PHYTOMEDICINE
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2025
·
IF 8.3
Jiao Liu,Danye Niu,Yu Tang,Ruoheng Zheng,Yinyin Qin,Xiuqin Cheng,Shubo Pan,Jinfei Yuan,Xiaohua Shi,Jiao Yang
Background β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate (HMB), derived from leucine, is known for its role in anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. But, the application of HMB in IBD treatment is not fully understood, highlighting the requirement for further research. Purpose We aimed to examine the effects of HMB treatment on DSS-induced chronic colitis in mice and explore its underlying mechanisms. Methods To simulate colonic inflammation, a murine colitis model was generated by using DSS induction. Critical indicators such as body weight, colon length, disease activity index (DAI), and gross pathology were thoroughly monitored. Immunohistochemistry assay was conducted to assess the expression of Occludin and F4/80. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the expression levels of CD80 and CD86. qPCR was performed to measure cytokine expression (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-22, CXCL2, iNOS). RNA sequencing was carried out using bone-marrow derived dendritic macrophage cells (BMDMs). Results Our study indicates that HMB treatment substantially mitigated colonic damage in murine models of DSS-induced colitis, highlighting its anti-inflammatory potential. Notably, HMB significantly enhanced the expression of Occludin in these mice. Furthermore, HMB downregulated proinflammatory markers such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α as well as CXCL2 in the colon tissue. In vitro experiments also revealed that HMB reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines induced by DSS and suppressed the expression levels of CD80 and CD86 in macrophage cells. On a mechanistic level, we demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of HMB by reducing the phosphorylation of p-ERK and p-p65, thereby limiting cytokine production in both in vivo and in vitro settings. Conclusion These findings indicate that HMB possesses anti-inflammation against intestinal inflammation and may hold promise as a potential therapeutic candidate for IBD treatment. There's growing interest in combining traditional anti-inflammatory agents with supplements like HMB to improve outcomes in complex IBD cases. HMB's role in established muscle preservation and reduction of systemic inflammation as described in this study could make it a valuable adjunct in IBD therapy.
研究领域:
免疫学
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药理学
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消化病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
NEUROSCIENCE
·
2023
·
IF 3.3
Lu-Lu Lin,Gui-Jun Song,Hui Zhang,Yan Yin,Shi-Meng Xin,Li Ding,Yu Li
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a serious neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and neuroinflammation. G-protein-coupled receptor 34 (Gpr34) was found highly expressed in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. However, its role in AD remains unclear. Herein, the role of Gpr34 as well as its molecular mechanism was explored. Data in GSE85162 were analyzed and the differently expressed genes in the hippocampus tissues of APP/PS1 mouse model of AD were subjected to GO, KEGG and GSEA enrichment analyses. APP/PS1 mice were used as an animal model of AD and the cognitive impairment was evaluated by a water maze test. The level of Gpr34 in hippocampus and BV-2 cells as well as the activation of ERK/NF-κB signal was determined by quantitative real-time PCR, western blot or immunofluorescence. Our results showed that, in BV-2 cells exposed to Aβ 1-42 , Gpr34 knockdown decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and iNOS and suppressed the activation of ERK/NF-κB signal. Moreover, the Gpr34-overexpression-induced activation of ERK/NF-κB signal and up-regulated levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and iNOS were abolished by FR180204, an ERK inhibitor. On the other hand, the in vivo study showed that Gpr34 knockdown ameliorated the cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice, decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, the activation of microglia and ERK/NF-κB signal. In conclusion, Gpr34 knockdown relieved cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice and suppressed neuroinflammation and microglial activation, maybe via the ERK/NF-κB signal. It is indicated that the high level of Grp34 in hippocampus may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD.
研究领域:
神经科学
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分子生物学
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神经退行性疾病
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 5.4
Yingying Song,Xiaojuan Zhang,Xinyan Han,Gaorui Wang,Mengxue Wang,Hui Wu,Xiaojun Wu
Ethnopharmacological relevance The traditional Chinese herb Panax ginseng recorded in "Shennong Herbal Classic" is renowned for its purported vascular regulatory properties and immune-enhancing capabilities. Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1), a prominent bioactive compound in Panax, has demonstrated significant neuropharmacological activities. However, its impact on multiple sclerosis (MS) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage remains inadequately investigated. Aim of the study Inflammation and BBB disruption are pivotal to MS. Tightly packed brain capillary endothelial cells are fundamental to the structural and functional integrity of the BBB. Rb1 has been shown to alleviate BBB damage in stroke rats, but its effect on BBB damage in MS is not well understood. The objective of this study was to examine the role and mechanism of Rb1 on BBB injury in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice. Materials and methods The BBB protection effect and mechanism of Rb1 were evaluated in LPS-treated bEnd.3 cells and EAE model mice. The mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factor and the protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9), zona occludens 1 (ZO-1), inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα), occludin, Jun-amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in bEnd.3 cells and mouse cerebral cortex were quantified. The permeability of bEnd.3 cells was examined by measuring trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and sodium fluorescein (NaF) leakage. Results Rb1 administration in the early stages of EAE postponed the disease's onset and lessened its severity. Rb1 inhibited the destruction of the BBB in brain cortex of EAE mice. Rb1 reduced the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hyperpermeability of bEnd.3 cells and prevented the downregulation of TJ proteins. In addition, in LPS-induced bEnd.3 cells, Rb1 decreased the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, Rb1 suppressed the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, NF-κB, and IκB in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the JNK agonist anisomycin was observed to partially abolish the protective effect of Rb1 in bEnd.3 cells treated with LPS. Conclusions Taken together, we demonstrated that Rb1 improved demyelination and BBB damage in EAE mice by modulating JNK/ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway. This study can offer a theoretical foundation for the use of Rb1 in the treatment of EAE by preventing BBB injury.
研究领域:
神经药理学
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免疫学
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中医药学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ORAL DISEASES
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2022
·
IF 4.068
Minmin Sun,Yaoting Ji,Shuhui Zhou,Rourong Chen,Hantao Yao,Minquan Du
Objective The objective of the study was to determine the anti-osteoclastogenic potential of ginsenoside Rb3 for the treatment of periodontitis. Methods The anti-osteoclastogenic effect was determined using RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages followed by TRAP and phalloidin staining. Expression of osteoclastogenesis-related genes and proteins were examined by qPCR and WB. Activation of signaling pathways was detected by WB and IHC techniques. Experimental periodontitis rat model was built up by gingival injections of P. gingivalis LPS. After 21 days of Rb3 treatment, rats were sacrificed for micro-CT, IHC, H&E, and TRAP staining analyses. Results Rb3 dramatically inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Nfatc1, Mmp9, Ctsk, Acp5 mRNA, and MMP9, CTSK proteins were dose-dependently downregulated by Rb3 pretreatment. WB results revealed that Rb3 suppressed activations of p38 MAPK, ERK, and p65 NF-κB, and the inhibition of ERK was most pronounced. Consistently, IHC analysis revealed that p-ERK was highly expressed in alveolar bone surface, blood vessels, odontoblasts, and gingival epithelia, which were notably suppressed by Rb3 treatment. H&E staining and micro-CT analyses showed that Rb3 significantly attenuated gingivitis and alveolar bone resorption in rats. Conclusion Rb3 inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and attenuates P. gingivalis LPS-induced gingivitis and alveolar bone resorption in rats via ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.
研究领域:
牙科
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药理学
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分子生物学
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免疫学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
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2021
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IF 3.342
M.A. Abo-Kadoum,Mohammed Assad,Moure UAE,Stech A.E. Nzaou,Zhen Gong,Asmaa Moaaz,Samson Teweldebrhan,Adel Eltoukhy,Ai Xuefeng,Yu Chen,Jianping Xie
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) survival and virulence largely reside on its ability to manipulate the host immune response . We have previously shown that M. tuberculosis Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) Rv2140c regulates diverse phosphorylation events in M. smegmatis . However, its role during infection is unknown. In this report, we show that Rv2140c can mimic the mammalian RKIP function. Rv2140c inhibit the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) via decreasing the phosphorylation capacity of upstream mediators MEK1, ERK1/2, and IKKα/β, thus leading to a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. This effect can be reversed by RKIP inhibitor locostatin. Furthermore Rv2140c mediates apoptosis associated with activation of caspases cascades. This modulation enhances the intracellular survival of M. smegmatis within macrophage. We propose that Rv2140c is a multifunctional virulence factor and a promising novel anti-Tuberculosis drug target.
研究领域:
微生物学
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免疫学
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传染病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
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2026
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IF 3.2
Lili Liu,Zhengyao Li,Xinlei Peng,Hongli Zhang,Yuying Yang,Jun Liu,Min Liu
TPs reduced oxidative stress in PFOA-exposed mice. • TPs reduced intestinal permeability and ERK/NF-κB pathway in the ileal tissue. • TPs reduced harmful bacteria and increased beneficial bacteria in PFOA-exposed mice. • TPs as a potential dietary intervention alleviate pollutant-induced enterotoxicity. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a persistent environmental contaminant, has been found to induce intestinal damage. Dietary tea polyphenols (TPs) have been reported to alleviate gastrointestinal diseases, however, the underlying mechanism through which TPs alleviate PFOA-induced ileal barrier injury remains unclear. Here, the effects of TPs on oxidative stress, intestinal permeability, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and gut microbiota in mice were evaluated. The results showed that TPs alleviated oxidative stress by elevating the serum GSH and CAT activities, and reducing MDA levels. Moreover, TPs decreased intestinal permeability by reducing serum DAO and LPS levels, upregulating the expression of claudin-1 and occludin, and inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK and NF-κB in the ileum. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that TPs reversed PFOA-induced gut dysbiosis by decreasing harmful bacteria of Desulfovibrio and Ileibacterium , and increasing beneficial bacteria of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_grou p and Ligilactobacillus . This study reveals positive effects of TPs as a potential dietary intervention against pollutant-induced enterotoxicity. Download: Download high-res image (250KB) Download: Download full-size image
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DOI
高影响因子
MEDICAL SCIENCE MONITOR
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2019
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IF 1.98
Zhongfei Shen,Yun Xu,Xiaohong Jiang,Zhijian Wang,Yanjun Guo,Weiwei Pan,Jie Hou
Background Avicularin (AL, quercetin-3-α-l-arabinofuranoside), a glycoside of quercetin, has been reported to display diverse pharmacological properties. The present study aimed to investigate whether AL has an anti-depressant-like effect on a mouse model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Material/Methods A mouse model of depression was established and treated with different concentrations of AL (1.25, 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg/d) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg/d). Then, behavioral tests – sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), and the tail suspension test (TST) – were performed. The levels proinflammatory cytokines – interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) – in the hippocampi of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apoptosis of hippocampal neuronal cells was determined using flow cytometry. Expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-NF-κB (p-p65), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Caspase3, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax) were measured by Western blot assay or/and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. Results The results showed that AL significantly relieved CUMSinduced depressive-like behaviors. Compared with the model mice, AL treatment significantly increased the sucrose preference of the mice, and the immobility time in the FST and the TST were shortened. We also found that AL decreased CUMS-induced increases in the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the hippocampi of mice. AL significantly decreased the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neuronal cells in mice, which was increased by CUMS. Furthermore, activation of the MEK/ERK/NF-κB pathway induced by CUMS was inhibited by AL treatment. Conclusions Our results show the anti-depressant-like effects of AL on CUMS-induced depression in a mouse model.
研究领域:
药理学
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神经科学
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行为科学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
·
2024
·Vol. 50
·期 1
·1-15
·
IF 3.7
Luo Yuanfei,Yuan Linying,Liu Zhihui,Dong Weichen,Huang Li,Liao Anyu,Xie Yi,Liu Rui,Lan Wenya,Cai Yulong,Zhu Wusheng
Proprotein convertase substilin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a pivotal protein regulating lipid metabolism, has been implicated in promoting microthrombotic formation and inflammatory cascades, thereby contributing to cardiovascular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, its involvement in cerebral I/R injury and its potential role in microcirculation protection remain unexplored. In this investigation, we utilized a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) mouse model to simulate ischemic stroke. Different concentrations of evolocumab (1, 5, 10 mg/kg, i.v.), a PCSK9 inhibitor, were administered to assess its impact. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to analyze changes in the expression of occludin, claudin-5, thrombocyte, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and CD45, providing insights into blood-brain barrier integrity, platelet adhesion, and immune cell infiltration. Moreover, the Morris water maze and elevated plus maze were utilized to evaluate neurological and behavioral functions in MCAO/R mice, shedding light on the effects of PCSK9 inhibition. Our findings revealed a surge in plasma PCSK9 levels post-MCAO/R, peaking at 24 h post-reperfusion. Evolocumab (10 mg/kg) treatment significantly mitigated brain infarction and neurological deficits, evidenced by enhanced locomotor function and reduced post-stroke anxiety. However, it did not ameliorate cognitive impairment following MCAO/R. Additionally, evolocumab administration led to diminished leakage of evans blue solution and upregulated expression of occludin and claudin-5. Thrombocyte, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and CD45 levels were notably reduced in the penumbral area post-evolocumab treatment. These protective effects are speculated to be mediated through the inhibition of the ERK/NF-κB pathway. The PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab holds promise as a therapeutic agent during the acute phase of stroke, exerting its beneficial effects by modulating the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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心血管研究
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免疫学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子