This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture on dynamic changes in Ca²⁺, Na⁺, and H₂O₂ flux following eccentric exercise-induced muscle injury. The total of 324 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (C), eccentric exercise group (E), eccentric exercise with acupuncture group (EA), EA with TRP channel blocker group (EAT), EA with NOX2 blocker group (EAN) and EA with placebo group (EAP). Gastrocnemius muscles were subject to lengthening contractions with percutaneous electrical stimulation, followed by immediate pretreatment with blocking agents. After 30 min, acupuncture needling was administered to the gastrocnemius muscle, and real-time dynamic changes of Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and H₂O₂ flux were measured with non-invasive micro-test technique during the needle retention period, immediately, 3 h, 6 h, and 24 h post-extraction respectively. Results showed that compared with the E group, acupuncture significantly increased net Ca²⁺ efflux (P < 0.05), extended the period of net Na⁺ influx, and significantly decreased net H₂O₂ efflux (P < 0.05). However, these effects were significantly attenuated in the EAT and EAN groups, where excessive net H₂O₂ efflux was observed (P < 0.001). These findings indicate that acupuncture regulates the dynamic changes of Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and H₂O₂ flux by activating the TRP channels and interacting with NOX2 activity following eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury.
Animals ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; Rats, Wistar ; Rats ; Male ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism* ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Sodium/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; NADPH Oxidase 2

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* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/metabolism* ; Animals ; Mice ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Osteoblasts/drug effects* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology* ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism*

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 ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Hydrogen Peroxide/toxicity* ; Osteoarthritis/physiopathology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Mice ; Flavonols/pharmacology* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Cells, Cultured

Eight previously undescribed lanostane triterpenoids, including five nortriterpenoids with 26 carbons, ganothenoids A-E (1-5), and three lanostanoids, ganothenoids F-H (6-8), along with 24 known ones (9-32), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganodrma theaecolum. The structures of the novel compounds were elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic methods, including electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) calculations. Compounds 1-32 were assessed for their neuroprotective effects against H₂O₂-induced damage in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, as well as their inhibitory activities against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and α-glucosidase. Compound 4 demonstrated the most potent neuroprotective activity against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress by suppressing G₀/G₁ phase cell cycle arrest, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and inhibiting cell apoptosis through modulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X-protein (Bax) protein expression. Compounds 26, 12, and 28 exhibited PTP1B inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 13.92 to 56.94 μmol·L^-1, while compound 12 alone displayed significant inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase with an IC₅₀ value of 43.56 μmol·L^-1. Additionally, enzyme kinetic analyses and molecular docking simulations were conducted for compounds 26 and 12 with PTP1B and α-glucosidase, respectively.
Humans ; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal/chemistry* ; Triterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Neuroprotective Agents/isolation & purification* ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1/metabolism* ; Ganoderma/chemistry* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Hypoglycemic Agents/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; alpha-Glucosidases/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Hydrogen Peroxide/toxicity* ; Molecular Docking Simulation

OBJECTIVES: Investigating the protective effect of naringenin (NAR) on the osteogenic potential of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) under oxidative stress and its related mechanisms. METHODS: The oxidative damage model of hPDLSCs was established using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) andthe hPDLSCs were treated with different concentrations of NAR and 0.5 μmol/L forkhead box protein O-1 (FOXO1) inhibitor AS1842856. After that, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to determine the optimal concentrations of H₂O₂ and NAR. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and real time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were employed to assess the expression of ALP, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteocalcin (OCN) in hPDLSCs of each group. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining were utilized to evaluate the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in hPDLSCs. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of FOXO1 and β-catenin, both are pathway related genes and proteins. RESULTS: H₂O₂ exposure led to an increase in oxidative damage in hPDLSCs, characterized by a rise in intracellular ROS levels and increased expression of MDA and LDH (P<0.05). At the same time, the osteogenic differentiation ability of hPDLSCs decreased, as evidenced by lighter ALP staining and reduced expression levels of osteogenic differentiation-related genes ALP, RUNX2 and OCN (P<0.05). Co-treatment with NAR alleviated the oxidative damage in hPDLSCs, enhanced their antioxidant capacity, and restored their osteogenic ability. The FOXO1 inhibitor AS1842856 downregulated the expression of β-catenin (P<0.05) and significantly diminished both the antioxidant effect of NAR and its ability to restore osteogenesis (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS NAR can enhance the antioxidant capacity of hPDLSCs by activating the FOXO1/β-catenin signaling pathway within hPDLSCs, thereby mitigating oxidative stress damage and alleviating the loss of osteogenic capacity.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Periodontal Ligament/cytology* ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Forkhead Box Protein O1/metabolism* ; Stem Cells/cytology* ; Flavanones/pharmacology* ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism* ; Osteocalcin/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects*

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are major contributors to radiation therapy-induced side effects in cancer patients. A fusion antioxidant enzyme comprising glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and a transmembrane peptide has been shown to effectively mitigate ROS-induced damage. To enhance its targeting capability, the fusion protein was further modified by incorporating a matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 substrate peptide (X) and the transmembrane peptide R9, yielding the antioxidant enzyme GST-SOD1-X-R9 (GS1XR). This modification reduced its transmembrane ability in tumor cells, thereby selectively protecting normal cells from oxidative stress. However, the use of non-human GST poses potential immunogenicity risks. In this study, we employed seamless cloning technology to construct an expression vector containing the human GST gene to replace the non-human GST gene, and then expressed and purified novel fusion antioxidant enzymes GS1R and GS1XR. The protective effects of newly constructed GS1R and GS1XR against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage in L-02 cells were then evaluated using GS1 as a control. Enzymatic activity assays revealed that the specific activity of GST in GS1XR remained unchanged compared to the unmodified protein, while SOD activity was enhanced. Exposure to 200 μmol/L H₂O₂ transiently activated the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway; however, this activation diminished after 24 h, reducing cell viability to 48.4%. Both GS1R and GS1XR effectively scavenged intracellular ROS, directly counteracting oxidative stress and promoting Nrf2 nuclear translocation, thereby activating antioxidant pathways and restoring cell viability to normal levels. The two enzymes showed comparable efficacy. In contrast, GS1, lacking transmembrane capability, was restricted to scavenging extracellular ROS and provided only limited protection. In conclusion, both novel fusion antioxidant enzymes demonstrated significant potential in safeguarding normal cells from ROS-mediated oxidative damage. The findings provide a foundation for further investigation in related field.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Antioxidants/metabolism* ; Glutathione Transferase/metabolism* ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/pharmacology* ; Superoxide Dismutase-1 ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/biosynthesis*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes and roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) related antioxidases during erythroid development. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to detect the sensibility of peripheral red blood cells of wild-type mice to a strong oxidant hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Erythroid cells from different developmental stages in bone marrow (BM) were obtained using fluorescence-activated cell sorter and the ROS levels were detected by flow cytometry. RT-qPCR was used to detect the changes of expression levels of Nrf2 and related antioxidases in erythroid cells from different developmental stages in BM. The ROS levels of the peripheral blood and BM nucleated erythrocytes in Nrf2 knockout mice were further examined. The expression level of Nrf2 in erythroid precursors isolated from 14.5 d embryonic liver of wild-type mice during differentiation and culture in vitro was detected. RESULTS: In the peripheral blood of wild-type mice, the ROS level of reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes treated with H₂O₂ increased about 4 times and 7 times, respectively (P<0.01). In BM erythrocytes, the ROS level gradually decreased as the cells matured (r=0.85), while the expression level of Nrf2 and its related anti-oxidative genes increased (r=0.99). The ROS levels in peripheral blood erythrocytes and BM nucleated erythrocytes of Nrf2 knockout mice were significantly increased compared with wild-type mice (P<0.01). The expression of Nrf2 increased during the early erythroid development after embryonic liver cell sorting (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The expression levels of Nrf2 and its related factors vary during erythropoiesis. Nrf2 at physiological level plays an important antioxidant role during the erythroid development.
Animals ; Mice ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Mice, Knockout ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the regulatory effect of berberine on autophagy and apoptosis balance of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from patients with in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explore the mechanism. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 μmol/L berberine on RA-FLS proliferation was assessed using CCK-8 method. Annexin V/PI and JC-1 immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze the effect of berberine (30 μmol/L) on apoptosis of 25 ng/mL TNF-α- induced RA-FLSs, and Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in the expression levels of autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins. The cells were further treated with the autophagy inducer RAPA and the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine to observe the changes in autophagic flow by laser confocal detection of mCherry-EGFP-LC3B. RA-FLSs were treated with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) mimic H₂O₂ or the ROS inhibitor NAC, and the effects of berberine on ROS, mTOR and p-mTOR levels were observed. RESULTS: The results of CCK-8 assay showed that berberine significantly inhibited the proliferation of RA-FLSs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometry and JC-1 staining showed that berberine (30 μmol/L) significantly increased apoptosis rate (P < 0.01) and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential of RA-FLSs (P < 0.05). Berberine treatment obviously decreased the ratios of Bcl-2/Bax (P < 0.05) and LC3B-II/I (P < 0.01) and increased the expression of p62 protein in the cells (P < 0.05). Detection of mCherry-EGFP-LC3B autophagy flow revealed obvious autophagy flow block in berberine-treated RA-FLSs. Berberine significantly reduced the level of ROS in TNF-α-induced RA-FLSs and upregulated the expression level of autophagy-related protein p-mTOR (P < 0.01); this effect was regulated by ROS level, and the combined use of RAPA significantly reduced the pro-apoptotic effect of berberine in RA-FLSs (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Berberine can inhibit autophagy and promote apoptosis of RA-FLSs by regulating the ROS-mTOR pathway.
Humans ; Synoviocytes ; Berberine/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism* ; Sincalide/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Fibroblasts ; Autophagy ; Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of interferon-α (IFN-α) on the apoptosis and killing function of CD56^dimCD57⁺ natural killer (NK) cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and to explore the specific mechanism. METHODS: A total of sixty-four newly treated SLE patients and sixteen healthy controls (HC) enrolled in the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University were selected as the research subjects. And the gene expression levels of molecules related to NK cell-killing function were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CD56^dimCD57⁺ NK cells were co-cultured with the K562 cells, and the apoptotic K562 cells were labeled with Annexin-Ⅴ and 7-amino-actinomycin D. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were treated with 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and treated without H₂O₂ as control, the expression level of perforin (PRF) was detected by flow cytometry. The concentration of IFN-α in serum was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of IFN-α receptors (IFNAR) on the surface of CD56^dimCD57⁺ NK cells were detected by flow cytometry, and were represented by mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). CD56^dimCD57⁺ NK cells were treated with 1 000 U/mL IFN-α for 24, 48 and 72 h, and no IFN-α treatment was used as the control, the apoptosis and the expression levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) were measured by flow cytometry and represented by MFI. RESULTS: Compared with HC(n=3), the expression levels of PRF1 gene in peripheral blood NK cells of the SLE patients (n=3) were decreased (1.24±0.41 vs. 0.57±0.12, P=0.05). Compared with HC(n=5), the ability of peripheral blood CD56^dimCD57⁺ NK cells in the SLE patients (n=5) to kill K562 cells was significantly decreased (58.61%±10.60% vs. 36.74%±6.27%, P < 0.01). Compared with the control (n=5, 97.51%±1.67%), different concentrations of H₂O₂ treatment significantly down-regulated the PRF expression levels of CD56^dimCD57⁺ NK cells in a dose-dependent manner, the 20 μmol/L H₂O₂ PRF was 83.23%±8.48% (n=5, P < 0.05), the 40 μmol/L H₂O₂ PRF was 79.53%±8.56% (n=5, P < 0.01), the 80 μmol/L H₂O₂ PRF was 76.67%±7.16% (n=5, P < 0.01). Compared to HC (n=16), the serum IFN-α levels were significantly increased in the SLE patients (n=45) with moderate to high systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI≥10) [(55.07±50.36) ng/L vs. (328.2±276.3) ng/L, P < 0.001]. Meanwhile, compared with HC (n=6), IFNAR1 expression in peripheral blood CD56^dimCD57⁺ NK cells of the SLE patients (n=6) were increased (MFI: 292.7±91.9 vs. 483.2±160.3, P < 0.05), and compared with HC (n=6), IFNAR2 expression in peripheral blood CD56^dimCD57⁺ NK cells of the SLE patients (n=7) were increased (MFI: 643.5±113.7 vs. 919.0±246.9, P < 0.05). Compared with control (n=6), the stimulation of IFN-α (n=6) significantly promoted the apoptosis of CD56^dimCD57⁺ NK cells (20.48%±7.01% vs. 37.82%±5.84%, P < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control (n=4, MFI: 1 049±174.5), stimulation of CD56^dimCD57⁺ NK cells with IFN-α at different times significantly promoted the production of mtROS in a time-dependent manner, 48 h MFI was 3 437±1 472 (n=4, P < 0.05), 72 h MFI was 6 495±1 089 (n=4, P < 0.000 1), but there was no significant difference at 24 h of stimulation. CONCLUSION High serum IFN-α level in SLE patients may induce apoptosis by promoting mtROS production and inhibit perforin expression, which can down-regulate CD56^dimCD57⁺ NK killing function.
Humans ; Interferon-alpha/metabolism* ; Perforin/metabolism* ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism* ; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism* ; Interferon-gamma/metabolism* ; CD56 Antigen/metabolism* ; Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic

5-aminovalanoic acid (5AVA) can be used as the precursor of new plastics nylon 5 and nylon 56, and is a promising platform compound for the synthesis of polyimides. At present, the biosynthesis of 5-aminovalanoic acid generally is of low yield, complex synthesis process and high cost, which hampers large-scale industrial production. In order to achieve efficient biosynthesis of 5AVA, we developed a new pathway mediated by 2-keto-6-aminohexanoate. By combinatory expression of L-lysine α-oxidase from Scomber japonicus, α-ketoacid decarcarboxylase from Lactococcus lactis and aldehyde dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli, the synthesis of 5AVA from L-lysine in Escherichia coli was achieved. Under the initial conditions of glucose concentration of 55 g/L and lysine hydrochloride of 40 g/L, the final consumption of 158 g/L glucose and 144 g/L lysine hydrochloride, feeding batch fermentation to produce 57.52 g/L of 5AVA, and the molar yield is 0.62 mol/mol. The new 5AVA biosynthetic pathway does not require ethanol and H₂O₂, and achieved a higher production efficiency as compared to the previously reported Bio-Chem hybrid pathway mediated by 2-keto-6-aminohexanoate.
Nylons ; Lysine/metabolism* ; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism* ; Metabolic Engineering ; Plastics/metabolism* ; Fermentation ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Aminocaproates/metabolism*