title: PGC-1α prevents apoptosis in adipose-derived stem cells by reducing reactive oxygen species production in a diabetic microenvironment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether overexpression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) can prevent apoptosis in adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and enhancing mitochondrial function in a diabetic environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  After the isolation, expansion and characterisation of rat ASCs, we overexpressed PGC-1α in ASCs using an adenoviral vector encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) or PGC-1α and tested the apoptotic effect under conditions of high glucose, hypoxia and serum deprivation. The production of intracellular ROS and mitochondrial ROS was evaluated using dihydroethidium and CM-H2XRos fluorescent probes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Under conditions of high glucose, hypoxia and serum deprivation, the overexpression of PGC-1α in ASCs decreased apoptosis and led to an increased survival rate. The ASCs modified with PGC-1α produced lower intracellular and mitochondrial ROS. The mitochondrial morphology and structure in the PGC-1α-ASC group remained relatively complete compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results reveal a crucial protective role for PGC-1α in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications using stem cells therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: De-Bin
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: You-Zhao
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Li-Na
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Li-Qing
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; C501429:Ppargc1a protein, rat; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014157:Transcription Factors