(7.73±0.45)% vs. (19.13±1.50)%; (8.00±0.53)% vs. (28.40±0.53)%] were lower than those in the si-NC group (P<0.05). The protein expressions of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and Bax in si-DRAIC+ let-7i-5p inhibitor group were higher than those in si-DRAIC+ inhibitor-NC group, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was lower than that in si-DRAIC+ inhibitor-NC group (P<0.05). Conclusion: DRAIC is highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma, and DRAIC promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells and inhibits apoptosis by targeting let-7i-5p.

Effects of Methionine Restriction on Proliferation, Cell Cycle, and Apoptosis of Human Acute Leukemia Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of methionine restriction on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of human acute leukemia cells.@*METHODS@#Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of methionine restriction on HL-60 and Jurkat cells proliferation. The effect of methionine restriction on cell cycle of HL-60 and Jurkat cells was examined by PI staining. Annexin V-FITC / PI double staining was applied to detect apoptosis of HL-60 and Jurkat cells following methionine restriction. The expression of cell cycle-related proteins cyclin B1, CDC2 and apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 was evaluated by Western blot assay.@*RESULTS@#Methionine restriction significantly inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 and Jurkat cells in a time-dependent manner (HL-60: r =0.7773, Jurkat: r =0.8725), arrested the cells at G2/M phase (P < 0.001), and significantly induced apoptosis of HL-60 and Jurkat cells (HL-60: P < 0.001; Jurkat: P < 0.05). Furthermore, Western blot analysis demonstrated that methionine restriction significantly reduced the proteins expression of Cyclin B1 (P < 0.05), CDC2 (P < 0.01) and Bcl-2 (P < 0.001) in HL-60 and Jurkat cells.@*CONCLUSION@#Acute leukemia cells HL-60 and Jurkat exhibit methionine dependence. Methionine restriction can significantly inhibit the proliferation, promote cell cycle arrest and induce apoptosis of HL-60 and Jurkat cells, which suggests that methionine restriction may be a potential therapeutic strategy for acute leukemia.

Effect and mechanism of Poria cocos polysaccharides on myocardial cell apoptosis in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating Rho-ROCK signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of Poria cocos polysaccharides(PCP) on myocardial cell apoptosis in the rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MI/RI). Male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group(saline), a model group(saline), low-and high-dose PCP groups(100 and 200 mg·kg~(-1)), and a fasudil group(10 mg·kg~(-1)), with 16 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other four groups underwent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h to establish the MI/RI model. The myocardial infarct area was assessed by TTC staining. Histological changes were observed through HE staining. Myocardial cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining. Serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase MB(CK-MB), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and IL-18 levels, myocardial superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels were detected by ELISA. Protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), cleaved caspase-3, Ras homolog gene A(RhoA), myosin phosphatase target subunit 1(MYPT-1), phosphorylated MYPT-1(p-MYPT-1), and Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase 1(ROCK 1) were measured by Western blot. Pathological staining of myocardial tissue revealed that in the model group, there was focal necrosis of myocardial tissue, myocardial cell swelling, unclear boundaries, and neutrophil infiltration. These pathological changes were alleviated in the low-and high-dose PCP groups and the fasudil group. Compared with the model group, the low-and high-dose PCP groups and the fasudil group showed significantly reduced myocardial infarct area and myocardial cell apoptosis rate. Compared with the sham group, the model group exhibited elevated serum LDH, CK-MB, IL-1β and IL-18 levels, increased MDA levels, relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, RhoA, ROCK1 and p-MYPT-1, and decreased myocardial SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression. Compared with the model group, the PCP groups and the fasudil group showed lowered serum LDH, CK-MB, IL-1β and IL-18 levels, decreased MDA levels, relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, RhoA, ROCK1 and p-MYPT-1, and increased myocardial SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression. PCP exhibited a certain preventive effect on myocardial tissue pathological damage and myocardial cell apoptosis in MI/RI rats, possibly related to the inhibition of the Rho-ROCK signaling pathway activation, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

Effect and mechanism of Danggui Buxue Decoction-containing serum in mitigating H9c2 cell injury caused by exposure to intermittent low oxygen / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the effect and mechanism of Danggui Buxue Decoction(DBD)-containing serum in alleviating the H9c2 cell injury caused by the exposure to intermittent low oxygen. H9c2 cells were assigned into five groups: control(CON) group, intermittent low oxygen(IH) group, intermittent low oxygen plus DBD-containing serum(IH+DBD) group, intermittent low oxygen plus the autophagy enhancer rapamycin(IH+RAPA) group, and intermittent low oxygen plus DBD-containing serum and the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(IH+DBD+3-MA) group. Monodansylcadaverine(MDC) staining was employed to detect the changes of autophagosomes. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was employed to determine the activity of myocardial cells, and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and creatine kinase(CK) kits were used to measure the LDH and CK levels in the cell culture, which would reflect the degree of cell damage. TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) staining was used to detect the apoptosis of myocardial cells, and JC-1 fluorescence probe to detect the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of the autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated proteins light chain 3Ⅱ(LC3Ⅱ), microtubule-associated proteins light chain 3Ⅰ(LC3Ⅰ), P62, Parkin and apoptosis related proteins pro caspase-3, caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X(Bax). The results showed that compared with the CON group, the IH group showed decreased fluorescence intensity of MDC staining, decreased LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio, down-regulated Parkin expression, and up-regulated expression of P62. In addition, the IH group showed decreased cell survival rate, increased content of LDH and CK in the culture medium, increased number of TUNEL positive cells, and decreased pro caspase-3/caspase-3 and Bcl-2/Bax ratios and mitochondrial membrane potential. Compared with the IH group, the IH+DBD and IH+RAPA groups showed increased fluorescence intensity of MDC staining, increased LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio, up-regulated Parkin expression, and down-regulated P62 expression. In addition, the two groups showed increased cell survival rate, reduced content of LDH and CK in the culture medium, decreased number of TUNEL positive cells, and increased pro caspase-3/caspase-3 and Bcl-2/Bax ratios and mitochondrial membrane potential. The IH+DBD+3-MA and IH groups showed no significant differences in the above indicators. Compared with the IH+DBD group, the IH+DBD+3-MA group showed decreased fluorescence intensity of MDC staining, decreased LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio, down-regulated Parkin expression, and up-regulated P62 expression. In addition, the group had decreased cell survival rate, increased content of LDH and CK in the culture medium, increased number of TUNEL positive cells, decreased pro caspase-3/caspase-3 and Bcl-2/Bax ratios, and declined mitochon-drial membrane potential. To sum up, DBD could promote the mitophagy, inhibit the apoptosis, and alleviated the injury of H9c2 cells exposed to low oxygen.

Blaps rynchopetera combined with cyclophosphamide affects proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer cells via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to investigate the effects of Blaps rynchopetera Fairmaire and/or cyclophosphamide on the proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer cells and decipher the underlying mechanism. B. rynchopetera and cyclophosphamide-containing serum and blank serum were prepared from SD rats. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was employed to examine the proliferation of lung cancer cell lines A549 and Lewis treated with corresponding agents. The Jin's formula method was used to evaluate the combined effect of the two drugs. According to the evaluation results, appropriate drug concentrations and lung cancer cell line were selected for subsequent experiments, which included control, B. rynchopetera, cyclophosphamide, B. rynchopetera + cyclophosphamide, and B. rynchopetera + Wnt/β-catenin pathway agonist lithium chloride(LiCl) groups. Immunocytochemistry was employed to measure the expression of proliferation-related proteins in Lewis cells after drug interventions. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the cell cycle and apoptosis. The expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), cyclinD1, B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-assiocated X protein(Bax), Wnt1, and β-catenin were determined by Western blot. The results showed that B. rynchopetera and/or cyclophosphamide significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 and Lewis cells. Compared with B. rynchopetera alone, the combination increased the inhibition rate on cell proliferation. The combination of B. rynchopetera and cyclophosphamide demonstrated a synergistic effect according to Jin's formula-based evaluation. Compared with the control group, the B. rynchopetera, cyclophosphamide, and B. rynchopetera + cyclophosphamide groups showed increased proportion of Lewis cells in G_0/G_1 phase, increased apoptosis rate, up-regulated expression of Bax, and down-regulated expression of PCNA, cyclinD1, Bcl-2, Wnt1, and β-catenin. Compared with the cyclophosphamide group, the combination group showed increased proportion of cells in G_0/G_1 phase, increased apoptosis rate, up-regulated expression of Bax, and down-regulated expression of PCNA, cyclinD1, Bcl-2, Wnt1, and β-catenin. Compared with the B. rynchopetera group, the B. rynchopetera + LiCl group had deceased proportion of cells in G_0/G_1 phase, decreased apoptosis rate, down-regulated expression of Bax, and up-regulated expression of PCNA, cyclinD1, Bcl-2, Wnt1, and β-catenin. The results indicated that B. rynchopetera could inhibit the proliferation, arrest the cell cycle, and induce the apoptosis of lung cancer cells by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, B. rynchopetera had a synergistic effect with cyclophosphamide.

Qirong Tablets inhibits apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells via PI3K/Akt/ HIF-1 signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to observe the effect and explore the mechanism of Qirong Tablets in the treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI) in mice via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/hypoxia inducible factor 1(HIF-1) signaling pathway. Sixty SPF female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive control group, Qirong Tablets low-, medium-and high-dose group. The normal group was intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of normal saline, and the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide 120 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) once to establish a POI animal model. After the model was successfully established, the low-, medium-and high-dose groups of Qirong Tablets were administered orally with 0.6, 1.2, 2.4 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) respectively. The positive control group was given 0.22 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) Clementine Tablets by intragastric administration, and the normal group and model group were given intragastric administration with the same amount of normal saline, and the treatment was 28 d as a course of treatment. After drug intervention, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of estradiol(E_2), follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), and anti-mullerian hormone(AMH) in peripheral blood, and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining to observe the ovarian tissue. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) assay was used to detect the apoptosis of granulosa cells, and Western blot to determine the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), caspase-3, PI3K, Akt, and HIF-1. Compared with the normal group, the modeling of POI caused loose or destroyed ovarian tissue with vacuolar structures, edema and fibrosis in the ovarian interstitium, disordered or loose arrangement of granulosa cells, and reduced normal follicles. Compared with the model group, drug interventions restored the ovarian tissue and follicles at all the development stages and reduced atretic follicles. Compared with the normal group, the modeling of POI lowered the serum level of E_2 and AMH(P<0.01), and elevated the level of FSH and LH(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, high-dose Qirong Tablets elevated the levels of E_2 and AMH(P<0.05), and lowered the levels of FSH and LH(P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the modeling of POI up-regulated the protein levels of PI3K, Akt, HIF-1, Bax, and caspase-3 and down-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 in the ovarian tissue(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose Qirong Tablets down-regulated the protein levels of PI3K, Akt, HIF-1, Bax, and caspase-3 proteins and up-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 in the ovarian tissue(P<0.05). In conclusion, Qirong Tablets can up-regulate the expression Bcl-2, down-regulate the expression of Bax and caspase-3 in POI mice. Qirong Tablets may inhibit the apoptosis of follicular granulosa cells in mice, thereby delaying ovarian aging, improving reproductive axis function, and strengthening ovarian reserve capacity, which may be associated with the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/HIF-1 pathway.

Effects of Xihuang Pills on proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer LNCaP cells based on AR/m TOR signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

Based on the androgen receptor(AR)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway, the effects of Xihuang Pills-medicated serum on the proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer LNCaP cells were investigated. The drug-containing serum of SD rats was prepared by intragastric administration of Xihuang Pills suspension. The effects of low-, medium-, and high-dose Xihuang Pills-containing serum on the in vitro proliferation of LNCaP cells were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8). Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis level of LNCaP cells after intervention with different concentrations of Xihuang Pills. Protein expression of cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase caspase-3(cleaved caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), and AR as well as the phosphorylation level of mTOR protein were detected by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the blank serum, the drug-medicated serum could blunt the activity of LNCaP cells. Low-, medium-, and high-dose Xihuang Pills-containing serum could significantly increase the cell apoptosis rate, increase the expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein, decrease the expression of Bcl-2 protein, reduce the expression of AR protein, and down-regulate the level of phosphorylated mTOR(p-mTOR). To study the effect of Xihuang Pills on the growth of LNCaP cells in vivo, different doses of Xihuang Pills were used to intervene in the subcutaneous graft model in nude mice inoculated with LNCaP cells. The expression levels of AR, mTOR, p-mTOR, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. The results showed that the volumes of subcutaneous graft tumor in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose Xihuang Pills groups significantly decreased compared with that in the model group. The weight of subcutaneous transplanted tumor in each group with drug intervention was significantly lower than that in the model group. Compared with the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose Xihuang Pills groups showed increased cleaved caspase-3 protein expression, decreased Bcl-2 and AR protein expression, and reduced p-mTOR protein expression. Further experiments showed that AR agonist R1881 could block the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptotic effects of Xihuang Pills. The mechanism of Xihuang Pills against prostate cancer is related to the inhibition of the AR/mTOR signaling pathway, inhibition of LNCaP cell proliferation, and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells.

Tanshinone IIA inhibits hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and autophagy by regulating ABCE1 / 中华危重病急救医学

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of tanshinone IIA on apoptosis and autophagy induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation in H9C2 cardiomyocytes and its mechanism.@*METHODS@#H9C2 cardiomyocytes in logarithmic growth phase were divided into control group, hypoxia/reoxygenation model group and tanshinone IIA low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups (50, 100, 200 mg/L tanshinone IIA were treated after hypoxia/reoxygenation respectively). The dose with good therapeutic effect was selected for follow-up study. The cells were divided into control group, hypoxia/reoxygenation model group, tanshinone IIA+pcDNA3.1-NC group and tanshinone IIA+pcDNA3.1-ABCE1 group. The cells were transfected with the overexpressed plasmids pcDNA3.1-ABCE1 and pcDNA3.1-NC and then treated accordingly. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect H9C2 cell activity in each group. The apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was detected by flow cytometry. The ATP-binding cassette transporter E1 (ABCE1), apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax, caspase-3, autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3II/I) and p62 mRNA expression level of H9C2 cells in each group were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The protein expression levels of the above indexes in H9C2 cells were detected by Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#(1) Cell activity and ABCE1 expression: tanshinone IIA inhibited the activity of H9C2 cells induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation, and the effect was significant at medium-dose [(0.95±0.05)% vs. (0.37±0.10)%, P < 0.01], mRNA and protein expression of ABCE1 were significantly reduced [ABCE1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 2.02±0.13 vs. 3.74±0.17, ABCE1 protein (ABCE1/GAPDH): 0.46±0.04 vs. 0.68±0.07, both P < 0.05]. (2) Expression of apoptosis-related proteins: medium-dose of tanshinone IIA inhibited the apoptosis of H9C2 cells induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation [apoptosis rate: (28.26±2.52)% vs. (45.27±3.07)%, P < 0.05]. Compared with the hypoxia/reoxygenation model group, medium-dose of tanshinone IIA significantly down-regulated the protein expression of Bax and caspase-3 in H9C2 cells induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation, and significantly up-regulated the protein expression of Bcl-2 [Bax (Bax/GAPDH): 0.28±0.03 vs. 0.47±0.03, caspase-3 (caspase-3/GAPDH): 0.31±0.02 vs. 0.44±0.03, Bcl-2 (Bcl-2/GAPDH): 0.53±0.02 vs. 0.37±0.05, all P < 0.05]. (3) Expression of autophagy-related proteins: compared with the control group, the positive rate of LC3 in the hypoxia/reoxygenation model group was significantly increased, while the positive rate of LC3 in the medium-dose of tanshinone IIA group was significantly decreased [(20.67±3.09)% vs. (42.67±3.86)%, P < 0.01]. Compared with hypoxia/reoxygenation model group, medium-dose of tanshinone IIA significantly down-regulated Beclin-1, LC3II/I and p62 protein expressions [Beclin-1 (Beclin-1/GAPDH): 0.27±0.05 vs. 0.47±0.03, LC3II/I ratio: 0.24±0.05 vs. 0.47±0.04, p62 (p62/GAPDH): 0.21±0.03 vs. 0.48±0.02, all P < 0.05]. (4) Expression of apoptosis and autophagy related proteins after transfection with overexpressed ABCE1 plasmid: compared with tanshinone IIA+pcDNA3.1-NC group, the protein expression levels of Bax, caspase-3, Beclin-1, LC3II/I and p62 in tanshinone IIA+pcDNA3.1-ABCE1 group were significantly up-regulated, while the protein expression level of Bcl-2 was significantly down-regulated.@*CONCLUSIONS@#100 mg/L tanshinone IIA could inhibit autophagy and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes by regulating the expression level of ABCE1. So, it protects H9C2 cardiomyocytes injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation.

Regulation of Baicalin on Growth of Extranodal NK/T Cell Lymphoma Cells through FOXO3/CCL22 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of baicalin on the growth of extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) cells and its related mechanism.@*METHODS@#Normal NK cells and human ENKTCL cells lines SNK-6 and YTS were cultured, then SNK-6 and YTS cells were treated with 5, 10, 20 μmol/L baicalin and set control. Cell proliferation and apoptosis was detected by Edu method and FCM method, respectively, and expressions of BCL-2, Bax, FOXO3 and CCL22 proteins were detected by Western blot. Interference plasmids were designed and synthesized. FOXO3 siRNA interference plasmids and CCL22 pcDNA overexpression plasmids were transfected with PEI transfection reagent. Furthermore, animal models were established for validation.@*RESULTS@#In control group and 5, 10, 20 μmol/L baicalin group, the proliferation rate of SNK-6 cells was (56.17±2.96)%, (51.92±4.63)%, (36.42±1.58)%, and (14.60±2.81)%, respectively, while that of YTS cells was (58.85±2.98)%, (51.38±1.32)%, (34.75±1.09)%, and (15.45±1.10)%, respectively. In control group and 5, 10, 20 μmol/L baicalin group, the apoptosis rate of SNK-6 cells was (5.93±0.74)%, (11.78±0.34)%, (28.46±0.44)%, and (32.40±0.37)%, respectively, while that of YTS cells was (7.93±0.69)%, (16.29±1.35)%, (33.91±1.56)%, and (36.27±1.06)%, respectively. Compared with control group, the expression of BCL-2 protein both in SNK-6 and YTS cells decreased significantly (P<0.001), and the expression of Bax protein increased in SNK-6 cells only when the concentration of baicalin was 20 μmol/L (P<0.001), while that in YTS cells increased in all three concentrations(5, 10, 20 μmol/L) of baicalin (P<0.001). The expression of FOXO3 protein decreased while CCL22 protein increased in ENKTCL cell lines compared with human NK cells (P<0.001), but the expression of FOXO3 protein increased (P<0.01) and CCL22 protein decreased after baicalin treatment (P<0.001). Animal experiments showed that baicalin treatment could inhibit tumor growth. The expression of CCL22 protein in ENKTCL tissue of nude mice treated with baicalin decreased compared with control group (P<0.01), while the FOXO3 protein increased (P<0.05). In addition, FOXO3 silencing resulted in the decrease of FOXO3 protein expression and increase of CCL22 protein expression (P<0.01, P<0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#Baicalin can inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of ENKTCL cell lines SNK-6 and YTS, up-regulate the expression of Bax protein, down-regulate the expression of BCL-2 protein, and down-regulate the expression of CCL22 protein mediated by FOXO3. Animal experiment shown that the baicalin can inhibit tumor growth. Baicalin can inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of ENKTCL cells through FOXO3/CCL22 signaling pathway.

Intermittent heat exposure induces thoracic aorta injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats by activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of different manners of heat exposure on thoracic aorta injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and explore the underlying mechanism.@*METHODS@#Normal 6 to 7-week-old male SHRs were randomized into control group (cage at room temperature), intermittent heat exposure group (SHR-8 group, exposed to 32 ℃ for 8 h daily for 7 days) and SHR-24 group (with continuous exposure to 32 ℃ for 7 days). After the treatments, the pathologies of the thoracic aorta of the rats were observed with HE staining, and the expressions of Beclin1, LC3B and p62 were detected with Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay; TUNEL staining was used to observe cell apoptosis in the thoracic aorta, and the expressions of caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 were detected using Western blotting. The effects of intraperitoneal injections of 3-MA (an autophagy agonist), rapamycin (an autophagy inhibitor) or compound C 30 min before intermittent heat exposure on the expressions of proteins associated with autophagy, apoptosis and the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway in the aorta were examined with immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#In SHR-8 group, the rats showed incomplete aortic intima with disordered cell distribution and significantly increased expressions of Beclin1, LC3II/LC3I and Bax, lowered expressions of p62 and Bcl-2, and increased apoptotic cells in the thoracic aorta (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with 3-MA obviously inhibited the expressions of autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins, whereas rapamycin promoted their expressions. Compared with the control group, the rats in SHR-8 group had significantly down-regulated p-mTOR and up-regulated p-AMPK and p-ULK1 expression of in the aorta; Treatment with compound C obviously lowered the expressions of p-AMPK and p-ULK1 and those of LC3B and Beclin1 as well.@*CONCLUSION@#In SHRs, intermittent heat exposure causes significant pathologies and promotes autophagy and apoptosis in the thoracic aorta possibly by activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway.

Schisandrin B Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway and Attenuates Early Brain Injury in Rats of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To determine whether Schisandrin B (Sch B) attenuates early brain injury (EBI) in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).@*METHODS@#Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham (sham operation), SAH, SAH+vehicle, and SAH+Sch B groups using a random number table. Rats underwent SAH by endovascular perforation and received Sch B (100 mg/kg) or normal saline after 2 and 12 h of SAH. SAH grading, neurological scores, brain water content, Evan's blue extravasation, and terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining were carried out 24 h after SAH. Immunofluorescent staining was performed to detect the expressions of ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the rat brain, while the expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bax, Caspase-3, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated specklike protein containing the caspase-1 activator domain (ASC), Caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 in the rat brains were detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the SAH group, Sch B significantly improved the neurological function, reduced brain water content, Evan's blue content, and apoptotic cells number in the brain of rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, Sch B decreased SAH-induced expressions of Iba-1 and MPO (P<0.01). SAH caused the elevated expressions of Bax, Caspase-3, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the rat brain (P<0.01), all of which were inhibited by Sch B (P<0.01). In addition, Sch B increased the Bcl-2 expression (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Sch B attenuated SAH-induced EBI, which might be associated with the inhibition of neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, and the NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathway.

Effect of Curcumin on Apoptosis of Acute T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells induced by UMI-77 and Its Related Mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

AbstractObjective: To explore the effect and mechanism of curcumin on human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell apoptosis induced by Mcl-1 small molecule inhibitors UMI-77.@*METHODS@#T-ALL cell line Molt-4 was cultured, and the cells were treated with different concentrations of curcumin and Mcl-1 small molecule inhibitor UMI-77 for 24 h. The MTT method was used to detect the cell survival rate after different treatment; According to the results of curcumin and UMI-77, the experimental settings were divided into control group, curcumin group (20 μmol/L curcumin treated cells), UMI-77 group (15 μmol/L Mcl-1 small molecule inhibitor UMI-77 treated cells) and curcumin+ UMI-77 group (20 μmol/L curcumin and 15 μmol/L Mcl-1 small molecule inhibitor UMI-77 treated cells), MTT method was used to detect cell proliferation inhibition rate, Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining method and TUNEL staining were used to detect cell apoptosis, DCFH-DA probe was used to detect cell reactive oxygen species, JC-1 fluorescent probe was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential, Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins and Notch1 signaling pathway-related proteins.@*RESULTS@#After the treatment of Molt-4 cells with different concentrations of curcumin and Mcl-1 small molecule inhibitor UMI-77, the cell survival rate was decreased (P<0.05); Compared with the control group, the cell proliferation inhibition rate of the curcumin group and the UMI-77 group were increased, the apoptosis rate of cell was increased, the level of ROS was increased, the protein expression of Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in the cells were all increased, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was reduced (P<0.05); Compared with the curcumin group or UMI-77 group, the cell proliferation inhibition rate and apoptosis rate of the curcumin+UMI-77 group were further increased, and the level of ROS was increased. At the same time, the protein expression of Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in the cells were all increased, the protein expression of Bcl-2 was reduced (P<0.05); In addition, the mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells after curcumin treatment was decreased, and the proteins expression of Notch1 and HES1 were reduced (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Curcumin can enhance the apoptosis of T-ALL cells induced by Mcl-1 small molecule inhibitor UMI-77 by reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential, the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Notch1 signaling pathway.