Palmitoleic acid on top of HFD ameliorates insulin resistance independent of diacylglycerols and alters gut microbiota in C57BL/6J mice

With the prevalence of obesity and obesity-related metabolic syndrome,such as insulin resistance in recent years,it is urgent to explore effective interventions to prevent the progression of obesity-related metabolic syndrome.Palmitoleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is available from dietary sources,mainly derived from marine products.P almitoleic acid plays a positive role in maintaining glucose homeostasis and reducing inflammation.However,it is still unknow the mechanism of palmitoleic acid in ameliorating insulin resistance.Here,we investigated the effects of palmitoleic acid on chow diet(CD)-fed and high-fat diet(HFD)-fed mice,which were fed CD or HFD for 12 weeks before administration.We administrated mice with BSA(control),oleic acid,or palmitoleic acid for 6 weeks on top of CD or HFD feeding.We found that palmitoleic acid only improved glucose homeostasis in HFD-fed obese mice by increasing glucose clearance and reducing HOMA-IR.Further study explored that palmitoleic acid changed the composition of gut microbiota by decreasing Firmicutes population and increasing Bacteroidetes population.In colon,palmitoleic acid increased intestinal tight junction integrity and reduced inflammation.Moreover,palmitoleic acid decreased macrophage infiltration in liver and adipose tissue and increase glucose uptake in adipose tissue.Diacylglycerol(DAG)in tissue(for example,liver)is found to positively correlated with HOMA-IR.HFD enhanced the levels of DAGs in liver but not in adipose tissue in this study.Palmitoleic acid did not reverse the high DAG levels induced by HFD in liver.Therefore,in HFD-fed mice,palmitoleic acid reduced insulin resistance by an independent-manner of DAGs.It might be associated with the beneficial effects of palmitoleic acid on altering the gut microbiota composition,improving of intestinal barrier function,and downregulating the inflammation in colon,liver,and adipose tissue.

Acidic/hypoxia dual-alleviated nanoregulators for enhanced treatment of tumor chemo-immunotherapy

Chemotherapy plays a crucial role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment as it not only directly kills cancer cells but also induces immunogenic cell death. However, the chemotherapeutic efficacy was strongly restricted by the acidic and hypoxic tumor environment. Herein, we have successfully formulated PLGA-based nanoparticles concurrently loaded with doxorubicin (DOX), hemoglobin (Hb) and CaCO3 by a CaCO3-assisted emulsion method, aiming at the effective treatment of TNBC. We found that the obtained nanomedicine (DHCaNPs) exhibited effective drug encapsulation and pH-responsive drug release behavior. Moreover, DHCaNPs demonstrated robust capabilities in neutralizing protons and oxygen transport. Consequently, DHCaNPs could not only serve as oxygen nanoshuttles to attenuate tumor hypoxia but also neutralize the acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) by depleting lactic acid, thereby effectively overcoming the resistance to chemotherapy. Furthermore, DHCaNPs demonstrated a notable ability to enhance antitumor immune responses by increasing the frequency of tumor-infiltrating effector lymphocytes and reducing the frequency of various immune-suppressive cells, therefore exhibiting a superior efficacy in suppressing tumor growth and metastasis when combined with anti-PD-L1 (αPD-L1) immunotherapy. In summary, this study highlights that DHCaNPs could effectively attenuate the acidic and hypoxic TME, offering a promising strategy to figure out an enhanced chemo-immunotherapy to benefit TNBC patients.

Corrosion resistance of Mg-Al-LDH steam coating on AZ80 Mg alloy:Effects of citric acid pretreatment and intermetallic compounds

In this study,the effects of intermetallic compounds(Mg_(17)Al_(12)and Al_(8)Mn_(5))on the Mg-Al layered double hydroxide(LDH)formation mechanism and corrosion behavior of an in-situ LDH/Mg(OH)_(2)steam coatings on AZ80 Mg alloy were investigated.Citric acid(CA)was used to activate the alloy surface during the pretreatment process.The alloy was first pretreated with CA and then subjected to a hydrothermal process using ultrapure water to produce Mg-Al-LDH/Mg(OH)_(2)steam coating.The effect of different time of acid pretreatment on the activation of the intermetallic compounds was investigated.The microstructure and elemental composition of the obtained coatings were analyzed using FE-SEM,EDS,XRD and FT-IR.The corrosion resistance of the coated samples was evaluated using different techniques,i.e.,potentiodynamic polarization(PDP),electrochemical impedance spectrum(EIS)and hydrogen evolution test.The results indicated that the CA pretreatment significantly influenced the activity of the alloy surface by exposing the intermetallic compounds.The surface area fraction of Mg_(17)Al_(12)and Al_(8)Mn_(5)phases on the surface of the alloy was significantly higher after the CA pretreatment,and thus promoted the growth of the subsequent Mg-Al-LDH coatings.The CA pretreatment for 30 s resulted in a denser and thicker LDH coating.Increase in the CA pretreatment time significantly led to the improvement in corrosion resistance of the coated AZ80 alloy.The corrosion current density of the coated alloy was lower by three orders of magnitude as compared to the uncoated alloy.

Therapeutic effects of Lingguizhugan decoction in a rat model of high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance

BACKGROUND Lingguizhugan(LGZG)decoction is a widely used classic Chinese medicine formula that was recently shown to improve high-fat diet(HFD)-induced insulin resistance(IR)in animal studies.AIM To assess the therapeutic effect of LGZG decoction on HFD-induced IR and explore the potential underlying mechanism.METHODS To establish an IR rat model,a 12-wk HFD was administered,followed by a 4-wk treatment with LGZG.The determination of IR status was achieved through the use of biochemical tests and oral glucose tolerance tests.Using a targeted metabolomics platform to analyze changes in serum metabolites,quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to assess the gene expression of the ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta 1(S6K1).RESULTS In IR rats,LGZG decreased body weight and indices of hepatic steatosis.It effectively controlled blood glucose and food intake while protecting islet cells.Metabolite analysis revealed significant differences between the HFD and HFDLGZG groups.LGZG intervention reduced branched-chain amino acid levels.Levels of IR-related metabolites such as tryptophan,alanine,taurine,and asparagine decreased significantly.IR may be linked to amino acids due to the contemporaneous increase in S6K1 expression,as shown by qRT-PCR.CONCLUSIONS Our study strongly suggests that LGZG decoction reduces HFD-induced IR.LGZG may activate S6K1 via metabolic pathways.These findings lay the groundwork for the potential of LGZG as an IR treatment.

Ghrelin regulates insulin resistance by targeting insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor via miR-455-5p in hepatic cells

Objective: To explore the mechanism by which ghrelin regulates insulin sensitivity through modulation of miR-455-5p in hepatic cells. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with or without DAG (1 μM). Glucose consumption, intracellular glycogen content, phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt stimulated by insulin, expression of miR-455-5p, as well as IGF-1R protein level were analyzed. In addition, bioinformatic analysis, dual luciferase reporter assay, miR- 455-5p mimic or inhibitor treatment was conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms. Results: High glucose treatment upregulated miR-455-5p expression but reduced glucose consumption and glycogen content. DAG reversed the effect of high glucose on glucose metabolism, increased protein level of IGF-1R and phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt stimulated by insulin, as well as downregulated miR-455-5p expression. Bioinformatic analysis indicated IGF-1R was the target of miR-455-5p. Dual luciferase reporter assay, as well as transfection with miR-455-5p mimic/inhibitor confirmed that DAG activated IGF-1R/PI3K/Akt signaling via inhibiting miR-455-5p. Conclusion: DAG improves insulin resistance via miR-455-5p- mediated activation of IGF-1R/PI3K/Akt system, suggesting that suppression of miR-455-5p or activation of DAG may be potential targets for T2DM therapy.

Effects of β-Amino Butyric Acid Induced Rice Blast Resistance on Reactive Oxygen Metabolism

[Objective] This study was to understand the effects of β-Amino butyric acid(abbreviated as BABA) induced rice blast resistance on reactive oxygen metabolism. [Method] Using the cultivar Chaochan 2 that is highly susceptible to disease as experimental material, the changes of catalase(CAT), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) and MDA activities in rice treated by BABA were investigated. [Result] In rice plants treated by BABA, the activities of CAT and SOD increased, meanwhile the MDA content also rose to some extent, resulting in the disease resistance to rice blast. [Conclusion] By influencing reactive oxygen metabolism, BABA endows rice plants with resistance to rice blast. BABA is safe to environment and has highly resistance-inducing capacity, it could be generalized in production.

高压密闭酸溶-电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定硼矿石中的硼

应用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法(ICP-OES)分析硼矿石中的硼含量,样品分解方法多采用酸溶法和熔融法,硼酸在浓酸溶液中加热蒸发时形成易挥发的BF_(3)或BCl_(3),造成硼的损失。熔融法可分解难溶于酸的硅硼钙石、电气石等样品,但将大量钠盐引入了样品中,基体较大,检出限高。本文建立了高压密闭酸溶、ICP-OES测定硼矿石中硼含量的方法。样品经硝酸和氢氟酸在高压密闭溶样罐中分解完全、定容稀释后,样品溶液用配备耐氢氟酸进样系统的ICP-OES测定。在ICP-OES中,硼有三条常用分析谱线,选取249.677nm为硼的分析谱线,标准曲线的线性相关系数大于0.9995。采用本方法对硼镁矿、锰方硼石和盐湖型固体硼矿三种类型5个不同含量范围的实际样品进行测定,相对标准偏差(RSD,n=11)为0.39%~2.66%,方法检出限为1.76μg/g,硼含量定量范围为5.87μg/g~10.8%。经标准物质验证,硼含量测定值与标准值一致,与容量法和微波消解法测定结果吻合。本方法试剂用量少,无需蒸干样品溶液,有效地避免了硼酸易挥发和试剂用量大的问题。

银杏脱支淀粉-月桂酸复合物的结构及发酵特性

将提取的银杏淀粉用普鲁兰酶进行脱支,得到银杏脱支淀粉。而后将银杏脱支淀粉与月桂酸(lauric acid,LA)复合得到银杏脱支淀粉-月桂酸复合物(ginkgo starch-lauric acid complex,GSL)。采用扫描电子显微镜、分子对接、傅里叶变换红外光谱、X-射线衍射对GSL的结构进行表征,研究发现GSL扫描电子显微镜观察结果为不规则块状结构,且表面呈致密的层状结构;分子对接结果表明月桂酸可通过氢键和疏水作用进入右旋单螺旋淀粉的螺旋腔;短程有序性和长程有序性均有所增强,结晶度提高,内部结构更加致密。体外消化结果表明GSL的消化率降低约20%,抗酶解能力的提高可能是由于抗性淀粉含量显著升高,快速消化淀粉含量显著降低。肠道菌群的发酵处理,发现GSL的pH值明显降低,且产生的短链脂肪酸显著增加。综上,银杏脱支淀粉-月桂酸复合物的低消化和益生元特性,使其有望成为淀粉基新型营养食品的重要来源。

丙烯酸-没食子酸基新型改性转锈剂乳液及耐高温涂料的合成研究

转锈剂具有反应条件温和、高效等优点,因此被广泛应用于金属表面的防锈处理。为解决大型钢材建筑除锈难的问题,本研究以丙烯酸、没食子酸为原料,采用种子乳液聚合法制备了一种新型的转锈剂乳液,并以此为成膜物质。以环氧树脂、多异氰酸酯为主要原料,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了一种耐高温涂料。结果表明,改性丙烯酸转锈乳液粒径相对均匀,涂覆锈转化涂料的样品腐蚀电位为-0.613 V,比裸钢及附着锈钢的腐蚀电位要低得多,对锈转化有一定的抑制作用。通过一系列单因素实验得出耐高温涂料的最佳制备条件为:研磨时间为50 min、分散时间为60 min、颜基比为3.0、漆膜厚度为300μm、固化剂用量为15%。研究制得的转锈剂乳液稳定性较好,耐腐蚀性能优异,可实现金属设备的防腐蚀要求。

苍柴调中方辅助改善肝郁脾虚型肥胖2型糖尿病的疗效及对胰岛素抵抗、FFA、LDL-C水平的影响

目的:探讨苍柴调中方辅助改善肝郁脾虚型肥胖2型糖尿病(T2DM)的疗效,并分析其对胰岛素抵抗、游离脂肪酸(FFA)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平的影响。方法:选取2020年4月至2023年4月该院收治的肝郁脾虚型肥胖T2DM患者100例,根据随机数字表法分为两组,各50例。对照组患者使用二甲双胍治疗,观察组患者在对照组基础上联合苍柴调中方辅助治疗。观察两组患者的治疗效果,比较两组患者治疗前后中医症状积分、糖代谢指标[空腹血糖(FBG)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)]、血清FFA、LDL-C、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)水平的差异,并对不良反应发生率进行统计。结果:观察组患者的治疗总有效率高于对照组,不良反应发生率低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,观察组患者倦怠乏力、精神抑郁、脘腹闷胀及大便黏滞等中医症状积分均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与治疗前比较,两组患者治疗后的FBG、HOMA-IR、FINS水平均明显降低,其中观察组患者治疗后的FINS、FBG及HOMA-IR水平低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组患者治疗后的血清LDL-C、FFA、TNF-α水平均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:苍柴调中方辅助治疗可明显提高肝郁脾虚型肥胖T2DM患者的治疗效果,改善胰岛素抵抗,下调血清FFA、LDL-C水平。

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits proliferation of gastric cancer cells through regulating the miR-345-5p/TGM2 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a common gastrointestinal malignancy worldwide.Based on cancer-related mortality,the current prevention and treatment strategies for GC still show poor clinical results.Therefore,it is important to find effective drug treatment targets.AIM To explore the molecular mechanism of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(18β-GRA)regulating the miR-345-5p/TGM2 signaling pathway to inhibit the proliferation of GC cells.METHODS CCK-8 assay was used to determine the effect of 18β-GRA on the survival rate of GES-1 cells and AGS and HGC-27 cells.Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry,cell migration was detected by a wound healing assay,the effect of 18β-GRA on subcutaneous tumor growth in BALB/c nude mice was investigated,and the cell autophagy level was determined by MDC staining.TMT proteomic analysis was used to detect the differentially expressed autophagy-related proteins in GC cells after 18β-GRA intervention,and then the protein-protein interaction was predicted using STRING(https://string-db.org/).MicroRNAs(miRNAs)transcriptome analysis was used to detect the miRNA differential expression profile,and use miRBase(https://www.mirbase/)and TargetScan(https://www.targetscan.org/)to predict the miRNA and complementary binding sites.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression level of miRNA in 18β-GRA treated cells,and western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy related proteins.Finally,the effect of miR-345-5p on GC cells was verified by mir-345-5p overexpression.RESULTS 18β-GRA could inhibit GC cells viability,promote cell apoptosis,block cell cycle,reduce cell wound healing ability,and inhibit the GC cells growth in vivo.MDC staining results showed that 18β-GRA could promote autophagy in GC cells.By TMT proteomic analysis and miRNAs transcriptome analysis,it was concluded that 18β-GRA could down-regulate TGM2 expression and up-regulate miR-345-5p expression in GC cells.Subsequently,we verified that TGM2 is the target of miR-345-5p,and that overexpression of miR-345-5p significantly inhibited the protein expression level of TGM2.Western blot showed that the expression of autophagy-related proteins of TGM2 and p62 was significantly reduced,and LC3II,ULK1 and AMPK expression was significantly increased in GC cells treated with 18β-GRA.Overexpression of miR-345-5p not only inhibited the expression of TGM2,but also inhibited the proliferation of GC cells by promoting cell apoptosis and arresting cell cycle.CONCLUSION 18β-GRA inhibits the proliferation of GC cells and promotes autophagy by regulating the miR-345-5p/TGM2 signaling pathway.

Chlorogenic acid alleviates hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal mice

Recent studies have shown that chlorogenic acid(CGA),which is present in coffee,has protective effects on the nervous system.However,its role in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury remains unclear.In this study,we established a newborn mouse model of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury using a modified Rice-Vannucci method and performed intraperitoneal injection of CGA.We found that CGA intervention effectively reduced the volume of cerebral infarct,alleviated cerebral edema,restored brain tissue structure after injury,and promoted axon growth in injured brain tissue.Moreover,CGA pretreatment alleviated oxygen-glucose deprivation damage of primary neurons and promoted neuron survival.In addition,changes in ferroptosis-related proteins caused by hypoxic-ischemic brain injury were partially reversed by CGA.Furthermore,CGA intervention upregulated the expression of the key ferroptosis factor glutathione peroxidase 4 and its upstream glutamate/cystine antiporter related factors SLC7A11 and SLC3A2.In summary,our findings reveal that CGA alleviates hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal mice by reducing ferroptosis,providing new ideas for the treatment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Berberine reverses free-fatty-acid-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through targeting IKKβ

AIM: To investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of berberine on improving insulin resistance induced by free fatty acids (FFAs) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. METHODS: The model of insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was established by adding palmic acid (0.5 mmol/L) to the culture medium. Berberine treatment was performed at the same time. Glucose uptake rate was determined by the 2-deoxy-[3H]-D-glucose method. The levels of IkB kinase beta (IKKβ) Ser181 phosphorylation, insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS-1) Ser307 phosphorylation, expression of IKKβ, IRS-1, nuclear transcription factor kappaB p65 (NF-κB p65), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase p85 (PI-3K p85) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) proteins were detected by Western blotting. The distribution of NF-κB p65 proteins inside the adipocytes was observed through confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). RESULTS: After the intervention of palmic acid for 24 h, the insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was inhibited by 67%. Meanwhile, the expression of IRS-1 and PI-3K p85 protein was reduced, while the levels of IKKβ Ser181 and IRS-1 Ser307 phosphorylation, and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 protein were increased. However, the above indexes, which indicated the existence of insulin resistance, were reversed by berberine although the expression of GLUT4, IKKβ and total NF-κB p65 protein were not changed during this study. CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance induced by FFAs in 3T3-L1 adipocytes can be improved by berberine. Berberine reversed free-fatty-acid-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through targeting IKKβ.

Effect of Ursolic Acid on Breast Cancer Resistance Protein-mediated Transport of Rosuvastatin In Vivo and Vitro

Objective To evaluate whether ursolic acid can inhibit breast cancer resistance protein(BCRP)-mediated transport of rosuvastatin in vivo and in vitro. Methods Firstly, we explored the pharmacokinetics of 5-fluorouracil(5-FU, a substrate of BCRP) in rats in the presence or absence of ursolic acid. Secondly, we studied the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin in rats in the presence or absence of ursolic acid or Ko143(inhibitor of BCRP). Finially, the concentration-dependent transport of rosuvastatin and the inhibitory effects of ursolic acid and Ko143 were examined in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney(MDCK) Ⅱ-BCRP421CC(wild type) cells and MDCKⅡ-BCRP421AA(mutant type) cells. Results As a result, significant changes in pharmacokinetics parameters of 5-FU were observed in rats following pretreatment with ursolic acid. Both ursolic acid and Ko143 could significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin. The rosuvastatin transport in the BCRP overexpressing system was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. However, there was no statistical difference in BCRP-mediated transport of rosuvastatin betweent the wild type cells and mutant cells. The same as Ko143, ursolic acid inhibited BCRP-mediated transport of rosuvastatin in vitro. Conclusion Ursolic acid appears to be a potent modulator of BCRP that affects the pharmacokinetic of rosuvastatin in vivo and inhibits the transport of rosuvastatin in vitro.

Genistein Reverses Free Fatty Acid-induced Insulin Resistance in HepG2 Hepatocytes through Targeting JNK

This study investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of genistein in improving insulin resistance induced by free fatty acids （FFAs） in HepG2 hepatocytes. A model of insulin resistance in HepG2 cells was established by adding palmitic acid （0.5 mmol/L） to the culture medium and the cells were treated by genistein. Glucose consumption of HepG2 cells was determined by glucose oxidase method. The levels of c-jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） phosphorylation, insulin receptor substrate-1 （IRS-1） Ser307 phosphorylation, JNK, IRS-1, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase p85 （PI-3K p85） and glucose transporter 1 （GLUT1） proteins were detected by Western blotting. The results showed that after the treatment with palmitic acid for 24 h, the insulin-stimulated glucose transport in HepG2 cells was inhibited, and the glucose consumption was substantially reduced. Meanwhile, the expressions of IRS-1, PI-3K p85 protein and GLUT1 were obviously reduced, while the levels of JNK phosphorylation and IRS-1 Ser307 phosphorylation and the expression of JNK protein were significantly increased, as compared with cells of normal control. However, the aforementioned indices, which indicated the existence of insulin resistance, were reversed by genistein at 1-4 μmol/L in a dose-dependent manner. It was concluded that insulin resistance induced by FFAs in HepG2 hepatocytes could be improved by genistein. Genistein might reverse FFAs-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cells by targeting JNK.

Performance evaluation of nano-silica and silica fume on enhancing acid resistance of cement-based composites for underground structures

This study aims to evaluate the performance of silica fume(SF)and nano-silica(NS)on enhancing the sulfuric acid resistance of mortar mixtures.The NS and SF were added as substitutions for cement at various dosages.The cured samples were immersed in the sulfuric acid solution with a pH of 2 for 75 d.A compressive strength test and absorption and voids tests were conducted before sulfuric acid immersion.It was found that the addition of SF and NS reduced the volume of permeable voids and increased compressive strength.A thermo-gravimetric analysis was carried out to investigate the hydration of mixtures.The mixtures with SF showed a higher level of pozzolanic reaction compared with mixtures with NS.After the 75 d of immersion,the mixtures with 5%SF and 1%NS showed the best resistance against sulfuric acid because they showed the lowest mass change and length change.

Pyramiding of multiple genes generates rapeseed introgression lines with clubroot and herbicide resistance, high oleic acid content, and early maturity

Clubroot and herbicide resistance,high oleic acid(OA)content,and early maturity are targets of rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)breeding.The objective of this study was to develop new male-fertility restorer lines by pyramiding favorable genes to improve these traits simultaneously.Seven elite alleles for the four traits were introduced into the restorer line 621R by speed breeding with marker-assisted and phenotypic selection.Six introgression lines(ILs)were developed with four-to seven-gene combinations and crossed with two elite parents to develop hybrids.All ILs and their corresponding hybrids displayed high resistance to both clubroot pathotype 4 and sulfonylurea herbicides.Three ILs and their hybrids showed large increases in OA contents and four showed earlier maturity.These new ILs may be useful in rapeseed hybrid breeding for the target traits.

Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acid-Based Delivery of Resveratrol Alleviates Insulin Resistance:From Innate to Adaptive Immunity

Obesity-induced insulin resistance is the hallmark of metabolic syndrome,and chronic,low-grade tissue inflammation links obesity to insulin resistance through the activation of tissue-infiltrating immune cells.Current therapeutic approaches lack efficacy and immunomodulatory capacity.Thus,a new therapeutic approach is needed to prevent chronic inflammation and alleviate insulin resistance.Here,we synthesized a tetrahedral framework nucleic acid(tFNA)nanoparticle that carried resveratrol(RSV)to inhibit tissue inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity in obese mice.The prepared nanoparticles,namely tFNAs-RSV,possessed the characteristics of simple synthesis,stable properties,good water solubility,and superior biocompatibility.The tFNA-based delivery ameliorated the lability of RSV and enhanced its therapeutic efficacy.In high-fat diet(HFD)-fed mice,the administration of tFNAs-RSV ameliorated insulin resistance by alleviating inflammation status.tFNAs-RSV could reverse M1 phenotype macrophages in tissues to M2 phenotype macrophages.As for adaptive immunity,the prepared nanoparticles could repress the activation of Th1 and Th17 and promote Th2 and Treg,leading to the alleviation of insulin resistance.Furthermore,this study is the first to demonstrate that tFNAs,a nucleic acid material,possess immunomodulatory capacity.Collectively,our findings demonstrate that tFNAs-RSV alleviate insulin resistance and ameliorate inflammation in HFD mice,suggesting that nucleic acid materials or nucleic acid-based delivery systems may be a potential agent for the treatment of insulin resistance and obesity-related metabolic diseases.

Folic acid-conjugated liposomal vincristine for multidrug resistant cancer therapy

We encapsulated vincristine into folic acid-conjugated PEGylated liposomes to improve the anti-tumor efficacy on multidrug resistant cancers.It was observed that the drug delivery system we constructed exhibited maximum cytotoxicity on KBv200 cells(multidrug resistant variant)compared with any other formulations.The semi-quantitative analysis of region of interest revealed that there was a great increase in area under curve(AUC)of a near-infrared fluorescein in solid tumors due to folic acid-mediated accumulation.Folic acid-conjugated PEGylated liposomes showed a significant tumor growth inhibiting effect in vitro and in vivo.TUNEL assay revealed that folic acid-conjugated PEGylated liposomes could induce cell apoptosis much more greatly than others.This study demonstrated that it had potential application prospective for the treatment of multidrug resistant cancer.

Anti-insulin resistant effect of ferulic acid on high fat diet-induced obese mice

Objective: To evaluate the insulin sensitivity action of ferulic acid(FA) in skeletal muscle and hypothalamus of high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obese mice. Methods: Obese mouse model was induced by HFD(45 kcal% lard fat) for 16 weeks. After 8 weeks of HFD feeding, these obese mice were orally treated with FA at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks. At the end of all treatments, the epididymal fat, pancreas, skeletal muscle and hypothalamus were removed for biochemical parameter and protein expression examinations. Results: FA treatment significantly decreased leptin level in fat tissue and insulin level in pancreas(P < 0.05). Interestingly, obese mice treated with FA increased the protein expressions of insulin receptor substrate-1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and phosphorylated-protein kinase B in both muscle and brain(P < 0.05). The phosphorylations of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in muscle, and leptin receptor protein in hypothalamus were also increased(P < 0.05). The pancreatic islets histology showed smaller size in obese mice treated with FA compared to untreated obese mice. Conclusions: These findings indicate the beneficial effect of FA in improving insulin resistance in HFD-induced obese mice. These effects are probably mediated via modulating the insulin receptor substrate/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B or adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase pathways.