Bufei Jianpi Granules Reduce Quadriceps Muscular Cell Apoptosis by Improving Mitochondrial Function in Rats with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Jing Mao,Huige Ji,Junzi Li,Yange Tian,Lanxi Zhang,Ya Li,Yuanyuan Hu,Suxiang Feng,Jiansheng Li,Qingqing Bian,Xuefang Liu,Suyun Li

doi:10.1155/2019/1216305

Abstract

Background Cell apoptosis is an important mechanism underlying skeletal muscle dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, and mitochondrial dysfunction is recognized as a central aspect contributing to skeletal muscle deterioration. Bufei Jianpi granules have been confirmed effective for improving motor function in COPD patients, but the specific mechanism for this improved function remains unknown. This study explored the mechanisms by which Bufei Jianpi granules improve cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in COPD. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into control, model, Bufei Jianpi, and aminophylline groups. A stable COPD rat model was induced with respective repeated cigarette smoke inhalation and intragastric bacterial infection, and rats were sacrificed after 20 weeks; the quadriceps muscle was harvested from each rat. Skeletal muscle mitochondria were extracted for measurements of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore openings (mPTPs). ATP levels were determined with a firefly luciferase-based ATP assay kit. The rates of cell apoptosis were determined by the transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Cyto C and caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels were measured by qPCR and western blotting. Results ATP, MMP, and mPTPs were markedly decreased in COPD rats, while cell apoptosis, caspase-3, and Cyto C were increased (P<0.01). All aforementioned parameters were improved in treatment groups (P<0.05). ATP, MMP, and mPTPs were significantly higher in the Bufei Jianpi group than in the aminophylline group, while cell apoptosis, caspase-3, and Cyto C were lower (P<0.05). Conclusions Bufei Jianpi granules can inhibit mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis in peripheral muscles, which might be the mechanism involved in improving skeletal muscle function in COPD patients.

Highlights

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem; this chronic disease is characterized by persistent airflow limitation and is the third leading cause of death in China [1]
We aimed to explore the effects of Bufei Jianpi granules on skeletal muscle dysfunction (SMD) in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that had been induced with repeated cigarette smoke inhalation and bacterial infection by observing the apoptosis of skeletal muscular cells and relevant indicators of mitochondrial function and apoptosis-related mRNAs and proteins
Compared with COPD rats, the cell apoptosis rate was significantly lower in the Bufei Jianpi and aminophylline groups (P

Summary

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem; this chronic disease is characterized by persistent airflow limitation and is the third leading cause of death in China [1]. Cell apoptosis is an important mechanism underlying skeletal muscle dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, and mitochondrial dysfunction is recognized as a central aspect contributing to skeletal muscle deterioration. This study explored the mechanisms by which Bufei Jianpi granules improve cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in COPD. Skeletal muscle mitochondria were extracted for measurements of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore openings (mPTPs). ATP, MMP, and mPTPs were markedly decreased in COPD rats, while cell apoptosis, caspase-3, and Cyto C were increased (P

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