Molecular Medicine Reports
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2017
·Vol. 16
·期 6
·9361-9366
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IF 1.692
Weixin Zhu,Weihong Qiu,Ailan Lu
Cerebral stroke is a kind of acute cerebrovascular disease with high incidence, morbidity and disability. Treatments against various types of cerebral stroke are limited at preventive measurements due to the lack of effective therapeutic method. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of cryptotanshinone (CPT) on cerebral stroke, and investigate the possible mechanism involved in order to develop a novel therapy against stoke. The phosphoinositide 3‑kinase membrane translocation of cerebral stroke rats pretreated with CPT at various concentrations were measured, as well as the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Additionally, the expression level of B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2), Bcl‑2‑associated X protein (Bax) and vascular endothelial growth factor were also assessed using western blotting and reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, biochemical tests were used to measure the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in both the cerebral cortex and peripheral blood. As a result, CPT‑pretreated rats presented declined phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K) and AKT expression levels, indicating that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was inhibited. Increased Bcl‑2 and NO levels in both the cerebral cortex and peripheral blood demonstrated the anti‑apoptosis and blood vessel protection effect of CPT. Furthermore, increased SOD activity and declined MDA levels demonstrated suppressed lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, CPT exhibited a protective effect against cerebral stroke through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT‑eNOS signaling pathway. These results suggested the potential of CPT as a promising agent in the treatment of cerebral stroke.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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Bio-Design and Manufacturing
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2020
·Vol. 4
·期 1
·72-86
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IF 4.095
Xing Zheng,Zhao Chen,Zhang Chunchen,Fan Yubo,Liu Haifeng
For the surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), there is a clear and unmet need in developing small-diameter (diameter < 6 mm) vascular grafts. In our previous work, sulfated silk fibroin (SF) was successfully fabricated as a potential candidate for preparing vascular grafts due to the great cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility. However, vascular graft with single layer is difficult to adapt to the complex internal environment. In this work, polycaprolactone (PCL) and sulfated SF were used to fabricate bilayer vascular graft (BLVG) to mimic the structure of natural blood vessels. To enhance the biological activity of BLVG, nicorandil (NIC), an FDA-approved drug with multi-bioactivity, was loaded in the BLVG to fabricate NIC-loaded BLVG. The morphology, chemical composition and mechanical properties of NIC-loaded BLVG were assessed. The results showed that the bilayer structure of NIC-loaded BLVG endowed the graft with a biphasic drug release behavior. The in vitro studies indicated that NIC-loaded BLVG could significantly increase the proliferation, migration and antioxidation capability of endothelial cells (ECs). Moreover, we found that the potential biological mechanism was the activation of PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway. Overall, the results effectively demonstrated that NIC-loaded BLVG had a promising in vitro performance as a functional small-diameter vascular graft.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
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心血管疾病
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组织工程
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
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2025
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IF 8.5
Meng-xiao Wang,Ke-ke Luo,Meng-yao Tian,Wen-ya Gao,Shan Jiang,Yan Zhang,Jian Yang,Nan Si,Shi-lan Ding,Xiao-lu Wei,Yu-yang Liu,Bao-lin Bian,Yan-yan Zhou,Hong-jie Wang
The diagnosis and treatment of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) during childhood pose distinct challenges. Acteoside (ACT) is the primary active ingredient extracted from the leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa by our research group, accounting for 2.15 %, which possess multiple biological activities, especially for nephropathy treatment. However, its mechanism intervention on CGN in children remains obscure. In this study, we established a model of purinomycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced CGN in childhood rats to assess the potential therapeutic effect and underlying mechanisms of ACT. Leveraging network pharmacology and multi-omics technology, we delved into the effects and mechanisms of ACT intervention on CGN. And these findings were further corroborated through qRT-PCR, western blot and targeted metabolomics. Our results demonstrated that ACT had significantly efficient in the treatment of CGN in childhood rats by improving the key indicators and pathological changes. Further, ACT could significantly regulate differences in endogenous small molecules and genes based on non-target metabolomics and transcriptomics. Meanwhile, target capture analysis found the crucial targets of ACT treatment in CGN. Integrated analysis of multi-omics study indicated that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and its downstream amino acid metabolism were significantly enriched, hinting at the essential regulatory pathway for ACT in treating of CGN. Finally, through qRT-PCR, western blot and targeted metabolomics, it was verified that ACT could ameliorate CGN through Cxcr4-PI3K-Akt-eNOS signaling pathway, thereby regulating amino acid metabolism. The collective results were consistent with those of multi-omics analysis. Our study illuminated that ACT had notable curative effect on CGN rats, and preliminarily elucidated its mechanism of action. Our research will provide solid basis for the treatment of chronic glomerulonephritis in children with ACT and developing it into innovative traditional Chinese medicine.
研究领域:
药理学
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分子生物学
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肾脏病学
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EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
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2025
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IF 4.7
Ming Luo,Yawei Du,Xuanchen Liu,Shuwen Zhang,Wenwen Zhu,Kaipeng Liu,Xiubao Ren,Ningning Zhang
Background Portal hypertension (PHT) is a severe complication of liver cirrhosis, with limited therapeutic options. Despite emerging evidence linking gut microbiota dysbiosis to PHT progression, the mechanisms by which microbial metabolites modulate liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) dysfunction and the therapeutic efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) remain poorly understood. This study investigated the potential of FMT to alleviate PHT in cirrhotic rats, exploring the underlying mechanisms involving butyrate-mediated HDAC3 inhibition and PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling regulation in LSECs. Methods Cirrhosis with PHT was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats via intraperitoneal carbon tetrachloride injection, followed by FMT or butyrate supplementation via oral gavage. Analyses included portal hemodynamic measurements, gut microbiota sequencing, serum SCFA metabolomics profiling, HDAC3 activity assays, NO level quantification, and assessments of liver fibrosis, liver function, and LSEC ultrastructure. LSECs were isolated for PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling analysis via qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. Results A two-week FMT intervention in cirrhotic rats with PHT enriched butyrate-producing bacteria and increased serum butyrate levels, which were associated with reduced portal pressure and intrahepatic vascular resistance, without affecting liver fibrosis, function, or LSEC ultrastructure. FMT reduced HDAC3 activity by 2.17-fold and increased Akt and eNOS phosphorylation in primary LSECs by 1.69-fold and 1.25-fold, respectively, elevating plasma NO levels by 1.66-fold compared to untreated controls. In vitro experiments with primary LSECs confirmed these butyrate-mediated effects. Conclusion FMT alleviates cirrhotic PHT through butyrate-mediated HDAC3 inhibition and subsequent PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling activation in LSECs, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting the gut-liver axis via microbial metabolites for PHT management.
研究领域:
医学
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分子生物学
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APOPTOSIS
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2017
·Vol. 22
·期 5
·672-680
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IF 3.833
Liu Shumin,Sun Zhengwu,Chu Peng,Li Hailong,Ahsan Anil,Zhou Ziru,Zhang Zonghui,Sun Bin,Wu Jingjun,Xi Yalin,Han Guozhu,Lin Yuan,Peng Jinyong,Tang Zeyao
Homocysteine (Hcy) induced vascular endothelial injury leads to the progression of endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural dietary antioxidant, has been applied to protect against atherosclerosis. However, the underlying protective mechanism of EGCG has not been clarified. The present study investigated the mechanism of EGCG protected against Hcy-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) apoptosis. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay (MTT), transmission electron microscope, fluorescent staining, flow cytometry, western blot were used in this study. The study has demonstrated that EGCG suppressed Hcy-induced endothelial cell morphological changes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Moreover, EGCG dose-dependently prevented Hcy-induced HUVECs cytotoxicity and apoptotic biochemical changes such as reducing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), decreasing Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio and activating caspase-9 and 3. In addition, EGCG enhanced the protein ratio of p-Akt/Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and nitric oxide (NO) formation in injured cells. In conclusion, the present study shows that EGCG prevents Hcy-induced HUVECs apoptosis via modulating mitochondrial apoptotic and PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathways. Furthermore, the results indicate that EGCG is likely to represent a potential therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis associated with Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy).
研究领域:
心血管疾病
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药理学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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Food & Function
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2016
·Vol. 7
·期 5
·2398-2408
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IF 2.686
Xiaofei Li,Jian Li,Zhike Li,Ying Sang,Yunhui Niu,Qianying Zhang,Hong Ding,Shanye Yin
Despite major scientific advances in its prevention, treatment and care, hypertension remains a serious condition that might lead to long-term complications such as heart disease and stroke. The great majority of forms of hypertension eventually result from an increased vasomotor tone activity that is regulated by endothelial NOS (eNOS) in vascular endothelium. Here, we examined the effect of fucoidan on eNOS activation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We also examined the effects of functional components of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan on blood pressure and vascular function in eNOS inhibition-induced hypertensive rats in vivo. Our results suggest that fucoidan increased nitric oxide production by activating eNOS and Akt phosphorylation, which could be impaired by Akt or eNOS inhibitors. In the hypertensive rat model, treatment of fucoidan resulted in potent and persistent reduction of high blood pressure (BP) even after drug withdrawal. Our results showed that the mechanisms might involve protection against vascular structure damage, enhanced endothelium-independent vascular function and inhibition of abnormal proliferation of smooth muscle cells, which are mediated by the Akt–eNOS signaling pathway. Moreover, fucoidan treatment reduced the vascular inflammation and oxidative stress control caused by iNOS expression. Together, these results support a putative role of fucoidan in hypertension prevention and treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
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心血管疾病
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分子生物学
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营养保健品
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INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2026
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IF 5.6
Yu Dun,Jinxi Xie,Jian Zhou,Hanbing Hu,Fuli Liu,Yiru Shao,Jie Shen
CD34/CD45-DSCs alleviate phosgene-induced acute lung injury (P-ALI) in rats. • CD34 + CD45 + cells reside in bone marrow, peripheral blood, and BALF with dynamic changes post-injury. • CD34/CD45-DSCs exhibit MSC-like properties with osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic potential in vitro. • CD34/CD45-DSCs showed prolonged lung retention perivascular engraftment, and PVSC-like phenotype acquisition without exacerbating fibrosis. • CD34/CD45-DSCs restore pulmonary vascular barrier via VEGF-PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway. Phosgene inhalation causes acute lung injury (ALI) with high mortality and no effective antidote, and stem cell therapy is limited by poor cell survival and low engraftment efficiency. Here, we identified a rare endogenous CD34 + CD45 + cell fraction that reside in bone marrow, peripheral blood, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (∼1% baseline), exhibits a “decrease-then-recovery” dynamic after phosgene injury, and displays MSC-like properties with trilineage (osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic) potential in vitro. Intravenous administration of expanded CD34 + CD45 + -derived stromal cells (CD34/CD45-DSCs) significantly alleviated pulmonary vascular leakage and inflammatory in a rat model of phosgene-induced ALI (P-ALI). In vivo bioluminescence imaging further revealed that CD34/CD45-DSCs exhibited prolonged pulmonary retention compared with BMSCs (11.3 days vs. 48 h), proliferated, engrafted around the pulmonary vasculature, and acquired a perivascular stromal cell (PVSC)-like phenotype expressing late-stage mesenchymal progenitor, pericyte, and fibroblast markers. In a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model, CD34/CD45-DSCs did not exacerbate fibrotic changes at day 28. Mechanistically, VEGF knockdown or neutralization abolished the barrier-protective effect, which was rescued by an AKT agonist and blocked by an inhibitor. Moreover, CD34/CD45-DSCs upregulated tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin in injured endothelial cells via VEGF-PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling. Collectively, our study defines the origin, spatiotemporal dynamics, perivasucular engraftment, PVSC-like fate acquisition, and VEGF-PI3K/AKT/eNOS-dependent mechanism of CD34/CD45-DSCs, supporting their potential as a relatively safe, long-engrafting, and mechanistically transparent cell-based strategy for ALI.
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高影响因子