Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry最新文献

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) extract against valproic acid (VPA)-induced small intestine damage in rats. Forty-six adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Control (saline), MO (300 mg/kg), VPA (500 mg/kg), and VPA + MO. All treatments were administered orally for 15 days. Biochemical oxidative stress analyses revealed that MO treatment mitigated oxidative stress in VPA-treated rats. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that bioactive compounds in MO leaves exhibited potential inhibitory activity against oxidative stress-related enzymes, with high binding affinities. Immunohistochemical results indicated that VPA did not alter antioxidant stress responses such as Nrf2. However, histological examinations showed that VPA caused structural damage to the small intestine, while MO treatment alleviated this effect. Overall, MO exhibited significant protective and antioxidant properties against VPA-induced intestinal injury.

Introduction: Diabetes abrogates the neuroprotection caused by ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) during cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion (CI/R) injury. The study investigates the involvement of Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3R) receptors in IPC-mediated neuroprotection during C/R injury in hyperglycaemic conditions.

Materials and methods: Swiss Albino mice were administered with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. Mice were exposed to CI/R injury via common carotid arteries occlusion (20 min) followed by reperfusion (24 h). For IPC, each mouse was exposed to three-1 min cycles of ischaemia and reperfusion, followed by CI/R injury.

Results: CI/R animals showed behavioural, biochemical, and histopathological alterations. IPC was observed to attenuate the CI/R-induced detrimental effects in the normoglycemic animals; however, IPC failed to provide neuroprotection in the hyperglycaemic mice. 2-Aminoethyl diphenyl borinate (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) antagonist) administration in IPC hyperglycaemic mice restored the neuroprotective effects of IPC.

Conclusion: This suggests the possible role of IP3R antagonism in IPC-mediated neuroprotection during CI/R injury in hyperglycaemic conditions.

Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory arterial disease, involves lipid deposition and immune cell infiltration, leading to vascular thickening and dysfunction. This study evaluated the protective effects of Pterocarpus marsupium (PM) heartwood extract, rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerosis model in male Wistar rats. Thirty-six rats were divided into six groups (n = 6), receiving either a normal or HFD, with or without atorvastatin or PM extract. After 8 weeks, hemodynamic, biochemical, oxidative stress, and inflammatory parameters were assessed, along with aortic histology. HFD-fed rats showed elevated heart rate, lipids, liver enzymes, and MDA levels, with histological signs of atherosclerosis. PM treatment significantly reduced triglyceride and MDA levels and modestly improved HDL levels. No significant changes were observed in TNF-α or IL-6. Histology revealed reduced lipid infiltration in PM-treated rats. PM extract exhibited anti-atherogenic and antioxidant effects, warranting further studies to explore its therapeutic potential in cardiovascular disease.

Context: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and complex multifactorial pathogenesis. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been identified as a promising molecular target in AD due to its neuroprotective functions, particularly in energy regulation.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of nano-selenium and thymoquinone (TQ) on AMPK gene expression in an AD rat model.

Subjects and methods: Fifty male albino rats were divided into five groups. Four groups were induced with AD via lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, while the control group remained untreated. The experimental groups received nano-selenium, TQ, or a combination of both treatments. AMPK gene expression in brain tissue was measured using real-time PCR analysis.

Results: Treatment with nano-selenium, TQ, or their combination significantly upregulated AMPK expression in brain tissue compared to untreated AD rats (p<0.001). The combination therapy produced the highest increase in AMPK expression.

Discussion and conclusion: Nano-selenium and TQ enhance AMPK gene expression in AD, suggesting a potential therapeutic mechanism involving AMPK-related pathways.

Chronic inflammation associated with abnormal activation of macrophages is an important promoter of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications. However, there are no effective strategies for mitigating chronic inflammation. This study demonstrated that Polygonatum kingianum (P.K.) can promote macrophages M2 polarisation and increase the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The mechanism involved P.K. upregulation of Mef2d expression, a key gene involved in M2 macrophage polarisation. Mef2d targeted and promoted the expression of Rufy4, thereby activating autophagy and ultimately resulting in M2 macrophage polarisation. P.K. significantly increased the number of M2 macrophages in the bone marrow and kidney while concurrently reducing the serum levels of CRP in a murine model of T2D. In summary, this study confirms that P.K. induces macrophage M2 polarisation via the Mef2d-Rufy4-autophagy pathway, which alleviates chronic inflammation associated with T2D. This study lays a foundation for the prevention and treatment of vascular complications in patients with T2D.

Background: In early pregnancy, trophoblast invasion and uterine vascular remodelling must be tightly regulated to ensure maternal-foetal circulation. Inhibition of these processes causes preeclampsia, foetal development retardation, and recurrent pregnancy loss. It is unclear whether molecular regulators control trophoblast invasiveness and uterine vascular adaption, despite much investigation. Methods: Here, a Protein-Mediated Vascular Remodelling Enhancement (PM-VRE) technique is proposed to examine trophoblast invasion mediated by particular regulatory proteins by increasing uterine vascular remodelling. Protein expression profiling and pathway interaction analysis comprise PM-VRE. Results: Experiments show protein signalling drives endothelial transformation, artery remodelling, and trophoblast migration, with upregulated angiogenic and matrix pathways enabling vascular adaptation. It achieves higher trophoblast invasion depths (∼195-210 µm), enhanced endothelial responsiveness (up to 95%), increased ECM remodelling activity (∼75-80), greater vascular resistance reduction (∼78%), and improved placental perfusion stability (up to 90). Conclusion: PM-VRE provides an effective framework for identifying molecular regulators of trophoblast invasion and uterine vascular remodeling, offering insights into mechanisms underlying placental development and pregnancy disorders associated with impaired placentation.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, manageable chronic respiratory disorder characterised by persistent airflow limitation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Ba Duan Jin exercise in improving respiratory function in COPD patients.

Methods: One hundred COPD patients were randomly assigned to a Ba Duan Jin group or a control group (50 each). The Ba Duan Jin group practiced for 30 minutes, five days per week, for 12 weeks, while the control group received no exercise intervention. Outcomes including FEV1%, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were assessed at baseline, weeks 4, 8, 12, and at 24-week follow-up.

Results: The Ba Duan Jin group showed significant improvements in lung function, exercise capacity, dyspnoea, and quality of life compared to controls, with benefits maintained at follow-up (p < 0.05-0.01).

Conclusion: Ba Duan Jin significantly improves respiratory function and quality of life in COPD patients.