Variation of Ferroptosis-Related Markers in HaCaT Cell Photoaging Models Induced by UVB.

Objective: To investigate the variation of ferroptosis-related markers in HaCaT cell photoaging models induced by ultraviolet-B (UVB). Methods: UVB-treated HaCaT cells served as the model (UVB group) for cellular photoaging, whereas untreated HaCaT cells served as the control group. HaCaT cells were exposed to UVB and the ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) as part of the UVB+Fer-1 group, and co-cultured with the ferroptosis inducer Erastin as part of the UVB+Erastin group. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection kit and senescence-related ß galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) staining were used to evaluate the senescence of HaCaT cells. Lipid reactive oxygen species were detected by C11 BODIPY581/591 probe and mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and ferroptosis-suppressor-protein 1 (FSP1) were detected by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-RCP), and the level of GPX4 protein was measured by immunofluorescence assay. Results: The UVB group had considerably greater levels of ROS, SA-ß-gal, and lipid reactive oxygen species than the control group. The UVB group's mitochondrial volume was reduced, the membrane density increased, and the mitochondrial crest decreased or even disappeared. GPX4 and FSP1 expression levels were similarly found to be lower in the UVB group. Furthermore, the positive rate of SA-ß-gal and lipid reactive oxygen species in the UVB+Fer-1 group was much lower than in the UVB group, but it was reverse in the UVB+Erastin group. This study showed that induced ferroptosis can aggravate aging, and vice versa. Conclusion: According to the findings, ferroptosis may be linked to UVB-induced skin photoaging, which could be attenuated by inhibition of ferroptosis.

Mechanism of Ba Zhen Tang Delaying Skin Photoaging Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

Purpose: To study the efficacy of Ba Zhen Tang in delaying skin photoaging and its potential mechanism based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: First, we screened the active components and targets of Ba Zhen Tang by Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and The Universal Protein Resource (UniProt). The target genes of skin photoaging were obtained from GeneCards and GeneMap database. Then, we analyzed the protein-protein interaction (PPI) by STRING database. The network map was constructed by Cytoscape. Finally, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis by Metascape database. The molecular docking via Autodock Vina and Pymol. Furthermore, skin photoaging cellular models were established, and the effects of Ba Zhen Tang on ameliorating skin photoaging were investigated. Results: A total of 160 active ingredients in Ba Zhen Tang and 60 targets of Ba Zhen Tang for delaying skin photoaging were identified. By GO enrichment analysis, 1153 biological process entries, 45 cellular component entries and 89 molecular functional entries were obtained. A total of 155 signal pathways were obtained by KEGG analysis. Ba Zhen Tang is related to MAPK signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, etc., which directly affect the key nodes of photoaging. The molecular docking results showed that there was a certain affinity between the main compounds (kaempferol, quercetin, ß-sitosterol, naringenin) and core target genes (PTGS2, CASP3, MAPK1, MAPK3, TP53). Ba Zhen Tang-treated mouse serum inhibited the senescence and p16INK4a expression of human immortalized keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells irradiated by ultraviolet-B (UVB). Conclusion: Our study elucidated the potential pharmacological mechanism of Ba Zhen Tang in the treatment of photoaging through multiple targets and pathways. The therapeutic effects of Ba Zhen Tang on skin photoaging were validated in cellular models.

A network pharmacology-based study of the potential targets and mechanisms of action of Qibao Meiran Dan in delaying skin aging.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use network pharmacology to explore the potential targets and mechanisms of action of Qibao Meiran Dan in relation to delaying skin aging. METHODS: The traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform, and the traditional Chinese medicine integrated database, were used to screen the active ingredients and targets of Qibao Meiran Dan. The human gene database GeneCards and the gene database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information were jointly adopted to obtain skin aging-related target genes. The search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins (STRING) database was used for core analysis of protein-protein interaction. RESULTS: In total, 72 effective active ingredients, 273 action targets, 234 skin aging target genes, and 64 intersecting core targets were identified. GO enrichment analysis provided 393 biological process entries, and the KEGG analysis was represented by the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, where the core targets of TNF-α and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) were enriched. The experimental results showed that cell morphology was clearer and more refractive in the Qibao Meiran Dan group than in the model group. CONCLUSION: Qibao Meiran Dan may regulate oxidative stress injury and collagen metabolism by downregulating the expression of TNF-α and MMP-1, thus slowing skin aging.

Artesunate treatment ameliorates ultraviolet irradiation-driven skin photoaging via increasing ß-catenin expression.

OBJECTIVE: Artesunate, a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, exerts various pharmacological activities. Nevertheless, the effects of Art on skin photoaging remain unclear. Herein, we investigated whether Art ameliorated ultraviolet-irradiated skin photoaging in HaCaT cells and mice. METHODS: To construct skin photoaging cellular models, HaCaT cells were irradiated by UV (UVB, 20mJ/cm2) for 5 days. HaCaT cells were pretreated with three concentrations of Art (1, 5 and 20 µg/ml) for 2 h each day. After 5 days, cell senescence, ROS production, SOD levels, p16INK4a and ß-catenin expression, proliferation and apoptosis were detected in HaCaT cells. Effects of Art on normal cells were investigated. After sh-ß-catenin transfection or XAV-939 treatment, HaCaT cells were pretreated with 20 µg/ml Art and irradiated by UVB. After 5 days, skin photoaging was then observed. Furthermore, skin photoaging mouse models were established and the effects of Art and ß-catenin silencing on skin photoaging were investigated. RESULTS: Art treatment suppressed cell senescence, intracellular ROS production, p16INK4a expression and apoptosis and promoted proliferation and SOD and ß-catenin expression in UVB irradiated HaCaT cells. But Art had no toxic effects on normal cells. Silencing ß-catenin by sh-ß-catenin or XAV-939 exacerbated UVB irradiation-mediated cell senescence, apoptosis, and ROS production in HaCaT cells, which was ameliorated by Art treatment. The therapeutic effects of Art on skin photoaging were also confirmed in mouse models. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that Art treatment alleviated UVB irradiation-driven skin photoaging through enhancing ß-catenin expression, which offered novel clues for pharmacological activity of Art.

Anxiety and related factors in frontline clinical nurses fighting COVID-19 in Wuhan.

The aim of this study was to examine the anxiety status of the frontline clinical nurses in the designated hospitals for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan and to analyze the influencing factors, to provide data for psychologic nursing.This study used a cross-sectional survey design and convenience sampling. The questionnaires were completed by 176 frontline clinical nurses. Anxiety was determined using the Hamilton anxiety scale. General data were collected using a survey. Correlation analyses were used.Among the 176 frontline nurses, 77.3% (136/176) had anxiety. The anxiety scores of the frontline clinical nurse fighting COVID-19 were 17.1 ±â€Š8.1. Anxiety symptoms, mild to moderate anxiety symptoms, and severe anxiety symptoms were found in 27.3%, 25%, and 25% of the nurses, respectively. Sex, age, marital status, length of service, and clinical working time against COVID-19 were associated with anxiety (P < .05).The frontline nurses working in the designated hospitals for the treatment of COVID-19 in Wuhan had serious anxiety. Sex, age, length of service, and clinical working time against COVID-19 were associated with anxiety in those nurses. Psychologic care guidance, counseling, and social support should be provided to the nurses to reduce their physical and mental burden. Nursing human resources in each province should be adjusted according to each province's reality.