title: Preservation of cellular glutathione status and mitochondrial membrane potential by N-acetylcysteine and insulin sensitizers prevent carbonyl stress-induced human brain endothelial cell apoptosis.
abstract: Oxidative stress-induced cerebral endothelial cell dysfunction is associated with cerebral microvascular complication of primary diabetic encephaolopathy, a neurodegenerative disorder of long-standing diabetes, but the injury mechanisms are poorly understood. This study sought to determine the contribution of carbonyl (methylglyoxal, MG) stress to human brain endothelial cell (IHEC) apoptosis, the relationship to cellular redox status and mitochondrial membrane potential, and the protection by thiol antioxidant and insulin sensitizers. MG exposure induced IHEC apoptosis in association with perturbed cellular glutathione (GSH) redox status, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsi(m)), activation of caspase-9 and -3, and cleavage of polyADP-ribose polymerase. Insulin sensitizers such as biguanides or AMP-activated protein kinase activator, but not glitazones, afforded cytoprotection through preventing (Deltapsi(m) collapse and activation of caspase-9 that was independent of cellular GSH. Similarly, cyclosporine A prevented Deltapsi(m) collapse, while N-acetylcysteine (NAC) mediated the recovery of cellular GSH redox balance that secondarily preserved Deltapsi(m). Collectively, these results provide mechanistic insights into the role of GSH redox status and mitochondrial potential in carbonyl stress-induced apoptosis of brain endothelial cells, with implications for cerebral microvascular complications associated with primary diabetic encephalopathy. The findings that thiol antioxidant and insulin sensitizers afforded cytoprotection suggest potential therapeutic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okouchi
authors.forename: Naotsuka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okayama
authors.forename: Tak Yee
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Aw
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D053181:Caspase 8 / Q000378:metabolism; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005978:Glutathione / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007211:Indoles; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D050050:Protein Carbonylation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007211:Indoles; D007328:Insulin; C007293:DAPI; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; D053181:Caspase 8; D053453:Caspase 9; D005978:Glutathione; D000111:Acetylcysteine