Research progress of anti-gout small molecules targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome / 药学学报

Currently, clinically used drugs for the treatment of gout inflammation, such as colchicine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glucocorticoids, can only relieve the pain of joint inflammation and have severe hepatorenal toxicity and multiple organ adverse reactions. The NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a key complex that induces the onset of gout inflammation and has become a crucial target in the development of anti-gout drugs. This article reviews the research progress of anti-gout small molecules targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome and their bioactivity evaluation methods in the past five years, in order to provide information for the development of specific drugs for the treatment of gout inflammation.

Dimethyl fumarate inhibits NLRP3/AIM2 inflammasomes to prevent spleen radiation injury ZHANG / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the protective effect of dimethyl fumarate on spleen injury induced by gamma radiation in mice and the related mechanism. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the blank control group, radiation model group and DMF administration group, which were administered once at 12 h before irradiation and once at 0. 5 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after irradiation. The 30-day survival rate, body weight and pathological injury of spleen were measured after a one-time total body irradiation of Co 7 rays (8 Gy). TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis of spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunoassay ( ELISA) was applied to detect the contents of TNF-a, IL-1 p, IL-6, IL-18, NLRP3 and AIM2 in spleen. Western blot test and immunofluorescence staining test was employed to verify the changes of NLRP3 and AIM2 contents in spleen tissue after irradiation. Results DMF could obviously improve the survival rate of irradiated mice, improve the weight loss of irradiated mice, re-duce the pathological injury of spleen, and inhibit the apoptosis of spleen cells after irradiation. ELISA results showed that DMF could significantly inhibit the increase of spleen inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-lp, IL-6, IL-18 and inflammasome components NL-RP3 and AIM2 induced by irradiation. Western blot and tissue immunofluorescence staining also confirmed that DMF could inhibit the increase of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome protein levels caused by irradiation. Meanwhile, NLRP3 agonist and AIM2 agonist could antagonize the radiation protection effect of DMF on spleen cells. Conclusion DMF can ameliorate spleen injury of Co 7-ray injured mice, and its mechanism is closely related to NLRP3/AIM2 inflamma-somes, which can be used as a potential protective drug for radiation injury.

Konjac Mannan Oligosaccharides enhanced intestinal barrier function to improve alcoholic nervous injury / 中国药理学通报

Aim Excessive cerebral inflammation caused by chronic alcohol intake is an important risk factor for central nervous system injury. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of konjac mannan oligosaccharide (KMOS) on central nervous system inflammation in alcohol-fed mice and its mechanism. Methods The chronic alcohol fed model of C57BL/6J mice was established using Gao-binge method. And the different doses of KMOS were gavaged every day for 6 weeks. The neuronal damage and microglia activation were evaluated in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The damage of colon tissue was assessed and serum LPS concentrations were measured. In vitro, Caco-2 cells were stimulated with LPS to establish intestinal mucosal injury model. Results Chronic alcohol intake can cause brain neuron damage in mice, and different doses of KMOS effectively reduced the activation state of microglia, decreased the expression of inflammatory factors caused by the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and alleviated neuronal damage in the brain tissue of alcohol-fed mice. The results of colon tissue analysis showed that the use of KMOS effectively reduced the concentration of endotoxin LPS in serum of alcohol-fed mice, alleviated the pathological injury and inflammatory response of colon tissue, and enhanced the expression of Occludin in intestinal tissue. In vitro experiments also showed that KMOS significantly inhibited the inflammatory reaction of Caco-2 cells exposed to alcohol and increased the expression of Occludin protein. Conclusions KMOS treatment effectively inhibited intestinal inflammation caused by alcohol intake, repaired intestinal barrier to prevent the entry of intestinal LPS into brain tissue, decreased the activation of microglia, and then improved brain neuron damage. KMOS had the potential to prevent alcoholic nerve injury.

Advances in relationship between pyroptosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension and therapeutic drugs / 中国药理学通报

Pyroptosis is the programmed death of cells accompanied by an inflammatory response and is widely involved in the development of a variety of diseases, such as infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. It has been shown that cellular scorching is involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH) in cardiovascular diseases. Patients with PAH have perivascular inflammatory infiltrates in lungs, pulmonary vasculopathy exists in an extremely inflam-matory microenvironment, and pro-inflammatory factors in cellular scorching drive pulmonary vascular remodelling in PAH patients. This article reviews the role of cellular scorch in the pathogenesis of PAH and the related research on drugs for the treatment of PAH, with the aim of providing new ideas for clinical treatment of PAH.

Berberine interferes with RSV infection of HEp-2 cells by inducing mitophagy autophagy / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effect of berberine (B E) on RSV infected HEp-2 cells and the related mechanism. Methods HEp-2 cells were infected with RSV and treated with BE. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, PINK1, Parkin, Beclinl, p62, LC3 I,LC3 II,and BNIP3 in HEp-2 cells were detected by Western blot. The secretion level of IL-1 p in HEp-2 cells was measured using ELISA. Apoptosis rate and mitochondrial membrane potential of HEp-2 cells were examined by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) in HEp-2 cells was detected through MitoSOX staining. Colocalization of mitochondria and autophagosomes in HEp-2 cells was investigated using immunofluorescence staining. Cyclosporin A was used for validation experiments. Results BE could significantly improve the activity of RSV-infected HEp-2 cells,reduce the apoptosis rate (P < 0. 05), and decrease the activation level of NLRP3 inflammasomes and IL-lp level (P <0. 05); BE improved mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels,and reduced mtROS. BE significantly promoted the colocalization of mitochondria-autophagosome in RSV infected cells, inducing PINK1/ Parkin and BNIP3 to mediate mitochondrial autophagy; cyclosporine A aggravated RSV infection. Conclusions BE has protective effects on HEp-2 cells infected by RSV. The mechanism may be related to the inhibitory effect of BE on the production of mtROS and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes by inducing PINK1/ Parkin and BNIP3-mediated mitochondrial autophagy.

Research progress of NLRP3 inflammasome in the treatment of uveitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a cellular multimeric protein complex that plays a crucial role in inflammation and immune responses. It consists of three main components: Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing(ASC)and cysteine protease 1(caspase-1). Uveitis is a broad term encompassing a range of inflammatory diseases that primarily affect the iris, ciliary body, vitreous, retina and choroid. It is considered a major cause of blindness globally. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in the onset and progression of uveitis, indicating its potential as a significant therapeutic target for uveitis in the future. This article provides an overview of the structure, biological functions and activation pathways of the NLRP3 inflammasome, as well as the current research progress on its association with different types of uveitis. Additionally, it discusses the application potential of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the treatment of uveitis.

Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma Treats Atherosclerosis via NLRP3 Inflammasome-mediated Pyroptosis of Macrophages / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma （SRCR） on atherosclerosis （AS） in mice and the effect of SRCR on macrophage pyroptosis in plaques via NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasomes. MethodApoE-/- mice were fed with a high-fat diet for the modeling of AS and randomized into model， atorvastatin （5 mg·kg-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.95， 3.9， 7.8 g·kg-1， respectively） SRCR groups. Normal C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control group. After 8 weeks of administration， hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological status of the aortic plaque. The lipid accumulation in aortic plaque was observed by oil red O staining. The serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） in mice were measured. Immunofluorescence double staining was employed to detect the co-localized expression of EGF-like module-containing mucin-like hormone receptor-like 1 （EMR1）/NLRP3 and EMR1/gasdermin D （GSDMD）. The serum levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein levels of NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein （ASC）， Caspase-1， cleaved Caspase-1， GSDMD， N-terminus of GSDMD （GSDMD-NT）， pro-IL-1β， IL-1β， and IL-18 were determined by Western blot， and the mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD， IL-1β， and IL-18 were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group showed obvious plaques， elevated serum levels of TG， TC， LDL-C， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）， lowered serum level of HDL-C （P<0.01）， and up-regulated expression of NLRP3 inflammasomes and molecules related to pyroptosis in the aortic plaques （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， SRCR， especially at the medium and high doses， alleviated the plaque pathology， reduced the lipid content in plaques （P<0.05， P<0.01）， recovered the serum lipid levels （P<0.05）， reduced the macrophage recruitment （P<0.01）， activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes， and pyroptosis in aortic root plaques （P<0.05）， lowered the serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， cleaved Caspase-1， GSDMD， GSDMD-NT， pro-IL-1β， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.05） and the mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD， IL-1β， and IL-18 in the aortic tissue （P<0.05）. ConclusionSRCR exerts a therapeutic effect on high-fat diet-induced AS in mice by inhibiting the activation NLRP3 inflammasomes and reducing the pyroptosis of macrophages in plaques.

Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in IgA Nephropathy and Chinese Medicine Intervention： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

IgA nephropathy is recognized as the most common primary glomerular disease， with up to 20%-40% of patients developing end-stage kidney disease within 20 years of onset. The deposition of IgA1-containing immune complexes targeting glycosylation defects in the mesangial region and the subsequent inflammation caused by T lymphocyte activation are considered as the main causes of IgA nephropathy， and innate immunity is also involved in the pathogenesis. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain （NOD）-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） is a newly discovered pattern recognition receptor expressed in renal intrinsic cells such as renal tubular epithelial cells， mesangial cells， and podocytes. Activated by external stimuli， NLRP3 can form NLRP3 inflammasomes with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain （ASC）. The NLRP3 inflammasome can activate cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， causing the maturation and release of interleukin-18 （IL-18） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） involved in inflammation. Increasing evidence has suggested that NLRP3 inflammasomes are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of IgA nephropathy and associated with the damage of renal intrinsic cells such as podocytes， mesangial cells， endothelial cells， and renal tubular epithelial cells. Chinese medicine can regulate inflammatory cytokines and their signaling pathways by acting on NLRP3 inflammasomes and related molecules， exerting therapeutic effects on IgA nephropathy. This article introduces the role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in IgA nephropathy and reviews the clinical and experimental research progress of Chinese medicine intervention in IgA nephropathy via NLRP3 inflammasomes， aiming to provide a reference for further research and application of Chinese medicine intervention in the NLRP3 inflammasome as a new therapeutic target.

Relationship between hyperuricemia, HSP70 and NLRP3 inflammasome in arterial hypertension / La relación hiperuricemia-HSP70-NLRP3 inflamosoma en la hipertensión arterial

Abstract Arterial hypertension is the most important cardiovascular risk factor in chronic non-communicable diseases and is estimated to be responsible for 10.4 million deaths annually. The global prevalence of hypertension is 30% and the majority of people with hypertension do not have a clear identifiable cause and are considered to have primary hypertension. Experimental and clinical investigations from several research groups, including ours, have established that inflammation and autoimmune reactivity play a role in the sodium retention and hemodynamic responses that drive primary hypertension. Hyperuricemia and heat stress proteins (HSP), particularly HSP70, are both associated with the activation of innate immunity that plays a role in the development of inflammatory reactivity in the hypertensive patient. Clinical studies have shown an association between the expression of HSP70 and anti-HSP70 antibodies and primary hypertension. This brief review aims to examine the interrelation between hyperuricemia and extracellular overexpression of HSP70 in the activation of the inflammasome that may have a central role in the pathophysiology of primary hypertension.

Resumen La hipertensión arterial es el factor de riesgo cardiovascular más importante de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles y se estima que es responsable de 10.4 millones de muertes al año. La prevalencia mundial de la hipertensión es del 30%; la mayoría de las personas con hipertensión no tienen una causa claramente identificable y se considera que tienen hipertensión primaria. Las investigaciones experimentales y clínicas de varios grupos de investigación, incluido el nuestro, han establecido que la inflamación y la reactividad autoinmune desempeñan un papel en la retención de sodio y las respuestas hemodinámicas que provocan la hipertensión primaria. La hiperuricemia y las proteínas del estrés por calor (HSP), particularmente HSP70, están asociadas con la activación de la inmunidad innata que juega un papel en el desarrollo de la reactividad inflamatoria en pacientes hipertensos. Estudios clínicos han demostrado asociación entre la expresión de HSP70 y anticuerpos anti-HSP70 y la hipertensión arterial primaria Esta breve revisión tiene como objetivo examinar la interrelación entre la hiperuricemia y la sobreexpresión extracelular de HSP70 en la activación del inflamasoma, así como su probable papel central en la fisiopatología de la hipertensión primaria.

Trans-palmitoleic acid does not modify the inflammasome expression in a rodent model of diet-induced obesity / El ácido trans-palmitoléico no modifica la expresión del inflamasoma en un modelo murino de obesidad inducida por dieta

Abstract Background: Metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) coincide with an increased expression of pro-inflammatory factors. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a complex that activates the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. (NOD-like receptor protein 3). Some nutrients, such as fatty acids, influence inflammatory processes. For example, in clinical studies, higher trans-palmitoyl acid (TP) concentrations coincide with lower adiposity and lower risk of developing T2D. This study aims to evaluate the effect of TP on NLRP3 expression in a rodent model of diet-induced obesity (DIO). Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed ad libitum with a control or a high-fat diet (HFD), added with or without TP (3 g/kg diet), for 11 weeks. IL-1β was quantified in serum, and NLRP3-related gene expression was explored in epididymal adipose tissue. Results: Despite increased weight gain in both high-fat groups, the high-fat TP group gained less weight than the high-fat group. In addition, NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression was higher in the HFD groups, but no differences were observed between the HFD and the HFD TP groups. Serum IL-1β levels were not different among groups. Conclusions: Diet supplementation with TP prevents weight gain and has a neutral influence over NLRP3 expression and IL-1β concentration in a DIO mice model.

Resumen Introducción: Las alteraciones metabólicas como la obesidad y diabetes tipo 2 (DT2) coinciden con la expresión aumentada de factores proinflamatorios. Un complejo que induce la activación de la citocina proinflamatoria IL-1β es el inflamasoma NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor protein 3). Algunos nutrimentos, como los ácidos grasos, influencian los procesos inflamatorios. Por ejemplo, en estudios clínicos, mayores concentraciones del ácido trans-palmitoléico (TP) coinciden con una menor adiposidad y un menor riesgo de desarrollar DT2. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del TP sobre la expresión del inflamasoma NLRP3 en un modelo de obesidad inducida por dieta (OID) en roedores. Métodos: Se alimentaron ratones C57BL/6J ad libitum con una dieta control o alta en lípidos (AL), adicionada o no con TP (3 g/kg dieta), durante 11 semanas. Se cuantificó la concentración de IL-1β en elsuero de los animales, y en el tejido adiposo epididimal se midió la expresión de los componentes del inflamasoma. Resultados: A pesar del aumento de peso en ambos grupos de dieta con alto contenido en lípidos, el grupo alto en lípidos TP ganó menos peso que el grupo AL. Por otro lado, la expresión de genes del inflamasoma resultó mayor en los grupos AL, pero no se encontraron diferencias entre los grupos AL y AL TP. Además, no se observaron diferencias en la concentración de IL-1β en suero entre grupos. Conclusiones: La dieta suplementada con TP previno el aumento del peso corporal, pero no modificó la expresión de los componentes del inflamasoma ni la concentración de IL-1β en suero.

Mecanismos y dianas terapéuticas del inflamasoma NLRP3 en la miocardiopatía diabética / NLRP3 inflammasome mechanism and therapeutic targets in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Resumen La cardiomiopatía diabética es una complicación grave de la diabetes causada por estrés oxidativo, inflamación, resistencia a la insulina, fibrosis miocárdica y lipotoxicidad. Se trata de un padecimiento insidioso, complejo y difícil de tratar. El inflamasoma NLRP3 desencadena la maduración y liberación de citoquinas proinflamatorias, participa en procesos fisiopatológicos como la resistencia a la insulina y la fibrosis miocárdica, además de estar estrechamente relacionado con la aparición y progresión de la cardiomiopatía diabética. El desarrollo de inhibidores dirigidos a aspectos específicos de la inflamación sugiere que el inflamasoma NLRP3 puede utilizarse para tratar la cardiomiopatía diabética. Este artículo pretende resumir el mecanismo y las dianas terapéuticas del inflamasoma NLRP3 en la cardiomiopatía diabética, así como aportar nuevas sugerencias para el tratamiento de esta enfermedad.

Abstract Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious complication of diabetes caused by oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, myocardial fibrosis, and lipotoxicity; its nature is insidious, complex and difficult to treat. NLRP3 inflammasome triggers the maturation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, participates in pathophysiological processes such as insulin resistance and myocardial fibrosis, in addition to being closely related to the development and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The development of inhibitors targeting specific aspects of inflammation suggests that NLRP3 inflammasome can be used to treat diabetic cardiomyopathy. This paper aims to summarize NLRP3 inflammasome mechanism and therapeutic targets in diabetic cardiomyopathy, and to provide new suggestions for the treatment of this disease.

Mechanism of NLRP3 Inflammasome Mediated Pyroptosis in Acute Pancreatitis - related Lung Injury / 胃肠病学

Background: Pyroptosis is involved in the occurrence of acute pancreatitis, but its role in remote organ injury remains unclear. Aims: To investigate the role and mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis in acute pancreatitis- related lung injury. Methods: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group, Z-WEHD-FMK (caspase-1 inhibitor) group and disulfiram (GSDMD inhibitor) group. Experimental SAP was constructed by using 5% sodium taurocholate in the latter 3 groups. Serum levels of amylase, lipase, procalcitonin, and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were determined; the severity of pancreatic and lung injuries was assessed by histopathology and lung wet/dry weight ratio; serum levels of pyroptosis-related inflammatory cytokines and the expressions of proteins involved in pyroptosis pathway in lung tissue were measured by ELISA method and immunohisto- chemistry and Western blotting, respectively. Results: Compared with the control group, the serum biochemical indices, MPO activity, and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18 levels in SAP group were significantly increased with aggravated pancreatic and lung tissue injuries; meanwhile, the expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in lung tissue were significantly up- regulated (all P<0.05). Pretreatment with caspase-1 or GSDMD inhibitors reduced the severity of pancreatic and lung tissue injuries, improved the serum biochemical indices and MPO activity, and ameliorated the increased pyroptosis - related inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis pathway - related proteins (all P<0.05). Conclusions: NLRP3/caspase - 1/GSDMD pathway mediated pyroptosis plays an important role in acute pancreatitis-related lung injury, and inhibition of pyroptosis pathways might be a new direction for its treatment.

Study of the improvement effect of "DuZhong-DangGui" on osteoarthritis rats via regulating NLPR3 inflammasome / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of "DuZhong-DangGui" (DZ-DG) on the knee tissue of rats with osteoarthritis (OA) and its regulation role on NLPR3 inflammasome. METHODS: Twenty-four SPF male SD rats, eighteen rats were randomly selected to establish OA model by anteri- or cruciate ligament amputation (ACLT) method, and rats were divided into control group, OA model group, DZ-DG group and positive drug group, 6 in each group, treatment for 8 weeks. The peripheral blood were collected, ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α; cartilage tissue of knee joint were collected, HE staining was used to observe pathology changes, OARSI staining was used to observe cartilage calcification and preform quantitative OARSI scoring; immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining were used to detect the contents of Caspase1 and Collagen II and the number of apoptosis in the tissue, respectively, and western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), p53, p21, NLPR3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and Pro-Caspase-1. RESULTS: Compared to control group, OA model group rats serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF - α significantly increased (P<0.01), OARSI scores significantly increased (P<0.01), chondrocyte apoptosis was increased (P<0.01), Caspase-1 content and MMP-13, p53, p21, NLPR3, ASC, Pro-Caspase-1 protein expressions significantly increased (P <0.01), while Collagen II content and TIMP-1 protein expression significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the OA model group, DZ-DG group and positive drug group rats serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL -18 and TNF - α significantly decreased (P< 0.05), chondrocyte apoptosis were significantly decreased (P<0.01), Caspase1 content, MMP-13, p53, NLPR3, Pro-Caspase-1 significantly decreased (P< 0.05), Collagen Ⅱ content and TIMP- 1 protein expression (P<0.01); DZ-DG group rats protein expression of p21 and ASC were decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The DZ-DG have protection role on cartilage of OA rats, its effect may related to mediation of NLPR3/ASC/Pro-Caspase-1 pathway, to decrease of IL-1β, and inhibition of cell apoptosis.

Research progress on mechanisms of neuroinflammation induced by methamphetamine and HIV-1 Tat protein / 中国药理学通报

Methamphetamine abuse and HIV infection are extremely serious public health and social problems facing the world today. Methamphetamine and HIV-1 Tat protein can induce neurotoxicity in an individual and synergistic way, and neuroinflammation is one of the most important mechanisms for ca-using neurotoxicity. Neuroinflammation can be mediated by glial cells, cytokines, NLRP3 inflammasomes, etc. This paper reviews the research progress of neuroinflammation induced by methamphetamine and HIV-1 Tat protein in recent years, with the aim of providing reference and basis for further exploration of the mechanisms of neuroinflammation caused by them and effective drug intervention targets in the future.

TDZD-8 alleviates oxaliplatin induced neuropathic pain / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effect of GSK-3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta) inhibitor TDZD-8 on the neuropathic pain induced by side effects of chemotherapeutic drug oxaliplatin and the underlying mechanism. Methods The rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain was established by intraperitoneal injection of oxaliplatin for five consecutive days; the anti-nociception effect was detected by intrathecal injection of TDZD-8. The spontaneous flinches and mechanical pain threshold were used to detect the changes of pain behavior of rats; immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis were used to detect the changes of spinal inflammation and protein levels of rats. Results Intrathecally injection of TDZD-8 significantly alleviated oxaliplatin induced hyperalgesia in rats. TDZD-8 injection obviously inhibited the activation spinal microglia and the inflammatory reaction. TDZD-8 administration significantly inhibited GSK-3β activation. Conclusion TDZD-8 blocks GSK-3β activation, decreases NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome mediated spinal inflammation and alleviates neuropathic pain.

Diterpenoids of Tripterygium wilfordii decrease inflammatory response of macrophage by inhibiting multiple signaling pathways / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the anti-inflammatory activ¬ity of diterpenes from Tripterygium wilfordii on lipopo- lysaccharide ( LPS)-induced macrophage and its mech¬anism. Methods MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of compounds. The Griess method was used to detect the NO on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. ELISA was applied to determine the contents of inter- leukin 6 (IL-6) , tumor necrosis factor a ( TNF-a ) , interleukin lp (IL-lfj) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) in cell culture supernatant. Western blot was used to de¬tect IkBcx, .INK, ERK, p38, STAT3 and their phos-phorylation in LPS-induced RAW264.7, as well as the effect on COX-2, iNOS, NLRP3, caspase-1 , cleaved- caspase-1. Flow cytometry was employed to detect the effects of compounds on the phagocytosis of RAW 264. 7 cells. Results Hypoglicin II (1) and ent-pimara-8 (14) , 15-diene-19-ol (6) , two diterpenoid compounds from Tripterygium wilfordii could effectively inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators ( COX-2 and iN- OS) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-lp, IL- 18) in LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. Further re¬search found that the phosphorylation of IkBcx , JNK, ERK, P38, STAT3 and NLRP3 was all inhibited; however, there was no significant effect on the expres¬sion of IkBcx, JNK, ERK, P38 and STAT3. At the same time, they also inhibited the phagocytosis of mac-rophages. Conclusions The anti-inflammatory mecha¬nism of Tripterygium wilfordii diterpenoids 1 and 6 might be through inhibiting the production of NLRP3 inflammatory bodies, inflammatory mediators (COX-2 and iNOS) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-lp and IL-18) , which is closely related to inhibiting the activation of MAPK, NF-kB and STAT3 pathway.

Mechanism of Erhuang Quzhi Granules in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver based on NF-kB/NLRP3 signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the therapeutic effect of Erhuang Quzhi Granules on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD) mouse model induced by Western diet ( WD) combined with low-dose CCl

Role and mechanism of DAPT in chronic social defeat stress-induced depressive-like behavior in mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the role and mechanism of DAPT in chronic stress-induced depressive-like behavior in mice. Methods C57BL/6J mice were treated with the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) for 10 days to establish a depression model. Mice in the drug-treated group were injected intraperitoneally with 5 mg • kg

Baicalin modulates let-7i-3p/PI3K/Akt/NF-KB signaling axis to reduce NLRP3 inflammasome activation in fibroblast like synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the effect of baicalin on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in human fibroblast like synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis ( HFLS-RA) and its mechanism. Methods To confirm that baicalin alleviated the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in HFLS-RA, immunofluorescence was used to observe the expression of NLRP3 before and after baicalin treatment. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, NF-κB p65, NL-RP3, ASC and caspase-1 after baicalin treatment for 48 h, and ELISA was employed to detect the contents of IL-1 and IL-18 in the supernatents. In order to explore the mechanism of baicalin alleviating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, double luciferin and Westen blot analysis were applied to verify the corresponding relationship between let-7i-3p and PIK3CA. RT-qPCR was utilized to determine the expression of let-7i-3p and PI3K before and after baicalin intervention. let-7i-3p interference was used to verify whether baicalin mitigated the activation of enhanced NLRP3 inflammasomes. Results Baicalin (50, 100 mg · L

Ozonated triglyceride protects against septic lethality via preventing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Sepsis is a critical dysregulated host response with high mortality and current treatment is difficult to achieve optimal efficacy. Ozone therapy has been revealed to protect infection and inflammation-related diseases due to its role in antibiotic and immunoregulatory effect. Ozonated triglyceride is a key component of ozonated oil that is one of ozone therapy dosage form. However, the potential role of ozonated triglyceride in sepsis remains unclear. This study aims to explore the effect of ozonated triglyceride on septic mouse model and the molecular mechanism.@*METHODS@#Intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) were applied to construct septic mouse model. The mouse serum was obtained for detection of cytokines, and lung tissues were collected for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining to evaluate the extent of lung injury in septic mouse with ozonated triglyceride treatment at different time and doses. The survival of septic mice was observed for 96 h and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to analyze the survival rates. In addition, primary peritoneal macrophages and human acute monocytic-leukemia cell line (THP-1) were treated with inflammasome activators with or without ozonated triglyceride. The level of cytokines was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cleavage of caspase-1 and gasdermin-D (GSDMD) was detected by Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Ozonated triglyceride at different time and doses reduced the release of inflammasome-related cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18] (all P<0.05) but not pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in septic mice (all P>0.05). Ozonated triglyceride significantly improved the survival rate of septic mice and reduced sepsis-induced lung injury (all P<0.05). Ozonated triglyceride significantly suppressed the canonical and non-canonical activation of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome (all P<0.05) but not affected absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) and NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4) inflammasomes in vitro (all P>0.05). Ozonated triglyceride reduced the cleavage of caspase-1 and the downstream GSDMD.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Ozonated triglyceride presents a protect effect on sepsis lethality via reducing cytokines release and sepsis-related organ injury. The mechanism is that ozonated triglyceride specifically suppresses the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Ozonated triglyceride is a promising candidate for sepsis treatment.