Key Laboratory for Metabolic Diseases in Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; Hanlin College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Taizhou, 225300, China. Electronic address:
Published: July 2022
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
It was reported that spexin as an adipocyte-secreted protein could regulate obesity and insulin resistance. However, the specific metabolic contribution of spexin to fatty liver remains incompletely understood. Herein, we investigated the effects of spexin on hepatosteatosis and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. HFD-fed mice were injected with spexin and/or GALR2 antagonist M871, while PA-induced HepG2 cells were treated with spexin in the absence or presence of M871 for 12 h, respectively. Gene expression in liver tissues and hepatocytes was assessed by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The results showed that body weight, visceral fat content, liver lipid droplet formation, hepatic intracellular triglyceride, and serum triglyceride were reduced in spexin-treated mice. Furthermore, spexin increased the expression of hepatic CPT1A, PPARα, SIRT1, KLF9, PGC-1α and PEPCK in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, spexin treatment improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in mice fed the HFD. Interestingly, these spexin-mediated beneficial effects were abolished by the GALR2 antagonist M871 in mice fed HFD and PA-induced HepG2 cells, suggesting that spexin mitigated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis by activating the GALR2, thereby increasing CPT1A, PPARα, SIRT1, KLF9, PGC-1α and PEPCK expression. Taken together, these data suggest that spexin ameliorates NAFLD by improving lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation via activation of GALR2 signaling.
Neuropeptides are involved in numerous brain activities being able to control a wide spectrum of physiological functions. In recent years, a number of novel pleiotropic regulatory peptides have been discovered in animal brain structures. The purpose of this descriptive neurochemical investigation was to detect the possible expression of the novel multifunctional neuropeptides spexin (SPX) and nesfatin-1 within the human brainstem.
Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors and a leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Research is focusing on biomarkers linked to breast cancer, particularly two novel proteins: isthmin-1 (ISM-1) and spexin (SPX), which require further investigation.
Material And Methods: The study involved 20 healthy controls and 60 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma, categorized into three groups: Grade I (n=20), Grade II (n=20), and Grade III (n=20).
Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Cytokines and chemokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-1 beta originating from immune cells are involved in the etiopathogenesis of HT. Spexin (SPX) is a recently identified novel peptide hormone consisting of 14 amino acids and has been demonstrated in follicle epithelial cells in thyroid tissue.
State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China. Electronic address:
Spexin (SPX1) is a novel neuropeptide composed of 14 amino acids and well conserved across vertebrates, and it has been implicated in various physiological functions via galanin receptor 2 (GALR2) and GALR3. However, the detailed signaling pathways mediating its actions in target cells are still largely unknown. Accordingly, we addressed this issue in the present study using yellowtail kingfish as a model.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a slowly progressive, locally aggressive and rarely metastasizing cancer, and although its mortality is low, its morbidity and cost of disease are high. While BCC is more common, cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is significant due to its higher mortality rate. These patients can be treated, but recurrence, metastasis and mortality may occur in such patients.
