Objective: Inflammation and fibrosis are strongly associated with each other. Glycine is present in various traditional Chinese medicines and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. However, the effects of glycine on myo...Objective: Inflammation and fibrosis are strongly associated with each other. Glycine is present in various traditional Chinese medicines and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. However, the effects of glycine on myocardial fibrosis(MF) in rats with myocardial infarction(MI) have not been reported. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of glycine therapy on MF and comprehend its underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Left anterior descending artery ligation-induced MI in Sprague Dawley rats was leveraged to assess the therapeutic effects of Glycine. Rats received either normal saline or glycine(0.5 mg/g bodyweight) for 7 days. Results: Glycine upregulated cardiac ejection fraction and fractional shortening to improve cardiac function, as evaluated by echocardiography. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that glycine could decrease inflammatory cell infiltration and alleviate collagen deposition. Western blotting revealed that nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-mediated inflammatory signaling was also downregulated by glycine treatment. The expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) was decreased significantly in the glycine-treated group compared to the model group. Thus, glycine plays a protective role against myocardial ischemia and subsequent MF. Conclusion: The protective effects of glycine were achieved partly through STAT3/NF-κB/TGF-β signaling pathway.展开更多
BACKGROUND Excessive endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress in intestinal epithelial cells can lead to damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier,activate the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)/nuclear f...BACKGROUND Excessive endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress in intestinal epithelial cells can lead to damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier,activate the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway,and exacerbate the inflammatory response,thus participating in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis(UC).Mesalazine is a commonly used drug in the clinical treatment of UC.However,further studies are needed to determine whether mesalazine regulates the ER stress of intestinal epithelial cells,downregulates the STAT3/NF-κB pathway to play a role in the treatment of UC.AIM To study the therapeutic effects of mesalazine on spontaneous colitis in interleukin-10(IL-10)-/-mice.METHODS The 24-week-old IL-10-/-mice with spontaneous colitis were divided into the model group and the 5-amino salicylic acid group.Littermates of wild-type mice of the same age group served as the control.There were eight mice in each group,four males and four females.The severity of symptoms of spontaneous colitis in IL-10-/-mice was assessed using disease activity index scores.On day 15,the mice were sacrificed.The colon length was measured,and the histopathological changes and ultrastructure of colonic epithelial cells were detected.The protein expressions of STAT3,p-STAT3,NF-κB,IκB,p-IκB,and glucoseregulated protein 78 were identified using Western blotting.The STAT3 and NF-κB mRNA expressions were identified using real-time polymerase chain reaction.The glucose-regulated protein 78 and C/EBP homologous protein expressions in colon sections were detected using immunofluorescence.RESULTS Mesalazine reduced the symptoms of spontaneous colitis in IL-10 knockout mice and the histopathological damage of colonic tissues,and alleviated the ER stress in epithelial cells of colitis mice.Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results showed that the STAT3/NF-κB pathway in the colon tissue of model mice was activated,suggesting that this pathway was involved in the pathogenesis of UC and might become a potential therapeutic target.Mesalazine could down-regulate the protein expressions of p-STAT3,NF-κB and p-IκB,and down-regulate the mRNA expression of STAT3 and NF-κB.CONCLUSION Mesalazine may play a protective role in UC by reducing ER stress by regulating the STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathway.展开更多
BACKGROUND: L-3-n-butylphthalide (L-NBP) can inhibit phosphorylation of tau protein and reduce the neurotoxicity of beta-amyloid peptide 1-42 (Aβ1-42). OBJECTIVE: To observe the neuroprotective effects of L-NBP...BACKGROUND: L-3-n-butylphthalide (L-NBP) can inhibit phosphorylation of tau protein and reduce the neurotoxicity of beta-amyloid peptide 1-42 (Aβ1-42). OBJECTIVE: To observe the neuroprotective effects of L-NBP on caspase-3 and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF- K B) expression in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A cell experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University between January 2008 and August 2008. MATERIALS: L-NBP (purity 〉 98%) was provided by Shijiazhuang Pharma Group NBP Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Aβ1-42, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazolo-2]-2,5 iphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), and rabbit anti-Caspase-3 polyclonal antibody were provided by Cell Signaling, USA; goat anti-choactase and rabbit anti-NF- kB antibodies were provided by Santa Cruz, USA. METHODS: Primary cultures were generated from rat basal forebrain and hippocampal neurons at 17 or 19 days of gestation. The cells were assigned into five groups: the control group, the Aβ1-42 group (2 μmol/L), the Aβ1-42 + 0.1 μmol/L L-NBP group, the Aβ1-42 + 1 μ mol/L L-NBP group, and the Aβ1-42 + 10μmol/L L-NBP group. The neurons were treated with Aβ1-42 (2 μmol/L) alone or in combination with L-NBP (0.1, 1, 10 μmol/L) for 48 hours. Cells in the control group were incubated in PBS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphologic changes were evaluated using inverted microscopy, viability using the M-I-I- method, and the changes in caspase-3 and NF- k B expression using Western blot. RESULTS: Induction with Aβ1-42 for 48 hours caused cell death and soma atrophy, and increased caspase-3 and NF- K B expression (P 〈 0.05). L-NBP blocked these changes in cell morphology, decreased caspase-3 and NF- k B expression (P 〈 0.05), and improved cell viability, especially at the high dose (P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: AI3^-42 is toxic to basal forebrain and hippocampal primary neurons; L-NBP protects against this toxicity and inhibits the induction of caspase-3 and NF- K B expression.展开更多
基金supported by grants from Excellent Youth Foundation of BUCM (No. BUCM-2019-JCRC005)Beijing Excellent Talent Support Project (No. 2017000020124G294)。
文摘Objective: Inflammation and fibrosis are strongly associated with each other. Glycine is present in various traditional Chinese medicines and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. However, the effects of glycine on myocardial fibrosis(MF) in rats with myocardial infarction(MI) have not been reported. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of glycine therapy on MF and comprehend its underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Left anterior descending artery ligation-induced MI in Sprague Dawley rats was leveraged to assess the therapeutic effects of Glycine. Rats received either normal saline or glycine(0.5 mg/g bodyweight) for 7 days. Results: Glycine upregulated cardiac ejection fraction and fractional shortening to improve cardiac function, as evaluated by echocardiography. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that glycine could decrease inflammatory cell infiltration and alleviate collagen deposition. Western blotting revealed that nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-mediated inflammatory signaling was also downregulated by glycine treatment. The expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) was decreased significantly in the glycine-treated group compared to the model group. Thus, glycine plays a protective role against myocardial ischemia and subsequent MF. Conclusion: The protective effects of glycine were achieved partly through STAT3/NF-κB/TGF-β signaling pathway.
基金Supported by Xi’an Science and Technology Plan Project,No.23YXYJ0162Shaanxi Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Research and Innovation Talent Plan Project,No.TZKN-CXRC-16+2 种基金Project of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine,No.SZYKJCYC-2025-JC-010Shaanxi Province Key Research and Development Plan Project-Social Development Field,No.S2025-YF-YBSF-0391the Science and Technology Innovation Cultivation Program of Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine,No.YD202220。
文摘BACKGROUND Excessive endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress in intestinal epithelial cells can lead to damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier,activate the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway,and exacerbate the inflammatory response,thus participating in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis(UC).Mesalazine is a commonly used drug in the clinical treatment of UC.However,further studies are needed to determine whether mesalazine regulates the ER stress of intestinal epithelial cells,downregulates the STAT3/NF-κB pathway to play a role in the treatment of UC.AIM To study the therapeutic effects of mesalazine on spontaneous colitis in interleukin-10(IL-10)-/-mice.METHODS The 24-week-old IL-10-/-mice with spontaneous colitis were divided into the model group and the 5-amino salicylic acid group.Littermates of wild-type mice of the same age group served as the control.There were eight mice in each group,four males and four females.The severity of symptoms of spontaneous colitis in IL-10-/-mice was assessed using disease activity index scores.On day 15,the mice were sacrificed.The colon length was measured,and the histopathological changes and ultrastructure of colonic epithelial cells were detected.The protein expressions of STAT3,p-STAT3,NF-κB,IκB,p-IκB,and glucoseregulated protein 78 were identified using Western blotting.The STAT3 and NF-κB mRNA expressions were identified using real-time polymerase chain reaction.The glucose-regulated protein 78 and C/EBP homologous protein expressions in colon sections were detected using immunofluorescence.RESULTS Mesalazine reduced the symptoms of spontaneous colitis in IL-10 knockout mice and the histopathological damage of colonic tissues,and alleviated the ER stress in epithelial cells of colitis mice.Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results showed that the STAT3/NF-κB pathway in the colon tissue of model mice was activated,suggesting that this pathway was involved in the pathogenesis of UC and might become a potential therapeutic target.Mesalazine could down-regulate the protein expressions of p-STAT3,NF-κB and p-IκB,and down-regulate the mRNA expression of STAT3 and NF-κB.CONCLUSION Mesalazine may play a protective role in UC by reducing ER stress by regulating the STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathway.
基金Supported by:the Medicine and Health Scientific Research Projects of Shandong Province,No. 2007HZ065
文摘BACKGROUND: L-3-n-butylphthalide (L-NBP) can inhibit phosphorylation of tau protein and reduce the neurotoxicity of beta-amyloid peptide 1-42 (Aβ1-42). OBJECTIVE: To observe the neuroprotective effects of L-NBP on caspase-3 and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF- K B) expression in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A cell experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University between January 2008 and August 2008. MATERIALS: L-NBP (purity 〉 98%) was provided by Shijiazhuang Pharma Group NBP Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Aβ1-42, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazolo-2]-2,5 iphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), and rabbit anti-Caspase-3 polyclonal antibody were provided by Cell Signaling, USA; goat anti-choactase and rabbit anti-NF- kB antibodies were provided by Santa Cruz, USA. METHODS: Primary cultures were generated from rat basal forebrain and hippocampal neurons at 17 or 19 days of gestation. The cells were assigned into five groups: the control group, the Aβ1-42 group (2 μmol/L), the Aβ1-42 + 0.1 μmol/L L-NBP group, the Aβ1-42 + 1 μ mol/L L-NBP group, and the Aβ1-42 + 10μmol/L L-NBP group. The neurons were treated with Aβ1-42 (2 μmol/L) alone or in combination with L-NBP (0.1, 1, 10 μmol/L) for 48 hours. Cells in the control group were incubated in PBS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphologic changes were evaluated using inverted microscopy, viability using the M-I-I- method, and the changes in caspase-3 and NF- k B expression using Western blot. RESULTS: Induction with Aβ1-42 for 48 hours caused cell death and soma atrophy, and increased caspase-3 and NF- K B expression (P 〈 0.05). L-NBP blocked these changes in cell morphology, decreased caspase-3 and NF- k B expression (P 〈 0.05), and improved cell viability, especially at the high dose (P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: AI3^-42 is toxic to basal forebrain and hippocampal primary neurons; L-NBP protects against this toxicity and inhibits the induction of caspase-3 and NF- K B expression.