Survivin: A novel player in insulin cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Insulin inhibits ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial apoptosis through the activation of a survival signaling cascade including the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway. However, the down-stream mechanism of PI3K remains elusive. This study is aimed at investigating whether survivin (SVV) plays a role in the insulin-induced anti-apoptotic effect in the ischemic/reperfused (I/R) hearts, and if so, further determining the signaling mechanism involved. Isolated adult rat hearts were subjected to 30 min regional ischemia followed by reperfusion with or without insulin (10^− 7 mol/L) at the onset of reperfusion. Reperfusion with insulin inhibited myocardial apoptosis and reduced infarct size, along with significantly up-regulated myocardial SVV expression (5.9 ± 0.3 Group MI/R + Ins vs. 2.1 ± 0.1 Group MI/R, p < 0.05) and increased phosphorylations of mTOR and p70S6K compared with I/R group, which was blocked by pretreatment of PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Rapamycin, a specific mTOR inhibitor, did not alter insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation but significantly inhibited SVV expression (from 6.1 ± 0.3 to 3.0 ± 0.15, p < 0.05). Moreover, rapamycin blunted insulin-induced anti-apoptosis in the I/R hearts (8.1 ± 0.4% vs. 16.5 ± 1.8%, p < 0.05). To further ascertain the role of SVV in insulin-induced cardioprotection, cardiomyocytes were transfected with adenovirus encoding SVV (gain-of-function) or siRNA targeting SVV (loss-of-function). Overexpression of SVV decreased I/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vitro, while siRNA targeting SVV significantly blunted the anti-apoptotic effect of insulin. Taken together, these results suggest a novel role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/SVV signaling in the cardioprotective effect of insulin.     

Klotho在缺血再灌注损伤中的研究进展

缺血再灌注损伤在临床中十分常见且难以避免,是影响缺血性疾病治疗效果的一个重要因素。Klotho作为一种抗衰老蛋白,具有抗氧化应激、抗凋亡、抗炎、抑制钙超载等作用。本文结合国内外Klotho与缺血再灌注损伤相关疾病的最新研究报道,就Klotho与缺血再灌注损伤关系及其作用机制作一综述,为抗缺血再灌注损伤新药的后续研发提供依据。     

促红细胞生成素与心肌缺血再灌注损伤

近年来促红细胞生成素(erythropoietin,EPO)的非造血生物作用逐渐引起关注。研究表明,EPO 可以减轻缺血缺氧时心肌细胞的损伤,减少心肌细胞的调亡,从而使其可能成为预防和治疗心肌缺血再灌注损伤的一条途径。     

Potential Roles of Humanin on Apoptosis in the Heart

The process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is known as a key player in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. The proposed mechanism for apoptosis is the activation of two main apoptotic signaling pathways (the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways), which lead to cell death. As the rate and amount of cardiomyocyte loss is the most important determinant of patient morbidity and mortality, novel treatment strategies targeting apoptosis are crucial. Recently, Humanin has been shown to exert protective effects against cellular apoptosis in both experimental and clinical studies. The potential cardioprotective mechanisms of Humanin have been shown to involve both the extracellular and intracellular signaling pathways. In this review, the current knowledge and the mechanisms inhibiting cellular apoptosis by Humanin during cardiac injury are comprehensively summarized. In addition, both research and clinical findings regarding the effects of Humanin on the heart and vasculature are also presented and discussed. Currently available information suggests that Humanin may exert cardioprotective benefits and could potentially be used as a novel pharmacological intervention against cellular apoptosis during myocardial injury.     

Heme oxygenase-1 and gut ischemia/reperfusion injury: A short review

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the gut is a significant problem in a variety of clinical settings and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Although the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of gut I/R injury have not been fully elucidated, it is generally believed that oxidative stress with subsequent inflammatory injury plays an important role. Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of heme, followed by production of CO, biliverdin, and free iron. The HO system is believed to confer cytoprotection by inhibiting inflammation, oxidation, and apoptosis, and maintaining microcirculation. HO-1, an inducible form of HO, serves a vital metabolic function as the rate-limiting step in the heme degradation pathway, and affords protection in models of intestinal I/R injury. HO-1 system is an important player in intestinal I/R injury condition, and may offer new targets for the management of this condition.     

不同浓度硝酸甘油对心脏缺血/再灌注的作用及ALDH2的作用

目的 探讨不同浓度硝酸甘油(GTN)对离体大鼠心脏缺血/再灌注损伤的作用,进一步分析线粒体乙醛脱氢酶2(ALDH2)在其中的作用.方法 采用离体大鼠心脏Langendorff灌流方法,局部结扎冠状动脉左前降支30 min,复灌30 min复制缺血/再灌注模型.实验分五组,正常对照组,单纯缺血/再灌注组,GTN低浓度组(10 -8 mol/L GTN),中浓度组(10-7 mol/L GTN)及高浓度组(2×10 -6 mol/L GTN).测定心室动力学指标和复灌期间冠脉流出液中乳酸脱氢酶( lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)含量,RT-PCR测定左心室前壁心尖组织线粒体ALDH2基因mRNA表达水平.结果 与单纯缺血/再灌注组相比,GTN低浓度组左心室发展压(LVDP)、室内压最大上升/下降速率(±dp/dtmax)均增高,左心室舒张末压(LVEDP)降低,中浓度组无明显差异,高浓度组LVDP和±dp/dtmax均降低;LVEDP增高.与缺血/再灌注组相比,正常对照组和低浓度GTN组心肌组织ALDH2 mRNA表达增高,中浓度无明显差异,高浓度组大鼠心肌ALDH2 mRNA表达降低.结论 低浓度GTN可对抗心肌缺血/再灌注损伤,高浓度GTN加重损伤,中浓度GTN对损伤影响不大,此现象可能与不同浓度GTN引起心肌ALDH2的释放量不同有关.     

老年大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的缺血后处理保护

目的:评价老年大鼠急性心肌缺血再灌注后的损伤以及缺血后处理的保护作用,并比较与成年大鼠之间的区别.方法:成年及老年雄性SD大鼠,左侧开胸,建立心肌缺血/再灌注模型.实验共分为6组,成年及老年大鼠各3组(n=8/成年组,n=6/老年组):成年大鼠缺血再灌注组(I/Radult)及老年大鼠缺血再灌注组(I/Raged);成...     

MicroRNA-15a/b are up-regulated in response to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Objective Several studies have indicated that miR-15a, miR-15b and miR-16 may be the important regulators of apoptosis. Since attenuate apoptosis could protect myocardium and reduce infarction size, the present study was aimed to find out whether these miRNAs participate in regulating myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods Apoptosis in mice hearts subjected to I/R was detected by TUNEL assay in vivo, while flow cytometry analysis followed by Annexin V/PI double stain in vitro was used to detect apoptosis in cultured cardiomyocytes which were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Taqman real-time quantitative PCR was used to confirm whether miR-15a/15b/16 were involved in the regulation of cardiac I/R and H/R. Results Compared to those of the controls, I/R or H/R induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased both in vivo (24.4% ± 9.4% vs. 2.2% ± 1.9%, P < 0.01, n = 5) and in vitro (14.12% ± 0.92% vs. 2.22% ± 0.08%). The expression of miR-15a and miR-15b, but not miR-16, was increased in the mice I/R model, and the results were consistent in the H/R model. Conclusions Our data indicate miR-15 and miR-15b are up-regulated in response to cardiac I/R injury, therefore, down-regulation of miR-15a/b may be a promising strategy to reduce myocardial apoptosis induced by cardiac I/R injury.     

The signalling pathway of CaMKII-mediated apoptosis and necrosis in the ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ca²⁺-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) plays an important role mediating apoptosis/necrosis during ischemia-reperfusion (IR). We explored the mechanisms of this deleterious effect. Langendorff perfused rat and transgenic mice hearts with CaMKII inhibition targeted to sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR-AIP) were subjected to global IR. The onset of reperfusion increased the phosphorylation of Thr¹⁷ site of phospholamban, without changes in total protein, consistent with an increase in CaMKII activity. Instead, there was a proportional decrease in the phosphorylation of Ser2815 site of ryanodine receptors (RyR2) and the amount of RyR2 at the onset of reperfusion, i.e. the ratio Ser2815/RyR2 did not change. Inhibition of the reverse Na⁺/Ca²⁺exchanger (NCX) mode (KBR7943) diminished phospholamban phosphorylation, reduced apoptosis/necrosis and enhanced mechanical recovery. CaMKII-inhibition (KN-93), significantly decreased phospholamban phosphorylation, infarct area, lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH) (necrosis), TUNEL positive nuclei, caspase-3 activity, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and Ca²⁺-induced mitochondrial swelling (apoptosis), and increased contractile recovery when compared with non-treated IR hearts or IR hearts pretreated with the inactive analog, KN-92. Blocking SR Ca²⁺ loading and release (thapsigargin/dantrolene), mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter (ruthenium red/RU360), or mitochondrial permeability transition pore (cyclosporine A), significantly decreased infarct size, LDH release and apoptosis. SR-AIP hearts failed to show an increase in the phosphorylation of Thr¹⁷ of phospholamban at the onset of reflow and exhibited a significant decrease in infarct size, apoptosis and necrosis respect to controls. The results reveal an apoptotic-necrotic pathway mediated by CaMKII-dependent phosphorylations at the SR, which involves the reverse NCX mode and the mitochondria as trigger and end effectors, respectively, of the cascade.     

Differential effects of membrane and soluble Fas ligand on cardiomyocytes: role in ischemia/reperfusion injury

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis by Fas ligand (FasL)/Fas signaling is associated with various pathophysiological conditions, such as ischemia/reperfusion injury and congestive heart failure. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that shedding of membrane FasL is a mechanism for downregulating FasL/Fas signaling and both membrane and soluble FasL are involved in cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. We also examined the relative importance of mitochondrial damage and direct cleavage of the executioner caspases by activated initiator caspase 8 in the propagation of FasL/Fas signaling activated by either recombinant membrane FasL or H/R. We demonstrated that in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes maintained under normal culture conditions, recombinant human soluble FasL increased caspase 3 activation by twofold but did not reduce cell viability. In contrast, infection with a recombinant adenoviral vector expressing the non-cleavable human FasL (Ad2/nchFasL) resulted in cardiomyocyte death that was attenuated by soluble FasL. H/R increased the mRNA levels of both FasL and Fas and activated caspases 8, 9 and 3, indicating the activation of FasL/Fas signaling. Z-IETD.fmk and Z-LEHD.fmk, selective inhibitors for caspases 8 and 9, respectively, abolished caspase 3 activation induced by Ad2/nchFasL or H/R. Z-IETD.fmk also significantly reduced Ad2/nchFasL- or H/R-induced cardiomyocyte death. H/R potentiated membrane FasL-induced cell death. These results suggest that shedding of membrane FasL downregulates FasL/Fas signaling in cardiomyocytes and both membrane and soluble FasL contribute to H/R injury. Activation of FasL/Fas signaling by either recombinant membrane FasL under normal culture conditions or H/R causes cardiomyocyte death mainly through the mitochondrial damage/caspase 9 activation pathway.     

Protective effects of luteolin against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in endothelial cells

Background and aimsLuteolin is a common flavonoid that is abundantly present in various edible plants, it is known to exhibit beneficial effects on cardiovascular system. However, the mechanisms which underlie the protective effects of luteolin on endothelial cell damage caused by oxidative stress remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis which states that luteolin protects against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress via modulating ROS-mediated P38 MAPK/NF-κB and calcium-evoked mitochondrial apoptotic signalling pathways.Methods and resultsHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated with luteolin prior to being stimulated by 600 μM H₂O₂ for another 24 h. The expression of native and phosphorylated-P38, IκB, NF-κB, native eNOS, phosphorylated-eNOS, iNOS and several apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed by Western blot. In addition, intracellular calcium was determined by fura-2 AM and mitochondrial membrane potential was examined by using JC1. Using the data gathered, we found indications that H₂O₂ induced P38 MAPK/NF-κB activation. H₂O₂ downregulated the expression of eNOS and upregulated iNOS, which in turn contribute to an elevated NO generation and protein nitrosylation. However, pretreatment with luteolin markedly reversed all of these alterations dose-dependently. Additionally, an intracellular calcium rise and subsequent mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, P53 phosphorylation, reduced BcL-2/Bax ratio in the mitochondrial membrane, release cytochrome c from mitochondria, leading to the subsequent activation of caspase 3 activation by H₂O₂ were all markedly suppressed in the presence of luteolin.ConclusionResults from this study may provide the possible molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular protective effects of luteolin.     

一氧化氮与肺缺血再灌注损伤的研究进展

一氧化氮（nitricoxide，NO）是一种活性很强的自由基，具有广泛的生物学活性。多项研究提示NO在急性肺缺血／再灌注（ischemia／reperfusion，I／R）损伤中具有重要作用。本文重点描述有关一氧化氮在肺I／R损伤中作用的研究进展。     

Taurine prevents myocardial ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in prolonged hypothermic rat heart preservation

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a potent antioxidant and inhibits cell apoptosis in ischemic reperfusion injury. In this study we evaluated whether addition of taurine to St. Thomas' cardioplegic solution enhances its myocardial protective effects in prolonged hypothermic heart preservation in rats. Hearts isolated from male Sprague–Dawley rats were mounted on a Langendorff apparatus to estimate baseline cardiac function, then arrested and stored in St. Thomas' cardioplegic solution, with taurine (10 mM; taurine group, n = 8) or without taurine (control group, n = 8), for 6 h at 4°C. After storage, the hearts were reperfused and heart rate (HR), coronary flow (CF), left ventricular developed pressure (LVP), and positive maximum left ventricular developing pressure (max LV dp/dt) were measured. The LV tissue was examined immunohistochemically for determining DNA oxidative stress and cell apoptosis. Compared with control groups, recovery of LVP (P < 0.001), max LV dp/dt (P < 0.001), and coronary flow (P < 0.001) were significantly enhanced, whereas glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (P < 0.01), lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.05), creatine phosphate kinase (P < 0.01), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine index (P < 0.01), caspase-3 mRNA expression (P < 0.05), and percentage of TUNEL-positive cardiomyocytes (P < 0.05) were reduced in the taurine group. Addition of taurine to St. Thomas' cardioplegic solution improved cardiac function recovery for prolonged hypothermic rat heart preservation by suppressing DNA oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.     

Cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of human stem cell factor protects against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury

Background

Cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of human membrane-associated stem cell factor (hSCF) improves cardiac function post-myocardial infarction. However, whether hSCF overexpression protects the heart from ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury is unknown. We aimed to investigate the effects of cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of hSCF on cardiac injury after acute myocardial I/R and related cellular and molecular signaling mechanisms.

Methods and results

Wild-type (WT) and hSCF/tetracycline transactivator (tTA) transgenic mice (hSCF/tTA) were subjected to myocardial ischemia for 45 min followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Infarct size and myocardial apoptosis were decreased in hSCF/tTA compared to WT mice (P < 0.05). Furthermore, these cardioprotective effects in the hSCF/tTA mice were abrogated by doxycycline, which turned off hSCF overexpression, and by a PI3 kinase inhibitor LY294002. Myocardial expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which are upstream activators of Akt signaling, was significantly increased in hSCF/tTA compared to WT mice after I/R (P < 0.05), and was associated with higher number of c-kit⁺ cardiac stem cells (CSCs) (P < 0.05). Inhibition of c-kit signaling by ACK2 treatment abolished these protective effects in hSCF/tTA mice.

Conclusions

Cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of hSCF protects the heart from I/R injury. The cardioprotective effects of hSCF overexpression are mediated by increased c-kit⁺ CSCs, enhanced growth factor expression and activation of Akt signaling pathway.     

蛇床子素后处理对大鼠心肌急性缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的观察蛇床子素后处理对大鼠心肌急性缺血／再灌注损伤的作用。方法采用结扎左冠状动脉前降支制备在体大鼠急性心肌缺血／再灌注损伤模型。30只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为伪手术（Sham）组、缺血／再灌注（I／R）组和缺血／再灌注＋蛇床子素后处理（Ost）组。采用BL-410生物信号记录分析系统记录大鼠左心室收缩压（LVSP）、左心室舒张末压（LVEDP）及左心室压力上升和下降最大速率（＋dp／dtmax）等心功能数据。实验结束后腹主动脉采血,采用ELISA方法检测血清肌酸激酶同工酶（CK—MB）、肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）含量,应用透视电镜对左室心尖部心肌组织超微结构进行形态学观察。结果与Sham组相比,I／R组大鼠心肌超微结构发生明显改变,心脏收缩、舒张功能显著降低,血清CK—MB及cTnI含量均显著增高。与I／R组比较,Ost组大鼠心肌超微结构损伤明显减轻,心功能明显改善,血清CK—MB及cTnI含量显著降低。结论蛇床子素后处理对急性心肌缺血／再灌注所致的大鼠心肌损伤具有保护作用。     

Interplay between the cardiac renin angiotensin system and JAK-STAT signaling: role in cardiac hypertrophy,ischemia/reperfusion dysfunction,and heart failure

Recent studies have shown that the JAK-STAT signaling pathway plays a central role in cardiac pathophysiology. JAK-STAT signaling has been implicated in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, ischemic preconditioning, and ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac dysfunction. The different STAT family members expressed in cardiac myocytes appear to be linked to different, and at times, opposite responses, such as cell growth/survival and apoptosis. Thus, differential activation and/or selective inhibition of the STAT proteins by agonists for G-protein coupled receptors, such as angiotensin II, may contribute to cardiac dysfunction during ischemia and heart failure. In addition, JAK-STAT signaling may represent one limb of an autocrine loop for angiotensin II generation, that serves to amplify the actions of angiotensin II on cardiac muscle. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of recent findings that have been made for JAK-STAT signaling in cardiac myocytes and to highlight some unresolved issues for future investigation. The central focus of this review is on recent studies suggesting that modulation or activation of JAK-STAT signaling by ANG II has pathological consequences for heart function.