Molecular Medicine Reports
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2025
·Vol. 32
·期 1
·1-12
·
IF 3.5
Lijuan Liang,Zhiheng Dong,Ziqing Shen,Yifan Zang,Wenlong Yang,Lan Wu,Lidao Bao
Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a critical marker of advanced‑stage chronic liver disease and involves pivotal contributions from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Currently, there are no effective treatments for HF. Umbelliferone (7‑hydroxycoumarin; UMB) is a natural compound with significant anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant and anti‑tumor activities. However, its potential efficacy in treating HF has not been studied. The present study explored the protective effects of UMB against HF, targeting the TGF‑β1‑Smad signaling pathway to explore the underlying mechanisms of UMB. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was injected intraperitoneally to induce HF in rats and primary HSCs were treated in vitro with UMB to investigate the improvement effect of UMB on HF. The levels of fibrosis markers, inflammation, oxidative stress and TGF‑β1‑Smad signaling pathway in the rat liver tissue and HSCs were detected using hematoxylin and eosin staining, enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, Cell Counting Kit‑8 and western blotting. The improvement in liver histopathology, liver function indexes and fibrosis markers demonstrated that UMB markedly inhibited the CCl4‑induced HF and inflammation in the rats. Additionally, UMB prominently reduced the pro‑inflammatory factors and oxidative stress levels. In vitro, UMB markedly inhibited primary HSC activation and decreased alpha‑smooth muscle actin and collagen I expression. The mechanism experiment proved that UMB inhibited the TGF‑β1‑Smad signaling pathway and ameliorated HF. The present study was the first to demonstrate, to the best of the authors' knowledge, that UMB might be a promising natural active compound for treating HF. Its therapeutic effect is associated with its modulation of the TGF‑β1‑Smad signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝脏病学
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PubMed
高影响因子
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
·
2023
·Vol. 28
·期 1
·1-12
·
IF 4.2
Jia Ji,Zhao Xing-an,Tao Si-ming,Wang Jun-wen,Zhang Rong-liang,Dai Hua-lei,Zhang Xin-jin,Han Ming-hua,Yang Bei,Li Yu,Li Jin-tao
Background Postinfarction cardiac remodeling presents a compensatory mechanism aimed at mitigating congestive heart failure. It is distinguished by progressive dilatation and hypertrophy of the ventricular chambers, fibrotic alterations, and prolonged apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. The primary objective of this study was to assess the effects of icariin on myocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling in rats subjected to myocardial infarction (MI).Methods Male Sprague‒Dawley (SD) rats were subjected to randomization and subsequently divided into distinct groups: the control group, the sham group (undergoing sham operation), the MI group (experiencing ligation of the left anterior descending artery), and the icariin group. Within the icariin group, rats were further categorized into three different dose groups based on the administered icariin dosage: the MI30 group (30 mg/kg/day), the MI60 group (60 mg/kg/day), and the MI120 group (120 mg/kg/day). Cardiac function evaluation was carried out using echocardiography. Histological examinations, including hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry studies, were conducted 90 days after the occurrence of MI. Additionally, Western blotting was employed to assess TGF‐β1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 levels.Results The administration of icariin revealed a noteworthy enhancement in cardiac function among rats afflicted with left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation. In comparison to the icariin groups, the MI group exhibited reduced EF and FS, along with elevated LVEDD and LVESD. Furthermore, the cardiac fibrosis levels in the MI group rats exhibited a considerable increase compared to those in the icariin group. Notably, the levels of Collagen I, Collagen III, MMP2, and MMP9 were significantly higher in the MI group than in the icariin group, with evident distinctions. Moreover, the expression levels of TGF-β, IL-13, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 were notably upregulated in the MI group compared to the icariin group.Conclusion sIn an experimental rat model of MI, the administration of icariin resulted in the amelioration of both cardiac function and remodeling processes, operating through the intricate TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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心脏病学
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分子生物学
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PubMed
高影响因子
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
·
2022
·Vol. 24
·期 1
·1-11
·
IF 2.751
Lianjie Xu,Yurong Zhang,Nengbo Ji,Yan Du,Tao Jia,Shanshan Wei,Wei Wang,Shan Zhang,Wenhui Chen
Tanshinone IIA (TIIA) is a major component extracted from the traditional herbal medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza and has been indicated to play a role in the treatment of organ fibrosis. However, the evidence supporting its antifibrotic effect is insufficient and the underlying mechanism is unclear. To investigate the therapeutic effect of TIIA on non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis‑related fibrosis (NASH‑F), the present study used a methionine choline deficiency diet to induce NASH‑F in rats, and explored the effect of TIIA on the transforming growth factor‑β1 (TGF‑β1)/Smad signaling pathway. Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, NASH‑F and TIIA groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, the levels of serum markers associated with liver function and fibrosis were measured, liver fat vacuoles and inflammation were assessed by haematoxylin and eosin staining, and liver fibrosis was assessed by Masson's trichrome staining. TGF‑β1, Smad2, Smad3, Smad7 and α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA) mRNA expression, and TGF‑β1, Smad2/3, phosphorylated (p)‑Smad2/3, Smad7 and α‑SMA protein levels were determined. The results revealed that TIIA could remarkably ameliorate liver fat vacuoles and inflammation in NASH‑F rats, and could decrease the levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, total bile acid, hyaluronic acid, type Ⅳ collagen, laminin and type III collagen, while increasing the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides; however, this was not statistically significance. TIIA markedly suppressed the increased TGF‑β1, Smad2, Smad3 and α‑SMA mRNA expression levels observed in the liver of NASH‑F rats, while it increased the mRNA expression level of Smad7. Similarly, TIIA suppressed the increased TGF‑β1, p‑Smad2/3 and α‑SMA protein levels observed in the liver of NASH‑F rats, while it increased the protein expression level of Smad7 in vitro and in vivo. TIIA had no significant cytotoxic effect at 10, 20, 40 and 80 µmol/l on human LX‑2 cell. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that TIIA alleviated NASH‑F by regulating the TGF‑β1/Smad signaling pathway. TIIA may be a useful tool in the prevention and treatment of NASH‑F.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝病学
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分子生物学
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PubMed
高影响因子
MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS
·
2025
·
IF 3.2
Fei Chen,Caitang Liu,Rongrong Jiang,Hao Wang
Colon cancer treatment remains a clinical challenge. Chaperonin containing TCP1 subunit 6 A (CCT6A) acts as an oncogene in multiple tumors. In this study, we investigated its roles in colon cancer cells. We analyzed CCT6A expression using single-cell datasets and the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis were used to assess CCT6A expression levels in colon cancer tissues and cell lines. Additionally, specific roles of CCT6A in colon cancer was analyzed using cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine staining, flow cytometry, wound healing, transwell, boron dipyrromethene staining, western blot analysis, and nude model mice. We found that CCT6A expression levels were significantly elevated in colon cancer tissues compared to those in normal tissues and predicted a worse prognosis. CCT6A induced proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and fatty acid synthesis and suppressed apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Mechanistically, CCT6A promoted colon cancer progression by increasing the cleavage of latency-associated peptide (LAP)-transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to mature form of TGF-β and inducing Smad2/3 phosphorylation in colon cancer cells. Overall, CCT6A promoted colon cancer progression by modulating fatty acid metabolism and activating the TGF-β1/Smad signaling, serving as a potential therapeutic target for colon cancer.
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高影响因子
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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2022
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IF 5.307
Tingting Ma,Huanli Cheng,Tongxi Li,Yifan Chen,Tianying Cai,Junjie Bai,Ziming Wu,Xianming Xia,Tiancheng Liang,Yichao Du,Wenguang Fu
Background Although liver fibrosis is a key pathologic process in many liver diseases, therapeutic approaches for inhibiting liver fibrosis are still very limited. N-Acetyl- l -tryptophan ( l -NAT) has a hepatoprotective effect via inhibiting the destruction of liver cells, enhancing cell viability and reducing the inflammation. However, the effect of l -NAT on liver fibrosis is not determined. Purpose The present study investigated the effect of l -NAT on liver fibrosis and explored it potential molecular mechanism. Methods To address this concern, this study was carried out via fibrotic mice model induced by CCl 4 and many approaches such as various histological staining methods, western blot assay, etc. Result l -NAT decreased the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in fibrotic mice model induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ). Histological staining showed that l -NAT ameliorated liver injury and fibrosis, and reduced the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen I protein. l -NAT also attenuated apoptosis by down-regulating the level of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and up-regulating that of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Moreover, l -NAT inhibited the expressions of TGF-β1/SMAD and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) proteins, and reversed the expression of YAP1 protein in CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis. Conclusion These results clearly demonstrated that l -NAT attenuated CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis in mice, and this protective mechanism might relate to TGF-β1/SMAD and Hippo/YAP1 signaling pathway. Thus, this study provided data basis for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝病学
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分子生物学
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PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2019
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IF 3.361
Chunyan Li,Xiao Sun,Ang Li,Min Mo,Zhongxi Zhao
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a disease characterized by diffusing alveolar inflammation and alveolar structural disorders that ultimately lead to pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) as a water-soluble organosulfur garlic derivative exhibits efficient anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. In this study, we attempted to explore the function of SAMC in inhibiting bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. 0.035 U/g of BLM was intraperitoneally injected into mice twice per week for 4 weeks to induce fibrosis. SAMC (25 and 50 mg/kg) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 600 mg/kg) were given to mice for 28 days. The results indicate that SAMC could significantly ameliorate the pathological structure, and decrease inflammatory cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice. SAMC showed an anti-fibrosis effect by increasing anti-oxidants like HO-1, GSH and SOD as well as decreasing hydroxyproline (HYP) in BLM-induced mice. Mechanistic studies suggested that SAMC alleviated oxidative stress probably by impacting the Nox4/Nrf2 pathways, and played an anti-fibrosis role with decreasing the expression of α-SMA, collagen III, collagen I by suppressing the TGF-β1/Smad pathway. These findings indicate that SAMC may be partially responsible for the therapeutic effect on PF patients.
研究领域:
药理学
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肺科学
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免疫学
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病理学
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PubMed
高影响因子
International Journal of Nanomedicine
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2025
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IF 6.5
Jinxia Zhang,Xinxin Xie,Yuanjing Li,Haonan Wang,Lijuan Zhang,Peiqi Shi,Jing Wei,Ling Zhang,Yingdong Lu,Ligang Cui,Xiaoning Liu,Xiaolong Liang
Introduction Emodin alleviates renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) and reduces inflammation by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad pathway, thus improving CKD outcomes. However, its clinical use is limited due to poor solubility and side effects. This study developed a targeted drug delivery system using αKIM-1 modified microbubbles carrying Emodin to enhance accumulation in renal tissues with high KIM-1 expression.Methods Emo@KP MBs were characterized by TEM and DLS, and their drug loading and encapsulation rates were measured by UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy. Biocompatibility was assessed in vitro with HK-2 cells and in vivo via hematological and pathological markers. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and fluorescence imaging were used for real-time visualization of treatment. Therapeutic experiments were performed on a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model treated with Emo@KP MBs + US on days 1 and 3 post-surgery. Renal function, cytokine levels, and histological analysis were detected to evaluate therapeutic effects.Results Emo@KP MBs exhibited spherical structures (2 ~ 4 μm) with good stability. Ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) enabled controlled release of Emodin. CEUS and fluorescence imaging showed enhanced drug accumulation in diseased kidneys. In the UUO + Emo@KP MBs/US group, renal function was improved, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) were decreased, and renal lesions and collagen deposition were reduced. Immunohistochemistry revealed the downregulation of TGF-β, Smad2/3, and α-SMA, and upregulation of E-cadherin.Conclusion Emo@KP MBs enhanced drug delivery efficiency and therapeutic efficacy through αKIM-1 targeting and UTMD, while providing real-time imaging capabilities, suggesting good potential as a therapeutic approach to reduce renal inflammation and fibrosis in UUO.
研究领域:
药理学
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肾脏病学
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分子生物学
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PubMed
高影响因子
CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
·
2017
·Vol. 43
·期 4
·1359-1368
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IF 5.104
Du Lifen,Lei Yongfang,Chen Jinglou,Song Hongping,Wu Xinying
Background/Aims: Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant with reproductive toxicity. Swertia mileensis is used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of prostatic deficits and named as Qing Ye Dan (QYD). This study was undertaken to investigate the potential protective effects of QYD against Cd-induced prostatic deficits. Method: Rat model of prostatic deficits was induced by 0.2 mg/kg/d CdCl2 subcutaneous injection for 15 days. The prostatic oxidative stress was evaluated by detecting the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, reduced/ oxidized glutathione, total sulfhydryl groups and enzymatic antioxidant status. The prostatic inflammation was estimated by testing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers E-cadherin, fibronectin, vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin were measured by qPCR analysis. Additionally, the prostatic expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), type I TGF-β receptor (TGF-βRI), Smad2, phosphorylation-Smad2 (p-Smad2), Smad3, p-Smad3, Smad7, nuclear related factor-2 (Nrf-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), B-cell CLL/lymphoma (Bcl)-2 and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were measured by western blot assay. Results: It was found that QYD ameliorated the Cd-induced prostatic oxidative stress and inflammation, attenuated prostatic EMT, inhibited the TGF-β1/Smad pathway, increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and enhanced the activity of Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. Conclusion: These results showed that QYD could ameliorate Cd-induced prostatic deficits via modulating Nrf-2/HO-1 and TGF-β1/Smad pathways
研究领域:
药理学
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毒理学
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分子生物学
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生殖医学
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PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Functional Foods
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2020
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IF 3.701
Shan Shan Qi,Meng Li Shao,Sun Ze,Hong Xing Zheng
Salidroside from Rhodiola rosea L. has hypoglycemic effects, and has anti-osteoporosis effect in diabetic rats. Whether it has beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) has not been fully reported. Here, a DN rat model was established by streptozotocin (STZ). Salidroside (10, and 20 mg kg −1 d −1 ) were orally giving for eight weeks. The purity of salidroside was 99%. The results showed that eight weeks salidroside supplementation dose-dependently decreased blood glucose, serum insulin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), as well as urinary albumin of DN rats, repaired the pathological changes of kidney tissue, the renal sclerosis and fibrosis in the kidney of DN rats were improved, and the activities of oxidative defense system associated enzyme such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were also improved. Serum inflammatory cytokines (including tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6) were decreased significantly in DN rats after eight weeks salidroside supplementation. Immunohistochemical results showed that fibrosis related proteins such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), phospho-Smad2 (p-Smad2), and phospho-Smad3 (p-Smad3) expression levels were decreased significantly in the kidney of salidroside treated group. Our results indicate that daily salidroside consumption could alleviate DN in rats, the main mechanisms are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. This study suggested that salidroside could be used as a nutrient against DN, as well as diabetes.
研究领域:
药理学
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糖尿病学
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肾病学
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高影响因子
Medical Molecular Morphology
·
2021
·Vol. 54
·期 4
·337-345
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IF 2.309
Xu Sijia,Dong Wenxin,Shi Yu
The purpose of this study is to explore whether LncRNA PICSAR binds to miR-485-5p and thereby activates TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, influencing the abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts and excessive deposition of ECM in hypertrophic scar formation. PICSAR and miR-485-5p expressions were detected by qPCR. Cell proliferation was examined by CCK-8. Protein expressions were determined by western blot. Immunofluorescence detected the Ki-67 expression. Dual-luciferase followed by immunoprecipitation was performed to verify the interaction between PICSAR and miR-485-5p. Interference with PICSAR inhibited the abnormal proliferation of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs) and the excessive deposition of ECM. It was also confirmed in our study that MiR-485-5p is a direct target of PICSAR in HSFs. Additionally, inhibition of miR-485-5p reversed the effect of PICSAR knockdown in HSFs. LncRNA PICSAR binds to miR-485-5p and thereby activates TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, promoting the abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts and excessive deposition of ECM in hypertrophic scar formation.
研究领域:
分子生物学
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细胞生物学
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伤口愈合
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PubMed
高影响因子
TOXICOLOGY
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2022
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IF 4.571
Peng Lin,Xu Tong,Fan Xue,Chi Qianru,Tang Xinyu,Li Zhe,Bai Zhikun,Li Shu
Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS NPs) contamination is a serious problem for human and animal health. Excessive exposure to PS NPs can affect the structure and function of the heart. And lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces myocardial damage , leading to myocardial fibrosis (MF). To investigate whether PS NPs exacerbate LPS-induced myocardial autophagy and fibrosis , we established in vivo and in vitro models of PS NPs/LPS exposure alone and in combination. We found that PS NPs/LPS exposure disrupts myocardial structure, significantly increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), triggers oxidative stress , promotes TGF-β1/Smad pathway activation, and leads to elevated levels of fibrotic proteins and collagen. Meanwhile, activation of AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway induced autophagy onset, and combined exposure of PS NPs/LPS exacerbated MF and autophagy. H9C2 cells were used for in vitro experiments, and the experimental results showed that the addition of TGF-β receptor inhibitor LY2109761 to the exposed group not only inhibited the upregulation of fibrotic genes but also effectively reduced the expression of autophagic signals, indicating that combined exposure of PS NPs and LPS mediates and regulates cardiac autophagy through TGF-β1. The above results suggest that PS NPs exacerbate LPS-induced MF and autophagy in mice via ROS/TGF-β1/Smad. Our study provides some new evidence to clarify the potential mechanisms of PS NPs-induced cardiotoxicity.
研究领域:
毒理学
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心脏病学
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纳米技术
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细胞生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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2022
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IF 2.65
Fei Kong,Meng Zhao
Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury is a common clinical problem after myocardial infarction without effective therapy. Loureirin B (LrB) is a kind of flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activities. However, the effect of LrB on MI/R and its underlying mechanism remains elusive. In the present study, a mouse model of MI/R was established by coronary artery occlusion. Administration of LrB (0.5 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg) for 4 weeks effectively improved left ventricular (LV) function and reduced myocardial infarction in MI/R mice. MI/R-induced expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the hearts was reduced by LrB treatment. Histological analysis showed that LrB attenuated myocardial collagen deposition. LrB downregulated fibronectin, collagen I, collagen III, and α-SMA expression. Notably, LrB inhibited the expression of profibrotic plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β1R, and p-Smad2/3. Consistently, LrB inhibited the activation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway and the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in angiotensin (Ang) II-treated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Overexpression of PAI-1 abolished the effects of LrB on Ang II-treated CFs, suggesting that LrB may function through regulating PAI-1. These results indicated that LrB may alleviate MI/R-induced myocardial fibrosis by inhibiting PAI-1/TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Thus, LrB may be a potential drug in the treatment of MI/R injury.
研究领域:
心脏病学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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病理生理学
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PubMed
高影响因子
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