Multiwall carbon nano‐onions induce DNA damage and apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Growing evidence has indicated the potential adverse effects on cardiovascular system of some nanomaterials, including fullerenes. In this study, we have evaluated the biological effects of multiwall carbon nano‐onions (MWCNOs) (average size of 31.2 nm, ζ potential of 1.6 mV) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). It was found that MWCNOs exhibited a dose‐dependent inhibitory effect on cell growth; EC₅₀ was 44.12 μg/mL. Thus, three concentrations were chosen (0.2, 1, and 5 μg/mL) for further experiments. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that 1 and 5 μg/mL MWCNOs could induce apoptosis in HUVECs, the apoptotic rates were 12% and 24% at 24 h after exposure. On the other hand, MWCNOs did not affect the cell cycle distribution during 24 h period. Using γH2AX foci formation as an indicator for DNA damage, it was shown that 5 μg/mL MWCNOs can induce γH2AX foci formation in HUVECs at 6, 12, and 24 h after treatment, whereas 0.2 μg/mL MWCNOs induced γH2AX foci formation only at 6 h after treatment. In addition, all three concentrations of MWCNOs induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibition of ROS generation can partially decrease the γH2AX foci formation induced by MWCNOs. Taken together, these data first suggested that MWCNOs can induce DNA damage and apoptosis in HUVECs, and that ROS might be involved in this process. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 28: 442–450, 2013.     

Induction of reactive oxygen species by bisphenol A and abrogation of bisphenol A-induced cell injury by DJ-1.

DJ-1 was first identified as an activated ras-dependent oncogene. DJ-1 is related to male fertility, and its expression in sperm decreases in response to exposure to a number of reproductive toxicants. DJ-1 has been associated with the onset of familial Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans, and has been found to have activity against oxidative damage by eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we investigated the role of DJ-1 in oxidative stresses by administration of bisphenol A (BPA), which has been reported to induce oxidative stress in rodents, to male mice and cultured cells. In male mice, we found that BPA significantly increased the expression level of DJ-1 in the sperm and brain. In cultured Neuro2a and GC1 cells, we found that BPA induced ROS production and significantly compromised mitochondrial function concomitant with elevated expression and oxidization of DJ-1. DJ-1 was found to maintain the complex I activity against BPA-induced oxidative stress after the localization in mitochondria. The results showed that DJ-1 plays a role in the prevention of mitochondrial injury-induced cell death.     

辛伐他汀诱导K562细胞凋亡及对细胞内活性氧和Ca2+动态变化的影响

目的研究辛伐他汀诱导人红白血病细胞株K562细胞凋亡及细胞内活性氧与Ca2+水平的变化,以探讨凋亡机制.方法20 μmol·L-1辛伐他汀处理K562细胞,24 h 后光镜观察细胞形态;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率、活性氧和细胞内游离Ca2+水平.结果20 μmol·L-1辛伐他汀作用K562细胞 48 h 后出现核固缩、核碎裂和凋亡小体等形态学改变;AnnexinV-FITC/PI检测细胞早期凋亡率,处理组凋亡率高于对照组,随药物作用时间延长逐渐增大,具有时间依赖性.荧光染料2',7'-二氯荧光乙酰乙酸(2',7'-dichloro fluorescein diacetate, DCFH-DA)检测K562细胞内活性氧,不同时间处理组与对照组比较活性氧均升高,峰值时间为 24 h,与对照组比较发生显著改变.荧光染料Fluo-3AM检测K562细胞内游离Ca2+浓度,不同时间细胞内游离Ca2+浓度均升高,峰值时间为 12 h,与对照组比较发生显著变化.结论辛伐他汀诱导K562细胞凋亡的可能机制是通过提高细胞内活性氧及游离Ca2+水平,从而导致细胞凋亡.     

百里醌对人胶质瘤细胞凋亡的作用及其机制研究

目的 分析百里醌对胶质瘤U87细胞生长抑制和凋亡诱导的功能.方法 体外胶质瘤细胞株U87以及人星形胶质细胞株NHA中添加不同浓度百里醌后,CCK-8法检测细胞活力;克隆形成实验观察U87细胞形成细胞克隆的能力;流式细胞术检测细胞周期和ROS含量;Hoechst染色法和流式细胞术测定细胞凋亡;流式细胞术(JC-1荧光染色...     

Selective apoptotic effects of piceatannol and myricetin in human cancer cells

Numerous studies have shown the potential of dietary polyphenols as anticarcinogenic agents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the apoptotic effects of piceatannol and myricetin, naturally occurring polyphenols in red wine, alone or in combination, in two human cell lines: HL‐60 (leukemia) and HepG2 (hepatoma). Apoptotic cells were identified by chromatin condensation, poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase cleavage and flow cytometry analysis. Results from TUNEL assay showed that piceatannol or myricetin alone induced apoptotic cell death in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manners in HL‐60 cells. Furthermore, in combined treatment the percentage of apoptotic HL‐60 cells was significantly higher. Nevertheless, the percentage of TUNEL positive HepG2 cells only was significant after piceatannol treatment and in combined treatment was even lower than in cells treated with piceatannol alone. Moreover, we also studied the relative reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Our results indicate that apoptosis induced by piceatannol or myricetin occurs through an ROS‐independent cell death pathway. In conclusion, piceatannol and myricetin synergistically induced apoptosis in HL‐60 cells but not in HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that the potential anticarcinogenic properties of dietary polyphenols depend largely on the cell line used. The relevance of these data needs to be verified in human epidemiological studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Anticancer Activity of Novel Lipophilic Emodin Cationic Derivatives

Seventeen novel emodin derivatives were synthesized, and the structures were confirmed by IR, H NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. The cytotoxic activity of the derivatives was evaluated against A375, BGC‐823, HepG2, and HELF cells by MTT assay. Compound 9a with highest potency and low toxicity was selected to further investigate its detailed molecular mechanism. The lead compound 9a induced a loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (?Ψm), an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase‐3 and caspase‐9. In addition, the confocal study showed that emodin derivative 9a (containing asymmetric hydrocarbon tails) was mainly localized in mitochondria, demonstrating a key role of the mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis pathway in cancer cells. Taken together, the results demonstrate that embodin derivative 9a preferentially regulates the ROS‐mediated apoptosis in A375 cells through the induction of cytochrome c expression and activation of caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 proteins.     

活性氧类物质在化学物诱导的细胞凋亡中的调节作用(英文)

细胞凋亡是在生理或病理条件下 ,为维持内环境的稳定的一种程序性细胞死亡。诱导细胞凋亡的因素可分为物理性、化学性和生物性因素。很多实验数据表明氧化应激在细胞凋亡的发生过程中具有重要作用。各种活性氧类物质如超氧阴离子、过氧化氢、羟自由基和一氧化氮均与细胞凋亡的发生有关。但是活性氧类物质诱导凋亡发生的机理尚未阐明。本综述在对细胞凋亡和氧化应激描述的基础上着重讨论活性氧类物质诱导细胞凋亡发生的可能机理。在以后的研究中 ,将着重于探讨化学物质通过产生活性氧类物质而影响细胞凋亡的机理及建立相关的生物标志物。     

ROS在小白菊内酯诱导MM细胞凋亡中的作用

目的研究倍半萜内酯小白菊内酯(parthenolide,PL)对多发性骨髓瘤原代细胞和细胞株诱导的凋亡作用及其机制。方法以多发性骨髓瘤原代细胞及细胞株为研究对象,利用台盼蓝染色检测细胞存活率,用DAPI染色法检测细胞凋亡率,流式细胞仪检测反应氧(ROS)和线粒体膜电位水平变化。结果2.5μmol.L-1PL引起多发性骨髓瘤(multi-ple myeloma,MM)细胞明显凋亡及线粒体膜电位下降,而正常淋巴细胞在同等条件下不受影响。用2.5μmol.L-1PL作用10 h后,KMM-1和MM1S细胞ROS水平明显增加。用自由基清除剂L-N-乙酰半胱氨酸(L-NAC)预处理可抑制ROS的产生,对两种细胞存活率、凋亡率无影响。用还原型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸(NADPH)氧化酶抑制剂二亚苯基烟碱氯化物(diphenylene iodonium chloride,DPI)预处理KMM-1和MM1S,可明显抑制PL介导的ROS的产生,并对两种细胞凋亡率无影响。结论PL诱导多发性骨髓瘤细胞凋亡,而正常淋巴细胞在同等条件下不受影响。PL的凋亡活性是通过引起MM细胞氧化应激而介导的,并进一步推测NADPH氧化活性与PL介导的MM细胞ROS的产生相关。     

N-acetylcysteine alleviated silica-induced lung fibrosis in rats by down-regulation of ROS and mitochondrial apoptosis signaling

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a normal metabolic product of cellular respiration, but too much ROS can induce cell apoptosis. Here, we used N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to inhibit ROS activity to explore the effects of NAC on silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and provide evidence for study on the mechanism of silicosis. 24 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 180–220?g were randomly divided into three groups with eight rats in each group. Silicosis model group and NAC group were adopted non-tracheal exposure method of disposable intrapulmonary injection of 50?g/L, silica suspension 1?mL to establish animal silicosis model, NAC group treated with 600?mg/kg NAC by gavage from the right day of modeling, all animals were sacrificed after 28 days. The level of ROS contents and mitochondrial transmembrane potential changes of AM, the mRNA expression level of type I and type III procollagen, cytochrome C, cysteinyl aspartate specific protease-9 and caspase-3 were detected. The severity of pathological changes and pulmonary fibrosis were observed by pathologic specimens. It was showed that ROS contents and MTP changes were lower in the NAC group compared with the silicosis model group, other indexes were lower in the NAC group than the model group, but higher than those of the control group, the degree of lung fibrotic lesions observed from the pathological slices showed the same trend. These data indicated that NAC can reduce ROS content of AM in silica exposure rats, the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway can also be inhibited, the severity of pulmonary fibrosis alleviated as a result.     

Influence of NADPH oxidase inhibition on oxidative stress parameters in rat hearts

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess whether apocynin, an nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase blocker, influences lipid peroxidation TBARS, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content, protein level, heart edema, tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α) concentration or the glutathione redox system in heart homogenates obtained from endothelin 1 (ET-1)-induced oxidative stress rats.MethodsExperiments were carried out on adult male Wistar-Kyoto rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups: Group I: saline-treated control; Group II: saline followed by ET-1 (3 μg/kg b.w., iv); Group III: apocynin (5 mg/kg b.w., iv) administered half an hour before saline; Group IV: apocynin (5 mg/kg b.w., iv) administered half an hour before ET-1 (3 μg/kg b.w., iv).ResultsInjection of ET-1 alone showed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the hydrogen peroxide level (p < 0.01) vs. control, as well as a decrease (p < 0.001) in the GSH level. Apocynin significantly decreased TBARS (p < 0.001) and H₂O₂ (p < 0.05) level (vs. control) as well as improved protein level (p < 0.001) in the heart. Apocynin also prevented ET-1-induced heart edema (p < 0.05). The presence of ET-1 increased the concentration of TNF-α (p < 0.05) while apocynin decreased it (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that ET-1 may induce oxidative stress in heart tissue by reducing the GSH/GSSG ratio, stimulating lipid peroxidation and increasing TNF-α concentration. Apocynin diminished these measures of oxidative stress and TNF-α.ConclusionET-1-induced formation of ROS in the heart is at least partially regulated via NADPH oxidase.     

Mangiferin,a dietary xanthone protects against mercury‐induced toxicity in HepG2 cells

Mercury is one of the noxious heavy metal environmental toxicants and is a cause of concern for human exposure. Mangiferin (MGN), a glucosylxanthone found in Mangifera indica, reported to have a wide range of pharmacological properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytoprotective potential of MGN, against mercury chloride (HgCl₂) induced toxicity in HepG2 cell line. The cytoprotective effect of MGN on HgCl₂ induced toxicity was assessed by colony formation assay, while antiapoptotic effect by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometric DNA analysis, and DNA fragmentation pattern assays. Further, the cytoprotective effect of MGN against HgCl₂ toxicity was assessed by using biochemical parameters like reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) by spectrophotometrically, mitochondrial membrane potential by flowcytometry and the changes in reactive oxygen species levels by DCFH‐DA spectrofluoremetric analysis. A significant increase in the surviving fraction was observed with 50 μM of MGN administered two hours prior to various concentrations of HgCl₂. Further, pretreatment of MGN significantly decreased the percentage of HgCl₂ induced apoptotic cells. Similarly, the levels of ROS generated by the HgCl₂ treatment were inhibited significantly (P < 0.01) by MGN. MGN also significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited the HgCl₂ induced decrease in GSH, GST, SOD, and CAT levels at all the post incubation intervals. Our study demonstrated the cytoprotective potential of MGN, which may be attributed to quenching of the ROS generated in the cells due to oxidative stress induced by HgCl₂, restoration of mitochondrial membrane potential and normalization of cellular antioxidant levels. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2012.     

Effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on human keratinocytes

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a ubiquitous whitening compound widely used in topical products such as sunscreens, lotions and facial creams. The damaging health effects of TiO₂ inhalation has been widely studied in rats, mice and humans showing oxidative stress increase, DNA damage, cell death and inflammatory gene upregulation in lung and throat cells; however, the effects on skin cells from long-term topical use of various products remain largely unknown. In this study, we assessed the effect of specific TiO₂ nanoparticles (H₂TiO₇) on a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). We performed a comparative analysis using three TiO₂ particles varying in size (Fine, Ultrafine and H₂TiO₇) and analyzed their effects on HaCaTs. There is a clear dose-dependent increase in superoxide production, caspase 8 and 9 activity, and apoptosis in HaCaTs after treatment with all three forms of TiO₂; however, there is no consistent effect on cell viability and proliferation with either of these TiO₂ particles. While there is data suggesting UV exposure can enhance the carcinogenic effects of TiO₂, we did not observe any significant effect of UV-C exposure combined with TiO₂ treatment on HaCaTs. Furthermore, TiO₂-treated cells showed minimal effects on VEGF upregulation and Wnt signaling pathway thereby showing no potential effect on angiogenesis and malignant transformation. Overall, we report here an increase in apoptosis, which may be caspase 8/Fas-dependent, and that the H₂TiO₇ nanoparticles, despite their smaller particle size, had no significant enhanced effect on HaCaT cells as compared to Fine and Ultrafine forms of TiO₂.     

虾青素可能通过H~+传递功能保护NaN_3损伤的人胎肝L-02细胞

观察虾青素(astaxanthin)对呼吸链复合体Ⅳ抑制剂叠氮钠(NaN3)损伤的人胎肝L-02细胞保护作用,并初步探讨其作用机制。100 mmol·L-1 NaN3用于构建肝损伤细胞模型,通过测定不同浓度虾青素(0.01、0.10、1.00及10.00 nmol·L-1)对损伤细胞存活率(MTT检测)、细胞内活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平(DCFH-DA检测)、细胞凋亡率(Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法)以及线粒体膜电位(mitochondrial membrane potential,MMP)水平(JC-1法)的影响,发现虾青素能抑制损伤细胞晚期凋亡;对细胞存活率和MMP的保护作用呈现先增加后降低的非剂量依赖性关系,其中0.10 nmol·L-1虾青素表现为较强的保护作用;实验浓度范围内的虾青素并不能显著降低细胞内ROS水平(P>0.05)。为进一步探讨虾青素对损伤细胞的保护作用,人工制备平面双层磷脂膜(planar bilayer lipid membrane,BLM)模拟线粒体膜,测定不同浓度虾青素(0.1%、2.0%、10.0%)对H+的传递能力。结果...     

Physicochemical Properties of Liposomes Affecting Apoptosis Induced by Cationic Liposomes in Macrophages

Purpose. Cationic liposomes are expected to be useful as nonviral vectors for gene delivery. Cationic liposomes showed cytotoxicity, and we proposed that the cytotoxicity is through apoptosis. In this study, we examined the effects of liposomal properties, such as liposomal charge, size, membrane fluidity, and PEG coating, on the induction of apoptosis in the macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7. Methods. RAW264.7 cells were treated with liposomes, and the induction of apoptosis was evaluated by monitoring the changes in DNA content by flow cytometry. The association of liposomes with cells and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also measured by flow cytometry. Results. The induction of apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells was dependent on the concentrations of stearylamine or cholesterol, a component of cationic liposomes. A significant correlation was observed between the degree of apoptosis and association of cationic liposomes with the cells. Coating the liposomal surface with polyethylene glycol (PEG) decreased the association of cationic liposomes with RAW264.7 cells and reduced the induction of apoptosis. Liposomal size also affected the induction of apoptosis, and larger liposomes showed a higher degree of apoptosis induction. Furthermore, ROS, which were required for the induction of apoptosis by cationic liposomes, were generated in a cholesterol content-dependent manner, and ROS generation was also decreased by PEG coating as the association and the induction of apoptosis were reduced. Conclusions. The degree of apoptosis is related to the extent of association of cationic liposomes with cells and is related to the generation of ROS.     

Non-polar compounds of Persian Gulf sea cucumber Holothuria parva selectively induce toxicity on skin mitochondria isolated from animal model of melanoma

Purpose: Melanoma is a highly aggressive and deadly cancer with a poor prognosis given its drug resistance. A defect in apoptosis is one of the key mechanisms that contribute to drug resistance in Melanoma. An important sea marine animal is the Holothuria parva, also known as the sea cucumber, which has various pharmacological activities. Compounds obtained from sea cucumbers have shown to have anticancer activity through induction of apoptosis singling.

Materials and methods: In the present study, selective toxicity and apoptotic effect of three extracts of H. parva were assessed on skin mitochondria isolated from mouse animal models of melanoma. The mitochondria was isolated from melanoma cells via differential centrifuges and treated with various concentrations (250, 500 and 1000?µg/ml) of metanolic, diethyl ether and n-hexane extracts of H. parva.

Results: All the applied concentrations (250, 500 and 1000?µg/ml) of three extracts of H. parva increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation only in the skin mitochondria isolated from melanoma cells group (in comparison to the control group). Additionally, all three extracts (250, 500 and 1000?µg/ml) induced swelling within the mitochondria, the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. Flow-cytometry analysis demonstrated that n-hexane and diethyl ether extracts of H. parva selectively and progressively induced apoptosis only on melanoma but not healthy control skin cells group.

Conclusions: Given these results, the potentially bioactive compounds found in H. parva render it a strong candidate for further research in molecular identification and confirmatory in vivo studies. Clinical trials are also warranted in the general process of novel drug discovery for the treatment of melanoma cancer.     

Cardiac oxidative stress and dysfunction by fine concentrated ambient particles (CAPs) are mediated by angiotensin-II

Inhalation exposure to fine concentrated ambient particles (CAPs) increases cardiac oxidants by mechanisms involving modulation of the sympathovagal tone on the heart. Angiotensin-II is a potent vasoconstrictor and a sympatho-excitatory peptide involved in the regulation of blood pressure. We hypothesized that increases in angiotensin-II after fine particulate matter (PM) exposure could be involved in the development of cardiac oxidative stress. Adult rats were treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (benazepril^®), or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB; valsartan^®) before exposure to fine PM aerosols or filtered air. Exposures were carried out for 5 hours in the chamber of the Harvard fine particle concentrator (fine PM mass concentration: 440 ± 80 μg/m³). At the end of the exposure the animals were tested for in situ chemiluminescence (CL) of the heart, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and for plasma levels of angiotensin-II. Also, continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements were collected on a subgroup of exposed animals. PM exposure was associated with statistically significant increases in plasma angiotensin concentrations. Pre-treatment with the ACE inhibitor effectively lowered angiotensin concentration, whereas ARB treatment led to increases in angiotensin above the PM-only level. PM exposure also led to significant increases in heart oxidative stress (CL, TBARS), and a shortening of the T-end to T-peak interval on the ECG that were prevented by treatment with both the ACE inhibitor and ARB. These results show that ambient fine particles can increase plasma levels of angiotensin-II and suggest a role of the renin–angiotensin system in the development of particle-related acute cardiac events.