A rapid high-performance liquid chromatography separation of a new anthocyanin from Nitraria tangutorum.

In this work, a rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to efficiently purify anthocyanin from Nitraria tangutorum based on reversed-phase column. A new anthocyanin was purified from N. tangutorum and elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance, as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) data. The new anthocyanin was elucidated as cyanidin 3-[2″-(6‴-coumaroyl)-glucosyl]-glucoside.

Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate ameliorates high fructose-induced liver fibrosis in rat by increasing miR-375-3p to suppress JAK2/STAT3 pathway and TGF-ß1/Smad signaling.

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that excessive fructose intake induces liver fibrosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) driven by transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1)/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad) signaling activation promotes the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate is clinically used as a hepatoprotective agent to treat liver fibrosis, but its underlying molecular mechanism has not been identified. Using a rat model, we found that high fructose intake reduced microRNA (miR)-375-3p expression and activated the janus-activating kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) cascade and TGF-ß1/Smad signaling, which is consistent with the EMT and liver fibrosis. To further verify these observations, BRL-3A cells and/or primary rat hepatocytes were exposed to high fructose and/or transfected with a miR-375-3p mimic or inhibitor or treated with a JAK2 inhibitor, and we found that the low expression of miR-375-3p could induce the JAK2/STAT3 pathway to activate TGF-ß1/Smad signaling and promote the EMT. Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate was found to ameliorate high fructose-induced EMT and liver fibrosis in rats. More importantly, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate increased miR-375-3p expression to suppress the JAK2/STAT3 pathway and TGF-ß1/Smad signaling in these animal and cell models. This study provides evidence showing that magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate attenuates liver fibrosis associated with a high fructose diet.

Species identification and molecular characterization of Cronobacter spp. isolated from food imported over nine years into Beijing, China.

Cronobacter spp. are associated with serious infections in neonates with the clinical presentations of necrotizing enterocolitis, bacteraemia and meningitis. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to identify 203 Cronobacter isolates from imported food during 2006-2015 with an optimized in-house database. The isolates were predominantly C. sakazakii (88.18%), followed by C. malonaticus (8.37%), C. muytjensii (1.48%), C. turicensis (0.99%) and C. dublinensis (0.99%). The result was totally consistent with that of fusA allele sequencing. 12.32% (25/203) of isolates gave inconsistent spectra following separate protein extractions. Sixty C. sakazakii isolates and 24 isolates from the other four species were chosen for multi-locus sequence type analyses (MLST) and PCR-serotyping. Thirty-one sequence types were identified. The common sequence types were ST1 (19/60) and ST4 (13/60) for C. sakazakii and ST7 (12/17) for C. malonaticus. The primary serotypes were Csak O:1 (30/60), Csak O:2 (25/60) and Cmal O:2 (16/17) for C. sakazakii and C. malonaticus isolates, respectively. In conclusion, appropriate in-house database could make MALDI-TOF MS method identifying Cronobacter spp. isolates to the species level. But the spectra data were not sufficiently consistent for subtyping, unlike MLST. The Cronobacter spp. isolates have a high diversity including recognized pathovars.

Promoting action of long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 4 in ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 4 (SNHG4) has been shown to be aberrantly expressed in a variety of cancers and involved in cancer development, but its role in ovarian cancer (OC) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the biological function of SNHG4 in OC and reveal its potential downstream molecular targets. METHODS: OC tumor tissue and normal tissue were collected; normal human ovarian epithelial cell line (IOSE80) and human ovarian cancer cell line (A2780, SKOV-3, OV-90 and CAOV3) were selected. RT-qPCR was used to detect SNHG4, miR-98-5p, and TMED5, while western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of TMED5, Ki67, MMP-9, Bcl-2, Bax, Gsk3ß, Wnt3a, and ß-catenin. The subcellular localization of SNHG4 was assessed by nucleocytoplasmic separation assay. CCK-8, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell were used to assess the biological behavior of OC cells. The targeting relationship between SNHG4, miR-98-5p and TMED5 was verified by dual luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. RESULTS: In OC, SNHG4 and TMED5 were highly expressed, and miR-98-5p was underexpressed. Knockdown of SNHG4 inhibited OC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, promoted apoptosis, and prevented Wnt/ß-catenin pathway activation. The effect of knockdown of SNHG4 was reversed by knockdown of miR-98-5p or overexpression of TMED5. Mechanistically, SNHG4 competitively adsorbed miR-98-5p to mediate TMED5 expression, thereby activating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. CONCLUSION: SNHG4 accelerates OC development via mediating the miR-98-5p/TMED5 axis and activating the Wnt/ß-Catenin pathway. SNHG4 gene silencing might be a novel option for OC treatment.

Polydatin enhances glomerular podocyte autophagy homeostasis by improving Nrf2-dependent antioxidant capacity in fructose-fed rats.

High fructose is considered a causative factor for oxidative stress and autophagy imbalance that cause kidney pathogenesis. Antioxidant polydatin isolated from Polygonum cuspidatum has been reported to protect against kidney injury. In this study, polydatin was found to ameliorate fructose-induced podocyte injury. It activated mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and suppressed autophagy in glomeruli of fructose-fed rats and in fructose-exposed conditionally immortalized human podocytes (HPCs). Polydatin also enhanced nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent antioxidant capacity to suppress fructose-induced autophagy activation in vivo and in vitro, with the attenuation of fructose-induced up-regulation of cellular light chain 3 (LC3) II/I protein levels. This effect was abolished by Raptor siRNA in fructose-exposed HPCs. These results demonstrated that polydatin ameliorated fructose-induced autophagy imbalance in an mTORC1-dependent manner via improving Nrf2-dependent antioxidant capacity during podocyte injury. In conclusion, polydatin with anti-oxidation activity suppressed autophagy to protect against fructose-induced podocyte injury.

Transcriptional activation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 by 17beta-estradiol in SaOS-2 cells.

Osteoblasts can synthesize the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), which may either enhance or attenuate IGF-stimulated bone cell proliferation. Since estrogen induced osteoblastic differentiation and proliferation through an estrogen-responsive gene in target cells, we investigated the effects of estrogen on IGFBP-6 expression in the human osteoblastic-like cell line SaOS-2. Expressions of IGFBP-6 protein and mRNA increased 2.8 and 2-fold, respectively, in the presence of 17-beta-estradiol (E2) (0.01 to 1 micronM) and estrogen receptor (ER) in SaOS-2 cells. On the other hand, E2 induced a 2-fold increase in SaOS-2 cell proliferation. To identify genomic sequences associated with estrogen responsiveness, the 5'-promoter region (-44 to +118) of the IGFBP-6 gene was cloned into a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter vector. E2 induced a 3-fold increase in CAT activity in SaOS-2 cells transiently transfected with this construct. Identification of the estrogen-responsive element (ERE) [5-CCTTCA CCTG-3] (-9 to +1) in this IGFBP-6 gene promoter region was confirmed using electromobility shift assays and deletion analysis. This functional ERE was important for E2-induced trans-activation of the IGFBP-6 gene. These results demonstrate that E2 exhibits a positive effect on IGFBP-6 gene transcription through estrogen-liganded ER binding to the functional ERE in the IGFBP-6 gene promoter in SaOS-2 cells.

[Features of insulin secretion and insulin resistance in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes of different body mass indices].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate insulin secretion function and insulin resistance in Chinese newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (obese and non-obese patients) in order to provide evidence for clinical treatment. METHODS: 408 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 40 normal controls were recruited. Height, weight were measured, insulin and glucose of 0 min, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min during oral glucose tolerance test were examined. The patients with fasting glucose level greater than 8.3mmol/L were treatment with Gliclazide for 1 - 3 months. After normalization of the plasma glucose levels for more than 2 weeks, and withdraw this medication for 48 hours, then OGTT were repeated to assess IR and IS. RESULTS: The patients were divided into four groups based on fasting plasma glucose (DM1: FPG < 6.9mmol/L; DM2: 6.9 mmol/L < or = FPG < 8.3 mmol/L; DM3: 8.3 mmol/L < or = FPG < 9.7 mmol/L; DM4: FPG > or = 9.7 mmol/L). Every groups were further stratified to subgroups by cut point of BMI = 24 kg/m(2). Their insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion function compared between subgroups. (1) True insulin level in BMI > or = 24 (FPG < 6.9 mmol/L) subgroups were higher than control's (3.5 +/- 0.5 vs 3.2 +/- 0.6 natural logarithm) (P < 0.05). (2) In BMI > or = 24 subgroups, their insulin sensitivity were even worse than BMI < 24 groups', but their insulin secretion function were better at the same FPG level. (3) After intervention, the change of insulin sensitivity in BMI < 24 group was better than BMI > or = 24 group's (-4.7 +/- 0.9 vs -5.5 +/- 1.4 natural logarithm) (P < 0.05); but the change of insulin secretion function in BMI < 24 group was worse. CONCLUSION: (1) In newly diagnostic type 2 diabetes, insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion function were decreased with the increase of FPG, but they were different between obese and non-obese group. (2) Insulin secretion function was recovered better in obese group when eliminated glucose toxicity.

Polygonum cuspidatum extract attenuates fructose-induced liver lipid accumulation through inhibiting Keap1 and activating Nrf2 antioxidant pathway.

BACKGROUND: Polygonum cuspidatum has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat liver disorders associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and lipid accumulation for centuries in patients. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine whether P. cuspidatum extract (PCE) prevented against fructose-induced liver lipid accumulation via regulating Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. METHOD: PCE was administered orally to male Sprague-Dawley rats given 10% fructose drinking water for 6 weeks at 80 and 160 mg/kg once daily for 11 weeks. RESULTS: PCE significantly alleviated liver lipid accumulation in fructose-fed rats with metabolic syndrome. It also inhibited Keap1, activated Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, resulting in the suppression of oxidative stress, evidenced by reducing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxy radical (OH•) levels, and increasing glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio as well as superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in the liver of fructose-fed rats. Additionally, PCE up-regulated peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), and down-regulated sterol regulatory element binging protein 1 (SREBP-1), fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) in this animal model, being consistent with its reduction of triglyceride (TG) levels. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that PCE reduces oxidative stress, and prevent lipid accumulation in the liver of fructose-fed rats possibly by targeting the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. PCE may be a promising therapeutic strategy for fructose-associated liver lipid accumulation.

Pterostilbene prevents hepatocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition in fructose-induced liver fibrosis through suppressing miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 and TGF-ß1/Smads signalling.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Excessive fructose consumption is a risk factor for liver fibrosis. Pterostilbene protects against liver fibrosis. Here, we investigated the potential role and the mechanisms underlying the hepatocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in fructose-induced liver fibrosis and protection by pterostilbene. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Characteristic features of liver fibrosis in 10% fructose-fed rats and EMT in 5 mM fructose-exposed BRL-3A cells with or without pterostilbene and the change of miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1)/Smads signalling were examined. MiR-34a inhibitor, miR-34a minic, or p53 siRNA were used to explore the role of miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 signalling in fructose-induced EMT and the action of pterostilbene. KEY RESULTS: Pterostilbene prevented fructose-induced liver injury with fibrosis in rats. Fructose caused hepatocyte undergoing EMT, gaining fibroblast-specific protein 1 and vimentin, and losing E-cadherin, effects attenuated by pterostilbene. Moreover, fructose induced miR-34a overexpression in hepatocytes with down-regulated Sirt1, increased p53 and ac-p53, and activated TGF-ß1/Smads signalling, whereas these disturbances were suppressed by miR-34a inhibitor. Additionally, miR-34a inhibitor and p53 siRNA prevented TGF-ß1-driven hepatocyte EMT under fructose exposure. Pterostilbene down-regulated miR-34a, up-regulated Sirt1, and suppressed p53 activation and TGF-ß1/Smads signalling in fructose-stimulated animals and cells but showed no additional effects with miR-34a inhibitor on miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 signalling in fructose-exposed hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These results strongly suggest that activation of miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 signalling is required for fructose-induced hepatocyte EMT mediated by TGF-ß1/Smads signalling, contributing to liver fibrosis in rats. Pterostilbene exhibits a protective effect against liver fibrosis at least partly through inhibiting miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 signalling activation.

Pterostilbene Attenuates Fructose-Induced Myocardial Fibrosis by Inhibiting ROS-Driven Pitx2c/miR-15b Pathway.

Excessive fructose consumption induces oxidative stress and myocardial fibrosis. Antioxidant compound pterostilbene has cardioprotective effect in experimental animals. This study is aimed at investigating how fructose drove fibrotic responses via oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes and explored the attenuation mechanisms of pterostilbene. We observed fructose-induced myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis with ROS overproduction in rats. Paired-like homeodomain 2 (Pitx2c) increase, microRNA-15b (miR-15b) low expression, and p53 phosphorylation (p-p53) upregulation, as well as activation of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1)/drosophila mothers against DPP homolog (Smads) signaling and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) induction, were also detected in fructose-fed rat hearts and fructose-exposed rat myocardial cell line H9c2 cells. The results from p53 siRNA or TGF-ß1 siRNA transfection showed that TGF-ß1-induced upregulation of CTGF expression and p-p53 activated TGF-ß1/Smads signaling in fructose-exposed H9c2 cells. Of note, Pitx2c negatively modulated miR-15b expression via binding to the upstream of the miR-15b genetic loci by chromatin immunoprecipitation and transfection analysis with pEX1-Pitx2c plasmid and Pitx2c siRNA, respectively. In H9c2 cells pretreated with ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine, or transfected with miR-15b mimic and inhibitor, fructose-induced cardiac ROS overload could drive Pitx2c-mediated miR-15b low expression, then cause p-p53-activated TGF-ß1/Smads signaling and CTGF induction in myocardial fibrosis. We also found that pterostilbene significantly improved myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in fructose-fed rats and fructose-exposed H9c2 cells. Pterostilbene reduced cardiac ROS to block Pitx2c-mediated miR-15b low expression and p-p53-dependent TGF-ß1/Smads signaling activation and CTGF induction in high fructose-induced myocardial fibrosis. These results firstly demonstrated that the ROS-driven Pitx2c/miR-15b pathway was required for p-p53-dependent TGF-ß1/Smads signaling activation in fructose-induced myocardial fibrosis. Pterostilbene protected against high fructose-induced myocardial fibrosis through the inhibition of Pitx2c/miR-15b pathway to suppress p-p53-activated TGF-ß1/Smads signaling, warranting the consideration of Pitx2c/miR-15b pathway as a therapeutic target in myocardial fibrosis.

Pterostilbene alleviates fructose-induced renal fibrosis by suppressing TGF-ß1/TGF-ß type I receptor/Smads signaling in proximal tubular epithelial cells.

High dietary fructose is a key causative factor in the development of renal fibrosis. Pterostilbene has anti-fibrotic effect. Understanding the action mechanism of pterostilbene in fructose-induced renal fibrosis remains as a challenge. Here, fructose feeding was found to promote the progress of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) and collagen deposition in renal cortex of rats with tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Simultaneously, it impaired insulin receptor (IR)/insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, and increased transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) and TGF-ß type I receptor to enhance phosphorylation of drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (Smad2) and Smad3, and Smad4 expression in rat kidney cortex. These changes were also observed in cultured PTECs HK-2 cells exposed to 5 mM fructose. The data from fructose-exposed HK-2 cells co-incubated with TGF-ß type I receptor inhibitor further demonstrated that the activation of TGF-ß1/TGF-ß type I receptor/Smads signaling promoted renal tubular EMT and collagen accumulation. Pterostilbene was found to ameliorate fructose-induced renal fibrosis in rats. Importantly, pterostilbene improved IR/IRS-1/Akt pathway impairment and suppressed TGF-ß1/TGF-ß type I receptor/Smads signaling activation in vivo and in vitro, being consistent with its reduction of EMT and collagen deposition. Upregulation of IR/Akt signaling by pterostilbene was also confirmed in Akt inhibitor (MK-2206 2HCl) or IR inhibitor (GSK1904529A)-treated HK-2 cells. Taken together, pterostilbene may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of fructose-induced kidney fibrosis with insulin signaling impairment.

Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate ameliorates fructose-induced podocyte apoptosis through downregulation of miR-193a to increase WT1.

High fructose intake is a risk of glomerular podocyte dysfunction. Podocyte apoptosis has emerged as a major cause of podocyte loss, exacerbating proteinuria. Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG) is usually used as a hepatoprotective agent in clinic. Liver and kidney injury often occurs in human diseases. Recent report shows that MgIG improves kidney function. In this study, we found that MgIG significantly alleviated kidney dysfunction, proteinuria and podocyte injury in fructose-fed rats. It also restored fructose-induced podocyte apoptosis in rat glomeruli and cultured differentiated podocytes. Of note, high-expression of miR-193a, downregulation of Wilms' tumor protein (WT1) and RelA, as well as upregulation of C-Maf inducing protein (C-mip) were observed in these animal and cell models. The data from the transfection of miR-193a mimic, miR-193a inhibitor, WT1 siRNA or LV5-WT1 in cultured differentiated podocytes showed that fructose increased miR-193a to down-regulate WT1, and subsequently activated C-mip to suppress RelA, causing podocyte apoptosis. These disturbances were significantly attenuated by MgIG. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that MgIG restrains fructose-induced podocyte apoptosis at least partly through inhibiting miR-193a to upregulate WT1, supporting the application of MgIG with a novel mechanism-of-action against podocyte apoptosis associated with fructose-induced kidney dysfunction.

Polydatin prevents fructose-induced liver inflammation and lipid deposition through increasing miR-200a to regulate Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

Oxidative stress is a critical factor in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis. MicroRNA-200a (miR-200a) is reported to target Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), which regulates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) anti-oxidant pathway. Polydatin (3,4',5-trihydroxy-stilbene-3-ß-D-glucoside), a polyphenol found in the rhizome of Polygonum cuspidatum, have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. However, whether miR-200a controls Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in fructose-induced liver inflammation and lipid deposition and the blockade of polydatin are still not clear. Here, we detected miR-200a down-regulation, Keap1 up-regulation, Nrf2 antioxidant pathway inactivation, ROS-driven thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) over-expression, NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and dysregulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1), sterol regulatory element binging protein 1 (SREBP-1) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) in rat livers, BRL-3A and HepG2 cells under high fructose induction. Furthermore, the data from the treatment or transfection of miR-200a minic, Keap1 and TXNIP siRNA, Nrf2 activator and ROS inhibitor demonstrated that fructose-induced miR-200a low-expression increased Keap1 to block Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, and then enhanced ROS-driven TXNIP to activate NLRP3 inflammasome and disturb lipid metabolism-related proteins, causing inflammation and lipid deposition in BRL-3A cells. We also found that polydatin up-regulated miR-200a to inhibit Keap1 and activate Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, resulting in attenuation of these disturbances in these animal and cell models. These findings provide a novel pathological mechanism of fructose-induced redox status imbalance and suggest that the enhancement of miR-200a to control Keap1/Nrf2 pathway by polydatin is a therapeutic strategy for fructose-associated liver inflammation and lipid deposition.

Dataset on assessment of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate injection for dairy diet and body weight in fructose-induced metabolic syndrome of rats.

The data presented herein are related to the research article entitled "Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate blocks fructose-induced hepatic NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lipid metabolism disorder" (Zhao et al., 2017) [1]. This article describes the effects of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate on 24-h food or water intake in fructose-fed rats at 15-week. In addition, this article expands the effect of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate on the animal body weight change during 1-17 week. The field dataset is made publicly available to enable critical or extended analyzes.

Fructose downregulates miR-330 to induce renal inflammatory response and insulin signaling impairment: Attenuation by morin.

SCOPE: Fructose induces insulin resistance with kidney inflammation and injury. MicroRNAs are emerged as key regulators of insulin signaling. Morin has insulin-mimetic effect with the improvement of insulin resistance and kidney injury. This study investigated the protective mechanisms of morin against fructose-induced kidney injury, with particular focus on miR-330 expression change, inflammatory response, and insulin signaling impairment. METHODS AND RESULTS: miR-330, sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1)/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)/S1P receptor (S1PR)1/3 signaling, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and insulin signaling were detected in kidney cortex of fructose-fed rats and fructose-exposed HK-2 cells, respectively. Whether miR-330 mediated inflammatory response to affect insulin signaling was examined using SphK1 inhibitor, S1PR1/3 short interfering RNA, or miR-330 mimic/inhibitor, respectively. Fructose was found to downregulate miR-330 expression to increase SphK1/S1P/S1PR1/3 signaling, and then activate NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome to produce IL-1ß, causing insulin signaling impairment. Moreover, morin upregulated miR-330 and partly attenuated inflammatory response and insulin signaling impairment to alleviate kidney injury. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that morin protects against fructose-induced kidney insulin signaling impairment by upregulating miR-330 to reduce inflammatory response. Morin may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of kidney injury associated with fructose-induced inflammation and insulin signaling impairment.

Data-Driven Prioritization and Review of Targets for Molecular-Based Theranostic Approaches in Pancreatic Cancer.

Molecularly targeted therapeutic and imaging strategies directed at aberrant signaling pathways in pancreatic tumor cells may improve the poor outcome of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Therefore, relevant molecular targets need to be identified. Methods: We collected publicly available expression profiles of patient-derived normal pancreatic tissue (n = 77) and PDA samples (n = 103). Functional genomic messenger RNA profiling was applied to predict target upregulation on the protein level. We prioritized these targets based on current status of preclinical therapeutic and imaging evaluation in PDA. Results: We identified 213 significantly upregulated proteins in PDA compared with normal pancreatic tissue. We prioritized mucin-1, mesothelin, γ-glutamyltransferase 5, and cathepsin-E as the most interesting targets, because studies already demonstrated their potential for both therapeutic and imaging strategies in literature. Conclusion: This study can assist clinicians and drug developers in deciding which theranostic targets should be taken for further clinical evaluation in PDA.

Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate blocks fructose-induced hepatic NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lipid metabolism disorder.

Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate as a hepatoprotective agent possesses immune modulation and anti-inflammation, and treats liver diseases. But its effects on immunological-inflammatory and metabolic profiles for metabolic syndrome with liver injury and underlying potential mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate alleviated liver inflammation and lipid accumulation in fructose-fed rats with metabolic syndrome. It also suppressed hepatic inflammatory signaling activation by reducing protein levels of phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (p-NF-κB p65), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase α/ß (p-IKKα/ß) and inhibitor of NF-κB α (p-IκBα) as well as nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) and Caspase-1 in rats, being consistent with its reduction of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6 levels. Furthermore, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate modulated lipid metabolism-related genes characterized by up-regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1), and down-regulating sensor for fatty acids to control-1 (SREBP-1) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1) in the liver of fructose-fed rats, resulting in the reduction of triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. These effective actions were further confirmed in fructose-exposed BRL-3A and HepG2 cells. The molecular mechanisms underpinning these observations suggest that magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate may inhibit NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome activation to reduce immunological-inflammatory response, which in turn may prevent liver lipid metabolic disorder and accumulation under high fructose condition. Thus, blockade of NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lipid metabolism disorder by magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate may be the potential therapeutic approach for improving fructose-induced liver injury with metabolic syndrome in clinic.

Identification of Cronobacter species by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry with an optimized analysis method.

Rapid and precise identification of Cronobacter species is important for foodborne pathogen detection, however, commercial biochemical methods can only identify Cronobacter strains to genus level in most cases. To evaluate the power of mass spectrometry based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF MS) for Cronobacter species identification, 51 Cronobacter strains (eight reference and 43 wild strains) were identified by both MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Biotyper RTC provided by Bruker identified all eight reference and 43 wild strains as Cronobacter species, which demonstrated the power of MALDI-TOF MS to identify Cronobacter strains to genus level. However, using the Bruker's database (6903 main spectra products) and Biotyper software, the MALDI-TOF MS analysis could not identify the investigated strains to species level. When MALDI-TOF MS analysis was performed using the combined in-house Cronobacter database and Bruker's database, bin setting, and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering, all the 51 strains were clearly identified into six Cronobacter species and the identification accuracy increased from 60% to 100%. We demonstrated that MALDI-TOF MS was reliable and easy-to-use for Cronobacter species identification and highlighted the importance of establishing a reliable database and improving the current data analysis methods by integrating the bin setting and UPGMA clustering.