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Khaksari M, Pourali M, Rezaei Talabon S, Gholizadeh Navashenaq J, Bashiri H, Amiresmaili S. Protective effects of 17-β-estradiol on liver injury: The role of TLR4 signaling pathway and inflammatory response. Cytokine 2024; 181:156686. [PMID: 38991382 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Liver injury, a major global health issue, stems from various causes such as alcohol consumption, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hepatitis, and certain medications. The liver's unique susceptibility to ischemia and hypoxia, coupled with the critical role of the gut-liver axis in inflammation, underscores the need for effective therapeutic interventions. The study highlights E2's interaction with estrogen receptors (ERs) and its modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway as key mechanisms in mitigating liver injury. Activation of TLR4 leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, exacerbating liver inflammation and injury. E2 down-regulates TLR4 expression, reduces oxidative stress, and inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby protecting the liver. Both classic (ERα and ERβ) and non-classic [G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)] receptors are influenced by E2. ERα is particularly crucial for liver regeneration, preventing liver failure by promoting hepatocyte proliferation. Furthermore, E2 exerts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-17, and by reducing lipid peroxidation and free radical damage. The article calls for further clinical research to validate these findings and to develop estrogen-based treatments for liver injuries. Overall, the research emphasizes the significant potential of E2 as a therapeutic agent for liver injuries. It advocates for extensive clinical studies to validate E2 hepatoprotective properties and develop effective estrogen-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Khaksari
- Neuroscince and Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Centers, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | | | | | - Hamideh Bashiri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Ira
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Chen J, Shen L, Wu T, Yang Y. Unraveling the significance of AGPAT4 for the pathogenesis of endometriosis via a multi-omics approach. Hum Genet 2024:10.1007/s00439-024-02681-2. [PMID: 38850428 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-024-02681-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Endometriosis is characterized by the ectopic proliferation of endometrial cells, posing considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Our study investigates AGPAT4's involvement in endometriosis pathogenesis, aiming to unveil new therapeutic targets. Our investigation by analyzing eQTL data from GWAS for preliminary screening. Subsequently, within the GEO dataset, we utilized four machine learning algorithms to precisely identify risk-associated genes. Gene validity was confirmed through five Mendelian Randomization methods. AGPAT4 expression was measured by Single-Cell Analysis, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. We investigated AGPAT4's effect on endometrial stromal cells using RNA interference, assessing cell proliferation, invasion, and migration with CCK8, wound-healing, and transwell assays. Protein expression was analyzed by western blot, and AGPAT4 interactions were explored using AutoDock. Our investigation identified 11 genes associated with endometriosis risk, with AGPAT4 and COMT emerging as pivotal biomarkers through machine learning analysis. AGPAT4 exhibited significant upregulation in both ectopic tissues and serum samples from patients with endometriosis. Reduced expression of AGPAT4 was observed to detrimentally impact the proliferation, invasion, and migration capabilities of endometrial stromal cells, concomitant with diminished expression of key signaling molecules such as Wnt3a, β-Catenin, MMP-9, and SNAI2. Molecular docking analyses further underscored a substantive interaction between AGPAT4 and Wnt3a.Our study highlights AGPAT4's key role in endometriosis, influencing endometrial stromal cell behavior, and identifies AGPAT4 pathways as promising therapeutic targets for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Licong Shen
- Department of Gynecology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Department of Cardiovasology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yongwen Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
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Virtuoso S, Raggi C, Maugliani A, Baldi F, Gentili D, Narciso L. Toxicological Effects of Naturally Occurring Endocrine Disruptors on Various Human Health Targets: A Rapid Review. TOXICS 2024; 12:256. [PMID: 38668479 PMCID: PMC11054122 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12040256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting compounds are chemicals that alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system of living organisms. They can be natural (N-EDCs) or synthetic compounds (S-EDCs). N-EDCs can belong to different groups, such as phytoestrogens (PEs), including flavonoids, or mycotoxins originating from plants or fungi, and cyanotoxins, derived from bacteria. Humans encounter these substances in their daily lives. The aim of this rapid review (RR) is to provide a fine mapping of N-EDCs and their toxicological effects on human health in terms of various medical conditions or adverse consequences. This work is based on an extensive literature search and follows a rigorous step-by-step approach (search strategy, analysis strategy and data extraction), to select eligible papers published between 2019 and 2023 in the PubMed database, and to define a set of aspects characterizing N-EDCs and the different human target systems. Of the N-EDCs identified in this RR, flavonoids are the most representative class. Male and female reproductive systems were the targets most affected by N-EDCs, followed by the endocrine, nervous, bone and cardiovascular systems. In addition, the perinatal, pubertal and pregnancy periods were found to be particularly susceptible to natural endocrine disruptors. Considering their current daily use, more toxicological research on N-EDCs is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Virtuoso
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carla Raggi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonella Maugliani
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.)
| | - Francesca Baldi
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.)
| | - Donatella Gentili
- Scientific Knowledge Unit (Library), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Laura Narciso
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (F.B.)
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Szukiewicz D. Reproductive Immunology and Pregnancy 3.0. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16606. [PMID: 38068929 PMCID: PMC10706387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This Special Issue, the third dedicated to reproductive immunology and pregnancy, is another review of the latest trends in research topics in this field [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Szukiewicz
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology & Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland
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