Micheliolide ameliorates severe acute pancreatitis in mice through potentiating Nrf2-mediated anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effects.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is an acute inflammatory injury disease with significant mortality rate and currently without effective strategy being available. Inflammation and oxidative stress play central roles in the etiology of SAP. Micheliolide (MCL), an active monomeric component isolated from Michelia champaca, has been proved its multiple therapeutic properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer.

Targeting 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 1A in the Portal Vein to Decrease Portal Hypertension.

Background & Aims: Portal hypertension (PH) is one of the most frequent complications of chronic liver disease. The peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level was increased in cirrhotic patients. We aimed to elucidate the function and mechanism of 5-HT receptor 1A (HTR1A) in the portal vein (PV) on PH.

TRIB3-TRIM8 complex drives NAFLD progression by regulating HNF4α stability.

Background & Aims: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress of hepatocytes plays a causative role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Reduced expression of hepatic nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) is a critical event in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and other liver diseases. Whether ER stress regulates HNF4α expression remains unknown.

Deletion of HNF1α in hepatocytes results in fatty liver-related hepatocellular carcinoma in mice.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α) is a liver-enriched transcription factor that is critical for the maintenance of hepatocyte function. Our previous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of HNF1α on hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in animals. In this study, we created hepatocyte-specific Hnf1α knockout mice using the Cre-loxP recombination system.

The Matrine Derivate MASM Prolongs Survival, Attenuates Inflammation, and Reduces Organ Injury in Murine Established Lethal Sepsis.

Background:  MASM, a novel derivative of matrine, has inhibitory effects on activation of macrophages, dendritic cells, and hepatic stellate cells and binds to ribosomal protein S5 (RPS5). This study was designed to evaluate the effect of MASM on murine-established lethal sepsis and its mechanisms.

Methods:  Mouse peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.

Matrine derivate MASM suppresses LPS-induced phenotypic and functional maturation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells.

Dendritic cell (DC) maturation process is a crucial step for the development of T cell immune responses and immune tolerance. In this study, we evaluated MASM, a novel derivative of the natural compound matrine that possesses a significant anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating property, for its efficacy to inhibit lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced maturation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Here we show that MASM profoundly suppresses LPS-induced phenotypic and functional DC maturation.