This study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of Poria cocos polysaccharides(PCP) on myocardial cell apoptosis in the rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MI/RI). Male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group(saline), a model group(saline), low-and high-dose PCP groups(100 and 200 mg·kg~(-1)), and a fasudil group(10 mg·kg~(-1)), with 16 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other four groups underwent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h to establish the MI/RI model. The myocardial infarct area was assessed by TTC staining. Histological changes were observed through HE staining. Myocardial cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining. Serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase MB(CK-MB), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and IL-18 levels, myocardial superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels were detected by ELISA. Protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), cleaved caspase-3, Ras homolog gene A(RhoA), myosin phosphatase target subunit 1(MYPT-1), phosphorylated MYPT-1(p-MYPT-1), and Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase 1(ROCK 1) were measured by Western blot. Pathological staining of myocardial tissue revealed that in the model group, there was focal necrosis of myocardial tissue, myocardial cell swelling, unclear boundaries, and neutrophil infiltration. These pathological changes were alleviated in the low-and high-dose PCP groups and the fasudil group. Compared with the model group, the low-and high-dose PCP groups and the fasudil group showed significantly reduced myocardial infarct area and myocardial cell apoptosis rate. Compared with the sham group, the model group exhibited elevated serum LDH, CK-MB, IL-1β and IL-18 levels, increased MDA levels, relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, RhoA, ROCK1 and p-MYPT-1, and decreased myocardial SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression. Compared with the model group, the PCP groups and the fasudil group showed lowered serum LDH, CK-MB, IL-1β and IL-18 levels, decreased MDA levels, relative protein expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, RhoA, ROCK1 and p-MYPT-1, and increased myocardial SOD levels and Bcl-2 protein expression. PCP exhibited a certain preventive effect on myocardial tissue pathological damage and myocardial cell apoptosis in MI/RI rats, possibly related to the inhibition of the Rho-ROCK signaling pathway activation, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/drug therapy* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Interleukin-18 ; Wolfiporia ; Signal Transduction ; Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; Apoptosis ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine/analogs & derivatives*

Emerging evidence indicates that microglia activation plays an important role in spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by trauma. Studies have found that inhibiting the Rho/Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway can reduce inflammatory cytokine production by microglia. In this study, Western blotting was conducted to detect ROCK2 expression after the SCI; the ROCK Activity Assay kit was used for assay of ROCK pathway activity; microglia morphology was examined using the CD11b antibody; electron microscopy was used to detect microglia phagocytosis; TUNEL was used to detect tissue cell apoptosis; myelin staining was performed using an antibody against myelin basic protein (MBP); behavioral outcomes were evaluated according to the methods of Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB). We observed an increase in ROCK activity and microglial activation after SCI. The microglia became larger and rounder and contained myelin-like substances. Furthermore, treatment with fasudil inhibited neuronal cells apoptosis, alleviated demyelination and the formation of cavities, and improved motor recovery. The experimental evidence reveals that the ROCK inhibitor fasudil can regulate microglial activation, promote cell phagocytosis, and improve the SCI microenvironment to promote SCI repair. Thus, fasudil may be useful for the treatment of SCI.
1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Male ; Microglia ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myelin Basic Protein ; metabolism ; Myelin Sheath ; metabolism ; Phagocytosis ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; drug therapy ; rho-Associated Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential role of the RhoA/Rock signaling pathway in the formation of prostate cancer and the effects of the Rock inhibitor fasudil on the invasion, migration and apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells.

METHODSHuman prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145 were treated with fasudil at the concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 μmol/L, respectively, and those as negative controls cultured in the Ham's-F12 medium, all for 24 hours. Then, MTT assay was used to measure the cell inhibition rate and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of fasudil, with 1/4 of IC50 as the medication dose for further investigation. The expressions of RhoA, RockⅠ, and RockⅡ proteins in the PC3 and DU145 cells were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, and the invasion, migration and apoptosis of the cells were determined using the Transwell chamber, scratch wound healing assay and flow cytometry.

RESULTSFasudil inhibited the proliferation of the PC3 cells from (9.29±1.23)% at 5 μmol/L to (81.37±3.97)% at 160 μmol/L and that of DU145 from (7.59±1.54)% to (76.53±2.67)%, both in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05 ). Significantly fewer PC3 and DU145 cells migrated into the lower compartment in the experimental group (39.2±8.4 and 34.2±6.7) than in the negative control (116.8±9.3 and 112.5±10.8) (P<0.05 ). The wound healing rates of the PC3 and DU145 cells were remarkably lower in the former (［37.26±1.17］% and ［32.38±2.73］%) than in the latter (［78.12±4.16］% and ［69.47±6.71］%) (P<0.05 ). Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining showed markedly increased apoptosis rates of PC3 and DU145 cells treated with fasudil (［31.88±2.49］% and ［28.65±2.99］%) as compared with the negative controls (［7.51±2.28］% and ［7.13±1.61］%) (P<0.05 ). The expressions of RockⅠ and RockⅡ were significantly reduced in the fasudil-treated cells in comparison with those of the control group (P<0.05 ) while that of RhoA showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05 ).

CONCLUSIONSThe RhoA/Rock signaling pathway may play an important role in the formation of prostate cancer. Fasudil can significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion and promote the apoptosis of human prostate cancer PC3 and DU145 cells by reducing RhoA/Rho kinase activity.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; rho-Associated Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect of Fasudil-modified splenic mononuclear cells (MNCs) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and the possible mechanisms.
 METHODS: C57BL/6 female mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55 to establish active immunity EAE model. Splenic MNCs were isolated on the 9th day after immunization and treated with or without Fasudil for 72 h in vitro. These cells were collected for analysis of the variance of T cell subtypes, the level of cytokines and the activity of Rho kinase (ROCK). MNCs (5×107 cells) were resuspended in 500 µL of phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and transferred into EAE model (intraperitoneal injection), which was divided into a PBS-MNCs group and a Fasudil-MNCs group. Changes of body weight and clinical symptom scores were observed.
 RESULTS: Splenic encephalitogenic MNCs from EAE mice on the 9th day after immunization could establish passive transfer EAE model. But Fasudil-treated MNCs did not trigger EAE development. Compared with the PBS-MNCs group, the loss of body weight was less in the Fasudil-MNCs group. The in vitro experiment indicated that Fasudil could suppress the activity of ROCK on MNCs (P<0.01), decrease the percentage of CD4+ T cells with the expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) (IFN-γ: P<0.01; IL-17: P<0.05), while increase the secretion of CD4+ T cells with the expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and IL-10 (all P<0.001) . Furthermore, Fasudil could inhibit the release of IL-17 (P<0.001) and enhance the level of IL-10 (P<0.05).
 CONCLUSION Fasudil-modified cell therapy affects the occurrence and development of EAE by inhibiting the inflammatory reaction of helper T cell 1 (Th1) and Th17 while enhancing the immunoregulative effect of Th2.
1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; Animals ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental ; Female ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-17 ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein ; Spleen ; T-Lymphocytes ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; rho-Associated Kinases

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of p65 gene inhibited by siRNA on neuronic differentiation in the marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

METHODSThe MSCs were transfected with Rn-p65-siRNA. Fasudil hydrochloride induced MSCs differentiating into neurons. The non-transfected group and negative control group (transfected with negative control siRNA marked by Cy3) were used as controls. The fluorescence expressed by transfected MSCs were observed under inverted fluorescence microscope at 24 h,48 h and 72 h after transfected with negative control siRNA. The viability of MSCs was detected by MTT at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after transfected with Rn-p65-siRNA. The expressions of p65 mRNA and protein in MSCs were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The expressions of p65 protein, NSE, MAP-2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by immunocytochemical method after transfection for 6 h.

RESULTSThe fluorescence of MSCs was mostly displayed after transfection of 72 hours and the efficiency of transfection was up to 83.3% ± 3.8%. Meanwhile, the p65 mRNA and p65 protein expressed by MSCs of transfected group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05); MTT displayed that the viability of MSCs was also significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The best efficiency of induction was observed in the transfected group. There were higher expressions of NSE and MAP-2 than the other group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe p65 gene inhibited by siRNA can promote the marrow mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into neurons.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Rats ; Transcription Factor RelA ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDHyperglycemia may accelerate liver fibrosis. Currently, there is no effective treatment for liver fibrosis induced by type 2 diabetes. The study aim was to investigate whether RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway is involved in liver fibrosis in the rats with type 2 diabetes and define the protective effects of fasudil on livers.

METHODSA rat model of type 2 diabetes was established by high fat diet combined with streptozotocin (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection). Animals were randomly assigned to 3 groups: control rats, untreated diabetic rats that received vehicle and fasudil-treated diabetic rats that received ROCK inhibitor fasudil hydrochloride hydrate (10 mg/kg per day, intraperitoneal injection, for 14 weeks). The morphological features of liver were observed by HE staining. Accumulation of collagen in livers was determined by Masson staining and the measurement of hydroxyproline. The mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), type-I, and type-III procollagen was assessed with real-time polymerase chain reaction. The phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase target subunit-1 (MYPT1) and the protein levels of TGFβ1 and α-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) were evaluated by Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with control rats, untreated diabetic rats showed higher values of collagen and hydroxyproline in livers (P < 0.01), the phosphorylation of MYPT1 and the protein levels of TGFβ1 and α-SMA were increased (P < 0.01), and the mRNA expression of TGFβ1, CTGF, type-I, and type-III procollagen was upregulated (P < 0.01); compared with untreated diabetic rats, treatment with fasudil signifcantly reduced values of collagen and hydroxyproline (P < 0.01), and decreased the phosphorylation of MYPT1 and the levels of TGFβ1 and α-SMA (P < 0.01), concomitant with the downregulation of TGFβ1/CTGF, type-I, and type-III procollagen mRNA expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSFasudil ameliorates liver fibrosis in rats with type 2 diabetes at least partly by inhibiting TGFβ1/CTGF pathway and α-SMA expression. Inhibition of RhoA/ROCK may be a novel therapeutic target for liver fibrosis in diabetic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Female ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; rho-Associated Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

The study aims to identify the related substances in fasudil hydrochloride by hyphenated techniques. A WondaSil C18 (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column was used for the separation of the related substances with a mixture of methanol and ammonium acetate buffer solution as the mobile phase by gradient elution. The structures of the related substances were speculated by electrospray positive ionization LC-TOF/MS accurate ion mass and MS/MS determination and elucidation, and verified further through synthesis and spectroscopic analysis. Fasudil hydrochloride and the related substances were separated under the established HPLC condition. Three related substances in fasudil hydrochloride were characterized by hyphenated techniques. The hyphenated LC-MS method is useful for the identification of related substances in fasudil hydrochloride and the results obtained are valuable for its manufacturing process and quality control.
1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Drug Contamination ; Quality Control ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Vasodilator Agents ; chemistry

This paper provides an overview of the current state of pharmacotherapy in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and a brief introduction to the potentially novel pharmacologic targets for PAH. Currently, 3 classes of drugs including prostacyclin analogues, endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are approved for the treatment of PAH in children, which has led to improved hemodynamics, increased exercise capacity and prolonged survival. Despite these improvements, there is still a need to carry out well-designed, randomized, controlled studies with larger samples. In addition, novel drugs targeting other molecular pathways should be developed.
1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Epoprostenol ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Iloprost ; therapeutic use ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of fasudil on in vitro cultured cardiomyocytes (CMs) exposed to omethoate and its possible mechanism.

METHODSCardiomyocytes were isolated from male SD rats and were then cultured in DMEM conventionally. The CMs were divided into different groups based on the doses of omethoate and fasudil in culture media. After 3, 6, 12, and 24 h of culture, the survival rate of CMs in each group was measured, the CMs in the medium-dose omethoate and medium-dose fasudil groups were subject to shortening amplitude measurement , and the content of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in culture media and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in CMs were measured.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, each omethoate group showed significantly lower survival rate of CMs, which was negatively correlated with the dose of omethoate (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal control group, the medium-dose omethoate and medium-dose fasudil groups showed significantly decreased shortening amplitudes of CMs at all time points (P < 0.01), and the shortening amplitudes of CMs were significantly higher in the medium-dose fasudil group than in the medium-dose omethoate group after 12 h and 24 h of culture (P < 0.01). The LDH level was significantly higher in the medium-dose omethoate and medium-dose fasudil groups than in the normal control group, and the medium-dose fasudil group showed significantly lower LDH level than the medium-dose omethoate group (P < 0.01). Compared with those in the normal control group, the Bcl-2 expression in the medium-dose omethoate and medium-dose fasudil groups was decreased significantly, and the Bax expression in the medium-dose omethoate group was increased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the medium-dose omethoate group, the medium-dose fasudil group had significantly increased Bcl-2 expression and significantly decreased Bax expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONFasudil can inhibit the abnormal expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) induced by omethoate, which might be one of the factors that reduce the toxic effect of omethoate on CMs.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Dimethoate ; analogs & derivatives ; toxicity ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Pesticides ; poisoning ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism