Inhibition of xanthine oxidase alleviated pancreatic necrosis via HIF-1α-regulated LDHA and NLRP3 signaling pathway in acute pancreatitis

HIF-1α Enhances Intestinal Injury and Inflammation in Severe Acute Pancreatitis Through NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

BACKGROUND

Severe Acute Pancreatitis (SAP) is associated with significant intestinal injury and inflammation. Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) and NLRP3 inflammasome have been implicated in this process, but their specific roles remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to elucidate the roles of HIF-1α and NLRP3 in the pathogenesis of SAP and their effects on intestinal injury, barrier function, and inflammatory responses.

METHODS

A SAP rat model was established, and histological changes were assessed via HE staining. Western blot was used to analyze HIF-1α and NLRP3 expression in intestinal mucosa. The effects of HIF-1α modulation were examined using the activator DMOG and inhibitor BAY87-2243. Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate intestinal barrier function, permeability markers, and apoptosis.

RESULTS

HIF-1α and NLRP3 expression significantly increased in SAP rats, peaking at 72 h. HIF-1α activation aggravated intestinal injury and barrier dysfunction, decreasing tight junction protein levels and increasing epithelial apoptosis. Enhanced intestinal permeability and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines were also observed. Furthermore, HIF-1α activation promoted NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, resulting in increased caspase-1 and IL-1β expression.

CONCLUSION

HIF-1α exacerbates intestinal injury and inflammation in SAP, likely through NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Targeting HIF-1α may offer a potential therapeutic approach for SAP-induced damage and inflammation.

New Pyranopyrazole-Based Indolin-2,3-Dione Hybrid as Effective Inhibitors of Xanthine Oxidase: Synthesis, In Vitro, and Molecular Modeling Approaches

In the current study, new pyranopyrazole analogs (9a-d and 10a-d) were synthesized through a one-pot condensation reaction of 2-arylacetohydrazide. The inhibitory abilities were investigated against the xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme through experimental and molecular docking analyses. The synthesis studies were based on ultrasound-mediated condensation reactions of four-component containing 2-arylacetohydrazide, ethyl acetoacetate, indoline-2,3-dione, and ethyl 2-cyanoacetate/malononitrile in various solvents and catalysts to yield pyranopyrazole analogs (9a-d and 10a-d) in a short reaction time and remarkably favorable yields ranging from 79% to 92%. On the basis of the XO inhibition study of compounds 9a-d and 10a-d, compound 10d was the most potent (IC50 = 0.09 ± 0.22 µM), followed by 9c (0.12 ± 0.11 µM). With IC50 values of 0.20 ± 0.27 and 0.17 ± 0.11 µM respectively, compounds 10a and 10c exhibited moderate activity. The other compounds have shown less activity compared to the allopurinol control (IC50 = 0.14 ± 0.10 µM). Furthermore, in the molecular docking analysis, compound 10d was predicted to have the highest binding affinity against the target XO enzyme.

Exosomes in acute pancreatitis: Pathways to cellular death regulation and clinical application potential

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory condition of the digestive system which, in severe cases, can lead to persistent organ failure (POF). Developing novel therapeutic interventions and diagnostic biomarkers is critical to improve the management and prognosis of this disease. Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles, can reflect the inflammatory state of the pancreas, providing valuable insights into disease progression. Moreover, these vesicles are essential mediators of intercellular communication, modulating inflammatory responses by affecting patterns of cell death and macrophage polarization-key factors in determining AP clinical outcomes. Their stability, bioavailability, and capacity to transport various bioactive molecules render exosomes promising tools for early diagnosis and precision therapy, potentially enhancing patient outcomes. This review highlights the innovative potential of exosomes in transforming the management of AP, providing a foundation for more accurate diagnostics and targeted treatments with clinical applicability.

Identification and mechanistic analysis of shared biomarkers and pathogenesis in acute pancreatitis and sepsis based on differential gene expression and protein interaction networks

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common gastrointestinal inflammatory disease that requires hospitalization, with 40-70% of patients in moderate to severe stages potentially developing sepsis, which is closely related to high mortality rates and poor prognosis. Therefore, early identification of AP patients at risk of developing sepsis is crucial for reducing mortality. This study aims to identify core genes associated with sepsis to provide new core genes for early warning and management of patients with acute pancreatitis. The study utilized the GSE54514, GSE57065, GSE95233, and GSE194331 datasets for analysis, employing weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction. Six core genes were identified using two machine learning methods and validated with the GSE3644 and GSE28750 datasets. The analysis revealed that the identified core genes (NDUFA1, COX7A2, COX7B, UQCRQ, SNRPG, and NDUFA4) are related to the oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) pathway, and significant differences were observed in the immune cell composition between AP and sepsis patients. SNRPG may play a role in the progression from AP to sepsis by regulating NDUFA4, linking it to cellular metabolism and redox balance. The newly identified core genes and their associated molecular mechanisms provide important clinical insights into the progression of acute pancreatitis to sepsis, potentially offering new research directions for future therapeutic strategies. Clinical trial number: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of (Municipal Hospital affiliated to Taizhou University), in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval number: LWSL202400220.

Unveiling the Emerging Role of Xanthine Oxidase in Acute Pancreatitis: Beyond Reactive Oxygen Species

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially fatal acute digestive disease that is widespread globally. Although significant progress has been made in the previous decade, the study of mechanisms and therapeutic strategies is still far from being completed. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an enzyme that catalyzes hypoxanthine and xanthine to produce urate and is accompanied by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in purine catabolism. Considerable preclinical and clinical studies have been conducted over many decades to investigate the role of XO in the pathogenesis of AP and its potential targeting therapeutic value. There is no doubt that the ROS generated by irreversibly activated XO participates in the local pancreas and multiple organ failure during AP. However, the optimal timing and doses for therapeutic interventions targeting XO in animal studies and the clinic, as well as the additional molecular mechanisms through which XO contributes to disease onset and progression, including metabolic regulation, remain to be elucidated. This review summarized the benefits and contradictions of using XO inhibitors in animal models, offered mechanisms other than ROS, and discussed the difficulties faced in clinical trials. We hope to provide a perspective on the future worthwhile basic and clinical research on XO by analyzing its chemical and biological characteristics, as well as the progress of its regulatory mechanisms in AP.

Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in acute pancreatitis: Pathogenesis and new therapeutic interventions

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common acute gastrointestinal disorder affecting approximately 20% of patients with systemic inflammatory responses that may cause pancreatic and peripancreatic fat necrosis. This condition often progresses to multiple organ failure, significantly increasing morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress, characterized by an imbalance between the body's reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, activates the inflammatory signaling pathways. Although the pathogenesis of AP is not fully understood, ROS are increasingly recognized as critical in the disease's progression and development. Modulating the oxidative stress pathway has shown efficacy in mitigating the progression of AP. Despite numerous basic studies examining this pathway, comprehensive reviews of recent research remain sparse. This systematic review offers an in-depth examination of the critical role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and progression of AP and evaluates the therapeutic potential of antioxidant interventions in its management.

The role of the interplay between macrophage glycolytic reprogramming and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe respiratory condition associated with elevated morbidity and mortality. Understanding their complex pathophysiological mechanisms is crucial for developing new preventive and therapeutic strategies. Recent studies highlight the significant role of inflammation involved in ALI/ARDS, particularly the hyperactivation of the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in macrophages. This activation drives pulmonary inflammation by releasing inflammatory signalling molecules and is linked to metabolic reprogramming, marked by increased glycolysis and reduced oxidative phosphorylation. However, the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasome activation and macrophage glycolytic reprogramming in ALI/ARDS, as well as the molecular mechanisms regulating these processes, remain elusive. This review provides a detailed description of the interactions and potential mechanisms linking NLRP3 inflammasome activation with macrophage glycolytic reprogramming, proposing that glycolytic reprogramming may represent a promising therapeutic target for mitigating inflammatory responses in ALI/ARDS. KEY POINTS: NLRP3 inflammasome activation is pivotal in mediating the excessive inflammatory response in ALI/ARDS. Glycolytic reprogramming regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Therapeutic potential of targeting glycolytic reprogramming to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation in ALI/ARDS.

Pancreatic Morphology, Immunology, and the Pathogenesis of Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a complex inflammatory disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. This review aims to integrate the current knowledge of pancreatic morphology and immunology with the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, providing a comprehensive understanding of this critical condition. We conducted an extensive literature review, synthesizing data from recent studies and authoritative sources on pancreatic anatomy, histology, immunology, and the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis. We also incorporated epidemiological data, clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and prognostic factors. The pancreas exhibits a complex morphology with intricate interactions between its exocrine and endocrine components. Its unique immunological landscape plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and orchestrating responses to pathological conditions. In acute pancreatitis, the disruption of intracellular calcium signaling leads to premature enzyme activation, triggering a cascade of events including mitochondrial dysfunction, ATP depletion, and the release of proinflammatory mediators. This process can escalate from localized inflammation to systemic complications. The interplay between pancreatic morphology, immune responses, and pathophysiological mechanisms contributes to the varied clinical presentations and outcomes observed in acute pancreatitis. Understanding the intricate relationships between pancreatic morphology, immunology, and the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis is crucial for developing more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This integrated approach provides new insights into the complex nature of acute pancreatitis and may guide future research directions in pancreatic disorders.