Frontiers in Endocrinology
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2025
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IF 4.6
Yating Xu,Li Ning,Yu Si,Xiu Li,Ruyue Wang,Qingling Ren
Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder characterized by metabolic and ovulatory dysfunctions, often associated with an imbalance in gut microbiota. Despite current treatments, effective management strategies targeting underlying mechanisms remain limited.Methods: In this study, we used a rat model of PCOS induced by letrozole and a high-fat diet. The effect of intestinal AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation was evaluated through metformin administration, the most commonly used AMPK activator. We analyzed metabolic parameters, ovulatory functions, gut microbiota composition, and serum levels of Indole-3-carboxaldehyde (I3A), a metabolite involved in inflammation and apoptosis regulation.Results: Metformin treatment significantly reversed metabolic disorders and restored ovulatory functions in PCOS rats. Moreover, metformin treatment led to notable improvements in gut microbiota composition and an increase in serum I3A levels, which have been shown to mitigate inflammation and apoptosis.Discussion: This study highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting intestinal AMPK in managing PCOS. By improving both metabolic and reproductive health, activation of AMPK may offer a promising approach for restoring physiological balance in PCOS patients.
研究领域:
生殖医学
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代谢生物学
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微生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
LIFE SCIENCES
·
2020
·
IF 3.647
Jing Yang,Yiwen Zhou,Jinsong Shi
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a noninfectious inflammatory disease with high morbidity and mortality, which is characterized by severe inflammation and tissue necrosis. Cordycepin (CRD), derived from Cordyceps militaris , possesses anti-inflammatory effects and immunomodulation properties. Here, we investigated the protective effects of CRD on pancreatic injury and clarified potential mechanisms in AP model. There were established caerulein-induced AP and CRD pretreatment models in vivo and in vitro, as showed by serum enzymes, histopathological alterations and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pretreatment with CRD notably downregulated the serum amylase and lipase levels and apparently reduced pancreatic histopathological alterations in AP mice. Meanwhile, the MPO staining confirmed that CRD pretreatment modulated the infiltration of neutrophils in AP mice. Furthermore, CRD markedly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) though inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and NLR family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in AP mice. In pancreatic acinar cancer cell 266-6, CRD pretreatment decreased cholecystokinin(CCK)-induced inflammatory response was consistent with those in vivo. Mechanistically, CRD was also revealed to activate activated protein kinase (AMPK) and attenuated inflammation both in vivo and in vitro. On the whole, this study indicated that CRD protects mice from pancreatic inflammatory process and damage by suppressed NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation via AMPK, which probably contributed to the potential therapy for AP.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Chemical Biology & Drug Design
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2025
·Vol. 105
·期 4
·e70097
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IF 3.3
Wei-fang Song,Sheng-nan Li,Rui-xin Yao,Qiu-yan Jiang,Ting Shi,Dan-dan Fan,Hai-juan Zhang,Wen-hui Zhang,Rui-jun Wang
The primary objective aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of echinacoside in ameliorating hepatic steatosis and exploring its role in modulating autophagic flux through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, positioning it as a potential treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A well-established NAFLD rat model was employed, administering varying concentrations of echinacoside. Biochemical parameters, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), alongside liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were measured to assess liver function. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms, western blot analyses were performed to assess the expressions of p-AMPK, total AMPK, and key autophagy markers LC-3 I/II and Beclin-1. Echinacoside significantly improved the lipid profile by lowering plasma TG, TC, and LDL-C levels while increasing HDL-C. It also reduced serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities, demonstrating hepatoprotective effects. Notably, echinacoside reversed the p-AMPK levels in NAFLD rats in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest dosage showing the strongest effect. This was accompanied by increased expression of LC-3 I/II and Beclin-1. Echinacoside is expected to be a therapeutic drug for NAFLD by activating AMPK activity and enhancing autophagy to improve liver function. These findings suggest its clinical potential, with autophagy modulation via the AMPK pathway as a possible therapeutic mechanism for NAFLD treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
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代谢生物学
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肝脏疾病研究
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY
·
2020
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IF 2.971
Yucheng Li,Baoying Wang,Jiduo Shen,Ming Bai,Erping Xu
Context Berberine is an alkaloid that possesses various pharmacologic effects.Objective To explore the mechanism of berberine to improve insulin sensitivity in fructose-fed mice.Materials and methods Sixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (10 mice in each group): control, fructose, pioglitazone (10 mg/kg) and berberine (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). Except for the control group, the mice received 20% fructose drinking for 10 weeks. Pioglitazone and berberine were orally administered once daily during the last 4 weeks. The insulin sensitivity was evaluated using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The serum levels of fasting glucose and insulin, blood lipids, and hormones were determined. The hepatic AMP and ATP contents were detected using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, and the protein expression was examined by immunoblotting.Results Berberine significantly reversed the insulin resistance induced by fructose, including lowering fasting insulin levels (from 113.9 to 67.4) and area under the curve (AUC) during OGTT (from 1310 to 1073), decreasing serum leptin (from 0.28 to 0.13) and increasing serum adiponectin levels (from 1.50 to 2.80). Moreover, berberine enhanced the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (PKB/AKT; 2.27-fold) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β; 2.56-fold), and increased hepatic glycogen content (from 0.19 to 1.65). Furthermore, berberine upregulated the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC1α; 2.61-fold), phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK; 1.35-fold) and phospho-liver kinase B1 (p-LKB1; 1.41-fold), whereas it decreased the AMP/ATP ratio (from 4.25 to 1.82).Conclusion The present study demonstrated the protective effects of berberine against insulin resistance induced by fructose. Our findings may provide an experimental basis for the application of berberine in the treatment of insulin resistance.
研究领域:
药理学
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代谢紊乱
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
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2025
·Vol. 20
·期 1
·1-13
·
IF 2.8
Lv Jianwei,Shan Duo,Jia Haobo,Wang Zengliang
Background Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is currently an intractable disease for clinical therapeutics. Schwann cells (SCs) play pivotal roles in peripheral nerve regeneration. Naringin, a natural flavonoid, has potent beneficial effects on peripheral neuropathy. Researchers have rarely reported whether naringin attenuates SC apoptosis and the relevant mechanisms. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antiapoptotic effects of naringin on SCs and probe the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Methods An in vitro SC apoptotic model was established by culturing RSC96 cells in foetal bovine serum (FBS)-free medium, namely, serum starvation. SC apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. The activities of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and autophagy in SCs were detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and the AMPK inhibitor Compound C were used to investigate whether autophagy mediated by AMPK/mTOR signalling is involved in the regulation of SC apoptosis by naringin. Results The results showed that starvation induced SC apoptosis and blocked autophagic flux. Naringin ameliorated SC apoptosis under starvation conditions by increasing the autophagy activity mediated by the AMPK/mTOR cascade, as Compound C inhibited its autophagy-activating effect, and 3-MA reversed its antiapoptotic efficacy. Conclusions Naringin mitigated starvation-induced SC apoptosis by increasing autophagy, which was attributed to the regulation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway. This study provides evidence that naringin could be an effective alternative drug for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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细胞生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CONNECTIVE TISSUE RESEARCH
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2025
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IF 2.1
Lin Liu,Zhuangzhuang Chu,Xiao Han,Jin Wu,Kunzhan Cai,Jiaohong Wang,Zixiang Guo,Shan Gao,Guoqing Li,Chunbo Tang
Objective We aimed to demonstrate the effects of creatine (Cr) on osteogenic differentiation (OD) in HDPSCs.Materials and methods HDPSCs were treated with Cr and an inhibitor of Cr transporter. The OD capacity was evaluated by detecting ALP staining and activity, alizarin red staining (ARS), as well as osteogenesis-related protein levels. Transcriptomic sequencing, western blotting, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence staining, and autophagy-related protein marker detection were applied to illustrate the underlying mechanism. Furthermore, the impact of Cr on bone regeneration was investigated in vivo.Results We found that 1 mm of Cr effectively enhanced the OD of HDPSCs. The creatine group displayed significantly increased AMPK phosphorylation, overexpressed autophagy-related proteins, enhanced OD, and mineralization capabilities. We also found that ULK1 is the downstream molecule through which AMPK induces cellular autophagy. In vivo results demonstrated that Cr could increase the new bone formation of periodontitis.Conclusion Our research discovered a new AMPK-ULK1-autophagy pathway through which Cr enhances OD in HDPSCs. Cr enhanced HDPSCs-mediated periodontal tissue regeneration in a periodontitis mouse model, providing a theoretical foundation for the study of bone repair in periodontitis.
研究领域:
口腔医学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
·
2025
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IF 3.5
Nan Wang,Zhengshan Gao,Honghong Zhan,Lin Jing,Fancheng Meng,Min Chen
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent anticancer drug, while its toxic side effects involve multi-organ toxicity, including hepatotoxicity. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of salidroside against DOX-induced hepatotoxicity and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Result showed that salidroside exhibited a liver protective effect in DOX-induced hepatotoxicity in mice, represented by the decreased serum ALT, AST and LDH levels, as well as the rescue of pathological changes in mice livers. Further study showed salidroside reduced the expression level of pyroptosis-associated proteins, including NLRP3, cleaved- caspase 1, gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) and mature IL-1β in mice liver tissues. In vitro study confirmed salidroside exerted a similar effect in AML12 cells. Mechanistically, salidroside alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction by activating the PGC-1α /Mfn2 signaling pathway, and restrained the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, represented by the downregulation of GRP78 and p-PERK/PERK level. Subsequent investigations revealed that salidroside activated the Sestrin2/AMPK pathway, while the application of AMPK inhibitors, PGC-1α siRNA or Sestrain2 siRNA reversed the effects of salidroside on ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress, suggesting salidroside could be a promising therapeutic strategy for alleviating DOX-induced hepatotoxicity.
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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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
DRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH
·
2020
·Vol. 81
·期 7
·875-884
·
IF 1.902
Xiaonan Zhang,Fenglan Huang,Xiaoyong Chen,Xiaoqing Wu,Jinyu Zhu
Ginsenoside Rg3, a ginsenoside isolated from Panax ginseng , can regulate autophagy via AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (AMPK/mTOR) signaling pathway. AMPK/mTOR signaling and autophagy have been reported to be involved in osteogenesis. Here, the effect of Rg3 on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis is explored. In vivo, rats were treated with 20 mg/kg Rg3 after OVX and the body weight (BW) was monitored. Bone mineral density (BMD), hematoxylin–eosin staining of femur tissues, osteogenesis, autophagy, and AMPK/mTOR signaling were analyzed. In vitro, MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 100 μmol/L Rg3. 10 and 20 μmol/L Rg3, which had no significant effect on cell viability and significantly affected AMPK/mTOR signaling, were chosen for further analysis. Then osteogenic differentiation was induced with Rg3 or/and AMPK inhibitor (Compound C). AMPK/mTOR signaling, autophagy, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization by Alizarin Red staining were analyzed. The expression or activity of AMPK/mTOR signaling-related proteins, autophagy markers, and osteogenesis markers was measured by western blotting or commercial kits, and cell viability by cell counting kit-8 assay kits. Rg3 significantly alleviated OVX-induced BW increases, BMD declines and histological changes of femur tissues, promoted osteogenesis, autophagy, and AMPK signaling, but inhibited mTOR signaling in vivo. Moreover, Rg3 significantly enhanced AMPK signaling, autophagy, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization, but suppressed mTOR signaling in vitro. However, Compound C significantly reversed Rg3-induced alterations in vitro, indicating that Rg3 regulated autophagy, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization via AMPK/mTOR signaling. Hence, it was speculated that Rg3 might attenuate OVX-induced osteoporosis via AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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内分泌学
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骨科
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细胞生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
·
2025
·Vol. 26
·期 8
·3603
·
IF 4.9
Shengkui Hou,Caiyu Wang,Xin Ma,Jing Zhao,Jun Wang,Yi Fang,Hongyu Liu,He Ding,Jing Guo,Wenfa Lu
Mercury, a prevalent heavy metal, negatively impacts oocyte maturation. However, the exact mechanism by which methylmercury chloride (MMC) affects this process remains elusive. The present study found that MMC administration triggered meiotic failure in oocytes by disrupting cumulus cell expansion, leading to compromised spindle apparatus and altered chromosomal architecture, which are crucial for oocyte development. This disruption is characterized by abnormal microtubule organization and defective chromosome alignment. Additionally, MMC exposure caused oxidative stress-induced apoptosis due to mitochondrial dysfunction, as indicated by decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial content, mitochondrial DNA copy number, and adenosine triphosphate levels. Proteomic analysis identified 97 differentially expressed proteins, including P62, an autophagy marker. Our results confirmed that MMC induced autophagy, particularly through the hyperactivation of the mitochondrial autophagy to remove damaged and normal mitochondria. The mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger Mito-TEMPO alleviated oxidative stress and mitochondrial autophagy levels, suggesting that mitochondrial ROS initiates this autophagic response. Notably, MMC activates mitochondrial autophagy via the monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathway due to mitochondrial dysfunction. In vivo studies in mice revealed that MMC exposure decreased reproductive performance, attributed to excessive mitochondrial autophagy leading to reduced oocyte quality. Overall, these findings demonstrate that MMC exposure impairs oocyte maturation via the hyperactivation of mitochondrial autophagy induced by mitochondrial dysfunction.
研究领域:
生殖生物学
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毒理学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
·
2022
·
IF 4.336
Ting Cui,Xueru Wang,Junyu Hu,Tianjin Lin,Zhisheng Hu,Huiling Guo,Gang Huang,Guoliang Hu,Caiying Zhang
Excessive molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) are toxic environmental pollutants . Our previous research confirmed excessive Mo and Cd co-induced calcium homeostasis disorder and autophagy in duck kidneys, but how calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) regulates autophagy is unclear. The results revealed that the Mo- and/or Cd-induced cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] c ) increase mainly came from intracellular calcium stores. Mo and/or Cd caused mitochondrial Ca 2+ content ([Ca 2+ ] mit ) and [Ca 2+ ] c increase with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca 2+ content ([Ca 2+ ] ER ) decrease and upregulated calcium homeostasis-related factor expression levels, but 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) reversed subcellular Ca 2+ redistribution. Increased Phospholipase C (PLC) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) activities and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP 3 R) expression level were observed in Mo- and/or Cd-treated cells, which was reversed by the PLC inhibitor U-73122. 2-APB and 1,2-Bis (2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM) addition mitigated [Ca 2+ ] c and autophagy (variations in microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), LC3B-II/LC3B-I, autophagy related 5 (ATG5), sequestosome-1(P62), programmed cell death-1 (Beclin-1) and Dynein expression levels, LC3 puncta, autophagosomes and acid vesicle organelles) under Mo and/or Cd treatment, respectively, while thapsigargin (TG) had the opposite impacts. Additionally, the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ) inhibitor STO-609 reversed the increased CaMKKβ, adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Beclin-1, and LC3B-II/LC3B-I protein expression levels and reduced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and P62 protein expression levels in Mo- and/or Cd-exposed cells. Collectively, the results confirmed that [Ca 2+ ] c overload resulted from PLC/IP 3 /IP 3 R pathway-mediated ER Ca 2+ release, and then activated autophagy by the CaMKKβ/AMPK/mTOR pathway in Mo- and/or Cd-treated duck renal tubular epithelial cells.
研究领域:
毒理学
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细胞生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 4.7
Jie Yan,Xiaowen Zhang,Lifeng Feng,Shengzheng Zhang,Han Wei,Wencong Tian,Qiwen Li,Jing Li,Liang Yang,Jie Liu,Yang Xu,Jianlin Cui,Shan Ren,Zhi Qi,Yang Gao
Hypertension is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Recently, Ertugliflozin (Ertu), a new sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, though primarily approved by the FDA as an antidiabetic agent, has been reported to lower blood pressure. However, whether Ertu directly regulates the contractility of arteries remains unknown. Here, we examined Ertu's effects on vascular function and underlying molecular mechanisms. Isometric tension of arteries was recorded using a multi-wire myograph system. In rat mesenteric arteries, Ertu acutely relaxed vessels constricted by phenylephrine (PE) and high K + (KPSS), while pretreatment with Ertu inhibited PE- and KPSS- induced vascular constriction. Similar outcomes were observed in the mouse thoracic aorta. Notably, these vasodilatory effects of Ertu are mediated by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) rather than endothelial cells. Mechanistically, we found that Ertu activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in VSMCs and rat thoracic aorta tissues by decreasing ATP levels and the ATP/ADP ratio. Using the AMPK inhibitor Compound C, we observed that Ertu-induced vasodilation was abolished. Furthermore, we found that Compound C reversed Ertu-mediated reductions in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ]i) and mitochondrial fission, which were accompanied by diminished mitochondrial membrane potential in VSMCs. In conclusion, this study demonstrates for the first time that Ertu inhibits AMPK-mediated mitochondrial fission in VSMCs, leading to vasorelaxation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for hypertension.
研究领域:
药理学
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心血管生物学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Food Bioscience
·
2023
·
IF 5.2
Hengju Ge,Jiaxin Li,Yang Xu,Jiahong Xie,Naymul Karim,Fujie Yan,Jianling Mo,Wei Chen
Curcumin (CUR), the main compound extracted from Curcuma longa , has various biological actions, including hepatoprotective, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neurotrophic properties. But it has not yet been clarified how CUR affects the accumulation of fatty in hepatic cells. Our study uncovered that CUR decreased the lipid deposition in free fat acids (FFAs)-treated hepatocytes, which could be blocked by Compound C (an AMPK inhibitor). This result suggests that protective effect was associated with the AMPK pathway activation. MiR-3666 directly targets the AMPK gene, and overexpression of miR-3666 greatly weakens the hypolipidemic effect of CUR. Our results showed that CUR reduced FFAs-induced lipid deposition by targeting miR-3666. This boosted AMPK phosphorylation and inhibited its downstream targets, including ACC and SREBP1 . These findings together confirm that CUR-mediated inhibition of miR-3666 to activate the AMPK pathway is a potential alternative for alleviation of hepatic lipid deposition.
研究领域:
药理学
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分子生物学
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肝病学
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）