Effect of high fat diet on NF-кB microRNA146a negative feedback loop in ovalbumin-sensitized rats

Recent advances in mechanistic studies of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and its comorbidities-Role of microRNAs

BACKGROUND

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a multifaceted syndrome with a complex aetiology commonly associated with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension and renal disease. Various diseases induce systemic, chronic and low-grade inflammation; microvascular dysfunction; metabolic stress; tissue ischemia; and fibrosis, leading to HFpEF. An effective treatment for HFpEF is lacking, largely owing to its pathophysiological heterogeneity. Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating the pathogenesis of HFpEF and its comorbidities.

METHODS

This narrative review included original articles and reviews published over the past 20 years found through 'PubMed' and 'Web of Science'. The search terms included "HFpEF," "MicroRNAs," "comorbidities," "Microvascular Dysfunction (MVD)," "inflammation," "pathophysiology," "endothelial dysfunction," "energy metabolism abnormalities" "cardiac fibrosis" and "treatment."

RESULTS

Inflammation, MVD, abnormal energy metabolism, myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis are important pathophysiological mechanisms underlying HFpEF. As gene expression regulators, miRNAs may contribute to the pathophysiology of HFpEF and are expected to serve in the stratification of patients with HFpEF and as prognostic indicators for monitoring treatment responses.

CONCLUSIONS

A customized strategy based on miRNAs has emerged as an effective treatment for HFpEF. In this review, we discuss recent research surrounding miRNAs and HFpEF and propose potential miRNA targets for the pathophysiology of HFpEF and its comorbidities. Although current research concerning miRNAs and their therapeutic potential is in its early stages, miRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics hold great promise in the future.

Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes: novel carriers for nanoparticle to combat cancer

BACKGROUND

The advancement in novel cancer therapeutics brought a platform combining the properties of exosomes with nanoparticles to precision medicine. The novel therapeutic approach aim is cancer-targeted therapy. Exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs-Exo) exhibit unique properties in cancer therapies, which makes them an ideal tool for delivering therapeutic agents into tumor cells. The key role of natural MSCs-Exo is controversial in cancer therapy; however, they can be engineered at their surface or cargo to serve as a smart drug delivery system for cancer-targeted therapy. In the last few years, researchers harnessed nanotechnology to enforce MSCs-Exo for cancer management including, tumor cell tracking, imaging, and tumor cell killing. Different nanoparticles such as gold nanoparticles have particularly been incorporated into MSCs-Exo, which showed an efficient accumulation at the site of tumor with improved anticancer impact. These findings indicate that a hybrid of exosomes-nanoparticles may serve as combination therapy for the effective removal of cancers.

SHORT CONCLUSION

Although exhibiting impressive potential, the use of nanoparticle-loaded MSCs-Exo as a drug-delivery tool has been troubled by some challenges, therefore, translation to clinic prerequisites further scrutiny. In this review, we focus on nanoparticle-loaded MSCs-Exo as a new cancer therapy and discuss engineered MSC-Exo for target therapy.

Tumor cells-derived exosomal noncoding RNAs in cancer angiogenesis: Molecular mechanisms and prospective

Exosomes, heterogeneous, membrane-bound nanoparticles that originated from eukaryotic cells, contribute to intracellular communication by transferring various biomolecules both on their surface and as internal cargo. One of the most significant current discussions on cancer progression is noncoding RNAs cargo of exosomes, which can regulate angiogenesis in tumor. A growing body of evidence shows that exosomes from tumor cells contain various microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs that can promote tumor progression by inducing angiogenesis. However, some noncoding RNAs may inhibit cancer angiogenesis. Targeting angiogenic noncoding RNA of exosomes may serve as a hopeful implement for cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss the latest knowledge of the roles of exosomal noncoding RNAs in tumor angiogenesis Understanding the biology of exosomal noncoding RNAs can help scientists plan exosomes-based innovations for the treatment of cancer angiogenesis and cancer biomarkers.

Effect of voluntary wheel running on autophagy status in lung tissue of high-fat diet-fed rats

Here, we aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of voluntary wheel running (VWR) in high-fat diet-fed rats on pulmonary tissue injury via the modulation of autophagic response. Thirty-two rats were allocated into four groups; normal diet (Control); VWR; high-fat-diet (HFD), and HFD + VWR. After three months, pathological effect of HFD on pulmonary tissue was investigated. The levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We monitored the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and autophagy-related genes in lung tissues. H&E staining showed pathological changes in HFD group coincided with the increase of TNF-α levels in the bronchoalveolar fluid compared to the normal rats. Our results showed the up-regulation of IL-6, becline-1, LC3 and P62 in the HFD group compared to the Control group. VWR inhibited HFD-induced changes and could decrease HFD-induced changes via the regulation of autophagy status.

Adipolin and IL-6 Serum Levels in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective(s): One of the adipokines that have insulin-sensitizing properties is adipolin, whose reduced levels have been reported in obesity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The present study investigated serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and adipolin levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Method: A control case study included 60 COPD patients and 30 healthy subjects in the research and measured adipolin and IL-6 serum levels. In addition, serum adipolin levels in COPD patients were assessed according to the GOLD grade. The relationship between serum adipolin levels and study variables were also analyzed. Results: The results showed reduced adipolin levels in COPD patients compared with healthy individuals (p < 0.001). Furthermore, increased levels of IL-6 were evident in the COPD group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Adipolin serum levels were positively correlated with PFTs and negatively correlated with IL-6 levels. Conclusion: Decreased adipolin levels enhanced disease severity in COPD patients. It seems that the existence of a significant relationship between adipolin and IL-6 may indicate the role of adipolin in the pathophysiology of COPD.

Engineered extracellular vesicles: A novel platform for cancer combination therapy and cancer immunotherapy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), phospholipid membrane-bound vesicles, produced by most cells, contribute to cell-cell communication. They transfer several proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells both locally and systemically. Owing to the biocompatibility and immune activity of EVs, therapeutic approaches using these vesicles as drug delivery systems are being developed. Different methods are used to design more effective engineered EVs, which can serve as smart tools in cancer therapy and immunotherapy. Recent progress in the field of targeted-cancer therapy has led to the gradual use of engineered EVs in combinational therapy to combat heterogeneous tumor cells and multifaceted tumor microenvironments. The high plasticity, loading ability, and genetic manipulation capability of engineered EVs have made them the ideal platforms to realize numerous combinations of cancer therapy approaches. From the combination therapy view, engineered EVs can co-deliver chemotherapy with various therapeutic agents to target tumor cells effectively, further taking part in immunotherapy-related cancer combination therapy. However, a greater number of studies were done in pre-clinical platforms and the clinical translation of these studies needs further scrutiny because some challenges are associated with the application of engineered EVs. Given the many therapeutic potentials of engineered EVs, this review discusses their function in various cancer combination therapy and immunotherapy-related cancer combination therapy. In addition, this review describes the opportunities and challenges associated with the clinical application of engineered EVs.

Altered gene expression levels of IL-17/TRAF6/MAPK/USP25 axis and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in lung tissue of obese ovalbumin-sensitized rats

AIMS

The association between asthma and obesity has been shown but its accurate mechanism is unknown. In the current study, we sought to investigate the gene expression levels of IL-17/TRAF6/MAPK/USP25 axis and pro-inflammatory cytokine level (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in obese Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized female and male Wistar rats lung tissue.

MAIN METHODS

Animals in both males and females were divided into eight groups (four groups in each sex) based on diet and OVA-sensitization: normal diet, a normal diet with OVA-sensitization, high-fat diet (HFD), and OVA-sensitization with an HFD.

KEY FINDINGS

In both sexes, obese OVA-sensitized rats, the methacholine concentration-response curve shifted to the left and EC50 methacholine decreased. Increased pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as elevated IL-17/TRAF6/MAPK axis genes and decreased USP25 gene expression were identified in obese OVA-sensitized groups.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results indicate that in obese OVA-sensitized rats, the IL-17 axis were involved in the pathogenesis of the disease and can be considered as a therapeutic target in subjects with obesity-related asthma.

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles: The metastatic organotropism drivers

The continuous growing, spreading, and metastasis of tumor cells depend on intercellular communication within cells resident in a tissue environment. Such communication is mediated through the secretion of particles from tumor cells and resident cells known as extracellular vesicles (EVs) within a microenvironment. EVs are a heterogeneous population of membranous vesicles released from tumor cells that transfer many types of active biomolecules to recipient cells and induce physiologic and phenotypic alterations in the tissue environment. Spreading the 'seeds' of metastasis needs the EVs that qualify the 'soil' at distant sites to promote the progress of arriving tumor cells. Growing evidence indicates that EVs have vital roles in tumorigenesis, including pre-metastatic niche formation and organotropic metastasis. These EVs mediate organotropic metastasis by modifying the pre-metastatic microenvironment through different pathways including induction of phenotypic alternation and differentiation of cells, enrolment of distinct supportive stromal cells, up-regulation of the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, and induction of immunosuppressive status. However, instead of pre-metastatic niche formation, evidence suggests that EVs may mediate reawakening of dormant niches. Findings regarding EVs function in tumor metastasis have led to growing interests in the interdisciplinary significance of EVs, including targeted therapy, cell-free therapy, drug-delivery system, and diagnostic biomarker. In this review, we discuss EVs-mediated pre-metastatic niche formation and organotropic metastasis in visceral such as lung, liver, brain, lymph node, and bone with a focus on associated signaling, causing visceral environment hospitable for metastatic cells. Furthermore, we present an overview of the possible therapeutic application of EVs in cancer management.

Crocin attenuates inflammation of lung tissue in ovalbumin-sensitized mice by altering the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The present study aimed to investigate the reducing or suppressing effects of crocin in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice on ER stress markers. Mice were divided into six groups (n = 5 per group) including control, OVA-sensitized (OVA), OVA-treated crocin (OVA-Cr25, OVA-Cr50, and OVA-Cr100 mg/kg), and OVA-treated dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), (OVA-Dexa) groups. Animals 5 later groups were sensitized to OVA and the treatment groups received intraperitoneally crocin/dexamethasone in the last 5 days of the model. At the end of the study, lung tissue was evaluated for airway inflammation, caspase 12 and CHOP protein levels, and expression of ER stress markers using real-time-PCR. Sensitization with OVA significantly caused airway inflammation and induction of ER stress in mice compared to the control group based on the elevated inflammatory cells and ER stress markers in the lung tissue. Treatment with crocin and dexamethasone reduced airway inflammation and suppressed ER stress markers. Interestingly, in the OVA-Cr100 group, the suppressive effects on ER stress apoptotic markers were comparable to the OVA-Dexa group. The results suggest that crocin mediates maladaptive ER stress conditions possibly by creating adaptive ER stress status and driving protein folding correctly.

Emodin inhibits NF-κB signaling pathway to protect obese asthmatic rats from pathological damage via Visfatin

PURPOSE

Emodin has a protective effect on asthma. Obesity is closely related to asthma. We further explored the role of Emodin in obese asthmatic rats.

METHODS

Ovalbumin (OVA) was used to induce asthma model, and high fat diet (HFD) was used to induce obese rat model. Body weight was measured before and after the modeling. Serum lipid levels were evaluated using commercial kits. Then, lung tissue and airway tissue of rat were separated forin vivo. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) analyzed the extent of lung lesions. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR assessed the mRNA expression of Visfatin and Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay measured NF-κB protein expression in airway tissues. MTT, Brdu and Western blot detected cell viability, proliferation and NF-κB level of human bronchial epithelial cells 16HBE, respectively.

RESULTS

Asthma and Emodin alone had no effect on the body weight of normal rats, while HFD promoted the body weight of rats and could be reversed by Emodin. Both asthma and obesity promoted the pathological damage of rat lungs, including emphysema, lipid accumulation, edema changes, lymphoid hypertrophy and airway smooth muscle hyperplasia as well as lipid accumulation in surum, and Emodin treatment could reduce the damage. In the airway tissues of asthma and obesity models, up-regulated Visfatin mRNA and NF-κB protein were observed. In 16HBE, Emodin reversed Visfatin's role in promoting cell viability, proliferation and activating NF-κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Emodin inhibited NF-κB expression to relieve the pathological symptoms of obese asthmatic rats by Visfatin.

Sulindac and vitamin D3 synergically inhibit proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cell through AMPK/Akt/β-catenin axis in vitro

Breast cancer is associated with a high rate of recurrence, resistance therapy and mortality worldwide. We aimed at investigating the inhibitory effects of Sulindac and vitamin D3 (VD) on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were cultured with different concentrations of Sulindac and VD over a period of 24, 48 and 72 hours for cell viability and IC50 experiments. Hochst staining was used to evaluate apoptosis, whereas quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to measure mRNA levels of BCL-2 and BAX genes. Immunofluorescence staining was used to monitor intracellular β-catenin expression. The protein levels of AKT, AMPK and P65 were measured by western blotting. The result showed that cell viability decreased in treated cells dose/time dependently (P < .05). Hochst staining showed an increase in fragmented nuclei in treated cells. The expression of BCL-2 and BAX genes decreased and increased in treated cells, respectively (P < .05). Immunofluorescence staining indicated that the expression of β-catenin significantly reduced in treated cells. The AKT-1/p-Akt-1 and AMPK/p-AMPK ratio increased in treated cells (P < .05), but the P65/p-P65 ratio did not change significantly (P > .05). Our results indicated that the combination of Sulindac and VD has a growth-inhibiting effect on MCF-7 cells through AMPK/Akt/β-catenin axis.

Impact of obesity and ovariectomy on respiratory function in female mice

Obesity and the corresponding variations in female sex hormones are associated with severe lung disease. We determined the potential effects of obesity and sex hormones in female mice by investigating changes in lung structure and respiratory function in an obesity model induced by postnatal overnutrition. Obese female mice exhibited pronounced weight gain, abdominal fat accumulation and collagen type I deposition in the airways. However, neither elastic tissue nor estrogen receptors-α/-β were affected in obese female mice after ovariectomy or sham-operated mice. Bronchoconstriction in response to methacholine challenge in obese sham-operated mice was higher than in the obese group after ovariectomy. Our results suggest that the coexistence of obesity and ovariectomy impacted on respiratory system and airway resistance (attenuates bronchoconstriction after methacholine), on collagen I deposition and on airway estrogen β-receptors of mice.

Chronic asthmatic condition modulated the onset of aging in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

The emergence of an inflammatory condition such as asthma could affect the therapeutic potential of stem cells. Synopsis of previous documents yielded controversial outcomes, leading to a limitation of stem cell-based therapy in the clinical setting. This study aimed to assess the impact of asthmatic serum on the MSCs aging and dynamic growth in vitro. Rats were divided into control and asthmatic groups randomly. The asthmatic change was induced using OVA sensitization. The asthmatic structural changes are monitored by conventional Haematoxylin-Eosin staining. Thereafter, blood samples were taken and sera provided from each group. In this study, primary bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in culture medium supplemented with normal and asthmatic serum for 7 days. The MSCs viability was examined using the MTT assay. The expression of the aging-related gene (β-galactosidase), and stemness-related markers such as Sox2, Kfl-4 and p16^INK4a were analysed by real-time PCR assay. Histological examination revealed chronic inflammatory remodelling which is identical to asthmatic changes. MTT assay showed a reduction of mesenchymal stem cell viability compared to the control group (P < .05). Real-time PCR analysis revealed a down-regulation of stemness-related markers Sox2, Kfl-4 and p16^INK4a coincided with aging changes (β-galactosidase) compared to the control group (P < .05). These data show the detrimental effect of asthmatic condition on bone marrow regenerative potential by accelerating early-stage aging in different stem cells and further progenitor cell depletion. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: In such inflammatory conditions as asthma, the therapeutic potential of stem cells may be altered. We demonstrate that serum from asthmatic rats had the potential to reduce the viability of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. Furthermore, we observed that the expression of the aging-related gene known β-galactosidase was statistically increased in cells co-cultured with asthmatic serum. At the same time, expression of stemness-related markers Sox2, Kfl-4 and p16^INK4a down-regulated. These results support the damaging effect of asthmatic condition on bone marrow regenerative ability by inducing early-stage aging in stem cells and additional progenitor cell reduction.

Correlation of Serum Adipolin with Epicardial Fat Thickness and Severity of Coronary Artery Diseases in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Stable Angina Pectoris Patients

OBJECTIVE

Adipolin/C1q/TNF-related protein-12 is a family of CTRPs highly expressed in adipose tissue with glucose-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects. Various risk factors have been suggested in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, such as a decrease in anti-inflammatory or an increase in inflammatory factors. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation of adipolin with anthropometric, angiographic, echocardiographic, and biochemical parameters.

SUBJECT AND METHODS

A total of 90 patients who were candidates for angiography were included in the study and divided into 3 groups: 30 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 30 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP), and 30 subjects as a control group with a history of chest pain but normal angiography. Anthropometric, angiographic, echocardiographic, and biochemical parameters were measured in all subjects.

RESULTS

Serum adipolin levels were significantly decreased in patients with AMI compared with the SAP and control groups (p < 0.001 for both). In addition, there was a negative association between serum levels of adipolin and epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and Gensini score in CAD patients. The results of multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that EFT values were independently associated with serum adipolin levels.

CONCLUSION

The current study showed an independent association of adipolin with EFT for the first time in patients with AMI. Decreased adipolin levels in patients with AMI may be involved in the process of atherosclerosis, which requires further study.

Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extract improved reproduction capacity and behavioral activity in rats exposed to immobilization stress

This study was conducted to evaluate the Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extract on fertility capacity and behavioral features in rats exposed to immobilization stress. Male rats were randomly divided into five groups; Control; Stressed rats; and Stressed rats received 50, 100 and/or 200 mg/kg bw S. officinalis hydroalcoholic extract. To induce stress, rats were immobilized for 49 days and received S. officinalis extract orally. On day 56, we analyzed behavioral tests and evaluated reproduction capacity by measuring LH, FSH, and testosterone. Sperm parameters such as motility, viability, and total count were also determined. Bodyweight changes were also calculated on day 56. Male rats from different groups were mated with healthy female rats. Data showed that the use of 100 and 200 mg/kg bw S. officinalis extract in stressed rats increased bodyweight gain and improved behavioral disorders compared to control-matched groups (p < .05). Besides, administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg bw S. officinalis extract had the potential to improve sperm parameters and fertility capacity in stressed rats (p < .05). Decreased testosterone levels were blunted in the stressed rats that received plant extract coincided with the reduction of LH and FSH compared to control-matched stressed rats (p < .05). We found neutral effects in stressed rats that received 50 mg/kg bw plant extract. Collectively, the hydroalcoholic extract of S. officinalis could improve the fertility capacity and behavioral features under stressful conditions in a dose-dependent manner.

Protective Effect of Trans-chalcone Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation Is Associated with Changes in miR-146a And pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Expression in Male Rats

High-fat diet (HFD) increases the risk of non-communicable inflammatory diseases including pulmonary disorders. Trans-chalcone is a chalcone with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to explore the effect of this natural compound and molecular mechanism of its effect on HFD-induced pulmonary inflammation. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four main groups (n = 7 per each group): control, receiving 10% tween 80; Chal, receiving trans-chalcone, HFD, receiving a high-fat emulsion and 10% tween 80; HFD + Chal, receiving a high-fat emulsion and trans-chalcone. After 6 weeks, the lungs were dissected, and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and miR-146a were determined using real-time PCR. Moreover, histological analysis was done by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Significant elevations in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and miR-146a expression levels (P < 0.001) were observed within the lungs of HFD-fed rats compared with the control. However, oral administration of trans-chalcone reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 (P < 0.001), and miR-146a (P < 0.05) expression levels and also improved HFD-induced histological abnormalities. These findings indicate that trans-chalcone ameliorates lung inflammatory response and structural alterations. It seems that this beneficial effect is associated with the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and miR-146a.

Modification of lung endoplasmic reticulum genes expression and NF-kB protein levels in obese ovalbumin-sensitized male and female rats

AIMS

Previous studies showed a close relationship between obesity and asthma. In this study, we investigated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress genes in the lung tissue of obese ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized male and female rats.

MAIN METHODS

The rats were divided into eight groups (n = 5 per group) as follows: female and male rats fed with normal diet (FND and MND, respectively), female and male OVA-sensitized rats fed with normal diet (F-OND and M-OND, respectively), female and male rats fed with high-fat diet (F-HFD and M-HFD, respectively), female and male OVA-sensitized rats fed with high-fat diet (F-OHFD and M-OHFD, respectively). All rats were fed with a high-fat diet or standard pelts for 8 weeks, and for another 4 weeks, they were sensitized by OVA or saline. At the end of the study, lung tissue NF-kB protein level was assessed, and ER stress markers genes expression was determined by Real Time-PCR.

KEY FINDING

OVA-sensitization and diet-induced obesity caused the curve of methacholine concentration-response to shift to the left. In addition, the results indicated that the EC50 (the effective concentration of methacholine generating 50% of peak response) in F-OHFD rats was statistically lower than that of the M-OHFD group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results showed that diet-induced obesity increased the expression of ATF4, ATF6, GRP78, XBP-1, and CHOP as well as the protein level of NF-kB in this experimental model of asthma, markedly in the F-OHFD group.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results suggest that ER stress may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma observed in obese OVA-sensitized rats, especially in the female animals.