Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Junlu Tong, Li Cong, Yingbin Jia, Bai-Liang He, Yifan Guo, Jianzhong He, Decheng Li, Baojia Zou, Jian Li
Summary: The study revealed that hepatic FST expression is increased in NAFLD patients compared to normal samples. FST can alleviate hepatic steatosis by regulating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, suggesting that gene therapy for FST may be a promising treatment option for NAFLD.
DIABETES METABOLIC SYNDROME AND OBESITY-TARGETS AND THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rongya Tao, Oliver Stohr, Caixia Wang, Wei Qiu, Kyle D. Copps, Morris F. White
Summary: This study found that disruption of hepatic insulin signaling can reduce adipose mass and increase energy expenditure in mice, preventing obesity. Moreover, a protein called Fst produced by the liver was found to regulate energy expenditure through its effects on muscles, revealing the important communication between the liver and muscles in controlling energy balance and obesity.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Lin-Yan Wan, Hu Peng, Yi-Ran Ni, Xue-Ping Jiang, Jiao-Jiao Wang, Yan-Qiong Zhang, Lan Ma, Rui Li, Lin Han, Yong Tan, Jun-Ming Li, Wen-Li Cai, Wen-Fang Yuan, Jia-Jie Liang, Lu Huang, Xu Wu, Quan Zhou, Qi-Ni Cheng, Xue Yang, Meng-Yuan Liu, Wen-Bing Ai, Chang-Bai Liu, Hongbing Zhang, Jiang-Feng Wu
Summary: This study demonstrated that overexpression of the miR-23b/27b/24-1 cluster in the liver blocked hepatic fibrosis and may serve as a novel therapeutic regimen for patients with hepatic fibrosis. The miR-23b/27b/24-1 cluster directly targeted messenger RNAs, reducing the protein expression of secretory profibrotic genes in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The suppression of the TGF-β signaling pathway and activation of the bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway contributed to the anti-fibrotic effect of the miR-23b/27b/24-1 cluster.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ning Ma, Yi-Kang Wang, Sheng Xu, Qian-Zhi Ni, Qian-Wen Zheng, Bing Zhu, Hui-Jun Cao, Hao Jiang, Feng-Kun Zhang, Yan-Mei Yuan, Er-Bin Zhang, Tian-Wei Chen, Ji Xia, Xu-Fen Ding, Zhen-Hua Chen, Xiu-Ping Zhang, Kang Wang, Shu-Qun Cheng, Lin Qiu, Zhi-Gang Li, Yong-Chun Yu, Xiao-Fan Wang, Bin Zhou, Jing-Jing Li, Dong Xie
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver disease for which no drug treatment has been approved. This study shows that PPDPF inhibits the development of hepatic steatosis by negatively regulating mTORC1-S6K-SREBP1 signaling, suggesting a potential therapeutic candidate for NAFLD treatment.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Lingyun Li, Qiang Liu, Chenyu Le, Hongchen Zhang, Wenfei Liu, Ye Gu, Jianfeng Yang, Xiaofeng Zhang
Summary: The early aseptic immune response plays a key role in the aggravation of acute pancreatitis (AP). Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, an important member of the TLR family, is found to be significantly increased in AP patients. TLR2 deficiency reduces inflammation, infiltration of pancreatic neutrophils and macrophages, and expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-113, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-18 in a mouse model of cerulein-induced AP.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Naihua Liu, Xiaoying Yang, Jingyi Guo, Lei Zhang, Shangyi Huang, Jiabing Chen, Jiawen Huang, Yingjian Chen, Tianqi Cui, Yi Zheng, Tianyao Li, Kaijia Tang, Yadi Zhong, Siwei Duan, Lili Yu, Ying Tang, Dayong Zheng, Huafeng Pan, Yong Gao
Summary: Excessive gluconeogenesis can lead to hyperglycemia and diabetes. Hepatic ZBTB22 expression is increased in diabetic patients and mice, and its overexpression enhances glucose output and lipid accumulation. ZBTB22 deficiency improves energy metabolism and reduces liver steatosis. Targeting hepatic ZBTB22/PEPCK1 may be a potential therapeutic approach for diabetes.
Article
Cell Biology
Jiye Li, Dongsheng Yu, Chenhui He, Qiwen Yu, Zhongkun Huo, Yi Zhang, Shuijun Zhang
Summary: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common complication of liver transplantation and has a serious impact on patient prognosis. KLF6, a member of the KLF protein family, plays crucial roles in proliferation, metabolism, inflammation, and injury responses. Its role in HIR is largely unknown. This study found that KLF6 expression was significantly upregulated after I/R injury, and KLF6 deficiency exacerbated liver damage and inflammation, while KLF6 overexpression had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, KLF6 inhibited autophagy overactivation by regulating the transcription of Beclin1 and activating the mTOR/ULK1 pathway.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Naruemon Wikan, Jiraporn Tocharus, Chio Oka, Sivanan Sivasinprasasn, Waraluck Chaichompoo, Panida Denlumpai, Apichart Suksamrarn, Chainarong Tocharus
Summary: PAVA reduces hepatic lipid accumulation in obese rats by regulating lipogenesis, autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zili Zhang, Xian Wang, Zilong Wang, Zhiyue Zhang, Yashi Cao, Zonghui Wei, Jiangjuan Shao, Anping Chen, Feng Zhang, Shizhong Zheng
Summary: Targeting the elimination of activated hepatic stellate cells and blocking excessive deposition of extracellular matrix are effective strategies for treating hepatic fibrosis. This study revealed that inducing ferroptosis in activated HSCs with dihydroartemisinin could alleviate hepatic fibrosis, highlighting the potential role of ferroptosis in eliminating activated HSCs.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jia Li, Maureen Fredericks, Marishka Cannell, Kathryn Wang, Dianne Sako, Michelle C. Maguire, Rosa Grenha, Katia Liharska, Lavanya Krishnan, Troy Bloom, Elitza P. Belcheva, Pedro A. Martinez, Roselyne Castonguay, Sarah Keates, Mark J. Alexander, Hyunwoo Choi, Asya Grinberg, R. Scott Pearsall, Paul Oh, Ravindra Kumar, Rajasekhar N. V. S. Suragani
Summary: ActRIIB:ALK4-Fc is a heterodimeric ligand-trapping fusion protein that has the potential to increase muscle mass and function, improve neuromuscular junction abnormalities, and have therapeutic effects on DMD, ALS, and disuse atrophy.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Rongbing Tang, Yanrong Ren, Yueting Zhang, Mengying Yin, Xinyu Ren, Qiangyuan Zhu, Cen Gao, Wei Zhang, Guangxiu Liu, Bin Liu
Summary: Diabetic periodontitis is a significant complication of diabetes and is associated with teeth loss and serious systemic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and cancers. The difficult-to-treat nature of diabetic periodontitis is due to stubborn infection and tissue dysfunction caused by high blood sugar levels. Current treatments fail to eliminate infection completely and do not address tissue dysfunction.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sanda Win, Robert W. M. Min, Jun Zhang, Gary Kanel, Brad Wanken, Yibu Chen, Meng Li, Ying Wang, Ayako Suzuki, Filbert W. M. Aung, Susan F. Murray, Mariam Aghajan, Tin A. Than, Neil Kaplowitz
Summary: The study found that hepatic SAB expression increased progressively in mice fed a high-fat, high-calorie, high-fructose diet, affecting systemic energy expenditure and body fat levels by controlling the JNK/ATF2 activation loop. Deletion or silencing of SAB inhibited the development of steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and metabolic abnormalities, suggesting that induction of SAB in hepatocytes plays a critical role in the interplay between liver and systemic metabolic consequences of overfeeding. Targeted GalNAc-Sab-ASO treatment in hepatocytes reversed steatohepatitis and fibrosis in established NASH.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shih-Yi Lin, Ya-Yu Wang, Cheng-Yi Chang, Chih-Cheng Wu, Wen-Ying Chen, Su-Lan Liao, Chun-Jung Chen
Summary: The emerging molecule TNF-alpha is reported to have inflammatory and metabolic roles. Studies have shown that the TNF-alpha receptor inhibitor R-7050 has neuroprotective, antihyperglycemic, and anti-inflammatory effects in stroke cases. This highlights a feasible way to combat stroke disease based on an anti-TNF therapy involving anti-inflammatory and metabolic mechanisms.
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaochun Yin, Jin Peng, Lihong Gu, Yan Liu, Xihan Li, Jinhui Wu, Bing Xu, Yuzheng Zhuge, Feng Zhang
Summary: Glutamine metabolism and GDH enzyme play crucial roles in cell growth and cancer. The GDH inhibitor EGCG slows fibrosis progression, while SIRT4 protects the liver from fibrosis by inhibiting glutamate transformation.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bo Jin, Jing Liu, Yan Zhu, Jian Lu, Qingyan Zhang, Yan Liang, Qiuyuan Shao, Chunming Jiang
Summary: This study investigated the protective effect of Kunxian capsule (KXC) in a diabetic kidney disease (DKD) mouse model and elucidated its underlying mechanism. The results showed that KXC effectively reduced albuminuria and attenuated renal structural abnormalities in the mice. Furthermore, KXC restored the expression of podocyte markers and suppressed the activation of the β-catenin signaling pathway. In conclusion, KXC has the potential to protect podocytes during DKD by alleviating podocyte epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through inactivating β-catenin signaling.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaocheng Charlie Dong, Kushan Chowdhury, Menghao Huang, Hyeong Geug Kim
Summary: Fatty liver disease is a major liver disorder in modern societies, requiring comprehensive understanding of its pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms. Remarkable progress has been made in basic and translational research, but critical issues such as reliable biomarkers, molecular targets, and prevention strategies still need to be addressed. As more data are generated, integrative approaches are needed to understand the disease at various levels and investigate gene-environment interactions for personalized treatment.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Oliver Stohr, Rongya Tao, Ji Miao, Kyle D. Copps, Morris F. White
Summary: Fgf21 plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism during hepatic insulin resistance, as shown by studies where modestly reduced Fgf21 due to hepatic FoxO1 suppression contributed to metabolic dysregulation in LDKO mice. Restoring Fgf21 through adenoviral infection corrected metabolic issues in the mice, highlighting the importance of Fgf21-dependent plasticity and BAT function in metabolic health.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Zhigang Fang, Hyeong-Geug Kim, Menghao Huang, Kushan Chowdhury, Ming O. Li, Suthat Liangpunsakul, X. Charlie Dong
Summary: This study demonstrates the protective role of Sesn1/2/3 in hepatic lipotoxicity-induced oxidative stress by reducing JNK phosphorylation and activity, leading to decreased lipotoxicity and oxidative stress in liver cells.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ivana Semova, Amy E. Levenson, Joanna Krawczyk, Kevin Bullock, Mary E. Gearing, Alisha Ling, Kathryn A. Williams, Ji Miao, Stuart S. Adamson, Dong-Ju Shin, Satyapal Chahar, Mark J. Graham, Rosanne M. Crooke, Lee R. Hagey, David Vicent, Sarah D. de Ferranti, Srividya Kidambi, Clary B. Clish, Sudha B. Biddinger
Summary: The risk of cardiovascular disease remains high in type 1 diabetes patients. This study found that insulin inhibits FoxO1 to reduce 12 alpha-hydroxylated bile acids, cholesterol absorption, and plasma cholesterol levels. In addition, the cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe was more effective in reversing these abnormalities than the cholesterol synthesis inhibitor simvastatin.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chuanyan Wu, Yan Borne, Rui Gao, Maykel Lopez Rodriguez, William C. Roell, Jonathan M. Wilson, Ajit Regmi, Cheng Luan, Dina Mansour Aly, Andreas Peter, Juergen Machann, Harald Staiger, Andreas Fritsche, Andreas L. Birkenfeld, Rongya Tao, Robert Wagner, Mickael Canouil, Mun-Gwan Hong, Jochen M. Schwenk, Emma Ahlqvist, Minna U. Kaikkonen, Peter Nilsson, Angela C. Shore, Faisel Khan, Andrea Natali, Olle Melander, Marju Orho-Melander, Jan Nilsson, Hans-Ulrich Haering, Erik Renstrom, Claes B. Wollheim, Gunnar Engstrom, Jianping Weng, Ewan R. Pearson, Paul W. Franks, Morris F. White, Kevin L. Duffin, Allan Arthur Vaag, Markku Laakso, Norbert Stefan, Leif Groop, Yang De Marinis
Summary: The study shows that elevated plasma follistatin levels are associated with an increased risk of T2D and adipose tissue insulin resistance, suggesting a potential role of follistatin in the development of T2D and related metabolic disorders.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yun Liu, Ji Miao
Summary: This paper summarizes the effects of defective copper homeostasis on heart disease and discusses potential underlying molecular mechanisms.
Article
Biology
Simiao Xu, Yangyang Liu, Ruixiang Hu, Min Wang, Oliver Stohr, Yibo Xiong, Liang Chen, Hong Kang, Lingyun Zheng, Songjie Cai, Li He, Cunchuan Wang, Kyle D. Copps, Morris F. White, Ji Miao
Summary: The liver-specific transcriptional co-activator TAZ has been found to play a novel role in inhibiting the glucocorticoid receptor, impacting glucose homeostasis. These findings suggest that TAZ coordinates gluconeogenesis in response to physiological fasting and feeding by inhibiting the transactivation of gluconeogenic genes by GR.
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Kyle D. Copps, Rongya Tao
Article
Cell Biology
Hilde Herrema, Dongxian Guan, Jae Won Choi, Xudong Feng, Mario Andres Salazar Hernandez, Farhana Faruk, Thomas Auen, Eliza Boudett, Rongya Tao, Hyonho Chun, Umut Ozcan
Summary: Chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response signaling contribute to type 2 diabetes development in obesity. Restoration of hepatic expression of FKBP11, which is regulated by XBP1s, leads to a rewiring of the unfolded protein response signaling pathway towards NRF2 and promotes glucose homeostasis without affecting ER stress, food consumption, or body weight in obese mice.
Article
Surgery
Yibo Xiong, Guifeng Pan, Weixin Huang, Wah Yang, Ruixiang Hu, Ying Mai, Liang Chen, Ji Miao, Xuemei Peng
Summary: This study aimed to determine the concordance between arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. It found that SpO(2) overestimated SaO(2) and preoperative SaO(2) can more accurately reflect the real oxygen saturation, especially for patients with BMI >= 40 kg/m(2), age >= 40 years, and high OS-MRS.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Siqi Li, Sishuo Chen, Min Nie, Lijing Wen, Bin Zou, Lingyu Zhang, Jingzhou Xie, Hooi-Leng Ser, Learn-Han Lee, Shunyi Wang, Caixia Lin, Janak L. Pathak, Weijie Zhou, Ji Miao, Lijing Wang, Lingyun Zheng
Summary: This study demonstrated the impact of ANP deficiency on cardiac injury, mainly through the modulation of salt-sensitive ileal microbiota, leading to cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Antibiotic treatment significantly alleviated these effects.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kushan Chowdhury, Menghao Huang, Hyeong-Geug Kim, X. Charlie Dong
Summary: Hepatic fibrosis is a response to liver tissue injury, and SIRT6 and HSCs play important roles in this process. This study found that SIRT6-deficient HSCs are prone to induce hepatic fibrosis, and the Hippo pathway proteins YAP and TAZ are highly activated in SIRT6-deficient HSCs. Further research revealed that SIRT6 regulates YAP and TAZ through deacetylation, thereby suppressing fibrosis-related genes.
Article
Cell Biology
Liping Xie, Yanmei Yuan, Simiao Xu, Sijia Lu, Jinyang Gu, Yanping Wang, Yibing Wang, Xianjing Zhang, Suzhen Chen, Jian Li, Junxi Lu, Honglin Sun, Ruixiang Hu, Hailong Piao, Wen Wang, Cunchuan Wang, Jing Wang, Na Li, Morris F. White, Liu Han, Weiping Jia, Ji Miao, Junli Liu
Summary: Copper deficiency is associated with lipid metabolism diseases, and restoring copper through hepatic ceruloplasmin ablation promotes lipid catabolism and improves NAFLD.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rongya Tao, Oliver Stohr, Caixia Wang, Wei Qiu, Kyle D. Copps, Morris F. White
Summary: This study found that disruption of hepatic insulin signaling can reduce adipose mass and increase energy expenditure in mice, preventing obesity. Moreover, a protein called Fst produced by the liver was found to regulate energy expenditure through its effects on muscles, revealing the important communication between the liver and muscles in controlling energy balance and obesity.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Diana Carlone, Emanuele Pignatti, Lijie Jiang, Anish Karpurapu, Manasvi Shah, Ji Miao, David Maridas, Vicki Rosen, David Breault
JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH
(2022)