Background: Both sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) and Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) rely on a favorable Na-electrochemical gradient. Gastrin, through the cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR), can induce natriuresis and diuresis by inhibiting renal NHEs activity. The present study aims to unveil the role of renal CCKBR in diabetes through SGLT2-mediated glucose reabsorption. Methods: Renal tubule-specific Cckbr-knockout (CckbrCKO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were utilized to investigate the effect of renal CCKBR on SGLT2 and systemic glucose homeostasis under normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD with a subsequent injection of a low dose of streptozotocin. The regulation of SGLT2 expression by gastrin/CCKBR and the underlying mechanism was explored using human kidney (HK)-2 cells. Results: CCKBR was downregulated in kidneys of diabetic mice. Compared with WT mice, CckbrCKO mice exhibited a greater susceptibility to obesity and diabetes when subjected to HFD. In vitro experiments using HK-2 cells revealed an upregulation of glucose transporters after incubation with high glucose, a response that was significantly attenuated following gastrin intervention. The glucose uptake from the culture medium of cells was altered accordingly. Moreover, gastrin administration effectively mitigated hyperglycemia in WT diabetic mice by inhibition of SGLT2 mediated glucose reabsorption, but this effect was compromised in the absence of CCKBR, as seen in CckbrCKO mice. Mechanistically, gastrin/CCKBR substantially reduced SGLT2 expression in HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose, via modulating Erkuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Conclusion Our study underscores the crucial role of renal gastrin/CCKBR in SGLT2 regulation and glucose reabsorption, and renal gastrin/CCKBR can be a promising therapeutic target for diabetes.

Background: Both sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) and Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) rely on a favorable Na-electrochemical gradient. Gastrin, through the cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR), can induce natriuresis and diuresis by inhibiting renal NHEs activity. The present study aims to unveil the role of renal CCKBR in diabetes through SGLT2-mediated glucose reabsorption. Methods: Renal tubule-specific Cckbr-knockout (CckbrCKO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were utilized to investigate the effect of renal CCKBR on SGLT2 and systemic glucose homeostasis under normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD with a subsequent injection of a low dose of streptozotocin. The regulation of SGLT2 expression by gastrin/CCKBR and the underlying mechanism was explored using human kidney (HK)-2 cells. Results: CCKBR was downregulated in kidneys of diabetic mice. Compared with WT mice, CckbrCKO mice exhibited a greater susceptibility to obesity and diabetes when subjected to HFD. In vitro experiments using HK-2 cells revealed an upregulation of glucose transporters after incubation with high glucose, a response that was significantly attenuated following gastrin intervention. The glucose uptake from the culture medium of cells was altered accordingly. Moreover, gastrin administration effectively mitigated hyperglycemia in WT diabetic mice by inhibition of SGLT2 mediated glucose reabsorption, but this effect was compromised in the absence of CCKBR, as seen in CckbrCKO mice. Mechanistically, gastrin/CCKBR substantially reduced SGLT2 expression in HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose, via modulating Erkuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Conclusion Our study underscores the crucial role of renal gastrin/CCKBR in SGLT2 regulation and glucose reabsorption, and renal gastrin/CCKBR can be a promising therapeutic target for diabetes.

Background: Both sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) and Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) rely on a favorable Na-electrochemical gradient. Gastrin, through the cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR), can induce natriuresis and diuresis by inhibiting renal NHEs activity. The present study aims to unveil the role of renal CCKBR in diabetes through SGLT2-mediated glucose reabsorption. Methods: Renal tubule-specific Cckbr-knockout (CckbrCKO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were utilized to investigate the effect of renal CCKBR on SGLT2 and systemic glucose homeostasis under normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD with a subsequent injection of a low dose of streptozotocin. The regulation of SGLT2 expression by gastrin/CCKBR and the underlying mechanism was explored using human kidney (HK)-2 cells. Results: CCKBR was downregulated in kidneys of diabetic mice. Compared with WT mice, CckbrCKO mice exhibited a greater susceptibility to obesity and diabetes when subjected to HFD. In vitro experiments using HK-2 cells revealed an upregulation of glucose transporters after incubation with high glucose, a response that was significantly attenuated following gastrin intervention. The glucose uptake from the culture medium of cells was altered accordingly. Moreover, gastrin administration effectively mitigated hyperglycemia in WT diabetic mice by inhibition of SGLT2 mediated glucose reabsorption, but this effect was compromised in the absence of CCKBR, as seen in CckbrCKO mice. Mechanistically, gastrin/CCKBR substantially reduced SGLT2 expression in HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose, via modulating Erkuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Conclusion Our study underscores the crucial role of renal gastrin/CCKBR in SGLT2 regulation and glucose reabsorption, and renal gastrin/CCKBR can be a promising therapeutic target for diabetes.

Background: Both sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) and Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) rely on a favorable Na-electrochemical gradient. Gastrin, through the cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR), can induce natriuresis and diuresis by inhibiting renal NHEs activity. The present study aims to unveil the role of renal CCKBR in diabetes through SGLT2-mediated glucose reabsorption. Methods: Renal tubule-specific Cckbr-knockout (CckbrCKO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were utilized to investigate the effect of renal CCKBR on SGLT2 and systemic glucose homeostasis under normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD with a subsequent injection of a low dose of streptozotocin. The regulation of SGLT2 expression by gastrin/CCKBR and the underlying mechanism was explored using human kidney (HK)-2 cells. Results: CCKBR was downregulated in kidneys of diabetic mice. Compared with WT mice, CckbrCKO mice exhibited a greater susceptibility to obesity and diabetes when subjected to HFD. In vitro experiments using HK-2 cells revealed an upregulation of glucose transporters after incubation with high glucose, a response that was significantly attenuated following gastrin intervention. The glucose uptake from the culture medium of cells was altered accordingly. Moreover, gastrin administration effectively mitigated hyperglycemia in WT diabetic mice by inhibition of SGLT2 mediated glucose reabsorption, but this effect was compromised in the absence of CCKBR, as seen in CckbrCKO mice. Mechanistically, gastrin/CCKBR substantially reduced SGLT2 expression in HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose, via modulating Erkuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Conclusion Our study underscores the crucial role of renal gastrin/CCKBR in SGLT2 regulation and glucose reabsorption, and renal gastrin/CCKBR can be a promising therapeutic target for diabetes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Xinjia Congrong Tusizi decoction （XJCTD） on ovarian functions in the rat model of premature ovarian insufficiency （POI） and decipher the mechanism of regulating the tumor suppressor protein （p53）/nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2） pathway to attenuate granulosa cell ferroptosis. MethodForty-eight SPF-grade female SD rats were randomized into control， model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.1， 2.2， 4.4 g·kg^-1） XJCTD， and Western medicine （coenzyme Q₁₀， 0.002 7 g·kg^-1） groups， with eight rats in each group. The rat model of POI was established by gavage of triptolide （TP）， and after successful modeling， each group was administrated with the corresponding drugs by gavage for 14 d. The body weight and ovarian weight of each rat were weighed and the ovarian index was calculated. The morphology of the ovarian tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining， and the proportions of growing follicles and atretic follicles were calculated. The serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone （AMM）， estradiol （E₂）， and follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to measure the reactive oxygen species （ROS） content in granulosa cells. The content of cellular Ferrous ion （Fe²⁺）， lipid peroxide （LPO）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） was detected by colorimetry. The expression of the tumor suppressor protein p53，Nrf2， solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed decreased ovarian weight， body weight， and ovarian index （P<0.01）， reduced ovarian tissue volume and proportion of growing follicles （P<0.01）， increased proportion of atretic follicles （P<0.01）， lowered AMH and E₂ levels and elevated FSH level in the serum （P<0.01）， and elevated levels of Fe²⁺， ROS， LPO， and MDA （P<0.01） and lowered levels of GSH and SOD in granulosa cells （P<0.01）. Moreover， the modeling up-regulated the expression of p53 （P<0.01） and down-regulated the expression of Nrf2， SLC7A11， and GPX4 （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the ovarian tissue. Compared with the model group， XJCTD increased the body weight， ovarian weight， and ovarian index （P<0.01）， alleviated the pathological changes in the ovarian tissue， increased the proportion of growing follicles （P<0.01）， decreased the proportion of atretic follicles （P<0.01）， and reduced the content of ROS in granulosa cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， medium- and high-dose XJCTD lowered the FSH level （P<0.01） and raised E₂ and AMH levels （P<0.01） in the serum， reduced the Fe²⁺ content （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and increased the SOD content （P<0.01） in granulosa cells. High-dose XJCTD reduced the LPO and MDA content （P<0.01） and increased the SOD content （P<0.01） in the granulosa cells， down-regulated the expression of p53 （P<0.05）， and up-regulated the expression of Nrf2， SLC7A11， and GPX4 in the ovarian tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionXJCTD may protect the ovarian function in the rat model of POI by regulating the p53/Nrf2 signaling pathway to attenuate the ferroptosis of ovarian granulosa cells.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of Yishen Gujing Kangyan Prescription(with the actions of benefiting the kidneys,consolidating essence and anti-inflammatory,mainly composed of Imperatae Rhizoma,Codonopsis Radix,Corni Fructus,Moutan Cortex,Lycii Fructus,Cuscutae Semen,Dioscoreae Rhizoma,honey-roasted Astragali Radix,Poria,Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata,etc.)in the treatment of lupus nephritis(LN)of qi and yin deficiency type.Methods A total of 116 patients with LN of qi and yin deficiency type were randomly divided into observation group and control group,58 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional western medicine treatment,and the observation group was treated with the combination of Yishen Gujing Kangyan Prescription on the basis of treatment for the control group.Both groups were treated for a period of 6 months.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,renal function parameters,immune function indicators,serum interleukin 18(IL-18),homocysteine(Hcy),transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),cystatin C(Cys C)levels in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and the negative-conversion of anti-double-stranded DNA(ds-DNA)antibody were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 6 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 94.83%(55/58),and that of the control group was 75.86%(44/58).The intergroup comparison showed that the therapeutic effect of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(χ2 = 5.453,P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the scores of primary symptoms(edema,fatigue)and secondary symptoms(lumbar and knee soreness,loose stools)in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect on lowering the scores in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of renal function parameters of blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(Scr),and 24-hour urine protein quantification of the two groups were all lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect on lowering renal function parameters in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,serum IL-18,TGF-β1,Hcy and Cys C levels of the two groups of patients were all reduced compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect on lowering the levels of inflammatory factors and fibrosis parameters in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the levels of immune function indicators of T cell subsets CD4+,CD4+/CD8+ and complement C3 in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(6)The negative-conversion rate of anti-ds-DNA antibody in the observation group was 77.59%(45/58),which was significantly higher than that in the control group(55.17%,32/58),and the difference was statistically significant between the two groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion For the treatment of patients with LN of qi and yin deficiency type,Yishen Gujing Kangyan Prescription exerts synergistic effect on reducing inflammatory response,regulating immune function,promoting the recovery of renal function,and enhancing clinical efficacy.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate whether the onset of the plateau phase of slow hepatitis B surface antigen decline in patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with intermittent interferon therapy is related to the frequency of dendritic cell subsets and expression of the costimulatory molecules CD40,CD80,CD83,and CD86. Method This was a cross-sectional study in which patients were divided into a natural history group(namely NH group),a long-term oral nucleoside analogs treatment group(namely NA group),and a plateau-arriving group(namely P group).The percentage of plasmacytoid dendritic cell and myeloid dendritic cell subsets in peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes and the mean fluorescence intensity of their surface costimulatory molecules were detected using a flow cytometer. Results In total,143 patients were enrolled(NH group,n = 49;NA group,n = 47;P group,n = 47).The results demonstrated that CD141/CD1c double negative myeloid dendritic cell(DNmDC)/lymphocytes and monocytes(%)in P group(0.041[0.024,0.069])was significantly lower than that in NH group(0.270[0.135,0.407])and NA group(0.273[0.150,0.443]),and CD86 mean fluorescence intensity of DNmDCs in P group(1832.0[1484.0,2793.0])was significantly lower than that in NH group(4316.0[2958.0,5169.0])and NA group(3299.0[2534.0,4371.0]),Adjusted P all<0.001. Conclusion Reduced DNmDCs and impaired maturation may be associated with the onset of the plateau phase during intermittent interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Objective To explore the effect of UBE2I and FCGR1A gene expressions on the incidence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS)combined with active pulmonary tuberculosis(APTB),so as to provide basis for disease monitoring.Methods A total of 98 AIDS patients combined with APTB and 84 AIDS patients combined with latent tuberculosis infection(LTBI)were selected from the validated whole genome transcriptome dataset(GSE37250).The top 30 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in the two groups of patients were screened.We established the PPI interaction network,transcription factor-differentially expressed gene(TF-DEG),DEG-miRNA,and environmental chemical regulation network of the top 30 DEGs.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves of 11 key DEGs were plotted and Logistic regression analysis was performed.Results There were 6 054 DEGs in the two groups of patients,and UBE2I was an important core node of the PPI interaction network.FCGR1A had the best predictive and indicative ability for AIDS combined with APTB.Univariate Logistic regression showed that high expressions of UBE2I and FCGR1A were risk factors for AIDS combined with APTB(P＜0.05).The regulatory network showed that VEGFB was a key gene in the TF-DEG network,participating in regulation with transcription factors such as SEPT9 and SMAD5.It targeted miRNAs such as hsa-mir-17-5p and hsa-mir-20a-5p,and was affected by environmental chemicals such as valproic acid and copper sulfate.Conclusion VEGFB plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AIDS combined with APTB.The abnormally high expressions of UBE2I and FCGR1A are associated with the disease progression of AIDS combined with APTB.The disease condition can be monitored by detecting the expression level of UBE2I and FCGR1A.

Currently,human health due to corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has been seriously threatened.The coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)spike(S)protein plays a crucial role in virus transmission and several S-based therapeutic approaches have been approved for the treatment of COVID-19.However,the efficacy is compromised by the SARS-CoV-2 evolvement and mutation.Here we report the SARS-CoV-2 S protein receptor-binding domain(RBD)inhibitor licorice-saponin A3(A3)could widely inhibit RBD of SARS-CoV-2 variants,including Beta,Delta,and Omicron BA.1,XBB and BQ1.1.Furthermore,A3 could potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virus in Vero E6 cells,with EC50 of 1.016 pM.The mechanism was related to binding with Y453 of RBD deter-mined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry(HDX-MS)analysis combined with quan-tum mechanics/molecular mechanics(QM/MM)simulations.Interestingly,phosphoproteomics analysis and multi fluorescent immunohistochemistry(mIHC)respectively indicated that A3 also inhibits host inflammation by directly modulating the JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)path-ways and rebalancing the corresponding immune dysregulation.This work supports A3 as a promising broad-spectrum small molecule drug candidate for COVID-19.

Humans ; Myocarditis/diagnostic imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myocardium ; Giant Cells