UCP1 and CKB are parallel players in BAT.

It is generally believed that the contributions of the UCP1-independent thermogenic pathways are secondary to UCP1-mediated thermogenesis in BAT. Now, Rahbani et al. demonstrate in vivo that adaptive thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue is regulated by UCP1 and CKB in parallel.

Dihydroergotamine ameliorates liver fibrosis by targeting transforming growth factor ß type II receptor.

BACKGROUND: The transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis by activating TGFß type II receptor (TGFßR2), followed by the recruitment of TGFßR1 finally triggering downstream signaling pathway. AIM: To find drugs targeting TGFßR2 that inhibit TGFßR1/TGFßR2 complex formation, theoretically inhibit TGFß signaling pathway, and thereby ameliorate liver fibrosis. METHODS: Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs were screened for binding affinity with TGFßR2 by virtual molecular docking. We identified 6 candidates and further explored their potential by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) cell cytotoxic experiment to validate toxicity and titrated the best cellular working concentrations. Next, we further demonstrated the detailed molecular working mechanisms using mutagenesis analysis. Finally, we used a mouse model to investigate its potential anti-liver fibrosis effect. RESULTS: We identified 6 drug candidates. Among these 6 drugs, dihydroergotamine (DHE) shows great ability in reducing fibrotic gene expressions such as collagen, p-SMAD3, and α-SMA in TGFß induced cellular model of liver fibrosis in LX-2 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DHE binds to TGFßR2. Moreover, mutation of Leu27, Phe30, Thr51, Ser52, Ile53, and Glu55 of TGFßR2 disrupted the binding of TGFßR2 with DHE. In addition, DHE significantly improved liver fibrosis, as evidenced by Masson's trichrome staining of liver sections. This is further supported by the width and the velocity of the portal vein, and serum markers of liver function. In line with those observations, DHE also decreased macrophages infiltration and extracellular matrix deposition in the liver. CONCLUSION: DHE alleviates liver fibrosis by binding to TGFßR2 thereby suppressing TGFß signaling pathway. We show here that as far as drug repurposing, DHE has great potential to treat liver fibrosis.

Iron oxides based nanozyme sensor arrays for the detection of active substances in licorice.

With the increasing applications of traditional Chinese medicines worldwide, authenticity identification and quality control are significant for them to go global. Licorice is a kind of medicinal material with various functions and wide applications. In this work, colorimetric sensor arrays based on iron oxide nanozymes were constructed to discriminate active indicators in licorice. Fe2O3, Fe3O4, and His-Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, possessing excellent peroxidase-like activity that can catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5' -tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2 to produce a blue product. When licorice active substances were introduced in the reaction system, they showed competitive effect on peroxidase-mimicking activity of nanozymes, resulting in inhibitory effect on the oxidation of TMB. Based on this principle, four licorice active substances including glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin, licochalcone A, and isolicoflavonol with the concentration ranging from 1 µM to 200 µM were successfully discriminated by the proposed sensor arrays. This work supplies a low cost, rapid and accurate method for multiplex discrimination of active substances to guarantee the authenticity and quality of licorice, which is also expected to be applied to distinguish other substances.

Improving intestinal absorption and antibacterial effect of florfenicol via nanocrystallisation technology.

To study the effects of nanocrystallisation technology on the intestinal absorption properties and antibacterial activity of florfenicol (FF). The florfenicol nanocrystals (FF-NC) were prepared by wet grinding and spray drying. Additionally, changes in particle size, charge, morphology, and dissolution of FF-NC in the long-term stability were monitored by laser particle sizer, TEM, SEM, paddle method, and the structure of FF-NC powder was characterised by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) test. The antibacterial activity, intestinal absorption and intestinal histocompatibility of FF-NC were investigated by the stiletto, mini broth dilution susceptibility test, in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) and haematoxylin-eosin (H-E) staining. After 12 months of storage, the particle size and zeta potential of FF-NC were 280.43 ± 8.21 nm and -19.64 ± 3.45 mV, and the electron microscopy results showed that FF-NC were nearly circular with no adhesion between particles. In addition, the drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and dissolution of FF-NC did not change significantly during storage. The inhibition zone of FF-NC against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was 21.37 ± 1.70 mm and 25.17 ± 2.47 mm, respectively. Compared with the FF, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of FF-NC are reduced, and the absorption rate constant (Ka) and efficient permeability coefficient (Peff) of FF-NC in the three intestinal segments were increased by 1.28, 0.25, and 9.10 times and 0.59, 0.17, and 6.0 times, respectively. The results of tissue sections showed that FF-NC had little damage to the small intestinal. Nanocrystallisation technology is an effective method to increase the intestinal absorption and antibacterial activity of FF.

Brown adipose tissue activation with ginsenoside compound K ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic and endocrine disease affecting women of reproductive age. Due to its complex aetiology, there is no currently effective cure for PCOS. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity is significantly decreased in PCOS patients, and BAT activation has beneficial effects in animal models of PCOS. Here, we investigated the effect of ginsenoside compound K (CK) in an animal model of PCOS and its mechanism of BAT activation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Primary brown adipocytes, Db/Db mice and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rats were used. The core body temperature, oxygen consumption, energy metabolism related gene and protein expression were assessed to identify the effect of CK on overall energy metabolism. Oestrous cycle, serum sex hormone, ovarian steroidogenic enzyme gene expression and ovarian morphology were also evaluated following CK treatment. KEY RESULTS: Our results indicated that CK treatment could significantly protect against body weight gain in Db/Db mice via BAT activation. Furthermore, we found that CK treatment could normalize hyperandrogenism, oestrous cyclicity, normalize steroidogenic enzyme expression and decrease the number of cystic follicles in PCOS rats. Interestingly, as a potential endocrine intermediate, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand-14 protein (CXCL14) was significantly up-regulated following CK administration. In addition, exogenous CXC14 supplementation was found to reverse DHEA-induced PCOS in a phenotypically similar manner to CK treatment. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: In summary, CK treatment significantly activates BAT, increases CXCL14 expression and ameliorates PCOS. These findings suggest that CK might be a potential drug candidate for PCOS treatment.

Pantothenate protects against obesity via brown adipose tissue activation.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is the primary site of adaptive thermogenesis, which is involved in energy expenditure and has received much attention in the field of obesity treatment. By screening a small-molecule compound library of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, pantothenic acid was identified as being able to significantly upregulate the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a key thermogenic protein found in BAT. Pantothenate (PA) treatment decreased adiposity, reversed hepatic steatosis, and improved glucose homeostasis by increasing energy expenditure in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. PA also significantly increased BAT activity and induced beige adipocytes formation. Mechanistically, the beneficial effects were mediated by UCP1 because PA treatment was unable to ameliorate obesity in UCP1 knockout mice. In conclusion, we identified PA as an effective BAT activator that can prevent obesity and may represent a promising strategy for the clinical treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases.NEW & NOTEWORTHY PA treatment effectively and safely protected against obesity via the BAT-UCP1 axis. PA has therapeutic potential for treating obesity and type II diabetes.

A high precision finite-element forward solver for surface nuclear magnetic resonance incorporating conductivity changes and surface-topography variations.

Surface nuclear magnetic resonance (SNMR) is a geophysical method that can be used directly for detecting groundwater resources, and it has attracted the attention of many scholars. In this paper, we propose a new effective algorithm for numerical modeling of 3D SNMR data for arbitrary topography in a conductive medium. We adopt a total-field algorithm for solving the quasi-static variant of Maxwell's equation and handle a complex-shaped loop source by discretizing the transmitter into electric dipoles, which can be further easily discretized into electric dipoles along the three directions of the Cartesian coordinate system. To solve the 3D SNMR forward-modeling problem quickly and accurately, a new element-integration system based on a new symmetric orthogonal rule is used for calculating the sensitivity (i.e., kernel) functions of all elements. The new rule is based on a special arrangement involving a cubic close-packed lattice structure and is characterized by fast convergence, positive weight, and symmetry. We apply the developed numerical algorithm to SNMR tomography of several typical hydrogeological models. The synthetic results show that higher precision can be achieved with few grids and nodes without increasing the computation time by using the new integration algorithm. In addition, we find that the topography and conductivity can affect the SNMR response, which needs to be considered while interpreting SNMR data.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Inducing Effect of Bacillus siamensis on Disease Resistance in Postharvest Mango Fruit.

Postharvest anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is one of the most important postharvest diseases of mangoes worldwide. Bacillus siamensis (B. siamensis), as a biocontrol bacteria, has significant effects on inhibiting disease and improving the quality of fruits and vegetables. In this study, pre-storage application of B. siamensis significantly induced disease resistance and decreased disease index (DI) of stored mango fruit. To investigate the induction mechanisms of B. siamensis, comparative transcriptome analysis of mango fruit samples during the storage were established. In total, 234,808 unique transcripts were assembled and 56,704 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparative transcriptome analysis. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of DEGs showed that most of the DEGs involved in plant-pathogen interaction, plant hormone signal transduction, and biosynthesis of resistant substances were enriched. Fourteen DEGs related to disease-resistance were validated by qRT-PCR, which well corresponded to the FPKM value obtained from the transcriptome data. These results indicate that B. siamensis treatment may act to induce disease resistance of mango fruit by affecting multiple pathways. These findings not only reveal the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that govern postharvest disease, but also develop a biological strategy to maintain quality of post-harvest mango fruit.

Ophiopogonin B alleviates cisplatin resistance of lung cancer cells by inducing Caspase-1/GSDMD dependent pyroptosis.

Drug resistance has become the main reason for the failure of tumor chemotherapy. Radix Ophiopogon Japonicus has long been used as traditional Chinese medicine to treat pulmonary disease, and Ophiopogonin B (OP-B) as a bioactive component of it has also been verified to inhibit cell proliferation of various non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, we wonder whether OP-B is also effective to drug resistant lung cancer cells. Firstly, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay was used to compare the sensitivity of OP-B on NCI-H460, A549, cisplatin resistant A549 (A549/DDP) and paclitaxel resistant A549 (A549/PTX) cells, and A549/DDP cells were shown to be more sensitive to OP-B than other three cell lines, the results were further verified in orthotopic tumor nude mice model and zebrafish tumor model. Moreover, observation of cell morphological feature, mitochondrial membrane potential, LDH release rate, and production of IL-1ß all suggested that OP-B induced pyroptosis in A549/DDP cells more significantly than that in A549 cells. Meanwhile, transcriptomic sequencing results between OP-B treated and the Mock A549/DDP group also suggested that OP-B induced more significant Caspase-1/GSDMD dependent pyroptosis in A549/DDP group, which was further verified by VX-765, the inhibitor of Caspase-1. Together, the experimental results suggested that OP-B alleviated DDP resistance of A549 cells through inducing more significant Caspase-1/GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis.

Brown Adipose Tissue Activation by Cold Treatment Ameliorates Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rat.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease accompanied by energetic metabolic imbalance. Because the etiology of PCOS is complex and remains unclear, there is no effective and specific treatment for PCOS. It is often accompanied by various metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistances, and others. Activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) consumes excess energy via thermogenesis, which has positive effects on energy metabolism. Our previous research and that of others indicates that BAT activity is decreased in PCOS patients, and exogenous BAT transplantation can improve PCOS rodents. Notably however, it is difficult to apply this therapeutic strategy in clinical practice. Therapeutic strategies of enhancing endogenous BAT activity and restoring whole-body endocrine homeostasis may be more meaningful for PCOS treatment. In the current study, the dehydroepiandrosterone-induced PCOS rat was exposed to low temperature for 20 days. The results show that cold treatment could reverse acyclicity of the estrous cycle and reduce circulating testosterone and luteinizing hormone in PCOS rats by activating endogenous BAT. It also significantly reduced the expression of steroidogenic enzymes as well as inflammatory factors in the ovaries of PCOS rats. Histological investigations revealed that cold treatment could significantly reduce ovary cystic follicles and increase corpus luteum, indicating that ovulation was recovered to a normal level. Concordant with these results, cold treatment also improved fertility in PCOS rats. Collectively, these findings suggest that cold treatment could be a novel therapeutic strategy for PCOS.

Study on metastasis inhibition of Kejinyan decoction on lung cancer by affecting tumor microenvironment.

BACKGROUND: Kejinyan decoction, as an experienced formula of Zhou Zhongying (the Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine) has been widely used in clinic for lung cancer treatment in China, while the anti-lung cancer mechanism of it is still remained to be elucidated. Herein, our basic study found that the survival of lung cancer xenograft mice was significantly prolonged after intragastrically administered high dose of Kejinyan decoction (3.8 g per kg BW) for 15 days. More importantly, we found that Kejinyan decoction inhibited the metastasis of lung cancer cells in vivo. Thus in this study, we aim to elucidate the anti-metastasis effects of Kejinyan decoction. METHODS: RNA-Seq was used to find out the gene regulation of Kejinyan decoction on the mice, flow cytometry assay was used to detect the immunocytes in the spleen, ELISA assay was used to detect the inflammatory factors in the serum and spleen, and immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the level of immune cells and the expression of glycol-metabolism related enzymes in situ. Also, we established a lung cancer orthotopic xenograft tumor model to assess the influence of Kejinyan decoction on the metastatic ability of lung cancer cells in vivo. RESULTS: GO analysis of gene sequencing of tumor tissue samples showed that Kejinyan decoction regulated immune response. Further flow cytometry analysis of splenic lymphocyte showed that Kejinyan decoction upregulated M1 macrophages and downregulated M2 macrophages, while the total level of macrophages changed little, which was verified by detection of CD68, F4/80, CD206, and CD86 in tumor tissue section. Moreover, detection of inflammatory cytokines showed that Kejinyan decoction downregulated TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, as well as IL-4, IL-13 in tumor microenvironment. Further studies also showed that Kejinyan decoction had little effect on tumor hypoxia, but downregulated glycolysis in tumor tissues. More importantly, we found that Kejinyan decoction inhibited the metastasis of lung cancer cells in vivo. CONCLUSION: Our findings conclude that Kejinyan decoction inhibited lung cancer cell metastasis through affecting macrophage polarization and energy reprogramming.

Ophiopogonin-B Suppresses Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells via the Linc00668/miR-432-5p/EMT Axis.

Ophiopogonin-B (OP-B) has been reported to suppress metastasis and angiogenesis of adenocarcinoma A549 cells in vitro and in vivo. More and more evidences indicate that inflammatory microenvironment facilitates tumor metastasis. Digital Gene Expression (DGE) analysis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines showed that OP-B downregulated the expression of linc00668, which promoted progression of cancer. Herein, we simulated the inflammatory microenvironment by co-culturing A549 cells with LPS-treated THP-1 cells and found that the level of linc00668 increased significantly in the mock group, while OP-B treatment inhibited the level of linc00668 and reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by linc00668. In addition, overexpression of linc00668 in A549 cells suppressed the expression of E-cadherin and induced expression of N-cadherin, while OP-B treatment reversed these changes. Bioinformatic prediction and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay validated that linc00668 sponge miR-432-5p and at last acted on EMT to execute the anti-migration function of A549 cells under inflammatory microenvironment. Taken together, OP-B inhibits metastasis of A549 cells via the linc00668/miR-432-5p/EMT axis.

Sodium new houttuyfonate suppresses metastasis in NSCLC cells through the Linc00668/miR-147a/slug axis.

BACKGROUND: As most lung cancer patients present with invasive, metastatic disease, it is vital to investigate anti-metastatic treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Houttuynia cordata is commonly used as a Chinese anticancer medicine in the clinic, and sodium new houttuyfonate (SNH), a main compound of this herb, has long been found to have antibiotic effects, although its anticancer effects have not been investigated. Here, we tried to address this lack of research from the perspective of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) theory. METHODS: The effects of SNH on NSCLC cells were analysed with Cell Counting Kit-8 assays and colony formation assays. In addition, transwell assays and wound healing assays were used to determine the effects of SNH on migration and invasion in NSCLC cells. The levels of key genes and proteins were examined by quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining and IHC staining. Through transcriptome screening and digital gene expression profiling, Linc00668 was identified to be regulated by SNH. Dual-luciferase reporter assays and RNA immunoprecipitation assays verified the binding efficiency between miR-147a and Linc00668 or Slug. RESULTS: In the present study, SNH regulated NSCLC cells in multiple ways, the most prominent of which was suppressing the expression of Linc00668, which was indicated to promote migration and invasion in NSCLC cells. Functional studies demonstrated that Linc00668 acted as a ceRNA by sponging miR-147a to further regulate Slug mRNA levels, thereby influencing the progression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Consistently, the results of in vivo animal models showed that SNH depressed Linc00668 and suppressed the metastasis of NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS: SNH suppressed metastasis of NSCLC cells and the mechanism may involve with the Linc00668/miR-147a/Slug axis.