Effects of adiponectin against hydrogen peroxide induced myocardial injury in cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes

AIM: To observe the effects of adiponectin on injury of the 3-4 d SD rat cardiomyocytes induced by the intervention of H2O2. METHODS: Primary cardiomyocytes were obtained from neonatal rat and were cultured by enzymatic digestion methods. The molecular marker was observed by α-actin immunocytochemistry. Primary cultured 3-4 d cells were used in experiment, and the injury model was established by H2O2, and adiponectin and Ara-A were used for pre-treatment before cell culture. The morphological change of cardiomyocytes was observed under electron microscope. The contents of LDH, MDA and the activity of SOD were measured. The apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis and Annexin V/PI staining with flow cytometry. RESULTS: Adiponectin pretreatment significantly decreased the release of LDH（P<0.05）and the content of MDA (P<0.05), and increased the activity of SOD (P<0.05) as compared to H2O2 injury group. The brightness of DNA ladder attenuated and the rate of apoptosis also decreased (P<0.05) compared to H2O2 injury group. Ara-A (1 mmol/L) blocked the protection of adiponectin partly.CONCLUSION: H2O2 induces the injury and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. The protective effect of adiponectin is through AMPK pathway.     

Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion/hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR)/hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) injury in rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham group, IR group and IR+GLP-1 (0.03 nmol/L, 0.16 nmol/L and 0.30 nmol/L) groups. IR group and IR+GLP-1 group were subject to 30 min of ischemia and 3 h of reperfusion. The myocardial infarct size, the ultrastructural changes of the myocardial tissues, the apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected. Primarily cultured cardiomyocytes were divided into 5 groups at random: control group, HR group and HR+GLP-1 (1 μmol/L, 5 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L) groups. The morphology and apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes were observed. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),MDA,SOD,reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in different groups were detected. RESULTS: Compared with IR group, the myocardial infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were remarkably reduced, mitochondrial ultrastructures were improved, the activity of SOD was increased and the concentration of MDA was decreased in IR+GLP-1 (0.03 nmol/L, 0.16 nmol/L and 0.30 nmol/L) groups. Compared with HR group, GLP-1 (1 μmol/L, 5 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L) preconditioning significantly decreased the myocardial injury, increased SOD activity, decreased MDA concentration and ROS production, and heightened MMP in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: GLP-1 protects cardiomyocytes from IR/HR injury, which may be partially due to the effects of anti-oxidative mechanism and the function of mitochondrial protection.     

Role of glycine receptor in protection of glycine against anoxia/reoxygenation injury in cardiomyocytes

AIM:To investigate whether glycine receptor is involved in the protection of glycine against anoxia/reoxygenation injury in cardiomyocytes by detecting oxygen free radical metabolism, apoptosis and intracellular calcium overload. METHODS:The neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were cultured and exposed to anoxia and reoxygenation (A/R) in the presence of glycine receptor antagonist, glycine or in free chloride buffer. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), the intracellular free calcium concentration and the apoptotic rate in the cardiomyocytes were determined. RESULTS:SOD activity and NO content in cardiomyocytes were lower, but MDA content, intracellular free calcium concentration and apoptotic rate in cardiomyocytes were higher in A/R group than those in control. Pretreatment with glycine inhibited the above changes caused by A/R, which was reversed by strychnine treatment and in the free chloride medium. CONCLUSIONS:Glycine inhibits free radical production, attenuates calcium overload, decreases apoptotic rate and increases SOD activity and NO release in cardiomyocytes exposed to A/R. These findings suggest that glycine exerts a protective effect against A/R injury via glycine receptor and glycine protects the neonatal rat cardiomycytes from A/R-induced injury in a chloride-dependent manner.     

Genipin inhibits oxidative stress and apoptotic damage in high glucose-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes

AIM:To explore the effects of genipin (GEN) on high glucose (HG)-induced oxidative stress injury and apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.METHODS:H9c2 cells were cultured in vitro and HG-induced injury model was established. H9c2 cells were divided into 4 groups:normal control (NC) group (glucose at 5.6 mmol/L), HG group (glucose at 50 mmol/L), NG+GEN group and HG+GEN group. The concentration of genipin was used at 10 μmol/L. The viability of the H9c2 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay. The intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined by enzyme labeling and WST-1 methods, respectively. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cell culture supernatant was detected by microplate method. Fluorescent probe DCF was used to detect intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nucleosome fragments was measured to evaluate cell apoptosis by ELISA. The intracellular mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 method. The protein levels of Mn-SOD, cytochrome C (Cyt C), Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with HG group, the cell viability in HG+GEN group was increased significantly (P<0.05), the levels of MDA and LDH were decreased (P<0.05), SOD activity was increased (P<0.05), the levels of ROS and nucleosome fragments in HG+GEN group were decreased (P<0.05), and the mitochondrial membranes potential was notably increased (P<0.05). Compared with NG group, the activation of Mn-SOD was decreased, but the protein levels of Cyt C, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were increased in HG group (P<0.05). Compared with HG group, the activation of Mn-SOD was increased, and the protein levels of Cyt C, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were decreased in HG+GEN group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Genipin protects HG-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress injury and apoptosis.     

Role of aloperine on ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury and inflammatory response in H9c2 cardiomyocytes

AIM: To explore the role of aloperine in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury and inflammation.METHODS: The H9c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured under hypoxia and re-oxygenation conditions to simulate ischemia-reperfusion (SI/R) injury. After treatment with aloperine at various doses, the cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Simultaneously, the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malonaldehyde (MDA) and caspase-3 activity were detected by the commercial kits. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were also detected by ELISA. Moreover, the effects of aloperine on the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: Pre-treatment with aloperine remarkably abated the inhibitory effect of SI/R on H9c2 cell viability, and decreased the elevations of LDH and MDA triggered by SI/R (P<0.05). Pre-treatment with aloperine dramatically suppressed the cell apoptosis induced by SI/R treatment (P<0.05), concomitant with the decrease in caspase-3 activity and increase in Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P<0.05). In contrast to SI/R group, aloperine treatment notably restrained the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β (P<0.05). Furthermore, aloperine remarkably increased the protein levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT. While blocking the PI3K/AKT pathway with its specific inhibitor LY294002, the viability-promoting, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of aloperine on the H9c2 cells were obviously attenuated (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Alope-rine protects against cardiomyocytes from I/R injury and inhibits inflammatory responses by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, implying a potential benefic role of aloperine against myocardial I/R injury.     

Protective effect of non-mitogenic human acidic fibroblast growth factor from renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

AIM: To investigate the effect of non-mitogenic human acidic fibroblast growth factor (nm-haFGF) on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Rat renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury was produced by removing the left kidney and subsequently clamping the right renal artery for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h. 5 min after reperfusion, different doses of nm-haFGF and haFGF (as positive control) were injected by lingual vein. 24 h later, the samples of blood, urine and kidney were collected and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA),blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were detected. Histopathological changes were also observed. RESULTS: In the serum, SOD activity of all the nm-haFGF groups and the haFGF group increased significantly while the content of MDA decreased dramatically compared with the model group; The content of BUN and Cr also decreased wherever in serum or in urine; In renal tissue, SOD activity in nm-haFGF 20 μg/kg group, 40 μg/kg group and haFGF group rose significantly compared with the model group, while MDA decreased dramatically. Histological examination showed that nm-haFGF markedly attenuates the renal edema, brush border’s defluvium and cell necrosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion. CONCLUSION: nm-haFDF could resist the renal injury induced by ischemia- reperfusion in rats.     

第27届国际园艺大会将于2006年8月13—19日在韩国汉城召开

由国际园艺学会和韩国园艺学会共同主办的第27届国际园艺大会将于2006年8月13～19日在韩国汉城召开(同期举办展览)。会议主题是“全球园艺:多样性与和谐”。会议组织委员会主席为韩国庆熙大学李政明(Jung MyungLee)教授,副主席为韩国汉城市立大学JeongSikLee教授和韩国汉城大学     

Effect of L-carnitine on apoptosis and oxidant damage of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation in vitro

AIM: To examine the effects of L-carnitine on apoptosis and oxidant injury in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation and its possible mechanism. METHODS: The cultured cardiomyocytes were divided into three groups， control， A/R group （anoxia for 120 min, reoxygenation for 240 min） and L-carnitine treatment group, in which cells were exposed to 20 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L L-carnitine respectively at 2 h before anoxia. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were examined, and the apoptosis was determined by flow of cytometry (FCM). In addition, the ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: In A/R group, SOD and SDH activities were lower, the apoptosis rate and MDA content were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). In L-carnitine treatment group, SOD and SDH activities were higher, the apoptosis rate and MDA content were lower than those in A/R group, a L-carnitine concentration-dependent effect was found. Moreover, impairment of myocardial ultrastructure was more severe in A/R group than L-carnitine treatment group. CONCLUSION: L-carnitine can protect cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury in a dose-dependent manner.     

L-carnitine inhibits H2O2-induced rat cardiomyocyte apoptosis through suppressing Ca2+/CaMKII signaling pathway

AIM：To examine the inhibitory effect of L-carnitine on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes and to further explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS：Primarily cultured neonatal rat myocardial cells were prepared and challenged by 200 μmol/L H2O2 to induce cell apoptosis. In order to evaluate the effects of Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N′, N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor KN93 and L-carnitine on cell viability, apoptosis, resting intracellular free Ca2+ concentration (［Ca2+］i) and phospho-CaMKII (p-CaMKII) expression, these three agents were added 30 min or 1 h prior to H2O2 stimulation. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and apoptosis was determined by flow cytomertry. The ［Ca2+］i was measured by laser confocal scanning. Cleaved caspase-3 and p-CaMKII expression was detected using Western blotting. RESULTS：Upon 200 μmol/L H2O2 stimulation for 12 h, cell viability decreased and apoptotic rate increased significantly compared with control．Pretreament with L-carnitine, BAPTA and KN93 significantly increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis．Furthermore, intracellular Ca2+ overload triggered by H2O2 could be greatly relieved by L-carnitine and BAPTA pretreatment, but not affected by KN93. H2O2-stimulated cleaved caspase-3 and p-CaMKII expression was also significantly inhibited by all these three agents. CONCLUSION：L-carnitine inhibits H2O2-induced rat cardiomyocyte apoptosis possibly via suppressing Ca2+/CaMKII signaling pathway.     

Damaging effects of exogenous spermine on HUVECs and its possible mechanism

AIM: To study the effects of exogenous spermine on human umbilical veins endotheliocytes (HUVECs) and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: The serial subculture of HUVECs was used to investigate the effect of exogenous spermine with different concentrations (50 μmol/L-5 mmol/L) on HUVECs in different times (2 h, 4 h). The morphological changes of HUVECs (by inverted microscope and electron microscope), the cell viability, the level of MDA and activity of SOD were observed. RESULTS: Compared to normal control group, no change of all index detected in the group with spermine (50 μmol/L) was observed (P>0.05). Spermine injured HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner. After adding spermine for 2 h and 4 h, it was observed that cellular injury in 4 h group was more serious than that in 2 h group. The injury of HUVECs caused by exogenous spermine was characterized by decrease in cellular viability and activity of SOD, ultrastructural injury, increase in MDA level. CONCLUSION: Exogenous spermine induces the injury of HUVECs in concentration and time-dependent manners. Its mechanisms may be related to lipid peroxidation induced by increase in the production of oxygen free radical.