Small Molecules Accelerate Skin Wound Healing: Shikonin Efficacy and Mechanism of Action in Mice / Las Moléculas Pequeñas Aceleran la Curación de Heridas en la Piel: Eficacia de Shikonin y Mecanismo de Acción en Ratones

SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic wound healing potential and molecular mechanisms of shikonin as small molecules in vitro. A mouse burn model was used to explore the potential therapeutic effect of shikonin; we traced proliferating cells in vivo to locate the active area of skin cell proliferation. Through the results of conventional pathological staining, we found that shikonin has a good effect on the treatment of burned skin and promoted the normal distribution of skin keratin at the damaged site. At the same time, shikonin also promoted the proliferation of skin cells at the damaged site; importantly, we found a significant increase in the number of fibroblasts at the damaged site treated with shikonin. Most importantly, shikonin promotes fibroblasts to repair skin wounds by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study shows that shikonin can effectively promote the proliferation of skin cell, and local injection of fibroblasts in burned skin can play a certain therapeutic role.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar el potencial terapéutico de cicatrización de heridas y los mecanismos moleculares de la shikonina como moléculas pequeñas in vitro. Se utilizó un modelo de quemaduras en ratones para explorar el posible efecto terapéutico de la shikonina; Rastreamos las células en proliferación in vivo para localizar el área activa de proliferación de células de la piel. A través de los resultados de la tinción para patología convencional, encontramos que la shikonina tiene un buen efecto en el tratamiento de la piel quemada y promueve la distribución normal de la queratina de la piel en el sitio dañado. Al mismo tiempo, la shikonina también promovió la proliferación de células de la piel en el sitio dañado. Es importante destacar que encontramos un aumento significativo en la cantidad de fibroblastos en el sitio dañado tratado con shikonina. Lo más importante es que la shikonina promueve la función reparadora de fibroblastos en las heridas de la piel regulando la vía de señalización PI3K/ AKT. Este estudio muestra que la shikonina puede promover eficazmente la proliferación de células de la piel y que la inyección local de fibroblastos en la piel quemada puede desempeñar un cierto papel terapéutico.

Overexpression SPRY2 Suppresses Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression Via Inactivation of ERK/AKT Signaling / La Sobreexpresión SPRY2 Suprime la Evolución del Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Esófago Mediante la Inactivación de la Señalización ERK/AKT

SUMMARY: Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive gastrointestinal cancers. Invasion and metastasis are the main causes of poor prognosis of esophageal cancer. SPRY2 has been reported to exert promoting effects in human cancers, which controls signal pathways including PI3K/AKT and MAPKs. However, the expression of SPRY2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the detailed role of SPRY2 in the regulation of cell proliferation, invasion and ERK/AKT signaling pathway in ESCC. It was identified that the expression level of SPRY2 in ESCC was remarkably decreased compared with normal tissues, and it was related to clinicopathologic features and prognosis ESCC patients. The upregulation of SPRY2 expression notably inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of Eca-109 cells. In addition, the activity of ERK /AKT signaling was also suppressed by the SPRY2 upregulation in Eca-109 cells. Our study suggests that overexpression of SPRY2 suppress cancer cell proliferation and invasion of by through suppression of the ERK/AKT signaling pathways in ESCC. Therefore, SPRY2 may be a promising prognostic marker and therapeutic target for ESCC.

El cáncer de esófago es uno de los cánceres gastrointestinales más agresivos. La invasión y la metástasis son las principales causas de mal pronóstico del cáncer de esófago. Se ha informado que SPRY2 ejerce efectos promotores en los cánceres humanos, que controla las vías de señales, incluidas PI3K/AKT y MAPK. Sin embargo, la expresión de SPRY2 en el carcinoma de células escamosas de esófago (ESCC) y su mecanismo subyacente aún no están claros. En el presente estudio, nuestro objetivo fue investigar el papel detallado de SPRY2 en la regulación de la proliferación celular, la invasión y la vía de señalización ERK/AKT en ESCC. Se identificó que el nivel de expresión de SPRY2 en ESCC estaba notablemente disminuido en comparación con los tejidos normales, y estaba relacionado con las características clínico-patológicas y el pronóstico de los pacientes con ESCC. La regulación positiva de la expresión de SPRY2 inhibió notablemente la proliferación, migración e invasión de células Eca-109. Además, la actividad de la señalización de ERK/AKT también fue suprimida por la regulación positiva de SPRY2 en las células Eca-109. Nuestro estudio sugiere que la sobreexpresión de SPRY2 suprime la proliferación y la invasión de células cancerosas mediante la supresión de las vías de señalización ERK/AKT en ESCC. Por lo tanto, SPRY2 puede ser un marcador de pronóstico prometedor y un objetivo terapéutico para la ESCC.

Therapeutic potential of sulforaphane: modulation of NRF2 mediated PI3/AKT/mTOR pathway in oral fibrosis / Potencial terapêutico do sulforafano: modulação do NRF-2 mediado o pela via PI3/AKT/mTOR na fibrose oral

Oral Submucous Fibrosis is a potentially malignant disorder caused by habitual areca nut chewing, which contributes to the dispersion of active alkaloids into subepithelial tissues, stimulating excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Various treatment modalities are available; however, their efficacy in inhibiting fibrosis progression remains limited. Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate found abundantly in cruciferous plants, is known to have effective antifibrotic properties. Objective: The present study investigated the antifibrotic effect of SFN via phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (AKT-1), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in arecoline (AER) induced fibrosis in human gingival fibroblasts [HGFs]. Material and Methods: MTT assay determined the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of AER and SFN at 24h in the HGF cell line. Expression levels of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGFß1), collagen type 1 alpha 2 (COL1A2), hydroxyproline (HYP), PI3, AKT, mTOR, and nuclear factor erythroid 2­related factor 2 (NRF2) were assessed post-AER and SFN treatment using qPCR and western blot analysis. Results: The findings of the study revealed that AER elicited a stimulatory effect, upregulating TGFß1, COL1A2, HYP, PI3K, AKT, and mTOR and downregulating NRF2 expression. Conversely, SFN treatment significantly upregulated NRF2, inhibiting TGFß1 mediated PI3/AKT/mTOR pathway. Conclusion: These observations suggest that SFN can be used as a promising synergistic antifibrotic agent to combat fibrogenesis via the non-Smad pathway (AU)

Fibrose submucosa oral é uma desordem potencialmente maligna causada pelo habito de mascar a noz da areca, o que contribui para a dispersão de alcalóides ativos nos tecidos subepiteliais, estimulando a deposição excessiva de matriz extracelular. Há várias modalidades terapêuticas, no entanto, com eficácia limitada no controle da progressão da fibrose. O sulforafano (SFN), isotiocianato encontrado abundantemente em plantas crucíferas, é conhecido por suas propriedades antifibróticas. Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos antifibróticos do SFN na via fosfatidilinositol3-quinase (PI3K), via quinase serina/treonina 1 (AKT-1), via do alvo da rapamicina em mamíferos (mTOR), na fibrose induzida por arecolina (AER) em fibroblastos gengivais de humanos (HGFs). Material e Métodos: A meia concentração inibitória mínima de AER e SFN em 24 horas nas células HGFs foi determinada por MTT. Os níveis de expressão de ß1 (TGFß1), colágeno tipo 1 alfa 2 (COL1A2), hidroxiprolina (HYP), PI3K, AKT, mTOR, fator nuclear eritroide 2 relacionado ao fator 2 (NRF2) foram analisados após tratamento com ERA e SFN através de qPCR e western blot. Resultados: O ERA apresentou efeito estimulatório aumentando a expressão de TGFß1, COL1A2, HYP, PI3K, AKT e mTOR e diminuindo a expressão de NRF2. Por outro lado, tratamento com SFN aumentou significativamente a expressão de NRF2, inibindo a liberação de TGFß1 mediada pela via PI3/AKT/mTOR. Conclusão: Esses achados sugerem que o SFN pode ser um agente antifibrótico promissor no combate à fibrogênese decorrente da via não-Smad (AU)

Effect of South African Herb Hoodia gordonii on Liver Glucolipid Metabolism and PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 Signalling Pathway in db/db Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of the South African herb Hoodia gordonii （HG） on glucolipid metabolism in diabetic db/db mice and explore the possible mechanisms of HG on the liver of db/db mice based on the phosphoinositide-3 kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/factor forkhead protein O1 （FoxO1） signaling pathway. MethodA total of 30 db/db mice were randomly divided into five groups according to fasting blood glucose： model group， metformin group （0.195 g·kg-1）， and low dose （0.39 g·kg-1）， medium dose （0.78 g·kg-1）， and high dose （1.56 g·kg-1） HG groups， with six m/m mice in each group， and another six m/m mice were set as normal group. The mice in the normal and model groups were given saline of 9 mL·kg-1 by gavage. Body weight， water intake， and fasting blood glucose of the mice in each group were measured weekly. After six weeks of continuous administration， serum insulin （FINS）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， urea， and creatinine （CREA） were measured， and liver sections were embedded and stained with hematoxylin-eosin （HE）， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS）， and oil red O. Protein expression of PI3K p85， p-Akt， and p-FoxO1 in liver was detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of PI3K， Akt， and FoxO1 in liver tissue was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultAfter six weeks of administration intervention， it was found that fasting blood glucose was significantly downregulated in mice in the three HG groups （P<0.05）. The level of islet resistance index was significantly reduced in both the low and medium dose HG groups （P<0.05）. The expression levels of TC， TG， and LDL were reduced in all HG groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathologically， HG could alleviate hepatocyte steatosis， reduce the volume and content of lipid droplets in liver， and increase the distribution of glycogen granules in liver to some extent in mice. Immunohistochemical assays revealed that PI3K p85 protein expression was significantly increased in the low， medium， and high dose HG groups compared with the model group （P<0.01）. p-Akt protein expression was significantly increased in the medium and high dose HG groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. p-FoxO1 protein expression was significantly increased in the low， medium， and high dose HG groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， PI3K mRNA was increased in low dose， medium dose， and high dose HG groups （P<0.05）， and Akt mRNA was increased in high dose HG group （P<0.05）. FoxO1 mRNA was decreased in low dose， medium dose， and high dose HG groups （P<0.05）. ConclusionHG can ameliorate the disorder of glucolipid metabolism in db/db mice， which may be related to its activation of the hepatic PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway.

Analysis of Antidepressant Quality Markers of Bupleuri Radix Before and After Vinegar-processing Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and Network Pharmacology / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo analyze the antidepressant quality markers（Q-Marker） of Bupleuri Radix（BP） before and after vinegar-processing by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）， multivariate statistical analysis and network pharmacology. MethodUPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to analyze the chemical basis of raw and vinegar-processed products of BP， and principal component analysis（PCA） orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were used to identify the differential components in BP that changed significantly before and after vinegar-processing， which were regarded as candidate quality markers（Q-Marker）. Then the disease-drug-component-target network related to antidepressant effect of BP was constructed by network pharmacology， and the antidepressant Q-Marker of raw and vinegar-processed products of BP was determined. Rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， fluoxetine group（2.67 mg·kg-1） and total saponin group（0.72 mg·kg-1）， except the blank group， rats in the other groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress（CUMS）. Three weeks after the start of modeling， rats in each administration group were given the corresponding dose of drugs once a day for 4 weeks， and rats in the blank and model groups were given normal saline with dose of 10 mL·kg-1. At 1 day before modeling， 21 days and 28 days after administration， body mass weighing， sucrose preference test and open field test were performed on each group . After 28 days of administration， real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）， protein kinase B（Akt）， mammalian target of rapamycin（mTOR）， glycogen synthase kinase-3β（GSK-3β）， forkhead box transcription factor O3a（FoxO3a） and β-catenin in hippocampal tissues of rats in each group， while protein expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR and FoxO3a in hippocampal tissues of rats in each group were detected by Western blot. ResultThere were 19 components in BP showed significant changes before and after vinegar-processing， and 9 components such as saikosaponin A， saikosaponin B1， saikosaponin B2， saikosaponin C and saikosaponin D were identified as potential Q-Marker through S-plot differential marker screening. Combined with the disease-drug-component-target network， saikosaponin A， saikosaponin B1， saikosaponin B2 and saikosaponin D were identified as antidepressant Q-Marker of raw and vinegar-processed products of BP. According to the results of pharmacodynamic tests， after 28 d of administration， compared with the blank group， the body mass， sucrose preference index and open field total score of rats in model group， fluoxetine group and total saponin group decreased significantly（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the body mass， sucrose preference index and open field total score in total saponin group increased significantly（P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR and β-catenin in hippocampus of rats in the model group decreased significantly（P<0.05）， while mRNA expression levels of GSK-3β and FoxO3a increased significantly（P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR and β-catenin in hippocampus of rats in the total saponin group were increased significantly（P<0.05）， while mRNA expression levels of GSK-3β and FoxO3a decreased significantly（P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the protein expression levels of Akt and mTOR in hippocampus of the model group decreased significantly（P<0.01）， while the protein expression levels of PI3K and FoxO3a increased significantly（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression level of Akt in hippocampus of the total saponin group increased significantly（P<0.01）， the mTOR expression level was increased but not statistically significant， while the protein expression levels of PI3K and FoxO3a decreased significantly（P<0.01）. ConclusionThe chemical constituents of BP changed greatly after vinegar-processing， and the antidepressant Q-Marker of raw and vinegar-processed products of BP was determined by chemical basis， pharmacodynamics， network pharmacology and signaling pathway， which provided a reference for further research on quality control， pharmacodynamic substance basis and processing mechanism of BP.

Effect of Qiwei Baizhusan on Cognitive Dysfunction in Rats with Diabetic Encephalopathy Based on PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of Qiwei Baizhusan（QWBZS） on diabetic encephalopathy（DE） rat model， and to explore the possible mechanism of QWBZS in the treatment of DE based on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt）/glycogen synthase kinase-3β（GSK-3β） signaling pathway. MethodForty-eight SPF male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group（8 rats） and high-fat diet group（40 rats）. After 12 weeks of feeding， rats in the high-fat diet group were intraperitoneally injected with 35 mg·kg-1 of 1% streptozotocin（STZ） for 2 consecutive days to construct a DE model， and rats in the blank group were injected with the same amount of sodium citrate buffer. After successful modeling， according to blood glucose and body weight， model rats were randomly divided into model group， low， medium and high dose groups of QWBZS（3.15， 6.3， 12.6 g·kg-1）， combined western medicine group（metformin+rosiglitazone， 0.21 g·kg-1）， with 6 rats in each group. The administration group was given the corresponding dose of drug by gavage， and the blank group and the model group were given an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution by gavage， 1 time/day for 6 weeks. Morris water maze was used to detect the spatial memory ability of DE rats. Fasting insulin （FINS） level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） and insulin resistance index（HOMA-IR） was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the morphological changes of hippocampus in rats， ELISA was used to detect the indexes of oxidative stress in hippocampal tissues， real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） was used to detect mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， nuclear transcription factor-κB（NF-κB）， tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） and interleukin-1β（IL-1β） in hippocampus， and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of PI3K， Akt， phosphorylated（p）-Akt， GSK-3β and p-GSK-3β in hippocampus of rats. ResultCompared with the blank group， FINS and HOMA-IR values of the model group were significantly increased（P<0.01）， the path of finding the original position of the platform was significantly increased， and the escape latency was significantly prolonged（P<0.01）， the morphology of neuronal cells in hippocampal tissues was disrupted， the levels of reactive oxygen species（ROS） and malondialdehyde（MDA） in hippocampus of rats were increased， and the activity of superoxide dismutase（SOD） was decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt were decreased（P<0.01）， mRNA expression levels of NF-κB， TNF-α and IL-1β were increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the protein expression levels of PI3K， p-Akt and p-GSK-3β were significantly decreased， and the protein expression of GSK-3β was significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the FINS and HOMA-IR values of the medium dose group of QWBZS and the combined western medicine group were significantly decreased（P<0.01）， the path of finding the original position of the platform and the escape latency were significantly shortened（P<0.01）， the hippocampal tissue structure of rats was gradually recovered， and the morphological damage of nerve cells was significantly improved， the contents of ROS and MDA in hippocampus of rats decreased and the level of SOD increased（P<0.01）， the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt were increased（P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB， TNF-α and IL-1β were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， the protein expression levels of PI3K， p-Akt and p-GSK-3β were significantly increased（P<0.01）， and the expression of GSK-3β was significantly decreased（P<0.01）. ConclusionQWBZS can alleviate insulin resistance in DE rats， it may repair hippocampal neuronal damage and improve learning and cognitive ability of DE rats by activating PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway.

Earthworm Protein Protects Vascular Endothelial Function in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats via PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of earthworm protein on the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 （PI3K/Akt/Nrf2） pathway in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR） and explore mechanism of earthworm protein in treating hypertensive vascular endothelial dysfunction （VED）. MethodTen 10-week-old Wistar Kyoto （WKY） rats and fifty SHR rats were selected for a week of adaptive feeding. WKY rats were selected as the normal group， and fifty SHR rats were randomized according to body weight into model， valsartan （8×10-3 g·kg-1·d-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （0.2， 0.1， 0.05 g·kg-1·d-1， respectively） earthworm protein groups. The normal and model groups were administrated with equal volume of double distilled water by gavage. During the drug intervention period， the general situations of rats in each group were observed and their blood pressure was monitored at specific time points every other week before and after administration. After 8 weeks of drug intervention， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of angiotensin-Ⅱ （Ang-Ⅱ） and endothelin-1 （ET-1） in the serum of rats in each group. The corresponding kits were used to determine the levels of nitric oxide （NO）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and ferrous ion （Fe2+）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the changes in the intima of the aorta. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to measure the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， Nrf2， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） in the aortic tissue. Western blotting was used to determine the protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 in the thoracic aorta. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group had decreased body mass， increased irritability， severe endothelial damage， elevated blood pressure and serum levels of Ang-Ⅱ， ET1， MDA， and Fe2+ （P<0.01）， lowered NO level （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 in the aortic tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， drug intervention caused no significant change in the body mass， calmed the rats， alleviated the endothelial damage， lowered blood pressure and serum levels of Ang-Ⅱ， ET1， MDA， and Fe2+ （P<0.01）， elevated the NO level （P<0.05）， and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe earthworm protein can exert antihypertensive effects by ameliorating VED in SHR. Specifically， it may regulate the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress and ferroptosis.

Mechanism Exploration of TG Regulating PI3K/Akt to Improve Insulin Resistance in Liver of T2DM Rats Based on Transcriptomics / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tangzhi pills on the improvement of insulin resistance （IR） in the liver with type 2 diabetes （T2DM） by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway based on differential genes and its possible molecular mechanism. MethodT2DM rat models were prepared by high fat （HFD） diet combined with streptozotocin （STZ） intraperitoneal injection. The experiment was divided into blank group， model group， metformin hydrochloride group （0.18 g·kg-1）， Tangzhi pills high （1.08 g·kg-1）， medium （0.54 g·kg-1） and low （0.27 g·kg-1） dose groups. Rat serum， liver， and pancreatic tissue were collected， and the pathological tissue of the liver and pancreas was observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The fasting blood glucose level （FBG） was detected， and oral glucose tolerance （OGTT） tests were conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect fasting serum insulin （FINS） and glycated hemoglobin （GHb） levels in rats. IR homeostasis model index （HOMA-IR）， β cellular homeostasis index （HOMA-β）， and insulin sensitivity index （ISI） were calculated. Biochemical methods were used to determine the levels of triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein （HDL-C） in rat serum. Transcriptomics obtained differentially expressed mRNA from liver tissue and enriched differentially expressed pathways. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of cyclic adenylate responsive element binding protein 3-like protein 2 antibody （CREB3l2）， B-lymphocyte tumor 2 （Bcl-2）， Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2）， cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A （CDNK1A）， and DNA damage induced transcription factor 4-like protein （DDIT4） in liver tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （p-PI3K）， phosphorylated protein kinase B （p-Akt）， glucose transporter 4 （GLUT4）， insulin receptor （INSR）， and insulin receptor substrate 2 （IRS2）. ResultThe pharmacodynamic experiment results showed that compared with model group， Tangzhi pills groups repaired liver and pancreatic tissue to varying degrees， reduced blood sugar （P<0.01）， and promoted a decrease in serum FINS， GHb， and HOMA-IR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， HOMA-β and ISI increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the levels of HDL-C increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The transcriptomics experimental results confirmed that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was significantly expressed in both the blank group and model group， as well as in the high-dose Tangzhi pills group and model group. CDNK1A， DDIT4， CREB3l2， Bcl-2， and TLR2 were significantly differentially expressed mRNA during TG intervention in T2DM. Compared with the model group， the protein expression of p-PI3K， p-Akt， GLUT4， INSR， and IRS2 increased in all Tangzhi pills groups （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of CREB3l2， Bcl-2， and TLR2 increased （P<0.01）， while that of CDNK1A and DDIT4 decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionTangzhi pills may regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway based on the differential mRNA expression of CREB3l2， Bcl-2， TLR2， CDNK1A， and DDIT4， thereby improving IR in the liver with T2DM.

Hedysari Radix Polysaccharide Regulates Apoptosis of Smooth Muscle Cells in Gastric Antrum of Rat Model of Diabetic Gastroparesis via IGF-1/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Hedysari Radix polysaccharide on the apoptosis of gastric sinus smooth muscle cells and explore the underlying mechanism via the insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1）/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/serine-threonine kinase （Akt） pathway in the rat model of diabetic gastroparesis （DGP）. MethodSixty-two Wistar male rats were randomized into a blank group （n=12） and a modelling group （n=50）. The rat model of DGP was established by small-dose multiple intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin combined with an irregular high-fat and high-sugar diet for 4 weeks. The modeled rats were randomized into model group， mosapride citrate （1.35 mg·kg-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （200， 100， and 50 mg·kg-1， respectively） Hedysari Radix polysaccharide groups. The rats were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage， and those in the blank and model groups with equal volumes of pure water by gavage once a day for 8 consecutive weeks. The random blood glucose and body mass were measured every 2 weeks， and gastric emptying rate was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of smooth muscle in gastric antrum， and terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling （TUNEL） was employed to detect the apoptosis of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum. The expression of IGF-1， phosphorylated （p）-PI3K， and p-Akt in the smooth muscle of gastric sinus tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of IGF-1， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in the smooth muscle of the gastric antrum. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed elevated random blood glucose at all time points （P<0.01）， decreased body mass and gastric emptying rate （P<0.01）， increased apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein levels of IGF-1， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and Bcl-2， and up-regulated protein level of Bax （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the 8 weeks of drug administration lowered the random blood glucose， increased the body mass and gastric emptying rate （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased the apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated the protein levels of IGF-1， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and Bcl-2， and down-regulated the protein level of Bax （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the mosapride citrate group，the administration of low-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide for 6 and 8 weeks lowered the random blood glucose and decreased the body mass （P<0.05， P<0.01），low and medium-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide decreased the gastric emptying rate and the apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the astragaloside low-dose group decreased （P<0.05）. The protein levels of IGF-1，p-PI3K/PI3K，p-Akt/Akt and Bcl-2（low dose）were down-regulated and the protein level of Bax was up-regulated by low doses of Hedysari Radix polysaccharide （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with high-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide， low-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide elevated random blood glucose and reduced body mass after 6 and 8 weeks of administration （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the low and medium doses decreased the gastric emptying rate， increased the apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum （P<0.05， P<0.01）， down-regulated the protein levels of IGF-1， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and Bcl-2， and up-regulated the protein level of Bax （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the medium-dose group，the low-dose group of Hedysari Radix polysaccharide had lower body mass，lower gastric emptying rate in rats，higher apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in gastric sinus tissue after 6 and 8 weeks of administration （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower protein expression of IGF-1，p-PI3K/PI3K，p-Akt/Akt. ConclusionHedysari Radix polysaccharide protects the smooth muscle cells in gastric antrum against apoptotic injury and promotes gastric motility by activating the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， as manifested by the up-regulated expression of IGF-1， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and Bcl-2 and down-regulated expression of Bax.

Oncogenic transmembrane protein 158 drives the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to accelerate gastric cancer cell growth

Gastric cancer (GC) is a serious threat to human health and an important cause of cancer-related death. Herein, we evaluated the influence of transmembrane protein 158 (TMEM158) on GC cell growth. According to Genomic Spatial Event (GSE) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, TMEM158 content is amplified in GC tissues. The diagnostic value of TMEM158 expression in GC is huge. GC sufferers with high expression of TMEM158 were associated with poor overall survival. In addition, TMEM158 content was increased in GC cells. TMEM158 promoted GC cell proliferation by modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Lack of TMEM158 reduced GC tumor growth. Collectively, TMEM158 accelerated GC cell proliferation by modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, making it a prospective biomarker for survival in GC patients.

Marsdenia tenacissima injection induces the apoptosis of prostate cancer by regulating the AKT/GSK3β/STAT3 signaling axis / 中国天然药物

Marsdenia tenacissima injection, a standard Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE), has been approved as an adjuvant therapeutic agent for various cancers. Our previous study showed that MTE inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of prostate cancer (PCa) cells. However, the underlying mechanisms and active ingredients of MTE against PCa were not completely understood. This study revealed that MTE induced significant decreases in cell viability and clonal growth in PCa cells. In addition, MTE induced the apoptosis of DU145 cells by reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing the expression of Cleaved Caspase 3/7, Cyt c, and Bax. In vivo, DU145 xenografted NOD-SCID mice treated with MTE showed significantly decreased tumor size. TUNEL staining and Western blot confirmed the pro-apoptotic effects of MTE. Network pharmacology analysis collected 196 ingredients of MTE linked to 655 potential targets, and 709 PCa-associated targets were retrieved, from which 149 overlapped targets were screened out. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the HIF-1, PI3K-AKT, and ErbB signaling pathways were closely related to tumor apoptosis. Western blot results confirmed that MTE increased the expression of p-AKTSer473 and p-GSK3βSer9, and decreased the expression of p-STAT3Tyr705in vitro and in vivo. A total of 13 compounds in MTE were identified by HPLC-CAD-QTOF-MS/MS and UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Molecular docking analysis indicated that six compounds may interact with AKT, GSK3β, and STAT3. In conclusion, MTE induces the endogenous mitochondrial apoptosis of PCa by regulating the AKT/GSK3β/STAT3 signaling axis, resulting in inhibition of PCa growth in vitro and in vivo.

Physical exercise suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by alleviating hypoxia and attenuating cancer stemness through the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Physical exercise, a common non-drug intervention, is an important strategy in cancer treatment, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism remains largely unknown. Due to the importance of hypoxia and cancer stemness in the development of HCC, the present study investigated whether the anti-HCC effect of physical exercise is related to its suppression on hypoxia and cancer stemness.@*METHODS@#A physical exercise intervention of swimming (30 min/d, 5 d/week, for 4 weeks) was administered to BALB/c nude mice bearing subcutaneous human HCC tumor. The anti-HCC effect of swimming was assessed in vivo by tumor weight monitoring, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67. The expression of stemness transcription factors, including Nanog homeobox (NANOG), octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT-4), v-Myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (C-MYC) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), was detected using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A hypoxia probe was used to explore the intratumoral hypoxia status. Western blot was used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and proteins related to protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/β-catenin signaling pathway. The IHC analysis of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31), and the immunofluorescence co-location of CD31 and desmin were used to analyze tumor blood perfusion. SMMC-7721 cells were treated with nude mice serum. The inhibition effect on cancer stemness in vitro was detected using suspension sphere experiments and the expression of stemness transcription factors. The hypoxia status was inferred by measuring the protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α. Further, the expression of proteins related to Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway was detected.@*RESULTS@#Swimming significantly reduced the body weight and tumor weight in nude mice bearing HCC tumor. HE staining and IHC results showed a lower necrotic area ratio as well as fewer PCNA or Ki67 positive cells in mice receiving the swimming intervention. Swimming potently alleviated the intratumoral hypoxia, attenuated the cancer stemness, and inhibited the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, the desmin+/CD31+ ratio, rather than the number of CD31+ vessels, was significantly increased in swimming-treated mice. In vitro experiments showed that treating cells with the serum from the swimming intervention mice significantly reduced the formation of SMMC-7721 cell suspension sphere, as well as the mRNA expression level of stemness transcription factors. Consistent with the in vivo results, HIF-1α and Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway were also inhibited in cells treated with serum from swimming group.@*CONCLUSION@#Swimming alleviated hypoxia and attenuated cancer stemness in HCC, through suppression of the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. The alleviation of intratumoral hypoxia was related to the increase in blood perfusion in the tumor. Please cite this article as: Xiao CL, Zhong ZP, Lü C, Guo BJ, Chen JJ, Zhao T, Yin ZF, Li B. Physical exercise suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by alleviating hypoxia and attenuating cancer stemness through the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 184-193.

GDF15 negatively regulates chemosensitivity via TGFBR2-AKT pathway-dependent metabolism in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 医学前沿

Treating patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is challenging due to the high chemoresistance. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is crucial in the development of various types of tumors and negatively related to the prognosis of ESCC patients according to our previous research. In this study, the link between GDF15 and chemotherapy resistance in ESCC was further explored. The relationship between GDF15 and the chemotherapy response was investigated through in vitro and in vivo studies. ESCC patients with high levels of GDF15 expression showed an inferior chemotherapeutic response. GDF15 improved the tolerance of ESCC cell lines to low-dose cisplatin by regulating AKT phosphorylation via TGFBR2. Through an in vivo study, we further validated that the anti-GDF15 antibody improved the tumor inhibition effect of cisplatin. Metabolomics showed that GDF15 could alter cellular metabolism and enhance the expression of UGT1A. AKT and TGFBR2 inhibition resulted in the reversal of the GDF15-induced expression of UGT1A, indicating that TGFBR2-AKT pathway-dependent metabolic pathways were involved in the resistance of ESCC cells to cisplatin. The present investigation suggests that a high level of GDF15 expression leads to ESCC chemoresistance and that GDF15 can be targeted during chemotherapy, resulting in beneficial therapeutic outcomes.

Licochalcone A induces cell cycle arrest in human lung squamous carcinoma cells via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of licochalcone A (LCA) on the proliferation and cell cycle of human lung squamous carcinoma cells and explore its possible molecular mechanism.@*METHODS@#MTT assay was used to detect the changes in proliferation of H226 cells after treatment with different concentrations of LCA for 48 h, and the IC50 of LCA was calculated. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle changes in H226 cells treated with 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L LCA, and the expressions of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase CDK2 and CDK4, and p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, and Akt in the treated cells were detected using Western blotting. The effect of intraperitoneal injection of LCA for 24 days on tumor volume and weight was assessed in a BALB/c-nu mouse model bearing lung squamous carcinoma xenografts.@*RESULTS@#MTT assay showed that LCA significantly decreased the viability of H226 cells with an IC50 of 28.3 μmol/L at 48 h. Flow cytometry suggested that LCA treatment induced obvious cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. LCA treatment also significantly decreased the expressions of cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDK4, and inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt in H226 cells. In the tumor-bearing mice, LCA treatment for 24 days significantly reduced the tumor volume and weight.@*CONCLUSION@#LCA is capable of inhibiting the proliferation and inducing cell cycle arrest in lung squamous carcinoma cells possibility by regulating the PI3K/Akt singling pathway.

Silenced ANP32A inhibits the growth, invasion and migration of colorectal cancer in vitro via the inactivation of AKT pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of ANP32A silencing on invasion and migration of colon cancer cells and the influence of the activity of AKT signaling pathway on this effect.@*METHODS@#Colorectal cancer HCT116 and SW480 were transfected with a small interfering RNA targeting ANP32A via a lentiviral vector. At 24, 48 and 72 h after the transfection, the changes in cell proliferation and AKT activity in the cells were detected using MTT assay and Western blotting, respectively. HCT116 and SW480 cells were treated with the AKT agonist SC79 or its inhibitor MK2206 for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, and the changes in cell migration and invasion ability were analyzed using Transwell chamber assay and cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay. The effects of SC79 and MK2206 on migration and invasion abilities of HCT116 and SW480 cells with or without ANP32A silencing were examined using wound healing and Transwell chamber assays, and the changes in the expression of metadherin (MTDH), a factor associated with cells invasion and migration, was detected with Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Lentivirus-mediated ANP32A silencing significantly down-regulated the activity of AKT and inhibited the proliferation of both HCT116 and SW480 cells (P < 0.01). The application of AKT inhibitor MK2206 obviously inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of the colorectal cancer cells (P < 0.05), while the AKT agonist SC79 significantly promoted the invasion and migration of the cells (P < 0.01). In HCT116 and SW480 cells with ANP32A silencing, treatment with MK2206 strongly enhanced the inhibitory effects of ANP32A silencing on cell invasion and migration (P < 0.05) and the expression of MTDH, while SC79 partially reversed these inhibitory effects (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#ANP32A silencing inhibits invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells possibly by inhibiting the activation of the AKT signaling pathway.

Mechanism of Key Ingredient of Astragalus membranaceus on Lung Adenocarcinoma via PI3K/AKT Signaling Clarified by Utilizing Network Pharmacology Approach and Experimental Validation / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the mechanism of the effect of Astragalus membranaceus (A. membranaceus) on lung adenocarcinoma at the molecular level to elucidate the specific targets according to the network pharmacology approach.@*METHODS@#The active components of A. membranaceus and their potential targets were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database. Lung adenocarcinoma-associated genes were acquired based on GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), PharmGKB, and Therapeutic Targets databases. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related genes were obtained using Reactome portal. Networks of "ingredient-target" and "ingredient-target-pathway-disease" were constructed using the Cytoscape3.6.0 software. The relationships among targets were analyzed according protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Finally, molecular docking was applied to construct the binding conformation between active ingredients and core targets. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) and Western blot assays were performed to determine the mechanism of the key ingredient of A. membranaceus.@*RESULTS@#A total of 20 active components and their 329 targets, and 7,501 lung adenocarcinoma-related genes and 130 PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related genes were obtained. According to Venn diagram and PPI network analysis, 2 mainly active ingredients, including kaempferol and quercetin, and 6 core targets, including TP53, MAPK1, EGF, AKT1, ERBB2, and EGFR, were identified. The two important active ingredients of A. membranaceus, kaempferol and quercetin, exert the therapeutic effect in lung adenocarcinoma partly by acting on the 6 core targets (TP53, MAPK1, EGF, AKT1, ERBB2, and EGFR) of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Expressions of potential targets in lung adenocarcinoma and normal samples were analyzed by using UALCAN portal and found that ERBB2 was overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and upregulation of it correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. Finally, quercetin repressed viabilities of lung adenocarcinoma cells by targeting ERBB2 on PI3K/AKT signaling confirmed by CCK8 and Western blot.@*CONCLUSION@#Our finding unraveled that an active ingredient of A. membranaceus, quercetin, significantly inhibited the lung adenocarcinoma cells proliferation by repressing ERBB2 level and inactivating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Decursin affects proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of colorectal cancer cells through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

We investigated the effects of decursin on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of colorectal cancer HT29 and HCT116 cells through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase(Akt) pathway. Decursin(10, 30, 60, and 90 μmol·L~(-1)) was used to treat HT29 and HCT116 cells. The survival, colony formation ability, proliferation, apoptosis, wound hea-ling area, and migration of the HT29 and HCT116 cells exposed to decursin were examined by cell counting kit-8(CCK8), cloning formation experiments, Ki67 immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay, respectively. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of epithelial cadherin(E-cadherin), neural cadherin(N-cadherin), vimentin, B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), tumor suppressor protein p53, PI3K, and Akt. Compared with the control group, decursin significantly inhibited the proliferation and colony number and promoted the apoptosis of HT29 and HCT116 cells, and it significantly down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulated the expression of Bax. Decursin inhibited the wound healing and migration of the cells, significantly down-regulated the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin, and up-regulated the expression of E-cadherin. In addition, it significantly down-regulated the expression of PI3K and Akt and up-regulated that of p53. In summary, decursin may regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby affecting the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of colorectal cancer cells.

Renshen Baidusan Combined with Yurui Enema Treats Intestinal Mucosal Injury in Rat Model of Ulcerative Colitis via PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms of internal treatment （Renshen Baidusan）， external treatment （Yurui Enema）， and combination of the two methods in treating intestinal mucosal injury in the rat model of ulcerative colitis （UC） from the changes of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） pathway. MethodFifty SPF-grade SD rats were randomized into blank， model， Renshen Baidusan （15.6 g·kg-1）， Yurui Enema （25 g·kg-1）， and combined treatment （15.6 g·kg-1 Renshen Baidusan + 25 g·kg-1 Yurui Enema） groups （n=10）. The rat model of UC was established in other groups except the blank group by 2，4， 6-trinitrosulfonic acid （TNBS）/ethanol. The rats were administered with corresponding drugs once a day for 14 consecutive days since the 8th day after modeling. The histopathological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interferon （IFN）-γ， interleukin （IL）-4， and IL-10 in the colon tissue. The apoptosis of colon epithelial cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling （TUNEL）. The location and expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， TNF-α， and IL-6 in the colon tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry. Real-time quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of the proteins in the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway in the colon tissue. ResultIn the model group， HE staining showed a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration in the mucosa and submucosa. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed elevated levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ and lowered levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in the colon tissue， increased apoptosis rate of colon epithelial cells， increased positive expression of Bax， TNF-α， and IL-6， and decreased positive expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.05）. Moreover， the model group showed up-regulated mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， and NF-κB and protein levels of PI3K， p-PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， p65， p-p65， Bax， and cleaved Caspase-3， increased Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 ratios， and down-regulated protein levels of NF-κB suppressor protein α（IκBα）， Bcl-2， and Caspase-3 in the colon tissue （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the internal treatment， the external treatment， and the combination （referred to as the three groups） alleviated the colonic mucosal injury， lowered the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ and elevated the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in the colon tissue， decreased the apoptosis rate of colon cells， inhibited the positive expression of Bax， TNF-α， and IL-6， and promoted the positive expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.05）. Furthermore， the combination group down-regulated the mRNA level of PI3K （P<0.05）. The three groups down-regulated the mRNA levels of Akt and NF-κB and the protein levels of p-PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， p65， p-p65， Bax， and cleaved Caspase-3 in the colon tissue， decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 ratios， and up-regulated the protein levels of IκBα， Bcl-2， and Caspase-3 （P<0.05）. ConclusionRenshen Baidusan， Yurui Enema， and their combination may inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway and regulate the expression of genes and proteins related to this pathway to achieve anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects， thus restoring the intestinal mucosal barrier function of UC rats.

Effect and mechanism of hyperthermia on cell apoptosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hyperthermia on the apoptosis and the expression levels of cysteine-containing aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3) and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells.Methods:A prospective study was conducted on 30 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October, 2021 to October, 2022. Three times of hyperthermia were performed with a time interval of 24 h. The tumor tissue samples were collected from 30 patients before and after hyperthermia and divided into before hyperthermia group (group A ) and after hyperthermia group (group B). Self-control study mode was adopted for comrparative analysis. The cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. The expression levels of Caspase-3 and p-AKT in the tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Positive cell ratio and immunohistochemistry (IHC) score were recorded. Comparison between two groups was performed by paired t-test. The correlation between the degree of apoptosis and the changes of Caspase-3 and p-AKT molecules was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results:No evident adverse reactions were observed in 30 patients after hyperthermia. The apoptosis index of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells in group A was 2.37%±1.33%, and 4.27%±3.93% in group B ( P=0.006). In group A, the ratio of Caspase-3 positive cells in tumor tissues was 62.31%±19.49% and 80.79%±17.15% in group B ( P=0.001). The ratio of p-AKT positive cells in group A was 31.26%±19.30%, and 26.26%±15.86% in group B ( P=0.023). There was a positive correlation between the degree of apoptosis and the changes of Caspase-3 molecule ( r=0.544, P=0.002), but a negative correlation was noted between the degree of apoptosis and the changes of p-AKT molecule ( r=-0.434, P=0.017). Conclusion:Hyperthermia can promote the apoptosis of tumor cells in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which may be related to Caspase-3 dependent apoptosis, and the inhibition of AKT phosphorylation is also involved in this process.

Effect of down-regulation of FABP5 on radiation damage of human keratinocytes / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of down-regulation of FABP5 (fatty acid binding protein 5) on radiation damage of skin cells, and explore underlying mechanism.Methods:A lentiviral vector with down-regulated FABP5 was constructed to infect human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells, and the transfection efficiency was examined. The HaCaT cells were divided into blank control group, FABP5 down-regulation group (FABP5), radiation group (IR), and FABP5 down-regulation combined with radiation group (FABP5+ IR). After 6 MV X-ray radiation, cell proliferation viability was measured by CCK-8 assay, cell migration was detected by scratch assay, apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, radiosensitivity was evaluated by cloning formation assay, and the cellular protein expressions of PARP1, γ-H2AX, AKT and p-AKT were detected by Western blot.Results:FABP5 was successfully knocked-down in both RNA level ( t=25.14, P<0.05) and protein level ( t=20.06, P<0.05). The down-regulation of FABP5 decreased the abilities of cells proliferation ( t=3.55, 5.88, 3.18, P<0.05) and migration ( t=15.44, P<0.05), but increased cell resistance to irradiation with a radiosensitization ratio of 0.782. The apoptosis rate of FABP5+ IR group was significantly lower than IR group (22.05±6.71)% vs. (9.82±1.45)%, t=3.08, P<0.05. The protein levels of PARP1 and γ-H2AX in FABP5+ IR group were also lower than those in the IR group 0.04±0.04, 0.11±0.06, 0.26±0.11, 0.22±0.07, 0.21±0.10, 0.52±0.22, 0.57±0.06, 0.43±0.02( t=2.83, 3.07, 4.50, 5.33, P<0.05), while the protein level of p-Akt in FABP5+ IR group was higher than that in IR group ( t=-16.24—3.02, P<0.05). Conclusions:Down-regulation of FABP5 inhibited cell proliferation and migration, increased radioresistance, and reduced radiation-induced apoptosis and DNA damage of skin cells probably through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.