scholarly journals Potential therapeutic effect of thymoquinone and/or bee pollen on fluvastatin-induced hepatitis in rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amro E. Mohamed ◽  
Mohammed A. El-Magd ◽  
Karim S. El-Said ◽  
Mohamed El-Sharnouby ◽  
Ehab M. Tousson ◽  
...  

AbstractHepatitis is one of earlier, but serious, signs of liver damage. High doses of statins for a long time can induce hepatitis. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the therapeutic potential of thymoquinone (TQ) and bee pollen (BP) on fluvastatin (F)-induced hepatitis in rats. Rats were randomly divided into: group 1 (G1, control), G2 (F, hepatitis), G3 (F + TQ), G4 (F + BP), and G5 (F + TQ + BP). Single treatment with TQ or BP relieved fluvastatin-induced hepatitis, with best effect for the combined therapy. TQ and/or BP treatment significantly (1) reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, and total bilirubin, (2) decreased malondialdehyde levels and increased level of reduced glutathione, and activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the liver, (3) improved liver histology with mild deposition of type I collagen, (4) increased mRNA levels of transforming growth factor beta 1, nuclear factor Kappa B, and cyclooxygenase 1 and 2, and (5) decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha and upregulated interleukin 10 protein in the liver. These data clearly highlight the ability of TQ and BP combined therapy to cause better ameliorative effects on fluvastatin-induced hepatitis than individual treatment by each alone.

1992 ◽  
Vol 284 (3) ◽  
pp. 629-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Mauviel ◽  
C H Evans ◽  
J Uitto

Leukoregulin (LR), a T-cell-derived growth factor, modulates fibroblast functions in vitro [Mauviel, Rédini, Hartmann, Loyau & Pujol (1991) J. Cell Biol. 113, 1455-1462]. In the present study, incubation of human dermal fibroblasts with LR (0.1-2 units/ml) resulted in decreases in the mRNA steady-state levels for alpha 1(I), alpha 2(I) and alpha 1(III), but not alpha 2(V), collagen genes. LR also down-regulated alpha 2(I) collagen promoter activity in transient cell transfections of control cells as well as those incubated with transforming growth factor-beta, a potent up-regulator of collagen type I gene expression. Thus LR is a strong inhibitor of type I collagen gene expression, acting at the level of transcription.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Morine ◽  
Vikram Paruchuri ◽  
Xiaoying Qiao ◽  
Emily Mackey ◽  
Mark Aronovitz ◽  
...  

Introduction: Activin receptor like kinase 1 (ALK1) mediates signaling via transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFb1), a pro-fibrogenic cytokine. No studies have defined a role for ALK1 in heart failure. We tested the hypothesis that reduced ALK1 expression promotes maladaptive cardiac remodeling in heart failure. Methods and Results: ALK1 mRNA expression was quantified by RT-PCR in left ventricular (LV) tissue from patients with end-stage heart failure and compared to control LV tissue obtained from the National Disease Research Interchange (n=8/group). Compared to controls, LV ALK1 mRNA levels were reduced by 85% in patients with heart failure. Next, using an siRNA approach, we tested whether reduced ALK1 levels promote TGFb1-mediated collagen production in human cardiac fibroblasts. Treatment with an ALK1 siRNA reduced ALK1 mRNA levels by 75%. Compared to control, TGFb1-mediated Type I collagen and pSmad-3 protein levels were 2.5-fold and 1.7-fold higher, respectively, after ALK1 depletion. To explore a role for ALK1 in heart failure, ALK1 haploinsufficient (ALK1) and wild-type mice (WT; n=8/group) were studied 2 weeks after thoracic aortic constriction (TAC). Compared to WT, baseline LV ALK1 mRNA levels were 50% lower in ALK1 mice. Both LV and lung weights were higher in ALK1 mice after TAC. Cardiomyocyte area and LV mRNA levels of BNP, RCAN, and b-MHC were increased similarly, while SERCa levels were reduced in both ALK1 and WT mice after TAC. Compared to WT, LV fibrosis (Figure) and Type 1 Collagen mRNA and protein levels were higher among ALK1 mice. Compared to WT, LV fractional shortening (48±12 vs 26±10%, p=0.01) and survival (Figure) were lower in ALK1 mice after TAC. Conclusions: Reduced LV expression of ALK1 is associated with advanced heart failure in humans and promotes early mortality, impaired LV function, and cardiac fibrosis in a murine model of heart failure. Further studies examining the role of ALK1 and ALK1 inhibitors on cardiac remodeling are required.


2005 ◽  
Vol 186 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
M-O Faure ◽  
L Nicol ◽  
S Fabre ◽  
J Fontaine ◽  
N Mohoric ◽  
...  

Activins and inhibins, members of the transforming growth factor-beta family are able to stimulate and inhibit, respectively, FSH synthesis and release. Other members of this superfamily, the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), may also affect FSH synthesis in the mouse. The aim of this work was to determine whether BMPs are expressed in the ovine pituitary and whether they play a role in the regulation of FSH release. The mRNAs encoding BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-7 and the oocyte-derived growth factor, growth differentiation factor (GDF)-9 were detected in the pituitaries of cyclic ewes by reverse-transcriptase PCR, as well as the mRNAs encoding the BMP type I receptors, BMPR-IA (activin-receptor-like kinase (ALK)-3) and BMPR-IB (ALK-6), and type II receptors (BMPR-II). Immunolabeling of pituitary sections revealed the presence of BMPR-IA (ALK-3) and BMPR-II in gonadotrope cells. To investigate the potential effects of BMPs on FSH secretion, ewe pituitary cell cultures were treated with BMP-4 (10−11 M to 10−9 M) for 48 h. Interestingly, FSH release was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. At 10−9 M BMP-4 both FSH concentration and FSHβ mRNA expression were reduced by 40% of control values. In contrast, there was no inhibitory effect on either LH or LHβ mRNA expression. A similar result was found with BMP-6. BMP-4 triggered the phosphorylation of Smad1, suggesting that the effect of BMP-4 on FSH secretion is due to the activation of the BMPs signaling pathway. Furthermore, BMP-4 blocked the stimulatory effect of activin on both FSH release and FSHβ mRNA and amplified the suppression of FSH release and FSHβ mRNA levels induced by 17β-estradiol. These results indicate that a functional BMP system operates within the sheep pituitary, at least in vitro, to decrease FSH release and to modulate the effect of activin.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (1) ◽  
pp. L78-L84 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Moore ◽  
S. Buch ◽  
R. N. Han ◽  
B. A. Freeman ◽  
M. Post ◽  
...  

The gene expressions of type I collagen and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) were studied in lung tissue of rats exposed to air or 85% O2 for 14 days. Peak expression of type I collagen mRNA was observed by 14 days of 85% O2 exposure, at the same time as maximal immunoreactive type I collagen, which was most marked surrounding the major airways and vessels. TGF-beta 1 mRNA also significantly increased after 14, but not 4 or 6 days of 85% O2 exposure. TGF-beta 1 immunoreactivity was only detected on day 14 of 85% O2 exposure and was localized primarily to the pulmonary epithelium. As an increase in immunoreactive type I collagen was evident by day 6 of O2 exposure, the gene expressions of interstitial collagenase (MMP-1), stromelysin, and the tissue inhibitor of the metalloproteinases (TIMP) were also examined. Increased mRNA expressions of interstitial collagenase and TIMP preceded those of type I collagen and TGF-beta 1, occurring at 4-6 days of exposure to 85% O2, while there was no significant change in stromelysin mRNA. These findings are compatible with the initial O2-mediated increase in type I collagen deposition being a result of an altered proteinase/antiproteinase balance in the lung, and the subsequent more marked deposition being a response to increased TGF-beta 1 synthesis.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samah Rafehi ◽  
Yudith Ramos Valdes ◽  
Monique Bertrand ◽  
Jacob McGee ◽  
Michel Préfontaine ◽  
...  

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) serves as a key mechanism driving tumor cell migration, invasion, and metastasis in many carcinomas. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signaling is implicated in several steps during cancer pathogenesis and acts as a classical inducer of EMT. Since epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells have the potential to switch between epithelial and mesenchymal states during metastasis, we predicted that modulation of TGFβ signaling would significantly impact EMT and the malignant potential of EOC spheroid cells. Ovarian cancer patient ascites-derived cells naturally underwent an EMT response when aggregating into spheroids, and this was reversed upon spheroid re-attachment to a substratum. CDH1/E-cadherin expression was markedly reduced in spheroids compared with adherent cells, in concert with an up-regulation of several transcriptional repressors, i.e., SNAI1/Snail, TWIST1/2, and ZEB2. Treatment of EOC spheroids with the TGFβ type I receptor inhibitor, SB-431542, potently blocked the endogenous activation of EMT in spheroids. Furthermore, treatment of spheroids with SB-431542 upon re-attachment enhanced the epithelial phenotype of dispersing cells and significantly decreased cell motility and Transwell migration. Spheroid formation was significantly compromised by exposure to SB-431542 that correlated with a reduction in cell viability particularly in combination with carboplatin treatment. Thus, our findings are the first to demonstrate that intact TGFβ signaling is required to control EMT in EOC ascites-derived cell spheroids, and it promotes the malignant characteristics of these structures. As such, we show the therapeutic potential for targeted inhibition of this pathway in ovarian cancer patients with late-stage disease.


Author(s):  
W Grant Stevens ◽  
Daniel J Gould ◽  
Linda D Pham ◽  
Joel N Jimenez Lozano

Abstract Background In addition to body contouring, there is anecdotal and supportive clinical evidence of reduced laxity and skin tightening after cryolipolysis. 10,11 Objectives The nature by which cryolipolysis triggers dermal changes has not been established. This study investigated fundamental mechanisms behind clinically observed dermal changes using molecular and immunohistochemistry methods. Methods This feasibility study involved n=7 subjects that received cryolipolysis treatment. Tissue samples were harvested from 3 days to 5 weeks after treatment. RNA-Sequencing examined differential gene expression of major collagens. RNA In Situ Hybridization (RNA-ISH) investigated the distribution of one of the gene markers for collagen Type I (COL1A1). Immunohistochemistry for Procollagen Type I, heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β and Tropoelastin was performed and quantified. Results Gene expression analysis highlighted a gradual upregulation of collagen mRNA genes. RNA-ISH confirmed upregulation of COL1A1 mRNA and showed a homogenous distribution through the dermis. Immunohistochemistry showed increases in protein expression. Quantification revealed 3.62-fold increase of Procollagen Type I (p<0.0071) and 2.91-fold increase of TGF-β (p<0.041); 1.54-fold increase of HSP47 (p<0.007); and 1.57-fold increase of Tropoelastin (p<0.39) compared to untreated areas. Conclusions This study revealed significant induction of molecular and protein markers of Type I collagen, which supports neocollagenesis and may play an essential role in clinically relevant skin improvement. A dermal remodeling process driven by increased TGF-β and higher expression of HSP47 was observed. Overall, these data provide the first evidence of dermal remodeling and clarify the mechanism by which cryolipolysis may induce skin improvement.


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