Cyclic Nigerosyl-Nigerose as Oxygen Nanocarrier to Protect Cellular Models from Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury: Implications from an In Vitro Model

Heart failure (HF) prevalence is increasing among the aging population, and the mortality rate remains unacceptably high despite improvements in therapy. Myocardial ischemia (MI) and, consequently, ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), are frequently the basis of HF development. Therefore, cardioprotective strategies to limit IRI are mandatory. Nanocarriers have been proposed as alternative therapy for cardiovascular disease. Controlled reoxygenation may be a promising strategy. Novel nanocarriers, such as cyclic nigerosyl-nigerose (CNN), can be innovative tools for oxygen delivery in a controlled manner. In this study we analyzed new CNN-based formulations as oxygen nanocarriers (O₂-CNN), and compared them with nitrogen CNN (N₂-CNN). These different CNN-based formulations were tested using two cellular models, namely, cardiomyoblasts (H9c2), and endothelial (HMEC) cell lines, at different concentrations. The effects on the growth curve during normoxia (21% O₂, 5% CO₂ and 74% N₂) and their protective effects during hypoxia (1% O₂, 5% CO₂ and 94% N₂) and reoxygenation (21% O₂, 5% CO₂ and 74% N₂) were studied. Neither O₂-CNN nor N₂-CNN has any effect on the growth curve during normoxia. However, O₂-CNN applied before hypoxia induces a 15–30% reduction in cell mortality after hypoxia/re-oxygenation when compared to N₂-CNN. O₂-CNN showed a marked efficacy in controlled oxygenation, which suggests an interesting potential for the future medical application of soluble nanocarrier systems for MI treatment.     

Endothelin ETB Receptor-Mediated Astrocytic Activation: Pathological Roles in Brain Disorders

In brain disorders, reactive astrocytes, which are characterized by hypertrophy of the cell body and proliferative properties, are commonly observed. As reactive astrocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of several brain disorders, the control of astrocytic function has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy, and target molecules to effectively control astrocytic functions have been investigated. The production of brain endothelin-1 (ET-1), which increases in brain disorders, is involved in the pathophysiological response of the nervous system. Endothelin B (ET_B) receptors are highly expressed in reactive astrocytes and are upregulated by brain injury. Activation of astrocyte ET_B receptors promotes the induction of reactive astrocytes. In addition, the production of various astrocyte-derived factors, including neurotrophic factors and vascular permeability regulators, is regulated by ET_B receptors. In animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, brain ischemia, neuropathic pain, and traumatic brain injury, ET_B-receptor-mediated regulation of astrocytic activation has been reported to improve brain disorders. Therefore, the astrocytic ET_B receptor is expected to be a promising drug target to improve several brain disorders. This article reviews the roles of ET_B receptors in astrocytic activation and discusses its possible applications in the treatment of brain disorders.     

Hydrogen Sulfide Metabolite,Sodium Thiosulfate: Clinical Applications and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

Thiosulfate in the form of sodium thiosulfate (STS) is a major oxidation product of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), an endogenous signaling molecule and the third member of the gasotransmitter family. STS is currently used in the clinical treatment of acute cyanide poisoning, cisplatin toxicities in cancer therapy, and calciphylaxis in dialysis patients. Burgeoning evidence show that STS has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential therapeutic candidate molecule that can target multiple molecular pathways in various diseases and drug-induced toxicities. This review discusses the biochemical and molecular pathways in the generation of STS from H₂S, its clinical usefulness, and potential clinical applications, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying these clinical applications and a future perspective in kidney transplantation.     

Protective Role of Glutathione in the Hippocampus after Brain Ischemia

Stroke is a major cause of death worldwide, leading to serious disability. Post-ischemic injury, especially in the cerebral ischemia-prone hippocampus, is a serious problem, as it contributes to vascular dementia. Many studies have shown that in the hippocampus, ischemia/reperfusion induces neuronal death through oxidative stress and neuronal zinc (Zn²⁺) dyshomeostasis. Glutathione (GSH) plays an important role in protecting neurons against oxidative stress as a major intracellular antioxidant. In addition, the thiol group of GSH can function as a principal Zn²⁺ chelator for the maintenance of Zn²⁺ homeostasis in neurons. These lines of evidence suggest that neuronal GSH levels could be a key factor in post-stroke neuronal survival. In neurons, excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) is involved in the influx of cysteine, and intracellular cysteine is the rate-limiting substrate for the synthesis of GSH. Recently, several studies have indicated that cysteine uptake through EAAC1 suppresses ischemia-induced neuronal death via the promotion of hippocampal GSH synthesis in ischemic animal models. In this article, we aimed to review and describe the role of GSH in hippocampal neuroprotection after ischemia/reperfusion, focusing on EAAC1.     

Induction of Tertiary Phase Epileptiform Discharges after Postasphyxial Infusion of a Toll-Like Receptor 7 Agonist in Preterm Fetal Sheep

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are key immunomodulatory factors that can markedly ameliorate or exacerbate hypoxic–ischemic brain injury. We recently demonstrated that central infusion of the TLR7 agonist Gardiquimod (GDQ) following asphyxia was highly neuroprotective after 3 days but not 7 days of recovery. We hypothesize that this apparent transient neuroprotection is associated with modulation of seizure-genic processes and hemodynamic control. Methods: Fetuses received sham asphyxia or asphyxia induced by umbilical cord occlusion (20.9 ± 0.5 min) and were monitored continuously for 7 days. GDQ 3.34 mg or vehicle were infused intracerebroventricularly from 1 to 4 h after asphyxia. Results: GDQ infusion was associated with sustained moderate hypertension that resolved after 72 h recovery. Electrophysiologically, GDQ infusion was associated with reduced number and burden of postasphyxial seizures in the first 18 h of recovery (p < 0.05). Subsequently, GDQ was associated with induction of slow rhythmic epileptiform discharges (EDs) from 72 to 96 h of recovery (p < 0.05 vs asphyxia + vehicle). The total burden of EDs was associated with reduced numbers of neurons in the caudate nucleus (r² = 0.61, p < 0.05) and CA1/2 hippocampal region (r² = 0.66, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that TLR7 activation by GDQ modulated blood pressure and suppressed seizures in the early phase of postasphyxial recovery, with subsequent prolonged induction of epileptiform activity. Speculatively, this may reflect delayed loss of early protection or contribute to differential neuronal survival in subcortical regions.     

Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors beyond Glycemic Control—Focus on Myocardial SGLT1

Selective sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduced the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with or without type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in large-scale clinical trials. The exact mechanism of action is currently unclear. The dual SGLT1/2 inhibitor sotagliflozin not only reduced hospitalization for HF in patients with T2DM, but also lowered the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, suggesting a possible additional benefit related to SGLT1 inhibition. In fact, several preclinical studies suggest that SGLT1 plays an important role in cardiac pathophysiological processes. In this review, our aim is to establish the clinical significance of myocardial SGLT1 inhibition through reviewing basic research studies in the context of SGLT2 inhibitor trials.     

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Reprograms Circulating Extracellular Vesicles from ACS Patients Impairing Their Cardio-Protective Properties

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising therapeutic tools in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. We have recently shown that EVs from patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) undergoing sham pre-conditioning, before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were cardio-protective, while EVs from patients experiencing remote ischemic pre-conditioning (RIPC) failed to induce protection against ischemia/reperfusion Injury (IRI). No data on EVs from ACS patients recovered after PCI are currently available. Therefore, we herein investigated the cardio-protective properties of EVs, collected after PCI from the same patients. EVs recovered from 30 patients randomly assigned (1:1) to RIPC (EV-RIPC) or sham procedures (EV-naive) ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02195726","term_id":"NCT02195726"}}NCT02195726) were characterized by TEM, FACS and Western blot analysis and evaluated for their mRNA content. The impact of EVs on hypoxia/reoxygenation damage and IRI, as well as the cardio-protective signaling pathways, were investigated in vitro (HMEC-1 + H9c2 co-culture) and ex vivo (isolated rat heart). Both EV-naive and EV-RIPC failed to drive cardio-protection both in vitro and ex vivo. Consistently, EV treatment failed to activate the canonical cardio-protective pathways. Specifically, PCI reduced the EV-naive Dusp6 mRNA content, found to be crucial for their cardio-protective action, and upregulated some stress- and cell-cycle-related genes in EV-RIPC. We provide the first evidence that in ACS patients, PCI reprograms the EV cargo, impairing EV-naive cardio-protective properties without improving EV-RIPC functional capability.     

针药结合对慢性脑缺血大鼠大脑皮质BDNF、TrkB及VEGF表达的影响

目的: 观察电针联合复方丹参对慢性脑缺血大鼠大脑皮质脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、酪氨酸激酶B(TrkB)及血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达的影响,探讨针药结合治疗脑缺血的可能机制。方法: 将SD雄性大鼠采用永久性双侧颈总动脉结扎术制备慢性脑缺血模型,将造模成功的32只大鼠随机分为模型组、复方丹参组、电针组、针药结合组,每组8只。复方丹参组给予复方丹参片 0.75 g/kg 灌胃,电针组选取百会、大椎穴给予电针刺激,持续 30 min,针药结合组联合采用复方丹参片灌胃和电针刺激,各组治疗均每天1次,连续5周。另用8只SD雄性大鼠作为正常对照组。采用免疫组织化学方法检测各组大鼠大脑皮质BDNF、TrkB及VEGF的表达。结果: 与正常组比较,模型组大鼠大脑皮质BDNF、TrkB 及VEGF表达明显减弱(P<0.01 或P<0.05);与模型组比较,复方丹参组、电针组、针药结合组大脑皮质BDNF、TrkB 及VEGF表达均明显增强(P<0.01 或P<0.05),并且针药结合组的表达高于复方丹参组和电针组(P<0.01 或P<0.05)。结论: 电针与复方丹参联合疗法对大鼠慢性缺血性脑损伤有保护作用,其机制可能与上调BDNF、TrkB及VEGF的表达有关。     

医学领域中的新型生物传感器

生物传感器作为一项新技术已广泛地应用于人体生化指标和各种病原体的检测，糖尿病和缺血一再灌注损伤病人的监测以及空间生命科学的在线监视等医学领域，它以准确，灵敏、高效，快速，设备简便和成本低等优点，逐渐成为近年来医学诊断监测技术的热点之一，对近年来国内外应用中医学领域中的新型生物传感器进行综述。     

认知功能障碍大鼠脑神经型烟碱乙酰胆碱受体显像研究

采用双侧颈总动脉结扎法建立大鼠慢性脑缺血模型,4周后经Morris水迷宫实验验证认知功能障碍,经尾静脉注射神经型烟碱乙酰胆碱受体(nAChRs)显像剂2-[~(18)F]-A-85380后30、60、120、180、240min,用Micro-PET各扫描一次,每次持续10 min。选取丘脑、额皮质、小脑为鼠脑感兴趣区,以SUV_(ave丘脑)/SUV_(ave小脑)、SUV_(ave额皮质)/SUV_(ave小脑)放射性摄取比为慢性缺血组与正常组的比较参数。经正常组大鼠扫描后,慢性脑缺血认知障碍大鼠选择在120 min行2-[~(18)F]-A-85380 Micro-PET脑部扫描10min。结果表明,Morris定向航行实验中两组大鼠逃避潜伏期随实验天数增加而缩短,在第5d时正常组为(9.44±5.48)s,慢性缺血组为(24.16±27.18)s,差异有统计学意义,慢性缺血组大鼠在学习寻找平台上较正常组缓慢;Morris空间探索实验,撤掉平台后,慢性缺血鼠按之前学习寻找平台的轨迹,穿过原来放置平台的象限次数较正常组少,慢性缺血组为(2.60±1.67)次,正常组为(6.20±2.95)次,差异有统计学意义;正常大鼠脑部Micro-PET显像,在120min时,可清晰显示丘脑、小脑及额皮质结构,且持续至240min,其SUV_(ave丘脑)/SUV_(ave小脑)、SUV_(ave额皮质)/SUV_(ave小脑)放射性摄取比在120 min时分别为1.62±0.06、1.34±0.28,认知功能障碍大鼠SUV_(ave丘脑)/SUV_(ave小脑)、SUV_(ave额皮质)/SUV_(ave小脑)放射性摄取比分别为1.27±0.02、1.07±0.03,差异有统计学意义。通过对缺血大鼠进行2-[~(18)F]-A-85380 MicroPET脑显像发现,2-[~(18)F]-A-85380在慢性缺血大鼠与正常大鼠的丘脑相比摄取降低,缺血组SUV_(ave丘脑)/SUV_(ave小脑)、SUV_(ave额皮质)/SUV_(ave小脑)较正常组显著降低,说明缺血后认知功能障碍与烟碱乙酰胆碱受体减少有关。缺血后认知功能障碍大鼠能在出现运动症状前出现受体数量降低或2-[~(18)F]-A-85380与受体结合率降低,通过nAChRs受体显像可在慢性缺血后已出现认知障碍的患者中发现其受体早期变化,从而给予早期干预治疗,改善预后。