Proteomic analysis illustrates the potential involvement of motor proteins in cleft palate development.

Cleft palate (CP) is a congenital condition characterized by a complex etiology and limited diagnostic and therapeutic options. In this study, we delved into the molecular mechanisms associated with retinoic acid (RA)-induced CP in Kun Ming mice. Proteomic analysis of control and RA-induced CP samples at embryonic day 15.5 revealed 25 upregulated and 19 downregulated proteins. Further analysis identified these differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) as being involved in extracellular matrix organization, actin cytoskeleton, and myosin complex. Moreover, these DEPs were found to be enriched in pathways related to motor protein activity and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified 10 hub proteins, including motor proteins and ECM-related proteins, which exhibited higher expression levels in CP compared to control tissues. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying CP and highlight potential targets for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Quercetin alleviates liver fibrosis via regulating glycolysis of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and neutrophil infiltration.

Liver fibrosis, a common characteristic in various chronic liver diseases, is largely influenced by glycolysis. Quercetin (QE), a natural flavonoid known to regulate glycolysis, was studied for its effects on liver fibrosis and its underlying mechanism. In a model of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), we aimed to assess pathological features, serum marker levels, and analyze the expression of glycolysis-related enzymes at both mRNA and protein levels, with a focus on changes in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). Our results showed that QE effectively improved liver injury and fibrosis evident by improved pathological features and lowered levels of serum markers, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bile acid (TBA), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), and procollagen type III (PCIII). QE also decreased lactate production and downregulated the expression of glycolysis-related enzymes­pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), phosphofructokinase platelet (PFKP), and hexokinase II (HK2)­at both the mRNA and protein levels. QE reduced the expression and activity of these enzymes, resulting in reduced glucose consumption, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and lactate generation. Further analysis revealed that QE inhibited the production of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) and suppressed neutrophil recruitment. Overall, QE showed promising therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis by targeting LSEC glycolysis and reducing neutrophil infiltration.

Association between Weight-Adjusted Waist Index and depressive symptoms: A nationally representative cross-sectional study from NHANES 2005 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms are strongly associated with the development of various diseases and are one of the leading causes of disability in the world. However, the relationship between weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and depressive symptoms has not been studied. This study aimed to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms and WWI. METHODS: This study took NHANES data from 2005 to 2018 with 32,374 participants. Depressive symptoms were measured by a questionnaire (PHQ-9).WWI was determined by dividing the square root of waist circumference (cm) by weight (kg). Multivariate logistic regression models, smoothed curve fitting, and weighted generalized additive model (GAM) regression were used to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and WWI, BMI, and waist circumference. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were also performed. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, the OR (95 % CI) for WWI and depressive symptoms with WWI, BMI, and waist circumference were 1.18 (1.05, 1.34), BMI 1.01 (1.00, 1.02, 1.01 (1.00, 1.01), respectively. Participants in the highest quartile (Q4) had a 49 % higher depressive symptoms compared to those in the lowest quartile (Q1) (OR = 1.49, 95 % CI:1.14-1.96). Subgroup analyses and interaction tests showed a stable relationship between depressive symptoms and WWI. LIMITATIONS: It is difficult to determine a causal relationship between the two; questionnaire collection may be somewhat biased; CONCLUSIONS: WWI was positively associated with depressive symptoms. This association was stronger than BMI and waist circumference. However, this relationship was stable. This study emphasizes the potential utility of WWI in preventing depressive symptoms and improving prognosis in the population.

Tetrahydropalmatine attenuates MSU crystal-induced gouty arthritis by inhibiting ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Activation of NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a crucial role in the inflammatory responses of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced gouty arthritis. Therefore, the molecular basis of NLRP3 inflammasome is very valuable in developing potential therapeutic drugs for gout. Tetrahydropalmatine (THP), the main active component of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Corydalis yanhusuo, has shown prominent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, but to date, these effects have not been investigated exhaustively on gout. This study indicated that THP attenuated pain and swelling in an MSU-induced acute gout model by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine production and inflammatory cell infiltration. THP exerted its actions by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent formation of caspase-1. Furthermore, results showed that THP alleviated MSU-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, upstream of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, by an increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our study suggests that THP suppressed ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in MSU-induced inflammatory responses, which highlights its therapeutic potential in gouty arthritis.

Antiallergic drug desloratadine as a selective antagonist of 5HT2A receptor ameliorates pathology of Alzheimer's disease model mice by improving microglial dysfunction.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressively neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive deficits and alteration of personality and behavior. As yet, there is no efficient treatment for AD. 5HT2A receptor (5HT2A R) is a subtype of 5HT2 receptor belonging to the serotonin receptor family, and its antagonists have been clinically used as antipsychotics to relieve psychopathy. Here, we discovered that clinically first-line antiallergic drug desloratadine (DLT) functioned as a selective antagonist of 5HT2A R and efficiently ameliorated pathology of APP/PS1 mice. The underlying mechanism has been intensively investigated by assay against APP/PS1 mice with selective 5HT2A R knockdown in the brain treated by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-ePHP-si-5HT2A R. DLT reduced amyloid plaque deposition by promoting microglial Aß phagocytosis and degradation, and ameliorated innate immune response by polarizing microglia to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. It stimulated autophagy process and repressed neuroinflammation through 5HT2A R/cAMP/PKA/CREB/Sirt1 pathway, and activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) nuclear translocation to upregulate the transcriptions of phagocytic receptors TLR2 and TLR4 in response to microglial phagocytosis stimulation. Together, our work has highly supported that 5HT2A R antagonism might be a promising therapeutic strategy for AD and highlighted the potential of DLT in the treatment of this disease.