Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists:Exploring the mechanisms from glycemic control to treatment of multisystemic diseases

This editorial takes a deeper look at the insights provided by Soresi and Giannitrapani,which examined the therapeutic potential of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs)for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.We provide supplementary insights to their research,highlighting the broader systemic implications of GLP-1RAs,synthesizing the current understanding of their mechanisms and the trajectory of research in this field.GLP-1RAs are revolutionizing the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and beyond.Beyond glycemic control,GLP-1RAs demonstrate cardiovascular and renal protective effects,offering potential in managing diabetic kidney disease alongside renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors.Their role in bone metabolism hints at benefits for diabetic osteoporosis,while the neuroprotective properties of GLP-1RAs show promise in Alzheimer's disease treatment by modulating neuronal insulin signaling.Additionally,they improve hormonal and metabolic profiles in polycystic ovary syndrome.This editorial highlights the multifaceted mechanisms of GLP-1RAs,emphasizing the need for ongoing research to fully realize their therapeutic potential across a range of multisystemic diseases.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardioprotective mechanisms:Role of mitochondria and reactive oxygen species

Reperfusion therapy must be applied as soon as possible to attenuate the ischemic insult of acute myocardial infarction(AMI).However reperfusion is responsible for additional myocardial damage,which likely involves opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP).In reperfusion injury,mitochondrial damage is a determining factor in causing loss of cardiomyocyte function and viability.Major mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction include the long lasting opening of mPTPs and the oxidative stress resulting from formation of reactive oxygen species(ROS).Several signaling cardioprotective pathways are activated by stimuli such as preconditioning and postconditioning,obtained with brief intermittent ischemia or with pharmacological agents.These pathways converge on a common target,the mitochondria,to preserve their function after ischemia/reperfusion.The present review discusses the role of mitochondria in cardioprotection,especially the involvement of adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels,ROS signaling,and the mPTP.Ischemic postconditioning has emerged as a new way to target the mitochondria,and to drastically reduce lethal reperfusion injury.Several clinical studies using ischemic postconditioning during angioplasty now support its protective effects,and an interesting alternative is pharmacological postconditioning.In fact ischemic postconditioning and the mPTP desensitizer,cyclosporine A,have been shown to induce comparable protection in AMI patients.

EFFECTS OF CERTAIN VASOACTIVE PEPTIDES ON PATHOGENESIS OF VASCULAR RESTENOSIS

Objective.To investigate the effects of several vasoactive peptides on the development of arterial restenosis after balloon angioplasty. Methods. In rat aortic artery restenosis model produced by denudation of aortic endothelia,we observed changes of endothelin(ET),angiotensin II(AII),calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)and adrenomedullin(Adm)in plasma and aorta with radioimmunoassay and expression of hypertension-related gene(HRG-1)with semi-quantitative RT-PCR,and studied the effects of these peptides on intimal hyperplasia,intima/media ratio and MAPK activities of aortic artery after angioplasty respectively. Furthermore,in cultured cells,we studied the effects of these peptides on vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC) proliferation and expression of HRG-1 of VSMC from spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)and Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats with 3H-TdR incorporation and RT-PCR respectively. Results. After angioplasty,the levels of ET and AII in plasma and aorta significantly increased,accompanied with VSMC proliferation and neointima hyperplasia. On day 10 after angioplasty,the levels of ET in plasma and aorta increased by 69% and 124% respectively,compared with sham group(P<0.01);and the level of aortic AII increased by 80%(P< 0.01). Antiserum against ET or inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE)could significantly inhibit the proliferation of VSMC and neointima formation. Compared with the sham group,on day 3 after angioplasty,the CGRP levels in plasma and aorta increased by 64% and 89% respectively(P< 0.01)and the Adm levels in plasma and tissue increased by 129% and 102% respectively(P< 0.01). On day 10,intravenous administration of CGRP significantly inhibited the proliferation of VSMC and neointima forma-tion induced by balloon aortic injury(by 66% and 79% respectively,P< 0.01). In addition,ET and AII attenuated the expression of HRG-1 in aorta and stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)activity,while CGRP and Adm potentiated the expression of HRG-1 and inhibited MAPK.Conclusions. ET and AII can stimulate the proliferation of injured intima while CGRP and Adm have an anti-hyperplasia effect after angioplasty. These 4 peptides are involved in the regulation of VSMC proliferation and affect the development of vascular restenosis by regulating the expression of HRG-1 and MAPK activity.

Effects of continuous intermedin infusion on blood pressure and hemodynamic function in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objective To examine the effects of exogenously administered intermedin （IMD,adrenomedullin-2） on arterial blood pressure,cardiac function and the cardiovascular IMD receptor system in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs） as well as to investigate the associated mechanisms.Methods Thirteen week-old male rats were divided in Wistar Kyoto （WKY） group （n =12）,SHR group （n =12）,IMD group （SHRs infused with IMD 1-47 500 ng/kg per hour,n =12）,and ADM group （SHRs infused with adrenomedullin 500 ng/kg per hour,n =12）.Results A two-week continuous administration of low dose IMD 1-47 via mini-osmotic pumps markedly reduced blood pressure,the maximal rates of increase and decrease of left-ventricle pressure development （LV ± dp/dtmax）,left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate in SHRs.Furthermore,IMD also inhibited protein over-expression of cardiovascular IMD receptors,myocardial Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins （RAMP1 and RAMP2）,aortic RAMP1,RAMP2,RAMP3,and calcitonin receptor-like receptor （CRLR）;suppressed up-regulation of aortic RAMP1,RAMP2,RAMP3 and CRLR gene expression; and markedly elevated the mRNA abundance of myocardial atrial natriuretic peptide （ANP） and myocardial brain natriuretic peptide （BNP）.Additionally,IMD 1-47 administration in SHRs increased aortic cAMP concentration and reduced myocardial cAMP concentration.Conclusion These findings support the speculation that IMD,as a cardiovascular active peptide,is involved in blood pressure reduction and cardiac function amelioration during hypertension.The mechanism underlying this effect may involve IMD binding of a receptor complex formed by RAMPs and CRLR,and consequential regulation of cAMP levels and other cardiovascular active factors,such as ANP and BNP.

Study on the functional changes of BK_(Ca) channels in human vascular smooth muscle cells from Han Chinese patients with hypertension

Chronic hypertension is associated with an impaired vascular relaxation due to an increased vascular tone.However,the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood in human patients.The present study was to inves-tigate whether large conductance Ca2+-and voltage-activated K+(BKCa)channels are involved in

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and cardiovascular diseases

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves several important functions, mainly post-translational modification, folding and assembly of newly synthesized secretary proteins, synthesizing lipids and cellular calcium storage. Various factors can disrupt ER homeostasis and disturb its functions, which leads to the accumulation of unfolded and misfolded proteins and to potential cellular dysfunction and pathological consequences, collectively termed ER stress. Recent progress suggests that ER stress plays a key role in the immune response, diabetes, tumor growth, and some neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, ER stress is involved in several processes of cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemia/reperfusion injury, cardiomyopathy, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and atherosclerosis. Further research on the relation of ER stress to cardiovascular diseases will greatly enhance the understanding of these pathological processes and provide novel avenues to potential therapies.

DYSFUNCTION OF MYOCARDIAL AND VASCULAR TAURINE TRANSPORT IN L-N~ω-NITRO-ARGININE-INDUCED HYPERTENSIVE RATS

Objective.To study the change of taurine transport,and taurine transporter(TAUT)and cysteine sulfinate decarboxylase(CSD)mRNA contents in hypertension and hypertensive cardiomegaly.Methods.Taurine content was determined with a amino acid analyser.Taurine uptakes were deter-mined by( 3 H)-taurine incubation.The content of TAUT and CSD mRNA levels were measured by com-petitive quantitative RT-PCR in myocardial and vascular tissues of L-N ω -nitro-arginine(L-NNA)-in-duced hypertensive rats.Results.After the treatment of rats with L-NNA for28days,myocardial and vascular taurine con-tents decreased by11%and15%(P<0.05),respectively,and plasma taurine level increased by13%(P<0.05).Myocardial and vascular Vmax of taurine uptake reduced by30%and19%(P<0.05),respec-tively.Their Km of taurine uptake increased by36%and17%(P<0.05).Myocardial and vascular TAUT mRNA content decreased by22%and19%(P<0.05),respectively,but CSD mRNA content increased by22%(P<0.05)and30%(P<0.01),respectively.Conclusions.This study suggests that there is a decreased taurine content in myocardial and vascu-lar tissues of L-NNA-induced hypertension rats.The decreased taurine content may result from the de-creased number of TAUT on the cell membrane mainly due to the down-regulation of TAUT gene and TAUT affinity caused by hypertension and hypertensive cardiomegaly.

Anti-tumor activity of Sanguisorba officinalis L.in non-small cell lung cancer and induced apoptosis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE To investigate the pharmacological effect and mechanism of Sanguisorba officinalis L.(SOL)in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)in vitro and in vivo based on network pharmacology.METHODS Network pharmacology was used to analyze the improving effect of SOL on NSCLC and possible targets.Cell counting kit 8(CCK-8)and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU)staining,Western blotting,flow cytometry of AnnexinⅤ/PI,Hoechst 33342/PI staining detection and immunofluorescence were utilized in vitro.H&E staining,immunohistochemistry staining and Western blotting were performed in vivo.RESULTS Based on network prediction,we analyzed the 208 common targets of SOL and NSCLC.36 core targets in 208 common targets were obtained through cytoscape analysis.And the top 10 core targets included Akt,mTOR,EGFR,etc..KEGG analysis showed that PI3K-Akt signaling pathway was the most likely pathway.Furthermore,the mechanism study found that SOL could activate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.The anti-proliferative effect of SOL in A549 and H1299 cells was measured and validated by CCK-8 and EdU assay.Immunohistochemical results of Ki67 showed that SOL effectively inhibited tumor growth in vivo.SOL also significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells.SOL significantly increased the percentage of cells with PI signal in A549 and H1299,and the process of cell death of A549 cells indicated that SOL induced apoptosis.The PARP-1 and caspase-3 in A549 and H1299 were found to be activated in a dose manner.The results in vivo were consistent with those in vitro.CONCLUSION SOL-induced,caspase-3-mediated apoptosis via the induction of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in NSCLC,which further clarified the mechanism of SOL in the inhibition of NSCLC,and thereby provided a possibility for SOL to serve as a novel therapeutic agent for NSCLC in the future.

Comparison of vinorelbine plus cisplatin with vinorelbine plus capecitabine in patients with anthracyclines- and taxanes-refractory advanced breast cancer

Objective: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and toxicities of vinorelbine plus cisplatin(NP) regimen with that of vinorelbine plus capecitabine(NX) regimen in the treatment of anthracycline- and taxane-refractory advanced breast cancer. Methods: Forty-six patients with anthracycline- and taxane-refractory advanced breast cancer were equally randomized into a NP group(n = 23) and a NX group(n = 23). Response rates and toxicities were evaluated after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Results: The overall response rate were 48.0% in both groups. There were no significant differences in disease control rates(78.0% vs. 83%) or 1-year survival rates(54.6% vs. 55.9%). The main adverse events were bone marrow depression and gastrointestinal reaction, and no significant difference was found in toxicities between the groups. Conclusion: For anthracycline- and taxane-refractory advanced breast cancer, NP and NX regimens exerted similar curative effects with acceptable toxicity.

Influence of tumor response on the survival of patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer treated with the etoposide plus cisplatin chemotherapy regimen

Objective In this study, we evaluated the difference of progression-free survival （PFS） and overall survival （OS） between extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer （ES-SCLC） patients who acquired partial response （PR） or complete remission （CR） after two cycles of first-line chemotherapy with the etoposide plus cisplatin （EP） regimen and those who acquired PR or CR after four or six cycles. Methods A total of 106 eligible patients treated with the EP chemotherapy regimen for two to six cycles, at The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region （China） between November 2004 and Way 2011, were enrolled in this study. RECIST version 1.1 was used for the evaluation of chemotherapy efficiency. We followed up all eligible patients every 4 weeks. All statistical data were analyzed by using SPSS 21.0 statistical package for Windows. Results After a median follow-up of 293 days （range, 62-1531 days）, all patients had died by the cutoff date. Fifty-one patients acquired PR or CR after two cycles of chemotherapy; the median PFS reached 6.0 months （95% CI, 5.1-6.9）, and the median OS was 10.5 months （95% CI, 8.6-12.4）. Twenty-eight patients acquired PR or CR after four or six cycles; the median PFS was 4.8 months （95% CI, 4.4-5.2）, and the median OS was 7.5 months （95% CI, 6.8-8.2）. Both PFS and OS showed a statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion ES-SCLC patients who acquired PR or CR after two cycles of the EP regimen as first-line therapy had longer PFS and OS than those who acquired PR or CR after four or six cycles.

Scalp acupuncture on strokes:MRI studies of the brain in the two stroke modle rats,SHR-SP and MCAO-rats

Scalp acupuncture therapy on strokes has been empirically established and widely used in clinics in China.Evidence from clinical studies suggests that scalp acupuncture produces significant benefits for some stroke pa-tients.One characteristic therapeutic effect of scalp

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase/reactive oxygen species pathway is involved in apoptosis and pyroptosis in epilepsy

Dysfunction of neuronal nitric oxide synthase contributes to neurotoxicity,which triggers cell death in various neuropathological diseases,including epilepsy.Studies have shown that inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity increases the epilepsy threshold,that is,has an anticonvulsant effect.However,the exact role and potential mechanism of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in seizures are still unclear.In this study,we performed RNA sequencing,functional enrichment analysis,and weighted gene coexpression network analysis of the hippocampus of tremor rats,a rat model of genetic epilepsy.We found damaged hippocampal mitochondria and abnormal succinate dehydrogenase level and Na+-K+-ATPase activity.In addition,we used a pilocarpine-induced N2a cell model to mimic epileptic injury.After application of neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole,changes in malondialdehyde,lactate dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase,which are associated with oxidative stress,were reversed,and the increase in reactive oxygen species level was reversed by 7-nitroindazole or reactive oxygen species inhibitor N-acetylcysteine.Application of 7-nitroindazole or N-acetylcysteine downregulated the expression of caspase-3 and cytochrome c and reversed the apoptosis of epileptic cells.Furthermore,7-nitroindazole or N-acetylcysteine downregulated the abnormally high expression of NLRP3,gasdermin-D,interleukin-1βand interleukin-18.This indicated that 7-nitroindazole and N-acetylcysteine each reversed epileptic cell death.Taken together,our findings suggest that the neuronal nitric oxide synthase/reactive oxygen species pathway is involved in pyroptosis of epileptic cells,and inhibiting neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity or its induced oxidative stress may play a neuroprotective role in epilepsy.

Disruption of cyclin D1 degradation leads to the development of mantle cell lymphoma

Cyclin D1 has been recognized as an oncogene due to its abnormal upregulation in different types of cancers.Here,we demonstrated that cyclin D1 is SUMOylated,and we identified Itch as a specific E3 ligase recognizing SUMOylated cyclin D1 and mediating SUMO-induced ubiquitination and proteasome degradation of cyclin D1.We generated cyclin D1 mutant mice with mutations in the SUMOylation site,phosphorylation site,or both sites of cyclin D1,and found that double mutant mice developed a Mantle cell lymphoma(MCL)-like phenotype.We showed that arsenic trioxide(ATO)enhances cyclin D1 SUMOylation-mediated degradation through inhibition of cyclin D1 deSUMOylation enzymes,leading to MCL cell apoptosis.Treatment of severe combined immunodeficiency(SCID)mice grafted with MCL cells with ATO resulted in a significant reduction in tumor growth.In this study,we provide novel insights into the mechanisms of MCL tumor development and cyclin D1 regulation and discover a new strategy for MCL treatment.

Deletion of Axin1 in aggrecan-expressing cells leads to growth plate cartilage defects in adult mice

In mammals,skeletal bone development begins at hyaline cartilage formation at the early embryonic stage.1Then osteoblasts from the periosteum,which are distributed surrounding the hyaline cartilage,build up compact bone to formdiaphysis and spongy bone known as primary ossification center.1 Next,osteoclasts from the hematopoietic system destroy spongy bone to generate a medullary cavity.

硫化氢供体对高肺血流性肺动脉高压大鼠肺血管结构及血管活性多肽的影响

目的探讨硫化氢供体对高肺血流性肺动脉高压大鼠肺血管结构重建及血管活性多肽的影响。方法将32只雄性SD大鼠随机分为分流组、分流+硫氢化钠(NaHS)组、假手术组和假手术+NaHS组,每组8只。对分流组和分流+NaHS组大鼠行腹主动脉-下腔静脉穿刺建立高肺血流动物模型;假手术组及假手术+NaHS组大鼠仅开腹后暴露腹主动脉和下腔静脉,不作动静脉之间的穿刺。手术完毕,分流+NaHS组和假手术+NaHS组大鼠腹腔内注射NaHS〔56μmol/(kg·d)〕,分流组及假手术组每天腹腔内注射等量生理盐水。分流11周后,测定肺动脉收缩压(SPAP)、计算右心室/左心室+室间隔重量之比〔RV/(LV+SP)〕;光镜下计算肺小血管中肌型动脉(MA)百分比及肌型动脉的相对中膜厚度(RMT);电镜下观察其超微结构变化;采用敏感硫电极法测量大鼠血浆中硫化氢(H2S)含量;应用非平衡法放免试剂盒检测大鼠血浆中内皮素(ET-1)、心钠素(ANP)、降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)、肾上腺髓质素原N端肽(PAMP)的含量。结果分流11周后,大鼠血浆H2S水平比假手术组明显降低(P<0·01),SPAP升高48·63%(P<0·01),RV/(LV+SP)升高21·95%(P<0·01)。MA及RMT比假手术组明显升高(P<0·01),分流组大鼠肺小动脉内皮细胞肿胀、脱落,内弹力层不规则,平滑肌细胞呈合成表型。血浆ET-1、ANP、CGRP、PAMP比假手术组明显升高(均P<0·01)。H2S供体NaHS干预后,分流大鼠血浆H2S含量明显升高(P<0·01),SPAP降低19·82%(P<0·01),RV/(LV+SP)降低7·3l%(P<0·01),MA及RMT比分流组明显降低(P<0·01),肺血管超微结构明显改善,血浆ET-1、ANP、CGRP含量明显降低(均P<0·01),血浆PAMP含量明显升高(P<0·01)。结论硫化氢生成下降是高肺血流性肺动脉高压和肺血管结构重建形成的机制之一,H2S对高肺血流性肺动脉高压大鼠血管活性多肽ET-1、ANP、CGRP及PAMP具有重要的调节作用。

NO-1886对高糖高脂饲料喂养新西兰兔糖代谢的影响(英文)

合成药NO - 1886是脂蛋白脂肪酶 (LPL)的激动剂 ,能降低血浆甘油三酯 (TG)并升高高密度脂蛋白胆固醇 (HDL -c)水平。我们曾发现NO - 1886还具有降低血糖的作用。本研究主要观察NO - 1886对糖尿病兔胰岛素抵抗及 β -细胞功能方面的影响。用高糖高脂饲料诱导 ,使新西兰兔血浆葡萄糖升高 ,发生胰岛素抵抗。在高糖高脂饲料中添加 1%NO - 1886进行治疗。结果发现NO - 1886可抑制血清葡萄糖升高 ,经糖耐量和胰岛素敏感性试验检测 ,NO - 1886可保护胰岛素的急性相分泌 ,增强胰岛素对葡萄糖的清除能力。研究结果提示NO - 1886具有改善胰岛素抵抗、降低血糖的作用。

Inflammation,lipid metabolism dysfunction,and hypertension:Active research fields in atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease in China

Atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in China [1]. With advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis vascular inflammation, lipid metabolism dysfunction, and hypertension are regarded as the main pathogenetic pathways of both early atherogenesis and advanced plaque rupture [2,3]. Currently, much attention is being paid to the control of these pathways, which offers the potential for development of novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of cardiovascular disease in China.

Potential functions of esophageal cancer-related gene-4 in the cardiovascular system

Esophageal cancer-related gene-4(Ecrg4)is cloned from the normal epithelium of the esophagus.It is constitutively expressed in quiescent epithelial cells and downregulated during tumorigenesis,and Ecrg4 expression levels are inversely correlated with the malignant phenotype of tumor cells,validating that Ecrg4 is a real tumor suppressor gene.Unlike other tumor suppressor genes that usually encode membrane or intracellular proteins,Ecrg4 encodes a 148-amino acid pre-pro-peptide that is tethered on the cell surface in epithelial cells,specialized epithelial cells,and human leukocytes,where it can be processed tissue dependently into several small peptides upon cell activation.Ecrg4 is expressed in a wide variety of other cells/tissues,including cardiomyocytes and conduction system of the heart,,the glomus cells of the carotid body,adrenal glands,choroid plexus,and leukocytes among others,where it exerts distinct functions,such as promoting/suppressing inflammation,inducing neuron senescence,stimulating the hypothalamus--pituitary--adrenal axis,maintaining the stemness of stem cells,participating in the rhythm and rate control of the heart,and possibly gauging the responsiveness of the cardiovascular system(CVS)to hypoxia,in addition to tumor suppression.Here,we briefly review the latest discoveries on Ecrg4 and its underlying molecular mechanisms as a tumor suppressor and focus on the emerging roles of Ecrg4 in the CVS.