Brain Natriuretic Peptide-Regulated Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Activated Macrophages via NF-κB and Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Pathways

Which neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers method is better in theranostic of Alzheimer's disease? An umbrella review

Biomarkers are measured to evaluate physiological and pathological processes as well as responses to a therapeutic intervention. Biomarkers can be classified as diagnostic, prognostic, predictor, clinical, and therapeutic. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple biomarkers have been reported so far. Nevertheless, finding a specific biomarker in AD remains a major challenge. Three databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were selected with the keywords of Alzheimer's disease, neuroimaging, biomarker, and blood. The results were finalized with 49 potential CSF/blood and 35 neuroimaging biomarkers. To distinguish normal from AD patients, amyloid-beta42 (Aβ42), plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light (NFL) as potential biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as well as the serum could be detected. Nevertheless, most of the biomarkers fairly change in the CSF during AD, listed as kallikrein 6, virus-like particles (VLP-1), galectin-3 (Gal-3), and synaptotagmin-1 (Syt-1). From the neuroimaging aspect, atrophy is an accepted biomarker for the neuropathologic progression of AD. In addition, Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), tractography (DTT), positron emission tomography (PET), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), can be used to detect AD. Using neuroimaging and CSF/blood biomarkers, in combination with artificial intelligence, it is possible to obtain information on prognosis and follow-up on the different stages of AD. Hence physicians could select the suitable therapy to attenuate disease symptoms and follow up on the efficiency of the prescribed drug.

Effect of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block on lung protection for patients undergoing one-lung ventilation

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential effect of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) on lung protection for patients undergoing one-lung ventilation (OLV).

METHODS

A total of 123 patients undergoing elective one-lung ventilation surgery were selected as research subjects in this prospective study. These patients were randomly divided into the SGB group, control group and blank group on average. Stellate ganglion block was carried out in the SGB and control groups. Patients in the SGB group were injected with 6 ml mixture of 0.25% ropivacaine hydrochloride and 1% lidocaine hydrochloride, while those in the control group were injected with 6 mL of 0.9% saline. Punctures weren't performed for patients in the blank group. The same induction and maintenance of general anesthesia was adopted for all three groups. Hemodynamics, respiratory parameters and arterial blood gas analysis were recorded after entering the operation room (T0), pre-OLV (T1), 30 min after OLV (T2), 60 min after OLV (T3), at the end of surgery (T4), and 30 min after extubation (T5). Oxygenation index (OI), pulmonary shunt fraction (Qs/Qt) and pH value were compared at different time points. Intravenous serum was collected at T0, T3 and T5 for the detection of surfactant proteins A (SP-A), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels, respectively. The complications related to SGB after surgery and the postoperative pulmonary complications within 72 h were recorded.

RESULTS

At T1, T2, and T3, MAP level in SGB group was lower than that in blank and control groups (P<0.05). At T2, and T3, SGB group had lower hear rate (HR), peak airway pressure (Ppeak) and tidal volume (TV) than blank and control groups (all P<0.05). From T2 to T5, SGB group had higher OI but lower Qs/Qt than blank and control groups (both P<0.05). At T3 and T5, SGB group had lower SP-A, IL-6, and MDA levels but higher IL-10 and SOD levels than blank and control groups (all P<0.05). There was one case of hypoxemia in the blank group within 72 h after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided SGB has lung-protective effects on patients undergoing OLV, which significantly improves patients' OI, reduces intrapulmonary shunts, declines ventilator-induced lung damage, and inhibits inflammatory response as well as oxidative stress (China Clinical Trial Registry, registration number ChiCTR2000033385, https://www.chictr.org.cn).

Effects of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide combined with tolvaptan on cardiac and renal function and serum inflammatory factors in patients with severe heart failure

This study examined the effects of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) combined with tolvaptan on cardiac and renal function and serum inflammatory factors in patients with severe heart failure (HF). This retrospective study included 90 patients with severe HF who were treated at our hospital between January 2019 and August 2021. Patients treated with tolvaptan tablets were assigned to the control group, and those treated with rhBNP combined with tolvaptan were assigned to the observation group. Efficacy, cardiac function, levels of inflammatory factors, renal function, 6 minutes walking test, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score, and adverse reactions were assessed. The curative effect (97.78% vs 77.78%) and improvement in cardiac function were greater in the observation group than in the control group (P < .05). Decreased levels of inflammatory factors were seen in both groups after treatment, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-33, and intercellular adhesion factor-1 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < .05). The 6 minutes walking test was higher and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score was lower in the observation group compared with the control group (P < .05). The incidence of adverse reactions such as dry mouth, nausea, polyuria, hypotension, and headache in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P < .05). In conclusion, for patients with severe HF, rhBNP combined with tolvaptan can improve cardiac function, alleviate symptoms of dyspnea, protect renal function, and reduce serum inflammatory factor levels when compared with tolvaptan alone.

Fermented Sprouts of Codonopsis lanceolata Suppress LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses by Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling Pathway in RAW 264.7 Macrophages and CD1 Mice

The interest in bioconversion through fermentation of sprouts produced in smart farms is increasing due to their potential health benefits. Codonopsis lanceolata (CL) is reported to alleviate inflammatory conditions, but much research is still needed to determine which types and parts of CL are most effective. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a fermented extract of CL sprouts' aerial part (F-CSA) against LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and mice. In the screening test, F-CSA showed the most substantial anti-inflammatory effect among several samples, containing the highest total flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenols. UPLC-ESI-Q/TOF-MS and HPLC analysis revealed that F-CSA had the highest amount of luteolin among all the CL samples analyzed. F-CSA reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as NO and PGE₂ by inhibiting the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Further, we found that the anti-inflammatory effects of F-CSA were mediated by inhibiting the JNK/NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, F-CSA improved survival rates and reduced plasma levels of NO and IL-6 in CD1 mice stimulated with LPS. These findings suggest that F-CSA, which contains luteolin, can alleviate inflammation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and a CD1 mouse model by inhibiting the JNK/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Natriuretic-like Peptide Lebetin 2 Mediates M2 Macrophage Polarization in LPS-Activated RAW264.7 Cells in an IL-10-Dependent Manner

Snake natriuretic peptide (NP) Lebetin 2 (L2) has been shown to improve cardiac function and reduce fibrosis as well as inflammation by promoting M2-type macrophages in a reperfused myocardial infarction (MI) model. However, the inflammatory mechanism of L2 remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of L2 on macrophage polarization in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells in vitro and explored the associated underlying mechanisms. TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were assessed using an ELISA assay, and M2 macrophage polarization was determined by flow cytometry. L2 was used at non-cytotoxic concentrations determined by a preliminary MTT cell viability assay, and compared to B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). In LPS-activated cells, both peptides reduced TNF-α and IL-6 release compared to controls. However, only L2 increased IL-10 release in a sustained manner and promoted downstream M2 macrophage polarization. Pretreatment of LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells with the selective NP receptor (NPR) antagonist isatin abolished both IL-10 and M2-like macrophage potentiation provided by L2. In addition, cell pretreatment with the IL-10 inhibitor suppressed L2-induced M2 macrophage polarization. We conclude that L2 exerts an anti-inflammatory response to LPS by regulating the release of inflammatory cytokines via stimulating of NP receptors and promoting M2 macrophage polarization through activation of IL-10 signaling.

Protective Potential of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. Roots against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Pulmonary Injury in Rats and Its In Vitro Antiviral Effect

Diseases and infections of the respiratory tract are common global causes of morbidity and mortality. Our study attempts to elucidate a novel remedy for respiratory ailments, in addition to identifying and quantifying the metabolites of Saussurea costus root extract (SCRE) using HPLC. Then, in vitro antiviral and in vivo lung protective effects were elucidated. The in vitro antiviral potential of SCRE was analyzed via plaque assay against the low pathogenic human coronavirus (HCoV-229E) and human influenza virus (H1N1). The value of the half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of SCRE against HCoV-229E and H1N1 influenza virus were 23.21 ± 1.1 and 47.6 ± 2.3 µg/mL, respectively. SCRE showed a histological improvement, namely a decrease in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and caspase-3 immunoexpression in in vivo cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Moreover, there was a considerable decline in microRNA-let-7a gene expression and a significant rise in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression, with a marked decrease in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Molecular docking studies revealed that the major constituents of SCRE have a good affinity for caspase-3, HO-1, and iNOS proteins. In conclusion, a traditional plant SCRE could be a promising source of novel therapeutic agents for treating and protecting respiratory tract diseases. More future investigations should be carried out to reveal its efficacy clinically.

Predictive Value of N-Terminal Pro B-Type Natriuretic Peptide for Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Non-Recovery and Poor Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a frequent complication in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The degree of recovery of renal function from CIN may affect long-term prognosis. N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a simple but useful biomarker for predicting CIN. However, the predictive value of preprocedural NT-proBNP for CIN non-recovery and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing PCI remains unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study prospectively enrolled 550 patients with CIN after PCI between January 2012 and December 2018. CIN non-recovery was defined as persistent serum creatinine >25% or 0.5 mg/dL over baseline from 1 week to 12 months after PCI in patients who developed CIN. CIN non-recovery was observed in 40 (7.3%) patients. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the best NT-proBNP cut-off value for detecting CIN non-recovery was 876.1 pg/mL (area under the curve 0.768; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.731-0.803). After adjusting for potential confounders, multivariable analysis indicated that NT-proBNP >876.1 pg/mL was an independent predictor of CIN non-recovery (odds ratio 1.94; 95% CI 1.03-3.75; P=0.0042). Kaplan-Meier curves showed higher rates of long-term mortality among patients with CIN non-recovery than those with CIN recovery (Chi-squared=14.183, log-rank P=0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

Preprocedural NT-proBNP was associated with CIN non-recovery among patients undergoing PCI. The optimal cut-off value for NT-proBNP to predict CIN non-recovery was 876.1 pg/mL.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of paeonol derivatives with etherized aryl urea by regulating TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cell

Thirty-three novel paeonol etherized aryl urea derivatives (PEUs) were synthesized via a bromination-Williamson Ether Synthesis-deprotection-nucleophilic addition reaction sequence. The structures of PEUs were characterized by LC-MS, HRMS, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra. The levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages were initially employed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of all compounds. Remarkably, b16 exhibited a good anti-inflammatory activity at 2.5 μm which is the same as the potency of paeonol at 20 μm. The results of mechanism research displayed that the anti-inflammatory effect of b16 was ascribed to the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway and inflammatory factors. Additionally, b16 distinctly reduced the generation of free radicals in macrophages and strikingly increased the mitochondrial membrane potential. According to the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of PEUs, the incorporation of halogens on the benzene ring and the hydrogen of phenol hydroxyl substituted by aryl urea, were beneficial to enhance the anti-inflammatory activities. Molecular docking results illustrated that the binding ability of b16 to TLR4 was stronger than that of paeonol. In summary, the novel aryl urea-derivied paeonol b16 could be a new promising candidate for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.

Luteolin Induced Hippocampal Neuronal Pyroptosis Inhibition by Regulation of miR-124-3p/TNF-α/TRAF6 Axis in Mice Affected by Breast-Cancer-Related Depression

Background

Breast-cancer-related depression (BCRD) is associated with an increased mortality rate among breast cancer (BC) survivors. Luteolin has many pharmacological effects, particularly in the treatment of BC. In this study, we aimed to explore the anti-BCRD activity of luteolin and its underlying functional mechanism.

Methods

A BCRD mouse model was induced by injecting 4T1 cells and corticosterone (COR). Behavioral test, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, Nissl staining, immunofluorescence, reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and western blotting were used to study the effect of luteolin in mice with BCRD in vivo. A COR-induced neuron injury model was established in HT-22 cells in vitro. The role of miR-124-3p in the anti-BCRD effects of luteolin was studied using a miR-124-3p inhibitor.

Results

Luteolin significantly reduced the size and weight of the tumor, increased the mice entry frequency in the symmetrical sector, and reduced the duration of immobility in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests of mice affected by BCRD. Simultaneously, apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was inhibited, and the number of Nissl bodies increased with luteolin treatment. In addition, luteolin resulted in the upregulation of miR-124-3p expression in the hippocampus and downregulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), as well as lowered the phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and IkappaB (IκB). Luteolin also inhibited pyroptosis of hippocampal neurons in mice affected by BCRD, as revealed by the low protein levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, gasdermin D-N (GSDMD-N), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18. However, the miR-124-3p inhibitor significantly reversed the therapeutic effect of luteolin on COR-induced HT-22 cells.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the anti-BCRD function of luteolin was mediated by regulating the miR-124-3p/TNF-α/TRAF6-related pathway and inhibiting neuronal cell pyroptosis and subsequent inflammation. Therefore, luteolin may be a potential drug candidate in the treatments of BCRD.

Amniotic LPS-Induced Apoptosis in the Fetal Brain Is Suppressed by Vaginal LPS Preconditioning but Is Promoted by Continuous Ischemic Reperfusion

Chorioamnionitis (CAM) is an increasingly common disease affecting pregnant women which derives from bacterial vaginosis. In different clinical cases, it has been shown that CAM can cause multiple risk factors for fetal brain damage, such as infection, and intra-uterine asphyxia. However, the molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we established a novel CAM mouse model by exposing pregnant mice to a combination of three risk factors: vaginal lipopolysaccharides (LPS), amniotic LPS, and ischemic reperfusion. We found amniotic LPS caused Parkinson's disease-like fetal brain damage, in a dose and time-dependent manner. Moreover, the mechanism of this fetal brain damage is apoptosis induced by amniotic LPS but it was inhibited by being pretreated with a vaginal LPS challenge before amniotic LPS injection. In contrast, amniotic LPS with continuous ischemic reperfusion caused a higher level of apoptotic cell death than amniotic LPS alone. In particular, a potential neuroprotective biomarker phosphorylation (p)-CREB (ser133) appeared in only vaginal LPS preconditioned before amniotic LPS, whereas ischemic reperfusion triggered IKK phosphorylation after amniotic LPS. Despite the need for many future investigations, this study also discussed a developed understanding of the molecular mechanism of how these phenotypes occurred.

Natriuretic Peptides Regulate Prostate Cells Inflammatory Behavior: Potential Novel Anticancer Agents for Prostate Cancer

Inflammation, by inducing a tumor-promoting microenvironment, is a hallmark for prostate cancer (PCa) progression. NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)-inflammasome activation, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secretion, and cancer cell-released extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute to the establishment of tumor microenvironment. We have shown that PC3-derived EVs (PC3-EVs) activate inflammasome cascade in non-cancerous PNT2 cells. It is known that the endogenous biomolecules and Natriuretic Peptides (NPs), such as ANP and BNP, inhibit inflammasome activation in immune cells. Here we investigated whether ANP and BNP modify PCa inflammatory phenotype in vitro. By using PNT2, LNCaP, and PC3 cell lines, which model different PCa progression stages, we analyzed inflammasome activation and the related pathways by Western blot and IL-1β secretion by ELISA. We found that tumor progression is characterized by constitutive inflammasome activation, increased IL-1β secretion, and reduced endogenous NPs expression. The administration of exogenous ANP and BNP, via p38-MAPK or ERK1/2-MAPK, by inducing NLRP3 phosphorylation, counteract inflammasome activation and IL-1β maturation in PC3 and PC3-EVs-treated PNT2 cells, respectively. Our results demonstrate that NPs, by interfering with cell-specific signaling pathways, exert pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects converging toward inflammasome phosphorylation and suggest that NPs can be included in a drug repurposing process for PCa.

Increasing Imbalance of Treg/Th17 Indicates More Severe Glucose Metabolism Dysfunction in Overweight/obese Patients

BACKGROUND

Chronic low-grade inflammation and dysfunction of metabolism has been reported to be involved in obesity. Regulatory T cell (Treg) and helper T cell 17 (Th17) are involved in chronic inflammatory diseases. Impaired balance of Treg/Th17 is one of the major factors contributing to inflammatory status in obesity.

METHODS

Overweight/obese patients (n = 80) were recruited and classified into three subgroups: normal glucose tolerance group (NGT, n = 32), impaired glucose regulation group (IGR, n = 19) and type two diabetes mellitus group (T2DM, n = 29). Healthy individuals were paired as normal control group (NC, n = 37). We used flow cytometry to test the frequencies of circulating Treg and Th17 cells of all subjects. Serum IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-17A levels were detected by cytometric bead array and clinical information was extracted from medical records.

RESULTS

In group IGR and T2DM, we revealed a severe decrease in peripheral ratio of Treg/Th17 compared with NC, but no significant difference was seen in group NGT. The serum level of IL-6 in group NGT and T2DM was higher than healthy subjects. The FPG and HbA1c levels were negatively correlated with the ratio of Treg/Th17 in overweight/obese patients. ROC curve analysis revealed that peripheral Treg/Th17 ratio <1.255 was a risk factor for prediabetes and diabetes in overweight/obese patients.

CONCLUSION

Peripheral Treg/Th17 imbalance exists in overweight/obese patients with IGR or T2DM and peripheral Treg/Th17 imbalance might be a risk factor for prediabetes and diabetes in overweight/obese patients.

The Protective Effect of rhBNP on Postresuscitation Myocardial Dysfunction in a Rat Cardiac Arrest Model

PURPOSE

We investigated the protective effects and the underlying mechanisms through which recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) acts on postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction (PRMD) in the cardiac arrest (CA) model.

METHODS

Ventricular fibrillation was induced and untreated for 6 min. And the time of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was 8 min, after which defibrillation was attempted in this rat model. 24 Sprague Dawley rats (450-550g) were randomized into cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) + rhBNP and CPR + placebo groups after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). rhBNP was infused at PR 30 min (loading dose: 1.5 µg/kg, 3 min; maintenance dose: 0.01 µg/kg, 3 min; maintenance dose: 0.01 α (TNF-α (TNF-α (TNF-κB (NF-κB (NF.

RESULTS

The administration of rhBNP attenuated the severity of PRMD and myocardial tissue injuries, with improvement of MAP (mean arterial blood pressure), ETCO2 (end-tidal CO2), serum level of NT-proBNP, EF, CO, and MPI values. The serum levels and protein expression levels in myocardial tissue of IL-6 and TNF-α (TNF-κB (NF.

CONCLUSION

Our research demonstrated that the administration of rhBNP attenuated the severity of PRMD and myocardial tissue injuries and increased the 24 h survival rate in this CA model. rhBNP administration also reduced the serum and myocardial tissue levels of IL-6 and TNF-α after ROSC, likely due to the suppression of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and the regulation of inflammatory mediator secretion.α (TNF-κB (NF.

Exosomes from adipose-derived stem cells alleviate neural injury caused by microglia activation via suppressing NF-kB and MAPK pathway

Activation of microglia cells play critical role in neuroinflammation after brain injury. Exosomes from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) possess immunoregulation effect similar with ADSC. We hypothesized that ADSC derived exosomes (ADSC-exosomes) could inhibit the activation of microglia cells and prevent neuroinflammation. We found that ADSC-exosomes could inhibit the activation of microglia cells by suppressing NF-kB and MAPK pathway. Production of inflammatory factors in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglia cells decreased significantly when pretreated with ADSC-exosomes. Furthermore, ADSC-exosomes could decrease the cytotoxicity of activated microglia. These results revealed that ADSC-exosomes might be a promising strategy for the therapy of neural injury.

Mycoplasma contamination affects cell characteristics and decreases the sensitivity of BV2 microglia to LPS stimulation

Mycoplasma is the most common contaminant and greatly affects host cells. The influence of mycoplasma on microglia cells remains unknown. Here, we investigated the influence of mycoplasma contamination on BV2 cells (a microglia cell line). We found that mycoplasma contamination increased the phosphorylation of NF-kB and MAPK signal pathway and induced the activation of BV2 cells. These mycoplasma-contaminated BV2 cells exhibited a transition of cell morphology and slower proliferation, as well as increased gene expression and protein secretion of inflammatory factors. Furthermore, mycoplasma-contaminated BV2 cells had decreased sensitivity to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. These findings suggested that mycoplasma contamination greatly influenced the characteristics and function of microglia cells. It is important to prevent and exclude mycoplasma contamination in our research.