tBHQ delayed replicative senescence by activating the proteasome system of BMSCs

AIM: To investigate the effect of tert-butylhydroquinone(tBHQ) on the replicative senescence of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs).METHODS: Late stage BMSCs were continuously treated with tBHQ at concentration of 30 μmol/L for 4 weeks and the cells were used for the following assays immediately. The proteasomal activity was determined by chemiluminescence method. The samples were subjected to CCK-8 assay and BrdU incorporation as well as flow cytometry analysis for analyzing the cell vitality and proliferation. Percentage of senescent cells was detected by senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-Gal) staining. The expression of P53 was measured by Western blot.RESULTS: After the continuous treatment of tBHQ(30 μmol/L) for 4 weeks, the proteasomal activity of late stage BMSCs increased by 21.96%±1.98%(P<0.05). The cell vitality and survival were significantly increased with the increases in tBHQ doses till 40 μmol/L, and no cytotoxicity reaction with the increased dose of tBHQ till 120 μmol/L was observed. BrdU-positive cells, which represented the cell proliferation, were significantly increased(P<0.05). The proliferation index was also significantly increased by flow cytometry analysis(P<0.05). The SA-β-Gal positive cells and the expression of P53 were decreased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: tBHQ delays the proteasome dysfunction associated senescence progress of BMSCs by increasing the proteasomal activity.     

Effects of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on proliferation of neural stem cells in subventricular zone

AIM: To investigate the role of proteasome in the degeneration of neuron in age-related diseases such as Parkinson disease (PD) by observing the effects of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in the subventricular zone (SVZ).METHODS: Stereotaxic microinjection of proteasome inhibitor MG132 at a dose of 10 μg into the left lateral ventricle of 90-day-old mice was performed.The control mice were received the same volume of DMSO into the left lateral ventricle.Three days, 7 days and 14 days after injection, the total proteins isolat from SVZ were subject to proteasome activity assay using the fluorescence microplate reader.Meanwhile, the mice were administered with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) by intraperitoneal injection.The numbers of BrdU-positive cells were counted to examine the effect of MG132 on the proliferation of NSCs.RESULTS: After microinjection of MG132 into the left lateral ventricle, the proteasome activity in SVZ was significantly decreased on day 3 and day 7 post-injection (P<0.05) as compared with the control animals.Furthermore, the numbers of BrdU⁺ cells in SVZ were significantly reduced to 21±4 on day 3 and to 22±3 on day 7 post-injection (P<0.05).After long periods of treatment with MG132, the proteasome activity in SVZ was restored to normal level on day 14 post-injection.At the same time, no statistical difference of BrdU⁺ cells between the mice treated with MG132 (82±4) and DMSO (67±6) was observed (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Short-term injection of reversible proteasome inhibitor MG132 attenuates the proteasome activity in SVZ, which in turn inhibits the proliferation of NSCs, suggesting that the proteasome activity may be closely related to the proliferation potential of NSCs.     

Effect of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on proliferation and cell cycle distribution of NK/T cell lymphoma cells

AIM: To study the influence of MG132 on the proliferation and cell cycle distribution of NK/T cell lymphoma cells, and to investigate the potential role of proteasome inhibitor on the treatment of NK/T cell lymphoma. METHODS: NK/T cell lymphoma cells HANK1 were treated with proteasome inhibitor MG132, and the proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The morphological changes were observed under inverse microscope. The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were detected using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The growth inhibitory rate of HANK1 cells was(57.72±7.44)% after cultured for 24 h with 1 μmol/L MG132 and was just(3.98±0.07)% after cultured for 24 h with 0.1 μmol/L MG132. The positive relationship between the concentration of MG132 and growth inhibitory rate was observed. On the other hand, after cultured for 24 h with 1μmol/L MG132, the cells in G1 and G2 phases were(72.33±3.44)% and(12.86±1.29)%, respectively, much higher than those in control group(63.63%±2.29% and 7.94%±1.91%, respectively). The early and late apoptosis rates in MG132 group were 33.57%±2.10% and 16.66%±0.47%, respectively, much higher than that in control group (7.18%±0.82% and 3.81%±1.06%, respectively). CONCLUSION: MG132 inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell cycle arrested at G1 and G2 phases, and cell apoptosis in NK/T cell lymphoma cells in a concentration dependent manner. Proteasome inhibitor may be a good drug to treat patients with advanced NK/T cell lymphomas.     

Effect of P53 binding site on regulation of human NOD8 gene

AIM: To investigated the characterization and biological function of P53 binding element in the regulation of NOD8 gene. METHODS: Using the method of bioinformatics, we found a completely preserved P53 binding site in NOD8 core promoter both in humans and chimpanzees. NOD8 gene was amplified by PCR from human cDNA and correctly connected into the vector p NOD8 (760 bp)-EGFP-C2/ mp NOD8 (750 bp)-EGFP-C2. The constructed plasmids p NOD8 (760 bp)-EGFP- NOD8 and mp NOD8 (750 bp)-EGFP- NOD8 were transiently transfected into the cell line HEK293 by JetPei^TM and treated with pifithrin alpha (PFT-α,an inhibitor of P53) at different concentrations for 24 h. The mRNA and protein expression levels of NOD8 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was performed to determine the binding of P53 to the NOD8 promoter after recombinant plasmid p NOD8 (760 bp)-EGFP was transfected into HEK293 cells. RESULTS: The plasmids p NOD8 (760 bp) -EGFP- NOD8 and mp NOD8 (750 bp)-EGFP- NOD8 were successfully constructed and conformed by restriction digestion and sequence analysis. The results of ChIP confirmed that P53 bound to the promoter of NOD8 . The mRNA expression of NOD8 in the cells transfected with p NOD8 (760 bp)-EGFP- NOD8 was stronger than that in the cells transfected with control vector pEGFP-C2 (P<0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of NOD8 was reduced in HEK293 cells transfectnt with the mutant plasmid mp NOD8 (750 bp)-EGFP- NOD8 compared with the cells transfected with p NOD8 (760 bp)-EGFP- NOD8 . Meanwhile, PFT-α inhibited the mRNA expression of NOD8 in the cells transfected with p NOD8 (760 bp)-EGFP- NOD8 in a concentration-dependent manner, and PFT-α at concentration of 90 μmol/L was the most effective in inhibiting NOD8 mRNA expression (P<0.01). As expected, the protein expression of NOD8 in pNOD8 (760 bp)-EGFP- NOD8 group significantly increased compared with that in pNOD8 -C2 group, the protein expression of NOD8 in mp NOD8 (750 bp)-EGFP- NOD8 group or pNOD8 (760 bp)-EGFP- NOD8 + PFT-α group was dramatically decreased compared with that in p NOD8 (760 bp) -EGFP- NOD8 group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the P53 binding site is critical for the regulation of NOD8 gene and there is positive feedback regulation between P53 binding site and NOD8 , which may maintain efficient balance between defense and self-inflicted injury in response to the invasion of pathogen.     

Hypoxic preconditioning increases tolerant ability of old human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to oxidative stress injury through AKT pathway

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of hypoxic preconditioning on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs), and to provide basic experimental support for more effective autologous stem cell transplantation in aged patients. METHODS: The old hBM-MSCs were subjected to hypoxic preconditioning using a hypoxia incubator chamber for 24 h. The cells were divided into young group, old group and old+hypoxia group (with 24 h hypoxic preconditioning). Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂, 300 μmol/L) was applied to simulate the oxidative stress. The cells were treated with 50 μmol/L LY294002 for 2 h to inhibit PI3K/AKT pathway. BrdU incorporation and CCK-8 assay were used for analyzing the cell proliferation and viability. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and p-AKT were measured by Western blot. RESULTS: BrdU-positive cells, which represented the cell proliferation, and the cell viability were significantly increased in old+hypoxia group compared with old group (P<0.05). The protein level of Bax decreased (P<0.05) and Bcl-2 increased (P<0.05) in old+hypoxia group compared with old group after using 300 μmol/L H₂O₂ simulate. the oxidative stress. The phosphorylation of AKT was enhanced by hypoxic preconditioning in old group (P<0.05). The protective effect of hypoxic preconditioning on the cell survival was decreased after treated with LY294002 (inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT pathway) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypoxic preconditioning increases the survival and proliferation of old hBM-MSCs by activation of AKT pathway.     

Ubiquitin-dependent degradation of SnoN/Ski protein in glomerular mesangial cells induced by high glucose

AIM: To observe the protein expression of SnoN/Ski and ubiqutin ligase Arkadia in rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) exposed to the high glucose. METHODS: Cultured rat glomerular mesangial HBZY-1 cells were divided into control group, 20 mmol/L glucose group, 30 mmol/L glucose group, 30 mmol/L glucose+MG132 group (culture medium containing 30 mmol/L glucose and 0.5 μmol/L specific proteasome inhibitor MG132), and mannitol group. The expression levels of SnoN, Ski and Arkadia were measured by Western blotting analysis, immunofluorescence and laser scanning confocal microscopy. RESULTS: In control GMCs, the expression of SnoN/Ski was rich and Arkadia was weak. After stimulated with high glucose, the expression of SnoN/Ski was decreased and Arkadia was gradually increased (P<0.05). Compared with high glucose group, the levels of SnoN/Ski and Arkadia were mostly reverted by adding the proteasome inhibitor MG132 at concentration of 0.5 μmol/L (P<0.01). The expression levels of SnoN/Ski and Arkadia were not significantly changed in mannitol group in comparison with control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: High glucose decreases the expression of SnoN/Ski through ubiquitin-dependent degradation of SnoN/Ski. The degradation of SnoN/Ski mediated by Arkadia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.     

Effects of targeting interference of GPx1 gene expression on growth and migration of glioblastoma multiforme cells

AIM: To verify the role of enhancing or suppressing the expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) in the growth, migration and invasion of glioblastoma multiforme cell lines U87MG and U118MG. METHODS: U87MG and U118MG cell lines were transfected with the vector containing specific siRNA or pcDNA3.1 recombinant plasmid both targeting GPx1. The mRNA and protein expression levels of GPx1 were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. MTS assay was applied for determining the cell activity. The abilities of migration and invasion were examined by Transwell assay. RESULTS: Compared with blank control group and negative group, the inhibitory rate of the cell activity in U87MG cells in siRNA group was significantly reduced by 25.9%, 35.7% and 34.8% at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively (P<0.05). In contrast, the cell activity of U118MG cells in pcDNA3.1-GPx1 group was significantly increased by 22.7%, 45.8% and 39.8% at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively (P<0.05). In siRNA group, the inhibitory rate of migration in U87MG cells was 41.6%±8.2% and the invasion was 41.6%±8.2% compared with blank control group and negative group (P<0.05). The cell migration and invasion rates of the U118MG cells in pcDNA-GPx1 group were increased by 55.8%±9.8% and 60.8%±9.2%, respectively, compared with blank control group and negative group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The down-regulation of GPx1 by specific siRNA reduces the capability of cell growth, migration and invasion of U87MG cells, while up-regulation of GPx1 by pcDNA3.1-GPx1 increases the capability of cell growth, migration and invasion of U118MG cells.     

Transferrin-bound Yb2 uptake by U-87 MG cells and effect of Yb on proliferation of the cells

AIM:To investigate the role of transferrin/transferrin receptor system in transferrin-bound Yb₂ (Yb₂Tf) uptake by U-87 MG cells and the effect of transferrin-bound and -free Yb₂ on proliferation of U-87 MG cells.METHODS:Cell culture and ICP-MS measurement of Yb₂.RESULTS:Yb₂Tf uptake by U-87 MG cells increased with the concentrations of Yb₂Tf, and reached saturation as the concentration in the incubation medium was raised to about 2 μmol/L. Also, Yb₂ uptake by the cells increased with increase of the mole ratio (Yb₂: apoTf), reaching a maximum at 1.5 mole ratio. Yb₂Tf in 0.4 μmol/L significantly inhibited proliferation of U-87 MG cells, however, 10 μmol/L Yb³⁺ had no significant effect on proliferation of the cells.CONCLUSION:The uptake of Yb₂ by U-87 MG cells might be mediated by transferrin/transferrin receptor system. Transferrin-bound but not transferrin-free Yb₂ could significantly inhibit proliferation of U-87 MG cells.     

Effect of MG132 on Aβ generation in SH-SY5Y cells

AIM: To observe the influences of different concentrations of MG132 on apoptosis and beta-amyloid protein(Aβ) generation in SH-SY5Y cells, and to explore the underlying mechanism.METHODS: SHSY-5Y cells were incubated with MG132 for 24 h. The final concentrations of MG132 were 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L. The cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. The levels of Aβ were measured by ELISA. The relative protein levels were detected by Western blot.RESULTS: In the SH-SY5Y cells, MG132 reduced the cell viability, induced the cell apoptosis, increased the level of Aβ, and increased the expression of the related proteins for Aβ generation in a concentration-dependent manner.CONCLUSION: MG132 induces apoptosis and increases the levels of Aβ_1-42 and Aβ_1-40 by regulating the proteins related to Aβ generation in the SH-SY5Y cells.     

Relationship between apoptosis and change of P53 expression in mouse renal tissues after acute kidney injury

AIM: To investigate the relationship between renal cell apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury and the activation of P53. METHODS: Eighteen mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group, acute kidney injury (AKI) group and pifithrin-alpha(PFT-α) treatment group. The AKI model was established by clamping bilateral renal arteries for 45 min and then performing reperfusion. The mice in PFT-α group were intraperitoneally injected with PFT-α at dose of 2.2 mg/kg 5 min before AKI model was established. The changes of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were determined and renal pathological changes were observed 48 h after AKI. The P53 expression in the kidney was evaluated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence methods. Apoptosis of the renal cells was observed by TUNEL assay. The protein expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), caspase-3 and Bcl-2 was detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: The levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen in AKI group and PFT-α group were higher than those in sham operation group. Compared with AKI group, the levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were significantlydecreased in PFT-α group. No pathological change of the kidney was observed in sham operation group. In AKI group, the pathological changes such as shedding of brush border, vacuolus and dropwise degeneration in the renal tissues were observed. These pathological changes were attenuated in PFT-α group as compared with AKI group. The protein was expression level of P53 and the apoptotic cells were much higher in AKI group than those in sham operation group, and P53 protein was mainly expressed in the renal cortex, while those were significantly decreased in PFT-α group as compared with AKI group. Compared with sham operation group, the expression levels of TNFR and caspase-3 were increased and the Bcl-2 levels was decreased. Compared with AKI group, the expression level of TNFR and caspase-3 decreased and Bcl-2 expression was increased. CONCLUSION: P53 protein is mainly expressed in the renal cortex and induces apoptosis by increasing the expression of caspase-3 and regulating the expression of TNFR and Bcl-2 in the kidney following ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

Effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha on proliferation and apoptosis of HSCs

AIM:To explore the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.METHODS:The proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro were detected with flow cytometry, electron microscopy and TUNEL.RESULTS:The flow cytometry analysis showed that the cell proliferation index (PI) in the TNF-α(0.5 μg/L, 2.0 μg/L, 8.0 μg/L) groups was evidently lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05). In the cell cycle distribution, the portion of G₀/G₁ phase in the TNF-α groups was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05), but the portion of S phase in the TNF-α groups was evidently lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05). These indicated that TNF-α interfered with HSCs entrance into S phase from G₀/G₁ phase whereupon the proliferation of HSCs was inhibited. The apoptotic rate in the TNF-α groups was evidently higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05). The gene expression of bcl-2 and bax was also detected with flow cytometry. The expression of bcl-2 in the TNF-α groups was evidently lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05), but the expression of bax in the TNF-α groups was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05). TUNEL analysis showed the apoptotic rate of HSCs in the TNF-α(2.0 μg/L) group was 18.7%±2.5% compared with 5.3%±1.2% in the control group(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS:TNF-α interfered with HSCs entrance into S phase from G₀/G₁ phase whereupon the proliferation of HSCs was inhibited. TNF-α down-regulated bcl-2 gene expression and up-regulated bax gene expression whereupon the apoptosis of HSCs was induced.     

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.     

PPARγ mediates effects of diosgenin on proliferation and apoptosis in human glioblastoma U87MG cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of diosgenin (Dio) on the proliferation, apoptosis and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in human glioblastoma U87MG cells and its possible mechanism. METHODS:Human astrocytes (HA) and U87MG cells were cultured in vitro and treated with Dio (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 μmol/L) and GW9662 (5 μmol/L) for 48 h, and then the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell colony formation assay was used to assess the proliferation potential. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The mRNA expression level of PPARγ was measured by RT-PCR. Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of PPARγ, cyclin D1, cyclin E1, Bcl-2 and Bax. RESULTS:Dio had no significant influence on the viabi-lity of HA (P>0.05). However, Dio remarkably reduced the viability of U87MG cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05) with IC₅₀ of 24.31 μmol/L. Meanwhile, Dio remarkably diminished colony formation ability (P<0.05), induced G₀/G₁ phase arrest of the cell cycle and apoptosis (P<0.05), up-regulated the expression of PPARγ at mRNA and protein levels, increased the protein level of Bax (P<0.05), and down-regulated the protein levels of cyclin D1, cyclin E1 and Bcl-2 (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. However, these effects induced by Dio were inhibited by GW9662 (P<0.05), a specific inhibitor of PPARγ. CONCLUSION:Dio may inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in human glioblastoma U87MG cells most likely via up-regulating the expression of PPARγ, and then down-regulating the protein levels of cyclin D1, cyclin E1 and Bcl-2, and up-regulating the protein level of Bax.     

Apoptosis induced by simvastatin in rat vascular smooth muscle cells through calpain and caspase-3-dependent pathways

AIM:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, such as simvastatin, have been shown to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by mechanisms unrelated to its lipid-lowering effect. Several studies have shown that simvastatin induces apoptosis in a varieties of cell lines including vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The aim of this study was to investigate the signal pathways involved in apoptosis induced by simvastatin.METHODS:Cultured VSMC were treated with simvastatin. Calpain activity was determined by measuring Ca²⁺ ionophore-specific calpain substrate (suc-LLVY-AMC), caspase-3 activation was detected by Western blot, and apoptotic changes were distinguished by annexin Ⅴ binding and DNA laddering.RESULTS:After incubated with 30 μmol/L simvastatin for 8 h, calpain activity had a marked increase (P<0.05, n=4) and reached to more than 3-fold of control at 12 h (P＜0.01). Caspase-3 also activated by simvastatin after 12 h. PD150606, a cell-permeable selective calpain inhibitor, decreased simvastatin-induced apoptosis rate from 24.2%±1.7% to 9.5%±1.9% (P＜0.01) and also prevented simvastatin-induced DNA laddering. Furthermore, 100 μmol/L PD150606 efficiently inhibited simvastatin-induced caspase-3 activation.CONCLUSION:Simvastatin induces apoptosis by activating caspase-3 via calcium-dependent protease calpain.     

Anticancer function of Shp2 in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and rela-ted molecular mechanisms

AIM: To explore the anticancer function of Shp2 in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and the related molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The viability and proliferation of A549 cells treated with Shp2 specific inhibitor Phps-1 or cisplatin (DDP) were measured by CCK-8 assay and EdU assay. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was applied to detect apoptotic rate of A549 cells with different interventions. The protein levels of caspase-3-17p, Bcl-2, Bax, p-STAT3/STAT3 and p-ERK/ERK were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with control group, Phps-1 at the concentration of 20 μmol/L significantly increased the viability of A549 cells after 24 h of treatment (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the proliferation rate of A549 cells in Phps-1 20 μmol/L group was significant increased compared with control group (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate of A549 cells in DDP treatment group decreased from 13.01%±2.62% to 3.67%±0.93% after adding Phps-1 (P<0.05). Phps-1 down-regulated the protein levels of caspase-3-17p, Bax and p-ERK, but up-regulated p-STAT3.CONCLUSION: Shp2 is a tumor suppressor in A549 cells, which may be associated with the activation of STAT3 signal pathway.     

Effect of fucoxanthin on growth and apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells

AIM: To explore the effect of fucoxanthin (Fu) on the growth and apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells. METHODS: HSC-T6 cells were divided into blank control group, negative control group and drug groups (treated with different concentrations of Fu). The cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after Fu treatment. The cell cycle distribution and apoptotic rate were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with blank control group, the viability of HSC-T6 cells was inhibited by Fu at concentrations of 15~75 μmol/L in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.01). The cell ratio of G₁ phase was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) and the cell ratio of S phase and G₂ phase was significantly increased (P < 0.01) in 60 μmol/L Fu group after 24 h. The cell ratio of G₁ phase was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) and the cell ratio of S phase and G₂ phase was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in 15 μmol/L and 30 μmol/L Fu groups in a dose-dependent manner after 48 h. The early cell apoptotic rates and total cell apoptotic rates were significantly increased in the Fu treatment groups in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The protein expression of Bax was significantly increased in the Fu treatment groups and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased in 30 μmol/L and 60 μmol/L Fu groups (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Fu inhibits the growth of HSC-T6 cells possiblely via arresting the cell cycle at S phase and G₂ phase. The apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells induced by Fu might be via down-regulating the protein expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulating the protein expression of Bax.     

Epigallocatechin gallate induces apoptosis of ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 via regulation of SIRT1-P53 pathways

AIM: To study the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on the growth and apoptosis of ova-rian cancer cell line SKOV-3 and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: SKOV-3 cells were treated with different concentrations of EGCG (0~50 μmol/L), SRT1720 (1 μmol/L) or EX527 (1 μmol/L) for 24 h. The cell activity was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis of SKOV-3 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by real-time PCR. SIRT1 deacetylase fluorometric assay kit was used to detect the activity of SIRT1. The protein levels of SIRT1 and acetylated P53 (Ac-P53) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: EGCG or EX527 decreased the deacetylase activity and protein expression of SIRT1, and increased the level of Ac-P53 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SRT1720 abrogated the effects of EGCG on the activity, apoptosis and SIRT1-P53 pathways in ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3. CONCLUSION: EGCG inhibits the activity and induces apoptosis of ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 by regulating SIRT1-P53 pathways.     

N-acetylcysteine protects H9c2 cells against injuries induced by methyl-glyoxal

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of N-acetylcysteine(NAC) on H9c2 cells from injuries induced by methylglyoxal(MG) and the potential mechanism. METHODS: H9c2 cells were divided into control group, MG treatment group, NAC + MG treatment group, SP600125 pretreatment + MG group, NAC group and SP600125 group. The viability of the H9c2 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay. The protein levels of p-JNK and t-JNK were tested by Western blot. The changes of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) were evaluated by 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA) staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) was measured by rhodamine 123(Rh123) staining. The morphological changes in apoptotic cardiomyocytes were detected by Hoechst 33258 staining. RESULTS: Du-ring 100~800μmol/L concentration range, MG caused significantly reduced viability of the H9c2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. NAC had a protective effect on H9c2 cells against the injuries induced by MG during 500~1500μmol/L concentration range through raising cell viability, inhibiting cellular oxidative stress and improving MMP(P<0.01). SP600125, an inhibitor of JNK, showed the protective effect similar to NAC on H9c2 cells against MG-induced injuries, including attenuating oxidative stress, improving MMP and suppressing apoptosis.CONCLUSION: N-acetylcysteine offers obvious protective effect on H9c2 cells against the injuries induced by methylglyoxal. The underlying mechanisms may be associated with decreasing the production of ROS, ameliorating MMP, inhibiting the activation of JNK and suppressing apoptosis.     

Effects of resveratrol on proliferation of ARPE-19 cells

AIM:To investigate the effects of resveratrol (Res) on the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells and to explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS:After ARPE-19 cells were treated with Res at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 μmol/L for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, the effects of Res on the proliferation of the cells were tested by CCK-8 assay. The ARPE-19 cells were treated with Res at concentrations of 0, 100, 150 and 200 μmol/L for 48 h. The effects of Res on the cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected by immunofluorescent assay. The mRNA expression of PCNA, P21 and P27 was determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The results of CCK-8 assay showed that Res inhibited the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The treatment with Res for 48 h resulted in an arrest of cell cycle at S phase without increasing cell apoptosis. Res inhibited the protein expression of PCNA in ARPE-19 cells. The results of real-time PCR showed that Res increased the mRNA expression of P21 and P27, and decreased the mRNA expression of PCNA. CONCLUSION: Res inhibits the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells and induces the cell cycle arrest at S phase. The mechanism may be related to up-regulation of P21 and P27, and down-regulation of PCNA.