The sphingolipids change in exosomes from cancer patients and association between exosome release and sphingolipids level based on a pseudotargeted lipidomics method.

The lipid based ESCRT-independent mechanism, which contributes to MVB formation, is one of the crucial procedures in exosome biogenesis. n-SMase is a key lipid metabolism enzyme in this mechanism and can induce the hydrolysis of sphingomyelins (SMs) to ceramides (Cers), thereby promoting the formation of ILVs inside MVBs. Therefore, the regulation of n-SMase can realize the alteration in exosome release. According to the fact that cancer-associated cells have a tendency to release more exosomes than healthy cells, lipid extracts in exosomes from healthy volunteers, HCC and ICC patients were analyzed by a novel pseudotargeted lipidomics method focused on sphingolipids (SLs) to explore whether cancer-related features regulate the release of exosomes through the above pathway. Multivariate analysis based on the SLs expression could distinguish three groups well indicated that the SLs expression among the three groups were different. In cancer groups, two species of critical Cers were up-regulated, denoted as Cer (d18:1_16:0) and Cer (d18:1_18:0), while 55 kinds of SLs were down-regulated, including 40 species of SMs, such as SM (d18:1_16:0), SM (d18:1_18:1) and SM (d18:1_24:0). Meanwhile, several species of SM/Cer exhibited significant down-regulation. This substantial enhancement of the SMs hydrolysis to Cers process during exosome biogenesis suggested that cancer-related features may potentially promote an increase in exosome release through ESCRT-independent mechanism. Moreover, differential SLs have a capability of becoming potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis and classification with an AUC value of 0.9884 or 0.9806 for the comparison between healthy group and HCC or ICC groups, respectively. In addition, an association analysis conducted on the cell lines showed that changes in the SM/Cer contents in cells and their exosomes were negatively correlated with the levels of released exosomes, implied the regulation of exosome release levels can be achieved by modulating n-SMase and subsequent SL expression.

Divergent Regioselective Csp2-H Difluoromethylation of Aromatic Amines Enabled by Nickel Catalysis.

Herein, the first catalytic protocol for nickel-catalyzed ortho or para position difluoromethylation of various aromatic amines has been developed with the assistance of a bidentate phosphine ligand, offering an invaluable synthesis means to construct extensive p-difluoromethylated products and difluorooxindole derivatives with significant functional fragments. Furthermore, the gram-scale reaction, broad substrate scope, excellent functional-group compatibility, late-stage difluoromethylation of pesticides, and even formal synthesis of HDAC6 inhibitors further demonstrate the usefulness of this method.

Effects of Polygonum multiflorum on the activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms in rats.

Polygonum multiflorum is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used in clinical medicine to nourish the liver and kidney. However, in recent years, there have been increased reports of clinical adverse reactions associated with Polygonum multiflorum preparations, especially due to liver injury. The cocktail method can be used to assess the influence of Polygonum multiflorum on the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoforms CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2D6, which were reflected by changes in pharmacokinetic parameters in six specific probe drugs: bupropion, omeprazole, tolbutamide, phenacetin, midazolam, and metoprolol. Comprised the experimental rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, alcohol extraction A group, alcohol extraction B group, water extraction A group, and water extraction B group. Each group five male rats and five female rats. Each of the groups received treatments by gavage as follows: control group was given normal saline, alcohol extraction A group was given 15 g/kg alcohol extract of Polygonum multiflorum (E15), alcohol extraction B group was given with 30 g/kg alcohol extract (E30), water extraction A group was given 15 g/kg water extract (W15), and water extraction B group was given 30 g/kg water extract (W30). The extract solution was orally administered once a day for 28 consecutive days. The mixture of six probe drugs was given by gavage, and blood samples were collected through the tail vein at different time points. Probe drug concentration in rat plasma was measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In the treatment and control groups, Polygonum multiflorum alcoholic extract inhibited the activity of CYP2C19 and CYP2C9 and induced the activity of CYP1A2. Polygonum multiflorum aquous extract inhibited the activity of CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP1A2, and CYP2D6. Pathological sections showed that in the alcohol extract group the liver was degenerated inconspicuously, and in the water extract group, the cytoplasm had vacuoles and particulate matter. The arrangement of liver cells was irregular.