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Dingxin Recipe Ⅲ (DXR Ⅲ) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound used for hyperlipidemia treatment in clinical practice. However, its curative effects and pharmacological mechanisms in hyperlipidemia have not been clarified to date. Studies have demonstrated that gut barrier was strongly implicated in lipid deposition. Based on gut barrier and lipid metabolism, this study examined the effects and molecular mechanisms of DXR Ⅲ in hyperlipidemia. The bioactive compounds of DXR Ⅲ were detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and its effects were evaluated in high-fat diet-fed rats. Specifically, the serum levels of lipids and hepatic enzymes were measured using the appropriate kits; colon and liver sections were obtained for histological analyses; gut microbiota and metabolites were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-MS/MS; and the expression of genes and proteins was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The pharmacological mechanisms of DXR Ⅲ were further explored by fecal microbiota transplantation and short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-based interventions. DXR Ⅲ treatment significantly downregulated serum lipid levels, mitigated hepatocyte steatosis and improved lipid metabolism. Moreover, DXR Ⅲ improved the gut barrier, specifically by improving the physical barrier in the colon, causing part composition changes in the gut microbiota, and increasing the serum SCFAs level. DXR Ⅲ also upregulated the expression of colon GPR43/GPR109A. Fecal microbiota transplantation from rats treated with DXR Ⅲ downregulated part hyperlipidemia-related phenotypes, while the SCFAs intervention significantly improved most of the hyperlipidemia-related phenotypes and upregulated the expression of GPR43. Moreover, both DXR Ⅲ and SCFAs upregulated the expression of colon ABCA1. DXR Ⅲ protects against hyperlipidemia by improving the gut barrier, particularly the SCFAs/GPR43 pathway. [Display omitted] • This study examined the effects of Dingxin Recipe Ⅲ in hyperlipidemia based on gut barrier and lipid metabolism. • Mechanisms of Dingxin Recipe Ⅲ were explored by fecal microbiota transplantation and short chain fatty acid intervention. • Dingxin Recipe Ⅲ improved HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and gut barrier, including physical barrier, gut microbiota, and SCFAs. • Dingxin Recipe Ⅲ protects against hyperlipidemia by improving the gut barrier, particularly the SCFAs/GPR43 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are potent bone inducers used clinically to enhance fracture repair. BMPs have been shown to be produced in the fracture callus; however, the comparative expression of BMPs and BMP signaling components has only been partially examined at the cellular level. The aim of the present study was to establish a detailed spatiotemporal localization of BMPs and BMP signaling components in mouse models of stabilized and nonstabilized fractures. During healing of nonstabilized fractures, which occurs via endochondral ossification, BMP2, 3, 4, 5, and 8, noggin, BMPRIA, BMPRII, and pSmad 1/5/8 were immunolocalized in the activated periosteum as early as 3 days after fracture. BMP2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 and noggin were also found in isolated inflammatory cells within granulation tissue during the early stages of repair, but not BMP receptors and effectors. During the soft callus phase of repair, all BMPs and BMP signaling components were detected in chondrocytes with various intensities of staining depending on the stage of chondrocyte differentiation and their location in the callus. The strongest staining was observed in hypertrophic chondrocytes with decreased intensity during the hard callus phase of repair. All BMPs and components of the BMP pathway were detected in osteoblasts and osteocytes within new bone, with strongest intensity of immunoreaction reported during the early soft callus phase followed by decreasing intensity during the hard callus phase of repair. Most components of the BMP pathway were also detected in endothelial cells associated with new bone. In stabilized fractures that heal strictly via intramembranous ossification, BMPs and BMP antagonists were detected in isolated inflammatory cells and BMP signaling components were not detectable in osteoblasts or osteocytes within new bone. In conclusion, the BMP signaling pathway is primarily activated during fracture healing via endochondral ossification, suggesting that this pathway may influence the mode of healing during the recruitment of skeletal progenitors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In biological control programs, knowledge about diapause regulation in natural enemy insects provides important insight for improving long-term storage, transportation, and field adoption of these biological control agents. As a natural predator of agricultural pests, the lady beetle Coccinella septempunctata has been commercially mass-cultured and widely employed in pest management. In some insects, insulin signaling, in conjunction with the downstream transcription factor Forkhead box O (FoxO), are master regulators of multiple physiological processes involved in diapause, but it is unclear whether insulin signaling and FoxO affect the diapause of C. septempunctata. In this study, we use a combination of approaches to demonstrate that insulin signaling and FoxO mediate the diapause response in C. septempunctata. In diapausing beetles, application of exogenous insulin and knocking down expression of CsFoxo with RNA interference (RNAi) both rescued beetles from developmental arrest. In non-diapausing beetles, knocking down expression of the insulin receptor (CsInR) with RNA interference (RNAi) arrested ovarian development and decreased juvenile hormone (JH) content to levels comparable to the diapause state. Taken together, these results suggest that a shutdown of insulin signaling prompts the activation of the downstream FoxO gene, leading to the diapause phenotype. • The shutdown of insulin signaling prompts the activation of the downstream FoxO gene, leading to the diapause phenotype. • Under a long day photoperiod, insulin signaling leads to the suppression of FoxO gene and production of the JH. • In response to short day lengths, the insulin signaling pathway is shut down, thereby releasing the suppression of FoxO gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]