Mechanism of apoptosis induced by apigenin in hepg2 human hepatoma cells: involvement of reactive oxygen species generated by NADPH oxidase

Although plant-derived flavonoids have been reported to have anti-cancer activities, the exact mechanism of these actions is not completely understood. In this study we investigated the role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a mediator of the apoptosis induced by apigenin, a widespread flavonoid in plant, in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Apigenin reduced cell viability, and induced apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, it evoked a dose-related elevation of intracellular ROS level. Treatment with various inhibitors of the NADPH oxidase (diphenylene iodonium, apocynin, neopterine) significantly blunted both the generation of ROS and induction of apoptosis induced by apigenin. These results suggest that ROS generated through the activation of the NADPH oxidase may play an essential role in the apoptosis induced by apigenin in HepG2 cells. These results further suggest that apigenin may be valuable for the therapeutic management of human hepatomas.     

Role of Ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (Rac2), NADPH oxidase and reactive oxygen species in diallyl disulphide‐induced apoptosis of human leukaemia HL‐60 cells

1. Diallyl disulphide (DADS) has potential as a chemopreventive and therapeutic agent. Previous studies have reported that Ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (Rac2), a regulatory subunit of the NADPH oxidase complex, is upregulated in DADS‐induced apoptosis in human leukaemia HL‐60 cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of Rac2, NADPH oxidase and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in DADS‐induced apoptosis. 2. Expresssion of the Rac2 gene along with that of five other genes of NADPH oxidase subunits were in HL‐60 cells measured by Sybergreen quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. RNA interference was used to test the effect of Rac2. Protein expression was evaluated using western blot analysis and ROS levels were measured by 2′,7′‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH‐DA) fluorescence. DNA fragmentation and flow cytometry analysis were used to detect apoptotic cells. 3. Levels of Rac2 gene and protein were significantly upregulated and NADPH oxidase was activated in DADS‐induced apoptosis. Pretreatment of HL‐60 cells with small interfering (si) RNAs to inhibit Rac2 blocked DADS‐induced apoptosis. Diallyl disulphide‐induced intracellular ROS production was increased in phorbol myristate acetate‐stimulated cells, but decreased in Rac2 siRNA‐treated cells. In Rac2 siRNA‐treated cells, activator protein‐1 and caspase 3 levels decreased, c‐myc protein levels were increased and p38 protein levels were unchanged compared with Rac2‐competent, DADS‐treated cells. 4. These results demonstrate that NADPH oxidase is the main source of DADS‐induced ROS. In addition, Rac2 selectively activates the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase pathway, but not the p38 pathway, in DADS‐induced apoptosis. So, Rac2, NADPH oxidase and ROS have a critical role in DADS‐induced apoptosis in human leukaemia HL‐60 cells.     

Relationship between reactive oxygen species and sodium-selenite-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells

Selenium compounds, as an effective chemopreventive agent, can induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators in apoptosis induced by various stimuli, which include chemopreventive agents. In this study, we investigated the relationship between ROS and the levels of DNA damage induced by selenite in HepG2 cells. After HepG2 cells were treated with selenite, there was a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability. The levels of ROS induced by selenite were measured by 2′, 7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescence, which shos a dose-and time-dependent increase in HepG2 cells. The levels of DNA damage in HepG2 increased in all cells treated with an increasing dose of selenite at 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 μmol/L. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a known antioxidant, increased cell viability and decreased ROS generation. Moreover, NAC effectively blocked DNA damage induced by selenite. These results revealed that ROS might play an important role in selenite-induced DNA damage that can be reduced by NAC treatment.     

Salinomycin induces apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant colorectal cancer cells by accumulation of reactive oxygen species

Postoperative chemotherapy for Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is not all effective and the main reason might lie in cancer stem cells (CSCs). Emerging studies showed that CSCs overexpress some drug-resistance related proteins, which efficiently transport the chemotherapeutics out of cancer cells. Salinomycin, which considered as a novel and an effective anticancer drug, is found to have the ability to kill both CSCs and therapy-resistant cancer cells. To explore the potential mechanisms that salinomycin could specifically target on therapy-resistant cancer cells in colorectal cancers, we firstly obtained cisplatin-resistant (Cisp-resistant) SW620 cells by repeated exposure to 5 μmol/l of cisplatin from an original colorectal cancer cell line. These Cisp-resistant SW620 cells, which maintained a relative quiescent state (G0/G1 arrest) and displayed stem-like signatures (up-regulations of Sox2, Oct4, Nanog, Klf4, Hes1, CD24, CD26, CD44, CD133, CD166, Lgr5, ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 mRNA expressions) (p < 0.05), were sensitive to salinomycin (p < 0.05). Salinomycin did not show the influence on the cell cycle of Cisp-resistant SW620 cells (p > 0.05), but could induce cell death process (p < 0.05), with increased levels of LDH release and MDA contents as well as down-regulations of SOD and GSH-PX activities (p < 0.05). Our data also showed that the pro-apoptotic genes (Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9 and Bax) were up-regulated and the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 were down-regulated in Cisp-resistant SW620 cells (p < 0.05). Accumulated reactive oxygen species and dysregulation of some apoptosis-related genes might ultimately lead to apoptosis in Cisp-resistant SW620 cells. These findings will provide new clues for novel and selective chemotherapy on cisplatin-resistant colorectal cancer cells.     

Requirement of reactive oxygen species generation in apoptosis of leukemia cells induced by 2-methoxyestradiol

Aim： To investigate the effects of 2-methoxyestradiol （2-ME） on 2 myeloid leukemia cell lines HL-60 and U937, and to explore its mechanisms. Methods： Human myeloid leukemia cells HL-60 and U937 were used. Measurement ofmitochondrial membrane potential （Dym） was performed using 5,5′＇,6,6′-Tetrachloro-1, 1′,3,3′- tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide （ JC- 1）. Apoptosis and cellular nitric oxide （NO） were detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V and NO sensor dye. Superoxide anion was measured with a fluorescent plate reader by dihydroethidium （DHE）. Cytotoxicity was analyzed by 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyl- tetrazolium assay. Results： 2-ME resulted in viability decrease in a dose-dependent manner. 2-ME treatment also generated reactive oxygen species （ROS）, including NO and superoxide anions, which resulted in mitochondria damage. 2-ME-induced apoptosis was correlated with an increase in ROS. The quenching of ROS with N-acetyl-L-cysteine protected leukemia cells from 2-ME cytotoxicity and prevented apoptosis induction by 2-ME. Furthermore, the addition of manumycin, a farnesyltransferase inhibitor, significantly enhanced apoptosis induced by 2-ME. Conclusion： Cellular ROS generation plays an important role in the cytotoxic effect of 2-ME. It is possible to use ROS generation agents, such as manumycin, to enhance the antileukemic effect. The combination strategy needs further in vivo justification and may have potential clinical application.     

Toona sinensis extracts induces apoptosis via reactive oxygen species in human premyelocytic leukemia cells

Toona sinensis (T. sinensis), well known in Taiwan as a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to exhibit antioxidant effects. In this study, therefore, the ability of T. sinensis to induce apoptosis was studied in cultured human premyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. Treatment of the HL-60 cells with a variety of concentrations of the aqueous extracts of T. sinensis (TS extracts) (10–75 μg/ml) and gallic acid (5–10 μg/ml), the natural phenolic components purified from TS extracts, resulted in dose- and time-dependent sequences of events marked by apoptosis, as shown by loss of cell viability and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, apoptosis in the HL-60 cells was accompanied by the release of cytochrome c, caspase 3 activation and specific proteolytic cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). This increase in TS extracts- and gallic acid-induced apoptosis was also associated with a reduction in the levels of Bcl-2, a potent cell-death inhibitor, and an increase in those of the Bax protein, which heterodimerizes with and thereby inhibits Bcl-2. Interestingly, TS extracts- and gallic acid-induced dose-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HL-60 cells. We found that catalase significantly decreased TS extracts- or gallic acid-induced cytotoxicity, DNA fragmentation, and ROS production, however, slight reduction was observed with vitamins C and E. Our results indicate that TS extracts- or gallic acid-induced HL-60 apoptotic cell death could be due to the generation of ROS, especially H₂O₂. The data suggest that T. sinensis exerts antiproliferative action and growth inhibition on HL-60 cells through apoptosis induction, and, therefore, that it may have anticancer properties valuable for application in food and drug products.     

Induction of HepG2 cell apoptosis by Irgarol 1051 through mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stresses

In this study, HepG2 cells were exposed to 0.04–40 mg/L Irgarol 1051. Results show that Irgarol 1051 can damage cell morphology and cause a significant decrease in cell viability. Positive staining by Annexin V, caspase-3 activity enhancement, and the damage in cell ultrastructure indicated an apoptotic mode of cell death for 4.0 mg/L Irgarol 1051 treatment. At the same time, caspase-9 was also significantly induced by 0.4 and 4.0 mg/L Irgarol 1051 at 72 h, which suggests that the intrinsic mitochondria pathway was involved in the apoptosis. The mitochondrial membrane potential decreased significantly after the HepG2 cells were exposed to Irgarol 1051 for 6 and 72 h. Especially, the translocation of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol was recorded, supporting the idea that the mitochondrial pathway was involved in the apoptosis signal pathways induced by Irgarol 1051. The significantly increased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an immediate ROS burst were also recorded. The results here may imply that Irgarol 1051 induces HepG2 cell apoptosis through mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stresses. Although it is possible that this chemical has no detrimental effects on human health at the environmentally relevant concentration, it may cause problems to top coastal predators due to bio-accumulation through the food chain.     

Pomegranate peel extract polyphenols induced apoptosis in human hepatoma cells by mitochondrial pathway

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of pomegranate peel polyphenols (PPPs) on the proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells (a kind of human hepatoma cells) and the related mechanism. The inverted fluorescence microscope and the flow cytometer (FCM) were used to test the changes of the cellular morphology, cell cycle, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δψm). The kit was used to measure the activities of caspase-3/9, and Western Blot was used to detect the expressions of apoptosis-associated proteins including p53, Bcl-2/Bax, Cyt-c and PARP. The results showed that the cells cycle of HepG2 arrested at the S-phase by PPPs and the amount of the early apoptotic cells and ROS level were increased obviously, the level of Cyt-c and the activity of Caspase-3/9 markedly were also increased by PPPs, as well as the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the protein expressions of P53. It was concluded that PPPs could inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells by blocking the cell cycle and inducing the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in a dose-dependent manner.     

活性氧物种在偏钒酸钠对人前列腺癌细胞DU145增殖抑制中的作用(英文)

为研究偏钒酸钠对人前列腺癌细胞DU145的增殖抑制作用及其机制,我们检测了偏钒酸钠对细胞活力、细胞周期、活性氧水平和细胞周期调节蛋白活性的影响。结果显示偏钒酸钠能显著降低调控Cdc2的主要磷酸酯酶Cdc25C的蛋白水平,导致Cdc2 Tyr-15位磷酸化水平升高,引起DU145细胞发生G2/M周期阻滞和增殖活力抑制。而抗氧化剂N-乙酰半胱氨酸能降低偏钒酸钠诱导升高的活性氧水平并能恢复偏钒酸钠导致的Cdc25C蛋白水平降低和Cdc2磷酸化水平(Tyr-15)的升高。这证实偏钒酸钠能导致DU145细胞发生G2/M周期阻滞从而引起细胞增殖活力抑制,且这种抑制可能是通过偏钒酸钠所诱导的活性氧水平升高引起的Cdc25C蛋白降解实现的。     

Caspase inhibition switches the mode of cell death induced by cyanide by enhancing reactive oxygen species generation and PARP-1 activation

Execution of apoptosis can involve activation of the caspase family of proteases. Recent studies show that caspase inhibition can switch the morphology of cell death from apoptotic to necrotic without altering the level of death among cell populations. In the present study, the effect of caspase inhibition on cortical (CX) cell death induced by cyanide was investigated. In primary cultured CX cells exposed to cyanide (400 microM), death was primarily apoptotic as indicated by positive TUNEL staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and subsequent caspase activation mediated the apoptosis. Inhibition of the caspase cascade with zVAD-fmk switched the apoptotic response to necrotic cell death, as assessed by increased cellular efflux of LDH and propidium iodide uptake by the cells. The change in death mode was accompanied by a marked increase in poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, a reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta psi(m)), and reduced cellular ATP. Prior treatment of cells with 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB), a PARP-1 inhibitor, prevented the cells from undergoing necrosis and preserved intracellular ATP levels. These findings indicate that apoptosis and necrosis share common initiation pathways and caspase inhibition can switch the apoptotic response to necrosis. Inhibition of PARP-1 preserves cellular ATP levels and in turn blocks execution of the necrotic death pathway.     

Role of reactive oxygen species in apoptosis induced by N-ethylmaleimide in HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells.

We have previously reported that N-ethylmaleimide induces apoptosis through activation of K(+), Cl(-)-cotransport in HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells. In this study, we investigated the role for reactive oxygen species as a mediator of the apoptosis induced by N-ethylmaleimide. N-ethylmaleimide induced a significant elevation of intracellular level of reactive oxygen species. Treatment with antioxidants (N-acetyl cysteine, N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine) which markedly suppressed generation of reactive oxygen species, significantly inhibited the N-ethylmaleimide-induced activation of K(+), Cl(-)-cotransport and apoptosis. Inhibitors of NADPH oxidase (diphenylene iodonium, apocynin, D-(+)-neopterine) also significantly blunted the generation of reactive oxygen species, activation of K(+), Cl(-)-cotransport and apoptosis induced by N-ethylmaleimide. These results suggest that reactive oxygen species generated through activation of NADPH oxidase may play a role in the N-ethylmaleimide-induced stimulation of K(+), Cl(-)-cotransport and apoptosis in HepG2 cells.     

A phospholipase c-dependent intracellular ca2+ release pathway mediates the capsaicin-induced apoptosis in HepG2 human hepatoma cells

The effect of capsaicin on apoptotic cell death was investigated in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Capsaicin induced apoptosis in time- and dose-dependent manners. Capsaicin induced a rapid and sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and BAPTA, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, significantly inhibited capsaicin-induced apoptosis. The capsaicin-induced increase in the intracellular Ca2+ and apoptosis were not significantly affected by the extracellular Ca2+ chelation with EGTA, whereas blockers of intracellular Ca2+ release (dantrolene) and phospholipase C inhibitors, U-73122 and manoalide, profoundly reduced the capsaicin effects. Interestingly, treatment with the vanilloid receptor antagonist, capsazepine, did not inhibit either the increased capsaicin-induced Ca2+ or apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that the capsaicin-induced apoptosis in the HepG2 cells may result from the activation of a PLC-dependent intracellular Ca2+ release pathway, and it is further suggested that capsaicin may be valuable for the therapeutic intervention of human hepatomas.     

Isoobtusilactone A-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma Hep G2 cells is mediated via increased NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the mitochondria-associated apoptotic mechanisms.

Chemoprevention by the use of naturally occurring substances is becoming a promising strategy to prevent cancer. In this study, the effects of isoobtusilactone A, a novel constituent isolated from the leaves of Cinnamomum kotoense, on the proliferation of human hepatoma Hep G2 cells were studied. Under our experimental conditions, isoobtusilactone A was found to elicit a concentration-dependent growth impediment (IC(50)=37.5 microM). The demise of these cells induced by isoobtusilactone A was apoptotic in nature, exhibiting a concentration-dependent increase in sub-G(1) fraction and DNA fragmentation. Subcellular fractionation analysis further revealed that Bax translocation to mitochondria resulted in a rapid release of cytochrome c, followed by activation of caspase 3 and PARP cleavage, and finally cell death. Isoobtusilactone A-treated cells also displayed transient increase of ROS during the earlier stage of the experiment, followed by the disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)). The presence of a ROS scavenger (N-acetyl-L-cysteine) and an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (diphenyleneiodonium chloride) blocked ROS production and the subsequent apoptotic cell death. In addition, in order to investigate the acute toxicity of isoobtusilactone A, groups of 5-6-week old Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to oral administration of 350, or 700 mg/kg bw isoobtusilactone A four times each week for two weeks. There was no significant difference between control animals and treated animals with respect to the body weight gain, the body weight ratio of liver, spleen and kidney, haematological and clinical chemistry parameters. Taken together, our data suggest that ROS generated through the activation of NADPH oxidase plays an essential role in apoptosis induced by isoobtusilactone A, and the dosages of isoobtusilactone A tested in this study did not cause animal toxicity.     

Chlamydia pneumoniae induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype in murine vascular smooth muscle cells independently of elevating reactive oxygen species

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三氧化二砷对肝癌细胞内活性氧水平的影响

目的探讨三氧化二砷（As2O3）对肝癌细胞增殖及细胞内活性氧（ROS）水平的影响。方法用As2O3作用于体外培养的人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞株，分别用MTT法和流式细胞仪观察SMMC-7721细胞增殖情况并检测ROS。结果MTT结果显示As2O3能明显抑制SMMC-7721细胞的增殖．并呈时间和浓度依赖性。流式细胞仪分析显示As2O3作用后的人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞内ROS水平明显增高（P〈0．01）．并也呈时间和浓度依赖性。结论As2O3可通过抑制人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的增殖和提高细胞内ROS水平诱导细胞凋亡而发挥抗肿瘤作用，这可能也是As2O3抗肝癌的主要途径之一。     

Quercetin protects human hepatoma HepG2 against oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Flavonols such as quercetin, have been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological activities related to their antioxidant capacity. The objective of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of quercetin on cell viability and redox status of cultured HepG2 cells submitted to oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Concentrations of reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde, generation of reactive oxygen species and activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes were used as markers of cellular oxidative status. Pretreatment of HepG2 with 10 microM quercetin completely prevented lactate dehydrogenase leakage from the cells. Pretreatment for 2 or 20 h with all doses of quercetin (0.1-10 microM) prevented the decrease of reduced glutathione and the increase of malondialdehyde evoked by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in HepG2 cells. Reactive oxygen species generation induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide was significantly reduced when cells were pretreated for 2 or 20 h with 10 microM and for 20 h with 5 microM quercetin. Finally, some of the quercetin treatments prevented the significant increase of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and catalase activities induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Gene expression of antioxidant enzymes was also affected by the treatment with the polyphenol. The results of the biomarkers analyzed clearly show that treatment of HepG2 cells in culture with the natural dietary antioxidant quercetin strongly protects the cells against an oxidative insult.     

Capsaicin-induced apoptosis and reduced release of reactive oxygen species in MBT-2 Murine Bladder Tumor cells

Bladder cancer is a common cancer with high risk of recurrence and mortality. Intravesicle chemotherapy after trans-urethral resection is required to prevent tumor recurrence and progression. It has been known that antioxidants enhance the antitumor effect of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), the most effective intravesical bladder cancer treatment. Capsaicin, the major pungent ingredient in genus Capsicum, has recently been tried as an intravesical drug for overactive bladder and it has also been shown to induce apoptotic cell death in many cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing effect and alterations in the cellular redox state of capsaicin in MBT-2 murine bladder tumor cells. Capsaicin induced apoptotic MBT-2 cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The capsaicin-induced apoptosis was blocked by the pretreatment with Z-VAD-fmk, a broad-range caspase inhibitor, or Ac-DEVD-CHO, a caspase-3 inhibitor. In addition to the caspase-3 activation, capsaicin also induced cytochrome c release and decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression with no changes in the level of Bax. Furthermore, capsaicin at the concentration of inducing apoptosis also markedly reduced the level of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, implying that capsaicin may enhance the antitumor effect of BCG in bladder cancer treatment. These results further suggest that capsaicin may be a valuable intravesical chemotherapeutic agent for bladder cancers.