Omeprazole induces profibrotic gene expression in rat kidney: implication of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications. However, PPI usage is linked to a higher risk of both acute and chronic renal damage by mechanisms not entirely known. The present study demonstrates that omeprazole (10 mg/kg body weight, i.

P2 X 7 receptor is a critical regulator of extracellular ATP-induced profibrotic genes expression in rat kidney: implication of transforming growth factor-β/Smad signaling pathway.

This study was designed to investigate the potential of extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) via the P2 X 7 receptor to activate the renal fibrotic processes in rats. The present study demonstrates that administration of ATP rapidly activated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) to induce phosphorylation of Smad-2/3. Renal connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA and protein expressions were also increased following ATP administration.

A low dose of naloxone mitigates autoimmune hepatitis by regulating TLR4/NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways.

Naloxone is a non-selective opiate receptor antagonist that is mainly used in the management of acute opioid overdose or intoxication. Previously, naloxone has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Concanavalin A (Con A) model is a common and well established animal model of autoimmune hepatitis that closely resembles the pathological alterations that occur in human.

Role of motor proteins in human cancers.

Motor proteins include several protein families (Kinesin, Dynein and Myosin) responsible for intracellular transport, intercellular communication, among other functions. In cancer cells, motor proteins along with microtubules (MT) and other tubulin and actin structures, are crucial for cell proliferation and invasion. The cBioPortal platform for Cancer Genomics database was queried for solid cancers in a combined cohort of 9204 patients with complete cancer genomics data.

Curcumin augments the cardioprotective effect of metformin in an experimental model of type I diabetes mellitus; Impact of Nrf2/HO-1 and JAK/STAT pathways.

Metformin is one of the most commonly prescribed antidiabetic drugs. A recent clinical study has highlighted the protective role of metformin against cardiac complications in type I diabetes. Curcumin is a natural compound with well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Vitamin E inhibits cyclosporin A-induced CTGF and TIMP-1 expression by repressing ROS-mediated activation of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in rat liver.

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is the most common immunosuppressive drug used in organ transplantation. However, the clinical use of CsA is often limited by several side effects including hepatotoxicity. In the present study, it was found that administration of CsA causes a rapid activation of TGF-β/Smad signaling cascade and subsequent expression of the profibrotic genes connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metallproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in rat liver.

Propolis alleviates concanavalin A-induced hepatitis by modulating cytokine secretion and inhibition of reactive oxygen species.

Viral hepatitis-induced oxidative stress accompanied by increased levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and hepatic fibrosis are hallmarks of hepatitis C virus infection. The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of propolis against liver injury induced by concanavalin A (Con A), a T-cell-dependent model that causes an immune-mediated hepatitis in a similar pattern to the one induced by viral infections. In the present study, rats were randomly divided into four groups.

Molecular mechanisms of PDGF-AA expression induced by the dsRNA-mimetic poly (I:C) and IL-18.

Several animal studies suggest a role of platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) particularly A and B in atherosclerosis. Previously, it has been shown that viral infections have the ability to initiate and accelerate atherosclerosis in animal models. Recently, it has been reported that IL-18 has a pro-atherogenic character.

The dsRNA-mimetic poly (I:C) and IL-18 synergize for IFNgamma and TNFalpha expression.

Interleukin (IL)-18 bioactivity and dsRNA sensing by receptors of innate immunity are key components of anti-viral host defense. Despite extensive data on signal transduction activated by both pathways knowledge on cross-communication is incomplete. By using human PBMC and predendritic KG1 cells, as prototypic IL-18-responsive cellular models, we sought to assess cytokine production under the influence of IL-18 and the dsRNA-mimetic poly (I:C).