Cited by 42Osteoarthritis Treatment and MechanismsCircadian rhythm and melatoninBone Metabolism and Diseases

Anti-Apoptosis and Autophagy Effects of Melatonin Protect Rat Chondrocytes against Oxidative Stress via Regulation of AMPK/Foxo3 Pathways

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Chen, Zhaoxun, Zhao, Chen, Liu, Pengcheng, Huang, Haohan, Zhang, Shuhong, Wang, Xiaoqing·2021·CARTILAGE

Abstract

Objective: Emerging evidence has indicated that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) have detrimental effects on osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to elucidate the effects of melatonin (MT), an antioxidant indolamine secreted from the pineal gland, on chondrocyte senescence and cartilage degeneration, thereby clarifying the underlying mechanisms of ROS-induced OA pathogenesis. Design: Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) was used to induce oxidative stress in rat chondrocytes. ROS levels were evaluated using cytometry and immunofluorescence. Cell viability was detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Western blotting and qPCR (Quantiative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction) were used to examine apoptosis and autophagy. For in vivo experiments, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group, DMM (destabilization of the medial meniscus) surgery group, and surgery groups that received melatonin. Knee joints were collected and stained for histological analysis. Results: The data demonstrated that melatonin treatment significantly suppressed H 2 O 2 -induced matrix degradation and apoptosis, and maintained mitochondrial redox homeostasis. In addition, an enhancement of autophagic flux was observed through western blotting. These findings corresponded with activation of the AMPK/Foxo3 signaling pathways upon melatonin treatment. Histological staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs also demonstrated that melatonin alleviated cartilage ossification and chondrocyte hypertrophy in vivo. Conclusions: Our results indicated that melatonin protected chondrocytes via mitochondrial redox homeostasis and autophagy. The effects of melatonin on senescence may apply to other age-related diseases. Thus, melatonin may have multiple potential therapeutic applications.

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Crossref · 10.1177/19476035211038748

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  • Melatonin reduces oxidative stress and replicative senescence by enhancing autophagy, activating AMPK/FOXO3 pathways, and increasing mitochondrial membrane potential, both in vitro and in vivo.

    “In this respect, melatonin has been proven capable of reducing oxidative stress and replicative senescence by enhancing autophagy, activating AMPK/FOXO3 pathways and increasing mitochondrial membrane potential, both in vitro and in vivo [455,456,457].”

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Authors
Chen, Z., Zhao, C., Liu, P., Huang, H., Zhang, S., & Wang, X.
Affiliations
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Zhang, Shuhong
  • Wang, Xiaoqing
Venue
CARTILAGE
Published
2021-11-15
Volume
13
Issue
2_suppl
Pages
1041S-1053S
ISSN
  • 1947-6035 (ISSN-L)
  • 1947-6043
OpenAlex
W3212752942
Cited by
42
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6
FWCI
4.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cartilage (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Nature Science Foundation of China (81871791)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bone Metabolism and Diseases
Keywords
melatonin, osteoarthritis, chondrocytes, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide, apoptosis, autophagy, AMPK, FOXO3, chondrocyte senescence, cartilage degeneration, mitochondrial redox homeostasis, chondrocyte hypertrophy, cartilage ossification, destabilization of the medial meniscus
MeSH terms
Forkhead Box Protein O3, Animals, Autophagy, Hydrogen Peroxide, Male, Melatonin, Signal Transduction, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Oxidative Stress, Chondrocytes, Rats, AMP-Activated Protein Kinases

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