Objective To investigate the impact of Qizhi Jiangtang Capsule (QZJT) on renal damage in diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice via NOD like receptors family pyrin domain containing 3/caspase-1/ Gasdermin D (NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD) signaling pathway. Methods Mice were randomly allocated into six experimental groups: a normal control group (NC), a diabetic nephropathy model group (DN), a low-dose QZJT treatment group (L-QZJT), a high-dose QZJT treatment group (H-QZJT), a positive control group administered Shenqi Jiangtang Granules (SQJT), and an ML385 group (treated with an inhibitor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, Nrf2). Upon successful model induction, therapeutic interventions were commenced. Renal function impairment in the mice was evaluated through quantification of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 24-hour urinary albumin (UAlb), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the kidney-to-body mass ratio (K/B). Renal tissue pathology was evaluated using HE and PAS staining. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 were quantified by ELISA. Levels of podocyte markers and proteins involved in relevant pathways were assessed using Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the NC group, FBG, 24 h UAlb, SCr, and BUN were increased in the DN group, and the K/B mass ratio was also increased. In contrast, compared with the DN group, FBG, 24 h UAlb, SCr, and BUN in both the low-dose (L-QZJT) and high-dose Quanzhou Jintang (H-QZJT) groups were decreased, and the K/B mass ratio was decreased as well. The therapeutic efficacy of H-QZJT was comparable to that of Shenqi Jiangtang Granules. QZJT ameliorated renal histopathological injury in DN mouse, increased the protein levels of Nephrin (a podocyte marker), and decreased the protein levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), pro-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N. After ML385 treatment, renal cells exhibited swelling and morphological changes, the inflammatory infiltrate area was enlarged, the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N were up-regulated, and the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were increased. Conclusion QZJT may inhibit podocyte pyroptosis by acting on the Nrf2 to regulate the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, thus improving renal damage in DN mouse.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/pathology* ; Podocytes/pathology* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Caspase 1/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Kidney/pathology* ; Gasdermins

BACKGROUND:Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells release a large amount of exosomes to participate in various pathophysiological processes,but the impact and precise mechanism of exosomes derived from adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells on autophagy of hepatic stellate cells have not been fully elucidated.OBJECTIVE:To explore the targeted regulatory effect and molecular mechanism of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes on autophagy of hepatic stellate cells through miR-15a-5p.METHODS:Adipose tissue was collected from inguinal region of 8-week male C57BL/6 mice.Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted by collagenase digestion.Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes were extracted by ultracentrifugation.Mouse liver tissue was obtained,and hepatic stellate cells were isolated and extracted using collagenase perfusion digestion and density gradient centrifugation.The experiment was divided into two groups.In control group,hepatic stellate cells were cultured alone for 48 hours.In the exosome group,hepatic stellate cells were co-cultured with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for 48 hours.The effects of exosomes on hepatic stellate cell proliferation,activation,autophagy,and expression of fibrosis markers were detected by western blot assay,RT-qPCR,and immunofluorescence staining.RT-qPCR and western blot assay were used to detect the effect of exosomes on the mRNA and protein expression of miR-15a-5p and the downstream signaling pathway Bcl-2,Beclin-1,and Rubicon in hepatic stellate cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the ratio of autophagy markers LC3-Ⅱ expression decreased,the number of autophagosome was also significantly decreased,and the intracellular lipid droplets were regenerated,simultaneously,cell volume diminished with the weakening of proliferation in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group,indicated that the hepatic stellate cell activation was significantly inhibited.(2)Compared with the control group,the expressions of α-smooth actin and type Ⅰ collagen were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the expression of miR-15a-5p was significantly increased in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group(P＜0.01).At the same time,the expression of its downstream target gene Bcl-2 was significantly decreased(P＜0.01),while the expressions of autophagy genes Beclin-1 and Rubicon were significantly increased in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group(P＜0.01).The results indicate that adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes inhibits the expression of Bcl-2 in hepatic stellate cells by targeting miR-15a-5p and increases the expression of downstream autophagy genes Beclin-1 and Rubicon,thereby inhibiting the autophagy of hepatic stellate cells.

Objective To investigate the effects of acteoside in a rat model on of diabetic nephropathy(DN)and high-glucose-induced glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs),focusing on the role of acteoside in the silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)/nuclear factor eryth-roid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)signaling pathway.Methods GMCs were cultured under normal glucose conditions or stimulated with high glucose.Fibrosis,oxidative stress,SIRT1 and Nrf2 protein expression,and mitochondrial structure were assessed in four groups:normal glucose,high glucose,high glucose+acteoside,and high glucose+acteoside+SIRT1 inhibitor(hsa62).DN was induced in rats via intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection,and animals were divided into control,model,and acteoside-treated groups.Pathological kidney changes,blood glucose changes,renal function indices,and protein expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2 were evaluated.Results Compared with controls,DN model rats showed significantly elevated fasting blood glucose,serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,and 24-h urinary protein levels of rats in the model group were significantly increased(P＜0.01).GMCs exhibited increased fibrosis,oxidative stress,and mitochondrial damage.Acteoside treatment significantly improved all measured parameters(P＜0.01);and mitigated mitochondrial injury.In vitro,acteoside reduced high-glucose-induced fibrosis and oxidative stress in GMCs,effects that were reversed by SIRT1 inhibition.Western blotting confirmed upregulation of SIRT1 and Nrf2 expression in both treated rat kidney tissues and GMCs(P＜0.01).Conclusion Acteoside alleviates glomerular fibrosis and oxidative stress in DN by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway,suggesting its potential therapeutic agent for DN.

BACKGROUND:Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells release a large amount of exosomes to participate in various pathophysiological processes,but the impact and precise mechanism of exosomes derived from adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells on autophagy of hepatic stellate cells have not been fully elucidated.OBJECTIVE:To explore the targeted regulatory effect and molecular mechanism of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes on autophagy of hepatic stellate cells through miR-15a-5p.METHODS:Adipose tissue was collected from inguinal region of 8-week male C57BL/6 mice.Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted by collagenase digestion.Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes were extracted by ultracentrifugation.Mouse liver tissue was obtained,and hepatic stellate cells were isolated and extracted using collagenase perfusion digestion and density gradient centrifugation.The experiment was divided into two groups.In control group,hepatic stellate cells were cultured alone for 48 hours.In the exosome group,hepatic stellate cells were co-cultured with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for 48 hours.The effects of exosomes on hepatic stellate cell proliferation,activation,autophagy,and expression of fibrosis markers were detected by western blot assay,RT-qPCR,and immunofluorescence staining.RT-qPCR and western blot assay were used to detect the effect of exosomes on the mRNA and protein expression of miR-15a-5p and the downstream signaling pathway Bcl-2,Beclin-1,and Rubicon in hepatic stellate cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the ratio of autophagy markers LC3-Ⅱ expression decreased,the number of autophagosome was also significantly decreased,and the intracellular lipid droplets were regenerated,simultaneously,cell volume diminished with the weakening of proliferation in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group,indicated that the hepatic stellate cell activation was significantly inhibited.(2)Compared with the control group,the expressions of α-smooth actin and type Ⅰ collagen were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the expression of miR-15a-5p was significantly increased in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group(P＜0.01).At the same time,the expression of its downstream target gene Bcl-2 was significantly decreased(P＜0.01),while the expressions of autophagy genes Beclin-1 and Rubicon were significantly increased in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group(P＜0.01).The results indicate that adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes inhibits the expression of Bcl-2 in hepatic stellate cells by targeting miR-15a-5p and increases the expression of downstream autophagy genes Beclin-1 and Rubicon,thereby inhibiting the autophagy of hepatic stellate cells.

Objective To investigate the effects of acteoside in a rat model on of diabetic nephropathy(DN)and high-glucose-induced glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs),focusing on the role of acteoside in the silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)/nuclear factor eryth-roid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)signaling pathway.Methods GMCs were cultured under normal glucose conditions or stimulated with high glucose.Fibrosis,oxidative stress,SIRT1 and Nrf2 protein expression,and mitochondrial structure were assessed in four groups:normal glucose,high glucose,high glucose+acteoside,and high glucose+acteoside+SIRT1 inhibitor(hsa62).DN was induced in rats via intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection,and animals were divided into control,model,and acteoside-treated groups.Pathological kidney changes,blood glucose changes,renal function indices,and protein expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2 were evaluated.Results Compared with controls,DN model rats showed significantly elevated fasting blood glucose,serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,and 24-h urinary protein levels of rats in the model group were significantly increased(P＜0.01).GMCs exhibited increased fibrosis,oxidative stress,and mitochondrial damage.Acteoside treatment significantly improved all measured parameters(P＜0.01);and mitigated mitochondrial injury.In vitro,acteoside reduced high-glucose-induced fibrosis and oxidative stress in GMCs,effects that were reversed by SIRT1 inhibition.Western blotting confirmed upregulation of SIRT1 and Nrf2 expression in both treated rat kidney tissues and GMCs(P＜0.01).Conclusion Acteoside alleviates glomerular fibrosis and oxidative stress in DN by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway,suggesting its potential therapeutic agent for DN.

Objective:To study the changes of early (i.e., within post injury day (PID) 14) coagulation function in patients with severe burns.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. From December 2018 to December 2019, 50 severe burn patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University. According to the severity of burns, the patients were divided into severe burn group (17 cases, including 12 males and 5 females) and extremely severe burn group (33 cases, including 26 males and 7 females). The platelet count (PLT), and conventional coagulation indexe and thromboelastogram index levels of patients were collected at admission, post injury hour (PIH) 48 and 72, and on PID 7 and 14. The conventional coagulation indexes included prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), activated partial prothrombin time (APTT), and fibrinogen (FIB) and D-dimer levels. The thromboelastogram indexes included coagulation angle (i.e., α angle), coagulation composite index (CI), MA value, R value, and K value (reflecting maximum amplitude, coagulation reaction time, and blood agglutination time, respectively). Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and chi-square test. Verification of the mixed effect model was performed on each index data of patients in the two groups, while the repeated measures analysis of variance was performed on PLT. Pearson correlation analysis or Spearman correlation analysis were performed to analyze the correlation between the thromboelastogram index data (except CI) and the PLT and conventional coagulation index data, respectively. Results:At admission, PIH 48 and 72, and on PID 7 and 14, PLT of patients in severe burn group were (203±91), (148±70), (123±63), (203±62), (402±140)×10 9/L, respectively, PLT of patients in extremely severe burn group were (235±116), (145±71), (109±52), (235±106), (455±138)×10 9/L, respectively. In overall comparison, only the difference of the main effect of time factor was statistically significant ( F=92.55, P<0.05). In severe burn group, statistically significant differences were only identified in comparison of patients' PLT between PID 7 and the adjacent two time points (at PIH 72 and on PID 14, with both P values <0.05). The differences in PLT of patients between all the adjacent time points in extremely severe burn group were statistically significant ( P<0.05). In the overall comparison of PT, TT, and FIB level of patients in the two groups at each time point, only the difference of main effect of time factor was statistically significant (with F values of 6.04, 8.45, and 32.90, respectively, all P values <0.05), and APTT and FIB level of patients in extremely severe burn group within PID 14 were higher than those in severe burn group. There were statistically significant differences in MA value, α angle, K value, and CI of patients in the two groups at each time point (with F values of 18.82, 11.38, 9.11, and 9.42, respectively, all P values <0.05). MA value was moderately correlated with PLT ( r=0.69, P<0.05), weakly correlated with TT and FIB level (with r values of -0.29 and 0.30 respectively, P<0.05), and very weakly correlated with D-dimer level ( r=-0.15, P<0.05); α angle was moderately correlated with PLT ( r=0.58, P<0.05), and weakly correlated with FIB level and TT (with r values of 0.26 and -0.29, respectively, P<0.05); R value was weakly correlated with APTT and FIB level (with r values of 0.24 and 0.31, respectively, P<0.05), and very weakly correlated with PT and TT (with r values of 0.16 and 0.14, respectively, P<0.05); K value was moderately correlated with PLT ( r=-0.59, P<0.05), and weakly correlated with FIB and TT (with r values of -0.29 and 0.32, respectively, P<0.05), and very weakly correlated with D-dimer level ( r=-0.15, P<0.05). Conclusions:Severe burn patients are already characterized with coagulation function changes in early stage, including insufficiency of coagulation function, enhanced platelet aggregation ability and enhanced FIB function. There is a certain correlation between conventional coagulation indexes and thromboelastogram indexes, but they cannot replace each other.

A case of 22 year-old man with Cronkhite-Canada syndrome who responded to adequate glucocorticoids and azathioprine was reported. The pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome were also discussed in details in order to provide clinical experience for clinicians.

A case of 22 year-old man with Cronkhite-Canada syndrome who responded to adequate glucocorticoids and azathioprine was reported. The pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome were also discussed in details in order to provide clinical experience for clinicians.

Objective To investigate the expression level and clinical significance of melanoma antigen gene A (MAGEA) in osteosarcoma patients. Methods Compare gene expression profiles in osteosarcoma cell lines and osteoblasts with gene microarrays. Validation of differentially expressed genes was carried out by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Corresponding protein levels were measures by Western blot analysis in osteosarcoma cell lines and by immunohistochemistry in osteosarcoma tissues. The staining intensity of immuno-histochemistry was correlated with clinical outcome , and its prognostic significance was analyzed. Results Sev-eral genes belonging to MAGEA increased significantly in all osteosarcoma cell lines and tumor tissue , but not in normal osteoblast cell. Patients with MAGEA expression has higher risk of lung metastasis (relative risk 2.79, 95% confidence interval, 1.12-6.93; P = 0.028) and lower five-year survival rates (39.6% ± 8.4% vs. 80% ± 8.9%, P = 0.01) compared with patients without MAGEA expression. Conclusions The expression of MAGEA increased in osteosarcoma , which inversely correlating with outcome of osteosarcoma patients.

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of SCUBE3 in human osteosarcoma cell lines and surgical specimens of osteosarcomas and investigate its association with the patients' prognosis.

METHODSThe expression of SCUBE3 protein was detected in 5 osteosarcoma cell lines using Western blotting. CCK8 assay was used to assess the effect of SCUBE3 suppression mediated by two specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) on the proliferation of U2OS osteosarcoma cells, and the cell cycle changes were detected using flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of SCUBE3 in 60 osteosarcoma tissues, and Kaplan-Meier method was performed for survival analysis of the patients.

RESULTSCompared with osteoblast hFOB1.19 cells, the osteosarcoma cell lines all showed significantly higher expressions of SCUBE3. In U2OS cells, suppression of SCUBE3 expression by siRNA significantly inhibited the cell proliferation (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with high SCUBE3 expression had worse prognosis than those with low SCUBE3 expression (P=0.036).

CONCLUSIONSCUBE3 is up-regulated in the 5 osteosarcoma cell lines and in primary osteosarcoma tissues to promote the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells. A high SCUBE3 expression in osteosarcoma tissues is associated with a poor prognosis of the patients, suggesting that SCUBE3 can serve as a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.

Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Up-Regulation