Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Suwen Chen, Shangwen Sun, Yanan Feng, Xiu Li, Guoliang Yin, Pengpeng Liang, Wenfei Yu, Decheng Meng, Xin Zhang, Hongshuai Liu, Fengxia Zhang
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease without approved treatment. Hepatic farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD. Diosgenin (DG), a natural compound from Chinese herbal medicine, effectively prevents metabolic diseases. Our research reveals that DG can alleviate NAFLD by regulating the hepatic FXR-SHP-SREBP1C/PPARa/CD36 pathway.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ling Yao, Meng Wang, Jun Zhang, Xianqin Luo, Chunlin Yuan, Ruojun Bai, Tongzhuang Wang, Yumeng Xi, Chunli Li, Dazhi Ke, Johji Yamahara, Yuhao Li, Yongfen Yi, Shang Wang, Jianwei Wang
Summary: The study investigates the mechanisms by which oleanolic acid (OA) ameliorates fructose-induced hepatosteatosis through regulating the SREBP1c/SCD1 pathway. The results show that OA can inhibit SCD1 gene expression and reduce hepatic triglyceride levels, thereby improving fructose-induced fatty liver. OA also regulates other transcription factors and enhances fatty acid oxidation to further improve the pathological process.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yiqing Gu, Shuni Duan, Mingning Ding, Qi Zheng, Guifang Fan, Xiaojiaoyang Li, Yijie Li, Chuanyang Liu, Rong Sun, Runping Liu
Summary: This study investigated the mechanisms of Saikosaponin D (SSd) in metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and found that SSd improved lipid accumulation by regulating PPAR alpha activation to inhibit fatty acid synthesis and induce degradation. This provides a new perspective for therapeutic strategies in MAFLD.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yi Zhu, Yuanyuan Zhao, Xin-Xin Chai, Jiang Zhou, Meng-Jie Shi, Yurong Zhao, Youjia Tian, Xu-Meng Wang, Tian-Xing Ying, Qiao Feng, Jinghao Sheng, Chi Luo
Summary: In this study, we found that chronic low-dose exposure to cadmium promoted the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice. Mechanistically, chronic cadmium exposure reshaped the liver transcriptional landscape and altered fatty acid metabolic pathways, leading to reduced fatty acid desaturation, increased cell death, and inflammation.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wen-wen Zhao, Meng Xiao, Xia Wu, Xiu-wei Li, Xiao-xi Li, Ting Zhao, Lan Yu, Xiao-qing Chen
Summary: Treatment with IsA can prevent HFD-induced NAFLD and reduce cholesterol levels by regulating gut microbiota and BA metabolism, through mechanisms including enhanced BA synthesis and excretion, as well as altered expression of key hepatic transporters.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xinzhu Liu, Jiaxuan Wang, Maogang Li, Jiannan Qiu, Xingying Li, Li Qi, Jia Liu, Ping Liu, Guoxiang Xie, Xiaoning Wang
Summary: FXR plays a key role in both BA and FA metabolism in NAFLD combined with cholestasis, suggesting it may be a potential target for the treatment of disorders in BA and FA metabolism in this condition.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Piccinin, Marica Cariello, Antonio Moschetta
Summary: Colorectal cancer is a common cancer worldwide, with cellular metabolism reprogramming recognized as a key step in carcinogenesis. Aberrant activation of lipid metabolism in intestinal tumor cells leads to increased lipid uptake or endogenous synthesis to support proliferation. Strategies to limit lipid accumulation are being developed, with a focus on two major players - Liver X Receptor and Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 - in lipid metabolism contributing to CRC development. Further investigations are needed to develop specific therapies targeting intestinal cancer cell proliferation and CRC progression.
MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Quentin Raas, Malu-Clair van de Beek, Sonja Forss-Petter, Inge M. E. Dijkstra, Abigail Deschiffart, Briana C. Freshner, Tamara J. Stevenson, Yorrick R. J. Jaspers, Liselotte Nagtzaam, Ronald J. A. Wanders, Michel van Weeghel, Joo-Yeon Engelen-Lee, Marc Engelen, Florian Eichler, Johannes Berger, Joshua L. Bonkowsky, Stephan Kemp
Summary: The study found that rerouting saturated fatty acids to monounsaturated fatty acids can alleviate lipid toxicity in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). The drug chloroquine increased the expression of the enzyme regulating saturated fatty acid saturation status, relieving toxicity. Additionally, activating liver X receptor (LXR) can also convert saturated fatty acids to monounsaturated fatty acids.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ofer Moldavski, Peter-James H. Zushin, Charles A. Berdan, Robert J. Van Eijkeren, Xuntian Jiang, Mingxing Qian, Daniel S. Ory, Douglas F. Covey, Daniel K. Nomura, Andreas Stahl, Ethan J. Weiss, Roberto Zoncu
Summary: 4β-hydroxycholesterol (4β-HC) is a potent and selective inducer of the master lipogenic transcription factor SREBP1c, acting as an endogenous regulator of de novo lipogenesis through the LXR-SREBP1c axis.
JOURNAL OF LIPID RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Guochao Song, Bin Zou, Jing Zhao, Fengyi Weng, Yue Li, Xiaoqing Xu, Shuang Zhang, Dongming Yan, Jingyi Jin, Xin Sun, Chenghai Liu, Furong Qiu
Summary: This study investigated the molecular mechanism of how Yinchen decoction (YCD) protects against intrahepatic cholestasis induced by a 1% cholic acid diet. The findings showed that YCD restores bile acid homeostasis by activating the liver FXR/SHP and ileal FXR/FGF15 signaling pathways, thereby protecting against cholestatic liver injury. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid in YCD may be the pharmacological agents responsible for its protective effects against cholestatic liver injury.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Wei Wang, Yulin Kong, Xia Wang, Zhe Wang, Chunlei Tang, Jinyou Li, Qin Yang, Yong Q. Chen, Shenglong Zhu
Summary: This study identified a novel SCD1 inhibitor, E6446, through high-throughput virtual screening. It was found that E6446 significantly inhibited adipogenic differentiation and hepatic lipogenesis via SCD1-ATF3 signaling. Additionally, E6446 showed strong interaction with SCD1 and had beneficial effects on hepatic steatosis, hepatic lipid droplet accumulation, and insulin resistance in high-fat diet-fed mice.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoyu Song, Wanfu Wu, Yubing Dai, Margaret Warner, Ivan Nalvarte, Per Antonson, Mukesh Varshney, Jan-Ake Gustafsson
Summary: The phenotype in the colon of aging LXR alpha beta (-/-) mice is attributed to the loss of ER beta expression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Laura L. Gathercole, Nikolaos Nikolaou, Shelley E. Harris, Anastasia Arvaniti, Toryn M. Poolman, Jonathan M. Hazlehurst, Denise Kratschmar, Marijana Todorcevic, Ahmad Moolla, Niall Dempster, Ryan C. Pink, Michael F. Saikali, Liz Bentley, Trevor M. Penning, Claes Ohlsson, Carolyn L. Cummins, Matti Poutanen, Alex Odermatt, Roger D. Cox, Jeremy W. Tomlinson
Summary: AKR1D1 controls bile acid homeostasis in vivo, and altering its activity can affect insulin tolerance and lipid homeostasis in a sex-dependent manner.
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lifu Wang, Dinghao Li, Zifeng Zhu, Yao Liao, Ji Wu, Yuheng Liu, Ruibing Yang, Hanqiao Dai, Zhongdao Wu, Xi Sun
Summary: Liver fibrosis, a common feature in chronic liver diseases, can be alleviated by knockout of Sema4D, which has been found to regulate retinol metabolism and the balance of specific immune cells.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaoxi Li, Wenwen Zhao, Meng Xiao, Lan Yu, Qijun Chen, Xiaolu Hu, Yimeng Zhao, Lijuan Xiong, Xiaoqing Chen, Xing Wang, Yinying Ba, Qiang Guo, Xia Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates for the first time that PCPE can ameliorate NAFLD in HFD-induced mice by regulating the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism, clarifying the mechanism of PCPE in NAFLD.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Bing Wang, Haibo Zhang, Zhilin Luan, Hu Xu, Yuanyi Wei, Xuejia Zhao, Miaomiao Xing, Xiaoxiao Huo, Jiayang Zhang, Wen Su, Youfei Guan, Xiaoyan Zhang
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Xiaomu Kong, Zhaojun Yang, Bo Zhang, Xiaoping Chen, Liping Yu, Haiqing Zhu, Xiaoyan Xing, Wenying Yang
Summary: Maternal and paternal history of diabetes have differential effects on the risks for diabetes, insulin secretion, and resistance in the Chinese population, suggesting they play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes through distinct mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF DIABETES INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hu Xu, Bingying Fang, Shengnan Du, Sailun Wang, Qingwei Li, Xiao Jia, Chengzhen Bao, Lan Ye, Xue Sui, Lei Qian, Zhilin Luan, Guangrui Yang, Feng Zheng, Nanping Wang, Lihong Chen, Xiaoyan Zhang, Youfei Guan
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhilin Luan, Yuanyi Wei, Xiaoxiao Huo, Xiaowan Sun, Cong Zhang, Wenhua Ming, Zhaokang Luo, Chunxiu Du, Yaqing Li, Hu Xu, Heyuan Lu, Feng Zheng, Youfei Guan, Xiaoyan Zhang
Summary: Activation of PXR significantly attenuates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice by regulating multiple crucial signaling pathways, especially the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vitro studies suggest that PXR protects against cisplatin-induced apoptosis of proximal tubule cells in a PI3K-dependent manner. These results indicate that PXR activation may serve as a novel protective target for cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yunfeng Zhou, Zhaokang Luo, Chenghui Liao, Rong Cao, Zain Hussain, Jie Wang, Yeting Zhou, Tie Chen, Jie Sun, Zhong Huang, Baohua Liu, Xiaoyan Zhang, Youfei Guan, Tuo Deng
Summary: The study found that MHCII molecules are upregulated in proximal tubules in renal fibrosis models, promoting the proliferation of CD4(+) T cells. Ablation of H2-Ab1 significantly reduced renal fibrosis, and there was a correlation between the increase in CD4(+) T cells and MHCII expression in the kidneys.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhilin Luan, Yuanyi Wei, Xiaoxiao Huo, Xiaowan Sun, Cong Zhang, Wenhua Ming, Zhaokang Luo, Chunxiu Du, Yaqing Li, Hu Xu, Heyuan Lu, Feng Zheng, Youfei Guan, Xiaoyan Zhang
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hai-bo Zhang, Wen Su, Hu Xu, Xiao-yan Zhang, You-fei Guan
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely related to chronic liver disease, and research has shown that lipid droplet-associated proteins play an important role in its development, particularly HSD17B13. This protein has been found to be strongly associated with the development and progression of NAFLD/NASH, making it a potential therapeutic target.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Xiaomu Kong, Ye Xu, Peng Gao, Yi Liu, Xuran Wang, Meimei Zhao, Yongwei Jiang, Hui Yang, Yongtong Cao, Liang Ma
Summary: A new method using PCR melting curve analysis with one fluorescent probe was developed to identify UGT1A1 (TA)(n) polymorphism. The application of this method in 64 patients showed accurate, reliable, rapid, simple, and low-cost detection of UGT1A1 (TA)(n) polymorphism.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Yunfeng Zhou, Haibo Zhang, Yao Yao, Xiaoyan Zhang, Youfei Guan, Feng Zheng
Summary: Liver fibrosis is a life-threatening disease worldwide, with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) being a major cause, and immune response and inflammation playing important roles in the development and progression of NASH.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yaqing Li, Rong Cao, Tingting Gu, Cong Cao, Tingyue Chen, Youfei Guan, Xiaoyan Zhang
Summary: This study revealed that PPAR beta/delta enhances IL-1 beta-induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in hMCs via the SIRT1 pathway, providing further insights into the role of PPAR beta/delta in regulating renal inflammatory responses.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Liang Ma, Yanyan Fan, Xiaomu Kong, Yongwei Jiang, Hong Huang, Meimei Zhao, Yi Liu, Peng Gao, Yong Cui, Yongtong Cao
Summary: This study established and evaluated the analytical and clinical performance of the Flash20 SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid rapid detection system without the need for RNA extraction. The system showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting the virus, which can contribute to early infection control and disease management.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Yongwei Jiang, Qian Liu, Xiaomu Kong, Meimei Zhao, Yi Liu, Peng Gao, Guoxiong Deng, Yongtong Cao, Liang Ma
Summary: In addition to HLA-B*27, other HLA class I and II alleles also contribute to the predisposition and characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis among Chinese Han patients. HLA-B*27-positive patients exhibit symptoms of AS at an earlier age. Certain alleles of HLA-I and HLA-II affect the age of onset of ankylosing spondylitis in the HLA-B*27(-) group.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanlin Guo, Guixiang Xie, Xiaoyan Zhang
Summary: Farnesoid X receptor, also known as the bile acid receptor, is highly expressed in the liver, small intestine, kidney and adrenal gland. It regulates bile acid, glucose and lipid homeostasis by controlling the transcription of target genes, and participates in inflammatory, immune and fibrotic processes. In the kidney, FXR plays a crucial role in renal water reabsorption and is believed to have protective effects in acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease, specifically diabetic kidney disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lan Ye, Bing Wang, Hu Xu, Xiaoyan Zhang
Summary: Mild-to-moderate pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by narrowing and thickening of the pulmonary arteries. The pathogenesis of PH in COPD is complex and involves chronic inflammation, hypoxia, and oxidative stress. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and its receptors have been found to play an important role in regulating pulmonary vascular homeostasis and remodeling.
Article
Physiology
Zhi-Lin Luan, Wen-Hua Ming, Xiao-Wan Sun, Cong Zhang, Yang Zhou, Feng Zheng, Yong-Liang Yang, You-Fei Guan, Xiao-Yan Zhang
Summary: This study identified alisol B 23-acetate (ABA) as a natural agonist of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) from Alismatis rhizoma, a traditional Chinese medicine, which exerts renoprotective effects against ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI) in an FXR-dependent manner. ABA showed potential as a novel therapeutic agent for AKI treatment in the future by improving renal function, reducing renal tubular apoptosis, ameliorating oxidative stress, and suppressing inflammatory factor expression.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-RENAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)