TGP attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress and regulates the expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein in the kidneys of diabetic rats

Endoplasmic reticulum stress mechanisms and exercise intervention in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease primarily characterized by insulin resistance (IR) and insufficient insulin secretion. The unfolded protein response (UPR) overactivation induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) appears to play a key role in this process, although the exact pathogenesis of T2DM is not fully understood. Studies have demonstrated that appropriate exercise can regulate ERS in the heart, liver, pancreas, skeletal muscle, and other body tissues leading to an improvement in diabetes and its complications. However, the exact mechanism remains unclear. By analyzing the relationship between ERS, T2DM pathology, and exercise intervention, this review concludes that exercise can increase insulin sensitivity, inhibit IR, promote insulin secretion and alleviate T2DM by regulating ERS. This paper specifically reviews the signaling pathways by which ERS induces diabetes, the mechanisms of exercise regulation of ERS in diabetes, and the varying effects of different types of exercise on diabetes improvement through ERS mechanisms. Physical exercise is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for T2DM. Thus, further exploration of how exercise regulates ERS in diabetes could refine "precision exercise medicine" for diabetes and identify new drug targets.

The role of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is the primary contributor to end-stage renal disease in developed countries. Existing clinical interventions for DN encompass lifestyle modifications, blood glucose regulation, blood pressure reduction, lipid management, and avoidance of nephrotoxic medications. Despite these measures, a significant number of patients progress to end-stage renal disease, underscoring the need for additional therapeutic strategies. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, a cellular defense mechanism in eukaryotic cells, has been implicated in DN pathogenesis. Moderate ER stress can enhance cell survival, whereas severe or prolonged ER stress may trigger apoptosis. As such, the role of ER stress in DN presents a potential avenue for therapeutic modulation. Chinese herbal medicine, a staple in Chinese healthcare, has emerged as a promising intervention for DN. Existing research suggests that some herbal remedies may confer renoprotective benefits through the modulation of ER stress. This review explores the involvement of ER stress in the pathogenesis of DN and the advancements in Chinese herbal medicine for ER stress regulation, aiming to inspire new clinical strategies for the prevention and management of DN.

Endoplasmic reticulum as a therapeutic target in type 2 diabetes: Role of phytochemicals

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorders characterized by insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction with an increasing worldwide incidence. Several studies have revealed that long-term glucotoxicity results in β-cell failure and death through induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Owing to the chronic progression of T2DM and the low effectiveness of antidiabetic drugs in long-term use, medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites seem to be the promising alternatives. Here we have provided a comprehensive review regarding the role of phytochemicals to alleviate ER stress in T2DM. Ginsenoside compound K, baicalein, quercetin, isopulegol, kaempferol, liquiritigenin, aspalathin, and tyrosol have demonstrated remarkable improvement of T2DM via modulation of ER stress. Arctigenin and total glycosides of peony have been shown to be effective in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy through modulation of ER stress. The effectiveness of grape seed proanthocyanidins and wolfberry is also shown in the relief of diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy. Resveratrol is involved in the prevention of atherosclerosis via ER stress modulation. Taken together, the data described herein revealed the capability of herbal constituents to prevent different complications of T2DM via a decrease in ER stress which open new doors to the treatment of diabetes.

Paeoniflorin ameliorates diabetic liver injury by targeting the TXNIP-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome in db/db mice

BACKGROUND

Diabetic liver injury (DLI) is a complication that damages the quality of life in diabetes patients. While paeoniflorin (PF) exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, no data are available on whether PF protects against DLI. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of PF on hepatic steatosis and inflammation in db/db mice, a type 2 diabetes model.

METHODS

In this study, we investigated the effects of PF on DLI using diabetic mice model (db/db mice) and high glucose (HG)-induced mouse AML12 cells. The effects of PF on TXNIP-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome in vivo and in vitro were evaluated by Western bloting, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) analysis. Through molecular docking experiments and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), we studied the binding ability of PF to thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). We use TXNIP siRNA to knock down TXNIP in AML12 cells.

RESULTS

We found that PF reversed abnormal liver function and liver steatosis in db/db mice, while blocking the release of inflammatory cytokines. These effects are associated with PF inhibition of the TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Molecular docking experiments and CETSA also demonstrated that TXNIP is a likely target of PF. In HG-treated AML12 cells, TXNIP knockdown eliminated the beneficial effects of PF.

CONCLUSION

Using a combination of animal and in vitro experiments, this study demonstrated for the first time that PF ameliorates DLI through targeting the TXNIP-activated NLRP3 inflammasome. Thus, PF may be a potential therapeutic agent against DLI.

The Emerging Role of TXNIP in Ischemic and Cardiovascular Diseases; A Novel Marker and Therapeutic Target

Thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) is a metabolism- oxidative- and inflammation-related marker induced in cardiovascular diseases and is believed to represent a possible link between metabolism and cellular redox status. TXNIP is a potential biomarker in cardiovascular and ischemic diseases but also a novel identified target for preventive and curative medicine. The goal of this review is to focus on the novelties concerning TXNIP. After an overview in TXNIP involvement in oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolism, the remainder of this review presents the clues used to define TXNIP as a new marker at the genetic, blood, or ischemic site level in the context of cardiovascular and ischemic diseases.