Life sciences
-
This study was aimed to synthesize novel caffeic acid derivatives and evaluate their potential applications for the treatment of oxidative stress associated disease. ⋯ Caffeic acid sulfonamide derivatives were synthesized with simple reactions under mild conditions. They might protect cells from H2O2-induced oxidative injury via Nrf2 pathway.
-
Anaesthesia-related neurotoxicity in the developing brain is a controversial issue that has recently attracted much attention. Hemin plays a protective role in hypoxic and ischemic brain damage; however, its effects on sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity remain unclear. Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms of sevoflurane neurotoxicity and potential neuroprotective roles of hemin upon sevoflurane exposure. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that hemin plays a protective role in anaesthesia-induced neurotoxicity by both inhibiting apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt pathway and increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes, reducing oxidative damage. The results provide mechanistic insight into the effects of sevoflurane anaesthesia on the developing brain and suggest that hemin could help avoid these effects.
-
Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is marked by the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and excessive extracellular matrix deposition. The long noncoding RNA myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) facilitates RIF; however, the molecular mechanism of MIAT in RIF remains unclear. Here, we explored the possible underlying mechanisms through which MIAT modulates RIF. ⋯ MIAT promoted cell viability, proliferation, migration, and the EMT via regulation of the miR-145/EIF5A2 axis. These data established a potential therapy for RIF.
-
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) produce various pharmacological actions by binding to and allosterically regulating GABAA receptors. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated diazepam, the prototypic BZD, produces a high-dose action that cannot be countered with the classical BZD-binding site antagonist flumazenil. Here, we investigate the existence and behavioral relevance of non-classical BZD binding sites in zebrafish larvae. ⋯ These results provide direct in vivo evidence for non-classical BZD-binding sites, which may be located at the second transmembrane domain of GABAA receptors and contribute to BZD-induced anesthesia.
-
Cardiac dysfunction is a major cause of multi-organ dysfunction in critical care units following severe burns. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cardiac dysfunction in burned mice. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that iNOS contributes to insulin resistance in the hearts of mice following burn injury, and iNOS deficiency protects cardiac function against burn injury in mice, suggesting iNOS as a potential therapeutic target to treat burn injuries.