ObjectiveTo analyze the variation of perioperative concentration of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in circulation system after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). MethodsBetween July and December 2014, 40 continuous patients underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, including 16 males and 14 females with their mean age of 48.7±11.0 years and mean body weight of 59.0±6.9 kg. Perioperative mtDNA concentrations of circulatory blood were tested at different time points:before general anesthesia (T1), 1 min before CPB (T2), reperfusion of the ascending aorta (T3), 6 h after operation (T4), 24 h after operation (T5), 48 h after operation (T6). ResultsAll the surgeries were successfully performed without early death. Postoperative complications were low cardiac output syndrome in 3 cases and acute kidney failure in 1 cases. The concentration of mtDNA in circulation system rising gradually after CPB. The mtDNA concentration of T3, T4 and T5 were significantly higher than T1 (P < 0.05). The peak level was observed at T5 and the mtDNA concentration of T6 was still significantly higher than that of T1 (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe concentration of mtDNA in circulation system was rising after CPB and peak level appeared at 24 h after CPB.
Objective To investigate the cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induced by rapamycin on human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 cells and to study the role of mitochondrium membrane potential in the process of apoptosis. Methods Bel-7402 cells in vitro were given 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 nmol/L different concentrations of rapamycin, and the cell growth inhibiting ratio of Bel-7402 was assessed by MTT assay. The changes of morphology of Bel-7402 were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry (FCM), respectively; The cell mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by using JC-1 staining method. Results Rapamycin could inhibit the growth of Bel-7402 cells significantly by inducing apoptosis, and the growth suppression and the cell apoptosis both presented time-effect relationship and were also dose-dependent. The rates of inhibiting and cell apoptosis after 72 h exposure to 50 nmol/L rapamycin were significantly higher that those of other groups (P＜0.01). Typical morphological changes of cell apoptosis were observed very clearly after the Bel-7402 cells had been exposed to rapamycin for 48 hours using Hoechst 33258 staining method, and it was also observed that the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased when apoptosis occured (P＜0.01). Conclusion Rapamycin could inhibit the growth of Bel-7402 cells by inducing cell apoptosis, and the descent of mitochondrial membrane potential may play an important role in the process of cell apoptosis.
Objective To investigate the effect of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) on mitochondrial injury that was induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rat liver. Methods Fifty-four rats were randomly divided equally into 3 groups: control group, ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group), and SAM-treated group (SAM group). Hepatic ischemia had been only lasted for 30 min by obstructing the blood stream of hepatic portal vena (the portal vena was only separated but not obstructed in control group). The rats of SAM group received SAM intraperitoneally 2 h prior to ischemia. Blood samples of each group were collected from the inferior cava vena at 0, 1 and 6 h after reperfusion and the serum levels of AST and ALT were detected. Mitochondrial super oxidedismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge (EC) in samples of liver tissue were detected, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed with electronmicroscope. Results The serum levels of AST, ALT and mitochondrial MDA at 0, 1 and 6 h after reperfusion in the I/R group were significantly higher than those in the control group, whereas the levels of mitochondrial SOD, ATP and EC were significantly lower than those in the control group (P＜0.01). Except the value of 0 h, when it comes to SAM group, the levels of AST, ALT and mitochondrial MDA were significantly lower (P＜0.05) and the levels of mitochondrial SOD, ATP and EC were significantly higher (P＜0.05, P＜0.01) than those in the I/R group, respectively. The mitochondrial ultrastructure was injured obviously in I/R group when compared with that in control group. The number of mitochondria decreased and the mitochondria swelled, making the crista became obscure and the density of matrix became lower. The above changes in SAM group were less obvious when compared with those in I/R group. Conclusion SAM may protect mitochondrion against hepatic ischemia injury, since it may prevent mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, increase ATP, and eventually improve energy metabolism after ischemia-reperfusion.
Objective To investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α) on early ischemic preconditioning (IPC) which may act as an important role in early IPC. Methods Building isolated working rat heart Langendorff model, thirty Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups. Control group(CON group,n=10): a 120-min perfusion was performed without any intervension; ischemia and reperfusion group(I/R group,n=10): a 30-min equilibration period perfusion, a 30-min ischemia and a 60-min reperfusion were performed.; IPC group (n=10): a 10-min equilibration period perfusion was performed, then was elicited by two cycles of 5-min of ischemia interspersed with 5-min reperfusion prior to 30-min ischemia and a 60-min reperfusion. Frozen sections of myocardium at cardiac apex were made and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect expression and the intergrated optical density average (IODA) of PGC-1α. Ultrathin sections were made and the mitochondria under each specimen was evaluated according to Flameng score. Results PGC-1α expression in IPC group (IODA 10.94±5.23) was significantly higher than that in I/R group (IODA 3.88±1.72) and that in CON group (IODA 3.39±2.46; P=0.009, 0.007). The mitochondria changes in I/R group were significant edema and severe damage; but there were not so severe in CON group and IPC group.Flameng score of IPC group (0.44±0.13) and CON group (0.88±0.22) were lower than that in I/R group(1.78±0.14;P=0.003, 0.014) respectively. Conclusion IPC can protect myocytes mitochondria from ischemia and reperfusion.The cardioprotection may be related with the activation and the high expression of PGC-1α, which may act as one of the most important endogenous defence factors of the heart.
Objective To explore the effect of SB431542 on monkey choroidal-retinal endothelial (RF/6A) cells in high glucose state and its mechanism of regulating mitochondrial autophagy by mediating the PINK1/Parkin pathway. MethodsCell experiments. The minimum effective drug concentration of SB431542 was determined by using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). RF/6A cells cultured in vitro were divided into normal group (NC group), mannitol group, high glucose group (HG group), high glucose with dimethyl sulfoxide group (HG + DMSO group), and high glucose + SB431542 group (HG + SB431542 group). CCK-8 and cell scratch assay were used to detect the proliferation and migration of RF/6A cells induced by high glucose. The expression of autophagosomes was detected by autophagy staining kit; the expression level of reactive oxygen species was detected by reactive oxygen species kit; the expression level of mitochondrial superoxide in cells was detected by MitoSOX fluorescent probe; the mitochondrial membrane potential level in cells was detected by JC-10 staining; the morphology of mitochondria was observed by MitoTracker staining, and the total area of mitochondria, average shape factor and branch length were quantitatively analyzed.Cellular immunofluorescence (IF) staining was used to detect the fluorescence expression of EndMT markers vimentin and VE-cadherin; Western blotting (WB) was used to detect the protein expression of vimentin, VE-cadherin, and mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins TOMM20, LC3, P62, PINK1, and Parkin; one-way analysis of variance was used for comparisons among multiple groups.ResultsThe minimum effective drug concentration of SB431542 was 5 μmol/L. SB431542 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of RF/6A cells induced by high glucose (F = 81.92、87.84, P＜0.000 1). SB431542 suppressed the expression of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide induced by high glucose (F = 429.50, 450.20; P＜0.000 1), restored the mitochondrial membrane potential level (F = 315.3, P＜0.000 1), and restored the mitochondrial morphology (F = 209.50, P＜0.000 1). IF and WB confirmed that SB431542 inhibited the expression of Vimentin induced by high glucose (F = 117.30、51.11; P＜0.000 1) and upregulated the expression of VE-cadherin (F = 136.80、27.54; P＜0.000 1). WB further confirmed that SB431542 upregulated the protein expression of LC3, PINK1, and Parkin (F = 16.64, 37.72, 32.63; P＜0.05) and inhibited the protein expression of TOMM20 and P62 (F = 33.87, 67.77; P＜0.01). ConclusionSB431542 upregulates mitochondrial autophagy expression through activation of the PINK1/Parkin pathway, effectively restores mitochondria-related functions to maintain homeostasis, and inhibits high glucose-induced RF/6A cell proliferation,migration,and EndMT formation.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of p21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) on the mitochondrial function and biological behavior in retinal vascular endothelial cells. MethodsThe experimental study was divided into two parts: in vivo animal experiment and in vitro cell experiment. In vivo animal experiments: 12 healthy C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into normal control group and diabetes group, with 6 mice in each group. Diabetes mice were induced by streptozotocin to establish diabetes model. Eight weeks after modeling, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were performed to detect the expression of PAK4 in diabetic retinas. In vitro cell experiments: the human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMEC) were divided into three groups: conventional cultured cells group (N group), empty vector transfected (Vector group); pcDNA-PAK4 eukaryotic expression plasmid transfected group (PAK4 group). WB and qPCR were used to detect transfection efficiency, while scratching assay, cell scratch test was used to detect cell migration in hRMEC of each group. In vitro white blood cell adhesion experiment combined with 4 ', 6-diamino-2-phenylindole staining was used to detect the number of white blood cells adhering to hRMEC in each group. The Seahorse XFe96 cell energy metabolism analyzer measures intracellular mitochondrial basal respiration, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, maximum respiration, and reserve respiration capacity. The t-test was used for comparison between the two groups. Single factor analysis of variance was used for comparison among the three groups. ResultsIn vivo animal experiments: compared with normal control group, the relative expression levels of PAK4 mRNA and protein in retina of diabetic mice were significantly increased, with statistical significance (t=25.372, 22.419, 25.372; P＜0.05). In vitro cell experiment: compared with the N group and Vector group, the PAK4 protein, mRNA relative expression and cell mobility in the hRMEC of PAK4 group were significantly increased, with statistical significance (F=36.821, 38.692, 29.421; P＜0.05). Flow cytometry showed that the adhesion number of leukocytes on hRMEC in PAK4 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant (F=39.649, P＜0.01). Mitochondrial pressure measurement results showed that the capacity of mitochondrial basic respiration, ATP production, maximum respiration and reserve respiration in hRMEC in PAK4 group was significantly decreased, with statistical significance (F=27.472, 22.315, 31.147, 27.472; P＜0.05). ConclusionOver-expression of PAK4 impairs mitochondrial function and significantly promotes leukocyte adhesion and migration in retinal vascular endothelial cells.
Objective To explore the relationship between microsatellite instability （MSI） and gastric cancer. Methods The related literatures at home and abroad were consulted and reviewed. Results The MSI is the replication errors caused by mismatch repair system defects. Gastric cancer which exhibiting MSI has characteris clinicopathological feature and prognosis. Detection the MSI of precancerous lesions and gastric cancer tissues can evaluate the risk and prognosis of gastric cancer. MSI include nuclear microsatellite stability （nMSI） and mitochondrial microsatellite instability （mtMSI）. Conclusions MSI plays an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. MSI may become a important indicator to forecast precancerosis risks and clinical prognosis of gastric cancer.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the circulating genome in mitochondria, and it is easy to accumulate oxidative damage, causing mitochondrial dysfunction, and then cell dysfunction, and even tissue and body pathological changes, leading to diseases. As a pro-inflammatory, inflammatory, and even predictive factor, mtDNA is directly involved in the inflammatory response and the pathogenesis of many diseases. This article aims to review the current pathogenesis of mtDNA damage and its pathogenic role in various human diseases.
The main function of mitochondrial fusion protein 1 （Mfn1） and mitochondrial fusion protein 2 （Mfn2） was originally thought to be just regulating the fusion of mitochondrial outer membrane. But in recent years，many studies on these two proteins show that they are involved in many important cellular physiological processes including proliferation，apoptosis，necrosis and regulation of respiratory function and oxidative metabolism. There are many aspects of the influenceof Mfn1 and Mfn2 on cardiomyocyte，which have not been thoroughly studied yet，sometimes with even contradictoryconclusions. But these two proteins definitely have significant impact on the growth，development and physiological functionof cardiomyocyte. To investigate the function and mechanism of Mfn1 and Mfn2 in various physiological processes of cardiomyocyte is of great significance for in vitro studies of physiological functions of cardiomyocyte and technological development of myocardial tissue engineering and transplantation in vivo. This article mainly focuses on recent research progress of the influence of Mfn1 and Mfn2 on various physiological functions of cardiomyocyte.
To investigate the mechanisms of hepatic injury after biliary obstruction. After a rat model of complete biliary obstruction(CBO) was induced, hepatocyte mitochondria was isolated and the calcium content of mitochondria, the contents of liver malondialdyhyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), the levels of serum T-Bil, ALT, ALP and GGT were measured in each group. Results: After CBO, mitochondrial calcium content, liver MDA and serum T-Bil, ALT, ALP, GGT became increased progressively, compared with control group (Ｐ＜0.05); the liver SOD was decreased markedly (Ｐ＜0.05). Mitochondrial calcium content was highly positively correlated with liver MDA content, serum ALT and ALP, r values were 0.967, 0.924 and 0.919 respectively (Ｐ＜0.01). The liver MDA content was highly positively correlated with serum ALT and ALP, r values were 0.949 and 0.843 respectively (Ｐ＜0.01). Conclusions: Mitochondrial calcium overload and liver lipid peroxidation may be the important mechanisms of hepatic injury induced by biliary obstruction.