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Wang T, Su W, Li L, Wu H, Huang H, Li Z. Alteration of the gut microbiota in patients with lung cancer accompanied by chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30380. [PMID: 38737249 PMCID: PMC11088322 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30380] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim To explore the abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota in patients with lung cancer accompanied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (LC-COPD). Methods The study cohort comprised 15 patients with LC-COPD, 49 patients with lung cancer, and 18 healthy control individuals. ELISA was used to detect inflammatory factors in venous blood. 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to determine the abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces samples. Results The α-diversity index indicated that the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota were lower in patients with LC-COPD compared with patients with lung cancer and controls. Principal component analysis revealed significant differences among the three groups (P < 0.05). The linear discriminant analysis effect size algorithm indicated that the o_Lactobacillales, g_Lactobaccillus, f_Lactobaccillaceae, s_Lactobaccillus_oris, c_Bacilli, g_Anaerofustis, s_uncultured organism, and s_bacterium_P1C10 species were prevalent in patients with LC-COPD, while the g_Clostridium_XIVa and g_Butyricicoccus species were prevalent in patients with lung cancer. Furthermore, the concentrations of the SCFAs butyric acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and valeric acid tended to be lower in patients with LC-COPD compared with patients with lung cancer and healthy controls, although these intergroup differences were not significant (P > 0.05). Patients with lung cancer had the lowest serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a. There were no intergroup differences in the concentrations of other inflammatory factors. Conclusions The present study indicated that the abundance and structure of the gut microbiota is altered, and the concentrations of SCFAs may be decreased in patients with LC-COPD. In addition, patients with lung cancer had the lowest serum concentration of TNF-a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingxiang Wang
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Hospital Affiliated with the Medical SChool of Zhejiang University, 1229 Gudun Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
| | - Wanting Su
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 348 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhejiang Hospital Affiliated with the Medical School of Zhejiang University, 1229 Gudun Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhejiang Hospital Affiliated with the Medical School of Zhejiang University, 1229 Gudun Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhejiang Hospital Affiliated with the Medical School of Zhejiang University, 1229 Gudun Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
| | - Zhijun Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhejiang Hospital Affiliated with the Medical School of Zhejiang University, 1229 Gudun Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, China
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Guo Y, Wu Y, Huang T, Huang D, Zeng Q, Wang Z, Hu Y, Liang P, Chen H, Zheng Z, Liang T, Zhai D, Jiang C, Liu L, Zhu H, Liu Q. Licorice flavonoid ameliorates ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats by suppressing apoptosis via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 325:117739. [PMID: 38301986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Licorice is the dry roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., which was first recorded in Shengnong's herbal classic. Licorice flavonoid (LF) is the main compound isolated from licorice with an indispensable action in treating gastric ulcer (GU). However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further explored. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to investigate and further elucidate the mechanisms of LF against ethanol-induced GU using an integrated approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS The anti-GU effects of LF were evaluated in an ethanol-induced gastric injury rat model. Then, the metabolomics approach was applied to explore the specific metabolites and metabolic pathways. Next, the network pharmacology combined with metabolomics strategy was employed to predict the targets and pathways of LF for GU. Finally, these predictions were validated by molecular docking, RT-qPCR, and western blotting. RESULTS LF had a positive impact on gastric injury and regulated the expression of GU-related factors. Upon serum metabolomics analysis, 25 metabolic biomarkers of LF in GU treatment were identified, which were primarily involved in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and other related processes. Subsequently, a "components-targets-metabolites" network was constructed, revealing six key targets (HSP90AA1, AKT1, MAPK1, EGFR, ESR1, PIK3CA) that may be associated with GU treatment. More importantly, KEGG analysis highlighted the importance of the PI3K/AKT pathway including key targets, as a critical route through which LF exerted its anti-GU effects. Molecular docking analyses confirmed that the core components of LF exhibited a strong affinity for key targets. Furthermore, RT-qPCR and western blotting results indicated that LF could reverse the expression of these targets, activate the PI3K/AKT pathway, and ultimately reduce apoptosis. CONCLUSION LF exerted a gastroprotective effect against gastric ulcer induced by ethanol, and the therapeutic mechanism may involve improving metabolism and suppressing apoptosis through the PI3K-AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglin Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yufan Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Tairun Huang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Dehao Huang
- Huizhou Jiuhui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huizhou, 516000, China
| | - Quanfu Zeng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhuxian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yi Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Peiyi Liang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hongkai Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zeying Zheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Tao Liang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Dan Zhai
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Cuiping Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Li Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hongxia Zhu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Qiang Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Ge B, Yan K, Sang R, Wang W, Liu X, Yu M, Liu X, Qiu Q, Zhang X. Integrated network toxicology, molecular docking, and in vivo experiments to elucidate molecular mechanism of aflatoxin B1 hepatotoxicity. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 275:116278. [PMID: 38564860 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Due to the rise in temperature and sea level caused by climate change, the detection rate of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in food crops has increased dramatically, and the frequency and severity of aflatoxicosis in humans and animals are also increasing. AFB1 has strong hepatotoxicity, causing severe liver damage and even cancer. However, the mechanism of AFB1 hepatotoxicity remains unclear. By integrating network toxicology, molecular docking and in vivo experiments, this research was designed to explore the potential hepatotoxicity mechanisms of AFB1. Thirty-three intersection targets for AFB1-induced liver damage were identified using online databases. PI3K/AKT1, MAPK, FOXO1 signaling pathways, and apoptosis were significantly enriched. In addition, the proteins of ALB, AKT1, PIK3CG, MAPK8, HSP90AA1, PPARA, MAPK1, EGFR, FOXO1, and IGF1 exhibited good affinity with AFB1. In vivo experiments, significant pathological changes occurred in the liver of mice. AFB1 induction increased the expression levels of EGFR, ERK, and FOXO1, and decreased the expression levsls of PI3K and AKT1. Moreover, AFB1 treatment caused an increase in Caspase3 expression, and a decrease in Bcl2/Bax ratio. By combining network toxicology with in vivo experiments, this study confirms for the first time that AFB1 promotes the FOXO1 signaling pathway by inactivating PI3K/AKT1 and activating EGFR/ERK signaling pathways, hence aggravating hepatocyte apoptosis. This research provides new strategies for studying the toxicity of environmental pollutants and new possible targets for the development of hepatoprotective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Ge
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Gongyuan Street, Yanji, Jilin 133002, PR China
| | - Kexin Yan
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Gongyuan Street, Yanji, Jilin 133002, PR China
| | - Rui Sang
- Agricultural College of Yanbian University, Gongyuan Street, Yanji, Jilin 133002, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Agricultural College of Yanbian University, Gongyuan Street, Yanji, Jilin 133002, PR China
| | - Xinman Liu
- Agricultural College of Yanbian University, Gongyuan Street, Yanji, Jilin 133002, PR China
| | - Minghong Yu
- Agricultural College of Yanbian University, Gongyuan Street, Yanji, Jilin 133002, PR China
| | - Xiaotong Liu
- Agricultural College of Yanbian University, Gongyuan Street, Yanji, Jilin 133002, PR China
| | - Qian Qiu
- Agricultural College of Yanbian University, Gongyuan Street, Yanji, Jilin 133002, PR China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Agricultural College of Yanbian University, Gongyuan Street, Yanji, Jilin 133002, PR China.
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