Sex differences in luteinizing hormone aggravates Aß deposition in APP/PS1 and Aß1-42-induced mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibits a higher incidence rate among older women, and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis during aging is associated with cognitive impairments and the development of dementia. luteinizing hormone (LH) has an important role in CNS function, such as mediating neuronal pregnenolone production, and modulating neuronal plasticity and cognition. The sex differences in LH and its impact on Aß deposition in AD individuals remain unclear, with no reported specific mechanisms. Here, we show through data mining that LH-related pathways are significantly enriched in female AD patients. Additionally, LH levels are elevated in female AD patients and exhibit a negative correlation with cognitive levels but a positive correlation with AD pathology levels, and females exhibit a greater extent of AD pathology, such as Aß deposition. In vivo, we observed that the exogenous injection of LH exacerbated behavioral impairments induced by Aß1-42 in mice. LH injection resulted in worsened neuronal damage and increased Aß deposition. In SH-SY5Y cells, co-administration of LH with Aß further exacerbated Aß-induced neuronal damage. Furthermore, LH can dose-dependently decrease the levels of NEP and LHR proteins while increasing the expression of GFAP and IBA1 in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, these results indicate that LH can exacerbate cognitive impairment and neuronal damage in mice by increasing Aß deposition. The potential mechanism may involve the reduction of NEP and LHR expression, along with the exacerbation of Aß-induced inflammation.

DG-8d, a novel diosgenin derivative, decreases the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of A549 cells by inhibiting the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway.

Lung neoplasm has a relatively poor prognosis, and the clinical efficacy of targeted medicine remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, the development of novel efficient anti-lung cancer drugs is urgently needed. In our previous study, we showed that a novel diosgenin derivative 8d (DG-8d), which contained 5-(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety, had significant cytotoxic activity on human tumor cells, especially the A549 cells. However, the underlying mechanism of DG-8d was unknown. In this study, the pharmacological effect of DG-8d on the A549 cells was inspected. METHOD: Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by CCK-8 assays, morphological changes and quantitative analysis of flow cytometry. Levels of gene and protein expression of apoptosis-related and PI3k/Akt pathway were evaluated by qRT-PCR, immunostaining and Western blot analysis. RESULT: The findings proved that DG-8d could inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis. The effect of DG-8d on the proliferation and apoptosis in the A549 cells were improved with LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor). Moreover, the effect of DG-8d on apoptosis was further confirmed by AO-EB dye, mitochondrial depolarization and accrued intracellular ROS. Gene and protein detection showed that DG-8d or DG-8d combined with LY294002 could down-regulate signaling molecules of Bcl-2, PI3k, p-Akt, p-FoxO3a and up-regulate signaling molecules of Bax snd Bim. In addition, nuclear translocation of FoxO3a was observed significantly in the cells. CONCLUSION: DG-8d could inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of the A549 cells, which maybe mainly because of the suppression of the PI3k/Akt pathways. Finally, we believe that DG-8d can be developed as a possible agent for carcinoma therapy.

DP from Euphorbia fischeriana S. mediated apoptosis in leukemia cells via the PI3k/Akt signaling pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Euphorbia fischeriana S. (E. fischeriana) is a classic Chinese herb with toxicity that is mainly used for cancer treatment and in insect repellent, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema applications (Liu et al., 2001). 12-Deoxyphorbol13-palmitate (DP), a tetracyclic diterpene monomer compound, was extracted from the roots of E. fischeriana by our research groups. AIM: Previous studies found that DP could inhibit the proliferation of leukemia cells in vitro. However, the underlying mechanism of DP in leukemia is unknown. Hence, DP's pharmacological effect on leukemia cells was investigated in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DP was obtained from the Natural Medicine Chemistry Laboratory of Qiqihaer Medical University. In vitro, K562 cells and HL60 cells were incubated with DP or DP combined with LY294002 at different concentrations. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by the relevant experimental methods. In vivo, nude mouse xenograft models were established by injecting K562 cells. DP was intraperitoneally administered to observe the influence on the growth of transplanted tumors. Gene detection and immunoblot analysis were performed to validate the mechanisms. RESULTS: The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay proved that DP inhibited the growth of K562 and HL60 cells in a time- or dose-dependent manner. At 12 h, DP could induce apoptosis by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) dual labeling, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation in K562 or HL60 cells. Furthermore, in an assay of gene and protein expression, we found that DP could downregulate the gene and protein expression levels of Bcl-2, upregulate the gene and protein expression levels of Bax and Bim, and downregulate the protein expression levels of PI3k, p-Akt, and p-FoxO3a. Moreover, the effects of DP on proliferation and apoptosis in K562 cells were enhanced by LY294002. Then, we tested the antitumor effects of DP in vivo. Nude mouse xenograft models were established by subcutaneously injecting K562 cells. We found that tumor volume was significantly decreased in DP-treated xenograft nude mice. Morphologic changes, apoptosis degree, and related gene and protein expression levels in transplanted tumor tissue of DP-treated nude mice were assessed by different experimental methods. CONCLUSIONS: The in vivo and in vitro experimental results indicated that DP might inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of leukemia cells, which might be a result of suppressing the PI3k/Akt signaling pathways.

Alteration in the Function and Expression of SLC and ABC Transporters in the Neurovascular Unit in Alzheimer's Disease and the Clinical Significance.

The neurovascular unit (NVU) plays an important role in maintaining the function of the central nervous system (CNS). Emerging evidence has indicated that the NVU changes function and molecules at the early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which initiates multiple pathways of neurodegeneration. Cell types in the NVU have become attractive targets in the interventional treatment of AD. The NVU transportation system contains a variety of proteins involved in compound transport and neurotransmission. Brain transporters can be classified as members of the solute carrier (SLC) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) families in the NVU. Moreover, the transporters can regulate both endogenous toxins, including amyloid-beta (Aß) and xenobiotic homeostasis, in the brains of AD patients. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified some transporter gene variants as susceptibility loci for late-onset AD. Therefore, the present study summarizes changes in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in AD, identifies the location of SLC and ABC transporters in the brain and focuses on major SLC and ABC transporters that contribute to AD pathology.

Kai-Xin-San, a Chinese Herbal Decoction, Accelerates the Degradation of ß-Amyloid by Enhancing the Expression of Neprilysin in Rats.

This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of Kai-Xin-San (KXS, a famous Chinese herbal decoction used to treat amnesia) on the degradation of Aß and further elucidate the mechanism of KXS on Aß-induced memory dysfunction. After pretreatment with KXS (1.08 g/kg/day) for two weeks, Aß 42 (2 µL, 200 µM) was injected into rat hippocampus to induce cognitive dysfunction. Morris water maze (MWM) test was developed to evaluate cognitive performance in rats. Hippocampal neurons were observed by histological staining using Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) methods. Levels of exogenous Aß 42, which was injected into the hippocampus, were continually measured through a special Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit to observe the catabolic process of Aß in the brain. Similarly, Aß degradation in PC12 cells was also investigated using the ELISA kit. The expressions of Aß degeneration enzymes, including neprilysin (NEP), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE), were detected by western blotting to elucidate Aß reduction mechanism. Our results showed that KXS prevented Aß 42-induced cognitive impairment and attenuated hippocampus neuronal damage caused by Aß 42. Moreover, KXS could accelerate Aß 42 degradation in Aß 42 injected rats. Furthermore, NEP, an Aß degradation enzyme, was increased in the hippocampus while ECE and ACE, other two Aß-degrading enzymes, were not changed. KXS accelerated Aß degradation in PC12 cells. Our findings revealed that KXS facilitated the degradation of Aß 42 by increasing the expression of NEP in rat hippocampus. By reducing the Aß burdens, KXS protected hippocampal neurons, leading to the improvement of cognitive function in rats.

Resveratrol and Amyloid-Beta: Mechanistic Insights.

The amyloid-beta (Aß) hypothesis that dyshomeostasis between Aß production and clearance is a very early, key molecular factor in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been proposed and examined in the AD research field. Scientists have focused on seeking natural products or drugs to influence the dynamic equilibrium of Aß, targeting production and clearance of Aß. There is emerging evidence that resveratrol (Res), a naturally occurring polyphenol mainly found in grapes and red wine, acts on AD in numerous in vivo and in vitro models. Res decreases the amyloidogenic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), enhances clearance of amyloid beta-peptides, and reduces Aß aggregation. Moreover, Res also protects neuronal functions through its antioxidant properties. This review discusses the action of Res on Aß production, clearance and aggregation and multiple potential mechanisms, providing evidence of the useful of Res for AD treatment.

Neuroprotective mechanism of Kai Xin San: upregulation of hippocampal insulin-degrading enzyme protein expression and acceleration of amyloid-beta degradation.

Kai Xin San is a Chinese herbal formula composed of Radix Ginseng, Poria, Radix Polygalae and Acorus Tatarinowii Rhizome. It has been used in China for many years for treating amnesia. Kai Xin San ameliorates amyloid-ß (Aß)-induced cognitive dysfunction and is neuroprotective in vivo, but its precise mechanism remains unclear. Expression of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), which degrades Aß, is strongly correlated with cognitive function. Here, we injected rats with exogenous Aß42 (200 µM, 5 µL) into the hippocampus and subsequently administered Kai Xin San (0.54 or 1.08 g/kg/d) intragastrically for 21 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining revealed that Kai Xin San protected neurons against Aß-induced damage. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot and polymerase chain reaction results showed that Kai Xin San decreased Aß42 protein levels and increased expression of IDE protein, but not mRNA, in the hippocampus. Our findings reveal that Kai Xin San facilitates hippocampal Aß degradation and increases IDE expression, which leads, at least in part, to the alleviation of hippocampal neuron injury in rats.

P-gp, MRP2 and OAT1/OAT3 mediate the drug-drug interaction between resveratrol and methotrexate.

The purpose of present study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol (Res) on altering methotrexate (MTX) pharmacokinetics and clarify the related molecular mechanism. Res significantly increased rat intestinal absorption of MTX in vivo and in vitro. Simultaneously, Res inhibited MTX efflux transport in MDR1-MDCK and MRP2-MDCK cell monolayers, suggesting that the target of drug interaction was MDR1 and MRP2 in the intestine during the absorption process. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in renal clearance of MTX after simultaneous intravenous administration. Similarly, MTX uptake was markedly inhibited by Res in rat kidney slices and hOAT1/3-HEK293 cell, indicating that OAT1 and OAT3 were involved in the drug interaction in the kidney. Additionally, concomitant administration of Res decreased cytotoxic effects of MTX in hOAT1/3-HEK293 cells, and ameliorated nephrotoxicity caused by MTX in rats. Conversely, intestinal damage caused by MTX was not exacerbated after Res treatment. In conclusion, Res enhanced MTX absorption in intestine and decreased MTX renal elimination by inhibiting P-gp, MRP2, OAT1 and OAT3 in vivo and in vitro. Res improved MTX-induced renal damage without increasing intestinal toxicity.

Dioscin protects against ANIT-induced cholestasis via regulating Oatps, Mrp2 and Bsep expression in rats.

Alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) is a toxicant that is widely used in rodents to model human intrahepatic cholestasis. The aim of the study is to investigate whether effects of dioscin on ANIT-induced cholestasis are related to changes in expression of hepatic transporters in rats. Effects of dioscin on cholestasis were examined by histology and biochemical marker levels. The functional changes of hepatic transporters were determined by in vitro, in situ and in vivo. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to assess the expression of hepatic transporters in cholestatic rats. Dioscin administration could ameliorate cholestasis, as evidenced by reduced biochemical markers as well as improved liver pathology. The uptakes of organic anion transporting polypeptide (Oatp) substrates were altered in liver uptake index in vivo, perfused rat liver in situ and isolated rat hepatocytes in vitro in cholestasis rats. qRT-PCR and western blot analysis indicated co-treatment of ANIT with dioscin prevented the adaptive down-regulation of Oatp1a1, 1b2, and prompted the up-regulation of Oatp1a4, multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mrp) 2 and bile salt export pump (Bsep). In addition, concerted effects on Mrp2 and Bsep occurred through up-regulation of small heterodimer partner by activating farnesoid X receptor. Dioscin might prevent impairment of hepatic function by restoring hepatic transporter expression.

Resveratrol Increases Anti-Proliferative Activity of Bestatin Through Downregulating P-Glycoprotein Expression Via Inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway in K562/ADR Cells.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle in the clinical therapy of hematological malignancies. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpression results in reduction of intracellular drug concentration with a consequence that the cytotoxicity of anti-tumor drugs is decreased, which leads to MDR in K562/ADR cells. In this study, we found that resveratrol enhanced the anti-proliferative activity of bestatin in K562/ADR cells. Co-treatment with resveratrol, IC50 values of bestatin in K562/ADR cells significantly decreased and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8 increased, which indicated that resveratrol potentiated bestatin-induced apoptosis. Resveratrol increased the intracellular concentration of bestatin through inhibiting P-gp function and downregulating P-gp expression at mRNA and protein levels, which increased anti-proliferative activity of bestatin in K562/ADR cells. Resveratrol decreased the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR but did not affect the phosphorylations of JNK or ERK1/2. These results demonstrated that resveratrol could increase the anti-proliferative activity of bestatin through downregulating P-gp expression via suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

[Progress in regulation of drug transporters and metabolic enzymes by resveratrol].

Drug transporters and metabolic enzymes are two major factors in the regulation of disposition of drug in the body. Interestingly, resveratrol, as a new star of anticancer drug, has a close relationship with transporters and metabolic enzymes. It is known that resveratrol can activate or inhibit the function of several transporters directly. Furthermore, the expression of several transporters was changed. Meanwhile, resveratrol is able to inhibit the function of metabolic enzymes (cytochrome P450, CYP450) and regulate the expression of metabolic enzymes. For this reason, when resveratrol is administrated in combination with other drugs, drug-drug interaction (DDI) should be considered. In this review, we summarize the distribution of transporters and metabolic enzymes in the body, the effect of resveratrol on transporters and metabolic enzymes as well as the drug-resveratrol interaction mediated by transporters and metabolic enzymes.

Enhancement effect of resveratrol on the intestinal absorption of bestatin by regulating PEPT1, MDR1 and MRP2 in vivo and in vitro.

The purpose of present study was to assess the enhancing effect of resveratrol (Res) on the absorption of bestatin and clarify the related molecular mechanism. Res facilitated bestatin absorption by down-regulating both protein and gene levels of multidrug resistance 1 (Mdr1) and Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2), and up-regulating oligopeptide transporter 1 (Pept1) protein and mRNA expression in rat intestine. In the same manner, Res increased penetration of bestatin via significantly activating mRNA and protein expression of PEPT1 in Caco-2 cells. Conversely, mRNA and protein expression levels of MDR1, MRP2 and phosphorylation level of Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) were inhibited by Res in Caco-2 cells. Moreover, Res also altered the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (AKT). Res enhanced the intracellular concentration of bestatin by down-regulating MDR1 and MRP2 expression through a mechanism that involves IGF-1R/AKT/ERK signaling pathway inhibition in Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, Res enhances bestatin absorption by regulating PEPT1, MDR1 and MRP2 both in vivo and in vitro.