OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) by inhibiting the activation of Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and pyroptosis mediated via NLRP3/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathway. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including the control, DGP model, EA, and MCC950 groups. The DGP model was established by a one-time high-dose intraperitoneal injection of 2% streptozotocin and a high-glucose and high-fat diet for 8 weeks. EA intervention was conducted at Zusanli (ST 36), Liangmen (ST 21) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) with sparse-dense wave for 15 min, and was administered for 3 courses of 5 days. After intervention, the blood glucose, urine glucose, gastric emptying, and intestinal propulsive rate were observed. Besides, HE staining was used to observe histopathological changes in gastric antrum tissues, and TUNEL staining was utilized to detect DNA damage. Protein expression levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), pro-caspase-1, caspase-1 and GSDMD were measured by Western blot. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to assess the activity of GSDMD-N. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were detected by using a biochemical kit. RESULTS: DGP rats showed persistent hyperglycemia and a significant decrease in gastrointestinal motility (P<0.05 or P<0.01), accompanied by pathological damage in their gastric antrum tissues. Cellular DNA was obviously damaged, and the expressions of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins were significantly elevated, along with enhanced fluorescence signals of GSDMD-N and increased LDH release (P<0.01). EA mitigated hyperglycemia, improved gastrointestinal motility in DGP rats and alleviated their pathological injury (P<0.05). Furthermore, EA reduced cellular DNA damage, lowered the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1 and GSDMD, suppressed GSDMD-N activity, and decreased LDH release (P<0.05 or P<0.01), demonstrating effects comparable to MCC950. CONCLUSION EA promotes gastrointestinal motility and repairs the pathological damage in DGP rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Gastroparesis/physiopathology* ; Signal Transduction ; Male ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/physiopathology* ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Rats ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism* ; Diabetes Complications/physiopathology* ; Gasdermins

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Wnt signaling pathway and miRNAs mechanism of extracts of Plastrum Testudinis (PT) in the treatment of osteoporosis (OP). METHODS: Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups by random number table method, including sham group, ovariectomized group (OVX), ovariectomized groups treated with high-, medium-, and low-dose PT (160, 80, 40 mg/kg per day, respectively), with 6 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy to simulate OP and received PT by oral gavage for 10 consecutive weeks. After treatment, bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; bone microstructure was analyzed by micro-computed tomography and hematoxylin and eosin staining; and the expressions of osteogenic differentiation-related factors were detected by immunochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) was used to inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and miRNA overexpression was used to evaluate the effect of miR-214 on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Subsequently, PT extract was used to rescue the effects of Dkk-1 and miR-214, and its impacts on the osteogenic differentiation-related factors of BMSCs were evaluated. RESULTS: PT-M and PT-L significantly reduced the weight gain in OVX rats (P<0.05). PT also regulated the bone mass and bone microarchitecture of the femur in OVX rats, and increased the expressions of bone formation-related factors including alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein type 2, collagen type I alpha 1, and runt-related transcription factor 2 when compared with the OVX group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile, different doses of PT significantly rescued the inhibition of Wnt signaling pathway-related factors in OVX rats, and increased the mRNA or protein expressions of Wnt3a, β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). PT stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs inhibited by Dkk-1 and activated the Wnt signaling pathway. In addition, the expression of miR-214 was decreased in OVX rats (P<0.01), and it was negatively correlated with the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs (P<0.01). MiR-214 mimic inhibited Wnt signaling pathway in BMSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conversely, PT effectively counteracted the effect of miR-214 mimic, thereby activating the Wnt signaling pathway and stimulating osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION PT stimulates bone formation in OVX rats through β-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling pathway, which may be related to inhibiting miR-214 in BMSCs.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Female ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Signaling Pathway/genetics* ; Osteogenesis/genetics* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Bone Density/drug effects* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoporosis/drug therapy* ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Rats ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of Dihuang Yinzi (DHYZ) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by integrating metabolomics and experimental verification. METHODS: Forty-eight male APP/PS1 mice were divided into model, high- (DHYZ-H), medium- (DHYZ-M), and low-dose DHYZ (DHYZ-L) groups (12 mice per group) according to a random number table. Mice in DHYZ groups were gavaged with DHYZ 6.34, 12.68, and 25.35 g/(kg·d), respectively. Twelve C57BL/6 mice were gavaged with distilled water as the blank group. Metabolomics was used to analyze differential metabolites in the brains of mice. Morris water maze test was used to detect the memory abilities of mice. The hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the general morphology and ultrastructure of neurons. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and amyloid β -protein 1-42 (A β_1-42). The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expressions of density-regulated protein 1 (DRP1), fission 1 (FIS1), mitofusin-1 (MFN1), and optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1). Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP response binding protein (CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synapsin 1 (SYN1), synaptophysin (SYP), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95). RESULTS: A total of 82 differential metabolites were identified in the brains of APP/PS1 mice, among which 7 differential metabolites could be regulated by DHYZ. After DHYZ intervention, the memory abilities of mice significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the number of synapses and neurons in the hippocampus increased, and the mitochondrial morphology and structure were relatively intact. The DHYZ groups exhibited a significant reduction in hippocampal ROS and A β_1-42 levels, along with a significant elevation in SOD level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of DRP1 and FIS1 were reduced, while the mRNA expressions of MFN1 and OPA1 were increased after DHYZ treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The cAMP/PKA/CREB-BDNF pathway was activated, and the expressions of SYN1, SYP and PSD95 proteins were significantly increased in the DHYZ-H group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS DHYZ could improve mitochondrial dynamics and synaptic plasticity in APP/PS1 mice, inhibit oxidative stress, and thereby enhancing learning and memory abilities in APP/PS1 mice. Its mechanism might be related to activation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB-BDNF signaling pathway.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Male ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism* ; Brain/drug effects* ; Metabolomics ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Cyclic AMP/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mice ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of crocin, a major active component of Crocus sativus (Zanghonghua), in regulating amyloid beta (Aβ) generation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and autophagy in neuronal cells, with potential therapeutic applications in Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Mouse neuroblastoma Neuron2a (N2a) cells stably transfected with the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) Swedish mutant was used as a cellular model for AD (N2a/APP). Control cells were vector transfected (N2a/vector). The effects of 3 different doses of crocin on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cytosolic calcium, and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. Aβ levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. APP processing and ER stress proteins expressions were determined by Western blot. Autophagosome formation was evaluated by autophagy detection kit and confocal microscope. RESULTS: Crocin inhibited APP expression in N2a/APP cells and promoted α-cleavage of APP processing, while modestly reduced beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) and presenilin 1 (PS1, P<0.05 or P<0.01). ER stress markers, including the binding immunoglobulin protein/78-kD glucose-regulated protein (Bip/GRP78) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), were elevated in N2a/APP cells compared to N2a/vector cells (P<0.05). Crocin could effectively reduce the levels of ER stress (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, crocin enhanced autophagy by promoting formation of autophagosome (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Crocin significantly inhibited Aβ generation by promoting α-cleavage of APP processing, inhibiting ER stress-associated unfolded protein response, and regulating autophagy.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Animals ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; Mice ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism* ; Carotenoids/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Calcium/metabolism*

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that predominantly affects the central face. It can impair appearance and cause various discomforts, thus negatively impacting patients' physical and mental well-being as well as their quality of life. Its pathophysiological mechanisms involve multiple factors. Studies have confirmed that ultraviolet radiation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of rosacea, affecting skin tissues, cells, DNA, and proteins, and inducing oxidative damage. Ultraviolet can lead to the occurrence and development of rosacea by up-regulating the expression of LL-37, matrix metalloproteinase, vascular endothelial growth factor, and reactive oxygen species, and influence their interactions, thereby triggering inflammatory responses, altering the dermal matrix, and promoting capillary dilation and neovascularization, which contribute to the onset and progression of rosacea. Exploring the role of ultraviolet in the pathogenesis of rosacea can provide new strategies for protection and treatment, and enhance awareness of ultraviolet protection among patients with rosacea.
Humans ; Rosacea/metabolism* ; Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects* ; Cathelicidins ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/metabolism* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Skin/metabolism*

Hippo signaling is a highly conserved pathway central to diverse cellular processes. Dysregulation of this pathway not only leads to developmental abnormalities but is also closely related to the occurrence and progression of various cancers. Recent studies have uncovered that, in addition to the classical signaling cascade regulation, biomolecular condensates formed via phase separation play a key role in the spatiotemporal regulation of Hippo signaling. In this review, we provide a summary of the latest research progress on the regulation of the Hippo signaling pathway by phase separation, with a particular focus on transcriptional activation mediated by Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with post-synaptic density-95, disks-large, and zonula occludens-1 (PDZ)-binding domain (TAZ) condensates. Furthermore, we discuss the utility of chemical crosslinking combined with mass spectrometry to analyze the TAZ condensate interactome and examine the role of the protein fused in sarcoma (FUS) in modulating the biophysical properties of TAZ condensates, which in turn influence their transcriptional activity and pro-tumorigenic functions. These insights not only advance our understanding of Hippo signaling but also offer new perspectives for therapeutic interventions targeting diseases linked to dysregulated YAP/TAZ activity.
Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Hippo Signaling Pathway ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/physiology* ; Animals ; Biomolecular Condensates/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; YAP-Signaling Proteins ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism* ; Neoplasms ; Transcriptional Activation ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the protective effect of Yiqi Yangyin Huazhuo Tongluo Formula (YYHT) against high glucose-induced injury in mouse renal podocytes (MPC5 cells) and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Adult Wistar rats were treated with 19, 38, and 76 g/kg YYHT or saline via gavage for 7 days to prepare YYHT-medicated or blank sera for treatment of MPC5 cells cultured in high glucose (30 mmol/L) prior to transfection with a miR-21a-5p inhibitor or a miR-21a-5p mimic. The changes in miR-21a-5p expressions and the mRNA levels of FoxO1, PINK1, and Parkin in the treated cells were detected with qRT-PCR, and the protein levels of nephrin, podocin, FoxO1, PINK1, and Parkin were detected with Western blotting. Autophagic activity in the cells were evaluated with MDC staining. The effect of miR-21a-5p mimic on FoxO1 transcription and the binding of miR-21a-5p to FoxO1 were examined with luciferase reporter gene assay and radioimmunoprecipitation assay. RESULTS: MPC5 cells exposed to high glucose showed significantly increased miR-21a-5p expression, lowered expressions of FoxO1, PINK1, and Parkin1 mRNAs, and reduced levels of FoxO1, PINK1, parkin, nephrin, and podocin proteins and autophagic activity. Treatment of the exposed cells with YYHT-medicated sera and miR-21a-5p inhibitor both significantly enhanced the protein expressions of nephrin and podocin, inhibited the expression of miR-21a-5p, increased the mRNA and protein expressions of FoxO1, PINK1 and Parkin, and upregulated autophagic activity of the cells. Transfection with miR-21a-5p mimic effectively inhibited the transcription of FoxO1 and promoted the binding of miR-21a-5p to FoxO1 in MPC5 cells, and these effects were obviously attenuated by treatment with YYHT-medicated sera. CONCLUSIONS YYHT-medicated sera alleviate high glucose-induced injury in MPC5 cells by regulating miR-21a-5p/FoxO1/PINK1-mediated mitochondrial autophagy.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Podocytes/pathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Rats, Wistar ; Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Rats ; Forkhead Box Protein O1 ; Mice ; Mitochondria/drug effects* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism* ; Glucose ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Male ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the changes in blood levels of calcium and bone metabolism biochemical markers in patients with primary osteoporosis receiving treatment with denosumab. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with primary osteoporosis treated in our Department between December, 2021 and December 2023 were enrolled. All the patients were treated with calcium supplements, vitamin D and calcitriol in addition to regular denosumab treatment every 6 months. Blood calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin (OC), type I procollagen amino-terminal propeptide (PINP), and type I collagen carboxy-terminal telopeptide β special sequence (β‑CTX) data before and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the first treatment were collected from each patient. RESULTS: Three months after the first denosumab treatment, the bone turnover markers (BTMs) OC, PINP, and β-CTX were significantly decreased compared to their baseline levels by 39.5% (P<0.001), 56.2% (P<0.001), and 81.8% (P<0.001), respectively. At 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment, OC, PINP, and β-CTX remained significantly lower than their baseline levels (P<0.001). Blood calcium level was decreased (P<0.05) and PTH level increased (P<0.05) significantly in these patients at months of denosumab treatment, but their levels were comparable to the baseline levels at 6, 9, and 12 months of the treatment (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Denosumab can suppress BTMs and has a good therapeutic effect in patients with primary osteoporosis, but reduction of blood calcium and elevation of PTH levels can occur during the first 3 months in spite of calcium supplementation. Blood calcium and PTH levels can recover the baseline levels as the treatment extended, suggesting the importance of monitoring blood calcium and PTH levels during denosumab treatment.
Humans ; Denosumab/therapeutic use* ; Calcium/blood* ; Parathyroid Hormone/blood* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Osteoporosis/blood* ; Osteocalcin/blood* ; Procollagen/blood* ; Female ; Collagen Type I/blood* ; Peptide Fragments/blood* ; Bone Density Conservation Agents/therapeutic use* ; Bone and Bones/metabolism* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vitamin D ; Peptides/blood* ; Aged

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of orexin-A-mediated regulation of ionotropic glutamate receptors for promoting motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Thirty-six newborn SD rats (aged 7-14 days) were randomized into 6 groups (n=6), including a normal control group, a sham-operated group, and 4 SCI groups with daily intrathecal injection of saline, DNQX, orexin-A, or orexin-A+DNQX for 3 consecutive days after PCI. Motor function of the rats were evaluated using blood-brain barrier (BBB) score and inclined plane test 1 day before and at 1, 3, and 7 days after SCI. For patch-clamp experiment, spinal cord slices from newborn rats in the control, sham-operated, SCI, and SCI+orexin groups were prepared, and ventral horn neurons were acutely isolated to determine the reversal potential and dynamic indicators of glutamate receptor-mediated currents under glutamate perfusion. RESULTS: At 3 and 7 days after SCI, the orexin-A-treated rats showed significantly higher BBB scores and grip tilt angles than those with other interventions. Compared with those treated with DNQX alone, the rats receiving the combined treatment with orexin and DNQX had significantly higher BBB scores and grip tilt angles on day 7 after PCI. In the patch-clamp experiment, the ventral horn neurons from SCI rat models exhibited obviously higher reversal potential and greater rise slope of glutamate current with shorter decay time than those from sham-operated and orexin-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS Orexin-A promotes motor function recovery in rats after SCI possibly by improving the function of the ionotropic glutamate receptors.
Animals ; Spinal Cord Injuries/drug therapy* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate/metabolism* ; Recovery of Function/drug effects* ; Orexins/pharmacology* ; Male ; Female ; Animals, Newborn ; Neuropeptides/pharmacology* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of apelin in regulating proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of bladder cancer cells and the possible regulatory mechanism. METHODS: GEO database was used to screen the differentially expressed genes in bladder cancer tissues and cells. Bladder cancer and paired adjacent tissues were collected from 60 patients for analysis of apelin expressions in relation to clinicopathological parameters. In cultured bladder cancer J82 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), the effects of transfection with an apelin-overexpressing plasmid or specific siRNAs targeting apelin, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) on proliferation and migration of J82 cells and tube formation in HUVECs were examined using plate cloning assay, Transwell assay, and angiogenesis assay; the changes in FGF2 expression and FGFR1 phosphorylation were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: The expression level of apelin was significantly higher in bladder cancer tissues than adjacent tissues, and bladder cancer cell lines (T24 and J82) also expressed higher mRNA and protein levels of apelin than SV-HUC-1 cells. Apelin expression level in bladder cancer tissues was correlated with tumor invasion, distant metastasis and advanced TNM stages. Apelin knockdown significantly suppressed proliferation and migration of J82 cells and decreased the total angiogenic length of HUVECs. In contrast, apelin overexpression significantly promoted proliferation and migration and enhanced FGFR1 phosphorylation in J82 cells, and increased the total angiogenesis length in HUVECs, but this effects were effectively mitigated by transfection of the cells with FGF2 siRNA or FGFR1 siRNA. CONCLUSIONS High expression of apelin promotes J82 cell proliferation and migration and HUVEC angiogenesis by promoting activation of the FGF2/FGFR1 pathway.
Humans ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/blood supply* ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Movement ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/metabolism* ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Signal Transduction ; Apelin ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics* ; Female ; Male ; Angiogenesis