Estrogen enhances browning in adipose tissue by M2 macrophage polarization via heme oxygenase-1.

Loss of ovarian function results in increased fat mass, leading to the accumulation of adipose tissue macrophages that participate in chronic inflammation. We hypothesized that ovariectomy (OVX)-induced increases in body weight and fat mass are associated with decreased adipose tissue (AT) browning due to estrogen (E2 ) deficiency. In mice, OVX decreased AT browning along with increased body weight, fat mass, and size of lipid droplets 12 weeks after surgery. Exogenous E2 recovered the OVX-induced changes. AT browning was enhanced by M2 macrophages induced by exogenous E2. E2 -induced M2 polarization occurred due to the increased expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in macrophages, leading to decreased reactive oxygen species levels. Collectively, we demonstrated that E2 enhances AT browning via M2 polarization mediated by HO-1.

7-Ketocholesterol plays a key role in cholesterol-induced hepatitis via macrophage and neutrophil infiltration.

This study sought to explore the role of 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) in liver damage caused by high cholesterol intake and its potential pathological mechanism in mice. Our in vivo findings indicated that mice fed a high-cholesterol diet had elevated serum levels of 7-KC, accompanied by liver injury and inflammation, similar to human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Furthermore, the high-cholesterol diet induced neutrophil infiltration, which played a critical role in liver damage through myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Upon stimulation with 7-KC, macrophages exhibited increased expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) and CXCL2, as well as ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and ABCG1. Hepatocytes, on the other hand, exhibited increased expression of CXCL2 and ABCG1. The infiltration of neutrophils in the liver was primarily caused by CXCL1 and CXCL2, resulting in hepatocyte cell death due to elevated MPO activity. Our data also revealed that the activation of macrophages by 7-KC via ABCA1 or ABCG1 was not associated with lipid accumulation. Collectively, these findings suggest that high cholesterol-induced hepatitis in mice involves, at least partially, the recruitment of neutrophils to the liver by 7-KC-activated macrophages. This is mediated by increased expression of CXCL1 and CXCL2 through ABCA1 or ABCG1, which act as 7-KC efflux transporters. Additionally, hepatocytes contribute to this process by increased expression of CXCL2 through ABCG1. Therefore, our findings suggest that 7-KC may play a role in high cholesterol-induced hepatitis in mice by activating macrophages and hepatocytes, ultimately leading to neutrophil infiltration.

Overexpression of developmentally regulated GTP-binding protein-2 increases bone loss.

The developmentally regulated GTP-binding protein-2 (DRG2) is a novel subclass of GTP-binding proteins. Many functional characteristics of osteoclasts (OC) are associated with small GTPases. We hypothesized that DRG2 affects bone mass via modulating OC activity. Using DRG2 transgenic mice, we investigated the role of DRG2 in bone remodeling. DRG2 overexpression caused a decrease in bone mass and an increase in the number and activity of OC in vivo. DRG2 overexpression increased fusion, spreading, survival, and resorption activity of OC in vitro. Downregulation of DRG2 by siRNA decreased fusion, spreading, and survival of OC, supporting the observations found in DRG2 transgenic OC. Transgenic mature OCs were larger, with actin rings and higher ERK, Akt, Rac1 and Rho activities than wild-type OCs. Inhibition of these proteins abolished the effects of DRG2 on formation of large OCs with actin rings, implying that DRG2 affects cytoskeleton reorganization in a Rac1/Rho/ERK/Akt-dependent manner. In summary, DRG2 is associated with survival and cytoskeleton organization of OC under influence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and its overexpression leads to elevated bone resorptive activity of OC, resulting in bone loss.

Absence of MCP-1 leads to elevated bone mass via impaired actin ring formation.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is associated with various inflammatory diseases involving bone loss, and is expressed along with its receptor by bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM), which are osteoclast (OC) precursors. To investigate the role of MCP-1 in bone remodeling, we compared MCP-1-knockout (KO) mice with wild-type (WT) mice. The absence of MCP-1 increased bone mass and lowered serum collagen type I fragments (CTX-1) and TRACP 5b, but had no significant effect on the N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, suggesting that OCs are primarily responsible for the bone phenotype observed in the absence of MCP-1. MCP-1 deficiency resulted in reduced numbers and activity of OCs in vitro. It also led to a reduced level of c-Fms and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB receptor and impaired actin ring formation. Activation of ERK, Akt, Rac1, and Rho upon M-CSF stimulation was also reduced and our evidence suggests that the aberrant actin ring formation was partly due to reduced activation of these molecules. Our findings point to a role of osteoclast MCP-1 in regulating bone remodeling. The higher bone mass in the femurs of MCP-1-KO mice could be, at least in part, due to decreased osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption resulting from aberrant M-CSF signaling in OCs.

Administration of 6-gingerol greatly enhances the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in murine tumors.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play critical roles in host antitumor immune responses. It is known that cancer patients with tumor-reactive lymphocyte infiltration in their tumors have better prognoses, while patients with tumors infiltrated by immunosuppressive cells have worse prognoses. We found that administration of 6-gingerol, which is a component of ginger, inhibited tumor growth in several types of murine tumors, such as B16F1 melanomas, Renca renal cell carcinomas and CT26 colon carcinomas, which were established by inoculating tumor cells on the flanks of mice. However, administration of 6-gingerol did not lead to complete eradication of the tumors. 6-Gingerol treatment of tumor-bearing mice caused massive infiltration of CD4 and CD8 T-cells and B220(+) B-cells, but reduced the number of CD4(+) Foxp3(+) regulatory T-cells. The CD8 tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes in 6-gingerol-treated mice strongly expressed IFN-γ, a marker of activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) CD107a and chemokine receptors that are expressed on T(H) 1 cells, such as CXCR3 and CCR5. To test whether 6-gingerol could promote infiltration of tumor antigen-specific CD8 T-cells into tumors, we adoptively transferred CFSE-labeled OT-1 CD8 T-cells into EG7 tumor-bearing mice. We found that CD8 T cells isolated from 6-gingerol pretreated OT-1 mice, but not from control OT-1 mice, massively infiltrated tumors and tumor draining lymph nodes and divided several times. Our results strongly suggest that 6-gingerol can be used in tumor immunotherapy to increase the number of TILs.

High Cholesterol-Induced Bone Loss Is Attenuated by Arctiin via an Action in Osteoclasts.

High cholesterol-induced bone loss is highly associated with oxidative stress, which leads to the generation of oxysterols, such as 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC). Here, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments to determine whether arctiin prevents high cholesterol diet-induced bone loss by decreasing oxidative stress. First, arctiin was orally administered to atherogenic diet (AD)-fed C57BL/6J male mice at a dose of 10 mg/kg for 6 weeks. Micro-computerized tomography (µCT) analysis showed that arctiin attenuated AD-induced boss loss. For our in vitro experiments, the anti-oxidant effects of arctiin were evaluated in 7-KC-stimulated osteoclasts (OCs). Arctiin decreased the number and activity of OCs and inhibited autophagy by disrupting the nuclear localization of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and downregulating the oxidized TFEB signaling pathway in OCs upon 7-KC stimulation. Furthermore, arctiin decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by enhancing the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), catalase, and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), all of which affected OC differentiation. Conversely, silencing of Nrf2 or HO-1/catalase attenuated the effects of arctiin on OCs. Collectively, our findings suggested that arctiin attenuates 7-KC-induced osteoclastogenesis by increasing the expression of ROS scavenging genes in the Nrf2/HO-1/catalase signaling pathway, thereby decreasing OC autophagy. Moreover, arctiin inhibits the oxidation and nuclear localization of TFEB, thus protecting mice from AD-induced bone loss. Our findings thus demonstrate the therapeutic potential of arctiin for the prevention of cholesterol-induced bone loss.

Doxorubicin Induces Bone Loss by Increasing Autophagy through a Mitochondrial ROS/TRPML1/TFEB Axis in Osteoclasts.

Doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, has been linked to an increased risk of bone damage in human patients and induces bone loss in mice. DOX induces autophagy, which contributes to bone homeostasis and excess autophagy in osteoclasts (OCs), resulting in bone loss. We hypothesized that DOX-induced bone loss is caused by the induction of autophagy in OCs. In vitro, DOX significantly increased the area of OCs and bone resorption activity, whereas it decreased OC number through apoptosis. DOX enhanced the level of LC3II and acidic vesicular organelles-containing cells in OCs, whereas an autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), reversed these, indicating that enhanced autophagy was responsible for the effects of DOX. Increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) by DOX oxidized transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) on the lysosomal membrane, which led to nuclear localization of transcription factor EB (TFEB), an autophagy-inducing transcription factor. In vivo, micro-computerized tomography analysis revealed that the injection of 3-MA reversed DOX-induced bone loss, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining showed that 3-MA reduced the area of OCs on the bone surface, which was enhanced upon DOX administration. Collectively, DOX-induced bone loss is at least partly attributable to autophagy upregulation in OCs via an mROS/TRPML1/TFEB axis.

Morin Disrupts Cytoskeleton Reorganization in Osteoclasts through an ROS/SHP1/c-Src Axis and Grants Protection from LPS-Induced Bone Loss.

Morin is a naturally occurring flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. Therefore, we hypothesized that morin may prevent inflammatory bone loss by reducing oxidative stress. To investigate the effect of morin on inflammatory bone loss, mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Osteoclasts (OCs) were analyzed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and actin ring formation. Micro-computerized tomography analysis indicated that morin prevented LPS-induced bone loss in mice. In vivo TRAP staining indicated that morin decreased the number and surface of the OCs that were increased in LPS-treated mice. Furthermore, in vitro experiments indicated that morin decreased the number and activity of OCs upon LPS stimulation. Morin decreased actin ring-containing OCs with decreased activation of c-Src (Y416)/vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3/Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 compared with LPS alone. Morin decreased cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus preventing the oxidation of Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1), followed by the inactivation of c-Src via direct interaction with SHP1. Conversely, SHP1 knockdown abolished the inhibitory effect of morin on OCs. Therefore, our findings suggest that morin disrupted cytoskeletal reorganization via an ROS/SHP1/c-Src axis in OCs, thereby granting protection from LPS-induced bone loss, which demonstrates its therapeutic potential against inflammatory bone loss.

Estrogen Decreases Cytoskeletal Organization by Forming an ERα/SHP2/c-Src Complex in Osteoclasts to Protect against Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Mice.

Loss of ovarian function is closely related to estrogen (E2) deficiency, which is responsible for increased osteoclast (OC) differentiation and activity. We aimed to investigate the action mechanism of E2 to decrease bone resorption in OCs to protect from ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss in mice. In vivo, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining in femur and serum carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks-1 (CTX-1) were analyzed upon E2 injection after OVX in mice. In vitro, OCs were analyzed by TRAP staining, actin ring formation, carboxymethylation, determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and immunoprecipitation coupled with Western blot. In vivo and in vitro, E2 decreased OC size more dramatically than OC number and Methyl-piperidino-pyrazole hydrate dihydrochloride (MPPD), an estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) antagonist, augmented the OC size. ERα was found in plasma membranes and E2/ERα signaling affected receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-induced actin ring formation by rapidly decreasing a proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase, cellular sarcoma (c-Src) (Y416) phosphorylation in OCs. E2 exposure decreased physical interactions between NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) and the oxidized form of c-Src homology 2 (SH2)-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2), leading to higher levels of reduced SHP2. ERα formed a complex with the reduced form of SHP2 and c-Src to decrease c-Src activation upon E2 exposure, which blocked a signal for actin ring formation by decreased Vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3 (Vav3) (p-Y) and Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) (GTP) activation in OCs. E2/ERα signals consistently inhibited bone resorption in vitro. In conclusion, our study suggests that E2-binding to ERα forms a complex with SHP2/c-Src to attenuate c-Src activation that was induced upon RANKL stimulation in a non-genomic manner, resulting in an impaired actin ring formation and reducing bone resorption.

Pretreatment with 6-Gingerol Ameliorates Sepsis-Induced Immune Dysfunction by Regulating the Cytokine Balance and Reducing Lymphocyte Apoptosis.

Sepsis is characterized by an initial net hyperinflammatory response, followed by a period of immunosuppression, termed immunoparalysis. During this immunosuppressive phase, patients may have difficulty eradicating invading pathogens and are susceptible to life-threatening secondary hospital-acquired infections. Due to progress in antimicrobial treatment and supportive care, most patients survive early sepsis. Mortality is more frequently attributed to subsequent secondary nosocomial infections and multiorgan system failure. 6-Gingerol is the major pharmacologically active component of ginger. Although it is known to exhibit a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammation and antioxidation, the role of 6-gingerol in sepsis-induced immune dysfunction remains elusive. Thus, we investigated whether 6-gingerol improves septic host response to infections during sepsis. 6-Gingerol-treated mice showed significantly lower mortality in polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture LPS via enhanced bacterial clearance in the peritoneum, blood, and organs (liver, spleen, and kidney) and inhibited the production of TNF-α and IL-6 in TLR2 and/or TLR4-stimulated macrophages. In addition, we demonstrated that survival improvement of secondary infection following septic insult was associated with an initial response of enhanced neutrophil numbers and function at the infection site, reduced apoptosis of immune cells, and a shift from a T helper cell type 2 (Th2) to a T helper cell type 1 (Th1) cytokine balance in the hypoinflammation phase. Our overall findings suggest that 6-gingerol potentially restores sepsis-induced immune dysfunction by shifting the balance of Th1/Th2 and by regulating apoptosis of immune cells.

Saturated fatty acids enhance osteoclast survival.

Hyperlipidemia and marrow fat are associated with lowering bone density in vivo, suggesting that lipid contributes to bone loss. Using bone marrow-derived macrophages, we investigated the effect of saturated fatty acids (SFA) on osteoclastogenesis. The level of free fatty acids and adiposity in bone marrow was significantly elevated in obese mice. SFA increased osteoclast (OC) survival by preventing apoptosis. SFA caused the production of MIP-1alpha and led to activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB in the OC. The absence of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) or myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) abolished the survival effect of SFA on OC.

Dauricine Protects from LPS-Induced Bone Loss via the ROS/PP2A/NF-κB Axis in Osteoclasts.

Dauricine (DAC), an isoquinoline alkaloid, exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. We hypothesized that DAC may prevent the inflammatory bone loss induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS-induced bone loss was decreased by DAC in female C57BL/6J mice as evaluated by micro-computerized tomography (µCT) analysis. In vivo tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining showed that the increased number of osteoclasts (OCs) in LPS-treated mice was attenuated by DAC, indicating that DAC exhibited bone sparing effects through acting on OCs. DAC also decreased the differentiation and activity of OCs after LPS stimulation in vitro. LPS-induced cytosolic reactive oxygen species (cROS) oxidized PP2A, a serine/threonine phosphatase, leading to the activation of IKKα/ß, followed by the nuclear localization of p65. DAC decreased LPS-induced ROS, resulting in the recovery of the activity of PP2A by reducing its oxidized form. Consequently, DAC reduced the phosphorylation of IKKα/ß to block the nuclear localization of p65, which decreased NF-κB activation. Taken together, DAC reduced the differentiation and activity of OCs by decreasing ROS via the ROS/PP2A/NF-κB axis, resulting in protection from LPS-induced bone loss. We have demonstrated that LPS-induced bone loss was inhibited by DAC via its action on OCs, implying the therapeutic potential of DAC against inflammatory bone loss.

Atherogenic diet-induced bone loss is primarily due to increased osteoclastogenesis in mice.

Atherogenic diet (AD) decreased bone density and increased serum cholesterol level in male mice, implying that cholesterol participates in bone loss. The aim of the present study was to identify the cells responsible for bone loss and evaluate the involved mechanism. AD resulted in increased number and surface of osteoclasts (OCs) with in vivo tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, suggesting a critical role of OCs in cholesterol-induced bone loss. In vitro, cholesterol loading by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) increased the size and number of OCs as well as bone resorption activity, suggesting that cholesterol loading affects the number and activity of OCs. In contrast, cholesterol depletion by simvastatin decreased osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. oxLDL stimulated osteoblasts (OBs) to increase expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), resulting in increased OC formation when OBs were co-cultured with bone marrow derived macrophages. oxLDL increased expression of CD36 and liver X receptors (LXRα) in OCs as well as low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and LXRα in OBs. These results suggest that CD36 and LXRα mediate the effect of oxLDL in OCs, whereas LDLR and LXRα mediate the effect of oxLDL in OBs. These findings demonstrate cholesterol-induced bone loss with increasing number and activity of OCs in mice, suggesting another harmful effect of cholesterol, a major cause of atherosclerosis.

The Variable Effects of NSAIDs on Osteotomy Healing and Opioid Consumption.

In an effort to fight the opioid epidemic, an NSAID pain protocol was created for osteotomy patients. The study asked if NSAIDs negatively affect bone healing or reduce the need for opioids. Methods: This was a retrospective review of 155 limbs that underwent osteotomy of a long bone with fixation. Patients received an NSAID-free protocol or an NSAID protocol. Time to union and bone healing index were recorded. Results: There was not a significant difference in the time to union (P = 0.89) or bone healing index (P = 0.07). In the deformity correction group, the total milligrams of morphine equivalents prescribed after discharge was significantly less in patients receiving NSAIDs (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The use of NSAIDs after osteotomy surgery did not negatively affect bone healing and resulted in a dramatic decrease in narcotic consumption for deformity correction patients. Level of Evidence: Level III retrospective cohort study.

Stimulation of the molecule 4-1BB enhances host defense against Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice by inducing rapid infiltration and activation of neutrophils and monocytes.

The tumor necrosis factor receptor family molecule 4-1BB (CD137) has diverse roles in adaptive and innate immune responses. However, little is known of its role in bacterial infections. Previously, we showed that 4-1BB-deficient mice have enhanced susceptibility to Listeria monocytogenes infection, and mice pretreated with agonistic anti-4-1BB antibody (3E1) were much more resistant to L. monocytogenes infection than mice treated with control antibody. In this study, we report that stimulating 4-1BB by administering 3E1 in the early phase of L. monocytogenes infection is critical for promoting the survival of mice by inducing rapid infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes into L. monocytogenes-infected livers. The levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in the livers of 3E1-treated mice increased as early as 30 min postinfection and peaked by 1 to 2 h, while those in mice treated with control antibody started to increase only at 16 h postinfection. Monocytes and neutrophils from the 3E1-treated mice had higher levels of activation markers, phagocytic activity, and reactive oxygen species than those from control mice. In vitro stimulation of 4-1BB induced the production of the inflammatory cytokines/chemokines of neutrophils, but not those of monocytes. These results suggest that 4-1BB stimulation of neutrophils in the early phase of L. monocytogenes infection causes rapid production of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and that the subsequent infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes is crucial for eliminating the infecting L. monocytogenes.

MicroRNA-29b Enhances Osteoclast Survival by Targeting BCL-2-Modifying Factor after Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation.

Recent findings suggest that microRNAs (miRs) play a critical role in osteoclastogenesis, which regulates bone loss. We hypothesized that inflammation induces miR-29b, which increases the survival rate in osteoclasts (OCs), leading to bone loss. The expression level of miR-29b increased in OC stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in an in vitro system which correlated with its increase in tibiae from mice that received LPS injections compared with those that received vehicle treatment. An miR-29b mimic increased OC survival rate without any change in OC differentiation, and furthermore, the inhibition of endogenous miR-29b induced by LPS decreased OC survival rate. Increased OC survival rate after overexpression of miR-29b was associated with antiapoptotic activity, as shown by staining annexin V-positive cells. We found that a target gene of miR-29b is BCL-2-modifying factor (Bmf), which acts as a proapoptotic factor, and that miR-29b binds to the 3'-UTR of Bmf. Our data demonstrate that LPS-induced miR-29b increases the number of OC by enhancing OC survival through decreased BMF.

Lycorine Attenuates Autophagy in Osteoclasts via an Axis of mROS/TRPML1/TFEB to Reduce LPS-Induced Bone Loss.

Lycorine, a plant alkaloid, exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by acting in macrophages that share precursor cells with osteoclasts (OCs). We hypothesized that lycorine might decrease bone loss by acting in OCs after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, since OCs play a main role in LPS-induced bone loss. Microcomputerized tomography (µCT) analysis revealed that lycorine attenuated LPS-induced bone loss in mice. In vivo tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining showed that increased surface area and number of OCs in LPS-treated mice were also decreased by lycorine treatment, suggesting that OCs are responsible for the bone-sparing effect of lycorine. In vitro, the increased number and activity of OCs induced by LPS were reduced by lycorine. Lycorine also decreased LPS-induced autophagy in OCs by evaluation of decreased lipidated form of microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3) (LC3II) and increased sequestosome 1 (p62). Lycorine attenuated oxidized transient receptor potential cation channel, mucolipin subfamily (TRPML1) by reducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) and decreased transcription factor EB (TFEB) nuclear translocation. Lycorine reduced the number and activity of OCs by decreasing autophagy in OCs via an axis of mROS/TRPML1/TFEB. Collectively, lycorine protected against LPS-induced bone loss by acting in OCs. Our data highlight the therapeutic potential of lycorine for protection against inflammatory bone loss.

MCP-1 deficiency enhances browning of adipose tissue via increased M2 polarization.

Obesity is strongly associated with chronic inflammation for which adipose tissue macrophages play a critical role. The objective of this study is to identify monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, CCL2) as a key player governing M1-M2 macrophage polarization and energy balance. We evaluated body weight, fat mass, adipocyte size and energy expenditure as well as core body temperature of Ccl2 knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. Adipose tissues, differentiated adipocyte and bone marrow-derived macrophages were assessed by qPCR, Western blot analysis and histochemistry. MCP-1 deficiency augmented energy expenditure by promoting browning in white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue activity via increasing the expressions of Ucp1, Prdm16, Tnfrsf9, Ppargc1a, Nrf1 and Th and mitochondrial DNA copy number. MCP-1 abrogation promoted M2 polarization which is characterized by increased expression of Arg1, Chil3, Il10 and Klf4 whereas it decreased M1 polarization by decreased p65 nuclear translocation and attenuated expression of Itgax, Tnf and Nos2, leading to increased browning of adipocytes. Enhanced M2 polarization and attenuated M1 polarization in the absence of MCP-1 are independent. Collectively, our results suggest that the action of MCP-1 in macrophages modulates energy expenditure by impairing browning in adipose tissue.

Protective effects of an extract of young radish (Raphanus sativus L) cultivated with sulfur (sulfur-radish extract) and of sulforaphane on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity.

The protective effects of an extract of young radish (Raphanus sativus L) cultivated with sulfur (sulfur-radish extract) and of sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver injury were observed in mice. CCl(4) produced a marked increase in the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), primed lipid peroxidation, and resulted in intense necrosis due to oxidative stress. Oral administration of the sulfur-radish extract and of sulforaphane after CCl(4)-induced liver injury both decreased the serum level of ALT, reduced the necrotic zones, inhibited lipid peroxidation, and induced phase 2 enzymes without affecting cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1). These results suggest that the administration of the sulfur-radish extract and of sulforaphane may partially prevent CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity, possibly by indirectly acting as an antioxidant by improving the detoxification system.

4-Phenylbutyric acid protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced bone loss by modulating autophagy in osteoclasts.

4-Phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) has been used clinically to treat urea cycle disorders and is known to be an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We hypothesized that 4-PBA attenuates inflammatory bone loss by inducing autophagy, a process that is frequently accompanied by ER stress. Micro computerized tomography analysis showed that 4-PBA attenuated LPS-induced bone loss in mice. The increased area of TRAP-positive osteoclasts (OCs) and serum level of collagen type I fragments in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice were also decreased when 4-PBA was administered, suggesting a protective role of 4-PBA in OCs. In vitro, 4-PBA significantly reduced OC area without affecting the number of OCs induced by LPS and decreased bone resorption upon LPS stimulation. LPS-induced autophagy was attenuated by 4-PBA in OCs, as demonstrated by reduced LC3II accumulation, increased p62 level, and reduction in AVO-containing cells. Silencing of autophagy-related protein 7 attenuated the effects of 4-PBA on OC size and fusion. Moreover, 4-PBA reduced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) DNA binding upon LPS stimulation of OCs. Inhibition of NF-κB activation diminished the inhibitory effect of 4-PBA on LPS-stimulated changes in LC3II level, OC area, and OC fusion, implying that the effects of 4-PBA on OCs are due at least in part to inhibition of NF-κB. These data demonstrate that 4-PBA attenuates LPS-induced bone loss by reducing autophagy in OCs. Our data highlight the therapeutic potential of 4-PBA for ameliorating inflammatory bone loss.