Study on apoptotic and nonapoptotic injuries induced by hydrogen peroxide in cardiac myocytes

AIM: To study apoptotic injury induced by reactive oxygen species-hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on cardiac myocytes.METHODS:Cultured rat neonatal cardiac myocytes were treated with H₂O₂ of various concentration to observe apoptotic injury of cardiomyocytes by agarose gel electrophoresis, Giemsa-stained smears of cell, and flow cytometry, meanwhile lactate dehydrogenas (LDH) and malondialdehyde(MDA) were determined to assess the effect of H₂O₂ on lipid peroxidation and permeability of the plasma membrane. RESULTS: 5 mmol/L H₂O₂ caused cultured cardiomyocytes apoptotic morphological characteristics, including nucleosomal DNA fragmentation in myocytes by agarose gel electrophoresis (DNA ladder), cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, and chromatin margin by Giemsa-stained cell smears, and aneuploid peak(AP)-apoptotic bodies occurrence by flow cytometry.CONCLUSIONS: H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in myocytes was a time-and concentration-dependent process. Treatment with low concentration of H₂O₂(＜1 mmol/L) only caused cardiomyocyted early biochemical changes, such as increase of free radicals level and membrane permeability ,which were pro-apoptotic injurious features. High concentration of H₂O₂ (＞10 mmol/L) rapidly induced a necrotic form of death characterized by smeared patterns of DNA digestion on agarose gel electrophoresis and lethal membrane disruption (as measured by LDH release). Exposure of 5~10 mmol/L H₂O₂ induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis concurrently with biochemical changes of LDH and MDA increase in the medium.     

Total flavonoids of onion attenuate hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in retinal pigment epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of total flavonoids of onion (FO) on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage in retinal pigment epithelial cells. METHODS: The retinal pigment epithelium ARPE-19 cells were divided into 5 groups:control group, H₂O₂ group (treated with H₂O₂), FO-L+H₂O₂ group (treated with H₂O₂ and low concentration of FO), FO-M+H₂O₂ group (treated with H₂O₂ and medium concentration of FO) and FO-H+H₂O₂ group (treated with H₂O₂ and high concentration of FO). The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. DCFH-DA staining was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the cells. WST assay was used to detect superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The content of malonaldehyde (MDA) was measured by TBA method. Mitochondrial membrane potential was analyzed by JC-1 staining. The protein levels of cytochrome C (Cyt C) in the cytoplasm, and cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 in the cells were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Treatment with H₂O₂ decreased ARPE-19 cell viability, increased the apoptotic rate and the level of ROS in the cells, decreased SOD activity, increased the content of MDA, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased the protein levels of Cyt C in the cytoplasm and cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 in the cells (P<0.05). Compared with H₂O₂ group, the cell viability in FO-L+H₂O₂ group, FO-M+H₂O₂ group and FO-H+H₂O₂ group was increased, the apoptotic rates were decreased, the levels of ROS were decreased, SOD activity was increased, the content of MDA was decreased, mitochondrial membrane potential was increased, the protein level of Cyt C was decreased in the cytoplasm, and the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 protein in the cells were decreased gradually (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Total flavonoids of onion reduce H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in retinal pigment epithelial cells.     

Protective effect of BNDF on vascular endothelial cells with H2O2-induced oxidative injury

AIM: To study the protective effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on vascular endothelial cells with H₂O₂-induced oxidative injury. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro, and the oxidation injury model of HUVECs was established by treatment with H₂O₂. The oxidatively injured HUVECs were cultured with different concentrations (1, 10 and 100 μg/L) of BDNF. At the same time, the control group (no injury), PBS treatment after H₂O₂ injury group and TrkB inhibitor group (with 100 μg/L BDNF and 1: 1 000 TrkB inhibitor) were also set up. The viability of the HUVECs was detected by MTT assay. The levels of LDH, MDA, SOD and GSH were measured. The releases of NO, ET-1 and ICAM-1 were analyzed by ELISA. The changes of ROS production and cell apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. The protein levels of TrkB, p-TrkB, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with uninjured control group, in H₂O₂ oxidative injury plus PBS treatment group, the viability of the cells was decreased significantly, the LDH and MDA levels were increased significantly and the activities of SOD and GSH were decreased significantly. The NO secretion was decreased, and the ET-1 and ICAM-1 concentrations were increased significantly. The ROS content and apoptotic rate were increased significantly. The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax were increased but Bcl-2 protein expression was decreased significantly. Compared with PBS treatment group, in H₂O₂-injured HUVECs treated with different concentrations of BDNF, the cell viability was gradually increased, the LDH and MDA levels were decreased and the activities of SOD and GSH were increased gradually. The secretion of NO was increased but ET-1 and ICAM-1 were decreased gradually. The ROS content and apoptotic rate were decreased significantly. The TrkB and p-TrkB levels were significantly increased significantly, the protein expression of cleaved-caspase 3 and Bax was decreased gradually and the Bcl-2 protein expression increased gradually. The role of BDNF was inhibited by TrkB inhibitor. CONCLUSION: BDNF protects HUVECs from oxidative injury by binding with TrkB to activate the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways.     

Role of autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine in the injury of U251 cells induced by H2O2

AIM: To investigate the role of autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(3-MA) in the injury of U251 glioma cells induced by H₂O₂. METHODS: The following groups in this study were set up: control group, 10 mmol/L 3-MA group, 1 mmol/L H₂O₂ group and 1 mmol/L H₂O₂ +10 mmol/L 3-MA group. The viability of U251 cells in each group was detected by MTT assay. Autophagic vacuoles in the cells were observed by staining with MDC. The cells were stained with Hoechst 33342 to determine the chromatin condensation. Cell apoptotic ratio was measured by flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: Compared with control group, no effect of 3-MA on the viability of U251 cells was observed. In H₂O₂ group, the cell viability decreased and cell apoptotic ratio increased.The autophagic vacuoles and nuclear chromatin condensation in the cells were also detected. Compared with H₂O₂ group, addition of 3-MA inhibited the increase in autophagic vacuoles but exacerbated the apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Autophagy inhibitor 3-MA inhibits autophagy partially, but exacerbates apoptosis in U251 cells, indicating that autophagy exerts protective effect in the process of injury in U251 cells induced by H₂O₂.     

Down-regulation of miR-153-3p attenuates H2O2-induced H9C2 cell injury by promoting Nrf2 expression

AIM To study the effect of microRNA-153-3p (miR-153-3p) knock-down on oxidative injury of H9C2 cells induced by H₂O₂ and its specific mechanism. METHODS The oxidative stress injury of H9C2 cell model was induced by H₂O₂, and then the cell viability and the expression of miR-153-3p were detected by MTT assay and RT-qPCR, respectively. The effects of miR-153-3p knock-down on the H9C2 cell injury under oxidative stress were studied by RNA interference technology. The targets of miR-153-3p were identified by Western blot and dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS MTT assay showed that the viability of H9C2 cells was decreased with the increase in H₂O₂ concentration (P<0.05). The results of RT-qPCR showed that the expression of miR-153-3p was increased with the increase in H₂O₂ concentration (P<0.05). Knock-down of miR-153-3p increased the viability of H9C2 cells under oxidative stress, decreased the cell apoptosis and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2（Nrf2） and antioxidant response element（ARE） activity were increased with the increase in H₂O₂ concentration (P<0.01). TargetScan analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that Nrf2 was one of the potential target genes of miR-153-3p. The results of Western blot further showed that over-expression of miR-153-3p inhibited the expression of Nrf2 (P<0.01), while down-regulation of miR-153-3p increased the expression of Nrf2 (P<0.01). Dual interference with Nrf2 and miR-153-3p significantly reduced H9C2 cell viability, promoted the apoptosis, increased MDA content, and decreased SOD activity in the presence of H₂O₂ (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Inhibition of miR-153-3p expression attenuates the injury of H9C2 cells induced by H₂O₂ through up-regulating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.     

Limb ischemic preconditioning protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells from oxidative stress induced by H2O2

AIM: To investigate the effects of the sera from the rats after limb ischemic preconditioning (LIPC) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injured by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). METHODS: The HUVECs were divided into 5 groups: the cells in control group were cultured without any intervention; the cells in model group (M) were damaged by 1 mmol/L H₂O₂ for 2 h; the cells in early preconditioning serum (EPS) group, delayed preconditioning serum (DPS) group or sham limb ischemic preconditioning serum (SPS) group were treated with the corresponding serum at 5% for 12 h, respectively, and then treaed with H₂O₂ for 2 h. The viability of the HUVECs was analyzed by flow cytometry. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the culture media was detected. The cell adhesion molecules in the HUVECs were detected by real-time PCR. The mRNA and protein expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was also determined. RESULTS: The viability of HUVECs incubated with 1 mmol/L H₂O₂ for 2 h significantly decreased compared with the control cells, which was accompanied with the augmentations of LDH in the medium and the cell adhesion molecules in cells, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Preincubation with EPS and DPS derived from the rats subjected LIPC attenuated these injuries. Furthermore, pretreatment with EPS and DPS increased the expression of HO-1 at mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSION: LIPC protects the HUVECs from H₂O₂-induced injury.     

Identification of ATTM as a novel H2S donor and investigation of its protective effect on HaCaT skin cells

AIM: To investigate the ability of a metal complex ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (ATTM) to release H₂S and its cytoprotective effect on an oxidative injury model. METHODS: Released H₂S was absorbed in a reaction flask from ATTM dissolved in the cell medium. Staining with dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate or rhodamine 123 followed by photofluorography was conducted for the observation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m) levels, respectively. Cell viability and release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from the cells were measured with commercial kits. RESULTS: Similar to another H₂S donor GYY4137, ATTM had an ability to release H₂S in the cell medium in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of human skin HaCaT cells with ATTM at concentrations of 25~400 μmol/L didn't significantly alter cell viability. Exposure of the cells to ultraviolet rays or a ROS donor H₂O₂ increased the intracellular ROS levels. Treatment with 400 μmol/L H₂O₂ significantly reduced the viability of HaCaT cells (P<0.01). However, before the treatment with H₂O₂, pretreatment with ATTM at 100 and 200 μmol/L markedly prevented the H₂O₂-induced cell injury (P<0.01). In addition, the treatment with H₂O₂ triggered ΔΨ_m loss (P<0.01) and LDH release from the cells (P<0.01). Prior to suffering from H₂O₂ injury, the preconditioning with 200 μmol/L ATTM significantly improved ΔΨ_m levels (P<0.05) and attenuated LDH release from the cells (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: ATTM is capable of releasing H₂S and protecting human skin cells against oxidative injury.     

Protective effect of ecdysterone on H9c2 cells against oxidative stress

AIM: To investigate the effect of ecdysterone (EDS) on H9c2 cardiomyocytes after oxidative stress. METHODS: H9c2 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group, high dose (2 μmol/L) of EDS group, middle dose (1.5 μmol/L) of EDS group, low dose (1 μmol/L) of EDS group, and H₂O₂ group. H9c2 cardiomyocytes in H₂O₂ group and high, middle and low doses of EDS groups were exposed to H₂O₂ for 6 h to establish the model of oxidative stress. The viability of the H9c2 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis of H9c2 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of lactate dehydogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in the culture medium, and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the H9c2 cells were measured by colorimetry. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 in the H9c2 cells were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Ecdysterone at the selected concentrations had no effect on the viability of H9c2 cells. Compared with control group, the levels of LDH, CK-MB, ROS and MDA, and the apoptotic rates of the H9c2 cells were significantly increased after treated with H₂O₂, but were decreased by EDS treatment in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of SOD and mitochondrial membrane potential of the H9c2 cells in H₂O₂ group were reduced significantly compared with control group, but high, middle and low doses of EDS treatments up-regulated the levels of SOD and mitochondrial membrane potential in H₂O₂-treated H9c2 cells. The protein levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 in the H9c2 cells in H₂O₂ group showed significant elevation in comparison with control group, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 declined in H₂O₂ group compared with control group, but high, middle and low doses of ecdysterone treatments down-regulated the protein levels of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 in H₂O₂-treated H9c2 cells. CONCLUSION: Ecdysterone attenuates the effect of H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress on H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The mechanism may be involved in scavenging oxidative stress products, increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and improving mitochondrial function.     

Effect of senegenin on H2O2-induced damage in hippocampal neurons of SD rats

AIM: To observe the effect of senegenin (Sen) on hippocampal neuron injuries induced by H₂O₂.METHODS: Hippocampal neurons were isolated from neonatal SD rats. The primarily cultured neurons were divided into control group, H₂O₂ group, Sen group and Sen+H₂O₂ group. The cell viability, the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) in the neurons were detected after treated with Sen. The morphological changes of nucleus of the neurons were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining. The mRNA expression of bcl-2 and bax was quantified by real-time PCR. The protein levels of Bcl-2 and bax were measured by Western blotting. The activity of caspase-3 was also assayed.RESULTS: Compared with H₂O₂ group, the levels of antioxidative enzyme were increased in Sen+H₂O₂ group (P<0.05). In addition, mRNA expression of bcl-2 increased and that of bax decreased (P<0.05) in Sen+H₂O₂ group. Moreover, Sen increased the protein level of Bcl-2, and reduced the protein level of Bax and the activity of caspase-3 in the neurons exposed to H₂O₂ (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The protective effect of Sen on hippocampal neurons with H₂O₂ -induced injury may be involved in the mechanisms of     

Effects of PDGFRα on melanocyte apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide

AIM: To investigate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) on melanocyte apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). METHODS: Melanocyte PIGI was used as the research object. After exposed to H₂O₂ at different concentrations, the cell viability was detected by MTT assay. The PIGI cells were transfec-ted with empty vector pCMV6 or PDGFRα over-expression vector pCMV6-PDGFRα. The transfection efficiency was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The effect of H₂O₂ on the viability of the PIGI cells after over-expression of PDGFRα was measured by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of p38, p-p38 and cleaved caspase-3 in the cells were detected by Western blot. DCDHF-DA was used to estemate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells. RESULTS: The viability of PIGI cells decreased after exposed to H₂O₂ (P<0.05), and the half maximal inhibitory concentration of H₂O₂ was 0.7 mmol/L. Transfection with PDGFRα over-expression vector successfully induced high expression of PDGFRα at mRNA and protein levels in the PIGI cells, and increased the viability of the cells with H₂O₂ treatment (P<0.05). Over-expression of PDGFRα decreased the apoptotic rate of PIGI cells treated with H₂O₂ (P<0.05), and the level of ROS in the cells (P<0.05). The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3 and p-p38 were also decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PDGFRα inhibits the apoptosis of melanocytes induced by H₂O₂, partially reverses the growth inhibition of melanocytes by H₂O₂, and decreases the ROS level. The mechanism may be related to regulating the protein levels of p-p38 and cleaved caspase-3 in the cells.     

USP14 regulates H2O2 induced oxidative stress in H9c2 cells

AIM:To evaluate the effect of inhibiting ubiquitin-specific protease 14(USPl4) activity on oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ of H9c2 cells.METHODS:The H9c2 cells were incubated with H₂O₂ at 25 μmol/L for 2 h to establish the oxidative stress injury model.The cells were divided into control group,H₂O₂ group,IU1 group (25 μmol/L or 50 μmol/L) and IU1+H₂O₂ group.The H9c2 cells activity was measured by MTS assay.The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell survival rate were analyzed by flow cytometry assay.The changes of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family related proteins were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with control group,the cell activity and the viability rate in H₂O₂ group were decreased (P<0.05),while the intracellular ROS,the protein levels of Bax/Bcl-2,P53,p-ERK1/2,p-JNK and p-P38 were increased (P<0.05).Compared with H₂O₂ group,the cell activity and the viability rate of the H9c2 cells in IU1+H₂O₂ group were increased (P<0.05),while the intracellular ROS,the protein levels of Bax/Bcl-2,P53,p-ERK1/2,p-JNK and p-P38 were decreased (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Inhibition of USPl4 activity reduces the oxidative stress injury of the H9c2 cells.The mechanism may be related to inhibition of the MAPK signaling and down-regulation of apoptosis related proteins.     

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides attenuate oxidative stress injury of human endothelium-like EA.hy926 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide

AIM: To study the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on oxidative stress injury of human endothelium-like EA.hy926 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). METHODS: The EA.hy926 cell model of oxidative stress injury was established by H₂O₂ treatment. The EA.hy926 cells were divided into 5 groups:control group, damage (H₂O₂ at 50 mmol/L) group, LBP (100 mg/L) group, anti-damage groups (LBP at 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L or 200 mg/L+50 mol/L H₂O₂), and LY294002 (20 μmol/L) group. The effect of LBP at different concentrations on the cell viability of EA.hy926 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay, and the optimum concentration of LBP was screened out. The apoptotic of EA.hy926 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining was used to observe the morphological characteristics of the apoptotic cells. The cell migration ability was detected by scratch method. The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cell culture medium were examined. The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), p-eNOS and p-Akt were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: LBP at concentration of 100 mg/L significantly attenuated the injury of EA.hy926 cells induced by H₂O₂, as indicated by improved cell viability (P<0.05) and decreased apoptosis (P<0.05). Pretreatment with LBP elevated the levels of NO and VEGF (P<0.05), and promoted the migration ability of EA.hy926 cells. LBP also increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, down-regulated the protein level of cleaved caspase-3, and up-regulated the protein levels of eNOS and p-eNOS. The protective effect of LBP were abolished by pretreatment of the EA.hy926 cells with the inhibitor of PI3K (P<0.05). As a result, the protein level of p-Akt was down-regulated, and the level of NO was also significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: LBP has protective effect on H₂O₂ -induced EA.hy926 cells by attenuating apoptosis of the cells. The mechanism is closely related to the activation of PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.     

Protective effect of HSP70 on injuried myocardial cells induced by H2O2

AIM: To investigate the role of heat-shock protein 70(HSP₇₀) in the protection of myocardial cells against ischemic injury.METHODS: Myocardial cells were cultured in vitro. HSP₇₀ was induced by hyperthermia. H₂O₂-injured myocardial cells were divided into different groups. Flow cytometry, DNA Ladder and biochemistry methods were employed to observe the myocardial cells of different groups.RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed hyperthermia induced the up-regulation of HSP₇₀ in myocardial cells. Apoptotic rate, activity analysis of cytochrome C and succinic dehydrogenase in H₂O₂-injuried and HSP₇₀-protected groups were obviously different. Electron micrograph shomed hyperthermia alliviated myocardial cell injury induced by H₂O₂. CONCLUSION: HSP₇₀ delays apoptosis and protects against H₂O₂-induced myocardial cell injury.     

Adiponectin attenuates H2O2-induced SH-SY5Y cell injury and tau hyperphosphorylation via activating PP2A

AIM: To study the effects of adiponectin on H₂O₂-induced cell injury and tau hyperphosphorylation in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. METHODS: Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. H₂O₂-induced cell injury and morphological changes in the SH-SY5Y cells with or without adiponectin treatment were observed. The level of tau phosphorylation as well as the activities of protein phosphatase 2A(PP2A) and of glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β) were examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: Adiponectin significantly attenuated H₂O₂-induced cell injury(P<0.01). Adiponectin upregulated the activity of PP2A and decreased phosphorylation levels of tau under the stimulation with H₂O₂ (P<0.01). Okadaic acid, a specific inhibitor of PP2A, blocked the protective effects of adiponectin(P<0.01). Adiponectin increased the phosphorylation level of GSK-3β at Ser9 site under H₂O₂ stimulation(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Adiponectin protects SH-SY5Y cells against H₂O₂-induced cell injury and decreases tau hyperphosphorylation by activating PP2A and inactivating GSK-3β.     

Involvement of 26S proteasome LMP2 subunit in development of tolerance against oxidative stress in vascular endothelial cells

AIM: To observe the expression of 26S proteasome LMP2 subunit in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) under oxidative stress, and to evaluate its role in the development of tolerance against oxidative stress in VECs. METHODS: The cell model of H₂O₂ preconditioning-induced oxidative tolerance was established in VECs. The expression of LMP2 was detected by cellular immunofluorescent labeling and Western blotting. The LMP2 anti-sense and sense oligonucleotides were transfected into VECs by Lipofectamine^TM 2000. The damages of VECs were evaluated by detecting the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the culture medium. RESULTS: H₂O₂ (500 μmol/L for 3 h) induced oxidative stress in VECss in a dose- and the activity of time-dependent manner, characterized by the increase in the concentration of MDA and LDH in the culture medium. Pretreatment with H₂O₂ (10 μmol/L for 24 h) up-regulated the expression of LMP2. Meanwhile, the capacity of cellular tolerance against oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ was increased as the concentration of MDA and the activity of LDH in the culture medium significantly decreased. Compared with H₂O₂ group, up-regulation of LMP2 by IFN-γ pretreatment (20 μg/L for 48 h) increased the tolerance of VECs against H₂O₂ injury, and the MDA conentration and the activity of LDH in the culture medium also significantly decreased. Transfection with LMP2 antisense oligonucleotide partly inhibited the increased expression of LMP2 induced by IFN-γ in VECs and abolished the tolerance against H₂O₂. CONCLUSION: The 26S proteasome LMP2 subunit is associated with the development of the tolerance against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in VECs.     

Acetyl-L-carnitine attenuates H2O2-induced oxidative damage of PC12 cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in PC12 cells and its possible mechanism. METHODS: A moderate oxidative damage PC12 cell model was induced by exposure of the PC12 cells to H₂O₂. ALC at different concentrations (100, 200 and 400 μmol/L) was applied to the PC12 cells cultured in vitro, and CCK8 assay was used to detect the cell viability. The cells were divided into control group, H₂O₂ group, and low-ALC, medium-ALC and high-ALC groups. The apoptosis of the cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of Nrf2 and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by Western blot. The nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was observed by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: ALC at different concentrations (100, 200 and 400 μmol/L) significantly inhibited H₂O₂-induced PC12 cell apoptosis, and the medium concentration group had the best effect. Compared with H₂O₂ group, low, medium and high concentrations of ALC significantly increased the viability of the PC12 cells induced by H₂O₂, inhibit cell apoptosis (P<0.05), significantly down-regulated the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.05), up-regulated the protein level of Nrf2 (P<0.05), and promoted the translocation of Nrf2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. CONCLUSION: Acetyl-L-carnitine attenuates H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage of PC12 cells, inhibits the apoptosis and increases the viability, which is related to the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.     

Effect of rapamycin on apoptosis of mouse astrocytes in vitro

AIM: To observe the effect of rapamycin on the apoptosis of mouse astrocytes in vitro.ME-THODS:The astrocytes from C57BL/6J newborn mouse pups were isolated and primarily cultured. The effect of rapamycin on the viability of astrocytes was assessed by MTT assay. The mean fluorescence intensity of SYTOX^® Green stain in the astrocytes was detected by fluorescence microplate reader in order to analyze the effects of rapamycin on the cell death induced by H₂O₂, ionomycin and/or deferorxamin. DiOC₆(3) staining was used to analyze the mitochondrial membrane potential of the astrocytes induced by H₂O₂. Flow cytometry analysis was used to determine the production of ROS in the astrocytes and mitochondria by staining with H₂DCFDA and MitoSOX^TM Red reagent, respectively.RESULTS: Rapamycin at concentration of 0.5 μmol/L protected the astrocytes against cell death induced by H₂O₂ or deferoxamine plus ionomycin. Rapamycin protected the mitochondrial membrane potential of astrocytes from the injury of H₂O₂. It also reduced the production of ROS in the astrocytes and decreased the level of ROS in the mitochondria.CONCLUSION: Rapamycin reduces the ROS overload in the mitochondria, keeps mitochondrial membrane potential safety and protects the astrocytes against apoptosis in vitro.     

Role of miR-486-5p in apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by hydrogen peroxide

AIM: To investigate the role of microRNA-486-5p (miR-486-5p) in the apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). METHODS: The hMSCs were cultured in vitro and exposed to serum-free medium and H₂O₂ (10 mmol/L). The changes of miR-486-5p expression in oxidative stress-related apoptosis of hMSCs were measured by real-time PCR. The hMSCs were transfected with miR-486-5p mimic or inhibitor at concentration of 30 nmol/L by Lipofectamine RNAiMAX. The effect of miR-486-5p on H₂O₂-induced decrease in cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry were applied to determine the role of miR-486-5p in the apoptosis of hMSCs. The protein expression was evaluated by Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity was determined using a caspase-3 activity kit. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expression of miR-486-5p significantly decreased after treated with H₂O₂ (P<0.05). In addition, over-expression of miR-486-5p in the hMSCs reduced the cell viability, accelerated apoptosis, down-regulated Bcl-2/Bax ratio, caspase-3 enzyme precursor content and phosphorylation of Akt, and activated caspase-3 activity. Conversely, down-regulation of miR-486-5p significantly inhibited H₂O₂-induced cell apoptosis and the caspase-3 activity, increased cell viability and up-regulated Bcl-2/Bax ratio and phosphorylation level of Akt. CONCLUSION: Over-expression of miR-486-5p promotes H₂O₂-induced hMSCs apoptosis, and repression of miR-486-5p protects hMSCs from H₂O₂-induced cellular apoptosis, which may be mediated by regulating Akt signaling pathway.     

Effects of rapamycin on hydrogen peroxide-induced vascular endothelial cell senescence

AIM:To investigate the effects of rapamycin (Rapa) on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced vascular endothelial cell senescence and to explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS:The human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were divided into 4 groups:control group, senescence group, Rapa+H₂O₂ group and 3-methyladenine (3-MA)+H₂O₂ group. MTT assay was performed to assess the cell viability. Senescence-associated β-ga-lactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining was performed to measure the senescent cells in each group. The subcellular structures were observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM). The protein levels of phosphorylated Rb (p-Rb), Rb, p21, LC3-Ⅱ and beclin-1 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the cell viability in H₂O₂ group was significantly decreased accompanied with higher rate of SA-β-Gal staining positive cells (P<0.05) and markedly damaged structure. Additionally, the protein levels of p-Rb and p21 in senescence group were increased markedly compared with control group (P<0.05). However, the cells pre-treated with Rapa prior to stimulation with H₂O₂ showed increased viability, decreased number of senescent cells and decreased protein levels of p-Rb and p21 as compared with the cells stimulated with H₂O₂ alone (P<0.05). Moreover, the TEM observation showed that the structure of the cells in Rapa+H₂O₂ group was roughly normal and the autophagosome was captured, and the expression levels of beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ were increased (P<0.05). Conversely, pre-treatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA resulted in opposite results. The cell viability was decreased significantly, more senescent cells were stained blue, higher protein levels of p-Rb and p21 were detected (P<0.05), poor subcellular structures were captured, and no beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ was detected. CONCLUSION:Rapa may retard the senescence of HUVECs induced by H₂O₂, and promoting autophagy may be the underlying mechanism.     

miR-422a regulates SOX6 to inhibit injury of PC12 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide

AIM: To investigate the effects of microRNA-422a (miR-422a) on the damage of rat adrenal gland pheochromocytoma PC12 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). METHODS: The expression of miR-422a in the PC12 cells treated with H₂O₂ was detected by real-time PCR. After miR-422a mimics were transfected into PC12 cells, the cell viability was measured by MTT assay, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage rate was detected, and the apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Target gene prediction software was used to predict that sex-determining region Y box 6 (SOX6) may be the target gene of miR-422a. Luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the targeting relationship. miR-422a mimics and SOX6 over-expression vector were co-transfected into the PC12 cells. The effects of SOX6 over-expression on the viability, LDH leakage rate and apoptosis of PC12 cells treated with H₂O₂ and transfected with miR-422a mimics were evaluated. RESULTS: The expression of miR-422a in the PC12 cells was decreased after treatment with H₂O₂ (P<0.05). The viability of PC12 cells treated with H₂O₂ was decreased, and the LDH leakage rate and apoptotic rate were increased. Transfection with miR-422a mimics enhanced the viability of PC12 cells treated with H₂O₂, and the leakage rate of LDH and apoptotic rate of the PC12 cells were reduced. The expression of SOX6 was negatively regulated by miR-422a. SOX6 over-expression reversed the effects of miR-422a on PC12 cell viability, LDH leakage and apoptosis. CONCLUSION: miR-422a reduces the damage of PC12 cells induced by H₂O₂ via targeting SOX6.