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Objective: To investigate whether miR-483-5p regulates osteoclast generation by targeting Timp2. miR-483-5p can promote osteoclast differentiation and bone destruction. Methods: Target genes of miR-483-5p were predicted by miRNAs target gene prediction software TargetScan8.0, and wild type and mutant 3' UTR plasmids were constructed. Dual luciferase reporter genes were used to verify whether target genes had a targeted regulatory relationship with miR-483-5p. Western blotting was used to detect the corresponding changes in the expression level of target protein after adjusting the level of miR-483-5p in cells. Cells were transfected or infected with target gene siRNA or target protein lentivirus, and TRAP staining and q-PCR assays were performed. In addition, for osteoclast induction experiment, RAW264.7 cells were co-transfected with ago-miR-483-5p and target protein-overexpressed lentiviruses q-PCR and TRAP staining were performed respectively. Results: Bioinformatics software was used to predict the target gene of miR-483-5p, and the Timp2 gene was found to regulate osteoclasts, and the dual luciferase reporter detection system found that miR-483- 5p could be associated with the 3-UTR of the predicted target gene Timp2 gene. There are complementary loci and targeted regulatory relationship between them. Subsequently, we upregulated miR-483-5p in RAW264.7 cells to reduce the expression of Timp2. Compared with the normal group, the number of osteoclasts and the expression of osteoclast-specific genes increased significantly after the induction of Timp2 in knockdown cells. After co-transfection of target gene and miR-483-5p into cells, the number of osteoclasts and the expression of specific genes decreased significantly compared with the normal group. Conclusion: Timp2 is a downstream target gene of miR-483-5p and is involved in and inhibits osteoclast generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Low caspofungin exposure is frequently encountered in patients with invasive candidiasis caused by Candida albicans. This study aimed to investigate the effects of caspofungin on C. albicans at sub‐inhibitory concentrations. Methods and Results: First, a comparative transcriptomics analysis was performed on C. albicans receiving caspofungin at sub‐minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub‐MICs). The results showed that caspofungin significantly changed the mRNA expression profile in DAY185, with DE‐mRNAs enriched in the functions of cell wall biosynthesis, metabolism, etc. Subsequently, cellular fitness, cell aggregation, energy metabolism activity and the proportion of persister cells of C. albicans were quantitatively and/or qualitatively assessed after sub‐MIC caspofungin exposure. No significant changes in cell fitness and aggregation formation were observed during treatment of C. albicans with sub‐MIC caspofungin. In C. albicans aggregation treated with sub‐MIC caspofungin, we observed a decrease in respiratory metabolism and an increase in persister cells; this effect was more pronounced in als1ΔΔ than in DAY185. Conclusions: Pre‐exposure to sub‐MIC caspofungin suppresses C. albicans respiratory metabolism and promotes persister cell development. Significance and Impact of the Study: Caspofungin should be used with caution in patients with C. albicans infections, as anti‐infection therapy may fail due to persister cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the main active components and effects of cell cycle regulation mechanism of Astragali radix (AR) and Angelicae sinensis radix (ASR) on oxidative damage in vascular endothelial cells, a model of oxidative damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) treatment was developed. Based on the "knock-out/knock-in" model of the target component, cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, fluorescent probe 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), and colorimetric assay, respectively, to evaluate the protective effect of the active components of AR and ASR (astragaloside IV (AS IV), astragaloside I (AS I), formononetin (FRM), calycosin (CAL), calycosin-7-O-β-D glucoside (CLG), and ferulic acid (FRA)) against oxidative damage. The cell cycle and expression of genes encoding cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) were observed using flow cytometry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the combination of active components (ACC) significantly inhibited the decrease in cell viability as well as the increase in ROS and LDH release in HUVECs induced by ox-LDL treatment. AS IV and FRM promoted the proliferation of HUVECs but the proliferation index was decreased in the AS I and FRA groups; this inhibitory effect was counteracted by the ACC. The ACC reduced and increased the proportion of positive cells in G1 and S phases, respectively, followed by the upregulation of cyclin A (CCNA), cyclin E (CCNE), and CDK2 mRNA expression and downregulation of cyclin B (CCNB), cyclin D1 (CCND1), CDK1, CDK4, and CDK6 mRNA expression, which significantly mitigated inhibition of HUVECs proliferation induced by ox-LDL treatment. Taken together, AS IV, AS I, FRM, CAL, CLG, and FRA were the primary pharmacodynamic substances of AR and ASR that alleviated oxidative injury in HUVECs. ACC mitigated the upregulation of intracellular ROS levels and LDH release induced by ox-LDL treatment, which promoted the cell cycle procession of HUVECs by regulating the expression of genes encoding cyclins and CDKs and thus preventing oxidative damage in HUVECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the renal microvascular injury in acute aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) and the protective effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in acute AAN. Methods: Female Sprague--Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. The rats in PGE1 group received Caulis Aristolochia manshuriensis (CAM) decoction by gavage for 5 days, and PGE1 was given by vena caudalis before gavage. The rats in model group were gavaged with CAM for 5 days, and the same dose of 0.9%% physiologic saline was given by vena caudalis. The rats in control group only received an equal daily volume of saline solution by gavage. Animals were killed at days 3, 5, and 7. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and urinary protein were monitored before killing. Microvascular density was determined by JG12 immunostaining. The expression of angiogenic factor was assessed by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Tubulointerstitial hypoxia was assessed by hypoxia-inducible factor-1αα (HIF-1αα) expression. Results: CAM induced a significant decrease in VEGF expression and microvascular density in the kidney tissue, accompanied by a significant increase in HIF-1αα, which reduced renal function and increased 24-h urinary protein excretion rates. PGE1 lessened the capillary loss, relieved hypoxia, and protected renal function. No significant pathological changes were found in control rats. Conclusion: The renal microvascular injury in acute AAN is severe. PGE1 can significantly ameliorate the renal microvascular injury, relieve hypoxia, and protect renal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary Cu deficiency and excess on carnitine status, kinetics and expression of CPT I in the liver and muscle of juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco . To this end, yellow catfish were fed 0.76 (Cu deficiency), 4.18 (adequate Cu) and 92.45 (Cu excess) mg Cu kg − 1 diet, respectively, for 8 weeks. In the liver, Cu deficiency did not significantly affect the contents of FC, TC and AC, and the ratios of AC/FC and FC/TC. However, Cu excess reduced FC, TC and AC contents, and the ratio of AC/FC, but increased FC/TC ratio. In the muscle, dietary Cu levels showed no significant effects on the contents of FC, TC and AC as well as the ratio of FC/TC, but Cu excess significantly increased the ratio of AC/FC. Compared to the adequate Cu group, dietary Cu deficiency did not significantly affect the Vmax and Km values, and the ratio of Vmax/Km in the liver and muscle. However, Cu excess decreased Vmax and Vmax/Km ratio in the liver, and increased Vmax in the muscle. The mRNA expression of CPT Iα1a, CPT Iα1b, CPT Iα2a and CPT Iβ in the liver and muscle was influenced by dietary Cu levels. To our knowledge, the present study provided, for the first time, evidence that dietary Cu deficiency and excess differentially influenced carnitine status, kinetics and expression profiles of CPT I of yellow catfish, which would extend our understanding on Cu nutrition in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study is conducted to determine the potential mechanisms of Zn on hepatic lipid deposition and metabolism for yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco with 8-week chronic exposure to low Zn levels (Zn levels: 0.05, 0.35 and 0.86mg/l Zn, respectively) and 96-h acute exposure to a high Zn level (Zn level: 4.71mg/l Zn, respectively). For that purpose, hepatic lipid deposition and Zn accumulation, hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities, and the hepatic mRNA expression of ten genes involved in lipid metabolism are determined. Chronic (8 weeks) exposure to low Zn levels apparently increases hepatic lipid content, hepatosomatic index (HSI) (P <0.05) and LPL activity, and reduces hepatic CPT I activity. In contrast, the acute (96h) exposure to high Zn level reduces hepatic lipid content, HSI and LPL activity, and increases CPT I activity. The change of mRNA levels of genes related to lipid metabolism is Zn concentration-dependent. Pearson correlations among mRNA expression levels, lipid content, CPT I and LPL activities in liver are also observed in yellow catfish with the 8-week chronic Zn exposure. For the first time, our study demonstrates the effect of waterborne Zn exposure on lipid metabolism at the molecular levels in fish, which may contribute to understanding the mechanism of Zn-induced hepatic toxicity in fish. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present study was conducted to determine the potential mechanisms of dietary Zn influencing lipid deposition in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco . For that purpose, yellow catfish were fed three diets containing different Zn levels including 19.82 (adequate Zn), 11.45 (Zn deficiency), 155.97 (Zn excess) mg Zn kg − 1 for 8 weeks, respectively. Lipid and Zn contents, CPT I and LPL activities, and mRNA expression of 12 genes involved in lipid metabolism in the liver and muscle, were determined. As compared to adequate Zn group, excessive dietary Zn apparently reduced lipid content in the liver and muscle, and LPL activity in the muscle, and increased activities of CPT I and LPL in the liver. Dietary Zn deficiency tended to enhance lipid accumulation and CPT I activity in both tissues. Dietary Zn excess increased Zn accumulation in the liver, muscle and whole fish, but dietary Zn deficiency reduced Zn content in the liver and whole fish. In the liver, dietary Zn deficiency significantly down-regulated the transcriptional levels of CPT 1A, PPARα, LepR, G6PD, 6PGD and ACCb, but up-regulated FAS mRNA levels. Dietary Zn excess up-regulated mRNA levels of CPT 1A, PPARα, Lep, LepR, SREBP-1, G6PD, 6PGD, ACCb and LPL, but down-regulated mRNA levels of FAS, ACCa and PPARγ. In the muscle, dietary Zn deficiency down-regulated mRNA levels of PPARα, Lep, SREBP-1, FAS and ACCa, and increased 6PGD and LPL gene expression. Dietary excess Zn down-regulated mRNA levels of PPARγ, SREBP-1, G6PD, ACCa, and LPL, and up-regulated mRNA levels of CPT 1A and Lep. For the first time, our study clearly indicated the different effects of dietary Zn deficiency and excess on lipid deposition and metabolism, which provided new insights into Zn nutrition and toxicology in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]