The H3K9 demethylase plant homeodomain finger protein 2 regulates interleukin 4 production in CD4 T cells.

CD4 T cells play a key role in the immune response via their differentiation into various helper T cell subsets that produce characteristic cytokines. Epigenetic changes in CD4 T cells are responsible for cytokine production in these subsets, although the exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of plant homeodomain finger protein 2 (PHF2), a histone H3K9 demethylase, on cytokine production in CD4 T cells using T cell-specific Phf2-conditional knockout (cKO) mice in this study.

Selective autophagy associated with iron overload aggravates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis via ferroptosis.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that causes cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Iron is an essential trace element in the body; however, excess iron can cause tissue damage and dysfunction. Iron overload is often observed in patients with NASH, and the amount of iron accumulated in the liver positively correlates with the histological severity of NASH.

Antioxidant action of xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat protects the liver and blood vasculature in SHRSP5/Dmcr rats.

Background: Xanthine oxidase (XO) generates reactive oxygen species during uric acid production. Therefore, XO inhibitors, which suppress oxidative stress, may effectively treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and atherosclerosis via uric acid reduction. In this study, we examined the antioxidant effect of the XO inhibitor febuxostat on NASH and atherosclerosis in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive 5 (SHRSP5/Dmcr) rats.

Therapeutic effect of ouabagenin, a novel liver X receptor agonist, on atherosclerosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in SHRSP5/Dmcr rat model.

The liver X receptor (LXR) can enhance cholesterol transporters, which could remove excess cholesterol from foam cells in atheromas. LXR has two subtypes: LXRα, which aggravates hepatic lipid accumulation, and LXRβ, which does not. In 2018, ouabagenin (OBG) was reported as a potential LXRβ-specific agonist.

SHRSP5/Dmcr rats fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet develop disease-induced sarcopenia as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis progresses.

Background: Secondary sarcopenia develops as a result of a bedridden state and illnesses, such as cachexia, liver disease, and diabetes. However, there is a lack of animal models to investigate the underlying mechanisms and potential treatments for secondary sarcopenia. Recently, secondary sarcopenia has been associated with the prognosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Increased Glycine-conjugated and Unconjugated Bile Acid Levels Associated with Aggravation of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Cardiovascular Disease in SHRSP5/Dmcr Rat.

The SHRSP5/Dmcr is a useful animal model for the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) pathology when fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, and further drug interventions can lead to concomitant cardiovascular disease. While SHRSP5/Dmcr rats have been used for basic research related to NASH, details of their bile acid metabolism in this condition are unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the changes in the serum bile acid (BA) fractions associated with NASH and found that glycine-conjugated and unconjugated bile acid increased with worsening NASH and cardiovascular disease while taurine-conjugated BA relatively decreased.

Suppression of nitric oxide synthase aggravates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and atherosclerosis in SHRSP5/Dmcr rat via acceleration of abnormal lipid metabolism.

Background: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive subtype of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that is closely related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in the control of various biological processes. Dysfunction of the NO signaling pathway is associated with various diseases such as atherosclerosis, vascular inflammatory disease, and diabetes.

Basic characteristics between mechanomyogram and muscle force during twitch and tetanic contractions in rat skeletal muscles.

The mechanomyogram (MMG) is a signal measured by various vibration sensors for slight vibrations induced by muscle contraction, and it reflects the muscle force during electrically induced-contraction or until 60%-70% maximum voluntary contraction, so the MMG is considered an alternative and novel measurement tool for muscle strength. We simultaneously measured the MMG and muscle force in the gastrocnemius (GC), vastus intermedius (VI), and soleus (SOL) muscles of rats. The muscle force was measured by attaching a hook to the tendon using a load cell, and the MMG was measured using a charged-coupled device-type displacement sensor at the middle of the target muscle.

Methyl-selective isotope labeling using α-ketoisovalerate for the yeast Pichia pastoris recombinant protein expression system.

Methyl-detected NMR spectroscopy is a useful tool for investigating the structures and interactions of large macromolecules such as membrane proteins. The procedures for preparation of methyl-specific isotopically-labeled proteins were established for the Escherichia coli (E. coli) expression system, but typically it is not feasible to express eukaryotic proteins using E.