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* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Animals ; Rats ; Cell Hypoxia/drug effects* ; Homeostasis/drug effects* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Male ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Protective Agents/pharmacology* ; Cells, Cultured

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* ; Receptor, Notch1/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice ; Animals ; Mitochondrial Dynamics/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Cell Hypoxia/drug effects* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects* ; Humans

This study investigates the effect of glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) combined with doxorubicin(DOX) on apoptosis in HepG2 cells and its possible mechanisms. HepG2 cells were cultured in vitro, and cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method. Flow cytometry was used to measure apoptosis levels in HepG2 cells. The cells were divided into the following groups: control group(0 μmol·L~(-1)), DOX group(2 μmol·L~(-1)), GA group(150 μmol·L~(-1)), and DOX + GA combination group(2 μmol·L~(-1) DOX + 150 μmol·L~(-1) GA), with treatments given for 24 hours. The colocalization level between the endoplasmic reticulum(ER) and mitochondria was assessed by colocalization fluorescence imaging. Fluorescence probes were used to measure the Ca~(2+) content in the ER and mitochondria. The qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of sirtuin-3(SIRT3). Co-immunoprecipitation(CO-IP) was applied to investigate the interactions between voltage-dependent anion channel 1(VDAC1) and SIRT3, as well as between VDAC1, glucose-regulated protein 75(GRP75), and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor(IP3R). The results showed that the combination of DOX and GA promoted apoptosis in HepG2 liver cancer cells. The colocalization level between the ER and mitochondria was significantly reduced, the Ca~(2+) content in the ER was significantly increased, and the Ca~(2+) content in the mitochondria was significantly decreased. The relative expression of VDAC1, GRP75, and IP3R was significantly reduced, and interactions between VDAC1, GRP75, and IP3R were observed. SIRT3 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased, and an interaction between SIRT3 and VDAC1 was detected. The acetylation level of VDAC1 was significantly decreased. In conclusion, GA combined with DOX induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells by mediating the deacetylation of VDAC1 through SIRT3, weakening the interactions among VDAC1, GRP75, and IP3R. This regulates the formation of endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial membrane domains(ERMMDs), affects Ca~(2+) transport between the ER and mitochondria, and ultimately triggers cell apoptosis.
Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Hep G2 Cells ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid/pharmacology* ; Doxorubicin/pharmacology* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics*

In this report, the protective effect and molecular mechanism of Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum on corticosterone(CORT)-induced mitochondrial damage in pheochromocytoma(PC12) cells was studied based on CORT-induced rat PC12 cell model. The cultured cells were divided into five groups: blank control group, CORT group(400 μmol·L~(-1) CORT), Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum group(400 μmol·L~(-1) CORT + 10% Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum), control serum group(400 μmol·L~(-1) CORT + 10% control serum), and fluoxetine group(400 μmol·L~(-1) CORT + 10% fluoxetine-containing serum). The study was carried out by cell activity detection, mitochondrial morphology observation, membrane potential measurement, energy metabolism analysis, and mitochondrial dynamics-related protein detection. The results showed that CORT treatment significantly reduced the survival rate of PC12 cells, altered mitochondrial morphology, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) synthetic rate. Both Chaihu Shugan San-and fluoxetine-containing serum significantly increased the survival rate of CORT-treated PC12 cells and the ATP synthetic rate in the mitochondria. Unlike fluoxetine, Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum significantly inhibited the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential caused by CORT and increased the oxygen consumption rate(OCR) values of both mitochondrial maximum respiration and reserve respiration capacity. Western blot analysis showed that CORT induced upregulated protein expressions of dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1α(PGC-1α) in PC12 cells and specific protein expression of optic atrophy protein 1(OPA1), yet it repressed the protein expressions of silent information regulator 1(SIRT1) and mitochondrial fusion protein 1(Mfn1) in PC12 cells. Both Chaihu Shugan San-and fluoxetine-containing serum significantly inhibited the protein expression of Drp1. However, only Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum could significantly inhibit the CORT-induced upregulation protein of PGC-1α. RESULTS:: herein suggest that Chaihu Shugan San-containing serum can alleviate CORT-induced damage in PC12 cells, which may be related to the mitochondrial fragmentation/lipid peroxidation protection by Drp1 inhibition, as well as mitochondrial dynamics and energy metabolism mediated by PGC-1α/SIRT1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Mitochondrial Dynamics/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Corticosterone/adverse effects* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Protective Agents/pharmacology* ; Cell Survival/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 4-methylcatechol (4MC) on the migration and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), as well as its underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: RA-FLS was isolated from synovial tissue donated by RA patients, and the optimal concentration of 4MC was determined by cell counting kit 8 method for subsequent experiments, and the effect of 4MC on the migratory ability of RA-FLS was evaluated via a cell scratch assay. An inflammation model of RA-FLS was induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and ELISA were employed to detect the gene and protein expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 in RA-FLS and their culture supernatants, respectively, thereby investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of 4MC. Western blot was used to examine the expressions of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related proteins, including inhibitor of NF-κB-α (IKBα), phosphorylated (P)-IκBα, NF-κB-inducing kinase α (IKKα), P-IKKαβ, P-p65, and p65. Cellular immunofluorescence was utilized to detect the expression and localization of p65 in RA-FLS, exploring whether 4MC exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Finally, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model was established. The anti-RA effect of 4MC in vivo was evaluated by gross observation and histological examination. RESULTS: 4MC inhibited RA-FLS migration in a concentration-dependent manner. In the TNF-α-induced RA-FLS inflammation model, 4MC significantly decreased the gene and protein expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, 4MC markedly reduced the ratios of P-IΚBα/IΚBα, P-IKKαβ/IKKα, and P-p65/p65, thereby blocking the transcriptional activity of p65 by inhibiting its nuclear translocation. This mechanism effectively suppressed the activation of the TNF-α-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway. Animal studies demonstrated that 4MC [10 mg/(kg·day)] significantly lowered serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and alleviated arthritis severity and bone destruction in CIA mice. CONCLUSION 4MC not only inhibits the migration of RA-FLS but also mitigates their inflammatory response by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby effectively exerting its anti-RA effects.
Synoviocytes/metabolism* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Humans ; Catechols/therapeutic use* ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Mice ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Inflammation

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 ; Male ; Spermatozoa/drug effects* ; Fluoxetine/pharmacology* ; Sperm Motility/drug effects* ; Sertraline/pharmacology* ; 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*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on replicative senescence in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). METHODS: hUC-MSCs were cultured to construct a replicative senescence model through continuous amplification in vitro. Cells at passage 2 served as the control group, while cells at passage 10 were designated as the senescence group. The senescent cells were cultured in a culture medium containing HSYA. Cell viability was detected by the CCK-8 assay, and cell confluence was analyzed using the Incucyte S3 live-cell analysis system. The optimal concentration and time point were determined and utilized for subsequent experiments. Senescent cells were pretreated with 0.01 mg/ml HSYA, and the proportion of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) positive cells was detected to assess the senescence state. The relative telomere length was detected by qPCR. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA. Mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed by JC-1 staining. The expression of p53, p16, p21, OCT4, and SOX2 genes was detected by qPCR. The expression of p16, p53, OCT4, and SOX2 proteins was analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: HSYA significantly decreased the SA-β-gal positive staining rate, inhibited telomere attrition, reduced the ROS accumulation, increased mitochondrial membrane potential in senescent cells. Additionally, HSYA downregulated the expression of p53 and p16, and upregulated the expression of OCT4. HSYA decreased p16 protein level and increased OCT4 and SOX2 protein levels. CONCLUSION HSYA may ameliorate replicative senescence in hUC-MSCs by modulating the p53 and p16 signaling pathways and suppressing oxidative stress.
Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects* ; Cellular Senescence/drug effects* ; Chalcone/pharmacology* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Quinones/pharmacology* ; Umbilical Cord/cytology* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16/metabolism* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Cell Proliferation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of chrysophanol, a phytochemical derived from Radix et Rhizoma Rhei on HepG2 liver cancer cells. METHODS: HepG2 cell line was treated with different concentrations chrysophanol (0-100 μmol/L) for 24 h. The cell counting kit 8 assay was employed to assess cell viability. Intracellular calcium levels were examined using Fluo-4 AM and Mag-fluo-4 AM staining, followed by flow cytometry analysis. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured with JC-1 assay kit. Additionally, the expressions of key proteins such as p-JNK, Bax, cytochrome c (Cyt C), cleaved caspase-3 (cCaspase-3), and caspase-8 were analyzed by Western blot. The inhibitory effects of chrysophanol on the invasion of cells were determined using a Transwell assay. Analysis of invasiveness was conducted by wound healing assay. RESULTS: Chrysophanol significantly reduced the proliferation of HepG2 liver cancer cells by affecting intracellular calcium distribution, diminishing mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhancing the expressions of p-JNK, Bax, Cyt C, cCaspase-3, and caspase-8 in the groups treated with 75 or 100 μmol/L chrysophanol compared to the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, 75 and 100 μmol/L chrysophanol exhibited inhibitory effects on cell migration and wound healing. CONCLUSION Chrysophanol demonstrates potential against HepG2 liver cancer cells, suggesting its potential use as a therapeutic agent for liver cancer treatment.
Humans ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Hep G2 Cells ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects* ; Anthraquinones/pharmacology* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Cell Death/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Cell Survival/drug effects*

OBJECTIVES: The neurotoxicity of carbon monoxide (CO) to the central nervous system is a key pathogenesis of delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP). Our previous study found that retinoic acid (RA) can suppress the neurotoxic effects of CO. This study further explores, in vivo and in vitro, the molecular mechanisms by which RA alleviates CO-induced central nervous system damage. METHODS: A cytotoxic model was established using the mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22 and primary oligodendrocytes exposed to CO, and a DEACMP animal model was established in adult Kunming mice. Cell viability and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons and oligodendrocytes were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) double staining. The transcriptional and protein expression of each gene was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG15 and LINGO-1 were knocked down or overexpressed to observe changes in neurons and oligodendrocytes. In DEACMP mice, SNHG15 or LINGO-1 were knocked down to assess changes in central nervous tissue and downstream protein expression. RESULTS: RA at 10 and 20 μmol/L significantly reversed CO-induced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons and oligodendrocytes, downregulation of SNHG15 and LINGO-1, and upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) (all P<0.05). Overexpression of SNHG15 or LINGO-1 weakened the protective effect of RA against CO-induced cytotoxicity (all P<0.05). Knockdown of SNHG15 or LINGO-1 alleviated CO-induced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons and oligodendrocytes and upregulated BDNF and TrkB expression levels (all P<0.05). Experiments in DEACMP model mice showed that knockdown of SNHG15 or LINGO-1 mitigated central nervous system injury in DEACMP (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS RA alleviates CO-induced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons and oligodendrocytes, thereby reducing central nervous system injury and exerting neuroprotective effects. LncRNA SNHG15 and LINGO-1 are key molecules mediating RA-induced inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and are associated with the BDNF/TrkB pathway. These findings provide a theoretical framework for optimizing the clinical treatment of DEACMP and lay an experimental foundation for elucidating its molecular mechanisms.
Animals ; RNA, Long Noncoding/physiology* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/genetics* ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/complications* ; Mice ; Tretinoin/pharmacology* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Hippocampus/cytology* ; Receptor, trkB/metabolism* ; Neurons/drug effects* ; Male ; Brain Diseases/etiology* ; Oligodendroglia/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction ; Cell Line

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of the BNIP3-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in mediating the inhibitory effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWT) on mitochondrial autophagy in human synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis patients (FLS-RA) cultured under a hypoxic condition. METHODS: Forty normal Wistar rats were randomized into two groups (n=20) for daily gavage of BYHWT or distilled water for 7 days to prepare BYHWT-medicated or control sera. FLS-RA were cultured in routine condition or exposed to hypoxia (10% O₂) for 24 h wigh subsequent treatment with IL-1β, followed by treatment with diluted BYHWT-medicated serum (5%, 10% and 20%) or control serum. AnnexinV-APC/7-AAD double staining and T-AOC kit were used for detecting apoptosis and total antioxidant capacity of the cells, and the changes in ROS, ATP level, mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca²⁺ homeostasis were analyzed. The changes in mRNA and protein expressions of BNIP3, PI3K and AKT and mRNA expressions of LC3, Beclin-1 and P62 were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment with BYHWT-medicated serum dose-dependently lowered apoptosis rate of IL-1β-induced FLS-RA with hypoxic exposure. The treatment significantly decreased T-AOC concentration, increased ROS production, autophagosome formation and ATPase levels, and lowered mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca²⁺ level in the cells. In IL-1β-induced FLS-RA with hypoxic exposure, treatment with BYHWT-medicated serum significantly increased BNIP3 protein expression, decreased the protein expressions of PI3K and AKT, increased the mRNA expressions of BNIP3 and P62, and lowered the mRNA expressions of PI3K, AKT, LC3 and Beclin-1 without significantly affecting Beclin-1 protein expression. The cells treated with 5% and 10% BYHWT-medicated serum showed no significant changes in LC3 expression. CONCLUSIONS BYHWT inhibits mitochondrial autophagy in IL-1β-induced FLS-RA with hypoxic exposure possibly by inhibiting BNIP3-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Humans ; Fibroblasts/cytology* ; Rats, Wistar ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Rats ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Hypoxia ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Male ; Mitochondrial Proteins