Ginsenoside Rb3 Alleviates CSE-induced TROP2 Upregulation through p38 MAPK and NF-κB Pathways in Basal Cells.

Smoking-mediated reprogramming of the phenotype and function of airway basal cells (BCs) disrupts airway homeostasis and is an early event in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-associated airway remodeling. Here, we examined the expression and regulation of the transmembrane glycoprotein TROP2 (trophoblast antigen 2), a putative stem cell marker in airway BCs, in lung tissue samples from healthy smokers and healthy nonsmokers and in models in culture to identify therapeutic targets. TROP2 expression was upregulated in the airway epithelia of smokers and positively correlated with the smoking index. In vitro, cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induced TROP2 expression in airway BCs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways were also activated by CSE, and their specific antagonists inhibited CSE-induced TROP2 expression. A therapeutic component derived from traditional Chinese medicine, ginsenoside Rb3, inhibited CSE-induced TROP2 expression as well as activation of the p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways in BCs in monolayer culture. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rb3 prevented the increase in TROP2 expression and antagonized CSE-induced BC hyperplasia and expression of inflammatory factors and epithelial-mesenchymal transition changes in an air-liquid culture model. Thus, CSE-induced TROP2 is a possible biomarker for early changes in the epithelium of smokers, and ginsenoside Rb3 may serve as a therapeutic molecule, preventing the disruption of epithelial homeostasis in COPD.

Low-dose phloretin alleviates diabetic atherosclerosis through endothelial KLF2 restoration.

We investigated whether low-dose phloretin served as daily dietary supplements could ameliorate diabetic atherosclerosis and the role of kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). HUVECs cultured in high glucose medium were treated with different concentrations of phloretin and KLF2 mRNA, and protein level was detected. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin in Apoe-/- mice after which they were fed a high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Diabetic mice injected with KLF2 shRNA-lentivirus or control virus were treated with 20 mg/kg phloretin. Glucose, lipid profile, aortic atheroma, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression were detected. Phloretin retained endothelial function by KLF2-eNOS activation under hyperglycemia. Low-dose phloretin helped with lipid metabolism, and blocked the acceleration of atherosclerosis in STZ-induced diabetic mice since the early stage, which was diminished by KLF2 knockdown. Low-dose phloretin exhibited athero-protective effect in diabetic Apoe-/- mice dependent on KLF2 activation. This finding makes phloretin for diabetic atherosclerosis.

PGC-1α Mediated Peripheral Nerve Protection of Tongxinluo in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Aim. To investigate the effect of Tongxinluo (Txl), a Chinese herbal compound, on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods and Results. Diabetic rat model was established by peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Txl ultrafine powder treatment for 16 weeks from the baseline significantly reversed the impairment of motor nerve conductive velocity (MNCV), mechanical hyperalgesia, and nerve structure. We further proved that Tongxinluo upregulates PGC-1α and its downstream factors including COX IV and SOD, which were involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusion. Our study indicates that the protective effect of Txl in diabetic neuropathy may be attributed to the induction of PGC-1α and its downstream targets. This finding may further illustrate the pleiotropic effect of the medicine.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts enhance endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression through 5'-AMP activated protein kinase/Surtuin 1-Krüpple like factor 2 pathway and modulate blood pressure in ouabain induced hypertensive rats.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts (GSPE) belonging to polyphenols, possess various biological effects including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, anti-atherosclerosis, etc. GSPE is potential in regulating endothelial function. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear yet. In this study, by small interfering RNA (siRNA) knocking down, we proved that GSPE increase endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in human umbilical vessel cells (HUVECs) in vitro, which was attributed to its transcription factor Krüpple like factor 2 (KLF2) induction. Furthermore, GSPE activate 5'-AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) and increase surtuin 1 (SIRT1) protein level, critical for KLF2 induction. We also illuminated the role of GSPE in hypertension treatment. By chronic administration of GSPE in ouabain induced hypertensive rats model, we access the effect of GSPE on blood pressure regulation and the possible mechanisms involved. After 5 weeks feeding, GSPE significantly block the ouabain induced blood pressure increase. The aortic NO production impaired by ouabain was improved. In conclusion, GSPE increase eNOS expression and NO production in an AMPK/SIRT1 dependent manner through KLF2 induction, and attenuate ouabain induced hypertension.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract alleviates ouabain-induced vascular remodeling through regulation of endothelial function.

Recent studies indicate that chronic ouabain treatment leads to hypertension and hypertensive vascular remodeling. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) has been reported to be effective in treating arteriosclerosis, while little is known about its effect on systolic blood pressure and vascular remodeling. In this study, the effects of GSPE on systolic blood pressure and vascular remodeling were analyzed by treating ouabain-induced hypertensive rats with GSPE (250 mg/kg·d). The expression of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in thoracic aorta was examined by ELISA; the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-ß1 were detected using real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. The results showed that the systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased following treatment with GSPE, with blocked vascular remodeling. The ET-1 content was reduced while NO production was increased in the GSPE group, which showed improved vascular endothelial function. Moreover, GSPE also reduced TGF-ß1 expression in the thoracic aorta, which is a determinant in vascular remodeling. In conclusion, GSPE antagonized ouabain-induced hypertension and vascular remodeling and is recommended as a potential anti-hypertensive agent for patients with hypertensive vascular diseases.

Protective effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts on cerebral cortex of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats through modulating AGEs/RAGE/NF-kappaB pathway.

Diabetic encephalopathy is a severe complication in patients with long-term hyperglycemia. Oxidative stress is thought to be closely implicated in this disorder, so in this study, we examined whether grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), a naturally occurring antioxidant derived from grape seeds, could reduce the injuries in the cerebral cortex of diabetic rats by modulating advanced glycation end products (AGEs)/the receptor for AGEs (RAGE)/nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-kappaB p65) pathway, which is crucial in oxidative stress. Body weight and serum AGEs were tested; cerebral cortexes were isolated for morphological observations and the pyramidal cell layers were immunohistochemically stained for the detection of RAGE, NF-kappaB p65, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) as well. For RAGE and NF-kappaB p65, quantitative reverse transcriptase coupled to polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed for determination of mRNA levels, and western blot was used to detect protein expression. Our results showed that long term hyperglycemia in diabetic rats caused the degeneration of neurons and the up-regulation of serum AGEs, and also the up-regulation of RAGE, NF-kappaB p65, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the brain. We found that GSPE treatment improved the pathological changes of diabetic rats by modulating the AGEs/RAGE/NF-kappaB p65 pathway. This study enables us to further understand the key role that the AGEs/RAGE/NF-kappaB pathway plays in the pathogenesis of diabetic encephalopathy, and confirms that GSPE might be a therapeutical means to the prevention and treatment of this disorder.

Effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts on peripheral nerves in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common diabetic chronic complications. The aim of this study was to clarify whether grape seed proanthocyanidins extracts (GSPE) are therapeutic agents against DPN. In this study, we used streptozocin (STZ) to induce diabetic rats. GSPEs (250 mg/kg body weight/d) were administrated to diabetic rats for 24 wk. Motor nerve conductive velocity (MNCV) and mechanical hyperalgesia were determined in the rats. Serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. Light and electron microscopy were used to observe the changes of nerval ultrastructure.GSPE significantly increased the MNCV, mechanical hyperalgesia and SOD of diabetic rats (p<0.05) and reduced the AGEs and MDA of diabetic rats (p<0.05). After being treated by GSPE, the severe segmental demyelination was decreased and Schwann cells were improved. In conclusion, GSPE plays an important role against DPN. With the decreasing of AGEs and MDA, it can ameliorate oxidation-associated nerval damage. This study may provide a new recognition of natural medicine for the treatment of DPN.