Modulation of PKM2 inhibits follicular helper T cell differentiation and ameliorates inflammation in lupus-prone mice.

Objectives: Expansion of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and abnormal glucose metabolism are present in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is one of the key glycolytic enzymes, and the underlying mechanism of PKM2-mediated Tfh cell glycolysis in SLE pathogenesis remains elusive.

Methods: We analyzed the percentage of Tfh cells and glycolysis in CD4 T cells from SLE patients and healthy donors and performed RNA sequencing analysis of peripheral blood CD4 T cells and differentiated Tfh cells from SLE patients.

Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase 4 by FCPR03 Alleviates Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Depressive-Like Behaviors and Prevents Dendritic Spine Loss in Mice Hippocampi.

Background: Phosphodiesterase 4 is a promising target for developing novel antidepressants. However, prototype phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors show severe side effects, including nausea and vomiting. N-Isopropyl-3-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-4-difluoromethoxy benzamide (FCPR03) is a novel phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor with little emetic potential.

A strategy for the targeted metabolomics analysis of 11 gut microbiota-host co-metabolites in rat serum, urine and feces by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Microbiota-host co-metabolites are well-known to play important physiological roles, and their dysregulation has been found to be closely related to various diseases, including but not limited to inflammatory disorders. We developed herein an original and feasible method using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The method developed enables rapid quantification of 11 key gut microbiota-host co-metabolites spanning the succinate, phenylacetylglutamine, hippurate and trimethylamine metabolic pathways within 10 min.

Combination of ¹H NMR- and GC-MS-based metabonomics to study on the toxicity of Coptidis Rhizome in rats.

Background: Coptidis Rhizome (CR), widely applied to treat with heat and toxicity, is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), however, an extensive dosage can induce toxicity. Diarrhea is one of the most frequent side effects of CR treatment.

Methodology/principal Findings: In this study, metabonomics was combined with the multivariate statistical analysis to discover the endogenous metabolites which related to the diarrheal induced by CR.