Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Curr Med Sci 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.

Recent studies indicated that regulatory B cells (Bregs) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant signaling pathway play important roles in the pathogenesis of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Mangiferin (MA), a polyphenol compound, has been reported to activate Nrf2/antioxidant-responsive element (ARE) signaling pathway. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of MA on Bregs and Nrf2 antioxidant signaling in murine splenic mononuclear cells (MNCs) in vitro. Read More

Metab Brain Dis 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China.

Kelch-like ECH associated-protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway is thought to be the key regulatory process defensing oxidative stress in multiple organs. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are both serious global health problems with high prevalence. A growing number of literatures have suggested a possible link between Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway and the pathological changes of T2DM, AD as well as T2DM-related AD. Read More

Neurotox Res 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey.

Previous studies revealed that oxidative stress and inflammation are the main contributors to secondary injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI). In an earlier study, we reported that lutein/zeaxanthin isomers (L/Zi) exert antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects by activating the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathways. However, its precise role and underlying mechanisms were largely unknown after TBI. Read More

J Cell Mol Med 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China.

Although reperfusion is the most effective therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction, reperfusion injury limits the therapeutic effects of early reperfusion. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Melatonin, a circulating hormone, is well-known as an antioxidant in cardiovascular diseases. Read More

Aging Cell 2021 Jun 15;20(6):e13385. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.

Although it is known that aging affects neural stem progenitor cell (NSPC) biology in fundamental ways, the underlying dynamics of this process are not fully understood. Our previous work identified a specific critical period (CP) of decline in NSPC activity and function during middle age (13-15 months), and revealed the reduced expression of the redox-sensitive transcription factor, NRF2, as a key mediator of this process. Here, we investigated whether augmenting NRF2 expression could potentially mitigate the NSPC decline across the identified CP. Read More

Nat Metab 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.

Pre-operative exercise therapy improves outcomes for many patients who undergo surgery. Despite the well-known effects on tolerance to systemic perturbation, the mechanisms by which pre-operative exercise protects the organ that is operated on from inflammatory injury are unclear. Here, we show that four-week aerobic pre-operative exercise significantly attenuates liver injury and inflammation from ischaemia and reperfusion in mice. Read More

Cancer Res 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

PARCC, INSERM UMR970, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, Paris, France.

Succinate dehydrogenase is a key enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport chain. All four subunits of succinate dehydrogenase are tumor suppressor genes predisposing to paraganglioma, but only mutations in the SDHB subunit are associated with increased risk of metastasis. Here we generated an knockout chromaffin cell line and compared it with deficient cells. Read More

Curr Mol Med 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Endocrinology, The Second Medical Center & National Clinical Research Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China.

Background: Some studies demonstrated that under high-glucose (HG) condition, osteoblasts develop oxidative stress, which will impair their normal functions. The effects of activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7) silencing on HG-induced osteoblasts remained unclear.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of ALK7 on HG-induced osteoblasts. Read More

Food Funct 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China. and National Engineering Laboratory for Wheat and Corn Deep Processing, Changchun, China.

In this study, Pediococcus pentococcus PP04 (PP04) isolated from the Northeast pickled cabbage was given to C57BL/6N mice for eight weeks, aiming to investigate the ameliorative effects of PP04 on liver injury induced by a high-fat diet. The western blot results suggested that PP04 ameliorated the increase of intestinal permeability by dramatically increasing the expressions of tight junction proteins, such as Occludin, Claudin-1 and ZO-1, which decreased hepatic lipopolysaccharides (LPS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations to effectively alleviate the liver injury. Furthermore, PP04 relieved the high-fat diet-caused gut inflammation by the NF-κB/Nrf2 signaling pathway, which regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and antioxidants, to positively improve the liver injury. Read More

Toxicol Lett 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan; Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan; Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan. Electronic address:

Exposure to sterigmatocystin (STC) raises concerns on developmental neurological disorders. The present study investigated the effects of maternal oral STC exposure on postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis of offspring in rats. Dams were exposed to STC (1. Read More

Front Cell Dev Biol 2021 28;9:630401. Epub 2021 May 28.

Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Natural Medicines, School of Pharmacy, The Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a common diabetic microvascular complication, is characterized by its complex pathogenesis, higher risk of mortality, and the lack of effective diagnosis and treatment methods. Many studies focus on the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and have reported that the pathophysiology of DN is very complex, involving many molecules and abnormal cellular activities. Given the respective pivotal roles of NF-κB, Nrf2, and TGF-β in inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis during DN, we first review the effect of posttranslational modifications on these vital molecules in DN. Read More

Front Oncol 2021 26;11:679816. Epub 2021 May 26.

Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Cancer has been as one of common comorbidities of diabetes. Long-term antidiabetic treatment may potentially exert uncertain impacts on diabetic patients with cancer including breast cancer (BC). Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) are currently recommended by the AACE as first-line hypoglycemic drugs in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Read More

Oxid Med Cell Longev 2021 25;2021:6680935. Epub 2021 May 25.

Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative chronic disease affecting both cognitive performance and motor functions in aged people. Yet despite the prevalence of this disease, the current therapeutic options for the management of PD can only alleviate motor symptoms. Research has explored novel substances for naturally derived antioxidant phytochemicals with potential therapeutic benefits for PD patients through their neuroprotective mechanism, targeting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, abnormal protein accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, neurotrophic factor deficit, and apoptosis. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2021 28;12:670586. Epub 2021 May 28.

Hunan University of Chinese Medicine and Hunan Engineering Technology Center of Standardization and Function of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces, Changsha, China.

The Chinese herb couple Fuzi and Ganjiang (FG) has been a classic combination of traditional Chinese medicine that is commonly used clinically in China for nearly 2000 years. Traditional Chinese medicine suggests that FG can treat various ailments, including heart failure, fatigue, gastrointestinal upset, and depression. Neuroinflammation is one of the main pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases in which microglia cells play a critical role in the occurrence and development of neuroinflammation. Read More

EXCLI J 2021 4;20:550-561. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, 83523, Egypt.

Vinpocetine (Vin), a synthetic-derivative of Vincamine, monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, has been reported to have various medicinal benefits. The purpose of our study was to investigate the pivotal role of "nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2" (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant protection of Vin against HO and paracetamol (APAP)-induced liver toxicity. For this purpose, a normal human hepatic cell line (L02 cells) was incubated with cytotoxic concentrations of HO or APAP in the presence or absence of Vin. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs & Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China.

In a healthy body, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants remain balanced. When the balance is broken toward an overabundance of ROS, oxidative stress appears and may lead to oocyte aging. Oocyte aging is mainly reflected as the gradual decrease of oocyte quantity and quality. Read More

Nutr Cancer 2021 Jun 12:1-16. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.

Cancer prevention particularly related to aging can be improved by the use of phytochemicals combinations. In this study, we evaluated the effect of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), xanthohumol (XAN), indole-3-carbinol (I3C), and resveratrol (RES) and their combinations on the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Human pancreatic cancer cells MIA-Pa-Ca-2 were treated with the phytochemicals alone or their equimolar mixture for 24 h and activation of Nrf2 and expression of its target genes were evaluated. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Acrylamide (ACR) is an unsaturated monomer that served various fields; however, it is a potent neurotoxin. The target of the present study is to explore the neuroprotective efficacy of allicin and melatonin on ACR-induced neurotoxicity. Thirty-six male adult rats were non-selectively separated into six groups: placebo, allicin (20 mg/kg b. Read More

Eur J Med Chem 2021 Jun 5;222:113599. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China; School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai, 200433, China. Electronic address:

Blocking the Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-related protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway represents as a promising strategy to reduce oxidative stress and related-inflammation, including acute lung injury (ALI). NXPZ-2, a naphthalensulfonamide derivative, was previously reported to effectively inhibit the Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) by our group. In the present work, a series of novel isothiocyanate-containing naphthalensulfonamides with the thioether, sulfoxide and sulfone moieties were designed by a structure-based molecular hybridization strategy using NXPZ-2 and the Nrf2 activator sulforaphane. Read More

Pharmacol Res 2021 Jun 10;170:105725. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address:

Endothelial dysfunction is a major contributing factor to diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, acute lung injury, preeclampsia, among others. Resveratrol (RSV) is a naturally occurring bioactive polyphenol found in grapes and red wine. According to experimental studies, RSV modulates several events involved in endothelial dysfunction such as impaired vasorelaxation, eNOS uncoupling, leukocyte adhesion, endothelial senescence, and endothelial mesenchymal transition. Read More

Neuropharmacology 2021 Jun 10:108654. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ein Helwan, Egypt. Electronic address:

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that regulates redox homeostasis of the cell through regulation of the antioxidant response element genes transcription. Nrf2 also regulates the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 gene. Nrf2 degradation and nuclear translocation is regulated by upstream kinases Akt and GSK3β. Read More

Arch Biochem Biophys 2021 Jun 11;708:108964. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100#, District of Chaoyang, Beijing, 100124, China.

Cancer cells can metabolize glutamine to replenish TCA cycle intermediates for cell survival. Glutaminase (GLS1) is over-expressed in multiple cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the role of GLS1 in colorectal cancer development has not yet fully elucidated. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2021 Jun 9;98:107830. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Colon cancer is a malignant condition that affects the lower gastrointestinal tract and has unfavorable prognosis. Its mechanisms range from enhanced production of reactive oxygen species, inflammatory changes in the colon microenvironment and affection of the apoptotic pathways. Due to the high incidence of resistance of colon cancer to the traditional chemotherapeutic agents, a need for finding safe/effective agents that can attenuate the malignant changes had emerged. Read More

Eur J Pharmacol 2021 Jun 9;906:174201. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of Punjab, 87-West Canal Bank Road, Lahore, Pakistan; Jinnah Burn & Reconstructive Surgery Centre, Lahore, Pakistan. Electronic address:

Mesenchymal stem cells are known to support hepatic defense against liver fibrosis. However, the fibrosis induced oxidative microenvironment affects the proliferative, regenerative, and angiogenic properties of mesenchymal stem cells. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a strong anti-oxidant which has been shown to ameliorate the adverse effects of fibrosis that otherwise can lead to severe liver problems like cirrhosis and liver failure. Read More

Hum Cell 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Ultrasound, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), No. 61, Jiefang West Road, Changsha, 410005, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.

Cell death pathways related to ferroptosis are implicated in the progression of melanoma. Emerging data reporting the upregulation of microRNA (miR)-130b-3p in melanoma indicate the potential implication of miR-130b-3p in this malignancy. Herein, we aimed to identify whether and how miR-130b-3p regulated ferroptosis in melanoma cells. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 Jun 11;11(1):12746. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China.

Cell Death Discov 2021 Jun 11;7(1):140. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China.

Platinum drug treatment is one of the most predominant chemotherapeutic strategies for patients with gastric cancer (GC). However, the therapeutic effect is less than satisfactory, largely due to the acquired resistance to platinum drugs. Therefore, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms can greatly improve the therapeutic efficacy of GC. Read More

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021 Jun 8:115617. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, PR China. Electronic address:

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality from liver disorders. Various mechanisms, including oxidative stress and impaired lipid metabolism, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ALD. Our previous studies showed that nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) is a master regulator of adaptive antioxidant response and lipid metabolism by using a liver-specific Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2(L)-KO) mouse model. Read More

Eur J Pharmacol 2021 Jun 8:174236. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Xi'an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xi'an No.3 Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, 10 Fengcheng Three Road, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education. Faculty of Life Sciences, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, China. Electronic address:

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is associated with poor prognoses in the setting of ischemic brain diseases. Silence information regulator 1 (SIRT1) is a member of the third class of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent sirtuins. Recently, the role of SIRT1/peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) pathway in organ (especially the brain) protection under various pathological conditions has been widely investigated. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2021 25;12:651444. Epub 2021 May 25.

Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

The liver is an important metabolic organ, and acute liver injury (ALI) is potentially lethal. Itaconate, a metabolic intermediate from the tricarboxylic acid cycle, showed emerging anti-oxidative and anti-inflammation properties, and an accumulating protective effect in multiple diseases, but its role in ALI still needs to be further explored. Here we established an ALI model induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice. Read More