INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2024
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IF 4.8
Jinsheng Gao,Yousong Li,Jiaohua Chen,Wen Feng,Jianchen Bu,Zixuan Lu,Jiandong Wang
Background Emodin, a natural anthraquinone derivative isolated from the roots of Rheum officinale Baill, has many pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-cancer. However, little is known about the effect of emodin on acute radiation proctitis (ARP). The present study was conducted to determine its effects and elucidate its mechanisms involving AKT/MAPK/NF-κB/VEGF pathways in ARP mice. Methods Total 60 C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into control group, ARP group, AKT inhibitor MK-2206 group, and different doses of emodin groups. ARP mice were induced by 27 Gy of 6 MV X-ray pelvic local irradiation. MK-2206 was given orally for 2 weeks on alternate days. Emodin was administered daily by oral gavage for 2 weeks. Subsequently, all mice were sacrificed on day 15. The rectal tissues were obtained for further tests. The general signs score and the pathological grade were used to evaluate the severity of ARP. The expression of NF-κB, VEGF and AQP1 were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot. The expression of p-AKT, p-ERK, p-JNK, p-p38, Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed using western blot. Results The worse general signs and damaged tissue structure of ARP mice were profoundly ameliorated by emodin. The expression of p-AKT, p-ERK, NF-κB, VEGF and AQP1 were significantly increased, resulting in the inflammation-induced angiogenesis in ARP mice. However, the expression of p-JNK and p-p38 were decreased, leading to the reduction of apoptosis in ARP mice. Excitedly, emodin reversed these changes, not only inhibited inflammation-induced angiogenesis, but also promoted apoptosis. Notably, the effects of emodin were similar to that of AKT inhibitor MK-2206, suggesting the involvement of AKT signaling in the effect of emodin. Conclusion These results suggest that emodin attenuates ARP in mice, and the underlying mechanism might involve inhibition of the AKT/ERK/NF-κB/VEGF pathways and the induction of apoptosis mediated by JNK and p38.
研究领域:
药理学
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放射生物学
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分子生物学
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炎症研究
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癌症研究
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
TOXICOLOGY LETTERS
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2023
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IF 3.5
Jinping Shao,Wenli Yu,Wei Wei,Suifeng Wang,Zhenli Zheng,Lei Li,Yanyan Sun,Jingjing Zhang,Zhihua Li,Xiuhua Ren,Weidong Zang,Jing Cao
The voltage-gated sodium channel subtype Nav1.6 is involved in the electrophysiological changes of primary sensory neurons that occur in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain , but its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, Western blot , RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, chromatin immunoprecipitation were used to prove the mechanism of MAPK-ERK-CREB signaling pathway participating in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain by regulating Nav1.6. The results showed that p-Raf1 and p-ERK, key molecules in MAPK/ERK pathway, and Nav1.6 were significantly increased in DRGs of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain rats. Inhibition of p-Raf1 and p-ERK respectively not only reduced the expression of Nav1.6 protein in DRGs of OXA rats, but also caused a decrease in Nav1.6 mRNA, which led us to further explore the transcription factor CREB regulated by MAPK/ERK pathway. Results showed that CREB was co-distributed with Nav1.6. Inhibition of CREB resulted in decreased mRNA and protein expression of Nav1.6, and alleviated oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain. A chromatin immunoprecipitation experiment proved that OXA caused p-CREB to directly bind to the promoter region of Scn8A, which is the encoding gene for Nav1.6, and promote the transcription of Scn8A. In summary, in this study, we found that oxaliplatin can activate the MAPK/ERK pathway, which promotes the expression and activation of CREB and leads to an increase in Scn8A transcription, and then leads to an increase in Nav1.6 protein expression to enhance neuronal excitability and cause pain. This study provides an experimental basis for the molecular mechanism of sodium channel regulation in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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疼痛研究
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
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2024
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IF 1.9
Zheng Delu,Cui Chenli,Ye Chengsong,Shao Chen,Zha Xiujing,Xu Ying,Liu Xu,Wang Can
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant that is implicated in the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis, but the underlying mechanism has not been determined. We explored the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in this process. RAW264.7 cells received receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and CoQ10, after which the differentiation and viability of osteoclasts were assessed. After the cells were treated with CoQ10 and/or H2O2 and RANKL, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proteins involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways and autophagy were tested. Moreover, after the cells were pretreated with or without inhibitors of the two pathways or with the mitophagy agonist, the levels of autophagy-related proteins and osteoclast markers were measured. CoQ10 significantly decreased the number of TRAP-positive cells and the level of ROS but had no significant impact on cell viability. The relative phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, ERK, and p38 were significantly reduced, but the levels of FOXO3/LC3/Beclin1 were significantly augmented. Moreover, the levels of FOXO3/LC3/Beclin1 were significantly increased by the inhibitors and mitophagy agonist, while the levels of osteoclast markers showed the opposite results. Our data showed that CoQ10 prevented RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by promoting autophagy via inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways in RAW264.7 cells.
研究领域:
细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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药理学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Pharmacology
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2024
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IF 4.4
Hu Hanqiong,Sun Yifan,Yang Zhen,Che Limuge,Cai Mingyang,Li Xiaoxuan,Huang Xianju,Bagen Hurile,Qiqige Wulan,Guleng Wuyunsiri,Ma Liqun,Tong Haiying
Introduction: Zhachong Shisanwei Pill (ZSP) is a classical Mongolian formula that combines 13 types of Chinese medicinal materials and has been used for treating ischemic stroke (IS) for centuries. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study is to explore potential mechanism of ZSP on nerve cells in cerebral ischemic injury.Methods: To simulate the pathological process of oxidative stress following IS, an injury model using PC12 cells was induced with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Afterward, PC12 cells were treated with ZSP medicated serum at low, medium, and high doses. Various assays were conducted to assess cell viability and oxidative stress indicators, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Cell apoptosis was evaluated through morphological assessment and flow cytometry. Additionally, the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, PARP) and signaling pathway proteins (JNK, phosphorylated JNK, ERK, phosphorylated ERK, p38, and phosphorylated p38) were measured using automated Western blotting.Results: Our findings indicate that ZSP medicated serum preconditioning improves the condition of PC12 cells injured by H2O2. Specifically, it increased cell survival rates and reduced LDH release. Additionally, ZSP treatment decreased ROS levels and MDA content, while enhancing the activity of SOD and CAT in the injured PC12 cells. ZSP also reversed the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and protected cells from apoptosis by modulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, including Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and PARP. Furthermore, the overactivation of the MAPK signaling pathway due to H2O2-induced injury was inhibited, as evidenced by the downregulation of phosphorylated JNK, ERK, and p38 levels.Discussion: Mongolian medicine ZSP demonstrates protective effects against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in PC12 cells. The underlying mechanism may involve the inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway, enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activity, reduction of intracellular peroxidation levels, and suppression of intrinsic apoptosis pathways.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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细胞生物学
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传统医学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
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2024
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IF 5.3
Baixing Li,Yibin Hu,Yan Chen,Kexin Liu,Kewei Rong,Qi Hua,Shaotian Fu,Xiao Yang,Tangjun Zhou,Xiaofei Cheng,Kai Zhang,Jie Zhao
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a common degenerative disease which is closely related to low back pain (LBP) and brings huge economic and social burdens. In this study, we explored the therapeutic effects of Homoplantaginin (Hom) for IVDD due to its convincing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. TNF-α was used to simulate the inflammatory environment for nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in vitro. We verified that Hom could alleviate the TNF-α-induced inflammation and disturbance of ECM homeostasis through blocking the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways. Subsequently, we screened the binding targets of Hom and confirmed that Hom could directly bind to TAK1 and inhibit its phosphorylation to down-regulate the inflammation-related pathways. The therapeutic effects of Hom on IVDD were further validated through a needle puncture rat model in vivo. Overall, Hom was a promising small molecule for IVDD early intervention, possessing huge clinical translational value.
研究领域:
药理学
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骨科
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
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2024
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IF 5.7
Kuaitian Wang,Mengqi Jian,Yuhang Chen,Mengdi Du,Zhenhua Wang,Bo Xu,Ning Tang,Yongqiang Cheng,Jing Gan
The aim of this study was to determine the osteogenic activity and mechanism of soybean peptide VVELLKAFEEKF (SOP) and the potential relationship between SOP and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). The results show that SOP promotes MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation by altering cell progression. SOP induced cell differentiation and mineralization in a dose-dependent manner at 0.7–7 μM. Moreover, SOP stimulates osteoblast differentiation, which may be achieved through the activation of p38-MAPK and Smad2/3 signaling pathways. Furthermore, treatment with a TβRI inhibitor (SB525334) inhibited the phosphorylation levels of p38 and Smad2/3, which indicates the involvement of TβRI in the process of osteoblast differentiation caused by SOP. Besides, in non-FBS-cultured MC3T3-E1 cells, SOP and TGF-β1 promoted the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, but the effect was lost when SOP was incubated separately, indicating that SOP stimulated osteoblast differentiation by promoting TGF-β1 activity. In vivo, SOP significantly restores bone mineral density loss and behavioral deficits in a model of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in zebrafish. These results suggest that SOP may have the function of promoting bone remodeling and may be used as a potential active factor for functional food development to prevent osteoporosis.
研究领域:
生物学
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药理学
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医学研究
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
LIFE SCIENCES
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2023
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IF 6.1
Haijie Wu,Xiaohu Shi,Yingda Zang,Xiaodi Zhao,Xikun Liu,Weida Wang,Wenying Shi,Clarence T.T. Wong,Li Sheng,Xiaoguang Chen,Sen Zhang
Aims Cisplatin is a widely-used drug in the clinical treatment of tumors, but kidney nephrotoxicity is one of the reasons that limits its widespread use. We previously found that 7-hydroxycoumarin-β-D-glucuronide (7-HCG) was one of metabolites of skimmin and highly enriched in the kidneys and maintained a high blood concentration in skimmin-treated rats. Therefore, we investigated whether 7-HCG has a protective effect on cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. Materials and methods Male C57BL/6 mice were continuously administered 7-HCG for five days, and on the third day, an intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin was given to induce acute kidney injury. After 72 h, the mice were sacrificed for analysis. Serum and renal tissue were collected for renal function evaluation. RNA sequencing was used to explore mechanism, and further validated by western blot and immunohistochemistry. In addition, pharmacokinetic study of oral 7-HCG administration was performed to examine how much 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) was metabolized and 7-HC possible effect on renal protection. Key findings 7-HCG significantly reduced serum BUN and SCR levels, and alleviated pathological damage in renal tissue, and reduced the renal index. RNA sequencing revealed that 7-HCG could reverse p38 MAPK regulation and apoptosis. By western blotting, it was found that 7-HCG could reduce renal injury by reducing p-p38, p-ERK, p-JNK, cleaved-caspase3 and Bax. The immunohistochemical results of cleaved-caspase3 were consistent with western blotting. 7-HCG also significantly reduced the production of ROS in kidney tissue. Pharmacokinetic experiments have shown that 7-HCG in the blood increased rapidly and was eliminated slowly, with an average t 1/2β of 18.3 h. And the concentration of 7-HCG in the target organ kidney was about 4 times higher than that in blood. Significance Our findings indicate that 7-HCG could exert its protective effect against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting apoptosis via p38 MAPK regulation and elucidates its pharmacokinetics.
研究领域:
药理学
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肾病学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
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2025
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IF 6.3
Risheng Zhao,Min Zhang,Gege Yang,Wei Liu,Hui Yu,Shuang Yan,Ting Ren,Linxin Zhang,Mengyang Wang,Haiming Sun
Hypertensive heart failure pathogenesis involves angiotensin II (Ang II)-mediated mechanisms through both hemodynamic overload and direct cellular signaling pathways. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Portulaca oleracea L. (POL) extract and its active constituent Oleracein E (OE) in attenuating Ang II-induced pathological cardiac remodeling and subsequent heart failure progression. An experimental model of hypertensive heart failure was established in C57BL/6 mice through continuous subcutaneous infusion of Ang II for 4 weeks, with Oleracein E (OE) intervention administered during the final 2 weeks of the protocol. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying OE's cardioprotective effects, we employed an integrated approach combining RNA sequencing analysis, molecular docking simulations, and target validation through drug affinity response target stability (DARTS) and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) techniques. The experimental results demonstrated that both POL extract and its active component OE exerted significant cardioprotective effects against Ang II-induced cardiac dysfunction in murine models, primarily through attenuation of pathological cardiac hypertrophy and suppression of inflammatory responses. Transcriptomic profiling via RNA sequencing identified the MAPK signaling pathway as a critical mediator of these protective effects. Subsequent transcription factor analysis revealed STAT2 as a key regulatory component in this pathway. Importantly, OE treatment effectively mitigated inflammatory responses in both in vivo cardiac tissues and in vitro cultured cardiomyocytes by specifically inhibiting the Ang II-activated MAPKs/STAT2 signaling cascade. Genetic ablation experiments further confirmed the essential role of this pathway, as the anti-inflammatory efficacy of OE was completely abolished in cardiomyocytes with MAPKs or STAT2 deficiency. Molecular interaction studies employing in silico docking simulations combined with experimental validation through DARTS and CETSA techniques provided direct evidence of physical binding between OE and the STAT2 protein. Our findings demonstrate that Oleracein E (OE) confers cardioprotection against Ang II-induced myocardial injury through a novel mechanism involving STAT2 targeting and subsequent suppression of MAPK signaling-mediated inflammatory cascades. These results not only elucidate a previously unrecognized pharmacological pathway but also suggest that OE and its derivatives hold significant therapeutic promise for the clinical management of hypertensive heart failure, potentially offering a targeted approach to modulate pathological cardiac remodeling.
研究领域:
药理学
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心血管病学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
POULTRY SCIENCE
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2023
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IF 4.4
Manman Shen,Tao Li,Yuan Feng,Ping Wu,Boris Ramos Serrano,Adileidys Ruiz Barcenas,Liang Qu,Weiguo Zhao
ABSTRACT Quercetin ( Que ), widely found in a huge variety of plants, plays important roles in ovarian function. However, to data, there have been no reports about Que regulating granulosa cells ( GCs ) in prehierarchical follicles in chicken. Herein, GCs from follicles diameter from 4 to 8 mm in chicken were treated by Que in vitro culture to investigate how Que exerts its effect on follicular development. GCs treated by Que in concentrations of 10, 100, and 1,000 ng/mL were tested for cell proliferation and progesterone secretion. Eight cDNA libraries were constructed from GCs (4 samples per group) to explore transcriptome expression changes. The role of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway was validated in this process. Treatment with 100 and 1,000 ng/mL levels of Que significantly promoted cell proliferation and progesterone secretion ( P < 0.05). RNA-seq analysis data showed that 402 and 263 differentially expressed genes ( DEGs ) were up- and down-regulated, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis that the pathways related to follicular development included biosynthesis of amino acids, MAPK signaling pathway, and calcium signaling pathway. Notably, the function exerted in GCs of the different levels of Que was associated with the suppression of the MAPK pathway. In conclusion, our results proved that low levels of Que could promote MAPK signaling pathway, but high levels of Que inhibit MAPK signaling pathway in GCs from the prehierarchical follicles, promote cell proliferation and progesterone secretion, and benefit follicle selection.
研究领域:
动物科学
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分子生物学
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生殖生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Advanced Healthcare Materials
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2024
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IF 10
Zongpu Han,Yixiong Lin,Xinyu Guo,Jieyun Xu,Xiaomeng Gao,Ruihan Yang,Yuan Zhao,Mixiao Gui,Linjun Zhang,Yuanlong Guo,Zetao Chen
The strategy of re-organogenesis provides an optimal framework for restoring complex organ structures and functions in adult damage. While the focus has often been on restoring organogenesis stem cells, there is limited investigations of reverting the environmental niche to support this approach. The guiding principle of “Nature selects the fittest to survive” drives the intricate dynamic changes in cellular events within the niche environment, especially through immune surveillance. The extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as the “self-associated molecular patterns” of the niche, containing extensive data on cell-niche reaction data and acting as the active tuner of immune surveillance. In this study, hyaluronic acid (HA) is identified as a unique component of the ECM in cranial osteo-organogenesis. Mechanistically, HA activates the Cluster of Differentiation 44 (CD44)-Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK)/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK)-Ets Variant 1/5 (ETV1/5)- Mannose Receptor C-Type 1 (MRC1) axis in macrophages, establishing a distinct immune surveillance during osteo-organogenesis. Furthermore, HA is utilized as a novel engineered material for an “Osteo-organogenesis niche”, restoring immune surveillance and synergistically regulating stem cells to achieve re-osteo-organogenesis in cranial defects of rats. Taken together, the study unveils a previously unknown strategy for leveraging re-organogenesis by utilizing “organogenesis niche” ECM engineered materials to manipulate immune surveillance, thereby comprehensively regulating stem cells and other tissue cells effectively for re-organogenesis.
研究领域:
再生医学
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免疫学
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组织工程学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Oleo Science
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2023
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IF 1.5
Ting Wu,Yueqing Xie,Zhikai Wu,Yifei Li,Mingzhen Jiang,Hongsen Yu,Xuhai Li,Jingjing Wang,Ershun Zhou,Zhengtao Yang
Acute liver injury (ALI), posing a serious threaten to our life, has emerged as a public health issue around the world. β-carotene has plenty of pharmacologic effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. In this study, we focused on studying the protective role and potential molecular mechanisms of β-carotene against D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced ALI. Our results indicated that β-carotene pretreatment effectively hindered abnormal changes induced by LPS/D-GalN in liver histopathology. Meanwhile, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were downgraded with β-carotene pretreatment. β-carotene pretreatment also decreased malondialdehyde content and myeloperoxidase activity, increased glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels, and reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in liver tissues. Further investigations found that β-carotene mediated multiple signaling pathways in LPS/D-GalN-induced ALI, inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK signaling and upregulating the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins. All findings indicate that β-carotene appears to protect mice against LPS/D-GalN induced ALI by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, possibly via regulating NF-κB, MAPK, and Nrf2 signaling.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝病学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CELL BIOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY
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2022
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IF 6.819
Zhan Yujuan,Chen Qiugu,Song Yue,Wei Xianli,Zhao Tingxiu,Chen Bonan,Li Chengxi,Zhang Wenbo,Jiang Yanjun,Tan Yuhui,Du Biaoyan,Xiao Jianyong,Wang Kun
Autophagy is typically activated in cancer cells as a rescue strategy in response to cellular stress (e.g., chemotherapy). Herein, we found that Berbamine Hydrochloride (Ber) can act as an effective inhibitor of the late stage of autophagic flux, thereby potentiating the killing effect of chemotherapy agents. Lung carcinoma cells exposed to Ber exhibited increased autophagosomes, marked by LC3-II upregulation. The increased level of p62 after Ber treatment indicated that the autophagic flux was blocked at the late stage. The lysosome staining assay and cathepsin maturation detection indicated impaired lysosomal acidification. We found that Nox2 exhibited intensified co-localization with lysosomes in Ber-treated cells. Nox2 is a key enzyme for superoxide anion production capable of transferring electrons into the lysosomal lumen, thereby neutralizing the inner protons; this might explain the aberrant acidification. This hypothesis is further supported by the observed reversal of lysosomal cathepsin maturation by Nox2 inhibitors. Finally, Ber combined with cisplatin exhibited a synergistic killing effect on lung carcinoma cells. Further data suggested that lung carcinoma cells co-treated with Ber and cisplatin accumulated excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), which typically activated MAPK-mediated mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. The enhanced anti-cancer effect of Ber combined with cisplatin was also confirmed in an in vivo xenograft mouse model. These findings indicate that Ber might be a promising adjuvant for enhancing the cancer cell killing effect of chemotherapy via the inhibition of autophagy. In this process, Nox2 might be a significant mediator of Ber-induced aberrant lysosomal acidification. Graphical abstract
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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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）