Downregulation of NAT1 Expression is Associated with Poor Prognosis and Immune Infiltration in COAD.

Background: An increasing corpus of evidence has identified the involvement of N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1), a member of the NAT family, in the progression of various cancers. However, the specific function of NAT1 in colon cancer (COAD) remains elusive. This study aims to decip her the role of NAT1 in COAD and its associated mechanisms. Methods: The Tumor Immunity Evaluation Resource (TIMER), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were employed to assess the NAT1 expression level in COAD. The differential expression between COAD and normal colon tissue was further validated using quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB) analyses. Additionally, survival analysis of NAT1 in COAD was carried out using the PrognoScan database and TCGA dataset. The functions of NAT1 were explored through gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and immuno-infiltration analysis. Results: There was a significant reduction in NAT1 expression in COAD samples compared to normal tissue. Notably, low NAT1 expression in COAD correlated significantly with various clinical parameters such as tumor stage (T stage, N stage, M stage, pathologic stage), primary therapy outcome, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, and lymphatic invasion. The downregulation of NAT1 was also strongly linked with poor outcomes in overall survival (OS), progression-free interval (PFI), and disease-specific survival (DSS). Cox regression analysis highlighted NAT1 as an independent prognostic indicator for overall survival in COAD patients. GSEA results revealed NAT1's involvement in multiple pathways, including the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, olfactory transduction, olfactory signaling, extracellular matrix receptor interaction, calcium signaling, and focal adhesion pathways. Furthermore, NAT1 expression was found to significantly correlate with infiltration levels of various immune cells. Conclusion: The findings reveal NAT1's potential as a valuable prognostic biomarker for COAD. Moreover, its associated mechanisms offer insights that might pave the way for therapeutic interventions for COAD patients.

Effect of Linguizhugan decoction on neuroinflammation and expression disorder of the amyloid ß­related transporters RAGE and LRP­1 in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

Linguizhugan decoction (LGZG), a notable prescription in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a classical formula for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), inflammatory injury and fluid retention. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of LGZG on an amyloid ß (Aß)­induced AD rat model. Sprague­Dawley rats were administered with Aß1­42 to induce AD and inflammatory responses, and subsequently with LGZG (4.8, 2.4 or 1.2 g/kg), donepezil (2 mg/kg) or distilled water for 30 consecutive days. Learning and memory behaviors were evaluated via Morris water maze test. The neuronal impairment of AD rats was observed via hematoxylin­eosin staining. The levels of pro­inflammatory cytokines, and Aß in the brain tissue were detected with ELISA kits. Protein expression levels of mitogen­activated protein kinase and nuclear factor­κB signalling were measured by western blot analysis. The expression of lipoprotein receptor­related protein­1 (LRP­1) and receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) in the brain were detected by western blot analysis, reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry analysis. LGZG was demonstrated to significantly improve learning and memory ability, and ameliorate neuroinflammation in AD rats. LGZG increased the levels of LRP­1 and decreased the levels of RAGE. Furthermore, the present results demonstrated that LGZG treatment significantly inhibited MAPK and NF­κB signalling, and reduced the production of pro­inflammatory cytokines and Aß accumulation in AD rats. LGZG exhibited a potential protective effect on Aß1­42­induced AD by regulating Aß transportation, and inhibiting RAGE/MAPK and NF­κB signalling. These results suggest that LGZG may be considered for the treatment of AD.

[Effect of Zhixin Formula on Gliocyte Protein Expressions, TLRs and NF-κB in Bone Cancer Pain Model Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the analgesic effect of Zhixin Formula (ZF) and its effects on spinal glial fibrillary acidic protein (glial fibillary acidic protein, GFAP, a marker of astrocyte) , CD11b (a maker of microglia), Toll like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in bone cancer pain model rats. METHODS: Totally 20 male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group and the bone cancer pain group, 10 in each group. The bone cancer pain model was induced by injecting ascites tumor fluid containing 3 x 10(3) Walker256 cell line from the left tibia. Ethological tests, X-ray test, and HE staining were performed to confirm a successful modeling. After model was successfully established, 70 male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, 10 in each group: the blank control group, the bone cancer pain group (as the model group), the Western medicine (WM) group (Tramadol Hydrochloride), the high dose ZF group, the middle dose ZF group, the low dose ZF group, and the Chinese medicine (CM) group (Wulin Zhitong Capsule). Fourteen days after modeling, rats in the high, middle, and low dose ZF groups were administrated by gastrogavage with 9, 4.5, and 2.25 g/kg ZF water condensed preparation respectively, once a day for seven consecutive days. On day 21 MS typical protein expressions including GFAP, CD11b, TLR (2,4) and NF-κB from cornu dorsal medullae spindis L4-L5 were detected by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. RESULTS: Compare with the blank control group, increased weight in the model group was slow and showed a decreasing trend (P < 0.01), spontaneous ambulatory pain score (SAPS) obviously increased (P < 0.01), paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) obviously decreased in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Results of lateral tibial X-ray and HE staining showed obvious changes and damage occurred in bone structures of rats in the model group. Immunohistochemistry showed that GFAP expression significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Protein levels of NF-κB also significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, CD11b expressions obviously decreased in the middle and high dose ZF groups (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, protein expressions of TLR2 and TLR4, as well as NF-κB also obviously decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ZF had analgesic effect, which might be probably related to inhibiting proliferation and activation of gliocytes, as well as activation of TLRs and NF-κB.