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Salvianolic acid A (SA-A), a water-soluble compound extracted from traditional Chinese herb Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza, has anti-fibrotic effects on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-fibrotic effects of SA-A on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice. All mice (except control group) were intraperitoneally administered CCl4 dissolved in peanut oil to induce liver fibrosis. Treatment groups were then gavaged with SA-A (20 or 40 mg/kg). The liver function index; liver fibrosis index; and superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were determined. Furthermore, histopathological changes in liver tissues were observed via hematoxylin–eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I was detected using immunofluorescence, and the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Finally, western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to determine the expression levels of proteins related to Nrf2/HO-1, NF-κB/IκBα, p38 MAPK, and JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathways. The results showed that SA-A could ameliorate CCl4-induced liver injury and liver fibrosis, improve morphology, and alleviate collagen deposition in the fibrotic liver. Moreover, SA-A could regulate the Nrf2/HO-1, NF-κB/IκBα, p38 MAPK, and JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathways; increase the levels of SOD and GSH-Px; and decrease MDA level in the fibrotic liver. Collectively, our study findings indicate that SA-A is effective in preventing liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress via regulating the Nrf2/HO-1, NF-κB/IκBα, p38 MAPK, and JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to study the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of apple (Malus. sp.) rootstock with different gravitropic setpoint angles (GSAs), during the formation of stem-root GSAs. The annual shoots of eight years hybrid seedlings of Malus pumila'Ralls' and M. sp. were used as experimental materials, and softwood cutting was carried out in mid-May. Different strains of adventitious root GSA were screened and shoot cuttings were carried out again the following year. The cuttings were randomly selected at 24 day after cutting, and then the transcriptome analysis was carried out. The results show that: (1) according to the difference of stem-root GSA of cutting seedlings, the seedlings of apple rootstock were divided into 3 groups: deep root type (SC), intermediate root type (ZC) and shallow root type (QC). (2) Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that 2613 genes from shallow- and deep-rooted rootstock, 2091 from deep- and intermediate-rooted rootstock, and 3114 from intermediate- and shallow-rooted rootstock, were annotated into 125 pathways. Among these pathways, plant hormone signal transduction, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways were significantly enriched (P < 0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is known as a mammalian cell energy sensor, which could regulate cellular energy metabolism via sensing the alterations of energy balance, such as oversupply or lack of glucose and fatty acid. Recent studies have suggested that AMPK could also regulate many other biological processes, including cell cycling, inflammation, protein synthesis, and so on. In this study, AMPK signaling in high-glucose-induced dysfunction of mesangial cells (MCs) was investigated. Methods: Established rat glomerular MCs were treated under normal glucose (5.6 mM glucose) or high-glucose conditions (30 mM glucose). mRNA levels of AMPK subunits were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Expressions of AMPK α, phosphorylated AMPK α (p-AMPK α), phosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase (p-ACC), and collagen IV were measured by Western blot. Results: Under high-glucose conditions, AMPK α protein expression and mRNA levels were significantly decreased. High-glucose treatment also induced a notable decrease in p-AMPK α and p-ACC expression. AMPK α activation by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1- β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR) effectively ameliorated high-glucose-induced dysfunction of MCs, including cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, and collagen IV production. Conclusion: High glucose impaired AMPK α in its expression and activity; AICAR significantly ameliorated high-glucose-induced proliferation of MCs and collagen IV production, indicating a role of AMPK α in high-glucose-induced dysfunction of MCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]