cytochrome-c-t and ferulic-acid

Daunorubicin (DNR)-induced cardiotoxicity, which is closely associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis, limits the drug's clinical application. The activation of the extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERKs) pathway is responsible for the pro-apoptosis effect of DNR Sodium ferulate (SF) has recently been found to attenuate both DNR-induced cardiotoxicity and mitochondrial apoptosis in juvenile rats. Nonetheless, the precise mechanism underlying SF-induced cardio-protection remains unclear.. The DNR-injured H9c2 cell model was prepared by incubating the cells in 1 µM DNR for 24 h. Amounts of 15.6, 31.3 or 62.5 µM SF were simultaneously added to the cells. The effect of SF on the cytotoxic and apoptotic parameters of the cells was studied by monitoring apoptosis regulation via the ERKs pathway.. SF attenuated DNR-induced cell death (particularly apoptotic death), cTnI and β-tubulin degradation, and cellular morphological changes. SF reduced mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, cytochrome c leakage, and caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. SF also decreased ERK1/2, phospho-ERK1/2, p53 and Bax expression and increased Bcl-2 expression. These effects were similar to the results observed when using the pharmacological ERKs phosphorylation inhibitor, AZD6244.. We determined that SF protects H9c2 cells from DNR-induced apoptosis through a mechanism that involves the interruption of the ERKs signaling pathway.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Benzimidazoles; Caspase 9; Cell Line; Cell Shape; Cell Survival; Coumaric Acids; Cytochromes c; Daunorubicin; Enzyme Activation; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; HL-60 Cells; Humans; Inhibitory Concentration 50; K562 Cells; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Phosphorylation; Proteolysis; Rats; Troponin I; Tubulin

Cytochrome c (cyt c) exists as a partially unfolded intermediate at 45 mM gallic acid (GA) possessing disrupted secondary structure, altered Trp environment and high ANS binding. Increasing the concentration of either GA or ferulic acid (FA) up to 50 mM results in cyt c aggregation as confirmed by shift in Congo red, increase thioflavin T, decrease ANS and Trp fluorescence. SEM confirmed the formation of fibrils and amorphous aggregates of cyt c in presence of 50 mM FA and GA respectively. Single cell gel electrophoresis establishes very less probability of this noble protein to cause misfolding and aggregation-prone diseases.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Benzothiazoles; Coumaric Acids; Cytochromes c; Fluorescent Dyes; Gallic Acid; Horses; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Multiprotein Complexes; Protein Multimerization; Protein Stability; Protein Structure, Quaternary; Protein Structure, Secondary; Proteostasis Deficiencies; Single-Cell Analysis; Thiazoles; Tryptophan

Epithelial barrier function is determined by both transcellular and paracellular permeability, the latter of which is mainly influenced by tight junctions (TJs) and apoptotic leaks within the epithelium. We investigated the protective effects of ferulate on epithelial barrier integrity by examining permeability, TJ protein expression, and apoptosis in Caco-2 cells treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), a strong reactive species inducer. Caco-2 cells pretreated with ferulate (5 or 15 μM) were exposed to t-BHP (100 μM), and ferulate suppressed the t-BHP-mediated increases in reactive species and epithelial permeability in Caco-2 cells. Moreover, ferulate inhibited epithelial cell leakage induced by t-BHP, which was accompanied by decreased expression of the TJ proteins zonula occludens-1 and occludin. In addition, pretreatment with ferulate markedly protected cells against t-BHP-induced apoptosis, as evidenced by decreased nuclear condensation, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 cleavage and an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These results suggest that ferulate protects the epithelial barrier of Caco-2 cells against oxidative stress, which results in increased epithelial permeability, decreased TJ protein expression, and increased apoptosis. The most significant finding of our study is the demonstration of protective, ferulate-mediated antioxidant effects on barrier integrity, with a particular focus on intracellular molecular mechanisms.

Topics: Antioxidants; Apoptosis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Caco-2 Cells; Caspase 3; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cell Survival; Coumaric Acids; Cytochromes c; Epithelial Cells; Humans; Occludin; Oxidative Stress; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; tert-Butylhydroperoxide; Tight Junctions; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein

Ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic compound found in various medicinal plants, has hepatoprotective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation. Here, we investigated the protective effects and the specific mechanisms of FA against hepatocyte apoptosis caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Mice were treated intraperitoneally with vehicle or FA 30 min prior to 60 min of ischemia. After 5h of reperfusion, serum aminotransferase activities and hepatic lipid peroxidation were elevated and hepatic glutathione content was depleted. These alterations were attenuated by FA. I/R increased caspase-3 activity and release of cytochrome c, and these were suppressed by FA. FA also attenuated the increases in the serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels and TNF receptor type 1-associated DEATH domain protein and TNF receptor-associated factor 2 protein expressions. The cytosolic levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), truncated BH3 interacting domain death agonist (tBid), and Bcl-2-like protein 11 were upregulated after reperfusion. The increases in Bax and tBid protein expression were attenuated by FA. Moreover, I/R induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) and JNK2 phosphorylation, and FA attenuated the JNK activation. FA protects against I/R-induced hepatocyte apoptosis by attenuating oxidative stress and JNK activation.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Bcl-2-Like Protein 11; BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein; Caspase 3; Caspase 8; Coumaric Acids; Cytochromes c; Cytosol; Glutathione; Hepatocytes; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase 4; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Oxidative Stress; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Reperfusion Injury; Signal Transduction; TNF Receptor-Associated Death Domain Protein; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2; Transaminases; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Up-Regulation

Oxidative stress and dysfunctional mitochondria are among the earliest events in AD, triggering neurodegeneration. The use of natural antioxidants could be a neuroprotective strategy for blocking cell death. Here, the antioxidant action of ferulic acid (FA) on different paths leading to degeneration of recombinant beta-amyloid peptide (rAbeta42) treated cells was investigated. Further, to improve its delivery, a novel drug delivery system (DDS) was used. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), empty or containing ferulic acid (FA-SNL), were developed as DDS. The resulting particles had small colloidal size and highly negative surface charge in water. Using neuroblastoma cells and rAbeta42 oligomers, it was demonstrated that free and SLNs-loaded FA recover cell viability. FA treatment, in particular if loaded into SLNs, decreased ROS generation, restored mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsi(m)) and reduced cytochrome c release and intrinsic pathway apoptosis activation. Further, FA modulated the expression of Peroxiredoxin, an anti-oxidative protein, and attenuated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 activated by Abeta oligomers.

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Antioxidants; Cell Death; Cell Line, Tumor; Coumaric Acids; Cytochromes c; Humans; Lipids; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Mitochondria; Nanoparticles; Neurons; Oxidative Stress; Peptide Fragments; Recombinant Proteins

Ferulic acid plays a chemopreventive role in cancer by inducing tumor cells apoptosis. As mitochondria play a key role in the induction of apoptosis in many cells types, here we investigate the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and the release of cytochrome c induced by ferulic acid and its esters in rat testes mitochondria, in TM-3 and MLTC-1 cells. While ferulic acid, but not its esters, induced MPT and cytochrome c release in rat testes isolated mitochondria, in TM-3 cells we found that both ferulic acid and its esters induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting a potential target of these compounds in the induction of cell apoptosis. The apoptosis induced by ferulic acid is therefore associated with the mitochondrial pathway involving cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Caspase 3; Cell Line; Coumaric Acids; Cytochromes c; Enzyme Activation; Esters; Male; Mitochondria; Rats; Testis

It is an important therapeutic strategy to protect mitochondria from oxidative stress, especially during ischemia-reperfusion. In the present study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and its related phenolic compounds on mouse brain and liver mitochondria injury induced by in vitro anoxia-reoxygenation. Added before anoxia or reoxygenation, CAPE markedly protected coupled respiration with the decrease in state 4 and the increases in state 3, respiratory control ratio (RCR) and ADP/O ratio in a concentration-dependent manner. CAPE effectively protected mitochondria by inhibiting the mitochondrial membranes fluidity decrease, the lipoperoxidation and the protein carbonylation increase, which indicated its protective action against the mitochondrial oxidative damage. Meanwhile, CAPE blocked the enhanced release of cardiolipin (CL) and cytochrome c (Cyt c). The related phenolic compounds like caffeic acid (CA), ferulic acid (FA) and ethyl ferulate (EF) also had different-degree protective effects. CAPE and CA were more potent than FA and EF. Their structural differences played the key role in their activity levels. These results suggest that CAPE and its related phenolic compounds protect mitochondria mainly correlated to their antioxidative activities and may be of interest for the prevention and therapy of ischemia-reperfusion injuries.

Topics: Anaerobiosis; Animals; Anisotropy; Antioxidants; Brain; Caffeic Acids; Coumaric Acids; Cytochromes c; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Mice; Mitochondria; Mitochondria, Liver; Mitochondrial Membranes; Molecular Structure; Oxygen; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

Ferulic acid (FA) is one of the most effective components of a traditional Chinese medicine, angelica, and cytochrome c plays a vital role in apoptosis. Here we report the application of fluorescence spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and circular dichroism (CD) to investigate the mechanism for the interaction of bovine heart cytochrome c with FA and the effect of the binding on native state stability of the protein at physiological pH. Fluorescence spectroscopic studies together with ITC measurements indicate that FA binds to cytochrome c with moderate affinity and quenches the intrinsic fluorescence of the protein in a static way. ITC experiments show that the interaction of cytochrome c with FA is driven by a moderately favorable entropy increase in combination with a less favorable enthalpy decrease for the first binding site of the protein. The melting temperature of cytochrome c in the presence of FA measured by DSC and CD increases 4.0 and 5.0 degrees C, respectively, compared with that in the absence of FA. Taken together, these results indicate that FA binds to and stabilizes cytochrome c at physiological pH. Furthermore, binding of FA to cytochrome c inhibits cytochrome c-induce apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721. Our data provide insight into the mechanism of drug-protein interactions, and will be helpful to the understanding of the mechanism for FA-inhibited and cytochrome c-induced apoptosis.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Calorimetry; Cattle; Cells, Cultured; Circular Dichroism; Coumaric Acids; Cytochromes c; DNA; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Molecular Structure; Protein Binding; Temperature