Redox Report最新文献

Objectives: Recent studies have highlighted the strong association between kidney disease and ferroptosis. However, the role of ferroptosis in diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the role of ACSF2 in renal tubule injury in DN and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods: We established diabetic kidney disease models both in vivo, using db/db mice, and in vitro, using high glucose induced HK-2 cells.

Results: A significant upregulation of ACSF2 was observed in the renal tubules of patients with DN and db/db mice. ACSF2 expression correlated with renal tubule injury and renal function, indicating its potential as an independent biomarker in patients with DN. Silencing ACSF2 alleviated high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury by reducing oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that ACSF2 specifically binds to PGK1. ACSF2 affected Keap1 dimerization by regulating PGK1 phosphorylation at serine 203, which subsequently affects the levels of NRF2. Moreover, PGK1 stabilizes ACSF2 via deubiquitination, establishing a positive feedback loop. The results provide evidence that the interaction between ACSF2 and PGK1 promotes DN progression by regulating oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis.

Discussion: ACSF2 participates in crosstalk between oxidative stress and ferroptosis. This could be a potential therapeutic target for DN.

The death of human nucleus pulposus derived stem cells (NPSCs) is a key factor affecting the endogenous repair capability and degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVD). ASIC1a is thought to be closely associated with cells destiny in IVD degeneration (IVDD). However, its physiological and pathological roles in human NPSCs are unclear. In this study, we found that the content of ASIC1a increased with IVDD in both rats and human discs. In acidosis-treated NPSCs, the expression level of ASIC1a increased, accompanied by inhibition of cells viability and activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Additionally, ASIC1a overexpression activated the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and increased the level of cellular and mitochondrial ROS in human NPSCs. Moreover, we demonstrated that the dysfunction of SIRT3-regulated mitochondrial redox homeostasis was involved in ASIC1a overexpression-induced apoptosis in human NPSCs. The in vivo experiments also demonstrated that the ASIC1a/SIRT3 pathway was involved in IVDD. Overall, these findings showed that ASIC1a disrupted mitochondrial function and aggravated mitochondrial oxidative stress by inhibiting the expression of SIRT3, which activated human NPSC apoptosis and aggravated IVDD. These findings provide new insights for the development of innovative treatment strategies for IVDD.HighlightsAcidosis inhibited human NPSCs activity and promoted apoptosis via mitochondria.ASIC1a promoted acidosis-induced apoptosis of human NPSCs.ASIC1a inhibited SIRT3 expression, aggravating mitochondrial oxidative stress.ASIC1a promoted IVDD via mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis.

The primary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involves surgical removal of the primary tumor, but this creates a favorable environment for the proliferation and spread of residual and circulating cancer cells. The development of remimazolam-based balanced anesthesia is crucial for future antitumor applications. It is important to understand the mechanisms of cytotoxicity for HCC in detail.

We performed cell viability analysis, western blotting analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis, and flow cytometry analysis in two HCC cell lines, HepG2 and Hep3B cells.

Our data demonstrated that remimazolam induced cytotoxicity by suppressing cell proliferation, inhibiting G1 phase progression, and affecting mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, leading to apoptosis, DNA damage, cytosolic ROS elevation, lipid peroxidation, autophagy, mitochondrial depolarization, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Inhibitors of apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and ferroptosis and a ROS scavenger failed to rescue cell death caused by remimazolam besylate. Our combination index revealed that remimazolam besylate has the potential to act as a sensitizer for targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for HCC.

Our findings open up new possibilities for combinatory HCC therapy using remimazolam, leveraging its dual functional roles in surgery and drug therapy for liver cancers.

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and may be associated with sequelae after severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study evaluated OS and inflammation biomarkers in blood from individuals with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). 64 male and female participants were distributed into three groups: healthy individuals (n = 20), acute COVID-19 patients (symptoms for <3 weeks, n = 15), and PASC patients (symptoms for >12 weeks, n = 29). Analyses included inflammatory cytokines, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and OS markers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), reduced glutathione (GSH), uric acid (UA), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and protein carbonyls (PC). Individuals with PASC showed increased IL-6 and IL-8. Both COVID-19 groups exhibited decreased SOD and CAT. GST decreased only in the acute group. Elevated GGT and GSH were found in the PASC group. High UA levels were observed in PASC individuals. There were no changes in TBARS values ⁣⁣in the PASC group. However, PC concentrations were elevated only in this group. Correlations were identified between inflammatory markers and OS parameters. These findings suggest that individuals with PASC pronounced OS, which potentially exacerbates disease complications. Monitoring OS biomarkers could aid in patient prognosis and management.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), remains a major global health threat due to prolonged treatment and drug-resistant strains. Host-directed therapy (HDT), which modulates host-pathogen interactions, offers potential to shorten treatment and limit resistance. This study investigates the effects of Scutellarin (SCU), a flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis, on Mtb-infected macrophages within the HDT framework.

Methods: Anti-pyroptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of SCU were assessed in Mtb-infected THP-1 and J774A.1 macrophages, and in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by oxygen consumption rate(OCR), membrane potential, and superoxide levels; glycolytic activity was measured by proton efflux rate (GlycoPER). Expression of inflammasome-related markers was analyzed by Western blot, qPCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. The role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) was examined via siRNA knockdown.

Results: SCU inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, reduced IL-1β and IL-18 secretion, and attenuating pyroptosis. It restored mitochondrial integrity by regulating p-DRP1, MFN2, and Cytochrome C expression, and suppressed HIF-1α-mediated glycolytic reprogramming. Silencing of HIF-1α confirmed its role in SCU's mechanism. In vivo, SCU reduced pulmonary inflammation and cytokine release in LPS-induced ALI.

Conclusion: SCU alleviates Mtb-induced pyroptosis and inflammation in macrophages by inhibiting the HIF-1α-mediated Warburg effect.

Background: The most prevalent endocrine disorder affecting women is PCOS. Programmed death of ovarian cells has yet to be elucidated. Ferroptosis is a kind of iron-dependent necrosis featured by significantly Fe⁺²-dependent lipid peroxidation. The ongoing study aimed to reinforce fertility by combining therapy with AgNPs and (Zileuton) in PCOS rats' model.

Methods: The study included 75 adult female rats divided into 5 groups; control, PCOS, PCOS treated with AgNPs, PCOS treated with Zileuton, and PCOS group treated with AgNPs and Zileuton. The study investigated the anti-ferroptotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of COX-2 and VEGF.

Results: The combination of AgNPs and Zileuton showed significant reduction of inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α, NFk-B) compared with diseased group (P-value < 0.05), regression of ferroptosis marks (Panx1 and TLR4 expression, Fe⁺² levels) compared with diseased group (P-value < 0.05), depression of apoptotic marker caspase 3 level compared with diseased animals (P-value < 0.05), depression of MDA level, elevation of HO-1, GPx4 activity, and reduction of Cox2 and VEGF as compared with the diseased, AgNPs or zileuton-treated groups (P-value < 0.05).

Conclusion: The study showed that the combination of AgNPs and zileuton guards against, inflammation, apoptosis, and ferroptosis in PCO.

Uric acid (UA), the final product of purine metabolism in humans, exhibits a dual role as an anti or pro-oxidant, depending on the microenvironment. The two-electron oxidation of UA by biological oxidants can neutralize such harmful molecules. Additionally, UA chelates metals and can activate adaptive response against oxidation. However, some products of the reaction between UA and oxidants are not inert and, therefore, do not confer the anticipated antioxidant protection. A direct pro-oxidant effect is favoured in the one-electron oxidation of UA by heme-peroxidases yielding free radical intermediates that can initiate or propagate a radical-chain reaction. Additionally, an indirect pro-oxidant effect has been proposed by eliciting the expression or activation of enzymes that catalyse oxidant production, e.g. NADPH oxidase (NOX). This review brings together fundamental concepts and the molecular mechanisms of the redox reactions involving UA. The signature metabolites from these reactions are discussed to give valuable insights on whether these intermediates are being formed and what role they may play in disease pathogenesis. It proposes that, through identifying specific products, it may be possible to elucidate whether a harmful or protective action is linked to downstream bioactivities.

This study sought to ascertain if zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) could lessen the toxicity of azoxystrobin (AZ). This naturally occurring methoxyacrylate is one of the most often used fungicides in agriculture in male albino rats. Six sets of 60 mature male albino rats were randomly assigned: control (distilled water), Azoxystrobin formulation (AZOF), Azoxystrobin nano-formula (AZON), ZnNPs, AZOF + ZnNPs, and AZON + ZnNPs. Blood and tissues were obtained for further immunohistochemical, pathological, and biochemical examination. The results showed that exposure to AZOF and AZON significantly increased the levels of the oxidative stress indicators glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Additionally, AZOF significantly impacts liver function bioindicators, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. AZOF and AZON induced damage to the liver and kidney by disrupting vascular dilatation and causing hemorrhages, apoptosis, inflammatory lymphocytes, and necrosis. Furthermore, co-administration of ZnNPs with fungicides (AZOF and AZON) can gently enhance the alterations of oxidative stress and liver function bioindicators levels. These findings showed that ZnNPs could help male rats receiving AZ treat their histologically abnormal liver and kidney.

Background: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide with limited treatment options available. The anti-tumor effects of the TrxR inhibitor Butaselen (BS/BS1801) on lung cancer and its underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Methods: This study utilized lung cancer cell lines, LLC1-bearing mice models, and organoids to detect the inhibitory effects of BS on lung cancer. The ROS-induction and apoptotic role of BS on lung cancer cells and molecular mechanisms were assessed with flow cytometry, western blot, Co-IP, real-time PCR, ChIP, reporter gene assay, ELISA, and bisulfite pyrosequencing.

Results: BS can effectively inhibit lung cancer both in vitro and in vivo, by triggering ROS-induced apoptosis. The inactivation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, along with the activation of PI3K-Akt and HBP1 signaling pathways, are involved in BS's suppression of lung cancer. HBP1 is a novel downstream target of the Trx system. The activation of HBP1 by BS is dependent on ROS accumulation and further leads to the transcriptional inhibition of DNMT1 and the demethylation of the whole genome, as well as the promoters of p21 and HOXA9.

Conclusion: The TrxR/Trx inhibitor butaselen suppresses lung cancer by triggering ROS-induced apoptosis. This study provides a novel and effective regimen for treating lung cancer.