Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia among senior citizen. Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids (GLTs) have nutritional health benefits and has been shown to promote health and longevity, but a protective effect of GLTs on AD damage has not yet been reported. The objective of this research was to elucidate the phylactic effect of GLTs on AD model mice and cells and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Morris water maze (MWM) test was conducted to detect changes in the cognitive function of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was applied to observe pathological changes in the hippocampus. Silver nitrate staining was applied to observe the hippocampal neuronal tangles (NFTs). Apoptosis of the hippocampal neurons in mouse brain tissue was determined by TUNEL staining. The expression levels of apoptosis-related protein Bcl2, Bax, and caspase 3/cleaved caspase 3; antioxidative protein Nrf2, NQO1, and HO1; and ROCK signaling pathway-associated proteins ROCK2 and ROCK1 were measured by western blot. In vivo experiments show that 5-month-old APP/PS1 mice appeared to have impaired acquisition of spatial learning and GLTs could reduce cognitive impairment in AD mice. Compared to normal mice, the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mouse’s brains was severely damaged, while GLTs could alleviate this symptom by inhibiting apoptosis, relieving oxidative damage, and inactivating the ROCK signaling pathway. In in vitro cell experiments, Aβ25-35 was applied to induce hippocampal neurons into AD model cells. GLTs promoted cell proliferation, facilitated superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression, and inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) expression of neurons. Our study highlights that GLTs improve cognitive impairment, alleviate neuronal damage, and inhibit apoptosis in the hippocampus tissues and cells in AD through inhibiting the ROCK signaling pathway.
Background/Aims: Doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity has been a major concern of oncologists and is considered the main restriction on its clinical application. Oxymatrine has shown potent anti-cancer, anti-fibrosis, and anti-oxidative effects. Recently, it has been reported that oxymatrine is protective against some cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of oxymatrine on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rat hearts and H9c2 cells. Methods: Creatine Kinase - MB (CK-MB) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were determined using commercial kits. Biochemical indices reflecting oxidative stress, such as catalase (CAT), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were also analyzed with commercial kits. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) was measured by fluorescence microscopy. Histological analyses were conducted to observe morphological changes, and apoptosis was measured using a commercial kit. Western blots were used to detect the level of expression of cleaved caspase-3. Results: Doxorubicin treatment significantly increased oxidative stress levels, as indicated by catalase, malonyldialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and reactive oxygen species. Doxorubicin also increased pathological damage in myocardial tissue, myocardial ROS levels, and malonyldialdehyde levels, and induced apoptosis in myocardial tissues and H9c2 cells. All of these doxorubicin-induced effects were attenuated by oxymatrine. Conclusion: These in vitro and in vivo findings indicate that oxymatrine may be a promising cardioprotective agent against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, at least in part mediated through oxymatrine’s inhibition of cardiac apoptosis and oxidative stress.
It is reported that both the homozygous and heterozygous states of GBA mutations which are the causes of Gaucher disease (GD) are linked to the risk of PD. However, the GBA variant p.E326K (c.1093G > A, rs2230288), which does not result in GD in homozygous carriers, has triggered debate among experts studying Parkinson's disease (PD). In order to determine if the E326K variant of GBA is associated with the risk of PD, a standard meta-analysis was conducted by searching and screening publications, data extraction, and statistical analysis. Finally, a total of 15 publications, containing 5,908 PD patients and 5,605 controls, were included in this analysis. The pooled OR of the E326K genotype analysis was 1.99 (95% CI: 1.57–2.51). The minor allele frequencies of E326K for PD patients and controls were 1.67% and 1.03%, respectively. The pooled OR for the minor allele A was 1.99 (95% CI: 1.58–2.50). According to the subgroup analysis, we found that the significant differences between PD patients and controls for both genotype and allele of E326K also exist in Asians and Caucasians, respectively. In this study, we found that E326K of GBA is associated with the risk of PD in total populations, Asians, and Caucasians, respectively. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of GBA in the pathogenesis of PD.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.