Imperata cylindrica polysaccharide ameliorates intestinal dysbiosis and damage in hyperuricemic nephropathy.

In this study, a combination of adenine and potassium oxonate was utilized to establish a hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN) mouse model, aiming to elucidate the effect through which Imperata Cylindrica polysaccharide (ICPC-a) ameliorates HN. In HN mice, an elevation in the abundance of Erysipelatoclostridium, Enterococcus, Prevotella, and Escherichia-Shigella was observed, whereas Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium declined. Additionally, the systemic reductions in the levels of acetate, propionate, and butyrate, along with a significant increase in indole content, were noted. HN mice demonstrated intestinal barrier impairment, as evidenced by diminished mRNA expression of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1 and increased Mmp-9 levels. The pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and COX-2 were overexpressed. Subsequent gavage intervention with ICPC-a markedly mitigated the inflammatory response and ameliorated colon tissue damage. ICPC-a effectively regulated the abundance of gut microbiota and their metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids (BAs), and indole, promoting the correction of metabolic and gut microbiota imbalances in HN mice. These findings underscored the capacity of ICPC-a as a prebiotic to modulate gut microbiota and microbial metabolites, thereby exerting a multi-pathway and multi-targeted therapeutic effect on HN.

Intracellular Gold Nanocluster/Organic Semiconductor Heterostructure for Enhancing Photosynthesis.

Photosynthetic microorganisms, which rely on light-driven electron transfer, store solar energy in self-energy carriers and convert it into bioenergy. Although these microorganisms can operate light-induced charge separation with nearly 100% quantum efficiency, their practical applications are inherently limited by the photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency. Artificial semiconductors can induce an electronic response to photoexcitation, providing additional excited electrons for natural photosynthesis to improve solar conversion efficiency. However, challenges remain in importing exogenous electrons across cell membranes. In this work, we have developed an engineered gold nanocluster/organic semiconductor heterostructure (AuNC@OFTF) to couple the intracellular electron transport chain of living cyanobacteria. AuNC@OFTF exhibits a prolonged excited state lifetime and effective charge separation. The internalized AuNC@OFTF permits its photogenerated electrons to participate in the downstream of photosystem II and construct an oriented electronic highway, which enables a five-fold increase in photocurrent in living cyanobacteria. Moreover, the binding events of AuNC@OFTF established an abiotic-biotic electronic interface at the thylakoid membrane to enhance electron flux and finally furnished nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Thus, AuNC@OFTF can be exploited to spatiotemporally manipulate and enhance the solar conversion of living cyanobacteria in cells, providing an extended nanotechnology for re-engineering photosynthetic pathways.

Long-term in situ straw returning increased soil aggregation and aggregate associated organic carbon fractions in a paddy soil.

Despite the well-documentation of the effects of straw returning on soil structural stability and fertility, its long-term in situ impacts on profile aggregate size composition and organic carbon (OC) fractions remain poorly investigated. To address this research gap, the present nine-year field trial explored the co-effects of straw returning and chemical fertilization on soil total OC (TOC), dissolved OC (DOC), resistant OC (ROC), easily oxidative OC (EOC), as well as soil aggregate size composition of different soil depths (0-15, 15-30, and 30-50 cm) in a paddy field, East China. To do so, four different treatments were set up, including no straw returning plus no fertilization (CK), conventional fertilization (F), straw returning plus conventional fertilization (SF), and straw returning plus 80 % conventional fertilization (SDF). Our findings revealed that the >2 mm aggregates were dominant in all treatments, particularly in SF and SDF 0-30 cm soil layers ranging from 62 to 70 % (P < 0.05). The highest TOC contents happened in SF topsoil 0.25-2 mm aggregates (0-30 cm; 21.4 g/kg), 44.4 and 21.1 % higher than the CK and F treatments, respectively (P < 0.05). Regardless of soil depth, the highest EOC contents occurred in SDF 0.25-2 mm aggregates varying from 2.36 ± 0.1 to 7.7 ± 0.57 g/kg (P < 0.05). Further, the highest ROC and DOC contents took place in SF 0.25-2 mm and SF > 2 mm aggregates, respectively, differing from 3.86 to 15.8 g/kg and 250-413 mg/kg, respectively (P < 0.05). It is also worth noting that SF had the highest crop productivity with the seasonal yields of 3.51 and 13.5 t ha-1 for rapeseed and rice, respectively (P < 0.05). Altogether, our findings suggested that long-term straw returning coupled with conventional (SF) or 80 % conventional (SDF) fertilization are the most efficient schemes for the formation/stability of soil aggregates, as well as for the accumulation of different soil OC fractions and crop productivity in the Chaohu Lake agricultural soils of East China.

γ-Tocotrienol enhances autophagy of gastric cancer cells by the regulation of GSK3ß/ß-Catenin pathway.

γ-Tocotrienol (γ-T3) is a major subtype of vitamin E, mainly extracted from palm trees, barley, walnuts, and other plants. γ-T3 has effects on anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and potential chemoprevention against malignancies. It is still uncompleted to understand the effect of γ-T3 on the inhibitory mechanism of cancer. This study aimed to investigate whether γ-T3 enhanced autophagy in gastric cancer and the underlying molecular mechanism. The results showed that γ-T3 (0-90 µmol/L) inhibited the proliferation of gastric cancer MKN45 cells and AGS cells, and arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase in a dose-dependent manner. Autophagy was increased in MKN45 cells treated with γ-T3 (0-45 µmol/L), especially at a dose of 30 µmol/L for 24 h. These effects were reversed by 3-methyladenine pretreatment. Furthermore, γ-T3 (30 µmol/L) also significantly downregulated the expression of pGSK-3ß (ser9) and ß-catenin protein in MKN45 cells, and γ-T3 (20 mg/kg b.w.) effectively decreased the growth of MKN45 cell xenografts in BABL/c mice. GSK-3ß inhibitor-CHIR-99021 reversed the negative regulation of GSK-3ß/ß-Catenin signaling and autophagy. Our findings indicated that γ-T3 enhances autophagy in gastric cancer cells mediated by GSK-3ß/ß-Catenin signaling, which provides new insights into the role of γ-T3 enhancing autophagy in gastric cancer.

Ketamine modulates disrupted in schizophrenia-1/glycogen synthase kinase-3ß interaction.

Introduction: Disrupted in schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) is a scaffolding protein whose mutated form has been linked to schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorders, and recurrent major depression. DISC1 regulates multiple signaling pathways involved in neurite outgrowth and cortical development and binds directly to glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß). Since ketamine activates GSK-3ß, we examined the impact of ketamine on DISC1 and GSK-3ß expression. Methods: Postnatal day 7 rat pups were treated with ketamine with and without the non-specific GSK-3ß antagonist, lithium. Cleaved-caspase-3, GSK-3ß and DISC1 levels were measured by immunoblots and DISC1 co-localization in neurons by immunofluorescence. Binding of DISC1 to GSK-3ß was determined by co-immunoprecipitation. Neurite outgrowth was determined by measuring dendrite and axon length in primary neuronal cell cultures treated with ketamine and lithium. Results: Ketamine decreased DISC1 in a dose and time-dependent manner. This corresponded to decreases in phosphorylated GSK-3ß, which implicates increased GSK-3ß activity. Lithium significantly attenuated ketamine-induced decrease in DISC1 levels. Ketamine decreased co-immunoprecipitation of DISC1 with GSK-3ß and axonal length. Conclusion: These findings confirmed that acute administration of ketamine decreases in DISC1 levels and axonal growth. Lithium reversed this effect. This interaction provides a link between DISC1 and ketamine-induced neurodegeneration.

Instantaneous frequency measurement system based on quantum dash mode-locked laser.

We present the theory and experimental results of a microwave photonic (MWP) filter based instantaneous frequency measurement system. A quantum dash mode-locked laser is used as an optical frequency comb source. With up to 41 flat comb lines and a real-time feedback loop for comb shaping, a set of MWP filters with linear frequency responses for either linear unit or dB unit are experimentally demonstrated. The maximum measurement frequency can be up to 20 GHz limited by the available test-and-measurement instruments. By using one MWP filter, the root-mean-square error is 51∼66 MHz, which can be improved to 42.2 MHz for linear unit, and 30.7 MHz for dB unit by using two MWP filters together.

Photofunctional Gold Nanocluster Composites for Bioapplications.

Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), with customized structures and diverse optical properties, are promising optical materials. Constructing composite systems by the assembly and incorporation of AuNCs can utilize their optical properties to achieve diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the biological field. Therefore, the exploration of the assembly behaviors of AuNCs and the enhancement of their performance has attracted widespread interest. In this review, we introduce multiple interactions and assembly modes that are prevalent in nanocomposites and microcomposites based on AuNCs. Then, the functions of AuNC composites for bioapplications are demonstrated in detail. These composite systems have inherited and enhanced the inherent optical performances of the AuNCs to meet diverse requirements for biological sensing and optical treatments. Finally, we discuss the prospects of AuNC composites and highlight the challenges and opportunities in biomedical applications.

Magnesium implantation as a continuous hydrogen production generator for the treatment of myocardial infarction in rats.

Molecular hydrogen is an emerging broad-spectrum antioxidant molecule that can be used to treat myocardial infarction (MI). However, with hydrogen inhalation, the concentration that can be reached within target organs is low and the duration of action is short, which makes it difficult to achieve high dose targeted delivery of hydrogen to the heart, seriously limiting the therapeutic potential of hydrogen for MI. As a result of reactions with the internal environment of the body, subcutaneous implantation of magnesium slices leads to continuous endogenous hydrogen production, leading to a higher hydrogen concentration and a longer duration of action in target organs. In this study, we propose magnesium implant-based hydrogen therapy for MI. After subcutaneous implantation of magnesium slices in the dorsum of rats, we measured hydrogen production and efficiency, and evaluated the safety of this approach. Compared with hydrogen inhalation, it significantly improved cardiac function in rats with MI. Magnesium implantation also cleared free radicals that were released as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as suppressing cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

CD44v5 domain regulates crosstalk between TNBC cells and tumor-associated macrophages by enhancing the IL-4R/STAT3 axis.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has greater infiltration of M2-like macrophages (TAMs), which enhances cancer cell invasion and leads to a poor prognosis. TNBC progression is mediated by both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here we elucidate the mechanism of the interaction between TNBC cells and TAMs. In this study, we confirmed that CD44v5 is highly expressed in TNBC, which drives TNBC cell metastasis and promotes TAM polarization by co-localizing with IL4Rα and inhibiting its internalization and degradation, thereby promoting activation of the STAT3/IL6 signaling axis. At the same time, TAMs also facilitate TNBC cell metastasis by secreting IL-4, IL-6, and other cytokines, in which the IL-4/IL-4R/STAT3/IL-6 signaling axis plays the same role for TNBC cells responding to TAMs. Moreover, we found that the above progress could be suppressed when the CD44v5 domain was blocked. We demonstrated that the CD44v5/IL-4R/STAT3/IL-6 signaling pathway plays a key role in TNBC cell metastasis, and in TNBC cells inducing TAM polarization and responding to TAMs, promoting metastasis. Collectively, we suggest that the CD44v5 domain may be a promising target for regulating the TME of TNBC as well as treating TNBC.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of Imperata cylindrica polysaccharides and evaluation of its anti-oxidant and amelioration of uric acid stimulated cell apoptosis.

An efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly ultrasound-assisted hot water method for Imperata cylindrica polysaccharide (ICPs) extraction was developed. According to the response surface results, the optimal ultrasonic time was 85 min, ultrasonic power was 192.75 W, temperature was 90.74 °C, liquid-solid ratio was 26.1, and polysaccharide yield was 28.50 %. The polysaccharide mainly consisted of arabinose (Ara), galactose (Gal), and glucose (Glc), with a molecular weight of 62.3 kDa. Ultrasound-assisted extraction of Imperata cylindrica polysaccharide (UICP) exhibited stronger anti-oxidant activity and ability to ameliorate cellular damage due to uric acid stimulation compared with traditional hot water extraction of Imperata cylindrica polysaccharide (ICPC-b). It also exhibited higher thermal stability, indicating its potential value for applications in the food industry.

Research Progress in Enzyme Biofuel Cells Modified Using Nanomaterials and Their Implementation as Self-Powered Sensors.

Enzyme biofuel cells (EBFCs) can convert chemical or biochemical energy in fuel into electrical energy, and therefore have received widespread attention. EBFCs have advantages that traditional fuel cells cannot match, such as a wide range of fuel sources, environmental friendliness, and mild reaction conditions. At present, research on EBFCs mainly focuses on two aspects: one is the use of nanomaterials with excellent properties to construct high-performance EBFCs, and the other is self-powered sensors based on EBFCs. This article reviews the applied nanomaterials based on the working principle of EBFCs, analyzes the design ideas of self-powered sensors based on enzyme biofuel cells, and looks forward to their future research directions and application prospects. This article also points out the key properties of nanomaterials in EBFCs, such as electronic conductivity, biocompatibility, and catalytic activity. And the research on EBFCs is classified according to different research goals, such as improving battery efficiency, expanding the fuel range, and achieving self-powered sensors.

Performance of quantum-dash mode-locked lasers (QD-MLLDs) for high-capacity coherent optical communications.

We investigate the capabilities and limitations of quantum-dash mode-locked lasers (QD-MLLDs) as optical frequency comb sources in coherent optical communication systems. We demonstrate that QD-MLLDs are on par with conventional single-wavelength narrow linewidth laser sources and can support high symbol rates and modulation formats. We manage to transmit 64 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals up to 80 GBd over 80 km of standard single-mode fiber (SSMF), which highlights the distinctive phase noise performance of the QD-MLLD. Using a 38.5 GHz (6 dB bandwidth) silicon photonic (SiP) modulator, we achieve a maximum symbol rate of 104 GBd with 16QAM signaling and a maximum net rate of 416 Gb/s per carrier in a single polarization setup and after 80 km-SSMF transmission. We also compare QD-MLLD performance with commercial narrow-linewidth integrable tunable laser assemblies (ITLAs) and explore their potential for use as local oscillators (LOs) and signal carriers. The QD-MLLD has 45 comb lines usable for transmission at a frequency spacing of 25 GHz, and an RF linewidth of 35 kHz.

Photonic beamforming using a quantum-dash optical frequency comb source.

We demonstrate photonic beamforming using a quantum-dash (QD) optical frequency comb (OFC) source. Thanks to the 25 GHz free spectral range (FSR) and up to 40 comb lines available from the QD OFC, we can implement phased antenna arrays (PAAs) with directional radiation and scanning. We consider two types of PAAs: a uniform linear array (ULA) and a uniform planar array (UPA). By selecting different comb lines with a programmable optical filter, we can tune the FSR of the OFC source and realize a discrete scanning function. We evaluate the beam squint of the ULAs, and the results show that we can achieve broadband operation. Finally, we show that we can achieve both directional radiation and scanning simultaneously using the UPA.

Performance Investigations of InAs/InP Quantum-Dash Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers with Different Numbers of Dash Layers.

We present here a performance comparison of quantum-dash (Qdash) semiconductor amplifiers (SOAs) with three, five, eight, and twelve InAs dash layers grown on InP substrates. Other than the number of Qdash layers, the structures were identical. The eight-layer Qdash SOA gave the highest amplified spontaneous emission power (4.3 dBm) and chip gain (26.4 dB) at 1550 nm, with a 300 mA CW bias current and at 25 °C temperature, while SOAs with fewer Qdash layers (for example, three-layer Qdash SOA), had a wider ASE bandwidth (90 nm) and larger 3 dB gain saturated output power (18.2 dBm) in a shorter wavelength range. The noise figure (NF) of the SOAs increased nearly linearly with the number of Qdash layers. The longest gain peak wavelength of 1570 nm was observed for the 12-layer Qdash SOA. The most balanced performance was obtained with a five-layer Qdash SOA, with a 25.4 dB small-signal chip gain, 15.2 dBm 3 dB output saturated power, and 5.7 dB NF at 1532 nm, 300 mA and 25 °C. These results are better than those of quantum well SOAs reported in a recent review paper. The high performance of InAs/InP Qdash SOAs with different Qdash layers shown in this paper could be important for many applications with distinct requirements under uncooled scenarios.

Structural analysis and attenuates hyperuricemic nephropathy of dextran from the Imperata cylindrica Beauv. var. major (Nees) C. E. Hubb.

ICPC-a was from the Imperata cylindrica with a molecular weight of 45 kDa, which was composed of α-D-1,3-Glcp and α-D-1,6-Glcp. The ICPC-a showed thermal stability, maintaining its structural integrity up to 220°C. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed its amorphous nature, while scanning electron microscopy revealed a layered morphology. ICPC-a significantly ameliorated uric acid stimulation-induced HK-2 cell injury and apoptosis and reduced uric acid levels in mice with hyperuricemic nephropathy. ICPC-a protected against renal injury by inhibiting lipid peroxidation levels, increasing antioxidant damage and defense levels, inhibiting secretion of pro-inflammatory factors, regulating purine metabolism, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, inflammatory bowel disease, mTOR signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. These findings indicate that ICPC-a is a promising natural substance with multiple targets, multiple pathways of action, and without toxicity, making it a valuable subject for further research and development.

Effects of continuous straw returning on bacterial community structure and enzyme activities in rape-rice soil aggregates.

Straw returning is an effective management measure to improve or maintain soil fertility in agricultural ecosystems. This study investigated the effects of straw returning combined with compound fertilizer on the bacterial community, enzyme activities, and soil nutrients' contents in a rape-rice rotation soil aggregates. To do so, a 5-year field trial (November 2016 to October 2021) was carried out in a paddy soil with three treatments: no straw + no fertilization (CK), compound fertilizer (F), and straw returning + compound fertilizer (SF). Soil aggregates were classified into mega-aggregates (> 2 mm), macro-aggregates (0.25-2 mm), micro-aggregates (0.053-0.25 mm), and silt-clay (< 0.053 mm) using the wet sieve method. High-throughput sequencing was employed to characterize the bacterial community, and Pearson correlation coefficient was used to identify the relationships among bacterial community, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and enzyme activities in soil aggregates. Compared with F, the results showed that straw returning increased the content of > 2 mm aggregates by 3.17% and significantly decreased the content of 0.053-0.25 mm aggregates by 20.27%. The contents of organic carbon and total nitrogen in > 0.053 mm straw amended aggregates increased by 15.29 and 18.25%, respectively. Straw returning significantly increased the urease activity of > 0.053 mm aggregates with an average of 43.08%, while it decreased the phosphatase and invertase activities of soil aggregates by 7.71-40.66%. The Shannon indices of the bacterial community in each particle sizes soil aggregates decreased by an average of 1.16% and the Chao indices of the bacterial community in < 2 mm aggregates increased by an average of 3.90% in straw amended soils. Nevertheless, the relative abundances of Chloroflexi and Nitrospirotain in all soil aggregates increased by 6.17-71.77% in straw amended soils. Altogether, our findings suggest that straw returning is an efficient approach to enhance soil structure, carbon and nitrogen contents, and the richness of soil bacterial diversity.

The Effective Analysis for Blue Honeysuckle Extract in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

To further determine how BHE affected the growth of HCC cells, the proportion of each cell cycle phase was explored in HCC cells by flow cytometry. Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a species of bush that grows in eastern Russia. Blue honeysuckle extract (BHE) is rich in bioactive phytochemicals which can inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. The mechanism underlying the anticancer activity of BHE in primary liver cancer is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth inhibition mechanism of bioactive substances from blue honeysuckle on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and to explore its protein and gene targets. The compounds in BHE were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was used to evaluate the effects of BHE on HCC cell proliferation, and flow cytometry assay (FCA) was used to determine how BHE arrested the proportion of each cell cycle phase in HCC cells. Western blot (WB) was performed to determine the expression of cell cycle-related proteins in HCC cells treated with different concentrations of BHE. The xenograft tumor animal models were established by HCC cell implantation. The results showed that cyanidin-3-o-glucoside and cyanidin-3-o-sophoroside which are the main biologically active components were detected in BHE. BHE is highly effective in inhibiting the proliferation of HCC cells by arresting the HCC cell cycle in the G2/M phase. BHE also downregulated the expression of conventional or classical dendritic cells-2 (cDC2) and cyclin B1 by promoting the expression of myelin transcription factor 1 (MyT1) in HCC cells. The weight and volume of xenografts were significantly decreased in the BHE treated groups when compared to the control group. BHE increased the expression of MyT1 in xenograft tissues. These findings showed that blue honeysuckle extract inhibits proliferation in vivo and in vitro by downregulating the expression of cDC2 and cyclin B1 and upregulating the expression of MyT1 in HCC cells.

Mechanisms of linezolid resistance in Staphylococcus capitis with the novel mutation C2128T in the 23S rRNA gene in China.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular characteristics and potential resistance mechanisms of linezolid-resistant (LZR) Staphylococcus capitis isolates from a tertiary hospital in China. METHODS: S. capitis isolates were obtained from clinical patient specimens; three of the isolates came from blood cultures and one from the hydrothorax. The agar dilution and E-test methods were used to identify antibiotic resistance. The chloramphenicol-florfenicol resistance (cfr) gene carrier status of the strains was determined by PCR. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to identify point mutations and L3, L4, and L22 mutations and to study the genetic environment of the cfr gene and the relationships between strains. RESULTS: The 4 isolates obtained in this study were all linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus strains. A similar of susceptibility profile pattern was observed in all four S. capitis strains, each of which exhibited a multidrug-resistant phenotype. A potentially novel mutation, C2128T, was identified, and the cfr genes of S. capitis strains were all positive. Additionally, the same mutations (C2128T and G2600T) were identified in all 23S rRNA sequences of the isolates, whereas mutations were lacking in the L3, L4, and L22 ribosomal proteins. The genetic environments surrounding cfr were identical in all four isolates. A schematic diagram of the phylogenetic tree showed that they were closely related to AYP1020, CR01, and TW2795, and a total of seven drug resistance genes were identified in these strains. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that the resistance of the Staphylococcus capitis strains to linezolid was caused by multiple mechanisms, and a potential novel mutation, C2128T, that may have an impact on bacterial resistance was identified.

Hydrogen Attenuates Thyroid Hormone-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats by regulating angiotensin II type 1 receptor and NADPH oxidase 2 mediated oxidative stress.

Cardiac hypertrophy occurs as a result of high levels of thyroid hormone, which may contribute to heart failure and is closely related to oxidative stress. Hydrogen is a good antioxidant. In this study, we found that intragastric levothyroxine administration for two weeks caused obvious cardiac hypertrophy without reduced systolic function. Additionally, hydrogen inhalation ameliorated the levothyroxine-induced metabolic increase and cardiac hypertrophy in rats. Serum brain natriuretic peptide expression was also attenuated by hydrogen treatment. However, hydrogen had no significant effect on levothyroxine -induced serum troponin I and serum thyroid hormone changes. Hydrogen treatment also reduced the levothyroxine-induced increase in cardiac malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and serum hydrogen peroxide levels and upregulated superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity. Additionally, western blotting results showed that hydrogen inhalation inhibited the expression of cardiac nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (NOX2), angiotensin II type 1 receptor, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2), phospho-phospholamban and α-myosin heavy chain proteins. In conclusion, the present study revealed a protective effect of hydrogen on levothyroxine -induced cardiac hypertrophy by regulating angiotensin II type 1 receptors and NOX2-mediated oxidative stress in rats.

Co-administration of hydrogen and metformin exerts cardioprotective effects by inhibiting pyroptosis and fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Hydrogen is a novel medical gas with several properties, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-allergic, and energy metabolism stimulating properties. Hydrogen therapy has been proven effective in the treatment of myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiovascular complication of long-term chronic diabetes that is linked to increased heart failure and arrhythmia morbidity. The effect of hydrogen on the pathogenesis of DCM is yet to be determined. Metformin is a well-known pharmacological agent for the treatment of diabetes; however, the application of large doses of the drug is limited by its side effects. Therefore, this highlights the importance of developing novel therapies against DCM. In this regard, we investigated the effect of hydrogen on DCM and the mechanisms that underlie it. Furthermore, we also assessed the efficacy of co-administration of metformin and hydrogen. In this study, we found that hydrogen improved cardiac dysfunction and abnormal morphological structure in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. As a mechanism, it was confirmed that hydrogen mediated its action by reducing pyroptosis via inhibition of the AMPK/mTOR/NLRP3 signaling pathway and ameliorating fibrosis via inhibition of the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway. Furthermore, our findings suggested that co-administration of hydrogen and metformin shows potent protective effects, as evidenced by increased survival rates, reduced fasting blood glucose, and decreased cell injury when compared to a single application of metformin. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that hydrogen inhalation attenuates DCM by reducing pyroptosis and fibrosis and that hydrogen can be combined with metformin to exhibit a more potent cardioprotective effect in DCM.