Regulation and function of endoplasmic reticulum autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases.

The endoplasmic reticulum, a key cellular organelle, regulates a wide variety of cellular activities. Endoplasmic reticulum autophagy, one of the quality control systems of the endoplasmic reticulum, plays a pivotal role in maintaining endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis by controlling endoplasmic reticulum turnover, remodeling, and proteostasis. In this review, we briefly describe the endoplasmic reticulum quality control system, and subsequently focus on the role of endoplasmic reticulum autophagy, emphasizing the spatial and temporal mechanisms underlying the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum autophagy according to cellular requirements. We also summarize the evidence relating to how defective or abnormal endoplasmic reticulum autophagy contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In summary, this review highlights the mechanisms associated with the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum autophagy and how they influence the pathophysiology of degenerative nerve disorders. This review would help researchers to understand the roles and regulatory mechanisms of endoplasmic reticulum-phagy in neurodegenerative disorders.

Secondary Polycythemia May Be an Early Clinical Manifestation of Multiple Myeloma: A Case Report.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of plasma cells that can cause anemia due to renal failure and bone marrow failure. Secondary polycythemia (SE) is a clinically rare disease that involves the overproduction of red blood cells. To our knowledge, the association of multiple myeloma and polycythemia has been reported, but the association of SE and multiple myeloma is rare and has been infrequently reported in literature. In contrast to anemia, the presence of polycythemia in multiple myeloma patients is a rare finding. A patient of IgA-λ multiple myeloma with secondary erythrocytosis recently admitted to our department is now reported as follows and relevant literature is reviewed to improve clinicians' awareness of such rare comorbidities.

GPR50 regulates neuronal development as a mitophagy receptor.

Neurons rely heavily on high mitochondrial metabolism to provide sufficient energy for proper development. However, it remains unclear how neurons maintain high oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) during development. Mitophagy plays a pivotal role in maintaining mitochondrial quality and quantity. We herein describe that G protein-coupled receptor 50 (GPR50) is a novel mitophagy receptor, which harbors the LC3-interacting region (LIR) and is required in mitophagy under stress conditions. Although it does not localize in mitochondria under normal culturing conditions, GPR50 is recruited to the depolarized mitochondrial membrane upon mitophagy stress, which marks the mitochondrial portion and recruits the assembling autophagosomes, eventually facilitating the mitochondrial fragments to be engulfed by the autophagosomes. Mutations Δ502-505 and T532A attenuate GPR50-mediated mitophagy by disrupting the binding of GPR50 to LC3 and the mitochondrial recruitment of GPR50. Deficiency of GPR50 causes the accumulation of damaged mitochondria and disrupts OXPHOS, resulting in insufficient ATP production and excessive ROS generation, eventually impairing neuronal development. GPR50-deficient mice exhibit impaired social recognition, which is rescued by prenatal treatment with mitoQ, a mitochondrially antioxidant. The present study identifies GPR50 as a novel mitophagy receptor that is required to maintain mitochondrial OXPHOS in developing neurons.

Scutellarin inhibits inflammatory PANoptosis by diminishing mitochondrial ROS generation and blocking PANoptosome formation.

PANoptosis is manifested with simultaneous activation of biomarkers for both pyroptotic, apoptotic and necroptotic signaling via the molecular platform PANoptosome and it is involved in pathologies of various inflammatory diseases including hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Scutellarin is a flavonoid isolated from herbal Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz. and has been shown to possess multiple pharmacological effects, but it is unknown whether scutellarin has any effects on PANoptosis and related inflammatory diseases. In this study, we found that scutellarin inhibited cell death in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and J774A.1 cells treated with TGF-ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) inhibitor 5Z-7-oxozeaenol (OXO) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which has been commonly used to induce PANoptosis. Western blotting showed that scutellarin dose-dependently inhibited the activation biomarkers for pyroptotic (Caspase-1p10 and GSDMD-NT), apoptotic (cleaved Casp3/8/9 and GSDME-NT), and necroptotic (phosphorylated MLKL) signaling. The inhibitory effect of scutellarin was unaffected by NLRP3 or Caspase-1 deletion. Interestingly, scutellarin blocked the assembly of PANoptosome that encompasses ASC, RIPK3, Caspase-8 and ZBP1, suggesting its action on upstream signaling. Consistent with this, scutellarin inhibited mitochondrial damage and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation in cells treated with OXO+LPS. Further, mito-TEMPO that can scavenge mtROS significantly inhibited OXO+LPS-induced PANoptotic cell death. In line with the in vitro results, scutellarin markedly alleviated systemic inflammation, multiple organ injury, and activation of PANoptotic biomarkers in mice with HLH. Collectively, our data suggest that scutellarin can inhibit PANoptosis by suppressing mitochondrial damage and mtROS generation and thereby mitigating multiple organ injury in mice with inflammatory disorders.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia with additional chromosome abnormalities in a patient positive for HIV: A case report and literature review.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), especially cases of high-risk with complex chromosomes (CK), is rare in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), making the establishment of therapeutic approaches challenging; often the treatment is individualized. This report describes a 49-year-old female patient with HIV who was diagnosed with high-risk APL with a new CK translocation and presents a literature review. At diagnosis, the patient presented with typical t(15;17)(q24;q21) with additional abnormalities, including add(5)(q15), add(5)(q31), add(7)(q11.2) and add(12) (p13). The results of acute myeloid leukemia mutation analysis suggested positivity for calreticulin and lysine methyltransferase 2C genes. The patient received all-trans retinoic acid combined with arsenic trioxide and chemotherapy, with morphologically complete remission after the first cycle of chemotherapy. The present report provided preliminary data for future clinical research.

A Paternò-Büchi Reaction of Aromatics with Quinones under Visible Light Irradiation.

Reported herein is a Paternò-Büchi reaction of aromatic double bonds with quinones under visible light irradiation. The reactions of aromatics with quinones exposed to blue LED irradiation yielded oxetanes at -78 °C, which was attributed to both the activation of double bonds in aromatics and the stabilization of oxetanes by thiadiazole, oxadiazole, or selenadiazole groups. The addition of Cu(OTf)2 to the reaction system at room temperature resulted in the formation of diaryl ethers via the copper-catalyzed ring opening of oxetanes in situ. Notably, the substrate scope was extended to general aromatics.

Rediscovery and systematics of the enigmatic genus Helicostoa reveals a new species of sessile freshwater snail with remarkable sexual dimorphism.

Helicostoa sinensis E. Lamy, 1926 is a unique freshwater gastropod species with a sessile habit. This enigmatic species was first found cemented on river limestones from China about 120 years ago and described together with the genus. It was never collected again and has been considered monotypic. Here, we report the rediscovery of Helicostoa from several rivers in China, and describe a second species of this genus based on a comprehensive study. In addition to the unique sessile habit of both species, the new Helicostoa species presents one of the most remarkable cases of sexual dimorphism within molluscs. Only the adult female is sessile and the original aperture of the female is sealed by shell matter or rock, while an opening on the body whorl takes the function of the original aperture. The male is vagile, with a normal aperture. Our results confirm the recently suggested placement of Helicostoa within the family Bithyniidae. The sessility of Helicostoa species is considered as an adaption to the limestone habitat in large rivers. The extreme sexual dimorphism and secondary aperture of females are considered as adaptations to overcome the obstacles for mating and feeding that come with a sessile life style.

Biological signatures of the International Prognostic Index in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

ABSTRACT: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a highly aggressive subtype of lymphoma with clinical and biological heterogeneity. The International Prognostic Index (IPI) shows great prognostic capability in the era of rituximab, but the biological signatures of IPI remain to be discovered. In this study, we analyzed the clinical data in a large cohort of 2592 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL. Among them, 1233 underwent DNA sequencing for oncogenic mutations, and 487 patients underwent RNA sequencing for lymphoma microenvironment (LME) alterations. Based on IPI scores, patients were categorized into 4 distinct groups, with 5-year overall survival of 41.6%, 55.3%, 71.7%, and 89.7%, respectively. MCD-like subtype was associated with age of >60 years, multiple extranodal involvement, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and IPI scores ranging from 2 to 5, whereas ST2-like subtype showed an opposite trend. Patients with EZB-like MYC+ and TP53Mut subtypes exhibited poor clinical outcome independent of the IPI; integrating TP53Mut into IPI could better distinguish patients with dismal survival. The EZB-like MYC-, BN2-like, N1-like, and MCD-like subtypes had inferior prognosis in patients with IPI scores of ≥2, indicating necessity for enhanced treatment. Regarding LME categories, the germinal center-like LME was more prevalent in patients with normal LDH and IPI scores of 0 to 1. The mesenchymal LME served as an independent protective factor, whereas the germinal center-like, inflammatory, and depleted LME categories correlated with inferior prognosis for IPI scores of 2 to 5. In summary, our work explored the biological signatures of IPI, thus providing useful rationale for future optimization of the IPI-based treatment strategies with multi-omics information in DLBCL.

A Molecular Cage Accessed by Threefold Click Reaction of a C3v-Symmetric Triazido-Functionalized Tribenzotriquinacene.

The hitherto unknown hexakis(halomethyl)-functionalized tribenzotriquinacenes (TBTQs) 9 and 10 were synthesized from the key 4b,8b,12b-tribromo-TBTQ derivative 6 by an improved route in 67% overall yield. Extension of the bowl-shaped framework of 9 or 10 by threefold condensation with propargylamine or 2-azidoethylamine afforded the corresponding TBTQ-trialkyne 11 and TBTQ-triazide 12, respectively. While attempts to construct bis-TBTQ cages, including homodimerization of 11 and heterocoupling of 11 with 12, were unsuccessful, triazide 12 was found to undergo threefold [3 + 2]-cycloaddition with 3-ethynylaniline and phloroglucinol tripropargyl ether under click chemistry conditions. The latter reaction enabled facile capping of the TBTQ bowl to give the novel cage compound 5 in 22% yield.

Blocking reverse electron transfer-mediated mitochondrial DNA oxidation rescues cells from PANoptosis.

PANoptosis is a new type of cell death featured with pyroptosis, apoptosis and necroptosis, and is implicated in organ injury and mortality in various inflammatory diseases, such as sepsis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Reverse electron transport (RET)-mediated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) has been shown to contribute to pyroptosis and necroptosis. In this study we investigated the roles of mtROS and RET in PANoptosis induced by TGF-ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) inhibitor 5Z-7-oxozeaenol (Oxo) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as the effects of anti-RET reagents on PANoptosis. We showed that pretreatment with anti-RET reagents 1-methoxy PMS (MPMS) or dimethyl fumarate (DMF) dose-dependently inhibited PANoptosis in macrophages BMDMs and J774A.1 cells induced by Oxo/LPS treatment assayed by propidium iodide (PI) staining. The three arms of the PANoptosis signaling pathway, namely pyroptosis, apoptosis and necroptosis signaling, as well as the formation of PANoptosomes were all inhibited by MPMS or DMF. We demonstrated that Oxo/LPS treatment induced RET and mtROS in BMDMs, which were reversed by MPMS or DMF pretreatment. Interestingly, the PANoptosome was co-located with mitochondria, in which the mitochondrial DNA was oxidized. MPMS and DMF fully blocked the mtROS production and the formation of PANoptosome induced by Oxo plus LPS treatment. An HLH mouse model was established by poly(I:C)/LPS challenge. Pretreatment with DMF (50 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g. for 3 days) or MPMS (10 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.p. for 2 days) (DMF i.g. MPMS i.p.) effectively alleviated HLH lesions accompanied by decreased hallmarks of PANoptosis in the liver and kidney. Collectively, RET and mtDNA play crucial roles in PANoptosis induction and anti-RET reagents represent a novel class of PANoptosis inhibitors by blocking oxidation of mtDNA, highlighting their potential application in treating PANoptosis-related inflammatory diseases. PANoptotic stimulation induces reverse electron transport (RET) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondia, while 1-methoxy PMS and dimethyl fumarate can inhibit PANoptosis by suppressing RETmediated oxidation of mitochondrial DNA.

Mechanisms of Actinidia chinensis Planch in treating colon cancer based on the integration of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification.

BACKGROUND: As an anticancer Chinese herbal medicine, the effective components and mechanism of Actinidia chinensis Planch (ACP, Tengligen) in the treatment of colon cancer are still unclear. In the present study, the integration of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiments was employed to study the effective mechanism of ACP against colon cancer. METHODS: The Venn diagram and STRING database were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network (PPI) of ACP-colon cancer, and further topological analysis was used to obtain the key target genes of ACP in colon cancer. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used to visualize the related functions and pathways. Molecular docking between key targets and compounds was determined using software such as AutoDockTools. Finally, the effect of ACP on CT26 cells was observed in vitro. RESULTS: The study identified 40 ACP-colon key targets, including CASP3, CDK2, GSK3B, and PIK3R1. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses found that these genes were involved in 211 biological processes and 92 pathways, among which pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt, p53, and cell cycle might be the main pathways of ACP against colon cancer. Molecular docking verified that the key components of ACP could stably bind to the corresponding targets. The experimental results showed that ACP could inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, and downregulate the phosphorylation of PIK3R1, Akt, and GSK3B in CT26 cells. CONCLUSION: ACP is an anti-colon cancer herb with multiple components, and involvement of multiple target genes and signaling pathways. ACP can significantly inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of colon cancer cells, which may be closely related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT/GSK3B signal transduction.

First platelet transfusion refractoriness in a patient with acute myelocytic leukemia: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Platelet transfusion is of great significance in the treatment of thrombocytopenia caused by myelosuppression during intensive chemotherapy in patients with acute leukemia. In recent years, with platelet transfusion increasing, ineffective platelet transfusion has become increasingly prominent. Generally speaking, platelet antibodies can be produced after repeated transfusion, thus rendering subsequent platelet transfusion ineffective. We report a case of first platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR) in a patient with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). Due to the rarity of such cases in clinical practice, there have been no relevant case reports so far. CASE SUMMARY: A 51-year-old female patient attended the hospital due to throat pain and abnormal blood cells for 4 d. Her diagnosis was acute myelocytic leukemia [M2 type Fms related receptor tyrosine kinase 3, Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1, Nucleophosmin 1, Neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (+) high-risk group]. She was treated with "IA" (IDA 10 mg day 1-3 and Ara-C 0.2 g day 1-5) chemotherapy. When her condition improved, the patient was discharged from the hospital, instructed to take medicine as prescribed by the doctor after discharge, and returned to the hospital for further chemotherapy on time. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of first platelet transfusion failure in a patient with AML during induction chemotherapy, which may be related to the production of platelet antibodies induced by antibiotics and excessive tumor load. This also suggests that we should consider the influence of antibiotics when the rare situation of first platelet transfusion failure occurs in patients with AML. When platelet antibodies are produced, immunoglobulins can be used to block antibodies, thereby reducing platelet destruction. For patients with PTR, both immune and non-immune factors need to be considered and combined in clinical practice along with individualized treatment to effectively solve the problem.

Triptolide induces PANoptosis in macrophages and causes organ injury in mice.

Macrophages represent the first lines of innate defense against pathogenic infections and are poised to undergo multiple forms of regulated cell death (RCD) upon infections or toxic stimuli, leading to multiple organ injury. Triptolide, an active compound isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F., possesses various pharmacological activities including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects, but its applications have been hampered by toxic adverse effects. It remains unknown whether and how triptolide induces different forms of RCD in macrophages. In this study, we showed that triptolide exhibited significant cytotoxicity on cultured macrophages in vitro, which was associated with multiple forms of lytic cell death that could not be fully suppressed by any one specific inhibitor for a single form of RCD. Consistently, triptolide induced the simultaneous activation of pyroptotic, apoptotic and necroptotic hallmarks, which was accompanied by the co-localization of ASC specks respectively with RIPK3 or caspase-8 as well as their interaction with each other, indicating the formation of PANoptosome and thus the induction of PANoptosis. Triptolide-induced PANoptosis was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production. PANoptosis was also induced by triptolide in mouse peritoneal macrophages in vivo. Furthermore, triptolide caused kidney and liver injury, which was associated with systemic inflammatory responses and the activation of hallmarks for PANoptosis in vivo. Collectively, our data reveal that triptolide induces PANoptosis in macrophages in vitro and exhibits nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity associated with induction of PANoptosis in vivo, suggesting a new avenue to alleviate triptolide's toxicity by harnessing PANoptosis.

Genomic analysis of a new heterotic maize group reveals key loci for pedigree breeding.

Genome-wide analyses of maize populations have clarified the genetic basis of crop domestication and improvement. However, limited information is available on how breeding improvement reshaped the genome in the process of the formation of heterotic groups. In this study, we identified a new heterotic group (X group) based on an examination of 512 Chinese maize inbred lines. The X group was clearly distinct from the other non-H&L groups, implying that X × HIL is a new heterotic pattern. We selected the core inbred lines for an analysis of yield-related traits. Almost all yield-related traits were better in the X lines than those in the parental lines, indicating that the primary genetic improvement in the X group during breeding was yield-related traits. We generated whole-genome sequences of these lines with an average coverage of 17.35× to explore genome changes further. We analyzed the identity-by-descent (IBD) segments transferred from the two parents to the X lines and identified 29 and 28 IBD conserved regions (ICRs) from the parents PH4CV and PH6WC, respectively, accounting for 28.8% and 12.8% of the genome. We also identified 103, 89, and 131 selective sweeps (SSWs) using methods that involved the π, Tajima's D, and CLR values, respectively. Notably, 96.13% of the ICRs co-localized with SSWs, indicating that SSW signals concentrated in ICRs. We identified 171 annotated genes associated with yield-related traits in maize both in ICRs and SSWs. To identify the genetic factors associated with yield improvement, we conducted QTL mapping for 240 lines from a DH population (PH4CV × PH6WC, which are the parents of X1132X) for ten key yield-related traits and identified a total of 55 QTLs. Furthermore, we detected three QTL clusters both in ICRs and SSWs. Based on the genetic evidence, we finally identified three key genes contributing to yield improvement in breeding the X group. These findings reveal key loci and genes targeted during pedigree breeding and provide new insights for future genomic breeding.

Serum antinuclear antibodies associate with severe disease activity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) may correlate with the long-term prognosis of Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). In this study, we investigated ANAs in Chinese patients with NMOSD and their relationship with disease outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 525 patients diagnosed with NMOSD at West China Hospital between September 1, 2009, and October 1, 2021. Patients were classified into two groups: NMOSD with ANA (+) or without ANA (-). We compared the clinical characteristics, relapse rate, severe attacks, laboratory tests, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and prognosis between the two groups. RESULTS: Among the 525 NMOSD patients, those with ANA showed a higher frequency of AQP4-IgG (94.1% vs 79.3%, p < 0.001, false discovery rate (FDR) corrected p < 0.001), and anti-SSA (p < 0.001, FDR corrected p < 0.001), anti-SSB (p < 0.001, FDR corrected p < 0.001), anti-Ro52 antibodies (p < 0.001, FDR corrected p < 0.001), than those without ANA. ANA was detected in 403 patients during the acute phase. Patients with ANA (+) had higher EDSS scores in the acute stage (4.0 vs. 3.75, p = 0.013, FDR corrected p = 0.029) and at final follow-up (p = 0.032, FDR corrected p = 0.064). NMOSD patients with ANA (+) had a higher frequency of severe acute myelitis attack, severe acute myelitis and optic neuritis attack, motor and visual disability, compared to those with ANA (-) (42.1% vs. 27.8%, p = 0.001, FDR corrected p = 0.004, 19.3% vs. 10.3%, p = 0.004, FDR corrected p = 0.018, and 11.1% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.008, FDR corrected p = 0.022 respectively). The two groups had no significant difference in the annual recurrence rate (ARR). CONCLUSION: ANA may be associated with more severe disease activity and disability in NMOSD.

Trash to treasure: lactate and protein lactylation in maize root impacts response to drought.

Lactate, protein lactylation (Kla), and specifically histone lactylation have recently been shown to regulate antipathogenic immune responses in mammals. Herein, after we confirmed the presence and accumulation of lactate in maize roots under drought conditions, a lactylome profiling analysis revealed that Kla modifications were invariably present in maize roots, that there were obvious differences in the lactylomes of drought-sensitive (B73) vs. drought-tolerant (Jing2416) lines, and that growing Jing2416 under drought conditions caused significant decreases in the lactylation of multiple enzymes responsible for fatty acid degradation. Inspired by findings of histone-Kla based epigenetic regulation of immune functions in animals, we initially discovered 37 Kla sites on 16 histones in the maize genome, and again detected obvious differential histone Kla-mediated trends between two lines by ChIP-Seq. Notably, only 2.7% of genes with differential histone Kla peaks detected during drought stress were commonly present in both lines, a finding demonstrating that abiotic stress triggers distinct epigenetic activities in diverse germplasm while also strongly supporting that a histone Kla layer of regulation is associated with physiological responses to drought stress. Interestingly, exogenous application of spermidine improved the drought tolerance of B73 and substantially altered the levels of lactate, protein lactylation, and histone Kla modification. Thus, beyond extending the known domain of Kla-based biochemical and epigenetic regulation from animal immunity to plant stress physiology, our study suggests the physiological, biochemical, and genetic function of "the best-known metabolic waste", lactate.

Multiple myeloma in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia: A case report.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a clonal myeloproliferative disorder of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells, results from the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) chromosome. The Ph is from a translocation, t(9;22)(q34q11), that creates a BCR-ABL fusion gene, which is transcribed into proteins with abnormal tyrosine kinase activity, driving the abnormal proliferation of white blood cells. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a proliferation disorder of plasma cells derived from a single clone, which may lead to uncontrolled growth, kidney injury, destructive bone lesions, hypercalcemia and anemia. It is extremely rare that MM and CML should occur in the same patient either synchronously or metachronously. To date, MM accompanied with CML has only been reported in limited studies, and the the cause behind the occurrence of both malignancies together is not understood. With the advent of novel therapies, the survival time in patients with CML and MM has improved. Therefore, the further investigation of the pathophysiology and clinical characteristics of these cases is valuable. The present study reports the case of a 79-year-old male who had been diagnosed with CML and treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and then developed immunoglobulin G-κ MM after 6 years. This report should provide valid raw data for clinical research.

Furazolidone-induced pulmonary toxicity in Helicobacter pylori infection: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a global problem, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Furazolidone is recommended to eradicate H. pylori infections in China owing to the highly associated antibiotic resistance. CASE SUMMARY: This article presents two cases of lung injury caused by furazolidone treatment of H. pylori infection and the relevant literature review. Two patients developed symptoms, including fever, cough, and fatigue after receiving a course of furazolidone for H. pylori infection. Chest computed tomography showed bilateral interstitial infiltrates. Laboratory studies revealed elevated blood eosinophil count. After discontinuing furazolidone with or without the use of corticosteroids, the symptoms improved rapidly. A PubMed database literature search revealed three reported cases of lung injury suggestive of furazolidone-induced pulmonary toxicity. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of the side effects associated with the administration of furazolidone to eradicate H. pylori infection.

Theaflavin mitigates acute gouty peritonitis and septic organ injury in mice by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome assembly.

Activation of NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays important role in defending against infections, but its aberrant activation is causally linked to many inflammatory diseases, thus being a therapeutic target for these diseases. Theaflavin, one major ingredient of black tea, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of theaflavin against NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages in vitro and in animal models of related diseases. We showed that theaflavin (50, 100, 200 µM) dose-dependently inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in LPS-primed macrophages stimulated with ATP, nigericin or monosodium urate crystals (MSU), evidenced by reduced release of caspase-1p10 and mature interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß). Theaflavin treatment also inhibited pyroptosis as shown by decreased generation of N-terminal fragment of gasdermin D (GSDMD-NT) and propidium iodide incorporation. Consistent with these, theaflavin treatment suppressed ASC speck formation and oligomerization in macrophages stimulated with ATP or nigericin, suggesting reduced inflammasome assembly. We revealed that theaflavin-induced inhibition on NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and pyroptosis resulted from ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced mitochondrial ROS production, thereby suppressing interaction between NLRP3 and NEK7 downstream of ROS. Moreover, we showed that oral administration of theaflavin significantly attenuated MSU-induced mouse peritonitis and improved the survival of mice with bacterial sepsis. Consistently, theaflavin administration significantly reduced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1ß and attenuated liver inflammation and renal injury of mice with sepsis, concomitant with reduced generation of caspase-1p10 and GSDMD-NT in the liver and kidney. Together, we demonstrate that theaflavin suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis by protecting mitochondrial function, thus mitigating acute gouty peritonitis and bacterial sepsis in mice, highlighting a potential application in treating NLRP3 inflammasome-related diseases.