Life sciences
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Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a selective agonist of α2-adrenergic receptors with anesthetic attributes and neuroprotective effects. This study was designed to explore the mechanisms of DEX in the propofol-induced neuronal injury in rat hippocampus. ⋯ DEX could inhibit propofol-induced neuronal injury in rat hippocampus by inhibiting miR-34a expression, upregulating SIRT1 and activating the PI3K/Akt pathway.
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Anaesthesia-related neurotoxicity in the developing brain is a controversial issue that has recently attracted much attention. Hemin plays a protective role in hypoxic and ischemic brain damage; however, its effects on sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity remain unclear. Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms of sevoflurane neurotoxicity and potential neuroprotective roles of hemin upon sevoflurane exposure. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that hemin plays a protective role in anaesthesia-induced neurotoxicity by both inhibiting apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt pathway and increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes, reducing oxidative damage. The results provide mechanistic insight into the effects of sevoflurane anaesthesia on the developing brain and suggest that hemin could help avoid these effects.
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Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is marked by the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and excessive extracellular matrix deposition. The long noncoding RNA myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT) facilitates RIF; however, the molecular mechanism of MIAT in RIF remains unclear. Here, we explored the possible underlying mechanisms through which MIAT modulates RIF. ⋯ MIAT promoted cell viability, proliferation, migration, and the EMT via regulation of the miR-145/EIF5A2 axis. These data established a potential therapy for RIF.
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Cardiac dysfunction is a major cause of multi-organ dysfunction in critical care units following severe burns. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cardiac dysfunction in burned mice. ⋯ Our study demonstrates that iNOS contributes to insulin resistance in the hearts of mice following burn injury, and iNOS deficiency protects cardiac function against burn injury in mice, suggesting iNOS as a potential therapeutic target to treat burn injuries.
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Benzodiazepines (BZDs) produce various pharmacological actions by binding to and allosterically regulating GABAA receptors. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated diazepam, the prototypic BZD, produces a high-dose action that cannot be countered with the classical BZD-binding site antagonist flumazenil. Here, we investigate the existence and behavioral relevance of non-classical BZD binding sites in zebrafish larvae. ⋯ These results provide direct in vivo evidence for non-classical BZD-binding sites, which may be located at the second transmembrane domain of GABAA receptors and contribute to BZD-induced anesthesia.