Epilepsy is a common, chronic neurological disorder that has been associated with impaired neurodevelopment and immunity. The chemokine receptor CXCR5 is involved in seizures via an unknown mechanism. Here, we first determined the expression pattern and distribution of the CXCR5 gene in the mouse brain during different stages of development and the brain tissue of patients with epilepsy. Subsequently, we found that the knockdown of CXCR5 increased the susceptibility of mice to pentylenetetrazol- and kainic acid-induced seizures, whereas CXCR5 overexpression had the opposite effect. CXCR5 knockdown in mouse embryos via viral vector electrotransfer negatively influenced the motility and multipolar-to-bipolar transition of migratory neurons. Using a human-derived induced an in vitro multipotential stem cell neurodevelopmental model, we determined that CXCR5 regulates neuronal migration and polarization by stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton during various stages of neurodevelopment. Electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that the knockdown of CXCR5 induced neuronal hyperexcitability, resulting in an increased number of seizures. Finally, our results suggested that CXCR5 deficiency triggers seizure-related electrical activity through a previously unknown mechanism, namely, the disruption of neuronal polarity.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Actin Cytoskeleton/metabolism* ; Actins/metabolism* ; Epilepsy/metabolism* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Receptors, CXCR5/metabolism* ; Seizures/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the mechanism of mechanical ventilation (MV) induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) promoting mechanical ventilation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (MVPF), and to clarify the role of angiotensin receptor 1 (AT1R) during the process. METHODS: The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: Sham group, MV group, AT1R-shRNA group and MV+AT1R-shRNA group, with 6 mice in each group. The MV group and MV+AT1R-shRNA group mechanically ventilated for 2 hours after endotracheal intubation to establish MVPF animal model (parameter settings: respiratory rate 70 times/minutes, tidal volume 20 mL/kg, inhated oxygen concentration 0.21). The Sham group and AT1R-shRNA group only underwent intubation after anesthesia and maintained spontaneous breathing. AT1R-shRNA group and MV+AT1R-shRNA group were airway injected with the adeno-associated virus one month before modeling to inhibit AT1R gene expression in lung tissue. The expressions of AT1R, ERS signature proteins [immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein (BIP), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI)], fibrosis signature proteins [collagen I (COL1A1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] in lung tissues were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate lung injury and Masson staining was used to evaluate pulmonary fibrosis. RESULTS: Compared with the Sham group, the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and lung injury were more significant in the MV group. In the MV group, the protein expressions of AT1R, BIP, PDI, COL1A1 and α-SMA were increased (AT1R/β-actin: 1.40±0.02 vs. 1, BIP/β-actin: 2.79±0.07 vs. 1, PDI/β-actin: 2.07±0.02 vs. 1, COL1A1/α-Tubulin: 2.60±0.15 vs. 1, α-SMA/α-Tubulin: 2.80±0.25 vs. 1, all P < 0.01). The number of E-cad⁺/AT1R⁺ and E-cad⁺/BIP⁺ cells in lung tissue increased, and the fluorescence intensity of COL1A1 and α-SMA increased. Compared with the MV group, the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and lung injury were significantly relieved in the MV+AT1R-shRNA group. In the MV+AT1R-shRNA group, the protein expressions of AT1R, BIP, PDI, COL1A1 and α-SMA were decreased (AT1R/β-actin: 0.53±0.03 vs. 1.40±0.02, BIP/β-actin: 1.73±0.15 vs. 2.79±0.07, PDI/β-actin: 1.04±0.07 vs. 2.07±0.02, COL1A1/α-Tubulin: 1.29±0.11 vs. 2.60±0.15, α-SMA/α-Tubulin: 1.27±0.10 vs. 2.80±0.25, all P < 0.01). The number of E-cad⁺/AT1R⁺ and E-cad⁺/BIP⁺ cells in lung tissue decreased, and the fluorescence intensity of COL1A1 and α-SMA decreased. There was no statistically significant difference in the indicators between AT1R-shRNA group and Sham group. CONCLUSIONS MV up-regulate the expression of AT1R in alveolar epithelial cells, activate the AT1R pathway, induce ERS and promote the progression of MVPF.
Mice ; Animals ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/chemically induced* ; Lung Injury ; Respiration, Artificial/adverse effects* ; Actins/metabolism* ; Tubulin ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; RNA, Small Interfering

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether ferroptosis exists in sepsis induced intestinal injury, and to verify the association between ferroptosis in sepsis induced intestinal injury and intestinal inflammation and barrier function by stimulating and inhibiting the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/glutathione peroxidase 4 (Nrf2/GPX4) pathway. METHODS: Forty-eight SPF grade male Sprague-Darvley (SD) rats with a body weight of 220-250 g were divided into sham operation group (Sham group), sepsis group (CLP group), sepsis+iron chelating agent deferoxamine (DFO) group (CLP+DFO group) and sepsis+ferroptosis inducer Erastin group (CLP+Erastin group) using a random number table method, with 12 rats in each group. The sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The Sham group was only performed with abdominal opening and closing operations. After modeling, the CLP+DFO group received subcutaneous injection of 20 mg/kg of DFO, the CLP+Erastin group was intraperitoneally injected with 20 mg/kg of Erastin. Each group received subcutaneous injection of 50 mg/kg physiological saline for fluid resuscitation after surgery, and the survival status of the rats was observed 24 hours after surgery. At 24 hours after model establishment, 6 rats in each group were selected. First, live small intestine tissue was taken for observation of mitochondrial morphology in smooth muscle cells under transmission electron microscopy and determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Then, blood was collected from the abdominal aorta and euthanized. The remaining 6 rats were sacrificed after completing blood collection from the abdominal aorta, and then small intestine tissue was taken. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of intestinal injury markers such as Claudin-1 and ferroptosis related proteins GPX4 and Nrf2. Observe the pathological changes of small intestine tissue using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and complete Chiu score; Detection of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6) levels in serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of serum iron ions (Fe³⁺), malondialdehyde (MDA), and D-lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) were measured. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the Sham group, the 24-hour survival rate of rats in the CLP group and CLP+Erastin group significantly decreased (66.7%, 50.0% vs. 100%, both P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the CLP+DFO group (83.3% vs. 100%, P = 0.25). (2) Western blotting results showed that compared with the Sham group, the expressions of GPX4 and Claudin-1 in the small intestine tissue of the CLP group, CLP+DFO group, and CLP+Erastin group decreased significantly, while the expression of Nrf2 increased significantly (GPX4/β-actin: 0.56±0.02, 1.03±0.01, 0.32±0.01 vs. 1.57±0.01, Claudin-1/β-actin: 0.60±0.04, 0.96±0.07, 0.41±0.01 vs. 1.40±0.01, Nrf2/β-actin: 0.88±0.02, 0.72±0.01, 1.14±0.01 vs. 0.43±0.02, all P < 0.05). Compared with the CLP group, the expressions of GPX4 and Claudin-1 were significantly increased in the CLP+DFO group, while the expression of Nrf2 was significantly reduced. In the CLP+Erastin group, the expressions of GPX4 and Claudin-1 further decreased, while the expression of Nrf2 further increased (all P < 0.05). (3) Under the light microscope, compared with the Sham group, the CLP group, CLP+DFO group, and CLP+Erastin group showed structural disorder in the small intestinal mucosa and submucosal tissue, significant infiltration of inflammatory cells, and destruction of glandular and villous structures. The Chui score was significantly higher (3.25±0.46, 2.00±0.82, 4.50±0.55 vs. 1.25±0.45, all P < 0.05). (4) Under transmission electron microscopy, compared with the Sham group, the mitochondria in the other three groups of small intestinal smooth muscle cells showed varying degrees of volume reduction, increased membrane density, and reduced or disappeared cristae. The CLP+Erastin group showed the most significant changes, while the CLP+DFO group showed only slight changes in mitochondrial morphology. (5) Compared to the Sham group, the CLP group, CLP+DFO group, and CLP+Erastin group had serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA, D-LDH, and ROS in small intestine tissue were significantly increased, while the serum Fe³⁺ content was significantly reduced [TNF-α (ng/L): 21.49±1.41, 17.24±1.00, 28.66±2.72 vs. 14.17±1.24; IL-1β (ng/L): 108.40±3.09, 43.19±8.75, 145.70±11.00 vs. 24.50±5.55; IL-6 (ng/L): 112.50±9.76, 45.90±6.52, 151.80±9.38 vs. 12.89±6.11; MDA (μmol/L): 5.61±0.49, 3.89±0.28, 8.56±1.17 vs. 1.86±0.41; D-LDH (kU/L): 39.39±3.22, 25.38±2.34, 53.29±10.53 vs. 10.79±0.52; ROS (fluorescence intensity): 90 712±6 436, 73 278±4 775, 110 913±9 287 vs. 54 318±2 226; Fe³⁺ (μmol/L): 22.19±1.34, 34.05±1.94, 12.99±1.08 vs. 51.74±11.07; all P < 0.05]. Compared with CLP group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA, D-LDH and ROS in CLP+Erastin group were further increased, and the content of Fe³⁺ was further decreased, the CLP+DFO group was the opposite (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Ferroptosis exists in the intestinal injury of septic rats, and stimulating or inhibiting ferroptosis through the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway can effectively intervene in the inflammatory state and intestinal mechanical barrier of the body.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Ferroptosis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Actins ; Claudin-1 ; Interleukin-6 ; Sepsis/metabolism* ; Iron

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinicopathological features of maxillofacial granular cell tumors (GCT) with the aid of immunohistochemical staining. METHODS: Seven cases of maxillofacial GCT were retrospectively collated, and the microscopic morphology of maxillofacial GCT was analyzed. The expression of S-100, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), SOX-10, CD68, actin, desmin, and Ki-67 in GCT was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The cases were observed in the follow-ups after clinical treatment. RESULTS: All seven GCT tumors lacked envelopes and were poorly defined. Microscopically, the sizes of the tumor cells were large and appeared with inconspicuous cell membranes, forming a syncytium-like appearance. The cytoplasm was filled with characteristic eosinophilic granules. The immunohistochemical results showed that six cases were NSE-positive, five cases were S-100-positive, seven cases were CD68-positive, five cases were SOX-10-positive, one case was actin-positive, and seven cases were desmin-negative. The Ki-67 index did not exceed 5% in all cases. In the follow-up sessions, none of the six cases presented a recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Maxillofacial GCT has a characteristic histological structure. Immunohistochemical S-100, CD68, and other indicators can assist in diagnosis, and the prognosis is good after clinical resection.
Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen/metabolism* ; Granular Cell Tumor/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Actins/metabolism* ; Desmin/metabolism* ; S100 Proteins/metabolism*

This study aimed to investigate the effects of nanoparticles PLGA-NPs and mesoporous silicon nanoparticles(MSNs) of different stiffness before and after combination with menthol or curcumol on the mechanical properties of bEnd.3 cells. The particle size distributions of PLGA-NPs and MSNs were measured by Malvern particle size analyzer, and the stiffness of the two nanoparticles was quantified by atomic force microscopy(AFM). The bEnd.3 cells were cultured in vitro, and the cell surface morphology, roughness, and Young's modulus were examined to characterize the roughness and stiffness of the cell surface. The changes in the mechanical properties of the cells were observed by AFM, and the structure and expression of cytoskeletal F-actin were observed by a laser-scanning confocal microscope. The results showed that both nanoparticles had good dispersion. The particle size of PLGA-NPs was(98.77±2.04) nm, the PDI was(0.140±0.030), and Young's modulus value was(104.717±8.475) MPa. The particle size of MSNs was(97.47±3.92) nm, the PDI was(0.380±0.016), and Young's modulus value was(306.019±8.822) MPa. The stiffness of PLGA-NPs was significantly lower than that of MSNs. After bEnd.3 cells were treated by PLGA-NPs and MSNs separately, the cells showed fine pores on the cell surface, increased roughness, decreased Young's modulus, blurred and broken F-actin bands, and reduced mean gray value. Compared with PLGA-NPs alone, PLGA-NPs combined with menthol or curcumol could allow deepened and densely distributed surface pores of bEnd.3 cells, increase roughness, reduce Young's modulus, aggravate F-actin band breakage, and diminish mean gray value. Compared with MSNs alone, MSNs combined with menthol could allow deepened and densely distributed surface pores of bEnd.3 cells, increase roughness, reduce Young's modulus, aggravate F-actin band breakage, and diminish mean gray value, while no significant difference was observed in combination with curcumol. Therefore, it is inferred that the aromatic components can increase the intracellular uptake and transport of nanoparticles by altering the biomechanical properties of bEnd.3 cells.
Animals ; Mice ; Menthol/pharmacology* ; Actins/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Nanoparticles/chemistry*

Objective To investigate the effect of Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid(EgCF) on the cytoskeletal rearrangement and phagocytosis and the migration of macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Methods Peritoneal macrophages of C57BL/6 mice were isolated and cultured in vitro, and divided into control group and LPS group and LPS combined with EgCF group. After 48 hours of treatment, filamentous actin (F-actin) changes were observed with rhodamine-labelled phalloidin staining and fluorescence microscopy; Transwell^TM chamber was used to test cell migration ability and flow cytometry to test cell phagocytosis. After 1 hour of treatment, PI3K and AKT, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), Rac1, guanosine triphospho-Rac1 (GTP-Rac1), WASP and Arp2 protein expressions were detected with Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the control group, after LPS stimulation, macrophages were deformed significantly; pseudopodia increased; actin cytoskeleton increased and was more distributed in pseudopodia; the ability of migration and phagocytosis were significantly improved, and the expression of PI3K, p-AKT, GTP-Rac1, WASP and Arp2 proteins significantly increased. EgCF treatment caused cell shrinkage and disappearance of pseudopodia protrusions of LPS-activated cells, and led to the reduced phagocytic and migratory of cells; the protein expression of PI3K, p-AKT, GTP-Rac1, WASP and Arp2 decreased significantly compared with the LPS group. Conclusion LPS induces the migration and enhances phagocytosis of macrophages while EgCF inhibits these effects, which is related to actin cytoskeleton rearrangement.
Mice ; Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Echinococcus granulosus/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Cyst Fluid/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Phagocytosis ; Actins/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Guanosine Triphosphate/pharmacology*

Mice ; Animals ; Actins/metabolism* ; Actin Depolymerizing Factors/metabolism* ; TRPM Cation Channels ; Actin Cytoskeleton/metabolism* ; Nervous System/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and mechanism of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) in regulating nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in oxidative stress and inflammatory response to sepsis-induced liver injury. METHODS: A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation (Sham) group, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group, SIRT1 agonist SRT1720 pretreatment (CLP+SRT1720) group and SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 pretreatment (CLP+EX527) group, with 6 rats in each group. Two hours before operation, SRT1720 (10 mg/kg) or EX527 (10 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected into the CLP+SRT1720 group and CLP+EX527 group, respectively. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta at 24 hours after modeling and the rats were sacrificed for liver tissue. The serum levels of interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected by microplate method. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological injury of rats in each group. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue were detected by corresponding kits. The mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the Sham group, the serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, ALT and AST in the CLP group were significantly increased; histopathological results showed that liver cords were disordered, hepatocytes were swollen and necrotic, and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated; the contents of MDA and 8-OHdG in liver tissue increased, while the contents of GSH and SOD decreased; and the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues were significantly decreased. These results suggest that sepsis rats have liver dysfunction, and the levels of SIRT1, Nrf2, HO-1 and antioxidant protein in liver tissues were decreased, while the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation were increased. Compared with the CLP group, the levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were significantly decreased in the CLP+SRT1720 group, the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased [IL-6 (ng/L): 34.59±4.21 vs. 61.84±3.78, IL-1β (ng/L): 41.37±2.70 vs. 72.06±3.14, TNF-α (ng/L): 76.43±5.23 vs. 130.85±5.30, ALT (U/L): 30.71±3.63 vs. 64.23±4.59, AST (U/L): 94.57±6.08 vs. 145.15±6.86, MDA (μmol/g): 6.11±0.28 vs. 9.23±0.29, 8-OHdG (ng/L): 117.43±10.38 vs. 242.37±11.71, GSH (μmol/g): 11.93±0.88 vs. 7.66±0.47, SOD (kU/g): 121.58±5.05 vs. 83.57±4.84, SIRT1 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 1.20±0.13 vs. 0.46±0.02, Nrf2 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 1.21±0.12 vs. 0.58±0.03, HO-1 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 1.71±0.06 vs. 0.48±0.07, SIRT1 protein (SIRT1/β-actin): 0.89±0.04 vs. 0.58±0.03, Nrf2 protein (Nrf2/β-actin): 0.87±0.08 vs. 0.51±0.09, HO-1 protein (HO-1/β-actin): 0.93±0.14 vs. 0.54±0.12, all P < 0.05], these results indicated that SIRT1 agonist SRT1720 pretreatment could improve liver injury in sepsis rats. However, pretreatment with SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 showed the opposite effect [IL-6 (ng/L): 81.05±6.47 vs. 61.84±3.78, IL-1β (ng/L): 93.89±5.83 vs. 72.06±3.14, TNF-α (ng/L): 177.67±5.12 vs. 130.85±5.30, ALT (U/L): 89.33±9.52 vs. 64.23±4.59, AST (U/L): 179.59±6.44 vs. 145.15±6.86, MDA (μmol/g): 11.39±0.51 vs. 9.23±0.29, 8-OHdG (ng/L): 328.83±11.26 vs. 242.37±11.71, GSH (μmol/g): 5.07±0.34 vs. 7.66±0.47, SOD (kU/g): 59.37±4.28 vs. 83.57±4.84, SIRT1 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 0.34±0.03 vs. 0.46±0.02, Nrf2 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 0.46±0.04 vs. 0.58±0.03, HO-1 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 0.21±0.03 vs. 0.48±0.07, SIRT1 protein (SIRT1/β-actin): 0.47±0.04 vs. 0.58±0.03, Nrf2 protein (Nrf2/β-actin): 0.32±0.07 vs. 0.51±0.09, HO-1 protein (HO-1/β-actin): 0.19±0.09 vs. 0.54±0.12, all P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS SIRT1 can inhibit the release of proinflammatory factors and alleviate the oxidative damage of hepatocytes by activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, thus playing a protective role against CLP-induced liver injury.
Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Actins/metabolism* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic ; Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6 ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger ; Sepsis/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether hydrogen-rich water exerts a protective effect against cellular injury by affecting the level of autophagy after oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in a mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line (HT22 cells). METHODS: HT22 cells in logarithmic growth phase were cultured in vitro. Cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay to find the optimal concentration of Na₂S₂O₄. HT22 cells were divided into control group (NC group), OGD/R group (sugar-free medium+10 mmol/L Na₂S₂O₄ treated for 90 minutes and then changed to normal medium for 4 hours) and hydrogen-rich water treatment group (HW group, sugar-free medium+10 mmol/L Na₂S₂O₄ treated for 90 minutes and then changed to medium containing hydrogen-rich water for 4 hours). The morphology of HT22 cells was observed by inverted microscopy; cell activity was detected by CCK-8 method; cell ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy; the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1 was detected by immunofluorescence; the protein expression of LC3II/I and Beclin-1, markers of cellular autophagy, was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Inverted microscopy showed that compared with the NC group, the OGD/R group had poor cell status, swollen cytosol, visible cell lysis fragments and significantly lower cell activity [(49.1±2.7)% vs. (100.0±9.7)%, P < 0.01]; compared with the OGD/R group, the HW group had improved cell status and remarkably higher cell activity [(63.3±1.8)% vs. (49.1±2.7)%, P < 0.01]. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the neuronal nuclear membrane of cells in the OGD/R group was lysed and a higher number of autophagic lysosomes were visible compared with the NC group; compared with the OGD/R group, the neuronal damage of cells in the HW group was reduced and the number of autophagic lysosomes was notably decreased. The results of immunofluorescence assay showed that the expressions of LC3 and Beclin-1 were outstandingly enhanced in the OGD/R group compared with the NC group, and the expressions of LC3 and Beclin-1 were markedly weakened in the HW group compared with the OGD/R group. Western blotting assay showed that the expressions were prominently higher in both LC3II/I and Beclin-1 in the OGD/R group compared with the NC group (LC3II/I: 1.44±0.05 vs. 0.37±0.03, Beclin-1/β-actin: 1.00±0.02 vs. 0.64±0.01, both P < 0.01); compared with the OGD/R group, the protein expression of both LC3II/I and Beclin-1 in the HW group cells were notably lower (LC3II/I: 0.54±0.02 vs. 1.44±0.05, Beclin-1/β-actin: 0.83±0.07 vs. 1.00±0.02, both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Hydrogen-rich water has a significant protective effect on OGD/R-causing HT22 cell injury, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of autophagy.
Mice ; Animals ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Beclin-1/pharmacology* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Actins ; Sincalide ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Hydrogen/pharmacology* ; Reperfusion Injury ; Apoptosis

The present study clarified the molecular mechanism of curcumol against liver fibrosis based on its effects on the autopha-gy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells. The hepatic stellate cells were divided into a blank control group, a transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)(10 ng·mL~(-1)) group, and low-(12.5 mg·L~(-1)), medium-(25 mg·L~(-1)), and high-dose(50 mg·L~(-1)) curcumol groups. The effect of curcumol on the viability of hepatic stellate cells induced by TGF-β1 was detected by the MTT assay kit. The apo-ptosis in each group was determined by flow cytometry. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR(RT-PCR) was employed for the detection of mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), type Ⅰ collagen(collagen Ⅰ), and type Ⅲ collagen(collagen Ⅲ). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of p62, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3), beclin1, B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax). Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) was used to observe cell morphology and autophagosome formation in each group. The autophagic flux was observed after cell infection with adenovirus under double fluorescence labeling. The cell viability assay revealed that compared with the TGF-β1 group, the curcumol groups showed significantly decreased cell viability. The apoptosis assay showed that the apoptosis rates of the curcumol groups were significantly higher than that of the TGF-β1 group. RT-PCR indicated that the mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagenⅠ, and collagen Ⅲ in the curcumol groups was significantly lower than that of the TGF-β1 group. Western blot showed that the expression of p62, LC3, beclin1, Bcl-2, and Bax in the curcumol groups was significantly different from that in the TGF-β1 group. As demonstrated by TEM, compared with the TGF-β1 group, the curcumol groups showed significantly increased autophagosomes. The detection of autophagic flow by the adenovirus under double fluorescence labeling showed that autolysosomes in the curcumol groups were significantly increased compared with those in the TGF-β1 group. Curcumol can induce the autophagy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells, which may be one of its anti-liver fibrosis mechanisms.
Actins/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; Humans ; Liver/metabolism* ; Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism* ; Sesquiterpenes ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*