Protectin D1 ameliorates non-compressive lumbar disc herniation through SIRT1-mediated CGRP signaling.

Background. Neuro-inflammatory response promotes the initiation and sustenance of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Protectin D1 (PD1), as a new type of specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM), can improve the prognosis of various inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that over representation of calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) may activate nociceptive signaling following nerve injury. Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) is ubiquitously expressed in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and plays a role in the pathogenesis of LDH. In this study, we investigated the analgesic effects of PD1 and elucidated the impact of neurogenic inflammation in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain induced by non-compressive lumbar disc herniation (NCLDH) in a rat model. Methods. NCLDH models were established by applying protruding autologous nucleus pulposus to the L5 Dorsal root ganglion (DRG). PD1, SIRT1 antagonist or agonist, CGRP or antagonist were administered as daily intrathecal injections for three consecutive days postoperatively. Behavioral tests were conducted to assess mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. The ipsilateral lumbar (L4-6) segment of the spinal dorsal horn was isolated for further analysis. Alterations in the release of SIRT1 and CGRP were explored using western blot and immunofluorescence. Results. Application of protruded nucleus (NP) materials to the DRG induced mechanical and thermal allodynia symptoms, and deregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in rats. Intrathecal delivery of PD1 significantly reversed the NCLDH-induced imbalance in neuro-inflammatory response and alleviated the symptoms of mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. In addition, NP application to the DGRs resulted the spinal upregulation of CGRP and SIRT1 expression, which was almost restored by intrathecal injection of PD1 in a dose-dependent manner. SIRT1 antagonist or agonist and CGRP or antagonist treatment further confirmed the result. Conclusion. Our findings indicate PD1 has a potent analgesic effect, and can modulate neuro-inflammation by regulating SIRT1-mediated CGRP signaling in NCLDH.

SDF-1 promotes ox-LDL induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

The mechanism of the regulatory roles of stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) via the protein kinase C (PKC) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathways have been investigated. Rat aortic VSMCs were treated with control or an oxidised low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) atherosclerosis (AS) model. Cells exposed to the AS model were treated with SDF-1 plus inhibitors specific for PKC (Ro31-8220), CXCR4 (12G5) or NF-κB (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, PDTC). Cell proliferation was measured with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and apoptosis by flow cytometry. NF-κB protein expression was analysed using Western blotting. The proliferation rate in the AS model group was significantly higher than the control group, but lower than the SDF-1 group (P < 0.05). Apoptosis in the AS model group (ox-LDL) was significantly higher than the normal control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the apoptosis rate in the SDF-1 group was significantly lower than the normal control group (P < 0.05); however, there was no difference from the Ro31-8220 group. NF-κB protein expression in the SDF-1 group was significantly higher than the AS model (ox-LDL) group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, SDF-1 can promote the proliferation of VSMCs induced by ox-LDL and inhibit cell apoptosis, via the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.

Apple consumption affects cecal health by regulating 12S-hydroxy-5Z,8Z,10E,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE) levels through modifying the microbiota in rats.

Apples are rich in many nutrients and functional components. However, the mechanism of the effect of fresh apple consumption on rats remains unclear. In the present study, fresh apples (10 g kg-1) were added to the diet of Wistar rats, and changes in the microbiota and metabolite content of the cecum were analyzed after 28 days of feeding, and changes in the 12S-hydroxy-5Z,8Z,10E,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE) content and indicators related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were detected. Subsequently, a fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) protocol was designed and carried out to verify the relationship between the microbiota and 12(S)-HETE, the cecal structure, and inflammatory factors. The results show that apple consumption significantly reduced the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), altered the cecal histomorphology, and significantly upregulated the gene expression of claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), which encode tight junction proteins. Apple consumption also changed the structure of the cecal microbiota, increasing the abundance of some species (such as Shuttleworthia) and decreasing the abundance of others (such as Alphaproteobacteria). Metabolomic screening identified 64 significantly different metabolites. The FMT results showed that apple consumption reduced 12(S)-HETE metabolite levels in the cecal contents, improved the intestinal structure, and reduced the levels of proinflammatory factor expression by altering the cecal microbiota. In conclusion, this study provides further insight into the effects of apples on animals using rats as experimental animals. It provides basic data for future exploration of the mechanisms of the effect of apple consumption on humans.