• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.60-68
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• 2015

NecroX-7 is a novel small compound of the NecroX series based on the indole moiety, which has potent cytoprotective and antioxidant properties. We previously detected potential immune regulatory effects of NecroX-7 in immune related diseases like Graft-versus-Host Disease. However, the function and the underlying mechanisms of immunological effects of NecroX-7 in the immune system have not been well established. In this study, we investigated the immune response characterization of differentially expressed genes of NecroX-7 administration in $CD4^+$ T cells by microarray analysis. $CD4^+$ T cells stimulated with NecroX-7 ($40{\mu}M$) or vehicle for 72 hours resulted in the identification of 337 differentially expressed genes (1.5 fold, P<0.05) by expression profiling analysis. Twenty eight of the explored NecroX-7-regulated genes were related to immune system processes. These genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. The most significant genes were glutathione reductase, eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1, lymphotoxin-alpha, heat shock protein 9 and chloride intracellular channel protein 4. These findings demonstrate the strongly immune response of NecroX-7 in $CD4^+$ T cells, suggesting that cytoprotection and immune regulation may underlie the critical aspects of NecroX-7 exposure.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.305-314
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• 2016

Inflammatory and fibrotic responses are accelerated during the reperfusion period, and excessive fibrosis and inflammation contribute to cardiac malfunction. NecroX compounds have been shown to protect the liver and heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The aim of this study was to further define the role and mechanism of action of NecroX-5 in regulating inflammation and fibrosis responses in a model of hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR). We utilized HR-treated rat hearts and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated H9C2 culture cells in the presence or absence of NecroX-5 ($10{\mu}mol/L$) treatment as experimental models. Addition of NecroX-5 significantly increased decorin (Dcn) expression levels in HR-treated hearts. In contrast, expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 ($TGF{\beta}1$) and Smad2 phosphorylation (pSmad2) was strongly attenuated in NecroX-5-treated hearts. In addition, significantly increased production of tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$), $TGF{\beta}1$, and pSmad2, and markedly decreased Dcn expression levels, were observed in LPS-stimulated H9C2 cells. Interestingly, NecroX-5 supplementation effectively attenuated the increased expression levels of $TNF{\alpha}$, $TGF{\beta}1$, and pSmad2, as well as the decreased expression of Dcn. Thus, our data demonstrate potential antiinflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of NecroX-5 against cardiac HR injuries via modulation of the $TNF{\alpha}/Dcn/TGF{\beta}1/Smad2$ pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2016

Although the antioxidant and cardioprotective effects of NecroX-5 on various in vitro and in vivo models have been demonstrated, the action of this compound on the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system remains unclear. Here we verify the role of NecroX-5 in protecting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity during hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR). Necrox-5 treatment ($10{\mu}M$) and non-treatment were employed on isolated rat hearts during hypoxia/reoxygenation treatment using an ex vivo Langendorff system. Proteomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and non-labeling peptide count protein quantification. Real-time PCR, western blot, citrate synthases and mitochondrial complex activity assays were then performed to assess heart function. Treatment with NecroX-5 during hypoxia significantly preserved electron transport chain proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and metabolic functions. NecroX-5 also improved mitochondrial complex I, II, and V function. Additionally, markedly higher peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-$1{\alpha}$ ($PGC1{\alpha}$) expression levels were observed in NecroX-5-treated rat hearts. These novel results provide convincing evidence for the role of NecroX-5 in protecting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity and in preserving $PGC1{\alpha}$ during cardiac HR injuries.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.789-791
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• 2015