Astragaloside IV attenuates lead acetate-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth through activation of Akt-dependent Nrf2 pathway in vitro.
Recently, oxidative stress is strongly associated with lead (Pb)-induced neurotoxicity. We reported previously that Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) possesses potent antioxidant properties. Here, we evaluate the hypothesis that AS-IV attenuates lead acetate (PbAc)-mediated inhibition of neurite outgrowth might mainly result from its antioxidant property via serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt)-dependent activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Interestingly, AS-IV attenuates PbAc-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth and displayed potential antioxidant properties by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS). Concomitantly, AS-IV enhanced phase II detoxifying enzymes such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLc). Conversely, AS-IV had no effect on GCL modulatory subunit (GCLm) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity/expression. Furthermore, AS-IV evoked Akt phosphorylation, and subsequent induced phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) at Ser9 (that is, inactivation), which stimulated Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response element (ARE)-containing activation. Importantly, Akt locates upstream of GSK-3β and regulates phase II detoxifying enzymes gene expression through Nrf2 nuclear accumulation in PC12 cells exposed to PbAc. Noteworthy, these results were further confirmed through signalling pathway inhibitors, dominant negative mutant and short hairpin RNA technology. Collectively, these in vitro findings suggest that AS-IV attenuates PbAc-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth attributed to its antioxidant properties and may be a promising candidate for the treatment of lead developmental neurotoxicity.
The Institute of Medicine, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, China.
Chunlei
C
Yu
The Institute of Medicine, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, China.
Siwen
S
Pan
The Institute of Medicine, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, China.
Miaoxian
M
Dong
The Institute of Medicine, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, China. Electronic address: nyc1968@126.com.
Yingcai
Y
Niu
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C495637:Nfe2l2 protein, rat; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D012503:Saponins; D014315:Triterpenes; C052064:astragaloside A; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; C008261:lead acetate
Astragaloside IV; Lead acetate; Neurite outgrowth; Nrf2; Oxidative stress