Real-time monitoring of abnormal mitochondrial viscosity in glioblastoma with a novel mitochondria-targeting fluorescent probe.

Glioblastoma is the most fatal and insidious malignancy, due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the high invasiveness of tumor cells. Abnormal mitochondrial viscosity has been identified as a key feature of malignancies. Therefore, this study reports on a novel fluorescent probe for mitochondrial viscosity, called ZVGQ, which is based on the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) effect. The probe uses 3-dicyanomethyl-1,5,5-trimethylcyclohexene as an electron donor moiety and molecular rotor, and triphenylphosphine (TPP) cation as an electron acceptor and mitochondrial targeting group. ZVGQ is highly selective, pH and time stable, and exhibits rapid viscosity responsiveness. In vitro experiments showed that ZVGQ could rapidly recognize to detect the changes in mitochondrial viscosity induced by nystatin and rotenone in U87MG cells and enable long-term imaging for up to 12 h in live U87MG cells. Additionally, in vitro 3D tumor spheres and in vivo orthotopic tumor-bearing models demonstrated that the probe ZVGQ exhibited exceptional tissue penetration depth and the ability to penetrate the BBB. The probe ZVGQ not only successfully visualizes abnormal mitochondrial viscosity changes, but also provides a practical and feasible tool for real-time imaging and clinical diagnosis of glioblastoma.

Dialysate regeneration via urea photodecomposition with TiO2 nanowires at therapeutic rates.

BACKGROUND: The standard weekly treatment for end-stage renal disease patients is three 4-h-long hemodialysis sessions with each session c'onsuming over 120 L of clean dialysate, which prevents the development of portable or continuous ambulatory dialysis treatments. The regeneration of a small (~1 L) amount of dialysate would enable treatments that give conditions close to continuous hemostasis and improve patient quality of life through mobility. METHODS: Small-scale studies have shown that nanowires of TiO2 are highly efficient at photodecomposing urea into CO2 and N2 when using an applied bias and an air permeable cathode. To enable the demonstration of a dialysate regeneration system at therapeutically useful rates, a scalable microwave hydrothermal synthesis of single crystal TiO2 nanowires grown directly from conductive substrates was developed. These were incorporated into 1810 cm2 flow channel arrays. The regenerated dialysate samples were treated with activated carbon (2 min at 0.2 g/mL). RESULTS: The photodecomposition system achieved the therapeutic target of 14.2 g urea removal in 24 h. TiO2 electrode had a high urea removal photocurrent efficiency of 91%, with less than 1% of the decomposed urea generating NH4 + (1.04 µg/h/cm2 ), 3% generating NO3 - and 0.5% generating chlorine species. Activated carbon treatment could reduce total chlorine concentration from 0.15 to <0.02 mg/L. The regenerated dialysate showed significant cytotoxicity which could be removed by treatment with activated carbon. Additionally, a forward osmosis membrane with sufficient urea flux can cut off the mass transfer of the by-products back into the dialysate. CONCLUSION: Urea could be removed from spent dialysate at a therapeutic rate using a TiO2 based photooxidation unit, which can enable portable dialysis systems.

Schisandra B, a representative lignan from Schisandra chinensis, improves cisplatin-induced toxicity: An in vitro study.

Schisandrin B (Scheme B) is the most abundant and active lignan monomer isolated from Schisandra chinensis. At present, most reports focus on its cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects, however, the related reports on gastrointestinal protective effects are still limited. The study aims to evaluate the protective effect of Scheme B on cisplatin-induced rat intestinal crypt epithelial (IEC-6) cell injury and the possible molecular mechanisms. The results showed that Scheme B at 2.5, 5 and 10 µM could inhibit dose-dependently the reduction of cell activity induced by cisplatin exposure at 1 µM, decrease the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while increasing glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) to alleviate oxidative stress injury in IEC-6 cell lines. Meanwhile, Scheme B could relieve cisplatin-induced apoptosis by regulating PI3K/AKT and the downstream caspase signaling pathway. The results from flow cytometry analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) staining also demonstrated the anti-apoptosis effect of Scheme B. Furthermore, Scheme B was found to reduce the inflammation associated with cell damage by evaluating the protein expressions of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Importantly, Wnt/ß-catenin, as a functional signaling pathway that drives intestinal self-recovery, was also in part regulated by Scheme B. In conclusion, Scheme B might alleviate cisplatin-induced IEC-6 cell damage by inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and repairing intestinal barrier function. The present research provides a strong evidence that Scheme B may be a useful modulator in cisplatin-induced intestinal toxicity.

A MnO2-coated multivariate porphyrinic metal-organic framework for oxygen self-sufficient chemo-photodynamic synergistic therapy.

Lately, chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT) synergistic therapy has become a promising anti-cancer treatment mean. However, the hypoxia in tumor leads to huge impediments to the oxygen-dependent PDT effects. In this work, a multifunctional nanoplatform (TUDMP) based on a multivariable porphyrin-nMOFs core and a manganese dioxide (MnO2) shell was prepared for relieving tumor hypoxia and enhancing chemo-photodynamic synergistic therapy performance. The obtained TUDMP nanoplatform could effectively catalyze the hydrolysis of hydrogen peroxide to generate oxygen and also lead to consumption of antioxidant GSH, thereby facilitating the production of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) by photosensitizer under laser irradiation. More importantly, the decomposition of the MnO2 shell would further promote the release of the loaded doxorubicin (DOX), and thus an efficient chemo-PDT synergistic therapy was realized. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental results demonstrated the oxygen self-sufficient multifunctional nanoplatform could exhibit significantly enhanced anticancer efficiencies compared with chemotherapy or PDT alone.

Investigation of Electromagnetic Resonance Rewarming Enhanced by Magnetic Nanoparticles for Cryopreservation.

The lack of an effective rewarming technique restricted the successful cryopreservation of organ or large tissues by vitrification. The conversion of electromagnetic (EM) energy into heat provides a possible solution for the rewarming process for the cryopreservation. In this work, an EM resonance rewarming system was set up with dynamic feedback control and power feeding optimization. In addition, we take advantage of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to absorb magnetic field energy to further enhance the energy conversion efficiency. We achieved a >200 °C min-1 rewarming rate for tens of milliliters of cryopreserved samples. Besides, we also investigated the effect of nanoparticle size and concentration based on thermal properties by analyzing the contribution of nanoparticles and the utilization of field energy. The closed system reduced the possible concomitant side effects when increasing the number of nanoparticles or increasing the EM source power. With the remarkably low dosage of nanoparticles (0.1 mg mL-1 Fe) compared to that for other MNP-based rewarming applications, this study opens the door to new approaches for exploring novel techniques for tissue and organ preservation.

Design and biological evaluation of novel hybrids of 1, 5-diarylpyrazole and Chrysin for selective COX-2 inhibition.

The overexpress of COX-2 was clearly associated with carcinogenesis and COX-2 as a possible target has long been exploited for cancer therapy. In this work, we described the design and synthesis of a series of diarylpyrazole derivatives integrating with chrysin. Among them, compound e9 exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity against COX-2 and antiproliferative activity against Hela cells with IC50 value of 1.12 µM. Further investigation revealed that e9 could induce apoptosis of Hela cells by mitochondrial depolarization and block the G1 phase of cell cycle in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, molecular docking simulation results was further confirmed that e9 could bind well with COX-2. In summary, compound e9 may be promising candidates for cancer therapy.

The synthesis and evaluation of phenoxyacylhydroxamic acids as potential agents for Helicobacter pylori infections.

Two series of ω-phenoxy contained acylhydroxamic acids as novel urease inhibitors were designed and synthesized. Biological activity evaluations revealed that ω-phenoxypropinoylhydroxamic acids were more active than phenoxyacetohydroxamic acids. Out of these compounds, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionylhydroxamic acid c24 showed significant potency against urease in both cell free extract (IC50 = 0.061 ±â€¯0.003 µM) and intact cell (IC50 = 0.89 ±â€¯0.05 µM), being over 450- and 120-fold more potent than the clinically prescribed urease inhibitor AHA, repectively. Non-linear fitting of experimental data (V-[S]) suggested a mixed-type inhibition mechanism and a dual site binding mode of these compounds.

NF-κB and AMPK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathways are involved in the protective effects of Platycodon grandiflorum saponins against acetaminophen-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice.

Acute liver injury (ALI) induced by acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the most common cause of drug-induced liver injury. Saponins from Platycodon grandiflorum (PGSs) ameliorate alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity and enhance human lung carcinoma cell death via AMPK signaling pathway. However, whether PGS could protect from APAP-induced ALI through AMPK activation and its downstream signals is still poorly elucidated. This work investigated the protective effect and the underlying mechanisms of PGS against APAP-induced liver toxicity in mouse. PGS was administered at 15 or 30 mg/kg i.g./day for 1 week before a single injection of APAP (250 mg/kg, i.p.) 1 hr after last treatment of PGS. Serum alanine/aspartate aminotransferases, liver tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß levels, liver malondialdehyde formation, liver glutathione depletion, cytochrome P450 E1, and 4-hydroxynonenal levels were measured to demonstrate the protective efficacy of PGS against APAP-induced ALI. Liver histological observation provided further evidence on PGS's protective effects. PGS treatment altered the phosphorylation of AMPK and PI3K/Akt, as well as the downstream signals including Bcl-2 family, caspase, and NF-κB in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, we demonstrate that PGS exhibits a significant liver protection against APAP-induced ALI, mainly through NF-κB and AMPK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

A Short Half-Life αIIbß3 Antagonist ANTP266 Reduces Thrombus Formation.

Integrin αIIbß3 plays a pivotal role in platelet aggregation. Three αIIbß3 antagonists have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, all of these three drugs can cause the side effect of severe bleeding. Therefore, developing a new αIIbß3 antagonist with low bleeding was needed. In the present study, we screened compounds by using a fibrinogen/integrin αIIbß3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a novel αIIbß3 antagonist ANTP266 was attained. The antithrombotic effects of ANTP266 were estimated by using two animal models, the bleeding risk was estimated by using a mice tail cutting assay, and the plasma half-life time was tested by LC-MS/MS. The results showed that ANTP266 potently decreased thrombosis formation, while not prolonging bleeding time at its effective dosage. The bleeding of ANTP266 reduced rapidly as time went on from 5 to 60 min, but tirofiban produced high bleeding continuously. The plasma half-life of ANTP266 in rats was 10.8 min. Taken together, ANTP266 is an effective antithrombotic agent with a low bleeding risk. The shorter bleeding time benefits from its short plasma half-life. ANTP266 could be a candidate for developing the αIIbß3 antagonist of rapid elimination for a patient undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Dietary α-Mangostin Provides Protective Effects against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice via Akt/mTOR-Mediated Inhibition of Autophagy and Apoptosis.

Acetaminophen overdose-induced hepatotoxicity is the most common cause of acute liver failure in many countries. Previously, alpha-mangostin (α-MG) has been confirmed to exert protective effects on a variety of liver injuries, but the protective effect on acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury (ALI) remains largely unknown. This work investigated the regulatory effect and underlying cellular mechanisms of α-MG action to attenuate acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The increased serum aminotransferase levels and glutathione (GSH) content and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) demonstrated the protective effect of α-MG against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. In addition, α-MG pretreatment inhibited increases in tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) caused by exposure of mice to acetaminophen. In liver tissues, α-MG inhibited the protein expression of autophagy-related microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) and BCL2/adenovirus E1B protein-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3). Western blotting analysis of liver tissues also proved evidence that α-MG partially inhibited the activation of apoptotic signaling pathways via increasing the expression of Bcl-2 and decreasing Bax and cleaved caspase 3 proteins. In addition, α-MG could in part downregulate the increase in p62 level and upregulate the decrease in p-mTOR, p-AKT and LC3 II /LC3 I ratio in autophagy signaling pathways in the mouse liver. Taken together, our findings proved novel perspectives that detoxification effect of α-MG on acetaminophen-induced ALI might be due to the alterations in Akt/mTOR pathway in the liver.

The Liver Protection Effects of Maltol, a Flavoring Agent, on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice via Inhibiting Apoptosis and Inflammatory Response.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether maltol could protect from hepatic injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in vivo by inhibition of apoptosis and inflammatory responses. In this work, maltol was administered at a level of 100 mg/kg for 15 days prior to exposure to a single injection of CCl4 (0.25%, i.p.). The results clearly indicated that the intrapulmonary injection of CCl4 resulted in a sharp increase in serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), irreducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) levels. Histopathological examination demonstrated severe hepatocyte necrosis and the destruction of architecture in liver lesions. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis suggested an accumulation of iNOS, NF-κB, IL-1ß and TNF-α expression. Maltol, when administered to mice for 15 days, can significantly improve these deleterious changes. In addition, TUNEL and Hoechst 33258 staining showed that a liver cell nucleus of a model group diffused uniform fluorescence following CCl4 injection. Maltol pretreatment groups did not show significant cell nuclear condensation and fragmentation, indicating that maltol inhibited CCl4-induced cell apoptosis. By evaluating the liver catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and further using a single agent to evaluate the oxidative stress in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity by immunofluorescence staining, maltol dramatically attenuated the reduction levels of hepatic CAT, GSH and SOD, and the over-expression levels of CYP2E1 and HO-1. In the mouse model of CCl4-induced liver injury, we have demonstrated that the inflammatory responses were inhibited, the serum levels of ALT and AST were reduced, cell apoptosis was suppressed, and liver injury caused by CCl4 was alleviated by maltol, demonstrating that maltol may be an efficient hepatoprotective agent.

Synthesis of novel hybrids of pyrazole and coumarin as dual inhibitors of COX-2 and 5-LOX.

In our previous study, we designed a series of pyrazole derivatives as novel COX-2 inhibitors. In order to obtain novel dual inhibitors of COX-2 and 5-LOX, herein we designed and synthesized 20 compounds by hybridizing pyrazole with substituted coumarin who was reported to exhibit 5-LOX inhibition to select potent compounds using adequate biological trials sequentially including selective inhibition of COX-2 and 5-LOX, anti-proliferation in vitro, cells apoptosis and cell cycle. Among them, the most potent compound 11g (IC50=0.23±0.16µM for COX-2, IC50=0.87±0.07µM for 5-LOX, IC50=4.48±0.57µM against A549) showed preliminary superiority compared with the positive controls Celecoxib (IC50=0.41±0.28µM for COX-2, IC50=7.68±0.55µM against A549) and Zileuton (IC50=1.35±0.24µM for 5-LOX). Further investigation confirmed that 11g could induce human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle at G2 phase in a dose-dependent manner. Our study might contribute to COX-2, 5-LOX dual inhibitors thus exploit promising novel cancer prevention agents.

Discovery of a series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione derivatives containing piperazine skeleton as potential FAK inhibitors.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is an important drug target that plays a fundamental role in mediating signal transduction system. We report herein the discovery of a novel class of 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione derivatives containing piperazine skeleton with improved potency toward FAK. All of the 17 new synthesized compounds were assayed for the anticancer activities against four cancer cells, HepG2, Hela, SW116 and BGC823. Because of the combination of 1,4-benzodioxan, 1,3,4-oxadiazole and piperazine ring, most of them exhibited remarkable antitumor activities. Notably, compound 5m showed the most potent biological activities (IC50=5.78µM for HepG2, and IC50=47.15µM for SW1116), and its anti-FAK inhibitory activity (IC50=0.78µM) was also the best. Computational docking studies also showed that compound 5m has interaction with FAK key residues in the active site.

Coumarin sulfonamides derivatives as potent and selective COX-2 inhibitors with efficacy in suppressing cancer proliferation and metastasis.

Cyclooxygenase-2 is frequently overexpression in malignant tumors and the product PGE2 promotes cancer cell progression and metastasis. We designed novel series of coumarin sulfonamides derivatives to improve biological activities of COX-2 inhibition and anticancer. Among them, compound 7t showed most powerful selective inhibitory and antiproliferative activity (IC50=0.09µM for COX-2, IC50=48.20µM for COX-1, IC50=0.36µM against HeLa cells), comparable to the control positive compound Celecoxib (0.31µM, 43.37µM, 7.79µM). Cancer cell apoptosis assay were performed and results indicated that compound 7t effectively fuels HeLa cells apoptosis in a dose and time-dependent manner. Moreover, 7t could significantly suppress cancer cell adhesion, migration and invasion which were essential process of cancer metastasis. Docking simulations results was further indicated that compound 7t could bind well to the COX-2 active site and guided a reasonable design of selective COX-2 inhibitor with anticancer activities in future.

Passive targeting of thermosensitive diblock copolymer micelles to the lungs: synthesis and characterization of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone).

BACKGROUND: Amphiphilic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PNiPAAm-b-PCL) copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization to form thermosensitive micelles as nanocarriers for bioimaging and carboplatin delivery. RESULTS: The critical micelle concentration increased from 1.8 to 3.5 mg/l following the decrease of the PNiPAAm chain length. The copolymers revealed a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) between 33 and 40°C. The copolymers self-assembled to form spherical particles of 146-199 nm in diameter. Carboplatin in micelles exhibited a slower release at 37°C relative to that at 25°C due to the gel layer formation on the micellar shell above the LCST. The micelles containing dye or carboplatin were intravenously injected into the rats for in vivo bioimaging and drug biodistribution. The bioimaging profiles showed a significant accumulation of micelles in the lungs. The micelles could minimize the reticuloendothelial system (RES) recognition of the dye. In vivo biodistribution demonstrated an improved pulmonary accumulation of carboplatin from 2.5 to 3.4 µg/mg by the micelles as compared to the control solution. Carboplatin accumulation in the heart and kidneys was reduced after encapsulation by the micelles. CONCLUSION: This study supports the potential of PNiPAAm-b-PCL micelles to passively target the lungs and attenuate RES uptake and possible side effects.

Screening for potential -α -Glucosidase inhibitors in Coptis chinensis franch extract using ultrafiltration LC-ESI-MSn.

Naturally existing -α -glucosidase inhibitors from traditional herbal medicines have attracted considerable interest to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hundreds of herbs have been reported to have the potential to inhibit -α -glucosidase. However, most common methods to examine the inhibitors of -α -glucosidase are usually time-consuming. In the current study, the screening of -α -glucosidase ligands from Coptis chinensis Franch extract was undertaken by ultrafiltration liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ultrafiltration LC-ESI-MS(n)). Resultantly, the enzyme inhibition studies showed that Coptis chinensis Franch extract carries the strongest -α -glucosidase inhibitory activity among the five kinds of Chinese herbal extracts. Subsequently, five compounds that could bind to -α -glucosidase in the Coptis chinensis Franch extract were found using ultrafiltration liquid chromatography, and their structures were identified by ESI-MS(n) to be coptisine, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine, berberine, palmatine. Cumulatively, these results were anticipated to be encouraging for applying the Coptis chinensis Franch extracts as efficient anti-diabetic drug candidates.

Antioxidant activity of spirostanol saponins from Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus and their contents in different origins and processed products.

Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus (AMB), a traditional Chinese edible and medicinal plant, is considered beneficial to health. In this study, we isolated and purified nine steroidal saponins (compounds 1-9) from AMB. Their structures were characterized using physicochemical properties, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Among these compounds, compounds 1-5 were newly discovered named macrostemonoside U-Y, respectively. We assessed the in vitro antioxidant properties of the nine steroidal saponins through free radical scavenging and reducing power assays. This provides options for developing natural antioxidants. Additionally, an HPLC-ELSD quantitative analysis method was developed for the nine saponins in 12 batches of AMB from different origins and processing methods. The results showed that the contents of the nine steroidal saponins in AMB varied greatly among different growing environments and processing methods.

Argininyl-Fructosyl-Galactose: A Novel Amino Acid Derivative improves Cisplatin-induced Intestinal Toxicity via Reactive Oxygen Species- mediated Apoptosis Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Based on the Maillard reaction principle of red ginseng, this study innovatively synthesized a new amino acid derivative by combining arginine with lactose through simulated synthesis and was separated and purified through repeated silica gel and polyacrylamide gel (Bio-gel P-II) column chromatography. PURPOSE: The work was aimed at elucidating the synthesis of a novel amino acid derivative and investigating the intestinal protective activity of the novel amino acid derivative and possible molecular mechanism by establishing the intestinal injury model induced by cisplatin in mice. METHODS: The purity and molecular weight of the amino acid derivatives were determined to be by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Subsequently, by establishing cisplatin (20 mg/kg)-induced intestinal injury in vivo for 10 days and IEC-6 cell model. The biochemical indexes and histopathological analysis were used to evaluate the oxidative stress and inflammatory and pathological changes of intestinal tissue in mice. The protein expression levels of p-Nuclear transcription factor-κB (p-NF-κB), cleaved caspase 3/caspase 3, cleaved caspase 9/caspase-9, Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome C, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Protein Kinase B (Akt), p-PI3K, p-Akt were quantified through immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis. RESULTS: The new amino acid derivatives of chemical structure were identified to be 1- (arginine-Nαgroup)-1-deoxy-4-O-(ß-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-fructose, named Argininylfructosyl- galactose (AFGA, C18H34N4O12). The results showed that pretreatment with a single AFGA dose remarkably alleviated cisplatin-evoked intestinal oxidative stress injury, and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were lessening in IEC-6 cells (p<0.05, p<0.01) and could effectively reduce the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1ß in serum and the expression level of NF-κB protein in intestinal tissues (p<0.01). Meantime, AFGA also significantly suppressed the caspase 3, caspase 9, cytochrome C and Bax protein expression in intestinal tissue in mice (p<0.01), and regulated the PI3K/Akt pathway (p<0.05, p<0.01). Importantly, the molecular docking results of AFGA also suggested a better binding ability with the above-mentioned related target proteins. CONCLUSION: The results clearly revealed AFGA as a potential multifunctional therapeutic agent with a clear protective effect against cisplatin-induced intestinal injury may be related to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

In Vivo Imaging of γ-Glutamyl Transferase in Cardiovascular Diseases with a Photoacoustic Probe.

In this work, a photoacoustic (PA) probe, HDS-GGT, was developed for the in vivo imaging of cardiovascular diseases by monitoring the γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) dynamics. HDS-GGT exhibited a stable PA signal with auxiliary absorbance and NIRF variation after the trigger by GGT. In all three modalities of absorbance, NIRF, and PA, HDS-GGT could quantitatively reflect the GGT level. In PA modality, HDS-GGT indicated the practical advantages including high sensitivity, high stability, and high specificity. In living oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced RAW264.7 cells, HDS-GGT indicated proper capability for imaging the plaques by visualizing the GGT dynamics. Moreover, during imaging in living model mice, HDS-GGT was achieved to distinguish the plaques from healthy blood vessels via a multiview PA presentation. HDS-GGT could also suggest the severity of plaques in the extracted aorta from the model mice, which was consistent with the histological staining results. The information herein might be useful for future investigations on cardiovascular diseases.

Platycodin D Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice via Regulating PI3K/Akt/GSK3ß Signaling Pathway.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of platycodin D (PD) on cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its potential molecular mechanisms of action in vivo and in vitro. Materials and methods: An animal model of cognitive impairment in T2DM was established using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (100 mg/kg) after 8 weeks of feeding a high-fat diet to C57BL/6 mice. In vitro, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were employed to analyze the effects of PD on glucose-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22). Results: PD (2.5 mg/kg) treatment for 4 weeks significantly suppressed the rise in fasting blood glucose in T2DM mice, improved insulin secretion deficiency, and reversed abnormalities in serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein levels. Meanwhile, PD ameliorated choline dysfunction in T2DM mice and inhibited the production of oxidative stress and apoptosis-related proteins of the caspase family. Notably, PD dose-dependently prevents the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, promotes phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase and protein kinase B (Akt) in vitro, activates glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß) expression at the Ser9 site, and inhibits Tau protein hyperphosphorylation. Conclusions: These findings clearly indicated that PD could alleviate the neurological damage caused by T2DM, and the phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 may be the key to its effect.