International Journal of Nanomedicine
·
2025
·
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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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Current Molecular Pharmacology
·
2024
·Vol. 17
·期 1
·e18761429315125
·
IF 2.4
YiDan Li,BingHua Tu,ZiTong Wang,ZiChen Shao,ChenHao Fu,JianQiang Hua,ZiWen Zhang,Peng Zhang,Hui Sun,ChenYan Mao,Chi-Ming Liu
Background Finasteride and doxazosin are used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway play an important role in BPH, little is known about the growth inhibition and anti-fibrosis effects of doxazosin on the regulation of EMT and morphology in the prostate. Objectives The present study examined the effects of doxazosin on testosterone propionate (TP)-induced prostate growth in vivo and in vitro and its impact on the EMT and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Methods Mice were treated with TP. Doxazosin (5 or 10 mg/kg) and finasteride (10 mg/kg) were administered orally for 28 days in TP-induced mice. The prostate index (prostate/body weight ratio), morphological characteristics and the protein expression of the prostate were examined. We further examined the effects of doxazosin and finasteride on the EMT and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in mice and in human prostate stroma cell (WPMY-1). The protein expressions of TGF-β1, TGFBR2, p-Smad2/3, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin and α-SMA, E-cadherin and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were determined after treatment by western blot. Results The prostate wet weight, prostate index decreased after treatment. Doxazosin (5 or 10 mg/kg), finasteride (10 mg/kg) or a combination treatment (doxazosin 10 mg/kg + finasteride 10 mg/kg) were shown to reverse the pathological and morphological characteristics of the prostate. Doxazosin and finasteride inhibited TP-induced prostate growth, EMT, and the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway by downregulating the expression of TGF-β1, TGFBR2, p-Smad2/3, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin and α-SMA, whereas expression of E-cadherin was increased after treatment with either doxazosin or finasteride. Doxazosin (1-50 μM) inhibited normal human prostate stroma cell growth (WPMY-1) after 48 h with or without testosterone treatment. Doxazosin also regulated the EMT and proteins related to the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in WPMY-1 cells after 24 h. Additionally, doxazosin decreased protein expression of the PSA both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion This study demonstrated that doxazosin inhibits prostate growth by regulating the EMT and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways in the prostate. This finding suggests that doxazosin has potential as a new signaling pathway for the treatment of BPH.
研究领域:
医学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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DOI
高影响因子
SAUDI PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL
·
2023
·
IF 4.1
Chi-Ming Liu,ZiChen Shao,XuZhou Chen,HanWu Chen,MengQiao Su,ZiWen Zhang,ZhengPing Wu,Peng Zhang,LiJie An,YinJie Jiang,Ai-Jun Ouyang
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urinary disease among the elderly, characterized by abnormal prostatic cell proliferation. Neferine is a dibenzyl isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Nelumbo nucifera and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-prostate cancer effects. The beneficial therapeutic effects and mechanism of action of neferine in BPH remain unclear. A mouse model of BPH was generated by subcutaneous injection of 7.5 mg/kg testosterone propionate (TP) and 2 or 5 mg/kg neferine was given orally for 14 or 28 days. Pathological and morphological characteristics were evaluated. Prostate weight, prostate index (prostate/body weight ratio), expression of type Ⅱ 5α-reductase, androgen receptor (AR) and prostate specific antigen were all decreased in prostate tissue of BPH mice after administration of neferine. Neferine also downregulated the expression of pro-caspase-3, uncleaved PARP, TGF-β1, TGF-β receptor Ⅱ (TGFBR2), p-Smad2/3, N-cadherin and vimentin. Expression of E-cadherin, cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 was increased by neferine treatment. 1–100 μM neferine with 1 μM testosterone or 10 nM TGF-β1 were added to the culture medium of the normal human prostate stroma cell line, WPMY-1, for 24 h or 48 h. Neferine inhibited cell growth and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in testosterone-treated WPMY-1 cells and regulated the expression of androgen signaling pathway proteins and those related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, TGF-β1, TGFBR2 and p-Smad2/3, N-cadherin and vimentin expression were increased but E-cadherin was decreased after 24 h TGF-β1 treatment in WPMY-1 cells. Neferine reversed the effects of TGF-β1 treatment in WPMY-1 cells. Neferine appeared to suppress prostate growth by regulating the EMT, AR and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways in the prostate and is suggested as a potential agent for BPH treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
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泌尿学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
·
2017
·Vol. 43
·期 4
·1359-1368
·
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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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOMATERIALS
·
2021
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IF 12.479
Anqi Liu,Dan Lin,Hanjiang Zhao,Long Chen,Bolei Cai,Kaili Lin,Steve GF Shen
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-exos), with its inherent capacity to modulate cellular behavior, are emerging as a novel cell-free therapy for bone regeneration . Herein, focusing on practical applying problems, the osteoinductivity of MSC-exos produced by different stem cell sources (rBMSCs/rASCs) and culture conditions (osteoinductive/common) were systematically compared to screen out an optimized osteogenic exosome (BMSC-OI-exo). Via bioinformatic analyses by miRNA microarray and in vitro pathway verification by gene silencing and miRNA transfection, we first revealed that the osteoinductivity of BMSC-OI-exo was attributed to multi-component exosomal miRNAs (let-7a-5p, let-7c-5p, miR-328a-5p and miR-31a-5p). These miRNAs targeted Acvr2b/Acvr1 and regulated the competitive balance of Bmpr2/Acvr2b toward Bmpr-elicited Smad1/5/9 phosphorylation. On these bases, lyophilized delivery of BMSC-OI-exo on hierarchical mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) scaffold was developed to realize bioactivity maintenance and sustained release by entrapment in the surface microporosity of the scaffold. In a rat cranial defect model, the loading of BMSC-OI-exo efficiently enhanced the bone forming capacity of the scaffold and induced rapid initiation of bone regeneration. This paper could provide empirical bases of MSC-exo-based therapy for bone regeneration and theoretical bases of MSC-exo-induced osteogenesis mechanism. The BMSC-OI-exo-loaded MBG scaffold developed here represented a promising bone repairing strategy for future clinical application.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
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组织工程
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再生医学
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分子生物学
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干细胞研究
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Small
·
2022
·Vol. 18
·期 23
·2201123
·
IF 15.153
Jing Li,Yao Zhang,Zhichao Lou,Mingxi Li,Lin Cui,Zhenrong Yang,Lijuan Zhang,Yu Zhang,Ning Gu,Fang Yang
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are used to treat various nervous system diseases because of their self-renewal ability and multidirectional differentiation potential. However, an insufficient ability to track their migration in vivo and poor control over their survival and differentiation efficiency are two major critical challenges for clinical application. Here, it is shown that when magnetic nanobubbles (MNBs), which are assembled from magnetic nanoparticles, are internalized by NSCs, intramembrane volumetric oscillation of the MNBs induces an increase in intracellular hydrostatic pressure and cytoskeleton force, resulting in the activation of the Piezo1-Ca 2+ mechanosensory channel. This subsequently triggers the BMP2/Smad biochemical signaling pathway, leading to differentiation of NSCs into the neuronal phenotype. Signaling through the Piezo1-Ca 2+ -BMP2/Smad pathway can be further accelerated by application of an external shear stress force using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound. More importantly, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound imaging surveillance of NSCs based on MNB labeling can be leveraged to provide NSC therapeutic outcomes. Both the in vitro and in vivo findings demonstrate that a bubble nanostructure-induced physical force can modulate and control the mechanical signaling pathway regulating stem cell development.
研究领域:
神经科学
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生物医学工程
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干细胞生物学
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医学影像学
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力学生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Functional Foods
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2020
·
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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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
·
2018
·Vol. 234
·期 3
·2537-2551
·
IF 3.923
Hai-Ming Xu,Feng-Hua Sui,Mei-Hua Sun,Gong-Liang Guo
Recent studies have shown that circulating microRNAs (miRNA) play a critical role in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study aims to investigate the effect of miR-224 on atherosclerotic plaques forming and vascular remodeling in ACS and its relationship with TGF-β/Smad pathway. Myocardial infarction (MI) rat model was established and lentivirus vector of miR-224 inhibitor was prepared for investigating the effect of downregulated miR-224 on the contents of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1), blood lipid levels and inflammatory factor levels in serum as well as the TGF-β/Smad pathway. The rats suffering from MI had decreased survival rates and exhibited reduced levels of NO, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lumen diameter, and Smad7 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression; while had significantly increased ratio of heart weight or body weight, levels of ET-1, inflammatory factors, blood lipid indexes, vascular remodeling indexes, collagen volume fraction, vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque area, VCAM-1 and MMP-2 protein expression, TGF-β, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 mRNA and protein expression. After inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad pathway, the rats suffering from MI showed notably opposite trend. In conclusion, downregulation of miR-224 expression promotes the formation of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and vascular remodeling in ACS through activation of the TGF-β/Smad pathway. Therefore, this study provides a new therapeutic target for ACS.
研究领域:
心脏病学
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分子生物学
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病理生理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Advanced Healthcare Materials
·
2023
·
IF 10
Guoping Cheng,Shujuan Guo,Maoxue Li,Shimeng Xiao,Bo Jiang,Yi Ding
Periodontitis, a chronic infection causing periodontal tissue loss, may be effectively addressed with in situ tissue engineering. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) offers exceptional biocompatibility and biodegradability but lacks sufficient osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. This study develops and characterizes SIS coated with hydroxyapatite (SIS-HA) and gelatin methacrylate hydroxyapatite (SIS-Gel-HA) using biomineralization and chemical crosslinking. The impact on periodontal tissue regeneration is assessed by evaluating macrophage immune response and osteogenic differentiation potential of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in vitro and rat periodontal defects in vivo. The jejunum segment, with the highest collagen type I content, is optimal for SIS preparation. SIS retains collagen fiber structure and bioactive factors. Calcium content is 2.21% in SIS-HA and 2.45% in SIS-Gel-HA, with no significant differences in hydrophilicity, physicochemical properties, protein composition, or biocompatibility among SIS, SIS-HA, SIS-Gel, and SIS-Gel-HA. SIS is found to upregulate M2 marker expression, both SIS-HA and SIS-Gel-HA enhance the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs through the BMP-2/Smad signaling pathway, and SIS-HA demonstrates superior in vitro osteogenic activity. In vivo, SIS-HA and SIS-Gel-HA yield denser, more mature bones with the highest BMP-2 and Smad expression. SIS-HA and SIS-Gel-HA demonstrate enhanced immunity–osteogenesis coupling, representing a promising periodontal tissue regeneration approach.
研究领域:
口腔科学
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组织工程
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再生医学
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免疫学
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细胞生物学
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材料科学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Medical Molecular Morphology
·
2021
·Vol. 54
·期 4
·337-345
·
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
·
伤口愈合
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
·
2022
·
IF 6.633
Huiwen Wang,Jian Zhang,Xiaoxun Zhang,Nan Zhao,Zongtao Zhou,Lijian Tao,Lei Fu,Shifang Peng,Jin Chai
Cholestasis is characterized by intrahepatic accumulation of bile acids (BAs), resulting in liver injury, fibrosis, and liver failure. To date, only ursodeoxycholic acid and obeticholic acid have been approved for the treatment of cholestasis. As fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) was previously reported to play significant anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory roles in various diseases, we investigated whether AKF-PD ameliorates cholestasis. A mouse model of cholestasis was constructed by administering a 0.1 % 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydroxychollidine (DDC) diet for 14 days. Male C57BL/6 J mice were treated with either AKF-PD or pirfenidone (PD) orally in addition to the DDC diet. Serum and liver tissues were subsequently collected and analyzed. We found that AKF-PD significantly reduced the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bile salts (TBA), as well as hepatic bile acids (BAs) levels. Hepatic histological analyses demonstrated that AKF-PD markedly attenuated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Further mechanistic analyses revealed that AKF-PD markedly inhibited expression of Cyp7a1, an enzyme key to BAs synthesis, by increasing Fxr nuclear translocation, and decreased hepatic inflammation by attenuating Erk/-Egr-1-mediated expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines Tnfα, Il-1β, Il-6, Ccl2, Ccl5 and Cxcl10. Moreover, AKF-PD was found to substantially reduce liver fibrosis via inhibition of Tgfβ1/Smad pathway in our mouse model. Here, we found that AKF-PD effectively attenuates cholestasis and hepatic fibrosis in the mouse model of DDC-induced cholestasis. As such, AKF-PD warrants further investigation as a candidate drug for treatment of cholestasis.
研究领域:
肝病学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
·
2018
·Vol. 17
·期 1
·251-259
·
IF 1.41
Meng Wang,Hui Li,Yaxin Zhao,Chuanfeng Lv,Guanghua Zhou
Rhynchophylline (Rhy) is a major active component of Uncaria rhynchophylla and exhibits the potential to inhibit the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). In the current study, it was hypothesized that Rhy serves a key role in the anti‑asthma effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla by inhibiting transforming growth factor‑β1 (TGF‑β1)‑mediated activation of Smad and mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Allergic asthma was induced in mice using ovalbumin (OVA), and the effect of Rhy treatment on inflammatory and allergic responses in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of mice was determined. Subsequently, the changes in TGF‑β1‑induced Smad and MAPK signaling following Rhy administration were detected to determine the mechanism associated with this treatment. In addition, TGF‑β1 was employed to induce hyperplasia of ASMCs, and the effect of Rhy on proliferation of ASMCs, and Smad and MAPK signaling in vitro was also assessed. The administration of Rhy attenuated the recruitment of eosinophils in BALF induced by OVA, which was associated with the suppressed production of immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)‑13, IL‑4 and IL‑5. At the molecular level, the administration of Rhy suppressed the expression levels of TGF‑β1, Smad4, p‑Smad2 and p‑Smad3, while it induced the expression of Smad7, indicating the inhibitory effect of Rhy on TGF‑β1‑mediated Smad and MAPK signaling. Furthermore, Rhy inhibited the proliferation of ASMCs and, similar to the results of the in vivo assay, it blocked the pro‑hyperplasia signaling transduction in vitro. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated the anti‑asthma effect of Rhy, which depended on the inhibition of TGF‑β1‑mediated Smad and MAPK signaling.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
·
呼吸医学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
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）