Discovery of the therapeutic potential of PPARδ agonist bearing 1,3,4- thiadiazole in inflammatory disorders.

As a defense mechanism against deleterious stimuli, inflammation plays a vital role in the development of many disorders, including atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, septic and non-septic shock, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Despite the serious adverse effects of extended usage, traditional anti-inflammatory medications, such as steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), are commonly used for alleviating symptoms of inflammation. The PPARδ subtype of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) has attracted interest because of its potential for reducing inflammation and related disorders.

Targeting YAP Activity and Glutamine Metabolism Cooperatively Suppresses Tumor Progression by Preventing Extracellular Matrix Accumulation.

Cancer cells use multiple mechanisms to evade the effects of glutamine metabolism inhibitors. The pathways that govern responses to alterations in glutamine availability within the tumor may represent therapeutic targets for combinatorial strategies with these inhibitors. Here, we showed that targeting glutamine utilization stimulated Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling in cancer cells by reducing cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation of large tumor suppressor (LATS).

Glutamine-derived aspartate is required for eIF5A hypusination-mediated translation of HIF-1α to induce the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are vital contributors to the growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the exact phenotype of TAMs and the mechanisms underlying their modulation for therapeutic purposes have not been determined. Here, we present compelling evidence that glutamine-derived aspartate in TAMs stimulates spermidine production through the polyamine synthesis pathway, thereby increasing the translation efficiency of HIF-1α via eIF5A hypusination.

Acesulfame potassium upregulates PD-L1 in HCC cells by attenuating autophagic degradation.

Artificial sweeteners, which contain no or few calories, have been widely used in various foods and beverages, and are regarded as safe alternatives to sugar by the Food and Drug Administration. While several studies suggest that artificial sweeteners are not related to cancer development, some research has reported their potential association with the risk of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated whether acesulfame potassium (Ace K), a commonly used artificial sweetener, induces immune evasion of HCC cells by upregulating programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1).

SGLT2 inhibitors prevent LPS-induced M1 macrophage polarization and alleviate inflammatory bowel disease by downregulating NHE1 expression.

Background: Classically activated M1 macrophages, characterized by aberrant glycolysis and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, play pivotal roles in inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recently, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were shown to suppress Na/H exchanger 1 (NHE1) and Na/Ca exchanger 1 (NCX1) activity, regulating downstream intracellular Ca concentrations in cardiomyocytes. However, whether SGLT2 inhibitors regulate M1 macrophage polarization by downregulating NHE1 and NCX1 remains unknown.

Myriocin suppresses tumor growth by modulating macrophage polarization and function through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Macrophages within the tumor microenvironment (TME), referred to as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), are involved in various aspects of tumor progression including initiation, angiogenesis, metastasis, immunosuppression, and resistance to therapy. Myriocin, a natural compound isolated from Mycelia sterilia, is an immunosuppressant that inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of myriocin on TAMs and TAM-mediated tumor growth have not yet been elucidated.

Upregulation of the ERRγ-VDAC1 axis underlies the molecular pathogenesis of pancreatitis.

Emerging evidence suggest that transcription factors play multiple roles in the development of pancreatitis, a necroinflammatory condition lacking specific therapy. Estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ), a pleiotropic transcription factor, has been reported to play a vital role in pancreatic acinar cell (PAC) homeostasis. However, the role of ERRγ in PAC dysfunction remains hitherto unknown.

Targeting glutamine metabolism as a therapeutic strategy for cancer.

Proliferating cancer cells rely largely on glutamine for survival and proliferation. Glutamine serves as a carbon source for the synthesis of lipids and metabolites via the TCA cycle, as well as a source of nitrogen for amino acid and nucleotide synthesis. To date, many studies have explored the role of glutamine metabolism in cancer, thereby providing a scientific rationale for targeting glutamine metabolism for cancer treatment.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors induce M1 polarization of macrophages: Feasibility of targeted imaging in inflammatory response in vivo.

Background: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are considered to be involved in several physiological and pathophysiological processes in addition to the progression of neurological disorders. However, how NMDARs are involved in the glycolytic phenotype of M1 macrophage polarization and the possibility of using them as a bio-imaging probe for macrophage-mediated inflammation remain unclear.

Methods: We analyzed cellular responses to NMDAR antagonism and small interfering RNAs using mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Novel Asian-Specific Visceral Adiposity Indices Are Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease in Korean Adults.

Background: The Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) and new visceral adiposity index (NVAI) are novel indices of visceral adiposity used to predict metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in Asian populations. However, the relationships of CVAI and NVAI with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have not been investigated. We aimed to characterize the relationships of CVAI and NVAI with the prevalence of CKD in Korean adults.

DN200434 Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Prevents Neointima Formation in Mice after Carotid Artery Ligation.

Backgruound: Excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which contributes to the development of occlusive vascular diseases, requires elevated mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to meet the increased requirements for energy and anabolic precursors. Therefore, therapeutic strategies based on blockade of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation are considered promising for treatment of occlusive vascular diseases. Here, we investigated whether DN200434, an orally available estrogen receptor-related gamma inverse agonist, inhibits proliferation and migration of VSMCs and neointima formation by suppressing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.

DN200434, an orally available inverse agonist of estrogen-related receptor γ, induces ferroptosis in sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sorafenib, originally identified as an inhibitor of multiple oncogenic kinases, induces ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Several pathways that mitigate sorafenib-induced ferroptosis confer drug resistance; thus strategies that enhance ferroptosis increase sorafenib efficacy. Orphan nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) is upregulated in human HCC tissues and plays a role in cancer cell proliferation.

Melatonin inhibits glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by downregulating mitochondrial respiration and mTORC1 activity.

Various mechanisms have been suggested to explain the chemopreventive and tumor-inhibitory effects of melatonin. Despite the growing evidence supporting melatonin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, it remains largely unknown how this phenomenon modulates metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells. The aim of our study was to identify the mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of melatonin, which is known to inhibit glycolysis.

Real-World Analysis of Rapid-Acting Insulin Analog Use and Its Blood Glucose Lowering Effect in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Results from PASSION Disease Registry in Korea.

Purpose: Although rapid-acting insulins (RAIs) are used frequently in Korean clinical settings, evidence on their use is limited. This study explores the pattern and clinical effectiveness of the use of RAIs in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Patients And Methods: This non-interventional, observational study enrolled patients (aged >18 years) with T2DM who were prescribed RAIs.

Macropinocytosis is an alternative pathway of cysteine acquisition and mitigates sorafenib-induced ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Macropinocytosis, an important nutrient-scavenging pathway in certain cancer cells, allows cells to compensate for intracellular amino acid deficiency under nutrient-poor conditions. Ferroptosis caused by cysteine depletion plays a pivotal role in sorafenib responses during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. However, it is not known whether macropinocytosis functions as an alternative pathway to acquire cysteine in sorafenib-treated HCC, and whether it subsequently mitigates sorafenib-induced ferroptosis.

Cassiaside C Inhibits M1 Polarization of Macrophages by Downregulating Glycolysis.

Classically activated M1 macrophages reprogram their metabolism towards enhanced glycolysis to obtain energy and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines after activation by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Thus, a strategy that constrains M1 polarization of macrophages via downregulation of glycolysis is essential for treating chronic inflammatory diseases. Cassiae semen has pharmacological activity against various inflammatory diseases.

Year-Long Trend in Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

It has been suggested that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a negative impact on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, no study has examined yearly trends in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels after the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Here, we performed a retrospective analysis of HbA1c concentrations during the early period of the COVID-19 outbreak (COVID-19 cohort) and then compared the yearly trend in the mean HbA1c level, along with fluctuations in HbA1c levels, with those during previous years (non-COVID-19 cohorts).

Impact of urgently initiated tele-prescription due to COVID-19 on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background/aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic that had affected more than 13,000 people in South Korea by July 2020. To prevent spread of COVID-19, tele-prescription was permitted temporarily. This study investigated the impact of tele-prescription on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Inhibitory Effect of a Glutamine Antagonist on Proliferation and Migration of VSMCs via Simultaneous Attenuation of Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation.

Excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis. Glycolysis and glutaminolysis are increased in rapidly proliferating VSMCs to support their increased energy requirements and biomass production. Thus, it is essential to develop new pharmacological tools that regulate metabolic reprogramming in VSMCs for treatment of atherosclerosis.

V-9302 inhibits proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and reduces neointima formation in mice after carotid artery ligation.

Rapidly proliferating cells such as vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) require metabolic programs to support increased energy and biomass production. Thus, targeting glutamine metabolism by inhibiting glutamine transport could be a promising strategy for vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, stenosis, and restenosis. V-9302, a competitive antagonist targeting the glutamine transporter, has been investigated in the context of cancer; however, its role in VSMCs is unclear.

Gluconeogenic signals regulate hepcidin gene expression via a CRBN-KLF15 axis.

Hepcidin (HAMP) is synthesized in the liver. It is a key ironregulatory hormone that controls systemic iron homeostasis. Cereblon (CRBN) and Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) are known to regulate diverse physiological functions.

Impact of Social Distancing Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 on the Changes in Glycosylated Hemoglobin Level in People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

This study investigated the impact of social distancing due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We retrospectively analyzed the change in glycosylated hemoglobin level (ΔHbA1c) in people with T2DM who undertook social distancing because of COVID-19. We compared the ΔHbA1c between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 cohorts that were enrolled at the same time of year.

Inhibition of Glutamine Utilization Synergizes with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor to Promote Antitumor Immunity.

Despite its outstanding clinical success, immune checkpoint blockade remains ineffective in many patients. Accordingly, combination therapy capable of achieving greater antitumor immunity is urgently required. Here, we report that limiting glutamine metabolism in cancer cells bolsters the effectiveness of anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibody.