Morin exerts neuroprotective actions in Parkinson disease models in vitro and in vivo

Aim:

To investigate the neuroprotective effects of morin on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP⁺)-induced apoptosis in neuronal differentiated PC12 cells as well as in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinson disease (PD).

Methods:

PC12 cells were challenged with MPP⁺ in the presence or absence of morin. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assayed using fluorescence assay. In an MPTP mouse model of PD, behavioral deficits, striatal dopamine content, and number of dopaminergic neurons were measured.

Results:

MPP⁺ induced apoptosis and ROS formation in PC12 cells. Concomitant treatment with morin (5-50 μmol/L) significantly attenuated the loss of cell viability and apoptosis when compared with MPP⁺ treatment alone. Morin also attenuated ROS formation induced by MPP⁺. MPTP induced permanent behavioral deficits and nigrostriatal lesions in mice. When administered prior to MPTP, morin (20 to 100 mg/kg) attenuated behavioral deficits, dopaminergic neuronal death and striatal dopamine depletion in the MPTP mouse model.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that morin has neuroprotective actions both in vitro and in vivo, and may provide a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.     

Autophagy-dependent removal of α-synuclein: a novel mechanism of GM1 ganglioside neuroprotection against Parkinson’s disease

GM1 ganglioside is particularly abundant in the mammalian central nervous system and has shown beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases.In this study,we investigated the therapeutic effect of GM1 ganglioside in experimental models of Parkinson’s disease(PD)in vivo and in vitro.Mice were injected with MPTP(30 mg·kg-1·d?1,i.p.)for 5 days,resulting in a subacute model of PD.PD mice were treated with GM1 ganglioside(25,50 mg·kg^?1·d^?1,i.p.)for 2 weeks.We showed that GM1 ganglioside administration substantially improved the MPTP-induced behavioral disturbance and increased the levels of dopamine and its metabolites in the striatal tissues.In the MPP⁺-treated SH-SY5Y cells andα-synuclein(α-Syn)A53T-overexpressing PC12(PC12^(α-Syn A53T))cells,treatment with GM1 ganglioside(40μM)significantly decreasedα-Syn accumulation and alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.We further revealed that treatment with GM1 ganglioside promoted autophagy,evidenced by the autophagosomes that appeared in the substantia nigra of PD mice as well as the changes of autophagy-related proteins(LC3-II and p62)in the MPP⁺-treated SH-SY5Y cells.Cotreatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or bafilomycin A1 abrogated the in vivo and in vitro neuroprotective effects of GM1 ganglioside.Using GM1 ganglioside labeled with FITC fluorescent,we observed apparent colocalization of GM1-FITC andα-Syn as well as GM1-FITC and LC3 in PC12^(α-Syn A53T)cells.GM1 ganglioside significantly increased the phosphorylation of autophagy regulatory proteins ATG13 and ULK1 in doxycycline-treated PC12^(α-Syn A53T)cells and the MPP⁺-treated SH-SY5Y cells,which was inhibited by 3-MA.Taken together,this study demonstrates that the anti-PD role of GM1 ganglioside resulted from activation of autophagy-dependentα-Syn clearance.     

The roles of the thioredoxin system and peroxiredoxins in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium ion-induced cytotoxicity in rat pheochromocytoma cells

The 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium ion (MPP⁺), an active metabolite of the neurotoxin, N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), induces death in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, suggesting a cell model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, most of the toxic mechanisms remain illusive. In this study, we have found that MPP⁺ induced apoptotic cell death in PC12 cells as measured by the MTT assay and annexin V-FITC staining. Besides, MPP⁺ also resulted in decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased mitochondrial free radical formation as imaged by the staining of TMRE or MitoSOX, respectively, confirming the neurotoxic effect of MPP⁺ by interfering with mitochondrial functions. Western blot analysis indicated that MPP⁺ differentially regulated the expressions and over-oxidation of thioredoxin systems and peroxiredoxins. Since these enzymes are known to prevent oxidative stress and apoptosis, these evidences could be regarded as a novel neurotoxic mechanism of MPP⁺ and also provide an alternative view of developing drug therapies for PD.     

Liquid chromatographic–electrospray mass spectrometric determination of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) in discrete regions of murine brain

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is widely used as a neurotoxin in several models of Parkinson’s disease in mice. MPTP is metabolized to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺), which is a mitochondrial toxicant of central dopamine (DA) neurons. There are species, strain, and age differences in sensitivity to MPTP. Simultaneous measurement of the MPTP active metabolite MPP⁺ and dopamine (DA) in the brain would be helpful in mechanistic studies of this neurotoxin. The objective of this study was to develop a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method for analysis of MPTP and MPP⁺ in brain tissue and correlate these in the same sample with changes in DA measured via HPLC coupled with electrochemical detection. Twenty-five C57BL/6J7 8-week old female mice were used in the study. Mice were given a single subcutaneous injection of MPTP (20?mg/kg) and were sacrificed 1, 2, 4, or 8?h later. Zero time control mice received an injection of 0.9% normal saline (10?ml/kg) and were killed 1?h later. Brains were rapidly harvested and quickly frozen, and microdissected brain regions were placed in 0.1?M phosphate-citric acid buffer containing 20% methanol (pH 2.5). A new LC/MS method was successfully developed that utilized selected reaction monitoring (SRM) of MPP⁺ m/z 170→127, 170→128, and 170→154 fragmentation for quantitation and area ratios (m/z 127)/(m/z 128) and (m/z 154)/(128) for identity confirmation. A similar SRM strategy from m/z 174 was unable to detect any significant levels of MPTP down to 0.4 ppb. According to this method, MPP⁺ was detected in the nucleus accumbens (NA) and the striatum (ST), with the levels in the NA being 3-times higher than those in the ST. The advantage of this approach is that the tissue buffer used in this procedure allowed concurrent measurement of striatal DA, thus enabling direct correlation between accumulation of tissue MPP⁺ and depletion of DA concentrations in discrete regions of the brain.     

Insulin induced translocation of Na^＋/K^＋-ATPase is decreased in the heart of streptozotocin diabetic rats

Aim:

To investigate the effect of acute insulin administration on the subcellular localization of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase isoforms in cardiac muscle of healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methods:

Membrane fractions were isolated with subcellular fractionation and with cell surface biotinylation technique. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase subunit isoforms were analysed with ouabain binding assay and Western blotting. Enzyme activity was measured using 3-O-methylfluorescein-phosphatase activity.

Results:

In control rat heart muscle α1 isoform of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase resides mainly in the plasma membrane fraction, while α2 isoform in the intracellular membrane pool. Diabetes decreased the abundance of α1 isoform (25 %, P<0.05) in plasma membrane and α2 isoform (50%, P<0.01) in the intracellular membrane fraction. When plasma membrane fractions were isolated by discontinuous sucrose gradients, insulin-stimulated translocation of α2- but not α1-subunits was detected. α1-Subunit translocation was only detectable by cell surface biotinylation technique. After insulin administration protein level of α2 increased by 3.3-fold, α1 by 1.37-fold and β1 by 1.51-fold (P<0.02) in the plasma membrane of control, and less than 1.92-fold (P<0.02), 1.19-fold (not significant) and 1.34-fold (P<0.02) in diabetes. The insulin-induced translocation was wortmannin sensitive.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrate that insulin influences the plasma membrane localization of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase isoforms in the heart. α2 isoform translocation is the most vulnerable to the reduced insulin response in diabetes. α1 isoform also translocates in response to insulin treatment in healthy rat. Insulin mediates Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α1- and α2-subunit translocation to the cardiac muscle plasma membrane via a PI3-kinase-dependent mechanism.     

Electrical conduction along endothelial cell tubes from mouse feed arteries: confounding actions of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Electrical conduction along endothelium of resistance vessels has not been determined independently of the influence of smooth muscle, surrounding tissue or blood. Two interrelated hypotheses were tested: (i) Intercellular conduction of electrical signals is manifest in endothelial cell (EC) tubes; and (ii) Inhibitors of gap junction channels (GJCs) have confounding actions on EC electrical and Ca²⁺ signalling.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Intact EC tubes were isolated from abdominal muscle feed (superior epigastric) arteries of C57BL/6 mice. Hyperpolarization was initiated with indirect (ACh) and direct (NS309) stimulation of intermediate- and small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels (IK_Ca/SK_Ca). Remote membrane potential (V_m) responses to intracellular current injection defined the length constant (λ) for electrical conduction. Dye coupling was evaluated following intracellular microinjection of propidium iodide. Intracellular Ca²⁺ dynamics were determined using Fura-2 photometry. Carbenoxolone (CBX) or β-glycyrrhetinic acid (βGA) was used to investigate the role of GJCs.

KEY RESULTS

Steady-state V_m of ECs was −25 mV. ACh and NS309 hyperpolarized ECs by −40 and −60 mV respectively. Electrical conduction decayed monoexponentially with distance (λ∼1.4 mm). Propidium iodide injected into one EC spread into surrounding ECs. CBX or βGA inhibited dye transfer, electrical conduction and EC hyperpolarization reversibly. Both agents elevated resting Ca²⁺ while βGA inhibited responses to ACh.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Individual cells were effectively coupled to each other within EC tubes. Inhibiting GJCs with glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives blocked hyperpolarization mediated by IK_Ca/SK_Ca channels, regardless of Ca²⁺ signalling, obviating use of these agents in distinguishing key determinants of electrical conduction along the endothelium.     

Requirement of a dopaminergic neuronal phenotype for toxicity of low concentrations of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium to human cells

LUHMES cells are conditionally-immortalized non-transformed human fetal cells that can be differentiated to acquire a dopaminergic neuron-like phenotype under appropriate growth conditions. After differentiation by GDNF and cyclic adenosine monophosphate, LUHMES were sensitive to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺) toxicity at ≤ 5 μM, but resistant to the parental compound 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The high homogeneity and purity of the cultures allowed the detection of metabolic changes during the degeneration. Cellular ATP dropped in two phases after 24 and 48 h; cellular glutathione (GSH) decreased continuously, paralleled by an increase in lipid peroxidation. These events were accompanied by a time-dependent degeneration of neurites. Block of the dopamine transporter by GBR 12909 or mazindol completely abrogated MPP⁺ toxicity. Inhibition of de novo dopamine synthesis by α-methyl-l-tyrosine or 3-iodo-l-tyrosine attenuated toxicity, but did not reduce the initial drop in ATP. Inhibition of mixed lineage kinases by CEP1347 completely prevented the MPP⁺-induced loss of viability and intracellular GSH, but failed to attenuate the initial drop of ATP. For the quantitative assessment of neurite degeneration, an automated imaging-based high content screening approach was applied and confirmed the findings made by pharmacological interventions in this study. Our data indicate that inhibition of mitochondrial ATP synthesis is not sufficient to trigger cell death in MPP⁺-treated LUHMES.     

Role of Na+-K+ ATPase enzyme in vascular response of goat ruminal artery

Objective:

To study the role of Na⁺, K⁺- ATPase enzyme in the vascular response of goat ruminal artery.

Materials and Methods:

Ruminal artery was obtained in chilled aerated modified Krebs-Henseleit solution (KHS) from a local slaughterhouse and transported in ice for further processing. The endothelium intact arterial ring was mounted in a thermostatically controlled (37 ± 0.5°C) organ bath containing 20 ml of modified KHS (pH 7.4) bubbled with oxygen (95%) and CO₂ (5%) under 2g tension. An equilibration of 90 min was allowed before addition of drugs into the bath. The responses were recorded isometrically in an automatic organ bath connected to PowerLab data acquisition system. In order to examine intact functional endothelium, ACh (10 μM) was added on the 5-HT (1.0 μM) - induced sustained contractile response. Similarly, functional characterization of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity was done by K⁺-induced relaxation (10 μM-10 mM) in the absence and presence of ouabain (0.1 μM/ 0.1 mM), digoxin (0.1 μM) and barium (30 μM).

Results:

ACh (10⁻⁵ M) did not produce any relaxing effect on 5-HT-induced sustained contractile response suggesting that vascular endothelium has no significant influence on the activation of sodium pump by extracellular K⁺ in ruminal artery. Low concentration of Ba²⁺ (30 μM) (IC₅₀: 0.479 mM) inhibited K⁺-induced relaxation suggesting K_ir (inward rectifier) channel in part had role in K⁺-induced vasodilatation in ruminal artery. Vasorelaxant effect of KCl (10 μM-10 mM) in K⁺-free medium is also blocked by ouabain (0.1 μM and 0.1 mM) (IC₅₀:0.398 mM and IC₃₅: 1.36 mM), but not by digoxin (0.1 μM) (IC₅₀ 0.234 mM) suggesting that ouabain sensitive Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase isoform is present in the ruminal artery.

Conclusion:

In the goat ruminal artery functional regulation of sodium pump is partly mediated by K⁺ channel and ouabain sensitive Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase.     

The anti-cancer agent SU4312 unexpectedly protects against MPP+-induced neurotoxicity via selective and direct inhibition of neuronal NOS

Background and Purpose

SU4312, a potent and selective inhibitor of VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), has been designed to treat cancer. Recent studies have suggested that SU4312 can also be useful in treating neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we assessed neuroprotection by SU4312 against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP⁺)-induced neurotoxicity and further explored the underlying mechanisms.

Experimental Approach

MPP⁺-treated neurons and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated zebrafish were used to study neuroprotection by SU4312. NOS activity was assayed in vitro to examine direct interactions between SU4312 and NOS isoforms.

Key Results

SU4312 unexpectedly prevented MPP⁺-induced neuronal apoptosis in vitro and decreased MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons, reduced expression of mRNA for tyrosine hydroxylase and impaired swimming behaviour in zebrafish. In contrast, PTK787/ZK222584, a well-studied VEGFR-2 inhibitor, failed to prevent neurotoxicity, suggesting that the neuroprotective actions of SU4312 were independent of its anti-angiogenic action. Furthermore, SU4312 exhibited non-competitive inhibition of purified neuronal NOS (nNOS) with an IC₅₀ value of 19.0 μM but showed little or no effects on inducible and endothelial NOS. Molecular docking simulations suggested an interaction between SU4312 and the haem group within the active centre of nNOS.

Conclusions and Implication

SU4312 exhibited neuroprotection against MPP⁺ at least partly via selective and direct inhibition of nNOS. Because SU4312 could reach the brain in rats, our study also offered a support for further development of SU4312 to treat neurodegenerative disorders, particularly those associated with NO-mediated neurotoxicity.     

Salidroside protects PC12 cells from MPP-induced apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Salidroside (SAL), a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from Rhodiola rosea L., can exert potent antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the protective effects, and the possible mechanism of action, of SAL against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-induced cell damage in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with SAL significantly reduced the ability of MPP⁺ to induce apoptosis in a dose and time-dependent manner. SAL significantly and dose-dependently inhibited MPP⁺-induced chromatin condensation and MPP⁺-induced release of lactate dehydrogenase by PC12 cells. SAL enhanced Akt phosphorylation in PC12 cells, and the protective effects of SAL against MPP⁺-induced apoptosis were abolished by LY294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation. These findings suggest that SAL prevents MPP⁺-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, at least in part through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.     

Comparison of cytotoxicity of a quaternary pyridinium metabolite of haloperidol (HP+) with neurotoxinN-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MMP+) towards cultured dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells

Haloperidol has recently been found to be metabolized to its pyridinium ion (HP⁺). This conversion of haloperidol to HP⁺ appears to be similar to the activation of the dopaminergic neurotoxinN-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) toN-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium ion (MPP⁺). MPP⁺ is responsible for the damage of striatal dopaminergic neurons induced by MPTP in humans and animals. It seemed sensible to investigate whether or not HP⁺ might be toxic towards dopaminergic neurons and perhaps associated with some of the residual motofunction side effects of haloperidol. We therefore investigated the neurotoxicity of HP⁺ toward cultured human dopamine neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and compared it with that of MPP⁺. HP⁺ reduced the viability as measured by MTT and [³H]thymidine incorporation methods in SH-SY5Y cells. Cell membrane integrity is reduced by the treatment of HP⁺ as measured by intracellular LDH levels. The toxicity was concentration and time dependent. Interestingly, HP⁺ appeared to be more toxic than MPP⁺ towards the SH-SY5Y cells in early phase in cultures. The toxicity of MPP⁺ appear to be progressive and subsequently become more than HP⁺ with prolonged cultivation. In contrary to MPP⁺, the toxic effect of HP⁺ towards a dopamine transporter transfected SK-N-MC cell line is not different from its wild type. This indicates that dopamine uptake system is probably not involved in the cytotoxicity caused by HP⁺.     

Cell-based assays for Parkinson＇s disease using differentiated human LUHMES cells

Aim： Lund human mesencephalic （LUHMES） cells can be differentiated to post-mitotic cells with biochemical, morphological and functional features of dopaminergic （DAergic） neurons. Given the limited scale of primary DAergic neuron culture, we developed differentiated LUHMES cell-based cytotoxicity assays for identifying neuroprotective agents for Parkinson＇s disease （PD）. Methods： LUHMES cells were incubated in a differentiation medium containing cAMP and GDNF for 6 d, and then differentiated cells were treated with MPP＋ or infected with baculovirus containing a-synuclein. Cytotoxicity was determined by measuring intracellular ATP levels and caspase 3/7 activity in the cells. DAergic neuron-specific marker protein and mRNA levels in the cells were analyzed using Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. Results： LUHMES cells grew extensive neurites and became post-mitotic neuron-like cells during differentiation period, and three DAergic neuron markers TH, DAT and Nurrl exhibited different expression profiles. MPP＋ dose-dependently reduced ATP levels in the cells with an IC50 value of 65 pmol/L. MPP＋ （80 μmol/L） significantly increased caspase 3/7 activity in the cells. Both the CDK inhibitor GW8510 and the GSK313 inhibitor SB216763 effectively rescued MPP＋-induced reduction of ATP levels with ECso values of 12 and 205 nmol/L, respectively. Overexpression of α-synuclein also significantly decreased intracellular ATP levels and increased caspase 3/7 activity in the cells. GW8510 and SB216763 effectively rescued α-synuclein overexpression-induced reduction of ATP levels, whereas GW8510, but not SB216763, ameliorated （x-synuclein overexpression-induced increase of caspase 3/7 activity. Conclusion： MPP＋ and α-synuclein overexpression-induced cytotoxicity of differentiated LUHMES cells may serve as good alternative systems for identifying neuroprotective compounds for PD.     

Forskolin Changes the Relationship between Cytosolic Ca2+ and Contraction in Guinea Pig Ileum

This study was designed to clarify the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of forskolin on contraction, cytosolic Ca²⁺ level ([Ca²⁺]_i), and Ca²⁺ sensitivity in guinea pig ileum. Forskolin (0.1 nM~10 µM) inhibited high K⁺ (25 mM and 40 mM)- or histamine (3 µM)-evoked contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. Histamine-evoked contractions were more sensitive to forskolin than high K⁺-evoked contractions. Spontaneous changes in [Ca²⁺]_i and contractions were inhibited by forskolin (1 µM) without changing the resting [Ca²⁺]_i. Forskoln (10 µM) inhibited muscle tension more strongly than [Ca²⁺]_i stimulated by high K⁺, and thus shifted the [Ca²⁺]_i-tension relationship to the lower-right. In histamine-stimulated contractions, forskolin (1 µM) inhibited both [Ca²⁺]_i and muscle tension without changing the [Ca²⁺]_i-tension relationship. In α-toxin-permeabilized tissues, forskolin (10 µM) inhibited the 0.3 µM Ca²⁺-evoked contractions in the presence of 0.1 mM GTP, but showed no effect on the Ca²⁺-tension relationship. We conclude that forskolin inhibits smooth muscle contractions by the following two mechanisms: a decrease in Ca²⁺ sensitivity of contractile elements in high K⁺-stimulated muscle and a decrease in [Ca²⁺]_i in histamine-stimulated muscle.     

The antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice,a widely-used Chinese herb

Licorice is a common herb which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. More than 20 triterpenoids and nearly 300 flavonoids have been isolated from licorice. Recent studies have shown that these metabolites possess many pharmacological activities, such as antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and other activities. This paper provides a summary of the antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice. The active components and the possible mechanisms for these activities are summarized in detail. This review will be helpful for the further studies of licorice for its potential therapeutic effects as an antiviral or an antimicrobial agent.Abbreviations: CCEC, cerebral capillary vessel endothelial; CCL5, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5; CVA16, coxsackievirus A16; CVB3, coxsackievirus B3; CXCL10, chemokine, (C-X-C motif) ligand 10; DGC, dehydroglyasperin C; DHV, duck hepatitis virus; EV71, enterovirus 71; GA, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid; GATS, glycyrrhizic acid trisodium salt; GL, glycyrrhizin; GLD, glabridin; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HCV, hepatitis C virus; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; HMGB1, high-mobility-group box1; HRSV, human respiratory syncytial virus; HSV, herpes simplex virus; HSV1, herpes simplex virus type 1; IFN, interferon; IL-6, interleukin-6; LCA, licochalcone A; LCE, licochalcone E; ISL, isoliquiritigenin; LTG, liquiritigenin; MgIG, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate; MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; MSSA, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus; PMN, polymorph nuclear; PrV, pseudorabies virus; TCM, traditional Chinese medicineKEY WORDS: Licorice, Antiviral, Antimicrobial, Glycyrrhizin, Glycyrrhetinic acid, Chalcone     

Epithelial Na⁺ channel activity in human airway epithelial cells: the role of serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Glucocorticoids appear to control Na⁺ absorption in pulmonary epithelial cells via a mechanism dependent upon serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1), a kinase that allows control over the surface abundance of epithelial Na⁺ channel subunits (α-, β- and γ-ENaC). However, not all data support this model and the present study re-evaluates this hypothesis in order to clarify the mechanism that allows glucocorticoids to control ENaC activity.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Electrophysiological studies explored the effects of agents that suppress SGK1 activity upon glucocorticoid-induced ENaC activity in H441 human airway epithelial cells, whilst analyses of extracted proteins explored the associated changes to the activities of endogenous protein kinase substrates and the overall/surface expression of ENaC subunits.

KEY RESULTS

Although dexamethasone-induced (24 h) ENaC activity was dependent upon SGK1, prolonged exposure to this glucocorticoid did not cause sustained activation of this kinase and neither did it induce a coordinated increase in the surface abundance of α-, β- and γ-ENaC. Brief (3 h) exposure to dexamethasone, on the other hand, did not evoke Na⁺ current but did activate SGK1 and cause SGK1-dependent increases in the surface abundance of α-, β- and γ-ENaC.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Although glucocorticoids activated SGK1 and increased the surface abundance of α-, β- and γ-ENaC, these responses were transient and could not account for the sustained activation of ENaC. The maintenance of ENaC activity did, however, depend upon SGK1 and this protein kinase must therefore play an important but permissive role in glucocorticoid-induced ENaC activation.     

Inhibitor of PI3Kγ ameliorates TNBS-induced colitis in mice by affecting the functional activity of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-γ (PI3Kγ) is implicated in many pathophysiological conditions, and recent evidence has suggested its involvement in colitis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AS605240, a relatively selective PI3Kγ inhibitor, in experimental colitis and its underlying mechanisms.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Acute colitis was induced in mice by treatment with trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS), and the effect of AS605240 on colonic injury was assessed. Pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines were measured by immunohistochemistry, elisa, real time-polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry.

KEY RESULTS

Oral administration of AS605240 significantly attenuated TNBS-induced acute colitis and diminished the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor. The colonic levels and expression of IL-1β, CXCL-1/KC, MIP-2 and TNF-α were also reduced following therapeutic treatment with AS605240. Moreover, AS605240 reduced MIP-2 levels in a culture of neutrophils stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The mechanisms underlying these actions of AS605240 are related to nuclear factor-κ (NF-κB) inhibition. Importantly, the PI3Kγ inhibitor also up-regulated IL-10, CD25 and FoxP3 expression. In addition, a significant increase in CD25 and FoxP3 expression was found in isolated lamina propria CD4⁺ T cells of AS605240-treated mice. The effect of AS605240 on Treg induction was further confirmed by showing that concomitant in vivo blockade of IL-10R significantly attenuated its therapeutic activity.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results suggest that AS605240 protects mice against TNBS-induced colitis by inhibiting multiple inflammatory components through the NF-κB pathway while simultaneously inducing an increase in the functional activity of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Treg. Thus, AS605240 may offer a promising new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.     

6-Shogaol,an active compound of ginger,protects dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease models via anti-neuroinflammation

Aim:

6-Shogaol [1-(4-hydroxy-methoxyphenyl)-4-decen-one], a pungent compound isolated from ginger, has shown various neurobiological and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 6-shogaol on neuroinflammatory-induced damage of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in Parkinson''s disease (PD) models.

Methods:

Cultured rat mesencephalic cells were treated with 6-shogaol (0.001 and 0.01 μmol/L) for 1 h, then with MPP⁺(10 μmol/L) for another 23 h. The levels of TNF-α and NO in medium were analyzed spectrophotometrically. C57/BL mice were administered 6-shogaol (10 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹, po) for 3 d, and then MPTP (30 mg/kg, ip) for 5 d. Seven days after the last MPTP injection, behavioral testings were performed. The levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and macrophage antigen (MAC)-1 were determined with immunohistochemistry. The expression of iNOS and COX-2 was measured using RT PCR.

Results:

In MPP⁺-treated rat mesencephalic cultures, 6-shogaol significantly increased the number of TH-IR neurons and suppressed TNF-α and NO levels. In C57/BL mice, treatment with 6-shogaol reversed MPTP-induced changes in motor coordination and bradykinesia. Furthermore, 6-shogaol reversed MPTP-induced reductions in TH-positive cell number in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and TH-IR fiber intensity in stratum (ST). Moreover, 6-shogaol significantly inhibited the MPTP-induced microglial activation and increases in the levels of TNF-α, NO, iNOS, and COX-2 in both SNpc and ST.

Conclusion:

6-Shogaol exerts neuroprotective effects on DA neurons in in vitro and in vivo PD models.     

EFFECT OF BILE DUCT OBSTRUCTION ON HEPATIC UPTAKE OF 1-METHYL-4-PHENYLPYRIDINIUM IN THE RAT

Previous studies have demonstrated that the organic cation 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺) is avidly taken up by rat freshly isolated hepatocytes through at least two distinct transport mechanisms: the type I hepatic transporter of organic cations and P-glycoprotein. In this study, the effects of extrahepatic cholestasis induced by bile duct ligation for 4 days on the uptake of [³H]MPP⁺by rat freshly isolated hepatocytes and liver slices were determined. Bile duct ligation produced no significant alterations in the characteristics of [³H]MPP⁺uptake by freshly isolated hepatocytes. The strong correlation found between the effect of various drugs on [³H]MPP⁺uptake by hepatocytes from control and treated rats (r=0.958;P<0.0001;n=15) suggests that neither the type I hepatic transporter of organic cations nor P-glycoprotein were affected by bile duct ligation. On the contrary, uptake of [³H]MPP⁺by liver slices was markedly changed after bile duct ligation: (1) there was a significant increase (≅40%) in the amount of [³H]MPP⁺taken up by liver slices from bile duct-ligated rats; (2) there was no correlation between the effect of various drugs on [³H]MPP⁺uptake by liver slices from control and treated rats (r=0.772;P=0.072;n=6). On the basis of (1) the lack of effect of bile duct ligation on [³H]MPP⁺uptake by isolated hepatocytes; and (2) the profound morphological alterations of liver tissue observed 4 days after bile duct ligation (increase in volume density of bile ductules, ductular cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells), we suggest that non-parenchymal liver cells have an important participation in the hepatic uptake of [³H]MPP⁺after bile duct ligation in the rat.     

柴胡皂甙和甘草甜素抑制Na+,K+-ATP酶活性的构效关系

研究在离体条件下各种单体柴胡皂甙和甘草甜素抑制Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶活性的构效关系。实验结果表明,各种柴胡皂甙抑制Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶活性的作用强度依次为:b₁>d>b₂>b₄>a>b₃>e>c。柴胡皂甙化学结构中的C₂₃-OH,C₁₆-OH及C₁₁和C₁₃的共轭双烯可能对其抑制活性起重要作用。甘草甜素(GL),甘草次酸(GA)和生胃酮(18-β-甘草次酸半琥珀酸双钠盐,CX)抑制Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶活性的作用强度依次为GA≥CX>GL。研究还证明,柴胡皂甙d对Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶的抑制为非竟争性抑制。