1.Inhibition of the mitochondrial metabolic enzyme OGDC affects erythroid development.
Bin HU ; Mao-Hua LI ; Han GONG ; Lu HAN ; Jing LIU
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(3):395-407
Mitochondrial metabolism is crucial for providing energy and heme precursors during erythroid development. Oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDC) is a key enzyme in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and its level gradually increases during erythroid development, indicating its significant role in erythroid development. The aim of the present study was to explore the role and mechanism of OGDC in erythroid development. In this study, we treated erythroid progenitor cells with CPI-613, a novel lipoic acid analog that competitively inhibits OGDC. The results showed that CPI-613 inhibited erythropoietin (EPO)-induced differentiation and enucleation of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells into erythroid cells, suppressed cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis. The results of in vivo experiments showed that CPI-613 also hindered the recovery of mice from acute hemolytic anemia. Further mechanism research results showed that CPI-613 increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in erythroid progenitor cells, inhibited mitochondrial respiration, caused mitochondrial damage, and suppressed heme synthesis, thereby inhibiting erythroid differentiation. Clinical research results showed that oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) protein expression levels were up-regulated in bone marrow cells of polycythemia vera (PV) patients. Treatment with CPI-613 significantly inhibited the excessive proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells of the PV patients. These findings demonstrates the critical role of OGDC in normal erythroid development, suggesting that inhibiting its activity could be a novel therapeutic strategy for treating PV.
Animals
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Humans
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
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Mice
;
Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex/physiology*
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Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
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Cells, Cultured
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Erythropoiesis/drug effects*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Erythroid Precursor Cells/cytology*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Thioctic Acid/pharmacology*
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Caprylates
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Sulfides
2.Icariin promotes alcohol-inhibited osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-1-E1 cells by regulating LAP autophagy.
Qi ZENG ; Yue-Ping CHEN ; Shi-Lei SONG ; Yu LAI ; Hua-Hua WU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):590-599
This study investigated the mechanism of autophagy in the differentiation processes of MC3T3-E1 cells under osteogenic induction(physiological) and alcohol(AL) intervention(pathological), as well as the mechanism by which icariin(ICA) affected osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells under the pathological condition of AL intervention. Osteogenic mineralized nodule staining confirmed that the cells could differentiate into osteoblasts. After determining the appropriate concentrations of AL and ICA using the CCK-8 assay, seven groups were set up in this study: complete medium(CM) group, osteogenic induction medium(OIM) group, OIM+0.25 mol·L~(-1) AL group, OIM+0.25 mol·L~(-1) AL+1×10~(-8) mol·L~(-1) ICA group, OIM+0.25 mol·L~(-1) AL+1×10~(-7) mol·L~(-1) ICA group, OIM+0.25 mol·L~(-1) AL+1×10~(-6) mol·L~(-1) ICA group, and OIM+0.25 mol·L~(-1) AL+1×10~(-5) mol·L~(-1) ICA group, with a culture period of 7 days. Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) staining was used to detect the relative ALP area. Western blot and RT-qPCR were employed to analyze the expression of osteogenesis-and autophagy-related proteins and mRNAs. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) staining was used to detect ROS levels, and apoptosis was assessed through mitochondrial membrane potential assays. The results showed that ICA increased the relative ALP area that had been reduced by AL intervention. AL down-regulated the expression levels of Wnt family member 1(Wnt1), along with the osteogenesis-related mRNAs Wnt1, β-catenin, Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2), osteoprotegerin(OPG), and ALP, thereby inhibiting osteogenic differentiation. ICA up-regulated the expression levels of the osteogenesis-related proteins and mRNAs that had been inhibited by AL, promoting osteogenic differentiation. AL inhibited typical autophagy, while ICA regulated Rubicon to suppress LC3-associated phagocytosis(LAP) and promote typical autophagy. ICA also reduced the ROS levels that were elevated by AL and decreased the apoptosis of osteoblasts induced by AL intervention. In conclusion, ICA can regulate Rubicon to inhibit LAP, promote typical autophagy, eliminate ROS, reduce apoptosis, and ultimately enhance the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells under the pathological condition of AL intervention by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Autophagy/drug effects*
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Animals
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Osteogenesis/drug effects*
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Mice
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Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
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Osteoblasts/metabolism*
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Ethanol/pharmacology*
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Flavonoids/pharmacology*
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Cell Line
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
3.Clematichinenoside AR protects bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.
Zi-Tong ZHAO ; Peng-Cheng TU ; Xiao-Xian SUN ; Ya-Lan PAN ; Yang GUO ; Li-Ning WANG ; Yong MA
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1331-1339
This study aims to elucidate the role and mechanism of clematichinenoside AR(CAR) in protecting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) from hypoxia-induced apoptosis. BMSCs were isolated by the bone fragment method and identified by flow cytometry. Cells were cultured under normal conditions(37℃, 5% CO_2) and hypoxic conditions(37℃, 90% N_2, 5% CO_2) and treated with CAR. The BMSCs were classified into eight groups: control(normal conditions), CAR(normal conditions + CAR), hypoxia 24 h, hypoxia 24 h + CAR, hypoxia 48 h, hypoxia 48 h + CAR, hypoxia 72 h, and hypoxia 72 h + CAR. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay and terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL) were employed to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The number of mitochondria and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by MitoTracker®Red CM-H2XRo staining and JC-1 staining, respectively. The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS) was measured with the DCFH-DA fluorescence probe. The protein levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X protein(BAX), caspase-3, and optic atrophy 1(OPA1) were determined by Western blot. The results demonstrated that CAR significantly increased cell proliferation. Compared with the control group, the hypoxia groups showed increased apoptosis rates, reduced mitochondria, elevated ROS levels, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulated expression of BAX and caspase-3, and downregulated expression of OPA1. In comparison to the corresponding hypoxia groups, CAR intervention significantly decreased the apoptosis rate, increased mitochondria, reduced ROS levels, elevated mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated the expression of BAX and caspase-3, and upregulated the expression of OPA1. Therefore, it can be concluded that CAR may exert an anti-apoptotic effect on BMSCs under hypoxic conditions by regulating OPA1 to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
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Animals
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Rats
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Cell Hypoxia/drug effects*
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Homeostasis/drug effects*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects*
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Saponins/pharmacology*
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Caspase 3/genetics*
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Male
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bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics*
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Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism*
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Protective Agents/pharmacology*
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Cells, Cultured
4.Alleviation of hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in HL-1 cells by ginsenoside Rg_1 via regulating mitochondrial fusion based on Notch1 signaling pathway.
Hui-Yu ZHANG ; Xiao-Shan CUI ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Gao-Jie XIN ; Ce CAO ; Zi-Xin LIU ; Shu-Juan XU ; Jia-Ming GAO ; Hao GUO ; Jian-Hua FU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2711-2718
This paper explored the specific mechanism of ginsenoside Rg_1 in regulating mitochondrial fusion through the neurogenic gene Notch homologous protein 1(Notch1) pathway to alleviate hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R) injury in HL-1 cells. The relative viability of HL-1 cells after six hours of hypoxia and two hours of reoxygenation was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8). The lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) activity in the cell supernatant was detected by the lactate substrate method. The content of adenosine triphosphate(ATP) was detected by the luciferin method. Fluorescence probes were used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species(Cyto-ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential(ΔΨ_m). Mito-Tracker and Actin were co-imaged to detect the number of mitochondria in cells. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of Notch1, mitochondrial fusion protein 2(Mfn2), and mitochondrial fusion protein 1(Mfn1). The results showed that compared with that of the control group, the cell activity of the model group decreased, and the LDH released into the cell culture supernatant increased. The level of Cyto-ROS increased, and the content of ATP decreased. Compared with that of the model group, the cell activity of the ginsenoside Rg_1 group increased, and the LDH released into the cell culture supernatant decreased. The level of Cyto-ROS decreased, and the ATP content increased. Ginsenoside Rg_1 elevated ΔΨ_m and increased mitochondrial quantity in HL-1 cells with H/R injury and had good protection for mitochondria. After H/R injury, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Notch1 and Mfn1 decreased, while the mRNA and protein expression levels of Mfn2 increased. Ginsenoside Rg_1 increased the mRNA and protein levels of Notch1 and Mfn1, and decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Mfn2. Silencing Notch1 inhibited the action of ginsenoside Rg_1, decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Notch1 and Mfn1, and increased the mRNA and protein levels of Mfn2. In summary, ginsenoside Rg_1 regulated mitochondrial fusion through the Notch1 pathway to alleviate H/R injury in HL-1 cells.
Ginsenosides/pharmacology*
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Receptor, Notch1/genetics*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Mice
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Animals
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Mitochondrial Dynamics/drug effects*
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
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Cell Line
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Oxygen/metabolism*
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Cell Hypoxia/drug effects*
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Cell Survival/drug effects*
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Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects*
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Humans
5.Mechanism of salidroside in inhibiting expression of adhesion molecules in oxLDL-induced endothelial cells by regulating ferroptosis mediated by SIRT1/Nrf2.
Meng ZHANG ; Min XIAO ; Jing-Jing LI ; Jiang-Feng LI ; Guang-Hui FAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2787-2797
This article investigated the effect and mechanism of salidroside(SAL) on the expression of adhesion molecules in oxidized low-density lipoprotein(oxLDL)-induced mouse aortic endothelial cell(MAEC). The oxLDL-induced endothelial cell injury model was constructed, and the safe concentration and action time of SAL were screened. The cells were divided into control group, oxLDL group, low and high concentration groups of SAL, and ferrostatin-1(Fer-1) group. The cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay; lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) leakage was measured by colorimetry; the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1) and recombinant vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(VCAM-1) were detected by immunofluorescence; Fe~(2+),glutathione(GSH),malondialdehyde(MDA),and 4-hydroxynonenal(4-HNE) levels were detected by kit method; reactive oxygen species(ROS) was detected by DCFH-DA probe; the levels of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1(SIRT1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2) were determined by using Western blot. The inhibitors of Nrf2 and SIRT1 were used, and endothelial cell were divided into control group, oxLDL group, SAL group, ML385 group(Nrf2 inhibitor), and EX527 group(SIRT1 inhibitor). The ultrastructure of mitochondria was observed by electron microscope; mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) was detected by flowcytometry; the expressions of SIRT1,Nrf2,solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),GPX4,ferroportin 1(FPN1),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1),ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were detected by Western blot. The results showed that similar to Fer-1,low and high concentrations of SAL could improve cell viability, inhibit LDH release and the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in oxLDL-induced endothelial cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01). It was related to increase in GSH level, decrease in Fe~(2+),ROS,MDA, and 4-HNE level, and up-regulation of SIRT1,Nrf2, and GPX4 expression to inhibit ferroptosis(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The intervention effect of high concentration SAL was the most significant. ML385 and EX527 could partially offset the protection of SAL on mitochondrial structure and MMP and reverse the ability of SAL to up-regulate the expression of SIRT1,Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4,FPN1, and FTH1 and down-regulate the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1(P<0.05 or P<0.01).To sum up, SAL could reduce the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in oxLDL-induced endothelial cell, which may relate to activation of SLC7A11/GPX4 antioxidant signaling pathway mediated by SITR1/Nrf2, up-regulation of FPN1 and FTH1 expression, and inhibition of ferroptosis.
Sirtuin 1/genetics*
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Animals
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Ferroptosis/drug effects*
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Lipoproteins, LDL/metabolism*
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
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Mice
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Endothelial Cells/cytology*
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Glucosides/pharmacology*
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Phenols/pharmacology*
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Cell Adhesion Molecules/genetics*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/genetics*
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Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/genetics*
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Cell Survival/drug effects*
6.Mechanism of sodium valproate in inhibiting ferroptosis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/Sirtuin 1 axis.
Qingsong GU ; Jianqiao LI ; Yuhu CHEN ; Linhui WANG ; Yiheng LI ; Ziru WANG ; Yicong WANG ; Min YANG
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(2):215-223
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of sodium valproate (VPA) in inhibiting Erastin-induced ferroptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and its underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:
BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of 8-week-old Spragur Dawley rats and identified [cell surface antigens CD90, CD44, and CD45 were analyzed by flow cytometry, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation abilities were assessed by alizarin red S (ARS) and oil red O staining, respectively]. Cells of passage 3 were used for the Erastin-induced ferroptosis model, with different concentrations of VPA for intervention. The optimal drug concentration was determined using the cell counting kit 8 assay. The experiment was divided into 4 groups: group A, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium for 24 hours; group B, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin for 24 hours; group C, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin and VPA for 24 hours; group D, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin and VPA, and 8 μmol/L EX527 for 24 hours. The mitochondrial state of the cells was evaluated, including the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Osteogenic capacity was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and ARS staining. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expressions of osteogenic-related proteins [Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteopontin (OPN)], ferroptosis-related proteins [glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)], and pathway-related proteins [adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)].
RESULTS:
The cultured cells were identified as BMSCs. VPA inhibited Erastin-induced ferroptosis and the decline of osteogenic ability in BMSCs, acting through the activation of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. VPA significantly reduced the levels of ROS and MDA in Erastin-treated BMSCs and significantly increased GSH levels. Additionally, the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins (GPX4, FTH1, and SLC7A11) significantly decreased. VPA also upregulated the expressions of osteogenic-related proteins (RUNX2 and OPN), enhanced mineralization and osteogenic differentiation, and increased the expressions of pathway-related proteins (AMPK and SIRT1). These effects could be reversed by the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527.
CONCLUSION
VPA inhibits ferroptosis in BMSCs through the AMPK/SIRT1 axis and promotes osteogenesis.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
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Ferroptosis/drug effects*
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Animals
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Valproic Acid/pharmacology*
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Sirtuin 1/metabolism*
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Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
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Cells, Cultured
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AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
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Osteogenesis/drug effects*
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Piperazines/pharmacology*
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Bone Marrow Cells/cytology*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
7.Mechanism analysis of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in alleviating oxidative stress and promoting osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through activating Nrf2/NQO1 pathway.
Jiahui HUANG ; Long CHEN ; Chen XU ; Haojie YU ; Shishuai ZHOU ; Jianzhong GUAN
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(11):1459-1467
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism by which ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (hereinafter referred to as "ω-3") exert antioxidant stress protection and promote osteogenic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells, and to reveal the relationship between ω-3 and the key antioxidant stress pathway involving nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and NAD (P) H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in MC3T3-E1 cells.
METHODS:
The optimal concentration of H 2O 2 (used to establish the oxidative stress model of MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro) and the optimal intervention concentrations of ω-3 were screened by cell counting kit 8. MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into blank control group, oxidative stress group (H 2O 2), low-dose ω-3 group (H 2O 2+low-dose ω-3), and high-dose ω-3 group (H 2O 2+high-dose ω-3). After osteoblastic differentiation for 7 or 14 days, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was measured by fluorescence staining and flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial morphological changes were observed by biological transmission electron microscope; the expression levels of Nrf2, NQO1, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), Mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), and Mfn2 were detected by Western blot to evaluate the cells' antioxidant stress capacity; the expression levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteocalcin (OCN) were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot; osteogenic potential of MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining.
RESULTS:
Compared with the oxidative stress group, the content of ROS in the low and high dose ω-3 groups significantly decreased, and the protein expressions of Nrf2, NQO1, and HO-1 significantly increased ( P<0.05). At the same time, the mitochondrial morphology of MC3T3-E1 cells improved, and the expressions of mitochondrial morphology-related proteins Mfn1 and Mfn2 significantly increased ( P<0.05). ALP staining and alizarin red staining showed that the low-dose and high-dose ω-3 groups showed stronger osteogenic ability, and the expressions of osteogenesis-related proteins RUNX2 and OCN significantly increased ( P<0.05). And the above results showed a dose-dependence in the two ω-3 treatment groups ( P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
ω-3 can enhance the antioxidant capacity of MC3T3-E1 cells under oxidative stress conditions and upregulate their osteogenic activity, possibly through the Nrf2/NQO1 signaling pathway.
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
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NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/metabolism*
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Animals
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Mice
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Osteogenesis/drug effects*
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Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
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Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Osteoblasts/drug effects*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Cell Line
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Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology*
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Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism*
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Antioxidants/pharmacology*
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Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism*
8.Influences of dihydromyricetin on proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes in osteoarthritis induced by H2O2 through ROS/p38-MAPK signal pathway.
Ying CHENG ; Hui-Juan CHEN ; Ting YANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(4):396-402
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the influences of dihydromyricetin on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes in osteoarthritis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through reactive oxygen species (ROS)/p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) pathway.
METHODS:
Five C57BL/6J mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation after anesthesia. Chondrocytes were extracted and cultured.After passage, the chondrocytes were divided into control group, H2O2 group (0.8 μmol·L-1 H2O2), dihydromyricetin low concentration group (0.8 μmol·L-1 H2O2+20 μmol·L-1 dihydromyricetin), dihydromyricetin high concentration group (0.8 μmol·L-1 H2O2+80 μmol·L-1 dihydromyricetin), and ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) group (0.8 μmol·L-1 H2O2+5 mmol·L-1 NAC). The activity of chondrocytes was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The apoptosis rate of chondrocytes was measured by Hoechst 33342 method. The level of ROS in chondrocytes was measured by 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescence probe.The level of Type II collagen α1 (Col2α1) mRNA was measured by qRT-PCR.And the expression of Col2α1, p-p38-MAPK/p38-MAPK, B cell lymphoma gene-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) proteins was detected by Western blot.
RESULTS:
The chondrocytes showed swirling fibrous mass, and the expression of COL2α was positive. Compared with the control group, the chondrocyte viability, apoptosis rate, ROS fluorescence intensity, p-p38-MAPK/p38-MAPK, and the expression of Bax protein in H2O22 group increased, the level of Col2α1 mRNA, and the expression of Col2α1 and Bcl-2 proteins decreased (P<0.05). Compared with H2O2 group, the chondrocyte viability, apoptosis rate, ROS fluorescence intensity, p-p38-MAPK/p38-MAPK, and the expression of Bax protein in dihydromyricetin low concentration group, dihydromyricetin high concentration group, and NAC group decreased, the level of Col2α1 mRNA, and the expression of Col2α1 and Bcl-2 proteins increased (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Dihydromyricetin may inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis, inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress by inhibiting ROS/p38-MAPK pathway. Dihydromyricetin may be a potential drug for treating osteoarthritis.
Animals
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Chondrocytes/metabolism*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Hydrogen Peroxide/toxicity*
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Osteoarthritis/physiopathology*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Mice
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Flavonols/pharmacology*
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p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics*
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Male
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
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Cells, Cultured
9.Effects of ROCK-siRNA transfection on Ang II-induced endothelial cell senescence and endothelial microparticles.
Kai WANG ; Yan WANG ; Tianqi CHEN ; Fang PENG ; Hui ZHOU ; Qin SHI
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(9):778-783
Objective To investigate the effects of ROCK-siRNA transfection on endothelial cell senescence and endothelial microparticles (EMPs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with Ang II (1.0 μmo/L) to induce cellular senescence models, followed by transfection with ROCK-siRNA. The cells were divided into four groups: control group, model group, negative transfection control group (Ang II combined with NC-siRNA), and ROCK-siRNA transfection group (Ang II combined with ROCK-siRNA). Cellular senescence was assessed by SA-β-Gal staining. EMP levels in cell supernatants and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry. The expression levels of silenced information regulator 1(SIRT1) and p53 protein in each group were analyzed by Western blotting. Results Following ROCK-siRNA transfection, the number of senescent cells induced by Ang II was significantly reduced, accompanied by decreased CD31+ EMP levels and suppressed intracellular ROS levels. Meanwhile, the expression levels of SIRT1 were up-regulated, while the expression levels of p53 were down-regulated. Conclusion Silencing ROCK expression suppresses EMP release, reduces ROS generation, regulates the expression of SIRT1 and p53, and ultimately attenuates Ang II-induced endothelial cell senescence.
Humans
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Angiotensin II/pharmacology*
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Cellular Senescence/genetics*
;
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/cytology*
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RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Sirtuin 1/genetics*
;
Transfection
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Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics*
;
Cell-Derived Microparticles/drug effects*
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rho-Associated Kinases/metabolism*
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Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
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Cells, Cultured
10.In vitro effects of antidepressants on human sperm function.
Rita António SANTOS ; Ana Paula SOUSA ; Teresa ALMEIDA-SANTOS ; João RAMALHO-SANTOS ; Renata Santos TAVARES
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(1):30-36
Depression currently affects about 280 million people worldwide and its prevalence has been increasing dramatically, especially among the young and people of reproductive age, which consequently leads to an increase in antidepressant consumption. Antidepressants are associated with sexual dysfunction in both men and women; however, their role in male fertility has been scarcely studied. Fluoxetine and sertraline, two serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are among the most prescribed antidepressants worldwide. To determine their possible effects, human sperm cells were exposed to either sertraline or fluoxetine at concentrations previously found in blood and seminal fluid of patients undergoing treatment. Spermatozoa were incubated for up to 24 h at 37°C and 5% CO 2 , and important functional parameters such as sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, chromatin/DNA integrity, acrosome status, and tyrosine phosphorylation were assessed. At low levels, fluoxetine consistently decreased progressive motility throughout time while promoting fluctuations in ROS levels and sperm capacitation. Nevertheless, it did not affect viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, acrosome reaction nor chromatin/DNA integrity. Sertraline, on the other hand, had little to nonsignificant impact at low doses, but affected almost all tested parameters at supratherapeutic concentrations. Altogether, our results suggest that both antidepressants may impair sperm function, possibly through different mechanisms of action, but fluoxetine is the only exhibiting mild negative effects at doses found in vivo .
Humans
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Male
;
Spermatozoa/drug effects*
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Fluoxetine/pharmacology*
;
Sperm Motility/drug effects*
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Sertraline/pharmacology*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology*
;
Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects*
;
Sperm Capacitation/drug effects*
;
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/pharmacology*
;
Cell Survival/drug effects*
;
Acrosome Reaction/drug effects*

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