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Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters Nov 2023Long-term exposure of humans to air pollution is associated with an increasing risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Astaxanthin (AST), a naturally occurring red...
BACKGROUND
Long-term exposure of humans to air pollution is associated with an increasing risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Astaxanthin (AST), a naturally occurring red carotenoid pigment, was proved to have multiple health benefits. However, whether or not AST also exerts a protective effect on fine particulate matter (PM)-induced cardiomyocyte damage and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
METHODS
In vitro experiments, the H9C2 cells were subjected to pretreatment with varying concentrations of AST, and then cardiomyocyte injury model induced by PM was established. The cell viability and the ferroptosis-related proteins expression were measured in different groups. In vivo experiments, the rats were pretreated with different concentrations of AST for 21 days. Subsequently, a rat model of myocardial PM injury was established by intratracheal instillation every other day for 1 week. The effects of AST on myocardial tissue injury caused by PM indicating by histological, serum, and protein analyses were examined.
RESULTS
AST significantly ameliorated PM-induced myocardial tissue injury, inflammatory cell infiltration, the release of inflammatory factors, and cardiomyocyte H9C2 cell damage. Mechanistically, AST pretreatment increased the expression of SLC7A11, GPX4 and down-regulated the expression of TfR1, FTL and FTH1 in vitro and in vivo.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggest that ferroptosis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of cardiomyocyte injury induced by PM. AST may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for mitigating cardiomyocyte injury caused by PM through the inhibition of ferroptosis.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Rats; Myocytes, Cardiac; Ferroptosis; Xanthophylls; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 38007415
DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00513-1 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023Lutein, zeaxanthin, and -zeaxanthin (a steroisomer of zeaxanthin) are macular pigments. They modify the physical properties of the lipid bilayers in a manner similar to... (Review)
Review
Lutein, zeaxanthin, and -zeaxanthin (a steroisomer of zeaxanthin) are macular pigments. They modify the physical properties of the lipid bilayers in a manner similar to cholesterol. It is not clear if these pigments are directly present in the lipid phase of the membranes, or if they form complexes with specific membrane proteins that retain them in high amounts in the correct place in the retina. The high content of macular pigments in the Henle fiber layer indicates that a portion of the lutein and zeaxanthin should not only be bound to the specific proteins but also directly dissolved in the lipid membranes. This high concentration in the prereceptoral region of the retina is effective for blue-light filtration. Understanding the basic mechanisms of these actions is necessary to better understand the carotenoid-membrane interaction and how carotenoids affect membrane physical properties-such as fluidity, polarity, and order-in relation to membrane structure and membrane dynamics. This review focuses on the properties of lutein.
Topics: Lutein; Zeaxanthins; Membranes; Carotenoids; Lipid Bilayers
PubMed: 37629129
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612948 -
Environment International Sep 2023As the most extensively used insecticides worldwide, neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) have received a growing global concern over their adverse health effects. This...
As the most extensively used insecticides worldwide, neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) have received a growing global concern over their adverse health effects. This study aimed to assess the associations of urinary concentrations of NNIs in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and the mediation roles of oxidative DNA damage, RNA damage, and lipid peroxidation in the associations. With a prospective nested case-control study, 519 GDM cases and 519 controls were matched on the infant's sex and maternal age. Urinary biomarkers of NNIs exposure and oxidative stress were measured in early pregnancy. We estimated the associations of single and the mixture of NNIs and their metabolites with GDM by conditional logistic regression and quantile g-computation models, respectively. The mediating roles of oxidative stress were evaluated by the structural equation model. The odds of GDM significantly increased by 15 %, 18 %, 26 %, 42 %, 49 %, and 13 % in each unit increment of ln-transformed concentrations of urinary imidacloprid (IMI), imidacloprid-olefin (IMI-olefin), desnitro-imidacloprid (DN-IMI), thiamethoxam (THM), clothianidin, and desmethyl-clothianidin, respectively. Exposure to the mixture of NNIs was associated with increased odds of GDM (adjusted OR: 1.76; 95 %CI: 1.45, 2.13). Advanced maternal age enhanced the associations of 5-hydroxy-IMI, DN-IMI, and IMI-olefin with GDM (P < 0.05), and being overweight/obese before pregnancy strengthened the effects of IMI, IMI-olefin, and THM on GDM (P < 0.05). In the association of NNIs exposure and GDM, the proportions mediated by oxidative DNA damage, RNA damage, and overall oxidative stress were 9.8 %, 11.8 %, and 14.5 %, respectively (P < 0.05). Exposure to individual NNIs and a mixture of NNIs were associated with GDM, and maternal age and pre-pregnancy BMI may modify the association. The possible mechanism underlying the association between NNIs and GDM may involve oxidative damage to nucleic acids.
Topics: Infant; Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Insecticides; Diabetes, Gestational; Case-Control Studies; Mediation Analysis; Prospective Studies; Neonicotinoids; Thiamethoxam; Oxidative Stress; Alkenes; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
PubMed: 37651928
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108173 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Mar 2024Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease characterized by synovitis and joint cartilage destruction. The severity of OA is highly associated with the imbalance...
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease characterized by synovitis and joint cartilage destruction. The severity of OA is highly associated with the imbalance between M1 and M2 synovial macrophages. In this study, a novel strategy is designed to modulate macrophage polarization by reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and regulating mitochondrial function. A ROS-responsive polymer is synthesized to self-assemble with astaxanthin and autophagy activator rapamycin to form nanoparticles (NP@Poly ). In vitro experiments show that NP@Poly significantly reduced intracellular ROS levels. Furthermore, NP@Poly restored mitochondrial membrane potential, increased glutathione (GSH) levels, and promoted intracellular autophagy, hence successfully repolarizing M1 macrophages into the M2 phenotype. This repolarization enhanced chondrocyte proliferation and vitality while inhibiting apoptosis. In vivo experiments utilizing an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced OA mouse model revealed the anti-inflammatory and cartilage-protective effects of NP@Poly , effectively mitigating OA progression. Consequently, the findings suggest that intra-articular delivery of ROS-responsive nanocarrier systems holds significant promise as a potential and effective therapeutic strategy for OA treatment.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Reactive Oxygen Species; Osteoarthritis; Xanthophylls; Macrophages
PubMed: 38093659
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305363 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Dec 2023Gut microbiome is integral to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. A novel probiotic Lactobacillus intestinalis (L. intestinalis) exerts a protective effect against...
Gut microbiome is integral to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. A novel probiotic Lactobacillus intestinalis (L. intestinalis) exerts a protective effect against dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice. Based on flow cytometry, colitis-associated Th17 cells are the target of L. intestinalis, which is supported by the lack of protective effects of L. intestinalis in T cell-null Rag1 mice or upon anti-IL-17-A antibody-treated mice. Although L. intestinalis exerts no direct effect on T cell differentiation, it decreases C/EBPA-driven gut epithelial SAA1 and SAA2 production, which in turn impairs Th17 cell differentiation. Cometabolism of L. intestinalis ALDH and host ALDH1A2 contributed to elevated biosynthesis of retinoic acid (RA), which accounts for the anti-colitis effect in RAR-α -mediated way. In a cohort of ulcerative colitis patients, it is observed that fecal abundance of L. intestinalis is negatively associated with the C/EBPA-SAA1/2-Th17 axis. Finally, L. intestinalis has a synergistic effect with mesalazine in alleviating murine colitis. In conclusion, L. intestinalis and associated metabolites, RA, have potential therapeutic effects for suppressing colonic inflammation by modulating the crosstalk between intestinal epithelia and immunity.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Colitis, Ulcerative; Th17 Cells; Colitis; Epithelial Cells; Tretinoin
PubMed: 37983567
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303457 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2023Aging is generally defined as a time-dependent functional decline that affects most living organisms. The positive increase in life expectancy has brought along... (Review)
Review
Aging is generally defined as a time-dependent functional decline that affects most living organisms. The positive increase in life expectancy has brought along aging-related diseases. Oxidative stress caused by the imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants can be given as one of the causes of aging. At the same time, the increase in oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) is main reason for the increase in aging-related diseases such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, liver, skin, and eye diseases and diabetes. Carotenoids, a natural compound, can be used to change the course of aging and aging-related diseases, thanks to their highly effective oxygen-quenching and ROS-scavenging properties. Therefore, in this narrative review, conducted using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases and complying with the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) guidelines, the effects of carotenoids on aging and aging-related diseases were analyzed. Carotenoids are fat-soluble, highly unsaturated pigments that occur naturally in plants, fungi, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. A large number of works have been conducted on carotenoids in relation to aging and aging-related diseases. Animal and human studies have found that carotenoids can significantly reduce obesity and fatty liver, lower blood sugar, and improve liver fibrosis in cirrhosis, as well as reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and erythema formation, while also lowering glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose levels. Carotenoid supplementation may be effective in preventing and delaying aging and aging-related diseases, preventing and treating eye fatigue and dry eye disease, and improving macular function. These pigments can be used to stop, delay, or treat aging-related diseases due to their powerful antioxidant, restorative, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. As an increasingly aging population emerges globally, this review could provide an important prospective contribution to public health.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Aged; Carotenoids; Reactive Oxygen Species; Prospective Studies; Antioxidants; Oxidative Stress; Aging
PubMed: 37894880
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015199 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Invariant chain (Ii, CD74) is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that acts as a chaperone and facilitates the folding and transport of MHC II chains. By assisting the...
Invariant chain (Ii, CD74) is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that acts as a chaperone and facilitates the folding and transport of MHC II chains. By assisting the assembly and subcellular targeting of MHC II complexes, Ii has a wide impact on the functions of antigen-presenting cells such as antigen processing, endocytic maturation, signal transduction, cell migration, and macropinocytosis. Ii is a multifunctional molecule that can alter endocytic traffic and has several interacting molecules. To understand more about Ii's function and to identify further Ii interactors, a yeast two-hybrid screening was performed. Retinoic Acid-Induced 14 (Rai14) was detected as a putative interaction partner, and the interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. Rai14 is a poorly characterized protein, which is believed to have a role in actin cytoskeleton and membrane remodeling. In line with this, we found that Rai14 localizes to membrane ruffles, where it forms macropinosomes. Depletion of Rai14 in antigen-presenting cells delays MHC II internalization, affecting macropinocytic activity. Intriguingly, we demonstrated that, similar to Ii, Rai14 is a positive regulator of macropinocytosis and a negative regulator of cell migration, two antagonistic processes in antigen-presenting cells. This antagonism is known to depend on the interaction between myosin II and Ii. Here, we show that Rai14 also binds to myosin II, suggesting that Ii, myosin II, and Rai14 work together to coordinate macropinocytosis and cell motility.
Topics: Tretinoin; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; Pinocytosis; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Myosin Type II
PubMed: 37545539
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1182180 -
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin Sep 2023Personal protective equipment (PPE), including medical masks, should be worn for preventing the transmission of respiratory pathogens via infective droplets and...
Personal protective equipment (PPE), including medical masks, should be worn for preventing the transmission of respiratory pathogens via infective droplets and aerosols. In medical masks, the key layer is the filter layer, and the melt-blown nonwoven fabric (NWF) is the most used fabric. However, the NWF filter layer cannot kill or inactivate the pathogens spread via droplets and aerosols. Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) has been used as an antiseptic solution given its potent broad-spectrum activity against pathogens. To develop PPE (e.g., medical masks) with anti-pathogenic activity, we integrated PVP-I into nylon-66 NWF. We then evaluated its antiviral activity against influenza A viruses by examining the viability of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells after inoculation with the virus strains exposed to the PVP-I-integrated nylon-66 NWF. The PVP-I nylon-66 NWF protected the MDCK cells from viral infection in a PVP-I concentration-dependent manner. Subsequently, we found to integrate PVP-I into nylon-66 and polyurethane materials among various materials. These PVP-I materials were also effective against influenza virus infection, and treatment with PVP-I nylon-66 NWF showed the highest cell survival among all the tested materials. PVP-I showed anti-influenza A virus activity when used in conjunction with PPE materials. Moreover, nylon-66 NWF integrated with PVP-I was found to be the best material to ensure anti-influenza activity. Therefore, PVP-I-integrated masks could have the potential to inhibit respiratory virus infection. Our results provide new information for developing multi-functional PPEs with anti-viral activity by integrating them with PVP-I to prevent the potential transmission of respiratory viruses.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Humans; Povidone-Iodine; Nylons; Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets; Influenza, Human; Orthomyxoviridae
PubMed: 37357386
DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00161 -
International Journal For Vitamin and... Dec 2023
Topics: Antioxidants; Vitamin A; Ascorbic Acid; Vitamin E
PubMed: 35291873
DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000752 -
Plant Signaling & Behavior Dec 2023Photosynthetic organisms biosynthesize various carotenoids, a group of light-absorbing isoprenoid pigments that have key functions in photosynthesis, photoprotection,... (Review)
Review
Photosynthetic organisms biosynthesize various carotenoids, a group of light-absorbing isoprenoid pigments that have key functions in photosynthesis, photoprotection, and phototaxis. Microalgae, in particular, contain diverse carotenoids and carotenoid biosynthetic pathways as a consequence of the various endosymbiotic events in their evolutionary history. Carotenoids such as astaxanthin, diadinoxanthin, and fucoxanthin are unique to algae. In microalgae, carotenoids are concentrated in the eyespot, a pigmented organelle that is important for phototaxis. A wide range of microalgae, including chlorophytes, euglenophytes, ochrophytes, and haptophytes, have an eyespot. In the chlorophyte , carotenoid layers in the eyespot reflect light to amplify the photosignal and shield photoreceptors from light, thereby enabling precise phototaxis. Our recent research revealed that, in contrast to the β-carotene-rich eyespot of , the euglenophyte relies on zeaxanthin for stable eyespot formation and phototaxis. In this review, we highlight recent advancements in the study of eyespot carotenoids and phototaxis in these microalgae, placing special emphasis on the diversity of carotenoid-dependent visual systems among microalgae.
Topics: Carotenoids; Microalgae; Phototaxis; Terpenes; beta Carotene
PubMed: 37724547
DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2023.2257348