This study aimed to verify the effects of berberine(BBR)on the fat metabolism proteins involved in the sirtuin 3(SIRT3)/adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC)pat...This study aimed to verify the effects of berberine(BBR)on the fat metabolism proteins involved in the sirtuin 3(SIRT3)/adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC)pathway in the liver tissues of rats with high-fat diet(HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into the normal control(NC)group,HFD group or BBR group,with 16 rats in each group.After 8 and 16 weeks of treatment,serum and liver samples were collected.Subsequently,body parameters,biochemical parameters and liver pathology were examined.The expression levels of proteins involved in the SIRT3/AMPK/ACC pathway in the liver were detected by Western blotting.After 8 and 16 weeks of a HFD,the successful establishment of rat models with different degrees of NAFLD was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)and Oil Red O staining.NAFLD rat models exhibited obesity and hyperlipidemia,and the protein expression levels of SIRT3,p-AMPK.p-ACC,and CPT-1A in the liver were significantly decreased compared to those in the NC group.The concurrent administration of BBR with the HFD effectively improved serum and liver lipid profiles and ameliorated liver injury.Furthermore,the protein expression levels of SIRT3,p-AMPK,p-ACC,and CPT-1 A in the liver were significantly increased in the BBR group as compared with those in the HFD group.In conclusion,our data suggest that the mechanism by which BBR ameliorates HFD-induced hepatic steatosis may be related to the activation of the SIRT3/AMPK/ACC pathway in the liver.展开更多
Objective:Several studies indicated that tonsillectomy can improve the prognosis of patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN).However,the relationship between tonsillar immunity and IgAN is still unclear.Method...Objective:Several studies indicated that tonsillectomy can improve the prognosis of patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN).However,the relationship between tonsillar immunity and IgAN is still unclear.Methods:A total of 14 IgAN patients were recruited in the current study from May 2015 to April 2016 in Tongji Hospital.B cells,dendritic cells(DCs),and IgAl positive cells in human tonsils were detected using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry.Correlations between these cells and clinicopathologic features were evaluated.展开更多
Objective:Diagnosis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN)requires the evaluation of renal biopsy specimens.However,renal biopsy is an invasive procedure and is not frequently performed for various reasons.Thus,recogni...Objective:Diagnosis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN)requires the evaluation of renal biopsy specimens.However,renal biopsy is an invasive procedure and is not frequently performed for various reasons.Thus,recognized noninvasive biomarkers for predicting IgAN progression are urgently needed.Methods:In the present study,we included 86 IgAN patients with renal biopsy from June 2015 to May 2016 and had their plasma interleukin-7(IL-7)level measured with ELISA.The association between the plasma IL-7 level and clinico-pathological characteristics was analyzed.Immunohistochemical staining was used to assay the in situ expression of IL-7 in vivo.Western blotting was perfonned to examine the production of extracellular matrix,p-mTOR and the markers of autophagy under the treatment of IL-7 after TGF-β1 stimulation in renal tubular epithelial cells.Results:IL-7 was significantly decreased in patients with IgAN compared to healthy subjects(2.3077 vs.8.6294 pg/mL,P<0.0001).There was a significant difference in the plasma IL-7 level between tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis TO and T2 classes(P=0.0064).A lower plasma IL-7 value in patients at the time of biopsy indicated a poor renal outcome.In addition,IL-7 was over-expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells and significantly attenuated transforming growth factor β1-induced extracellular matrix production by suppression of cellular autophagy via activation of mTOR1 signaling.Conclusion:These results suggested that IL-7 might be a noninvasive biomarker for predicating IgAN.It protected renal proximal tubular epithelial cells from cellular fibrosis by inhibiting autophagy via mTORl signaling.展开更多
Background:According to our previous studies,Shenling Baizhu powder has an excellent preventive and therapeutic effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,but the prevention mechanism is still not clear.In this study,...Background:According to our previous studies,Shenling Baizhu powder has an excellent preventive and therapeutic effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,but the prevention mechanism is still not clear.In this study,we intended to explore the effects of Shenling Baizhu powder on the endoplasmic reticulum stress related signaling pathway in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease rats’liver tissues.Methods:After 16 weeks,the levels of serum total cholesterol,triglyceride,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase were evaluated by an automatic biochemical analyzer,and the levels of serum free fatty acid and hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride were evaluated by commercial kits.Then,histological changes of the liver were observed by hematoxylin and eosin and oil red-O staining.Protein expression related to the liver unfolded protein response signalling pathway was assessed using Western blot analysis.Results:The results showed that Shenling Baizhu powder supplementation reduced serum total cholesterol,triglyceride,free fatty acid,alanine transaminase,and aspartate transaminase(P<0.05 or P<0.01),as well as the levels of hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride(P<0.01).Pathological examination showed that Shenling Baizhu powder improved hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation.The results of biochemical parameters and histological changes indicated that Shenling Baizhu powder administration exerted protective effects against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.In addition,Shenling Baizhu powder decreased the protein expression levels of binding immunoglobulin protein,activating transcription factor 6,phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha,protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase and X-box binding protein 1s in the liver(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Shenling Baizhu powder can ameliorate high-fat diet-induced liver lipid metabolism disorder in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease rats.The mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of the expression of proteins related to unfolded protein response signaling pathways in endoplasmic reticulum stress.展开更多
Objective: High-fat diet(HFD) and inflammation are two key contributors to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). Shenling Baizhu powder(SLBZP), a classical herbal compound, has been successfully used to alleviate N...Objective: High-fat diet(HFD) and inflammation are two key contributors to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). Shenling Baizhu powder(SLBZP), a classical herbal compound, has been successfully used to alleviate NAFLD. However, its specific mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we assessed the anti-NAFLD effect of SLBZP in vivo.Methods: Rats were fed an HFD with or without SLBZP or with probiotics. At the end of week 16, an echo magnetic resonance imaging(EchoMRI) body composition analyser was used to quantitatively analyse body composition;a micro-computed tomography(micro-CT) imaging system was used to evaluate whole body and liver fat;and the Moor full-field laser perfusion imager 2 was used to assess liver microcirculation, after which, all rats were sacrificed. Then, biochemical indicators in the blood and the ultrastructure of rat livers were evaluated. Protein expression related to the liver Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3(NLRP3) signalling pathway was assessed using Western blot analysis. Further, high-throughput screening of 29 related inflammatory factors in liver tissue was performed using a cytokine array.Results: SLBZP supplementation reduced body weight, serum free fatty acid, and insulin resistance index(P<0.05). It also ameliorated liver microcirculation and ultrastructural abnormalities. EchoMRI and micro-CT quantitative analyses showed that treatment with SLBZP reduced fat mass and visceral fat(P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). In addition, SLBZP decreased the expression of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated TLR4/NLRP3 signalling pathway-related proteins and altered the expression levels of some inflammatory cytokines in liver tissues.Conclusion: SLBZP can inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and interleukin-1 b release by suppressing LPS-induced TLR4 expression in rats with HFD-induced NAFLD. Thus, SLBZP may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory damage and associated diseases.展开更多
Objective To investigate the involvement of sirtuin 1(SIRT1)-uncoupling protein 2(UCP2) pathway in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and whether berberine exerts its effects by regulating this p...Objective To investigate the involvement of sirtuin 1(SIRT1)-uncoupling protein 2(UCP2) pathway in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and whether berberine exerts its effects by regulating this pathway. Methods Male SD rats were divided into three groups: normal control group, high-fat diet group, and berberine supplement group. The rats in the normal control group were given normal diet while the rats in the other two groups were fed with high-fat diet. Rats in the berberine supplement group were concurrently given berberine(100 mg/kg body weight) once daily. After 16 weeks, the levels of serum, liver lipids, and serum aminotransferase were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) content in the liver were measured using commercial kits. Histopathological changes of liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and Oil Red O staining. The hepatic m RNA and protein levels of SIRT1 and UCP2 were assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) or Western blotting. Results Berberine supplement could significantly decrease the serum and liver lipid contents in rats fed with high-fat diet. Meanwhile, SOD level was significantly elevated, but MDA level was reduced in the liver. The results of HE and Oil Red O staining showed that the hepatic steatosis was alleviated in berberine supplement group. Furthermore, berberine induced an increase in SIRT1 expression but a decrease in UCP2 expression. Conclusion The regulation of hepatic SIRT1-UCP2 pathway may be an important mechanism by which berberine exerts the beneficial effects in NAFLD rats.展开更多
基金grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81573844 and No.81774165)Medical Research Fund of Guangdong Province(No.A2017363).
文摘This study aimed to verify the effects of berberine(BBR)on the fat metabolism proteins involved in the sirtuin 3(SIRT3)/adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC)pathway in the liver tissues of rats with high-fat diet(HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into the normal control(NC)group,HFD group or BBR group,with 16 rats in each group.After 8 and 16 weeks of treatment,serum and liver samples were collected.Subsequently,body parameters,biochemical parameters and liver pathology were examined.The expression levels of proteins involved in the SIRT3/AMPK/ACC pathway in the liver were detected by Western blotting.After 8 and 16 weeks of a HFD,the successful establishment of rat models with different degrees of NAFLD was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)and Oil Red O staining.NAFLD rat models exhibited obesity and hyperlipidemia,and the protein expression levels of SIRT3,p-AMPK.p-ACC,and CPT-1A in the liver were significantly decreased compared to those in the NC group.The concurrent administration of BBR with the HFD effectively improved serum and liver lipid profiles and ameliorated liver injury.Furthermore,the protein expression levels of SIRT3,p-AMPK,p-ACC,and CPT-1 A in the liver were significantly increased in the BBR group as compared with those in the HFD group.In conclusion,our data suggest that the mechanism by which BBR ameliorates HFD-induced hepatic steatosis may be related to the activation of the SIRT3/AMPK/ACC pathway in the liver.
基金This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82000658,No.81770686,and No.81970591)and Huazhong University of Science and Technology research funds for self-dependent innovation(No.2017KFYXJJ101).
文摘Objective:Several studies indicated that tonsillectomy can improve the prognosis of patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN).However,the relationship between tonsillar immunity and IgAN is still unclear.Methods:A total of 14 IgAN patients were recruited in the current study from May 2015 to April 2016 in Tongji Hospital.B cells,dendritic cells(DCs),and IgAl positive cells in human tonsils were detected using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry.Correlations between these cells and clinicopathologic features were evaluated.
基金supported by grants from Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Funds for Self-dependent Innovation(No.2017KFYXJJ101)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81703058,No.81970591,and No.82000656).
文摘Objective:Diagnosis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN)requires the evaluation of renal biopsy specimens.However,renal biopsy is an invasive procedure and is not frequently performed for various reasons.Thus,recognized noninvasive biomarkers for predicting IgAN progression are urgently needed.Methods:In the present study,we included 86 IgAN patients with renal biopsy from June 2015 to May 2016 and had their plasma interleukin-7(IL-7)level measured with ELISA.The association between the plasma IL-7 level and clinico-pathological characteristics was analyzed.Immunohistochemical staining was used to assay the in situ expression of IL-7 in vivo.Western blotting was perfonned to examine the production of extracellular matrix,p-mTOR and the markers of autophagy under the treatment of IL-7 after TGF-β1 stimulation in renal tubular epithelial cells.Results:IL-7 was significantly decreased in patients with IgAN compared to healthy subjects(2.3077 vs.8.6294 pg/mL,P<0.0001).There was a significant difference in the plasma IL-7 level between tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis TO and T2 classes(P=0.0064).A lower plasma IL-7 value in patients at the time of biopsy indicated a poor renal outcome.In addition,IL-7 was over-expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells and significantly attenuated transforming growth factor β1-induced extracellular matrix production by suppression of cellular autophagy via activation of mTOR1 signaling.Conclusion:These results suggested that IL-7 might be a noninvasive biomarker for predicating IgAN.It protected renal proximal tubular epithelial cells from cellular fibrosis by inhibiting autophagy via mTORl signaling.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(No.2018A030310597)the Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau Foundation of Guangdong Province(No.20201104,20182022)+3 种基金the Scientific Research and Cultivation Fund of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University(No.2017107)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.21616331)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81873206,82104947)the Sixth Batch of National Traditional Chinese Medicine Experts’Academic Experience Inheritance Project.
文摘Background:According to our previous studies,Shenling Baizhu powder has an excellent preventive and therapeutic effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,but the prevention mechanism is still not clear.In this study,we intended to explore the effects of Shenling Baizhu powder on the endoplasmic reticulum stress related signaling pathway in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease rats’liver tissues.Methods:After 16 weeks,the levels of serum total cholesterol,triglyceride,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase were evaluated by an automatic biochemical analyzer,and the levels of serum free fatty acid and hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride were evaluated by commercial kits.Then,histological changes of the liver were observed by hematoxylin and eosin and oil red-O staining.Protein expression related to the liver unfolded protein response signalling pathway was assessed using Western blot analysis.Results:The results showed that Shenling Baizhu powder supplementation reduced serum total cholesterol,triglyceride,free fatty acid,alanine transaminase,and aspartate transaminase(P<0.05 or P<0.01),as well as the levels of hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride(P<0.01).Pathological examination showed that Shenling Baizhu powder improved hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation.The results of biochemical parameters and histological changes indicated that Shenling Baizhu powder administration exerted protective effects against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.In addition,Shenling Baizhu powder decreased the protein expression levels of binding immunoglobulin protein,activating transcription factor 6,phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha,protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase and X-box binding protein 1s in the liver(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Shenling Baizhu powder can ameliorate high-fat diet-induced liver lipid metabolism disorder in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease rats.The mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of the expression of proteins related to unfolded protein response signaling pathways in endoplasmic reticulum stress.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81774165, 81873206)the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province,China (No.2019A1515010865, 2021A1515012173)+1 种基金the Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province,China (No. 20191085)the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province,China (No. A2020440)。
文摘Objective: High-fat diet(HFD) and inflammation are two key contributors to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). Shenling Baizhu powder(SLBZP), a classical herbal compound, has been successfully used to alleviate NAFLD. However, its specific mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we assessed the anti-NAFLD effect of SLBZP in vivo.Methods: Rats were fed an HFD with or without SLBZP or with probiotics. At the end of week 16, an echo magnetic resonance imaging(EchoMRI) body composition analyser was used to quantitatively analyse body composition;a micro-computed tomography(micro-CT) imaging system was used to evaluate whole body and liver fat;and the Moor full-field laser perfusion imager 2 was used to assess liver microcirculation, after which, all rats were sacrificed. Then, biochemical indicators in the blood and the ultrastructure of rat livers were evaluated. Protein expression related to the liver Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3(NLRP3) signalling pathway was assessed using Western blot analysis. Further, high-throughput screening of 29 related inflammatory factors in liver tissue was performed using a cytokine array.Results: SLBZP supplementation reduced body weight, serum free fatty acid, and insulin resistance index(P<0.05). It also ameliorated liver microcirculation and ultrastructural abnormalities. EchoMRI and micro-CT quantitative analyses showed that treatment with SLBZP reduced fat mass and visceral fat(P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). In addition, SLBZP decreased the expression of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated TLR4/NLRP3 signalling pathway-related proteins and altered the expression levels of some inflammatory cytokines in liver tissues.Conclusion: SLBZP can inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and interleukin-1 b release by suppressing LPS-induced TLR4 expression in rats with HFD-induced NAFLD. Thus, SLBZP may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory damage and associated diseases.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81273617 and 81302878)Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province(No.20152112)
文摘Objective To investigate the involvement of sirtuin 1(SIRT1)-uncoupling protein 2(UCP2) pathway in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and whether berberine exerts its effects by regulating this pathway. Methods Male SD rats were divided into three groups: normal control group, high-fat diet group, and berberine supplement group. The rats in the normal control group were given normal diet while the rats in the other two groups were fed with high-fat diet. Rats in the berberine supplement group were concurrently given berberine(100 mg/kg body weight) once daily. After 16 weeks, the levels of serum, liver lipids, and serum aminotransferase were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) content in the liver were measured using commercial kits. Histopathological changes of liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and Oil Red O staining. The hepatic m RNA and protein levels of SIRT1 and UCP2 were assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) or Western blotting. Results Berberine supplement could significantly decrease the serum and liver lipid contents in rats fed with high-fat diet. Meanwhile, SOD level was significantly elevated, but MDA level was reduced in the liver. The results of HE and Oil Red O staining showed that the hepatic steatosis was alleviated in berberine supplement group. Furthermore, berberine induced an increase in SIRT1 expression but a decrease in UCP2 expression. Conclusion The regulation of hepatic SIRT1-UCP2 pathway may be an important mechanism by which berberine exerts the beneficial effects in NAFLD rats.