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Ren Y, Zhang H, Yu Z, Yang X, Jiang D. Mechanisms of Er Chen Tang on Treating Asthma Explored by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2024; 27:227-237. [PMID: 37138477 DOI: 10.2174/1386207326666230503112343] [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] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to explore the active ingredients of ECT and their targets for asthma and investigate the potential mechanism of ECT on asthma. METHODS Firstly, the active ingredients and target of ECT were screened for BATMAN and TCMSP, and functional analysis was done via DAVID. Then, the animal model was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminum hydroxide. Eosinophil (EOS) counts, EOS active substance Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and eotaxin levels were detected following the instruction. Pathological changes in lung tissue were examined by H&E staining and transmission electron microscopy. Interleukin (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-α), TIgE and IgE levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by ELISA. Finally, the protein expression of the TGF-β / STAT3 pathway to lung tissue was detected by Western Blot. RESULTS A total of 450 compounds and 526 target genes were retrieved in Er Chen Tang. Functional analysis indicated that its treatment of asthma was associated with inflammatory factors and fibrosis. In the animal experiment, the results showed that ECT significantly regulated inflammatory cytokine (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-α) levels in (P<0.05, P<0.01, reduced EOS number (P<0.05) and also ECP and Eotaxin levels in the blood (P<0.05) in BALF and/or plasma. Bronchial tissue injury was obviously improved on ECT treatment. Associated proteins in TGF-β / STAT3 pathway were significantly regulated by ECT (P<0.05). CONCLUSION This study originally provided evidence that the Er Chen Tang was effective in the treatment of asthma symptoms, and its underlying mechanism might be the regulation of inflammatory factor secretion and the TGF-β/STAT3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhe Ren
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Haijing Zhang
- Yicon (Beijing) Medical Technology Inc, Beijing, China
| | - Zhou Yu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiangzheng Yang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Deyou Jiang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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2
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Wei H, Li D, Luo Y, Wang Y, Lin E, Wei X. Aluminum exposure induces nephrotoxicity via fibrosis and apoptosis through the TGF-β1/Smads pathway in vivo and in vitro. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 249:114422. [PMID: 36521267 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114422] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Aluminum (Al), the most common element in nature, can enter the body through various routes. Unfortunately, excessive accumulation of Al in the body can cause chronic toxicity. In this study, rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups and intraperitoneally injected with AlCl3 solution at 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/(kg·d), respectively, for 4 weeks. The kidney function of rats and Al contents in the kidney were measured, and the pathological structural changes and apoptosis of the kidney were observed. Meanwhile, the expression of fibrosis- and apoptosis-related proteins was detected with western blot. For the in vitro assay, HK-2 cells were used to construct a model to evaluate the effects of Al exposure on cell viability, cell apoptosis, and the expression of fibrosis- and apoptosis-related proteins. Additionally, the TGF-β1/Smads pathway was also altered in HK-2 cells, followed by the measurement of changes in apoptosis and fibrosis-related proteins. The results revealed that Al could accumulate in kidney tissues, then leading to histopathological changes and kidney function impairment, promoting renal tubular cell apoptosis and renal collagen fiber deposition, and also elevating the expression of TGF-β1/Smads pathway-related proteins. In vitro experiments also exhibited that Al exposure increased apoptosis and the expression of fibrosis-related factors in HK-2 cells, accompanied by activation of the TGF-β1/Smads pathway. Further modulation of the TGF-β1/Smads pathway manifested that activation of the TGF-β1/Smads pathway facilitated Al-induced apoptosis and fibrosis-related factor expression, while inhibition of the pathway negated this effect of Al. In conclusion, the findings of the present study illustrate that Al exposure damages kidney function and facilitate apoptosis and kidney fibrosis, which may be achieved through the activation of the TGF-β1/Smads pathway. This study provides a new theoretical basis for the study of nephrotoxicity induced by excessive Al exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wei
- Department of General Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of YouJiang Medical University for Nationalities, Zhongshan No 2 Road 18, Baise 533000, China
| | - Dong Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of YouJiang Medical University for Nationalities, Zhongshan No 2 Road 18, Baise 533000, China
| | - Yueling Luo
- Department of Health Supervision Center, Affiliated Hospital of YouJiang Medical University for Nationalities, Zhongshan No 2 Road 18, Baise 533000, China
| | - Yingchuan Wang
- Department of General Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of YouJiang Medical University for Nationalities, Zhongshan No 2 Road 18, Baise 533000, China
| | - Erbing Lin
- Department of General Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of YouJiang Medical University for Nationalities, Zhongshan No 2 Road 18, Baise 533000, China
| | - Xi Wei
- Department of Health Supervision Center, Affiliated Hospital of YouJiang Medical University for Nationalities, Zhongshan No 2 Road 18, Baise 533000, China.
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Glucosidase inhibitor, Nimbidiol ameliorates renal fibrosis and dysfunction in type-1 diabetes. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21707. [PMID: 36522378 PMCID: PMC9755213 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25848-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) leading to renal fibrosis, progressive deterioration of renal function, and eventually to end stage renal disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known to regulate synthesis and degradation of the ECM. Earlier, we demonstrated that imbalanced MMPs promote adverse ECM remodeling leading to renal fibrosis in type-1 diabetes. Moreover, elevated macrophage infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokines and epithelial‒mesenchymal transition (EMT) are known to contribute to the renal fibrosis. Various bioactive compounds derived from the medicinal plant, Azadirachta indica (neem) are shown to regulate inflammation and ECM proteins in different diseases. Nimbidiol is a neem-derived diterpenoid that is considered as a potential anti-diabetic compound due to its glucosidase inhibitory properties. We investigated whether Nimbidiol mitigates adverse ECM accumulation and renal fibrosis to improve kidney function in type-1 diabetes and the underlying mechanism. Wild-type (C57BL/6J) and type-1 diabetic (C57BL/6-Ins2Akita/J) mice were treated either with saline or with Nimbidiol (0.40 mg kg-1 d-1) for eight weeks. Diabetic kidney showed increased accumulation of M1 macrophages, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and EMT. In addition, upregulated MMP-9 and MMP-13, excessive collagen deposition in the glomerular and tubulointerstitial regions, and degradation of vascular elastin resulted to renal fibrosis in the Akita mice. These pathological changes in the diabetic mice were associated with functional impairments that include elevated resistive index and reduced blood flow in the renal cortex, and decreased glomerular filtration rate. Furthermore, TGF-β1, p-Smad2/3, p-P38, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK were upregulated in diabetic kidney compared to WT mice. Treatment with Nimbidiol reversed the changes to alleviate inflammation, ECM accumulation and fibrosis and thus, improved renal function in Akita mice. Together, our results suggest that Nimbidiol attenuates inflammation and ECM accumulation and thereby, protects kidney from fibrosis and dysfunction possibly by inhibiting TGF-β/Smad and MAPK signaling pathways in type-1 diabetes.
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Xu H, Wu T, Huang L. Therapeutic and delivery strategies of phytoconstituents for renal fibrosis. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 177:113911. [PMID: 34358538 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common diseases endangering human health and life. By 2030, 14 per 100,000 people may die from CKD. Renal fibrosis (RF) is an important intermediate link and the final pathological change during CKD progression to the terminal stage. Therefore, identifying safe and effective treatment methods for RF has become an important goal. In 2018, the World Health Organization introduced traditional Chinese medicine into its effective global medical program. Various phytoconstituents that affect the RF process have been extracted from different plants. Here, we review the potential therapeutic capabilities of active phytoconstituents in RF treatment and discuss how phytoconstituents can be structurally modified or combined with other ingredients to enhance efficiency and reduce toxicity. We also summarize phytoconstituent delivery strategies to overcome renal barriers and improve bioavailability and targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tianyi Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, People's Republic of China
| | - Leaf Huang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
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Urolithin A attenuates renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad and MAPK signaling pathways. J Funct Foods 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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Small molecules against the origin and activation of myofibroblast for renal interstitial fibrosis therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 139:111386. [PMID: 34243594 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a common pathological response in a broad range of prevalent chronic kidney diseases and ultimately leads to renal failure and death. Although RIF causes a high morbi-mortality worldwide, effective therapeutic drugs are urgently needed. Myofibroblasts are identified as the main effector during the process of RIF. Multiple types of cells, including fibroblasts, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, macrophages and pericytes, contribute to renal myofibroblasts origin, and lots of mediators, including signaling pathways (Transforming growth factor-β1, mammalian target of rapamycin and reactive oxygen species) and epigenetic modifications (Histone acetylation, microRNA and long non-coding RNA) are participated in renal myofibroblasts activation during renal fibrogenesis, suggesting that these mediators may be the promising targets for treating RIF. In addition, many small molecules show profound therapeutic effects on RIF by suppressing the origin and activation of renal myofibroblasts. Taken together, the review focuses on the mechanisms of the origin and activation of renal myofibroblasts in RIF and the small molecules against them improving RIF, which will provide a new insight for RIF therapy.
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Zhang L, Liu X, Liang J, Wu J, Tan D, Hu W. Lefty-1 inhibits renal epithelial-mesenchymal transition by antagonizing the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. J Mol Histol 2020; 51:77-87. [PMID: 32065356 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-020-09859-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process in which tubular epithelial cells lose their phenotypes, and new mesenchymal feature are obtained. In particular, type II EMT possibly contributes to renal tissue fibrogenesis. Recent studies indicate that Lefty-1, a novel member of the TGF-β superfamily with pleiotropical and biological regulation characteristics on TGF-β and other signaling pathways, is considered to have potential fibrotic effects. However, its role in EMT, which is often a long-term consequence of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, remains unknown. In this study, we found that Lefty-1 alleviates EMT induction through antagonizing TGF-β/Smad pathway in vivo and in vitro. In unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model mice, administration of adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Lefty-1 (Ad-Lefty-1) significantly reduced TGF-β1/Smad expression and alleviated the phenotypic transition of epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. In high glucose-induced rat renal tubular duct epithelial cell line (NRK-52E), EMT and ECM synthesis were alleviated with Lefty-1 treatment, which significantly inhibited TGF-β1/Smad pathway activation in UUO mice and high glucose-treated NRK-52E cells. Thus, Lefty-1 can alleviate EMT and renal interstitial fibrosis in vivo and in vitro through antagonizing the TGF-β/Smad pathway, and Lefty-1 might have a potential novel therapeutic effect on fibrotic kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Zhang
- Department of Urology, Minda Hospital, Affiliated to Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, 445000, Hubei, China.
| | - Xiaohua Liu
- Department of Urology, Minda Hospital, Affiliated to Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, 445000, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Urology, Minda Hospital, Affiliated to Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, 445000, Hubei, China
| | - Jianhua Wu
- Department of Urology, Minda Hospital, Affiliated to Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, 445000, Hubei, China
| | - Daqing Tan
- Department of Urology, Minda Hospital, Affiliated to Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, 445000, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South of China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
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Nguyen H, Dan T, Uto T, Ohta T, Watanabe H, Shoyama Y. Phytochemical profile of the aerial parts of Rehmannia glutinosa liboschitz var. purpurea Makino. Pharmacogn Mag 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/pm.pm_243_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Kim JY, Park JH, Jeon EJ, Leem J, Park KK. Melatonin Prevents Transforming Growth Factor-β1-Stimulated Transdifferentiation of Renal Interstitial Fibroblasts to Myofibroblasts by Suppressing Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent Mechanisms. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9010039. [PMID: 31906396 PMCID: PMC7022732 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the pineal hormone melatonin displays protective effects against renal fibrosis, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the effect of the pineal hormone on transdifferentiation of renal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts invoked by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Increased proliferation and activation of renal interstitial fibroblasts after TGF-β1 treatment were attenuated by melatonin pretreatment. Mechanistically, melatonin suppressed Smad2/3 phosphorylation and nuclear co-localization of their phosphorylated forms and Smad4 after TGF-β1 stimulation. In addition, increased phosphorylations of Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and p38 after TGF-β1 treatment were also suppressed by the hormone. These effects of melatonin were not affected by pharmacological and genetic inhibition of its membrane receptors. Furthermore, melatonin significantly reversed an increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde levels, and a decrease of the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio after TGF-β1 treatment. Finally, TGF-β1-induced proliferation and activation were also suppressed by N-acetylcysteine. Altogether, these findings suggest that the pineal hormone melatonin prevents TGF-β1-induced transdifferentiation of renal interstitial fibroblasts to myofibroblasts via inhibition of Smad and non-Smad signaling cadcades by inhibiting ROS-mediated mechanisms in its receptor-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Yeon Kim
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu 42472, Korea;
| | - Jae-Hyung Park
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea;
| | - Eon Ju Jeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu 42472, Korea
- Correspondence: (E.J.J.); (J.L.)
| | - Jaechan Leem
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu 42472, Korea;
- Correspondence: (E.J.J.); (J.L.)
| | - Kwan-Kyu Park
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu 42472, Korea;
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Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction as a Model to Investigate Fibrosis-Attenuating Treatments. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9040141. [PMID: 30965656 PMCID: PMC6523883 DOI: 10.3390/biom9040141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is the common pathway for most forms of progressive renal disease. The Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction (UUO) model is used to cause renal fibrosis, where the primary feature of UUO is tubular injury as a result of obstructed urine flow. Furthermore, experimental UUO in rodents is believed to mimic human chronic obstructive nephropathy in an accelerated manner. Renal fibrosis is the common pathway for most forms of progressive renal disease. Removing the obstruction may not be sufficient to reverse fibrosis, so an accompanying treatment may be of benefit. In this review, we have done a revision on treatments shown to ameliorate fibrosis in the context of the UUO experimental model. The treatments inhibit the production of fibrotic and inflammatory proteins such as Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1), Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α), collagen and fibronectin, Heat Shock Protein 47 (HSP47), suppress the proliferation of fibroblasts, prevent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, reduce oxidative stress, inhibit the action of the Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB), reduce the phosphorylation of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) family members 2 and 3 (Smad2/3) or Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs), inhibit the activation of the renin-angiotensin system. Summaries of the UUO experimental methods and alterations observed in the UUO experiments are included.
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