Zengxin Gao1,2,3, Yucheng Lin1, Pei Zhang1, Qinghua Cheng2, Linhui Ye2, Fuhua Wu2, Yingjun Chen2, Minghui Fu2, Changgui Cheng2, Yucheng Gao3. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China. 2. Department of Orthopedics, Zhongda Hospital Lishui Branch, Southeast University Lishui 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China. 3. Department of Surgery, School of Medicine Southeast University Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aberrant apoptosis in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells is the primary cause of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). In contrast, a large number of studies have confirmed that autophagy may protect NP cells from apoptosis. Sinomenine is an alkaloid monomer, which has been reported to stimulate cell autophagy. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of sinomenine on IDD. METHODS: The effects of sinomenine on the proliferation and apoptosis of NP cells were evaluated with the CCK-8 assay and Annexin V/PI staining, respectively. RESULTS: The data obtained from the present study demonstrated that sinomenine could notably reverse TBHP-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in rat NP cells. In addition, sinomenine significantly induced autophagy in rat NP cells, which was completely inhibited by 3-methyladenine (3MA). In addition, the protective effect of sinomenine against TBHP in rat NP cells was abolished following treatment with 3MA. Finally, an in vivo study further confirmed that sinomenine could ameliorate rat IDD. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results of the present study indicated sinomenine could ameliorate rat IDD via induction of autophagy in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of sinomenine in the prevention of IDD. AJTR
BACKGROUND: Aberrant apoptosis in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells is the primary cause of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). In contrast, a large number of studies have confirmed that autophagy may protect NP cells from apoptosis. Sinomenine is an alkaloid monomer, which has been reported to stimulate cell autophagy. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of sinomenine on IDD. METHODS: The effects of sinomenine on the proliferation and apoptosis of NP cells were evaluated with the CCK-8 assay and Annexin V/PI staining, respectively. RESULTS: The data obtained from the present study demonstrated that sinomenine could notably reverse TBHP-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in rat NP cells. In addition, sinomenine significantly induced autophagy in rat NP cells, which was completely inhibited by 3-methyladenine (3MA). In addition, the protective effect of sinomenine against TBHP in rat NP cells was abolished following treatment with 3MA. Finally, an in vivo study further confirmed that sinomenine could ameliorate ratIDD. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results of the present study indicated sinomenine could ameliorate ratIDD via induction of autophagy in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of sinomenine in the prevention of IDD. AJTR
Authors: Hua-jie Mao; Qi-xin Chen; Bin Han; Fang-cai Li; Jie Feng; Zhong-li Shi; Min Lin; Jun Wang Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2011-07-15 Impact factor: 3.468