Muscone alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via inhibition of oxidative stress and enhancement of SIRT3

Muscone inhibits angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy through the STAT3, MAPK and TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Muscone is a chemical monomer derived from musk. Although many studies have confirmed the cardioprotective effects of muscone, the effects of muscone on cardiac hypertrophy and its potential mechanisms are unclear.The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of muscone on angiotensin (Ang) II-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the present study, we found for the first time that muscone exerted inhibitory effects on Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac injury in mice. Cardiac function was analyzed by echocardiography measurement, and the degree of cardiac fibrosis was determined by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Masson trichrome staining and western blot assay. Secondly, qRT-PCR experiment showed that muscone attenuated cardiac injury by reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, western blot analysis found that muscone exerted cardio-protective effects by inhibiting phosphorylation of key proteins in the STAT3, MAPK and TGF-β/SMAD pathways. In addition, CCK-8 and determination of serum biochemical indexes showed that no significant toxicity or side effects of muscone on normal cells and organs.

CONCLUSIONS

Muscone could attenuate Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, in part, by inhibiting the STAT3, MAPK, and TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathways.

Muscone Can Improve Spinal Cord Injury by Activating the Angiogenin/Plexin-B2 Axis

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological disorder that usually damages sensorimotor and autonomic functions. Signaling pathways can play a key role in the repair process of SCI. The plexin-B2 acts as a receptor for angiogenin and mediates ribosomal RNA transcription, influencing cell survival and proliferation. Protein kinase B serine/threonine kinase interacts with angiogenin to form a positive feedback effect. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor can induce angiogenin nuclear translocation. Moreover, the BDNF can promote the secretion of angiogenin. Interestingly, all of them can activate the angiogenin/plexin-B2 axis. Muscone has anti-inflammatory and proliferative features as it can inhibit nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and activate the angiogenin/plexin-B2 axis, thus being significant agent in the SCI repair process. Herein, we review the potential mechanism of angiogenin/plexin-B2 axis activation and the role of muscone in SCI treatment. Muscone may attenuate inflammatory responses and promote neuronal regeneration after SCI.