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The damage mode and strength characteristics of rock masses containing natural structural surfaces are important factors affecting the stability and safety of underground cavern excavation and slope engineering. The damage behavior of tuff rock masses containing calcite mineral filling under uniaxial compression experimental conditions is unclear, and the fracture mechanism of the rock masses needs to be further explored. In this study, uniaxial compression tests were conducted on tuff rock specimens containing natural calcite filled structural surfaces by combining acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) techniques. The effects of these structural surfaces on the generation and development of cracks on the surface of the specimens until the formation of macroscopic penetration, the overall state of the macroscopic cracks formed, the final damage state of the specimens, and the strength properties of the rock mass were analyzed. The results showed that (1) the transversely distributed structural planes caused significant stress concentrations in the rock specimens (2) the longitudinally distributed structural planes caused cracks in the specimens or influenced the expansion path of the longitudinal principal cracks. (3) The final damage pattern of the specimens did not differ significantly from that of conventional rock masses due to the presence of structural planes. (4) The presence of the structural face had a significant effect on the uniaxial compressive capacity of the rock, but the load variation process of the specimen with time still conformed to the load variation pattern during the uniaxial compressive test of conventional rocks.

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) has been widely used both in clinics and in basic research for a long time. It is applied to diagnose impaired glucose tolerance and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus in individuals. Additionally, it has been employed in research to investigate glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity in animals. The main aim of each was quite different, and the details are also somewhat varied. However, the time or duration of the OGTT was the same, using the 2-h post-glucose load glycemia in both, following the suggestions of the American Diabetes Association. Recently, the use of 30-min or 1-h post-glucose load glycemia in clinical practice has been recommended by several studies. In this review article, we describe this new view and suggest perspectives for the OGTT. Additionally, quantification of the glucose curve in basic research is also discussed. Unlike in clinical practice, the incremental area under the curve is not suitable for use in the studies involving animals receiving repeated treatments or chronic treatment. We discuss the potential mechanisms in detail. Moreover, variations between bench and bedside in the application of the OGTT are introduced. Finally, the newly identified method for the OGTT must achieve a recommendation from the American Diabetes Association or another official unit soon. In conclusion, we summarize the recent reports regarding the OGTT and add some of our own perspectives, including machine learning and others.

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of how miR-362-3p/orosomucoid 1 (ORM1) involved in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocytes injury. Based on data obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we revealed that ORM1 was highly expressed and positively correlated with the expression of inflammatory factors (MAPK1, MAPK3, IL1B and CASP9). miR-362-3p was identified as an upstream regulatory miRNA of ORM1 and negatively modulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of ORM1 in H/R-injured cardiomyocytes. Moreover, we found that miR-362-3p was downregulated in cardiomyocytes injured by H/R. The promoting influence of miR-362-3p mimic on the proliferation and the inhibitory effect of miR-362-3p mimic on the apoptosis of H/R-stimulated cardiomyocytes were eliminated by overexpression of ORM1. Furthermore, miR-362-3p affected the expression of MAPK1, MAPK3, IL1B and CASP9 in H/R-injured cardiomyocytes through targeting ORM1. Our outcomes illustrated that miR-362-3p exhibited a protective influence on H/R-induced cardiomyocytes through targeting ORM1.

This paper examines a sustainable supplier’s price discount strategy in a competitive environment as it considers building a two-level supply chain system consisting of two suppliers and a single retailer under the condition of uncertain demand, and investigates the impact of the suppliers’ price discount strategy on the retailer’s expected profits. We find that the sustainable supplier’s expected profit increases as the price discount increases. When only the sustainable supplier offers a discount, the retailer’s purchasing cost will increase with the degree of the discount; when both suppliers provide a discount, the sustainable supplier’s expected profit decreases as the price discount increases, while the retailer’s purchasing cost will decrease.

Background Adropin is a secreted polypeptide that has been demonstrated to play an important role in energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) may promote the transcription of target genes including adropin. In the current study, we investigated the effect of adropin on glucose metabolism in diabetic rats and the mechanism that governs this effect was subsequently assessed. Materials and methods Rats received a single injection of streptozotocin to induce type 1 diabetes. The diabetic rats were treated with insulin or phloridzin, another antidiabetic agent through inhibition of glucose reabsorption, for 7 days. Plasma glucose levels and adropin levels were measured. The interaction between STAT3 and adropin was evaluated using the human hepatoma HepG2 cell line. HepG2 cells were pretreated with the specific antagonist Stattic or with STAT3-specific siRNAs to knockout STAT3. Changes in energy homeostasis-associated gene expression were measured using real-time PCR. The protein expression levels of pSTAT3 and STAT3 were measured using Western blotting. Results In diabetic rats, the serum concentrations of adropin were increased in the vehicle-treated group and decreased in the insulin- or phloridzin-treated group. In liver tissues, the Enho expression level and the activity of STAT3 also showed similar tendencies. After HepG2 cells were treated with medium containing high glucose, the ratio of p-STAT3 to STAT3, Enho mRNA levels and reactive oxygen species expression levels in HepG2 cells were significantly increased in conjunction with increased glucose levels. The effect was inhibited after pretreatment with Stattic or knockdown with STAT3-specific siRNAs. Conclusion STAT3 is involved in the genetic regulation of adropin, increasing the levels of circulating adropin and promoting Enho expression in the livers of diabetic rats.

The Akt plays an important role in regulating cardiac growth, myocardial angiogenesis, and cell death in cardiac myocytes. However, there are few studies to focus on the responses of the Akt pathway to cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) in a chronic heart failure (HF) model. In this study, the effects of CCM on the treatment of HF in a rabbit model were investigated. Thirty six-month-old rabbits were randomly separated into control, HF, and CCM groups. The rabbits in HF and CCM groups were pressure uploaded, which can cause an aortic constriction. Then, CCM was gradually injected to the myocardium of rabbits in the CCM group, and this process lasted for four weeks with six hours per day. Rabbit body weight, heart weight, and heart beating rates were recorded during the experiment. To assess the CCM impacts, rabbit myocardial histology was examined as well. Additionally, western blot analysis was employed to measure the protein levels of Akt, FOXO3, Beclin, Pi3k, mTOR, GSK-3β, and TORC2 in the myocardial histology of rabbits. Results showed that the body and heart weight of rabbits decreased significantly after suffering HF when compared with those in the control group. However, they gradually recovered after CCM application. The CCM significantly decreased collagen volume fraction in myocardial histology of HF rabbits, indicating that CCM therapy attenuated myocardial fibrosis and collagen deposition. The levels of Akt, FOXO3, Beclin, mTOR, GSK-3β, and TORC2 were significantly downregulated, but Pi3k concentration was greatly upregulated after CCM utilization. Based on these findings, it was concluded that CCM could elicit positive effects on HF therapy, which was potentially due to the variation in the Pi3k/Akt signaling pathway.

Metabolic remodeling contributes to the pathological process of heart failure (HF). We explored the effects of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) on myocardial metabolic remodeling in the rabbit model with HF. The HF in rabbit model was established by pressure uploading and then CCM was applied. We evaluated the cardiac structure and function by echocardiography, serum BNP level, and hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. We detected the accumulation of glycogen and lipid droplets in myocardial tissues by periodic acid-Schiff and Oil Red O staining. Then, we measured the contents of glucose, free fatty acid (FFA), lactic acid, pyruvate, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in myocardial tissues by corresponding kits and the expression levels of key factors related to myocardial substrate uptake and utilization by western blotting were analyzed. CCM significantly restored the cardiac structure and function in the rabbit model with HF. CCM therapy further decreased the accumulation of glycogen and lipid droplets. Furthermore, CCM reduced the contents of FFA, glucose, and lactic acid, and increased pyruvate and ATP levels in HF tissues. The protein expression levels related to myocardial substrate uptake and utilization were markedly improved with CCM treatment by further activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α signaling pathways.

Adipose-derived cytokines may contribute to the inflammation that occurs in metabolic syndrome (MetS). The Takeda G protein-coupled receptor (TGR5) regulates energy expenditure and affects the production of pro-inflammatory biomarkers in metabolic diseases. Etanercept, which acts as a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonist, can also block the inflammatory response. Therefore, the interaction between TNF-α and TGR5 expression was investigated in rats with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Heart tissues isolated from the HFD-induced MetS rats were analyzed. Changes in TGR5 expression were investigated with lithocholic acid (LCA) as the agonist. Betulinic acid (BA) was used to activate TGR5 in urinary bladders. LCA was more effective in the heart tissues of HFD-fed rats, although etanercept alleviated the function of LCA. STAT3 activation and higher TGR5 expression were observed in the heart tissues collected from HFD-fed rats. Thus, cardiac TGR5 expression is promoted by HFD through STAT3 activation in rats. Moreover, the urinary bladders of female rats fed a HFD showed a low response, which was reversed by etanercept. Relaxation by BA in the bladders was more marked in HFD-fed rats. The high TGR5 expression in HFD-fed rats was characterized using a mRNA assay, and the increased cAMP levels were found to be stimulated by BA in the isolated bladders. Therefore, TGR5 expression increases with a HFD in both the hearts and urinary bladders. Collectively, cytokine-medicated TGR5 activation was observed in the hearts and urinary bladders of rats.

Left ventricular hypertrophy is an independent risk factor in diabetic patients. TGR5 is shown to express in hearts, but its functional role in diabetes-induced cardiac hypertrophy remained unclear. The current study investigated the role of TGR5 on high glucose-induced hypertrophy of H9C2 cells. After incubation with a high level of glucose, H9C2 cells showed hypertrophic responses. Activation of TGR5 by lithocholic acid (LCA) ameliorated cell hypertrophy and enhanced SERCA2a and phosphorylated phospholamban (PLN) expression in H9C2 cells. Triamterene inhibited these effects at an effective dose to block TGR5. However, LCA failed to modify the free radical elevation induced by high-glucose in the H9c2 cells. Moreover, PKA inhibitors, but not an Epac blocker, markedly improved hyperglycemia-induced hypertrophy and attenuated the increased SERCA2a expression by LCA; it also attenuated the phosphorylated PLN and SERCA2a protein expression levels in high glucose-treated H9C2 cells. In conclusion, TGR5 activation stimulated protein kinase A (PKA) to enhance PLN phosphorylation, which activated SERCA2a to remove Ca2+ from cytosol to sarcoplasmic reticulum in addition to the reduction of calcineurin/NFAT pathway signaling to ameliorate the hyperglycemia-induced cardiac hypertrophy shown in cardiomyocytes. TGR5 may service as a new target in the control of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Cardiac hypertrophy is widely diagnosed in clinical cardiac disorders. The pathophysiology of hypertrophy is complex and multifactorial, a series of molecular and cellular changes are participated, such as activation of different signaling pathways, a switch of fetal gene program in the myocardium, and apoptosis. Some biomarkers have been applied to assess cardiac hypertrophy including atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP), brain/B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP), and α- or β- Myosin Heavy Chain (MHC) in addition to others. Recently, ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) has been observed to increase in cardiac hypertrophy. Therefore, UBE3A as a new biomarker seems valuable in the clinic. The cardiac hypertrophy is induced in rat-derived heart cell line H9c2 cells by potassium bromate (KBrO3), high glucose (HG), or isoproterenol (Iso), respectively. As an oxidizing agent, KBrO3 increased cell size at concentrations less than 250 μM. Similarly, HG and Iso also induced cardiac hypertrophy in H9c2 cells. Interestingly, each kind of the cell models promoted the gene expression of the well-known biomarkers of cardiac hypertrophy including atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP) and brain/B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP). Additionally, UBE3A is also raised with the signals involved in cardiac hypertrophy such as calcineurin and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) determined using Western blots. KBrO3 increased the protein levels of these signals and the specific inhibitor, such as cyclosporine A and tacrolimus, attenuated the signaling in H9c2 cells at concentrations sufficient to inhibit calcineurin in addition to the reduction of mRNA levels of UBE3A, similar to ANP or BNP. Moreover, HG or Iso also significantly increased protein levels of UBE3A in H9c2 cells. Taken together, we provided a new view that UBE3A is markedly raised in cardiac hypertrophy using various cell models, mainly through the activation of the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway in H9c2 cells. Therefore, UBE3A could be developed as a new biomarker in the diagnosis of cardiac hypertrophy. Keywords: Hypertrophic signals, Hyperglycemia, H9c2 cells, Isoproterenol, Potassium bromate

Diet-induced obesity (DIO) is considered the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Increases in the plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is associated with DIO. Etanercept, a TNF-α inhibitor, has been shown to alleviate cardiac hypertrophy. To investigate the effect of etanercept on cardiac fibrosis in DIO model, rats on high fat diet (HFD) were subdivided into two groups: the etanercept group and vehicle group. Cardiac injury was identified by classic methods, while fibrosis was characterized by histological analysis of the hearts. Etanercept treatment at 0.8 mg/kg/week twice weekly by subcutaneous injection effectively alleviates the cardiac fibrosis in HFD-fed rats. STAT3 activation seems to be induced in parallel with fibrosis-related gene expression in the hearts of HFD-fed rats. Decreased STAT3 activation plays a role in the etanercept-treated animals. Moreover, fibrosis-related genes are activated by palmitate in parallel with STAT3 activation in H9c2 cells. Etanercept may inhibit the effects of palmitate, but it is less effective than a direct inhibitor of STAT3. Direct inhibition of STAT3 activation by etanercept seems unlikely. Etanercept has the ability to ameliorate cardiac fibrosis through reduction of STAT3 activation after the inhibition of TNF-α and/or its receptor.

Age‑related macular degeneration (AMD) progression occurs due to oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. To develop a new model of AMD, the present study investigated the effects of potassium bromate (KBrO3) on ARPE‑19 cells. Incubation with KBrO3 for 24 h significantly decreased ARPE‑19 cell viability in a concentration‑dependent manner compared with the control group. The MTT and lactate dehydrogenase assay results indicated that KBrO3 induced cell apoptosis. Compared with the control group, KBrO3 treatment significantly decreased the Bcl2/Bax ratio, as determined via western blotting, and caspase‑3 mRNA expression levels. Fluorescence microscopy indicated the increased ROS levels in cells treated with KBrO3. Endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, were significantly inhibited by KBrO3 compared with the control group. Moreover, the antioxidants tiron and phloroglucinol inhibited KBrO3‑mediated effects on ARPE‑19 cells in a dose‑dependent manner. Additionally, GPR109A is the binding site of 4‑hydroxynonenal (4‑HNE). KBrO3 displayed cytotoxic effects in 293 cells, which naturally lack the GPR109A gene, but these effects were not observed in 4‑HNE‑treated 293 cells, suggesting that KBrO3 induced apoptosis without increasing endogenous 4‑HNE levels in cells. Moreover, the results suggested that KBrO3‑induced oxidative stress may activate STAT3 to increase VEGF expression in ARPE‑19 cells. Collectively, the results of the present study supported the potential use of KBrO3 to induce an in vitro model of AMD in ARPE‑19 cells.

Background Currently, how to accurately determine the patient prognosis after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear and may vary among populations, hospitals, and datasets. The aim of this study was to establish a prediction model of in-hospital mortality risk after primary PCI in patients with acute ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods This was a multicenter, observational study of patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI. The outcome was in-hospital mortality. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was used to select the features that were the most significantly associated with the outcome. A regression model was built using the selected variables to select the significant predictors of mortality. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the nomogram. Results Totally, 1169 and 316 patients were enrolled in the training and validation sets, respectively. Fourteen predictors were identified by the LASSO analysis: sex, Killip classification, left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD), grading of thrombus, TIMI classification, slow flow, application of IABP, administration of β-blocker, ACEI/ARB, symptom-to-door time (SDT), symptom-to-balloon time (SBT), syntax score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and CK-MB peak. The mortality risk prediction nomogram achieved good discrimination for in-hospital mortality (training set: C-statistic = 0.987; model calibration: P = 0.722; validation set: C-statistic = 0.984, model calibration: P = 0.669). Area under the curve (AUC) values for the training and validation sets are 0.987 (95% CI: 0.981–0.994, P = 0.003) and 0.990 (95% CI: 0.987–0.998, P = 0.007), respectively. DCA shows that the nomogram can achieve good net benefit. Conclusions A novel nomogram was developed and is a simple and accurate tool for predicting the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI.

Background Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) is non-excitatory electrical stimulation for improving cardiac function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of CCM on structural and electrical remodeling in a rabbit model of chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into the sham, CHF, and CCM groups. The CHF model was induced 12 weeks after trans-aortic constriction by pressure unloading and CCM was delivered to the myocardium for 4 weeks. Corrected QT intervals, the ventricular effective refractory period, and inducibility of ventricular tachycardia were measured by an electrophysiological examination. Connective tissue growth factor, galectin-3, Kv4.3, KCNQ1, KCNH2, and connexin 43 protein levels were measured by western blotting. Results The CHF group had a significantly prolonged corrected QT interval and ventricular effective refractory period, and increased inducibility of ventricular tachycardia. Prominent myocardial fibrosis and increased hydroxyproline content were observed in the CHF group, but these were suppressed in the CCM group. Kv4.3, KCNQ1, KCNH2, and connexin 43 protein levels were significantly lower in the CHF group, but treatment with CCM partially restored their levels. Conclusions CCM attenuates myocardial structural and electrical remodeling during CHF. These findings provide evidence for clinical use of CCM in treating CHF.

Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury (MI/RI) is a complex pathophysiological process, which can lead to severe myocardial injury. The long noncoding RNA alpha-2-macroglobulin antisense RNA 1 (A2M-AS1) has been revealed to be abnormally expressed in MI, However, its function in MI and the potential mechanism are still unclear. To evaluate the functional role of A2M-AS1 in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced neonatal cardiomyocytes and its potential molecular mechanism. Dataset GSE66360 was obtained from GEO database for analyzing the RNA expression of A2M-AS1 and interleukin 1 receptor type 2 (IL1R2). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the genes that co-expressed with A2M-AS1 was performed. Human neonatal cardiomyocytes were subjected to H/R to construct in vitro models. QRT-PCR and Western blot were adopted to test the levels of mRNA and protein. The viability and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were tested by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The expression of A2M-AS1 was notably downregulated in H/R-treated cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of A2M-AS1 can notably enhance the cell viability of H/R-damaged cardiomyocytes, whereas knockdown of A2M-AS1 showed the opposite outcomes. Besides, a negative correlation was showed between A2M-AS1 and IL1R2 expression. In H/R-treated cardiomyocytes, overexpression of IL1R2 weakened the promoting proliferation and anti-apoptosis effects caused by overexpressing A2M-AS1, however, IL1R2-knockdown abolished the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis effects caused by silencing A2M-AS1. This study demonstrates the potential regulatory role of A2M-AS1/ IL1R2 axis in cardiomyocytes suffered from H/R, and provides insight into the protection of MI/RI.

Age‑related macular degeneration (AMD) progression occurs due to oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. To develop a new model of AMD, the present study investigated the effects of potassium bromate (KBrO

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is widely used to induce hepatic fibrosis. Therapeutic agents alleviate hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation. To understand the direct effects of CCl4 on STAT3 expression in the liver, the present study incubated cultured hepatocytes expressing connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) with CCl4. Rats exposed to CCl4 for 8 weeks exhibited hepatic fibrosis, which was confirmed through the assessment of plasma biomarkers. Isolated liver samples were used to determine the protein levels of CTGF and STAT3 using western blotting. In addition, STAT3 expression was silenced in α mouse liver 12 (AML‑12) cells using small interfering RNA transfection. In addition, a pharmacological inhibitor, stattic, was used to inhibit STAT3 expression. The incubation of AML‑12 cells with CCl4 induced a dose‑dependent increase in CTGF expression and STAT3 activation. Notably, silymarin, an extract from milk thistle, inhibited these changes in AML‑12 cells and the antioxidant tiron produced similar effects. Silencing of STAT3 reduced the CTGF expression promoted by CCl4 in the hepatocytes. Additionally, similar to tiron, stattic inhibited CTGF expression induced by CCl4. In conclusion, CCl4 may activate STAT3 through oxidative stress to promote CTGF expression, which is one of the main factors contributing to the risk of hepatic fibrosis.

Additional file 1. Supplementary materials.

ObjectivesTo establish a clinical prognostic nomogram for predicting in-hospital mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).DesignRetrospective, multicentre, observational study.SettingThirty-nine hospitals in Hebei province.ParticipantsPatients with STEMI who underwent PCI from January 2018 to December 2019.InterventionsA multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with in-hospital mortality, and a nomogram was established using these factors. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by the discrimination, calibration and clinical usefulness.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe outcome was the factors associated with in-hospital mortality.ResultsThis study included 855 patients, among whom 223 died in hospital. Age, body mass index, systolic pressure on admission, haemoglobin, random blood glucose on admission, ejection fraction after PCI, use aspirin before admission, long lesions, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade and neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio were independently associated with in-hospital mortality (all pConclusionsA nomogram to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI after PCI was developed and validated in Hebei, China and showed a satisfactory performance. Prospective studies will be necessary to confirm the performance and clinical applicability and practicality of the nomogram.

Background Adropin is a secreted polypeptide that has been demonstrated to play an important role in energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) may promote the transcription of target genes including adropin. In the current study, we investigated the effect of adropin on glucose metabolism in diabetic rats and the mechanism that governs this effect was subsequently assessed. Materials and Methods Rats received a single injection of streptozotocin to induce type 1 diabetes. The diabetic rats were treated with insulin or phloridzin, another antidiabetic agent through inhibition of glucose reabsorption, for 7 days. Plasma glucose levels and adropin levels were measured. The interaction between STAT3 and adropin was evaluated using the human hepatoma HepG2 cell line. HepG2 cells were pretreated with the specific antagonist Stattic or with STAT3-specific siRNAs to knockout STAT3. Changes in energy homeostasis-associated gene expression were measured using real-time PCR. The protein expression levels of pSTAT3 and STAT3 were measured using Western blotting. Results In diabetic rats, the serum concentrations of adropin were increased in the vehicle-treated group and decreased in the insulin- or phloridzin-treated group. In liver tissues, the Enho expression level and the activity of STAT3 also showed similar tendencies. After HepG2 cells were treated with medium containing high glucose, the ratio of p-STAT3 to STAT3, Enho mRNA levels and reactive oxygen species expression levels in HepG2 cells were significantly increased in conjunction with increased glucose levels. The effect was inhibited after pretreatment with Stattic or knockdown with STAT3-specific siRNAs. Conclusion STAT3 is involved in the genetic regulation of adropin, increasing the levels of circulating adropin and promoting Enho expression in the livers of diabetic rats.

// Tony Tong-Lin Wu 1, 2, 3 , Yat-Ching Tong 4 , I-Hung Chen 4 , Ho-Shan Niu 5 , Yingxiao Li 6 and Juei-Tang Cheng 1, 6 1 Institute of Medical Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Taiwan 2 Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 3 Department of Urology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan 4 Department of Urology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan 5 Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien, Taiwan 6 Department of Medical Research, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan Correspondence to: Juei-Tang Cheng, email: jtcheng@mail.cjcu.edu.tw Ho-Shan Niu, email: nhs580113@yahoo.com.tw Keywords: prostate cancer; apoptosis; ginsenoside Rh2; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor Received: July 21, 2017 Accepted: January 22, 2018 Published: January 27, 2018 ABSTRACT The therapeutic action of ginsenoside Rh2 on several cancer models has been reported. This study aimed to evaluate its apoptotic effect on prostate cancer and the underlying mechanism. Cultured DU145 cells were treated with Rh2 (5 × 10 –5 to 1 × 10 –4 M), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPAR-delta) antagonist GSK0660 (1 × 10 –6 to 5 × 10 –6 M); or small interfering RNA (siRNA) of PPAR-delta. The treatment effects were evaluated with cell viability assay, life/death staining and flow cytometry for apoptosis. Immunostaining was used for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide detection. Western blot analysis for PPAR-delta and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) protein expression were performed. The results showed that Rh2 significantly decreased DU145 cell survival and increased cell apoptosis. ROS and superoxide induction, PPAR-delta up-regulation and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) down-regulation by Rh2 were demonstrated. GSK0660 partially but significantly inhibited the Rh2-induced apoptosis and restored cell viability. Treatment with siRNA reversed the Rh2-induced apoptosis as well as changes in PPAR-delta and p-STAT3 expression. In conclusion, our findings have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rh2 induces prostate cancer DU145 cells apoptosis through up-regulation of PPAR-delta expression which is associated with p-STAT3 up-regulation and ROS/superoxide induction. Rh2 may be potentially useful in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is known to stimulate erythropoiesis after binding with its specific receptor. In clinics, EPO is widely used in hemodialyzed patients with diabetes. However, changes in the expression of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) under diabetic conditions are still unclear. Therefore, we investigated EPOR expression both in vivo and in vitro. Streptozotocin-induced type 1-like diabetic rats (STZ rats) were used to evaluate the blood glucose-lowering effects of EPO. The expression and activity of the transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), the potential signaling molecule, was investigated in cultured rat skeletal myoblast (L6) cells incubated in high-glucose (HG) medium to mimic the in vivo changes. The EPO-induced reduction in hyperglycemia was more pronounced in diabetic rats. The increased EPOR expression in the soleus muscle of diabetic rats was reversed by the reduction in hyperglycemia. Glucose uptake was also increased in high-glucose (HG)-treated L6 cells. Western blotting results indicated that the EPO-induced hyperglycemic activity was enhanced mainly through an increase in EPOR expression. Increased EPOR expression was associated with the enhanced nuclear expression of STAT3 in HG-exposed L6 cells. In addition, treatment with siRNA specific to STAT3 reversed the increased expression of EPOR observed in these cells. Treatment with Stattic at a dose sufficient to inhibit STAT3 reduced the expression level of EPOR in STZ rats. In conclusion, the increased expression of EPOR by hyperglycemia is mainly associated with an augmented expression of nuclear STAT3, which was identified both in vivo and in vitro in the present study.

Erythropoietin (EPO) produces cytoprotection in many tissues by activating the EPO receptor (EPOR); these effects include anti-oxidative stress and the inhibition of apoptosis in renal tubular cells. Moreover, EPO is clinically used in diabetic patients who suffer from chronic renal disease. However, the effect of hyperglycemia on renal EPOR expression remains unknown. Therefore, we determined the changes in renal EPOR expression in diabetic rats and investigated the role of potential factors using cultured cells. Streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats (STZ rats) treated with insulin or phloridzin to correct hyperglycemia were used to investigate treated with insulin or phloridzin to correct hyperglycemia were used to investigate the EPOR changes. Potential factors, including the transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and GATA binding protein 1 (GATA1), were identified in cultured NRK-49F cells after incubation with high glucose (HG) levels to mimic diabetic animals. Renal EPOR expression was reduced by insulin and phloridzin in STZ rats, and hyperglycemia recovered. An increase in EPORs was also reproduced in hyperglycemia-exposed NRK-49F cells and HK-2 cells, which showed a higher expression of STAT3 or GATA1. Furthermore, the application of siRNA specific to STAT3 or GATA1 attenuated the higher expression of EPORs in HG-incubated NRK-49F cells. Moreover, stattic administered at a dose that was sufficient to inhibit STAT3 restored the level of renal EPORs in diabetic rats. Taken together, the expression of renal EPORs is increased by hyperglycemia via the STAT3/GATA1 pathway and has been characterized in both diabetic rats and cultured cells.

Endogenous Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1), regulates glucose metabolism. In animals, TGR5 activation by a chemical agonist may increase incretin secretion and reduce the blood sugar level. Recently, betulinic acid has been suggested to activate TGR5. Ursolic acid is a well-known pentacyclic triterpenoid that is similar to betulinic acid. It is of special interest to determine the potential effect of ursolic acid on TGR5. Therefore, we transfected cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells with the TGR5 gene. The functions of the transfected cells were confirmed via glucose uptake using a fluorescent indicator. Moreover, NCI-H716 cells that secreted incretin were also investigated, and the glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) levels were quantified using ELISA kits. In addition, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1-like diabetic rats were used to identify the effect of ursolic acid in vivo. Ursolic acid concentration dependently increased glucose uptake in CHO-K1 cells expressing TGR5. In NCI-H716 cells, ursolic acid induced a concentration-dependent elevation in GLP-1 secretion, which was inhibited by triamterene at the effective concentrations to block TGR5. Ursolic acid also increased the plasma GLP-1 level via TGR5 activation, which was further characterized in vivo with type 1-like diabetic rats. Moreover, ursolic acid is more effective than betulinic acid in reduction of hyperglycemia and increase of GLP-1 secretion. Therefore, we demonstrated that ursolic acid can activate TGR5, enhancing GLP-1 secretion in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, ursolic acid is suitable for use in TGR5 activation.

Background Chronic heart failure (CHF) is accompanied by complex changes in cardiac electrophysiology and functional properties of cardiomyocytes which cause the structural and electrical remodeling process. Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) is a novel therapeutic method and has proven to be effective in improving cardiac function. This study evaluated the effects of CCM on structural and electrical remolding in a rabbit model of CHF. Methods Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into sham group, heart failure group and CCM group. CHF model was induced 12 weeks after trans aortic constriction by pressure unloading. Then cardiac contractility modulation was delivered to the myocardium lasting six hours per day for 4 weeks. Structural changes were assessed by hydroxyproline assay and picrosirius red staining. The QTc intervals, ventricular effective refractory period and the inducibility of ventricular tachycardia were measured by electrophysiological examination. Protein levels of CTGF, Gal-3, Kv4.3, KCNQ1, KCNH2 and CX43 were measured by western blot analysis. Results Our study revealed that CHF rabbits developed significant prolonged QTc, ventricular effective refractory period and increased inducibility of ventricular tachycardia. Prominent myocardial fibrosis and increased levels of hydroxyproline content were observed in the heart failure group. Changes mentioned above can be suppressed with CCM therapy in CHF rabbits. The protein levels of CTGF, Gal-3, Kv4.3, KCNQ1, KCNH2 and CX43 significantly increased in the heart failure group, but these changes were prevented in the CCM group. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that CCM treatment prevented myocardial structural and electrical remolding in a rabbit model of CHF. The beneficial effect of CCM may be related to prevention of downregulation of the CTGF, Gal-3, Kv4.3, KCNQ1, KCNH2 and CX43. These findings provide experimental evidence for the clinical use of CCM in the treatment of HF.

Kai-Chun Cheng,1,* Yingxiao Li,1,2,* Wei-Ting Chang,2,3 Feng Yu Kuo,4 Zhih-Cherng Chen,3,5 Juei-Tang Cheng2,6 1Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan; 2Department of Medical Research, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Yong Kang, Tainan City 71003, Taiwan; 3Department of Cardiology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Yong Kang, Tainan City 71003, Taiwan; 4Cardiovascular Center, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung City 81362, Taiwan; 5Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Jean-Tae, Tainan City 71701, Taiwan; 6Institute of Medical Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, Gueiren, Tainan City 71101, Taiwan *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is known to be associated with hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, and it raises the risk for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Telmisartan is used in clinic as an angiotensin II receptor blocker and it is also identified as activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors δ (PPARδ). Activation of PPARδ produced beneficial effects on fatty acid metabolism and glucose metabolism. This study aims to investigate the effects of telmisartan on the modulation of MS in rats fed a high-fat/high-sodium diet. Methods: Rats were fed with a high-fat/high-sodium diet and received injections of streptozotocin at low dose to induce MS. Then, rats with MS were treated with telmisartan. The weight, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity were measured. The lipid profiles were also obtained. The weights of retroperitoneal and epididymal fat pads were determined. The role of PPARδ in telmisartan treatment was identified in rats pretreated with the specific antagonist GSK0660. Results: The results showed that telmisartan, but not losartan, significantly reduced plasma glucose and plasma insulin, and improved insulin resistance in rats with MS. Telmisartan also decreased blood pressure and lipids more significantly than losartan. Moreover, GSK0660 effectively reversed the effects of telmisartan in the MS rats. In the MS group, telmisartan activated PPARδ to enhance the levels of phosphorylated GLUT4 in muscle or the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver, which was also abolished by GSK0660. Telmisartan is useful to ameliorate hypertension and insulin resistance in rats with MS. Telmisartan improves the insulin resistance through increased expression of GLUT4 and down-regulation of PEPCK via PPARδ-dependent mechanisms. Conclusion: Telmisartan has been proven to ameliorate MS, particularly in the prediabetes state. Therefore, telmisartan is suitable to develop for the management of MS in clinics. Keywords: metabolic syndrome, telmisartan, PPARδ, GSK0660, diet&nbsp