{"title":"Pathological and pharmacological functions of the metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids mediated by cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, and cytochrome P450s in cancers","authors":"Yi-Wen Meng , Jun-Yan Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Oxylipins have garnered increasing attention because they were consistently shown to play pathological and/or pharmacological roles in the development of multiple cancers. Oxylipins are the metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids via both enzymatic and nonenzymatic pathways. The enzymes mediating the metabolism of PUFAs include but not limited to lipoxygenases (LOXs), cyclooxygenases (COXs), and cytochrome P450s (CYPs) pathways, as well as the down-stream enzymes. Here, we systematically summarized the pleiotropic effects of oxylipins in different cancers through pathological and pharmacological aspects, with specific reference to the enzyme-mediated oxylipins. We discussed the specific roles of oxylipins on cancer onset, growth, invasion, and metastasis, as well as the expression changes in the associated metabolic enzymes and the associated underlying mechanisms. In addition, we also discussed the clinical application and potential of oxylipins and related metabolic enzymes as the targets for cancer prevention and treatment. We found the specific function of most oxylipins in cancers, especially the underlying mechanisms and clinic applications, deserves and needs further investigation. We believe that research on oxylipins will provide not only more therapeutic targets for various cancers but also dietary guidance for both cancer patients and healthy humans.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":402,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacology & Therapeutics","volume":"256 ","pages":"Article 108612"},"PeriodicalIF":13.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139899096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Harnessing and delivering microbial metabolites as therapeutics via advanced pharmaceutical approaches","authors":"Lindsey M. Williams, Shijie Cao","doi":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108605","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Microbial metabolites have emerged as key players in the interplay between diet, the gut microbiome, and host health. Two major classes, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and tryptophan (Trp) metabolites, are recognized to regulate inflammatory, immune, and metabolic responses within the host. Given that many human diseases are associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and consequent reductions in microbial metabolite production, the administration of these metabolites represents a direct, multi-targeted treatment. While a multitude of preclinical studies showcase the therapeutic potential of both SCFAs and Trp metabolites, they often rely on high doses and frequent dosing regimens to achieve systemic effects, thereby constraining their clinical applicability. To address these limitations, a variety of pharmaceutical formulations approaches that enable targeted, delayed, and/or sustained microbial metabolite delivery have been developed. These approaches, including enteric encapsulations, esterification to dietary fiber, prodrugs, and nanoformulations, pave the way for the next generation of microbial metabolite-based therapeutics.</p><p>In this review, we first provide an overview of the roles of microbial metabolites in maintaining host homeostasis and outline how compromised metabolite production contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory, metabolic, autoimmune, allergic, infectious, and cancerous diseases. Additionally, we explore the therapeutic potential of metabolites in these disease contexts. Then, we provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the pharmaceutical strategies that have been employed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of microbial metabolites, with a focus on SCFAs and Trp metabolites.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":402,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacology & Therapeutics","volume":"256 ","pages":"Article 108605"},"PeriodicalIF":13.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139897767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jeffrey M. Witkin , Hana Shafique , Rok Cerne , Jodi L. Smith , Ann M. Marini , Robert H. Lipsky , Elizabeth Delery
{"title":"Mechanistic and therapeutic relationships of traumatic brain injury and γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA)","authors":"Jeffrey M. Witkin , Hana Shafique , Rok Cerne , Jodi L. Smith , Ann M. Marini , Robert H. Lipsky , Elizabeth Delery","doi":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a highly prevalent medical condition for which no medications specific for the prophylaxis or treatment of the condition as a whole exist. The spectrum of symptoms includes coma, headache, seizures, cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety. Although it has been known for years that the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA) is involved in TBI, no novel therapeutics based upon this mechanism have been introduced into clinical practice. We review the neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, neurochemical, and neuropharmacological relationships of GABA neurotransmission to TBI with a view toward new potential GABA-based medicines. The long-standing idea that excitatory and inhibitory (GABA and others) balances are disrupted by TBI is supported by the experimental data but has failed to invent novel methods of restoring this balance. The slow progress in advancing new treatments is due to the complexity of the disorder that encompasses multiple dynamically interacting biological processes including hemodynamic and metabolic systems, neurodegeneration and neurogenesis, major disruptions in neural networks and axons, frank brain lesions, and a multitude of symptoms that have differential neuronal and neurohormonal regulatory mechanisms. Although the current and ongoing clinical studies include GABAergic drugs, no novel GABA compounds are being explored. It is suggested that filling the gap in understanding the roles played by specific GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor configurations within specific neuronal circuits could help define new therapeutic approaches. Further research into the temporal and spatial delivery of GABA modulators should also be useful. Along with GABA modulation, research into the sequencing of GABA and non-GABA treatments will be needed.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":402,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacology & Therapeutics","volume":"256 ","pages":"Article 108609"},"PeriodicalIF":13.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139899095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Min Zhang , Kaiyuan Wu , Weijie Zhang , Xia Lin , Qi Cao , Lili Zhang , Kaifu Chen
{"title":"The therapeutic potential of targeting the CHD protein family in cancer","authors":"Min Zhang , Kaiyuan Wu , Weijie Zhang , Xia Lin , Qi Cao , Lili Zhang , Kaifu Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108610","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108610","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Accumulating evidence indicates that epigenetic events undergo deregulation in various cancer types, playing crucial roles in tumor development. Among the epigenetic factors involved in the epigenetic remodeling of chromatin, the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein (CHD) family frequently exhibits gain- or loss-of-function mutations in distinct cancer types. Therefore, targeting CHD remodelers holds the potential for antitumor treatment. In this review, we discuss epigenetic regulations of cancer development. We emphasize proteins in the CHD family, delving deeply into the intricate mechanisms governing their functions. Additionally, we provide an overview of current therapeutic strategies targeting CHD family members in preclinical trials. We further discuss the promising approaches that have demonstrated early signs of success in cancer treatment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":402,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacology & Therapeutics","volume":"256 ","pages":"Article 108610"},"PeriodicalIF":13.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139875925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fatma Saaoud , Yifan Lu , Keman Xu , Ying Shao , Domenico Praticò , Roberto I. Vazquez-Padron , Hong Wang , Xiaofeng Yang
{"title":"Protein-rich foods, sea foods, and gut microbiota amplify immune responses in chronic diseases and cancers – Targeting PERK as a novel therapeutic strategy for chronic inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer","authors":"Fatma Saaoud , Yifan Lu , Keman Xu , Ying Shao , Domenico Praticò , Roberto I. Vazquez-Padron , Hong Wang , Xiaofeng Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108604","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108604","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a cellular organelle that is physiologically responsible for protein folding, calcium homeostasis, and lipid biosynthesis. Pathological stimuli such as oxidative stress, ischemia, disruptions in calcium homeostasis, and increased production of normal and/or folding-defective proteins all contribute to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER, causing ER stress. The adaptive response to ER stress is the activation of unfolded protein response (UPR), which affect a wide variety of cellular functions to maintain ER homeostasis or lead to apoptosis. Three different ER transmembrane sensors, including PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), and inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1), are responsible for initiating UPR. The UPR involves a variety of signal transduction pathways that reduce unfolded protein accumulation by boosting ER-resident chaperones, limiting protein translation, and accelerating unfolded protein degradation. ER is now acknowledged as a critical organelle in sensing dangers and determining cell life and death. On the other hand, UPR plays a critical role in the development and progression of several diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), metabolic disorders, chronic kidney diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer. Here, we critically analyze the most current knowledge of the master regulatory roles of ER stress particularly the PERK pathway as a conditional danger receptor, an organelle crosstalk regulator, and a regulator of protein translation. We highlighted that PERK is not only ER stress regulator by sensing UPR and ER stress but also a frontier sensor and direct senses for gut microbiota-generated metabolites. Our work also further highlighted the function of PERK as a central hub that leads to metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic modification which further enhanced inflammatory response and promoted trained immunity. Moreover, we highlighted the contribution of ER stress and PERK in the pathogenesis of several diseases such as cancer, CVD, kidney diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic target of ER stress and PERK for cancer treatment and the potential novel therapeutic targets for CVD, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders. Inhibition of ER stress, by the development of small molecules that target the PERK and UPR, represents a promising therapeutic strategy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":402,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacology & Therapeutics","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108604"},"PeriodicalIF":13.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139740068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The role of microglia heterogeneity in synaptic plasticity and brain disorders: Will sequencing shed light on the discovery of new therapeutic targets?","authors":"Yi You , Zhong Chen , Wei-Wei Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108606","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108606","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Microglia play a crucial role in interacting with neuronal synapses and modulating synaptic plasticity. This function is particularly significant during postnatal development, as microglia are responsible for removing excessive synapses to prevent neurodevelopmental deficits. Dysregulation of microglial synaptic function has been well-documented in various pathological conditions, notably Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. The recent application of RNA sequencing has provided a powerful and unbiased means to decipher spatial and temporal microglial heterogeneity. By identifying microglia with varying gene expression profiles, researchers have defined multiple subgroups of microglia associated with specific pathological states, including disease-associated microglia, interferon-responsive microglia, proliferating microglia, and inflamed microglia in multiple sclerosis, among others. However, the functional roles of these distinct subgroups remain inadequately characterized. This review aims to refine our current understanding of the potential roles of heterogeneous microglia in regulating synaptic plasticity and their implications for various brain disorders, drawing from recent sequencing research and functional studies. This knowledge may aid in the identification of pathogenetic biomarkers and potential factors contributing to pathogenesis, shedding new light on the discovery of novel drug targets. The field of sequencing-based data mining is evolving toward a multi-omics approach. With advances in viral tools for precise microglial regulation and the development of brain organoid models, we are poised to elucidate the functional roles of microglial subgroups detected through sequencing analysis, ultimately identifying valuable therapeutic targets.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":402,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacology & Therapeutics","volume":"255 ","pages":"Article 108606"},"PeriodicalIF":13.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139721090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simone Filardo , Mattioli Roberto , Daniel Di Risola , Luciana Mosca , Marisa Di Pietro , Rosa Sessa
{"title":"Olea europaea L-derived secoiridoids: Beneficial health effects and potential therapeutic approaches","authors":"Simone Filardo , Mattioli Roberto , Daniel Di Risola , Luciana Mosca , Marisa Di Pietro , Rosa Sessa","doi":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108595","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108595","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Over the years, health challenges have become increasingly complex and global and, at the beginning of the 21st century, chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, neurological, and chronic respiratory diseases, as well as cancer and diabetes, have been identified by World Health Organization as one of the biggest threats to human health. Recently, antimicrobial resistance has also emerged as a growing problem of public health for the management of infectious diseases. In this scenario, the exploration of natural products as supplementation or alternative therapeutic options is acquiring great importance, and, among them, the olive tree, <em>Olea europaea</em> L, specifically leaves, fruits, and oil, has been increasingly investigated for its health promoting properties. Traditionally, these properties have been largely attributed to the high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids, although, in recent years, beneficial effects have also been associated to other components, particularly polyphenols. Among them, the most interesting group is represented by <em>Olea europaea</em> L secoiridoids, comprising oleuropein, oleocanthal, oleacein, and ligstroside, which display anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardioprotective, neuroprotective and anticancer activities. This review provides an overview of the multiple health beneficial effects, the molecular mechanisms, and the potential applications of secoiridoids from <em>Olea europaea</em> L.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":402,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacology & Therapeutics","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 108595"},"PeriodicalIF":13.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163725824000159/pdfft?md5=7f455e885308c9e62f77f01c0ce56257&pid=1-s2.0-S0163725824000159-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139577918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"CDNF and ER stress: Pharmacology and therapeutic possibilities","authors":"Helike Lõhelaid , Mart Saarma , Mikko Airavaara","doi":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108594","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108594","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) is an endogenous protein in humans and other vertebrates, and it has been shown to have protective and restorative effects on cells in various disease models. Although it is named as a neurotrophic factor, its actions are drastically different from classical neurotrophic factors such as neurotrophins or the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic family of proteins. Like all secreted proteins, CDNF has a signal sequence at the N-terminus, but unlike common growth factors it has a KDEL-receptor retrieval sequence at the C-terminus. Thus, CDNF is mainly located in the ER. In response to adverse effects, such as ER stress, the expression of CDNF is upregulated and can alleviate ER stress. Also different from other neurotrophic factors, CDNF reduces protein aggregation and inflammation in disease models. Although it is an ER luminal protein, it can surprisingly directly interact with alpha-synuclein, a protein involved in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies e.g., Parkinson's disease. Pleiotropic CDNF has therapeutic potential and has been tested as a recombinant human protein and gene therapy. The neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects have been described in a number of preclinical studies of Parkinson's disease, stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Currently, it was successfully evaluated for safety in a phase 1/2 clinical trial for Parkinson's disease. Collectively, based on recent findings on the mode of action and therapeutic potential of CDNF, its use as a drug could be expanded to other ER stress-related diseases.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":402,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacology & Therapeutics","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 108594"},"PeriodicalIF":13.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139573748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xinyue Lin , Juanhong Zhang , Yajun Chu , Qiuying Nie , Junmin Zhang
{"title":"Berberine prevents NAFLD and HCC by modulating metabolic disorders","authors":"Xinyue Lin , Juanhong Zhang , Yajun Chu , Qiuying Nie , Junmin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108593","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108593","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global metabolic disease<span><span> with high prevalence in both adults and children. Importantly, NAFLD is becoming the main cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). </span>Berberine (BBR), a naturally occurring plant component, has been demonstrated to have advantageous effects on a number of metabolic pathways as well as the ability to kill liver tumor cells by causing cell death and other routes. This permits us to speculate and make assumptions about the value of BBR in the prevention and defense against NAFLD and HCC by a global modulation of metabolic disorders. Herein, we briefly describe the etiology of NAFLD and NAFLD-related HCC, with a particular emphasis on analyzing the potential mechanisms of BBR in the treatment of NAFLD from aspects including increasing insulin sensitivity, controlling the intestinal milieu, and controlling lipid metabolism. We also elucidate the mechanism of BBR in the treatment of HCC. More significantly, we provided a list of clinical studies for BBR in NAFLD. Taking into account our conclusions and perspectives, we can make further progress in the treatment of BBR in NAFLD and NAFLD-related HCC.</span></p></div>","PeriodicalId":402,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacology & Therapeutics","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 108593"},"PeriodicalIF":13.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139659620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julia Kielb , Süreyya Saffak , Jessica Weber , Leonard Baensch , Khatereh Shahjerdi , Aylin Celik , Nora Farahat , Sally Riek , Oscar Chavez-Talavera , Maria Grandoch , Amin Polzin , Malte Kelm , Lisa Dannenberg
{"title":"Transformation or replacement - Effects of hormone therapy on cardiovascular risk","authors":"Julia Kielb , Süreyya Saffak , Jessica Weber , Leonard Baensch , Khatereh Shahjerdi , Aylin Celik , Nora Farahat , Sally Riek , Oscar Chavez-Talavera , Maria Grandoch , Amin Polzin , Malte Kelm , Lisa Dannenberg","doi":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108592","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108592","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Hormone therapy (HT) is important and frequently used both regarding replacement therapy (HRT) and gender affirming therapy (GAHT). While HRT has been effective in addressing symptoms related to hormone shortage, several side effects have been described. In this context, there are some studies that show increased cardiovascular risk. However, there are also studies reporting protective aspects of HT. Nevertheless, the exact impact of HT on cardiovascular risk and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This article explores the relationship between diverse types of HT and cardiovascular risk, focusing on mechanistic insights of the underlying hormones on platelet and leukocyte function as well as on effects on endothelial and adipose tissue cells.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":402,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacology & Therapeutics","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 108592"},"PeriodicalIF":13.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139568703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}