Pub Date : 2025-12-18DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2025.117693
Yijia Su , Qiang Fu , Xilin Wu , Xianhua Che , Zhe Jiang , Xuezheng Li
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive and fatal interstitial lung disease with limited clinical treatment options. Shionone (SHI), a major active compound derived from Ligularia fischeri Turcz (LF), has shown pharmacological potential; however, its mechanism of action against PF remains unclear. This study investigates the anti-fibrotic effects and underlying pathways of SHI using a bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF mouse model and a Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β)-stimulated A549 cell model. The results demonstrate that SHI treatment markedly alleviates BLM-induced alveolar damage, collagen accumulation, and inflammatory responses, while significantly improving survival rates in mice. At the molecular level, SHI activates the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-Parkin-mediated mitophagy pathway, leading to increased expression of autophagy-related proteins such as LC3II/LC3I and Beclin1, decreased levels of p62 and pro-fibrotic markers, enhanced clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria, restoration of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In vitro experiments further confirm that SHI inhibits fibrosis in TGF-β-challenged A549 cells through the same mechanism. This study is the first to elucidate that SHI mitigates PF by regulating mitophagy, offering a promising therapeutic target and potential drug candidate for PF. Future research may focus on optimizing the clinical application strategies of SHI.
{"title":"Shionone ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis by activating mitophagy via PINK1-Parkin pathway","authors":"Yijia Su , Qiang Fu , Xilin Wu , Xianhua Che , Zhe Jiang , Xuezheng Li","doi":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117693","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117693","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive and fatal interstitial lung disease with limited clinical treatment options. Shionone (SHI), a major active compound derived from <em>Ligularia fischeri</em> Turcz (LF), has shown pharmacological potential; however, its mechanism of action against PF remains unclear. This study investigates the anti-fibrotic effects and underlying pathways of SHI using a bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF mouse model and a Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β)-stimulated A549 cell model. The results demonstrate that SHI treatment markedly alleviates BLM-induced alveolar damage, collagen accumulation, and inflammatory responses, while significantly improving survival rates in mice. At the molecular level, SHI activates the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-Parkin-mediated mitophagy pathway, leading to increased expression of autophagy-related proteins such as LC3II/LC3I and Beclin1, decreased levels of p62 and pro-fibrotic markers, enhanced clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria, restoration of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In vitro experiments further confirm that SHI inhibits fibrosis in TGF-β-challenged A549 cells through the same mechanism. This study is the first to elucidate that SHI mitigates PF by regulating mitophagy, offering a promising therapeutic target and potential drug candidate for PF. Future research may focus on optimizing the clinical application strategies of SHI.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23174,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology and applied pharmacology","volume":"507 ","pages":"Article 117693"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-18DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2025.117694
Sofia Jonasson, Åsa Gustafsson, Johanna Qvarnström, Marcus Carlsson, Nina Forsgren, Fredrik Ekström, Linda Elfsmark
Preclinical evaluation of oximes as antidotes for organophosphorus nerve agent (OPNAs) poisoning is predominantly based on protection ratio of the antidote against lethal doses. Developing protection indexes involves considerable animal distress and, due to the limited precision, requires large animal cohorts. This study aimed to establish an in vivo model for evaluating new therapeutic substances more aligned with the 3R principles that also enables detailed quantification of specific biological effects to better understand the impact of treatment.
Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were tracheostomized and connected to a small animal ventilator allowing simultaneous registration of respiratory function. Rats were exposed to 1xLD50 VX or tabun, and progression of poisoning was monitored in real-time through measurements of respiratory resistance (RRS) over a 30-min period. Additional assessments included clinical symptoms and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibition in blood. Pre-treatment with oxime (obidoxime, HI-6, RS194B) or atropine were used to validate the model.
Exposure to OPNAs resulted in rapid increases in RRS to 250–300 % above baseline. HI-6 and obidoxime were the most effective treatments, mitigating both respiratory and enzymatic effects of OPNA poisoning, while RS194B treatment delayed onset of symptoms but did not fully reverse toxicity. Tabun-inhibited AChE was generally more resistant to reactivation with oximes than VX- inhibited enzymes. The findings indicate that maintaining AChE activity above 15–20 % is sufficient to restore respiratory function and alleviate symptoms to levels comparable to unexposed controls.
This study highlights the value of high-sensitivity, real-time monitoring of physiological metrics like respiratory resistance in evaluating novel antidotes for OPNA poisoning.
{"title":"Establishment of a real-time monitored animal model to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies for organophosphorus nerve agent poisonings","authors":"Sofia Jonasson, Åsa Gustafsson, Johanna Qvarnström, Marcus Carlsson, Nina Forsgren, Fredrik Ekström, Linda Elfsmark","doi":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117694","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117694","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Preclinical evaluation of oximes as antidotes for organophosphorus nerve agent (OPNAs) poisoning is predominantly based on protection ratio of the antidote against lethal doses. Developing protection indexes involves considerable animal distress and, due to the limited precision, requires large animal cohorts. This study aimed to establish an <em>in vivo</em> model for evaluating new therapeutic substances more aligned with the 3R principles that also enables detailed quantification of specific biological effects to better understand the impact of treatment.</div><div>Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were tracheostomized and connected to a small animal ventilator allowing simultaneous registration of respiratory function. Rats were exposed to 1xLD<sub>50</sub> VX or tabun, and progression of poisoning was monitored in real-time through measurements of respiratory resistance (R<sub>RS</sub>) over a 30-min period. Additional assessments included clinical symptoms and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibition in blood. Pre-treatment with oxime (obidoxime, HI-6, RS194B) or atropine were used to validate the model.</div><div>Exposure to OPNAs resulted in rapid increases in R<sub>RS</sub> to 250–300 % above baseline. HI-6 and obidoxime were the most effective treatments, mitigating both respiratory and enzymatic effects of OPNA poisoning, while RS194B treatment delayed onset of symptoms but did not fully reverse toxicity. Tabun-inhibited AChE was generally more resistant to reactivation with oximes than VX- inhibited enzymes. The findings indicate that maintaining AChE activity above 15–20 % is sufficient to restore respiratory function and alleviate symptoms to levels comparable to unexposed controls.</div><div>This study highlights the value of high-sensitivity, real-time monitoring of physiological metrics like respiratory resistance in evaluating novel antidotes for OPNA poisoning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23174,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology and applied pharmacology","volume":"507 ","pages":"Article 117694"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145800769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2025.117692
Zhe Wang , Le-hao Jin , Ni-hong Pang , Jun-er Xu , Xiao-yu Xu , Wei Sun , Xiao-dan Zhang , Jian-chang Qian
Apatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor metabolized by hepatic cytochromes P450 (CYPs). This study investigated how CYP genetic variations affect apatinib metabolism and response. We employed a multi-scale approach including enzyme kinetic studies with recombinant human CYP variants (n = 3), cellular proliferation assays in CYP3A4-overexpressing A549 cells (n = 3), and pharmacokinetic studies in rats treated with CYP3A modulators (n = 6 per group). CYP3A4*18, CYP2D6*10, and CYP2C9*3 variants showed markedly reduced metabolic activity. CYP3A4*18 overexpression enhanced apatinib's anti-proliferative effect in A549 cells. In rats, dexamethasone decreased apatinib exposure by inducing CYP3A expression, while ketoconazole increased exposure without altering CYP3A levels. Both CYP genetic polymorphisms and drug interactions significantly influence apatinib metabolism, highlighting the importance of personalized dosing strategies for optimizing therapy.
{"title":"CYP genetic polymorphism, and CYP3A inducers and inhibitors regulate apatinib metabolism: Consequences for drug exposure and toxicity risks","authors":"Zhe Wang , Le-hao Jin , Ni-hong Pang , Jun-er Xu , Xiao-yu Xu , Wei Sun , Xiao-dan Zhang , Jian-chang Qian","doi":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Apatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor metabolized by hepatic cytochromes P450 (CYPs). This study investigated how CYP genetic variations affect apatinib metabolism and response. We employed a multi-scale approach including enzyme kinetic studies with recombinant human CYP variants (<em>n</em> = 3), cellular proliferation assays in CYP3A4-overexpressing A549 cells (n = 3), and pharmacokinetic studies in rats treated with CYP3A modulators (<em>n</em> = 6 per group). CYP3A4*18, CYP2D6*10, and CYP2C9*3 variants showed markedly reduced metabolic activity. CYP3A4*18 overexpression enhanced apatinib's anti-proliferative effect in A549 cells. In rats, dexamethasone decreased apatinib exposure by inducing CYP3A expression, while ketoconazole increased exposure without altering CYP3A levels. Both CYP genetic polymorphisms and drug interactions significantly influence apatinib metabolism, highlighting the importance of personalized dosing strategies for optimizing therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23174,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology and applied pharmacology","volume":"507 ","pages":"Article 117692"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145775941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious public health problem worldwide due to its high mortality rate and specific therapeutic strategies with rare effective drugs. Glutamine, a critical nutrient for sustaining the cellular vital activities, has become a promising direction for HCC management. Celastrol is a terpenoids natural product isolated from the Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. and catches attention for its multiple pharmacological activities including anti-HCC therapeutic potential. However, its effects in regulating glutamine metabolism to suppress HCC progression have not been investigated. In this study, Hep3B and HepG2 cells were used to investigate the inhibitory effects of celastrol on hepatoma cells. Subsequently, the biosafety and inhibitory effects of celastrol on tumor growth were investigated in a xenograft animal model of liver cancer. Our results showed that celastrol restrained the proliferation of hepatoma cells which was tightly associated with reduction of glutamine metabolic flux. Mechanistically, celastrol restricted glutamine uptake by inhibiting the SLC1A5 expression to reduce the content of glutamine metabolism intermediates in hepatoma cells thereby interrupting the energy source for cell proliferation. Consistently, similar results were observed in a transplanted HCC tumor mouse model. Interestingly, overexpression of SLC1A5 reversed the efficacy of celastrol in decreasing glutamine metabolic flux to suppress the malignant proliferation of hepatoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Overall, this study provides compelling evidence to demonstrate the efficacy of celastrol in inhibiting hepatocarcinogenesis by suppressing SLC1A5-mediated glutamine dependence, suggesting that celastrol as a natural active compound is expected to be developed as a therapeutic agent for HCC.
{"title":"Celastrol delays the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by suppressing SLC1A5-mediated glutamine dependence","authors":"Simeng Xiao , Yun Zhao , Zhiguo Chen , Yangkun Xiong , Dingmei Zhang , Gang Zhou , Cong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117690","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117690","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious public health problem worldwide due to its high mortality rate and specific therapeutic strategies with rare effective drugs. Glutamine, a critical nutrient for sustaining the cellular vital activities, has become a promising direction for HCC management. Celastrol is a terpenoids natural product isolated from the <em>Tripterygium wilfordii</em> Hook F. and catches attention for its multiple pharmacological activities including anti-HCC therapeutic potential. However, its effects in regulating glutamine metabolism to suppress HCC progression have not been investigated. In this study, Hep3B and HepG2 cells were used to investigate the inhibitory effects of celastrol on hepatoma cells. Subsequently, the biosafety and inhibitory effects of celastrol on tumor growth were investigated in a xenograft animal model of liver cancer. Our results showed that celastrol restrained the proliferation of hepatoma cells which was tightly associated with reduction of glutamine metabolic flux. Mechanistically, celastrol restricted glutamine uptake by inhibiting the SLC1A5 expression to reduce the content of glutamine metabolism intermediates in hepatoma cells thereby interrupting the energy source for cell proliferation. Consistently, similar results were observed in a transplanted HCC tumor mouse model. Interestingly, overexpression of SLC1A5 reversed the efficacy of celastrol in decreasing glutamine metabolic flux to suppress the malignant proliferation of hepatoma cells <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>. Overall, this study provides compelling evidence to demonstrate the efficacy of celastrol in inhibiting hepatocarcinogenesis by suppressing SLC1A5-mediated glutamine dependence, suggesting that celastrol as a natural active compound is expected to be developed as a therapeutic agent for HCC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23174,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology and applied pharmacology","volume":"507 ","pages":"Article 117690"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145769301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-14DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2025.117691
Victor Enrique Sarmiento-Ortega , Diana Moroni-González , José Everardo Avelino-Cruz , Miguel Garcia-Gonzalez , Rubén Vázquez-Roque , Eduardo Brambila , Samuel Treviño
Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant increasingly linked to cardiovascular morbidity. While its toxic effects have been well documented at high doses, the impact of chronic exposure to the minimal risk level remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the mechanistic basis of Cadmium-induced cardiotoxicity at low doses and to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Male Wistar rats were exposed chronically to Cd in drinking water (Cd, 15 mg/L) for 3 and 5 months, with or without pioglitazone co-treatment (2.5 mg/kg bw/day). Hemodynamic parameters, serum biomarkers (hs-TnI, NT-proBNP, sST2, IL-6, TNF-α), ventricular morphometry, histology, and activation of MAPK signaling (p-ERK1/2, p-JNK, p-p38) were evaluated. At 5 months, Cd exposure significantly increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hs-TnI, and NT-proBNP, without affecting CK-MB or hs-PCR. Structural changes included selective left ventricular hypertrophy, increased cardiomyocyte size, and elevated HW/BW and LVW/BW ratios. Cadmium also disrupted the IL-33/sST2 axis, elevating IL-6 and TNF-α, which indicates the presence of chronic inflammation. Mechanistically, Cd activated the MAPK pathway, with marked increases in p-p38 and p-JNK. Pioglitazone partially reversed these alterations by reducing inflammatory cytokines, restoring IL-33 levels, downregulating MAPK activation, and attenuating cardiac remodeling. Chronic exposure to the minimal risk of cadmium dosage induces subclinical yet progressive cardiotoxicity through inflammatory and MAPK-dependent pathways. Pioglitazone confers partial protection by modulating these mechanisms, underscoring its therapeutic potential in mitigating environmentally induced cardiovascular injury.
{"title":"Pioglitazone attenuates cardiovascular remodeling cadmium-induced through the MAPK pathway","authors":"Victor Enrique Sarmiento-Ortega , Diana Moroni-González , José Everardo Avelino-Cruz , Miguel Garcia-Gonzalez , Rubén Vázquez-Roque , Eduardo Brambila , Samuel Treviño","doi":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117691","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117691","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant increasingly linked to cardiovascular morbidity. While its toxic effects have been well documented at high doses, the impact of chronic exposure to the minimal risk level remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the mechanistic basis of Cadmium-induced cardiotoxicity at low doses and to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Male Wistar rats were exposed chronically to Cd in drinking water (Cd, 15 mg/L) for 3 and 5 months, with or without pioglitazone co-treatment (2.5 mg/kg bw/day). Hemodynamic parameters, serum biomarkers (hs-TnI, NT-proBNP, sST2, IL-6, TNF-α), ventricular morphometry, histology, and activation of MAPK signaling (p-ERK1/2, p-JNK, p-p38) were evaluated. At 5 months, Cd exposure significantly increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hs-TnI, and NT-proBNP, without affecting CK-MB or hs-PCR. Structural changes included selective left ventricular hypertrophy, increased cardiomyocyte size, and elevated HW/BW and LVW/BW ratios. Cadmium also disrupted the IL-33/sST2 axis, elevating IL-6 and TNF-α, which indicates the presence of chronic inflammation. Mechanistically, Cd activated the MAPK pathway, with marked increases in p-p38 and p-JNK. Pioglitazone partially reversed these alterations by reducing inflammatory cytokines, restoring IL-33 levels, downregulating MAPK activation, and attenuating cardiac remodeling. Chronic exposure to the minimal risk of cadmium dosage induces subclinical yet progressive cardiotoxicity through inflammatory and MAPK-dependent pathways. Pioglitazone confers partial protection by modulating these mechanisms, underscoring its therapeutic potential in mitigating environmentally induced cardiovascular injury.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23174,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology and applied pharmacology","volume":"507 ","pages":"Article 117691"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145769304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-12DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2025.117689
Mamata De, Ashley Fields, Guy Lagaud
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Toxicokinetics and in vivo genotoxicity after single dose oral gavage and intravenous administration of N-Nitrosonornicotine in Sprague Dawley rats” [Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 505 (2025), 117572]","authors":"Mamata De, Ashley Fields, Guy Lagaud","doi":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117689","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117689","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23174,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology and applied pharmacology","volume":"508 ","pages":"Article 117689"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145757836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rupestonic acid, a sesquiterpene, has protective properties against liver damage, inflammation, and tumor formation. Despite these known effects, its specific role and mechanism of action in combating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to investigate the anti-HCC effects of rupestonic acid and to identify its potential molecular targets. We employed cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, and flow cytometry assays to assess its impact on cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis in HCC cell lines. Additionally, target fishing, cellular thermal shift assays (CETSA), ribonucleic acid interference, and Western blot (WB) were employed to identify rupestonic acid's protein targets in HCC cells. Our results showed that rupestonic acid significantly inhibited HCC cell proliferation, induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, and promoted apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. Target engagement studies employing an alkyne–rupestonic acid probe combined with mass spectrometry identified enolase 1 (ENO1) as a direct binding target, with CETSA confirming its destabilization. Furthermore, rupestonic acid inhibited the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/Forkhead box protein O (FOXO) signaling pathway, and rupestonic acid demonstrated a synergistic cytotoxic effect with paclitaxel (PTX). These findings suggest that rupestonic acid is a promising candidate for HCC treatment. They also underscore the potential of rupestonic acid in the design and development of lead compounds for HCC treatment and identify ENO1 as a viable therapeutic target.
鲁丙酮酸是一种倍半萜,具有防止肝损伤、炎症和肿瘤形成的保护作用。尽管有这些已知的作用,但其在对抗肝细胞癌(HCC)中的具体作用和作用机制尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨鲁丙酮酸的抗hcc作用,并确定其潜在的分子靶点。我们采用细胞计数试剂盒-8 (CCK-8)、集落形成和流式细胞术检测来评估其对HCC细胞系细胞活力、增殖和凋亡的影响。此外,我们还利用靶捞、细胞热移法(CETSA)、核糖核酸干扰和Western blot (WB)等方法鉴定了肝细胞癌细胞中丙酮酸的蛋白靶点。我们的研究结果表明,丙酮酸通过线粒体途径显著抑制HCC细胞增殖,诱导G0/G1期细胞周期阻滞,促进细胞凋亡。采用炔-鲁丙酮酸探针结合质谱法进行靶结合研究,确定烯醇化酶1 (ENO1)为直接结合靶,CETSA证实了其不稳定性。鲁派通酸抑制磷酸肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)/蛋白激酶B (Akt)/叉头盒蛋白O (FOXO)信号通路,鲁派通酸与紫杉醇(PTX)具有协同细胞毒作用。这些发现表明鲁丙酮酸是一种很有希望的HCC治疗候选药物。他们还强调了丙酮酸在HCC治疗先导化合物的设计和开发中的潜力,并确定了ENO1作为可行的治疗靶点。
{"title":"Rupestonic acid targets ENO1 to exert antitumor activity and synergizes with paclitaxel in hepatocellular carcinoma","authors":"Shulipan Mulati , Maierdan Maimaitiming , Jianing Ma , Miaomiao Zhang , Rongsong Jiang , Silafu Aibai , Xieraili Tuerxun","doi":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117688","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117688","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rupestonic acid, a sesquiterpene, has protective properties against liver damage, inflammation, and tumor formation. Despite these known effects, its specific role and mechanism of action in combating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to investigate the anti-HCC effects of rupestonic acid and to identify its potential molecular targets. We employed cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, and flow cytometry assays to assess its impact on cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis in HCC cell lines. Additionally, target fishing, cellular thermal shift assays (CETSA), ribonucleic acid interference, and Western blot (WB) were employed to identify rupestonic acid's protein targets in HCC cells. Our results showed that rupestonic acid significantly inhibited HCC cell proliferation, induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, and promoted apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. Target engagement studies employing an alkyne–rupestonic acid probe combined with mass spectrometry identified enolase 1 (ENO1) as a direct binding target, with CETSA confirming its destabilization. Furthermore, rupestonic acid inhibited the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/Forkhead box protein O (FOXO) signaling pathway, and rupestonic acid demonstrated a synergistic cytotoxic effect with paclitaxel (PTX). These findings suggest that rupestonic acid is a promising candidate for HCC treatment. They also underscore the potential of rupestonic acid in the design and development of lead compounds for HCC treatment and identify ENO1 as a viable therapeutic target.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23174,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology and applied pharmacology","volume":"507 ","pages":"Article 117688"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145744638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2025.117687
Sultan Alrashdi , Shimaa K. Mohamed , Mohamad Elbaz , Elsayed K. El-Sayed
Bladder ischemia, frequently associated with vascular insufficiency, contributes to lower urinary tract symptoms via oxidative stress, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial defect, and apoptosis. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury exacerbates these effects by generating excessive reactive oxygen species. Trimetazidine (TMZ), an anti-ischemic agent, has shown protective effects in several I/R models; however, its role in bladder injury remains insufficiently characterized. This study investigated the protective effect of TMZ against bladder I/R injury in rats, focusing on oxidative stress, inflammation, ER stress, mitochondrial biogenesis, microRNA regulation, and apoptosis. Forty rats were allocated into four groups: sham control, I/R, and two TMZ-pretreated groups (10 or 20 mg/kg/day, p.o., for 14 days) prior to I/R induction. Controls received Tween 80 vehicle. Bladder tissues were collected for biochemical, molecular, and histopathological analyses. TMZ showed protection by lowering MDA (∼43.5–60.8 %) and enhancing GSH (∼2–2.6 fold) and SOD activity (∼2–3.2 fold). ER stress was attenuated, with reduced p-PERK (∼29.4–63 %) and CHOP (∼29.1–60 %), alongside upregulation of mirR-211 (∼1.4–1.9 fold). TMZ restored mitochondrial biogenesis through increased SIRT1 (∼1.9–2.4 fold), PGC1α (∼2.1–4.3 fold), p-AMPK (∼3–6.3 fold), and ATP (∼2–2.8 fold). It also downregulated pro-apoptotic (Bax, Caspase 3) and pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β) mediators. Histopathology revealed marked preservation of bladder architecture, particularly at 20 mg/kg. TMZ exerts strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and cytoprotective effects in bladder I/R injury via modulation of oxidative stress, ER stress, mitochondrial pathways, and the mirR-211/CHOP axis. These findings suggest that TMZ may represent a promising therapeutic candidate for ischemia-associated bladder dysfunction, providing a mechanistic basis for future translational and clinical investigation.
{"title":"Mechanistic insights into trimetazidine's protection against bladder ischemia-reperfusion injury via mirR-211/CHOP modulation and SIRT1/AMPK/PGC1α-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis","authors":"Sultan Alrashdi , Shimaa K. Mohamed , Mohamad Elbaz , Elsayed K. El-Sayed","doi":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117687","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117687","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bladder ischemia, frequently associated with vascular insufficiency, contributes to lower urinary tract symptoms via oxidative stress, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial defect, and apoptosis. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury exacerbates these effects by generating excessive reactive oxygen species. Trimetazidine (TMZ), an anti-ischemic agent, has shown protective effects in several I/R models; however, its role in bladder injury remains insufficiently characterized. This study investigated the protective effect of TMZ against bladder I/R injury in rats, focusing on oxidative stress, inflammation, ER stress, mitochondrial biogenesis, microRNA regulation, and apoptosis. Forty rats were allocated into four groups: sham control, I/R, and two TMZ-pretreated groups (10 or 20 mg/kg/day, p.o., for 14 days) prior to I/R induction. Controls received Tween 80 vehicle. Bladder tissues were collected for biochemical, molecular, and histopathological analyses. TMZ showed protection by lowering MDA (∼43.5–60.8 %) and enhancing GSH (∼2–2.6 fold) and SOD activity (∼2–3.2 fold). ER stress was attenuated, with reduced p-PERK (∼29.4–63 %) and CHOP (∼29.1–60 %), alongside upregulation of mirR-211 (∼1.4–1.9 fold). TMZ restored mitochondrial biogenesis through increased SIRT1 (∼1.9–2.4 fold), PGC1α (∼2.1–4.3 fold), p-AMPK (∼3–6.3 fold), and ATP (∼2–2.8 fold). It also downregulated pro-apoptotic (Bax, Caspase 3) and pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β) mediators. Histopathology revealed marked preservation of bladder architecture, particularly at 20 mg/kg. TMZ exerts strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and cytoprotective effects in bladder I/R injury via modulation of oxidative stress, ER stress, mitochondrial pathways, and the mirR-211/CHOP axis. These findings suggest that TMZ may represent a promising therapeutic candidate for ischemia-associated bladder dysfunction, providing a mechanistic basis for future translational and clinical investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23174,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology and applied pharmacology","volume":"507 ","pages":"Article 117687"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
2-Isopropyl-N-2,3-trimethylbutyramide (ITB) is a food-flavoring agent classified as an aliphatic amide. In 2016, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives evaluated ITB and concluded that additional data on toxicity and in vivo genotoxicity are required for its safety evaluation. In this study, we comprehensively investigated ITB toxicity using reporter gene transgenic animals. Male F344 gpt delta rats were administered ITB by oral gavage at doses of 0, 5, 50, or 500 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks. Neurological symptoms were observed in the early phase of treatment at doses ≥50 mg/kg. Periportal hepatocellular vacuolation was observed histopathologically at doses ≥50 mg/kg, along with increased liver weight and serum alanine aminotransferase levels. Kidney weight increased and serum chloride levels decreased at doses ≥5 mg/kg, indicating that ITB exerted potential nephrotoxic effects at lower doses. Accordingly, the lowest observed adverse effect level in the present study was at 5 mg/kg/day. No significant changes in gpt and red/gam mutant frequencies were detected in the liver or kidney, demonstrating a lack of ITB genotoxicity. Immunohistochemical analysis of GST-P-positive foci also suggested that ITB showed no hepatocarcinogenic potential. Overall, our findings demonstrate that ITB induces hepatic and renal toxicity but shows no evidence of in vivo genotoxicity or hepatocarcinogenic potential, providing essential information for safety assessment.
{"title":"Evaluation of 2-isopropyl-N-2,3-trimethylbutyramide by a comprehensive toxicity study using gpt delta rats","authors":"Tatsuya Mitsumoto , Yuji Ishii , Norifumi Takimoto , Shinji Takasu , Moeka Namiki , Takeshi Toyoda , Kumiko Ogawa","doi":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>2-Isopropyl-<em>N</em>-2,3-trimethylbutyramide (ITB) is a food-flavoring agent classified as an aliphatic amide. In 2016, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives evaluated ITB and concluded that additional data on toxicity and <em>in vivo</em> genotoxicity are required for its safety evaluation. In this study, we comprehensively investigated ITB toxicity using reporter gene transgenic animals. Male F344 <em>gpt</em> delta rats were administered ITB by oral gavage at doses of 0, 5, 50, or 500 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks. Neurological symptoms were observed in the early phase of treatment at doses ≥50 mg/kg. Periportal hepatocellular vacuolation was observed histopathologically at doses ≥50 mg/kg, along with increased liver weight and serum alanine aminotransferase levels. Kidney weight increased and serum chloride levels decreased at doses ≥5 mg/kg, indicating that ITB exerted potential nephrotoxic effects at lower doses. Accordingly, the lowest observed adverse effect level in the present study was at 5 mg/kg/day. No significant changes in <em>gpt</em> and <em>red</em>/<em>gam</em> mutant frequencies were detected in the liver or kidney, demonstrating a lack of ITB genotoxicity. Immunohistochemical analysis of GST-P-positive foci also suggested that ITB showed no hepatocarcinogenic potential. Overall, our findings demonstrate that ITB induces hepatic and renal toxicity but shows no evidence of <em>in vivo</em> genotoxicity or hepatocarcinogenic potential, providing essential information for safety assessment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23174,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology and applied pharmacology","volume":"507 ","pages":"Article 117686"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145744578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2025.117685
Jin Ryeol An , Junsu Jeong , Hye Ryung Kim , Sooa Lee , Armin Sultana , Raju Das , Joohan Woo , Seong Woo Choi , Young Min Bae , Yeji Lim , Hongzoo Park , Mi Seon Seo , Won Sun Park
Duloxetine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that has been widely used to treat major depression; however, it has also been associated with severe neuropsychiatric side effects, including hallucinations, confusion, and suicide attempts. Nevertheless, the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying these adverse effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of duloxetine on cloned neuronal rat voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channel subunit Kv3.1, stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Duloxetine inhibited the Kv3.1 current in a concentration-dependent manner with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2.04 ± 0.27 μM (approximately 5-fold higher than the peak therapeutic plasma concentration of 0.4 μM) and a Hill coefficient of 0.94 ± 0.08. This inhibitory effect was associated with accelerated current inactivation. The association and dissociation rate constants for duloxetine were 43.43 ± 4.57 μM−1·s−1 and 122.12 ± 68.2 s−1, respectively. In addition, duloxetine shifted the voltage dependence of Kv3.1 steady-state inactivation toward a more negative direction and led to use-dependent inhibition upon repetitive stimulation (1 and 2 Hz). Duloxetine also slowed recovery from inactivation. Docking analysis predicted that duloxetine binds to the central pore and interface between the voltage-sensing and pore domains on Kv3.1 channel, supporting the inhibitory mechanisms of duloxetine. Furthermore, duloxetine inhibited Kv3.1-mediated currents in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Taken together, our results indicate that duloxetine inhibits Kv3.1 expressed in CHO cells in concentration-, time-, and use (open and inactivated states)-dependent manners, independently of its anti-depressive effects.
{"title":"Duloxetine-induced inhibition of voltage-gated K+ 3.1 (Kv3.1) channels and underlying electrophysiological mechanisms","authors":"Jin Ryeol An , Junsu Jeong , Hye Ryung Kim , Sooa Lee , Armin Sultana , Raju Das , Joohan Woo , Seong Woo Choi , Young Min Bae , Yeji Lim , Hongzoo Park , Mi Seon Seo , Won Sun Park","doi":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117685","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.taap.2025.117685","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Duloxetine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that has been widely used to treat major depression; however, it has also been associated with severe neuropsychiatric side effects, including hallucinations, confusion, and suicide attempts. Nevertheless, the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying these adverse effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of duloxetine on cloned neuronal rat voltage-gated K<sup>+</sup> (Kv) channel subunit Kv3.1, stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Duloxetine inhibited the Kv3.1 current in a concentration-dependent manner with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC<sub>50</sub>) of 2.04 ± 0.27 μM (approximately 5-fold higher than the peak therapeutic plasma concentration of 0.4 μM) and a Hill coefficient of 0.94 ± 0.08. This inhibitory effect was associated with accelerated current inactivation. The association and dissociation rate constants for duloxetine were 43.43 ± 4.57 μM<sup>−1</sup>·s<sup>−1</sup> and 122.12 ± 68.2 s<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. In addition, duloxetine shifted the voltage dependence of Kv3.1 steady-state inactivation toward a more negative direction and led to use-dependent inhibition upon repetitive stimulation (1 and 2 Hz). Duloxetine also slowed recovery from inactivation. Docking analysis predicted that duloxetine binds to the central pore and interface between the voltage-sensing and pore domains on Kv3.1 channel, supporting the inhibitory mechanisms of duloxetine. Furthermore, duloxetine inhibited Kv3.1-mediated currents in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Taken together, our results indicate that duloxetine inhibits Kv3.1 expressed in CHO cells in concentration-, time-, and use (open and inactivated states)-dependent manners, independently of its anti-depressive effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23174,"journal":{"name":"Toxicology and applied pharmacology","volume":"507 ","pages":"Article 117685"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145726257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}