Iron retardation in lysosomes protects senescent cells from ferroptosis.

Ferroptosis, an iron-triggered modality of cellular death, has been reported to closely relate to human aging progression and aging-related diseases. However, the involvement of ferroptosis in the development and maintenance of senescent cells still remains elusive. Here, we established a doxorubicin-induced senescent HSkM cell model and found that both iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation increase in senescent cells. Moreover, such iron overload in senescent cells has changed the expression panel of the ferroptosis-response proteins. Interestingly, the iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation does not trigger ferroptosis-induced cell death. Oppositely, senescent cells manifest resistance to the ferroptosis inducers, compared to the proliferating cells. To further investigate the mechanism of ferroptosis-resistance for senescent cells, we traced the iron flux in cell and found iron arrested in lysosome. Moreover, disruption of lysosome functions by chloroquine and LLOMe dramatically triggered the senescent cell death. Besides, the ferroitinophagy-related proteins FTH1/FTL and NCOA4 knockdown also increases the senescent cell death. Thus, we speculated that iron retardation in lysosome of senescent cells is the key mechanism for ferroptosis resistance. And the lysosome is a promising target for senolytic drugs to selectively clear senescent cells and alleviate the aging related diseases.

Achieving ultrafast and highly selective capture of radiotoxic tellurite ions on iron-based metal-organic frameworks through coordination bond-dominated conversion.

Chemically durable and effective adsorbents for radiotoxic TeOx2- (TeIV and TeVI) anions remain in great demand for contamination remediation. Herein, a low-cost iron-based metal-organic framework (MIL-101(Fe)) was used as an adsorbent to capture TeOx2- anions from contaminated solution with ultrafast kinetics and record-high adsorption capacity of 645 mg g-1 for TeO32- and 337 mg g-1 for TeO42-, outperforming previously reported adsorbents. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the capture of TeOx2- by MIL-101(Fe) was mediated by the unique C-O-Te and Fe-O-Te coordination bonds at corresponding optimal adsorption sites, which enabled the selective adsorption of TeOx2- from solution and further irreversible immobilization under the geological environment. Meanwhile, MIL-101(Fe) works steadily over a wide pH range of 4-10 and at high concentrations of competing ions, and it is stable under ß-irradiation even at high dose of 200 kGy. Moreover, the MIL-101(Fe) membrane was fabricated to efficiently remove TeO32- ions from seawater for practical use, overcoming the secondary contamination and recovery problems in powder adsorption. Finally, the good sustainability of MIL-101(Fe) was evaluated from three perspectives of technology, environment, and society. Our strategy provides an alternative to traditional removal methods that should be attractive for Te contamination remediation.

[Chemical constituents of roots of Celastrus orbiculatus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constitutes of roots of Celastrus orbiculatus. METHODS: The compounds were isolated by column chromatography and identified by spectroscopic methods including IR, MS and NMR. RESULTS: Nine compounds were isolated and identified as sugiol (1), friedelane-3-one (2), salapermic acid (3), 28-hydroxyfriedelane-3-one (4), pristimerin (5), celastrol (6), beta-sitosterol (7), beta-daucosterol (8) and benzoic acid (9), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 2 and 4 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

In vitro release and in vivo growth-promoting effects of coated cysteamine in broilers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of coating technology on the cysteamine (CSH) release in the digestive tract and the growth-promoting effect of enteric-coating CSH in broilers. First, using the self-developed computer-controlled simulated digestion system to mimic the digestion process in vitro, the release of 2 coated CSH (CSH-I and CSH-Ⅱ) were studied. The results showed that less than 10% of CSH-I was released after gastric digestion and 52.35% of CSH-I was released with additional 4 h of small intestinal digestion. In contrast, 83.62% of CSH-Ⅱ was released during the gastric digestion. In order to verify the growth-promoting effects of CSH-I, a feeding trial was conducted in a completely randomized block arrangement with 3 treatments in 6 blocks, 5 chickens per replicate. Broilers were fed with corn-soybean meal diet either supplemented with 0 (CON), 200 mg/kg uncoated CSH (CSH) or 200 mg/kg CSH-I from d 7 to 42, respectively. Body weight and FI was recorded at d 21 and 42. Excreta were collected from d 39 to d 42 to determine the total tract retention (TTR) of dietary nutrients. In comparisons with controls, birds fed with CSH-I had greater BW, ADG, and ADFI and increased TTR of DM, gross energy (GE), NDF and hemicellulose (P < 0.05). In addition, duodenal villi height and surface area were also greater in those CSH-I-fed birds. In contrast, the growth performance of birds fed with uncoated CSH did not significantly differ from controls. Although the TTR of DM and GE was higher in birds fed with CSH than controls, no differences in small intestine morphology were noted. Thus, the type I coating (CSH-I) could be good enteric-coating technology to increase CSH release in the duodenum, improve digestion and duodenal morphology, and therefore growth performance in broilers.

Tax preference, financing constraints and enterprise investment efficiency-Experience, of China's enterprises investment.

This paper takes the 2014 pilot project of accelerated depreciation of fixed assets as a quasi-natural experiment, and builds a Propensity Score Matching-Difference in Differences (PSM-DID) model based on the data of Chinese listed companies from 2000 to 2019 to test the impact of tax preference on enterprise investment efficiency and its mechanism. The results show that the policy inhibits supported enterprises investment efficiency significantly. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the policy causes greater investment efficiency losses for small and medium-sized enterprises, non-state-owned enterprises and asset-heavy enterprises. The mechanism test found the reason why the policy eased financing constraints but inhibited investment efficiency in short-term. After a variety of robustness tests, the above basic conclusions are still valid. Although the accelerated depreciation policy of fixed assets is conducive to expanding the scale of investment, the incentive effect on investment efficiency is not obvious, and even shows a restraining effect. Given the existence of heterogeneity, the design of the policy should not only distinguish industries, but also pay attention to the differences between different enterprises in the same industry. Strengthening research and development (R&D) innovation and improving the matching mechanism between human capital and fixed investment will help give full play to the incentive effect of this policy. The research in this paper helps to deepen the understanding of the microeconomic effects of tax policy and identify the internal mechanism, which not only enriches the relevant literature, but also provides a reference for the government to better use tax policy to promote the high-quality development of enterprises.

A Review of Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Ginsenosides From Panax Ginseng in Treating Ischemic Stroke.

Ischemic stroke has been considered one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide, associated with a series of complex pathophysiological processes. However, effective therapeutic methods for ischemic stroke are still limited. Panax ginseng, a valuable traditional Chinese medicine, has been long used in eastern countries for various diseases. Ginsenosides, the main active ingredient of Panax ginseng, has demonstrated neuroprotective effects on ischemic stroke injury during the last decade. In this article, we summarized the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke and reviewed the literature on ginsenosides studies in preclinical and clinical ischemic stroke. Available findings showed that both major ginsenosides and minor ginsenosides (such as Rg3, Rg5, and Rh2) has a potential neuroprotective effect, mainly through attenuating the excitotoxicity, Ca2+ overload, mitochondria dysfunction, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative, anti-apoptosis, anti-pyroptosis, anti-autophagy, improving angiogenesis, and neurogenesis. Therefore, this review brings a current understanding of the mechanisms of ginsenosides in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Further studies, especially in clinical trials, will be important to confirm the clinical value of ginseng and ginsenosides.

Incarvillea compacta Maxim ameliorates inflammatory response via inhibiting PI3K/AKT pathway and NLRP3 activation.

Incarvillea compacta Maxim is a traditional Tibetan medicine used to treat inflammation-related diseases, such as pneumonia, fever, jaundice, and otitis media. However, no studies have examined its anti-inflammatory mechanism. To validate the anti-inflammatory activity of I. compacta extract (ICE) and its protective effect on acute alcoholic gastritis, Phytochemicals of I. compacta were identified using Ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were used in vitro along with an in vivo a mouse acute gastritis model. Pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines were measured using the Griess reagent and Cytometric bead array (CBA) assay. Furthermore, inflammation-related molecules were analysed by Western blotting, RNA-Seq, and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The experimental results revealed that ICE decreased the nitric oxide (NO), IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF-α levels in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, and downregulated the expression and phosphorylation of PDK1, AKT, and GSK3ß. Moreover, ICE also downregulated the activation of NLRP3. The RNA-Seq analysis revealed that 340 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) response to ICE treatment was enriched in several inflammation-related biological processes. The results of the in vivo mouse acute gastritis model showed that ICE significantly reduced inflammatory lesions in the gastric mucosa and remarkably downregulated the expression of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 mRNA in gastric tissue. Therefore, the results of this study obtained scientific evidence supporting the use of I. compacta.

[Heme oxygenase-1 reduces inflammatory response by inhibiting thioredoxin interacting protein/NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation in RAW264.7 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on the inflammatory response of macrophages. METHODS: Mouse macrophage strain RAW264.7 was cultured in vitro, and the cells in the logarithmic growth phase were used for the experiment. The RAW264.7 cells were divided into four groups. In blank control group, the cells were continuously incubated and received no treatment (cultured at 37 centigrade, 95% air, 5% CO2). In lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model group, 1 mg/L LPS was added to the medium to prepare LPS challenge model. In HO-1 inducer group, the cells were incubated with 30 µmol/L HO-1 inducer hemin for 1 hour, and then 1 mg/L LPS was added for incubation. In HO-1 inhibition group, the cells were incubated with 5 µmol/L HO-1 specific antagonist Zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX) for 0.5 hour, and then 1 mg/L LPS was added for incubation. After 48 hours of incubation with LPS, the supernatant of each group was taken, and the protein expressions of HO-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and mitochondrial autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC-3B) were detected by Western blotting. The expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the cells in the LPS model group had a certain stress response, and autophagy occurred in mitochondria, but the expression of some inflammatory factors was restricted, which was related to the impairment of cell function. The protein expressions of HO-1, IL-1ß, LC-3B, ROS were significantly increased, the protein expressions of TNF-α, TXNIP, and NLRP3 were decreased significantly, indicating that the cells were seriously injured after LPS challenge, and the model was successfully established. Compared with the LPS model group, HO-1 protein expression in the HO-1 inducer group was significantly increased (HO-1/GAPDH: 0.31±0.03 vs. 0.22±0.03, P < 0.05), the protein expressions of TNF-α, IL-1ß, TXNIP, NLRP3, LC-3B and ROS were significantly inhibited [TNF-α protein (TNF-α/GAPDH): 0.08±0.01 vs. 0.45±0.05, IL-1ß protein (IL-1ß/GAPDH): 0.50±0.01 vs. 0.82±0.03, TXNIP protein (TXNIP/GAPDH): 0.21±0.02 vs. 0.28±0.02, NLRP3 protein (NLRP3/GAPDH): 0.11±0.01 vs. 0.17±0.02, LC-3B protein (LC-3B/GAPDH): 0.67±0.04 vs. 0.92±0.12, ROS (fluorescence intensity): 80.9±12.5 vs. 94.1±19.5, all P < 0.05], indicating that HO-1 could inhibit inflammatory response and oxidative stress, and reduce mitochondrial autophagy. Antagonizing HO-1 could increase inflammatory response, oxidative stress and mitochondrial autophagy, the inhibitory degree of TNF-α and IL-1ß expression was significantly reduced as compared with the HO-1 inducer group [TNF-α protein (TNF-α/GAPDH): 0.26±0.02 vs. 0.08±0.01, IL-1ß protein (IL-1ß/GAPDH): 0.76±0.01 vs. 0.50±0.01, both P < 0.05], the protein expressions of TXNIP, NLRP3, LC-3B and ROS were significantly increased as compared with the LPS model group [TXNIP protein (TXNIP/GAPDH): 0.43±0.02 vs. 0.28±0.02, NLRP3 protein (NLRP3/GAPDH): 0.24±0.02 vs. 0.17±0.02, LC-3B protein (LC-3B/GAPDH): 1.12±0.07 vs. 0.92±0.12, ROS (fluorescence intensity): 112.0±17.0 vs. 94.1±19.5, all P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: HO-1 can reduce the inflammatory response by inhibiting the activation of TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome and reducing the release of inflammatory mediators.

Simulated digestion and in vitro fermentation of a polysaccharide from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) root residue by the human gut microbiota.

Lotus root polysaccharide (LRP) is an active water-soluble polysaccharide with average molecular weight of 1.24 × 104. It was composed of (1 â†’ 4)-α-D-glucan backbone with α-D-glycopyranosyl moieties connected to C-6 positions of the glucose residues as side chains approximately every six residues. However, little information is available for its digestion and fermentation characteristics in vitro. The results showed that the levels of reducing sugars were increased slightly, and the molecular weight was also reduced slightly, in simulated gastric and small intestinal juices. During in vitro fermentation, the total sugar, reducing sugar and glucose contents decreased gradually with increasing fermentation time. The molecular of LRP was degraded and to metabolize into a variety the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acids. Furthermore, LRP fermentation decreased the pH of the fermentation broth and increased its absorbance. Meanwhile, LRP modulated the gut microbiota by altering the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increasing the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium. The findings from this study showed that LRP could be developed as potential prebiotic to regulate the composition of gut microbiota, thereby promote the production of SCFAs.

Combination of panax ginseng and ginkgo biloba extracts attenuate cerebral ischemia injury with modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome and CAMK4/CREB pathway.

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability throughout the world. A combination of Panax Ginseng and Ginkgo biloba extracts (CGGE) is an effective treatment for nervous system diseases, but the neuroprotective mechanism underlying CGGE remains unclear. Both network analysis and experimental research were employed to explore the potential mechanism of CGGE in treating ischemic stroke (IS). Network analysis identified a total number of 133 potential targets for 34 active ingredients and 239 IS-related targets. What's more, several processes that might involve the regulation of CGGE against IS were identified, including long-term potentiation, cAMP signaling pathway, neurotrophin signaling pathway, and Nod-like receptor signaling pathway. Our studies in animal models suggested that CGGE could reduce inflammatory response by inhibiting the activity of Nod-like receptor, pyrin containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and maintain the balance of glutamate (Glu)/gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) via activating calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type Ⅳ (CAMK4)/cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) pathway. These findings indicated the neuroprotective effects of CGGE, possibly improving neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome and CAMK4/CREB pathway.

Sex- related differences in the factors associated with outcomes among patients with strokes of undetermined source: a hospital-based follow-up study.

Objective: Sex-related differences are well established among stroke patients, including the incidence and prevalence of stroke being higher among men than among women. However, the sex-related factors for differences in the outcomes of strokes of undetermined source (SUSs) have not been well described, especially in the Chinese population. We assessed the sex-related differences in the factors associated with outcomes among patients with SUSs in China.Method: Between January 2011 and December 2018, we recruited 205 patients diagnosed with SUSs from Kailuan General Hospital (China). The clinical features, risk factors, and outcome data were collected for the patients at 3 and 12 months after their strokes.Results: There were higher frequencies of hyperlipidemia (27.8% vs. 26.4%), smoking (41.4% vs. 5.6%), and alcohol consumption (21.8% vs. 0%) for male patients than for female patients. However, women were more likely than men to have hypertension (63.9% vs. 46.6%), diabetes (27.8% vs. 20.3%), and atrial fibrillation (9.7% vs. 5.3%); they were also more likely to be obese (16.7% vs. 12.0%). There were no significant differences in outcome between the sexes. Among men, severe strokes were associated with higher case fatality and disability risks at 12 months after stroke onset; hyperlipidemia was a risk factor for recurrence within 3 months of the initial stroke. Among women, severe strokes also increased the risk of disability; in women, high total cholesterol (TC) and age were associated with poor outcomes.Conclusion: The factors associated with outcomes in SUS differed by sex. For male patients, more severe stroke and hyperlipidemia were associated with poor outcomes in SUS. Risk factors for poor outcomes in female patients were stroke severity, age, and TC level. These findings suggest that taking measures to manage blood lipid levels and severe stroke among patients with SUS is important for both male and female patients and is crucial for reducing the burden of stroke in China.

Propofol protects PC12 cells from cobalt chloride-induced injury by mediating miR-134.

OBJECTIVE: Propofol (PRO) was reported to exert a neuroprotective effect by decreasing microRNA-134 (miR-134), a brain-specific miRNA, thus, the role of PRO against cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced injury in rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) via mediating miR-134 was explored. METHODS: CoCl2-induced PC12 cells treated with PRO were transfected with or without miR-134 negative control (NC)/ inhibitor/mimic, and the following detections were then performed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (Annexin V-FITC/PI) and Hoechst 33258 staining. Autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by Rhodamine-123 (Rh123) staining, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining. Protein and gene expressions were measured by Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. RESULTS: PRO reversed the CoCl2-induced decrease in the PC12 cell viability and increased miR-134 in a dose-dependent manner. CoCl2 increased LC3II/I ratio and Beclin-1 expression, but decreased p62 expression, which was abolished by PRO. In addition, an increased cell apoptosis rates triggered by CoCl2 were reduced by PRO with the down-regulations of Bax and Caspase-3 and the up-regulation of Bcl-2. Furthermore, PRO decreased methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and ROS in CoCl2-induced PC12 cells accompanying the increase in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and MMP. The effects of PRO on autophagy, apoptosis and oxidative stress in CoCl2-induced PC12 cell were reversed by miR-134 mimic. CONCLUSION: PRO may mitigate CoCl2-induced autophagy in PC12 cells with decreased apoptosis and improved oxidative stress via mediating miR-134.

A new anthraquinone from roots of Rumex japonicus.

A new anthraquinone, (1)-hydroxymethyl-3,6-dimethoxyl-2,8-dihydroxylanthraquinone 1, was isolated from the root of Rumex japonicus along with six known compounds 2-7. Their structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR techniques or comparison with authentic samples.