Oleic acid alleviates LPS-induced acute kidney injury by restraining inflammation and oxidative stress via the Ras/MAPKs/PPAR-γ signaling pathway

Antioxidants in anti-Alzheimer's disease drug discovery

Oxidative stress is widely recognized as a key contributor to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). While not the sole factor, it is closely linked to critical pathological features, such as the formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The development of agents with antioxidant properties has become an area of growing interest in AD research. Between 2015 and 2024, several antioxidant-targeted drugs for AD progressed to clinical trials, with increasing attention to the evaluation of antioxidant properties during their development. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in linking various AD hypotheses, underscoring its importance in understanding the disease mechanisms. Despite this, comprehensive reviews addressing advancements in AD drug development from the perspective of antioxidant capacity remain limited, hindering the design of novel compounds. This review aims to explore the mechanistic relationship between oxidative stress and AD, summarize methods for assessing antioxidant capacity, and provide an overview of antioxidant compounds with anti-AD properties reported over the past decade. The goal is to offer strategies for identifying effective antioxidant-based therapies for AD and to deepen our understanding of the role of oxidative stress in AD pathology.

Oleic acid regulates CD4+ T cells differentiation by targeting ODC1-mediated STAT5A phosphorylation in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

BACKGROUND

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) is a multisystemic autoimmune disorder characterized by bilateral panuveitis frequently accompanied by neurologic manifestations. While metabolic dysregulation is increasingly recognized in the context of autoimmune diseases, the role of specific metabolites in VKH disease remains unexplored.

METHODS

Non-targeted and targeted metabolomics analysis, phospho-antibody array, proteome microarray, surface plasmon resonance, and molecular simulation were used to identify molecular target of OA.

RESULTS

We investigated metabolic profile of VKH disease and found that oleic acid (OA) was enriched in this disease. A series of functional assays showed that OA could exacerbate experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in association with increased frequency of Th1 and Th17 cells and decreased proportion of Treg cells in vitro. However, the specific molecular target of OA remains elusive. Through proteome microarrays, molecular simulations and surface plasmon resonance assays, Ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1) was identified as target protein of OA. OA could bind to ODC1, increase ODC1 protein expression in both a time- and concentration-dependent manner and promote subsequently putrescine production. Phospho-antibody array analysis revealed that OA inhibited phosphorylation of STAT5A (Y694) in CD4+T cells, leading to imbalance of Th1/Th17 and Treg cells and decreased transcription of IL-10. OA upregulated ODC1 protein and putrescine levels through binding to LYS-78, inhibited phosphorylation of STAT5A protein and subsequently decreased binding of STAT5A at IL-10 promoter.

CONCLUSION

These results reveals that OA could be a crucial metabolite for modulation of CD4+T cell differentiation and that ODC1-mediated phosphorylation and transcriptional activity of STAT5A contributes to development of VKH disease progression, highlighting ODC1 as a novel therapeutic target in VKH disease.

Naringenin cationic lipid-modified nanoparticles mitigate MASLD progression by modulating lipid homeostasis and gut microbiota

Naringenin (NAR) possesses various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. However, its therapeutic efficacy is limited by its hydrophobic and crystalline nature. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms of NAR efficiently loaded into cationic nanoparticles (NP-NAR) for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in a mouse model. The results demonstrated that NP-NAR effectively ameliorated lipid metabolism dysbiosis, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and inflammation in MASLD mice. Transcriptomic analysis and molecular data revealed that NP-NAR promoted fatty acid oxidation via activation of the PPAR signaling pathway, reduced hepatic lipid uptake and lipogenesis by inhibiting the expressions of key genes including CD36, ACC, and FASN. Moreover, NP-NAR modulated cholesterol metabolism by inhibiting the classical bile acid synthesis pathway. 16 S rDNA gene sequencing revealed a disbalanced gut microbiota in MASLD mice, whereas NP-NAR treatment statistically reversed the abundance changes of several intestinal bacteria at the phylum and genus levels, which partly contributed to the balance in intestinal metabolite production, including short-chain fatty acids. In conclusion, these findings suggest that NP-NAR may be a promising candidate for the treatment of obesity-associated MASLD, offering new insight into the mechanisms underlying NAR's efficacy against MASLD.

Metabolomics- and proteomics-based multi-omics integration reveals early metabolite alterations in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury

BACKGROUND

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is a frequent complication in patients with sepsis and is associated with high mortality. Therefore, early recognition of SA-AKI is essential for administering supportive treatment and preventing further damage. This study aimed to identify and validate metabolite biomarkers of SA-AKI to assist in early clinical diagnosis.

METHODS

Untargeted renal proteomic and metabolomic analyses were performed on the renal tissues of LPS-induced SA-AKI and sepsis mice. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) monitoring technology was used to evaluate real-time renal function in mice. To elucidate the distinctive characteristics of SA-AKI, a multi-omics Spearman correlation network was constructed integrating core metabolites, proteins, and renal function. Subsequently, metabolomics analysis was used to explore the dynamic changes of core metabolites in the serum of SA-AKI mice at 0, 8, and 24 h. Finally, a clinical cohort (28 patients with SA-AKI vs. 28 patients with sepsis) serum quantitative metabolomic analysis was carried out to build a diagnostic model for SA-AKI via logistic regression (LR).

RESULTS

Thirteen differential renal metabolites and 112 differential renal proteins were identified through a multi-omics study of SA-AKI mice. Subsequently, a multi-omics correlation network was constructed to highlight five core metabolites, i.e., 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 3-hydroxymethylglutaric acid, creatine, myristic acid, and inosine, the early changes of which were then observed via serum time series experiments of SA-AKI mice. The levels of 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 3-hydroxymethylglutaric acid, and creatine increased significantly at 24 h, myristic acid increased at 8 h, while inosine decreased at 8 h. Ultimately, based on the identified core metabolites, we recruited 56 patients and constructed a diagnostic model named IC3, using inosine, creatine, and 3-hydroxybutyric acid, to early identify SA-AKI (AUC = 0.90).

CONCLUSIONS

We proposed a blood metabolite model consisting of inosine, creatine, and 3-hydroxybutyric acid for the early screening of SA-AKI. Future studies will observe the performance of these metabolites in other clinical populations to evaluate their diagnostic role.

The STING antagonist SN-011 ameliorates cisplatin induced acute kidney injury via suppression of STING/NF-κB-mediated inflammation

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical clinical syndrome associated with both innate and adaptive immune responses and thus increases mortality. Nevertheless, specific therapeutics for AKI are scarce so far. Recent studies have revealed that knockout of STING alleviate AKI, suggesting that STING could be an attractive target for AKI therapy. SN-011, a promising STING inhibitor, has not been reported in studies of its anti-AKI activity. In this study, we sought to examine the effects of SN-011 on AKI and explore its underlying mechanism. Our findings indicate that SN-011 could modulate the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, suppress the expression of inflammatory factors, and decrease ROS release in the cisplatin-induced cell model. In addition, SN-011 blocked the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65, further mitigating the inflammatory response. In vivo, SN-011 enhanced survival rates and alleviated renal dysfunction. According to gene set enrichment analysis of sequencing data from mouse kidneys, we further confirm that SN-011 modulates the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. Our study suggests that SN-011 could be an attractive anti-inflammatory agent for further anti-AKI research.

Lactate Ameliorates Kainic Acid-Induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment via the Chemokine Signaling Pathway in Mice

Purpose

Lactate, previously considered a metabolic waste product, has been shown to have neuroprotective potential. This study aims to investigate the impact of lactate intervention and its underlying mechanisms on epilepsy.

Methods

HT22 cells were stimulated with glutamate to construct an excitotoxicity cell model. An acute epilepsy model was established in mice by kainic acid induction. The neuronal damage, microglial activation, inflammatory responses, and functional changes were determined by TUNEL assays, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and behavioral tests. The differentially gene expression and functional enrichment were analyzed with RNA sequencing.

Results

The in vitro lactate intervention reduced the number of apoptotic cells, the release of inflammatory factors, and the expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 1. In mice with acute epilepsy, lactate treatment mitigated neuronal damage, microglial activation, and inflammatory responses in the hippocampus and ameliorated anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment.

Conclusion

Lactate exerts therapeutic effects on epilepsy through the chemokine signaling pathway. The neuroinflammation is an important contributor to cognitive impairment. Targeting inflammatory pathways is a promising strategy for improving the prognosis of epilepsy.

Fucoidan Oligosaccharide Supplementation Relieved Kidney Injury and Modulated Intestinal Homeostasis in D-Galactose-Exposed Rats

Background/Objectives: A fucoidan oligosaccharide (FOS), a potent compound derived from algae, is known for its diverse biological activities, including prebiotic activity, anticancer activity, and antioxidative properties, and has demonstrated supportive therapeutic effects in treating kidney ailments. This study was conducted to explore the protective influence of FOS on kidney damage due to aging induced by D-galactose in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The low-dose FOS group was administered FOS (100 mg/kg) by gavage, and the high-FOS group received FOS (200 mg/kg) by gavage. Results: The findings showed that FOS could effectively mitigate kidney damage and improve the pathological condition of kidney tissues caused by D-gal and enhance kidney function. Intervention with FOS significantly reduced serum creatinine, serum uric acid, and serum urea nitrogen levels, compared to the model group. The protective mechanism of FOS on D-gal-induced kidney injury may be to inhibit oxidative stress and improve impaired mitochondrial function by downregulating the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway. FOS could also modulate the expression of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins (Beclin-1, P62, and LC3II/LC3I), thereby mitigate D-gal-induced excessive mitophagy in the kidney. Furthermore, FOS may protect against kidney injury by preserving intestinal homeostasis. FOS decreased serum lipopolysaccharide levels and enhanced intestinal mucosal barrier function. FOS upregulated the abundances of Bacteroidota, Muribaculaceae, and Lactobacillus, while it decreased the abundances of Firmicutes, NK4A136_group, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. FOS supplementation modulated gut microbiota composition, increasing beneficial bacteria and reducing detrimental ones, potentially contributing to improved kidney function. Conclusions: FOS may safeguard against renal injury in D-gal-exposed rats by inhibiting kidney excessive mitophagy, preserving mitochondrial function, and regulating intestinal homeostasis.

Chemical Composition of Mexicali Propolis and Its Effect on Gastric Repair in an Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Injury Murine Model

Propolis is a resinous substance produced by bees that has several biomedical properties that could contribute to the repair process of the gastric mucosa, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, healing, and gastroprotective properties. Thus, this study aimed to determine the chemical composition of Mexicali propolis, its antioxidant capacity, and its effect on gastric repair. Three polarity-directed extracts were obtained: the ethanolic extract, the ethyl acetate extract, and the hexane extract. The antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), and flavone/flavonol content were determined for each extract. The chemical composition was analysed using HPLC-TOF-MS (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry), and a total of 52 compounds were identified. The results revealed that the ethanolic extract had the greatest effect on free radical scavenging and the content of bioactive compounds. On the basis of these results, the effect of the Mexicali ethanolic extract of propolis (MeEEP) on gastric repair was subsequently evaluated. Prior to the evaluation, MeEEP was found to exhibit low oral toxicity, as determined under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 425 guidelines. Gastric injury was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by intragastric administration of indomethacin (10 mg/kg). MeEEP (300 mg/kg) was administered 6 h after the induction of injury using indomethacin and daily thereafter. The mice were sacrificed at 12, 24, and 48 h to assess the effect. As a result, MeEEP enhanced the repair of the gastric lesion by decreasing the percentage of the bleeding area and attenuating the severity of histological damage, as demonstrated by H&E staining. This effect was associated with a reduction in MPO enzyme activity and in the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, maintaining controlled inflammation in gastric tissue. Furthermore, the administration of the extract increased SOD enzymatic activity and GSH levels, reducing the degree of oxidative damage in the gastric tissue, as demonstrated by low MDA levels. Finally, after evaluating the effect on apoptosis via immunohistochemistry, MeEEP was shown to reduce the expression of the proapoptotic marker Bax and increase the expression of the antiapoptotic marker Bcl-2. In conclusion, these findings suggest that MeEEP may enhance gastric repair through a cytoprotective mechanism by controlling inflammation exacerbation, reducing oxidative stress, and regulating apoptosis. These mechanisms are primarily attributed to the presence of pinocembrin, tectochrysin, chrysin, apigenin, naringenin, acacetin, genistein, and kaempferol. It is important to highlight that this study provides a preliminary exploration of the reparative effect of Mexican propolis, describing the potential mechanisms of action of the compounds present in Mexicali propolis.

The protective effect of Argan oil and its main constituents against xenobiotics-induced toxicities

BACKGROUND

Argan oil (AO) is a vegetable oil extracted from the fruits of Argania spinosa L. tree, belonging to the Sapotaceae family, primarily found in Morocco. Research studies have demonstrated that AO exhibits diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, antihypercholesterolemic, antiatherogenic, and immunomodulatory effects. These effects are attributed to its main constituents, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, γ-tocopherol, α-tocopherol, and ferulic acid.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to present the protective role of AO and its main constituents against xenobiotics-induced toxicities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on results from various in vitro and in vivo investigations published in the main scientific databases, the beneficial action of AO against xenobiotics-induced toxicities was analyzed.

RESULTS

AO and its main constituents have reduced neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, pneumotoxicity, thyroid toxicity, hematotoxicity, immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, and colon toxicity induced by different natural and chemical xenobiotics. Different mechanisms of action are involved in these effects, including enhancement of antioxidant defense, reduction of oxidative stress, modulation of inflammation, stimulation of fatty acid oxidation, suppression of apoptosis, regulation of miRNAs expression, elevation of acetylcholinesterase activity, activation of Krebs cycle enzymes, and restoration of mitochondrial function.

CONCLUSION

The study shows clearly the beneficial effect of Argan oil against xenobiotics-induced toxicities was analyzed. However, clinical trials are necessary to verify the protective effects of this oil in human intoxications caused by both natural and chemical xenobiotics.

Quercetin inhibits mitophagy-mediated apoptosis and inflammatory response by targeting the PPARγ/PGC-1α/NF-κB axis to improve acute liver failure

BACKGROUND

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) from mitochondrial dysfunction are critical in triggering apoptosis and inflammation in acute liver failure (ALF). Quercetin (QUE), an antioxidant, is renowned for its therapeutic effects onliverdiseases. There are no studies on whether QUE regulates mitophagy level in hepatocytes to inhibit ALF.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates QUE's protective effects on ALF and elucidates the mechanisms involved.

METHODS

The ALF and hepatocyte inflammatory injury model was established using LPS and D-Galn. To predict potential targets and mechanisms of QUE in ALF treatment, transcriptomics, network pharmacology, molecular docking techniques, and ChIP were employed. The expression level related to mitophagy, apoptosis, and signaling pathways were detected by CCK8, IHC, IF staining, TUNEL, RT-qPCR, TEM, Western blotting, ELISA, and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology and transcriptomics revealed common targets between QUE and ALF. Enrichment analysis showed that the anti-ALF targets of QUE were significantly associated with mitochondria and NF-κB-related pathways. Subsequent experiments showed that QUE pretreatment significantly alleviated the loss of hepatocyte viability, enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential, activated mitophagy, and promoted the clearance of damaged mitochondria, thereby reducing ROS accumulation, significantly reducing cell apoptosis and inflammatory responses, reducing ALT and AST levels, and improving liver tissue pathology. Mechanistically, molecular docking, DARTS, and CETSA analyses confirmed that QUE directly binds to the PPARγ molecule, which reduced binding to IκB and significantly inhibit the NF-κB pathway to exert its protective effects.

CONCLUSION

In short, our results provide the first evidence that QUE improves acute liver failure by promoting mitophagy through regulating the PPARγ/PGC-1α/NF-κB axis and inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory responses mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction, which provides evidence for the potential of QUE in the treatment of ALF.

The role of microRNAs regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress in ischemia-reperfusion injury: A review

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an important organelle in eukaryotic cells, responsible for a range of biological functions such as the secretion, modification and folding of proteins, maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis and the synthesis of steroids/lipids, secreted proteins and membrane proteins. When cells are affected by internal or external factors, including abnormal energy metabolism, disrupted Ca2+ balance, altered glycosylation, drug toxicity, and so on, the unfolded or misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER, leading to the unfolded protein response (UPR) and ER stress. The abnormal ER stress has been reported to be involved in various pathological processes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with the length of approximately 19-25 nucleotides. They control the expression of multiple genes through posttranscriptional gene silencing in eukaryotes or some viruses. Increasing evidence indicates that miRNAs are involved in various cellular functions and biological processes, such as cell proliferation and differentiation, growth and development, and metabolic homeostasis. Hence, miRNAs participate in multiple pathological processes. Recently, many studies have shown that miRNAs play an important role by regulating ER stress in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the relevant mechanisms are not fully understood. In this review, we reviewed the current understanding of ER stress, as well as the biogenesis and function of miRNAs, and focused on the role of miRNAs regulation of ER stress in I/R injury, with the aim of providing new targets for the treatment of I/R injury.

Deltamethrin exposure caused renal inflammation and renal fibrosis via upregulating endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated TXNDC5 level in mice

Deltamethrin (DLM) is a type II pyrethroid insecticide that is extensively applied to agriculture, veterinary medicine and livestock pest control. Excessive accumulation of DLM in the body can lead to nephrotoxicity, but the precise toxic mechanism remains obscure. Therefore, we established in vivo models of DLM-exposed mice for 30 days and in vitro models of DLM-exposed renal tubular epithelial cells of mice. The results revealed adverse effects on renal function in mice exposed to excessive DLM, manifested as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) swelling, local inflammatory infiltration in renal tissue and increased collagen fibers, suggesting renal inflammation and fibrosis, etc. Subsequently, in vivo experiments, we found that DLM exposure increased expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related factors, significantly upregulated the expression of TXNDC5, and enhanced the colocalization of GRP78 with TXNDC5. Notably, DLM exposure also strengthened the co-localization of TXNDC5 with NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1, upregulated the expression levels of TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB and TGF-β/SMAD2/3 pathways, alongside inflammation and fibrosis-related factors, these changes exhibited a dose-dependent effect. Meanwhile, in vitro experiments, the results of ERS, inflammation, and fibrosis-related factor expression levels were consistent with those observed in vivo. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that TXNDC5 might played a certain role in DLM-induced nephrotoxicity. Specifically, DLM exposure could trigger ERS, increase TXNDC5 expression, and promote TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathways, leading to renal inflammation and fibrosis in mice. These discoveries not only deepen our understanding of DLM toxicity but also provide valuable avenues for exploring mitigation strategies and therapeutic interventions.

Fecal microbiota transplantation alleviates cognitive impairment by improving gut microbiome composition and barrier function in male rats of traumatic brain injury following gas explosion

Background

Dysbiosis of gut microbiota (GM) is intricately linked with cognitive impairment and the incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in both animal models and human subjects. However, there is limited understanding of the impact and mechanisms of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on brain and gut barrier function in the treatment of TBI induced by gas explosion (GE).

Methods

We have employed FMT technology to establish models of gut microbiota dysbiosis in male rats, and subsequently conducted non-targeted metabolomics and microbiota diversity analysis to explore the bacteria with potential functional roles.

Results

Hematoxylin-eosin and transmission electron microscopy revealed that GE induced significant pathological damage and inflammation responses, as well as varying degrees of mitochondrial impairment in neuronal cells in the brains of rats, which was associated with cognitive decline. Furthermore, GE markedly elevated the levels of regulatory T cell (Tregs)-related factors interleukin-10, programmed death 1, and fork head box protein P3 in the brains of rats. Similar changes in these indicators were also observed in the colon; however, these alterations were reversed upon transfer of normal flora into the GE-exposed rats. Combined microbiome and metabolome analysis indicated up-regulation of Clostridium_T and Allobaculum, along with activation of fatty acid biosynthesis after FMT. Correlation network analysis indirectly suggested a causal relationship between FMT and alleviation of GE-induced TBI. FMT improved intestinal structure and up-regulated expression of tight junction proteins Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1, potentially contributing to its protective effects on both brain and gut.

Conclusion

Transplantation of gut microbiota from healthy rats significantly enhanced cognitive function in male rats with traumatic brain injury caused by a gas explosion, through the modulation of gut microbiome composition and the improvement of both gut and brain barrier integrity via the gut-brain axis. These findings may offer a scientific foundation for potential clinical interventions targeting gas explosion-induced TBI using FMT.

Circulating microRNAs as markers for scrub typhus-associated acute kidney injury

BACKGROUND

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for various kidney diseases. In this study, we aimed to identify a circulating miRNA signature for detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) in scrub typhus.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 40 patients with scrub typhus (20 with AKI, AKI group; 20 without AKI, non-AKI group) and 20 healthy volunteers (the HV group). Thereafter, we performed microarray analysis to assess the serum miRNA profiles of all the participants. Then, to identify miRNAs predictive of scrub typhus-associated AKI, we compared miRNA profiles among these three groups.

RESULTS

The proportions of miRNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, and small Cajal body-specific ribonucleoproteins were higher in patients with scrub typhus than in the HVs. Further, relative to the HVs, we identified 120 upregulated and 449 downregulated miRNAs in the non-AKI group and 101 upregulated and 468 downregulated miRNAs in the AKI group. We also identified 11 and 110 upregulated and downregulated miRNAs, respectively, in the AKI group relative to the non-AKI group, and among these miRNAs, we noted 14 miRNAs whose levels were significantly upregulated or downregulated in the AKI group relative to their levels in the HV and non-AKI groups. Biological pathway analysis of these 14 miRNAs indicated their potential involvement in various pathways associated with tumor necrosis factor alpha.

CONCLUSION

We identified miRNAs associated with AKI in patients with scrub typhus that have predictive potential for AKI. Thus, they can be used as surrogate markers for the detection of scrub typhus-associated AKI.

Wheat bran oil ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats with alterations in gut microbiota and liver metabolite profile

BACKGROUND

Obesity is one of the public health issues that seriously threatens human health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of wheat bran oil (WBO) on body weight and fat/lipid accumulation in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats and further explore the possible mechanisms by microbiome and metabolome analyses.

METHODS

Fifty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed either a normal chow diet (B group, n = 10) or HFD (n = 40) for 14 weeks to establish an obesity model. The HFD-induced obese rats were further divided into four groups and given WBO at 0 mL/kg (M group), 1.25 mL/kg (WBO-L group), 2.5 mL/kg (WBO-M group), and 5 mL/kg (WBO-H group) by oral gavage for 9 weeks. The body weight of rats was weighed weekly. The gut microbiota structure was analyzed using 16 S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. The liver metabolite profile was determined using UHPLC-QE-MS non-target metabolomics technology.

RESULTS

In this study, WBO treatment reduced body weight gain, fat and lipid accumulation, and ameliorated hepatic steatosis and inflammation. WBO treatment increased the relative abundance of Romboutsia and Allobaculum and decreased that of Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Alloprevotella, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Alistipes, Parabacteroides, UCG-005, Helicobacter, Colidextribacter, and Parasutterella compared with the M group. A total of 22 liver metabolites were significantly altered by WBO treatment, which were mainly involved in taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, nicotinate and nicotunamide metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and ether lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

WBO alleviated body weight gain and fat/lipid accumulation in HFD-induced obese rats, which may be related to altered gut microbiota and liver metabolites.

Integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation to reveal the mechanism of Radix Rehmanniae in psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Radix Rehmanniae (RR) plays an important role in treating psoriasis. However, the active compounds of RR and potential mechanisms are unclear. The current study was designed to investigate the potential active ingredients, targets, and mechanisms of RR in treating psoriasis through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and vitro experiments.

METHODS

Initially, the TCMSP database and literature retrieval were used to access the active ingredients of RR. The psoriasis target proteins were obtained from Therapeutic Target Database, OMIM, GeneCards, and DrugBank databases. The target proteins were then converted into target genes using Uniprot. Secondly, overlapping genes were obtained through Venn online tool. Then, protein-protein interactions network diagram is finished by STRING database. Next, Cytoscape software was used to acquire the top 10 hub proteins; gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis were then used to predict possible mechanisms. Afterwards, molecular docking validation of the active ingredients with the main targets was performed by AutoDock software. Finally, lipopolysaccharides induced RAW264.7, to assess the effects and molecular mechanisms by MTT, RT-qPCR, and Western blot assays.

RESULTS

Overall, there are 20 effective compounds and 33 targets involved in biological processes including apoptosis, intracellular signaling, vasodilation, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade. The docking results showed strong binding capacity between the active ingredients and targets. We verified aucubin as the key active ingredient, tumor necrosis factor α, and IL6 as the core targets, and focused on the p38MAPK protein pathway. Cellular experiments showed that aucubin down-regulated the phosphorylated p38MAP protein and reduced the expression of tumor necrosis factor α mRNA, IL6 mRNA, and IL1βmRNA.

CONCLUSION

In summary, RR is featured with multicomponent, multi-target, and multi-pathway in treating psoriasis; the preliminary mechanism may be associated with the down-regulation of p38MAPK phosphorylation and curbing the expression of inflammatory factor by aucubin. This paper provides the scientific basis for Traditional Chinese medicine treating psoriasis.

Dexmedetomidine ameliorates acute kidney injury by regulating mitochondrial dynamics via the α2-AR/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway activation in rats

BACKGROUND

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of systemic infection with high morbidity and mortality in patients. However, no effective drugs are available for AKI treatment. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is an alpha 2 adrenal receptor agonist with antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of DEX on sepsis-associated AKI and to elucidate the role of mitochondrial dynamics during this process.

METHODS

A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI rat model and an NRK-52E cell model were used in the study. This study investigated the effects of DEX on sepsis-associated AKI and the molecular mechanisms using histologic assessment, biochemical analyses, ultrastructural observation, western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and si-mRNA transfection.

RESULTS

In rats, the results showed that administration of DEX protected kidney structure and function from LPS-induced septic AKI. In addition, we found that DEX upregulated the α2-AR/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, protected mitochondrial structure and function, and decreased oxidative stress and apoptosis compared to the LPS group. In NRK-52E cells, DEX regulated the mitochondrial dynamic balance by preventing intracellular Ca2+ overloading and activating CaMKII.

CONCLUSIONS

DEX ameliorated septic AKI by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis in addition to modulating mitochondrial dynamics via upregulation of the α2-AR/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway. This is a confirmatory study about DEX pre-treatment to ameliorate septic AKI. Our research reveals a novel mechanistic molecular pathway by which DEX provides nephroprotection.

Regulation of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and tubular epithelial cell ferroptosis by pparγ m6a methylation: mechanisms and therapeutic implications

This study aimed to elucidate the role and underlying mechanisms of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and its m6A methylation in renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and ferroptosis of tubular epithelial cells (TECs). High-throughput transcriptome sequencing was performed on renal tissue samples from I/R injury models and sham-operated mice, complemented by in vivo and in vitro experiments focusing on the PPARγ activator Rosiglitazone and the manipulation of METTL14 and IGF2BP2 expression. Key evaluations included renal injury assessment, ferroptosis indicator measurement, and m6A methylation analysis of PPARγ. Our findings highlight the critical role of the PPARγ pathway and ferroptosis in renal I/R injury, with Rosiglitazone ameliorating renal damage and TEC ferroptosis. METTL14-mediated m6A methylation of PPARγ, dependent on IGF2BP2, emerged as a pivotal regulator of PPARγ expression, renal injury, and ferroptosis. This study reveals that PPARγ m6A methylation, orchestrated by METTL14 through an IGF2BP2-dependent mechanism, plays a crucial role in mitigating renal I/R injury and TEC ferroptosis. These insights offer promising avenues for therapeutic strategies targeting acute kidney injury.

tsRNA-00764 Regulates Estrogen and Progesterone Synthesis and Lipid Deposition by Targeting PPAR-γ in Duck Granulosa Cells

Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are novel regulatory small non-coding RNAs that have been found to modulate many life activities in recent years. However, the exact functions of tsRNAs in follicle development remain unclear. Follicle development is a remarkably complex process that follows a strict hierarchy and is strongly associated with reproductive performance in ducks. The process of converting small yellow follicles into hierarchal follicles is known as follicle selection, which directly determines the number of mature follicles. We performed small RNA sequencing during follicle selection in ducks and identified tsRNA-00764 as the target of interest based on tsRNA expression profiles in this study. Bioinformatics analyses and luciferase reporter assays further revealed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) was the target gene of tsRNA-00764. Moreover, tsRNA-00764 knockdown promoted estrogen and progesterone synthesis and lipid deposition in duck granulosa cells, while a PPAR-γ inhibitor reversed the above phenomenon. Taken together, these results demonstrate that tsRNA-00764, differentially expressed in pre-hierarchal and hierarchy follicles, modulates estrogen and progesterone synthesis and lipid deposition by targeting PPAR-γ in duck granulosa cells, serving as a potential novel mechanism of follicle selection. Overall, our findings provide a theoretical foundation for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying follicle development and production performance in ducks.

Rosiglitazone attenuates Acute Kidney Injury from hepatic ischemia-reperfusion in mice by inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism through the PPAR-γ/NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a prevalent complication of Liver Transplantation (LT) that occurs during the perioperative period has been established to profoundly impact the prognosis of transplant recipients. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of the hepatic IRI-induced AKI and to identify potential therapeutic targets for treating this condition and improving the prognosis of LT patients.

METHODS

An integrated transcriptomics and proteomics approach was employed to investigate transcriptional and proteomic alterations in hepatic IRI-induced AKI and the hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) model using TCMK-1 cells and the hepatic IRI-induced AKI mouse model using male C57BL/6 J mice were employed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot were used to assess the effect of Rosiglitazone (RGZ) on hepatic IRI-induced AKI in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

According to the results, 322 genes and 128 proteins were differentially expressed between the sham and AKI groups. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (KEGG) pathway analyses revealed significant enrichment in pathways related to amino acid and lipid metabolism. Additionally, the Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis of the kidney tissues obtained from a hepatic IRI-induced AKI mouse model highlighted arachidonic acid metabolism as the most prominent pathway. Animal and cellular analyses further revealed that RGZ, a PPAR-γ agonist, could inhibit the expression of the PPAR-γ/NF-κB signaling pathway-associated proteins in in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings collectively suggest that RGZ ameliorates hepatic IRI-induced AKI via PPAR-γ/NF-κB signaling pathway modulation, highlighting PPAR-γ as a crucial therapeutic target for AKI prevention post-LT.

Role and Mechanism of Sialic Acid in Alleviating Acute Lung Injury through In Vivo and In Vitro Models

Excessive inflammatory reactions are the most important pathological injury factor in acute lung injury (ALI). Our recent study found that sialic acid had an anti-colitis effect. In this study, the effect of sialic acid (SA) on acute lung inflammation was investigated. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI animal model and LPS-stimulated HUVEC cell model were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of SA and study its molecular mechanisms. Compared with the LPS group, the lung index of the SA group decreased from 0.79 ± 0.05% to 0.58 ± 0.06% (LPS + 50 SA) and 0.62 ± 0.02% (LPS + 100 SA), with p < 0.01, suggesting that SA could improve the pulmonary edema of mice and alleviate LPS-induced lung injury. Transcriptome research identified 26 upregulated genes and 25 downregulated genes involved in the protection of SA against ALI. These genes are mainly related to the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Our study also proved that SA markedly downregulated the expression of inflammatory factors and blocked the JNK/p38/PPAR-γ/NF-κB pathway. Meanwhile, SA treatment also upregulated the expression of HO-1 and NQO1 in ALI mice. In vitro, SA obviously repressed the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and the JNK/p38-NF-κB/AP-1 pathway. SA also regulated the expression of oxidative stress-related genes through the Nrf2 pathway. Taken together, SA exhibits a protective role by modulating the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation pathways in ALI, and it may be a promising candidate for functional foods to prevent ALI.

Study of Plasma Biochemistry and Plasma Metabolomics Differences in Montbéliard and Holstein Backcross and Holstein Heifers

Holstein cattle are the main breed of dairy cattle in China. However, given the high degree of purebred selection of Holstein cattle, Chinese dairy cattle are increasingly being characterized by poor disease resistance, poor quality, and declining fertility. In this study, using Montbéliard × Holstein cattle as females and Montbéliard bulls as males for backcross breeding, we sought to provide a reference for improving the quality and performance of Holstein cattle and enhancing the efficiency of dairy farming. On the basis of similar physiological status and age, we selected 24 Montbéliard and Holstein backcross heifers and 11 Holstein heifers fed the same formula for comparative analyses. Plasma samples collected for plasma biochemical index analyses revealed that the content of ALB and BUN in the Montbéliard and Holstein backcross heifers was 20.83% (31.62 g/L to 26.17 g/L) and 42.36% (6.89 mmol/L to 4.84 mmol/L) higher than in the Holsteins (p < 0.01). The ALB/GLB (0.90 to 0.60, p < 0.05) was significantly higher in Montbéliard and Holstein backcross heifers than in Holstein heifers. Similarly, the activity of CAT in the backcross heifers was 61.28% (4.29 U/mL to 2.66 U/mL) higher than that in the Holstein heifers (p < 0.05). Although the activity of GSH-Px in the backcross heifers also showed an increasing trend, the difference did not reach the level of statistical significance (p = 0.052). Compared with Holstein heifers, the concentrations of IgA, IgG, and IL-4 were elevated by 32.52% (24.90 μg/mL to 18.79 μg/mL, p < 0.01), 13.46% (234.32 μg/mL to 206.53 μg/mL, p < 0.01), and 14.59% (306.27 pg/mL to 267.28 pg/mL, p < 0.05), and the contents of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased by 15.92% (215.71 pg/mL to 256.55 pg/mL, p < 0.01) and 32.17% (7.17 ng/mL to 10.57 ng/mL, p < 0.01) in the plasma of Montbéliard and Holstein backcross heifers. Among the experimental heifers, five animals from each of the two groups were selected for plasma metabolomic analysis based on untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A comparison of the differential metabolites between the two heifer breeds revealed an up-regulation of d-glucuronic acid, s-glutathionyl-l-cysteine, and oleic acid levels in the backcross cattle compared with those in the Holstein heifers. We speculate that changes in the levels of these metabolites may be associated with an enhancement of the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune systems in these backcross heifers. Collectively, our findings in this study indicate that compared with 12-month-old purebred Holstein heifers, Montbéliard and Holstein backcross heifers of the same age are characterized by higher antioxidant capacity and immunity.

Bisphenol S exposure induces intestinal inflammation via altering gut microbiome

Bisphenol S (BPS), a substitute for bisphenol A, is widely used in the manufacture of food packaging materials, raising concern over its toxicity. However, evidence is still lacking on whether gut microbiota involved in BPS induced intestinal inflammation in mammals, as well as its underlying mechanism. Using mouse BPS exposure model, we found intestinal inflammation characterized by shortened colon length, crypt distortion, macrophage accumulation and increased apoptosis. As for gut microbiota, 16s rRNA gene amplicon sequencing showed BPS exposure induced gut dysbiosis, including increased pro-inflammatory microbes such as Ileibacterium, and decreased anti-inflammatory genera such as Lactobacillus, Blautia and Romboutsia. Besides, LC-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomic analysis indicated BPS impaired both bacteria and host metabolism. Additionally, transcriptome analysis of the intestine revealed abnormal gene expression in intestinal mucosal barrier and inflammation. More importantly, treating mice with antibiotics significantly attenuated BPS-induced gut inflammation via the regulation of both bacterial and host metabolites, indicating the role of gut microbiota. Collectively, BPS exposure induces intestinal inflammation via altering gut microbiota in mouse. This study provides the possibility of madecassic acid, an anti-inflammatory metabolite, to prevent BPS-induced intestinal inflammation and also new insights in understanding host-microbiota interaction in BPS toxicity.

Tripterygium drug-loaded liposome alleviates renal function by promoting vascularization and inhibiting fibrosis

Introduction: Tripterygium species have been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for treating various conditions. The aim of the study was to construct a drug-modified renal infarction targeting liposome (rTor-LIP) containing Tripterygium in order to improve the therapeutic effect on renal injury. Methods: rTor-LIP was prepared using the extruder method containing Tripterygium solution. The preparation was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Marvin laser particle size analyzer, and Western blotting. In vitro experiments were conducted to verify the biocompatibility of rTor-LIP, and in vivo experiments were conducted to verify the therapeutic effect of rTor- LIP on renal injury. Results and discussion: The surface of rTor-LIP was regular and oval. In vitro results showed that after co-incubation with rTor-LIP, endothelial cells did not show significant apoptosis, and there were no significant abnormalities in the mitochondrial metabolism. The in vivo results showed that the morphology of endothelial cells in the rTor-LIP group was uniform and the cytoplasmic striations were clear, but the local striations had disappeared. Thus, rTor-LIP nano-targeted liposomes can effectively target hypoxic kidney tissue, providing a new idea for the treatment of renal infarction.

Microarray analysis of tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) in LPS-challenged macrophages treated with metformin

Metformin, a widely used anti-diabetic drug, has demonstrated its efficacy in addressing various inflammatory conditions. tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA), a novel type of small non-coding RNA, exhibits diverse regulatory functions and holds promise as both a diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for various diseases. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the abundance of tsRNAs changed in LPS versus LPS + metformin-treated cells, utilizing microarray technology. Firstly, we established an in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation model using RAW264.7 macrophages and assessed the protective effects of metformin against inflammatory damage. Subsequently, we extracted total RNA from both LPS-treated and metformin + LPS-treated cell samples for microarray analysis to identify differentially abundant tsRNAs (DA-tsRNAs). Furthermore, we conducted bioinformatics analysis to predict target genes for validated DA-tsRNAs and explore the biological functions and signaling pathways associated with DA-tsRNAs. Notably, metformin was found to inhibit the inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophages. The microarray results revealed a total of 247 DA-tsRNAs, with 58 upregulated and 189 downregulated tsRNAs in the Met + LPS group compared to the LPS group. The tsRNA-mRNA network was visualized, shedding light on potential interactions. The results of bioinformatics analysis suggested that these potential targets of specific tsRNAs were mainly related to inflammation and immunity. Our study provides compelling evidence that metformin exerts anti-inflammatory effects and modulates the abundance of tsRNAs in LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophages. These findings establish a valuable foundation for using tsRNAs as potential biomarkers for metformin in the treatment of inflammatory conditions.

Treatment of diabetic retinopathy with herbs for tonifying kidney and activating blood circulation: A review of pharmacological studies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes. Chinese medicine believes that kidney deficiency and blood stasis are significant pathogenesis of DR. A characteristic therapeutic approach for this pathogenesis is the kidney-tonifying and blood-activating method. By literature retrieval from several databases, we methodically summarized the commonly used kidney-tonifying and blood-activating herbs for treating DR, including Lycii Fructus, Rehmanniane Radix Praeparata, and Corni Fructus with the function of nourishing kidney; Salvia Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with the function of enhancing blood circulation; Rehmanniae Radix with the function of nourishing kidney yin; and Astragali Radix with the function of tonifying qi. It has been demonstrated that these Chinese herbs described above, by tonifying the kidney and activating blood circulation, significantly improve the course of DR.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Through literature research, to gain a thorough comprehension of the pathogenesis of DR. Simultaneously, through the traditional application analysis, modern pharmacology research and network pharmacology analysis of kidney-tonifying and blood-activating herbs, to review the effectiveness and advantages of kidney-tonifying and blood-activating herbs in treating DR comprehensively.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data were used to filter the most popular herbs for tonifying kidney and activating blood in the treatment of DR. The search terms were "diabetic retinopathy" and "tonifying kidney and activating blood". Mostly from 2000 to 2023. Network pharmacology was applied to examine the key active components and forecast the mechanisms of kidney-tonifying and blood-activating herbs in the treatment of DR.

RESULTS

Kidney deficiency and blood stasis are the pathogenesis of DR, and the pathogenesis is linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and hyperglycemia. Scientific data and network pharmacology analysis have demonstrated the benefit of tonifying kidney and activating blood herbs in treating DR through several channels, multiple components, and multiple targets.

CONCLUSIONS

This review first presents useful information for subsequent research into the material foundation and pharmacodynamics of herbs for tonifying kidney and activating blood, and offers fresh insights into the treatment of DR.

Hsa-miR-342-3p and hsa-miR-360 may be the key molecules that promote periodontitis in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background

Periodontitis (PD) has been acknowledged as a complication associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the precise mechanism through which T2DM fosters the development of PD remains elusive. Our objective is to elucidate the connection between these two conditions by conducting bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed miRNA datasets pertaining to T2DM and PD sourced from GEO. Through differential expression analysis, we identified common differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) and subsequently analyzed the functional enrichment of these common DE-miRNAs. We further leveraged the PD transcriptome database to select DE-miRNA-targeted mRNAs and examined their association with immune infiltration. Finally, machine learning was used to further screen hub DE-miRNA-targeted mRNAs and validate our data in external datasets.

Results

Two common DE-miRNAs, namely hsa-miR-342-3p and hsa-miR-360, were identified from the miRNA datasets of PD and T2DM. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that these two common DE-miRNAs predominantly participate in Ras, PI3K-Akt, p53, and MAPK signaling pathways. Integration of the PD transcriptome dataset revealed a total of 21 DE-miRNA-targeted mRNAs in PD, with strong correlations observed with plasma cells and dendritic cells. Finally, three hub DE-miRNA-targeted mRNAs (hsa-miR-342-3p-/hsa-miR-360-RASAL2, hsa-miR-360-ENTPD1/PLXDC2) were identified. ENTPD1 exhibited a robust positive correlation with plasma cells and a negative correlation with resting dendritic cells.

Conclusions

Therefore, hsa-miR-342-3p-/hsa-miR-360-RASAL2, as well as hsa-miR-360-ENTPD1/PLXDC2, may serve as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for T2DM-associated PD.

Targeted Drug Therapy for Senescent Cells Alleviates Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction-Induced Renal Injury in Rats

Hydronephrosis resulting from unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a common cause of renal injury, often progressing to late-stage renal fibrosis or even potential renal failure. Renal injury and repair processes are accompanied by changes in cellular senescence phenotypes. However, the mechanism is poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to clarify the changes in senescence phenotype at different time points in renal disease caused by UUO and to further investigate whether eliminating senescent cells using the anti-senescence drug ABT263 could attenuate UUO-induced renal disease. Specifically, renal tissues were collected from established UUO rat models on days 1, 2, 7, and 14. The extent of renal tissue injury and fibrosis in rats was assessed using histological examination, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels. The apoptotic and proliferative capacities of renal tissues and phenotypic changes in cellular senescence were evaluated. After the intervention of the anti-senescence drug ABT263, the cellular senescence as well as tissue damage changes were re-assessed. We found that before the drug intervention, the UUO rats showed significantly declined renal function, accompanied by renal tubular injury, increased inflammatory response, and oxidative stress, alongside aggravated cellular senescence. Meanwhile, after the treatment with ABT263, the rats had a significantly lower number of senescent cells, attenuated renal tubular injury and apoptosis, enhanced proliferation, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, improved renal function, and markedly inhibited fibrosis. This suggests that the use of the anti-senescence drug ABT263 to eliminate senescent cells can effectively attenuate UUO-induced renal injury. This highlights the critical role of cellular senescence in the transformation of acute injury into chronic fibrosis.

Exploring the impact of high-altitude de-acclimatization on renal function: The roles of oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress in rat models

BACKGROUND

High-altitude de-acclimatization (HADA) significantly impacts physiological functions when individuals acclimatize to high altitudes return to lower altitudes. This study investigates HADA's effects on renal function and structure in rats, focusing on oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress as potential mechanisms of renal injury.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of renal damage in HADA and evaluate the efficacy of antioxidants Vitamin C (Vit C) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) in mitigating these effects.

METHODS

88 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, a high-altitude (HA) group, a high-altitude de-acclimatization (HADA) group, and a treatment group. The control group was housed in a sea level environment (500 m), while the HA, HADA, and treatment groups were placed in a simulated high-altitude chamber (5000 m) for 90 days. After this period, the HA group completed the modeling phase; the HADA group was further subdivided into four subgroups, each continuing to be housed in a sea level environment for 3, 7, 14, and 30 days, respectively. The treatment group was split into the Vit C group, the TUDCA group, and two placebo groups, receiving medication for 3 consecutive days, once daily upon return to the sea level. The Vit C group received 100 mg/kg Vit C solution via intravenous injection, the TUDCA group received 250 mg/kg TUDCA solution via intraperitoneal injection, and the placebo groups received an equivalent volume of saline similarly. Serum, urine, and kidney tissues were collected immediately after the modeling phase. Renal function and oxidative stress levels were assessed using biochemical and ELISA methods. Renal histopathology was observed with H&E, Masson's trichrome, PAS, and PASM staining. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of glomeruli and filtration barrier. TUNEL staining assessed cortical apoptosis in the kidneys. Metabolomics was employed for differential metabolite screening and pathway enrichment analysis.

RESULTS

Compared to the control and HA groups, the HADA 3-day group (HADA-3D) exhibited elevated renal function indicators, significant pathological damage, observable ultrastructural alterations including endoplasmic reticulum expansion and apoptosis. TUNEL-positive cells significantly increased, indicating heightened oxidative stress levels. Various differential metabolites were enriched in pathways related to oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Early intervention with Vit C and TUDCA markedly alleviated renal injury in HADA rats, significantly reducing the number of apoptotic cells, mitigating endoplasmic reticulum stress, and substantially lowering oxidative stress levels.

CONCLUSION

This study elucidates the pivotal roles of oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the early-stage renal injury in rats undergoing HADA. Early intervention with the Vit C and TUDCA significantly mitigates renal damage caused by HADA. These findings provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of HADA and suggest potential therapeutic strategies for its future management.

Lithocholic Acid Alleviates Deoxynivalenol-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress via PPARγ-Mediated Epigenetically Transcriptional Reprogramming in Porcine Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common mycotoxin that induces intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage in humans and animals. Given that lithocholic acid (LCA) has been suggested to inhibit intestinal inflammation, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of LCA on DON-exposed porcine intestinal epithelial IPI-2I cells and the underlying mechanisms. Indeed, LCA rescued DON-induced cell death in IPI-2I cells and reduced DON-stimulated inflammatory cytokine levels and oxidative stress. Importantly, the nuclear receptor PPARγ was identified as a key transcriptional factor involved in the DON-induced inflammation and oxidative stress processes in IPI-2I cells. The PPARγ function was found compromised, likely due to the hyperphosphorylation of the p38 and ERK signaling pathways. In contrast, the DON-induced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress were restrained by LCA via PPARγ-mediated reprogramming of the core inflammatory and antioxidant genes. Notably, the PPARγ-modulated transcriptional regulations could be attributed to the altered recruitments of coactivator SRC-1/3 and corepressor NCOR1/2, along with the modified histone marks H3K27ac and H3K18la. This study emphasizes the protective actions of LCA on DON-induced inflammatory damage and oxidative stress in intestinal epithelial cells via PPARγ-mediated epigenetically transcriptional reprogramming, including histone acetylation and lactylation.

Isolation of Calenduloside E from Achyranthes bidentata Blume and its effects on LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury in mice by regulating the AMPK-SIRT3 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Acute liver injury (ALI) is a frequent fatal liver disease with a high mortality. Calenduloside E (CE) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid derived from Achyranthes bidentata Blume. It has been found that liver injury is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, and activation of the AMPK-SIRT3 signaling pathway protects the mitochondrial function to play a role in resistance to the disease. However, whether CE is protective against ALI through the AMPK-SIRT3 signaling pathway is unclear.

PURPOSE

To clarify the influences of Calenduloside E (CE) isolated from Achyranthes bidentata Blume on LPS/D-GalN-induced Acute liver injury (ALI).

METHODS

A mouse model of ALI was developed, intraperitoneal injection of 10 μg/kg LPS and 700 mg/kg D-GalN, histopathological, oxidative stress, and immune inflammation of the mice were monitored. The mechanism of CE influencing liver injury was investigated by examining the gut microbiota, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the AMPK-SIRT3 signaling pathway. The antagonistic effects of specific AMPK and SIRT3 blocker, as well as AMPKα1, AMPKα2, SIRT3 transfection-mediated silencing were investigated to confirm the role of the AMPK-SIRT3 signaling pathway in this process.

RESULTS

CE relieved liver pathological damage of mice and led to reduced oxidative stress and immune inflammation in mice, affected the balance of gut microbiota in mice with liver injury, as well as energy metabolism, and regulated mRNA and protein expressions of AMPK-SIRT3 signaling pathway. In addition, in vitro studies showed that CE relieved mitochondrial respiratory and protein expressions of AMPK-SIRT3 signaling pathway in LPS/D-GalN-induced AML12 and LX2 cells, and such effect was blocked by AMPK and SIRT3 inhibitors. Furthermore, silencing of AMPKα1, AMPKα2, and SIRT3 blocked the effects of CE. Overall, the influences of CE on mice with liver injury is tuned by the AMPK-SIRT3 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

CE mediates mitochondrial function and eventually regulate energy metabolism by regulating the AMPK-SIRT3 signaling pathway. The results of this study provide molecular evidences for application of CE in treatment of ALI and provide references to the drug development for ALI.

Inhibition of ferroptosis reverses heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in mice

BACKGROUND

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for approximately 50% of heart failure cases. The molecular mechanisms by which HFpEF leads to impaired diastolic function of the heart have not been clarified, nor have the drugs that target the clinical symptoms of HFpEF patients.

METHODS

HFpEF chip data (GSE180065) was downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were filtered by the limma package in R and processed for GO and KEGG pathway analyses. Then, ferroptosis-related genes in HFpEF were identified by taking the intersection between DEGs and ferroptosis-related genes. CytoHubba and MCODE were used to screen ferroptosis-related hub DEGs in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Establishment of a mouse HFpEF model to validate the transcript levels of ferroptosis-related hub DEGs and ferroptosis-related phenotypes. Transcript levels of ferroptosis-related hub DEGs and HFpEF phenotypic changes in the hearts of HFpEF mice were further examined after the use of ferroptosis inhibitors.

RESULTS

GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that the DEGs in HFpEF were significantly enriched in ferroptosis-related pathways. A total of 24 ferroptosis-related DEGs were identified between the ferroptosis gene dataset and the DEGs. The established PPI network was further analyzed by CytoHubba and MCODE modules, and 11 ferroptosis-related hub DEGs in HFpEF were obtained. In animal experiments, HFpEF mice showed significant abnormal activation of ferroptosis. The expression trends of the 11 hub DEGs associated with ferroptosis, except for Cdh1, were consistent with the results of the bioinformatics analysis. Inhibition of ferroptosis alters the transcript levels of 11 ferroptosis-related hub DEGs and ameliorates HFpEF phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study contributes to a deeper understanding of the specific mechanisms by which ferroptosis is involved in the development of HFpEF and suggests that inhibition of ferroptosis may mitigate the progression of HFpEF. In addition, eleven hub genes were recognized as potential drug binding targets.

The role of gut microbiota in intestinal disease: from an oxidative stress perspective

Recent studies have indicated that gut microbiota-mediated oxidative stress is significantly associated with intestinal diseases such as colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been reported to increase when the gut microbiota is dysregulated, especially when several gut bacterial metabolites are present. Although healthy gut microbiota plays a vital role in defending against excessive oxidative stress, intestinal disease is significantly influenced by excessive ROS, and this process is controlled by gut microbiota-mediated immunological responses, DNA damage, and intestinal inflammation. In this review, we discuss the relationship between gut microbiota and intestinal disease from an oxidative stress perspective. In addition, we also provide a summary of the most recent therapeutic approaches for preventing or treating intestinal diseases by modifying gut microbiota.

SAH and SAM/SAH ratio associate with acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious clinical emergency with an acute onset, rapid progression and poor prognosis, which has high morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. DNA methylation plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of kidney disease, and aberrant methylation and certain altered methylation-related metabolites have been reported in AKI patients. However, the specific alterations of methylation-related metabolites in the AKI patients were not investigated clearly.

METHOD

In this study, 61 AKI and 61 matched non-AKI inpatients were recruited after propensity score matching the age and hypertension. And 11 methylation-related metabolites in the plasma and urine of the two groups were quantified by using UHPLC-MS/MS method.

RESULTS

Certain methylation-relate intermediates were up-regulated in the plasma (choline, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), trimethyl lysine (TML), S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH)) and down-regulated in the urine of AKI inpatients (choline, betaine, TMAO, dimethylglycine (DMG), SAM and taurine). The correlation analysis revealed a relatively strong correlation between plasma SAH, SAM/SAH ratio and renal function index (serum creatinine (SCr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), r = 0.523-0.616), and the correlation of urinary intermediates with renal function index was weaker than that in the plasma. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that plasma SAH and urinary SAM/SAH ratio represented the best distinguishing efficiency with AUC 0.844 and 0.794, respectively. Moreover, the findings of binary regression analysis demonstrated plasma choline, TMAO, TML, SAM and SAH were the risk markers of AKI (up-regulation in plasma, OR > 1), urinary choline, betaine, TMAO, DMG and SAM were protective markers of AKI (down-regulation in urine, OR < 1), and SAM/SAH ratio was a protective marker in plasma and urine (down-regulation in both two biofluids, OR = 0.510, 0.383-0.678 in plasma, OR = 0.904, 0.854-0.968 in urine), indicating the increased risk of AKI when combined with the alteration of plasma and urinary levels.

CONCLUSION

The comprehensive analysis of plasma and urine samples from AKI inpatients offers a more extensive assessment of methylated metabolic alterations, suggesting a close relationship between AKI stress and altered methylation ability. The plasma level of SAH and SAM/SAH ratio and urinary SAM/SAH ratio both showed a strong correlation with renal function (SCr and eGFR) and good accuracy for distinguishing AKI in the two biomatrices, which exhibited promising prospects in predicting renal function decline and providing further information for the pathogenesis of AKI.

Shen Qi Wan ameliorates nephritis in chronic kidney disease via AQP1 and DEFB1 regulation

Shen Qi Wan (SQW) has been proven to exert anti-inflammatory effects in the kidneys of CKD models accompanied by unclear therapeutic mechanisms. This study aims to evaluate the kidney-protective and anti-inflammatory effects of SQW and to elucidate its fundamental mechanisms for CKD treatment. Firstly, the main active components of SQW were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technique. Subsequently, we evaluated inflammatory factors, renal function and renal pathology changes following SQW treatment utilizing adenine-induced CKD mice and aquaporin 1 knockout (AQP1-/-) mice. Additionally, we conducted RNA-seq analysis and bioinformatics analysis to predict the SQW potential therapeutic targets and anti-nephritis pathways. Simultaneously, WGCNA analysis method and machine learning algorithms were used to perform a clinical prognostic analysis of potential biomarkers in CKD patients from the GEO database and validated through clinical samples. Lipopolysaccharide-induced HK-2 cells were further used to explore the mechanism. We found that renal collagen deposition was reduced, serum inflammatory cytokine levels decreased, and renal function was improved after SQW intervention. It can be inferred that β-defensin 1 (DEFB1) may be a pivotal target, as confirmed by serum and renal tissue samples from CKD patients. Furthermore, SQW assuages inflammatory responses by fostering AQP1-mediated DEFB1 expression was confirmed in in vitro and in vivo studies. Significantly, the renal-protective effect of SQW is to some extent attenuated after AQP1 gene knockout. SQW could reduce inflammatory responses by modulating AQP1 and DEFB1. These findings underscore the potential of SQW as a promising contender for novel prevention and treatment strategies within the ambit of CKD management.

Metabolomics reveals the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum dy-1 fermentation on the lipid-lowering capacity of barley β-glucans in an in vitro model of gut-liver axis

Bioactive polysaccharides known as the biological response modifiers, can directly interact with intestinal epithelium cells (IEC) and regulate key metabolic processes such as lipid metabolism. Here, the coculture of Caco-2/HT29 monolayer (>400 Ω × cm2) and HepG2 cells was developed to mimic the gut-liver interactions. This system was used to investigate the effects of raw and fermented barley β-glucans (RBG and FBG) on lipid metabolism by directly interacting with IEC. Both RBG and FBG significantly and consistently reduced the lipid droplets and triacylglycerol levels in monoculture and coculture of HepG2 overloaded with oleic acid. Notably, FBG significantly and distinctly elevated PPARα (p < 0.05) and PPARα-responsive ACOX-1 (p < 0.01) gene expressions, promoting lipid degradation in cocultured HepG2. Moreover, the metabolomics analyses revealed that FBG had a unique impact on extracellular metabolites, among them, the differential metabolite thiomorpholine 3-carboxylate was significantly and strongly correlated with PPARα (r = -0.68, p < 0.01) and ACOX-1 (r = -0.76, p < 0.01) expression levels. Taken together, our findings suggest that FBG-mediated gut-liver interactions play a key role in its lipid-lowering effects that are superior to those of RBG. These results support the application of Lactiplantibacillus fermentation for improving hypolipidemic outcomes.

Effects of oleanolic acid on acute liver injury triggered by lipopolysaccharide in broiler chickens

1. Infectious injury caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a metabolite of gram-negative bacteria, can induce stress responses in animals and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in young birds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with oleanolic acid (OA) on acute liver injury in broiler chickens challenged with LPS.2. In total, 120 broiler chickens were randomly divided into six groups and fed a basal diet containing 0, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg OA or 100 mg/kg aureomycin. On d 15, broiler chickens were injected with either LPS or an equivalent volume of normal saline. Six hours after LPS injection, two broiler chicks were randomly selected for sampling in each replicate.3. The results indicated that dietary aureomycin was ineffective in alleviating LSP-associated liver injury, but protected broiler chickens from LPS-induced liver damage. This promoted a significant reduction in the levels of malondialdehyde and an increase in the levels of superoxide dismutase in liver. In addition, OA was found to cause significant reductions in the relative expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in broiler liver tissues, whereas the relative expression of IL-10 was significantly increased.4. In conclusion, oleanolic acid can alleviate oxidative stress and injury in the livers of broiler chickens induced by lipopolysaccharide. Consequently, oleanolic acid has potential utility as a novel anti-inflammatory and antioxidant feed additive.

Progress of research into the pharmacological effect and clinical application of the traditional Chinese medicine Rehmanniae Radix

The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Rehmanniae Radix (RR) refers to the fresh or dried root tuber of the plant Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch of the family Scrophulariaceae. As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), it possesses multiple effects, including analgesia, sedation, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, anti-tumor, immunomodulation, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular regulation, and nerve damage repair, and it has been widely used in clinical practice. In recent years, scientists have extensively studied the active components and pharmacological effects of RR. Active ingredients mainly include iridoid glycosides (such as catalpol and aucuboside), phenylpropanoid glycosides (such as acteoside), other saccharides, and unsaturated fatty acids. In addition, the Chinese patent medicine (CPM) and Chinese decoction related to RR have also become major research subjects for TCM practitioners; one example is the Bolus of Six Drugs, which includes Rehmannia, Lily Bulb and Rehmannia Decoction, and Siwu Decoction. This article reviews recent literature on RR; summarizes the studies on its chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications; and analyzes the progress and limitations of current investigations to provide reference for further exploration and development of RR.

Phloretin as an add-on therapy to losartan attenuates diabetes-induced AKI in rats: A potential therapeutic approach targeting TLR4-induced inflammation

AIM

Targeting Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) could provide renoprotection during acute kidney injury (AKI) mainly by regulating inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. Phloretin (TLR4 inhibitor) as an add-on therapy to losartan (AT1R inhibitor) could provide more therapeutic benefits against AKI under diabetic condition. We aimed to study the effect of phloretin as an add-on therapy to losartan against AKI under diabetic condition.

MAIN METHODS

To mimic diabetic AKI condition, bilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (BIRI) was done in diabetic male Wistar rats, and sodium azide treatment was given to high glucose NRK52E cells to mimic hypoxia-reperfusion injury. In diabetic rats, phloretin (50 mg/kg/per os (p.o.)) and losartan (10 mg/kg/p.o.) treatment was given for 4 days and 1 h prior to surgery while in NRK52E cells, both drugs (phloretin 50 μM and losartan 10 μM) were given 24 h prior to the hypoxia condition. The in vivo and in vitro samples were further used for different experiments.

KEY FINDINGS

Treatment with phloretin and losartan decreased diabetic and AKI biomarkers such as plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and kidney injury molecular 1 (KIM1). Moreover, a combination of phloretin and losartan significantly preserved ΔΨm and kidney morphology potentially by inhibiting TLR4-associated inflammation and AT1R-associated mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby oxidative stress.

SIGNIFICANCE

Combination therapy of phloretin and losartan was more effective than monotherapies. Both drugs target TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and reduce inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in AKI under diabetic condition.

Comprehensive analysis of transcriptome-wide N6-methyladenosine methylomes in the Barrett's esophagus in rats

PURPOSE

As the most abundant RNA modification, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation plays crucial roles in various diseases. The aim of this study is to comprehensively map the landscape of the mRNA m6A modification pattern in Barrett's esophagus (BE) in order to find key genes and potential therapy for BE and even esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).

METHODS

Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) were performed to compare the difference in mRNA m6A methylation and differentially expressed mRNAs between BE and normal control (NC) tissues. Bioinformatics analysis was used to describe the m6A modification pattern and specific genes in BE and NC tissues.

RESULTS

Through MeRIP-seq, we obtained m6A methylation profiling in BE and NC tissues. In total, 11,026 unique peaks were detected in the BE groups, whereas 8564 unique peaks were detected in the NC groups. Peaks were primarily enriched within CDS with GGACU motifs and most of the peaks were within 1000 bp in width. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that hypermethylated and hypomethylated genes were significantly enriched in coronavirus disease pathway, calcium signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathways. Furthermore, PPI network was conducted and 18 hub genes were identified via STRING database and Cystoscope. Among them, ACTA1, CDC20, CKM, KIF20a, MYH11, TPM2, MYL9, DES, TNNT3 were overexpressed in EAC in the GEPIA gene bank and TPM1, KIF20a impaired patients' survival in the Kaplan-Meier plotter database. Finally, functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that co-expressed genes of TPM1 were significantly enriched in calcium signaling pathway, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first to perform comprehensive and transcriptome-wide maps to identify the potential roles played by m6A methylation in BE, which widely involved in oxidative stress. This foresees a guiding role in revealing the molecular mechanism of m6A-mediated genes that govern the pathogenesis and progression of BE and EAC.

Epimedium sagittatum Maxim ameliorates adriamycin-induced nephropathy by restraining inflammation and apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Modern pharmacological studies show that Epimedium sagittatum Maxim (EPI) has antioxidant, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effects of EPI on adriamycin-induced nephropathy are unclear.

AIM

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of EPI on adriamycin-induced nephropathy in rats.

METHODS

The chemical composition of EPI was detected by high performance liquid chromatography. Network pharmacology was used to collect the effects of EPI on adriamycin nephropathy; renal histological changes, podocyte injury, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress levels, apoptosis levels, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were examined. Moreover, analyze the effects of icariin (the representative component of EPI) on adriamycin-induced apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway of NRK-52e cells.

RESULTS

Network pharmacological results suggested that EPI may ameliorate adriamycin-induced nephropathy by inhibiting inflammatory response and regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The experimental results showed that EPI could improve pathological injury, renal function, podocyte injury, and inhibit inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis in adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Furthermore, icariin inhibited adriamycin-induced mitochondrial apoptosis in NRK-52e cells.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that EPI ameliorates adriamycin-induced nephropathy by reducing inflammation and apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, icariin may be the pharmacodynamic substance basis for this effect.

Changes to PUFA-PPAR pathway during mesaconitine induced myocardial coagulative necrosis

Coagulation necrosis is characterized by the denaturation of structural proteins and lysosomal enzymes; its occurrence in myocardium can lead to heart failure. Current studies on myocardial injury primarily focus on inflammation, hypertrophy, and hemorrhage, while those on myocardial coagulation necrosis are still limited. Mesaconitine (MA), a C₁₉ diester diterpenoid alkaloid derived from Aconitum carmichaelii Debx, has strong cardiotoxicity. During this study, the myocardial cells of SD rats showed significant coagulative necrosis after 6 days of oral administration of MA at a dose of 1.2 mg/kg/day. Investigations of its biological mechanism showed abnormal levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors Alpha (PPARα) pathway related protein. Moreover, MA affected the PPARα signaling pathway through interactions with proteins such as POR, TFAM and GPD1, indirectly indicating that these above proteins are important targets for blocking myocardial coagulative necrosis. This study thus discusses the effects of the use of cardiotoxic compound, MA, to initiate myocardial coagulative necrosis and its associated toxic mechanisms.

Rapidly Inhibiting the Inflammatory Cytokine Storms and Restoring Cellular Homeostasis to Alleviate Sepsis by Blocking Pyroptosis and Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathways

Pyroptosis, systemic inflammation, and mitochondrial apoptosis are the three primary contributors to sepsis's multiple organ failure, the ultimate cause of high clinical mortality. Currently, the drugs under development only target a single pathogenesis, which is obviously insufficient. In this study, an acid-responsive hollow mesoporous polydopamine (HMPDA) nanocarrier that is highly capable of carrying both the hydrophilic drug NAD+ and the hydrophobic drug BAPTA-AM, with its outer layer being sealed by the inflammatory targeting peptide PEG-LSA, is developed. Once targeted to the region of inflammation, HMPDA begins depolymerization, releasing the drugs NAD+ and BAPTA-AM. Depletion of polydopamine on excessive reactive oxygen species production, promotion of ATP production and anti-inflammation by NAD+ replenishment, and chelation of BAPTA (generated by BA-AM hydrolysis) on overloaded Ca2+ can comprehensively block the three stages of sepsis, i.e., precisely inhibit the activation of pyroptosis pathway (NF-κB-NLRP3-ASC-Casp-1), inflammation pathway (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway (Bcl-2/Bax-Cyt-C-Casp-9-Casp-3), thereby restoring intracellular homeostasis, saving the cells in a state of "critical survival," further reducing LPS-induced systemic inflammation, finally restoring the organ functions. In conclusion, the synthesis of this agent provides a simple and effective synergistic drug delivery nanosystem, which demonstrates significant therapeutic potential in a model of LPS-induced sepsis.

Anti-apoptotic effect of HeidihuangWan in renal tubular epithelial cells via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Heidihuang Wan (HDHW) is a classic Chinese herbal formula, which was first recorded in the "Suwen Bingji Qiyi Baoming Collection" written by Liu Wansu during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234 AD). It is commonly used clinically for the treatment of kidney diseases and its curative effect is stable. Previous animal experiments have confirmed that HDHW can effectively improve renal fibrosis. However, the underlying pharmacological mechanism remains unclear.

AIMS OF THIS STUDY

Renal tubular epithelial cell (RTEC) apoptosis is one of the main pathological features of renal fibrosis. This study aimed to observe the effect and underlying mechanism of HDHW on the apoptosis of RTECs to further explore the pathological mechanism of HDHW against renal fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined the HDHW composition in rat serum. In vitro, we first screened out the optimal intervention concentration of HDHW on RTECs using the MTT assay. Hypoxia/reoxygenation was then used to induce apoptosis of RTECs (H/R-RTECs), which were divided into H/R-RTEC, astragaloside IV (positive control), HDHW, and RTECs groups. After 48 h of drug intervention, apoptosis of RTECs was detected using flow cytometry and protein expression was detected by western blotting. The 5/6 nephrectomy rat model was constructed and divided into the normal control, 5/6 nephrectomy, HDHW, and astragaloside IV groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis, and western blotting was used to detect protein expression.

RESULTS

HDHW downregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase3, up-regulated the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, activated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and reversed the early apoptosis of RTECs, thereby resisting the apoptosis of RTECs.

CONCLUSION

HDHW inhibits apoptosis of RTECs by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. This study provides experimental evidence for the anti-fibrotic effect of HDHW on the kidneys and partially elucidates its pharmacological mechanism of action.

Integrate metabolomics strategy and target prediction to reveal the ameliorate effect of four typical 'cold' property herbs on hyperthyroidism rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The 'cold' property herbs are commonly applied in heat syndrome. Unfortunately, the underlying mechanisms of the 'cold' property herbs on heat syndrome has not been investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to probe the activities of the four typical 'cold' property herbs on hyperthyroidism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, the four typical 'heat' property herbs were set as contrasting experiment. Then. the physical sign, thyroid function and metabolism profile (multivariate statistical analysis) were assessing the difference between the four typical 'cod' property herbs and the four typical 'heat' property herbs. H&E staining were used to confirmed the influence of the typical 'cold' property herbs on hyperthyroidism. A metabolomics approach combine with network pharmacology were explored the effected mechanism of the typical 'cold' property herbs on hyperthyroidism. the gene expression of UCP-1 was detected by RT-PCR. The metabolites pathway and target-associated metabolites were verified Na⁺/K⁺-ATP enzyme and GSH, as well IL6, IL17, MAPK and PPAR-γ, which detected by commercial kits and Western blot.

RESULTS

It is proved that the four typical 'cold' property herbs effectively ameliorate the physical sign, thyroid function and metabolism profile in hyperthyroidism rats, but the four typical 'heat' property herbs showed no benefit. Moreover, the four typical 'cold' property herbs regulated energy metabolism, glutathione metabolism, taurine hypotaurine metabolism, thyroid hormone synthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism and linoleic acid metabolism and the inflammation mediated by inflammatory factor (IL6, IL17), Ca²⁺ and MAPK signaling pathway. And the levels of UCP-1, Na⁺/K⁺-ATP enzyme, GSH, and the targets protein of IL6, IL17, MAPK and PPAR-γ were ameliorated by the four typical 'cold' property herbs.

CONCLUSION

The four typical 'cold' property herbs could alleviate hyperthyroidism by ameliorate thyroid hormone synthesis, restraining inflammation and oxidative stress via regulating energy metabolism, glutathione metabolism, taurine hypotaurine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism and linoleic acid metabolism and Ca ²⁺/MAPK signaling pathway, which might be a useful strategy for treating hyperthyroidism.

Update on Anti-Inflammatory Molecular Mechanisms Induced by Oleic Acid

In 2010, the Mediterranean diet was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Olive oil is the most characteristic food of this diet due to its high nutraceutical value. The positive effects of olive oil have often been attributed to its minor components; however, its oleic acid (OA) content (70-80%) is responsible for its many health properties. OA is an effective biomolecule, although the mechanism by which OA mediates beneficial physiological effects is not fully understood. OA influences cell membrane fluidity, receptors, intracellular signaling pathways, and gene expression. OA may directly regulate both the synthesis and activities of antioxidant enzymes. The anti-inflammatory effect may be related to the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines and the activation of anti-inflammatory ones. The best-characterized mechanism highlights OA as a natural activator of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Oleoylethanolamide (OEA), derived from OA, is an endogenous ligand of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) nuclear receptor. OEA regulates dietary fat intake and energy homeostasis and has therefore been suggested to be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity. OEA has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The beneficial effects of olive oil may be related to the actions of OEA. New evidence suggests that oleic acid may influence epigenetic mechanisms, opening a new avenue in the exploration of therapies based on these mechanisms. OA can exert beneficial anti-inflammatory effects by regulating microRNA expression. In this review, we examine the cellular reactions and intracellular processes triggered by OA in T cells, macrophages, and neutrophils in order to better understand the immune modulation exerted by OA.

Prevention of LPS-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Mice by Bavachin and Its Potential Mechanisms

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of sepsis with a rapid onset and high mortality rate. Bavachin, an active component of Psoralea corylifolia L., reportedly has antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects; however, its beneficial effects on AKI remain undetermined. We investigated the protective effect of bavachin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI in mice and elucidated the underlying mechanism in human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells. Increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were observed in LPS-injected mice; however, bavachin pretreatment significantly inhibited this increase. Bavachin improved the kidney injury score and decreased the expression level of tubular injury markers, such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), in both LPS-injected mice and LPS-treated HK-2 cells. LPS-induced oxidative stress via phosphorylated protein kinase C (PKC) β and upregulation of the NADPH oxidase (NOX) 4 pathway was also significantly decreased by treatment with bavachin. Moreover, bavachin treatment inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPKs (P38, ERK, and JNK) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB, as well as the increase in inflammatory cytokine levels in LPS-injected mice. Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) expression was upregulated in the LPS-treated HK-2 cells and kidneys of LPS-injected mice. However, RNAi-mediated silencing of KLF5 inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-kB, consequently reversing LPS-induced KIM-1 and NGAL expression in HK-2 cells. Therefore, bavachin may ameliorate LPS-induced AKI by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation via the downregulation of the PKCβ/MAPK/KLF5 axis.

Liposomes Containing Amaranth Unsaponifiable Matter and Soybean Lunasin Suppress ROS Production in Fibroblasts and Reduced Interleukin Production in Macrophages

Inflammation is a normal response in defense to agents that may cause damage to the human body. When inflammation becomes chronic, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced; which could lead to diseases such as cancer. The aim was to assess liposomes' antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity loaded with amaranth unsaponifiable matter and soybean lunasin (UM + LunLip) in an in vitro model using fibroblasts and macrophages. To evaluate ROS production, fibroblasts CHON-002 ABAP were added to promote ROS production; and the cells were treated with UM + LunLip. For inflammation markers production, lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 and peritoneal macrophages were treated with empty liposomes (EmLip), liposomes loaded with unsaponifiable matter (UMLip), liposomes loaded with lunasin (LunLip), and UM + LunLip. ROS production was significantly decreased by 77% (p < 0.05) when fibroblasts were treated with UM + LunLip at 2 mg lunasin/mL compared with the control treated with ABAP. Treatment with UMLip was the most effective in reducing tumor necrosis factor-α (71-90%) and interleukin-6 (43-55%, p < 0.001). Both liposomes containing unsaponifiable matter (UMLip and UM + LunLip) were more effective than EmLip or LunLip. In conclusion, amaranth unsaponifiable matter-loaded liposomes are effective in decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine production.