Association between sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and risk of bullous pemphigoid in patients with type 2 diabetes: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Certain anti-diabetic agents have been linked to the development of bullous pemphigoid (BP). However, the relationship between BP and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between SGLT2i usage and BP. METHODS: Participants were recruited from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database between 2007 and 2018. A total of 149 060 patients with diabetes receiving SGLT2i were matched 1 : 2 with diabetic patients without SGLT2i usage. Factors such as age, sex, duration of diabetes condition, DPP4i usage, insulin usage and selected comorbidities were included in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the control, the 2-year-cumulative incidence was significantly low in patients using SGLT2i after adjustment for competing mortality. Patients with diabetes receiving SGLT2i had a low risk [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.33-0.96] for BP after adjustment for potential confounders. Age (HR, 1.06), renal disease (HR, 1.79), cerebrovascular disease (HR, 3.23), epilepsy (HR, 3.07), DPP4i users (HR: 2.55) and insulin users (HR: 2.56) were significant risk factors for BP. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of BP did not increase in patients receiving SGLT2i. Thus, SGLT2i could be a safe choice for patients with diabetes having additional risk factors or a history of BP.

[Berberine alleviates programmed necrosis of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease via activating Nrf2 pathway in mice].

Objective: To investigate the effect of berberine on programmed necrosis of hepatocytes induced by metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in mice and its related molecular mechanism. Methods: Twenty male C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=5 in each group): control group (S), fatty liver group (H), berberine group(B), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 inhibitor group (Nrf2), and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) group (A). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) concentrations were detected at the end of week 12 to calculate fatty liver index (liver mass/body mass ratio). Liver tissue was stained with HE, Masson and Oil Red O, and SAF score was used to evaluate the degree of liver injury. The expression levels of hepatic programmed necrosis-related proteins, namely receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), phosphorylated mixed series protease-like domain (p-MLKL) and Nrf2 were detected by Western blot method. One-way ANOVA was used for intragroup comparisons and LSD-t tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Results: Compared with S group, H group serum ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-1ß levels and fatty liver index were significantly increased. The liver tissue was filled with vacuolar-like changes and inflammatory cell infiltration. Numerous red lipid droplets were observed with oil red O staining. Collagen fiber hyperplasia was evident with Masson staining. SAF scores (6.60 ± 0.55 and 0.80 ± 0.45) were significantly increased. The expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were up-regulated. Nrf2 level was relatively increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with H group, berberine intervention group liver biochemical indexes, lipid levels, pro-inflammatory mediator expression, fatty liver index, and SAF score were significantly reduced, and the expression of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were down-regulated, while Nrf2 levels were further increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with B group, treatment with Nrf2 inhibitor had antagonized the protective effect of berberine on fatty liver. Serum ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC and TNF-α, IL-1ß levels, fatty liver index, and SAF scores were significantly increased and the expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were relatively increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Berberine can significantly improve the metabolic-associated fatty liver disease injury in mice, and its mechanism is related to activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of programmed necrosis of hepatocytes.

Apigenin inhibits indoxyl sulfate-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and anti-proliferative pathways, CHOP and IL-6/p21, in human renal proximal tubular cells.

OBJECTIVE: Indoxyl sulfate (IS) has been reported to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in tubular cells and to inhibit the cell proliferation via ER stress and ERK/IL-6/p21 pathways. This study has investigated the effect of apigenin on IS-induced ER stress in immortalized human renal proximal tubular HK-2 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human Kidney 2 (HK-2) cells were treated with IS (5 mM) in the absence or presence of apigenin (10 µM) or salubrinal (20 µM) for indicated times under the serum-free condition. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. The levels of protein expression and phosphorylation were evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: In HK-2 cells, apigenin completely inhibited IS-induced ER stress, as indicated by decreased expression of CHOP, ATF4 and GRP78, although the phosphorylated level of eIF2α did not decrease. IS-induced expression levels of IL-6 and p21 proteins were also inhibited by apigenin, with no significant changes in ERK activation. The suppression of cell proliferation by IS was abolished by salubrinal, an ER stress inhibitor, but not by apigenin. Apigenin inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3ß in IS-treated HK-2 cells. The phosphorylation of GSK-3ß, which was inhibited by apigenin, resulted in hypo-phosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, which was associated with the decrease in cyclin D1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that apigenin may inhibit IS-induced ER stress and expression of IL-6 and p21 proteins in HK-2 cells. It is most likely that apigenin, together with its inhibitory effect on ER stress, may also suppress the cell growth by inducing the loss of Rb phosphorylation, which was associated with the decrease in cyclin D1 expression by GSK-3ß activation through the inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway.

Inhibition of heat shock-induced apoptosis by peppermint oil in astrocytes.

Exposure to environmental stresses and toxins is linked to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Astrocytes, the most abundant glial-cell type in the brain, are considered to have physiological and pathological roles in neuronal activities. We have investigated whether peppermint oil inhibits heat shock-induced apoptosis of astrocytes. We found that peppermint oil inhibits the heat shock-induced apoptosis in both human astrocyte CCF-STTG1 cells and rat astrocytes. Pretreatment of the cells with peppermint oil inhibited the heat shock-induced DNA fragmentation and condensation of nuclear chromatin. Peppermint oil also inhibited the caspase-3 activation and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase fragmentation in CCF-STTG1 cells. These results suggest that peppermint oil may modulate the apoptosis of astrocytes via the activation of the caspase-3.

Low dose of tetrodotoxin reduces neuropathic pain behaviors in an animal model.

We hypothesize that the accumulation of tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive sodium channels in injured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons plays a critically important role in the generation of ectopic discharges and mechanical allodynia after peripheral nerve injury. Using the segmental spinal nerve (L5) ligation model of neuropathic pain, this hypothesis was tested by examining the effect of TTX on the mechanical sensitivity of the affected hind paw. Various concentrations of TTX were applied topically to the L5 DRG by using chronically implanted polyethylene tubing. The data showed that application of TTX at low doses (12.5-50 nM), which are far less than those needed for blocking action potential conduction, produced a significant elevation of mechanical threshold in the paw for foot withdrawals, a sign of reduced allodynic behaviors. The data suggest that TTX-sensitive subtypes of sodium channels play an important role in maintaining allodynic behaviors in an animal model of neuropathic pain.

Juniper oil inhibits the heat shock-induced apoptosis via preventing the caspase-3 activation in human astrocytes CCF-STTG1 cells.

BACKGROUND: Brain astrocytes play a pivotal role in neuronal activities. METHODS: An investigation was undertaken to determine whether juniper oil inhibits heat shock-induced apoptosis of astrocytes. RESULTS: Juniper oil inhibited the heat shock-induced apoptosis in human astrocyte CCF-STTG1 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with juniper oil inhibited the heat shock-induced DNA fragmentation and condensation of nuclear chromatin. Juniper oil alone did not affect the apoptosis. Juniper oil inhibited the heat shock-induced caspase-3 activation and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) fragmentation in the human astrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Juniper oil may inhibit the apoptosis of astrocytes by preventing the caspase-3 activation.

Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide plus substance P-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from astrocytes by Chongmyung-Tang.

Astrocytes have the capacity to secrete or respond to a variety of cytokines. In this study, we have examined whether an aqueous extract of Chongmyung-Tang (CmT) inhibits production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) from primary cultures of mouse astrocytes. CmT (1 and 10 microg/ml) significantly inhibited the TNF-alpha production by astrocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and substance P (SP). Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been shown to elevate TNF-alpha production from LPS-stimulated astrocytes while having no effect on astrocytes in the absence of LPS. We therefore examined whether IL-1 mediated inhibition of TNF-alpha production from primary astrocytes by CmT. Treatment of CmT (1 and 10 microg/ml) to astrocytes stimulated with both LPS and SP decreased IL-1 production significantly. In addition, reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that significantly reduced level of the TNF-alpha mRNA was expressed in astrocytes treated with CmT. Our results suggest that CmT inhibits TNF-alpha production by reducing TNF-alpha mRNA expression.

Effect of Polygala tenuifolia root extract on the tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion from mouse astrocytes.

We investigated whether an aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia root (PTAE) inhibits secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) from primary cultures of mouse astrocytes. PTAE dose-dependently inhibited the TNF-alpha secretion by astrocytes stimulated with substance P (SP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been shown to elevate TNF-alpha secretion from LPS-stimulated astrocytes while having no effect on astrocytes in the absence of LPS. We therefore also investigated whether IL-1 mediated inhibition of TNF-alpha secretion from primary astrocytes by PTAE. Treatment of PTAE to astrocytes stimulated with both LPS and SP decreased IL-1 secretion to the level observed with LPS alone. Moreover, incubation of astrocytes with IL-1 antibody abolished the synergistic co-operative effect of LPS and SP. These results suggest that PTAE may inhibit TNF-alpha secretion by inhibiting IL-1 secretion and that PTAE has an anti-inflammatory activity on the central nervous system curing some pathological disease states.

The nitric oxide-producing properties of Solanum lyratum.

We examined the effect of Solanum lyratum Thunb. (Solanaceae) (SL) on the production of nitric oxide (NO). Stimulation of mouse peritoneal macrophages with SL after the treatment of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) resulted in increased NO synthesis. SL had no effect on NO synthesis by itself. When SL was used in combination with rIFN-gamma, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The optimal effect of SL on NO synthesis was shown 6 h after treatment with rIFN-gamma. The increased production of NO from rIFN-gamma plus SL-stimulated cells was decreased by the treatment with staurosporin. In addition, synergy between rIFN-gamma and SL was mainly dependent on SL-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion. All the preparations of SL were endotoxin free. The present results indicate that the capacity of SL to increase NO production from rIFN-gamma-primed mouse peritoneal macrophages is the result of SL-induced TNF-alpha secretion via the signal transduction pathway of PKC activation.

Taraxacum officinale inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from rat astrocytes.

Substance P (SP) can stimulate production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) from astrocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of Taraxacum officinale (TO) on the production of TNF-alpha from primary cultures of rat astrocytes. TO (100 and 1000 microg/ml) significantly inhibited the TNF-alpha production by astrocytes stimulated with LPS and SP. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been shown to elevate TNF-alpha production from LPS-stimulated astrocytes while having no effect on astrocytes in the absence of LPS. We therefore examined whether IL-1 mediated inhibition of TNF-alpha production from primary astrocytes by TO. Treatment of TO (100 and 1000 microg/ml) to astrocytes stimulated with both LPS and SP decreased IL-1 production significantly. Moreover, the production of TNF-alpha by LPS and SP in astrocytes was progressively inhibited with increasing amount of IL-1 neutralizing antibody. Our results suggest that TO may inhibit TNF-alpha production by inhibiting IL-1 production and that TO has an antiinflammatory activity in the central nervous system.

Inhibitory effect of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions by Cichorium intybus.

We investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of Cichorium intybus (CIAE) on mast cell-mediated immediate type allergic reactions. CIAE (0.1-1000 mg kg-1) dose-dependently inhibited systemic anaphylactic reaction induced by compound 48/80 in mice. Especially, CIAE inhibited compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic reaction 100% with the dose of 1000 mg kg-1. CIAE 1000 mg kg-1also significantly inhibited local anaphylactic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. When mice were pretreated with CIAE at a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 1000 mg kg-1, the plasma histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. CIAE (1-1000 microg ml-1) dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. The level of cAMP in RPMC, when CIAE (1000 microg ml-1) was added, increased significantly compared with that of control cells. These results indicate that CIAE inhibits mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro.

Inhibition of tumour necrosis factor-alpha secretion from rat astrocytes by Sesim-Tang.

Substance P (SP) can stimulate secretion of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) from astrocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we have examined whether an aqueous extract of Sesim-Tang inhibits the secretion of TNF-alpha from primary cultures of rat astrocytes. Sesim-Tang (10-1000 microg/mL) significantly inhibited the TNF-alpha secretion by astrocytes stimulated with LPS and SP. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been shown to elevate TNF-alpha secretion from LPS-stimulated astrocytes while having no effect on astrocytes in the absence of LPS. We therefore examined whether IL-1 mediated inhibition of TNF-alpha secretion from primary astrocytes by Sesim-Tang. Treatment with Sesim-Tang (10-1000 microg/mL) of astrocytes stimulated with both LPS and SP decreased IL-1 secretion significantly. Moreover, the secretion of TNF-alpha by LPS and SP in astrocytes was progressively inhibited with increasing amounts of IL-1 neutralizing antibody. Our results suggest that Sesim-Tang may inhibit TNF-alpha secretion by inhibiting IL-1 secretion and that Sesim-Tang has an antiinflammatory activity in the central nervous system.

Molecular authentication of Panax ginseng species by RAPD analysis and PCR-RFLP.

In order to develop convenient and reproducible methods for the identification of ginseng drugs at a DNA level, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analyses were applied within Panax species. To authenticate Panax ginseng among ginseng populations, RAPD analysis was carried out using a 20 mer-random primer. The similarity coefficients among the DNA of ginseng plants analyzed were low, ranging from 0.197 to 0.491. In addition, by using PCR-RFLP analysis, very different fingerprints were obtained within Korean ginseng plants. These results suggest that these methods are able to authenticate the concerned Panax species. Broader application of this approach to authenticate other morphologically similar medicinal materials is rationalized.