Polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz(PAMK) protects against DEHP-induced apoptosis in grass carp hepatocytes

Quercetin Alleviates Pyroptosis and Necroptosis Triggered on by DEHP Exposure in Bursa of Fabricius in Chicken by the ROS/MAPK/NF-κB Pathway

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is an endocrine disruptor that may cause damage to several species. Quercetin (Que), a common flavonoid, has anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and immune regulation properties. In this study, we identified DEHP-exposed or Que-antagonist groups in chicken and MSB-1 cells to explore whether Que can mitigate DEHP-caused bursa of Fabricius pyroptosis and necroptosis. The findings demonstrated that Que reduced the expression of necroptosis and pyroptosis, inhibited the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/NF-κB pathway, and mitigated oxidative stress caused by DEHP. The addition of the reactive oxygen species activator (Sanguinarin) raised the extent of oxidative stress, and the NF-κB activator (nuclear factor-kappa-B activator1, NF-κB act1) activated the MAPK/NF-κB pathway compared to the Que + DEHP group. In conclusion, Que inhibited the MAPK/NF-κB pathway to counteract DEHP-induced bursa pyroptosis and programmed necrosis. This work adds to the toxicological consequences of DEHP on avian further theoretical justification for Que's treatment of organic toxic damage.

Research progress on extraction, separation, structure, and biological activities of polysaccharides from the genus Atractylodes: A review

Plants of the genus Atractylodes are perennial herbaceous plants in the family Asteraceae, whose rhizome is often used in the production of medicines and health products. There are 6 main species in this genus, namely A. macrocephala, A. lancea, A. chinensis, A. carlinoides, A. koreana and A. japonica. Among them, A. lancea and A. macrocephala are the most extensively investigated. Polysaccharides as the main active ingredients extracted and isolated from plants in this genus, show good pharmacological activities in vivo and in vitro, such as immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic and intestinal protective activities. The pharmacological activities of polysaccharides are closely related to their extraction methods and physicochemical properties. This article discusses the extraction and separation methods, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, chemical structure characteristics and pharmacological activities of polysaccharides from the genus Atractylodes. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the relationship of monosaccharide composition, relative molecular weight and structural modifications with the pharmacological activities of polysaccharides of the genus Atractylodes was carried out, which provided a reference for the development and utility of polysaccharides.

Quercetin antagonizes apoptosis, autophagy and immune dysfunction induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate via ROS/ASK1/JNK pathway

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer that can damage various organizations and physiques through oxidative stress. Quercetin (Que) is a rich polyphenol flavonoid with good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the protection mechanism of Que against DEHP exposure-induced IPEC-J2 cell injury and the implication of autophagy, apoptosis and immunity are still unclear. In this experiment, we looked into the toxicity regime of DEHP exposure on IPEC-J2 cells and the antagonistic function of Que on DEHP. In the experiment, 135 μM DEHP and/or 80 μM Que were used to treat the IPEC-J2 cells for 24h. Experiments indicated that DEHP exposure can cause increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels leading to oxidative stress, decreased CAT, T-AOC and GSH-Px activities, increased MDA and H2O2 accumulation, activated the ASK1/JNK signalling pathway, and further increases in the levels of apoptosis markers Bax, Caspase3, Caspase9, and Cyt-c, while reduced the Bcl-2 expression. DEHP also increased the expression of genes linked to autophagy (ATG5, Beclin1, LC3), while decreasing the expression of P62. Additionally, DEHP exposure led to elevated levels of IL1-β, IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF expression. When exposed to Que alone, there were no significant changes in cellular oxidative stress level, ASK1/JNK signalling pathway expression level, apoptosis, autophagy and cellular immune function. The combination of DEHP and Que treatment remarkably decreased the proportion of autophagy and apoptosis, and recovered cellular immunity. In summary, Que can attenuate DEHP-induced apoptosis and autophagy in IPEC-J2 cells by regulating the ROS/ASK1/JNK signalling pathway and improving the immune dysfunction of IPEC-J2 cells.

Novel insights into DEHP-induced zebrafish spleen damage: Cellular apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and innate immunity

DEHP (Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is the most abundant phthalate component detected in environmental samples as it is widely used in the manufacturing of children's toys, medical devices and furniture. Due to its wide prevalence and propensity to accumulate in the food chain, significant concerns have risen about the safety profile of DEHP. Here, we used a zebrafish model to investigate the toxicity mechanisms of DEHP. Our results indicated that exposure to DEHP altered the ROS content in zebrafish spleen and inhibited the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT, detoxification enzyme GSH-Px and induced histopathological damage. In addition, elucidated the mechanism of DEHP significantly promoted apoptosis and caused damage in spleen cells through the bax/bcl-2 pathway. Further genetic testing demonstrated significant alterations in mitochondrial biogenesis, fission, and fusion-related genes and suggested potential mechanistic pathways, including GM10532/m6A/FIS1 axis, the STAT3/POA1 axis, and the NFR1/TFAM axis. Serological and genomic analysis indicated that DEHP exposure activated the C3 complement cascade immune pathway and interfered with innate immune function. IBRv2 analysis proposes that innate immunity may serve as a signal indicator of early toxic responses to DEHP pollutants. This study provided comprehensive cellular and genetic data for DEHP toxicity studies and emphasized the need for future management and remediation of DEHP contamination. It also provides data to specifically support the health risk assessments of DEHP, as well as contributing to broader health and environmental research.

Quercetin alleviates DEHP exposure-induced pyroptosis and cytokine expression changes in grass carp L8824 cell line by inhibiting ROS/MAPK/NF-κB pathway

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is not only a widely used plasticizer but also a common endocrine disruptor that frequently lingers in water, posing a threat to the health of aquatic organisms. Quercetin (Que) is a common flavonol found in the plant kingdom known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. However, it is still unclear whether DEHP can cause pyroptosis and affect the expression of cytokines of grass carp L8824 cells and whether Que has antagonistic effect in this process. In our study, grass carp L8824 cells were treated into four groups after 24 h, namely NC group, DEHP group (1000 μM DEHP), Que group (5 μM Que), and DEHP + Que group (1000 μM DEHP + 5 μM Que). Our results indicate a significant increase in the level of ROS in L8824 cells after exposure to DEHP. DEHP upregulated oxidative stress markers (H2O2 and MDA) and downregulated antioxidant markers (CAT, GSH, SOD, and T-AOC). DEHP also upregulated MAPK and NF-κB signal pathway-related proteins and mRNA expressions (p-p38, p-JNK, p-EPK, and p65). As for cell pyroptosis and its related pathways, DEHP upregulated pyroptosis-related protein and mRNA expressions (GSDMD, IL-1β, NLRP3, Caspase-1, LDH, pro-IL-18, IL-18, and ASC). Finally, DEHP can up-regulated cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) expression, down-regulated cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ) expression, and antimicrobial peptides (β-defensin, LEAP2, and HEPC). The co-treatment of L8824 cells with DEHP and Que inhibited the activation of the ROS/MAPK/NF-κB axis, alleviated pyroptosis, and restored expression of immune-related indicators. Finally, NAC was applied to reverse intervention of oxidative stress. In summary, Que inhibited DEHP-induced pyroptosis and the influence on cytokine and antimicrobial peptide expression in L8824 cells by regulating the ROS/MAPK/NF-κB pathway. Our results demonstrate the threat to fish health from DEHP exposure and confirmed the harm of DEHP to the aquatic ecological environment and the detoxification effect of Que to DEHP, which provides a theoretical basis for environmental toxicology.