The anti-TNF-α antibody infliximab inhibits the expression of fat-transporter-protein FAT/CD36 in a selective hepatic-radiation mouse model

Naoxueshu oral liquid promotes hematoma absorption by targeting CD36 in M2 microglia via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a major public health issue that leads to elevated rates of death and disability and has few proven treatments. Naoxueshu oral liquid (NXS), a TCM patent drug, is widely used in patients with ICH. Although a series of clinical studies have confirmed the efficacy and safety of NXS, the underlying mechanism of hematoma absorption is unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our work aimed to elucidate the effect and mechanism of NXS on hematoma absorption in rats with ICH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Induction of ICH model in the rats with intracerebral injection of collagenase VII, followed by treatment with NXS and Edaravone as a control neuroprotection medication. Neural functional recovery was assessed using mNSS, foot fault test, corner test, forelimb grip-traction test, and adhesive removal test. Hematoma absorption was assessed by the spectrophotometric hemoglobin assay with Drabkin's reagent. The protein expression of CD36, M2 microglia marker (CD206 and YM-1) and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway related proteins were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

NXS could significantly ameliorate the ICH recovery of neural and locomotor function as well as reduce hemorrhage volume. NXS could increase the expression of CD36 expressed in M2 microglia and promote M2 microglia polarization. Simultaneously, NXS significantly suppressed protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB following ICH in rats. The results indicated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS), TLR4 specific agonist, could partially reverse the change in ICH rats administrated with NXS.

CONCLUSIONS

NXS promotes hematoma absorption by targeting CD36 expression in M2 microglia via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in rats with ICH. Collectively, current research provides a novel theoretical basis for the clinical application of NXS.

Circulating mir-21 and mir-146a are associated with increased cytokines and CD36 in Algerian obese male participants

BACKGROUND

The microRNAs have come up as crucial mediators of energy balance and metabolic control. CD36 is potential biomarker of obesity and metabolic syndrome. This study investigates the concentration of miR-146a and miR-21 and CD 36 in blood samples of obese and healthy young participants. We assessed the association of mir-146a and mir-21 with inflammatory states in Algerian young participants.

METHODS

Our study included male obese, without co-morbidities (n = 29), and healthy participants (n = 13). miRNA and CD36 expression was measured by real-time RT-PCR, respectively, in serum and blood.

RESULTS

miR-146a and miR-21 concentrations were significantly decreased; however, CD36 expression was increased in obese subjects. Interestingly, miR-146a and miR-21 concentrations were negatively correlated to IL-6, TNF-α, and CD36 in obese participants.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that the downregulation of miR-146a and miR-21 was associated with upregulation of inflammatory state and increased CD36 expression in obese participants.

Fatty Acids Metabolism: The Bridge Between Ferroptosis and Ionizing Radiation

Exposure of tumor cells to ionizing radiation (IR) alters the microenvironment, particularly the fatty acid (FA) profile and activity. Moreover, abnormal FA metabolism, either catabolism or anabolism, is essential for synthesizing biological membranes and delivering molecular signals to induce ferroptotic cell death. The current review focuses on the bistable regulation characteristics of FA metabolism and explains how FA catabolism and anabolism pathway crosstalk harmonize different ionizing radiation-regulated ferroptosis responses, resulting in pivotal cell fate decisions. In summary, targeting key molecules involved in lipid metabolism and ferroptosis may amplify the tumor response to IR.

Liver inflammation at the time of spinal cord injury enhances intraspinal pathology, liver injury, metabolic syndrome and locomotor deficits

The current high obesity rates mean that neurological injuries are increasingly sustained on a background of systemic pathology, including liver inflammation, which likely has a negative impact on outcomes. Because obesity involves complex pathology, the effect of hepatic inflammation alone on neurological recovery is unknown. Thus, here we used a gain-of-function model to test if liver inflammation worsens outcome from spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Results show liver inflammation concomitant with SCI exacerbated intraspinal pathology and impaired locomotor recovery. Hepatic inflammation also potentiated SCI-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), endotoxemia and insulin resistance. Circulating and cerebrospinal levels of the liver-derived protein Fetuin-A were higher in SCI rats with liver inflammation, and, when microinjected into intact spinal cords, Fetuin-A caused macrophage activation and neuron loss. Thus, liver inflammation functions as a disease modifying factor to impair recovery from SCI, and Fetuin-A is a potential neuropathological mediator. Since SCI alone induces acute liver inflammation, the liver may be a novel clinical target for improving recovery from SCI.

Identifying Infliximab- (IFX-) Responsive Blood Signatures for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a severe chronic pathogenic inflammatory abnormality that damages small joints. Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment procedures for RA have been established because of its severe symptoms and relatively high morbidity. Medication and surgery are the two major therapeutic approaches. Infliximab (IFX) is a novel biological agent applied for the treatment of RA. IFX improves physical functions and benefits the achievement of clinical remission even under discontinuous medication. However, not all patients react to IFX, and distinguishing IFX-sensitive and IFX-resistant patients is quite difficult. Thus, how to predict the therapeutic effects of IFX on patients with RA is one of the urgent translational medicine problems in the clinical treatment of RA. In this study, we present a novel computational method for the identification of the applicable and substantial blood gene signatures of IFX sensitivity by liquid biopsy, which may assist in the establishment of a clinical drug sensitivity test standard for RA and contribute to the revelation of unique IFX-associated pharmacological mechanisms.

PECAM-1 modulates liver damage induced by synergistic effects of TNF-α and irradiation

The mechanisms of radiation‐induced liver damage are poorly understood. We investigated if tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α acts synergistically with irradiation, and how its activity is influenced by platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM‐1). We studied murine models of selective single‐dose (25 Gy) liver irradiation with and without TNF‐α application (2 μg/mouse; i.p.). In serum of wild‐type (wt)‐mice, irradiation induced a mild increase in hepatic damage marker aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in comparison to sham‐irradiated controls. AST levels further increased in mice treated with both irradiation and TNF‐α. Accordingly, elevated numbers of leucocytes and increased expression of the macrophage marker CD68 were observed in the liver of these mice. In parallel to hepatic damage, a consecutive decrease in expression of hepatic PECAM‐1 was found in mice that received radiation or TNF‐α treatment alone. The combination of radiation and TNF‐α induced an additional significant decline of PECAM‐1. Furthermore, increased expression of hepatic lipocalin‐2 (LCN‐2), a hepatoprotective protein, was detected at mRNA and protein levels after irradiation or TNF‐α treatment alone and the combination of both. Signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (STAT‐3) seems to be involved in the signalling cascade. To study the involvement of PECAM‐1 in hepatic damage more deeply, the liver of both wt‐ and PECAM‐1‐knock‐out‐mice were selectively irradiated (25 Gy). Thereby, ko‐mice showed higher liver damage as revealed by elevated AST levels, but also increased hepatoprotective LCN‐2 expression. Our studies show that TNF‐α has a pivotal role in radiation‐induced hepatic damage. It acts in concert with irradiation and its activity is modulated by PECAM‐1, which mediates pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory signalling.

The SCFFBXO3 ubiquitin E3 ligase regulates inflammation in atherosclerosis

Inflammation is critical in the pathobiology of atherosclerosis. An essential player in the inflammatory process in atherosclerosis are macrophages that scavenge oxidatively modified low-density lipoproteins (OxLDL) deposited in the subendothelium of systemic arteries that secrete a myriad of pro-inflammatory mediators. Here, we identified that a subunit of the Skp-Cullin-F-box ubiquitin E3 ligase apparatus, termed FBXO3, modulates the inflammatory response in atherosclerosis. Specifically, individuals with a hypofunctioning genetic variant of FBXO3 develop less atherosclerosis. FBXO3 protein is present in cells of monocytic lineage within carotid plaques and its levels increase in those with symptomatic compared with asymptomatic atherosclerosis. Further, cellular depletion or small molecule inhibition of FBXO3 significantly reduced the inflammatory response to OxLDL by macrophages without altering OxLDL uptake. Thus, FBXO3 potentiates vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis that can be effectively mitigated by a small molecule inhibitor.

TNF-α Blockade Efficiently Reduced Severe Intestinal Damage in Necrotizing Enterocolitis

OBJECTIVES

To ascertain the beneficial effects of infliximab an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) on the development of NEC in an experimental NEC rat model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups as NEC, NEC+ infliximab, and control. NEC was induced by enteral formula feeding, exposure to hypoxia-hyperoxia and cold stress. Pups in the NEC+ infliximab group were administered infliximab at a dose of 10 mg/kg daily by intraperitoneal route from the first day until the end of the study. All pups were sacrificed on the 5th day. Proximal colon and ileum were excised for histopathologic, immunohistochemical (TUNEL and caspase-3), and biochemical evaluation, including, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), malonaldehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxdase (MPO) and TNF-α activities.

RESULTS

We observed better clinical sickness scores, weight gain, and survival rate in the NEC+ infliximab group compared to the NEC group (p < .05). Histopathological and apoptosis examination (TUNEL and immunohistochemical evaluation for caspase-3) revealed lower damage in the NEC+ infliximab group compared to the damage in the NEC group (p < .01). Tissue MDA, MPO, TNF-α levels, and TOS were significantly decreased in the NEC+infliximab group, whereas TAS was significantly increased in the NEC + infliximab group (p < .01).

CONCLUSION

TNF-α blockade with infliximab efficiently reduced the intestinal injury and preserve the intestinal tissues from severe intestinal damage by its complex mechanisms on NEC. Therefore, it may be an alternative option for the treatment of NEC.

Effect of DHA-rich fish oil on PPARγ target genes related to lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on lipid levels are well documented. However, the related molecular mechanisms are widely unknown. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are natural ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich fish oil supplementation on modulation of some PPARγ-responsive genes related to lipid metabolism.

METHODS

Patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to consume either DHA-rich fish oil (containing 2400 mg/d fish oil; DHA: 1450 mg and eicosapentaenoic acid: 400 mg) or placebo for 8 weeks. Lipid profile and glycemic control parameters as well as the gene expression of PPARγ, liver x receptor-a, ATP-binding cassette A1, and CD36 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks.

RESULTS

DHA-rich fish oil supplementation resulted in decreased triglycerides (TG) level compared with placebo group, independently of the baseline value of TG (all patients (P = .003), hypertriglyceridemic subjects (P = .01), and normotriglyceridemic subjects (P = .02)). Moreover, a higher reduction in TG level was observed in hypertriglyceridemic subjects, comparing to normotriglyceridemic subjects with DHA-rich fish oil supplementation (P = .01). Other lipid parameters as well as the expression of PPARγ, liver x receptor-a, ATP-binding cassette A1, and CD36 were not affected by DHA-rich fish oil supplementation. Only in hypertriglyceridemic subjects, DHA-rich fish oil supplementation upregulated CD36 expression, compared with the placebo group (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

DHA-rich fish oil supplementation for 8 weeks increased CD36 expression in hypertriglyceridemic subjects, which might result to higher reduction in TG level, comparing with normotriglyceridemic subjects. However, this finding should be investigated in further studies.