OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of wheat-grain moxibustion at the Guanyuan point on testosterone (T) synthesis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in naturally aged mice. METHODS: We fed 40 twelve-month-old SPF male C57BL/6J mice with a normal diet for 3 months, randomized them into a moxibustion and an aged group of an equal number, and selected 7 four-month-old ones as young controls. We treated the animals of the moxibustion group by wheat-grain moxibustion at the Guanyuan point, once 5 moxibustion sticks, qd, 5 times a week, and fed those of the aged group normally, all for 12 weeks. After treatment, we obtained the testicular index of the mice, observed the histomorphology of the testis tissue by HE staining, measured the contents of T in the testis, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the hypothalamus and total T (tT), free T (fT), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the serum by ELISA, and determined the expressions of silence information regulator-1 (SIRT1), P53, glutathione peroxidase (GPX4) and cholesterol side-chain?cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) in the testis by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the young controls, the mice in the aged group showed obviously losing and dull hair, energy declination, loose structure of the spermatogenic tubule with different degrees of cell loss and rupture, reduced testicular index, and evident aging phenotype. In comparison with the aged mice, the animals of the moxibustion group were fairly energetic and exhibited distinct structure of the spermatogenic tubules, orderly arranged and highly differentiated cells at all levels, significantly increased T level, up-regulated expressions of SIRT1, GPX4 and CYP11A1, and down-regulated expression of P53 in testis tissue, and elevated levels of GnRH, FSH, LH, tT and fT in the HPG axis. CONCLUSION Wheat-grain moxibustion at the Guanyuan point protects testosterone synthesis in the testis tissue of naturally aged mice, promotes negative feedback regulation of the HPG axis, and improves low testosterone.
Animals ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Mice ; Testosterone/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Testis/metabolism* ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism* ; Triticum ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism* ; Luteinizing Hormone/blood* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Aging ; Hypothalamus/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between the expression of silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 (SIRT1), tumor necrosis factor like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Total of 103 patients with knee joint (knee osteoarthritis group) from February 2019 to August 2021 were selected including 40 males and 63 females with an average age of (62.02±6.09) years;according to the modified Mankin score, 103 patients were divided into mild group (Mankin score 1-4 points, 31 cases) and moderate group (Mankin score 5-8 points, 40 cases) and severe group (Mankin score ≥9, 32 cases). Another 105 physical examination volunteers were selected as the control group including 46 males and 59 females with an average age of (62.11±6.34) years old. The levels of SIRT1 and TWEAK in articular effusion and serum were detected in the knee osteoarthritis group, while serum SIRT1 and TWEAK were detected in the control group only. The relationship between SIRT1, TWEAK and the occurrence and disease of knee osteoarthritis were analyzed. RESULTS: Articular cavity fluid TWEAK, serum TWEAK, CRP, IL-6, IL-1β, white blood cell count and ESR were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05), articular cavity fluid SIRT1 and serum SIRT1 were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05). TWEAK level in the severe group was higher than that in the moderate and mild groups(P<0.05), SIRT1 was lower than that in the moderate and mild groups (P<0.05). The level of SIRT1 in articular cavity effusion was positively correlated with the serum level of SIRT1 (P<0.05), and negatively correlated with CRP, IL-6, IL-1β, white blood cell count, modified Mankin score and ESR (P<0.05). TWEAK level in articular cavity fluid was positively correlated with serum TWEAK level (P<0.05), C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1β, white blood cell count, modified Mankin score and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) (P<0.05). Body mass index, undertaking heavy physical work, and articular cavity fluid TWEAK were risk factors for the occurrence of knee osteoarthritis(P<0.05), and articular cavity fluid SIRT1 was a protective factor for the occurrence of knee arthritis (P<0.05). The area under curve(AUC) of SIRT1 and TWEAK for knee osteoarthritis was 0.641 and 0.653, and the AUC of SIRT1 and TWEAK for knee osteoarthritis was 0.879, which was higher than SIRT1 and TWEAK alone (z=6.105 and 6.225, P<0.05). CONCLUSION The level of SIRT1 in articular fluid in patients with knee arthritis is decreased and the level of TWEAK is increased. Low SIRT1 and high TWEAK are associated with the onset and exacerbation of knee osteoarthritis.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Apoptosis ; Interleukin-6 ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/pathology* ; Sirtuin 1/blood* ; Cytokine TWEAK/blood*

This study aims to explore the molecular mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP) in alleviating premature ovarian failure(POF) in mice via the 5'-adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase(AMPK)/silent information regulator 1(Sirt1) signaling pathway. The POF mouse model was established by D-galactose(D-gal) injection at the back. Six groups were set up, including a normal control group, a model group, a LBP group, a 3-MA(autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine) group, an AMPK inhibitor group, and a LBPAMPK inhibitor group, with 15 mice in each group. After 28 continuous days of administration, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to determine the levels of sex hormones [estradiol(E_2), luteinizing hormone(LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)] in serum. The ovarian mass coefficient was measured. Senescence-associated β-Galactosidase(SA-β-Gal) staining and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining were performed for observing the state of ovarian senescence and the morphological changes of the ovary. Immunohistochemical method was used to measure the expression of the autophagy marker LC3-Ⅱ in ovarian tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the expression levels of the senescence marker p16~(INK4 a), autophagy markers(LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1), the autophagy substrate p62, lysosome-associated membrane protein 2(LAMP2), and the proteins in the AMPK/Sirt1 pathway and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1(mTORC1)/UNC-51-like kinase 1 Ser757 site(Ulk1 Ser757) pathway. Compared with the normal control group, the modeling of POF decreased the ovarian granulosa cells and follicles, led to the ovarian aging and severe sex hormone secretion disorders, weakened ovarian autophagy activity, and down-regulated the expression of proteins in the AMPK/Sirt1 pathway(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the treatment with LBP increased ovarian granulosa cells and follicles, alleviated aging and sex hormone disorders, increased autophagy activity, and activated the AMPK/Sirt1 pathway(P<0.05). Both 3-MA and AMPK inhibitor can inhibit autophagy and aggravate ovarian damage and aging in mice. AMPK inhibitor can partially attenuate the role of LBP in promoting autophagy activation and alleviating aging and ovarian tissue damage(P<0.05). LBP can alleviate the symptoms of POF induced by D-gal by promoting the activation of AMPK/Sirt1 pathway.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Lycium/chemistry* ; Polysaccharides/therapeutic use* ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/drug therapy* ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism*

Sirtuin (SIRT) is a main regulator of metabolism and lifespan, and its importance has been implicated in the prevention against aging-related diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify the pattern of serum SIRT1 activity according to age and sex, and to investigate how serum SIRT1 activity is correlated with other metabolic parameters in Korean adults. The Biobank of Jeju National University Hospital, a member of the Korea Biobank Network, provided serum samples from 250 healthy adults. Aging- and metabolism-related factors were analyzed in serum, and the data were compared by the stratification of age and sex. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) decreased with age and was significantly lower in men in their fifties and older and in women in their forties and older compared with twenties in men and women, respectively. SIRT1 activities were altered by age and sex. Especially, women in their thirties showed the highest SIRT1 activities. Correlation analysis displayed that SIRT1 activity is positively correlated with serum triglyceride (TG) in men, and with waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and serum TG in women. And, SIRT1 activity was negatively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio in women (r = −0.183, p = 0.039). Positive correlation was observed between SIRT1 activity and BMR in women (r = 0.222, p = 0.027), but not in men. Taken together, these findings suggest the possibility that serum SIRT1 activities may be utilized as a biomarker of aging. In addition, positive correlation between SIRT1 activity and BMR in women suggests that serum SIRT1 activity may reflect energy expenditure well in human.
Adult ; Aging ; Aspartic Acid ; Basal Metabolism* ; Blood Pressure ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Metabolism ; Sirtuin 1* ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of the protective effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on kidney in diabetic rats.

METHODSDiabetic rat model was obtained by intravenous injection of alloxan, and the rats were divided into model, PNS-100 mg/(kg day) and PNS-200 mg/(kg day) groups, 10 each. Another 10 rats injected with saline were served as control. Periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunological histological chemistry were used to observe histomorphology and tissue expression of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7). Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) was silenced in rat mesangial cells by RNA interference. The mRNA expressions of SIRT-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The protein expressions of SIRT1 and the acetylation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) P65 were determined by western blotting. The concentration of MCP-1, TGF-β1 and malondialdehyde (MDA) in culture supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was detected by the classical method of nitrogen and blue four.

RESULTSIn diabetic model rats, PNS could not only reduce blood glucose and lipid (P<0.01), but also increase protein level of BMP-7 and inhibit PAI-1 expression for suppressing fibrosis of the kidney. In rat mesangial cells, PNS could up-regulate the expression of SIRT1 (P<0.01) and in turn suppress the transcription of TGF-β1 (P<0.05) and MCP-1 (P<0.05). PNS could also reverse the increased acetylation of NF-κB p65 by high glucose. In addition, redox regulation factor MDA was down-regulated (P<0.05) and SOD was up-regulated (P<0.01), which were both induced by SIRT1 up-regulation.

CONCLUSIONSPNS could protect kidney from diabetes with the possible mechanism of up-regulating SIRT1, therefore inhibiting inflammation through decreasing the induction of inflammatory cytokines and TGF-β1, as well as activating antioxidant proteins.

Acetylation ; drug effects ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; metabolism ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Sirtuin 1 ; genetics ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic ; drug effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of resveratrol on the levels of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of premature infants exposed to hyperoxia.

METHODSPeripheral blood and isolated PBMCs from premature infants (gestational age<32 weeks) without oxygen supplement were collected and were randomly assigned into four groups: control, air+resveratrol, hyperoxia, and hyperoxia+resveratrol. The PBMCs were cultured in vitro for 48 hours, then the ROS content in PBMCs was measured by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the medium was measured by the whole spectrum spectrophotometer. SIRT1 positioning was assessed by immunofluorescence. SIRT1 expression levels in PBMCs were measured by Western bolt.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the level of SIRT1 in the air+resveratrol group increased significantly (P<0.05). The levels of ROS and MDA and the SIRT1 transposition rate in the hyperoxia group increased significantly, while the expression level of SIRT1 decreased significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05). The levels of ROS and MDA and the SIRT1 transposition rate decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the expression level of SIRT1 increased significantly in the hyperoxia+resveratrol group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSResveratrol can increase SIRT1 expression in PBMCs and inhibit SIRT1 shuttle from nucleus to cytoplasm in order to increase the ability of antioxidative stress in premature infants exposed to hyperoxia, thereby reducing the oxidative stress injury in premature infants.

Female ; Humans ; Hyperoxia ; metabolism ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Sirtuin 1 ; blood ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology