Boosting Akt Pathway by Rupatadine Modulates Th17/Tregs Balance for Attenuation of Isoproterenol-Induced Heart Failure in Rats

Systems Pharmacology to Explore the Potential Mechanism of Ginseng Against Heart Failure

The aim of this study is to elucidate the pharmacological mechanism underlying the effects of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (ginseng) in heart failure (HF), providing a theoretical foundation for its clinical application. The potential mechanism of ginseng in the context of HF was investigated using systems pharmacology that combined network pharmacology, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) analysis, molecular docking, and experimental verification. Network pharmacology was employed to identify drug-disease targets. Core gene targets were subsequently subjected to enrichment analysis by integrating network pharmacology with GEO. Molecular docking was utilized to predict the binding affinities between identified targets and ginseng compounds. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of ginseng was validated in an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced rat model of HF. The modulation of key signaling pathways by ginseng was confirmed through Western blot analysis. A total of 154 potential targets of ginseng in the treatment of HF were identified through network pharmacology analysis. The analysis of GSE71613 revealed that the PI3K-Akt pathway, reactive oxygen species, oxidative phosphorylation, MAPK signaling, and Ras signaling pathways are predominantly associated with patients with HF. By integrating the findings from network pharmacology and GEO analysis, ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rb3 were identified as the potential components in ginseng, while FN1 and PRKAA2 were recognized as key targets involved in the PI3K-AKT and AMPK pathways, respectively. Molecular docking analysis revealed a strong affinity between the potential components and the identified core targets. In vivo experiments indicated that the extract of ginseng (EPG) significantly ameliorated ISO-induced cardiac dysfunction by improving cardiac parameters such as cardiac left ventricular internal systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, left ventricular end systolic volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction, while also reducing malondialdehyde production. In addition, EPG was found to enhance superoxide dismutase activity and ATP levels, while concurrently reducing the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. The extract also reduced myocardial oxygen consumption, inflammatory cell infiltration, and the number of damaged myocardial fibers. Moreover, EPG was observed to upregulate the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-AMPK, and Bcl-2, while downregulating the expression of p-NFκB, TGF-β, and Bax. The therapeutic effects of ginseng on HF are primarily mediated through the PI3K-Akt and AMPK pathways. Ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rb3 have been identified as potential therapeutic agents for HF.

Progress of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) & MSC-Exosomes combined with drugs intervention in liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is an intrahepatic chronic damage repair response caused by various reasons such as alcoholic liver, fatty liver, viral hepatitis, autoimmune diseases, etc., and is closely related to the progression of liver disease. Currently, the mechanisms of liver fibrosis and its treatment are hot research topics in the field of liver disease remedy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a class of adult stem cells with self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation potential, which can ameliorate fibrosis through hepatic-directed differentiation, paracrine effects, and immunomodulation. However, the low inner-liver colonization rate, low survival rate, and short duration of intervention after stem cell transplantation have limited their wide clinical application. With the intensive research on liver fibrosis worldwide, it has been found that MSCs and MSCs-derived exosomes combined with drugs have shown better intervention efficiency than utilization of MSCs alone in many animal models of liver fibrosis. In this paper, we review the interventional effects and mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes combined with drugs to alleviate hepatic fibrosis in vivo in animal models in recent years, which will provide new ideas to improve the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes in treating hepatic fibrosis in the clinic.

Identification of crucial genes related to heart failure based on GEO database

BACKGROUND

The molecular biological mechanisms underlying heart failure (HF) remain poorly understood. Therefore, it is imperative to use innovative approaches, such as high-throughput sequencing and artificial intelligence, to investigate the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and potential treatment of HF.

METHODS

First, we initially screened Two data sets (GSE3586 and GSE5406) from the GEO database containing HF and control samples from the GEO database to establish the Train group, and selected another dataset (GSE57345) to construct the Test group for verification. Next, we identified the genes with significantly different expression levels in patients with or without HF and performed functional and pathway enrichment analyses. HF-specific genes were identified, and an artificial neural network was constructed by Random Forest. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the constructed model in the Train and Test groups. Finally, immune cell infiltration was analyzed to determine the role of the inflammatory response and the immunological microenvironment in the pathogenesis of HF.

RESULTS

In the Train group, 153 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with HF were found to be abnormal, including 81 down-regulated genes and 72 up-regulated genes. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the down-regulated genes were primarily enriched in organic anion transport, neutrophil activation, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The upregulated genes were mainly enriched in neutrophil activation and the calcium signaling. DEGs were identified using Random Forest, and finally, 16 HF-specific genes were obtained. In the ROC validation and evaluation, the area under the curve (AUC) of the Train and Test groups were 0.996 and 0.863, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research revealed the potential functions and pathways implicated in the progression of HF, and designed an RNA diagnostic model for HF tissues using machine learning and artificial neural networks. Sensitivity, specificity, and stability were confirmed by ROC curves in the two different cohorts.

Modulatory effect of rupatadine on mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in hepatic fibrosis in rats: A potential role for miR-200a

AIMS

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-EXOs) have emerged as a promising approach in regenerative medicine for management of different diseases. However, the maintenance of their efficacy after in vivo transplantation is still a major concern. The present investigation aimed to assess the modulatory effect of rupatadine (RUP) on MSC-EXOs in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver fibrosis (LF), and to explore the possible underlying mechanism.

MAIN METHODS

LF was induced in rats by i.p. injection of DEN (100 mg/kg) once per week for 6 successive weeks. Rats were then treated with RUP (4 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 4 weeks with or without a single i.v. administration of MSC-EXOs. At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized and serum and liver were separated for biochemical, and histological measurements.

KEY FINDINGS

The combined MSC-EXOs/RUP therapy provided an additional improvement towards inhibition of DEN-induced LF compared to MSC-EXOs group alone. These outcomes could be mediated through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects of RUP which created a more favorable environment for MSC-EXOs homing, and action. This in turn would enhance more effectively miR-200a expression which reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, necroptosis pathway, and subsequently fibrosis as revealed by turning off TGF-β1/α-SMA expression, and hedgehog axis.

SIGNIFICANCE

The present findings reveal that RUP enhanced the anti-fibrotic efficacy of MSC-EXOs when used as a combined therapy. This was revealed through attenuation of PAF/RIPK3/MLKL/HMGB1, and TGF-β1/hedgehog signaling pathways with a significant role for miR-200a.

A novel mechanistic approach for the anti-fibrotic potential of rupatadine in rat liver via amendment of PAF/NF-ĸB p65/TGF-β1 and hedgehog/HIF-1α/VEGF trajectories

Hepatic fibrosis is one of the major worldwide health concerns which requires tremendous research due to the limited outcomes of the current therapies. The present study was designed to assess, for the first time, the potential therapeutic effect of rupatadine (RUP) in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver fibrosis and to explore its possible mechanistic actions. For the induction of hepatic fibrosis, rats were treated with DEN (100 mg/kg, i.p.) once weekly for 6 consecutive weeks, and on the 6th week, RUP (4 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was administered for 4 weeks. Treatment with RUP ameliorated changes in body weights, liver indices, liver function enzymes, and histopathological alterations induced by DEN. Besides, RUP amended oxidative stress, which led to the inhibition of PAF/NF-κB p65-induced inflammation, and, subsequently, prevention of TGF-β1 elevation and HSCs activation as indicated by reduced α-SMA expression and collagen deposition. Moreover, RUP exerted significant anti-fibrotic and anti-angiogenic effects by suppressing Hh and HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathways. Our results highlight, for the first time, a promising anti-fibrotic potential of RUP in rat liver. The molecular mechanisms underlying this effect involve the attenuation of PAF/NF-κB p65/TGF-β1 and Hh pathways and, subsequently, the pathological angiogenesis (HIF-1α/VEGF).

Effect of injection of different doses of isoproterenol on the hearts of mice

Background

Heart failure (HF) is one of the diseases that seriously threaten human health today and its mechanisms are very complex. Our study aims to confirm the optimal dose ISO-induced chronic heart failure mice model for better study of HF-related mechanisms and treatments in the future.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were used to establish mice model of chronic heart failure. We injected isoproterenol subcutaneously in a dose gradient of 250 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg. Echocardiography and ELISA were performed to figure out the occurrence of HF. We also supplemented the echocardiographic changes in mice over 30 days.

Results

Except group S and group E, echocardiographic abnormalities were found in other groups, suggesting a decrease in cardiac function. Except group S, myofibrolysis were found in the hearts of mice in other groups. Brain natriuretic peptide was significantly increased in groups B and D, and C-reactive protein was significantly increased in each group.

Conclusion

Our research finally found that the HFrEF mice model created by injection at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 7 days was the most suitable and a relatively stable chronic heart failure model could be obtained by placing it for 21 days.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02852-x.

Role of Platelet-activating factor and HO-1 in mediating the protective effect of rupatadine against 5-fluorouracil-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, but its hepatotoxicity challenges its clinical use. Thus, searching for a hepatoprotective agent is highly required to prevent the accompanied hepatic hazards. The current study aimed to investigate the potential benefit and mechanisms of action of rupatadine (RU), a Platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist, in the prevention of 5-FU-related hepatotoxicity in rats. Hepatotoxicity was developed in male albino rats by a single 5-FU (150 mg/kg) intra-peritoneal injection on the 7th day of the experiment. RU (3 mg/kg/day) was orally administrated to the rodents for 10 days. Hepatic toxicity was assessed by measuring both liver and body weights, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST), hepatic oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide levels (NOx), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD)), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Inflammatory markers expressions (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukins; IL-1B, IL-6), the apoptotic marker (caspase-3), and PAF were measured in the hepatic tissue. 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity was proved by the biochemical along with histopathological assessments. RU ameliorated 5-FU-induced liver damage as proved by the improved serum ALT, AST, and hepatic oxidative stress parameters, the attenuated expression of hepatic pro-inflammatory cytokines and PAF, and the up-regulation of HO-1. Therefore, it can be concluded that RU pretreatment exerted a hepatoprotective effect against 5-FU-induced liver damage through both its powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effect.

Transcriptomic analysis and biological evaluation reveals that LMO3 regulates the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Autologous bone transplantation which is a common treatment method for bone defects needs a large quantity of bone cells. In order to develop new treatments to regenerating bone tissues, this research aimed at identifying the key genes and finding their mechanism in human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) osteogenesis. GSE63754, GSE89330 and GSE72429 were downloaded to perform GO functional and KEGG pathway analyses, construct a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, construct a PPI network and identify hub genes. The expression level of LMO3 during the osteogenesis of hADSCs was examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Lentivirus transfection was used to knock down or overexpress LMO3, which enabled us to investigate the effect of LMO3 on osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs. Wortmannin were used to identify the mechanism of the LMO3/PI3K/Akt axis in regulating osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs. Moreover, ectopic bone formation in nude mice was used to investigate the effect of LMO3 on osteogenesis in vivo. In this study, we found the expression of LMO3 was significantly upregulated during the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs. LMO3 knockdown remarkably suppressed osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs, while LMO3 overexpression promoted osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we discovered that the enhancing effect of LMO3 overexpression on osteogenic differentiation was related to the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway with wortmannin effectively blocked the stimulation of osteogenic differentiation induced by LMO3 overexpression. In conclusion, based on transcriptomic analysis, we identified key genes involved in regulating the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs. In addition, we found that LMO3 might act as a positive modulator of hADSC osteogenic differentiation by mediating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Manipulating the expression of LMO3 and its associated pathways might contribute to advances in bone regeneration and tissue engineering.

Lycorine ameliorates isoproterenol-induced cardiac dysfunction mainly via inhibiting inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress and apoptosis

Alleviating cardiac dysfunction improves the prognosis of heart failure patients. Lycorine is an alkaloid with several beneficial biological properties. Here, we used mice to evaluate the effect of lycorine on cardiac dysfunction elicited by isoproterenol. Mice were divided into four groups: control, lycorine, isoproterenol, and isoproterenol + lycorine. Mice in the combined group were treated daily with 10 mg/kg isoproterenol intraperitoneally for 2 weeks and 5 mg/kg lycorine was given simultaneously intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. Cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and Masson's trichrome staining. Isoproterenol-induced cardiac dysfunction and histopathological injury that was significantly improved by treatment with lycorine. Western blotting and the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to explore the molecular mechanisms of these effects. Levels of the inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, were increased by treatment with isoproterenol; these increases were significantly reduced by lycorine, with involvement of the NF-κB signaling pathway. The fibrotic factors, collagen I and collagen III, were increased by isoproterenol and decreased by treatment with lycorine through inhibiting activation of the Smad signaling pathway. In addition, lycorine alleviated oxidative stress as evidenced by a reduction in total reactive oxygen species in the isoproterenol + lycorine group compared to the isoproterenol group. Lycorine exerted an anti-apoptotic effect as evidenced by upregulating Bcl-2 and downregulating Bax. Overall, our findings demonstrate that lycorine protects against cardiac dysfunction induced by isoproterenol by inhibiting inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.