@article {287, title = {An abundant ginger compound furanodienone alleviates gut inflammation via the xenobiotic nuclear receptor PXR in mice.}, journal = {Nat Commun}, volume = {16}, year = {2025}, month = {2025 Feb 03}, pages = {1280}, abstract = {

The literature documenting the value of drug-like molecules found in natural products is vast. Although many dietary and herbal remedies have been found to be effective for treating intestinal inflammation, the identification of their active components has lagged behind. In this study, we find that a major ginger component, furanodienone (FDN), is a selective pregnane X receptor (PXR) ligand with agonistic transcriptional outcomes. We show that FDN binds within a sub-pocket of the PXR ligand binding domain (LBD), with subsequent alterations in LBD structure. Using male mice, we show that orally provided FDN has potent PXR-dependant anti-inflammatory outcomes that are colon-specific. Increased affinity and target gene activation in the presence of synergistically acting agonists indicates further opportunities for augmenting FDN activity, efficacy and safety. Collectively, these results support the translational potential of FDN as a therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of colonic diseases.

}, keywords = {Animals, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Colitis, Colon, Furans, Humans, Inflammation, Ligands, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Pregnane X Receptor, Zingiber officinale}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-025-56624-0}, author = {Wang, Xiaojuan and Zhang, Guohui and Bian, Zhiwei and Chow, Vimanda and Grimaldi, Marina and Carivenc, Coralie and Sirounian, Savannah and Li, Hao and Sladekova, Lucia and Mott, Stefano and Luperi, Yulia and Gong, Yufeng and Costello, Cait and Li, Linhao and Jachimowicz, Matthew and Guo, Miao and Hu, Shian and Wilson, Derek and Balaguer, Patrick and Bourguet, William and Mani, Sridhar and Bonati, Laura and Peng, Hui and March, John and Wang, Hongbing and Wang, Shengpeng and Krause, Henry M and Liu, Jiabao} } @article {274, title = {Multigenerational effects of disperse blue 79 at environmentally relevant concentrations on zebrafish (Danio rerio) fecundity: An integrated approach.}, journal = {J Hazard Mater}, volume = {478}, year = {2024}, month = {2024 Oct 05}, pages = {135442}, abstract = {

The brominated azo dye (BAD) Disperse Blue (DB79) is a widespread environmental pollutant. The long-term toxicological effects of DB79 and the mechanisms thereof must be understood to allow assessment of the risks of DB79 pollution. A dual-omics approach employing in silico analysis, bioinformatics, and in vitro bioassays was used to investigate the transgenerational (F-F) toxicity of DB79 in zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations and identify molecular initiating events and key events associated with DB79-induced fertility disorders. Exposure to 500\ {\textmu}g/L DB79 decreased fecundity in the F and F generations by \>\ 30\ \% and increased the condition factor of the F generation 1.24-fold. PPARα/RXR and PXR ligand binding activation were found to be critical molecular initiating events associated with the decrease in fecundity. Several key events (changes in fatty acid oxidation and uptake, lipoprotein metabolism, and xenobiotic metabolism and transport) involved in lipid dysregulation and xenobiotic disposition were found to be induced by DB79 through bioinformatic annotation using dual-omics data. The biomolecular underpinnings of decreased transgenerational fertility in zebrafish attributable to BAD exposure were elucidated and novel biomolecular targets in the adverse outcome pathway framework were identified. These results will inform future studies and facilitate the development of mitigation strategies.

}, keywords = {Animals, Azo Compounds, Female, Fertility, Male, Pregnane X Receptor, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Zebrafish}, issn = {1873-3336}, doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135442}, author = {Wang, Chao and Gu, Wen and Zhang, Shaoping and Li, Li and Kong, Jian and Zhi, Hong and Liu, Juan and Wang, Mengmeng and Miao, Ke and Li, Qi and Yu, Jie and Wang, Runming and He, Runming and Zhang, Shuyi and Deng, Fuchang and Duan, Shuling and Zhang, Qiannan and Liu, Zhenming and Yang, Hui and Jia, Xudong and Peng, Hui and Tang, Song} } @article {127, title = {Screening of House Dust from Chinese Homes for Chemicals with Liver X Receptors Binding Activities and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Activity Using an Macrophage Cell Line and Mice.}, journal = {Environ Health Perspect}, volume = {127}, year = {2019}, month = {2019 11}, pages = {117003}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death worldwide, and environmental pollutants are increasingly recognized as risk factors for atherosclerosis. Liver X receptors (LXRs) play a central role in atherosclerosis; however, LXR activity of organic pollutants and associated potential risk of atherosclerosis have not yet been characterized.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore whether LXR-antagonistic chemicals are present in indoor house dust and, if so, to characterize this activity in relation to changes in macrophages and cardiovascular disease indicators in an atherosclerosis mouse model.

METHODS: We used a -down assay and a nontarget high-resolution mass spectrometry method to screen house dust collected from Chinese homes for - and -antagonist activity. A chemical identified in this manner was assessed for its ability to induce cholesterol efflux and foam cell formation in RAW264.7 macrophages, to down-regulate the expression of two LXR-dependent genes, and , and finally to induce atherosclerotic lesions using an mouse model.

RESULTS: We identified the flame retardants triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) and 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) in house dust samples and demonstrated their ability to antagonize LXRs. The potency of TPHP was similar to that of the LXR-antagonist SR9238. TPHP could also inhibit cholesterol efflux and promote foam cell formation in RAW264.7 macrophages and mouse peritoneal macrophages and significantly promoted atherosclerotic lesion formation in the mouse model.

CONCLUSIONS: We found LXR-antagonist chemicals in environmental samples of indoor dust from Chinese homes. One of the chemicals, TPHP, was able to promote the development of atherosclerotic lesions in the mouse model. These results highlight the need to assess the LXR-antagonist activities of pollutants in future environmental management programs. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5039.

}, keywords = {Air Pollutants, Air Pollution, Indoor, Animals, Atherosclerosis, China, Dust, Liver X Receptors, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, ApoE, RAW 264.7 Cells}, issn = {1552-9924}, doi = {10.1289/EHP5039}, author = {Hu, Wenxin and Jia, Yingting and Kang, Qiyue and Peng, Hui and Ma, Haojia and Zhang, Shiyi and Hiromori, Youhei and Kimura, Tomoki and Nakanishi, Tsuyoshi and Zheng, Lemin and Qiu, Yifu and Zhang, Zhaobin and Wan, Yi and Hu, Jianying} } @article {128, title = {Underlying mechanisms of reproductive toxicity caused by multigenerational exposure of 2, bromo-4, 6-dinitroaniline (BDNA) to Zebrafish (Danio rerio) at environmental relevant levels.}, journal = {Aquat Toxicol}, volume = {216}, year = {2019}, month = {2019 Nov}, pages = {105285}, abstract = {

2-bromo-4, 6-dinitroaniline (BDNA) is a mutagenic aromatic amine involved in the production and degradation of Disperse blue 79, one of the most extensively used brominated azo dyes. In our previous study, a multigenerational exposure of BDNA (0.5, 5, 50 and 500 μg/L) to zebrafish from F adult to F larvae including a recovery group in F larvae was conducted. The effects on apical points observed in individuals and the long-term effects predicted on population were all related to reproduction. In this study, we performed molecular analysis to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the reproductive toxicity of BDNA. In F generation, measurement of vitellogenin and transcription levels of genes associated with hypothalamus-pituitary-gland (HPG) axis, estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) were conducted. There was a decrease in VTG level in the blood of F female fish and transcription of genes related to ER was more affected than that of genes related to AR. These results were consistent with adverse effects that sexual differentiation was biased towards males and fecundity was impaired in a concentration-dependent manner in adults of F generation after 150 days exposure. In F generation, global gene transcriptions of F larvae were investigated. It was uncovered that processes related to apoptosis, development and DNA damage were strongly affected. Alterations to these biological pathways accounted for the irreversible parental influence on a significant decrease in hatchability and increase in abnormality of F larvae. All evidence suggested that the multigenerational exposure of BDNA posed lasting effects transmitted from parents to offspring that persisted after exposure ceased.

}, keywords = {Aniline Compounds, Animals, DNA Damage, Environmental Exposure, Female, Larva, Male, Principal Component Analysis, Reproduction, Toxicity Tests, Transcription, Genetic, Transcriptome, Vitellogenins, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Zebrafish}, issn = {1879-1514}, doi = {10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.105285}, author = {Xie, Xianyi and Jin, Yaru and Ma, Zhiyuan and Tang, Song and Peng, Hui and Giesy, John P and Liu, Hongling} } @article {104, title = {p,p{\textquoteright}-DDE Induces Gonadal Intersex in Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes) at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations: Comparison with o,p{\textquoteright}-DDT.}, journal = {Environ Sci Technol}, volume = {50}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Jan 05}, pages = {462-9}, abstract = {

Previous studies have reported high body burdens of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites in wild fishes worldwide. This study evaluated the adverse effects of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p{\textquoteright}-DDE) and o,p{\textquoteright}-DDT on gonadal development and reproduction by exposing transgenic Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) from hatch for 100 days. While both p,p{\textquoteright}-DDE and o,p{\textquoteright}-DDT induced intersex in male medaka, the lowest observable effective concentration (LOEC) of o,p{\textquoteright}-DDT was 57.7 ng/g ww, about 5-fold lower than that (272 ng/g ww) of p,p{\textquoteright}-DDE. Since LOECs of both chemicals were comparable to the body concentrations in wild fish, DDT contamination would likely contribute to the occurrence of intersex observed in wild fish. Exposure to o,p{\textquoteright}-DDT resulted in much higher expression of vitellogenin in liver of males than p,p{\textquoteright}-DDE, accordant with the higher potency of o,p{\textquoteright}-DDT than p,p{\textquoteright}-DDE to induce intersex. This phenomenon could be partly explained by the significantly elevated levels of 17β-estradiol in plasma of males exposed to o,p{\textquoteright}-DDT, in addition to its estrogenic activity via the estrogen receptor. Significantly lower fertilization (p = 0.006) and hatchability (p = 0.019) were observed in the 13 intersex males. This study for the first time demonstrated the induction of intersex and reproductive effects of p,p{\textquoteright}-DDE and o,p{\textquoteright}-DDT at environmentally relevant concentrations.

}, keywords = {Animals, DDT, Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene, Disorders of Sex Development, Estradiol, Gonads, Male, Oryzias, Vitellogenins, Water Pollutants, Chemical}, issn = {1520-5851}, doi = {10.1021/acs.est.5b05042}, author = {Sun, Jianxian and Wang, Chen and Peng, Hui and Zheng, Guomao and Zhang, Shiyi and Hu, Jianying} } @article {113, title = {High-density lipoprotein of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus upregulates cyclooxgenase-2 expression and prostacyclin I-2 release in endothelial cells: relationship with HDL-associated sphingosine-1-phosphate.}, journal = {Cardiovasc Diabetol}, volume = {12}, year = {2013}, month = {2013 Jan 30}, pages = {27}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may have pro-inflammatory effects on the endothelial cells,which causes atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). HDL is a major carrier of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in plasma while S1P exhibits multiple biological activities. However, potential role of HDL and S1P in T2DM remains unexplored. We hypothesized that diabetic HDL with higher contents of S1P exerts beneficial effects on the vascular system.

METHODS: Subjects with T2DM with or without proved large arteries atherosclerosis and normal controls (n=15 for each group) were recruited in the present study. HDL was isolated from the subjects by ultracentrifugation. The levels of HDL-associated S1P were determined by UPLC-MS/MS. The protective function of diabetic HDL and S1P was evaluated by measuring cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostacyclin I-2 (PGI-2) release by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) using western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.

RESULTS: The S1P levels in isolated HDL were significantly increased in T2DM subjects compared with controls (235.6 {\textpm} 13.4 vs 195.0 {\textpm} 6.4 ng/mg, P\< 0.05). The diabetic HDL exerted greater protective effects on inducing COX-2 expression and PGI-2 release by HUVECs than those of control HDL (p \< 0.05, p \< 0.01, respectively). Pertussis toxin, a common inhibitor of G-couple protein receptors, and VPC 23019, an antagonist of S1P receptor 1 and 3 significantly attenuated HDL-induced COX-2 expression and PGI-2 release.

CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic HDL carries higher level of S1P compared with normal HDL, which has the potential to contribute to protective effects on endothelial cells by inducing COX-2 expression and PGI-2 release. These findings provide a new insight of S1P function in T2DM patients, possibly leading to a new therapeutic target.

}, keywords = {Adult, Aged, Cells, Cultured, Cyclooxygenase 2, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Endothelial Cells, Epoprostenol, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells, Humans, Lipoproteins, HDL, Lysophospholipids, Male, Middle Aged, Sphingosine, Up-Regulation}, issn = {1475-2840}, doi = {10.1186/1475-2840-12-27}, author = {Tong, Xunliang and Peng, Hui and Liu, Donghui and Ji, Liang and Niu, Chenguang and Ren, Jun and Pan, Bing and Hu, Jianying and Zheng, Lemin and Huang, Yining} }