Aortic Remodelling Is Improved by 2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside Involving the Smad3 Pathway in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed novel potential therapeutic targets of traditional Chinese medicine (Pinggan-Qianyang decoction) on vascular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND

Both experimental and clinical studies have revealed satisfactory effects with the traditional Chinese formula Pinggan Qianyang decoction (PGQYD) for improving vascular remodeling caused by essential hypertension. The present study explored various therapeutic targets of PGQYD using mRNA transcriptomics.

METHODS

In this study, rats were randomly divided into three groups: Wistar-Kyoto (WKY; normal control), spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), and PGQYD-treated rat groups. After 12 weeks of PGQYD treatment, behavioral tests were employed and the morphology of thoracic aortas were examined with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining and electron microscopy. The mRNA expression profiles were identified with RNA-Seq and quantitative real-time PCR to validate changes in gene expression observed with microarray analysis. The gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses were carried out to predict gene function and gene co-expressions. Pathway networks were constructed to identify the hub biomarkers, which were further validated by western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis.

RESULTS

After PGQYD treatment, the behavioral tests and histological and morphological findings of vascular remodeling were obviously meliorated compared with the SHR group. In the rat thoracic aorta tissues, 626 mRNAs with an exact match were identified. A total of 129 of mRNAs (fold change > 1.3 and P-value < 0.05) were significantly changed in the SHR group compared to the WKY group. Among them, 16 mRNAs were markedly regulated by PGQYD treatment and validated with quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, target prediction and bioinformatics analyses revealed that these mRNAs could play therapeutic roles through biological processes for regulating cell metabolic processes (such as glycation biology), biological adhesions, rhythmic processes, and cell autophagy. The cellular signaling pathways involved in autophagy may be AGE-RAGE/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides novel insights for future investigations to explore the mechanisms by which PGQYD may effectively inhibit vascular remodeling by activating the AGE-RAGE/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway in cell autophagy biology.

Current knowledge of Krüppel-like factor 5 and vascular remodeling: providing insights for therapeutic strategies

Vascular remodeling is a pathological basis of various disorders. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the occurrence, prevention, and treatment of vascular remodeling. Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) has been identified as a significant factor in cardiovascular diseases during the last two decades. This review provides a mechanism network of function and regulation of KLF5 in vascular remodeling based on newly published data and gives a summary of its potential therapeutic applications. KLF5 modulates numerous biological processes, which play essential parts in the development of vascular remodeling, such as cell proliferation, phenotype switch, extracellular matrix deposition, inflammation, and angiogenesis by altering downstream genes and signaling pathways. Considering its essential functions, KLF5 could be developed as a potent therapeutic target in vascular disorders.

The Root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Alleviates Non-Alcoholic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance in High Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Non-alcoholic steatosis and insulin resistance are critical health problems and cause metabolic complications worldwide. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (PM) against hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance by using in vitro and in vivo models. PM extract significantly attenuated the accumulation of lipid droplets and hepatic triglyceride in free fatty acid (FFA)-exposed HepG2 cells. PM extract increased the AMPK and ACC phosphorylation and GLUT4 expression, whose levels were downregulated in FFA-exposed cells. PM extract also decreased precursor and mature forms of SREBP-1 in FFA-exposed cells. C57BL/6 mice fed with normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) were administered PM extract (100 mg/kg) or vehicle orally for 16 weeks. PM extract attenuated the increases of the epididymal and perirenal fats on HFD feeding. PM extract markedly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and fasting glucose levels, and improved glucose and insulin sensitivity in HFD-fed mice. HFD-fed mice decreased the AMPK and ACC phosphorylation and GLUT4 expression, and increased precursor and mature forms of SREBP-1; these changes were significantly restored by PM extract. In conclusion, PM extract alleviates non-alcoholic steatosis and insulin resistance through modulating the expression of proteins on lipid metabolism and glucose transport in the liver.

Systemic arterial hypertension leads to decreased semen quality and alterations in the testicular microcirculation in rats

Arterial hypertension is a cardiovascular disease that leads to important systemic alterations and drastically impairs normal organ function over time. Hypertension affects around 700 million men of reproductive age and hypertensive men present increased risk for reproductive disorders, such as erectile dysfunction. However, the link between arterial hypertension and male reproductive disorders is associative at best. Moreover, many studies have reported associations between decreased male fertility and/or semen quality and alterations to general male health. In this study we aim to investigate the effect of systemic high blood pressure in sperm quality, sperm functional characteristics and testicular physiology in a rat model. Hypertensive rats presented altered testicular morphology – mainly vascular alterations and impaired testicular vasomotion. Hypertensive rats also presented decrease in sperm concentration, DNA integrity and increased percentages of sperm with dysfunctional mitochondria, intracellular superoxide anion activity and abnormal morphology. This study provides mechanistic insights by which arterial hypertension affects the testes, evidencing the testes as another target organ for hypertension as well as its impact on sperm quality.

Vascular smooth muscle cells direct extracellular dysregulation in aortic stiffening of hypertensive rats

Aortic stiffening is an independent risk factor that underlies cardiovascular morbidity in the elderly. We have previously shown that intrinsic mechanical properties of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a key role in aortic stiffening in both aging and hypertension. Here, we test the hypothesis that VSMCs also contribute to aortic stiffening through their extracellular effects. Aortic stiffening was confirmed in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) vs. Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats in vivo by echocardiography and ex vivo by isometric force measurements in isolated de‐endothelized aortic vessel segments. Vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated from thoracic aorta and embedded in a collagen I matrix in an in vitro 3D model to form reconstituted vessels. Reconstituted vessel segments made with SHR VSMCs were significantly stiffer than vessels made with WKY VSMCs. SHR VSMCs in the reconstituted vessels exhibited different morphologies and diminished adaptability to stretch compared to WKY VSMCs, implying dual effects on both static and dynamic stiffness. SHR VSMCs increased the synthesis of collagen and induced collagen fibril disorganization in reconstituted vessels. Mechanistically, compared to WKY VSMCs, SHR VSMCs exhibited an increase in the levels of active integrin β1‐ and bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP1)‐mediated proteolytic cleavage of lysyl oxidase (LOX). These VSMC‐induced alterations in the SHR were attenuated by an inhibitor of serum response factor (SRF)/myocardin. Therefore, SHR VSMCs exhibit extracellular dysregulation through modulating integrin β1 and BMP1/LOX via SRF/myocardin signaling in aortic stiffening.

Tetrahydroxystilbene Glucoside Effectively Prevents Apoptosis Induced Hair Loss

The effect of Polygonum multiflorum against hair loss has been widely recognized. 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) is the main component of Polygonum multiflorum; however, its role in hair regeneration has not been established. To evaluate the hair growth-promoting activity of TSG, depilated C57BL/6J mice were topically treated with normal saline, TSG, Pifithrin-α, Minoxidil for 2 weeks. In this study, we identified that p53, Caspase-3, Active Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 were obviously upregulated in the skin of human and mice with hair loss by western blot analysis. Depilated mice treated with TSG showed markedly hair regrowth. TUNEL⁺ cells were also reduced in mice with TSG. These changes were accompanied with inhibition of Fas, p53, Bax, Active Caspase-3, and Procaspase-9 activities. These results demonstrated that TSG exerts great hair regrowth effect on hair loss, which was probably mediated by inhibition of p53, Fas, and Bax induced apoptosis.

The natural compound 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d glucoside protects against adriamycin-induced nephropathy through activating the Nrf2-Keap1 antioxidant pathway

2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside (THSG) is an active compound extracted from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. This herb and radix Polygoni Multiflori preparata have been used to treat arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes for thousands of years. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of THSG in an Adriamycin (AD)-induced focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) mouse model and the underlying mechanisms in an in vitro system. Mice were treated with THSG (2.5 and 10 mg/kg, oral gavage) for 24 consecutive days. On the third day, mice were intravenously given a single dose of AD (10 mg/kg). At the end of the experiment, plasma and kidney samples were harvested to evaluate the therapeutic effects of THSG. The potential mechanisms of THSG in protecting against AD-induced cytotoxicity were examined using a real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunoblots, lactate dehydrogenase assay, and a cellular oxidized-thiol detection system in a mouse mesangial cell line. In this study, THSG showed concentration-dependent protective effects in ameliorating the progression of AD-induced FSGS. THSG suppressed albuminuria and hypercholesterolemia and reduced the status of lipid peroxidation in urine, plasma, and kidney tissue samples. Furthermore, THSG protected against podocyte damage, reduced renal fibrotic gene expressions, and alleviated the severity of glomerulosclerosis. Treatment of mouse mesangial cells with THSG induced nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation, increased heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO)-1 gene expressions, and reduced cellular thiol oxidation and resistance to AD-induced cytotoxicity. Silencing Nrf2 and its repressor protein, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), abolished these protective effects of THSG. In conclusion, THSG can play a protective role in ameliorating the progression of FSGS in a mouse model through activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 antioxidant pathway. Although a well-designed therapeutic study is needed, THSG may be applied to manage chronic kidney disease.

Current pharmacological developments in 2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene 2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG)

2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene 2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG), a resveratrol analog with glucoside, is purified from a traditional Chinese herbal medicine polygonum multiflorum. It has been extensively studied in last decade and known to exert strong anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and free radical scavenging activities, and therefore has been listed as a potential agent for disease therapies. Recent studies extend well-beyond effects of TSG on the injury of neurons, cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells, and report important functions of TSG in a lot of pathophysiological conditions. For example, TSG has been shown to prevent the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in microglia and macrophages in vitro, and ameliorate pro-inflammatory responses in animal models with neurodegeneration, atherosclerosis, and rat paw or ear oedema. TSG can prevent the proliferation of vascular smooth cells, gastrointestinal dysfunctions, platelet aggregation, osteoblastic injury, diabetic nephropathy and melanogenesis. TSG is also indicated to facilitate long-term potentiation and learning and memory in both normal and pathological conditions. These effects to some extent enrich the understanding about the role of TSG in disease prevention and therapy. However, to date, we still have no outlined knowledges about the pharmacological effects of TSG, though the role of TSG in aging and Alzheimer's disease has been reviewed in recent years. Here, we summarize the current pharmacological developments of TSG as well as its possible mechanisms in disease prevention and therapy, aiming to push the understanding about the protective role of TSG as well as its preclinical assessment of novel applications.

2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside Promotes Expression of the Longevity Gene Klotho

The longevity gene klotho has numerous physiological functions, such as regulating calcium and phosphorus levels, delaying senescence, improving cognition, reducing oxidative stress, and protecting vascular endothelial cells. This study tested whether 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG), a small molecule with antiaging effects, regulates the expression and physiological effects of klotho. Our results showed that THSG dose-dependently increased the luciferase reporter activity of the klotho gene, reversed the decrease in mRNA and protein expression of klotho which was induced by angiotensin II in NRK-52E renal tubular epithelial cells, and increased klotho mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, testis, and kidney medulla of spontaneously hypertensive rats. THSG also reduced the number of senescent cells induced by angiotensin II and improved the antioxidant capacity and enhanced the bone strength in vivo. Based on klotho's role in promoting cognition, regulating bone metabolism, and improving renal function, the effect of THSG on klotho expression will be beneficial to the functional improvement or enhancement of the expressed organs or tissues.

PPAR-γ is involved in the protective effect of 2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside against cardiac fibrosis in pressure-overloaded rats

2, 3, 4', 5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-0-β-D glucoside (TSG) could inhibit cardiac remodeling in response to pressure overload. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) has been recognized as a potent, endogenous antifibrotic factor and maintaining a proper expression level in myocardium is necessary for assuring that structure and function of heart adapt to pressure overload stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether PPAR-γ is involved in the beneficial effect of TSG on pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis. TSG (120mg/kg/day) or TSG (120mg/kg/day) plus the PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 (1mg/kg/day) was administered to rats with pressure overload induced by abdominal aortic banding. 30 days later, pressure overload-induced hypertension, cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis were significantly inhibited by TSG. TSG also significantly reduced collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 expression, as makers of myocardial fibrosis. Theses anti-fibrotic effects of TSG in pressure overloaded hearts could be abrogated by co-treatment with GW9662. Accordingly, upregulated PPAR-γ protein expression by TSG in pressure overloaded hearts was also reversed by co-treatment with GW9662. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of TSG on angiotensin II induced cardiac fibroblasts proliferation, differentiation and expression of collagen I and III, fibronectin and PAI-1 were abrogated by PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 and PPAR-γ silencing. Furthermore, TSG directly increased PPAR-γ gene expression at gene promoter, mRNA and protein level in angiotensin II-treated cardiac fibroblats in vitro. Our results suggested that upregualtion of endogenous PPAR-γ expression by TSG may be involved in its beneficial effect on pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis.

Biological Activities of 2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-Glucoside in Antiaging and Antiaging-Related Disease Treatments

2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG) is active component of the Chinese medicinal plant Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (THSG). Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that THSG exhibits numerous biological functions in treating atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism, vascular and cardiac remodeling, vascular fibrosis, cardiac-cerebral ischemia, learning and memory disorders, neuroinflammation, Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases, diabetic complications, hair growth problems, and numerous other conditions. This review focuses on the biological effects of THSG in antiaging and antiaging-related disease treatments and discusses its molecular mechanisms.