A combination of CMC and α-MSH inhibited ROS activated NLRP3 inflammasome in hyperosmolarity stressed HCECs and scopolamine-induced dry eye rats

Abstract An important mechanism involved in dry eye (DE) is the association between tear hyperosmolarity and inflammation severity. Inflammation in DE might be mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome, which activated by exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS). A combination of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) may influence DE through this mechanism, thus avoiding defects of signal drug. In this study, we assessed whether treatment comprising CMC combined with α-MSH could ameliorate ocular surface function; we found that it promoted tear secretion, reduced the density of fluorescein sodium staining, enhanced the number of conjunctival goblet cells, and reduced the number of corneal apoptotic cells. Investigation of the underlying mechanism suggested that the synergistic effect of combined treatment alleviated DE inflammation through reduction of ROS level and inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome in human corneal epithelial cells. These findings indicate that combined CMC + α-MSH treatment could ameliorate lesions and restore ocular surface function in patients with DE through reduction of ROS level and inhibition of NLRP3 signalling

Apoptotic signaling pathway protein expression was evaluated using western blotting.

<p>(A) Apoptotic-related protein expression after drug exposure in QGY7701, HL7702 and SMMC7721 cells was quantitated by western blot. (B, C) The Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-2/Bak protein ratios were measured by optical analysis with ImageJ software.</p

Synergistic effect of DHM and NDP promotes liver cancer cell apoptosis.

<p>(A) The effect of each drug individually and in combination on cell apoptosis in QGY7701, HL7702 and SMMC7721 cells with different concentrations and treatment durations were monitored under microscopy (100×). (B, C) The apoptosis of QGY7701, HL7702 and SMMC7721 cells induced by the drugs individually and in combination at different concentrations and treatment durations were detected using FITC Annexin V-PI Apoptosis detection kit (BD Pharmingen, USA) and measured by flow cytometry analysis (means ± S.D). Each experiment was repeated at least three times.</p