Hypoglycemic mechanism of Tegillarca granosa polysaccharides on type 2 diabetic mice by altering gut microbiota and regulating the PI3K-akt signaling pathwaye

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a complex metabolic disease threatening human health.We investigated the effects of Tegillarca granosa polysaccharide(TGP)and determined its potential mechanisms in a mouse model of T2DM established through a high-fat diet and streptozotocin.TGP(5.1×10^(3) Da)was composed of mannose,glucosamine,rhamnose,glucuronic acid,galactosamine,glucose,galactose,xylose,and fucose.It could significantly alleviate weight loss,reduce fasting blood glucose levels,reverse dyslipidemia,reduce liver damage from oxidative stress,and improve insulin sensitivity.RT-PCR and Western blotting indicated that TGP could activate the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway to regulate disorders in glucolipid metabolism and improve insulin resistance.TGP increased the abundance of Allobaculum,Akkermansia,and Bifidobacterium,restored the microbiota abundance in the intestinal tracts of mice with T2DM,and promoted short-chain fatty acid production.This study provides new insights into the antidiabetic effects of TGP and highlights its potential as a natural hypoglycemic nutraceutical.

Spi1 regulates the microglial/macrophage inflammatory response via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway after intracerebral hemorrhage

Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that microglia and macrophages participate in a multiphasic brain damage repair process following intracerebral hemorrhage.The E26 transformation-specific sequence-related transcription factor Spi1 regulates microglial/macrophage commitment and maturation.However,the effect of Spi1 on intracerebral hemorrhage remains unclear.In this study,we found that Spi1 may regulate recovery from the neuroinflammation and neurofunctional damage caused by intracerebral hemorrhage by modulating the microglial/macrophage transcriptome.We showed that high Spi1expression in microglia/macrophages after intracerebral hemorrhage is associated with the activation of many pathways that promote phagocytosis,glycolysis,and autophagy,as well as debris clearance and sustained remyelination.Notably,microglia with higher levels of Soil expression were chara cterized by activation of pathways associated with a variety of hemorrhage-related cellular processes,such as complement activation,angiogenesis,and coagulation.In conclusion,our results suggest that Spi1 plays a vital role in the microglial/macrophage inflammatory response following intracerebral hemorrhage.This new insight into the regulation of Spi1 and its target genes may advance our understanding of neuroinflammation in intracerebral hemorrhage and provide therapeutic targets for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Downregulation of Serum PTEN Expression in Mercury-Exposed Population and PI3K/AKT Pathway-Induced Inflammation

Objective This study investigated the impact of occupational mercury(Hg) exposure on human gene transcription and expression, and its potential biological mechanisms.Methods Differentially expressed genes related to Hg exposure were identified and validated using gene expression microarray analysis and extended validation. Hg-exposed cell models and PTEN lowexpression models were established in vitro using 293T cells. PTEN gene expression was assessed using qRT-PCR, and Western blotting was used to measure PTEN, AKT, and PI3K protein levels. IL-6 expression was determined by ELISA.Results Combined findings from gene expression microarray analysis, bioinformatics, and population expansion validation indicated significant downregulation of the PTEN gene in the high-concentration Hg exposure group. In the Hg-exposed cell model(25 and 10 μmol/L), a significant decrease in PTEN expression was observed, accompanied by a significant increase in PI3K, AKT, and IL-6 expression.Similarly, a low-expression cell model demonstrated that PTEN gene knockdown led to a significant decrease in PTEN protein expression and a substantial increase in PI3K, AKT, and IL-6 levels.Conclusion This is the first study to report that Hg exposure downregulates the PTEN gene, activates the PI3K/AKT regulatory pathway, and increases the expression of inflammatory factors, ultimately resulting in kidney inflammation.

基于PTEN/PI3K/Akt信号通路探讨糖通饮对糖尿病肾病大鼠足细胞损伤的保护作用

目的探讨糖通饮对糖尿病肾病(DN)大鼠足细胞损伤的保护作用。方法高脂高糖饮食联合链脲佐菌素(STZ)多次注射建立DN大鼠模型,并随机分为模型组、厄贝沙坦组(13.5mg/kg)和糖通饮低、中、高剂量组(930、1860、3720mg/kg),另设置正常组,各组灌胃给予相应剂量药物,每天1次,连续8周。检测各组大鼠空腹血糖(FBG)、24h尿蛋白(24-hUP)、血肌酐(Scr)、血尿素氮(BUN)水平,HE染色观察各组大鼠肾组织病理形态学改变,透射电子显微镜观察肾足细胞超微结构变化,RT-qPCR法检测肾组织PTEN、PI3K、Akt、nephrin、podocin、CD2APmRNA表达,Westernblot法检测肾组织PTEN、PI3K、Akt、p-Akt、nephrin、podocin、CD2AP蛋白表达。结果与模型组比较,糖通饮各剂量组FBG、24-hUP、Scr、BUN水平降低(P<0.05,P<0.01),肾组织病理形态和足细胞超微结构得到改善,PTEN、nephrin、podocin、CD2APmRNA和蛋白表达升高(P<0.05,P<0.01),p-Akt蛋白表达降低(P<0.05,P<0.01);糖通饮中、高剂量组PI3K、AktmRNA和蛋白表达降低(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论糖通饮对DN大鼠肾组织足细胞有保护作用,其机制可能与调节PTEN/PI3K/Akt信号通路有关。

基于PTEN与JAK对PI3K/Akt信号通路的影响探讨加味小蓟饮子治疗急性放射性膀胱炎的作用机制

目的:探讨加味小蓟饮子治疗急性放射性膀胱炎的作用机制。方法:50只ICR小鼠随机分为空白组12只和造模组38只。采用X射线辐照仪造模,造模后随机取2只小鼠处死鉴定模型是否成功。将剩余造模组小鼠随机分为模型组、小蓟饮子组和加味小蓟饮子组各12只。空白组、模型组、小蓟饮子组、加味小蓟饮子组分别予0.9%氯化钠、0.9%氯化钠、小蓟饮子药液,加味小蓟饮子药液灌胃处理,每日1次,连续7 d。末次灌胃后24 h处死取材,酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)法检测血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)含量。Western Blot法检测小鼠膀胱丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶(AKT)、E钙粘着蛋白(E-Cadherin)、内皮素-1(ET-1)、JAK激酶(JAK)、核转录因子红系2相关因子2(Nrf2)、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)、人第10号染色体缺失的磷酸酶(PTEN)、Smad蛋白2(Smad2)、Smad蛋白3(Smad3)、转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)、尿斑蛋白3(Upk3)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)蛋白相对表达水平;实时荧光免疫定量-聚合酶链式反应法(RT-PCR)法检测小鼠膀胱微RNA-21(MicroRNA-21,miR-21)、PTEN、JAK、PI3K、AKT、Nrf2信使核糖核酸(mRNA)相对表达水平。结果:相较模型组,加味小蓟饮子组小鼠体内SOD、GSH-Px、T-AOC、AKT、E-Cadherin、JAK、Nrf2、PI3K、Upk3含量升高(P<0.05),MDA、ET-1、PTEN、Smad2、Smad3、TGF-β1、VEGF含量下降(P<0.05);与模型组和小蓟饮子组比较,加味小蓟饮子miR-21 mRNA表达升高(P<0.05)。结论:加味小蓟饮子组可能通过上调miR-21表达,同调PTEN、JAK蛋白以激活下游PI3K/AKT/Nrf2信号通路治疗急性放射性膀胱炎。

Melatonin improves synapse development by PI3K/Akt signaling in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorders are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders involving more than 1100 genes,including Ctnnd2 as a candidate gene.Ctnnd2knockout mice,serving as an animal model of autis m,have been demonstrated to exhibit decreased density of dendritic spines.The role of melatonin,as a neuro hormone capable of effectively alleviating social interaction deficits and regulating the development of dendritic spines,in Ctnnd2 deletion-induced nerve injury remains unclea r.In the present study,we discove red that the deletion of exon 2 of the Ctnnd2 gene was linked to social interaction deficits,spine loss,impaired inhibitory neurons,and suppressed phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt) signal pathway in the prefrontal cortex.Our findings demonstrated that the long-term oral administration of melatonin for 28 days effectively alleviated the aforementioned abnormalities in Ctnnd2 gene-knockout mice.Furthermore,the administration of melatonin in the prefro ntal cortex was found to improve synaptic function and activate the PI3K/Akt signal pathway in this region.The pharmacological blockade of the PI3K/Akt signal pathway with a PI3K/Akt inhibitor,wo rtmannin,and melatonin receptor antagonists,luzindole and 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin,prevented the melatonin-induced enhancement of GABAergic synaptic function.These findings suggest that melatonin treatment can ameliorate GABAe rgic synaptic function by activating the PI3K/Akt signal pathway,which may contribute to the improvement of dendritic spine abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders.

黄芩清热除痹胶囊通过PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路改善痛风性关节炎大鼠的炎症反应及尿酸、脂质代谢失衡

目的探究黄芩清热除痹胶囊(HQC)对痛风性关节炎(GA)大鼠炎症反应及尿酸、脂质代谢的影响,并探讨其可能机制。方法随机将60只SD大鼠分为6组:正常组,模型组,HQC低、中、高剂量组,秋水仙碱组(n=10);以单钠尿酸盐注射右踝关节腔进行GA大鼠造模,HQC低、中、高剂量组及秋水仙碱组予相应剂量药物灌胃,模型组予等量生理盐水,连续7 d。造模后4、8、24、48、72 h检测各组大鼠足趾肿胀度;HE染色法进行滑膜组织学分析;ELISA检测血清中白细胞介素(IL)-10、IL-18、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、转化生长因子(TGF)-β1、脂联素(APN)、瘦素(LP)、抵抗素(RS)、内脂素(VF)的表达,检测滑膜中APN、LP、RS、VF的表达;生化法检测血清中高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、血尿酸(BUA)的水平;RT-qPCR检测滑膜中磷酸酶与紧张素同源物(PTEN)、磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶(PI3K)、蛋白激酶B(AKT)mRNA的表达;Western blotting检测PTEN、PI3K、p-PI3K、AKT、p-AKT蛋白表达。结果与正常组比较,模型组足趾肿胀度升高(P<0.05),且在48 h达到高峰;HE染色显示大量炎性细胞浸润和滑膜组织增生;TNF-α、TGF-β1、IL-18、TC、TG、LP、RS、VF、BUA、p-PI3K、p-AKT的表达增加(P<0.05),IL-10、APN、HDL-C、PTEN的表达降低(P<0.05)。与模型组比较,HQC和秋水仙碱可降低TNF-α、TGF-β1、IL-18、TC、TG、LP、RS、VF、BUA、p-PI3K、p-AKT的表达(P<0.05),升高IL-10、APN、HDL-C、PTEN的表达(P<0.05),减轻滑膜组织病理损伤,改善足趾肿胀度。结论HQC可改善GA大鼠炎症反应及尿酸、脂质代谢失衡,可能与抑制PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路有关。

阿魏酸通过调节PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路抑制急性T淋巴细胞白血病进展

目的探究阿魏酸是否可通过调控PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路在体内外抑制急性T淋巴细胞白血病进展。方法将急性T淋巴细胞白血病Jurkat细胞分为对照组、阿魏酸处理组和LY294002处理组进行体外实验,对照组正常培养;阿魏酸处理组分别给予不同浓度(1.25、2.5、5、10、20、40、80、160µmol/L)阿魏酸,采用CCK-8法检测细胞增殖能力,筛选实验浓度;LY294002处理组给予50µmol/L PI3K/AKT抑制剂LY294002,采用克隆形成实验、流式细胞术、Transwell实验检测细胞增殖、凋亡、侵袭情况,采用Western blot检测核蛋白Ki67、增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)、cleaved caspase-3、cleaved caspase-9、E-cadherin、N-cadherin、Vimentin、PTEN、p-PI3K、PI3K、p-AKT和AKT蛋白相对表达量。使用30只雄性BALB/c裸鼠建立移植瘤裸鼠模型,平均分为正常组和阿魏酸处理组进行体内实验,正常组接种Jurkat细胞后以生理盐水灌胃,阿魏酸处理组接种Jurkat细胞后以75 mg/kg阿魏酸灌胃,比较移植瘤质量和体积变化,并检测肿瘤组织中Ki67、cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3、E-cadherin、N-cadherin、PTEN、p-PI3K、PI3K、p-AKT和AKT水平。结果体外实验中,与对照组比较,5、10、20µmol/L阿魏酸处理组和LY294002处理组细胞克隆形成率、细胞侵袭数、Ki67、PCNA、N-cadherin、Vimentin、p-PI3K/PI3K、p-AKT/AKT明显降低/减少(P<0.05),细胞凋亡率、cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3、cleaved caspase-9/caspase-9、E-cadherin、PTEN明显升高(P<0.05)。体内实验中,与正常组比较,阿魏酸处理组裸鼠肿瘤质量减轻,肿瘤体积减小,肿瘤组织中Ki67、N-cadherin、p-PI3K/PI3K、p-AKT/AKT明显降低,cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3、E-cadherin、PTEN明显升高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论阿魏酸在体内外均可抑制急性T淋巴细胞白血病Jurkat细胞的增殖及侵袭,并诱导细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与调控PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路有关。

MiR-146a-5p targeting SMAD4 and TRAF6 inhibits adipogenensis through TGF-β and AKT/mTORC1 signal pathways in porcine intramuscular preadipocytes

Background: Intramuscular fat(IMF) content is a vital parameter for assessing pork quality. Increasing evidence has shown that microRNAs(miRNAs) play an important role in regulating porcine IMF deposition. Here, a novel miRNA implicated in porcine IMF adipogenesis was found, and its effect and regulatory mechanism were further explored with respect to intramuscular preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation.Results: By porcine adipose tissue miRNA sequencing analysis, we found that miR-146a-5p is a potential regulator of porcine IMF adipogenesis. Further studies showed that miR-146a-5p mimics inhibited porcine intramuscular preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation, while the miR-146a-5p inhibitor promoted cell proliferation and adipogenic differentiation. Mechanistically, miR-146a-5p suppressed cell proliferation by directly targeting SMAD family member 4(SMAD4) to attenuate TGF-β signaling. Moreover, miR-146a-5p inhibited the differentiation of intramuscular preadipocytes by targeting TNF receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6) to weaken the AKT/mTORC1 signaling downstream of the TRAF6 pathway.Conclusions: MiR-146a-5p targets SMAD4 and TRAF6 to inhibit porcine intramuscular adipogenesis by attenuating TGF-β and AKT/mTORC1 signaling, respectively. These findings provide a novel miRNA biomarker for regulating intramuscular adipogenesis to promote pork quality.

Downregulation of LncRNAH19 and MiR-675 Promotes Migration and Invasion of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through AKT/GSK-3β/Cdc25A Signaling Pathway

Summary： LncRNAH19 has been implicated as having both oncogenic and tumor suppression properties in cancer. LncRNAH19 transcripts also serve as a precursor for miR-675. However, it is unknown whether LncRNAH19 and miR-675 are involved in the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of LncRNAH19 and miR-675 on migration and invasion of HCC cells. The migration and invasion of HCC cells were measured by Transwell migration and invasion assays after transfection of HCC cells with miR-675 inhibitors and LncRNAH19siRNA. The levels of LncRNAH19 and miR-675 were detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction （qRT-PCR）, and the protein expression of AKT, GSK-3[3 and Cdc25A by Western blotting analysis. The expression levels of LncRNAHI9 and miR-675 were higher in MHCC-97H cells than in L02, Huh-7 and HepG2 cells. Transwell migration assay revealed that the miR-675 inhibitor and LncRNAH19siRNA could significantly increase the migration of HCC cells （P〈0.01） as compared with the control group. Transwell invasion assay demonstrated that the miR-675 inhibitor and LncRNAH19siRNA could significantly increase the invasion of HCC cells （P〈0.01） as compared with the control group. Western blotting analy- sis showed that the expression levels of AKT and Cdc25A were significantly increased （P〈0.05）, and the expression level of GSK-313 was significantly decreased （P〈0.05） after treatment with miR-675 inhibitors and LncRNAH19siRNA as compared with the control group. These findings suggested that inhibition of LncRNAH 19 and miR-675 expression can promote migration and invasion of HCC cells via AKT/GSK-3[3/Cdc25A signaling pathway.

Baicalin attenuates blood-spinal cord barrier disruption and apoptosis through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway after spinal cord injury

Baicalin is a natural active ingredient isolated from Scutellariae Radix that can cross the blood-brain barrier and exhibits neuroprotective effects on multiple central nervous system diseases.However,the mechanism behind the neuroprotective effects remains unclear.In this study,rat models of spinal cord injury were established using a modified Allen's impact method and then treated with intraperitoneal injection of Baicalin.The results revealed that Baicalin greatly increased the Basso,Beattie,Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale score,reduced blood-spinal cord barrier permeability,decreased the expression of Bax,Caspase-3,and nuclear factorκB,increased the expression of Bcl-2,and reduced neuronal apoptosis and pathological spinal cord injury.SH-SY5 Y cell models of excitotoxicity were established by application of 10 m M glutamate for 12 hours and then treated with 40μM Baicalin for 48 hours to investigate the mechanism of action of Baicalin.The results showed that Baicalin reversed tight junction protein expression tendencies(occludin and ZO-1)and apoptosis-related protein expression(Bax,Bcl-2,Caspase-3,and nuclear factor-κB),and also led to up-regulation of PI3 K and Akt phosphorylation.These effects on Bax,Bcl-2,and Caspase-3 were blocked by pretreatment with the PI3 K inhibitor LY294002.These findings suggest that Baicalin can inhibit bloodspinal cord barrier permeability after spinal cord injury and reduce neuronal apoptosis,possibly by activating the PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway.This study was approved by Animal Ethics Committee of Xi'an Jiaotong University on March 6,2014.

Pancreas-specific Pten deficiency causes partial resistance to diabetes and elevated hepatic AKT signaling

PTEN, a negative regulator of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/AKT pathway, is an important modulator of insulin signaling. To determine the metabolic function of pancreatic Pten, we generated pancreas-specific Pten knockout （PPKO） mice. PPKO mice had enlarged pancreas and elevated proliferation of acinar cells. They also exhibited hypoglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and altered amino metabolism. Notably, PPKO mice showed delayed onset of streptozotocin （STZ）-induced diabetes and sex-biased resistance to high-fat-diet （HFD）-induced diabetes. To investigate the mechanism for the resistance to HFD-induced hyperglycemia in PPKO mice, we evaluated AKT phosphorylation in major insulin-responsive tissues： the liver, muscle, and fat. We found that Pten loss in the pancreas causes the elevation of AKT signaling in the liver. The phosphorylation of AKT and its downstream substrate GSK3β was increased in the liver of PPKO mice, while PTEN level was decreased without detectable excision of Pten allele in the liver of PPKO mice. Proteomics analysis revealed dramatically decreased level of 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein （GRP78） in the liver of PPKO mice, which may also contribute to the lower blood glucose level of PPKO mice fed with HFD. Together, our findings reveal a novel response in the liver to pancreatic defect in metabolic regulation, adding a new dimension to understanding diabetes resistance.

PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway inhibitors in proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial cells

AIM: To determine whether the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is activated in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in homo-sapiens. METHODS: The retina of controls and patients with PVR were collected and their levels of PI3K, phospho-AKT, phospho-mTOR, phospho-p70S6k and phospho-4EBP-1 were determined by Western blot. The cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cell line D407 was treated with a specific mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin (RAPA) or a PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, of various concentrations and durations. Cell morphology was observed by phase contrast microscopy and the proliferation and apoptosis of treated cells were determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Levels of PI3K, phospho-AKT, phospho-mTOR, phospho-P70S6K and phospho-4EBP1 was increased in the retina in PVR (P <0.05). In D407 cells, both RAPA and LY294002 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, and promoted apoptosis (P <0.05); morphologically, the cells became smaller. Both RAPA and LY294002 reduced levels of phospho-AKT, phospho-mTOR, phospho-p70S6k and phospho-4EBP1 expression (P <0.05). RAPA, but not LY294002, had no significant effect on PI3K expression. CONCLUSION: PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is highly activated in the retinal pigment epithelial cells of PVR. The inhibitors of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, RAPA and LY294002, could inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by reducing the levels of phosphorylation of mTOR pathway components.

shRNA-interfering LSD1 inhibits proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells via VEGF-C/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Histone Lysine Specific Demethylase 1(LSD1)is the first histone demethylase to be discovered,which regulates various biological functions by making lysine of histone H3K4,H3K9 and non-histone substrates demethylated.Abnormal regulation of LSD1 is closely related to the occurrence and development of gastric cancer.The change of LSD1 expression level plays an important role in the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer cells.The study of its function and mechanism may provide a theoretical basis for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of gastric cancer.AIM To investigate the effect of downregulation of lysine-specific demethylase 1(LSD1)expression on proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells and the possible regulatory mechanisms of the VEGF-C/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.METHODS The LSD1-specific short hairpin RNA(shRNA)interference plasmid was transiently transfected,and expression of LSD1 was downregulated.The cell proliferation ability of LSD1 was observed by CCK-8 assay after downregulating expression of LSD1.Transwell invasion assay was used to observe the change of cell invasion ability after downregulating expression of LSD1.Expression of phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3K),PI3K,p-AKT,AKT,vascular endothelial growth factor receptor(VEGFR)-3,matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in each group was detected by Western blotting.RESULTS The cell proliferation ability of transiently transfected LSD1-shRNA interference plasmid group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).Transwell invasion assay showed that the number of cells across the membrane of the LSD1-shRNA transfection group(238.451±5.216)was significantly lower than that of the control group(49.268±6.984)(P<0.01).Western blotting showed that expression level of VEGF-C,p-PI3K,PI3K,p-AKT,AKT,VEGFR-3,MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the LSD1-shRNA group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Downregulation of LSD1 expression inhibits metastatic potential of gastric cancer cells,and VEGF-C-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,which may be an important mechanism for inhibiting lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer cells.

Scoparone inhibits pancreatic cancer through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal system whose emerging resistance to chemotherapy has necessitated the development of novel antitumor treatments.Scoparone,a traditional Chinese medicine monomer with a wide range of pharmacological properties,has attracted considerable attention for its antitumor activity.AIM To explore the potential antitumor effect of scoparone on pancreatic cancer and the possible molecular mechanism of action.METHODS The target genes of scoparone were determined using both the bioinformatics and multiplatform analyses.The effect of scoparone on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation,migration,invasion,cell cycle,and apoptosis was detected in vitro.The expression of hub genes was tested using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),and the molecular mechanism was analyzed using Western blot.The in vivo effect of scoparone on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation was detected using a xenograft tumor model in nude mice as well as immunohistochemistry.RESULTS The hub genes involved in the suppression of pancreatic cancer by scoparone were obtained by network bioinformatics analyses using publicly available databases and platforms,including SwissTargetPrediction,STITCH,GeneCards,CTD,STRING,WebGestalt,Cytoscape,and Gepia;AKT1 was confirmed using qRT-PCR to be the hub gene.Cell Counting Kit-8 assay revealed that the viability of Capan-2 and SW1990 cells was significantly reduced by scoparone treatment exhibiting IC50 values of 225.2μmol/L and 209.1μmol/L,respectively.Wound healing and transwell assays showed that scoparone inhibited the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells.Additionally,flow cytometry confirmed that scoparone caused cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis.Scoparone also increased the expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3,decreased the levels of MMP9 and Bcl-2,and suppressed the phosphorylation of Akt without affecting total PI3K and Akt.Moreover,compared with the control group,xenograft tumors,in the 200μmol/L scoparone treatment group,were smaller in volume and lighter in weight,and the percentages of Ki65-and PCNA-positive cells were decreased.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that scoparone inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo,inhibits migration and invasion,and induces cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Sericin can reduce hippocampal neuronal apoptosis by activating the Akt signal transduction pathway in a rat model of diabetes mellitus

In the present study, a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus was established by continuous peritoneal injection of streptozotocin. Following intragastric perfusion of sericin for 35 days, blood glucose levels significantly reduced, neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal CA1 region decreased, hippocampal phosphorylated Akt and nuclear factor kappa B expression were enhanced, but Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 associated death promoter expression decreased. Results demonstrated that sericin can reduce hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in a rat model of diabetes mellitus by regulating abnormal changes in the Akt signal transduction pathway.

Panax notogiseng saponin inhibits ischemia-induced apoptosis by activating PI3K/Akt signal pathway in cardiomyocytes

The panax notoginseng saponin(PNS) had been clinically used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in China.It had been demonstrated that PNS could protect cardiomyocytes from injury induced by ischemi- a,but the underlying molecular mechanisms of this protective effect were still unclear.This study was aimed to investigate the protective effect and molecular mechanisms of PNS on apoptosis in H9c2 cells in vitro and rat myocardial ischemia injury model in vivo.Annexin-V/PI assay shew that PNS could protect H9c2 cells from apoptosis induced by serum, glucose and oxygen deprivation(SGOD) in a dose-dependent manner.However,the anti-apoptotic effect of PNS was reversed by LY294002,a specific PI3K inhibitor.This antiapoptotic effect of PNS was confirmed by JC-1,a specific probe of mitochondrial membrane potential staining.PNS could significantly increase phos-Akt in H9c2 cells by Western blot assays and its effect could be inhibited by LY294002.Furthermore,PNS could improve ischemic-induced left ventricular function as reflected by EF,LVDd and LVDs.PNS could also inhibited cellular apoptosis in myocardial tissues in ischemic rats by TUNEL assay.PNS administration also increased the expression of phos-Akt in rat ischemic myocardial tissues.These results suggested that PNS could protect myocardial cells from apoptosis induced by ischemia in vitro model and in vivo model through activating-PI3K/Akt signal pathway which may be meaningful for further understanding the molecular mechanisms of cardiac protection of PNS.And the results might be useful in treatment of myocardial ischemia in future.

Alleviatory effect of isoquercetin on benign prostatic hyperplasia via IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

We evaluated the effect of isoquercetin(quercetin-O-3-glucoside-quercetin,IQ)as a functional component of Abeliophyllum disistichum Nakai ethanol extract(ADLE)on prostate cell proliferation and apoptosis and its effects on the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Metabolites in ADLE were analyzed using UHPLC-qTOF-MS and HPLC.IQ was orally administered(1 or 10 mg/kg)to a testosterone propionate-induced BPH rat model,and its effects on the prostate weight were evaluated.The effect of IQ on androgen receptor(AR)signaling was analyzed in LNCaP cells.Whether IGF-1 and IQ affect the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in BPH-1 cells was also examined.The metabolites in ADLE were identified and quantified,which confirmed that ADLE contained abundant IQ(20.88 mg/g).IQ significantly reduced the prostate size in a concentration-dependent manner in a BPH rat model,and significantly decreased the expression of AR signaling factors in the rat prostate tissue and LNCaP cells in a concentration-dependent manner.IQ also inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activated by IGF-1 treatment in BPH-1 cells.In BPH-1 cells,IQ led to G0/G1 arrest and suppressed the expression of proliferation factors while inducing apoptosis.Thus,IQ shows potential for use as a pharmaceutical and nutraceutical for BPH.

Zuo Gui Wan Promotes Osteogenesis via PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway:Network Pharmacology Analysis and Experimental Validation

Objective Osteogenesis is vitally important for bone defect repair,and Zuo Gui Wan(ZGW)is a classic prescription in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for strengthening bones.However,the specific mechanism by which ZGW regulates osteogenesis is still unclear.The current study is based on a network pharmacology analysis to explore the potential mechanism of ZGW in promoting osteogenesis.Methods A network pharmacology analysis followed by experimental validation was applied to explore the potential mechanisms of ZGW in promoting the osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs).Results In total,487 no-repeat targets corresponding to the bioactive components of ZGW were screened,and 175 target genes in the intersection of ZGW and osteogenesis were obtained.And 28 core target genes were then obtained from a PPI network analysis.A GO functional enrichment analysis showed that the relevant biological processes mainly involve the cellular response to chemical stress,metal ions,and lipopolysaccharide.Additionally,KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that multiple signaling pathways,including the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway,were associated with ZGW-promoted osteogensis.Further experimental validation showed that ZGW could increase alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity as well as the mRNA and protein levels of ALP,osteocalcin(OCN),and runt related transcription factor 2(Runx 2).What’s more,Western blot analysis results showed that ZGW significantly increased the protein levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT,and the increases of these protein levels significantly receded after the addition of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002.Finally,the upregulated osteogenic-related indicators were also suppressed by the addition of LY294002.Conclusion ZGW promotes the osteogenesis of BMSCs via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Celastrol Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy via the AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in the Pituitary ACTH-secreting Adenoma Cells

Objective Pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)-secreting adenoma is a relatively intractable endocrine adenoma that can cause a range of severe metabolic disorders and pathological changes involving multiple systems.Previous studies have shown that celastrol has antitumor effects on a variety of tumor cells via the AKT/mTOR signaling.However,whether celastrol has pronounced antitumor effects on pituitary ACTH-secreting adenoma is unclear.This study aimed to identify a new effective therapeutic drug for pituitary ACTH-secreting adenoma.Methods Mouse pituitary ACTH-secreting adenoma cells(AtT20 cells)were used as an experimental model in vitro and to establish a xenograft tumor model in mice.Cells and animals were administered doses of celastrol at various levels.The effects of celastrol on cell viability,migration,apoptosis and autophagy were then examined.Finally,the potential involvement of AKT/mTOR signaling in celastrol’s mechanism was assessed.Results Celastrol inhibited the proliferation and migration of pituitary adenoma cells in a time-and concentration-dependent manner.It blocked AtT20 cells in the G0/G1 phase,and induced apoptosis and autophagy by downregulating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.Similar results were obtained in mice.Conclusion Celastrol exerts potent antitumor effects on ACTH-secreting adenoma by downregulating the AKT/mTOR signaling in vitro and in vivo.