Focal adhesion kinase-related non-kinase ameliorates liver fibrosis by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis the FAK/Ras/c-myc/ENO1 pathway.

Background: Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) hyperactivation is a central link in liver fibrosis development. HSCs perform aerobic glycolysis to provide energy for their activation. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) promotes aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells or fibroblasts, while FAK-related non-kinase (FRNK) inhibits FAK phosphorylation and biological functions.

Transforming growth factor beta-1 upregulates glucose transporter 1 and glycolysis through canonical and noncanonical pathways in hepatic stellate cells.

Background: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the key effector cells mediating the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis, while aerobic glycolysis is an important metabolic characteristic of HSC activation. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induces aerobic glycolysis and is a driving factor for metabolic reprogramming. The occurrence of glycolysis depends on a high glucose uptake level.

Gasdermin D-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis expands inflammatory responses that aggravate acute liver failure by upregulating monocyte chemotactic protein 1/CC chemokine receptor-2 to recruit macrophages.

Background: Massive hepatocyte death is the core event in acute liver failure (ALF). Gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis is a type of highly inflammatory cell death. However, the role of hepatocyte pyroptosis and its mechanisms of expanding inflammatory responses in ALF are unclear.

[The Effect of p-JAK1/p-STAT3 Signaling Way in Intervening NAFLD by Blueberry Probiotic Serum].

Objectives: To explore the mechanism of interlukin-22 (IL-22)-mediated phosphor-Janus kinase-1(p-JAK1)/phosphor-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) signaling way in the experiment of improving non-alcholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by blueberry probiotic serum.

Methods: The rat serums with low-, medium-, and high-dose of 10% blueberry probiotics, as well as saline were prepared. NAFLD model was built by inducing normal liver cell line L-02 with free fatty acid (FFA).

Effect of Danshao Huaxian capsule on Gremlin and bone morphogenetic protein-7 expression in hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Aim: To observe the effect of Danshao Huaxian capsule (DHC) on the expression of Gremlin and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in the liver of hepatic fibrosis rats.

Methods: A total of 75 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control group (A), a CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis model group (B), a natural recovery group (C), a low-dose DHC-treated group (D), and a high-dose DHC-treated group (E), with 15 rats in each group. Liver fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and a high-lipid/low-protein diet for 8 wk, except for the rats in group A.

Effect of blueberry on hepatic and immunological functions in mice.

Background: Conventional drugs used in the treatment and prevention of liver diseases often have side effects, therefore research into natural substances are of significance. This study examined the effects of blueberry on liver protection and cellular immune functions.

Methods: To determine the effects of blueberry on liver protective function, male mice were orally administered blueberry (0.

Phase transition behaviors of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels induced by tannic acid.

Effects of tannic acid (TA) on the phase transition behaviors of monodisperse poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels in aqueous solutions are systematically investigated. Monodisperse PNIPAM microgels are prepared through a microfluidic approach. The isothermal phase transition behaviors of PNIPAM microgels induced by TA in aqueous solutions are studied at 25 degrees C.

Effects of surface wettability and roughness of microchannel on flow behaviors of thermo-responsive microspheres therein during the phase transition.

The flow characteristics of monodisperse thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microspheres during the phase transition in microchannels with different surface wettabilities and roughnesses are investigated systematically. Glass microchannels are modified by hydroxylation treatment to achieve hydrophilic surface, by self-assembly of chlorotrimethylsilane to realize hydrophobic surface, and by coating with silica nanoparticles to generate rough surface. The phase transition of PNIPAM microspheres in microchannels is induced by local heating.

Novel heavy-metal adsorption material: ion-recognition P(NIPAM-co-BCAm) hydrogels for removal of lead(II) ions.

A novel polymeric lead(II) adsorbent is prepared by incorporating benzo-18-crown-6-acrylamide (BCAm) as metal ion receptor into the thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel. Both stimuli-sensitive properties and the Pb(2+)-adsorption capabilities of the prepared P(NIPAM-co-BCAm) hydrogels are investigated. The prepared P(NIPAM-co-BCAm) hydrogels exhibit good ion-recognition and Pb(2+)-adsorption characteristics.