MnSOD Expression Research Articles

Comparison of 2, 5, and 20% O2 on the development of post-thaw human embryos.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of 2, 5, and 20% O2 on post-thaw day 3 human embryo culture until blastocyst stage. One hundred fifty-five day 3 human embryos were used. One hundred twenty out of 155 embryos were recovered after thawing. Surviving embryos were distributed into 2, 5, or 20% O2 groups and cultured for 2.5days. At the end of culture, blastocyst formation was assessed, and then, embryos were collected for RT-qPCR or immunofluorescence analysis. Using visible blastocoel to define blastocyst formation, 58.7% (27/46) of surviving day 3 embryos formed blastocyst at 2% O2, 63.6% (28/44) at 5% O2, and 66.7% (20/30) at 20% O2. The difference in blastocyst formation rates was not significant. Average blastocyst cell number was 119.44 ± 11.64 at 2% O2, 142.55 ± 22.47 at 5% O2, and 97.29 ± 14.87 at 20% O2. Average apoptotic rate was 4.7% ± 0.4% for blastocyst formed at 2% O2, 3.5% ± 0.7% at 5% O2, and 5.8% ± 1.1% at 20% O2. Apoptosis rate was significantly lower for blastocysts formed at 5% O2 (p < 0.05). Compared with gene expression levels at 5% O2, which were arbitrarily set as "1," 20% O2 is associated with significantly higher expression of BAX (2.14 ± 0.47), G6PD (2.92 ± 1.06), MnSOD (2.87 ± 0.88), and HSP70.1 (8.68 ± 4.19). For all genes tested, no significant differences were found between 2 and 5% O2. The result suggests that development of cryopreserved human embryos from day 3 to blastocyst stage benefits from culture at 5% O2.

Chrysin, a PPAR-γ agonist improves myocardial injury in diabetic rats through inhibiting AGE-RAGE mediated oxidative stress and inflammation

AGE-RAGE interaction mediated oxidative stress and inflammation is the key mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in diabetes. Inhibition of AGE-RAGE axis by several PPAR-γ agonists has shown positive results in ameliorating cardio-metabolic disease conditions. Chrysin, a natural flavonoid has shown to possess PPAR-γ agonist activity along with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of chrysin in isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury in diabetic rats. In male albino Wistar rats, diabetes was induced by single injection of streptozotocin (70 mg/kg, i.p.). After confirmation of the diabetes, rats were treated with vehicle (1.5 mL/kg, p.o.), chrysin (60 mg/kg, p.o.) or PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 28 days. Simultaneously, on 27th and 28th day myocardial injury was induced by isoproterenol (85 mg/kg, s.c.). Chrysin significantly ameliorated cardiac dysfunction as reflected by improved MAP, ±LVdP/dtmax and LVEDP in diabetic rats. This improvement was associated with increased PPAR-γ expression and reduced RAGE expression in diabetic rats. Chrysin significantly decreased inflammation through inhibiting NF-κBp65/IKK-β expression and TNF-α level. Additionally, chrysin significantly reduced apoptosis as indicated by augmented Bcl-2 expression and decreased Bax and caspase-3 expressions. Furthermore, chrysin inhibited nitro-oxidative stress by normalizing the alteration in 8-OHdG, GSH, TBARS, NO and CAT levels and Nox4, MnSOD, eNOS and NT expressions. Co-administration of GW9662 significantly blunted the chrysin mediated cardioprotective effect as there was increase in oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis markers. Chrysin significantly ameliorated isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury in diabetic rats via PPAR-γ activation and inhibition of AGE-RAGE mediated oxidative stress and inflammation.

Lactobacillus fermentum Suo Attenuates HCl/Ethanol Induced Gastric Injury in Mice through Its Antioxidant Effects.

The purpose of the study was to determine the inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus fermentum Suo (LF-Suo) on HCl/ethanol induced gastric injury in ICR (Institute for Cancer Research) mice and explain the mechanism of these effects through the molecular biology activities of LF-Suo. The studied mice were divided into four groups: healthy, injured, LF-Suo-L and LF-Suo-H group. After the LF-Suo intragastric administration, the gastric injury area was reduced compared to the injured group. The serum MOT (motilin), SP (substance P), ET (endothelin) levels of LF-Suo treated mice were lower, and SS (somatostatin), VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) levels were higher than the injured group mice. The cytokine IL-6 (interleukin 6), IL-12 (interleukin 12), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and IFN-γ (interferon-γ) serum levels were decreased after the LF-Suo treatment. The gastric tissues SOD (superoxide dismutase), GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase), NO (nitric oxide) and activities of LF-Suo treated mice were increased and MDA (malondialdehyde) activity was decreased compared to the injured group mice. By the RT-PCR assay, LF-Suo raised the occludin, EGF (epidermal growth factor), EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), Fit-1 (fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), IκB-α (inhibitor kappaB-α), nNOS (neuronal nitric oxide synthase), eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT (catalase) mRNA or protein expressions and reduced the COX-2, NF-κB (nuclear factor kappaB), and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) expressions in gastric tissues compared to the gastric injured group mice. A high concentration (1.0 × 109 CFU/kg b.w.) of LF-Suo treatment showed stronger anti-gastric injury effects compared to a low concentration of (0.5 × 109 CFU/kg b.w.) of LF-Suo treatment. LF-Suo also showed strong survival in pH 3.0 man-made gastric juice and hydrophobic properties. These results indicate that LF-Suo has potential use as probiotics for its gastric injury treatment effects.

IDH2 deficiency impairs mitochondrial function in endothelial cells and endothelium-dependent vasomotor function

Mitochondrial NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH2) plays an essential role protecting cells against oxidative stress-induced damage. A deficiency in IDH2 leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiomyocytes and cancer cells. However, the function of IDH2 in vascular endothelial cells is mostly unknown. In this study the effects of IDH2 deficiency on mitochondrial and vascular function were investigated in endothelial cells. IDH2 knockdown decreased the expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes I, II and III, which lead to increased mitochondrial superoxide. In addition, the levels of fission and fusion proteins (Mfn-1, OPA-1, and Drp-1) were significantly altered and MnSOD expression also was decreased by IDH2 knockdown. Furthermore, knockdown of IDH2 decreased eNOS phosphorylation and nitric oxide (NO) concentration in endothelial cells. Interestingly, treatment with Mito-TEMPO, a mitochondrial-specific superoxide scavenger, recovered mitochondrial fission–fusion imbalance and blunted mitochondrial superoxide production, and reduced the IDH2 knockdown-induced decrease in MnSOD expression, eNOS phosphorylation and NO production in endothelial cells. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was impaired, and the concentration of bioavailable NO decreased in the aortic ring in IDH2 knockout mice. These findings suggest that IDH2 deficiency induces endothelial dysfunction through the induction of dynamic mitochondrial changes and impairment in vascular function.

Modification of Caffeic Acid with Pyrrolidine Enhances Antioxidant Ability by Activating AKT/HO-1 Pathway in Heart.

Overproduction of free radicals during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury leads to an interest in using antioxidant therapy. Activating an endogenous antioxidant signaling pathway is more important due to the fact that the free radical scavenging behavior in vitro does not always correlate with a cytoprotection effect in vivo. Caffeic acid (CA), an antioxidant, is a major phenolic constituent in nature. Pyrrolidinyl caffeamide (PLCA), a derivative of CA, was compared with CA for their antioxidant and cytoprotective effects. Our results indicate that CA and PLCA exert the same ability to scavenge DPPH in vitro. In response to myocardial I/R stress, PLCA was shown to attenuate lipid peroxydation and troponin release more than CA. These responses were accompanied with a prominent elevation in AKT and HO-1 expression and a preservation of mnSOD expression and catalase activity. PLCA also improved cell viability and alleviated the intracellular ROS level more than CA in cardiomyocytes exposed to H2O2. When inhibiting the AKT or HO-1 pathways, PLCA lost its ability to recover mnSOD expression and catalase activity to counteract with oxidative stress, suggesting AKT/HO-1 pathway activation by PLCA plays an important role. In addition, inhibition of AKT signaling further abolished HO-1 activity, while inhibition of HO-1 signaling attenuated AKT expression, indicating cross-talk between the AKT and HO-1 pathways. These protective effects may contribute to the cardiac function improvement by PLCA. These findings provide new insight into therapeutic approaches using a modified natural compound against oxidative stress from myocardial injuries.

ERK5/HDAC5‐mediated, resveratrol‐, and pterostilbene‐induced expression of MnSOD in human endothelial cells

ERK5/HDAC5‐mediated, resveratrol‐, and pterostilbene‐induced expression of MnSOD in human endothelial cells

Role of mitochondria and NADPH oxidase derived reactive oxygen species in hyperoxaluria induced nephrolithiasis: therapeutic intervention with combinatorial therapy of N-acetyl cysteine and Apocynin

The interactions between the main cellular sources of ROS, such as mitochondria and NADPH oxidase, are known to play an imperative role in the pathogenesis of hyperoxaluria-induced nephrolithiasis. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of a combinatorial therapy based on the attenuation of oxidative stress with antioxidant (N-acetyl cysteine), and NADPH oxidase inhibitor (apocynin), that might be required to effectively eliminate hyperoxaluric manifestations. Hyperoxaluria was induced in male Wistar rats by administering 0.4% ethylene glycol with 1% ammonium chloride in drinking water for 9days. Hyperoxaluria accentuated renal oxidative stress in terms of increased ROS production and lipid peroxidation. Mitochondrial dysfunction, a central deleterious event in renal stone crystallization, was evident by decreased activities of electron transport chain complex I, II and IV, augmented mitochondrial ROS, reduced GSH/GSSG ratio, which resulted in the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening as indicated by increased mitochondrial swelling in hyperoxaluric rats. Furthermore, NADPH oxidase activity was significantly increased, with raised expression of NOX1, NOX2, NOX4, p38MAPK and MnSOD, in the renal tissue of hyperoxaluric rats compared to control. However, combinatorial therapy with N-acetyl cysteine (50mg/kg/day) and apocynin (200mg/kg/day), intraperitoneally, significantly improved renal functions in hyperoxaluric rats and considerably ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction. NAC with apocynin was also found to be effective in reducing the redundant activity of NADPH oxidase in renal tissue of hyperoxaluric rats. Hence, our investigation provides novel mechanistic insights that combinatorial approaches using targeted modulators of ROS offer therapeutic benefits in hyperoxaluria-induced nephrolithiasis.

Superoxide dismutases in chronic gastritis.

Human gastric diseases have shown significant changes in the activity and expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms. The aim of this study was to detect Mn-SOD activity and expression in the tissue of gastric mucosa, primarily in chronic gastritis (immunohistochemical Helicobacter pylori-negative gastritis, without other pathohistological changes) and to evaluate their possible connection with pathohistological diagnosis. We examined 51 consecutive outpatients undergoing endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients were classified based on their histopathological examinations and divided into three groups: 51 patients (archive samples between 2004-2009) with chronic immunohistochemical Helicobacter pylori-negative gastritis (mononuclear cells infiltration were graded as absent, moderate, severe) divided into three groups. Severity of gastritis was graded according to the updated Sydney system. Gastric tissue samples were used to determine the expression of Mn-SOD with anti-Mn-SOD Ab immunohistochemically. The Mn-SOD expression was more frequently present in specimens with severe and moderate inflammation of gastric mucosa than in those with normal mucosa. In patients with normal histological finding, positive immunoreactivity of Mn-SOD was not found. Our results determine the changes in Mn-SOD expression occurring in the normal gastric mucosa that had undergone changes in the intensity of chronic inflammatory infiltrates in the lamina propria.

A novel SOD mimic with a redox-modulating mn (II) complex, ML1 attenuates high glucose-induced abnormalities in intracellular Ca2+ transients and prevents cardiac cell death through restoration of mitochondrial function

A key contributor to the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy, mitochondrial superoxide can be adequately countered by Mn-superoxide dismutase, which constitutes the first line of defense against mitochondrial oxidative stress. Our group has recently synthesized low molecular weight SOD mimics, demonstrating superior protection against oxidative damages to kidney cells. In the current study, we sought to evaluate the protective effect of the SOD mimic ML1 against high glucose induced cardiomyopathy in diabetes. Mechanistic studies using rat cardiac myoblast H9c2 showed that ML1 markedly inhibited High Glucose (HG) induced cytotoxicity. This was associated with increased Mn-SOD expression along with decreased mitochondrial O2·-, ONOO- and Ca2+ accumulation, unveiling its anti-oxidant potentials. ML1 also attenuated HG-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and release of cytochrome c, suggesting that ML1 effectuates its cytoprotective action via the preservation of mitochondrial function. In an ex-vivo model normal adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs) were isolated and cultured in either normal glucose (5.5mmol/l glucose) or HG (25.5mmol/l glucose) conditions and the efficiency of ML-1 was analyzed by studying contractile function and calcium indices. Mechanical properties were assessed using a high-speed video-edge detection system, and intracellular Ca2+ transients were recorded in fura-2–loaded myocytes. Pretreatment of myocytes with ML1 (10nM) ameliorated HG induced abnormalities in relaxation including depressed peak shortening, prolonged time to 90% relenghthening, and slower Ca2+ transient decay. Thus, ML1 exhibits significant cardio protection against oxidative damage, perhaps through its potent antioxidant action via activation of Mn-SOD.

Prolonged Fasting Improves Endothelial Progenitor Cell-Mediated Ischemic Angiogenesis in Mice

Background/Aims: Prolonged fasting (PF) was shown to be of great potency to promote optimal health and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. This study sought to determine the effect of PF on the endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-mediated angiogenesis in the ischemic brain and cerebral ischemic injury in mice. Methods: Mice were subjected to PF or periodic PF after cerebral ischemia, and histological analysis and behavioral tests were performed. Mouse EPCs were isolated and examined, and the effects of EPC transplantation on cerebral ischemic injury were investigated in mice. Results: It was found that PF significantly increased the EPC functions and angiogenesis in the ischemic brain, and attenuated the cerebral ischemic injury in mice that was previously subjected to cerebral ischemia. Periodic PF might reduce cortical atrophy and improve long-term neurobehavioral outcomes after cerebral ischemia in mice. The eNOS and MnSOD expression and intracellular NO level were increased, and TSP-2 expression and intracellular O₂^- level were reduced in EPCs from PF-treated mice compared to control. In addition, transplanted EPCs might home into ischemic brain, and the EPCs from PF-treated mice had a stronger ability to promote angiogenesis in ischemic brain and reduce cerebral ischemic injury compared to the EPCs from control mice. The EPC-conditioned media from PF-treated mice exerted a stronger effect on cerebral ischemic injury reduction compared to that from control mice. Conclusion: Prolonged fasting promoted EPC-mediated ischemic angiogenesis and improved long-term stroke outcomes in mice. It is implied that prolonged fasting might potentially be an option to treat ischemic vascular diseases.

Can Melatonin Act as an Antioxidant in Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress Model in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells?

Purpose. We aimed to investigate the possible effects of melatonin on gene expressions and activities of MnSOD and catalase under conditions of oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Materials and Methods. PBMCs were isolated from healthy subjects and treated as follows: (1) control (only with 0.1% DMSO for 12 h); (2) melatonin (1 mM) for 12 h; (3) H2O2 (250 μM) for 2 h; (4) H2O2 (250 μM) for 2 h following 10 h pretreatment with melatonin (1 mM). The gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. MnSOD and catalase activities in PBMCs were determined by colorimetric assays. Results. Pretreatment of PBMCs with melatonin significantly augmented expression and activity of MnSOD which were diminished by H2O2. Melatonin treatment of PBMCs caused a significant upregulation of catalase by almost 2-fold in comparison with untreated cells. However, activity and expression of catalase increased by 1.5-fold in PBMCs under H2O2-induced oxidative stress compared with untreated cell. Moreover, pretreatment of PBMCs with melatonin resulted in a significant 1.8-fold increase in catalase expression compared to PBMCs treated only with H2O2. Conclusion. It seems that melatonin could prevent from undesirable impacts of H2O2-induced oxidative stress on MnSOD downregulation. Moreover, melatonin could promote inductive effect of H2O2 on catalase mRNA expression.

Notch1 Pathway Protects against Burn-Induced Myocardial Injury by Repressing Reactive Oxygen Species Production through JAK2/STAT3 Signaling.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in burn-induced myocardial injury, but the cellular mechanisms that control reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and scavenging are not fully understood. This study demonstrated that blockade of Notch signaling via knockout of the transcription factor RBP-J or a pharmacological inhibitor aggravated postburn myocardial injury, which manifested as deteriorated serum CK, CK-MB, and LDH levels and increased apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Interruption of Notch signaling increased intracellular ROS production, and a ROS scavenger reversed the exacerbated myocardial injury after Notch signaling blockade. These results suggest that Notch signaling deficiency aggravated postburn myocardial injury through increased ROS levels. Notch signaling blockade also decreased MnSOD expression in vitro and in vivo. Notably, Notch signaling blockade downregulated p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 expression. Inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 signaling with AG490 markedly decreased MnSOD expression, increased ROS production, and aggravated myocardial injury. AG490 plus GSI exerted no additional effects. These results demonstrate that Notch signaling protects against burn-induced myocardial injury through JAK2/STAT3 signaling, which activates the expression of MnSOD and leads to decreased ROS levels.

Mn-SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD mRNA expression in relation to physiological indices of Sahiwal and Karan-Fries Heifers under different temperature humidity indices

The present study was carried out during October 2007 to July 2008 in five different combinations of maximum temperature (Tmax) / minimum temperature (Tmin) viz. P1: &lt;20oC/&lt;10oC; P2: &gt;20oC/&lt;10oC, P3: &gt;30oC/&lt;15oC; P4: &gt;35oC/&lt;20oC and P5: &gt;35oC/&gt;20oC. The study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of superoxide dismutase enzymes viz. Mn-SOD mRNA and Cu,Zn-SOD mRNA in relation to physiological responses of Sahiwal and Karan-Fries cattle. Physiological indices revealed no significant breed differences indicating similar levels of heat adaptability. During P1, expression of Mn-SOD was higher in KF than in Sahiwal while during P5, expression of Cu,Zn-SOD was higher in KF than in Sahiwal (p&lt;0.05). Mn-SOD expression in Sahiwal increased with cold stress while Cu,Zn-SOD expression in KF increased with hot stress (p&lt;0.05).

Abstract 19979: Endothelium-specific Increase in ROS has Protective Effects on Vascular Endothelium in Ischemic Myocardium

Introduction: Increased ROS is often associated with vascular pathology. Recent findings demonstrated that increases in NADPH oxidase-derived endothelium (EC)-specific ROS improved coronary endothelial function by activating AMPK-eNOS signaling pathway. Here, we examined the effects of EC-ROS on vessel density in post-infarct ischemic myocardium. Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that increased EC-ROS induces AMPK-FOXO1-mediated overexpression of mitochondrial antioxidant MnSOD, which in turn has protective effects on vascular endothelium in ischemic myocardium. Methods: Our binary (Tet-ON/OFF) conditional transgenic mouse (Tet-Nox2:VE-Cad-tTA) induces 1.8±0.42-fold increase in NADPH oxidase-derived ROS in endothelium. Using these animals, we have induced myocardial infarction by LAD (left anterior descending) ligation. Results: Co-immunostaining of the ischemic myocardium using anti-CD31 and anti-SMA antibodies demonstrated that there was an increase in capillary density (by 38± 6.45; p&lt;0.05) in Tet-Nox2:VE-Cad-tTA mice with high EC-ROS. Isolated mouse heart ECs showed an increase in AMPK-Foxo1-mediated expression of MnSOD in Tet-Nox2:VE-Cad-tTA mice compared to control. Together, these findings suggest that increase in EC-ROS increases mitochondrial antioxidant MnSOD, which in turn protects coronary endothelium in myocardial ischemia. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the endothelial ROS may play an important role in myocardial preservation.

Abstract 13828: Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 Induces Cellular Senescence in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells From Skeletal Muscle Independently of Klotho Pathway

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in skeletal muscle represent a distinct cell population from satellite cells (StCs), and the functional impairment have shown to be associated with ectopic fat formation in muscle tissues. Muscle wasting and/or degeneration are prevalent in heart failure and chronic kidney disease. However, it remains unknown whether such disease condition influences the MSC function and fate. Thus, aim of this study was to investigate effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 and angiotensin (ANG)-II, neurohumoral factors related to pathophysiology of cardio-renal syndrome (CRS), on the MSCs in culture system. Methods and Results: MSCs were isolated from human skeletal muscle and cultured with appropriate growth medium. Gene expression analysis demonstrated the enhanced expression of FGF receptors and ANG-II type 1 receptor in the MSCs as compared with the human StCs. Klotho gene was not detected in the two progenitors. The cultured MSCs and StCs were treated with FGF-23 (10ng/ml) and ANG-II (100 nM) for 48 hours. Cell proliferation assay revealed significant decreased cell number in the MSCs treated with FGF-23 but not ANG-II than in the controls (58 % of the controls, p&lt; 0.05). The neurohumoral factors did not affect the cell counts of the StCs. The FGF-23 treated MSCs exhibited the senescent phenotype, as judged by senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay (%senescent cells: 46.5± 11.7 % in the FGF-23 vs. 35.8± 5.8% in the controls, p&lt; 0.05), cell morphology, and increased expression of p53 and p21 in western blot analysis. FGF-23 also augmented intracellular oxidative stress in the MSCs. The mechanisms responsible for the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were attributable to increased NADPH oxidase and decreased MnSOD expression in the cells. In histological study, p53-positive senescent MSCs were detected in adipose infiltration area of degenerated gastrocunemius muscle tissues from a CRS patient. Conclusions: Results of this study indicate that FGF-23 induces premature senescence in human MSCs from skeletal muscle via promoting ROS/p53/p21 pathway in klotho-independent action. Interaction of the MSCs with FGF-23 may play a key role in muscle wasting in patients with CRS.

Sirtuin 3 regulates Foxo3a-mediated antioxidant pathway in microglia

Microglia are the prime cellular sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the central nervous system (CNS). Chronic activation of microglia has been linked to aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) since they produce excessive amounts of ROS for a prolonged duration leading to oxidative stress. The present study was aimed at investigating the expression and role of Sirtuin 3 (Sirt3), a protein deacetylase which is implicated in regulating cellular ROS levels. It has been shown that Sirt3 reduces cellular ROS levels by deacetylating forkhead box O 3a (Foxo3a), a transcription factor which transactivates antioxidant genes, catalase (Cat) and manganese superoxide dismutase (mnSod).In the present study, Sirt3 immunoreactivity was localized in the ameboid microglial cells distributed in the corpus callosum (CC) of the early postnatal rat brain and diminished in the ramified microglial cells in the CC of the adult rat brain. A marked induction of Sirt3 expression was seen in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia in vivo and in vitro as well as in adult rat brains subjected to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Knockdown of Sirt3 in microglia led to an increase in the cellular and mitochondrial ROS and decrease in the expression of antioxidant, mnSod which is indicative of the function of Sirt3 in ROS regulation in microglia. Conversely, Sirt3 overexpression led to increase in the expression of antioxidants Cat and mnSod. Further, increase in the expression and nuclear translocation of Foxo3a was observed following Sirt3 overexpression, suggesting that Sirt3 regulates ROS by inducing the expression of antioxidants via activation of Foxo3a. The above results point to an antioxidant defense mechanism presented by Sirt3 through the activation of Foxo3a, in microglia.

Caveolin-1 regulates cancer cell metabolism via scavenging Nrf2 and suppressing MnSOD-driven glycolysis.

Aerobic glycolysis is an indispensable component of aggressive cancer cell metabolism. It also distinguishes cancer cells from most healthy cell types in the body. Particularly for this reason, targeting the metabolism to improve treatment outcomes has long been perceived as a potentially valuable strategy. In practice, however, our limited knowledge of why and how metabolic reprogramming occurs has prevented progress towards therapeutic interventions that exploit the metabolic peculiarities of tumors. We recently described that in breast cancer, MnSOD upregulation is both necessary and sufficient to activate glycolysis. Here, we focused on determining the molecular mechanisms of MnSOD upregulation. We found that Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is a central component of this mechanism due to its suppressive effects of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor upstream of MnSOD. In transformed MCF10A(Er/Src) cells, Cav-1 loss preceded the activation of Nrf2 and its induction of MnSOD expression. Consistently, with previous observations, MnSOD expression secondary to Nrf2 activation led to an increase in the glycolytic rate dependent on mtH2O2 production and the activation of AMPK. Moreover, rescue of Cav-1 expression in a breast cancer cell line (MCF7) suppressed Nrf2 and reduced MnSOD expression. Experimental data were reinforced by epidemiologic nested case-control studies showing that Cav-1 and MnSOD are inversely expressed in cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, with low Cav-1 and high MnSOD expression being associated with lower 5-year survival rates and molecular subtypes with poorest prognosis.

Inhibition of the alternative respiratory pathway at high temperatures leads to higher reactive oxygen species production and downregulation of the antioxidant defense system in squash leaves

In this work, the role of the alternative respiratory pathway in the heat tolerance of squashes was determined. Heat-tolerant C. moschata, heat-susceptible C. maxima and intermediate heat-tolerant ‘Maxchata’ plants were sprayed with an inhibitor of the alternative respiratory pathway, 2 mM salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), or water and were subjected to three different temperatures, i.e., 30 °C (control), 37 °C daytime temperature (moderate heat stress) or 42 °C daytime temperature (severe heat stress), for 7 days. The results indicated that total, cytochrome and alternative respirations were high in C. moschata and ‘Maxchata’ at both 37 and 42 °C, but decreased in C. maxima at 42 °C. Moreover, the increase in reactive oxygen species production upon heat exposure was also more apparent in SHAM-treated squashes compared with water-treated ones. The transcript levels of APX1, APX2,CAT1, CAT2, CAT3, Cu/ZnSOD, FeSOD and MnSOD were determined in both the SHAM- and water-treated squash leaves that were exposed to heat stress. It was observed that CAT1 and FeSOD were downregulated in SHAM-treated C. moschata plants under heat stress conditions. In addition, the expressions of CAT2 and MnSOD were lower in SHAM-treated C. moschata and ‘Maxchata’ plants. These results indicate some type of interrelationship between AOX and antioxidant systems. However, the complexity of the regulatory mechanisms and their contribution to the stress tolerance of squashes requires further research.

Salidroside protects retinal endothelial cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury via modulating oxidative status and apoptosis.

Oxidative stress can cause injury in retinal endothelial cells. Salidroside is a strong antioxidative and cytoprotective supplement in Chinese traditional medicine. In this study, we investigated the effects of salidroside on H2O2-induced primary retinal endothelial cells injury. Salidroside decreased H2O2-induced cell death, and efficiently suppressed cellular ROS production, malondialdehyde generation, and cell apoptosis induced by H2O2 treatment. Salidroside induced the intracellular mRNA expression, protein expression, and enzymatic activities of catalase and Mn-SOD and increased the ratio of Bcl2/Bax. Our results demonstrated that salidroside protected retinal endothelial cells against oxidative injury through increasing the Bcl2/Bax signaling pathway and activation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. This finding presents salidroside as an attractive agent with potential to attenuate retinopathic diseases.

Alpha-Synuclein Regulates Neuronal Levels of Manganese and Calcium.

Manganese (Mn) may foster aggregation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) contributing to the pathogenesis of PD. Here, we examined the influence of αSyn overexpression on distribution and oxidation states of Mn in frozen-hydrated primary midbrain neurons (PMNs) by synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES). Overexpression of αSyn increased intracellular Mn levels, whereas levels of Ca, Zn, K, P, and S were significantly decreased. Mn oxidation states were not altered. A strong correlation between Cu-/Mn-levels as well as Fe-/Mn-levels was observed in αSyn-overexpressing cells. Subcellular resolution revealed a punctate or filament-like perinuclear and neuritic distribution of Mn, which resembled the expression of DMT1 and MnSOD. While overexpression of αSyn did not significantly alter the expression patterns of the most-expressed Mn transport proteins (DMT1, VGCC, Fpn1), it attenuated the Mn release from Mn-treated neurons. Thus, these data suggest that αSyn may act as an intracellular Mn store. In total, neurotoxicity in PD could be mediated via regulation of transition metal levels and the metal-binding capacity of αSyn, which could represent a promising therapeutic target for this neurodegenerative disorder.