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cGAS-STING signaling is a significant component of the innate immune system and functions as a vital sentinel mechanism to monitor cellular and tissue aberrations in microbial invasion and organ injury. cGAS, a cytosolic DNA sensor, is specialized in recognizing abnormally localized cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and catalytically synthesizes the second messenger cyclic-GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which initiates a cascade of type I interferon and inflammatory responses mediated by STING. Micronucleus, a byproduct of chromosomal missegregation during anaphase, are also significant contributors to cytoplasmic dsDNA. These unstable subcellular structures are susceptible to irreversible nuclear envelope rupture, exposing genomic dsDNA to the cytoplasm, which potently recruits cGAS and activates STING-mediated innate immune signaling and its downstream activities, including type I interferon and classical nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways lead to senescence, apoptosis, autophagy activating anti-cancer immunity or directly killing tumor cells. However, sustained STING activation-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, activated chronic type I interferon and nonclassical NF-κB signaling pathways remodel immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, leading to immune evasion and facilitating tumor metastasis. Therefore, activated cGAS-STING signaling plays a dual role of suppressing or facilitating tumor growth in tumorigenesis and therapy. This review elaborates on research advances in mechanisms of micronucleus inducing activation of cGAS-STING signaling and its implications in tumorigenesis and therapeutic strategies of malignant tumors.
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AIM: To explore the intervention effect of Dahuangtang pellets (DHT) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) based on the AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin/unc-51-like kinase 1 (AMPK/mTOR/ULK1) signaling pathway. METHODS: Eight mice were randomly assigned to the model group, the dapagliflozin group, and the DHT (high, medium, and low dosage) group out of a total of 40 C57BL/KSJ-db/db (hereafter referred to as db/db) mice; another 10 C57BL/KSJ-db/dm mice were used as the normal group, saline was provided to the normal and model groups, and the mice in the treatment group received the appropriate medications. The medications were given for 10 consecutive weeks, once per day, to the mice in the treatment group. At weeks 0, 4, 8, and 10 of administration, fasting blood glucose (FBG) was assessed by drawing blood at a predetermined time from the tail vein; Urine samples were taken at 0, 5, and 10 weeks after treatment to evaluate the levels of albumin and creatinine, and the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was computed. After 10 weeks, mice in each group were assayed for 24 h total urine protein, serum creatinine (Scr), urea nitrogen (BUN) levels; Western blotting analysis was conducted to detect the expression of p-AMPK, p-mTOR, and p-ULK1, as well as the expression of autophagy related proteins homolog of yeast Atg6 (Beclin-1), autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), P62 in renal tissue; Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of podocyte lacunar membrane proteins (Nephrin, Podocin) in renal tissues; The pathological morphology of renal tissue was observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, FBG, ACR, and 24 h total urine protein were reduced in the dapagliflozin group and DHT groups of mice, and there was no statistically significant difference in Scr and BUN; In renal tissues, there is increased expression of p-AMPK and p-ULK1, decreased expression of p-mTOR, increased expression of LC3II / LC3I and Beclin-1, and decreased expression of P62 (P<0.01, P< 0.05); differentially upregulated in glomeruli are the podocyte lacunar membrane proteins Nephrin and Podocin (P<0.01, P<0.05); renal pathologic damage was reduced to varying degrees; transmission electron microscopy showed an increase in the number of autophagic vesicles and autophagic lysosomes. CONCLUSION: DHT can delay the development of DN by regulating the AMPK / mTOR / ULK1 signaling pathway, enhancing podocyte autophagy, and protecting glomeruli.
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Objectives: Proper cardiac function is greatly dependent on adequate supply and metabolism of energy substrates. Environmental pollutants exposure including plasticizers can trigger adverse cardiac metabolic events. This study was designed to investigate the ameliorative effect of rutin (Rt) on dysregulated cardiac energy metabolism in plasticizer-exposed rats. Materials and Methods: Forty-two rats were randomised into seven groups (n = 6): Control (0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide), bisphenol A (BPA, 25 mg/kg, p.o), dibutyl phthalate (DBP, 25 mg/kg, p.o), BPA + Rt 25 mg/kg, Rt 50 mg/kg, DBP + Rt (25 mg/kg, Rt 50 mg/kg), BPA + DBP and BPA + DBP + Rt, daily for 21 days. Results: BPA and DBP exposure increased plasma glucose, reduced insulin, and increased plasma and cardiac free fatty-acid. Cardiac glucose-6-phosphate level, hexokinase and pyruvate dehydrogenase activities increased in DBP while BPA reduced these variables. Cardiac glucose transporter-4 expression was reduced in BPA group, while cardiac peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR?) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) expression increased in BPA and DBP-treated rats. However, Rt administration prevents impaired cardiac bioenergetics and glucometabolic regulation. Conclusion: Summarily, Rt improves BPA and DBP-impaired cardiac bioenergetics through PPAR? and AMPK modulation.
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Objective@#To understand vulnerability to psychological crisis among rural college students and its related factors, so as to provide reference for the prevention or intervention of psychological crisis among rural college students.@*Methods@#A total of 3 560 rural college students from grade one to grade three from five universities were selected using convenient cluster sampling method from January to September 2022 in Nanyang City. General information, vulnerability to psychological crisis, parenting style and Scale of Perceived Social Self efficacy (PSSE) were collected and analyzed through questionnaire.@*Results@#Among the investigated rule college students, the score of psychological crisis vulnerability and spoiling dimension of parenting style were (10.76± 3.46 ) points and (2.68±0.55) points, while the score of trust encouragement dimension of parenting style and PSSE were (2.52± 0.62 ) points and (3.29±0.61) points. Pearson correlation analysis showed that vulnerability to psychological crisis of rural students was positively correlated with spoiling and neglect ( r =0.32, 0.49), and was negatively correlated with trust encouragement, emotional warmth and PSSE ( r =-0.38, -0.53, -0.51)( P <0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that single parent family or other families, poor students, left behind experience, high score of spoiling and high score of neglect revealed high psychological crisis vulnerability ( P <0.05). High score of trust encouragement, high score of emotional warmth and PSSE were associated with low vulnerability to psychological crisis ( P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#Vulnerability to psychological crisis among rural college students is higher, which is related to the family structure, students whether they are poor, leftover experience, parenting style and PSSE. Mental health among rural college students should be promoted by strengthening communication with students parents and cultivating students social self efficacy.
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Gouty arthritis is a type of metabolic rheumatic disease caused by autoimmune abnormalities. Currently, the use of Western medicine in the clinical treatment of gouty arthritis has been associated with a high risk of adverse reactions. Therefore, there is a growing interest in exploring therapeutic drugs from traditional Chinese medicine as a potential alternative. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, gouty arthritis has been classified as damp-heat arthralgia syndrome. Shirebi granules has been found to have good clinical efficacy in treating gouty arthritis. However, its underlying pharmacological mechanisms remain unclear. To address this problem, the study first established the interaction network of candidate targets for Shirebi granules, which is used to treat damp-heat syndrome of gouty arthritis. Then, the key candidate targets of Shirebi granules for treating gouty arthritis with damp-heat syndrome were screened by calculating the topological features of the network nodes. Then, the functional mining of the key candidate targets revealed that the candidate targets of Shirebi granules may intervene in the biological process of inflammatory response and lipid metabolism through the crosstalk of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. To verify the effectiveness of Shirebi granules in treating gouty arthritis with damp-heat syndrome, a rat model was established. The results demonstrated that the granules significantly improved the severity of arthritis in rats with this condition, reduced joint inflammation, gait score, swelling index, increased mechanical pain threshold (P < 0.05), and reduced the content of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in gouty arthritis rats with damp-heat syndrome (P < 0.01) gouty. It was also found that Shirebi granules effectively alleviated the symptoms of dampness heat syndrome such as local joint fever and dry mouth by reducing the temperature of the joints in acute gouty arthritis with damp-heat syndrome (AD) rats, increasing the threshold of heat pain, increasing water intake (P < 0.01), and inhibiting abnormal changes in the content of fatty acid oxidation related enzymes (P < 0.01). Western blot analysis showed that Shirebi granules increased the protein expression levels of Wnt and β-catenin (P < 0.01) while decreasing the protein expression of p65, p-p65 and PPARγ (P < 0.01) in rats with gouty arthritis and damp-heat syndrome. The results showed that Shirebi granules may reverse the "inflammation-immune" imbalance and lipid metabolism disorder by regulating the crosstalk of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and play a role in alleviating the severity of the disease. This study provides a methodological reference for elucidating the pharmacological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine formulas. It also presents research ideas for the appropriate clinical use of Chinese patent medicines and the development of new clinical drugs for gouty arthritis therapy. The animal welfare and experiment procedures of this study were performed in accordance with the regulations of the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (grant No. ERCCACMS11-2302-08).
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Total flavonoids of Dracocephalum moldavica L. (TFDM) is an effective component extracted and isolated from the traditional Uighur medicinal herb Cymbidium fragrans. Cymbidium fragrans has the effects of tonifying the heart and brain, promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, and has been widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases for a long time. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of total flavonoids from Cymbidium fragrans on hypoxia/re-oxygenation (H/R) injury in H9c2 (rat cardiomyocytes) cells and its mechanism. A model (H/R) of hypoxia/re-oxygenation injury in H9c2 cells was established using hypoxia and glucose deprivation for 9 h combined with re-oxygenation and rehydration for 2 h to simulate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. The effects of total flavonoids from Cymbidium fragrans on cell viability, markers of myocardial cell damage, oxidative stress levels, and reactive oxygen radical (ROS) content were investigated, Western blot was used to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway related proteins. The results showed that the total flavonoids of Cymbidium fragrans significantly increased the viability of myocardial cells after H/R injury, and decreased the content of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isozyme (CK-MB) in the cell supernatant. It significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and decreased intracellular ROS and nitric oxide (NO) content. Western blot analysis showed that the total flavonoids of Cymbidium fragrans decreased Bax levels in H9c2 cells damaged by H/R and increased Bcl-2 expression. Total flavones of Cymbidium fragrans upregulate VEGF-B/AMPK pathway related proteins VEGF-B, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1), neuropilin 1 (NRP-1), peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate activated protein (p-AMPK) and phospho mechanistic target of rapamycin (p-MTOR) levels. The above research results indicate that the total flavonoids of Cymbidium can significantly reduce the H/R injury of myocardial cells, which may be related to the upregulation of VEGF-B/AMPK pathway and inhibition of oxidative stress response.
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This study investigated the protective effect of chrysin on hepatic fibrosis by regulating AMP-activated kinase (AMPK)-NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) mediated pyroptosis pathway. The hepatic fibrosis model of mice was established by thioacetamide (TAA) in vivo. Except the control and chrysin alone groups, the mice were injected intraperitoneally with TAA at 100 mg·kg-1, three times per week for the first week. From the 2nd to 5th week, mice were injected intraperitoneally with TAA at 200 mg·kg-1, three times per week for the next 4 weeks. Chrysin groups were intragastrically administrated once per day to 5th week. The histopathological changes were detected by HE and Masson staining. The levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were assessed by the kits. All animal experiments were approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University (DWLL2019060). LX-2 cells were stimulated by (transforming growth factor-β, TGF-β) in vitro. The protein expressions of AMPKα, p-AMPKα, NLRP3, cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1), gasdermin D (GSDMD) were detected by Western blot, and the mRNA levels of collagen-Ι, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, caspase-1, GSDMD were analysis by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Chrysin attenuated the increases in serum AST and ALT levels in the TAA group, while significantly improved the changes of liver morphology, reduced liver tissue inflammatory cell infiltration and inhibited collagens deposition. Compared with TAA group, chrysin effectively activated AMPKα phosphorylation and inhibited hepatic NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Additionally, the protein expressions and mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-18, caspase-1 and GSDMD in chrysin groups were decreased. Chrysin inhibited the expressions of collagen-Ι and α-SMA, enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPKα, and decreased the expressions of NLRP3 and GSDMD. Therefore, chrysin may inhibit inflammatory injury and pyroptosis possibly by activating AMPK and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome to alleviate hepatic fibrosis.
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@#In order to comprehensivehy evaluate the stage of China in the global drug innovation, to further optimize the environment for drug innovation in China, and to unleash the vitality of drug innovation, this article mainly analyzes through comparison China''s situation of drug innovation in global competition from such perspectives as the current situation of the global drug R&D innovation market, R&D investment, product pipeline, policy support, and development trends, combined with the characteristics of China''s drug innovation development.It can be seen that China''s pharmaceutical innovation is faced with such practical problems as lagging behind some developed countries in terms of innovation development, companies bunching into research and development innovation, sudden research and development rush, and excessive dependence on capital markets for pharmaceutical innovation.Accordingly, this paper puts forward suggestions on continuously improving China''s new drug innovation environment, rationally selecting differentiated competition and new tracks, reasonably formulating drug innovation development strategies, guiding capital to return to innovative research and development, and constructing a "double cycle" strategy for drug innovation.
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Candida albicans is one of the major causes of invasive fungal infections and a serious opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals. The antimicrobial peptide AMP-17 has prominent anti-Candida activity, and proteomic analysis revealed significant differences in the expression of cell wall (XOG1) and oxidative stress (SRR1) genes upon the action of AMP-17 on C. albicans, suggesting that AMP-17 may exert anti-C. albicans effects by affecting the expression of XOG1 and SRR1 genes. To further investigate whether XOG1 and SRR1 genes were the targets of AMP-17, C. albicans xog1Δ/Δ and srr1Δ/Δ mutants were constructed using the clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system. Phenotypic observations revealed that deletion of two genes had no significant effect on C. albicans growth and biofilm formation, whereas XOG1 gene deletion affected in vitro stress response and mycelium formation of C. albicans. Drug sensitivity assay showed that the MIC80 values of AMP-17 against xog1Δ/Δ and srr1Δ/Δ mutants increased from 8 μg/mL (for the wild type C. albicans SC5314) to 16 μg/mL, while the MIC80 values against srr1Δ/Δ: : srr1 revertants decreased to the level of the wild type SC5314. In addition, the ability of AMP-17 to inhibit biofilm formation of both deletion strains was significantly reduced compared to that of wild type SC5314, indicating that the susceptibility of the deletion mutants to AMP-17 was reduced in both the yeast state and during biofilm formation. These results suggest that XOG1 and SRR1 genes are likely two of the potential targets for AMP-17 to exert anti-C. albicans effects, which may facilitate further exploration of the antibacterial mechanism of novel peptide antifungal drugs.
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Humans , Candida albicans , Antimicrobial Peptides , Proteomics , Peptides/pharmacology , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Antifungal Agents/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Osteoporosis （OP）， a common systemic skeletal disease in the elderly， is characterised by bone loss and bone microstructural degeneration. Its clinical manifestations include increased bone fragility and bone pain. Furthermore， OP increases the risk of fracture due to the high bone fragility， which leads to lifelong disability or death， imposing a heavy economic and psychological burden on the patients and their families. The pathogenesis of OP is extremely complex and associated with a variety of factors such as proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts， impairment of osteoclast activity and function， and abnormalities in autophagy activation. Recent studies have found that mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaing pathway is involved in the regulation of bone homeostasis， which can promote bone formation and improve bone metabolism and bone microstructure by regulating osteoblast proliferation and differentiation and osteoclast function and activating cellular autophagy， thus playing a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of OP. The prevention and treatment of OP with Chinese medicine has a long history， clear efficacy， multiple targets of action， low adverse effects， and wide medicine sources. Therefore， this paper briefly describes the role of mTOR signaling pathway in the development of OP by reviewing the latest research reports and summarizes in detail the latest research results on the treatment of OP with Chinese medicine extracts and prescriptions via the mTOR signaling pathway. This review aims to provide a basis for the in-depth research on the relationship between mTOR signaling pathway and OP and the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of OP.
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@#Introduction: In 2019, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death in children under the age of five. In 2017, pneumonia killed 808,694 children under five, accounting for 15% of all fatalities among children under the age of five. Methods: An observational analytic survey with a case control design was used as the study approach. The research samples were collected using a simple random sampling procedure with 48 children under the age of five separated into two groups, 24 samples for the case group and 24 samples for the control group. The research was carried out between February and July of 2020. This study tools used were observation sheets and rollmeters.The data was analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results showed that there was a relationship between incidence of pneumonia in children under five with different variables, respectively, ventilation area, floor type, wall type, presence of smoke hole. Conclusion: It implies that the community should pay attention to the overall condition of the house, one of which is by improving home ventilation, adjusting the room area to the number of occupants, quitting smoking in the house, and cleaning the floor more often.
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Objective:To investigate whether KtrA was a binding protein of c-di-AMP, the second messenger in Leptospira, and to explore the function and regulatory mechanism of the c-di-AMP-KtrA/B system. Methods:KtrA gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into pET42a plasmid to construct the pET42a ktrA prokaryotic expression vector. Then the vector was transferred into E. coli BL21DE3 to construct an engineering bacterium E. coli BL21DE3 pET42a-ktrA for the expression of recombinant KtrA (rKtrA). The expressed rKtrA was purified by affinity chromatography. BIAcore technology was used to detect the binding ability of rKtrA to c-di-AMP. Bacterial two-hybrid analysis was used to analyze the interaction between KtrA and KtrB in the leptospiral Ktr system with or without exogenetic c-di-AMP. The above genes were then complemented into the potassium transport-deficient E. coli mutants to analyze the function of the c-di-AMP-KtrA/B pathway. Results:An prokaryotic engineering bacterium for the expression of ktrA gene of Leptospira was constructed successfully. The purified rKtrA could specifically bind to c-di-AMP. There was interaction between KtrA and KtrB, but the interaction could be dissociated by c-di-AMP. The KtrA/B system was involved in potassium ion uptake and it was negatively regulated by c-di-AMP. Conclusions:Leptospiral KtrA was a c-di-AMP-binding protein and the c-di-AMP-KtrA/B system was involved in potassium ion transport.
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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is generally susceptible in human beings and multi-organ systems can be involved in EBV infection, such as blood, respiratory, urinary, digestive and nervous systems. EBV infection also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of related tumors, autoimmune diseases and other diseases, posing a great threat to human health. As a DNA virus, EBV can be sensed by DNA recognition receptors to trigger a series of downstream immune responses. A DNA-sensing pathway consists of DNA sensors, adaptor molecules and downstream effector signals. Double-stranded DNA sensors mainly include absent in melanoma 2-like receptors (ALRs) and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS). Adaptors were mainly stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Downstream immune responses mainly involve typeⅠIFN, inflammasomes and proinflammatory cytokines. As a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family, EBV triggers complex innate and adaptive immune responses in the host, especially the sensing pathways mediated by a variety of DNA recognition receptors, which play a key role in host immune defense and pathogen immune evasion. This review made the DNA sensor as the clue to comprehensively summarize the progress in the activation, regulatory mechanism and clinical relevance of DNA-sensing pathways in EBV infection in recent years, aiming to achieve a better understanding of the host innate immune responses during EBV infection and provide an immunological basis for the prevention and treatment of EBV infection-related diseases.
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Objective:To evaluate the effect of edaravone on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in the hippocampus of aged rats with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).Methods:Sixty SPF healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 20 months, weighing 650-700 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=15 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), POCD group (group P), edaravone group (group E) and ERK inhibitor group (group I). The rats received laparotomy under 3% sevoflurane anesthesia to prepare POCD model in P, E and I groups. Edaravone 3 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 30 min before operation in E and I groups, ERK inhibitor PD98059 0.3 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein in group I. The open field test was performed at 3 days after operation to evaluate the spontaneous activity of rats, then Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the cognitive function of rats on 3-7 days after operation. The rats were sacrificed after the end of Morris water maze test, and hippocampal tissues were obtained for determination of the expression of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB), synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) (by Western blot) and dendrite length and density of dendrites in hippocampal CA1 area (using Golgi staining). Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged after operation, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of p-ERK, p-CREB, synaptophysin and PSD-95 was down-regulated, and the dendritic length and density of hippocampal neurons were reduced in group P ( P<0.05). Compared with group P, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the expression of p-ERK, p-CREB, synaptophysin and PSD-95 was up-regulated, and the dendritic length and density of hippocampal neurons were increased in group E ( P<0.05). Compared with group E, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of p-ERK, p-CREB, synaptophysin and PSD-95 was down-regulated, the dendritic length of hippocampal neurons was shortened, and the density of hippocampal neurons was decreased in group I( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which edaravone improves POCD may be related to activating ERK/CREB signaling pathway and changing synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA1 region in aged rats.
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Objective:To evaluate the effect of surgery under propofol anesthesia during mid-pregnancy on the cognitive function and hippocampal histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2)-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 2B subunit (NR2B)-containing NMDA receptor (NR2B) signaling pathway in the offspring rats.Methods:Thirty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats at 14 days of gestation were divided into 3 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: propofol anesthesia group (P group), surgery under propofol anesthesia group (S group) and control group (C group). In S group, propofol 20 mg/kg was injected via the caudal vein, and then propofol was continuously infused at a rate of 20 mg·kg -1·h -1 to maintain anesthesia for 4 h, and exploratory laparotomy was performed. Group P received no exploratory laparotomy and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group S. The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group C. The learning and memory of the offspring rats was assessed using Morris water maze test on postnatal day 30. The expression of HDAC2, phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB), NR2B, brain-derived neurotriphic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated tyrosine kinase B (p-TrkB) in offspring′s hippocampi was evaluated by Western blot. Apoptosis in hippocampal neurons was detected by TUNEL staining. Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased, the time spent in the second quadrant was shortened, the expression of HDAC2 was up-regulated, the expression of p-CREB, NR2B, BDNF and p-TrkB was down-regulated, and the apoptosis rate of the hippocampal neurons was increased in P and S groups ( P<0.05). Compared with P group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased, the time spent in the second quadrant was shortened, the expression of HDAC2 was up-regulated, the expression of p-CREB, NR2B, BDNF and p-TrkB was down-regulated, and the apoptosis rate of the hippocampal neurons was increased in S group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Surgery under propofol anesthesia during mid-pregnancy can decrease the cognitive function of offspring rats, and the mechanism is related to the regulation of HDAC2-CREB-NR2B signaling pathway and the promotion of apoptosis in hippocampal neurons.
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） is a chronic liver disease with complex and diverse pathogenesis， and there is no effective treatment or specific drugs for its clinical treatment. In recent years， its incidence has been on the rise， and it has become the earnest expectation of medical researchers in China and abroad that related patients could be treated. AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） functions to regulate cellular energy homeostasis and mitochondrial homeostasis. When activated， it has a good intervention effect on NAFLD progression with lipid metabolism disorders and mitochondrial homeostasis disorders. For NAFLD， the activation of AMPK can inhibit the production of new lipogenesis in the liver， promote the oxidation of fatty acids in the liver， and enhance the mitochondrial function of adipose tissues. As a key target of metabolic diseases， AMPK can also improve apoptosis， liver fibrosis， autophagy， and inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is good at treating diseases from multiple targets and multiple pathways and is also commonly used in the treatment of chronic liver disease in clinical practice. A large number of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies on NAFLD have shown that TCM monomers have good prospects for the treatment of NAFLD through the AMPK signaling pathway， including glycosides， phenols， alkaloids， flavonoids， quinones， terpenoids， and lignans， which are natural activators of AMPK. This study reviewed the research progress on TCM monomers in regulating the AMPK pathway to prevent and treat NAFLD， providing a broader perspective for TCM treatment of NAFLD.
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OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effect mechanism of Xibining prescription （XBN） on knee osteoarthritis （KOA） model rats based on AMP-activated protein kinase（AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. METHODS Totally 36 rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， XBN group （12.56 g/kg）， XBN+metformin （AMPK agonist） group （12.56 g/kg XBN+100 mg/kg metformin）， with 9 rats in each group. Except for blank group， KOA model was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection in other groups. After modeling， each group was given relevant medicine/normal saline， XBN and normal saline intragastrically， once a day， and metformin intraperitoneally， every other day， for 4 consecutive weeks. The pathomorphological changes of cartilage tissue in rats were observed and Mankin scoring was conducted. The expression level of Aggrecan in rat cartilage， mRNA and protein expressions of platelet reactive protein disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 （ADAMTS-4）， ADAMTS-5， matrix metalloproteinase 3 （MMP-3） and MMP- 13， and the phosphorylation level of AMPK and mTOR proteins were detected. RESULTS Compared with blank group， the structure of cartilage tissue in the model group was disordered， the matrix of cartilage layer was lightly stained，the tide line was distorted or interrupted， and Mankin score was significantly increased （P＜0.05）. The protein expression of Aggrecan in cartilage tissue and the phosphorylation level of AMPK protein were all decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； mRNA and protein expressions of ADAMTS-4， ADAMTS-5， MMP-3 and MMP-13 and the phosphorylation levels of mTOR protein were significantly increased in cartilage tissues （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， the pathological morphology of cartilage was improved significantly in each administration group， and above score or indexes were reversed significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with XBN group， the degree of cartilage lesions in rats was further alleviated in XBN+ metformin group， and the levels of above score or indicators were further improved （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS XBN can ameliorate cartilage injury in KOA model rats， promote cartilage synthesis and reduce cartilage degradation， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Objective To stud)' the nerve repair effect of olanzapine on schizophrenia model rats through its effect on cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/receptor tyrosine kinase receptors B (TrkB) pathway. Methods Total 60 rats were divided into control group, model group, olanzapine low, middle and high dose group. The rats in the model group, olanzapine low, middle and high dose groups were injected intraperitoneally with MK-801[0. 2 mg/(kg-d) ], while the control injected with the same amount of normal saline. The low, middle and high dose olanzapine groups were perfused with olanzapine solution of 0. 5 mg/(kg-d),1. 0 mg/(kg-d) and 1. 5 mg/(kg-d) respectively. The behavior of rats was scored according to ataxia and stereotyped behavior standards, cognitive function and learning ability were evaluated by Moms water maze test, serum tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were detected by ELISA method, hippocampal histopathology was observed under microscope, and apoptosis and expression of CREB/BDNF/TrkB pathway related proteins in hippocampus were detected. Results Compared with the control group, the ataxia, the score of stereotyped behavior, the expression of TNF-a, IL-6 and the rate of apoptosis in the model group increased significantly (P < 0 . 01). Compared with the control group, the number of crossing the platform, the time of staying in the target quadrant and the relative expression of CREB, p-CREB, p-TrkB, TrkB and BDNF protein in the model group decreased significantly (P<0. 01), and those in the low and middle dose olanzapine groups decreased significantly (P < 0 . 05). Compared with the model group, the times of crossing the platform and the stay time in the target quadrant increased significantly in the low and middle dose olanzapine groups (P< 0. 05). In the model group and the low dose olanzapine group, the hippocampal cells were swollen obviously, the nucleus was broken and divided, pyknosis, and the tissue aiTangement was disorderly, while the phenomenon of fragmentation and nuclear pyknosis was rarely seen in the middle and high dose olanzapine groups. Conclusion The nerve repair mechanism of olanzapine on schizophrenic model rats is related to improving cognitive impainnent, protecting hippocampal neurons and activating the expression of CREB/BDNF/TrkB signal pathway in rats.
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The cGAS-STING signaling pathway is one of the main pathways of immune defense against many types of pathogens. cGAS catalyzes the production of the second messenger cGAMP (cyclic GMP-tVMP) by recognizing plasma DNA and cGAMP subsequently binds to the interferon gene stimulating factor (STING). The pathway induces the production of type I interferon (IFN-I) and activates the innate immune system. The activation of the cGAS-STI]NG pathway could facilitate self-protection,thus STI]NG agonists for tumor immunotherapy have attracted much attention in recent years,and several drug candidates have been in clinical trials. Meanwhile,aberrant activation of cGAS-STI]NG could lead to autoimmune diseases and has attracted extensive interest in developing its inhibitors. This paper summarizes the mechanism and regulatory sites of the cGAS-STI]NG pathway,and outlines the research progress of cGAS-STING pathway-related immune and inflammatory diseases and its inhibitors.
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@#Osteoclasts are the only cells responsible for bone resorption in the body, and osteoblasts are the main cells responsible for bone regeneration in the body. Under physiological conditions, these cells maintain a dynamic balance to maintain bone homeostasis. It was widely believed that the imbalance of bone metabolism is mainly affected by the expression of related inflammatory factors. However, with the gradual expansion of related studies in recent years, autophagy has been shown to be closely related to the differentiation, apoptosis and functions of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important regulator of energy metabolism in vivo and is involved in the regulation of autophagy and bone homeostasis in bone metabolism-related cells. Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease, and its typical symptoms are alveolar bone resorption. At present, controlling the level of periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone resorption more effectively in clinical practice remains a challenge. The detection of AMPK and autophagy levels in bone metabolism-related cells shows certain prospects for the clinical prevention and treatment of periodontitis in the future. Therefore, this article reviews the regulation of periodontal inflammation levels and bone homeostasis through cell autophagy related to AMPK-mediated bone metabolism.