BACKGROUND The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mechanistic target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is crucial for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. Xihuang pills(XHP) a...BACKGROUND The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mechanistic target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is crucial for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. Xihuang pills(XHP) are a traditional Chinese preparation with antitumour properties. They inhibit the growth of breast cancer, glioma, and other tumours by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of XHP in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) remain unclear. Regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway effectively inhibits the progression of HCC. However, no study has focused on the XHPassociated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Therefore, we hypothesized that XHP might play a role in inhibiting HCC through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.AIM To confirm the effect of XHP on HCC and the possible mechanisms involved.METHODS The chemical constituents and active components of XHP were analysed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Cellbased experiments and in vivo xenograft tumour experiments were utilized to evaluate the effect of XHP on HCC tumorigenesis. First, SMMC-7721 cells were incubated with different concentrations of XHP(0, 0.3125, 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL) for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, followed by an assessment of cell migration using a wound healing assay.Second, the effect of XHP on the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells was evaluated. SMMC-7721 cells were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate and annexin V/propidium iodide. The number of apoptotic cells and cell cycle distribution were measured using flow cytometry. The cleaved protein and mRNA expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected using Western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR), respectively.Third, Western blotting and RT–qPCR were performed to confirm the effects of XHP on the protein and mRNA expression of components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.Finally, the effects of XHP on the tumorigenesis of subcutaneous hepatocellular tumours in nude mice were assessed.RESULTS The following 12 compounds were identified in XHP using high-resolution mass spectrometry:Valine, 4-gingerol, myrrhone, ricinoleic acid, glycocholic acid, curzerenone, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, oleic acid, germacrone, 3-acetyl-9,11-dehydro-β-boswellic acid, 5β-androstane-3,17-dione, and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid. The cell viability assay results showed that treatment with 0.625mg/mL XHP extract decreased HCC cell viability after 12 h, and the effects were dose-and timedependent. The results of the cell scratch assay showed that the migration of HCC cells was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner by the administration of XHP extract(0.625mg/mL). Moreover, XHP significantly inhibited cell migration and resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, XHP downregulated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, which activated apoptosis executioner proteins(e.g., caspase-9 and caspase-3). The inhibitory effects of XHP on HCC cell growth were determined in vivo by analysing the tumour xenograft volumes and weights.CONCLUSION XHP inhibited HCC cell growth and migration by stimulating apoptosis via the downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, followed by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3.Our findings clarified that the antitumour effects of XHP on HCC cells are mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, revealing that XHP may be a potential complementary therapy for HCC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is one of the most common malignant tumors.Osteopontin(OPN)is thought to be closely related to the occurrence,metastasis and prognosis of many types of tumors.AIM To investigate the effect...BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is one of the most common malignant tumors.Osteopontin(OPN)is thought to be closely related to the occurrence,metastasis and prognosis of many types of tumors.AIM To investigate the effects of OPN on the proliferation,invasion and migration of GC cells and its possible mechanism.METHODS The mRNA and protein expression of OPN in the GC cells were analyzed by realtime quantitative-reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting,and observe the effect of varying degree expression OPN on the proliferation and other behaviors of GC.Next,the effects of OPN knockdown on GC cells migration and invasion were examined.The short hairpin RNA(shRNA)and negative control shRNA targeting OPN-shRNA were transfected into the cells according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Non transfected cells were classified as control in the identical transfecting process.24 h after RNA transfection cell proliferation activity was detected by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-diphenytetrazoliumromide assay,and cell invasiveness and migration were detected by Trans well assay.Meanwhile,the expression of protein kinase B(AKT),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the human GC cell lines was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.RESULTS The results of this study revealed that OPN mRNA and protein expression levels were highly expressed in SGC-7901 cells.OPN knockdown by specific shRNA noticeably reduced the capabilities of proliferation,invasion and migration of SGC-7901 cells.Moreover,in the experiments of investigating the underlying mechanism,results showed that OPN knockdown could down-regulated the expression of MMP-2 and VEGF,it also decreased the phosphorylation of AKT.Meanwhile,the protein expression levels of MMP-2,VEGF and phosphorylated AKT was noticeable lower than that in control group in the GC cells after they were added to phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)inhibitor(LY294002).CONCLUSION These results suggested that OPN though PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signal pathway to upregulate MMP-2 and VEGF expression,which contribute SGC-7901 cells to proliferation,invasion and migration.Thus,our results demonstrate that OPN may serve as a novel prognostic biomarkers as well as a potential therapeutic targets for GC.展开更多
Soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis is important aquatic species in China, and searching for alternatives protein resources to fish meal (FM)-based feeds in feed has become urgent and important for its sustainabi...Soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis is important aquatic species in China, and searching for alternatives protein resources to fish meal (FM)-based feeds in feed has become urgent and important for its sustainability development. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary soy protein concentrate (SPC) on growth, digestive enzymes and target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway of juvenile P. sinensis (4.56 ± 0.09 g). SPC was applied to replace FM protein at 0%, 15%, 30% and 60% (designated as T0, T15, T30 and T60, respectively), and each diet was fed to triplicate groups. The results showed that there was no significant difference in growth performance and feed utilization except of the turtles fed with T60 diet, of which showed poorer daily weight gain and feed conversion rate. The pepsin/trypsin and Na+-K+ ATP-ase activities decreased dramatically when SPC level increased, and lipase activities in liver and intestinal tract also showed decline tendency. However, amylase activities were unaffected. No significant differences were observed in TOR, S6K1 and 4E-BP1 genes mRNA expression level of TOR signaling pathway among the treatments. However, the relative phosphorylated level of these proteins decreased significantly when SPC level increased. The present study indicated that high SPC substitution level would suppress digestive enzymes and TOR signaling pathway proteins phosphorylated level and eventually result in growth reduction of P. sinensis.展开更多
背景:近年来,有研究发现部分中药单体通过激活细胞自噬可缓解皮瓣氧化应激与细胞凋亡,促进皮瓣血管再生,防治皮瓣坏死。目的:综述中药单体调控细胞自噬防治皮瓣坏死的研究进展。方法:分别以“中药、细胞自噬、皮瓣”与“Traditional Chi...背景:近年来,有研究发现部分中药单体通过激活细胞自噬可缓解皮瓣氧化应激与细胞凋亡,促进皮瓣血管再生,防治皮瓣坏死。目的:综述中药单体调控细胞自噬防治皮瓣坏死的研究进展。方法:分别以“中药、细胞自噬、皮瓣”与“Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),Autophagy,Skin flaps”为中英文检索词,由第一作者检索2010年1月至2022年10月发表在中国知网与PubMed数据库的相关文献,文献初筛共检索到相关文献196篇,以纳入和排除标准进行筛选,通过阅读文献标题与摘要进行质量评估,最终归纳整理55篇文献进行综述。结果与结论:(1)细胞自噬的调控是由AMPK/mTOR和PI3K/AKT等信号通路介导的,激活细胞自噬可缓解皮瓣氧化应激与细胞凋亡,促进皮瓣血管再生,防治皮瓣坏死。(2)中药单体中的萜类化合物(桦木酸、穿心莲内酯、三七三萜和梓醇)、酚类化合物(白藜芦醇、姜黄素和天麻素)、酚酸类化合物(丹酚酸B)及类固醇类化合物(拟人参皂甙F11)可通过调控相关信号通路激活细胞自噬来缓解皮瓣氧化应激与细胞凋亡,促进皮瓣血管再生,促皮瓣存活。(3)文章通过总结中药单体调控细胞自噬防治皮瓣坏死的研究进展,为临床上中药防治皮瓣坏死、促进皮瓣愈合提供参考与理论依据。展开更多
多囊卵巢综合征(Polycystic ovary syndrome,PCOS)是一组生殖内分泌代谢紊乱的综合征,临床以稀发排卵、高雄激素体征、胰岛素抵抗为主要特征,其中育龄期发病率高,对女性生育力造成严重不良影响。PCOS的发生发展涉及多种信号通路,腺苷酸...多囊卵巢综合征(Polycystic ovary syndrome,PCOS)是一组生殖内分泌代谢紊乱的综合征,临床以稀发排卵、高雄激素体征、胰岛素抵抗为主要特征,其中育龄期发病率高,对女性生育力造成严重不良影响。PCOS的发生发展涉及多种信号通路,腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMP-activated protein kinase,AMPK)及哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(Mammalian target of rapamycin,mTOR)作为细胞能量感受器是其中两个关键靶点。二者在PCOS各个发病部位包括下丘脑-垂体-卵巢轴、子宫内膜、脂肪与骨骼肌中发挥重要的调节作用,通过影响细胞自噬、氧化应激、炎症、线粒体功能、葡萄糖摄取等,促进卵泡的发育和成熟,改善胰岛素抵抗。近年来,中医药因其成分多样、靶点众多等优势广泛应用于临床,研究人员已对PCOS的发病以及中药治疗及改善PCOS的机制进行了大量研究,结果提示AMPK与mTOR相关通路在其中发挥关键作用。通过总结中药干预AMPK与mTOR及其相关通路治疗PCOS的研究结果,为临床治疗及基础研究提供参考。展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. U20A20408 and No. 82074450Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, No. 2020JJ4066+4 种基金Hunan Province"Domestic First-class Cultivation Discipline"Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Open Fund Project, No. 2020ZXYJH34 and No. 2020ZXYJH35Hunan Graduate Scientific Research Innovation Project, No. QL20210173 and No. CX20210730Hunan Province Science and Technology Innovation Talents Plan College Students Science and Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project, No. 2020RC1004Guangzhou Health Science and Technology Project, No. 20221A011102Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine Scientific Research Project, No. 202101
文摘BACKGROUND The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mechanistic target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway is crucial for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and metabolism. Xihuang pills(XHP) are a traditional Chinese preparation with antitumour properties. They inhibit the growth of breast cancer, glioma, and other tumours by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of XHP in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) remain unclear. Regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway effectively inhibits the progression of HCC. However, no study has focused on the XHPassociated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Therefore, we hypothesized that XHP might play a role in inhibiting HCC through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.AIM To confirm the effect of XHP on HCC and the possible mechanisms involved.METHODS The chemical constituents and active components of XHP were analysed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Cellbased experiments and in vivo xenograft tumour experiments were utilized to evaluate the effect of XHP on HCC tumorigenesis. First, SMMC-7721 cells were incubated with different concentrations of XHP(0, 0.3125, 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL) for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, followed by an assessment of cell migration using a wound healing assay.Second, the effect of XHP on the apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells was evaluated. SMMC-7721 cells were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate and annexin V/propidium iodide. The number of apoptotic cells and cell cycle distribution were measured using flow cytometry. The cleaved protein and mRNA expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected using Western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR), respectively.Third, Western blotting and RT–qPCR were performed to confirm the effects of XHP on the protein and mRNA expression of components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.Finally, the effects of XHP on the tumorigenesis of subcutaneous hepatocellular tumours in nude mice were assessed.RESULTS The following 12 compounds were identified in XHP using high-resolution mass spectrometry:Valine, 4-gingerol, myrrhone, ricinoleic acid, glycocholic acid, curzerenone, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, oleic acid, germacrone, 3-acetyl-9,11-dehydro-β-boswellic acid, 5β-androstane-3,17-dione, and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid. The cell viability assay results showed that treatment with 0.625mg/mL XHP extract decreased HCC cell viability after 12 h, and the effects were dose-and timedependent. The results of the cell scratch assay showed that the migration of HCC cells was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner by the administration of XHP extract(0.625mg/mL). Moreover, XHP significantly inhibited cell migration and resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, XHP downregulated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, which activated apoptosis executioner proteins(e.g., caspase-9 and caspase-3). The inhibitory effects of XHP on HCC cell growth were determined in vivo by analysing the tumour xenograft volumes and weights.CONCLUSION XHP inhibited HCC cell growth and migration by stimulating apoptosis via the downregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, followed by the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3.Our findings clarified that the antitumour effects of XHP on HCC cells are mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, revealing that XHP may be a potential complementary therapy for HCC.
文摘BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is one of the most common malignant tumors.Osteopontin(OPN)is thought to be closely related to the occurrence,metastasis and prognosis of many types of tumors.AIM To investigate the effects of OPN on the proliferation,invasion and migration of GC cells and its possible mechanism.METHODS The mRNA and protein expression of OPN in the GC cells were analyzed by realtime quantitative-reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting,and observe the effect of varying degree expression OPN on the proliferation and other behaviors of GC.Next,the effects of OPN knockdown on GC cells migration and invasion were examined.The short hairpin RNA(shRNA)and negative control shRNA targeting OPN-shRNA were transfected into the cells according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Non transfected cells were classified as control in the identical transfecting process.24 h after RNA transfection cell proliferation activity was detected by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-diphenytetrazoliumromide assay,and cell invasiveness and migration were detected by Trans well assay.Meanwhile,the expression of protein kinase B(AKT),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the human GC cell lines was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.RESULTS The results of this study revealed that OPN mRNA and protein expression levels were highly expressed in SGC-7901 cells.OPN knockdown by specific shRNA noticeably reduced the capabilities of proliferation,invasion and migration of SGC-7901 cells.Moreover,in the experiments of investigating the underlying mechanism,results showed that OPN knockdown could down-regulated the expression of MMP-2 and VEGF,it also decreased the phosphorylation of AKT.Meanwhile,the protein expression levels of MMP-2,VEGF and phosphorylated AKT was noticeable lower than that in control group in the GC cells after they were added to phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)inhibitor(LY294002).CONCLUSION These results suggested that OPN though PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signal pathway to upregulate MMP-2 and VEGF expression,which contribute SGC-7901 cells to proliferation,invasion and migration.Thus,our results demonstrate that OPN may serve as a novel prognostic biomarkers as well as a potential therapeutic targets for GC.
文摘Soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis is important aquatic species in China, and searching for alternatives protein resources to fish meal (FM)-based feeds in feed has become urgent and important for its sustainability development. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary soy protein concentrate (SPC) on growth, digestive enzymes and target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway of juvenile P. sinensis (4.56 ± 0.09 g). SPC was applied to replace FM protein at 0%, 15%, 30% and 60% (designated as T0, T15, T30 and T60, respectively), and each diet was fed to triplicate groups. The results showed that there was no significant difference in growth performance and feed utilization except of the turtles fed with T60 diet, of which showed poorer daily weight gain and feed conversion rate. The pepsin/trypsin and Na+-K+ ATP-ase activities decreased dramatically when SPC level increased, and lipase activities in liver and intestinal tract also showed decline tendency. However, amylase activities were unaffected. No significant differences were observed in TOR, S6K1 and 4E-BP1 genes mRNA expression level of TOR signaling pathway among the treatments. However, the relative phosphorylated level of these proteins decreased significantly when SPC level increased. The present study indicated that high SPC substitution level would suppress digestive enzymes and TOR signaling pathway proteins phosphorylated level and eventually result in growth reduction of P. sinensis.
文摘背景:近年来,有研究发现部分中药单体通过激活细胞自噬可缓解皮瓣氧化应激与细胞凋亡,促进皮瓣血管再生,防治皮瓣坏死。目的:综述中药单体调控细胞自噬防治皮瓣坏死的研究进展。方法:分别以“中药、细胞自噬、皮瓣”与“Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),Autophagy,Skin flaps”为中英文检索词,由第一作者检索2010年1月至2022年10月发表在中国知网与PubMed数据库的相关文献,文献初筛共检索到相关文献196篇,以纳入和排除标准进行筛选,通过阅读文献标题与摘要进行质量评估,最终归纳整理55篇文献进行综述。结果与结论:(1)细胞自噬的调控是由AMPK/mTOR和PI3K/AKT等信号通路介导的,激活细胞自噬可缓解皮瓣氧化应激与细胞凋亡,促进皮瓣血管再生,防治皮瓣坏死。(2)中药单体中的萜类化合物(桦木酸、穿心莲内酯、三七三萜和梓醇)、酚类化合物(白藜芦醇、姜黄素和天麻素)、酚酸类化合物(丹酚酸B)及类固醇类化合物(拟人参皂甙F11)可通过调控相关信号通路激活细胞自噬来缓解皮瓣氧化应激与细胞凋亡,促进皮瓣血管再生,促皮瓣存活。(3)文章通过总结中药单体调控细胞自噬防治皮瓣坏死的研究进展,为临床上中药防治皮瓣坏死、促进皮瓣愈合提供参考与理论依据。
文摘多囊卵巢综合征(Polycystic ovary syndrome,PCOS)是一组生殖内分泌代谢紊乱的综合征,临床以稀发排卵、高雄激素体征、胰岛素抵抗为主要特征,其中育龄期发病率高,对女性生育力造成严重不良影响。PCOS的发生发展涉及多种信号通路,腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMP-activated protein kinase,AMPK)及哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(Mammalian target of rapamycin,mTOR)作为细胞能量感受器是其中两个关键靶点。二者在PCOS各个发病部位包括下丘脑-垂体-卵巢轴、子宫内膜、脂肪与骨骼肌中发挥重要的调节作用,通过影响细胞自噬、氧化应激、炎症、线粒体功能、葡萄糖摄取等,促进卵泡的发育和成熟,改善胰岛素抵抗。近年来,中医药因其成分多样、靶点众多等优势广泛应用于临床,研究人员已对PCOS的发病以及中药治疗及改善PCOS的机制进行了大量研究,结果提示AMPK与mTOR相关通路在其中发挥关键作用。通过总结中药干预AMPK与mTOR及其相关通路治疗PCOS的研究结果,为临床治疗及基础研究提供参考。
