microRNA-103a-3p confers protection against lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis and consequent multiple organ dysfunction syndrome by targeting HMGB1

BackgroundSepsis and subsequent multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) have high global incidence and mortality rate, imposing tremendous health burden. microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis and MODS. The aim of this study is to explore the potential mechanisms of miR-103a-3p targeted high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) involvement in the pathogenesis of sepsis complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).MethodsA mouse sepsis model was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Bone marrow-derived macrophages were collected and LPS was used to establish a cellular inflammation model. Targeted binding between miR-103a-3p and HMGB1 was verified by a double luciferase assay and their roles in LPS-induced sepsis were further explored using gain-of-function experiments.ResultsmiR-103a-3p was decreased while HMGB1 was increased in sepsis. In LPS-induced mouse sepsis models, the downregulation of HMGB1 was found to result in reductions in NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, lung myeloperoxidase activity, pulmonary microvascular albumin leakage, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase activity, and lung and liver tissue apoptosis. Additionally, decreased HMGB1 blunted the inflammatory response and increased survival rate of modeled mice. Importantly, HMGB1 was confirmed to a target gene of miR-103a-3p. In cellular inflammation models, miR-103a-3p was found to alleviate LPS-induced sepsis and MODS in vitro by decreasing HMGB1.ConclusionsTaken together, our results demonstrated the inhibitory role of miR-103a-3p in sepsis via inhibiting HMGB1 expression.     

Circulating miR-29c,miR-30c,miR-193a-5p and miR-885-5p: Novel potential biomarkers for HTLV-1 infection diagnosis

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is an oncoretrovirus that infects 5–10 million people worldwide. Currently, different methods are used to test HTLV-1 infection. However, a biomarker that could enable an early and accurate diagnosis of HTLV-1 infection is still lacking. Here, we compared the serum miRNA expression profile in HTLV-1 infected patients versus healthy individuals to identify a potential biomarker for diagnosis of HTLV-1 infection.TaqMan miRNA microarray (TLDA) was carried out to compare the miRNA expression profile in infected versus healthy individuals. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was applied to validate TLDA results. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the most highly and significantly identified deregulated miRNA(s) as potential biomarker(s). We identified deregulated expression for ten miRNAs with miR-127, miR-136, miR-142-3p, miR-221, and miR-423-5p being down-regulated whilst let-7b, miR-29c, miR-30c, miR-193a-5p, and miR-885-5p being up-regulated in infected individuals. ROC curve analyses showed an AUC (Areas Under the ROC Curve) of 0.875 (95% CI: 0.7819–0.9581; P = .0021), 0.861 (95% CI: 0.7596–0.9754; P = .003), 0.856 (95% CI: 0.689–0.895; P = .011), and 0.849 (95% CI: 0.678–0.855; P = .017) for miR-29c, miR-30c, miR-193a-5p, and miR-885-5p respectively. Combined ROC analyses using these 4 miRNAs showed a greater AUC of 0.907 (95% CI: 0.809–1; P = .000001) indicating a robust diagnostic value of these 4 miRNAs. Our findings highlight serum miR-29c, miR-30c, miR-193a-5p and miR-885-5p as novel potential biomarkers important for HTLV-1 diagnosis.     

姜黄素通过增强自噬水平抑制急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织炎症反应

目的 观察脂多糖（LPS）诱导的急性肺损伤（ALI）大鼠模型肺组织中自噬表达,探讨姜黄素是否通过上调急性肺损伤大鼠自噬水平抑制肺组织的炎症反应。方法 40只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组、急性肺损伤组（ALI组）、姜黄素组、自噬抑制剂3 - 甲基腺嘌呤组（3 - MA组）。采用一次性气管内滴注LPS（4 mg/kg）制备ALI大鼠模型。姜黄素组与3 - MA组于造模前15 min分别腹腔注射姜黄素（200 mg/kg）或自噬抑制剂3 - MA（15 mg/kg）。于造模后24 h取材HE染色观察肺组织形态变化;ELISA法测定支气管肺泡灌洗液中（BALF）中细胞总数及肿瘤坏死因子 -α（TNF -α）、白介素- 1β（IL - 1β）及白介素 - 6（IL - 6）的含量;real - time PCR检测自噬基因ATG5、 ATG7的mRNA水平;western blot法检测自噬标志蛋白微管相关蛋白1轻链3（LC - 3）、Beclin - 1。结果 与对照组相比,ALI组大鼠肺组织中大量炎症细胞浸润,BALF中细胞总数增加,TNF -α、IL - 1β及IL - 6水平较对照组显著上调（P＜0.05）,自噬指标ATG5、ATG7 mRNA水平与LC - 3、Beclin - 1蛋白表达量明显上调（P＜0.05）。与ALI组相比,姜黄素组炎症细胞浸润减轻,BALF中细胞总数减少,TNF -α、IL - 1β及IL - 6水平显著减少（P＜0.05）,自噬相关基因和蛋白表达进一步上调（P＜0.05）。3 - MA处理显著抑制自噬相关指标的表达,加重炎症细胞浸润, 增多BALF中TNF -α、IL - 1β的含量（P＜0.05）。结论 姜黄素处理通过进一步增强ALI的细胞自噬水平减轻大鼠肺组织的炎症损伤,进而发挥保护性疗效。     

Spirulina diet to lactating mothers protects the antioxidant system and reduces inflammation in post-natal brain after systemic inflammation

Objectives: This study concerns: (1) the long-term effects of peripheral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in neonatal rats on inflammation and antioxidant parameters in brain and (2) the effects of a Spirulina-enriched diet given to lactating mothers on protective and inflammatory parameters in brains of suckling pups subjected to peripheral inflammation.

Methods: Five-day old rat pups were treated with LPS (i.p. 2?mg/kg). After 3, 7, 30, and 65 days, mRNA, miRNA, and protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-system were examined. In a sub-group, a Spirulina-enriched diet was given to the mothers 24 hours before the pups were treated with LPS, then the effects on antioxidant and inflammatory parameters were evaluated.

Results: The main findings were: (1) interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) was upregulated in cortex 3, 7, and 30 days after LPS treatment, (2) Nrf2 and the catalytic subunit of γ-glutamylcysteinyl ligase were decreased in cortex 7 days after LPS in parallel with increased levels of phosphorylated p38 and decreased levels of histone H3 acetylation, and (3) a Spirulina-enriched diet to lactating mothers normalized both the increased IL-1β expression and the decreased antioxidant parameters after LPS. The protective effects of Spirulina were correlated with decreased levels of phosphorylated p38 and high levels of the antioxidant miRNA-146a.

Discussion: A Spirulina diet given to lactating mothers can protect against neuroinflammation and decreased antioxidant defence in brain of suckling pups subjected to peripheral inflammation, possibly via decreased activation of p38 and high levels of the antioxidant miRNA-146a.     

ω-3PUFAs对LPS诱导急性肺损伤大鼠前炎症因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6的影响

目的 分析ω-3PUFAs对脂多糖诱导的急性肺损伤大鼠(acute lung injury, ALI)TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6分泌的影响。方法 60只Sprague-Dawley幼年大鼠按随机数字分为Control组(生理盐水+生理盐水)、LPS组(生理盐水+脂多糖)和Omega(10%脂肪乳尤文+脂多糖)组。各组分别采用生理盐水或尤文脂肪乳剂处理7 d;并均在取标本前8 h时于气管内滴入生理盐水或脂多糖, 建立ALI大鼠模型;观察各组大鼠肺组织的病理改变, 测定肺泡灌洗液TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6的表达。结果 1)ALI模型组大鼠肺组织病理切片均可见明显炎症细胞浸润和出血;2)ALI模型组肺系数、病理评分均高于Control组(P均＜0.05);3)BALF中Omega组TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6蛋白水平低于LPS组, 差异具有统计学意义(P均＜0.05)。结论 ω-3PUFAs能够通过降低TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6的分泌而减轻ALI大鼠炎症反应, 减轻肺部损伤。     

脂肪乳剂对急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织病理形态的影响

目的:了解脂肪乳剂预处理后对急性肺损伤(ALI)大鼠肺系数和肺组织病理形态的影响。方法:幼年雄性大鼠100只,随机分为五组,分别为对照(blank)组、内毒素(LPS)组、Inralipid(Intra)组、Clinoleic(Cli-no)组和Omegaven(Omega)组,每组20只。五组大鼠分别用等渗盐水或3种脂肪乳剂行肠外营养(PN)7 d。blank组大鼠给予气管内滴入等渗盐水,其余四组滴入LPS,建立ALI大鼠模型。8 h后,取大鼠肺组织并称重,行H-E染色和TUNEL检测。结果:ALI模型组大鼠的肺系数、病理评分和细胞凋亡指数均显著高于blank组(P<0.05或P<0.01);ALI模型组大鼠均有不同程度的肺间质水肿、出血,炎性细胞浸润,凋亡细胞较多。采用PN的大鼠病理评分均显著轻于LPS组(P<0.05或P<0.01);Clino组和Omega组的凋亡细胞指数显著低于LPS组(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:脂肪乳剂能减轻ALI大鼠肺组织的病理改变,Clinoleic和Omegaven还能显著减少细胞凋亡。     

ω-3PUFAs、ω-6PUFAs和ω-9MUFAs对LPS诱导急性肺损伤大鼠血清IL-6及细胞凋亡的影响

目的 比较ω-3PUFAs、ω-6PUFAs和ω-9MUFAs三种脂肪乳剂对脂多糖(lipid emulsions, LPS)诱导的急性肺损伤大鼠IL-6分泌的影响。方法 100只大鼠按随机数字分为Control组、LPS组、Intra组、Clino组和Omega组。分别采用生理盐水或不同种类脂肪乳剂处理7 d;并均在取标本前8 h时于气管内滴入生理盐水或LPS, 建立ALI大鼠模型;观察各组大鼠肺组织的病理改变、凋亡指数, 测定IL-6mRNA变化以及IL-6蛋白浓度。结果 1)各组大鼠肺组织病理切片均可见明显炎症细胞浸润和出血;2)Clino组和Omega组血清中IL-6mRNA表达较Intra组、LPS组均明显降低;BALF中Clino组和Omega组IL-6蛋白水平明显低于Intra组、LPS组, 差异具有统计学意义(P均＜0.005)。而Clino组和Omega组两组IL-6mRNA表达及其蛋白水平差异均无统计学意义(P均＞0.005)。3)Clino组和Omega组凋亡系数均低于LPS组和Intra组(P均<0.005);Clino组和Omega组AI值差异无统计学意义(P＞0.005)。结论 Clinoleic和Omegaven可通过降低IL-6而减轻ALI大鼠炎症反应, 并能减轻肺泡上皮细胞凋亡。     

Effects of freeze-dried cranberry powder on serum lipids and inflammatory markers in lipopolysaccharide treated rats fed an atherogenic diet

This study investigated the effects of freeze-dried cranberry powder on anti-inflammation and lipid profiles of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats fed an atherogenic diet for 6 weeks. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats (6-weeks-old) were equally divided into the following five groups: 1) normal diet group + saline (NC); 2) atherogenic diet + saline (HFC); 3) atherogenic diet + LPS (HL); 4) atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry power + LPS (C5); 5) atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry power + LPS (C10). LPS (0.5 mg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavities of rats 18 hours prior to sacrifice. At the end of the experimental period, we measured serum lipid profiles as well as levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. The mean serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level in C5 rats was significantly higher than that in NC and HL rats (P < 0.05). The mean serum levels of CRP and IL-1β were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the cranberry powder groups compared to those in HL rats. Additionally, mean serum IL-6 levels tended to be lower in the cranberry groups than that in the HL group, whereas serum IL-10 and NO showed 29% and 88% higher mean values in the C5 group and 49% and 24% higher in the C10 group than those in the HL group, respectively. These results suggest that freeze-dried cranberry powder may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases by modifying serum lipids and the early inflammatory response.     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects of brown seaweeds in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESSeaweeds have been reported to have various health beneficial effects. In this study, we investigated the potential anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects of four types of domestic brown seaweeds in a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse model and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM).MATERIALS/METHODSMale C57BL/6N mice were fed low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD containing Undaria Pinnatifida, HFD containing Laminaria Japonica (LJ), HFD containing Sargassum Fulvellum, or HFD containing Hizikia Fusiforme (HF) for 16 weeks.RESULTSBrown seaweed supplementation did not affect long-term HFD-associated changes in body weight or adiposity, although mice fed HFD + LJ or HFD + HF gained slightly less body weight compared with those fed HFD at the beginning of feeding. Despite being obese, mice fed HFD + LJ appeared to show improved insulin sensitivity compared to mice fed HFD. Consistently, we observed significantly reduced blood glucose concentrations in mice fed HFD + LJ compared with those of mice fed HFD. Although no significant differences in adipocyte size were detected among the HFD-fed groups, consumption of seaweeds decreased formation of HFD-induced crown-like structures in gonadal adipose tissue as well as plasma inflammatory cytokines. BMDM from mice fed HFDs with seaweeds showed differential regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 compared with BMDM from mice fed HFD by LPS stimulation.CONCLUSIONAlthough seaweed consumption did not prevent long-term HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6N mice, it reduced insulin resistance (IR) and circulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, seaweeds may ameliorate systemic inflammation and IR in obesity partially due to inhibition of inflammatory signaling in adipose tissue cells as well as bone marrow-derived immune cells.     

Circulating MicroRNAs,Polychlorinated Biphenyls,and Environmental Liver Disease in the Anniston Community Health Survey

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposures have been associated with liver injury in human cohorts, and steatohepatitis with liver necrosis in model systems. MicroRNAs (miRs) maintain cellular homeostasis and may regulate the response to environmental stress.Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that specific miRs are associated with liver disease and PCB exposures in a residential cohort.Methods: Sixty-eight targeted hepatotoxicity miRs were measured in archived serum from 734 PCB-exposed participants in the cross-sectional Anniston Community Health Survey. Necrotic and other liver disease categories were defined by serum keratin 18 (K18) biomarkers. Associations were determined between exposure biomarkers (35 ortho-substituted PCB congeners) and disease biomarkers (highly expressed miRs or previously measured cytokines), and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was performed.Results: The necrotic liver disease category was associated with four up-regulated miRs (miR-99a-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-192-5p, and miR-320a) and five down-regulated miRs (let-7d-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-24-3p, miR-197-3p, and miR-221-3p). Twenty-two miRs were associated with the other liver disease category or with K18 measurements. Eleven miRs were associated with 24 PCBs, most commonly congeners with anti-estrogenic activities. Most of the exposure-associated miRs were associated with at least one serum hepatocyte death, pro-inflammatory cytokine or insulin resistance bioarker, or with both. Within each biomarker category, associations were strongest for the liver-specific miR-122-5p. Pathways of liver toxicity that were identified included inflammation/hepatitis, hyperplasia/hyperproliferation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumor protein p53 and tumor necrosis factor α were well integrated within the top identified networks.Discussion: These results support the human hepatotoxicity of environmental PCB exposures while elucidating potential modes of PCB action. The MiR-derived liquid liver biopsy represents a promising new technique for environmental hepatology cohort studies. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9467     

Effect of ergothioneine on acute lung injury and inflammation in cytokine insufflated rats

ObjectiveThe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), the most severe form of Acute Lung Injury (ALI), is a highly-fatal, diffuse non-cardiogenic edematous lung disorder. The pathogenesis of ARDS is unknown but lung inflammation and lung oxidative stress are likely contributing factors. Since no specific pharmacologic intervention exists for ARDS, our objective was to determine the effect of treatment with ergothioneine—a safe agent with multiple anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties on the development of lung injury and inflammation in rats insufflated with cytokines found in lung lavages of ARDS patients.MethodSprague–Dawley rats (3–10/group) were given 15 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg l-ergothioneine intravenously 1 h before or 18 h after cytokine (IL-1 and IFNγ) insufflation. Lung injury (lavage LDH levels) and lung inflammation (lavage neutrophil numbers) were measured 24 h after cytokine insufflation.ResultsErgothioneine pre- and post-treatment generally decreased lung injury and lung inflammation in cytokine insufflated rats.ConclusionErgothioneine should be considered for additional testing as a potential therapy for treating and preventing ARDS.     

Circulating miRNAs: Potential diagnostic role for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Nowadays, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents a major global health problem. Intensive efforts are being employed to better understand this pathology and develop strategies enabling its early diagnosis and efficient treatment. In this study, we compared the signature of circulating miRNAs in plasma of COVID-19 patients versus healthy donors. MiRCURY LNA miRNA miRNome qPCR Panels were performed for miRNA signature characterization. Individual quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was carried out to validate miRNome qPCR results. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the most significantly deregulated miRNA(s) as potential diagnostic biomarker(s). Eight miRNAs were identified to be differentially expressed with miR-17-5p and miR-142-5p being down-regulated whilst miR-15a-5p, miR-19a-3p, miR-19b-3p, miR-23a-3p, miR-92a-3p and miR-320a being up-regulated in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. ROC curve analyses revealed an AUC (Areas Under the ROC Curve) of 0.815 (P = 0.031), 0.875 (P = 0.012), and 0.850 (P = 0.025) for miR-19a-3p, miR-19b-3p, and miR-92a-3p, respectively. Combined ROC analyses using these 3 miRNAs showed a greater AUC of 0.917 (P = 0.0001) indicating a robust diagnostic value of these 3 miRNAs. These results suggest that plasma miR-19a-3p, miR-19b-3p, and miR-92a-3p expression levels could serve as potential diagnostic biomarker and/or a putative therapeutic target during SARS-CoV-2-infection.     

急性肺损伤新生大鼠AQP5及CC16变化的临床意义

目的探讨肺组织水通道蛋白5（AQP5）、血及肺灌洗液Clara细胞蛋白（CC16）在急性肺损伤早期的动态改变及临床意义。方法将140只sD新生大鼠随机分两批（每批70只）,再随机分为正常对照组（NS组）及内毒素（LPS）组（LPS组,7个亚组）。LPS组予腹腔注射5mg／kgLPS制作新生大鼠急性肺损伤（ALI）模型。各亚组分别在注射后0．5、1、2、4、8、16h和24h处死后取材,第一批收集肺行组织病理和肺湿／干重比值检测,采集血清和支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）,用双抗体夹心ELISA法检测CC16含量。第二批取肺组织,用免疫印迹法测肺组织AQP5的表达,观察其动态改变。结果 ①LPS注射0．5h后在病理上动物出现点状肺出血,随时间推延渐发展为片状肺出血;LPS2h、4h组肺湿／干重比（W／D）明显增高,P〈0．01有统计学意义;②LPS0．5h组大鼠肺组织AQP5表达开始下调,1-2h组达到最低,继而AQP5表达渐上升,8h组与正常水平接近,之后再次下调至24h。③LPS致伤后大鼠BALF中CC16水平迅速下降,LPS组各组均较对照组有显著性差异（P〈0．01）;LPS组血清CC16水平较对照组上升,从注射LPS2h后开始有差异,4h达高峰,以后呈下降趋势,但8h、16h组仍明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）。结论①新生大鼠AQP5、CC16的改变反映了I型肺泡上皮细胞受损及Clara细胞损伤,三者可作为早期反映AU的敏感实验室指标。②LPS组AQP5、BALF及血清CC16与对照组有差异的时间点有差别,早期发现干预ALI对前两者监测更好。③AQP5表达变化提示可能存在治疗窗口期。     

Lung responses to secondary endotoxin challenge in rats exposed to pig barn air

Background

Swine barn air contains endotoxin and many other noxious agents. Single or multiple exposures to pig barn air induces lung inflammation and loss of lung function. However, we do not know the effect of exposure to pig barn air on inflammatory response in the lungs following a secondary infection. Therefore, we tested a hypothesis that single or multiple exposures to barn air will result in exaggerated lung inflammation in response to a secondary insult with Escherichia coli LPS (E. coli LPS).

Methods

We exposed Sprague-Dawley rats to ambient (N = 12) or swine barn air (N = 24) for one or five days and then half (N = 6/group) of these rats received intravenous E. coli LPS challenge, observed for six hours and then euthanized to collect lung tissues for histology, immunohistochemistry and ELISA to assess lung inflammation.

Results

Compared to controls, histological signs of lung inflammation were evident in barn exposed rat lungs. Rats exposed to barn air for one or five days and challenged with E. coli LPS showed increased recruitment of granulocytes compared to those exposed only to the barn. Control, one and five day barn exposed rats that were challenged with E. coli LPS showed higher levels of IL-1β in the lungs compared to respective groups not challenged with E. coli LPS. The levels of TNF-α in the lungs did not differ among any of the groups. Control rats without E. coli LPS challenge showed higher levels of TGF-β2 compared to controls challenged with E. coli LPS.

Conclusion

These results show that lungs of rats exposed to pig barn air retain the ability to respond to E. coli LPS challenge.     

Methionine Restriction Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury via Modulating CSE/H2S Pathway

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) result in high mortality, whereas effective treatments are limited. Methionine restriction (MR) has been reported to offer various benefits against multiple pathological processes of organ injuries. However, it remains unknown whether MR has any potential therapeutic value for ALI/ARDS. The current study was set to investigate the therapeutic potential of MR on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI and its underlying mechanisms. We found that MR attenuated LPS-induced pulmonary edema, hemorrhage, atelectasis, and alveolar epithelial cell injuries in mice. MR upregulated cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) expression and enhanced the production of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). MR also inhibited the activation of Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), then reduced IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α release and immune cell infiltration. Moreover, the protective effects of MR on LPS-induced ALI were abrogated by inhibiting CSE, whereas exogenous H₂S treatment alone mimicked the protective effects of MR in Cse^−/− mice after LPS administration. In conclusion, our findings showed that MR attenuated LPS-induced lung injury through CSE and H₂S modulation. This work suggests that developing MR towards clinical use for ALI/ARDS patients may be a valuable strategy.     

Astaxanthin Attenuates the Changes in the Expression of MicroRNAs Involved in the Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells

We previously demonstrated that astaxanthin (ASTX), a xanthophyll carotenoid, has an antifibrogenic effect in hepatic stellate cells (HSC), primarily responsible for the accumulation of extracellular matrix protein during the development of liver fibrosis. Studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in HSC activation. Therefore, we analyzed the expression of 84 miRNAs using miRNA arrays in primary mouse quiescent HSC (qHSC) and activated HSC (aHSC) treated with/without ASTX during their activation. Compared with qHSC, the expression of 14 miRNAs and 23 miRNAs was increased and decreased by more than 2-fold, respectively, in aHSC. Among the 14 miRNAs increased in aHSC, the expression of miR-192-5p, miR-382-5p, and miR-874-3p was reduced by ASTX. In addition, ASTX increased the expression of miR-19a-3p, miR-19b-3p, and miR-101a-3p among 23 miRNAs decreased in aHSC. Moreover, we confirmed miR-382-5p expression was ~15-fold higher in aHSC than qHSC, and ASTX markedly inhibited the induction measured by quantitative real-time PCR. We identified that the expression of Baz1a and Zfp462 from the predicted miR-382-5p target genes was significantly reduced in aHSC while increased by ASTX treatment similar to the levels in qHSC. The roles of Baz1a and Zfp462 in HSC activation and the antifibrogenic effect of ASTX need to be further investigated.     

The Relationship between Serum Adipokines,miR-222-3p,miR-103a-3p and Glucose Regulation in Pregnancy and Two to Three Years Post-Delivery in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Adhering to Mediterranean Diet Recommendations

The San Carlos Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) prevention study, a nutritional intervention RCT based on a Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), has been shown to reduce the incidence of GDM. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship of leptin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), insulin and HOMA-IRand circulating miRNAs (miR-29a-3p, miR-103a-3p, miR-132-3p, miR-222-3p) with the appearance of GDM and with MedDiet-based nutritional intervention, at 24–28 gestational weeks (GW), and in glucose regulation 2–3 years post-delivery (PD). A total of 313 pregnant women, 77 with GDM vs. 236 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 141 from the control group (CG, MedDiet restricting the consumption of dietary fat including EVOO and nuts during pregnancy) vs. 172 from the intervention group (IG, MedDiet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and pistachios during pregnancy) were compared at Visit 1 (8–12 GW), Visit 2 (24–28 GW) and Visit 3 (2–3 years PD). Expression of miRNAs was determined by the Exiqon miRCURY LNA RT-PCR system. Leptin, adiponectin, IL-6 and TNF-α, were measured by Milliplex^® immunoassays on Luminex 200 and insulin by RIA. Women with GDM vs. NTG had significantly higher leptin median (Q1–Q3) levels (14.6 (9.2–19.4) vs. 9.6 (6.0–15.1) ng/mL; p < 0.05) and insulin levels (11.4 (8.6–16.5) vs. 9.4 (7.0–12.8) µUI/mL; p < 0.001) and lower adiponectin (12.9 (9.8–17.2) vs. 17.0 (13.3–22.4) µg/mL; p < 0.001) at Visit 2. These findings persisted in Visit 3, with overexpression of miR-222-3p (1.45 (0.76–2.21) vs. 0.99 (0.21–1.70); p < 0.05)) and higher levels of Il-6 and TNF-α. When the IG is compared with the CG lower levels of insulin, HOMA-IR-IR, IL-6 levels at Visit 2 and 3 and leptin levels only at Visit 2 were observed. An overexpression of miR-222-3p and miR-103a-3p were also observed in IG at Visit 2 and 3. The miR-222-3p and miR103a-3p expression correlated with insulin levels, HOMA-IR, IL-6 and TNF-α at Visit 2 (all p < 0.05). These data support the association of leptin, adiponectin and insulin/HOMA-IR with GDM, as well as the association of insulin/HOMA-IR and IL-6 and miR-222-3p and miR-103a-3p expression with a MedDiet-based nutritional intervention.     

p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号通路在大鼠内毒素性急性肺损伤中的作用

目的研究P38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号通路在大鼠内毒素性急性肺损伤中的作用。方法采用大鼠内毒素ALI模型,48只Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术对照组（A组）、内毒素组（B组）、SB203580组（C组）,16只／组。观察肺组织中p38MAPK、肺泡灌洗液中性粒细胞比、蛋白含量、血清NO浓度、肺组织MDA含量的变化,于LPS滴注后6h取动脉血行血气分析,同时观察肺组织病理形态学改变。结果与A组比较,B组、c组p38MAPK显著升高（P〈0．01）;与B组相比,C组p38MAPK显著降低（P〈0．05）;与A组比较,B组、C组肺泡灌洗液中性粒细胞比、蛋白含量、血清NO浓度、肺组织MDA显著增加,而PaO2和HCO3^-明显降低（P〈0．01）;与B组比较,C组以上指标显著降低而PaO2和HCO3^-明显升高（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。病理学检查显示C组肺组织损伤程度较B组明显减轻。结论p38MAPK信号转导通路的活化可能是内毒素性急性肺损伤的重要发病机制之一。