Red wine polyphenols induce EDHF-mediated relaxations in porcine coronary arteries through the redox-sensitive activation of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway

Red wine polyphenolic compounds (RWPCs) are potent inducers of endothelium-dependent relaxations of coronary arteries, which involve both nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). The EDHF-mediated relaxation to RWPCs is critically dependent on the formation of reactive oxygen species by a flavin-dependent enzyme. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of redox-sensitive protein kinases including p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and PI3-kinase/Akt in RWPCs-induced EDHF-mediated relaxation. Porcine coronary artery rings were suspended in organ chambers for measurement of changes in isometric tension. Confluent cultures of porcine coronary artery endothelial cells were used to determine the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and Akt by Western blot analysis. All experiments were performed in the presence of indomethacin and Nomega-nitro-L-arginine. RWPCs caused pronounced endothelium-dependent relaxations, which were significantly reduced by wortmannin and LY294002, two inhibitors of PI3-kinase, and not affected by PD98059 (an inhibitor of ERK1/2 kinase kinase) and SB203580 (an inhibitor of p38 MAPK). In contrast, wortmannin did not affect relaxations to bradykinin or levcromakalim. RWPCs elicited within minutes a sustained and concentration-dependent phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and Akt in endothelial cells. The phosphorylation of Akt in response to RWPCs was abolished by wortmannin and LY294002, and by the membrane-permeant analogue of superoxide dismutase Mn(III)tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin. The present findings demonstrate that RWPCs cause EDHF-mediated relaxations of coronary arteries; these responses are critically dependent on the redox-sensitive activation of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway in endothelial cells.     

Oleanolic acid supplement attenuates liquid fructose-induced adipose tissue insulin resistance through the insulin receptor substrate-1/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway in rats

Oleanolic acid, a triterpenoid contained in more than 1620 plants including various fruits and foodstuffs, has numerous metabolic effects, such as hepatoprotection. However, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Adipose tissue insulin resistance (Adipo-IR) may contribute to the development and progress of metabolic abnormalities through release of excessive free fatty acids from adipose tissue. This study investigated the effect of oleanolic acid on Adipo-IR. The results showed that supplement with oleanolic acid (25 mg/kg, once daily, by oral gavage) over 10 weeks attenuated liquid fructose-induced increase in plasma insulin concentration and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index in rats. Simultaneously, oleanolic acid reversed the increase in the Adipo-IR index and plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance test assessment. In white adipose tissue, oleanolic acid enhanced mRNA expression of the genes encoding insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. At the protein level, oleanolic acid upregulated total IRS-1 expression, suppressed the increased phosphorylated IRS-1 at serine-307, and restored the increased phosphorylated IRS-1 to total IRS-1 ratio. In contrast, phosphorylated Akt to total Akt ratio was increased. Furthermore, oleanolic acid reversed fructose-induced decrease in phosphorylated-Akt/Akt protein to plasma insulin concentration ratio. However, oleanolic acid did not affect IRS-2 mRNA expression. Therefore, these results suggest that oleanolic acid supplement ameliorates fructose-induced Adipo-IR in rats via the IRS-1/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. Our findings may provide new insights into the mechanisms of metabolic actions of oleanolic acid.     

Hyperinsulinaemia increases the gene expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in rat aorta

1. Hyperinsulinaemia has been reported to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Insulin stimulates both the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. To investigate the direct effects of insulin on vascular tissues, we examined the gene and protein expression of insulin signalling molecules, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and MAPK in aortas obtained from established hyperinsulinaemic rats under deep urethane anaesthesia (1.2 g/kg, i.p.). 2. High plasma insulin levels significantly enhanced the gene and protein expression of eNOS in aortas. This was accompanied not only by increased mRNA levels of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, IRS-2, PI3-K and Akt, but also by a high protein content of Akt and phospho-Akt (Ser473). 3. In contrast, MAPK mRNA levels were decreased in hyperinsulinaemic rats compared with normoinsulinaemic rats. 4. Insulin receptor mRNA levels were also lower in insulin-treated rats rather than controls. The overexpression of mRNA for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I receptor was also observed in aortas from hyperinsulinaemic rats. 5. To our knowledge, these data provide the first direct measurements of the mRNA of insulin signalling molecules and the downstream eNOS and MAPK. We conclude that hyperinsulinaemia itself can lead to the upregulation of eNOS and the PI3-K/Akt pathway in the vasculature and may also induce the overexpression of VEGF and IGF-I receptor genes.     

Raloxifene improves coronary perfusion, cardiac contractility, and myocardial metabolism in the ischemic heart: role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway

The purpose of this study is to examine whether raloxifene, one of the selective estrogen receptor modulators, could improve myocardial ischemia and to assess the mechanisms involved. In open-chest beagle dogs anesthetized by intravenous infusion of sodium pentobarbital, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was perfused from the left carotid artery through an extracorporeal bypass tube. Raloxifene was infused into the LAD through the bypass tube under either ischemic or non-ischemic conditions. In the non-ischemic heart, raloxifene had no effect on coronary blood flow, fractional shortening, and myocardial metabolism. However, raloxifene caused an acute increase in both coronary blood flow and fractional shortening, and also improved myocardial anaerobic metabolism in the ischemic heart. These effects were partially attenuated by pretreatment with either L-NAME or wortmannin and were completely abolished by ICI182780 (an estrogen receptor antagonist) or L-NAME plus charybdotoxin (a blocker of Ca-activated K channels). Raloxifene also increased both Akt activity and the NO level, with these changes being completely abrogated by pretreatment with wortmannin. These results demonstrated that raloxifene improves coronary perfusion, cardiac contractility, and myocardial metabolism by release of NO and opening of Ca-activated K channels in the ischemic heart, and that NO production is mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway.     

Neuroprotective effects of neurokinin receptor one in dopaminergic neurons are mediated through Akt/PKB cell signaling pathway

Neurokinin one (NK1) receptor is Substance P (SP) receptor and it is abundantly distributed in the basal ganglia. Growing evidences were shown on their possible roles in the pathogenesis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). NK1 receptor is a kind of G-protein-coupled-receptor (GPCR) and it links to various downstream survival signaling pathways. In the present study, treatment of NK1 receptor agonist septide [(Pyr6, Pro9)-SP (6-11)] was found to ameliorate the motor deficit in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats in apomorphine rotation test. Septide treatments were also demonstrated to provide neuroprotection. In 6-OHDA lesioned rats, protection of TH immunoreactive neurons and terminals in substantia nigra (SN) and striatum was found after septide treatment. In SH-SY5Y cultures, cytotoxicity of 6-OHDA was reduced by septide pretreatment. In addition, up-regulations of phosphorylated serine–threonine kinase Akt and phosphorylated mitochondrial apoptotic protein BAD were observed in both in vivo and in vitro models, indicating the inhibition of apoptotic pathway by septide. In conclusion, septide could trigger the pro-survival Akt/PKB signaling pathway and protect dopaminergic neurons in in vivo and in vitro models against 6-OHDA toxicity. Therefore septide treatment may have therapeutic implications in treatment of PD.     

Protective effect of hydrogen sulphide against 6-OHDA-induced cell injury in SH-SY5Y cells involves PKC/PI3K/Akt pathway

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) is a novel neuromodulator. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of H₂S against cell injury induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a selective dopaminergic neurotoxin often used to establish a model of Parkinson''s disease for studying the underlying mechanisms of this condition.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Cell viability in SH-SY5Y cells was measured using MTT assay. Western blot analysis and pharmacological manipulation were employed to study the signalling mechanisms.

KEY RESULTS

Treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with 6-OHDA (50–200 µM) for 12 h decreased cell viability. Exogenous application of NaHS (an H₂S donor, 100–1000 µM) or overexpression of cystathionine β-synthase (a predominant enzyme to produce endogenous H₂S in SH-SY5Y cells) protected cells against 6-OHDA-induced cell apoptosis and death. Furthermore, NaHS reversed 6-OHDA-induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase. Western blot analysis showed that NaHS reversed the down-regulation of PKCα, ε and Akt and the up-regulation of PKCδ in 6-OHDA-treated cells. Blockade of PKCα with Gö6976 (2 µM), PKCε with EAVSLKPT (200 µM) or PI3K with {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 (20 µM) reduced the protective effects of H₂S. However, inhibition of PKCδ with rottlerin (5 µM) failed to affect 6-OHDA-induced cell injury. These data suggest that the protective effects of NaHS mainly resulted from activation of PKCα, ε and PI3K/Akt pathway. In addition, NaHS-induced Akt phosphorylation was significantly attenuated by Gö6976 and EAVSLKPT, suggesting that the activation of Akt by NaHS is PKCα, ε-dependent.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

H₂S protects SH-SY5Y cells against 6-OHDA-induced cell injury by activating the PKCα, ε/PI3K/Akt pathway.     

Lung tumorigenesis promoted by anti-apoptotic effects of cotinine, a nicotine metabolite through activation of PI3K/Akt pathway

We previously found that genetic polymorphism in cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) is one of the potential determinants of tobacco-related lung cancer risk. It has been reported that the plasma concentration of cotinine, a major metabolite of nicotine, in carriers of wild-type alleles of CYP2A6 is considerably higher than that in carriers of null or reduced-function alleles of CYP2A6, raising the possibility that cotinine plays an important role in the development of lung cancer. As a novel mechanism of lung tumorigenesis mediated by CYP2A6, we investigated the effects of cotinine on the suppression of apoptosis and promotion of lung tumor growth. In human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, cotinine inhibited doxorubicin-induced cell death by suppressing caspase-mediated apoptosis. Enhanced phosphorylation of Akt, a key factor responsible for cell survival and inhibition of apoptosis, was detected after cotinine treatment. These data suggest that cotinine suppresses caspase-mediated apoptosis induced by doxorubicin through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Furthermore, we clarified that cotinine significantly facilitated tumor growth in the Lewis lung cancer model and accelerated development of lung adenomas induced by 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in A/J mice. We herein propose that cotinine induces tumor promotion by inhibiting apoptosis and enhancing cellular proliferation, thus underlining the importance of CYP2A6 in tobacco-related lung tumorigenesis.     

Aspirin protects Caco-2 cells from apoptosis after serum deprivation through the activation of a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/p21Cip/WAF1pathway

Our previous studies indicated that millimolar doses of aspirin induced growth arrest and resistance to anticancer drug treatment in Caco-2 cells. The present study was designed to better elucidate at the molecular level the effect of aspirin treatment on pathways that regulate cell death during serum withdrawal. Caco-2 cells were cultured under serum deprivation in the presence or absence of aspirin. Effects on cell cycle, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways were investigated. We found that aspirin, but not the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor N-[2-(cyclohexyloxyl)-4-nitrophenyl]-methane sulfonamide (NS-398); prevented apoptosis and G2/M transition after prolonged Caco-2 cells serum deprivation. Aspirin-dependent inhibition of apoptosis and G2/M transition was prevented by treatment with the PI3-kinase inhibitor 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002), but not with the MAP kinase kinase inhibitor 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD98059). The effects of aspirin were mediated at molecular levels, through activation of PI3-kinase/AKT pathway and increase in the p21Cip/WAF1 level. The ability of aspirin to activate AKT protein was observed also in presence of etoposide cotreatment. Our data indicate a new intracellular target of aspirin with potential clinical impact for treatment schedules involving both anticancer agents and aspirin in malignancies.     

SMND-309 promotes neuron survival through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/CREB-signalling pathway

Context In clinical practice, the promotion of neuron survival is necessary to recover neurological functions after the onset of stroke.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the post-ischaemic neuroprotective effect of SMND-309, a novel metabolite of salvianolic acid, on differentiated SH-SY5Y cells.

Materials and methods SH-SY5Y cells were differentiated by pre-treating with 5?μM all-trans-retinoic acid for 6 d. The differentiated SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) for 2?h and reperfusion (R) for 24?h to induce OGD/R injury. After OGD injury, differentiated SH-SY5Y cells were treated with or without SMND-309 (5, 10, 20?μM) for another 24?h. Cell viability was detected through Cell counting kit-8 assay and lactate dehydrogenase leakage assay. Apoptosis was evaluated through flow cytometry, caspase-3 activity assay. Changes in protein levels were assessed through Western blot.

Results SMND-309 ameliorated the degree of injury in the differentiated SH-SY5Y cells by increasing cell viabilities (5?μM, 65.4%?±?4.1%; 10?μM, 69.8%?±?3.7%; 20?μM, 75.3%?±?5.1%) and by reducing LDH activity (20?μM, 2.5 fold) upon OGD/R stimulation. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining results suggested that apoptotic rate of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells decreased from 43.8% induced by OGD/R injury to 19.2% when the cells were treated with 20?μM SMND-309. SMND-309 significantly increased the Bcl-2 level of the injured differentiated SH-SY5Y cells but decreased the caspase-3 activity of these cells by 1.6-fold. In contrast, SMND-309 did not affect the Bax level of these cells. SMND-309 evidently increased the protein expression of BDNF when Akt and CREB were activated. This function was antagonized by the addition of LY294002.

Conclusion SMND-309 can prevent neuronal cell death in vitro. This process may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt/CREB-signalling pathway.     

Protective effect of Huangpu Tongqiao capsule against Alzheimer's disease through inhibiting the apoptosis pathway mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress in vitro and in vivo

ObjectivesHuangpu Tongqiao Capsule (HPTQC) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study was to explore the pharmacological action and molecular mechanism of HPTQC in the treatment of AD.MethodsThe possible targets of HTPQC were predicted by the molecular docking technique. Intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose and bilateral injection of Aβ_25-35 in hippocampus induced AD rat model. Morris water maze was used to observe learning and memory function. The primary hippocampal neurons were induced by Aβ_25-35. Moreover, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal nerve cells was detected through AnnexinV/PI double standard staining. The mRNA and protein levels of GRP78, CHOP, Caspase 12, Caspase 9, and Caspase 3 were detected by PCR and western blot.ResultsThe prediction results suggest that HPTQC may act on GRP78. HPTQC significantly improved the learning and memory function, and decreased neuronal apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. In addition, HPTQC could decrease the mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78, CHOP, Caspase12, Caspase9, and Caspase3, and the effect trend was consistent with the specific inhibitor of GRP78.ConclusionsHPTQC has a neuroprotective effect against AD by inhibiting the apoptosis pathway mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress.     

Dipeptide IF prevents the effects of hypertension‐induced Alzheimer's disease on long‐term memory in the cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions; it can damage blood vessels and rupture blood vessels can trap in small vessels. This blockage can prevent blood flow and oxygen delivery to brain cells and can result in Alzheimer's disease (AD). HTN‐ and AD‐mediated long‐time memory loss and its treatment remain poorly understood. Plant‐derived natural compounds are alternative solutions for effectively treating diseases without any side effects. This study revealed that bioactive peptides extracted from potato hydrolysis suppress HTN‐mediated long‐term memory (LTM) loss and cell apoptosis, thus improving memory formation and neuronal cell survival in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) rat model. SHR rats were treated with bioactive peptide IF (10 mg/kg orally) and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (5 mg/kg orally). In this study, we evaluated the molecular expression levels of BDNF‐, GluR1‐, and CREB‐mediated markers protein expression in 24‐week‐old SHR rats. The study result showed that HTN‐induced AD regulated long‐term memory (LTM) loss and neuronal degeneration in the SHR animals. The bioactive peptide‐treated animals showed an elevated level of survival proteins. Bioactive peptide IF activate CREB‐mediated downstream proteins to regulate synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival in the SHR rat model.     

The preparation of 123/125I‐clioquinol for the study of Aβ protein in Alzheimer's disease

Clioquinol or 5‐chloro‐7‐iodo‐8‐hydroxyquinoline (CQ) is a lipophilic hydroxyquinoline currently under investigation for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by targeted copper and zinc chelation. CQ was radiolabelled with no‐carrier‐added iodine‐123/125 to give high specific activity analogs for SPECT imaging and biochemical studies. ¹²³I‐clioquinol (¹²³I‐CQ) was prepared by direct iodination of the activated hydroxyquinoline using a variety of oxidants. Highest yields (>85%) and purity were obtained when chloramine‐T or iodogen at pH 4–5 was used. Large‐scale radiolabelled ¹²³I‐CQ was purified by reverse‐phase HPLC using a C‐18 small ‘Rocket®’ column. The radiochemical purity of ¹²³I‐CQ as assessed by analytical HPLC was 99.1±0.6% (n = 9) with specific activity higher than 3 GBq/nmol for ¹²³I‐CQ and 80 MBq/nmol for ¹²⁵I‐CQ. The total preparation time was 40 min and starting from 3.7 GBq of iodine‐123, more than 2.5 GBq of formulated ¹²³I‐CQ as radiopharmaceutical was available for clinical investigations. Using the same method of preparation, ¹²⁵I‐CQ was produced in radiochemical and chemical purity higher than 97% with a specific activity of 80 MBq/nmol. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

右美托咪定对减轻 APP/PS1小鼠海马区炎性因子分泌及细胞凋亡的作用

目的 探讨右美托咪定(dexmedetomidine,DEX)对APP/PS1转基因小鼠海马区抗炎抗凋亡的作用,并探讨其可能的机制.方法 2018年3月至2019年3月,将APP/PS1小鼠采用随机数字表法分为模型组(TG)、DEX低、高剂量组(TG+10、20μg/kg DEX,每天腹腔注射1次,连续4周)和4-苯基丁酸(PBA)阳性对照组(TG+400 mg/kg PBA,每天腹腔注射1次,连续4周),另取野生型C57BL/6小鼠作为对照组(WT);水迷宫检测各组小鼠的学习与记忆能力;Nissl染色各组小鼠海马区神经细胞的数量;TUNEL检测各组小鼠海马区凋亡细胞数;ELISA检测各组小鼠海马区白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)及肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)蛋白的表达;WB法检测海马区B淋巴细胞瘤-2相关X蛋白(Bax)、B淋巴细胞瘤-2(Bcl-2)和半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶(caspase-3)的表达;WB法检测小鼠海马区内质网应激相关蛋白葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)和内质网应激蛋白(CHOP)的表达.结果 与TG组比较,PBA和DEX明显提高APP/PS1小鼠的学习与记忆能力;增强海马区神经元的数量并减少神经细胞的凋亡;显著降低IL-1β、IL-6及TNF-α蛋白的浓度;抑制Bax/Bcl-2和裂解的caspase-3的表达;降低GRP78和CHOP的蛋白表达.结论 DEX对APP/PS1小鼠海马区炎症因子分泌以及细胞凋亡有一定的减轻作用,可能是通过抑制海马区内质网应激来发挥治疗作用.     

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.     

磷酰肌醇-3激酶途径与bcr/abl基因介导的白血病细胞增殖和抗凋亡信号传导

目的探讨磷酰肌醇-3激酶途径在K562、NB4和HL60细胞增殖和凋亡抗性中的不同作用。方法短期培养法直接法G显带检测K562细胞和CML患者骨髓原代细胞的染色体核型,RQ-PCR检测K562细胞和CML患者骨髓原代细胞的bcr/abl基因;用磷酰肌醇-3激酶特异抑制剂渥曼青霉素(WT)抑制磷酰肌醇-3激酶活性,经细胞生长曲线测定、半固体集落形成实验、流式细胞膜联蛋白V标记技术检测细胞凋亡百分比和凋亡指数。观察K562、NB4和HL60细胞增殖能力及凋亡抗性的变化。统计学采用t检验。结果K562细胞G显带检出Ph染色体,RQ-PCR检测K562细胞存在bcr/abl基因;与标准Ph染色体表达的CML患者骨髓原代细胞的bcr/abl基因完全吻合;K562、NB4和HL60细胞在24h、48h、72h的增殖抑制率分别为41.33%、57.46%、65.85%和26.29%、5.51%、2.10%及32.14%、17.14%、13.14%。生长曲线显示WT抑制磷酰肌醇-3激酶途径可显著抑制K562细胞的增殖(P<0.05),而对NB4和HL60细胞增殖无明显影响(P>0.05)。K562、NB4和HL60细胞加和不...     

Hypoxia-induced iNOS expression in microglia is regulated by the PI3-kinase/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and activation of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha

Exposure to hypoxia induced microglia activation and animal studies have shown that neuronal cell death is correlated with microglial activation following cerebral ischemia. Thus, it is likely that toxic inflammatory mediators produced by activated microglia under hypoxic conditions may exacerbate neuronal injury following cerebral ischemia. The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is primarily involved in the sensing and adapting of cells to changes in the O(2) level, which is regulated by many physiological functions. However, the role of HIF-1 in microglia activation under hypoxia has not yet been defined. In the current work, we investigate the signaling pathways of HIF-1alpha involved in the regulation of hypoxia-induced overexpression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in microglia. Exposure of primary rat microglial cultures as well as established microglial cell line BV-2 to hypoxia induced the expression of iNOS, indicating that hypoxia could lead to the inflammatory activation of microglia. iNOS induction was accompanied with NO production. Moreover, the molecular analysis of these events indicated that iNOS expression was regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/AKT/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and activation of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha). Thus, during cerebral ischemia, hypoxia may not only directly damage neurons, but also promote neuronal injury indirectly via microglia activation. In this study, we demonstrated that hypoxia induced iNOS expression by regulation of HIF-1alpha in microglia.