PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Jun Peng

Publications and source records attributed to Jun Peng.

64 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Effect of age on alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide-mediated delayed cardioprotection induced by intestinal preconditioning in rats.

In the present study, we examined whether age-related reduction in cardioprotection of intestinal ischemic preconditioning is related to stimulation of the release and synthesis of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rats. Ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by a 45-min coronary artery occlusion and 180-min reperfusion, and ischemic preconditioning was induced by six cycles of 4-min ischemia and 4-min reperfusion of the small intestine. The serum concentration of creatine kinase, infarct size, the expression of CGRP isoforms (alpha- and beta-CGRP) mRNA in lumbar dorsal root ganglia and CGRP concentration in plasma were measured. Pretreatment with intestinal ischemic preconditioning for 24 h significantly reduced infarct size and creatine kinase release concomitantly with a significant increase in the expression of alpha-CGRP mRNA, but not beta-CGRP mRNA, and plasma concentrations of CGRP at 6 months of age but not at 24 months of age. These results suggest that the delayed cardioprotective effect of intestinal ischemic preconditioning is decreased in senescent rats, and the age-related change is related to reduction of the synthesis and release of alpha-CGRP.

Age Factors↗

The cardioprotection of calcitonin gene-related peptide-mediated preconditioning.

Preconditioning induced by brief ischemia or hyperthermia or some drugs shows two phases, early and delayed protection. The cardioprotection afforded by preconditioning is related to stimulation of endogenous mediators release. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a major transmitter of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves, has recently been shown to play an important role in mediation of the preconditioning induced by brief ischemia or hyperthermia or by some drugs, and alpha-CGRP seems to play a major role in the mediation of delayed preconditioning. It has been shown that the cardioprotection afforded by CGRP-mediated preconditioning is due to inhibition of cardiac tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production, but not to the activation of the K(ATP) channel.

Animals↗

Reversal of tolerance to nitroglycerin with N-acetylcysteine or captopril: a role of calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Previous studies have shown that the development of tolerance to nitroglycerin is related to a decrease in the release of endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). In the present study, we explored whether endogenous CGRP is involved in reversal of tolerance to nitroglycerin with N-acetylcysteine or captopril in rats in vivo and vitro. Tolerance was induced by exposure to nitroglycerin (4.4 x 10(-6) M) for 10 min in vitro or by pretreatment with nitroglycerin (10 mg/kg, s.c.) three times a day for 8 days in vivo. Nitroglycerin (3 x 10(-9)-10(-6) M) caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in the isolated rat thoracic aorta, an effect that was reduced by CGRP-(8-37) (3 x 10(-7) M) or capsaicin (3 x 10(-7) M). Preincubation with nitroglycerin for 10 min significantly decreased its vasodilation, which was restored in the presence of N-acetylcysteine (10(-5) M) or captopril (10(-5) M). Nitroglycerin (150 microg/kg, i.v.) produced a depressor effect and an increase in concentrations of nitric oxide and CGRP, and the effects of nitroglycerin disappeared after pretreatment with nitroglycerin for 8 days. However, tolerance to nitroglycerin in vivo also was partially restored in the presence of N-acetylcysteine or captopril. The present results suggest that reversal of tolerance to nitroglycerin with N-acetylcysteine or captopril is related to the increased release of CGRP in the rat.

Acetylcysteine↗

Delayed cardioprotection induced by nitroglycerin is mediated by alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Previous investigations have demonstrated that early preconditioning induced by nitroglycerin is mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). In the present study, we addressed the question of whether delayed preconditioning induced by nitroglycerin in the rat is related to stimulation of the release and synthesis of CGRP. Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with nitroglycerin 24 h before the experiment. The left main coronary artery was occluded for 60 min, followed by 3 h reperfusion. Infarct size, serum creatine kinase activity, serum levels of NO and CGRP and the expression of alpha- and beta-CGRP isoform mRNA in lumbar dorsal root ganglia were measured. Pretreatment with nitroglycerin (60 or 120 microg/kg i.v.) reduced both the infarct size and the release of creatine kinase during reperfusion and caused a significant increase in the expression of alpha-CGRP mRNA, but not beta-CGRP mRNA, concomitantly with an increase in concentrations of NO and CGRP. The increase in CGRP expression preceded the increase in CGRP release. The effects of nitroglycerin were abolished completely by pretreatment with methylene blue (30 mg/kg i.p.), an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, or capsaicin (50 mg/kg s.c.), which selectively depletes transmitters in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. The present results suggest that the delayed cardioprotection induced by nitroglycerin is mediated mainly by the alpha-CGRP isoform via the NO-cGMP pathway.

Animals↗

Involvement of alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide in monophosphoryl lipid A-induced delayed preconditioning in rat hearts.

Recent study has shown that monophosphoryl lipid A-induced delayed preconditioning enhanced preservation with cardioplegia and that the protective effects of monophosphoryl lipid A were related to stimulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether the elevated release of CGRP induced by monophosphoryl lipid A is secondary to stimulation of CGRP synthesis via the nitric oxide (NO) pathway and to characterize the isoform of CGRP. Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with monophosphoryl lipid A 24 h before the experiment, and then the left main coronary artery of rat hearts was subjected to 1 h occlusion followed by 3 h reperfusion. Infarct size, plasma creatine kinase activity, the plasma level of CGRP, and the expression of CGRP isoforms (alpha- and beta-CGRP) mRNA in lumbar dorsal root ganglia were measured. Pretreatment with monophosphoryl lipid A (500 microg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced infarct size and creatine kinase release. Monophosphoryl lipid A caused a significant increase in the expression of alpha-CGRP mRNA, but not of beta-CGRP mRNA, concomitantly with an increase in plasma concentrations of CGRP, and the increased level of CGRP expression happened before stimulation of CGRP release. The effect of monophosphoryl lipid A was completely abolished by pretreatment with L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of NO synthase or capsaicin (50 mg/kg, s.c.), which selectively depletes transmitters in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. The results suggest that the delayed cardioprotection afforded by monophosphoryl lipid A involves the synthesis and release of CGRP via the NO pathway, and that the protection is mainly mediated by the alpha-CGRP isoform.

Animals↗

The heme oxygenase-1 pathway is involved in calcitonin gene-related peptide-mediated delayed cardioprotection induced by monophosphoryl lipid A in rats.

In order to explore whether monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA)-induced delayed cadioprotection is mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and the regulatory effect of inducible heme oxygenase isorform (HO-1)/carbon monoxide (CO) on CGRP synthesis and release, the expression of CGRP and HO-1 in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and CGRP concentration in plasma were determined in rats. Pretreatment with MLA (500 microg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced infarct size and creatine kinase release after the 45-min coronary artery occlusion and 180-min reperfusion. MLA caused a significant increase in the expression of CGRP and HO-1 and plasma concentrations of CGRP. The cardioprotection as well as the synthesis and release of CGRP induced by MLA were completely abolished by pretreatment with zinc protoporphrin IX (ZnPP-9), an inhibitor of HO-1, or by capsaicin (50 mg/kg, s.c.), which selectively depletes transmitters in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. Pretreatment with Znpp-9 had no effect on HO-1 expression, but capsaicin abrogated the expression of HO-1 induced by MLA in DRG. These results suggest that the delayed cardioprotection afforded by MLA is mediated by CGRP via activation of the HO-1 pathway.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Heme oxygenase-1 pathway is involved in delayed protection induced by heat stress against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Previous studies have shown that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a heat stress protein (HSP32), has a beneficial effect on the ischemic myocardium. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether HO-1 is involved in delayed cardioprotection provided by heat stress in vivo. Sprague--Dawley rats were pretreated with whole body hyperthermia (rectal 42 degrees C) for 15 min followed by ischemia-reperfusion 24 h later. Ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by 45 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by a 3-h reperfusion. Myocardial injury degree was evaluated by measurement of infarct size and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity. The expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein in myocardial tissues were measured. Pretreatment with hyperthemia significantly reduced infarct size and CK release during reperfusion, which was completely blocked by pretreatment with ZnPP-9, an inhibitor of HO and methylene blue, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase. Heat stress also significantly increased the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein, and the effect was not affected by pretreatment with methylene blue. The present results suggest that the HO-1 pathway is involved in the mediation of delayed cardioprotection by heat stress in rats.

Animals↗

Involvement of alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide in heat stress-induced delayed preconditioning in rat hearts.

1. Previous studies have shown that hyperthermia is capable of activating capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves and stimulating the release of neurotransmitters from their peripheral terminals. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has recently been found to participate in delayed cardioprotection in rat isolated hearts. 2. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether the delayed cardioprotection by heat stress in vivo involves the expression and release of CGRP. 3. Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with whole-body hyperthermia (rectal 42 degrees C) for 15 min, 24 h before the experiments and then the left main coronary artery of rat hearts was subjected to a 45 min occlusion followed by 3 h reperfusion. The degree of myocardial injury was evaluated by measurement of infarct size and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity. The plasma levels of CGRP and expression of CGRP (alpha and beta isoforms) mRNA in lumbar dorsal root ganglia at 4, 8, 16 or 24 h after heat stress treatment were measured. 4. Pretreatment with hyperthermia significantly reduced infarct size and CK release. Heat stress also significantly increased plasma concentrations of CGRP and the expression of alpha-CGRP mRNA, but not beta-CGRP mRNA. The effect of heat stress was completely abolished by pretreatment with capsaicin (50 mg/kg, s.c.), which selectively depletes transmitters in capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves. 5. In summary, the results suggest that the delayed cardioprotection by heat stress involves the synthesis and release of CGRP and that the protection is mainly mediated by the alpha-CGRP isoform.

Animals↗

Involvement of heme oxygenase-1 in delayed cardioprotection induced by monophosphoryl lipid A in rats.

AIM: To explore whether the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway is involved in the delayed cardioprotection induced by monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA). METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with MLA 24 h before the experiment. Ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by 60 min coronary artery occlusion followed by 3 h reperfusion. Infarct size, the serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, the serum content of nitric oxide (NO), and expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein in the heart were measured. RESULTS: Pretreatment with MLA (500 microg/kg, ip) markedly reduced infarct size and CK release and increased the serum content of NO (P < 0.01). The effects of MLA were completely abolished by pretreatment with L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME 10 mg/kg, ip), an inhibitor of NO synthase (P < 0.01), or Zinc protoporphyrin IX (45 micromol/kg, ip), an inhibitor of HO (P < 0.01). MLA caused a significant increase in the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein, an effect which was not affected by L-NAME (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the HO-1/NO pathway is involved in the delayed cardioprotection induced by MLA.

Animals↗

The role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in Parkinson's disease.

Given the critical role that the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway plays in regulating many of the cellular processes which are affected in Parkinson's disease (PD), the possible importance of JNK in disease pathogenesis is being increasingly recognized. Here we review recent findings implicating the JNK signaling pathway in animal models of Parkinson's disease and discuss the relationship between this pathway and the prominent pathological processes observed in the disease state. We suggest that regulation of the JNK signaling pathway may be a central facet in potential treatments for the disease.

Animals↗