Resolvin D1, a Metabolite of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid,Decreases Post-Myocardial Infarct Depression

We hypothesized that inflammation induced by myocardial ischemia plays a central role in depression-like behavior after myocardial infarction (MI). Several experimental approaches that reduce inflammation also result in attenuation of depressive symptoms. We have demonstrated that Resolvin D1 (RvD1), a metabolite of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) derived from docosahexaenoic acid, diminishes infarct size and neutrophil accumulation in the ischemic myocardium. The aim of this study is to determine if a single RvD1 injection could alleviate depressive symptoms in a rat model of MI. MI was induced in rats by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 40 min. Five minutes before ischemia or after reperfusion, 0.1 μg of RvD1 or vehicle was injected in the left ventricle cavity. Fourteen days after MI, behavioral tests (forced swim test and socialization) were conducted to evaluate depression-like symptoms. RvD1 reduced infarct size in the treated vs. the vehicle group. Animals receiving RvD1 also showed better performance in the forced swim and social interaction tests vs. vehicle controls. These results indicate that a single RvD1 dose, given 5 min before occlusion or 5 min after the onset of reperfusion, decreases infarct size and attenuates depression-like symptoms.     

Programmed Cell Death Induced by (?)-8,9-Dehydroneopeltolide in Human Promyelocytic Leukemia HL-60 Cells under Energy Stress Conditions

(+)-Neopeltolide is a marine macrolide natural product that exhibits potent antiproliferative activity against several human cancer cell lines. Previous study has established that this natural product primarily targets the complex III of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. However, the biochemical mode-of-actions of neopeltolide have not been investigated in detail. Here we report that (−)-8,9-dehydroneopeltolide (8,9-DNP), a more accessible synthetic analogue, shows potent cytotoxicity against human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells preferentially under energy stress conditions. Nuclear morphology analysis, as well as DNA ladder assay, indicated that 8,9-DNP induced significant nuclear condensation/fragmentation and DNA fragmentation, and these events could be suppressed by preincubating the cells with a pan-caspase inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (zVAD). Immunoblot analysis demonstrated the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria and the cleavage of full-length caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). These results indicated that 8,9-DNP induced caspase-dependent apoptotic programmed cell death under energy stress conditions. It was also found that 8,9-DNP induced non-apoptotic cell death in the presence/absence of zVAD under energy stress conditions. Immunoblot analysis showed the intracytosolic release of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), although it did not further translocate to the nucleus. It appears most likely that, in the presence of zVAD, 8,9-DNP triggered necrotic cell death as a result of severe intracellular ATP depletion.     

Palmitic Acid and Ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol Contribute to the Apoptotic Effect and Cell Cycle Arrest of an Extract from Marthasterias glacialis L. in Neuroblastoma Cells

We describe the effect of a chemically characterized lipophilic extract obtained from Marthasterias glacialis L. against human breast cancer (MCF-7) and human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell lines. Evaluation of DNA synthesis revealed that both cell lines were markedly affected in a concentration-dependent way, the SH-SY5Y cell line being more susceptible. Cell cycle arrest was observed, an effect induced by the sterol, ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol, present in the extract. Morphological evaluation of treated cells showed the advent of lipid droplets and chromatin condensation compatible with apoptosis, which was confirmed by the evaluation of caspase-3 and -9 activities. Palmitic acid was the main compound responsible for this apoptotic effect by a ceramide-independent mechanism that involved endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress with upregulation of CCAAT/-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP).     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Some New Aza-B-homocholestane Derivatives as Anticancer Agents

Using analogues of some marine steroidal oximes as precursors, a series of aza-B-homocholestane derivatives possessing different substituted groups at the 3-position of the steroidal nucleus were synthesized. Their biological activity against cancer cell proliferation was determined with multiple cancer cell lines. Aza-B-homocholestane derivatives possessing 3-hydroxyl, 3-hydroximino and 3-thiosemicarbazone groups displayed remarkable cytotoxicity to cancer cells via apoptosis inducing mechanism. Compounds 5, 10, 12, 15 and 18 exhibited better potency to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. In addition, compound 15 was further evaluated with three dimensional (3D) multicellular spheroids assay to determine its potency against spheroid growth. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) generated in the studies is valuable for the design of novel chemotherapeutic agents.     

钼镉联合胁迫对山羊肾脏细胞凋亡相关基因表达的影响

本研究以波尔山羊为实验动物,旨在观察钼镉联合胁迫对山羊肾脏细胞凋亡相关基因表达的影响。选用63头健康波尔山羊随机分成7组,每组3个重复,选用七钼酸铵([(NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O])作为实验钼源,氯化镉(Cd Cl2)作为实验镉源,按每kg山羊体质量添加钼、镉对照组(Mo 0 mg/kg+Cd 0 mg/kg),低镉低钼组(Mo 15mg/kg+Cd 0.5 mg/kg),低镉中钼组(Mo 30 mg/kg+Cd 0.5 mg/kg),低镉高钼组(Mo 45 mg/kg+Cd 0.5 mg/kg),高镉低钼组(Mo 15 mg/kg+Cd 1.0 mg/kg),高镉中钼组(Mo 30 mg/kg+Cd 1.0 mg/kg),高镉高钼组(Mo 45 mg/kg+Cd1.0 mg/kg),实验期50 d。并于当天、第25、50天每组各剖杀3头山羊取肾组织进行相关实验,观察不同剂量钼、镉对山羊肾脏细胞凋亡相关基因表达等的影响。结果显示,与对照组相比,在实验第25、50天时,实验组山羊肾脏bcl-2 mRNA表达量下降(P0.01),bax mRNA、caspase-3 mRNA和cytc mRNA表达量上升(P0.05或P0.01);山羊钼镉联合胁迫导致肾线粒体抗氧化功能降低、自由基含量升高,导致细胞促凋亡基因表达量上升,抗凋亡基因的表达量下降,提示钼镉联合胁迫对山羊肾脏有明显损伤。     

姜黄素调控Notch1信号通路诱导结肠癌SW480细胞株凋亡

目的 从Notch1信号通路探讨姜黄素诱导结肠癌SW480细胞株凋亡的分子机制。方法 （1）利用流式细胞技术检测不同浓度姜黄素（0,7.5,15,30,60 μmol/L）处理结肠癌SW480株24 h和48 h后的细胞凋亡情况。（2）通过RT-PCR检测不同浓度姜黄素（0,7.5,15,30,60 μmol/L）处理结肠癌SW480细胞株24 h和48 h后,Notch1信号通路中膜受体基因Notch1及下游靶基因Hes-1 mRNA表达情况,观察姜黄素对Notch1信号通路中Notch1及Hes-1基因mRNA表达的影响。结果 （1）姜黄素能诱导结肠癌SW480细胞株凋亡;（2）姜黄素能一定程度上下调Notch1信号通路中Notch1及Hes-1基因mRNA的表达（P＜0.05）。结论 姜黄素能一定程度上诱导结肠癌SW480细胞株凋亡,这种对结肠癌SW480细胞毒性作用可能与调控Notch1信号通路中膜受体基因Notch1及下游靶基因Hes-1转录有关。     

Cracking the Cytotoxicity Code: Apoptotic Induction of 10-Acetylirciformonin B is Mediated through ROS Generation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

A marine furanoterpenoid derivative, 10-acetylirciformonin B (10AB), was found to inhibit the proliferation of leukemia, hepatoma, and colon cancer cell lines, with selective and significant potency against leukemia cells. It induced DNA damage and apoptosis in leukemia HL 60 cells. To fully understand the mechanism behind the 10AB apoptotic induction against HL 60 cells, we extended our previous findings and further explored the precise molecular targets of 10AB. We found that the use of 10AB increased apoptosis by 8.9%–87.6% and caused disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by 15.2%–95.2% in a dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by annexin-V/PI and JC-1 staining assays, respectively. Moreover, our findings indicated that the pretreatment of HL 60 cells with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, diminished MMP disruption and apoptosis induced by 10AB, suggesting that ROS overproduction plays a crucial rule in the cytotoxic activity of 10AB. The results of a cell-free system assay indicated that 10AB could act as a topoisomerase catalytic inhibitor through the inhibition of topoisomerase IIα. On the protein level, the expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL and Bcl-2, caspase inhibitors XIAP and survivin, as well as hexokinase II were inhibited by the use of 10AB. On the other hand, the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax was increased after 10AB treatment. Taken together, our results suggest that 10AB-induced apoptosis is mediated through the overproduction of ROS and the disruption of mitochondrial metabolism.     

Geoditin A Induces Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis on Human Colon HT29 Cells

Geoditin A, an isomalabaricane triterpene isolated from the marine sponge Geodia japonica, has been demonstrated to dissipate mitochondrial membrane potential, activate caspase 3, decrease cytoplasmic proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and induce apoptosis of leukemia cells, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear [1]. In this study, we found fragmentation of Golgi structure, suppression of transferrin receptor expression, production of oxidants, and DNA fragmentation in human colon cancer HT29 cells after treatment with geoditin A for 24 h. This apoptosis was not abrogated by chelation of intracellular iron with salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (SIH), but suppressed by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a thiol antioxidant and GSH precursor, indicating that the cytotoxic effect of geoditin A is likely mediated by a NAC-inhibitable oxidative stress. Our results provide a better understanding of the apoptotic properties and chemotherapeutical potential of this marine triterpene.     

Astaxanthin Alleviates Early Brain Injury Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats: Possible Involvement of Akt/Bad Signaling

Apoptosis has been proven to play a crucial role in early brain injury pathogenesis and to represent a target for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Previously, we demonstrated that astaxanthin (ATX) administration markedly reduced neuronal apoptosis in the early period after SAH. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure. In the present study, we tried to investigate whether ATX administration is associated with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt (PI3K/Akt) pathway, which can play an important role in the signaling of apoptosis. Our results showed that post-SAH treatment with ATX could cause a significant increase of phosphorylated Akt and Bad levels, along with a significant decrease of cleaved caspase-3 levels in the cortex after SAH. In addition to the reduced neuronal apoptosis, treatment with ATX could also significantly reduce secondary brain injury characterized by neurological dysfunction, cerebral edema and blood-brain barrier disruption. In contrast, the PI3K/Akt inhibitor, {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002, could partially reverse the neuroprotection of ATX in the early period after SAH by downregulating ATX-induced activation of Akt/Bad and upregulating cleaved caspase-3 levels. These results provided the evidence that ATX could attenuate apoptosis in a rat SAH model, potentially, in part, through modulating the Akt/Bad pathway.     

褪黑素的添加减轻猪精原干细胞的氧化损伤

旨在研究褪黑素（melatonin,MT）对体外培养猪精原干细胞（spermatogonial stem cells,SSCs）的作用机制。本研究采集3头7日龄健康大白公猪睾丸,利用差速贴壁法获得SSCs。后经形态学观察、碱性磷酸酶染色、标记基因检测及免疫荧光染色鉴定后以SSCs作为试验材料,设置MT浓度梯度（0、50、250、500、1 000 μmol·mL^-1）组处理SSCs,每组设3个重复（n=3）,空白对照组加入0.1% DMSO处理,分别检测添加MT后猪SSCs的细胞活力、活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）水平、谷胱甘肽（glutathione,GSH）含量及凋亡基因表达变化。结果显示：1）分离的克隆团细胞具有SSCs的生长特性,可被碱性磷酸酶染色并表达干细胞标志基因OCT4、SOX2和SSCs标志基因NANOG、PLZF、UCHL1;2）50 μmol·mL^-1以上的MT在处理48 h后可显著提高SSCs的细胞活力（P<0.05）;3） MT可显著降低猪SSCs内ROS水平（P<0.05）,极显著增加细胞内GSH含量（P<0.01）;4） MT可显著抑制猪SSCs内凋亡蛋白Bax和Caspase3的表达（P<0.05）。MT具有清除猪SSCs中的ROS,提高总GSH含量,抑制凋亡基因表达进而提高细胞活力的作用,可为养殖过程中提高公猪繁殖性能提供参考。