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Shen N, Kong L, Wang X, Zhang Y, Li R, Tao C, Wang G, Xu P, Hu W. Elabela ameliorates neuronal pyroptosis and mitochondrial fission via APJ/ZBP1 signaling in ischemic stroke. Exp Neurol 2024; 378:114802. [PMID: 38679280 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Pyroptosis signifies a significant form of programmed neuronal demise subsequent to ischemic stroke. In our prior investigations, we demonstrated that the Elabela (ELA)-Apelin receptor (APJ) axis alleviated neuronal death by improving collateral circulation and mitigating ferroptosis in a murine model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). However, the connection between ELA and neuronal pyroptosis remains further elucidation. Here, we observed an upregulation of ELA and APJ expression in both murine brain specimens and cultured HT-22 hippocampal neurons exposed to experimental ischemic stroke. ELA administration markedly diminished the infarct size in comparison to controls. ELA treatment ameliorated neurological deficits and anxiety-like symptoms in mice with stroke, concurrently inhibiting pyroptosis and mitochondria fission in neurons. Conversely, ELA knockdown yielded the opposite effects. Utilizing RNA-sequencing analysis, we identified a candidate for pyroptosis priming, Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1), which was suppressed in ELA-treated HT-22 neurons during oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). Subsequent co-immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated the binding between APJ and ZBP1. Specifically, APJ suppressed ZBP1 to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and dynamin-related protein 1-mediated mitochondrial fission in neurons. In summary, our findings suggest that ELA functions as a stroke-induced signal limiting neuronal pyroptosis and mitochondrial fission via APJ/ZBP1 signaling, thereby underscoring ELA as a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Shen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Lingqi Kong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Chunrong Tao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Guoping Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China.
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Wu H, Zhai Y, Yu J, Wei L, Qi X. Transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal that upregulation of GSTM2 by allisartan improves cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in hypertensive rats. Exp Ther Med 2024; 27:220. [PMID: 38590561 PMCID: PMC11000455 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2024.12508] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Long-term hypertension can lead to hypertensive heart disease, which ultimately progresses to heart failure. As an angiotensin receptor blocker antihypertensive drug, allisartan can control blood pressure, and improve cardiac remodeling and cardiac dysfunction caused by hypertension. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of allisartan on the heart of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and the underlying mechanisms. SHRs were used as an animal model of hypertensive heart disease and were treated with allisartan orally at a dose of 25 mg/kg/day. The blood pressure levels of the rats were continuously monitored, their body and heart weights were measured, and their cardiac structure and function were evaluated using echocardiography. Wheat germ agglutinin staining and Masson trichrome staining were employed to assess the morphology of the myocardial tissue. In addition, transcriptome and proteome analyses were performed using the Solexa/Illumina sequencing platform and tandem mass tag technology, respectively. Immunofluorescence co-localization was conducted to analyze Nrf2 nuclear translocation, and TUNEL was performed to detect the levels of cell apoptosis. The protein expression levels of pro-collagen I, collagen III, phosphorylated (p)-AKT, AKT, p-PI3K and PI3K, and the mRNA expression levels of Col1a1 and Col3a1 were determined by western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, respectively. Allisartan lowered blood pressure, attenuated cardiac remodeling and improved cardiac function in SHRs. In addition, allisartan alleviated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis. Allisartan also significantly affected the 'pentose phosphate pathway', 'fatty acid elongation', 'valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation', 'glutathione metabolism', and 'amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism' pathways in the hearts of SHRs, and upregulated the expression levels of GSTM2. Furthermore, allisartan activated the PI3K-AKT-Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that allisartan can effectively control blood pressure in SHRs, and improves cardiac remodeling and cardiac dysfunction. Allisartan may also upregulate the expression levels of GSTM2 in the hearts of SHRs and significantly affect glutathione metabolism, as determined by transcriptome and proteome analyses. The cardioprotective effect of allisartan may be mediated through activation of the PI3K-AKT-Nrf2 signaling pathway, upregulation of GSTM2 expression and reduction of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in SHRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P.R. China
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin 300121, P.R. China
| | - Yajun Zhai
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Liping Wei
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P.R. China
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin 300121, P.R. China
| | - Xin Qi
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P.R. China
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin 300121, P.R. China
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Leng J, Wang C, Liang Z, Qiu F, Zhang S, Yang Y. An updated review of YAP: A promising therapeutic target against cardiac aging? Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127670. [PMID: 37913886 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The transcriptional co-activator Yes-associated protein (YAP) functions as a downstream effector of the Hippo signaling pathway and plays a crucial role in cardiomyocyte survival. In its non-phosphorylated activated state, YAP binds to transcription factors, activating the transcription of downstream target genes. It also regulates cell proliferation and survival by selectively binding to enhancers and activating target genes. However, the upregulation of the Hippo pathway in human heart failure inhibits cardiac regeneration and disrupts astrogenesis, thus preventing the nuclear translocation of YAP. Existing literature indicates that the Hippo/YAP axis contributes to inflammation and fibrosis, potentially playing a role in the development of cardiac, vascular and renal injuries. Moreover, it is a key mediator of myofibroblast differentiation and fibrosis in the infarcted heart. Given these insights, can we harness YAP's regenerative potential in a targeted manner? In this review, we provide a detailed discussion of the Hippo signaling pathway and consolidate concepts for the development and intervention of cardiac anti-aging drugs to leverage YAP signaling as a pivotal target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhi Leng
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, China
| | - Chuanzhi Wang
- College of Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhide Liang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Fanghui Qiu
- School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, China
| | - Shuangshuang Zhang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, China.
| | - Yuan Yang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Physical Education, Qingdao University, China.
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Yang Y, Huang S, Wang J, Nie X, Huang L, Li T. Wogonin attenuates vascular remodeling by inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration in hypertensive rat. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 28:39-48. [PMID: 38154963 PMCID: PMC10762488 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2024.28.1.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Wogonin, extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been shown to suppress collagen deposition in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). This study was performed to investigate the role and mechanism of wogonin underlying vascular remodeling in SHRs. After injection of SHRs with 40 mg/kg of wogonin, blood pressure in rats was measured once a week. Masson's trichrome staining was conducted to observe the changes in aortas and mesenteric arteries. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from rat thoracic aortas were treated with Angiotensin II (Ang II; 100 nM) in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of wogonin. The viability and proliferation of VSMCs were examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay, respectively. The migration of VSMCs was examined using wound healing assay and transwell assay. We found that wogonin administration alleviated hypertension, increased lumen diameter, and reduced the thickness of the arterial media in SHRs. Ang II treatment enhanced the viability of VSMCs, which was inhibited by wogonin in a concentration-dependent manner. Wogonin reversed Ang II-induced increases in the viability, proliferation, and migration of VSMCs. Moreover, wogonin inhibited Ang II-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in VSMCs. Overall, wogonin repressed the proliferative and migratory capacity of VSMCs by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, thereby attenuating vascular remodeling in hypertensive rats, indicating that wogonin might be a therapeutic agent for the treatment of vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Cardiovasology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Shan Huang
- Department of Cardiovasology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Cardiovasology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Xiao Nie
- Hainan Eye Hospital and Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Haikou 570311, China
| | - Ling Huang
- Department of Cardiology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430014, China
| | - Tianfa Li
- Department of Cardiovasology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570100, China
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Monastero R, Magro D, Venezia M, Pisano C, Balistreri CR. A promising therapeutic peptide and preventive/diagnostic biomarker for age-related diseases: The Elabela/Apela/Toddler peptide. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102076. [PMID: 37776977 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Elabela (ELA), Apela or Toddler peptide is a hormone peptide belonging to the adipokine group and a component of apelinergic system, discovered in 2013-2014. Given its high homology with apelin, the first ligand of APJ receptor, ELA likely mediates similar effects. Increasing evidence shows that ELA has a critical function not only in embryonic development, but also in adulthood, contributing to physiological and pathological conditions, such as the onset of age-related diseases (ARD). However, still little is known about the mechanisms and molecular pathways of ELA, as well as its precise functions in ARD pathophysiology. Here, we report the mechanisms by which ELA/APJ signaling acts in a very complex network of pathways for the maintenance of physiological functions of human tissue and organs, as well as in the onset of some ARD, where it appears to play a central role. Therefore, we describe the possibility to use the ELA/APJ pathway, as novel biomarker (predictive and diagnostic) and target for personalized treatments of ARD. Its potentiality as an optimal peptide candidate for therapeutic ARD treatments is largely described, also detailing potential current limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Monastero
- Section of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniele Magro
- Cellular, Molecular and Clinical Pathological Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marika Venezia
- Cellular, Molecular and Clinical Pathological Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogera Pisano
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Tor Vergata University Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Cellular, Molecular and Clinical Pathological Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90134, Palermo, Italy.
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Xu C. Cardiovascular aspects of ELABELA: A potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 151:107193. [PMID: 37433415 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
ELABELA, an early endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor APJ (apelin peptide jejunum, apelin receptor), has been known as an important regulator in cardiovascular homeostasis and may be a novel therapeutic target for multiple cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). At the physiological level, ELABELA exhibits angiogenic and vasorelaxant effects and is essential for heart development. At the pathological level, circulating ELABELA levels may be a novel diagnostic biomarker for various CVDs. ELABELA peripherally displays antihypertensive, vascular-protective, and cardioprotective effects, whereas central administration of ELABELA elevated BP and caused cardiovascular remodeling. This review highlights the physiological and pathological roles of ELABELA in the cardiovascular system. Enhancement of the peripheral ELABELA may be a promising pharmacological therapeutic strategy for CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanming Xu
- Translational Medicine Centre, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330002, Jiangxi, China.
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Xi Y, Li Y, Ren W, Bo W, Ma Y, Pan S, Gong DAW, Tian Z. ELABELA-APJ-Akt/YAP Signaling Axis: A Novel Mechanism of Aerobic Exercise in Cardioprotection of Myocardial Infarction Rats. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2023; 55:1172-1183. [PMID: 36878020 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the function and mechanisms of ELABELA (ELA) in the aerobic exercise-induced antiapoptosis and angiogenesis of ischemic heart. METHODS The myocardial infarction (MI) model of Sprague-Dawley rat was established by the ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. MI rats underwent 5 wk of Fc-ELA-21 subcutaneous injection and aerobic exercise training using a motorized rodent treadmill. Heart function was evaluated by hemodynamic measures. Cardiac pathological remodeling was evaluated by Masson's staining and the calculation of left ventricular weight index. Cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and Yes-associated protein (YAP) translocation were observed by immunofluorescence staining. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL. Cell culture and treatment were used to elucidate the molecular mechanism of ELA. Protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Angiogenesis was observed by tubule formation test. One-way or two-way ANOVA and Student's t -test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Aerobic exercise stimulated the endogenous ELA expression. Exercise and Fc-ELA-21 intervention significantly activated APJ-Akt-mTOR-P70S6K signaling pathway, kept more cardiomyocytes alive, and increased angiogenesis, so as to inhibit the cardiac pathological remodeling and improved the heart function of MI rats. Fc-ELA-32 also had the cellular and functional cardioprotective activities in vivo . In vitro , ELA-14 peptide regulated the phosphorylation and nucleoplasmic translocation of YAP and activated the APJ-Akt signaling pathway so as to increase the proliferation of H9C2 cells. Moreover, the antiapoptosis and the tubule formation of HUVECs were also enhanced by ELA-14, whereas the inhibition of Akt activity weakened such effects. CONCLUSIONS ELA is a potential therapeutic member that plays a key role through APJ-Akt/YAP signaling axis in aerobic exercise-induced cardioprotection of MI rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yongxia Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. CHINA
| | - Wujing Ren
- Institute of Sports and Exercise Biology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. CHINA
| | - Wenyan Bo
- Institute of Sports and Exercise Biology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. CHINA
| | - Yixuan Ma
- Institute of Sports and Exercise Biology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. CHINA
| | - Shou Pan
- Institute of Sports and Exercise Biology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. CHINA
| | - DA-Wei Gong
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Zhenjun Tian
- Institute of Sports and Exercise Biology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. CHINA
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Kukreti N, Chitme HR, Varshney VK, Abdel-Wahab BA, Khateeb MM, Habeeb MS. Antioxidant Properties Mediate Nephroprotective and Hepatoprotective Activity of Essential Oil and Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of the High-Altitude Plant Skimmia anquetilia. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1167. [PMID: 37371897 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12061167] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
There are many high-altitude plants such as Skimmia anquetilia that are unexplored for their possible medicinal values. The present study was conducted to examine the antioxidant activities of Skimmia anquetilia (SA) using in vitro and in vivo models. The SA hydro-alcoholic extracts were investigated using LC-MS for their chemical constituents. The essential oil and hydro-alcoholic extracts of SA were evaluated for pharmacological properties. The antioxidant properties were evaluated using in vitro DPPH, reducing power, cupric reducing antioxidant power, and metal chelating assays. The anti-hemolytic activity was carried out using a human blood sample. The in vivo antioxidant activities were evaluated using CCL4-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity assay. The in vivo evaluation included histopathological examination, tissue biochemical evaluation such as the kidney function test, catalase activity, reduced glutathione activity, and lipid peroxidation estimation. The phytochemical investigation showed that the hydro-alcoholic extract contains multiple important active constituents such as L-carnosine, acacetin, linoleic acid, leucylleucyl tyrosine, esculin sesquihydrate, etc., similar to the components of SA essential oil reported in a previous study. The high amount of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) reflect (p < 0.001) a high level of reducing power, cupric reducing, and metal chelating properties. This significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited enlargement of the liver, with a significant reduction in ALT (p < 0.01) and AST (p < 0.001). Highly significant improvement in the functioning of the kidney was noted using the blood urea and creatinine (p < 0.001) levels. Tissue-based activities showed a major rise in catalase, reduced glutathione, and reduced lipid peroxidation activities. We conclude from this study that the occurrence of a high quantity of flavonoid and phenolic contents had strong antioxidant properties, leading to hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity. Further active constituent-specific activities should be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Kukreti
- Faculty of Pharmacy, DIT University, Dehradun 248009, India
| | | | - Vinay K Varshney
- Chemistry & Bioprospecting Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248006, India
| | - Basel A Abdel-Wahab
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran P.O. Box 1988, Saudi Arabia
| | - Masood Medleri Khateeb
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran P.O. Box 1988, Saudi Arabia
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GUAN B, CHEN XQ, LIU Y, ZHOU H, YANG MY, ZHENG HW, LI SJ, CAO J. Causal effects of circulating vitamin levels on the risk of heart failure: a Mendelian randomization study. J Geriatr Cardiol 2023; 20:195-204. [PMID: 37091260 PMCID: PMC10114193 DOI: 10.26599/1671-5411.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational studies suggest inverse associations between serum vitamin levels and the risk of heart failure (HF). However, the causal effects of vitamins on HF have not been fully elucidated. Here, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate the causal associations between genetically determined vitamin levels and HF. METHODS Genetic instrumental variables for circulating vitamin levels, including vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, which were assessed as either absolute or metabolite levels were obtained from public genome-wide association studies. Summary statistics for single-nucleotide-polymorphisms and HF associations were retrieved from the HERMES Consortium (47,309 cases and 930,014 controls) and FinnGen Study (30,098 cases and 229,612 controls). Two-sample MR analyses were implemented to assess the causality between vitamin levels and HF per outcome database, and the results were subsequently combined by meta-analysis. RESULTS Our MR study did not find significant associations between genetically determined circulating vitamin levels and HF risk. For absolute vitamin levels, the odds ratio for HF ranged from 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85-1.09, P = 0.41) for vitamin C to 1.05 (95% CI: 0.61-1.82, P = 0.85) for vitamin A. For vitamin metabolites, the odds ratio ranged between 0.94 (95% CI: 0.75-1.19, P = 0.62) for α-tocopherol and 1.11 (95% CI: 0.98-1.26, P = 0.09) for γ-tocopherol. CONCLUSION Evidence from our study does not support the causal effects of circulating vitamin levels on HF. Therefore, there may be no direct beneficial effects of vitamin intake on the prevention of primary HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo GUAN
- Medical School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang CHEN
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan LIU
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui ZHOU
- Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming-Yan YANG
- Medical School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Wei ZHENG
- Department of Cardiology, Tangshan Gongren Hospital Affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Tangshan, China
| | - Shi-Jun LI
- Geriatric Cardiology Department of the Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- (CAO J)
| | - Jian CAO
- Geriatric Cardiology Department of the Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- (LI SJ)
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10
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Xu P, Kong L, Tao C, Zhu Y, Cheng J, Li W, Shen N, Li R, Zhang C, Wang L, Zhang Y, Wang G, Liu X, Sun W, Hu W. Elabela-APJ axis attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting neuronal ferroptosis. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 196:171-186. [PMID: 36681202 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a form of non-apoptotic cell death caused by iron-dependent peroxidation of lipids. It contributes to ischemic stroke-induced neuronal damage. Elabela (ELA), a novel endogenous ligand for Apelin receptor (APJ), regulates oxidative stress and exerts a protective role in cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of ELA-APJ axis on cellular ferroptosis in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) remains elusive. The present study showed that ELA and APJ were expressed on neurons and increased after cerebral I/R injury. The I/R insult triggered typical molecular and morphological features of neuronal ferroptosis, including iron and MDA accumulation, mitochondrial shrink and membrane rupture, upregulation of positive ferroptosis regulators and downregulation of negative regulators. ELA-32 treatment reduced brain infarction and ameliorated neurobehavioral deficits and cognitive dysfunction. Moreover, ELA-32 administration alleviated neuronal ferroptosis, accompanied by reduced iron deposition, decreased mitochondrial damage, relived lipid peroxidation and glutathione reduction. Such effects of ELA-32 were abolished by AAV-APJ-RNAi or nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) inhibitor ML385. Mechanistically, ELA was shown to bind to APJ and activate NRF2/ARE anti-oxidative signaling pathway via Gα13. Together, these findings suggested that ELA-APJ axis mitigates neuronal ferroptosis after ischemic stroke and that the ELA-32 peptide may be a putative therapeutic avenue for ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Lingqi Kong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Chunrong Tao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Yuyou Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Juan Cheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Wenyu Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Nan Shen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Guoping Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Xinfeng Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
| | - Wen Sun
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
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11
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Salles ÉL, Emami Naeini S, Bhandari B, Khodadadi H, Threlkeld E, Rezaee S, Meeks W, Meeks A, Awe A, El-Marakby A, Yu JC, Wang LP, Baban B. Sexual Dimorphism in the Polarization of Cardiac ILCs through Elabela. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 45:223-232. [PMID: 36661503 PMCID: PMC9856941 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Elabela is a component of the apelinergic system and may exert a cardioprotective role by regulating the innate immune responses. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have a significant role in initiating and progressing immune-inflammatory responses. While ILCs have been intensively investigated during the last decade, little is known about their relationship with the apelinergic system and their cardiac diversity in a gender-based paradigm. In this study, we investigated the polarization of cardiac ILCs by Elabela in males versus females in a mouse model. Using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry analyses, we showed a potential interplay between Elabela and cardiac ILCs and whether such interactions depend on sexual dimorphism. Our findings showed, for the first time, that Elabela is expressed by cardiac ILCs, and its expression is higher in females' ILC class 3 (ILC3s) compared to males. Females had higher frequencies of ILC1s, and Elabela was able to suppress T-cell activation and the expression of co-stimulatory CD28 in a mixed lymphocyte reaction assay (MLR). In conclusion, our results suggest, for the first time, a protective role for Elabela through its interplay with ILCs and that it can be used as an immunotherapeutic target in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders in a gender-based fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Évila Lopes Salles
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(706)-721-3181
| | - Sahar Emami Naeini
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Bidhan Bhandari
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Hesam Khodadadi
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Edie Threlkeld
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Sholeh Rezaee
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - William Meeks
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Avery Meeks
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Aderemi Awe
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Ahmed El-Marakby
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Jack C. Yu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Lei P. Wang
- Medicinal Cannabis of Georgia LLC, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Babak Baban
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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12
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Wu X, Wei J, Yi Y, Gong Q, Gao J. Activation of Nrf2 signaling: A key molecular mechanism of protection against cardiovascular diseases by natural products. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1057918. [PMID: 36569290 PMCID: PMC9772885 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1057918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a group of cardiac and vascular disorders including myocardial ischemia, congenital heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, and cardiomyopathies. Despite considerable progress in prophylaxis and treatment options, CVDs remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and impose an extremely high socioeconomic burden. Oxidative stress (OS) caused by disequilibrium in the generation of reactive oxygen species plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of CVDs. Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor of endogenous antioxidant defense systems against OS, is considered an ideal therapeutic target for management of CVDs. Increasingly, natural products have emerged as a potential source of Nrf2 activators with cardioprotective properties and may therefore provide a novel therapeutic tool for CVD. Here, we present an updated comprehensive summary of naturally occurring products with cardioprotective properties that exert their effects by suppression of OS through activation of Nrf2 signaling, with the aim of providing useful insights for the development of therapeutic strategies exploiting natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China,Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jiajia Wei
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China,Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Yang Yi
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China,Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Qihai Gong
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China,Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jianmei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China,Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China,*Correspondence: Jianmei Gao,
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13
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Rakhshan K, Sharifi M, Ramezani F, Azizi Y, Aboutaleb N. ERK/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway: a molecular target of ELABELA (ELA) peptide for attenuating cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by promoting angiogenesis. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:10509-10519. [PMID: 36129600 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07818-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is caused by a chain of events such as endothelial dysfunction. This study was conducted to investigate protective effects of ELABELA against myocardial I/R in Wistar rats and clarify its possible mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: MI model was established based on the left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for 30 min. Then, 5 µg/kg of ELA peptide was intraperitoneally infused in rats once per day for 4 days. Western blot assay was used to assay the expression of t-ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 in different groups. The amount of myocardial capillary density, the expression levels of VEGF and HIF-1α were evaluated using immunohistochemistry assay. Masson's trichrome staining was utilized to assay cardiac interstitial fibrosis. The results showed that establishment of MI significantly enhanced cardiac interstitial fibrosis and changed p-ERK1/2/ t-ERK1/2 ratio. Likewise, ELA post-treatment markedly increased myocardial capillary density, the expression of several angiogenic factors (VEGF-A, HIF-1α), and reduced cardiac interstitial fibrosis by activation of ERK1/2 signaling pathways. CONCLUSION Collectively, ELA peptide has ability to reduce myocardial I/R injury by promoting angiogenesis and reducing cardiac interstitial fibrosis through activating ERK/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamran Rakhshan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Sharifi
- Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ramezani
- Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yaser Azizi
- Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahid Aboutaleb
- Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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14
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Zhou B, Wu N, Yan Y, Wu LL, Zhu GQ, Xiong XQ. Angiotensin II-induced miR-31-5p upregulation promotes vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. Exp Cell Res 2022; 419:113303. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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15
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Yin B, Wang YB, Li X, Hou XW. β‑aminoisobutyric acid ameliorates hypertensive vascular remodeling via activating the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway in VSMCs. Bioengineered 2022; 13:14382-14401. [PMID: 36694438 PMCID: PMC9995136 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2085583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of hypertension-related vascular remodeling. β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) is a nonprotein β-amino acid with multiple pharmacological actions. Recently, BAIBA has been shown to attenuate salt‑sensitive hypertension, but the role of BAIBA in hypertension-related vascular remodeling has yet to be fully clarified. This study examined the potential roles and underlying mechanisms of BAIBA in VSMC proliferation and migration induced by hypertension. Primary VSMCs were cultured from the aortas of Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Our results showed that BAIBA pretreatment obviously alleviated the phenotypic transformation, proliferation, and migration of SHR-derived VSMCs. Exogenous BAIBA significantly inhibited the release of inflammatory cytokines by diminishing phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 NFκB, retarding IκBα phosphorylation and degradation, as well as erasing STAT3 phosphorylation in VSMCs. Supplementation of BAIBA triggered Nrf2 dissociation from Keap1 and inhibited oxidative stress in VSMCs from SHR. Mechanistically, activation of the AMPK/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) axis was required for BAIBA to cube hypertension-induced VSMC proliferation, migration, oxidative damage and inflammatory response. Most importantly, exogenous BAIBA alleviated hypertension, ameliorated vascular remodeling and fibrosis, abated vascular oxidative burst and inflammation in SHR, an effect that was abolished by deficiency of AMPKα1 and SIRT1. BAIBA might serve as a novel therapeutic agent to prevent vascular remodeling in the context of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yin
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Yu-Bin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Xu-Wei Hou
- Department of Human Anatomy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
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