Involvement of the ABA-and H_(2)O_(2)-Mediated Ascorbate-Glutathione Cycle in the Drought Stress Responses of Wheat Roots

Abscisic acid(ABA),hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)) and ascorbate(AsA)–glutathione(GSH)cycle are widely known for their participation in various stresses.However,the relationship between ABA and H_(2)O_(2) levels and the AsA–GSH cycle under drought stress in wheat has not been studied.In this study,a hydroponic experiment was conducted in wheat seedlings subjected to 15%polyethylene glycol(PEG)6000–induced dehydration.Drought stress caused the rapid accumulation of endogenous ABA and H_(2)O_(2) and significantly decreased the number of root tips compared with the control.The application of ABA significantly increased the number of root tips,whereas the application of H_(2)O_(2) markedly reduced the number of root tips,compared with that under 15%PEG-6000.In addition,drought stress markedly increased the DHA,GSH and GSSG levels,but decreased the AsA levels,AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios compared with those in the control.The activities of the four enzymes in the AsA–GSH cycle were also markedly increased under drought stress,including glutathione reductase(GR),ascorbate peroxidase(APX),monodehydroascorbate reductase(MDHAR)and dehydroascorbate reductase(DHAR),compared with those in the control.However,the application of an ABA inhibitor significantly inhibited GR,DHAR and APX activities,whereas the application of an H_(2)O_(2) inhibitor significantly inhibited DHAR and MDHAR activities.Furthermore,the application of ABA inhibitor significantly promoted the increases of H_(2)O_(2) and the application of H_(2)O_(2) inhibitor significantly blocked the increases of ABA,compared with those under 15% PEG-6000.Taken together,the results indicated that ABA and H_(2)O_(2) probably interact under drought stress in wheat;and both of them can mediate drought stress by modulating the enzymes in AsA–GSH cycle,where ABA acts as the main regulator of GR,DHAR,and APX activities,and H_(2)O_(2) acts as the main regulator of DHAR and MDHAR activities.

Biochanin A attenuates spinal cord injury in rats during early stages by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammasome activation

Previous studies have shown that Biochanin A,a flavonoid compound with estrogenic effects,can serve as a neuroprotective agent in the context of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury;howeve r,its effect on spinal cord injury is still unclea r. In this study,a rat model of spinal cord injury was established using the heavy o bject impact method,and the rats were then treated with Biochanin A(40 mg/kg) via intrape ritoneal injection for 14 consecutive days.The res ults showed that Biochanin A effectively alleviated spinal cord neuronal injury and spinal co rd tissue injury,reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in spinal cord neuro ns,and reduced apoptosis and pyroptosis.In addition,Biochanin A inhibited the expression of inflammasome-related proteins(ASC,NLRP3,and GSDMD)and the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB pathway,activated the Nrf2/heme oxygenase 1 signaling pathway,and increased the expression of the autophagy markers LC3 Ⅱ,Beclin-1,and P62.Moreove r,the therapeutic effects of Biochanin A on early post-s pinal cord injury were similar to those of methylprednisolone.These findings suggest that Biochanin A protected neurons in the injured spinal cord through the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor κB and Nrf2/heme oxygenase 1 signaling pathways.These findings suggest that Biochanin A can alleviate post-spinal cord injury at an early stage.

Lactobacillus plantarum AR113 attenuates liver injury in D-galactose-induced aging mice via the inhibition of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Probiotics could effectively eliminate excess reactive oxygen species(ROS)generated during aging or lipid metabolism disorders,but their mechanism is unclear.The major purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of Lactiplantibacillus plantarun AR113 alleviating oxidative stress injury in the D-galactose induced aging mice.The result showed that pretreatment with L.plantarun AR113 significantly relieving H_(2)O_(2)induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells by maintain cell membrane integrity and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities.In D-galactose induced aging mice,L.plantarun AR113 could significantly attenuate liver damage and inflammatory infiltration by promoting endogenous glutathione(GSH)synthesis and activating the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway in mice,and increasing the expression of regulated phaseⅡdetoxification enzymes and antioxidant enzymes.Further analysis shown that gavage of L.plantarun AR113 could significantly reduce the expression of G protein-coupled receptor 78(GPR78)and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)proteins,and promote the restoration of endoplasmic reticulum(ER)homeostasis,thereby activating cell anti-apoptotic pathways.These results were also confirmed in H_(2)O_(2)-treated HepG2 experiments.It indicated that L.plantarun AR113 could inhibit D-galactose-induced liver injury through dual inhibition of ER stress and oxidative stress.L.plantarun AR113 have good application potential in anti-aging and alleviating metabolic disorders.

Dip2a regulates stress susceptibility in the basolateral amygdala

Dysregulation of neurotransmitter metabolism in the central nervous system contributes to mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post–traumatic stress disorder. Monoamines and amino acids are important types of neurotransmitters. Our previous results have shown that disco-interacting protein 2 homolog A(Dip2a) knockout mice exhibit brain development disorders and abnormal amino acid metabolism in serum. This suggests that DIP2A is involved in the metabolism of amino acid–associated neurotransmitters. Therefore, we performed targeted neurotransmitter metabolomics analysis and found that Dip2a deficiency caused abnormal metabolism of tryptophan and thyroxine in the basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. In addition, acute restraint stress induced a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine in the basolateral amygdala. Additionally, Dip2a was abundantly expressed in excitatory neurons of the basolateral amygdala, and deletion of Dip2a in these neurons resulted in hopelessness-like behavior in the tail suspension test. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that DIP2A in the basolateral amygdala may be involved in the regulation of stress susceptibility. This provides critical evidence implicating a role of DIP2A in affective disorders.

Upregulation of α-ENaC induces pancreatic β-cell dysfunction,ER stress,and SIRT2 degradation

Islet beta cells(β-cells)produce insulin in response to high blood glucose levels,which is essential for preserving glucose homeostasis.Voltage-gated ion channels inβ-cells,including Na+,K+,and Ca2+channels,aid in the release of insulin.The epithelial sodium channel alpha subunit(α-ENaC),a voltage-independent sodium ion channel,is also expressed in human pancreatic endocrine cells.However,there is no reported study on the function of ENaC in theβ-cells.In the current study,we found thatα-ENaC was expressed in human pancreatic glandule and pancreatic isletβ-cells.In the pancreas of db/db mice and high-fat diet-induced mice,and in mouse isletβ-cells(MIN6 cells)treated with palmitate,α-ENaC expression was increased.Whenα-ENaC was overexpressed in MIN6 cells,insulin content and glucose-induced insulin secretion were significantly reduced.On the other hand,palmitate injured isletβ-cells and suppressed insulin synthesis and secretion,but increasedα-ENaC expression in MIN6 cells.However,α-ENaC knockout(Scnn1a−/−)in MIN6 cells attenuatedβ-cell disorder induced by palmitate.Furthermore,α-ENaC regulated the ubiquitylation and degradation of sirtuin 2 inβ-cells.α-ENaC also modulatedβ-cell function in correlation with the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha/X-box binding protein 1(IRE1α/XBP1)and protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/C/EBP homologous protein(PERK/CHOP)endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways.These results suggest thatα-ENaC may play a novel role in insulin synthesis and secretion in theβ-cells,and the upregulation ofα-ENaC promotes isletβ-cell dysfunction.In conclusion,α-ENaC may be a key regulator involved in isletβ-cell damage and a potential therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Hesperidin ameliorates H_(2)O_(2)-induced bovine mammary epithelial cell oxidative stress via the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Background Hesperidin is a citrus flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. However, its protective effects on bovine mammary epithelial cells(b MECs) exposed to oxidative stress have not been elucidated.Results In this study, we investigated the effects of hesperidin on H_(2)O_(2)-induced oxidative stress in b MECs and the underlying molecular mechanism. We found that hesperidin attenuated H_(2)O_(2)-induced cell damage by reducing reactive oxygen species(ROS) and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels, increasing catalase(CAT) activity, and improving cell proliferation and mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, hesperidin activated the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway by inducing the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the expression of its downstream genes NQO1 and HO-1, which are antioxidant enzymes involved in ROS scavenging and cellular redox balance. The protective effects of hesperidin were blocked by the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385, indicating that they were Nrf2 dependent.Conclusions Our results suggest that hesperidin could protect b MECs from oxidative stress injury by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, suggesting that hesperidin as a natural antioxidant has positive potential as a feed additive or plant drug to promote the health benefits of bovine mammary.

Impacts of Ice-Ocean Stress on the Subpolar Southern Ocean:Role of the Ocean Surface Current

The mechanical influences involved in the interaction between the Antarctic sea ice and ocean surface current(OSC)on the subpolar Southern Ocean have been systematically investigated for the first time by conducting two simulations that include and exclude the OSC in the calculation of the ice-ocean stress(IOS), using an eddy-permitting coupled ocean-sea ice global model. By comparing the results of these two experiments, significant increases of 5%, 27%, and 24%, were found in the subpolar Southern Ocean when excluding the OSC in the IOS calculation for the ocean surface stress,upwelling, and downwelling, respectively. Excluding the OSC in the IOS calculation also visibly strengthens the total mechanical energy input to the OSC by about 16%, and increases the eddy kinetic energy and mean kinetic energy by about38% and 12%, respectively. Moreover, the response of the meridional overturning circulation in the Southern Ocean yields respective increases of about 16% and 15% for the upper and lower branches;and the subpolar gyres are also found to considerably intensify, by about 12%, 11%, and 11% in the Weddell Gyre, the Ross Gyre, and the Australian-Antarctic Gyre, respectively. The strengthened ocean circulations and Ekman pumping result in a warmer sea surface temperature(SST), and hence an incremental surface heat loss. The increased sea ice drift and warm SST lead to an expansion of the sea ice area and a reduction of sea ice volume. These results emphasize the importance of OSCs in the air-sea-ice interactions on the global ocean circulations and the mass balance of Antarctic ice shelves, and this component may become more significant as the rapid change of Antarctic sea ice.

Protective effect of camellia oil on H_(2)O_(2)-induced oxidative stress injury in H9C2 cardiomyocytes of rats

Objective: To explore the protective effect of camellia oil against H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury in rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Methods: CCK8 method was used to detect the cell survival rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes treated with different concentrations of H2O2. Normal cultured cells were used as the blank control group, and the cells were treated with 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 24 h. An oxidative stress injury model was constructed as the model group. The cells were pretreated with 1%, 0.1% and 0.01% camellia oil for 24 h, and then H2O2 was added for 24 h as the experimental group. The β-galactosidase senescence staining assay, mitochondrial membrane potential assay, EdU cell proliferation staining assay and scratch assay were used to observe the changes of cell senescence, mitochondrial membrane potential, proliferation, apoptosis and migration in each group. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the cells in each group were detected by using the kit. Results: The cell viability of H9C2 cardiomyocytes treated with different concentrations of H2O2 was inhibited and positively correlated with the concentration of H2O2 (P<0.01). Compared with the blank control group, the positive rate of cell senescence, MDA content and LDH activity increased in the H2O2 model group (P<0.01);mitochondrial membrane potential, cellular value-added rate, migration rate and SOD activity decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the H2O2 model group, the positive rate of cellular senescence (P<0.01 or P<0.05), MDA content and LDH activity decreased (P< 0.01 or P<0.05);mitochondrial membrane potential increased, cell proliferation rate and migration rate increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05) in the experimental group. Conclusion: Camellia oil can significantly inhibit oxidative stress injury in H9C2 cells and exert cardiomyocyte protective effects.

Hydrogen sulfide reduces oxidative stress in Huntington's disease via Nrf2

The pathophysiology of Huntington's disease involves high levels of the neurotoxin quinolinic acid. Quinolinic acid accumulation results in oxidative stress, which leads to neurotoxicity. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which quinolinic acid contributes to Huntington's disease pathology remain unknown. In this study, we established in vitro and in vivo models of Huntington's disease by administering quinolinic acid to the PC12 neuronal cell line and the striatum of mice, respectively. We observed a decrease in the levels of hydrogen sulfide in both PC12 cells and mouse serum, which was accompanied by down-regulation of cystathionine β-synthase, an enzyme responsible for hydrogen sulfide production. However, treatment with NaHS(a hydrogen sulfide donor) increased hydrogen sulfide levels in the neurons and in mouse serum, as well as cystathionine β-synthase expression in the neurons and the mouse striatum, while also improving oxidative imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction in PC12 cells and the mouse striatum. These beneficial effects correlated with upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 expression. Finally, treatment with the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2inhibitor ML385 reversed the beneficial impact of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on quinolinic acid-induced oxidative stress. Taken together, our findings show that hydrogen sulfide reduces oxidative stress in Huntington's disease by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2,suggesting that hydrogen sulfide is a novel neuroprotective drug candidate for treating patients with Huntington's disease.

SIRT1 inhibits apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells through suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress in vitro and in vivo

AIM:To explore the effect of silent information regulator factor 2-related enzyme 1(SIRT1)on modulating apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells(HLECs)and alleviating lens opacification of rats through suppressing endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress.METHODS:HLECs(SRA01/04)were treated with varying concentrations of tunicamycin(TM)for 24h,and the expression of SIRT1 and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)was assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blotting,and immunofluorescence.Cell morphology and proliferation was evaluated using an inverted microscope and cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,respectively.In the SRA01/04 cell apoptosis model,which underwent siRNA transfection for SIRT1 knockdown and SRT1720 treatment for its activation,the expression levels of SIRT1,CHOP,glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78),and activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)were examined.The potential reversal of SIRT1 knockdown effects by 4-phenyl butyric acid(4-PBA;an ER stress inhibitor)was investigated.In vivo,age-related cataract(ARC)rat models were induced by sodium selenite injection,and the protective role of SIRT1,activated by SRT1720 intraperitoneal injections,was evaluated through morphology observation,hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining,Western blotting,and RT-PCR.RESULTS:SIRT1 expression was downregulated in TMinduced SRA01/04 cells.Besides,in SRA01/04 cells,both cell apoptosis and CHOP expression increased with the rising doses of TM.ER stress was stimulated by TM,as evidenced by the increased GRP78 and ATF4 in the SRA01/04 cell apoptosis model.Inhibition of SIRT1 by siRNA knockdown increased ER stress activation,whereas SRT1720 treatment had opposite results.4-PBA partly reverse the adverse effect of SIRT1 knockdown on apoptosis.In vivo,SRT1720 attenuated the lens opacification and weakened the ER stress activation in ARC rat models.CONCLUSION:SIRT1 plays a protective role against TM-induced apoptosis in HLECs and slows the progression of cataract in rats by inhibiting ER stress.These findings suggest a novel strategy for cataract treatment focused on targeting ER stress,highlighting the therapeutic potential of SIRT1 modulation in ARC development.

Effects of Exogenous H_(2)O_(2) on ROS Metabolism in Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. Leaves Under Salt Stress

Salt stress is a major abiotic stress limiting plant growth and yield. In the present study, the effects of exogenous H_(2)O_(2) on the reactive oxygen species(ROS) metabolism and the antioxidant system in leaves of Nitralia tangutorum Bobr. under salt stress were studied. N. tangutorum seedlings were subjected to 200 mmol·L^(-1) NaCl treatment with or without the exogenous application of H_(2)O_(2) for 7 days. The results showed that NaCl stress significantly increased the relative conductivity, the contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) and ROS(H_(2)O_(2) and O_(2)^(·-)), as well as promoted the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase(SOD), peroxidase(POD), catalase(CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase(APX) in N. tangutorum leaves. In addition, exogenous H_(2)O_(2) decreased the relative conductivity, the contents of TBARS, H_(2)O_(2) and O_(2)^(·-), while further enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes. These results indicated that H_(2)O_(2) effectively alleviated the adverse effects of NaCl stress on N. tangutorum through the regulation of ROS metabolism.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury:PERK as a potential target for intervention

Several studies have shown that activation of unfolded protein response and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress plays a crucial role in severe cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Autophagy occurs within hours after cerebral ischemia,but the relationship between ER stress and autophagy remains unclear.In this study,we established experimental models using oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation in PC12 cells and primary neurons to simulate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.We found that prolongation of oxygen-glucose deprivation activated the ER stress pathway protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha(e IF2α)-activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)-C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP),increased neuronal apoptosis,and induced autophagy.Furthermore,inhibition of ER stress using inhibitors or by si RNA knockdown of the PERK gene significantly attenuated excessive autophagy and neuronal apoptosis,indicating an interaction between autophagy and ER stress and suggesting PERK as an essential target for regulating autophagy.Blocking autophagy with chloroquine exacerbated ER stress-induced apoptosis,indicating that normal levels of autophagy play a protective role in neuronal injury following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.Findings from this study indicate that cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury can trigger neuronal ER stress and promote autophagy,and suggest that PERK is a possible target for inhibiting excessive autophagy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Duodenal-jejunal bypass improves hypothalamic oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic rats via glucagon-like peptide 1-mediated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is often accompanied by impaired glucose utilization in the brain,leading to oxidative stress,neuronal cell injury and inflammation.Previous studies have shown that duodenal jejunal bypass(DJB)surgery significantly improves brain glucose metabolism in T2DM rats,the role and the metabolism of DJB in improving brain oxidative stress and inflammation condition in T2DM rats remain unclear.AIM To investigate the role and metabolism of DJB in improving hypothalamic oxidative stress and inflammation condition in T2DM rats.METHODS A T2DM rat model was induced via a high-glucose and high-fat diet,combined with a low-dose streptozotocin injection.T2DM rats were divided into DJB operation and Sham operation groups.DJB surgical intervention was carried out on T2DM rats.The differential expression of hypothalamic proteins was analyzed using quantitative proteomics analysis.Proteins related to oxidative stress,inflammation,and neuronal injury in the hypothalamus of T2DM rats were analyzed by flow cytometry,quantitative real-time PCR,Western blotting,and immunofluorescence.RESULTS Quantitative proteomics analysis showed significant differences in proteins related to oxidative stress,inflammation,and neuronal injury in the hypothalamus of rats with T2DM-DJB after DJB surgery,compared to the T2DM-Sham groups of rats.Oxidative stress-related proteins(glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor,Nrf2,and HO-1)were significantly increased(P<0.05)in the hypothalamus of rats with T2DM after DJB surgery.DJB surgery significantly reduced(P<0.05)hypothalamic inflammation in T2DM rats by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and decreasing the expression of interleukin(IL)-1βand IL-6.DJB surgery significantly reduced(P<0.05)the expression of factors related to neuronal injury(glial fibrillary acidic protein and Caspase-3)in the hypothalamus of T2DM rats and upregulated(P<0.05)the expression of neuroprotective factors(C-fos,Ki67,Bcl-2,and BDNF),thereby reducing hypothalamic injury in T2DM rats.CONCLUSION DJB surgery improve oxidative stress and inflammation in the hypothalamus of T2DM rats and reduce neuronal cell injury by activating the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor-mediated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

JA-mediated MYC2/LOX/AOS feedback loop regulates osmotic stress response in tea plant

Osmotic stress caused by low-temperature,drought and salinity was a prevalent abiotic stress in plant that severely inhibited plant development and agricultural yield,particularly in tea plant.Jasmonic acid(JA)is an important phytohormone involving in plant stress.However,underlying molecular mechanisms of JA modulated osmotic stress response remains unclear.In this study,high concentration of mannitol induced JA accumulation and increase of peroxidase activity in tea plant.Integrated transcriptome mined a JA signaling master,MYC2 transcription factor is shown as a hub regulator that induced by mannitol,expression of which positively correlated with JA biosynthetic genes(LOX and AOS)and peroxidase genes(PER).CsMYC2 was determined as a nuclei-localized transcription activator,furthermore,ProteinDNA interaction analysis indicated that CsMYC2 was positive regulator that activated the transcription of CsLOX7,CsAOS2,CsPER1 and CsPER3via bound with their promoters,respectively.Suppression of CsMYC2 expression resulted in a reduced JA content and peroxidase activity and osmotic stress tolerance of tea plant.Overexpression of CsMYC2 in Arabidopsis improved JA content,peroxidase activity and plants tolerance against mannitol stress.Together,we proposed a positive feedback loop mediated by CsMYC2,CsLOX7 and CsAOS2 which constituted to increase the tolerance of osmotic stress through fine-tuning the accumulation of JA levels and increase of POD activity in tea plant.

Protective effect of glycyrrhetinic acid against cantharidin-induced hepatotoxicity through reducing oxidative stress in mice

Background:Cantharidin(CTD)is a commonly used natural product with anticancer properties;however,it has significant adverse effects,particularly hepatotoxicity.Glycyrrhetinic acid(GA),the active component of licorice,shows potential hepatoprotective effects.The protective effects and mechanism of GA against CTD-induced hepatotoxicity are still unclear.Objective:This study aims to elucidate the effect and mechanism of GA on CTD-induced hepatotoxicity in mice experiments.Methods:Construction of CTD-induced hepatotoxicity models and oral gavage GA intervention for 14 d.The liver index,ALT,AST and LDH levels in the serum of the mice were examined;HE staining was performed to observe pathological changes in the liver.The MDA level and SOD activities in liver tissue were tested.Western blot was conducted to determine Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway-related protein expression.Results:The results showed that GA significantly reduced the levels of ALT,AST,and LDH in the serum,which were increased by CTD.Additionally,it also exerted a substantial inhibitory effect on the reduction of SOD activity and the elevation of malondialdehyde content in liver tissue.Notably,the phenomena of nuclear swelling,necrosis,and inflammatory infiltration of liver tissue were significantly attenuated following oral administration of GA in mice.Subsequent research has demonstrated that GA effectively suppressed the CTD-triggered upregulation of Keap1 while increasing the CTD-induced downregulation of Nrf2,HO-1,and NQO1.Conclusion:These findings suggested that GA may protect against CTD-induced hepatotoxicity in mice by exerting antioxidative stress through the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium degeneration:from pathogenesis to therapeutic targets in dry age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a primary cause of blindness in the older adult population. Past decades of research in the pathophysiology of the disease have resulted in breakthroughs in the form of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapies against neovascular age-related macular degeneration;however, effective treatment is not yet available for geographical atrophy in dry agerelated macular degeneration or for preventing the progression from early or mid to the late stage of age-related macular degeneration. Both clinical and experimental investigations involving human agerelated macular degeneration retinas and animal models point towards the atrophic alterations in retinal pigment epithelium as a key feature in age-related macular degeneration progression. Retinal pigment epithelium cells are primarily responsible for cellular-structural maintenance and nutrition supply to keep photoreceptors healthy and functional. The retinal pigment epithelium constantly endures a highly oxidative environment that is balanced with a cascade of antioxidant enzyme systems regulated by nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 as a main redox sensing transcription factor. Aging and accumulated oxidative stress triggers retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction and eventually death. Exposure to both environmental and genetic factors aggravates oxidative stress damage in aging retinal pigment epithelium and accelerates retinal pigment epithelium degeneration in age-related macular degeneration pathophysiology. The present review summarizes the role of oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium degeneration, with potential impacts from both genetic and environmental factors in age-related macular degeneration development and progression. Potential strategies to counter retinal pigment epithelium damage and protect the retinal pigment epithelium through enhancing its antioxidant capacity are also discussed, focusing on existing antioxidant nutritional supplementation, and exploring nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 and its regulators including REV-ERBα as therapeutic targets to protect against age-related macular degeneration development and progression.

Exosomal miR-23b from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells alleviates oxidative stress and pyroptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage

Our previous studies showed that miR-23b was downregulated in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH). This indicates that miR-23b may be closely related to the patho-physiological mechanism of ICH, but this hypothesis lacks direct evidence. In this study, we established rat models of ICH by injecting collagenase Ⅶ into the right basal ganglia and treating them with an injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell(BMSC)-derived exosomal miR-23b via the tail vein. We found that edema in the rat brain was markedly reduced and rat behaviors were improved after BMSC exosomal miR-23b injection compared with those in the ICH groups. Additionally, exosomal miR-23b was transported to the microglia/macrophages, thereby reducing oxidative stress and pyroptosis after ICH. We also used hemin to mimic ICH conditions in vitro. We found that phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10(PTEN) was the downstream target gene of miR-23b, and exosomal miR-23b exhibited antioxidant effects by regulating the PTEN/Nrf2 pathway. Moreover, miR-23b reduced PTEN binding to NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby decreasing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis level. These findings suggest that BMSC-derived exosomal miR-23b exhibits antioxidant effects through inhibiting PTEN and alleviating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, thereby promoting neurologic function recovery in rats with ICH.

Pancreaticβ-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes:Implications of inflammation and oxidative stress

Insulin resistance and pancreaticβ-cell dysfunction are major pathological mechanisms implicated in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes(T2D).Beyond the detrimental effects of insulin resistance,inflammation and oxidative stress have emerged as critical features of T2D that defineβ-cell dysfunction.Predominant markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein,tumor necrosis factor alpha,and interleukin-1βare consistently associated withβ-cell failure in preclinical models and in people with T2D.Similarly,important markers of oxidative stress,such as increased reactive oxygen species and depleted intracellular antioxidants,are consistent with pancreaticβ-cell damage in conditions of T2D.Such effects illustrate a pathological relationship between an abnormal inflammatory response and generation of oxidative stress during the progression of T2D.The current review explores preclinical and clinical research on the pathological implications of inflammation and oxidative stress during the development ofβ-cell dysfunction in T2D.Moreover,important molecular mechanisms and relevant biomarkers involved in this process are discussed to divulge a pathological link between inflammation and oxidative stress duringβ-cell failure in T2D.Underpinning the clinical relevance of the review,a systematic analysis of evidence from randomized controlled trials is covered,on the potential therapeutic effects of some commonly used antidiabetic agents in modulating inflammatory makers to improveβ-cell function.

Celastrol targeting Nedd4 reduces Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress in astrocytes after ischemic stroke

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide,and oxidative stress plays a crucial role.Celastrol exhibits strong antioxidant properties in several diseases;however,whether it can affect oxidation in cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury(CIRI)remains unclear.This study aimed to determine whether celastrol could reduce oxidative damage during CIRI and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.Here,we found that celastrol attenuated oxidative injury in CIRI by upregulating nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2).Using alkynyl-tagged celastrol and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry,we showed that celastrol directly bound to neuronally expressed developmentally downregulated 4(Nedd4)and then released Nrf2 from Nedd4 in astrocytes.Nedd4 promoted the degradation of Nrf2 through K48-linked ubiquitination and thus contributed to astrocytic reactive oxygen species production in CIRI,which was significantly blocked by celastrol.Furthermore,by inhibiting oxidative stress and astrocyte activation,celastrol effectively rescued neurons from axon damage and apoptosis.Our study uncovered Nedd4 as a direct target of celastrol,and that celastrol exerts an antioxidative effect on astrocytes by inhibiting the interaction between Nedd4 and Nrf2 and reducing Nrf2 degradation in CIRI.

Overexpression of MdFRK2 enhances apple drought resistance by promoting carbohydrate metabolism and root growth under drought stress

Soluble sugars function not only as the energy and structural blocks supporting plants,but also as osmoregulators and signal molecules during plant adaptation to water deficit.Here,we investigated drought resistance in transgenic apple(Malus×domestica)overexpressing MdFRK2,a key gene regulating fructose content and sugar metabolism.There is no obvious phenotypic difference between MdFRK2-overexpressing transgenic plants and WT plants under the well-watered condition.However,the transgenic plants and the grafted plants using MdFRK2-overexpressing rootstock exhibited improved tolerance to drought stress.Overexpression of MdFRK2 significantly promoted the growth of root system under drought stress.RNA sequencing showed that under drought stress,genes involved in sugar metabolism,transcription regulation,signal transduction or hormone metabolism were differentially expressed in MdFRK2 transgenic plants.Consistent with the gene expression profile,the activities of enzyme(SDH,FRK and NI)involved in sugar metabolism in the roots of MdFRK2 transgenic plants were significantly higher than those of untransformed control plants after drought stress.Under drought stress,overexpression of MdFRK2 promoted the accumulation of IAA,and decreased the contents of ABA and CK in apple root system.In conclusion,these results suggest that MdFRK2 can promote the growth of apple roots under drought stress by regulating sugar metabolism and accumulation,hormone metabolism and signal transduction,and then resist drought stress.