KMUP-1 attenuates high glucose and transforming growth factor-β1-induced pro-fibrotic proteins in mesangial cells

10-HDA Induces ROS-Mediated Apoptosis in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells by Regulating the MAPK, STAT3, NF-κB, and TGF-β1 Signaling Pathways

10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), also known as royal jelly acid, has a variety of physiological functions, and recent studies have shown that it also has anticancer effects. However, its anticancer mechanisms have not been clearly defined. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of 10-HDA in A549 human lung cancer cells. We used Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, scratch wound healing assay, flow cytometry, and western blot analysis to investigate its apoptotic effects and underlying mechanism. Our results showed that 10-HDA inhibited the proliferation of three types of human lung cancer cells and had no significant toxic effects on normal cells. Accompanying reactive oxygen species (ROS), 10-HDA induced A549 cell apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial-associated apoptosis, and caused cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase in a time-dependent manner. Meanwhile, 10-HDA also regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways by increasing the expression levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p-p38, and I-κB, and additionally, by decreasing the expression levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p-STAT3, and NF-κB. These effects were blocked by MAPK inhibitors and N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Furthermore, 10-HDA inhibited cell migration by regulating transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), SNAI1, GSK-3β, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin. Taken together, the results of this study showed that 10-HDA induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells through ROS-mediated MAPK, STAT3, NF-κB, and TGF-β1 signaling pathways. Therefore, 10-HDA may be a potential therapy for human lung cancer.

Carvedilol Ameliorates Intrahepatic Angiogenesis, Sinusoidal Remodeling and Portal Pressure in Cirrhotic Rats

BACKGROUND Carvedilol is the first-line drug for the primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension (PHT) in liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of carvedilol on intrahepatic angiogenesis and sinusoidal remodeling in cirrhotic rats and explore the underlying mechanisms of carvedilol in PHT. MATERIAL AND METHODS For in vivo experiments, carbon tetrachloride was used to induce liver cirrhosis in rats, and carvedilol was simultaneously administered by gavage. The portal pressure was measured in rats, and liver tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry. Sinusoidal remodeling was observed by transmission electron microscopy. For in vitro experiments, the effects of carvedilol on fibronectin (FN) synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were explored by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. RESULTS Portal vein pressure measurements showed that carvedilol reduced portal pressure in cirrhotic rats. Immunohistochemistry assays indicated that carvedilol ameliorated intrahepatic angiogenesis. Transmission electron microscopy examination demonstrated that carvedilol improved sinusoidal remodeling. In the in vitro experiments, carvedilol suppressed transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1)-induced FN synthesis in HUVECs by inhibition of the TGFβ1/Smads pathway. CONCLUSIONS Carvedilol ameliorated intrahepatic angiogenesis, sinusoidal remodeling and portal pressure in cirrhotic rats. Carvedilol improved sinusoidal remodeling by suppressing FN synthesis in endothelial cells. Carvedilol has potential utility for treating early-stage liver cirrhosis.