TOXICOLOGY LETTERS
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2026
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IF 3.1
Lele Zhou,Lingbin Chen,Cailin Zheng,Jinneng Wu,Meihua Zhong,Zhixiong Huang,Zhiming Xin,Zhou Chen
Tripchlorolide, a low-toxicity derivative of the natural product triptolide, exhibits significant therapeutic potential for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases; however, its profile of male reproductive toxicity remains a major concern for clinical translation. To address this, we first established its median lethal dose at 33.13 mg/kg in mice to guide safe exposure levels. We then systematically evaluated its reproductive toxicity in male rats following 8-week intraperitoneal administration (2.5, 5, and 10 μg/kg/day). Our results demonstrated a clear dose-dependent toxicity, characterized by significant reductions in testicular and epididymal coefficients, impaired sperm count and motility, disrupted testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels, and evident histopathological damage in the testes and epididymides. Encouragingly, these adverse effects showed signs of reversal after a 4-week recovery period, suggesting that the impairment is reversible. Through an integrated approach combining network pharmacology prediction and molecular docking, we identified the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway as the pivotal molecular event. This mechanism was conclusively validated by our in vivo rescue experiment, where co-administration of the Akt activator SC79 markedly attenuated the tripchlorolide-induced reproductive impairments. Our study provides a comprehensive toxicological profile, defining the dose-response, reversibility, and mechanistic basis of tripchlorolide's male reproductive toxicity, thereby offering critical insights for its risk assessment and potential repurposing.
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Nature Communications
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2026
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IF 18.1
Li Ke-ran,Fu Ping-ping,Bai Wen,Bai Chao-wen,Yang Yitian,Liu Le,Chai Jin-long,Yao Yujia,Huang Dan,Zhang Zhi-qing,Jiang Qin,Ma Zhou-rui,Feng Yu,Yao Jin,Cao Cong
Retinal neovascularization (RNV) is a potential vision-threatening process characterized by the abnormal growth of retinal vessels. Despite its clinical prevalence, the precise mechanisms governing RNV initiation and progression remain incompletely defined. Here we identify myeloid-derived growth factor (MYDGF) as a critical regulator of retinal vascular dynamics. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and human patient validation, we show that MYDGF is upregulated in retinal endothelial cells during proliferative diabetic retinopathy and mouse models of pathological neovascularization. In vitro, MYDGF promotes retinal endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and sprouting. In vivo, endothelial-specific MYDGF depletion inhibits both normal vascular development and pathological neovascularization in neonatal mice, and disrupting adult vascular homeostasis in male mice. MYDGF drives angiogenesis by activating the Akt-mTOR cascade through the Gαi1/3-Gab1 signaling complex; genetic depleting or mutation these components suppress MYDGF-induced Akt-mTOR activation and angiogenic responses. Together, MYDGF promotes retinal angiogenesis and maintains vascular homeostasis via the Gαi1/3-Gab1-Akt-mTOR signaling axis.
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Cell Death & Disease
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2026
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IF 12.2
Wu Miaomiao,Li Hui,Li Sujun,Xu Qianwen,Liao Yijing,Qu Lili,Cang Chunlei,Wang Xingbing
Refractory disease and relapse continue to impede effective treatment of myeloid leukemia, despite substantial progress in therapeutic approaches. Emerging evidence implicates lysosomal ion channels in the regulation of cell death pathways, highlighting these channels as viable targets for therapeutic intervention. This study identified elevated expression of the lysosomal ion channel CLN7 in myeloid leukemia cells. Suppression of CLN7 triggered apoptosis, inhibited cellular proliferation, and markedly reduced the abundance of oncogenic proteins. Mechanistically, CLN7 inhibition promoted nuclear translocation of TFEB by downregulating mTOR signaling, thereby enhancing lysosomal biogenesis and macroautophagy. Notably, CLN7 suppression selectively accelerated chaperone-mediated autophagic degradation of BCR-ABL through cathepsin B (CTSB) upregulation. In addition, inhibition of CLN7 induced autophagy-mediated apoptosis, which led to significant impairment of leukemogenic potential. Co-treatment with chemotherapeutic agents and CLN7 suppression enhanced therapeutic efficacy in myeloid leukemia cells. Finally, suppression of CLN7 markedly reduced tumor growth in human xenograft models without compromising normal hematopoietic function. These findings establish CLN7 as a critical regulator of leukemic cell survival, representing a promising therapeutic target for myeloid leukemia.
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JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2026
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IF 5.4
Xing-lan Ye,Ling-shuai Zeng,Qiang Liu,Wen-cheng Xu,Hong Liu,Hong Cheng,Wen-xiao Zheng,Xiao-qin Wang,Xue Xue
Ethnopharmacological relevance Huaiqihuang granule (HQH) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula comprising Trametes robiniophila Murr. , Lycii Fructus ., and Polygonatum sibiricum Red. This granule can nourish Qi and Yin, improve blood circulation and remove blood stasis. HQH has been extensively used to improve immune-mediated kidney diseases, such as IgA vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN). However, its renal protective mechanism remains elusive. Aim of the study This study investigated whether HQH ameliorates IgAVN by modulating the AMPK/mTOR-mediated autophagy pathway. Materials and methods The IgAVN mouse model was established using gliadin sensitization and India ink-mediated reticuloendothelial blockade (n = 10/group). The model mice were then treated for 4 weeks with low/high-dose HQH (4/8 g/kg/day) or dexamethasone (2.5 mg/kg/day). For in vitro analyses, human mesangial cells (HMCs) were first stimulated with aggregated IgA1 (aIgA1, 25 μg/mL) and then treated with the optimal concentration of HQH-containing serum (40 %). Furthermore, biochemical indices assays, renal histopathology, and immunofluorescence analysis of IgA deposition were performed. Moreover, autophagy levels were evaluated by assessing the expression of autophagy-related proteins, MDC staining, and mCherry-EGFP-LC3 transfection. Western blot and immunofluorescence were carried out to assess the levels of the AMPK/mTOR pathway proteins and proliferation markers. Results The results showed that HQH treatment significantly reduced 24-h urinary protein and serum IgA levels, but improved renal histopathology in IgAVN mice. Furthermore, HQH activated autophagy by upregulating p-AMPKα, LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, and Beclin1, while inhibiting p-mTOR/mTOR and p62. Moreover, in HMCs, 40 % HQH-containing serum optimally inhibited aIgA1-induced mesangial proliferation and increased autophagic levels, as evidenced by the quantitative increase in autophagy activity and mean fluorescence intensity of MDC. However, these effects were blocked by AMPK inhibition. Conclusion This study showed that HQH alleviates IgAVN by upregulating AMPK/mTOR-mediated autophagy, inhibiting mesangial cell proliferation, and mitigating renal injury. These findings suggest that HQH has therapeutic potential for IgAVN and link autophagy modulation to IgAVN treatment.
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INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2023
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IF 5.6
Tianjiao Ma,Lei Yang,Binmei Zhang,Xin Lv,Feifei Gong,Wei Yang
Aims Doxorubicin is a drug widely used in clinical cancer treatment, but severe cardiotoxicity limits its clinical application. Autophagy disorder is an important factor in the mechanism of doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury. As the smallest molecule in nature, hydrogen has various biological effects such as anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis and regulation of autophagy. Hydrogen therapy is currently considered to be an emerging therapeutic method, but the effect and mechanism of hydrogen on doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury have not been determined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of hydrogen inhalation on doxorubicin-induced chronic myocardial injury and its effect and mechanism on autophagy. Methods In this study, we established a chronic heart injury model by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin in rats for 30 days, accumulating 20 mg/kg. The effect of hydrogen inhalation on the cardiac function in rats was explored by echocardiography, Elisa, and H&E staining. To clarify the influence of autophagy, we detected the expression of LC3 and related autophagy proteins in vivo and in vitro by immunofluorescence and western blot.In order to further explore the mechanism of autophagy, we added pathway inhibitors and used western blot to preliminarily investigate the protective effect of hydrogen inhalation on myocardial injury caused by doxorubicin. Results Hydrogen inhalation can improve doxorubicin-induced cardiac function decline and pathological structural abnormalities in rats. It was confirmed by immunofluorescence that hydrogen treatment could restore the expression of autophagy marker protein LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3) in cardiomyocytes reduced by doxorubicin, while reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Mechanistically, Western blot results consistently showed that hydrogen treatment up-regulated the ratio of p-AMPK (phosphorylated AMP-dependent protein kinase) to AMPK and down-regulated p-mTOR (phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin) and mTOR ratio. Conclusions These results suggest that hydrogen inhalation can activate autophagy through the AMPK/mTOR pathway and protect against myocardial injury induced by doxorubicin. Hydrogen inhalation therapy may be a potential treatment for doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury.
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Molecular Cancer
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2023
·Vol. 22
·期 1
·1-20
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IF 37.3
Song Runjie,Ma Shuoqian,Xu Jiajia,Ren Xin,Guo Peilan,Liu Huijiao,Li Peng,Yin Fan,Liu Mei,Wang Qiang,Yu Lei,Liu Jiali,Duan Binwei,Rahman Nafis A.,Wołczyński Sławomir,Li Guangming,Li Xiangdong
Background hsa_circ_0001727 (circZKSCAN1) has been reported to be a tumor-associated circRNA by sponging microRNAs. Intriguingly, we found that circZKSCAN1 encoded a secretory peptide (circZKSaa) in the liver. The present study aims to elucidate the potential role and molecular mechanism of circZKSaa in the regulation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression.Methods The circRNA profiling datasets (RNA-seq data GSE143233 and GSE140202) were reanalyzed and circZKSCAN1 was selected for further study. Mass spectrometry, polysome fractionation assay, dual-luciferase reporter, and a series of experiments showed that circZKSCAN1 encodes circZKSaa. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis in nude mice were examined to investigate the functions of circZKSaa. Mechanistically, the relationship between the circZKSaa and mTOR in HCC was verified by immunoprecipitation analyses, mass spectrometry, and immunofluorescence staining analyses.Results Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that the secretory peptide circZKSaa encoded by circZKSCAN1 might be the potential biomarker for HCC tissues. Through a series of experiments, we found that circZKSaa inhibited HCC progression and sensitize HCC cells to sorafenib. Mechanistically, we found that the sponge function of circZKSCAN1 to microRNA is weak in HCC, while overexpression of circZKSaa promoted the interaction of FBXW7 with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) to promote the ubiquitination of mTOR, thereby inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, we found that the high expression of cicZKSCAN1 in sorafenib-treated HCC cells was regulated by QKI-5.Conclusion sThese results reveal that a novel circZKSCAN1-encoded peptide acts as a tumor suppressor on PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and sensitizes HCC cells to sorafenib via ubiquitination of mTOR. These findings demonstrated that circZKSaa has the potential to serve as a therapeutic target and biomarker for HCC treatment.
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BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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2023
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IF 5.1
Shuai Wang,Jian-Tao Shi,Xing-Rong Wang,Hong-Xia Mu,Xue-Ting Wang,Kai-Yan Xu,Qing-Shan Wang,Shi-Wu Chen
The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is one of the most common abnormal activation pathways in tumor cells, and has associated with multiple functions such as tumor cell growth, proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor angiogenesis. Here, a series of 3-amino-1 H -indazole derivatives were synthesized, and their antiproliferative activities against HT-29, MCF-7, A-549, HepG2 and HGC-27 cells were evaluated. Among them, W24 exhibited the broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity against four cancer cells with IC 50 values of 0.43–3.88 μM. Mechanism studies revealed that W24 inhibited proliferation by affecting the DNA synthesis, induced G 2 /M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by regulating Cyclin B1, BAD and Bcl-xL, meanwhile induced the change of intracellular ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential in HGC-27 cells. Moreover, W24 inhibited the migration and invasion of HGC-27 cells by decreasing EMT pathway related proteins and reducing the mRNA expression levels of Snail, Slug and HIF-1α. Furthermore, W24 displayed low tissue toxicity profile and good pharmacokinetic properties in vivo . Therefore, 3-amino-1 H -indazole derivatives might serve as a new scaffold for the development of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitor and anti-gastric cancer reagent.
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Frontiers in Pharmacology
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2021
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IF 5.811
Fang Yuwei,Shi Kangpei,Lu Haining,Lu Lin,Qiu Bo
Objective: To investigate the effect of Mingmu Xiaomeng tablets (MMXM) on the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-related proteins in a diabetic rat model.Methods: Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control (NC), diabetic model (DM) control, MMXM, and calcium dobesilate (CD) Rats injected with streptozotocin (STZ) were used as an experimental diabetes model. After 14 weeks, autophagy and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway proteins were detected by western blot. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in Müller cells was examined by immunohistochemistry. Retinal function was evaluated with electroretinography, and retinal ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Serum cytokine levels were detected with protein chip technology.Results: MMXM restored autophagy by decreasing the protein expression of LC3-II and p62 and reducing the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR, thus promoting autophagy. MMXM decreased GFAP expression in retinal Müller cells; restored electrophysiology indexes and retinal ultrastructures; and reduced serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor.Conclusion: MMXM may protect the diabetic retina by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and enhancing autophagy.
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Theranostics
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2021
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IF 11.556
Yiqun Xia,Jundixia Chen,Yun Yu,Fengjiao Wu,Xin Shen,Chenyu Qiu,Tingting Zhang,Lin Hong,Peisen Zheng,Rongrong Shao,Chenxin Xu,Fang Wu,Wei Chen,Congying Xie,Ri Cui,Peng Zou
Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Extensive research over decades has led to the development of therapies that inhibit oncogenic signaling pathways. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of many cancers. Several mTOR inhibitors are approved for the treatment of cancers. However, the anticancer efficacies of mTOR inhibitor monotherapy are still limited. Methods: Western blot was used to detect the expression of indicated molecules. Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity in cells was determined by the endpoint insulin reduction assay. Immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze precise location and expression of target proteins. Nude mice were used for xenograft tumor models. Results: We identified a synergistic lethal interaction of mTOR and TrxR inhibitors and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms of this synergism. We demonstrated that mTOR and TrxR inhibitors cooperated to induce cell death by triggering oxidative stress, which led to activation of autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in cancer cells. Remarkably, we found that auranofin (AF) combined with everolimus significantly suppressed tumor growth in HCT116 and SGC-7901 xenograft models with no significant signs of toxicity. Conclusion: Our findings identify a promising therapeutic combination for cancer and has important implications for developing mTOR inhibitor-based combination treatments.
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ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
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2020
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IF 7.577
Miaoling Lin,Rui Hua,Jing Ma,Yao Zhou,Pei Li,Xiya Xu,Zhiqiang Yu,Song Quan
Background Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread endocrine-disrupting chemical with estrogen like effects, which could interfere with the human reproductive system by disrupting the normal function of granulosa cells (GCs) leading to abnormal ovarian function. However, the mechanism of its toxicity on human GCs has not been clearly described thus far. Methods 106 normogonadotropic infertile women undergoing their first in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle were recruited. Urinary BPA level and the early outcomes of IVF-ET were analysed. Patients were divided to low and high BPA exposure groups using the median urinary BPA concentration as the cut-off value. In-vivo and in-vitro studies were conducted using mice and human granulosa cell line (KGN cells). Female Kunming mice approximately 6–8 weeks of age were poisoned with BPA at different dosages (1, 10 or 100 μg/kg) by oral gavage once daily for 2 weeks, while KGN cells were exposed to BPA at the concentration of 1, 10 or 100 nM for 24 h, 48 h or 72 h. BPA-induced ovarian morphologic changes were analysed by histopathology investigation. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated using CCK-8, TUNEL and flowcytometric, respectively. Hormone levels were determined using ELISA and the molecular mechanism studies were conducted using immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and western blots. Results The oocyte retrieval rate, maturation rate and embryo implantation rate significantly decreased with the higher level of urinary BPA concentration. Peak E2 level was lower in high BPA group, but no statistical significance could be observed. In BPA treated mice, cystic dilation of the follicles with a decreased number of GCs could be observed histopathologically. Decreased E2, P4 and AMH level and GCs autophagy could be detected both in-vivo and in-vitro with the activation of AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signalling pathway. As being confirmed in KGN cells, phosphorylated AMPK and ULK1 increased while phosphorylated mTOR decreased, and by inhibition autophagy using knockdown of AMPK or 3-MA, adverse effects of BPA exposure in-vitro could be reversed. Conclusion BPA exposure might abnormally influence human ovarian functions leading to abnormal folliculogenesis by activation of autophagy in GCs through AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway.
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Frontiers in Pharmacology
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2025
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IF 4.8
Xiaoli Deng,Chunjie Hu,Lin Li,Guixian Yang,Chikun Li,Wanxun Zhang,Guangyu Cheng
Background Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with cisplatin being a cornerstone of treatment. However, resistance to cisplatin presents a significant challenge. β-elemene, a natural compound, has demonstrated potential to reverse cisplatin resistance. LncRNA LINC00511 has been implicated in cisplatin resistance through its role in activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which supports tumor survival and proliferation. Purpose This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which β-elemene overcomes cisplatin resistance in lung cancer by regulating LINC00511. Methods Human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549 and A549/DDP) were treated with β-elemene and cisplatin. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using CCK-8, EdU staining, and flow cytometry. LINC00511 expression was measured by qRT-PCR, and protein levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR were evaluated via Western blot. A xenograft model was used to confirm in vivo effects. Results β-elemene significantly enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis in A549/DDP cells, reduced LINC00511 expression, and inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. LINC00511 knockdown further potentiated these effects, both in vitro and in vivo . Xenograft models confirmed the enhanced anti-tumor effects of the combination treatment. Conclusion β-elemene overcomes cisplatin resistance in lung cancer by downregulating LINC00511 and inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. These findings propose a promising therapeutic strategy for treating cisplatin-resistant lung cancer.
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JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2024
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IF 4.8
Ranyi Luo,Yinhao Zhang,Hong Wang,Bing Xu,Jiaorong Qu,Shuwen Duan,Runping Liu,Jia Liu,Shuo Li,Xiaojiaoyang Li
Ethnopharmacological relevance Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a common occurrence during or after liver surgery, representing a major cause for postoperative complications or increased morbidity and mortality in liver diseases. Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RRP) is a traditional Chinese medicine frequently used and has garnered extensive attention for its therapeutic potential treating cardiovascular and hepatic ailments. Recent studies have indicated the possibility of RRP in regulating lipid accumulation and apoptosis in hepatocytes. Aim of the study This study aimed to investigate the specific mechanisms by which RRP may impede the progression of HIRI through the regulation of lipid metabolism. Materials and methods High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the major components of RRP water extract. C57BL/6J mice were orally given RRP at doses of 2.5 g/kg, 5 g/kg, and 10 g/kg for a duration of 7 days before undergoing HIRI surgery. Furthermore, we established a lipid-loaded in vitro model by exposing hepatocytes to oleic acid and palmitic acid (OAPA). The anti-HIRI effect of RRP was determined through transcriptomics and various molecular biology experiments. Results After identifying active ingredients in RRP, we observed that RRP exerted lipid-lowering and hepatoprotective effects on HIRI mice and OAPA-treated hepatocytes. RRP activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibited mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which further on the one hand, inhibited the cleavage and activation of sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) by limiting the movement of SREBPs cleavage-activating protein (SCAP)-SREBP2 complex with the help of endoplasmic reticulum lipid raft-associated protein 1 (ERLIN1) and insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG1), and on the other hand, promoted liver X receptor α (LXRα) nuclear transportation and subsequent cholesterol efflux. Meanwhile, the anti-lipotoxic effect of RRP can be partly reversed by an LXRα inhibitor but largely blocked by the application of compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. Conclusion Our study elucidated that RRP served as a potential AMPK activator to alleviate HIRI by blocking SREBP2 activation and cholesterol synthesis, while also activating LXRα to facilitate cholesterol efflux. These findings shed new light on the potential therapeutic use of RRP for improving HIRI.
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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