BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
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2019
·
IF 4.825
Lixia Bai,Jicheng Li,Honglian Li,Jianping Song,Yuan Zhou,Ruirui Lu,Bihao Liu,Yu Pang,Peichun Zhang,Junqi Chen,Xusheng Liu,Junbiao Wu,Chunling Liang,Jiuyao Zhou
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is an autoimmune kidney disease with complex pathogenesis leading to end-stage renal damage . The prime pathological characteristics of IgAN are IgA immune complexes deposition accompany with mesangial cell proliferation and urine protein elevation. Artemisinin (ART) is extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Artemisia annua L. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a classical antimalarial drug applied in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Both of them possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The purpose of this research was to investigate the pharmacological effects of ART combined with HCQ (AH) and discuss thoroughly the potential molecular mechanisms in IgAN. In vivo , our results demonstrated that AH could efficiently ameliorate kidney damage by improving kidney dysfunction and reducing the levels of 24 h urine protein, IgA and IgG immune complexes deposition in glomerulus of IgAN rats. Interestingly, AH obviously promoted the secretion of exosomes in renal tissues, inhibited the expressions of nuclear factor- κ B (NF- κ B) signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins, including I κ B- α , p-p65, NLRP3, ASC, IL-1 β and caspase-1 in IgAN rats. In vitro , further mechanistic study illustrated that exosomes derived from human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were significantly enhanced by AH, which could be utterly taken up in human mesangial cells (HMCs) and inhibited the activation of NF- κ B pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome after AH intervention. However, GW4869 interdicted the promotive effect of AH on exosomes from HK-2 cells and the suppression of exosomes on NF- κ B/NLRP3 activation in HMCs. Taken together, this study demonstrated that there was an inhibitory effect of AH therapy on NF- κ B/NLRP3 signaling via mediating exosomes release in IgAN rats, which provided an alternative approach for IgAN treatment.
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JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2024
·
IF 5.7
Yanan Zhao,Bin Li,Jiang Liu,Lei Chen,Hui Teng
The potential of natural phytochemicals in addressing ethanol-related public safety concerns has been garnering attention. Galangin, a potent flavonoid renowned for its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory characteristics, is derived from the galanga plant, and propolis is derived from bees. Here, we documented the effects of galangin on ethanol-stimulated intestinal tight junction damage and investigated its potential protective mechanism in both in vivo and in vitro models, which has not been extensively investigated. Our results revealed that galangin efficaciously mitigated ethanol-induced intestine injury and dysfunction of the intestinal barrier. Concurrently, galangin significantly counteracted the ethanol-induced upregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins and activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathways in both the mouse colon and Caco-2 cells. Interestingly, similar to galangin, inhibitors of MAPKs and the NF-κB p65 reduced ethanol-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and intestinal tight junction damage. To sum up, our results showed that galangin blocks the ethanol-induced perturbation of the intestinal barrier and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways.
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ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
·
2024
·
IF 3.3
Yanyan Heng,Wei Wei,Linzhong Cheng,Feifei Wu,Haoyu Dong,Jingxia Li,Jianing Fu,Bingjie Yang,Xinyue Liang,Chunyan Liu,Haiju Li,Haihua Liu,Pengfei Zhang
Diabetes accelerates vascular senescence, which is the basis for atherosclerosis and stiffness. The activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and oxidative stress are closely associated with progressive senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The vascular protective effect of FGF21 has gradually gained increasing attention, but its role in diabetes-induced vascular senescence needs further investigation. In this study, diabetic mice and primary VSMCs are transfected with an FGF21 activation plasmid and treated with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist (rosiglitazone), an NLRP3 inhibitor (MCC950), and a spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK)-specific inhibitor, R406, to detect senescence-associated markers. We find that FGF21 overexpression significantly restores the level of catalase (CAT), vascular relaxation, inhibits the intensity of ROSgreen fluorescence and p21 immunofluorescence, and reduces the area of SA-β-gal staining and collagen deposition in the aortas of diabetic mice. FGF21 overexpression restores CAT, inhibits the expression of p21, and limits the area of SA-β-gal staining in VSMCs under high glucose conditions. Mechanistically, FGF21 inhibits SYK phosphorylation, the production of the NLRP3 dimer, the expression of NLRP3, and the colocalization of NLRP3 with PYCARD (ASC), as well as NLRP3 with caspase-1, to reverse the cleavage of PPARγ, preserve CAT levels, suppress ROSgreen density, and reduce the expression of p21 in VSMCs under high glucose conditions. Our results suggest that FGF21 alleviates vascular senescence by regulating the SYK-NLRP3 inflammasome-PPARγ-catalase pathway in diabetic mice.
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Journal of Advanced Research
·
2025
·
IF 13
Lin-Tao Xu,Qing-Tong Han,Zhen-Peng Xu,Xiao-Ning Wang,Hua Zhang,Tao Shen
Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a significant global health challenge, characterized by substantial morbidity and mortality rates. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Farfarae Flos (FF) has been widely utilized as a therapeutic agent for COPD. However, its specific bioactive compounds and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Objectives This study aims to identify bioactive constituent of FF against COPD and illustrate its therapeutic target and mechanism. Methods and Results In this research, a high-throughput screening on constituents of FF was conducted, leading to the identification of a potent anti-COPD lead, tussilagone (TUS). Utilizing biotin-labeling approach, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), the ubiquitin E3 ligase of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), was identified to be the direct target of TUS. Mechanistically, TUS activated KEAP1-Nrf2 axis by covalent modification of cysteine 434 (Cys434), a novel high-reactivity cysteine of KEAP1. TUS-mediated Nrf2 activation further suppressed the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, consequently attenuating lung inflammation in COPD. Conclusion TUS was identified as the bioactive constituent of FF against COPD, which directly targeted Cys434 of KEAP1. KEAP1 was proven to be a pharmacological target for the treatment of COPD, and Cys434 was identified to be the first highly reactive cysteine in Kelch domain of KEAP1. TUS inhibits lung inflammation by regulating Nrf2 and NF-κB/NLRP3, which is the mechanism of FF against COPD
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Heliyon
·
2024
·Vol. 10
·期 2
·e24339
·
IF 3.4
Suqin Yang,Gang Liu,Xiankun Xia,Dali Gan,Shijian Xiang,Meixian Xiang
α-Mangostin is a natural xanthone derivative isolated from Camellia atrophy (CA), commonly known as Lichuan black tea (LBT). The present study investigated the ameliorating effect and mechanism of α-mangostin on alcoholic gastric ulcers (GU) in rats. In vivo , α-mangostin relieved pathological symptoms. Moreover, α-mangostin regulated the activation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1 pathways. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were significantly decreased and IL-10 were increased, the microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-II/LC3-I ratio was increased, p62 protein expression was decreased, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) protein expression was down-regulated. The relevant mechanisms were validated using GSE-1 and RAW264.7 cells in an in vitro model. Furthermore, α-mangostin increased Ligilactobacillus and Muribaculum abundance as well as propionic acid and butyric acid contents. Therefore, α-mangostin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and remodels intestinal flora dysbiosis through mechanisms that may involve regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and NF-κB/NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway. It also increases propionic acid and butyric acid contents. This study provides novel evidence regarding the use of α-mangostin for treating GU.
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ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
·
2025
·
IF 8.4
Xia Ling-yan,Yu Nai-rong,Huang Su-ling,Qu Hui,Qin Li,Zhao Qin-shi,Leng Ying
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has emerged as a prevalent chronic liver disease with a huge unmet clinical need. A few studies have reported the beneficial effects of Poria cocos Wolf ( P. cocos ) extract on NASH mice, but the active components were still unknown. In this study we investigated the therapeutic effects of dehydrotrametenolic acid methyl ester (ZQS5029-1), a lanosterol-7,9(11)-diene triterpenes in P. cocos , in a high-fat diet plus CCl 4 induced murine NASH model and a GAN diet induced ob/ob murine NASH model. The NASH mice were treated with ZQS5029-1 (75 mg·kg –1 ·d –1 , i.g.) for 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. We showed that ZQS5029-1 treatment markedly relieved liver injury, inflammation and fibrosis in both the murine NASH models. We found that ZQS5029-1 treatment significantly suppressed hepatic NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in both the NASH murine models, and blocked lipopolysaccharides (LPS)+adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP)/Nigericin-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and Kupffer cells in vitro. We demonstrated that ZQS5029-1 directly bound to the H236 residue of mouse Caspase-1, thereby inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The effects of ZQS5029-1 on macrophage-hepatocyte/HSC crosstalk were analyzed using the supernatants from macrophages preconditioned with LPS + ATP introduced into hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We found that the conditioned medium from the BMDMs induced injury and death, as well as lipid accumulation in hepatocytes, and activation of HSCs; these effects were blocked by conditioned medium from BMDMs treated with ZQS5029-1. Moreover, the protective effects of ZQS5029-1 on hepatocytes and HSCs were eliminated by H236A-mutation of Caspase-1. We conclude that ZQS5029-1 is a promising lead compound for the treatment of NASH by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation through targeting Caspase-1 and regulating the macrophage-hepatocyte/HSC crosstalk.
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JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
·
2026
·
IF 4.7
Yi Ma,Jiatao Zhang,Cheng Chen,Mengzhi Wang,Haifei Li,Yunfei Deng,Xingru Zhou,Jianhui Hu,Hao Zhang,Guohui Li,Jin Wang,Zhongjian Guo
Subacute ruminal acidosis, induced by high-concentrate diets, can trigger systemic inflammation and mastitis, a pathology linked to ruminal dysbiosis and disruption of the host's circadian rhythm. In this study, 32 mid-lactating Saanen goats (41.5 ± 1.79 kg BW) were randomly allocated to 4 treatment groups (n = 8/group): a low-concentrate diet (LC; 30:70 concentrate:forage ratio), a high-concentrate diet (HC; 70:30), and their respective counterparts supplemented with 200 mg/kg of DM thiamine (LCT and HCT). Results demonstrated that the HC diet decreased ruminal pH, induced microbial dysbiosis, and increased plasma LPS concentrations. This resulted in systemic and mammary inflammation, characterized by elevated cytokine expression and a significant decline in milk yield and quality. Thiamine supplementation in the high-concentrate diet (HCT group) effectively reversed these changes. It stabilized ruminal pH, modulated the microbiota by enriching beneficial taxa such as f_Ruminococcaceae , reduced inflammatory cytokine levels, and restored milk production. At the molecular level, goats receiving thiamine supplementation exhibited reduced activation of the NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways and higher expression of core clock proteins (CLOCK, BMAL1) in the mammary tissue. In conclusion, thiamine alleviates SARA-induced mastitis by stabilizing the rumen microbiota and mitigating inflammation, and these protective effects are associated with concurrent changes in the NF-κB/NLRP3/CLOCK signaling axis in the mammary gland.
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JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
·
2022
·Vol. 20
·期 1
·1-21
·
IF 9.429
Ruan Yuting,Xiong Ying,Fang Wenli,Yu Qun,Mai Yingren,Cao Zhiyu,Wang Kexi,Lei Ming,Xu Jiaxin,Liu Yan,Zhang Xingcai,Liao Wang,Liu Jun
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder without effective therapy and lack diagnosis strategy for preclinical AD patients. There is an urgent need for development of both early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of AD. Results Herein, we developed a nanotheranostics platform consisting of Curcumin (Cur), an anti-inflammatory molecule, and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles encapsulated by diblock 1,2-dio-leoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine- n -[poly(ethylene glycol)] (DSPE-PEG) that are modified with CRT and QSH peptides on its surface. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this multifunctional nanomaterial efficiently reduced β-amyloid plaque burden specifically in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, with the process noninvasively detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the two-dimensional MRI images were computed into three-dimension (3D) plot. Our data demonstrated highly sensitive in vivo detection of β-amyloid plaques which more closely revealed real deposition of Aβ than previously reported and we quantified the volumes of plaques for the first time based on 3D plot. In addition, memory deficits of the mice were significantly rescued, probably related to inhibition of NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes. Conclusions Gathered data demonstrated that this theranostic platform may have both early diagnostic and therapeutic potential in AD. Graphical Abstract
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FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
·
2023
·
IF 4.7
Lei Diao,Wenjie Liu,Yawei Xu,Bin Zhang,Lingnan Meng,Rui Yin,Huijie Chen
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most common sources of fungal toxins in fish feed, posing a significant risk to the immune and reproductive systems of fish. Microalgal astaxanthin (MIA), a potent antioxidant derived from microalgae , confers multifarious advantages upon piscine organisms, notably encompassing its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant prowess. Herein, we investigated the potential of MIA in ameliorating the immunotoxicity of DON on carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) based on spleen lymphocytes treated with DON (1.5 ng/ml) and/or MIA (96 μM). Firstly, CCK8 results showed that DON resulted in excessive death of spleen lymphocytes. Secondly, spleen lymphocytes treated with DON had a higher proportion of pyroptosis , and the mRNA and protein levels of pyroptosis (NLRP3, IL-1β and ASC) in spleen lymphocytes were increased. Thirdly, the relative red fluorescence intensity of JC-1 and DCFH-DA showed decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased ROS in spleen lymphocytes treated with DON. Mitochondrial ATP, DNA and NADPH/NADP + analysis revealed decreased mitochondrial ATP, DNA and NADPH/NADP + levels in DON-treated lymphocytes, corroborating the association between DON exposure and elevated intracellular ATP, DNA and NADPH/NADP + in lymphocytes. DON exposure resulted in the downregulation of mitophagy-related genes and proteins (PINK1, Parkin and LC3) in lymphocytes. Notably, these effects were counteracted by treatment with MIA. Furthermore, DON led to the elevated secretion of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-4 and IFN-γ), thereby inducing immune dysfunction in spleen lymphocytes. Encouragingly, MIA treatment effectively mitigated the immunotoxic effects induced by DON, demonstrating its potential in ameliorating pyroptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy impairment via regulating the mtROS-NF-κB axis in lymphocytes. This study sheds light on safeguarding farmed fish against agrobiological threats posed by DON, highlighting the valuable applications of MIA in aquaculture.
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SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
·
2024
·
IF 8.2
Shanshan Li,Xuedie Gu,Muyue Zhang,Qihang Jiang,Tong Xu
Polystyrene microplastic (PS-MPs) contamination has become a worldwide hotspot of concern, and its entry into organisms can cause oxidative stress resulting in multi-organ damage. The plasticizer di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a common endocrine disruptor, these two environmental toxins often occur together, but their combined toxicity to the kidney and its mechanism of toxicity are unknown. Therefore, in this study, we established PS-MPS and/or DEHP-exposed mouse models. The results showed that alone exposure to both PS-MPs and DEHP caused inflammatory cell infiltration, cell membrane rupture, and content spillage in kidney tissues. There were also down-regulation of antioxidant enzyme levels, increased ROS content, activated of the NF-κB pathway, stimulated the levels of heat shock proteins (HSPs), pyroptosis, and inflammatory associated factors. Notably, the co-exposure group showed greater toxicity to kidney tissues, the cellular assay further validated these results. The introduction of the antioxidant n -acetylcysteine (NAC) and the NLRP3 inhibitor (MCC950) could mitigate the changes in the above measures. In summary, co-exposure of PS-MPs and DEHP induced oxidative stress that activated the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and aggravated kidney pyroptosis and inflammation, as well as that HSPs are also involved in this pathologic injury process. This study not only enriched the nephrotoxicity of plasticizers and microplastics, but also provided new insights into the toxicity mechanisms of multicomponent co-pollution in environmental.
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MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
·
2024
·Vol. 68
·期 8
·2300643
·
IF 4.5
Xiaobo Wei,Ni Ma,Wen Yang,Jinhu Tian,Huiyan Liu,Haitian Fang
Scope Polyphenols are the major active substances in red jujube fruit, and their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities suggest their potential utility in the prevention of ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods and results In this study, the effect of polyphenol extracts from red jujube ( Ziziphus jujuba Mill. “Junzao”) (PERJ) on the dextron sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mice is investigated. The result shows that PERJ effectively improves clinical symptoms, including food and water intake, the disease activity insex (DAI) and spleen index, and routine blood levels, and alleviates the shortening of the colon, in mice with DSS-induced UC. Meanwhile, PERJ remarkably decreases the expression of proinflammatory factors. Moreover, PERJ repairs intestinal barrier damage by increasing the expression level of mucin 2 and mucin 3, and the result is also confirmed in the histological assessment. Besides, the expression levels of Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade (MAPKs) signaling pathway-related proteins are inhibited by the PERJ administration. Finally, 16S rRNA sequencing analyses reveal that PERJ reverses intestinal microbiota dysbiosis by enhancing the abundance of Firmicutes and decreasing that of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes . Conclusion PERJ probably inhibits the development of UC by suppressing the NLRP3 and MAPKs signaling pathways and regulating gut microbiota homeostasis, and can be considered as a potential resource for preventing UC.
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PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2025
·
IF 8.3
Bao-xin Zheng,Yan Yi,Xing-wen Wang,Chun-ying Li,Yong Zhao,Jing-zhuo Tian,Lian-mei Wang,Jia-yin Han,Chen Pan,Su-yan Liu,Chen-yue Liu,Sha-sha Qin,Xuan Tang,Mei-ting Liu,Ai-hua Liang
Background Geniposide (GE) has potential efficacy in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its reactivity can be affected by rapid degradation after oral administration. Furthermore, increasing oral doses may lead to hepatotoxicity. Thus, We used enema administration, characterized by smaller dose and higher localized concentration in the lesion, to improve the above situation. Purpose We aimed to confirm that enema administration is a better modality than oral administration for GE against UC and to explore its mechanism. Study design/Method We established UC mouse model, monitoring Disease Activity Index (DAI), inflammatory cytokines levels, and histopathology. Macrogenomics and bile acid (BAs) metabolomics analysed the major intestinal flora and BAs. Simultaneouslly, we conducted quantitative proteomics analysis and screened core proteins and pathway. In vitro validation was taken by qPCR, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting experiments. Results GE via enema alleviate UC by inhibiting inflammatory factor production through downregulating S100A8/S100A9/NF-κB pathway. Analysis of the intestinal flora and BAs revealed that the enhanced abundance of Lachnospiraceae , which improves the ratio of primary to secondary BAs, and the reduced abundance of Provocaceae , which increases intestinal permeability and promotes inflammation, favored the restoration of the intestinal barrier. In addition, in vitro experiments confirmed that the key BA metabolites (mainly UDCA, DCA, and LCA) stimulated TGR5 signal to inhibit the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome and alleviated inflammation. Conclusion We firstly confirmed that GE alleviates UC via the enema route in a better manner than the oral route, through enhancing the intestinal barrier, restoring intestinal flora and BAs homeostasis, and inhibiting inflammatory injury. This study initially revealed that GE can alleviate UC through elevating UDCA, DCA, and LCA levels at the colonic site to activate TGR5 receptor for inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome, in addition to downregulating the S100A8/S100A9/-TLR4-NF-κB pathway related inflammatory response directly. The evidences offer a promising strategy and profround meaning for UC treatment.
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