Green Tea Polyphenols Alleviate Kidney Injury Induced by Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate in Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a common plasticizer. Studies have revealed that DEHP exposure can cause kidney damage. Green tea is among the most popular beverages in China. Green tea polyphenols (GTPs) have been proven to have therapeutic effects on organ damage induced by heavy metal exposure. However, few studies have reported on GTP-relieving DEHP-induced kidney damage. METHODS: C57BL/6J male mice aged 6-8 weeks were treated with distilled water (control group), 1,500 mg/kg/d DEHP + corn oil (model group), 1,500 mg/kg/d DEHP + corn oil + 70 mg/kg GTP (treatment group), corn oil (oil group), and 70 mg/kg GTP (GTP group) by gavage for 8 weeks, respectively. The renal function of mice and renal tissue histopathology of each group were evaluated. The renal tissues of mice in the model, treatment, and control groups were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. We calculated the differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) using the limma R package, the CIBERSORT algorithm was used to predict immune infiltration, the starBase database was used to screen the miRNA-mRNA regulatory axis, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to verify protein expression. RESULTS: GTP alleviated the deterioration of renal function, renal inflammation and fibrosis, and mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum lesions induced by DEHP in mice. Differential immune infiltrations of plasma, dendritic, T, and B cells were noted between the model and treatment groups. We found that three differentially expressed miRNAs (mmu-miR-383-5p, mmu-miR-152-3p, and mmu-miR-144-3p), three differentially expressed mRNAs (Ddit4, Dusp1, and Snx18), and three differentially expressed proteins (Ddit4, Dusp1, and Snx18) played crucial roles in the miRNA-mRNA-protein regulatory axes when GTPs mitigate DEHP-induced kidney damage in mice. CONCLUSION: GTP can alleviate DEHP-induced kidney damage and regulate immune cell infiltration. We screened four important miRNA-mRNA-protein regulatory axes of GTP, mitigating DEHP-induced kidney damage in mice.

Selenium-deposited tripterine phytosomes ameliorate the antiarthritic efficacy of the phytomedicine via a synergistic sensitization.

Arthritis remains the notion of a hard-to-treat disease that raises an area of unmet clinical need. The phytomedicine tripterine (Tri) and trace element selenium (Se) have been shown to be of anti-inflammatory activity. This study was devoted to develop nanomedicine containing Tri and Se used for fighting against arthritis via a coordination mechanism. Se-deposited Tri phytosomes (Se@Tri-PTs) were prepared by a melting-hydration/in situ reduction technique and characterized by particle size, ζ potential, morphology, and entrapment efficiency (EE). The resultant Se@Tri-PTs were 126 nm around in particle size with an EE of 98.85%. Se@Tri-PTs exhibited a sustained drug release both in 0.1 M HCl and pH 6.8 PBS compared with Se-free phytosomes (Tri-PTs). The in vivo antiarthritic test demonstrated that Se@Tri-PTs could result in significant resolution of arthritis and decline of inflammatory factors. Phytosomes primely facilitated the transepithelial transport of Tri, while Se enhanced the antiarthritic efficacy of the phytomedicine synergistically. The present work provides a proof-of-concept for the combined therapy of arthritis using Tri and Se in the form of nanoparticles.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide alleviates nonylphenol exposure induced testicular injury in juvenile zebrafish.

Nonylphenol is an endocrine disrupting chemicals that can disrupt the organisms' reproductive system, and exists widely in rivers and lakes. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is the main active constituent (about 10%) in Lycium barbarum, which is used to protect reproductive health. In this study, we investigated whether LBP can alleviate nonylphenol exposure induced testicular injury in juvenile zebrafish. We detected histological alteration, anti-oxidant enzyme profile and P450 gene transcription to assess LBP effect on testicular development. The GSI reduced significantly due to nonylphenol exposure, while LBP can improve the GSI. The densities of sperms increased and non-celluar zone decreased after LBP treatment. Meanwhile, Cyp11b gene was up regulated to NP group, and cyp19a gene was down regulated to NP group. In sum, the LBP could repair the testicular injury in zebrafish. This findings provide a basis research to remit the estrogen effect of artificial endocrine disruptor.

Improvement of lipid profile and reduction of body weight by shan he jian fei granules in high fat diet-induced obese rats.

BACKGROUND: The goal was to study lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL, HDL), effects on serum leptin, and fat tissue adiponectin, and resistin as well as body weight effects of Shan He Jian Fei Granules (SHJFG) in rats on a high fat diet. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group fed with normal fat diet, rats on high fat diet receiving low dosage, middle dosage, high dosage of Shan He Jian Fei Granules (SHJFG) as well as a high fat diet group receiving placebo. Rats were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight and naso-anal length of each rat were recorded and Lee's index was calculated. Serum TG, TC, LDL, HDL and leptin concentrations were analyzed. The gene expressions of adiponectin and resistin in adipose tissues were tested by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared to the high-fat diet group, body weights, Lee's indexes, weight of fat tissues and serum TG, TC, LDL and leptin of SHJFG groups significantly decreased (p < 0.05), whereas mRNA expressions of adiponectin and resistin of SHJFG groups significantly increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SHJFG could significantly lower body weight and serum TG, TC, and LDL of obese rats. The effects of SHJFG in lowering leptin synthesis and raising mRNA expression of adiponectin and resistin in fat tissues may act as part of the mechanisms in lowering body weight of obese rats. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether SHJFG may also reduce overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality like other lipid lowering drugs.