Resveratrol is a polyphenol derivatives which exhibits a pro-apoptotic effect in a variety of human cancers by triggering mitochondria apoptosis pathway and autophagy. However, there are scarcely reports on its apoptosis-promoting effect in abnormal proliferation fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs). In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanism and apoptosis-inducing effects of resveratrol on the abnormal proliferation of FLSs in adjuvant-arthritis (AA) rats. Since using resveratrol for 12 days resulted in a significant decreasing the swelling degree of the paw, reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content and enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase ratio in AA rats. Moreover, we found that 5 μMH2O2 could increase cells viability, Beclin1, LC3A/B, MnSOD, SIRT3 protein expression in FLSs. But, resveratrol could reverse these effects by changing mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) to promote mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation in 5 μMH2O2-treatment FLSs. These results suggest that oxidative stress existed in AA rats. Resveratrol could suppress oxidative stress in AA rats and increase mtROS production by reducing autophagy protein Beclin1, LC3A/B and oxidative stress protein MnSOD to promoted the apoptosis of FLSs. Thus, targeting of mtROS may be a crucial mechanism of resveratrol confers patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Resveratrol (Res) is a polyphenolic compound that has a variety of biological functions and activities. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms of the antioxidant and proapoptotic effects of Res in H2O2‐treated rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (RA‐FLSs) by the Nrf2–Keap1 signaling pathway. We found that 5 µM H2O2 promoted cell proliferation and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in RA‐FLSs. However, Res could reverse these effects in 5 µMH2O2‐treated RA‐FLSs by (1) promoting expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), (2) reducing expression of Kelch‐like ECH–related protein 1 (Keap1), (3) inhibiting production of ROS and MDA, (4) blocking activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) p65, (5) inhibiting cell proliferation and migration, and (6) activating Bcl‐2/Bax to induce apoptosis. After lentiviral silencing of Nrf2 (siNrf2) mRNA expression in RA‐FLSs, Res addition did not increase the expression of Nrf2 or HO‐1 to reduce the production of mitochondrial ROS caused by 5 µM H2O2. Res reduced the Bcl‐2/Bax ratio, but siNrf2 reduced the ability of Res to promote apoptosis. We conclude that Res inhibits ROS production by activating the Nrf2 pathway, thereby inhibiting activation of NF‐κB and proliferation and migration of RA‐FLSs, to induce apoptosis. Targeting the Nrf2–Keap1 pathway may be a relevant aim of using Res in the treatment of RA.

Transgenic insect-resistant cotton expressing the Cry1Ac and/or CpTI protein has been released into the environment for commercial cultivation for over a decade in China. In this consecutive 3-year field study (2007)(2008)(2009), we characterized the microbial populations in two different transgenic cotton fields and one non-transgenic cotton field to assess the environmental impact of long-term cultivation of transgenic insect-resistant plants in credible field conditions. We obtained samples at four different growth stages of cotton (seedling, budding, boll forming and boll opening). The results showed significant seasonal variation in the number of bacteria, fungi, azotobacter, denitrifying bacteria and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and in diversity indices of microorganisms, but no significant difference in the number of each microbial population or diversity indices attributable to long-term cultivation of transgenic cotton.

No abstract