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Wu Z, Zhu Z, Cao J, Wu W, Hu S, Deng C, Xie Q, Huang X, You C. Prediction of network pharmacology and molecular docking-based strategy to determine potential pharmacological mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang pill against tinnitus. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e31711. [PMID: 36401375 PMCID: PMC9678611 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000031711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liuwei Dihuang Pill is widely used to treat tinnitus in China. However, the underlying mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang Pill in treating tinnitus still remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To explore the potential pharmacological mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang Pill in the treatment of tinnitus based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. METHODS The active components of the Liuwei Dihuang Pill were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) database. Cytoscape software was used to draw the active component-target network diagram of Liuwei Dihuang Pill, and obtain the core components. Then the corresponding targets were also obtained from the TCMSP database. Targets related to tinnitus were obtained from the GeneCards, DisGeNET, TTD and DrugBank databases. The String database was used to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of common targets of drugs and diseases, then the core targets were screened out. The Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database was used for gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of common targets. Finally, the molecular docking between the core component and the core target was carried out by AutoDock. RESULTS The core components of Liuwei Dihuang Pill in the treatment of tinnitus including quercetin, stigmasterol, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, tetrahydroalstonine, which may act on core targets such as STAT3, transcription factor AP-1 (JUN), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 and MAPK3. HIF-1 signaling pathway, Influenza A, P53 signaling pathway, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway play a role in anti-inflammatory, improving microcirculation in the blood-labyrinth barrier, increasing cochlear blood flow, and preventing hair cell damage. The molecular docking results showed that the affinity between core components and core targets was good. CONCLUSION The potential mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang Pill in the treatment of tinnitus was preliminarily discussed in this study, which may provide a theoretical basis and evidence for further experimental research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongbiao Wu
- Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhongyan Zhu
- Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jian Cao
- Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Weikun Wu
- Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- *Correspondence: Weikun Wu, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330003, China (e-mail: )
| | - Shiping Hu
- Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Chengcheng Deng
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xinmei Huang
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Chengkun You
- Pinghu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
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Abstract
BACKGROUND In organotypic cultures, the modiolus (MOD) region of newborn rats shows a fourfold higher rate of cell death than the organ of Corti (OC). The differing vulnerability of OC and MOD cells is related to differential expression of numerous genes (DEG). MATERIALS AND METHODS Organotypic cultures of OC and MOD of 3-5-day-old rats were exposed to a normoxic or a hypoxic (pO2 10-20 mmHg; 5 h) atmosphere. Cell death rate and gene expression as detected by c‑DNA microarray analysis were determined 24 h after the culture was created. Genes with modified expression (n = 60) were analyzed for biological processes according to the DAVID Gene Ontology Database (GO). Molecular networks were created using the STRING and ConsensusPathDB databases. RESULTS The network of the GO annotations "hypoxia", "inflammation", and "mechanical stimulus" indicates the existence of two gene clusters: a cluster with pro-inflammatory genes (Ccl3, Cxcl2, Cxcr4, Ccl20) and a cluster with hypoxia-associated genes (e.g., c-Jun, Hif1a, and Vegfa). The network of the GO annotations "positive and negative regulation of neuron apoptotic process" suggests that the differential expression of c-Jun, Ngfr, and Casp3 is important for regulation of programmed cell death in neuronal cells of the OC and MOD. CONCLUSION While c‑JUN acts as an important modulator of the balance between cell death and survival, the associations of NGFR and CASP3 seem to be significant for the initiation of cell death. The evaluation and application of findings from biostatistical databases is important for understanding the function of individual genes and gene clusters in medically relevant biological processes.
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Gross J, Olze H, Mazurek B. Differential Expression of Transcription Factors and Inflammation-, ROS-, and Cell Death-Related Genes in Organotypic Cultures in the Modiolus, the Organ of Corti and the Stria Vascularis of Newborn Rats. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2014; 34:523-38. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-014-0036-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Mazurek B, Amarjargal N, Haupt H, Fuchs J, Olze H, Machulik A, Gross J. Expression of genes implicated in oxidative stress in the cochlea of newborn rats. Hear Res 2011; 277:54-60. [PMID: 21447374 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2011.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2010] [Revised: 03/16/2011] [Accepted: 03/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is an important mechanism inducing ototoxicity-, age- and noise-induced hearing loss. To better understand this phenomenon, we examined cochlear tissues for the expression of following genes involved directly or indirectly in the oxidative stress response: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh); solute carrier family-2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member-1 (Slc2a1); heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox1); heme oxygenase-2 (Hmox2); inducible nitric oxide synthase-2 (Nos2); transferrin (Tf); transferrin receptor (Tfrc); glutathione S-transferase A3 (Gsta3) and metallothionein-1a (Mt1a). Cochlear tissues were dissected from the p3-p5 Wistar rats, divided into the organ of Corti (OC), modiolus (MOD) and stria vascularis together with spiral ligament (SV + SL) and processed immediately or cultured under normoxic conditions or a short-term, mild hypoxia followed by re-oxygenation. After 24 h, explants were collected and total RNA isolated, transcribed and amplified in the real time RT-PCR. We found all genes listed above expressed in the freshly isolated cochlear tissues. In the OC and MOD, Slc2a1, Tf, and Mt1a were expressed on a lower level than in the SV + SL. In the OC, Hmox1 was expressed on a lower level than in the MOD and SV + SL. Hypoxic and normoxic cultures increased the transcript number of Gapdh, Slc2a1 and Hmox1 in all cochlear tissues. The expression of Nos2, Tf, Gsta3 and Mt1a increased in a tissue-specific manner. In the SV + SL, Mt1a expression decreased after normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Taken together, using real time RT-PCR, our results imply that oxidative stress may be an important component of cochlear injury during the developing period. In spite of the immaturity of the tissue, a differential response of antioxidant enzymes/proteins with respect to the pathway, the expression levels and regions was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Mazurek
- Molecular Biology Research Laboratory, Department of Otorhinolaryngology CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Expression of the proinflammatory cytokines in cochlear explant cultures: influence of normoxia and hypoxia. Neurosci Lett 2010; 479:249-52. [PMID: 20561939 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.05.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2010] [Revised: 05/06/2010] [Accepted: 05/24/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hearing loss can be induced by a variety of factors including hypoxia and inflammation. Here, we investigated in vitro the effect of hypoxia on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the explanted cochlear tissues. Using RT-PCR, we determined the expression of genes encoding IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF in the organ of Corti (OC), modiolus (MOD) and stria vascularis together with spiral ligament (SV+SL). In addition, using ELISA, we determined the concentration of IL-1beta and IL-6 in the supernatants of explant cultures. We found that the dissection, explanting and consecutive 24-h normoxic culture results in highly increased expression of IL-1beta and IL-6, as compared to the freshly isolated tissues. TNFalpha was upregulated only in the MOD. Interestingly, 24h of hypoxia decreased the number of mRNA encoding IL-1beta and IL-6 and increased the number of mRNA encoding TNFalpha in the SV+SL as compared to normoxia. The concentration of IL-6 measured in the explant tissue culture supernatants was significantly lower in hypoxic than in the normoxic cultures. Our results show that tissue dissection and explanting as well as hypoxia can influence the expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. This implies the presence of tissue-specific regulatory pathways between hypoxia and inflammation in the inner ear.
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Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and some HIF-1 target genes are elevated in experimental glaucoma. J Mol Neurosci 2010; 42:183-91. [PMID: 20237864 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-010-9343-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2009] [Accepted: 02/17/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Low levels of hypoxia have been suggested to be a mechanism of retinal damage in glaucoma. To test the hypothesis that the activation of the hypoxia-responsive transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is involved in the pathophysiology of glaucoma, we used a rat model of glaucoma to study (1) HIF-1alpha retinal protein levels by immunoblot analysis, (2) cellular localization of HIF-1alpha in the retina by immunohistochemistry, and (3) expression of retinal HIF-1 gene targets by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Glaucoma was unilaterally induced in rats by injecting hypertonic saline in episcleral veins. We find that HIF-1alpha protein was increased in the retina following elevation of intraocular pressure, specifically in Müller glia and astrocytes but not in activated microglia. Eight established HIF-1 target genes were measured in experimental glaucoma. Retinal Epo, Flt-1, Hsp-27, Pai-1, and Vegfa mRNA levels were increased and Et-1, Igf2, and Tgfbeta3 levels were decreased in the glaucomatous retinas. Thus, the increase in HIF-1alpha levels in Müller glia and astrocytes is accompanied by a marked up regulation of some, but not all, HIF-1 transcriptional targets. These data support the hypothesis that HIF-1alpha becomes transcriptionally active in astrocytes and Müller cells but not microglia or neurons in glaucoma, arguing against a global hypoxia stimulus to the retina.
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Kathiresan T, Harvey M, Orchard S, Sakai Y, Sokolowski B. A protein interaction network for the large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel in the mouse cochlea. Mol Cell Proteomics 2009; 8:1972-87. [PMID: 19423573 PMCID: PMC2722780 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m800495-mcp200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2008] [Revised: 05/06/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) or BK channel has a role in sensory/neuronal excitation, intracellular signaling, and metabolism. In the non-mammalian cochlea, the onset of BK during development correlates with increased hearing sensitivity and underlies frequency tuning in non-mammals, whereas its role is less clear in mammalian hearing. To gain insights into BK function in mammals, coimmunoprecipitation and two-dimensional PAGE, combined with mass spectrometry, were used to reveal 174 putative BKAPs from cytoplasmic and membrane/cytoskeletal fractions of mouse cochlea. Eleven BKAPs were verified using reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation, including annexin, apolipoprotein, calmodulin, hippocalcin, and myelin P0, among others. These proteins were immunocolocalized with BK in sensory and neuronal cells. A bioinformatics approach was used to mine databases to reveal binary partners and the resultant protein network, as well as to determine previous ion channel affiliations, subcellular localization, and cellular processes. The search for binary partners using the IntAct molecular interaction database produced a putative global network of 160 nodes connected with 188 edges that contained 12 major hubs. Additional mining of databases revealed that more than 50% of primary BKAPs had prior affiliations with K(+) and Ca(2+) channels. Although a majority of BKAPs are found in either the cytoplasm or membrane and contribute to cellular processes that primarily involve metabolism (30.5%) and trafficking/scaffolding (23.6%), at least 20% are mitochondrial-related. Among the BKAPs are chaperonins such as calreticulin, GRP78, and HSP60 that, when reduced with siRNAs, alter BKalpha expression in CHO cells. Studies of BKalpha in mitochondria revealed compartmentalization in sensory cells, whereas heterologous expression of a BK-DEC splice variant cloned from cochlea revealed a BK mitochondrial candidate. The studies described herein provide insights into BK-related functions that include not only cell excitation, but also cell signaling and apoptosis, and involve proteins concerned with Ca(2+) regulation, structure, and hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thandavarayan Kathiresan
- From the ‡Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33612 and
| | - Margaret Harvey
- From the ‡Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33612 and
| | - Sandra Orchard
- §European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton Cambridge, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Yoshihisa Sakai
- From the ‡Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33612 and
| | - Bernd Sokolowski
- From the ‡Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33612 and
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Mazurek B, Haupt H, Szczepek AJ, Sandmann J, Gross J, Klapp BF, Kiesewetter H, Kalus U, Stöver T, Caffier PP. Evaluation of vardenafil for the treatment of subjective tinnitus: a controlled pilot study. J Negat Results Biomed 2009; 8:3. [PMID: 19222841 PMCID: PMC2649886 DOI: 10.1186/1477-5751-8-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2008] [Accepted: 02/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vardenafil (Levitra®) represents a potent and highly selective phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which is established for treatment of various diseases. There are several unpublished reports from patients stating that vardenafil has a considerable therapeutic effect on their concomitant tinnitus. This pilot study was conducted to specifically assess the effect of vardenafil in patients with chronic tinnitus. Methods This trial was based on a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group design. Fourty-two consecutive subjects with mon- or binaural chronic tinnitus received 10 mg vardenafil (N = 21) or matching placebo tablets (N = 21) administered orally twice a day over a period of 12 weeks. Clinical examination and data acquisition took place at each visit: at baseline, after 4 weeks, after 12 weeks (end of treatment with study medication), and at non-medicated follow-up after 16 weeks. Assessment of clinical effectiveness was based on a standardized tinnitus questionnaire (TQ), the Short Form 36 health survey (SF-36), audiometric measurements (mode, pitch and loudness of tinnitus; auditory thresholds) and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients' blood (malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, homocysteine and total antioxidative status). Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by comparison of subjective and objective parameters with baseline data between both treatment groups (ANCOVA). Results Vardenafil had no superior efficacy over placebo in the treatment of chronic tinnitus during this study. The primary efficacy criterion 'TQ total score' failed to demonstrate significant improvement compared to placebo. Subjective reports of TQ subscales and general quality of life areas (SF-36), objective audiometric examinations as well as investigated biomarkers for oxidative stress did not reveal any significant treatment effects. The safety profile was favorable and consistent with that in other vardenafil studies. Conclusion Although hypoxia and ischemia play a special role in the pathogenesis of tinnitus, the PDE5-inhibitor-induced increase of nitric oxide-mediated vasodilatation exerted no specific influence on tinnitus symptomatology. Considering the unclear risk of rarely associated hearing impairment, systemic application of vardenafil or other PDE5 inhibitors prove to be not appropriate for therapy of chronic tinnitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Mazurek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tinnitus Centre and Molecular Biology Research Laboratory, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
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