Objective Ulcerative colitis is a prevalent immunoinflammatory disease.Th17/Treg cell imbalance and gut microbiota dysregulation are key factors in ulcerative colitis pathogenesis.The actin cytoskeleton contributes to...Objective Ulcerative colitis is a prevalent immunoinflammatory disease.Th17/Treg cell imbalance and gut microbiota dysregulation are key factors in ulcerative colitis pathogenesis.The actin cytoskeleton contributes to regulating the proliferation,differentiation,and migration of Th17 and Treg cells.Wdr63,a gene containing the WD repeat domain,participates in the structure and functional modulation of actin cytoskeleton.Recent research indicates that WDR63 may serve as a regulator of cell migration and metastasis via actin polymerization inhibition.This article aims to explore the effect of Wdr63 deletion on Th17/Treg cells and ulcerative colitis.Methods We constructed Wdr63-/-mice,induced colitis in mice using dextran sulfate sodium salt,collected colon tissue for histopathological staining,collected mesenteric lymph nodes for flow cytometry analysis,and collected healthy mouse feces for microbial diversity detection.Results Compared with wild-type colitis mice,Wdr63-/-colitis mice had a more pronounced shortening of colonic tissue,higher scores on disease activity index and histological damage index,Treg cells decreased and Th17 cells increased in colonic tissue and mesenteric lymph nodes,a lower level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10,and a higher level of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17A.In addition,WDR63 has shown positive effects on maintaining intestinal microbiota homeostasis.It maintains the balance of Bacteroidota and Firmicutes,promoting the formation of beneficial intestinal bacteria linked to immune inflammation.Conclusion Wdr63 deletion aggravates ulcerative colitis in mice,WDR63 inhibits colonic inflammation likely by regulating Th17/Treg balance and maintains intestinal microbiota homeostasis.展开更多
OBJECTIVE To identify the valid targets and new drugs of ulcerative colitis(UC),a recurrent and intractable inflammatory bowel disease.METHODS and RESULTS In an in vivo mouse model of DSS-induced colitis,HLJ2 decrease...OBJECTIVE To identify the valid targets and new drugs of ulcerative colitis(UC),a recurrent and intractable inflammatory bowel disease.METHODS and RESULTS In an in vivo mouse model of DSS-induced colitis,HLJ2 decreased weight loss,colon contracture,disease activity index(DAI),colon mucosa damage index(CMDI)and histopathological index(HI).HLJ2 also decreased myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity and reduced production of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL^(-1)β,and IL-6.HLJ2 improved intestinal mucosa damage induced by dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)and increased the expression of ZO-1 and claudin-1.Fecal 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing demonstrated a significant improvement in UC intestinal dysbacteriosis in mice treated with HLJ2,including increased abundance of probiotics such as Lachnospiraceae,Prevotellaceae,and Lactobacillaceae.At the same time there was a reduction in the abundance of pathogenic or conditional pathogenic microorganisms such as Bacteroidaceae,Porphyromonadaceae,Deferribacteraceae,and Pseudomonadaceae in HLJ2-treated mice compared with untreated mice.CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that the XBP1 agonist HLJ2 inhibits inflammation,regulates the intestinal flora,and protects the intestinal mucosa.It is thus a potential therapeutic agent for ulcerative colitis.展开更多
OBJECTIVE Although it is generally believed that nicotine accounts for the beneficial effect of smoking on ulcerative colitis,the underlying mechanisms remain not well-understood.Our previous finding that nicotine inh...OBJECTIVE Although it is generally believed that nicotine accounts for the beneficial effect of smoking on ulcerative colitis,the underlying mechanisms remain not well-understood.Our previous finding that nicotine inhibits inflammatory responses through inducing miRNA-124 prompted us to ask whether the miRNA is involved in the protective action of nicotine on UC.METHODS Mi R-124 expression in colon tissues and cells was determined by q-PCR and in situ hybridization.The effect of miR-124 on protective role of nicotine in ulcerative colitis was evaluated in DSS-treated mice and IL-6-treated Caco-2 colon epithelial cells.Expression of p-STAT3/STAT3 was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.RESULTS miR-124 expression is upregulated in colon tissues from patients and DSS-induced colitis.Nicotine treatment further elevated miR-124 level in colon tissues of the mice,in infiltrated lymphocytes and epithelial cells,and augmented miR-124 expression in lymphocytes isolated from human ulcerative colon tissues.Administration of nicotine also reduced weight loss,improved DAI and decreased HE score in DSS-induced colitis.Moreover,knockdown of miR-124 in vivo significantly diminished the beneficial effect of nicotine,and in vitro on IL-6-treated Caco-2 colon epithelial cells.Further analysis indicated that nicotine inhibited STAT3 activation in vivo and in IL-6-treated Caco-2 colon epithelial cells and Jurkat human T lymphocytes,in whichmiR-124 knockdown led to increased activation of STAT3.CONCLUSION These data indicated that nicotine exerts its protective action in UC through inducing miR-124 and its effect on STAT3,suggesting that the miR-124/STAT3 system is a potential target for the therapeutic intervention of UC.展开更多
A large body of epidemiological and clinical evidences indicated that smoking has a protective effect in patients with ulcerative colitis （UC）. Although it is generally believed that nicotine accounts for the benefi...A large body of epidemiological and clinical evidences indicated that smoking has a protective effect in patients with ulcerative colitis （UC）. Although it is generally believed that nicotine accounts for the beneficial effect of smoking on UC, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Our previously investigations demon- strated that nicotine inhibits inflammatory responses via inducing miRNA-124, which prompted us to ask whether miR-124 is involved in the protective effect of nicotine on UC. We found in the present study that nicotine elevated the level of miR-124 in epithelial colon cancer cell HT-29. MiR-124 overexpression decreased LPS-triggered STAT3 phosphorylation and STAT3 upregulation, whereas its knockdown enhanced LPS-induced p-STAT3/STAT3 increase. In mice UC model, nicotine treatment reduced weight loss, improved disease activity index, decreased HE score and increased miR-124 expression in colon tissues. Furthermore, miR-124 knockdown markedly dimin- ished the beneficial effect of nicotine in UC mice, and attenuated the inhibitory role of nicotine on the STAT3 /p- STAT3 expression in colon tissues. Consistent with its involvement in UC, biopsies samples from patients with UC also contained increased level of miR-124 when compared with that from normal individuals. These data showed that miR-124 is involved in UC and mediates the protective effects of nicotine, suggesting that the mitl-124/STAT3 is a potential target for the therapeutic intervention of UC.展开更多
Aim Ulcerative colitis （UC） is an increasingly common condition particularly in developed countries. The lack of satisfactory treatment fuels the search for alternative therapeutic strategies. In the present study, ...Aim Ulcerative colitis （UC） is an increasingly common condition particularly in developed countries. The lack of satisfactory treatment fuels the search for alternative therapeutic strategies. In the present study, we as- sessed the preclinical activity of berberine for the treatment of dextran sodium sulphate （DSS）-induced chronic re- lapsing colitis in C57BL/6 mice. Methods Colitis of mice was induced by three cycles of 2.0% DSS. From day13 onward, colitis mice were orally administered with 20 mg/kg berberine for 30 days. The disease severity was de- termined by daily monitoring the body weight, stool consistency, and stool bleeding of mice. At the end of treat- ment, colons were collected and subjected to histological, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and LC-MS analyses. Lympho- eytes were isolated from spleens and cultured for assessment of eytokine secretion. Results Berberine significantly ameliorated disease severity, colon shortening, histological injuries of colitis mice. Further, berberine treatment consistently and notably regulated DSS-assoeiated increase in mRNAs levels of Thl7-related eytokines （inhibition of IL-17 and ROR-γt） in the colon out of all tested eytokines. Moreover, the increases of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-23 mRNA, and the phosphorylated STAT3 in colons of DSS - treated mice were significantly reversed by berberine. In addition, berberine directly inhibited TNF-α and IL-17 secretion from cultured lymphoeytes upon PMA/ionomyein -1 re-stimulation. In the meanwhile, a six-time amount of berberine in colon tissue （4.26 ± 2.62 ng · g^-1 colon） was measured when compared that in serum （0.76 ± 0.23 ng · m1^-1） and no detected histological changes was found in major organs of colitis mice. Conclusion We demonstrate for the first time that berberine exerts immuno- modulatory effect in alleviating DSS-indueed chronic relapsing colitis via inhibition of the JAK/STAT signalling acti- vation in the inflamed colon. The demonstration of activity in this model supports the possibility of clinical efficacy of berberine in treating chronic UC.展开更多
Objective:The causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases has not been previously reported.This study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases.Methods:The two‐sam...Objective:The causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases has not been previously reported.This study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases.Methods:The two‐sample Mendelian randomization(MR)method was used to assess the causal effect of eczema on autoimmune diseases.Summary data from the Genome-Wide Association Study Catalog(GWAS)were obtained from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit(IEU)database.For eczema and autoimmune diseases,genetic instrument variants(GIVs)were identified according to the significant difference(P<5×10−8).Causal effect estimates were generated using the inverse‐variance weighted(IVW)method.MR Egger,maximum likelihood,MR-PRESSO,and MR-RAPS methods were used for alternative analyses.Sensitivity tests,including heterogeneity,horizontal pleiotropy,and leave-one-out analyses,were performed.Finally,reverse causality was assessed.Results:Genetic susceptibility to eczema was associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease(OR=1.444,95%CI 1.199 to 1.738,P<0.001)and ulcerative colitis(OR=1.002,95%CI 1.001 to 1.003,P=0.002).However,no causal relationship was found for the other 6 autoimmune diseases,including systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)(OR=0.932,P=0.401),bullous pemphigoid(BP)(OR=1.191,P=0.642),vitiligo(OR=1.000,P=0.327),multiple sclerosis(MS)(OR=1.000,P=0.965),ankylosing spondylitis(AS)(OR=1.001,P=0.121),rheumatoid arthritis(RA)(OR=1.000,P=0.460).Additionally,no reverse causal relationship was found between autoimmune diseases and eczema.Conclusion:Eczema is associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.No causal relationship is found between eczema and SLE,MS,AS,RA,BP,or vitiligo.展开更多
OBJECTIVE To investigate the pharmacological effect of ursolic acid(UA)on colitis-associated colorectal cancer(CAC)and its underlying mechanism based on the Wnt signaling pathway.METHODS The CAC model in mice was esta...OBJECTIVE To investigate the pharmacological effect of ursolic acid(UA)on colitis-associated colorectal cancer(CAC)and its underlying mechanism based on the Wnt signaling pathway.METHODS The CAC model in mice was established by azoxymethane(AOM)combined and dextran sulfate sodium salt(DSS),accompanied by treatment with various dosages of UA and concomitant appraisal of body weight,stool and physical state of the mice.After the sacrifice of the mice,the tumor and length of the colorectum were measured,followed by retrieval of the liver,spleen,thymus and tumor tissue for downstream assays.The levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6),IL^(-1)βand C-reactive protein(CRP)in the tumor and serum were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The pathological changes of colorectal tissues were observed by HE staining.The levels in tumors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins Wnt4,GSK-3β,β-catenin,TCF4,LEF1,c-Myc,cyclin D1 and apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 were assayed by immunohistochemistry(IHC).The mRNA expressions of Wnt4,GSK-3β,β-catenin,TCF4,LEF1,c-Myc,cyclin D1,Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-9 and caspase-3 in tumors were detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR(RT-qPCR).The protein levels of Wnt4,GSK-3β,β-catenin,TCF4,LEF1,c-Myc,cyclin D1,phospho-β-catenin,phospho-GSK-3β,Bcl-2 and Bax in tumors were probed by analyzed by Western blotting(WB).Also,RNA-seq was employed to assess the gut microbiota in the mice.RESULTS UA significantly ameliorated the symptoms of AOM/DSS-induced mouse CAC,evidenced by improved physical state,body weight,survival rate,colorectal length,the mass of liver,thymus,spleen,and decreased CAC load and colorectal mass.UA attenuated the levels of IL-6,IL^(-1)βand CRP in the mouse serum and colorectal tumor in a dose-dependent manner.HE staining showed that UA lessened carcinogenesis in the colorectum,with lower infiltration of lymphocytes,versus the control.IHC indicated that UA mitigated the expression of Wnt4,β-catenin,TCF4,LEF1,c-Myc,cyclin D1,Bcl-2,and promoted the GSK-3βexpression,compared with the control.Furthermore,UA diminished the mRNA expressions of Wnt4,β-catenin,TCF4,LEF1,c-Myc,cyclin D1,Bcl-2,and heightened the mRNA levels of GSK-3β,caspase-3,capase-9 and Bax in CAC.The results of mRNA expressions were verified by WB analysis,which revealed that UA impeded the protein expression of Wnt4,β-catenin,c-Myc,cyclin D1,Bcl-2,TCF4,LEF1,and elevated the protein levels of GSK-3βand Bax,phospho-β-catenin in mouse CAC.In addition,UA substantially ameliorated the gut microbiota to store the metabolic function in the mice with CAC.CONCLUSION Ursolic acid may protect against CAC,potentially by downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activity and restoration of gut microbiota.展开更多
文摘Objective Ulcerative colitis is a prevalent immunoinflammatory disease.Th17/Treg cell imbalance and gut microbiota dysregulation are key factors in ulcerative colitis pathogenesis.The actin cytoskeleton contributes to regulating the proliferation,differentiation,and migration of Th17 and Treg cells.Wdr63,a gene containing the WD repeat domain,participates in the structure and functional modulation of actin cytoskeleton.Recent research indicates that WDR63 may serve as a regulator of cell migration and metastasis via actin polymerization inhibition.This article aims to explore the effect of Wdr63 deletion on Th17/Treg cells and ulcerative colitis.Methods We constructed Wdr63-/-mice,induced colitis in mice using dextran sulfate sodium salt,collected colon tissue for histopathological staining,collected mesenteric lymph nodes for flow cytometry analysis,and collected healthy mouse feces for microbial diversity detection.Results Compared with wild-type colitis mice,Wdr63-/-colitis mice had a more pronounced shortening of colonic tissue,higher scores on disease activity index and histological damage index,Treg cells decreased and Th17 cells increased in colonic tissue and mesenteric lymph nodes,a lower level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10,and a higher level of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17A.In addition,WDR63 has shown positive effects on maintaining intestinal microbiota homeostasis.It maintains the balance of Bacteroidota and Firmicutes,promoting the formation of beneficial intestinal bacteria linked to immune inflammation.Conclusion Wdr63 deletion aggravates ulcerative colitis in mice,WDR63 inhibits colonic inflammation likely by regulating Th17/Treg balance and maintains intestinal microbiota homeostasis.
文摘OBJECTIVE To identify the valid targets and new drugs of ulcerative colitis(UC),a recurrent and intractable inflammatory bowel disease.METHODS and RESULTS In an in vivo mouse model of DSS-induced colitis,HLJ2 decreased weight loss,colon contracture,disease activity index(DAI),colon mucosa damage index(CMDI)and histopathological index(HI).HLJ2 also decreased myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity and reduced production of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL^(-1)β,and IL-6.HLJ2 improved intestinal mucosa damage induced by dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)and increased the expression of ZO-1 and claudin-1.Fecal 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing demonstrated a significant improvement in UC intestinal dysbacteriosis in mice treated with HLJ2,including increased abundance of probiotics such as Lachnospiraceae,Prevotellaceae,and Lactobacillaceae.At the same time there was a reduction in the abundance of pathogenic or conditional pathogenic microorganisms such as Bacteroidaceae,Porphyromonadaceae,Deferribacteraceae,and Pseudomonadaceae in HLJ2-treated mice compared with untreated mice.CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that the XBP1 agonist HLJ2 inhibits inflammation,regulates the intestinal flora,and protects the intestinal mucosa.It is thus a potential therapeutic agent for ulcerative colitis.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(81273606,81473259 to XL,81603116 to YS)National Science and Technology Major Project(2014ZX09J14103-08C to XL)
文摘OBJECTIVE Although it is generally believed that nicotine accounts for the beneficial effect of smoking on ulcerative colitis,the underlying mechanisms remain not well-understood.Our previous finding that nicotine inhibits inflammatory responses through inducing miRNA-124 prompted us to ask whether the miRNA is involved in the protective action of nicotine on UC.METHODS Mi R-124 expression in colon tissues and cells was determined by q-PCR and in situ hybridization.The effect of miR-124 on protective role of nicotine in ulcerative colitis was evaluated in DSS-treated mice and IL-6-treated Caco-2 colon epithelial cells.Expression of p-STAT3/STAT3 was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.RESULTS miR-124 expression is upregulated in colon tissues from patients and DSS-induced colitis.Nicotine treatment further elevated miR-124 level in colon tissues of the mice,in infiltrated lymphocytes and epithelial cells,and augmented miR-124 expression in lymphocytes isolated from human ulcerative colon tissues.Administration of nicotine also reduced weight loss,improved DAI and decreased HE score in DSS-induced colitis.Moreover,knockdown of miR-124 in vivo significantly diminished the beneficial effect of nicotine,and in vitro on IL-6-treated Caco-2 colon epithelial cells.Further analysis indicated that nicotine inhibited STAT3 activation in vivo and in IL-6-treated Caco-2 colon epithelial cells and Jurkat human T lymphocytes,in whichmiR-124 knockdown led to increased activation of STAT3.CONCLUSION These data indicated that nicotine exerts its protective action in UC through inducing miR-124 and its effect on STAT3,suggesting that the miR-124/STAT3 system is a potential target for the therapeutic intervention of UC.
文摘A large body of epidemiological and clinical evidences indicated that smoking has a protective effect in patients with ulcerative colitis （UC）. Although it is generally believed that nicotine accounts for the beneficial effect of smoking on UC, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Our previously investigations demon- strated that nicotine inhibits inflammatory responses via inducing miRNA-124, which prompted us to ask whether miR-124 is involved in the protective effect of nicotine on UC. We found in the present study that nicotine elevated the level of miR-124 in epithelial colon cancer cell HT-29. MiR-124 overexpression decreased LPS-triggered STAT3 phosphorylation and STAT3 upregulation, whereas its knockdown enhanced LPS-induced p-STAT3/STAT3 increase. In mice UC model, nicotine treatment reduced weight loss, improved disease activity index, decreased HE score and increased miR-124 expression in colon tissues. Furthermore, miR-124 knockdown markedly dimin- ished the beneficial effect of nicotine in UC mice, and attenuated the inhibitory role of nicotine on the STAT3 /p- STAT3 expression in colon tissues. Consistent with its involvement in UC, biopsies samples from patients with UC also contained increased level of miR-124 when compared with that from normal individuals. These data showed that miR-124 is involved in UC and mediates the protective effects of nicotine, suggesting that the mitl-124/STAT3 is a potential target for the therapeutic intervention of UC.
文摘Aim Ulcerative colitis （UC） is an increasingly common condition particularly in developed countries. The lack of satisfactory treatment fuels the search for alternative therapeutic strategies. In the present study, we as- sessed the preclinical activity of berberine for the treatment of dextran sodium sulphate （DSS）-induced chronic re- lapsing colitis in C57BL/6 mice. Methods Colitis of mice was induced by three cycles of 2.0% DSS. From day13 onward, colitis mice were orally administered with 20 mg/kg berberine for 30 days. The disease severity was de- termined by daily monitoring the body weight, stool consistency, and stool bleeding of mice. At the end of treat- ment, colons were collected and subjected to histological, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and LC-MS analyses. Lympho- eytes were isolated from spleens and cultured for assessment of eytokine secretion. Results Berberine significantly ameliorated disease severity, colon shortening, histological injuries of colitis mice. Further, berberine treatment consistently and notably regulated DSS-assoeiated increase in mRNAs levels of Thl7-related eytokines （inhibition of IL-17 and ROR-γt） in the colon out of all tested eytokines. Moreover, the increases of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-23 mRNA, and the phosphorylated STAT3 in colons of DSS - treated mice were significantly reversed by berberine. In addition, berberine directly inhibited TNF-α and IL-17 secretion from cultured lymphoeytes upon PMA/ionomyein -1 re-stimulation. In the meanwhile, a six-time amount of berberine in colon tissue （4.26 ± 2.62 ng · g^-1 colon） was measured when compared that in serum （0.76 ± 0.23 ng · m1^-1） and no detected histological changes was found in major organs of colitis mice. Conclusion We demonstrate for the first time that berberine exerts immuno- modulatory effect in alleviating DSS-indueed chronic relapsing colitis via inhibition of the JAK/STAT signalling acti- vation in the inflamed colon. The demonstration of activity in this model supports the possibility of clinical efficacy of berberine in treating chronic UC.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (82273506,82273508)the Hunan Provincial Health Commission Scientific Research Plan Project (D202304128334),China。
文摘Objective:The causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases has not been previously reported.This study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases.Methods:The two‐sample Mendelian randomization(MR)method was used to assess the causal effect of eczema on autoimmune diseases.Summary data from the Genome-Wide Association Study Catalog(GWAS)were obtained from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit(IEU)database.For eczema and autoimmune diseases,genetic instrument variants(GIVs)were identified according to the significant difference(P<5×10−8).Causal effect estimates were generated using the inverse‐variance weighted(IVW)method.MR Egger,maximum likelihood,MR-PRESSO,and MR-RAPS methods were used for alternative analyses.Sensitivity tests,including heterogeneity,horizontal pleiotropy,and leave-one-out analyses,were performed.Finally,reverse causality was assessed.Results:Genetic susceptibility to eczema was associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease(OR=1.444,95%CI 1.199 to 1.738,P<0.001)and ulcerative colitis(OR=1.002,95%CI 1.001 to 1.003,P=0.002).However,no causal relationship was found for the other 6 autoimmune diseases,including systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)(OR=0.932,P=0.401),bullous pemphigoid(BP)(OR=1.191,P=0.642),vitiligo(OR=1.000,P=0.327),multiple sclerosis(MS)(OR=1.000,P=0.965),ankylosing spondylitis(AS)(OR=1.001,P=0.121),rheumatoid arthritis(RA)(OR=1.000,P=0.460).Additionally,no reverse causal relationship was found between autoimmune diseases and eczema.Conclusion:Eczema is associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.No causal relationship is found between eczema and SLE,MS,AS,RA,BP,or vitiligo.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(81573813,81173598)Sichuan Provincial Admin⁃istration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China(2021MS447)+1 种基金Excellent Talent Program of Chengdu University of Tra⁃ditional Chinese Medicine of China(YXRC2019002,ZRYY1917)Open Research Fund of the State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources of China(2020XSGG006)。
文摘OBJECTIVE To investigate the pharmacological effect of ursolic acid(UA)on colitis-associated colorectal cancer(CAC)and its underlying mechanism based on the Wnt signaling pathway.METHODS The CAC model in mice was established by azoxymethane(AOM)combined and dextran sulfate sodium salt(DSS),accompanied by treatment with various dosages of UA and concomitant appraisal of body weight,stool and physical state of the mice.After the sacrifice of the mice,the tumor and length of the colorectum were measured,followed by retrieval of the liver,spleen,thymus and tumor tissue for downstream assays.The levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6),IL^(-1)βand C-reactive protein(CRP)in the tumor and serum were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The pathological changes of colorectal tissues were observed by HE staining.The levels in tumors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins Wnt4,GSK-3β,β-catenin,TCF4,LEF1,c-Myc,cyclin D1 and apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 were assayed by immunohistochemistry(IHC).The mRNA expressions of Wnt4,GSK-3β,β-catenin,TCF4,LEF1,c-Myc,cyclin D1,Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-9 and caspase-3 in tumors were detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR(RT-qPCR).The protein levels of Wnt4,GSK-3β,β-catenin,TCF4,LEF1,c-Myc,cyclin D1,phospho-β-catenin,phospho-GSK-3β,Bcl-2 and Bax in tumors were probed by analyzed by Western blotting(WB).Also,RNA-seq was employed to assess the gut microbiota in the mice.RESULTS UA significantly ameliorated the symptoms of AOM/DSS-induced mouse CAC,evidenced by improved physical state,body weight,survival rate,colorectal length,the mass of liver,thymus,spleen,and decreased CAC load and colorectal mass.UA attenuated the levels of IL-6,IL^(-1)βand CRP in the mouse serum and colorectal tumor in a dose-dependent manner.HE staining showed that UA lessened carcinogenesis in the colorectum,with lower infiltration of lymphocytes,versus the control.IHC indicated that UA mitigated the expression of Wnt4,β-catenin,TCF4,LEF1,c-Myc,cyclin D1,Bcl-2,and promoted the GSK-3βexpression,compared with the control.Furthermore,UA diminished the mRNA expressions of Wnt4,β-catenin,TCF4,LEF1,c-Myc,cyclin D1,Bcl-2,and heightened the mRNA levels of GSK-3β,caspase-3,capase-9 and Bax in CAC.The results of mRNA expressions were verified by WB analysis,which revealed that UA impeded the protein expression of Wnt4,β-catenin,c-Myc,cyclin D1,Bcl-2,TCF4,LEF1,and elevated the protein levels of GSK-3βand Bax,phospho-β-catenin in mouse CAC.In addition,UA substantially ameliorated the gut microbiota to store the metabolic function in the mice with CAC.CONCLUSION Ursolic acid may protect against CAC,potentially by downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activity and restoration of gut microbiota.
