title: Usnic acid inhibits ER stress activation through AMPK signaling pathway in rat cardiomyocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we investigated the effects of usnic acid (UA) on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress processes in rat cardiomyocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of ER stress signaling were analyzed. Besides, levels of phosphorylated AMPK were measured to evaluate the mechanisms of UA. Finally, small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligos targeting AMPK subunits were used to determine the roles of AMPK in rat cardiomyocytes treated with UA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that UA treatment significantly reduced ER stress activation and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, via an AMPK signaling-dependent manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UA might be useful to reduce the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing, China. lwexian@163.com.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: L-H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Di
authors.forename: W-X
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Y-L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D059865:Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; C073339:usnic acid; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases