Delphinidin prevents hypoxia-induced mouse embryonic stem cell apoptosis through reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species-mediated activation of JNK and NF-κB, and Akt inhibition

Apoptosis. 2013 Jul;18(7):811-24. doi: 10.1007/s10495-013-0838-2.

Abstract

Delphinidin, gallic acid, betulinic acid, and ursolic acid, which are bio-active ingredients in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, have potent antioxidant activity and various biological activities. However, it is not clear whether these bio-active ingredients can significantly contribute to the protection of embryonic stem (ES) cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis. In the present study, hypoxia-induced ES cells apoptosis with time, which were abrogated by pretreatment with all ingredients. Hypoxia-induced ROS generation was blocked by pretreatment with all ingredients in a dose-dependent manner, with the maximum ROS scavenging effect observed for delphinidin. Hypoxia increased phosphorylation of JNK and NF-κB were blocked by pretreatment of delphinidin as well as NAC. Hypoxia decreased phosphorylation of Akt(thr308) and (ser473); these decreases were reversed by pretreatment with delphinidin or NAC. However, Akt inhibition did not affect NF-κB phosphorylation. Delphinidin attenuated the hypoxia-induced increase in Bax, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and decrease in Bcl-2, which were diminished by pretreatment of Akt inhibitor. Hypoxia induced Bax translocation from the cytosol to mitochondria. Furthermore, hypoxia induced mitochondria membrane potential loss and cytochrome c release in cytosol, which were blocked by delphinidin pretreatment. Hypoxia induced cleavage of procaspase-9 and procaspase-3 which were blocked by delphinidin or SP600125, but Akt inhibitor abolished the protection effect of delphinidin. Moreover, inhibition of JNK and NF-κB abolished hypoxia-induced ES cell apoptosis and inhibition of Akt attenuated delphinidin-induced blockage of apoptosis. The results indicate that delphinidin can prevent hypoxia-induced apoptosis of ES cells through the inhibition of JNK and NF-κB phosphorylation, and restoration of Akt phosphorylation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anthocyanins / pharmacology*
  • Anthracenes / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Caspases / genetics
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • Cell Line
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / genetics*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / agonists
  • NF-kappa B / genetics*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oxygen / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / genetics
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Anthracenes
  • Antioxidants
  • Bax protein, mouse
  • NF-kappa B
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • pyrazolanthrone
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4
  • Caspases
  • delphinidin
  • Oxygen
  • Acetylcysteine