RESUMO
Objective:To investigate the effect of Liangxue Huoxue decoction on intestinal flora, intestinal barrier and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pyroptosis signaling pathway in mice model of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods:The model of AKI was established by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), sepsis group (CLP group) and sepsis+Liangxue Huoxue decoction (CLP+LXHX group), with 10 mice in each group. Mice in Sham group only underwent laparotomy. Two hours before model establishment, mice in CLP+LXHX group were treated with Liangxue Huoxue decoction (6 g/kg) by gavage; mice in Sham group and CLP group were given equal volume of normal saline by gavages. After 24 hours of modeling, all mice were sacrificed under anesthesia, and the colon and kidney tissues and fresh feces in the colon were taken. The pathological changes of kidney and colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining under light microscope. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect inflammatory factors (interleukins, IL-1β and IL-18) in renal tissue. The expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected by Western blotting. The changes of intestinal flora in mice were detected by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing.Results:Compared with the Sham group, the inflammatory cell infiltration of the kidney tissue was increased and the kidney became vacuolated in CLP group, the mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-18, and the protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were significantly increased in CLP group, the species richness of intestinal microflora decreased significantly, the relative abundance of Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella increased significantly, and the relative abundance of Ileibacterium, Alloprevotella, Lachnospiraceae, Klebsiella and Parasutterella increased significantly in CLP group. Compared with CLP group, Liangxue Huoxue decoction can significantly reduce the pathological changes of kidney and colon tissue, reduce the pathological score (1.75±0.43 vs. 3.50±0.50 for kidney tissue, 1.25±0.43 vs. 4.50±0.50 for colon tissue, both P < 0.05), improve the composition of intestinal flora, reduce the relative abundance of Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella, and significantly increase the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. In addition, Liangxue Huoxue decoction can significantly reduce mRNA expressions of IL-1β and IL-18 in kidney tissue [IL-1β mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 1.59±0.05 vs. 4.61±0.88, IL-18 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 1.69±0.17 vs. 2.86±0.63, both P < 0.05] and the protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD (NLRP3/GAPDH: 0.71±0.04 vs. 0.89±0.01, caspase-1/GAPDH: 1.04±0.04 vs. 1.48±0.04, GSDMD/GAPDH: 0.90±0.01 vs. 1.41±0.02, all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Liangxue Huoxue decoction has obvious protective effect on AKI induced by sepsis. It can improve intestinal barrier by regulating intestinal flora, thereby inhibiting the activation of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway in kidney tissue and reducing the expression of proptosis-related inflammatory factors.
RESUMO
Objective:To investigate the synergistic effects and molecular mechanisms of dihydroartemisinin(DHA) and sorafenib(SOR) in inducing ferroptosis in anaplastic thyroid cancer(ATC) cells.Methods:CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays were performed to detect the effects of DHA and SOR on the proliferation and ferroptosis of ATC cells(CAL-62). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting assays were performed to detect the expressions of ferroptosis-related genes glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), solute carrier family 7 member 11 gene(SCL7A11), lipoxygenase-15(LOX-15), and p53. The levels of iron death intermediate metabolites including lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), ferrous ion(Fe 2+ ), nitric oxide(NO), and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were measured by corresponding assay kits. The corresponding inhibition of DHA and SOR on ATC in vivo was analyzed in a tumor model in nude mice. Results:Compared with the control group, DHA, SOR, and DHA+ SOR treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner( P<0.001), with increased LDH, Fe 2+, MDA, and ROS contents and reduced GSH activity( P<0.001), which were promoted by ferrous sulfate(FeSO 4)and reversed by ferroptosis inhibitor-1. Compared with the control group and the drug monotherapy group, 15-LOX-2 and p53 expressions were upregulated in DHA+ SOR group while GPX4 and SCL7A11 expressions were decreased( P<0.001), without significant difference in 15-LOX-1 protein content. In addition, NO level was significantly increased in DHA+ SOR group( P<0.001). DHA and SOR inhibited tumor growth of ATC in vivo. Conclusion:DHA and SOR synergistically induced ferroptosis via upregulating the expression of 15-LOX-2 gene and inhibiting NO synthesis in ATC cells.