Korean red ginseng alleviates benign prostatic hyperplasia by dysregulating androgen receptor signaling and inhibiting DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission.

Panax ginseng (C.A. Mey.) has been traditionally employed in Korea and China to alleviate fatigue and digestive disorders. In particular, Korean red ginseng (KRG), derived from streamed and dried P. ginseng, is known for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its effects on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a representative aging-related disease, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic effects of KRG on BPH, with a particular focus on mitochondrial dynamics, including fission and fusion processes. The effects of KRG on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dynamics and morphology were evaluated in a rat model of testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH and TP-treated LNCaP cells, with mdivi-1 as a control. The results revealed that KRG treatment reduced the levels of androgen receptors (AR) and prostate-specific antigens in the BPH group. KRG inhibited cell proliferation by downregulating cyclin D and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) levels, and it promoted apoptosis by increasing the ratio of B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax) to Bcl-2 expression. Notably, KRG treatment enhanced the phosphorylation of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP-1, serine 637) compared with that in the BPH group, which inhibited mitochondrial fission and led to mitochondrial elongation. This modulation of mitochondrial dynamics was associated with decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. By dysregulating AR signaling and inhibiting mitochondrial fission through enhanced DRP-1 (ser637) phosphorylation, KRG effectively reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that KRG's regulation of mitochondrial dynamics offers a promising clinical approach for the treatment of BPH.

Validation of an Analytical Method of 3',4',5-Trihydroxy-3-Methoxy-6,7-Methylenedioxyflavone 4'-Glucuronide for Standardization of Spinacia oleracea.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is one of the most famous vegetables worldwide, rich in essential metabolites for various health benefits. It is a valuable plant source that has the potential to be a nutraceutical. This study aimed to evaluate the single characteristic marker compound to establish the validation of HPLC-DAD methods applied to the development of a nutraceutical using spinach samples. Six metabolites (1-6) were identified from the spinach samples such as freeze-dried spinach (FDS) and spinach extract concentrate (SEC) by LC-Q-TOF/MS analysis. Among the six metabolites, 3',4',5-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone 4'-glucuronide (TMG) was selected as a marker compound due to its highest abundance and high selectivity. The specificity, accuracy, linearity, precision, repeatability, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) of TMG in the spinach samples (FDS and SEC) were validated according to AOAC international guideline. The specificity was confirmed by monitoring the well separation of the marker compound from other compounds of spinach samples in the base peak intensity (BPI) and ultraviolet (UV) chromatogram. The calibration curve of TMG (15.625~500 µg/mL) had reasonable linearity (R2 = 0.999) considered with LOD and LOQ values, respectively. Recovery rate of TMG was 93-101% for FDS and 90-95% for SEC. The precision was less than 3 and 6% in the intraday and interday. As a result, the HPLC-DAD validation method of TMG in the spinach samples (FDS and SEC) was first established with AOAC and KFDA regulations for approving functional ingredients in functional foods.

Novel role of LLGL2 silencing in autophagy: reversing epithelial-mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major urological disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in men. LLGL2 is the mammalian homolog of Lgl. It acts as a tumor suppressor in breast and hepatic cancer. However, the role of LLGL2 and the underlying mechanisms in PCa have not yet been elucidated. Here, we investigate the role of LLGL2 in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PCa through autophagy in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: PC3 cells were transfected with siLLGL2 or plasmid LLGL2 and autophagy was examined. Invasion, migration, and wound healing were assessed in PC3 cells under autophagy regulation. Tumor growth was evaluated using a shLLGL2 xenograft mouse model. RESULTS: In patients with PCa, LLGL2 levels were higher with defective autophagy and increased EMT. Our results showed that the knockdown of LLGL2 induced autophagy flux by upregulating Vps34 and ATG14L. LLGL2 knockdown inhibits EMT by upregulating E-cadherin and downregulating fibronectin and α-SMA. The pharmacological activation of autophagy by rapamycin suppressed EMT, and these effects were reversed by 3-methyladenine treatment. Interestingly, in a shLLGL2 xenograft mouse model, tumor size and EMT were decreased, which were improved by autophagy induction and worsened by autophagy inhibition. CONCLUSION: Defective expression of LLGL2 leads to attenuation of EMT due to the upregulation of autophagy flux in PCa. Our results suggest that LLGL2 is a novel target for alleviating PCa via the regulation of autophagy.

Integrated "-omics" analysis highlights the role of brassinosteroid signaling and antioxidant machinery underlying improved rice seed longevity during artificial aging treatment.

Seed longevity is a critical characteristic in agriculture, yet the specific genes/proteins responsible for this trait and the molecular mechanisms underlying reduced longevity during seed aging remain largely elusive. Here we report the comparative proteome and metabolome profiling of three rice cultivars exhibiting varying degrees of aging tolerance: Dharial, an aging-tolerant cultivar; Ilmi, an aging-sensitive cultivar; and A2, a moderately aging-tolerant cultivar developed from the crossbreeding of Dharial and Ilmi. Artificial aging treatment (AAT) markedly reduced the germination percentage and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes in all the cultivars. Further, proteomics results showed a key role of the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome pathway in the degradation of damaged proteins during AAT while other proteases were majorly reduced. In addition, proteins associated with energy production and protein synthesis were strongly reduced in Ilmi while these were majorly increased in A2 and Dharial. These, along with metabolomics results, suggest that Ub-proteasome mediated protein degradation during AAT results in the accumulation of free amino acids in Ilmi while tolerant cultivars potentially utilize those for energy production and synthesis of stress-related proteins, especially hsp20/alpha-crystallin family protein. Additionally, both Dharial and A2 seem to activate brassinosteroid signaling and suppress jasmonate signaling which initiates a signaling cascade that allows accumulation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants for efficient detoxification of aging-induced ROS. Taken together, these results provide an in-depth understanding of the aging-induced changes in rice seeds and highlight key pathways responsible for maintaining seed longevity during AAT.

Fulvestrant alleviates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury via repression of BNIP3-mediated apoptosis and autophagy.

Cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical disease characterized by a sudden loss of renal function within a few hours or days, due to cisplatin uptake. Fulvestrant is an oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) antagonist used for endocrine therapy. However, the role of fulvestrant in cisplatin-induced AKI remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of fulvestrant on the regulation of apoptotic cell death and autophagic response in cisplatin-induced AKI. The human kidney proximal tubule epithelial cell line (HK-2) was co-treated with fulvestrant and cisplatin. C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously injected with fulvestrant and cisplatin was administered via intraperitoneal injection. First, cisplatin treatment increased ERα expression, apoptosis, and autophagy in HK-2 cells. Fulvestrant treatment decreased apoptosis and autophagy, which were accompanied by cisplatin treatment in HK-2 cells. Consistent with in vitro results, cisplatin treatment significantly increased ERα expression in vivo. Additionally, cisplatin treatment increased renal injury, apoptosis, and autophagy. Surprisingly, compared to that in the cisplatin-treated mice group, reduced cisplatin-induced renal injury, apoptosis, and autophagy was observed in the cisplatin+fulvestrant-treated mice group. In summary, these results suggest that fulvestrant plays an important role in cisplatin-induced AKI by decreasing apoptosis and autophagy.

Neuroprotective Effects of Water Extract from Brown Algae Petalonia binghamiae in an Experimental Model of Focal Cerebral Ischemia In Vitro and In Vivo.

Focal cerebral ischemia (fCI) can result in brain injury and sensorimotor deficits. Brown algae are currently garnering scientific attention as potential therapeutic candidates for fCI. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of the hot water extract of Petalonia binghamiae (wPB), a brown alga, in in vitro and in vivo models of fCI. The neuroprotective efficacy of wPB was evaluated in an in vitro excitotoxicity model established using HT-22 cells challenged with glutamate. Afterward, C57/BL6 mice were administered wPB for 7 days (10 or 100 mg/kg, intragastric) and subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) operation, which was used as an in vivo fCI model. wPB co-incubation significantly inhibited cell death, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, as well as stimulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an antioxidant enzyme, and the nuclear translocation of its upstream regulator, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in HT-22 cells challenged with glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Pretreatment with either dose of wPB significantly attenuated infarction volume, neuronal death, and sensorimotor deficits in an in vivo fCI model. Furthermore, the attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis in the ischemic lesion accompanied the wPB-associated protection. This study suggests that wPB can counteract fCI via an antioxidative effect, upregulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Comparative Proteome-wide Characterization of Three Different Tissues of High-Protein Mutant and Wild Type Unravels Protein Accumulation Mechanisms in Rice Seeds.

Improving the proteins and amino acid contents of rice seeds is one of the prime objectives of plant breeders. We recently developed an EMS mutant/high-protein mutant (HPM) of rice that exhibits 14.8% of the total protein content as compared to its parent Dharial (wild-type), which shows only 9.3% protein content in their mature seeds. However, the mechanisms underlying the higher protein accumulation in these HPM seeds remain largely elusive. Here, we utilized high-throughput proteomics to examine the differences in the proteome profiles of the embryo, endosperm, and bran tissues of Dharial and HPM seeds. Utilizing a label-free quantitative proteomic and subsequent functional analyses of the identified proteins revealed that nitrogen compound biosynthesis, intracellular transport, protein/amino acid synthesis, and photosynthesis-related proteins were specifically enriched in the endosperm and bran of the high-protein mutant seed. Our data have uncovered proteome-wide changes highlighting various functions of metabolic pathways associated with protein accumulation in rice seeds.

Proteome profiling highlights mechanisms underlying pigment and tocopherol accumulation in red and black rice seeds.

Rice is a major component of the human diet and feeds more than 50 million people across the globe. We previously developed two pigmented rice cultivars, Super-hongmi (red seeds) and Super-jami (black seeds), that are highly rich in antioxidants and exhibit high levels of radical scavenging activities. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the accumulation of pigments and different antioxidants in these rice cultivars remains largely elusive. Here, we report the proteome profiles of mature Super-hongmi and Super-jami seeds, and compared them with the Hopum (white seeds) using a label-free quantitative proteomics approach. This approach led to the identification of 5127 rice seed proteins of which 1628 showed significant changes in the pigmented rice cultivar(s). The list of significantly modulated proteins included a phytoene desaturase (PDS3) which suggested accumulation of ζ-carotene in red seeds while the black seeds seem to accumulate more of anthocyanins because of the higher abundance of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase. Moreover, proteins associated with lignin and tocopherol biosynthesis were highly increased in both red and black cultivars. Taken together, these data report the seed proteome of three different colored rice seeds and identify novel components associated with pigment accumulation in rice.

Proteomic Analysis Reveals a Critical Role of the Glycosyl Hydrolase 17 Protein in Panax ginseng Leaves under Salt Stress.

Ginseng, an important crop in East Asia, exhibits multiple medicinal and nutritional benefits because of the presence of ginsenosides. On the other hand, the ginseng yield is severely affected by abiotic stressors, particularly salinity, which reduces yield and quality. Therefore, efforts are needed to improve the ginseng yield during salinity stress, but salinity stress-induced changes in ginseng are poorly understood, particularly at the proteome-wide level. In this study, we report the comparative proteome profiles of ginseng leaves at four different time points (mock, 24, 72, and 96 h) using a label-free quantitative proteome approach. Of the 2484 proteins identified, 468 were salt-responsive. In particular, glycosyl hydrolase 17 (PgGH17), catalase-peroxidase 2, voltage-gated potassium channel subunit beta-2, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase class 1, and chlorophyll a-b binding protein accumulated in ginseng leaves in response to salt stress. The heterologous expression of PgGH17 in Arabidopsis thaliana improved the salt tolerance of transgenic lines without compromising plant growth. Overall, this study uncovers the salt-induced changes in ginseng leaves at the proteome level and highlights the critical role of PgGH17 in salt stress tolerance in ginseng.

Decreased mitophagy aggravates benign prostatic hyperplasia in aged mice through DRP1 and estrogen receptor α.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease, whose etiology largely remains unclear. The regulation of mitophagy plays a key role in aging and associated diseases, however, its function in BPH has not been studied. Although the expression of the androgen receptor is primarily implicated in BPH, the estrogen receptor (ER) has been reported to be involved in the development of BPH by mediating the proliferation of prostate cells. Here, we studied the involvement of mitophagy and ERs in spontaneous BPH in aging mice and investigated their functions. To identify the activation of mitophagy and expression of ERs, 8-week, 12-month, and 24-month-old mice were used. Mice were treated with mitochondrial division inhibitor mdivi-1, a dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) inhibitor, to examine the expression of mitophagy-related proteins and the development of BPH. In addition, prostate stromal cells were treated with an ER antagonist to investigate the regulation of mitophagy following the expression of ERs. With aging, the Drp1 and phosphorylation of parkin reduce. Electron microscopy revealed reduced mitochondrial fission and mitophagy. In addition, the expression of androgen receptor was decreased and that of ERα was increased in aged mice with BPH. Treatment with mdivi-1 exacerbated BPH and increased cell proliferation. In addition, blockade of ERα increased mitophagy and decreased cell proliferation. In conclusion, mitophagy is reduced with aging during the development of BPH. We speculate that spontaneous BPH progresses through the reduction in the expression of ERα in aged mice by downregulating mitophagy.

Silencing of LLGL2 Suppresses the Estradiol-Induced BPH-1 Cell Proliferation through the Regulation of Autophagy.

Lethal giant larvae (Lgl) is an apical-basal polarity gene first identified in Drosophila. LLGL2 is one of the mammalian homologs of Lgl. However, little is known about its function in the prostate. In this study, to explore the new role of LLGL2 in the prostate, we examined the proliferative activity of a BPH-1 cell line, a well-established model for the human prostate biology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The expression of LLGL2 was dose-dependently increased in BPH-1 cells after treatment with 17ß-estradiol (E2). Additionally, E2 treatment increased the proliferation of the BPH-1 cells. However, the knockdown of LLGL2 with siRNA significantly suppressed the proliferation of the E2-treated BPH-1 cells. Moreover, si-llgl2 treatment up-regulated the expression of LC-3B, ATG7, and p-beclin, which are known to play a pivotal role in autophagosome formation in E2-treated BPH-1 cells. Overexpression of LLGL2 was able to further prove these findings by showing the opposite results from the knockdown of LLGL2 in E2-treated BPH-1 cells. Collectively, our results suggest that LLGL2 is closely involved in the proliferation of prostate cells by regulating autophagosome formation. These results provide a better understanding of the mechanism involved in the effect of LLGL2 on prostate cell proliferation. LLGL2 might serve as a potential target in the diagnosis and/or treatment of human BPH.

Discovery of Novel Dual Adenosine A2A and A1 Receptor Antagonists with 1H-Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6-amine Core Scaffold as Anti-Parkinson's Disease Agents.

New compounds with 1H-pyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidin-6-amine core scaffolds were synthesized and characterized in vitro to determine their affinity for human A2A and A1 receptors. Among the tested compounds, a few compounds displayed nanomolar binding affinities for both receptors. One particular compound, 11o, showed high binding activities (hA2A Ki = 13.3 nM; hA1 Ki = 55 nM) and full antagonism (hA2A IC50 = 136 nM; hA1 IC50 = 98.8 nM) toward both receptors. Further tests showed that 11o has low hepatic clearance and good pharmacokinetic properties in mice, along with high bioavailability and a high brain plasma ratio. In addition, 11o was associated with very low cardiovascular risk and mutagenic potential, and was well-tolerated in rats and dogs. When tested in an MPTP-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease, 11o tended to improve behavior. Moreover, 11o dose-dependently reversed haloperidol-induced catalepsy in female rats, with graded ED50 of between 3 and 10 mg/kg. Taken together, these results suggest that this potent dual A2A/A1 receptor antagonist, 11o, is a good candidate for the treatment of Parkinson's disease with an excellent metabolic and safety profile.

Effects and Mechanism of Particulate Matter on Tendon Healing Based on Integrated Analysis of DNA Methylation and RNA Sequencing Data in a Rat Model.

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been linked with the severity of various diseases. To date, there is no study on the relationship between PM exposure and tendon healing. Open Achilles tenotomy of 20 rats was performed. The animals were divided into two groups according to exposure to PM: a PM group and a non-PM group. After 6 weeks of PM exposure, the harvest and investigations of lungs, blood samples, and Achilles tendons were performed. Compared to the non-PM group, the white blood cell count and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in the PM group were significantly higher. The Achilles tendons in PM group showed significantly increased inflammatory outcomes. A TEM analysis showed reduced collagen fibrils in the PM group. A biomechanical analysis demonstrated that the load to failure value was lower in the PM group. An upregulation of the gene encoding cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) was detected in the PM group by an integrated analysis of DNA methylation and RNA sequencing data, as confirmed via a Western blot analysis showing significantly elevated levels of phosphorylated CREB. In summary, PM exposure caused a deleterious effect on tendon healing. The molecular data indicate that the action mechanism of PM may be associated with upregulated CREB signaling.

The extract of Celtis choseniana Nakai alleviates testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia through inhibiting 5α reductase type 2 and the Akt/NF-κB/AR pathway.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a chronic male disease characterized by the enlarged prostate. Celtis chosenianaNakai (C. choseniana) is medicinally used to alleviate pain, gastric disease, and lung abscess. In this study, the effect of C. choseniana extract on BPH was investigated using testosterone-induced rats. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups: control, BPH (testosterone 5 mg·kg-1), Fina (finasteride 2 mg·kg-1), and C. choseniana (50 and 100 mg·kg-1). After four weeks of TP treatment with finasteride or C. choseniana, prostate weights and DHT levels were measured. In addition, the prostates were histopathologically examined and measured for protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/AR signaling, proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Prostate weight and epithelial thickness were reduced in the C. choseniana groups compared with that in the BPH group. The extract of C. choseniana acted as a 5α reductase inhibitor, reducing DHT levels in the prostate. Furthermore, the extract of C. choseniana blocked the activation of p-Akt, nuclear NF-κB activation and reduced the expression of AR and PSA compared with BPH. Moreover, the expression of Bax, PARP-1, and p53 increased, while the expression of bcl-2 decreased. The present study demonstrated that C. choseniana extract alleviated testosterone-induced BPH by suppressing 5α reductase and Akt/NF-κB activation, reducing AR signaling and inducing apoptosis and autophagy in the prostate. These results suggested that C. choseniana probably contain potential herbal agents to alleviate BPH.

Stauntonia hexaphylla Extract Ameliorates Androgenic Alopecia by Inhibiting Androgen Signaling in Testosterone-induced Alopecia Mice.

Background: Stauntonia hexaphylla has been a traditional folk remedy for alleviating fever and providing anti-inflammatory properties. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form mediated by the presence of the dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the effects of an extract of S. hexaphylla on AGA models and its mechanisms of action. Methods: We studied S. hexaphylla extract to evaluate 5α-reductase and androgen receptor (AR) levels, apoptosis, and cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. In addition, paracrine factors for androgenic alopecia, such as transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-ß1) and dickkopf-a (DKK-1), were examined. Apoptosis was investigated, and the evaluation of proliferation was examined with cytokeratin 14 (CK-14) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results: In human follicular dermal papilla cells, the 5α-reductase and AR were decreased following S. hexaphylla treatment, which reduced the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Histologically, the dermal thickness and follicle number were higher in the S. hexaphylla groups compared with the AGA group. In addition, the DHT concentration, 5α-reductase, and AR were decreased, thereby downregulating TGF-ß1 and DKK-1 expression and upregulating cyclin D in S. hexaphylla groups. The numbers of keratinocyte-positive and PCNA-positive cells were increased compared to those in the AGA group. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the S. hexaphylla extract ameliorated AGA by inhibiting 5α-reductase and androgen signaling, reducing AGA paracrine factors that induce keratinocyte (KC) proliferation, and inhibition apoptosis and catagen prematuration.

Optimization of Protein Isolation and Label-Free Quantitative Proteomic Analysis in Four Different Tissues of Korean Ginseng.

Korean ginseng is one of the most valuable medicinal plants worldwide. However, our understanding of ginseng proteomics is largely limited due to difficulties in the extraction and resolution of ginseng proteins because of the presence of natural contaminants such as polysaccharides, phenols, and glycosides. Here, we compared four different protein extraction methods, namely, TCA/acetone, TCA/acetone-MeOH/chloroform, phenol-TCA/acetone, and phenol-MeOH/chloroform methods. The TCA/acetone-MeOH/chloroform method displayed the highest extraction efficiency, and thus it was used for the comparative proteome profiling of leaf, root, shoot, and fruit by a label-free quantitative proteomics approach. This approach led to the identification of 2604 significantly modulated proteins among four tissues. We could pinpoint differential pathways and proteins associated with ginsenoside biosynthesis, including the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), and oxidoreductases (CYP450s). The current study reports an efficient and reproducible method for the isolation of proteins from a wide range of ginseng tissues and provides a detailed organ-based proteome map and a more comprehensive view of enzymatic alterations in ginsenoside biosynthesis.

IL-17 deficiency aggravates the streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy through the reduction of autophagosome formation in mice.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most important medical complications of diabetes mellitus. Autophagy is an important mediator of pathological response and plays a critical role in inflammation during the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Interleukin (IL)-17A favorably modulates inflammatory disorders including DN. In this study, we examined whether IL-17A deficiency affected the autophagy process in the kidneys of mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN. METHODS: The autophagic response of IL-17A to STZ-induced nephrotoxicity was evaluated by analyzing STZ-induced functional and histological renal injury in IL-17A knockout (KO) mice. RESULTS: IL-17A KO STZ-treated mice developed more severe nephropathy than STZ-treated wild-type (WT) mice, with increased glomerular damage and renal interstitial fibrosis at 12 weeks. IL-17A deficiency also increased the up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and fibrotic gene expression after STZ treatment. Meanwhile, autophagy-associated proteins were induced in STZ-treated WT mice. However, IL-17A KO STZ-treated mice displayed a significant decrease in protein expression. Especially, the levels of LC3 and ATG7, which play crucial roles in autophagosome formation, were notably decreased in the IL-17A KO STZ-treated mice compared with their WT counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: IL-17 deficiency aggravates of STZ-induced DN via attenuation of autophagic response. Our study demonstrated that IL-17A mediates STZ-induced renal damage and represents a potential therapeutic target in DN.

NQO1 Deficiency Aggravates Renal Injury by Dysregulating Vps34/ATG14L Complex during Autophagy Initiation in Diabetic Nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the causes of end-stage renal failure, featuring renal fibrosis. However, autophagy, a vital process for intracellular homeostasis, can counteract renal fibrosis. Moreover, NAD(P)H: quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) modulates the ratios of reduced/oxidized nicotinamide nucleotides, exerting a cytoprotective function. Here, to examine the role of NQO1 genes in DN progression, the levels of autophagy-related proteins and pro-fibrotic markers were assessed in silencing or overexpression of NQO1 in human proximal tubular cells (HK2), and C57BL/6 (wild-type) and Nqo1 knockout (KO) mice injected to streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). NQO1 deficiency impaired the autophagy process by suppressing basal expression of ClassⅢ PI 3-kinase (Vps34) and autophagy-related (ATG)14L and inducing the expressions of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß1), Smad3, and matrix metallopeptidase9 (MMP9) in high-glucose (HG) -treated HK2 cells. Meanwhile, NQO1 overexpression increased the expression of Vps34 and ATG14L, while, reducing TGF-ß1, Smad3 and MMP9 expression. In vivo, the expression of Vps34 and ATG14L were suppressed in Nqo1 KO mice indicating aggravated glomerular changes and interstitial fibrosis. Therefore, NQO1 deficiency dysregulated autophagy initiation in HK2 cells, with consequent worsened renal cell damage under HG condition. Moreover, STZ-treated Nqo1 KO mice showed that NQO1 deficiency aggravated renal fibrosis by dysregulating autophagy.

Discovery of 5-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl) benzofuran derivatives as novel indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitors.

Human indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (hIDO1) and tryptophan dioxygenase (hTDO) are rate-limiting enzymes in the kynurenine pathway (KP) of l-tryptophan (l-Trp) metabolism and are becoming key drug targets in the combination therapy of checkpoint inhibitors in immunoncology. To discover a selective and potent IDO1 inhibitor, a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of N-hydroxybenzofuran-5-carboximidamide as a novel scaffold was investigated in a systematic manner. Among the synthesized compounds, the N-3-bromophenyl derivative 19 showed the most potent inhibition, with an IC50 value of 0.44 µM for the enzyme and 1.1 µM in HeLa cells. The molecular modeling of 19 with the X-ray crystal structure of IDO1 indicated that dipole-ionic interactions with heme iron, halogen bonding with Cys129 and the two hydrophobic interactions were important for the high potency of 19.

Protective effects of combination of Stauntonia hexaphylla and Cornus officinalis on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia through inhibition of 5α- reductase type 2 and induced cell apoptosis.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive pathological condition associated with proliferation of prostatic tissues, prostate enlargement, and lower-urinary tract symptoms. However, the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of BPH is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of a combination of Stauntonia hexaphylla and Cornus officinalis (SC extract) on a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH model. The effect of SC extract was examined in a TP-induced human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6) for in vivo experiments. To induce BPH, all rats, except those in the control group, were administered daily with subcutaneous injections of TP (5 mg/kg) and orally treated with appropriate phosphate buffered saline/drugs (finasteride/saw palmetto/SC extract) for 4 consecutive weeks. SC extract significantly downregulated the androgen receptor (AR), prostate specific antigen (PSA), and 5α-reductase type 2 in TP-induced BPH in vitro. In in vivo experiments, SC extract significantly reduced prostate weight, size, serum testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels. Histologically, SC extract markedly recovered TP-induced abnormalities and reduced prostatic hyperplasia, thereby improving the histo-architecture of TP-induced BPH rats. SC extract also significantly downregulated AR and PSA expression, as assayed using immunoblotting. Immunostaining revealed that SC extract markedly reduced the 5α-reductase type 2 and significantly downregulated the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. In addition, immunoblotting of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family proteins indicated that SC extract significantly downregulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and markedly upregulated pro-apoptotic B cell lymphoma-associated X (Bax) expression. Furthermore, SC treatment significantly decreased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, indicating induced prostate cell apoptosis in TP-induced BPH rats. Thus, our findings demonstrated that SC extract protects against BPH by inhibiting 5α-reductase type 2 and inducing prostate cell apoptosis. Therefore, SC extract might be useful in the clinical treatment of BPH.