Apocynin inhibits the upregulation of TGF-β1 expression and ROS production induced by TGF-β in skeletal muscle cells

Background: Pure apocynin, which can be traditionally isolated and purified from several plant species such as Picrorhizo kurroa Royle ex Benth (Scrophulariaceae), acts as an inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) activity inhibiting its production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Transforming growth factor type beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a growth factor that produces inhibition of myogenesis, diminution of regeneration and induction of atrophy in skeletal muscle. The typical signalling that is activated by TGF-beta involves the Smad pathway. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of TGF-beta and the effect of apocynin on TGF-beta 1 expression in skeletal muscle cells. Study design: Controlled laboratory study. In vitro assays were performed with C2C12 cells incubated with TGF-beta 1 in presence or absence of apocynin (NOX inhibitor), SB525334 (TGF-beta-receptor I inhibitor), or chelerythrine (PKC inhibitor). Methods: TGF-beta 1 and atrogin-1 expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR and/or ELISA; Smad3 phosphorylation by western blot; Smad4 nuclear translocation by indirect immunofluorescence; and ROS levels by DCF probe fluorescent measurements. Results: We show that myoblasts respond to TGF-beta 1 by increasing its own gene expression in a time- and dose-dependent fashion which was abolished by SB525334 and siRNA for Smad2/3. TGF-beta 1 also induced ROS. Remarkably, apocynin inhibited the TGF-beta 1 induced ROS as well as the autoinduction of TGF-beta 1 gene expression. We also show that TGF-beta-induced ROS production and TGF-beta 1 expression require PKC activity as indicated by the inhibition using chelerythrine. Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that TGF-beta induces its own expression through a TGF-beta-receptor/Smad-dependent mechanism and apocynin is able to inhibit this process, suggesting that requires NOX-induced ROS in skeletal muscle cells. (C) 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.