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Shin MS, Lee Y, Cho IH, Yang HJ. Brain plasticity and ginseng. J Ginseng Res 2024; 48:286-297. [PMID: 38707640 PMCID: PMC11069001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2024.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain plasticity refers to the brain's ability to modify its structure, accompanied by its functional changes. It is influenced by learning, experiences, and dietary factors, even in later life. Accumulated researches have indicated that ginseng may protect the brain and enhance its function in pathological conditions. There is a compelling need for a more comprehensive understanding of ginseng's role in the physiological condition because many individuals without specific diseases seek to improve their health by incorporating ginseng into their routines. This review aims to deepen our understanding of how ginseng affects brain plasticity of people undergoing normal aging process. We provided a summary of studies that reported the impact of ginseng on brain plasticity and related factors in human clinical studies. Furthermore, we explored researches focused on the molecular mechanisms underpinning the influence of ginseng on brain plasticity and factors contributing to brain plasticity. Evidences indicate that ginseng has the potential to enhance brain plasticity in the context of normal aging by mediating both central and peripheral systems, thereby expecting to improve age-related declines in brain function. Moreover, given modern western diet can damage neuroplasticity in the long term, ginseng can be a beneficial supplement for better brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myoung-Sook Shin
- College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - YoungJoo Lee
- Department of Integrative Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ik-Hyun Cho
- Department of Convergence Medical Science, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jeong Yang
- Department of Integrative Bioscience, University of Brain Education, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Integrative Healthcare, University of Brain Education, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
- Korea Institute of Brain Science, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Zhao L, Zhang T, Zhang K. Pharmacological effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on intestinal inflammation and the immune system. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1353614. [PMID: 38698858 PMCID: PMC11064651 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1353614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Intestinal inflammatory imbalance and immune dysfunction may lead to a spectrum of intestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and gastrointestinal tumors. As the king of herbs, ginseng has exerted a wide range of pharmacological effects in various diseases. Especially, it has been shown that ginseng and ginsenosides have strong immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory abilities in intestinal system. In this review, we summarized how ginseng and various extracts influence intestinal inflammation and immune function, including regulating the immune balance, modulating the expression of inflammatory mediators and cytokines, promoting intestinal mucosal wound healing, preventing colitis-associated colorectal cancer, recovering gut microbiota and metabolism imbalance, alleviating antibiotic-induced diarrhea, and relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, the specific experimental methods and key control mechanisms are also briefly described.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kai Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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3
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Zhao L, Sui M, Zhang T, Zhang K. The interaction between ginseng and gut microbiota. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1301468. [PMID: 38045813 PMCID: PMC10690783 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1301468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of the gut microbiota to human health is attracting increasing attention. It is also involved in ginseng metabolism, mediating the bioactive metabolites of ginsenosides. In response, ginseng, known as the king of herbs, can regulate intestinal flora, including promoting probiotics and restricting the growth of harmful bacteria. Specifically, the interactions between ginseng or ginsenosides and gastrointestinal microbiota are complex. In this review, we summarized the effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on the composition of gut microbiota and discussed the gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation of ginsenosides. In particular, their therapeutic potential and clinical application in related diseases were also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kai Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Mu X, Liu Z, Zhao X, Chen L, Jia Q, Wang C, Li T, Guo Y, Qiu J, Qian Y. Bisphenol analogues induced social defects and neural impairment in zebrafish. Sci Total Environ 2023; 899:166307. [PMID: 37586522 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence in humans that endocrine disrupting chemicals exposure, such as bisphenol A (BPA), is tied to social behavior impacts when evaluated in early life stage. However, the potential social impact of BPA alternatives and its association with central nervous system (CNS) is poorly understood. Here, we performed behavioral test for zebrafish that are continuously exposed to environmental relevant concentrations (5 and 500 ng/L) of BPA, BPF, and BPAF since embryonic stage. Surprisingly, significant social behavior defects, including increased social distance and decreased contact time, were identified in zebrafish treated by 500 ng/L BPAF and BPA. These behavioral changes were accompanied by apparent histological injury, microglia activation, enhanced apoptosis and neuron loss in brain. The gut-brain transcriptional profile showed that genes involved in neuronal development pathways were up-regulated in all bisphenol analogs treatments, indicating a protective phenotype of CNS; however, these pathways were inhibited in gut. Besides, a variety of key regulators in the gut-brain regulation were identified based on protein interaction prediction, such as rac1-limk1, insrb1 and fosab. These findings implicated that the existence of bisphenol analogues in water would influence the social life of fish, and revealed a potential role of gut-brain transcriptional alteration in mediating this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyan Mu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zaiteng Liu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Chen
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Jia
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengju Wang
- College of Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiejun Li
- Zhejiang Marine Fisheries Research Institute, China
| | - Yuanming Guo
- Zhejiang Marine Fisheries Research Institute, China
| | - Jing Qiu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yongzhong Qian
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Chen L, Wei S, He Y, Wang X, He T, Zhang A, Jing M, Li H, Wang R, Zhao Y. Treatment of Chronic Gastritis with Traditional Chinese Medicine: Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1308. [PMID: 37765116 PMCID: PMC10537303 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic gastritis (CG) is a common clinical digestive system disease, which is not easyily cured and is prone to recurrence. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a significant role in the treatment of CG and has attracted increasing attention for clinical applications. In recent years, a large number of reports have shown that TCM has good therapeutic effect on CG. The aim of this paper is to investigate the pharmacological activities and mechanism of action of TCM in the treatment of CAG. Therefore, by searching the databases of Pubmed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Baidu academic databases, this paper has summarized the molecular mechanisms of TCM in improving CG. The results show that the improvement of GC by TCM is closely related to a variety of molecular mechanisms, including the inhibition of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, alleviation of oxidative stress, improvement of gastric function, repair of gastric mucosa, inhibition of inflammatory response, and apoptosis. More importantly, IRF8-IFN-γ, IL-4-STAT6, Hedgehog, pERK1/2, MAPK, PI3K-Akt, NF-κB, TNFR-c-Src-ERK1/2-c-Fos, Nrf2/HO-1, and HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathways are considered as important molecular targets for TCM in the treatment of GC. These important findings will provide a direction and a basis for further exploring the pathogenesis of GC and tapping the potential of TCM in clinical treatment. This review also puts forward a bright prospect for future research of TCM in the treatment of CG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisheng Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (L.C.); (Y.H.); (X.W.); (M.J.); (H.L.)
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Shizhang Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (L.C.); (Y.H.); (X.W.); (M.J.); (H.L.)
| | - Yong He
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (L.C.); (Y.H.); (X.W.); (M.J.); (H.L.)
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (L.C.); (Y.H.); (X.W.); (M.J.); (H.L.)
| | - Tingting He
- Division of Integrative Medicine, The Fifth Medical Center, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100039, China; (T.H.); (A.Z.); (R.W.)
| | - Aozhe Zhang
- Division of Integrative Medicine, The Fifth Medical Center, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100039, China; (T.H.); (A.Z.); (R.W.)
| | - Manyi Jing
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (L.C.); (Y.H.); (X.W.); (M.J.); (H.L.)
| | - Haotian Li
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (L.C.); (Y.H.); (X.W.); (M.J.); (H.L.)
| | - Ruilin Wang
- Division of Integrative Medicine, The Fifth Medical Center, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100039, China; (T.H.); (A.Z.); (R.W.)
| | - Yanling Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (L.C.); (Y.H.); (X.W.); (M.J.); (H.L.)
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100039, China
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Choi NR, Kwon MJ, Choi WG, Kim SC, Park JW, Nam JH, Kim BJ. The traditional herbal medicines mixture, Banhasasim-tang, relieves the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome via modulation of TRPA1, NaV1.5 and NaV1.7 channels. J Ethnopharmacol 2023; 312:116499. [PMID: 37059250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, remains unclear. Banhasasim-tang (BHSST), a traditional herbal medicines mixture, mainly used to treat GI-related diseases, may have a potential in IBS treatment. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain as the main clinical symptom, which seriously affects the quality of life. AIM OF THE STUDY We conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of BHSST and its mechanisms of action in treating IBS. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated the efficacy of BHSST in a zymosan-induced diarrhea-predominant animal model of IBS. Electrophysiological methods were used to confirm modulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) and voltage-gated Na+ (NaV) ion channels, which are associated mechanisms of action. RESULTS Oral administration of BHSST decreased colon length, increased stool scores, and increased colon weight. Weight loss was also minimized without affecting food intake. In mice administered with BHSST, the mucosal thickness was suppressed, making it similar to that of normal mice, and the degree of tumor necrosis factor-α was severely reduced. These effects were similar to those of the anti-inflammatory drug-sulfasalazine-and antidepressant-amitriptyline. Moreover, pain-related behaviors were substantially reduced. Additionally, BHSST inhibited TRPA1, NaV1.5, and NaV1.7 ion channels associated with IBS-mediated visceral hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS In summary, the findings suggest that BHSST has potential beneficial effects on IBS and diarrhea through the modulation of ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Ri Choi
- Department of Longevity and Biofunctional Medicine, Pusan National University School of Korean Medicine, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min Ji Kwon
- Department of Longevity and Biofunctional Medicine, Pusan National University School of Korean Medicine, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea.
| | - Woo-Gyun Choi
- Department of Longevity and Biofunctional Medicine, Pusan National University School of Korean Medicine, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang Chan Kim
- College of Oriental Medicine Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan, 38610, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Woo Park
- Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School of Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea; Department of Gastroenterology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
| | - Joo Hyun Nam
- Department of Physiology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Kyungju, 38066, Republic of Korea; Channelopathy Research Center (CRC), Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byung Joo Kim
- Department of Longevity and Biofunctional Medicine, Pusan National University School of Korean Medicine, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea.
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Liu L, Wu Q, Chen Y, Ren H, Zhang Q, Yang H, Zhang W, Ding T, Wang S, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Sun J. Gut microbiota in chronic pain: Novel insights into mechanisms and promising therapeutic strategies. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 115:109685. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Lee N, Lee JH, Won JE, Lee YJ, Hyun SH, Yi YD, In G, Han HD, Lee Y. KRG and its major ginsenosides do not show distinct steroidogenic activities examined by the OECD test guideline 440 and 456 assays. J Ginseng Res 2022; 47:385-389. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
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Peng X, Hao M, Zhao Y, Cai Y, Chen X, Chen H, Zhang Y, Dong L, Liu X, Ding C, Liu W, Yang M, Luo Y. Red ginseng has stronger anti-aging effects compared to ginseng possibly due to its regulation of oxidative stress and the gut microbiota. Phytomedicine 2021; 93:153772. [PMID: 34753028 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Panax ginseng (PG) and red ginseng (RG) are considered to be effective anti-aging treatments. However, evidence of their therapeutic mechanisms and difference in anti-aging effects is lacking. PURPOSE To explore the potential therapeutic mechanisms of RG and PG in brain damage in D-Gal-induced aging mice, and evaluate the difference in anti-aging effects caused by their compositional differences. METHODS We first tested the chemical components in PG and RG. In D-Gal aging mouse model, RG and PG (800 mg/kg) were orally administered for 9 weeks. The mice performed the Radial Arm Maze (RAM) behavior test. We collected blood, brain tissue, and fecal samples and performed biochemical analysis, histological examination, western blot, and Illumina MiSeq sequencing analysis. RESULTS The results of component analysis showed that the total polyphenols and rare ginsenosides were present in RG in 3.2, and 2.2 fold greater concentrations, respectively, compared to PG, while the proportion of non-starch polysaccharides in the crude polysaccharides of RG was 1.94 fold greater than that of PG. In D-Gal-induced aging mice, both PG and RG could prevent the increase in acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and improved the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the serum. Meanwhile, both PG and RG could ameliorate brain tissue architecture and behavioral trial. In addition, the D-Gal-induced translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), as well as activation of the pro-apoptotic factors Caspase-3 and the PI3K/Akt pathways were inhibited by PG and RG. Overall, both PG and RG exerted anti-aging effects, with RG stronger than PG. Finally, although both PG and RG regulated the diversity of gut microbes, RG appeared to aggravate the increase in probiotics, such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermania, and the decrease in inflammatory bacteria to a greater extent compared to PG. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that RG is more conducive to delay the D-Gal-induced aging process than PG, with possible mechanisms including beneficial changes in brain structure, cognitive functions, oxidative stress inhibition, and gut microbiome structure and diversity than PG, These mechanisms may rely on the presence of more total polyphenols, rare ginsenosides and non-starch polysaccharides in RG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Peng
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Mingqian Hao
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Yingchun Zhao
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Yuan Cai
- College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Xueyan Chen
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Huiying Chen
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Ling Dong
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Xinglong Liu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Chuanbo Ding
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin 132101, China.
| | - Wencong Liu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
| | - Min Yang
- Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin 132101, China
| | - Yunqing Luo
- Jilin Institute of Bioloy, Changchun 130012, China
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Zhou HH, Zhang YM, Zhang SP, Xu QX, Tian YQ, Li P, Cao D, Zheng YQ. Suppression of PTRF Alleviates Post-Infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome via Downregulation of the TLR4 Pathway in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:724410. [PMID: 34690766 PMCID: PMC8529073 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.724410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that the polymerase I and transcript release factor (PTRF), a key component of the caveolae structure on the plasma membrane, plays a pivotal role in suppressing the progression of colorectal cancers. However, the role of PTRF in the development of functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders remains unclear. Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is a common functional GI disorder that occurs after an acute GI infection. Here, we focused on the role of PTRF in the occurrence of PI-IBS and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 μg/ml) was used to induce inflammatory injury in human primary colonic epithelial cells (HCoEpiCs). Furthermore, a rat model of PI-IBS was used to study the role of PTRF. Intestinal sensitivity was assessed based on the fecal water content. A two-bottle sucrose intake test was used to evaluate behavioral changes. Furthermore, shRNA-mediated knockdown of PTRF was performed both in vitro and in vivo. We detected the expression of PTRF in colonic mucosal tissues through immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blotting (WB), and immunofluorescence (IF) analysis. Luciferase activity was quantified using a luciferase assay. Co-localization of PTRF and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was detected using IF analysis. The activation of the signaling pathways downstream of TLR4, including the iNOs, p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways, was detected via WB. The levels of NO, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: LPS significantly induced PTRF expression and signaling downstream of TLR4, including p38, ERK, and JNK pathways, in HCoEpiCs. Moreover, shRNA-mediated knockdown of PTRF in HCoEpiCs significantly decreased the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, and p38 and iNOS expression. In PI-IBS rats, the lack of PTRF not only reduced fecal water content and suppressed depressive behavior but also increased the body weight. Furthermore, we found a strong co-localization pattern for PTRF and TLR4. Consistently, the lack of PTRF impaired TLR4 signaling, as shown by the decreased levels of p-JNK, p-ERK, and p-p38, which are upstream factors involved in iNOS expression. Conclusion: PTRF promoted PI-IBS and stimulated TLR4 signaling both in vitro and in vivo. The results of this study not only enlighten the pathogenesis of PI-IBS but also help us understand the biological activity of PTRF and provide an important basis for the clinical treatment of PI-IBS by targeting PTRF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Di Cao
- Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re-evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, Teaching and Research Section of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Yong-qiu Zheng
- Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Screening and Re-evaluation of Active Compounds of Herbal Medicines in Southern Anhui, Teaching and Research Section of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
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