ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
·
2025
·
IF 6.1
Fei Fang,Bo Peng,Yanjuan Zhu,Wenping Xu,Yang Zhang,Jiagao Cheng
Comprehensive understanding the toxic effects of pesticide with relative long half-life properties are always hot research topics in the world. In this study, the immunotoxic effects of Bixafen (BIX), a prominent Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide, were systematically assessed at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 μM, using a zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) larval model. Neutral red staining and confocal microscopy quantification showed that BIX exposure reduced immune cell numbers in a concentration-dependent manner. qPCR and Western blot validation revealed upregulated pro-inflammatory factors ( IL-1β , IL-8 , TNF-α ) and TLR4 gene expression, while the lymphocyte marker gene rag1 was downregulated. Protein - level detection found significantly increased p-p65/p65 and TLR4 expression. Molecular docking experiments showed that BIX forms multiple interactions with the TLR4 protein. RNA-Seq analysis further confirmed that BIX interferes with DNA replication and metabolic pathways. Our results suggest that BIX may activate proinflammatory responses and disrupt immune cell homeostasis via the TLR4 signaling pathway, posing a potential immunotoxicity risk to non-target organisms. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of BIX-induced immunotoxicity and are critical for assessing the environmental safety and health risks associated with SDHI fungicides.
研究领域:
毒理学
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环境科学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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水生毒理学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HISTOCHEMISTRY
·
2023
·
IF 2
Qian Hu,Ran Tao,Xiaoyun Hu,Haibo Wu,Jianjun Xu
Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory response in the pancreas, involving activation of pancreatic enzymes. Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) often causes systemic complications that affect distant organs, including the lungs. The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic potential of piperlonguminine on SAP-induced lung injury in rat models. Acute pancreatitis was induced in rats by repetitive injections with 4% sodium taurocholate. Histological examination and biochemical assays were used to assess the severity of lung injury, including tissue damage, and levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (NOX2), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inflammatory cytokines. We found that piperlonguminine significantly ameliorated pulmonary architectural distortion, hemorrhage, interstitial edema, and alveolar thickening in rats with SAP. In addition, NOX2, NOX4, ROS, and inflammatory cytokine levels in pulmonary tissues were notably decreased in piperlonguminine- treated rats. Piperlonguminine also attenuated the expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Together, our findings demonstrate for the first time that piperlonguminine can ameliorate acute pancreatitis-induced lung injury via inhibitory modulation of inflammatory responses by suppression of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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炎症
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肺医学
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胃肠病学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
·
2026
·
IF 4.4
Xiaofei Yang,Mingyue Qiao,Yan Deng,Songsong Chen,Cheng Li,Yuanke Shu,Li Jiang
Heavy metal pollution, particularly copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd), poses a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems due to its toxicity and bioaccumulation potential. This study investigated the effects of individual and combined exposure to Cu and Cd on largemouth bass, focusing on the gut–liver axis and the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in hepatotoxicity. A total of 480 size-matched fish were randomly assigned to four groups (Control, Cu, Cd, and Cu + Cd) and exposed to sublethal concentrations of CuSO₄ (9.275 mg/L) and CdCl₂·2.5H₂O (1.15285 mg/L) for 14 days, followed by physiological, molecular, and omics analyses. Results showed that both single and combined exposures disrupted intestinal structure and barrier function, accompanied by downregulation of tight junction genes. Oxidative stress responses were tissue-specific, with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MDA levels in the intestine but decreased levels in the liver, along with suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities. Inflammatory responses were activated, as indicated by elevated cytokine levels and upregulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in the liver. Microbiota analysis revealed that Cd exposure increased gut microbial diversity, whereas Cu + Cd co-exposure reduced α-diversity and altered microbial composition, with increased Proteobacteria and decreased beneficial taxa such as Bacteroidota and Firmicutes. Untargeted metabolomics showed that hepatic metabolic profiles were altered, mainly affecting lipid, energy, and immune-related pathways. Overall, combined Cu + Cd exposure exerted stronger toxic effects than single exposures, inducing more severe intestinal damage, microbial dysbiosis, and metabolic disturbances. These findings highlight the critical role of the gut–liver axis in mediating heavy metal toxicity.
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PubMed
高影响因子
INFLAMMATION
·
2026
·Vol. 49
·期 1
·79
·
IF 5.4
Hu Rui-Jie,Ying Xiao-Long,Zhang Cheng,Wang Xu,Zhan Chang-Sheng
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) constitutes a clinically complex urological condition defined by the persistence of pelvic pain and chronic inflammation. Emerging evidence underscores the critical involvement of macrophage-mediated immune dysregulation, particularly the dominance of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, in driving CP/CPPS pathogenesis. Leonurine, a bioactive alkaloid derived from leonuri, exhibits various pharmacological properties and has been shown to regulate macrophage polarization in rheumatoid arthritis. This study aimed to evaluate leonurine’s therapeutic efficacy in a murine experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) model, established by subcutaneous injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant-emulsified prostate antigens. Leonurine administration in EAP mice markedly reduced prostatic inflammatory responses, mitigated chronic pain, and inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Likewise, leonurine decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression levels, an established marker for M1 macrophage polarization. Leonurine has been found to suppress M1 polarization and decrease the secretion of M1-related cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) in immortalized bone marrow-derived macrophages (iBMDMs) under in vitro conditions. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that leonurine mediates its therapeutic effects by modulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in both macrophages and EAP models. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations demonstrated stable binding interactions between leonurine and key proteins involved in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascade. As a whole, these findings verify that leonurine relieves experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) by regulating M1 macrophage polarization through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascade.
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高影响因子
KAOHSIUNG JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
·
2025
·
IF 3.1
Meng-Si Li,Kai Liu
IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the most common form of glomerulonephritis, is a major and growing public health issue. It results from intestinal barrier dysfunction that leads to mesangial deposition of pathogenic galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) and renal inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and associated mechanisms of forsythiaside A on intestinal barrier injury in IgAN in animal models. Rats were treated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce IgAN, followed by intragastric administration of forsythiaside A once daily from weeks 15 to 20 after model establishment. Biochemical markers, including 24-h urinary protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), renal and intestinal tissue pathology, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, kidney, and intestine, intestinal tight junction proteins, and TLR4/NF-κB pathway components were examined. The results showed that forsythiaside A decreased 24-h urinary protein, BUN, and SCr levels, alleviated renal damage, and attenuated glomerular and tubular lesions, collagen deposition, and glomerular IgA deposition in IgAN rats. Forsythiaside A treatment inhibited CD68-positive macrophage infiltration in renal tissues and downregulated serum and renal levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, while also alleviating intestinal barrier injury and intestinal inflammation, as shown by reduced levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and increased expression of the intestinal tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1. Lastly, forsythiaside A treatment lowered serum LPS concentrations, as well as renal and intestinal levels of TLR4, p-NF-κB p65, and p-IκBα, and raised both renal and intestinal levels of IκBα. Collectively, forsythiaside A was found to ameliorate the progression of IgAN in rats by alleviating inflammation and intestinal barrier injury by suppression of TLR4/NF-κB signaling.
研究领域:
肾病学
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免疫学
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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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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
POULTRY SCIENCE
·
2026
·Vol. 105
·期 12
·107847
·
IF 4.5
Shunxing Liu,Yanling Xiong,Zhentao Cheng,Anchun Cheng,Rutao Lin,Hui Li,Yao Huang,Binlan Zhou,Ting Yang,Chunlan Shan
Mycoplasma gallisepticum ( MG ), a significant pathogen, causes chronic respiratory disease (CRD) in poultry, characterized by coughing, wheezing, and dyspnea. This widespread disease severely impedes the healthy development of the poultry industry. Hydroxytyrosol (HT), a plant-derived monomeric compound, possesses diverse bioactivities, including antibacterial, antioxidant, and cardiovascular protective properties. This study aimed to investigate HT's protective effect against MG -induced inflammatory damage in HD11 cells. The findings revealed that MG infection activated the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in macrophage accumulation and inflammatory damage in the lung tissue of chicks. HT mitigated MG -induced inflammatory damage in HD11 cells, inhibited the M1 phenotype shift, and reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated HT's stable, spontaneous binding to NLRP3. Further investigations showed that HT alleviates oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, diminishes pathological apoptosis and pore formation, and concurrently reduces NLRP3 activation by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, thereby downregulating the expression of key pyroptosis factors. In summary, HT reduces NLRP3 inflammasome activation by specifically inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling axis, consequently alleviating inflammation-induced damage, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis in HD11 cells caused by MG infection.
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DOI
高影响因子
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
·
2021
·
IF 4.432
Jing-Mei Lu,Guang-Nan Jin,Yu-Nan Lu,Xu-Dong Zhao,Hui-Wen Lan,Shuai-Ru Mu,Xin-Yu Shen,Guang-Hua Xu,Cheng-Hua Jin,Juan Ma,Xuejun Jin,Xiang Xu,Lian-Xun Piao
Toxoplasma gondii ( T. gondii ) is an obligate intracellular parasite that can cause liver diseases in the host, including hepatitis and hepatomegaly . High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is the main inflammatory mediator causing cell injury or necrosis. HMGB1 binds to toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), then activates the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, which promotes the release of inflammatory factors. Our previous studies showed that HMGB1 mediated TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway plays an important role in liver injury induced by T. gondii infection. Resveratrol (RSV) is a small polyphenol, which has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti- T. gondii effect. However, the effect of RSV on liver injury caused by T. gondii infection is unclear. This study used the RH strain tachyzoites of T. gondii to infect murine liver line, NCTC-1469 cells to establish an in vitro model and acute infection of mice for the in vivo model to explore the protective effect of RSV on liver injury induced by T. gondii infection. The results showed that RSV inhibited the proliferation of T. gondii in the liver, reduced the alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase levels and pathological liver damage. Additionally, RSV inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase and HMGB1 by interfering with the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. These results indicate that RSV can protect liver injury caused by T. gondii infection by intervening in the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This study will provide a theoretical basis for RSV treatment of T. gondii infection induced liver injury.
研究领域:
免疫学
·
药理学
·
寄生虫学
·
分子生物学
·
病理学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Pharmacology
·
2022
·
IF 5.988
Lei Jin,Xiang Peng,Zeng Shengmei,Chen Le,Zhang Lei,Yuan Zhiyi,Zhang Jun,Wang Tingting,Yu Ruihong,Zhang Wanping,Ibrahim Issa Issoufou,Ma Limei,Yu Chao
Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a Chinese traditional herbal extraction widely used in treating cardiovascular diseases, could attenuate vascular endothelial injuries, but the underlying mechanism remains incomprehensive. Vascular glycocalyx coating on the endothelium would be damaged and caused endothelial dysfunction in the inflammatory microenvironment, which was the initial factor of morbidity of many vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis (AS). Here, we thoroughly investigated the molecular mechanism of TMP on vascular endothelial glycocalyx in the LPS-induced inflammatory model both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that pretreatment with TMP significantly inhibited glycocalyx degradation and monocytes adhesion to the endothelial process. Moreover, TMP pretreatment inhibited the expression of HPSE1 (a major degrading enzyme of endothelial glycocalyx), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and the translocation of nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65). We were utilized withTLR4 siRNA, NF-κB inhibitor, and HPSE1 overexpression analysis confirmed TMP’s protection on endothelial glycocalyx injury, which further contributed to the monocyte-endothelial adhesion process. It was indicated that TMP might suppress glycocalyx degradation through TLR4/NF-κB/HPSE1 signaling pathway. Taken together, our results enriched the occurrence molecular mechanism of glycocalyx shedding and molecular regulation mechanism of TMP in protecting integrity of the glycocalyx structure during inflammation. As TMP is currently used in clinical applications, it may be considered a novel strategy against atherosclerosis through its ability to protect endothelial glycocalyx.
研究领域:
心血管疾病
·
分子生物学
·
药理学
·
炎症研究
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
·
2023
·
IF 3.2
Jinhong Tian,Shuaishuai Zhang,Lu Li,Xueman Lin,Yongmei Li,Kunlu Zhao,Fengxin Zheng,Yongjun Chen,Yang Yang,Ting Wu,Jianxin Pang
Excessive acetaminophen (APAP) application is a major cause of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Febuxostat (Feb), a drug for reducing uric acid (UA) levels, was demonstrated to relieve hepatic inflammation and reverse organ functions. However, the effect of Feb on APAP-induced DILI and its mechanisms have not been fully explored. In this study, Feb (10 mg/kg) was given to mice by gavage 1 h after APAP (300 mg/kg, i.g.) induction. Serum and liver samples were collected 12 or 3 h after APAP challenge. Feb treatment was found to remarkably improve APAP-induced DILI, as evidenced by reduced serum ALT, AST and UA levels, pathomorphology, inflammatory, and oxidative responses. Consistently, treatment with Feb also reduced the cell injury induced by APAP in LO2 cells. Mechanistically, Feb induced GPX4 expression, activated the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, and inhibited the TLR4/NF-κB p65 pathway. Feb also inhibited glutathione (GSH) depletion and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation in the early injury phase. Notably, pretreatment with Feb for 3 days also revealed preventive effects against APAP-induced DILI in mice. Overall, our data revealed a potential health impact of Feb on APAP-mediated DILI in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that Feb might be a potential candidate for treating DILI.
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高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2023
·
IF 5.6
Xin-Yu Shen,Jing-Mei Lu,Yu-Nan Lu,Guang-Nan Jin,Jing-Wen Ma,Jing-He Wang,Yu Wang,Xiang Xu,Lian-Xun Piao
Toxoplasma gondii ( T. gondii ) is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes pulmonary toxoplasmosis, although its pathogenesis is incompletely understood. There is no cure for toxoplasmosis. Coixol, a plant polyphenol extracted from coix seeds, has a variety of biological activities. However, the effects of coixol on T. gondii infection have not been clarified. In this study, we infected a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and BALB/c mice with the T. gondii RH strain to establish infection models in vitro and in vivo , respectively, to explore protective effects and potential mechanisms of coixol on lung injury caused by T. gondii infection. Anti- T. gondii effects and underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms of coixol were investigated by real-time quantitative PCR, molecular docking, localized surface plasmon resonance, co-immunoprecipitation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy. The results show that coixol inhibits T. gondii loads and T. gondii -derived heat shock protein 70 ( T.g. HSP70) expression. Moreover, coixol reduced inflammatory cell recruitment and infiltration, and ameliorated pathological lung injury induced by T. gondii infection. Coixol can directly bind T.g. HSP70 or Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to disrupt their interaction. Coixol prevented overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and high mobility group box 1 by inhibiting activation of the TLR4/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway, consistent with effects of the TLR4 inhibitor CLI-095. These results indicate that coixol improves T. gondii infection-induced lung injury by interfering with T.g. HSP70-mediated TLR4/NF-κB signaling. Altogether, these findings suggest that coixol is a promising effective lead compound for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.
研究领域:
寄生虫学
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免疫学
·
药理学
·
分子生物学
·
细胞生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
·
2024
·
IF 3.3
Zhikun Zhang,Dawei Shi,Haiwei Dou,Ruijie Wan,Qing Yuan,Peng Tu,Deli Xin
In previous study, lower levels of serum GP130 were reported in children with MPP. GP130 is an important signal transducer, the down regulation of which may influence host immune responses. In this study, we aimed to analyze the regulatory mechanism of GP130 during MP infection. Firstly, the mRNA and protein levels of GP130 both decrease and then increase with increasing multiplicity of infection (MOI: 1 to 40) of MP. The lowest levels of GP130 were detected at MOI of 5. Then, heat treated MP but not trypsin treated MP or MP extracted proteins show regulatory effect to the expression of GP130. These indicate that the down regulation of GP130 is related to protein mediate adhesion process of MP. Gene expression analysis revealed that MP affected apoptosis and the TLR4 pathway in infected cells, and the mRNA level of IL-6 was correlated with that of GP130. Further, Z-VAD-FMK (pan-caspase inhibitor) can suppress the apoptosis induced by MP infection and restore GP130 at protein level. Further studies revealed that MP infection promoted TLR4 internalization but did not activate the NF-κB pathway. The levels of surface TLR4 showed correlation with the transcription of IL-6 and GP130. TAK242 (TLR4 inhibitor) and PS341 (proteasome inhibitor) can restore the decreased transcription of GP130, both of which were able to promote NF-κB pathway activation in MP-infected cells. These suggested that the regulation of TLR4/NF-κB pathway and induced apoptosis post MP infection are involved in the down-regulation of GP130 at transcription and protein levels, respectively.
研究领域:
微生物学
·
免疫学
·
细胞生物学
·
分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
LIFE SCIENCES
·
2019
·
IF 3.448
Runxiao Lv,Lili Du,Xueyong Liu,Fenghua Zhou,Zhiqiang Zhang,Lixin Zhang
Inflammation contributes to the pathological processes in patients and animal models of PD. Rosmarinic acid (RA) has been demonstrated to protect neurons in PD models. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of RA on PD and reveal possible pharmacological mechanisms. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was injected to mice to establish PD model in vivo. BV-2 cells were exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP + ) and α-synuclein to establish PD model in vitro. Results showed that treatment with RA dose-dependently improved motor function of PD mice, increased the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells, reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited microglia activation in ventral midbrain. In cell study, RA also decreased MPP + or α-synuclein-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, RA treatment downregulated the expression levels of HMGB1, TLR4 and Myd88 and inhibited NF-κB nuclear expression both in PD animal and cell models. These findings indicated that RA could attenuate inflammatory responses through suppressing HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, which may contribute to its anti-PD activity.
研究领域:
神经科学
·
药理学
·
炎症
·
神经退行性疾病
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
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