Micro ribonucleic acid-363 regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/threonine protein kinase axis by targeting NOTCH1 and forkhead box C2, leading to hepatic glucose and lipids metabolism disorder in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Hepatic miR-363 promotes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by suppressing INSIG1

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) constitutes one of major worldwide health problem which typically progressively results in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and eventually cirrhosis and liver cancer. Liver-specific deletion of INSIG1 promotes SREBP1 nuclear translocation to activate downstream lipogenic genes expression, leading to lipid accumulation. However, the underlying pathogenesis of NAFLD, and particularly involved in miRNA participation are still to be thoroughly explored. Here, we found that miR-363-3p was significantly overexpressed in high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet mice liver tissue and fatty acid-induced steatosis cells. miR-363-3p directly targets INSIG1 to inhibit its expression, thereby facilitating the cleavage of SREBP and nuclear translocation to activate subsequent transcription of lipogenic genes in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we identified apigenin, a natural flavonoid compound, inhibited miR-363-3p expression to up-regulate INSIG1 and suppress nuclear translocation of SREBP1, thereby down-regulated lipogenic genes expression in steatosis cells and HFHC diet mice liver tissues. Taken together, our results demonstrated that miR-363-3p as a key regulator of hepatic lipid homeostasis targeted INSIG1, and apigenin alleviated NAFLD through the miR-363-3p/INSIG1/SREBP1 pathway. This indicates that reduction of miR-363-3p levels as a possible treatment of hepatic steatosis and provides a potential new therapeutic strategy for targeting miRNA to ameliorate NAFLD.

Comorbidity Genes of Alzheimer's Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Associated with Memory and Cognitive Function

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are comorbidities that result from the sharing of common genes. The molecular background of comorbidities can provide clues for the development of treatment and management strategies. Here, the common genes involved in the development of the two diseases and in memory and cognitive function are reviewed. Network clustering based on protein-protein interaction network identified tightly connected gene clusters that have an impact on memory and cognition among the comorbidity genes of AD and T2DM. Genes with functional implications were intensively reviewed and relevant evidence summarized. Gene information will be useful in the discovery of biomarkers and the identification of tentative therapeutic targets for AD and T2DM.

miR-363-3p/PTEN is involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism by genistein in HepG2 cells via ERβ

BACKGROUND

Genistein (GEN) is one of the most well-known phytoestrogens identified in various legumes. Although increasing evidence shows GEN has a potential use in phytotherapy to regulate lipid metabolism, its therapeutic mechanisms have not yet been completely elucidated, especially epigenetic alterations of miRNAs to alleviate lipid accumulation in the liver remains unknown.

PURPOSE

To clarify how GEN modulates the miRNA profile in HepG2 cells and investigate molecular mechanisms of the modulated miRNA on regulating hepatic lipid metabolism.

METHODS

The miRNA microarray was performed to compare the miRNAs expression patterns, followed by determining principal miRNA and its target gene associated with hepatic lipid metabolism modulated by GEN. miR-363-3p mimics (mi) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-siRNA were transfected into HepG2 cells and GEN was further treated with the cells for 24 h RESULTS: GEN induced downregulation of miR-363-3p and upregulation of PTEN, which was a target mRNA of miR-363-3p. The miR-363-3p mi led to an upregulation of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and its downstream lipid synthesis-related factors in HepG2 cells. In addition, the inhibition of PTEN led to an increase of lipogenesis, which was associated with the AKT/mTOR signal regulation. However, GEN treatment could abrogate the lipogenic effects of miR-363-3p mi or PTEN siRNA. The modulation was associated with estrogen receptor β (ERβ).

CONCLUSION

We discerned a new mechanism that GEN regulated hepatic lipid metabolism by inhibiting miR-363-3p, which could be mediated via ERβ and by targeting PTEN in HepG2 cells. Additionally, GEN reduced hepatic lipid accumulation by regulating PTEN-AKT/mTOR signal. It implicated a protective role of GEN by elucidating its epigenetic modification of the miRNA modulated by ERβ on improving hepatic lipid metabolism and provided novel evidence of the mechanism on targeting miR-363-3p/PTEN in treating hepatic lipid disorders.

Glucagon Promotes Gluconeogenesis through the GCGR/PKA/CREB/PGC-1α Pathway in Hepatocytes of the Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

In order to investigate the mechanism of glucagon regulation of gluconeogenesis, primary hepatocytes of the Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were incubated with synthesized glucagon, and methods based on inhibitors and gene overexpression were employed. The results indicated that glucagon promoted glucose production and increased the mRNA levels of glucagon receptor (gcgr), guanine nucleotide-binding protein Gs α subunit (gnas), adenylate cyclase 2 (adcy2), protein kinase A (pka), cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (creb1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (pgc-1α), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (pck1), and glucose-6-phosphatase (g6pc) in the hepatocytes. An inhibitor of GCGR decreased the mRNA expression of gcgr, gnas, adcy2, pka, creb1, pgc-1α, pck1, g6pc, the protein expression of phosphorylated CREB and PGC-1α, and glucose production. The overexpression of gcgr caused the opposite results. An inhibitor of PKA decreased the mRNA expression of pgc-1α, pck1, g6pc, the protein expression of phosphorylated-CREB, and glucose production in hepatocytes. A CREB-targeted inhibitor significantly decreased the stimulation by glucagon of the mRNA expression of creb1, pgc-1α, and gluconeogenic genes, and glucose production decreased accordingly. After incubating the hepatocytes with an inhibitor of PGC-1α, the glucagon-activated mRNA expression of pck1 and g6pc was significantly down-regulated. Together, these results demonstrate that glucagon promotes gluconeogenesis through the GCGR/PKA/CREB/PGC-1α pathway in the Japanese flounder.

Circulating microRNAs Showed Specific Responses according to Metabolic Syndrome Components and Sex of Adults from a Population-Based Study

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate several metabolic pathways and are potential biomarkers for early risk prediction of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our aim was to evaluate the levels of 21 miRNAs in plasma according to MetS components and sex in adults. We employed a cross-sectional study of 192 adults aged 20 to 59 years old from the 2015 Health Survey of São Paulo with Focus in Nutrition. Data showed reduced levels of miR-16 and miR-363 in women with MetS; however, men with one or more risk factors showed higher levels of miR-let-7c and miR-30a. Individuals with raised waist circumference showed higher levels of miR-let-7c, miR-122, miR-30a, miR-146a, miR-15a, miR-30d and miR-222. Individuals with raised blood pressure had higher miR-30a, miR-122 and miR-30a levels. Plasma levels of four miRNAs (miR-16, miR-363, miR-375 and miR-486) were lower in individuals with low HDL-cholesterol concentrations. In addition, plasma levels of five miRNAs (miR-122, miR-139, miR-let-7c, miR-126 and miR-30a) were increased in individuals with high fasting plasma glucose and/or insulin resistance. Our results suggest that the pattern of miRNA levels in plasma may be a useful early biomarker of cardiometabolic components of MetS and highlight the sex differences in the plasma levels of miRNAs in individuals with MetS.

Oncogenic functions of the FOXC2 transcription factor: a hallmarks of cancer perspective

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is a fundamental determinant of molecular and cellular function, and epigenetic reprogramming in the context of cancer has emerged as one of the key enabling characteristics associated with acquisition of the core hallmarks of this disease. As such, there has been renewed interest in studying the role of transcription factors as epigenetic regulators of gene expression in cancer. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge surrounding the oncogenic functions of FOXC2, a transcription factor that frequently becomes dysregulated in a variety of cancer types. In addition to highlighting the clinical impact of aberrant FOXC2 activity in cancer, we discuss mechanisms by which this transcription factor becomes dysregulated in both tumor and tumor-associated cells, placing particular emphasis on the ways in which FOXC2 promotes key hallmarks of cancer progression. Finally, we bring attention to important issues related to the oncogenic dysregulation of FOXC2 that must be addressed going forward in order to improve our understanding of FOXC2-mediated cancer progression and to guide prognostic and therapeutic applications of this knowledge in clinical settings.

Dendrobium mixture improves gestational diabetes mellitus through regulating Nrf2/HO1 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by insulin resistance during pregnancy, and it is always combined with serious complications. Dendrobium mixture (DMix) is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, and it has been proved to be an effective treatment for diabetes. However, the regulatory role of DMix in GDM remains elusive.

METHODS

High fat feed combined with streptozotocin injection and high glucose medium were used to establish GDM animal and cell models, respectively. The levels of blood glucose, blood lipid, and insulin were measured with commercial kits. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression.

RESULTS

DMix improved pancreas and placenta injury in GDM rats. DMix reversed the influence of GDM on the levels of SOD, MDA, and glutathione in the serum. Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in GDM rats were suppressed by DMix. The activation of MAPK and inhibition of Nrf2/HO1 in GDM animal and cell models were reversed by DMix. The increase of ROS intensity, apoptosis, and inflammation factors in HG treated cells were reversed by DMix.

CONCLUSION

This research proved that DMix improved GDM through inhibiting oxidative condition, inflammation factors, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. This study might provide a novel thought for the prevention and treatment of GDM.

Qizhi Kebitong Formula Ameliorates Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Osteoporosis through Regulating the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Pathway

Background

Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) is a progressive osteoblast dysfunction induced by high glucose, which has negative impacts on bone homeostasis. Qizhi Kebitong formula (QKF) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula for treating DOP. However, its role in the protection of DOP has not been clarified yet. Here, we aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of QKF on DOP development via in vivo experiment.

Methods

Network pharmacology was used to detect the key targets and signaling pathways of QKF on DOP. The effects of QKF on DOP were examined by the phenotypic characteristics, micro-CT, and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The predicted targets and pathways were validated by a streptozocin- (STZ-) induced mouse model. Subsequently, the levels of the selected genes and proteins were analyzed using qRT-PCR and Western blot. Finally, AutoDock and PyMOL were used for molecular docking.

Results

In this study, 90 active compounds and 2970 related disease targets have been found through network pharmacology. And QKF could improve the microstructures of femur bone mass, reduce inflammatory cell infiltration, and downregulate the levels of TNF-α, IKBKB, IL-6, and IL-1β. Moreover, the underlying effect of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathways was also recommended in the treatment.

Conclusion

Altogether, our findings suggested that QKF could markedly alleviate osteoblast dysfunction by modulating the key targets and PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.