Se-methylselenocysteine ameliorates mitochondrial function by targeting both mitophagy and autophagy in the mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) exerts tremendous pressure on families and society due to its unknown etiology and lack of effective treatment options. Our previous study had shown that Se-methylselenocysteine (SMC) improved the cognition and synaptic plasticity of triple-transgenic AD (3 × Tg-AD) mice and alleviated the related pathological indicators. We are dedicated to investigating the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of SMC on mitochondrial function in 3 × Tg-AD mice. Methods: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), western blotting (WB), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), mitochondrial swelling test, and mitochondrial oxygen consumption test were used to evaluate the mitochondrial morphology and function. Mitophagy flux and autophagy flux were assessed with immunofluorescence, TEM and WB. The Morris water maze test was applied to detect the behavioral ability of mice. Results: The destroyed mitochondrial morphology and function were repaired by SMC through ameliorating mitochondrial energy metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial fusion/fission balance in 3 × Tg-AD mice. In addition, SMC ameliorated mitochondria by activating mitophagy flux via the BNIP3/NIX pathway and triggering autophagy flux by suppressing the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK/mTOR pathway. SMC remarkably increased the cognitive ability of AD mice. Conclusions: This research indicated that SMC might exert its therapeutic effect by protecting mitochondria in 3 × Tg-AD mice.

Breakthrough in targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains by far the single most common malignancy of lung cancer which causes more and more mortality in recent years. NSCLC accounts for more than 80 % of lung cancers, and the vast majority of patients were found to be in advanced inoperable stages. Chemotherapy used to be the main treatment for NSCLC, but due to its obvious side effects. Chemotherapy gradually withdrew from the stage of history. In recent years, cellular and molecular biotechnology has developed rapidly, and researchers have begun to target key genes and regulatory molecules for treatment. Targeted drugs have also emerged. The purpose of this review is to introduce important research achievements in recent years and the treatment progress of new drugs.