Advances in the role of GPX3 in ovarian cancer (Review)

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the 5th most common malignancy in women, and the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. Owing to tumor heterogeneity, lack of reliable early diagnostic methods and high incidence of chemotherapy resistance, the 5‑year survival rate of patients with advanced OC remains low despite considerable advances in detection and therapeutic approaches. Therefore, identifying novel therapeutic targets to improve the prognosis of patients with OC is crucial. The expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) plays a crucial role in the growth, proliferation and differentiation of various malignant tumors. In OC, GPX3 is the only antioxidant enzyme the high expression of which is negatively correlated with the overall survival of patients. GPX3 may affect lipid metabolism in tumor stem cells by influencing redox homeostasis in the tumor microenvironment. The maintenance of stemness in OC stem cells (OCSCs) is strongly associated with poor prognosis and recurrence in patients. The aim of the present study was to review the role of GPX3 in OC and investigate the potential factors and effects of GPX3 on OCSCs. The findings of the current study offer novel potential targets for drug therapy in OC, enhance the theoretical foundation of OC drug therapy and provide valuable references for clinical treatment.

Efficacy of Agmatine Treatment in Experimental Acute Pancreatitis Rat Model

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Acute pancreatitis which is characterized by pancreatic inflammation can sometimes be difficult to treat because of limited therapeutic options. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of agmatine in the acute pancreatitis experimental rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An acute pancreatitis model was created with the administration of cerulein in 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats. Agmatine was administered as a protective agent at 5 mg/kg (low dose) and 10 mg/kg (high dose). The rats were divided into 5 groups, each with 8 rats: group 1 (acute pancreatitis); group 2 (acute pancreatitis+low-dose agmatine 5 mg/kg); group 3 (acute pancreatitis+high-dose agmatine 10 mg/kg); group 4 (placebo, acute pancreatitis+saline); and group 5 (sham and saline infusion). All rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last injection, and the levels of superoxide dismutase, interleukin-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were assessed in blood samples collected via cardiac puncture. Histopathological examination was performed by a pathologist, who was blind to the groups, according to the Schoenberg's pancreatitis scoring index.

RESULTS

The amylase (16.67 and 37.89 U/L), glutathione peroxidase (13.62 and 18.44 ng/mL), tumor necrosis factor-α (39.68 and 64 ng/mL), interleukin-1 (484.73 and 561.83 pg/mL), and transforming growth factor-β (110.52 and 126.34 ng/L) levels were significantly lower and superoxide dismutase (1.29 and 0.98 ng/L) and malondialdehyde (0.99 and 0.96 nmol/mL) levels were significantly higher in group 3 compared to group 1 (P < .05). Moreover glutathione peroxidase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β levels were lower, and malondialdehyde levels were higher in the group 3 compared to group 2 (P < .05). Although the Schoenberg's pancreatitis scoring index was not significantly different between the high- and low-dose treatment groups, rats who received high-dose treatment had significantly lower scores compared to those with acute pancreatitis group.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study that evaluated the efficacy of agmatine in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis. Agmatine, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, had a protective effect in an experimental rat model of acute pancreatitis.

Application of an Integrative Drug Safety Model for Detection of Adverse Drug Events Associated With Inhibition of Glutathione Peroxidase 1 in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is characterised by declining lung function and a greater oxidative stress burden due to reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes such as Glutathione Peroxidase 1.

OBJECTIVES

The extent to which drugs may contribute to this compromised activity is largely unknown. An integrative drug safety model explores inhibition of Glutathione Peroxidase 1 by drugs and their association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease adverse drug events.

METHODS

In silico molecular modelling approaches were utilised to predict the interactions that drugs have within the active site of Glutathione Peroxidase 1 in both human and bovine models. Similarities of chemical features between approved drugs and the known inhibitor tiopronin were also investigated. Subsequently the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event System was searched to uncover adverse drug event signals associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RESULTS

Statistical and molecular modelling analyses confirmed that the use of several registered drugs, including acetylsalicylic acid and atenolol may be associated with inhibition of Glutathione Peroxidase 1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

CONCLUSION

The integration of molecular modelling and pharmacoepidemological data has the potential to advance drug safety science. Ongoing review of medication use and further pharmacoepidemiological and biological analyses are warranted to ensure appropriate use is recommended.

Effects of Modified Duhuo Jisheng Decoction Combined with Arthroscopic Surgery on Bone Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, and Serum TLR4 and TGF-β1 in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective

To analyze the effects of modified Duhuo Jisheng Decoction combined with arthroscopic surgery on bone metabolism, oxidative stress, and serum TLR4 and TGF-β1 in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods

Prospectively select 82 patients with KOA from January 2020 to January 2022 in our hospital and divide them into the control group and observation group according to the random number table method, with 41 patients in each group. The control group was treated with arthroscopic surgery alone and routine anti-infection after operation. The observation group was treated with Duhuo Jisheng Decoction on the basis of the treatment of the control group. The patients in the two groups were treated continuously for 4 weeks. The improvement of patients' symptoms was evaluated by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment, the scores of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms, bone metabolism indicators (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), collagen type II carboxy terminal peptide (ctx-II), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3)), oxidative stress indicators (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO)), serum Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) level were compared between the two groups.

Results

After treatment, the WOMAC score of the two groups decreased (42.45 ± 10.83) in the observation group and (67.81 ± 14.63) in the control group. The WOMAC score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of COMP, CTX-II, and MMP-3 in the two groups decreased, and the levels of COMP, CTX-II, and MMP-3 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of SOD and GSHPx increased, while the levels of MDA and NO decreased in the two groups. The levels of SOD and GSHPx in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, while the levels of MDA and NO were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the TLR4 level in the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and the level of TGF-β in the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared with arthroscopic surgery alone, combined with modified Duhuo Jisheng Decoction can better alleviate the clinical symptoms of patients with KOA, improve their bone metabolism, oxidative stress indicators, and serum TLR4 and TGF-β 1 level, and reduce the inflammatory injury of knee joint.

Sinomenine pretreatment alleviates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury through activating Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway

INTRODUCTION

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is induced by an interrupted blood flow and succeeding blood restoration, which is common in the operation of liver transplantation. Serious IR injury is a major reason leading to transplant failure. Hepatic IR is featured by excessive inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Sinomenine (SIN) is derived from the herb Sinomeniumacutum and shows properties of anti-inflammation and antiapoptosis in multiple IR-induced organ injuries. However, the effect of SIN in hepatic IR has not been investigated.

METHODS

This study aims to investigate impacts of SIN on hepatic IR and the involved signaling pathway. An in vivo rat model of syngeneic orthotopic liver transplantation was constructed to induce the hepatic IR injury.

RESULTS

Results showed that SIN pretreatment provided a significant prevention against IR-induced hepatic injury as manifested by the downregulated activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, the alleviatedoxidative stress as shown by increased activities of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and decreased serum level of malondialdehyde, the suppressed inflammatory responses as shown by downregulated serum tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 levels, and upregulated IL-10 level, as well as attenuated apoptosis as shown by decreased protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 and -9. In line with these results, SIN pretreatment also alleviatedthe hepatic histopathological changes in IR rats and induced Nrf-2/HO-1 activation. The use of brusatol, a selective inhibitor for Nrf-2, effectively reversed SIN-induced above effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, our results demonstrate that SIN might be a useful therapeutic drug for preventing hepatic IR-induced injury during clinical liver transplantation.

Synergistic ferroptosis-gemcitabine chemotherapy of the gemcitabine loaded carbonaceous nanozymes to enhance the treatment and magnetic resonance imaging monitoring of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers, and it is resistant to most conventional antineoplastic therapies. To address this challenge, gemcitabine (Gem)-loaded carbonaceous nanoparticles (MFC-Gem) as nanozymes and a theranostic platform were fabricated and used for MR-guided ferroptosis-chemo synergetic therapy of PDAC. As a biocompatible carrier, MFC-Gem nanoparticles are regarded as peroxidase-like and glutathione peroxidase-like nanozymes that promote ferroptosis therapy by effectively generating ROS and consuming GSH. Meanwhile, the combination of MnFe2O4 and Gem can markedly enhance synergetic therapy by both ferroptosis and Gem chemotherapy. MFC-Gem has higher magnetic susceptibility and was used for simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monitoring of the PDAC treatment. In conclusion, these salient features unequivocally indicate that this biocompatible nanotheranostic system has cooperative and enhancing chemotherapy effects for anti-PDAC therapy with simultaneous MRI monitoring. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers, and it is resistant to most conventional antineoplastic therapies. To address this challenge, gemcitabine (Gem)-loaded carbonaceous nanoparticles (MFC-Gem) as nanozymes and a theranostic platform were fabricated and used for MR-guided ferroptosis-chemo synergetic therapy of PDAC. i) MFC nanoparticles are regarded as peroxidase-like and glutathione peroxidase-like nanozymes that enhance ferroptosis therapy by effectively generating ROS and consuming GSH. ii) The combination of MnFe2O4 and Gem can markedly enhance synergetic therapy by both ferroptosis and Gem chemotherapy. iii) MFC-Gem has higher magnetic susceptibility and was used for simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monitoring of the PDAC treatment.

Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Mediating Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Its Therapeutic Applications in Liver Transplantation

Increasing evidence has shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury(IRI). ROS include hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), superoxide anion (O(-2)), and hydroxyl radical (HO(-)), which may be generated by activated Kupffer cells in the liver, contributing to reperfusion injury. Hepatic IRI is a multistep process that damages liver graft function. To establish a series of therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome of liver transplantation, a good understanding of the mechanisms of IRI is essential. However, the detail mechanisms of how ROS lead to hepatocyte damage in IRI remains unclear. The aim of this review was to describe recent developments in the field of oxidative stress research. The first part of this review focused on the key roles and possible mechanisms of ROS in hepatic IRI. The second part of this review summarizes some findings including novel and classic antioxidant methods to ameliorate the hepatocyte damage during IRI.

Compounds for the prevention and treatment of noise-induced hearing loss

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the leading occupational disease and a major contributor to the development of age-related hearing loss. The pharmacological prevention and treatment of NIHL has been under preclinical investigation for the past 20 years. Promising treatments have now been identified and entered into clinical development. Within the next five years, safe and effective drugs could be approved as the first generation of otoprotectants. This review covers strategies that are under investigation for NIHL. Drugs that effectively prevent and treat NIHL will have a significant impact on medical costs, disability compensation and several issues affecting the quality of life.

Impact of nutritional rehabilitation on enzymatic antioxidant levels in protein energy malnutrition

To assess the role of enzymatic antioxidants in the pathogenesis of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and the effect of nutritional rehabilitation, we studied 30 infants with PEM (mean age 10.63 +/- 4.39 months: 10 marasmic; 8 with kwashiorkor; 12 with marasmic kwashiorkor) and 15 controls. All underwent clinical examination and laboratory investigations, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) estimation before and after nutrition rehabilitation. SOD and GPx were significantly lower in all malnourished infants compared to controls, and significantly increased after nutritional rehabilitation. These significant correlations suggest that antioxidants could be introduced during PEM nutritional rehabilitation to decrease morbidity and mortality.

High levels of dietary vitamin E do not replace cellular glutathione peroxidase in protecting mice from acute oxidative stress

Our objective was to determine whether high levels of dietary vitamin E replaced the protection of the Se-dependent cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) against paraquat- or diquat-induced acute oxidative stress in mice. Two experiments were conducted using GPX1 knockout [GPX1(-/-)] mice and wild-type (WT) mice (n = 78/group). In Experiment 1, mice were fed torula yeast-based, Se-adequate (0.4 mg/kg as sodium selenite) diets + 0, 75, 750 or 7,500 mg all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate for 5 wk before an intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg paraquat/kg body weight. In Experiment 2, mice were fed the diet + 0 or 750 mg all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate for 5 wk and were killed 1 or 3 h after an injection of diquat at 12, 24 or 48 mg/kg. In Experiment 1, all mice died of the injection and there were 8- to 15-fold differences (P < 0.001) in survival times between the GPX1(-/-) and the WT mice. Although increasing tocopheryl acetate from 0 to 750 mg/kg extended the survival time of the GPX1(-/-) mice for 2 h (P = 0.06), the highest tocopheryl acetate level resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) in survival time in the WT mice. The vitamin E-deficient GPX1(-/-) mice had the highest concentration of hepatic thiobarbituric acid reacting substances. In Experiment 2, the diquat-induced formation of hepatic F(2)-isoprostanes was accelerated (P < 0.05) by vitamin E deficiency and was also affected by the GPX1 knockout. Diquat produced much greater (P < 0.01) dose-dependent increases in plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) activities in the GPX1(-/-) than in the WT mice. Hepatic phospholipid hydroperoxide GPX activities were decreased (P < 0.05) by the diquat injection only in the vitamin E-deficient GPX1(-/-) mice. Despite a potent inhibition of hepatic lipid peroxidation, high levels of dietary vitamin E do not replace the protection of GPX1 against the paraquat-induced lethality or the diquat-induced plasma ALT activity increase in mice.

Ebselen in acute ischemic stroke: a placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Ebselen Study Group

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The effect of ebselen, a seleno-organic compound with antioxidant activity through a glutathione peroxidase-like action, on the outcome of acute ischemic stroke was evaluated in a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed as having acute ischemic stroke who could receive drug treatment within 48 hours of stroke onset were enrolled. Oral administration of ebselen granules suspended in water (150 mg BID) or placebo was started immediately after admission and was continued for 2 weeks. The major end points were the Glasgow Outcome Scale scores at 1 month and 3 months after the start of treatment. The modified Mathew Scale and modified Barthel Index scores at 1 month and 3 months were also studied as secondary outcome measures.

RESULTS

Three hundred two patients were enrolled in the trial. Intent-to-treat analysis of 300 patients (151 given ebselen and 149 given placebo) revealed that ebselen treatment achieved a significantly better outcome than placebo at 1 month (P = .023, Wilcoxon rank sum test) but not at 3 months (P = .056, Wilcoxon rank sum test). The improvement was significant in patients who started ebselen within 24 hours of stroke onset but not in those who started treatment after 24 hours. There was a corresponding improvement in the modified Mathew Scale and modified Barthel Index scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Early treatment with ebselen improved the outcome of acute ischemic stroke. Ebselen may be a promising neuroprotective agent.

[GSH.Px or SOD encapsulated erythrocytes in the study of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion]

OBJECTIVE

To study the practicability of using red blood cells (RBC) as the carrier of SOD or GSH.Px and to observe the effects of RBC-SOD and RBC-GSH.Px on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I-R).

METHODS

The method of hypotonic dialysis was used in encapsulating SOD or GSH.Px into rabbit RBC. The circulation half-lives (T1/2) of RBC-SOD and RBC-GSH.Px were determined in rabbits by 51Cr radiolabel. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO) in plasma and TTC staining of cerebrum were examined.

RESULTS

T1/2 was 13.4 +/- 1.5 days (n = 6) for RBC, 13.7 +/- 1.0 days (n = 5) for RBC-SOD, and 7.3 +/- 2.5 days (n = 5) for RBC-GSH.Px. The concentration of NO reduced gradually as reperfusion continuing in control group, but it was a state of significant increase in NO concentration during the 4.5 hours of reperfusion, in RBC-SOD group. The increase of NO was inhibited by the administration of RBC-GSH.Px or (RBC-SOD + RBC-GSH.Px). The increase of LPO during cerebral I-R was inhibited by RBC-SOD or (RBC-SOD + RBC-GSH.Px). Staining with TTC showed that the RBC-SOD, RBC-GSH.Px and (RBC-SOD + RBC-GSH.Px) could effectively protect cerebrum For I-R damage, especially the last one.

CONCLUSION

Using RBC as the carrier of SOD or GSH.Px is practicable. Intact RBC-SOD and RBC-GSH.Px could scavenge active oxygen produced during cerebral I-R.

Effect of antioxidant enzymes on experimental uveitis in rats

The antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase have been observed to be effective antiphlogistic agents in severe experimental allergic uveitis induced by retinal S antigen in rats. The role that the high concentration of antioxidants found in the eye may play in modulating acute inflammation is discussed.

Anti-inflammatory effect of glutathione peroxidase on experimental lens-induced uveitis

An acute lens-induced necrotizing intraocular inflammation was produced in Lewis rats. Treatment of these animals by intraperitoneal injection of glutathione peroxidase resulted in marked decrease in uveal inflammation, retinal edema, hemorrhage and vasculitis. Intraperitoneal injection of glutathione peroxidase resulted in increased levels of this enzyme in ocular tissue. These findings suggest that glutathione peroxidase can modulate acute lens-induced ocular inflammation by serving as a potent anti-inflammatory agent.