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Wu W, Zhu L, Dou Z, Hou Q, Wang S, Yuan Z, Li B. Ghrelin in Focus: Dissecting Its Critical Roles in Gastrointestinal Pathologies and Therapies. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:948-964. [PMID: 38275675 PMCID: PMC10813987 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46010061] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
This review elucidates the critical role of ghrelin, a peptide hormone mainly synthesized in the stomach in various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Ghrelin participates in diverse biological functions ranging from appetite regulation to impacting autophagy and apoptosis. In sepsis, it reduces intestinal barrier damage by inhibiting inflammatory responses, enhancing GI blood flow, and modulating cellular processes like autophagy and apoptosis. Notably, in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), serum ghrelin levels serve as markers for distinguishing between active and remission phases, underscoring its potential in IBD treatment. In gastric cancer, ghrelin acts as an early risk marker, and due to its significant role in increasing the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, the ghrelin-GHS-R axis is poised to become a target for gastric cancer treatment. The role of ghrelin in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial; however, ghrelin analogs have demonstrated substantial benefits in treating cachexia associated with CRC, highlighting the therapeutic potential of ghrelin. Nonetheless, the complex interplay between ghrelin's protective and potential tumorigenic effects necessitates a cautious approach to its therapeutic application. In post-GI surgery scenarios, ghrelin and its analogs could be instrumental in enhancing recovery and reducing complications. This article accentuates ghrelin's multifunctionality, shedding light on its influence on disease mechanisms, including inflammatory responses and cancer progression, and examines its therapeutic potential in GI surgeries and disorders, advocating for continued research in this evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (W.W.); (Q.H.); (S.W.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (L.Z.); (Z.D.)
| | - Zhimin Dou
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (L.Z.); (Z.D.)
| | - Qiliang Hou
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (W.W.); (Q.H.); (S.W.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Sen Wang
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (W.W.); (Q.H.); (S.W.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Ziqian Yuan
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (W.W.); (Q.H.); (S.W.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (W.W.); (Q.H.); (S.W.); (Z.Y.)
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (L.Z.); (Z.D.)
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Deng J, Hu Y, Zhang Y, Yu F. Ghrelin improves endothelial function and reduces blood pressure in Ang II-induced hypertensive mice: Role of AMPK. Clin Exp Hypertens 2023; 45:2208774. [PMID: 37149883 DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2023.2208774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial dysfunction is a major pathophysiology observed in hypertension. Ghrelin, a key regulator of metabolism, has been shown to play protective roles in cardiovascular system. However, whether it has the effect of improving endothelial function and lowering blood pressure in Ang II-induced hypertensive mice remains unclear. METHODS In this study, hypertension was induced by continuous infusion of Ang II with a subcutaneous osmotic pumps and ghrelin (30 μg/kg/day) was intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks. Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortae was measured on wire myograph and superoxide production in mouse aortae was assessed by fluorescence imaging. RESULTS We found that ghrelin had protective effects on Ang II-induced hypertension by inhibiting oxidative stress, increasing NO production, improving endothelial function, and lowering blood pressure. Furthermore, ghrelin activated AMPK signaling in Ang II-induced hypertension, leading to inhibition of oxidative stress. Compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMPK, reversed the protective effects of ghrelin on the reduction of oxidative stress, the improvement of endothelial function and the reduction of blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS our findings indicated that ghrelin protected against Ang II-induced hypertension by improving endothelial function and lowering blood pressure partly through activating AMPK signaling. Thus, ghrelin may be a valuable therapeutic strategy for hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Deng
- Department of Endocrinology, People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Endocrinology, Songshan General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yindi Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fadong Yu
- Department of Endocrinology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Inceu AI, Neag MA, Craciun AE, Buzoianu AD. Gut Molecules in Cardiometabolic Diseases: The Mechanisms behind the Story. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043385. [PMID: 36834796 PMCID: PMC9965280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetes mellitus increases cardiovascular risk. Heart failure and atrial fibrillation are associated comorbidities that share the main cardiovascular risk factors. The use of incretin-based therapies promoted the idea that activation of alternative signaling pathways is effective in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart failure. Gut-derived molecules, gut hormones, and gut microbiota metabolites showed both positive and detrimental effects in cardiometabolic disorders. Although inflammation plays a key role in cardiometabolic disorders, additional intracellular signaling pathways are involved and could explain the observed effects. Revealing the involved molecular mechanisms could provide novel therapeutic strategies and a better understanding of the relationship between the gut, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea-Ioana Inceu
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maria-Adriana Neag
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Anca-Elena Craciun
- Department of Diabetes, and Nutrition Diseases, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca-Dana Buzoianu
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Shi Y, Ge J, Li R, Li Y, Lin L. Targeting of midkine alleviates cardiac hypertrophy via attenuation of oxidative stress and autophagy. Peptides 2022; 153:170800. [PMID: 35427698 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Midkine levels are related to various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, renal disease and autoimmune disease. The research aimed to investigate the mitigation influence of downregulation of intermediate factors on myocardial hypertrophy induced by angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang), and whether downregulation of midkine could attenuate oxidative stress and autophagy. Induced myocardial hypertrophy of the mice model and treated HL-1 cells with Ang Ⅱ in vitro. The expressions of midkine were increased in the model and HL-1 cells with Ang II treatment. Midkine silence alleviated cardiac hypertrophy induced by Ang II, and inhibited the increases of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and beta-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) in the heart of mice. The raises of ANP, BNP and β-MHC in Ang II-induced HL-1 cells were also suppressed after midkine downregulation. Downregulating of midkine inhibited the increases of oxidative stress markers 8-OHdG, superoxide anions and MDA in the heart of mice or in the Ang II-treated HL-1 cells. The raises of LC3B, Atg3, Atg5 and Beclin1 in mice heart and in the Ang II.-induced HL-1 cells were attenuated after midkine silence. These outcomes showed that midkine was upregulated in myocardial hypertrophy mice. Targeting of midkine could alleviate cardiac hypertrophy via attenuation of oxidative stress and autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuntao Shi
- Cardiology Department, Gaochun People's Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jialiang Ge
- Emergency medical department, Gaochun People's Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Li
- Emergency medical department, Gaochun People's Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Li Lin
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Zhang C, Lin T, Nie G, Hu R, Pi S, Wei Z, Wang C, Li G, Hu G. In vivo assessment of molybdenum and cadmium co-induce nephrotoxicity via causing calcium homeostasis disorder and autophagy in ducks (Anas platyrhyncha). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 230:113099. [PMID: 34963067 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Excess molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) are widespread environmental and industrial metal pollutants. To evaluate the combined effects of Mo and Cd on calcium homeostasis and autophagy in duck kidneys. 160 healthy 7-day-old ducks (Anas platyrhyncha) were randomized into 4 groups and given to a basic diet, adding various doses of Mo or/and Cd for 16 weeks. On the 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th weeks, kidney tissues were collected. The study exhibited that Mo or/and Cd caused histological abnormality, reduced the activities of Ca2+ ATPase, Mg2+ ATPase, Na+-K+ ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase, K and Mg contents, and increased Na and Ca contents, upregulated CaMKKβ, CaMKIIɑ, CaN, IP3R, GRP78, GRP94, CRT mRNA levels and CaMKIIɑ, CaN, IP3R protein levels. Moreover, exposure to Mo or/and Cd notably promoted the amount of autophagosomes and LC3II immunofluorescence, upregulated AMPKα1, ATG5, Beclin-1, LC3A, LC3B mRNA levels and Beclin-1, LC3II/LC3I protein levels, downregulated mTOR, Dynein, P62 mRNA levels and P62 protein level. The changes of above indicators in combined group were more obvious. Overall, the results suggest that Mo and Cd co-exposure may can synergistically induce nephrotoxicity via causing calcium homeostasis disorder and autophagy in ducks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiying Zhang
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Tianjin Lin
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Gaohui Nie
- School of Information Technology,Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, No. 665 Yuping West street, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330032, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Ruiming Hu
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Shaoxing Pi
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Zejing Wei
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Chang Wang
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Guyue Li
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Guoliang Hu
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, PR China.
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Effect of sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and ileal transposition on myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury in non-obese non-diabetic rats. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23888. [PMID: 34903800 PMCID: PMC8668951 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03283-y] [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: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bariatric surgery (BS) improves outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Here we tested the hypothesis that BS-mediated reduction in fatal MI could be attributed to its infarct-limiting effect. Wistar rats were randomized into five groups: control (CON), sham (SHAM), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and ileotransposition (IT). Ten weeks later, animals were subjected to 30-min myocardial ischemia plus 120-min reperfusion. Infarct size (IS) and no-reflow area were determined histochemically. Fasting plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), leptin, ghrelin, and insulin were measured using ELISA. Compared with SHAM, RYGB and SG reduced IS by 22% (p = 0.011) and 10% (p = 0.027), and no-reflow by 38% (p = 0.01) and 32% (p = 0.004), respectively. IT failed to reduce IS and no-reflow. GLP-1 level was increased in the SG and RYGB groups compared with CON. In both the SG and RYGB, leptin level was decreased compared with CON and SHAM. In the SG group, ghrelin level was lower than that in the CON and SHAM. Insulin levels were not different between groups. In conclusion, RYGB and SG increased myocardial tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion injury of non-obese, non-diabetic rats, and their infarct-limiting effect is associated with decreased leptin and ghrelin levels and increased GLP-1 level.
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Chen Y, Pan R, Zhang J, Liang T, Guo J, Sun T, Fu X, Wang L, Zhang L. Pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG) attenuates cardiac hypertrophy via AKT/mTOR/NF-κB signaling in pressure overload-induced rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 272:113920. [PMID: 33607200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG), the active compound extracted from Eucommia ulmoides, Styrax sp. and Forsythia suspensa, plays the roles in regulating hypertension, inflammation and oxidative stress. AIMS Considering that hypertension and inflammation has been proved to contribute to cardiac remodeling, we tested the effects of PDG on cardiac hypertrophy (CM). METHODS Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used to construct hypertrophic rats by partial abdominal aortic constriction (AAC)-surgery. PDG solution (2 mg/ml) was used to treat AAC-induced rats by intraperitoneal injection at low dose (L-PDG, 2.5 mg/kg per day), medium dose (M-PDG, 5 mg/kg per day), and high dose (H-PDG, 7.5 mg/kg per day) for 3 weeks post AAC-surgery. CM was evaluated by the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight ratio (LVW/BW), left ventricular wall thickness by H&E staining, and collagen content deposit by Masson's staining. Further, isoproterenol (ISO) and phenylephrine (PE) were used to produce cellular models of CM in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVMs). PDG pre-treated NRVMs 2 h at low dose (L-PDG, 2.5 μg/ml), medium dose (M-PDG, 5 μg/ml), and high dose (H-PDG, 7.5 μg/ml) for 24 h with or without PE- and ISO-stimulation. CM was evaluated by the expressions of hypertrophic biomarkers. Next, the hypertrophic biomarkers and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), the expressions of protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) signaling pathway were determined by Western blotting. RESULTS PDG treatment prevented cardiac histomorphology damages, decreased upregulations of hypertrophic biomarkers, and prevented fibrosis and inflammation after pressure overload resulting from AAC-surgery. Consistently, PDG remarkably inhibited the changes of cardiomyocyte hypertrophic biomarkers and inflammatory responses in cellular models of CM. Interestingly, PDG administration inhibited the activation of AKT/mTOR/NF-kB signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSIONS PDG prevents AAC-induced CM in vivo, PE- and ISO-induced CM in vitro. The AKT/mTOR/NF-kB signaling pathway could be the potential therapeutic target involved in the protection of PDG. These findings provide novel evidence that PDG might be a promising therapeutic strategy for CM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tai Sun
- School of Basic Medicine, PR China
| | | | - Ling Wang
- Medical Experiment and Training Center, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, PR China
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