Objective To explore the effects of drugs on functions of mitochondria in retinal nerve cells, and to lay a foundation of the investigation of drug protection for retinal nerve cells. Methods Cultivation of the retinal nerve cells of 8 eyes of neonatal calves was performed. The changes of fluorescent density of the mitochondria of cultured cells labeled by dye rhodamine 123 (Rh123) before and after the activation of the medicines, including ferulic acid (FA), arginine, glycine,taurine, vitamine E and brain derived neurotrophic factor( BDNF) respectively, were detected by laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Results FA with the concentration of 500 μg/ml led the diphasic variation of the fluorescent intensity of mitochondria. After scanning for 60.772 seconds when treated with FA firstly, the fluorescent intensity decreased rapidly (from 45.425±4.153 to 22.135±5.293); while after 112.774 seconds when treated secondly, the in tensity increased obviously (from 19.655±4.383 to 28.247±4.764), and after 168.773 seconds when treated thirdly the intensity still increased. After scanning for 56.457 seconds when treated with vitamin E (12.5 mg/ml), the fluorescent in tensity increased obviously (from 88.255±5.039 to 111.273±4.529), which suggested that vitamin E with the concentration of 12.5 mg/ml strengthen the fluorescent intensity. After scanning for 58.147 and 134.148 seconds when treated with BDNF(50 ng/ml) respectively, the fluorescent intensity increased obviously (from 69.115±5.038 to 77.225±5.131) which suggested that BDNF with the concent ration of 50 ng/ml led the increase of the fluorescent intensity. Glycine (2.5 mg/ml) and arginine(30 mg/ml) didn’t affect the fluorescent intensity of mitochondria, and taurine (6.25 mg/ml) caused the appreciable decrease of the fluorescent intensity . Conclusion FA, BDNF and vitamin E may promote the metabolism of retinal nerve cells via the path of mitochondria, while amino acids may adjust the activation of retinal nerve cells through other ways. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：229-232)
Objective To review the research progress of mitochondrial dynamics mediated by optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) in skeletal system diseases. MethodsThe literatures about OPA1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics in recent years were reviewed, and the bioactive ingredients and drugs for the treatment of skeletal system diseases were summarized, which provided a new idea for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Results OPA1 is a key factor involved in mitochondrial dynamics and energetics and in maintaining the stability of the mitochondrial genome. Accumulating evidence indicates that OPA1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics plays an important role in the regulation of skeletal system diseases such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and osteosarcoma. Conclusion OPA1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics provides an important theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of skeletal system diseases.
The main function of mitochondrial fusion protein 1 （Mfn1） and mitochondrial fusion protein 2 （Mfn2） was originally thought to be just regulating the fusion of mitochondrial outer membrane. But in recent years，many studies on these two proteins show that they are involved in many important cellular physiological processes including proliferation，apoptosis，necrosis and regulation of respiratory function and oxidative metabolism. There are many aspects of the influenceof Mfn1 and Mfn2 on cardiomyocyte，which have not been thoroughly studied yet，sometimes with even contradictoryconclusions. But these two proteins definitely have significant impact on the growth，development and physiological functionof cardiomyocyte. To investigate the function and mechanism of Mfn1 and Mfn2 in various physiological processes of cardiomyocyte is of great significance for in vitro studies of physiological functions of cardiomyocyte and technological development of myocardial tissue engineering and transplantation in vivo. This article mainly focuses on recent research progress of the influence of Mfn1 and Mfn2 on various physiological functions of cardiomyocyte.
Objective To investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α) on early ischemic preconditioning (IPC) which may act as an important role in early IPC. Methods Building isolated working rat heart Langendorff model, thirty Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups. Control group(CON group,n=10): a 120-min perfusion was performed without any intervension; ischemia and reperfusion group(I/R group,n=10): a 30-min equilibration period perfusion, a 30-min ischemia and a 60-min reperfusion were performed.; IPC group (n=10): a 10-min equilibration period perfusion was performed, then was elicited by two cycles of 5-min of ischemia interspersed with 5-min reperfusion prior to 30-min ischemia and a 60-min reperfusion. Frozen sections of myocardium at cardiac apex were made and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect expression and the intergrated optical density average (IODA) of PGC-1α. Ultrathin sections were made and the mitochondria under each specimen was evaluated according to Flameng score. Results PGC-1α expression in IPC group (IODA 10.94±5.23) was significantly higher than that in I/R group (IODA 3.88±1.72) and that in CON group (IODA 3.39±2.46; P=0.009, 0.007). The mitochondria changes in I/R group were significant edema and severe damage; but there were not so severe in CON group and IPC group.Flameng score of IPC group (0.44±0.13) and CON group (0.88±0.22) were lower than that in I/R group(1.78±0.14;P=0.003, 0.014) respectively. Conclusion IPC can protect myocytes mitochondria from ischemia and reperfusion.The cardioprotection may be related with the activation and the high expression of PGC-1α, which may act as one of the most important endogenous defence factors of the heart.
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a blinding disease caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA. It is a classic disease model for studying mitochondrial abnormalities. Its main mutation sites are m11778G.A, m.3460G.A and m.14484T.C. LHON cell models are mainly produced by lymphoblasts, fibroblasts, cell hybrids and induced pluripotent stem cells, while LHON animal models are mainly mice, which are produced by rotenone and ND4 mutants. Although the research on the LHON model has achieved good results, there are still many difficulties in constructing an ideal experimental model, which severely limit the exploring to the pathogenesis and therapeutic drugs of LHON. A detailed understanding of the application and characteristics of existing models in LHON will help improve experimental design and construct new models.
ObjectiveTo analyze the variation of perioperative concentration of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in circulation system after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
MethodsBetween July and December 2014, 40 continuous patients underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, including 16 males and 14 females with their mean age of 48.7±11.0 years and mean body weight of 59.0±6.9 kg. Perioperative mtDNA concentrations of circulatory blood were tested at different time points:before general anesthesia (T1), 1 min before CPB (T2), reperfusion of the ascending aorta (T3), 6 h after operation (T4), 24 h after operation (T5), 48 h after operation (T6).
ResultsAll the surgeries were successfully performed without early death. Postoperative complications were low cardiac output syndrome in 3 cases and acute kidney failure in 1 cases. The concentration of mtDNA in circulation system rising gradually after CPB. The mtDNA concentration of T3, T4 and T5 were significantly higher than T1 (P < 0.05). The peak level was observed at T5 and the mtDNA concentration of T6 was still significantly higher than that of T1 (P < 0.05).
ConclusionThe concentration of mtDNA in circulation system was rising after CPB and peak level appeared at 24 h after CPB.
Objective To investigate the effect of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) on mitochondrial injury that was induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rat liver. Methods Fifty-four rats were randomly divided equally into 3 groups: control group, ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group), and SAM-treated group (SAM group). Hepatic ischemia had been only lasted for 30 min by obstructing the blood stream of hepatic portal vena (the portal vena was only separated but not obstructed in control group). The rats of SAM group received SAM intraperitoneally 2 h prior to ischemia. Blood samples of each group were collected from the inferior cava vena at 0, 1 and 6 h after reperfusion and the serum levels of AST and ALT were detected. Mitochondrial super oxidedismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge (EC) in samples of liver tissue were detected, and the mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed with electronmicroscope. Results The serum levels of AST, ALT and mitochondrial MDA at 0, 1 and 6 h after reperfusion in the I/R group were significantly higher than those in the control group, whereas the levels of mitochondrial SOD, ATP and EC were significantly lower than those in the control group (P＜0.01). Except the value of 0 h, when it comes to SAM group, the levels of AST, ALT and mitochondrial MDA were significantly lower (P＜0.05) and the levels of mitochondrial SOD, ATP and EC were significantly higher (P＜0.05, P＜0.01) than those in the I/R group, respectively. The mitochondrial ultrastructure was injured obviously in I/R group when compared with that in control group. The number of mitochondria decreased and the mitochondria swelled, making the crista became obscure and the density of matrix became lower. The above changes in SAM group were less obvious when compared with those in I/R group. Conclusion SAM may protect mitochondrion against hepatic ischemia injury, since it may prevent mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, increase ATP, and eventually improve energy metabolism after ischemia-reperfusion.
Objective To observe the retinal manifestations and classification of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy，and explore the relationship between retinopathy and systemic manifestations.Method The clinical data of 88 inpatients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy were retrospectively analyzed，in whom 12 patients（24 eyes）with retinal manifestations who diagnosed by ophthalmology consultation and complete medical records were collected. There were nine males and three females aged from 14 to 33 years with the mean age of（20.1±7.0）years. The disease duration ranged from 2.5 to 20 years，with the mean of（9.5±6.8）years. All the patients had the eye symptoms of the different degree，such as limbs weakness，hearing decline and central nervous system symptoms. Ophthalmologic examination including best corrected visual acuity，slit lampa microscope，indirect ophthalmoscopy，noncontact Tonometer，ptosis，ocular movement，pupillary reflex and color fundus photography. Among the patients，three，one，two and five patients had undergone fundus fluorescein angiography（FFA），optical coherence tomography（OCT），lectroretinogram（ERG）and visual field examination respectively. Diabetic retinopathy were divided into “salt and pepper”， retinitis pigmentosa（RP），retinal pigment epithelium（RPE），choroidal capillary atrophy and simplex optic atrophy according to the inspection results.Results All the patients′ both eyes were involved，the disease degree of bilateral eyes was accordant. The ptosis and（or）eye movement limitation were found in nine patients（75.0%），and decreased visual acuity was in six patients（50.0%）.“Salt and pepper” was found in six patients（12 eyes），presenting retinal granular pigmentation and depigmentation；the visual acuity was 0.4-1.2；no central nervous system symptoms were found in patients，such as hearing decline，twitch，ataxia and hypophrenia. RP was found in one patient（two eyes），presenting retinal cells sample pigmentation，retinal vessel shrink，optic atrophy；the vision were light perception in both eyes；hypophrenia，hearing decline，bilateral lower limbs pain and onset twitch were also found in them. RPE and choroidal capillary atrophy were found in three patients（six eyes），the choroidal great vessels and flake pigment accumulation surrounding the retina were observed；the visual acuity was hand movement0.7；limbs weakness was found in two patients；hearing decline was found in three patients；barylalia and hypophrenia were found in two patients；somnolence was found in one patient. Simplex optic atrophy was found in two patients（four eyes）；the vision was 0.1-0.7；central nervous system symptoms were found in patients，such as limbs weakness，twitch，hypophrenia and headache.Conclusion Retinopathy types is concerned with visual prognosis and central nervous system symptoms.
RCBTB1 gene associated hereditary retinopathy is an extremely rare inherited retinal disease (IRD) discovered recently. The mutation of RCBTB1 gene can lead to a variety of IRD clinical phenotypes, such as early retinitis pigmentosa and delayed chorioretinal atrophy. The hereditary mode of RCBTB1 gene associated retinopathy is autosomal recessive. RCBTB1 gene plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial function and anti-oxidative stress defense mechanism of retinal pigment epithelium cells. In the future, it is necessary to further determine whether there is a genotypic and phenotypic correlation in the age of onset of RCBTB1 gene associated retinopathy or multi-organ involvement, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of adeno-associated virus-mediated RCBTB1 gene replacement therapy in animal models, to explore the feasibility of gene replacement therapy and stem cell therapy.
Objective To analyze the thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and photoreceptor (PR) sublayer in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and G11778A mutation carriers. MethodsA cross sectional study. From September 2020 to October 2021, 68 LHON patients (136 eyes) (patient group) and 40 G11778A mutation carriers (80 eyes) of LHON patients' families (carrier group) were included in the study. All patients were found to have G11778A mutation by Genetic testing. Forty healthy volunteers with 80 eyes matched to the age and gender of the patient group were recruited as a normal control group. All eyes were examined by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The pRNFL thickness was automatically measured by the built-in software of the OCT device. The total retinal thickness (MT) and the thickness of the outer bundle layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), external limiting membrane to retinal pigment epithelium (ELM-RPE) in macular OCT images were measured by Image J software. Linear mixed model was used to analyze and compare the thickness of pRNFL, macular fovea and four layers above the nasal and temporal paracentral retina in patients, carriers and normal controls. The correlation between pRNFL and macular retinal sublayer thickness and the course of disease was also analyzed. ResultsThe thickness of the upper and lower pRNFL, temporal pRNFL and average pRNFL of the patients were smaller than those of the carriers and the normal control group (P＜0.01), and the nasal pRNFL thickness of the patients was smaller than that of the carriers (P＜0.01). Fovea: compared with the normal control group, the thickness of MT and ONT in the patient group was decreased, ONL thickness decreased in carrier group, with the significant different (P＜0.05). Parafovea: compared with normal control group, the thickness of MT and temporal ONL decreased and temporal OPL increased in the patients group, with the significant different (P＜0.05). In the carrier group, the thickness of MT and temporal, nasal ONL decreased, and the thickness of nasal OPL increased, with the significant different (P＜0.05). Compared with the carrier group, the MT thickness of the patient group was decreased, and the nasal ONL and nasal ELM-RPE thickness were increased, with the significant different (P＜0.05). Correlation analysis results showed that the thinning of pRNFL in the superior, nasal, temporal and average (r=－0.22, －0.21, －0.25, －0.22), and the thickening of ELM-RPE in foveo-temporal (r=0.19) were correlated with the course of disease (P＜0.05). ConclusionsThe pRNFL of LHON patients with G11778A mutation becomes thinner and is related to the course of the disease. There were significant differences in the thickness of MT and PR sublayers between patients and carriers compared to the normal control group.
