UNASSIGNED: Male infertility rises for many reasons, along with age; therefore, we aimed to research the characterization of aquaporin-3, 7, and 8 in human sperm belonging to different age groups.
UNASSIGNED: This study was conducted on sperm samples of men aged over 18 years. A total of 60 men were included in the study and divided into three age groups: group 1, age 18-25 years (n = 20); group 2, age 26-35 years (n = 20); and group 3, age ≥35 years (n = 20). Sperm ejaculates obtained from each participant were used for spermiogram tests, Kruger strict morphology analysis, and immunohistochemistry.
UNASSIGNED: We observed no statistically significant differences in terms of macroscopic and microscopic sperm testing. The immunostaining score of aquaporin-3 was the lowest in group 1 and increased in group 3 and group 2, respectively (p < 0.05). Aquaporin-8 immunostaining only increased in group 2 (p < 0.05). Aquaporin-7 immunostaining scores were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). When the immunostaining scores of aquaporin molecules were compared with each other, aquaporin-7 was significantly increased compared with the others (p < 0.05).
UNASSIGNED: According to the results, it can be stated that aquaporin-3 and aquaporin-8 molecules were more expressed at age 26 to 35 years, and aquaporin-7 was densely expressed from age 18 to 25 years. If the characterization of these molecules is adversely affected, male infertility may eventually emerge. We recommend further advanced-level studies on this subject.

Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) channels are tetrameric membrane-bound channels that facilitate the transport of water and other small solutes across cell membranes in the skin. Decreased AQP3 expression is associated with skin dryness, skin aging, psoriasis, and delayed wound healing. Thus, our study focused on a novel combination based on Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine for targeted AQP3 regulation in skin keratinocytes and deep skin moisturization. Firstly, a dose-finding cytotoxicity assay of the selected substances was performed with a 2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) indicator on HaCaT cells. The substances\' ability to increase the amount of AQP3 in keratinocytes was evaluated in a keratinocyte cell culture by means of ELISA. Additionally, the deep skin hydration effect was confirmed in clinical research with healthy volunteers. According to the results, the maximum tolerated doses providing viability at 70% (MTDs) values for Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine were 24.50% and 39.00%, respectively. Following the research and development, a complex based on Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine in a 1:1 mass ratio exhibited a good cytotoxicity profile, with an MTDs value of 37.90%. Furthermore, it was shown that the combination had a clear synergetic effect and significantly increased AQP3 by up to 380% compared to the negative control and glyceryl glucoside (p < 0.001). It was clinically confirmed that the developed shower gel containing Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine safely improved skin hydration after one use and over 28 days. Thus, this novel plant-based combination has promising potential for AQP3 regulation in the skin epidermis and a role in the development of dermatological drugs for the treatment of skin xerosis and atopic-related conditions.

UNASSIGNED: Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane channel proteins. Aquaporin 1 (AQP1), Aquaporin 3 (AQP3), and Aquaporin 7 (AQP7) are expressed in the jejunum. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how a high-fat high-fructose diet (HFFD) and intermittent fasting (IF) affect AQP1, AQP3, and AQP7 expression in the rat jejunum.
UNASSIGNED: Sixteen adult male rats were divided into control rats (n = 4) fed on a basal diet and water ad libitum for 12 weeks; IF control rats (n = 4) followed the IF protocol, HFFD-fed rats (n = 8) fed HFFD for eight weeks, and rats were randomized into two groups: HFFD only or HFFD and IF protocol from the beginning of the 9th week until the end of the experiment. The lipid profile values were assessed after 12 weeks. Jejunal oxidative markers (malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione) and AQP1, AQP3, and AQP7 mRNA expression were measured. Jejunal sections were used for morphometric analysis of villus length and crypt depth. Immunohistochemical evaluation of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP7 expression was also performed.
UNASSIGNED: IF ameliorates HFFD-induced lipid profile, oxidative stress, and jejunal morphometric changes. The results of both mRNA expression using PCR and immunohistochemistry showed a significant increase in AQP1, AQP3, and AQP7 expression in HFFD, whereas IF caused a decline in this expression.
UNASSIGNED: These findings suggest that IF can reduce inflammation, and oxidative stress and restore jejunal morphology caused by HFFD.

UNASSIGNED: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Previous investigations have revealed the involvement of FTO alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (FTO) and aquaporin 3 (AQP3) in AKI. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the association of FTO and AQP3 on proximal tubular epithelial cell damage in SAP-induced AKI.
UNASSIGNED: An in-vitro AKI model was established in human proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) HK-2 via tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induction (20 ng/mL), after which FTO and AQP3 expression was manipulated and quantified by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. The viability and apoptosis of PTECs under various conditions, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malonaldehyde (MDA) levels within these cells were measured using commercial assay kits and flow cytometry. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation and mRNA stability assays were performed to elucidate the mechanism of FTO-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Western blotting was performed to quantify β-catenin protein levels in the PTECs.
UNASSIGNED: FTO overexpression attenuated the TNF-α-induced decrease in viability and SOD levels, elevated apoptosis, increased levels of ROS and MDA, and diminished TNF-α-induced AQP3 expression and reduced β-catenin expression, but its silencing led to contradictory results. FTO negatively modulates AQP3 levels in RTECs in an m6A-depednent manner and compromises AQP3 stability. In addition, all FTO overexpression-induced effects in TNF-α-induced PTECs were neutralized following AQP3 upregulation.
UNASSIGNED: FTO alleviates TNF-α-induced damage to PTECs in vitro by targeting AQP3 in an m6A-dependent manner.

The increasing incidence of male infertility in humans and animals creates the need to search for new factors that significantly affect the course of reproductive processes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the temporospatial expression of aquaglyceroporins (AQP3, AQP7 and AQP9) in the bovine (Bos taurus) reproductive system using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The study also included morphological analysis and identification of GATA-4. In brief, in immature individuals, AQP3 and AQP7 were found in gonocytes. In reproductive bulls, AQP3 was observed in spermatocytes and spermatogonia, while AQP7 was visible in all germ cells and the Sertoli cells. AQP7 and AQP9 were detected in the Leydig cells. Along the entire epididymis of reproductive bulls, aquaglyceroporins were visible, among others, in basal cells (AQP3 and AQP7), in epididymal sperm (AQP7) and in the stereocilia of the principal cells (AQP9). In males of all ages, aquaglyceroporins were identified in the principal and basal cells of the vas deferens. An increase in the expression of AQP3 in the testis and cauda epididymis and a decrease in the abundance of AQP7 in the vas deferens with age were found. In conclusion, age-related changes in the expression and/or distribution patterns of AQP3, AQP7 and AQP9 indicate the involvement of these proteins in the normal development and course of male reproductive processes in cattle.

Sepsis is a common life-threatening disease caused by dysregulated immune response and metabolic acidosis which lead to organ failure. An abnormal expression of aquaporins plays an important role in organ failure. Additionally, genetic variants in aquaporins impact on the outcome in sepsis. Thus, we investigated the polymorphism (rs17553719) and expression of aquaporin-3 (AQP3) and correlated these measurements with the survival of sepsis patients. Accordingly, we collected blood samples on several days (plus clinical data) from 265 sepsis patients who stayed in different ICUs in Germany. Serum plasma, DNA, and RNA were then separated to detect the promotor genotypes of AQP3 mRNA expression of AQP3 and several cytokines. The results showed that the homozygote CC genotype exhibited a significant decrease in 30-day survival (38.9%) compared to the CT (66.15%) and TT genotypes (76.3%) (p = 0.003). Moreover, AQP3 mRNA expression was significantly higher and nearly doubled in the CC compared to the CT (p = 0.0044) and TT genotypes (p = 0.018) on the day of study inclusion. This was accompanied by an increased IL-33 concentration in the CC genotype (day 0: p = 0.0026 and day 3: p = 0.008). In summary, the C allele of the AQP3 polymorphism (rs17553719) shows an association with increased AQP3 expression and IL-33 concentration accompanied by decreased survival in patients with sepsis.

Sepsis involves an immunological systemic response to a microbial pathogenic insult, leading to a cascade of interconnected biochemical, cellular, and organ-organ interaction networks. Potential drug targets can depict aquaporins, as they are involved in immunological processes. In immune cells, AQP3 and AQP9 are of special interest. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that these aquaporins are expressed in the blood cells of septic patients and impact sepsis survival. Clinical data, routine laboratory parameters, and blood samples from septic patients were analyzed on day 1 and day 8 after sepsis diagnosis. AQP expression and cytokine serum concentrations were measured. AQP3 mRNA expression increased over the duration of sepsis and was correlated with lymphocyte count. High AQP3 expression was associated with increased survival. In contrast, AQP9 expression was not altered during sepsis and was correlated with neutrophil count, and low levels of AQP9 were associated with increased survival. Furthermore, AQP9 expression was an independent risk factor for sepsis lethality. In conclusion, AQP3 and AQP9 may play contrary roles in the pathophysiology of sepsis, and these results suggest that AQP9 may be a novel drug target in sepsis and, concurrently, a valuable biomarker of the disease.

Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) is a predominant water channel protein expressed in the intestine, and plays important roles in the gut physiology and pathophysiology due to its permeability to water, glycerol and hydrogen peroxide. In this review, we systematically summarized the current understanding of the expression of AQP3 in the intestine of different species, and focused on the potential roles of AQP3 in water transport, different types of diarrhea and constipation, intestinal inflammation, intestinal barrier function, oxidative stress, and autophagy. These updated findings have supported that AQP3 may function as an important target in maintaining gut health of human and animals.

This study aims to investigate the effect of red ginseng polysaccharide (RGP) on gastric cancer (GC) development and explore its mechanism.
GC cell lines AGS were treated with varying concentrations of RGP (50, 100, and 200 μg/mL). AGS cells treated with 200 μg/mL RGP were transfected with aquaporin 3 (AQP3) overexpression vector. Cell proliferation, viability, and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of AQP3. The levels of Fe2+, malondialdehyde, and lactate dehydrogenase were measured using their respective detection kits, and the reactive oxygen species levels was determined by probe 2\',7\'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. The expression of ferroptosis-related protein and PI3K/Akt pathway-related protein were assessed by western blot. In vivo experiments in nude mice were performed and the mice were divided into four groups (n = 5/group) which gavage administrated with 150 mg/kg normal saline, and 75, 150, 300 mg/kg RGP, respectively. Their tumor weight and volume were recorded.
RGP treatment effectively inhibited the proliferation and viability of AGS cells in a dosage-dependent manner and induced apoptosis. It induced ferroptosis in AGS cells, as well as inhibiting the expression of PI3K/Akt-related proteins. AQP3 overexpression could reversed the effect of RGP treatment on ferroptosis. Confirmatory in vivo experiments showed that RGP could reduce the growth of implanted tumor, with increased RGP concentration resulting in greater tumor inhibitory effects.
RGP might have therapeutic potential against GC, effectively inhibiting the proliferation and viability of AGS cells.

Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin disorder mediated by the dysregulation of both keratinocytes and T cells. Here, we report that aquaporin 3 (AQP3), a channel protein that mediates the transport of water/glycerol, was highly expressed in the epidermis and CD4+ T cells of both rosacea patients and experimental mice. Specifically, AQP3 deletion blocked the development of rosacea-like skin inflammation in model mice with LL37-induced rosacea-like disease. We also present mechanistic evidence showing that AQP3 was essential to the activation of NF-κB signaling and subsequent production of disease-characteristic chemokines in keratinocytes. Moreover, we show that AQP3 was upregulated during T cell differentiation and promotes helper T (Th) 17 differentiation possibly via the activation of STAT3 signaling. Our findings reveal that AQP3-mediated activation of NF-κB in keratinocytes and activation of STAT3 in CD4+ T cells acted synergistically and contributed to the inflammation in rosacea.