Resveratrol suppresses TGF-β-induced VEGF synthesis in osteoblasts: Inhibition of the p44/p42 MAPKs and SAPK/JNK pathways

Aging: silencing the PKA and AkT/PKB signaling pathways alters the antioxidant capacity of resveratrol

One of the theories related to aging is the increase in oxidative stress. Given this, the objective of the study is to evaluate the cellular mechanisms responsible for the resveratrol antioxidant effect on leukocytes from donors aged between 20 and 80 years old. For this, leukocytes from donors of three age groups (20-39, 40-59 and 60-80) were isolated. Image-iT™LIVE Green Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Kit was used. Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) analysis was performed by measuring nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. The PKA, Akt/PKB and p38-MAPK were evaluated by chemiluminescence. The statistical analysis between age and treatments were performed by Pearson correlation (*p < 0.05). It was possible to observe the antioxidant effect of resveratrol in all age groups. The correlation results show loss of resveratrol effect in decreasing ROS in leukocytes from older donors. We observed an active antioxidant effect of p38-MAPK in all ages, with resveratrol acting on it. The PKA and Akt/PKB were active in leukocytes from donors aged 20-59. In cells from donors older than 60, these pathways are silenced, and an effect is also not observed in cells treated with resveratrol. Therefore, resveratrol showed antioxidant effect in all age, although it was more pronounced in leukocytes from younger. One of resveratrol's mechanisms is due to the activation of the PKA and Akt/PKB, which were activated in younger donor cells.

Re-appraising the role of flavonols, flavones and flavonones on osteoblasts and osteoclasts- A review on its molecular mode of action

Bone disorders have become a global concern illustrated with decreased bone mineral density and disruption in microarchitecture of natural bone tissue organization. Natural compounds that promote bone health by augmenting osteoblast functions and suppressing osteoclast functions has gained much attention and offer greater therapeutic value compared to conventional therapies. Amongst several plant-based molecules, flavonoids act as a major combatant in promoting bone health through their multi-faceted biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic properties. They protect bone loss by regulating the signalling cascades involved in osteoblast and osteoclast functions. Flavonoids augment osteoblastogenesis and inhibits osteoclastogenesis through their modulation of various signalling pathways. This review discusses the role of various flavonoids and their molecular mechanisms involved in maintaining bone health by regulating osteoblast and osteoclast functions.

Targeting pro-senescence mitogen activated protein kinase (Mapk) enzymes with bioactive natural compounds

Aging is a multifactorial universal process characterized by a gradual decrease in physiological and biochemical functions. Given that life expectancy is on the rise, a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of the aging process is necessary in order to develop anti-aging interventions. Uncontrolled cellular senescence promotes persistent inflammation and accelerates the aging process by decreasing tissue renewal, repair and regeneration. Senescence of immune cells, immunesenescence, is another hallmark of aging. Targeting pro-senescent enzymes increases survival and therefore the lifespan. Although the upregulation of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK) enzymes in aging is still controversial, increasing evidence shows that dysregulation of those enzymes are associated with biological processes that contribute to aging such as irreversible senescence. In this manuscript components of the MAPK pathway will be summarized, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, as well as natural flavonoids, phenolic and diterpenoids with anti-senescence activity that shows positive effects on longevity and MAPK inhibition. Although more studies using additional aging models are needed, we suggest that these selected natural bioactive compounds that regulate MAPK enzymes and reduce senescent cells can be potentially used to improve longevity and prevent/treat age-related diseases.

Effects of maternal western-style diet on amniotic fluid volume and amnion VEGF profiles in a nonhuman primate model

During pregnancy, high fat diet (HFD) induces maternal obesity, insulin resistance, and placental inflammatory responses that compromise placental and fetal development. Whether maternal HFD would adversely affect amniotic fluid volume (AFV) has not been explored. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed in the amnion and has been proposed as a regulator of AFV. Our aim was to investigate the effects of HFD on AFV and the associated changes in VEGF and soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sFlt-1) expression profiles in three amnion regions of a nonhuman primate model. Further, we examined the relationships between VEGF expression and HFD-induced changes in maternal metabolic status. Japanese macaques were maintained on control or HFD and amniotic fluid index (AFI) was measured as an ultrasonic estimate of AFV. Amniotic fluid VEGF concentrations were determined by ELISA and amnion VEGF and sFlt-1 mRNA levels by real-time RT-qPCR. HFD increased maternal plasma triglyceride while glucose levels were unchanged. Maternal weight gain was found in diet-sensitive animals whereas amniotic fluid VEGF concentration was reduced in diet-resistant animals. HFD did not alter AFI and there was no correlation between AFI and maternal weight or amniotic fluid VEGF concentrations. VEGF mRNA levels were lowest in secondary placental amnion while sFlt-1 mRNA were lowest in the primary placental amnion. HFD did not affect amnion VEGF or sFlt-1 mRNA expression. These findings suggest that although maternal HFD increased maternal weight in diet-sensitive and reduced amniotic fluid VEGF concentrations in diet-resistant phenotype, AFV as indicated by the AFI, was not significantly affected.

Bisphosphonate Modulation of the Gene Expression of Different Markers Involved in Osteoblast Physiology: Possible Implications in Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of osteoblasts in bisphosphonates-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). The specific objective was to evaluate the effect on osteoblasts of two nitrogen-containing BPs (zoledronate and alendronate) and one non-nitrogen-containing BP (clodronate) by analyzing modulations in their expression of genes essential for osteoblast physiology. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to study the effects of zoledronate, alendronate, and clodronate at doses of 10-5, 10-7, or 10-9 M on the expression of Runx-2, OSX, ALP, OSC, OPG, RANKL, Col-I, BMP-2, BMP-7, TGF-β1, VEGF, TGF-βR1, TGF-βR2, and TGF-βR3 by primary human osteoblasts (HOBs) and MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. Expression of these markers was found to be dose-dependent, with no substantive differences between these cell lines. In general, results demonstrated a significant increase in TFG-β1, TGF-βR1, TGF-βR2, TGF-βR3, and VEGF expressions and a significant reduction in RUNX-2, Col-1, OSX, OSC, BMP-2, BMP-7, ALP, and RANKL expressions, while OPG expression varied according to the dose and cell line. The results of this in vitro study of HOBS and MG-63 cell lines indicate that low BP doses can significantly affect the expression of genes essential for osteoblast growth and differentiation and of genes involved in regulating osteoblast-osteoclast interaction, possibly by increasing TGF-β1 production. These findings suggest that osteoblasts may play an important role in BRONJ development, without ruling out other factors.

Molecular signaling mechanisms behind polyphenol-induced bone anabolism

For millennia, in the different cultures all over the world, plants have been extensively used as a source of therapeutic agents with wide-ranging medicinal applications, thus becoming part of a rational clinical and pharmacological investigation over the years. As bioactive molecules, plant-derived polyphenols have been demonstrated to exert many effects on human health by acting on different biological systems, thus their therapeutic potential would represent a novel approach on which natural product-based drug discovery and development could be based in the future. Many reports have provided evidence for the benefits derived from the dietary supplementation of polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Polyphenols are able to protect the bone, thanks to their antioxidant properties, as well as their anti-inflammatory actions by involving diverse signaling pathways, thus leading to bone anabolic effects and decreased bone resorption. This review is meant to summarize the research works performed so far, by elucidating the molecular mechanisms of action of polyphenols in a bone regeneration context, aiming at a better understanding of a possible application in the development of medical devices for bone tissue regeneration.

Resveratrol suppresses thyroid hormone‑induced osteocalcin synthesis in osteoblasts

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound that is present in grape skins, berries and red wine, may be beneficial for human health through its anti‑inflammatory and anti‑oxidant effects. It has been previously demonstrated that resveratrol exerts its biological effects primarily via sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activation. We previously reported that triiodothyronine (T3) induces osteocalcin synthesis in osteoblast‑like MC3T3‑E1 cells, and that p38 mitogen‑activated protein (MAP) kinase mediates the T3‑stimulated synthesis of osteocalcin. The present study investigated the effect of resveratrol on T3‑induced osteocalcin synthesis and its underlying mechanism in MC3T3‑E1 cells. Cultured cells were stimulated with T3, and osteocalcin release from MC3T3‑E1 cells was measured by ELISA and phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase was analyzed by western blotting. Resveratrol significantly suppressed the release of osteocalcin stimulated by T3, and SRT1720, a SIRT1 activator, significantly reduced T3‑induced osteocalcin release. The expression level of osteocalcin mRNA stimulated by T3 was significantly attenuated by resveratrol and T3‑induced transactivation activity of the thyroid hormone‑responsive element was significantly diminished by resveratrol. However, only limited effects of resveratrol on the T3‑induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase were observed. The results of the present study demonstrated that resveratrol suppresses T3‑stimulated osteocalcin synthesis at a point upstream of transcription in osteoblasts, and that the inhibitory effect of resveratrol is mediated, at least partially, through SIRT1 activation. These results indicate that there may be a novel role for the polyphenol in the modulation of bone metabolism.

Transforming growth factor β: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target of ventricular remodeling

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that is synthesized by many types of cells and regulates the cell cycle. Increasing evidence has led to TGF-β receiving increased and deserved attention in recent years because it may play a potentially novel and critical role in the development and progression of myocardial fibrosis and the subsequent progress of ventricular remodeling (VR). Numerous studies have highlighted a crucial role of TGF-β in VR and suggest potential therapeutic targets of the TGF-β signaling pathways for VR. Changes in TGF-β activity may elicit anti-VR activity and may serve as a novel therapeutic target for VR therapy. This review we discusses the smad-dependent signaling pathway, such as TGF-β/Smads, TGF-β/Sirtuins, TGF-β/BMP, TGF-β/miRNAs, TGF-β/MAPK, and Smad-independent signaling pathway of TGF-β, such as TGF-β/PI3K/Akt, TGF-β/Rho/ROCK,TGF-β/Wnt/β-catenin in the cardiac fibrosis and subsequent progression of VR. Furthermore, agonists and antagonists of TGF-β as potential therapeutic targets in VR are also described.

Targeting extracellular matrix remodeling in disease: Could resveratrol be a potential candidate?

Disturbances of extracellular matrix homeostasis are associated with a number of pathological conditions. The ability of extracellular matrix to provide contextual information and hence control the individual or collective cellular behavior is increasingly being recognized. Hence, newer therapeutic approaches targeting extracellular matrix remodeling are widely investigated. We reviewed the current literature showing the effects of resveratrol on various aspects of extracellular matrix remodeling. This review presents a summary of the effects of resveratrol on extracellular matrix deposition and breakdown. Mechanisms of action of resveratrol in extracellular matrix deposition involving growth factors and their signaling pathways are discussed. Involvement of phosphoinositol-3-kinase/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways and role of transcription factors and sirtuins on the effects of resveratrol on extracellular matrix homeostasis are summarized. It is evident from the literature presented in this review that resveratrol has significant effects on both the synthesis and breakdown of extracellular matrix. The major molecular targets of the action of resveratrol are growth factors and their signaling pathways, phosphoinositol-3-kinase/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, transcription factors, and SIRT-1. The effects of resveratrol on extracellular matrix and the molecular targets appear to be related to experimental models, experimental environment as well as the doses.

miR-214 suppresses the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and these effects are mediated through the inhibition of the JNK and p38 pathways

In this study, we sought to investigate the expression of microRNA (miR)-214 on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and explore the possible underlying mechanisms. We found that the overexpression of miR‑214 effectively promoted the adipocyte differentiation of BMSCs in vitro, reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the gene expression of collagen type I (Col I), osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN) in the BMSCs. We further found that the overexpression of miR‑214 suppressed the protein expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF), phosphorylated c‑Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) and phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) in the BMSCs. The downregulation of miR‑214 promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and increased ALP activity and Col I, OCN and OPN gene expression in the BMSCs. It also increased FGF p-JNK and p-p38 protein expression in the BMSCs. The use of JNK inhibitor (SP600125) enhanced the inhibitory effects of miR‑214 overexpression on osteogenic differentiation, ALP activity, and Col I, OCN and OPN gene expression in the BMSCs. Lastly, the use of p38 inhibitor (SB202190) also enhanced the inhibitory effects of miR‑214 overexpression on ALP activity, and Col I, OCN and OPN gene expression in the BMSCs. These results provide a mechanism responsible for the suppressive effects of miR‑214 on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs involving the inhibition of the JNK and p38 pathways.

Resveratrol suppresses NTHi-induced inflammation via up-regulation of the negative regulator MyD88 short

Upper respiratory tract inflammatory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) affect more than one-half billion people globally and are characterized by chronic inflammation that is often exacerbated by respiratory pathogens such as nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). The increasing numbers of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and the limited success of currently available pharmaceuticals used to manage the symptoms of these diseases present an urgent need for the development of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents. Resveratrol has long been thought as an interesting therapeutic agent for various diseases including inflammatory diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory properties remain largely unknown. Here we show for the first time that resveratrol decreases expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in airway epithelial cells and in the lung of mice by enhancing NTHi-induced MyD88 short, a negative regulator of inflammation, via inhibition of ERK1/2 activation. Furthermore, resveratrol inhibits NTHi-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation by increasing MKP-1 expression via a cAMP-PKA-dependent signaling pathway. Finally, we show that resveratrol has anti-inflammatory effects post NTHi infection, thereby demonstrating its therapeutic potential. Together these data reveal a novel mechanism by which resveratrol alleviates NTHi-induced inflammation in airway disease by up-regulating the negative regulator of inflammation MyD88s.

Identification of resveratrol derivative 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexamethoxy- trans-stilbene as a novel pro-angiogenic small-molecule compound

The potential to promote neovascularization in ischemic tissues using exogenous agents is an attractive avenue for therapeutics. To identify novel pro-angiogenic small-molecule compound, we screened a series of resveratrol methylated derivatives and identified 3,3',4,4', 5,5'-hexamethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,3',4,4',5,5'-HMS) potently promotes proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation of human umbilical vein VECs (HUVECs) in vitro. Furthermore, 3,3',4,4',5,5'-HMS accelerates neo-vessels sprouting of rat aortic rings ex vivo, and neovascularization of chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and mouse matrigel plugs in vivo. Microarray analyses show that the level of early growth response 1 (EGR-1), an inducible pro-angiogenic gene regulatory factor, was upregulated. The upregulation of EGR-1 was confirmed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting analyses. In addition, the levels of several pro-angiogenic factors including transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO), and the activity of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) were elevated in 3,3',4,4',5,5'-HMS-treated HUVECs. Inhibition of NO synthase by l-NAME blocked the pro-angiogenic effects of 3,3',4,4',5,5'-HMS. Our research shows that 3,3',4,4',5,5'-HMS dramatically promoted angiogenesis in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo, which might represent a novel potential agent for the development of therapeutic drugs to treat ischemic diseases.

2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside Isolated from Polygoni Multiflori Ameliorates the Development of Periodontitis

Periodontitis, a chronic infection by periodontopathic bacteria, induces uncontrolled inflammation, which leads to periodontal tissue destruction. 2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-glucoside (THSG), a polyphenol extracted from Polygoni Multiflori, reportedly has anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of THSG on the Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced inflammatory responses in human gingival fibroblasts and animal modeling of ligature-induced periodontitis. Human gingival fibroblast cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from P. gingivalis in the presence of resveratrol or THSG to analyze the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 genes. Increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and SirT1 expression were induced by THSG. Treatment of THSG decreased the expression of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines, enhanced AMPK activation, and increased the expression of SirT1. In addition, it suppressed the activation of NF-κB when cells were stimulated with P. gingivalis LPS. The anti-inflammatory effect of THSG and P. Multiflori crude extracts was reproduced in ligature-induced periodontitis animal modeling. In conclusion, THSG inhibited the inflammatory responses of P. gingivalis-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts and ameliorated ligature-induced periodontitis in animal model.

Phosphorylated-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase expression is associated with clinical factors in invasive breast cancer

Purpose

P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) level is an important prognostic factor in breast cancer. This study was performed to detect the expressions of P-p38 MAPK expression in breast cancer and explore their correlations with clinicopathological factors.

Experimental design

Tumor samples from 355 Chinese patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and adjacent non-cancerous tissue were collected between 2003 and 2010. The expression of P-p38 MAPK was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. The correlations between P-p38 MAPK expression and clinicopathological findings including age, AJCC Stage, Histologic characters, ER, PR, and HER2 were analyzed using the parametric correlation method. P-p38 MAPK was selected as dependent variable to perform multivariate analysis respectively at last.

Results

Overall, 161 (45 %) and 183 (52 %) of the 355 specimens showed positive P-p38 MAPK staining in the cytoplasm and nucleus respectively, which were significant higher than that in the adjacent non-cancerous tissues in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. High P-p38 MAPK expression of cytoplasm and nucleus were both associated with positive PR status in luminal A/B type of breast cancer, and were both associated with positive HER2 status in HER2-positive type of breast cancer. The result of multivariate analysis demonstrated that HER2 and PR were both significantly association with P-p38 MAPK expression of cytoplasm and nucleus.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that P-p38 MAPK expression were significantly associated with clinicopathological factors and PR/HER2 might association with phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in different types of breast cancer.

Ageing-Associated Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Are Alleviated by Products from Grapes

Advanced age is associated with increased incidence of a variety of chronic disease states which share oxidative stress and inflammation as causative role players. Furthermore, data point to a role for both cumulative oxidative stress and low grade inflammation in the normal ageing process, independently of disease. Therefore, arguably the best route with which to address premature ageing, as well as age-associated diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia, is preventative medicine aimed at modulation of these two responses, which are intricately interlinked. In this review, we provide a detailed account of the literature on the communication of these systems in the context of ageing, but with inclusion of relevant data obtained in other models. In doing so, we attempted to more clearly elucidate or identify the most probable cellular or molecular targets for preventative intervention. In addition, given the absence of a clear pharmaceutical solution in this context, together with the ever-increasing consumer bias for natural medicine, we provide an overview of the literature on grape (Vitis vinifera) derived products, for which beneficial effects are consistently reported in the context of both oxidative stress and inflammation.

Transforming growth-beta 1 contributes to isoflurane postconditioning against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating the c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathway

AIM

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a devastating complication in the perioperative period. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a key protein that can participate in the repair and control process responses after I/R injury. Isoflurane is widely used in neurosurgery. Previous studies have shown that isoflurane preconditioning plays an important role in neuroprotection. However, the effects of isoflurane postconditioning on cerebral I/R injury have not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effect of isoflurane postconditioning against cerebral I/R injury and investigated the role of the TGF-β signaling pathway and the downstream c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in neuroprotective mechanism. In particular, the JNK signaling pathway emerges as a possible target for brain repair after stroke.

METHODS

Cerebral I/R injury was produced in SD rat by using the middle cerebral artery occlusion model for 90 min, followed by 24h reperfusion. Postconditioning by inhalation of isoflurane was performed at different concentrations (1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5%) for 1h after ischemia at the starting time point of reperfusion. The protective effect was tested by neurological deficit scoring with 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Apoptosis of CA1 cells in the hippocampus was detected by TUNEL method. Expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad 2/3, p-Smad2/3, JNK, and p-JNK were determined by immunostaining and Western blot.

RESULTS

Postconditioning by isoflurane at 1.5% and 3.0% concentrations significantly decreased the neurobehavioral deficit scores and infarct volume compared with the I/R group, but no significant difference in neurobehavioral deficit score was detected between the I/R and 4.5% isoflurane postconditioning groups. Additionally, 1.5% isoflurane postconditioning decreased the numbers of PI-positive cells at 24h after reperfusion compared with the I/R group. TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 protein gradually increased after I/R injury, with the highest values observed in the 1.5% and 3% isoflurane postconditioning groups. For Smad2/3 protein expression, no differences existed among all groups. After inducing the TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling pathway specific blocker (LY2157299), the neurological deficit scores increased, infarct volumes enlarged, apoptosis increased, and PI-positive CA1 cells in the hippocampus also increased. The expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 proteins were downregulated. During the pre-injection of LY2157299, the expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 decreased significantly, but compared with the sham group, the expression level of p-JNK significantly increased. When the injection of LY2157299 was abolished, the expression of p-JNK significantly decreased. The expression levels of p-JNK and TGF-β1 significantly decreased when LY2157299 and SP600125 were injected simultaneously. However, the protective effect mediated by SP600125 completely disappeared, and the role of LY2157299 became dominant. Compared with the sham group, the expression of TGF-β1 was almost unchanged by the injection of SP600125 alone, but the expression of p-JNK significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Up to 1.5% isoflurane can upregulate the expression of TGF-β1 and downregulate that of p-JNK, which significantly mitigated I/R injury, leading to cerebral injury. However, this protective effect was abrogated when the TGF-β1 signaling pathway was blocked by LY2157299. Overall, the present results provided valid evidence to demonstrate that TGF-β1 contributes to isoflurane postconditioning against cerebral I/R injury by inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway.

Effect of p38 mitogen-activate protein kinase on MUC5AC protein expression of bile duct epithelial cells in hepatolithiasis patients

Primary hepatolithiasis is a common bile duct disease with benign nature but complicated mechanisms. Current studies have revealed its correlation with cytokine release by chronic inflammation, which also increased mucin (MUC) synthesis. This study investigated the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in regulating cytokine release and mucin synthesis, in an attempt to elucidate the role of p38 signaling molecule in the pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis. In human intrahepatic bile duct endothelial cells (HIBECs), lipoprotein (LPS) was used to induce the high expression of MUC. Small interference RNA (siRNA) was then used to silencing p38 gene expression. Cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured, along with MUC5AC protein and mRNA expression assay. The interference of p38 gene expression inhibited the release of IL-1β and TNF-α in cultured cells. It also depressed both mRNA and protein levels of MUC5A. P38 MAPK signal pathway may be involved in the formation and progression of hepatolithiasis. This study provides potential new strategy for treating hepatolithiasis using p38 MAPK signal pathway as the drug target.