| Objective To investigate the effects and mechanism of β-elemene on oxidative stress and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Methods The HK-2 cells were treated with LPS and different concentrations of β-elemene. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to detect cell viability, and Western blotting was used to detect Bcl-2-associated X (Bax), B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein. Apoptotic rate was determined by flow cytometry. The levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by the kits. Results The apoptosis rates of NC group, LPS group, β-elemene (2.5 mg/L, 5.0 mg/L, 10.0 mg/L) + LPS group were (4.86±0.62)%, (27.34±2.68)%, ( 25.64±2.89)%, (23.67±2.24)%, and(18.64±2.08)%, respectively; GSH-PX levels were (82.91±6.18), (57.23±3.17), (65.37±2.54), (70.26±4.36), (72.46±3.64); SOD levelswere (36.76±2.68), (21.13±1.34), (25.69±1.67), (27.67±1.65), (28.96±1.85); MDA levels were (1.00±0.06), (1.62±0.13), (1.43±0.08),(1.35±0.11), (1.31±0.09); ROS levels were (1.00±0.09), (3.34±0.32), (2.34±0.21), (1.85±0.12), (1.61±0.11); Nrf2 protein expression levels were (0.79±0.06), (0.33±0.04), (0.42±0.04), (0.57±0.06), (0.63±0.06); HO-1 protein expression levels were (0.62±0.05), (0.27±0.03), (0.35±0.03), (0.43±0.05), (0.45±0.05), respectively.There were statistically significant differences between NC group and LPSgroup, and between LPS group and β-elemene (2.5mg/L, 5.0 mg/L, 10.0 mg/L)+LPS group(P<0.05). Conclusion β-elemene inhibits the oxidative stress injury and apoptosis of HK-2 cells induced by LPS by activating Nrf2/ HO-1 signaling pathway. |
