FR180204, a novel and selective inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase,ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis in mice

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a serine/threonine protein kinase of the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, is activated by various stimuli in inflammatory cells. We recently described FR180204 (5-(2-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridazin-3-amine), a novel selective ERK inhibitor. In this paper, we investigated the effect of FR180204 on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1 mice, an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) mediated by type II collagen (CII)-reactive T cells and anti-CII antibodies. Preventive administration of FR180204 (100 mg/kg, i.p., b.i.d.) significantly ameliorated the clinical arthritis and body weight loss occurring in the CIA mice. Further, FR180204-treated mice showed a significant decrease in plasma anti-CII antibody levels (62%). FR180204 also attenuated delayed-type hypersensitivity in CII-immunized DBA/1 mice, an inflammatory response elicited by CII-reactive T cells, in a dose-dependent manner (52 and 62% inhibition at 32 and 100 mg/kg, respectively). Moreover, FR180204 inhibited in vitro CII-induced proliferation of lymph node cells prepared from CII-immunized mice, in which CII-specific T cells are known to undergo specific proliferation. In conclusion, our results suggest that ERK regulates both the cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in the development of CIA. ERK inhibitors may be useful as therapeutic reagents for the treatment of RA.     

delta-Opioid receptor stimulation enhances the growth of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway

1. The aims of the present study were to determine whether delta-opioid receptor stimulation enhanced proliferation of and to investigate the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in ventricular myocytes from neonatal rats. 2. At concentratins ranging from 10 nmol/L to 10 micromol/L, [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) concentration-dependently promoted myocardial growth and DNA synthesis and altered the cytoskeleton. 3. At 1 micromol/L, DADLE also increased the expression and phosphorylation of ERK. 4. These effects of 1 micromol/L DADLE were abolished by 10 micromol/L naltrindole, a selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist, 10 nmol/L U0126, a selective ERK antagonist, 1 micromol/L staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase (PK) C, and 100 micromol/L Rp-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate triethylammonium salt hydrate (Rp-cAMPS), an inhibitor of PKA. 5. In conclusion, delta-opioid receptor stimulation enhances the proliferation and development of the ventricular myocytes of neonatal rats. The ERK pathway and related signalling mechanisms, namely PKC and PKA, are involved.     

Effects of olanzapine, sertindole and clozapine on learning and memory in the Morris water maze test in naive and MK-801-treated mice

Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia is associated with functional disease symptoms. The beneficial effects of second generation antipsychotic drugs on cognitive function in schizophrenic patients are controversial. In this study, we investigated the effects of the second generation antipsychotics olanzapine, sertindole and clozapine on cognitive function in the Morris water maze task in naive or MK-801-treated animals. Male balb-c mice were treated subchronically with olanzapine (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.), sertindole (0.63, 1.3, 2.5 mg/kg, s.c.) or clozapine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.), and cognitive deficits were induced by MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. Water maze performance was expressed as escape latency to find the hidden platform, the time spent in target quadrant, the mean distance to platform and the swim speed. In naive mice olanzapine impaired water maze performance, whereas sertindole and clozapine had no effect while the MK-801-induced cognitive impairment was reversed by the second generation antipsychotics — olanzapine, sertindole and clozapine at the doses used. These results revealed that while olanzapine had some disturbing effects on cognitive functions in naive animals; olanzapine, sertindole and clozapine might improve cognitive deficits in schizophrenic patients.     

Valproic acid enhances protein l-isoaspartyl methyltransferase expression by stimulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway

Proteins are susceptible to various non-enzymatic post-translational modifications occurring during aging and in certain pathological states. The protein l-isoaspartyl methyltransferase (PIMT) is an enzyme that recognizes and repairs the abnormal l-isoaspartyl residues in proteins. Recently, we reported that PIMT expression was stimulated by the anti-epileptic drug valproic acid and that this was mediated through the glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3)/β-catenin pathway. In this study, to gain further insights into which of the signaling pathways activated by valproic acid regulate PIMT abundance, astrocytoma U-87 MG and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were treated with this drug to investigate the possible involvement of the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in PIMT induction. Valproic acid increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation on Thr202/Tyr204 and Thr185/Tyr187, respectively. Pharmacological inhibitors against the kinases Src, c-Raf, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 abolished the ERK1/2 phosphorylation stimulated by valproic acid, thus preventing PIMT induction by the drug. Furthermore, MEK1/2 inhibition with U0126 blocked the higher phosphorylation of RSK-1 on Thr359/Ser363 and of GSK-3β on Ser9 as well as the increased expression of RSK-1, β-catenin and PIMT upon treatment with valproic acid. RSK-1 knockdown by interfering RNA abrogated the increased expression of RSK-1, β-catenin and PIMT as well as the induced phosphorylation of RSK-1 and GSK-3β due to valproic acid. Thus, our findings demonstrated that PIMT up-regulation by valproic acid required the activation of the ERK signaling pathway including RSK-1 the latter being responsible for inactivating GSK-3 and subsequently leading to β-catenin stabilization.     

Acrylonitrile-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation via protein kinase C (PKC) in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is classified by IARC as a probable carcinogen. Chronic exposure to ACN increases the incidence of tumors in various organs of test animals, including the brain and lung. ERK1/2 activation plays crucial roles in cell proliferation and is involved in many steps of tumor progression. Therefore, this study examined whether ACN altered the activation state of ERK1/2 in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. Treatment of these cells with ACN greatly increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in dose- and time-dependent manners. This effect was inhibited by PD 98059 and U 0126, specific inhibitors of MEK, indicating that MEK, an upstream activator of ERK1/2, was directly involved in ACN-induced ERK1/2 activation. Furthermore, the activation of ERK1/2 by ACN was attenuated by inhibition of PKC with GF 109203X, rottlerin and prolonged incubation with PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate). This demonstrated the participation of PKC in the ACN-stimulated activation of ERK1/2. Taken together, our results indicate that ACN-induced ERK1/2 activation involves PKC through a MEK-dependent pathway.     

MK-801 potentiates morphine-induced impairment of memory consolidation in mice: involvement of dopaminergic mechanisms

The purpose of the present research was to study the interaction between the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 and morphine in memory consolidation. The involvement of dopamine (DA) mechanisms in this interaction was also studied. Four sets of experiments were carried out with CD1 mice in a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task with post-training injections of drugs. In a first series of experiments post-training administration of morphine or of the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 impaired memory consolidation. In the second set of experiments the memory consolidation impairment exerted by MK-801 was potentiated by the administration of the D₁ dopamine (DA) receptor antagonist SCH 23390 and by that of the D₂ DA receptor antagonist (−)-sulpiride. In the third set of experiments, administration of a dose of MK-801 ineffective by itself potentiated the memory impairment exerted by morphine. In the fourth series of experiments, similar ineffective doses of the D₁ DA receptor agonist SKF 38393 or of the D₂ DA receptor agonist LY 171555 antagonized the impairment of memory consolidation produced by MK-801 and morphine in combination, suggesting the involvement of dopaminergic mechanisms. Received: 29 April 1996/Final version: 17 March 1997     

Metabolic characteristics of Tanshinone I in human liver microsomes and S9 subcellular fractions

1. Tanshinone I (TSI) is a lipophilic diterpene in Salvia miltiorrhiza with versatile pharmacological activities. However, metabolic pathway of TSI in human is unknown.

2. In this study, we determined major metabolites of TSI using a preparation of human liver microsomes (HLMs) by HPLC-UV and Q-Trap mass spectrometer. A total of 6 metabolites were detected, which indicated the presence of hydroxylation, reduction as well as glucuronidation.

3. Selective chemical inhibition and purified cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoform screening experiments revealed that CYP2A6 was primarily responsible for TSI Phase I metabolism. Part of generated hydroxylated TSI was glucuronidated via several glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms including UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A7, UGT1A9, as well as extrahepatic expressed isoforms UGT1A8 and UGT1A10. TSI could be reduced to a relatively unstable hydroquinone intermediate by NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and then immediately conjugated with glucuronic acid by a panel of UGTs, especially UGT1A9, UGT1A1 and UGT1A8. Additionally, NQO1 could also reduce hydroxylated TSI to a hydroquinone intermediate, which was immediately glucuronidated by UGT1A1.

4. The study demonstrated that hydroxylation, reduction as well as glucuronidation were the major pathways for TSI biotransformation, and six metabolites generated by CYPs, NQO1 and UGTs were found in HLMs and S9 subcellular fractions.

     

Atorvastatin attenuates vascular remodelling in spontaneously hypertensive rats via the protein kinase D/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 pathway

The present study was conducted to determine whether atorvastatin reduces hypertension-induced vascular remodelling and whether its effects involve protein kinase D (PKD) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5). We used 16-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The blood pressure and serum lipid concentration were measured. Changes in the vascular morphology and histology were examined using H&E, Masson^’s trichrome, and Sirius Red staining. The media thickness (MT), ratio of MT to lumen diameter (LD) (MT/LD), collagen volume fraction (CVF) and hydroxyproline content were measured to evaluate vascular remodelling. Atorvastatin (50 mg/kg/day) was administered for 8 weeks. Increased blood pressure and vascular remodelling were more prominent in SHRs than in WKY rats. SHRs also had elevated PKD and ERK5 activation. The systolic blood pressure, MT/LD ratio, and hydroxyproline content were positively correlated with the activation level of PKD and ERK5 in SHRs. Atorvastatin significantly attenuated the activation of PKD and ERK5. Overall, this study demonstrated that atorvastatin could reverse vascular remodelling in SHRs. The PKD/ERK5 signalling pathway might be important for elucidating the beneficial pleiotropic effects of atorvastatin on vascular remodelling.     

Involvement of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway in the induction of apoptosis by cadmium chloride in CCRF-CEM cells

When CCRF-CEM cells were incubated with 5–40 μM CdCl_2, apoptosis was observed most clearly at 10 μM. Prior to the development of apoptosis, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), i.e. extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK, were activated with different sensitivity to CdCl₂ exposure. ERK and p38 MAPK were phosphorylated with incubation of 1 μM CdCl_2, but higher than 20 μM CdCl₂ was required for the clear phosphorylation of JNK. In the time–course study, ERK and p38 MAPK were phosphorylated earlier than JNK after CdCl₂ exposure. The in vitro activities of MAPKs also increased in response to CdCl₂ exposure. Pretreatment with an intracellular Ca²⁺ chelator, 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester (BAPTA/AM), suppressed almost completely CdCl₂-induced phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK, but not ERK phosphorylation, indicating that the activation of JNK and p38 MAPK depends on the intracellular Ca²⁺ but that of ERK does not. On the other hand, treatment with a MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor, U0126 (1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis[2-aminophenylthio]butadiene), suppressed CdCl₂-induced ERK activation and the apoptosis as well. The inhibition of p38 MAPK activity with SB203580 (4-[4-fluorophenyl]-2-[4-methylsulfinylphenyl]-5-[4-pyridyl]1H-imidazole) did not protect cells from apoptosis. The present results showed that the activation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK is differently regulated in CCRF-CEM cells exposed to CdCl_2, and that the ERK pathway seems to be responsible for the induction of apoptosis by CdCl₂ exposure in this human T cell line.     

丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠对AngⅡ诱导的心肌细胞肥大反应中磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2的作用

目的从细胞外信号调节激酶1/2(ERK1/2)激活角度研究丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠(sodium tanshinoneⅡ Asulfonate,STS)对血管紧张素Ⅱ(angiotensinⅡ,AngⅡ)诱导的心肌肥大反应中的作用。方法培养新生大鼠心肌细胞,考马斯亮蓝法测定心肌细胞蛋白含量、[3H]-亮氨酸参入法测定蛋白合成速率作为心肌肥大指标;用免疫荧光标记法和Western blot测定磷酸化ERK1/2蛋白(p-ERK1/2)表达。结果(1)AngⅡ(1μmol·L-1)处理24h,心肌细胞[3H]-亮氨酸参入率、蛋白含量明显增加,STS能明显抑制AngⅡ介导心肌细胞[3H]-亮氨酸参入率、蛋白含量的增加;(2)AngⅡ刺激心肌细胞可见胞核内出现磷酸化ERK1/2荧光染色,丹参酮ⅡA可阻断AngⅡ引起的ERK1/2活化、入核过程;(3)用AngⅡ(1μmol·L-1)处理心肌细胞5min,磷酸化ERK1/2蛋白(p-ERK1/2)表达即开始增加,10min左右时最明显。以AngⅡ(1μmol·L-1)处理心肌细胞10min,磷酸化ERK1/2蛋白(p-ERK1/2)表达为标准,预先以STS(2,10,50μmol·L-1)处理心肌细胞30min,发现STS可明显抑制AngⅡ诱导的心肌细胞磷酸化ERK1/2蛋白表达;(4)预先以不同浓度STS处理心肌细胞30min,发现STS对AngⅡ诱导的心肌细胞磷酸化ERK1/2蛋白表达的抑制作用存在剂量依赖性。结论STS可以抑制AngⅡ诱导的心肌肥厚,其机制与抑制磷酸化ERK1/2表达有关。     

Effects of olanzapine, sertindole and clozapine on MK-801 induced visual memory deficits in mice

We investigated the effects of the second generation antipsychotics olanzapine, sertindole and clozapine on visual recognition memory using the novel object recognition (NOR) test in naive and MK-801-treated animals. The effects of drug treatment on locomotion and anxiety were also determined using the open field test.Male Balb-c mice were treated with olanzapine (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg/kg; i.p.), sertindole (0.63, 1.3 and 2.5 mg/kg; s.c.) or clozapine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg; i.p.), and cognitive deficits were induced by MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg; i.p.) administration. Olanzapine treatment decreased the ratio index in the NOR test, whereas sertindole and clozapine had no effect in naive mice. MK-801-induced cognitive impairment was reversed by treatment with olanzapine, sertindole or clozapine. While olanzapine, sertindole and clozapine had no effect on the anxiety of naive mice as determined by the open field test, MK-801 significantly increased the total distance traveled, time spent in the center zone and the velocity of the animals. MK-801-induced effects on locomotion and anxiety in the open field test were reversed by olanzapine, sertindole or clozapine treatment. The results of the present study demonstrated that olanzapine, sertindole and clozapine improved cognition in MK-801 treated mice, and indicate that these drugs have a potential to improve cognition in schizophrenia.     

Involvement of the extracellular signal regulated kinase pathway in hydrocarbon-induced reactive oxygen species formation in human neutrophil granulocytes

In the present study we have examined the effects of hydrocarbons on the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human neutrophil granulocytes in vitro. We found that hydrocarbons induce ROS formation in a concentration-dependent manner and that the ROS-inducing potency increases with increasing number of carbon atoms in the structure. In general, aromatic hydrocarbons were less potent inducers of ROS than aliphatic and cyclic hydrocarbons. The most potent compound in each group, t-butylcyclohexane, n-decane, and n-butylbenzene, were chosen for mechanistic studies. ROS formation was inhibited by the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor erbstatin-A, and the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase inhibitor wortmannin. The involvement of the ERK1/2 pathway was confirmed by Western blot analysis of phosphorylated ERK1/2. The study revealed only small differences in the mechanisms involved for the three compounds. The responses were not affected by Pertussis toxin, indicating that Gi-protein coupled receptors are not involved in neutrophil activation after hydrocarbon exposure. Based on these findings we propose a mechanism involving tyrosine kinases, PI3 kinase, and the ERK1/2 pathway, leading to activation of the NADPH oxidase and production of ROS in neutrophils stimulated by organic solvents.     

The effects of -cycloserine and MK-801 on the performance of rats in two spatial learning and memory tasks

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of modulation of the (NMDA) receptor on learning and memory. Thus, the performance of rats treated with -cycloserine, a partial agonist at the glycine recognition site of the NMDA receptor complex, and MK-801, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, either alone or concurrently were assessed in radial arm maze and water maze tasks. Administration of MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) impaired acquisition in the water maze (increased escape latency and distance) and working memory in the radial arm maze (increased re-entries) in rats. Moreover, in the radial arm maze, MK-801 disrupted locomotion (increased latencies and decreased arm entries per minute) and impaired the acquisition of reference memory (increased number of errors) performance of rats. -Cycloserine (0.03, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) had no effects on acquisition or memory performance of control or MK-801-treated rats in either of these tasks. However, -cycloserine (0.03, 0.3, 3.0 mg/kg) reversed the MK-801-induced disruption in locomotion. Furthermore, 3.0 mg/kg -cycloserine increased behavioral activity and also decreased the time needed to complete the task in control animals. To conclude, our results suggest that the consequences of NMDA receptor modulation on learning and memory processes and sensorimotor functions may be functionally different or have distinct anatomical locations.     

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and Bcl-2 downregulation mediate apoptosis after gemcitabine treatment partly via a p53-independent pathway

Gemcitabine is a promising compound for the treatment of human lung cancer. Although apoptosis has been shown to play a role in certain cell types with gemcitabine, the steps leading to cell death after the drug-target interaction are not well understood. We studied the molecular mechanisms of gemcitabine-induced apoptosis and determined the role of p53 function on the cytotoxic effects of gemcitabine in human nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H1299 and H1299/p53 cells. Here, we found that gemcitabine induced an apoptotic cell death via a Bcl-2-dependent caspase-9 activation pathway. Moreover, phosphorylated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was observed upon gemcitabine treatment. Genetical or pharmacological inhibition of ERK activation markedly blocked gemcitabine-induced cell death. Furthermore, inactivation of Akt was also involved in this event. Taken together, our observations indicate that ERK activation and Akt inactivation mediated gemcitabine-induced apoptosis independently of p53 in human NSCLC H1299 cells.     

铅对小鼠脑细胞外信号调节激酶活力的影响

目的 研究不同浓度乙酸铅染毒对发育期不同时段小鼠脑组织细胞外信号调节激酶(extracellular signalregulated kinases，ERK)活力表达的影响。方法分组饲养小鼠，对照组喂以蒸馏水；实验组于交配后改喂含不同浓度乙酸铅(0．5、2．4、4．8、7．2、9．6和14．4mmol／L)的水溶液。新生鼠通过母乳摄人铅；断乳后幼鼠自行饮水摄入铅。新生鼠按生后不同日龄(P1，P8，P15，P22，P30)取脑组织。利用ERK磷酸化抗体，通过蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测不同日龄不同染铅浓度小鼠等量脑标本中ERK活力表达。结果Western blot结果显示，较低浓度的铅可引起某些发育时段ERKl／2活力水平升高，如Pb 0．5mmol／L．组P30时段和Pb 2．4mmol/L组P22时段的ERK活力比对照组明显升高，而逐渐升高的铅浓度可以引起P22-P30时段小鼠脑中ERK活力表达逐渐下降，9．6mmo1/L Pb浓度下P30时段小鼠脑ERK活力降至最低。但在更高的铅浓度(14．4mmol／L)下，未见ERK活力继续降低。另外，Pb 7．2组在P1、P8和P15时段明显高于正常对照组，而P22和P30时段则明显低于正常对照组。结论铅对P22和P30时段小鼠脑中ERK活力水平有明显的影响。低浓度铅可引起某些发育时段ERKl／2活力水平升高，较高浓度铅引起某些发育时段ERKl／2水平降低。     

An investigation of the effect of sorafenib on tumour growth and recurrence after liver cancer resection in nude mice independent of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase levels

Objective: The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of sorafenib on tumor growth, recurrence and metastasis after curative resection of liver cancer.

Research methods: SMMC-7721 and HCCLM3 liver tumors, each with different metastatic potential and basal phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) levels, were orthotopically implanted into 56 nude mice. Mice were divided into a treatment sub study and a prevention sub study.

Results: In the treatment sub study, tumor volumes in the high pERK-expressing HCCLM3 model were 2.58 ± 0.83 and 0.38 ± 0.09 cm³ without and with sorafenib, respectively (p < 0.001). The corresponding volumes in the low pERK-expressing SMMC-7721 model were 1.36 ± 0.24 and 0.24 ± 0.14 cm³ (p < 0.001), respectively. Sorafenib inhibited HCCLM3 cell proliferation and decreased tumor angiogenesis, but did not inhibit proliferation in the SMMC-7721 model. In the prevention sub study, intrahepatic recurrent tumor volumes were 1.96 ± 0.45 and 0.18 ± 0.24 cm³ (p < 0.001); lung metastasis frequencies were 100 and 0% (p = 0.005); and lifespans were 36 ± 3 and 46 ± 5 days (p = 0.002) in the control and sorafenib subgroups, respectively.

Conclusions: Sorafenib inhibits tumor growth and prevents metastatic recurrence after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice. The effect of sorafenib does not exclusively depend on high levels of pERK in tumors.     

Tanshinone IIA suppresses lung injury and apoptosis, and modulates protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase pathways in rats challenged with seawater exposure

1. Tanshinone IIA (TIIA) is one of the main active components of the Chinese herb, Danshen. In the present study, we investigated the role of apoptosis in seawater exposure-induced acute lung injury (ALI), and explored the effects of TIIA on lung injury, apoptosis, and protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathways in seawater-challenged rats. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: (i) naive group, no drug was given; (ii) TIIA control group, TIIA (50 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally; (iii) seawater (SW) group, seawater (4 mL/kg) was given; and (iv) TIIA/SW group, TIIA (50 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 10 min after seawater instillation. 2. The results showed that TIIA treatment significantly improved seawater exposure-induced lung histopathological changes, alleviated the decrease in PaO(2) , and reduced lung oedema, vascular leakage and cell infiltration. As shown by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay, seawater exposure induced apoptosis in lung tissue cells. Furthermore, seawater exposure also changed apoptosis-related factors Bcl-2 and caspase-3, and caused a reduction in the activation of Akt and ERK1/2 pathways. Furthermore, TIIA treatment decreased the number of apoptotic cells, reversed changes in Bcl-2 and caspase-3, and upregulated the activation of Akt and ERK1/2 in seawater-challenged rats. 3. In conclusion, the data suggest that apoptosis might play an important role in seawater exposure-induced lung injury and that TIIA could significantly attenuate the severity of ALI and apoptosis in seawater-challenged rats, which is possibly through modulation of Akt and ERK1/2 pathways.     

Shikonin ameliorates D-galactose-induced oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in mice via the MAPK and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway

Oxidative stress acts as the major causative factor for various age‐associated neurodegenerative diseases, triggering cognitive and memory impairments. In the present study, the underlying neuroprotective mechanism governing how shikonin acts against D-galactose (D-gal)-induced memory impairment, neuroinflammation and neuron damage was examined. The results revealed that chronic administration of D-gal [150 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)] in mice caused cognitive and memory impairments, as determined by Morris water-maze test. Shikonin treatment, however, alleviated D‐gal-induced memory impairment and reversed the D‐gal-induced neural damage and apoptosis. Furthermore, western blotting and the results of morphological analysis revealed that shikonin treatments markedly reduced D‐gal induced neuroinflammation through inhibition of astrocytosis as determined by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) detection, and downregulating other inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6. Moreover, shikonin treatment led to inhibition of the activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), preventing neurodegeneration. Hence, taken together, the results of the present study suggested that shikonin attenuated D‐gal-induced memory impairment, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, possibly via the NF‐κB/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Our data suggest that shikonin could be a promising, endogenous and compatible antioxidant candidate for age‐associated neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.     

Involvement of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase pathway in phosphorylation of p53 protein and exerting cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) exposed to acrylamide

Using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, effects of acrylamide on p53 protein and intracellular signal transducting pathways were examined. Acrylamide increased p53, phosphorylated p53, and p53-associated protein murine double minute 2 (MDM2). The phosphorylation of p53 was specific for the Ser15 site. Among mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), acrylamide caused phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and p38 but not c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase. Nevertheless, blocking p38 pathway by LL-Z1640-2 did not suppress the phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15. In contrast, a specific inhibitor of ERK kinase (U0126 or PD98059) could abolish the accumulation as well as the phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15. Elevation of MDM2 was also abolished by U0126. An inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase (PIKK) pathway (wortmannin) suppressed the increase of p53 and its phosphorylation at Ser15. Hence, acrylamide increases p53 protein and its phosphorylation at Ser15 through ERK and/or PIKK pathways. On the other hand, U0126 and PD98059 suppressed to some extent the cytotoxicity of acrylamide evaluated by trypan blue exclusion and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, whereas neither LL-Z1640-2 nor wortmannin was effective in suppressing the toxicity. Thus, ERK pathway seems to play a role both in causing the phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15 and in the cytotoxicity of acrylamide in SH-SY5Y cells.