Effect of YIGU capsule on IGF-I mRNA and protein expression in rat osteoblasts in vitro

AIM: The effects of YIGU capsule on proliferation and IGF-I mRNA protein expressions in osteoblasts were studied. METHODS: (1) Forty 12-month old Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided randomly into four groups (YIGU capsule high dose group, medium dose group and low dose group; saline group), the drug-containing serum and control serum were prepared. (2) The new-born Sprague-Dawley rat osteoblasts were cultured with different YIGU capsule drug-containing serum at different concentrations and different exposure time. MTT method was used to observe proliferation of osteoblasts. (3) RT-PCR method was used to measure the relative IGF-I mRNA levels and ELISA method was used to measure IGF-I secretion at different exposure time. (4) ELISA method was used to measure IGF-I secretion at different exposure time. RESULTS: (1) Proliferation of osteoblasts was more than the control groups after 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively (P<0.01); (2) The relative IGF-I mRNA levels and IGF-I protein expression were higher than those in control group after 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was suggested that YIGU capsule drug-containing serum promoted proliferation, IGF-I mRNA and protein expression. These results may be parts of the mechanisms of YIGU capsule to prevent and treat osteoporosis.     

Effect of yigu capsule drug-containing serum on proliferation,ALP activity and expression of interleukin-11 mRNA in rat osteoblasts in the co- culture

AIM:To investigate the effect of yigu caps ule drug-containing serum on proliferation,ALP activity and expression of inter leukin-11 mRNA in Sprague-Dawley rat osteobalsts in the co-culture system.METHODS:(1) Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were isolated from 1 an d 5-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats,respectively.The osteoblasts-osteoclasts co- culture system was built to prevent the two kinds of cells from contact and allo w the media to exchange.The experiment included two groups,drug-containing se ra group and control group.(2) The osteoblasts proliferation,ALP activity and expression of interleukin-11 mRNA were detected by the MTT,4-aminoantipyrine sp ectrometric methods and FQ-PCR，respectively.RESULTS:In drug-containing sera group,the osteoblasts prolifer ation,ALP activity,expression of IL-11 mRNA were higher than those of control group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Rat sera containing yigu capsule can obviously enhan ce the osteoblast proliferation,ALP activity and expression of IL-11 mRNA.     

Effects of melatonin on apoptosis of lymphocytes induced by ionizing radiation in mice

AIM: To explore the effect of melatonin (MLT) on the apoptosis of thymocytes and splenocytes in mice induced by ionizing radiation and its mechanism. METHODS: The percentages of apoptotic bodies and the DNA lytic rates of thymocytes and splenocytes in mice in vitro and in vivo were detected with flow cytometry and fluorospectrophotometry, respectively. RESULTS: The apoptosis of mouse thymocytes and splenocytes in vitro increased with significant dose-dependence in 0.5-6.0 Gy X-irradiation. When MLT of 2 mmol·L^-1 was added into thymocytes or splenocytes in vitro before irradiation with 0.5-6.0 Gy X-rays, the percentages of apoptotic bodies and the DNA lytic rates all decreased significantly as compared with those in the irradiation group. The percentages of apoptotic bodies in these two kinds of cells were 86.25% and 89.22% of those in the irradiation group, respectively, and the DNA lytic rates were 87.23% and 89.16%, respectively. When MLT was injected into intraperitonium in mice 60 min before whole-body irradiation with 2 Gy X-rays, the percentages of apoptotic bodies and the DNA lytic rates were significantly lower than those in the irradiation group, and near or lower than those in the sham-irradiation group. MLT of 0.1-2.5 mg/kg decreased the lymphocyte apoptosis, but without significant dose-dependence. CONCLUSION: The protective effects of MLT on mouse lymphocytes damaged by irradiation in vivo were obvious than those in vitro.     

Effects of Yigu capsule on the level of cbf α-1 mRNA in bone of ovariectomized osteoporosis rats

AIM: To analyze the regulatory effect of Yigu capsule on core binding factor alpha 1 (cbf α-1) gene expression in bone of ovariectomized osteoporosis (OP) rats. METHODS: Thirty-six 10-month old Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomized into three groups: sham-operated group, model group and drug group. After intervention by the corresponding methods, the femurs were collected, SYBR green Ⅰ fluorescence quantitative PCR technique was applied with the internal control of GAPDH according to the relative quantitative formula (2-ΔΔCt), the differentially expressed multiples between the model group or drug group and sham-operated group were calculated. RESULTS: Quantitative formula analysis showed that the level of cbf α-1 gene expression in bone of model groups was decreased than that in sham-operated rats ［compared with sham-operated group, P<0.01, it was (9.9×105)-(1.6×104) times］. While in drug groups the level of cbf α-1 gene expression was 0.19 to 0.92 times than that in the sham-operated group, no significant difference was observed (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that cbf α-1 gene expression in bone tissue of ovariectomized OP rat is decreased, and Yigu capsule increases the level of cbf α-1 gene expression in bone of OP, indicating that Yigu capsule induces bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts.     

Effect of hTERT antisense oligodeoxynucleotide on Cis-diamminedichicloroplatinum-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells

AIM:To explore the effect of hTERT antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) on apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drugs in Jurkat cell lines. METHODS:Cell viability was determined using the trypan blue dye exclusion assay. Apoptosis was detected by morphological observation, DNA gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS:The survival rates of Jurkat cells cultured with daunorubicin, vincristin, and etoposide, respectively were similar with that cultured with those chemotherapic drugs plus hTERT ASODN. The survival rates of Jurkat cells cultured with cis-diamminedichicloroplatinum(DDP) added 24 hours later were higher than that cultured with hTERT ASODN and DDP added 24 hours later. The survival rates of Jurkat cells cultured with DDP were similar with that cultured with hTERT SODN and DDP. In morphological observation of apoptotic cells using Giemsa staining, cells displayed classic apoptotic changes treated with DDP or DDP combined with hTERT ASODN or SODN at 48 hours. Agarose gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA from Jurkat cells treated with ASODN and DDP combination for 48 hours showed typical DNA "ladder". Neither the DNA from Jurkat cells treated with SODN plus DDP nor the DNA from the cells treated with DDP alone showed ladder pattern. Apoptosis rates of Jurkat cells treated with DDP for 48 hours after 24 hours of exposure to ASODN significantly increased. There was significant difference in the percentage of apoptotic Jurkat cells between hTERT ASODN plus DDP and SODN plus DDP or DDP alone, respectively. CONCLUSION:The hTERT ASODN complementary to the translation initiation region of hTERT mRNA enhanced DDP-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells.     

Effect of catalpol on activity of osteoblasts/osteoclasts and osteoblast ERα/β mRNA expression in osteoblast-osteoclast co-culture system

AIM: To investigate the effect of catalpol on the activity of osteoblasts (OB) and osteoclasts (OC), and OB estrogen receptor (ER) α/β mRNA expression in the OB-OC co-culture system. METHODS: OB and OC were isolated from the SD rats of 1 and 5 days old. In the OB-OC co-culture system, different concentrations of catalpol including low dosage (0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/L), middle dosage (2, 5 and 10 mg/L), and high dosage (20, 50 and 100 mg/L) were added into the culture medium to detect the changes of OB proliferation by MTT assay. The catalpol at maximal dosage was added to OB section to detect the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of OB by pNPP method. The mRNA expression of ERα/β in the OB treated with catalpol in the co-culture system was detected by RT-PCR. The catalpol at maximal dosage was added to OC group to detect the activity of OC by microscopy and tartrate-resistantacid phosphatase (TRAP) activity detection. RESULTS: In 0.05~2 mg/L catalpol groups, the proliferation of OB was significantly increased as compared with control group in the co-culture system, and it reached the maximum value when catalpol was at 0.05 mg/L, while in 5~100 mg/L catalpol groups, the proliferation of OB was not increased. The ALP activity of OB in 0.05 mg/L catalpol group was higher than that in control group. The catalpal at 0.05 mg/L promoted the mRNA expression of ERβ in OB in the co-culture system, but did not increase the mRNA expression of ERα as compared with control group. Catalpol at 0.05 mg/L obviously inhibited the bone resorption and the TRAP activity in OC. CONCLUSION: Catalpol stimulates the proliferation and activity of OB, inhibits the bone resorption and activity of OC, and increases the mRNA expression of ERβ in OB in the OB-OC co-culture system, suggesting that high mRNA expression of ERβ may be the regulatory pathway of catalpol in response to bone metabolism.     

Activation of caspase-3 during bacterial redox protein azurin -induced apoptosis in U2OS cells

AIM: To study whether caspase-3,8 is activated during azurin-induced apoptosis in U2OS cells. METHODS: AnnexinV /PI method was used to detect apoptosis. The changes of procaspase-3 were analyzed by Western blot, the changes of caspase-3 mRNA were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and caspase-3 relative activity was determined by colorimetric assay. RESULTS: After U2OS cells were treated with 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 mg/L azurin for 24 h, respectively, the level of procaspase-3 protein decreased and the level of caspase-3 mRNA increased as azurin concentration increased. When the cells were treated with 100 mg/L azurin for 6, 12, 24, 48 h, respectively, the caspase-3 activity began to rise from 6 h,reached the peak at 24 h,and was still higher than the control group at 48 h (P<0.01). After the cells were treated with azurin at different concentrations for 24 h, caspase-3 activity increased in a concentration -dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Caspase-3 is activated and plays an important role in azurin-induced apoptosis in U2OS cells.     

Effect of cyclophosphamide on proliferation and apoptosis of rat mesangial cells in vitro

AIM:To investigate the effect of cyclophosphamide(CTX) on proliferation and apoptosis of mesangial cells(GMC) of rat in vitro. METHODS:GMC proliferat ion was detected by MTT method,GMC apoptosis was examined by inverted microscopy for phase-contract and fluoroscopy and flow cytometry analysis.The levels of Fas and Bcl-2 were also detected by immunohistology. RESULTS:The proliferation of GMC were inhibited by CTX, methylprednisolone(MP), low molecular weight heparin(LMWH). Apoptosis of GMC was induced by CTX, the apoptosis rate of GMC was 8.2%, and the Fas level was increased. CONCLUSION:CTX could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of GMC possibly by enhancing the Fas level.     

Effect of the NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate on the apoptosis and proliferation of mesangial cells in the rat with anti-thymocyte serum nephritis

AIM: To explore the effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), the specific inhibitor of NF-κB, on anti-thymocyte serum nephritis (ATSN) in rats. METHODS: The rat model of ATSN was reproduced with rabbit anti-thymocyte serum (ATS). The rats were divided into ATSN group, ATSN+PDTC group and control group. The expression of NF-κB p65 and the apoptosis, lysis as well as proliferation of mesangial cells (MC) were examined by immunohistochemical staining, Tdt-mediated X-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), light microscope and electron microscope at 40 minutes, 24 hours and 7 days after injection of ATS or normal serum. RESULTS: The expression of glomerular NF-κB p65 in the ATSN group was observed with significant difference compared to controls at 40 min (P<0.01), it was elevated more at 24 hours, and was significantly increased at day 7, but the expression of NF-κB p65 in ATSN+PDTC group was less than that in ATSN group. The proliferation of glomerular MC and the secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) in ATSN group were less than those in ATSN+PDTC group on day 7. PDTC had little role in the pathologic changes of rats in ATSN group in early stage (40 min and 24 hours), but affected the MC proliferation. CONCLUSION: PDTC, an inhibitor of NF-κB, suppresses glomerular MC proliferation in rats with ATSN.     

Role of cyclooxygenase-2 in injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation in cultured rat cortical neurons

AIM: To observe the role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in injury induced by hypoxia and reoxygenation in cultured rat cortical neurons and protective effects of COX-2 specific inhibitor NS398.METHODS: Primary rat cortical neuronal cells were cultured. Experiments were divided into control group, hypoxia/reoxygenation group and hypoxia/reoxygenation with COX-2 inhibitor group. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. COX-2 protein expression was examined by Western blotting. Apoptosis was measured by DNA agarose electrophoresis.RESULTS: The expression levels of COX-2 increased significantly after neurons were treated with hypoxia and reoxygenation, compared with control group and hypoxia/reoxygenation with COX-2 inhibitor group (P＜0.05). COX-2 specific inhibitor NS398 protected neurons from death (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01), DNA fragmentation analysis showed DNA fragmentation was inhibited significantly by NS398.CONCLUSION: COX-2 is involved in the pathogenesis of neuron apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation. COX-2 specific inhibitor significantly protects cortical neurons against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and inhibits apoptosis induced by hypoxia.     

Effects of ischemic preconditioning on cardiac myocyte apoptosis and expression of bcl-2 during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in rats

AIM:To explore the effect of ischemic preconditioning on cardiac myocyte apoptosis and the expression of bcl-2 during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in rats. METHODS:We use TUNEL,immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization(ISH) methods to detect the cardiac myocyte apoptosis and the expression of bcl-2 during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in rats. RESULTS:①The numbers of positive cardiac myocyte nuclear and the percentage of positive cardiac myocyte nuclear in IP+I/R_3h group decreased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01)compared with I/R_3h group,respectively.②The numbers of bcl-2 protein positive cardiomyocyte and the percentage of bcl-2 protein positive cardiomyocyte in IP+I/R_3h group were higher(P<0.01)than that of I/R_3h group,respectively.The numbers of positive bcl-2 mRNA cardiomyocyte and the percentage of positive bcl-2 mRNA cardiomyocyte in IP+I/R_1h group were higher(P<0.01)than that of I/R_1h group,respectively.CONCLUSION:① The first window of IP's protection could reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis significantly.② Up-regulating the protein expression of bcl-2 in cardiomyocytes during I/R may be one of the mechanisms of first window of IP's protection.     

Effects of tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor on tau phosphorylation in vivo

AIM: To explore the effect of receptor tyrosine kinase system mediated by phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTP) on tau phosphorylation in rat hippocampus. METHODS: Pervanadate (PVN), inhibitor of PTP or inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), LiCl were injected into rat hippocampus by stereotaxy technique. The level of tau phosphorylation was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry after 24 h of injection. RESULTS: PVN significantly inhibited tau phosphorylation at PHF-1 epitope and the inhibition of tau phosphorylation by PVN was stronger than that of LiCl (P<0.01),and tau-1 epitope non-phosphorylated tau increased significantly in LiCl+PVN group than in control group (P<0.05). The level of total tau determined by R111d was significantly lower in PVN and LiCl+PVN treated groups (P<0.05) than that in LiCl and control groups. CONCLUSION: Tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor inhibited tau phosphorylation of hippocampus in rats. The underlie mechanism might be at least partially through the inhibition of GSK-3.     

Effect of lipopolysaccharide on viability and secretion function of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

AIM: To observe the direct effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide by human umbilical vein endothelial cell and cell viability of the secretor. METHODS: The third passage of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with different concentrations of LPS (1 g/L, 100 mg/L, 10 mg/L, 1 mg/L, 100 μg/L, 10 μg/L, 1 μg/L) for 6 hours, and the culture supernatants were collected. The concentrations of ET-1 were determined by radioimmunoassay, the concentrations of nitric oxide were determined using Greiss's method. The viabilities of cells were measured by MTT method. RESULTS: The concentration of ET-1 (pg/L) of normal control group was 251.64±10.90. The concentrations of ET-1 (pg/L) of LPS treated groups were 220.85±19.14, 278.67±15.45, 306.40±11.60, 312.87±33.50, 324.38±17.02, 291.49±14.30, 282.11±13.38, respectively (each group compared with normal control group, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The concentration of NO_x (μmol/L) of normal control group was 629.46±13.36. The concentrations of NO_x (μmol/L) of LPS treated groups were 732.58±23.21, 669.87±9.32, 661.24±16.80, 650.33±13.24, 606.59±12.94, 626.75±9.83, 627.61±5.61, respectively (each group compared with normal control group, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The viabilities of endothelial cells of LPS treated groups were 74%, 81%, 86%, 88%,91%, 93%, 93%, respectively. CONCLUSION: LPS of lower concentrations had no significantly lethal effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but enhanced secretion of ET-1 and inhibited NO production. LPS in higher concentrations showed significant lethal effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, inhibited secretion of ET-1 and enhanced NO production.     

Changes and significance of Fas and cFLIP in apoptosis of human rhabdomyosarcoma cells induced by combination of TRAIL and cisplatin

AIM: To investigate the synergistic induction of apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells by the combination of TRAIL or TRAIL gene with cisplatin. METHODS: Rhabdomyosarcoma cells were treated with TRAIL, Ad／GT-TRAIL, cisplatin, respectively or the combination for 3 days. The cytotoxicity was observed by MTT assay. The apoptotic rates and the expression rates of Fas protein were measured by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of cFLIP mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Rhabdomyosarcoma cells were treated with Ad／ GT-TRAIL and TRAIL (100.0 μg/L), the cytotoxicity index were 52.5% and 43.5%, the percentage of apoptotic cells were 12.95% and 10.26%, respectively. Combined with cisplatin, the cytotoxicity index and the percentage of apoptotic cells were increased significantly (P<0.05). The expression of Fas protein in rhabdomyosarcoma cells was up-regulated and the expression of cFLIP was down-regulated with cisplatin, which were paralleled by the apoptotic rates. CONCLUSION: Combinatiion of Ad／GT-TRAIL or TRAIL and cisplatin has synergistic apoptosis-inducing effects on rhabdomyosacoma cells.     

Effect of losartan on matrix metalloproteinases of myocardial extracellular matrix after infarction in the rat

AIM: To study the change of the activity of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) in the infarcted intestitium of rat heart and the effect of Losartan on them. METHODS: 80 Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent the left descending coronary artery ligation, then being divided randomly into control, treated groups and sham operation group. After hemodynamic parameters were obtained,animals of 8 groups were killed at 4 timepoints ( day 3, day 7,day 14, day 42 after infarction ).Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) activity in infarct zone was measured by zymography,so did collagen concentration in both ventricles by the method of chloramine T. RESULTS: The activity of MMPs in the infarcted zone showed a transient increase, which raiesd by 4.5 folds at day 3 (compared with the sham-operated group killed at day 3), 6.5 folds at day 7, and declined thereafter,being 2 folds at day 14, 1.5 folds at day 42. Losaran treatment was associated with significant attenuation of MMPs activity. The activity of MMP-1 (54 kD band) decreased 33%, so did the MMP-2 (58 kD and 62 kD bands) 50%. Compared with control groups, the hypertrophy of the left ventricle was regressed, the rate of LVW/BW dropped significantly at day 14 and day 42 ( P< 0.01) .The collagen concentration decreased at treated day 42 group( P< 0.01).For the regression of heart dysfuncton in Losartan groups, LVEDP demonstrated a slightly raise at day 3, then decreased at day 7,14,42, all of three groups’ systolic function are higher than that in the control ( P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The latent MMPs were activated after infarction, which resulted in the demage of the fibrillar network and dalitation of the left ventricle.Losartan not only attenuates the activity of MMPs but also prevents collagen synthesis, decreases the total collagen in the necrosis zone at the late stage after infaction, thus regressing the progress dysfuction of the infarcted heart and protecting the myocardium.     

Role of NHE-1 in the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell in rats

AIM: To evaluate the role of Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger-1(NHE-1)in the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in rats. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were equally randomized into the control group and 3-week hypoxic group. Intracellular pH (pHi) of the smooth muscle was determined with fluorescence measurement of the pH-sensitive dye BCECF-AM and the expression of NHE-1 mRNA was detected with RT-PCR. The primary culture of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell in vitro was performed. In situ cell death detection kit (TUNEL) was used to study the effect of specific NHE-1 inhibitor, dimethyl amiloride (DMA), on the apoptosis of muscle cells which had intracellular acidification. RESULTS: pHi value and expression of NHE-1 mRNA of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell were significantly higher respectively in the hypoxic group than those in the control group (P＜0.01). DMA elevated the apoptotic ratio significantly. The effect was enhanced when DMA concentration was augmented and the time was prolonged. CONCLUSION: With the function of adjusting pHi, NHE-1 may play an important role in the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.     

Effect of drug-containing serum of Fushen Jiangzhuo formula on anti-fibrosis factors HGF and BMP-7 in rat renal interstitial fibroblasts with renal tubulointerstitial lesion

AIM: To study the protective effects and mechanism of Fushen Jiangzhuo formula (FSJZ) on the rat renal interstitial fibroblasts with renal tubulointerstitial lesion. METHODS: The serum containing FSJZ and blank control serum were prepared. The rat model of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) was established and extended the time of modeling to 20th weeks for developing tubulointerstitial lesion naturally. The rat renal interstitial fibroblasts at the end of 12, 16, 20 week of modeling were isolated and cultured. The effects of FSJZ on the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) at mRNA and protein levels in the pathological renal interstitial fibroblasts were determined. RESULTS: The anti-fibrosis factors HGF and BMP-7 were changed in pathological renal interstitial fibroblasts. Renal tubulointerstitial lesion significantly down-regulated the expression of HGF and BMP-7, while the drug containing serum of FSJZ significantly up-regulated the expression of HGF and BMP-7. CONCLUSION: Drug containing serum of FSJZ has protective effect on pathological renal interstitial fibroblasts by regulating the mRNA and protein expression of HGF and BMP-7.     

Effect of bim silencing by siRNA on hypoxia-induced apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes

AIM：To investigate the effect of BH3-only protein Bim (Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death) on apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia. METHODS：Rat cardiomyocytes were isolated from infant rats aged 1~3 days and then primarily cultured. The antibody targeting α-actin of striated muscle was used to identify the cardiomyocytes. The siRNAs of bim were transfected into the cardiomyocytes with liposome, and the expression of Bim was determined by Western blotting. The cardiomyocytes were divided into blank control group, hypoxia group, hypoxia+liposome group, hypoxia+negative control siRNA group and hypoxia+bim-siRNA group.The frequency and rhythm of cardiomyocyte beating were observed and recorded under inverted microscope. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the culture medium was assessed by automatic biochemical analyzer. The viability of the cells was analyzed by MTT assay. The cell apoptotic rate was measured by flow cytometry. The protein expression of Bim, Bax, Bcl-2, p-p38 MAPK and p38 MAPK was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS：Immunohistochemical identification confirmed that the rat cardiomyocytes were successfully cultured. The expression of Bim was obviously inhibited after transfected with bim-siRNAs and the silencing efficiency of bim-siRNA-2 was the highest (86.73%). The frequency of cardiomyocyte beating was slowed down after hypoxia and the rhythm was disordered, while the frequency of beating was obviously increased after silencting the expression of bim. Compared with control group, the LDH in the culture medium was increased (P<0.01), and the viability of the cardiomyocytes was reduced in hypoxia group (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate was increased (P<0.01). After transfection with bim-siRNA, the release of LDH was decreased, and the viability of the cardiomyocytes was increased. The apoptotic rate was decreased. The results of Western blotting showed that hypoxia increased the expression of Bax and p-p38 MAPK (P<0.05), and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 (P<0.01), while transfection with bim-siRNA reduced the effects caused by hypoxia (P<005). These were greatly related to the decrease of apoptosis. However, the expression of p38 MAPK was not changed. CONCLUSION：The apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia can be inhibited by silencing the expression of bim gene by down-regulation of p-p38 MAPK and Bax expression and up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression.     

Effect of ROCK1 and ROCK2 silencing by shRNA on hypoxia-induced apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes

AIM: To investigate the effects of Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase-1 (ROCK1) and ROCK2 on apoptosis induced by hypoxia in rat cardiomyocytes. METHODS: Rat cardiomyocytes were cultured primarily and identified using an antibody targeting α-actin of striated muscle. ROCK1-shRNA and ROCK2-shRNA were transiently transfected into the cells by liposome. After 48 h, these cells were subject to hypoxia for 6 h. The cells were divided into 5 groups: blank control group, hypoxia group, hypoxia+negative control shRNA group, hypoxia+ROCK1-shRNA group and hypoxia+ROCK2-shRNA group. The beating frequency and rhythm of the cardiomyocytes were assessed by microscopy. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cell culture supernatants was detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. The cell survival rate was analyzed by the method of MTT. The cell apoptotic rate was assessed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, caspase-3 and p-PI3K. RESULTS: The primary culture of the cardiomyocytes was successful. Western blotting results showed that the transfection of ROCK1-shRNA or ROCK2-shRNA decreased the expression of ROCK1 or ROCK2 in the cardiomyocytes. Hypoxia slowed down the beat frequency of the cardiomyocytes, also made the rhythm disorder. Hypoxia increased the release of LDH and decreased the cell survival rate. Flow cytometry results showed that hypoxia increased the cell apoptotic rate. Hypoxia increased the expression of caspase-3 and decreased the expression of p-PI3K. Transfection of ROCK1-shRNA and ROCK2-shRNA into the cardiomyocytes reduced all the effects of hypoxia mentioned above. CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of ROCK1 and ROCK2 expression suppresses the apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia. The mechanism is associated with the inhibition of caspase-3 activation and the up-regulation of p-PI3K expression.