Activating the PGC-1α/TERT Pathway by Catalpol Ameliorates Atherosclerosis via Modulating ROS Production, DNA Damage, and Telomere Function: Implications on Mitochondria and Telomere Link. (25th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yukun; Wang, Changyuan; Jin, Yue; Yang, Qining; Meng, Qiang; Liu, Qi; Dai, Yongguo; Cai, Lifei; Liu, Zhihao; Liu, Kexin; Sun, Huijun
• Other Names: Mattioli Roberto Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity. Volume 2018(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-06-25
• Subjects: Oxidative stress -- Periodicals; Cells -- Aging -- Periodicals; Cells -- Aging; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress -- Periodicals; Cell Aging -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 611.0181
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/2876350
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-0900

Abstract

Abstract : Catalpol, an iridoid glucoside, has been found present in large quantities in the root of Rehmannia glutinosa L. and showed a strong antioxidant capacity in the previous study. In the present work, the protective effect of catalpol against AS via inhibiting oxidative stress, DNA damage, and telomere shortening was found in LDLr −/− mice. This study also shows that activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- γ coactivator-1 α (PGC-1 α )/telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) pathway, which is the new link between mitochondria and telomere, was involved in the protective effects of catalpol. Further, by using PGC-1 α or TERT siRNA in oxLDL-treated macrophages, it is proved that catalpol reduced oxidative stress, telomere function, and related DNA damage at least partly through activating the PGC-1 α /TERT pathway. Moreover, dual luciferase activity assay-validated catalpol directly enhanced PGC-1 α promoter activity. In conclusion, our study revealed that the PGC-1 α /TERT pathway might be a possible therapeutic target in AS and catalpol has highly favorable characteristics for the treatment of AS via modulating this pathway.