[Effects and mechanisms of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot in attenuating diabetic tubulopathy by targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell apoptosis]

Renal tubular injury in patients with diabetic kidney disease(DKD) may be accompanied by glomerular and microvascular diseases. It plays a critical role in the progression of renal damage in DKD, and is now known as diabetic tubulopathy(DT). To explore the multi-targeted therapeutic effects and pharmacological mechanisms in vivo of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot(TFA), an extract from traditional Chinese medicine for treating kidney disease, in attenuating DT, the authors randomly divided all rats into four groups: a normal control group(normal group), a DT model group(model group), a DT model+TFA-treated group(TFA group) and a DT model+rosiglitazone(ROS)-treated group(ROS group). The DT rat model was established based on the DKD rat model by means of integrated measures. After successful modeling, the rats in the four groups were continuously given double-distilled water, TFA suspension, and ROS suspension, respectively by gavage every day. After 6 weeks of treatment, all rats were sacrificed, and the samples of their urine, blood, and kidneys were collected. The effects of TFA and ROS on various indicators related to urine and blood biochemistry, renal tubular injury, renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS), as well as the activation of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α(eIF2α)-activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)-C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP) signaling pathway in the kidney of the DT model rats were investigated. The results indicated that hypertrophy of renal tubular epithelial cells, renal tubular hyperplasia and occlusion, as well as interstitial extracellular matrix and collagen deposition occurred in the DT model rats. Moreover, significant changes were found in the expression degree and the protein expression level of renal tubular injury markers. In addition, there was an abnormal increase in tubular urine proteins. After TFA or ROS treatment, urine protein, the characteristics of renal tubular injury, renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis and ERS, as well as the activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway in the kidney of the DT model rats were improved to varying degrees. Therein, TFA was superior to ROS in affecting the pathological changes in renal tubule/interstitium. In short, with the DT model rats, this study demonstrated that TFA could attenuate DT by multiple targets through inhibiting renal tubular ERS-induced cell apoptosis in vivo, and its effect and mechanism were related to suppressing the activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway in the kidney. These findings provided preliminary pharmacological evidence for the application of TFA in the clinical treatment of DT.

[Effects and mechanisms of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot in improving insulin resistance and podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition in diabetic kidney disease based on IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway]

This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot(TFA), the extracts from traditional Chinese medicine indicated for kidney diseases, on insulin resistance(IR) and podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) in diabetic kidney disease(DKD), and further to reveal the scientific connotation. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a TFA group, and a rosiglitazone(ROS) group. The modified DKD model was induced in rats by methods including high-fat diet feeding, unilateral nephrectomy, and streptozotocin(STZ) intraperitoneal injection. After modeling, the rats in the four groups were given double-distilled water, TFA suspension, and ROS suspension correspondingly by gavage every day. At the end of the 8th week of drug administration, all rats were sacrificed, and the samples of urine, blood, and kidney tissues were collected. The parameters and indicators related to IR and podocyte EMT in the DKD model rats were examined and observed, including the general condition, body weight(BW) and kidney weight(KW), the biochemical parameters and IR indicators, the protein expression levels of the key signaling molecules and structural molecules of slit diaphragm in the renal insulin receptor substrate(IRS) 1/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase(Akt) pathway, foot process form and glomerular basement membrane(GBM) thickness, the expression of the marked molecules and structural molecules of slit diaphragm in podocyte EMT, and glomerular histomorphological characteristics. The results showed that for the DKD model rats, both TFA and ROS could improve the general condition, some biochemical parameters, renal appearance, and KW. The ameliorative effects of TFA and ROS were equivalent on BW, urinary albumin(UAlb)/urinary creatinine(UCr), serum creatinine(Scr), triglyceride(TG), and KW. Secondly, they could both improve IR indicators, and ROS was superior to TFA in improving fast insulin(FIN) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR). Thirdly, they could both improve the protein expression levels of the key signaling molecules in the IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway and glomerulosclerosis in varying degrees, and their ameliorative effects were similar. Finally, both could improve podocyte injury and EMT, and TFA was superior to ROS. In conclusion, this study suggested that podocyte EMT and glomerulosclerosis could be induced by IR and the decreased activation of the IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway in the kidney in DKD. Similar to ROS, the effects of TFA in inhibiting podocyte EMT in DKD were related to inducing the activation of the IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway and improving IR, which could be one of the scientific connotations of TFA against DKD. This study provides preliminary pharmacological evidence for the development and application of TFA in the field of diabetic complications.

[Effect and mechanism of Dahuang Zhechong Pills against testicular aging in rats by inhibiting necroptosis signaling pathway]

To explore the effect and mechanism of Dahuang Zhechong Pills(DHZCP), a classical prescription, in improving testicular aging(TA) in vivo, the authors randomly divided 24 male rats into four groups: the normal, model, DHZCP and vitamin E(VE) groups. The TA rat model was established by continuous gavage of D-galactose(D-gal). During the experiment, the rats in the DHZCP and VE groups were given DHZCP suspension and VE suspension, respectively by gavage, while those in the normal and model groups were gavaged saline separately every day. After the co-administration of D-gal and various drugs for 60 days, all rats were sacrificed, and their blood and testis were collected. Further, various indexes related to TA and necroptosis of testicular cells in the model rats were examined and investigated, which included the aging phenotype, total testicular weight, testicular index, histopathological features of testis, number of spermatogenic cells, sex hormone level, expression characteristics of reactive oxygen species(ROS) in testis, expression levels and characteristics of cyclins in testis, and protein expression levels of the key molecules in receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1(RIPK1)/receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3(RIPK3)/mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase(MLKL) signaling pathway in each group. The results showed that, for the TA model rats, both DHZCP and VE improved their aging phenotype, total testicular weight, testicular index, pathological features of testis, number of spermatogenic cells, serum testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone levels, expression characteristics of ROS and protein expression levels and characteristics of P21 and P53 in testis. In addition, DHZCP and VE improved the protein expression levels of the key molecules in RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway in testis of the model rats. Specifically, DHZCP was better than VE in the improvement of RIPK3. In conclusion, in this study, the authors found that DHZCP, similar to VE, ameliorated D-gal-induced TA in model rats in vivo, and its mechanism was related to reducing necroptosis of testicular cells by inhibiting the activation of RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway. This study provided preliminary pharmacological evidence for the development and application of classical prescriptions in the field of men's health.

Fucoidan Alleviates Renal Fibrosis in Diabetic Kidney Disease via Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Podocyte Pyroptosis

Background: Fucoidan (FPS) has been widely used to treat renal fibrosis (RF) in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD); however, the precise therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, research focusing on inflammation-derived podocyte pyroptosis in DKD has attracted increasing attention. This phenomenon is mediated by the activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod)-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, leading to RF during DKD progression. Therefore, we designed a series of experiments to investigate the ameliorative effects of FPS on RF in DKD and the mechanisms that are responsible for its effect on NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated podocyte pyroptosis in the diabetic kidney.

Methods: The modified DKD rat models were subjected to uninephrectomy, intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, and a high-fat diet. Following induction of renal injury, the animals received either FPS, rapamycin (RAP), or a vehicle for 4 weeks. For in vitro research, we exposed murine podocytes to high glucose and MCC950, an NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, with or without FPS or RAP. Changes in the parameters related to RF and inflammatory podocyte injury were analyzed in vivo. Changes in podocyte pyroptosis, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and activation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)/NLRP3 signaling axis involved in these changes were analyzed in vivo and in vitro.

Results: FPS and RAP ameliorated RF and inflammatory podocyte injury in the DKD model rats. Moreover, FPS and RAP attenuated podocyte pyroptosis, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and regulated the AMPK/mTORC1/NLRP3 signaling axis in vivo and in vitro. Notably, our data showed that the regulative effects of FPS, both in vivo and in vitro, on the key signaling molecules, such as p-AMPK and p-raptor, in the AMPK/mTORC1/NLRP3 signaling axis were superior to those of RAP, but similar to those of metformin, an AMPK agonist, in vitro.

Conclusion: We confirmed that FPS, similar to RAP, can alleviate RF in DKD by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated podocyte pyroptosis via regulation of the AMPK/mTORC1/NLRP3 signaling axis in the diabetic kidney. Our findings provide an in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of RF, which will aid in identifying precise targets that can be used for DKD treatment.

[Effects and mechanisms of Supplemented Gegen Qinlian Decoction Formula against podocyte pyroptosis and insulin resistance in model rats with diabetic kidney disease]

This study explored the in vivo effects and mechanisms of the modern classical prescription Supplemented Gegen Qinlian Decoction Formula(SGDF) against diabetic kidney disease(DKD). Sixty rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, SGDF group, and rosiglitazone(ROS) group. The modified DKD rat model was established by employing the following three methods: exposure to high-fat diet, unilateral nephrectomy, and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ). After modeling, rats in the four groups were treated with double distilled water, SGDF suspension, and ROS suspension, respectively, by gavage every day. At the end of the 6 th week of drug administration, all the rats were sacrificed for collecting urine, blood, and kidney tissue, followed by the examination of rat general conditions, urine and blood biochemical indicators, glomerulosclerosis-related indicators, podocyte pyroptosis markers, insulin resistance(IR)-related indicators, and key molecules in the insulin receptor substrate(IRS) 1/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3 K)/serine threonine kinase(Akt) signaling pathway. The results showed that SGDF and ROS improved the general conditions, some renal function indicators and glomerulosclerosis of DKD model rats without affecting the blood glucose(BG). Besides, they ameliorated the expression characteristics and levels of podocyte pyroptosis markers, alleviated IR, and up-regulated the protein expression levels of the key molecules in IRS1/PI3 K/Akt pathway to varying degrees. In conclusion, similar to ROS, SGDF relieves DKD by targeting multiple targets in vivo. Specifically, it exerts the therapeutic effects by alleviating podocyte pyroptosis and IR. This study has preliminarily provided the pharmacological evidence for the research and development of new drugs for the treatment of DKD based on SGDF.

Inhibition of Renal Tubular Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Apoptosis with Shenkang Injection Attenuates Diabetic Tubulopathy

Background: The proximal renal tubule plays a critical role in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) progression. Early glomerular disease in DKD triggers a cascade of injuries resulting in renal tubulointerstitial disease. These pathophysiological responses are collectively described as diabetic tubulopathy (DT). Thus, therapeutic strategies targeting DT hold significant promise for early DKD treatment. Shenkang injection (SKI) has been widely used to treat renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease in China. However, it is still unknown whether SKI can alleviate DT. We designed a series of experiments to investigate the beneficial effects of SKI in DT and the mechanisms that are responsible for its effect on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis in DT.

Methods: The modified DKD rat models were induced by uni-nephrectomy, streptozotocin intraperitoneal injection, and a high-fat diet. Following the induction of renal injury, these animals received either SKI, rosiglitazone (ROS), or vehicle, for 42 days. For in vitro research, we exposed NRK-52E cells to high glucose (HG) and 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) with or without SKI or ROS. Changes in parameters related to renal tubular injury and EMT were analyzed in vivo. Changes in the proportion of apoptotic renal tubular cells and ER stress, and the signaling pathways involved in these changes, were analyzed both in vivo and in vitro.

Results: SKI and ROS improved the general condition, the renal morphological appearance and the key biochemical parameters, and attenuated renal injury and EMT in the rat model of DKD. In addition, SKI and ROS alleviated apoptosis, inhibited ER stress, and suppressed PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway activation both in vivo and in vitro. Notably, our data showed that the regulatory in vitro effects of SKI on PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling were similar to those of 4-PBA, a specific inhibitor of ER stress.

Conclusion: This study confirmed that SKI can alleviate DT in a similar manner as ROS, and SKI achieves this effect by inhibiting EMT and ER stress-induced apoptosis. Our findings thereby provide novel information relating to the clinical value of SKI in the treatment of DT.

Total Flavones of Abelmoschus manihot Ameliorates Podocyte Pyroptosis and Injury in High Glucose Conditions by Targeting METTL3-Dependent m6A Modification-Mediated NLRP3-Inflammasome Activation and PTEN/PI3K/Akt Signaling

Background: The total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot (TFA), a compound that is extracted from Abelmoschus manihot, has been widely used in China to reduce podocyte injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic action of this compound have yet to be elucidated. Podocyte pyroptosis is characterized by activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and plays an important role in inflammation-mediated diabetic kidneys. Regulation of the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway is an effective strategy for improving podocyte damage in DKD. Previous research has also shown that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is involved in DKD and that m6A-modified PTEN regulates the PI3K/Akt pathway. In this study, we investigated whether TFA alleviates podocyte pyroptosis and injury by targeting m6A modification-mediated NLRP3-inflammasome activation and PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling. Methods: We used MPC-5 cells under high glucose (HG) conditions to investigate the key molecules that are involved in podocyte pyroptosis and injury, including activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway. We detected alterations in the levels of three methyltransferases that are involved in m6A modification. We also investigated changes in the levels of these key molecules in podocytes with the overexpression or knockdown of methyltransferase-like (METTL)3. Results: Analysis showed that TFA and MCC950 protected podocytes against HG-induced pyroptosis and injury by reducing the protein expression levels of gasdermin D, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-18, and by increasing the protein expression levels of nephrin, ZO-1, WT1 and podocalyxin. TFA and 740Y-P inhibited activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via the PI3K/Akt pathway by inhibiting the protein levels of NIMA-related kinase7, NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1, and by increasing the protein expression levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt. TFA improved pyroptosis and injury in HG-stimulated podocytes by regulating METTL3-dependent m6A modification. Conclusion: Collectively, our data indicated that TFA could ameliorate pyroptosis and injury in podocytes under HG conditions by adjusting METTL3-dependent m6A modification and regulating NLRP3-inflammasome activation and PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling. This study provides a better understanding of how TFA can protect podocytes in DKD.

Pomc Plays an Important Role in Sexual Size Dimorphism in Tilapia

Sexual dimorphism is common across the animal kingdom. Knowledge of the mechanisms of sexual size dimorphism is limited although it is important in biology and aquaculture. Tilapia is the common name for ~ 100 species of cichlid fish. Some are important aquaculture species and males outgrow females. To gain novel insights into the mechanisms underlying sexual size dimorphism, we analyzed the differences of brain transcriptomes between males and females in Mozambique tilapia and studied the function of the pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) gene in tilapia and zebrafish. The transcriptome analysis identified 123, 55, and 2706 sex-biased genes at 5, 30, and 90 dph (days post-hatch), respectively, indicating sexual dimorphism of gene expressions in the brain. The expression of Pomc in the tilapia brain was a female-biased at 30, 90, and 120 dph. An analysis of the DNA sequence located upstream of the tilapia Pomc transcriptional start site identified two estrogenic response elements. In vitro luciferase assay of the two elements revealed that β-estradiol significantly enhanced the expression of luciferase activity, suggesting that the expression of Pomc is mediated by estrogen. We knocked out Pomc in zebrafish using Crispr/Cas-9. The Pomc-knockout zebrafish showed faster growth and higher sensitivity to feeding as compared to the wild-type fish. Taken together, our results indicate that Pomc contributes to sexual size dimorphism and suggest that the high estrogen level in females promotes the expression of Pomc and suppresses feeding in female tilapias, which leads to the slower growth of female tilapias.

Fucoidan Ameliorates Renal Injury-Related Calcium-Phosphorus Metabolic Disorder and Bone Abnormality in the CKD-MBD Model Rats by Targeting FGF23-Klotho Signaling Axis

Background: Recently, chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) has become one of common complications occurring in CKD patients. Therefore, development of a new treatment for CKD-MBD is very important in the clinic. In China, Fucoidan (FPS), a natural compound of Laminaria japonica has been frequently used to improve renal dysfunction in CKD. However, it remains elusive whether FPS can ameliorate CKD-MBD. FGF23-Klotho signaling axis is reported to be useful for regulating mineral and bone metabolic disorder in CKD-MBD. This study thereby aimed to clarify therapeutic effects of FPS in the CKD-MBD model rats and its underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro, compared to Calcitriol (CTR). Methods: All male rats were divided into four groups: Sham, CKD-MBD, FPS and CTR. The CKD-MBD rat models were induced by adenine administration and uninephrectomy, and received either FPS or CTR or vehicle after induction of renal injury for 21 days. The changes in parameters related to renal dysfunction and renal tubulointerstitial damage, calcium-phosphorus metabolic disorder and bone lesion were analyzed, respectively. Furthermore, at sacrifice, the kidneys and bone were isolated for histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. In vitro, the murine NRK-52E cells were used to investigate regulative actions of FPS or CTR on FGF23-Klotho signaling axis, ERK1/2-SGK1-NHERF-1-NaPi-2a pathway and Klotho deficiency. Results: Using the modified CKD-MBD rat model and the cultured NRK-52E cells, we indicated that FPS and CTR alleviated renal dysfunction and renal tubulointerstitial damage, improved calcium-phosphorus metabolic disorder and bone lesion, and regulated FGF23-Klotho signaling axis and ERK1/2-SGK1-NHERF-1-NaPi-2a pathway in the kidney. In addition, using the shRNA-Klotho plasmid-transfected cells, we also detected, FPS accurately activated ERK1/2-SGK1-NHERF-1-NaPi-2a pathway through Klotho loss reversal. Conclusion: In this study, we emphatically demonstrated that FPS, a natural anti-renal dysfunction drug, similar to CTR, improves renal injury-related calcium-phosphorus metabolic disorder and bone abnormality in the CKD-MBD model rats. More importantly, we firstly found that beneficial effects in vivo and in vitro of FPS on phosphorus reabsorption are closely associated with regulation of FGF23-Klotho signaling axis and ERK1/2-SGK1-NHERF-1-NaPi-2a pathway in the kidney. This study provided pharmacological evidences that FPS directly contributes to the treatment of CKD-MBD.

Total Flavones of Abelmoschus manihot Remodels Gut Microbiota and Inhibits Microinflammation in Chronic Renal Failure Progression by Targeting Autophagy-Mediated Macrophage Polarization

Background

Recently, progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) has been closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal metabolite-derived microinflammation. In China, total flavones of Abelmoschus manihot (TFA), a component of Abelmoschus manihot, has been widely used to delay CRF progression in clinics for the past two decades. However, the overall therapeutic mechanisms remain obscure. In this study, we designed experiments to investigate the renoprotective effects of TFA in CRF progression and its underlying mechanisms involved in gut microbiota and microinflammation, compared with febuxostat (FEB), a potent non-purine selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase.

Methods

In vivo, the CRF rat models were induced by uninephrectomy, potassium oxonate, and proinflammatory diet, and received either TFA suspension, FEB, or vehicle after modeling for 28 days. In vitro, the RAW 264.7 cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without TFA or FEB. Changes in parameters related to renal injury, gut microbiota dysbiosis, gut-derived metabolites, and microinflammation were analyzed in vivo. Changes in macrophage polarization and autophagy and its related signaling were analyzed both in vivo and in vitro.

Results

For the modified CRF model rats, the administration of TFA and FEB improved renal injury, including renal dysfunction and renal tubulointerstitial lesions; remodeled gut microbiota dysbiosis, including decreased Bacteroidales and Lactobacillales and increased Erysipelotrichales; regulated gut-derived metabolites, including d-amino acid oxidase, serine racemase, d-serine, and l-serine; inhibited microinflammation, including interleukin 1β (IL1β), tumor necrosis factor-α, and nuclear factor-κB; and modulated macrophage polarization, including markers of M1/M2 macrophages. More importantly, TFA and FEB reversed the expression of beclin1 (BECN1) and phosphorylation of p62 protein and light chain 3 (LC3) conversion in the kidneys by activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-sirtuin 1 (AMPK-SIRT1) signaling. Further, TFA and FEB have similar effects on macrophage polarization and autophagy and its related signaling in vitro.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrated that TFA, similar to FEB, exerts its renoprotective effects partially by therapeutically remodeling gut microbiota dysbiosis and inhibiting intestinal metabolite-derived microinflammation. This is achieved by adjusting autophagy-mediated macrophage polarization through AMPK-SIRT1 signaling. These findings provide more accurate information on the role of TFA in delaying CRF progression.

[Triptolide inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and ameliorates podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by high glucose]

The aim of this paper was to explore the effects of triptolide( TP),the effective component of Tripterygium wilfordii on improving podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition( EMT) induced by high glucose( HG),based on the regulative mechanisms of Nod-like receptor protein 3( NLRP 3) inflammasome in the kidney of diabetic kidney disease( DKD). The immortalized podocytes of mice in vitro were divided into the normal( N) group,the HG( HG) group,the low dose of TP( L-TP) group,the high dose of TP( HTP) group and the mannitol( MNT) group,and treated by the different measures,respectively. More specifically,the podocytes in each group were separately treated by D-glucose( DG,5 mmol·L~(-1)) or HG( 30 mmol·L~(-1)) or HG( 30 mmol·L~(-1)) + TP( 5 μg·L~(-1))or HG( 30 mmol·L~(-1)) + TP( 10 μg·L~(-1)) or DG( 5 mmol·L~(-1)) + MNT( 24. 5 mmol·L~(-1)). After the treatment of HG or TP at 24,48 and 72 h,firstly,the activation of podocyte proliferation was investigated. Secondly,the protein expression levels of the epithelial markers in podocytes such as nephrin and ZO-1,the mesenchymal markers such as collagen Ⅰ and fibronectin( FN) were detected,respectively. Finally,the protein expression levels of NLRP3 and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein( ASC) as the key signaling molecules of NLRP3 inflammasome activation,as well as the downstream effector proteins including caspase-1,interleutin( IL)-1β and IL-18 were examined,severally. The results indicated that,for the cultured podocytes in vitro,HG could cause the low protein expression levels of nephrin and ZO-1,induce the high protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ and FN and trigger podocyte EMT. Also HG could cause the high protein expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 and induce NLRP3 inflammasome activation. On the other hand,the co-treatment of TP( L-TP or H-TP) and HG for podocytes could recover the protein expression levels of nephrin and ZO-1,inhibit the protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ and FN and ameliorate podocyte EMT. Also the co-treatment of TP( L-TP or H-TP) and HG could down-regulate the protein expression levels of NLRP3 and ASC,inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and reduce the protein expression levels of the downstream effector molecules including caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18. On the whole,HG could activate NLRP3 inflammasome and induce podocyte EMT in vitro. TP at the appropriate dose range could inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and ameliorate podocyte EMT,which may be one of the critical molecular mechanisms of TP protecting againstpodocyte inflammatory injury in DKD.

[Molecular mechanisms of non-coding RNA regulating autophagy and interventional effects of Chinese herbal medicine]

Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs) and microRNAs(miRNAs),as members of the non-coding RNA family,play important roles in upstream processes that regulate autophagy in mammalian cells. LncRNA and miRNA participate in various phases of the process of autophagy,including initiation,vesicle nucleation,autophagosome maturation and autophagosome fusion. Some non-coding RNAs exert bidirectional regulatory functions in the process of autophagy,include the maternally expressed gene 3(MEG3),H19 and miR-21,whereas others either inhibit autophagy(including GAS5,miR-34 a and miR-30 a) or promote autophagy(including MALAT1,miR-152 and miR-24). The regulation of autophagy by non-coding RNAs has characteristics of conditionality,diversity and complexity. In recent years,researchers at home and abroad have constantly found that some extracts from the individual Chinese herbal medicine(CHM) such as ampelopsin,salvianolic acid B and paeonol,as well as the Chinese herbal compound named Eight Ingredients Decoction,can regulate autophagy by interacting with non-coding RNA in vitro and in vivo. The latest studies have shown that plant-derived small non-coding RNAs(sncRNAs) as one of the active ingredients of CHMs can directly enter the bloodstream and internal organs to regulate gene expressions in humans. In addition,it has been reported that rhein,hyperoside and mycelium of Cordyceps sinensis all can modulate autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cell via regulating the autophagy-related signaling pathways in vivo and in vitro to reduce renal damage and aging,which is likely mediated by the miR-34 a pathway. In summary,the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of autophagy by non-coding RNAs(such as lncRNAs and miRNAs) is essential and required to develop new strategies for the treatments and managements of tumors,immune diseases,metabolic diseases,neurodegenerative diseases and other common diseases and decipher pharmacologic actions of CHMs.

Study on the preparation of granular alum sludge adsorbent for phosphorus removal

Alum sludge is the sludge discharged from a sedimentation tank in a drinking water treatment plant when polymerized with poly-aluminum chloride (PAC). In this paper, granular alum sludge adsorbent (GASA) was manufactured using powdery alum sludge (PAS) as the raw material and methods such as gluing and pore-forming. The effects of different binders, pore-forming agents, roasting temperatures, and roasting times on the formation of GASA and its dephosphorization performance were investigated. Results showed that the optimum binder was AlCl₃ at a mass ratio of 8%, and the best pore-forming agent was starch at a 4% dosage ratio. Meanwhile, the optimum roasting temperature and time were 500 °C and 2 hours, respectively. The specific surface area of GASA was 23.124 m²/g. Scanning electron microscopy suggested that GASA's surface became rough, particles became tight, and average pore size increased, with additional pore channels. P adsorption by GASA reached 0.90 mg/g. The effluent phosphorus concentration of actual tail water decreased to 0.49 mg/L and the removal rate reached 73.5% when the GASA dosage was 20 g/L. The findings of this study are important for the further development of a low-cost adsorbent material for P removal in the future.

Biodegradation of polyvinyl alcohol by different dominant degrading bacterial strains in a baffled anaerobic bioreactor

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is the main pollutant in printing and dyeing wastewaters. This pollutant exhibits great demand, poor biodegradability and refractory degradation. In this study, PVA wastewater treatment experiments were conducted in a stably operating baffled anaerobic bioreactor (ABR) by using simulated PVA wastewater. The PVA degradation pathway and mechanism of the mixed dominant PVA-degrading bacterial strains were identified through the analysis of their degradation products. From the results, we inferred that PVA was degraded in a stepwise process under the synergistic action of different extracellular and intracellular enzymes produced by the mixed dominant PVA-degrading bacterial strains. In this process, PVA was first degraded into ketones, fatty acids and alcohols. It was then regenerated into acetic acid, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Finally, these substances could be further utilized by methanogens. PVA was thus degraded completely. This study may serve as a reference for future works on the degradation of PVA in the ecological environment. It may also guide the sustainable development of PVA.

[Molecular regulative mechanisms of aging and interventional effects of Chinese herbal medicine]

Aging is a gradual process during the loss of functions in cells,organs and tissues by time. The molecular mechanisms of aging-related theories include the classical ones such as telomere,oxygen radical and nonenzymatic glycosylation,as well as the newly proposed ones such as DNA methylation,mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA）and autophagy. The latest study showed the anti-aging effect of autophagy in hematopoietic stem cells. In recent years,based on the molecular regulative mechanisms of aging,a number of the promising anti-aging drugs have been found,including nicotinamide mononucleotide（NMN）and FOXO4-DRI,a peptide of anti-aging. In addition,there are many new discoveries in the field of plant extracts,in which,the extracts from Chinese herbal medicine（CHM）,some single CHMs and the classical prescriptions of CHM,represented by curcumin and resveratrol,have the partial anti-aging effects by regulating the molecular mechanisms of aging both in vivo and in vitro. In brief,developing or exploring anti-aging drugs,especially the natural drugs,is one of the main development directions in the field of anti-aging research in the basis of the molecular regulative mechanisms of aging.

Inhibition of Akt/mTOR/p70S6K Signaling Activity With Huangkui Capsule Alleviates the Early Glomerular Pathological Changes in Diabetic Nephropathy

Huangkui capsule (HKC), a Chinese modern patent medicine extracted from Abelmoschus manihot (L.) medic, has been widely applied to clinical therapy in the early diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients. However, it remains elusive whether HKC can ameliorate the inchoate glomerular injuries in hyperglycemia. Recently the activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and its downstream regulator, 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K), play important roles in the early glomerular pathological changes of DN including glomerular hypertrophy, glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening and mild mesangial expansion. This study thereby aimed to clarify therapeutic effects of HKC during the initial phase of DN and its underlying mechanisms. Fifteen rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the normal group, the model group and the HKC group. The early DN model rats were induced by unilateral nephrectomy combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, and administered with either HKC suspension or vehicle after modeling and for a period of 4 weeks. Changes in the incipient glomerular lesions-related parameters in urine and blood were analyzed. Kidneys were isolated for histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and Western blotting (WB) at sacrifice. In vitro, murine mesangial cells (MCs) were used to investigate inhibitory actions of hyperoside (HYP), a bioactive component of HKC, on cellular hypertrophy-associated signaling pathway by WB, compared with rapamycin (RAP). For the early DN model rats, HKC ameliorated micro-urinary albumin, body weight and serum albumin, but had no significant effects on renal function and liver enzymes; HKC improved renal shape, kidney weight and kidney hypertrophy index; HKC attenuated glomerular hypertrophy, GBM thickening and mild mesangial expansion; HKC inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR and p70S6K, and the protein over-expression of transforming growth factor-β1 in kidneys. In vitro, the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, mTOR and p70S6K in MCs induced by high-glucose was abrogated by treatment of HYP or RAP. On the whole, this study further demonstrated HKC safely and efficiently alleviates the early glomerular pathological changes of DN, likely by inhibiting Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling activity in vivo and in vitro, and provided the first evidence that HKC directly contributes to the prevention of the early DN.

[Low dose of triptolide ameliorates podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by high dose of D-glucose via inhibiting Wnt3α/β-catenin signaling pathway activation]

To explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of triptolide（TP）on improving podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition（EMT）induced by high dose of D-glucose（HG）, the immortalized podocytes of mice in vitro were divided into the normal group（N）, the high dose of D-glucose group（HG）, the low dose of TP group（L-TP）, the high dose of TP group（H-TP）and the mannitol group（MNT）, and treated by the different measures respectively. More specifically, the podocytes in each group were separately treated by D-glucose（DG, 5 mmol·L⁻¹）or HG（25 mmol·L⁻¹）or HG（25 mmol·L⁻¹）+ TP（3 μg·L⁻¹）or HG（25 mmol·L⁻¹）+ TP（10 μg·L⁻¹）or DG（5 mmol·L⁻¹）+ MNT（24.5 mmol·L⁻¹）. After the intervention for 24, 48 and 72 hours, firstly, the activation of podocyte proliferation was investigated. Secondly, the protein expression levels of the epithelial markers in podocytes such as nephrin and podocin, the mesenchymal markers such as desmin and collagen Ⅰ and the EMT-related mediators such as snail were detected respectively. Finally, the protein expression levels of Wnt3α and β-catenin as the key signaling molecules in Wnt3α/β-catenin pathway were examined severally. The results indicated that, HG could cause the low protein expression levels of nephrin and podocin and the high protein expression levels of desmin, collagen Ⅰ and snail in podocytes, and inducing podocyte EMT. On the other hand, HG could cause the high protein expression levels of Wnt3α and β-catenin in podocytes, and activating Wnt3α/β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, L-TP had no effect on the activation of podocyte proliferation, the co-treatment of L-TP and HG could significantly recover the protein expression levels of nephrin and podocin, inhibit the protein expression levels of desmin, collagen I and snail in podocytes, thus, further improving podocyte EMT. And that, the co-treatment of L-TP and HG could obviously decrease the high protein expression levels of Wnt3α and β-catenin induced by HG in podocytes, and inhibit Wnt3α/β-catenin signaling pathway activation. On the whole, HG can induce podocyte EMT by activating Wnt3α/β-catenin signaling pathway; L-TP can ameliorate podocyte EMT through inhibiting Wnt3α/β-catenin signaling pathway activation, which may be one of the effects and molecular mechanisms in vitro.

(18)O(2) label mechanism of sulfur generation and characterization in properties over mesoporous Sm-based sorbents for hot coal gas desulfurization

Using a sol-gel method, SmMeOx/MCM-41 or SBA-15 (Me=Fe, Co and Zn) and corresponding unsupported sorbents were prepared. The desulfurization performance of these sorbents was evaluated over a fixed-bed reactor and the effects of reaction temperature, feed and sorbent composition on desulfurization performance were studied. Samarium-based sorbents used to remove H2S from hot coal gas were reported for the first time. The results of successive sulfidation/regeneration cycles revealed that SmFeO3/SBA-15 sorbent was suitable for desulfurization of hot coal gas in the chemical industry. The formation of elemental sulfur during both sulfidation and regeneration processes depended strongly on the catalytic action of Sm2O2S species, which was confirmed for the first time via high sensitive time of flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) using 6%vol(18)O2/Ar regeneration gas and can reduce markedly procedural complexity. The sorbents were characterized using N2-adsorption, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction of H2 (H2-TPR), thermogravimetry (TG) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) techniques.

Highly stable and regenerable Mn-based/SBA-15 sorbents for desulfurization of hot coal gas

A series of mesoporous xCuyMn/SBA-15 sorbents with different Cu/Mn atomic ratios were prepared by wet impregnation method and their desulfurization performance in hot coal gas was investigated in a fixed-bed quartz reactor in the range of 700-850°C. The successive nine desulfurization-regeneration cycles at 800°C revealed that 1Cu9Mn/SBA-15 presented high performance with durable regeneration ability due to the high dispersion of Mn(2)O(3) particles incorporated with a certain amount of copper oxides. The breakthrough sulfur capacity of 1Cu9Mn/SBA-15 observed 800°C is 13.8 g S/100g sorbents, which is remarkably higher than these of 40 wt%LaFeO(3)/SBA-15 (4.8 g S/100g sorbents) and 50 wt%LaFe(2)O(x)/MCM-41 (5.58 g S/100g sorbents) used only at 500-550°C. This suggested that the loading of Mn(2)O(3) active species with high thermal stability to SBA-15 support significantly increased sulfur capacity at relatively higher sulfidation temperature. The fresh and used xCuyMn/SBA-15 sorbents were characterized by means of BET, XRD, XPS, XAES, TG/DSC and HRTEM techniques, confirmed that the structure of the sorbents remained intact before and after hot coal gas desulfurization.

Cytotoxicity and alteredc-myc gene expression by medical polyacrylamide hydrogel

Medical Polyacrylamide Hydrogel (PAMG)has been used in plastic and aesthetic surgery for years. However, its safety is still in doubt in many countries. In the current research, first an approach, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to determine the amount of residual acrylamide monomer (AM) in the PAMG was presented. Then the cytotoxicity of PAMG was investigated using cell counting and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. To explore the mechanism of this toxicity, normal human fibroblasts cultured in medium extracts were analyzed. Membrane changes and other related parameters were investigated using flow cytometry (FCM). Real time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (real time PCR) was also introduced to determine the biological response of the fibroblasts. During this process, three representative genes (p53, beta-actin, and c-myc, which are tumor suppressor genes, housekeeping genes, and proto-oncogenes respectively) were selected for examination. Results indicated that a method based on HPLC is practical and simple for determining AM in PAMG. The detection limits can reach the desired ppb level, and so it can fully meet the requirements of the studies of PAMG. Polyacylamide Hydrogel inhibits the growth of human fibroblasts and may cause the apoptosis of human fibroblasts. Moreover, it can alter physical parameters such as the size and the granularity of these cells. Furthermore, these three genes have a relatively typical amplification plot and highly related, wide-range standard curves, and so this reaction system is definitely suitable for the semiquantification of these genes. PAMG induces the increase of the message ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of c-myc, while the p53 and beta-actin remain even. This change is not related to the concentration of AM in the gel and may be incited by other components in the extract of PMAG.

[Treatment of nasofacial hemangioma with interventional embolization and pingyungmycin injection]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate a new method with interventional embolization and pingyugmycin injection for treating nasofacial Hemangioma.

METHOD

The fillets and coil were used for interventional embolization facial artery, internal maxillary artery, temporal superficial artery, and pingyungmycin injected for 4 patients.

RESULT

The tumor and vascular beat in this series of 4 patients were disappeared by follow up of one year. There are not nasal obstruction and epistaxis.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with interventional embolization and pingyungmycin injection is a safe and effective method for nasofacial hemangioma.