Magnolol, a compound extracted from Magnolia officinalis, demonstrates potential efficacy in addressing metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases. Its biological activities encompass anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticoagulant, and anti-diabetic effects. Growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), a member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily, is considered a potential therapeutic target for metabolic disorders. This study investigated the impact of magnolol on GDF-15 production and its underlying mechanism. The research examined the pharmacological effect of magnolol on GDF-15 expression in vitro and in vivo, and determined the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling in this process. Luciferase reporter assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and in vitro DNA binding assays were employed to examine the regulation of GDF-15 by activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), CCAAT enhancer binding protein γ (CEBPG), and CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF). The study also investigated the effect of magnolol and ATF4 on the activity of a putative enhancer located in the intron of the GDF-15 gene, as well as the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on magnolol and ATF4-induced transcription activity. Results demonstrated that magnolol triggers GDF-15 production in endothelial cells (ECs), hepatoma cell line G2 (HepG2) and hepatoma cell line 3B (Hep3B) cell lines, and primary mouse hepatocytes. The cooperative binding of ATF4 and CEBPG upstream of the GDF-15 gene or the E1944285 enhancer located in the intron led to full-power transcription of the GDF-15 gene. SNP alleles were found to impact the magnolol and ATF4-induced transcription activity of GDF-15. In high-fat diet ApoE^-/- mice, administration of magnolol induced GDF-15 production and partially suppressed appetite through GDF-15. These findings suggest that magnolol regulates GDF-15 expression through priming of promoter and enhancer activity, indicating its potential as a drug for the treatment of metabolic disorders.
Lignans/pharmacology* ; Growth Differentiation Factor 15/metabolism* ; Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds/pharmacology* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects* ; Activating Transcription Factor 4/genetics* ; Mice ; Humans ; Male ; Magnolia/chemistry* ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective:To explore the intervention effects of the "four-steps tendon resetting and collaterals dredging manipulation" on the symptoms and muscle status of calf muscle group of patients with chronic ankle sprains.Methods:This study was a prospective self-controlled clinical trial. A total of 39 patients with chronic ankle sprains who sought treatment at the basic units from April to September 2023 and Rehabilitation Medicine Center of Characteristic Medical Center of PLA Rocket Force from February to October 2023 were recruited. The "four-steps tendon resetting and collaterals dredging manipulation" was employed for treatment, with two sessions conducted per patient and one session per week. Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ankle joint function was evaluated using the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale and Function Assessment (AOFAS) score, and MyotonPRO digital palpation instrument was used to measure bilateral triceps and peroneal longus muscles and evaluate muscle status.Results:Compared with before treatment, VAS scores decreased ( t values were 5.85, 5.97, respecively, P<0.001) and AOFAS scores increased ( Z values were -4.59, -4.68, respecively, P<0.001). Before the first treatment and after the second treatment, the damping vibration frequency (Freq) of the affected and healthy triceps and peroneal muscles increased ( t values were -3.09,-2.92,-2.97,-2.28, respecively, P<0.05), the muscle stiffness (Stiff) increased ( t values were -3.12, -2.99, -2.88, -2.15, respecively, P<0.05), and the logarithmic attenuation value (Decr) of the damping vibration of the healthy calf triceps muscle decreased ( t=-2.31, P<0.05); Compared before and after the first treatment, the Decr value ( t=-2.51, P<0.05) and Stiff value ( t=-2.05, P<0.05) of the affected fibular longus muscle increased, while the Ferq, Decr, and Stiff values of the healthy calf triceps muscle increased before and after treatment ( t values were -2.92, -2.13, -2.64, respecively, P<0.05); before and after the second treatment, the Freq values of the triceps and peroneal longus muscles on the affected and healthy sides increased ( t values were -4.28, -2.67, -2.69, -2.38, respecively, P<0.05) and Stiff values increased ( t values were -4.24, -3.43, -3.87, -2.33, respecively, P<0.05); there was no statistical significance in Ferq, Decr, and Stiff values between the affected and healthy sides before and after the first and second treatments ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The "four-steps tendon resetting and collaterals dredging manipulation" can improve the symptoms of chronic ankle sprains and significantly change the muscle condition of the affected and healthy sides of the calf. The mechanism may be related to the neuromuscular control mechanism.

In this study, we aimed to construct a non-replication mRNA platform and explore the side effects of electroporation-mediated delivery of mRNA on the mice as well as the expression features of the mRNA. With luciferase gene as a marker, in vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase was carried out for the synthesis of luciferase-expressed mRNA, followed by enzymatic capping and tailing. The mRNA was delivered in vivo by electroporation via an in vivo gene delivery system, and the expression intensity and duration of luciferase in mice were observed via an in vivo imaging system. The results demonstrated that the mRNA transcripts were successfully expressed both in vitro and in vivo. The electroporation-mediated delivery of mRNA had no obvious side effects on the mice. Luciferase was expressed successfully in all the mRNA-transduced mice, while the expression intensity and duration varied among individuals. Overall, the expression level peaked on the first day after electroporation and rapidly declined on the fourth day. This study is of great importance for the construction of non-replication mRNAs and their application in vaccine or antitumor drug development.
Animals ; Electroporation/methods* ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Luciferases/metabolism* ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger/genetics*