Levels Of Cellular Oxidative Stress Research Articles

Melatonin alleviates palmitic acid-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing autophagy in bovine endometrial epithelial cells

BackgroundNegative energy balance (NEB) typically occurs in dairy cows after delivery. Cows with a high yield are more likely to experience significant NEB. This type of metabolic imbalance could cause ketosis, which is often accompanied by a decline in reproductive performance. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying NEB have yet to be fully elucidated. During excessive NEB, the body fat is extensively broken down, resulting in the abnormal accumulation of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), represented by palmitic acid (PA), within the uterus. Such an abnormal accumulation has the potential to damage bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEECs), while the molecular mechanisms underlying its involvement in the PA-induced injury of BEECs remains poorly understood. Melatonin (MT) is recognized for its regulatory role in maintaining the homeostasis of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS). However, little is known as to whether MT could ameliorate the damage incurred by BEECs in response to PA and the molecular mechanism involved.ResultsAnalysis showed that 0.2 mmol/L PA stress increased the level of cellular and mitochondrial oxidative stress, as indicated by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. In addition, we observed mitochondrial dysfunction, including abnormal mitochondrial structure and respiratory function, along with a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial copy number, and the induction of apoptosis. Notably, we also observed the upregulation of autophagy proteins (PINK, Parkin, LC3B and Ubiquitin), however, the P62 protein was also increased. As we expected, 100 μmol/L of MT pre-treatment attenuated PA-induced mitochondrial ROS and restored mitochondrial respiratory function. Meanwhile, MT pretreatment reversed the upregulation of P62 induced by PA and activated the AMPK-mTOR-Beclin-1 pathway, contributing to an increase of autophagy and decline apoptosis.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that PA can induce mitochondrial dysfunction and enhance autophagy in BEECs. In addition, MT is proved to not only reduce mitochondrial oxidative stress but also facilitate the clearance of damaged mitochondria by upregulating autophagy pathways, thereby safeguarding the mitochondrial pool and promoting cellular viability. Our study provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of an excess of NEB on the fertility outcomes of high yielding dairy cows.

Quercetin antagonizes apoptosis, autophagy and immune dysfunction induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate via ROS/ASK1/JNK pathway

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer that can damage various organizations and physiques through oxidative stress. Quercetin (Que) is a rich polyphenol flavonoid with good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the protection mechanism of Que against DEHP exposure-induced IPEC-J2 cell injury and the implication of autophagy, apoptosis and immunity are still unclear. In this experiment, we looked into the toxicity regime of DEHP exposure on IPEC-J2 cells and the antagonistic function of Que on DEHP. In the experiment, 135 μM DEHP and/or 80 μM Que were used to treat the IPEC-J2 cells for 24h. Experiments indicated that DEHP exposure can cause increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels leading to oxidative stress, decreased CAT, T-AOC and GSH-Px activities, increased MDA and H2O2 accumulation, activated the ASK1/JNK signalling pathway, and further increases in the levels of apoptosis markers Bax, Caspase3, Caspase9, and Cyt-c, while reduced the Bcl-2 expression. DEHP also increased the expression of genes linked to autophagy (ATG5, Beclin1, LC3), while decreasing the expression of P62. Additionally, DEHP exposure led to elevated levels of IL1-β, IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF expression. When exposed to Que alone, there were no significant changes in cellular oxidative stress level, ASK1/JNK signalling pathway expression level, apoptosis, autophagy and cellular immune function. The combination of DEHP and Que treatment remarkably decreased the proportion of autophagy and apoptosis, and recovered cellular immunity. In summary, Que can attenuate DEHP-induced apoptosis and autophagy in IPEC-J2 cells by regulating the ROS/ASK1/JNK signalling pathway and improving the immune dysfunction of IPEC-J2 cells.

Measurement of cellular MDA content through MTBE-extraction based TBA assay by eliminating cellular interferences

Malondialdehyde (MDA) has long been served as a crucial indicator for assessing cellular oxidative stress levels. In this study, we introduce a new approach to determine cellular MDA levels based on a methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) extraction, aimed at eliminating interferences from cellular components during thiobarbituric acid (TBA) derivatization of MDA. By leveraging the effective MTBE extraction, we identified that the determination of the MDA-TBA adduct formed from the MTBE extraction layer can effectively eliminate the interferences from cellular proteins and metabolites. This method demonstrated acceptable linearity and precision in cellular samples and showed significant differences in H2O2 treated cellular oxidative stress models. The MTBE extraction-based MDA-TBA approach provides a reliable, cost-effective, and feasible method to determine cellular MDA levels using batch microplate reader approach for the assessment of cellular oxidative stress.

MALDI-mass spectrometry imaging as a new technique for detecting non-heme iron in peripheral tissues via caudal vein injection of deferoxamine.

As one of the most common iron-chelating agents, deferoxamine (DFO) rapidly chelates iron in the body. Moreover, it does not compete for the iron characteristic of hemoglobin in the blood cells, which is common in the clinical treatment of iron poisoning. Iron is a trace element necessary to maintain organism normal life activities. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, whereas iron overload can cause elevated levels of cellular oxidative stress and cell damage. As a consequence, detection of the iron content in tissues and blood is of great significance. The traditional techniques for detecting the iron content include inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry, which cannot be used for imaging purposes. Laser ablation-ICP-MS and synchrotron radiation micro-X-ray fluorescence can map the concentration and distribution of iron in tissues. However, these methods can only be used to measure the total iron levels in blood or tissues. In recent years, due to the deepening understanding of iron metabolism, diseases related to iron overload have attracted increasing attention. Therefore, we took advantage of the properties of DFO in terms of chelating iron and investigated different sampling times following DFO injection in the tail vein of mice. We used mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technology to detect the DFO and ferrioxamine content in the blood and different tissues to indirectly characterize the non-heme iron content.

Protective effect of FAK inhibitor PF-562271 against human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury induced by aging platelets

To investigate the protective effect of PF-562271, a FAK inhibitor, against aging platelet-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cultured HUVECs were treated with vehicle, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+aging platelets, or LPS+aging platelets+PF-562271. The changes in protein expressions of FAK, pFAK and PECAM-1 in the treated cells were detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected with flow cytometry. The changes of barrier function of the cells were assessed with cell permeability test and transendothelial cell resistance test. RT-qPCR was used to analyze mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the culture supernatants was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunofluorescence assay was used to examine the effect of the ROS inhibitor vitamin C on PECAM-1 expression in the cells with different treatments. Treatment of HUVECs with LPS and aging platelets significantly increased cellular protein expressions of FAK, pFAK and PECAM-1, which were effectively lowered by addition of PF-562271 (P < 0.05). LPS and aged platelets obviously enhanced ROS production in the cells, which was inhibited by the addition of PF-562271 (P < 0.001). PF-562271 significantly alleviated the damage of endothelial cell barrier function of the cells caused by LPS and aging platelets (P < 0.01). The expressions of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in HUVECs increased significantly after exposure to LPS and aging platelets, and were obviously lowered after treatment with PF-562271 (P < 0.05). Treatment with vitamin C significantly decreased the expression of PECAM-1 protein in the cells (P < 0.01). The FAK inhibitor PF-562271 alleviates endothelial cell damage induced by LPS and aging platelets by lowering cellular oxidative stress levels and reducing inflammatory responses.

Bilirubin Down-Regulates Oxidative Stress and Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Expression in UMR106 Osteoblast-Like Cells.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a major regulator of phosphate and vitamin D metabolism in the kidney, and its higher levels in plasma are associated with poorer outcomes in kidney and cardiovascular diseases. It is produced by bone cells upon enhanced oxidative stress and inhibits renal phosphate reabsorption and calcitriol (active form of vitamin D) production. Bilirubin, the final product of the heme catabolic pathway in the vascular bed, has versatile biological functions, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study explored whether bilirubin alters FGF23 production. Experiments were performed using UMR106 osteoblast-like cells. Fgf23 transcript levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, C-terminal and intact FGF23 protein levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and cellular oxidative stress was assessed by CellROX assay. Unconjugated bilirubin down-regulated Fgf23 gene transcription and FGF23 protein abundance; these effects were paralleled by lower cellular oxidative stress levels. Also, conjugated bilirubin reduced Fgf23 mRNA abundance. Bilirubin down-regulates FGF23 production in UMR106 cells, an effect likely to be dependent on the reduction of cellular oxidative stress.

Alterations in mitochondria isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tumors of patients with epithelial ovarian cancers

Metabolic alterations play an essential role in ovarian carcinogenesis. The flexibility of mitochondrial functions facilitates cellular adaptation to the tough environment associated with carcinogenesis. An understanding of the differences in mitochondrial functions in normal ovaries and cancers could provide a basis for further exploration of future mitochondria-based screening, diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and targeted therapy for epithelial ovarian cancers. The main objective of this study was to assess mitochondrial function profiles measured from PBMCs and ovarian tissues of epithelial ovarian cancers in comparison with normal ovaries. A total of 36 patients were recruited for the study, all of whom underwent primary surgical treatment for malignant epithelial ovarian neoplasm. Of these, 20 patients were in the early stage and 16 patients were in the advanced stage. Additionally, 21 patients who had pelvic surgery for benign gynecologic conditions, with normal ovaries incidentally removed, were recruited as controls. At the time of surgery, a blood sample was collected from each participant for PBMC isolation, and ovarian tissue was retained for molecular studies. These studies included the examination of oxidative stress, mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes, and mitochondrial swelling. Clinical and histopathological data were also collected and compared between different stages of epithelial ovarian cancers: early-stage (group 1), advanced-stage (group 2), and normal ovaries (group 3). The levels of cellular oxidative stress, mitochondrial mass, and mitochondrial biogenesis in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of participants with ovarian cancer were significantly lower than those of the control group. However, the mitochondrial respiratory parameters measured from the PBMCs were similar across all three groups. Furthermore, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and mitochondrial swelling were observed in ovarian tissues of both early-stage and advanced-stage cancer groups. We demonstrated the dynamic nature of mitochondrial ROS production, biogenesis, and respiratory function in response to epithelial ovarian carcinogenesis. The flexibility of mitochondrial functions under diverse conditions may make it a challenging therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Melatonin's Protective Effects on Neurons in an in Vitro Cell Injury Model.

Currently, the role of melatonin (MT) in neuronal damage remains unclear and this study aimed to explore the protective effects of MT on neurons in an in vitro cell injury model. The Sprague Dawley (SD) rat traumatic brain injury (TBI) model was prepared, and brain tissue extract (BTE) from the injured area were generated. To establish a cell injury model in vitro, the BTE was added to the culture medium during the neuron culture process. MT was introduced into the culture medium of the cell injury model to observe its protective effects on neurons. Relevant molecular biology experiments were conducted to observe cellular oxidative stress status, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial damage, and neuronal apoptosis. When compared to the control group, the BTE group exhibited a significant increase in cellular oxidative stress, inflammation, neurofilament light polypeptide (NEFL) expression, and ER stress. Additionally, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number significantly decreased, and there was a higher count of apoptotic cells (p < 0.05). Upon the addition of MT to the culture medium of the in vitro cell injury model, there was a significant reduction in cellular oxidative stress, inflammation, and NEFL levels. This addition also mitigated ER stress, increased mtDNA copy numbers, and decreased the ratio of cell apoptosis (p < 0.05). In the in vitro cell injury model, MT demonstrates the capacity to inhibit cellular oxidative stress, inflammation, and ER stress levels. Additionally, it diminishes mtDNA damage, fosters cell viability, and serves as a protective agent against both apoptosis and necrosis in neurons.

Enzyme Reaction-Assisted Programmable Transcriptional Switches for Bioactive Molecule Detection.

Bioactive molecules are highly worthwhile to recognize and explore the latent pathogenic mechanism. Conventional methods for bioactive molecule detection, including mass spectrometry and fluorescent probe imaging, are limited due to the complex processing and signal interference. Here, we designed enzyme-reaction-assisted programmable transcriptional switches for the detection of bioactive molecules. The approach is based on the use of programmable enzyme site-specific cleavage-assisted DNA triplex-based conformational switches that, upon responding to bioactive molecules, can trigger the transcription of fluorescent light-up aptamers. Thanks to the programmable nature of the sensing platform, the method can be adapted to different bioactive molecules, and we demonstrated the enzyme-small molecule catalytic reaction combination of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a model that transcriptional switches was capable of detecting H2O2 and possessed the specificity and anti-interference ability in vitro. Furthermore, we successfully applied the switches into cells to observe the detection feasibility in vivo, and dynamically monitored changes of H2O2 in cellular oxidative stress levels. Therefore, we attempt to amalgamate the advantages of enzyme reaction with the pluripotency of programmable transcriptional switches, which can take both fields a step further, which may promote the research of biostimuli and the construction of DNA molecular devices.

Resveratrol alleviates imidacloprid-induced mitochondrial apoptosis, necroptosis, and immune dysfunction in chicken lymphocyte lines by inhibiting the ROS/MAPK signaling pathway.

Imidacloprid (IMI) is a neonicotinoid insecticide with the highest global market share, and IMI exposure in the environment can negatively affect many nontarget organisms (a general term for organisms affected by drugs other than target organisms). Resveratrol (RSV), a non-flavonoid polyphenolic organic compound derived from peanuts, grapes, and other plants, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It is currently unclear how RSV protects against cell damage caused by IMI. Therefore, we established an experimental model of chicken lymphocyte lines exposed to 110 μg/mL IMI and/or 0.5 μM RSV for 24 h. According to the experimental results, IMI markedly raised intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and diminished the activity of the cellular antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, and GPx), leading to MDA accumulation and decreased T-AOC. JNK, ERK, and P38, the essential components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, were also expressed more when IMI was present. Additionally, IMI resulted in upregulation of mitochondrial apoptosis (Caspase 3, Caspase 9, Bax, and Cyt-c) and necroptosis (Caspase 8, RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL) related factors expression, downregulation of Bcl-2 expression, induction of upregulation of cytokine IL-6 and TNF-α expression, and downregulation of IFN-γ expression. The combined treatment of RSV and IMI significantly reduced cellular oxidative stress levels, inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway, and alleviated IMI-induced mitochondrial apoptosis, necroptosis, and immune dysfunction. To summarize, RSV antagonized IMI-induced mitochondrial apoptosis, necroptosis, and immune dysfunction in chicken lymphocyte lines by inhibiting the ROS/MAPK signaling pathway.

Targeted Therapy of Acute Liver Injury via Cryptotanshinone-Loaded Biomimetic Nanoparticles Derived from Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Driven by Homing.

Acute liver injury (ALI) has the potential to compromise hepatic function rapidly, with severe cases posing a considerable threat to human health and wellbeing. Conventional treatments, such as the oral administration of antioxidants, can inadvertently lead to liver toxicity and other unwanted side effects. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can target therapeutic agents directly to inflammatory sites owing to their homing effect, and they offer a promising avenue for the treatment of ALI. However, the efficacy and feasibility of these live cell products are hampered by challenges associated with delivery pathways and safety concerns. Therefore, in this work, MSC membranes were ingeniously harnessed as protective shells to encapsulate synthesized PLGA nanoparticle cores (PLGA/MSCs). This strategic approach enabled nanoparticles to simulate endogenous substances and yielded a core-shell nano-biomimetic structure. The biomimetic nanocarrier remarkably maintained the homing ability of MSCs to inflammatory sites. In this study, cryptotanshinone (CPT)-loaded PLGA/MSCs (CPT@PLGA/MSC) were prepared. These nanoparticles can be effectively internalized by LO2 cells. They reduced cellular oxidative stress and elevated inflammatory levels. In vivo results suggested that, after intravenous administration, CPT@PLGA/MSCs significantly reduced uptake by the reticuloendothelial system and immune recognition compared to PLGA nanoparticles without MSC membrane coatings, subsequently resulting in their targeted and enhanced accumulation in the liver. The effectiveness of CPT@PLGA/MSCs in alleviating carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in a mouse model was unequivocally demonstrated through comprehensive histological examination and liver function tests. This study introduces a pioneering strategy with substantial potential for ALI treatment.

Association between plasma L-carnitine levels and mitochondrial DNA copy number

Mitochondria are key cytoplasmic organelles in eukaryotic cells that generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number (mtDNAcn) is considered a biomarker for both mitochondrial quantity and function as well as cellular oxidative stress level. Previous epidemiologic findings revealed that weight gain, higher body mass index (BMI), smoking, and high insulinemic potential of lifestyle were associated with lower leukocyte mtDNAcn. Carnitines are a group of compounds that play a critical role in energy production. We quantified the associations of plasma L-carnitine levels with leukocyte mtDNAcn. We then examined the association between mtDNAcn and L-carnitine (HMDB0000062) in 538 U.S. men without cancers, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease at blood collection from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS). We found a significant inverse association between L-carnitine and mtDNAcn (ρ = −0.1, P = 0.02). This implies that the carnitine metabolic pathway may be associated with mitochondrial function and oxidative stress.

Synergistic effects of sequential light treatment with 222-nm/405-nm and 280-nm/405-nm wavelengths on inactivation of foodborne pathogens.

Light-based technologies of different wavelengths can inactivate pathogenic microorganisms, but each wavelength has its limitations. This work explores the potential of sequential treatments with different wavelengths for enhancing the disinfection performance of individual treatments by employing various bactericidal mechanisms. The effectiveness, inactivation kinetics, and bactericidal mechanisms of treatments with 222/405, 280/405, and 405 nm alone against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were evaluated. Inactivation experiments were performed in thin liquid bacterial suspensions that were treated either individually with 48 h of 405-nm light or sequentially with (i) 30 s of 222-nm far-UV-C light, followed by 48 h of 405-nm light, or (ii) 30 s of 280-nm far-UV-C light, followed by 48 h of 405-nm light. Survivors were recovered and enumerated by standard plate counting. All inactivation curves were non-linear and followed the Weibull model (0.99 ≥ R2 ≥ 0.70). Synergistic effects were found for E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and S. Typhimurium, with maximum inactivation level increases of 2.9, 3.3, and 1.1 log CFU after the sequential treatments, respectively. Marginal synergy was found for S. aureus, and an antagonistic effect was found for P. aeruginosa after sequential treatments. Significant differences in reactive oxygen species accumulation were found (P < 0.05) after various treatment combinations, and the performance of sequential treatments was correlated with cellular oxidative damage. The sequential wavelength treatments proposed demonstrate the potential for enhanced disinfection of multiple foodborne pathogens compared with individual wavelength treatments, which can have significant food safety benefits. IMPORTANCE Nonthermal light-based technologies offer a chemical-free method to mitigate microbial contamination in the food and healthcare industries. However, each individual wavelength has different limitations in terms of efficacy and operating conditions, which limits their practical applicability. In this study, bactericidal synergism of sequential treatments with different wavelengths was identified. Pre-treatments with 280 and 222 nm enhanced the disinfection performance of follow-up 405-nm treatments for multiple foodborne pathogens by inducing higher levels of cellular membrane damage and oxidative stress. These findings deliver useful information for light equipment manufacturers, food processors, and healthcare users, who can design and optimize effective light-based systems to realize the full potential of germicidal light technologies. The results from the sequential treatments offer practical solutions to improve the germicidal efficacy of visible light systems, as well as provide inspiration for future hurdle disinfection systems design, with a positive impact on food safety and public health.

Mineral elements and adiposity-related consequences in adolescents with intellectual disabilities

BackgroundPatients with intellectual disabilities are shown to have a limited capacity for cooperation, communication,and other biological consequences, which significantly require a specialized interest in healthcare professionals worldwide.AimIn this respect, the present study was designed to evaluate the levels mineral elements, and their correlation with oxidative stress markers and adiposity markers; leptin (L), adiponectin (A), and L/A ratio in adolescents with intellectual disabilities.MethodsA total of 350 schoolchildren aged (12–18 years) were randomly invited to participate in this prospective, observational study. Only 300 participants agreed to participate in this study. According to Intelligence quotients scores (IQ) measured by WISC-III, the participants were classified into two groups; the healthy control group (no = 180; IQ = 90–114); and the moderate intellectual disability (MID) group (no = 120; IQ = 35–49). Adiposity markers; body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), physical activity scores, adipokines biomarkers; leptin, adiponectin, L/A ratio, oxidative stress, and plasma mineral elements were evaluated by prevalidated questionnaires, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), colorimetric, and immunoassay techniques.ResultsIntellectual disability of moderate type was reported in 40% of the studied populations most of them are men aged 12–18 years (66.6% for men vs. 33.3 for females). Obesity was shown to be associated with the degree of intellectual disability of the students. There was a significant (P = 0.001) increase in the BMI, WHR, and WHtR scores as obesity markers with poor physical activity (P = 0.01) in students with poor disability compared to healthy controls (HC). The levels of leptin (P = 0.001), adiponectin (P = 0.01), and L/A ratio (P = 0.01) as adiposity biomarkers were significantly increased in students with MID compared to healthy controls. Also, oxidative stress measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) (P = 0.01) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P = 0.01) were significantly increased in students with MID compared to healthy control subjects. In addition, mineral elements were shown to be linked with intellectual disability. The data showed that the levels of Fe, Mn, Zn, Hg, Pb, Ca, Cr, Mg, and Ni significantly (P = 0.001) increased, and the levels of Al, Na, K, Cu, and Zn/Cu ratio significantly (P = 0.001) decreased in subjects with MID compared to healthy controls. Correlation analysis concluded that changes in mineral elements significantly correlated with adiposity markers, oxidative stress, and the scores of intellectual disability (WISC III-IQ score).ConclusionThe intellectual disability of moderate type (MID) was associated with abnormal changes in the levels of essential mineral elements and adipokines and increased levels of cellular oxidative stress. Thus, evaluating plasma mineral elements and adipokines levels could be a potential diagnostic parameter for diagnosing MID.

Quercetin Alleviates Toxicity Induced by High Levels of Copper in Porcine Follicular Granulosa Cells by Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species and Improving Mitochondrial Function.

CuSO4 is the most commonly used feed additive in pig production at present, but long-term ingestion of excessive copper would lead to chronic copper toxicity. High copper could reduce the reproductive efficiency of sows and seriously affect the development of the pig industry. Quercetin (QUE), a powerful antioxidant, reduces toxicity of a number of heavy metals. Porcine granulosa cells (pGCs) are crucial to the fate of follicle development. The present study found that high concentrations of CuSO4 induced ROS production, which resulted in decreased mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes GPX4, CAT, and SOD2 and increased mRNA expression of SOD1, TRX, and HO-1. The protein expression of antioxidant enzymes SOD2 and HO-1 decreased. Moreover, the concentration of MDA increased, the activity of CAT decreased, and the content of GSH decreased. After high copper treatment, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was decreased and the morphological structure was changed. However, the combined treatment with Quercetin (QUE) reversed these changes, and the level of cellular oxidative stress decreased. Therefore, we conclude that high copper has oxidative toxicity to pGCs, and QUE could remove the ROS induced by high copper, protect mitochondria from oxidative stress damage, and improve the function of pGCs.

Kalanchoe sp. Extracts-Phytochemistry, Cytotoxic, and Antimicrobial Activities.

Kalanchoe species are succulents occurring in tropical regions. They have many biological and pharmacological properties. In this study, the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of water and dichloromethane Kalanchoe fractions obtained from ethanol extracts of three Kalanchoe species-K. daigremontiana, K. pinnata, and K. blossfeldiana were estimated. The cytotoxic effect was assessed on human cancer cell lines-ovarian SKOV-3, cervical HeLa, breast MCF-7, and melanoma A375-by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The antimicrobial activity was estimated on selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains and on Candida albicans. The phytochemical analysis of selected Kalanchoe extracts was conducted by LC-QTOF-MS. The obtained results showed that the water fraction of K. blossfeldiana was active both on the tested cancer cells (IC50 values were 28.28 ± 2.76 and 32.51 ± 0.69 µg/mL on HeLa and SKOV-3, respectively) and bacteria strains (MIC values were 16 and 32 µg/mL on S. epidermidis and S. aureus, respectively). The water fraction of K. pinnata also had a significant effect on S. epidermidis and S. aureus, with MIC values of 32 and 64 µg/mL, respectively. The water fraction of K. blossfeldiana triggered a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase in the SKOV-3 and HeLa cells. This fraction did not significantly increase cellular oxidative stress level. The DPPH and ABTS assays revealed that the water fraction of K. blossfeldiana had a strong antioxidant effect (IC50 was 9.44 ± 0.06 and 3.17 ± 0.1 µg/mL, respectively). The phytochemical analysis of the extracts of K. blossfeldiana and K. pinnata revealed the presence of at least 218 main components. The most frequently occurring were flavonol glycosides (31 metabolites), phenylpropanoids (13 metabolites), gallic acid derivatives (13 compounds), benzoic acid derived compounds (14 metabolites), and acyclic alcohol glycosides (16 compounds). In addition, proanthocyanidins were detected mainly in K. blossfeldiana. The study indicates that the water fraction of K. blossfeldiana has significant biological potential and can be further investigated towards anticancer and antimicrobial application.

Exosomal miR-141-3p from PDLSCs Alleviates High Glucose-Induced Senescence of PDLSCs by Activating the KEAP1-NRF2 Signaling Pathway.

Human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are the most promising stem cells for periodontal tissue engineering. Senescent PDLSCs have diminished abilities to proliferate and differentiate, affecting the efficiency of periodontal tissue repair and regeneration. Stem cell-derived exosomes are important participants in intercellular information exchange and can help ameliorate senescence. In this study, we investigated PDLSC senescence in a high glucose microenvironment as well as the ability of human periodontal ligament stem cell-derived exosomes (PDLSC-Exos) to alleviate cellular senescence and the underlying mechanisms. Herein, PDLSCs and PDLSC-Exos were isolated and extracted. Then, cellular senescence indicators were evaluated after high glucose (25 mM) treatment of cultured PDLSCs. PDLSC-Exos were cocultured with senescent PDLSCs to further explore the role of PDLSC-Exos in cellular senescence and determine the differences in cellular oxidative stress levels after PDLSC-Exo treatment. Next, we investigated whether PDLSC-Exos alleviated cellular senescence by restoring the balance of oxidative stress signals and explored the underlying molecular pathways. We discovered that PDLSCs underwent premature senescence due to high glucose culture, but they were rejuvenated by PDLSC-Exos. The rejuvenating effects of PDLSC-Exos were notably reversed by cotreatment with ML385, an inhibitor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), indicating that this recovery depended on NRF2 activation. Further analyses revealed that microRNA-141-3p (miR-141-3p) was expressed at relatively high levels in PDLSC-Exos and was instrumental in PDLSC-Exo-mediated restoration by downregulating Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), which is a negative regulator of NRF2 expression. Our findings suggest that PDLSC-Exos alleviate high glucose-induced senescence of PDLSCs by transferring miR-141-3p to activate the KEAP1-NRF2 signaling pathway. Based on this research, PDLSC-Exos may behave similarly to their parental PDLSCs and have significant effects on cellular senescence by delivering their encapsulated bioactive chemicals to target cells.

Interleukin-33 Induces Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) Formation and Macrophage Necroptosis via Enhancing Oxidative Stress and Secretion of Proatherogenic Factors in Advanced Atherosclerosis.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) acts as an 'alarmin', and its role has been demonstrated in driving immune regulation and inflammation in many human diseases. However, the precise mechanism of action of IL-33 in regulating neutrophil and macrophage functioning is not defined in advanced atherosclerosis (aAT) patients. Further, the role of IL-33 in neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in aAT and its consequent effect on macrophage function is not known. In the present study, we recruited n = 52 aAT patients and n = 52 control subjects. The neutrophils were isolated from both groups via ficoll/percoll-based density gradient centrifugation. The effect of IL-33 on the NET formation ability of the neutrophils was determined in both groups. Monocytes, isolated via a positive selection method, were used to differentiate them into macrophages from each of the study subjects and were challenged by IL-33-primed NETs, followed by the measurement of oxidative stress by calorimetric assay and the expression of the proinflammatory molecules by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Transcript and protein expression was determined by qPCR and immunofluorescence/ELISA, respectively. The increased expression of IL-33R (ST-2) was observed in the neutrophils, along with an increased serum concentration of IL-33 in aAT compared to the controls. IL-33 exacerbates NET formation via specifically upregulating CD16 expression in aAT. IL-33-primed NETs/neutrophils increased the cellular oxidative stress levels in the macrophages, leading to enhanced macrophage necroptosis and the release of atherogenic factors and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in aAT compared to the controls. These findings suggested a pathogenic effect of the IL-33/ST-2 pathway in aAT patients by exacerbating NET formation and macrophage necroptosis, thereby facilitating the release of inflammatory factors and the release of MMPs that may be critical for the destabilization/rupture of atherosclerotic plaques in aAT. Targeting the IL-33/ST-2-NETs axis may be a promising therapeutic target for preventing plaque instability/rupture and its adverse complications in aAT.

Expression of DNA repair genes and its relevance for DNA repair in peripheral immune cells of patients with posttraumatic stress disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves elevated levels of cellular oxidative stress which jeopardizes the integrity of essential cell compartments. Previously, we demonstrated higher levels of DNA lesions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in PTSD. Retaining vital levels of DNA integrity requires cells to mobilize compensatory efforts in elevating their DNA-repair capacity. Accordingly, we hypothesized to find increased expression rates of the DNA-repair genes X-ray repair cross complementing 1 (XRCC1), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), and polymerase β (Polβ) in PBMCs of PTSD patients as compared to controls, leading to functionally relevant changes in DNA-repair kinetics. In a cohort of 14 refugees with PTSD and 15 without PTSD, we found significantly higher XRCC1 expression in PTSD patients than controls (U = 161.0, p = 0.009, Cohen’s r = 0.49), and positive correlations between the severity of PTSD symptoms and the expression of XRCC1 (rS = 0.57, p = 0.002) and PARP1 (rS = 0.43, p = 0.022). Higher XRCC1 (F = 2.39, p = 0.010, η2p = 0.10) and PARP1 (F = 2.15, p = 0.022, η2p = 0.09) expression accounted for slower repair of experimentally X-ray irradiation-induced DNA damage, highlighting the possible physiological relevance of altered DNA-repair gene expression in PTSD. Our study provides first evidence for a compensatory regulation of DNA-repair mechanisms in PTSD. We discuss the implications of increased DNA damage and altered DNA-repair mechanisms in immune senescence, premature aging, and increased physical morbidity in PTSD.

A Pyrazolate Osmium(VI) Nitride Exhibits Anticancer Activity through Modulating Protein Homeostasis in HepG2 Cells.

Interest in the third-row transition metal osmium and its compounds as potential anticancer agents has grown in recent years. Here, we synthesized the osmium(VI) nitrido complex Na[OsVI(N)(tpm)2] (tpm = [5-(Thien-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]methanol), which exhibited a greater inhibitory effect on the cell viabilities of the cervical, ovarian, and breast cancer cell lines compared with cisplatin. Proteomics analysis revealed that Na[OsVI(N)(tpm)2] modulates the expression of protein-transportation-associated, DNA-metabolism-associated, and oxidative-stress-associated proteins in HepG2 cells. Perturbation of protein expression activity by the complex in cancer cells affects the functions of the mitochondria, resulting in high levels of cellular oxidative stress and low rates of cell survival. Moreover, it caused G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and caspase-mediated apoptosis of HepG2 cells. This study reveals a new high-valent osmium complex as an anticancer agent candidate modulating protein homeostasis.