Neuroprotective effect of erythropoietin on anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity through the modulation of autophagy in Caenorhabditis elegans.

BACKGROUND: The anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of erythropoietin may provide neuroprotective effects. Erythropoietin also modulates autophagy signaling that may play a role in anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity (AIN). Herein, we investigated whether AIN can be attenuated by the neuroprotective effect of erythropoietin in the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). METHODS: Synchronized worms were divided into the control, Iso, EPO, and EPO-Iso groups. The chemotaxis index (CI) was evaluated when they reached the young adult stage. The lgg-1::GFP-positive puncta per seam cell were used to determine the autophagic events. The erythropoietin-mediated pathway of autophagy was determined by measuring the genetic expression level of let-363, bec-1, atg-7, atg-5, and lgg-3. RESULTS: Increased lgg-1::GFP puncta were observed in the Iso, EPO, and EPO-Iso groups. In the Iso group, only the let-363 level decreased significantly as compared to that in the control group (P = 0.009). bec-1 (P < 0.001), atg-5 (P = 0.012), and lgg-3 (P < 0.001) were expressed significantly more in the EPO-Iso group than in the Iso groups. Repeated isoflurane exposure during development decreased the CI. Erythropoietin could restore the decreased CI by isoflurane significantly in the EPO-Iso group. CONCLUSIONS: Erythropoietin showed neuroprotective effects against AIN and modulated the autophagic pathway in C. elegans. This experimental evidence of erythropoietin-related neuroprotection against AIN may be correlated with the induced autophagic degradation process that was sufficient for handling enhanced autophagy induction in erythropoietin-treated worms.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. increases Caenorhabditis elegans stress resistance and longevity in a DAF-16, HSF-1 and SKN-1-dependent manner

Improving overall health and quality of life, preventing diseases and increasing life expectancy are key concerns in the field of public health. The search for antioxidants that can inhibit oxidative damage in cells has received a lot of attention. Rosmarinus officinalis L. represents an exceptionally rich source of bioactive compounds with pharmacological properties. In the present study, we explored the effects of the ethanolic extract of R. officinalis (eeRo) on stress resistance and longevity using the non-parasitic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. We report for the first time that eeRo increased resistance against oxidative and thermal stress and extended C. elegans longevity in an insulin/IGF signaling pathway-dependent manner. These data emphasize the eeRo beneficial effects on C. elegans under stress.