Glycyrrhetic Acid Derivative TY501 Protects Against Lithocholic Acid–Induced Cholestasis

Drug Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (07) ◽  
pp. 370-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuemin Zheng ◽  
Shichao Zhu ◽  
Zhixing Zhou ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Weiren Xu
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Cell Cultures ◽  
Total Bilirubin ◽  
Lithocholic Acid ◽  
Glycyrrhetic Acid ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cholesterol Levels ◽  
Total Bile Acids

AbstractThe aim of the study is to investigate the protective effects of TY501 against LCA-induced cholestasis in mice and to explore the potential mechanisms. It was demonstrated that TY501(5, 15 or 45 mg/kg, i.g.) can markedly reduced the level of ALT, AST and ALP which increased by LCA treatment. Meanwhile, TY501 also lowered total bile acids, total bilirubin and total cholesterol levels in serum. Furthermore, TY501 can protect HepG2 cell cultures from LCA-induced cytotoxicity. RT-PCR and Western Blot analysis showed that TY501 recovered the expression of BSEP, MRP2 and NTCP which were down-regulated by LCA. Moreover, mRNA and protein of FXR was also observed in TY501 treated mice significantly accumulation in nucleus. Taken together, It can be concluded that TY501 exerted beneficial effects on LCA-induced cholestasis, possibly via activation of FXR mediated upregulation of BSEP, MRP2 and NTCP.

scholarly journals Atorvastatin Protects Myocardium Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through Inhibiting miR-199a-5p

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 1021-1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
YaBei Zuo ◽  
YuZhao Wang ◽  
HaiJuan Hu ◽  
Wei Cui
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Gsk 3Β

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of atorvastatin against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in cardiomyocytes and its possible underlying mechanism. Method: Direct cytotoxic effect of OGD/R on cardiomyocytes with and without atorvastatin pretreatment was evaluated. Effects of atorvastatin on expression of GSK-3β and miR-199a-5p were determined using RT-PCR and Western blot. In addition, GSK-3β expression with miR-199a-5p upregulation and downregulation was detected using RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Results: Pretreatment with atorvastatin significantly improved the recovery of cells viability from OGD/R (p<0.05). In addition, the atorvastatin pretreatment significantly increased GSK-3β expression both in mRNA level and protein level and decreased miR-199a-5p expression in mRNA level (p<0.05). Upregulation and downregulation of miR-199a-5p respectively decreased and increased GSK-3β expression both in mRNA level and protein level. Conclusion: These results suggested that atorvastatin provides the cardioprotective effects against I/R injury via increasing GSK-3β through inhibition of miR-199a-5p.

scholarly journals Anti-inflammation conferred by stimulation of CD200R1 via Dok1 pathway in rat microglia after germinal matrix hemorrhage

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhanhui Feng ◽  
Lan Ye ◽  
Damon Klebe ◽  
Yan Ding ◽  
Zhen-Ni Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Tnf Alpha ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Germinal Matrix ◽  
Germinal Matrix Hemorrhage ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cd200 Receptor ◽  
Rat Pups ◽  
Enhanced Expression ◽  
Time Dependent Effect

CD200 has been reported to be neuroprotective in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the potential protective effects of CD200 in germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH) have not been investigated. We examined the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of CD200 after GMH. A total of 167 seven-day-old rat pups were used. The time-dependent effect of GMH on the levels of CD200 and CD200 Receptor 1 (CD200R1) was evaluated by western blot. CD200R1 was localized by immunohistochemistry. The short-term (24 h) and long-term (28 days) outcomes were evaluated after CD200 fusion protein (CD200Fc) treatment by neurobehavioral assessment. CD200 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and downstream of tyrosine kinase 1 (Dok1) siRNA were injected intracerebroventricularly. Western blot was employed to study the mechanisms of CD200 and CD200R1. GMH induced significant developmental delay and caused impairment in both cognitive and motor functions in rat pups. CD200Fc ameliorated GMH-induced damage. CD200Fc increased expression of Dok1 and decreased IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels. CD200R1 siRNA and Dok1 siRNA abolished the beneficial effects of CD200Fc, as demonstrated by enhanced expression levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. CD200Fc inhibited GMH-induced inflammation and this effect may be mediated by CD200R1/Dok1 pathway. Thus, CD200Fc may serve as a potential treatment to ameliorate brain injury for GMH patients.

scholarly journals Protective Effects of Baicalin on Peritoneal Tight Junctions in Piglets Challenged with Glaesserella parasuis

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1268
Author(s):  
Jiacheng Zhang ◽  
Zhaoran Zhang ◽  
Jianfeng Xu ◽  
Chun Ye ◽  
Shulin Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Protective Mechanisms ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Natural Agent

Glaesserella parasuis (G. parasuis) causes inflammation and damage to piglets. Whether polyserositis caused by G. parasuis is due to tight junctions damage and the protective effect of baicalin on it have not been examined. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of baicalin on peritoneal tight junctions of piglets challenged with G. parasuis and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Piglets were challenged with G. parasuis and treated with or without baicalin. RT-PCR was performed to examine the expression of peritoneal tight junctions genes. Immunofluorescence was carried out to detect the distribution patterns of tight junctions proteins. Western blot assays were carried out to determine the involved signaling pathways. Our data showed that G. parasuis infection can down-regulate the tight junctions expression and disrupt the distribution of tight junctions proteins. Baicalin can alleviate the down-regulation of tight junctions mRNA in peritoneum, prevent the abnormalities and maintain the continuous organization of tight junctions. Our results provide novel evidence to support that baicalin has the capacity to protect peritoneal tight junctions from G. parasuis-induced inflammation. The protective mechanisms of baicalin could be associated with inhibition of the activation of PKC and MLCK/MLC signaling pathway. Taken together, these data demonstrated that baicalin is a promising natural agent for the prevention and treatment of G. parasuis infection.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Inhibits IL-6 Pro-Atherothrombotic Effects in Human Endothelial Cells: A Potential Mechanism for Protection against COVID-19 Infection?

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Giovanni Cimmino ◽  
Stefano Conte ◽  
Mariarosaria Morello ◽  
Grazia Pellegrino ◽  
Laura Marra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Dysfunction ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Procoagulant Activity ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Background: Thrombosis with cardiovascular involvement is a crucial complication in COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 infects the host by the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 receptor (ACE2r), which is expressed in endothelial cells too. Thus, COVID-related thrombotic events might be due to endothelial dysfunction. IL-6 is one of the main cytokines involved in the COVID-19 inflammatory storm. Some evidence indicates that Vitamin D (VitD) has a protective role in COVID-19 patients, but the molecular mechanisms involved are still debated. Thus, we investigated the effect of VitD on Tissue Factor and adhesion molecules (CAMs) in IL-6-stimulated endothelial cells (HUVEC). Moreover, we evaluated levels of the ACE2r gene and proteins. Finally, we studied the modulation of NF-kB and STAT3 pathways. Methods: HUVEC cultivated in VitD-enriched medium were stimulated with IL-6 (0.5 ng/mL). The TF gene (RT-PCR), protein (Western blot), surface expression (FACS) and procoagulant activity (FXa generation assay) were measured. Similarly, CAMs soluble values (ELISA) and ACE2r (RT-PCR and Western blot) levels were assessed. NF-kB and STAT3 modulation (Western blot) were also investigated. Results: VitD significantly reduced TF expression at both gene and protein levels as well as TF-procoagulant activity in IL-6-treated HUVEC. Similar effects were observed for CAMs and ACE2r expression. IL-6 modulates these effects by regulating NF-κB and STAT3 pathways. Conclusions: IL-6 induces endothelial dysfunction with TF and CAMs expression via upregulation of ACE2r. VitD prevented these IL-6 deleterious effects. Thus, it might be speculated that this is one of the hypothetical mechanism(s) by which VitD exerts its beneficial effects in COVID-19 infection.

scholarly journals A különleges és egyedi polifenol-összetételű meggy egészségi hatásai

2018 ◽  
Vol 159 (18) ◽  
pp. 720-725
Author(s):  
Attila Hegedűs ◽  
Nóra Papp ◽  
Anna Blázovics ◽  
Éva Stefanovitsné Bányai
Keyword(s):  
Sour Cherry ◽  
Wistar Rat ◽  
Polyphenolic Compounds ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cholesterol Levels ◽  
Fruit Skin ◽  
Total Polyphenolic Content ◽  
Berry Fruits

Abstract: Health effects of fruit consumption are confirmed by many studies. Such effects are attributed to the polyphenolic compounds accumulating in fruit skin and mesocarp tissues. They contribute to the regulation on transcriptional, post-transcriptional and epigenetic levels. Since people consume much less fruits than the recommended quantities, a new approach includes the promotion of super fruits that are extremely rich sources of specific health compounds. A comparative analysis of Hungarian stone fruit cultivars detected a huge variability in fruit in vitro antioxidant capacity and total polyphenolic content. Two outstanding sour cherry cultivars (‘Pipacs 1’ and ‘Fanal’) were identified to accumulate elevated levels of polyphenolic compounds in their fruits. Sour cherries with different polyphenolic compositions were tested against alimentary induced hyperlipidemia using male Wistar rat model. Consumption of cherry fruit had different consequences for different cultivars: consumption of ‘Pipacs 1’ and ‘Fanal’ fruits resulted in 30% lower total cholesterol levels in the sera of hyperlipidemic animals after only 10 days of treatment. However, the consumption of ‘Újfehértói fürtös’ fruit has not induced significant alterations in the same parameter. Other lipid parameters also reflected the short-term beneficial effects of ‘Pipacs 1’ and ‘Fanal’ fruits. We suggest that not only some tropical and berry fruits might be considered as super fruits but certain genotypes of stone fruits as well. These have indeed marked physiological effects. Since ‘Pipacs 1’ and ‘Fanal’ are rich sources of colourless polyphenolics (e.g., phenolic acids and isoflavonoids) and anthocyanins, respectively, the protective effects associated with their consumption can be attributed to different polyphenolic compounds. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(18): 720–725.

Estrogen upregulates renal angiotensin II AT2receptors

2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (5) ◽  
pp. F934-F943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Armando ◽  
Miroslava Jezova ◽  
Augusto V. Juorio ◽  
José A. Terrón ◽  
Alicia Falcón-Neri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Receptor Stimulation ◽  
Outer Medulla ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Receptor Mrna ◽  
Ovariectomized Mice ◽  
Estrogen Administration

AT2 receptors may act in opposition to and in balance with AT1 receptors, their stimulation having beneficial effects. We found renal AT2receptor expression in female mice higher than in male mice. We asked the question of whether such expression might be estrogen dependent. In male, female, ovariectomized, and estrogen-treated ovariectomized mice, we studied renal AT1 and AT2 receptors by immunocytochemistry and autoradiography, AT2 receptor mRNA by RT-PCR, and cAMP, cGMP, and PGE2 by RIA. AT1receptors predominated. AT2 receptors were present in glomeruli, medullary rays, and inner medulla, and in female kidney capsule. AT1 and AT2 receptors colocalized in glomeruli. Female mice expressed fewer glomerular AT1receptors. Ovariectomy decreased AT1 receptors in medullary rays and capsular AT2 receptors. Estrogen administration normalized AT1 receptors in medullary rays and increased AT2 receptors predominantly in capsule and inner medulla, and also in glomeruli, medullary rays, and inner stripe of outer medulla. In medullas of estrogen-treated ovariectomized mice there was higher AT2 receptor mRNA, decreased cGMP, and increased PGE2 content. We propose that the protective effects of estrogen may be partially mediated through enhancement of AT2 receptor stimulation.

Role of Heart Rate Reduction in the Management of Myocarditis

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Guang-Yi ◽  
Ge Li-Sha ◽  
Li Yue-Chun
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Nitrosative Stress ◽  
Ventricular Remodeling ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Viral Myocarditis ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Heart Rate Reduction ◽  
Rate Reduction ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Biological Technique

The morbidity of myocarditis demonstrates an upward tendency by years, is commonly defined as the inflammation of myocytes and is caused by multiple factors. With the development of the molecular biological technique, great breakthroughs in the diagnosis and understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of myocarditis have recently been achieved. Several questions remain unresolved, however, including standard treatment approaches to myocarditis, which remain controversial and ambiguous. Heart rate, as an independent risk factor, has been shown to be related to cardiac disease. Recent studies also show that the autonomic nervous system is involved in immunomodulatory myocarditis processes. Heart rate reduction treatment is recommended in myocarditis based on a number of animal experiments and clinical trials. It is possible that heart rate-lowering treatments can help to attenuate the inflammatory response and myocyte injury and reverse ventricular remodeling. However, how to execute the protective effects of heart rate reduction on myocarditis is still not clear. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis and pathophysiological process of viral myocarditis and propose heart rate lowering as a therapeutic target for myocarditis, especially in light of the third-generation β-blockade carvedilol and funny channel blocker ivabradine. We also highlight some additional beneficial effects of such heart rate reduction agents, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidation, anti-nitrosative stress, anti-fibrosis and antiapoptosis properties.

The Protective Effect of Metformin against Oxandrolone-Induced Infertility in Male Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulqader Fadhil Abed ◽  
Yazun Bashir Jarrar ◽  
Hamzeh J Al-Ameer ◽  
Wajdy Al-Awaida ◽  
Su-Jun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Histological Examination ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
P Value ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Rt Pcr

Background: Oxandrolone is a synthetic testosterone analogue that is widely used among bodybuilders and athletes. However, oxandrolone causes male infertility. Recently, it was found that metformin reduces the risk of infertility associated with diabetes mellitus. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of metformin against oxandrolone-induced infertility in male rats. Methods: Rats continuously received one of four treatments (n=7) over 14 days: control DMSO administration, oxandrolone administration, metformin administration, or co-administration of oxandrolone and metformin. Doses were equivalent to those used for human treatment. Subsequently, testicular and blood samples were collected for morphological, biochemical, and histological examination. In addition, gene expression of the testosterone synthesizing enzyme CYP11A1 was analyzed in the testes using RT-PCR. Results: Oxandrolone administration induced male infertility by significantly reducing relative weights of testes by 48%, sperm count by 82%, and serum testosterone levels by 96% (ANOVA, P value < 0.05). In addition, histological examination determined that oxandrolone caused spermatogenic arrest which was associated with 2-fold downregulation of testicular CYP11A1 gene expression. However, co-administration of metformin with oxandrolone significantly ameliorated toxicological alterations induced by oxandrolone exposure (ANOVA, P value < 0.05). Conclusion: Metformin administration protected against oxandrolone-induced infertility in male rats. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm the protective effect of metformin against oxandrolone-induced infertility among athletes.

scholarly journals Overexpression of P-glycoprotein, MRP2, and CYP3A4 impairs intestinal absorption of octreotide in rats with portal hypertension

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Sun ◽  
Shunxiong Tang ◽  
Binbin Hou ◽  
Zhijun Duan ◽  
Zhen Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Cirrhosis ◽  
Portal Hypertension ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
In Vitro Experiments ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
P Glycoprotein ◽  
Intestinal Microsomes ◽  
First Pass

Abstract Background Portal hypertension (PH) is the main cause of complications and death in liver cirrhosis. The effect of oral administration of octreotide (OCT), a drug that reduces PH by the constriction of mesenteric arteries, is limited by a remarkable intestinal first-pass elimination. Methods The bile duct ligation (BDL) was used in rats to induce liver cirrhosis with PH to examine the kinetics and molecular factors such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) influencing the intestinal OCT absorption via in situ and in vitro experiments on jejunal segments, transportation experiments on Caco-2 cells and experiments using intestinal microsomes and recombinant human CYP3A4. Moreover, RT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results Both in situ and in vitro experiments in jejunal segments showed that intestinal OCT absorption in both control and PH rats was largely controlled by P-gp and, to a lesser extent, by MRP2. OCT transport mediated by P-gp and MRP2 was demonstrated on Caco-2 cells. The results of RT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry suggested that impaired OCT absorption in PH was in part due to the jejunal upregulation of these two transporters. The use of intestinal microsomes and recombinant human CYP3A4 revealed that CYP3A4 metabolized OCT, and its upregulation in PH likely contributed to impaired drug absorption. Conclusions Inhibition of P-gp, MRP2, and CYP3A4 might represent a valid option for decreasing intestinal first-pass effects on orally administered OCT, thereby increasing its bioavailability to alleviate PH in patients with cirrhosis.

scholarly journals Strawberry and Achenes Hydroalcoholic Extracts and Their Digested Fractions Efficiently Counteract the AAPH-Induced Oxidative Damage in HepG2 Cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 2180 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Ariza ◽  
Tamara Forbes-Hernández ◽  
Patricia Reboredo-Rodríguez ◽  
Sadia Afrin ◽  
Massimiliano Gasparrini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Oxidative Damage ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
In Vitro Digestion ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Digestion Process ◽  
Phytochemical Compounds

Strawberry fruits are highly appreciated by consumers worldwide due to their bright red color, typical aroma, and juicy texture. While the biological activity of the complete fruit has been widely studied, the potential beneficial effects of the achenes (commonly named seeds) remain unknown. In addition, when raw fruit and achenes are consumed, the digestion process could alter the release and absorption of their phytochemical compounds, compromising their bioactivity. In the present work, we evaluated the protective effects against oxidative damage of nondigested and digested extracts from strawberry fruit and achenes in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. For that purpose, cells were treated with different concentration of the extracts prior to incubation with the stressor agent, AAPH (2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride). Subsequently, intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the percentage of live, dead, and apoptotic cells were determined. Our results demonstrated that all the evaluated fractions were able to counteract the AAPH-induced damage, suggesting that the achenes also present biological activity. The positive effects of both the raw fruit and achenes were maintained after the in vitro digestion process.

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