IL-1α and TNF-α as an inducer for ROS-mediated NLRP1/NLRP3 inflammasomes activation in mononuclear blood cells from individuals with chronic insomnia disorder

Enhanced external counterpulsation improves sleep quality in chronic insomnia: A pilot randomized controlled study

PURPOSE

To investigate the short-term efficacy of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) on chronic insomnia.

METHODS

This is a pilot randomized, participant-blind, and sham-controlled study. Forty-six participants with chronic insomnia were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive EECP or sham EECP intervention (total of 35 sessions with 45 min each). The primary outcome was Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The secondary outcomes included sleep diary, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Short-Form Health Survey (SF12), flow mediated dilation (FMD), serum biomarkers of melatonin, cortisol, interleukin-6, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Outcomes were assessed after treatment and at 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The PSQI was significantly decreased in both EECP and sham groups after 35-session intervention (13.74 to 6.96 in EECP and 13.04 to 9.48 in sham), and EECP decreased PSQI more than sham EECP (p = 0.009). PSQI in two groups kept improved at 3-month follow-up. After treatment, the total sleep time, sleep efficiency, FMD value and SF12 mental component of EECP group were significantly improved, and group differences were found for these outcomes. At follow-up, total sleep time, sleep efficiency and SF12 mental component of EECP group remained improved, and group difference for SF12 mental component was found. Post-treatment and follow-up HADS-A significantly decreased in both groups, with no differences between groups. Post-treatment serum biomarkers showed no differences within and between groups.

LIMITATION

Lack of objective sleep measurement.

CONCLUSION

EECP could improve sleep quality and mental quality of life in chronic insomnia and the therapeutic effect maintained for 3 months.

Sleep deprivation aggravates lipopolysaccharide-induced anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment: The role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and synaptic plasticity-associated proteins

Growing evidence indicates that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment. Sleep loss disrupts the host's immune balance and increases neuroinflammation. This study explored whether chronic sleep deprivation aggravates lipopolysaccharide-induced anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment and assessed the underlying mechanisms. Lipopolysaccharide (250 μg/kg) was administered to adult mice for 9 days, accompanied with daily intermittent sleep deprivation from 12:00 to 18:00 by using an activity wheel. Anxiety, depression, and cognitive function were evaluated using a task battery consisting of an open field, elevated plus maze, tail suspension, forced swimming, and Morris water maze tests. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and synaptic plasticity-associated proteins were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot, respectively. The results showed that lipopolysaccharide increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, impaired cognitive function, uprelated interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95), and synaptophysin (SYN), which were aggravated by chronic sleep deprivation. These results suggest that chronic sleep deprivation exerted adverse effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment, which was associated with changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines and synaptic plasticity associated proteins.

S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A8 Functions as a Tumor-Promoting Factor in Renal Cell Carcinoma via Activating NF-κB Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), arising from the renal tubular epithelium, is one of the most common types of genitourinary malignancies. Based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE100666), S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) was highly expressed in RCC tissues. S100A8, an inflammatory regulatory factor, has emerged as an important mediator associated with the occurrence and development of cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to identify the key genes and investigate the main signaling pathways in RCC. Human RCC samples and corresponding adjacent normal tissues were collected in our hospital. The expression of S100A8 in human RCC samples was detected using western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. S100A8 overexpression or knockdown was mediated by using Lipofectamine 3000 in human renal cell carcinoma cell line 786-O and ACHN cells. Basic experiments, including MTT and cell apoptosis assays, were utilized for investigating the function of S100A8 in RCC. Furthermore, the levels of inflammation were also evaluated in 786-O and ACHN cells.

RESULTS

In the current study, we found that downregulation of S100A8 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis in 786-O and ACHN RCC cells. Of note, S100A8 silencing downregulated the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, thereby decreasing the levels of TNF-α, cleaved caspase1, and MMP9. By contrast, S100A8 upregulation could increase these expressions.

CONCLUSION

Overall, S100A8 knockdown restrained RCC malignant biological properties, which was associated with the deactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. This present study demonstrates new insights that S100A8 may be a potential therapeutic target in RCC.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of sleep disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), restless leg syndrome (RLS) and insomnia, are present in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with varied prevalence. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate prevalence of OSA, RLS and insomnia in patients with COPD and summarize their clinical characteristics.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus for eligible articles reporting the prevalence of OSA, RLS, and insomnia in COPD patients. The Newcastle‒Ottawa scale was applied for quality assessment. Odds ratios or mean differences with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were applied for the overall prevalence calculation and clinical characteristics assessment. Sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted to evaluate the heterogeneity of the results.

RESULTS

Sixty articles reporting the prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with COPD were included, and the prevalence of OSA, RLS, and insomnia reached 29.1 %(95%CI 27.2%-30.9 %), 21.6 %(95%CI 11.8%-33.3 %) and 29.5 %(95%CI 16.9%-44.0 %), respectively. COPD patients with OSA were characterized by male sex (OR 1.631 95 % CI: 1.231-2.161), obesity(kg/m2) (MD 4.435, 95 % CI 3.218-5.652), higher Epworth Sleepiness Scale (MD: 3.741, 95 % CI: 0.655-6.828, p = 0.018), better pulmonary function (MD 5.66, 95 % CI 3.546-7.774) and higher risks of hypertension (OR 1.933 95 % CI 1.382-2.70) and diabetes (OR 1.898 95 % CI 1.264-2.849). COPD patients with RLS were associated with a higher Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) score (MD 3.444, 95 % CI 1.880-5.008) and a longer COPD duration(year) (MD: 3.656, 95 % CI: 2.209-5.103). COPD patients with insomnia were characterized by female sex(OR 0.556, 95%CI 0.545,0.567, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that OSA, RLS and insomnia are common in COPD patients with specific clinical characteristics. Further studies are needed to explore the interactions between COPD and sleep disorders.

Natural Immunosuppressants as a Treatment for Chronic Insomnia Targeting the Inflammatory Response Induced by NLRP3/caspase-1/IL-1β Axis Activation: A Scooping Review

Chronic insomnia is an inflammatory-related disease with an important pathological basis for various diseases which is a serious threat to a person's physical and mental health. So far, many hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of insomnia, among which inflammatory mechanisms have become the focus of scientific attention. In this regard, the aim of the present scooping review is to evaluate the potential benefits of natural compounds in treatment of chronic insomnia targeting nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor-pyrin-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1/IL-1β axis as one of the most important activators of inflammatory cascades. The data show that compounds that have the potential to cause inflammation induce sleep disorders, and that inflammatory mediators are key molecules in regulating the sleep-related activity of neurons. In the inflammatory process of insomnia, the role of NLRP3 in the pathogenesis of insomnia has been gradually considered by researchers. NLRP3 is an intracellular sensor that recognizes the widest range of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). After identification and binding to damage factors, NLRP3 inflammasome is assembled to activate the caspase-1 and IL-1β. Increased production and secretion of IL-1β may be involved in central nervous system dysregulation of physiological sleep. The current scooping review reports the potential benefits of natural compounds that target NLRP3 inflammasome pathway activity and highlights the hypothesis which NLRP3 /caspase-1/IL-1β may serve as a potential therapeutic target for managing inflammation and improving symptoms in chronic insomnia.

The Underlying Mechanisms of Sleep Deprivation Exacerbating Neuropathic Pain

Pain disrupts sleep, and sleep deprivation or interference can alter pain perception in animals and humans, for example by increasing sensitivity to pain. However, the mechanism by which sleep affects neuropathic pain remains unclear. In this review, we discuss the available evidence from the epidemiologic, clinical, and human, as well as laboratory studies. In previous studies, we have found that sleep deprivation affects various injurious systems, including opioids, dopaminergic, immune, orexins, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and adenosine. At the same time, these systems play a crucial role in neuropathic pain regulation. In the complex interactions between these neurobiological systems, there may be potential regulatory pathways through which sleep deprivation amplifies neuropathic pain. Because of the impact sleep problems and neuropathic pain can have on the patients' quality of life, studying the link between sleep and neuropathic pain is important for neuropathic pain prevention and public health.

Role of the inflammasome in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus

The inflammasome is a protein complex composed of a variety of proteins in cells and which participates in the innate immune response of the body. It can be activated by upstream signal regulation and plays an important role in pyroptosis, apoptosis, inflammation, tumor regulation, etc. In recent years, the number of metabolic syndrome patients with insulin resistance (IR) has increased year by year, and the inflammasome is closely related to the occurrence and development of metabolic diseases. The inflammasome can directly or indirectly affect conduction of the insulin signaling pathway, involvement the occurrence of IR and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Moreover, various therapeutic agents also work through the inflammasome to treat with diabetes. This review focuses on the role of inflammasome on IR and T2DM, pointing out the association and utility value. Briefly, we have discussed the main inflammasomes, including NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6 and AIM2, as well as their structure, activation and regulation in IR were described in detail. Finally, we discussed the current therapeutic options-associated with inflammasome for the treatment of T2DM. Specially, the NLRP3-related therapeutic agents and options are widely developed. In summary, this article reviews the role of and research progress on the inflammasome in IR and T2DM.

Nanowired Delivery of Cerebrolysin Together with Antibodies to Amyloid Beta Peptide, Phosphorylated Tau, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Induces Superior Neuroprotection in Alzheimer's Disease Brain Pathology Exacerbated by Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation induces amyloid beta peptide and phosphorylated tau deposits in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid together with altered serotonin metabolism. Thus, it is likely that sleep deprivation is one of the predisposing factors in precipitating Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain pathology. Our previous studies indicate significant brain pathology following sleep deprivation or AD. Keeping these views in consideration in this review, nanodelivery of monoclonal antibodies to amyloid beta peptide (AβP), phosphorylated tau (p-tau), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in sleep deprivation-induced AD is discussed based on our own investigations. Our results suggest that nanowired delivery of monoclonal antibodies to AβP with p-tau and TNF-α induces superior neuroprotection in AD caused by sleep deprivation, not reported earlier.