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 exposure to methylglyoxal on sperm motility and embryonic development after fertilization in mice

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a precursor for the generation of endogenous advanced glycation end-products involved in various diseases, including infertility. The present study evaluated the motility and developmental competence after in vitro fertilization of mouse sperm which were exposed to MG in the capacitation medium for 1.5 h. Sperm motility was analyzed using an SQA-V automated sperm quality analyzer. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA damage were assessed using flow cytometry. The matured oocytes were inseminated with MG-exposed sperm, and subsequently, the fertilization and embryonic development in vitro were evaluated in vitro. The exposure of sperm to MG did not considerably affect the swim-up of sperm but resulted in a deteriorated sperm motility in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with a decreased mitochondrial activity. However, these effects was not accompanied by obvious ROS accumulation or DNA damage. Furthermore, MG diminished the fertilization rate and developmental competence, even after normal fertilization. Collectively, a short-term exposure to MG during sperm capacitation had a critical impact on sperm motility and subsequent embryonic development after fertilization. Considering that sperm would remain in vivo for up to 3 days until fertilization, our findings suggest that sperm can be affected by MG in the female reproductive organs, which may be associated with infertility.     

鸡和兔血糖调节生理差异比较

旨在了解大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides )的种质特性,为其种质鉴定提供理论依据。采用传统形态学方法观测样品形态特征,借助肾细胞滴片空气干燥法制备染色体标本并进行核型分析,通过聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法研究大口黑鲈眼晶状体乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)。结果表明：大口黑鲈体呈纺锤形,口裂大,斜裂;背部黑绿色,体侧青绿;吻端至尾鳍基部有排列成带状的黑斑。鳃盖上有3条呈放射状的黑斑;背鳍鳍式 D.VIII~XI-11~14;臀鳍鳍式A.III-9~12;左侧第一鳃弓外侧鳃耙数为6~7,鳔1室,脊椎骨总数30~32。染色体数目2n=46,核型公式为2m+2st+42t,臂数NF=48,未发现带有随体、次缢痕的染色体和异型性染色体,大口黑鲈进化上符合高位类群核型特征;眼晶状体中的LDH酶带5条,观察到LDHA、LDHB和LDHC 3个基因位点。综上所述,在对大口黑鲈进行种质鉴定时,建议采用多种种质鉴定技术手段系统化地考察和评价其种质状况。