Inhibitors of iNOS protects PC12 cells against the apoptosis induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation

It has been shown that deletion of the gene encoding the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) results in a reduction of ischemia-induced apoptotic cell death, suggesting the detrimental role of iNOS. The signaling pathways by which iNOS mediates apoptotic cell death under ischemic conditions remain unclear. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of iNOS-mediated apoptotic cell death in ischemia may offer opportunities for potential therapeutic intervention. In the current study, undifferentiated rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by reperfusion (adding back oxygen and glucose, OGD-R), were used as an in vitro model of ischemia. The iNOS expression and activity were increased during OGD-R. OGD-R-induced apoptosis was demonstrated by the increase of LDH release, cytosolic release of cytochrome C and caspase-3 activity. Inhibition of iNOS activity by selective iNOS inhibitors, aminoguanidine and 1400W, reduces OGD-R-induced apoptotic cell death, as demonstrated by the decrease of LDH release, cytochrome C release, and caspase-3 activity. These results suggest the critical role of iNOS in mediating apoptosis under ischemic conditions, likely through the induction of caspase-3 activity.     

大鼠实验性心肌缺血后Fas、bcl-2的表达与心肌细胞凋亡的关系

目的 探索心肌缺血后Fas、bcl-2的表达与心肌细胞凋亡的关系。方法 结扎大鼠左侧冠状动脉造成心肌缺血,10min—7d后取心脏标本做末端脱氧核酸转移酶介导的缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)原位细胞凋亡染色、Fas、bcl-2蛋白的免疫组织化学抗生物素蛋白-生物素复合物法(ABC法)染色。结果 在时间上,心肌细胞凋亡从缺血后3h开始,36h仍较显著,7d时TUNEL法检测不到凋亡细胞;而bcl-2、Fas分别于缺血后10min和3h开始检出,持续到缺血后7d;在组织学关系上,凋亡的心肌细胞和Fas、bcl-2阳性细胞不在心肌同一区域,凋亡的心肌细胞在心肌缺血区,Fas、bcl-2表达在无明显缺血的心肌区域。结论 Fas、bcl-2的表达可能并不直接参与缺血心肌细胞凋亡的调控。     

兔心肌缺血再灌注损伤的超微结构变化及凋亡检测

目的　探讨实验性心肌缺血再灌注损伤时心肌超微结构变化及心肌细胞凋亡的发生。方法　选家兔 6只 ,阻断左冠状动脉的左室支建立心肌缺血模型 ,达到预定的缺血时间后 ,使血管再通 ,建立心肌的缺血再灌注模型。采用透射电镜、原位末端探针标记 (TUNEL)对不同损伤区心肌细胞的损伤情况进行研究。结果　电镜观察显示缺血再灌注损伤中心区呈现明显的心肌细胞凋亡征象 ,在缺血再灌注损伤交界区可见心肌细胞凋亡的早期征象 ,TUNEL检测结果显示缺血再灌注损伤中心区出现较多的凋亡阳性细胞 ,而损伤交界区出现较少的凋亡阳性细胞。结论　心肌细胞凋亡是心肌缺血再灌注损伤的重要特征 ,这与心肌的缺血性损伤存在不同     

Connexin 43 mimetic peptide Gap26 confers protection to intact heart against myocardial ischemia injury

Unapposed connexin 43 hemichannels (Cx43Hc) are present on sarcolemma of cardiomyocytes. Whereas Cx43Hc remain closed during physiological conditions, their opening under ischemic stress contributes to irreversible tissue injury and cell death. To date, conventional blockers of connexin channels act unselectively on both gap junction channels and unapposed hemichannels. Here, we test the hypothesis that Gap26, a synthetic structural mimetic peptide deriving from the first extracellular loop of Cx43 and a presumed selective blocker of Cx43Hc, confers resistance to intact rat heart against ischemia injury. Langendorff-perfused intact rat hearts were utilized. Regional ischemia was induced by 40-min occlusion of the left anterior descendent coronary and followed by 180 min of reperfusion. Gap26 was applied either 10 min before or 30 min after the initiation of ischemia. Interestingly, myocardial infarct size was reduced by 48% and 55% in hearts treated with Gap26 before or during ischemia, respectively, compared to untreated hearts. Additionally, myocardial perfusate flow was increased in both groups during reperfusion by 37% and 32%, respectively. Application of Gap26 increased survival of isolated cardiomyocytes after simulated ischemia–reperfusion by nearly twofold compared to untreated cells. On the other hand, superfusion of tsA201 cells transiently expressing Cx43 with Gap26 caused 61% inhibition of Cx43Hc-mediated currents recorded using the patch clamp technique. In summary, we demonstrate for the first time that Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap26 confers protection to intact heart against ischemia–reperfusion injury whether administered before or after the occurrence of ischemia. In addition, we provide unequivocal evidence for the inhibitory effect of Gap26 on genuine Cx43Hc.     

The water extract of Jagamchotang protects the ischemia/reperfusion-induced cytotoxicity of rat neonatal myocardial cells via generation of nitric oxide

Jagamchotang has been used for treatment of ischemic myocardial diseases in Chinese traditional medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which Jagamchotang rescues myocardial cells from ischemic damages. To elucidate the protective mechanisms, the effects of Jagamchotang on ischemia/reperfusion-induced cytotoxicity and generation of nitric oxide (NO) are investigated in primary neonatal myocardial cells. Ischemia/reperfusion itself induces severe myocardial cell death in vitro. However, treatment of the cells with Jagamchotang significantly reduces both ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial cell death and LDH release. In addition, pretreatment of Jagamchotang before reperfusion recovers the lose of beating rates after ischemia/reperfusion. For a while, the water extract of Jagamchotang stimulates myoardial cells in ischemic condition to produce nitric oxide (NO) in a dose dependent manner and it protectes the damage of myocardial cells. Furthermore, the protective effects of the water extract of Jagamchotang is mimicked by treatment of sodium nitroprusside, an exogenous NO donor. N^G-monomethyi-L-argine (N_GMMA), a specific inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), significantly blocks the protective effects of Jagamchotang on the cells after ischemia/reperfusion. Taken together, we suggest that the protective effects of Jagamchotang against ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial damages may be mediated by NO production during ischemic condition.     

无创伤双后肢缺血后处理对移植胰腺缺血再灌注损伤的远隔保护

背景：缺血预处理及缺血后处理是近年来提出减轻缺血再灌注损伤有效方法。 目的：探讨无创伤双后肢缺血后处理对移植胰腺缺血再灌注损伤的影响及机制。 方法：18只糖尿病SD大鼠数字表法随机分为3组,对照组仅行开腹术;缺血再灌注组仅行胰腺移植;缺血后处理组,移植前行非创伤性双后肢缺血后处理。 结果与结论：缺血再灌注组血糖和胰腺组织中丙二醛水平均高于缺血后处理组(P < 0.01)、而超氧化物歧化酶活性低于缺血后处理组(P < 0.01);与缺血后处理组比较,缺血再灌注组胰腺组织凋亡指数明显增高(P < 0.01)。结果提示,无创伤双后肢缺血后处理对大鼠移植胰的缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用,机制可能与可通过减少超氧化物歧化酶失活,从而清除氧自由基以及减少胰腺细胞凋亡等有关。     

Does delayed no-reflow phenomenon cause myocardial necrosis?

Although recent studies have suggested that the no-reflow region progressively extends during the later reperfusion period, whether this “delayed” no-reflow causes myocardial necrosis remains unknown. To examine this question, we analyzed alteration of the size and histology of the no-reflow region and regional contractlie function after ischemia/reperfusion in anesthesized rabbit preparation. The no-reflow zone after 30-minute ischemia was 13.3 ± 4.2% of the ischemic region at 10 minutes after reperfusion and 35.1 ± 6.4% at 60 minutes, which indicates a significant extension of the no-reflow region during a 60-minute reperfusion period. There were both almost-normal-appearing myovytes and necrotic cells with contraction bands in the no-reflow zone at 10 minutes after reperfusion. In contrast, the larger region of no-reflow region after a 60-minute reperfusion consisted mostly of contraction band necrosis, suggesting irreversible ischemic cell injury in this area before reflow. The regional systolic thickening fraction (TF), which was reduced to −86 ± 23% after 30-minute ischemia, recovered to −30 ± 20% of the baseline value after 10 minutes of reperfusion, and there was no deterioration in the TF during the subsequent reperfusion. Furthermore, the response of TF to dobutamine (5 and 10 μ g/kg/min, i.v.), which was infused to eliminate myocardial stunning, did not decrease during the 60-minute reperfusion period. These results suggest that delayed no-reflow does not extend myocardial infarction.     

Cardiac fibroblast death by ischemia/reperfusion is partially inhibited by IGF-1 through both PI3K/Akt and MEK-ERK pathways

Cardiac fibroblast (CF) death by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) has major implications for cardiac wound healing. Although IGF-1 has well-known cytoprotective effects, no study has been done on CF subjected to simulated I/R. Simulated ischemia of neonate rat CF was performed in a free oxygen chamber in an ischemic medium; reperfusion was done in normal culture conditions. Cell viability was evaluated by trypan blue assay, and apoptosis by a FACS flow cytometer; p-ERK-1/2 and p-Akt levels were determined by western blot. We showed that simulated I/R triggers CF death by necrosis and apoptosis. IGF-1 partially inhibits I/R-induced apoptosis. PD98059 and LY294002 neutralize the preventive effects of IGF-1. CONCLUSION: IGF-1 partially inhibits CF apoptosis induced by simulated I/R by PI3K/Akt- and MEK/ERK1/2-dependent signaling pathways.     

心肌缺血/再灌注损伤神经酰胺含量变化和凋亡机制的研究

目的：观察发生心肌缺血/再灌注损伤时神经酰胺的变化并探索它与氧化应激及细胞凋亡之间的关系。 方法： 用垂体后叶素（Pit）诱发小鼠在体心肌缺血再灌注损伤，取心肌测定SOD活性及MDA含量，通过DNA ladder和Dapi荧光染色观察心肌细胞凋亡情况，通过高效薄层层析及薄层层析扫描，用随引标准曲线计算心肌组织中神经酰胺的含量。 结果： 模型组心肌细胞有凋亡特有的DNA ladder,凋亡指数和神经酰胺含量及MDA含量均显著高于正常对照组(P<0.01),SOD活性显著低于正常对照组(P<0.01)，模型组神经酰胺含量与凋亡指数和MDA含量均呈明显正相关(r=0.970，P<0.01；r=0.974， P＜0.01)。 结论： 在心肌缺血再灌注过程中伴随着氧化应激和凋亡第二信使－神经酰胺含量的增高，最终发生了心肌细胞的凋亡。     

不同时段的心肌缺血后再灌注损伤与心肌细胞凋亡的实验研究

目的　探讨实验性不同时段的心肌缺血后再灌注损伤是否致心肌细胞凋亡、凋亡率的大小及不同的缺血时间与凋亡率的关系。方法　阻断左冠状动脉的左室支建立心肌缺血模型 ,达到预定的缺血时间后 ,使血管再通 ,建立心肌的缺血再灌注模型。采用透射电镜、原位末端探针标记、图像分析和统计处理对缺血灌注损伤区心肌细胞的损伤情况进行研究。结果　电镜观察和原位未端标记 (TUNEL)检测发现在经历了不同的缺血时间后 ,再灌注均可致心肌细胞凋亡 ,但不同的缺血时间后再灌注致心肌细胞的凋亡率不同 ,实验Ⅰ～Ⅲ组平均凋亡率分别为 3 2 7%、18 4 3%和 2 0 2 8%。缺血时间越长凋亡率越高。结论　心肌缺血再灌注损伤的发生与凋亡机制有关 ,且凋亡率的大小在一定的时间段内可能与心肌的缺血时间呈正相关     

Role of oxygen in postischemic myocardial injury

Myocardial function is dependent on a constant supply of oxygen from the coronary circulation. A reduction of oxygen supply due to coronary obstruction results in myocardial ischemia, which leads to cardiac dysfunction. Reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium is required for tissue survival. Thrombolytic therapy, coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary angioplasty are some of the treatments available for the restoration of blood flow to the ischemic myocardium. However, the restoration of blood flow may also lead to reperfusion injury, resulting in myocyte death. Thus, any imbalance between oxygen supply and metabolic demand leads to functional, metabolic, morphologic, and electrophysiologic alterations, causing cell death. Myocardial ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury is a multifactorial process that is mediated by oxygen free radicals, neutrophil activation and infiltration, calcium overload, and apoptosis. Controlled reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium has been advocated to prevent the IR injury. Studies have shown that reperfusion injury and postischemic cardiac function are related to the quantity and delivery of oxygen during reperfusion. Substantial evidence suggests that controlled reoxygenation may ameliorate postischemic organ dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the role of oxygenation during reperfusion and subsequent biochemical and pathologic alterations in reperfused myocardium and recovery of heart function.     

生黄合剂对缺血再灌注模型大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及相关基因bax、bcl-2 mRNA的影响

BACKGROUND:Sheng-Huang mixture including Chinese medicine Shengmai Decoction and total flavonoids of stems and leaves of radix has been shown to resist inflammation, regulate immune function, and protect ischemic myocardial tissues. However, its effect on the apoptosis of cardiac muscle cells after ischemia/reperfusion injury remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Sheng-Huang mixture on cardiocyte apoptosis and bax and bcl-2 mRNA expression in rats with ischemia-reperfusion injury.  METHODS:Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into six groups: low-dose, moderate-dose and high-dose Sheng-Huang mixture, positive control, blank and model groups (n=6). After 7 days of administration, models of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury were established. TUNEL was used to detect myocardial apoptosis. RT-PCR was utilized to measure bax and bcl-2 mRNA expression in the ischemic and reperfusion region.  RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The bcl-2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the Sheng-Huang mixture group than in the model group (P < 0.05), but bax mRNA expression was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Thus, bcl-2/bax ratio increased. In addition, apoptosis index was more significantly decreased in the Sheng-Huang mixture group (P < 0.05). (2) Results demonstrated that Sheng-Huang mixture can protect rat myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury, and effectively increase the bcl-2/bax ratio and inhibit the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, and the underlying mechanism is mediated by up-regulating bcl-2 mRNA expression and down-regulating bax mRNA expression.     

Real-time myocardial glucose measurement using biosensors

During ischemia, myocardial fatty acid metabolism ceases, rapidly depleting the other primary fuel, glucose. No technique has existed to continuously monitor myocardial glucose. Needle-tip enzymatic glucose biosensors have been developed for subcutaneous use in diabetic management. To study the utility of these sensors for real-time myocardial glucose monitoring in clinically relevant applications, 40 kg Yorkshire swine were cannulated for cardiopulmonary bypass. Biosensors were placed in the left anterior descending artery distribution (LAD) and posterior descending artery distribution (PD), and a third in the liver. Selective ischemia was induced by ligation of the LAD artery. Glucose levels were monitored during ischemia and reperfusion in the setting of cardioplegic arrest (n = 7) and in the normal beating heart (n = 14). In the normal beating heart, glucose levels fall to 6.5% +/- 7.4% baseline at 1 minute and 29.0% +/- 23.0% at 5 minutes of ischemia. In both arrested and beating heart scenarios, biosensors show distinct metabolic states in specific regions of the heart and liver. Biosensors can track regional glucose metabolism in the beating and arrested heart. This novel application of these sensors allows real-time determination of myocardial glucose levels to guide cardioplegia administration and monitor ischemic states for clinical and experimental use.     

大鼠心肌缺血预处理细胞凋亡的变化及机制探讨

目的 :观察心肌缺血预处理细胞凋亡的变化 ,探讨该变化和氧化应激、能量代谢的关系。方法 :采用 2 5 0～ 30 0 gSD雄性大鼠 2 7只 ,分成 3组 ,即假手术组 (S组 )、缺血 /再灌组 (I/R)组、缺血预处理组(IPC组 )。以Murry氏法复制、评估IPC模型 ,以Tunel法检测细胞凋亡 ,以SOD、MDA变化评估氧化应激强度 ,以CK活性评估能量代谢水平。结果 :IPC组与I/R组相比较 ,除左室梗塞范围明显缩小、心肌保存良好外 ,还显示心肌细胞凋亡率明显降低 ,并伴有SOD活性增高 ,MDA含量降低及血清CK活性增强。结论 :IPC能降低I/R所致心肌细胞凋亡 ,该效应似与降低氧化应激和增加心肌能量储备有关。     

Pharmacology of caspase inhibitors in rabbit cardiomyocytes subjected to metabolic inhibition and recovery

Protection of ischemic myocardium is an important unmet need in reperfusion therapy of acute myocardial infarction. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion induce necrosis and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. Caspase processing and activation are critical steps in most receptor and nonreceptor pathways of apoptosis. Caspase inhibitors have been shown to reduce ischemia reperfusion injury in cardiac muscle. Information about dose response and time of administration are needed to optimize the design of preclinical studies. We used isolated adult rabbit cardiomyocytes subjected to metabolic inhibition (MI) and recovery to examine the role of caspases and caspase inhibitors, the dose response, and the timing of administration. In vitro inhibitory concentrations (Ki) were determined for purified caspases. Cardiomyocytes subjected to MI were treated with peptidomimetic fluoromethyl ketone inhibitors of caspases before or during MI, or at recovery. Caspase inhibitors were most effective when added before MI and included throughout recovery, but were partially protective if added after MI. The optimal concentration of the inhibitors tested was approximately 10 microM. Protection was sustained when cells were allowed to recover for 4 or 24 h. These results suggest that caspase activation is an important component of myocyte injury mediated by MI and recovery. Low doses of caspase inhibitors were identified that reduce injury in this model system, and further investigations using in vivo models are warranted.     

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor improves cardiac function after ischemic injury by inducing vascular endothelial growth factor production and survival of cardiomyocytes

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), known as a hematopoietic growth factor, induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production from skeletal muscles. However, the effects of M-CSF on cardiomyocytes have not been reported. Here, we show M-CSF increases VEGF production from cardiomyocytes, protects cardiomyocytes and myotubes from cell death, and improves cardiac function after ischemic injury. In mice, M-CSF increased VEGF production in hearts and in freshly isolated cardiomyocytes, which showed M-CSF receptor expression. In rat cell line H9c2 cardiomyocytes and myotubes, M-CSF induced VEGF production via the Akt signaling pathway, and M-CSF pretreatment protected these cells from H(2)O(2)-induced cell death. M-CSF activated Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathways and up-regulated downstream anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL expression in these cells. Using goats as a large animal model of myocardial infarction, we found that M-CSF treatment after the onset of myocardial infarction by permanent coronary artery ligation promoted angiogenesis in ischemic hearts but did not reduce the infarct area. M-CSF pretreatment of the goat myocardial infarction model by coronary artery occlusion-reperfusion improved cardiac function, as assessed by hemodynamic parameters and echocardiography. These results suggest M-CSF might be a novel therapeutic agent for ischemic heart disease.     

Genistein attenuates oxidative stress and neuronal damage following transient global cerebral ischemia in rat hippocampus

Oxidative stress is believed to contribute to neuronal damage induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible antioxidant neuroprotective effect of genistein against neuronal death in hippocampal CA1 neurons following transient global cerebral ischemia in the rat. Transient global cerebral ischemia was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by four-vessel-occlusion for 10min. At various times of reperfusion, the histopathological changes and the levels of mitochondria-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), cytosolic cytochrome c and caspase-3 activity in hippocampus were measured. We found extensive neuronal death in the CA1 region at day 5 after I/R. The ischemic changes were preceded by increases in ROS generation and MDA concentration and followed by increased cytosolic cytochrome c, and subsequently caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. Treatment with genistein (15mg/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated ischemia-induced neuronal death. Genistein administration also decreased ROS generation, MDA concentration and the apoptotic indices. These results suggest that genistein protects neurons from transient global cerebral I/R injury in rat hippocampus by attenuating oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and the signaling cascade leading to apoptotic cell death.     

葱白提取物对心肌缺血/再灌注损伤具有保护作用

目的 探讨葱白提取物(FOB)对心肌缺血/再灌注（I/R）损伤的影响及其机制。方法 结扎成年大鼠36只左冠状动脉前降支30 min,再灌注120 min建立在体心肌缺血/再灌注损伤模型;培养乳鼠心肌细胞缺氧6 h,复氧18 h建立离体心肌细胞缺氧/复氧(H/R)损伤模型。分别随机分为对照组、I/R组(或H/R组)和FOB预处理+I/R组(或H/R组)。应用PowerLab多通道生理记录仪分析左心室功能;2,3,5-三苯基四唑氯铵（TTC）染色检测心肌梗死体积。流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率;Western blotting和Real-time PCR检测细胞凋亡相关蛋白和mRNA(Bcl-2、Bax、Caspase-3)的表达;免疫荧光检测细胞色素C(cytochrome C, Cyt-C)的表达。结果 在体大鼠实验中,与对照组比较,I/R组左心室收缩和舒张功能明显恶化(P<0.05);与I/R组比较,FOB预处理能明显改善左心室收缩和舒张功能,且减小心肌梗死体积(P<0.05)。在培养心肌细胞实验中,与对照组比较,H/R组细胞凋亡率明显升高（P<0.01）,Bcl-2蛋白及mRNA表达明显降低,而Bax、Caspase-3和Cyt-C的相关表达则明显升高(P<0.05);与H/R组比较,FOB预处理显著降低细胞凋亡率(P<0.05),增加Bcl-2蛋白及mRNA的表达水平,同时减少Bax、Caspase-3和Cyt-C的相关表达(P<0.05)。结论 葱白提取物对心肌缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用,其机制可能是通过线粒体途径减少心肌细胞凋亡从而发挥作用。