Mengzhou Zhang1, Miao Zhang2, Linlin Wang2, Tianshui Yu3, Shukun Jiang2, Penghao Jiang1, Yingfu Sun1, Jingbo Pi4, Rui Zhao5, Dawei Guan6. 1. Department of Forensic Pathology, China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine, Shenyang 110122, China. 2. Department of Forensic Pathology, China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine, Shenyang 110122, China; Remote Forensic Consultation Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Judicial Civilization, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing 100192, China; Collaborative Laboratory of Intelligentized Forensic Science (CLIFS), Shenyang 110032, China. 3. Remote Forensic Consultation Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Judicial Civilization, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing 100192, China. 4. Program of Environmental Toxicology, China Medical University School of Public Health, Shenyang 110122, China. 5. Department of Forensic Pathology, China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine, Shenyang 110122, China; Remote Forensic Consultation Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Judicial Civilization, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing 100192, China; Collaborative Laboratory of Intelligentized Forensic Science (CLIFS), Shenyang 110032, China. Electronic address: rzhao@cmu.edu.cn. 6. Department of Forensic Pathology, China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine, Shenyang 110122, China; Remote Forensic Consultation Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Judicial Civilization, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing 100192, China; Collaborative Laboratory of Intelligentized Forensic Science (CLIFS), Shenyang 110032, China. Electronic address: dwguan@cmu.edu.cn.
Abstract
AIMS: Cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor activation has been shown to attenuate IRI in various organs. NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2) is an anti-oxidative factor that plays multiple roles in regulating cellular redox homeostasis and modulating cell proliferation and differentiation. The protective effects of CB2 receptor activation on skeletal muscle IRI and the underlying mechanism that involves Nrf2 signaling remain unknown. MAIN METHODS: We evaluated the in vivo effect of CB2 receptor activation by the CB2 receptor agonist AM1241 on IR-induced skeletal muscle damage and early myogenesis. We also assessed the effects of CB2 receptor activation on C2C12 myoblasts differentiation and H2O2-induced C2C12 myoblasts damage in vitro, with a focus on the mechanism of Nrf2 signaling. KEY FINDINGS: Our results showed that CB2 receptor activation reduced IR-induced histopathological lesions, edema, and oxidative stress 1 day post-injury and accelerated early myogenesis 4 days post-injury in mice. Nrf2 knockout mice that were treated with AM1241 exhibited deteriorative skeletal muscle oxidative damage and myogenesis. In vitro, pretreatment with AM1241 significantly increased the expression of Nrf2 and its nuclear translocation, attenuated the decrease in H2O2-induced C2C12 cell viability, and decreased reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis. CB2 receptor activation also significantly enhanced C2C12 myoblasts differentiation, which was impaired by silencing Nrf2. SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, CB2 receptor activation protected skeletal muscle against IRI by ameliorating oxidative damage and promoting early skeletal muscle myogenesis, which was partly via Nrf2 signaling.
AIMS: Cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor activation has been shown to attenuate IRI in various organs. NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2) is an anti-oxidative factor that plays multiple roles in regulating cellular redox homeostasis and modulating cell proliferation and differentiation. The protective effects of CB2 receptor activation on skeletal muscle IRI and the underlying mechanism that involves Nrf2 signaling remain unknown. MAIN METHODS: We evaluated the in vivo effect of CB2 receptor activation by the CB2 receptor agonist AM1241 on IR-induced skeletal muscle damage and early myogenesis. We also assessed the effects of CB2 receptor activation on C2C12 myoblasts differentiation and H2O2-induced C2C12 myoblasts damage in vitro, with a focus on the mechanism of Nrf2 signaling. KEY FINDINGS: Our results showed that CB2 receptor activation reduced IR-induced histopathological lesions, edema, and oxidative stress 1 day post-injury and accelerated early myogenesis 4 days post-injury in mice. Nrf2 knockout mice that were treated with AM1241 exhibited deteriorative skeletal muscle oxidative damage and myogenesis. In vitro, pretreatment with AM1241 significantly increased the expression of Nrf2 and its nuclear translocation, attenuated the decrease in H2O2-induced C2C12 cell viability, and decreased reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis. CB2 receptor activation also significantly enhanced C2C12 myoblasts differentiation, which was impaired by silencing Nrf2. SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, CB2 receptor activation protected skeletal muscle against IRI by ameliorating oxidative damage and promoting early skeletal muscle myogenesis, which was partly via Nrf2 signaling.