Effect of the IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO signaling pathway on the development and healing of water immersion and restraint stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats

Overexpression of HSP27 accelerates stress-induced gastric ulcer healing via the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis

Chronic stress often triggers gastrointestinal complications, including gastric injury and ulcers. Understanding the role of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) in stress-induced gastric ulcers could unveil novel therapeutic targets. Here, we established a stress-induced gastric ulcer rat model using water immersion restraint stress and administered adenovirus-packaged HSP27 overexpression vector. Gastric ulcer severity was scored, and mucosal changes were assessed. Gastric epithelial and endothelial cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide and transfected with HSP27 overexpression vectors to evaluate cell viability, migration and angiogenesis. Expression levels of HSP27, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) were measured in tissues and cells. HSP27 expression was initially low during stress-induced gastric ulceration but increased during ulcer healing. HSP27 overexpression accelerated ulcer healing in rats, promoting gastric epithelial cell proliferation and migration and gastric endothelial cell angiogenesis through the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. Inhibitor IT1t reversed the effects of HSP27 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. In summary, HSP27 overexpression facilitated ulcer healing, which was partially mediated by the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis.

The Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory Activity of Selenium and Lecithin Combination Against ethanol-induced Gastric Ulcer in mice via Modulating IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO3a Signaling

Gastric ulcers are one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders. The current study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of selenium (Se) and lecithin (Lec) alone and in combination against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice, and their ability to modulate insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/ Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)/ Protein kinase B (Akt)/ Forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) signaling. The mice were divided into normal, ethanol, Se + ethanol, Lec + ethanol, Se + Lec + ethanol, and omeprazole + ethanol groups. Treatment with the selected doses was continued for 14 days before a single dose of absolute ethanol (5 ml/kg body weight) was administered to induce gastric ulcers in mice. The results showed that pretreatment with Se and Lec combination effectively decreased both the macro- and microscopic gastric lesions and increased the protection index compared to the ethanol group. Remarkably, the Se and Lec combination decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and cytochrome c and increased glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and thioredoxin reductase activities in gastric tissues. The Se and Lec combination increased prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-10 levels but decreased tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β levels compared to either treatment alone. Interestingly, this combination decreased the expression of IGF-1, p-Akt, and FoxO3a proteins and increased PTEN expression in gastric tissues. The gastric tissues examination by hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed these results. Therefore, the Se and Lec combination showed superior protective effects against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice, compared to either treatment alone, through antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to modulating IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO3a pathway signaling.

UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS and network pharmacology for deciphering the active compounds and mechanisms of stir-fried Raphani Semen in treating functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

As a traditional digestive medicine, stir-fried Raphani Semen (SRS) has been used to treat food retention for thousands of years in China. Modern research has shown that SRS has a good therapeutic effect on functional dyspepsia (FD). However, the active components and mechanism of SRS in the treatment of FD are still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the material basis and mechanism of SRS for treating FD based on UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking.

METHODS

The compounds of SRS water decoction were identified by UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS and the potential targets of these compounds were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. FD-associated targets were collected from disease databases. The overlapped targets of SRS and FD were imported into STRING to construct Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network. Then, the Metascape was used to analyze Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway after introducing overlapped targets. Finally, the active components and core targets were obtained by analyzing the "component-target-pathway" network, and the affinity between them was verified by molecular docking.

RESULTS

53 components were identified, and 405 targets and 1487 FD-related targets were collected. GO and KEGG analysis of 174 overlapped targets showed that SRS had important effects on hormone levels, serotonin synapses, calcium signaling pathway and cAMP signaling pathway. 7 active components and 15 core targets were screened after analyzing the composite network. Molecular docking results showed that multiple active components had high affinity with most core targets.

CONCLUSION

SRS can treat FD through a variety of pathways, which provides a direction for the modern application of SRS in FD treatment.

Unveiling the potential mechanisms of Amomi fructus against gastric ulcers via integrating network pharmacology and in vivo experiments

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, Amomi fructus (A. fructus) (Sharen) has been used therapeutically to treat gastrointestinal illnesses, including gastric ulcer (GU). The mechanism underlying this impact is still not fully known, though.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the hidden mechanism by which A. fructus influences the pathogenesis of GU, we employed network pharmacology approaches and in vivo validated studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multiple public databases were used to compile information on bioactive compounds, potential targets of A. fructus, and associated genes of GU. Then, the STRING database's protein-protein interaction (PPI) data of the drug-disease overlapping gene targets was obtained, and the core targets for A. fructus against GU were discovered. Additionally, molecular docking was done to examine the binding capabilities of the active substances and core targets. Then, the pathways of A. fructus that target GU were examined using the Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID)'s Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway studies. In a mouse model of acute stomach mucosal damage brought on by absolute ethanol, the findings of network pharmacology were finally validated.

RESULTS

In total, 610 targets derived from the 196 bioactive compounds in A. fructus, were discovered, and along with 115 A. fructus target genes for therapy of GU. Then, ten core targets associated with apoptosis and inflammation were determined based on node degree, and ALB, AKT1, TNF, EGFR, MAPK3, CASP3, MMP9, STAT3, SRC, and HRAS were identified as promising therapeutic targets of A. fructus against GU. The results of molecular docking also revealed that 65 active compounds had strong binding activity with the core targets, with volatile chemicals being the most significant active ingredients. So, for following in vivo tests, A. fructus volatile oils (AVO) were used. The KEGG analysis showed that the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway may be crucial for the therapeutic mechanism of GU. In experiments that were validated in vivo, AVO considerably decreased the ulcer area and enhanced the histological appearance of the gastric tissues. In addition, compared to the model group, up-regulated the expression of IGF-1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT and down-regulated the protein levels of TNF-α and Caspase 3 in the stomach tissues.

CONCLUSION

According to preliminary findings from this work, A. fructus may influence inflammatory response and apoptosis via regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and associated gene targets. Importantly, our research might offer a theoretical foundation for future research into the intricate anti-GU mechanism of A. fructus.

Correlations of ALD, Keap-1, and FoxO4 expression with traditional tumor markers and clinicopathological characteristics in colorectal carcinoma

Aldolase A (A-2) (ALD), Kelch-like-ECH associated protein-1 (Keap-1), and Forkhead box O4 (FoxO4) are key regulatory proteins, which have been proven to be involved in tumor development. However, the clinicopathological significance of ALD, Keap-1, and FoxO4 expressions in colorectal (colon) carcinoma (CRC) is not clearly known. We sought to explore the clinicopathological significance of ALD, Keap-1, and FoxO4 in CRC to provide evidences for potential monitoring index of CRC. Cases of 199 CRC patients were analyzed retrospectively. Evaluation of ALD, cAMP response element-binding protein-2, cyclo-oxygenase 2, FoxO4, Keap-1, and p53 expressions in CRC patients was accomplished with immunohistochemical technique. The patients were divided into negative and positive groups in accordance with immunohistochemical result. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients in the 2 groups, coupled with analysis of the relationship between 6 aforesaid proteins and clinicopathological characteristics. Herein, we confirmed the association of tumor location with the expression of ALD, Keap-1, and FoxO4. Also, tumor differentiation was observed to associate significantly with the expression of Keap-1, FoxO4, and Cox-2. The data also revealed that there was a correlation between smoking and expression of ALD, Keap-1, FoxO4, p53, and Cox-2. Nevertheless, insignificant difference was observed when clinicopathological characteristics were compared with cAMP response element-binding protein-2 expression. These findings suggest that ALD, Keap-1, and FoxO4 reinvolved in CRC development, and thus may be considered as potential monitoring protein for CRC.

The essential oil from Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC improves gastric ulcer healing in rats through modulation of VEGF and MMP-2 activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC known as "carqueja" in Brazil has been acknowledged as a medicinal plant in folk medicine for the treatment of stomach aches and gastrointestinal disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective and healing effects of essential oil from B. trimera (EOBT) against gastric ulcer lesions caused by absolute ethanol and acetic acid, respectively, and to identify the mechanism of action of this essential oil in male Wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The plant material used to obtain EOBT was collected in the southern region of Brazil and was analyzed by chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) demonstrate its characteristic chemical composition, with carquejyl acetate as its main component. Different doses of EOBT (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were administered orally in male Wistar rats as an acute treatment against absolute ethanol-induced gastric lesions. The gastric healing effect of EOBT (100 mg/kg) was evaluated once a day after 7, 10, and 14 days of treatment. After treatment, the stomachs of rats from all groups were collected to measure the lesion area (mm2), the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the relative expression of caspases -3, -8, -9, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). The zymography method was used to elucidate the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and -9 (MMP-9) in the healing action of EOBT. We also analyzed toxicological parameters (body weight evolution and biochemical parameters) that could result after treatment with this essential oil for 14 days.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with EOBT (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly decreased the severity of gastric damage induced by absolute ethanol and decreased MPO activity in gastric tissue. After 10 and 14 days of treatment with EOBT (100 mg/kg) once a day, the lesion area was significantly reduced by 61% and 65.5%, respectively, compared to the negative control group. The gastric healing effect of EOBT was followed by a decrease in the expression of COX-1 compared to that in the negative control group. Notably, treatment with EOBT for 14 days increased the expression of VEGF compared to that using an anti-ulcer drug (lansoprazole). Additionally, analyses of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities in the gastric mucosa confirmed the accelerated gastric healing effect of EOBT, with a significant decrease in the activity of pro-MMP-2. No sign of toxicity was observed after treatment with EOBT for 14 consecutive days.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated that EOBT was effective in preventing and accelerating ulcer healing by decreasing MPO activity, increasing VEGF expression, and decreasing MMP-2 activity. These actions collectively contribute to the rapid recovery of gastric mucosa following treatment with EOBT, without any observed toxicity.

Pretreatment with intestinal trefoil factor alleviates stress-induced gastric mucosal damage via Akt signaling

BACKGROUND

Stress-related gastric mucosal damage or ulcer remains an unsolved issue for critically ill patients. Stress ulcer prophylaxis has been part of routine intensive care, but uncertainty and controversy still exist. Co-secreted with mucins, intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) is reported to promote restitution and regeneration of intestinal mucosal epithelium, although the mechanism remains unknown.

AIM

To elucidate the protective effects of ITF on gastric mucosa and explore the possible mechanisms.

METHODS

We used a rat model of gastric mucosal damage induced by water immersion restraint stress and lipopolysaccharide-treated human gastric epithelial cell line to investigate the potential effects of ITF on damaged gastric mucosa both in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

ITF promoted the proliferation and migration and inhibited necrosis of gastric mucosal epithelia in vitro. It also preserved the integrity of gastric mucosa by upregulating expressions of occludin and zonula occludens-1. In the rat model, pretreatment with ITF ameliorated the gastric mucosal epithelial damage and facilitated mucosal repair. The protective effects of ITF were confirmed to be exerted via activation of Akt signaling, and the specific inhibitor of Akt signaling LY249002 reversed the protective effects.

CONCLUSION

ITF might be a promising candidate for prevention and treatment of stress-induced gastric mucosal damage, and further studies should be undertaken to verify its clinical feasibility.

Nervous mechanisms of restraint water-immersion stress-induced gastric mucosal lesion

Stress-induced gastric mucosal lesion (SGML) is one of the most common visceral complications after trauma. Exploring the nervous mechanisms of SGML has become a research hotspot. Restraint water-immersion stress (RWIS) can induce GML and has been widely used to elucidate the nervous mechanisms of SGML. It is believed that RWIS-induced GML is mainly caused by the enhanced activity of vagal parasympathetic nerves. Many central nuclei, such as the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, nucleus of the solitary tract, supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus, central nucleus of the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, are involved in the formation of SGML in varying degrees. Neurotransmitters/neuromodulators, such as nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, enkephalin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, acetylcholine, catecholamine, glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid, oxytocin and arginine vasopressin, can participate in the regulation of stress. However, inconsistent and even contradictory results have been obtained regarding the actual roles of each nucleus in the nervous mechanism of RWIS-induced GML, such as the involvement of different nuclei with the time of RWIS, the different levels of involvement of the sub-regions of the same nucleus, and the diverse signalling molecules, remain to be further elucidated.

Parental exposure to bisphenol A affects pharyngeal cartilage development and causes global transcriptomic changes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) offspring

BACKGROUND

As one of the most common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), bisphenol A (BPA) is a threat to aquatic ecosystems. Despite a rich literature addressing the adverse effects of BPA on various systems in fish models, the potential impact of parental BPA exposure on offspring pharyngeal cartilage development is poorly understood.

METHODS

Adult zebrafish (F0) were exposed to BPA (1.0 μM) or control for 7 days. Eggs (F1) were collected and exposed to BPA (control, 0.05, 0.1, 1, 10 μM) until 120 h post-fertilization. Histomorphometrical essay was used to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the effects of BPA on pharyngeal cartilage development. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to discover differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and KEGG pathway and GO enrichment analysis were performed to interpret functional ontology.

RESULTS

Parental BPA exposure affected hatchability and heart rates of F1 progeny. By pathology analysis, parental BPA exposure caused craniofacial deformity, characterized by wider angles of cartilage elements, disrupted pharyngeal chondrocytes and promoted apoptosis and elongation of head length. RNA-seq suggested that many DEGs were involved in multiple biological processes and signaling pathways; defense responses, reactive oxygen species metabolic process, apoptosis, p53 signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway were closely associated with the toxicity of parental BPA exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Parental BPA exposure affected chondrogenesis in the viscerocranium of zebrafish offspring and led to global transcriptomic changes involved in apoptosis, hyperplasia and oxidative stress. These newly identified gene expression patterns, pathways and gene networks of zebrafish eleutheroembryos after early-life waterborne BPA exposure, may lead to severe and permanent morphological and functional consequences.

Gastroprotective effects of Kangfuxin against water-immersion and restraint stress-induced gastric ulcer in rats: roles of antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and pro-survival

Context: Kangfuxin (KFX) is widely used for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer; however, more research is needed to determine the protective mechanisms of KFX in ameliorating gastric ulcer.Objective: To investigate the efficacy and potential mechanism of Kangfuxin liquid (KFX) in water-immersion and restraint stress (WIRS)-induced gastric ulcer.Materials and methods: Seventy rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 10) as follows: the control group (normal saline, i.g.), the model group (normal saline, i.g.), the KFX groups (2.5, 5 and 10 mL/kg, i.g.), the omeprazole group (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and Sanjiuweitai Granules group (1850 mg/kg, i.g.). The WIRS model was applied to induce stress ulcers after 7 days of drug administration. Afterwards, rats were sacrificed at 10 h induced by WIRS.Results: Pre-treatment with KFX (5,10 mL/kg) could effectively reduce the area of gastric ulcers and improve the pathological changes of ulcerated tissue. Moreover, KFX (5,10 mL/kg) increased the prostaglandin E2 (52%) and cyclooxygenase-1 (30%) levels, and improved malondialdehyde (54%), superoxide dismutase (58%), catalase (39%), and nitric oxide (11%) and TNF-α (9%), IL-6 (11%), MMP-9 (54%) and MMP-2 (53%) of ulcer tissue. Furthermore, pre-treatment with KFX dramatically increased IGF-1, PTEN, and Akt protein expression.Conclusions: Our results suggest that KFX has protective effects on WIRS-induced gastric ulcer via inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress inhibition, and pro-survival action, which were the results of activating the IGF-1/PTEN/Akt signalling pathway. Our results provide evidence of KFX for treating gastric ulcer.

A transcriptomics-based analysis of the toxicity mechanisms of gabapentin to zebrafish embryos at realistic environmental concentrations

Gabapentin (GPT) has become an emerging contaminant in aquatic environments due to its wide application in medical treatment all over the world. In this study, embryos of zebrafish were exposed to gabapentin at realistically environmental concentrations, 0.1 μg/L and 10 μg/L, so as to evaluate the ecotoxicity of this emergent contaminant. The transcriptomics profiling of deep sequencing was employed to illustrate the mechanisms. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo were exposed to GPT from 12 hpf to 96 hpf resulting in 136 and 750 genes differentially expressed, respectively. The results of gene ontology (GO) analysis and the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis illustrated that a large amount of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in the antioxidant system, the immune system and the nervous system. RT-qPCR was applied to validate the results of RNA-seq, which provided direct evidence that the selected genes involved in those systems mentioned above were all down-regulated. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), lysozyme (LZM) and the content of C-reactive protein (CRP) were decreased at the end of exposure, which is consistent with the transcriptomics results. The overall results of this study demonstrate that GPT simultaneously affects various vital functionalities of zebrafish at early developmental stage, even at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Medial prefrontal cortex exacerbates gastric dysfunction of rats upon restraint water‑immersion stress

Restraint water-immersion stress (RWIS) can induce a gastric mucosal lesions within a few hours. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is involved in the RWIS process. The present study investigated the modulatory effects and molecular mechanisms of the mPFC on gastric function under an RWIS state. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups; namely, the control, RWIS 4 h (RWIS for 4 h only), sham-operated and bilateral-lesioned (bilateral-lesioned mPFC) groups. The gastric erosion index (EI) and gastric motility (GM) were determined, and the proteomic profiles of the mPFC were assessed by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with two-dimensional liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, iTRAQ results were verified by western blot analysis. Compared with the RWIS 4 h group and the sham-control group, the bilateral-lesioned group exhibited a significantly lower EI (P<0.01). In the bilateral-lesioned group, RWIS led to a significant decrease in EI and GM. When comparing the control and RWIS 4 h groups, 129 dysregulated proteins were identified, of which 88 were upregulated and 41 were downregulated. Gene Ontology functional analysis demonstrated that 29 dysregulated proteins, including postsynaptic density protein 95, were directly associated with axon morphology, axon growth and synaptic plasticity. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that the dysregulated proteins were mainly involved in neurological disease signaling pathways, including the NF-κB and ERK signaling pathways. These data indicated that the presence of the mPFC exacerbates gastric mucosal injury in awake rats during RWIS. Although the quantitative proteomic analysis elucidated the nervous system molecular targets associated with the production of gastric mucosal lesions, such as the role of PSD95. The underlying molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity need to be further elucidated.

Proteomics of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus of rats with stress-induced gastric ulcer

BACKGROUND

Stress-induced gastric ulcer (SGU) is one of the most common visceral complications after trauma. Restraint water-immersion stress (RWIS) can cause serious gastrointestinal dysfunction and has been widely used to study the pathogenesis of SGU to identify medications that can cure the disease. The mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) is the centre integrating visceral and physical activity and contributes to SGU induced by RWIS. Hence, the role of the MD during RWIS needs to be studied.

AIM

To screen for differentially expressed proteins in the MD of the RWIS rats to further elucidate molecular mechanisms of SGU.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were selected randomly and divided into two groups, namely, a control group and an RWIS group. Gastric mucosal lesions of the sacrificed rats were measured using the erosion index and the proteomic profiles of the MD were generated through isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with two-dimensional liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, iTRAQ results were verified by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 2853 proteins were identified, and these included 65 dysregulated (31 upregulated and 34 downregulated) proteins (fold change ratio ≥ 1.2). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that most of the upregulated proteins are primarily related to cell division, whereas most of the downregulated proteins are related to neuron morphogenesis and neurotransmitter regulation. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that the dysregulated proteins are mainly involved in the neurological disease signalling pathways. Furthermore, our results indicated that glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta might be related to the central mechanism through which RWIS gives rise to SGU.

CONCLUSION

Quantitative proteomic analysis elucidated the molecular targets associated with the production of SGU and provides insights into the role of the MD. The underlying molecular mechanisms need to be further dissected.

Potential biomarkers of HCC based on gene expression and DNA methylation profiles

The aim of the present study was to identify potential biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Three gene expression profiles of GSE95698, GSE49515 and GSE76427 and a DNA methylation profile of GSE73003 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, each comprising data regarding HCC and control tissue samples. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the HCC group and the control group were identified using the limma software package. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was used to perform Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the overlapping DEGs. The PPI network of the overlapping DEGs was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins. A total of 41 DEGs were identified in HCC the group compared with control group. The overlapping DEGs were enriched in 11 GO terms and 3 KEGG pathways. A total of 6,349 DMSs were identified, and 6 of the differentially expressed genes were also differentially methylated [Denticleless protein homolog (DTL), Dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), Eomesodermin, Endothelial cell specific molecule 1, Nuclear factor κ-light-chain gene enhancer of activated B cells inhibitor, α (NFKBIA) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2)]. The present study suggested that DTL, DUSP1, NFKBIA and SOCS2 may be potential biomarkers of HCC, and the tumor protein 'p53 signaling', 'forkhead box O1' signaling and 'metabolic' pathways may serve roles in the pathogenesis of HCC.

Mitigation of stress from gastric mucosal injuries by mulberry extract may occur via nitric oxide synthase signaling in mice

Acute gastric mucosal injuries are serious clinical problems worldwide and are principally found with different types of stresses in animals. A constant challenge is to find original plant products that can combat stress. In the present study, we examined the effects of big-leaf mulberry extracts on stomach injury, and the activity of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and total antioxidant activity (TAO) in the gastric mucosae of mice during water immersion and restraint stress (WIRS). Our data showed that WIRS-exposed mice produced several injuries and showed an enhanced iNOS, reduced eNOS activity, and decreased TAO activity in the stomach, whereas pretreatment with big-leaf mulberry extracts increased TAO activitiy. The data from our immunohistochemical study indicated that both iNOS and eNOS were expressed in parietal cells and blood vessels, while nNOS was only weakly expressed in parietal cells. In conclusion, our findings suggested that big-leaf mulberry mitigated WIRS-induced stomach injuries, and NOS signaling may play important roles in the mouse stomach during the recovery process.

Comparative proteomic analysis of rats subjected to water immersion and restraint stress as an insight into gastric ulcers

In the present study, comparative proteomic analysis was performed in rats subjected to water immersion-restraint stress (WRS). A total of 26 proteins were differentially expressed and identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Among the 26 differentially expressed protein spots identified, 13 proteins were significantly upregulated under WRS, including pyruvate kinase and calreticulin, which may be closely associated with energy metabolism. In addition, 12 proteins were downregulated under WRS, including hemoglobin subunit β-2 and keratin type II cytoskeletal 8, which may be important in protein metabolism and cell death. Gene Ontology analysis revealed the cellular distribution, molecular function and biological processes of the identified proteins. The mRNA levels of certain differentially expressed proteins were analyzed using fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The results of the present study aimed to offer insights into proteins, which are differentially expressed in gastric ulcers in stress, and provide theoretical evidence of a radical cure for gastric ulcers in humans.

Gastroprotective effects of Kangfuxin-against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer via attenuating oxidative stress and ER stress in mice

Oxidative stress and ER stress play a role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer. Kangfuxin (KFX) has been used to treat gastric ulcer in patients. However, the underlying mechanisms of KFX action remain unclear. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the gastroprotective effects of KFX and to determine its potential mechanisms. Ethanol-induced gastric ulcer mouse model was employed. Ethanol pretreated mice were treated with low (0.02 g/kg) and high (0.05 g/kg) dose of KFX for 14 days. Cimetidine (0.8 g/kg) was used as positive control. Histological evaluation of the gastric mucosa revealed that mice treated with ethanol exhibited severe gastric mucosal damage. Ethanol treatment increased plasma and gastric MDA level, decreased plasma and gastric SOD activity, and reduced gastric HO-1 and GCL-c mRNA levels. ER stress markers (CHOP, GRP78, and caspase 12) were up-regulated upon ethanol administration. Moreover, increased cell apoptosis and pro-apoptotic protein Bax and caspase 3 were observed in ethanol treated mice, while the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl 2 was inhibited. Finally, KFX treatment reversed ethanol-induced phenotypes and ameliorated gastric ulcer. Our results demonstrated that the gastroprotective effects of KFX against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer could be attributed to its anti-oxidative stress, anti-ER stress and anti-apoptotic effects.

Amiodarone-Induced Retinal Neuronal Cell Apoptosis Attenuated by IGF-1 via Counter Regulation of the PI3k/Akt/FoxO3a Pathway

Amiodarone (AM) is the most effective antiarrhythmic agent currently available. However, clinical application of AM is limited by its serious toxic adverse effects including optic neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of AM and to assess if insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) could protect retinal neuronal cells from AM-induced apoptosis, and to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects. Accordingly, the phosphorylation/activation of Akt and FoxO3a were analyzed by Western blot while the possible pathways involved in the protection of IGF-1 were investigated by application of various pathway inhibitors. The full electroretinogram (FERG) was used to evaluate in vivo effect of AM and IGF-1 on rat retinal physiological functions. Our results showed that AM concentration dependently caused an apoptosis of RGC-5 cells, while IGF-1 protected RGC-5 cells against this effect by AM. The protective effect of IGF-1 was reversed by PI3K inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin as well as the Akt inhibitor VIII. AM decreased p-Akt and p-FoxO3a while increased the nuclear localization of FoxO3a in the RGC-5 cells. IGF-1 reversed the effect of AM on the p-Akt and p-FoxO3a and the nuclear translocation of FoxO3a. Similar results were obtained in primary cultured retinal ganglia cells. Furthermore, FERG in vivo recording in rats showed that AM decreased a-wave and b-wave of FERG while IGF-1 reversed the effects of AM. These data show that AM induced apoptosis of retinal neuronal cells via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a pathway while IGF-1 protected RGC-5 cells against AM-induced cell apoptosis by stimulating this pathway.

Effects of the IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO signaling pathway on male reproduction in rats subjected to water immersion and restraint stress

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)/Akt/forkhead box (FoxO) signaling pathway on male reproduction in rats subjected to water immersion and restraint stress (WRS). Sperm morphology, sperm malformation rate, and serum testosterone concentration were analyzed following WRS. In addition, the expression levels and immunolocalization of IGF-1, PTEN, Akt and FoxO proteins, as well as the rate of cell apoptosis in rat testes, were investigated. The results indicated that sperm malformation rate, serum testosterone concentration, and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells were increased in the testes after WRS. Furthermore, IGF-1 and FoxO1 proteins were predominantly localized in the sperm cytoplasm during the late stages of spermatogenesis. FoxO1 protein was also localized in Leydig cell cytoplasm. PTEN and total Akt proteins were predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells and spermatogonia. PTEN protein was also detected in vascular endothelial cells. In addition, IGF-1, PTEN, Akt1, Akt2, FoxO3 and FoxO4 gene expression levels were upregulated following WRS, and peaked after 7 h of WRS. During the recovery period, the expression levels of these genes gradually returned to normal levels. The present study demonstrated that WRS induced sperm damage in the testes. In addition, the results indicated that the IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO signaling pathway may serve an anti-stress role in the testes of rats subjected to WRS.

Protective effects of Big-leaf mulberry and physiological roles of nitric oxide synthases in the testis of mice following water immersion and restraint stress

Big-leaf mulberry is a new hybrid plant from the application of cell engineering technology, but its effect in stress-induced testicular dysfunction is unknown. Nitric oxide (NO) is a tiny, highly reactive lipophilic molecule produced by nitric oxide synthases (NOS). Three isoforms of NOS (neuronal NOS, inducible NOS and endothelial NOS) have been identified. Our aim was to investigate the effect of water immersion and restraint stress (WIRS) on NOS in the testis, and the effect of Big-leaf mulberry to protect against WIRS. The activity and expression of NOS, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the mouse testis of different treatment groups (non-WIRS, 3 h-WIRS, WIRS-recovery) were examined. Histological analysis of WIRS-induced testicular damage and immunohistochemical staining of NOS were also analyzed. Results demonstrated that WIRS-exposed mice produced several injuries and showed an increased iNOS and eNOS mRNA expression in testes, whereas pretreatment with Big-leaf mulberry down-regulated iNOS and eNOS mRNA expressions and up-regulated T-AOC activities. Immunohistochemical studies showed that both iNOS and eNOS were localized in germ cells, spermatozoa and blood vessels in addition to Leydig cells and Sertoli cells, but nNOS was not present in these areas. In conclusion, our results suggested that Big-leaf mulberry exerted a protective effect on WIRS-induced testicular dysfunction, and iNOS and eNOS appeared to exert an important action in mouse testes exposed to WIRS.

Effect of the IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO signaling pathway in the duodenal mucosa of rats subjected to water immersion and restraint stress

The insulin growth factor 1/phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10/Akt/forkhead box (IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO) signaling pathway reportedly exhibits gastroprotective effects by reducing water immersion and restraint stress (WRS)-induced gastric mucosal cell apoptosis. We examined the expression and localization of IGF-1, PTEN, Akt, and FoxO proteins, caspase-3 activity, and the number of apoptotic cells in the duodenal mucosa of rats subjected to WRS to confirm whether the IGF-1/PTEN/Akt/FoxO signaling pathway has a role in the duodenal mucosa. The results indicated that WRS enhanced cell apoptosis in the duodenal mucosa. In addition, in normal rats, PTEN was found mainly in the cellular cytoplasm of the duodenal glands and lamina propria of villi. IGF-1 and total Akt were observed in the cellular cytoplasm of the duodenal glands. In addition, total Akt was found in the cellular cytoplasm of the myenteric plexus. FoxO3a and FoxO4 were primarily concentrated in the cellular cytoplasm of the lamina propria. Specifically, PTEN, FoxO3a and FoxO4 were also localized in the cellular cytoplasm of lamina propria of restituted villi in the duodenal mucosa of rat subjected to WRS. In addition, messenger RNA transcript levels of IGF-1, PTEN, Akt1, Akt2, FoxO3, and FoxO4 were upregulated in the duodenal mucosa, with a peak between the 4th and 8th day after 7 h of WRS. Furthermore, the results also suggested that Akt3 messenger RNA transcript levels in the duodenal mucosa of rats after WRS showed no significant differences compared with those in the non-WRS group. Collectively, our results implied that the IGF-1/ PTEN/Akt/FoxO signaling pathway was effective in regulating cellular apoptosis in the duodenal mucosa of rats after WRS.