Targeting NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Treatment Of Diabetes and Diabetic Complications: Role of Natural Compounds from Herbal Medicine

Integrated Proteomics Characterization of NLRP3 Inflammasome Inhibitor MCC950 in Monocytic Cell Line Confirms Direct MCC950 Engagement with Endogenous NLRP3

Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome is a promising strategy for the development of new treatments for inflammatory diseases. MCC950 is a potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor of the NLRP3 pathway and has been validated in numerous species and disease models. Although the capacity of MCC950 to block NLRP3 signaling is well-established, it is still critical to identify the mechanism of action and molecular targets of MCC950 to inform and derisk drug development. Quantitative proteomics performed in disease-relevant systems provides a powerful method to study both direct and indirect pharmacological responses to small molecules to elucidate the mechanism of action and confirm target engagement. A comprehensive target deconvolution campaign requires the use of complementary chemical biology techniques. Here we applied two orthogonal chemical biology techniques: compressed Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA) and photoaffinity labeling chemoproteomics, performed under biologically relevant conditions with LPS-primed THP-1 cells, thereby deconvoluting, for the first time, the molecular targets of MCC950 using chemical biology techniques. In-cell chemoproteomics with inlysate CETSA confirmed the suspected mechanism as the disruption of inflammasome formation via NLRP3. Further cCETSA (c indicates compressed) in live cells mapped the stabilization of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway proteins, highlighting modulation of the targeted pathway. This is the first evidence of direct MCC950 engagement with endogenous NLRP3 in a human macrophage cellular system using discovery proteomics chemical biology techniques, providing critical information for inflammasome studies.

Dimeric ent-kauranoids isolated from Isodon japonica var. Glaucocalyx and their anti-inflammatory activities

The phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Isodon japonica var. glaucocalyx afforded four undescribed (glaucocalyxin O-R, 1-4) and six known ent-kauranoids (5-10). Their structures were established using NMR and MS measurements. Compounds 1 and 2 are dimeric ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids. Moreover, the plausible biogenetic pathways for compounds 1 and 2 were proposed as Michael addition between two monomers. Eight compounds were assayed for their anti-inflammatory activity by evaluating NO production in LPS-induced RAW 267.4 cells, and compounds 7, 8 and 9 exhibited relatively remarkable anti-inflammatory activities at 10 μM.

The research trends of ferroptosis in diabetes: a bibliometric analysis

Objective

Exploring the mechanism of ferroptosis as a potential avenue for investigating the pathogenesis and therapeutic outlook of diabetes mellitus and its complications has emerged as a focal point within recent years. Herein, we employ a bibliometric approach to delineate the current landscape of ferroptosis research in the context of diabetes mellitus. Our objective is to furnish insights and scholarly references conducive to the advancement of comprehensive investigations and innovations in related domains.

Methods

We included studies on ferroptosis in diabetes, obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection. All publications were transported in plaintext full-record format and were analyzed by CiteSpace 6.2.R4 for bibliometric analysis.

Results

Four hundred and forty-eight records that met the criteria were included. The publications released during the initial 3 years were relatively small, while there was a sudden surge of publications published in 2022 and 2023. Representing 41 countries and 173 institutions, China and Wuhan University led the research on ferroptosis in diabetes. The author with the highest number of published papers is Zhongming Wu, while Dixon SJ is the most frequently cited author. The journal with the highest number of co-citations is Cell. The most common keywords include oxidative stress, cell death, lipid peroxidation, and metabolism. Extracted keywords predominantly focus on NLRP3 inflammatory, diabetic kidney disease, mitochondria, iron overload, and cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

The escalating recognition of ferroptosis as a potential therapeutic target for deciphering the intricate mechanisms underlying diabetes and its complications is underscored by a noteworthy surge in relevant research publications. This surge has catapulted ferroptosis into the spotlight as a burgeoning and vibrant research focus within the field.

Mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in elderly diabetes mellitus and a systematic review of its clinical application

Objective: Affected by aging, the elderly diabetes patients have many pathological characteristics different from the young people, including more complications, vascular aging, cognitive impairment, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia. This article will explore their pathogenesis and the mechanism of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention, and use the method of systematic review to evaluate the clinical application of TCM in elderly diabetes. Method: Searching for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from January 2000 to November 2023 in the following databases: Web of Science, Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Sinomed, China National Knowledge Internet, Wanfang and VIP. They were evaluated by three subgroups of Traditional Chinese Prescription, Traditional Chinese patent medicines and Traditional Chinese medicine extracts for their common prescriptions, drugs, adverse reactions and the quality of them. Results and Conclusion: TCM has the advantages of multi-target and synergistic treatment in the treatment of elderly diabetes. However, current clinical researches have shortcomings including the inclusion of age criteria and diagnosis of subjects are unclear, imprecise research design, non-standard intervention measures, and its safety needs further exploration. In the future, the diagnosis of elderly people with diabetes needs to be further clarified. Traditional Chinese patent medicines included in the pharmacopoeia can be used to conduct more rigorous RCTs, and then gradually standardize the traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions and traditional Chinese medicine extracts, providing higher level evidence for the treatment of elderly diabetes with traditional Chinese medicine.

MCC950 Ameliorates Diabetic Muscle Atrophy in Mice by Inhibition of Pyroptosis and Its Synergistic Effect with Aerobic Exercise

Diabetic muscle atrophy is an inflammation-related complication of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Even though regular exercise prevents further deterioration of atrophic status, there is no effective mediator available for treatment and the underlying cellular mechanisms are less explored. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of MCC950, a specific, small-molecule inhibitor of NLRP3, to treat pyroptosis and diabetic muscle atrophy in mice. Furthermore, we used MCC950 to intervene in the protective effects of aerobic exercise against muscle atrophy in diabetic mice. Blood and gastrocnemius muscle (GAS) samples were collected after 12 weeks of intervention and the atrophic state was assessed. We initially corroborated a diabetic muscle atrophy phenotype in db/db mice (D) by comparison with control m/m mice (W) by examining parameters such as fasting blood glucose (D vs. W: 24.47 ± 0.45 mmol L-1 vs. 4.26 ± 0.6 mmol L-1, p < 0.05), grip strength (D vs. W: 166.87 ± 15.19 g vs. 191.76 ± 14.13 g, p < 0.05), exercise time (D vs. W: 1082.38 ± 104.67 s vs. 1716 ± 168.55 s, p < 0.05) and exercise speed to exhaustion (D vs. W: 24.25 ± 2.12 m min-1 vs. 34.75 ± 2.66 m min-1, p < 0.05), GAS wet weight (D vs. W: 0.07 ± 0.01 g vs. 0.13 ± 0.01 g, p < 0.05), the ratio of GAS wet weight to body weight (D vs. W: 0.18 ± 0.01% vs. 0.54 ± 0.02%, p < 0.05), and muscle fiber cross-sectional area (FCSA) (D vs. W: 1875 ± 368.19 µm2 vs. 2747.83 ± 406.44 µm2, p < 0.05). We found that both MCC950 (10 mg kg-1) treatment and exercise improved the atrophic parameters that had deteriorated in the db/db mice, inhibited serum inflammatory markers and significantly attenuated pyroptosis in atrophic GAS. In addition, a combined MCC950 treatment with exercise (DEI) exhibited a further improvement in glucose uptake capacity and muscle performance. This combined treatment also improved the FCSA of GAS muscle indicated by Laminin immunofluorescence compared to the group with the inhibitor treatment alone (DI) (DEI vs. DI: 2597 ± 310.97 vs. 1974.67 ± 326.15 µm2, p < 0.05) or exercise only (DE) (DEI vs. DE: 2597 ± 310.97 vs. 2006.33 ± 263.468 µm2, p < 0.05). Intriguingly, the combination of MCC950 treatment and exercise significantly reduced NLRP3-mediated inflammatory factors such as cleaved-Caspase-1, GSDMD-N and prevented apoptosis and pyroptosis in atrophic GAS. These findings for the first time demonstrate that targeting NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis with MCC950 improves diabetic muscle homeostasis and muscle function. We also report that inhibiting pyroptosis by MCC950 can enhance the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on diabetic muscle atrophy. Since T2DM and muscle atrophy are age-related diseases, the young mice used in the current study do not seem to fully reflect the characteristics of diabetic muscle atrophy. Considering the fragile nature of db/db mice and for the complete implementation of the exercise intervention, we used relatively young db/db mice and the atrophic state in the mice was thoroughly confirmed. Taken together, the current study comprehensively investigated the therapeutic effect of NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis inhibited by MCC950 on diabetic muscle mass, strength and exercise performance, as well as the synergistic effects of MCC950 and exercise intervention, therefore providing a novel strategy for the treatment of the disease.

Brain-Gut-Microbiota Axis in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Historical Overview and Future Directions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease which is strongly associated with age. The incidence of ALS increases from the age of 40 and peaks between the ages of 65 and 70. Most patients die of respiratory muscle paralysis or lung infections within three to five years of the appearance of symptoms, dealing a huge blow to patients and their families. With aging populations, improved diagnostic methods and changes in reporting criteria, the incidence of ALS is likely to show an upward trend in the coming decades. Despite extensive researches have been done, the cause and pathogenesis of ALS remains unclear. In recent decades, large quantities of studies focusing on gut microbiota have shown that gut microbiota and its metabolites seem to change the evolvement of ALS through the brain-gut-microbiota axis, and in turn, the progression of ALS will exacerbate the imbalance of gut microbiota, thereby forming a vicious cycle. This suggests that further exploration and identification of the function of gut microbiota in ALS may be crucial to break the bottleneck in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Hence, the current review summarizes and discusses the latest research advancement and future directions of ALS and brain-gut-microbiota axis, so as to help relevant researchers gain correlative information instantly.

A novel stroke rehabilitation strategy and underlying stress granule regulations through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation

OBJECTIVE

Dynamic changes in ischemic pathology after stroke suggested a "critical window" of enhanced neuroplasticity immediately after stroke onset. Although physical exercise has long been considered a promising strategy of stroke rehabilitation, very early physical exercise may exacerbate brain injury. Since remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) promotes neuroprotection and neuroplasticity, the present study combined RIC with sequential exercise to establish a new rehabilitation strategy for a better rehabilitative outcome.

METHODS

A total of 120 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used and divided into five groups: (1) sham, (2) stroke, (3) stroke with exercise, (4) stroke with RIC, and (5) stroke with RIC followed by exercise. Brain damage was evaluated by infarct volume, neurological deficit, cell death, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Long-term functional outcomes were determined by grid walk tests, rotarod tests, beam balance tests, forelimb placing tests, and the Morris water maze. Neuroplasticity was evaluated through measurements of both mRNA and protein levels of synaptogenesis (synaptophysin [SYN], post-synaptic density protein-95 [PSD-95], and brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]) and angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], angiopoietin-1 [Ang-1], and angiopoietin-2 [Ang-2]). Inflammasome activation was measured by concentrations of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-1β detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, mRNA expressions of NLR pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC), IL-18 and IL-1β, and protein quantities of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-caspase-1, gasdermin D-N (GSDMD-N), and IL-18 and IL-1β. Stress granules (SGs), including GTPase-activating protein-binding protein 1 (G3BP1), T cell-restricted intracellular antigen-1 (TIA1), and DEAD-box RNA helicase 3X (DDX3X) were evaluated at mRNA and protein levels. The interactions between DDX3X with NLRP3 or G3BP1 were determined by immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

Early RIC decreased infarct volumes, neurological deficits, cell death, and LDH activity at post-stroke Day 3 (p < 0.05). All treatment groups showed significant improvement in functional outcomes, including sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. RIC and exercise, as compared to RIC or physical exercise alone, had improved functional outcomes after stroke (p < 0.05), as well as synaptogenesis and angiogenesis (p < 0.05). RIC significantly reduced mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3 (p < 0.05). SGs formation peaked at 0 h after ischemia, then progressively decreased until 24 h postreperfusion, which was reversed by RIC (p < 0.05). The assembly of SGs consumed DDX3X and then inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

CONCLUSIONS

RIC followed by exercise induced a better rehabilitation in ischemic rats, while early RIC alleviated ischemia-reperfusion injury via stress-granule-mediated inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Male Akita mice develop signs of bladder underactivity independent of NLRP3 as a result of a decrease in neurotransmitter release from efferent neurons

Diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) is a prevalent diabetic complication that is recalcitrant to glucose control. Using the Akita mouse model (type 1) bred to be NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)+/+ or NLRP3-/-, we have previously found that females (mild hyperglycemia) progress from an overactive to underactive bladder phenotype and that this progression was dependent on NLRP3-induced inflammation. Here, we examined DBD in the male Akita mouse (severe hyperglycemia) and found by urodynamics only a compensated underactive-like phenotype (increased void volume and decreased frequency but unchanged efficiency). Surprisingly, this phenotype was still present in the NLRP3-/- strain and so was not dependent on NLRP3 inflammasome-induced inflammation. To examine the cause of the compensated underactive-like phenotype, we assessed overall nerve bundle density and afferent nerve bundles (Aδ-fibers). Both were decreased in density during diabetes, but denervation was absent in the diabetic NLRP3-/- strain so it was deemed unlikely to cause the underactive-like symptoms. Changes in bladder smooth muscle contractility to cell depolarization and receptor activation were also not responsible as KCl (depolarizing agent), carbachol (muscarinic agonist), and α,β-methylene-ATP (purinergic agonist) elicited equivalent contractions in denuded bladder strips in all groups. However, electrical field stimulation revealed a diabetes-induced decrease in contractility that was not blocked in the NLRP3-/- strain, suggesting that the bladder compensated underactive-like phenotype in the male Akita mouse is likely through a decrease in efferent neurotransmitter release.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we show that diabetic bladder dysfunction (the most common diabetic complication) manifests through different mechanisms that may be related to severity of hyperglycemia and/or sex. Male Akita mice, which have severe hyperglycemia, develop bladder underactivity as a result of a decrease in efferent neurotransmitter release that is independent of inflammation. This contrasts with females, who have milder hyperglycemia, where diabetic bladder dysfunction progresses from overactivity to underactivity in an inflammation-dependent manner.

Radical oxygen species: an important breakthrough point for botanical drugs to regulate oxidative stress and treat the disorder of glycolipid metabolism

Background: The incidence of glycolipid metabolic diseases is extremely high worldwide, which greatly hinders people's life expectancy and patients' quality of life. Oxidative stress (OS) aggravates the development of diseases in glycolipid metabolism. Radical oxygen species (ROS) is a key factor in the signal transduction of OS, which can regulate cell apoptosis and contribute to inflammation. Currently, chemotherapies are the main method to treat disorders of glycolipid metabolism, but this can lead to drug resistance and damage to normal organs. Botanical drugs are an important source of new drugs. They are widely found in nature with availability, high practicality, and low cost. There is increasing evidence that herbal medicine has definite therapeutic effects on glycolipid metabolic diseases. Objective: This study aims to provide a valuable method for the treatment of glycolipid metabolic diseases with botanical drugs from the perspective of ROS regulation by botanical drugs and to further promote the development of effective drugs for the clinical treatment of glycolipid metabolic diseases. Methods: Using herb*, plant medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, phytochemicals, natural medicine, phytomedicine, plant extract, botanical drug, ROS, oxygen free radicals, oxygen radical, oxidizing agent, glucose and lipid metabolism, saccharometabolism, glycometabolism, lipid metabolism, blood glucose, lipoprotein, triglyceride, fatty liver, atherosclerosis, obesity, diabetes, dysglycemia, NAFLD, and DM as keywords or subject terms, relevant literature was retrieved from Web of Science and PubMed databases from 2013 to 2022 and was summarized. Results: Botanical drugs can regulate ROS by regulating mitochondrial function, endoplasmic reticulum, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and other signaling pathways to improve OS and treat glucolipid metabolic diseases. Conclusion: The regulation of ROS by botanical drugs is multi-mechanism and multifaceted. Both cell studies and animal experiments have demonstrated the effectiveness of botanical drugs in the treatment of glycolipid metabolic diseases by regulating ROS. However, studies on safety need to be further improved, and more studies are needed to support the clinical application of botanical drugs.

Portrayal of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Atherosclerosis: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Targets

We are witnessing the globalization of a specific type of arteriosclerosis with rising prevalence, incidence and an overall cardiovascular disease burden. Currently, atherosclerosis increasingly affects the younger generation as compared to previous decades. While early preventive medicine has seen improvements, research advances in laboratory and clinical investigation promise to provide us with novel diagnosis tools. Given the physio-pathological complexity and epigenetic patterns of atherosclerosis and the discovery of new molecules involved, the therapeutic field of atherosclerosis has room for substantial growth. Thus, the scientific community is currently investigating the role of nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a crucial component of the innate immune system in different inflammatory disorders. NLRP3 is activated by distinct factors and numerous cellular and molecular events which trigger NLRP3 inflammasome assembly with subsequent cleavage of pro-interleukin (IL)-1β and pro-IL-18 pathways via caspase-1 activation, eliciting endothelial dysfunction, promotion of oxidative stress and the inflammation process of atherosclerosis. In this review, we introduce the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and its role in atherosclerosis. We also emphasize its promising therapeutic pharmaceutical potential.

3-aminobenzamide protects against colitis associated diabetes mellitus in male BALB/c mice: Role of PARP-1, NLRP3, SIRT-1, AMPK

Diabetes and ulcerative colitis are chronic diseases associated with inflammation, dysbiosis, impaired immune function and infection risk. In patients with type 1 diabetes enteropathy, gastrointestinal manifestations are seen relatively frequently. The current investigation was aimed to decipher the role of 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) in ulcerative colitis associated Diabetes mellitus in male BALB/c mice. Ulcerative colitis associated Diabetes mellitus experimental murine model was developed by 3 cycles (each cycle consists of seven days) of Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS; 2.5 %w/v) with recovery time of one week in-between along with Streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg/kg; i.p. x 5 days; consecutively) was given at the I^st recovery period. As an intervention, 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB; 5 and 10 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) was given beginning with the second DSS cycle and then continue till sacrifice. 3-aminobenzamide treatment significantly reduced the severity of colitis-associated diabetes mellitus by altering the expression of a number of molecular targets, including sirtuin 1 (SIRT 1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP-1), cysteine protease-1 (Caspase-1), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFkBp65), NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and β-catenin. Further, 3-AB at high dose (10 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) significantly restored the epithelial tight junction integrity as evaluated by TEM analysis and restored occludin expression analysed by immunofluorescence analysis. Present study revealed that the high dose of 3-AB (10 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) showed significant and consistent protective effects against colitis associated Diabetes mellitus by modulating various molecular targets.

Dual Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 Interacting Protein-1 in Inflammasome and Pancreatic β-Cell Function

Inflammasomes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, their expression and functional importance in pancreatic β-cells remain largely unknown. Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 interacting protein-1 (MAPK8IP1) is a scaffold protein that regulates JNK signaling and is involved in various cellular processes. The precise role of MAPK8IP1 in inflammasome activation in β-cells has not been defined. To address this gap in knowledge, we performed a set of bioinformatics, molecular, and functional experiments in human islets and INS-1 (832/13) cells. Using RNA-seq expression data, we mapped the expression pattern of proinflammatory and inflammasome-related genes (IRGs) in human pancreatic islets. Expression of MAPK8IP1 in human islets was found to correlate positively with key IRGs, including the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), Gasdermin D (GSDMD) and Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), but correlate inversely with Nuclear factor kappa β1 (NF-κβ1), Caspase-1 (CASP-1), Interleukin-18 (IL-18), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6). Ablation of Mapk8ip1 by siRNA in INS-1 cells down-regulated the basal expression levels of Nlrp3, NLR family CARD domain containing 4 (Nlrc4), NLR family CARD domain containing 1 (Nlrp1), Casp1, Gsdmd, Il-1β, Il-18, Il-6, Asc, and Nf-κβ1 at the mRNA and/or protein level and decreased palmitic acid (PA)-induced inflammasome activation. Furthermore, Mapk8ip1-silened cells substantially reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis in palmitic acid-stressed INS-1 cells. Nonetheless, silencing of Mapk8ip1 failed to preserve β-cell function against inflammasome response. Taken together, these findings suggest that MAPK8IP1 is involved in regulating β-cells by multiple pathways.

The Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling on Arrhythmias in Diabetes

Diabetes is a significant risk factor for arrhythmias. However, the pathophysiology of diabetes-related arrhythmias still needs to be elucidated, presumably associated with structural and electrical remodeling. There is growing evidence that inflammation and arrhythmias are intimately associated, which has spurred significant interest in exploring the regulatory links in diabetes. Recent research findings have revealed a vital role for the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling, and facilitated the occurrence of arrhythmias in diabetes, including NLRP3 inflammasome activation by multiple stressors and its downstream cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). This narrative review aims to summarize the complex interaction between NLRP3 inflammasomes signaling and diabetes-related arrhythmias. Articles regarding the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in diabetes-related arrhythmias and relevant mechanisms were selected. Relevant articles were selected from PubMed. The search terms were "NLRP3 inflammasome" and "diabetes" and "arrhythmia". Important references from selected articles were also retrieved. The role of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in diabetes-induced arrhythmias may provide a new option for the prevention and treatment diabetes-related arrhythmias.

Inflammation triggered by the NLRP3 inflammasome is a critical driver of diabetic bladder dysfunction

Diabetes is a rapidly expanding epidemic projected to affect as many as 1 in 3 Americans by 2050. This disease is characterized by devastating complications brought about high glucose and metabolic derangement. The most common of these complications is diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) and estimates suggest that 50-80% of patients experience this disorder. Unfortunately, the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study suggests that strict glucose control does not decrease ones risk for incontinence, although it does decrease the risk of other complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Thus, there is a significant unmet need to better understand DBD in order to develop targeted therapies to alleviate patient suffering. Recently, the research community has come to understand that diabetes produces a systemic state of low-level inflammation known as meta-inflammation and attention has focused on a role for the sterile inflammation-inducing structure known as the NLRP3 inflammasome. In this review, we will examine the evidence that NLRP3 plays a central role in inducing DBD and driving its progression towards an underactive phenotype.

A Selective Review and Virtual Screening Analysis of Natural Product Inhibitors of the NLRP3 Inflammasome

The NLRP3 inflammasome is currently an exciting target for drug discovery due to its role in various inflammatory diseases; however, to date, no NLRP3 inhibitors have reached the clinic. Several studies have used natural products as hit compounds to facilitate the design of novel selective NLRP3 inhibitors. Here, we review selected natural products reported in the literature as NLRP3 inhibitors, with a particular focus on those targeting gout. To complement this survey, we also report a virtual screen of the ZINC20 natural product database, predicting favored chemical features that can aid in the design of novel small molecule NLRP3 inhibitors.

The Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Its Therapeutic Implications

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the precise molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear, and it is still a challenging disease to diagnose and treat. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain and leucine-rich repeat pyrin 3 domain (NLRP3) inflammasome is a critical part of the innate immune system in the host to defend against endogenous danger and pathogenic microbial infections. Dysregulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation results in the overproduction of cytokines, primarily IL-1β and IL-18, and eventually, inflammatory cell death-pyroptosis. A series of studies have indicated that NLRP3 inflammasome activation participates in the development of DCM, and that corresponding interventions could mitigate disease progression. Accordingly, this narrative review is aimed at briefly summarizing the cell-specific role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in DCM and provides novel insights into developing DCM therapeutic strategies targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Kindlin-2 protects pancreatic β cells through inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in diabetic mice

Diabetes mellitus has been a major public health problem worldwide, characterized by insulin resistance and dysfunction of β-cells. A previous study showed that Kindlin-2 loss in β-cells dramatically reduces insulin secretion and decreases β-cell mass, resulting in severe diabetes-like phenotypes. It suggests that Kindlin-2 in β-cells play an important role in regulating glucose homeostasis. However, the effect of Kindlin-2 on the function of β-cells under chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes has not been explored. Here we report that Kindlin-2 overexpression ameliorates diabetes and improves insulin secretion in mice induced by streptozocin. In contrast, Kindlin-2 insufficiency exacerbates diabetes and promotes β-cells dysfunction and inflammation in β-cells induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). In vitro, Kindlin-2 overexpression prevented high-glucose (HG)-induced dysfunction in β-cells. Kindlin-2 overexpression also decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 inflammasome expression in β-cells exposed to HG. Furthermore, the loss of Kindlin-2 aggravates the expression of inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 induced by HG in β-cells. Collectively, we demonstrate that Kindlin-2 protects against diabetes by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Gypenoside A attenuates dysfunction of pancreatic β cells by activating PDX1 signal transduction via the inhibition of miR-150-3p both in vivo and in vitro

Saponin gypenoside A (GP) has shown its potential to handle diabetes mellitus. MicroRNA-150-3p (miR-150-3p) is closely related to the dysfunction of pancreatic β cells by targeting PDX1. Given the function of GP is related to its regulation on different miRs, the current study assessed the role of miR-150-3p as a therapeutic target for the hypoglycemic effects of GP. Pancreatic β cell dysfunction was induced in mice using the high-fatty diet (HFD) method and then handled with GP. Changes in insulin release and resistance and the activity of the miR-150-3p/PDX1 axis were detected. The expression of miR-150-3p was induced to confirm its central in the effects of GP. The results of in vivo tests were then validated with in vitro assays. HFD administration suppressed glucose tolerance, delayed insulin release, and induced insulin resistance and pancreas apoptosis in mice, which was indicative of the dysfunction of β pancreatic cells. Changes in pancreatic β function were associated with the increased expression of miR-150-3p and suppressed expression of PDX1. After the administration of GP, the impairments of the pancreas were alleviated and the expression of miR-150-3p was inhibited, contributing to the restored level of PDX1. The injection of miR-150-3p agomir counteracted the protective effects of GP. In in vitro assays, the pretransfection of miR-150-3p mimetics also counteracted the protective effects of GP on pancreatic β cells against palmitic acid. Collectively, miR-150-3p played a key role in the protective effects of GP against pancreatic β cell dysfunction by inhibiting PDX1 expression.

Potential therapeutic role of pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome in type 2 diabetes and its complications

As a new way of programmed cell death, pyroptosis plays a vital role in many diseases. In recent years, the relationship between pyroptosis and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has received increasing attention. Although the current treatment options for T2D are abundant, the occurrence and development of T2D appear to continue, and the poor prognosis and high mortality of patients with T2D remain a considerable burden in the global health system. Numerous studies have shown that pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome can affect the progression of T2D and its complications; targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome has potential therapeutic effects. In this review, we described the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis more comprehensively, discussed the most updated progress of pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome in T2D and its complications, and listed some drugs and agents with potential anti-pyroptosis effects. Based on the available evidence, exploring more mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway may bring more options and benefits for preventing and treating T2D and drug development.