Publications by authors named "Xinxin Chai"

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global health issue characterized by abnormal blood glucose levels and is often associated with excessive hepatic gluconeogenesis. Increased circulating non-essential amino acids (NEAAs) are consistently observed in individuals with T2D; however, the specific contribution of each amino acid to T2D pathogenesis remains less understood. Here, we report an unexpected role of the NEAA proline in coordinating hepatic glucose metabolism by modulating paraspeckle, a nuclear structure scaffolded by the long non-coding RNA Neat1.

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As one of the most common malignant tumors, melanoma is a serious threat to human health. More than half of melanoma patients have a BRAF mutation, and 90% of them have a BRAF(V600E) mutation. There is a targeted therapy for patients using a BRAF(V600E) inhibitor.

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Exposure to the toxic metal cadmium (Cd) is a well-established risk factor for hepatic inflammation, but it remains unclear how metabolic components, such as different fatty acids (FAs), interact with Cd to influence this process. Understanding these interactions is essential for identifying potential preventative and therapeutic targets for this disorder. To address this question, we conducted in vitro and in vivo studies to investigate the combinatorial effect of Cd and saturated FAs on hepatic inflammation.

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Article Synopsis
  • Chronic exposure to low-dose cadmium (Cd) is linked to the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice, causing increased fat deposition, hepatocyte destruction, and inflammation in the liver.
  • The study introduced a murine model, where drinking water with Cd significantly affected liver health over 6 to 12 weeks, supporting the idea that Cd can promote NASH.
  • The research also found that Cd disrupts fatty acid metabolism, particularly by inhibiting the desaturation process, leading to toxic saturated fatty acids that worsen liver damage and inflammation.
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Carpesium abrotanoides L. (CA) is widely used as a medicinal plant in Asia. The biological activities of the extract from the roots of Carpesium abrotanoides L.

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