磷酸缓冲盐溶液(1×PBS,无钙镁,RNase free)

Renal fibrosis is a common pathway involved in the progression of various chronic kidney to end-stage diseases, posing a substantial global public health challenge in the search for effective and safe treatments. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of sacha inchi shell polysaccharide (SISP) on renal fibrosis induced by a high-salt diet (HSD) in mice. By analysing kidney-related protein pathways and the structure of gut microbiota, we found that SISP significantly reduced urinary protein levels induced by a HSD from 41.08 to 22.95 μg/mL and increased urinary creatinine from 787.43 to 1294.50 μmol/L. It reduced renal interstitial collagen fibres by 11.30 %, thereby improving the kidney function. SISP lowered the mRNA expression of TGF-B1 , fibronectin, α-SMA, Smad2/3, and TGFBRII , leading to decreased protein levels of TGF-β1, p-Smad2/3, p-TGFβRII, fibronectin, α-SMA, p-Smad2/3/Smad2/3, and p-TGFβRII/TGFβRII. These changes blocked downstream transcription in the TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway, thereby attenuating renal fibrosis in HSD mice. In addition, SISP altered the intestinal flora imbalance in HSD mice by reducing the relative abundance of the genera, Akkermansia , Faecalibaculum , and unidentified_Ruminococcaceae , and reversing the decline in the levels of the genera, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides . In conclusion, SISP is a promising nutraceutical for renal fibrosis management.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent inflammatory disease without a specific cure or treatment for improvement. Here, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 (Gin Rg3) on UC. We constructed an in vitro cellular inflammatory model and a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mouse model. We also used Gin Rg3, MCC950 (NLRP3 inhibitor), MSU (NLRP3 activator), and fecal transplantation (FMT) to intervene the model. The results showed that Gin Rg3 inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. DSS-induced changes in the abundance of gut microbiota at the phylum or genus level were partially restored by Gin Rg3. Furthermore, gin Rg3 affected intestinal metabolism in mice by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. The gut microbiota treated with Gin Rg3 was sufficient to alleviate DSS-induced UC. In summary, Gin Rg3 alleviated DSS-induced UC by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulating gut microbiota homeostasis.

Adhesives can connect two or more materials together through interfacial adhesion and cohesion, which have wide range applications in the fields of wood, packaging and biomedicine. Currently, environmentally-friendly bio-based adhesives are considered to be a good alternative to non-renewable petroleum-based adhesives. In this paper, a catechol-containing dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC-DA) adhesive with strong adhesion and biocompatibility was reported. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was oxidized to dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC) by oxidation reaction , then catechol groups were incorporated into DCMC to obtain DCMC-DA. The DCMC-DA was characterized by Fourier transform infrared and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The lap shear strength of DCMC-DA on porcine skin and wood were 0.14 MPa and 4.38 MPa, respectively, which increased by 350% and 694% as compared with that of CMC. Moreover, NIH 3T3 cell tests demonstrated that DCMC-DA has good biocompatibility to promote cell proliferation . The DCMC-DA with strong adhesion and biocompatibility has great potential as a green and environmentally friendly adhesive in the fields of wood and biomedicine.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) significantly contributes to low back pain (LBP), yet effective treatment options are scarce. BSHXF, a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula, demonstrates dual pharmacological actions: tonifying kidneys, strengthening bones, activating blood circulation, and resolving stasis. It has been widely used in IDD management. Given its potential, combining BSHXF with miRNA regulation and stem cell therapy may enhance therapeutic outcomes by targeting molecular and cellular pathways underlying IDD pathogenesis.Aim of the study: IDD is recognized as one of the primary causes of low back pain, yet effective therapeutic interventions for this condition remain limited. This study explores the role of BSHXF drug-containing serum combined with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in slowing IDD progression via the miR-199a-3p/TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. By comprehensively investigating the synergistic effects of this combination therapy, we aim to propose a novel multi-target strategy that addresses the complex pathogenesis of IDD.Materials and Methods: This study employed a combination of in vivo and in vitro models. An IDD model was induced in rat caudal intervertebral discs through needle puncture, while an oxidative stress-induced ADSCs injury model was created in vitro using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (T-BHP). Cell viability was measured with the CCK-8 assay. Cell cycle distribution and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed using SA-β-galactosidase staining. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was quantified to evaluate cellular damage. Differentiation into nucleus pulposus-like cells was assessed using immunofluorescence double staining for CD73 and COL2A1. ELISA was used to measure inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10) in cell supernatants. miR-199a-3p expression was determined using RT-qPCR. Western blotting was employed to quantify COL2A1, SOX9, and ACAN protein levels, reflecting nucleus pulposus-like differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis capacity. Western blotting was employed to assess pathway activity by analyzing the protein expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, and their phosphorylated forms, P-Smad2 and P-Smad3. In vivo experiments assessed histopathological degeneration through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Safranin O-Fast Green staining. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyzed COL1A1 and COL2A1 expression levels. RT-qPCR quantified miR-199a-3p expression. Western blotting was employed to assess the expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, P-Smad2, and P-Smad3 for pathway regulation evaluation.Results: Our experimental results demonstrated that serum containing BSHXF significantly alleviated T-BHP-induced oxidative stress, improved the cellular microenvironment, promoted ADSCs proliferation, and decelerated cellular senescence. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that BSHXF significantly activated the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, driving the differentiation of ADSCs into nucleus pulposus-like cells and restoring normal cell cycle progression. Overexpression of miR-199a-3p inhibited the TGF-β/Smad pathway, leading to ECM degradation and elevated expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β). In contrast, BSHXF restored TGF-β/Smad pathway activity by downregulating miR-199a-3p expression. In vivo experiments demonstrated that miR-199a-3p overexpression exacerbated IDD, characterized by reduced COL2A1 expression, elevated COL1A1 levels, and increased disc fibrosis. BSHXF intervention markedly attenuated IDD progression by downregulating miR-199a-3p expression, reducing disc fibrosis, and effectively restoring collagen expression.Conclusion: BSHXF activated the TGF-β/Smad pathway to promote the differentiation of ADSCs into nucleus pulposus-like cells. It exerted protective effects by alleviating oxidative stress damage, improving the microenvironment, delaying senescence, and enhancing cellular functions. This study is the first to reveal that miR-199a-3p overexpression exacerbates intervertebral disc fibrosis and degeneration. BSHXF restored TGF-β/Smad pathway activity by downregulating miR-199a-3p expression, thereby improving disc structure and function. This integrated approach offers a novel multi-target intervention strategy for IDD, demonstrating significant therapeutic potential.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic disease characterized by joint wear and cartilage degeneration. Current clinical treatments are based on symptomatic relief and are not effective in regenerating cartilage, and inflammation-induced cartilage damage accelerates the progression of osteoarthritis, making the protection of articular cartilage important for controlling the development of knee osteoarthritis. In this study, a biodegradable hydrogel (HA-Ca-Alg@Ica) loaded with Icariin (Ica) was prepared by in situ cross-linking of hyaluronic acid-calcium complex (HA-Ca) and sodium alginate (Alg-Na) for local sustained delivery of Ica. The hydrogel promoted chondrocyte proliferation and inhibited the degradation of cartilage matrix by regulating key factors (Wnt3a, β-catenin and GSK-3β) in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, the hydrogel reduced the expression of inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, and MMP13, leading to a reduction in inflammation and pain relief. In summary, this hydrogel containing Icariin has shown significant effects in reducing chondrocyte degradation and promoting chondrocyte proliferation, which can play a role in delaying osteoarthritis by protecting chondrocytes. These findings offer innovative prospects for the therapeutic management of knee osteoarthritis.

Background Heparin reduces myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, which is associated with pyroptosis. As a derivative of heparin, non-anticoagulant heparin (NAH) is rarely researched in this field. This study aims to explore the mechanisms of NAH in myocardial I/R injury and pyroptosis. Methods Cardiomyocytes (H9C2) were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) to simulate myocardial I/R injury in vitro . Cells were treated with NAH, ov-gasdermin D (GSDMD), ov-caspase 11, H 2 O 2 , N -acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and recombinant HMGB1 (rHMGB1). The binding of NAH to HMGB1 was detected by molecular docking and DARTS. For in vivo validation, C57BL/6 J male mice underwent myocardial I/R surgery and received NAH and rHMGB1 treatment. Results NAH inhibited H/R-induced pyroptosis of H9C2 cells as evidenced by decreased caspase 11/GSDMD activation, decreased IL-18/IL-1β/LDH release, and increased ATP yields. These effects were attenuated by caspase 11 or GSDMD-N overexpression. Similar to NAC, NAH inhibited H/R and H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress. Moreover, NAH reversed the promoting effects of rHMGB1 on cell pyroptosis and oxidative stress. Mechanistically, NAH bound to HMGB1, blocking HMGB1/RAGE interaction. In mice, NAH alleviated myocardial infarction, injury, fibrosis, pyroptosis, and oxidative stress. These effects were reversed by rHMGB1. Conclusions NAH protects against myocardial I/R injury by inhibiting GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis via the HMGB1/RAGE pathway. NAH may serve as a potential drug for treating myocardial I/R injury.

The leaves ofC. tigliumhave been comprehensively researched for their structurally novel bioactive natural compounds, especially those with anti-schistosomiasis liver fibrosis activity, because ethyl acetate extract, which can be extracted from the leaves ofC. tiglium, has good anti-schistosomiasis liver fibrosis effects. One new tigliane-type diterpene, 20-acetyl-13-O-(2-metyl)butyryl-phorbol (1), and nine known (2–10) analogues were isolated from the leaves ofC. tiglium. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and ECD analysis. All diterpenoids had a stronger insecticidal effect on schistosomula, and compounds2,4, and10had good anti-liver-fibrosis effects. Furthermore, compared with the model group, compound2significantly downregulated the protein and mRNA expression of COL-I, COL-III, α-SMA, and TGF-β1 on TGF-β1-induced liver fibrosis in LX-2 cells. Meanwhile, compound2also regulated the expression of TGF-β/Smad-pathway-related proteins. The results suggest that diterpenoids fromC. tigliummay serve as potential schistosomula-killing and anti-liver-fibrosis agents in the future.

Ferroptosis has been observed during retinal photoreceptor cell death, suggesting that it plays a role in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) pathogenesis. Qi-Shen-Tang (QST) is a combination of two traditional Chinese medicines used for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases; however, its mechanism of action in RP and ferroptosis remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect and potential molecular mechanisms of QST on RP. QST significantly improved tissue morphology and function of the retina in the RP model mice. A significant increase in retinal blood flow and normalization of the fundus structure were observed in mice in the treatment group. After QST treatment, the level of iron and the production of malondialdehyde decreased significantly; the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione increased significantly; and the protein expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), glutathione synthetase, solute carrier family 7 member 11, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) increased significantly. The molecular docking results demonstrated potential interactions between the small molecules of QST and the key proteins of NRF2/GPX4 signaling pathway. Our results indicate that QST may inhibit ferroptosis by inhibiting the NRF2/GPX4 signaling pathway, thereby reducing RP-induced damage to retinal tissue.

General anesthetic exposure during pregnancy has neurotoxic effects on the developing brain, causing long‐term cognitive dysfunction in the offspring. Sevoflurane exposure during mid‐gestation results in premature differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs), being the crucial factor affecting normal hippocampal functions and contributing to neurocognitive impairment. However, the related molecular mechanism remains unclear. For in vivo assays, pregnant rats were exposed to 3% sevoflurane once on gestational day 14 (G14) or 3 times on G13, 14, and 15 (2 h per day). For in vitro assays, primary rat NSCs were isolated from fetal hippocampus tissues at 24 and 72 h after birth and on postnatal day 28. NSCs were transfected with GRIN2B or KIF17 overexpression plasmids before exposure to 4.1% sevoflurane for one or three consecutive days (2 h per day). Multiple sevoflurane exposures during the mid‐trimester triggered NSC premature differentiation and decreased GRIN2B and KIF17 expression in the hippocampus of offspring rats and primary rat NSCs. GRIN2B or KIF17 overexpression attenuated sevoflurane‐induced NSC premature differentiation. GRIN2B interacted with KIF17, and KIF17 silencing reversed the inhibition of GRIN2B overexpression on NSC early differentiation. GRIN2B alleviates NSC premature differentiation induced by repeated mid‐gestational sevoflurane exposure via interaction with KIF17. GRIN2B suppresses early differentiation of neural stem cells induced by repeated mid‐gestational sevoflurane exposure and promotes their proliferation by interacting with KIF17.

Background:Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a serious cardiovascular condition. Vascular peroxidase 1 (VPO1) is associated with various cardiovascular diseases, yet its role in CHF remains unclear. This research aims to explore the involvement of VPO1 in CHF.Methods:CHF was induced in rats using adriamycin, and the expression levels of VPO1 and cylindromatosis (CYLD) were assessed. In parallel, the effects of VPO1 on programmed necrosis in H9c2 cells were evaluated through cell viability assays, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level measurements, and analysis of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1/receptor-interacting protein kinase 3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL) pathway-related proteins. The impact of CYLD on RIPK1 protein stability and ubiquitination was also investigated, along with the interaction between VPO1 and CYLD. Additionally, cardiac structure and function were assessed using echocardiography, Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and measurements of myocardial injury-related factors, including N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), LDH, and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB).Results:VPO1 expression was upregulated in CHF rats and in H9c2 cells treated with adriamycin. In cellular experiments, VPO1 knockdown improved cell viability, inhibited necrosis and the expression of proteins associated with the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL pathway. Mechanistically, VPO1 promoted cardiomyocyte programmed necrosis by interacting with the deubiquitinating enzyme CYLD, which enhanced RIPK1 ubiquitination and degradation, leading to activation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway. At animal level, overexpression of CYLD counteracted the cardiac failure, cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial injury, myocardial fibrosis, and tissue necrosis caused by VPO1 knockdown.Conclusions:VPO1 exacerbates cardiomyocyte programmed necrosis in CHF rats by upregulating CYLD, which activates the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway. Thus, VPO1 may represent a potential therapeutic target for CHF.