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Chenxing W, Jie S, Yajuan T, Ting L, Yuying Z, Suhong C, Guiyuan L. The rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz improve gastrointestinal health and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice via modulating intestinal barrier and water-fluid metabolism. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 326:117971. [PMID: 38403003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Baizhu (BZ) is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (Compositae), which invigorates the spleen, improves vital energy, stabilizes the fetus, and is widely used for treating spleen deficiency syndrome. However, the impact of BZ on gastrointestinal function during pregnancy remains unexplored. AIM OF THE STUDY This study elucidated the ameliorative effects of BZ on gastrointestinal health and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency diarrhea (SDD). METHODS To simulate an irregular human diet and overconsumption of cold and bitter foods leading to SDD, a model of pregnant mice with SDD was established using an alternate-day fasting and high-fat diet combined with oral administration of Sennae Folium. During the experiment, general indicators and diarrhea-related parameters were measured. Gastric and intestinal motility (small intestinal propulsion and gastric emptying rates) were evaluated. Serum motilin (MTL), ghrelin, growth hormone (GH), gastrin (Gas), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), chorionic gonadotropin β (β-CG), progesterone (P), and estradiol (E2) were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) and alcian blue periodic acid Schiff staining (AB-PAS). Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to measure the expression levels of the intestinal barrier and water metabolism-related proteins in colonic tissues. The pregnancy rate, ovarian organ coefficient, uterus with fetus organ coefficient, small size, average fetal weight, and body length of fetal mice were calculated. RESULTS The results showed that BZ significantly improved general indicators and diarrhea in pregnant mice with SDD, increased gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate, elevated the levels of gastrointestinal hormones (AMS, ghrelin, GH, and Gas) in the serum, and reduced lipid levels (TC and LDL-c). It also improved colonic tissue morphology, increased the number of goblet cells, and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of occludin, claudin-1, ZO-1, AQP3, AQP4, and AQP8 in colonic tissues, downregulating the mRNA and protein expression levels of claudin-2, thereby alleviating intestinal barrier damage and regulating the balance of water and fluid metabolism. BZ also held the levels of pregnancy hormones (β-CG, P, and E2) in the serum of pregnant mice with SDD. Moreover, it increased the pregnancy rate, ovarian organ coefficient, uterus with fetus organ coefficient, litter size, average fetal weight, and body length of fetal mice. These findings indicate that BZ can improve spleen deficiency-related symptoms in pregnant mice before and during pregnancy, regulate pregnancy-related hormones, and improve pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Chenxing
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Su Jie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Tian Yajuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Li Ting
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Zhong Yuying
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Chen Suhong
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Lv Guiyuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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Sewnarain S, Singh S, Naicker T. Placental progesterone and its receptor in HIV-infected pre-eclamptic women. Histochem Cell Biol 2024; 161:255-267. [PMID: 37975897 PMCID: PMC10912128 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-023-02250-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Given the high prevalence of HIV infection and pre-eclampsia (PE) in South Africa, this study evaluated and compared the placental immunostaining of progesterone (P) and progesterone receptors (PR) in the synergy of HIV-infected PE compared to normotensive pregnant women using immunohistochemistry interfaced with morphometric image analysis. Progesterone immunostaining was expressed widely across exchange and conducting villi within mesenchymal, endothelial, and trophoblast cells. In contrast, PR was expressed within syncytiotrophoblasts and was absent within endothelial cells. In exchange villi, P and PR immuno-expression was significantly lower in PE compared to the normotensive group (p = < 0.0001 and p = < 0.0001, respectively) and within the early-onset pre-eclampsia (EOPE) compared to the late-onset pre-eclampsia (LOPE) group (p = < 0.0001 and p = < 0.0001, respectively). Progesterone immuno-expression was significantly lower in the HIV+ compared to the HIV- group (p = < 0.0001), whilst PR was non-significant. In conducting villi, P and PR immuno-expression was significantly lower in the EOPE compared to the LOPE group (p = < 0.0001 and p = < 0.0001, respectively) and in the HIV+ compared to the HIV- group (p = < 0.0001 and p = 0.0009, respectively). Progesterone immuno-expression was slightly higher in the PE compared to normotensive group, and PR immuno-expression was non-significant. There was a significant difference between P and PR within exchange versus conducting villi regardless of pregnancy type, with villi type accounting for 34.47% and 15.28% of total variance for P and PR, respectively. Placental P and PR immuno-expression is downregulated in the duality of PE and HIV+ infection. The use of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) may result in defective P synthesis, which causes insufficient binding to its receptors. Consequently, PI3K/AKT, JAK-STAT, and MAPK signalling pathways are affected, impairing trophoblast invasion and leading to pre-eclampsia development. Notably, the decrease in P and PR immuno-expression in EOPE validates their effect on placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serisha Sewnarain
- Optics and Imaging Centre, College of Health Sciences, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
| | - Shoohana Singh
- Optics and Imaging Centre, College of Health Sciences, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- Optics and Imaging Centre, College of Health Sciences, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Corne A, Adolphe F, Estaquier J, Gaumer S, Corsi JM. ATF4 Signaling in HIV-1 Infection: Viral Subversion of a Stress Response Transcription Factor. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:146. [PMID: 38534416 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Cellular integrated stress response (ISR), the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), and IFN signaling are associated with viral infections. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) plays a pivotal role in these pathways and controls the expression of many genes involved in redox processes, amino acid metabolism, protein misfolding, autophagy, and apoptosis. The precise role of ATF4 during viral infection is unclear and depends on cell hosts, viral agents, and models. Furthermore, ATF4 signaling can be hijacked by pathogens to favor viral infection and replication. In this review, we summarize the ATF4-mediated signaling pathways in response to viral infections, focusing on human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). We examine the consequences of ATF4 activation for HIV-1 replication and reactivation. The role of ATF4 in autophagy and apoptosis is explored as in the context of HIV-1 infection programmed cell deaths contribute to the depletion of CD4 T cells. Furthermore, ATF4 can also participate in the establishment of innate and adaptive immunity that is essential for the host to control viral infections. We finally discuss the putative role of the ATF4 paralogue, named ATF5, in HIV-1 infection. This review underlines the role of ATF4 at the crossroads of multiple processes reflecting host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Corne
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, Université Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Florine Adolphe
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, Université Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Jérôme Estaquier
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- INSERM U1124, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Gaumer
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, Université Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Jean-Marc Corsi
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, Université Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
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Mendes EA, Tang Y, Jiang G. The integrated stress response signaling during the persistent HIV infection. iScience 2023; 26:108418. [PMID: 38058309 PMCID: PMC10696111 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) infection is a chronic disease under antiretroviral therapy (ART), during which active HIV replication is effectively suppressed. Stable viral reservoirs are established early in infection and cannot be eradicated in people with HIV (PWH) by ART alone, which features residual immune inflammation with disease-associated secondary comorbidities. Mammalian cells are equipped with integrated stress response (ISR) machinery to detect intrinsic and extrinsic stresses such as heme deficiency, nutrient fluctuation, the accumulation of unfolded proteins, and viral infection. ISR is the part of the innate immunity that defends against pathogen infection or environmental alteration, thereby maintaining homeostasis to avoid diseases. Here, we describe how this machinery responds to the off-target effects of ART and persistent HIV infection in both the peripheral compartments and the brain. The latter may be important for us to better understand the mechanisms of stable HIV reservoirs and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica A. Mendes
- UNC HIV Cure Center, Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7042, USA
| | - Yuyang Tang
- UNC HIV Cure Center, Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7042, USA
| | - Guochun Jiang
- UNC HIV Cure Center, Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases and the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599- 7042, USA
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Fayed ND, Arafa MF, Essa EA, El Maghraby GM. Lopinavir-menthol co-crystals for enhanced dissolution rate and intestinal absorption. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022; 74:103587. [PMID: 35845293 PMCID: PMC9272570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Lopinavir is an antiretroviral, antiparasitic agent and recently utilized in treatment of COVID-19. Unfortunately, lopinavir exhibited poor oral bioavailability due to poor dissolution, extensive pre-systemic metabolism, and significant P-glycoprotein intestinal efflux. Accordingly, the aim was to enhance dissolution rate and intestinal absorption of lopinavir. This employed co-processing with menthol which is believed to modify crystalline structures and inhibit intestinal efflux. Lopinavir was mixed with menthol at different molar ratios before ethanol assisted kneading. Formulations were evaluated using FTIR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and dissolution studies. Optimum ratio was utilized to assess lopinavir intestinal permeability. This employed in situ rabbit intestinal perfusion technique. FTIR, DSC and XRD indicated formation of lopinavir-menthol co-crystals at optimum molar ratio of 1:2. Additional menthol underwent phase separation due to possible self-association. Co-crystallization significantly enhanced lopinavir dissolution rate compared with pure drug to increase the dissolution efficiency from 24.96% in case of unprocessed lopinavir to 91.43% in optimum formulation. Lopinavir showed incomplete absorption from duodenum and jejuno-iliac segments with lower absorptive clearance from jejuno-ileum reflecting P-gp efflux. Co-perfusion with menthol increased lopinavir intestinal permeability. The study introduced menthol as co-crystal co-former for enhanced dissolution and augmented intestinal absorption of lopinavir.
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Al-Kouatly HB, Scott RK, Makhamreh MM, Cunningham G, Visclosky T, Ingram BO, Inagaki K, Rakhmanina N, Kirmse B. Metabolomics in Placental Tissue from Women Living with HIV. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2022; 38:198-207. [PMID: 34498948 PMCID: PMC8968831 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2021.0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is unknown whether antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in women living with HIV (WLHIV) are associated with mitochondrial toxicity and altered fat oxidation and branched-chain amino acid metabolism in the placenta and fetus. Immediately after delivery, we froze placental biopsies from 20 WLHIV and 20 matched uninfected women. We analyzed global biochemical profiles using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. We used t-tests, principle component analysis, hierarchical clustering, and random forest analysis (RFA) in our analysis. Twelve WLHIV were on protease inhibitors, six on non-nucleoside reverse inhibitors, and two on integrase strand inhibitors with optimized backbone. Mean birth weight of HIV-exposed neonates was significantly lower than unexposed neonates (3,075 g vs. 3,498 g, p = .01) at similar gestational age. RFA identified 30 of 702 analytes that differentiated the placental profiles of WLHIV from uninfected women with 72.5% predictive accuracy. Placental profiles of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-treated WLHIV exhibited lower levels of amino acids, including essential and branched-chain amino acids, and some medium-chain acylcarnitines. Placental metabolism may be altered in WLHIV, possibly associated with ARV exposure. The lower birth weight among neonates of WLHIV suggests the need for further studies considering potential deleterious effects of altered placenta metabolism on fetal growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huda B. Al-Kouatly
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rachel K. Scott
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Mona M. Makhamreh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Gary Cunningham
- Division of Genetics & Metabolism, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Timothy Visclosky
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Kengo Inagaki
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Natella Rakhmanina
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Brian Kirmse
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.,Address correspondence to: Brian Kirmse, Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, R-619, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, USA
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Dunk CE, Serghides L. Protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy: effects on hormones, placenta, and decidua. Lancet HIV 2022; 9:e120-e129. [PMID: 34863352 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00249-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pregnancy is important for maternal health, and has been successful in reducing vertical transmission rates to almost zero in those taking effective ART regimens with good adherence. However, there are reports of higher rates of low birthweight and preterm births in women with HIV, which can be further exacerbated by ART usage in pregnancy. Protease inhibitors, and ritonavir-boosted lopinavir in particular, might directly contribute to placental and uteroplacental pathology in part by altering plasma concentrations of the essential steroid hormones of pregnancy, progesterone and oestradiol. In this Review, we collate the increasing evidence of dysregulated maternal endocrinology, reproductive physiology, and placental compromise associated with protease inhibitors. Based on findings of placental and decidual effects, we recommend that ritonavir-boosted lopinavir should be avoided in pregnancy, in line with US and European guidelines. Long-term follow-up of children exposed to protease inhibitors in utero is also recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E Dunk
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lena Serghides
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Immunology and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Cheney L, Barbaro JM, Berman JW. Antiretroviral Drugs Impact Autophagy with Toxic Outcomes. Cells 2021; 10:909. [PMID: 33920955 PMCID: PMC8071244 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiretroviral drugs have dramatically improved the morbidity and mortality of people living with HIV (PLWH). While current antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens are generally well-tolerated, risks for side effects and toxicity remain as PLWH must take life-long medications. Antiretroviral drugs impact autophagy, an intracellular proteolytic process that eliminates debris and foreign material, provides nutrients for metabolism, and performs quality control to maintain cell homeostasis. Toxicity and adverse events associated with antiretrovirals may be due, in part, to their impacts on autophagy. A more complete understanding of the effects on autophagy is essential for developing antiretroviral drugs with decreased off target effects, meaning those unrelated to viral suppression, to minimize toxicity for PLWH. This review summarizes the findings and highlights the gaps in our knowledge of the impacts of antiretroviral drugs on autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cheney
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - John M. Barbaro
- Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (J.M.B.); (J.W.B.)
| | - Joan W. Berman
- Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (J.M.B.); (J.W.B.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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