Ischemic preconditioning and diazoxide limit mitochondrial Ca2+ overload during ischemia/reperfusion: Role of reactive oxygen species

BACKGROUND:

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with cardioprotection imparted by ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and pharmacological PC (PPC). The authors have previously shown that IPC or PPC, using the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel opener diazoxide (DZ), reduce mitochondrial Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_m) during ischemia and reperfusion.

OBJECTIVES:

To test the hypothesis that both IPC and PPC (using DZ) lead to reduced [Ca²⁺]_m and improved functional recovery via a ROS-dependent mechanism.

METHODS:

Intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) and [Ca²⁺]_m were measured in isolated perfused rat hearts loaded with the fluorescent indicator indo-1 acetoxymethyl ester. [Ca²⁺]_m was determined by quenching the cytosolic indo-1 signal using manganese before ischemia (25 min). IPC and DZ (100 μM) group hearts were studied with and without the ROS scavenger N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine (400 μM) (2-MPG).

RESULTS:

Both IPC and DZ significantly reduced [Ca²⁺]_i and [Ca²⁺]_m on reperfusion compared with the control. Administration of 2-MPG with washout before ischemia significantly attenuated the reduction in [Ca²⁺]_m observed on reperfusion in both the IPC and DZ groups. Additionally, the myocardial functional protection imparted by IPC or DZ was lost with the administration of 2-MPG.

CONCLUSIONS:

The [Ca²⁺]_m-reducing effect of IPC and DZ was attenuated with the administration of 2-MPG, resulting in decreased myocardial functional performance and increased release of creatine kinase, a marker of cellular injury. It can be concluded that IPC and DZ impart their protective effect via a mechanism involving ROS generation before the ischemic episode.     

Heme oxygenase-1 alleviates ischemia／reperfusion injury in aged liver

AIM: To investigate if ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in aged liver could be alleviated by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). METHODS: Three groups of SD rats (16 mo old) were studied. Group 1: control donors received physiological saline 24 h before their livers were harvested; group 2: donors were pretreated with hemih 24 h before their livers were harvested; and group 3: donors received hemin 24 h before their livers were harvested and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP, HO-1 inhibitor) was given to recipients at reperfusion. The harvested livers were stored in University of Wisconsin solution (4℃) for 6 h, and then transplanted to syngeneic rats. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), apoptotic cells, and apoptotic gene were measured 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 h after reperfusion. We measured the apoptotic index by TUNEL, determined the expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and proapoptotic (caspase-3) gene products by Western blot.. RESULTS: After 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of reperfusion, the SGOT levels (584.4±85.8 u/L, 999.2±125.2 u/L, 423.4±161.3 u/L, 257.8±95.8 u/L, and 122.4±26.4 u/L) in hemin group were significantly (all P<0.05) lower than those in saline group (1082.2±101.2 u/L, 1775.2±328.3 u/L, 840.4±137.8 u/L, 448.6±74.3 u/L, and 306.2±49.3 u/L). Liver HO-1 enzymatic activity correlated with beneficial effects of hemin and deleterious effects of adjunctive ZnPP treatment. Markedly less apoptotic (TUNEL+) liver cells 3, 6,12, 24, and 48 h after reperfusion (5.16±0.73, 10.2±0.67, 9.28±0.78, 7.14±1.12, and 4.78±0.65) (P<0.05) could be detected in hemin liver grafts, as compared to controls (7.82±1.05, 15.94±1.82, 11.67±1.59, 8.28±1.09, and 6.36±0.67). We detected the increased levels of Bcl-2 (1.5-fold) expression and compared with saline controls. These differences were most pronounced at 12 h after transplantation. In contrast, an active form of proapoptotic caspase-3 (p20) protein was found to be 2.9-fold lower at 24 h in hemin-pretreated group, as compared to saline liver transplant controls. CONCLUSION: HO-1 overexpression can provide potent protection against cold I/R injury. This effect depends, at least in part, on HO-1-mediated inhibition of antiapoptotic mechanism.     

Hypercontractile female hearts exhibit increased S-nitrosylation of the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit and reduced ischemia/reperfusion injury

Mechanisms underlying gender differences in cardiovascular disease are poorly understood. We found previously that, under hypercontractile conditions, female hearts exhibit significantly less ischemia/reperfusion injury than males. Here we show that male wild-type (WT) mouse hearts pretreated with 10 nmol/L isoproterenol before ischemia exhibited increased injury versus female hearts, but this relative protection in females was absent in eNOS(-/-) and nNOS(-/-) hearts. In isoproterenol-treated female versus male hearts, there was also more endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) associated with cardiomyocyte caveolin-3, and more neuronal NOS (nNOS) translocation to caveolin-3 during ischemia/reperfusion. S-nitrosothiol (SNO) formation was increased in isoproterenol-treated ischemic/reperfused hearts in all mouse genotypes, but only in WT mice was SNO content significantly higher in females than males. Using the biotin switch method, we identified the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit as the predominant S-nitrosylated protein in membrane fractions, and following isoproterenol and ischemia/reperfusion male/female differences in SNO were seen only in WT hearts, but not in constitutive NOS(-/-) genotypes. The isoproterenol-induced increase in L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) was smaller in females versus in males, but NOS blockade increased ICa in females. This gender difference in ICa in isoproterenol-treated myocytes (and abolition on NOS inhibition) was mirrored exactly in Ca2+ transients and SR Ca2+ contents. In conclusion, these data suggest that eNOS and nNOS both play roles in the gender differences observed in ischemia/reperfusion injury under adrenergic stimulation, and also demonstrate increased S-nitrosylation of the L-type Ca2+ channels in female cardiomyocytes.     

Stanniocalcin 1 prevents cytosolic Ca2+ overload and cell hypercontracture in cardiomyocytes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to examine whether stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) affects cardiomyocytes under physiological or pathophysiological conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using fresh isolated rat cardiomyocytes, the effects of STC1 on cell hypercontracture, cell shortening and Ca(2+) transients were measured after exposing the cells to ouabain. STC1 alone did not affect cell shortening or the Ca(2+) transient. Exposure to ouabain significantly increased the fraction of hypercontractured cells (40.5+/-1.4% vs 3.5+/-1.7% in the control, p<0.01). However, treatment with STC1 decreased the percentage of cell hypercontracture that was induced by ouabain, in a concentration-dependent manner (17.4+/-2.6% at 2.5 nmol/L STC1, p<0.01). Moreover, STC1 prevented the increase in diastolic intracellular Ca(2+) level that was induced by ouabain (-5.3+/-2.7% vs 7.9+/-3.7% induced by ouabain, p<0.05; -15.3+/-5.1% in the control) in the cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS: STC1 prevented the increase in diastolic Ca(2+) overload and ouabain-induced cell hypercontracture, which suggests that STC1 could effectively prevent cytosolic Ca(2+) overload and protect cardiomyocytes from pathophysiological conditions such as in the failing heart.     

神经调节蛋白1通过ERK1-2通路减轻心肌细胞缺氧复氧损伤

目的探究神经调节蛋白1(NRG-1)通过细胞外调节蛋白激酶1/2(ERK1/2)通路减轻心肌细胞缺氧复氧(H/R)损伤的作用。方法培养心肌H9c2细胞株,随机分为常规条件下用不含药物DMEM处理的对照组、H/R条件下用不含药物DMEM处理的H/R组、H/R条件下用含NRG-1 DMEM处理的NRG-1组、H/R条件下用含NRG-1及ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059处理的NRG-1+PD组。检测细胞增殖活力、凋亡率及细胞中的凋亡基因、炎症指标、ERK1/2。结果 H/R组细胞的OD_(490)水平明显低于对照组,细胞凋亡率、细胞中cleaved Caspase-8、cleaved Caspase-9、cleaved Caspase-3、核因子κB(NF-κB)、ERK1/2的表达水平及培养基中肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)、γ干扰素(IFN-γ)的含量明显高于对照组;NRG-1组细胞的OD_(490)水平及细胞中ERK1/2的表达水平明显高于H/R组,细胞凋亡率、细胞中cleaved Caspase-8、cleaved Caspase-9、cleaved Caspase-3、NF-κB的表达水平及培养基中TNF-α、IL-1β、IFN-γ的含量明显低于H/R组;NRG-1+PD组细胞的OD_(490)水平及细胞中ERK1/2的表达水平明显低于NRG-1组,细胞凋亡率、细胞中cleaved Caspase-8、cleaved Caspase-9、cleaved Caspase-3、NF-κB的表达水平及培养基中TNF-α、IL-1β、IFN-γ的含量明显高于NRG-1组。结论 NRG-1通过激活ERK1/2通路减轻心肌细胞H/R损伤。     

Inhibition of IkappaB phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes attenuates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

OBJECTIVE: Reperfusion injury is related closely to inflammatory reactions such as activation of inflammatory cells and expression of cytotoxic cytokines. We investigated the efficacy of IkappaB phosphorylation blockade in a rat myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury model. METHODS AND RESULTS: IMD-0354 inhibited phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in cultured cardiomyocytes. TNF-alpha-induced production of interleukin-1beta and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 from cultured cardiomyocytes was reduced significantly by IMD-0354. Transient left coronary artery occlusion (30 min) and reperfusion (24 h) were carried out in Sprague-Dawley rats. IMD-0354 (1, 5, 10 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 5 min before the start of reperfusion. Treatment with IMD-0354 resulted in a significant dose-dependent reduction of the infarction area/area at risk ratio (vehicle, 47.0+/-3.4%; 10 mg/kg of IMD-0354, 19.4+/-4.0%; P<0.01) and the preservation of fractional shortening ratio (vehicle, 25.0+/-1.5%; 10 mg/kg of IMD-0354, 42.3+/-1.7%; P<0.01). Histological analysis showed that accumulation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the area at risk was decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB by IkappaBalpha phosphorylation blockade could provide an effective approach to attenuation of ischemia/reperfusion injury. The cardioprotective effects of IMD-0354 include not only reduction of harmful neutrophil accumulation in myocardium but also inhibition of harmful cytokine and chemokine production by cardiomyocytes.     

Fish oil alleviates liver injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion via AMPK/SIRT-1/autophagy pathway

AIM To evaluate whether fish oil(FO) can protect liver injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) via the AMPK/SIRT-1/autophagy pathway.METHODS Ischemia in wistar rats was induced by superior mesenteric artery occlusion for 60 min and reperfusion for 240 min. One milliliter per day of FO emulsion or normal saline was administered by intraperitoneal injection for 5 consecutive days to each animal. Animals were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion. Blood andtissue samples were collected for analyses. AMPK, SIRT-1, and Beclin-1 expression was determined in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated HepG2 cells with or without FO emulsion treatment.RESULTS Intestinal I/R induced significant liver morphological changes and increased serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Expression of p-AMPK/AMPK, SIRT-1, and autophagy markers was decreased whereas tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and malonaldehyde(MDA) were increased. FO emulsion blocked the changes of the above indicators effectively. Besides, in LPS-stimulated HepG2 cells, small interfering RNA(siRNA) targeting AMPK impaired the FO induced increase of p-AMPK, SIRT-1, and Beclin-1 and decrease of TNF-α and MDA. SIRT-1 siRNA impaired the increase of SIRT-1 and Beclin-1 and the decrease of TNF-α and MDA.CONCLUSION Our study indicates that FO may protect the liver against intestinal I/R induced injury through the AMPK/SIRT-1/autophagy pathway.     

Effects of Ca^2＋ channel blockers on store-operated Ca^2＋ channel currents of Kupffer cells after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

AIM: To study the effects of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury on store-operated calcium channel (SOC) currents (I(SOC)) in freshly isolated rat Kupffer cells, and the effects of Ca(2+) channel blockers, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), SK and F96365, econazole and miconazole, on I(SOC) in isolated rat Kupffer cells after hepatic I/R injury. METHODS: The model of rat hepatic I/R injury was established. Whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were performed to investigate the effects of 2-APB, SK and F96365, econazole and miconazole on I(SOC) in isolated rat Kupffer cells after hepatic I /R injury. RESULTS: I/R injury significantly increased I(SOC) from -80.4 +/- 25.2pA to -159.5 +/- 34.5pA ((b)P < 0.01, n = 30). 2-APB (20, 40, 60, 80, 100 micromol/L), SK and F96365 (5, 10, 20, 40, 50 micromol/L), econazole (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10 micromol/L) and miconazole (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10 micromol/L) inhibited I(SOC) in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 of 37.41 micromol/L (n = 8), 5.89 micromol/L (n = 11), 0.21 micromol/L (n = 13), and 0.28 micromol/L (n = 10). The peak value of I(SOC) in the I-V relationship was decreased by the blockers in different concentrations, but the reverse potential of I(SOC) was not transformed. CONCLUSION: SOC is the main channel for the influx of Ca(2+) during hepatic I/R injuries. Calcium channel blockers, 2-APB, SK and F96365, econazole and miconazole, have obviously protective effects on I/R injury, probably by inhibiting I(SOC) in Kupffer cells and preventing the activation of Kupffer cells.     

Different actions of cardioprotective agents on mitochondrial Ca2+ regulation in a Ca2+ paradox-induced Ca2+ overload.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial Ca2+ overload is a major cause of irreversible cell injury during various metabolic stresses. The protective effects of various agents that affect mitochondrial function against Ca2+ overload during Ca2+ paradox were investigated in rat ventricular myocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: On Ca2+ repletion following Ca2+ depletion, [Ca2+]i increased rapidly, and 90 of 210 cells (43%) died. In viable cells, the increase in [Ca2+]i was lower than in dead cells. KB-R7943 prevented the increase in [Ca2+]i, and completely inhibited cell death. Ruthenium red (RuR), diazoxide (Dz) or cyclosporin A (CsA) prevented cell death (15%, 26% and 17%, respectively; p < 0.05), and the protective effect of Dz was abolished by 5-hydroxydecanoate. These agents did not reduce the increase in [Ca2+]i in viable cells or the rate of initial increase in [Ca2+]i in all cells. RuR and Dz decreased [Ca2+]m in skinned myocytes, but CsA did not affect [Ca2+]m. Dz reduced NADH fluorescence, whereas RuR and CsA did not. CONCLUSIONS: The protective effects of RuR and Dz could be ascribed to altered Ca2+ regulation by decreasing [Ca2+]m, and Dz could have an additional effect on oxidative phosphorylation. The protective effect of CsA could be directly associated with the mitochondrial permeability transition pore.     

激活Notch1通路减轻高温高湿条件下H9C2心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤

目的明确Notch1通路在高温高湿条件下H9C2心肌细胞缺氧/复氧(Hypoxia/Reoxygenation,H/R)损伤中的作用及其潜在机制。方法常规培养H9C2心肌细胞并将其分6组即对照组;H/R组;高温高湿组;高温高湿+H/R组;高温高湿+Jagged1(Notch1激动剂)+H/R组;高温高湿+溶剂+H/R组。TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡,荧光探针JC-1检测线粒体膜电位,ATP检测试剂盒检测ATP含量,Western blot检测Notch1细胞内段(Notch1 intracellular domain,Notch1 ICD)、Hairy和分裂增强子(Hairy and enhancer of split,Hes1)、微管相关蛋白1轻链3(microtubuleassociated protein1 light chain 3,LC3)和p62的蛋白表达水平。结果与对照组相比,急性损伤H/R后,细胞凋亡增加(P0.05),线粒体膜电位降低(P0.05),ATP含量减少(P0.05),Notch1 ICD、Hes1、LC3-II/I(p62相应降低)表达升高(P0.05),而慢性损伤高温高湿后,细胞凋亡增加(P0.05),线粒体膜电位降低(P0.05),ATP含量减少(P0.05),Notch1 ICD、Hes1、LC3-II/I表达降低(p62相应升高)(P0.05);和H/R组或高温高湿组对比,高温高湿+H/R组中细胞凋亡进一步增加(P0.05),线粒体膜电位和ATP含量进一步降低(P0.05),Notch1ICD、Hes1、LC3-II/I表达进一步降低(p62进一步升高)(P0.05);和高温高湿+H/R组对比,加入Notch1激动剂Jagged1后,细胞凋亡减少(P0.05),线粒体膜电位和ATP含量增高(P0.05),Notch1 ICD、Hes1、LC3-II/I表达升高(p62相应降低)(P0.05)。结论激活Notch1通路通过促进自噬从而缓解高温高湿条件下H9C2心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤。     

Mechanisms of Ca2+ overload induced by extracellular H2O2 in quiescent isolated rat cardiomyocytes

Rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to H₂O₂ (1–100 μmol/L) for 10 min with washout for 10 min. Intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) was measured using fluo-3. [Ca²⁺]_i increased with 100 μmol/L H₂O₂ and further increased during washout, causing irreversible contracture in one-half of the cells. The increase in [Ca²⁺]_i with 10 μmol/L H₂O₂ was modest with few cells showing irreversible contracture and attenuated by caffeine, and [Ca²⁺]_i gradually decreased during washout and this decrease was accelerated by a calcium-free solution, while 1 μmol/L H₂O₂ did not have any effects on [Ca²⁺]_i or cell viability. Ca²⁺ overload caused during exposure to 100 μmol/L H₂O₂ was attenuated by caffeine with improved cellular viability but not by chelerythrine, KB-R7943 or nifedipine. With 100 μmol/L H₂O₂ calcium-free solution attenuated the increase during exposure and washout while KB-R7943 or chelerythrine partly attenuated further increase during washout but not improved cell viability, but chelerythrine did not have additional effect on calcium-free treatment. Catalase abolished the effects of H₂O₂. We concluded that the increased [Ca²⁺]_i during exposure to 100 μmol/L H₂O₂ was caused both by release of Ca²⁺ from the intracellular store sites including the sarcoplasmic reticulum and by influx through route(s) other than the voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels or Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger, although the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger or protein kinase C-mediated mechanism was partly responsible for a further increase during washout. Received: 1 February 2001, Returned for revision: 19 February 2001, Revision received: 11 April 2001, Accepted: 11 April 2001     

Fructose 1,6-diphosphate alleviates myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats through JAK2/STAT3 pathway

Objective: To study the effect of fructose 1,6-diphosphate(FDP) on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats and its molecular mechanism.Methods: Male SPF SD rats were selected as experimental animals and randomly divided into four groups.Sham group received sham operation, I/R group were made into myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury models, FDP group were made into myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury models and then were given FDP intervention, and FDP+AG490 group were made into myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury models and then were given FDP and JAK2 inhibitor AG490 intervention.Results: CK, CK-MB, c Tn I and LDH contents in serum as well as Bax and Caspase-3 protein expression in myocardial tissue of I/R group were significantly higher than those of Sham group whereas Bcl-2, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein expression in myocardial tissues were significantly lower than those of Sham group; CK, CK-MB, c Tn I and LDH contents in serum as well as Bax and Caspase-3 protein expression in myocardial tissue of FDP group were significantly lower than those of I/R group whereas Bcl-2, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein expression in myocardial tissue were significantly higher than those of I/R group; CK, CK-MB, c Tn I and LDH contents in serum as well as Bax and Caspase-3 protein expression in myocardial tissue of FDP+AG490 group were significantly higher than those of FDP group whereas Bcl-2 protein expression in myocardial tissue was significantly lower than that of FDP group.Conclusion: FDP could reduce the myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats by activating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.     

Role of mitochondrial re-energization and Ca2+ influx in reperfusion injury of metabolically inhibited cardiac myocytes

OBJECTIVE: We used isolated myocytes to investigate the role of mitochondrial re-energization and Ca2+ influx during reperfusion on hypercontracture, loss of Ca2+ homeostasis and contractile function. METHODS: Isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes were exposed to metabolic inhibition (NaCN and iodoacetate) and reperfusion injury was assessed from hypercontracture, loss of Ca2+ homeostasis ([Ca2+]i measured with fura-2) and failure of contraction in response to electrical stimulation. Mitochondrial membrane potential was followed using the potentiometric dye tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester. RESULTS: Metabolic inhibition led to contractile failure and rigor accompanied by a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i. Reperfusion after 10 min metabolic inhibition led to an abrupt repolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (after 25.5+/-1.2 s), a transient fall in [Ca(2+]i followed by an abrupt hypercontracture (37.1+/-1.8 s) in 84% of myocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis (diastolic [Ca2+]i < 250 nM) recovered in only 23.3+/-5.1% of cells and contractions recovered in 15.3+/-2.2%. Oligomycin abolished the hypercontracture on reperfusion, but mitochondrial repolarization was unaffected. Preventing Ca2+ influx during reperfusion with [Ca2+]i-free Tyrode or with an inhibitor of Na(+)/Ca2+ exchange did not prevent the hypercontracture, but increased the percentage of cells recovering Ca2+ homeostasis and contractile function. The presence of 0.5 microM cyclosporin A did not prevent hypercontracture but increased the percentage of cells recovering Ca2+ homeostasis to 56.2+/-3.6% and contractile function to 52+/-4.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Reperfusion-induced hypercontracture, and loss of Ca2+ homeostasis and contractile function are initiated following mitochondrial re-energization. The hypercontracture requires the production of oxidative ATP but not Ca2+ influx during reperfusion. Loss of Ca2+ homeostasis and contractile function are linked to Ca2+ influx during reperfusion, probably via opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores.     

Activation of HtrA2, a mitochondrial serine protease mediates apoptosis: current knowledge on HtrA2 mediated myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

A plethora of apoptotic stimuli converge on the mitochondria and affect their membrane integrity, thereby eliciting release of multiple death-promoting factors residing in the mitochondrial intermembrane space into the cytosol. Among the death-promoting factors, a serine protease, high temperature requirement A2 (HtrA2) has drawn attention as a key player in the apoptosis pathways in different pathological conditions including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Heart ischemia/reperfusion results in HtrA2 translocation from the mitochondria to the cytosol, where it promotes cardiomyocyte apoptosis via a protease activity-dependent and caspase-mediated pathway. Once released, cytosolic HtrA2 causes X-chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) degradation, caspase activation, and subsequent apoptosis. Consistent with the hypothesis, inhibition of HtrA2 improved postischemic myocardial contractile functions along with reduction of myocardial infarct size. The precise mechanism underlying HtrA2-induced apoptosis in mammalian cells has been studied through biochemical, structural, and genetic studies, in which HtrA2 promotes proteolytic activation of caspases through multiple pathways in heart ischemia. Therapeutic interventions that inhibit HtrA2 expression, translocation, or protease activity (such as by using the ucf-101 inhibitor) may provide an attractive therapeutics in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.     

Histamine H2 receptor activation exacerbates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by disturbing mitochondrial and endothelial function

There is evidence that H2R blockade improves ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. Histamine is known to increase vascular permeability and induce apoptosis, and these effects are closely associated with endothelial and mitochondrial dysfunction, respectively. Here, we investigated whether activation of the histamine H2 receptor (H2R) exacerbates myocardial I/R injury by increasing mitochondrial and endothelial permeability. Serum histamine levels were measured in patients with coronary heart disease, while the influence of H2R activation was assessed on mitochondrial and endothelial function in cultured cardiomyocytes or vascular endothelial cells, and myocardial I/R injury in mice. The serum histamine level was more than twofold higher in patients with acute myocardial infarction than in patients with angina or healthy controls. In neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, histamine dose-dependently reduced viability and induced apoptosis. Mitochondrial permeability and the levels of p-ERK1/2, Bax, p-DAPK2, and caspase 3 were increased by H2R agonists. In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), H2R activation increased p-ERK1/2 and p-moesin levels and also enhanced permeability of HUVEC monolayer. All of these effects were abolished by the H2R blocker famotidine or the ERK inhibitor U0126. After I/R injury or permanent ischemia, the infarct size was reduced by famotidine and increased by an H2R agonist in wild-type mice. In H2R KO mice, the infarct size was smaller; myocardial p-ERK1/2, p-DAPK2, and mitochondrial Bax were downregulated. These findings indicate that H2R activation exaggerates myocardial I/R injury by promoting myocardial mitochondrial dysfunction and by increasing cardiac vascular endothelial permeability.     

JAK2/STAT3 activation by melatonin attenuates the mitochondrial oxidative damage induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is harmful to the cardiovascular system and causes mitochondrial oxidative stress. Numerous data indicate that the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway is specifically involved in preventing myocardial IRI. Melatonin has potent activity against IRI and may regulate JAK2/STAT3 signaling. This study investigated the protective effect of melatonin pretreatment on myocardial IRI and elucidated its potential mechanism. Perfused isolated rat hearts and cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to melatonin in the absence or presence of the JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor AG490 or JAK2 siRNA and then subjected to IR. Melatonin conferred a cardio‐protective effect, as shown by improved postischemic cardiac function, decreased infarct size, reduced apoptotic index, diminished lactate dehydrogenase release, up‐regulation of the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl2, and down‐regulation of the pro‐apoptotic protein Bax. AG490 or JAK2 siRNA blocked melatonin‐mediated cardio‐protection by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling. Melatonin exposure also resulted in a well‐preserved mitochondrial redox potential, significantly elevated mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and decreased formation of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA), which indicates that the IR‐induced mitochondrial oxidative damage was significantly attenuated. However, this melatonin‐induced effect on mitochondrial function was reversed by AG490 or JAK2 siRNA treatment. In summary, our results demonstrate that melatonin pretreatment can attenuate IRI by reducing IR‐induced mitochondrial oxidative damage via the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.