Rho kinase, a potential target in the treatment of metabolic syndrome

Association between insulin resistance and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in patients with non-remitting major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is linked to an increased risk of diabetes; however, the underlying pathomechanism remains unknown. Although insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is involved in the pathogenesis of both insulin resistance (IR) and MDD, no studies have investigated the relationship between IGF-1 and IR in patients with MDD.

METHODS

We recruited 120 patients with MDD (84 non-remitting patients and 36 remitting patients) and 99 control participants. Blood samples were collected after overnight fasting to investigate associations between serum and clinical factors, such as serum IGF-1 levels and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

RESULTS

Serum IGF-1 levels were higher in patients with non-remitting MDD than in control participants and patients with remitting MDD (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). There were no significant differences in HOMA-IR between the three groups. HOMA-IR was positively correlated with serum IGF-1 levels in patients with non-remitting MDD (R = 0.355; P= 0.001) but not in control participants or patients with remitting MDD. A stepwise multiple regression analysis with various clinical factors revealed a positive association of serum IGF-1 levels and body mass index with HOMA-IR in patients with non-remitting MDD.

LIMITATIONS

This is a cross-sectional study and therefore we cannot draw firm conclusions about causal associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum IGF-1 levels may play a role in IR in patients with MDD who fail to achieve remission. Further studies, including longitudinal studies, are needed to determine the relationship between high serum IGF-1 levels and subsequent IR and diabetes risk.

Unveiling Wide Spectrum Therapeutic Implications and Signaling Mechanisms of Valsartan in Diverse Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

Valsartan is an orally active non-peptide angiotensin receptor antagonist, an effective and well-tolerated anti-hypertensive drug. Besides its antihypertensive action, it has clinical implications in many other disorders, like heart failure (HF), arrhythmia, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic complications (DM), atherosclerosis, etc. Besides angiotensin receptor blocking activity, valsartan reduces circulating levels of biochemical markers, such as hs-CRP, which is responsible for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity. Moreover, valsartan also acts by inhibiting or inducing various signalling pathways, such as inducing autophagy via the AKT/mTOR/S6K pathway or inhibiting the TLR/NF-kB pathway. The current review exhaustively discusses the therapeutic implications of valsartan with specific emphasis on the mechanism of action in various disorders. The article provides a detailed spectrum of the therapeutic profile of valsartan and will likely be very useful to researchers working in the relevant research areas.

Rho-associated protein kinase 1 inhibition in hepatocytes attenuates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

BACKGROUND

NASH is the progressive form of NAFLD characterized by lipotoxicity, hepatocyte injury, tissue inflammation, and fibrosis. Previously, Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) 1 has been implicated in lipotoxic signaling in hepatocytes in vitro and high-fat diet-induced lipogenesis in vivo. However, whether ROCK1 plays a role in liver inflammation and fibrosis during NASH is unclear. Here, we hypothesized that pathogenic activation of ROCK1 promotes murine NASH pathogenesis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients with NASH had increased hepatic ROCK1 expression compared with patients with fatty liver. Similarly, hepatic ROCK1 levels and activity were increased in mice with NASH induced by a western-like diet that is high in fat, fructose, and cholesterol (FFC). Hepatocyte-specific ROCK1 knockout mice on the FFC diet displayed a decrease in liver steatosis, hepatic cell death, liver inflammation, and fibrosis compared with littermate FFC-fed controls. Mechanistically, these effects were associated with a significant attenuation of myeloid cell recruitment. Interestingly, myeloid cell-specific ROCK1 deletion did not affect NASH development in FFC-fed mice. To explore the therapeutic opportunities, mice with established NASH received ROCKi, a novel small molecule kinase inhibitor of ROCK1/2, which preferentially accumulates in liver tissue. ROCK inhibitor treatment ameliorated insulin resistance and decreased liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of ROCK1 activity attenuates murine NASH, suggesting that ROCK1 may be a therapeutic target for treating human NASH.

Induction of JAK2/STAT3 pathway contributes to protective effects of different therapeutics against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion

Insufficiency in coronary blood supply results in myocardial ischemia and consequently, various clinical syndromes and irreversible injuries. Myocardial damage occurs as a result of two processes during acute myocardial infarction (MI): ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. According to the available evidence, oxidative stress, excessive inflammation reaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and apoptosis are crucial players in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. There is emerging evidence that Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2) signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway offers cardioprotection against myocardial IR injury. This article reviews therapeutics that exert cardioprotective effects against myocardial IR injury through induction of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Rho-kinase inhibition ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetic rats

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, and insulin resistance. The Rho/ROCK pathway had been involved in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications. This study was designed to assess the possible protective impacts of the Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (Rho/ROCK) inhibitor fasudil against NAFLD in T2DM rats trying to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Animals were assigned into control rats, non-treated diabetic rats with NAFLD, and diabetic rats with NAFLD that received fasudil treatment (10 mg/kg per day) for 6 weeks. The anthropometric measures and biochemical analyses were performed to assess metabolic and liver function changes. The inflammatory and oxidative stress markers and the histopathology of rat liver tissues were also investigated. Groups with T2DM showed increased body weight, serum glucose, and insulin resistance. They exhibited disturbed lipid profile, enhancement of inflammatory cytokines, and deterioration of liver function. Fasudil administration reduced body weight, insulin resistance, and raised liver enzymes. It improved the disturbed lipid profile and attenuated liver inflammation. Moreover, it slowed down the progression of high fat diet (HFD)-induced liver injury and reduced the caspase-3 expression. The present study demonstrated beneficial amelioration effect of fasudil on NAFLD in T2DM. The mechanisms underlying these impacts are improving dyslipidemia, attenuating oxidative stress, downregulated inflammation, improving mitochondrial architecture, and inhibiting apoptosis.

Pericyte-mediated constriction of renal capillaries evokes no-reflow and kidney injury following ischaemia

Acute kidney injury is common, with ~13 million cases and 1.7 million deaths/year worldwide. A major cause is renal ischaemia, typically following cardiac surgery, renal transplant or severe haemorrhage. We examined the cause of the sustained reduction in renal blood flow ('no-reflow'), which exacerbates kidney injury even after an initial cause of compromised blood supply is removed. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, or NG2-dsRed male mice were used in this study. After 60 min kidney ischaemia and 30-60 min reperfusion, renal blood flow remained reduced, especially in the medulla, and kidney tubule damage was detected as Kim-1 expression. Constriction of the medullary descending vasa recta and cortical peritubular capillaries occurred near pericyte somata, and led to capillary blockages, yet glomerular arterioles and perfusion were unaffected, implying that the long-lasting decrease of renal blood flow contributing to kidney damage was generated by pericytes. Blocking Rho kinase to decrease pericyte contractility from the start of reperfusion increased the post-ischaemic diameter of the descending vasa recta capillaries at pericytes, reduced the percentage of capillaries that remained blocked, increased medullary blood flow and reduced kidney injury. Thus, post-ischaemic renal no-reflow, contributing to acute kidney injury, reflects pericytes constricting the descending vasa recta and peritubular capillaries. Pericytes are therefore an important therapeutic target for treating acute kidney injury.

Melatonin supplementation in the culture medium rescues impaired glucose metabolism in IVF mice offspring

Increasing evidence suggests that in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be associated with an increased risk of developing obesity and metabolic diseases later in life in the offspring. Notably, the addition of melatonin to culture medium may improve embryo development and prevent cardiovascular dysfunction in IVF adult mice. This study aimed to determine if melatonin supplementation in the culture medium can reverse impaired glucose metabolism in IVF mice offspring and the underlying mechanisms. Blastocysts used for transfer were generated by natural mating (control group) or IVF with or without melatonin (10^-6  M) supplementation (mIVF and IVF group, respectively) in clinical-grade culture media. Here, we first report that IVF decreased hepatic expression of Fbxl7, which was associated with impaired glucose metabolism in mice offspring. Melatonin addition reversed the phenotype by up-regulating the expression of hepatic Fbxl7. In vitro experiments showed that Fbxl7 enhanced the insulin signaling pathway by degrading RhoA through ubiquitination and was up-regulated by transcription factor Foxa2. Specific knockout of Fbxl7 in the liver of adult mice, through tail intravenous injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus, impaired glucose tolerance, while overexpression of hepatic Fbxl7 significantly improved glucose tolerance in adult IVF mice. Thus, the data suggest that Fbxl7 plays an important role in maintaining glucose metabolism of mice, and melatonin supplementation in the culture medium may rescue the long-term risk of metabolic diseases in IVF offspring.

Insight Into Rho Kinase Isoforms in Obesity and Energy Homeostasis

Obesity and associated complications increasingly jeopardize global health and contribute to the rapidly rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity-related diseases. Developing novel methods for the prevention and treatment of excess body adipose tissue expansion can make a significant contribution to public health. Rho kinase is a Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (Rho kinase or ROCK). The ROCK family including ROCK1 and ROCK2 has recently emerged as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Up-regulated ROCK activity has been involved in the pathogenesis of all aspects of metabolic syndrome including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension. The RhoA/ROCK-mediated actin cytoskeleton dynamics have been implicated in both white and beige adipogenesis. Studies using ROCK pan-inhibitors in animal models of obesity, diabetes, and associated complications have demonstrated beneficial outcomes. Studies via genetically modified animal models further established isoform-specific roles of ROCK in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders including obesity. However, most reported studies have been focused on ROCK1 activity during the past decade. Due to the progress in developing ROCK2-selective inhibitors in recent years, a growing body of evidence indicates more attention should be devoted towards understanding ROCK2 isoform function in metabolism. Hence, studying individual ROCK isoforms to reveal their specific roles and principal mechanisms in white and beige adipogenesis, insulin sensitivity, energy balancing regulation, and obesity development will facilitate significant breakthroughs for systemic treatment with isoform-selective inhibitors. In this review, we give an overview of ROCK functions in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance with a particular focus on the current understanding of ROCK isoform signaling in white and beige adipogenesis, obesity and thermogenesis in adipose tissue and other major metabolic organs involved in energy homeostasis regulation.

A nine-hub-gene signature of metabolic syndrome identified using machine learning algorithms and integrated bioinformatics

Early risk assessments and interventions for metabolic syndrome (MetS) are limited because of a lack of effective biomarkers. In the present study, several candidate genes were selected as a blood-based transcriptomic signature for MetS. We collected so far the largest MetS-associated peripheral blood high-throughput transcriptomics data and put forward a novel feature selection strategy by combining weighted gene co-expression network analysis, protein-protein interaction network analysis, LASSO regression and random forest approaches. Two gene modules and 51 hub genes as well as a 9-hub-gene signature associated with metabolic syndrome were identified. Then, based on this 9-hub-gene signature, we performed logistic analysis and subsequently established a web nomogram calculator for metabolic syndrome risk (https://xjtulgz.shinyapps.io/DynNomapp/). This 9-hub-gene signature showed excellent classification and calibration performance (AUC = 0.968 in training set, AUC = 0.883 in internal validation set, AUC = 0.861 in external validation set) as well as ideal potential clinical benefit.

Use of GP73 in the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and the staging of hepatic fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the utility of Golgi protein 73 (GP73) in the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatic fibrosis (HF) staging.

METHODS

Ninety-one patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were allocated to NAFL (n = 46) and NASH (n = 45) groups according to their NAFLD activity score (NAS), and there were 30 healthy controls. Serum GP73 was measured by ELISA, GP73 protein expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry, and FibroScan was used to determine liver hardness.

RESULTS

The serum GP73 concentrations of the NAFL and NASH groups were significantly higher than those of controls. GP73 expression in the liver of the patients gradually progressed from absent or low to moderate or high. Serum GP73 positively correlated with liver expression, and the serum and liver GP73 of the patients positively correlated with FibroScan value and HF stage. There was a strong positive correlation of the combination of alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase and GP73 with NASH. The combination of serum GP73 and FibroScan value was found to predict NASH (NAS > 4) and advanced HF (stage ≥2) in patients with NAFLD using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

CONCLUSION

Serum GP73 may be useful in the diagnosis of NASH and the staging of HF.

Rho-Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Refractory Diabetic Macular Oedema

Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is one of the leading causes of vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR). New insights in managing this condition have changed the paradigm in its treatment, with intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) having become the standard therapy for DMO worldwide. However, there is no single standard therapy for all patients DMO refractory to anti-VEGF treatment; thus, further investigation is still needed. The key obstacles in developing suitable therapeutics for refractory DMO lie in its complex pathophysiology; therefore, there is an opportunity for further improvements in the progress and applications of new drugs. Previous studies have indicated that Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase/ROCK) is an essential molecule in the pathogenesis of DMO. This is why the Rho/ROCK signalling pathway has been proposed as a possible target for new treatments. The present review focuses on the recent progress on the possible role of ROCK and its therapeutic potential in DMO. A systematic literature search was performed, covering the years 1991 to 2021, using the following keywords: "rho-Associated Kinas-es", "Diabetic Retinopathy", "Macular Edema", "Ripasudil", "Fasudil" and "Netarsudil". Better insight into the pathological role of Rho-kinase/ROCK may lead to the development of new strategies for refractory DMO treatment and prevention.

Involvement of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) in mPRα (PAQR7)-mediated progesterone induction of vascular smooth muscle relaxation

Progesterone acts directly on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through activation of membrane progesterone receptor α (mPRα)-dependent signaling to rapidly decrease cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentrations and induce muscle relaxation. However, it is not known whether this progesterone action involves uptake of Ca²⁺ by the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (SR) and increased sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA) activity. The present results show that treatment of cultured human VSMCs with progesterone and the selective mPR agonist Org OD-02-0 (OD 02-0) but not with the nuclear PR agonist R5020 increased SERCA protein expression, which was blocked by knockdown of mPRα with siRNA. Moreover, treatments with progesterone and OD 02-0, but not with R5020, increased phospholamban (PLB) phosphorylation, which would result in disinhibition of SERCA function. Progesterone and OD 02-0 significantly increased Ca²⁺ levels in the SR and caused VSMC relaxation. These effects were blocked by pretreatment with cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a SERCA inhibitor, and by knockdown of SERCA2 with siRNA, suggesting that SERCA2 plays a critical role in progesterone induction of VSMC relaxation. Treatment with inhibitors of inhibitory G proteins (Gi, NF023), MAP kinase (AZD 6244), Akt/Pi3k (wortmannin), and a Rho activator (calpeptin) blocked the progesterone- and OD 02-0-induced increase in Ca²⁺ levels in the SR and SERCA expressions. These results suggest that the rapid effects of progesterone on cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels and relaxation of VSMCs through mPRα involve regulation of the functions of SERCA2 and PLB through Gi, MAP kinase, and Akt signaling pathways and downregulation of RhoA activity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The rapid effects of progesterone on cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels and relaxation of VSMCs through mPRα involve regulation of the functions of SERCA2 and PLB through Gi, MAP kinase, and Akt signaling pathways and downregulation of RhoA activity.

Increased serum levels of aldehydes are associated with cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors in adults

Previous studies have identified several genetic and environmental risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but little is known about the associations between serum aldehydes and CVD risk. Herein, we examined associations between serum levels of aldehydes and the risk of CVD and CVD subtypes among 1947 U.S. adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used to analyze the combined effect of serum aldehydes on the overall risk of CVD. We found that isopentanaldehyde concentrations were positively associated with the odds of CVD (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.17; 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI): 1.36, 3.46). The result of BKMR also indicated a positive association of mixed aldehydes with CVD risk. Isopentanaldehyde had the highest posterior inclusion probabilities (PIP = 0.90). Each one-unit (ng/mL) increase in the isopentanaldehyde concentration was associated with a 25.0 mg/dL increase in triglycerides and a 0.9 × 10⁹/L increase in white blood cell (WBC) count in the fully adjusted model. Current evidence suggests that isopentanaldehyde may increase the risk of CVD by elevating triglycerides and WBC count.

Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis for the Screening of Associated Pathways and Therapeutic Drugs in Coronavirus Disease 2019

Background

COVID-19 caused by a novel coronavirus, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has recently broken out worldwide. Up to now, the development of vaccine is still in the stage of clinical research, and there is no clinically approved specific antiviral drug for human coronavirus infection. The purpose of this study is to investigate the key molecules involved in response during SARS-CoV-2 infection and provide references for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

We conducted in-depth and comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of human proteins identified with SARS-CoV-2, including functional enrichment analysis, protein interaction network analysis, screening of hub genes, and evaluation of their potential as therapeutic targets. In addition, we used the gene-drug database to search for inhibitors of related biological targets.

Results

Several significant pathways, such as PKA, centrosome and transcriptional regulation, may greatly contribute to the development and progression of COVID-2019 disease. Taken together 15 drugs and 18 herb ingredients were screened as potential drugs for viral treatment. Specially, the trans-resveratrol can significantly reduce the expression of N protein of MERS-CoV and inhibit MERS-CoV. In addition, trans-resveratrol, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and BX795 all show good anti multiple virus effects.

Conclusion

Some drugs selected through our methods have been proven to have antiviral effects in previous studies. We aim to use global bioinformatics analysis to provide insights to assist in the design of new drugs and provide new choices for clinical treatment.

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Promoting Kinases

Nonalcoholic hepatitis (NASH) is the progressive inflammatory form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Although the mechanisms of hepatic inflammation in NASH remain incompletely understood, emerging literature implicates the proinflammatory environment created by toxic lipid-induced hepatocyte injury, termed lipotoxicity. Interestingly, numerous NASH-promoting kinases in hepatocytes, immune cells, and adipocytes are activated by the lipotoxic insult associated with obesity. In the current review, we discuss recent advances in NASH-promoting kinases as disease mediators and therapeutic targets. The focus of the review is mainly on the mitogen-activated protein kinases including mixed lineage kinase 3, apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 MAPK; the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress kinases protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase and inositol-requiring protein-1α; as well as the Rho-associated protein kinase 1. We also discuss various pharmacological agents targeting these stress kinases in NASH that are under different phases of development.

Identification of Novel Rho-Kinase-II Inhibitors with Vasodilatory Activity

Small GTPase protein Rho-kinase (ROCK) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Inhibition of ROCK II brings about the biochemical changes leading to vascular smooth muscles relaxation, finally resulting into potent antihypertensive activity. In the quest for potent ROCK-II inhibitors, a ligand-based pharmacophore containing four essential chemical features, namely two hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA), one hydrogen bond donor (HBD), and one hydrophobe (HY), was developed and rigorously validated. The pharmacophore was used for virtual screening, and hits retrieved from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) database were sorted on the basis of fit value, estimate value, and Lipinski's violation. Potential feature interaction of hits was also observed during docking studies with the amino acids present in the active site of Rho-kinase. Based on the above screening, three hits (NSC 2488, NSC 2888, and NSC 4231) were chosen and subjected to in vitro Rho-kinase enzyme-based assay, followed by ex vivo rat aortic vasodilatory assay. All three compounds showed good biological activity as predicted by the model and confirmed by the docking studies.

Rho kinase cascade activation in circulating leukocytes in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2

Background

The intracellular ROCK signaling pathway is an important modulator of blood pressure and of cardiovascular and renal remodeling when Rho-kinase activity is increased. Besides, in preclinical models of diabetes, ROCK activation has also a role in abnormal glucose metabolism as well as in subsequent vascular and myocardial dysfunction. In humans, there are a few data assessing ROCK activation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and no studies assessing upstream/downstream components of the ROCK pathway. We assessed here levels of ROCK activation and some of the RhoA/ROCK cascade molecules in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in T2D patients under current treatment.

Methods

Cross-sectional observational study comparing 28 T2D patients under current antidiabetic treatment with 31 consecutive healthy subjects, matched by age and gender. Circulating levels of malondialdehyde, angiotensin II and inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 were determined in all subjects. ROCK activation in PMBCs, upstream and downstream cascade proteins, and levels of the proinflammatory molecules VCAM, ICAM-1 and IL-8 were determined in their PMBCs by Western blot.

Results

Compared to healthy controls, ROCK activation in T2D patients measured by 2 direct ROCK targets in PBMCs was increased by 420 and 570% (p < 0001) and it correlated significantly with serum glucose levels. p38 MAPK phosphorylation (downstream from ROCK) and JAK-2 (upstream from ROCK) were significantly higher in the T2D patients by 580% and 220%, respectively. In T2D patients, significantly increased PBMC levels of the proinflammatory molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and IL-8 were observed compared to control subjects (by 180%, 360% and 260%, respectively). Circulating levels of Ang II and MDA were significantly higher in T2D patients by 29 and 63%, respectively.

Conclusions

T2D patients under treatment with glucose-lowering drugs, antihypertensive treatment as well as with statins have significantly increased ROCK activation in their circulating leukocytes along with higher phosphorylation of downstream cascade proteins despite pharmacologic treatment, along with increased plasma angiotensin II and MDA levels. ROCK inhibition might have an additional role in the prevention and treatment of T2D.

Acute lung injury: The therapeutic role of Rho kinase inhibitors

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a pulmonary illness with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Rho GTPase and its downstream effector, Rho kinase (ROCK), have been demonstrated to be involved in cell adhesion, motility, and contraction which can play a role in ALI. The electronic databases of Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched to obtain relevant studies regarding the role of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in the pathophysiology of ALI and the effects of specific Rho kinase inhibitors in prevention and treatment of ALI. Upregulation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway causes an increase of inflammation, immune cell migration, apoptosis, coagulation, contraction, and cell adhesion in pulmonary endothelial cells. These effects are involved in endothelium barrier dysfunction and edema, hallmarks of ALI. These effects were significantly reversed by Rho kinase inhibitors. Rho kinase inhibition offers a promising approach in ALI [ARDS] treatment.

ROCK2 inhibition enhances the thermogenic program in white and brown fat tissue in mice

The RhoA/ROCK-mediated actin cytoskeleton dynamics have been implicated in adipogenesis. The two ROCK isoforms, ROCK1 and ROCK2, are highly homologous. The contribution of ROCK2 to adipogenesis in vivo has not been elucidated. The present study aimed at the in vivo and in vitro roles of ROCK2 in the regulation of adipogenesis and the development of obesity. We performed molecular, histological, and metabolic analyses in ROCK2^+/- and ROCK2^+/KD mouse models, the latter harboring an allele with a kinase-dead (KD) mutation. Both ROCK2^+/- and ROCK2^+/KD mouse models showed a lean body mass phenotype during aging, associated with increased amounts of beige cells in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) and increased thermogenic gene expression in all fat depots. ROCK2^+/- mice on a high-fat diet showed increased energy expenditure accompanying by reduced obesity, and improved insulin sensitivity. In vitro differentiated ROCK2^+/- stromal-vascular (SV) cells revealed increased beige adipogenesis associated with increased thermogenic gene expressions. Treatment with a selective ROCK2 inhibitor, KD025, to inhibit ROCK2 activity in differentiated SV cells reproduced the pro-beige phenotype of ROCK2^+/- SV cells. In conclusion, ROCK2 activity-mediated actin cytoskeleton dynamics contribute to the inhibition of beige adipogenesis in WAT, and also promotes age-related and diet-induced fat mass gain and insulin resistance.

Cyclocarya paliurus Triterpenoids Improve Diabetes-Induced Hepatic Inflammation via the Rho-Kinase-Dependent Pathway

This study aimed to assess the effects of triterpene extract of Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja (CPT) on diabetes-induced hepatic inflammation and to unveil the underlying mechanisms. Diabetes in db/db mice was alleviated after CPT administration, as assessed by the oral glucose tolerance test. In addition, treatment with CPT dramatically reduced serum insulin, aspartate amino-transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride, and total cholesterol amounts. Besides, serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were also reduced after CPT administration. Western blot analysis revealed that CPT treatment significantly reversed the protein expression levels of Rho, ROCK1, ROCK2, p-P65, p-IκBα, p-IKKα, and p-IKKβ in liver samples obtained from db/db mice. Upon palmitic acid stimulation, the protective effects of CPT on the liver were further assessed in HepG2 and LO2 cells, and no appreciable cytotoxic effects were found. Therefore, these findings indicate that CPT alleviates liver inflammation via Rho-kinase signaling.

Chemical compounds evaluated in this report: Metformin (PubChem CID: 4091); Fasudil (PubChem CID: 3547); Palmitic acid (PubChem CID: 985).

The role of pericytes in brain disorders: from the periphery to the brain

It is becoming increasingly apparent that disorders of the brain microvasculature contribute to many neurological disorders. In recent years it has become clear that a major player in these events is the capillary pericyte which, in the brain, is now known to control the blood-brain barrier, regulate blood flow, influence immune cell entry and be crucial for angiogenesis. In this review we consider the under-explored possibility that peripheral diseases which affect the microvasculature, such as hypertension, kidney disease and diabetes, produce central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction by mechanisms affecting capillary pericytes within the CNS. We highlight how cellular messengers produced peripherally can act via signalling pathways within CNS pericytes to reshape blood vessels, restrict blood flow or compromise blood-brain barrier function, thus causing neuronal dysfunction. Increased understanding of how renin-angiotensin, Rho-kinase and PDGFRβ signalling affect CNS pericytes may suggest novel therapeutic approaches to reducing the CNS effects of peripheral disorders.