Microplastic-induced NAFLD: Hepatoprotective effects of nanosized selenium.

Polystyrene microplastics (MPs) are persistent environmental pollutants commonly encountered in daily human life. Numerous studies have demonstrated their ability to induce liver damage, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid accumulation. However, limited information exists regarding preventive measures against this issue. In our study, we investigated the potential preventive role of selenium nanoparticles (YC-3-SeNPs) derived from Yak-derived Bacillus cereus, a novel nanobiomaterial known for its antioxidant properties and lipid metabolism regulation. Using transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, we identified key genes and metabolites associated with oxidative stress and lipid metabolism imbalance induced by MPs. Upregulated genes (Scd1, Fasn, Irs2, and Lpin) and elevated levels of arachidonic and palmitic acid accumulation were observed in MP-exposed mice, but not in those exposed to SeNPs. Further experiments confirmed that SeNPs significantly attenuated liver lipid accumulation and degeneration caused by MPs. Histological results and pathway screening validated our findings, revealing that MPs suppressed the Pparα pathway and Nrf2 pathway, whereas SeNPs activated both pathways. These findings suggest that MPs may contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while SeNPs hold promise as a future nanobio-product for its prevention.

BAFF/BAFF-R involved in antibodies production of rats with collagen-induced arthritis via PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling and the regulation of paeoniflorin.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Paeoniflorin (Pae) is extracted from the root of paeonia lactiflora which have attracted attention for anti-rheumatic and immune modulating properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling mediated by BAFF/BAFF-R in antibodies production and the regulation of Pae on the signaling pathway in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CIA rats were randomly separated into different groups and treated with Pae (25, 100mg/kg) from day 18 to day 38 after immunization. The effects of Pae on B lymphocytes of CIA rats were evaluated by the levels of BAFF, anti-CII antibody, IgA, IgG and IgM, and the expressions of BAFF-R, PI3K, p-Akt and mTOR. RESULTS: In CIA rats, the levels of anti-CII antibody, IgA, IgG and IgM in serum enhanced, BAFF, BAFF-R, PI3K, p-Akt and mTOR were highly expressed. Pae (100mg/kg) obviously decreased arthritis score, relieved ankle and paw swelling, improved spleen histopathology in CIA rats, decreased the levels of IgA, IgM, IgG and anti-CII antibody, and significantly decreased the expressions of BAFF, BAFF-R, PI3K, p-Akt and mTOR. CONCLUSION: PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling mediated by BAFF/BAFF-R participates in antibodies production by B lymphocytes of CIA rats. Pae had therapeutic effects on rats with CIA. These effects might be relative to regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal mediated by BAFF/BAFF-R, and down regulate the antibodies production further.