International journal of molecular medicine
-
The protective effects of sevoflurane post-conditioning against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury (MIRI) have been previously reported. However, the mechanisms responsible for these protective effects remain elusive. In this study, in order to investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the protective effects of sevoflurane post-conditioning on isolated rat hearts subjected to MIRI, Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were randomly divided into the following 6 groups: i) the sham-operated control; ii) 2.5% sevoflurane; iii) ischemia/reperfusion (I/R); iv) 2.5% sevoflurane post-conditioning plus I/R; v) 2.5% sevoflurane post-conditioning + NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) plus I/R; and vi) L-NAME plus I/R. ⋯ The findings of the present study suggest that sevoflurane post-conditioning protects the myocardium against I/R injury and reduces the myocardial infarct size. The underlying protective mechanisms are associated with the inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, and with the attenuation of cardiomyoctye apoptosis and excessive autophagy. These effects are mediated through an increase in NOS and a decrease in phopshorylated NHE1 levels.
-
Coronary artery disease (CAD) or atherosclerotic heart disease is one of the most common types of cardiovascular disease. Although percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)] is a mature, well-established technique used to treat atherosclerotic heart disease, its long‑term therapeutic effects are compromised by a high incidence of vascular restenosis (RS) following angioplasty. In our previous study, we found that the principal gap junction protein, connexin 43 (Cx43), in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was involved in the development of vascular RS following angioplasty-induced balloon injury. ⋯ Notably, the knockdown of Cx43 also effectively attenuated the development of vascular RS and intimal hyperplasia following balloon injury in vivo. Taken together, our data suggest that Cx43 is involved in the development of vascular RS and intimal hyperplasia through the regulation of the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Thus, the present study provides new insight into the pathogenesis of vascular RS, and suggests that further comfirms that Cx43 may well be a novel potential pharmacological target for preventing vascular RS following PCI.
-
The function of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) in regulating neuropathic pain has attracted increasing attention in recent years. However, the precise mechanism of miRNAs in neuropathic pain remains largely unknown. In the present study, an important role of miR‑141 and its putative target gene, high‑mobility group box‑1 (HMGB1), was demonstrated in a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI). ⋯ Overexpression of miR‑141 significantly suppressed the expression of HMGB1 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, overexpression of HMGB1 apparently abrogated the beneficial effect of miR‑141 on inhibiting neuropathic pain. Taken together, the data suggest that overexpression of miR‑141 alleviates neuropathic pain development via targeting and inhibiting HMGB1, implying that blocking HMGB1 by miR‑141 could be a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
-
Arnebin-1, a naphthoquinone derivative, plays a crucial role in the wound healing properties of Zicao (a traditional wound healing herbal medicine). It has been noted that Arnebin-1, in conjunction with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), exerts a synergistic pro-angiogenic effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and accelerates the healing process of diabetic wounds. However, the mechanisms responsible for the pro-angiogenic effect of arnebin‑1 on HUVECs and its healing effect on diabetic wounds have not yet been fully elucidated. ⋯ Moreover, Arnebin‑1 significantly increased the eNOS, VEGF and HIF‑1α expression levels in the HUVECs and accelerated the healing of diabetic wounds through the PI3K‑dependent signaling pathway. CD31 expression was markedly enhanced in the wounds of diabetic rats treated with arnebin‑1 compared to the wounds of untreated diabetic rats. Therefore, the findings of the present study indicate that arnebin-1 promotes the wound healing process in diabetic rats by eliciting a pro-angiogenic response.
-
Increasing evidence suggests an association between cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment. Ovarian cancer stem cell (OCSC) factors can influence the tumor microenvironment and prognosis. However, the effects of OCSCs on macrophage M1/M2 polarization are not yet completely understood. ⋯ In addition, treatment with OCSCs activated PPARγ and suppressed NF-κB in the Raw264.7 cells. Furthermore, the PPARγ, antagonist GW9662, attenuated the promoting effects of OCSCs on the M2 polarization of macrophages. To the best of our knowledge, the findings of the present study, provide the first evidence that OCSCs promote the M2 polarization of macrophages through the PPARγ/NF-κB pathway.