Volume 46, Issue 12 e14382
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Lutein attenuated methylglyoxal-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in PC12 cells via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Wei Chen

Wei Chen

State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST), Tianjin, China

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Hua Zhang

Hua Zhang

Animal & Plant and Food Inspection Center of Tianjin Customs (Former Tianjin Inspection and Quarantine Bureau), Tianjin, China

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Guishan Liu

Guishan Liu

School of Food & Wine, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China

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Ji Kang

Corresponding Author

Ji Kang

State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST), Tianjin, China

Correspondence

Ji Kang, Jing Li and Hao Wang, State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST), Tianjin 300457, China.

Email: [email protected]

Biao Wang, College of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.

Email: [email protected]

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Biao Wang

Corresponding Author

Biao Wang

College of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China

Correspondence

Ji Kang, Jing Li and Hao Wang, State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST), Tianjin 300457, China.

Email: [email protected]

Biao Wang, College of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.

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Jilite Wang

Jilite Wang

Department of Agriculture, Hetao College, Bayannur, China

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Jing Li

Corresponding Author

Jing Li

State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST), Tianjin, China

Correspondence

Ji Kang, Jing Li and Hao Wang, State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST), Tianjin 300457, China.

Email: [email protected]

Biao Wang, College of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.

Email: [email protected]

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Hao Wang

Corresponding Author

Hao Wang

State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST), Tianjin, China

Correspondence

Ji Kang, Jing Li and Hao Wang, State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST), Tianjin 300457, China.

Email: [email protected]

Biao Wang, College of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 26 August 2022
Citations: 10

Abstract

Methylglyoxal (MGO), a cytotoxic byproduct of glycolysis, causes neuro oxidative damage and apoptosis, and plays key roles in diabetic encephalopathy (DE). The goal of this research was to evaluate the roles of lutein attenuated MGO-induced damage in PC12 cells as well as the underlying mechanisms. The findings of this study showed that lutein has a significant impact on reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in MGO-induced PC12 cells, which may be attributed to the increased antioxidant enzymes activity and the decreased MDA levels. Moreover, treatment with lutein also alleviated cell apoptosis and mitochondrial damage. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis showed that lutein enhanced the Bcl-2:Bax ratio, inhibited the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and increased the protein level of phosphorylated Akt. The network pharmacology and molecular docking prediction results suggested that the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway was a potential mechanism of lutein in DE treatment. Furthermore, LY294002, a specific PI3K inhibitor, partially abolished the protective effect of lutein. These results presented that lutein attenuated oxidative damage and apoptosis triggered by MGO in PC12 cells via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Practical applications

Lutein is a common carotenoid dispersed in fruits and vegetables. This article confirmed a protective effect of lutein on oxidative damage and apoptosis in PC12 cells after MGO damage. These results indicated that lutein could potentially be developed as a nutraceutical or functional food in the prevention of diabetic-related neurodegenerative diseases.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declared that they have no conflict of interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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