Neuroprotective effects of astaxanthin against oxygen and glucose deprivation damage via the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Nrf2 signalling pathway in vitro.

Astaxanthin (ATX), which is the most abundant flavonoid in propolis, has previously shown neuroprotective properties against cerebral ischaemia-induced apoptosis. However, the mechanisms by which ATX mediates its therapeutic effects are unclear. At present, we explored the underlying mechanisms involved in the protective effects of ATX via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signalling pathway in SH-SY5Y cells. The PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 and GSK3β inhibitor LiCl were employed in this study. Pre-treatment with ATX for 24 hours significantly decreased the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced viability loss, reduced the proportion of apoptosis and regulated OGD-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Furthermore, ATX suppressed OGD-caused mitochondrial membrane potential and decomposition of caspase-3 to cleaved caspase-3, and heightened the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bax ratio. PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Nrf2 signalling pathway activation in SH-SY5Y cells was verified by Western blot. ATX and LiCl treatment raised the protein levels of p-Akt, p-GSK3β, nucleus Nrf2 and haeme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). However, these protein expression levels decreased by treatment of LY294002. The above in vitro data indicate that ATX can confer neuroprotection against OGD-induced apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Nrf2 signalling pathway.

Zhang J ，Ding C ，Zhang S ，Xu Y ... -  《-》

Neuroprotective effect of astaxanthin against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 cells: Involvement of the Akt/GSK-3β pathway.

Oxidative stress (OS) mediated the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Astaxanthin (ATX) has been reported to exert antioxidant activities as well as neuroprotective effects in vivo and in vitro. But it is still unknown whether the Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) signaling mediated the neuroprotective effect of ATX in HT22 cells. Flow cytometric analysis was used to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Caspase and PARP activity was measured. The expressions of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Bcl-2, Bax, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), cytochrome-c (Cyto-c), p-Akt and p-GSK-3β were evaluated to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Our results showed that ATX significantly attenuated glutamate-induced cell viability loss and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, decreased the expression of caspase-3/8/9 activity and cleaved PARP, and suppressed the intracellular accumulation of ROS in HT22 cells after exposure to glutamate. ATX also increased the mitochondrial expression of AIF, Cyto-c as well as Bax while decreased Bcl-2. Moreover, ATX also induced the HO-1 expression in a dose and time-dependent manner, increased the antioxidant-responsive element (ARE) activity and nuclear Nrf2 expression. Furthermore, treatment with ATX restored the p-Akt and p-GSK-3β (Ser9) as well as HO-1 expression reduced by glutamate. This protective effect was partially blocked by the inhibitors lithium chloride treatment in HT22, indicating the involvement of Akt/GSK-3β inactivation during the neuroprotective effect of ATX. Our results provide the first evidence that ATX can protect glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 via attenuating caspase activation and mitochondrial dysfunction and modulating the Akt/GSK-3β signaling, indicating ATX may be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.

Wen X ，Huang A ，Hu J ，Zhong Z ，Liu Y ，Li Z ，Pan X ，Liu Z ... -  《-》

Diallyl trisufide protects against oxygen glucose deprivation -induced apoptosis by scavenging free radicals via the PI3K/Akt -mediated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in B35 neural cells.

Oxidative stress contributes to development of ischemic brain damage. Many antioxidants have been proven effective in ameliorating cerebral ischemia injury by inhibiting oxidative stress. DATS, an organosulfuric component of garlic oil, exhibits antioxidative effects. In present study, we used OGD model to investigate the neuroprotective effects of DATS and the mechanisms related to these effects. B35 neural cells exposed to OGD caused a decrease in cell viability and increases in the percentage of apoptotic cells and the level of intracellular cleaved caspase-3, all of which were markedly attenuated by DATS. Further, DATS treatment significantly increased Nrf2 expression and nuclear translocation, upregulated downstream gene HO-1 and inhibited intracellular ROS and MDA generation, all of which were markedly attenuated in cells transfected with Nrf2-specific siRNA. In addition, inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling by PI3K-specific siRNA not only decreased the expression level of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins, but also diminished the antioxidative and neuroprotective effect of DATS. Taken together, these results indicate that DATS protects B35 neural cells against OGD-induced cell injury by inhibiting ROS production via upregulating the PI3K/Akt-mediated Nrf2 pathway, which further activates HO-1. Based on our results, DATS may be a potential candidate for intervention in hypoxic-ischemic brain injuries such as stroke.

Xu XH ，Li GL ，Wang BA ，Qin Y ，Bai SR ，Rong J ，Deng T ，Li Q ... -  《-》

Nrf2-mediated neuroprotection by MANF against 6-OHDA-induced cell damage via PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway.

Oxidative stress and apoptosis are thought to be broadly involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. We previously reported that Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) possesses anti-oxidation and anti-apoptotic effects against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity, but the specific molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we showed that MANF up-regulates the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and promotes its translocation into the nucleus. The anti-oxidation and anti-apoptotic effects of MANF could be partially blocked by inhibitor or shRNA-mediated knockdown of Nrf2. Furthermore, MANF activated phospoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling and suppressed glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3β) activation. PI3K inhibitor (LY49002) abolished effects of MANF on AKT phosphorylation, GSK3β inactivation, Nrf2 nuclear translocation and subsequently abrogated MANF-mediates cytoprotection. Collectively, our findings indicated that MANF-mediated protection against 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity by potentiating the Nrf2-related survival mechanism through the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway.

Zhang J ，Tong W ，Sun H ，Jiang M ，Shen Y ，Liu Y ，Gu H ，Guo J ，Fang J ，Jin L ... -  《-》

Neuroprotective effect of phosphocreatine on oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo: Involvement of dual PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways.

Methylglyoxal (MGO), an active metabolite of glucose, is observed in high levels in the tissues and blood of diabetic patients. Phosphocreatine (PCr), a high-energy phosphate compound, exhibits a range of pharmacological actions but little is well known of its neuroprotective action. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects and the possible mechanisms of PCr. Diabetes is closely associated with neurodegenerative diseases, leading not only to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and but also to central nervous system (CNS) damage. Therefore, we established two rat models of diabetes in vivo induced by MGO and streptozocin (STZ) respectively, while utilized differentiated PC-12 cells in vitro. Treatment of PC-12 cells with PCr markedly attenuated MGO-induced change of viability, apoptosis, accompanied by decreased levels of caspase-3, casapse-9 and Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio. Determination of cellular respiratory function was performed with intact PC-12 cells and homogenized hippocampal neuron tissue of rat. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was assessed by membrane permeable fluorescent probe DCFH-DA. The expressions of Akt, Nrf2 and HO-1 were examined by Western blot. PCr pretreatment significantly reduced oxidative stress-induced high LDH, MDA level, and ROS production of PC-12 cells. PCr pretreatment also significantly decreased mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. In addition, PCr pretreatment increased the expression of p-Akt, Nrf2 and HO-1, and reduced the apoptosis. Moreover, the expression of Cleaved caspase3 was partially increased and the p-Akt, Nrf2 and HO-1 was partially reduced by a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002). While, compared with LY294002 groups, pre-treatment with PCr at the concentrations of 20 mM significantly reduced the expression of Cleaved caspase3 and increased the expression of p-Akt, Nrf2 and HO-1. Molecular docking assay showed that PCr possessed powerful affinity towards to Akt with lower binding energy. In conclusion, the neuroprotective effects of PCr in vitro and in vivo rely on normalizing mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress via Akt mediated Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, suggesting that PCr may be a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of diabetes-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

Li H ，Tang Z ，Chu P ，Song Y ，Yang Y ，Sun B ，Niu M ，Qaed E ，Shopit A ，Han G ，Ma X ，Peng J ，Hu M ，Tang Z ... -  《-》