Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by renal fibrosis and functional decline. Apolipoprotein H (Apoh) and Fructus arctii, a traditional medicinal plant, have demonstrated potential in treating metabolic and fibrotic disorders. This study Focused on revealing the roles of Apoh and Fructus arctii in mitigating DN.
Methods: Db/db mice served as an in vivo DN model, and mouse glomerular mesangial cells (mMCs) and renal tubular epithelial cells (mTECs) were treated with high glucose (HG) to simulate DN in vitro. Apoh silencing and overexpression were performed using shRNA and pcDNA3.1 vectors. Fructus arctii was administered to both cellular and animal models to assess its therapeutic potential. Cellular proliferation was measured using CCK-8 and EdU assays, while fibrosis markers were analyzed by Western blot, IHC and RT-qPCR. PPAR-γ pathway involvement was confirmed through treatment with the antagonist GW9662. Renal structural changes were evaluated with histological staining including H&E, PAS, Masson's trichrome, and picrosirius red staining.
Results: Apoh expression was markedly reduced in HG-treated cells and the kidneys of db/db mice. Overexpression of Apoh suppressed HG-induced proliferation in mMCs and mTECs by downregulating cyclin D1 and PCNA. Additionally, Apoh overexpression alleviated fibrosis by reducing Fibronectin, Collagen I, and α-SMA levels, effects mediated through the PPAR-γ pathway. Treatment with the PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 reversed these protective effects. In db/db mice, Fructus arctii administration improved renal function by reducing blood glucose, proteinuria, and renal collagen deposition. It also alleviated fibrosis and enhanced Apoh and PPAR-γ expression. Silencing Apoh nullified the protective effects of Fructus arctii on cell proliferation and fibrosis, confirming its reliance on the Apoh/PPAR-γ pathway.
Conclusion: Fructus arctii alleviated DN progression by modulating cell proliferation and renal fibrosis via the Apoh/PPAR-γ pathway.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molimm.2025.02.017 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Fructus arctii mitigates diabetic nephropathy via the Apoh/PPAR-γ pathway.
Mol Immunol
March 2025
College of Pharmacy, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning 116600, China. Electronic address:
Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by renal fibrosis and functional decline. Apolipoprotein H (Apoh) and Fructus arctii, a traditional medicinal plant, have demonstrated potential in treating metabolic and fibrotic disorders. This study Focused on revealing the roles of Apoh and Fructus arctii in mitigating DN.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnti-TNBC effects of Lappaol F by targeting epithelial-mesenchymal transition via regulation of GSK-3β/YAP/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT pathways.
Front Pharmacol
February 2025
Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Purpose: Lappaol F (LAF), a lignan extracted from , has a wide spectrum of anti-tumor effects, including inhibition of TNBC cell growth. However, the pharmacological mechanism of LAF targeting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to inhibit Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) growth remains poorly understood. The present study aimed to reveal the potential mechanism of LAF against TNBC by and experiments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMechanism of β‑sitosterol in treating keloids: Network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental verification.
Mol Med Rep
April 2025
Keloid Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin 133000, P.R. China.
β‑sitosterol (SIT) has anti‑inflammatory, anti‑tumor and anti‑fibrotic effects. However, the precise mechanisms underlying its efficacy in keloid treatment remain elusive. The present study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic effect of SIT on keloids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFirst Report of sp. from the Species Complex Causing Postharvest Decay of European Pear in West Virginia, United States.
Plant Dis
November 2024
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, West Virginia, United States;
Article Synopsis
- In November 2022, two 'Shenandoah' European pears at the USDA Appalachian Fruit Research Station exhibited significant decay, with over 75% of the surface showing brown discoloration and softening, which indicated a potential fungal disease.
- Tissue samples from the affected pears were collected, purified, and the fungal isolate was found to have rapid growth characteristics and distinct conidia (spore) sizes.
- Genetic analysis revealed that the isolate (WV22SR1P5) is closely related to a Diaporthe species known for affecting cucumbers, suggesting this may be a newly identified pathogen not yet formally classified.
Fructus Arctii Mitigates Depressive Disorder via the Let-7e-Modulated Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) Signaling Pathway.
Brain Behav
November 2024
Department of Pediatric Psychiatry, The Affiliated Xuzhou Eastern Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University/Xuzhou Eastern People's Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Background: Depressive disorder is a common and serious public health challenge globally. Fructus arctii is a traditional medicinal plant ingredient with diverse pharmacological effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Fructus arctii in alleviating depressive-like behaviors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!