Potential Role of Bmal1 in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depression-Like Behavior and its Associated "Inflammatory Storm".

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depression; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Apart from the disordered circadian rhythm in animal models and patients with depression, dysfunction of clock genes has been reported to be involved with the progress of inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the role of circadian clock genes, especially brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (Bmal1), in the linkage between inflammation and depression. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged rats and BV2 cells were used in the present study. Four intraperitoneal LPS injections of 0.5 mg/kg were administered once every other day to the rats, and BV2 cells were challenged with LPS for 24 h at the working concentration of 1 mg/L, with or without the suppression of Bmal1 via small interfering RNA. The results showed that LPS could successfully induce depression-like behaviors and an "inflammatory storm" in rats, as indicated by the increased immobility time in the forced swimming test and the decreased saccharin preference index in the saccharin preference test, together with hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hyperactivation of astrocyte and microglia, and increased peripheral and central abundance of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, and C-reactive protein. Moreover, the protein expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1, Copine6, and Synaptotagmin1 (Syt-1) decreased in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, whereas the expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 increased. Interestingly, the fluctuation of temperature and serum concentration of melatonin and corticosterone was significantly different between the groups. Furthermore, protein expression levels of the circadian locomotor output cycles kaput, cryptochrome 2, and period 2 was significantly reduced in the hippocampus of LPS-challenged rats, whereas Bmal1 expression was significantly increased in the hippocampus but decreased in the hypothalamus, where it was co-located with neurons, microglia, and astrocytes. Consistently, apart from the reduced cell viability and increased phagocytic ability, LPS-challenged BV2 cells presented a similar trend with the changed protein expression in the hippocampus of the LPS model rats. However, the pathological changes in BV2 cells induced by LPS were reversed after the suppression of Bmal1. These results indicated that LPS could induce depression-like pathological changes, and the underlying mechanism might be partly associated with the imbalanced expression of Bmal1 and its regulated dysfunction of the circadian rhythm.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of vigabatrin enantiomers in rats.

Purpose: To investigate the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of VGB racemate and its single enantiomers, and explore the potential of clinic development for single enantiomer S-VGB. Methods: In the pharmacokinetics study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with VGB racemate or its single enantiomers dosing 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, and the blood samples were collected during 12 h at regular intervals. In the experiment of tissue distribution, VGB and its single enantiomers were administered intravenously dosing 200 mg/kg, and the tissues including heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney, eyes, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex were separated at different times. The concentrations of R-VGB and S-VGB in the plasma and tissues were measured using HPLC. Results: Both S-VGB and R-VGB could be detected in the plasma of rats administered with VGB racemate, reaching Cmax at approximately 0.5 h with t1/2 2-3 h. There was no significant pharmacokinetic difference between the two enantiomers when VGB racemate was given 200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. However, when given at the dose of 50 mg/kg, S-VGB presented a shorter t1/2 and a higher Cl/F than R-VGB, indicating a faster metabolism of S-VGB. Furthermore, when single enantiomer was administered respectively, S-VGB presented a slower metabolism than R-VGB, as indicated by a longer t1/2 and MRT but a lower Cmax. Moreover, compared with the VGB racemate, the single enantiomers S-VGB and R-VGB had shorter t1/2 and MRT, higher Cmax and AUC/D, and lower Vz/F and Cl/F, indicating the stronger oral absorption and faster metabolism of single enantiomer. In addition, regardless of VGB racemate administration or single enantiomer administration, S-VGB and R-VGB had similar characteristics in tissue distribution, and the content of S-VGB in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and liver was much higher than that of R-VGB. Conclusions: Although there is no transformation between S-VGB and R-VGB in vivo, those two enantiomers display certain disparities in the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution, and interact with each other. These findings might be a possible interpretation for the pharmacological and toxic effects of VGB and a potential direction for the development and optimization of the single enantiomer S-VGB.

Previous pregnancy loss and gestational cardiovascular health: A prospective cohort of nulliparous women.

Objectives: To estimate the association of previous pregnancy loss with subsequent cardiovascular health during gestation and to examine the role of high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the association. Methods: A total of 2,778 nulliparous pregnant women were recruited between March 2015 and November 2020 in Hefei city, China. Their cardiovascular health (CVH) including prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and smoke status were recorded at 24-28 weeks' gestation, as well as their reproductive history. Multivariate linear and logistic regression were performed to examine the association of pregnancy loss with cardiovascular health. And the role of hs-CRP between pregnancy loss and CVH was assessed by the mediation analysis. Results: Compared with women who have no pregnancy loss, women with a history of spontaneous or induced abortions had higher BMI (ß, 0.72, 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.94) and fasting plasma glucose (ß, 0.04, 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.07), and had lower total CVH scores after adjusting for confounders (ß, -0.09, 95% CI, -0.18 to -0.01). CVH scores were most significantly decreased among women with 3 or more induced abortions (ß, -0.26, 95% CI, -0.49, -0.02). The contribution of pregnancy loss to poorer gestational CVH mediated by increased hs-CRP levels was 23.17%. Conclusion: Previous pregnancy loss was associated with poorer cardiovascular health during gestation, which may be mediated by their gestational inflammatory status. Exposure to miscarriage alone was not a significant predictor of poorer CVH.

Long non-coding RNAs: Potential therapeutic targets for epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a common and disastrous neurological disorder characterized by abnormal firing of neurons in the brain, affecting about 70 million people worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are a class of RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides without the capacity of protein coding, but they participate in a wide variety of pathophysiological processes. Alternated abundance and diversity of LncRNAs have been found in epilepsy patients and animal or cell models, suggesting a potential role of LncRNAs in epileptogenesis. This review will introduce the structure and function of LncRNAs, summarize the role of LncRNAs in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, especially its linkage with neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and transmitter balance, which will throw light on the molecular mechanism of epileptogenesis, and accelerate the clinical implementation of LncRNAs as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of epilepsy.

Resveratrol ameliorates learning and memory impairments induced by bilateral hippocampal injection of streptozotocin in mice.

Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol with diverse beneficial pharmacological activities, and our previous results have demonstrated its neuroprotective potential. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of RES in Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like behavioral dysfunction induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and explore it's potential mechanism of action. STZ was microinjected bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice at a dose of 3 mg/kg, and RES was administered intragastrically at a dose of 25 mg/kg for 5 weeks. Neurobehavioral performance was observed, and serum concentrations of insulin and Nesfatin-1 were measured. Moreover, the protein expression of amyloid beta 1-42 (Aß1-42), Tau, phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) (Ser396), synaptic ras GTPase activation protein (SynGAP), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), synapsin-1, synaptogomin-1, and key molecules of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were assessed. Finally, pathological damage to hippocampal tissue was examined by Nissl and immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that compared with the controls, bilateral hippocampal microinjections of STZ induced task-specific learning and memory impairments, as indicated by the disadvantaged performances in the novel object recognition test (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM), but not the contextual fear conditioning test (CFC). Treatment with RES could improve these behavioral disadvantages. The serum concentrations of insulin and Nesfatin-1 in the model group were remarkably higher than those of the control group. In addition, protein expression of Aß1-42, Tau, and p-Tau (Ser396) was increased but expression of SynGAP, PSD95, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and p-GSK-3ß/GSK-3ß were decreased in the hippocampus. Although the protein expression of BDNF and SynGAP was also markedly decreased in the PFC of the model mice, there was no significant difference among groups in the protein expression of PSD95, BDNF, synapsin-1, synaptogomin-1, and p-GSK-3ß/GSK-3ß. RES (25 mg/kg) reversed the enhanced insulin level, the abnormal protein expression of Aß1-42, Tau, and p-Tau (Ser396) in the hippocampus and PFC, and the hippocampal protein expression of SynGAP, PSD95 and BDNF. In addition, RES reversed the STZ-induced decrease in the number of Nissl bodies and the increase in fluorescence intensity of IBA1 in the hippocampal CA1 region. These findings indicate that RES could ameliorate STZ-induced AD-like neuropathological injuries, the mechanism of which could be partly related to its regulation of BDNF expression and synaptic plasticity-associated proteins in the hippocampus.

Bilateral intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin induces AD-like behavioral impairments and neuropathological features in mice: Involved with the fundamental role of neuroinflammation.

OBJECTIVE: To establish an Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model, investigate the behavioral performance changes and intracerebral molecular changes induced by bilateral intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ/I.C.V), and explore the potential pathogenesis of AD. METHODS: An AD mouse model was established by STZ/I.C.V. The behavioral performance was observed via the open field test (OFT), novel object recognition test (NOR), and tail suspension test (TST). The mRNA and protein expressions of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the hippocampus were measured via qPCR and Western blot. The expression of ß-amyloid 1-42 (Aß1-42), phosphorylated Tau protein (p-Tau (Ser396)), Tau5, ß-site amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme (BACE), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Copine6, synaptotagmin-1 (Syt-1), synapsin-1, phosphoinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), serine/threonine kinase (Akt), phosphorylated serine/threonine kinase (p-Akt (Ser473)), triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1/2 (TREM1/2) were detected using Western blot, and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1), Aß1-42, p-Tau(Ser396), Syt-1, BDNF were measured via immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: STZ/I.C.V induced AD-like neuropsychiatric behaviors in mice, as indicated by the impairment of learning and memory, together with the reduced spontaneous movement and exploratory behavior. The expression of BACE, Aß1-42, p-Tau(Ser396), and TREM2 were significantly increased in the hippocampus of model mice, while the expression of IRS1, BDNF, Copine6, Syt-1, synapsin-1, PI3K, p-Akt(Ser473), and TREM1 were decreased as compared with that of the controls. Furthermore, the model mice presented a hyperactivation of astrocytes and microglia in the hippocampus, accompanied by the increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α. CONCLUSION: STZ/I.C.V is an effective way to induce AD mice model, with not only AD-like neuropsychiatric behaviors, but also typic AD-like neuropathological features including neurofibrillary tangles, deposit of ß-amyloid (Aß), neuroinflammation, and imbalanced synaptic plasticity.

Exosomes derived from bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells alleviate cognitive decline in AD-like mice by improving BDNF-related neuropathology.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive ability. Exosomes derived from bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC-exos) are extracellular vesicles that can execute the function of bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Given the versatile therapeutic potential of BMSC and BMSC-exos, especially their neuroprotective effect, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of BMSC-exos on AD-like behavioral dysfunction in mice and explore the possible molecular mechanism. METHODS: BMSC-exos were extracted from the supernatant of cultured mouse BMSCs, which were isolated from the femur and tibia of adult C57BL/6 mice, purified and sorted via flow cytometry, and cultured in vitro. BMSC-exos were identified via transmission electron microscopy, and typical marker proteins of exosomes were also detected via Western blot. A sporadic AD mouse model was established by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Six weeks later, BMSC-exos were administered via lateral ventricle injection or caudal vein injection lasting five consecutive days, and the control mice were intracerebroventricularly administered an equal volume of solvent. Behavioral performance was observed via the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPM), novel object recognition test (NOR), Y maze test (Y-maze), and tail suspension test (TST). The mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in the hippocampus were measured via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. Moreover, the protein expression of Aß1-42, BACE, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, GFAP, p-Tau (Ser396), Tau5, synaptotagmin-1 (Syt-1), synapsin-1, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus was detected using Western blot, and the expression of GFAP, IBA1, Aß1-42 and DCX in the hippocampus was measured via immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Lateral ventricle administration, but not caudal vein injection of BMSC-exos improved AD-like behaviors in the STZ-injected mouse model, as indicated by the increased number of rearing, increased frequency to the central area, and increased duration and distance traveled in the central area in the OFT, and improved preference index of the novel object in the NOR. Moreover, the hyperactivation of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus of the model mice was inhibited after treatment with BMSC-exos via lateral ventricle administration, accompanied by the reduced expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, Aß1-42, and p-Tau and upregulated protein expression of synapse-related proteins and BDNF. Furthermore, the results of the Pearson test showed that the preference index of the novel object in the NOR was positively correlated with the hippocampal expression of BDNF, but negatively correlated with the expression of GFAP, IBA1, and IL-1ß. Apart from a positive correlation between the hippocampal expression of BDNF and Syt-1, BDNF abundance was found to be negatively correlated with markers of glial activation and the expression of the inflammatory cytokines, Aß1-42, and p-Tau, which are characteristic neuropathological features of AD. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral ventricle administration, but not caudal vein injection of BMSC-exos, can improve AD-like behavioral performance in STZ-injected mice, the mechanism of which might be involved in the regulation of glial activation and its associated neuroinflammation and BDNF-related neuropathological changes in the hippocampus.

Potential role of 25(OH)D insufficiency in the dysfunction of glycolipid metabolism and cognitive impairment in patients with T2DM.

Purpose: To investigate the changes of plasma 25(OH)D levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and explore its role in the dysfunction of glucose and lipid metabolism and cognition. Methods: One hundred and thirty-two T2DM patients were enrolled and the demographic and clinical data were collected. The plasma concentration of 25(OH)D was detected and the patients were divided into two groups including a Vitamin D insufficient (VDI) group and a normal VD group according to the clinical diagnostic criterial of VDI with the plasma 25(OH)D level less than 29 ng/mL. The glycolipid metabolic and routine blood biochemical indices were detected, the plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble myeloid soluble trigger receptor 1 (sTREM1) were measured. The cognitive function was assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A). The depressive symptomatology was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Survey Depression Scale (CES-D). Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Results: There were 70 T2DM patients with VDI (70/132, 53.03%) in this study. The plasma concentrations of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial blood glucose (PBG), IL-6, and sTREM1 were remarkably increased in T2DM patients with VDI as compared with that with the normal VD, accompanied with an elevated BRIEF-A scores. There was no significant difference between groups with regard to the indices of blood lipid, liver function, and scores in CES-D and PSQI. Moreover, results of Pearson correlation test showed that the plasma 25(OH)D levels were negatively correlated with HbA1c, FPG, PBG, CRP, IL-6, sTREM1, CES-D sum scores, and PSQI sum scores, but positively correlated with the plasma levels of Serum creatinine (Scr). Furthermore, result of Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed a predictive role of VDI levels in discriminating T2DM patients with higher cognitive impairments, with the sensitivity and specificity being 62.12% and 62.12%, respectively. Conclusion: VDI is harmful for T2DM patients with a significant relation with the hyperglycosemia and cognitive dysfunction.

Protective effect of quercetin against the metabolic dysfunction of glucose and lipids and its associated learning and memory impairments in NAFLD rats.

BACKGROUND: Quercetin (QUE) is a flavonol reported with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and previous results from the group of this study have demonstrated its neuroprotective effect against lipopolysaccharide-induced neuropsychiatric injuries. However, little is known about its potential effect on neuropsychiatric injuries induced or accompanied by metabolic dysfunction of glucose and lipids. METHODS: A nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat model was induced via a high-fat diet (HFD), and glucolipid parameters and liver function were measured. Behavioral performance was observed via the open field test (OFT) and the Morris water maze (MWM). The plasma levels of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM1) and TREM2 were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expression levels of Synapsin-1 (Syn-1), Synaptatogmin-1 (Syt-1), TREM1 and TREM2 in the hippocampus were detected using western blotting. Morphological changes in the liver and hippocampus were detected by HE and Oil red or silver staining. RESULTS: Compared with the control rats, HFD-induced NAFLD model rats presented significant metabolic dysfunction, hepatocyte steatosis, and impaired learning and memory ability, as indicated by the increased plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG), the impaired glucose tolerance, the accumulated fat droplets and balloon-like changes in the liver, and the increased escaping latency but decreased duration in the target quadrant in the Morris water maze. All these changes were reversed in QUE-treated rats. Moreover, apart from improving the morphological injuries in the hippocampus, treatment with QUE could increase the decreased plasma concentration and hippocampal protein expression of TREM1 in NAFLD rats and increase the decreased expression of Syn-1 and Syt-1 in the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested the therapeutic potential of QUE against NAFLD-associated impairment of learning and memory, and the mechanism might involve regulating the metabolic dysfunction of glucose and lipids and balancing the protein expression of synaptic plasticity markers and TREM1/2 in the hippocampus.

Resveratrol Protects SH-SY5Y Cells Against Oleic Acid-Induced Glucolipid Metabolic Dysfunction and Cell Injuries Via the Wnt/ß-Catenin Signalling Pathway.

Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol with diverse beneficial biological and pharmacological activities, and our previous results have demonstrated its neuroprotective effects in several metabolic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential effect of RES against oleic acid (OA)-induced cell injuries in SH-SY5Y cells and explore the possible mechanism. Based on the dose- and time-dependent effects of OA on cell proliferation and LDH release, SH-SY5Y cells were challenged with OA and incubated with or without RES (10-5-10-9 mM) or sitagliptin (STG, 10-7 mM). Lipid accumulation, SREBP1 and PPARα protein expression, glucose consumption and IRS1, AKT, ERK phosphorylation under insulin stimulation, and ROS production were detected. The protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Copine 6, and key molecules in the Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathway were measured via western blot. The expression of Wnt 1 was also measured via immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that RES treatment could alleviate the neurotoxicity induced by OA, as indicated by the increased cell proliferation and the decreased concentration of LDH in the supernatant. The increased lipid deposition and protein expression of SREBP1 and PPARα induced by OA was also reversed by treatment with RES. Moreover, RES could upregulate glucose consumption and the protein expression of phosphorylated IRS1, AKT, ERK and reduced ROS production in OA-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, RES treatment reversed the imbalanced protein expression of BDNF, Copine 6, p-ß-catenin, and Wnt 1 in SH-SY5Y cells induced by OA and decreased the hyperexpression of p-GSK3ß. However, these effects were suppressed by DKK1, which is a specific antagonist of the Wnt signalling pathway. These results suggested that RES has a neuroprotective effect against OA-induced cell injury and dysfunctional glucolipid metabolism, and the mechanism might involve its ability to regulate oxidative stress and insulin resistance via the Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathway.

Impaired Learning and Memory Ability Induced by a Bilaterally Hippocampal Injection of Streptozotocin in Mice: Involved With the Adaptive Changes of Synaptic Plasticity.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline, psychiatric symptoms and behavioral disorders, resulting in disability, and loss of self-sufficiency. Objective: To establish an AD-like mice model, investigate the behavioral performance, and explore the potential mechanism. Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ, 3 mg/kg) was microinjected bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus of C57BL/6 mice, and the behavioral performance was observed. The serum concentrations of insulin and nesfatin-1 were measured by ELISA, and the activation of hippocampal microglia and astrocytes was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression of several molecular associated with the regulation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and the pre-frontal cortex (PFC) was detected via western blotting. Results: The STZ-microinjected model mice showed a slower bodyweight gain and higher serum concentration of insulin and nesfatin-1. Although there was no significant difference between groups with regard to the ability of balance and motor coordination, the model mice presented a decline of spontaneous movement and exploratory behavior, together with an impairment of learning and memory ability. Increased activated microglia was aggregated in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of model mice, together with an increase abundance of Aß1-42 and Tau in the hippocampus and PFC. Moreover, the protein expression of NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, SynGAP, PSD95, BDNF, and p-ß-catenin/ß-catenin were remarkably decreased in the hippocampus and the PFC of model mice, and the expression of p-GSK-3ß (ser9)/GSK-3ß were reduced in the hippocampus. Conclusion: A bilateral hippocampal microinjection of STZ could induce not only AD-like behavioral performance in mice, but also adaptive changes of synaptic plasticity against neuroinflammatory and endocrinal injuries. The underlying mechanisms might be associated with the imbalanced expression of the key proteins of Wnt signaling pathway in the hippocampus and the PFC.

DNA methylation of FTO promotes renal inflammation by enhancing m6A of PPAR-α in alcohol-induced kidney injury.

Alcohol consumption is one of the risk factors for kidney injury. The underlying mechanism of alcohol-induced kidney injury remains largely unknown. We previously found that the kidney in a mouse model of alcoholic kidney injury had severe inflammation. In this study, we found that the administration of alcohol was associated with the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and NF-κB signaling, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Whole-genome methylation sequencing (WGBS) showed that the DNA encoding fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) was significantly methylated in the alcoholic kidney. This finding was confirmed with the bisulfite sequencing (BSP), which showed that alcohol increased DNA methylation of FTO in the kidney. Furthermore, inhibition of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) by 5-azacytidine (5-aza) reversed alcohol-induced kidney injury and decreased the mRNA and protein levels of FTO. Importantly, we found that FTO, the m6A demethylase, epigenetically modified peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) in a YTH domain family 2 (YTHDF2)-dependent manner, which resulted in inflammation in alcoholic kidney injury models. In conclusion, our findings indicate that alcohol increases the methylation of PPAR-α m6A by FTO-mediated YTHDF2 epigenetic modification, which ultimately leads to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and NF-κB-driven renal inflammation in the kidney. These findings may provide novel strategies for preventing and treating alcoholic kidney diseases.

Acid-sensing ion channel 1a mediates acid-induced pyroptosis through calpain-2/calcineurin pathway in rat articular chondrocytes.

The pyroptosis is a causative agent of rheumatoid arthritis, a systemic autoimmune disease merged with degenerative articular cartilage. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism of extracellular acidosis on chondrocyte pyroptosis is largely unclear. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) belong to an extracellular H+ -activated cation channel family. Accumulating evidence has highlighted activation of ASICs induced by extracellular acidosis upregulate calpain and calcineurin expression in arthritis. In the present study, to investigate the expression and the role of acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a), calpain, calcineurin, and NLRP3 inflammasome proteins in regulating acid-induced articular chondrocyte pyroptosis, primary rat articular chondrocytes were subjected to different pH, different time, and different treatments with or without ASIC1a, calpain-2, and calcineurin, respectively. Initially, the research results showed that extracellular acidosis-induced the protein expression of ASIC1a in a pH- and time-dependent manner, and the messenger RNA and protein expressions of calpain, calcineurin, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, and caspase-1 were significantly increased in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the inhibition of ASIC1a, calpain-2, or calcineurin, respectively, could decrease the cell death accompanied with the decreased interleukin-1ß level, and the decreased expression of ASIC1a, calpain-2, calcineurin, and NLRP3 inflammasome proteins. Taken together, these results indicated the activation of ASIC1a induced by extracellular acidosis could trigger pyroptosis of rat articular chondrocytes, the mechanism of which might partly be involved with the activation of calpain-2/calcineurin pathway.

Crosstalk between the microbiota-gut-brain axis and depression.

Nutritional and microbiological psychiatry, especially the contribution of the gut microbiota to depression, has become a promising research field over the past several decades. An imbalance in the "microbiota-gut-brain axis", which reflects the constant bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, has been used as a hypothesis to interpret the pathogenesis of depression. Alterations in gut microbiota composition could increase the permeability of the gut barrier, activate systemic inflammation and immune responses, regulate the release and efficacy of monoamine neurotransmitters, alter the activity and function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and modify the abundance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), eventually leading to depression. In this article, we review changes in gut microbiota in depressive states, the association between these changes and depression-like behavior, the potential mechanism linking gut microbiota disruptions and depression, and preliminary attempts at using gut microbiota intervention for the treatment of depression. In summary, although the link between gut microbiota and depression and the potential mechanism have been discussed, a more detailed mechanistic understanding is needed to fully realize the importance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in depression. Future efforts should aim to determine the potential causative mechanisms, which will require further animal and clinical research as well as the development of analytical approaches.

Corrigendum: Quercetin Alleviates LPS-Induced Depression-Like Behavior in Rats via Regulating BDNF-Related Imbalance of Copine 6 and TREM1/2 in the Hippocampus and PFC.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01544.].

Differential serum exosome microRNA profile in a stress-induced depression rat model.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence has shown the important role of exosomes in the maintenance of brain function and pathogenesis of brain disease, but little is known about their association with depression. The aim of this project was to explore the miRNA profile of exosomes in the serum of rats with depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). METHODS: A rat model of depression was replicated via CUMS. Behavioral performance was observed, and serum exosomes were isolated and identified. The protein expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), TrkB, and synaptotagmin 1 in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex (PFC), and serum exosomes were measured. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of differential genes was carried out using the R package clusterProfiler. RESULTS: The CUMS rats showed depression-like behaviors, together with decreased expression levels of BDNF, TrkB, and synaptotagmin 1 in the hippocampus, PFC, and serum exosomes. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the differential expression of miRNAs might play an important role in the pathogenesis of stress-induced depression through the MAPK pathway, Wnt pathway, and mTOR pathway. LIMITATIONS: The protein expression levels of BDNF, TrkB, and synaptotagmin 1 were measured only in the hippocampus and PFC. The function of the differentially expressed miRNAs was not verified in the animal model, which should be investigated in detail in future studies. CONCLUSIONS: The miRNA profile was altered in rats with stress-induced depression, which might be considered a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis of depression.

Evidence of a Relationship Between Plasma Leptin, Not Nesfatin-1, and Craving in Male Alcohol-Dependent Patients After Abstinence.

The goal of this study was to determine whether the plasma leptin, nesfatin-1, cortisol, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and inflammatory cytokines could be used as potential biomarkers for the degree of craving in the alcohol-dependent patients after 1 month of abstinence. A total of 83 patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 61 healthy subjects were assessed. Patients with AUD were selected from Department of Material Dependence, Anhui Mental Health Center, and subjects in the control group were selected from healthy volunteers. The Alcohol Urge questionnaire Scale (AUQ) was used to evaluate the extent of craving for alcohol, and the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were also assessed in patients with AUD. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used for the measurement of plasma leptin, nesfatin-1, cortisol, BDNF, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. Compare with healthy controls, the average leptin, leptin/BMI, IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α levels in patients with AUD were significantly increased, while the BDNF levels were significantly decreased. Moreover, the partial correlational analysis showed that the AUQ scores of the alcohol-dependent patients were positively correlated with the plasma leptin levels (r = 0.613, P < 0.001), rather than nesfatin-1 (r = 0.066, P = 0.569) after controlling for age as covariate. Furthermore, plasma nesfatin-1 levels were found to be correlated with the SDS scores (r = 0.366, P = 0.001) in the AUD group. In addition, plasma leptin levels were positively associated with the plasma IL-6 (r = 0.257, P = 0.033), CRP (r = 0.305, P = 0.011), and TNF-α (r = 0.311, P = 0.009) levels, and negatively associated with the BDNF levels (r = -0.245, P = 0.042) in patients with AUD. These results suggest that plasma leptin, but not nesfatin-1, might be a potential biomarker for the degree of craving in alcohol-dependent patients after 1 month of abstinence, the mechanism of which might be related to the dysfunction of the inflammatory cytokines and BDNF levels.

Resveratrol Reduces Glucolipid Metabolic Dysfunction and Learning and Memory Impairment in a NAFLD Rat Model: Involvement in Regulating the Imbalance of Nesfatin-1 Abundance and Copine 6 Expression.

Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenolic compound, and our previous results have demonstrated its neuroprotective effect in a series of animal models. The aim of this study was to investigate its potential effect on a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat model. The parameters of liver function and glucose and lipid metabolism were measured. Behavior performance was observed via the open field test (OFT), the sucrose preference test (SPT), the elevated plus maze (EPM), the forced swimming test (FST), and the Morris water maze (MWM). The protein expression levels of Copine 6, p-catenin, catenin, p-glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3ß), GSK3ß, and cyclin D1 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were detected using Western blotting. The results showed that RES could reverse nesfatin-1-related impairment of liver function and glucolipid metabolism, as indicated by the decreased plasma concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), glucose, insulin, and nesfatin-1; increase the plasma level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); and reduce hepatocyte steatosis in NAFLD rats. Although there was no significant difference among groups with regard to performance in the OFT, EPM, and FST tasks, RES-treated NAFLD rats showed an increased sucrose preference index in the SPT and improved learning and memory ability in the MWM task. Furthermore, the imbalanced protein expression levels of Copine 6, p-catenin, and p-GSK3ß in the hippocampus and PFC of NAFLD rats were also restored to normal by treatment with RES. These results suggested that four consecutive weeks of RES treatment not only ameliorated glucolipid metabolic impairment and liver dysfunction in the NAFLD rat model but also mitigated the attendant behavioral and cognitive impairments. In addition to the mediating role of nesfatin-1, the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of RES on NAFLD might be associated with its ability to regulate the imbalanced expression level of Copine 6 and the Wnt signaling pathway in the hippocampus and PFC.

Inhibition of acid­sensing ion channel 1a attenuates acid­induced activation of autophagy via a calcium signaling pathway in articular chondrocytes.

Acid­sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a), member of the degenerin/epithelial sodium channel protein superfamily, serves a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of ASIC1a in the autophagy of rat articular chondrocytes. Autophagy was induced by acidic stimulation in rat articular chondrocytes and the extent of autophagy was evaluated via the expression levels of microtubule­associated protein 1 light chain 3II, Beclin1 and uncoordinated­51 like kinase1. Suppression of ASIC1a was achieved using small interfering RNA technology and/or inhibitor psalmotoxin­1. The expression levels of autophagy markers were measured by western blot analysis and reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods. Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) was analyzed using a Ca2+­imaging method. Additionally, protein expression levels of the Ca2+/calmodulin­dependent protein kinase kinase ß (CaMKKß)/5'­monophosphate­activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway were measured by western blot analysis. The results showed that autophagy was increased in a pH­ and time­dependent manner with exposure to an acidic environment. In addition, silencing ASIC1a significantly decreased the expression levels of autophagy makers, accompanied by abrogation of the acid­induced [Ca2+]i increase. Furthermore, silencing of ASIC1a downregulated the levels of CaMKKß/ß­actin and phosphorylated (p­) AMPK/AMPK, and upregulated the levels of p­mTOR/mTOR. These results indicated that ASIC1a is a potent regulator of autophagy in chondrocytes, which may be associated with decreased Ca2+ influx and the CaMKKß/AMPK/mTOR pathway.