OBJECTIVE We showed previously that increased urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression contributes to vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and neointima formation after injury. Proliferation of cultured rat aortic VSMCs induced by uPA was inhibited by the antioxidant ebselen. Because increases in VSMC reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to VSMC proliferation, we hypothe...

Plant styryl-lactone derivatives isolated from Goniothalamus sp. are potential compounds for cancer chemotherapy. In this study, we have examined the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by altholactone, a stryl-lactone isolated from the Malaysian plant G. malayanus on human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Flow cytometric analysis of the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) using the annex...

The retention of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles to subendothelial spaces through transcytosis across the endothelium is the initial step of atherosclerosis (AS). Angiotensin II (Ang II), as the principal effector molecule of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), is implicated in several important steps of AS development. However, whether or not Ang II can directly exert a pro‑athe...

We investigated the mechanism of the oxidative DNA damage induction by exposure to O(2) in Prevotella melaninogenica, a strict anaerobe. Flow cytometry with hydroethidine and dichlorofluorescein diacetate showed that O(2) exposure generated O(2)*-) and H(2)O(2). Results of electron spin resonance with alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone and ethanol showed that O(2) exposure also induc...

Exposure to ionizing radiation causes cellular damage, which can lead to premature cell death or accumulation of somatic mutations, resulting in malignancy. The damage is mediated in part by free radicals, particularly reactive oxygen species. Fermented papaya preparation (FPP), a product of yeast fermentation of Carica papaya Linn, has been shown to act as an antioxidant. In this study, we inv...

Although there have been a number of recent studies on the role of Rac in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), details of the signalling pathway remain unclear. In the present study we analysed the extent to which the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) and the resultant release of arachidonic acid (AA) are involved in the Rac-mediated generation of ROS. Transfection of Rat-2...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Red wine polyphenols (RWPs) inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major pro-angiogenic and pro-atherosclerotic factor, in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The aim of this study was to identify which red wine polyphenols were inhibitory and to determine the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effects. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Release of...

Glutamate- (Glu-) induced excitotoxicity plays a critical role in stroke. This study aimed to investigate the effects of APN on Glu-induced injury in HT22 neurons. HT22 neurons were treated with Glu in the absence or the presence of an APN peptide. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining. Levels of LDH, MDA, SOD, and GSH-Px were d...

BACKGROUND Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely associated with the intracellular signal cascade, thus strongly implicating involvement in tumor progression. However, the mechanism by which ROS are generated and how ROS target downstream molecules to trigger tumor metastasis is unclear. In this study, we investigated the underlying signal pathways in ROS-induced urokinase plasminogen activ...

There is general agreement that oxidative stress may induce apoptotic and necrotic cell death. Recently it has been shown that NADH can be considered an important antioxidant as it reacts with peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals under in vitro conditions. Therefore, in the present study we hypothesized that an increase in intracellular NADH using specific substrates will protect RL-34 cells against cy...