Beneficial Effects of a Mixture of Algae and Extra Virgin Olive Oils on the Age-Induced Alterations of Rodent Skeletal Muscle: Role of HDAC-4

Aging is associated with a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength and function (sarcopenia). We have investigated whether a mixture of algae oil (25%) and extra virgin olive oil (75%) could exert beneficial effects on sarcopenia. Young (3 months) and old (24 months) male Wistar rats were treated with vehicle or with the oil mixture (OM) (2.5 mL/kg) for 21 days. Aging decreased gastrocnemius weight, total protein, and myosin heavy chain mRNA. Treatment with the OM prevented these effects. Concomitantly, OM administration decreased the inflammatory state in muscle; it prevented the increase of pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the decrease in anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) in aged rats. The OM was not able to prevent aging-induced alterations in either the insulin-like growth factor I/protein kinase B (IGF-I/Akt) pathway or in the increased expression of atrogenes in the gastrocnemius. However, the OM prevented decreased autophagy activity (ratio protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3b) II/I) induced by aging and increased expression of factors related with muscle senescence such as histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC-4), myogenin, and IGF-I binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5). These data suggest that the beneficial effects of the OM on muscle can be secondary to its anti-inflammatory effect and to the normalization of HDAC-4 and myogenin levels, making this treatment an alternative therapeutic tool for sarcopenia.     

Myricetin as a Promising Molecule for the Treatment of Post-Ischemic Brain Neurodegeneration

The available drug therapy for post-ischemic neurodegeneration of the brain is symptomatic. This review provides an evaluation of possible dietary therapy for post-ischemic neurodegeneration with myricetin. The purpose of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of what scientists have done regarding the benefits of myricetin in post-ischemic neurodegeneration. The data in this article contribute to a better understanding of the potential benefits of myricetin in the treatment of post-ischemic brain neurodegeneration, and inform physicians, scientists and patients, as well as their caregivers, about treatment options. Due to the pleiotropic properties of myricetin, including anti-amyloid, anti-phosphorylation of tau protein, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and autophagous, as well as increasing acetylcholine, myricetin is a promising candidate for treatment after ischemia brain neurodegeneration with full-blown dementia. In this way, it may gain interest as a potential substance for the prophylaxis of the development of post-ischemic brain neurodegeneration. It is a safe substance, commercially available, inexpensive and registered as a pro-health product in the US and Europe. Taken together, the evidence available in the review on the therapeutic potential of myricetin provides helpful insight into the potential clinical utility of myricetin in treating neurodegenerative disorders with full-blown dementia. Therefore, myricetin may be a promising complementary agent in the future against the development of post-ischemic brain neurodegeneration. Indeed, there is a scientific rationale for the use of myricetin in the prevention and treatment of brain neurodegeneration caused by ischemia.     

Effects of Dietary Oat Beta-Glucans on Colon Apoptosis and Autophagy through TLRs and Dectin-1 Signaling Pathways—Crohn’s Disease Model Study

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission. The aim of this study was to determine the time-dependent effects of dietary oat beta-glucans on colon apoptosis and autophagy in the CD rat model. Methods: A total of 150 Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two main groups: healthy control (H) and a TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzosulfonic acid)-induced colitis (C) group, both including subgroups fed with feed without beta-glucans (βG−) or feed supplemented with low- (βGl) or high-molar-mass oat beta-glucans (βGh) for 3, 7, or 21 days. The expression of autophagy (LC3B) and apoptosis (Caspase-3) markers, as well as Toll-like (TLRs) and Dectin-1 receptors, in the colon epithelial cells, was determined using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results: The results showed that in rats with colitis, after 3 days of induction of inflammation, the expression of Caspase-3 and LC3B in intestinal epithelial cells did not change, while that of TLR 4 and Dectin-1 decreased. Beta-glucan supplementation caused an increase in the expression of TLR 5 and Dectin-1 with no changes in the expression of Caspase-3 and LC3B. After 7 days, a high expression of Caspase-3 was observed in the colitis-induced animals without any changes in the expression of LC3B and TLRs, and simultaneously, a decrease in Dectin-1 expression was observed. The consumption of feed with βGl or βGh resulted in a decrease in Caspase-3 expression and an increase in TLR 5 expression in the CβGl group, with no change in the expression of LC3B and TLR 4. After 21 days, the expression of Caspase-3 and TLRs was not changed by colitis, while that of LC3B and Dectin-1 was decreased. Feed supplementation with βGh resulted in an increase in the expression of both Caspase-3 and LC3B, while the consumption of feed with βGh and βGl increased Dectin-1 expression. However, regardless of the type of nutritional intervention, the expression of TLRs did not change after 21 days. Conclusions: Dietary intake of βGl and βGh significantly reduced colitis by time-dependent modification of autophagy and apoptosis, with βGI exhibiting a stronger effect on apoptosis and βGh on autophagy. The mechanism of this action may be based on the activation of TLRs and Dectin-1 receptor and depends on the period of exacerbation or remission of CD.     

Probucol improves erectile function by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

This study was to explore the effect and mechanism of Probucol on STZ-induced erectile dysfunction in diabetic rats. Thirty SD male rats aged 12 weeks were given intraperitoneal injection of STZ after fasting for 12 hr. Diabetic rats were haphazardly partitioned under two assemblies and administered 0 or 500 mg/kg probucol by oral gavage to 12 weeks. Control group was intraperitoneally injected with physiological saline, and saline was administered by oral gavage daily. Intracorporeal pressure was used to evaluate erectile function. Levels of proteins were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. α-SMA and vWF were detected using immunofluorescence staining. After treatment, erectile function in probucol group was significantly improved. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins were expressed higher in DM group than in sham group, while expression of these proteins decreased significantly in probucol group. However, α-SMA and vWF were expressed at lower levels in DM group than in sham group, and probucol treatment reversed this phenomenon. Finally, Bax and Caspase3 were expressed at higher levels and Bcl-2 was expressed at lower levels in DM group, while the opposite result was obtained in probucol group. In conclusions, probucol improves erectile function by reducing endothelial dysfunction and inhibiting PERK/ATF4/CHOP pathway in STZ-induced diabetic rats.     

牛磺酸治疗通过激活自噬介导对老年大鼠骨量和骨强度的保护作用

目的探讨牛磺酸(NHS)对老年大鼠骨量流失的影响,并探讨可能的机制。方法将30只大鼠随机分为对照组(CON)、模型组(MOD)以及牛磺酸组(NHS),每组10只;其中NHS组大鼠每天接受牛磺酸(2 g/kg)治疗12周;待治疗结束后通过Micro-CT检测、HE染色切片、血清指标、蛋白质印迹观察治疗效果,探讨可能的机制。结果治疗12周后,与MOD组相比,三点弯曲试验、Micro-CT和HE染色切片结果显示NHS组大鼠的骨小梁数量、骨强度和骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)得到明显改善。NHS组大鼠最大载荷和弹性模量、BMD、TV/BV、Tb.N、Tb.Th和Tb.Sp较OVX组明显改善(P<0.05)。和MOD组比较,NHS治疗后大鼠血清BLAP、P1NP、TRACP-5b和β-CTX水平明显降低,组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。和MOD组比较,NHS组Runx2、BMP2、Beclin-1和LC3Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ表达水平明显上调,而P62表达水平显著下调,比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论NHS可能通过激活自噬,从而对年龄引起的骨量丢失起到保护作用。     

Shh信号通路变化对小鼠胚胎腭突间充质细胞自噬的影响

目的：探讨地塞米松（dexamethasone,DEX）及平滑激动剂（smoothened agonist,SAG）干预下小鼠胚胎腭突间充质细胞Shh信号通路改变后,小鼠胚胎腭突间充质细胞自噬状态的变化。方法：体外培养胚胎14.5 d的C57BL/6J小鼠胚胎腭突间充质细胞,根据干预方式分为4组：对照组、地塞米松组（DEX组）、地塞米松+SAG组（DEX+SAG组）、单独SAG干预组（SAG组）。通过透射电镜观察各组细胞自噬体或自噬溶酶体的数量,Western blot检测各组Shh、Ptch1、Smo、Gli3A/R、Cyclin D1及自噬标志物LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ和P62、Beclin-1的表达情况。结果：电镜结果显示,对照组和DEX组中自噬体/自噬溶酶体的数量无明显差异,而SAG干预后可观察到大量自噬体/自噬溶酶体。Western blot结果显示,与对照组相比,P62、Ptch1、Smo、Gli3A/R、CyclinD1在DEX组中明显降低（P<0.05）,LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ、Beclin1表达无明显变化（P>0.05）;DEX+SAG组及SAG组中Ptch1、Smo、Gli3...     

Homer 1b/c通过内质网功能调节由谷氨酸诱发的HT22细胞自噬

目的　研究Homer1b/c蛋白在谷氨酸诱发的细胞自噬中的作用及机制。方法　选用小鼠海马细胞系HT22细胞,通过500 ?mol/L谷氨酸处理建立细胞损伤模型。用siRNA慢病毒转染方式下调Homer1b/c表达和10 ?mol/LBAPTA-AM（1,2-双(2-氨基苯氧基)乙烷-N,N,N`,N`-四乙酸四乙酸甲酯,钙离子螯合剂）、10 mmol/L4-PBA（4-苯基丁酸,内质网应激抑制剂）分别抑制细胞内钙离子释放和内质网应激后,使用蛋白质印迹法检测Homer1b/c,自噬蛋白Beclin-1、微管相关蛋白轻链3（LC3）,以及内质网应激标志蛋白CHOP（人内质网应激相关蛋白）、GRP-78(葡萄糖调节蛋白78)的表达水平。每组实验均进行3次,采用独立样本t检验和单因素方差分析进行统计学分析。结果　谷氨酸处理HT22细胞12 h后,Beclin-1表达和LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值均升高（P<0.05）,下调Homer1b/c表达可降低Beclin-1表达和LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值的升高程度（P<0.05）。抑制细胞内钙离子释放和抑制内质网应激均能降低Beclin-1表达和LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值的升高程度（P<0.05）。然而在下调Homer1b/c表达后,抑制细胞内钙离子释放和抑制内质网应激未能进一步降低Beclin-1表达和LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值的升高程度（P<0.05）。结论　Homer1b/c能够调节谷氨酸诱导的自噬,其调节作用可能与内质网功能有关。     

乙酰基二肽-1鲸蜡酯的皮肤抗衰老作用及其机制

乙酰基二肽-1鲸蜡酯（acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester,AD-1）是乙酸和十六烷基醇与精氨酸和酪氨酸组成的人工合成肽,具有一定的抗炎和提高皮肤屏障功能的作用,已被用于敏感肌化妆品中。该成分虽然也被用于抗衰老化妆品中,但缺乏公开的系统科学研究。本研究通过评价AD-1的体外抗氧化和抗糖基化作用、建立UVA反复照射真皮原代成纤维细胞的光老化模型,探讨其在光老化细胞中的抗衰老活性。采用MTT法测定AD-1对细胞活力的影响;RT-qPCR法检测AD-1和UVA对衰老相关p21、p53、MMPs、IL6、Col1、Col3以及自噬相关p62、ATG5、ATG7 mRNA表达的影响;Western blot法检测AD-1和UVA对衰老及自噬相关p16、p21、p53、Col1、LC3B、p62蛋白水平的影响;β-半乳糖苷酶染色和MDC染色评价细胞衰老损伤,并通过荧光探针DCFH-DA检测细胞内活性氧水平。实验结果显示,AD-1干预可以减少UVA诱导的细胞损伤和mRNA表达异常,改善p16、p21、p53、Col1、LC3B、p62蛋白水平异常。结果表明,AD-1具有一定的...     

大鼠肝细胞线粒体周围内质网的三维重建

目的：研究肝细胞线粒体与内质网的空间结构关系。 方法：通过连续超薄切片重建线粒体与其周围内质网的三维模型,结果：连续超薄切片和三维模型显示：除极少量的线粒体与脂滴直接接触外,几乎每个线粒体都被内质网所包裹,大多数线粒体周围既有RER又有小囊泡状SER,少数线粒体则仅有小的SER。这些内质网与线粒体紧贴如同线粒体外壳,二者的间隙小于30nm,其间无任何其它细胞器。结论：肝细胞线粒体通常在内质网包绕下执行生理功能,二者形成的结构和功能紧系的整体。     

人侵袭性结肠癌细胞内质网的超微结构

目的：观察在细胞中占在中心地位的内质网在人侵袭性结肠癌细胞中的超微结构特点。方法：收集外科手术切除的结肠癌标本,应用透射电镜技术观察高分化和低分化人侵袭性结肠癌细胞内质网结构。结果：高分化癌细胞呈柱状,排列较整齐。细胞质中的内质网呈多种形状,并常出现不规则扩张。细胞壁底侧的舌状伪足中可见内质网呈囊泡样;分化癌细胞排列拉散,有的几乎与其他细胞脱离,细胞中的内质网减少;有的内质网与质膜融合,但有向外分泌内含物的趋势。结论：观察到的不同分化程度的人侵袭性结肠癌细胞内质网结构特点将可能成为诊断结肠癌的形态学依据。