Human & experimental toxicology最新文献

Managing conflicts of interest (COIs) in scientific decision-making is important for minimizing bias and fostering public trust in science. Proper management of COIs has added significance when scientists are making decisions that impact public policy, such as assessing substances for carcinogenicity. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) organizes expert working groups to identify putative carcinogens and determine whether or not the hazard is likely to present significant potential harm to humans. While IARC has policies for managing COIs, prior professional experience with the substance being assessed is not defined as a COI. Indeed, IARC working group members are chosen based on subject matter expertise, including prior publication on the substance under review. However, a person's prior experience with a substance poses a significant potential COI by equipping them with strong pre-existing views about the substance's toxicity and carcinogenicity. To minimize the risk of bias in IARC working groups, participants with voting powers should be independent scientific experts with sufficient professional experience to review carcinogenicity data but with no substantial prior experience with the substance under review. A related IARC practice restricting data review by working groups to selected publications is another significant COI. Instead, all accessible data should be available for consideration by working groups in assessing the carcinogenic hazard of substances. Another recommendation to reduce potential bias would be to reinstate the option of "probably not carcinogenic to humans".

Introduction: In this study, we sought to determine the sub-chronic toxicological effects of AEC on zebrafish embryos.

Methods: We utilized fish early life stage (FELS) and fish embryo toxicity (FET) tests, vascular, neurological, and renal transgenic zebrafish lines, and gene expression anal-ysis of the zebrafish tissue.

Results: In the FET tests, AEC caused several abnormalities in the larvae, with the LC50 at 24 hpf being 4.076 ± 0.221 mg/L and 3.296 ± 0.127 mg/L at 96 hpf. In the FELS test, AEC was shown to be lethal following 16 days of exposure at 0.5 mg/L, 1 mg/L and 2 mg/L. Some of the transgenic zebrafish lines exhibited slight changes in fluorescent signaling pat-terns after exposure to AEC at 1 mg/L and 2 mg/L. Notable results of the gene expression analysis revealed: gpx4b and got2 were downregulated in the liver; HIF1a was downregulated at 0.25 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L concentrations, NOTCH1a and fli-1 genes were downregulated at all concentrations, and A2b was upregulated in the vasculature; a1T, ngn1, elavl3, syn2a, mbp, gap43 were down-regulated in the nervous system; and wt1b was downregulated in the kidney.

Discuccion: Altogether, the results of our study indicate the potential for AEC to cause harm to organisms.

IntroductionCuproptosis has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer (CRC). This study investigated the role of ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) in regulating cuproptosis under hypoxic conditions and explored the impact of autophagy on this process in CRC.MethodsCRC patient samples and cell lines were used in this study. Cells were exposed to hypoxia and treated with Es-Cu (a copper supplement) and rapamycin, an autophagy inducer. FDX1 expression in clinical tissues was assessed in clinical tissues using qPCR and Western blot. The CCK8 assay, EdU staining, and Transwell assay were employed to evaluate the malignant behavior of tumor cells. Copper content and DLAT oligomerization were measured. A nude mouse xenograft model was used to explore the role of FDX1 under hypoxic conditions.ResultsCompared with adjacent normal tissues, elevated FDX1 expression was observed in CRC tissues. In vitro, hypoxia or Es-Cu treatment upregulated FDX1 expression in CRC cell lines, resulting in reduced cell proliferation and increased cellular damage. FDX1 overexpression under hypoxic conditions suppressed migration, invasion, and proliferation while promoting cellular damage and DLAT oligomerization. Rapamycin-induced autophagy reversed the inhibitory effects of FDX1 overexpression on CRC cells. In vivo, rapamycin treatment attenuated the tumor-suppressive effects of FDX1 overexpression in nude mouse xenograft models.DiscussionThis study demonstrated that hypoxia-induced autophagy inhibits FDX1-mediated cuproptosis, leading to resistance to copper-induced cell death in CRC cells. Targeting the autophagy pathway may provide a novel therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance to cuproptosis and improving CRC treatment outcomes.

IntroductionNephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity are substantial side effects triggered in individuals injected with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer drug. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phenolic compound; protocatechuic acid (PCA) on 5-FU-provoked renal and hepatic injury in rats.MethodsRats were allocated to 4 groups: control, 5-FU, 5-FU + PCA (50 mg/kg), and 5-FU + PCA (100 mg/kg). Rats were intraperitoneally injected 5-FU (75 mg/kg; once a week for 21 days. Protocatechuic acid (50 and 100 mg/kg/day; orally) was administered for 3 weeks.ResultsRats co-treated with PCA had lower serum kidney and liver function markers than those receiving 5-FU alone. Furthermore, co-treatment with PCA successfully modulated kidney and liver contents of TNF-α, NF-κB p65, active caspase-1, IL-1β, p-p38 MAPK, SOD, GSH, Nrf-2, HO-1 and MDA. Moreover, PCA improved histopathological alterations of both kidney and liver tissues.ConclusionPCA exerts its hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects against 5-FU-triggered toxicity through modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, particularly via Nrf-2 activation and NF-κB inhibition.

IntroductionAlcoholic liver disease poses a severe threat to human health. The thyroid hormone Triiodothyronine (T3) is closely related to liver metabolism. This study investigated the effect and mechanism of T3 in alcoholic liver injury.MethodsAcute alcoholic liver injury model was established in mice by alcohol administration. Alcoholic liver fibrosis models were established in vivo and in vitro using hepatic stellate cells (HSC)-T6 cells and mice. The role and regulatory mechanism of T3 in the occurrence and progression of alcoholic acute liver injury and fibrosis were analyzed by evaluating key factors involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and autophagy using histopathological staining.ResultsThe results showed that T3 at low and medium concentrations reduced inflammation and oxidative damage in acute alcoholic liver injury and inhibited HSC activation and delayed the onset and progression of alcoholic liver fibrosis in mice. T3 inhibited the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signal pathway, increased Nrf2 expression levels, and restored liver autophagy. However, high T3 concentrations had the opposite effect.DiscussionOptimal T3 concentrations protects the liver from alcoholic liver injury by inhibiting inflammatory response and oxidative stress injury and by restoring hepatocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy.

IntroductionDiabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) that can lead to heart failure and increase the risk of mortality. Pedunculoside (PE), a novel triterpenoid saponin, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress (OS) properties. However, its role in DCM remains unexplored.MethodsDCM models were established and treated with PE or the Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385). In vitro, cell function was evaluated using CCK-8, flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and ELISA. In vivo, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in rats were measured. The effects of PE on DCM were assessed using HE staining, TUNEL staining, and corresponding kits. Additionally, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway proteins were analyzed by western blot.ResultsLow doses of PE (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 μM) did not affect the viability of H9c2 cells. PE (10 and 20 μM) improved cell viability and prevented apoptosis, inflammation, and OS in high glucose (HG)-stimulated H9c2 cells. PE also upregulated Nrf2 in the nucleus and enhanced HO-1 and NQO1 expression in HG-treated H9c2 cells. Furthermore, the Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) reversed PE's protective effects on HG-induced cell injury. In vivo, PE reduced blood glucose, increased insulin, alleviated myocardial injury, inhibited apoptosis, decreased levels of inflammatory factors and OS, and upregulated Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 in DCM model rats.DiscussionPE alleviates DCM injury by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. These findings support the potential therapeutic application of PE in DCM.

PurposeLung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most prevalent subtype of non-small cell lung cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. This study investigates the role of Ring Finger Protein 216 (RNF216) in LUAD progression.MethodsRNF216 expression was evaluated in LUAD tissues and cells. Functional assays evaluated cell viability, migration, invasion, and ferroptosis in vitro. Mechanistic investigations defined RNF216's role in regulating p53 ubiquitination and stability. In vivo, xenograft models evaluated tumor growth and ferroptosis.ResultsRNF216 was markedly overexpressed in LUAD tissues and cell lines. Functional studies demonstrated that silencing RNF216 suppressed LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while inducing ferroptosis, characterized by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and intracellular Fe²⁺ accumulation. Mechanistically, RNF216 knockdown stabilized p53 by reducing its ubiquitination, thereby promoting ferroptosis. These findings were corroborated in vivo, where RNF216 silencing significantly inhibited tumor growth and enhanced ferroptosis in xenograft models.ConclusionsOur results establish RNF216 as a pivotal oncogenic driver that accelerates LUAD progression by suppressing ferroptosis through p53 ubiquitination. Targeting RNF216 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to induce ferroptosis and combat LUAD.

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) progression is critically modulated by neuroinflammatory cascades involving chemokine-mediated glial activation.ObjectiveThis study aimed to systematically compare compartment-specific chemokine signatures between two distinct AD mouse models (2×Tg-AD [APPswe/PS1dE9] and 3×Tg-AD [APPswe/PS1M146V/TauP301L]), hypothesizing that differential chemokine expression patterns would emerge in a model- and brain region-specific manner, correlating with glial activation profiles.ResultsUsing a Luminex liquid suspension chip assay, we quantified 22 chemokines in serum and brain tissues from transgenic and non-transgenic controls, complemented by Western blot analysis of microglial and astrocytic markers. Twenty-two chemokines were quantitatively analyzed with three key findings: First, serum analysis revealed elevated levels of (i) CCL11, CCL17, CCL24, CCL27, and CXCL12 in 3×Tg-AD versus non-Tg mice; (ii) CCL22 in 2×Tg-AD versus non-Tg mice; and (iii) CCL5, CCL11, CCL17, CCL24, CCL27, and CXCL12 in 3×Tg-AD versus 2×Tg-AD mice. Second, hippocampal changes showed upregulation of CCL3/CCL12 in 2×Tg-AD and CXCL16 in 3×Tg-AD mice, with cortical alterations demonstrating distinct CCL3/CCL12/CCL4 increases in 2×Tg-AD versus elevated CCL1/CXCL13 in 3×Tg-AD mice. Third, Western blot confirmed enhanced hippocampal microglial activation specifically in 3×Tg-AD mice. ConclusionOur findings establish model-specific chemokine signatures that differentially engage neuroinflammatory pathways, suggesting that 3×Tg-AD mice may better replicate human AD's complex chemokine-glia interactions. This compartmentalized profiling provides a framework for targeting chemokine networks in model-specific therapeutic development and biomarker discovery. Further studies are needed to determine whether elevated chemokine expression directly contributes to microglial activation.

Background: Rhynchophylline (RIN) is an alkaloid known for its ability to effectively block signal transduction related to various neurodegenerative diseases. However, the specific mechanism by which RIN regulates microglial activation and cerebral ischemia remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate the function and molecular pathways through which RIN activates the JAK2/STAT3 signaling cascade, promoting the transformation of microglial phenotypes that contribute to recovery from cerebral ischemic injury.

Methods: By establishing a microglia oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model and a middle cerebral artery occlusion animal model, we assessed changes in the expression of phenotype-specific marker factors for M1 and M2 microglia, as well as key proteins in the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, utilizing ELISA and Western blot techniques. Histological examination, including HE staining, TUNEL assay, and immunofluorescence, was employed to evaluate pathological changes in brain tissue, along with cell apoptosis and proliferation.

Results: The results indicated that microglial activity was significantly reduced and shifted towards the M1 phenotype following OGD/R. However, RIN treatment reversed these changes. When JAK2/STAT3 inhibitors were combined with RIN, it inhibited RIN's protective effect. Animal studies have shown that RIN reduces histopathological changes associated with cerebral ischemia. Additionally, RIN inhibited microglial proliferation in ischemic cortical tissue and increased the expression of M2-type marker proteins, as well as the levels of phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT3 in the ischemic tissue.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study indicates that RIN may protect against cerebral ischemic injury by activating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, which promotes the transition of microglia to the M2 phenotypic.

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to explore the effect of KLF9 on oxidative stress (OS) and NLRP3-mediated inflammation in preeclampsia (PE).MethodsLipopolysaccharide (LPS)+adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced HTR-8/SVneo cells were used as an in vitro PE inflammation cell model. shRNA was used to interfere with KLF9 expression (sh-KLF9) to assess the transfection efficiency and the effect of KLF9 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. ELISA was performed to detect OS-related factors and inflammatory cytokines. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and pyroptosis were analyzed using DCFH-DA and TUNEL staining. LPS and ATP induced HTR-8/SVneo cells were co-transfected with sh-PRDX6/sh-KLF9 to explore the potential regulatory effect of KLF9 on PRDX6.ResultsLPS+ATP stimulation increased KLF9 expression in the PE cell model. Specifically, reducing KLF9 levels alleviated morphological damage and enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion in the in vitro PE cell models. Moreover, inhibiting KLF9 expression decreased protein expression of NLRP3, GSDMD-N, cleaved caspase-1, and cleaved-IL-1β, suppressing cell death in LPS+ATP-induced HTR-8/SVneo cells. Analysis of OS indicators revealed that downregulating KLF9 expression restrained intracellular ROS production, decreased MDA expression, and increased SOD and CAT levels. KLF9 regulated the transcription of PRDX6 to attenuate OS and pyroptosis. Knockdown of PRDX6 partially abolished the effect of KLF9 downregulation on OS and pyroptosis of LPS+ATP-induced HTR-8/SVneo cells, as evidenced by the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as the enhanced activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome.ConclusionDownregulation of KLF9 enhances trophoblast cell invasion and reduces OS and NLRP3 inflammasome activation-mediated pyroptosis.