Phenotypic Switching of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerosis.

The medial layer of the arterial wall is composed mainly of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Under physiological conditions, VSMCs assume a contractile phenotype, and their primary function is to regulate vascular tone. In contrast with terminally differentiated cells, VSMCs possess phenotypic plasticity, capable of transitioning into other cellular phenotypes in response to changes in the vascular environment.

Corrigendum to "Melatonin Attenuates Diabetic Myocardial Microvascular Injury through Activating the AMPK/SIRT1 Signaling Pathway".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2021/8882130.].

Melatonin Attenuates Diabetic Myocardial Microvascular Injury through Activating the AMPK/SIRT1 Signaling Pathway.

Cardiac microvascular endothelial cell (CMEC) dysfunction is considered as a major contributor to the cardiovascular complications in diabetes mellitus, with oxidative stress caused by hyperglycemia playing a critical role in the progression of CMEC dysfunction. Melatonin is a kind of hormone well known for its antioxidant properties, which has potential protective effects against diabetes mellitus and its complications. However, the role of melatonin on CMEC dysfunction caused by hyperglycemia and its molecular mechanisms underlying these effects has not been clarified.

The Nuclear Farnesoid X Receptor Reduces p53 Ubiquitination and Inhibits Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation.

The role of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in cervical cancer and the underlying molecular mechanism remain largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the mechanism of FXR in cervical cancer. Western blot, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that FXR was significantly reduced in squamous cell carcinoma tissues, although there were no associations of metastasis and TNM stage with FXR.

N-n-Butyl haloperidol iodide ameliorates liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell activation in mice.

N-n-Butyl haloperidol iodide (F) is a novel compound that has antiproliferative and antifibrogenic activities. In this study we investigated the therapeutic potential of F against liver fibrosis in mice and the underlying mechanisms. Two widely used mouse models of fibrosis was established in mice by injection of either carbon tetrachloride (CCl) or thioacetamide (TAA).