Endotoxin induced acute kidney injury modulates expression of AQP1, P53 and P21 in rat kidney, heart, lung and small intestine

Beneficial Effects of Selenium on Kidney Injury via Nf-Kb and Aquaporin-1 Levels

Systemic inflammation is a serious condition that can affect various tissues and organs, such as the kidneys, and can be life-threatening. Selenium (Se) is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory trace element. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of Se, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced kidney damage to maintain aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) levels. Four experimental rat groups (n = 8) consisting of the control, LPS alone, LPS + Se, and Se alone were so applied for 7 consecutive days. Upon sacrifice, histopathological results, diagnostic markers of kidney functions, oxidative stress, and inflammation were analyzed. Our results showed that LPS induced mononuclear cell infiltration, cellular residue, and protein deposition in the kidney proximal tubules, and also decreased total antioxidant status levels and increased total antioxidant status and oxidative stress index values. LPS increased the level of creatinine, increased the level of Nuclear Factor kappa B, which has an important role in the inflammation process, and decreased the levels of AQP-1 due to the damage it caused. Se has shown its effect by reversing all these situations. This data suggests that Se can be used as an additive to mitigate LPS-induced toxicity in the kidney.

Toll-like Receptor Agonist CBLB502 Protects Against Radiation-induced Intestinal Injury in Mice

BACKGROUND/AIM

The small intestine is one of the organs most vulnerable to ionizing radiation (IR) damage. However, methods to protect against IR-induced intestinal injury are limited. CBLB502, a Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist from Salmonella flagellin, exerts radioprotective effects on various tissues and organs. However, the molecular mechanisms by which CBLB502 protects against IR-induced intestinal injury remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying IR-induced intestinal injury and the protective effects of CBLB502 against this condition in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were administered 0.2 mg/kg CBLB502 before IR at different doses for different time points, and then the survival rate, body weight, hemogram, and histopathology of the mice were analyzed.

RESULTS

CBLB502 reduced IR-induced intestinal injury. RNA-seq analysis revealed that different doses and durations of IR induced different regulatory patterns. CBLB502 protected against intestinal injury mainly after IR by reversing the expression of IR-induced genes and regulating immune processes and metabolic pathways.

CONCLUSION

This study preliminarily describes the regulatory mechanism of IR-induced intestinal injury and the potential molecular protective mechanism of CBLB502, providing a basis for identifying the functional genes and molecular mechanisms that mediate protection against IR-induced injury.

Alpinetin alleviates LPS-induced lung epithelial cell injury by inhibiting p38 and ERK1/2 signaling via aquaporin-1

Alpinetin has been reported to play a protective role in lung diseases, while its special mechanisms remain indistinct. In this study, acute lung injury (ALI) model was constructed by inducing MLE-12 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell activity together with apoptosis was judged employing cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry along with western blot. Oxidative stress levels were measured by dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining and corresponding kits. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was to examine the levels of inflammatory factors. The protein expressions of aquaporin-1 (AQP1), p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 pathway were estimated utilizing western blot. The data showed that alpinetin increased the viability, reduced the apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation and inactivated p38 and ERK1/2 signaling in LPS-induced MLE-12 cells. Moreover, alpinetin also increased AQP1 expression and AQP1 knockdown reversed the impacts of alpinetin on LPS-induced MLE-12 cells. Additionally, AQP1 agonist AqF026 also exerted anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-treated MLE-12 cells. Evidently, alpinetin may exert its protective role in LPS-induced ALI by inactivation of p38 and ERK1/2 signaling through regulating AQP1.

Acne Transcriptomics: Fundamentals of Acne Pathogenesis and Isotretinoin Treatment

This review on acne transcriptomics allows for deeper insights into the pathogenesis of acne and isotretinoin's mode of action. Puberty-induced insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin and androgen signaling activate the kinase AKT and mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). A Western diet (hyperglycemic carbohydrates and milk/dairy products) also co-stimulates AKT/mTORC1 signaling. The AKT-mediated phosphorylation of nuclear FoxO1 and FoxO3 results in their extrusion into the cytoplasm, a critical switch which enhances the transactivation of lipogenic and proinflammatory transcription factors, including androgen receptor (AR), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), but reduces the FoxO1-dependent expression of GATA binding protein 6 (GATA6), the key transcription factor for infundibular keratinocyte homeostasis. The AKT-mediated phosphorylation of the p53-binding protein MDM2 promotes the degradation of p53. In contrast, isotretinoin enhances the expression of p53, FoxO1 and FoxO3 in the sebaceous glands of acne patients. The overexpression of these proapoptotic transcription factors explains isotretinoin's desirable sebum-suppressive effect via the induction of sebocyte apoptosis and the depletion of BLIMP1(+) sebocyte progenitor cells; it also explains its adverse effects, including teratogenicity (neural crest cell apoptosis), a reduced ovarian reserve (granulosa cell apoptosis), the risk of depression (the apoptosis of hypothalamic neurons), VLDL hyperlipidemia, intracranial hypertension and dry skin.