线粒体遗传与人类系统性高血压

线粒体DNA(mitochondrial DNA,mtDNA)具有母系遗传的特点,由mtDNA突变引起的家族性线粒体疾病常累及心、脑、骨骼肌等高能耗器官.近年来,研究者发现部分原发性高血压患者具有典型的母系遗传特点,从而证实并丰富了mtDNA突变在母系遗传性高血压中的作用.然而,一些根本的共性问题仍然有待于进一步的研究与探讨.本文就线粒体基因组的进化、mtDNA的遗传方式、mtDNA突变在母系遗传性高血压中的分子机理进行综述,并对今后的研究方向提出设想.     

The role of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in high-fat diet induced peripheral neuropathy

ObjectiveEarlier studies suggest that high-calorie diet is an important risk factor for neuronal damage resulting from oxidative stress of lipid metabolism. In our experimental study of rats under high-fat diet, oxidative stress markers and axonal degeneration parameters were used to observe the sciatic nerve neuropathy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pathophysiology of neuropathy induced by high-fat diet.MethodsA total of 14 male rats (Wistar albino) were randomly divided into two experimental groups as follows; control group (n = 7) and the model group (n = 7); while control group was fed with standard diet; where the model group was fed with a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, the lipid profile and blood glucose levels, interleukin-1β (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) levels were studied. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) levels and super-oxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were studied. The distal blocks of the left sciatic nerves were evaluated for histomorphological analysis (including mean axon area, axon numbers, nerve fiber diameters, axon diameters, and thickness of myelin sheets).ResultsBody weights, serum glucose and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels of rats were found not statistically significantly different compared between the model and the control groups (p > 0.05). Serum cholesterol, triglyceride, TGF-β and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in the model group when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). IL-1 and IL-6 levels were not statistically significantly different compared between the model group and the control group (p > 0.05). The MDA and NO levels and the SOD and GPx activities of the sciatic nerves in model group were statistically significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, the activities of PON-1 were statistically significantly lower in the model group when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The difference in the total number of myelinated axons between the control group and the model group was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The nerve fiber diameter and the thickness of the myelin sheet were statistically significantly lower in the model group when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The axon diameter and area were significantly decreased in the model group when compared with the control group (p < 0.05).ConclusionOur results support that dyslipidemia is an independent risk factor for the development of neuropathy. In addition, we postulated that oxidative stress and inflammatory response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of high-fat diet induced neuropathy.     

Acute blockade of endogenous melatonin by Luzindole,with or without peripheral LPS injection,induces jejunal inflammation and morphological alterations in Swiss mice

This study investigated the acute blockade of endogenous melatonin (MLT) using Luzindole with or without systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge and evaluated changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the mouse jejunum. Luzindole is an MT1/MT2 MLT receptor antagonist. Both receptors occur in the small intestine. Swiss mice were treated with either saline (0.35 mg/kg, ip), Luzindole (0.35 mg/kg, ip), LPS (1.25 mg/kg, ip), or Luzindole+LPS (0.35 and 1.25 mg/kg, ip, respectively). Jejunum samples were evaluated regarding intestinal morphometry, histopathological crypt scoring, and PAS-positive villus goblet cell counting. Inflammatory Iba-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nuclear factor (NF)-kB, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and oxidative stress (NP-SHs, catalase, MDA, nitrate/nitrite) markers were assessed. Mice treated with Luzindole, LPS, and Luzindole+LPS showed villus height shortening. Crypt damage was worse in the LPS group. Luzindole, LPS, and Luzindole+LPS reduced the PAS-goblet cell labeling and increased Iba-1-immunolabelled cells compared to the saline group. Immunoblotting for IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-kB was greater in the Luzindole group. The LPS-challenged group showed higher MPO activity than the saline and Luzindole groups. Catalase was reduced in the Luzindole and Luzindole+LPS groups compared to saline. The Luzindole group showed an increase in NP-SHs, an effect related to compensatory GSH activity. The acute blockade of endogenous MLT with Luzindole induced early changes in inflammatory markers with altered intestinal morphology. The other non-detectable deleterious effects of Luzindole may be balanced by the unopposed direct action of MLT in immune cells bypassing the MT1/MT2 receptors.     

Aldosterone in salt-sensitive hypertension and metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome, which is caused by obesity, is now a global pandemic. Metabolic syndrome is an aggregation of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Insulin resistance is a key factor in the development of these components of metabolic syndrome. Concerning the mechanism for the development of hypertension in metabolic syndrome, the lack of insulin resistance in the kidney increases sodium reabsorption by hyperinsulinaemia, leading to sodium retention in the body, and resultant salt-sensitive hypertension. Moreover, hyperaldosteronism, which is caused by adipocyte-derived aldosterone-releasing factors, induces not only salt-sensitive hypertension, but also proteinuria in obese hypertensive rats. Salt loading markedly aggravates proteinuria and induces cardiac diastolic dysfunction in obese hypertensive rats, suggesting that salt and aldosterone exert unfavourable synergistic actions on the cardiovascular system, possibly through the overproduction of oxidative stress. In turn, reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are induced by adipokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α, non-esterified fatty acids, angiotensinogen etc., can activate the mineralocorticoid (MR) receptor, in an aldosterone-independent fashion. Therefore, aldosterone/MR activation plays a key role not only in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension, but also in cardiovascular injury in metabolic syndrome, possibly through its function as a feed-forward system.     

Neuroprotective effects of the catalytic subunit of telomerase: A potential therapeutic target in the central nervous system

Senescence plays an important role in neurodegenerative diseases and involves key molecular changes induced by several mechanisms such as oxidative stress, telomere shortening and DNA damage. Potential therapeutic strategies directed to counteract these molecular changes are of great interest for the prevention of the neurodegenerative process. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein composed of a catalytic subunit (TERT) and a RNA subunit (TERC). It is known that the telomerase is involved in the maintenance of telomere length and is a highly expressed protein in embryonic stages and decreases in adult cells. In the last decade, a growing number of studies have shown that TERT has neuroprotective effects in cellular and animal models after a brain injury. Significantly, differences in TERT expression between controls and patients with major depressive disorder have been observed. More recently, TERT has been associated with the decrease in reactive oxygen species and DNA protection in mitochondria of neurons. In this review, we highlight the role of TERT in some neurodegenerative disorders and discuss some studies focusing on this protein as a potential target for neuroprotective therapies.     

Mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in obesity-associated hypertension

Obesity is strongly associated with high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions synergistically increase the risk of cardiovascular events. A number of central and peripheral abnormalities can explain the development or maintenance of high blood pressure in obesity. Of great interest is endothelial dysfunction, considered to be a primary risk factor in the development of hypertension. Additional mechanisms also related to endothelial dysfunction have been proposed to mediate the development of hypertension in obese individuals. These include: increase in both peripheral vasoconstriction and renal tubular sodium reabsorption, increased sympathetic activity and overactivation of both the renin-angiotensin system and the endocannabinoid system and insulin resistance. The discovery of new mechanisms regulating metabolic and vascular function and a better understanding of how vascular function can be influenced by these systems would facilitate the development of new therapies for treatment of obesity-associated hypertension.     

Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory vasoprotective effects of caloric restriction in aging: Role of circulating factors and SIRT1

Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with vascular aging and promote the development of cardiovascular disease. Caloric restriction (CR) mitigates conditions associated with aging, but its effects on vascular dysfunction during aging remain poorly defined. To determine whether CR exerts vasoprotective effects in aging, aortas of ad libitum (AL) fed young and aged and CR-aged F344 rats were compared. Aging in AL-rats was associated with impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxation, vascular oxidative stress and increased NF-κB activity. Lifelong CR significantly improved endothelial function, attenuated vascular ROS production, inhibited NF-κB activity and down-regulated inflammatory genes. To elucidate the role of circulating factors in mediation of the vasoprotective effects of CR, we determined whether sera obtained from CR animals can confer anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in cultured coronary arterial endothelial cells (CAECs), mimicking the effects of CR. In CAECs cultured in the presence of AL serum TNFα elicited oxidative stress, NF-κB activation and inflammatory gene expression. By contrast, treatment of CAECs with CR serum attenuated TNFα-induced ROS generation and prevented NF-κB activation and induction of inflammatory genes. siRNA knockdown of SIRT1 mitigated the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of CR serum. CR exerts anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory vascular effects, which are likely mediated by circulating factors, in part, via a SIRT1-dependent pathway.     

Quercetin regulates inflammation,oxidative stress,apoptosis, and mitochondrial structure and function in H9C2 cells by promoting PVT1 expression

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and potential mechanism of quercetin on inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial structure and function in H9C2 cells.Materials and methodsH9C2 cells were obtained from the Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, and randomly divided into six groups: control, model, PVT1 overexpression (OV), quercetin, OV + quercetin, and NAC groups. The CCK-8 assay was performed to examine cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to examine cell apoptosis, cell membrane potential, and ROS levels. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured by ELISA and a Biochemical kit. Western blotting was used to determine the levels of p-DRP1 (s637), MFN2, NF-kB, p-NF-kB, IkB, and p-IkB. IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-1β mRNA expression was examined by RT-PCR. Electron microscopy was used to observe the structure of mitochondria in H9C2 cells.ResultsMDA, p-NF-κB, p-IKB, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α expression levels, and the cell apoptosis rate were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In contrast, the cell proliferation rate and IL-10, SOD, eNOS, and ATP levels were significantly lower in the model group (P < 0.05). Moreover, MDA expression was significantly lower in the OV, quercetin, quercetin + OV, and NAC groups than in the model group (P < 0.05), while SOD, eNOS, and ATP levels were higher. The electron microscopy results showed that PVT1 overexpression or quercetin treatment could inhibit inflammation-induced mitochondrial fission and promote mitochondrial fusion.ConclusionQuercetin promotes the proliferation of H9C2 cells, while inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis, and alleviating the structural and functional dysfunction of mitochondria. These effects are achieved by promoting PVT1 expression.     

吡非尼酮和尼达尼布抑制博来霉素诱导的小鼠肺纤维化药效比较

目的:比较不同时期给予吡非尼酮和尼达尼布对博来霉素诱导的小鼠肺纤维化的作用。方法:根据给药时间和给药时长,建立5类小鼠模型:炎症时期给药模型、纤维化早期预防给药模型、纤维化早期治疗模型、纤维化晚期治疗模型和全程给药模型,分别检测炎症指标和纤维化指标。结果:(1)抗炎抗氧化评估:吡非尼酮和尼达尼布均能降低炎症细胞数目,抑制炎症因子分泌。吡非尼酮对白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)和IL-4的抑制效果较好(P<0.01),尼达尼布对IL-6、IFN-γ的抑制作用较好(P<0.05)。吡非尼酮可显著提高超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性(P<0.01),而尼达尼布可显著降低丙二醛(MDA)和髓过氧化物酶(MPO)含量(P<0.01)。(2)肺组织胶原含量检测:在纤维化早期治疗模型、纤维化晚期治疗模型、全程给药模型中,尼达尼布对羟脯氨酸的抑制作用均优于吡非尼酮(P<0.05)。而吡非尼酮在纤维化早期预防给药模型中对羟脯氨酸的抑制作用较好(P<0.01)。(3)肺组织病理学评价:吡非尼酮和尼达尼布均可减少肺组织炎症浸润和纤维化面积,抑制效果对比结果同胶原检测结果一致。结论...     

The eye: A window to the soul of the immune system

The eye is considered as an immune privileged site, and with good reason. It has evolved a variety of molecular and cellular mechanisms that limit immune responses to preserve vision. For example, the cornea is mainly protected from autoimmunity by the lack of blood and lymphatic vessels, whereas the retina–blood barrier is maintained in an immunosuppressive state by the retinal pigment epithelium. However, there are several scenarios in which immune privilege is altered and the eye becomes susceptible to immune attack. In this review, we highlight the role of the immune system in two clinical conditions that affect the anterior and posterior segments of the eye: corneal transplantation and age-related macular degeneration. Interestingly, crosstalk between the innate and adaptive immune systems is critical in both acute and chronic inflammatory responses in the eye, with T cells playing a central role in combination with neutrophils and macrophages. In addition, we emphasize the advantage of using the eye as a model for in vivo longitudinal imaging of the immune system in action. Through this technique, it has been possible to identify functionally distinct intra-graft motility patterns of responding T cells, as well as the importance of chemokine signaling in situ for T cell activation. The detailed study of ocular autoimmunity could provide novel therapeutic strategies for blinding diseases while also providing more general information on acute versus chronic inflammation.     

Methylation and acetylation in nervous system development and neurodegenerative disorders

The cytoarchitecture and cellular signaling mechanisms of the nervous system are complex, and this complexity is reflected at the molecular level with more genes being expressed in the nervous system than in any other tissue. Gene expression and protein function in neural cells can be regulated by methylation and acetylation. Studies of mice deficient in enzymes that control DNA methylation and of animals with a dietary deficiency of folate have established critical roles for methylation in development of the nervous system. Various neuronal proteins including histones and tubulin are regulated by acetylation which appears to serve important functions in the development, stability and plasticity of neuronal networks. Some inherited neurological disorders have recently been linked to mutations in genes that regulate DNA methylation, and alterations in DNA and protein methylation and/or acetylation have been documented in studies of age-related neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD). Manipulations of methylation and acetylation can affect the vulnerability of neurons to degeneration and apoptosis in experimental models of neurodegenerative disorders, suggesting a contribution to altered methylation and acetylation to the disease processes. Interestingly, dietary factors that influence DNA methylation may affect the risk of neurodegenerative disorders, for example, individuals with low dietary folate intake are at increased risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.     

Central nervous system effects of antiasthma medication--an EEG study

The relationship between electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities (in particular paroxysmal activity) and theophylline alone or in combination with corticosteroids and/or ephedrine was examined in 161 adult and 93 pediatric patients. For each patient, total theophylline dosage was calculated and a theophylline blood level was obtained at the time of EEG recording. The major findings indicated: The presence of EEG paroxysmal activity in a greater percentage of the population studied than that which has been reported in a group of nonhospitalized individuals of similar age in the general population. There is a greater probability of EEG paroxysmal activity among patients with higher theophylline blood levels or total dosages than among those with lower blood levels or total dosages. There is an increase in EEG abnormalities with the addition of ephedrine. There is a possible protective effect of steroids against theophylline-related central nervous system disturbances.     

高血压人群氧化应激水平研究

目的 探讨高血压人群氧化应激状况，以期为临床高血压病人抗氧化治疗提供理论研究基础。结果 在高血压人群中，总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）低于非高血压人群，而MDA含量高于非高血压人群，且差异具有显著性，而作为主要抗氧化因素的SOD和VitE水平差异无显著性。结论 高血压病人处于高氧化应激水平，临床应用抗氧化药物治疗高血压可能有一定疗效。     

谷氨酰胺对大鼠肠缺血再灌注损伤后闭合蛋白的保护作用

目的:探讨谷氨酰胺(Gln)对大鼠肠缺血再灌注损伤后闭合蛋白(occludin)的保护作用及其可能机制。方法:成年雄性Wistar大鼠30只随机分为假手术组(sham组)、缺血再灌注损伤组(I/R组)和谷氨酰胺预处理组(Gln组)。Gln组给予谷氨酰胺1 g·kg-1·d-1连续灌胃7 d。Sham组和I/R组以同等剂量生理盐水灌胃7d。Sham组仅分离肠系膜上动脉而根部不夹闭。I/R组和Gln组均用无损伤血管夹夹闭SMA根部30 min后放松血管夹形成再灌注损伤模型。各组大鼠均于制模后24 h采集静脉血和回肠标本。酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清中肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、白细胞介素(IL)-10和IL-2水平。全自动生化仪检测超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)水平。免疫组化及Western blotting法检测occludin蛋白的表达情况。结果:I/R组occludin蛋白表达明显低于正常对照组及谷氨酰胺处理组(P0.05);I/R组TNF-α和MDA水平均高于sham组和Gln组(P0.05)。I/R组血清的SOD活力、GSH、GSH-Px、IL-10和IL-2均低于sham组和Gln组(P0.05)。结论:谷氨酰胺对肠缺血再灌注损伤后的occludin蛋白具有保护作用,其机制可能与抑制炎症反应、抗氧化应激有关。     

The superoxide anion donor,potassium superoxide,induces pain and inflammation in mice through production of reactive oxygen species and cyclooxygenase-2

It is currently accepted that superoxide anion (O₂ ^•−) is an important mediator in pain and inflammation. The role of superoxide anion in pain and inflammation has been mainly determined indirectly by modulating its production and inactivation. Direct evidence using potassium superoxide (KO₂), a superoxide anion donor, demonstrated that it induced thermal hyperalgesia, as assessed by the Hargreaves method. However, it remains to be determined whether KO₂ is capable of inducing other inflammatory and nociceptive responses attributed to superoxide anion. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the nociceptive and inflammatory effects of KO₂. The KO₂-induced inflammatory responses evaluated in mice were: mechanical hyperalgesia (electronic version of von Frey filaments), thermal hyperalgesia (hot plate), edema (caliper rule), myeloperoxidase activity (colorimetric assay), overt pain-like behaviors (flinches, time spent licking and writhing score), leukocyte recruitment, oxidative stress, and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression (quantitative PCR). Administration of KO₂ induced mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia, paw edema, leukocyte recruitment, the writhing response, paw flinching, and paw licking in a dose-dependent manner. KO₂ also induced time-dependent cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in the paw skin. The nociceptive, inflammatory, and oxidative stress components of KO₂-induced responses were responsive to morphine (analgesic opioid), quercetin (antioxidant flavonoid), and/or celecoxib (anti-inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) treatment. In conclusion, the well-established superoxide anion donor KO₂ is a valuable tool for studying the mechanisms and pharmacological susceptibilities of superoxide anion-triggered nociceptive and inflammatory responses ranging from mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia to overt pain-like behaviors, edema, and leukocyte recruitment.     

Protective effects of sodium ferulate on flap transplantation via anti-inflammatory modulation and oxidative stress inhibition

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) has brought attention to flap failure in reconstructive surgery. To improve the prognosis of skin transplantation, we performed experimental IRI by surgical obstruction of blood flow and used sodium ferulate (SF) to prevent IRI in rats. After SF treatment, the morphological and histological changes of the skin flaps were observed by H&E and Masson''s trichrome staining. We also detected the expression levels of COX-1, HO-1, and Ki67 by immunohistochemical and western blot analysis. Moreover, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to identify the content of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) in peripheral blood and skin tissue. Compared with the model group, SF treatment significantly improved the recovered flap area (%) and promoted collagen synthesis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was significantly inhibited by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction after SF treatment. Furthermore, SF significantly inhibited the levels of TNF-α in peripheral blood, MPO and MDA in the skin tissue, and the increased synthesis of NO. Our results showed the protective effects of SF on IRI after flap transplantation and we believe that the protective effects of SF was closely related to the alleviation of the inflammatory response and the inhibition of the oxidative stress injury.