TO901317 inhibits the development of hepatocellular carcinoma by LXRα/Glut1 decreasing glycometabolism

Mangiferin alleviated poststroke cognitive impairment by modulating lipid metabolism in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats

INTRODUCTION

Mangiferin is a Chinese herbal extract with multiple biological activities. Mangiferin can penetrate the blood‒brain barrier and has potential in the treatment of nervous system diseases. These findings suggest that mangiferin protects the neurological function in ischemic stroke rats by targeting multiple signaling pathways. However, little is known about the effect and mechanism of mangiferin in alleviating poststroke cognitive impairment.

METHODS

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) rats were generated via middle cerebral artery occlusion. Laser speckle imaging was used to monitor the cerebral blood flow. The I/R rats were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 40 mg/kg mangiferin for 7 consecutive days. Neurological scoring, and TTC staining were performed to evaluate neurological function. Behavioral experiments, including the open field test, elevated plus maze, sucrose preference test, and novel object recognition test, were performed to evaluate cognitive function. Metabolomic data from brain tissue with multivariate statistics were analyzed by gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Mangiferin markedly decreased neurological scores, and reduced infarct areas. Mangiferin significantly attenuated anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors and enhanced learning and memory in I/R rats. According to the metabolomics results, 13 metabolites were identified to be potentially regulated by mangiferin, and the differentially abundant metabolites were mainly involved in lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Mangiferin protected neurological function and relieved poststroke cognitive impairment by improving lipid metabolism abnormalities in I/R rats.

Global research trends on gut microbiota and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: Insights from bibliometric and scientometric analysis

Background

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is an inflammatory subtype of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has recently been proposed as a replacement term for NAFLD, a common, multifactorial and poorly understood liver disease whose incidence is increasing worldwide. In recent years, there has been increasing scientific interest in exploring the relationship between gut microbiota and MASH. To learn more about the gut microbiota in MASH, this study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the knowledge structure and research hotspots from a bibliometric perspective.

Methods

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection for articles and reviews that covered the connections between gut microbiota and MASH over the last decade. The Online Analysis Platforms, VOSviewer, CiteSpace, the R tool "bibliometrix" were used to analyzed existing publications trends and hotspots.

Results

A total of 4,069 documents related to the interaction between gut microbiota and MASH were retrieved from 2014 to 2023. The number of annual publications increased significantly over the last decade, particularly in the United States and China. The University of California-San Diego was the most productive institution, while researcher Rohit Loomba published the most papers in the field. Younossi ZM was ranked as the first co-cited author and largest contributor of highly cited articles in the field. Gastroenterology and hepatology were the most common specialty category. The most cited journal in the last decade was Hepatology. The Keyword Bursts analysis highlighted the importance of studying the association between gut microbiota and MASH, as well as related factors such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, endotoxemia and overgrowth of gut bacteria. Keyword clusters with co-citation were used to illustrate important topics including intestinal permeability, insulin sensitivity and liver immunology. The most common keywords include insulin resistance, obesity, dysbiosis, inflammation and oxidative stress, which are current hotspots.

Conclusion

Our analysis highlights key aspects of this field and emphasizes multiorgan crosstalk in MASLD/MASH pathogenesis. In particular, the central role of the gut-liver axis and the significant influence of gut microbiota dysbiosis on disease progression are highlighted. Furthermore, our results highlight the transformative potential of microbiota-specific therapies and cover the way for innovative healthcare and pharmaceutical strategies.

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic potential of ethanolic extract of Aristida depressa Retz through in vitro, in vivo, and in silico models

Uncontrolled inflammation is a crucial factor in the development of many diseases. Anti-inflammatory molecules based on natural sources are being actively studied, among which Aristida depressa Retz (Ar.dp) has been traditionally used as a paste to heal inflammation. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic potential of an ethanolic extract of A. depressa through a battery of in vivo and in vitro models. The ethanolic extract of A. depressa was prepared by maceration and chemically characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography, which revealed the presence of quercetin, vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, m-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, and sinapic acid; its antioxidant capacity was then screened with the DPPH in vitro assay, which indicated moderate scavenging capacity. A protein denaturation assay was next performed to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of Ar.dp, which showed significant inhibition (44.44%) compared to the standard drug (diclofenac sodium), with 89.19% inhibition at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. The in vivo safety profile of Ar.dp was evaluated in accordance with the OECD-425 acute toxicity guidelines and found to be safe up to 5 g/kg. The in vivo anti-inflammatory potentials of Ar.dp were evaluated at three different doses (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) in acute (carrageenan-induced edema: 84.60%, histamine-induced paw edema: 84%), sub-chronic (cotton-pellet-induced granuloma: 57.54%), and chronic (complete-Freund's-adjuvant-induced arthritis: 82.2%) models. Our results showed that Ar.dp had significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory effects over diclofenac sodium in the acute and chronic models. Histopathology studies indicated reduced infiltration of paw tissues with inflammatory cells in Ar.dp-treated animals. Similarly, Ar.dp showed significant (p < 0.05) analgesic (yeast-induced-pyrexia model: 23.53%) and antipyretic (acetic-acid-induced writhing model: 51%) effects in a time-dependent manner. In silico studies on the interactions of COX-1 and COX-2 with the eight ligands mentioned earlier confirmed the inhibition of enzymes responsible for inflammation and fever. Based on the findings of the present study, it is concluded that Ar.dp has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties that are likely linked to its pharmacologically active phenolic bioactive molecules.

TIPRL, a Potential Double-edge Molecule to be Targeted and Re-targeted Toward Cancer

The target of rapamycin (TOR) proteins exhibits phylogenetic conservation across various species, ranging from yeast to humans, and are classified as members of the phosphatidylinositol kinase (PIK)-related kinase family. Multiple serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein phosphatases (PP)2A, PP4, and PP6, have been recognized as constituents of the TOR signaling pathway in mammalian cells. The protein known as TOR signaling pathway regulator-like (TIPRL) functions as a regulatory agent by impeding the activity of the catalytic subunits of PP2A. Various cellular contexts have been postulated for TIPRL, encompassing the regulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, inhibition of apoptosis and biogenesis, and recycling of PP2A. According to reports, there has been an observed increase in TIPRL levels in several types of carcinomas, such as non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). This review aims to comprehensively examine the significance of the Tor pathway in regulating apoptosis and proliferation of cancer cells, with a specific focus on the role of TOR signaling and TIPRL in cancer.

Unveiling the causal link between metabolic factors and ovarian cancer risk using Mendelian randomization analysis

Background

Metabolic abnormalities are closely tied to the development of ovarian cancer (OC), yet the relationship between anthropometric indicators as risk indicators for metabolic abnormalities and OC lacks consistency.

Method

The Mendelian randomization (MR) approach is a widely used methodology for determining causal relationships. Our study employed summary statistics from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and we used inverse variance weighting (IVW) together with MR-Egger and weighted median (WM) supplementary analyses to assess causal relationships between exposure and outcome. Furthermore, additional sensitivity studies, such as leave-one-out analyses and MR-PRESSO were used to assess the stability of the associations.

Result

The IVW findings demonstrated a causal associations between 10 metabolic factors and an increased risk of OC. Including "Basal metabolic rate" (OR= 1.24, P= 6.86×10-4); "Body fat percentage" (OR= 1.22, P= 8.20×10-3); "Hip circumference" (OR= 1.20, P= 5.92×10-4); "Trunk fat mass" (OR= 1.15, P= 1.03×10-2); "Trunk fat percentage" (OR= 1.25, P= 8.55×10-4); "Waist circumference" (OR= 1.23, P= 3.28×10-3); "Weight" (OR= 1.21, P= 9.82×10-4); "Whole body fat mass" (OR= 1.21, P= 4.90×10-4); "Whole body fat-free mass" (OR= 1.19, P= 4.11×10-3) and "Whole body water mass" (OR= 1.21, P= 1.85×10-3).

Conclusion

Several metabolic markers linked to altered fat accumulation and distribution are significantly associated with an increased risk of OC.

Non-coding RNA mediated regulation of PI3K/Akt pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma: Therapeutic perspectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the primary reasons for fatalities caused by cancer globally, highlighting the need for comprehensive knowledge of its molecular aetiology to develop successful treatment approaches. The PI3K/Akt system is essential in the course of HCC, rendering it an intriguing candidate for treatment. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are important mediators of the PI3K/Akt network in HCC. The article delves into the complex regulatory functions of ncRNAs in influencing the PI3K/Akt system in HCC. The study explores how lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs impact the expression as well as the function of the PI3K/Akt network, either supporting or preventing HCC growth. Additionally, treatment strategies focusing on ncRNAs in HCC are examined, such as antisense oligonucleotide-based methods, RNA interference, and small molecule inhibitor technologies. Emphasizing the necessity of ensuring safety and effectiveness in clinical settings, limitations, and future approaches in using ncRNAs as therapies for HCC are underlined. The present study offers useful insights into the complex regulation system of ncRNAs and the PI3K/Akt cascade in HCC, suggesting possible opportunities for developing innovative treatment approaches to address this lethal tumor.

Designing and Synthesis of Novel Fexofenadine-Derived Hydrazone-Schiff bases as Potential Urease Inhibitors: In-Vitro, Molecular Docking and DFT Investigations

Thirteen novel hydrazone-Schiff bases (3-15) of fexofenadine were succesfully synthesized, structurally deduced and finally assessed their capability to inhibit urease enzyme (in vitro). In the series, six compounds 12 (IC50=10.19±0.16 μM), 11 (IC50=15.05±1.11 μM), 10 (IC50=17.01±1.23 μM), 9 (IC50=17.22±0.81 μM), 13 (IC50=19.31±0.18 μM), and 14 (IC50=19.62±0.21 μM) displayed strong inhibitory action better than the standard thiourea (IC50=21.14±0.24 μM), while the remaining compounds displayed significant to less inhibition. LUMO and HOMO showed the transferring of charges from molecules to biological transfer and MEP map showed the chemically reactive zone appropriate for drug action are calculated using DFT. AIM charges, non-bonding orbitals, and ELF are also computed. The urease protein binding analysis benefited from the docking studies.

GC-MS based antioxidants characterization in Saussurea heteromalla (D. Don) Hand-Mazz by inhibition of nitric oxide generation in macrophages

For centuries, medicinal plants have served as the cornerstone for traditional health care systems and same practice is still prevalent today. In the Himalayan region, Saussurea heteromalla holds a significant place in traditional medicine and is used to address various health issues. Despite its historical use, little exploration has focused on its potential for scavenging free radicals and reducing inflammation. Hence, our current study aims to investigate the free radical scavenging capabilities of S. heteromalla extracts. The n-hexane extract of entire plant revealed promising activity. This extract underwent extensive extraction on a larger scale. Subsequent purification, employing column chromatography, HPLC-DAD techniques, led to the identification of active compounds, confirmed via GC-MS and the NIST database as 1-O-butyl 2-O-octyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate and 2,4-ditert-butylphenol. Assessing the free radical scavenging properties involved utilizing RAW-264.7 macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharides. Notably, the compound 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol exhibited remarkable scavenging abilities, demonstrating over 80% inhibition of Nitric oxide. This study stands as the inaugural report on the isolation of these compounds from S. heteromalla.

Astaxanthin suppresses the malignant behaviors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by blocking PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways via miR-29a-3p

BACKGROUND

As a natural extraction, astaxanthin is gaining increasing attention because of its safety and anti-tumor properties. It has been reported to participate in the progression of various types of cancer such as gastric cancer and ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, the role of astaxanthin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been investigated.

OBJECT

The study aimed to explore the anticancer mechanism of astaxanthin in regulating NPC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, migration, and invasion.

METHODS

Human NPC cells (C666-1) were treated with different concentrations of astaxanthin (0, 1, 10, 20 mg/mL) followed by detection of cell viability. Then, C666-1 cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, invasion, and migration in response to 10 mg/mL astaxanthin, LY294002 (PI3K/AKT inhibitor) or parthenolide (PTL; NF-κB inhibitor) treatment were measured using cell counting kit-8 assay, colony forming assay, flow cytometry analyses, Transwell assay, and wound healing assay, respectively. Western blotting was performed to quantify protein levels of factors involved in PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways, cell cycle phase markers (Cyclin D1, p21) and apoptotic markers (Bcl-2 and Bax).

RESULTS

C666-1 cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were significantly suppressed by astaxanthin while cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase were effectively enhanced in the context of 10 mg/mL astaxanthin. Protein levels of p-AKT, p-P65 and p-IκB levels were suppressed by astaxanthin treatment. After LY294002 or PTL treatment, the suppressive impact of astaxanthin on C666-1 cell process was strengthened, accompanied by the more obvious decrease in cell activity and cell colony number, more enhanced cell apoptosis and G1 phase arrest, and further inhibited cell migration and invasion. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of astaxanthin on Cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 protein levels as well as the promoting impact of astaxanthin on p21 and Bax were also amplified in combination with LY294002 or PTL treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Astaxanthin significantly suppresses NPC cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, migration, invasion while promoting cell apoptosis by inactivating PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways. The study first reveals the anticancer role of astaxanthin in NPC, providing a potential candidate for NPC treatment.

Investigating Potential Cancer Therapeutics: Insight into Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) Inhibitions

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that remove acetyl groups from ɛ-amino of histone, and their involvement in the development and progression of cancer disorders makes them an interesting therapeutic target. This study seeks to discover new inhibitors that selectively inhibit HDAC enzymes which are linked to deadly disorders like T-cell lymphoma, childhood neuroblastoma, and colon cancer. MOE was used to dock libraries of ZINC database molecules within the catalytic active pocket of target HDACs. The top three hits were submitted to MD simulations ranked on binding affinities and well-occupied interaction mechanisms determined from molecular docking studies. Inside the catalytic active site of HDACs, the two stable inhibitors LIG1 and LIG2 affect the protein flexibility, as evidenced by RMSD, RMSF, Rg, and PCA. MD simulations of HDACs complexes revealed an alteration from extended to bent motional changes within loop regions. The structural deviation following superimposition shows flexibility via a visual inspection of movable loops at different timeframes. According to PCA, the activity of HDACs inhibitors induces structural dynamics that might potentially be utilized to define the nature of protein inhibition. The findings suggest that this study offers solid proof to investigate LIG1 and LIG2 as potential HDAC inhibitors.

Investigation the biological activities and the metabolite profiles of endophytic fungi isolated from Gundelia tournefortii L

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that are considered as a potential source of natural compounds, and can be applied in various industries. The aims of this research were molecular identification of endophytic fungi isolated from the Gundelia tournefortii stems, and investigation their biological activities as well as phenolic and fatty acid profile. Surface sterilized stems of G. tournefortii were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) to isolate the fungal endophytes. Genomic DNA was extracted by CTAB method, and PCR amplification was performed by ITS 1 and ITS 4 as primers. The enzyme production of endophytic fungi was determined based on the formation of a clear zone that appeared around the colonies of fungus. The anti-oxidant activity was evaluated by measuring the amount of free radicals DPPH. Also, the total phenol and flavonoid contents were measured obtained by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Moreover, the separation and identification of phenolic acids and fatty acids were done by HPLC and GC, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis was done based on the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region, and five isolates were identified as following: Aspergillus niger, Penicillium glabrum, Alternaria alternata, A. tenuissima, and Mucor circinelloides. Evaluation of the enzymatic properties showed that P. gabrum (31 ± 1.9 mm), and A. niger (23 ± 1.7) had more ability for producing pectinase and cellulase. The anti-oxidant activity of isolates showed that A. alternata extract (IC50 = 471 ± 29 µg/mL) had the highest anti-oxidant properties, followed by A. tenuissima extract (IC50 = 512 ± 19 µg/mL). Also, the extract of A. alternata had the greatest amount of total phenols and flavonoids contents (8.2 ± 0.4 mg GAL/g and 2.3 ± 0.3 mg QE/g, respectively). The quantification analysis of phenolic acid showed that rosmarinic acid, para-coumaric acid, and meta-coumaric acid (42.02 ± 1.31, 7.53 ± 0.19, 5.41 ± 0.21 mg/g, respectively) were the main phenolic acids in the studied fungi. The analysis of fatty acids confirmed that, in all fungi, the main fatty acids were stearic acid (27.9-35.2%), oleic acid (11.3-17.3%), palmitic acid (16.9-23.2%), linoleic acid (5.8-11.6%), and caprylic acid (6.3-10.9%). Our finding showed that endophytic fungi are a source of bioactive compounds, which could be used in various industries. This is the first report of endophytic fungi associated with G. tournefortii, which provides knowledge on their future use on biotechnological processes.

Synthesis, biochemical and computational evaluations of novel bis-acylhydrazones of 2,2'-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diylbis(oxy))di(acetohydrazide) as dual cholinesterase inhibitors

A series of twenty-seven bis(acylhydrazones) were successfully synthesized with high yields through a multistep process, which entailed the esterification of hydroxyl groups, hydrazination with an excess of hydrazine hydrate, and subsequent reactions with various carbonyl moieties (aldehydes). In the final stage of synthesis, different chemical species including aromatic, heterocyclic, and aliphatic compounds were integrated into the framework. The resulting compounds were characterized using several spectroscopic techniques (1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry). Their anticholinesterase activities were assessed in vitro by examining their interactions with two cholinesterase enzymes: acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Among the synthesized hits, compounds 3, 5, 6, 9-12, and 14 exhibited good to moderate inhibition of AChE. Specifically, 10 (IC50 = 26.3 ± 0.4 μM) and 11 (IC50 = 28.4 ± 0.5 μM) showed good inhibitory activity against AChE, while 9, 12, 3, and 6 exhibited significant inhibition potential against AChE with IC50 values ranging from 35.2 ± 1.1 μM to 64.4 ± 0.3 μM. On the other hand, 5 (IC50 = 22.0 ± 1.1 μM) and 27 (IC50 = 31.3 ± 1.3 μM) displayed significant, and 19 (IC50 = 92.6 ± 0.4 μM) showed moderate inhibitory potential for BChE. Notably, 5 and 27 exhibited dual inhibition of AChE and BChE, with greater potency than the standard drug galantamine. The binding patterns of these molecules within the binding cavities of AChE and BChE were anticipated by molecular docking which showed good correlation with our in vitro findings. Further structural optimization of these molecules may yield more potent AChE and BChE inhibitors.

Novel hydrazone schiff's base derivatives of polyhydroquinoline: synthesis, in vitro prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitory activity and their Molecular docking study

This research work reports the synthesis of new derivatives of the hydrazone Schiff bases (1-17) based on polyhydroquinoline nucleus through multistep reactions. HR-ESIMS,1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy were used to structurally infer all of the synthesized compounds and lastly evaluated for prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitory activity. All the prepared products displayed good to excellent inhibitory activity when compared with standard z-prolyl-prolinal. Three derivatives 3, 15 and 14 showed excellent inhibition with IC50 values 3.21 ± 0.15 to 5.67 ± 0.18 µM, while the remaining 12 compounds showed significant activity. Docking studies indicated a good correlation with the biochemical potency of compounds estimated in the in-vitro test and showed the potency of compounds 3, 15 and 14. The MD simulation results confirmed the stability of the most potent inhibitors 3, 15 and 14 at 250 ns using the parameters RMSD, RMSF, Rg and number of hydrogen bonds. The RMSD values indicate the stability of the protein backbone in complex with the inhibitors over the simulation time. The RMSF values of the binding site residues indicate that the potent inhibitors contributed to stabilizing these regions of the protein, through formed stable interactions with the protein. The Rg. analysis assesses the overall size and compactness of the complexes. The maintenance of stable hydrogen bonds suggests the existence of favorable binding interactions. SASA analysis suggests that they maintained stable conformations without large-scale exposure to the solvent. These results indicate that the ligand-protein interactions are stable and could be exploited to design new drugs for disease treatment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Current trends and future prospects of drug repositioning in gastrointestinal oncology

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers comprise a significant number of cancer cases worldwide and contribute to a high percentage of cancer-related deaths. To improve survival rates of GI cancer patients, it is important to find and implement more effective therapeutic strategies with better prognoses and fewer side effects. The development of new drugs can be a lengthy and expensive process, often involving clinical trials that may fail in the early stages. One strategy to address these challenges is drug repurposing (DR). Drug repurposing is a developmental strategy that involves using existing drugs approved for other diseases and leveraging their safety and pharmacological data to explore their potential use in treating different diseases. In this paper, we outline the existing therapeutic strategies and challenges associated with GI cancers and explore DR as a promising alternative approach. We have presented an extensive review of different DR methodologies, research efforts and examples of repurposed drugs within various GI cancer types, such as colorectal, pancreatic and liver cancers. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of employing the DR approach in GI cancers to inform future research endeavors and clinical trials in this field.

Minimal residual disease (MRD) detection in solid tumors using circulating tumor DNA: a systematic review

Minimal residual disease (MRD) refers to a very small number of residual tumor cells in the body during or after treatment, representing the persistence of the tumor and the possibility of clinical progress. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a DNA fragment actively secreted by tumor cells or released into the circulatory system during the process of apoptosis or necrosis of tumor cells, which emerging as a non-invasive biomarker to dynamically monitor the therapeutic effect and prediction of recurrence. The feasibility of ctDNA as MRD detection and the revolution in ctDNA-based liquid biopsies provides a potential method for cancer monitoring. In this review, we summarized the main methods of ctDNA detection (PCR-based Sequencing and Next-Generation Sequencing) and their advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, we reviewed the significance of ctDNA analysis to guide the adjuvant therapy and predict the relapse of lung, breast and colon cancer et al. Finally, there are still many challenges of MRD detection, such as lack of standardization, false-negatives or false-positives results make misleading, and the requirement of validation using large independent cohorts to improve clinical outcomes.

Liver X receptor agonists exert antitumor effects against hepatocellular carcinoma via inducing REPS2 expression

Recent studies show that liver X receptor (LXR) agonists exert significant antitumor effects in a variety of tumor cell lines including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). But the molecular mechanisms underlying LXR antitumor activity are not fully understood. In this study we investigated the effect of LXR agonist T0901317 (T317) on HCC development and its relationship with RalA binding protein 1 (RALBP1)-associated EPS domain containing 2 (REPS2)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling axis. We showed that T317 (0.1-0.5 μM) dose-dependently increased REPS2 expression in normal hepatocytes (BNLCL.2 and LO2) and HCC cells (HepG2 and Huh-7). Using promoter activity assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assay we demonstrated that T317 enhanced REPS2 expression at the transcriptional level via promoting the binding of LXR protein to the LXR-response element (LXRE) in the REPS2 promoter region. We showed that the inhibitory effect of T317 on the proliferation and migration of HCC cells was closely related to REPS2. Moreover, we revealed that T317 (400 nM) increased expression of REPS2 in HepG2 cells, thus inhibiting epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated endocytosis of EGFR as well as the downstream activation of AKT/NF-κB, p38MAPK, and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Clinical data analysis revealed that REPS2 expression levels were inversely correlated with the development of HCC and reduced REPS2 expression associated with poor prognosis, suggesting that REPS2 might be involved in the development of HCC. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of LXR agonist-inhibited HCC.

Metabolism as a New Avenue for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma is today the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, despite the decreased incidence of chronic hepatitis infections. This is due to the increased diffusion of metabolic diseases such as the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The current protein kinase inhibitor therapies in HCC are very aggressive and not curative. From this perspective, a shift in strategy toward metabolic therapies may represent a promising option. Here, we review current knowledge on metabolic dysregulation in HCC and therapeutic approaches targeting metabolic pathways. We also propose a multi-target metabolic approach as a possible new option in HCC pharmacology.

The Emerging Role of Tumor Microenvironmental Stimuli in Regulating Metabolic Rewiring of Liver Cancer Stem Cells

Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most devastating cancers worldwide. Extensive phenotypical and functional heterogeneity is a cardinal hallmark of cancer, including PLC, and is related to the cancer stem cell (CSC) concept. CSCs are responsible for tumor growth, progression, relapse and resistance to conventional therapies. Metabolic reprogramming represents an emerging hallmark of cancer. Cancer cells, including CSCs, are very plastic and possess the dynamic ability to constantly shift between different metabolic states depending on various intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, therefore amplifying the complexity of understanding tumor heterogeneity. Besides the well-known Warburg effect, several other metabolic pathways including lipids and iron metabolism are altered in PLC. An increasing number of studies supports the role of the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) in the metabolic control of liver CSCs. In this review, we discuss the complex metabolic rewiring affecting liver cancer cells and, in particular, liver CSCs. Moreover, we highlight the role of TME cellular and noncellular components in regulating liver CSC metabolic plasticity. Deciphering the specific mechanisms regulating liver CSC-TME metabolic interplay could be very helpful with respect to the development of more effective and innovative combinatorial therapies for PLC treatment.

Metabolic dysregulation and emerging therapeutical targets for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive human cancer with increasing incidence worldwide. Multiple efforts have been made to explore pharmaceutical therapies to treat HCC, such as targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immune based therapies and combination of chemotherapy. However, limitations exist in current strategies including chemoresistance for instance. Tumor initiation and progression is driven by reprogramming of metabolism, in particular during HCC development. Recently, metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a reappraisal of new nomenclature for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), indicates growing appreciation of metabolism in the pathogenesis of liver disease, including HCC, thereby suggesting new strategies by targeting abnormal metabolism for HCC treatment. In this review, we introduce directions by highlighting the metabolic targets in glucose, fatty acid, amino acid and glutamine metabolism, which are suitable for HCC pharmaceutical intervention. We also summarize and discuss current pharmaceutical agents and studies targeting deregulated metabolism during HCC treatment. Furthermore, opportunities and challenges in the discovery and development of HCC therapy targeting metabolism are discussed.

Tanshinone IIA Downregulates Lipogenic Gene Expression and Attenuates Lipid Accumulation through the Modulation of LXRα/SREBP1 Pathway in HepG2 Cells

Abnormal and excessive accumulation of lipid droplets within hepatic cells is the main feature of steatosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Dysregulation of lipogenesis contributes to hepatic steatosis and plays an essential role in the pathological progress of MAFLD. Tanshinone IIA is a bioactive phytochemical isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiatherosclerotic and antihyperlipidemic effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering effects of tanshinone IIA on the regulation of lipogenesis, lipid accumulation, and the underlying mechanisms in hepatic cells. We demonstrated that tanshinone IIA can significantly inhibit the gene expression involved in de novo lipogenesis including FASN, ACC1, and SCD1, in HepG2 and Huh 7 cells. Tanshinone IIA could increase phosphorylation of ACC1 protein in HepG2 cells. We further demonstrated that tanshinone IIA also could suppress the fatty-acid-induced lipogenesis and TG accumulation in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, tanshinone IIA markedly downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of SREBP1, an essential transcription factor regulating lipogenesis in hepatic cells. Moreover, we found that tanshinone IIA attenuated liver X receptor α (LXRα)-mediated lipogenic gene expression and lipid droplet accumulation, but did not change the levels of LXRα mRNA or protein in HepG2 cells. The molecular docking data predicted tanshinone IIA binding to the ligand-binding domain of LXRα, which may result in the attenuation of LXRα-induced transcriptional activation. Our findings support the supposition that tanshinone IIA possesses a lipid-modulating effect that suppresses lipogenesis and attenuates lipid accumulation by modulating the LXRα/SREBP1 pathway in hepatic cells. Tanshinone IIA can be potentially used as a supplement or drug for the prevention or treatment of MAFLD.

Oxidative stress and Liver X Receptor agonist induce hepatocellular carcinoma in Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The incidence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is progressively increasing. However, the pathophysiology and etiology of NASH progression to HCC are unknown. We hypothesized that steatosis was the key factor in NASH-related hepatocarcinogenesis and aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term liver X receptor (LXR) agonist stimulation on hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet and oxidative stress.

METHODS

We used an LXR agonist (T0901317) and CCl4 to induce hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress, respectively. C57BL/6 mice fed with a high-fat diet were treated with either T0901317 + CCl4 (T09 + CCl4 group) or CCl4 alone (CCl4 group). T0901317 (2.5 mg/kg) and CCl4 (0.1 mL/kg) were intraperitoneally administered twice weekly for 24 weeks.

RESULTS

The liver-to-body weight ratio was significantly higher in the T09 + CCl4 group than in the CCl4 group. Mice in the T09 + CCl4 group exhibited abnormal lipid metabolism and NASH-like histopathological features. Additionally, all mice in the T09 + CCl4 group developed liver tumors diagnosed as well-differentiated HCC. The genes identified via microarray analysis were related to NASH and HCC development.

CONCLUSIONS

By combining long-term LXR agonist stimulation with oxidative stress and a high-fat diet, we successfully reproduced liver conditions in mice similar to those in humans with NASH and progression to HCC. Our results provide new insight into NASH-related HCC progression and therapy.

Withaferin A Acts as a Novel Regulator of Liver X Receptor-α in HCC

Withaferin A, a steroidal lactone derived from the Withania somnifera plant has been known for its anti-cancerous effects on various types of cancer cells. However, its effect on the hallmarks of cancer such as proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis is still poorly understood. The antitumor property of Withaferin A and its molecular mechanism of action on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells is not yet completely established. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the novel molecular function of Withaferin A on HCC cells and its effect on various gene expression. Our results clearly showed that Withaferin A treatment to HCC cells inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth. Further, we explored the Withaferin A target genes by blotting human angiogenesis, and cytokine arrays using conditioned media of Withaferin A treated QGY-7703 cells. We found that many of Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), angiogenesis and inflammation associated proteins secretion is downregulated upon Withaferin A treatment. Interestingly, all these genes expression is also negatively regulated by nuclear receptor Liver X receptor-α (LXR-α). Here, we explored a novel mechanism that Withaferin-A activated LXR-α inhibits NF-κB transcriptional activity and suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth of these HCC cells. All these data strongly confirmed that Withaferin A is a potent anticancer compound and suppresses various angiogenesis and inflammatory markers which are associated with the development and progression of HCC. This beneficial and potential therapeutic property of Withaferin A will be very useful for the treatment of HCC.

Upregulation of miR-124-3p by Liver X Receptor Inhibits the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Via Suppressing Cyclin D1 and CDK6

MiR-124-3p has been identified as a novel tumor suppressor and a potential therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through regulating its target genes. However, the upstream regulatory mechanisms of mir-124-3p in HCC has not been fully understood. The transcription factor liver X receptor (LXR) plays a critical role in suppressing the proliferation of HCC cells, but it is unclear whether LXR is involved in the regulation of mir-124-3p. In the present study, we demonstrated that the expression of mir-124-3p was positively correlated with that of LXR in HCC, and the cell growth of HCC was significantly inhibited by LXR agonists. Moreover, activation of LXR with the agonists up-regulated the expression of mir-124-3p, and in turn down-regulated cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) expression, which are the target genes of mir-124-3p. Mechanistically, miR-124-3p mediates LXR induced inhibition of HCC cell growth and down-regulation of cyclin D1 and CDK6 expression. In vivo experiments also confirmed that LXR induced miR-124-3p expression inhibited the growth of HCC xenograft tumors, as well as cyclin D1 and CDK6 expression. Our findings revealed that miR-124-3p is a novel target gene of LXR, and regulation of the miR-124-3p-cyclin D1/CDK6 pathway by LXR plays a crucial role in the proliferation of HCC cells. LXR-miR-124-3p-cyclin D1/CDK6 pathway may be a novel potential therapeutic target for HCC treatment.

Shedding light on the roles of liver X receptors in cancer by using chemical probes

Nuclear receptors, liver X receptor-α (LXRα; NR1H3) and liver X receptor-β (LXRβ; NR1H2), are considered master regulators of lipid homeostasis. During the last couple of decades, their pivotal roles in several physiological and pathological processes ranging from energy supply, immunity, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer have been highlighted. In this review, the main results achieved during more recent years about our understanding of the LXR involvement in cancer has been mainly obtained using small-molecule chemical probes. Remarkably, all these probes, albeit having different structure and biological properties, have a well demonstrated anti-tumoral activity arising from LXR modulation, indicating a high potential of LXR targeting for the treatment of cancer. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Oxysterols, Lifelong Health and Therapeutics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.16/issuetoc.

PRMT5 Promotes Aerobic Glycolysis and Invasion of Breast Cancer Cells by Regulating the LXRα/NF-κBp65 Pathway

Objective

To explore the effects of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) on the biological function of breast cancer cells (BCCs) by regulating the liver X receptor α (LXRα)/NF-κBp65 pathway.

Methods

A total of 80 patients with breast cancer (BC) admitted to our hospital were collected, and 80 breast cancer tissue specimens and 80 corresponding tumor-adjacent tissue specimens were sampled from them for analysis. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to determine the expression of PRMT5 mRNA in the sampled tissues, and the Western blot to determine the expression of LXRα and NF-κBp65 proteins in the tissues and cells. The patients were followed up to analyze their 3-year survival rate. Stable and transient overexpression vectors and inhibition vectors were constructed and transfected into BCCs. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), transwell, and flow cytometry were adopted to analyze the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of transfected cells, on which the effects of PRMT5 on LXRα and NF-κBp65 proteins were analyzed.

Results

PRMT5 was highly expressed in BC patients, and LXRα was lowly expressed in them, which had a high diagnostic value. Patients with high expression of PRMT5 showed a poor prognosis, and the expression of PRMT5 was related to the tumor size, pathological stage, differentiation, and metastatic in BC patients. Overexpressed PRMT5 enhanced the cell proliferation, invasion, and glycolysis abilities, weakened apoptosis ability, further lowered expression of LXRα and increased expression of NF-κBp65, while inhibited PRMT5 caused opposite results in those aspects. Up-regulating the expression of LXRα suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis of BCCs and promoted their apoptosis, while inhibiting it posed opposite effects. The rescue experiment revealed that down-regulating the expression of PRMT5 could counteract the promotion of down-regulation of LXRα on proliferation, invasion and glycolysis of BCCs, and the nude mouse tumorigenesis test revealed that PRMT5 induced tumor on nude mice by mediating LXRα/NF-κBp65.

Conclusion

Inhibition of the PRMT5 expression can accelerate apoptosis of BCCs and weaken their proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis through the LXRα/NF-κBp65 pathway.