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Du X, Zhao C, Xi Y, Lin P, Liu H, Wang S, Guo F. Exploring the role of Yuxuebi tablet in neuropathic pain with the method of similarity research of drug pharmacological effects based on unsupervised machine learning. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1440542. [PMID: 39355777 PMCID: PMC11442203 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1440542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Having multiple pharmacological effects is a characteristic of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Currently, there is a lack of suitable methods to explore and discover modern diseases suitable for TCM treatment using this characteristic. Unsupervised machine learning technology is an efficient strategy to predict the pharmacological activity of drugs. This study takes Yuxuebi Tablet (YXB) as the research object. Using the unsupervised machine learning technology of drug cell functional fingerprint similarity research, the potential pharmacological effects of YXB were discovered and verified. Methods LC-MS combined with the in vitro intestinal absorption method was used to identify components of YXB that could be absorbed by the intestinal tract of rats. Unsupervised learning hierarchical clustering was used to calculate the degree of similarity of cellular functional fingerprints between these components and 121 marketed Western drugs whose indications are diseases and symptoms that YXB is commonly used to treat. Then, based on the Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures database, pathway analysis was performed for selected Western drugs with high similarity in cellular functional fingerprints with the components of YXB to discover the potential pharmacological effects of YXB, which were validated by animal experiments. Results We identified 40 intestinally absorbed components of YXB. Through predictive studies, we found that they have pharmacological effects very similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. In addition, we found that they have very similar pharmacological effects to anti-neuropathic pain medications (such as gabapentin, duloxetine, and pethidine) and may inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway and biological processes related to pain perception. Therefore, YXB may have an antinociceptive effect on neuropathic pain. Finally, we demonstrated that YXB significantly reduced neuropathic pain in a rat model of sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI). Transcriptome analysis further revealed that YXB regulates the expression of multiple genes involved in nerve injury repair, signal transduction, ion channels, and inflammatory response, with key regulatory targets including Sgk1, Sst, Isl1, and Shh. Conclusion This study successfully identified and confirmed the previously unknown pharmacological activity of YXB against neuropathic pain through unsupervised learning prediction and experimental verification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Du
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chunhui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yujie Xi
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pengfei Lin
- China Resources Sanjiu Medical and Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Huihui Liu
- China Resources Sanjiu Medical and Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuling Wang
- College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feifei Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Miyako K, Kajitani N, Koga Y, Takizawa H, Boku S, Takebayashi M. Identification of the antidepressant effect of electroconvulsive stimulation-related genes in hippocampal astrocyte. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 170:318-327. [PMID: 38194849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) remains a significant global health concern, with limited and slow efficacy of existing antidepressants. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has superior and immediate efficacy for MDD, but its action mechanism remains elusive. Therefore, the elucidation of the action mechanism of ECT is expected to lead to the development of novel antidepressants with superior and immediate efficacy. Recent studies suggest a potential role of hippocampal astrocyte in MDD and ECT. Hence, we investigated antidepressant effect of electroconvulsive stimulation (ECS), an animal model of ECT, -related genes in hippocampal astrocyte with a mouse model of MDD, in which corticosterone (CORT)-induced depression-like behaviors were recovered by ECS. In this model, both of CORT-induced depression-like behaviors and the reduction of hippocampal astrocyte were recovered by ECS. Following it, astrocytes were isolated from the hippocampus of this model and RNA-seq was performed with these isolated astrocytes. Interestingly, gene expression patterns altered by CORT were reversed by ECS. Additionally, cell proliferation-related signaling pathways were inhibited by CORT and recovered by ECS. Finally, serum and glucocorticoid kinase-1 (SGK1), a multi-functional protein kinase, was identified as a candidate gene reciprocally regulated by CORT and ECS in hippocampal astrocyte. Our findings suggest a potential role of SGK1 in the antidepressant effect of ECS via the regulation of the proliferation of astrocyte and provide new insights into the involvement of hippocampal astrocyte in MDD and ECT. Targeting SGK1 may offer a novel approach to the development of new antidepressants which can replicate superior and immediate efficacy of ECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Miyako
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoto Kajitani
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yusaku Koga
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Takizawa
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shuken Boku
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
| | - Minoru Takebayashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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Aczél T, Benczik B, Ágg B, Körtési T, Urbán P, Bauer W, Gyenesei A, Tuka B, Tajti J, Ferdinandy P, Vécsei L, Bölcskei K, Kun J, Helyes Z. Disease- and headache-specific microRNA signatures and their predicted mRNA targets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in migraineurs: role of inflammatory signalling and oxidative stress. J Headache Pain 2022; 23:113. [PMID: 36050647 PMCID: PMC9438144 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-022-01478-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migraine is a primary headache with genetic susceptibility, but the pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood, and it remains an unmet medical need. Earlier we demonstrated significant differences in the transcriptome of migraineurs' PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells), suggesting the role of neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunctions. Post-transcriptional gene expression is regulated by miRNA (microRNA), a group of short non-coding RNAs that are emerging biomarkers, drug targets, or drugs. MiRNAs are emerging biomarkers and therapeutics; however, little is known about the miRNA transcriptome in migraine, and a systematic comparative analysis has not been performed so far in migraine patients. METHODS We determined miRNA expression of migraineurs' PBMC during (ictal) and between (interictal) headaches compared to age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Small RNA sequencing was performed from the PBMC, and mRNA targets of miRNAs were predicted using a network theoretical approach by miRNAtarget.com™. Predicted miRNA targets were investigated by Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and validated by comparing network metrics to differentially expressed mRNA data. RESULTS In the interictal PBMC samples 31 miRNAs were differentially expressed (DE) in comparison to healthy controls, including hsa-miR-5189-3p, hsa-miR-96-5p, hsa-miR-3613-5p, hsa-miR-99a-3p, hsa-miR-542-3p. During headache attacks, the top DE miRNAs as compared to the self-control samples in the interictal phase were hsa-miR-3202, hsa-miR-7855-5p, hsa-miR-6770-3p, hsa-miR-1538, and hsa-miR-409-5p. MiRNA-mRNA target prediction and pathway analysis indicated several mRNAs related to immune and inflammatory responses (toll-like receptor and cytokine receptor signalling), neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, also confirmed by mRNA transcriptomics. CONCLUSIONS We provide here the first evidence for disease- and headache-specific miRNA signatures in the PBMC of migraineurs, which might help to identify novel targets for both prophylaxis and attack therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timea Aczél
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School & Szentágothai Research Centre, Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Bettina Benczik
- Cardiometabolic and MTA-SE System Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bence Ágg
- Cardiometabolic and MTA-SE System Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Körtési
- MTA-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Urbán
- Szentágothai Research Centre, Bioinformatics Research Group, Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Witold Bauer
- Szentágothai Research Centre, Bioinformatics Research Group, Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Attila Gyenesei
- Szentágothai Research Centre, Bioinformatics Research Group, Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Tuka
- MTA-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - János Tajti
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Ferdinandy
- Cardiometabolic and MTA-SE System Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Vécsei
- MTA-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Kata Bölcskei
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School & Szentágothai Research Centre, Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - József Kun
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School & Szentágothai Research Centre, Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Centre, Bioinformatics Research Group, Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Helyes
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School & Szentágothai Research Centre, Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
- PharmInVivo Ltd., Pécs, Hungary.
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Pécs Medical School, Szigeti út 12, 7624, Pécs, Hungary.
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SGK1.1 isoform is involved in nociceptive modulation, offering a protective effect against noxious cold stimulus in a sexually dimorphic manner. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 212:173302. [PMID: 34838531 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) is a widely expressed protein in the Central Nervous System (CNS), involved in regulating the activity of a wide variety of ion channels and transporters and physiological functions, such as neuronal excitability. SGK1.1 is a neuronal splice isoform of SGK1, expressed exclusively in the CNS, distributed in brain and cerebellum, that decreases neuronal excitability via up-regulation of M-current, linked to Kv7.2/3 potassium channels. Strategies to maintain increased SGK1.1 activity could be helpful in decreasing neuronal hyperexcitability, as occurs in neuropathic pain. Transgenic mice overexpressing SGK1.1 (B6.Tg.sgk1) offer a particularly relevant opportunity to assess the physiological involvement of this protein in nociception. Behavior and physiological nociception were evaluated in male and female B6.Tg.sgk1 and wild-type mice (B6.WT), characterizing nociceptive thresholds to different nociceptive stimuli (thermal, chemical and mechanical), as well as the electrophysiological properties of cutaneous sensory Aδ-fibres isolated from the saphenous nerve. The acute antinociceptive effect of morphine was also evaluated. Compared with B6.WT animals, male and female B6.Tg.sgk1 mice showed increased spontaneous locomotor activity. Regarding nociception, there were no differences between transgenic and wild-type mice in heat, chemical and mechanical thresholds, but interestingly, male B6.Tg.sgk1 mice were less sensitive to cold stimulus; B6.Tg.sgk1 animals showed lower sensitivity to morphine. Electrophysiological properties of cutaneous primary afferent fibres were maintained. This is the first demonstration that the SGK1.1 isoform is involved in nociceptive modulation, offering a protective effect against noxious cold stimulus in a sexually dimorphic manner. B6.Tg.sgk1 mice offer a particularly relevant opportunity to further analyze the involvement of this protein in nociception, and studies in models of chronic, neuropathic pain are warranted.
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