DNA AND CELL BIOLOGY
·
2025
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IF 2.6
Lijiang Zhao,Xueqing Wu,Qiang Li,Yan Shen,Sheng Zeng,Jinbao Wang,Qian Liu
Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most common endocrine disruptor that has toxicity to the reproductive system and male infertility. However, the underlying mechanisms of BPA’s toxicity to Sertoli cells remain poorly understood. Cellular communication network factor 5 (CCN5) is reported to regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Our study demonstrated a significant elevation of CCN5 expression in the testis of nonobstructive azoospermia patients and TM4 Sertoli cells exposed to BPA. Knockdown of CCN5 reduced apoptotic cells after BPA treatment, as determined by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays. Cells exposed to BPA showed increased expressions of Bax and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, decreased expression of Bcl-2, as well as elevated activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in BPA-induced TM4 cells, which were reversed by CCN5 inhibition. Loss of CCN5 declined phosphorylation of protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2A and decreased activating transcription factor 4 and C/EBP-homologous protein in BPA-treated cells. Furthermore, silencing CCN5 blocked BPA-induced phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Administration of anisomycin, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activator, reversed the effects of CCN5 knockdown on BPA-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis. Taken together, CCN5 promotes apoptosis and ER stress in Sertoli cells exposed to BPA by activating the p38/JNK MAPK signaling pathway.
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 ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 5.4
Jia Li,Ying Zhang,Zhe Su,Tangxiaoxiao He,Ze Chen,Zhiwei Pan,Chao Ding,Zhichao Yu,Lei Bi
Ethnopharmacological relevance With a prevalence reaching 80% in terminal cancer patients,Cancer cachexia (CC) manifests as irreversible skeletal muscle wasting. Presently, there exists no effective therapeutic strategy for managing cancer cachexia. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) contributes significantly to the management of CC, enhancing quality of life and potentially prolonging survival in affected patients. Bu-zhong-yi-qi decoction (BYD), a classical Chinese formulation, demonstrates therapeutic potential for tumor-associated conditions and muscle-related disorders. However, its precise pharmacological mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. Aim of the study To systematically investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of BYD on muscle atrophy caused by CC through an integrated approach combining network pharmacology analysis with comprehensive in vivo and in vitro experimental validation. Materials and methods Network pharmacology analysis was employed to recognize bioactive components, potential therapeutic targets, and associated pathways of BYD. Molecular docking simulations were subsequently performed to evaluate the binding affinity between BYD constituents and key target proteins. The skeletal muscle atrophy model of CC in vivo was established by subcutaneous injection of Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells. The therapeutic efficacy of BYD was systematically evaluated through a comprehensive assessment of multiple parameters, including carcass weight, gastrocnemius muscle mass, histopathological alterations, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of muscle fibers and inflammatory markers. The muscle atrophy model in vitro was established by C2C12 mouse myoblasts and LLC cells to investigate the underlying mechanisms of BYD. qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis were employed to evaluate the regulatory effects of BYD on both mRNA and protein expression levels of MuRF-1, Atrogin-1 and key molecular components of the JNK/c-JUN signaling pathway. Results Network pharmacology analysis identified 146 bioactive components and 331 corresponding potential targets of BYD. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment of BYD component targets in the MAPK signaling pathway. Molecular docking simulations revealed strong binding affinities between BYD's bioactive components and JUN protein. Experiments in vivo demonstrated that BYD could increase the carcass weight, gastrocnemius muscle mass and CSA of muscle fibers in mice with cachexia. Meanwhile, it could increase C2C12 myotube diameters in vitro . Additionally, BYD down-regulated the mRNA and protein expressions of MuRF-1, Atrogin-1 and JNK/c-JUN signaling pathway in vivo . Conclusions BYD might contribute to ameliorate muscle atrophy induced by CC through suppression of JNK/c-JUN signaling pathway and downregulation of muscle atrophy markers MuRF-1 and Atrogin-1. These findings suggested BYD as a potential therapeutic intervention for CC.
研究领域:
中药学
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肿瘤学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY
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2024
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IF 2.6
Xiuping Lin,Chang-sheng Shao,Shereen M. Elsherbiny,Qing Huang
Astaxanthin (AST) is a xanthophyll carotenoid with strong oxidation resistance, which can effectively scavenge various free radicals and protect organisms from oxidative damage. AST is also known to have prominent anti-aging effects, but the underlying mechanism of AST in anti-radiation aging is largely unknown. In this work, we applied ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to accelerate the aging of Caenorhabditis elegans ( C. elegans ) and treated the nematodes with AST to explore whether and how AST could attenuate the radiation-induced aging effect. Our results showed that AST improved the survival rate of C. elegans , reduced the aging biomarkers, and alleviated the mitochondrial dysfunction caused by the irradiation. Based on the transcriptome sequencing analysis, we identified that the key genes regulated by AST were involved in JNK-MAPK and DAF-16 longevity signaling pathways. Furthermore, we employed jnk-1 and daf-16 mutants and verified the role of the JNK-1/DAF-16 signaling pathway in the anti-aging effect. As such, this study has not only demonstrated that AST can resist the aging process caused by UV-irradiation but also revealed the anti-aging mechanism of AST through JNK-1/DAF-16 activation in C. elegans.
研究领域:
分子生物学
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衰老研究
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遗传学
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生物化学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
RSC Medicinal Chemistry
·
2024
·
IF 4.1
Die Zhang,Wenping Wang,Huiping Ou,Jinhua Ning,Yingxun Zhou,Jin Ke,Anguo Hou,Lingyun Chen,Peng Li,Yunshu Ma,Wenbin Jin
To develop new anti-inflammatory agents with improved pharmaceutical profiles, a series of novel chalcone analogues were designed and synthesized. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds has been evaluated by screening inhibitory effects of the NO production in RAW264.7 cell lines. The most promising compounds 3h and 3l were selected to further investigated by assessment of their dose-dependent inhibitory activity against cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and PGE2 release. The further study also indicated that 3h and 3l could significantly suppress expressions of iNOS and COX-2 through NF-κB/JNK signaling pathway. Furthermore, compounds 3h and 3l could also remarkably inhibit the mRNAs expressions of inflammation-related genes. Docking simulation was conducted to position compounds 3h and 3l into the iNOS binding site to predict the probable binding mode. In conclusion, a series of chalcone analogues with reasonable drug-likeness obtained by in silico rapid prediction could be used as promising lead candidates.
研究领域:
药理学
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炎症研究
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药物发现
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
·
2020
·
IF 6.551
Haiyang Zhang,Mian Wei,Xiangyu Lu,Qinghong Sun,Chuqiao Wang,Jiuyan Zhang,Honggang Fan
Aluminum (Al) is an inorganic pollutant that induces nerve cells apoptosis and necroptosis, thereby causing depression and neurodegenerative diseases. IL-1β/JNK signaling pathway can regulate apoptosis and necroptosis. However, it remains unclear whether IL-1β/JNK signaling pathway is involving in the regulation of Al-induced hippocampal neural cells apoptosis and necroptosis. To investigate the mechanism of Al on neural cells apoptosis and necroptosis, rats were orally exposed to different doses of AlCl 3 for 90 days. The open-field test results showed that AlCl 3 caused depressive behavior in rats. Histopathological evidence showed that AlCl 3 induced hippocampal neural cells apoptosis and necrosis. Moreover, Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression ratio, caspase-3 activity and mRNA expression and TUNEL positive rates were upregulated, meanwhile, TNF-α mRNA and protein expression levels, TNFR1, RIP1, RIP3 and MLKL proteins levels were increased, while caspase-8 protein level was decreased in the hippocampus of Al-exposed groups. These results proved that AlCl 3 induced hippocampal neural cells apoptosis and necroptosis. Combined with histopathology and correlation analysis, we deduced that hippocampal neural cells were more likely to undergo necroptosis at high doses (450 mg/kg) of AlCl 3 , while <150 mg/kg AlCl 3 tended to induce apoptosis. Finally, AlCl 3 increased the proteins level of IL-1β, IL-1RI, IL-1RAcP, JNK and p-JNK, indicating that AlCl 3 activated IL-1β/JNK signaling pathway. However, the application of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK and the related genes expression of apoptosis and necroptosis caused by AlCl 3 . Thus, we concluded that AlCl 3 induced hippocampal neural cells death and depression-like behavior in rats by activating IL-1β/JNK signaling pathway.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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毒理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B
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2019
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IF 5.808
Yayun Liu,Wei Xu,Ting Zhai,Jiaojiao You,Yong Chen
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic metabolic syndrome and the CFLAR-JNK pathway can reverse the process of NASH. Although silibinin is used for the treatment of NASH in clinical, its effect on CFLAR-JNK pathway in NASH remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of silibinin on CFLAR-JNK pathway in NASH models both in vivo and in vitro . The in vivo study was performed using male C57BL/6 mice fed with methionine– choline-deficient diet and simultaneously treated with silibinin for 6 weeks. The in vitro study was performed by using mouse NCTC-1469 cells which were respectively pretreated with oleic acid plus palmitic acid, and adenovirus-down Cflar for 24 h, then treated with silibinin for 24 h. After the drug treatment, the key indicators involved in CFLAR-JNK pathway including hepatic injury, lipid metabolism and oxidative stress were determined. Silibinin significantly activated CFLAR and inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK, up-regulated the mRNA expression of Pparα, Fabp5, Cpt1α, Acox, Scd-1, Gpat and Mttp , reduced the activities of serum ALT and AST and the contents of hepatic TG, TC and MDA, increased the expression of NRF2 and the activities of CAT, GSH-Px and HO-1, and decreased the activities and expression of CYP2E1 and CYP4A in vivo . These effects were confirmed by the in vitro experiments. Silibinin prevented NASH by regulating CFLAR-JNK pathway, and thereby on one hand promoting the β -oxidation and efflux of fatty acids in liver to relieve lipid accumulation, and on the other hand inducing antioxidase activity (CAT, GSH-Px and HO-1) and inhibiting pro-oxidase activity (CYP2E1 and CYP4A) to relieve oxidative stress.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝病学
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代谢性疾病
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Molecular Medicine Reports
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2019
·Vol. 19
·期 3
·1781-1790
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IF 1.851
Yan Luo,Daogong Zhang,Yueling Chen,Zhongsheng Cao,Zhaomin Fan
The brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and c‑Jun NH 2‑terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways are therapeutic targets to prevent degeneration in the central nervous system. Dexamethasone (DXMS), a glucocorticoid, protects against vestibular brain injury, however, the molecular mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. To investigate whether the BDNF and JNK signaling pathways are involved in the protective effects of DXMS in rats with vestibular dysfunction, a rat model of severe vestibular deficits was established by middle ear injection of arsanilic acid (AA; 100 mg/ml; 0.05 ml). After 3 days, rat symptoms and behavior scores with vestibular disorders were detected. In brain tissues, histopathological alterations, cell apoptosis, expression levels and patterns of BDNF signaling pathway‑associated BDNF, tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrKB) and K+/Cl‑ cotransporter isoform 2 (KCC2), and the expression of apoptosis‑related cleaved‑caspase 3 and the JNK signaling pathway were detected. It was identified that DXMS relieved AA‑induced vestibular dysfunction, leading to improvement in rat behavior scores to normal levels, minimizing brain damage at the histopatholojnnkngical level, reducing cell apoptosis, enhancing the expression of BDNF, TrKB and KCC2, and downregulating cleaved‑caspase 3 and phosphorylated‑JNK1/2 in brain tissues. Together, these findings indicated the protective effect of DXMS on AA‑induced rat vestibular dysfunction, and that activating BDNF and inhibiting JNK singling pathways were the underlying mechanisms. In addition, with additional treatment of mifepristone (RU486), a specific glucocorticoid agonist, all the events elicited by DXMS mentioned above in the AA‑treated rat rats were reversed. In conclusion, DXMS was identified as a therapeutic agent targeting the BDNF and JNK singling pathways for AA‑induced rat vestibular dysfunction.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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前庭障碍
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Natural Products and Bioprospecting
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2024
·Vol. 14
·期 1
·1-17
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IF 4.8
Su Qiyuan,Hu Qian,Wu Songtao,Yang Suqin,Su Hanwen,Zhang Zhengjun,Ling Chengxiu
This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic properties of the traditional Chinese medicine Xuesanqi (XSQ, from the rhizome of Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don) in treating ulcerative colitis. We hypothesized that its many active components can alleviate symptoms of colitis by regulating the gut microbiota, its metabolites, and various signaling pathways. To test our hypotheses, we designed a DSS- induced colitis model in C57BL/6 male mice. Apparent metrics were evaluated in each group of mice and performed histological analysis of relevant tissues. The gut microbial composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing of bacteria. Simultaneously, the SCFAs content was detected by gas chromatography, inflammatory factor secretion was evaluated by ELISA or western-blot, the expression of tight junction protein and key proteins of the MAPK signaling pathway were analyzed by western-blot. Our result showed that the treatment with XSQ alleviated significant various symptoms such as weight loss, blood in stool, and shortening of colon. In addition, XSQ treatment restored the dysregulated gut microbiota in colitis mice, increased short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and normalized the MAPK/ERK/JNK signaling pathways, promoted expression of tight junction protein Occludin, Claudin-1, and E-cadherin proteins. Furthermore, we also observed a dose-dependent pattern in these treatment responses. These findings demonstrated the active components of XSQ is a promising new treatment platform for ulcerative colitis. Graphical
研究领域:
药理学
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胃肠病学
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微生物学
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免疫学
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传统中药
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2025
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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
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
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2025
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IF 3.9
Weikang Sun,Ke Ren,Jingjing Li,Mengyu Zhang,Qishen Jiang,Lingling Wang,Erguang Li
(199 words) The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway is required for herpes simplex virus 1 lytic infection and reactivation from latency. JNK signaling regulates cellular processes in response to stress through transcriptional regulation. However, the mechanisms by which JNK regulates HSV-1 infection are less defined. We show here that HSV-1 infection triggers BRD4 transition from chromosome association to transcriptional regulation for viral infection. Specifically, HSV-1 infection induces JNK activation which mediates redistribution of BRD4, an epigenetic reader protein, from chromatin-targeting to association with proteins of transcriptional regulation. BRD4 transitions to viral infection regulation by complexing with P-TEFb, a positive transcription elongation factor, and association with viral DNA. Genetic ablation or perturbation of JNK with chemical inhibitors or siRNA leads to impediment of BRD4 release and inhibition of HSV-1 infection. Both chemotherapeutic agents and irradiation are known to promote JNK activation and HSV reactivation. We show further that JNK agonist or chemotherapeutic agents known to activate JNK have the ability to enhance HSV-1 infection. Our study reveals a novel mechanism by which JNK regulates HSV-1 infection through stress-induced BRD4 function transition from host chromosome association to viral gene expression. The work links recurrent HSV infection by chemotherapeutic agents to JNK activation.
研究领域:
病毒学
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分子生物学
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细胞信号传导
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表观遗传学
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转录调控
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Heliyon
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2024
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IF 3.4
Tianshi Li,Mengqi Shi,Yan Zhao,Zhongmei He,Ying Zong,Weijia Chen,Rui Du
As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum (CCD) has the effect of warming the kidney to support yang, astringing, and stopping bleeding, and is used for spleen kidney yang deficient (SKYD). This experiment was to investigate the therapeutic effects of different processes of CCD on SKYD type ulcerative colitis (UC) rats and to explore its impact on the intestinal flora of rats. Methods: ELISA was used to study the anti-inflammatory activity of Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum processed with water (WCCD) and Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum processed with vinegar (VCCD). 16SrRNA and transcriptome sequencing were used to detect the composition of rat intestinal flora and gene expression; RT-PCR and Western blot were used to verify the role of WCCD and VCCD in treating UC. Results: WCCD and VCCD have therapeutic effects on UC, could reduce tissue damage. VCCD performed better in improving Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratios and species evenness and abundance; performed better in increasing the quantity of lactobacillus. VCCD simultaneously inhibit the intestinal inflammatory response through NCK2, PAK4, and JNK signaling pathways. Conclusions: WCCD and VCCD play a therapeutic role in UC by regulating the proportion of different flora in the intestinal flora. VCCD regulates the intestinal flora and inflammatory response by interfering with the NCK2, PAK4 and JNK signaling pathways.
研究领域:
中医中药
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药理学
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分子生物学
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胃肠病学
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微生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
NITRIC OXIDE-BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
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2024
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IF 3.2
Yuan Gao,Jiao Xu,Kaichuan He,Qi Guo,Lin Xiao,Sheng Jin,Danyang Tian,Xu Teng,Cuixia An,Hongmei Xue,Yuming Wu
Previous studies showed that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) induced endothelial dysfunction by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induction and autophagy stimulation. This study aimed to determine the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) in homocysteine (Hcy)-induced endothelial dysfunction and observe the possible mechanism involved.Male Wistar rats (160-180g) were used and randomly divided into four groups: Control group, HHcy group, HHcy+Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) group and NaHS group. Rats were fed with 2% high methionine diet for 8 weeks to set up HHcy model. Plasma concentration of Hcy was measured by ELISA.Endothelium-dependent and non-endothelium-dependent vasodilation of rat renal arteries were determined by myograph.The protein expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), ER stress-and autophagy-related proteins in renal arteries or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were analyzed by western blotting. The endothelial function was impaired in HHcy rats and HUVECs. NaHS supplementation could improve the ACh-induced vasodilation, however it was eliminated by ER stress inducer Tunicamycin (TM) or autophagy inducer Rapamycin. Western blotting in renal arteries showed that Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and three branches of ER stress (p-IRE1α, p-PERK, ATF6, GRP78) and p-JNK1+p-JNK2 was downregulated by NaHS administration, simultaneously the autophagy marker Beclin1, LC3BII/LC3BI ratio was decreased and p62 was increased in HHcy rats. In HUVECs, IRE1α-JNK induced autophagy was involved in HHcy-induced endothelial dysfunction, while NaHS stimulation decreased the protein expression in IRE1α/JNK-autophagy pathway with Hcy incubation. This study might suggest that endothelial dysfunction induced by HHcy might be correlate with IRE1α-JNK-autophagy axis pathway, which was suppressed by exogenous supplementation of H 2 S donor NaHS.
研究领域:
心血管疾病
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分子生物学
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药理学
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细胞生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）