Combination of Luteolin and Solifenacin Improves Urinary Dysfunction Induced by Diabetic Cystopathy in Rats

Long non-coding RNA H19 mediates the miR-29b/transforming growth factor-β1/Drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic 3 signalling pathway to promote bladder fibrosis in diabetic rats

PURPOSE

Diabetic bladder fibrosis is a common comorbidity. Altered expression of some long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) has been associated with bladder fibrosis. LncRNA H19 has been reported to regulate bladder cancer through miR-29b. However, the action mechanism of LncRNA H19 in bladder fibrosis is unclear.

METHODS

In vitro, human bladder smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs) were cultured with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) for 48 h to construct cell model of bladder fibrosis. HBSMCs were then transfected with si-LncRNA H19, si-NC, miR-29b-mimic, mimic-NC, or miR-29b-inhibitor. In vivo, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given a high-sucrose-high-fat (HSHF) diet for 4 weeks and injected with streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg) to induce bladder fibrosis model in diabetic rats, followed by injection of lentiviral particles knocking down LncRNA H19 expression, empty vector, or miR-29b-inhibitor, respectively.

RESULTS

LncRNA H19 was up-regulated in TGF-β1-induced HBSMC fibrosis and STZ-induced diabetic rat bladder fibrosis, whereas miR-29b was down-regulated. si-LncRNA H19 reduced blood glucose levels and improved histopathological damage of bladder tissue in rats. In addition, si-LncRNA H19 or miR-29b-mimic increased the expression of E-cadherin, but decreased the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin (FN) in bladder tissues, and HBSMCs. si-LncRNA H19 reduced TGF-β1/p-drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic 3 (Smad3) protein in HBSMCs and in rat bladder tissues, while miR-29b-inhibitor reversed the effect of si-LncRNA H19.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that LncRNA H19 may inhibit bladder fibrosis in diabetic rats by targeting miR-29b via the TGF-β1/Smad3 signalling pathway.

Suo Quan Wan ameliorates bladder overactivity and regulates neurotransmission via regulating Myosin Va protein expression

BACKGROUND

Ancient prescriptions of Suo Quan Wan (SQW) have therapeutic effects on diabetic bladder dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we hypothesized that SQW ameliorates bladder overactivity and regulates neurotransmission via regulating Myosin Va protein expression.

METHODS

After diabetic rats were induced by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg), the model of diabetic bladder dysfunction was established by detecting fasting blood glucose, urodynamic test, in vitro muscle strip experiments, and histological examination. One week after induction, SQW was given to observe the therapeutic effect. The expression levels of Myosin Va in control, Model, SQW L and SQW H groups were detected by RT-qPCR, RNAscope and immunofluorescence assay. The expression levels of ChAT, SP, nNOS and VIP proteins were observed by immunofluorescence assay. After knockdown and overexpression of Myosin Va, the expression changes of ChAT, SP, nNOS and VIP and the regulatory role of SQW were observed.

RESULTS

STZ-induced DM rats had significantly higher serum glucose levels and lower body weight. Compared with the diabetic rats, SQW treatment significantly improved urination function with decreased residual volume (RV), bladder compliance (BC), non-voiding contractions (NVCs), and increased voided efficiency (VE). In addition, contractile responses of muscle strips to electrical-field stimulation (EFS), carbachol (CCh), KCl were significantly lower in the SQW H and SQW L groups than those in the model group. RT-qPCR found that the expression of Myosin Va in the bladder tissue or bladder neurons in model group was significantly increased compared with the control group, and SQW treatment significantly decreased the levels of Myosin Va. In DM rats, ChAT and SP expression were significantly increased, while nNOS and VIP expression were significantly decreased, and SQW improved this phenomenon. Interestingly, SQW ameliorated the abnormal expression of ChAT, SP, nNOS and VIP caused by myosin Va knockdown, and Myosin Va overexpression results are consistent with these.

CONCLUSIONS

SQW ameliorates overactive bladder and regulate neurotransmission via regulating Myosin Va mRNA and protein expression.

Luteolin potentiates low-dose oxaliplatin-induced inhibitory effects on cell proliferation in gastric cancer by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

Although the reduction of oxaliplatin doses may alleviate deleterious side effects of gastrointestinal and gynecological cancer treatment, it also limits the anticancer therapeutic effects. As a high-efficient and low-priced herbal medicine ingredient, luteolin is an agent with a broad spectrum of anticancer activities and acts as a potential enhancer of therapeutic effects of chemotherapy agents in cancer treatment. This study focused on the antitumor effects and mechanism of combined treatment with luteolin and oxaliplatin on a mouse forestomach carcinoma (MFC) cell line. The study used CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay, reactive oxygen species testing assay, mitochondrial membrane potential testing assay, and western blot assay. The results showed that luteolin and oxaliplatin exerted synergistic effects on inhibiting MFC cell proliferation by inducing G₂/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Inhibiting the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1/phosphorylated-extracellular-regulated protein kinases1/2/cell division cycle 25 homolog C/cyclin-dependent kinase-1/cyclin B1 pathway was indispensable to the combined treatment with luteolin and oxaliplatin to induce G₂/M cell cycle arrest. In addition, luteolin increased oxidative stress in MFC cells treated with a low dose of oxaliplatin. The combined therapy damaged mitochondrial membrane potential and regulated BCL-2-associated X protein and B-cell lymphoma 2 protein expression, leading to apoptosis. Findings of the present study suggest that luteolin may be a qualified chemotherapy enhancer to potentiate the anticancer effects of low-dose oxaliplatin in MFC cells. This work provides a theoretical foundation for future research on applications of luteolin in clinical chemotherapy.

Luteolin Improves Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis through TXNIP/NLRP3 and NF-κB Pathways

Hemorrhagic cystitis is an important complication of cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, and current therapies for the disease are limited. The natural flavonoid luteolin (LUT) has significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its protective effect on cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced bladder toxicity has yet to be evaluated. This study aims to explore the protective effect of LUT on CYP-induced acute cystitis in rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the control (CON) group, CON + LUT group, CYP group, and CYP + LUT group. A single intraperitoneal injection of CYP was administered to establish an acute hemorrhagic cystitis model. HE staining was performed to detect the degree of bladder tissue damage, and TUNEL staining was performed to count apoptotic cells. Oxidative stress indicators were measured using commercial kits, and bladder surgery was performed to assess urinary function. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis-related indicators, TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway, and NF-κB pathway were detected by western blot. We found that LUT treatment reduced bladder bleeding, congestion, and edema caused by CYP. Compared with the CYP + LUT group, the level of apoptosis was more highly expressed in the CYP group. We also found that caspase-3, caspase-8, and Bax were significantly upregulated and Bcl-2 was downregulated after LUT treatment. In addition, LUT inhibited the activation of NF-κB signal pathway in the rat bladder tissue after CYP exposure. LUT treatment can also reduce the NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1) and TXNIP in the bladder. Finally, LUT can reduce the increase in the urination frequency and maximum urination pressure caused by cystitis. These results indicate that LUT displays effective anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties in CYP-induced acute hemorrhagic cystitis rats by inhibiting the TXNIP/NLRP3 and NF-κB pathways. LUT may be a potent therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of hemorrhagic cystitis.

Hu-Zhang-Qing-Mai-Yin Inhibits Proliferation of Human Retinal Capillary Endothelial Cells Exposed to High Glucose

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the serious complications of diabetes and an important cause of blindness. Despite much research on the pathogenesis of DR, there is still a lack of safe and effective treatment methods. Hu-zhang-qing-mai-yin (HZQMY), a Chinese medicine formula, has been clinically used in the safe and effective treatment of DR for many years. However, the systematic pharmacological research is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-DR effects of HZQMY and explore the possible mechanism involved. Methods: The constituents of HZQMY were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. DR model was established by high glucose simulation on human retinal capillary endothelial cells (HRCECs) in vitro. The cell viability, cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and tube formation were assessed. Subsequently the related mechanisms were analyzed by assays for JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular ROS, ATP, western blot and proteomics. Results: 27 main chemical components contained in HZQMY were identified. HZQMY significantly inhibited the viability and proliferation of HRCECs exposed to high glucose, and promoted the apoptosis. In addition, HZQMY also boosted the release of ROS and suppressed tube formation of HRCECs under high glucose exposure. Meanwhile, HRCECs treated with high glucose released more ROS than normal cells, which could be markedly inhibited by HZQMY in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, western blot assay indicated that HZQMY increased the expression of proteins related to the P38 signaling pathway and inhibited nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway. Proteomic analysis predicted that HSPA4, MAPK3, ENO1, EEF2 and ERPS may be the candidate targets of HZQMY in HRCECs. Conclusions: HZQMY inhibited the proliferation and promoted the Mitochondria related apoptosis of HRCECs exposed to high glucose possibly through regulating P38 and NF-κB signaling pathway.

Antidiabetic Potential of Flavonoids from Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders in which high blood sugar levels occur over a prolonged period. Approximately 4% of the global population is affected by DM. Western medical treatment methods for diabetes including injection or oral hypoglycemic drugs have some toxic or side effects, economic pressures, and so on. Many researchers turn to discover new drugs from natural products or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Flavonoids are widely distributed in plants, and many studies have shown that flavonoids possess antidiabetic properties, exhibiting not only well-recognized antidiabetic and hypoglycemic activities but also activity in the treatment of diabetic complications. In this review, we systematically summarized anti-diabetic flavonoid compounds based on structure classification by examining the PubMed, Springer Link, Web of Science, and CNKI databases. There are 13 flavonoid compounds listed which have been studied extensively and have antidiabetic features respectively. Apigenin, baicalein, and catechin mainly reduces blood glucose via anti-oxidation; hesperidin is good for diabetic neuropathy; glycyrrhiza flavonoids have a significant effect on gestational DM; quercetin takes advantage of crossing the blood–brain barrier and improving renal function. Some compounds have protective and preventive effects on diabetic complications, such as kaempferol and puerarin which are beneficial to cardiomyopathy; myricetin has therapeutic potential in the treatment of DN; dihydromyricetin might improve CI. It is a pity or might be a pointcut that most studies remain in the animal experimental stage, and further investigation should be carried out.

Suo Quan Wan Protects Mouse From Early Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction by Mediating Motor Protein Myosin Va and Transporter Protein SLC17A9

Objective: To investigate the effects of Suo Quan Wan (SQW), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, on the overactive bladder (OAB) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mouse models, particularly on its function of mediating the gene and protein expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9.

Materials and Methods: After 4 weeks high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, C57BL/6J mice were injected with streptozotocin (100 mg/kg) for four times. After 3 weeks, the diabetic mice were treated with SQW for another 3 weeks. Voided stain on paper assay, fasting blood glucose (FBG) test, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were conducted. Urodynamic test, tension test [α,β-methylene ATP, electrical-field stimulation (EFS), KCl, and carbachol] and histomorphometry were also performed. Western blot analysis and qPCR assays were used to quantify the expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9.

Results: The diabetic mice exhibited decreased weight but increased water intake, urine production, FBG, and OGTT. No significant changes were observed after 3 weeks SQW treatment. Urodynamic test indicated that the non-voiding contraction (NVC) frequency, maximum bladder capacity (MBC), residual volume (RV), and bladder compliance (BC) were remarkably increased in the diabetic mice, whereas the voided efficiency (VE) was decreased as a feature of overactivity. Compared with the model mice, SQW treatment significantly improved urodynamic urination with decreased NVC, MBC, RV, and BC, and increased VE. Histomorphometry results showed that the bladder wall of the diabetic mice thickened, and SQW effectively attenuated the pathological alterations. The contract responses of bladder strips to all stimulators were higher in the DSM strips of diabetic mice, whereas SQW treatment markedly decreased the contraction response for all stimuli. Moreover, the protein and gene expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9 were up-regulated in the bladders of diabetic mice, but SQW treatment restored such alterations.

Conclusion: T2DM mice exhibited the early phase of diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) characterized by OAB and bladder dysfunction. SQW can improve the bladder storage and micturition of DBD mice by mediating the protein and gene expression levels of myosin Va and SLC17A9 in the bladder, instead of improving the blood glucose level.