Targeting Aquaporins for Renal Fibrosis Therapy: Mechanisms and Translational Potential.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem characterized by renal fibrosis (RF). Aquaporins (AQPs) are key regulators of water transport across membranes. Key members of this family (such as AQP1, AQP2, etc.

Single-cell transcriptomics combined with spatial transcriptomics reveals a fibrotic microenvironment in hyperuricemic nephropathy.

Background: Hyperuricemia nephropathy (HN) is a kidney disease caused by hyperuricemia, with renal fibrosis as its hallmark lesion. Renal fibrosis involves diverse cell populations and complex intercellular communication, but its cellular composition and molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: We employed single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to analyze kidney tissues from HN rats, identifying cell populations, gene expression patterns, and intercellular interactions.

TGF-β inhibitors: the future for prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis?

Liver fibrosis is a core pathological process in the progression of chronic liver diseases to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, characterized by abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), through classical small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad)-dependent and non-Smad-dependent pathways, activates hepatic stellate cells to transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts, promotes extracellular matrix synthesis, and regulates immunity, serving as a key driver of fibrogenesis. This review systematically summarizes the role of TGF-β in liver fibrosis and details the research progress of TGF-β-targeted inhibitors.

Identification of core noncoding RNA-associated competing endogenous RNA networks in renal fibrosis via whole-transcriptome sequencing.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate noncoding RNA (ncRNA) expression changes in renal fibrosis (RF) models induced by three distinct etiologies using whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing, identify overlapping differentially expressed (DE) ncRNAs, construct core competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, and explore their role in RF.

Methods: Three RF rat models, 5/6 nephrectomy, adenine, and unilateral ureteral obstruction, were established. DE RNAs were identified through sequencing and validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Mechanisms and therapeutic potential of multiple forms of programmed cell death in renal fibrosis.

Programmed cell death (PCD), particularly necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis alongside classical apoptosis has attracted considerable attention in recent years in the context of renal fibrosis (RF). Accumulating evidence indicates that these regulated cell death pathways contribute substantially to renal tissue damage and fibrosis progression by promoting inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Renal fibrosis, a common pathological process to various chronic kidney diseases (CKD), is closely intertwined with diverse forms of cell death.

Network pharmacological analysis on the mechanism of Linggui Zhugan decoction for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), represents a chronic progressive disease that imposes a significant burden on patients and the healthcare system. Linggui Zhugan decoction (LGZGD) plays a substantial role in treating NAFLD, but its exact molecular mechanism is unknown. Using network pharmacology, this study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of LGZGD in treating NAFLD.

The prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Guangxi, southern China.

Background: Human papillomavirus is a primary cause of cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV vaccine can prevent high-grade cervical lesions as well as cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Guangxi before and after the HPV vaccine was approved for use in China.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study of 15 ingredients of Polygonum chinense Linn extract in rats by UHPLC-MS/MS.

A rapid and sensitive ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of 15 bioactive ingredients in rat plasma and tissues after oral administration of Polygonum chinense Linn extract (PCE). After addition of internal standards (ISs; rutin and danshensu), plasma and tissue samples were pre-treated by protein precipitation with acetonitrile-ethanol. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent ZORBAX RRHD Eclipse Plus C column with gradient elution using a mobile phase composed of methanol and water (containing 0.

An ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of thirteen components extracted from Radix Puerariae in rat plasma and tissues: Application to pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution study.

A rapid and sensitive ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for simultaneous determination of thirteen bioactive components (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, puerarin, p-hydroxycinnamic acid, daidzin, ononin, daidzein, naringenin, genistein, apigenin, formononetin, biochanin A, and β-sitosterol) of Radix Puerariae extract in rat plasma and tissues. The plasma and tissues samples were pretreated by protein precipitation extraction, and umbelliferone and rutin were used as internal standards. Sample separation was performed on a ZORBAX RRHD Eclipse plus C column (2.

Simultaneous determination of fourteen compounds of Hedyotis diffusa Willd extract in rats by UHPLC-MS/MS method: Application to pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study.

A rapid, sensitive and selective ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry UHPLC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of fourteen bioactive ingredients (gallic acid, geniposidic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, scopoletin, apigenin-7-o-glucuronide, daidzein, apigenin, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, β-sitosterol, coniferin, and stigmasterol) in the plasma and tissues of rats. Danshensu and icariin were used as internal standards (IS1 and IS2). The chromatographic separation was achieved by using an Agilent ZORBAX RRHD Eclipse Plus C18 column (2.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Maillard reaction products from xylan with chitosan/chitooligomer/glucosamine hydrochloride/taurine model systems.

The structure, UV absorbance, browning intensity, fluorescence changes, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial assessment of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) derived from xylan with chitosan, chitooligomer, glucosamine hydrochloride and taurine model systems were evaluated. The results revealed that all MRPs had similar infrared spectra and molecular structures. MRPs from different model systems on the UV absorbance at 294 nm after heated 90 min and browning intensity at 420 nm showed the similar law: xylan-taurine > xylan-glucosamine hydrochloride > xylan-chitooligomer > xylan-chitosan, and the order of DPPH scavenging activity of MRPs was as follows: xylan-chitosan > xylan-chitooligomer > xylan-glucosamine hydrochloride > xylan-taurine, which revealed that the properties of MRPs were closely related to molecular weight of model systems.