1.Study on the Role and Mechanism of METTL3 Mediating the Up-regulation of m6A Modified Long Non-coding RNA THAP7-AS1 in Promoting the Occurrence of Lung Cancer.
Yu ZHANG ; Yanhong WANG ; Mei LIU
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2024;26(12):919-933
BACKGROUND:
Lung cancer is a major threat to human health. The molecular mechanisms related to the occurrence and development of lung cancer are complex and poorly known. Exploring molecular markers related to the development of lung cancer is helpful to improve the effect of early diagnosis and treatment. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) THAP7-AS1 is known to be highly expressed in gastric cancer, but has been less studied in other cancers. The aim of the study is to explore the role and mechanism of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) mediated up-regulation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modified lncRNA THAP7-AS1 expression in promoting the development of lung cancer.
METHODS:
Samples of 120 lung cancer and corresponding paracancerous tissues were collected. LncRNA microarrays were used to analyze differentially expressed lncRNAs. THAP7-AS1 levels were detected in lung cancer, adjacent normal tissues and lung cancer cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The diagnostic value of THAP7-AS1 in lung cancer and the relationship between THAP7-AS1 expression and survival rate and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. Bioinformatics analysis, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (meRIP), RNA pull-down and RNA-immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were used to investigate the molecular regulation mechanism of THAP7-AS1. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis of SPC-A-1 and NCI-H1299 cells were determined by MTS, colony-formation, scratch, Transwell and xenotransplantation in vivo, respectively. Expression levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kenase B (PI3K/AKT) signal pathway related protein were detected by Western blot.
RESULTS:
Expression levels of THAP7-AS1 were higher in lung cancer tissues and cell lines (P<0.05). THAP7-AS1 has certain diagnostic value in lung cancer [area under the curve (AUC)=0.737], and its expression associated with overall survival rate, tumor size, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). METTL3-mediated m6A modification enhanced THAP7-AS1 expression. The cell proliferation, migration, invasion and the volume and mass of transplanted tumor were all higher in the THAP7-AS1 group compared with the NC group and sh-NC group of SPC-A-1 and NCI-H1299 cells, while the cell proliferation, migration and invasion were lower in the sh-THAP7-AS1 group (P<0.05). THAP7-AS1 binds specifically to Cullin 4B (CUL4B). The cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and expression levels of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), phosphoinositide-3 kinase, catalytic subunit delta (PIK3CD), phospho-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), phospho-protein kinase B (p-AKT) and phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) were higher in the THAP7-AS1 group compared with the Vector group of SPC-A-1 and NCI-H1299 cells (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
LncRNA THAP7-AS1 is stably expressed through m6A modification mediated by METTL3, and combines with CUL4B to activate PI3K/AKT signal pathway, which promotes the occurrence and development of lung cancer.
Humans
;
Lung Neoplasms/pathology*
;
RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Up-Regulation
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Proliferation/genetics*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Methyltransferases/metabolism*
;
Cullin Proteins/genetics*
2.Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Promotes HaCaT Cell Proliferation and Migration by Regulating HBEGF/EGFR and PI3K/AKT Pathways and Circ_0084443.
Yue ZHANG ; Yan-Wei XIAO ; Jing-Xin MA ; Ao-Xue WANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(3):213-221
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on human immortalized keratinocyte cell proliferation and migration.
METHODS:
HaCaT cells were treated with HSYA. Cell proliferation was detected by the cell counting kit-8 assay, and cell migration was measured using wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HBEGF), EGF receptor (EGFR), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Circ_0084443-overexpressing HaCaT cells and empty plasmid HaCaT cells were constructed using the lentiviral stable transfection and treated with HSYA. The expression of circ_0084443 was detected by qRT-PCR.
RESULTS:
HSYA (800 µmol/L) significantly promoted HaCaT cell proliferation and migration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). It also increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of HBEGF, EGFR, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and HIF-1α, and increased the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, HSYA promoted HaCaT cell proliferation and migration via the HBEGF/EGFR and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways (P<0.01). Circ_0084443 attenuated the mRNA expression levels of HBEGF, EGFR, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and HIF-1α (P<0.05). HSYA inhibited the circ_0084443 expression, further antagonized the inhibition of circ_0084443 on HBEGF, EGFR, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and HIF-1α, and promoted the proliferation of circ_0084443-overexpressing HaCaT cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, HSYA could not influence the inhibitory effect of circ_0084443 on HaCaT cell migration (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
HSYA played an accelerative role in HaCaT cell proliferation and migration, which may be attributable to activating HBEGF/EGFR and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and had a particular inhibitory effect on the keratinocyte negative regulator circ_0084443.
Humans
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
ErbB Receptors/genetics*
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
RNA, Messenger/genetics*
;
Cell Movement
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Chalcone/analogs & derivatives*
;
Quinones
3.Protective Effects of Danmu Extract Syrup on Acute Lung Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Mice through Endothelial Barrier Repair.
Han XU ; Si-Cong XU ; Li-Yan LI ; Yu-Huang WU ; Yin-Feng TAN ; Long CHEN ; Pei LIU ; Chang-Fu LIANG ; Xiao-Ning HE ; Yong-Hui LI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(3):243-250
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of Danmu Extract Syrup (DMS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and explore the mechanism.
METHODS:
Seventy-two male Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 6 groups according to a random number table (n=12), including control (normal saline), LPS (5 mg/kg), LPS+DMS 2.5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 10 mL/kg, and LPS+Dexamethasone (DXM, 5 mg/kg) groups. After pretreatment with DMS and DXM, the ALI mice model was induced by LPS, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected to determine protein concentration, cell counts and inflammatory cytokines. The lung tissues of mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of lung tissue was calculated. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 β in BALF of mice were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of Claudin-5, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt) and Akt were detected by Western blot analysis.
RESULTS:
DMS pre-treatment significantly ameliorated lung histopathological changes. Compared with the LPS group, the W/D ratio and protein contents in BALF were obviously reduced after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The number of cells in BALF and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity decreased significantly after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DMS pre-treatment decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1 β (P<0.01). Meanwhile, DMS activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway and reversed the expressions of Claudin-5, VE-cadherin and VEGF (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
DMS attenuated LPS-induced ALI in mice through repairing endothelial barrier. It might be a potential therapeutic drug for LPS-induced lung injury.
Mice
;
Male
;
Animals
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Claudin-5/metabolism*
;
Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced*
;
Lung/pathology*
;
Interleukin-6/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
4.Electroacupuncture Promotes Functional Recovery after Facial Nerve Injury in Rats by Regulating Autophagy via GDNF and PI3K/mTOR Signaling Pathway.
Jun-Peng YAO ; Xiu-Mei FENG ; Lu WANG ; Yan-Qiu LI ; Zi-Yue ZHU ; Xiang-Yun YAN ; Yu-Qing YANG ; Ying LI ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(3):251-259
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in promoting recovery of the facial function with the involvement of autophagy, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway.
METHODS:
Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into the control, sham-operated, facial nerve injury (FNI), EA, EA+3-methyladenine (3-MA), and EA+GDNF antagonist groups using a random number table, with 12 rats in each group. An FNI rat model was established with facial nerve crushing method. EA intervention was conducted at Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yifeng (SJ 17), and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints for 2 weeks. The Simone's 10-Point Scale was utilized to monitor the recovery of facial function. The histopathological evaluation of facial nerves was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of Beclin-1, light chain 3 (LC3), and P62 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Additionally, IHC was also used to detect the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR.
RESULTS:
The facial functional scores were significantly increased in the EA group than the FNI group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining showed nerve axons and myelin sheaths, which were destroyed immediately after the injury, were recovered with EA treatment. The expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3 were significantly elevated and the expression of P62 was markedly reduced in FNI rats (P<0.01); however, EA treatment reversed these abnormal changes (P<0.01). Meanwhile, EA stimulation significantly increased the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR (P<0.01). After exogenous administration with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or GDNF antagonist, the repair effect of EA on facial function was attenuated (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
EA could promote the recovery of facial function and repair the facial nerve damages in a rat model of FNI. EA may exert this neuroreparative effect through mediating the release of GDNF, activating the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, and further regulating the autophagy of facial nerves.
Rats
;
Male
;
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism*
;
Facial Nerve Injuries/therapy*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Beclin-1
;
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
;
Signal Transduction
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Autophagy
;
Mammals/metabolism*
5.Effect of electroacupuncture at different frequencies on brain insulin signaling transduction pathway in Alzheimer's disease mice.
Ming-Xuan HUO ; Qian WANG ; Rui-Qing ZHAO ; Yi-Ru LIN ; Bo FENG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2023;43(1):60-66
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at different frequencies on learning and memory functions, as well as the relevant proteins of brain insulin signal transduction pathway in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice and explore the effect mechanism of EA in treatment of AD.
METHODS:
Seventy-two SPF Kunming male mice were randomized into a blank group, a sham-operation group, a model group, a 2 Hz EA group, a 15 Hz EA group and a 30 Hz EA group, 12 mice in each one. In the model group and each EA group, AD model were established by the injection with streptozotocin (ST2) solution (8 mg/kg) into the left lateral ventricles. In the sham-operation group, 0.9% sodium chloride solution of the same volume was injected into the left lateral ventricles. After successful modeling, in each EA group, EA was applied at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) with corresponding frequencies, once daily. One course of EA intervention consisted of 7 treatments and 2 courses were given totally at interval of 1 day. After modeling and intervention, Morris water maze test was conducted for the mice of each group. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot method, the protein expression of insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) was detected in the hippocampal of the mice after intervention.
RESULTS:
Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the 2 Hz, 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups, the escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all extended (P<0.01), and the number of crossing the platform was reduced (P<0.01) after modeling. When compared with the blank group, the escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all extended (P<0.01), and the number of crossing the platform was reduced (P<0.01) in the model group after intervention. In the 2 Hz, 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups, the escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all shortened (P<0.01), and the number of crossing the platform was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) after intervention when compared with the model group. The escape latency and the first time of crossing the platform were all shortened (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the number of crossing the platform was increased (P<0.05) in the 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups in comparison with the 2 Hz EA group. The protein expression levels of IR, IRS-1 and PI3K were reduced in the model group when compared with those of the blank group (P<0.01, P<0.05); and these protein expression levels were increased in the 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the 2 Hz EA group, the protein expression levels of IR, IRS-1 and PI3K were all elevated in the 15 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The learning and memory function of AD mice may be improved through regulating brain insulin signaling transconduction pathway with electroacupuncture, and electroacupuncture at 15 Hz and 30 Hz obtains the overall better effect compared with the intervention at 2 Hz.
Animals
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Alzheimer Disease/therapy*
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Hippocampus/metabolism*
;
Insulin/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
6.PDCD6 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Proliferation and Metastasis through the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin Pathway.
Shi Yuan WEN ; Yan Tong LIU ; Bing Yan WEI ; Jie Qiong MA ; Yan Yan CHEN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2023;36(3):241-252
OBJECTIVE:
Programmed cell death 6 (PDCD6), a Ca 2+-binding protein, has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in all kinds of tumors. The aim of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of PDCD6 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).
METHODS:
The expression levels of PDCD6 in liver cancer patients and HCC cell lines were analyzed using bioinformatics and Western blotting. Cell viability and metastasis were determined by methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and transwell assays, respectively. And Western blotting was used to test related biomarkers and molecular pathway factors in HCC cell lines. LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor inhibiting AKT, was used to suppress the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway to help evaluate the role of this pathway in the HCC carcinogenesis associated with PDCD6.
RESULTS:
The analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas Database suggested that high PDCD6 expression levels were relevant to liver cancer progression. This was consistent with our finding of higher levels of PDCD6 expression in HCC cell lines than in normal hepatocyte cell lines. The results of MTT, transwell migration, and Western blotting assays revealed that overexpression of PDCD6 positively regulated HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Conversely, the upregulation of PDCD6 expression in the presence of an AKT inhibitor inhibited HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, PDCD6 promoted HCC cell migration and invasion by epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The mechanistic investigation proved that PDCD6 acted as a tumor promoter in HCC through the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway, increasing the expression of transcription factors and cellular proliferation and metastasis.
CONCLUSION
PDCD6 has a tumor stimulative role in HCC mediated by AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling and might be a potential target for HCC progression.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology*
;
Liver Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
beta Catenin/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism*
;
Cell Line
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics*
7.Effect of expressing of anti-PD-1 antibody in mouse mammary gland on spleen T cells in transgenic mice.
Zihan ZHANG ; Guihua GONG ; Liping XIE ; Youjia HU
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2023;39(1):231-247
This study aims to investigate the effect of anti-PD-1 antibody expressed in mouse mammary gland on the surface antigen protein of spleen T cells, cytokine expression, spleen CD4+ T cell proliferation and proliferation related pathways of transgenic mice at the cellular level. Transgenic mice expressing anti-human PD-1 antibody at 8 weeks of age without pregnancy and 18 weeks of age with lactation were divided into two groups, with transgenic negative mice in each group as the control. Spleen lymphocytes were extracted and the changes of spleen lymphocytes were detected. Compared with transgenic negative mice, the proportion of effector T cells of spleen T cells in the immune system of transgenic mice with anti-PD-1 antibody expressed in breast increased, the proportion of Treg cells decreased, and the IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-2 expressed in CD4+ T cells increased in varying degrees. Moreover, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β in CD4+ T cells did not change, nor did some cell surface protein molecules related to T cell stimulate. There was no significant difference in T cell proliferation between transgenic positive and transgenic negative mice. In transgenic positive mice, the expression of phosphorylated proteins in PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAS/MEK/ERK pathways were partially up-regulated, but the whole pathway was not completely up-regulated. Therefore, it is feasible to use transgenic mice as host to express monoclonal antibodies related to immune system such as anti-PD-1 antibody.
Mice
;
Animals
;
Female
;
Mice, Transgenic
;
Spleen/metabolism*
;
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Cytokines/metabolism*
8.Functionalized exosome-loaded ginsenoside Rg1 for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Huijun LUO ; Zhixuan HUANG ; Yijie SHI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2023;39(1):275-285
The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects and potential mechanism of c(RGDyK) peptide modified mesenchymal stem cell exosomes loaded with ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) on ischemic stroke. Thread-tying method was used to establish SD rats transient middle cerebral occlusion model (tMCAO). The model rats were randomly divided into tMCAO group, Exo group, free G-Rg1 group, Exo-Rg1 group and cRGD-Exo-Rg1 group, and sham group was used as control. The infarct volume was measured by 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrachloride (TTC) staining, the changes of neuron and endothelium were observed by immunofluorescence, and the expression of related proteins was detected by Western blotting. The results showed that cRGD-Exo-Rg1 up-regulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1α) by activating PI3K/AKT pathway, thus promoting angiogenesis and neurogenesis, effectively reducing the volume of cerebral infarction and improving neural function. In addition, the delivery of cRGD-Exo-Rg1 to ischemic brain tissue up-regulated the expression of occludin and claudin-5, and reduced the injury of blood-brain barrier. Taken together, cRGD-Exo-Rg1 was effective in the treatment of ischemic stroke by promoting angiogenesis and neurogenesis, which provided experimental evidence for the potential clinical benefits of other neuroprotective therapies.
Rats
;
Animals
;
Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism*
;
Exosomes/metabolism*
;
Ginsenosides/therapeutic use*
9.Mechanism of total flavonoids of Ziziphora clinopodioides in improving atherosclerosis by regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Xiao-Yu MA ; Hao-Ran ZHAO ; Hui-Lin QIAO ; You-Cheng ZENG ; Xuan-Ming ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(2):465-471
The present study observed the regulatory effect of total flavonoids of Ziziphora clinopodioides on autophagy and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathways in ApoE~(-/-) mice and explored the mechanism of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides against atherosclerosis(AS). ApoE~(-/-) mice were fed on a high-fat diet for eight weeks to induce an AS model. The model mice were randomly divided into a model group, a positive control group, and low-, medium-and high-dose groups of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides, while C57BL/6J mice fed on a common diet were assigned to the blank group. The serum and aorta samples were collected after intragastric administration for 12 weeks, and the serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C) were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The serum expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2), and matrix metalloprotei-nase-9(MMP-9) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Oil red O staining was used to observe the aortic plaque area in mice. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the aortic plaque and pathological changes in mice. The expression of P62 and LC3 in the aorta was detected by the immunofluorescence method. The protein expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ, Beclin-1, P62, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR in the aorta of mice was detected by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01 or P<0.05), the content of HDL-C was decreased(P<0.05), intra-aortic plaque area was enlarged(P<0.01), the expression of LC3 in the aorta was significantly down-regulated, P62 expression was up-regulated(P<0.01 or P<0.05), the expressions of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 in the aortic lysate were significantly down-regulated, and the expressions of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR and P62 were significantly increased(P<0.01). The medium-and high-dose groups of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides could reduce the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in AS model mice(P<0.01 or P<0.05), and increase the content of HDL-C(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The aortic plaque area of mice after middle and high doses of total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides was significantly reduced(P<0.01), the content of foam cells decrease, and the narrowing of the lumen decreased. The total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides significantly increased the expression of LC3 in the aorta and the expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 in the lysate, and decreased the expression of P62 in the aorta and the expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR and P62 in the lysate(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The results showed that the total flavonoids of Z. clinopodioides could improve the content of blood lipids and inflammatory factors, and reduce the generation of foam cells and plaques in aortic tissue, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Apolipoproteins E
;
Atherosclerosis/genetics*
;
Beclin-1
;
Cholesterol, LDL
;
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/genetics*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Plaque, Atherosclerotic
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
;
Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/genetics*
10.Protective mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine on cardiovascular system.
Chun-Kun YANG ; Qing-Quan PAN ; Kui JI ; Chuan-Chao LUO ; Zhuang TIAN ; Hong-Yuan ZHOU ; Jun LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(6):1446-1454
Tetramethylpyrazine is the main component of Ligusticum chuanxiong. Studies have found that tetramethylpyrazine has a good protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. In the heart, tetramethylpyrazine can reduce myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating autophagy, and inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Tetramethylpyrazine can also reduce the damage of cardiomyocytes caused by inflammation, relieve the fibrosis and hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes in infarcted myocardium, and inhibit the expansion of the cardiac cavity after myocardial infarction. In addition, tetramethylpyrazine also has a protective effect on the improvement of familial dilated cardiomyopathy. Besides, the mechanisms of tetramethylpyrazine on blood vessels are more abundant. It can inhibit endothelial cell apoptosis by reducing oxidative stress, maintain vascular endothelial function and homeostasis by inhibiting inflammation and glycocalyx degradation, and protect vascular endothelial cells by reducing iron overload. Tetramethylpyrazine also has a certain inhibitory effect on thrombosis. It can play an anti-thrombotic effect by reducing inflammatory factors and adhesion molecules, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and suppressing the expression of fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor. In addition, tetramethylpyrazine can also reduce the level of blood lipid in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, inhibit the subcutaneous deposition of lipids, inhibit the transformation of macrophages into foam cells, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby reducing the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. In combination with network pharmacology, the protective mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine on the cardiovascular system may be mainly achieved through the regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1), and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) pathways. Tetramethylpyrazine hydrochloride and sodium chloride injection has been approved for clinical application, but some adverse reactions have been found in clinical application, which need to be paid attention to.
Mice
;
Animals
;
Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Myocardial Infarction
;
Myocardium/metabolism*
;
Myocytes, Cardiac
;
Thrombosis
;
Inflammation
;
Apoptosis

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