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Zhang N, Liu S, Lu X, Li Z, Li L, Ye T. Transcriptomic and proteomic investigations identify PI3K-akt pathway targets for hyperthyroidism management in rats via polar iridoids from radix Scrophularia. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33072. [PMID: 38994059 PMCID: PMC11238048 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
High-polarity iridoids from Radix Scrophulariae (R. Scrophulariae) offer a range of benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumour, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiallergic effects. Although previous studies have indicated the potential of R. Scrophulariae for hyperthyroidism prevention and treatment, the specific active compounds involved and their mechanisms of action are not fully understood. This study explored the effects of high-polarity iridoid glycosides from R. Scrophulariae on hyperthyroidism induced in rats by levothyroxine sodium. The experimental design included a control group, a hyperthyroidism model group, and a group treated with iridoid glycosides. Serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were applied to liver samples to identify differentially expressed genes and proteins. These analyses were complemented by trend analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. The effectiveness of key factors was further examined through molecular biology techniques. ELISA results indicated a notable increase in T3 and T4 in the hyperthyroid rats, which was significantly mitigated by treatment with iridoid glycosides. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 6 upregulated and 6 downregulated genes in the model group, showing marked improvement following treatment. Proteomic analysis revealed changes in 30 upregulated and 50 downregulated proteins, with improvements observed upon treatment. The PI3K-Akt signalling pathway was investigated through KEGG enrichment analysis. Molecular biology methods verified the upregulation of Spp1, Thbs1, PI3K, and Akt in the model group, which was reversed in the treatment group. This study revealed that highly polar iridoids from R. Scrophulariae can modulate the Spp1 gene and Thbs1 protein via the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway, suggesting a therapeutic benefit for hyperthyroidism and providing a basis for drug development targeting this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Shumin Liu
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xu Lu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Zihui Li
- Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Ling Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Tao Ye
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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Luo J, Song G, Chen N, Xie M, Niu X, Zhou S, Ji Y, Zhu X, Ma W, Zhang Q, Yu D. Ferroptosis contributes to ethanol-induced hepatic cell death via labile iron accumulation and GPx4 inactivation. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:311. [PMID: 37626043 PMCID: PMC10457354 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01608-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol abuse is a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality, with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) being a common consequence. The pathogenesis of ALD involves various cellular processes, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and hepatic cell death. Recently, ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death, has emerged as a potential mechanism in many diseases. However, the specific involvement and regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis in ALD remain poorly understood. Here we aimed to investigate the presence and mechanism of alcohol-induced ferroptosis and the involvement of miRNAs in regulating ferroptosis sensitivity. Our findings revealed that long-term ethanol feeding induced ferroptosis in male mice, as evidenced by increased expression of ferroptosis-related genes, lipid peroxidation, and labile iron accumulation in the liver. Furthermore, we identified dysregulation of the methionine cycle and transsulfuration pathway, leading to severe glutathione (GSH) exhaustion and indirect deactivation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4), a critical enzyme in preventing ferroptosis. Additionally, we identified miR-214 as a ferroptosis regulator in ALD, enhancing hepatocyte ferroptosis by transcriptionally activating the expression of ferroptosis-driver genes. Our study provides novel insights into the involvement and regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis in ALD, highlighting the potential therapeutic implications of targeting ferroptosis and miRNAs in ALD management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Luo
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ge Song
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ningning Chen
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Mengyue Xie
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xuan Niu
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuyue Zhou
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanan Ji
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhu
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wanli Ma
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dianke Yu
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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Jin Y, Zhang Q, Liu Y, Guan H, Shou Y, Du C, Luo J, Zhao K, Li C, Xu L, Ma W, Chen N, Zheng Y, Yu D. Identifying microRNAs that drive BaP-induced pulmonary effects: Multiple patterns of mechanisms underlying activation of the toxicity pathways. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 170:107588. [PMID: 36274491 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
MiRNAs are widely acknowledged as regulating gene expression and thus, being involved in broad biological functions, environmental responses, and the process of diseases. Epidemiology could provide exposure- or disease-relevant miRNAs, while toxicology could reveal the underlying mechanisms. Here, a new "Bottom-up" approach was proposed to identify miRNAs that are responsible for environmental exposure-induced adverse outcomes. In our previous study, 5 key toxicity pathways were established underlying BaP-induced lung diseases; further, genes from these 5 pathways that were responsive to BaP exposure in HBE-CYP1A1 cells were identified. In this study, we identified 26 miRNA:mRNA interactions during BaP exposure through RNA-sequencing using the same HBE-CYP1A1 cells. According to the expression alteration and regulatory mechanisms, we summarized 8 action patterns of miRNA:mRNA, which led to the induction of miRNAs that predominantly regulate target genes and responsible are for the pathway perturbations (as "drivers"), and miRNAs that subordinately regulate genes during pathway perturbations (as "symptoms"). 5 corresponding miRNAs: miR-3173-5p, miR-629-3p, miR-9-5p, miR-1343-3p and miR-219a-1-3p were identified as "drivers", and were all validated with expression alteration in lung disease patients from published studies. In conclusion, this study offers a new approach to identification of epigenetic factors that may shed light on the causation of environment-related health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Jin
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuzhen Liu
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Heyuan Guan
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yingqing Shou
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chenlong Du
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiao Luo
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Kunming Zhao
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chuanhai Li
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lin Xu
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wanli Ma
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ningning Chen
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuxin Zheng
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dianke Yu
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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